Snapshot of Science for April 2023

Welcome to our Snapshot of Science for April 2023.

Here's a quick look at some recent publications, press releases and stories about the Mass General Research Institute community.

In this issue we highlight:

27 new studies published in high-impact journals, along with 14 summaries submitted by the research teams
4 new research-related press releases
9 posts from the Mass General Research Institute blog
6 research spotlights

Publications

Ketamine Engages Different Neural Circuits to Produce Its Antidepressant and Dissociative Sensory Effects
Characterizing Brain Dynamics During Ketamine-induced Dissociation and Subsequent Interactions with Propofol Using Human Intracranial Neurophysiology
Tian F, Lewis LD, Zhou DW, Balanza GA, Paulk AC [et al.], Purdon PL
Published in Nature Communications on 29-Mar

QOL, Psychological Distress, and Physical Symptoms after CAR-T Treatment
Longitudinal Patient-reported Outcomes in Patients Receiving Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy
Johnson PCC, Dhawale TM, Newcomb RA, Amonoo HL, Lavoie MW [et al.], El-Jawahri A
Published in Blood Advances on 30-Mar

Dominance in the Biobank
Analysis of Genetic Dominance in the UK Biobank
Palmer DS, Zhou W, Abbott L, Wigdor EM, Baya N [et al.], Neale BM
Published in Science on 30-Mar

New Drug Delivery Platform Delivers Antibodies Using Bacteria
Engineered Escherichia Coli for the in Situ Secretion of Therapeutic Nanobodies in the Gut
Lynch JP, González-Prieto C, Reeves AZ, Bae S, Powale U [et al.], Lesser CF
Published in Cell Host Microbe on 31-Mar | *Summary available

New Assay Method to Detect Low Amounts of Pathogen cfDNA
Genome-wide Tiled Detection of Circulating Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Cell-free DNA Using Cas13
Thakku SG, Lirette J, Murugesan K, Chen J, Theron G [et al.], Hung DT
Published in Nature Communications on 31-Mar

Performance Measures Used in National Value-based Programs May Provide an Inaccurate Picture of Overall Hospital Quality
Effect of Medicare Advantage on Hospital Readmission and Mortality Rankings
Oseran AS, Wadhera RK, Orav EJ, Figueroa JF
Published in Annals of Internal Medicine on 1-Apr | *Summary available

New Insights into the Molecular Mechanism by Which Pyroptosis Is Activated
Shigella IpaH9.8 Limits GBP1-dependent LPS Release from Intracytosolic Bacteria to Suppress Caspase-4 Activation
Goers L, Kim K, Stedman TC, Canning PJ, Mou X [et al.], Lesser CF
Published in PNAS on 4-Apr | *Summary available

Locus Coeruleus MRI-measures May Identify Individuals At-risk for Alzheimer’s Early in Life
Ultra-high Field Imaging, Plasma Markers and Autopsy Data Uncover a Specific Rostral Locus Coeruleus Vulnerability to Hyperphosphorylated Tau
Van Egroo M, Riphagen JM, Ashton NJ, Janelidze S, Sperling RA [et al.], Jacobs HIL
Published in Molecular Psychiatry on 5-Apr | *Summary available

Stem Cell Treatment Contributes to Remodeling of Brain Microvascular Function in Cerebral Adrenoleukodystrophy
Hematopoietic Stem-cell Gene Therapy Is Associated with Restored White Matter Microvascular Function in Cerebral Adrenoleukodystrophy
Lauer A, Speroni SL, Choi M, Da X, Duncan C [et al.], Musolino PL
Published in Nature Communications on 5-Apr

A New Method to Promote Immune Tolerance without Harming Blood Cells
Selective Bcl-2 Inhibition Promotes Hematopoietic Chimerism and Allograft Tolerance Without Myelosuppression in Nonhuman Primates
Sasaki H, Hirose T, Oura T, Otsuka R, Rosales I [et al.], Kawai T
Published in Science Translational Medicine on 5-Apr

New Fluorescent Probes for Imaging in Live Cells
Light-Deactivated Fluorescent Probes (FLASH-Off) for Multiplexed Imaging
Halabi EA, Weissleder R
Published in Journal of the American Chemical Society on 5-Apr | *Summary available

Demonstration of the Complexity of Biological Determinants Underlying Immunotherapy Outcomes
Genomic and Transcriptomic Analysis of Checkpoint Blockade Response in Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
Ravi A, Hellmann MD, Arniella MB, Holton M, Freeman SS [et al.], Gainor JF
Published in Nature Genetics on 6-Apr

FDA Approval for Liso-cel as a New 2nd Line Treatment for Large B-cell Lymphomas
Lisocabtagene Maraleucel as Second-line Therapy for Large B-cell Lymphoma: Primary Analysis of the Phase 3 TRANSFORM Study
Abramson JS, Solomon SR, Arnason J, Johnston PB, Glass B [et al.], Kamdar M
Published in Blood on 6-Apr | *Summary available

Genetic Therapy Corrects Progressive Muscle Disorder in Mice
Correction of Clcn1 Alternative Splicing Reverses Muscle Fiber Type Transition in Mice with Myotonic Dystrophy
Hu N, Kim E, Antoury L, Wheeler TM
Published in Nature Communications on 7-Apr | *Summary available | Press Release

First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic Had Negative Health & Mental Health Effects on Group Home Workers
Group Home Staff Experiences With Work and Health in the COVID-19 Pandemic in Massachusetts
Donelan K, Wolfe J, Wilson A, Michael C, Chau C, Krane D, Silverman P, Becker JE, Cheng D, Cella E, Bird B, Levison JH, Skotko BG, Bartels SJ.
Published in JAMA Health Forum on 7-Apr | *Summary available | Press Release

Mapping Disordered Proteins in the Genome
DisP-seq Reveals the Genome-wide Functional Organization of DNA-associated Disordered Proteins
Xing YH, Dong R, Lee L, Rengarajan S, Riggi N, Boulay G, Rivera MN
Published in Nature Biotechnology on 10-Apr | *Summary available

New Function for DNA Repair Gene Uncovers Strategy for Breast Cancer Therapy
RFWD3 Promotes ZRANB3 Recruitment to Regulate the Remodeling of Stalled Replication Forks
Moore CE, Yalcindag SE, Czeladko H, Ravindranathan R, Wijesekara Hanthi Y [et al.], Elia AEH
Published in Journal of Cell Biology on 10-Apr | *Summary available

Clinical Trial for BRAF-mutant Solid Tumors Show Drug Combination Safe and Moderate Efficacy
Dose-escalation Trial of Combination Dabrafenib, Trametinib, and AT13387 in Patients with BRAF-mutant Solid Tumors
Mooradian MJ, Cleary JM, Giobbie-Hurder A, Darville LNF, Parikh A [et al.], Sullivan RJ
Published in Cancer on 11-Apr | *Summary available

Genetic Determinants of Aortic Function Influence Risk for Stroke and CAD
The Genetic Determinants of Aortic Distention
Pirruccello JP, Rämö JT, Choi SH, Chaffin MD, Kany S [et al.], Ellinor PT
Published in Journal of the American College of Cardiology on 11-Apr

Clonal Haematopoiesis Associated with Elevated Risk of Liver Inflammation
Clonal Haematopoiesis and Risk of Chronic Liver Disease
Wong WJ, Emdin C, Bick AG, Zekavat SM, Niroula A [et al.], Natarajan P
Published in Nature on 12-Apr

SARS-CoV-2’s Severity Waned between July 2021 and December 2022 Regardless of Vaccination Status
Severity of COVID-19-Related Illness in Massachusetts, July 2021 to December 2022
Azhir A, Strasser ZH, Murphy SN, Estiri H
Published in JAMA Network Open on 13-Apr

Palbociclib Not Effective at Treating Nonbreast Solid Tumors
Phase II Study of Palbociclib (PD-0332991) in CCND1, 2, or 3 Amplification: Results from the NCI-MATCH ECOG-ACRIN Trial (EAY131) Subprotocol Z1B
Clark AS, Hong F, Finn RS, DeMichele AM, Mitchell EP [et al.], Flaherty KT
Published in Clinical Cancer Research on 14-Apr

Maintenance Therapy with Ivosidenib to Prevent Acute Myeloid Leukemia Relapse
Multi-center Phase I Trial of Ivosidenib as Maintenance Treatment following Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for IDH1-Mutated Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Fathi AT, Kim HT, Soiffer RJ, Levis MJ, Li S [et al.], Chen YB
Published in Clinical Cancer Research on 18-Apr | *Summary available

ALD Mortality Rose in 49 of 50 States Between 2019-2020, with Disproportionate Impact on American Indian or Alaska Native Populations
Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease Mortality Rates by Race Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the US
Kulkarni NS, Wadhwa DK, Kanwal F, Chhatwal J
Published in JAMA Health Forum on 21-Apr | *Summary available | Press Release

Gout Affects More Asian Individuals in the US than Other Racial or Ethnic Groups
Trends in Prevalence of Gout Among US Asian Adults, 2011-2018
Yokose C, McCormick N, Lu N, Tanikella S, Lin K [et al.], Choi HK
Published in JAMA Network Open on 21-Apr

Novel Biological Pathways Underlying Cardiac Fibrosis
Genetics of Myocardial Interstitial Fibrosis in the Human Heart and Association with Disease
Nauffal V, Di Achille P, Klarqvist MDR, Cunningham JW, Hill MC [et al.], Lubitz SA
Published in Nature Genetics on 20-Apr | *Summary available

Most Detailed Characterization to Date of the Temporal Dynamics of Suicidal Thinking
Mapping the Timescale of Suicidal Thinking
Coppersmith DDL, Ryan O, Fortgang RG, Millner AJ, Kleiman EM, Nock MK
Published in PNAS on 18-Apr

Publication Summaries

New drug delivery platforms are vitally needed for the targeted delivery of high-specificity therapeutics to sites of disease to maximize their efficacy while limiting off-target side effects. To deal with this issue, we have generated a suite of engineered non-pathogenic bacteria that colonize the gut that secrete therapeutic payloads into their surroundings. As proof of concept, we have found that a variant of this strain that secrete antibodies that block a pro-inflammatory cytokine is as effective as systemically administered antibodies in a preclinical model of inflammatory bowel disease.

(Summary submitted by )

Hospital performance measures (e.g., mortality and readmission rates) used in national value-based programs are based on people enrolled in traditional (or fee-for-service) Medicare, but do not include patients with Medicare Advantage insurance plans, who now make up ~50% of Medicare. Our study finds that 1 in 4 “top-performing” hospitals, reclassify to a lower performance group when Medicare Advantage patients are included in hospital mortality and readmission metrics. These findings suggest that the performance measures used in national value-based programs may provide an inaccurate picture of overall hospital quality. In response, the federal government could consider methodologic changes to better capture hospital quality of care by including the full Medicare population.

(Summary submitted by Andrew Oseran, MD, MBA, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine)

Human intestinal epithelial cells act as our first line of defense against invading gastrointestinal pathogens. Upon the invasion of bacteria into their cytosol, these cells under an inflammatory programmed cell death via a pathway called pyroptosis. Pyroptosis is activated upon recognition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a major component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. Here, we demonstrate how Shigella species, a professional intracellular pathogen and the causative agents of bacillary dysentery, directly inhibit this process by secreting proteins into the host cell cytosol that specifically block the activity of host cell protein. This study provides new insights regarding the molecular mechanism by which pyroptosis is activated.

(Summary submitted by Kyungsub Kim, PhD, Infectious Disease Unit, Department of Medicine)

The locus coeruleus, a small region in the brainstem, accumulates abnormal tau proteins early in adulthood. This tau protein is one of the important causes of Alzheimer’s disease. In this study, we used ultra-high field MRI-methods to visualize the locus coeruleus in individuals between 30 and 85 years. We found that starting from age 55, lower locus coeruleus integrity – in specifically the upper part - was associated with an early variant of hyperphosphorylated tau in plasma and predicted lower cognition. These findings have important implications for the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease, as they suggest that locus coeruleus MRI-measures can identify individuals at-risk early in life.

(Summary submitted by Heidi Jacobs, PhD, Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology)

We developed a new set of fluorescent probes that will enable and speed up spatial biological investigation of human tissue. We describe different unique fluorochromes that can be used for staining and then be “erased” by a light pulse. This allows for sequential cycling of tissues. Importantly, the new technology allows multiplexed fluorescent imaging in live cells, tissues and other model systems.

(Summary submitted by Elias A Halabi, PhD, Center for Systems Biology)

Outcomes for patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma after frontline therapy are extremely poor using conventional chemotherapy treatments. We conducted a randomized phase 3 trial comparing the anti-CD19 CAR T-cell lisocabtagene maraleucel (liso-cel) with the decades-long standard treatment of intensive chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation. The primary analysis of our study conducted with a median follow-up of 18 months found Liso-cel to be significantly superior to the historic standard of care in terms of complete response rate, event free survival, and progression free survival. After adjusting for the confounding effect of built-in crossover, liso-cel was also associated with improved overall survival. These data resulted in FDA approval for liso-cel as a new 2nd line treatment for patients with primary refractory or relapsed large B-cell lymphomas.

(Summary submitted by Jeremy S Abramson, MD, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine)

In myotonic dystrophy type 1 (dystrophia myotonica; DM1), deregulated alternative splicing of the muscle chloride channel Clcn1 causes myotonia, a delayed relaxation of muscles due to repetitive action potentials. The degree of weakness in DM1 is associated with increased frequency of mechanically weak oxidative muscle fibers. In this study, we used a new mouse model of DM1 and therapeutic antisense oligonucleotide exon skipping of Clcn1 RNA to reverse myotonia and convert oxidative muscle fibers to mechanically stronger glycolytic fibers. Our results support the targeted treatment of myotonia as a way to increase strength and reduce muscle injury in patients

(Summary submitted by Thurman M Wheeler, MD, Department of Neurology)

This paper reports on the experiences of 1468 staff working in 411 group homes in Massachusetts after the first year of the COVID 19 pandemic. Group homes serve persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and serious mental illness who were at increased risk for serious illness and death. Our team conducted the survey as part of a study on preventing Covid-19 transmission and serious illness. More than half of the workers are persons who are Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino. Workers in these groups experienced increased serious effects of the pandemic in their families and on their own access to health and mental health services. Workers with less education and lower trust in their employers were less likely to accept vaccination early in the pandemic. The results underscore the importance of addressing the health needs of workers in order to protect the health of persons with needs for special care.

(Summary submitted by Karen Donelan, ScD, Mongan Institute Health Policy Center, Department of Medicine)

Nuclear proteins with intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) can play important roles in activating or repressing gene expression. However, not much is known about how these proteins are distributed in the genome and how they may help to regulate complex gene expression programs. In a recent study, we report a new assay that can produce genome-wide profiles of IDR-containing proteins (DisP-seq). This new technology shows that disordered proteins are arranged in peaks and large clusters that are associated with different types of chromatin states and regulatory elements and that can control the growth and differentiation state of cancer cells.

(Summary submitted by Miguel Rivera, MD, Molecular Pathology Unit, Department of Pathology)

When DNA replication forks are stalled by obstructing lesions, they can reverse into four-way structures that facilitate their repair. We have discovered a novel function for the ubiquitin ligase RFWD3, whose mutation causes the genomic instability syndrome Fanconi Anemia, in promoting the reversal of stalled forks. While reversal facilitates fork repair in normal cells, it can be a liability in cells deficient for the breast cancer predisposition genes BRCA1 and BRCA2. Interestingly, we have found that RFWD3 inhibition stabilizes forks in these cells. Protection of reversed forks may be a crucial early event in BRCA1/2-mediated tumor suppression. Fork protection is defective in BRCA1/2-mutant carriers, and RFWD3 inhibition represents a promising strategy to restore tumor suppression in these patients.

(Summary submitted by Andrew Elia, MD, PhD, Center for Cancer Research, Department of Radiation Oncology)

Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is a molecular chaperone that regulates the function of several client proteins critical for cancer cell growth and survival. Based on the mechanism of action, HSP90 inhibition coupled with BRAF-targeted therapy, an established treatment of BRAF-mutated tumors, was hypothesized to improve outcomes. In the CTEP 9557 study, 22 heavily-pretreated patients, primarily with BRAF-mutant colorectal cancer (CRC) or malignant melanoma, received escalating doses of the HSP90 inhibitor AT13387 along with BRAF-targeted therapy. The regimen was found to be safe with a modest efficacy signal and encouraging activity in the CRC cohort. Biomarkers analysis was unrevealing though future work will ideally identify tumor most sensitive to this approach.

(Summary submitted by Meghan J Mooradian, MD, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine)

Outcomes for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remain poor. The curative approach is hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) for most patients, although subsequent relapse is common. IDH inhibitors are a class of targeted oral drugs that inhibit an abnormal leukemogenic IDH protein in a subset of patients with IDH mutations. Trials of these agents have revealed tolerability and activity in relapsed/refractory patients and have been approved for use by the FDA. However, maintenance therapy with the IDH1 inhibitor ivosidenib to prevent relapse has not been adequately studied. In this phase 1 study, we evaluated ivosidenib as maintenance following HCT for AML, and found the agent to be well-tolerated. At the recommended phase 2 dose of 500mg daily, progression-free and overall survival for treated patients after transplant compared favorably to historical data. The results from this trial have substantial value in promoting a rationale to pursue more advanced-phase, larger clinical studies of maintenance ivosidenib.

(Summary submitted by Amir T Fathi, MD, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine)

Increased alcohol intake during the COVID-19 pandemic has led to rising alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) prevalence and declining US life expectancy. This study investigated ALD mortality at the state-level by race during the pandemic. ALD mortality rose in 49 of 50 states between 2019-2020, with the most disproportionate impact on American Indian or Alaska Native populations — their mortality was nearly 6x that of White people. This disproportionately high mortality reflects not just the pandemic, but a systemic failure of supportive health care and lack of critical resources for American Indian or Alaska Native populations which demand urgent action by public policy leaders.

(Summary submitted by Jagpreet Chhatwal, PhD, MGH Institute for Technology Assessment, Department of Radiology)

Fibrosis is a hallmark of many cardiovascular diseases, but the cellular and molecular mechanisms that contribute to it are not fully understood. We developed a machine learning model and measured magnetic resonance imaging-derived T1 time, a marker of cardiac fibrosis, in 41,505 UK Biobank participants. Cardiac fibrosis was associated with prevalent and incident cardiovascular disease, and type 1 diabetes was a potential causal mediator of fibrosis. In the first large-scale GWAS of cardiac fibrosis, we identified 11 genomic loci, 9 of which were implicated in in vitro cardiac fibroblast activation. Our findings yield insights into novel biological pathways underlying cardiac fibrosis for further investigation and potential therapeutic targeting.

(Summary submitted by Victor Nauffal, MD, Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine)

Press Releases

Study links higher blood levels of the “hunger hormone” ghrelin to subsequent weight gain in individuals with anorexia nervosa
Featuring Youngjung Rachel Kim, MD, PhD

In adolescent girls and young women with anorexia nervosa, higher blood levels of the “hunger hormone” ghrelin at baseline were linked with greater weight gain at 9- and 18-month follow-up visits. The findings provide a better understanding of body weight regulation in humans, which could lead to new treatments for eating disorders.

Genetic Therapy Corrects Progressive Muscle Disorder in Mice
Featuring Thurman Wheeler, MD

Researchers used a genetic therapy involving antisense oligonucleotides to restore muscle strength and correct myotonia, or muscle stiffness, in mice with myotonic dystrophy. The findings indicate that targeted treatments may reverse myotonia and benefit patients with myotonic dystrophy.

Study Finds Alcohol-related Liver Disease Soared in Nearly All States During the Pandemic, with One Race Particularly Affected
Featuring Jagpreet Chhatwal, PhD

American Indian and Alaska Native populations experienced during the pandemic nearly six times the mortality of white people from alcohol-associated liver disease, which is linked to excess alcohol consumption. That disproportionately high rate underscores the need for policymakers to focus on implementing universal alcohol screening and public awareness programs in states where the threat of alcohol-associated liver disease is greatest to mitigate the burden on the healthcare system.

The First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic Had Negative Health & Mental Health Effects on Group Home Workers
Featuring Karen Donelan, ScD, EdM

Survey results show that the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic had many serious health and social effects on staff working in group homes serving adults with serious mental illness and/or intellectual or developmental disability. The findings indicate that efforts are needed to support the well-being of group home staff members and to improve their access to health services.

Blog Posts

Break It Down For Me: David Sykes, MD, PhD

A new series that challenges Mass General researchers to break down the titles of their complex studies in ways the public can understand.

What’s The Path Forward: Overcoming Cyberbullying and Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion
Featuring Eugene Beresin, MD

How bullying, especially cyberbullying affects the mental health of children today.

Through the Magnifying Glass: The Pain and Neuroinflammation Imaging Lab
Featuring Marco Loggia, PhD

A close-up look at the Pain and Neuroinflammation Imaging Lab led by Marco Loggia, PhD.

Debunking Seven Common Misconceptions About Eating Disorders with An Expert
Featuring Kamryn Eddy, PhD

non-employees do not receive a W2 from the hospital. Only employees on direct MGH payroll.

Footnotes in Science: Q&A with Suzanne Koven, MD, MFA

Mass General Suzanne Koven, MD, MFA, discusses her recent perspective looking at the limited options medical residents who wish to get pregnant have.

Benchmarks for April 21, 2023

Benchmarks is your weekly dose of research news and notes from the Mass General Research Institute community.

Footnotes in Science: Q&A with Brandon E. Turner, MD, MSC

In this Q&A, we talk to Dr. Turner about his recent study on Race and Ethnicity Reporting and Representation in Pediatric Clinical Trials.

Autism Awareness Month: A Closer Look at the Research Efforts Happening at MGH

Featuring Michael Talkowski, PhD and Elise Robinson, ScD

In honor of Autism Awareness Month, we highlight the research efforts performed at Mass General to better understand autism from a genetics lens and provide new discoveries and research advancements to help individuals on the spectrum achieve their goals.

Lurie Center Hopes to Increase Biobank Representation of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Featuring Kelly Dakin, PhD

The Biobank has fewer than 100 samples from individuals with autism spectrum disorder, which limits the type of research that can be done.

Research Spotlights

Hospital at Home and The Next Frontier of Remote Patient Monitoring
Featuring Jared Conley, MD, PhD, MPH

Jared Conley, MD, PhD, MPH, an Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School and emergency physician at Mass General Hospital, is the corresponding author of a viewpoint article in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, “The Next Frontier of Remote Patient Monitoring: Hospital at Home.”

Accelerated Weight Gain in Infants with In Utero Exposure to Maternal COVID-19
Featuring Lindsay T. Fourman, MD and Andrea G. Edlow, MD

Lindsay T. Fourman, MD and Andrea G. Edlow, MD are co-authors of a new study in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Accelerated Longitudinal Weight Gain Among Infants with In Utero COVID-19 Exposure.

Potential Clinical Consequences of Court Case Seeking to Remove Requirement for Employer Coverage of PrEP
Featuring Anne Neilan, MD, MPH

Anne Neilan, MD, MPH, physician-investigator in the Department of Pediatrics and Medicine and an assistant professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, is the co-senior author of a new paper in Open Forum Infectious Diseases, Increased HIV transmissions with reduced insurance coverage for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis: Potential consequences of Braidwood Management v. Becerra

Identification of pre-infection markers and differential plasma protein expression following SARS-CoV-2 infection in people living with HIV
Featuring Steven Grinspoon, MD, and Marton Kolossváry, MD, PhD

Steven Grinspoon, MD, and Marton Kolossváry, MD, PhD, are co-authors of a new study in eBbiomedicine, Identification of pre-infection markers and differential plasma protein expression following SARS-CoV-2 infection in people living with HIV

Single Dose of HPV is Highly Efficacious in Protecting Young Women

Featuring Ruanne Barnabas, MD

Ruanne Barnabas, MD, chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases in the Department of Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, is the senior author of a recent abstract presented at International Papillomavirus Conference, “A Randomized Trial of Single-Dose HPV Vaccination Efficacy Among Young Women: Final Efficacy Results”.

Severity of COVID-19–Related Illness in Massachusetts, July 2021 to December 2022
Featuring Hossein Estiri, PhD and Azaleh Azir

Hossein Estiri, PhD, an assistant investigator in the Laboratory of Computer Science at Massachusetts General Hospital, along with Alaleh Azhir, a medical student at Harvard and MIT, co-authored a research letter in the journal JAMA Network Open, “Severity of COVID-19–Related Illness in Massachusetts, July 2021 to December 2022.”

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Snapshot of Science for April 2023