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Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) is the etiological pathogen of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), a highly contagious disease, spreading quickly and threatening global public health. The symptoms of COVID‐19 vary from mild reactions to severe respiratory distress or even fatal outcomes probably due to the different status of host immunity against the virus. Here in the study, we unveiled plasma proteomic signatures and transcriptional patterns of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) using blood samples of 10 COVID‐19 patients with different severity. Through systemic analysis, α‐defensin‐1 (DEFA1) was identified to be elevated in both plasma and PBMCs, and correlated with disease severity and stages. In vitro study demonstrated that DEFA1 was secreted from immunocytes and suppressed SARS‐CoV‐2 infection of both original and mutated strains with dose dependency. By using sequencing data, we discovered that DEFA1 was activated in monocytes through NF‐κB signaling pathway after infection, and secreted into circulation to perturb SARS‐CoV‐2 infection by interfering protein kinase C expression. It worked mainly during virus replication instead of entry in host cells. Together, the anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 mechanism of DEFA1 has unveiled a corner of how innate immunity is against SARS‐CoV‐2 and explored its clinical potential in disease prognosis and therapeutic intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liu Xiheng (1915-2009), devoted disciple of the illustrious taijiquan master Zheng Manqing (1902-1975), faithfully promoted Zheng's method in Taiwan until his passing in 2009: This article remembers Liu and his contributions through the presentation of five personal mem- oirs, four of which were written and previously published in Chinese by the Taiwan-based Tai Chi Journal (june I, 2009 issue). The first two memoirs were written by Liu's colleagues and classmates, Benjamin P. J. Lo and Xu Yizhong,. and provide insight into Liu's character and association with Professor Zheng. The last three segments were composed by Liu's disciples, Yuan Weiming, Xu Zhengmei, and Danny Emerick, who share training experiences and out- line facts of the man's background. The purpose of this article is to present the invaluable con- tributions of a remarkable, modern-day taijiquan sage for the benefit of the English-speaking martial arts community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cervical cancer is one of the most malignant gynaecological tumors characterised with the aggressive behaviour of the tumor cells. In spite of the development of different strategies for the treatment of cervical cancer, the tumor cells have developed resistance to conventional therapeutics. On the other hand, nanoparticles have been recently applied for the treatment of human cancers through delivery of drugs and facilitate tumor suppression. The stimuli-sensitive nanostructures can improve the release of therapeutics at the tumor site. In the present review, the nanostructures for the treatment of cervical cancer are discussed. Nanostructures can deliver both chemotherapy drugs and natural compounds to increase anti-cancer activity and prevent drug resistance in cervical tumor. Moreover, the genetic tools such as siRNA can be delivered by nanoparticles to enhance their accumulation at tumor site. In order to enhance selectivity, the stimuli-responsive nanoparticles such as pH- and redox-responsive nanocarriers have been developed to suppress cervical tumor. Moreover, nanoparticles can induce photo-thermal and photodynamic therapy to accelerate cell death in cervical tumor. In addition, nanobiotechnology demonstrates tremendous potential in the treatment of cervical cancer, especially in the context of tumor immunotherapy. Overall, metal-, carbon-, lipid- and polymer-based nanostructures have been utilized in cervical cancer therapy. Finally, hydrogels have been developed as novel kinds of carriers to encapsulate therapeutics and improve anti-cancer activity., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Xie and Xu.)