Impact of asundexian on a panel of coagulation assays.

Background: During the last few years, the small, oral, activated factor XI inhibitor, asundexian, has been investigated in different cardiovascular disorders. However, little is known about its impact on laboratory coagulation assays.

Objectives: To describe the effects of asundexian on a panel of laboratory coagulation assays.

Hydroxychloroquine use during the first COVID-19 wave: a case study highlighting the urgent need to enhance research practices within the publication ecosystem.

The rapid dissemination of scientific findings through media and social networks can profoundly impact public health policies and behaviors. However, the reliability of such data is crucial, as evidenced by significant cases like the retracted study on hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) during the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper examines the retraction of a widely publicized study by Pradelle et al.

Prescribing sustainability: should UN sustainable development goals be part of the medical, pharmacy, and biomedical education?

Introduction: How to adapt the curriculum of medicine, pharmacy, and biomedical sciences to prepare future health professionals to meet the challenge of maintaining quality care in a period of socio-ecological crisis? Addressing connections between humanity and sustainable environment should include an analysis of the reciprocal influence of various ecosystems, since it is now clear that healthcare systems have an impact on ecosystems and vice versa. Here, we propose that integrating the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the curriculum could be a first step in such a transversal education.

Methods: Members of the faculty of medicine at the University of Namur, Belgium, including teaching staff of the department of medicine, pharmacy, biomedical sciences and psychology, were invited to respond anonymously to a questionnaire about their views on the feasibility of integrating the SDGs into their teaching.

Lower reporting of venous thromboembolisms events with natural estrogen-based combined oral contraceptives compared to ethinylestradiol-containing pills: A disproportionality analysis of the Eudravigilance database.

Objectives: Pharmacovigilance data analysis can accelerate the identification of drug-related safety signals or reassure on the safety profile. This study evaluates the venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk of newer combined oral contraceptive (COC) formulations with natural estrogens, such as estradiol (E2) and estetrol (E4), using data from the EudraVigilance database.

Study Design: We conducted a disproportionality reporting rate analysis of VTE events associated with various COC formulations by extracting individual case reports from EudraVigilance database up to July 28, 2024.

Vaccine-induced humoral response of BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 against BA.1, BA.5, and XBB.1.5. (sub)variants 6 months after a homologous booster: is immunogenicity equivalent?

Introduction: Some studies suggest that the monovalent mRNA-1273 vaccine is more effective than BNT162b2 in producing higher levels of antibodies. However, limited data are available, and the methods used are not directly comparable.

Material And Methods: Blood samples were obtained before the booster (third dose) and after 14, 90, and 180 days in two similar cohorts who received the original BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273 vaccine designed to target wild type SARS-CoV-2.

Evaluation of Neutralizing Capacity of Tixagevimab plus Cilgavimab (AZD7442) against Different SARS-CoV-2 Variants: A Case Report Study with Comparison to a Vaccinated Population.

AZD7442 (150 mg of tixagevimab plus 150 mg of cilgavimab) has been approved for the preexposure prophylaxis of COVID-19 and for the treatment of adults and adolescents with COVID-19 who do not require supplemental oxygen and who are at increased risk of severe COVID-19. Thus, the aim of the present study is to evaluate the neutralizing capacity of tixagevimab and cilgavimab across different SARS-CoV-2 variants in two patients who received AZD7442 for immunoprophylaxis. A cohort of subjects ( = 45) who had received the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine has been included to compare these two preventive strategies.

Are natural estrogens used in contraception at lower risk of venous thromboembolism than synthetic ones? A systematic literature review and meta-analysis.

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) poses a significant global health challenge, notably exacerbated by the use of combined oral contraceptives (COCs). Evidence mainly focuses on the type of progestogen used in COCs to establish the increased risk of VTE with less data assessed on the type of estrogen used. This meta-analysis aims to assess the risk of VTE associated with COCs containing synthetic estrogens like ethinylestradiol (EE) versus natural estrogens like estradiol (E2).

Assessment of the neutralizing antibody response in Omicron breakthrough cases in healthcare workers who received the homologous booster of Moderna mRNA-1273.

Vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 were developed during the pandemic including the BNT162b2 and the mRNA-1273. We evaluated the levels of binding antibodies against the receptor binding domain and the levels of NAbs in individuals who developed a breakthrough infection after having received three doses of mRNA-1273. A total of 51 participants were included.

Neutralizing antibody response to XBB.1.5, BA.2.86, FL.1.5.1, and JN.1 six months after the BNT162b2 bivalent booster.

Objectives: An increase evasion of the SARS-CoV-2 virus toward vaccination strategies and natural immunity has been rapidly described notably because of the mutations in the spike receptor binding domain and the N-terminal domain.

Methods: Participants of the CRO-VAX HCP study who received the bivalent booster were followed up at 6 months. A pseudovirus-neutralization test was used to assess the neutralization potency of antibodies against D614G, Delta, BA.

Durability of humoral and cellular immunity six months after the BNT162b2 bivalent booster.

Studies about the duration of the humoral and cellular response following the bivalent booster administration are still scarce. We aimed at assessing the humoral and cellular response in a cohort of healthcare workers that received this booster. Blood samples were collected before the administration of the bivalent booster from Pfizer-BioNTech and after 14, 28, 90, and 180 days.

Challenges in Assessing COVID-19 Vaccines Safety Signals-The Case of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 Vaccine and Corneal Graft Rejection.

The rapid and large-scale roll-out of new COVID-19 vaccines has led to unprecedented challenges in assessing vaccine safety. In 2021, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) processed about 1.7 million safety reports related to COVID-19 vaccines in the EudraVigilance (EV) database and identified more than 900 potential signals.

Immunovirological and environmental screening reveals actionable risk factors for fatal COVID-19 during post-vaccination nursing home outbreaks.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination has resulted in excellent protection against fatal disease, including in older adults. However, risk factors for post-vaccination fatal COVID-19 are largely unknown. We comprehensively studied three large nursing home outbreaks (20-35% fatal cases among residents) by combining severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) aerosol monitoring, whole-genome phylogenetic analysis and immunovirological profiling of nasal mucosa by digital nCounter transcriptomics.

Peri-infection titers of neutralizing and binding antibodies as a predictor of COVID-19 breakthrough infections in vaccinated healthcare professionals: importance of the timing.

Objectives: The BNT162b2 messenger RNA vaccine is highly effective in reducing COVID-19 infection, hospitalization and death. However, many subjects developed a breakthrough infection despite a full vaccination scheme. Since the waned efficacy of mRNA vaccines is correlated with the decrease of antibodies occurring over time, we aimed at evaluating whether lower levels of antibodies were associated with an increased risk of breakthrough infection in a cohort of breakthrough subjects that received three vaccine doses.