| 1. |
- Kanoni, Stavroula, et al.
(author)
-
Implicating genes, pleiotropy, and sexual dimorphism at blood lipid loci through multi-ancestry meta-analysis.
- 2022
-
In: Genome biology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1474-760X .- 1465-6906 .- 1474-7596. ; 23:1
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Genetic variants within nearly 1000 loci are known to contribute to modulation of blood lipid levels. However, the biological pathways underlying these associations are frequently unknown, limiting understanding of these findings and hindering downstream translational efforts such as drug target discovery.To expand our understanding of the underlying biological pathways and mechanisms controlling blood lipid levels, we leverage a large multi-ancestry meta-analysis (N=1,654,960) of blood lipids to prioritize putative causal genes for 2286 lipid associations using six gene prediction approaches. Using phenome-wide association (PheWAS) scans, we identify relationships of genetically predicted lipid levels to other diseases and conditions. We confirm known pleiotropic associations with cardiovascular phenotypes and determine novel associations, notably with cholelithiasis risk. We perform sex-stratified GWAS meta-analysis of lipid levels and show that 3-5% of autosomal lipid-associated loci demonstrate sex-biased effects. Finally, we report 21 novel lipid loci identified on the X chromosome. Many of the sex-biased autosomal and X chromosome lipid loci show pleiotropic associations with sex hormones, emphasizing the role of hormone regulation in lipid metabolism.Taken together, our findings provide insights into the biological mechanisms through which associated variants lead to altered lipid levels and potentially cardiovascular disease risk.
|
|
| 2. |
- de las Fuentes, Lisa, et al.
(author)
-
Gene-educational attainment interactions in a multi-ancestry genome-wide meta-analysis identify novel blood pressure loci
- 2021
-
In: Molecular Psychiatry. - : Springer Nature. - 1359-4184 .- 1476-5578. ; 26:6, s. 2111-2125
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Educational attainment is widely used as a surrogate for socioeconomic status (SES). Low SES is a risk factor for hypertension and high blood pressure (BP). To identify novel BP loci, we performed multi-ancestry meta-analyses accounting for gene-educational attainment interactions using two variables, “Some College” (yes/no) and “Graduated College” (yes/no). Interactions were evaluated using both a 1 degree of freedom (DF) interaction term and a 2DF joint test of genetic and interaction effects. Analyses were performed for systolic BP, diastolic BP, mean arterial pressure, and pulse pressure. We pursued genome-wide interrogation in Stage 1 studies (N = 117 438) and follow-up on promising variants in Stage 2 studies (N = 293 787) in five ancestry groups. Through combined meta-analyses of Stages 1 and 2, we identified 84 known and 18 novel BP loci at genome-wide significance level (P < 5 × 10-8). Two novel loci were identified based on the 1DF test of interaction with educational attainment, while the remaining 16 loci were identified through the 2DF joint test of genetic and interaction effects. Ten novel loci were identified in individuals of African ancestry. Several novel loci show strong biological plausibility since they involve physiologic systems implicated in BP regulation. They include genes involved in the central nervous system-adrenal signaling axis (ZDHHC17, CADPS, PIK3C2G), vascular structure and function (GNB3, CDON), and renal function (HAS2 and HAS2-AS1, SLIT3). Collectively, these findings suggest a role of educational attainment or SES in further dissection of the genetic architecture of BP.
|
|
| 3. |
- Ades, A. E., et al.
(author)
-
Zika virus infection in pregnancy : a protocol for the joint analysis of the prospective cohort studies of the ZIKAlliance, ZikaPLAN and ZIKAction consortia
- 2020
-
In: BMJ Open. - : BMJ PUBLISHING GROUP. - 2044-6055. ; 10:12
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: Zika virus (ZIKV) infection in pregnancy has been associated with microcephaly and severe neurological damage to the fetus. Our aim is to document the risks of adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes and the prevalence of laboratory markers of congenital infection in deliveries to women experiencing ZIKV infection during pregnancy, using data from European Commission-funded prospective cohort studies in 20 centres in 11 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean.Methods and analysis: We will carry out a centre-by-centre analysis of the risks of adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes, comparing women with confirmed and suspected ZIKV infection in pregnancy to those with no evidence of infection in pregnancy. We will document the proportion of deliveries in which laboratory markers of congenital infection were present. Finally, we will investigate the associations of trimester of maternal infection in pregnancy, presence or absence of maternal symptoms of acute ZIKV infection and previous flavivirus infections with adverse outcomes and with markers of congenital infection. Centre-specific estimates will be pooled using a two-stage approach.Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval was obtained at each centre. Findings will be presented at international conferences and published in peer-reviewed open access journals and discussed with local public health officials and representatives of the national Ministries of Health, Pan American Health Organization and WHO involved with ZIKV prevention and control activities.
|
|
| 4. |
- Broekman, Maarten J. E., et al.
(author)
-
Evaluating expert-based habitat suitability information of terrestrial mammals with GPS-tracking data
- 2022
-
In: Global Ecology and Biogeography. - : Wiley. - 1466-822X .- 1466-8238. ; 31:8, s. 1526-1541
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aim: Macroecological studies that require habitat suitability data for many species often derive this information from expert opinion. However, expert-based information is inherently subjective and thus prone to errors. The increasing availability of GPS tracking data offers opportunities to evaluate and supplement expert-based information with detailed empirical evidence. Here, we compared expert-based habitat suitability information from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) with habitat suitability information derived from GPS-tracking data of 1,498 individuals from 49 mammal species.Location: Worldwide.Time period: 1998-2021.Major taxa studied: Forty-nine terrestrial mammal species.Methods: Using GPS data, we estimated two measures of habitat suitability for each individual animal: proportional habitat use (proportion of GPS locations within a habitat type), and selection ratio (habitat use relative to its availability). For each individual we then evaluated whether the GPS-based habitat suitability measures were in agreement with the IUCN data. To that end, we calculated the probability that the ranking of empirical habitat suitability measures was in agreement with IUCN's classification into suitable, marginal and unsuitable habitat types.Results: IUCN habitat suitability data were in accordance with the GPS data (> 95% probability of agreement) for 33 out of 49 species based on proportional habitat use estimates and for 25 out of 49 species based on selection ratios. In addition, 37 and 34 species had a > 50% probability of agreement based on proportional habitat use and selection ratios, respectively.Main conclusions: We show how GPS-tracking data can be used to evaluate IUCN habitat suitability data. Our findings indicate that for the majority of species included in this study, it is appropriate to use IUCN habitat suitability data in macroecological studies. Furthermore, we show that GPS-tracking data can be used to identify and prioritize species and habitat types for re-evaluation of IUCN habitat suitability data.
|
|
| 5. |
- Hufsky, Franziska, et al.
(author)
-
Women in the European Virus Bioinformatics Center
- 2022
-
In: Viruses. - : MDPI. - 1999-4915. ; 14:7, s. 1522-1522
-
Journal article (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Viruses are the cause of a considerable burden to human, animal and plant health, whileon the other hand playing an important role in regulating entire ecosystems. The power of newsequencing technologies combined with new tools for processing “Big Data” offers unprecedentedopportunities to answer fundamental questions in virology. Virologists have an urgent need forvirus-specific bioinformatics tools. These developments have led to the formation of the EuropeanVirus Bioinformatics Center, a network of experts in virology and bioinformatics who are joiningforces to enable extensive exchange and collaboration between these research areas. The EVBCstrives to provide talented researchers with a supportive environment free of gender bias, but thegender gap in science, especially in math-intensive fields such as computer science, persists. Tobring more talented women into research and keep them there, we need to highlight role models tospark their interest, and we need to ensure that female scientists are not kept at lower levels but aregiven the opportunity to lead the field. Here we showcase the work of the EVBC and highlight theachievements of some outstanding women experts in virology and viral bioinformatics.
|
|
| 6. |
- Larkin, Lesley, et al.
(author)
-
Investigation of an international outbreak of multidrug-resistant monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium associated with chocolate products, EU/EEA and United Kingdom, February to April 2022
- 2022
-
In: Eurosurveillance. - : European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. - 1025-496X .- 1560-7917. ; 27:15
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- An extensive multi-country outbreak of multidrug-resistant monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium infection in 10 countries with 150 reported cases, predominantly affecting young children, has been linked to chocolate products produced by a large multinational company. Extensive withdrawals and recalls of multiple product lines have been undertaken. With Easter approaching, widespread product distribution and the vulnerability of the affected population, early and effective real-time sharing of microbiological and epidemiological information has been of critical importance in effectively managing this serious food-borne incident.
|
|
| 7. |
- Pignolo, Robert J., et al.
(author)
-
Reduction of new heterotopic ossification (HO) in the open-label, phase 3 MOVE trial of palovarotene for fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP)
- 2023
-
In: Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0884-0431 .- 1523-4681. ; 38:3, s. 381-394
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is an ultra-rare, severely disabling genetic disorder of progressive heterotopic ossification (HO). The single-arm, open-label, phase 3 MOVE trial (NCT03312634) assessed efficacy and safety of palovarotene, a selective retinoic acid receptor gamma agonist, in patients with FOP. Findings were compared with FOP natural history study (NHS; NCT02322255) participants untreated beyond standard of care. Patients aged ≥4 years received palovarotene once daily (chronic: 5 mg; flare-up: 20 mg for 4 weeks, then 10 mg for ≥8 weeks; weight-adjusted if skeletally immature). The primary endpoint was annualized change in new HO volume versus NHS participants (by low-dose whole-body computed tomography [WBCT]), analyzed using a Bayesian compound Poisson model (BcPM) with square-root transformation. Twelve-month interim analyses met futility criteria; dosing was paused. An independent Data Monitoring Committee recommended trial continuation. Post hoc 18-month interim analyses utilized BcPM with square-root transformation and HO data collapsed to equalize MOVE and NHS visit schedules, BcPM without transformation, and weighted linear mixed-effects (wLME) models, alongside prespecified analysis. Safety was assessed throughout. Eighteen-month interim analyses included 97 MOVE and 101 NHS individuals with post-baseline WBCT. BcPM analyses without transformation showed 99.4% probability of any reduction in new HO with palovarotene versus NHS participants (with transformation: 65.4%). Mean annualized new HO volume was 60% lower in MOVE versus the NHS. wLME results were similar (54% reduction fitted; nominal p = 0.039). All palovarotene-treated patients reported ≥1 adverse event (AE); 97.0% reported ≥1 retinoid-associated AE; 29.3% reported ≥1 serious AE, including premature physeal closure (PPC)/epiphyseal disorder in 21/57 (36.8%) patients aged <14 years. Post hoc computational analyses using WBCT showed decreased vertebral bone mineral density, content, and strength, and increased vertebral fracture risk in palovarotene-treated patients. Thus, post hoc analyses showed evidence for efficacy of palovarotene in reducing new HO in FOP, but high risk of PPC in skeletally immature patients.
|
|
| 8. |
- Pignolo, Robert J., et al.
(author)
-
The effects of palovarotene in patients with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva : a plain language summary
- 2023
-
In: Future Rare Diseases. - : Future Medicine. - 2399-5270 .- 2399-5262. ; 3:1
-
Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- What is this summary about?This is a plain language summary of an article originally published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. People with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) become physically disabled over time as new bone forms in places where it is not usually found, such as in muscles and ligaments. Until recently, there were no treatments for FOP that had been proven through clinical trials; however, a drug called palovarotene has been tested in clinical trials and may be effective. Here, we describe the MOVE trial, which investigated how effectively palovarotene works, as well as its safety in treating patients with FOP.What were the results?Results from MOVE suggest that palovarotene may reduce extra bone formation outside the normal skeleton. Patients with FOP who took palovarotene formed less new bone than those who did not take palovarotene. The most common side effects involved the skin, and included dryness and irritation. Some children who were still growing when they took palovarotene had a side effect that resulted in the (normal) growth of their skeleton stopping too soon.What do the results of the trial mean?Palovarotene may be a useful treatment option for FOP. Patients, caregivers, and doctors would need to consider the benefits and risks of treatment with palovarotene, particularly with growing children.
|
|
| 9. |
- Zhong, Jun, et al.
(author)
-
A Transcriptome-Wide Association Study Identifies Novel Candidate Susceptibility Genes for Pancreatic Cancer
- 2020
-
In: Journal of the National Cancer Institute. - : Oxford University Press. - 0027-8874 .- 1460-2105. ; 112:10
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Although 20 pancreatic cancer susceptibility loci have been identified through genome-wide association studies in individuals of European ancestry, much of its heritability remains unexplained and the genes responsible largely unknown. Methods: To discover novel pancreatic cancer risk loci and possible causal genes, we performed a pancreatic cancer transcriptome-wide association study in Europeans using three approaches: FUSION, MetaXcan, and Summary-MulTiXcan. We integrated genome-wide association studies summary statistics from 9040 pancreatic cancer cases and 12 496 controls, with gene expression prediction models built using transcriptome data from histologically normal pancreatic tissue samples (NCI Laboratory of Translational Genomics [n = 95] and Genotype-Tissue Expression v7 [n = 174] datasets) and data from 48 different tissues (Genotype-Tissue Expression v7, n = 74-421 samples). Results: We identified 25 genes whose genetically predicted expression was statistically significantly associated with pancreatic cancer risk (false discovery rate < .05), including 14 candidate genes at 11 novel loci (1p36.12: CELA3B; 9q31.1: SMC2, SMC2-AS1; 10q23.31: RP11-80H5.9; 12q13.13: SMUG1; 14q32.33: BTBD6; 15q23: HEXA; 15q26.1: RCCD1; 17q12: PNMT, CDK12, PGAP3; 17q22: SUPT4H1; 18q11.22: RP11-888D10.3; and 19p13.11: PGPEPI) and 11 at six known risk loci (5p15.33: TERT, CLPTMIL, ZDHHCIIB; 7p14.1: INHBA; 9q34.2: ABO; 13q12.2: PDX1; 13q22.1: KLF5; and 16q23.1: WDR59, CFDP1, BCAR1, TMEM170A). The association for 12 of these genes (CELA3B, SMC2, and PNMT at novel risk loci and TERT, CLPTMIL, INHBA, ABO, PDX1, KLF5, WDR59, CFDP1, and BCAR1 at known loci) remained statistically significant after Bonferroni correction. Conclusions: By integrating gene expression and genotype data, we identified novel pancreatic cancer risk loci and candidate functional genes that warrant further investigation.
|
|
