Humoral and Cellular Immune Responses After a 3-dose Course of mRNA-1273 COVID-19 Vaccine in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Prospective Cohort Study.

In kidney transplant recipients, there is discordance between the development of cellular and humoral response after vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. We sought to determine the interplay between the 2 arms of adaptive immunity in a 3-dose course of mRNA-1273 100 μg vaccine. Methods: Humoral (IgG/IgM) and cellular (N- and S-ELISpot) responses were studied in 117 kidney and 12 kidney-pancreas transplant recipients at the following time points: before the first dose, 14 d after the second dose' and before and after the third dose, with a median of 203 and 232 d after the start of the vaccination cycle, respectively. Results: After the second dose, 26.7% of naive cases experienced seroconversion. Before the third dose and in the absence of COVID-19, this percentage increased to 61.9%. After the third dose, seroconversion occurred in 80.0% of patients. Naive patients who had at any time point a detectable positivity for S-ELISpot were 75.2% of the population, whereas patients who maintained S-ELISpot positivity throughout the study were 34.3%. S-ELISpot positivity at 42 d was associated with final seroconversion (odds ratio' 3.14; 95% confidence interval' 1.10-8.96; P = 0.032). Final IgG titer was significantly higher in patients with constant S-ELISpot positivity (P < 0.001). Conclusions: A substantial proportion of kidney transplant recipients developed late seroconversion after 2 doses. Cellular immunity was associated with the development of a stronger humoral respons

Study protocol for the multicentre cohorts of Zika virus infection in pregnant women, infants, and acute clinical cases in Latin America and the Caribbean: The ZIKAlliance consortium

Background: The European Commission (EC) Horizon 2020 (H2020)-funded ZIKAlliance Consortium designed a multicentre study including pregnant women (PW), children (CH) and natural history (NH) cohorts. Clinical sites were selected over a wide geographic range within Latin America and the Caribbean, taking into account the dynamic course of the ZIKV epidemic. Methods: Recruitment to the PW cohort will take place in antenatal care clinics. PW will be enrolled regardless of symptoms and followed over the course of pregnancy, approximately every 4 weeks. PW will be revisited at delivery (or after miscarriage/abortion) to assess birth outcomes, including microcephaly and other congenital abnormalities according to the evolving definition of congenital Zika syndrome (CZS). After birth, children will be followed for 2 years in the CH cohort. Follow-up visits are scheduled at ages 1-3, 4-6, 12, and 24 months to assess neurocognitive and developmental milestones. In addition, a NH cohort for the characterization of symptomatic rash/fever illness was designed, including follow-up to capture persisting health problems. Blood, urine, and other biological materials will be collected, and tested for ZIKV and other relevant arboviral diseases (dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever) using RT-PCR or serological methods. A virtual, decentralized biobank will be created. Reciprocal clinical monitoring has been established between partner sites. Substudies of ZIKV seroprevalence, transmissio

Méhnyakszűrés a "Helybe visszük a szűrővizsgálatokat" program keretében = Cervical Cancer Screening in the Hungarian Mobile Health Screening Programme

Célkitűzés: Hazánkban az egészségi állapot, illetve az egészségügyi ellátás vonatkozásában térségi egyenlőtlenségek figyelhetők meg, melynek csökkentésében a mobil szűrőegységek alkalmazásának jelentős szerepe lehet. Felmérésünk célja a „Helybe visszük a szűrővizsgálatokat” program (továbbiakban: Program) keretében működtetett mobil szűrőegységek (továbbiakban: szűrőbuszok) méhnyakszűrésben való részvételének és eredményeinek bemutatása volt. Elemzésünkben a meghívás és visszahívás alapú szervezett, népegészségügyi célú méhnyakszűrő vizsgálat szűrőbuszon történő részvételi hajlandóságának adatait vizsgáltuk az országos adatokhoz viszonyítva. Anyag és módszer: Kvalitatív, keresztmetszeti, retrospektív felmérésünk a Program 2021. évi méhnyakszűrés / nőgyógyászati leleteinek dokumentum elemzésével illetve a Nemzeti Egészségbiztosítási Alapkezelőtől lekérdezett szűrővizsgálati eredmények összesítésével valósult meg. A vizsgálaton megjelentek (n=2093) egészségügyi leleteit Microsoft Excel program segítségével leíró statisztikai módszerekkel valamint a változók közti kapcsolatot Khi-négyzet próbával, ANOVA-próbával (p<0,05) elemeztük. Eredmények: A Program vizsgálataiba bevontak köréből a méhnyakszűrést a megjelentek közel fele vette igénybe, illetve a méhnyakszűrésre történő hölgyek behívását követő megjelenési arányszám (10,56 %) az országos adatoknál kicsivel magasabb, de ez is szintén alacsonynak mondható. Elemzésünkben az újonnan felismert nőgyógyászati problémák minden ötödik nőt érintettek, akik közül három esetben diagnosztizáltak rosszindulatú daganatos elváltozást. A szűrőbuszon a nőgyógyászati szakvizsgálatot nemcsak a meghívott nők vehették igénybe, hanem a településen élő célcsoportba nem tartozó női lakosok is. A 24 évnél fiatalabbak jellemzően csak a nőgyógyászati vizsgálatot keresték fel, 66 év felettiek többféle és nagyobb számú ellátást is igénybe vettek a szűrőbusz ellátásai közül (p<0,05). A méhnyakszűrésen / nőgyógyászati vizsgálaton megjelentek közül a 66 évnél idősebbek nagyobb arányban (minden második egyén) panaszai miatt kereste fel ezt az ellátást (p<0,05), ami kapcsolatba hozható a szakellátásig megtett távolsággal, annak elérhetőségével. Következtetések: A „Helybe visszük a szűrővizsgálatokat” programnak, az országot járó egészségfejlesztési szűrőbuszoknak jövőben is kiemelt feladata a méhnyakrák megelőzése, korai felismerése térítésmentes vizsgálatok és egészségtanácsadás biztosítása révén különösen a marginalizált csoportok, illetve alacsonyabb erőforrásokkal rendelkező térségek esetében

A „Helybe visszük a szűrővizsgálatokat” program 2021. évi adatainak összegzése = Summary of the Hungarian Mobile Health Screening Program data for 2021

Bevezetés: Hazánkban az egészségi állapot térségi és társadalmi egyenlőtlenségei, illetve egészségügyi egyenlőtlenségei tapasztalhatók Nyugat- és Kelet-Magyarország között. Célkitűzés: Célunk volt a „Helybe visszük a szűrővizsgálatokat” program rendezvényein 2021-ben megjelent személyek vizsgálati eredményeinek összesítése, az észlelt elváltozások arányainak meghatározása, illetve az egészségi állapot területi egyenlőtlenségeinek feltérképezése. Módszer: Keresztmetszeti, retrospektív kutatásunk a „Helybe visszük a szűrővizsgálatokat” 2021-ben kapott szűrővizsgálati leleteinek (n = 5185) elemzésére irányult, melyhez leíró statisztikai módszereket használtunk. Eredmények: A szűrővizsgálatokon megjelentek 9%-ában mértek a normáltartománynál magasabb vércukorértéket, 25%-ában kóros koleszterinszintet, 20%-ában emelkedett vérnyomást. A vizsgálaton részt vevők 35%-át emelték ki neurológiai, 44%-át bőrgyógyászati, 42%-át kardiológiai vizsgálat alkalmával, 20%-át légzésfunkció, 4%-át boka-kar index mérése során. Az újonnan felismert nőgyógyászati problémák minden 5. nőt (21%) érintették, és 3 nőnél diagnosztizáltak rosszindulatú daganatos elváltozást. A szájüregi szűrésen megjelentek 90%-ánál történt továbbirányítás. Következtetés: A „Helybe visszük a szűrővizsgálatokat” program vizsgálati eredményei is bizonyították a hazánkban kimutatható egészségegyenlőtlenségeket. A kapott adatok megerősítik a program szükségességét és a jelenlegi struktúrát követő folytatását. Jövőbeli feladat a szűrés igénybevételének további emelése, illetve a prevenciós és egészségfejlesztési tanácsadás elősegítése. Orv Hetil. 2023; 164(27): 1070–1076. | Introduction: In Hungary, significant regional and social inequalities in health status exist. In addition, this is exacerbated by health care inequalities between West and East Hungary. Objective: The aim of our study was to summarize the results of the 2021 Hungarian Mobile Health Screening Program, in order to determine the rates of detected cases and to assess the health status differences between different regions. Method: A cross-sectional retrospective study was executed to analyze the screening results (n = 5185) of the Hungarian Mobile Health Screening Program. Results: 9% of screening attendees had higher than normal blood glucose level, 25% had abnormal cholesterol levels and 20% had elevated blood pressure. Of those screened, 35% had a not-negative result at the neurological examination, 44% at the dermatological examination, 42% at the cardiological examination, 20% at the spirometry function test, and 4% at the ankle-brachial index measurement. Newly detected gynaecological problems affected 1 in 5 women (21%) and 3 women were diagnosed with malignant tumors. Of those attending oral screening (n = 1836), 90% were directed to different levels of the health care system. Conclusion: The results of the Hungarian Mobile Health Screening Program have also demonstrated the health inequalities in our country. The data confirmed the need for the continuation of the Program under the current structure. The aim for the future screening period is to increase the attendance of several examinations and preventive/ health promotion advices

Valorization of Vine Prunings by Slow Pyrolysis in a Fixed-Bed Reactor

The paper aimed at studying the slow pyrolysis of vine pruning waste in a fixed bed reactor and characterizing the pyrolysis products. Pyrolysis experiments were conducted for 60 min, using CO2 as a carrier gas and oxidizing agent. The distribution of biochar and bio-oil was dependent on variations in heat flux (4244&ndash;5777 W/m2), CO2 superficial velocity (0.004&ndash;0.008 m/s), and mean size of vegetal material (0.007&ndash;0.011 m). Relationships among these factors and process performances in terms of yields of biochar (0.286&ndash;0.328) and bio-oil (0.260&ndash;0.350), expressed as ratio between the final mass of pyrolysis product and initial mass of vegetal material, and final value of fixed bed temperature (401.1&ndash;486.5 &deg;C) were established using a 23 factorial design. Proximate and ultimate analyses, FT-IR and SEM analyses, measurements of bulk density (0.112 &plusmn; 0.001 g/cm3), electrical conductivity (0.55 &plusmn; 0.03 dS/m), pH (10.35 &plusmn; 0.06), and water holding capacity (58.99 &plusmn; 14.51%) were performed for biochar. Water content (33.2 &plusmn; 1.27%), density (1.027 &plusmn; 0.014 g/cm3), pH (3.34 &plusmn; 0.02), refractive index (1.3553 &plusmn; 0.0027), and iodine value (87.98 &plusmn; 4.38 g I2/100 g bio-oil) were measured for bio-oil. Moreover, chemical composition of bio-oil was evaluated using GC-MS analysis, with 27 organic compounds being identified

Effects of Biochar on Soil Properties and Tomato Growth

The paper aimed at evaluating the effects of biochar (BC) produced by slow pyrolysis of vine pruning residue on soil physicochemical properties and tomato plant growth. A greenhouse experiment was conducted for 66 days, applying different treatments for 3 soil types, i.e., foliar fertilizer, BC (at a volumetric ratio between BC and soil of 20/80), BC + foliar fertilizer, and no treatments. Strongly alkaline BC (pH = 9.89 &plusmn; 0.01) had a significant beneficial effect on the growth performance of tomato plants sown in a strongly acidic soil (pH = 5.40 &plusmn; 0.02). The mean values of height, number of leaves, and collar diameter of plants grown in BC-amended soil without foliar treatment were up to 50% higher than those of plants grown in soil with the other treatments. This positive effect of BC on plant growth is due to the changes in the soil properties. The addition of BC led to increased values of electrical conductivity, pH, soluble and available nutrient concentration. Moreover, BC reduced soil bulk density by about 50%, resulting in improved plant root development and thus enhanced water and nutrient uptake. Accordingly, BC derived from vine pruning residues can improve soil quality and tomato plant growth, as well as reduce biomass residues

Vine Pruning-Derived Biochar for Agronomic Benefits

The agronomic benefits of biochar (BC) prepared by slow pyrolysis of vine pruning residues, which are produced in large quantities in Romania, were evaluated. Three soil types, i.e., slightly alkaline fluvisol (S1), slightly acidic chernozem (S2), and strongly acidic luvisol (S3), with mean values of pH of 7.99, 6.26, and 5.40, were amended with BC at a volumetric ratio between BC and soil of 20/80. A greenhouse experiment was performed for 109 days to assess the effects of BC amendment on bell pepper growth. The following treatments were applied: foliar fertilizer, BC, BC + foliar fertilizer (using two concentrations of foliar fertilizer solution), and a control. Strongly alkaline BC (pH of 9.89 &plusmn; 0.01) had a significant positive effect on the growth performance of bell pepper plants sown in the strongly acidic soil S3. The mean values of height, collar diameter, number of leaves, and root volume of plants grown in BC-amended soil S3 without foliar treatment were significantly higher (13&ndash;72% and 14&ndash;33%, respectively) than those of plants grown in non-amended soil S3 without and with foliar treatment. This beneficial effect of BC on bell pepper plant growth was due to the changes in the soil properties. BC significantly increased (up to eight times) electrical conductivity, pH, soluble phosphorus, potassium, and ammonium nitrogen concentrations of soil S3, and decreased its bulk density by 51%, resulting in improved water/nutrient uptake and plant growth performance. BC had no favourable effect on the growth parameters of bell pepper plants sown in slightly alkaline soil S1, and slightly acidic soil S2

Study protocol for the multicentre cohorts of Zika virus infection in pregnant women, infants, and acute clinical cases in Latin America and the Caribbean: the ZIKAlliance consortium

Background: The European Commission (EC) Horizon 2020 (H2020)-funded ZIKAlliance Consortium designed a multicentre study including pregnant women (PW), children (CH) and natural history (NH) cohorts. Clinical sites were selected over a wide geographic range within Latin America and the Caribbean, taking into account the dynamic course of the ZIKV epidemic. Methods: Recruitment to the PW cohort will take place in antenatal care clinics. PW will be enrolled regardless of symptoms and followed over the course of pregnancy, approximately every 4 weeks. PW will be revisited at delivery (or after miscarriage/abortion) to assess birth outcomes, including microcephaly and other congenital abnormalities according to the evolving definition of congenital Zika syndrome (CZS). After birth, children will be followed for 2 years in the CH cohort. Follow-up visits are scheduled at ages 1-3, 4-6, 12, and 24 months to assess neurocognitive and developmental milestones. In addition, a NH cohort for the characterization of symptomatic rash/fever illness was designed, including follow-up to capture persisting health problems. Blood, urine, and other biological materials will be collected, and tested for ZIKV and other relevant arboviral diseases (dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever) using RT-PCR or serological methods. A virtual, decentralized biobank will be created. Reciprocal clinical monitoring has been established between partner sites. Substudies of ZIKV seroprevalence, transmission clustering, disabilities and health economics, viral kinetics, the potential role of antibody enhancement, and co-infections will be linked to the cohort studies. Discussion: Results of these large cohort studies will provide better risk estimates for birth defects and other developmental abnormalities associated with ZIKV infection including possible co-factors for the variability of risk estimates between other countries and regions. Additional outcomes include incidence and transmission estimates of ZIKV during and after pregnancy, characterization of short and long-term clinical course following infection and viral kinetics of ZIKV

Using brain cell-type-specific protein interactomes to interpret neurodevelopmental genetic signals in schizophrenia

Summary: Genetics have nominated many schizophrenia risk genes and identified convergent signals between schizophrenia and neurodevelopmental disorders. However, functional interpretation of the nominated genes in the relevant brain cell types is often lacking. We executed interaction proteomics for six schizophrenia risk genes that have also been implicated in neurodevelopment in human induced cortical neurons. The resulting protein network is enriched for common variant risk of schizophrenia in Europeans and East Asians, is down-regulated in layer 5/6 cortical neurons of individuals affected by schizophrenia, and can complement fine-mapping and eQTL data to prioritize additional genes in GWAS loci. A sub-network centered on HCN1 is enriched for common variant risk and contains proteins (HCN4 and AKAP11) enriched for rare protein-truncating mutations in individuals with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Our findings showcase brain cell-type-specific interactomes as an organizing framework to facilitate interpretation of genetic and transcriptomic data in schizophrenia and its related disorders