Copy number variation and neuropsychiatric problems in females and males in the general population

Neurodevelopmental problems (NPs) are more common in males, whereas anxiety and depression are more common in females. Rare copy number variants (CNVs) have been implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders. The aim of this study was to characterize the relationship between rare CNVs with NPs, anxiety, and depression in a childhood population sample, as well as to examine sex‐specific effects. We analyzed a sample of N = 12,982 children, of whom 5.3% had narrowly defined NPs (clinically diagnosed), 20.9% had broadly defined NPs (based on validated screening measures, but no diagnosis), and 3.0% had clinically diagnosed anxiety or depression. Rare (<1% frequency) CNVs were categorized by size (100–500 kb or > 500 kb), type, and putative relevance to NPs. We tested for association of CNV categories with outcomes and examined sex‐specific effects. Medium deletions (OR[CI] = 1.18[1.05–1.33], p = .0053) and large duplications (OR[CI] = 1.45[1.19–1.75], p = .00017) were associated with broadly defined NPs. Large deletions (OR[CI] = 1.85[1.14–3.01], p = .013) were associated with narrowly defined NPs. There were no significant sex differences in CNV burden in individuals with NPs. Although CNVs were not associated with anxiety/depression in the whole sample, in individuals diagnosed with these disorders, females were more likely to have large CNVs (OR[CI] = 3.75[1.45–9.68], p = .0064). Rare CNVs are associated with both narrowly and broadly defined NPs in a general population sample of children. Our results also suggest that large, rare CNVs may show sex‐specific phenotypic effects.     

The degree of fetal metformin exposure does not influence fetal outcome in gestational diabetes mellitus

The purpose of the study was to examine in vivo placental transfer of metformin, its association with neonatal outcome in metformin-treated gestational diabetes (GDM) patients, and influence of metformin exposure on maternal glycemic control and weight gain. Two hundred and seventeen GDM patients were randomized to metformin or insulin in Turku University Hospital, Finland. Metformin concentrations were determined by mass spectrometry in maternal serum at 36 gestational weeks (gw) and at birth, and in umbilical cord blood. Main outcome measures were birth weight, gw at birth, umbilical artery pH and neonatal hypoglycemia, maternal weight gain, HbA1c and fructosamine concentration. Median umbilical cord/maternal serum metformin concentration ratio was 0.73. There were no differences in birth weight measured in grams or SD units (p = 0.49), or gw at birth (p always ≥0.49) between insulin- and metformin-treated patients stratified by trough metformin concentration tertiles measured at 36 gw. Rate of neonatal hypoglycemia (p = 0.92) and umbilical artery pH value (p = 0.78) was similar in insulin- and metformin-treated patients stratified by cord metformin concentration tertiles. Maternal glycemic control was similar in metformin concentration tertiles at 36 gw. Maternal weight gain was 223 g greater per week (p = 0.038) in the lowest metformin tertile compared to other tertiles combined. Maternal and fetal exposure to metformin is similar. Maternal or fetal metformin concentrations do not predict maternal glycemic control or neonatal outcome, but low maternal exposure may lead to greater maternal weight gain.     

A Novel mutation in the FSH receptor inhibiting signal transduction and causing primary ovarian failure

Inactivating mutations of the FSH receptor (FSHR) are known to cause ovarian failure with amenorrhea and infertility in women. The first mutation identified in the FSHR gene was a missense mutation (566C-->T, predicting Ala189Val transition) found in several Finnish patients with primary amenorrhea due to ovarian failure. Only five additional, partially or totally inactivating, mutations of the FSHR have been reported. Here, we report a novel FSHR mutation, 1255G-->A, in a Finnish female with primary amenorrhea. The patient was a compound heterozygote for two mutations in the FSHR gene: 566C-->T, the Finnish founder mutation, and 1255G-->A, a previously unidentified mutation. The new mutation is located in exon 10 in the second transmembrane stretch of the FSHR, and it predicts an Ala419Thr change in the protein structure. In functional testing, the mutation was shown to have minimal effect on ligand binding capacity and affinity, but it almost totally abolished the cAMP second messenger response. Neither of the two FSHR mutations (566C-->T or1255G-->A) was identified in 40 other Finnish patients with premature ovarian failure. Based on this and previous studies, FSHR mutations remain a rare cause of ovarian failure.     

Food Frequency Questionnaires and Overnight Urines Are Valid Indicators of Daidzein and Genistein Intake in U.S. Women Relative to Multiple 24-h Urine Samples

Data regarding convenient, valid methods for measuring U.S. isoflavone intake are limited. We evaluated a soy food questionnaire (SFQ), the Willett food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), and overnight urine samples relative to excretion in 24-h urine samples. We also described intake among women in a high-risk program for breast or ovarian cancer. Between April 2002 and June 2003, 451 women aged 30 to 50 yr with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer completed the SFQ and FFQ. Of them, 27 provided four 24-h and overnight urine specimens. In these women, 24-h sample measures were correlated with SFQ estimates of daidzein (Spearman r = .48) and genistein (r = .54) intake, moderately correlated with the Willett FFQ (daidzein r = .38, genistein r = .33), and strongly correlated with overnight urine excretion (daidzein r = .84, genistein r = 0.93). Among all 451 SFQ respondents, mean (median) daidzein and genistein intakes were 2.8 (0.24) and 3.9 (0.30) mg/day. Primary sources of both were soymilk, soy nuts, and tofu. We conclude that targeted soy food questionnaires, comprehensive FFQs, and multiple overnight urines are all reasonable options for assessing isoflavone intake in epidemiologic studies.