ANKK1, TTC12, and NCAM1 polymorphisms and heroin dependence: importance of considering drug exposure

Context: The genetic contribution to liability for opioid dependence is well established; identification of the responsible genes has proved challenging. Objective: To examine association of 1430 candidate gene single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)with heroin dependence, reporting here only the 71 SNPs in the chromosome 11 gene cluster (NCAM1, TTC12, ANKK1, DRD2) that include the strongest observed associations. Design: Case-control genetic association study that included 2 control groups (lacking an established optimal control group). Setting: Semistructured psychiatric interviews. Participants: A total of 1459 Australian cases ascertained from opioid replacement therapy clinics, 531 neighborhood controls ascertained from economically disadvantaged areas near opioid replacement therapy clinics, and 1495 unrelated Australian Twin Registry controls not dependent on alcohol or illicit drugs selected from a twin and family sample. Main Outcome Measure: Lifetime heroin dependence. Results: Comparison of cases with Australian Twin Registry controls found minimal evidence of association for all chromosome 11 cluster SNPs (P≥.01); a similar comparison with neighborhood controls revealed greater differences (P≥1.8×10-4). Comparing cases (n=1459) with the subgroup of neighborhood controls not dependent on illicit drugs (n=340), 3 SNPs were significantly associated (correcting for multiple testing): ANKK1 SNP rs877138 (most strongly associated; odds ratio=1.59; 95% CI, 1.32-1.92; P=9.7×10-7), ANKK1 SNP rs4938013, and TTC12 SNP rs7130431. A similar pattern of association was observed when comparing illicit drug-dependent (n=191) and nondependent (n=340) neighborhood controls, suggesting that liability likely extends to nonopioid illicit drug dependence. Aggregate heroin dependence risk associated with 2 SNPs, rs877138 and rs4492854 (located in NCAM1), varied more than 4-fold (P=2.7×10-9 for the risk-associated linear trend). Conclusions: Our results provide further evidence of association for chromosome 11 gene cluster SNPs with substance dependence, including extension of liability to illicit drug dependence. Our findings highlight the necessity of considering drug exposure history when selecting control groups for genetic investigations of illicit drug dependence

World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) guidelines for management of skin and soft tissue infections

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A candidate gene association study of alcohol consumption in young women

BACKGROUND: Excessive alcohol consumption contributes to significant morbidity and mortality. Heritable influences contribute to 50% of the variation in alcohol consumption, suggesting the important role of genes. We used data on a previously defined alcohol consumption factor score in a sample of 827 young women to investigate association with 1014 single nucleotide polymorphisms in genes related to addiction. METHODS: Data were drawn from the Missouri Adolescent Female Twin Study (MOAFTS) with replication in the College Drinking Sample (CDS). Genotypic and phenotypic data were available on 827 MOAFTS and 100 CDS women of European- American ancestry. Data on 1014 SNPs across 130 genes related to addiction were utilized. Association was conducted in QTDT, which allows for identity-by-descent information to account accurately for twin status in the analysis. The total association variance components model was used, with specification of variance components for relatedness in MOAFTS. RESULTS: The top signals included clusters of SNPs in TPH2 (e.g. rs1386496, p=0.0003) and DDC (e.g. rs3779084, p=0.0008), genes that encode proteins responsible for serotonin synthesis. Additional polymorphisms in ADH1B, ADH1C, ADH7 and ADH1A1 were also associated at p < 0.05. The FDR for the top signal (p=0.0003) was 0.15 suggesting nominal significance only. Replication was limited and noted for 2 SNPs in ADH1C. CONCLUSIONS: While no results survive the burden of multiple testing, nominal findings in TPH2 and DDC suggest the potential role of the serotonin synthesis pathway in alcohol consumption

Beyond corporate codes of conduct: work organization and labour standards at Nike's suppliers

What role can corporate codes of conduct play in monitoring compliance with international labour standards and improving working conditions in global supply chains? Addressing this question, the authors first summarize the results of research on factory audits of working conditions in 800 of Nike's suppliers in 51 countries and two intensive case studies. They then discuss how the codes fit into the broader array of institutions, policies and practices aimed at regulating and improving working conditions, suggesting an evolutionary and complementary approach to regulating working conditions in global supply chains. They outline additional research and institutional innovations needed to test these ideas

Association of OPRD1 polymorphisms with heroin dependence in a large case-control series

Genes encoding the opioid receptors (OPRM1, OPRD1 and OPRK1) are obvious candidates for involvement in risk for heroin dependence. Prior association studies commonly had samples of modest size, included limited single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) coverage of these genes and yielded inconsistent results. Participants for the current investigation included 1459 heroin-dependent cases ascertained from maintenance clinics in New South Wales, Australia, 1495 unrelated individuals selected from an Australian sample of twins and siblings as not meeting DSM-IV criteria for lifetime alcohol or illicit drug dependence (non-dependent controls) and 531 controls ascertained from economically disadvantaged neighborhoods in proximity to the maintenance clinics. A total of 136 OPRM1, OPRD1 and OPRK1 SNPs were genotyped in this sample. After controlling for admixture with principal components analysis, our comparison of cases to non-dependent controls found four OPRD1 SNPs in fairly high linkage disequilibrium for which adjusted P values remained significant (e.g. rs2236857; OR 1.25; P=2.95x10(-4)) replicating a previously reported association. A post hoc analysis revealed that the two SNP (rs2236857 and rs581111) GA haplotype in OPRD1 is associated with greater risk (OR 1.68; P=1.41x10(-5)). No OPRM1 or OPRK1 SNPs reached more than nominal significance. Comparisons of cases to neighborhood controls reached only nominal significance. Our results replicate a prior report providing strong evidence implicating OPRD1 SNPs and, in particular, the two SNP (rs2236857 and rs581111) GA haplotype in liability for heroin dependence. Support was not found for similar association involving either OPRM1 or OPRK1 SNPs

A quantitative-trait genome-wide association study of alcoholism risk in the community: findings and implications

Background: Given moderately strong genetic contributions to variation in alcoholism and heaviness of drinking (50% to 60% heritability) with high correlation of genetic influences, we have conducted a quantitative trait genome-wide association study (GWAS) for phenotypes related to alcohol use and dependence