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Hot Topics of the Day|PHGKB
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10/23/2020

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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Living risk prediction algorithm (QCOVID) for risk of hospital admission and mortality from coronavirus 19 in adults: national derivation and validation cohort study.
Clift Ash K et al. BMJ (Clinical research ed.) 2020 10 m3731

QResearch database, comprising 1205 general practices in England was linked to covid-19 test results, Hospital Episode Statistics, and death registry data. The final risk algorithms included age, ethnicity, deprivation, body mass index, and a range of comorbidities. For deaths from covid-19 in men, it explained 73.1% of the variation in time to death.

Susceptibility to severe COVID-19
DB Beck et al, Science, October 23, 2020

Many studies have focused on characterizing the heterogeneity of COVID-19 in terms of demographics, with clear evidence of higher mortality in men and older individuals. Host genetic risk factors have also emerged as a potential explanation for clinical heterogeneity and offer the potential for understanding molecular pathways for tailored therapeutic intervention.

Modeling COVID-19 scenarios for the United States
IHME, Nature Medicine, October 23, 2020

Projections of current non-pharmaceutical intervention strategies by state—with social distancing mandates reinstated when a threshold of 8 deaths per million population is exceeded (reference scenario)—suggest that, cumulatively, 511,373 (469,578–578,347) lives could be lost to COVID-19 across the United States by 28 February 2021. We find that achieving universal mask use (95% mask use in public) could be sufficient to ameliorate the worst effects of epidemic resurgence.

A powerful argument for wearing a mask, in visual form: Real-time pandemic data paints a vivid picture of the relationship between mask-wearing and the prevalence of covid-19 symptoms
C Ingraham, Washington Post, October 23, 2020

Why decoding the immune response to COVID matters for vaccines
Nature editorial, October 21, 2020

Association Between Social Vulnerability and a County's Risk for Becoming a COVID-19 Hotspot - United States, June 1-July 25, 2020.
Dasgupta Sharoda et al. MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report 2020 Oct (42) 1535-1541

Counties with greater social vulnerability were more likely to become areas with rapidly increasing COVID-19 incidence (hotspot counties), especially counties with higher percentages of racial and ethnic minority residents and people living in crowded housing conditions, and in less urban areas. Hotspot counties with higher social vulnerability had high and increasing incidence after identification.

Covid-19: Increased risk among ethnic minorities is largely due to poverty and social disparities, review finds
G Lacobucci, BMJ, October 22, 2020

Most of the increased risk of infection and death from covid-19 among people from ethnic minorities is explained by factors such as occupation, where people live, their household composition, and pre-existing health conditions.

Translating the microbiome in health and disease
Genome Medicine special issue, October 2020

This issue captures insights into the human microbiome in health and disease including standards for microbiome analyses in basic and clinical research, microbiome analysis technologies, metagenomics and integrative multi-omics, antibiotics and the microbiome, microbial biochemistry and diet, translational interventions, and host-microbiome interactions.

Integration of functional assay data results provides strong evidence for classification of hundreds of BRCA1 variants of uncertain significance.
Lyra Paulo C M et al. Genetics in medicine : official journal of the American College of Medical Genetics 2020 Oct

We have collected, curated, and harmonized functional data for 2701 missense variants representing 24.5% of possible missense variants in BRCA1. Integration of data from validated assays provided ACMG/AMP evidence criteria in favor of pathogenicity for 297 variants or against pathogenicity for 2058 representing 96.2% of current VUS functionally assessed.

Should you choose your baby's eye color?
K Swisher, NY Times, October 22, 2020

CRISPR-Cas9 is the kind of scientific breakthrough that could change human evolution. Scientists call it “genetic scissors” — a tool that snips DNA with powerful and scary precision. What does this technology mean for how we live — and die? And just because we can more precisely “edit” life, should we?

Pathogen genomics initiative to boost disease control in Africa
CB De Villiers, PHG Foundation, October 21, 2020

The launch of the Africa Pathogen Genomics Initiative (Africa PGI) marked a ground-breaking initiative to tackle infectious disease in Africa. Led by the African Union Commission through the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the four-year partnership will expand access to next generation genomic sequencing tools and expertise.


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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