Category Archives: Genetics

The paper

C. Tipton et al., Patient genetics is linked to chronic wound microbiome composition and healing, PLOS Pathog, 16:e1008511, 2020.

How quickly scrapes, cuts, and gashes in the skin heal can vary greatly depending on a persons body mass, age, and whether the individual suffers from certain chronic conditions such as diabetes. Genetics, a new study suggests, may also play a role, with variations in two specific genes lowering the diversity of a wounds microbiome and lengthening healing time.

Through a partnership with Southwest Regional Wound Care Center in Lubbock, Texas, geneticist Caleb Phillips at Texas Tech University and colleagues gained access to 85 patients DNA samples. Analyzing each persons sample and comparing it to the diversity of bacteria in the patients infected wound, the team found that individuals with specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in TLN2, a gene involved in actin assembly, and ZNF521, which encodes a transcription factor, had lower overall microbial diversity in their wounds and were much more likely to suffer from Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus infections. Those patients skin injuries were also much slower to heal, suggesting that individuals with these specific TLN2 and ZNF521 mutations may be at higher risk of developing chronic wounds.

Despite the modest sample size, Phillips says, the study offers a better understanding of what makes a patient vulnerable to chronic wounds. The SNPs the team described in TLN2 and ZNF521 could serve as biomarkers to identify patients at risk for slow wound recovery, he notes.

The extent of the microbiomes role in chronic wounds is a really big question in the field of healing and repair, notes Lindsay Kalan, a medical microbiologist and immunologist at the University of WisconsinMadison who was not involved in the study. While the papers results are not immediately translatable for patient care, she says, it is definitely a step in the right direction.

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Long-Lasting Wound Infections Linked to Microbes and Genetics - The Scientist

Transparency Market Research (TMR) has published a new report titled, Genetic Testing Services Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast, 20192027.According to the report, the global Genetic Testing Services market was valued at US$ 41.2 Bn in 2018 and is projected to expand at a CAGR of 7.3% from 2019 to 2027.

Overview

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New Born Screening Segment to Dominate Global Genetic Testing Services Market

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Oncology Segment Hold a Major Share of Global Genetic Testing Services Market

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Hospitals based laboratories Segment to Dominate Global Genetic Testing Services Market

North America to Dominate Global Genetic Testing Services Market

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Competitive Landscape

The global genetic testing services market is consolidated in terms of number of players. Key players in the global Genetic Testing Services market include Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, Genomic Health, Inc., NeoGenomics Laboratories, Inc, Eurofins Scientific, Ambry Genetics, Illumina, Inc, 23andMe, Inc., Exact Sciences, Natera, Invitae, Veracyte, and other prominent players.

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Genetic Testing Services Market: Surge in Adoption of Genetic Testing Services to Boost the Market - BioSpace

Genetics is the study of heredity. Heredity is a biological process whereby a parent passes certain genes onto their children or offspring.

Every child inherits genes from both of their biological parents and these genes, in turn, express specific traits. Some of these traits may be physical for example hair and eye color etc.

On the other hand, some genes may also carry the risk of certain diseases and disorders that may be passed on from parents to their offspring.

Image Credit: fizkes/Shutterstock.com

The genetic information lies within the cell nucleus of each living cell in the body. The information can be considered to be retained in a book for example. Part of this book with the genetic information comes from the father while the other part comes from the mother.

The genes lie within the chromosomes. Humans have 23 pairs of these small thread-like structures in the nucleus of their cells. 23 or half of the total 46 comes from the mother while the other 23 comes from the father.

The chromosomes contain genes just like pages of a book. Some chromosomes may carry thousands of important genes while some may carry only a few.

The chromosomes, and therefore the genes, are made up of the chemical substance called DNA (DeoxyriboNucleic Acid). The chromosomes are very long thin strands of DNA, coiled up tightly.

At one point along their length, each chromosome has a constriction, called the centromere. The centromere divides the chromosomes into two arms: a long arm and a short arm.

Chromosomes are numbered from 1 to 22 and these are common for both sexes and called autosomes. There are also two chromosomes that have been given the letters X and Y and termed sex chromosomes. The X chromosome is much larger than the Y chromosome.

The genes are further made up of unique codes of chemical bases comprising of A, T, C and G (Adenine, Thymine, Cytosine, and Guanine). These chemical bases make up combinations with permutations and combinations. These are akin to the words on a page.

These chemical bases are part of the DNA. The words when strung together act as the blueprints that tell the cells of the body when and how to grow, mature and perform various functions. With age, the genes may be affected and may develop faults and damages due to environmental and endogenous toxins.

Women have 46 chromosomes (44 autosomes plus two copies of the X chromosome) in their body cells. They have half of this or 22 autosomes plus an X chromosome in their egg cells.

Men have 46 chromosomes (44 autosomes plus an X and a Y chromosome) in their body cells and have half of these 22 autosomes plus an X or Y chromosome in their sperm cells.

When the egg joins with the sperm, the resultant baby has 46 chromosomes (with either an XX in a female baby or XY in a male baby).

Each gene is a piece of genetic information. All the DNA in the cell makes up for the human genome. There are about 20,000 genes located on one of the 23 chromosome pairs found in the nucleus.

To date, about 12,800 genes have been mapped to specific locations (loci) on each of the chromosomes. This database was begun as part of the Human Genome Project. The project was officially completed in April 2003 but the exact number of genes in the human genome is still unknown.

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What is Genetics? - Life Sciences Articles

As fall approaches, Seed Genetics Direct will host its annual field days in Ohio and Indiana between August 25 and Sept. 16 (see schedule below). Seed Genetics Direct is an independent seed company headquartered in Jeffersonville, Ohio that serves the Eastern Corn Belt.

Free and open to the all farmers, field days provide the opportunity for visitors to tour corn and soybean plots to see the performance of 2021 genetics and technologies. Seedsmen will also be available to provide detailed information and answer questions.

Weve added seven new corn hybrids and nine soybean varieties to our lineup for the Eastern Corn Belt. Field days are great opportunity to see products, as well stock up on the best deals of the season. Our September discounts include a 15.5% early-pay discount or a 9.5% savings with John Deere zero percent financing, as well as $10 off per unit of traited corn, said Todd Jeffries, SGD vice president. In addition, we offer explosive treatments at a standard price on corn, soybeans and wheat. These treatments protect from Barley Yellow Dwarf, Fusarium, Pythium, Phytophthora, Phomopsis, Rhizoctonia and more! Our corn treatment also includes N-Hibit and Terios Zn+ for vigor and stress tolerance. Guests can learn more about these offerings during our field days.

Seed Genetics also has several practices in place to protect guests from the spread of COVID-19 during field days. To disperse crowds, SGD field days will occur all day between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. to ensure plot tours are in groups of 10 or less; guests may arrive at any time. Freshly grilled and individually-packaged food will also be served throughout the day by servers in masks and gloves. SGD will provide guests with disposable masks, gloves and hand-sanitizer as needed, as well as follow all Ohio, Indiana, CDC and OSHA mandates.

Seed Genetics Direct field days will occur as scheduled below. To ensure events have not been cancelled, on the day of the event, please call the SGD main office at 740-505-6545 or check SGDs website (seedgeneticsdirect.com), Facebook or Twitter channels (@seedgenetics).

SGD field days scheduleAll SGD field days are from 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. Guest can arrive at any time.

August 25: Chillicothe, Ohio plot on Schooley Station Road (east of Chillicothe on Route 50, south onLancaster Road, east on Schooley Station) (Bob, Brian, and BJ Brown)

August 26: 2741 Weigand Road, Lockbourne, Ohio 43173 (Bill, Bob and Ross Black)

August 31 and Sept. 1: 4712 Prairie Road Northeast, Washington Court House, Ohio 43160

Sept. 4: 7263 North US Hwy 35, Williamsburg, Ind. 47393

Sept. 8: 8608 North Zaring Road, Scottsburg, Ind. 47170 (Wischmeier Farms)

Sept. 11: 8584 State Route 725 West, Camden, Ohio 45311 (Don Jackson)

Sept. 16: 4614 East State Road 244, Shelbyville, Ind. 46176 (Matt Settles)

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Seed Genetics Direct Field Days will be held as scheduled - Ohio's Country Journal and Ohio Ag Net

NEW YORK (PRWEB) August 19, 2020

Living with a mental health challenges can be stressful even during the best of times. Then COVID-19 came along. Quarantine, distancing, not seeing family and loved ones, and economic worries have all added to the struggles of people dealing with mental wellness. On top of that, back-to-school stress is compounding the mental stressors were all dealing with right now. Recently, Amy Edgar, Founder of Childrens Integrated Center for Success and expert in pediatric mental health, teamed with YourUpdateTV to discuss steps we can take to take control of our mental wellness during this uncertain time.

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/0WpBE2FWYC0

Parents, many of whom may be dealing with their own mental and emotional struggles, have taken on the burden of worrying about their childs mental health as well. With the back to school season in full swing, stress and anxiety are at an all-time high as families grapple with the reality of additional distance learning, or the potential dangers of returning to the classroom. Its natural for parents to wonder whether the last five months and whatever lies ahead will have a lasting effect on kids mental well-being.

So how can parents take back control of mental wellness in the age of COVID-19?

A first-ever consumer DNA test is helping unlock the connection between genetics and mental wellness. One cheek swab will produce results that will help people better understand how genes affect ones predisposition for stress, focus, substance abuse, sleep, and more.

Organized around Genominds proprietary 7 Core Genetic Mental Health Capabilities, the test analyzes 38 genetic variants and their influence on 29 mental health traits. The result is an interactive report that details 59 possible behavioral predispositions specific to each users genetic profile, along with resources and actionable recommendations shown to improve wellness and quality of life. Genomind Mental Health Map is the only DNA test in the consumer market with a specific focus on mental health and wellness, and is available without prescription. The test should not be used as a diagnostic or risk assessment for mental health diseases and disorders.

For more information, visit MentalHealthMap.com and use discount code MHMFALL5.

About Amy Edgar, APRN, CRNP, FNP-C:Amy Edgar is transforming healthcare and embracing our next generation of humans. Ignited by the experience of raising her now 19-year old daughter, Amy founded the Children's Integrated Center for Success in 2014. Weaving together the threads of mom, entrepreneur, teacher, nurse, primary care provider, and science geek, Amy utilizes systems thinking and integrated care delivery models to run her primary care center focused on children with behavioral health needs. From cutting edge genetics research to nutrition consults, speech and equine therapy, school advocates, and marriage counselors CICS strives to reach every child, every time. In 2017, Amy led CICS in connecting career opportunities for children with autism looking for suitable work to capture their own piece of the American Dream, which was realized in the CICS Foundation. Amy continues to practice and provide patient care while championing CICS's virtual healthcare expansion to reach families across and outside of Pennsylvania.

About Genomind:Genomind is a leading mental health company singularly focused on filling the innovation gap in mental health care through novel, genetics-based tools that bring mental health into the era of personalized medicine. Its flagship product, Genomind Professional PGx, is a pharmacogenetic testing service that helps medical professionals guide patients mental health treatment. The Company recently launched Genomind Mental Health Map a direct-to-consumer test that enables a better understanding of the biological basis of mental health, coupled with actionable guidance to help people improve health and wellness. Supported by a world-class genetics lab, a unique heritage of clinical mental health expertise, and a consultative approach, Genomind is advancing a new paradigm of precision medicine in mental health care. Learn more at http://www.genomind.com.

About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content.

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First-Ever Consumer DNA Test to Unlock the Connection Between Genetics and Mental Wellness-Related Behavioral Tendencies - PR Web

Editor's note:This segment includes mentions of sexual violence.

Until recently, much of the information available about where enslaved people were captured before being brought to the Americas came from shipping logs and databases.

These sources detailed ports of embarkation and numbers of people transported, and new data drawn from genetics corroborates much of what historians already knew.

But the data also reveals some revelations both about the intercolonial trade of enslaved people and some of slavery's most brutal atrocities.

The study, which appears in the American Journal of Human Genetics, drew on genetic data from 50,000 23andMe users who agreed to lend their DNA.

The project was started by Joanna Mountain, a geneticist at 23andMe and former Peace Corps volunteer in Kenya who developed a deep interest in what happened to people who were wrenched from that continent into slavery. Mountain joined forces with population geneticist Steven Micheletti on the study that has been years in the making.

The pair worked closely with historians to compare a database of transatlantic slavery records to the genetic connections between people in Africa and people in the U.S. with African ancestry.

They found that there was a very strong bias toward African women contributing to the present-day gene pool compared to African men, and that the bias varies across different regions of the Americas, Mountain says.

In parts of Central America, enslaved African women were contributing 13 to 17 times more to the current day gene pool than enslaved African men, she says.

In discussing this extreme finding with historians and looking through the historical literature, we found indications that men were far less likely to reproduce, partly because they were at higher risk of dying early if they were having to participate in rice farming or sugar cane farming, which was very risky, she explains.

At the same time, enslaved African women were often being forced to reproduce. In parts of Latin America, there would be initiatives to encourage European men to father children with African women in order to do something that they called dilute the African gene pool, she says.

The rape of enslaved African women who were sometimes forced to have children before arriving in the U.S. as a strategy to manipulate the gene pool made their genes more extreme in certain areas.

This is something that we often think of as the past. And yet the repercussions certainly continue to today in the DNA, she says. It's kind of amazing that we see it so strongly in the genetic evidence.

On the over-represented number of Americans with Nigerian ancestry, which the study found is likely due to the intra-continental slave trade

Stephen Micheletti: We see a lot of U.S.-based African Americans with ancestry from Nigeria and specifically connections to the ethnolinguistic groups, the Yoruba, Esan and Igbo. And why this was so surprising is the transatlantic shipping records indicate that people around Nigeria weren't directly arriving in the U.S. in high numbers. But what we have to realize is that enslaved people were being forced between and within the Americas over centuries. So not all the movement was happening across the Atlantic. It was also happening between all these countries and within all of these countries.

On how few Gambian and Senegalese descendants of enslaved people there are in the U.S.

Micheletti: We merge these two regions and call them Senegambia. And we didn't see a lot of Senegambian representation in the U.S. and again, that's another deviance from our expectation given the shipping records. The working hypothesis is Senegambians were typically Asian and African rice cultivators back in Africa and the Europeans were well aware of this. So it's likely that Senegambians that arrived in the United States ended up on rice plantations because of their expertise. And what we know about rice plantations is that they were some of the most dangerous working conditions for enslaved people. One reason is malaria is a huge problem in these swampy rice fields, and there's also other risks like drowning

On the response from 23andMe volunteers

Joanna Mountain: We definitely got at quite a bit of response. And it's provoked some debate regarding enslavement and forced migrations. But also people seeing this story in their own lives. One individual said that whenever I'm in Jamaica and New Orleans, I feel a sense of connection. And for that individual, this study felt very real to him. And so that was super exciting for us.

On people discovering the study and making connections between European DNA and their ancestry

Micheletti: One goal of this study was first to produce the data and then look at the historical records that best support those data. And unfortunately, the records that support those data are these horrible atrocities. And with that, we wanted to make readers aware of these atrocities because they've shaped the genetic landscape across the Americas. And we want people to be aware of the number of enslaved people that were impacted.

... I would say [peoples] eyes are opened by this study because a lot of people may have not heard about this history in the past. And I've received some personal messages that people are happy that we're looking into the history and not just providing a genetic study, but more of a collaborative study with historians and not ignoring all of these atrocities because it's part of their past. People have discovered using services like ours that they have European ancestry and now they have better context for why that is.

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Genetic Study Reveals New Insights On Transatlantic Trade Of Enslaved People - Here And Now

Experts estimate that nearly 2,000 chimpanzees may be lost to the wildlife trade each year. Once taken from the wild, young chimpanzees that survive the trauma of capture are sold as pets or for entertainment and can end up almost anywhere; theyve been intercepted by authorities in locations all over the globe.

Theyre confiscated in maybe Moscow, or San Francisco, or Hong Kong it can be anywhere and we dont know where they came from, says Peter Frandsen, a conservation genomics researcher at Copenhagen Zoo in Denmark.

Thats a problem when conservationists need to decide which countrys sanctuaries an animal should return to or where it could be safely reintroduced into the wild.

The answer may lie in the chimpanzees own genetic code. A global team of researchers is working to determine how chimpanzee genetics vary based on where the animals come from. By creating this genetic reference map, scientists hope to be able to determine the origins of confiscated chimpanzees as well as identify high-risk areas for wildlife trafficking.

Just a century ago, a million chimpanzees roamed the rainforests and grasslands of Africa. Now, fewer than 200,000 may be left in the wild, and conservationists fear that without widespread change these animals may go extinct in their natural habitats.

Pretty much all of the big conservation threats are facing chimpanzees right now, says Mimi Arandjelovic, a primatologist at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Germany. Logging, mining, all of the extractive industries that are going on in equatorial Africa And then of course theres the huge threat of disease Theres the bushmeat trade, so people hunt and eat apes. And theres the primate pet trade.

Chimpanzees are currently listed as endangered by the IUCN (the western chimpanzee, one of four subspecies, is listed as critically endangered), and their numbers are still declining.

While chimpanzee conservation has many components, researchers say genetic studies are an increasingly important piece of the conservation puzzle.

One recently published study sheds new light on just how valuable genetic information could be in the conservation of this endangered species.

In this study, a group of researchers from Denmark, Spain, Russia and the U.K. analyzed nearly 60,000 ancestry-related genetic markers from captive-born and wild-born chimpanzees. In collaboration with dozens of zoos and sanctuaries across Europe and Africa, the researchers used hair samples to source DNA, a technique that is less invasive and stressful for animals than collecting blood.

Using the genetic data from wild-born chimpanzees whose birthplace was known, the researchers constructed a genetic reference map. They then compared this map with the DNA from chimpanzees who ended up in sanctuaries after being confiscated from illegal wildlife trafficking operations. In this way, researchers were able to estimate where the sanctuary chimpanzees had come from.

So just like popular DNA testing services for humans can tell us about our ancestry and origins, genetic information can reveal where chimpanzees come from.

Frandsen, one of the study authors, says learning where chimpanzees come from is important for many reasons.

For example, he says, genetic analysis provides essential information for captive-breeding programs. Even though chimpanzees may all look similar, there are actually four different accepted subspecies (and a fifth proposed subspecies), each with their own distinct range and unique genetic makeup. But there arent always records about where animals come from and which subspecies they are, which makes it difficult for captive-breeding programs to maintain the integrity of subspecies.

Frandsen says its important for captive-breeding programs to preserve these unique subspecies. Modern zoos are often referred to as Noahs Arks. You could call it a living museum sample, he says. So, we want to make sure that [zoo populations] resemble what you would find in the wild.

That way, he says, if a subspecies goes extinct in the wild, it wouldnt be lost altogether and eventually individuals of that subspecies could be reintroduced to the wild from these captive populations.

But genetic information may be even more valuable for combating animal trafficking.

Arandjelovic, who was not involved in the 2020 study by Frandsen and colleagues, says its unfortunately common for people to kill chimpanzee mothers for bushmeat and sell the babies as pets. Chimpanzees that are recovered from this wildlife trade can be candidates for reintroduction into the wild, so knowing where they came from is essential for deciding where they should be released.

Although Frandsen acknowledges that reintroduction can be challenging, especially as animals get older, he says its still very important. Theyre filling up in the sanctuaries, they dont have enough space and one of the main goals is to reintroduce as many as they can, he says. The sanctuary shouldnt be the endpoint for these chimpanzees if theres an opportunity to relocate them. Determining where an animal came from using genetic data may give it a better chance at a successful return to the wild.

Its possible that genetic data could even help prevent chimpanzee trafficking altogether. Identifying where chimpanzees in the illegal pet trade have come from could reveal poaching hotspots, thus allowing countries to appropriately target anti-poaching efforts. This is especially important in places where conservation funding may be limited.

But Frandsen says they dont yet have enough data to identify these high-risk areas. In this early proof-of-principle project, researchers analyzed just a few dozen animals that were rescued from the wildlife trade and ended up in sanctuaries. Frandsen says there are about 1,000 chimpanzees currently in African sanctuaries; the research team wants to expand their data collection to include these animals so that they can build a more accurate picture of poaching hotspots.

Future projects also include collecting more data from individuals born at known locations to build a more detailed genetic reference map, Frandsen says. The more detailed this map is, the more accurately researchers can determine where a trafficked animal has been taken from.

For some of the subspecies, we have pretty good data from the wild, Frandsen says. But for some of the other subspecies we are still data-deficient. So right now, the plan is to fill those knowledge gaps on the map.

Arandjelovic agrees that having accurate and detailed genetic reference maps is very important for determining the provenance of apes confiscated from the pet trade. She says the technique used in the present study analyzing thousands of different markers provides very detailed information about an individual. However, because of the cost and the specialized supplies needed to run this sort of analysis, it often cannot be done in the chimpanzees country of origin.

She says she wants to see if a reference map could be built using a simpler and cheaper technique that analyzes fewer locations in the genome. This technique would have the advantage of being more feasible to carry out in the countries where chimpanzees live. It would be great if we didnt have to export the samples, if we could do everything in-country, she says. That would be faster (we dont have to deal with permits), but we can also start capacity-building and having people in the country of origin do that work instead of sending it to Europe or North America. On the other hand, its not yet clear if this simpler technique would provide enough genetic information to create a useful reference map.

Frandsen and Arandjelovic agree that this is just the beginning for the application of genetic techniques to locate the origins of trafficked animals. The present study is a proof of concept, Frandsen says. So, theres a lot of work ahead to complete this project, but this is just for the chimpanzees, he says. Its also really a blueprint for other conservation projects. There are a ton of other taxa that this could be applied to.

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A genetic map hopes to trace rescued chimps back to their homes - Mongabay.com

Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression, is a mental health disorder that involves extreme mood swings. It is estimated around 4.4% of adults in the US will experience bipolar disorder in their lifetimes. The average age of onset is 25, but it can also occur in teenagers and children.

Experts don't know exactly what causes bipolar disorder, but research suggests that there is both a genetic component and environmental one that contribute to its development.

"Bipolar disorder is characterized by having a history of depressive episodes but more specifically at least one manic episode," says Jared Heathman, MD, a psychiatrist in Houston, Texas. "Manic symptoms include grandiosity, decreased need for sleep, increased rate of speech, flight of ideas, distractibility, and impulsive behaviors that contribute to social or occupational dysfunction."

A hereditary disease is one that can be passed on through genetic material, like from a parent to one of their children. For some hereditary diseases, like one type of breast cancer, physicians know exactly which gene causes the issue, and therefore, how likely it is to be passed along.

The exact genes related to bipolar disorder aren't known, which makes it difficult to explain the exact mechanisms of how the condition is passed on genetically. The leading theory is that several different genes contribute to bipolar disorder, each in a small way.

"Bipolar disorder works on something called a diathesis-stress model, meaning that someone inherits a greater likelihood of the disorder, but some sort of severe physical or mental stress can activate that tendency," says Aimee Daramus, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist and author of Understanding Bipolar Disorder: The Essential Family Guide.

According to a Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience study published in 2012, people who have one first-degree relative like a parent or sibling with bipolar disorder have a 15% to 35% greater chance of also developing the condition. If someone has two first-degree relatives with bipolar disorder, their chances of having the disorder increase to 75%.

Heathman says people with bipolar disorder have around a 10% chance of having children with the disorder, too. According to him, "most cases" of the condition happen in families where a relative already has bipolar but not all of them.

For bipolar disorder, genetics is just one part of the equation, and needs to be considered alongside other risk factors.

There are environmental and behavioral factors that might increase your risk of developing bipolar disorder. These include:

The relationship between alcohol use or drug use and bipolar disorder isn't fully understood. However, studies found that substance abuse and bipolar disorder can interact with each other to make symptoms significantly worse. A 2004 study published in the journal Bipolar Disorders evaluated 4,310 people receiving treatment for bipolar disorder at Veterans Administration (VA) facilities. Researchers found that 25% of these patients had alcohol use disorder, 10.4% abused cocaine, and 4.4% abused opiates.

"Some drugs are connected with a greater likelihood of developing bipolar if the genetic likelihood is there," Daramus says. For example, Daramus says, "Habitual cannabis use before someone's first mood episode is connected to an earlier age of onset."

A 2008 review published in Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience looked at various studies about brain imaging in individuals with bipolar disorder and found there may be structural differences in the brain of those with bipolar disorder.

Specifically, a 2017 study published in Molecular Psychiatry found differences in the hippocampus, a part of the brain associated with memory and learning. People with bipolar disorder had abnormal shapes and less volume in that area.

Many conditions are comorbid with bipolar disorder, like depression, anxiety, and PTSD. A 2018 paper published in the American Journal of Psychiatry looked at 6,788 people who experienced substance-induced psychosis a condition where alcohol or drugs induce delusions or hallucinations and found that 32.2% developed bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.

The exact relationship between bipolar disorder and these other illnesses isn't fully understood, but people who suffer from them should also know how to recognize bipolar symptoms, and seek treatment if they appear.

According to a 2016 paper in the International Journal of Bipolar Disorders, experiencing trauma in childhood is connected with a higher risk of developing bipolar disorder. This may include:

Survivors of childhood trauma can have more severe cases of bipolar than people who didn't have those experiences. The researchers aren't certain of what causes the link, but suggest that childhood trauma can affect the way people respond to stressors as adults.

If you have a parent or a family member with bipolar disorder and are worried you may develop the same condition, Heathman says there's no known way to prevent it. But, you can learn how to manage the symptoms. "

A healthy lifestyle that includes a healthy diet and regular, adequate sleep can reduce the frequency of bipolar events," Heathman says.

People with a family history of bipolar disorder should also know the common symptoms, and how to seek professional help if they see signs of behavior that could be related to bipolar disorder.

Much more research is necessary to pin down the exact causes of bipolar disorder, including any specific genetic links and how hereditary the condition is. While bipolar can be a difficult condition to live with, many people do extremely well with medication and/or therapy, under the supervision of a physician.

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Is bipolar disorder genetic? Yes, but that doesn't guarantee you'll develop it - Insider - INSIDER

The information below has been supplied by dairy marketers and other industry organizations. It has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hoards Dairyman.

Following the release of the August 2020 genetic evaluations, bulls from New Generation Genetics proven and genomic bulls ranked at or near the top for Milk, Components, Type, Udder Composite, Mobility, Fertility, DPR, Productive Life, NM$, PPR, & Profit.

54BS557 BMG Lust GET LUCKY *TM continues to lead the way as the #1 proven bull for milk, fat, and protein. Get lucky is also the #1 Proven bull for PPR at 189. His milk is +2594, +58f and +57p.

54BS558 Hilltop Acres B DAREDEVIL ET *TM is the breeds type leader with daughters impressing on farms and in the show ring. He continues as the #1 proven type bull at +1.0 with an udder composite now at +1.16.

54BS564 Jo-Lane Dario HAMPTON ET *TM dominates in health traits, profit, and fertility. After completing his 1st crop he ranks #4 for productive life at +5.2 with a +1.7 DPR. He is the new #5 proven Net Merit bull at $327 and #5 SCR ranking at +1.5.

54BS561 Hilltop Acres BV JESSE ET *TM is a new graduate at +624 milk, +0.6 type, +0.71 UDC, +0.7 DPR, and positive SCR. He offers an impressive outcross pedigree, phenomenal udders, and great dairy strength.

54BS601 La Rainbow Sweet SALSA ETV *TM Is the #1 G-type bull at +1.1 type and +1425 milk. This Genomic Gem is a LUCKY CARL brother to SILVER, giving him an impressive pedigree to back his historic numbers.

54BS604 La Rainbow Sweet SPARK *NP is a new genomic polled bull at +750 milk, +0.8 type, and +1.18 UDC, earning him #1 genomic polled status in these three categories.

196BS55878 Portmann BS Bays JONMAR *TM is an exciting new offering from Swissgenetics. He is the #8 G-PPR bull at 182 and #5 genomic Net Merit bull at $466. He is also +1158 milk, +43 fat, +40 protein, +0.79 UDC, and +2.1 DPR.

We also offer the CHAMPIONS COLLECTION elite sire lineup including 54BS600 WINRITE, 54BS602 FIRST CHOICE, 54BS539 RICHARD, 54BS581 RASTA, 54BS568 FAST & FURIOUS, and 54BS548 WINNING FORMULA.

New Generation Genetics offers the most comprehensive Brown Swiss Sires portfolio in the U.S. For further information call 920-568-0554, visit our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/newgenerationgenetics, email info@brownswiss.com or visit http://www.brownswiss.com.

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New Generation Genetics Bulls Lead the Way Following the Genetic Evaluations in August - Hoard's Dairyman

HOUSTON, Aug. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --Baylor Genetics, a clinical diagnostics laboratory known for genetic testing and precision medicine, and Rice University, a private, comprehensive research university located in Houston, Texas, have partnered together to create a first-of-its-kind, total turnkey solution for the university to resume in-person classes for the fall semester despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

"For Baylor Genetics and Rice University, this partnership represents a moon-shot opportunity to benefit students, faculty, and staff," stated Kengo Takishima, President and Chief Executive Officer at Baylor Genetics. "It is imperative families have peace of mind as they send their children to college and we've set an aggressive goal of serving as a blueprint for other academic institutionsand, more broadly, society."

Many universities nationwide have been strongly impacted by the pandemic and have announced changes to the fall semester. One of the major changes is universities going fully online for the semester. Fortunately, Rice has been able to overcome many challenges brought on by COVID-19 thanks to its partnership with Baylor Genetics.

"In terms of learning online, I found that it wasn't that intuitive and effective for my own learning style. In addition to that, it is my senior year and I wanted to get one last taste of the community that I have come to grow and love here," said Victor Nguyen, a senior at Rice University, in an interviewreleased by the university. "Being on campus again feels a little bit more of what we are used to, even though we live in a new reality. It's closer to normal so it's exactly what we were hoping for."

This partnership entails Baylor Genetics providing support for temperature checks, on-campus sample collection and transport logistics, processing of samples, and customized results reporting for individuals via email. Nearly 60,000 screening tests will be performed by Baylor Genetics with a turnaround time of 48 hours or less.

In addition to large-scale surveillance testing, the partnership includes population management reporting. This custom reporting system delivers population data to assist policymakers at Rice with managing the campus community and by aiding in intelligent decision making.

"Testing by itself is not enough," said Kevin Kirby, Rice University's Vice President for Administration."What matters is how we use that information to act quickly to isolate, treat, contact trace, and quarantine those affected. A systematic approach is the best practice for creating an environment that will mitigate the spread of COVID-19."

In addition, data tracking will provide the university with specific trends and infection rates on buildings, facilities, and housing throughout the campus. This innovative approach is part of Rice's strategy to prevent cross-contamination and ensure the safety of its faculty, students, and staff. There are plans to extend the partnership with symptomatic testing in the near future.

"This opportunity is a chance to demonstrate that we can operate safely in such a difficult time," said Chad Shaw, Ph.D., Sr. Director of the Baylor Genetics Innovation Lab, Adjunct Professor of Statistics at Rice University, and Professor in the Department of Molecular and Human Genetics at Baylor College of Medicine, "As a Houstonian and a member of both the Baylor and Rice faculty, I am excited by the opportunity to serve my community to find a thoughtful and creative way to overcome the COVID challenge. It takes commitment, grit, and a team effort."

The program began the week of Aug. 3 with college staff, graduate students, and orientation coordinators. For students, testing is broken down into three phases and will begin Aug. 15. There will be no charge to faculty, studentsor staff for the on-campus testing.

For members of the Rice community that are confirmed positive for the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), Rice will follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention contact-tracing protocols to identify others who have had significant contact with those tested positive.

Baylor Genetics' test for COVID-19 has one of the highest sensitivity (true positive rate) and specificity (true negative rate) rates for identifying active coronavirus infection. All precautions, policies, and guidelines have been put in place with one goal in mind continue education in the safest, most effective way possible.

Media Contact:Jamie LimEmail: [emailprotected]

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Baylor Genetics and Rice University Form COVID-19 Screening Partnership for the Fall Semester; Partnership Aims for 'Moon-Shot' 48-Hours-or-Less...