From genetic association to forensic prediction: Computational methods and tools for identifying phenotypically informative single nucleotide polymorphisms
The researchers assessed how pigmentation genetics can enhance forensic DNA phenotyping (FDP) for predicting externally visible characteristics (EVCs) such as hair, eye, and skin color. Using a genome-wide association study (GWAS) approach, they analyzed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with pigmentation traits in data from CARTaGENE, Alberta’s Tomorrow Project, Ontario Health Study, BC Generations Project, and Atlantic PATH. Specifically, they examined genetic variants related to eye color in individuals with a blue eye color background (rs12913832:GG genotype). The study demonstrated how GWAS data, combined with post-genotyping analyses and functional annotation, can provide insights into pigmentation-associated loci. The findings contribute to refining FDP accuracy and may serve as a reference for future genomic investigations of EVCs in forensic settings.
Time spent in the sun and the risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a Canadian cohort study
This study’s objective was to explore the relationship of sun behaviour patterns with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) risk. Using data from 79,803 Alberta’s Tomorrow Project, CARTaGENE, and Ontario Health Study participants, the researchers found a protective effect of moderate time spent in the sun on NHL risk
Urban design and cardio-metabolic risk factors
This study aimed to estimate associations between neighbourhood built environment metrics and cardiovascular health. Using data from 7171 Alberta’s Tomorrow Project participants, researchers found that a new measure of neighbourhood design showed lower blood pressure in men and lower risk of being overweight or obese in men and women, whereas traditional measures did not show this association.
Non-fasting lipids and cardiovascular disease in those with and without diabetes in Alberta’s Tomorrow Project: A prospective cohort study
This study’s objective was to assess the relationship of non-fasting remnant cholesterol (RC) with cardiovascular disease (CVD) in those with and without diabetes using data from 13,631 Alberta’s Tomorrow Project participants. Researchers found that elevated non-fasting RC was associated with increased CVD risk in middle and older-aged adults without diabetes.
Investigating the oral microbiome in retrospective and prospective cases of prostate, colon, and breast cancer
Salivary samples from the Atlantic Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health (PATH) project and Alberta’s Tomorrow Project (ATP) to examine the existence of prostate, colon, and breast cancer biomarkers in the human oral microbiome. While no significant changes in oral microbiome diversity were detected, results indicate that there may be associations between oral microbiome and colon cancer disease status.
Mental health service use and associated predisposing, enabling and need factors in community living adults and older adults across Canada
The authors utilized data from the CanPath COVID-19 health survey (May to December 2020) to conduct multivariate logistic regression analysis to determine the association between mental health service use (MHSU) and predisposing, enabling, and need factors — derived from Andersen’s model of healthcare-seeking behaviour — among five regional cohorts. Among the 45,542 adults in the study population, 6.3% of respondents reported MHSU and need factors were consistently associated with MHSU.
Physical activity-induced alterations of the gut microbiota are BMI dependent
Researchers assessed physical activity and hand-grip strength’s role in gut microbiome composition in middle-aged adults with normal and overweight body mass index. Data from 443 participants from Alberta’s Tomorrow Project suggest that BMI plays a significant role in modelling PA-induced changes in gut microbiota.
Impact of Comorbidity on Hospitalization and Emergency Room Visits in Adults With Diabetes: A Longitudinal Study of Alberta’s Tomorrow Project
Using data from Alberta’s Tomorrow Project, Ye et al. investigated the impact of comorbidities on hospitalization and emergency room visits in people with diabetes. Over the 5-year study period, the authors observed a significant association between the number of comorbidities and increased healthcare utilization among the 2,110 cases in the study population.
Associations between neighborhood walkability and walking following residential relocation: Findings from Alberta’s Tomorrow Project
This study aimed to estimate whether changes in neighbourhood walkability resulting from residential relocation were associated with leisure, transportation, and total walking levels. Using data from 5,977 urban adults (non-movers, movers to less walkability, and movers to more walkability), researchers found that time spent walking at follow-up was lower among those who moved to less walkable neighbourhoods, suggesting that relocating to less walkable neighbourhoods could negatively affect health.
Personalized breast cancer onset prediction from lifestyle and health history information
This article proposes a method for predicting when a woman will develop breast cancer (Bca) based on health and lifestyle history using data from 18,288 women in Alberta’s Tomorrow Project. Their approach produced seven actionable lifestyle features that a woman can modify to show how the model can predict the effects of such changes. This method can be used to identify interventions for those with a greater likelihood of developing BCa.