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Gustavson K, Torvik FA, Davey Smith G, Røysamb E, Eilertsen EM. Familial confounding or measurement error? How to interpret findings from sibling and co-twin control studies. Eur J Epidemiol 2024; 39:587-603. [PMID: 38879863 PMCID: PMC11249619 DOI: 10.1007/s10654-024-01132-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Epidemiological researchers often examine associations between risk factors and health outcomes in non-experimental designs. Observed associations may be causal or confounded by unmeasured factors. Sibling and co-twin control studies account for familial confounding by comparing exposure levels among siblings (or twins). If the exposure-outcome association is causal, the siblings should also differ regarding the outcome. However, such studies may sometimes introduce more bias than they alleviate. Measurement error in the exposure may bias results and lead to erroneous conclusions that truly causal exposure-outcome associations are confounded by familial factors. The current study used Monte Carlo simulations to examine bias due to measurement error in sibling control models when the observed exposure-outcome association is truly causal. The results showed that decreasing exposure reliability and increasing sibling-correlations in the exposure led to deflated exposure-outcome associations and inflated associations between the family mean of the exposure and the outcome. The risk of falsely concluding that causal associations were confounded was high in many situations. For example, when exposure reliability was 0.7 and the observed sibling-correlation was r = 0.4, about 30-90% of the samples (n = 2,000) provided results supporting a false conclusion of confounding, depending on how p-values were interpreted as evidence for a family effect on the outcome. The current results have practical importance for epidemiological researchers conducting or reviewing sibling and co-twin control studies and may improve our understanding of observed associations between risk factors and health outcomes. We have developed an app (SibSim) providing simulations of many situations not presented in this paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin Gustavson
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Fartein Ask Torvik
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Espen Røysamb
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Promenta Research Centre, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Espen M Eilertsen
- Promenta Research Centre, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Calais-Ferreira L, Armstrong G, Hahn E, Newton-Howes G, Foulds J, Hopper JL, Spinath FM, Kurdyak P, Young JT. Mental disorders and discrimination: A prospective cohort study of young twin pairs in Germany. SSM Popul Health 2024; 25:101622. [PMID: 38380053 PMCID: PMC10877176 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2024.101622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Mental disorders and perceived discrimination share common risk factors. The association between having a mental disorder and experiencing discrimination is well-known, but the extent to which familial factors, such as genetic and shared environmental factors, might confound this association, including sex differences in familial confounding, remains unexplored. Aims We investigated potential unmeasured familial confounding in the association between mental disorders and perceived discrimination using a matched twin study design. Method We examined data from 2044 same-sex twin pairs (n = 4088) aged 16-25 years from the German population-based study 'TwinLife'. We applied random-effects logistic regression to within-individual and within-and-between pair models of the association between mental disorder and perceived discrimination, and used likelihood ratio tests (LRTs) to compare these models. Multivariable models were adjusted for body mass index, educational attainment, and life satisfaction. Results There were 322 (8.1%) participants with a diagnosed mental disorder, and 15% (n = 604) of the cohort reported having experienced discrimination in the previous 12 months. Mental disorder and discrimination were associated in the adjusted within-individual model (adjusted odds ratio = 2.19, 95% confidence interval: 1.42-3.39, P<0.001). However, the within-and-between pair model showed that this association was explained by the within-pair mean (aOR = 4.24, 95% CI: 2.17-8.29, P<0.001) and not the within-pair difference (aOR = 1.26, 95% CI: 0.70-2.28, P = 0.4) of mental disorder. Therefore, this association was mostly explained by familial confounding, which is also supported by the LRTs for the unadjusted and adjusted models (P<0.001 and P = 0.03, respectively). This familial confounding was more prominent for males than females. Conclusions Our findings show that the association between mental disorder and discrimination is at least partially explained by unmeasured familial factors. Designing family-based healthcare models and incorporating family members in interventions targeted at ameliorating mental ill-health and experiences of discrimination among adolescents may improve efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Calais-Ferreira
- Centre for Mental Health and Community Wellbeing, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute and Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Justice Health Group, School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Gregory Armstrong
- Nossal Institute for Global Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Elisabeth Hahn
- Department of Psychology, Saarland University, Saarbruecken, Germany
| | - Giles Newton-Howes
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - James Foulds
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - John L. Hopper
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Frank M. Spinath
- Department of Psychology, Saarland University, Saarbruecken, Germany
| | - Paul Kurdyak
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jesse T. Young
- Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute and Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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Ma Y, Liu H, Shi L. Progress of epigenetic modification of SATB2 gene in the pathogenesis of non-syndromic cleft lip and palate. Asian J Surg 2024; 47:72-76. [PMID: 37852859 DOI: 10.1016/j.asjsur.2023.09.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-syndromic Cleft Lip and Palate (NSCLP) is one of the most common congenital craniofacial malformations. However, there is no enough knowledge about its mechanism, even through many relevant studies verify that cleft lip and palate is caused by interactions between environmental and genetic factors. SATB2 gene is one of the most common candidate genes of NSCLP, and the development of epigenetics provides a new direction on pathogenesis of cleft lip and palate. This review summarizes SATB2 gene in the pathogenesis of non-syndromic cleft lip and palate, expecting to provide strategies to prevent and treat cleft and palate in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Ma
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Meizhou Clinical Institute of Shantou University Medical College, No 63 Huangtang Road, Meizhou, 514031, Guangdong, China
| | - Hangyu Liu
- Department of Plastic Surgery and Burn Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, North Dongxia Road, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Lungang Shi
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Meizhou Clinical Institute of Shantou University Medical College, No 63 Huangtang Road, Meizhou, 514031, Guangdong, China; Department of Plastic Surgery and Burn Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, North Dongxia Road, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China.
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Landry MJ, Ward CP, Cunanan KM, Durand LR, Perelman D, Robinson JL, Hennings T, Koh L, Dant C, Zeitlin A, Ebel ER, Sonnenburg ED, Sonnenburg JL, Gardner CD. Cardiometabolic Effects of Omnivorous vs Vegan Diets in Identical Twins: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2344457. [PMID: 38032644 PMCID: PMC10690456 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.44457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Increasing evidence suggests that, compared with an omnivorous diet, a vegan diet confers potential cardiovascular benefits from improved diet quality (ie, higher consumption of vegetables, legumes, fruits, whole grains, nuts, and seeds). Objective To compare the effects of a healthy vegan vs healthy omnivorous diet on cardiometabolic measures during an 8-week intervention. Design, Setting, and Participants This single-center, population-based randomized clinical trial of 22 pairs of twins (N = 44) randomized participants to a vegan or omnivorous diet (1 twin per diet). Participant enrollment began March 28, 2022, and continued through May 5, 2022. The date of final follow-up data collection was July 20, 2022. This 8-week, open-label, parallel, dietary randomized clinical trial compared the health impact of a vegan diet vs an omnivorous diet in identical twins. Primary analysis included all available data. Intervention Twin pairs were randomized to follow a healthy vegan diet or a healthy omnivorous diet for 8 weeks. Diet-specific meals were provided via a meal delivery service from baseline through week 4, and from weeks 5 to 8 participants prepared their own diet-appropriate meals and snacks. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was difference in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration from baseline to end point (week 8). Secondary outcome measures were changes in cardiometabolic factors (plasma lipids, glucose, and insulin levels and serum trimethylamine N-oxide level), plasma vitamin B12 level, and body weight. Exploratory measures were adherence to study diets, ease or difficulty in following the diets, participant energy levels, and sense of well-being. Results A total of 22 pairs (N = 44) of twins (34 [77.3%] female; mean [SD] age, 39.6 [12.7] years; mean [SD] body mass index, 25.9 [4.7]) were enrolled in the study. After 8 weeks, compared with twins randomized to an omnivorous diet, the twins randomized to the vegan diet experienced significant mean (SD) decreases in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration (-13.9 [5.8] mg/dL; 95% CI, -25.3 to -2.4 mg/dL), fasting insulin level (-2.9 [1.3] μIU/mL; 95% CI, -5.3 to -0.4 μIU/mL), and body weight (-1.9 [0.7] kg; 95% CI, -3.3 to -0.6 kg). Conclusions and Relevance In this randomized clinical trial of the cardiometabolic effects of omnivorous vs vegan diets in identical twins, the healthy vegan diet led to improved cardiometabolic outcomes compared with a healthy omnivorous diet. Clinicians can consider this dietary approach as a healthy alternative for their patients. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05297825.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J. Landry
- Stanford Prevention Research Center, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California
- Department of Population Health and Disease Prevention, Program in Public Health, University of California, Irvine
| | - Catherine P. Ward
- Stanford Prevention Research Center, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California
| | - Kristen M. Cunanan
- Quantitative Sciences Unit, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California
| | - Lindsay R. Durand
- Stanford Prevention Research Center, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California
| | - Dalia Perelman
- Stanford Prevention Research Center, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California
| | - Jennifer L. Robinson
- Stanford Prevention Research Center, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California
| | - Tayler Hennings
- Stanford Prevention Research Center, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California
| | - Linda Koh
- Stanford Prevention Research Center, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California
| | - Christopher Dant
- Stanford Prevention Research Center, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California
| | - Amanda Zeitlin
- Stanford Prevention Research Center, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California
| | - Emily R. Ebel
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California
| | - Erica D. Sonnenburg
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California
| | - Justin L. Sonnenburg
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, California
- Center for Human Microbiome Studies, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Christopher D. Gardner
- Stanford Prevention Research Center, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California
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Calais-Ferreira L, Pozzobon D, Pinheiro MB, Blyth FM, Ordoñana JR, Duncan GE, Hopper JL, Ferreira PH, Ferreira ML. Sex differences in lifetime prevalence of low back pain: A multinational study of opposite-sex twin pairs. Eur J Pain 2023; 27:1150-1160. [PMID: 37357463 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.2146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Low back pain (LBP) is more likely to occur in people with a family history of this condition, highlighting the importance of accounting for familial factors when studying the individual risk of LBP. We conducted a study of opposite-sex twin pairs investigating sex differences in LBP while accounting for (genetic and shared environmental) familial factors. METHODS We applied a matched co-twin control design to study 795 adult opposite-sex pairs from Australia, Spain, and the United States (US). We used mixed-effects logistic regression to assess the within-pair association between female sex and lifetime prevalence of LBP in unadjusted and adjusted models for body-mass-index, and depression, as well as interactions between female sex and age ( RESULTS The mean age of the sample was 47.4 years (Standard Deviation = 16.5). The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of the association between sex and LBP in the merged sample was 1.11 (95% Confidence Interval = 0.88-1.40), with 87.4% of the variance in the studied association explained by between-site heterogeneity (Q test; p = 0.001). Females had 2.37 (95% CI: 1.48-3.78) higher odds of LBP compared to their male co-twins in the Spanish sample (adjusted), but a sex association was not found in the Australian nor US samples. CONCLUSIONS We found no evidence of the association between sex and LBP in our merged sample. Between-population differences (i.e. cultural background or health system characteristics) are likely to be major factors leading to variation in the sex association with LBP when familial factors are accounted for. SIGNIFICANCE Our study of adult opposite-sex twin pairs found no evidence of an association between female sex and lifetime prevalence of low back pain after controlling for familial factors in the merged sample from Australia, Spain and USA, contrary to findings from previous studies of unrelated individuals. Our findings indicate potentially relevant between-country genetic, cultural and environmental differences which may need to be considered for optimal and individualized strategies for the prevention and management of low back pain across the lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Calais-Ferreira
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Daniel Pozzobon
- Biomechanics Laboratory, Sports and Physical Education Center, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Marina B Pinheiro
- Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, The University of Sydney and Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Fiona M Blyth
- Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Juan R Ordoñana
- Department of Human Anatomy and Psychobiology, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
- Murcia Institute of Biomedical Research, IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Glen E Duncan
- Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University Health Sciences Spokane, Washington, USA
| | - John L Hopper
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paulo H Ferreira
- Musculoskeletal Research Hub, Charles Perkins Centre, School of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Manuela L Ferreira
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney Musculoskeletal Health, The Kolling Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Kamzolas O, Papazoglou AS, Gemousakakis E, Moysidis DV, Kyriakoulis KG, Brilakis ES, Milkas A. Concomitant Coronary Artery Disease in Identical Twins: Case Report and Systematic Literature Review. J Clin Med 2023; 12:5742. [PMID: 37685809 PMCID: PMC10489011 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12175742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is multifactorial and strongly affected by genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors. Several studies have reported development of concomitant CAD in identical twins. We report a case in which a pair of Caucasian male monozygotic twins presented almost concomitantly with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and had concordant coronary anatomy and identical site of occlusion. We performed a systematic literature review of PubMed, Web Of Science and Scopus databases from inception until 28 February 2023 of case reports/case series reporting the concomitant development of CAD in monozygotic twins. We found 25 eligible case reports with a total of 31 monozygotic twin pairs (including the case from our center) suffering from CAD and presenting (most of them simultaneously) with ACS (mean age of presentation: 45 ± 12 years, males: 81%). Coronary angiograms demonstrated lesion and anatomy concordance in 77% and 79% of the twin pairs, respectively. Screening for disease-related genetic mutations was performed in six twin pairs leading to the identification of five CAD-related genetic polymorphisms. This is the first systematic literature review of studies reporting identical twin pairs suffering from CAD. In summary, there is high concordance of coronary anatomy and clinical presentation between monozygotic twins. Future monozygotic twin studies-unbiased by age effects-can provide insights into CAD heritability being able to disentangle the traditional dyad of genetic and environmental factors and investigate the within-pair epigenetic drift.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Emmanouil S Brilakis
- Center for Coronary Artery Disease, Minneapolis Heart Institute and Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation, Abbott Northwestern, Minneapolis, MN 55407, USA
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Swegen A, Appeltant R, Williams SA. Cloning in action: can embryo splitting, induced pluripotency and somatic cell nuclear transfer contribute to endangered species conservation? Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2023; 98:1225-1249. [PMID: 37016502 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023]
Abstract
The term 'cloning' refers to the production of genetically identical individuals but has meant different things throughout the history of science: a natural means of reproduction in bacteria, a routine procedure in horticulture, and an ever-evolving gamut of molecular technologies in vertebrates. Mammalian cloning can be achieved through embryo splitting, somatic cell nuclear transfer, and most recently, by the use of induced pluripotent stem cells. Several emerging biotechnologies also facilitate the propagation of genomes from one generation to the next whilst bypassing the conventional reproductive processes. In this review, we examine the state of the art of available cloning technologies and their progress in species other than humans and rodent models, in order to provide a critical overview of their readiness and relevance for application in endangered animal conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleona Swegen
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Ruth Appeltant
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
- Gamete Research Centre, Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Suzannah A Williams
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
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Hagenbeek FA, Hirzinger JS, Breunig S, Bruins S, Kuznetsov DV, Schut K, Odintsova VV, Boomsma DI. Maximizing the value of twin studies in health and behaviour. Nat Hum Behav 2023:10.1038/s41562-023-01609-6. [PMID: 37188734 DOI: 10.1038/s41562-023-01609-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
In the classical twin design, researchers compare trait resemblance in cohorts of identical and non-identical twins to understand how genetic and environmental factors correlate with resemblance in behaviour and other phenotypes. The twin design is also a valuable tool for studying causality, intergenerational transmission, and gene-environment correlation and interaction. Here we review recent developments in twin studies, recent results from twin studies of new phenotypes and recent insights into twinning. We ask whether the results of existing twin studies are representative of the general population and of global diversity, and we conclude that stronger efforts to increase representativeness are needed. We provide an updated overview of twin concordance and discordance for major diseases and mental disorders, which conveys a crucial message: genetic influences are not as deterministic as many believe. This has important implications for public understanding of genetic risk prediction tools, as the accuracy of genetic predictions can never exceed identical twin concordance rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona A Hagenbeek
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Jana S Hirzinger
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Complex Trait Genetics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sophie Breunig
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Susanne Bruins
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Dmitry V Kuznetsov
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Faculty of Sociology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Kirsten Schut
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Nightingale Health Plc, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Veronika V Odintsova
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction & Development (AR&D) Research Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center of Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Dorret I Boomsma
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
- Amsterdam Reproduction & Development (AR&D) Research Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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Back Pain without Disease or Substantial Injury in Children and Adolescents: A Twin Family Study Investigating Genetic Influence and Associations. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:children10020375. [PMID: 36832504 PMCID: PMC9955700 DOI: 10.3390/children10020375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
This twin family study first aimed to investigate the evidence for genetic factors predicting the risk of lifetime prevalence of non-specific low back pain of at least three months duration (LBP (life)) and one-month current prevalence of thoracolumbar back pain (TLBP (current)) using a study of children, adolescents, and their first-degree relatives. Secondly, the study aimed to identify associations between pain in the back with pain in other regions and also with other conditions of interest. Randomly selected families (n = 2479) with child or adolescent twin pairs and their biological parents and first siblings were approached by Twins Research Australia. There were 651 complete twin pairs aged 6-20 years (response 26%). Casewise concordance, correlation, and odds ratios were compared for monozygous (MZ) and dizygous (DZ) pairs to enable inference about the potential existence of genetic vulnerability. Multivariable random effects logistic regression was used to estimate associations between LBP (life) or TLBP (current) as an outcome with the potentially relevant condition as predictors. The MZ pairs were more similar than the DZ pairs for each of the back pain conditions (all p values < 0.02). Both back pain conditions were associated with pain in multiple sites and with primary pain and other conditions using the combined twin and sibling sample (n = 1382). Data were consistent with the existence of genetic influences on the pain measures under the equal environments assumption of the classic twin model and associations with both categories of back pain were consistent with primary pain conditions and syndromes of childhood and adolescence which has research and clinical implications.
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Guimarães M, Pereira AM, Pereira SS, Almeida R, Lobato CB, Hartmann B, Holst JJ, Nora M, Monteiro MP. Are SADI-S and BPD/DS bariatric procedures identical twins or distant relatives? - A case report. Obes Res Clin Pract 2023; 17:166-170. [PMID: 36792463 DOI: 10.1016/j.orcp.2023.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Given the common anatomical features and similar short-term weight loss outcomes, Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (BPD/DS) and Single-Anastomosis Duodenoileal bypass with Sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S) are considered identical bariatric procedures, apart from technical complexity being lower for SADI-S. In the absence of prospective randomized trials or long-term comparative studies the rationale for choosing between procedures is hampered. Post-bariatric hormonal profiles could contribute to understand the underlying mechanisms and potentially be used as a decision aid when choosing between procedures. The main aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of BPD/DS and SADI-S, in genetically identical individuals exposed to similar environmental factors. Two identical twin (T) female patients, one submitted to BPD/DS (T_BPD/DS) and another to SADIS-S (T_SADI-S) were followed up to one year after surgery. Before surgery and at 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery, both patients underwent mixed meal tolerance tests (MMTT) to evaluate postprandial glucose, glucagon and GLP-1 response. In addition, 3 months after surgery, glucose dynamics were assessed using a Flash Glucose Monitoring (FGM) system for 14 days. The percentage of total weight loss (%TWL) was higher for T_BPD/DS compared to T_SADI-S (34.03 vs 29.03 %). During MMTT, T_BPD/DS presented lower glucose, glucagon, insulin and C-peptide excursions at all timepoints when compared to SADI-S; along with a greater percentage of time within the low glucose range (55.97 vs 39.93 %) and numerically lower glucose variability indexes on FGM (MAG change:0.51 vs 0.63 mmol/l×h-1). In patients with the same genetic background, BPD/DS was shown to result in greater weight loss than SADI-S. The differences in glucose and enteropancreatic hormone profiles observed after BPD/DS and SADI-S suggest that different mechanisms underlie weight loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Guimarães
- Department of General Surgery, Centro Hospitalar de Entre o Douro e Vouga, Santa Maria da Feira, Portugal; UMIB - Unidade Multidisciplinar de Investigação Biomédica, ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal; ITR - Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Portugal
| | - Ana Marta Pereira
- Department of General Surgery, Centro Hospitalar de Entre o Douro e Vouga, Santa Maria da Feira, Portugal
| | - Sofia S Pereira
- UMIB - Unidade Multidisciplinar de Investigação Biomédica, ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal; ITR - Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Portugal
| | - Rui Almeida
- Department of General Surgery, Centro Hospitalar de Entre o Douro e Vouga, Santa Maria da Feira, Portugal
| | - Carolina B Lobato
- UMIB - Unidade Multidisciplinar de Investigação Biomédica, ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal; ITR - Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Portugal; Department of Biomedical Sciences and Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Endocrinology, Copenhagen University Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Bolette Hartmann
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jens J Holst
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mário Nora
- Department of General Surgery, Centro Hospitalar de Entre o Douro e Vouga, Santa Maria da Feira, Portugal; UMIB - Unidade Multidisciplinar de Investigação Biomédica, ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal; ITR - Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Portugal
| | - Mariana P Monteiro
- UMIB - Unidade Multidisciplinar de Investigação Biomédica, ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal; ITR - Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Portugal.
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11
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Segal NL. From the Library of the Late Irving I. Gottesman: Memories and Treasures/Twin Research Reviews: Twin Study of Callous-Unemotional Traits; Depressive Symptoms in Prospective Chinese Twin Mothers; Twins With Sagittal Suture Craniosynostosis; Creative Expressiveness and Educational Achievement/Media Reports: Male-Female Twin Holocaust Survivors; Nontuplets Born in Mali; Indian Twins Marry Same Man; Twins Born From Longest-Frozen Embryos; Infant Twin Abduction; Twins Born in Different Years. Twin Res Hum Genet 2023; 26:127-132. [PMID: 36924387 DOI: 10.1017/thg.2023.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
The experience of going through the personal library of our late esteemed twin research colleague, Dr Irving I. Gottesman, is described. I came away with fond memories and unexpected treasures. This essay is followed by brief reviews of timely research on factors affecting callous-unemotional traits, depressive symptoms in prospective Chinese twin mothers, twins with sagittal suture craniosynostosis, and creative expressiveness and educational achievement. Media reports on informative topics of interest to researchers and the general public include male-female twin Holocaust survivors, nontuplets born in Mali, Indian twins who married the same man, twins born from the longest frozen embryos, an infant twin abduction and twins born in different years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy L Segal
- Department of Psychology, California State University, Fullerton, CA, USA
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12
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India's Opportunities and Challenges in Establishing a Twin Registry: An Unexplored Human Resource for the World's Second-Most Populous Nation. Twin Res Hum Genet 2022; 25:156-164. [PMID: 35786423 DOI: 10.1017/thg.2022.24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Nature and nurture have always been a prerogative of evolutionary biologists. The environment's role in shaping an organism's phenotype has always intrigued us. Since the inception of humankind, twinning has existed with an unsettled parley on the contribution of nature (i.e. genetics) versus nurture (i.e. environment), which can influence the phenotypes. The study of twins measures the genetic contribution and that of the environmental influence for a particular trait, acting as a catalyst, fine-tuning the phenotypic trajectories. This is further evident because a number of human diseases show a spectrum of clinical manifestations with the same underlying molecular aberration. As of now, there is no definite way to conclude just from the genomic data the severity of a disease or even to predict who will get affected. This greatly justifies initiating a twin registry for a country as diverse and populated as India. There is an unmet need to set up a nationwide database to carefully curate the information on twins, serving as a valuable biorepository to study their overall susceptibility to disease. Establishing a twin registry is of paramount importance to harness the wealth of human information related to the biomedical, anthropological, cultural, social and economic significance.
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13
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Champion GD, Bui M, Sarraf S, Donnelly TJ, Bott AN, Goh S, Jaaniste T, Hopper J. Improved definition of growing pains: A common familial primary pain disorder of early childhood. PAEDIATRIC & NEONATAL PAIN 2022; 4:78-86. [PMID: 35719219 PMCID: PMC9189907 DOI: 10.1002/pne2.12079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Background Commonly applied diagnostic criteria for growing pains (GP) have evolved without determination by an authoritative representative body. GP and restless legs syndrome (RLS) share anatomical, distributional, temporal, and other clinical features and are associated in individuals over time, in families, and in population samples. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that GP, diagnosed by widely used criteria, is confounded by cases of painful restless legs syndrome (RLS-Painful). Methods A twin family study of genetic influence and associations of GP using questionnaires was administered by Twins Research Australia. Twins (3-18 years; monozygous 503, dizygous 513), their oldest siblings, mothers, and fathers were randomly selected from the twin registry. Family members completed the questionnaires assessing lifetime prevalence of GP by commonly applied criteria and covariates including the history of iron deficiency and pediatric pain disorders. A GP-Specific phenotype was defined as GP without urge to move the legs. We determined similarities in twin pairs for the GP and GP-Specific phenotypes, family associations, and estimated familial and individual-specific associations for each phenotype. Results Lifetime prevalence was one-third lower for GP-Specific than for GP among the twin and family members. Monozygous twin pairs were more similar than dizygous twin pairs for GP and for the derived GP-Specific phenotype by three methods, consistent with genetic influence. There were familial associations, but the essential evidence for genetic influence was the twin-cotwin data. GP was associated, in multivariable analyses, with migraine, headaches, recurrent abdominal pain, and iron deficiency, while GP-Specific associations were limited to migraine and headaches. Conclusions GP is hybrid, one-third of cases having symptoms and associations of RLS, necessarily RLS-Painful. GP-Specific (without symptoms and associations of RLS) could have a genetic etiology. We propose new criteria to facilitate etiological and therapeutic research.
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Affiliation(s)
- G. David Champion
- Department of PainSydney Children's HospitalRandwickNew South WalesAustralia
- School of Women's and Children's HealthUNSW Medicine, University of NSWSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Minh Bui
- Centre for Epidemiology and BiostatisticsSchool of Population and Global Health University of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Sara Sarraf
- PwC AustraliaSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Formerly at Department of PainSydney Children's HospitalSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Theresa J. Donnelly
- Formerly at Department of PainSydney Children's HospitalSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- University of Technology SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Aneeka N Bott
- Formerly at Department of PainSydney Children's HospitalSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Aneeka Bott PsychologyRandwickNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Shuxiang Goh
- Clinical GeneticsSydney Children's HospitalRandwickNew South WalesAustralia
- School of Women's and Children's HealthUniversity of NSWKensingtonNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Tiina Jaaniste
- Pain & Palliative Care ResearchSydney Children's HospitalRandwickNew South WalesAustralia
- School of Women's and Children's HealthUNSW Medicine, University of New South WalesKensingtonNew South WalesAustralia
| | - John Hopper
- Twins Research Australia, Centre for Epidemiology and BiostatisticsSchool of Population and Global Health University of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
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14
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Drobni ZD, Kolossvary M, Karady J, Jermendy AL, Tarnoki AD, Tarnoki DL, Simon J, Szilveszter B, Littvay L, Voros S, Jermendy G, Merkely B, Maurovich-Horvat P. Heritability of Coronary Artery Disease: Insights From a Classical Twin Study. Circ Cardiovasc Imaging 2022; 15:e013348. [PMID: 35290075 PMCID: PMC8925867 DOI: 10.1161/circimaging.121.013348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genetics have a strong influence on calcified atherosclerotic plaques; however, data regarding the heritability of noncalcified plaque volume are scarce. We aimed to evaluate genetic versus environmental influences on calcium (coronary artery calcification) score, noncalcified and calcified plaque volumes by coronary computed tomography angiography in adult twin pairs without known coronary artery disease. METHODS In the prospective BUDAPEST-GLOBAL (Burden of Atherosclerotic Plaques Study in Twins-Genetic Loci and the Burden of Atherosclerotic Lesions) classical twin study, we analyzed twin pairs without known coronary artery disease. All twins underwent coronary computed tomography angiography to assess coronary atherosclerotic plaque volumes. Structural equation models were used to quantify the contribution of additive genetic, common environmental, and unique environmental components to plaque volumes adjusted for age, gender, or atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk estimate and statin use. RESULTS We included 196 twins (mean age±SD, 56±9 years, 63.3% females), 120 monozygotic and 76 same-gender dizygotic pairs. Using structural equation models, noncalcified plaque volume was predominantly determined by environmental factors (common environment, 63% [95% CI, 56%-67%], unique environment, 37% [95% CI, 33%-44%]), while coronary artery calcification score and calcified plaque volumes had a relatively strong genetic heritability (additive genetic, 58% [95% CI, 50%-66%]; unique environmental, 42% [95% CI, 34%-50%] and additive genetic, 78% [95% CI, 73%-80%]; unique environmental, 22% [95% CI, 20%-27%]), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Noncalcified plaque volume is mainly influenced by shared environmental factors, whereas coronary artery calcification score and calcified plaque volume are more determined by genetics. These findings emphasize the importance of early lifestyle interventions in preventing coronary plaque formation. REGISTRATION URL: https://www. CLINICALTRIALS gov; Unique identifier: NCT01738828.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsofia D Drobni
- MTA-SE Cardiovascular Imaging Research Group, (Z.D.D., M.K., J.K., A.L.J., J.S., B.S., P.M.-H.), Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Marton Kolossvary
- Cardiovascular Imaging Research Center, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA (M.K., J.K.)
| | - Julia Karady
- Cardiovascular Imaging Research Center, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA (M.K., J.K.)
| | - Adam L Jermendy
- MTA-SE Cardiovascular Imaging Research Group, (Z.D.D., M.K., J.K., A.L.J., J.S., B.S., P.M.-H.), Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Adam D Tarnoki
- Department of Radiology, Medical Imaging Centre (A.D.T., D.L.T., P.M.-H.), Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - David L Tarnoki
- Department of Radiology, Medical Imaging Centre (A.D.T., D.L.T., P.M.-H.), Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Judit Simon
- MTA-SE Cardiovascular Imaging Research Group, (Z.D.D., M.K., J.K., A.L.J., J.S., B.S., P.M.-H.), Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Balint Szilveszter
- MTA-SE Cardiovascular Imaging Research Group, (Z.D.D., M.K., J.K., A.L.J., J.S., B.S., P.M.-H.), Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Levente Littvay
- Department of Political Science, Central European University, Budapest, Hungary (L.L.)
| | | | | | - Bela Merkely
- Heart and Vascular Center (B.M.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Pal Maurovich-Horvat
- Department of Radiology, Medical Imaging Centre (A.D.T., D.L.T., P.M.-H.), Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
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15
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Conducting Clinical Trials in Twin Populations: A Review of Design, Analysis, Recruitment and Ethical Issues for Twin-Only Trials. Twin Res Hum Genet 2022; 24:359-364. [PMID: 35074024 DOI: 10.1017/thg.2021.52] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Although twins often participate in medical research, few clinical trials are conducted entirely in twin populations. The purpose of this review is to demonstrate the substantial benefits and address the key challenges of conducting clinical trials in twin populations, or 'twin-only trials'. We consider the unique design, analysis, recruitment and ethical issues that arise in such trials. In particular, we describe the different approaches available for randomizing twin pairs, highlight the similarity or correlation that exists between outcomes of twins, and discuss the impact of this correlation on sample size calculations and statistical analysis methods for estimating treatment effects. We also consider the role of both monozygotic and dizygotic twins for studying variation in outcomes, the factors that may affect recruitment of twins, and the ethics of conducting trials entirely in twin populations. The advantages and disadvantages of conducting twin-only trials are also discussed. Finally, we recommend that twin-only trials should be considered more often.
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16
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A Critical Review of Statistical Methods for Twin Studies Relating Exposure to Early Life Health Conditions. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182312696. [PMID: 34886424 PMCID: PMC8657152 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182312696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
When investigating disease etiology, twin data provide a unique opportunity to control for confounding and disentangling the role of the human genome and exposome. However, using appropriate statistical methods is fundamental for exploiting such potential. We aimed to critically review the statistical approaches used in twin studies relating exposure to early life health conditions. We searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase (2011–2021). We identified 32 studies and nine classes of methods. Five were conditional approaches (within-pair analyses): additive-common-erratic (ACE) models (11 studies), generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs, five studies), generalized linear models (GLMs) with fixed pair effects (four studies), within-pair difference analyses (three studies), and paired-sample tests (two studies). Four were marginal approaches (unpaired analyses): generalized estimating equations (GEE) models (five studies), GLMs with cluster-robust standard errors (six studies), GLMs (one study), and independent-sample tests (one study). ACE models are suitable for assessing heritability but require adaptations for binary outcomes and repeated measurements. Conditional models can adjust by design for shared confounders, and GLMMs are suitable for repeated measurements. Marginal models may lead to invalid inference. By highlighting the strengths and limitations of commonly applied statistical methods, this review may be helpful for researchers using twin designs.
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17
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Familial and Genetic Influences on the Common Pediatric Primary Pain Disorders: A Twin Family Study. CHILDREN-BASEL 2021; 8:children8020089. [PMID: 33525537 PMCID: PMC7911833 DOI: 10.3390/children8020089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The primary pain disorders of childhood are highly prevalent but have infrequently been studied collectively. Genetic influences have been suggested to be causally implicated. Surveys were sent to 3909 Australian twin families, assessing the lifetime prevalence of growing pains, migraine, headache, recurrent abdominal pain, low back pain, and persistent pain (not otherwise specified) in pediatric twins and their immediate family members. Comparisons between monozygous (MZ) and dizygous (DZ) twin pair correlations, concordances and odds ratios were performed to assess the contribution of additive genetic influences. Random-effects logistic regression modelling was used to evaluate relationships between twin individuals and their co-twins, mothers, fathers and oldest siblings with the subject conditions. Twin analyses of responses from 1016 families revealed significant influence of additive genetic effects on the presence of growing pains, migraine, and recurrent abdominal pain. The analyses for headache, low back pain, and persistent pain overall did not conclusively demonstrate that genetic influences were implicated more than shared environmental factors. Regression analyses demonstrated varying levels of significance in relationships between family members and twin individuals for the tested conditions, with strongest support for genetic influences in growing pains and migraine. These data, together with previously published association analyses, suggest common causal influences including genes.
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18
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Yan Z, Maecker HT, Brodin P, Nygaard UC, Lyu SC, Davis MM, Nadeau KC, Andorf S. Aging and CMV discordance are associated with increased immune diversity between monozygotic twins. IMMUNITY & AGEING 2021; 18:5. [PMID: 33461563 PMCID: PMC7812659 DOI: 10.1186/s12979-021-00216-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Background Broadly, much of variance in immune system phenotype has been linked to the influence of non-heritable factors rather than genetics. In particular, two non-heritable factors: aging and human cytolomegavirus (CMV) infection, have been known to account for significant inter-individual immune variance. However, many specific relationships between them and immune composition remain unclear, especially between individuals over narrower age ranges. Further exploration of these relationships may be useful for informing personalized intervention development. Results To address this need, we evaluated 41 different cell type frequencies by mass cytometry and identified their relationships with aging and CMV seropositivity. Analyses were done using 60 healthy individuals, including 23 monozygotic twin pairs, categorized into young (12–31 years) and middle-aged (42–59 years). Aging and CMV discordance were associated with increased immune diversity between monozygotic twins overall, and particularly strongly in various T cell populations. Notably, we identified 17 and 11 cell subset frequencies as relatively influenced and uninfluenced by non-heritable factors, respectively, with results that largely matched those from studies on older-aged cohorts. Next, CD4+ T cell frequency was shown to diverge with age in twins, but with lower slope than in demographically similar non-twins, suggesting that much inter-individual variance in this cell type can be attributed to interactions between genetic and environmental factors. Several cell frequencies previously associated with memory inflation, such as CD27- CD8+ T cells and CD161+ CD4+ T cells, were positively correlated with CMV seropositivity, supporting findings that CMV infection may incur rapid aging of the immune system. Conclusions Our study confirms previous findings that aging, even within a relatively small age range and by mid-adulthood, and CMV seropositivity, both contribute significantly to inter-individual immune diversity. Notably, we identify several key immune cell subsets that vary considerably with aging, as well as others associated with memory inflation which correlate with CMV seropositivity. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12979-021-00216-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Yan
- Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Holden T Maecker
- Institute for Immunity, Transplantation and Infection, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Petter Brodin
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Unni C Nygaard
- Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.,Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Shu Chen Lyu
- Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Mark M Davis
- Institute for Immunity, Transplantation and Infection, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Kari C Nadeau
- Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Sandra Andorf
- Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA. .,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA. .,Divisions of Biomedical Informatics and Allergy & Immunology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
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19
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Champion D, Bui M, Aouad P, Sarraf S, Donnelly T, Bott A, Chapman C, Goh S, Ng G, Jaaniste T, Hopper J. Contrasting painless and painful phenotypes of pediatric restless legs syndrome: a twin family study. Sleep Med 2020; 75:361-367. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2020.08.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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20
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Hayward DA, Pomares F, Casey KF, Ismaylova E, Levesque M, Greenlaw K, Vitaro F, Brendgen M, Rénard F, Dionne G, Boivin M, Tremblay RE, Booij L. Birth weight is associated with adolescent brain development: A multimodal imaging study in monozygotic twins. Hum Brain Mapp 2020; 41:5228-5239. [PMID: 32881198 PMCID: PMC7670633 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2020] [Revised: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous research has shown that the prenatal environment, commonly indexed by birth weight (BW), is a predictor of morphological brain development. We previously showed in monozygotic (MZ) twins associations between BW and brain morphology that were independent of genetics. In the present study, we employed a longitudinal MZ twin design to investigate whether variations in prenatal environment (as indexed by discordance in BW) are associated with resting‐state functional connectivity (rs‐FC) and with structural connectivity. We focused on the limbic and default mode networks (DMNs), which are key regions for emotion regulation and internally generated thoughts, respectively. One hundred and six healthy adolescent MZ twins (53 pairs; 42% male pairs) followed longitudinally from birth underwent a magnetic resonance imaging session at age 15. Graph theoretical analysis was applied to rs‐FC measures. TrackVis was used to determine track count as an indicator of structural connectivity strength. Lower BW twins had less efficient limbic network connectivity as compared to their higher BW co‐twin, driven by differences in the efficiency of the right hippocampus and right amygdala. Lower BW male twins had fewer tracks connecting the right hippocampus and right amygdala as compared to their higher BW male co‐twin. There were no associations between BW and the DMN. These findings highlight the possible role of unique prenatal environmental influences in the later development of efficient spontaneous limbic network connections within healthy individuals, irrespective of DNA sequence or shared environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana A Hayward
- Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Florence Pomares
- Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Kevin F Casey
- Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Elmira Ismaylova
- Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
| | | | - Keelin Greenlaw
- Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Frank Vitaro
- Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Canada.,School of Psychoeducation, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Mara Brendgen
- Department of Psychology, University of Quebec in Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Felix Rénard
- Grenoble Hospital, University of Grenoble, Grenoble, France
| | - Ginette Dionne
- Department of Psychology, University Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | - Michel Boivin
- Department of Psychology, University Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | - Richard E Tremblay
- Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Canada.,Department of Psychology and Pediatrics, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada.,School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Linda Booij
- Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
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