Genome-wide analysis implicates microRNAs and their target genes in the development of bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a severe and highly heritable neuropsychiatric disorder with a lifetime prevalence of 1%. Molecular genetic studies have identified the first BD susceptibility genes. However, the disease pathways remain largely unknown. Accumulating evidence suggests that microRNAs, a class of small noncoding RNAs, contribute to basic mechanisms underlying brain development and plasticity, suggesting their possible involvement in the pathogenesis of several psychiatric disorders, including BD. In the present study, gene-based analyses were performed for all known autosomal microRNAs using the largest genome-wide association data set of BD to date (9747 patients and 14 278 controls). Associated and brain-expressed microRNAs were then investigated in target gene and pathway analyses. Functional analyses of miR-499 and miR-708 were performed in rat hippocampal neurons. Ninety-eight of the six hundred nine investigated microRNAs showed nominally significant P-values, suggesting that BD-associated microRNAs might be enriched within known microRNA loci. After correction for multiple testing, nine microRNAs showed a significant association with BD. The most promising were miR-499, miR-708 and miR-1908. Target gene and pathway analyses revealed 18 significant canonical pathways, including brain development and neuron projection. For miR-499, four Bonferroni-corrected significant target genes were identified, including the genome-wide risk gene for psychiatric disorder CACNB2. First results of functional analyses in rat hippocampal neurons neither revealed nor excluded a major contribution of miR-499 or miR-708 to dendritic spine morphogenesis. The present results suggest that research is warranted to elucidate the precise involvement of microRNAs and their downstream pathways in BD.

Rapid identification of Enterobacter hormaechei and Enterobacter cloacae genetic cluster III.

AIM: Enterobacter cloacae complex bacteria are of both clinical and environmental importance. Phenotypic methods are unable to distinguish between some of the species in this complex, which often renders their identification incomplete. The goal of this study was to develop molecular assays to identify Enterobacter hormaechei and Ent. cloacae genetic cluster III which are relatively frequently encountered in clinical material. METHODS AND RESULTS: The molecular assays developed in this study are qPCR technology based and served to identify both Ent. hormaechei and Ent. cloacae genetic cluster III. qPCR results were compared to hsp60 sequence analysis. Most clinical isolates were assigned to Ent. hormaechei subsp. steigerwaltii and Ent. cloacae genetic cluster III. The latter was proportionately more frequently isolated from bloodstream infections than from other material (P < 0·05). CONCLUSION: The qPCR assays detecting Ent. hormaechei and Ent. cloacae genetic cluster III demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The presented qPCR assays allow accurate and rapid identification of clinical isolates of the Ent. cloacae complex. The improved identifications obtained can specifically assist analysis of Ent. hormaechei and Ent. cloacae genetic cluster III in nosocomial outbreaks and can promote rapid environmental monitoring. An association was observed between Ent. cloacae cluster III and systemic infection that deserves further attention.

The traditional Chinese medical compound Rocaglamide protects nonmalignant primary cells from DNA damage-induced toxicity by inhibition of p53 expression.

One of the main obstacles of conventional anticancer therapy is the toxicity of chemotherapeutics to normal tissues. So far, clinical approaches that aim to specifically reduce chemotherapy-mediated toxicities are rare. Recently, a number of studies have demonstrated that herbal extracts derived from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) may reduce chemotherapy-induced side effects. Thus, we screened a panel of published cancer-inhibiting TCM compounds for their chemoprotective potential and identified the phytochemical Rocaglamide (Roc-A) as a candidate. We show that Roc-A significantly reduces apoptotic cell death induced by DNA-damaging anticancer drugs in primary human and murine cells. Investigation of the molecular mechanism of Roc-A-mediated protection revealed that Roc-A specifically blocks DNA damage-induced upregulation of the transcription factor p53 by inhibiting its protein synthesis. The essential role of p53 in Roc-A-mediated protection was confirmed by siRNA knockdown of p53 and by comparison of the effects of Roc-A on chemoprotection of splenocytes isolated from wild-type and p53-deficient mice. Importantly, Roc-A did not protect p53-deficient or -mutated cancer cells. Our data suggest that Roc-A may be used as an adjuvant to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy in patients with p53-deficient or -mutated tumors.

Common variant at 16p11.2 conferring risk of psychosis.

Epidemiological and genetic data support the notion that schizophrenia and bipolar disorder share genetic risk factors. In our previous genome-wide association study, meta-analysis and follow-up (totaling as many as 18 206 cases and 42 536 controls), we identified four loci showing genome-wide significant association with schizophrenia. Here we consider a mixed schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (psychosis) phenotype (addition of 7469 bipolar disorder cases, 1535 schizophrenia cases, 333 other psychosis cases, 808 unaffected family members and 46 160 controls). Combined analysis reveals a novel variant at 16p11.2 showing genome-wide significant association (rs4583255[T]; odds ratio=1.08; P=6.6 × 10(-11)). The new variant is located within a 593-kb region that substantially increases risk of psychosis when duplicated. In line with the association of the duplication with reduced body mass index (BMI), rs4583255[T] is also associated with lower BMI (P=0.0039 in the public GIANT consortium data set; P=0.00047 in 22 651 additional Icelanders).

Genome-wide association of mood-incongruent psychotic bipolar disorder.

Mood-incongruent psychotic features (MICP) are familial symptoms of bipolar disorder (BP) that also occur in schizophrenia (SZ), and may represent manifestations of shared etiology between the major psychoses. In this study we have analyzed three large samples of BP with imputed genome-wide association data and have performed a meta-analysis of 2196 cases with MICP and 8148 controls. We found several regions with suggestive evidence of association (P<10(-6)), although no marker met genome-wide significance criteria. The top associations were on chromosomes: 6q14.2 within the PRSS35/SNAP91 gene complex (rs1171113, P=9.67 × 10(-8)); 3p22.2 downstream of TRANK/LBA1 (rs9834970, P=9.71 × 10(-8)); and 14q24.2 in an intron of NUMB (rs2333194, P=7.03 × 10(-7)). These associations were present in all three samples, and both rs1171113 and rs2333194 were found to be overrepresented in an analysis of MICP cases compared with all other BP cases. To test the relationship of MICP with SZ, we performed polygenic analysis using the Psychiatric GWAS Consortium SZ results and found evidence of association between SZ polygenes and the presence of MICP in BP cases (meta-analysis P=0.003). In summary, our analysis of the MICP phenotype in BP has provided suggestive evidence for association of common variants in several genes expressed in the nervous system. The results of our polygenic analysis provides support for a modest degree of genetic overlap between BP with MICP and SZ, highlighting that phenotypic correlations across syndromes may be due to the influence of polygenic risk factors.

Genome-wide significant association between a 'negative mood delusions' dimension in bipolar disorder and genetic variation on chromosome 3q26.1.

Research suggests that clinical symptom dimensions may be more useful in delineating the genetics of bipolar disorder (BD) than standard diagnostic models. To date, no study has applied this concept to data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS). We performed a GWAS of factor dimensions in 927 clinically well-characterized BD patients of German ancestry. Rs9875793, which is located in an intergenic region of 3q26.1 and in the vicinity of the solute carrier family 2 (facilitated glucose transporter), member 2 gene (SLC2A2), was significantly associated with the factor analysis-derived dimension 'negative mood delusions' (n=927; P=4.65 × 10(-8), odds ratio (OR)=2.66). This dimension was comprised of the symptoms delusions of poverty, delusions of guilt and nihilistic delusions. In case-control analyses, significant association with the G allele of rs9875793 was only observed in the subgroup of BD patients who displayed symptoms of 'negative mood delusions' (allelic χ(2) model: P(G)=0.0001, OR=1.92; item present, n=89). Further support for the hypothesis that rs9875793 is associated with BD in patients displaying 'negative mood delusions' symptom, such as delusions of guilt, was obtained from an European American sample (GAIN/TGEN), which included 1247 BD patients and 1434 controls (P(EA)=0.028, OR=1.27).

Replication of functional serotonin receptor type 3A and B variants in bipolar affective disorder: a European multicenter study.

Serotonin type 3 receptors (5-HT(3)) are involved in learning, cognition and emotion, and have been implicated in various psychiatric phenotypes. However, their contribution to the pathomechanism of these disorders remains elusive. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the HTR3A and HTR3B genes (rs1062613, rs1176744 and rs3831455) have been associated with bipolar affective disorder (BPAD) in pilot studies, and all of them are of functional relevance. We performed a European multicenter study to confirm previous results and provide further evidence for the relevance of these SNPs to the etiology of neuropsychiatric disorders. This involved analysis of the distribution of the three SNPs among 1804 BPAD cases and 2407 healthy controls. A meta-analysis revealed a pooled odds ratio of 0.881 (P = 0.009, 95% confidence intervals = 0.802-0.968) for the non-synonymous functional SNP HTR3B p.Y129S (rs1176744), thereby confirming previous findings. In line with this, the three genome-wide association study samples BOMA (Bonn-Mannheim)-BPAD, WTCCC (Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium)-BPAD and GAIN (Genetic Association Information Network)-BPAD, including >3500 patients and 5200 controls in total, showed an overrepresentation of the p.Y129 in patients. Remarkably, the meta-analysis revealed a P-value of 0.048 (OR = 0.934, fixed effect model). We also performed expression analyses to gain further insights into the distribution of HTR3A and HTR3B mRNA in the human brain. HTR3A and HTR3B were detected in all investigated brain tissues with the exception of the cerebellum, and large differences in the A:B subunit ratio were observed. Interestingly, expression of the B subunit was most prominent in the brain stem, amygdalae and frontal cortex, regions of relevance to psychiatric disorders. In conclusion, the present study provides further evidence for the presence of impaired 5-HT(3) receptor function in BPAD.

[Plagiarism techniques in practice journal Johannes Franc (1649­1725) and copying practice illustrated by urology texts]. / Plagiattechniken im Praxisjournal Johannes Franc (1649­1725) und Abschreibpraxis am Beispiel urologischer Texte.

In the seventeenth century it was customary in medicine to copy texts from other authors without citing the source. This practice is illustrated by the diary of Johannes Franc (1649­1725), a physician in the city of Ulm, who handwrote a practice journal in Latin and German Gothic script entering text passages plagiarized as follows: he reproduced them almost word for word in order to pass them off as his own experiences, used them as a model for his prescriptions and as a template for his case histories, and integrated them into his work to support his argumentation. In addition, he summarized texts from various sources, refined them by omitting portions, and incorporated his own experiences for embellishment. These plagiarism techniques and the purpose they served are analyzed and compared to some passages taken from the original texts.

[Unexpected revision procedures treating ankle fractures]. / Ungeplante Zweiteingriffe nach Frakturen des oberen Sprunggelenks.

The purpose of the present study was to analyze the risk factors associated with unexpected second procedures and strategies of revision surgery. Within a 5 year period 647 patients with closed ankle fractures AO type 44 were identified of which 77 (11.9%) needed revision surgery. Complications were addressed to 4 main groups: deep infections (IG) were seen in 29 patients (4.5%), problems with primary wound closure (WG) in 22 patients (3.4%), insufficient reduction (KG) in 22 patients (3.4%) and other causes (RG) included 4 patients (0.6%). Significant predictive factors for soft tissue complications were higher age, comorbidities with peripheral arteriosclerosis, high American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score and diabetes mellitus. AO 44 type B2 and B3 fractures were often associated with soft tissue problems. The more complex fracture types AO 44 C1-C3 and A2-A3 were significantly associated with problems of insufficient congruency post-surgery. The distribution of the mean revision rate was significantly different (p<0.01) for all groups: IG 4.59, WG 3.5, KG 1.55, RG 1.25. In summary, we strongly recommend immediate reduction of displaced fractures and to consider a more detailed fracture classification. To reduce the amount of unexpected ankle procedures individual risk factors should be weighed against the advantages of optimal open reduction and internal fixation.

Association between genetic variation in a region on chromosome 11 and schizophrenia in large samples from Europe.

Recent molecular studies have implicated common alleles of small to moderate effect and rare alleles with larger effect sizes in the genetic architecture of schizophrenia (SCZ). It is expected that the reliable detection of risk variants with very small effect sizes can only be achieved through the recruitment of very large samples of patients and controls (that is tens of thousands), or large, potentially more homogeneous samples that have been recruited from confined geographical areas using identical diagnostic criteria. Applying the latter strategy, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 1169 clinically well characterized and ethnically homogeneous SCZ patients from a confined area of Western Europe (464 from Germany, 705 from The Netherlands) and 3714 ethnically matched controls (1272 and 2442, respectively). In a subsequent follow-up study of our top GWAS results, we included an additional 2569 SCZ patients and 4088 controls (from Germany, The Netherlands and Denmark). Genetic variation in a region on chromosome 11 that contains the candidate genes AMBRA1, DGKZ, CHRM4 and MDK was significantly associated with SCZ in the combined sample (n=11 540; P=3.89 × 10(-9), odds ratio (OR)=1.25). This finding was replicated in 23 206 independent samples of European ancestry (P=0.0029, OR=1.11). In a subsequent imaging genetics study, healthy carriers of the risk allele exhibited altered activation in the cingulate cortex during a cognitive control task. The area of interest is a critical interface between emotion regulation and cognition that is structurally and functionally abnormal in SCZ and bipolar disorder.

Genome-wide survey implicates the influence of copy number variants (CNVs) in the development of early-onset bipolar disorder.

We used genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data to search for the presence of copy number variants (CNVs) in 882 patients with bipolar disorder (BD) and 872 population-based controls. A total of 291 (33%) patients had an early age-at-onset < or =21 years (AO < or =21 years). We systematically filtered for CNVs that cover at least 30 consecutive SNPs and which directly affect at least one RefSeq gene. We tested whether (a) the genome-wide burden of these filtered CNVs differed between patients and controls and whether (b) the frequency of specific CNVs differed between patients and controls. Genome-wide burden analyses revealed that the frequency and size of CNVs did not differ substantially between the total samples of BD patients and controls. However, separate analysis of patients with AO < or =21 years and AO>21 years showed that the frequency of microduplications was significantly higher (P=0.0004) and the average size of singleton microdeletions was significantly larger (P=0.0056) in patients with AO < or =21 years compared with controls. A search for specific BD-associated CNVs identified two common CNVs: (a) a 160 kb microduplication on 10q11 was overrepresented in AO < or = 21 years patients (9.62%) compared with controls (3.67%, P=0.0005) and (b) a 248 kb microduplication on 6q27 was overrepresented in the AO< or = 21 years subgroup (5.84%) compared with controls (2.52%, P=0.0039). These data suggest that CNVs have an influence on the development of early-onset, but not later-onset BD. Our study provides further support for previous hypotheses of an etiological difference between early-onset and later-onset BD.

Expanding the range of ZNF804A variants conferring risk of psychosis.

A trio of genome-wide association studies recently reported sequence variants at three loci to be significantly associated with schizophrenia. No sequence polymorphism had been unequivocally (P<5 × 10(-8)) associated with schizophrenia earlier. However, one variant, rs1344706[T], had come very close. This polymorphism, located in an intron of ZNF804A, was reported to associate with schizophrenia with a P-value of 1.6 × 10(-7), and with psychosis (schizophrenia plus bipolar disorder) with a P-value of 1.0 × 10(-8). In this study, using 5164 schizophrenia cases and 20,709 controls, we replicated the association with schizophrenia (odds ratio OR = 1.08, P = 0.0029) and, by adding bipolar disorder patients, we also confirmed the association with psychosis (added N = 609, OR = 1.09, P = 0.00065). Furthermore, as it has been proposed that variants such as rs1344706[T]-common and with low relative risk-may also serve to identify regions harboring less common, higher-risk susceptibility alleles, we searched ZNF804A for large copy number variants (CNVs) in 4235 psychosis patients, 1173 patients with other psychiatric disorders and 39,481 controls. We identified two CNVs including at least part of ZNF804A in psychosis patients and no ZNF804A CNVs in controls (P = 0.013 for association with psychosis). In addition, we found a ZNF804A CNV in an anxiety patient (P = 0.0016 for association with the larger set of psychiatric disorders).

Organ donor with unclear primary brain tumor, a contraindication for transplantation? Case report of a one year old child.

UNLABELLED: BACKGROUND AND CASE REPORT: The use of organs from donors with central nervous systems (CNS) malignancies is controversial discussed. We present a 1 year old boy, who was admitted for torticollis. A computer tomography detected a large tumor in the posterior cranial fossa. The tumor was resected, but postoperatively a malignant brain swelling occurred, being resistant to standard treatment. After brain death was established and permission was given, organ donation was performed. All grafts showed good initial functions and no complications. METHODS: We investigated the evidence for transplantation of organs from donors with central nervous malignancies. RESULTS: The Australia and New Zealand Combined Dialysis and Transplant Registry, the United Network for Organ Sharing and Hornik et al., reported three transmissions of a glioblastoma multiforme in 958 recipients, who received grafts from donors with CNS tumors. In contrast the Israel Penn International Tumor Registry suggests that transmission is more common: 62 organs were transplanted, 14 cases showed transmission. All cases of medulloblastoma, showing transmission were associated with ventriculoperitoneal shunt. In summary, 1 020 organs of CNS tumors were transplanted, 17 cases were identified with tumors transmission from CNS malignancy. CONCLUSION: Organ donors where brain death is established suffering from brain tumors should not be generally regarded as contraindications for an organ transplant. Organs from patients with risk factors (e. g. ventriculoperitoneal shunt) should be excluded from the donor pool as transmission is more likely. The risk of donor transmitted malignancies should be weight against the urgency to receive a transplant graft.

Two variants in Ankyrin 3 (ANK3) are independent genetic risk factors for bipolar disorder.

Two recent reports have highlighted ANK3 as a susceptibility gene for bipolar disorder (BD). We first reported association between BD and the ANK3 marker rs9804190 in a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of two independent samples (Baum et al., 2008). Subsequently, a meta-analysis of GWAS data based on samples from the US and the UK reported association with a different ANK3 marker, rs10994336 (Ferreira et al., 2008). The markers lie about 340 kb apart in the gene. Here, we test both markers in additional samples and characterize the contribution of each marker to BD risk. Our previously reported findings at rs9804190, which had been based on DNA pooling, were confirmed by individual genotyping in the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) waves 1-4 (P=0.05; odds ratio (OR)=1.24) and German (P=0.0006; OR=1.34) samples. This association was replicated in an independent US sample known as NIMH wave 5 (466 cases, 212 controls; P=0.017; OR=1.38). A random-effects meta-analysis of all three samples was significant (P=3 x 10(-6); OR=1.32), with no heterogeneity. Individual genotyping of rs10994336 revealed a significant association in the German sample (P=0.0001; OR=1.70), and similar ORs in the NIMH 1-4 and NIMH 5 samples that were not significant at the P<0.05 level. Meta-analysis of all three samples supported an association with rs10994336 (P=1.7 x 10(-5); OR=1.54), again with no heterogeneity. There was little linkage disequilibrium between the two markers. Further analysis suggested that each marker contributed independently to BD, with no significant marker x marker interaction. Our findings strongly support ANK3 as a BD susceptibility gene and suggest true allelic heterogeneity.

Enhanced osteopontin expression in a murine model of allergen-induced airway remodelling.

BACKGROUND: Airway remodelling is a central pathophysiological feature of chronic asthma. A wide variety of cytokines and growth factors are likely to be involved in the development of airway remodelling. Osteopontin (OPN) is a cytokine with pro-fibrotic properties; however, its role in airway remodelling in asthma has not been explored. OBJECTIVE: To determine the expression and cellular sources of OPN in a murine model of chronic allergen-induced airway remodelling. METHODS: BALB/c mice were sensitized and exposed to ovalbumin (OVA) or saline inhalations for 5 weeks and killed 24 h after the last inhalation. The following parameters of inflammation and remodelling were assessed: differential cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid lung collagen content (colorimetric biochemical assay) and peribronchial smooth muscle content (immunohistochemistry, followed by image analysis). OPN expression in BAL and lung tissue was determined by PCR and ELISA. The cellular source and distribution of OPN were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. RESULTS: OPN expression is up-regulated in lung tissue and in BAL fluid of OVA-treated mice and correlates with collagen content and peribronchial smooth muscle area. In addition, OPN significantly increases collagen deposition in vitro in a murine lung cell line. Cells producing OPN include the airway epithelium and cells of the submucosal inflammatory infiltrate (T cells, eosinophils, and macrophages). Positive staining for OPN was also observed in bronchial tissue from human asthmatic subjects. CONCLUSION: OPN expression in the lungs is increased in a murine model of allergen-induced chronic airway remodelling, suggesting a role for this cytokine in airway remodelling in asthma.

Basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor profiling of lung tumors shows aberrant expression of the proneural gene atonal homolog 1 (ATOH1, HATH1, MATH1) in neuroendocrine tumors.

Microarray-based expression profiling studies of lung adenocarcinomas have defined neuroendocrine subclasses with poor prognosis. As neuroendocrine development is regulated by members of the achaete-scute and atonal classes of basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors, we analyzed lung tumors for expression of these factors. Out of 13 bHLH genes tested, 4 genes, i.e., achaete-scute complex-like 1 (ASCL1, HASH1, Mash1), atonal homolog 1 (ATOH1, HATH1, MATH1), NEUROD4 (ATH-3, Atoh3, MATH-3) and neurogenic differentiation factor 1 (NEUROD1, NEUROD, BETA2), showed differential expression among lung tumors and absent or low expression in normal lung. As expected, tumors that have high levels of ASCL1 also express neuroendocrine markers, and we found that this is accompanied by increased levels of NEUROD1. In addition, we found ATOH1 expression in 9 (16%) out of 56 analyzed adenocarcinomas and these tumors showed neuroendocrine features as shown by dopa decarboxylase mRNA expression and immunostaining for neuroendocrine markers. ATOH1 expression as well as NEUROD4 was observed in small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC), a known neuroendocrine tumor. Since ATOH1 is not known to be involved in normal lung development, our results suggest that aberrant activation of ATOH1 leads to a neuroendocrine phenotype similar to what is observed for ASCL1 activation during normal neuroendocrine development and in lung malignancies. Our preliminary data indicate that patients with ATOH1-expressing adenocarcinomas might have a worse prognosis.

Telomerase activity in bleomycin-induced epithelial cell apoptosis and lung fibrosis.

Epithelial cell injury and apoptosis are recognised as early features in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and bleomycin-induced fibrosis in mice. Telomerase is a known apoptosis-alleviating factor. The role of telomerase was studied during bleomycin-induced lung epithelial cell (LEC) apoptosis in vitro in a mouse LEC line, and in vivo in LECs isolated from bleomycin-treated mice. The current authors evaluated changes in murine telomerase reverse transcriptase (mTERT) mRNA levels and changes in telomerase activity with the TRAPeze Detection Kit, telomeric length with the TeloTTAGGG Telomere Length Kit, and LEC apoptosis with FACScan and 4,6-diamino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride stain. There was a significant elevation in mTERT mRNA and a transient 41% increase in telomerase activity 24 h after in vitro bleomycin treatment. At 72 h, telomerase activity had fallen to 26% below levels in untreated cells. Reduction of telomerase activity over time, or by direct inhibition, significantly elevated LEC apoptosis. No change in average telomeric length was noted. In vivo, telomerase activity of LECs from bleomycin-treated mice increased at 7 and 14 days. In conclusion, telomerase activity may play a protective role against robust bleomycin-induced lung epithelial cell apoptosis. Moreover, stabilising telomerase activity may decrease epithelial cell apoptosis and the resulting lung fibrosis.

Molecular pathology of non-small-cell lung cancer.

The molecular basis of lung carcinogenesis must be understood more fully and exploited to enhance survival rates of patients suffering from lung cancer. In this review we will discuss the major molecular alterations that occur in lung cancer. Emphasis is placed on alterations that occur early during carcinogenesis since they might be relevant for future screening programs. Finally we will shortly review new approaches that are used to study the molecular pathology of lung cancer and how they can be applied in a clinical setting.