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A Novel Probiotic-Based Oral Vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant B.1.1.529
Get PDFCOVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, is still affecting the entire world via the rapid emergence of new contagious variants. Vaccination remains the most effective prevention strategy for viral infection, yet not all countries have sufficient access to vaccines due to limitations in manufacturing and transportation. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop an easy-to-use, safe, and low-cost vaccination approach. Genetically modified microorganisms, especially probiotics, are now commonly recognized as attractive vehicles for delivering bioactive molecules via oral and mucosal routes. In this study, Lactobacillus casei has been selected as the oral vaccine candidate based on its’ natural immunoadjuvant properties and the ability to resist acidic gastric environment, to express antigens of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant B.1.1.529 with B-cell and T-cell epitopes. This newly developed vaccine, OMGVac, was shown to elicit a robust IgG systemic immune response against the spike protein of Omicron variant B.1.1.529 in Golden Syrian hamsters. No adverse effects were found throughout this study, and the overall safety was evaluated in terms of physiological and histopathological examinations of different organs harvested. In addition, this study illustrated the use of the recombinant probiotic as a live delivery vector in the initiation of systemic immunity, which shed light on the future development of next-generation vaccines to combat emerging infectious diseases
A randomized trial of the effectiveness of an ultrasonic denture hygiene intervention program among communitydwelling elders*
Get PDFPost-COVID-19 travel intentions to Kenya from Hong Kong by applying the extended theory of planned behavior (ETPB)
Get PDFPurpose – This paper examines the post-COVID-19 travel intentions to Kenya among Hong Kong outbound travelers using the theory of planned behavior (TPB) over three different time horizons of 1, 5, and 10 years. Design/methodology/approach – An extension was made by including two new constructs of perceived destination image and travel constraints. A cross-sectional sample of Hongkongers was surveyed. Data were collected using a self-administrated bilingual (English and Chinese) online survey. Exploratory factor analysis, linear regression and mediation analysis were conducted to test the research model. Findings – The findings from 216 Hongkongers reveal that different combinations of the four constructs, namely, perceived behavioral control, attitude, subjective norms, and destination image, share a positive effect on individuals’ travel intention to Kenya over the three different time horizons. Travel constraints act as a significant negative mediator on the four constructs in predicting travel intention to Kenya among Hongkongers. Practical implications – The results provide useful insight to Kenya’s destination marketing organization (DMO) and Hong Kong outbound travel agencies to integrate prominent elements into marketing strategies to arouse travel intention and expand their business prospects, which will also accelerate tourism recovery in the post-pandemic era. Originality/value – By integrating two extended variables into the TPB model, this study makes a contribution by overcoming the deficiency of the original theory
Theme - Heritage, Protection, Innovation
Get PDFAn interview with Leonie Ki – founder of Hong Kong Gaudeamus Dunhuang Ensemble. Ms Leonie Ki, the founder and honorary director of the Hong Kong Gaudeamus Dunhuang Ensemble, is a veteran advertising creative in Hong Kong. The seasoned communicator, writer, businessperson and investor is passionate about charity works and public services. The post-retirement time of the agile advertising guru and sophisticated management expert is dedicated to promoting the art and culture of Dunhuang. Her endeavours began with a youth music ensemble, which aims to modernising, rejuvenating and enlivening the ancient music of Dunhuang. The powerful art form and its associated sentiments are channelled into playing a part in the education and dissemination of Chinese culture
Special - HKDI staff shined in local and international awards
Get PDFThe dedication, creativity, and professionalism of the HKDI staff have been recognised at home and abroad. Congratulations to three outstanding HKDI members for their great work and exemplary performance
Post-COVID-19 travel intentions to Kenya from Hong Kong by applying the extended theory of planned behavior (ETPB)
No full textPurpose
This paper examines the post-COVID-19 travel intentions to Kenya among Hong Kong outbound travelers using the theory of planned behavior (TPB) over three different time horizons of 1, 5, and 10 years. Design/methodology/approach
An extension was made by including two new constructs of perceived destination image and travel constraints. A cross-sectional sample of Hongkongers was surveyed. Data were collected using a self-administrated bilingual (English and Chinese) online survey. Exploratory factor analysis, linear regression and mediation analysis were conducted to test the research model. Findings
The findings from 216 Hongkongers reveal that different combinations of the four constructs, namely, perceived behavioral control, attitude, subjective norms, and destination image, share a positive effect on individuals\u27 travel intention to Kenya over the three different time horizons. Travel constraints act as a significant negative mediator on the four constructs in predicting travel intention to Kenya among Hongkongers. Practical implications
The results provide useful insight to Kenya\u27s destination marketing organization (DMO) and Hong Kong outbound travel agencies to integrate prominent elements into marketing strategies to arouse travel intention and expand their business prospects, which will also accelerate tourism recovery in the post-pandemic era. Originality/value
By integrating two extended variables into the TPB model, this study makes a contribution by overcoming the deficiency of the original theory
Theme - Timeless Style Requires Sustainable Businesses
Get PDFIn retrospect, it is easy to connect the dots to explain how something of significance came into being. But when starting out on this journey, the motivations and decisions will often be just arbitrary or by chance. The heritage business preservation eco-system that is Whole Love Kyoto and Kyoto Traditional Culture Innovation Laboratory, is one such case
Evaluation of the efficacy of probiotic strains in reducing ethyl carbamate
Get PDFIn this study, probiotic approach to reduce ethyl carbamate in (1) ethyl carbamate chemical solution, (2) selected alcoholic drinks: sake, yellow wine and brandy and (3) selected alcoholic drinks in vitro digestion model were studied. Five probiotic strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium lactis and Lactobacillus casei Shirota showed the ability to reduce ethyl carbamate. L. rhamnosus (19.81-54.98%) and B. longum (19.25-51.34%) showed significant reduction ability at 100, 200, 400 and 700 ng/mL ethyl carbamate chemical standard solution. L. rhamnosus and B. longum were further incubated in alcoholic beverages with or without in vitro digestion. The result revealed that probiotic strain, ethyl carbamate concentration and pH were important factors affecting the ethyl carbamate reduction ability This may suggest that the incorporation of probiotic can be a potential and novel way to decrease bioaccessibility of ethyl carbamate in wine. Further study on the potential synergistic effect of probiotic formula was also conducted