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Hot Topics of the Day|PHGKB
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10/22/2020

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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Race, science and (im)precision medicine
G Adigbli, Nature Medicine, October 22, 2020

The limitations of using race in biomedicine are important to recognize because race is often afforded more biological value than can be scientifically justified — and less social value than it commands.

Characteristics Associated With Racial/Ethnic Disparities in COVID-19 Outcomes in an Academic Health Care System
T Gu et al, JAMA Network Open, October 21, 2020

In this cohort study of 5698 patients tested for or diagnosed with COVID-19, high population density, type 2 diabetes, and kidney disease were associated with hospitalization, in addition to older age, male sex, and obesity. Adjusting for covariates, non-Hispanic Black patients were 1.72-fold more likely to be hospitalized than non-Hispanic White patients.

City-level SARS-CoV-2 sewage surveillance
K Yaniv et al, MEDRXIV, October 21, 2020

Modifiable lifestyle factors and severe COVID-19 risk: Evidence from Mendelian randomization analysis
S Li, MEDRXIV, October 21, 2020

Could nutrition modulate COVID-19 susceptibility and severity of disease? A systematic review
PT James et al, MEDRXIV, October 21, 2020

Saliva as testing sample for SARS-CoV-2 detection by RT-PCR in low prevalence community setting
D Gavars et al, MEDRXIV, October 21, 2020

The Challenges of Expanding Rapid Tests to Curb COVID-19
R Rubin, JAMA, October 21, 2020

While PCR tests detect genetic material from SARS-CoV-2, antigen tests pick up molecules on the surface of the virus. Antigen tests are very specific for the virus, but are not as sensitive as molecular PCR tests. This means that positive results from antigen tests are highly accurate, but there is a higher chance of false negatives.

Understanding COVID-19 vaccine efficacy
M Lipsitch et al, Science, October 21, 2020

The elderly and people with comorbidities are at greatest risk of severe COVID-19. A safe and effective vaccine could help to protect these groups in two distinct ways: direct protection, where high-risk groups are vaccinated to prevent disease, and indirect protection, where those in contact with high-risk individuals are vaccinated to reduce transmission.

Measuring clinical utility in the context of genetic testing: a scoping review
SE Walcott et al, EJHG, October 21, 2020

Advances in genomic medicine have generated much enthusiasm for early disease detection, individualized treatment, and optimized health outcomes. While evidence is compelling related to the analytic performance of emerging genomic technologies, pressures from review bodies to measure the clinical and economic value of genetic testing are increasing.

Association of Damaging Variants in Genes With Increased Cancer Risk Among Patients With Congenital Heart Disease
SU Morton et al, JAMA Cardiology, October 21, 2020

In this case-control study, loss-of-function variants in cancer risk genes were increased approximately 1.3-fold in 4443 patients with CHD compared with 9808 control participants. This burden was highest in cancer risk genes previously associated with CHD (7.2-fold) or that regulate gene expression (1.9-fold); patients with CHD and extracardiac anomalies and/or neurodevelopmental delay had the highest rates of damaging variants in cancer risk genes.

Genetic markers and phosphoprotein forms of beta-catenin pβ-Cat552 and pβ-Cat675 are prognostic biomarkers of cervical cancer
SM Scholl et al, EBiomedicine, October 21, 2020

Survival analysis on 89 patients with all omics data available, suggested loss-of-function (LOF) or activating molecular alterations in nine genes to be candidate biomarkers for worse prognosis in patients treated by chemo-radiation while LOF of ATRX, MED13 as well as CASP8 were associated with better prognosis.

Achieving healthy human longevity: A global grand challenge
V Dzau et al, Sci Trans Med, October 21, 2020

With continued advances in science and technology, there is great potential to improve the health and enrich the lives of older adults. By delaying the deleterious biological processes associated with aging, we could prevent debilitating illness and loss of function associated with aging.

Reimagining Public Health in the Aftermath of a Pandemic.
Brownson Ross C et al. American journal of public health 2020 11 (11) 1605-1610

A reinvented public health system will depend highly on leadership and political will, rethinking how we categorize and address population-level risk, employing 21st-century data sciences, and applying new communication skills.

Data Are Not Enough to Reimagine Public Health.
Chiolero Arnaud et al. American journal of public health 2020 Nov (11) 1614

Data, however, will not be enough. Improving our public health surveillance systems requires policymakers and health data scientists to work together; they have to develop a common culture and agree on surveillance goals. Policymakers must be trained in surveillance principles and methods in this age of data science.


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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