Multiple novel prostate cancer susceptibility signals identified by fine-mapping of known risk loci among Europeans

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified numerous common prostate cancer (PrCa) susceptibility loci. We have fine-mapped 64 GWAS regions known at the conclusion of the iCOGS study using large-scale genotyping and imputation in 25 723 PrCa cases and 26 274 controls of European ancestry. We detected evidence for multiple independent signals at 16 regions, 12 of which contained additional newly identified significant associations. A single signal comprising a spectrum of correlated variation was observed at 39 regions; 35 of which are now described by a novel more significantly associated lead SNP, while the originally reported variant remained as the lead SNP only in 4 regions. We also confirmed two association signals in Europeans that had been previously reported only in East-Asian GWAS. Based on statistical evidence and linkage disequilibrium (LD) structure, we have curated and narrowed down the list of the most likely candidate causal variants for each region. Functional annotation using data from ENCODE filtered for PrCa cell lines and eQTL analysis demonstrated significant enrichment for overlap with bio-features within this set. By incorporating the novel risk variants identified here alongside the refined data for existing association signals, we estimate that these loci now explain ∼38.9% of the familial relative risk of PrCa, an 8.9% improvement over the previously reported GWAS tag SNPs. This suggests that a significant fraction of the heritability of PrCa may have been hidden during the discovery phase of GWAS, in particular due to the presence of multiple independent signals within the same regio

Passive cardiovascular implants in magnetic resonance imaging: Statement of the German Cardiac Society on the safety of magnetic resonance imaging [Passive kardiovaskulaere Implantate in der Magnetresonanztomographie: Stellungnahme der Deutschen Gesellschaft fuer Kardiologie - Herz- und Kreislaufforschung zur Sicherheit der Magnetresonanztomographie]

Based on current knowledge magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans can be performed without safety concerns in the vast majority of patients with passive cardiovascular implants; however, individual restrictions must be taken into account concerning static magnetic field strengths, specific absorption rates and gradient field strengths/maximum temporal change in gradient field strengths. Compliance with these conditions remains the responsibility of the performing physician; therefore, the exact model of the implant should be identified and checked for MRI compatibility in a timely manner in all patients who are scheduled for elective MRI scans. Nevertheless, this step may be omitted in acute emergency situations, such as stroke, to avoid delays in urgent diagnostic and therapeutic procedures considering the generally low risk of MRI scans for patients with passive cardiovascular implants. A more widespread use of patient identification cards is desirable to further improve patient safety and to maintain an efficient workflow for MRI scans