Function and regulation of cGAS-STING signaling in infectious diseases.

The efficacious detection of pathogens and prompt induction of innate immune signaling serve as a crucial component of immune defense against infectious pathogens. Over the past decade, DNA-sensing receptor cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) and its downstream signaling adaptor stimulator of interferon genes (STING) have emerged as key mediators of type I interferon (IFN) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) responses in health and infection diseases. Moreover, both cGAS-STING pathway and pathogens have developed delicate strategies to resist each other for their survival. The mechanistic and functional comprehension of the interplay between cGAS-STING pathway and pathogens is opening the way for the development and application of pharmacological agonists and antagonists in the treatment of infectious diseases. Here, we briefly review the current knowledge of DNA sensing through the cGAS-STING pathway, and emphatically highlight the potent undertaking of cGAS-STING signaling pathway in the host against infectious pathogenic organisms.

Pharmacological inhibition of fatty acid synthesis blocks SARS-CoV-2 replication.

Caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), COVID-19 is a virus-induced inflammatory disease of the airways and lungs that leads to severe multi-organ damage and death. Here we show that cellular lipid synthesis is required for SARS-CoV-2 replication and offers an opportunity for pharmacological intervention. Screening a short-hairpin RNA sublibrary that targets metabolic genes, we identified genes that either inhibit or promote SARS-CoV-2 viral infection, including two key candidate genes, ACACA and FASN, which operate in the same lipid synthesis pathway. We further screened and identified several potent inhibitors of fatty acid synthase (encoded by FASN), including the US Food and Drug Administration-approved anti-obesity drug orlistat, and found that it inhibits in vitro replication of SARS-CoV-2 variants, including more contagious new variants, such as Delta. In a mouse model of SARS-CoV-2 infection (K18-hACE2 transgenic mice), injections of orlistat resulted in lower SARS-CoV-2 viral levels in the lung, reduced lung pathology and increased mouse survival. Our findings identify fatty acid synthase inhibitors as drug candidates for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 by inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 replication. Clinical trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy of repurposing fatty acid synthase inhibitors for severe COVID-19 in humans.

Research Progress of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Patients of Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia

Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia is highly infectious and the overall mortality rate is low, but the mortality rate of severe patients is high. Compared with mild patients, the disease is progressing rapidly, imaging features are typical, and many laboratory indexes are more remarkable. Some patients need intensive care unit treatment and mechanical ventilation. Early diagnosis, close attention to the changes of the condition and comprehensive treatment are very important.

Infection Prevention and Control Workflow of Nuclear Medicine Department during Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia Epidemic Period

Nuclear medical examination has its particularity. Most patients need to stay a long time in a relatively closed environment after injection of radioactive tracers. There is a risk of cross infection between medical staff and patients ,and between patients. For better epidemic prevention and control work, we need to take appropriate measures to ensure the safety of medical staff and patients. According to the diagnosis and treatment plan of NCP issued by National Health Commission and the guidelines of nuclear medicine, this article summarized the process and prevention and control work management strategy of nuclear medicine.

Psychological Status and Defensive Measures of Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia Suspected Case in Isolation Period

Since the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak, tens of thousands of patients were diagnosed and more than 3000 people died, which seriously affected the normal life of the public in China. In order to effectively control the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus, persons who contacted the infected patients directly or indirectly should be isolated for at least 14 days. The psychological status of isolated people was affected by the factors including the long isolation time, the relatively narrow isolation space, and the fear of the virus, and so on. Hence, we should pay more attention on the psychological status of isolated people and give effective intervention earlier to avoid adverse events.

Optimization, Prevention and Control Measures of PET/CT Examination and Nursing Workflow During the Prevention and Control of Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia

The PET/CT examination in nuclear medicine subject has many procedures involved many links and workplaces, and the management requirements for patients are complex. Patients need to stay in a relatively closed environment for a long time after the injection of radio pharmaceuticals, so the risk of cross-infection between medical staff and patients, and between patients is high. In novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP) during the prevention and control, it’s very important for patients carried out PET/CT examination to formulate emergency preplans for prevention, control and optimize the workflow, take necessary control measures, make the medical staff of personal protection. We have to do well for the patients of the correct health education, reduce exposure risk, reduce the cross infection, and guarantee the quality of nuclear medicine inspection and safety.

Prevention and Control of COVID-19 of Children

With the initial development of novel coronavirus epidemic situation, the number of new cases of coronal pneumonia among children has increased. In order to make clear the diagnosis and carry out pathogen detection of novel crown pneumonia in many regions of the country, it is found that the number of children infected has increased significantly. During the epidemic, children’s lives need to be protected and their fears need to be eliminated. Therefore, we need to enhance the understanding of novel coronavirus pneumonia of children to prevent misdiagnosis, and conduct early diagnosis and treatment.

A Brief Discussion on the Hospital’ s Response to Sudden Public Health Emergencies under the Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia Epidemic Situation

Since the outbreak of novel coronavirus infection at the end of 2019, all the Chinese people have launched an unprecedented war to stop the epidemic, and hospitals have played an irreplaceable role in the process of fighting the epidemic. But at the same time, it also reveals that there are still many deficiencies in hospitals in dealing with major public health emergencies, and it is necessary to further strengthen and improve the construction of emergency management system. This paper makes a comprehensive review on the challenges and relevant suggestions faced by the hospital in dealing with major infectious emergencies during the outbreak of 2019-nCoV’s pneumonia, in order to enhance the hospital’s emergency response ability to deal with public health emergencies, improve the level of medical and health rescue, and ensure that it is more organized, orderly and efficient in dealing with emergencies.

Optimization of the Working Procedure of Radionuclide Treatment Ward during 2019-nCoV Prevention

Since the end of 2019, Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia (2019-nCov) has appeared and spread rapidly in the world. During the epidemic period, how to control the infection in the working procedure of radionuclide treatment ward is a clinical protection problem that must be solved. If a novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP) is suspected or diagnosed, the most important thing is to isolate the relevant doctors and patients on the spot in time and initiate relevant NCP clinical emergency plans and procedures. When the radioactive infected medical waste is disinfected, it should be treated as radioactive waste. Therefore, it is necessary to optimize the working procedures of radionuclide therapy ward.

Thinking and Challenge on Prevention and Control of Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia

Novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) caused by novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) lead to a sudden and dangerous disaster to mankind. Novel coronavirus pneumonia has spread rapidly worldwide since March 2020, especially the incidence and mortality rate of novel coronavirus pneumonia in the United States occupy the first place in the world. COVID-19 has become a global public health emergency, and all governments and medical institutions are actively managing to get involved in the prevention and control of epidemic diseases work. In view of COVID-19 related epidemic characteristics, hazards, effective measures to prevent the further development, and the experience of the national participation in the prevention and control of the outbreak, the current issue of the Frontier of Clinical Medicine plans to publish a special report on “Thinking and Challenge on Prevention and Control of Novel Coreonavirus Pneumonia” in order to improve the global response capacity to public health emergencies and the level of scientific prevention and control of epidemics.