Spike-specific IgG4 generated post BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination is inhibitory when directly competing with functional IgG subclasses.

COVID-19 vaccines proved vital in controlling the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Both neutralizing and effector-function activities of Spike-specific antibodies are important for their protective activity. Several studies have reported that COVID-19 mRNA vaccines can lead to elevated levels of Spike-specific immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4), an anti-inflammatory subclass with reduced binding to Fcγ receptors.

Environmental carcinogens often exacerbate endogenous mutagenic processes to enhance tumor promotion.

Environmental exposures significantly influence cancer risk, but their mutational impact remains unclear. We perform whole-exome sequencing of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) from B6C3F1/N mice that arise spontaneously with age (2 years old) or following chronic exposure to one of ten potential human carcinogens that operate through genotoxic or non-genotoxic mechanisms. HCCs from mice exposed to drinking water disinfection byproducts, such as bromochloroacetic acid (BCA) and bromodichloroacetic acid (BDCA), show dose-dependent increases in mutational burden, distinct mutational signatures (BCA-mSBS12 and BDCA-mSBS25), and enrichment of the aTn→aCn mutational motif.

Faecal microbiota transplant to ERadicate gastrointestinal carriage of Antibiotic-Resistant Organisms (FERARO): A feasibility randomised controlled trial.

Objectives: The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is a reservoir of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO). Colonisation with MDRO precedes invasive infections, which can be challenging to treat with excess morbidity and mortality compared to antimicrobial-susceptible infections. Currently, there are no effective GIT decolonisation strategies.

Bacterial diversity, viability and stability in lyophilised faecal microbiota capsules support ongoing clinical use.

Lyophilised encapsulated faecal microbiota provides a practical and cost-effective treatment option to patients with recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection. This study focused on quality assurance of an enteric-coated capsule formulation of FMT as a medicinal product by evaluating bacterial composition, diversity and viability through manufacturing steps and upon product storage at a range of temperatures. Faecal donations from pre-screened healthy individuals (n = 5) were processed according to a published protocol into one or more treatments; 5 capsules = 1 treatment dose/patient.