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Issue 3, January 21, 2013

 

The report consists of four components:

 

Our featured article essay returns for 2013, leading off with two articles focusing on tropical diseases. J Sejvar and colleagues provide a detailed case series description of nodding syndrome, a form of epidemic epilepsy of as yet unknown etiology. A review of fifteen years of data from the GeoSentinel system led by M Jensenius finds that out of more than 3,500 cases of life-threatening travel-acquired illnesses, the vast majority were due to either falciparum malaria or enteric (typhoid) fever.

Travelers are not the only "special population" of interest to the public health community. A nationwide analysis conducted in Norway of influenza vaccination of pregnant women during the 2009-2010 H1N1 pandemic, authored by SE Haberg et al, shows that vaccination reduced the risk of maternal influenza and may have reduced the risk of influenza-associated fetal death. A cohort study conducted in Botswana by T Sibanda and collaborators documents high tuberculosis cure and treatment completion rates in HIV-positive adults who had received preventive therapy with isoniazid.

Turning to food and nutrition issues, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance system data analyzed by KA Grimm and colleagues from CDC's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity indicates that survey respondents of lower socioeconomic status were less likely to consume fruits at least two times daily or vegetables at least three times daily. The authors discuss potential consumer and environment oriented interventions. Modeled data published by HC Hamner et al from CDC's National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities indicated that fortification of corn masa flour with folic acid would not increase the small proportion of the population (~ 2.5%) with folic acid intake higher than the "tolerable upper intake level".

One of our New Years' resolutions for Science Clips is to more prominently feature the outstanding work of public health laboratory scientists. As part of a series of featured articles in Antiviral Therapy, a group led by LM Ganova-Raeva summarizes the multiple uses of mass spectrometry for molecular surveillance of hepatitis B and C infections. JS Rota, working with CDC and New York City Department of health co-investigators, compares the sensitivity of different mumps laboratory diagnostic methods using outbreak-associated samples.

January often brings summaries of important data from the prior year, as well as reminders of basic methods underlying public health research and surveillance. The former is exemplified by the American Cancer Society's 2013 statistical summary, which indicates the continued decline of death rates for lung, breast, colorectal and prostate cancers. The latter includes the contribution by RL Sinkowitz-Cochran, who provides a useful summary of survey research principles and practical considerations.

John Iskander

Editor, Science Clips

 

 

  1. Top Ten Articles of the Week
    Selected weekly by a senior CDC scientist from the standard sections listed below.
  2. CDC Authored Publications
    The names of CDC authors are indicated in bold text.
    Articles published in the past 6-8 weeks authored by CDC or ATSDR staff.
  3. Key Scientific Articles in Featured Topic Areas
    Subject matter experts decide what topic to feature, and articles are selected from the last 3 to 6 months of published literature. Key topic coincides monthly with other CDC products (e.g. Vital Signs).
  4. Public Health Articles Noted in the Media
    Articles about important public health topics that have been mentioned in the press.

 

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CDC Science Clips Production Staff

John Iskander, MD MPH, Editor

Rebecca Satterthwaite, MS, Librarian

Gail Bang, MLIS, Librarian

Deidre Thomas, MLS, Librarian

Kathleen Connick, MSLS, Librarian

Barbara Landreth, MLS, Librarian

Joseph Dunlap, Web Developer

Joe Bryce, Web Developer

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DISCLAIMER: Articles listed in the CDC Science Clips are selected by the Stephen B. Thacker CDC Library to provide current awareness of the public health literature. An article's inclusion 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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