Skip directly to search Skip directly to A to Z list Skip directly to navigation Skip directly to page options Skip directly to site content


Hot Topics of the Day|PHGKB
Search PHGKB:

11/27/2021

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.

Sign up MyPHGKB to receive the daily hot topic email alert.

Search Archive:
Archived Hot Topics of the Day By Date

CDC Statement on B.1.1.529 (Omicron variant)
CDC, November 26, 2021 Brand

On?November?26, 2021,?the World Health Organization (WHO) classified?a new variant, B.1.1.529,?as a Variant of Concern and?has?named?it?Omicron. No cases of this variant have been identified in the U.S. to date. CDC is following the details of this new variant, first reported to the WHO?by South Africa. CDC is continuously monitoring variants and the U.S. variant surveillance system has reliably detected new variants in this country. We expect Omicron to be identified quickly, if it emerges in the U.S.

What to know about the omicron variant of the coronavirus
M Kornfield et al, Washington Post, November 26, 2021

Classification of Omicron (B.1.1.529): SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern
WHO, November 26, 2021

Countries are asked to do the following: enhance surveillance and sequencing efforts to better understand circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants; submit complete genome sequences and associated metadata to a publicly available database, such as GISAID. report initial cases/clusters associated with VOC infection to WHO through the IHR mechanism; where capacity exists and in coordination with the international community, perform field investigations and laboratory assessments to improve understanding of the potential impacts of the VOC on COVID-19 epidemiology, severity, effectiveness of public health and social measures, diagnostic methods, immune responses, antibody neutralization, or other relevant characteristics.

COVID-19 due to the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant compared to B.1.1.7 (Alpha) variant of SARS-CoV-2: two prospective observational cohort studies
K Klaser et al, MEDRXIV, November 26, 2021

Exploring the Temporal Dynamics of County-Level Vulnerability Factors on COVID-19 Outcomes
J Zhang et al, MEDRXIV, November 26, 2021

Pandemic inequity in a megacity: a multilevel analysis of individual, community, and health care vulnerability risks for COVID-19 mortality in Jakarta, Indonesia
H Surendra et al, MEDRXIV, November 26, 2021

New Clinical Trial Grants for Rare Diseases
R Rubin, JAMA, November 23, 2021

A painful, potentially life-threatening skin disease, an inherited disease that can cause long-term brain development issues, and pediatric brain cancer are among the rare diseases for which the US Food and Drug Administration has awarded 11 new clinical trial research grants. Many of the studies involve children, some as young as newborns. One trial is evaluating the treatment of recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, the inherited skin disorder that can lead to painful, life-threatening blisters and wounds. Another study is evaluating early treatment of tuberous sclerosis complex before the onset of seizures in infants.

An equation for equity- New equations to estimate kidney function enable accurate clinical assessment without the use of race as a modifier.
K O'Leary, Nature Medicine, November 25, 2021

Two studies generated new equations for estimated GFR that do not incorporate race. Through similar approaches, both studies found that equations that did not include race but incorporated cystatin C (alone or with creatinine) had a high level of accuracy. Validation and consistent implementation of new equations that do not incorporate race will be key to providing optimal patient care.

An mRNA vaccine against tick bites
K O'Leary, Nature Medicine, November 25, 2021

Digital twins for predictive oncology will be a paradigm shift for precision cancer care
TH Boussard et al, Nature Medicine, November 2, 2021

Cancer patient digital twins (CPDTs) use emerging computing and biotechnologies to build in silico individual representations that dynamically reflect molecular, physiological and lifestyle status across different treatments and time. We propose a CPDT framework with a continuous life cycle for shared decision-making.

On powerful GWAS in admixed populations
K Hou et al, Nature Genetics, November 2021

Geometric network analysis provides prognostic information in patients with high grade serous carcinoma of the ovary treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors
R Elkin et al, NPJ Genomic Medicine, November 24, 2021

Network analysis methods can potentially quantify cancer aberrations in gene networks without introducing fitted parameters or variable selection. A new network curvature-based method is introduced to provide an integrated measure of variability within cancer gene networks. The method is applied to high-grade serous ovarian cancers (HGSOCs) to predict response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and to rank key genes associated with prognosis.


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.
TOP