GRT-R910: a self-amplifying mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine boosts immunity for ≥6 months in previously-vaccinated older adults.

SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in high levels of morbidity and mortality world-wide, and severe complications can occur in older populations. Humoral immunity induced by authorized vaccines wanes within 6 months, and frequent boosts may only offer transient protection. GRT-R910 is an investigational self-amplifying mRNA (samRNA)-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccine delivering full-length Spike and selected conserved non-Spike T cell epitopes. This study reports interim analyses for a phase I open-label dose-escalation trial evaluating GRT-R910 in previously vaccinated healthy older adults (NCT05148962). Primary endpoints of safety and tolerability were assessed. Most solicited local and systemic adverse events (AEs) following GRT-R910 dosing were mild to moderate and transient, and no treatment-related serious AEs were observed. The secondary endpoint of immunogenicity was assessed via IgG binding assays, neutralization assays, interferon-gamma ELISpot, and intracellular cytokine staining. Neutralizing antibody titers against ancestral Spike and variants of concern were boosted or induced by GRT-R910 and, contrasting to authorized vaccines, persisted through at least 6 months after the booster dose. GRT-R910 increased and/or broadened functional Spike-specific T cell responses and primed functional T cell responses to conserved non-Spike epitopes. This study is limited due to small sample size, and additional data from ongoing studies will be required to corroborate these interim findings.

Design and implementation considerations for virtual reality in human services

The special issue of the Journal of Technology and Human Services. The special issue titled Design and Implementation Considerations for Virtual Reality (VR) in Human Services aims to provide crucial considerations, strategies, findings, and lessons learned for researchers or clinicians looking to imbed VR technology into their practice. This special issue highlights the challenges and barriers when developing VR technologies, including hard-to-reach populations, collaborating with other disciplines, and navigating situations such as distance learning and new safety protocols posed by COVID-19. In addition, the special issue discusses the importance of ethically developing VR to address these challenges and how VR technology can be both designed and implemented in a fashion that is forward looking, effective, and leveraged beyond "technology for technology's sake." As highlighted in the six articles featured in this special issue, there are numerous design and implementation considerations when developing VR tools for human services. This special issue highlights the importance of using evidence-based theories to guide the development of VR technologies within the realm of human services. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)

The COVID-19 Pandemic: Crisis Management for Plastic Surgeons.

The worldwide outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has forced health care systems across the United States to undertake broad restructuring to address the ongoing crisis. The framework of crisis management can assist plastic surgeons navigate the dynamic environment of the COVID-19 pandemic. This article outlines crisis management tools at a number of different levels, from hospital-wide to plastic surgeon-specific, and it offers a practical discussion of the coronavirus situation as it affects plastic surgeons. Although there are innumerable ways that this virus is currently changing plastic surgeons' practices, it is crucial to remember that these changes are temporary, and they will be best met by being confronted head-on.