Comparison of weather station and climate reanalysis data for modelling temperature-related mortality.

Epidemiological analyses of health risks associated with non-optimal temperature are traditionally based on ground observations from weather stations that offer limited spatial and temporal coverage. Climate reanalysis represents an alternative option that provide complete spatio-temporal exposure coverage, and yet are to be systematically explored for their suitability in assessing temperature-related health risks at a global scale. Here we provide the first comprehensive analysis over multiple regions to assess the suitability of the most recent generation of reanalysis datasets for health impact assessments and evaluate their comparative performance against traditional station-based data.

Adaptation to Climate Change: A Comparative Analysis of Modeling Methods for Heat-Related Mortality.

Background: Multiple methods are employed for modeling adaptation when projecting the impact of climate change on heat-related mortality. The sensitivity of impacts to each is unknown because they have never been systematically compared. In addition, little is known about the relative sensitivity of impacts to "adaptation uncertainty" (i.

Data protection in biobanks--a European challenge for the long-term sustainability of biobanking.

The final decoding of the human genome has marked the beginning of a new era of biomedical research and both the European Commission (EC) and the Member States try to facilitate this new research direction. In most European countries biobanks are set up to improve the capacities for research. These new research infrastructures require a specific governance framework to ensure public trust and accountability.

CYP2D6 genotyping for psychiatric patients treated with risperidone: considerations for cost-effectiveness studies.

In order to ascertain data availability and feasibility for conducting cost-effectiveness studies in pharmacogenetics, and as part of a European Commission Joint Research Center, Institute for Prospective Technological Studies (JRC-IPTS) study, data concerning risperidone use and cytochrome P450 (CYP2D6) genotyping in medical care was collected in Germany, Spain and the USA, and are summarized in this perspective. The gene coding for CYP2D6 is highly polymorphic, resulting in a significant part of the population being poor metabolizers and ultrarapid metabolizers. Individuals who are CYP2D6 poor metabolizers, have an increased risk of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) when treated with CYP2D6-metabolized drugs, suggesting that CYP2D6 genotyping might be beneficial for patient care.

Improving pharmacovigilance in Europe: TPMT genotyping and phenotyping in the UK and Spain.

Thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) is the rate-limiting step in the conversion of thiopurine drugs including azathioprine (AZA) to inactive metabolites. Heritable deficiency of TPMT activity increases risk for adverse events, most notably, myelosuppression leading to leukopenia and neutropenic sepsis. The reported European Commission study was undertaken to identify current evidence for the clinical utility of testing for TPMT status and extent of uptake, by either genotyping or phenotyping, in the clinical setting.

TPMT testing in azathioprine: a 'cost-effective use of healthcare resources'?

This study aimed to critically appraise the current level of economic evidence available for thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) testing of thiopurine drugs, such as azathioprine. Six economic evaluations of testing were identified, which all recommended that TPMT testing is a cost-effective use of healthcare resources. Critical appraisal, using published guidelines, showed potential limitations in model structures, approaches to data analysis and input parameters, which were mainly based on expert opinion.

Avoiding adverse drug reactions by pharmacogenetic testing: a systematic review of the economic evidence in the case of TPMT and AZA-induced side effects.

Objectives: The study aims at evaluating the economic evidence related to testing for genetic variants of the drug-metabolizing enzyme, TPMT. Detecting TPMT genetic variants before the administration of azathioprine (AZA) has the potential to prevent serious and costly adverse drug reactions (ADRs), such as neutropenia. In particular, our analysis concentrated on assessing the reliability of data on costs of neutropenia and performing the tests, the two main cost categories that could inform an economic evaluation of TPMT pharmacogenetic testing.

Interview.

Dolores Ibarreta is a Senior Scientific Officer of the European Commission. She holds a PhD in Genetics from Universidad Complutense of Madrid, Spain. She has worked as a researcher at the Spanish Research Council (CIB-CSIC) in Madrid and at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington DC (USA).

Sample, data use and protection in biobanking in Europe: legal issues.

The sharing of samples and data stored in biobanks for research has implications for donor privacy, but also raises questions on the regulation of research within Europe. Many legal documents and principles within Europe, with a direct impact on biobanking, have not been developed specifically to support this activity. Moreover, while some new regulations have been set up at national level, there are many variations in the definitions, scope and purpose of these legal instruments.

Provision and quality assurance of preimplantation genetic diagnosis in Europe.

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is now well established and provided in many European countries. However, regulations, professional standards and accreditation requirements can differ notably. Furthermore, no comprehensive independent data exist either about practice and provision in Europe or about the quality assurance practices and procedures designed to optimize the quality of the results.

Modeling the impact of genetic screening technologies on healthcare: theoretical model for asthma in children.

Background And Objective: This study focuses on the potential impact of genetic screening technologies on healthcare. Genetic screening for asthma in children was chosen as a case study to explore the cost effectiveness of applying early genetic screening to infants, and preventive treatment to the population at risk. Early intervention could prevent progression and facilitate clinical management of the disease.

Cost-effectiveness of pharmacogenomics in clinical practice: a case study of thiopurine methyltransferase genotyping in acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Europe.

Only a few studies have addressed the cost-effectiveness of pharmacogenetics interventions in healthcare. Lack of health economics data on aspects of pharmacogenetics is perceived as one of the barriers hindering its implementation for improving drug safety. Thus, a recent Institute for Prospective Technological Studies (IPTS) study, entitled 'Pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics: state-of-the-art and potential socio-economic impact in the EU' included an explorative cost-effectiveness review for a pharmacogenetic treatment strategy compared with traditional medical practice.

The interface between assisted reproductive technologies and genetics: technical, social, ethical and legal issues.

The interface between assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and genetics comprises several sensitive and important issues that affect infertile couples, families with severe genetic diseases, potential children, professionals in ART and genetics, health care, researchers and the society in general. Genetic causes have a considerable involvement in infertility. Genetic conditions may also be transmitted to the offspring and hence create transgenerational infertility or other serious health problems.

Putting pharmacogenetics into practice.

Genetics is slowly explaining variations in drug response, but applying this knowledge depends on implementation of a host of policies that provide long-term support to the field, from translational research and regulation to professional education.