Several important articles on the ongoing burden and prospects for prevention of chronic diseases lead off this week's Science Clips features. P Jha and colleagues, writing in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), document that smokers lose on average one decade of life expectancy. However at the state level, an analysis first authored by MC Farrelly shows that both smoke-free laws and state tobacco control funding are associated with reduced youth smoking. A meta-analysis led by TJ Brady and published in the CDC journal Preventing Chronic Disease finds some evidence of enduring individual benefit from Chronic Disease Self-Management.
The past, present, and future of influenza occupies a prominent role in this week's Clips. A group led by EIS alumnus SG Agolory surveyed New York City schools on the use of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPI) during the 2009-2010 H1N1 pandemic, finding that response teams and preparedness plans facilitated the school-level implementation of NPI. Current influenza prevention and treatment strategies and prospects for further enhancements are summarized by Bresee and Haden in a timely commentary in NEJM.
Understanding transmission and enhancing prevention of hepatitis B and C are ongoing public health priorities. The investigation by KB Enfield et al, which combines a retrospective cohort study with DNA sequencing, finds evidence of transmission of hepatitis B from a surgeon to two patients. The analysis by K Carney and colleagues finds evidence that receipt of tattoos may be an independent risk factor for acquiring hepatitis C. Looking at another high-risk group, Schillie, Spradling, and Murphy find in a systematic review that children and young adults with diabetes respond well to immunization against hepatitis B.
Our features conclude this week with two forward looking articles of different types. A group of CDC laboratorians led by CY Kato has developed two new, highly sensitive real-time PCR assays for the detection of Rickettsia spp. Finally, three years after the Haiti earthquake, a CDC-authored Comment in the Lancet notes reasons for "cautious optimism" about the big picture future of public health in Haiti.
John Iskander Editor, Science Clips
Top Ten Articles of the Week Selected weekly by a senior CDC scientist from the standard sections listed below.
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.
Clinical assessment of serious adverse events in children receiving 2009 H1N1 vaccination Pahud BA, Williams SE, Dekker CL, Halsey N, Larussa P, Baxter RP, Klein NP, Marchant CD, Sparks RC, Jakob K, Aukes L, Swope S, Barnett E, Lewis P, Berger M, Dreskin SC, Donofrio PD, Sejvar JJ, Slade BA, Gidudu J, Vellozzi C, Edwards KM. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2013 Feb;32(2):163-168.
Determination of airborne wood dust in Button samples by diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) Kwon C, Chirila M, Lee T, Harper M, Rando RJ. Int J Environ Anal Chem. 2013 .
Predictors of personal flotation device (PFD) use among workers in the Alaska commercial fishing industry Lucas DL, Lincoln JM, Carozza SE, Bovbjerg VE, Kincl LD, Teske TD, Somervell PD, Anderson PJ. Saf Sci. 2013 March;53:177-185.
Parasitic Diseases
Oxidative stress in malaria Percario S, Moreira DR, Gomes BA, Ferreira ME, Goncalves AC, Laurindo PS, Vilhena TC, Dolabela MF, Green MD. Int J Mol Sci. 2012 ;13(12):16346-72.
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).
Misinformation and its correction: continued influence and successful debiasing Lewandowsky S, Ecker UK, Seifert CM, Schwarz N, Cook J. Psychol Sci Public Interest. 2012 Dec ;13(3):106-131.
Intention to comply with crisis messages communicated via social media Freberg K. Public Relat Rev. 2012 ;38(3):416-421.
Public Health Articles Noted in the Media Articles about important public health topics that have been mentioned in the press.
DISCLAIMER: Articles listed in the CDC ScienceClips 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.
