Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shao-Xun Yuan, Hai-Tao Li, Yu Gu, Xiao Sun
Summary: Transcriptome-wide association studies (TWAS) were conducted to predict gene expressions in six brain subcortical structures of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients. Several genes correlated with quantitative traits in these regions, some of which have not been previously reported in Alzheimer's disease studies, could serve as potential drug targets for early-stage AD treatment. Additionally, Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) analysis suggested that cis-expression Quantitative Trait Loci (cis-eQTL) SNPs may impact gene expression by binding to transcription factors or modulating promoter and enhancer activities. The study also revealed that limbic volumes and cis-eQTL SNPs in the limbic region could effectively predict conversion risk in MCI patients.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Seong-Hoon Kim, Rupesh Tayade, Byeong-Hee Kang, Bum-Soo Hahn, Bo-Keun Ha, Yoon-Ha Kim
Summary: This study conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on 357 soybean landraces to analyze root traits. It identified 112 significant SNP loci and 55 putative candidate genes. These findings suggest that the combined approach of SNP array and GWAS can be used to understand the genetic basis of soybean root traits and improve soybean breeding.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Nayoung Ro, Mesfin Haile, Bichsaem Kim, Gyu-Taek Cho, Jungro Lee, Yoon-Jung Lee, Do Yoon Hyun
Summary: This study established a core collection of eggplant genetic resources and identified SNPs associated with important agro-morphological traits. The findings are valuable for the selection and breeding programs of eggplant genetic resources.
Correction
Agronomy
Tianheng Ren, Tao Fan, Shulin Chen, Chunsheng Li, Yongyan Chen, Xia Ou, Qing Jiang, Zhenglong Ren, Feiquan Tan, Peigao Luo, Chen Chen, Zhi Li
Summary: The stable QTL associated with KWPS, SN, KDR, KW, KL, TKW and PH have been identified and located on chromosomes using a 371 RIL population derived from a cross between CN18 and T1208. Clear QTL clusters were observed on the chromosomes.
THEORETICAL AND APPLIED GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Qun Lan, Qiuchun Deng, Shijin Qi, Yuebo Zhang, Zhi Li, Shishu Yin, Yulian Li, Hong Tan, Maisheng Wu, Yulong Yin, Jun He, Mei Liu
Summary: With the increasing popularity of genomic sequencing, breeders are paying attention to identifying molecular markers and quantitative trait loci for improving the body size and reproductive traits of pig breeds. However, the relationship between phenotypes and genetic architecture in the Shaziling pig, an indigenous breed in China, is largely unknown. In this study, a total of 190 Shaziling samples were genotyped and analyzed for genetic associations with body measurement and reproduction traits. 31 SNPs associated with body length, chest circumference, number of healthy births, and number of stillborns were found, and 18 functional genes related to skeletal morphogenesis, chondrogenesis, obesity, and embryonic and fetal development were identified.
Article
Agronomy
Guangzhi Mao, Hengling Wei, Pengyun Chen, Feng Xing, Hantao Wang
Summary: In this study, a high-density genetic map and genotyping method were used to identify QTLs for early-maturing traits, resulting in the discovery of stable QTLs and candidate genes. This research provides valuable information for fine mapping and breeding of early-maturing traits.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Haidong Yan, David C. Haak, Song Li, Linkai Huang, Aureliano Bombarely
Summary: Transposable elements (TEs) are a major force in the production of new alleles during domestication, but their complexity has limited their use in association studies. A TE genotyping pipeline (TEmarker) was developed and applied to a whole-genome GWAS study on Oryza sativa subsp. japonica to identify genetic elements associated with agronomic traits. TE markers were able to recover a large proportion of SNP-based GWAS peaks and reduce false positives associated with SNP marker linkage disequilibrium. The study also revealed positive selection on TEs associated with agronomic traits and identified insertion and deletion variants potentially resulting from the direct action of TEs.
PLANT COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Chon-Sik Kang, Young-Jun Mo, Kyeong-Min Kim, Kyeong-Hoon Kim, Jae-Buhm Chun, Chul-Soo Park, Seong-Woo Cho
Summary: This study identified several QTLs affecting yield potential in wheat by using a recombinant inbred line population derived from Korean wheat cultivars. Multiple stable QTLs were detected in at least two environments, including those influencing spike length, tiller number, and length of center rachis. Taejoong contributed significantly to the spike length QTLs.
Article
Immunology
Roan E. Zaied, Tayaza Fadason, Justin M. O'Sullivan
Summary: In this study, a network analysis approach was used to construct tissue-specific spatial gene regulatory networks for asthma and identify asthma-associated diseases and their molecular mechanisms. The study also analyzed the comorbidity of asthma with other diseases and identified possible therapeutic targets.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Xiaogang Liu, Xiaojiao Hu, Kun Li, Zhifang Liu, Yujin Wu, Guang Feng, Changling Huang, Hongwu Wang
Summary: This study used a recombinant inbred line population to explore the genetic basis of yield-related traits in maize by evaluating general combining ability effects and identifying quantitative trait loci. The results showed that GCA has a higher heritability in early breeding generation, which can effectively select superior breeding materials. Although different inbred lines were appointed as testers, the genetic basis of GCA remains nearly constant.
Article
Agronomy
Prabin Bajgain, James A. Anderson
Summary: The study genetically mapped six domestication traits of intermediate wheatgrass and identified markers and haplotype blocks significantly associated with these traits. Results suggest that increasing the frequency of favorable alleles in IWG populations via marker-assisted selection and genomic selection is an effective approach to improve IWG's domestication traits.
Article
Plant Sciences
Krishnan P. Abhijith, S. Gopala Krishnan, Kuram Tirumala Ravikiran, Gaurav Dhawan, Pankaj Kumar, Kunnummal Kurungara Vinod, Prolay Kumar Bhowmick, Mariappan Nagarajan, Rakesh Seth, Ritesh Sharma, Sourav Kumar Badhran, Haritha Bollinedi, Ranjith Kumar Ellur, Ashok Kumar Singh
Summary: This is the first GWAS study in Basmati rice, identifying 32 unique MTAs including 11 robust MTAs for agronomic traits and 25 unique MTAs for grain quality traits, with 6 of them being novel. Six candidate genes associated with the robust MTAs were identified through genome annotation.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Na Zhao, Dong Xue, Yamei Miao, Yongqiang Wang, Enqiang Zhou, Yao Zhou, Mengnan Yao, Chunyan Gu, Kaihua Wang, Bo Li, Libin Wei, Xuejun Wang
Summary: In this study, an ultra-dense genetic map of faba bean was constructed using next-generation sequencing genotyping platform. A total of 65 QTLs for seed-related traits and 333 candidate genes were identified. These findings have significant implications for marker-assisted breeding and improvement of the faba bean genome.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Yutian Gao, Xiangru Xu, Jingjing Jin, Shuonan Duan, Wenchao Zhen, Chaojie Xie, Jun Ma
Summary: This study identified 189 SNPs associated with six grain morphology traits in Chinese wheat germplasm, with some SNPs continuously detected across three experiments. Genes on chromosome 5A and 2D are suggested to play crucial roles in determining seed size and weight. Future experiments will further characterize the function of these genes in grain development.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Mengjiao Yang, Cairong Wang, Muhammad Adeel Hassan, Faji Li, Xianchun Xia, Shubing Shi, Yonggui Xiao, Zhonghu He
Summary: This study evaluated phenotypic diversity of a doubled haploid population for root system architecture and biomass traits under different phosphorus treatments using hydroponic culture and identified QTLs using a high-density genetic map. Multiple QTL clusters on different chromosomes were associated with root traits and P uptake, providing valuable genetic information for wheat breeding under nutrient deficient conditions. The study highlights the potential of using SNP markers for improving nutrient-use efficiency and selecting genotypes with desirable traits for P-uptake.
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Philip S. Dale, Alexander Paul, Michael Rosholm, Dorthe Bleses
Summary: This longitudinal study explores the prediction of later achievement based on early development, particularly early expressive vocabulary. The results indicate that early vocabulary plays a significant role in educational attainment and can be used as an important indicator for early intervention.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BEHAVIORAL DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Review
Behavioral Sciences
Robert Plomin
Summary: This review looks back on the journey of behavioral genetic research and celebrates milestones, focusing on the last fifty years. The advent of DNA microarrays enabled genome-wide association studies, which successfully identified DNA variants contributing to the heritability of behavioral traits. The DNA revolution in the behavioral sciences allows for the prediction of individual differences in behavior from early in life.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dorothea Seiler Vellame, Gemma Shireby, Ailsa MacCalman, Emma L. Dempster, Joe Burrage, Tyler Gorrie-Stone, Leonard S. Schalkwyk, Jonathan Mill, Eilis Hannon
Summary: Most epigenetic epidemiology studies have used bulk tissues for genome-wide profiling, but these can be confounded by variation in cellular composition. In this study, researchers developed a metric called CETYGO score to assess the accuracy of derived cellular heterogeneity variables. They found that the CETYGO score can distinguish inaccurate deconvolutions when applied to whole blood profiles. The study also revealed that estimating accurate cellular composition is influenced by technical and biological factors, such as gender, age, and smoking status.
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Agnieszka Gidziela, Margherita Malanchini, Kaili Rimfeld, Andrew McMillan, Angelica Ronald, Essi Viding, Alison Pike, Kathryn Asbury, Thalia C. Eley, Sophie von Stumm, Robert Plomin
Summary: Individual differences in symptoms of behavior problems in childhood and adolescence are primarily due to non-shared environment (NSE), and few specific environmental factors have been found to account for these differences. Home and classroom environments are more likely to influence behavior problem symptoms via genetics than via NSE.
JOURNAL OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Maxim Likhanov, Olga Bogdanova, Evgenia Alenina, Tatiana Kolienko, Yulia Kovas
Summary: Spatial ability (SA) has been found to be an important predictor of success in various educational contexts, including STEM. While there is limited evidence suggesting that learning character-based languages like Chinese as a second language (CSL) might improve SA, this study with a sample of Russian schoolchildren (N = 283) found no significant differences in SA levels between groups of students who learned different language pairs. Regression analysis showed that SA was primarily predicted by intelligence and gender rather than the language learned. Further research is needed to investigate other factors that may potentially moderate the link between CSL learning and SA improvement.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ziada Ayorech, Jessie R. Baldwin, Jean-Baptiste Pingault, Kaili Rimfeld, Robert Plomin
Summary: This study examines the association between media use and mental health, finding that negative media use is correlated with poor mental health, while general media use is correlated with prosocial behavior and fewer behavioral problems. The study suggests that genetically informed designs should be adopted to strengthen causal inference in research on the mental health impact of media use.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Veera M. Rajagopal, Andrea Ganna, Jonathan R. Coleman, Andrea Allegrini, Georgios Voloudakis, Jakob Grove, Thomas D. Als, Henriette T. Horsdal, Liselotte Petersen, Vivek Appadurai, Andrew Schork, Alfonso Buil, Cynthia M. Bulik, Jonas Bybjerg-Grauholm, Marie Baekvad-Hansen, David M. Hougaard, Ole Mors, Merete Nordentoft, Thomas Werge, Preben Bo Mortensen, Gerome Breen, Panos Roussos, Robert Plomin, Esben Agerbo, Anders D. Borglum, Ditte Demontis
Summary: Individuals with psychiatric disorders show cognitive differences compared to the general population, which can be observed early in school performance and are genetically influenced. A genome-wide association study revealed a strong negative correlation between math performance and risk for most psychiatric disorders, while language performance correlated positively with risk for certain disorders, especially schizophrenia. Furthermore, genetic variants related to schizophrenia risk and better language performance are more common in individuals involved in creative professions compared to the general population. These findings suggest a potential genetic overlap between language ability, creativity, and psychopathology.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Matthew Devall, Darren M. Soanes, Adam R. Smith, Emma L. Dempster, Rebecca G. Smith, Joe Burrage, Artemis Iatrou, Eilis Hannon, Claire Troakes, Karen Moore, Paul O'Neill, Safa Al-Sarraj, Leonard Schalkwyk, Jonathan Mill, Michael Weedon, Katie Lunnon
Summary: This study presents a novel approach to investigate the patterns of mitochondrial DNA methylation in human brain tissue. The results show relatively low but conserved patterns of mitochondrial DNA methylation, with peaks observed in the D-LOOP and several genes in a non-CpG context. Differential methylation patterns associated with age, sex, and brain region were also identified. This study provides detailed annotation of DNA methylation in the mitochondrial genome and highlights the potential role of mitochondrial epigenetic mechanisms in disorders characterized by mitochondrial dysfunction.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Correction
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Yu L. L. Luo, Yulia Kovas, Lizhong Wang, Anastasios Stalikas, Theodoros A. Kyriazos, Foteini-Maria Gianniou, Maxim V. Likhanov, Kostas A. Papageorgiou
CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Educational
Nicolas Ruth, Elina Tsigeman, Maxim Likhanov, Yulia Kovas, Daniel Muellensiefen
Summary: People who engage in musical activities tend to have certain personality traits, especially openness. There are associations between different aspects of music and personality, with the strongest link being between emotions in music and openness.
PSYCHOLOGY OF MUSIC
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Akiko Yoshida, Tomoharu Tokutomi, Akimune Fukushima, Robert Chapman, Fatos Selita, Yulia Kovas, Makoto Sasaki
Summary: Knowledge of genetics is crucial for understanding genetic testing and its implications. Recent genomic research allows us to predict the risk of common diseases based on individual genomic information. However, there is currently no measure of genetic knowledge that includes post-genome sequencing advancements in Japan.
Article
Psychology, Educational
Filippo Abbondanza, Philip S. Dale, Carol A. Wang, Marianna E. Hayiou-Thomas, Umar Toseeb, Tanner S. Koomar, Karen G. Wigg, Yu Feng, Kaitlyn M. Price, Elizabeth N. Kerr, Sharon L. Guger, Maureen W. Lovett, Lisa J. Strug, Elsje van Bergen, Conor V. Dolan, J. Bruce Tomblin, Kristina Moll, Gerd Schulte-Koerne, Nina Neuhoff, Andreas Warnke, Simon E. Fisher, Cathy L. Barr, Jacob J. Michaelson, Dorret I. Boomsma, Margaret J. Snowling, Charles Hulme, Andrew J. O. Whitehouse, Craig E. Pennell, Dianne F. Newbury, John Stein, Joel B. Talcott, Dorothy V. M. Bishop, Silvia Paracchini
Summary: The association between handedness and language-related disorders has been extensively studied. However, the inconsistent findings may be attributed to factors such as small sample sizes, publication bias, and variation in study criteria. This study examined the frequency of non-right-handedness (NRH) in individuals with reading and/or language impairment and found a higher prevalence compared to controls. Meta-analysis results further supported the association between NRH and language/reading impairments, suggesting shared underlying pathways between brain lateralization, handedness, and cognitive functions.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Elina S. Tsigeman, Maxim V. Likhanov, Anna V. Budakova, Aydar Akmalov, Ildar Sabitov, Evgeniia Alenina, Ksenia Bartseva, Yulia Kovas
Summary: Background: Spatial ability shows wide variability, and one explanation for this variability is interest and engagement in activities that promote spatial ability. Previous studies have identified various activities that may contribute to individual and gender differences in spatial ability, including tinkering with electronics, sports activities, and designing. However, the findings regarding these links are inconsistent. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate these links by comparing spatial ability in adolescents with expertise in STEM, arts, and sports, with their unselected peers. The study also aimed to assess whether gender differences in spatial ability are present in expert groups. Results: Only STEM experts consistently outperformed the unselected group on spatial ability tasks, while arts and sports experts did not show such improvement. Gender differences in spatial ability persisted in all expert groups, with moderate effect sizes. Discussion: The findings support the links between spatial ability and STEM-related expertise, but not arts and sports expertise. Gender differences in spatial ability were present across all samples, even in STEM experts.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Fatos Selita, Robert Chapman, Yulia Kovas, Vanessa Smereczynska, Maxim Likhanov, Teemu Toivainen
Summary: Timely and effective regulation is crucial for genetic advances, especially in the context of justice systems. A study found that Supreme Court judges in Romania had stronger endorsement and more consistent views on the use of genetic data and technologies compared to other justice stakeholders. Judges and lawyers widely recognized the need for amending relevant laws to ensure appropriate regulation.
NEW GENETICS AND SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Educational
Vlada Repeykova, Teemu Toivainen, Maxim Likhanov, Kim Van Broekhoven, Yulia Kovas
Summary: This study investigated sex differences in creativity among 984 high achieving adolescents in three expertise areas: Sciences, Arts, and Sports. The results showed negligible sex differences overall, with females performing better in AUT fluency and males self-rating their creative self-efficacy higher. However, some stereotypical differences emerged in mechanical/scientific and artistic creativity.
JOURNAL OF CREATIVE BEHAVIOR
(2023)