2020
Germline variant burden in cancer genes correlates with age at diagnosis and somatic mutation burden
Qing T, Mohsen H, Marczyk M, Ye Y, O’Meara T, Zhao H, Townsend JP, Gerstein M, Hatzis C, Kluger Y, Pusztai L. Germline variant burden in cancer genes correlates with age at diagnosis and somatic mutation burden. Nature Communications 2020, 11: 2438. PMID: 32415133, PMCID: PMC7228928, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16293-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAge groupsGermline variantsSomatic mutationsLate-onset cancerEarly-onset cancersCancer hallmark genesSomatic mutation burdenMutation burdenMalignant transformationCancer genesYounger ageGermline alterationsCancerVariant burdenBurdenAverage numberHallmark genesAgeNegative correlationStrong negative correlationMutationsPatientsGroup
2019
Transfer RNA methyltransferase gene NSUN2 mRNA expression modifies the effect of T cell activation score on patient survival in head and neck squamous carcinoma
Lu L, Gaffney SG, Cannataro VL, Townsend J. Transfer RNA methyltransferase gene NSUN2 mRNA expression modifies the effect of T cell activation score on patient survival in head and neck squamous carcinoma. Oral Oncology 2019, 101: 104554. PMID: 31887619, PMCID: PMC7273869, DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2019.104554.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAgedAged, 80 and overBiomarkersFemaleGene Expression Regulation, NeoplasticHumansKaplan-Meier EstimateLymphocyte ActivationMaleMethyltransferasesMiddle AgedNeoplasm GradingNeoplasm StagingPrognosisProportional Hazards ModelsSquamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and NeckT-LymphocytesYoung AdultConceptsT cell activation scoreT cell activation statusAdjusted hazard ratioPatient survivalHPV statusHazard ratioActivation statusActivation scoresKaplan-Meier survival curvesImmune checkpoint blockadeCox regression modelNeck squamous carcinomaPotential therapeutic targetT cell activationHNSCC patientsSquamous carcinomaPatient mortalityLonger survivalExhaustion groupsTherapeutic targetSurvival curvesSignificant associationMRNA expressionPatientsSurvival
2016
Vaccination strategies against respiratory syncytial virus
Yamin D, Jones FK, DeVincenzo JP, Gertler S, Kobiler O, Townsend JP, Galvani AP. Vaccination strategies against respiratory syncytial virus. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2016, 113: 13239-13244. PMID: 27799521, PMCID: PMC5135296, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1522597113.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRespiratory syncytial virusSyncytial virusVaccination strategiesAge-specific vaccination strategiesRSV vaccine candidatesSubstantial indirect protectionInfectious viral loadOngoing clinical trialsWeekly incidence ratesTargeting of childrenDifferent age groupsInfected childrenRSV vaccinationVaccination uptakeInfant hospitalizationViral loadVaccine mechanismVaccination programClinical trialsIncidence rateCommon causeRSV incidenceVaccine candidatesAge groupsRSV symptomsQuantifying Transmission of Clostridium difficile within and outside Healthcare Settings
Durham DP, Olsen MA, Dubberke ER, Galvani AP, Townsend JP. Quantifying Transmission of Clostridium difficile within and outside Healthcare Settings. Emerging Infectious Diseases 2016, 22: 608-616. PMID: 26982504, PMCID: PMC4806959, DOI: 10.3201/eid2204.150455.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsClostridium difficile infectionAsymptomatic carriersLong-term care facility settingLong-term care facility residentsHospital-onset Clostridium difficile infectionCare facility residentsEffect of hospitalCommunity-based transmissionCommunity sourcesAsymptomatic patientsCDI incidenceDifficile infectionFacility residentsPatientsControl interventionsDifficile prevalenceC. difficileClostridium difficileHealthcare settingsNational databaseQuantifying transmissionTransmission routesHospitalDifficileControl measures
2015
The Impact of Enhanced Screening and Treatment on Hepatitis C in the United States
Durham DP, Skrip LA, Bruce RD, Vilarinho S, Elbasha EH, Galvani AP, Townsend JP. The Impact of Enhanced Screening and Treatment on Hepatitis C in the United States. Clinical Infectious Diseases 2015, 62: 298-304. PMID: 26628566, PMCID: PMC4706637, DOI: 10.1093/cid/civ894.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHepatitis C virusInterferon-free DAAsHCV incidenceTreatment ratesChronic hepatitis C virusCases of cirrhosisInjection drug useImpact of administrationAnnual treatment ratesEnhanced screeningHCV prevalenceHCV screeningDecompensated cirrhosisHCV infectionHCV transmissionHepatitis CLiver transplantActing antiviralsLevels of screeningPatients 4C virusHepatocellular carcinomaEpidemiological dataUniversal screeningDrug useOptimizing age of cytomegalovirus screening and vaccination to avert congenital disease in the US
Alfaro-Murillo JA, Townsend JP, Galvani AP. Optimizing age of cytomegalovirus screening and vaccination to avert congenital disease in the US. Vaccine 2015, 34: 225-229. PMID: 26631416, DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.11.039.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdolescentAdultAgedAged, 80 and overChildChild, PreschoolCytomegalovirus InfectionsCytomegalovirus VaccinesDisease Transmission, InfectiousFemaleHumansImmunization ScheduleInfantInfant, NewbornInfectious Disease Transmission, VerticalMaleMass ScreeningMiddle AgedUnited StatesYoung AdultConceptsVaccine waningVaccine efficacyOptimal ageCMV vaccine candidatesLongitudinal clinical evaluationChild-bearing yearsYears of ageTransmission dynamicsCMV prevalenceCMV vaccinationCytomegalovirus ScreeningSeronegative femalesCongenital infectionCytomegalovirus infectionVaccine protectionSuch vaccinationClinical evaluationClinical trialsHearing lossVaccine candidatesVaccinationDemographic dataCongenital diseaseCognitive deficitsIndirect protection
2013
Optimal targeting of seasonal influenza vaccination toward younger ages is robust to parameter uncertainty
Mbah M, Medlock J, Meyers LA, Galvani AP, Townsend JP. Optimal targeting of seasonal influenza vaccination toward younger ages is robust to parameter uncertainty. Vaccine 2013, 31: 3079-3089. PMID: 23684837, PMCID: PMC3764605, DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2013.04.052.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOptimal vaccine allocationParameter uncertaintiesMathematical modelProbability distributionConsideration of uncertaintiesOutcome measuresVaccine allocationHuman population immunitySeasonal influenza vaccinationControl of influenzaUncertainty analysisFace of uncertaintyInfluenza vaccinationVaccine efficacySeasonal influenzaPopulation immunityUncertaintyEpidemiological dataHigh riskYounger ageYoung adultsEpidemiological parametersOptimal agePrevious recommendationsVaccine
2012
The influence of altruism on influenza vaccination decisions
Shim E, Chapman GB, Townsend JP, Galvani AP. The influence of altruism on influenza vaccination decisions. Journal Of The Royal Society Interface 2012, 9: 2234-2243. PMID: 22496100, PMCID: PMC3405754, DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2012.0115.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInfluenza vaccination decisionsVaccination decisionsImpact of altruismInfluence of altruismVaccination policyGame theoryPersonal payoffAltruismInfluenza vaccinationOptimal vaccination policiesDisease burdenPublic health outcomesHealth outcomesAltruistic motivationTotal costPolicyDecisionsEpidemiological modelPotential strategyPayoffsAssumptionSurvey studyMorbidityVaccinationFundamental assumptions