2009. december 17., csütörtök

One-dose H1N1 flu vaccination

H1N1 vaccine production - Copyright: AP Three studies from the USA, China, and Hungary assess whether single-dose H1N1 influenza vaccine provides sufficient protection from infection in children and adults. These three trials are discussed in a Comment which compares methodologies and efficacy of treatment, and highlights population subgroups and vaccination priorities. An additional linked Comment examines the safety profile of influenza drugs from this new and important body of data.
Selected Online First articles from The Lancet journals ahead of print publication.
Melanoma skin cancer - Copyright: Science Photo Library
Ipilimumab for advanced melanoma
Randomised phase 2 study assesses the efficacy and safety of three doses of this monoclonal antibody as treatment for pretreated advanced melanoma.
Article The Lancet Oncology (online Dec 9)
Pharmacist prepares ARV doses - Copyright: Corbis
Monitoring antiretroviral therapy (DART)
A trial investigating whether routine toxicity and efficacy monitoring of HIV-infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy had an important long-term effect on clinical outcomes.
Article The Lancet (online Dec 9)
Elderly man with hot flush - Copyright: Science Photo Library
Prostate cancer and hot flushes
Comparison of cyproterone acetate, medroxyprogesterone acetate, and venlafaxine for preventing hot flushes in men treated with hormone therapy for prostate cancer.
Article The Lancet Oncology (online Dec 7)
  • H1N1 vaccination in USA
    Article The Lancet (online Dec 16)
  • H1N1 vaccination in Hungary
    Article The Lancet (online Dec 16)
  • H1N1 vaccination in China
    Article The Lancet (online Dec 16)
  • Leaked documents of WHO expert working group
    Editorial The Lancet (online Dec 15)
  • Blood culture
    Article The Lancet (online Dec 10)
  • Cancer survival in Africa, Asia, and Central America
    Article The Lancet Oncology (online Dec 10)
The Lancet's summary of news and developments across medicine
New PEPFAR plan

Barack Obama launched the 5-year strategy for the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) last week. The new plan will focus on transitioning from an emergency response to promoting sustainable country programmes. One of its aims is to support the treatment of 4 million people with HIV/AIDS, doubling the number supported by PEPFAR in its first 5 years.

Medical waste

Tonnes of medical waste have been found dumped in South Africa. Environmental officers unearthed used needles and syringes from several sites in the Welkom area, in what is being described as the biggest medical waste scandal in the country's history. The Department of Environmental Affairs said that the dumping sites were a significant health risk to businesses and communities.

Social care

20% of care homes for older people in England fail to meet the standard for social contact and activities, according to the Care Quality Commission. In a statement on the quality of adult social care, the Commission notes that, although there have been improvements in care, greater effort is needed to eliminate poor-quality services.

China HIV/AIDS ban

China is considering lifting its two-decade-old law banning people with HIV/AIDS from entering the country. The Ministry of Health is working with other central government departments to achieve this goal before the Shanghai Expo begins on May 1, 2010. This event is likely to attract 4 million overseas visitors next year.

More This Week in Medicine:

Most read in The Lancet journals in November 2009
1. Importance of background rates of disease in assessment of vaccine safety during mass immunisation with pandemic H1N1 influenza vaccines
Public Health (2009) Lancet (article in press)
2. 10-year follow-up of diabetes incidence and weight loss in the Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study
Article (2009) Lancet 374 (9702), pp. 1677-1686
3. Infection and death from influenza A H1N1 virus in Mexico: a retrospective analysis
Article (2009) Lancet (article in press)
4. Yearly influenza vaccinations: a double-edged sword?
Personal View (2009) Lancet Infectious Diseases 9 (12), pp. 784-788
5. H1N1 2009 influenza virus infection during pregnancy in the USA
Article (2009) Lancet 374 (9688), pp. 451-458

Nincsenek megjegyzések: