Search Results (1,808)

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), a member of the genus Alpha coronavirus, is one of the main pathogens causing piglet diarrhea. PEDV can enhance its replication by regulating host protein function. The tyrosine phosphatase src homology 2 domain-containing PTP (SHP-1) acts as a host natural immune protein capable of influencing viral replication, but there are no studies on the regulation of virus replication by pig SHP-1. In this study, we expressed porcine SHP-1 protein and examined its interaction with PEDV as well as its potential role in PEDV infection. The results showed that SHP-1 overexpression in porcine kidney cells (PK15) significantly increased the mRNA level of viral S protein in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, SHP-1 knockdown reduced S gene expression, indicating that SHP-1 promoted PEDV replication. Overexpression of SHP-1 had an inhibitory effect on IFN-β, TNF-α, ISG15, and CXCL10, while this inhibition was reduced as SHP-1 expression decreased. Furthermore, we found that SHP-1 interacted with TNF receptor-associated factor 3 (TRAF3) and inhibited its K63-linked ubiquitination, suppressing the expression of IFN-β and ISGs and facilitating PEDV replication. The study provided new insights for the prevention and control of porcine epidemic diarrhea. Full article

The U.S. loneliness epidemic is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. While higher social media use (SMU) has been associated with higher loneliness among youth, these associations have not been sufficiently examined in adult populations. Additionally, insufficient research has assessed both SMU time and frequency in the same study. Therefore, the primary aim was to evaluate associations between SMU, both by time and frequency, and loneliness in a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults. We recruited 1512 U.S. adults ages 30–70 in 2023. We assessed loneliness using the NIH PROMIS four-item scale and self-reported SMU time and SMU frequency. Survey-weighted logistic regression models determined associations between both SMU measures and loneliness, controlling for gender, age, sexual orientation, educational attainment, employment status, and marital status. Both SMU time and SMU frequency were independently and linearly associated with loneliness (p < 0.001 for both). Although odds of loneliness increased for each increase in frequency, the association between time spent on social media and loneliness demonstrated an inverted U-shape with maximal loneliness in the third quartile of SMU. Results suggest that both time and frequency of SMU may be useful targets for interventions aimed at curbing the negative impact of SMU on loneliness. Full article

Porcine Sapelovirus (PSV) is widely prevalent in pig herds throughout the world and induces diarrhea, encephalomyelitis, respiratory tract symptoms, and reproductive disorders. However, the epidemiological and genetic evolution characteristics of PSV remain unclear in Yunnan Province. In this study, 1622 fecal samples were collected from pig farms in Yunnan Province. PSV and its co-infection rates with other pathogens were detected; then, the PSV VP1 gene was amplified and sequenced; and the genetic evolution characteristics of the VP1 gene were analyzed. The overall infection rate of PSV in Yunnan Province was 36.50%, and the differences among regions were significant (p < 0.05). The positive rates among different seasons were significantly different (p < 0.01), ranging from 73.33% (autumn) to 19.00% (summer). The PSV positive rate in diarrhea samples (47.26%) was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than that of non-diarrhea samples (31.77%). The co-infection rates of PSV with porcine rotavirus (PoRV) and PSV with porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) were 5.07% and 3.04%. A total of 36 VP1 sequences were obtained, and the average identity among the 36 sequences was 85.3%, which was higher than that with other reference strains. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all 36 PSV strains belonged to the PSV-1 genotype. The VP1 gene was under strong negative selection pressure (average dN/dS = 0.0838); however, the 95th amino acid was under positive selection pressure. Our study revealed the epidemiological, co-infection, and genetic evolution characteristics of PSV in pig herds of Yunnan Province, providing more data for preventing and controlling diarrhea pathogens in pigs. Full article

This study develops a stochastic SIQR epidemic model with mean-reverting Ornstein–Uhlenbeck (OU) processes for both transmission rate $\beta \left(t\right)$ and quarantine release rate $k\left(t\right)$; this is distinct from existing non-white-noise stochastic epidemic models, most of which focus on single-parameter perturbation or only stability analysis. It synchronously embeds OU dynamics into two core epidemic parameters to capture asynchronous fluctuations between infection spread and control measures. It adopts a rare measure solution framework to derive rigorous infection extinction conditions, linking OU’s ergodicity to long-term ${\beta }^{+}\left(t\right)$ averages. It obtains the explicit probability density function of the four-dimensional SIQR system, filling the gap of lacking quantifiable density dynamics in prior studies. Simulations validate that $R_0^d<1$ ensures almost sure extinction, while $R_0^e>1$ leads to stable stochastic persistence. Full article

Background/Objectives: Poor glycemic control is reaching an epidemic prevalence globally. It is associated with significantly morbid health concerns including retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Probiotics have shown promise in reducing health complications associated with poor blood glucose control. We tested a novel approach to designing a precision probiotic cocktail for improving blood glucose homeostasis. Methods: We tested the in vitro glucose consumption rate of twelve mouse microbiome bacterial strains and selected three with the greatest glucose consumption for the probiotic cocktail. The in vivo metabolic impact of ingesting the selected probiotic cocktail was evaluated in twelve C57BL/6J male mice fed a high-fat diet for eight weeks. Results: Compared to a control group, the probiotic group (L. rhamnosus, L. reuteri, and L. salivarius) exhibited significantly lower blood glucose levels, body weight, and body fat percentage. Moreover, the probiotic cocktail also demonstrated the ability to reduce serum insulin, total cholesterol, very-low-density lipoprotein/low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein ratio. For further mechanistic investigation, untargeted metabolomics analyses uncovered overall downregulations in energy substrates and producing pathways like gluconeogenesis, acylcarnitine synthesis, glycolysis, the mitochondrial electron transport chain, the TCA cycle, and the building blocks for ATP formation. Partial least squares-discriminant analyses also confirmed clear group differences in metabolic activity. 16S rRNA sequencing from extracted gut microbiota also showed significant increases in Faith’s phylogenetic diversity, Lachnospiraceae bacterium 609-strain, and the genus Muribaculaceae as well as group β-diversity differences after probiotic intake. Conclusions: As such, we successfully developed a blend of three probiotics to effectively reduce blood glucose levels in male mice, which could further mitigate adverse health effects in the host. Full article

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), the causative agent of porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED), induces vomiting, watery diarrhea, and severe dehydration in pigs. It exhibits particularly high lethality in neonatal piglets, posing a significant threat to the global swine industry and inflicting substantial economic losses. The host innate immune system serves as the primary defense against viral invasion; however, PEDV employs multiple strategies to evade this response. This review systematically summarizes the multiple molecular mechanisms by which PEDV evaded the host’s innate immunity, including interfering with host intracellular signaling pathways by virally encoded proteins, antagonizing the host’s antiviral factors and related immune genes to suppress the innate immune responses, and regulating the autophagy process of the host cells, thereby achieving the escape of the host’s innate immunity. A comprehensive understanding of how PEDV subverts innate immunity is crucial for developing effective control strategies and therapeutics. This review aims to provide novel insights and potential targets for combating PED. Full article

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are not merely coexisting epidemics but co-evolving manifestations of a shared cardiometabolic continuum. Despite advances in glycemic, lipid, and blood pressure control, residual cardiovascular risk remains high, underscoring the limitations of siloed approaches. In this perspective, we argue for reframing T2D and CVD as interconnected conditions driven by inflammation, adipose tissue dysfunction, and organ crosstalk. Beyond metformin, which remains foundational, several glucose-lowering drug classes are now evaluated not only for glycemic control but also for their cardiovascular and renal impact. Landmark trials and recent meta-analyses confirm that sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists improve cardiorenal outcomes. More recently, tirzepatide, a dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)/GLP-1 receptor agonist, has shown unprecedented efficacy in weight and glucose management, with potential to further transform cardiometabolic risk reduction. Yet enthusiasm for these therapies must be tempered by heterogeneity of response, treatment costs, and inequitable access. Integrated care models, supported by multidisciplinary teams, digital health tools, and value-based reimbursement, are essential to close the gap between trial efficacy and real-world outcomes. Attention to sex, age, ethnicity, and comorbidity profiles is critical to ensure equity, as is the adaptation of strategies to low- and middle-income countries where the burden of cardiometabolic disease is rapidly rising. Ultimately, advancing cardiometabolic medicine requires not only novel therapies but also a unifying framework that integrates biology, behavior, economics, and health systems to deliver the right treatment to the right patient at the right time. Full article

A spatiotemporal transmission epidemic model is proposed based on human mobility, spatial factors of population migration across multiple regions, individual protection, and government quarantine measures. First, the model’s basic reproduction number and disease-free equilibrium are derived, and the relationship between the basic reproduction number in a single region and that across multiple regions is explored. Second, the global asymptotic stability of both the disease-free equilibrium and the endemic equilibrium is proved by constructing a Lyapunov function. The impact of population migration on the spread of the virus is revealed by numerical simulations, and the global sensitivity of the model parameters is analyzed for a single region. Finally, a protection isolation strategy based on the optimal path is proposed. The experimental results indicate that increasing the isolation rate, improving the treatment rate, enhancing personal protection, and reducing the infection rate can effectively prevent and control the spread of the epidemic. Population migration accelerates the spread of the virus from high-infected areas to low-infected areas, aggravating the epidemic situation. However, effective public health measures in low-infected areas can prevent transmission and reduce the basic reproduction number. Furthermore, if the inflow migration rate exceeds the outflow rate, the number of infected individuals in the region increases. Full article

The monkeypox virus (MPXV) has spread globally, posing a severe challenge to global public health. This study systematically evaluated the aerosol shedding dynamics of the epidemic Clade IIb MPXV strain in infected young rabbits, along with its direct contact and airborne transmission potential among them. We found that young rabbits could be experimentally infected with MPXV, exhibiting distinct pathogenic features and viral shedding patterns. Young rabbits infected with MPXV shed the virus through nasal secretions and exhaled aerosols, peaking at 7 dpi. In total, 89–95.8% of virus-laden respiratory particles had a diameter ≥4.7 μm. Notably, MPXV can be efficiently shed and transferred among young rabbits through direct contact and airborne routes. The nasal secretions and exhaled virus particles from donor rabbits can be contacted or inhaled by recipient rabbits. Large amounts of viral DNA were detected in the nasal wash of rabbits exposed to contact or airborne exposure. Furthermore, virus particles invade the lungs, causing pathological changes and disseminating them to multiple organs. However, no infectious virus was successfully recovered from these recipient rabbits, as their exposed or inhaled MPXV dose might have been below the MPXV’s minimum infectious dose for young rabbits. These findings indicate that although the airborne transmissibility of the current MPXV strain is relatively limited, inhalation of viral particles following airborne exposure can still result in bodily damage. Continuous monitoring of MPXV transmissibility and mutation evolution is imperative to prevent efficient respiratory aerosol transmission, which guides global monkeypox prevention and control strategies. Full article

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) is an emerging tick-borne bunyavirus that causes a severe viral hemorrhagic fever (SFTS), with a very high case mortality rate, expanding epidemic areas, and increasing incidence. Due to the lack of an effective drug or vaccine for SFTS, reducing the incidence and mortality of SFTS primarily relies on decreasing the density of ticks and the number of their host animals. However, which tick species and vertebrate animal serve as the major reservoir and animal host of SFTSV are not clearly understood. In May of 2023 and June of 2024, we collected 2437 ticks from domesticated animals and grassland in Suizhou City, a prefecture of Hubei Province in central China. A total of 195 domesticated animal blood samples were collected, including 152 goats, 26 cattle, and 17 dogs. Ticks were grouped for RNA extraction according to their life stages and feeding status. RNA from each animal’s blood and each group of ticks was extracted with an RNA extraction kit and tested for SFTSV with RT-PCR. Ticks were classified according to morphology, and representative ticks of each stage were confirmed with PCR amplification and DNA sequencing of the mitochondrial 16S RNA gene. Among the collected ticks, the majority were from goats (72.7%, 1772/2437), and Haemaphysalis longicornis was predominant, accounting for 99.47% (2425/2437), and other tick species were very rare, with 0.45% (11/2437) Rhipicephalus microplus, and 0.04% (1/2437) H. flava and Ixodes sinensis, respectively. We found SFTSV RNA in H. longicornis ticks with a minimum infection rate of 0.17% (4/2424) and in one goat (0.66%,1/152). In summary, we demonstrated that the H. longicornis tick is positive for SFTSV and that the goat is the major host of Haemaphysalis longicornis in Suizhou, central China. Our study suggests that controlling ticks on goats may play an important role in preventing SFTSV infection in China. Full article

Given a discrete spatial structure X, we define continuous-time branching processes ${\left\{{\eta }_t\right\}}_{t\ge 0}$ that model a population breeding and dying on X. These processes are usually called branching random walks, and ${\eta }_t\left(x\right)$ denotes the number of individuals alive at site x at time t. They are characterised by breeding rates $k_{xy}$ (governing the rate at which individuals at x send offspring to y) and by a multiplicative speed parameter $\lambda$. These processes also serve as models for epidemic spreading, where $\lambda k_{xy}$ represents the infection rate from x to y. In this context, ${\eta }_t\left(x\right)$ represents the number of infected individuals at x at time t, and the removal of an individual is due to either death or recovery. Two critical parameters of interest are the global critical parameter ${\lambda }_w$, related to global survival, and the local critical parameter ${\lambda }_s$, related to survival within finite sets (with ${\lambda }_w\le {\lambda }_s$). In disease or pest control, the primary goal is to lower $\lambda$ so that the process dies out, at least locally. Nevertheless, a process that survives globally can still pose a threat, especially if sudden changes cause global survival to transition into local survival. In fact, local modifications to the rates can affect the values of both critical parameters, making it important to understand when and how they can be increased. Using results on the comparison of the extinction probabilities for a single branching random walk across different sets, we extend the analysis to the extinction probabilities and critical parameters of pairs of branching random walks whose rates coincide outside a fixed set $A\subseteq X$. We say that two branching random walks are equivalent if their rates coincide everywhere except on a finite subset of X. Given an equivalence class of branching random walks, we prove that if one process has ${\lambda }_w^{*}\ne {\lambda }_s^{*}$, then ${\lambda }_w^{*}$ is the maximal possible value of this parameter within the class. We describe the possible configurations for the critical parameters within these equivalence classes. Full article

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), a major pathogen causing substantial economic losses in the global swine industry, was studied in southern Xinjiang to characterize its local epidemic features. Based on 632 clinical samples collected from 13 pig farms between 2023 and 2025, quantitative RT-PCR detection showed an overall positivity rate of 18.35% (116/632), with PRRSV-2 single infection accounting for 97.41% (113/116), PRRSV-1 single infection for 1.72% (2/116), and co-infection for 0.86% (1/116). Among 38 ORF5 sequences obtained from positive samples, Sublineage 1.8 (NADC30-like) was dominant, comprising 97.14% of successfully sequenced strains. Molecular analysis revealed that PRRSV-1 isolates carried six amino acid mutations including A129V (consistent with the Chinese strain CN/FJFQ-1/2023), while PRRSV-2 strains exhibited key variations such as the neutralization escape mutation Q13R, virulence-associated site K151R, and an anomalous vaccine marker A137. Furthermore, a recombinant strain (XJLETUQ2025-7) between NADC30 and VR-2332 was identified with breakpoints in NSP2 and NSP10. Serological surveillance of 2043 vaccinated pigs showed an overall antibody positive rate of 83.0% (1696/2043), with increasing annual rates from 72.3% (2023) and 75.4% (2024) to 91.3% (2025). In conclusion, the PRRSV epidemic in southern Xinjiang is primarily driven by NADC30-like strains of PRRSV-2, with recombination events and GP5 epitope variations posing challenges to disease control. These findings enhance the epidemiological understanding of PRRSV in the region and provide valuable insights for vaccine development and prevention strategies. Full article

Porcine enteric coronaviruses (CoVs), including swine acute diarrhea syndrome coronavirus (SADS-CoV), porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV), and porcine transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), are major pathogens causing porcine viral diarrhea syndrome (VDS), which brings significant economic losses to the swine industry; distinguishing between these clinically similar viruses has become a serious challenge. We developed a highly specific and interference-resistant porcine CoV multiplex digital PCR (dPCR) assay. The assay exhibited robust anti-interference capabilities, as the concentrations of the four viruses did not affect their accurate quantification. The coefficients of variation (CV%) of intra-batch and inter-batch repeatability for all target viruses were less than 11%. The limit of quantification (LoQ) of this dPCR assay reached 7.5 copies/reaction for each target, and it was one order of magnitude more sensitive than qPCR. The limits of detection (LoD) for SADS-CoV, PEDV, PDCoV, and TGEV were 2.72, 3.00, 3.56, and 3.19 copies/reaction, respectively. A total of 408 known samples were used for validation tests, and the results were highly consistent with the known conditions, showing a compliance rate of 97–100%. The diagnostic specificity (Dsp) of the method was 99–100%. In conclusion, the developed multiplex dPCR assay is highly suitable for early detection and quarantine in four porcine CoVs. The results indicate that this dPCR method is characterized by high specificity, anti-interference capabilities, repeatability, and high sensitivity. It also demonstrates a high compliance rate and diagnostic specificity in sample detection. This multiplex dPCR will contribute to the control of porcine enteric CoV-caused VDS and provide clues for subsequent research. Full article

This study investigates the dynamic behavior of a discrete epidemic model as affected by media coverage through integrated analytical and numerical methods. The main objective is to quantitatively assess the impact of media coverage on disease outbreak models through mathematical modeling. We use the central manifold theorem and bifurcation theory to perform a rigorous analysis of the periodic solutions, focusing on the coefficients and conditions governing the flip bifurcation. On this basis, state feedback and hybrid control are utilized to control the system chaotically. Under certain conditions, the chaos and bifurcation of the system can be stabilized by the control strategy. Numerical simulations further reveal the bifurcation dynamics, chaotic behavior, and control techniques. Our results show that media coverage is a key factor in regulating the intensity and chaos of disease transmission. Control techniques can effectively prevent large-scale outbreaks of epidemics. Notably, enhanced media coverage can effectively increase public awareness and defensive behaviors, thus contributing to mitigating disease spread. Full article

This study investigates the dynamic behaviors of the discrete epidemic model influenced by media coverage through integrated analytical and numerical approaches. The primary objective is to quantitatively assess the impact of media coverage on disease outbreak patterns using mathematical modeling. Firstly, the Euler method is used to discretize the model (2), and the periodic solution is strictly analyzed. Secondly, the coefficients and conditions of restricted flip and Neimark–Sacker bifurcation are studied by using the center manifold theorem and bifurcation theory. By calculating the largest Lyapunov exponent near the critical bifurcation point, the occurrence of chaos and limit cycles is proved. On this basis, the chaotic control of the system is carried out by using state feedback and hybrid control. Under certain conditions, the chaos and bifurcation of the system can be stabilized by control strategies. Numerical simulations further reveal bifurcation dynamics, chaotic behaviors, and control technologies. Our results show that media coverage is a key factor in regulating the intensity of disease transmission and chaos. The control technology can effectively prevent the large-scale outbreak of epidemic diseases. Importantly, enhanced media coverage can effectively promote public awareness and defensive behaviors, thereby contributing to the mitigation of disease transmission. Full article