Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Research Roundup: Covid Vaccines; Knee Surgery; Autism; Gastric Cancer
New England Journal of Medicine: Effectiveness Of Covid-19 Vaccines Against The B.1.617.2 (Delta) Variant
Only modest differences in vaccine effectiveness were noted with the delta variant as compared with the alpha variant after the receipt of two vaccine doses. Absolute differences in vaccine effectiveness were more marked after the receipt of the first dose. This finding would support efforts to maximize vaccine uptake with two doses among vulnerable populations. (Bernal et al, 8/12)
New England Journal of Medicine: Clinical Features Of Vaccine-Induced Immune Thrombocytopenia And Thrombosis
Vaccine-induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (VITT) is a new syndrome associated with the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 adenoviral vector vaccine against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Data are lacking on the clinical features of and the prognostic criteria for this disorder. (Pavord et al, 8/11)
New England Journal of Medicine: Abelacimab For Prevention Of Venous Thromboembolism
This trial showed that factor XI is important for the development of postoperative venous thromboembolism. Factor XI inhibition with a single intravenous dose of abelacimab after total knee arthroplasty was effective for the prevention of venous thromboembolism and was associated with a low risk of bleeding. (Verhamme et al, 8/12)
JAMA Network: Association Between Prenatal Exposure To Antipsychotics And Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Preterm Birth, And Small For Gestational Age
Does prenatal exposure to antipsychotics increase the risk of preterm birth, small for gestational age, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or autism spectrum disorder (ASD)? In this cohort study of 411 251 mother-child pairs, there was not an increased risk of ADHD, ASD, preterm birth, and small for gestational age with prenatal use of antipsychotics. Maternal psychiatric disorders were associated with a significantly increased risk of ADHD and ASD, but not with preterm birth or small for gestational age in neonates. (Wang et al, 8/16)
The Lancet: Development And Validation Of Deep Learning Classifiers To Detect Epstein-Barr Virus And Microsatellite Instability Status In Gastric Cancer
Response to immunotherapy in gastric cancer is associated with microsatellite instability (or mismatch repair deficiency) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) positivity. We therefore aimed to develop and validate deep learning-based classifiers to detect microsatellite instability and EBV status from routine histology slides. (Muti et al, 8/17)
