Inherited conditions have implications not only for the individual affected but for the entire family. It is in this context that family communication of genetic risk information is important to understand. This paper aims to provide an overview of the construct of family communication of genetic risk and provide implications for healthcare providers. A search of relevant literature was done with electronic databases including PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science. The findings from the literature were organized based on the Family Communication of Genetic Risk (FCGR) conceptual framework which highlights the attributes of the family communication of genetic risk process including influential factors, communication strategy, communication occurrence, and outcomes of communication. Healthcare providers need to understand how individuals share genetic risk with their family members so that appropriate support and interventions can be provided to them. This is especially important across countries, including the Philippines, as genetic services and testing move beyond the traditional medical genetics clinic to other medical specialties, a development where we would expect an increase in individuals and family members undergoing genetic evaluation and testing.

Early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) shows a different epidemiological trend compared to later-onset colorectal cancer, with its incidence rising in most regions and countries worldwide. However, the reasons behind this trend remain unclear. The etiology of EOCRC is complex and could involve both genetic and environmental factors. Apart from Lynch syndrome and Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, sporadic EOCRC exhibits a broad spectrum of pathogenic germline mutations, genetic polymorphisms, methylation changes, and chromosomal instability. Early-life exposures and environmental risk factors, including lifestyle and dietary risk factors, have been found to be associated with EOCRC risk. Meanwhile, specific chronic diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome, have been associated with EOCRC. Interactions between genetic and environmental risk factors in EOCRC have also been explored. Here we present findings from a narrative review of epidemiological studies on the assessment of early-life exposures, of EOCRC-specific environmental factors, and their interactions with susceptible loci. We also present results from EOCRC-specific genome-wide association studies that could be used to perform Mendelian randomization analyses to ascertain potential causal links between environmental factors and EOCRC.
Humans ; Colorectal Neoplasms/etiology* ; Risk Factors ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease/genetics*

Intelligence encompasses various abilities, including logical reasoning, comprehension, self-awareness, learning, planning, creativity, and problem-solving. Extensive research and practical experience suggest that there are sex differences in intellectual development, with females typically maturing earlier than males. However, the key genes and molecular network mechanisms underlying these sex differences in intellectual development remain unclear. To date, Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) have identified 507 genes that are significantly associated with intelligence. This study first analyzed RNA sequencing data from different stages of brain development (from BrainSpan), revealing that during the late embryonic stage, the average expression levels of intelligence-related genes are higher in males than in females, while the opposite is observed during puberty. This study further constructed interaction networks of intelligence-related genes with sex-differential expression in the brain, including the prenatal male network (HELP-M: intelligence genes with higher expression levels in prenatal males) and the pubertal female network (HELP-F: intelligence genes with higher expression levels in pubertal females). The findings indicate that the key genes in both networks are Ep300 and Ctnnb1. Specifically, Ep300 regulates the transcription of 53 genes in both HELP-M and HELP-F, while Ctnnb1 regulates the transcription of 45 genes. Ctnnb1 plays a more prominent role in HELP-M, while Ep300 is more crucial in HELP-F. Finally, this study conducted sequencing validation on rats at different developmental stages, and the results indicated that in the prefrontal cortex of female rats during adolescence, the expression levels of the intelligence genes in HELP-F, as well as key genes Ep300 and Ctnnb1, were higher than those in male rats. These genes were also involved in neurodevelopment-related biological processes. The findings reveal a sex-differentiated intelligence gene network and its key genes, which exhibit varying expression levels during the neurodevelopmental process.
Female ; Intelligence/physiology* ; Male ; Sex Characteristics ; Animals ; Brain/growth & development* ; E1A-Associated p300 Protein/physiology* ; beta Catenin/physiology* ; Transcriptome ; Rats ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Genome-Wide Association Study

Humans ; Class I Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics* ; Breast Neoplasms/diagnosis* ; Mutation ; Female ; China ; DNA Mutational Analysis/methods* ; Genetic Testing/standards*

Humans ; Colorectal Neoplasms/pathology* ; Pathology, Molecular/methods* ; Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics* ; Genetic Testing ; China

Humans ; Heart Defects, Congenital/diagnosis* ; Genetic Testing/standards* ; Child ; Consensus ; China

Humans ; Nephrotic Syndrome/drug therapy* ; Genetic Testing ; Child ; Prognosis ; Genetic Counseling ; Steroids/therapeutic use*

Humans ; Genetic Counseling ; Genetic Testing ; Disorders of Sex Development/therapy* ; Consensus ; Child ; Male ; Practice Guidelines as Topic ; Female ; Quality of Life

Based on the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) theory of "kidney-brain interaction", a two-sample Mendelian randomization(MR) analysis was conducted to investigate the causal effects of chronic kidney disease(CKD) on Alzheimer's disease(AD) and analyze the potential mechanisms of kidney-tonifying and essence-replenishing TCM to improve AD. From the perspective that CKD is closely related to the core pathogenesis of AD, namely "kidney deficiency, essence loss, and marrow reduction", genome-wide association study(GWAS) data was used, with the inverse variance weighting(IVW) method as the main approach to reveal the causal association between CKD and AD. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to evaluate the robustness of the results. To further investigate the causal effects of CKD on AD, two different AD datasets were used as outcomes, and the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio(UACR) data was used as the exposure for a supplementary analysis. On this basis, the modern scientific mechanism of the kidney-tonifying and essence-replenishing method for improving AD was further explored. The IVW analysis show that CKD(ieu-b-2: OR=1.084, 95%CI[1.011, 1.163], P=0.024; ieu-b-5067: OR=1.001, 95%CI[1.000, 1.001], P=0.002) and UACR(ieu-b-2: OR=1.247, 95%CI[1.021, 1.522], P=0.031; ieu-b-5067: OR=1.001, 95%CI[1.000, 1.003], P=0.015) both have significant causal effects on AD in different datasets, with CKD increasing the risk of AD. The sensitivity analysis further confirmed the reliability of the results. Genetic studies have shown that CKD has a significant causal effect on AD, suggesting that controlling CKD is an important intervention measure for preventing and treating AD. Therefore, further research on CKD's role in AD is crucial in clinical practice. The research enriches the theoretical implication of "kidney-brain interaction", deepens the understanding of AD' etiology, and provides further insights and directions for the prevention and treatment of AD with TCM, specifically from a kidney-based perspective.
Humans ; Alzheimer Disease/genetics* ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/genetics* ; Kidney/metabolism* ; Brain/physiopathology* ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis

OBJECTIVES: To clarify the causal relationship between the level of cytoplasmic unactivated mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) and the development of tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN), and to evaluate the impact of MR on dyslipidemia, particularly secondary hyperlipemia, in patients with diabetic kidney disease. METHODS: We conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization study using genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary data. Genetic variants associated with MR levels were selected as exposures, with TIN and lipid profiles [including low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol] as outcomes. A two-step Mendelian randomization approach was used to assess TIN as a mediator, employing inverse variance weighted regression as the primary analysis, supplemented by Mendelian randomization-Egger, weighted median, and sensitivity analyses. RESULTS: Cytoplasmic unactivated MR level exhibited a significant causal association with a decreased risk of TIN (OR = 0.8598, 95% CI [0.7775-0.9508], P < 0.001). Although no significant causal relationship was identified between MR level and secondary hyperlipemia, a potential association of cytoplasmic unactivated MR level with lower LDL-C levels was observed (OR = 0.9901, 95% CI [0.9821-0.9983], P = 0.018). Additionally, TIN exhibited causal links with secondary hyperlipemia (OR = 1.0016, 95% CI [1.0002-1.0029], P = 0.020) and elevated LDL-C (OR = 1.0111, 95% CI [1.0024-1.0199], P = 0.012), particularly LDL-C in European males (OR = 1.0230, 95% CI [1.0103-1.0358], P < 0.001). Inverse Mendelian randomization analysis revealed causal relationships between TIN and genetically predicted triglyceride (OR = 0.7027, 95% CI [0.6189-0.7978], P < 0.001), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR = 1.1247, 95% CI [1.0019-1.2626], P = 0.046), and LDL-C (OR = 0.8423, 95% CI [0.7220-0.9827], P = 0.029). Notably, TIN mediated 16.7% of the causal association between MR and LDL-C levels. CONCLUSIONS MR plays a critical role in the development of TIN and lipid metabolism, highlighting the potential of MR-antagonists in reducing renal damage and lipid metabolism-associated complications.
Humans ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis ; Nephritis, Interstitial/metabolism* ; Receptors, Mineralocorticoid/genetics* ; Lipid Metabolism/genetics* ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Male ; Female ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Dyslipidemias/metabolism*