Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Liwei Cheng, Fan Zhang, Ying Wang, Jing Chen, Xiaoping Yuan
Summary: This meta-analysis study found an association between IFNGR1 gene polymorphisms and tuberculosis susceptibility. The rs2234711 polymorphism was associated with increased tuberculosis susceptibility in Africans and decreased susceptibility in Asians. Additionally, the rs7749390 polymorphism was associated with decreased tuberculosis susceptibility in Africans.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eun-Jin Kim, Oh-Sang Kwon, Chang-Gi Hur, Marie Merci Nyiramana, Dong-Kun Lee, Seong-Geun Hong, Jaehee Han, Dawon Kang
Summary: This study identified the effect of GABAR agonists on K-2P channel expression and activity in neuroblastic B35 cells. Muscimol, a GABA(A)R agonist, was found to significantly increase TREK-2 expression and activity, potentially reducing cellular excitability in GABAergic neurons through activating the TREK-2 channel.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Kwang-Hyun Hur, YouYoung Lee, Audrey Lynn Donio, Shi-Xun Ma, Bo-Ram Lee, Seon-Kyung Kim, Jae-Gyeong Lee, Young-Jung Kim, MinJeong Kim, SeolMin Yoon, SooYeun Lee, Yong-Sup Lee, Seok-Yong Lee, Choon-Gon Jang
Summary: In this study, we found that Mepirapim has addictive potential and induces addiction-related behaviors through neurochemical maladaptation in the brain. Furthermore, the pharmacological effects of Mepirapim are mainly mediated by cannabinoid receptor one.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chris Major Ncho, Chaemi Jeong, Vaishali Gupta, Akshat Goel
Summary: This study conducted a meta-analysis to investigate the response of chickens to GABA supplementation under various stressful conditions. The results showed that GABA supplementation via drinking water was more effective in reducing feed conversion ratio in heat-stressed birds, higher doses of GABA led to increased body weight gain, and longer duration of supplementation resulted in higher feed intake. Additionally, GABA had an impact on immune responses and blood parameters with a longer supplementation period.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Qiuhui Wang, Haocheng Wang, Yingxin Zhang, Jing Chen, Archana Upadhyay, Biswajit Bhowmick, Jiayu Hang, Shaoying Wu, Chenghong Liao, Qian Han
Summary: The study reveals that the iGABA receptor subunit Ae-RDL in Aedes aegypti is targeted by ivermectin and fluralaner. By interfering with Ae-RDL, these compounds significantly reduce the mortality of Aedes aegypti, highlighting their insecticidal mechanisms.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Qiaohong Chen, Yi Chen, Qiang Hu, Danxiang Han
Summary: The utilization of gibberellic acid-3, high carbon/nitrogen ratio, and salinity concentration can effectively enhance astaxanthin biosynthesis in Chromochloris zofingiensis under heterotrophic conditions. Metabolomics analysis revealed that enhanced glycolysis, pentose phosphate pathways, and tricarboxylic acid cycle led to astaxanthin accumulation. Increased fatty acids also contributed to astaxanthin esterification. The addition of appropriate concentrations of glycine and γ-aminobutyric acid promoted astaxanthin biosynthesis and biomass yield in C. zofingiensis.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Genetics & Heredity
Tom H. Karlsen
Summary: Two new publications demonstrate how case-control definitions critically determine outcomes and downstream clinical utility of findings in genome-wide association studies of COVID-19.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Maoquan Yang, Wansheng Ji, Ning Xu, Chuanju Zong, Jinhua Gu, Xiaojing Guo, Li Zhang
Summary: In this meta-analysis, VDR gene polymorphisms including Cdx-2, Tru9I, FokI, BsmI, TaqI, and ApaI were found to be significantly associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. Specifically, the BsmI variant was associated with a lower risk of CRC in Caucasian population, the FokI polymorphism was associated with colon cancer risk, and the Cdx-2 polymorphism was associated with decreased CRC risk among Africans.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Vincent Paget-Blanc, Marlene E. Pfeffer, Marie Pronot, Paul Lapios, Maria-Florencia Angelo, Roman Walle, Fabrice P. Cordelieres, Florian Levet, Stephane Claverol, Sabrina Lacomme, Melina Petrel, Christelle Martin, Vincent Pitard, Veronique De Smedt Peyrusse, Thomas Biederer, David Perrais, Pierre Trifilieff, Etienne Herzog
Summary: Dopamine is an important regulator of brain function, and its transmission at dopamine hub synapses may synergize with other neurotransmitters. This study used targeted labeling and fluorescence activated sorting to purify striatal dopaminergic synaptosomes and identified 57 specifically enriched proteins. Additionally, the adhesion of dopaminergic synapses to glutamatergic, GABAergic, or cholinergic synapses was observed, supporting local dopaminergic signaling.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Fengzhen Wang, Xianming Wen, Ting Wen, Ziyou Liu
Summary: This study assessed the association between TLR4 gene polymorphisms (rs1927914, rs4986790, and rs4986791) and cancer susceptibility. The results showed that individuals with the A allele of rs1927914, the G allele of rs4986790, or the T allele of rs4986791 had a higher risk of cancer.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ben-Jie Li, Kun-Kun Wang, Ye Yu, Jia-Qi Wei, Jian Zhu, Jia-Li Wang, Fei Lin, Han-Hong Xu
Summary: The utilization of RNA interference (RNAi) for pest management has garnered global interest. Bioassay results suggested that knocking out the PxRdl2 gene significantly increased the insecticidal activities of the γ-aminobutyric acid receptor (GABAR)-targeting compounds. This provides a viable target gene for RNAi-mediated pest control. PxRdl2 dsRNA expressed in HT115 Escherichia coli showed superior interference efficiency and greater stability when compared to in vitro synthesized dsRNA.
PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ashley Budu-Aggrey, Anna Kilanowski, Maria K. Sobczyk, Suyash S. Shringarpure, Ruth Mitchell, Kadri Reis, Anu Reigo, Reedik Maegi, Mari Nelis, Nao Tanaka, Ben M. Brumpton, Laurent F. Thomas, Pol Sole-Navais, Christopher Flatley, Antonio Espuela-Ortiz, Esther Herrera-Luis, Jesus V. T. Lominchar, Jette Bork-Jensen, Ingo Marenholz, Aleix Arnau-Soler, Ayoung Jeong, Katherine A. Fawcett, Hansjorg Baurecht, Elke Rodriguez, Alexessander Couto Alves, Ashish Kumar, Patrick M. Sleiman, Xiao Chang, Carolina Medina-Gomez, Chen Hu, Cheng-jian Xu, Cancan Qi, Sarah El-Heis, Philip Titcombe, Elie Antoun, Joao Fadista, Carol A. Wang, Elisabeth Thiering, Baojun Wu, Sara Kress, Dilini M. Kothalawala, Latha Kadalayil, Jiasong Duan, Hongmei Zhang, Sabelo Hadebe, Thomas Hoffmann, Eric Jorgenson, Helene Choquet, Neil Risch, Pal Njolstad, Ole A. Andreassen, Stefan Johansson, Catarina Almqvist, Tong Gong, Vilhelmina Ullemar, Robert Karlsson, Patrik K. E. Magnusson, Agnieszka Szwajda, Esteban G. Burchard, Jacob P. Thyssen, Torben Hansen, Line L. Karhus, Thomas M. Dantoft, Alexander C. S. N. Jeanrenaud, Ahla Ghauri, Andreas Arnold, Georg Homuth, Susanne Lau, Markus M. Noethen, Norbert Huebner, Medea Imboden, Alessia Visconti, Mario Falchi, Veronique Bataille, Pirro Hysi, Natalia Ballardini, Dorret I. Boomsma, Jouke J. Hottenga, Martina Mueller-Nurasyid, Tarunveer S. Ahluwalia, Jakob Stokholm, Bo Chawes, Ann-Marie M. Schoos, Ana Esplugues, Mariona Bustamante, Benjamin Raby, Syed Arshad, Chris German, Tonu Esko, Lili A. Milani, Andres Metspalu, Chikashi Terao, Katrina Abuabara, Mari Loset, Kristian Hveem, Bo Jacobsson, Maria Pino-Yanes, David P. Strachan, Niels Grarup, Allan Linneberg, Young-Ae Lee, Nicole Probst-Hensch, Stephan Weidinger, Marjo-Riitta Jarvelin, Erik Melen, Hakon Hakonarson, Alan D. Irvine, Deborah Jarvis, Tamar Nijsten, Liesbeth Duijts, Judith M. Vonk, Gerard H. Koppelmann, Keith M. Godfrey, Sheila J. Barton, Bjarke Feenstra, Craig E. Pennell, Peter D. Sly, Patrick G. Holt, L. Keoki Williams, Hans Bisgaard, Klaus Bonnelykke, John Curtin, Angela Simpson, Clare Murray, Tamara Schikowski, Supinda Bunyavanich, Scott T. Weiss, John W. Holloway, Josine L. Min, Sara J. Brown, Marie Standl, Lavinia Paternoster
Summary: This study conducted the largest genome-wide association study (GWAS) on atopic dermatitis (AD) to date, identifying 81 replicated AD-associated loci in Europeans and 10 additional loci in a multi-ancestry analysis. The implicated genes are predominantly involved in immune pathways relevant to atopic inflammation and may offer drug repurposing opportunities.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
D. Walker Hagan, Sandra M. M. Ferreira, Gustavo J. J. Santos, Edward A. A. Phelps
Summary: GABA, a neurotransmitter produced in the islet, influences the activity of islet cells through multiple receptors and interacts with cellular metabolism. Loss or reduction of GABA in diabetic individuals may contribute to disease pathogenesis and dysfunction of islet cells.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Silvia Casale, Giulia Fioravanti, Sara Bocci Benucci, Andrea Falone, Valdo Ricca, Francesco Rotella
Summary: This meta-analysis examines the relationship between Problematic Smartphone Use (PSU) and self-esteem. It finds a negative correlation between self-esteem and PSU, indicating that low self-esteem is an important characteristic of PSU. These findings emphasize the significance of addressing self-esteem and corresponding core beliefs in the prevention and treatment of PSU.
COMPUTERS IN HUMAN BEHAVIOR
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Polrat Wilairatana, Frederick Ramirez Masangkay, Kwuntida Uthaisar Kotepui, Giovanni De Jesus Milanez, Manas Kotepui
Summary: This study used a meta-analysis approach to investigate the prevalence and risk of Plasmodium vivax infection among Duffy-negative individuals. The results showed that P. vivax infection could occur among Duffy-negative individuals, but the prevalence was relatively low.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Substance Abuse
Victoria R. R. Votaw, Katie Witkiewitz, M. Lee Van Horn, Richard C. C. Crist, Timothy Pond, Henry R. R. Kranzler
Summary: This study aimed to investigate whether a single-nucleotide polymorphism (rs2832407) in GRIK1 moderates the effects of topiramate treatment for drinking reduction. The results showed that topiramate treatment was effective in reducing daily heavy drinking and desire to drink, and this effect was not influenced by the rs2832407*C-allele homozygotes.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sheila Tiemi Nagamatsu, Robert H. Pietrzak, Ke Xu, John H. Krystal, Joel Gelernter, Janitza Liz Montalvo-Ortiz
Summary: Smoking is a serious public health issue that causes over 8 million deaths annually and can lead to nicotine dependence. This study examined the epigenomic signatures of nicotine dependence and identified specific biomarkers that can differentiate it from smoking exposure.
Editorial Material
Substance Abuse
Henry R. R. Kranzler
ALCOHOLISM-CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Substance Abuse
Henry R. R. Kranzler, Richard Feinn, Heng Xu, Brendan L. L. Ho, Divya Saini, Olivia R. R. Nicastro, Anya Jacoby, Sylvanus Toikumo, Joel Gelernter, Emily E. E. Hartwell, Rachel L. L. Kember
Summary: This study investigated the impact of genetic risk for substance use disorders (SUDs) on the onset and progression of substance use. The results showed that European-ancestry individuals and males had an earlier onset and quicker progression of substance use, and the polygenic risk scores (PRSs) had predictive value for substance use milestones and symptom progression. In African-ancestry individuals, PRSs also predicted some substance use milestones, albeit to a lesser extent due to a smaller discovery sample.
Article
Substance Abuse
Heng Xu, Sylvanus Toikumo, Richard C. Crist, Klaudia Glogowska, Zeal Jinwala, Joseph D. Deak, Amy C. Justice, Joel Gelernter, Emma C. Johnson, Henry R. Kranzler, Rachel L. Kember
Summary: This study used multi-trait analysis to identify novel loci associated with substance use disorders in European and African populations. The results showed that multi-trait analysis can improve the genetic modeling of substance use traits and uncover genes that were not previously linked to substance use. Additionally, it enhanced the effectiveness of polygenic risk scores.
Article
Substance Abuse
Michelle S. S. Naps, Shirley H. H. Leong, Emily E. E. Hartwell, Christopher T. T. Rentsch, Henry R. R. Kranzler
Summary: This study investigated the effects of topiramate, a medication used to treat alcohol use disorder, on serum bicarbonate concentrations. The study found that the effects of the medication on bicarbonate concentrations were similar regardless of the presence of alcohol use disorder or the dosage of topiramate. Therefore, it is recommended to monitor baseline and periodic serum bicarbonate concentrations during topiramate therapy.
ALCOHOL-CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Substance Abuse
Henry R. Kranzler, Emily E. Hartwell
Summary: Chronic heavy alcohol use has negative impacts on neurotransmitter systems and causes various medical, psychiatric, and social problems. Evidence-based medications for treating alcohol use disorder (AUD) are not widely used in clinical practice. Pharmacogenetic approaches have gained interest but have not yet yielded strong enough results for routine clinical care.
ALCOHOL-CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
David A. A. Baranger, Alexander S. Hatoum, Renato Polimanti, Joel Gelernter, Howard J. Edenberg, Ryan Bogdan, Arpana Agrawal
Summary: The integration of multi-omics information can be useful for interpreting findings from GWAS, but it does not reliably increase novel gene discovery in brain-related GWAS.
GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Youshu Cheng, Cecilia Dao, Hang Zhou, Boyang Li, Rachel L. Kember, Sylvanus Toikumo, Hongyu Zhao, Joel Gelernter, Henry R. Kranzler, Amy C. Justice, Ke Xu
Summary: Smoking behaviors and alcohol use disorder commonly co-occur and are moderately heritable. Previous single-trait GWAS studies have identified multiple loci for smoking and AUD. However, limited by small samples, GWASs aiming to identify loci contributing to co-occurring smoking and AUD have been less informative. Using multi-trait analysis of GWASs (MTAG) with data from the Million Veteran Program, this study identified novel loci associated with smoking initiation and cessation. Functional annotation highlighted biologically important regions contributing to smoking behaviors. MTAG results did not enhance discovery for smoking behaviors and alcohol consumption compared to single-trait GWAS. This study provides new insights into the pleiotropic effects of genetic variants on smoking behavior and AUD through the application of MTAG.
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Review
Substance Abuse
Juliana I. Byanyima, Xinyi Li, Sianneh A. Vesslee, Henry R. Kranzler, Zhenhao Shi, Corinde E. Wiers
Summary: Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a chronic condition with serious adverse consequences, including high incarceration rates and overdose-related fatalities. Medications used for OUD treatment have been shown to cause metabolic impairments, but the effects vary depending on the individual's metabolic condition. Further research is needed to determine the best approach for reducing the risk of metabolic disorders in OUD treatment.
CURRENT ADDICTION REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Substance Abuse
Frances L. Wang, Brian M. Hicks, Hang Zhou, Henry R. Kranzler, Joel Gelernter, Robert A. Zucker
Summary: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified hundreds of loci associated with alcohol-related traits. This study aims to evaluate the usefulness of a polygenic risk score (PRS) for problematic alcohol use (PAU), and the results show that PAU PRS can predict heavy drinking and alcohol problems even after accounting for family history of AUD and prior drinking history.
DRUG AND ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
David A. Sbarra, Ferris A. Ramadan, Karmel W. Choi, Jorien L. Treur, Daniel F. Levey, Robyn E. Wootton, Murray B. Stein, Joel Gelernter, Yann C. Klimentidis
Summary: This study using Mendelian Randomization (MR) found robust evidence for a bidirectional causal relationship between loneliness and major depression (MD). The findings suggest that reducing loneliness may play a causal role in decreasing the risk for depressive illness, highlighting the importance of efforts to reduce loneliness in preventing and ameliorating MD.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Amanda J. F. Tamman, Dora Koller, Sheila Nagamastu, Brenda Cabrera-Mendoza, Chadi Abdallah, John H. Krystal, Joel Gelernter, Janitza L. Montalvo-Ortiz, Renato Polimanti, Robert H. Pietrzak
Summary: This study examined the association between GrimAge and genetic predisposition for systemic inflammation, as well as the moderating effect of psychosocial factors. The results showed that certain inflammatory markers were associated with accelerated GrimAge, and this association was influenced by modifiable psychosocial variables such as exercise and gratitude. Furthermore, gene enrichment analysis identified potential anti-inflammatory and antihistamine drugs that affect genes represented in the inflammatory markers.
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Gregory L. Rompala, Sheila T. Nagamatsu, Jose Jaime Martinez-Magana, Diana L. Nunez-Rios, Jiawei Wang, Matthew J. Girgenti, John H. Krystal, Joel Gelernter, Traumatic Stress Brain Res Grp, Yasmin L. Hurd, Janitza L. Montalvo-Ortiz
Summary: In this study, the authors revealed DNA hydroxymethylation as an important gene regulatory mechanism for OUD in the human brain using a multi-omics approach. They found that DNA hydroxymethylation showed a higher correlation with OUD-associated genes and gene networks compared to DNA methylation. The results also showed enrichment of DNA hydroxymethylation marks for GWAS of psychiatric traits and interactions with opioid-related drugs.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Substance Abuse
Carrie M. Mintz, Justin Knox, Sarah M. Hartz, Deborah S. Hasin, Silvia S. Martins, Henry R. Kranzler, Emily Greene, Elvin H. Geng, Richard A. Grucza, Laura J. Bierut
Summary: This study analyzed demographic disparities in the implementation of SBIRT for unhealthy alcohol use. The results showed that gender, age, race, and insurance status were factors that influenced the likelihood of screening and intervention. Addressing these disparities and reducing attrition from treatment could improve outcomes for individuals with unhealthy alcohol use.
ALCOHOL-CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)