13 research outputs found
Robust and prototypical immune responses towards COVID-19 BNT162b2 vaccines in Indigenous people
SARS-CoV-2 has led to >270 million infections and >5 million deaths globally. Indigenous people are disproportionately affected by infectious diseases, therefore also more susceptible to the COVID-19 pandemic. There are an estimated 476 million indigenous people globally, including an estimated 798,365 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander in Australia. With the high vulnerability to COVID-19, this knowledge is urgently needed to better protect indigenous populations.
We evaluated a breadth of immune responses in indigenous (n=57) and non-indigenous (n=49) individuals after COVID-19 vaccination. We tested RBD antibodies, spike/RBD-probe-specific B cells, peptide stimulations with activation-induced marker (AIM) assay and intracellular cytokine staining.
We found 22% and 34% seroconversion rates after 1st dose of BNT162b2 vaccine for Indigenous and non-indigenous individuals, respectively, which increased to 100% at 1-mth after 2nd dose for both groups. RBD-specific IgG levels in indigenous individuals at 1-mth after 2nd dose positively correlated with their body mass index. At 1-mth after the 2nd COVID-19 vaccination, CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses via AIM expression and IFN-Îł+TNF+ production was comparable between indigenous and non-indigenous individuals. We are also going to assess the longevity of antibodies and T cells.
Therefore, COVID-19 vaccination induced similar immune responses in indigenous and non-indigenous individuals
Broad spectrum SARSâCoV â2âspecific immunity in hospitalized First Nations peoples recovering from COVID â19
Indigenous peoples globally are at increased risk of COVIDâ19âassociated morbidity and mortality. However, data that describe immune responses to SARSâCoVâ2 infection in Indigenous populations are lacking. We evaluated immune responses in Australian First Nations peoples hospitalized with COVIDâ19. Our work comprehensively mapped out inflammatory, humoral and adaptive immune responses following SARSâCoVâ2 infection. Patients were recruited early following the lifting of strict public health measures in the Northern Territory, Australia, between November 2021 and May 2022. Australian First Nations peoples recovering from COVIDâ19 showed increased levels of MCPâ1 and ILâ8 cytokines, IgGâantibodies against DeltaâRBD and memory SARSâCoVâ2âspecific T cell responses prior to hospital discharge in comparison with hospital admission, with resolution of hyperactivated HLAâDR+CD38+ T cells. SARSâCoVâ2 infection elicited coordinated ASC, Tfh and CD8+ T cell responses in concert with CD4+ T cell responses. Delta and Omicron RBDâIgG, as well as Ancestral NâIgG antibodies, strongly correlated with Ancestral RBDâIgG antibodies and Spikeâspecific memory B cells. We provide evidence of broad and robust immune responses following SARSâCoVâ2 infection in Indigenous peoples, resembling those of nonâIndigenous COVIDâ19 hospitalized patients
Maps of deformations in a cantilever beam using particle image velocimetry (PIV) and speckle patterns
Stability of Pathway-Hemisphere Differences in the Auditory Event-Related Potential (ERP) to Monaural Stimulation
Noise-induced hearing loss in Asia
The aim of this manuscript is to summarize the current scenarios encompassing noise exposure in the workplace and the risk of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in Asia. NIHL is the most prevalent and preventable occupational disease in most Asian countries. Sources of noise in these countries include manufacturing and agriculture industries, exploitation of natural resources, and urban traffic. The highest attributable fraction of adult-onset hearing loss resulting from noise exposure in the world comes from Asian countries. NIHL is a serious health problem in Asia, not only because of the number of affected labourers, but also because the majority of Asian countries are still developing economies where access to health services and preventive programmes are limited. Lack of awareness about NIHL among employers, employees, and health care professionals is one of the main barriers for the prevention of NIHL in Asia. In this paper, the sources of noise, NIHL prevalence in different industries, local legislation, and research publications on NIHL from Asia are discussed