European journal of human genetics : EJHG
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Eur. J. Hum. Genet. · Aug 2014
Research participants' attitudes towards the confidentiality of genomic sequence information.
Respecting the confidentiality of personal data contributed to genomic studies is an important issue for researchers using genomic sequencing in humans. Although most studies adhere to rules of confidentiality, there are different conceptions of confidentiality and why it is important. The resulting ambiguity obscures what is at stake when making tradeoffs between data protection and other goals in research, such as transparency, reciprocity, and public benefit. ⋯ Expectations of confidentiality, trust in researchers, and a desire to advance science were common reasons for willingness to share identifiable data with investigators. Nearly, all participants were comfortable sharing personal data that had been de-identified. These findings suggest that views about confidentiality and data sharing are highly nuanced and are related to the perceived benefits of joining a research study.
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Eur. J. Hum. Genet. · Aug 2014
Position statement on opportunistic genomic screening from the Association of Genetic Nurses and Counsellors (UK and Ireland).
The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics released recommendations for reporting incidental findings (IFs) in clinical exome and genome sequencing. These suggest 'opportunistic genomic screening' should be available to both adults and children each time a sequence is done and would be undertaken without seeking preferences from the patient first. Should opportunistic genomic screening be implemented in the United Kingdom, the Association of Genetic Nurses and Counsellors (AGNC), which represents British and Irish genetic counsellors and nurses, feels strongly that the following must be considered (see article for complete list): (1) Following appropriate genetic counselling, patients should be allowed to consent to or opt out of opportunistic genomic screening. (2) If true IFs are discovered the AGNC are guided by the report from the Joint Committee on Medical Genetics about the sharing of genetic testing results. (3) Children should not be routinely tested for adult-onset conditions. (4) The formation of a list of variants should involve a representative from the AGNC as well as a patient support group. (5) The variants should be for serious or life-threatening conditions for which there are treatments or preventative strategies available. (6) There needs to be robust evidence that the benefits of opportunistic screening outweigh the potential harms. (7) The clinical validity and utility of variants should be known. (8) There must be a quality assurance framework that operates to International standards for laboratory testing. (9) Psychosocial research is urgently needed in this area to understand the impact on patients.
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Eur. J. Hum. Genet. · May 2014
The CF-modifying gene EHF promotes p.Phe508del-CFTR residual function by altering protein glycosylation and trafficking in epithelial cells.
The three-base-pair deletion c.1521_1523delCTT (p. Phe508del, F508del) in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is the most frequent disease-causing lesion in cystic fibrosis (CF). The CFTR gene encodes a chloride and bicarbonate channel at the apical membrane of epithelial cells. ⋯ Phe508del-CFTR to the apical membrane of epithelial cells. We conclude that EHF modifies the CF phenotype by altering capabilities of the epithelial cell to correctly process the folding and trafficking of mutant p. Phe508del-CFTR.
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Eur. J. Hum. Genet. · Apr 2014
Quantitative multiplex PCR of short fluorescent fragments for the detection of large intragenic POLG rearrangements in a large French cohort.
Polymerase gamma (POLG) is the gene most commonly involved in mitochondrial disorders with mitochondrial DNA instability and causes a wide range of diseases with recessive or dominant transmission. More than 170 mutations have been reported. Most of them are missense mutations, although nonsense mutations, splice-site mutations, small deletions and insertions have also been identified. ⋯ We identified a large intragenic deletion encompassing part of intron 21 and exon 22 of POLG in a child with refractory epilepsia partialis continua. In conclusion, we describe the first large French cohort of patients with POLG mutations, expanding the wide clinical and molecular spectrum observed in POLG disease. We confirm that large deletions in the POLG gene are rare events and we highlight the importance of QMPSF in patients with a single heterozygous POLG mutation, particularly in severe infantile phenotypes.
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Eur. J. Hum. Genet. · Mar 2014
ReviewAtrial fibrillation: the role of common and rare genetic variants.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia affecting 1-2% of the general population. A number of studies have demonstrated that AF, and in particular lone AF, has a substantial genetic component. Monogenic mutations in lone and familial AF, although rare, have been recognized for many years. ⋯ Since the first GWAS, the number of papers concerning the genetic basis of AF has increased drastically and the majority of these papers are for the first time included in a review. In this review, we discuss the genetic basis of AF and the role of both common and rare genetic variants in the susceptibility of developing AF. Furthermore, all rare variants reported to be associated with AF were systematically searched for in the Exome Sequencing Project Exome Variant Server.