Androgenetic alopecia: Identification of four genetic risk loci and evidence for the contribution of WNT signaling to its etiology

The pathogenesis of androgenetic alopecia (AGA, male-pattern baldness) is driven by androgens, and genetic predisposition is the major prerequisite. Candidate gene and genome-wide association studies have reported that single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at eight different genomic loci are associated with AGA development. However, a significant fraction of the overall heritable risk still awaits identification. Furthermore, the understanding of the pathophysiology of AGA is incomplete, and each newly associated locus may provide novel insights into contributing biological pathways. The aim of this study was to identify unknown AGA risk loci by replicating SNPs at the 12 genomic loci that showed suggestive association (5 x 10(-8)

Six novel susceptibility Loci for early-onset androgenetic alopecia and their unexpected association with common diseases

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a highly heritable condition and the most common form of hair loss in humans. Susceptibility loci have been described on the X chromosome and chromosome 20, but these loci explain a minority of its heritable variance. We conducted a large-scale meta-analysis of seven genome-wide association studies for early-onset AGA in 12,806 individuals of European ancestry. While replicating the two AGA loci on the X chromosome and chromosome 20, six novel susceptibility loci reached genome-wide significance (p = 2.62x10(-)(9)-1.01x10(-)(1)(2)). Unexpectedly, we identified a risk allele at 17q21.31 that was recently associated with Parkinson's disease (PD) at a genome-wide significant level. We then tested the association between early-onset AGA and the risk of PD in a cross-sectional analysis of 568 PD cases and 7,664 controls. Early-onset AGA cases had significantly increased odds of subsequent PD (OR = 1.28, 95% confidence interval: 1.06-1.55, p = 8.9x10(-)(3)). Further, the AGA susceptibility alleles at the 17q21.31 locus are on the H1 haplotype, which is under negative selection in Europeans and has been linked to decreased fertility. Combining the risk alleles of six novel and two established susceptibility loci, we created a genotype risk score and tested its association with AGA in an additional sample. Individuals in the highest risk quartile of a genotype score had an approximately six-fold increased risk of early-onset AGA [odds ratio (OR) = 5.78, p = 1.4x10(-)(8)(8)]. Our results highlight unexpected associations between early-onset AGA, Parkinson's disease, and decreased fertility, providing important insights into the pathophysiology of these conditions.

Reproduction of photograph of Kaufman and Rosenberg family portrait on the occasion of the wedding of Ludwig Rosenberg and Paula Rosenberg nee Joseph (left); Hamburg.

Includes Ludwig Rosenberg and Paula Rosenberg nee Joseph (left), Thekla (Tekie) Joseph (standing center), Karl Kaufman and Else Kaufman (right)

Reproduction of wedding portrait of Ludwig Rosenberg and Paula Rosenberg nee Joseph; Hamburg.

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Reproduction of portrait of Ludwig Rosenberg; Hamburg.

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Reproduction of portrait of Paula Rosenberg nee Joseph; Tel Aviv.

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Reproduction of portrait of sisters Thekla and Gabriele Rosenberg.

Daughters of Margarethe and Kurt Rosenberg

Reproduction of portrait of sisters Margarethe and Dorothea Levinson.

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Reproduction of portrait of Dorothea Levinson.

Sister of Margarethe Rosenberg nee Levinson

Reproduction of portrait of Louis Levinson.

Husband of Aurelie Levinson nee Roos who was deported to Riga 6 December 1941

Reproduction of portrait of Auralie Levinson nee Roos.

Wife of Louis Levinson

Studio portrait of Trude Ginsburg.

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Portrait of Elsa Jonas, Emilie Schloss, Elsa, Paula, Frieda and Olga, participants in the "Baby Aufführung" ("Baby Performance") given at the wedding of Edmund and Ottilie.

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Forces shaping the future of work in a changing regional economy

This paper presents research which examined perceptions on the future of work in Queensland. It highlights the major drivers of change including: changing technology, demographics, increasing globalisation and economic shifts. Focus groups were conducted and findings show that Queensland businesses are acutely aware of the coming changes, but are less certain about how to respond. Current good practices plus recommendations for the future - particularly the lead role government and industry bodies need to play - are discussed. These recommendations will support Queensland businesses to thrive and adapt to the forces shaping work in this changing regional economy.

Gottschalk children at swim club forming a pyramid; Hannover, Germany.

Seated on grass Kurt Godshaw; left to right Walter, Freddy, Ursula; seated on ball Hal Godshaw