| 1. |
- Joshi, Peter K, et al.
(författare)
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Directional dominance on stature and cognition in diverse human populations
- 2015
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Ingår i: Nature. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0028-0836 .- 1476-4687. ; 523:7561, s. 459-462
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Homozygosity has long been associated with rare, often devastating, Mendelian disorders, and Darwin was one of the first to recognize that inbreeding reduces evolutionary fitness. However, the effect of the more distant parental relatedness that is common in modern human populations is less well understood. Genomic data now allow us to investigate the effects of homozygosity on traits of public health importance by observing contiguous homozygous segments (runs of homozygosity), which are inferred to be homozygous along their complete length. Given the low levels of genome-wide homozygosity prevalent in most human populations, information is required on very large numbers of people to provide sufficient power. Here we use runs of homozygosity to study 16 health-related quantitative traits in 354,224 individuals from 102 cohorts, and find statistically significant associations between summed runs of homozygosity and four complex traits: height, forced expiratory lung volume in one second, general cognitive ability and educational attainment (P < 1 × 10(-300), 2.1 × 10(-6), 2.5 × 10(-10) and 1.8 × 10(-10), respectively). In each case, increased homozygosity was associated with decreased trait value, equivalent to the offspring of first cousins being 1.2 cm shorter and having 10 months' less education. Similar effect sizes were found across four continental groups and populations with different degrees of genome-wide homozygosity, providing evidence that homozygosity, rather than confounding, directly contributes to phenotypic variance. Contrary to earlier reports in substantially smaller samples, no evidence was seen of an influence of genome-wide homozygosity on blood pressure and low density lipoprotein cholesterol, or ten other cardio-metabolic traits. Since directional dominance is predicted for traits under directional evolutionary selection, this study provides evidence that increased stature and cognitive function have been positively selected in human evolution, whereas many important risk factors for late-onset complex diseases may not have been.
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| 2. |
- Frisoni, G. B., et al.
(författare)
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Strategic roadmap for an early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease based on biomarkers
- 2017
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Ingår i: Lancet Neurology. - 1474-4422 .- 1474-4465. ; 16:8, s. 661-676
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease can be improved by the use of biological measures. Biomarkers of functional impairment, neuronal loss, and protein deposition that can be assessed by neuroimaging (ie, MRI and PET) or CSF analysis are increasingly being used to diagnose Alzheimer's disease in research studies and specialist clinical settings. However, the validation of the clinical usefulness of these biomarkers is incomplete, and that is hampering reimbursement for these tests by health insurance providers, their widespread clinical implementation, and improvements in quality of health care. We have developed a strategic five-phase roadmap to foster the clinical validation of biomarkers in Alzheimer's disease, adapted from the approach for cancer biomarkers. Sufficient evidence of analytical validity (phase 1 of a structured framework adapted from oncology) is available for all biomarkers, but their clinical validity (phases 2 and 3) and clinical utility (phases 4 and 5) are incomplete. To complete these phases, research priorities include the standardisation of the readout of these assays and thresholds for normality, the evaluation of their performance in detecting early disease, the development of diagnostic algorithms comprising combinations of biomarkers, and the development of clinical guidelines for the use of biomarkers in qualified memory clinics.
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| 3. |
- Koltowska-Häggström, Maria, et al.
(författare)
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Does long-term GH replacement therapy in hypopituitary adults with GH deficiency normalise quality of life?
- 2006
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Ingår i: European journal of endocrinology / European Federation of Endocrine Societies. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0804-4643 .- 1479-683X. ; 155:1, s. 109-19
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: To determine whether impaired quality of life (QoL) in adults with GH deficiency (GHD) is reversible with long-term GH therapy and whether the responses in QoL dimensions differ from each other. METHODS: QoL was measured by the Quality of Life-Assessment for Growth Hormone Deficiency in Adults (QoL-AGHDA) in general population samples in England & Wales, The Netherlands, Spain and Sweden (n = 892, 1038, 868 and 1682 respectively) and compared with corresponding patients' data from KIMS (Pfizer International Metabolic Database) (n = 758, 247, 197 and 484 respectively) for 4-6 years a follow-up. The subsets of patients from England and Wales, and Sweden with longitudinal data for 5 years' follow-up were also analysed. The change of the total QoL-AGHDA scores and responses within dimensions were evaluated. Subanalyses were performed to identify any specificity in response pattern for gender, age, disease-onset and aetiology. RESULTS: Irrespective of the degree of impairment, overall QoL improved dramatically in the first 12 months, with steady progress thereafter towards the country-specific population mean. Problems with memory and tiredness were the most serious burden for untreated patients, followed by tenseness, self-confidence and problems with socialising. With treatment, these improved in the reverse order, normalising for the latter three. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term GH replacement results in sustained improvements towards the normative country-specific values in overall QoL and in most impaired dimensions. The lasting improvement and almost identical pattern of response in each patient subgroup and independent of the level of QoL impairment support the hypothesis that GHD may cause these patients' psychological problems.
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
- Abs, Roger, et al.
(författare)
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Determinants of cardiovascular risk in 2589 hypopituitary GH-deficient adults - a KIMS database analysis.
- 2006
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Ingår i: European Journal of Endocrinology. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0804-4643 .- 1479-683X. ; 155:1, s. 79-90
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: The aim of the present study was to clarify the relationship between GH deficiency (GHD) andsome cardiovascular risk factors and to analyse the effect of GH replacement therapy in a large numberof patients over a prolonged period of time.Design: Data for analysis were retrieved from KIMS (Pfizer International Metabolic Database). Serumconcentrations of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein(LDL)-cholesterol and triglycerides were obtained from 2589 patients at baseline and from 1206patients after 1 and 2 years of GH replacement therapy. Body mass index (BMI), waist and hip, restingblood pressure and body composition were also measured.Results: At baseline, the unfavourable effects of GHD were most obvious in the lipid profiledemonstrating elevated mean total and LDL-cholesterol, in the increased waist circumference and theelevated BMI. The cholesterol concentration, BMI and body composition were significantly adverselyaffected by a number of factors, including age, sex and the use of anti-epileptic drugs. The therapeuticeffect of GH was essentially uniform across the whole population. GH replacement reduced significantlythe mean total and LDL-cholesterol, the waist circumference and the fat mass and was maintainedduring 2 years.Conclusions: This analysis of a large number of patients confirmed that GHD adults present with anincreased cardiovascular risk. The sustained improvement of the adverse lipid profile and bodycomposition suggests that GH replacement therapy may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease andthe premature mortality seen in hypopituitary patients with untreated GHD.
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
- Abs, Roger, et al.
(författare)
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Prevalence of diabetes mellitus in 6050 hypopituitary patients with adult-onset GH deficiency before GH replacement: a KIMS analysis
- 2013
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Ingår i: European Journal of Endocrinology. - 1479-683X. ; 168:3, s. 297-305
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: GH deficiency (GHD) in adults is characterized by a tendency toward obesity and an adverse body composition with visceral fat deposit and may thus predispose to the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to assess the observed prevalence proportion (PP) and observed PP over expected PP ratio (standardized prevalence proportion ratio, SPR) of diabetes according to International Diabetes Federation criteria in a large cohort of GH-untreated adult-onset GHD patients. Design and methods: Associations between baseline variables and diabetes prevalence in 6050 GHD patients from KIMS (Pfizer International Metabolic Database) were studied and robust Poisson-regression analyses were performed. Comparisons between baseline status and HbA1c categories in the nondiabetic patients were done with covariance analysis. P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: PP was 9.3% compared with the expected 8.2%. SPR was 1.13 (95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), 1.04-1.23), which was significantly increased in females (1.23; 95% CI, 1.09-1.38%) but not in males (SPR 1.04; 95% CI, 0.92-1.17%). PP increased significantly by age, familial diabetes, country selection, BMI, waist circumference, number of pituitary deficiencies, and GHD etiology. SPR decreased significantly by age and increased significantly by BMI, waist circumference, and IGF1 SDS. Multiple regression model showed that the most important impact on SPR was from age and BMI. HbA1c values of 6.0-6.5% were found in 9.5% of nondiabetic patients and were associated with higher BMI and waist circumference. Conclusions: GHD is associated with an increased prevalence of diabetes, largely to be explained by the adverse body composition. These data urge toward early initiation of lifestyle modification measures. European Journal of Endocrinology 168 297-305
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| 8. |
- Adler, Andrew F., et al.
(författare)
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hESC-Derived Dopaminergic Transplants Integrate into Basal Ganglia Circuitry in a Preclinical Model of Parkinson's Disease
- 2019
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Ingår i: Cell Reports. - : Elsevier BV. - 2211-1247. ; 28:13, s. 5-3473
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cell replacement is currently being explored as a therapeutic approach for neurodegenerative disease. Using stem cells as a source, transplantable progenitors can now be generated under conditions compliant with clinical application in patients. In this study, we elucidate factors controlling target-appropriate innervation and circuitry integration of human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived grafts after transplantation to the adult brain. We show that cell-intrinsic factors determine graft-derived axonal innervation, whereas synaptic inputs from host neurons primarily reflect the graft location. Furthermore, we provide evidence that hESC-derived dopaminergic grafts transplanted in a long-term preclinical rat model of Parkinson's disease (PD) receive synaptic input from subtypes of host cortical, striatal, and pallidal neurons that are known to regulate the function of endogenous nigral dopamine neurons. This refined understanding of how graft neurons integrate with host circuitry will be important for the design of clinical stem-cell-based replacement therapies for PD, as well as for other neurodegenerative diseases. Adler et al. graft hESC-derived dopaminergic progenitors into a rat model of Parkinson's disease. They find grafts correctly innervate host targets and receive appropriate synaptic input after intranigral and intrastriatal placement. Furthermore, the same host neurons projecting toward endogenous dopamine neurons are found to also connect to the grafts.
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| 9. |
- Burman, Pia, et al.
(författare)
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Radiotherapy, especially at young age, increases the risk for de novo brain tumors in patients treated for pituitary/sellar lesions
- 2017
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Ingår i: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. - : The Endocrine Society. - 0021-972X .- 1945-7197. ; 102:3, s. 1051-1058
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context: De novo brain tumors developing after treatment of pituitary/sellar lesions have been reported, but it is unknown whether this is linked to any of the treatment modalities. Objective: To study the occurrence of malignant brain tumors and meningiomas in a large cohort of patients treated for pituitary/sellar lesions, with special emphasis on the role of radiotherapy (RT). Patients and Methods: Patients (n = 8917) who were hypopituitary due to pituitary adenomas, craniopharyngiomas, and other sellar tumors followed in KIMS (Pfizer International Metabolic Database) from 1994 to 2012 were included. Treatment consisted of surgery and/or medical therapy in 4927 patients, RT alone, or with surgery in 3236 patients; data were missing in 754. Incidence rate ratios (RRs) were analyzed through Poisson regression methods with internal comparisons. Results: During 53,786 patient-years, 17 cases of malignant brain tumors (13 exposed to RT) and 27 meningiomas (22 exposed to RT) were reported. RR for RT vs no RT was 3.34 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.06 to 10.6] for malignant brain tumors, and 4.06 (95% CI, 1.51 to 10.9) for meningiomas. The risk of developing a malignant brain tumor increased by 2.4-fold (P = 0.005) and meningioma by 1.6-fold with every 10 years of younger age at RT (P = 0.05). Incidence rates were similar in patients treated with conventional RT compared with stereotactic RT. Conclusion: RT of pituitary tumors is associated with increased risk of developing malignant brain tumors and meningiomas, especially when given at younger ages. In balancing risks and benefits of RT, our findings emphasize that special consideration should be given to the age of the patient.
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| 10. |
- Cardoso, Tiago, et al.
(författare)
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Target-specific forebrain projections and appropriate synaptic inputs of hESC-derived dopamine neurons grafted to the midbrain of parkinsonian rats
- 2018
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Ingår i: Journal of Comparative Neurology. - 0021-9967. ; 526:13, s. 2133-2146
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Dopamine (DA) neurons derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are a promising unlimited source of cells for cell replacement therapy in Parkinson's disease (PD). A number of studies have demonstrated functionality of DA neurons originating from hESCs when grafted to the striatum of rodent and non-human primate models of PD. However, several questions remain in regard to their axonal outgrowth potential and capacity to integrate into host circuitry. Here, ventral midbrain (VM) patterned hESC-derived progenitors were grafted into the midbrain of 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats, and analyzed at 6, 18, and 24weeks for a time-course evaluation of specificity and extent of graft-derived fiber outgrowth as well as potential for functional recovery. To investigate synaptic integration of the transplanted cells, we used rabies-based monosynaptic tracing to reveal the origin and extent of host presynaptic inputs to grafts at 6 weeks. The results reveal the capacity of grafted neurons to extend axonal projections toward appropriate forebrain target structures progressively over 24weeks. The timing and extent of graft-derived dopaminergic fibers innervating the dorsolateral striatum matched reduction in amphetamine-induced rotational asymmetry in the animals where recovery could be observed. Monosynaptic tracing demonstrated that grafted cells integrate with host circuitry 6 weeks after transplantation, in a manner that is comparable with endogenous midbrain connectivity. Thus, we demonstrate that VM patterned hESC-derived progenitors grafted to midbrain have the capacity to extensively innervate appropriate forebrain targets, integrate into the host circuitry and that functional recovery can be achieved when grafting fetal or hESC-derived DA neurons to the midbrain.
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