Lifestyle factors and lung cancer risk among never smokers in the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health (CanPath)
Data from 950 CanPath participants were analyzed to understand why 15-25% of lung cancers occur in never smokers. Researchers found a link between lung cancer risk, sleep, and fruit and vegetable intake amongst never smokers.
Meta-GWAS Reveals Novel Genetic Variants Associated with Urinary Excretion of Uromodulin
This study is a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies to understand the mechanisms that regulate urinary excretion of uromodulin. Researchers identified two novel significant loci, providing insight into uromodulin’s biology, keratins’ role in the kidney, and the UMOD-PDILT locus’s influence on kidney function.
FGF23-Klotho axis and fractures in patients without and with early CKD: A case-cohort analysis of CARTaGENE
Researchers sought to assess the relationship between fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) and fractures, especially in chronic kidney disease (CKD). With data and biological samples from 312 CARTaGENE participants (153 with CKD), they found that c-terminal FGF-23 (cFGF-23) greatly reduced the relationship between CKD status and fractures.
Evaluation of Adiposity and Cognitive Function in Adults
Researchers sought to undercover the association between adipose tissue (amount and distribution) and cognitive scores. Using data from 9,189 participants, they found that higher visceral adipose tissue and body fat percentage correlated with increased vascular brain injuries and cardiovascular risk factors, as well as lower cognitive scores.
Five-year absolute risk estimates of colorectal cancer based on CCRAT model and polygenic risk scores: A validation study using the Quebec population-based cohort CARTaGENE
This study aimed to assess the Colorectal Cancer Risk Assessment tool’s predictive performance alongside three polygenic risk scores to predict the occurrence of colorectal cancer within five years. Using data from 6,747 CARTaGENE participants, the researchers found that this tool requires better calibrations before practical use in Québec.
Is Food Outlet Accessibility a Significant Factor of Fruit and Vegetable Intake? Evidence from a Cross-Sectional Province-Wide Study in Quebec, Canada
This study aimed to understand the effect of the environment, particularly food outlet accessibility, on diet. Using data from 7,783 CARTaGENE participants, researchers found no significant results and suggest future research. However, relationships between fruit and vegetable intake and sex, income, and education were recognized.
Occupational Exposures and Lung Cancer Risk – An Analysis of the CARTaGENE Study
This study aimed to understand the relationship between common occupational agents (e.g., ashes, cooking fumes) and lung cancer risk. Researchers found that increased lung cancer risk was linked to many of these agents, but lower lung cancer risk was found among those exposed to carbon monoxide and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from petroleum.
Association of essential tremor with novel risk loci: A genome-wide association study and meta-analysis
This study revealed five genome-wide significant loci associated with essential tremor (ET), one of the most common movement disorders. The researchers’ findings suggest that common genetic variation partly explains ET’s heritability.
Does the adenosine deaminase (ADA) gene confer risk of sleepwalking?
This study aimed to understand if ADA gene variants are related to sleepwalking. Using data from 157 CARTaGENE participants, as well as participants from other cohorts and databases, researchers found no association between the ADA gene and sleepwalking.
A functionally impaired missense variant identified in French Canadian families implicates FANCI as a candidate ovarian cancer-predisposing gene
Researchers sought to describe how new genes might be associated with ovarian cancer risk amongst 5,249 CARTaGENE participants. They found that a FANCI gene mutation is more common in familial ovarian cancer patients.