Association between frailty and bone health in early-stage chronic kidney disease: a study from the population-based CARTaGENE cohort
The researchers explored the associations between renal function, frailty, and bone outcomes using data from the CARTaGENE cohort. They conducted a retrospective study from a population-based cohort representing 1% of individuals aged 40–69 in a Canadian province, excluding those with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <30 mL/min/1.73 m². Frailty was defined using Fried's criteria, and bone density was measured using quantitative ultrasound at the calcaneus, assessing speed of sound (SOS) and broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA). Having at least one frailty criterion was associated with lower SOS and BUA scores and a higher risk of fractures. The findings indicate that frailty is linked to both lower bone mineral density and an increased fracture risk.
Gender differences in the association between adherence to healthy diet principles and adherence to cardiopreventive medication among adults from Québec (Canada)
The researchers examined gender differences in the relationship between adherence to healthy diet principles and cardiopreventive medication among 268 women and 204 men in the CARTaGENE cohort. Using the Alternate Healthy Eating Index (AHEI) and daily pharmacotherapy possession rate (DPPR) to assess healthy diet and medication adherence, respectively, they found contrasting associations. Among men, higher AHEI scores were inversely associated with DPPR, particularly in non-smokers and those on cholesterol-lowering medication only. In women, this association was positive and stronger among those with obesity or using three or more medications, highlighting gender-specific challenges in optimizing adherence to both behaviors.
Covert vascular brain injury and cognitive dysfunction among Chinese adults living in Canada and China
The researchers examined how country of residence influences covert cerebrovascular disease (VBI) and cognitive dysfunction among Chinese adults living in Canada and China. The study compared Chinese adults in Canada and China. They found that people in Canada had a lower prevalence of covert VBI and cognitive dysfunction than those living in China, even though both groups shared the same ethnicity. Living in China was associated with a much higher risk of covert VBI and lower cognitive function, although the link between cognitive dysfunction and country of residence was explained by education and traditional cerebrovascular risk factors, such as blood pressure and cholesterol.
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.
Sex-Specific Associations of Aldosterone and Renin with Body Composition: A Population-Based Cohort Study
The researchers investigated the associations of aldosterone and renin with body composition according to sex in a population-based cohort. Using data from 3,687 adults aged 40-69 years enrolled in the CARTaGENE study, they found that among males, higher aldosterone and renin levels were linked to increased waist to hip ratio, increased fat mass, and decreased lean and muscle mass, while aldosterone specifically was also associated with increased ectopic cardiac adiposity. In contrast, among females higher renin, but not aldosterone, was associated with increased waist circumference, increased waist-to-hip ratio, and increased cardiac adiposity. Higher renin and aldosterone were associated with increased fat mass but were not associated with lean body mass or muscle mass.
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.
Premature thymic functional senescence is a hallmark of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia survivorship
The researchers investigated thymic immunosenescence in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (cALL) survivors. The healthy participant cohort consisted of participants from the CARTaGENE cohort and an institutional cohort from the Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal. The thymic immunosenescence biomarker, signal joint T-cell receptor excision circles (TREC), was evaluated and was highly correlated with age in healthy participants and cALL survivors. While TREC levels declined with age in both groups, cALL survivors exhibited a systematic immunoage acceleration ranging from 5.9 to 88.3 years. This immunoage gain was independent of age at diagnosis and treatment modalities but was more pronounced in females and those with metabolic syndrome. The decline in TREC was unrelated to blood cell counts, suggesting selective thymic aging.
Polygenic inheritance and its interplay with smoking history in predicting lung cancer diagnosis: a French-Canadian casecontrol cohort
The researchers equipped a case-control dataset, consisting of 4002 lung cancer cases from the LORD project and 20,010 ethnically matched controls from the CARTaGENE cohort. The researchers aimed to generate a genome-wide polygenic risk score for lung cancer to improve risk prediction and delineate individuals at high genetic risk of lung cancer for earlier detection and prevention.
Subclinical primary aldosteronism and cardiovascular health: a population-based cohort study
This study explores the impact of subclinical primary aldosteronism, a less recognized form of hypertension characterized by renin-independent aldosterone production, on cardiovascular health. With data from 1284 CARTaGENE participants, researchers found that a higher aldosterone-to-renin ratio, indicative of this condition, was associated with increased arterial stiffness, adverse cardiac remodeling, and higher odds of developing hypertension, independent of traditional blood pressure measures.