Gut microbiota is associated with persistence of longer-term BNT162b2 vaccine immunogenicity.

Introduction: BNT162b2 immunogenicity wanes with time and we investigated association between gut microbiota and longer-term immunogenicity.

Methods: This cohort study prospectively recruited adult BNT162b2 two-dose recipients from three vaccination centers in Hong Kong. Blood samples were collected at baseline and day 180 after first dose, and tested for neutralizing antibodies (NAb) against receptor-binding domain (RBD) of wild type SARS-CoV-2 virus using chemiluminescence immunoassay.

A systematic benchmark of Nanopore long-read RNA sequencing for transcript-level analysis in human cell lines.

The human genome contains instructions to transcribe more than 200,000 RNAs. However, many RNA transcripts are generated from the same gene, resulting in alternative isoforms that are highly similar and that remain difficult to quantify. To evaluate the ability to study RNA transcript expression, we profiled seven human cell lines with five different RNA-sequencing protocols, including short-read cDNA, Nanopore long-read direct RNA, amplification-free direct cDNA and PCR-amplified cDNA sequencing, and PacBio IsoSeq, with multiple spike-in controls, and additional transcriptome-wide N-methyladenosine profiling data.

Unraveling the mechanism of fouling mitigation in AGS-MBR system: From AGS properties to foulant interactions.

Aerobic granular sludge (AGS) has demonstrated a lower fouling propensity than floc sludge in membrane bioreactors (MBRs) due to various hypotheses, including differences in particle size and the efficacy of physical scouring. However, controversy exists regarding the dominant cause of this lower fouling. Therefore, in this work, we systematically investigated the contribution of four potential mechanisms of AGS on membrane fouling alleviation in MBRs: 1) loosening cake layer; 2) scouring of the membrane surface; 3) regulating soluble microbial product (SMP) secretion; and 4) changing the rheology of the bulk solution.

The spectrum of IDH- and H3-wildtype high-grade glioma subgroups occurring across teenage and young adult patient populations.

Background: High-grade gliomas (HGG) occur in any central nervous system (CNS) location and any age. HGGs in teenagers/young adults (TYA) are understudied. This project aimed to characterise these tumours to support accurate patient stratification.

Hit Around: Substitutional Moving Robot for Immersive and Exertion Interaction with Encountered-Type Haptic.

Previous works have shown the potential of immersive technologies to make physical activities a more engaging experience. With encountered-type haptic feedback, users can perceive a more realistic sensation for exertion interaction in substitutions reality. Although substitutional reality has utilized physical environments, props, and devices to provide encountered-type haptic feedback, these cannot withstand the fierce force of humans and do not give feedback when users move around simultaneously, such as in combat sports.