Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence in Northern Ireland during 2020-2021.

Background: With the spread of SARS-CoV-2 impacting upon public health directly and socioeconomically, further information was required to inform policy decisions designed to limit virus spread during the pandemic. This study sought to contribute to serosurveillance work within Northern Ireland to track SARS-CoV-2 progression and guide health strategy. Methods: Sera/plasma samples from clinical biochemistry laboratories were analysed for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Samples were assessed using an Elecsys anti-SARS-CoV-2 or anti-SARS-CoV-2 S ECLIA (Roche) on an automated cobas e 801 analyser. Samples were also assessed via an anti-SARS-CoV-2 ELISA (Euroimmun). A subset of samples assessed via the Elecsys anti-SARS-CoV-2 ECLIA were subsequently analysed in an ACE2 pseudoneutralisation assay using a V-PLEX SARS-CoV-2 Panel 7 for IgG and ACE2 (Meso Scale Diagnostics). Results: Across three testing rounds (June-July 2020, November-December 2020 and June-July 2021 (rounds 1-3 respectively)), 4844 residual sera/plasma specimens were assayed for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Seropositivity rates increased across the study, peaking at 11.6 % (95 % CI 10.4 %-13.0 %) during round 3. Varying trends in SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity were noted based on demographic factors. For instance, highest rates of seropositivity shifted from older to younger demographics across the study period. In round 3, Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant neutralising antibodies were most frequently detected across age groups, with median concentration of anti-spike protein antibodies elevated in 50-69 year olds and anti-S1 RBD antibodies elevated in 70+ year olds, relative to other age groups. Conclusions: With seropositivity rates of <15 % across the assessment period, it can be concluded that the significant proportion of the Northern Ireland population had not yet naturally contracted the virus by mid-2021.

Genomic, Proteomic, and Phenotypic Biomarkers of COVID-19 Severity: Protocol for a Retrospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Health organizations and countries around the world have found it difficult to control the spread of COVID-19. To minimize the future impact on the UK National Health Service and improve patient care, there is a pressing need to identify individuals who are at a higher risk of being hospitalized because of severe COVID-19. Early targeted work was successful in identifying angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 receptors and type II transmembrane serine protease dependency as drivers of severe infection. Although a targeted approach highlights key pathways, a multiomics approach will provide a clearer and more comprehensive picture of severe COVID-19 etiology and progression. OBJECTIVE: The COVID-19 Response Study aims to carry out an integrated multiomics analysis to identify biomarkers in blood and saliva that could contribute to host susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 and the development of severe COVID-19. METHODS: The COVID-19 Response Study aims to recruit 1000 people who recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection in both community and hospital settings on the island of Ireland. This protocol describes the retrospective observational study component carried out in Northern Ireland (NI; Cohort A); the Republic of Ireland cohort will be described separately. For all NI participants (n=519), SARS-CoV-2 infection has been confirmed by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. A prospective Cohort B of 40 patients is also being followed up at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postinfection to assess longitudinal symptom frequency and immune response. Data will be sourced from whole blood, saliva samples, and clinical data from the electronic care records, the general health questionnaire, and a 12-item general health questionnaire mental health survey. Saliva and blood samples were processed to extract DNA and RNA before whole-genome sequencing, RNA sequencing, DNA methylation analysis, microbiome analysis, 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing, and proteomic analysis were performed on the plasma. Multiomics data will be combined with clinical data to produce sensitive and specific prognostic models for severity risk. RESULTS: An initial demographic and clinical profile of the NI Cohort A has been completed. A total of 249 hospitalized patients and 270 nonhospitalized patients were recruited, of whom 184 (64.3%) were female, and the mean age was 45.4 (SD 13) years. High levels of comorbidity were evident in the hospitalized cohort, with cardiovascular disease and metabolic and respiratory disorders being the most significant (P<.001), grouped according to the International Classification of Diseases 10 codes. CONCLUSIONS: This study will provide a comprehensive opportunity to study the mechanisms of COVID-19 severity in recontactable participants. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/50733.

Exploring metformin monotherapy response in Type-2 diabetes: Computational insights through clinical, genomic, and proteomic markers using machine learning algorithms.

BACKGROUND: In 2016, the UK had 4.5 million people with diabetes, predominantly Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). The NHS allocates £10 billion (9% of its budget) to manage diabetes. Metformin is the primary treatment for T2DM, but 35% of patients don't benefit from it, leading to complications. This study aims to delve into metformin's efficacy using clinical, genomic, and proteomic data to uncover new biomarkers and build a Machine Learning predictor for early metformin response detection. METHODS: Here we report analysis from a T2DM dataset of individuals prescribed metformin monotherapy from the Diastrat cohort recruited at the Altnagelvin Area Hospital, Northern Ireland. RESULTS: In the clinical data analysis, comparing responders (those achieving HbA1c ≤ 48 mmol/mol) to non-responders (with HbA1c > 48 mmol/mol), we identified that creatinine levels and bodyweight were more negatively correlated with response than non-response. In genomic analysis, we identified statistically significant (p-value <0.05) variants rs6551649 (LPHN3), rs6551654 (LPHN3), rs4495065 (LPHN3) and rs7940817 (TRPC6) which appear to differentiate the responders and non-responders. In proteomic analysis, we identified 15 statistically significant (p-value <0.05, q-value <0.05) proteomic markers that differentiate controls, responders, non-responders and treatment groups, out of which the most significant were HAOX1, CCL17 and PAI that had fold change ∼2. A machine learning model was build; the best model predicted non-responders with 83% classification accuracy. CONCLUSION: Further testing in prospective validation cohorts is required to determine the clinical utility of the proposed model.

Epidemiologic and Clinical Features of Mpox-Associated Deaths - United States, May 10, 2022-March 7, 2023.

As of March 7, 2023, a total of 30,235 confirmed and probable monkeypox (mpox) cases were reported in the United States,† predominantly among cisgender men§ who reported recent sexual contact with another man (1). Although most mpox cases during the current outbreak have been self-limited, cases of severe illness and death have been reported (2-4). During May 10, 2022-March 7, 2023, 38 deaths among persons with probable or confirmed mpox¶ (1.3 per 1,000 mpox cases) were reported to CDC and classified as mpox-associated (i.e., mpox was listed as a contributing or causal factor). Among the 38 mpox-associated deaths, 94.7% occurred in cisgender men (median age = 34 years); 86.8% occurred in non-Hispanic Black or African American (Black) persons. The median interval from symptom onset to death was 68 days (IQR = 50-86 days). Among 33 decedents with available information, 93.9% were immunocompromised because of HIV. Public health actions to prevent mpox deaths include integrated testing, diagnosis, and early treatment for mpox and HIV, and ensuring equitable access to both mpox and HIV prevention and treatment, such as antiretroviral therapy (ART) (5).

Simvastatin is associated with superior lipid and glycaemic control to atorvastatin and reduced levels of incident Type 2 diabetes, in men and women, in the UK Biobank.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality in people with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Statins reduce low-density lipoproteins and positively affect CVD outcomes. Statin type and dose have differential effects on glycaemia and risk of incident T2DM; however, the impact of gender, and of individual drugs within the statin class, remains unclear. AIM: To compare effects of simvastatin and atorvastatin on lipid and glycaemic control in men and women with and without T2DM, and their association with incident T2DM. METHODS: The effect of simvastatin and atorvastatin on lipid and glycaemic control was assessed in the T2DM DiaStrat cohort. Prescribed medications, gender, age, BMI, diabetes duration, blood lipid profile and HbA1c were extracted from Electronic Care Record, and compared in men and women prescribed simvastatin and atorvastatin. Analyses were replicated in the UKBiobank in those with and without T2DM. The association of simvastatin and atorvastatin with incident T2DM was also investigated in the UKBiobank. Cohorts where matched for age, BMI and diabetes duration in men and women, in the UKBioBank analysis, where possible. RESULTS: Simvastatin was associated with better LDL (1.6 ± 0.6 vs 2.1 ± 0.9 mmol/L, p < .01) and total cholesterol (3.6 ± 0.7 vs 4.2 ± 1.0 mmol/L, p < .05), and glycaemic control (62 ± 17 vs 67 ± 19 mmol/mol, p < .059) than atorvastatin specifically in women in the DiaStrat cohort. In the UKBiobank, both men and women prescribed simvastatin had better LDL (Women: 2.6 ± 0.6 vs 2.6 ± 0.7 mmol/L, p < .05; Men: 2.4 ± 0.6 vs 2.4 ± 0.6, p < .01) and glycaemic control (Women:54 ± 14 vs 56 ± 15mmol/mol, p < .05; Men, 54 ± 14 vs 55 ± 15 mmol/mol, p < .01) than those prescribed atorvastatin. Simvastatin was also associated with reduced risk of incident T2DM in both men and women (p < .0001) in the UKBiobank. CONCLUSIONS: Simvastatin is associated with superior lipid and glycaemic control to atorvastatin in those with and without T2DM, and with fewer incident T2DM cases. Given the importance of lipid and glycaemic control in preventing secondary complications of T2DM, these findings may help inform prescribing practices.

Benefits of Sustained Upregulated Unimolecular GLP-1 and CCK Receptor Signalling in Obesity-Diabetes.

Combined activation of GLP-1 and CCK1 receptors has potential to synergistically augment the appetite-suppressive and glucose homeostatic actions of the individual parent peptides. In the current study, pancreatic beta-cell benefits of combined GLP-1 and CCK1 receptor upregulation were established, before characterising bioactivity and antidiabetic efficacy of an acylated dual-acting GLP-1/CCK hybrid peptide, namely [Lys12Pal]Ex-4/CCK. Both exendin-4 and CCK exhibited (p<0.001) proliferative and anti-apoptotic effects in BRIN BD11 beta-cells. Proliferative benefits were significantly (p<0.01) augmented by combined peptide treatment when compared to either parent peptide alone. These effects were linked to increases (p<0.001) in GLUT2 and glucokinase beta-cell gene expression, with decreased (p<0.05-p<0.001) expression of NFκB and BAX. [Lys12Pal]Ex-4/CCK exhibited prominent insulinotropic actions in vitro, coupled with beneficial (p<0.001) satiety and glucose homeostatic effects in the mice, with bioactivity evident 24 h after administration. Following twice daily injection of [Lys12Pal]Ex-4/CCK for 28 days in diabetic high fat fed (HFF) mice with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced compromised beta-cells, there were clear reductions (p<0.05-p<0.001) in energy intake and body weight. Circulating glucose was returned to lean control concentrations, with associated increases (p<0.001) in plasma and pancreatic insulin levels. Glucose tolerance and insulin secretory responsiveness were significantly (p<0.05-p<0.001) improved by hybrid peptide therapy. In keeping with this, evaluation of pancreatic histology revealed restoration of normal islet alpha- to beta-cell ratios and reduction (p<0.01) in centralised islet glucagon staining. Improvements in pancreatic islet morphology were associated with increased (p<0.05) proliferation and reduced (p<0.001) apoptosis of beta-cells. Together, these data highlight the effectiveness of sustained dual GLP-1 and CCK1 receptor activation by [Lys12Pal]Ex-4/CCK for the treatment of obesity-related diabetes.

Individual and combined effects of GIP and xenin on differentiation, glucose uptake and lipolysis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

The incretin hormone glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), released postprandially from K-cells, has established actions on adipocytes and lipid metabolism. In addition, xenin, a related peptide hormone also secreted from K-cells after a meal, has postulated effects on energy regulation and lipid turnover. The current study has probed direct individual and combined effects of GIP and xenin on adipocyte function in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, using enzyme-resistant peptide analogues, (d-Ala2)GIP and xenin-25-Gln, and knockdown (KD) of receptors for both peptides. (d-Ala2)GIP stimulated adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes over 96 h, with xenin-25-Gln evoking similar effects. Combined treatment significantly countered these individual adipogenic effects. Individual receptor KD impaired lipid accumulation and adipocyte differentiation, with combined receptor KD preventing differentiation. (d-Ala2)GIP and xenin-25-Gln increased glycerol release from 3T3-L1 adipocytes, but this lipolytic effect was significantly less apparent with combined treatment. Key adipogenic and lipolytic genes were upregulated by (d-Ala2)GIP or xenin-25-Gln, but not by dual peptide culture. Similarly, both (d-Ala2)GIP and xenin-25-Gln stimulated insulin-induced glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, but this effect was annulled by dual treatment. In conclusion, GIP and xenin possess direct, comparable, lipogenic and lipolytic actions in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. However, effects on lipid metabolism are significantly diminished by combined administration.

Nonclassical Islet Peptides: Pancreatic and Extrapancreatic Actions.

The pancreas has physiologically important endocrine and exocrine functions; secreting enzymes into the small intestine to aid digestion and releasing multiple peptide hormones via the islets of Langerhans to regulate glucose metabolism, respectively. Insulin and glucagon, in combination with ghrelin, pancreatic polypeptide and somatostatin, are the main classical islet peptides critical for the maintenance of blood glucose. However, pancreatic islets also synthesis numerous 'nonclassical' peptides that have recently been demonstrated to exert fundamental effects on overall islet function and metabolism. As such, insights into the physiological relevance of these nonclassical peptides have shown impact on glucose metabolism, insulin action, cell survival, weight loss, and energy expenditure. This review will focus on the role of individual nonclassical islet peptides to stimulate pancreatic islet secretions as well as regulate metabolism. In addition, the more recognised actions of these peptides on satiety and energy regulation will also be considered. Furthermore, recent advances in the field of peptide therapeutics and obesity-diabetes have focused on the benefits of simultaneously targeting several hormone receptor signalling cascades. The potential for nonclassical islet hormones within such combinational approaches will also be discussed.

Inflammation, insulin signaling and cognitive function in aged APP/PS1 mice.

Cognitive dysfunction and neuroinflammation are typical in Alzheimer's disease (AD), but are also associated with normal aging, albeit less severely. Insulin resistance in the brain has been demonstrated in AD patients and is thought to be involved in AD pathophysiology. Using 15-18 month-old APP/PS1 mice, this study measured peripheral and central insulin signaling and sensitivity, inflammatory markers in brain and plasma and oxidative stress and synapse density in the brain. Novel object recognition, Morris water maze and reversal water maze tasks were performed to assess cognitive function in aged APP/PS1 mice and wild type littermates. Glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity were similar in APP/PS1 mice and wild type controls, however IRS-1 pSer616 was increased in cortex and dentate gyrus of APP/PS1 mice. Recognition and spatial memory was impaired in both APP/PS1 and wild type mice, however learning impairments were apparent in APP/PS1 mice. Expression of GLP-1 receptor, ERK2, IKKß, mTOR, PKCθ, NF-κB1 and TLR4 was similar between aged APP/PS1 mice and age-matched wild types. Compared to age-matched wild type mice, IFNγ and IL-4 were increased in brains of APP/PS1 mice. These results suggest that normal aging may be associated with enhanced neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and cognitive decline, however distinctions are apparent in the brain of APP/PS1 mice in terms of inflammation and insulin signaling and in certain cognitive domains. Demarcation of pathological events that distinguish AD from normal aging will allow for improvements in diagnostic tools and the development of more effective therapeutics.

Substrate topography: A valuable in vitro tool, but a clinical red herring for in vivo tenogenesis.

Controlling the cell-substrate interactions at the bio-interface is becoming an inherent element in the design of implantable devices. Modulation of cellular adhesion in vitro, through topographical cues, is a well-documented process that offers control over subsequent cellular functions. However, it is still unclear whether surface topography can be translated into a clinically functional response in vivo at the tissue/device interface. Herein, we demonstrated that anisotropic substrates with a groove depth of ∼317nm and ∼1988nm promoted human tenocyte alignment parallel to the underlying topography in vitro. However, the rigid poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) substrates used in this study upregulated the expression of chondrogenic and osteogenic genes, indicating possible tenocyte trans-differentiation. Of significant importance is that none of the topographies assessed (∼37nm, ∼317nm and ∼1988nm groove depth) induced extracellular matrix orientation parallel to the substrate orientation in a rat patellar tendon model. These data indicate that two-dimensional imprinting technologies are useful tools for in vitro cell phenotype maintenance, rather than for organised neotissue formation in vivo, should multifactorial approaches that consider both surface topography and substrate rigidity be established. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Herein, we ventured to assess the influence of parallel groves, ranging from nano- to micro-level, on tenocytes response in vitro and on host response using a tendon and a subcutaneous model. In vitro analysis indicates that anisotropically ordered micro-scale grooves, as opposed to nano-scale grooves, maintain physiological cell morphology. The rather rigid PLGA substrates appeared to induce trans-differentiation towards chondrogenic and/or steogenic lineage, as evidence by TILDA gene analysis. In vivo data in both tendon and subcutaneous models indicate that none of the substrates induced bidirectional host cell and tissue growth. Collective, these observations indicate that two-dimensional imprinting technologies are useful tools for in vitro cell phenotype maintenance, rather than for directional neotissue formation, should multifactorial approaches that consider both surface topography and substrate rigidity be established.

The influence of anisotropic nano- to micro-topography on in vitro and in vivo osteogenesis.

AIM: Topographically modified substrates are increasingly used in tissue engineering to enhance biomimicry. The overarching hypothesis is that topographical cues will control cellular response at the cell-substrate interface. MATERIALS & METHODS: The influence of anisotropically ordered poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) substrates (constant groove width of ~1860 nm; constant line width of ~2220 nm; variable groove depth of ~35, 306 and 2046 nm) on in vitro and in vivo osteogenesis were assessed. RESULTS & DISCUSSION: We demonstrate that substrates with groove depths of approximately 306 and 2046 nm promote osteoblast alignment parallel to underlined topography in vitro. However, none of the topographies assessed promoted directional osteogenesis in vivo. CONCLUSION: 2D imprinting technologies are useful tools for in vitro cell phenotype maintenance.

Data on in vitro and in vivo cell orientation on substrates with different topographies.

This data article contains data related to the research article entitled "Substrate topography: A valuable in vitro tool, but a clinical red herring for in vivo tenogenesis" [1]. We report measurements on tenocyte viability, metabolic activity and proliferation on substrates with different topographies. We also report the effect of substrates with different topographies on host cells in a subcutaneous model.

Engineering in vitro microenvironments for cell based therapies and drug discovery.

Traditional ex vivo culture setups fail to imitate the native tissue niche, leading to cellular senescence, phenotypic drift, growth arrest and loss of stem cell multipotency. Growing evidence suggests that surface topography, substrate stiffness, mechanical stimulation, oxygen tension and localised density influence cellular functions and longevity, enhance tissue-specific extracellular matrix deposition and direct stem cell differentiation. In this review, we discuss how these cues will facilitate engineering of physiological in vitro microenvironments to enable clinical translation of cell based therapies and development of in vitro models for drug discovery applications.