MGLEP: Multimodal Graph Learning for Modeling Emerging Pandemics with Big Data.

Accurate forecasting and analysis of emerging pandemics play a crucial role in effective public health management and decision-making. Traditional approaches primarily rely on epidemiological data, overlooking other valuable sources of information that could act as sensors or indicators of pandemic patterns. In this paper, we propose a novel framework, MGLEP, that integrates temporal graph neural networks and multi-modal data for learning and forecasting. We incorporate big data sources, including social media content, by utilizing specific pre-trained language models and discovering the underlying graph structure among users. This integration provides rich indicators of pandemic dynamics through learning with temporal graph neural networks. Extensive experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of our framework in pandemic forecasting and analysis, outperforming baseline methods across different areas, pandemic situations, and prediction horizons. The fusion of temporal graph learning and multi-modal data enables a comprehensive understanding of the pandemic landscape with less time lag, cheap cost, and more potential information indicators.

Comparison of Infinium MethylationEPIC v2.0 to v1.0 for human population epigenetics: considerations for addressing EPIC version differences in DNA methylation-based tools.

Background: The recently launched DNA methylation profiling platform, Illumina MethylationEPIC BeadChip Infinium microarray v2.0 (EPICv2), is highly correlated with measurements obtained from its predecessor MethylationEPIC BeadChip Infinium microarray v1.0 (EPICv1). However, the concordance between the two versions in the context of DNA methylation-based tools, including cell type deconvolution algorithms, epigenetic clocks, and inflammation and lifestyle biomarkers has not yet been investigated. Findings: We profiled DNA methylation on both EPIC versions using matched venous blood samples from individuals spanning early to late adulthood across three cohorts. On combining the DNA methylomes of the cohorts, we observed that samples primarily clustered by the EPIC version they were measured on. Within each cohort, when we calculated cell type proportions, epigenetic age acceleration (EAA), rate of aging estimates, and biomarker scores for the matched samples on each version, we noted significant differences between EPICv1 and EPICv2 in the majority of these estimates. These differences were not significant, however, when estimates were adjusted for EPIC version or when EAAs were calculated separately for each EPIC version. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that EPIC version differences predominantly explain DNA methylation variation and influence estimates of DNA methylation-based tools, and therefore we recommend caution when combining cohorts run on different versions. We demonstrate the importance of calculating DNA methylation-based estimates separately for each EPIC version or accounting for EPIC version either as a covariate in statistical models or by using version correction algorithms.

Cognitive function in Vietnam: the effects of war exposure and social engagement.

OBJECTIVE: Vietnam is an LMIC in Asia that is experiencing rising cases of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). Many Vietnamese adults at risk of ADRD have experienced early-life war exposures, which may have negative impacts on their cognitive function in later years. METHODS: Our study uses the Vietnam Health and Aging Study (VHAS) to investigate the impact of early-life war exposure on cognitive function in later life while also considering variations in social engagement. The sample consists of 2352 adults aged 60 and older from northern and central Vietnam. Cognitive function, measured by questions from the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), and self-rated memory are our dependent variables and five measures related to social engagement serve as independent variables. RESULTS: Our results show an association between PTSD symptoms and poorer cognitive function (0.0704, p < 0.05) and self-rated memory (OR = 0.904, p < 0.001; 95%). Similar results are also found among for individuals with lower level of social engagement. Furthermore, several sociodemographic factors exhibit attenuated effects on cognitive function due to variations in social engagement. CONCLUSION: Social engagement is generally beneficial for cognitive health amongst those with early-life war exposure, but it does not necessarily attenuate the effects of trauma.

Atypical Toxocara canis-Induced Hepatic Visceral Larva Migrans: Diagnostic Challenges and Literature Review.

Toxocariasis, a zoonotic infection transmitted by Toxocara canis (from dogs) and Toxocara cati (from cats) larvae, poses rare but severe risks to humans. We present a case of hepatic visceral larva migrans (VLM) caused by Toxocara canis in a 21-year-old male with a history of close contact with a pet dog. Initial symptoms and imaging findings mimicked a pyogenic liver abscess. The initial laboratory investigations revealed neutrophilia and elevated levels of IgE. Despite broad-spectrum antibiotics, persistent fever prompted further investigation. Subsequent serological testing for Toxocara antibodies and histopathological analysis of liver tissue demonstrating eosinophil infiltrates and Charcot-Leyden crystals led to a confirmed diagnosis of a liver abscess caused by Toxocara canis. Serological testing for Toxocara antibodies and histopathological analysis of liver tissue confirmed a Toxocara canis-induced liver abscess. Albendazole treatment yielded significant clinical improvement. This case highlights the necessity of considering toxocariasis in liver abscess differentials, particularly in high-seroprevalence regions like Vietnam. Relying solely on serological tests may be insufficient, emphasizing the need for corroborative evidence, including invasive procedures like liver biopsy, for accurate hepatic toxocariasis diagnosis.

War-Related Life Course Stress and Late-Life Subjective Age in Northern Vietnam.

Background and Objectives: The role of early life stressors in subjective aging is weakly understood, especially in low- to middle-income countries. This paper investigated how early life stressors encountered in armed conflict influence subjective age among Vietnamese older adults who experienced war over decades of their early life. Research Design and Methods: We analyzed survey data from the 2018 Vietnam Health and Aging Study involving 2,447 Vietnamese older adults who encountered diverse war-related stressors in early adulthood. The analytical sample (N = 2,341) included 50.9% women and 49.1% men, with an average age of 69.8. 41.1% are military veterans. We conducted survey-adjusted multinomial logistic regression analyses with mediation to predict the probability of feeling younger or older than one's chronological age. We examined how childhood adversity (i.e., childhood hunger and low parental SES) and wartime stressors (i.e., war-related violence, malevolent environment, and military service) influenced late-life subjective age, both directly and as mediated by late-life mental, functional, and physical health. Results: We found significant associations between early adulthood war-related stressors and subjective age. Formal military service significantly lessened the relative risk of feeling subjectively old, and more plentiful wartime violence exposures significantly increased the risk of feeling younger than one's chronological age. Violence exposure's effects were both direct and indirect through functional and mental health. Conversely, greater exposure to wartime malevolent conditions (e.g., shortages of clean water and evacuations) and multiple episodes of severe hunger in childhood increased the risk of feeling older, effects both direct and mediated by late-life functional and mental health. Discussion and Implications: Results suggest wartime stressors, especially war's malevolent environments and severe childhood hunger, experienced in many conflict-affected populations globally, have the potential to subjectively "age" survivors. Yet, not all war exposures are equal, and some may yield psychological and socioeconomic resources that support healthy aging.

A systematic analysis with the hierarchical cluster analysis strategy on the complex interaction of TERT and CTNNB1 somatic mutations in Vietnamese hepatocellular carcinoma patients.

Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and ß-catenin (CTNNB1) mutations may occur following the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) pathway signal. We conducted a Hierarchical cluster analysis study on 408 patients diagnosed with HCC by pathological surgery, identifying TERT promoter and CTNNB1 exon 3 mutations by sequencing. The overall preclinical characteristics, cumulative cut-point values, and the factors associated with these somatic mutations were analyzed in uni/multidimensional scaling model. HBV(+) HCV(-) HCC male patients who were older than 62.74 years old and have TERT promoter mutation as well as AFP > 489.78 ng/ml got a higher risk of HCC grade more than two from 27 % to 200 % with p < 0.05 (RR are from 1.27 [1.09-1.47] to 3.06 [2.04-4.61]). This mutation was a good indicator of grade 2 risk (HR = 0.37 [2.72-0.16], ß = -1.00, p = 0.019). TERT promoter and CTNNB1 exon 3 mutations independently influenced tumor size and tumor site status in grade 3 and HBV(-) HCV (-) male HCC patients, where the hazard rates, respectively, were 0.28 [0.09-0.89], 0.023 [0.0023-0.23] and 0.06 [0.012-0.32] (ß < 0 and p < 0.01). These two mutations inversely impacted each other the tumor sites status, especially in male HCC patients with grade 2 without B, C hepatitis virus (RRCTNNB1 exon 3 mutate - TERT promoter wildtype = 1.12 [1.04-1.20], p < 0.05). Consequently, the mutations in TERT promoter and CTNNB1 exon 3 may synchronize with other factors or independently impact the hepatocarcinogenesis and are important indicators for HCC prognostic in male patients with very high AFP levels or with moderately as well as poorly differentiated in tumor. Our results serve as the basis for further studies to understand the impact of different factors on the outcome of HCC, especially in monitoring and assessing the cancer risk of patients infect HBV and carry mutations.

Clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients treated in emergency COVID-19 hospitals in Vietnam: Experience from Phutho province, Vietnam.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics, patient's management approaches, and outcomes of the COVID-19 patients in Phu Tho Province, Vietnam. Methods: A retrospective, multicenter study of 2166 COVID-19 patients in 13 hospitals in Phutho Province, Vietnam. The subjects were divided into 3 groups based on vaccination status: unvaccinated group, 1st dose of vaccine group, 2nd dose of vaccine group. The clinical characteristics, management approaches, and outcomes were collected and compared between the 3 groups. Results: The hospitalization rate of the 3 groups decreased from the unvaccinated group, the 1st dose of vaccinated group, to the 2nd dose of vaccinated group, 42.61%; 30,24% and 27,15% respectively. The 19-40 years old group had the highest hospitalization rate (38,1%) together with the group that had not accepted the full COVID 19 vaccination dose (57,64%). The 2nd dose of vaccinated group had the lowest percentages of high temperature, cough, dyspnea, chest pain and sore throat. The unvaccinated group had the highest heart rate, respiratory rate and SpO2 compared to the two other groups. The percentage needing Immunomodulation and Anticoagulant Therapy was highest (6.8% and 1.4 % respectively) in the unvaccinated group. The percentage receiving Antiviral Therapy was highest (42,5%) in those who had received the 2nd dose of vaccine. Conclusions: COVID-19 vaccination improved the symptoms of the patients and should be accepted in all ages.

The long-term association between exposure to wartime bombing earlier in life and post-traumatic stress later in life among today's older Vietnamese population.

This analysis examines the relationship between exposure to American wartime bombardments earlier in life and later-life PTSD among current surviving Vietnamese aged 59+. It also assesses whether the relationship varies by military status during the war - formal military, informal military, or civilian - and whether associations are explained by exposure to violence and malevolent conditions. Data link survey responses from the 2018 Vietnam Health and Aging Study to provincial-wide level bombing intensity using U.S. Department of Defense records from the Theater History of Operations Vietnam database. PTSD measured using nine items from the PTSD Checklist. Analyses employ multivariate logistic quantile regression. Findings examined for a sample of 2290 Vietnamese survivors and a subsample of 736 Vietnamese that moved at least once during wartime. Results show a robust and significant positive association between province-wide bombing intensity and later-life PTSD scores. Interaction effects indicate civilians have overall lower levels of PTSD than those that were in the formal or informal military, but the association between bombing and PTSD is stronger among civilians. Much of the association is a function of exposure to violence and less is a function of exposure to malevolent conditions. Findings confirm earlier studies that have shown severe deleterious impacts of war trauma, and arial bombardments particularly, on long-term psychological health, while extending extant literature to civilian populations living in Vietnam during intense aerial bombing episodes.

Cognitive function following early life war-time stress exposure in a cohort of Vietnamese older adults.

Although Alzheimer's Disease is a leading cause of death in Vietnam and other post-conflict, low- and middle-income countries, aside from studies of veterans in western populations, research on war-related violence and deprivation as risk factors for cognitive disorders remains sparse. Using data from the Vietnam Health and Aging Study, which relied upon a multistage probability sample of 2447 older adults residing in districts of northern Vietnam differentially exposed to wartime bombing and numerous war-related stressors, this paper investigates associations between early-life war-related stressors and later-life cognitive function in a cohort whose transition to adulthood took place during the American-Vietnam War. Relationships among experiences of severe childhood hunger, war-related violence and environmental hardships, military service, and cognitive function in an analytical sample of 2162 Vietnamese older adults are estimated using quantile regression. Cognitive function is assessed by a modified Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score. Analyses also address posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), cardiovascular health, and health behaviors as potential mediators between early life war-related stressors and current cognitive function. Results indicate that experiences of severe hunger in childhood and environmental hardships are associated with poorer cognitive function in older adulthood. PTSD, cardiovascular risk (i.e., hypertension) and disease (i.e., stroke), each of which is heightened by exposure to wartime stressors, are associated with lower cognitive scores. Results suggest that certain war exposures, like involvement in combat duties, are associated with higher cognitive function scores, suggesting that military service either positively selects for cognitive function, or certain forms of service may impart cognitive resilience. Following recent calls to incorporate population-specific stressors to advance explanatory models of cognitive function, these findings suggest that it is critical to assess the enduring scars and resilience of armed conflict in global efforts to understand, prevent, and treat cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's Disease, and related dementias.

South East Asian Nutrition Surveys (SEANUTS) II - a multi-country evaluation of nutrition and lifestyle indicators in children aged 12 years and below: Rationale and Design.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the nutritional status, growth parameters and lifestyle behaviours of children between 0.5-12 years in nationally representative samples in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the four countries, between May 2019 and April 2021. Data collected can be categorized into four categories: (1) Growth - anthropometry, body composition, development disorder, (2) Nutrient intake and dietary habits - 24-hour dietary recall, child food habits, breast feeding and complementary feeding, (3) Socio-economic status - food insecurity and child health status/environmental, and (4) Lifestyle behaviours - physical activity patterns, fitness, sunlight exposure, sleep patterns, body image and behavioural problems. Blood samples were also collected for biochemical and metabolomic analyses. With the pandemic emerging during the study, a COVID-19 questionnaire was developed and implemented. SETTING: Both rural and urban areas in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam. PARTICIPANTS: Children who were well, with no physical disability or serious infections/injuries and between the age of 0.5-12 years old were recruited. RESULTS: The South East Asian Nutrition Surveys II recruited 13,933 children. Depending on the country, data collection from children were conducted in schools and commune health centres, or temples, or sub-district administrative organizations. CONCLUSIONS: The results will provide up-to-date insights into nutritional status and lifestyle behaviours of children in the four countries. Subsequently, these data will facilitate exploration of potential gaps in dietary intake among Southeast Asian children and enable local authorities to plan future nutrition and lifestyle intervention strategies.

Practical strategies of phosphorus reclamation from sewage sludge after different thermal processing: Insights into phosphorus transformation.

In the context of circular economy and global shortage of phosphorus (P) fertilizer production, it is crucial to effectively recover P during the treatment and disposal of sewage sludge (SS). Although thermal treatment of SS has been widely applied, a targeted P reclamation route is not yet well established. This study has comprehensively investigated and compared the physicochemical properties of SS and solid residues (hydrochar (HC), biochar (BC), sewage sludge ash (SSA), hydrochar ash (HCA), and biochar ash (BCA)) after application of three typical thermal treatment techniques (i.e., hydrothermal carbonization (180‒240 °C), pyrolysis (400‒600 °C) and combustion (850 ℃). P speciation and transformation during thermal processes were extensively explored followed by a rational proposal of effective P reclamation routes. Specifically, thermal processing decomposed organic P and converted non-apatite P to apatite P. Orthophosphate-P was found to be the main species in all samples. Physicochemical properties of the resulting thermal-derived products were significantly affected by the thermal techniques applied, thereby determining their feasibility for different P reclamation purposes. In particular, ash is not recommended for agricultural use due to higher harmful metals content, while acid leaching can be an alternative solution to synthesize non-Fe-containing P products because of the lower co-dissolved Fe content in the leachate. HC and BC offer the option for synthesis of Fe containing products. Eventually, HC and BC demonstrate great potential for agriculture application, however, a comprehensive risk assessment should be conducted before their real-world applications.

Role of Calprotectin, IL-6, and CRP in Distinguishing Between Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Diarrhea Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Background: The early establishment of prophylaxis and immediate administration of anticoagulant therapy upon the diagnosis of venous thromboembolism should be the treatment objectives in these patients. Objective: The study aimed to determine the optimal cut-off point of Calprotectin, IL-6 (interleukin-6), CRP (C reactive protein) to differentiate UC, IBS-D. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study of 335 individuals ≥15 years old was performed, including 31 healthy controls, 215 with IBS-D, 71 diagnosed with UC, and 18 diagnosed with CD. Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC), sensitivity, specificity, and area under curve (AUC) were computed. Results: The results showed that the median value of calprotectin (IQR) in healthy participants was 20.0 (6.0 - 34.0) µg/g; 17,7 (8,7-38,9) µg/g in IBS-D group; 1710.0 (588 - 4260,0) µg/g in UC group; and 560.5 (177.8 - 1210.0) µg/g in CD group. Calprotectin concentration in IBD group including UC and CD was higher than IBS-D with p<0.05. The median value of CRP (range IQR) was 1,3 (0,9 - 2,3) mg/L in IBS-D group; 7.0 (2.4 -16.6) mg/L in UC group; and 10.1 (2.2 - 42.5) mg/L in CD group. CRP concentration in IBD group including UC and CD was higher than IBS-D with p<0.05. The median value of IL-6 (range IQR) was 2.3 (1.6 - 5.7) pg/mL in IBS-D group; 16.8 (9.4 - 47.0) pg/mL in UC group; and 9.4 (7.9 - 11.0) pg/mL in CD group. Calprotectin concentration in IBD group including UC and CD was higher than IBS-D with p<0.05. The optimal cut-off point of calprotectin that differentiated IBS-D from IBD was 110.5 µg/g, with sensitivity and specificity of 93.3% and 91.4%, respectively; of IL-6 was 7.2 pg/mL with sensitivity and specificity of 92.0% and 78.0%, respectively; of CRP of 2.4 mg/L had specific sensitivities of 83.3% and 86.0%, respectively. Conclusion: The Calprotectin immunoassay has the best value in discriminating between IBD and IBS-D.

Barriers and enablers to people-centred viral hepatitis care in Vietnam and the Philippines: Results of a patient journey mapping study.

In Vietnam and the Philippines, viral hepatitis is the leading cause of cirrhosis and liver cancer. This study aims to understand the barriers and enablers of people receiving care for hepatitis B and C to support both countries' efforts to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. Retrospective, semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive, quota-based sample of 63 people living with hepatitis B or C in one province of Vietnam and one region of the Philippines. A rapid deductive approach to thematic analysis produced key findings among the three phases of care: (1) pre-awareness and testing, (2) linkage and treatment initiation and (3) ongoing treatment and recovery. The research found that participants followed five typical journeys, from a variety of entry points. Barriers during the pre-awareness and testing phase included limited awareness about hepatitis and its management, stigma and psychological impacts. Enablers included being familiar with the health system and/or patients benefiting from social connections within the health systems. During the linkage and treatment initiation phase, barriers included difficult physical access, complex navigation and inadequate counselling. In this phase, family support emerged as a critical enabler. During the ongoing treatment and recovery phase, the cost of care and socially and culturally informed perceptions of the disease and medication use were both barriers and enablers. Exploring peoples' journeys with hepatitis B and C in Vietnam and the Philippines revealed many similarities despite the different cultural and health system contexts. Insights from this study may help generate a contextualized, people-centred evidence base to inform the design and improvement of primary care services for hepatitis in both research sites.

Health behavior outcomes in stroke survivors prescribed wearables for atrial fibrillation detection stratified by age.

BACKGROUND: Smartwatches have become readily accessible tools for detecting atrial fibrillation (AF). There remains limited data on how they affect psychosocial outcomes and engagement in older adults. We examine the health behavior outcomes of stroke survivors prescribed smartwatches for AF detection stratified by age. METHODS: We analyzed data from the Pulsewatch study, a randomized controlled trial that enrolled patients (≥ 50 years) with a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack and CHA2DS2-VASc ≥ 2. Intervention participants were equipped with a cardiac patch monitor and a smartwatch-app dyad, while control participants wore the cardiac patch monitor for up to 44 days. We evaluated health behavior parameters using standardized tools, including the Consumer Health Activation Index, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder questionnaire, the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey, and wear time of participants categorized into three age groups: Group 1 (ages 50-60), Group 2 (ages 61-69), and Group 3 (ages 70-87). We performed statistical analysis using a mixed-effects repeated measures linear regression model to examine differences amongst age groups. RESULTS: Comparative analysis between Groups 1, 2 and 3 revealed no significant differences in anxiety, patient activation, perception of physical health and wear time. The use of smartwatch technology was associated with a decrease in perception of mental health for Group 2 compared to Group 1 (ß = -3.29, P = 0.046). CONCLUSION: Stroke survivors demonstrated a willingness to use smartwatches for AF monitoring. Importantly, among these study participants, the majority did not experience negative health behavior outcomes or decreased engagement as age increased.

Orbital infarction syndrome following mechanical thrombectomy in internal carotid artery occlusion: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Orbital ischemic syndrome is a rare entity. The clinical signs typically demonstrate acute loss of visual acuity, chemosis, proptosis, ptosis, and total ophthalmoparesis. We report a case of a man who suffered an acute internal carotid artery occlusion and developed orbital ischemic syndrome after a mechanical thrombectomy. CASE PRESENTATION: A 57-year-old Vietnamese (Kinh ethnicity) man was brought to the emergency room with complaints of a speech disturbance, facial palsy, and severe weakness of the left arm and leg, which had started 4 hours earlier, after waking up. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale 12 (NIHSS 12) revealed the neurological score at admission. A head computed tomography scan showed no intracranial bleeding and an Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score (ASPECTS) of 8 on the right brain. Computed tomography angiography showed an occlusion of the right internal carotid artery. After that, a mechanical thrombectomy was performed, and the internal carotid artery was completely reperfused. After 10 hours, he experienced orbital pain, proptosis, ptosis, chemosis, and ophthalmoplegia of the right orbit. He also had acute loss of visual acuity, and fundoscopic examination revealed papilledema, no retinal hemorrhage, and no bruit in orbital auscultation. Intraocular pressure in the right eye was measured at 50.5 mmHg. Computed tomography angiography showed no carotid-cavernous fistula, but slight enlargement of the right medial and lateral rectus muscles. He was treated with steroids and hyperosmolar agents and recovered 7 days later, but had persistent loss of visual acuity in the right eye. CONCLUSION: Orbital ischemic syndrome is a rare complication after mechanical thrombectomy treatment in acute ischemic stroke that can lead to loss of visual acuity.

Epidemiology, treatment and outcomes of infected pancreatic necrosis in France: a bicenter study.

INTRODUCTION: Acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP) mortality increases when pancreatic necrosis is infected (IPN). Current treatment of IPN relies on prolonged antibiotic therapies associated with a step-up strategy of drainage. The objective of this study was to analyze IPN treatment outcomes in two referral centers in France. METHODS: Data of consecutive patients with documented IPN hospitalized in two expert centers in France between 2014 and 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. The composite primary outcome was the proportion of unsuccessful management outcome, defined as new emergency drainage to treat sepsis with organ failure, an unplanned new antibiotic course, an unplanned prolongation of antibiotic course and/or death by septic shock, within three months following the diagnosis of ANP. RESULTS: All in all, 187 patients (138 males; 74.0%), with documented IPN were included. The most frequently identified microorganism was Escherichia coli (26.2%). Ninety-eight patients (52.4%) were admitted to an intensive care unit or resuscitation ward within the first two days of ANP care. Overall, 126 patients (67.4%) endured an unsuccessful outcome: new emergency drainage to treat acute sepsis (62.0%), unplanned new antibiotic course (47.1%), unplanned prolongation of antibiotic course (44.9%) and/or death by septic shock complicating IPN (8.0%). CONCLUSION: The unfavorable evolution in two thirds of patients shows that determination of optimal drainage timing and choice of antibiotic therapy remain major challenges in 2024.

Experience of Autologous Immunotherapy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Using Zoledronate-Actived Gammadelta T Cells.

BACKGROUND: Several nations around the world have utilized autologous immune enhancement therapy in the treatment of cancer, with initial positive outcomes. This study describes our experience with autologous gamma delta T cell immunotherapy for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer patients in Vietnam, a developing nation. METHODS: Five patients with non-small cell lung cancer at stages III - IV were enrolled in the study. Each patient received six infusions of autologous γδT cells, separated by two weeks. Before, during, at the end of treatment, and three and six months after treatment, a comprehensive evaluation of clinical, laboratory, quality of life, and adverse events related to the method was conducted. RESULTS: At the time of culture seeding, the total number of cells ranged from 2.9 to 18.2 x 106, with γδT cells ranging in number from 10.7 to 19.6 x 104. On day 14 of the culture, the number of γδT cells ranged from 3.1 to 8.3 x 108. Regarding the safety of therapy in a total of 30 infusions, two (fever), one (myalgia), and one (joint pain) were graded as 1 by CTCAE criteria. After the course, no toxicity was observed in the hematopoietic system, kidney function, or liver function. Evaluation of the patient's response in accordance with the RECIST 1.1 criteria: 20% of patients (one patient) had partial response disease, and 80% of patients (four patients) had stable disease at the end of treatment. During the follow-up period of the study, three patients were still alive, and the disease remained stable. The patient's quality of life improved after treatment in most functional measures (activity, cognitive, and social), but physical and emotional scores decreased slightly. Two patients' fatigue symptoms increased, but after six months of treatment, the average value dropped from 25.3 to 8.3. Dyspnea symptoms decreased gradually from 33.3 at the start of treatment to 8.3 six months later. CONCLUSIONS: The initial results we obtained regarding the efficacy and safety of autologous γδT cell immunotherapy for patients with non-small cell lung cancer are extremely encouraging and comparable to those of previous studies.

Noise Reduction in Photoplethysmography Signals Using a Convolutional Denoising Autoencoder With Unconventional Training Scheme.

OBJECTIVE: We propose an efficient approach based on a convolutional denoising autoencoder (CDA) network to reduce motion and noise artifacts (MNA) from corrupted atrial fibrillation (AF) and non-AF photoplethysmography (PPG) data segments so that an accurate PPG-signal-derived heart rate can be obtained. Our method's main innovation is the optimization of the CDA performance for both rhythms using more AF than non-AF data for training the AF-specific CDA model and vice versa for the non-AF CDA network. METHODS: To evaluate this unconventional training scheme, our proposed network was trained and tested on 25-sec PPG data segments from 48 subjects from two different databases-the Pulsewatch dataset and Stanford University's publicly available PPG dataset. In total, our dataset contains 10,773 data segments: 7,001 segments for training and 3,772 independent segments from out-of-sample subjects for testing. RESULTS: Using real-life corrupted PPG segments, our approach significantly reduced the average heart rate root mean square error (RMSE) of the reconstructed PPG segments by 45.74% and 23% compared to the corrupted non-AF and AF data, respectively. Further, our approach exhibited lower RMSE, and higher sensitivity and PPV for detected peaks compared to the reconstructed data produced by the alternative methods. CONCLUSION: These results show the promise of our approach as a reliable denoising method, which should be used prior to AF detection algorithms for an accurate cardiac health monitoring involving wearable devices. SIGNIFICANCE: PPG signals collected from wearables are vulnerable to MNA, which limits their use as a reliable measurement, particularly in uncontrolled real-life environments.

Antibodies to S2 domain of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in Moderna mRNA vaccinated subjects sustain antibody-dependent NK cell-mediated cell cytotoxicity against Omicron BA.1.

Vaccination with the primary two-dose series of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA protects against infection with the ancestral strain, and limits the presentation of severe disease after re-infection by multiple variants of concern (VOC), including Omicron, despite the lack of a strong neutralizing response to these variants. We compared antibody responses in serum samples collected from mRNA-1273 (Moderna) vaccinated subjects to identify mechanisms of immune escape and cross-protection. Using pseudovirus constructs containing domain-specific amino acid changes representative of Omicron BA.1, combined with domain competition and RBD-antibody depletion, we showed that RBD antibodies were primarily responsible for virus neutralization and variant escape. Antibodies to NTD played a less significant role in antibody neutralization but acted along with RBD to enhance neutralization. S2 of Omicron BA.1 had no impact on neutralization escape, suggesting it is a less critical domain for antibody neutralization; however, it was as capable as S1 at eliciting IgG3 responses and NK-cell mediated, antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC). Antibody neutralization and ADCC activities to RBD, NTD, and S1 were all prone to BA.1 escape. In contrast, ADCC activities to S2 resisted BA.1 escape. In conclusion, S2 antibodies showed potent ADCC function and resisted Omicron BA.1 escape, suggesting that S2 contributes to cross-protection against Omicron BA.1. In line with its conserved nature, S2 may hold promise as a vaccine target against future variants of SARS-CoV-2.