SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine induced higher antibody affinity and IgG titers against variants of concern in post-partum vs non-post-partum women

BACKGROUND

Limited knowledge exists in post-partum women regarding durability of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine-induced antibody responses and their neutralising ability against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC).

METHODS

We elucidated longitudinal mRNA vaccination-induced antibody profiles of 13 post-partum and 13 non-post-partum women (control).

FINDINGS

The antibody neutralisation titres against SARS-CoV-2 WA-1 strain were comparable between post-partum and non-post-partum women and these levels were sustained up to four months post-second vaccination in both groups. However, neutralisation titers declined against several VOCs, including Beta and Delta. Higher antibody binding was observed against SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) mutants with key VOC amino acids when tested with post-second vaccination plasma from post-partum women compared with controls. Importantly, post-vaccination plasma antibody affinity against VOCs RBDs was significantly higher in post-partum women compared with controls.

INTERPRETATION

This study demonstrates that there is a differential vaccination-induced immune responses in post-partum women compared with non-post-partum women, which could help inform future vaccination strategies for these groups.

FUNDING

The antibody characterisation work described in this manuscript was supported by FDA's Medical Countermeasures Initiative (MCMi) grant #OCET 2021-1565 to S.K and intramural FDA-CBER COVID-19 supplemental funds.

Evaluation of in vivo Lethality and in vitro Cytotoxic Effect of Odontobuthus bidentatus Scorpion Venom

The results of numerous studies have revealed that some deadly scorpion venoms are composed of various bioactive molecules that have significant cytotoxic effects on cancer cells. In this study, the in vivo lethality and cytotoxic effect of Odontobuthus bidentatus venom were evaluated in different cancer cell lines. Through MTT assay, the cytotoxic effects of O. bidentatus scorpion venom were analyzed on the MCF-7, A549, AGS, HepG2, and Ht-29 cancer cell lines and Hu02 normal cells. To this end, six venom fractions were obtained through a Sephadex G-50 column, and the cytotoxic effects of isolated fractions were evaluated on A549 lung cancer cells. The median lethal dose of O. bidentatus scorpion venom was determined at 0.73 mg/kg by intravenous administration of different venom doses in male BALB/c mice according to the Spearman-Karber method. The O. bidentatus scorpion whole venom had a significant cytotoxic effect on MCF-7, A549, and AGS cells. The treatment of A549 cells with various concentrations of fraction F1 showed that this fraction significantly induced growth inhibitory effect on the cells in a dose-dependent manner, compared to untreated cells.

Successful transfer of anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunity using convalescent plasma in an MM patient with hypogammaglobulinemia and COVID-19

A severely immunocompromised patient with MM and COVID19 who received a convalescent plasma product showed SARS-CoV-2 clearance. The convalescent plasma showed humoral immunity against all structural SARS-CoV-2 proteins, which was successfully transferred to the patient.

Structural variation of centromeric endogenous retroviruses in human populations and their impact on cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, Sézary syndrome, and HIV infection

Background

Human Endogenous Retroviruses type K HML-2 (HK2) are integrated into 117 or more areas of human chromosomal arms while two newly discovered HK2 proviruses, K111 and K222, spread extensively in pericentromeric regions, are the first retroviruses discovered in these areas of our genome.

Methods

We use PCR and sequencing analysis to characterize pericentromeric K111 proviruses in DNA from individuals of diverse ethnicities and patients with different diseases.

Results

We found that the 5′ LTR-gag region of K111 proviruses is missing in certain individuals, creating pericentromeric instability. K111 deletion (−/− K111) is seen in about 15% of Caucasian, Asian, and Middle Eastern populations; it is missing in 2.36% of African individuals, suggesting that the −/− K111 genotype originated out of Africa. As we identified the −/−K111 genotype in Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) cell lines, we studied whether the −/−K111 genotype is associated with CTCL. We found a significant increase in the frequency of detection of the −/−K111 genotype in Caucasian patients with severe CTCL and/or Sézary syndrome (n = 35, 37.14%), compared to healthy controls (n = 160, 15.6%) [p = 0.011]. The −/−K111 genotype was also found to vary in HIV-1 infection. Although Caucasian healthy individuals have a similar frequency of detection of the −/− K111 genotype, Caucasian HIV Long-Term Non-Progressors (LTNPs) and/or elite controllers, have significantly higher detection of the −/−K111 genotype (30.55%; n = 36) than patients who rapidly progress to AIDS (8.5%; n = 47) [p = 0.0097].

Conclusion

Our data indicate that pericentromeric instability is associated with more severe CTCL and/or Sézary syndrome in Caucasians, and appears to allow T-cells to survive lysis by HIV infection. These findings also provide new understanding of human evolution, as the −/−K111 genotype appears to have arisen out of Africa and is distributed unevenly throughout the world, possibly affecting the severity of HIV in different geographic areas.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12920-019-0505-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Provir/Latitude 45 study: A step towards a multi-epitopic CTL vaccine designed on archived HIV-1 DNA and according to dominant HLA I alleles

One of the approaches by which the scientific community is seeking to cure HIV is the use of therapeutic vaccination. Previous studies have highlighted the importance of the virus-specific CD8+ T cell cytotoxic responses for the immune control of HIV and have oriented research on vaccine constructs based on CTL epitopes from circulating HIV-1 strains. The clinical trials with therapeutic vaccines to date have had limited success likely due to (i) a discrepancy between archived CTL epitopes in the viral reservoir and those in circulating viruses before antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation and (ii) the lack of strong affinity between the selected CTL epitopes and the HLA grooves for presentation to CD8+ cells. To overcome these limitations, we launched the Provir/Latitude 45 study to identify conserved CTL epitopes in archived HIV-1 DNA according to the HLA class I alleles of aviremic patients, most of whom are under ART. The near full-length genomes or Gag, Pol and Nef regions of proviral DNA were sequenced by Sanger and/or Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). The HLA-A and B alleles were defined by NGS or molecular analysis. The TuTuGenetics software, which moves a sliding window of 8 to 10 amino acids through the amino acid alignment, was combined with the Immune Epitope Data Base (IEDB) to automatically calculate the theoretical binding affinity of identified epitopes to the HLA alleles for each individual. We identified 15 conserved epitopes in Pol (11), Gag (3), and Nef (1) according to their potential presentation by the dominant HLA-A and B alleles and now propose to use the corresponding conserved peptides in a multi-epitopic vaccine (HLA-fitted VAC, HFVAC).

Isosteric and fluorescent DNA base pair formed by 4-amino-phthalimide and 2,4-diaminopyrimidine: melting, structure, and THz polar solvation dynamics

An artificial base pair in duplex DNA, formed by 2,4-diaminopyrimidine and fluorescent 4-aminophthalimide C-nucleosides, is characterized spectroscopically, for use in femtosecond solvation dynamics.

On the classical vibrational coherence of carbonyl groups in the selectivity filter backbone of the KcsA ion channel

It has been suggested that quantum coherence in the selectivity filter of ion channel may play a key role in fast conduction and selectivity of ions. However, it has not been clearly elucidated yet why classical coherence is not sufficient for this purpose. In this paper, we investigate the classical vibrational coherence between carbonyl groups oscillations in the selectivity filter of KcsA ion channels based on the data obtained from molecular dynamics simulations. Our results show that classical coherence plays no effective role in fast ionic conduction.

Water molecules response to an external GHz electric field in KcsA potassium channel: A molecular modeling approach

KcsA potassium channel is a membrane protein that allows the passage of potassium ions and water molecules across the cellular membrane. Using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation method, the effect of an applied GHz oscillating electric field of strength 0.004 V/nm on the dynamics of K + and water molecules in a KcsA channel was modeled. It was found that the application of GHz range electric field caused a change in the potential energy profile of the water molecules in the filter sites, causing an increase in the delay time of the water molecules in these sites. Therefore, exposing the channel to the GHz fields can perturb the dynamics of the water molecules in the filter, and consequently, the channel operation may be disturbed. Furthermore, the results show that the applied field has no major effects on the dipole orientation of water molecules in the channel.

Virologic response following combined ledipasvir and sofosbuvir administration in patients with HCV genotype 1 and HIV co-infection

IMPORTANCE

There is an unmet need for interferon- and ribavirin-free treatment for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in patients co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the rates of sustained virologic response (SVR) and adverse events in previously untreated patients with HCV genotype 1 and HIV co-infection following a 12-week treatment of the fixed-dose combination of ledipasvir and sofosbuvir.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Open-label, single-center, phase 2b pilot study of previously untreated, noncirrhotic patients with HCV genotype 1 and HIV co-infection conducted at the Clinical Research Center of the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, from June 2013 to September 2014. Patients included those receiving antiretroviral therapy with HIV RNA values of 50 copies/mL or fewer and a CD4 T-lymphocyte count of 100 cells/mL or greater or patients with untreated HIV infection with a CD4 T-lymphocyte count of 500 cells/mL or greater. Serial measurements of safety parameters, virologic and host immune correlates, and adherence were performed.

INTERVENTIONS

Fifty patients with HCV genotype 1 never before treated for HCV were prescribed a fixed-dose combination of ledipasvir (90 mg) and sofosbuvir (400 mg) once daily for 12 weeks.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary study outcome was the proportion of patients with sustained viral response (plasma HCV RNA level <12 IU/mL) 12 weeks after end of treatment.

RESULTS

Forty-nine of 50 participants (98% [95% CI, 89% to 100%]) achieved SVR 12 weeks after end of treatment, whereas 1 patient experienced relapse at week 4 following treatment. In the patient with relapse, deep sequencing revealed a resistance associated mutation in the NS5A region conferring resistance to NS5A inhibitors, such as ledipasvir. The most common adverse events were nasal congestion (16% of patients) and myalgia (14%). There were no discontinuations or serious adverse events attributable to study drug.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this open-label, uncontrolled, pilot study enrolling patients co-infected with HCV genotype 1 and HIV, administration of an oral combination of ledipasvir and sofosbuvir for 12 weeks was associated with high rates of SVR after treatment completion. Larger studies that also include patients with cirrhosis and lower CD4 T-cell counts are required to understand if the results of this study generalize to all patients co-infected with HCV and HIV.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

clinicaltrials.gov Identifier:NCT01878799.

Quantum decoherence time scales for ionic superposition states in ion channels

There are many controversial and challenging discussions about quantum effects in microscopic structures in neurons of the brain and their role in cognitive processing. In this paper, we focus on a small, nanoscale part of ion channels which is called the "selectivity filter" and plays a key role in the operation of an ion channel. Our results for superposition states of potassium ions indicate that decoherence times are of the order of picoseconds. This decoherence time is not long enough for cognitive processing in the brain, however, it may be adequate for quantum superposition states of ions in the filter to leave their quantum traces on the selectivity filter and action potentials.

Occupational Exposure to Blood and Body Fluids among Health Care Workers in Teaching Hospitals in Tehran, Iran

BACKGROUND

Health care workers (HCWs) are vulnerable populations for infection with blood borne pathogens. This study was conducted to determine occupational exposure to blood and body fluids among HCWs in teaching hospitals in Tehran, Iran.

METHODS

A self-structures questionnaire was used to study 650 HCWs during 2006 -2007 in some teaching hospitals in Tehran, Iran.

RESULTS

occupational exposure to blood and body fluids to blood and body fluids of patients was noticed in 53.4%. Recapping was the most common cause of niddle stick injuries (26.5%) and 19.9% of HCWs with a history of needlestick or mucosal exposure had sought medical advice from a specialist, 79.4% of these visited a doctor in the first 24 hours after exposure. Twenty percent of people with a history of needlestick or mucosal exposure to human immune deficiency virus positive (HIV(+)) patients received post-exposure prophylaxis and 46.7% tested themselves for seroconversion. 25.8% of HCWs with a history of needlestick or mucosal exposure with HBsAg(+) patients received hepatitis B immunoglobuline (HBIG), all of these had received it in the first 72 hours after exposure. History of vaccination, and reassurance about the effective serum antibody titer was the most frequent reason mentioned in case the individuals did not receive HBIG (56.5%).

CONCLUSION

There is a need for further research to investigate why many HCWs do not take prophylactic and essential actions after needle stick or mucosal exposure to body fluids of infected patients.

Femtosecond broadband fluorescence upconversion spectroscopy: improved setup and photometric correction

A setup for fluorescence upconversion spectroscopy (FLUPS) is described which has 80 fs temporal response (fwhm) for emission in the spectral range 425-750 nm. Broadband phase matching is achieved with tilted gate pulses at 1340 nm. Background from harmonics of the gate pulse is removed and sensitivity increased compared to previous designs. Photometric calibration of the upconversion process is performed with a set of fluorescent dyes. For Coumarin 153 in methanol the peak position, bandwidth, and asymmetry depending on delay time are reported.

Genetic similarities and differences in the anti-HIV-1 Env antibody responses between humans and rhesus macaques (105.40)

We previously described a method for rapid cloning human monoclonal antibody (mAb) from memory B cell (Bmem). Here, we have put this method in practice for isolating a large panel of mAbs against HIV-1 envelope (Env) protein and have extended it as a general strategy to isolate monkey mAbs against HIV-1 Env from Bmem of a SHIV infected rhesus macaque. Ninety-six new mAbs were cloned from 5 HIV-1 infected humans, of which 64 are clonally unique Env mAbs. Thirty-five mAbs against HIV-1 Env were cloned directly from Bmem or from immortalized Env B cell lines both derived from SHIV infected rhesus macaques. Genetic analyses showed that humans and rhesus macaques can use similar VH genes for generating Abs against similar Env epitopes. For example, they both can use VH1-69, VH1-24 and VH2-70 genes for mAbs against CD4 induced (CD4i) Env epitopes, and use VH5-51 gene for V3 mAbs. However, the strong bias usage of VH1-69 gene for human CD4i Abs was not seen in rhesus macaques. In addition, the biased usage of kappa gene for anti-Env Abs in HIV-1 infected people was not seen in rhesus macaques. Instead, SHIV infected rhesus macaques tends to use lamda light chain gene to encode mAbs against the HIV-1 Env protein. This information on the similarities and differences of anti-Env Ab responses between human and rhesus macaques should help to more judiciously employ the non-human primates model to advance HIV vaccine candidates into clinical trials.

Femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy of flavin after optical excitation

In blue-light photoreceptors using flavin (BLUF), the signaling state is formed already within several 100 ps after illumination, with only small changes of the absorption spectrum. The accompanying structural evolution can, in principle, be monitored by femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy (FSRS). The method is used here to characterize the excited-state properties of riboflavin and flavin adenine dinucleotide in polar solvents. Raman modes are observed in the range 90-1800 cm(-1) for the electronic ground state S(0) and upon excitation to the S(1) state, and modes >1000 cm(-1) of both states are assigned with the help of quantum-chemical calculations. Line shapes are shown to depend sensitively on resonance conditions. They are affected by wavepacket motion in any of the participating electronic states, resulting in complex amplitude modulation of the stimulated Raman spectra. Wavepackets in S(1) can be marked, and thus isolated, by stimulated-emission pumping with the picosecond Raman pulses. Excited-state absorption spectra are obtained from a quantitative comparison of broadband transient fluorescence and absorption. In this way, the resonance conditions for FSRS are determined. Early differences of the emission spectrum depend on excess vibrational energy, and solvation is seen as dynamic Stokes shift of the emission band. The nπ* state is evidenced only through changes of emission oscillator strength during solvation. S(1) quenching by adenine is seen with all methods in terms of dynamics, not by spectral intermediates.

Prostatic tumors in Iran

1. Among all tissue examinations, 8.6% were on male urogenital organs, of which 2.9% were for carcinoma of the prostate. Biopsies of the prostate comprised a large percentage of all male urogenital biopsies. Since the specimens examined by various pathological laboratories in Tehran were received from all over the country, comparison of these statistics is significant. 2. Male urogenital tumors comprised 6.7% of male biopsies, of which 2.7% were for tumors of the prostate. 3. Male urogenital cancers comprised 2.3% of biopsies examined, of which only four were prostatic carconomas. Carcinoma of the prostate was the rarest cancer of the male urogenital organs in Iran. 4. We found 933 cases of cancer of male urogenital organs in 31 years. This comprised 6% of all male cancers, of which only 0.33% were carcinoma of the prostate. 5. Bladder carcinomas were the commonest and prostate carcinomas the rarest among males. 6. We found that 97% of prostate tumors were benign and 3% were malignant. Prostatic carcinoma was four times more prevalent among high income patients than among low income patients. 7. Benign tumors were most common in the 40 to 70 age groups, whereas the peak incidence for carcinoma of this organ was 50 to 70 years of age. 8. No particular clinical symptoms were found. Most patients reported pollakiuria, dysuria or urinary retention. 9. The initial growth site of tumors in the few cases that we were able to study was in the cortex region, especially from the posterior lobe. 10. Histological types of tumor found did not differ from other figures reported. We found no sarcomas. 11. No systematic study of asymptomatic nodules of carcinoma of the prostate has been made and we have never found any signs of such solitary nodules. This may be due to the low average age and the rarity of malignancy of the prostate in Iran. 12. The frequency of death in Iran due to carcinoma of the prostate is impossible to state since death certificates, in the majority of cases, specify secondary symptoms of the disease and not the original disease. 13. The incidence of prostatic carcinoma in the provice of Fars was five times greater and in Isfahan four times greater than in the province of Tehran. However, the figures for Tehran were compiled over the last 31 years, whereas the figures for Isfahan and Shiraz are only for the last ten years, and comparison of these three sets of figures may not be accurate. 14. Carcinoma of the prostate is not as common in Iran as it is in Europe and America. It is rather rare in Iran and compares favorably with figures for the Near Eastern and Far Eastern countries. The Middle Eastern countries of Lebanon, Israel and Afghanistan are very similar in incidence to Iran. In other countries in our region, the incidence is 1.8%.