Effect of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease on BNT162b2 immunogenicity against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 omicron variant.

Background And Aim: We aimed to investigate the effect of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) on three-dose BNT162b2 immunogenicity to the omicron variant.

Methods: Adult recipients of three doses of BNT162b2 were prospectively recruited between May and December 2021. The serology of the neutralizing antibody by live virus microneutralization (vMN) to the omicron variant was measured at baseline, day 180, and day 360 after the first dose.

Satisfaction with government recommended pre-procedural mouth rinses in the mitigation of Covid-19 in Hong Kong SAR: A triple blind randomized controlled clinical trial.

Objective: To evaluate satisfaction and acceptability with three pre-procedural mouthrinses recommended by the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Material And Methods: A triple-blind parallel-arm randomised controlled clinical trial was conducted. Following eligibility assessment, participants were block-randomised to the three intervention pre-procedural mouthrinses groups: Povidone-iodine, Hydrogen Peroxide and Chlorhexidine Digluconate.

Decreased risk of non-influenza respiratory infection after influenza B virus infection in children.

Previous studies suggest that influenza virus infection may provide temporary non-specific immunity and hence lower the risk of non-influenza respiratory virus infection. In a randomized controlled trial of influenza vaccination, 1 330 children were followed-up in 2009-2011. Respiratory swabs were collected when they reported acute respiratory illness and tested against influenza and other respiratory viruses.

Autoantibodies against angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) after COVID-19 infection or vaccination.

Autoantibodies against angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) are frequently reported in patients during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with evidence for a pathogenic role in severe infection. However, little is known of the prevalence or clinical significance of ACE2 autoantibodies in late convalescence or following COVID-19 vaccination. In this study, we measured ACE2 autoantibodies in a cohort of 182 COVID-19 convalescent patients, 186 COVID-19 vaccine recipients, and 43 adolescents with post-mRNA vaccine myopericarditis using two ACE2 enzymatic immunoassays (EIAs).

Effect of Moderate to Severe Hepatic Steatosis on Vaccine Immunogenicity against Wild-Type and Mutant Virus and COVID-19 Infection among BNT162b2 Recipients.

Background: We aimed to investigate the effect of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) on BNT162b2 immunogenicity against wild-type SARS-CoV-2 and variants and infection outcome, as data are lacking.

Methods: Recipients of two doses of BNT162b2 were prospectively recruited. Outcomes of interest were seroconversion of neutralizing antibody by live virus microneutralization (vMN) to SARS-CoV-2 strains (wild-type, delta and omicron variants) at day 21, 56 and 180 after first dose.

An Elastic and Damage-Tolerant Dry Epidermal Patch with Robust Skin Adhesion for Bioelectronic Interfacing.

On-skin patches that record biopotential and biomechanical signals are essential for wearable healthcare monitoring, clinical treatment, and human-machine interaction. To acquire wearing comfort and high-quality signals, patches with tissue-like softness, elastic recovery, damage tolerance, and robust bioelectronic interface are highly desired yet challenging to achieve. Here, we report a dry epidermal patch made from a supramolecular polymer (SESA) and an in situ transferred carbon nanotubes' percolation network.

Comparing the B and T cell-mediated immune responses in patients with type 2 diabetes receiving mRNA or inactivated COVID-19 vaccines.

Acquiring protective immunity through vaccination is essential, especially for patients with type 2 diabetes who are vulnerable for adverse clinical outcomes during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with immune dysfunction. Here, we evaluated the impact of T2D on the immunological responses induced by mRNA (BNT162b2) and inactivated (CoronaVac) vaccines, the two most commonly used COVID-19 vaccines.

Macromolecule conformational shaping for extreme mechanical programming of polymorphic hydrogel fibers.

Mechanical properties of hydrogels are crucial to emerging devices and machines for wearables, robotics and energy harvesters. Various polymer network architectures and interactions have been explored for achieving specific mechanical characteristics, however, extreme mechanical property tuning of single-composition hydrogel material and deployment in integrated devices remain challenging. Here, we introduce a macromolecule conformational shaping strategy that enables mechanical programming of polymorphic hydrogel fiber based devices.

Effect of moderate-to-severe hepatic steatosis on neutralising antibody response among BNT162b2 and CoronaVac recipients.

Background/aims: Studies of hepatic steatosis (HS) effect on COVID-19 vaccine immunogenicity are lacking. We aimed to compare immunogenicity of BNT162b2 and CoronaVac among moderate/severe HS and control subjects.

Methods: Two hundred ninety-five subjects who received BNT162b2 or CoronaVac vaccines from five vaccination centers were categorized into moderate/severe HS (controlled attenuation parameter ≥268 dB/m on transient elastography) (n=74) or control (n=221) groups.

Probable Animal-to-Human Transmission of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Delta Variant AY.127 Causing a Pet Shop-Related Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Outbreak in Hong Kong.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can infect human and other mammals, including hamsters. Syrian (Mesocricetus auratus) and dwarf (Phodopus sp.) hamsters are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection in the laboratory setting.

Neutralization of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Omicron Variant by Sera From BNT162b2 or CoronaVac Vaccine Recipients.

Background: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) omicron variant, designated as a variant of concern by the World Health Organization, carries numerous spike mutations that are known to evade neutralizing antibodies elicited by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines. A deeper understanding of the susceptibility of omicron variant to vaccine-induced neutralizing antibodies is urgently needed for risk assessment.

Methods: Omicron variant strains HKU691 and HKU344-R346K were isolated from patients using TMPRSS2-overexpressing VeroE6 cells.

Low Environmental Temperature Exacerbates Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection in Golden Syrian Hamsters.

Background: The effect of low environmental temperature on viral shedding and disease severity of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is uncertain.

Methods: We investigated the virological, clinical, pathological, and immunological changes in hamsters housed at room (21°C), low (12-15°C), and high (30-33°C) temperature after challenge by 105 plaque-forming units of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

Results: The nasal turbinate, trachea, and lung viral load and live virus titer were significantly higher (~0.

The impact of spike N501Y mutation on neutralizing activity and RBD binding of SARS-CoV-2 convalescent serum.

Background: Several SARS-CoV-2 lineages with spike receptor binding domain (RBD) N501Y mutation have spread globally. We evaluated the impact of N501Y on neutralizing activity of COVID-19 convalescent sera and on anti-RBD IgG assays.

Methods: The susceptibility to neutralization by COVID-19 patients' convalescent sera from Hong Kong were compared between two SARS-CoV-2 isolates (B117-1/B117-2) from the α variant with N501Y and 4 non-N501Y isolates.

Dynamic thermal trapping enables cross-species smart nanoparticle swarms.

Bioinspired nano/microswarm enables fascinating collective controllability beyond the abilities of the constituent individuals, yet almost invariably, the composed units are of single species. Advancing such swarm technologies poses a grand challenge in synchronous mass manipulation of multimaterials that hold different physiochemical identities. Here, we present a dynamic thermal trapping strategy using thermoresponsive-based magnetic smart nanoparticles as host species to reversibly trap and couple given nonmagnetic entities in aqueous surroundings, enabling cross-species smart nanoparticle swarms (SMARS).

Scalable thermoelectric fibers for multifunctional textile-electronics.

Textile electronics are poised to revolutionize future wearable applications due to their wearing comfort and programmable nature. Many promising thermoelectric wearables have been extensively investigated for green energy harvesting and pervasive sensors connectivity. However, the practical applications of the TE textile are still hindered by the current laborious p/n junctions assembly of limited scale and mechanical compliance.

False-positive SARS-CoV-2 serology in 3 children with Kawasaki disease.

Background: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute febrile and eruptive disease with systemic vasculitis predominantly affecting young East Asian children. Recent reports showed that children with KD-like disease from KD low prevalence regions had positive SARS-CoV-2 serology despite a negative SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in respiratory samples.

Objectives: To describe 3 pediatric Kawasaki Disease patients with false positive SARS-CoV-2 serology.

Somatosensory, Light-Driven, Thin-Film Robots Capable of Integrated Perception and Motility.

Living organisms are capable of sensing and responding to their environment through reflex-driven pathways. The grand challenge for mimicking such natural intelligence in miniature robots lies in achieving highly integrated body functionality, actuation, and sensing mechanisms. Here, somatosensory light-driven robots (SLiRs) based on a smart thin-film composite tightly integrating actuation and multisensing are presented.

Gastrointestinal Manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Virus Load in Fecal Samples From a Hong Kong Cohort: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background & Aims: Infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which has been characterized by fever, respiratory, and gastrointestinal symptoms as well as shedding of virus RNA into feces. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of published gastrointestinal symptoms and detection of virus in stool and also summarized data from a cohort of patients with COVID-19 in Hong Kong.

Methods: We collected data from the cohort of patients with COVID-19 in Hong Kong (N = 59; diagnosis from February 2 through February 29, 2020),and searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and 3 Chinese databases through March 11, 2020, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

Direct-Ink-Write 3D Printing of Hydrogels into Biomimetic Soft Robots.

Hydrogels are promising starting materials for biomimetic soft robots as they are intrinsically soft and hold properties analogous to nature's organic parts. However, the restrictive mold-casting and post-assembly fabrication alongside mechanical fragility impedes the development of hydrogel-based soft robots. Herein, we harness biocompatible alginate as a rheological modifier to manufacture 3D freeform architectures of both chemically and physically cross-linked hydrogels using the direct-ink-write (DIW) printing.

Safety and immune response of a live-attenuated herpes zoster vaccine in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a randomised placebo-controlled trial.

Objectives: To study the safety and immunogenicity of a live-attenuated herpes zoster (HZ) vaccine in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: Adult SLE patients having a SLEDAI <6 and stable immunosuppressive treatment for ≥6 months were recruited. Participants were randomly assigned to receive HZ vaccine (Zostavax) or placebo injection.

In-built thermo-mechanical cooperative feedback mechanism for self-propelled multimodal locomotion and electricity generation.

Utilization of ubiquitous low-grade waste heat constitutes a possible avenue towards soft matter actuation and energy recovery opportunities. While most soft materials are not all that smart relying on power input of some kind for continuous response, we conceptualize a self-locked thermo-mechano feedback for autonomous motility and energy generation functions. Here, the low-grade heat usually dismissed as 'not useful' is used to fuel a soft thermo-mechano-electrical system to perform perpetual and untethered multimodal locomotions.

A Biomimetic Conductive Tendril for Ultrastretchable and Integratable Electronics, Muscles, and Sensors.

Adaptive tendril coiling of climbing plants has long inspired the artificial soft microsystem for actuation and morphing. The current bionic research efforts on tendril coiling focus on either the preparation of materials with the coiling geometry or the design of self-shaping materials. However, the realization of two key functional features of the tendril, the spring-like buffering connection and the axial contraction, remains elusive.

Spatially Probed Plasmonic Photothermic Nanoheater Enhanced Hybrid Polymeric-Metallic PVDF-Ag Nanogenerator.

Surface plasmon-based photonics offers exciting opportunities to enable fine control of the site, span, and extent of mechanical harvesting. However, the interaction between plasmonic photothermic and piezoresponse still remains underexplored. Here, spatially localized and controllable piezoresponse of a hybrid self-polarized polymeric-metallic system that correlates to plasmonic light-to-heat modulation of the local strain is demonstrated.

The effect of social fathers on the cognitive skills of out-of-wedlock children in the U.S.

There are two competing views regarding the presence of social fathers on childrens' cognitive ability: (1) either the social father provides more financial resources which benefit the children or (2) the mother with new partners may shift the focus away from the children. Previous research focused on older children or adolescents and ignored the self-selection problem. We use data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS), and a sample of younger children.

Involvement of caspase-4 in IL-1 beta production and pyroptosis in human macrophages during dengue virus infection.

Caspase-4 physically interacts with caspase-1 and is believed to be a proinflammatory caspase that can induce the inflammatory form of programmed cell death (pyroptosis) and the release of mature interleukin (IL)-1β. However, the function of caspase-4 in dengue virus infection is not yet fully understood. We examined the function of caspase-4 in IL-1β production and pyroptosis during dengue virus serotype-2 (DENV-2) infection in human macrophages.