Planning the human variome project: the Spain report

The remarkable progress in characterizing the human genome sequence, exemplified by the Human Genome Project and the HapMap Consortium, has led to the perception that knowledge and the tools (e.g., microarrays) are sufficient for many if not most biomedical research efforts. A large amount of data from diverse studies proves this perception inaccurate at best, and at worst, an impediment for further efforts to characterize the variation in the human genome. Because variation in genotype and environment are the fundamental basis to understand phenotypic variability and heritability at the population level, identifying the range of human genetic variation is crucial to the development of personalized nutrition and medicine. The Human Variome Project (HVP; http://www.humanvariomeproject.org/) was proposed initially to systematically collect mutations that cause human disease and create a cyber infrastructure to link locus specific databases (LSDB). We report here the discussions and recommendations from the 2008 HVP planning meeting held in San Feliu de Guixols, Spain, in May 2008.

General mutation databases: analysis and review

Databases of mutations causing Mendelian disease play a crucial role in research, diagnostic and genetic health care and can play a role in life and death decisions. These databases are thus heavily used, but only gene or locus specific databases have been previously reviewed for completeness, accuracy, currency and utility. We have performed a review of the various general mutation databases that derive their data from the published literature and locus specific databases. Only two--the Human Gene Mutation Database (HGMD) and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM)--had useful numbers of mutations. Comparison of a number of characteristics of these databases indicated substantial inconsistencies between the two databases that included absent genes and missing mutations. This situation strengthens the case for gene specific curation of mutations and the need for an overall plan for collection, curation, storage and release of mutation data.

Outcome for adjustment disorder with depressed mood: comparison with other mood disorders

BACKGROUND

A review of the research literature on the diagnostic category of adjustment disorder indicates that its construct validity has not been established. Nevertheless, the diagnosis is made frequently, with an estimated incidence of 5-21% in psychiatric consultation services for adults.

METHODS

Retrospective data was used to evaluate the construct validity of the adjustment disorder diagnostic category. The data primarily consisted of SF-36 Health Status Survey responses by a large group of adult psychiatric outpatients before treatment and again six months after beginning treatment. Subjects were divided into five diagnostic groups, and MANOVA, MANCOVA and chi square were used to clarify relationships among diagnoses, sociodemographic data and SF-36 scores.

RESULTS

Diagnostic categories were significantly different at baseline, but did not differ in terms of outcome at six-months follow-up. There was a significant gender difference at baseline and a significant difference in gender distribution across diagnostic categories.

LIMITATIONS

Structured interviews were not used for initial diagnoses, nor is there an estimate of the reliability of diagnoses among the clinicians. The patient attrition rate for six-months follow-up data was about 50%. Finally, patients received individualized treatment, with some patients receiving both medication and psychotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Female patients were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with major depression or dysthymia than with an adjustment disorder. Females were also more likely than males to score lower on the mental health related scales of the SF-36 at admission. Patients diagnosed with an adjustment disorder scored higher on all SF-36 scales than did the other diagnostic groups at baseline and again at follow-up. There was no significant difference among diagnostic groups with regard to treatment outcome, suggesting that the adjustment disorder group can benefit as much as the other groups from treatment.

Speciation studies with Eimeria acervulina and Eimeria mivati

Eimeria mivati was described as a new species of chicken coccidia in 1964 by Edgar and Seibold, but recently some British workers have relegated its status to that of a variety of Eimeria acervulina. Using strains supplied by Dr. Edgar, we have prepared lines of E. acervulina resistant to methyl benzoquate, sulfaquinoxaline and robenidine and a line of E. mivati resistant to methyl benzoquate. Genetic transfer of resistance between the various lines of E. acervulina to produce doubly-resistant coccidia has been demonstrated, but no such transfer could be obtained between E. mivati resistant to methyl benzoquate and the resistant lines of E. acervulina. Although some immunological relationship between E. acervulina and E. mivati has been demonstrated, we conclude that this failure of the 2 organisms to interbreed lends support to the status of E. mivati as a distinct species.

The use of vitamin K deficient diets in the screening and evaluation of anticoccidial drugs

Vitamin K (as menaphthone sodium bisulphite) added to a deficient diet reduced mortality due to Eimeria tenella or E. necatrix, had a slight effect on haematocrit, but had no obvious effect on weight gain or faecal blood; 0.1 ppm gave a maximal response. The effect of vitamin K on mortality was not absolute; the magnitude of the effect depended on the size of the challenge dose of oocysts. Likewise, the response of an infection to anticoccidial drugs, particularly monensin, depended on the severity of challenge. The effect of adding vitamin K in the presence of drug was to effectively reduce the coccidial challenge; no other interaction of vitamin K and drug has been found. No effects with vitamin K deficiency or supplementation were seen in cases of infections with E. acervulina, E. brunetti or E. maxima. The use of a deficient diet for experimental work is therefore quite justified--particularly as it results in a 4-fold saving of oocysts for inoculation purposes in the case of the haemorrhagic species.