Socio-Demographic Factors Associated With COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among Middle-Aged Adults During the Quebec’s Vaccination Campaign
This study aimed to describe how socioeconomic and demographic characteristics affect vaccine hesitancy. Using data from 6,105 CARTaGENE participants, researchers found that those born outside of Canada and those with a household income under $100,000 had the greatest hesitancy.
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.
Toenail speciation biomarkers in arsenic-related disease: a feasibility study for investigating the association between arsenic exposure and chronic disease
With data from 60 Atlantic PATH participants, this study aimed to develop a method to analyze arsenic in toenails, distinguish arsenic speciation profiles in those with chronic diseases, and assess the novel method’s feasibility to find speciation pattern differences between the disease groups. This is the first study to describe arsenic speciation patterns in those with arsenic-related diseases using toenails!
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.
The BC Generations Project as a Tumor Tissue Resource for Cancer Research
BCGP is making significant strides in its utility as a high-quality tumor tissue research resource. The BC Cancer Registry recently implemented a text mining solution to allow BCGP to capture pathology reports for 100% of all newly diagnosed BCGP cancer cases!
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.
Patterns and determinants of adherence to colorectal cancer primary and secondary prevention recommendations in the BC Generations Project
Researchers assessed how 26,074 BCGP participants adhere to cancer prevention recommendations. They found that adherence to some behaviours was high, but clusters of poorer adherence were also highlighted. They suggested future work to evaluate targeted interventions to maximize adherence amongst lower socioeconomic status and health groups.
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.