Biodegradable Microrobots for DNA Vaccine Delivery.

The delivery of nucleic acid vaccine to stimulate host immune responses against Coronavirus disease 2019 shows promise. However, nucleic acid vaccines have drawbacks, including rapid clearance and poor cellular uptake, that limit their therapeutic potential. Microrobots can be engineered to sustain vaccine release and further control the interactions with immune cells that are vital for robust vaccination. Here, the 3D fabrication of biocompatible and biodegradable microrobots via the two-photon polymerization of gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) and their proof-of-concept application for DNA vaccine delivery is reported. Programmed degradation and drug release by varying the local exposure dose in 3D laser lithography and further functionalized the GelMA microspheres with polyethyleneimine for DNA vaccine delivery to dendritic cell and primary cells is demonstrated. In mice, the DNA vaccine delivered by functionalized microspheres elicited fast, enhanced, and durable antigen expression, which may lead to prolonged protection. Furthermore, we demonstrated the maneuverability of microrobots by fabricating GelMA microspheres on magnetic skeletons. In conclusion, GelMA microrobots may provide an efficient vaccination strategy by controlling the expression duration of DNA vaccines.

The Influence of Different Rope Jumping Methods on Adolescents' Lower Limb Biomechanics during the Ground-Contact Phase.

As a simple and beneficial way of exercise, rope skipping is favored by the majority of teenagers, but incorrect rope skipping may lead to the risk of injury. In this study, 16 male adolescent subjects were tested for bounced jump skipping and alternating jump rope skipping. The kinematic data of the hip, knee, ankle and metatarsophalangeal joint of lower extremities and the kinetics data of lower extremity touching the ground during rope skipping were collected, respectively. Moreover, the electromyography (EMG) data of multiple muscles of the lower extremity were collected by Delsys wireless surface EMG tester. Results revealed that bounced jump (BJ) depicted a significantly smaller vertical ground reaction force (VGRF) than alternate jump (AJ) during the 11-82% of the ground-contact stage (p < 0.001), and the peak ground reaction force and average loading rate were significantly smaller than AJ. From the kinematic perspective, in the sagittal plane, when using BJ, the flexion angle of the hip joint was comparably larger at 12-76% of the ground-contact stage (p < 0.01) and the flexion angle of the knee joint was significantly larger at 13-72% of the ground-contact stage (p < 0.001). When using two rope skipping methods, the minimum dorsal extension angle of the metatarsophalangeal joint was more than 25°, and the maximum was even higher than 50°. In the frontal plane, when using AJ, the valgus angle of the knee joint was significantly larger during the whole ground-contact stage (p < 0.001), and the adduction angle of the metatarsophalangeal joint (MPJ) was significantly larger at 0-97% of the ground-contact stage (p = 0.001). EMG data showed that the standardized value of root mean square amplitude of the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius lateral head of BJ was significantly higher than AJ. At the same time, that of semitendinosus and iliopsoas muscle was significantly lower. According to the above results, compared with AJ, teenagers receive less GRF and have a better landing buffer strategy to reduce load, and have less risk of injury during BJ. In addition, in BJ rope skipping, the lower limbs are more inclined to the calf muscle group force, while AJ is more inclined to the thigh muscle group force. We also found that in using two ways of rope skipping, the extreme metatarsophalangeal joint back extension angle could be a potential risk of injury for rope skipping.

Roles of Genetic Predisposition in the Sex Bias of Pulmonary Pathophysiology, as a Function of Estrogens : Sex Matters in the Prevalence of Lung Diseases.

In addition to studies focused on estrogen mediation of sex-different regulation of systemic circulations, there is now increasing clinical relevance and research interests in the pulmonary circulation, in terms of sex differences in the morbidity and mortality of lung diseases such as inherent-, allergic- and inflammatory-based events. Thus, female predisposition to pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) is an inevitable topic. To better understand the nature of sexual differentiation in the pulmonary circulation, and how heritable factors, in vivo- and/or in vitro-altered estrogen circumstances and changes in the live environment work in concert to discern the sex bias, this chapter reviews pulmonary events characterized by sex-different features, concomitant with exploration of how alterations of genetic expression and estrogen metabolisms trigger the female-predominant pathological signaling. We address the following: PAH (Sect.7.2) is characterized as an estrogenic promotion of its incidence (Sect. 7.2.2), as a function of specific germline mutations, and as an estrogen-elicited protection of its prognosis (Sect.7.2.1). More detail is provided to introduce a less recognized gene of Ephx2 that encodes soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) to degrade epoxyeicosatrienic acids (EETs). As a susceptible target of estrogen, Ephx2/sEH expression is downregulated by an estrogen-dependent epigenetic mechanism. Increases in pulmonary EETs then evoke a potentiation of PAH generation, but mitigation of its progression, a phenomenon similar to the estrogen-paradox regulation of PAH. Additionally, the female susceptibility to chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (Sect. 7.3) and asthma (Sect.7.4), but less preference to COVID-19 (Sect. 7.5), and roles of estrogen in their pathogeneses are briefly discussed.

The Online Education Mode and Reopening Plans for Chinese Schools During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mini Review.

Recently, an unprecedented coronavirus pandemic has emerged and has spread around the world. The novel coronavirus termed COVID-19 by the World Health Organization has posed a huge threat to human safety and social development. This mini review aimed to summarize the online education mode and plans for schools to resume full-time campus study in China during COVID-19. Chinese schools have made significant contributions to the prevention and control of the transmission of COVID-19 by adopting online learning from home. However, normal opening and classroom teaching have been affected. For education systems at all levels, online education may be an effective way to make up for the lack of classroom teaching during the epidemic. To protect staff and students from COVID-19, the timing of students returning to full-time campus study needs to be considered carefully. Reviewing and summarizing of the Chinese education system's response to the virus would be of great value not only in developing educational policy but also in guiding other countries to formulate educational countermeasures.

Clinical and CT characteristics of healthcare workers with COVID-19: A single-centered, retrospective study.

A large number of healthcare workers have been infected with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). We aimed to investigate their clinical and chest computed tomography (CT) characteristics.The clinical, laboratory test and CT features of 43 medical and hospital staff with confirmed COVID-19 (MP group, 26-70 years old) were retrospectively analyzed, and compared to 43 non-medical related patients (non-MP group, 26-71 years old). Follow-up CT characteristics were analyzed to assess the disease progression in the period of hospitalization.At admission, the main complaints of the MP group, including fever (81.4%), fatigue (48.8%) and cough (41.9%), were similar to the non-MP group. The C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and lactate dehydrogenase levels were higher in the non-MP group than the MP group (17.5 ±â€Š22.4 mg/L, 20.2 ±â€Š23.4 mm/H and 219 ±â€Š66U/L, respectively, P < .05). Ground-grass opacities, consolidation, interstitial thickening were common CT features of both groups. The severity of opacities on initial CT were less in the MP group (5.3 ±â€Š3.9 scores) than in the non-MP group (9.1 ±â€Š4.8 scores, P < .05). Before regular treatments, the sum score of the opacities showed weak to moderate correlations with duration, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and lactate dehydrogenase levels (R ranged from 0.341-0.651, P < .05). In the study time window, the duration from illness onset to when the most obvious pulmonary opacities were observed, according to CT findings, were similar in the MP group (13.3 ±â€Š6.6 days) and the non-MP group (13.8 ±â€Š5.1 days, P = .69). Mild to moderate anxiety and depression were observed in both groups.Despite greater knowledge of how to protect themselves than the general population, healthcare workers are also susceptible to COVID-19 infection. Occupational exposure is a very important factor. Healthcare workers have a higher vigilance about the infection in the early stage of the disease.

CT Quantitative Analysis and Its Relationship with Clinical Features for Assessing the Severity of Patients with COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of initial CT quantitative analysis of ground-glass opacity (GGO), consolidation, and total lesion volume and its relationship with clinical features for assessing the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 84 patients with COVID-19 were retrospectively reviewed from January 23, 2020 to February 19, 2020. Patients were divided into two groups: severe group (n = 23) and non-severe group (n = 61). Clinical symptoms, laboratory data, and CT findings on admission were analyzed. CT quantitative parameters, including GGO, consolidation, total lesion score, percentage GGO, and percentage consolidation (both relative to total lesion volume) were calculated. Relationships between the CT findings and laboratory data were estimated. Finally, a discrimination model was established to assess the severity of COVID-19. RESULTS: Patients in the severe group had higher baseline neutrophil percentage, increased high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and procalcitonin levels, and lower baseline lymphocyte count and lymphocyte percentage (p < 0.001). The severe group also had higher GGO score (p < 0.001), consolidation score (p < 0.001), total lesion score (p < 0.001), and percentage consolidation (p = 0.002), but had a lower percentage GGO (p = 0.008). These CT quantitative parameters were significantly correlated with laboratory inflammatory marker levels, including neutrophil percentage, lymphocyte count, lymphocyte percentage, hs-CRP level, and procalcitonin level (p < 0.05). The total lesion score demonstrated the best performance when the data cut-off was 8.2%. Furthermore, the area under the curve, sensitivity, and specificity were 93.8% (confidence interval [CI]: 86.8-100%), 91.3% (CI: 69.6-100%), and 91.8% (CI: 23.0-98.4%), respectively. CONCLUSION: CT quantitative parameters showed strong correlations with laboratory inflammatory markers, suggesting that CT quantitative analysis might be an effective and important method for assessing the severity of COVID-19, and may provide additional guidance for planning clinical treatment strategies.

Benefits of Exercise on Influenza or Pneumonia in Older Adults: A Systematic Review.

A coronavirus pandemic has recently become one of the greatest threats the world is facing. Older adults are under a high risk of infection because of weaker immune systems. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to summarize the recent scientific evidence that outlines the effects of exercise on influenza or pneumonia in older adults. An electronic literature search was conducted using the WEB OF SCIENCE, SCIENCEDIRECT and GOOGLE SCHOLAR databases using the following keywords, "Exercise," "Older adult," "Influenza," and "Pneumonia." Any randomized control trials, cross-sectional and observational studies that related to this topic were all included. Twenty studies met the eligibility criteria for this review. Thirteen randomized control trials investigated the effects of exercise on the immune responses to influenza or pneumonia vaccination: seven trials employed moderate aerobic exercise, three employed resistance exercise, and the remaining three used Asian martial arts or special home-based exercises. Five cross-sectional and two observational studies examined the associations between exercise/physical condition and influenza/pneumonia. Most of the current studies suggested that prolonged moderate aerobic exercise may help to reduce the risk of influenza-related infection and improve the immune responses to influenza or pneumonia vaccination in older adults. In addition, training in traditional Asian martial arts was also found to be beneficial. Future research should focus on the different effects of moderate and vigorous exercise on influenza-related diseases.

Clinical and High-Resolution CT Features of the COVID-19 Infection: Comparison of the Initial and Follow-up Changes.

OBJECTIVES: In late December 2019, an outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Wuhan, China was caused by a novel coronavirus, newly named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. We aimed to quantify the severity of COVID-19 infection on high-resolution chest computed tomography (CT) and to determine its relationship with clinical parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 11, 2020, to February 5, 2020, the clinical, laboratory, and high-resolution CT features of 42 patients (26-75 years, 25 males) with COVID-19 were analyzed. The initial and follow-up CT, obtained a mean of 4.5 days and 11.6 days from the illness onset were retrospectively assessed for the severity and progression of pneumonia. Correlations among clinical parameters, initial CT features, and progression of opacifications were evaluated with Spearman correlation and linear regression analysis. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients (83%) exhibited a progressive process according to CT features during the early stage from onset. Follow-up CT findings showed progressive opacifications, consolidation, interstitial thickening, fibrous strips, and air bronchograms, compared with initial CT (all P < 0.05). Before regular treatments, there was a moderate correlation between the days from onset and sum score of opacifications (R = 0.68, P < 0.01). The C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and lactate dehydrogenase showed significantly positive correlation with the severity of pneumonia assessed on initial CT (Rrange, 0.36-0.75; P < 0.05). The highest temperature and the severity of opacifications assessed on initial CT were significantly related to the progression of opacifications on follow-up CT (P = 0.001-0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with the COVID-19 infection usually presented with typical ground glass opacities and other CT features, which showed significant correlations with some clinical and laboratory measurements. Follow-up CT images often demonstrated progressions during the early stage from illness onset.