• The following are headlines from on-line news articles published during the past week.
• The headlines and lead sentence are exactly as they appear in the popular press and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or recommendations of CDC.
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“Gene doubles breast cancer risk”  (last accessed 2/2008) (Jan 3) tehrantimes.com reports, “UK scientists have discovered a new gene linked to breast cancer.”

“Studies from Duke University, Center for Human Genetics further understanding of genetics & genomics” 
(Jan 4) NewsRx reports, “New research, "Phenotypic definition of Chiari type I malformation coupled with high-density SNP genome screen shows significant evidence for linkage to regions on chromosomes 9 and 15," is the subject of a report.”

“Five-Gene Signature Linked to Survival in NSCLC” 
(Jan 3) medpage today reports, “Relapse-free and overall survival for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can be predicted by a molecular signature with five specific genes, researchers here reported.”

“NPR Series Examines Use, Ethics Of Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis For Embryonic Disease Screening, Sex Selection” 
(Jan 2) Medical News Today reports, “NPR's "All Things Considered" on Wednesday included three reports on the use of preimplantation genetic diagnosis to screen embryos.”

“Genetic mutation alters response to heart failure drugs” 
(Jan 2) EurekAlert! reports, “The group of drugs known as beta blockers help slow nerve impulses traveling through the heart in order to reduce the heart's workload.”

“The DNA damage response and tumorigenesis” 
(Dec 31) EurekAlert! reports, “In the January 1 issue of G&D, Dr. Gerardo Ferbeyre and colleagues at the University of Montreal report that the DNA damage response pathway is a necessary mediator of oncogene-induced senescence.”

“A transplant in time” 
(Dec 28) EurekAlert! reports, “In hemophilia, a mutated gene prevents the production of a critical blood-clotting protein.”

“New Genetic Test Predicts Risk Of Metastasis In Patients With Deadly Eye Cancer” 
(Dec 28) Science Daily reports, “Imagine being diagnosed with eye cancer -- but your doctor can't tell whether you have the aggressive type that will swiftly spread, causing blindness and death in as early as a year.”

“Risk Of Spina Bifida Associated With Choline Metabolism Genes, But Unrelated To Choline Intake” 
(Dec 28) Medical News Today reports, “A new study finds an association between two genes involved in choline metabolism and the risk of spina bifida.”

“Parents May Pass Along Not Just DNA” 
(Jan 3) Red Orbit reports, “The question is nature versus nurture. Are we more a product of our DNA or more the result of our environment and upbringing?”

“Men with no sons more at risk for prostate cancer, according to Mailman School of PH Study” 
(Jan 3) EurekAlert! reports, “In a new and unique study to determine if genes on the Y chromosome are involved in prostate cancer, researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health in conjunction with Hebrew University of Jerusalem found that men who had only daughters had a higher risk of prostate cancer than men who had at least one son, thus signifying a possible defect on the father's Y chromosome.”

“Exercise Response Varies With Genetics - Study Identifies Genes And Mutations Associated With Exercise Traits” 
(Dec 30) Medical News Today reports, “Your parents may be to thank - or to blame - for how your body responds to exercise, and the genes responsible are slowly being identified.”

Increased risk of type 2 diabetes from a family history of coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes
Yeung EH, et al.
Diabetes Care 2007 Jan;30(1):154-6

“Test could gauge risk in patients with lung cancer”  (last accessed 2/2008)
(Jan 3) USA Today reports, “Scientists in Taiwan have developed a simple, five-gene test aimed at showing which lung cancer patients most need chemotherapy, as similar tests now do for people with breast cancer and lymphoma.”

“Down syndrome screening recommended for all expectant moms”  (last accessed 2/2008)
(Jan 3) Asbury Park Press reports, “All pregnant women should be offered screening for Down syndrome, regardless of their age, according to new guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.”

“Hazy future for genetic drugs, tests” 
(Jan 2) The Mercury News reports, “There may be no better example of the promise and pitfalls of so-called personalized medicine -- tailoring treatments to individual genetic traits -- than the test Genomic Health developed for breast-cancer patients like Katherine Young.”

“Genesearch Breast Lymph Node Assay Detects Breast Cancer Metastases With Greater Sensitivity” 
(Dec 28) Medical News Today reports, “Results from a prospective clinical study show that the GeneSearch™ Breast Lymph Node (BLN) Assay, a gene-based diagnostic test has greater sensitivity than traditional intra-operative methods of detecting the spread of breast cancer to the lymph nodes.”

How Many Deaths Can Be Prevented by Newborn Screening for Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia?
Grosse SD & Van Vliet G
Horm Res 2007 Jan;67(6):284-91

Articles that report on population prevalence of genotypes, gene-disease associations, gene-environment and gene-gene interactions and evaluation of genetic tests. For more information on HuGE, please visit the HuGENet™ home page

For the week ending January 3, 2007, there are HuGE articles in the following areas:

Gene Variant Frequency
Infectious and Parasitic Diseases
Neoplasms
Endocrine, Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases
Diseases of the Blood and Blood-Forming Organs Disorders
Mental Disorders
Diseases of the Nervous System and Sense Organs
Diseases of the Circulatory System
Diseases of the Respiratory System
Diseases of the Digestive System
Diseases of the Genitourinary System
Complications of Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Puerperium
Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue

For more information on HuGE, please visit the HuGENet™ home page

Screening Embryos For Disease 
By Joe Palca

AlzGene - Published AD Candidate Genes 
The AlzGene database aims to provide an unbiased and regularly updated collection of genetic association studies performed on Alzheimer disease phenotypes.