Drug hypersensitivity reactions (mast cell receptor)
And 23andMe suspending raw data downloads....
Hi there,
I wanted to alert members that 23andMe has temporarily disabled raw data file downloads. I contacted their customer service this weekend, , but they were unable to give me any indication of when download availability will be restored. The 23andMe notice on the download page says that the restriction is temporary and an additional precaution to protect privacy.
A few weeks ago, 23andMe announced that it had suffered a breach that exposed the names and ancestry profiles of many of its users. The breach was done using passwords that had appeared on the Dark Web from other hacked websites. Thus, if someone used the same password on 23andMe that they used on a hacked site, there was a possibility that a hacker could log in as them and see their relatives' names and ancestry profiles. (Tech Crunch article)
Using previously hacked passwords and usernames is something called 'credential stuffing'. This is why it is recommended to always use a unique password on every site.
The 23andMe breach highlights that all genetics sites are vulnerable to this type of attack (as are hospital data portals, government websites, email providers, banks, etc.). Essentially, any site that stores data online and does not use 2-factor authentication is vulnerable to credential stuffing. As a user, you need to understand there is a trade-off between potential data risk and the ability to use features like DNA relationships.
All that said, if you are looking to fill in some of the blanks in your current data file, 'tis the season for sales. AncestryDNA is currently on sale for $59 and MyHeritage is on sale for $36. Keep in mind that if you don't want to use their ancestry tools, you can always download your data and then delete your account. (Here are your options for deleting or opting out at AncestryDNA.)
Finally, on to the latest Genetic Lifehacks article...
The MRGPRX2 article below may be of interest to anyone with drug hypersensitivity reactions to fluoroquinolones, contrast media, or opioids. The MRGPRX2 receptor on mast cells is a relatively recent discovery, and it is answering a lot of questions about mast cell activation by triggers other than traditional allergies or histamine. There is not much research on genetic variants yet, but the background science may be very helpful to read and understand.
Wishing you all the best,
~ Debbie
New articleMRGPRX2: Mast Cells, Itching, & Drug Hypersensitivity Reactions, Including Fluoroquinolones
Key takeaways:
~ Hypersensitivity reactions to drugs, especially fluoroquinolones or contrast media, can be due to mast cell activation by the MRGPRX2 receptor.
~ The MRGPRX2 receptor is found on mast cells and certain types of neurons. It can be activated by protein fragments, certain types of drugs, bee venom, and antimicrobial host defense peptides.
~ Genetic research on this receptor is still relatively new, but there are a couple of known SNPs that affect MRGPRX2 function.
MRGPRX2 activation can cause reactions that are not "true allergies":
Some people seem to be allergic to everything, from medications and supplements to seemingly everything inside them. Yet traditional allergy tests show that they aren't allergic to anything. Researchers call these types of reactions 'hypersensitivity' or 'pseudoallergic' reactions.[ref]
At the heart of some hypersensitivity reactions is the MRGPRX2 receptor. This receptor has also been linked to itching and skin conditions, such as rosacea and atopic dermatitis, as well as ulcerative colitis.[ref]
What I've been reading:
This study found that having diabetic patients use an 8-hour time-restricted eating window was more effective than counseling them to decrease calories by 25%. The time-restricted eating group effectively lost weight and lowered the HbA1c levels.
2) Association of aortic valve calcification and vitamin K antagonist treatment
Researchers found that for every year on vitamin K antagonist (Warfarin), there was a 6% increase in heart valve calcification compared to aged-matched controls and people on other types of anticoagulants. Why is this important? For someone on a vitamin K antagonist for many years, the increased risk of heart valve calcification is significant.
Want more on the increased risk of calcification? Check out these studies as well:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6524908/