Highlights d SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing and phylogenetic analyses identify 35 recurrent mutations d Association with 117 clinical phenotypes reveals potentially important mutations d D500-532 in Nsp1 coding region correlates with lower viral load and serum IFN-b d Viral isolates with D500-532 mutation induce lower IFN-I response in the infected cells

Membrane-type matrix metalloproteinases (MT-MMP) activate the zymogen form of MMP-2/Gelatinase A on cell surfaces and are expressed in invasive tumors. We sought to identify and characterize MT-MMP in a non-malignant cell type that undergoes a physiologic and reversible invasive phenotype during angiogenesis. Human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMEC) were isolated from neonatal tissue and purified by anti-CD31 (PECAM) affinity beads. MT-MMP-1 and -3 transcripts were amplified by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and northern blots showed a single 4.5 kB mRNA for MT-MMP-1 that was modulated by angiogenic factors and phorbol ester. Immunoblotting of reduced cellular extracts with different MT-MMP-1 antibodies showed the presence of the 63-65 kDa and 57-60 kDa forms, as well as additional forms at lower molecular weights. HDMEC membranes extracted with Triton X114 were incubated with gelatin-sepharose purified MMP-2 and MMP-9 to show activation of proenzymes. Pre-incubation of HDMEC with anti-MT-MMP-1 antibodies decreased proMMP-2 conversion activity only. The movement of HDMEC and the formation of tubule-like structures in three-dimensional collagen gels was markedly delayed by preincubation with the same anti-MT-MMP-1 antibodies. These results demonstrate the presence of MT-MMP in cutaneous microvascular cells in vitro. Modulation of these cell surface proteinases by angiogenic factors, demonstration of multiple processed forms, and specific attenuation of HDMEC morphogenetic patterns in three-dimensional collagen gels implicate their potential roles in the formation of new blood vessels in the skin.

Eight cell lines were systematically compared for their permissivity to primary infection, replication, and spread of seven human influenza viruses. Cell lines were of human origin (Caco-2, A549, HEp-2, and NCI-H292), monkey (Vero, LLC-MK2), mink (Mv1 Lu), and canine (MDCK). The influenza viruses included seasonal types and subtypes and a pandemic virus. The MDCK, Caco-2, and Mv1 Lu cells were subsequently compared for their capacity to report neutralization titers at day one, three and six post-infection. A gradient of sensitivity to primary infection across the eight cell lines was observed. Relative to MDCK cells, Mv1 Lu reported higher titers and the remaining six cell lines reported lower titers. The replication and spread of the seven influenza viruses in the eight cell substrates was determined using hemagglutinin expression, cytopathic effect, and neuraminidase activity. Virus growth was generally concordant with primary infection, with a gradient in virus replication and spread. However, Mv1 Lu cells poorly supported virus growth, despite a higher sensitivity to primary infection. Comparison of MDCK, Caco-2, and Mv1 Lu in neutralization assays using defined animal antiserum confirmed MDCK cells as the preferred cell substrate for influenza virus testing. The results observed for neutralization at one day post-infection showed MDCK cells were similar (<1 log2 lower) or superior (>1 log2 higher) for all seven viruses. Relative to Caco-2 and Mv1 Lu cells, MDCK generally reported the highest titers at three and six days post-infection for the type A viruses and lower titers for the type B viruses and the pandemic H9N2 virus. The reduction in B virus titer was attributed to the complete growth of type B viruses in MDCK cells before day three post-infection, resulting in the systematic underestimation of neutralization titers. This phenomenon was also observed with Caco-2 cells.

The flagship firm in the supply chain integrates resources through SCM (Supply chain Management), optimizing the information flow，logistics and capital flow in the supply chain to obtain long-term competitive advantage and enable firm to enhance market response and competitive capacity. It has many abilities to get economy rent through implementation of SCM, flexible production capacity is one of those abilities. Based on the view of real options, this paper regarded this ability as a call option. Construct a model to analysis the value of flexible production capacity. Calculate the option value using Monte Carlo simulation，Matlab programming. Illustrate a numerical example and make a parameter sensitivity analysis.