{"title":"What's in Twins' Names? Mixed Credit Reports/Twin Research Review: Treating Twins with Central Nervous System Infection; Twin Insights into COVID-19; Septal Aneurism in Monozygotic Twins; Twin Births via Assisted Reproduction <i>vs.</i> Natural Conception; Tribute to Dr. Helen E. Fisher/ Human Interest: Twins Rally for Twin Hostages; Tribute to the National Mothers of Twins Clubs Founder; Quadruplet Birth; Identical Twin Politician; Identical Twin Actresses.","authors":"Nancy L Segal","doi":"10.1017/thg.2025.8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/thg.2025.8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Giving twins similar names places them at increased risk for mixed credit reports as they enter young adulthood and beyond. Attorneys specializing in this area of the law are often required to manage lawsuits againt the agencies responsible for such errors. This overview is followed by summaries of twin research and reports of treating twins with central nervous system infection, twins with COVID-19, and twins with septal aneurism, as well as a review of the comparative outcomes of twins born via assisted reproduction versus natural conception and a tribute to the late Dr Helen E. Fisher. Human interest items include a twins' rally for Israeli twins held hostage in Gaza, a tribute to the founding member of the National Mothers of Twins Clubs (now Multiples of America), a quadruplet birth, an identical twin politician, and identical twin actresses.</p>","PeriodicalId":23446,"journal":{"name":"Twin Research and Human Genetics","volume":" ","pages":"1-4"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143459721","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Xinyu Shu, Mi Yao, Chenglong Li, Na Chen, Yan Zhang, Xin Kang, Juan Juan, Huixia Yang
{"title":"Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and the Longitudinal Fetal Growth Trajectories in Twin Pregnancies.","authors":"Xinyu Shu, Mi Yao, Chenglong Li, Na Chen, Yan Zhang, Xin Kang, Juan Juan, Huixia Yang","doi":"10.1017/thg.2025.6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/thg.2025.6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Although it is well established that gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with fetal overgrowth in singleton pregnancies, little is known about its role in twins. We aimed to explore the relationship between GDM and the longitudinal fetal growth in twin pregnancies. This was a retrospective matched cohort study of GDM and non-GDM twin pregnancies delivered ≥36 weeks without other complications. All the women performed ≥3 ultrasounds after 22 weeks. Linear mixed models (LMMs) were used to explore the relationships between longitudinal fetal growth trajectories and GDM. Group-based trajectory modeling (GBTM) and generalized estimating equation (GEE) were applied to identify the latent growth patterns and investigate their relationships with GDM. In total, 215 GDM and 645 non-GDM twins were included, the majority of the patients did not require medication therapy (<i>n</i> = 202, GDMA1). LMM revealed that, compared with non-GDM, GDM was associated with an average increase in fetal weight of 4.36 g (95% CI [1.25, 7.48]) per week. GBTM and GEE further revealed that GDM increased the odds of fetal weight trajectory to nearly 40% of the total fetal weight trajectory, classified into the high-speed group (a<i>OR</i> = 1.39, 95% CI [1.03, 1.88]), associating with a 49.44 g (95% CI [11.41, 87.48]) increase in birth weight. Subgroup analysis revealed that all these differences were only significant among the GDMA1 pregnancies (<i>p</i> < .05). GDM (GDMA1) is significantly associated with an increase in fetal weight during gestation in twin pregnancies. However, this acceleration is mild, and its significance requires further exploration.</p>","PeriodicalId":23446,"journal":{"name":"Twin Research and Human Genetics","volume":" ","pages":"1-7"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143415368","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Male Twin Live Births Following Unconditional Cash Transfers in Alaska: A Time-Series Analysis.","authors":"Parvati Singh, Nicholas Mark, Sarah Cowan","doi":"10.1017/thg.2024.50","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/thg.2024.50","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Prior studies report a decline in male twin live births during economically stressful periods, presumably owing to higher selection <i>in utero</i> against frail male gestations, yet no study has examined the natural corollary: whether provision of economic support increases rates of male twin births. We examined whether male twin live births increase following income gains from the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD)-the longest running unconditional cash transfer program in the US. We obtained the monthly volume of male (and female) twin and singleton live births, from January 1980 to December 2019, from Alaska's Department of Health. Data on PFD timing and payment amounts came from Alaska's Department of Revenue. We used time-series analyses to gauge whether the odds of male twin live births increase within 2-6 months following PFD receipt, controlling for autocorrelation. Results suggest that for every $1000 increase in PFD payments, the odds of male twin live births increase by 0.002 (<i>p</i> < .05) three months following PFD disbursement. This corresponds with 50 additional (individual) male twin live births statistically attributable to the cumulative PFD amount disbursed over our study period. Income gains through the PFD may correspond with reduced male-specific selection <i>in utero</i> in Alaska.</p>","PeriodicalId":23446,"journal":{"name":"Twin Research and Human Genetics","volume":" ","pages":"1-8"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143081174","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jeffrey M Craig, Nancy Segal, Adam Domonkos Tarnoki, David Laszlo Tarnoki
{"title":"Report of the 19th International Congress on Twin Studies, 26-28 September 2024, Assisi, Italy.","authors":"Jeffrey M Craig, Nancy Segal, Adam Domonkos Tarnoki, David Laszlo Tarnoki","doi":"10.1017/thg.2025.2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/thg.2025.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The International Society for Twin Studies (ISTS) held its 19th scientific congress in Assisi, Italy, from September 26 to 28, 2024. This prestigious event, which was the seventh joint meeting with the World Congress on Twin Pregnancy, brought together researchers from various fields, including psychology, biology and medicine. Representatives from ICOMBO (the International Consortium of Multiple Birth Organisations), which supports multiple-birth families worldwide, were also in attendance. Many twin researchers consider this event to be the highlight of their professional year, as it brings together experts and parents alike to discuss the latest advancements in twin studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":23446,"journal":{"name":"Twin Research and Human Genetics","volume":" ","pages":"1-2"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143068257","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Directional Selection and Evolution of Polygenic Traits in Eastern Eurasia: Insights from Ancient DNA.","authors":"Davide Piffer","doi":"10.1017/thg.2024.49","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/thg.2024.49","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study explores directional selection on physical and psychosocial phenotypes in Eastern Eurasian populations, utilizing a dataset of 1245 ancient genomes. By analyzing polygenic scores (PGS) for traits including height, educational attainment (EA), IQ, autism, schizophrenia, and others, we observed significant temporal trends spanning the Holocene era. The results suggest positive selection for cognitive-related traits such as IQ, EA and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), alongside negative selection for anxiety and depression. The results for height were mixed and showed nonlinear relationships with Years Before Present (BP). These trends were partially mediated by genetic components linked to distinct ancestral populations. Regression models incorporating admixture, geography, and temporal variables were used to account for biases in population composition over time. Latitude showed a positive effect on ASD PGS, EA and height, while it had a negative effect on skin pigmentation scores. Additionally, latitude exhibited significant nonlinear effects on multiple phenotypes. The observed patterns highlight the influence of climate-mediated selection pressures on trait evolution. Spline regression revealed that several polygenic scores had nonlinear relationships with years BP. The findings provide evidence for complex evolutionary dynamics, with distinct selective pressures shaping phenotypic diversity across different timescales and environments.</p>","PeriodicalId":23446,"journal":{"name":"Twin Research and Human Genetics","volume":" ","pages":"1-20"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143068253","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sukran Dogru, Huriye Ezveci, Fatih Akkus, Pelin Bahçeci, Fikriye Karanfil Yaman, Ali Acar
{"title":"Artificial Intelligence in Predicting Postpartum Hemorrhage in Twin Pregnancies Undergoing Cesarean Section.","authors":"Sukran Dogru, Huriye Ezveci, Fatih Akkus, Pelin Bahçeci, Fikriye Karanfil Yaman, Ali Acar","doi":"10.1017/thg.2024.48","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/thg.2024.48","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aimed to create a risk prediction model with artificial intelligence (AI) to identify patients at higher risk of postpartum hemorrhage using perinatal characteristics that may be associated with later postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) in twin pregnancies that underwent cesarean section. The study was planned as a retrospective cohort study at University Hospital. All twin cesarean deliveries were categorized into two groups: those with and without PPH. Using the perinatal characteristics of the cases, four different machine learning classifiers were created: Logistic regression (LR), support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), and multilayer perceptron (MLP). LR, RF, and SVM models were created a second time by including class weights to manage the underlying imbalances in the data. A total of 615 twin pregnancies were included in the study. There were 150 twin pregnancies with PPH and 465 without PPH. Dichorionity, PAS, and placenta previa were significantly higher in the PPH-positive group (<i>p</i> = .045, <i>p</i> = .004, <i>p</i> = .001 respectively). In our model, LR with class weight was the best model with the highest negative predictive value. The AUC in our LR with class weight model was %75.12 with an accuracy of 70.73%, a PPV of 47.92%, and an NPV of 85.33% in our data. Although the application of machine learning to create predictive models using clinical risk factors and our model's 70% accuracy rate are encouraging, it is not sufficient. Machine learning modeling needs further study and validation before being incorporated into clinical use.</p>","PeriodicalId":23446,"journal":{"name":"Twin Research and Human Genetics","volume":" ","pages":"1-7"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142984770","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mannan Luo, Victória Trindade Pons, Nathaniel S Thomas, John Drake, Mei-Hsin Su, Vladimir Vladimirov, Hanna M van Loo, Nathan A Gillespie
{"title":"The Mechanisms Underlying the Intergenerational Transmission of Substance Use and Misuse: An Integrated Research Approach.","authors":"Mannan Luo, Victória Trindade Pons, Nathaniel S Thomas, John Drake, Mei-Hsin Su, Vladimir Vladimirov, Hanna M van Loo, Nathan A Gillespie","doi":"10.1017/thg.2024.46","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/thg.2024.46","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Substance use and substance use disorders run in families. While it has long been recognized that the etiology of substance use behaviors and disorders involves a combination of genetic and environmental factors, two key questions remain largely unanswered: (1) the intergenerational transmission through which these genetic predispositions are passed from parents to children, and (2) the molecular mechanisms linking genetic variants to substance use behaviors and disorders. This article aims to provide a comprehensive conceptual framework and methodological approach for investigating the intergenerational transmission of substance use behaviors and disorders, by integrating genetic nurture analysis, gene expression imputation, and weighted gene co-expression network analysis. We also additionally describe two longitudinal cohorts - the Brisbane Longitudinal Twin Study in Australia and the Lifelines Cohort Study in the Netherlands. By applying the methodological framework to these two unique datasets, our future research will explore the complex interplay between genetic factors, gene expression, and environmental influences on substance use behaviors and disorders across different life stages and populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":23446,"journal":{"name":"Twin Research and Human Genetics","volume":" ","pages":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142878043","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Recollections and Reflections on the Reimer Twin Case in Canada: Interview with Dr H. Keith Sigmundson/Tribute and Twin Research Review: Remembering John L. Hopper; Nonhuman Primate Twinning/Human Interest: <i>The Accidental Twins</i> film; Different Looking Identical Twin Newborns.","authors":"Nancy L Segal","doi":"10.1017/thg.2024.47","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/thg.2024.47","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Dr H. Keith Sigmundson co-authored a seminal article (with the late Dr Milton Diamond) that revealed the truth about a highly controversial twin case. Specifically, the genitals of an infant male monozygotic twin were accidentally destroyed during a medical procedure performed to alleviate his difficult urination. The child's parents were advised to physically and psychologically transform their twin son into a girl. Occasional reports about the case indicated that the plan was successful, but some members of the medical community were doubtful. An interview with Dr H. Keith Sigmundson, for the purpose of obtaining his unique perspective on this case, is presented. The interview is followed by a tribute to our late twin research colleague, Dr John L. Hopper, of Melbourne, Australia. A review of research on nonhuman primate twinning, an overview of a 2024 documentary film, <i>The Accidental Twins</i>, and a story of different looking identical twin newborns are also provided.</p>","PeriodicalId":23446,"journal":{"name":"Twin Research and Human Genetics","volume":" ","pages":"1-6"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142865627","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Late Age at First Birth is a Protective Factor for Preterm Labor and Delivery: The Evidence From the Genetic Study.","authors":"Jinghui Zou, Cheng Li, Hangyu Wu, Aijiao Xue, Lulu Yan, Yisheng Zhang","doi":"10.1017/thg.2024.44","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/thg.2024.44","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The objective of this study was to investigate the genetic link between the age at first birth (AFB) and the occurrence of preterm labor and delivery, utilizing Mendelian randomization (MR) data alongside genomewide association analysis (GWAS). We obtained AFB-related GWAS summary data from the European Bioinformatics Institute database and preterm labor and delivery data was sourced from the FinnGen Consortium. The study considered AFB as exposure variables, with the incidence of preterm labor and delivery serving as the outcome variable. Several MR analysis methods, such as inverse-variance weighted (IVW), MR Egger, weighted median, simple, and weighted mode were utilized. Besides MR-Egger intercepts, Cochrane's Q test evaluated heterogeneity in the MR data, while MR-PRESSO test checked for horizontal pleiotropy. To assess the association's sensitivity, A leave-one-out approach was utilized to evaluate the sensitivity of the association. The IVW analysis validated that AFB is an independent risk factor for preterm labor and delivery (<i>p</i> < .001). Horizontal pleiotropy was unlikely to bias causality (<i>p</i> > .05). The likelihood of horizontal pleiotropy affecting causality was low (<i>p</i> > .05), and there was no indication of heterogeneity among the genetic variants (<i>p</i> > .05). Ultimately, a leave-one-out analysis confirmed the stability and reliability of this correlation. Our research indicated that AFB is a protective factor for preterm labor and delivery. Further research is required to clarify the possible mechanisms.</p>","PeriodicalId":23446,"journal":{"name":"Twin Research and Human Genetics","volume":" ","pages":"1-6"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142830054","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Polygenic Selection and Environmental Influence on Adult Body Height: Genetic and Living Standard Contributions Across Diverse Populations.","authors":"Davide Piffer, Emil O W Kirkegaard","doi":"10.1017/thg.2024.43","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/thg.2024.43","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>We analyzed whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data from 51 populations and combined WGS and array data from 89 populations. Multiple types of polygenic scores (PGS) were employed, derived from multi-ancestry, between-family genome-wide association study (GWAS; MIX-Height), European-ancestry, between-family GWAS (EUR-Height), and European-ancestry siblings GWAS (SIB-Height). Our findings demonstrate that both genetic and environmental factors significantly influence adult body height between populations. Models that included both genetic and environmental predictors best explained population differences in adult body height, with the MIX-Height PGS and environmental factors (Human Development Index [HDI] + per capita caloric intake) achieving an <i>R</i><sup>2</sup> of .83. Our findings shed light on Deaton's 'African paradox', which noted the relatively tall stature of African populations despite poor nutrition and childhood health. Contrary to Deaton's hypotheses, we demonstrate that both genetic differences and environmental factors significantly influence body height in countries with high infant mortality rates. This suggests that the observed tall stature in African populations can be attributed, in part, to a high genetic predisposition for body height. Furthermore, tests of divergent selection based on the Q<sub>ST</sub> (i.e., standardized measure of the genetic differentiation of a quantitative trait among populations) and F<sub>ST</sub> (neutral marker loci) measures exceeded neutral expectations, reaching statistical significance (<i>p</i> < .01) with the MIX-Height PGS but not with the SIB-Height PGS. This result indicates potential selective pressures on body height-related genetic variants across populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":23446,"journal":{"name":"Twin Research and Human Genetics","volume":" ","pages":"1-18"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142787158","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}