CHRNB3 is more strongly associated with Fagerström Test for Cigarette Dependence-based nicotine dependence than cigarettes per day: phenotype definition changes genome-wide association studies results

AIMS: Nicotine dependence is a highly heritable disorder associated with severe medical morbidity and mortality. Recent meta-analyses have found novel genetic loci associated with cigarettes per day (CPD), a proxy for nicotine dependence. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the importance of phenotype definition (i.e. CPD versus Fagerstr?m Test for Cigarette Dependence (FTCD) score as a measure of nicotine dependence) on genome-wide association studies of nicotine dependence. DESIGN: Genome-wide association study. SETTING: Community sample. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 3365 subjects who had smoked at least one cigarette were selected from the Study of Addiction: Genetics and Environment (SAGE). Of the participants, 2267 were European Americans, 999 were African Americans. MEASUREMENTS: Nicotine dependence defined by FTCD score ≥4, CPD. FINDINGS: The genetic locus most strongly associated with nicotine dependence was rs1451240 on chromosome 8 in the region of CHRNB3 [odds ratio (OR)?=?0.65, P?=?2.4?×?10(-8) ]. This association was further strengthened in a meta-analysis with a previously published data set (combined P?=?6.7?×?10(-16) , total n?=?4200). When CPD was used as an alternate phenotype, the association no longer reached genome-wide significance (β?=?-0.08, P?=?0.0004). CONCLUSIONS: Daily cigarette consumption and the Fagerstrom Test for Cigarette Dependence show different associations with polymorphisms in genetic loci.     

Starch digestibility modulation significantly improves glycemic variability in type 2 diabetic subjects: A pilot study

Background and aimsIn type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients, the reduction of glycemic variability and postprandial glucose excursions is essential to limit diabetes complications, beyond HbA1c level. This study aimed at determining whether increasing the content of Slowly Digestible Starch (SDS) in T2D patients’ diet could reduce postprandial hyperglycemia and glycemic variability compared with a conventional low-SDS diet.Methods and resultsFor this randomized cross-over pilot study, 8 subjects with T2D consumed a controlled diet for one week, containing starchy products high or low in SDS. Glycemic variability parameters were evaluated using a Continuous Glucose Monitoring System.Glycemic variability was significantly lower during High-SDS diet compared to Low-SDS diet for MAGE (Mean Amplitude of Glycemic Excursions, p < 0.01), SD (Standard Deviation, p < 0.05), and CV (Coefficient of Variation, p < 0.01). The TIR (Time In Range) [140–180 mg/dL[ was significantly higher during High-SDS diet (p < 0.0001) whereas TIRs ≥180 mg/dL were significantly lower during High-SDS diet. Post-meals tAUC (total Area Under the Curve) were significantly lower during High-SDS diet.ConclusionOne week of High-SDS Diet in T2D patients significantly improves glycemic variability and reduces postprandial glycemic excursions. Modulation of starch digestibility in the diet could be used as a simple nutritional tool in T2D patients to improve daily glycemic control.Registration numberin clinicaltrials.gov: NCT 03289494.     

Relationship between WAIS-R vocabulary and performance on the california verbal learning test

Abstract

Eighty-two normal subjects, aged 16 to 95, were administered the California Verbal Learning Test, and the WAIS-R Vocabulary subtest. A set of hierarchical multiple regression equations (with age entered on the first step and Vocabulary on the second step) were calculated for CVLT performance variables. Significant incremental gains in R² (p < .01) were found between Vocabulary scores and most CVLT recall variables. Education, in spite of having a significant correlation with Vocabulary, was a poor predictor of CVLT performance. Results indicated that age and Vocabulary together accounted for up to 31% of the variance in select CVLT performance variables; Vocabulary alone accounted for up to 13% of additional variance in select CVLT scores beyond the effects of age. Norms based on vocabulary scores or a similar estimate of verbal IQ may increase this test's sensitivity.     

Growth Hormone Use in Children: Necessary or Designer Therapy?

Society often rewards the beautiful, the smart, and the intelligent. The possibility that children with idiopathic short stature (ISS) will sustain psychological damage as a result of ridicule from their peers is a concern. The desire for children to become tall adults provides a difficult quandary for parents and caregivers. Growth hormone (GH) treatment in children requires subcutaneous injections six to seven times weekly. The cost of treating with GH can be more than $52,000, and many third-party payers do not cover the cost of GH treatment. Research to date would indicate that while the administration of GH may improve final adult height in children with ISS, children treated with GH will remain short when compared with peers. More research is needed to study whether the administration of GH is beneficial for children with ISS. This article will discuss ISS and the use of GH in children.