Habitual tea consumption is associated with a lower prevalence of kidney stone disease in postmenopausal women.

Background: Menopause is associated with an increased risk of kidney stone disease (KSD). However, for postmenopausal women, how to avoid KSD has rarely been studied. The aim of this study was to explore whether drinking tea is associated with a reduction in the prevalence of KSD in postmenopausal women.

Vegetarian Diet Reduced Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in a Nationwide Longitudinal Survey in Taiwan.

Background/objectives: This large, longitudinal follow-up cohort study aimed to explore how being a vegetarian and related factors impacted the incident gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in a comprehensive Taiwanese cohort.

Methods: The study cohort was enrolled from the Taiwan Biobank. Vegetarian status, duration of being a vegetarian, type of vegetarian diet, and whether or not the participants had GERD were recorded from self-reported surveys.

Secondhand smoke is associated with peptic ulcer disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease in non-smokers in a large Taiwanese population study.

Background: Active smokers are known to be at an increased risk of both gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and peptic ulcer disease (PUD), however the role of passive smoking remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to examine whether secondhand smoke (SHS) is associated with PUD and GERD.

Methods: In this population-based study, we conducted a large-scale analysis with 88,297 never-smokers (male: 18,595; female: 69,702; mean age 50.

Association of the VEGF 2578C>A Polymorphism With Metabolic Syndrome and Erectile Dysfunction.

Accumulating evidence suggests a link between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), erectile dysfunction (ED), and metabolic syndrome (Mets), possibly because VEGF can alter the physiological pathways involved in the regulation of endothelial cell proliferation. This study aimed to investigate the genetic susceptibility of VEGF 2578C>A polymorphism to the development of ED and Mets. Collected data included five-item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5), components of Mets, and VEGF 2578C>A polymorphism.

Prognostic Significance of Gene Variants and Expression in Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is characterized by high mortality and morbidity rates. Vav guanine nucleotide exchange factors (VAVs), crucial for signal transduction between cell membrane receptors and intracellular mediators, have been implicated in carcinogenesis. However, their potential prognostic value in RCC remains unclear.

High Obesity Indices Are Associated with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, but Low Obesity Indices Are Associated with Peptic Ulcer Disease in a Large Taiwanese Population Study.

Introduction: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and peptic ulcer disease (PUD) are prevalent in Taiwan. Few studies have investigated the associations between obesity indices with GERD and PUD simultaneously. This study aimed to investigate the correlations among obesity indices with GERD and PUD in a large cohort of participants, around 120,000, in the Taiwan Biobank (TWB).

Sex difference in the associations among hyperuricemia with self-reported peptic ulcer disease in a large Taiwanese population study.

Background: Hyperuricemia may play a role in various systemic diseases. However, few studies have investigated the relationship between hyperuricemia and the risk of peptic ulcer disease (PUD). Therefore, in this population-based study, we enrolled over 120,000 participants from the Taiwan Biobank (TWB) and examined the risk factors for self-reported PUD.

Sex difference in the associations among secondhand smoke with metabolic syndrome in non-smokers in a large Taiwanese population follow-up study.

Close associations among secondhand smoke (SHS) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components have been demonstrated, however sex differences in these associations remain unclear. We collected 121,364 participants from the Taiwan Biobank, and excluded those with smoking history, the remaining 88,297 participants (male: 18,595; female: 69,702; mean age 50.1 ± 11.

Sex difference in the associations among risk factors with gastroesophageal reflux disease in a large Taiwanese population study.

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common global health issue. Previous studies have revealed a higher prevalence of GERD in females than in males, however few studies have investigated sex differences in the risk factors associated with GERD. Therefore, the aim of this population-based study was to examine sex differences in the risk factors for GERD in a large cohort of over 120,000 Taiwanese participants.

Coffee consumption was associated with a lower prevalence of airflow limitation in postmenopausal women.

Background: Several studies have suggested a potential correlation between menopause and airflow limitation. However, the presence of protective factors in postmenopausal women remains uncertain. Therefore, our study seeks to examine potential protective factors associated with a reduced prevalence of airflow limitation among postmenopausal women.

The association between body mass index and osteoporosis in a Taiwanese population: a cross-sectional and longitudinal study.

This study investigates the correlation between body mass index (BMI) and osteoporosis utilizing data from the Taiwan Biobank. Initially, a comprehensive analysis of 119,009 participants enrolled from 2008 to 2019 was conducted to assess the association between BMI and osteoporosis prevalence. Subsequently, a longitudinal cohort of 24,507 participants, initially free from osteoporosis, underwent regular follow-ups every 2-4 years to analyze the risk of osteoporosis development, which was a subset of the main cohort.

Identifying the role of MTHFD1L in prostate cancer progression from genetic analysis and experimental validation.

One-carbon metabolism plays a crucial role in tumorigenesis as it supplies the one-carbon units necessary for nucleotide synthesis, epigenetic regulation, and redox metabolism, ensuring the rapid proliferation of cancer cells. However, their roles in prostate cancer progression remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the association between genetic variants in the one-carbon metabolism pathway and clinical outcomes in patients receiving androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer.

Integrated analysis identifies GABRB3 as a biomarker in prostate cancer.

Background: Treatment failure following androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) presents a significant challenge in the management of advanced prostate cancer. Thus, understanding the genetic factors influencing this process could facilitate the development of personalized treatments and innovative therapeutic strategies. The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in controlling cell growth and tumorigenesis.

A Genome-Wide Association Study of Metabolic Syndrome in the Taiwanese Population.

The purpose of this study was to investigate genetic factors associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) by conducting a large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) in Taiwan, addressing the limited data on Asian populations compared to Western populations. Using data from the Taiwan Biobank, comprehensive clinical and genetic information from 107,230 Taiwanese individuals was analyzed. Genotyping data from the TWB1.

The association between alcohol, betel nut, and cigarette use with hepatitis C virus infection in Taiwan.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection may cause chronic liver disease, liver cirrhosis, and liver cancer. It has been reported to associate with habits including alcohol, betel nut and cigarette use. We aimed to investigate the association between alcohol, betel nut, and cigarette use with HCV infection in Taiwan and to explore their effects.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease is an early predictor for testosterone deficiency in aging men without metabolic syndrome.

Background And Aims: Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has emerged as a valuable marker for identifying individuals at increased risk of metabolic dysfunction, liver-related complications, and cardiovascular disease. However, the association between MAFLD and testosterone deficiency (TD) in aging men remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the association between MAFLD and the risk of TD in aging Taiwanese men, with a specific focus on those without metabolic syndrome (MetS).

as a Potential Biomarker for Renal Cell Carcinoma: Evidence from an Integrated Genetic Analysis.

Background/aim: Oxidative stress plays an important role in various pathogenic processes, and disruption in the coordinated production of NADPH oxidase (NOX)-derived reactive oxygen species has been associated with carcinogenesis. However, little is known about whether genetic variants in NOX can contribute to the development of renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Patients And Methods: This study aimed to bridge this knowledge gap by analysing the association of 10 single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the phagocyte NOX genes, CYBA and CYBB, with RCC risk and tumour characteristics in 630 RCC patients and controls.

Association between Menopause, Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy and Metabolic Syndrome.

(1) Background: We aimed to explore the associations between menopause, postmenopausal hormone therapy, and metabolic syndrome in a large community-based group of Asian women. (2) Methods: This is a cross-sectional study in which we enrolled women aged 30 to 70 years with sufficient information about menopausal status from the Taiwan Biobank. The definition for metabolic syndrome used in this study aligns with the Bureau of Health Promotion's (Taiwan) proposed definition.

The impact of secondhand smoke on the development of kidney stone disease is not inferior to that of smoking: a longitudinal cohort study.

Background: Tobacco use and secondhand smoke (SHS) are risk factors of kidney stone disease (KSD). The hypothesis is that tobacco produces chemicals that increase oxidative stress and vasopressin, which leads to decreased urine output, and contributes to stone formation. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of smoking and SHS on the development of KSD.

Sex difference in the associations among risk factors with depression in a large Taiwanese population study.

Background: Depression is a common psychiatric health issue affecting an estimated 5% of adults worldwide, and it can lead to disability and increased economic burden. Consequently, identifying the factors associated with depression as early as possible is a vital issue. The aim of this study was to explore these associations in a large cohort of 121,601 Taiwanese participants in the Taiwan Biobank, and also to identify sex differences in the associations.

ATP8B1: A prognostic prostate cancer biomarker identified via genetic analysis.

Background: Controlling the asymmetric distribution of phospholipids across biological membranes plays a pivotal role in the life cycle of cells; one of the most important contributors that maintain this lipid asymmetry are phospholipid-transporting adenosine triphosphatases (ATPases). Although sufficient information regarding their association with cancer exists, there is limited evidence linking the genetic variants of phospholipid-transporting ATPase family genes to prostate cancer in humans.

Methods: In this study, we investigated the association of 222 haplotype-tagging single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in eight phospholipid-transporting ATPase genes with cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) of 630 patients treated with androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer.

Chronic kidney disease and its association with cataracts-A cross-sectional and longitudinal study.

Introduction: We aim to explore the association between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cataracts.

Methods: A total of 121,380 participants with adequate information collected from 29 community-based recruitment centers since 2008 were analyzed. The association between CKD and self-reported diagnosed cataracts was examined in a cross-sectional cohort and was validated in a longitudinal cohort of 25,263 participants without cataracts at baseline.