Type I Interferon Drives a Cellular State Inert to TCR-Stimulation and Could Impede Effective T-Cell Differentiation in Cancer.

Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is linked to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. HPV-positive and HPV-negative HNSCC exhibit distinct molecular and clinical characteristics. Although checkpoint inhibitors have shown efficiency in recurrent/metastatic HNSCC, response variability persists regardless of HPV status.

Expression of the large amino acid transporter SLC7A5/LAT1 on immune cells is enhanced in primary sclerosing cholangitis-associated cholangiocarcinoma and correlates with poor prognosis in cholangiocarcinoma.

Biliary tract cancers (BTC) are rare lethal malignancies arising along the biliary tree. Unfortunately, effective therapeutics are lacking and the prognosis remains dismal even for patients eligible for surgical resection. Therefore, novel therapeutic approaches along with early detection strategies and prognostic markers are urgently needed.

Comparison of the 12-month impact of COVID-19 and SARS on physiological capacity and health-related quality of life.

Background: Little is known about the differences in medium to long-term recovery on spirometry, 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) between COVID-19 and SARS.

Methods: We performed a 12-month prospective study on COVID-19 survivors. The changes in dynamic lung volumes at spirometry (%predicted FEV, %predicted FVC), 6MWD and HRQoL at 1-3, 6 to 12 months were compared against a historical cohort of SARS survivors using the same study protocol.

A molecular signature for IL-10-producing Th1 cells in protozoan parasitic diseases.

Control of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) depends on proinflammatory Th1 cells that activate infected tissue macrophages to kill resident intracellular parasites. However, proinflammatory cytokines produced by Th1 cells can damage tissues and require tight regulation. Th1 cell IL-10 production is an important cell-autologous mechanism to prevent such damage.

STING activation promotes autologous type I interferon-dependent development of type 1 regulatory T cells during malaria.

The development of highly effective malaria vaccines and improvement of drug-treatment protocols to boost antiparasitic immunity are critical for malaria elimination. However, the rapid establishment of parasite-specific immune regulatory networks following exposure to malaria parasites hampers these efforts. Here, we identified stimulator of interferon genes (STING) as a critical mediator of type I interferon production by CD4+ T cells during blood-stage Plasmodium falciparum infection.

Risk of air and surface contamination during application of different noninvasive respiratory support for patients with COVID-19.

Objectives: We compared the risk of environmental contamination among patients with COVID-19 who received high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC), noninvasive ventilation (NIV), and conventional oxygen therapy (COT) via nasal cannula for respiratory failure.

Methods: Air was sampled from the hospital isolation rooms with 12 air changes/hr where 26 patients with COVID-19 received HFNC (up to 60 l/min, n = 6), NIV (n = 6), or COT (up to 5 l/min of oxygen, n = 14). Surface samples were collected from 16 patients during air sampling.

Omicron BA.1-specific T-cell responses in adults vaccinated with CoronaVac or BNT162b2 in Hong Kong: an observational cohort study.

Background: The primary aim of using vaccines in public health responses to SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern is to reduce incidence of severe disease, for which T-cell responses are essential. There is a paucity of data on vaccine-induced T-cell immunity to omicron (B.1.

Phenotyping empyema by pleural fluid culture results and macroscopic appearance: an 8-year retrospective study.

Background: The clinical impact of phenotyping empyema is poorly described. This study was designed to evaluate clinical characteristics and outcomes based on the two readily available parameters, pleural fluid culture status and macroscopic fluid appearance.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on patients with empyema hospitalised between 2013 and 2020.

IL-10-producing Th1 cells possess a distinct molecular signature in malaria.

Control of intracellular parasites responsible for malaria requires host IFN-γ+T-bet+CD4+ T cells (Th1 cells) with IL-10 produced by Th1 cells to mitigate the pathology induced by this inflammatory response. However, these IL-10-producing Th1 (induced type I regulatory [Tr1]) cells can also promote parasite persistence or impair immunity to reinfection or vaccination. Here, we identified molecular and phenotypic signatures that distinguished IL-10-Th1 cells from IL-10+Tr1 cells in Plasmodium falciparum-infected people who participated in controlled human malaria infection studies, as well as C57BL/6 mice with experimental malaria caused by P.

Multi-kingdom gut microbiota analyses define COVID-19 severity and post-acute COVID-19 syndrome.

Our knowledge of the role of the gut microbiome in acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and post-acute COVID-19 is rapidly increasing, whereas little is known regarding the contribution of multi-kingdom microbiota and host-microbial interactions to COVID-19 severity and consequences. Herein, we perform an integrated analysis using 296 fecal metagenomes, 79 fecal metabolomics, viral load in 1378 respiratory tract samples, and clinical features of 133 COVID-19 patients prospectively followed for up to 6 months. Metagenomic-based clustering identifies two robust ecological clusters (hereafter referred to as Clusters 1 and 2), of which Cluster 1 is significantly associated with severe COVID-19 and the development of post-acute COVID-19 syndrome.

Antibiotics and probiotics impact gut antimicrobial resistance gene reservoir in COVID-19 patients.

Dysbiosis of gut microbiota is well-described in patients with coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), but the dynamics of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) reservoir, known as resistome, is less known. Here, we performed longitudinal fecal metagenomic profiling of 142 patients with COVID-19, characterized the dynamics of resistome from diagnosis to 6 months after viral clearance, and reported the impact of antibiotics or probiotics on the ARGs reservoir. Antibiotic-naive patients with COVID-19 showed increased abundance and types, and higher prevalence of ARGs compared with non-COVID-19 controls at baseline.

Plaque-neutralizing antibody to BA.2.12.1, BA.4 and BA.5 in individuals with three doses of BioNTech or CoronaVac vaccines, natural infection and breakthrough infection.

Background: BA.2.12.

Increased amphiregulin expression by CD4 T cells from individuals with asymptomatic infection.

Objectives: There is an urgent need to be able to identify individuals with asymptomatic infection, so their risk of progressing to VL and transmitting parasites can be managed. This study examined transcriptional markers expressed by CD4 T cells that could distinguish asymptomatic individuals from endemic controls and visceral leishmaniasis (VL) patients.

Methods: CD4 T cells were isolated from individuals with asymptomatic .

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant BA.2 neutralisation in sera of people with Comirnaty or CoronaVac vaccination, infection or breakthrough infection, Hong Kong, 2020 to 2022.

BackgroundOmicron subvariant BA.2 circulation is rapidly increasing globally.AimWe evaluated the neutralising antibody response from vaccination or prior SARS-CoV-2 infection against symptomatic infection by BA.

CD103+ Tissue Resident T-Lymphocytes Accumulate in Lung Metastases and Are Correlated with Poor Prognosis in ccRCC.

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is a highly immunogenic tumor with variable responses to immune checkpoint therapy. The significance of the immune cell infiltrate in distant metastases, their association with the immune infiltrate in the primary tumors and their impact on prognosis are poorly described. We hypothesized that specific subtypes of immune cells may be involved in the control of metastases and may have an impact on the prognosis of ccRCC.

Ocular surface disturbance in patients after acute COVID-19.

Background: We investigated the ocular surface disturbances in COVID-19 patients discharged from the hospital.

Methods: One hundred and seventy-nine eyes of 109 healthy participants and 456 eyes of 228 post-COVID-19 patients received comprehensive eye examinations; the latter were interviewed with questionnaires on ocular symptoms before and after COVID-19 diagnosis. Associations of ocular surface manifestations with virological and ophthalmic parameters were evaluated by multivariable mixed linear or logistic regression models.

Gut microbiota dynamics in a prospective cohort of patients with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome.

Background: Long-term complications after COVID-19 are common, but the potential cause for persistent symptoms after viral clearance remains unclear.

Objective: To investigate whether gut microbiome composition is linked to post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS), defined as at least one persistent symptom 4 weeks after clearance of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Methods: We conducted a prospective study of 106 patients with a spectrum of COVID-19 severity followed up from admission to 6 months and 68 non-COVID-19 controls.

Neutralizing antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant BA.1 following homologous and heterologous CoronaVac or BNT162b2 vaccination.

The Omicron variant is rapidly becoming the dominant SARS-CoV-2 virus circulating globally. It is important to define reductions in virus neutralizing activity in the serum of convalescent or vaccinated individuals to understand potential loss of protection against infection by Omicron. We previously established that a 50% plaque reduction neutralization antibody titer (PRNT) ≥25.

Neutralizing antibody titres to SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant and wild-type virus in those with past infection or vaccinated or boosted with mRNA BNT162b2 or inactivated CoronaVac vaccines.

Omicron, a novel SARS-CoV-2 variant has emerged and is rapidly becoming the dominant SARS-CoV-2 virus circulating globally. It is important to define reductions in virus neutralizing activity in serum of convalescent or vaccinated individuals to understand potential loss of protection from infection or re-infection. Two doses of BNT162b2 or CoronaVac vaccines provided little 50% plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT ) antibody immunity against the Omicron variant, even at one-month post vaccination.

NKG7 Is Required for Optimal Antitumor T-cell Immunity.

Tumor antigen-specific CD8 T cells play a critical role in antitumor immunity. Clinical trials reinvigorating the immune system via immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) have shown remarkable clinical promise. Numerous studies have identified an association between expression and patient outcome across different malignancies.

Effect of Weight Loss and Continuous Positive Airway Pressure on Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Metabolic Profile Stratified by Craniofacial Phenotype: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Craniofacial structure is believed to modulate the effect of weight loss on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but whether this affects metabolic profile after weight loss compared with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is unknown among obese Chinese patients with OSA. To compare the change in metabolic profile between a lifestyle modification program (LMP), stratified by craniofacial phenotype, and CPAP therapy for 6 months. We randomly assigned 194 patients with body mass index ⩾ 25 kg/m and moderate to severe OSA to participate in the LMP or receive CPAP therapy for 6 months in a 2:1 ratio.

Comparison of the immunogenicity of BNT162b2 and CoronaVac COVID-19 vaccines in Hong Kong.

Background And Objective: Few head-to-head evaluations of immune responses to different vaccines have been reported.

Methods: Surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT) antibody levels of adults receiving either two doses of BNT162b2 (n = 366) or CoronaVac (n = 360) vaccines in Hong Kong were determined. An age-matched subgroup (BNT162b2 [n = 49] vs.