Does polygenic risk for substance-related traits predict ages of onset and progression of symptoms?

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Genetic risk can influence disease progression. We measured the impact of genetic risk for substance use disorders (SUDs) on substance use onset and progression of symptoms.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS

Using findings from genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of alcohol use disorder (AUD), opioid use disorder (OUD) and smoking trajectory (SMK) as discovery samples, we calculated polygenic risk scores (PRSs) in a deeply phenotyped independent target sample. Participants in the target sample were recruited from 2000 to 2020 from US inpatient or outpatient settings or through advertisements and comprised 5692 European-ancestry individuals (EUR) (56.2% male) and 4918 African-ancestry individuals (AFR) (54.9% male).

MEASUREMENTS

This study measured age of first substance use, regular use, reported problems and dependence diagnosis and progression from regular use to onset of problems and dependence for alcohol, opioids and smoking. We examined the contribution of PRS to each milestone and progression measure.

FINDINGS

EUR and males reported an earlier onset and shorter progression times than AFR and females, respectively. Among EUR, higher AUD PRS predicted earlier onset and more rapid progression to alcohol-related milestones (P < 0.001). Although the AUD PRS was a stronger moderator of problem onset among females (P = 0.017), it was more predictive of the progression to problems among males (P = 0.005). OUD and SMK PRS in EUR also predicted earlier onset of the respective milestones (P < 0.001). Among AFR, where power is lower due to the smaller discovery sample, AUD PRS predicted age of regular alcohol use (P = 0.039) and dependence (P = 0.001) and progression from regular use to diagnosis (P = 0.045), while SMK PRS predicted earlier age of initiation (P = 0.036).

CONCLUSIONS

Genetic risk for SUDs appears to predict substance use milestones and symptom progression among European-ancestry individuals and, to a lesser extent, African-ancestry individuals.

NRG/ErbB signaling regulates neonatal muscle growth but not neuromuscular contractures in neonatal brachial plexus injury

Neonatal brachial plexus injury (NBPI) causes disabling and incurable muscle contractures that are driven by impaired growth of denervated muscles. A rare form of NBPI, which maintains afferent muscle innervation despite motor denervation, does not cause contractures. As afferent innervation regulates various aspects of skeletal muscle homeostasis through NRG/ErbB signaling, our current study investigated the role of this pathway in modulating contracture development. Through pharmacologic modification with an ErbB antagonist and NRG1 isoforms, we discovered that NRG/ErbB signaling does not modulate the development of contractures in neonatal mice. Instead, ErbB inhibition impeded growth in nondenervated skeletal muscles, whereas increased ErbB activation exacerbated denervation‐induced skeletal muscle atrophy. This potential regulatory effect of NRG/ErbB signaling on neonatal muscle growth warrants deeper investigation.

Emerging eHealth Directions in the Philippines

OBJECTIVES

This paper aims to provide an overview of research and education initiatives in the Philippines. Moreover, it outlines the various agencies and organizations that spearhead the eHealth projects.

METHODS

The researchers utilized internet-based review of literature, key informant interviews and proceedings from two eHealth conferences among Filipino researchers in 2011 organized by the authors.

RESULTS

eHealth capacities in the areas of research, education and service have progressed dramatically in the last four decades as a result of improved access to information and communication technology. The National Unified Health Research Agenda initiatives have been led largely by higher educational institutions and organizations specializing in eHealth. Educational reforms have been seen with the establishment of the Masters of Science in Health Informatics, infusion of Nursing Informatics into the nursing undergraduate curriculum and offering of short courses on eHealth. Service- oriented organizations and innovations have also been formulated to meet the needs of the practitioners as information and communication technologies are embedded into the healthcare delivery system.

CONCLUSIONS

Experts, researchers, practitioners and enthusiasts have successfully promoted awareness and uplifted the standards in the practice of eHealth in research, education and service. However, three main areas of improvement need to be given priority: (1) Policy and standards creation, (2) capability building and (3) multi-sectoral collaborations.

Rupture of dissecting aneurysm in a China Airlines co-pilot

A 46-year-old male co-pilot of China Airlines developed shortness of breath during landing on a flight from Tokyo to Taipei on May 17, 1994. He was found dead shortly after landing. He was well and had passed his semi-annual health examination with no history of cardiovascular disease or hereditary disease. A dissecting aneurysm of DeBakey type I and cardiac tamponade with 200 ml blood inside the pericardial cavity during autopsy was noted. The right and left coronary arteries showed atherosclerotic changes with the lumen narrowing down to 30% in the anterior descending branch. Focal myocardial infarction with a healing scar, atheroma and arteriosclerosis of the small arteries including the kidney were observed. Nonspecific changes of the chest X-Ray and EKG with hyperlipoproteinemia suggests that a more advanced technique is required to carefully examine the heart condition during regular physical checkups to prevent sudden illness that might contribute to mass disaster.

Hazard potential of ejection with canopy fragmentation

The hazard potential of ejection with canopy fragmentation was evaluated by horizontal sled tests. A series of 14 ejections of tandem seats with 1st or 95th percentile anthropometric dummies were performed at sled speeds of 0, 150, 350, and 600 knots. Canopy-mounted miniature detonating cords (MDC) were fired in nine and not fired in five ejections. Maximal impact loads on each dummy's neck, knees, and shoulders were measured, and noise levels inside and outside the helmet recorded. The acceleration waveform for each dummy was recorded and used to calculate a dynamic response index (DRI) to assess the risk of spinal injury. Impacts with canopy fragments during ejections resulted in minor visible damages to the dummies and their equipment regardless of MDC firing. It was noted that MDC firing significantly attenuated the mean neck load (231 +/- 63 kg, unfired, to 108 +/- 20 kg, fired, p < 0.05). Noise levels with MDC firing averaged 162 dB. The mean DRI of dummy Gz for the small dummies was significantly greater than for large dummies (20.8 +/- 0.44 and 18.05 +/- 0.98, respectively, p < 0.05). We conclude that superficial injuries to ejecting pilots and their equipment is not a hazard with the canopy fragmentation system; however, spinal injury may occur at rates of 5 to 50% depending on the size of the pilot.

A study of maximal oxygen consumption in Chinese males

Maximal oxygen intake has been proposed as a standard for cardiovascular fitness. Measurement of maximal heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen consumption, and exercise duration can assess the individuals' functional aerobic capacity or reserve resulting from cardiac disease. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the physiologic response to maximal treadmill exercise. The Chinese Air Force protocol (CAF protocol - a constant speed of 5.6 kmph with a 5% increase in grade every 3 min) was used in 202 healthy men of 30 to 57 years of age. Their mean maximal heart rate and maximal oxygen consumption are 181 b.m-1 and 40.4 ml.kg-1.m-1, respectively. The study revealed that aging bears a prominent influence on maximal heart rate and maximal diastolic pressure but not on systolic pressure. There are two major influences on max .Vo2, namely, age and habitual physical activity level. Activity had a more significant effect than the age factor. Maximal oxygen consumption was lower in sedentary than in physically active persons and diminished with age. It had a high correlation with duration of exercise by this standardized protocol. Accordingly by regression equations, average normal values from healthy persons could be predicted from activity status and age, and values expected on testing could be estimated from the duration of the exercise.

A study of treadmill exercise protocols for Chinese males

Treadmill stress testing currently is used in screening for coronary artery disease. Maximal oxygen consumption is the best index of work capacity and maximal cardiovascular function. Clinically, there are many exercise protocols being utilized, including Bruce, Kattus, Balke, Naughton, and Chinese Air Force (CAF). The purpose of this study is to compare five of them and evaluate their reproducibility. Each of 24 volunteers performed one exercise test per week for 3 periods totalling 15 weeks. During each period, the five different protocols were performed in individually randomized order. Maximal and submaximal oxygen consumption and heart rate were determined. Statistical analysis revealed no difference in maximal oxygen consumption among the various protocols; however significant differences did exist in maximal treadmill time. Maximal exertional duration was not affected by the test periods. All of the five protocols were equally reproducible. The Chinese Air Force has adopted a treadmill protocol with a constant speed of 3.5 mph and a 5% increase in elevation every 3 min. The physiological parameters measured by this protocol include a maximal heart rate of 181 beats/min; maximal oxygen consumption of 48 ml/kg/min; and maximal exercise duration of 17 min. Bruce and Balke protocols were 13 and 24 min, respectively, in our study. The regression equation of oxygen consumption and duration was: Y (ml/kg/min) = 1.26X (min) + 26.3. The CAF protocol is a safe, reproducible, easily performed method with moderate exercise duration. We confirm its advantages and prefer to select this protocol to serve as a routine screening or clinical method for use in testing Chinese people.

A case report of spontaneous pneumothorax during flight

Although spontaneous pneumothorax can usually be considered lightly when it occurs at ground level, its occurrence in aviation may result in the abort of a mission, a serious accident, or a major disaster. A case of spontaneous pneumothorax during chamber altitude and aerial flight is presented. A better understanding of the etiologies, precipitating causes, complications, likelihood of recurrence, and treatment may lead to the prevention of accidents. Diagnostic technics, operative procedures, and evaluation studies are discussed from the point of view of continuing a flying career.