Provincial variation in colorectal cancer screening adherence in Canada; evidence from the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health
The researchers investigated how social and medical characteristics influence adherence to breast cancer screening in Canada. They used data from five regional cohorts of the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health (CanPath): the BC Generations Project (BCGP), Alberta’s Tomorrow Project (ATP), the Ontario Health Study (OHS), Quebec’s CARTaGENE, and the Atlantic Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health Study (Atlantic PATH). They analyzed self-reported data on screening mammography among 79,986 participants aged 50-74 and 46,907 participants aged 40-49. Most participants reported undergoing screening within two years of enrollment, with rates ranging from 77.8% in OHS to 86.3% in BCGP. Factors linked to lower odds of screening included lower household income, being single or never married, current daily smoking, poor self-perceived health, no history of breastfeeding, and longer intervals since the last routine medical check-up. Among women aged 40-49 with a first-degree family history of breast cancer, screening adherence varied by region and was lower among those post-menopause or with longer intervals since medical check-ups. These findings highlight key factors for targeting underserved communities and suggest that early screening guidelines may benefit from considering regional differences and individual health characteristics.
Relationships between the Planetary Health Diet Index, its food groups, and polygenic risk of obesity in the CARTaGENE cohort
The researchers investigated the relationship between adherence to the Planetary Health Diet Index (PHDI) and genetic susceptibility to obesity in 7,037 CARTaGENE participants. They found that higher PHDI adherence was negatively associated with BMI, waist circumference, and body fat percentage. Genetic susceptibility to obesity was partly mediated by red meat and whole grain intake, with some effects varying by sex and reducing after correction for multiple comparisons.
Investigating Skin Cancer Risk and Sun Safety Practices Among LGBTQ+ Communities in Canada
The researchers conducted a national survey of 700 LGBTQ+ individuals to evaluate skin cancer risk factors, sun-protective behaviors, and related concerns. Some participants were recruited with the help of longitudinal cohorts, notably the Manitoba Tomorrow Project and Atlantic PATH. The researchers found that 60% reported over 10 lifetime sunburns, 58% experienced at least one blistering sunburn, 34% had used tanning beds, and 69% reported having a tan in the last 12 months. Regular sunscreen use was reported by only half of the respondents. These findings emphasize the urgent need for culturally sensitive public health campaigns targeting sun safety practices within the LGBTQ+ community.
Lower estimated glomerular filtration rate relates to cognitive impairment and brain alterations
The researchers investigated the association between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and cognitive function in 15,897 CARTaGENE participants. They found that lower eGFR was linked to reduced cognitive performance and that brain regions associated with eGFR were enriched in mitochondrial and inflammation-related genes. These associations were independent of age, sex, education, BMI, Framingham risk score, and white matter lesion volume.
Exposure to air pollutants and subclinical carotid atherosclerosis measured by magnetic resonance imaging: A cross-sectional analysis
The researchers examined how long-term exposure to air pollution affects early signs of heart disease. They used data to explore whether low levels of air pollutants are linked to the thickening of artery walls. The study included 6,645 adults from five Canadian provinces and estimated their exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), ozone (O₃), and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) over several years. Using MRI scans to measure carotid artery wall thickness, the researchers found mixed results. Higher levels of ozone were linked to thicker artery walls, suggesting a potential negative effect, while higher nitrogen dioxide levels were associated with thinner artery walls, a finding that requires further investigation.
A comprehensive analysis of skin cancer concerns and protective practices in Manitoba, Canada, highlights lack of skin cancer awareness and predominance of high-risk sun exposure behaviors
The researchers conducted a cross-sectional survey using data from Manitoba’s Tomorrow Project to examine sun exposure behaviors and attitudes. They found that over 65% of participants reported a history of sunburns, more than 50% had used tanning beds, and fewer than 50% used sunscreen. These findings highlight critical gaps in sun protection practices and awareness, underscoring the urgent need for targeted public health interventions to reduce skin cancer rates.
Cohort profile: the CARTaGENE Cohort Nutrition Study (Quebec, Canada)
The researchers aimed to address emerging nutritional epidemiological research questions, using data from the CARTaGENE cohort. Dietary information was collected making it a rich resource for the exploration of diet in the etiology of many health outcomes. They found that dietary intake and quality varied among participants but generally met recommended nutrient levels. Along with other findings, the Canadian Healthy Eating Index 2005 (C-HEI) scores were higher among never smokers, those with higher education, and those with more physical activity compared to current smokers, less than high school education, and those with lower physical activity.
Genomic Analysis Identifies Risk Factors in Restless Legs Syndrome
The researchers studied 9,851 Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) cases and 38,957 controls of European ancestry from CARTaGENE, Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, and All of Us biobanks in Canada and the U.S. They found nine genetic locations linked to RLS, including one new location (LMX1B), and identified two related genes (GLO1 and ELFN1). The study also revealed genetic overlaps between RLS and traits like neuroticism, depression, and intelligence. This research enhances our understanding of RLS’s genetic factors.
Addressing dispersion in mis-measured multivariate binomial outcomes: A novel statistical approach for detecting differentially methylated regions in bisulfite sequencing data
The researchers investigated the association between DNA methylation and levels of anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA), a preclinical marker for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) risk, using asymptomatic samples from the CARTaGENE cohort. Through targeted custom capture sequencing of whole blood, their analysis identified 23 significant genes potentially contributing to ACPA-related differential methylation. These findings emphasize the roles of cell signaling and collagen metabolism in RA.
A statistical testing strategy accounting for random and nonrandom (skewed) X-chromosome inactivation identifies lung cancer susceptibility loci among smokers
The research used 9,261 participants from the CARTaGENE cohort to identify susceptibility loci for lung cancer among current and past smokers. X chromosome-wide statistical analysis identified two SNPs in low-linkage disequilibrium located in the IL1RAPL1 (IL-1 R accessory protein-like) gene: rs12558491 and rs12835699. For both SNPs, the minor allele was associated with lower lung cancer risk.