Genome-Wide Association Study of Lp-PLA2 Activity and Mass in the Framingham Heart Study

Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) is an emerging risk factor and therapeutic target for cardiovascular disease. The activity and mass of this enzyme are heritable traits, but major genetic determinants have not been explored in a systematic, genome-wide fashion. We carried out a genome-wide association study of Lp-PLA2 activity and mass in 6,668 Caucasian subjects from the population-based Framingham Heart Study. Clinical data and genotypes from the Affymetrix 550K SNP array were obtained from the open-access Framingham SHARe project. Each polymorphism that passed quality control was tested for associations with Lp-PLA2 activity and mass using linear mixed models implemented in the R statistical package, accounting for familial correlations, and controlling for age, sex, smoking, lipid-lowering-medication use, and cohort. For Lp-PLA2 activity, polymorphisms at four independent loci reached genome-wide significance, including the APOE/APOC1 region on chromosome 19 (p = 6×10−24); CELSR2/PSRC1 on chromosome 1 (p = 3×10−15); SCARB1 on chromosome 12 (p = 1×10−8) and ZNF259/BUD13 in the APOA5/APOA1 gene region on chromosome 11 (p = 4×10−8). All of these remained significant after accounting for associations with LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, or triglycerides. For Lp-PLA2 mass, 12 SNPs achieved genome-wide significance, all clustering in a region on chromosome 6p12.3 near the PLA2G7 gene. Our analyses demonstrate that genetic polymorphisms may contribute to inter-individual variation in Lp-PLA2 activity and mass

Revision Targeted Muscle Reinnervation Improves Secondary Pain Insult in an Upper Extremity Amputee: A Case Report

Targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) has been shown to improve phantom and neuropathic pain in both the acute and chronic amputee population. Through rerouting of major peripheral nerves into a newly denervated muscle, TMR harnesses the plasticity of the brain, helping to revert the sensory cortex back toward the preinsult state, effectively reducing pain. We highlight a unique case of an above-elbow amputee for sarcoma who was initially treated with successful transhumeral TMR. Following inadvertent nerve biopsy of a TMR coaptation site, his pain returned, and he was unable to don his prosthetic. Revision of his TMR to a more proximal level was performed, providing improved pain and function of the amputated arm. This is the first report to highlight the concept of secondary neuroplasticity and successful proximal TMR revision in the setting of multiple insults to the same extremity. </jats:p

Characterization of Powdery Mildew Fungi Affecting Hemp in the Pacific Northwest

Hemp (Cannabis sativa) is a new crop for Oregon and Washington. These states are also home to 90% of the country's hop (Humulus lupulus) production. Powdery mildew is a common disease that affects both hemp and hop. There are at least two species of powdery mildew fungi that may occur on hemp, including Golovinomyces ambrosiae and Podosphaera macularis, with the latter also infecting hop. Surveys were conducted throughout Oregon and Washington in 2021 and 2022 to determine the incidence and identity of powdery mildew fungi on hemp. Seventy-four fields were evaluated at three time points. In Oregon, powdery mildew was not detected in either year in the early season but was detected in 4.6 to 6.5% of fields during mid-season and 36.8 to 41.4% of fields during late-season evaluations. Powdery mildew was not detected in Washington in any survey time point in either year. We collected 204 powdery mildew samples from surveyed fields. Both P. macularis and G. ambrosiae were detected on hemp, based on diagnostic PCR assays and sequencing, comprising approximately 17 and 96% of assayed survey samples, respectively. All P. macularis samples that amplified were mating type MAT1-1, consistent with the population occurring on hop in the region. Thirty-nine convenience samples were collected outside of surveyed fields and included the first detections of both G. ambrosiae and P. macularis on hemp in Washington. The presence of P. macularis on hemp has possible ramifications for hop producers in the region, including disruption of established management systems and introduction of novel isolates. [Figure: see text] The author(s) have dedicated the work to the public domain under the Creative Commons CC0 “No Rights Reserved” license by waiving all of his or her rights to the work worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law, 2024