DSpace Collection:
http://hdl.handle.net/10722/38751
2024-03-28T15:58:28ZThe Predictive Value of Gut Microbiota Composition for Sustained Immunogenicity following Two Doses of CoronaVac
http://hdl.handle.net/10722/342046
Title: The Predictive Value of Gut Microbiota Composition for Sustained Immunogenicity following Two Doses of CoronaVac
Authors: Ng, Ho-Yu; Liao, Yunshi; Zhang, Ruiqi; Chan, Kwok-Hung; To, Wai-Pan; Hui, Chun-Him; Seto, Wai Kay; Leung, Wai K; Hung, Fan Ngai; Lam, Tommy T Y; Cheung, Ka Shing
Abstract: <p>CoronaVac immunogenicity decreases with time, and we aimed to investigate whether gut microbiota associate with longer-term immunogenicity of CoronaVac. This was a prospective cohort study recruiting two-dose CoronaVac recipients from three centres in Hong Kong. We collected blood samples at baseline and day 180 after the first dose and used chemiluminescence immunoassay to test for neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) against the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of wild-type SARS-CoV-2 virus. We performed shotgun metagenomic sequencing performed on baseline stool samples. The primary outcome was the NAb seroconversion rate (seropositivity defined as NAb ≥ 15AU/mL) at day 180. Linear discriminant analysis [LDA] effect size analysis was used to identify putative bacterial species and metabolic pathways. A univariate logistic regression model was used to derive the odds ratio (OR) of seropositivity with bacterial species. Of 119 CoronaVac recipients (median age: 53.4 years [IQR: 47.8-61.3]; male: 39 [32.8%]), only 8 (6.7%) remained seropositive at 6 months after vaccination. <em>Bacteroides uniformis</em> (log10LDA score = 4.39) and <em>Bacteroides eggerthii</em> (log10LDA score = 3.89) were significantly enriched in seropositive than seronegative participants. Seropositivity was associated with <em>B. eggerthii</em> (OR: 5.73; 95% CI: 1.32-29.55; <em>p</em> = 0.022) and <em>B. uniformis</em> with borderline significance (OR: 3.27; 95% CI: 0.73-14.72; <em>p</em> = 0.110). Additionally, <em>B. uniformis</em> was positively correlated with most enriched metabolic pathways in seropositive vaccinees, including the superpathway of adenosine nucleotide de novo biosynthesis I (log10LDA score = 2.88) and II (log10LDA score = 2.91), as well as pathways related to vitamin B biosynthesis, all of which are known to promote immune functions. In conclusion, certain gut bacterial species (<em>B. eggerthii</em> and <em>B. uniformis</em>) and metabolic pathways were associated with longer-term CoronaVac immunogenicity.<br></p>2024-02-23T00:00:00ZMetal-coding assisted serological multi-omics profiling deciphers the role of selenium in COVID-19 immunity
http://hdl.handle.net/10722/340919
Title: Metal-coding assisted serological multi-omics profiling deciphers the role of selenium in COVID-19 immunity
Authors: Zhou, Ying; Yuan, Shuofeng; Xiao, Fan; Li, Hongyan; Ye, Ziwei; Cheng, Tianfan; Luo, Cuiting; Tang, Kaiming; Cai, Jianpiao; Situ, Jianwen; Sridhar, Siddharth; Chu, Wing-Ming; Tam, Anthony Raymond; Chu, Hin; Che, Chi-Ming; Jin, Lijian; Hung, Ivan Fan-Ngai; Lu, Liwei; Chan, Jasper Fuk-Woo; Sun, Hongzhe
Abstract: <p>Uncovering how host metal(loid)s mediate the immune response against invading pathogens is critical for better understanding the pathogenesis mechanism of infectious disease. Clinical data show that imbalance of host metal(loid)s is closely associated with the severity and mortality of COVID-19. However, it remains elusive how metal(loid)s, which are essential elements for all forms of life and closely associated with multiple diseases if dysregulated, are involved in COVID-19 pathophysiology and immunopathology. Herein, we built up a metal-coding assisted multiplexed serological metallome and immunoproteome profiling system to characterize the links of metallome with COVID-19 pathogenesis and immunity. We found distinct metallome features in COVID-19 patients compared with non-infected control subjects, which may serve as a biomarker for disease diagnosis. Moreover, we generated the first correlation network between the host metallome and immunity mediators, and unbiasedly uncovered a strong association of selenium with interleukin-10 (IL-10). Supplementation of selenium to immune cells resulted in enhanced IL-10 expression in B cells and reduced induction of proinflammatory cytokines in B and CD4<small><sup>+</sup></small> T cells. The selenium-enhanced IL-10 production in B cells was confirmed to be attributable to the activation of ERK and Akt pathways. We further validated our cellular data in SARS-CoV-2-infected K18-hACE2 mice, and found that selenium supplementation alleviated SARS-CoV-2-induced lung damage characterized by decreased alveolar inflammatory infiltrates through restoration of virus-repressed selenoproteins to alleviate oxidative stress. Our approach can be readily extended to other diseases to understand how the host defends against invading pathogens through regulation of metallome.<br></p>2023-09-18T00:00:00ZTowards a global partnership model in interprofessional education for cross-sector problem-solving
http://hdl.handle.net/10722/340817
Title: Towards a global partnership model in interprofessional education for cross-sector problem-solving
Authors: Ganotice, Fraide; Zheng, Binbin; Ng, Pauline Yeung; Leung, Siu Chung; Barrett, Elizabeth Ann; Chan, Hoi Yan Celia; Chan, Chad W N; Chan, Kit Wa Sherry; Chan, Linda; Chan, M K Karen; Chan, Siu Ling Polly; Chan, So Ching Sarah; Chan, Esther W Y; Chen, Julie; Cheuk, Yuet Ying Jessica; Chong, Yin Kei Doris; Chow, Yin Man Amy; Chu, Kwok Pui Jody; Chung, Hon Yin Brian; Ho, Shun Yee Amy; Jen, Julienne; Jin, Jingwen; Khoo, Ui Soon; Lam, Ho Yan Angie; Lam, May P S; Lam, Suk Fun Veronica; Lee, Pamela Pui-Wah; Lee, Jetty Chung-Yung; Leung, Chung Yin Feona; Leung, Anna K Y; Lin, Xiang; Liu, Rebecca K W; Lou, Wei Qun Vivian; Luk, Pauline; Ng, Lai Han Zoe; Ng, Yee Man Alina; Ng, Tin Wai Terry; See, Lok Man Mary; Shen, Jiangang; Shen, Xiaoai; Szeto, Grace; Tam, Eliza Y T; To, Kelvin Kai-Wang; Tso, Wan-Yee Winnie; Vackova, Dana; Wang, Ning; Wang, Runjia; Wong, Hoi Yan Gloria; Wong, K T Janet; Wong, M Y Anita; Wong, Yuen Ha Janet; Yuen, Kwan Yuk Jacqueline; Yuen, Wai Yee Grace; Orlu, Mine; Tipoe, George L
Abstract: <h3>Objectives</h3><p>A partnership model in interprofessional education (IPE) is important in promoting a sense of global citizenship while preparing students for cross-sector problem-solving. However, the literature remains scant in providing useful guidance for the development of an IPE programme co-implemented by external partners. In this pioneering study, we describe the processes of forging global partnerships in co-implementing IPE and evaluate the programme in light of the preliminary data available.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>This study is generally quantitative. We collected data from a total of 747 health and social care students from four higher education institutions. We utilized a descriptive narrative format and a quantitative design to present our experiences of running IPE with external partners and performed independent t-tests and analysis of variance to examine pretest and posttest mean differences in students’ data.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>We identified factors in establishing a cross-institutional IPE programme. These factors include complementarity of expertise, mutual benefits, internet connectivity, interactivity of design, and time difference. We found significant pretest–posttest differences in students’ readiness for interprofessional learning (teamwork and collaboration, positive professional identity, roles, and responsibilities). We also found a significant decrease in students’ social interaction anxiety after the IPE simulation.</p><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>The narrative of our experiences described in this manuscript could be considered by higher education institutions seeking to forge meaningful external partnerships in their effort to establish interprofessional global health education.</p>2023-06-20T00:00:00ZShow them what they can't see! An evaluation of the use of customized 3D printed models in head and neck anatomy
http://hdl.handle.net/10722/340694
Title: Show them what they can't see! An evaluation of the use of customized 3D printed models in head and neck anatomy
Authors: Cheung, Rocky Chun Chung; Yang, Jian; Fang, Christian; Leung, Man Fai; Bridges, Susan M; Tipoe, George L
Abstract: <p>Difficulty in visualizing anatomical structures has been identified as a challenge in anatomy learning and the emergence of three-dimensional printed models (3DPMs) offers a potential solution. This study evaluated the effectiveness of 3DPMs for learning the arterial supply of the head and neck region. One hundred eighty-four undergraduate medical students were randomly assigned to one of four learning modalities including wet specimen, digital model, 3DPM, and textbook image. Posttest scores indicated that all four modalities supported participants' knowledge acquisition, most significantly in the wet specimen group. While the participants rated 3DPMs lower for helping correct identification of structures than wet specimens, they praised 3DPMs for their ability to demonstrate topographical relationships between the arterial supply and adjacent structures. The data further suggested that the biggest limitation of the 3DPMs was their simplicity, thus making it more difficult for users to recognize the equivalent structures on the wet specimens. It was concluded that future designs of 3DPMs will need to consider the balance between the ease of visualization of anatomical structures and the degree of complexity required for successful transfer of learning. Overall, this study presented some conflicting evidence of the favorable outcomes of 3DPMs reported in other similar studies. While effective for anatomy learning as a standalone modality, educators must identify the position 3DPM models hold relative to other modalities in the continuum of undergraduate anatomy education in order to maximize their advantages for students.<br></p>2023-12-14T00:00:00Z