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Zhao K, So HC, Lin Z. scParser: sparse representation learning for scalable single-cell RNA sequencing data analysis. Genome Biol 2024; 25:223. [PMID: 39152499 PMCID: PMC11328435 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-024-03345-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The rapid rise in the availability and scale of scRNA-seq data needs scalable methods for integrative analysis. Though many methods for data integration have been developed, few focus on understanding the heterogeneous effects of biological conditions across different cell populations in integrative analysis. Our proposed scalable approach, scParser, models the heterogeneous effects from biological conditions, which unveils the key mechanisms by which gene expression contributes to phenotypes. Notably, the extended scParser pinpoints biological processes in cell subpopulations that contribute to disease pathogenesis. scParser achieves favorable performance in cell clustering compared to state-of-the-art methods and has a broad and diverse applicability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Zhao
- Department of Statistics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Hon-Cheong So
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China.
- KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research of Common Diseases, Kunming Institute of Zoology and The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
- Department of Psychiatry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China.
- Margaret K.L. Cheung Research Centre for Management of Parkinsonism, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China.
- Brain and Mind Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China.
- Hong Kong Branch of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Zhixiang Lin
- Department of Statistics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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Kolska M, Agier J, Kozłowska E. Evaluation of preadipocyte factor-1 (Pref-1) level in cord blood of newborns born by mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2024; 24:313. [PMID: 38664725 PMCID: PMC11044594 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-024-06517-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common metabolic complication, which leads to short and long-term consequences in both mother and fetus exposed to hyperglycemia. The aetiology of this condition is proposed to be based on the dysfunction of the adipose tissue, which is characterised by the aberrant generation of adipokines. One of them is preadipocyte factor-1 (Pref-1), which could mediate controlling the adaptation of the maternal metabolism to pregnancy. AIMS The study aims to examine the level of Pref-1 in the cord blood of healthy pregnant women's neonates and fetuses born to mothers with GDM. MATERIALS AND METHODS Cord blood samples were collected from 30 newborns of mothers with GDM and 40 newborns of healthy pregnant women. Pref-1 concentrations were measured with an ELISA kit. RESULTS Fetal Pref-1 concentrations were significantly lower in newborns of mothers with GDM compared to the normal pregnancy group children (5.32 ± 0.29 vs. 7.38 ± 0.53; p < 0.001). Mothers with GDM had a significantly higher index of BMI before pregnancy, maternal gestational weight gain, and maternal fasting glucose. In-depth analysis through multiple variant linear regression revealed a significant association between fetal serum Pref-1 levels, exposure to GDM, and gestational age. CONCLUSION These findings contribute valuable insights into maternal-fetal health and pave the way for more targeted and effective clinical interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Kolska
- Department of Microbiology, Genetics and Experimental Immunology, Centre of Molecular Studies on Civilisation Diseases, Medical University of Lodz, Mazowiecka 5 Street, Lodz, 92-215, Poland.
| | - Justyna Agier
- Department of Microbiology, Genetics and Experimental Immunology, Centre of Molecular Studies on Civilisation Diseases, Medical University of Lodz, Mazowiecka 5 Street, Lodz, 92-215, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Kozłowska
- Department of Microbiology, Genetics and Experimental Immunology, Centre of Molecular Studies on Civilisation Diseases, Medical University of Lodz, Mazowiecka 5 Street, Lodz, 92-215, Poland
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He T, Chen Q, Yuan Z, Yang Y, Cao K, Luo J, Dong G, Peng X, Yang Z. Effects of maternal high-fat diet on fetal growth, placental nutrient transporters and circular RNA expression profiles. Food Funct 2023; 14:9391-9406. [PMID: 37791601 DOI: 10.1039/d3fo02202a] [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: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Epidemiological and experimental studies suggest that there is a strong correlation between maternal high-fat diet and fetal-placental development. The current study aims to investigate the effects of maternal high-fat diet on fetal growth, placental nutrient transporters and circular RNA expression profiles in a mouse model. Forty C57BL/6 female mice were randomly assigned to two groups, fed either a control (10% fat for energy) diet (CON) or a high-fat (60% fat for energy) diet (HFD) for 4 weeks before mating and throughout pregnancy, and were killed on day 19.5 of pregnancy. The serum glucose, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein, the glucolipid metabolism-related hormones, and the insulin resistance index were significantly increased. High-throughput sequencing showed that differentially expressed circRNAs (DE circRNAs) in the placenta can regulate various biological processes, cellular components, and molecular functions through various energy metabolism pathways, and mmu-let-7g-5p was found to target and bind to multiple DE circRNAs. In addition, this study also predicted that various circRNAs with protein coding functions can regulate maternal placental nutrient transport. In general, the ceRNA (circRNAs-miRNAs-mRNAs) regulatory network of maternal placental nutrient transport constructed in this study is of great significance for further understanding the effect of maternal nutrition on fetal growth in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianle He
- Laboratory for Bio-feed and Molecular Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
| | - Qingyun Chen
- Laboratory for Bio-feed and Molecular Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
| | - Zhidong Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, China
| | - Yulian Yang
- Laboratory for Bio-feed and Molecular Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
| | - Kai Cao
- Laboratory for Bio-feed and Molecular Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
| | - Ju Luo
- Laboratory for Bio-feed and Molecular Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
| | - Guozhong Dong
- Laboratory for Bio-feed and Molecular Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
| | - Xie Peng
- Laboratory for Bio-feed and Molecular Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
| | - Zhenguo Yang
- Laboratory for Bio-feed and Molecular Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
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Magnotto JC, Mancini A, Bird K, Montenegro L, Tütüncüler F, Pereira SA, Simas V, Garcia L, Roberts SA, Macedo D, Magnuson M, Gagliardi P, Mauras N, Witchel SF, Carroll RS, Latronico AC, Kaiser UB, Abreu AP. Novel MKRN3 Missense Mutations Associated With Central Precocious Puberty Reveal Distinct Effects on Ubiquitination. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2023; 108:1646-1656. [PMID: 36916482 PMCID: PMC10653150 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgad151] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Loss-of-function mutations in the maternally imprinted genes, MKRN3 and DLK1, are associated with central precocious puberty (CPP). Mutations in MKRN3 are the most common known genetic etiology of CPP. OBJECTIVE This work aimed to screen patients with CPP for MKRN3 and DLK1 mutations and analyze the effects of identified mutations on protein function in vitro. METHODS Participants included 84 unrelated children with CPP (79 girls, 5 boys) and, when available, their first-degree relatives. Five academic medical institutions participated. Sanger sequencing of MKRN3 and DLK1 5' upstream flanking and coding regions was performed on DNA extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes. Western blot analysis was performed to assess protein ubiquitination profiles. RESULTS Eight heterozygous MKRN3 mutations were identified in 9 unrelated girls with CPP. Five are novel missense mutations, 2 were previously identified in patients with CPP, and 1 is a frameshift variant not previously associated with CPP. No pathogenic variants were identified in DLK1. Girls with MKRN3 mutations had an earlier age of initial pubertal signs and higher basal serum luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone compared to girls with CPP without MRKN3 mutations. Western blot analysis revealed that compared to wild-type MKRN3, mutations within the RING finger domain reduced ubiquitination whereas the mutations outside this domain increased ubiquitination. CONCLUSION MKRN3 mutations were present in 10.7% of our CPP cohort, consistent with previous studies. The novel identified mutations in different domains of MKRN3 revealed different patterns of ubiquitination, suggesting distinct molecular mechanisms by which the loss of MRKN3 results in early pubertal onset.
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Affiliation(s)
- John C Magnotto
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Alessandra Mancini
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Keisha Bird
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Nemours Children's Health, Jacksonville, FL 32207, USA
| | - Luciana Montenegro
- Unidade de Endocrinologia do Desenvolvimento, Laboratório de Hormônios e Genética Molecular/LIM42, Hospital das Clínicas, Disciplina de Endocrinologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 01246-903, Brazil
| | - Filiz Tütüncüler
- Department of Pediatrics and Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Trakya University Faculty of Medicine, Edirne 22030, Turkey
| | - Sidney A Pereira
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Vitoria Simas
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Leonardo Garcia
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Stephanie A Roberts
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Division of Endocrinology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Delanie Macedo
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Melissa Magnuson
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Priscila Gagliardi
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Nemours Children's Health, Jacksonville, FL 32207, USA
| | - Nelly Mauras
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Nemours Children's Health, Jacksonville, FL 32207, USA
| | - Selma F Witchel
- Pediatric Endocrinology, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Rona S Carroll
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ana Claudia Latronico
- Unidade de Endocrinologia do Desenvolvimento, Laboratório de Hormônios e Genética Molecular/LIM42, Hospital das Clínicas, Disciplina de Endocrinologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 01246-903, Brazil
| | - Ursula B Kaiser
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ana Paula Abreu
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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Fu Y, Hao X, Shang P, Chamba Y, Zhang B, Zhang H. Functional Identification of Porcine DLK1 during Muscle Development. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12121523. [PMID: 35739860 PMCID: PMC9219491 DOI: 10.3390/ani12121523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 06/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Skeletal muscle is the largest tissue and serves as a protein reservoir and energy reservoir in the human and animal body. It also serves as the main metabolic activity site. The formation of skeletal muscle mainly depends on the differentiation and fusion of myocytes and other complex ordered processes; each step is regulated by various factors. In this study, we investigated the expression profiles, functional identification, and regulatory pathways of Delta-like 1 homolog (DLK1) in pigs and myocytes. We found that DLK1 was highly expressed in the muscle tissues of pigs. DLK1 promoted myocyte proliferation, migration, differentiation, fusion, and muscular hypertrophy, but suppressed muscle degradation. DLK1 also inhibited the Notch signaling pathway by regulating the expression of key factors in the pathway, thereby producing a phenotype in which DLK1 promotes muscle development. These findings provide valuable information to improve our understanding of the functional mechanisms of DLK1 that underly myogenesis to accelerate the process of animal genetic improvement. Abstract DLK1 is paternally expressed and is involved in metabolism switching, stem cell maintenance, cell proliferation, and differentiation. Porcine DLK1 was identified in our previous study as a candidate gene that regulates muscle development. In the present study, we characterized DLK1 expression in pigs, and the results showed that DLK1 was highly expressed in the muscles of pigs. In-vitro cellular tests showed that DLK1 promoted myoblast proliferation, migration, and muscular hypertrophy, and at the same time inhibited muscle degradation. The expression of myogenic and fusion markers and the formation of multinucleated myotubes were both upregulated in myoblasts with DLK1 overexpression. DLK1 levels in cultured myocytes were negatively correlated with the expression of key factors in the Notch pathway, suggesting that the suppression of Notch signaling pathways may mediate these processes. Collectively, our results suggest a biological function of DLK1 as an enhancer of muscle development by the inhibition of Notch pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Fu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (Y.F.); (X.H.)
| | - Xin Hao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (Y.F.); (X.H.)
| | - Peng Shang
- College of Animal Science, Tibet Agriculture and Animal Husbandry University, Linzhi 860000, China; (P.S.); (Y.C.)
| | - Yangzom Chamba
- College of Animal Science, Tibet Agriculture and Animal Husbandry University, Linzhi 860000, China; (P.S.); (Y.C.)
| | - Bo Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (Y.F.); (X.H.)
- Correspondence: (B.Z.); (H.Z.); Tel.: +86-010-62734852 (H.Z.)
| | - Hao Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (Y.F.); (X.H.)
- Correspondence: (B.Z.); (H.Z.); Tel.: +86-010-62734852 (H.Z.)
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Petry CJ, Hughes IA, Ong KK. Increased basal insulin sensitivity in late pregnancy in women carrying a male fetus: a cohort study. Biol Sex Differ 2022; 13:20. [PMID: 35509032 PMCID: PMC9069709 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-022-00429-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It has been suggested that fetal sex may be able to modify maternal metabolism and physiology during pregnancy. Recently pregnant women carrying a male fetus were reported to be more insulin sensitive than those carrying females, although related evidence is inconsistent. METHODS In this study we administered a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test at around week 28 of pregnancy in 813 pregnant women from a contemporary birth cohort (the Cambridge Baby Growth Study), derived surrogate indices of insulin secretion and sensitivity, and related them to the fetal sex. RESULTS Carrying a male fetus was associated with lower fasting glucose (difference in mean concentrations ≈ 0.1 mmol/L; β' = 0.063; p = 0.02) and insulin (≈ 1.1 pmol/L; β' = 0.075; p = 0.01) concentrations but not with post-load glucose or insulin concentrations. Male fetal sex was also associated with lower HOMA IR (≈ 1.08 units; β' = 0.071; p = 0.02) and higher QUICKI (≈ 1.06 units; β' = 0.080; p = 0.007) values suggesting increased basal insulin sensitivity. There were no differences in indices of insulin secretion, except for the insulin disposition index which was higher in women carrying a male fetus (≈ 1.15 units; β' = 0.090; p = 0.007). Birth weights were higher in male offspring. CONCLUSIONS Women carrying a male fetus were relatively more insulin sensitive in the fasting state and secreted more insulin relative to this degree of insulin sensitivity. These results are consistent with the idea that the fetal sex may be able to modify the maternal glucose-insulin axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clive J. Petry
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Box 116, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ UK
| | - Ieuan A. Hughes
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Box 116, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ UK
| | - Ken K. Ong
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Box 116, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ UK
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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Palumbo S, Umano GR, Aiello F, Cirillo G, Miraglia del Giudice E, Grandone A. Circulating levels of DLK1 and glucose homeostasis in girls with obesity: A pilot study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1033179. [PMID: 36568069 PMCID: PMC9780432 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1033179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION DLK1 gene is considered a molecular gatekeeper of adipogenesis. DLK1 mutations have been reported as a cause of central precocious puberty associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome with undetectable DLK1 serum levels. We investigated the association between DLK1 circulating levels with clinical and biochemical parameters in obese adolescents and healthy controls. METHODS Sixty-five obese adolescents and 40 controls were enrolled and underwent a complete clinical examination and biochemical assessment for glucose homeostasis and DLK1 plasma levels. RESULTS We observed lower DLK1 levels in cases compared to controls. Moreover, we found a negative correlation between DLK1 and HOMA-IR and a direct correlation with insulin-sensitivity index. DISCUSSION Our findings suggest that DLK1 might be involved in metabolic derangement in obese children.
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Petry CJ, Burling KA, Barker P, Hughes IA, Ong KK, Dunger DB. Pregnancy Serum DLK1 Concentrations Are Associated With Indices of Insulin Resistance and Secretion. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2021; 106:e2413-e2422. [PMID: 33640968 PMCID: PMC8424055 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgab123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Delta like noncanonical notch ligand 1 (DLK1) is a paternally expressed imprinted gene that encodes an epidermal growth factor repeat-containing transmembrane protein. A bioactive, truncated DLK1 protein is present in the circulation and has roles in development and metabolism. OBJECTIVE We sought to investigate links between maternal pregnancy circulating DLK1 concentrations and: (1) maternal and fetal DLK1 genotypes, (2) maternal insulin resistance and secretion, and (3) offspring size at birth. PATIENTS, DESIGN, AND SETTING We measured third-trimester maternal serum DLK1 concentrations and examined their associations with parentally transmitted fetal and maternal DLK1 genotypes, indices of maternal insulin resistance and secretion derived from 75-g oral glucose tolerance tests performed around week 28 of pregnancy, and offspring size at birth in 613 pregnancies from the Cambridge Baby Growth Study. RESULTS Maternal DLK1 concentrations were associated with the paternally transmitted fetal DLK1 rs12147008 allele (P = 7.8 × 10-3) but not with maternal rs12147008 genotype (P = 0.4). Maternal DLK1 concentrations were positively associated with maternal prepregnancy body mass index (P = 3.5 × 10-6), and (after adjustment for maternal body mass index) with both maternal fasting insulin resistance (Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance: P = 0.01) and measures of maternal insulin secretion in response to oral glucose (insulinogenic index: P = 1.2 × 10-3; insulin disposition index: P = 0.049). Further positive associations were found with offspring weight (P = 0.02) and head circumference at birth (P = 0.04). CONCLUSION These results are consistent with a partial paternal or placental origin for the maternal circulating DLK1 which may lead to increased maternal circulating DLK1 concentrations, stimulation of maternal insulin resistance and compensatory hyperinsulinemia during pregnancy, and the promotion of fetal growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clive J Petry
- Department of Paediatrics, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
- Correspondence: Clive Petry, Department of Paediatrics, Box 116, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK.
| | - Keith A Burling
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre Core Biochemistry Assay Lab, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Peter Barker
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre Core Biochemistry Assay Lab, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ieuan A Hughes
- Department of Paediatrics, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ken K Ong
- Department of Paediatrics, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
- Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - David B Dunger
- Department of Paediatrics, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
- Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
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