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 Thursday, Sept. 14, 2006     Volume 17   Number 11  
Genomics & Health Weekly Update Genomics & Health Weekly Update Family History Genomics & Health Weekly Update Family History Population Research Genomics in Practice General Public
 This weekly update provides information about the impact of human genetic discoveries on health care,  disease prevention and population health.
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cover of the British Medical Journal

BMJ Editorial: Predictive genetic testing for type 2 diabetes
Janssens et al. BMJ 2006; 333: 509-510
Front page news earlier this year heralded the discovery of a gene variant associated with type 2 diabetes. The investigators speculated that it could be used in a genetic test to identify people at high risk of the disease and motivate them to eat better and exercise. The claim that a genetic association will lead to a diagnostic test and then to disease prevention now routine for such genetic discoveries may not be true and misleads the public.

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CDC Announcements
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What's New in HuGENet™
September 2006
   
CDC sponsored material National Newborn Screening Awareness Month
National Newborn Screening Awareness Month provides an opportunity to increase the public's understanding of newborn screening, which identifies conditions that can affect a child’s long-term health or survival.
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Genomics In The News
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  • The following are headlines from on-line news articles published during the past week.
  • The headlines and lead sentence are exactly as they appear in the popular press and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or recommendations of CDC.
  • Free registration required for some articles.
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  “Statement from the NIH on cancer genetics findings at Johns Hopkins University” This reference links to a non-governmental website
(Sep 7) EurekAlert! reports, “Systematic, genome-wide scans of two types of cancer--breast cancer and colorectal cancer--have revealed important new findings about the genetic underpinnings of these diseases, a team of researchers at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center in Baltimore, Md., an NCI-designated Cancer Center, reports in the September 7 online issue of Science.”

“Study extends the number of antigenic peptides that can be produced from a single protein” This reference links to a non-governmental website
(Sep 13) News-Medical.Net reports, “Understanding medical research problems often relies on the direct, linear relationship between the sequence of a protein and the DNA encoding that protein.”

“Scientists discuss new frontiers in single-molecule research at American Chemical Society” This reference links to a non-governmental website
(Sep 12) EurekAlert reports, “Not long ago, the idea of conducting an experiment on a single strand of DNA seemed far beyond the realm of science.”

“Two copies of G2019S Parkinson's gene mutation doesn't lead to more severe disease” This reference links to a non-governmental website
(Sep 11) EurekAlert reports, “A group of Parkinson's disease researchers concluded there are no observable differences between those who have two copies of the most common mutation of the recently discovered LRRK2 gene and those who have only one copy.”

“An advanced genetic diagnostic method for multiple myeloma” This reference links to a non-governmental website
(Sep 11) EurekAlert! reports, “A researcher at the University of Navarra, Borja Sáez Ochoa, has proposed a new genetic diagnostic method for multiple myeloma (MM), a type of bone marrow cancer, which permits the detection of this disease in earlier stages.”

“SIDS tied to genetic mutations: study” This reference links to a non-governmental website (last accessed 3/2007)
(Sep 11) Iconoclast reports, “Several studies have linked sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) to mutations in a gene, called IL-10, that helps control the body's immune function.”

“Gene ''profiling'' May Improve Accuracy of Breast Cancer Prognosis” This reference links to a non-governmental website (last accessed 2/2008)
(Sep 8) Cancerpage reports, “A 70-gene assay currently in development will be able to fine-tune the prognosis for women with node-negative breast cancer, investigators with the International TRANSBIG Consortium report in the September 6 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.”

“Relatively few U.S. women carry BRCA mutations” This reference links to a non-governmental website (last accessed 2/2008)
(Sep 7) Reuters Health via breastcancer.org reports, “A population-based study of black and white American women with and without breast cancer found that relatively few were carriers of mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes.”

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Genomics in Scientific Literature
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A systematic review of the quality of genetic association studies in human sepsis
Clark MF & Baudouin SV
Intensive Care Med 2006 Sep

The intersection of biotechnology and pharmacogenomics: health policy implications
Phillips KA
Health Aff (Millwood) 2006 Sep-2006 Oct;25(5):1271-80

Heterozygosity for a Mendelian disorder as a risk factor for complex disease
Sidransky E
Clin Genet 2006 Oct;70(4):275-82

Gene-environment interactions in the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Caramori G & Adcock I
Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol 2006 Oct;6(5):323-8

Variations in genetic influences on the development of asthma throughout childhood, adolescence and early adult life
Le Souef PN
Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol 2006 Oct;6(5):317-22

The pharmocogenomics of warfarin: closing in on personalized medicine
Rettie AE & Tai G
Mol Interv 2006 Aug;6(4):223-7

Gene-environment factors that contribute to alcoholic pancreatitis in humans
Whitcomb DC
J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2006 Oct;21 Suppl 3:S52-5

Linking pharmacogenetics-based diagnostics and drugs for personalized medicine
Garrison LP Jr & Austin MJ
Health Aff (Millwood) 2006 Sep-2006 Oct;25(5):1281-90

Family History
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“Genetic Link To Fatigue Found In Study Of Twins” This reference links to a non-governmental website
(Sep 10) Medical News Today reports, “Unexplained disabling fatigue in childhood is mainly due to genetic inheritance, a study of twins has revealed.”

Sleep problems, depression may share genetic link
(Sep 7) Medline Plus reports, “Sleep problems and depression in children may share a genetic source, a study of twins hints.”

Development of a Communication Aid to Facilitate Risk Communication in Consultations with Unaffected Women from High Risk Breast Cancer Families: A Pilot Study
Lobb EA, et al.
J Genet Couns 2006 Sep

The relationship of blood pressure and cortisol reactivity to family history of hypertension of African American adolescents
Covelli MM
J Cardiovasc Nurs 2006 Sep-2006 Oct;21(5):347-53

High prevalence of major cardiovascular risk factors in first-degree relatives of individuals with familial premature coronary artery disease-The GENECARD project
Hurrell C, et al.
Atherosclerosis 2006 Sep

Family history of suicide and psychosocial characteristics of suicide victims in central slovenia
Pregelj P, et al.
Psychiatr Danub 2006 Sep;18 Suppl 1:71

Genetic Testing
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“Industry using third parties to manage public concerns about genetic screening” This reference links to a non-governmental website
(Sep 13) News-Medical.Net reports, “The use of genetic tests to screen for inherited diseases is one of the most controversial applications of gene technologies.”

“The Wide, Wild World of Genetic Testing” This reference links to a non-governmental website
(Sep 12) The New York Times reports, “A MEDICAL journal in March published a study suggesting that drinking coffee can raise the risk of heart attack, but only for people with a gene that makes them slow metabolizers of caffeine.”

“Ohio to Increase Genetic Testing for Newborns” This reference links to a non-governmental website
(Sep 12) WTOL11 reports, “Ohio is about to expand the testing of babies for genetic disorders.”

“September is National Newborn Screening Awareness Month” This reference links to a non-governmental website
(Sep 12) Red Orbit reports, “September is National Newborn Screening Awareness Month, and according to the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG), every state should require complete testing of all newborns for a 'core panel' of 29 genetic and congenital conditions.”

“Claiming diagnostic tests for diabetes genes is misleading, say experts” This reference links to a non-governmental website
(Sep 7) EurekAlert! reports, “Claims that the discovery of a gene could help prevent diabetes may raise unrealistic expectations, warn doctors in this week's BMJ.”

Validation of a tool for identifying women at high risk for hereditary breast cancer in population-based screening
Hoskins KF, et al.
Cancer 2006 Sep

Prospective breast cancer risk prediction model for women undergoing screening mammography
Barlow WE, et al.
J Natl Cancer Inst 2006 Sep;98(17):1204-14

Introduction to the newborn screening fact sheets
Kaye CI, et al.
Pediatrics 2006 Sep;118(3):1304-12

Genetic screening as a technique of government: The case of neonatal screening for cystic fibrosis in France
Vailly J
Soc Sci Med 2006 Sep

Review article: genetic susceptibility and application of genetic testing in clinical management of inflammatory bowel disease
Vermeire S
Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2006 Oct;24 Suppl 3:2-10

Application of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carrier prediction models in breast and/or ovarian cancer families of French Canadian descent
Oros KK, et al.
Clin Genet 2006 Oct;70(4):320-9

Predictive testing for Huntington disease: interpretation and significance of intermediate alleles
Semaka A, et al.
Clin Genet 2006 Oct;70(4):283-94

The genomic era and perceptions of psychotic disorders: Genetic risk estimation, associations with reproductive decisions and views about predictive testing
Austin JC, et al.
Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2006 Sep

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HuGE Published Literature
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Articles that report on population prevalence of genotypes, gene-disease associations, gene-environment and gene-gene interactions and evaluation of genetic tests. For more information on HuGE, please visit the HuGENet™ home page

For the week ending September 13, 2006, there are HuGE articles in the following areas:

Gene Variant Frequency
Infectious and Parasitic Diseases
Neoplasms
Endocrine, Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases
Diseases of the Blood and Blood-Forming Organs Disorders
Mental Disorders
Diseases of the Nervous System and Sense Organs
Diseases of the Circulatory System
Diseases of the Respiratory System
Diseases of the Digestive System
Diseases of the Genitourinary System
Complications of Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Puerperium
Diseases of the Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue
Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue
Congenital Anomalies
Injury and Poisoning

For more information on HuGE, please visit the HuGENet™ home page

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Upcoming Events
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New this week

Genetic Analysis Workshop
November 11-15, 2006 ~ St. Pete’s Beach, FL
 

RNAi Europe This reference links to a non-governmental website (last accessed 1/2008)
September 28-29, 2006 ~ Prague, Czech Republic

   
  International Society of Nurses in Genetics (ISONG) 19th Annual Conference This reference links to a non-governmental website
October 7-10, 2006 ~ New Orleans, LA
   
  9th Annual Computational Genomics Conference This reference links to a non-governmental website
October 28-31, 2006 ~ Baltimore, MD
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Let's Go Surfing
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GMED (Genomic Medicine Database)- Associations from the FHS Offspring Cohort 100K Scan This reference links to a non-governmental website
The purpose of the GMED (Genomic Medicine Database) website, developed by the Boston University School of Medicine Department of Genetics & Genomics, is to rapidly disseminate results from the genome scan and analysis so that the large number of candidate associations can be tested for replication by other scientists.

UCSC Human Gene Sorter This reference links to a non-governmental website
This program displays a sorted table of genes that are related to one another. The relationship can be one of several types, including protein-level homology, similarity of gene expression profiles, or genomic proximity.

Gallery Of MCSG Structures In PDB This reference links to a non-governmental website
The objective of the Midwest Center for Structural Genomics (MCSG) is to develop and optimize new, rapid, integrated methods for highly cost-effective determination of protein structures through X-ray crystallography.

 

 

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The CDC National Office of Public Health Genomics makes available the above information as a public service only. Providing
this information does not constitute endorsement by the CDC.  Note that some links may become invalid over time.

 
This reference links to a non-governmental website
 Provides link to non-governmental sites and does not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for  Disease Control and Prevention.
Page last reviewed: September 14, 2006 (archived document)
Page last updated: November 2, 2007
Content Source: CDC's Office of Public Health Genomics