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Hot Topics of the Day|PHGKB
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09/17/2020

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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AI could help rid health care of biases. It also might make them worse
Stat News, September 15, 2020

At best, that technology has the potential to make it easier to detect and diagnose diseases, streamline care, and even eliminate some forms of bias in the health care system. But if it’s not designed and deployed carefully, AI could also perpetuate existing biases or even exacerbate their impact.

A Survey of Rare Epigenetic Variation in 23,116 Human Genomes Identifies Disease-Relevant Epivariations and CGG Expansions.
Garg Paras et al. American journal of human genetics 2020 Sep

Little information exists on the prevalence and distribution of rare epigenetic variation in populations. We performed a survey of methylation profiles from 23,116 individuals. Using a robust outlier approach, we identified 4,452 unique autosomal epivariations, including potentially inactivating promoter methylation events at 384 genes linked to disease.

Covid-19: Universal screening is likely to miss infected people, review finds
G Iacobucci, BMJ, September 17, 2020

“Low-certainty evidence suggests that screening at travel hubs may slightly slow the importation of infected cases. A high proportion of infected individuals may be missed and go on to infect others, and some healthy individuals may be falsely identified as positive, requiring confirmatory testing and potentially leading to unnecessary isolation of individuals.”

Associations between phone mobility data and COVID-19 cases
O Gatalo et al, Lancet Infectious Diseases, September 15, 2020

Our results suggest that mobile phone mobility data only captured a small component of the behaviors associated with social distancing that reduced transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the early stages of the pandemic. Other factors, such as wearing a mask or maintaining distance even when encountering individuals, are likely to be more important than mobility alone.

Clustering and superspreading potential of SARS-CoV-2 infections in Hong Kong
DC Adam et al, Nature Medicine, September 17, 2020

Using contact tracing data from 1,038 cases in Hong Kong, we identified and characterized all local clusters of infection. We identified 4–7 SSEs across 51 clusters (n?=?309 cases) and estimated that 19% (95% confidence interval, 15–24%) of cases seeded 80% of all local transmission.

Fast coronavirus tests: what they can and can't do
G Guglielmi, Nature, September 16, 2020

Antigen assays are much faster and cheaper than the gold-standard tests that detect viral RNA using a technique called the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). But antigen tests aren’t as sensitive as the PCR versions, which can pick up minuscule amounts of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 with SHERLOCK One-Pot Testing
J Joung et al, NEJM, September 16, 2020

We describe a simple test for detection of SARS-CoV-2. The sensitivity of this test is similar to that of reverse-transcription–quantitative polymerase-chain-reaction (RT-qPCR) assays. STOP (SHERLOCK testing in one pot) is a streamlined assay that combines simplified extraction of viral RNA with isothermal amplification and CRISPR-mediated detection.


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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