Aerosolized Ad5-nCoV booster vaccination elicited potent immune response against the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant after inactivated COVID-19 vaccine priming

The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant has become the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant around the world and exhibits immune escape to current COVID-19 vaccines to some extent due to its numerous spike mutations. Here, we evaluated the immune responses to booster vaccination with intramuscular adenovirus-vectored vaccine (Ad5-nCoV), aerosolized Ad5-nCoV, a recombinant protein subunit vaccine (ZF2001) or homologous inactivated vaccine (CoronaVac) in those who received two doses of inactivated COVID-19 vaccines 6 months prior. We found that the Ad5-nCoV booster induced potent neutralizing activity against the wild-type virus and Omicron variant, while aerosolized Ad5-nCoV generated the greatest neutralizing antibody responses against the Omicron variant at day 28 after booster vaccination, at 14.1-fold that of CoronaVac, 5.6-fold that of ZF2001 and 2.0-fold that of intramuscular Ad5-nCoV. Similarly, the aerosolized Ad5-nCoV booster produced the greatest IFN{gamma} T-cell response at day 14 after booster vaccination. The IFN{gamma} T-cell response to aerosolized Ad5-nCoV was 12.8-fold for CoronaVac, 16.5-fold for ZF2001, and 5.0-fold for intramuscular Ad5-nCoV. Aerosolized Ad5-nCoV booster also produced the greatest spike-specific B cell response. Our findings suggest that inactivated vaccine recipients should consider adenovirus-vectored vaccine boosters in China and that aerosolized Ad5-nCoV may provide a more efficient alternative in response to the spread of the Omicron variant.

Impact of various vaccine boosters on neutralization against Omicron following prime vaccinations with inactivated or adenovirus-vectored vaccine

Since the first report on November 24, 2021, the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant is now overwhelmingly spreading across the world. Two SARS-CoV-2 inactivated vaccines (IAVs), one recombinant protein subunit vaccine (PRV), and one adenovirus-vectored vaccine (AdV) have been widely administrated in many countries including China to pursue herd immunity. Here we investigated cross-neutralizing activities in 341 human serum specimens elicited by full-course vaccinations with IAV, PRV and AdV, and by various vaccine boosters following prime IAV and AdV vaccinations. We found that all types of vaccines induced significantly lower neutralizing antibody titers against the Omicron variant than against the prototype strain. For prime vaccinations with IAV and AdV, heterologous boosters with AdV and PRV, respectively, elevated serum Omicron-neutralizing activities to the highest degrees. In a mouse model, we further demonstrated that among a series of variant-derived RBD-encoding mRNA vaccine boosters, it is only the Omicron booster that significantly enhanced Omicron neutralizing antibody titers compared with the prototype booster following a prime immunization with a prototype S-encoding mRNA vaccine candidate. In summary, our systematical investigations of various vaccine boosters inform potential booster administrations in the future to combat the Omicron variant.

Fecal microbiota transplantation as a novel therapy for severe psoriasis / 中华内科杂志

To explore the therapeutic effect of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for severe psoriasis. A patient, male, 36 years old, diagnosed as severe plaque psoriasis for 10 years and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) for 15 years, was administrated twice FMT via both upper endoscopy and colonoscopy with a 5-week interval. The following items were used to evaluate responses: body surface area (BSA), psoriasis area and severity index (PASI), dermatology life quality index (DLQI), histological examination, intestinal symptoms, adverse reactions and serum level of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. After second FMT treatment for 5 weeks, aforementioned items were improved greatly compared with those before treatment. Moreover, IBS was completely relieved and no adverse reactions were observed during the treatment and follow-up. In conclusion, FMT could be a novel therapy for psoriasis. Further clinical trials are needed to provide solid evidences.

Fecal microbiota transplantation as a novel therapy for severe psoriasis / 中华内科杂志

[Summary] To explore the therapeutic effect of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for severe psoriasis. A patient, male, 36 years old, diagnosed as severe plaque psoriasis for 10 years and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) for 15 years, was administrated twice FMT via both upper endoscopy and colonoscopy with a 5‐week interval. The following items were used to evaluate responses: body surface area (BSA), psoriasis area and severity index (PASI), dermatology life quality index (DLQI), histological examination, intestinal symptoms, adverse reactions and serum level of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α. After second FMT treatment for 5 weeks, aforementioned items were improved greatly compared with those before treatment. Moreover, IBS was completely relieved and no adverse reactions were observed during the treatment and follow‐up. In conclusion, FMT could be a novel therapy for psoriasis. Further clinical trials are needed to provide solid evidences.

Advances of research in cancer-associated inflammation and tumor microenvironments / 中国肿瘤临床

Cancer-associated inflammation is one of the key features of cancer. Many cytokines are involved in inflammation and its regulation and play important roles in many factors affecting tumor biology. Inflammation participates in the construction of tumor mi-croenvironments (TMEs) by changing the homeostasis of tumor tissues. The interaction of cytokines secreted by TME-infiltrating cells forms a complex network of cytokines that play a role in tumor progression through various mechanisms such as inflammation promo-tion, immune editing, and immune escape. This review aims at analyzing the research progress on the relationship between inflamma-tion, cytokine networks, and TMEs

Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided lauromacrogol ablation for pancreatic cystic neoplasms: a prospective study / 中华消化内镜杂志

Objective To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)-guided ablation with lauromacrogol for pancreatic cystic neoplasms(PCNs). Methods A total of 38 patients with PCNs admitted to Chinese PLA General Hospital from April 2015 to March 2017 were prospectively enrolled to receive EUS-guided ablation with lauromacrogol. Adverse events, such as pancreatitis,fever,bleeding and abdominal pain, were monitored during and after the procedure. Patients were followed up with contrast-enhanced CT or MRI in 3 months,6 months,1 year and 2 year after ablation. Results Thirty-eight patients were enrolled in the study, and 8 of them underwent a second ablation;so, there were 46 treatments. There were 24 females and 14 males with mean age being 53.9±14.7 years. Mild acute pancreatitis occurred in 2 cases and moderate fever occurred in 1 case. The adverse events rate was 6.5%(3/46). Among the 29 patients with complete follow-up of 5 months(2-17 months), the medium tumor volume before operation was 7 564.40 mm3(301.38-87 082.87 mm3)while 542.84 mm3(0-18 202.58 mm3)after the operation(P=0.000). A total of 14 had complete remission(CR)and 8 had partial remission(PR)in 29 patients. The remission effective rate was 48.3%(14/29),40.0%(8/20)in the cysts of the head/uncinate and 66.7%(6/9)in the body/tail(P=0.353). The medium surface area of CR group seemed smaller than that of non-CR group(1 194.27 mm2VS 1 764.09 mm2, P=0.023). Conclusion EUS-guided ablation with lauromacrogol for PCNs is safe and effective. Cysts of smaller surface are more likely to be cured than larger ones.

Establishing a predictive model for aspirin resistance in aging male with coronary heart disease / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To quantify the risk factors for aspirin resistance so as to increase the prognosis for risk of coronary heart disease,and to establish a predictive model for aspirin resistance in order to guide the clinical anti-platelet therapy.Methods A total of 938 elderly male patients with stable coronary heart disease (CHD) receiving oral aspirin therapy (＞75 mg/d) over 2 months were included in this study.Their clinical data were collected.Logistic regression analysis was performed to establish a predictive model and risk score for aspirin resistance.Hosmer Lemeshow (H-L) test and an area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (the area under the ROC curve) were performed to test the calibration and discrimination of the model.Results Seven risk factors were included in the predictive model,including serum creatinine (＞110 μmol/L:score of 1),fasting blood glucose (＞7.0 mmol/L:score of 1),hyperlipidemia (score of 1),number of coronary arteries in lesion (2 branches:score of 2,≥≥3 branches:score of 4),body mass index[(20-25) kg/m2:score of 2,＞25 kg/m2:score of 4],percutaneous coronary intervention (score of 2),smoking (score of 3).H-L test showed P≥0.05 and the area under the ROC curve＞0.70 in this model.Conclusions the risk factors for aspirin resistance,and establishing a valid predictive model for aspirin resistance,could provide an important reference for anti-platelet therapy in CHD patients.

A cross sectional survey on the prevalence of food intolerance and its determinants through physical checkup programs in the elderly / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To explore the prevalence of food intolerance and its determinants in healthcare elderly in China.Methods A cross sectional survey was carried out from August 1st,2008 to June 30th,2009,that including 736 60-year-olds from a Health Management Research Institute,Chinese PLA General Hospital.Data was double entried in computer and organized by EpiData 3.0.Non conditional logistic regression model was used for odd ratio (OR)and 95％CI,with the use of SPSS 13.0.Results The three leading foodstuff on intolerance were crab,egg and shrimp,with the prevalence rates as 35.9％,28.8％ and 15.1％ respectively.Results from the multiple regression analysis showed that the crab intolerance was associated with Helicobacter pylori infections (P＜0.05).The OR (95％CI) of Helicobacterpylori infections (DOB≥4) was 1.544 (1.139-2.091).Conclusion The three leading intolerance foods were egg,crab and shrimp.Crab intolerance was associated with Helicobacter pylori infections.To reduce the risk of crab intolerance,it was necessary to control the infection caused by Helicobacter pylori.

Long-term prognostic value of N-terminal prosoma brain natriuretic peptide in patients with acute coronary syndrome / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To explore the long-term predictive value of serum concentration of N-terminal prosoma brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in the early acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods The 164 patients firstly hospitalized and finally diagnosed as acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were selected, and then the serum concentration of NT-proBNP was determined in less than 12 hours. According to the 75 percentage points of serum concentration of NT-proBNP, the patients were divided into two groups: low concentration group (n = 123) and high concentration group (n = 41 ). The major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) were followed and compared at one month, six months and twelve months between low group and high group. Results At 1-, 6-, 12-month follow-up, the odds ratio (OR) of death event were 4.1, 5.6 and 4.0 in high group respectively, and the nonfatal heart failure occurred in 4, 4 and 7 patients in high group. Multiple factor logistic regression analysis showed that NT-proBNP was an independent risk factor of the MACEs at different periods including short time, middle time and long time in ACS patients (P＜0. 05). Conclusions NT-proBNP is a strong predictor of the long-term MACEs in patients with early ACS.