H9N2 subtype avian influenza A virus (AIV) is a causative agent that poses serious threats to both the poultry industry and global public health. In this study, we performed active surveillance to identify H9N2 AIVs from poultry (chicken, duck, and goose) and the environment of different regions in China, and we phylogenetically characterized the sequences. AIV subtype-specific reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) showed that 5.43% (83/1529) samples were AIV positive, and 87.02% (67/77) of which were H9N2 AIVs. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all H9N2 field viruses belonged to the Y280-like lineage, exhibiting 93.9–100% and 94.6–100% of homology in the hemagglutinin (HA) gene and 94.4–100% and 96.3–100% in the neuraminidase (NA) gene, at the nucleotide (nt) and amino acid (aa) levels, respectively. All field viruses shared relatively lower identities with vaccine strains, ranging from 89.4% to 97.7%. The aa sequence at the cleavage site (aa 333–340) in HA of all the isolated H9N2 AIVs was PSRSSRG/L, which is a characteristic of low pathogenic avian influenza virus (LPAIV). Notably, all the H9N2 field viruses harbored eight glycosylation sites, whereas a glycosylation site 218 NRT was missing and a new site 313 NCS was inserted. All field viruses had NGLMR as their receptor binding sites (RBS) at aa position 224–229, showing high conservation with many recently-isolated H9N2 strains. All H9N2 field isolates at position 226 had the aa Leucine (L), indicating their ability to bind to sialic acid (SA) α, a 2–6 receptor of mammals that poses the potential risk of transmission to humans. Our results suggest that H9N2 AIVs circulating in poultry populations that have genetic variation and the potential of infecting mammalian species are of great significance when monitoring H9N2 AIVs in China.

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Given increased acceptance of the CoronaVac, there is an unmet need to assess the safety and immunogenic changes of CoronaVac in patients with rheumatic diseases (RD). Here we comprehensively analysed humoral and cellular responses in patient with RD after a three-dose immunization regimen of CoronaVac. RD patients with stable condition and/or low disease activity (n = 40) or healthy controls (n = 40)

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Objective Identify predictors for lupus low disease activity state (LLDAS), early-achieved LLDAS, and long-term disease activity and refine a prognostic stratification tool for use in active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Method A total of 245 active SLE patients were enrolled, followed up quarterly from 2014 to 2016. LLDAS-50 was defined as the maintenance of LLDAS for ≥50% of the observed time. LLDAS at 3 months after cohort entry (LLDAS-3mo) was considered an early-achieved LLDAS. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify predictors for LLDAS, early-achieved LLDAS and long-term disease activity. Based on the factors associated with LLDAS, a prognostic stratification tool for LLDAS was established. Results The 2-year probability of achieving LLDAS was 62.9% (154/245). Multivariate analysis determined renal involvement, hematological involvement and hypocomplementemia were negative predictors for achieving LLDAS and LLDAS-50. In multivariate logistic analysis, antiphospholipid antibodies positivity, hypocomplementemia, renal involvement and hematological involvement were identified as negative predictors for achieving LLDAS-3mo. LLDAS-3mo (P < 0.0001; RR, 47.694 95% CI 13.776–165.127) was a strong predictor for LLDAS-50. The probability of achieving LLDAS, LLDAS-50 and LLDAS-3mo were 88.9% (32/36), 69.4% (25/36), and 41.7% (15/36) in the low-risk group, 65% (65/100), 51.0% (51/100), 32.0% (32/100) in intermediate-risk group, and 52.8% (57/108), 27.8% (30/108), 13.0% (14/108) in high-risk group respectively. Significant differences (P < 0.0001) were observed in the LLDAS Kaplan-Meier estimates for the 3 risk groups based on the identified risk factors. Conclusion Renal involvement, hematological involvement and hypocomplementemia were negative predictors of LLDAS achievement and maintenance. LLDAS-3mo was a positive predictor for the long-term sustainment of LLDAS.