Snapshot of Science for July 2021

Welcome to our Snapshot of Science for July 2021

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:

22 new studies published in high impact journals, along with 18 summaries submitted by the research teams
16 new research-related press releases from the Mass General Public Affairs office
5 posts from the Mass General Research Institute blog

Publications

ROLE OF ADAMTS7 ENZYME IN CAD
Coronary Disease Association with ADAMTS7 Is Due to Protease Activity
Mizoguchi T, MacDonald BT, Bhandary B, Popp NR, Laprise D [et al.], Ellinor PT
Published in Circulation Research on June 28, 2021 | *Summary available

NOVEL SKIN PIGMENTATION MECHANISM DISCOVERED
NNT Mediates Redox-dependent Pigmentation Via a UVB- and MITF-independent Mechanism
Allouche J, Rachmin I, Adhikari K, Pardo LM, Lee JH [et al.], Roider E
Published in Cell on June 29, 2021 | *Summary available

PROTECTIVE COVID-19 VACCINE USING T CELLS
Structure-guided T Cell Vaccine Design for SARS-CoV-2 Variants and Sarbecoviruses
Nathan A, Rossin EJ, Kaseke C, Park RJ, Khatri A [et al.], Gaiha GD
Published in Cell on June 30, 2021 | *Summary available | Press Release

EHR DATA APPLICATION TOWARDS LUNG CANCER PROGNOSIS
Performance of a Machine Learning Algorithm Using Electronic Health Record Data to Identify and Estimate Survival in a Longitudinal Cohort of Patients with Lung Cancer
Yuan Q, Cai T, Hong C, Du M, Johnson BE [et al.], Christiani DC
Published in JAMA Network Open on July 01, 2021

HIGH-LEVEL PERSISTENT VIRAL DETECTION IN BLOOD OF COVID-19 PATIENTS
SARS-CoV-2 Viremia Is Associated with Distinct Proteomic Pathways and Predicts COVID-19 Outcomes
Li Y, Schneifer AM, Mehta A, Feldman-Sade M, Kays KR [et al.], Alexandra-Chloé V
Published in Journal of Clinical Investigation on July 01, 2021 | *Summary available

IMPACT OF PHYSIAN-DELIVERED COVID-19 MESSAGING
Effect of Physician-Delivered COVID-19 Public Health Messages and Messages Acknowledging Racial Inequity on Black and White Adults' Knowledge, Beliefs and Practices Related to COVID-19: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Torres C, Ogbu-Nwobodo L, Alsan M, Stanford FC, Banerjee A [et al], Duflo E
Published in JAMA Network Open on July 01, 2021

REDUCED OPIOID PRESCRIPTIONS LINKED TO BETTER POST-OP RECOVERY
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Patients are Prescribed Fewer Opioids at Discharge
Maurer, RL, Moheb ME, Cavallo E, Antonelli DM, Linov P [et al.], Ellis DB
Published in Annals of Surgery on July 02, 2021 | *Summary available

FINE NEEDLE TECHNOLOGY FOR CELL ASPIRATION
Rapid Serial Immunoprofiling of the Tumor Immune Microenvironment by Fine Needle Sampling
Oh J, Carlson JCT, Landeros C, Lee H, Ferguson S [et al.], Weissleder R
Published in Clinical Cancer Research on July 07, 2021 | *Summary available

cdRNAS PROPOGATE NEURONAL LOSS
Genome-encoded Cytoplasmic Double-stranded RNAs, Found In C9ORF72 ALS-FTD Brain, Propagate Neuronal Loss
Rodriguiez S, Sahin A, Schrank BRB, Al-Lawati H, Constantino I [et al.], Albers MW
Published in Science Translational Medicine on July 07, 2021 | *Summary available

GENE RESTORATION REVERSES ABNORMAL SOCIAL BEHAVIOR IN MOUSE MODEL OF AUTISM
Reduced Sociability and Social Agency Encoding in Adult Shank3-Mutant Mice Are Restored Through Gene Re-Expression in Real Time
Lee DK, Li SW, Bounni F, Friendman G, Jamali M [et al.], Williams ZM
Published in Nature Neuroscience on July 12, 2021 | *Summary available

NEW PET IMAGING TECHNIQUE TO DETECT irAE
Non-Invasive Detection of Immunotherapy-induced Adverse Events
Ferreira CA, Heidari P, Ataeinia B, Sinevici N, Sise ME [et al.], Mahmood U
Published in Clinical Cancer Research on July 12, 2021 | *Summary available

STUDY REVEALS INCREASED CARDIOVASCULAR RISK AMONG SOUTH ASIANS
Quantifying and Understanding the Higher Risk of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Among South Asian Individuals: Results From the UK Biobank Prospective Cohort Study
Patel AP, Wang M, Kartoun U, Ng K, Khera AV
Published in Circulation on July 12, 2021 | *Summary available

HLA PEPTIDE STABILITY AND HIV
HLA Class-I-Peptide Stability Mediates Cd8+ T Cell Immunodominance Hierarchies and Facilitates HLA-associated Immune Control of HIV
Kaseke C, Park RJ, Singh NK, Koundakjin D, Bashirova A [et al.], Gaiha GD
Published in Cell Reports on July 13, 2021 | *Summary available

INCREASED EARLY-ONSET COLORECTAL CANCER RISK ASSOCIATED WITH DIET
The Sulfur Microbial Diet Is Associated with Increased Risk of Early-onset Colorectal Cancer Precursors
Nguyen LH, Cao Y, Hur J, Mehta RS, Sikavi DR [at al.], Chan AT
Published in Gastroenterology on July 14, 2021 | *Summary available

BLOOD PRESSURE DRUG MAY BENEFIT NF2 PATIENTS
Losartan Prevents Tumor-induced Hearing Loss and Augments Radiation Efficacy in NF2 Schwannoma Rodent Models
Wu L, Vasilijic S, Sun Y, Chen J, Landeggar LD [et al.], Xu L
Published in Science Translational Medicine on July 14, 2021 | *Summary available | Press Release

SUCCESSFUL TRIAL DISPLAYS EFFECTIVE COVID-19 TREATMENT
Bamlanivimab Plus Etesevimab in Mild or Moderate Covid-19
Dougan M, Nirula A, Azizad M, Mocherla B [et al.], Gottlieb RL
Published in New England Journal of Medicine on July 14, 2021 | *Summary available

ANESTHETIC INDUCED TUMOR METASTASIS FOUND IN MOUSE STUDY
Anesthetic Propofol Promotes Tumor Metastasis in Lungs via GABA A R-Dependent TRIM21 Modulation of Src Expression
Liu Q, Sheng Z, Cheng C, Zheng H, Lanuti M [et al.], Xie Z
Published in Advanced Science on July 15, 2021 | *Summary available

MULTI-OMICS IMPACT ON IBD REMISSION
Multi-Omics Reveal Microbial Determinants Impacting Responses to Biologic Therapies in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Lee JWJ, Plichta D, Hogstrom L, Borren NZ, Lau H [et al.], Ananthakrishnan AN
Published in Cell Host Microbe on July 15, 2021 | *Summary available

BMI AND DIABETES RISKS IN LOW/MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES
Body Mass Index and Diabetes Risk in 57 Low-Income and Middle-Income Countries: A Cross-sectional Study of Nationally Representative, Individual-level Data in 685 616 Adults
Teufel F, Seiglie JA, Geldsetzer P, Theilmann M, Marcus ME [et al.], Manne-Goehler J
Published in The Lancet on July 17, 2021 | Press Release

MICROBIOME AND CELIAC DISEASE ONSET IN CHILDREN
Microbiome Signatures of Progression Toward Celiac Disease Onset in At-Risk Children in a Longitudinal Prospective Cohort Study
Leonard MM, Valitutti F, Karathia H, Pujolassos M, Kenyon V [et al.], Fasano A
Published in PNAS on July 20, 2021 | Press Release

Publication Summaries

It is difficult to find new drug targets for treating atherosclerosis. Population studies have identified many candidate genes associated with coronary artery disease (CAD), however it is challenging to translate these genetic findings into a new therapy. In our current work, we provide new evidence that the secreted enzyme ADAMTS7 is a tractable CAD target. Through generation of a catalytic mutant ADAMTS7 mouse, we found that genetic inactivation of ADAMTS7 enzymatic activity prevents the progression of atherosclerosis. These effects correlate with a protective human ADAMTS7 variant and suggest that therapies targeting ADAMTS7 catalytic activity will have beneficial effects.

(Summary submitted by Patrick T. Ellinor, MD, PhD, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine)

NOVEL SKIN PIGMENTATION MECHANISM DISCOVERED
NNT Mediates Redox-dependent Pigmentation via a UVB- and MITF-independent Mechanism
Allouche J, Rachmin I, Adhikari K, Pardo LM, Lee JH [et al.], Roider E
Published in Cell on June 29, 2021

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in humans and so far limited prevention strategies exist. Dark skin pigment offers the unique opportunity to protect the underlying tissue from harmful sunlight. Until today no skin cream exists that enables the treatment of hypopigmentation disorders or allows the increase of human skin color. This study reveals a distinct skin pigmentation mechanism, which has been tested in various in vitro and in vivo systems, human skin explants and a large, global SNP analysis, that will hopefully allow the use of a novel class of NNT-inhibitors for medical and cosmetic reasons.

(Summary submitted by Elisabeth Roider, MD, Department of Dermatology)

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants has created a new and challenging phase for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, we leveraged an approach developed for HIV known as structure-based network analysis to define mutationally constrained sites throughout the SARS-CoV-2 proteome. These regions were stable across circulating and emerging viral variants and the sarbecovirus subgenus to which SARS-CoV-2 belongs. We subsequently utilized a newly developed HLA class I-peptide stability assay to define putative T cell targets within these regions and validated their immunogenicity in patients who had recovered from COVID-19. Surprisingly, we found reduced recognition to these targets in recipients of mRNA vaccines. We are now leveraging these findings to develop a 2nd generation T cell vaccine to mitigate against ongoing SARS-CoV-2 evolution.

(Summary submitted by Gaurav D. Gaiha, MD, DPhil, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine)

This study shows that COVID-19 is not just a lung disease and that viral spread outside of the lungs can lead to tissue damage and an increased risk of death. In this study, researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital and Broad Institute demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 can be detected in blood in one third of patients presenting to an emergency department. High-level persistent viral detection in the blood was linked with a greater risk of severe disease and death. Furthermore, high levels of virus in systemic circulation were associated with evidence of multiorgan damage, including to the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, heart and dysregulation of the clotting system. This provides evidence that systemic spread of SARS-CoV-2 can lead to poor outcomes and highlights the importance of timely antiviral treatment.

(Summary submitted by Yijia Li, MD, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine)

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programs decrease inpatient opioid use, but their relationship with post-discharge opioid use has remained unclear. In this paper, we examined opioid prescribing patterns for patients undergoing hysterectomy, pancreatectomy and hepatectomy pre- and post- ERAS implementation at one tertiary care center. We matched pre-ERAS to post-ERAS patients on age, sex, prior opioid use, procedure type and pre-operative risk, among other factors. With 1,077 patients in each group, we showed that post-ERAS patients were prescribed significantly less opioids at discharge compared to matched pre-ERAS patients.

(Summary submitted by Lydia R. Maurer, MD, Department of Surgery)

We developed a multiplexed fine needle technology to aspirate cells directly from solid tumors without the need for invasive core biopsies or surgical excisions. This method facilitates comprehensive and quantitative assessment of immune biomarkers at the single-cell level within the tumor microenvironment when the samples are too scant to perform flow cytometry. Serial profiling is a conceptual and methodological advancement that allows early detection of changes induced within the tumor microenvironment by various therapeutics, providing a platform for the development and discovery of multi-dimensional scores and biomarkers for improved and timely prediction of treatment response.

(Summary submitted by Juhyun Oh, PhD, Center for Systems Biology)

cdRNAs PROPOGATE NEURONAL LOSS
Genome-encoded Cytoplasmic Double-stranded RNAs, Found In C9ORF72 ALS-FTD Brain, Propagate Neuronal Loss
Rodriguiez S, Sahin A, Schrank BRB, Al-Lawati H, Constantino I [et al.], Albers MW
Published in Science Translational Medicine on July 07, 2021

A telltale sign of viral invasion, double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), activates cellular alarm bells that touch off a firestorm of interferon. We found dsRNAs that arise from non-viral sources, including mutations in the C9ORF72 gene that cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), can also instigate harmful inflammation and neural cell death. We found dsRNAs mingling with pathologic TDP-43 inclusions in neurons in C9ORF72 mutation carriers who had died with ALS and frontotemporal dementia. A clinical trial will begin in late 2021 that will evaluate an FDA-approved drug that blocks interferon signaling in people with ALS or Alzheimer's disease.

(Summary submitted by Mark Albers, MD, PhD, Department of Neurology, McCance Center for Brain Health)

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder often display abnormal social behavior and difficulty in interpreting the experiences or emotions of others. They also often display preoccupation with self and have limited interest in others. Here, we used an autism-mouse model in which we disrupted a prominent autism-associated gene to demonstrate how disordered neuronal activity explains these social deficits. We also show that it is possible to restore normal neuronal activity and recover social behavior in adults through the targeted restoration of this gene in the prefrontal cortex of the brain.

(Summary submitted by Ziv Williams, MD, Department of Neurosurgery, Mass General Cancer Center)

NEW PET IMAGING TECHNIQUE TO DETECT irAE
Non-invasive Detection of Immunotherapy-induced Adverse Events
Ferreira CA, Heidari P, Ataeinia B, Sinevici N, Sise ME [et al.], Mahmood U
Published in Clinical Cancer Research on July 12, 2021

Cancer immunotherapy has markedly improved the prognosis of patients but can result in T cells attacking normal organs, frequently causing immune-related adverse events (irAE). We developed a novel class of PET imaging agents that allow non-invasive measurement of active granzyme B, an important mediator of T cell activity. We visualized, through granzyme B imaging in a mouse model and granzyme B analysis of human biopsy specimens, the T cell attack on normal organs in the setting of immunotherapy, paving the way for clinical studies to use this imaging approach to optimize individual patient monitoring.

(Summary submitted by Umar Mahmood, MD, PhD, Department of Radiology)

STUDY REVEALS INCREASED CARDIOVASCULAR RISK AMONG SOUTH ASIANS
Quantifying and Understanding the Higher Risk of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease among South Asian Individuals: Results from the UK Biobank Prospective Cohort Study
Patel AP, Wang M, Kartoun U, Ng K, Khera AV
Published in Circulation on July 12, 2021

South Asians are thought to experience heart attacks at a higher rate compared to other groups, and recent guidelines have designated South Asian ancestry as a 'risk enhancing factor' for cardiovascular disease. Within the UK Biobank, we found that South Asians experienced over double the risk cardiovascular disease compared to individuals of European ancestry, despite contemporary medical care. This risk difference was not captured by common heart disease risk calculators. After accounting for a range of known risk factors, South Asians still had about 1.5-fold increased risk of cardiovascular disease, suggesting something beyond traditional risk factors may be at play.

(Summary submitted by Aniruddh Pradip Patel, MD, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine)

Defining the principles that govern patterns of T cell targeting in virally-infected individuals could greatly accelerate the development of effective T cell-based vaccines. In this study, we describe a novel cell-based assay for 18 globally prevalent HLA class I alleles to assess the stability of HLA class I-peptide complexes. We validated this assay using known HIV T cell epitopes and found that viral peptides most frequently targeted by T cells were amongst the best stabilizers of HLA class I alleles. In addition, we found that HLA alleles associated with spontaneous HIV control were preferentially stabilized by epitopes derived from mutationally constrained regions of the viral proteome. We have since leveraged this platform to define key T cell targets in SARS-CoV-2 (Nathan, Rossin et al., Cell 2021) with plans to apply this approach to a broad array of pathogens.

(Summary submitted by Gaurav D. Gaiha, MD, DPhil, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine)

INCREASED EARLY-ONSET CRC RISK ASSOCIATED WITH DIET
The Sulfur Microbial Diet Is Associated with Increased Risk of Early-onset Colorectal Cancer Precursors
Nguyen LH, Cao Y, Hur J, Mehta RS, Sikavi DR [at al.], Chan AT
Published in Gastroenterology on July 14, 2021

Early-onset colorectal cancer (CRC) before age 50 years is rising for largely unknown reasons, and emerging evidence suggests CRC risk attributable to diet may be partially mediated through activities of gut microbial communities and bacterial sulfur metabolism. Long-term adherence to a sulfur microbial diet, a pattern of intake linked to 43 gut microbes associated with sulfur metabolism, may increase risk for CRC precursor lesions before age 50, and risk may begin as early as adolescence. These findings support a relationship between diet-induced alterations of the gut microbiome and risk for precancerous lesions in younger populations.

(Summary submitted by Long Nguyen, MD, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine)

Our research indicates that the blood pressure drug losartan may benefit patients with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), a hereditary condition associated with vestibular schwannomas, or noncancerous tumors along the nerves in the brain involved with hearing and balance. The findings published in Science Translational Medicine, are important because vestibular schwannomas are currently treated with surgery and radiation therapy (both of which carry risks of nerve damage), and no drug is approved by the FDA to treat these tumors or their associated hearing loss.

(Summary submitted by Lei Xu, MD, PhD, Department of Radiation Oncology)

Mass General was the lead site in this multicenter phase 3 trial that enrolled just over 1,000 high risk people with new mild to moderate COVID-19 and treated them with a combination of monoclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 called bamlanivimab and etesevimab. The goal of the trial was to provide people with a huge increase in anti-viral antibodies early in infection to prevent the disease from getting worse. The trial was very successful and was the first to show that a treatment for COVID-19 could decrease hospitalizations and deaths from the infection.

(Summary submitted by Michael Dougan, MD, PhD, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine)

Propofol is one of the most used surgical anesthetics. In the present study, we demonstrated that propofol activates the GABA receptor, a chemical messenger that reduces activity among neurons to which it binds, in tumor cells to decrease tripartite motif 21, an enzyme that regulates innate immune responses. This leads to an increase in the protein Src, which enhances the adhesion and extension of the tumor cells and causes tumor metastasis in lungs of mice. Inhibition of Src attenuated those effects of propofol. The clinical relevance of those findings remains to be investigated.

(Summary submitted by Zhongcong Xie, MD, PhD, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine)

Multiple biologic therapies are available to treat Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. However, there are no existing tools that can determine which treatment is likely to work for which patient. From a prospective cohort of patients initiating one of three different types of treatment for these diseases, we identify specific microbiome features in the stool that could predict whether an individual was more likely to respond to a particular type of treatment. Some of these features were linked to bile acid metabolism. We also identified similar informative features in the blood. Such tools represent progress towards personalized treatment algorithms for these complex diseases.

(Summary submitted by Ashwin Ananthakrishnan, MBBS, MPH, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine)

BIOLOGIC DRUGS FROM THE PUBLIC SECTORS
Public-Sector Contributions to Novel Biologic Drugs
Nayak RK, Lee CC, Avorn J, Kesselheim AS
Published in JAMA Internal Medicine on July 19, 2021

Biologics have revolutionized medical treatments from autoimmune conditions to cancer. However, they often come with hefty price tags. We reviewed the research and development landscape for biologic drugs by examining patent and drug development histories for novel biologics approved by the FDA over a decade (2008-2017). We found that 42% of these drugs had patent ownership or direct financing of its development by public-sector research institutions such as universities, academic medical centers or government agencies, a far higher proportion than previously appreciated. These biologics were more likely to receive expedited FDA approval and treat rare diseases, suggesting a clinical importance. As U.S. taxpayers have supported the development of a substantial proportion of biologic drugs, it raises questions on whether the public is getting a fair price for its investment.

(Summary Submitted by Rahul Nayak, MD, Department of Medicine)

CANCER CELLS IN LYMPH NODES ALTER CRITICAL FUNCTIONS OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEMS
Solid Stress Impairs Lymphocyte Infiltration into Lymph-node Metastases
Jones D, Wang Z, Chen IX, Zhang S, Banerji R [et al.], Padera TP
Published in Nature Biomedical Engineering on July 19, 2021

We know that lymph nodes are often the first place cancer spreads as it progresses. We also know that our immune system can attack and kill cancer cells. Paradoxically, lymph nodes are critical organs that generate these immune responses. So we asked how can organs that generate our immune responses (lymph nodes) permit cancer cells to survive and take them over instead of attacking them? We found that as cancer cells grow in lymph nodes, they reorganize and alter the lymph node, disabling critical functional responses of the immune system. By understanding how cancer cells are disabling lymph node function, we hope to fight back to help the lymph nodes generate anti-cancer immune responses, which will help fight cancer cells everywhere in the body.

(Summary Submitted by Timothy P. Padera, PhD, Department of Radiation Oncology)

Press Releases

Researchers Find Potential Path to a Broadly Protective COVID-19 Vaccine Using T Cells
Featuring Gaurav Gaiha, MD, DPhil, and Elizabeth Rossin, MD, PhD

Using a method developed for HIV, researchers have identified stable T cell vaccine targets in SARS-CoV-2. The results provide a path forward for a broadly protective COVID-19 T cell vaccine.

About Half of People Living with HIV Have Coronary Artery Plaque Despite Low Cardiac Risk
Featuring Steven Grinspoon, MD, and Michael Lu, MD, MPH

Higher levels of plaque in people with HIV can be partly traced to the nontraditional risk factors of increased arterial inflammation and immune system activation.

Biochemical Pathway to Skin Darkening Holds Implications for Prevention of Skin Cancer
Featuring David Fisher, MD, PhD

Inhibition of a key enzyme involved in the production of melanin, NNT, resulted in skin darkening and greater ultraviolet (UV) light protection in human and mouse models. This mechanism could open the door, after additional safety assessments, to small molecule topical agents offering UV light protection against skin cancers and the ability to treat pigmentary disorders.

Study Reveals Source of Remarkable Memory of “Superagers”
Featuring Yuta Katsumi, PhD, and Alexandra Touroutoglou, PhD

“Superagers” who performed a challenging memory task in an MRI scanner were able to learn and recall new information as well as 25-year-old participants. In the future, interventions to train specific areas of the brain to be more efficient may enable normal aging adults to enhance memory and other cognitive functions.

Doctors Warn Against Off-Label Use of New Alzheimer’s Drug for Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy
Featuring Steven Greenberg, MD, PhD

There is no clinical evidence that the monoclonal antibody aducanumab is beneficial to patients with cerebral amyloid angiopathy. Concerns exist over safety and efficacy in recommending that aducanumab not be prescribed off-label by physicians for the treatment of cerebral amyloid angiopathy.

Changes in Gut Microbiome in Longitudinal Study of Infants Precede Onset of Celiac Disease
Featuring Alessio Fasano, MD, and Maureen Leonard, MD, MMSc

Researchers identified changes in the gut microbiomes (collection of microorganisms) and metabolomes (molecular components of cells and tissues) of infants that occurred months before celiac disease onset.

Researchers Identify Signaling Molecule That May Help Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease
Featuring Cameron McAlpine, PhD, and Rudolph Tanzi, PhD

New research reveals that a subset of astrocytes releases a molecule, called interleukin-3, that instructs microglia to adopt a protective response and clear away amyloid beta deposits and tau tangles.

Antihypertension Drug May Help Patients with Noncancerous Brain Tumors Affecting Hearing
Featuring Lei Xu, MD, PhD

New research indicates that the blood pressure drug losartan may benefit patients with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), a hereditary condition associated with vestibular schwannomas, or noncancerous tumors along the nerves in the brain involved with hearing and balance.

Pandemic of Antibiotic Resistance Is Killing Children in Bangladesh, Researchers Find
Featuring Jason Harris, MD

Resistance to antibiotics is common and often deadly among children with pneumonia in Bangladesh. This study offers an early warning that a pandemic of potentially deadly antibiotic resistance is underway and could spread around the globe.

Body Mass Index as a Risk Factor for Diabetes Varies Throughout the World
Featuring Jennifer Manne-Goehler, MD, ScD

The study, the first of its kind, found substantial regional differences in the association between BMI and diabetes risk. Across all low- and middle-income countries, people with a BMI of 23 kg/m2 or greater had an increased risk of diabetes.

Researchers Discover How Cancer Cells That Spread to Lymph Nodes Avoid Immune Destruction
Featuring Timothy P. Padera, PhD

New research provides insights on why cancer cells that spread to lymph nodes can often avoid being eliminated by immune cells. The blood pressure drug losartan may help overcome this immune evasion.

Patients May Face Barriers Due to Race, Ethnicity and Language at Hospital Discharge
Featuring Joseph Betancourt, MD

A new study by research, quality improvement and health equity experts lays out the challenges of achieving equity for diverse patients in communication at hospital discharge.

Second COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine Dose Found Safe Following Allergic Reactions to First Dose
Featuring Aleena Banerji, MD, and Kimberly Blumenthal, MD, MSc

In a multi-hospital analysis of individuals who experienced an allergic reaction to their first mRNA COVID-19 vaccine dose, all patients who went on to receive a second dose tolerated it without complications.

Stroke Researchers Map Sex-related Differences in Stroke Severity, Outcomes
Featuring Natalia S. Rost, MD, MPH, FAAN, FAHA

Outcomes after acute ischemic strokes are linked to sex-specific patterns in how and where brain lesions—areas of damaged tissue—occur.

Studies Uncover Details of “Exhausted” Immune Cells in Patients with Chronic Infections
Featuring Georg M. Lauer, MD, PhD, and Debattama Sen, PhD

Chronic viral infections and cancer can cause “killer” T cells in the immune system to take on a state of dysfunction or exhaustion whereby they can no longer react to infectious invaders or abnormal cells like normal “memory” T cells. Two new studies provide insights into T cell exhaustion, which could lead to potential strategies to overcome it.

Preventing Childhood Obesity Requires Changes in Parents’ and Clinicians’ Early-Life Care
Featuring Elsie Taveras, MD, MPH

A study targeted to changing health behaviors of low-income mothers-to-be and the practices of clinicians who care for pregnant women and infants resulted in less excess weight gain in infants.

Blog Posts

One More Question: A Mass General Research Fellow's Prizewinning Essay on Health Equity
Featuring Trisha Pasricha, MD

Dr. Trisha Pasricha shares an eye-opening patient experience that illustrated the stark effect of COVID-19 disparities.

Introducing the 2021 Mass General Research Institute Image Awards

Mass General Research Institute (MGRI) introduces the new categories and contest rules for the 2021 MGRI Image Awards!

Revisions to State Licensing Questions Could Help More Doctors Access Mental Health Services

Changing the scope and nature of questions about mental health on licensing applications could make doctors more comfortable seeking care.

Tips to Help Scientists Get the Most out of Twitter

Twitter can be a great platform for scientists to connect with colleagues, start new collaborations and engage with the public.

3 Key Reasons Why Clinician Involvement in Innovation is Important

The leaders of the Magic Wand Initiative at Mass General detail the key role that doctors have in developing new products for patients.

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Snapshot of Science for July 2021