TransMut: a program to predict HLA-I peptide binding and optimize mutated peptides for vaccine design by the Transformer-derived self-attention model

Computational prediction of the interaction between human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and peptide (pHLA) can speed up epitope screening and vaccine design. Here, we develop the TransMut framework composed of TransPHLA for pHLA binding prediction and AOMP for mutated peptide optimization, which can be generalized to any binding and mutation task of biomolecules. Firstly, TransPHLA is developed by using a Transformer-derived self-attention model to predict pHLA binding, which is significantly superior to 11 previous methods on pHLA binding prediction, neoantigen and human papilloma virus vaccine identification. For vaccine design, the AOMP program is then developed to automatically optimize mutated peptides to search for mutant peptides with higher affinity to the target HLA and with high homology to the source peptide. Among 3660 non-binding pHLAs, 3630 were successfully mutated. Of these, 94% were verified by the IEDB recommended method, and 88% have homology higher than 80% to the source peptide.

Electronic Immunization Registry in Improving Vaccine Supply Chain Availability in Tanga City Council, Tanzania

BackgroundDespite the advantages of the electronic registry which has been explained in other areas of health and other parts of the world, there has been no empirical research conducted with the aim of assessing the impact of the electronic immunization registry practices on the availability of immunization commodities.ObjectivesTo assess the effect of electronic immunization registry practices on the availability of immunization commodities.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out to health facilities providing vaccination services in Tanga City Council. A total of 27 health care workers in 27 health facilities were interviewed for availability of vaccines and their experience in using electronic immunization system in supply chain system functioning using structured questionnaires. The data from the vaccines manual ledger and electronic TImR system were also collected administered in April-June, 2019 specifically for Bacillus-Calmette Guerin (BCG), Diphtheria-Pertussis-Tetanus-Hepatis B-Haemophilus influenza type b (DPT-HepB-Hib), bi-oral polio vaccine (bOPV), Measles-Rubella and Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine (HPV). These data were analyzed by statistical software SPSS using one sample T test and 95% confidence interval.ResultsThe study affirmed that the mean numbers of children registered at the health facilities using electronic immunization registry was 1.5-3 times higher than the target population for the three months preceding the study given by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The number of doses for the studied vaccines (DPT-HepB-Hib, measles rubella, HPV, BCG and bOPV) were found to be different in the manual and electronic TImR systems. Also, the number of doses available at the health facilities increased significantly with the number of the electronic system registered children.ConclusionThis study found that the adoption of Electronic immunization registry has improved the health supply chain in terms of improving the vaccines availability. Rwanda J Med Health Sci 2021;4(2): 223-236

Knowledge, Attitude and Acceptability of the Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine and Vaccination Among University Students in Indonesia

Introduction: Cervical cancer, a major consequence of persistent HPV infection, is the third most common cancer in women worldwide and has claimed around 311,000 women lives in 2018. The majority of these deaths took place in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In LMICs, where cervical cancer screening coverage is low, the HPV vaccine is a promising tool for preventing HPV infections and, thus, averting cervical cancer cases. In Indonesia, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer and HPV vaccination demonstration programs are underway in several provinces, but the HPV vaccine has not yet been introduced nationally. Since students are an important source of information for the community, and medical and nursing students are the future healthcare professionals, this study explored the knowledge, attitude, and acceptability of the HPV vaccine among University students in Indonesia.Methodology: A self-administered online questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge, attitude, and willingness of University students toward HPV vaccination.Result: A total of 433 students from Medical, Nursing, Social Sciences, and other faculties participated in the survey. It was identified that over 90% of the students were aware of cervical cancer and HPV, but only 68% knew about the HPV vaccine before participating in the study. Despite an average knowledge on the HPV vaccine, the students showed a strong willingness to receive the vaccine (95.8% acceptance rate). They believed that the HPV vaccine is safe and effective and that it will protect against HPV infection. The high cost and the lack of adequate information flow on HPV-related topics have been identified as potential barriers to the adoption of the HPV vaccine in Indonesia.Conclusion: Despite a high willingness for HPV vaccine uptake among students, there is a need to provide education on HPV vaccine-related topics to Indonesian students through awareness and training programs and improving the academic curriculum on vaccination for the long-term sustainability of the HPV vaccination program.

Women’s Knowledge of Cervical Cancer

Objectives: This study aimed to assess knowledge of cervical cancer and its prevention among Omani women aged 20 to 65 years. Method: This analytic cross-sectional study took place at primary healthcare institutions, in the Al Buraimi governorate, Oman, between November 2018 I believe that in response to comment #5 too much information may have been removed from the Results section, therefore we return the first two paragraphs that were removed to the Results section and make them more concise during the copy editing stage. and February 2019. The study was carried out on the basis of a predesigned, validated, and self-administered 55 question questionnaire. Results: Data from seven hundred and ninety-one completed questionnaires were included in the final analysis, which represents a response rate of 79.1% of the total. The results of the study indicated that 86.7 percent of surveyed women had previously heard of cervical cancer, and 13.0 per cent assumed the possibility of this disease to affect them in the future. The results showed that women had low awareness of the association between Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and cervical cancer (24.7%). Participants considered HPV infection and initiation of sexual intercourse at an age younger than 17 years as the lowest risks associated with cervical cancer. The results also indicated that 63.8% of women were unaware of a vaccination 'against HPV related cervical cancer' and many of respondents were unaware of Pap test. Women aged over 30 years, those married, and those with a high level of education were more likely to be aware of cervical cancer. Conclusion: General knowledge of cervical cancer among women aged 20 to 65 years is insufficient. Young women aged 20-30 are largely unaware. Thus, concerted efforts are needed to promote awareness among women in Oman. Keywords: Cervical cancer, risk factor, Human Papilloma Virus, vaccine, Pap test.

Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine for Cervical Cancer Prevention

HPV infection is estimated to be responsible for about 5% of human cancers worldwide. Among all HPV-associated malignancies, cervical cancer is the most important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide and leading cause of cancer death among females in less developed countries. Persistent HPV infection is a necessary cause of invasive cervical cancer with a prevalence of 99.7% in cervical cancer worldwide.At least 70% of cervical cancers are caused by HPV 16 and HPV 18. HPV vaccination in combination with regular screening offers the most effective way for women to be protected against cervical cancer.The global burden of cervical cancer falls heaviest on the developing countries which haven’t introduced the HPV vaccine as part of their national public health strategy to prevent and control cervical cancer. Different studies showed a drop in the prevalence of HPV associated diseases in vaccinated populations. Sustained efficacy, immunogenicity, and safety of the bHPV vaccine were observed in the final analysis of a follow-up study up to 9.4 years postvaccination. Cervical cancer is a major public health problem in Bangladesh. There has been little success with screening program against cervical cancer in Bangladesh. Therefore, a National HPV Vaccination Program seems to be the window of opportunity to reduce the mortality and morbidity of cervical cancer in Bangladesh. J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2021; 39(2): 123-131