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Hot Topics of the Day|PHGKB
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06/10/2021

Hot Topics of the Day are picked by experts to capture the latest information and publications on public health genomics and precision health for various diseases and health topics. Sources include published scientific literature, reviews, blogs and popular press articles.

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Decreases in COVID-19 Cases, Emergency Department Visits, Hospital Admissions, and Deaths Among Older Adults Following the Introduction of COVID-19 Vaccine — United States, September 6, 2020–May 1, 2021
A Christie et al, CDC MMWR, June 8, 2021

By May 1, 2021, 82%, 63%, and 42% of adults aged =65, 50–64, and 18–49 years, respectively, had received =1 vaccine dose. From November 29–December 12, 2020 to April 18–May 1, 2021, the rate ratios of COVID-19 incidence, emergency department visits, hospital admissions, and deaths among adults aged =65 years (=70 years for hospitalizations) to adults aged 18–49 years declined 40%, 59%, 65%, and 66%, respectively.

Genomic Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 Variants Circulating in the United States, December 2020–May 2021
P Paul et a, CDC MMWR, June 10, 2021

CDC’s genomic surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 variants generates population-based estimates of the proportions of variants among all SARS-CoV-2 infections in the United States. During April 11–24, 2021, the B.1.1.7 and P.1 variants represented an estimated 66.0% and 5.0% of U.S. infections, respectively, demonstrating the potential for new variants to emerge and become predominant.

More transmissible, wilier variant makes Covid-19 vaccinations even more crucial, experts say
A Joseph, Stat News, June 10, 2021

Relevance of prediction scores derived from the SARS-CoV-2 first wave, in the UK COVID-19 second wave, for early discharge, severity and mortality: a PREDICT COVID UK prospective observational cohort study
H Ghani et al, MEDRXIV, June 9, 2021

High throughput sequencing based detection of SARS-CoV-2 prevailing in wastewater of Pune, West India
T Darmadhikari et al, MEDRXIV, June 9, 2021

Prevention and Attenuation of COVID-19 by BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 Vaccines
MG Thompson et al, MEDRXIV, June 9, 2021

A Chinese host genetic study discovered type I interferons and causality of cholesterol levels and WBC counts on COVID-19 severity
H Zhu et al, MEDRXIV, June 9, 2021

Operationalizing a routine wastewater monitoring laboratory for SARS-CoV-2
RS Kantor et al, MEDRXIV, June 9, 2021

Identifying and Tracking SARS-CoV-2 Variants - A Challenge and an Opportunity.
Becker Scott J et al. The New England journal of medicine 2021 6

Even as these variants expose the weaknesses in our laboratory infrastructure, new investments create the potential for designing a stronger public health system for the future. Funding designated for increasing our understanding of SARS-CoV-2 variants could be used in ways that would help guide the current pandemic response and yield benefits for years to come.

Vaccine Breakthrough Infections with SARS-CoV-2 Variants.
Hacisuleyman Ezgi et al. The New England journal of medicine 2021 4 (23) 2212-2218

We describe two fully vaccinated persons in whom subsequent breakthrough infections with SARS-CoV-2 variants harboring a number of substitutions of interest developed. Our observations provide support for current strategies to monitor multiple variables proactively. These strategies include viral testing of symptomatic and asymptomatic persons, sequencing of viral RNA, and monitoring of neutralizing antibody titers, particularly in vaccinated persons who subsequently become infected.

Cost or price of sequencing? Implications for economic evaluations in genomic medicine
SD Grosse et al, Genetics in Medicine, June 10, 2021

Economic evaluations of diagnostic strategies that involve gene sequencing face specific costing challenges. Because of the rapid pace of technological progress in genomics, cost estimates can soon become outdated, and the appropriate comparator strategy may change with evolving standards of care. Consequently, CEA estimates may function as snapshots, and regular updating of estimates may be needed to take account of new technologies and changes in relative prices.

What should be the public health priorities in genomics and precision medicine in the next decade?
M Khoury et al, CDC Blog Post, June 9, 2021 Brand

The CDC Office of Genomics and Precision Public Health is undergoing strategic planning to identify major opportunities for impact of public health action in human genomics and precision medicine in the next decade. As part of this process, we interviewed nine persons external to CDC from diverse backgrounds and organizations that represent the leading edge of human genomics in health practice.

Expanding Discovery in Cardiovascular Genome-Wide Association Studies
P Natarajan et al, JAMA Cardiology, June 9, 2021

Genome-wide association studies of individuals of African ancestry typically living in the US are uncommon, yet they have yielded high-impact observations, including the discovery that PCSK9 loss-of-function mutations protect against coronary artery disease. Genome-wide association studies of individuals living in Africa are even rarer, representing approximately 0.4% of GWAS participants.

To benefit diverse groups, AI must address bias, researchers say
J Lee, Stanford Scope Blog, June 8, 2021

Artificial intelligence has the potential to transform health and medicine, from improving access to mental health care to tagging molecular details in tumor images. AI algorithms can spot patterns in massive troves of data -- even better than humans, in some cases. These technologies, however, are susceptible to bias. Biases in sex, gender and race within datasets can produce models that are poor predictors for certain groups, and the use of such biased models could exacerbate existing structural health disparities.

Recent Advances in the Treatment of Melanoma.
Curti Brendan D et al. The New England journal of medicine 2021 6 (23) 2229-2240

The frequency of melanoma continues to increase, yet the lethality of advanced disease has decreased in the past 10 years. Insights gained from studies of melanoma have led to a deeper understanding of antitumor immune responses and have established immunotherapy as one of the main approaches to cancer treatment.


Disclaimer: Articles listed in Hot Topics of the Day are selected by Public Health Genomics Branch to provide current awareness of the scientific literature and news. Inclusion in the update does not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention nor does it imply endorsement of the article's methods or findings. CDC and DHHS assume no responsibility for the factual accuracy of the items presented. The selection, omission, or content of items does not imply any endorsement or other position taken by CDC or DHHS. Opinion, findings and conclusions expressed by the original authors of items included in the Clips, or persons quoted therein, are strictly their own and are in no way meant to represent the opinion or views of CDC or DHHS. References to publications, news sources, and non-CDC Websites are provided solely for informational purposes and do not imply endorsement by CDC or DHHS.
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