Dose-responsive effects of iron supplementation on the gut microbiota in middle-aged women
The researchers sought to investigate the association between iron supplementation and the gut microbiota among healthy female participants in Alberta’s Tomorrow Project. They found that adequate iron levels are essential for the overall health and wellbeing of women through their various life stages.
Age- and sex-specific associations of frailty with mortality and healthcare utilization in community-dwelling adults from Ontario, Canada
The researchers sought to estimate the association of frailty with the risk of death, hospital admissions, and length of hospital stay. Using data from the Ontario Health Study linked to all-cause mortality and hospital admissions data from ICES, they found that frailty is an important health construct for both younger and older adults.
A test to comprehensively capture the known genetic component of familial pulmonary fibrosis
The study aimed to develop a laboratory-developed test (LDT) based on standard Sanger sequencing to capture all known familial pulmonary fibrosis-associated variants. The new genetic test was evaluated in 62 sporadic cases of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. It was found that the MUC5B promoter variant rs35705950 was strongly enriched in these patients, with a minor allele frequency of 41.1%, compared with 10.6% in a matched population-based cohort from CARTaGENE.
Microbial features linked to medication strategies in cardiometabolic disease management
Researchers explored the association of microbial structure with the use of single or multiple medications among participants from Alberta’s Tomorrow Project who were diagnosed with cardiometabolic disease. Forty-six associations were identified between microbial composition and single medications. Findings indicated that both single- and multiple medication use in cardiometabolic disease is associated with decreases in bacterial diversity, species, and microbial functional potential.
Psychosocial factors, health behaviors and risk of cancer incidence: Testing interaction and effect modification in an individual participant data meta-analysis
Researchers determined whether psychosocial factors interact with or modify the effects of health behaviors, such as smoking and alcohol use, in relation to cancer incidence. Data were used from 22 cohorts, including the Ontario Health Study, Atlantic Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health, and CARTaGENE. After exploring 744 combinations of psychosocial factors, the researchers found no evidence that psychosocial factors interacted with or modified health behaviors related to cancer incidence.
Ultra-processed foods consumption, depression, and the risk of diabetes complications in the CARTaGENE project: a prospective cohort study in Quebec, Canada
Researchers examined the association between depression, ultra-processed food consumption (UPFs), and the risk of developing diabetes-specific complications in adults with type 2 diabetes. Data from participants enrolled in CARTaGENE were used. Over 7 years, 105 individuals developed diabetes-related complications. Participants with high depressive symptoms and high levels of UPF consumption had a higher risk of diabetes complications compared to those without depressive symptoms and low levels of UPFs in their diet. When high depressive symptoms and antidepressant use were combined with high UPF consumption, the risk of diabetes complications was higher.
Reduced incidence of diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta: A time-segmented longitudinal study of Alberta’s Tomorrow Project
Researchers aimed to outline the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on diabetes diagnosis using data from participants who were part of Alberta’s Tomorrow Project. During the COVID-19 pandemic (up to 31 March 2021), the rate of diabetes diagnosis was 32% lower than pre-pandemic levels. The first COVID-19 state of emergency (first wave) was associated with an 87.3% reduction in diabetes diagnoses. This trend continued through the second COVID-19 state of emergency, and no notable increase in diagnoses was observed even after the state of emergency was relaxed. Ultimately, it was found that in Alberta, the COVID-19 public health emergencies had adverse consequences on diabetes diagnoses.
Factors associated with change in moderate or severe symptoms of anxiety and depression in community-living adults and older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic
Researchers explored changes in moderate or severe symptoms of anxiety or depression (MSSANXDEP) from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, and examined associated sociodemographic, economic, psychosocial, health behavior and lifestyle, and clinical factors. Data from 59,997 participants from the five established cohorts of the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health (CanPath) were used. Analyses indicated that certain sociodemographic, economic, lifestyle, health behavior, psychosocial, and clinical factors were associated with remitted, incident, and persistent MSSANXDEP.
Plant-based dietary patterns and genetic susceptibility to obesity in the CARTaGENE cohort
Researchers explored whether adherence to three plant-based dietary indices (PDIs) mediated or moderated genetic susceptibility to obesity. The study included 7,037 adults from the CARTaGENE cohort. Obesity outcomes were found to be significantly associated with overall- and healthy-PDIs and polygenic risk scores (PRSs). Adherence to PDIs neither mediated nor moderated genetic susceptibility to obesity. Higher levels of meat consumption were positively associated with obesity, while increased levels of whole grain intake were negatively associated with obesity outcomes.
The influence of smoking and occupational risk factors on DNA methylation in the AHRR and F2RL3 genes
The researchers aimed to determine the association between smoking, occupational exposures, and AHRR and F2RL3 methylation, as AHRR and F2RL3 hypomethylation has been associated with lung cancer. A case-control study was implemented with CARTaGENE participants to outline the relationship between AHRR and F2RL3 methylation and lung cancer risk. It was found that in both the AHRR and F2RL3 genes, smoking was associated with lower levels of methylation. The data indicates that smoking and occupational exposures to some agents are associated with AHRR and F2RL3 hypomethylation.