Publications

251 Publications visible to you, out of a total of 251

Abstract (Expand)

Coronary artery disease (CAD) has a complex etiology involving numerous environmental and genetic factors of disease risk. To date, the genetic 9p21 locus represents the most robust genetic finding for prevalent and incident CAD. However, limited information is available on the genetic background of the severity and distribution of CAD. CAD manifests itself as stable CAD or acute coronary syndrome. The Gensini score quantifies the extent CAD but requires coronary angiography. Here, we aimed to identify novel genetic variants associated with Gensini score severity and distribution of CAD. A two-stage approach including a discovery and a replication stage was used to assess genetic variants. In the discovery phase, a meta-analysis of genome-wide association data of 4,930 CAD-subjects assessed by the Gensini score was performed. Selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were replicated in 2,283 CAD-subjects by de novo genotyping. We identified genetic loci located on chromosome 2 and 9 to be associated with Gensini score severity and distribution of CAD in the discovery stage. Although the loci on chromosome 2 could not be replicated in the second stage, the known CAD-locus on chromosome 9p21, represented by rs133349, was identified and, thus, was confirmed as risk locus for CAD severity.

Authors: Tanja Zeller, Moritz Seiffert, Christian Müller, Markus Scholz, Anna Schäffer, Francisco Ojeda, Heinz Drexel, Axel Mündlein, Marcus E. Kleber, Winfried März, Christoph Sinning, Fabian J. Brunner, Christoph Waldeyer, Till Keller, Christoph H. Saely, Karsten Sydow, Joachim Thiery, Daniel Teupser, Stefan Blankenberg, Renate Schnabel

Date Published: 20th Sep 2017

Publication Type: Journal article

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BACKGROUND & AIMS: Organ allocation for liver transplantation is based on prognosis, using the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) or MELD including serum sodium (MELD-Na) score. These scores do not consider systemic inflammation and septic complications. Blood level of C-reactive protein (CRP), in addition to the MELD score, associates with mortality in patients with end-stage liver disease, whereas levels of interleukin 6 (IL6) have not been systematically studied. METHODS: We performed a retrospective observational cohort study of 474 patients with end-stage liver disease (63.5% male; median age, 56.9 years), evaluated for liver transplantation in Germany, with at least 1 year of follow up. Data were collected on blood levels of CRP, IL6, and white blood cell count (WBC). Findings were analyzed in relation to mortality and compared with patients' MELD scores and MELD-Na scores. For survival analysis, the cohort was divided into quartiles of IL6, CRP, and WBC levels, as well as MELD scores. Log-rank test and the Cox proportional hazards regression model were used to compare the groups, and area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) values were calculated. RESULTS: Blood levels of IL6 and MELD scores associated with mortality: none of the patients with levels of IL6 below the first quartile (below 5.3 pg/mL) died within 1 year. In contrast, 67.7% of the patients in the highest quartile of IL6 level (37.0 pg/mL or more) died within 1 year. MELD score also correlated with mortality: among patients with MELD scores below 8.7, 0.9% died within 1 year, whereas in patients with MELD scores of 18.0 or more, 67.4% died within 1 year. The predictive value of level of IL6 (AUROC, 0.940) was higher than level of CRP (AUROC, 0.866) (P = .009) or WBC (AUROC, 0.773) (P < .001) for 90-day mortality. MELD scores associated with 90-day mortality (AUROC, 0.933) (P = .756) as did MELD-Na score (AUROC, 0.946) (P = .771). Level of IL6 associated with 1-year mortality (AUROC, 0.916) to a greater extent than liver synthesis or detoxification markers international normalized ratio (AUROC, 0.839) (P = .007) or bilirubin (AUROC 0.846) (P = .007). Level of IL6 was an independent, significant risk factor for mortality after adjustment for MELD score, MELD-Na score, level of CRP, or WBC. CONCLUSIONS: In a retrospective analysis, we found high blood levels of IL6 to associate with 90-day and 1-year mortality in patients with end-stage liver disease; its predictive value was comparable to that of MELD or MELD-Na score, and was higher than that of level of CRP or WBC. Further studies should be performed to confirm the results in different cohorts.

Authors: J. Remmler, C. Schneider, T. Treuner-Kaueroff, M. Bartels, D. Seehofer, M. Scholz, T. Berg, T. Kaiser

Date Published: 19th Sep 2017

Publication Type: Journal article

Abstract

Pediatric Research accepted article preview online, 29 March 2017. doi:10.1038/pr.2017.76.

Authors: Fabian Glock, Markus Scholz, Andreas Kuehnapfel, Wieland Kiess

Date Published: 1st Aug 2017

Publication Type: Journal article

Abstract (Expand)

OBJECTIVE: Alcohol-related pancreatitis is associated with a disproportionately large number of hospitalisations among GI disorders. Despite its clinical importance, genetic susceptibility to alcoholic chronic pancreatitis (CP) is poorly characterised. To identify risk genes for alcoholic CP and to evaluate their relevance in non-alcoholic CP, we performed a genome-wide association study and functional characterisation of a new pancreatitis locus. DESIGN: 1959 European alcoholic CP patients and population-based controls from the KORA, LIFE and INCIPE studies (n=4708) as well as chronic alcoholics from the GESGA consortium (n=1332) were screened with Illumina technology. For replication, three European cohorts comprising 1650 patients with non-alcoholic CP and 6695 controls originating from the same countries were used. RESULTS: We replicated previously reported risk loci CLDN2-MORC4, CTRC, PRSS1-PRSS2 and SPINK1 in alcoholic CP patients. We identified CTRB1-CTRB2 (chymotrypsin B1 and B2) as a new risk locus with lead single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs8055167 (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.23 to 1.6). We found that a 16.6 kb inversion in the CTRB1-CTRB2 locus was in linkage disequilibrium with the CP-associated SNPs and was best tagged by rs8048956. The association was replicated in three independent European non-alcoholic CP cohorts of 1650 patients and 6695 controls (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.42 to 1.86). The inversion changes the expression ratio of the CTRB1 and CTRB2 isoforms and thereby affects protective trypsinogen degradation and ultimately pancreatitis risk. CONCLUSION: An inversion in the CTRB1-CTRB2 locus modifies risk for alcoholic and non-alcoholic CP indicating that common pathomechanisms are involved in these inflammatory disorders.

Authors: J. Rosendahl, H. Kirsten, E. Hegyi, P. Kovacs, F. U. Weiss, H. Laumen, P. Lichtner, C. Ruffert, J. M. Chen, E. Masson, S. Beer, C. Zimmer, K. Seltsam, H. Algul, F. Buhler, M. J. Bruno, P. Bugert, R. Burkhardt, G. M. Cavestro, H. Cichoz-Lach, A. Farre, J. Frank, G. Gambaro, S. Gimpfl, H. Grallert, H. Griesmann, R. Grutzmann, C. Hellerbrand, P. Hegyi, M. Hollenbach, S. Iordache, G. Jurkowska, V. Keim, F. Kiefer, S. Krug, O. Landt, M. D. Leo, M. M. Lerch, P. Levy, M. Loffler, M. Lohr, M. Ludwig, M. Macek, N. Malats, E. Malecka-Panas, G. Malerba, K. Mann, J. Mayerle, S. Mohr, R. H. M. Te Morsche, M. Motyka, S. Mueller, T. Muller, M. M. Nothen, S. Pedrazzoli, S. P. Pereira, A. Peters, R. Pfutzer, F. X. Real, V. Rebours, M. Ridinger, M. Rietschel, E. Rosmann, A. Saftoiu, A. Schneider, H. U. Schulz, N. Soranzo, M. Soyka, P. Simon, J. Skipworth, F. Stickel, K. Strauch, M. Stumvoll, P. A. Testoni, A. Tonjes, L. Werner, J. Werner, N. Wodarz, M. Ziegler, A. Masamune, J. Mossner, C. Ferec, P. Michl, J. P H Drenth, H. Witt, M. Scholz, M. Sahin-Toth

Date Published: 30th Jul 2017

Publication Type: Journal article

Abstract (Expand)

BACKGROUND: Lipoprotein(a) concentrations in plasma are associated with cardiovascular risk in the general population. Whether lipoprotein(a) concentrations or LPA genetic variants predict long-term mortality in patients with established coronary heart disease remains less clear. METHODS: We obtained data from 3313 patients with established coronary heart disease in the Ludwigshafen Risk and Cardiovascular Health (LURIC) study. We tested associations of tertiles of lipoprotein(a) concentration in plasma and two LPA single-nucleotide polymorphisms ([SNPs] rs10455872 and rs3798220) with all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality by Cox regression analysis and with severity of disease by generalised linear modelling, with and without adjustment for age, sex, diabetes diagnosis, systolic blood pressure, BMI, smoking status, estimated glomerular filtration rate, LDL-cholesterol concentration, and use of lipid-lowering therapy. Results for plasma lipoprotein(a) concentrations were validated in five independent studies involving 10 195 patients with established coronary heart disease. Results for genetic associations were replicated through large-scale collaborative analysis in the GENIUS-CHD consortium, comprising 106 353 patients with established coronary heart disease and 19 332 deaths in 22 studies or cohorts. FINDINGS: The median follow-up was 9.9 years. Increased severity of coronary heart disease was associated with lipoprotein(a) concentrations in plasma in the highest tertile (adjusted hazard radio [HR] 1.44, 95% CI 1.14-1.83) and the presence of either LPA SNP (1.88, 1.40-2.53). No associations were found in LURIC with all-cause mortality (highest tertile of lipoprotein(a) concentration in plasma 0.95, 0.81-1.11 and either LPA SNP 1.10, 0.92-1.31) or cardiovascular mortality (0.99, 0.81-1.2 and 1.13, 0.90-1.40, respectively) or in the validation studies. INTERPRETATION: In patients with prevalent coronary heart disease, lipoprotein(a) concentrations and genetic variants showed no associations with mortality. We conclude that these variables are not useful risk factors to measure to predict progression to death after coronary heart disease is established. FUNDING: Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technical Development (AtheroRemo and RiskyCAD), INTERREG IV Oberrhein Programme, Deutsche Nierenstiftung, Else-Kroener Fresenius Foundation, Deutsche Stiftung fur Herzforschung, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Saarland University, German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Willy Robert Pitzer Foundation, and Waldburg-Zeil Clinics Isny.

Authors: S. Zewinger, M. E. Kleber, V. Tragante, R. O. McCubrey, A. F. Schmidt, K. Direk, U. Laufs, C. Werner, W. Koenig, D. Rothenbacher, U. Mons, L. P. Breitling, H. Brenner, R. T. Jennings, I. Petrakis, S. Triem, M. Klug, A. Filips, S. Blankenberg, C. Waldeyer, C. Sinning, R. B. Schnabel, K. J. Lackner, E. Vlachopoulou, O. Nygard, G. F. T. Svingen, E. R. Pedersen, G. S. Tell, J. Sinisalo, M. S. Nieminen, R. Laaksonen, S. Trompet, R. A. J. Smit, N. Sattar, J. W. Jukema, H. V. Groesdonk, G. Delgado, T. Stojakovic, A. P. Pilbrow, V. A. Cameron, A. M. Richards, R. N. Doughty, Y. Gong, R. Cooper-DeHoff, J. Johnson, M. Scholz, F. Beutner, J. Thiery, J. G. Smith, R. O. Vilmundarson, R. McPherson, A. F. R. Stewart, S. Cresci, P. A. Lenzini, J. A. Spertus, O. Olivieri, D. Girelli, N. I. Martinelli, A. Leiherer, C. H. Saely, H. Drexel, A. Mundlein, P. S. Braund, C. P. Nelson, N. J. Samani, D. Kofink, I. E. Hoefer, G. Pasterkamp, A. A. Quyyumi, Y. A. Ko, J. A. Hartiala, H. Allayee, W. H. W. Tang, S. L. Hazen, N. Eriksson, C. Held, E. Hagstrom, L. Wallentin, A. Akerblom, A. Siegbahn, I. Karp, C. Labos, L. Pilote, J. C. Engert, J. M. Brophy, G. Thanassoulis, P. Bogaty, W. Szczeklik, M. Kaczor, M. Sanak, S. S. Virani, C. M. Ballantyne, V. V. Lee, E. Boerwinkle, M. V. Holmes, B. D. Horne, A. Hingorani, F. W. Asselbergs, R. S. Patel, B. K. Kramer, H. Scharnagl, D. Fliser, W. Marz, T. Speer

Date Published: 2nd Jun 2017

Publication Type: Journal article

Abstract (Expand)

BACKGROUND Conventional anthropometric measurements are time consuming and require well trained medical staff. To use three-dimensional whole body laser scanning in daily clinical work, validity, andd reliability have to be confirmed. METHODS We compared a whole body laser scanner with conventional anthropometry in a group of 473 children and adolescents from the Leipzig Research Centre for Civilization Diseases (LIFE-Child). Concordance correlation coefficients (CCC) were calculated separately for sex, weight, and age to assess validity. Overall CCC (OCCC) was used to analyze intraobserver reliability. RESULTS Body height and the circumferences of waist, hip, upper arm, and calf had an \textquotedblexcellent\textquotedbl (CCC ≥0.9); neck and thigh circumference, a \textquotedblgood\textquotedbl (CCC ≥0.7); and head circumference, a \textquotedbllow\textquotedbl (CCC \textless 0.5) degree of concordance over the complete study population. We observed dependencies of validity on sex, weight, and age. Intraobserver reliability of both techniques is \textquotedblexcellent\textquotedbl (OCCC ≥0.9). CONCLUSION Scanning is faster, requires less intensive staff training and provides more information. It can be used in an epidemiologic setting with children and adolescents but some measurements should be considered with caution due to reduced agreement with conventional anthropometry.

Authors: Fabian Glock, Mandy Vogel, Stephanie Naumann, Andreas Kuehnapfel, Markus Scholz, Andreas Hiemisch, Toralf Kirsten, Kristin Rieger, Antje Koerner, Markus Loeffler, Wieland Kiess

Date Published: 1st May 2017

Publication Type: Journal article

Abstract (Expand)

Dyslexia is a reading disorder with strong associations with KIAA0319 and DCDC2. Both genes play a functional role in spike time precision of neurons. Strikingly, poor readers show an imprecise encoding of fast transients of speech in the auditory brainstem. Whether dyslexia risk genes are related to the quality of sound encoding in the auditory brainstem remains to be investigated. Here, we quantified the response consistency of speech-evoked brainstem responses to the acoustically presented syllable [da] in 159 genotyped, literate and preliterate children. When controlling for age, sex, familial risk and intelligence, partial correlation analyses associated a higher dyslexia risk loading with KIAA0319 with noisier responses. In contrast, a higher risk loading with DCDC2 was associated with a trend towards more stable responses. These results suggest that unstable representation of sound, and thus, reduced neural discrimination ability of stop consonants, occurred in genotypes carrying a higher amount of KIAA0319 risk alleles. Current data provide the first evidence that the dyslexia-associated gene KIAA0319 can alter brainstem responses and impair phoneme processing in the auditory brainstem. This brain-gene relationship provides insight into the complex relationships between phenotype and genotype thereby improving the understanding of the dyslexia-inherent complex multifactorial condition.

Authors: Nicole E. Neef, Bent Müller, Johanna Liebig, Gesa Schaadt, Maren Grigutsch, Thomas C. Gunter, Arndt Wilcke, Holger Kirsten, Michael A. Skeide, Indra Kraft, Nina Kraus, Frank Emmrich, Jens Brauer, Johannes Boltze, Angela D. Friederici

Date Published: 1st Apr 2017

Publication Type: Journal article

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