Bphs controls Bordetella pertussis toxin (PTX)-induced vasoactive amine sensitization elicited by histamine (VAASH) and has an established role in autoimmunity. We report that congenic mapping links Bphs to the histamine H1 receptor gene (Hrh1/H1R) and that H1R differs at three amino acid residues in VAASH-susceptible and -resistant mice. Hrh1-/- mice are protected from VAASH, which can be restored by genetic complementation with a susceptible Bphs/Hrh1 allele, and experimental allergic encephalomyelitis and autoimmune orchitis due to immune deviation. Thus, natural alleles of Hrh1 control both the autoimmune T cell and vascular responses regulated by histamine after PTX sensitization.

The indirect bandgap semiconductor tin selenide (SnSe) has been a research hotspot in the thermoelectric fields since a ZT (figure of merit) value of 2.6 at 923 K in SnSe single crystals along the b‐axis is reported. SnSe has also been extensively studied in the photovoltaic (PV) application for its extraordinary advantages including excellent optoelectronic properties, absence of toxicity, cheap raw materials, and relative abundance. Moreover, the thermoelectric and optoelectronic properties of SnSe can be regulated by the structural transformation and appropriate doping. Here, the studies in SnSe research, from its evolution to till now, are reviewed. The growth, characterization, and recent developments in SnSe research are discussed. The most popular growth techniques that have been used to prepare SnSe materials are discussed in detail with their recent progress. Important phenomena in the growth of SnSe as well as the problems remaining for future study are discussed. The applications of SnSe in the PV fields, Li‐ion batteries, and other emerging fields are also discussed.

In vivo imaging in the second near-infrared window (NIR-II, 1000−1700 nm), which enables us to look deeply into living subjects, is producing marvelous opportunities for biomedical research and clinical applications. Very recently, there has been an upsurge of interdisciplinary studies focusing on developing versatile types of inorganic/organic fluorophores that can be used for noninvasive NIR-IIa/IIb imaging (NIR-IIa, 1300−1400 nm; NIR-IIb, 1500−1700 nm) with near-zero tissue autofluorescence and deeper tissue penetration. This review provides an overview of the reports published to date on the design, properties, molecular imaging, and theranostics of inorganic/organic NIR-IIa/IIb fluorophores. First, we summarize the design concepts of the up-to-date functional NIR-IIa/IIb biomaterials, in the order of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), quantum dots (QDs), rare-earthdoped nanoparticles (RENPs), and organic fluorophores (OFs). Then, these novel imaging modalities and versatile biomedical applications brought by these superior fluorescent properties are reviewed. Finally, challenges and perspectives for future clinical translation, aiming at boosting the clinical application progress of NIR-IIa and NIR-IIb imaging technology are highlighted.

Em2007, a porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) variant with a unique 68 aa deletion in Nsp2, was recently isolated in China. Phylogenetic and molecular evolutionary analyses indicated that Em2007 is a natural recombinant between a vaccine strain of PRRSV and circulating virus. We also tested its pathogenicity in piglets.

In 2006, an emerging highly pathogenic strain of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), which causes continuous high fever and a high proportion of deaths in vaccinated pigs of all ages, broke out in mainland China and spread rapidly to neighboring countries. To examine the epidemiology and evolutionary characteristics of Chinese PRRSV after the 2006 outbreak, we tested 2,981 clinical samples collected from 2006 to 2010 in China, determined 153 Nsp2 sequences and 249 ORF5 sequences, and analyzed the epidemiology and genetic diversity of Chinese PRRSV. Our results showed that the percentage of PRRSV-positive specimens collected from sick pigs averaged 60.85% in the past 5 years and that the highly pathogenic PRRSV has become the dominant strain in China. Furthermore, a reemerging strain which apparently evolved from the highly pathogenic PRRSV strain in 2006 appeared to be widely prevalent in China from 2009 onwards. Sequence analyses revealed that the hypervariable region of Nsp2 in most of the isolates contained a discontinuous deletion equivalent to 30 amino acids, along with other types of deletions. Extensive amino acid substitutions in the GP5 sequence translated from ORF5 were found, particularly in the potential neutralization epitope and the N-glycosylation sites. Our results suggest that Chinese PRRSV has undergone rapid evolution and can circumvent immune responses induced by currently used vaccines. Information from this study will help in understanding the evolutionary characteristics of Chinese PRRSV and assist ongoing efforts to develop and use PRRSV vaccines in the future.