Mental health, cancer risk, and the mediating role of lifestyle factors in the CARTaGENE cohort study
This study investigates the associations between depression, anxiety, and cancer risk and the mediating effects of lifestyle. Using data from 34,571 CARTaGENE participants, researchers found positive links between mental health disorders, all cancers, and lung cancer risk, except for anxiety and lung cancer in women, where associations were lower when adjusting for sociodemographics, health and lifestyle. The study also found that smoking affected the relationship between mental health disorders and cancer risk. Overall, the study suggests that lifestyle factors, like smoking, may be important in understanding the relationship between mental health and cancer risk.
Circulating microRNA expression signatures accurately discriminate myalgic encephalomyelitis from fibromyalgia and comorbid conditions
Researchers examined the levels of 11 specific molecules called miRNAs in individuals with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), fibromyalgia (FM), and those with both conditions (ME/CFS + FM), as well as in healthy controls. Using samples from 38 CARTaGENE participants and other sources, they found distinct patterns of these miRNAs that can help differentiate between ME/CFS, FM, and ME/CFS + FM, indicating that these miRNAs could serve as potential biomarkers to aid in the accurate diagnosis of these complex illnesses.
Food environment trajectories: a sequence analysis from the CARTaGENE cohort
Researchers sought to categorize how people’s access to food changes over time based on their socioeconomic situations. Using data from 38,627 CARTaGENE participants from urban areas in Quebec, the findings revealed five patterns of food access, with those unable to work, living in larger households, and in low-income households having higher odds of experiencing limited access to food stores over time.
Molecular Genetic Characteristics of FANCI, a Proposed New Ovarian Cancer Predisposing Gene
Researchers investigated the genetic characteristics of the FANCI gene, which has been linked to an increased risk of ovarian cancer. Using data from 171 CARTaGENE participants and other sources, they confirmed that a specific FANCI variant is associated with ovarian cancer and discovered potential genetic links to other cancer types.
The role of ultra-processed food consumption and depression on type 2 diabetes incidence: a prospective community study in Quebec, Canada
Researchers analyzed the association between depression and ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption as risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes (T2D) using baseline data (2009-2010) from 3,880 CARTaGENE participants. Participants with high depressive symptoms and high UPF consumption were at the highest risk for T2D. The study suggests that early management and monitoring of both risk factors could be essential for diabetes prevention.
Prediction of Cardiovascular Events by Pulse Waveform Parameters: Analysis of CARTaGENE
Researchers conducted the largest study to date evaluating non-invasive pulse waveform parameters’ association with cardiovascular events. By adding two waveform parameters to the existing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease score, they improved cardiovascular prediction and reclassified up to 5.7% of patients in another risk category.
Harnessing the power of data linkage to enrich the cancer research ecosystem in Canada
This abstract discusses a project aimed at linking cancer registry and administrative health data to Canada’s largest population health study, the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health (CanPath). The project seeks to enrich the cancer research ecosystem in Canada by providing researchers with a comprehensive dataset that includes genetics, environment, lifestyle, and behaviour data. The linked data will be made available through a cloud-based solution called the CanPath Data Safe Haven, which is accessible to researchers through secure access. The project will address concerns related to the accessibility of cancer data in Canada, bring more value to existing data, and support an enhanced understanding of the impacts of cancer on marginalized populations.
Identification of human mitochondrial RNA cleavage sites and candidate RNA processing factors
Researchers created a technique to find and measure specific RNA cutting events among 799 CARTaGENE participants and samples from the GTEx project. They uncovered new sites where RNA is cut during mitochondrial processing and discovered genes linked to these processes, shedding light on how genetic variations might affect mitochondrial functions and health conditions.
Identification of FAT3 as a new candidate gene for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
Researchers aimed to identify rare genetic variations associated with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) by examining the DNA of 60 CARTaGENE participants (healthy controls) and individuals from other sources. They found that the FAT3 gene, while not statistically significant on its own, showed an excess of rare genetic changes in AIS patients, and further investigations revealed specific variants within FAT3 that were more common in severe AIS cases compared to milder cases and healthy individuals, suggesting that FAT3 may play a role in the development of AIS.
Uncovering the Contribution of Moderate-Penetrance Susceptibility Genes to Breast Cancer by Whole-Exome Sequencing and Targeted Enrichment Sequencing of Candidate Genes in Women of European Ancestry
The aim of this study was to perform a large-scale whole-exome sequencing study, followed by a targeted validation, in breast cancer patients and healthy women of European descent. Using data from 920 CARTaGENE participants and four other sources, the researchers identified 20 novel genes with modest association evidence for overall and subtype-specific breast cancers.