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result(s) for
"Ma, Meng"
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Household secondary attack rate of COVID-19 and associated determinants in Guangzhou, China: a retrospective cohort study
2020
As of June 8, 2020, the global reported number of COVID-19 cases had reached more than 7 million with over 400 000 deaths. The household transmissibility of the causative pathogen, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), remains unclear. We aimed to estimate the secondary attack rate of SARS-CoV-2 among household and non-household close contacts in Guangzhou, China, using a statistical transmission model.
In this retrospective cohort study, we used a comprehensive contact tracing dataset from the Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention to estimate the secondary attack rate of COVID-19 (defined as the probability that an infected individual will transmit the disease to a susceptible individual) among household and non-household contacts, using a statistical transmission model. We considered two alternative definitions of household contacts in the analysis: individuals who were either family members or close relatives, such as parents and parents-in-law, regardless of residential address, and individuals living at the same address regardless of relationship. We assessed the demographic determinants of transmissibility and the infectivity of COVID-19 cases during their incubation period.
Between Jan 7, 2020, and Feb 18, 2020, we traced 195 unrelated close contact groups (215 primary cases, 134 secondary or tertiary cases, and 1964 uninfected close contacts). By identifying households from these groups, assuming a mean incubation period of 5 days, a maximum infectious period of 13 days, and no case isolation, the estimated secondary attack rate among household contacts was 12·4% (95% CI 9·8–15·4) when household contacts were defined on the basis of close relatives and 17·1% (13·3–21·8) when household contacts were defined on the basis of residential address. Compared with the oldest age group (≥60 years), the risk of household infection was lower in the youngest age group (<20 years; odds ratio [OR] 0·23 [95% CI 0·11–0·46]) and among adults aged 20–59 years (OR 0·64 [95% CI 0·43–0·97]). Our results suggest greater infectivity during the incubation period than during the symptomatic period, although differences were not statistically significant (OR 0·61 [95% CI 0·27–1·38]). The estimated local reproductive number (R) based on observed contact frequencies of primary cases was 0·5 (95% CI 0·41–0·62) in Guangzhou. The projected local R, had there been no isolation of cases or quarantine of their contacts, was 0·6 (95% CI 0·49–0·74) when household was defined on the basis of close relatives.
SARS-CoV-2 is more transmissible in households than SARS-CoV and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus. Older individuals (aged ≥60 years) are the most susceptible to household transmission of SARS-CoV-2. In addition to case finding and isolation, timely tracing and quarantine of close contacts should be implemented to prevent onward transmission during the viral incubation period.
US National Institutes of Health, Science and Technology Plan Project of Guangzhou, Project for Key Medicine Discipline Construction of Guangzhou Municipality, Key Research and Development Program of China.
Journal Article
Noncommutative geometry inspired black holes in Rastall gravity
2017
Under two different metric ansatzes, the noncommutative geometry inspired black holes (NCBH) in the framework of Rastall gravity are derived and analyzed. We consider the fluid-type matter with the Gaussian-distribution smeared mass density. Taking a Schwarzschild-like metric ansatz, it is shown that the noncommutative geometry inspired Schwarzschild black hole (NCSBH) in Rastall gravity, unlike its counterpart in general relativity (GR), is not a regular black hole. It has at most one event horizon. After showing a finite maximal temperature, the black hole will leave behind a point-like massive remnant at zero temperature. Considering a more general metric ansatz and a special equation of state of the matter, we also find a regular NCBH in Rastall gravity, which has a similar geometric structure and temperature to that of NCSBH in GR.
Journal Article
Regulating copper homeostasis of tumor cells to promote cuproptosis for enhancing breast cancer immunotherapy
Cuproptosis is an emerging mode of programmed cell death for tumor suppression but sometimes gets resisted by tumor cells resist under specific mechanisms. Inhibiting copper transporter ATPase (ATP7A) was found to disrupt copper ion homeostasis, thereby enhancing the effect of cuproptosis and eventually inhibiting tumor invasion and metastasis. In this study, we develop a multifunctional nanoplatfrom based on Cu
9
S
8
(CAPSH), designed to enhance cuproptosis in tumor cells by specifically targeting ATP7A interference, while combining thermodynamic therapy with immune effects. The release of copper ions from CAPSH and the copper homeostasis interference by siRNA cooperatively increases the concentration of copper ions in tumor cells, which induces effectively cuproptosis and activates immune responses for suppressing development and metastasis of tumor. This nanoplatform simultaneously regulates cuproptosis from both principles of onset and development, facilitating the application of cuproptosis in tumor therapy.
Cuproptosis is an emerging mode of programmed cell death for tumor suppression but limited by the copper ion regulatory mechanisms in most tumor cells. Here, this group develops a Cu9S8-based nanoplatform for breast cancer-targeting and cuproptosis-induction via ATP7A interference, thereby eliciting thermodynamic cancer therapy.
Journal Article
Through a Glass Darkly: Information Technology Design, Identity Verification, and Knowledge Contribution in Online Communities
2007
A variety of information technology (IT) artifacts, such as those supporting reputation management and digital archives of past interactions, are commonly deployed to support online communities. Despite their ubiquity, theoretical and empirical research investigating the impact of such IT-based features on online community communication and interaction is limited. Drawing on the social psychology literature, we describe an identity-based view to understand how the use of IT-based features in online communities is associated with online knowledge contribution. Specifically, the use of four categories of IT artifactsthose supporting virtual co-presence, persistent labeling, self-presentation, and deep profilingis proposed to enhance perceived identity verification, which thereafter promotes satisfaction and knowledge contribution. To test the theoretical model, we surveyed more than 650 members of two online communities. In addition to the positive effects of community IT artifacts on perceived identity verification, we also find that perceived identity verification is strongly linked to member satisfaction and knowledge contribution. This paper offers a new perspective on the mechanisms through which IT features facilitate computer-mediated knowledge sharing, and it yields important implications for the design of the supporting IT infrastructure.
Journal Article
Impact of kindergarten structures on the dynamics of hand, foot, and mouth disease and the effects of intervention strategies: an agent-based modeling study
by
Li, Jing-Hua
,
Lai, Ying-Si
,
Ma, Meng-Meng
in
Agent-based model
,
Agent-based models
,
Asymptomatic
2025
Background
Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) poses an unignorable threat to the health of kindergarten children. Kindergarten structures (i.e., class size and kindergarten size) may influence the transmission dynamics and the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), but few studies have explored these effects.
Methods
We developed an agent-based network model to study the effects of kindergarten structures on dynamics of HFMD caused by three types of strains (i.e., EV-A71, CVA16, and other EVs). We pursued a systematic review to collect data on HFMD outbreaks to estimate key model parameters. We simulated a series of scenarios to study the effects of NPIs (i.e., isolation of symptomatic individuals, class and family quarantine, and kindergarten closure, organized stepwisely), under different kindergarten sizes (
n
= 180, 360, and 900) and class sizes (
m
= 10, 20, 30, 60, etc.). We further explored alternative interventions combined with vaccination to avoid kindergarten closure during an outbreak.
Results
Overall, we found that the larger the class size, the more cumulative infections and the less effectiveness of NPIs in kindergartens. Stronger NPIs resulted in better effectiveness, and the variations in effectiveness among different class sizes gradually reduced with stronger interventions. Similar patterns were shown in kindergartens with small, medium, and large sizes. NPIs including kindergarten closure, which is implemented in many endemic countries, was a potent epidemic control strategy, capable of reducing cumulative incidence by over 80% for most class sizes in medium-size kindergartens. For EV-A71 infections, a vaccine coverage of 50% was alternative to kindergarten closure, when class size was 60 or less in medium-size kindergartens.
Conclusions
Kindergarten structures, particularly class size, had an important impact on dynamics of HFMD and effectiveness of NPIs within kindergarten. Increasing vaccination coverage may be an alternative to kindergarten closure for control of the disease.
Journal Article
Emerging Drug Delivery Vectors: Engineering of Plant-Derived Nanovesicles and Their Applications in Biomedicine
by
Li, Chao-Qing
,
Yang, Lu-Yao
,
Zhang, Yu-Lin
in
activated biomaterials
,
Biocompatibility
,
Biological products
2024
Extracellular vesicles can transmit intercellular information and transport biomolecules to recipient cells during various pathophysiological processes in the organism. Animal cell exosomes have been identified as potential nanodrugs delivery vehicles, yet they have some shortcomings such as high immunogenicity, high cytotoxicity, and complicated preparation procedures. In addition to exosomes, plant-derived extracellular vesicles (PDVs), which carry a variety of active substances, are another promising nano-transport vehicles emerging in recent years due to their stable physicochemical properties, wide source, and low cost. This work briefly introduces the collection and characterization of PDVs, then focuses on the application of PDVs as natural or engineered drug carriers in biomedicine, and finally discusses the development and challenges of PDVs in future applications.
Journal Article
Construction and Realization Path Analysis of Cross-Border E-Commerce Logistics Collaboration Model
2022
In order to improve the synergy effect of cross-border e-commerce slogistics, this paper combines intelligent logistics communication technology to construct a cross-border e-commerce collaborative logistics model. Moreover, this paper proposes a parallel energy-efficient routing algorithm based on 3D cell space to improve the system operation effect. In addition, this paper deeply analyzes the data fusion function performed by MA when accessing nodes and proposes a data fusion criterion to judge the necessity of data fusion on nodes. Finally, this paper balances the energy consumption of e-commerce logistics data fusion and data transmission so that the sum of the two is minimized. The data simulation analysis shows that the cross-border e-commerce logistics collaboration model proposed in this paper has certain effects, and it can be applied to the actual operation of cross-border e-commerce.
Journal Article
Gui-zhi-fu-ling-wan alleviates bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis through inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition and ferroptosis
2025
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) has a higher morbidity and poor prognosis. Gui-Zhi-Fu-Ling-Wan (GFW) is a traditional Chinese herbal formula which exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects. The goal was to determine the protective effect of GFW on bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis.
One hundred and twenty-four mice were randomly divided into eight groups, and orally supplemented with GFW (1 g/kg) in 1 week ago and continuing to 1 week later of single BLM intratracheal injection (5.0 mg/kg). Lung tissues were collected in 7 days and 21 days after BLM injection. BEAS-2B cells were pretreated with GFW (100 μg/mL) for three consecutive days before BLM (10 μg/mL) exposure. Cells were harvested in 12 or 24 h after BLM co-culture.
GFW supplementation alleviated BLM-induced alveolar structure destruction and inflammatory cell infiltration in mice lungs. BLM-incurred collagen deposition was attenuated by GFW. In addition, GFW pretreatment repressed BLM-evoked downregulation of E-cadherin, and elevation of N-cadherin and Vimentin in mouse lungs. Besides, BLM-excited GPX4 reduction, ferritin increases, lipid peroxidation, and free iron overload were significantly relieved by GFW pretreatment in mouse lungs and BEAS-2B cells. Notably, BLM-provoked mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) excessive production, elevation of mitochondrial stress markers, such as HSP70 and CLPP, and mitochondrial injury, were all abolished in mouse lungs and BEAS-2B cells by GFW pretreatment.
GFW supplementation attenuated BLM-evoked lung injury and pulmonary fibrosis partially through repressing EMT and mtROS-mediated ferroptosis in pulmonary epithelial cells.
Journal Article
Autophagy-Related Proteins in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: From Molecular Insights to Therapeutic Applications
2025
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents the most aggressive and therapeutically recalcitrant breast cancer subtype, exhibiting dismal clinical outcomes due to its intrinsic heterogeneity and lack of molecularly targeted treatment options. Emerging evidence has established the autophagy-related proteins (ARPs) as key regulators of TNBC pathogenesis, functioning not only as metabolic gatekeepers but also as multifaceted modulators of malignant transformation, disease progression, and therapeutic responsiveness. These proteins exert diverse functions in TNBC through both canonical autophagy-dependent pathways and non-canonical mechanisms. In this review, we critically examine the pleiotropic functions and molecular mechanisms of ARPs in TNBC progression and therapeutic responsiveness, with special emphasis on their context-dependent roles in both fortifying therapeutic resistance and, paradoxically, creating vulnerabilities for therapeutic exploitation.
Journal Article
On the critical phenomena and thermodynamics of charged topological dilaton AdS black holes
2013
In this paper, we study the phase structure and equilibrium state space geometry of charged topological dilaton black holes in (
n
+1)-dimensional anti-de Sitter spacetime. By considering the pairs of parameters (
P
∼
V
) and (
Q
∼
U
) as variables, we analyze the phase structure and critical phenomena of black holes and discuss the relation between the two kinds of critical phenomena. We find that the phase structures and critical phenomena drastically depend on the cosmological constant
l
(or the static electric charge
Q
of the black holes), dimensionality
n
and dilaton field
Φ
.
Journal Article