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MorningMed is the best way to keep up with the world of health and medicine through curated round-ups, useful insights and other practical resources.

The recent measles outbreak in Chicago, particularly affecting a migrant shelter, has raised concerns about the spread of the highly contagious virus. Most of the measles cases in Chicago have been linked to the migrant shelter, prompting swift action from the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH). In response to the outbreak, vaccination teams have been deployed to the shelter to screen residents for measles and administer vaccines. Over the weekend, nearly all shelter residents were assessed, and more than 900 individuals received vaccinations.

The FDA has granted accelerated approval for lisocabtagene maraleucel (liso-cel) as a CD19-directed CAR T-cell therapy for certain adults with relapsed or refractory CLL or SLL, marking a significant shift in treatment approach from continuous therapy to a potentially curative one-time personalized T-cell based approach. This approval follows positive findings from the TRANSCEND CLL 004 study, where liso-cel demonstrated a 20% complete response rate and a tolerable safety profile in patients who had received at least two prior lines of therapy.

The FDA has approved the first medication, resmetirom (Rezdiffra), for treating nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a liver inflammation condition linked to obesity and metabolic disorders. Resmetirom, taken orally daily, has shown promise in reducing fat accumulation in the liver and achieving NASH resolution with no worsening of fibrosis in clinical trials, offering new hope for patients with this previously untreated condition.

Two small clinical trials show promising results for treating glioblastoma, one of the deadliest cancers, using a modified version of CAR-T therapy. By targeting multiple proteins found in glioblastoma tumors and delivering the therapy directly into the cerebrospinal fluid, researchers observed tumor shrinkage and increased cancer-fighting immune cells, though long-term effectiveness remains to be determined.

Former Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines is part of a lawsuit against the NCAA, alleging Title IX violations due to transgender swimmer Lia Thomas competing in the 2022 championships. Gaines and other athletes express shock over sharing locker rooms with Thomas and contest Thomas' eligibility, seeking to prevent the NCAA from enforcing transgender athlete policies in future events in Georgia .

The availability of popular weight loss drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound remains a significant challenge for many individuals who could benefit from them due to high costs and limited insurance coverage. Despite being hailed as a revolution in obesity treatment, these medications are often financially out of reach for those who need them the most.

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Julia Hum's journey with severe obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has been marked by significant challenges, including self-harm and difficulty eating and drinking due to intrusive thoughts about contamination. However, innovative treatment with targeted deep brain stimulation has brought about transformative changes in her life.

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Is There a Doctor in the House?

A 5-week-old infant is brought to the office by his mother for an initial well-child visit. He was born at 37 weeks' gestation via cesarean delivery because of chorioamnionitis. The infant had fetal distress that was documented by fetal monitoring during labor. The mother became jaundiced in the immediate postpartum period and was found to have hepatitis C (HCV) and HIV infection. She is unaware of her hepatitis B (HBV) status but knows that her son received the hepatitis B vaccination on the second day of life. The infant's weight today is 3912 g (8 lb 10 oz); physical examination shows no abnormalities. The mother wants to know what chance her child has of having contracted HIV or HCV infection from her. The risk for vertical transmission of HIV is approximately 20%. The mother is advised, and appropriate management is planned for the infant regarding HIV. To determine the risk of HCV transmission, a recently published study of risk factors for perinatal transmission of HCV in 155 mothers coinfected with HIV and HCV is reviewed. Results of the study are shown:



Based on these data, which of the following is the most appropriate conclusion regarding the five potential risk factors for transmission of HCV?

The Allen Institute is embarking on a groundbreaking project to map the human brain, aiming to lay the foundation for understanding its functions and combating diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Led by interdisciplinary teams, this "moonshot" endeavor seeks to provide a comprehensive atlas of the brain's 86 billion neurons, potentially revolutionizing neuroscience and paving the way for targeted therapies. Through cutting-edge technologies and collaborations with neurosurgeons, the institute aims to unravel the complexities of brain function and unlock insights into human cognition and behavior.

Fungal infections, often overlooked, pose a significant global health threat, claiming more lives annually than tuberculosis or malaria. With factors like climate change and drug resistance exacerbating the danger, organizations like the WHO and CDC are sounding the alarm, urging research into treatments and vaccines. Despite challenges, efforts are underway, including the development of a groundbreaking vaccine for Valley fever, offering hope in the fight against fungal diseases.

A groundbreaking blood test called Shield, developed by California-based Guardant Health, shows promise in screening for colorectal cancer. While not intended to replace colonoscopies, the test offers a less invasive alternative that could encourage more people to undergo screening for this deadly disease. Dr. William Grady of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center led the research, which demonstrated that the Shield blood test is 83% effective in detecting colorectal cancers.

A study in South Korea found that interacting with a poodle named Aro led to increased relaxation while walking her, improved concentration while brushing her, and both effects while playing with her, as indicated by changes in participants' brainwaves. This research sheds light on the specific brain activity associated with interactions with dogs, suggesting that certain activities with dogs can enhance relaxation, emotional stability, attention, and concentration while decreasing stress and inducing positive emotional responses.

Thank you for reading! More next week,

My best wishes for a productive and idea-filled week ahead. Thanks for your ongoing efforts to improve the lives of the patients we all serve. Please send any news, comments, suggestions and ideas to hello@morningmed.email.

Quiz answer: The correct answer is C) "Infant HIV infection was the only significantly associated factor"

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