The reporting quality and methodological quality of dynamic prediction models for cancer prognosis.

Background: To evaluate the reporting quality and methodological quality of dynamic prediction model (DPM) studies on cancer prognosis.

Methods: Extensive search for DPM studies on cancer prognosis was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library databases. The Transparent Reporting of a Multivariable Prediction Model for Individual Prognosis or Diagnosis (TRIPOD) and the Prediction model Risk of Bias Assessment Tool (PROBAST) were used to assess reporting quality and methodological quality, respectively.

Genomic correlation, shared loci, and causal association between obesity, periodontitis and tooth loss.

Observational studies have reported an association of obesity with periodontitis and tooth loss, yet findings remain inconsistent. We aim to investigate the genetic link underlying obesity-related traits (BMI [body mass index], WHR [waist-to-hip ratio], WHRBMI and childhood BMI), periodontitis and tooth loss. Leveraging summary statistics from large-scale genome-wide association studies, we comprehensively investigated the pair-wise genetic correlation using linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC) and SUPERGNOVA, identified shared loci using cross-phenotype association analysis (CPASSOC), and estimated causal association using Mendelian randomization.

Advances and applications of dynamic surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) for single molecule studies.

Dynamic surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is nowadays one of the most interesting applications of SERS, in particular for single molecule studies. In fact, it enables the study of real-time processes at the molecular level. This review summarizes the latest developments in dynamic SERS techniques and their applications, focusing on new instrumentation, data analysis methods, temporal resolution and sensitivity improvements, and novel substrates.

Associations of sleep with cardiometabolic risk factors and cardiovascular diseases: An umbrella review of observational and mendelian randomization studies.

Two researchers independently assessed studies published up to February 5, 2023, across PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library, to investigate the associations of sleep traits with cardiometabolic risk factors, as well as with cardiovascular diseases. Fourteen systematic reviews consisting of 23 meta-analyses, and 11 Mendelian randomization (MR) studies were included in this study. Short sleep duration was associated with a higher risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2D), hypertension, stroke, and coronary heart disease (CHD) in observational studies, while a causal role was only demonstrated in obesity, hypertension, and CHD by MR.

Phenotypic and genetic effect of carotid intima-media thickness on the risk of stroke.

While carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) as a noninvasive surrogate measure of atherosclerosis is widely considered a risk factor for stroke, the intrinsic link underlying cIMT and stroke has not been fully understood. We aimed to evaluate the clinical value of cIMT in stroke through the investigation of phenotypic and genetic relationships between cIMT and stroke. We evaluated phenotypic associations using observational data from UK Biobank (N = 21,526).

Risk factors for prostate cancer: An umbrella review of prospective observational studies and mendelian randomization analyses.

Background: The incidence of prostate cancer is increasing in older males globally. Age, ethnicity, and family history are identified as the well-known risk factors for prostate cancer, but few modifiable factors have been firmly established. The objective of this study was to identify and evaluate various factors modifying the risk of prostate cancer reported in meta-analyses of prospective observational studies and mendelian randomization (MR) analyses.

Observational and genetic analyses clarify the relationship between type 2 diabetes mellitus and gallstone disease.

Background: The relationship between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and gallstone disease (GSD) have been incompletely understood. We aimed to investigate their phenotypic and genetic associations and evaluate the biological mechanisms underlying these associations.

Methods: We first evaluated the phenotypic association between T2DM and GSD using data from the UK Biobank (n>450,000) using a prospective observational design.

[Analysis of Risk Factors of Chronic Pulmonary Heart Disease in Patients With Pneumoconiosis].

Objective: To explore the risk factors for developing chronic pulmonary heart disease in patients with pneumoconiosis.

Methods: The medical records of pneumoconiosis patients admitted to an occupational disease hospital in Sichuan Province between January 2012 and November 2021 were collected. Kaplan-Meier (K-M) method, or product-limit method, was used to plot the incidence curves of pulmonary heart disease in the pneumoconiosis patients.

Design of a high-power collimating optical system based on Fresnel lenses.

In light-emitting diode (LED) illumination (e.g., LED maritime lighting for ships), creating a uniform light environment for optical systems is an important challenge.

Observational and genetic analyses of the bidirectional relationship between depression and hypertension.

Background: While the association between depression and hypertension has been extensively investigated, the pattern and nature of such association remain inconclusive. We sought to investigate the bidirectional relationship between depression and hypertension and its causal.

Methods: We first performed observational analyses using longitudinal data from the UK Biobank.

Bidirectional relationship between type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease: Prospective cohort study and genetic analyses.

Background: While type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is considered a putative causal risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD), the intrinsic link underlying T2DM and CAD is not fully understood. We aimed to highlight the importance of integrated care targeting both diseases by investigating the phenotypic and genetic relationships between T2DM and CAD.

Methods: We evaluated phenotypic associations using data from the United Kingdom Biobank ( N = 472,050).

Understanding the relationship between circulating lipids and risk of chronic kidney disease: a prospective cohort study and large-scale genetic analyses.

Background: This study aims to comprehensively investigate the phenotypic and genetic relationships between four common lipids (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, HDL-C; low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, LDL-C; total cholesterol, TC; and triglycerides, TG), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

Methods: We first investigated the observational association of lipids (exposures) with CKD (primary outcome) and eGFR (secondary outcome) using data from UK Biobank. We then explored the genetic relationship using summary statistics from the largest genome-wide association study of four lipids (N = 1,320,016), CKD (N = 41,395, N = 439,303), and eGFR(N = 567,460).

Impact of gallstone disease on the risk of stroke and coronary artery disease: evidence from prospective observational studies and genetic analyses.

Background: Despite epidemiological evidence associating gallstone disease (GSD) with cardiovascular disease (CVD), a dilemma remains on the role of cholecystectomy in modifying the risk of CVD. We aimed to characterize the phenotypic and genetic relationships between GSD and two CVD events - stroke and coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: We first performed a meta-analysis of cohort studies to quantify an overall phenotypic association between GSD and CVD.

Additional Evidence for the Relationship Between Type 2 Diabetes and Stroke Through Observational and Genetic Analyses.

While type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is commonly considered a putative causal risk factor for stroke, the effect of stroke on T2DM remains unclear. The intrinsic link underlying T2DM and stroke has not been thoroughly examined. We aimed to evaluate the phenotypic and genetic relationships underlying T2DM and stroke.

Epidemiological and Genetic Analyses of Schizophrenia and Breast Cancer.

Background And Hypothesis: While the phenotypic association between schizophrenia and breast cancer has been observed, the underlying intrinsic link is not adequately understood. We aim to conduct a comprehensive interrogation on both phenotypic and genetic relationships between schizophrenia and breast cancer.

Study Design: We first used data from UK Biobank to evaluate a phenotypic association and performed an updated meta-analysis incorporating existing cohort studies.

Using human genetics to understand the phenotypic association between chronotype and breast cancer.

Little is known regarding the shared genetic influences underlying the observed phenotypic association between chronotype and breast cancer in women. Leveraging summary statistics from the hitherto largest genome-wide association study conducted in each trait, we investigated the genetic correlation, pleiotropic loci, and causal relationship of chronotype with overall breast cancer, and with its subtypes defined by the status of oestrogen receptor. We identified a negative genomic correlation between chronotype and overall breast cancer (  = -0.

Migraine, chronic kidney disease and kidney function: observational and genetic analyses.

Epidemiological studies demonstrate an association between migraine and chronic kidney disease (CKD), while the genetic basis underlying the phenotypic association has not been investigated. We aimed to help avoid unnecessary interventions in individuals with migraine through the investigation of phenotypic and genetic relationships underlying migraine, CKD, and kidney function. We first evaluated phenotypic associations using observational data from UK Biobank (N = 255,896).

Nuclear magnetic resonance-determined lipoprotein profile and risk of breast cancer: a Mendelian randomization study.

Purpose: While crudely quantified lipoproteins have been reported to affect the risk of breast cancer, the effects of subclass lipoproteins characterized by particle size, particle number, and lipidomes remain unknown.

Methods: Utilizing nuclear magnetic resonance-based GWAS of 85 lipoprotein traits, we performed two-sample univariable Mendelian randomization (MR) to evaluate the causal relationship between each trait with breast cancer (Ncase/control = 133,384/113,789) and with its estrogen receptor (ER) subtypes. Then, we applied multivariable MR to investigate the independent effects considering both general and central obesity.

Epidemiological and genetic evidence for the relationship between ABO blood group and human cancer.

To comprehensively evaluate the etiological role of ABO blood group in human cancer, we conducted a large-scale meta-analysis of 127 publications totaling 20 million participants including 231 737 patients of 20 cancers, supplemented by genetic evidence. Effects of A, AB and B groups on cancer risk were investigated by respectively comparing with O group and their combined counterparts, and subgroup analysis by ethnicity was conducted for O-referent models. For cancer categories, A group increased risk of cancers of oral cavity and nasopharynx, digestive and female genital organs, while both AB and B groups showed associations with cancers of digestive and female genital organs.

Using human genetics to understand the epidemiological association between obesity, serum urate, and gout.

Objectives: We aimed to clarify the genetic overlaps underlying obesity-related traits, serum urate, and gout.

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive genome-wide cross-trait analysis to identify genetic correlation, pleiotropic loci, and causal relationships between obesity (the exposure variable), gout (the primary outcome) and serum urate (the secondary outcome). Summary statistics were collected from the hitherto largest genome-wide association studies conducted for BMI (N = 806 834), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR; N = 697 734), WHR adjusted for BMI (WHRadjBMI; N = 694 649), serum urate (N = 288 649), and gout (Ncases = 13 179 and Ncontrols = 750 634).

Simultaneous and sensitive detection of two pathogenic genes of thrombotic diseases using SPRi sensor with one-step fixation probe by a poly-adenine oligonucleotide approach.

Single-base mutations of Factor V Leiden G1691A and Prothrombin gene G20210A are the main genetic risk factors for inherited thrombotic tendency. The establishment for rapid and efficient detection method is of great significance to the prevention of venous thrombosis. In this work, a multiplexed, highly sensitive and regenerable surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRi) sensor is described to identify and detect the two pathogenic genes by fixing probes in one-step.

Raman spectroscopy of potential bio-hazards commonly found in bio-aerosols.

Pathogenic bio-aerosols are a threat to public health today, and thus quick detection and identification is of paramount importance. In this study, Raman spectroscopy was used to test 14 types of pollens, one type of fungus and two types of bacteria that are commonly found in bio-aerosols. For bacteria and fungus, surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) was used due to their relatively weak signals.