Novel loci associated with usual sleep duration: the CHARGE Consortium Genome-Wide Association Study.

Usual sleep duration is a heritable trait correlated with psychiatric morbidity, cardiometabolic disease and mortality, although little is known about the genetic variants influencing this trait. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) of usual sleep duration was conducted using 18 population-based cohorts totaling 47 180 individuals of European ancestry. Genome-wide significant association was identified at two loci. The strongest is located on chromosome 2, in an intergenic region 35- to 80-kb upstream from the thyroid-specific transcription factor PAX8 (lowest P=1.1 × 10(-9)). This finding was replicated in an African-American sample of 4771 individuals (lowest P=9.3 × 10(-4)). The strongest combined association was at rs1823125 (P=1.5 × 10(-10), minor allele frequency 0.26 in the discovery sample, 0.12 in the replication sample), with each copy of the minor allele associated with a sleep duration 3.1 min longer per night. The alleles associated with longer sleep duration were associated in previous GWAS with a more favorable metabolic profile and a lower risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Understanding the mechanisms underlying these associations may help elucidate biological mechanisms influencing sleep duration and its association with psychiatric, metabolic and cardiovascular disease.

Serum bilirubin concentration is modified by UGT1A1 haplotypes and influences risk of type-2 diabetes in the Norfolk Island genetic isolate.

BACKGROUND: Located in the Pacific Ocean between Australia and New Zealand, the unique population isolate of Norfolk Island has been shown to exhibit increased prevalence of metabolic disorders (type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease) compared to mainland Australia. We investigated this well-established genetic isolate, utilising its unique genomic structure to increase the ability to detect related genetic markers. A pedigree-based genome-wide association study of 16 routinely collected blood-based clinical traits in 382 Norfolk Island individuals was performed. RESULTS: A striking association peak was located at chromosome 2q37.1 for both total bilirubin and direct bilirubin, with 29 SNPs reaching statistical significance (P < 1.84 × 10(-7)). Strong linkage disequilibrium was observed across a 200 kb region spanning the UDP-glucuronosyltransferase family, including UGT1A1, an enzyme known to metabolise bilirubin. Given the epidemiological literature suggesting negative association between CVD-risk and serum bilirubin we further explored potential associations using stepwise multivariate regression, revealing significant association between direct bilirubin concentration and type-2 diabetes risk. In the Norfolk Island cohort increased direct bilirubin was associated with a 28% reduction in type-2 diabetes risk (OR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.57-0.91, P = 0.005). When adjusted for genotypic effects the overall model was validated, with the adjusted model predicting a 30% reduction in type-2 diabetes risk with increasing direct bilirubin concentrations (OR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.53-0.89, P = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In summary, a pedigree-based GWAS of blood-based clinical traits in the Norfolk Island population has identified variants within the UDPGT family directly associated with serum bilirubin levels, which is in turn implicated with reduced risk of developing type-2 diabetes within this population.

Binuclear palladacycles with ionisable and non-ionisable tethers as anticancer agents.

The search for novel anticancer agents to replace the current platinum-based treatments remains an ongoing process. Palladacycles have shown excellent promise as demonstrated by our previous work which yielded BTC2, a binuclear palladadycle with a non-ionisable polyethylene glycol (PEG) tether. Here, we explore the importance of the PEG-tether length on the anticancer activity of the binuclear palladacycles by comparing three analogous binuclear palladacycles, BTC2, BTC5 and BTC6, in the oestrogen receptor positive MCF7 and triple-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines. In addition, these are compared to another analogue with an ionisable morpholine tether, BTC7. Potent anticancer activity was revealed through cell viability studies (MTT assays) revealed that while BTC6 showed similar potent anticancer activity as BTC2, it was less toxic towards non-cancerous cell lines. Interestingly, BTC7 and BTCF were less potent than the PEGylated palladacycles but showed significantly improved selectivity towards the triple-negative breast cancer cells. Cell death analysis showed that BTC7 and BTCF significantly induced apoptosis in both the cancer cell lines while the PEGylated complexes induced both apoptosis and secondary necrosis. Furthermore, experimental and computational DNA binding studies indicated partial intercalation and groove binding as the modes of action for the PEGylated palladacycles. Similarly, experimental and computational BSA binding studies indicated and specific binding sites in BSA dependent on the nature of the tethers on the complexes.

European and Polynesian admixture in the Norfolk Island population.

The Norfolk Island population in the South Pacific is primarily the product of recent admixture between a small number of British male and Polynesian female founders. We identified and genotyped 128 Ancestry Informative Markers (AIMs) spread across the autosomes, X/Y chromosomes and mitochondrial DNA genome, to explore and quantify the current levels of genetic admixture in the Norfolk Islanders. On the basis of autosomal AIMs, the population shows mean European and Polynesian ancestry proportions of 88 and 12%, respectively. However, there is a substantial variation between individuals ranging from total European ancestry to near total Polynesian origin. There is a strong correlation between individual genetic estimates of Polynesian ancestry and those derived from the extensive pedigree and genealogical records of Islanders. Also in line with historical accounts, there is a substantial asymmetry in the maternal and paternal origins of the Islanders with almost all Y-chromosomes of European origin whereas at least 25% of mtDNAs appear to have a Polynesian origin. Accurate knowledge of ancestry will be important in future attempts to use the Island population in admixture mapping approaches to find the genes that underlie differences in the risk to some diseases between Europeans and Polynesians.

Linkage mapping of CVD risk traits in the isolated Norfolk Island population.

To understand the underlying genetic architecture of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk traits, we undertook a genome-wide linkage scan to identify CVD quantitative trait loci (QTLs) in 377 individuals from the Norfolk Island population. The central aim of this research focused on the utilization of a genetically and geographically isolated population of individuals from Norfolk Island for the purposes of variance component linkage analysis to identify QTLs involved in CVD risk traits. Substantial evidence supports the involvement of traits such as systolic and diastolic blood pressures, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, body mass index and triglycerides as important risk factors for CVD pathogenesis. In addition to the environmental influences of poor diet, reduced physical activity, increasing age, cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption, many studies have illustrated a strong involvement of genetic components in the CVD phenotype through family and twin studies. We undertook a genome scan using 400 markers spaced approximately 10 cM in 600 individuals from Norfolk Island. Genotype data was analyzed using the variance components methods of SOLAR. Our results gave a peak LOD score of 2.01 localizing to chromosome 1p36 for systolic blood pressure and replicated previously implicated loci for other CVD relevant QTLs.

Linkage disequilibrium analysis in the genetically isolated Norfolk Island population.

Norfolk Island is a human genetic isolate, possessing unique population characteristics that could be utilized for complex disease gene localization. Our intention was to evaluate the extent and strength of linkage disequilibrium (LD) in the Norfolk isolate by investigating markers within Xq13.3 and the NOS2A gene encoding the inducible nitric oxide synthase. A total of six microsatellite markers spanning approximately 11 Mb were assessed on chromosome Xq13.3 in a group of 56 men from Norfolk Island. Additionally, three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) localizing to the NOS2A gene were analyzed in a subset of the complex Norfolk pedigree. With the exception of two of the marker pairs, one of which is the most distantly spaced marker, all the Xq13.3 marker pairs were found to be in significant LD indicating that LD extends up to 9.5-11.5 Mb in the Norfolk Island population. Also, all SNPs studied showed significant LD in both Norfolk Islanders and Australian Caucasians, with two of the marker pairs in complete LD in the Norfolk population only. The Norfolk Island study population possesses a unique set of characteristics including founder effect, geographical isolation, exhaustive genealogical information and phenotypic data of use to cardiovascular disease risk traits. With LD extending up to 9.5-11 Mb, the Norfolk isolate should be a powerful resource for the localization of complex disease genes.

Association between a 19 bp deletion polymorphism at the dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH) locus and migraine with aura.

Migraine is a debilitating neurological disorder, affecting 12% of Caucasian populations. It is well known that migraine has a strong genetic component, although the type and number of genes involved is unclear. Our previous work has investigated dopamine related migraine candidate genes and has reported a significant allelic association with migraine of a microsatellite localised to the promoter region of the dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH) gene. The present study performed an association analysis in a larger population of case-controls (275 unrelated Caucasian migraineurs versus 275 controls) examining two different genetic DBH polymorphisms (a functional insertion/deletion promoter and a coding SNP A444G polymorphism). Although no significant association was found for the SNP polymorphism, the results showed a significant association between the insertion/deletion variant and disease (chi(2)=8.92, P=0.011), in particular in migraine with aura (chi(2)=11.53, P=0.003) compared to the control group. Furthermore, the analysis of this polymorphism stratified by gender, revealed that male individuals with the homozygote deletion genotype had three times the risk of developing migraine, compared to females. The DBH insertion/deletion polymorphism is in linkage disequilibrium with the previously reported migraine associated DBH microsatellite and this insertion/deletion polymorphism is functional, which may explain a potential role in susceptibility to migraine.

Comparative characterisation of a commercial human chorionic gonadotrophin extracted from human urine with a commercial recombinant human chorionic gonadotrophin.

BACKGROUND: A commercial preparation of recombinant human chorionic gonadotrophin (r-hCG, Ovitrelle) was launched in 2001. Generally, hCG is available in two formats: human chorionic gonadotrophin (u-hCG), derived from the urine of pregnant females, and r-hCG produced by DNA based biotechnology. METHOD: The analytical characteristics of a highly purified u-hCG (Gonasi HP) were assessed and compared, for the first time, with the recombinant derived r-hCG (Ovitrelle). Gonasi HP is produced by extracting and purifying hCG from urine to obtain a specific bioactivity of 5000 IU/mg protein. Ovitrelle is produced via a recombinant derived mammalian cell line and purified to obtain a specific activity of 26 000 IU/mg. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: It has been documented that commercially available u-hCG preparations can contain a number of urine derived protein contaminants as well as hCG related metabolites. This is also the case for Gonasi HP, where hCG related molecules and other proteins were found to be present, including epidermal growth factor (EGF) and eosinophil derived neurotoxin (EDN). It was also demonstrated that this preparation contained high levels of oxidised hCG. r-hCG was confirmed to be essentially intact hCG, free from contaminant proteins and with very low levels of oxidised hCG.

The urinary myeloma cast. Frequency of detection and clinical correlations in 30 patients with multiple myeloma.

The authors examined urine specimens from 30 patients with multiple myeloma (MM) to determine the usefulness of cytodiagnostic urinalysis in evaluating such patients. Nine patients had clinical evidence of renal failure. In six of these nine patients (67%), or 20% of all patients, the urine sediment contained unique "MM-casts." These were characterized by a waxy to granular matrix surrounded by reactive, syncytial, giant cells with occasional renal cells embedded in the cast matrix. These casts were not observed in urine specimens from patients with normal renal function. Renal biopsy in two patients with MM-casts confirmed that cytologic diagnosis of "MM-kidney." The patient groups with or without MM-casts were comparable with respect to age, sex, and clinical stage of disease. In contrast, those with MM-casts were more likely to have clinical evidence of renal disease (100% vs. 13%), Bence Jones proteinuria (100% vs. 35%), hypercalcemia (50% vs. 8%), and hyperuricemia (50% vs. 4%). The two groups could not be distinguished reliably by urine physicochemical determinations. However, there were marked differences in the frequency of microscopic abnormalities. All patients with MM-cast formation excreted other pathologic casts as well and had evidence of tubular injury, while five of six had evidence of ischemic necrosis. This compared with 17%, 13%, and 21%, respectively, of those without MM-casts. Thus, cytodiagnostic urinalysis is of value in distinguishing MM-kidney from the numerous other causes of renal failure in patients with MM.

Investigation of the low-density lipoprotein receptor gene and cholesterol as a risk factor for migraine.

The Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor (LDLR) gene is a cell surface receptor that plays an important role in cholesterol homeostasis. We investigated the (TA)n polymorphism in exon 18 of the LDLR gene on chromosome 19p13.2 performing an association analysis in 244 typical migraine-affected patients, 151 suffering from migraine with aura (MA), 96 with migraine without aura (MO) and 244 unaffected controls. The populations consisted of Caucasians only, and controls were age- and sex-matched. The results showed no significant difference between groups for allele frequency distributions of the (TA)n polymorphism even after separation of the migraine-affected individuals into subgroups of MA and MO affected patients. This is in contradiction to Mochi et al. who found a positive association of this variant with MO. Our study discusses possible differences between the two studies and extends this research by investigating circulating cholesterol levels in a migraine-affected population.

A molecular genetic approach for forensic animal species identification.

This study investigated potential markers within chromosomal, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and ribosomal RNA (rRNA) with the aim of developing a DNA based method to allow differentiation between animal species. Such discrimination tests may have important applications in the forensic science, agriculture, quarantine and customs fields. DNA samples from five different animal individuals within the same species for 10 species of animal (including human) were analysed. DNA extraction and quantitation followed by PCR amplification and GeneScan visualisation formed the basis of the experimental analysis. Five gene markers from three different types of genes were investigated. These included genomic markers for the beta-actin and TP53 tumor suppressor gene. Mitochondrial DNA markers, designed by Bataille et al. [Forensic Sci. Int. 99 (1999) 165], examined the Cytochrome b gene and Hypervariable Displacement Loop (D-Loop) region. Finally, a ribosomal RNA marker for the 28S rRNA gene optimised by Naito et al. [J. Forensic Sci. 37 (1992) 396] was used as a possible marker for speciation. Results showed a difference of only several base pairs between all species for the beta-actin and 28S markers, with the exception of Sus scrofa (pig) beta-actin fragment length, which produced a significantly smaller fragment. Multiplexing of Cytochrome b and D-Loop markers gave limited species information, although positive discrimination of human DNA was evident. The most specific and discriminatory results were shown using the TP53 gene since this marker produced greatest fragment size differences between animal species studied. Sample differentiation for all species was possible following TP53 amplification, suggesting that this gene could be used as a potential animal species identifier.

Changes in the cerebral blood flow in postlingual cochlear implant users.

Five postlingually deaf patients (age range 28-58 years) with multichannel cochlear implants were examined with single photon emission tomography (SPECT) (triple-head rotating gamma camera). Changes in the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) after intravenous administration of technetium-99m ethyl cysteinate dimer (Tc-99m ECD) were assessed through a stimulation paradigm, consisting of: i) click stimuli (75 dB SPL) in the ear that was to be implanted, 2 weeks before surgery; ii) stimulation with the same click, one month after initial fitting; iii) stimulation with hearing sequential Spanish sentences one month after initial fitting. The results showed a significant increase in the rCBF in the primary left auditory area and in the right auditory cortex, in conditions ii) and iii). The rCBF also showed a significant asymmetrical increase in the frontal lobes when the patient was hearing sequential sentences (condition iii)) with asymmetrical distribution among patients. These results are discussed, principally the correlation between speech discrimination scores and the rCBF distribution in the frontal and temporal lobes.

Immediate return to unrestricted work after inguinal herniorrhaphy. Personal experiences with 27,267 cases, local anesthesia, and mesh.

Complete safety of the patient and unblemished success without recurrence or complication may be assured after inguinal herniorrhaphy as an out-patient if uncompromising intimate attention is paid to the surgical technique in which local anesthesia, polyvinyl ester mesh, and rectus abdominis tendon transfer are used instead of coaptive techniques, and if the post-operative regimen of immediate post-operative ambulation and unrestricted activity is employed. Return to work requiring heavy lifting the same day reduces tension on the mesh, increases the strength of the incision, prevents complications and minimizes pain. The surgical procedure and the virtues of the regimen, which has been eminently successful in 27,267 personal cases, with mesh employed in 18,214 patients, are described.

Comparative assessment of the consistency and quality of a highly purified FSH extracted from human urine (urofollitropin) and a recombinant human FSH (follitropin alpha).

The revolutionary development of biotechnology-derived therapeutic proteins has provided the expected improvements in quality, purity and consistency, as demonstrated in recombinant human FSH (rhFSH). However, the development of urine-derived gonadotrophins has not always shown comparable improvements. More recently, highly purified urine-derived FSH (uFSH-HP) products have become widely available. The relative purity, level of urine-derived contaminants, and consistency of one such highly purified human uFSH (uhFSH) (urofollitropin) has been assessed and directly compared with rhFSH (follitropin alpha). It has been demonstrated that the highly purified urofollitropin contains variable levels of urine-derived contaminant proteins and demonstrates a variable level of FSH purity, FSH isoforms, and delivered dose. These variable factors may contribute to the control of ovarian stimulation. The relative purity, variable consistency and the presence of contaminants indicates that the urofollitropin is, at best, a partially purified uFSH that is not able to meet the quality attributes of follitropin alpha (rhFSH).

A genome-wide scan provides evidence for loci influencing a severe heritable form of common migraine.

Migraine is a prevalent neurovascular disease with a significant genetic component. Linkage studies have so far identified migraine susceptibility loci on chromosomes 1, 4, 6, 11, 14, 19 and X. We performed a genome-wide scan of 92 Australian pedigrees phenotyped for migraine with and without aura and for a more heritable form of "severe" migraine. Multipoint non-parametric linkage analysis revealed suggestive linkage on chromosome 18p11 for the severe migraine phenotype (LOD*=2.32, P=0.0006) and chromosome 3q (LOD*=2.28, P=0.0006). Excess allele sharing was also observed at multiple different chromosomal regions, some of which overlap with, or are directly adjacent to, previously implicated migraine susceptibility regions. We have provided evidence for two loci involved in severe migraine susceptibility and conclude that dissection of the "migraine" phenotype may be helpful for identifying susceptibility genes that influence the more heritable clinical (symptom) profiles in affected pedigrees. Also, we concluded that the genetic aetiology of the common (International Headache Society) forms of the disease is probably comprised of a number of low to moderate effect susceptibility genes, perhaps acting synergistically, and this effect is not easily detected by traditional single-locus linkage analyses of large samples of affected pedigrees.