Projecting the Supply and Demand for Certified Genetic Counselors: a Workforce Study.

As of May 2017, there were 4242 Certified Genetic Counselors (CGC) (American Board of Genetic Counseling, Inc. 2017) and 41 graduate-level genetic counseling training programs (Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling 2017) in North America, and the demand for CGCs continues to increase. In the Fall of 2015 the Genetic Counselor Workforce Working Group, comprised of representatives from the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC), the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC), the Association of Genetic Counseling Program Directors (AGCPD), the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG), and the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) commissioned a formal workforce study to project supply of and demand for CGCs through 2026. The data indicate a shortage of genetic counselors engaged in direct patient care. Assuming two scenarios for demand, supply is expected to reach equilibrium between 2024 and 2030. However, given the rate of growth in genetic counseling training programs in the six months since the study was completed, it is reasonable to expect that the number of new programs may be higher than anticipated by 2026. If true, and assuming that growth in programs is matched by equivalent growth in clinical training slots, the supply of CGCs in direct patient care would meet demand earlier than these models predict.

Unusual temperature dependence of band dispersion in Ba(Fe(1-x)Ru(x))2As2 and its consequences for antiferromagnetic ordering.

We have performed detailed studies of the temperature evolution of the electronic structure in Ba(Fe(1-x)Ru(x))(2)As(2) using angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy. Surprisingly, we find that the binding energy of both hole and electron bands changes significantly with temperature in both pure and Ru substituted samples. The hole and electron pockets are well nested at low temperature in unsubstituted (BaFe(2)As(2)) samples, which likely drives the spin density wave and resulting antiferromagnetic order. Upon warming, this nesting is degraded as the hole pocket shrinks and the electron pocket expands. Our results demonstrate that the temperature dependent nesting may play an important role in driving the antiferromagnetic-paramagnetic phase transition.

Magnetic Frustration Driven by Itinerancy in Spinel CoV2O4.

Localized spins and itinerant electrons rarely coexist in geometrically-frustrated spinel lattices. They exhibit a complex interplay between localized spins and itinerant electrons. In this paper, we study the origin of the unusual spin structure of the spinel CoV2O4, which stands at the crossover from insulating to itinerant behavior using the first principle calculation and neutron diffraction measurement. In contrast to the expected paramagnetism, localized spins supported by enhanced exchange couplings are frustrated by the effects of delocalized electrons. This frustration produces a non-collinear spin state even without orbital orderings and may be responsible for macroscopic spin-glass behavior. Competing phases can be uncovered by external perturbations such as pressure or magnetic field, which enhances the frustration.

Modulation of lipoprotein production in Hep G2 cells by fenofibrate and clofibrate.

Fenofibrate and other fibrate derivatives are commonly used to treat hyperlipidemia. It is not yet clear how they exert their modulatory effects on plasma lipoproteins. To investigate whether these drugs act on the liver to primarily inhibit very low density lipoprotein production, we utilized the highly differentiated human hepatoma cell line, Hep G2. At concentrations greater than 15 micrograms/mL, fenofibrate caused a 30% decrease in secreted apolipoprotein B (apo B) after 4 days of treatment. Pulse-chase studies demonstrated that this was not due to inhibition of apo B synthesis. Triglyceride synthesis by fenofibrate-treated Hep G2 cells was decreased by 30%, and the amount secreted into the medium was reduced by 50%. At a low concentration of drug (5 micrograms/mL), triglyceride secretion was reduced markedly while apo B secretion remained unchanged. Thus, apo B secretion is less sensitive to fenofibrate than the synthesis and secretion of triglyceride, and may be secondary to changes in the latter. Fenofibrate has also been shown to raise plasma high density lipoprotein concentrations. We found that low concentrations of fenofibrate caused a 20-101% increase in secreted apolipoprotein AI (apo AI), and pulse-chase immunoprecipitation studies showed that this was due to an increase in apo AI synthesis. Fenofibrate was compared to clofibrate to investigate whether their relative effects on lipoprotein production in Hep G2 cells were comparable to their relative effects on plasma lipoproteins. Both fibrates decreased the secretion of apo B to the same extent, but only fenofibrate increased apo AI secretion. Fenofibrate was more effective than clofibrate in inhibiting the secretion of lipids by these cells. Thus, the known effects of fenofibrate on plasma lipoproteins can be attributed to its direct modulation of lipoprotein synthesis in the liver cell. Hep G2 cells may thus be useful in testing the relative efficacy of fibric acid derivatives in vitro.

Beyond alcohol: beverage consumption and cardiovascular mortality.

This paper reviews epidemiological investigations which have identified an inverse relationship between alcohol consumption and death from coronary heart disease: evidence from studies of mixed populations as well as of single-sex populations have, on the whole, demonstrated that this relationship is independent of sex or age. This 'cardioprotective effect' of alcohol can be explained, at least in part, by ethanol-related increases in high density lipoprotein cholesterol and reduced platelet coagulability. With certain beverages, especially red wine, phenolic compounds may provide additional protection by altering eicosanoid metabolism in favour of increased prostacyclin and decreased thromboxane synthesis, as well as antioxidant functions which prevent the peroxidation of low-density lipoprotein. Trans-resveratrol, a tri-hydroxy stilbene present in the skins of specific grape cultivars, is a constituent of certain red wines which may play a crucial role in modulating lipoprotein metabolism, eicosanoid synthesis, oxidation and coagulation. Preliminary studies using the human hepatoma cell line HepG2 are described, demonstrating that this compound has no effect upon cell viability or overall protein synthesis in these cells, and at high concentrations DNA synthesis as measured by radioactive thymidine incorporation is enhanced. Reduced intracellular concentration and secretion of apolipoprotein B have been shown to occur in response to resveratrol although a clear dose-dependency has not yet been demonstrated. The mechanisms underlying these changes as well as the effects upon the synthesis and secretion of other apolipoproteins are under active investigation in our laboratory.

Wines and grape juices as modulators of platelet aggregation in healthy human subjects.

To test the hypothesis that red wine, by virtue of its relatively high concentration of polyphenols, is more protective against atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease (CHD) than white wine, and that grape juice enriched in one of these, trans-resveratrol, may share some of these properties, studies were performed on 24 healthy males aged 26-45 years. Each consumed the following beverages for periods of 4 weeks: red wine, white wine, commercial grape juice and the same grape juice enriched with trans-resveratrol. Apart from the last beverage, 2 weeks abstinence was maintained before commencing the schedule. Blood was taken at the beginning and end of each schedule to determine plasma thromboxane B2 (TxB2) concentration and the IC50 (concentration required for 50% aggregation) for ADP and thrombin-induced platelet aggregation. White wine (P < 0.05) but not red wine increased the IC50 for ADP. Both wines increased the IC50 for thrombin (P < 0.02 and P < 0.001, respectively) and also lowered plasma TxB2 concentrations (P < 0.01 and P < 0.025, respectively). Neither grape juice altered ADP-induced aggregation or TxB2 concentrations, but the commercial juice lowered the IC50 for thrombin (P < 0.001) whereas the resveratrol-enriched juice caused a dramatic increase (P < 0.001). In vitro experiments demonstrated that the aggregation of fresh washed human platelets by ADP and thrombin was moderately reduced by both grape juices, strongly by red wine and not at all by white wine. The synthesis of TxB2 by platelets from labelled arachidonate was stimulated by commercial grape juice, slightly enhanced by resveratrol-enriched juice and strongly inhibited by red wine with white wine having little effect. Platelets from subjects consuming the commercial juice had a higher ratio of cyclo-oxygenase to lipoxygenase product formation and those consuming the resveratrol-enriched juice a lower ratio than during the control period. We conclude that trans-resveratrol can be absorbed from grape juice in biologically active quantities and in amounts that are likely to cause reduction in the risk of atherosclerosis. The failure of red wines (which have a 20-fold excess of polyphenols over white wines) to show any advantage suggests that, in vivo, ethanol is the dominant anti-aggregatory component in these beverages which are more potent than grape juices in preventing platelet aggregation in humans.

Factors affecting the regulation of apo B secretion by liver cells.

The concentration of apo B is an important risk factor for atherosclerosis, and thus its reduction is associated with a reduction in CHD mortality. In order to reduce apo B concentrations effectively, we must understand how plasma apo B concentration is regulated. Apo B is synthesized, assembled, and secreted by the liver, controlling this process will reduce the number of particles that eventually enter the plasma compartment. The assembly of apo B into a VLDL particle is a complex process which occurs through several stages: peptide synthesis, translocation, accumulation of lipid, and transport through the secretory pathway. Multiple control points regulate the synthesis and secretion of apolipoproteins. Modulation of transcription, translation and intracellular degradation represent independent regulatory mechanisms. The ability of the lipoprotein to bind cotranslationally to lipid appears to be crucial to the formation of a secreted particle. This process may be regulated solely by MTP, or may be modified by the activity of the lipid-synthesizing enzymes. A great deal of evidence supports the role of TG and CE synthesis, although the relative importance of these two lipids is a source of major controversy. In summary, all the lipoprotein components can be limiting for apo B and VLDL synthesis when their availability is substantially decreased. The rate-limiting component in vivo has still not been identified. By understanding how lipoprotein synthesis and assembly are regulated, it should become possible to design new ways of altering these processes in a beneficial manner.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure apolipoproteins AI and B secreted by a human hepatic carcinoma cell line (Hep G2).

We describe an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to measure apolipoproteins AI and B secreted by Hep G2 cells and in cell homogenates. These assays utilize commercially available polyclonal antibodies, affinity-purified to improve their specificity, thereby achieving a dramatic increase in the sensitivity of the assay. These affinity-purified antibodies were also more sensitive than a series of monoclonal antibodies tested. We achieved a sensitivity of 0.4 ng in the apo AI assay, and a sensitivity of 5 ng in the apo B assay. By these methods, we measured secretion rates by Hep G2 cells of 358 +/- 41 ng/mg cell protein/hr for apo B and 137 +/- 8 ng/mg cell protein/hr for apo AI. These assays also allowed the measurement of intracellular apolipoproteins and thus can be used to facilitate investigations of human lipoprotein metabolism in cell culture systems.

Apolipoprotein synthesis and secretion in Hep G2 cells: effects of monensin and cycloheximide.

Hep G2 cells were used to study the relationship between apolipoprotein synthesis and secretion, as revealed by their interaction with agents modulating these processes. Cycloheximide inhibited the secretion of both apolipoproteins (apo) AI and B, but the reduction in apo AI secretion was evident at earlier times. Monensin also inhibited secretion of apo AI and apo B, but only apo AI accumulated intracellularly. Pulse-chase studies showed that, at concentrations of monensin that had no effect on total protein synthesis, apo B synthesis was specifically inhibited. Triacylglycerol synthesis was inhibited to the same extent as apo B synthesis, but this preceded the latter inhibition and unlike apo B there was an accumulation of intracellular triglyceride. These results suggest that distinctive mechanisms modulate the synthesis and secretion of apo AI and apo B, and that apo B synthesis can be specifically inhibited by mechanisms that initially block triglyceride production.