UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL

A team flagged data-integrity issues in 130 studies by a biomedical researcher, Ahmed Abbas, and colleagues, published between 2014-2023. Concerns include odd statistics, unfeasible results, and duplicated text. Eleven studies have been retracted, impacting clinical practice. Women’s health specialists are developing strategies to prevent questionable data publication.

Patients hospitalized for COVID-19 show substantial cognitive decline 12–18 months post-hospitalization, comparable to 20 years of aging, with MRI and blood tests indicating brain injury markers and reduced brain volume. A trend toward recovery was observed in follow-up, supporting the hypothesis that brain injury in moderate to severe COVID-19 may be immune-mediated.

Infex Therapeutics dosed the first NCFB patient in a Phase IIa study of RESP-X, a potential first-in-class anti-virulence antibody to treat chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis patients, aiming to reduce exacerbations. The trial is a 12-patient, double-blind, placebo-controlled study at the NIHR Clinical Research Facility in Liverpool.

The “Training Course on Germline and Somatic Pharmacogenetics” on Sept 12-13 at Sa Manifattura, Cagliari, focuses on precision medicine's advantages via pharmacogenetics. Organized by Sigu, Sardegna Ricerche, and the University of Sassari, it aims to optimize therapies based on genetic profiles. The course, part of broader initiatives to advance pharmacogenetics in Italy, features top international experts like Sir Munir Pirmohamed. Topics include cancer and psychiatry applications, plus ethical-legal aspects.

Neeru Vallabh, PhD, discusses the burgeoning number of glaucoma cases worldwide and the push for earlier diagnosis through biomarkers. She highlights the need for predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine, potentially via metabolomics. Metabolomics, the analysis of metabolites, reflects physiological or pathological states and could provide new therapeutic targets. Techniques like mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy are used to study metabolomics. In glaucoma, metabolites like amino acids and lipids are altered, impacting mitochondrial function and retinal ganglion cells. Vallabh envisions applying metabolomics findings to clinical practice, aided by metabolite databases, to identify novel therapeutic targets.

UKRI India and the Government of India have jointly funded £19.4 million for research in farmed animal diseases, understanding geohazards, and sustainable materials. The collaboration includes projects led by UK and Indian researchers, focusing on improving farmed animal health, understanding geohazards, and developing sustainable industrial practices.

Bavarian Nordic A/S faces pressure to lower its mpox vaccine price for Africa, currently at $100-$141 per dose, as talks with agencies like Unicef aim to secure 12 million doses by 2025. Critics argue the high cost is prohibitive for African nations dealing with multiple health crises, urging discounts or generic production. Bavarian Nordic acknowledges pricing challenges but seeks a balance to ensure vaccine availability.