Unraveling the link between sterol ester and colorectal cancer: a two-sample mendelian randomization study.

Background: Several studies reported the sterol ester (SE), a subclass of subtype of cholesterol ester (CE), is associated with the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC). Nevertheless, the causal relationship of SE on CRC remains unknown.

Methods: A two-sample Mendelian randomization study was performed with the summary statistics of SE (27:1/14:0) which is from the largest available genome-wide association study meta-analysis(n = 377277) conducted by FinnGen consortium.

Causal links of human serum metabolites on the risk of prostate cancer: insights from genome-wide Mendelian randomization, single-cell RNA sequencing, and metabolic pathway analysis.

Background: Recently, serum metabolites have shown potential in predicting survival outcomes and may be related to the pathogenesis of prostate cancer. Nevertheless, the precise impact concerning the genetic effect of metabolites on prostate cancer risk remains obscure. In this context, we conducted a Mendelian randomization (MR) study aiming to explore the causality between genetically determined metabolites and the risk of prostate cancer.

The Gut Microbiota and Its Metabolites and Their Association with the Risk of Autoimmune Thyroid Disease: A Mendelian Randomization Study.

: Observational research shows associations of the gut microbiota and its metabolites with autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), but the causality is undetermined. : Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) was employed to analyze the association of the gut microbiota and its metabolites with AITD. A total of 119 gut microbiotas and nine fecal/circulating metabolites were the exposures.

Causal relationship between major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder and constipation: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Epidemiological and other studies have shown correlations among major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety disorder (AXD) and constipation. However, no consensus has been reached regarding their interdependence and pathogenesis. Herein, we sought to further explore the causal associations between them.

Genetic insights into blood protein correlations with colorectal cancer: a Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Several blood proteins might be associated with the development of colorectal cancer (CRC), but many studies on this topic are often biased. By using genetic variation data, which is less influenced by environmental factors, we can better determine the causal relationship between specific blood proteins and the occurrence of colorectal cancer.

Methods: Data from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on blood proteins, encompassing 1,478 proteins, and colorectal cancer (CRC) GWAS data, covering 637,693 subjects, were collected and organized.

HIV and risk of hypertension: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

Objective: Previous studies have shown that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is associated with hypertension; however, the results of these studies are affected by a variety of confounding factors. There is no definite evidence to prove a causal relationship between these two factors. This study aimed to investigate the causal relationship between HIV infection and hypertension.

The association between fruit and vegetable intake and gastrointestinal cancers risk from Mendelian randomization analysis.

Recent research has demonstrated a relationship between fruit and vegetable intake and gastrointestinal cancers, but the causality of these associations remains uncertain. This investigation sought to elucidate whether there is a potential causal relationship between the intake of fruits and vegetables and the risk of gastrointestinal cancers. Employing two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR), this research explored the causative influence of consuming fruits (fresh and dried) and vegetables (salads/raw and cooked) on the susceptibility to gastrointestinal cancers.

Exploring the relationship between cathepsin and age-related macular degeneration using Mendelian randomization.

Purpose: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of low vision and even blindness in the elderly population worldwide. However, no studies have been conducted to analyze the causal relationship between the cathepsin family and AMD. The present study aimed to explore and analyze this potential association using Mendelian randomization (MR).

Lipid-lowering drugs, circulating inflammatory factors, and atrial fibrillation: a mediation Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Previous studies have shown an association between lipid-lowering drugs, circulating inflammatory factors, and atrial fibrillation (AF), but the specific effects of lipid-lowering drugs on AF and whether they can be mediated by circulating inflammatory factors remain unclear.

Methods: We collected 10 genetic variants encoding lipid-lowering drug targets (LDLR, HMGCR, PCSK9, NPC1L1, APOB, APOB, ABCG5, ABCG8, LPL, APOC3, and PPARA) and AF based on genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics. Drug target Mendelian randomization (MR) was used to explore the causal relationship between lipid-lowering drugs and AF.

Exploring the genetic associations and causal relationships between antibody responses, immune cells, and various types of breast cancer.

Background: There may be potential associations between various pathogens, antibody immune responses, and breast cancer (BC), but the specific mechanisms and causal relationships remain unclear.

Methods: First, multiple Mendelian randomization (MR) methods were used for univariable MR analysis to explore potential causal relationships between 34 antibody immune responses (related to 12 pathogens), 46 antibody immune responses (related to 13 pathogens), antibody responses post-COVID-19 vaccination, 731 immune cell types, and various BC subtypes (including overall BC, ER-positive, ER-negative, Luminal A, Luminal B, Luminal B HER2-negative, HER2-positive, and triple-negative BC). The primary results were then subjected to reverse MR analysis, heterogeneity testing using Cochran's Q, and horizontal pleiotropy testing.

Causal relationship between immune cells and acute myeloid leukemia: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Immune cells are crucial in the etiology of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Given the genetic, epigenetic, and clonal complexities of AML, pinpointing factors linked to immunotherapy presents a formidable challenge. Moreover, investigations into the connection between immune cells and AML are still in their infancy, necessitating further studies to decode the intricate connections involved.

Role of double-negative autoreactive cells (CD4CD8) in phosphatidylcholine-mediated rheumatoid arthritis: A Mendelian randomization study.

Objective: Mendelian randomization (MR) was employed to explore the potential causal relationship between liposomes (LP) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with a focus on the mediating roles of immune cells (IC).

Methods: By screening public GWAS data, LP were used as exposure data, RA as outcome data, and IC as mediating factors. The Inverse Variance Weighted (IVW) method was the main analytical technique used in this paper to evaluate causal effects.

Multi-omics association study integrating GWAS and pQTL data revealed MIP-1α as a potential drug target for erectile dysfunction.

Background: Erectile dysfunction (ED) brings heavy burden to patients and society. Despite the availability of established therapies, existing medications have restricted efficacy. Therefore, we utilized a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach to find the drug targets that might enhance the clinical outcome of ED.

Hypothyroidism correlates with osteoporosis: potential involvement of lipid mediators.

Background: Observational studies have demonstrated a correlation between thyroid dysfunction and osteoporosis (OP); however, the underlying causality has yet to be fully elucidated.

Methods: The necessary dataset was sourced from public databases. Initially, instrumental variables (IVs) were selected based on three primary hypotheses.

Bidirectional Mendelian randomization links gut microbiota to primary biliary cholangitis.

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and gut microbiota (GM) are epidemiologically correlated but the causal inter-relationships remain poorly understood. We aim to explore the causal relationships between GM and PBC. Using the MiBioGen consortium, GWAS data for GM at the species level and the largest publicly available PBC GWAS data to date, we performed a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization by the inverse variance weighted, MR-Egger, weighted median, weighted model and MR-PRESSO to elucidate the potential causal role of GM in PBC.

Causal relationship between benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis.

Objective: Our aim is to explore the relation between benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa) from a genetic level utilizing Mendelian randomization (MR).

Methods: The IEU genome-wide association studies database was surveyed for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with BPH, PCa, and PCa (validation cohort). Single nucleotide polymorphisms were subjected to stringent quality control based on rigorous screening criteria.

Investigating the metabolomic pathways in female reproductive endocrine disorders: a Mendelian randomization study.

Introduction: Reproductive endocrine disorders (RED), including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis (EMs), and female infertility (FI), significantly affect women's health globally, with varying prevalence across different regions. These conditions can be addressed through medication, surgical interventions, and lifestyle modifications. However, the limited understanding of RED's etiology and the substantial economic burden of its treatment highlight the importance of investigating its pathogenesis.

Dissecting the association between blood pressure traits, hypertension, antihypertensive medications and epilepsy: A Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Observational studies suggest that hypertension and epilepsy have a high co-occurrence, and antihypertensive medications may have impacts on the prevention and treatment of epilepsy. However, the directionality of causation between them is elusive.

Method: By leveraging genome-wide association studies (GWAS) summary data of each trait, we firstly performed bidirectional univariate Mendelian randomization (UVMR) to assess the strength and direction of the associations between pairs of traits, then multivariate MR (MVMR) was conducted to adjust for potential confounders in causalities.

The role of digital device use on the risk of migraine: a univariable and multivariable Mendelian randomization study.

Background: The pervasive integration of digital devices into daily life has raised concerns about their potential health impacts. This study aimed to explore the causal relationships between digital device use and the risk of migraine using Mendelian randomization (MR).

Methods: Genetic data on digital device use and migraines were sourced from large-scale genome-wide association studies conducted by the UK Biobank, the FinnGen study, and the International Headache Genetics Consortium.

Probiotics and their metabolite spermidine enhance IFN-γCD4 T cell immunity to inhibit hepatitis B virus.

The therapeutic potential of commensal microbes and their metabolites is promising in the functional cure of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, which is defined as hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss. Here, using both specific-pathogen-free and germ-free mice, we report that probiotics significantly promote the decline of HBsAg and inhibit HBV replication by enhancing intestinal homeostasis and provoking intrahepatic interferon (IFN)-γCD4 T cell immune response. Depletion of CD4 T cells or blockage of IFN-γ abolishes probiotics-mediated HBV inhibition.

Evaluating the Causal Association between Circulating Plasma Proteins, 731 Immune Cell Phenotypes, and Atopic Dermatitis: A Mediation Mendelian Randomization Study.

Introduction: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by eczematous lesions and severe itching. However, its pathogenesis has not yet been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the causal relationship between plasma proteins and AD, as well as to identify and quantify the potential roles of immune cell phenotypes as mediators.

A worldwide look into long COVID-19 management: an END-COVID survey.

Background: Long COVID is a heterogeneous clinical syndrome characterised by a variety of reported symptoms and signs. Its clinical management is expected to differ significantly worldwide.

Methods: A survey-based study investigating long COVID-related standard operating procedures (SOPs) has been conducted by the European Respiratory Society (ERS) END-COVID clinical research collaboration with the support of other international societies (ALAT, APSR, CHEST, ESCMID and PATS).