The omicron (B.1.1.529) variant of SARS-CoV-2 has increased capacity to elude immunity and cause breakthrough infections. The aim of this study was to estimate the effectiveness of mRNA-based vaccine ...boosters (third dose) against infection with the omicron variant by age, sex, time since complete vaccination, type of primary vaccine, and type of booster.
In this nationwide cohort study, we linked data from three nationwide population registries in Spain (Vaccination Registry, Laboratory Results Registry, and National Health System registry) to select community-dwelling individuals aged 40 years or older, who completed their primary vaccine schedule at least 3 months before the start of follow-up, and had not tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 since the start of the pandemic. On each day between Jan 3, and Feb 6, 2022, we matched individuals who received a booster mRNA vaccine and controls of the same sex, age group, postal code, type of vaccine, time since primary vaccination, and number of previous tests. We estimated risk of laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared groups using risk ratios (RR) and risk differences. Vaccine effectiveness was calculated as one minus RR.
Between Jan 3, and Feb 6, 2022, 3 111 159 matched pairs were included in our study. Overall, the estimated effectiveness from day 7 to 34 after a booster was 51·3% (95% CI 50·2–52·4). Estimated effectiveness was 52·5% (51·3–53·7) for an mRNA-1273 booster and 46·2% (43·5–48·7) for a BNT162b2 booster. Effectiveness was 58·6% (55·5–61·6) if primary vaccination had been with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (Oxford–AstraZeneca), 55·3% (52·3–58·2) with mRNA-1273 (Moderna), 49·7% (48·3–51·1) with BNT162b2 (Pfizer–BioNTech), and 48·0% (42·5–53·7) with Ad26.COV2.S (Janssen). Estimated effectiveness was 43·6% (40·0–47·1) when the booster was administered between 151 days and 180 days after complete vaccination and 52·2% (51·0–53·3) if administered more than 180 days after primary scheduled completion.
Booster mRNA vaccine-doses were moderately effective in preventing infection with the omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 for over a month after administration, which indicates their suitability as a strategy to limit the health effects of COVID-19 in periods of omicron variant domination. Estimated effectiveness was higher for mRNA-1273 compared with BNT162b2 and increased with time between completed primary vaccination and booster.
None.
The establishment of the rhizobium-legume nitrogen-fixing symbiosis relies on the interchange of molecular signals between the two symbionts. We have previously studied by RNA-seq the effect of the ...symbiotic regulators NodD1, SyrM, and TtsI on the expression of the symbiotic genes (the
regulon) of
HH103 upon treatment with the isoflavone genistein. In this work we have further investigated this regulatory network by incorporating new RNA-seq data of HH103 mutants in two other regulatory genes,
and
. Both genes code for global regulators with a predominant repressor effect on the
regulon, although NodD2 acts as an activator of a small number of HH103 symbiotic genes.
By combining RNA-seq data, qPCR experiments, and b-galactosidase assays of HH103 mutants harbouring a
gene inserted into a regulatory gene, we have analysed the regulatory relations between the
,
,
,
, and
genes, confirming previous data and discovering previously unknown relations.
Previously we showed that HH103 mutants in the
,
,
, or
genes gain effective nodulation with
, a model legume, although with different symbiotic performances. Here we show that the combinations of mutations in these genes led, in most cases, to a decrease in symbiotic effectiveness, although all of them retained the ability to induce the formation of nitrogen-fixing nodules. In fact, the
,
, and
single and double mutants share a set of Nod factors, either overproduced by them or not generated by the wild-type strain, that might be responsible for gaining effective nodulation with
.
In the presence of additive Gaussian noise, the statistics of the Nonlinear Fourier Transform (NFT) of a pulse are not yet completely known in closed form. In this paper, we propose a novel approach ...to study this problem. Our contributions are twofold: first, we extend the existing Fourier Collocation (FC) method to compute the whole discrete spectrum (eigenvalues and spectral amplitudes). We show numerically that the accuracy of FC is comparable to the state-of-the-art NFT algorithms. Second, we apply perturbation theory of linear operators to derive analytic expressions for the joint statistics of the eigenvalues and the spectral amplitudes when a pulse is contaminated by additive Gaussian noise. Our analytic expressions closely match the empirical statistics obtained through simulations.
Global structural brain connectivity has been reported to be sex-dependent with women having increased interhemispheric connectivity (InterHc) and men having greater intrahemispheric connectivity ...(IntraHc). However, (a) smaller brains show greater InterHc, (b) larger brains show greater IntraHc, and (c) women have, on average, smaller brains than men. Therefore, sex differences in brain size may modulate sex differences in global brain connectivity. At the behavioural level, sex-dependent differences in connectivity are thought to contribute to men-women differences in spatial and verbal abilities. But this has never been tested at the individual level. The current study assessed whether individual differences in global structural connectome measures (InterHc, IntraHc and the ratio of InterHc relative to IntraHc) predict spatial and verbal ability while accounting for the effect of sex and brain size. The sample included forty men and forty women, who did neither differ in age nor in verbal and spatial latent components defined by a broad battery of tests and tasks. High-resolution T1-weighted and diffusion-weighted images were obtained for computing brain size and reconstructing the structural connectome. Results showed that men had higher IntraHc than women, while women had an increased ratio InterHc/IntraHc. However, these sex differences were modulated by brain size. Increased InterHc relative to IntraHc predicted higher spatial and verbal ability irrespective of sex and brain size. The positive correlations between the ratio InterHc/IntraHc and the spatial and verbal abilities were confirmed in 1000 random samples generated by bootstrapping. Therefore, sex differences in global structural connectome connectivity were modulated by brain size and did not underlie sex differences in verbal and spatial abilities. Rather, the level of dominance of InterHc over IntraHc may be associated with individual differences in verbal and spatial abilities in both men and women.
•Women have higher ratio inter/intrahemispheric connectivity compared to men.•Men have increased global intrahemispheric connectivity compared to women.•Sex differences in global connectivity patterns are modulated by brain size.•Increased interhemispheric connectivity predicts better spatial and verbal ability.•The relationship connectivity-cognition is not mediated by sex nor brain size.
Knowledge of ovine mesenchymal stromal cells (oMSCs) is currently expanding. Tissue engineering combining scaffolding with oMSCs provides promising therapies for the treatment of osteochondral ...diseases.
The aim was to isolate and characterize oMSCs from bone marrow aspirates (oBMSCs) and to assess their usefulness for osteochondral repair using β-tricalcium phosphate (bTCP) and type I collagen (Col I) scaffolds.
Cells isolated from ovine bone marrow were characterized morphologically, phenotypically, and functionally. oBMSCs were cultured with osteogenic medium on bTCP and Col I scaffolds. The resulting constructs were evaluated by histology, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy studies. Furthermore, oBMSCs were cultured on Col I scaffolds to develop an in vitro cartilage repair model that was assessed using a modified International Cartilage Research Society (ICRS) II scale.
oBMSCs presented morphology, surface marker pattern and multipotent capacities similar to those of human BMSCs. oBMSCs seeded on Col I gave rise to osteogenic neotissue. Assessment by the modified ICRS II scale revealed that fibrocartilage/hyaline cartilage was obtained in the in vitro repair model.
The isolated ovine cells were demonstrated to be oBMSCs. oBMSCs cultured on Col I sponges successfully synthesized osteochondral tissue. The data suggest that oBMSCs have potential for use in preclinical models prior to human clinical studies.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as important mediators of intercellular communication and as possible therapeutic agents in inflammation-mediated demyelinating diseases, including multiple ...sclerosis (MS). In the present study, we investigated whether intravenously administered EVs derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from human adipose tissue might mediate recovery in Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV)-induced demyelinating disease, a progressive model of MS. SJL/J mice were subjected to EV treatment once the disease was established. We found that intravenous EV administration improved motor deficits, reduced brain atrophy, increased cell proliferation in the subventricular zone and decreased inflammatory infiltrates in the spinal cord in mice infected with TMEV. EV treatment was also capable of modulating neuroinflammation, given glial fibrillary acidic protein and Iba-1 staining were reduced in the brain, whereas myelin protein expression was increased. Changes in the morphology of microglial cells in the spinal cord suggest that EVs also modulate the activation state of microglia. The clear reduction in plasma cytokine levels, mainly in the Th1 and Th17 phenotypes, in TMEV mice treated with EVs confirms the immunomodulatory ability of intravenous EVs. According to our results, EV administration attenuates motor deficits through immunomodulatory actions, diminishing brain atrophy and promoting remyelination. Further studies are necessary to establish EV delivery as a possible therapy for the neurodegenerative phase of MS.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Rhizobial NodD proteins and appropriate flavonoids induce rhizobial nodulation gene expression. In this study, we show that the
gene of
HH103, but not the
gene, can restore the nodulation capacity of ...a double
/
mutant of
CIAT 899 in bean plants (
).
HH103 only induces pseudonodules in beans. We have also studied whether the mutation of different symbiotic regulatory genes may affect the symbiotic interaction of HH103 with beans:
(the positive regulator of the symbiotic type 3 protein secretion system), and
,
and
(all of them controlling the level of Nod factor production). Inactivation of either
,
or
, but not that of
, affected positively the symbiotic behavior of HH103 with beans, leading to the formation of colonized nodules. Acetylene reduction assays showed certain levels of nitrogenase activity that were higher in the case of the
and
mutants. Similar results have been previously obtained by our group with the model legume
. Hence, the results obtained in the present work confirm that repression of Nod factor production, provided by either NodD2, NolR or SyrM, prevents HH103 to effectively nodulate several putative host plants.
A review on climate parameters affecting applicability of passive and low energy heating and cooling techniques is presented. The study has been developed from existing research work results, and ...aims to serve as a first-stage assessment tool of the viability of these solutions at a particular location, depending on outdoor conditions to be faced. This contribution starts with a justification of comprehensive climate analysis as the first step to evaluate whether a specific passive or low energy solution would be efficient, or on the contrary, it would incur in higher energy consumption. Comfort requirements indoors as well as building typology and use are then briefly tackled as they would determine actual applicability. It continues gathering the weather variables affecting passive solar, natural ventilation, free cooling and evaporative cooling technologies. Key climatic information is then studied for 4 cities selected for their different summer climate conditions. Finally it ends with an overview of existing tools for representing climate information in bioclimatic design. Thus, the main target of this paper is to serve as a guide for an adequate preselection of the optimal passive energy solutions in buildings at a specific site, from existing research on climate analysis.
The dual syndrome hypothesis for cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease (PD) establishes a dichotomy between a frontrostriatal dopamine-mediated syndrome, which leads to executive deficits, and ...a posterior cortical syndrome, which leads to dementia. Certain genes have been linked to these syndromes although the exact contribution is still controversial. The study's objective was to investigate the role of APOE, MAPT, COMT, SNCA and GBA genes in the dual syndromes. We genotyped APOE (rs429358 and rs7412), MAPT (rs9468), COMT (rs4680) and SNCA (rs356219) risk polymorphisms and sequenced GBA in a cohort of 298 PD patients. The degree of dopaminergic depletion was investigated with 123IFP-CIT SPECTs and the presence of dementia was ascertained with a long-term review based on established criteria. The association between genetic and imaging parameters was studied with linear regression, and the relationship with dementia onset with Cox regression. We found that APOE2 allele (Pput = 0.002; Pcau = 0.01), the minor allele 'G' in SNCA polymorphism (Pput = 0.02; Pcau = 0.006) and GBA deleterious variants in (Pput = 0.01; Pcau = 0.001) had a detrimental effect on striatal 123IFP-CIT uptake in PD. Conversely, Met/Met carriers in COMT polymorphism had increased caudate uptake (Pcau = 0.03). The development of dementia was influenced by APOE4 allele (HR = 1.90; P = 0.03) and GBA deleterious variants (HR = 2.44; P = 0.01). Finally, we observed no role of MAPT locus in any of the syndromes. As a conclusion, APOE2, SNCA, COMT and GBA influence frontostriatal dysfunction whereas APOE4 and GBA influence the development of dementia, suggesting a double-edged role of GBA. The dichotomy of the dual syndromes may be driven by a broad dichotomy in these genetic factors.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The objective of the present study was to experimentally assess the effects of a mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) for the improvement of subjective well-being, trait emotional intelligence (TEI), ...mental health, and resilience in a sample of women with fibromyalgia (FM). The sample consisted of 104 women, between 29 and 77 years old (
= 47.59;
= 5.93). The measures used were as follows: Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), Positive and Negative Affection Scale (PANAS), Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire Short Form (TEIQue-SF), Mental Health Questionnaire (MH-5), and Resilience Scale (ER-14). A quasi-experimental design of repeated measures with a control group (CG) was used: before and after the application of the treatment and a follow-up assessment 6 months after the completion of the intervention. In order to assess the effect of the program, the participants were randomly assigned to the experimental and control conditions. In the pretest evaluation, a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were carried out. In the post-test evaluation, a multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) of the study variables as a whole was performed. Then, descriptive analyses and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) of the post-test scores (covariate pretest score) were performed. In the follow-up evaluation, a MANCOVA of the study variables as a whole was performed. Then, descriptive and ANCOVA analyses of the follow-up scores (covariate pretest score) were performed. In addition, the effect size was calculated using partial eta-squared (μ
). The post-test results confirmed statistically significant differences in satisfaction with life (SWL), positive affect (PA), mental health, and resilience. The follow-up results showed statistically significant differences in SWL, PA, TEI, mental health, and resilience. The study provides an effective intervention tool that has been validated experimentally. The general results allow the emphasis of the importance of the implementation of MBIs framed in non-pharmacological treatments in FM.
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