A Functional Genomics Approach to Understand Variation in Cytokine Production in Humans.

As part of the Human Functional Genomics Project, which aims to understand the factors that determine the variability of immune responses, we investigated genetic variants affecting cytokine production in response to ex vivo stimulation in two independent cohorts of 500 and 200 healthy individuals. We demonstrate a strong impact of genetic heritability on cytokine production capacity after challenge with bacterial, fungal, viral, and non-microbial stimuli. In addition to 17 novel genome-wide significant cytokine QTLs (cQTLs), our study provides a comprehensive picture of the genetic variants that influence six different cytokines in whole blood, blood mononuclear cells, and macrophages. Important biological pathways that contain cytokine QTLs map to pattern recognition receptors (TLR1-6-10 cluster), cytokine and complement inhibitors, and the kallikrein system. The cytokine QTLs show enrichment for monocyte-specific enhancers, are more often located in regions under positive selection, and are significantly enriched among SNPs associated with infections and immune-mediated diseases. PAPERCLIP.

iPSC-derived organ-on-a-chip models for personalized human genetics and pharmacogenomics studies.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have now correlated hundreds of genetic variants with complex genetic diseases and drug efficacy. Functional characterization of these factors remains challenging, particularly because of the lack of human model systems. Molecular and nanotechnological advances, in particular the ability to generate patient-specific PSC lines, differentiate them into diverse cell types, and seed and combine them on microfluidic chips, have led to the establishment of organ-on-a-chip (OoC) platforms that recapitulate organ biology. OoC technology thus provides unique personalized platforms for studying the effects of host genetics and environmental factors on organ physiology. In this review we describe the technology and provide examples of how OoCs may be used for disease modeling and pharmacogenetic research.

Cycloartane-type triterpenoids from the whole plants of Macrosolen bidoupensis.

One new cycloartane-type triterpenoid, named macrobidoupoic acid A (as an C-24 epimeric mixture, 4a, 4 b), together with three known ones (1-3), were clarified by different chromatography from the M. bidoupensis whole plants. Triterpenoids (1, 3 & 4) were detected for the first time from the Macrosolen genus. Chemical structures of them were illuminated using HR-ESI-MS, and NMR (1 D & 2 D) assessments. The cytotoxic properties of triterpenoids (3 & 4) were examined against two human cancer cell lines (A549, and RD) by MTT assay. As results shown, triterpenoids (3 & 4) possessed moderate cytotoxic activity against A549 and RD cancer cells (IC50 ranged from 5.44 to 39.52 µM).

Implications of climate change and drought on water requirements in a semi-mountainous region of the Vietnamese Mekong Delta.

As the backbone of Vietnam's economy, the country has recently established a number of policies for promoting and investing in smart agriculture in the Mekong Delta, the country's largest agricultural hub, to foster overall socio-economic development. However, water remains a critical constraint for crop production, with progress being hindered by water scarcity and quality issues, and compounded by socio-economic transformation and climate change. Considering these challenges, this study used the CROPWAT model and a wide spectrum of climate change scenarios to investigate future total water demands in the 2030s and 2050s as well as drought levels in two underdeveloped semi-mountainous reservoir catchments, i.e., O Ta Soc and O Tuk Sa in An Giang province. The results suggest that the usable storage capacity of the O Ta Soc reservoir will increase to 650,000 m3 to meet water supply demands under all climate change scenarios and the medium-term, moderate drought conditions. The useable storage capacity of the O Tuk Sa reservoir will also be increased to 880,000 m3 and the irrigation area would see a marked 70% reduction compared to its design irrigation. Under these circumstances, the O Tuk Sa reservoir will continue to supply water under all climate change scenarios and medium-term droughts. As a core element for strategic planning and to ensure efficient management of water resources, the results highlight the importance of estimating potential runoff and rainfall in semi-mountainous reservoir catchments under various drought conditions in order to propose the suitable expansion of the useable water storage capacities.

May Measurement Month 2019: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.

In the UK, heart and circulatory diseases account for 29% of all deaths (14% through coronary heart disease and 8% through stroke). In 2015, the prevalence of hypertension was 20% in the UK and 23% in the Republic of Ireland. In 2019, 14% of people registered with a UK general practice had hypertension and yet it was the attributable risk factor for around half of all deaths from coronary heart disease or stroke. We participated in May Measurement Month 2019 to increase awareness of blood pressure (BP) measurement, and to identify the proportion of undiagnosed hypertension and degree of uncontrolled hypertension in the community. The 2019 campaign set up screening sites within the community at places of worship, supermarkets, GP surgeries, workplaces, charity events, community pharmacies, gyms, and various other public places. We screened 10194 participants (mean age 51 ± 18 years, 60% women) and found that 1013 (9.9%) were on antihypertensive treatment, while 3408 (33.4%) had hypertension. Of the 3408 participants with hypertension, only 33.5% were aware of their condition despite 98.8% having previous BP measurements. In those on antihypertensive medication, only 38.2% had controlled BP (<140 and <90 mmHg). Our UK and Republic of Ireland data demonstrate concerning levels of undiagnosed hypertension and sub-optimal BP control in many individuals with a diagnosis. This evidence supports a critical need for better systematic community and primary care screening initiatives.

Frequent use of colistin-based drug treatment to eliminate extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli in backyard chicken farms in Thai Binh Province, Vietnam.

Reports of livestock infections with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-E) are increasing. Based on interviews conducted over a 6-month period, we found that veterinarians in the Vietnamese province of Thai Binh prefer to prescribe colistin-based drugs (CBD) in chicken farms. We aimed to clarify whether CBD use selects for strains of colistin-resistant ESBL-E. With the cooperation of seven local households, we detected ESBL-E in chickens' feces after treating chickens with CBD. Phylogenetic groupings and the presence of CTX-M/AmpC genes were determined, and the multi-antibiotic susceptibility of isolates was analyzed. Our results showed that ESBL-E presented in seven chickens' feces from two households. Seventy-two percent of ESBL-E isolates harbored CTX-M9 and the phylogenetic group A; the colistin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of all isolated ESBL-E ranged from 0.064 to 1 µg mL-1. Moreover, ESBL-E isolates were used to experimentally select for colistin resistance, and the effect of commercial CBD on ESBL-E was investigated. The results showed that an ESBL-E strain with a colistin MIC of 4 µg mL-1 was able to grow in media with CBD. Although CBD treatment was effective, in vitro experiments demonstrated that ESBL-E can easily acquire colistin resistance. Therefore, restrictions on colistin use are necessary to prevent the emergence of colistin-resistant bacteria.

Urinary incontinence after COVID-19 vaccination: a case study in an 8-year-old boy.

There have been many studies on the adverse effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines but the urinary incontinence after COVID-19 vaccination is rare. Here, we report an 8-year-old boy presented to outpatient department, Thai Binh University of Medicine Hospital, Thai Binh, Vietnam with complaints of urinary incontinence for the past 2 weeks, following the first dose of the messenger RNA vaccine. He had no other abnormalities in clinical and laboratory exams. This clinical situation suggested vaccine side effects. No specific treatment was administered upon diagnosis without toilet and bladder training. Subsequent monitoring revealed a gradual reduction in symptoms over 2 months, with complete recovery achieved at the 14th week from the onset of symptoms, without necessitating any medical intervention. This case highlights the need for thorough evaluation and assessment of potential adverse effects following vaccination, including uncommon presentations.

The impact of green finance on green growth: The role of green energy and green production.

This study examines the linkage of green finance and green growth under the regulatory role of green energy and green production in 52 countries worldwide from 2005 to 2019. Applying the Bayesian regression and GMM regression, the results of these two methods are similar. When ignoring the regulatory role of green energy and green production, green finance negatively impacts green growth. This result is entirely opposite when considering the regulatory role of green energy and green production, green finance impacts green growth positively. However, Bayesian regression is more effective when providing different posterior probability intervals and probability ranges for independent variables to affect the dependent variable. Specifically, the probability that green financial growth has a negative impact on green growth is above 75.86 %. Similarly, under the role of green energy, the probability that green finance growth has a positive impact on green growth is 80.45 % and under the role of green production, this probability is 76.64 %. These findings imply that countries should build a financial system associated with the goal of green energy and green production, thereby helping the economy become greener.

Risk factors for Helicobacter pylori infection in children with gastrointestinal symptoms in Vietnam.

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence and risk factors associated with Helicobacter pylori infection in Vietnamese children. Methods: Children under 16 years old with gastrointestinal symptoms underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy and H. pylori infection was diagnosed using rapid urease test. Results: A total of 246 children with gastrointestinal symptoms were included. The mean age was 8.4 ± 2.6 years. A total 81.3% tested positive for H. pylori. Children infected with H. pylori had a lower rate of nausea but a higher rate of lesions in the duodenal bulb and nodular lesions than children without H. pylori infection (26.5% vs 45.6%, P <0.01; 40.0% vs 23.9%; P = 0.04; and 68.5% vs 30.3%, P <0.0001, respectively). Compared with children aged under 5 years, children aged 11 years and older were four times more likely to be infected with H. pylori, with odds ratio (OR) 3.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07-11.39, P = 0.04. Washing hands with soap was associated with a reduced risk of H. pylori infection by three times (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.17-0.69, P = 0.002). Children living in a family where members had a history of H. pylori infection were nine times more likely to be infected with H. pylori (OR 8.87, 95% CI 1.15-68.45, P = 0.04). Conclusions: The prevalence of H. pylori infection in Vietnamese children with gastroenteritis is high. Our results identified several risk factors and emphasize the role of handwashing with soap before eating and after using the toilet in reducing the risk of H. pylori infection in children.

BTN2A1 targeting reprograms M2-like macrophages and TAMs via SYK and MAPK signaling.

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), often adopting an immunosuppressive M2-like phenotype, correlate with unfavorable cancer outcomes. Our investigation unveiled elevated expression of the butyrophilin (BTN)2A1 in M2-like TAMs across diverse cancer types. We developed anti-BTN2A1 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), and notably, one clone demonstrated a robust inhibitory effect on M2-like macrophage differentiation, inducing a shift toward an M1-like phenotype both in vitro and ex vivo in TAMs from patients with cancer. Macrophages treated with this anti-BTN2A1 mAb exhibited enhanced support for T cell proliferation and interferon-gamma (IFNγ) secretion. Mechanistically, BTN2A1 engagement induced spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) recruitment, leading to sequential SYK and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation. Inhibition of SYK or ERK phosphorylation abolished M2 reprogramming upon BTN2A1 engagement. Our findings, derived from an analysis of macrophages from healthy donors and human tumors, underscore the pivotal role of BTN2A1 in immunosuppressive macrophage differentiation and function, offering potential applications in cancer immunotherapy.

When intervention becomes imperative: a case report of spontaneous vulvar edema during pregnancy.

Spontaneous idiopathic vulvar edema during the second trimester is a rare condition. The approach to managing this condition involves relieving symptoms, identifying underlying causes, and implementing appropriate treatment. Managing such cases during pregnancy is challenging because of concerns for potential adverse fetal outcomes. Conservative management expects the condition to be relieved spontaneously postpartum, whereas invasive treatment offers a more rapid resolution. Treatment choices are controversial because each method has its pros and cons and influences the delivery process to a certain extent. Surgical drainage becomes a viable option when patients are not responsive to medications. We report a case of spontaneous massive vulvar edema in a 22-year-old primigravida in her 23rd week of pregnancy. After ruling out other notable causes of vulvar edema, we decided to intervene using an invasive procedure because she complained of progressive symptoms and discomfort. Subsequently, the edema subsided postprocedure, and the patient experienced successful labor with no complications. This report aims to alert clinicians that drainage attempts should be considered in pregnant patients with worsening symptoms.

Standardizing designed and emergent quantitative features in microphysiological systems.

Microphysiological systems (MPSs) are cellular models that replicate aspects of organ and tissue functions in vitro. In contrast with conventional cell cultures, MPSs often provide physiological mechanical cues to cells, include fluid flow and can be interlinked (hence, they are often referred to as microfluidic tissue chips or organs-on-chips). Here, by means of examples of MPSs of the vascular system, intestine, brain and heart, we advocate for the development of standards that allow for comparisons of quantitative physiological features in MPSs and humans. Such standards should ensure that the in vivo relevance and predictive value of MPSs can be properly assessed as fit-for-purpose in specific applications, such as the assessment of drug toxicity, the identification of therapeutics or the understanding of human physiology or disease. Specifically, we distinguish designed features, which can be controlled via the design of the MPS, from emergent features, which describe cellular function, and propose methods for improving MPSs with readouts and sensors for the quantitative monitoring of complex physiology towards enabling wider end-user adoption and regulatory acceptance.

Environmental allergen reduction in asthma management: an overview.

Asthma is a prevalent non-communicable disease that affects both children and adults. Many patients with severe, uncontrolled asthma could not achieve total control despite using anti-asthmatic drugs. There is increasing evidence that allergy to environmental allergens, including both indoor and outdoor allergens, is associated with asthma symptoms and severe asthma. Frequently reported sensitized allergens were dust mites, cockroaches, grass pollens, molds, pets, and rodents in allergic asthma patients, although the patterns of widespread allergens differed from each country. Allergen avoidance is the cornerstone of asthma management, especially in sensitized subjects. This review summarizes environmental allergen avoidance and clarifies their effects on asthma control. Despite contrasting results about the impact of allergen exposure reduction on asthma control, several studies supported the beneficial effects of reducing asthma-related symptoms or risk of exacerbations as a nondrug therapy. Identifying environmental allergens is helpful for asthma patients, and further studies on clinically effective avoidance methods are required.

Integration of Candida albicans-induced single-cell gene expression data and secretory protein concentrations reveal genetic regulators of inflammation.

Both gene expression and protein concentrations are regulated by genetic variants. Exploring the regulation of both eQTLs and pQTLs simultaneously in a context- and cell-type dependent manner may help to unravel mechanistic basis for genetic regulation of pQTLs. Here, we performed meta-analysis of Candida albicans-induced pQTLs from two population-based cohorts and intersected the results with Candida-induced cell-type specific expression association data (eQTL). This revealed systematic differences between the pQTLs and eQTL, where only 35% of the pQTLs significantly correlated with mRNA expressions at single cell level, indicating the limitation of eQTLs use as a proxy for pQTLs. By taking advantage of the tightly co-regulated pattern of the proteins, we also identified SNPs affecting protein network upon Candida stimulations. Colocalization of pQTLs and eQTLs signals implicated several genomic loci including MMP-1 and AMZ1. Analysis of Candida-induced single cell gene expression data implicated specific cell types that exhibit significant expression QTLs upon stimulation. By highlighting the role of trans-regulatory networks in determining the abundance of secretory proteins, our study serve as a framework to gain insights into the mechanisms of genetic regulation of protein levels in a context-dependent manner.

Alterations of lipid-related genes during anti-tuberculosis treatment: insights into host immune responses and potential transcriptional biomarkers.

Background: The optimal diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis (TB) are challenging due to underdiagnosis and inadequate treatment monitoring. Lipid-related genes are crucial components of the host immune response in TB. However, their dynamic expression and potential usefulness for monitoring response to anti-TB treatment are unclear. Methodology: In the present study, we used a targeted, knowledge-based approach to investigate the expression of lipid-related genes during anti-TB treatment and their potential use as biomarkers of treatment response. Results and discussion: The expression levels of 10 genes (ARPC5, ACSL4, PLD4, LIPA, CHMP2B, RAB5A, GABARAPL2, PLA2G4A, MBOAT2, and MBOAT1) were significantly altered during standard anti-TB treatment. We evaluated the potential usefulness of this 10-lipid-gene signature for TB diagnosis and treatment monitoring in various clinical scenarios across multiple populations. We also compared this signature with other transcriptomic signatures. The 10-lipid-gene signature could distinguish patients with TB from those with latent tuberculosis infection and non-TB controls (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve > 0.7 for most cases); it could also be useful for monitoring response to anti-TB treatment. Although the performance of the new signature was not better than that of previous signatures (i.e., RISK6, Sambarey10, Long10), our results suggest the usefulness of metabolism-centric biomarkers. Conclusions: Lipid-related genes play significant roles in TB pathophysiology and host immune responses. Furthermore, transcriptomic signatures related to the immune response and lipid-related gene may be useful for TB diagnosis and treatment monitoring.

Characteristics of allergen profile, sensitization patterns and Allergic Rhinitis in SouthEast Asia.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To highlight the characteristics of allergic rhinitis, local allergic rhinitis (LAR), and importance of allergens in Southeast Asian countries. RECENT FINDINGS: The Asia-Pacific region is very diverse with disparities in the epidemiological data between countries as well as in the unmet needs. The prevalence of allergic rhinitis has markedly increased in the past decades, with a high variation between countries, ranging from 4.5--80.3%. In terms of LAR, the reported prevalence in Southeast Asia is similar to that of other Asian countries (3.7-24.9%) but lower than that in western countries. House dust mites, cockroach, pollens, and molds are major allergens that are known triggers for of allergic rhinitis in this region, whereas the association with helminth infection requires further investigation. SUMMARY: There are gaps and high variation between countries in Southeast Asia regarding the prevalence of allergic rhinitis and LAR. Further studies are needed to fully elucidate the association between allergens and allergic rhinitis in Southeast Asia.

Macrotricolorin A, a new diarylpropanoid from the Vietnamese plant Macrosolen tricolor (Lecomte) Danser.

From the Vietnamese plant Macrosolen tricolor (Lecomte) Danser, one new diarylpropanoid, named macrotricolorin A (1) together with three diarylheptanoids including bisdemethoxycurcumin (2), demethoxycurcumin (3) and curcumin (4), were isolated. Their structures were elucidated by intensive analyses of their IR, UV, HR-ESI-MS and NMR (1 D & 2 D) spectra. It is the first time that diarylalkanoids have been reported from the genus Macrosolen. Compound 1 exhibited anti-inflammatory activity against the nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 with an IC50 value of 27.54 ± 1.75 µM.

Pharmacogenomics of Hypersensitivity to Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are extensively prescribed in daily clinical practice. NSAIDs are the main cause of drug hypersensitivity reactions all over the world. The inhibition of cyclooxygenase enzymes by NSAIDs can perpetuate arachidonic acid metabolism, shunting to the 5-lipoxygenase pathway and its downstream inflammatory process. Clinical phenotypes of NSAID hypersensitivity are diverse and can be classified into cross-reactive or selective responses. Efforts have been made to understand pathogenic mechanisms, in which, genetic and epigenetic backgrounds are implicated in various processes of NSAID-induced hypersensitivity reactions. Although there were some similarities among patients, several genetic polymorphisms are distinct in those exhibiting respiratory or cutaneous symptoms. Moreover, the expression levels, as well as the methylation status of genes related to immune responses were demonstrated to be involved in NSAID-induced hypersensitivity reactions. There is still a lack of data on delayed type reactions. Further studies with a larger sample size, which integrate different genetic pathways, can help overcome current limitations of gen etic/epigenetic studies, and provide valuable information on NSAID hypersensitivity reactions.

Functional characterization of PD1+TIM3+ tumor-infiltrating T cells in DLBCL and effects of PD1 or TIM3 blockade.

In diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes (TILs) are involved in therapeutic responses. However, tumor-specific TILs can be dysfunctional, with impaired effector functions. Various mechanisms are involved in this exhaustion, and the increased expression of programmed cell death receptor 1 (PD1) and TIM3 on dysfunctional cells suggests their involvement. However, conflicting data have been published regarding their expression or coexpression in DLBCL. We evaluated the presence and phenotype of CD4+ and CD8+ TILs in freshly collected tumor tissues in DLBCL and compared the results with those in follicular lymphoma, classical Hodgkin lymphoma, and nonmalignant reactive lymphadenopathy. We found that TILs expressing both PD1 and TIM3 were expanded in DLBCL, particularly in the activated B cell-like subgroup. Isolated PD1+TIM3+ TILs exhibited a transcriptomic signature related to T-cell exhaustion associated with a reduction in cytokine production, both compromising the antitumor immune response. However, these cells expressed high levels of cytotoxic molecules. In line with this, stimulated PD1+TIM3+ TILs from DLBCL patients exhibited reduced proliferation and impaired secretion of interferon-γ, but these functions were restored by the blockade of PD1 or TIM3. In summary, the PD1+TIM3+ TIL population is expanded and exhausted in DLBCL but can be reinvigorated with appropriate therapies.

Inflammatory Protein Profiles in Plasma of Candidaemia Patients and the Contribution of Host Genetics to Their Variability.

Circulatory inflammatory proteins play a significant role in anti-Candida host immune defence. However, little is known about the genetic variation that contributes to the variability of inflammatory responses in response to C. albicans. To systematically characterize inflammatory responses in Candida infection, we profiled 91 circulatory inflammatory proteins in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) stimulated with C. albicans yeast isolated from 378 individuals of European origin from the 500 Functional Genomics (500FG) cohort of the Human Functional Genomics Project (HFGP) and Lifelines Deep cohort. To identify the genetic factors that determine variation in inflammatory protein responses, we correlated genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes with protein abundance (protein quantitative trait loci, pQTLs) produced by the Candida-stimulated PBMCs. Furthermore, we investigated whether differences in survival of candidaemia patients can be explained by modulating levels of inflammatory proteins. We identified five genome-wide significant pQTLs that modulate IL-8, MCP-2, MMP-1, and CCL3 in response to C. albicans. In addition, our genetic analysis suggested that GADD45G from rs10114707 locus that reached genome-wide significance could be a potential core gene that regulates a cytokine network upon Candida infection. Last but not least, we observed that a trans-pQTL marked from SNP rs7651677 at chromosome 3 that influences urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) is strongly associated with patient survival (Psurvival = 3.52 x 10-5, OR 3). Overall, our genetic analysis showed that genetic variation determines the abundance of circulatory proteins in response to Candida infection.