Exploring the contribution of lifestyle to the impact of education on the risk of cancer through Mendelian randomization analysis.

Educational attainment (EA) has been linked to the risk of several types of cancer, despite having no expected direct biological connection. In this paper, we investigate the mediating role of alcohol consumption, smoking, vegetable consumption, fruit consumption and body mass index (BMI) in explaining the effect of EA on 7 cancer groupings. Large-scale genome wide association study (GWAS) results were used to construct the genetic instrument for EA and the lifestyle factors.

Exploring disease-causing traits for drug repurposing in critically ill COVID-19 patients: A causal inference approach.

Despite recent development of vaccines to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection, treatment of critically ill COVID-19 patients remains an important goal. In principle, genome-wide association studies (GWASs) provide a shortcut to the clinical evidence needed to repurpose existing drugs; however, genes identified frequently lack a causal disease link. We report an alternative method for finding drug repurposing targets, focusing on disease-causing traits beyond immediate disease genetics.

A Comparative Study on Immobilization of Fructosyltransferase in Biodegradable Polymers by Electrospinning.

Commercial application of biocatalysts depends on the efficiency of the immobilization method and residual enzyme activity. Electrospinning offers a simple and versatile route to immobilize enzymes in submicron-sized fibers and thus improved mass transfer characteristics. Performance of encapsulation of fructosyltransferase from Bacillus subtilis by emulsion, suspension, and coaxial electrospinning was compared.