Author Archives: davidrcurry

Recalibrating the Use of Race in Medical Research

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JAMA
February 16, 2021, Vol 325, No. 7, Pages 605-702
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/currentissue

 

Recalibrating the Use of Race in Medical Research
John P. A. Ioannidis, MD, DSc; Neil R. Powe, MD, MPH, MBA; Clyde Yancy, MD, MSc
free access has audio
JAMA. 2021;325(7):623-624. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.0003
This Viewpoint reviews the way race has been used and misused in medical research and urges careful consideration by investigators of how its use might ameliorate or worsen health inequalities.

Race and Pharmacogenomics—Personalized Medicine or Misguided Practice?

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JAMA
February 16, 2021, Vol 325, No. 7, Pages 605-702
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/currentissue

 

Race and Pharmacogenomics—Personalized Medicine or Misguided Practice?
Christopher W. Goodman, MD; Allan S. Brett, MD
free access
JAMA. 2021;325(7):625-626. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.25473
This Viewpoint uses examples of recommendations for race-based pharmacogenetic testing to discuss flaws and inconsistencies with race and ethnicity as surrogates for biology, and the consequences of those deficiencies for clinical decision-making.

Clinical Trials of Broadly Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibodies for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Prevention: A Review

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Journal of Infectious Diseases
Volume 223, Issue 3, 1 February 2021
https://academic.oup.com/jid/issue/223/3

 

REVIEWS
Clinical Trials of Broadly Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibodies for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Prevention: A Review
Sharana Mahomed, Nigel Garrett, Cheryl Baxter, Quarraisha Abdool Karim, Salim S Abdool Karim
The Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 223, Issue 3, 1 February 2021, Pages 370–380, https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiaa377
The use of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) is a promising approach that could help reduce the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic burden. This review describes the status and available data on bnAbs in clinical trials for HIV prevention.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome After High-Dose Influenza Vaccine Administration in the United States, 2018–2019 Season

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Journal of Infectious Diseases
Volume 223, Issue 3, 1 February 2021
https://academic.oup.com/jid/issue/223/3

 

VIRUSES
Editor’s Choice
Guillain-Barré Syndrome After High-Dose Influenza Vaccine Administration in the United States, 2018–2019 Season
Silvia Perez-Vilar, Mao Hu, Eric Weintraub, Deepa Arya, Bradley Lufkin …
The Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 223, Issue 3, 1 February 2021, Pages 416–425, https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiaa543
Using VSD and Medicare data, we rapidly evaluated a potential association between the 2018–2019 high-dose influenza vaccine and GBS and determined that, if a risk existed, it was similar in magnitude to that from prior seasons.

A Comparative Analysis of the Knowledge and Stigmatizing Attitude of Ghanaians and Nigerians towards COVID-19 Survivors

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Journal of Refugee & Global Health
Volume 4, Issue 1 (2021)
https://ir.library.louisville.edu/rgh/

 

Original Research
A Comparative Analysis of the Knowledge and Stigmatizing Attitude of Ghanaians and Nigerians towards COVID-19 Survivors
Emmanuel Lamptey, Dorcas Serwaa, Maxwell Hubert Antwi, Theckla Ikome Ms, and Nkechi Odogwu

Safety and efficacy of an rAd26 and rAd5 vector-based heterologous prime-boost COVID-19 vaccine: an interim analysis of a randomised controlled phase 3 trial in Russia

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The Lancet
Feb 20, 2021 Volume 397 Number 10275 p641-766
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/issue/current

Articles
Safety and efficacy of an rAd26 and rAd5 vector-based heterologous prime-boost COVID-19 vaccine: an interim analysis of a randomised controlled phase 3 trial in Russia
Denis Y Logunov, and the Gam-COVID-Vac Vaccine Trial Group

Safety and immunogenicity of S-Trimer (SCB-2019), a protein subunit vaccine candidate for COVID-19 in healthy adults: a phase 1, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

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The Lancet
Feb 20, 2021 Volume 397 Number 10275 p641-766
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/issue/current

 

Safety and immunogenicity of S-Trimer (SCB-2019), a protein subunit vaccine candidate for COVID-19 in healthy adults: a phase 1, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Peter Richmond, et al.
Interpretation
The SCB-2019 vaccine, comprising S-Trimer protein formulated with either AS03 or CpG/Alum adjuvants, elicited robust humoral and cellular immune responses against SARS-CoV-2, with high viral neutralising activity. Both adjuvanted vaccine formulations were well tolerated and are suitable for further clinical development.
Funding
Clover Biopharmaceuticals and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations.

Public policy and health in the Trump era

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The Lancet
Feb 20, 2021 Volume 397 Number 10275 p641-766
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/issue/current

 

 

The Lancet Commissions
Public policy and health in the Trump era
Steffie Woolhandler,et al
This report by the Lancet Commission on Public Policy and Health in the Trump Era assesses the repercussions of President Donald Trump’s health-related policies and examines the failures and social schisms that enabled his election. Trump exploited low and middle-income white people’s anger over their deteriorating life prospects to mobilise racial animus and xenophobia and enlist their support for policies that benefit high-income people and corporations and threaten health. His signature legislative achievement, a trillion-dollar tax cut for corporations and high-income individuals, opened a budget hole that he used to justify cutting food subsidies and health care. His appeals to racism, nativism, and religious bigotry have emboldened white nationalists and vigilantes, and encouraged police violence and, at the end of his term in office, insurrection. He chose judges for US courts who are dismissive of affirmative action and reproductive, labour, civil, and voting rights; ordered the mass detention of immigrants in hazardous conditions; and promulgated regulations that reduce access to abortion and contraception in the USA and globally. Although his effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act failed, he weakened its coverage and increased the number of uninsured people by 2·3 million, even before the mass dislocation of the COVID-19 pandemic, and has accelerated the privatisation of government health programmes. Trump’s hostility to environmental regulations has already worsened pollution—resulting in more than 22 000 extra deaths in 2019 alone—hastened global warming, and despoiled national monuments and lands sacred to Native people. Disdain for science and cuts to global health programmes and public health agencies have impeded the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, causing tens of thousands of unnecessary deaths, and imperil advances against HIV and other diseases. And Trump’s bellicose trade, defence, and foreign policies have led to economic disruption and threaten an upswing in armed conflict.

Ethical considerations of COVID-19-related adjustments to clinical research

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Nature Medicine
Volume 27 Issue 2, February 2021
https://www.nature.com/nm/volumes/27/issues/2

 

Comment | 25 January 2021
Ethical considerations of COVID-19-related adjustments to clinical research
Unexpected direct and indirect risks of participating in clinical trials have emerged during COVID-19 that investigators and institutional review boards may not be sure how to investigate. How should existing guidance and ethical frameworks for clinical trials be applied in a pandemic setting?
Nina S. Hsu, Saskia Hendriks & Christine Grady

Looking beyond COVID-19 vaccine phase 3 trials

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Nature Medicine
Volume 27 Issue 2, February 2021
https://www.nature.com/nm/volumes/27/issues/2

 

Perspective | 19 January 2021
Looking beyond COVID-19 vaccine phase 3 trials
A comprehensive strategy for the next steps to ensure vaccination of the global population against SARS-CoV-2 is now required, and key steps and challenges are detailed in this Perspective.
Jerome H. Kim, Florian Marks & John D. Clemens

A global survey of potential acceptance of a COVID-19 vaccine

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Nature Medicine
Volume 27 Issue 2, February 2021
https://www.nature.com/nm/volumes/27/issues/2

 

Brief Communication | 20 October 2020
A global survey of potential acceptance of a COVID-19 vaccine
Survey data from across 19 countries reveal heterogeneity in attitudes toward acceptance of a COVID-19 vaccine and suggest that trust in government is associated with vaccine confidence.
Jeffrey V. Lazarus, Scott C. Ratzan & Ayman El-Mohandes

Estimated impact of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on pneumonia mortality in South Africa, 1999 through 2016: An ecological modelling study

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PLoS Medicine
http://www.plosmedicine.org/
(Accessed 20 Feb 2021)

 

Estimated impact of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on pneumonia mortality in South Africa, 1999 through 2016: An ecological modelling study
Jackie Kleynhans, Stefano Tempia, Kayoko Shioda, Anne von Gottberg, Daniel M. Weinberger, Cheryl Cohen
Research Article | published 16 Feb 2021 PLOS Medicine
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1003537

Determinants of dentists’ readiness to assess HPV risk and recommend immunization: A transtheoretical model of change-based cross-sectional study of Ontario dentists

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PLoS One
http://www.plosone.org/
[Accessed 20 Feb 2021]

 

Determinants of dentists’ readiness to assess HPV risk and recommend immunization: A transtheoretical model of change-based cross-sectional study of Ontario dentists
Musfer Aldossri, Chimere Okoronkwo, Virginia Dodd, Heather Manson, Sonica Singhal
Research Article | published 17 Feb 2021 PLOS ONE
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0247043

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the utilization of routine immunization services in Lebanon

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PLoS One
http://www.plosone.org/
[Accessed 20 Feb 2021]

 

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the utilization of routine immunization services in Lebanon
Ziad Mansour, Jinan Arab, Racha Said, Alissar Rady, Randa Hamadeh, Bernard Gerbaka, Abdul Rahman Bizri
Research Article | published 17 Feb 2021 PLOS ONE
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0246951

Evidence-based interventions implemented in low-and middle-income countries for sickle cell disease management: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials

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PLoS One
http://www.plosone.org/
[Accessed 20 Feb 2021]

 

Evidence-based interventions implemented in low-and middle-income countries for sickle cell disease management: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Joyce Gyamfi, Temitope Ojo, Sabrina Epou, Amy Diawara, Lotanna Dike, Deborah Adenikinju, Scholastica Enechukwu, Dorice Vieira, Obiageli Nnodu, Gbenga Ogedegbe, Emmanuel Peprah
Research Article | published 17 Feb 2021 PLOS ONE
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0246700

Opinion: A better approach for dealing with reproducibility and replicability in science

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PNAS – Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
February 16, 2021; vol. 118 no. 7
https://www.pnas.org/content/118/7

 

Opinion
Leading scientists discuss current issues
Opinion: A better approach for dealing with reproducibility and replicability in science
Front Matter
James D. Nichols, Madan K. Oli, William. L. Kendall, and G. Scott Boomer
PNAS February 16, 2021 118 (7) e2100769118; https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2100769118
Science impacts our daily lives and guides national and international policies (1). Thus, results of scientific studies are of paramount importance; yet, there are concerns that many studies are not reproducible or replicable (2). To address these concerns, the National Research Council conducted a Consensus Study [NASEM 2019 (3)] that provides definitions of key concepts, discussions of problems, and recommendations for dealing with these problems. These recommendations are useful and well considered, but they do not go far enough in our opinion. The NASEM recommendations treat reproducibility and replicability as single-study issues, despite clear acknowledgement of the limitations of isolated studies and the need for research synthesis (3). We advocate a strategic approach to research, focusing on the accumulation of evidence via designed sequences of studies, as a means of dealing more effectively with reproducibility, replicability, and related problems. These sequences are designed to provide iterative tests based on comparison of data from empirical studies with predictions from competing hypotheses. Evidence is then formally accumulated based on the relative predictive abilities of the different hypotheses as the sequential studies proceed.

Global Transmission of Live Polioviruses: Updated Dynamic Modeling of the Polio Endgame

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Risk Analysis  
Volume 41, Issue 2 Pages: 223-406 February 2021
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/15396924/current

Global Transmission of Live Polioviruses: Updated Dynamic Modeling of the Polio Endgame
Dominika A. Kalkowska, Mark A. Pallansch, Steven G. F. Wassilak, Stephen L. Cochi, Kimberly M. Thompson

 

Pages: 248-265
First Published: 20 January 2020

Insights From Modeling Preventive Supplemental Immunization Activities as a Strategy to Eliminate Wild Poliovirus Transmission in Pakistan and Afghanistan

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Risk Analysis  
Volume 41, Issue 2 Pages: 223-406 February 2021
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/15396924/current

Insights From Modeling Preventive Supplemental Immunization Activities as a Strategy to Eliminate Wild Poliovirus Transmission in Pakistan and Afghanistan
Dominika A. Kalkowska, Kimberly M. Thompson

 

Pages: 266-272
First Published: 06 March 2020

Inferring the effectiveness of government interventions against COVID-19

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Science
19 February 2021 Vol 371, Issue 6531
http://www.sciencemag.org/current.dtl

 

Research Articles
Inferring the effectiveness of government interventions against COVID-19
By Jan M. Brauner, Sören Mindermann, Mrinank Sharma, David Johnston, John Salvatier, Tomáš Gavenčiak, Anna B. Stephenson, Gavin Leech, George Altman, Vladimir Mikulik, Alexander John Norman, Joshua Teperowski Monrad, Tamay Besiroglu, Hong Ge, Meghan A. Hartwick, Yee Whye Teh, Leonid Chindelevitch, Yarin Gal, Jan Kulveit
Science19 Feb 2021 Open Access
The effect of nonpharmaceutical interventions on SARS-CoV-2 transmission during the early phase of the pandemic is quantified.

Broad and potent activity against SARS-like viruses by an engineered human monoclonal antibody

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Science
19 February 2021 Vol 371, Issue 6531
http://www.sciencemag.org/current.dtl

Broad and potent activity against SARS-like viruses by an engineered human monoclonal antibody
By C. Garrett Rappazzo, Longping V. Tse, Chengzi I. Kaku, Daniel Wrapp, Mrunal Sakharkar, Deli Huang, Laura M. Deveau, Thomas J. Yockachonis, Andrew S. Herbert, Michael B. Battles, Cecilia M. O’Brien, Michael E. Brown, James C. Geoghegan, Jonathan Belk, Linghang Peng, Linlin Yang, Yixuan Hou, Trevor D. Scobey, Dennis R. Burton, David Nemazee, John M. Dye, James E. Voss, Bronwyn M. Gunn, Jason S. McLellan, Ralph S. Baric, Lisa E. Gralinski, Laura M. Walker

 

Science19 Feb 2021 : 823-829 Open Access
An affinity-optimized human monoclonal antibody displays broad in vivo efficacy in murine models of SARS and COVID-19.

Air travel and COVID-19 prevention in the pandemic and peri-pandemic period: A narrative review

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Travel Medicine and Infectious Diseases
Volume 39 January–February 2021
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/travel-medicine-and-infectious-disease/vol/39/suppl/C

 

Review article Open access
Air travel and COVID-19 prevention in the pandemic and peri-pandemic period: A narrative review
Michel Bielecki, Dipti Patel, Jochen Hinkelbein, Matthieu Komorowski, … Patricia Schlagenhauf
Article 101915

Strengthening screening for infectious diseases and vaccination among migrants in Europe: What is needed to close the implementation gaps?

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Travel Medicine and Infectious Diseases
Volume 39 January–February 2021
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/travel-medicine-and-infectious-disease/vol/39/suppl/C

 

Controversial Commentary
Short communication Open access
Strengthening screening for infectious diseases and vaccination among migrants in Europe: What is needed to close the implementation gaps?
Teymur Noori, Sally Hargreaves, Christina Greenaway, Marieke van der Werf, … Kevin Pottie
Article 101715

Modelling a cost-effective vaccination strategy for the prevention of varicella and herpes zoster infection: A systematic review

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Vaccine
Volume 39, Issue 9 Pages 1359-1472 (1 March 2021)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/vaccine/vol/39/issue/9

 

Review article Abstract only
Modelling a cost-effective vaccination strategy for the prevention of varicella and herpes zoster infection: A systematic review
Brent Hodgkinson, Tianjiao Wang, Joshua Byrnes, Paul Scuffham
Pages 1370-1382

Effect of Vaccine Direct Delivery (VDD) on vaccine stockouts and number of vaccinations: Case study from Bauchi State, Nigeria

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Vaccine
Volume 39, Issue 9 Pages 1359-1472 (1 March 2021)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/vaccine/vol/39/issue/9

 

Research article Abstract only
Effect of Vaccine Direct Delivery (VDD) on vaccine stockouts and number of vaccinations: Case study from Bauchi State, Nigeria
Ryoko Sato, Adam Thompson, Ibrahim Sani, Loveth Metiboba, … Vivian Odezugo
Pages 1445-1451

Botched Ebola Vaccine Trials in Ghana: An Analysis of Discourses in The Media

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Vaccines — Open Access Journal
http://www.mdpi.com/journal/vaccines
(Accessed 20 Feb 2021)

 

Open Access Article
Botched Ebola Vaccine Trials in Ghana: An Analysis of Discourses in The Media
by Esi E. Thompson
Vaccines 2021, 9(2), 177; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9020177 – 19 Feb 2021
In June 2015, proposed Ebola vaccine trials were suspended by the Ministry of Health of Ghana amid protests from members of parliament and the general public. Scholarship has often focused on the design, development, and administration of vaccines. Of equal importance are the […] Read more.

Assessment of Vaccine Hesitancy to a COVID-19 Vaccine in Cameroonian Adults and Its Global Implication

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Vaccines — Open Access Journal
http://www.mdpi.com/journal/vaccines
(Accessed 20 Feb 2021)

 

Open Access Article
Assessment of Vaccine Hesitancy to a COVID-19 Vaccine in Cameroonian Adults and Its Global Implication
by Jerome Nyhalah Dinga, Leontine Kouemou Sinda and Vincent P. K. Titanji
Vaccines 2021, 9(2), 175; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9020175 – 19 Feb 2021
Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in December 2019, no global consensus treatment has been developed and generally accepted for the disease. However, eradicating the disease will require a safe and efficacious vaccine. In order to prepare for the eventual development of a safe […]

Vaccine Hesitancy among Italian Patients Recovered from COVID-19 Infection towards Influenza and Sars-Cov-2 Vaccination

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Vaccines — Open Access Journal
http://www.mdpi.com/journal/vaccines
(Accessed 20 Feb 2021)

 

Open Access Article
Vaccine Hesitancy among Italian Patients Recovered from COVID-19 Infection towards Influenza and Sars-Cov-2 Vaccination
by Valentina Gerussi, Maddalena Peghin, Alvisa Palese, Valentina Bressan, Erica Visintini, Giulia Bontempo, Elena Graziano, Maria De Martino, Miriam Isola and Carlo Tascini
Vaccines 2021, 9(2), 172; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9020172 – 18 Feb 2021
We aimed to assess the attitude towards influenza and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccinations among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) recovered patients. We performed a cross-sectional study consisting of a standardized telephone interview carried out between September and November 2020 targeting […

COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Worldwide: A Concise Systematic Review of Vaccine Acceptance Rates

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Vaccines — Open Access Journal
http://www.mdpi.com/journal/vaccines
(Accessed 20 Feb 2021)

 

Open Access Review
COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Worldwide: A Concise Systematic Review of Vaccine Acceptance Rates
by Malik Sallam
Vaccines 2021, 9(2), 160; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9020160 – 16 Feb 2021
Utility of vaccine campaigns to control coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) is not merely dependent on vaccine efficacy and safety. Vaccine acceptance among the general public and healthcare workers appears to have a decisive role in the successful control of the pandemic. The aim [..