Human immune and gut microbial parameters associated with inter-individual variations in COVID-19 mRNA vaccine-induced immunity

COVID-19 mRNA vaccines induce protective adaptive immunity against SARS-CoV-2 in most individuals, but there is wide variation in levels of vaccine-induced antibody and T-cell responses. However, the mechanisms underlying this inter-individual variation remain unclear. Here, using a systems biology approach based on multi-omics analyses of human blood and stool samples, we identified several factors that are associated with COVID-19 vaccine-induced adaptive immune responses. BNT162b2-induced T cell response is positively associated with late monocyte responses and inversely associated with baseline mRNA expression of activation protein 1 (AP-1) transcription factors. Interestingly, the gut microbial fucose/rhamnose degradation pathway is positively correlated with mRNA expression of AP-1, as well as a gene encoding an enzyme producing prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), which promotes AP-1 expression, and inversely correlated with BNT162b2-induced T-cell responses. These results suggest that baseline AP-1 expression, which is affected by commensal microbial activity, is a negative correlate of BNT162b2-induced T-cell responses.journal articl

Silicone Plate for the Prevention of Postoperative Adhesions in Patients with Asherman Syndrome

Purpose. Re-adhesion rates following hysteroscopic adhesiolysis have remained high. Accordingly, we present a case involving temporary placement of an intrauterine silicone plate to prevent re-adhesions following hysteroscopic adhesiolysis in a 36-year-old woman with Asherman syndrome. Methods. After hysteroscopic adhesiolysis, a silicone plate molded to the uterine cavity’s shape was inserted into the uterine cavity and left in place for 1 month. Results. The patient had a history of endometrial curettage for endometrial polyps. After the procedure, she developed amenorrhea and experienced infertility for 5 years despite four cycles of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. Following admission to our hospital, hysteroscopic examination showed a wide area of intrauterine adhesions for which hysteroscopic adhesiolysis and silicone plate insertion were performed. The silicone plate was removed after 1 month. No intrauterine adhesions were observed during the subsequent hysteroscopic examination. After a thawed embryo transfer, the patient became pregnant and delivered a healthy baby. Conclusions. A silicon plate may be considered a useful tool for preventing re-adhesion following hysteroscopic adhesiolysis without serious complications

Impact of the one‐carbon metabolism on oocyte maturation, fertilization, embryo quality, and subsequent pregnancy

Purpose: To investigate impact of the one‐carbon metabolism (OCM) on oocyte maturity and embryo development. Methods: This prospective study analyzed 18 women who agreed to participate. We measured the OCM biomarkers’ concentrations including Vitamin B12 (VB12), folic acid (FA), and homocysteine (Hcy) in serum and follicular fluid (FF), and assessed their correlation. We also evaluated the influence of such OCM biomarker concentrations in mono‐FF on oocyte maturation, fertilization, embryo quality, and consequent pregnancy after embryo transfers. Results: All biomarkers showed a high concentration variability in different follicles of each woman, but their mean levels correlated with the serum levels. Among the 106 collected oocytes, 92 were mature, 59 were fertilized, and 16 yielded good‐quality embryos. We performed 26 single embryo transfers, and 7 patients achieved clinical pregnancies. VB12 concentration (FF) was significantly lower in fertilized than unfertilized oocytes by univariate analysis. In multivariate logistic analysis, a significant correlation was found between FA concentration (FF) <14.25 ng/mL and good‐quality embryos and between Hcy concentration (FF) <4.9 nmol/mL and clinical pregnancy. Conclusion: OCM in FF may affect fertilization, embryo quality, and clinical pregnancy

Comparative study of obstetric and neonatal outcomes of live births between poor‐ and good‐quality embryo transfers

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the effect of embryo quality on pregnancy outcomes. Methods This retrospective analysis included 80 live singleton births, resulting from morphologically good‐quality embryo transfers, and 25 live singleton births that resulted from morphologically poor‐quality embryo transfers between January, 2008 and December, 2014. Cleavage embryos that were graded as ≥2, according to the Veeck classification system, and blastocysts that were graded as ≥3BB, according to the Gardner classification system, were defined as good quality. The obstetric and neonatal outcomes were compared between the poor‐ and good‐quality embryo transfer groups. Results The mean maternal age between the groups was similar. The blastocyst transfer rate was higher in the good‐quality, than in the poor‐quality, embryo transfer group. Other characteristics, including parity, infertility duration, the intracytoplasmic sperm injection rate, frozen‐thawed embryo transfer rate, endometrial thickness, and hormone values before the embryo transfer, were similar between the groups. The obstetric and neonatal outcomes of live births between the two groups were not different in terms of preterm delivery, birthweight, small or large size for gestational age, malformation, umbilical artery cord pH of <7.20, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, gestational diabetes mellitus, chorioamnionitis, placenta previa, and placental abruption. Conclusion The obstetric and neonatal outcomes of live births between the poor‐ and good‐quality embryo transfers were equivalent