When AHR signaling pathways meet viral infections.

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-dependent transcriptional factor widely expressed among immune, epithelial, endothelial and stromal cells in barrier tissues. It can be activated by small molecules provided by pollutants, microorganisms, food, and metabolism. It has been demonstrated that AHR plays an important role in modulating the response to many microbial pathogens, and the abnormal expression of AHR signaling pathways may disrupt endocrine, cause immunotoxicity, and even lead to the occurrence of cancer. Most humans are infected with at least one known human cancer virus. While the initial infection with these viruses does not cause major disease, the metabolic activity of infected cells changes, thus affecting the activation of oncogenic signaling pathways. In the past few years, lots of studies have shown that viral infections can affect disease progression by regulating the transmission of multiple signaling pathways. This review aims to discuss the potential effects of virus infections on AHR signaling pathways so that we may find a new strategy to minimize the adverse effects of the AHR pathway on diseases. Video Abstract.

Formation mechanism and governance strategies of stigma in public health emergencies: Based on event system theory.

Introduction: With the new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic across the world, it is critical to propose effective strategies for stigma governance in public health emergencies in order to reduce negative effects caused by stigma. However, no known research has focused on the essential role of events in understanding stigma phenomenon from the perspective of external dynamic changes. Methods: Based on the event system theory, this paper analyzes the evolution mode and characteristics of specific events in the process of stigmatization from strength, space and time aspects, and taking COVID-19 event as an example, 1202 questionnaires and empirical analysis were conducted. Results and discussion: Our results reveal that event strength directly affects the results of stigmatization, and such impact appears to be more prominent with a novel, disruptive and critical event. In addition, spatial and temporal attributes represent the dynamic development of an event, and they can interact with event strength to regulate the relationship between event strength and outcomes. Finally, stigma governance strategies under public health emergencies from three aspects of event strength, space, and time were put forward.