Case-case study on comparative vaccine effectiveness against Delta and Omicron SARS-CoV-2 infections

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Seroprevalência da Infecção por SARS-CoV-2 em Portugal em Maio-Julho de 2020: Resultados do Primeiro Inquérito Serológico Nacional (ISNCOVID-19)

Introduction: The aim of this study was to estimate and describe the prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) specific antibodies (immunoglobulin M and/or immunoglobulin G) in Portugal in May-July 2020. Material and methods: A cross-sectional seroepidemiological survey was developed after the peak of the first epidemic wave on a sample of 2301 Portuguese residents, aged 1 year or older. Survey sample was selected using a two-stage stratified non-probability sampling design (quota sampling). SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G antibodies were measured in serum samples by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Seroprevalence estimates of immunoglobulin M and/or immunoglobulin G and 95% confidence intervals were stratified by sex, age group, health region and education. Results: Overall, seroprevalence was 2.9% (95% confidence interval: 2.0% - 4.2%). Higher prevalence rates were observed in male (4.1%, 95% confidence interval: 2.6% - 6.6%) and those with secondary education (6.4%, 95% confidence interval: 3.2% - 12.5%). Differences in seroprevalence by age group and region were not statistically significant. Discussion: The estimated seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 was higher than the cumulative incidence reported by the National Surveillance System but far from necessary to reach herd immunity. Conclusion: Our results support limited extent of infection by SARS-CoV-2 in the study population possibly due to early lockdown measures implemented in Portugal and support the need to continue monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in order to increase our knowledge about the evolution of the epidemic and to estimate the proportion of the susceptible population over time.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Пептидные аналоги эпитопов взаимодействия протеина А с иммуноглобулинами класса G, их синтез и исследование целевых свойств

Using methods of theoretical conformational analysis, the Phe-Gln-Phe-Tyr-OMe tetrapeptide has been designed and synthesized. Amino acid fragments of this tetrapeptide are present in the active center of protein A, providing its binding with the Fc-fragment of human IgG antibodies. Activity of this tetrapeptide has been confirmed by studies of its binding affinity with Fc-fragment of human IgG antibodies.С помощью методов теоретического конформационного анализа отобрана структура и осуществлен синтез тетра-пептида формулы Phe-Gln-Phe-Tyr-OMe, аминокислотные остатки которого входят в состав активного центра протеина А, обеспечивающего его связывание с Fc-фрагментом иммуноглобулинов класса G. Активность данного тетрапеп-тида подтверждена исследованиями аффинности связывания с Fc-фрагментом иммуноглобулинов класса G

A novel method for engineering autologous non-thrombogenic in situ tissue-engineered blood vessels for arteriovenous grafting

The durability of prosthetic arteriovenous (AV) grafts for hemodialysis access is low, predominantly due to stenotic lesions in the venous outflow tract and infectious complications. Tissue engineered blood vessels (TEBVs) might offer a tailor-made autologous alternative for prosthetic grafts. We have designed a method in which TEBVs are grown in vivo, by utilizing the foreign body response to subcutaneously implanted polymeric rods in goats, resulting in the formation of an autologous fibrocellular tissue capsule (TC). One month after implantation, the polymeric rod is extracted, whereupon TCs (length 6 cm, diameter 6.8 mm) were grafted as arteriovenous conduit between the carotid artery and jugular vein of the same goats. At time of grafting, the TCs were shown to have sufficient mechanical strength in terms of bursting pressure (2382 +/- 129 mmHg), and suture retention strength (SRS: 1.97 +/- 0.49 N). The AV grafts were harvested at 1 or 2 months after grafting. In an ex vivo whole blood perfusion system, the lumen of the vascular grafts was shown to be less thrombogenic compared to the initial TCs and ePTFE grafts. At 8 weeks after grafting, the entire graft was covered with an endothelial layer and abundant elastin expression was present throughout the graft. Patency at 1 and 2 months was comparable with ePTFE AV-grafts. In conclusion, we demonstrate the remodeling capacity of cellularized in vivo engineered TEBVs, and their potential as autologous alternative for prosthetic vascular grafts.Vascular Surger

Разработка гемосорбентов для связывания IgG на основе олигопептидных лигандов

The possibility for development of new hemosorbents based on oligopeptide analogues of Staphylococcus aureus protein A epitopes and polyethylene matrix, is discussed. A convenient method for hemosorbent preparation has been developed and primary tests have been performed.Рассматривается возможность создания новых гемосорбентов на основе олигопептидных аналогов эпитопов протеина А Staphylococcus aureus и полиэтиленовой матрицы. Предложена удобная методика получения гемосор-бентов и проведены первичные экспериментальные испытания

Interim 2017/18 influenza seasonal vaccine effectiveness: Combined results from five European studies

Between September 2017 and February 2018, influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, A(H3N2) and B viruses (mainly B/Yamagata, not included in 2017/18 trivalent vaccines) co-circulated in Europe. Interim results from five European studies indicate that, in all age groups, 2017/18 influenza vaccine effectiveness was 25 to 52% against any influenza, 55 to 68% against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, -42 to 7% against influenza A(H3N2) and 36 to 54% against influenza B. 2017/18 influenza vaccine should be promoted where influenza still circulates

HER2-enriched subtype and novel molecular subgroups drive aromatase inhibitor resistance and an increased risk of relapse in early ER+/HER2+ breast cancer

BACKGROUND: Oestrogen receptor positive/ human epidermal growth factor receptor positive (ER+/HER2+) breast cancers (BCs) are less responsive to endocrine therapy than ER+/HER2- tumours. Mechanisms underpinning the differential behaviour of ER+HER2+ tumours are poorly characterised. Our aim was to identify biomarkers of response to 2 weeks’ presurgical AI treatment in ER+/HER2+ BCs. METHODS: All available ER+/HER2+ BC baseline tumours (n=342) in the POETIC trial were gene expression profiled using BC360™ (NanoString) covering intrinsic subtypes and 46 key biological signatures. Early response to AI was assessed by changes in Ki67 expression and residual Ki67 at 2 weeks (Ki672wk). Time-To-Recurrence (TTR) was estimated using Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox models adjusted for standard clinicopathological variables. New molecular subgroups (MS) were identified using consensus clustering. FINDINGS: HER2-enriched (HER2-E) subtype BCs (44.7% of the total) showed poorer Ki67 response and higher Ki672wk (p<0.0001) than non-HER2-E BCs. High expression of ERBB2 expression, homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) and TP53 mutational score were associated with poor response and immune-related signatures with High Ki672wk. Five new MS that were associated with differential response to AI were identified. HER2-E had significantly poorer TTR compared to Luminal BCs (HR 2.55, 95% CI 1.14–5.69; p=0.0222). The new MS were independent predictors of TTR, adding significant value beyond intrinsic subtypes. INTERPRETATION: Our results show HER2-E as a standardised biomarker associated with poor response to AI and worse outcome in ER+/HER2+. HRD, TP53 mutational score and immune-tumour tolerance are predictive biomarkers for poor response to AI. Lastly, novel MS identify additional non-HER2-E tumours not responding to AI with an increased risk of relapse

Particle Manipulation-on-chip: Using programmable hydrodynamic forcing in a closed loop

The precise manipulation of particles and droplets is crucial to many microfluidic applications in engineering. The design of microfluidic devices is generally tailored to perform a specific task, with each specific application requiring a unique and fixed design. In this way, using a single device to perform multiple analyses of a wide range of specimens, from biological to chemical specimens, is unfeasible. Here, we address this issue and present a microfluidic approach that dynamically controls the hydrodynamic flow and the streamlines to realize complex multi-particle manipulations within a single device. Our approach combines the design of a flow-through microfluidic flow cell together with an optimization procedure to find a priori optimal particle path-lines, and a Proportion-Integral-Derivative-based (PID) feedback controller to provide real time control over the particle manipulations. In our device, particles are manipulated with hydrodynamic forces, by using a uniform flow through the flow cell and three inlets perpendicular to the flow cell. The streamlines within the device are manipulated by injecting or extracting fluid through the three inlets. We demonstrate the robustness of our approach by performing multiple functions within the device, including particle trapping, particle sorting, particle separation and assembly. We show that the real time control procedure affords accurate particle manipulation, with a maximum error on the order of the diameter of the particle. Our particle manipulation approach is particularly well suited to biological samples and living cells.Fluid Mechanic

Estimation and reduction of peak-locking errors in PIV measurements

In PIV, the systematic tendency of the measured sub-pixel displacement to be biased towards the integral pixel values is called peak-locking. This occurs when the particle image diameter is less than a pixel. The bias error causes inaccuracy in the measured PIV data which does not reduces with increase in the sample size. Recently developed LaVision’s optical diffuser was investigated to determine the reduction in peak-locking. The point-spread-function width of diffuser was examined to calculate the change in the shape and size of the point source under the influence of different parameters. Planar-PIV experiment were carried out in uniform, low-speed and high-speed flow conditions to analyse the effectiveness of the optical diffuser in reducing the bias error and change in the random error. Also, a comparative assessment was done between the use of conventional defocusing and optical diffusers during image acquisition. The use of optical diffusers reduces the bias error and random error by a factor of three. The reduction in the measurement error is similar to the best defocused optical position of the lens which is very difficult to determine. Additionally, an experimental analysis was done with three different camera-lens combination to determine the best relative aperture size for keeping the measurement error minimal for the large scale 2D PIV. With the help of optical diffusers, experimentalists can have more accurate PIV measurements which would lead to more realistic capturing of the flow phenomenon. With the use of optical diffusers, it would also help the CFD and theoretical experts to compare their predictions with better experimental benchmark results.Aerospace EngineeringAerodynamics, Wind Energy & Propulsio