The genetic basis of endometriosis and comorbidity with other pain and inflammatory conditions

Endometriosis is a common condition associated with debilitating pelvic pain and infertility. A genome-wide association study meta-analysis, including 60,674 cases and 701,926 controls of European and East Asian descent, identified 42 genome-wide significant loci comprising 49 distinct association signals. Effect sizes were largest for stage 3/4 disease, driven by ovarian endometriosis. Identified signals explained up to 5.01% of disease variance and regulated expression or methylation of genes in endometrium and blood, many of which were associated with pain perception/maintenance (SRP14/BMF, GDAP1, MLLT10, BSN and NGF). We observed significant genetic correlations between endometriosis and 11 pain conditions, including migraine, back and multisite chronic pain (MCP), as well as inflammatory conditions, including asthma and osteoarthritis. Multitrait genetic analyses identified substantial sharing of variants associated with endometriosis and MCP/migraine. Targeted investigations of genetically regulated mechanisms shared between endometriosis and other pain conditions are needed to aid the development of new treatments and facilitate early symptomatic intervention

The genetic basis of endometriosis and comorbidity with other pain and inflammatory conditions

Endometriosis is a common condition associated with debilitating pelvic pain and infertility. A genome-wide association study meta-analysis, including 60,674 cases and 701,926 controls of European and East Asian descent, identified 42 genome-wide significant loci comprising 49 distinct association signals. Effect sizes were largest for stage 3/4 disease, driven by ovarian endometriosis. Identified signals explained up to 5.01% of disease variance and regulated expression or methylation of genes in endometrium and blood, many of which were associated with pain perception/maintenance (SRP14/BMF, GDAP1, MLLT10, BSN and NGF). We observed significant genetic correlations between endometriosis and 11 pain conditions, including migraine, back and multisite chronic pain (MCP), as well as inflammatory conditions, including asthma and osteoarthritis. Multitrait genetic analyses identified substantial sharing of variants associated with endometriosis and MCP/migraine. Targeted investigations of genetically regulated mechanisms shared between endometriosis and other pain conditions are needed to aid the development of new treatments and facilitate early symptomatic intervention

Pathogenic germline variants in 10,389 adult cancers

We conducted the largest investigation of predisposition variants in cancer to date, discovering 853 pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in 8% of 10,389 cases from 33 cancer types. Twenty-one genes showed single or cross-cancer associations, including novel associations of SDHA in melanoma and PALB2 in stomach adenocarcinoma. The 659 predisposition variants and 18 additional large deletions in tumor suppressors, including ATM, BRCA1, and NF1, showed low gene expression and frequent (43%) loss of heterozygosity or biallelic two-hit events. We also discovered 33 such variants in oncogenes, including missenses in MET, RET, and PTPN11 associated with high gene expression. We nominated 47 additional predisposition variants from prioritized VUSs supported by multiple evidences involving case-control frequency, loss of heterozygosity, expression effect, and co-localization with mutations and modified residues. Our integrative approach links rare predisposition variants to functional consequences, informing future guidelines of variant classification and germline genetic testing in cancer

Pathogenic Germline Variants in 10,389 Adult Cancers

We conducted the largest investigation of predisposition variants in cancer to date, discovering 853 pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in 8% of 10,389 cases from 33 cancer types. Twenty-one genes showed single or cross-cancer associations, including novel associations of SDHA in melanoma and PALB2 in stomach adenocarcinoma. The 659 predisposition variants and 18 additional large deletions in tumor suppressors, including ATM, BRCA1, and NF1, showed low gene expression and frequent (43%) loss of heterozygosity or biallelic two-hit events. We also discovered 33 such variants in oncogenes, including missenses in MET, RET, and PTPN11 associated with high gene expression. We nominated 47 additional predisposition variants from prioritized VUSs supported by multiple evidences involving case-control frequency, loss of heterozygosity, expression effect, and co-localization with mutations and modified residues. Our integrative approach links rare predisposition variants to functional consequences, informing future guidelines of variant classification and germline genetic testing in cancer. A pan-cancer analysis identifies hundreds of predisposing germline variants

The genetic basis of endometriosis and comorbidity with other pain and inflammatory conditions

Endometriosis is a common condition associated with debilitating pelvic pain and infertility. A genome-wide association study meta-analysis, including 60,674 cases and 701,926 controls of European and East Asian descent, identified 42 genome-wide significant loci comprising 49 distinct association signals. Effect sizes were largest for stage III/IV disease, driven by ovarian endometriosis. Identified signals explained up to 5.01% of disease variance and regulated expression or methylation of genes in endometrium and blood, many of which were associated with pain perception/maintenance (SRP14/BMF, GDAP1, MLLT10, BSN, NGF). We observed significant genetic correlations between endometriosis and 11 pain-conditions including migraine, back, and multisite chronic pain (MCP), as well as inflammatory conditions including asthma and osteoarthritis. Multi-trait genetic analyses identified substantial sharing of variants associated with endometriosis and MCP/migraine. Targeted investigations of genetically regulated mechanisms shared between endometriosis and other pain-conditions are needed to aid the development of new treatments and facilitate early symptomatic intervention

Strategien zur nachhaltigen energetischen Nutzung von Biomasse in ausgewählten Modellregionen: BioRegio, Regionale Umsetzungen zur Nutzung des im Rahmen der ökologischen Begleitforschung / ZIP Biomasse entwickelten nationalen Werkzeugs für die Politikberatung "Stoffstromanalyse zur nachhaltigen energetischen Nutzung von Biomasse" ; Forschungsprojekt gefördert vom Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit (BMU); Endbericht

"Within the research project "BioRegio - Strategies for a sustainable energetic utilisation of biomass in chosen model regions", which was funded by the German Federal Environment Ministry, the regional dependencies by the initiation and implementation of sustainable energetic utilisation of biomass was investigated in connexion with an application of computer-based advisory tools. In this context especially the following issues were advanced, analysed and evaluated: * Sophisticated analysis of regional circumstances for biomass utilisation addressing different initial positions (especially regional specific potentials) * Optimisation of computer-based advisory tools of the prior performed "ZIP material flow project" in the context of a regional-based application (target group: regional political decision makers) * Analysis of the structure and dynamics of regional actor networks * Development of concrete regional biomass-scenarios considering diversified (structure) criteria based on the model regions * Investigation of the regional added value based on biomass projects * Development of concrete regional biomass utilisation strategies and action corridors considering especially the ecological and economical interactions * Identification of potential restraints by the regional project implementation The investigation was conducted in 6 chosen model regions, which were differing in their geographic, economic and demographic basic conditions and with regard to the so far realised bioenergy projects. The actions were supported / channelled by contributions on project- and regional level and by expert workshops. As a result, optimised biomass utilisation strategies were developed for each model regions.