Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Christopher L. Klasson, Srishti Sadhir, Herman Pontzer
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between daily physical activity and both thyroid and immune activity using the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The results showed that greater physical activity was associated with lower inflammation levels and blood cell counts, as well as reduced thyroid activity.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Qian Xiao, Jingyi Qian, Daniel S. Evans, Susan Redline, Nancy E. Lane, Sonia Ancoli-Israel, Frank A. J. L. Scheer, Katie Stone
Summary: The chronic increases in pro-inflammatory cytokines in older adults, referred to as inflammaging, are associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Research shows that various rest-activity rhythm characteristics are related to levels of certain inflammatory markers, but the relationship with changes in these markers is less clear.
JOURNALS OF GERONTOLOGY SERIES A-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND MEDICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yansu He, Yong Lin, Hong Qiu, Linying Wu, Kin Fai Ho
Summary: This study investigated the effects of blood BTEX concentrations on lung function in the general adult population. The results showed that benzene and toluene had the greatest impact on lung function, while ethylbenzene and xylenes had smaller effects. In addition, BTEX exposure was associated with increased inflammation, which was also linked to reduced lung function.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Jun-Peng Xu, Rui-Xiang Zeng, Yu-Zhuo Zhang, Shan-Shan Lin, Jia-Wei Tan, Hai-Yue Zhu, Xiao-Yi Mai, Li-Heng Guo, Min-Zhou Zhang
Summary: Systemic inflammation markers, such as SII and NLR, are positively associated with hypertension prevalence, while PLR and LMR are negatively associated. SII may be a better warning marker for hypertension. This study emphasizes the importance of systemic inflammation in hypertension.
HYPERTENSION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Chuang Zhang, Weirui Ren, Meng Li, Wenbo Wang, Chi Sun, Lin Liu, Yanbin Fang, Xiaofeng Yang, Xiangjian Zhang, Suolin Li
Summary: The study found that the Children's Dietary Inflammatory Index (C-DII) scores were associated with inflammation and markers of inflammatory factors in children and adolescents. A pro-inflammatory diet resulted in increased levels of inflammatory markers, indicating the importance of early dietary interventions to reduce chronic inflammation and oxidative stress in children and adolescents.
FRONTIERS IN NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Pamela Den Besten, Christine R. Wells, Dawud Abduweli Uyghurturk
Summary: The study found that plasma fluoride levels were significantly positively associated with total WBC count, segmented neutrophils, and monocytes, and negatively associated with red blood cell count in children and adolescents in the U.S. This suggests a potential link between fluoride ingestion and inflammation, indicating the need for further research into the mechanisms involved in the absorption and filtration of fluoride.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Jolan Dupont, Leen Antonio, Lenore Dedeyne, Terence W. O'Neill, Dirk Vanderschueren, Giulia Rastrelli, Mario Maggi, Gyorgy Bartfai, Felipe F. Casanueva, Aleksander Giwercman, Jolanta Slowikowska-Hilczer, Margus Punab, Ilpo T. Huhtaniemi, Frederick C. W. Wu, Jos Tournoy, Katrien Koppo, Evelien Gielen
Summary: In middle-aged and older men, inflammatory markers hs-CRP and WBC were negatively associated with QoL and PASE scores, while WBC was negatively associated with gait speed and knee strength. However, baseline inflammatory markers (hs-CRP, WBC, and albumin) did not predict functional decline, decline in physical activity, decreased QoL, or incident sarcopenia.
JOURNAL OF CACHEXIA SARCOPENIA AND MUSCLE
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Mallika Marar, Qi Long, Ronac Mamtani, Vivek Narayan, Neha Vapiwala, Ravi B. Parikh
Summary: This study investigated the differences in outcomes between African American and non-Hispanic White men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) who received first-line abiraterone therapy. The results showed that African American men had a higher overall survival when receiving first-line abiraterone compared to non-Hispanic White men. However, there was a difference in outcomes between the two groups for first-line enzalutamide treatment.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Jiahui Yin, Rongpeng Gong, Min Zhang, Lei Ding, Ting Shen, Yiyun Cai, Shen He, Daihui Peng
Summary: This study found that both sleep disturbance and depression are associated with inflammation, but the role of inflammation in the relationship between sleep disturbance and depression is still unclear. The participants with depression and/or sleep disturbance had higher levels of inflammatory markers compared to those without. Sleep disturbance was positively correlated with inflammatory markers and depressive symptoms even after considering various confounding factors. Inflammatory markers mediated a small portion of the association between sleep disturbance and depression.
PROGRESS IN NEURO-PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Pallavi Dubey, Sireesha Y. Reddy, Luis Alvarado, Sharron L. Manuel, Alok K. Dwivedi
Summary: Hyperandrogenism in females, including at-risk hyperandrogenism, is prevalent in the US across different age groups, racial/ethnic backgrounds, and metabolic characteristics. Regular screening for abnormal hormonal parameters is crucial for treating and preventing adverse health outcomes.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY AND REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Ebonee N. Butler, Cindy Ke Zhou, Michael Curry, Una McMenamin, Christopher Cardwell, Marie C. Bradley, Barry Graubard, Michael B. Cook
Summary: This study found an inverse association between testosterone therapy (TT) and the risk of distant-stage prostate and colorectal cancers, but a positive association with distant-stage melanoma. These findings suggest a potential role for TT in the etiology of these cancers or the presence of residual confounding.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Shuting Liu, Xiaorong Chen
Summary: This study aimed to explore the optimal threshold for Mediterranean diet adherence score in relation to inflammatory markers and cognitive performance among older adults. The findings suggest that a Mediterranean diet adherence score of 4 or above may weaken the negative association between inflammation and cognitive performance.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Yuxia Ma, Ruiqiang Li, Wenqiang Zhan, Xin Huang, Yutian Zhou, Yan Sun, Hao Tian, Huichen Zhu, Bowen Yin
Summary: This study aimed to assess the relationship between dietary inflammatory index (DII) and sex steroids in children (6-11 years old) and adolescents (12-19 years old) in the U.S. The results showed that DII was associated with decreased levels of certain sex steroid hormones (TT, FAI, and E2) and increased levels of SHBG, with the associations presenting somewhat sex-dependent pattern.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Emily A. Rosenberg, Petra Buzkova, Howard A. Fink, John A. Robbins, Molly M. Shores, Alvin M. Matsumoto, Kenneth J. Mukamal
Summary: In older men, DHT was inversely associated with hip fracture risk while SHBG was positively associated with hip fracture risk, and testosterone was not associated. Testosterone and DHT were positively associated with lean body mass in individual models.
METABOLISM-CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Maria Santa Rocca, Giovanni Minervini, Cinzia Vinanzi, Alberto Bottacin, Federica Lia, Carlo Foresta, Maria Pennuto, Alberto Ferlin
Summary: This study evaluated the frequency and type of androgen receptor (AR) gene variants in a large cohort of infertile males. The study found that patients with AR gene variants had lower sperm count, higher testosterone concentration, and higher androgen sensitivity index compared to patients without variants. Two novel potentially pathogenic AR variants were identified. Based on these findings, AR sequencing is suggested as a routine genetic test in cases of idiopathic oligozoospermia with high testosterone levels.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Io Ieong Chan, Man Ki Kwok, C. Mary Schooling
Summary: This study investigated the association between pubertal maturation timing and adulthood blood pressure using Mendelian randomization (MR) with larger genome-wide association studies (GWAS) data. The results showed a significant correlation between pubertal maturation timing and adulthood blood pressure, independent of childhood body mass index (BMI).
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Baoting He, Man Ki Kwok, Io Ieong Chan, C. Mary Schooling
Summary: The study found a positive association between maternal lung function, especially lung capacity, and maternally-driven birthweight, highlighting the importance of maternal respiratory health in fetal growth.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Substance Abuse
Shiu Lun Au Yeung, Albert Martin Li, Baoting He, Kin On Kwok, C. Mary Schooling
Summary: This study provides genetic evidence that smoking may increase the risk of severe COVID-19, with no mediation by lung function or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Shan Luo, Ying Liang, Tommy Hon Ting Wong, Catherine Mary Schooling, Shiu Lun Au Yeung
Summary: This article summarizes the modifiable factors for COVID-19, such as smoking, obesity, and inflammatory factors, and provides potential proteomic signatures for treating COVID-19.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2022)
Letter
Health Care Sciences & Services
C. Mary Schooling, McKaylee M. Robertson, Heidi E. Jones
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Baoting He, Albert M. Li, Man Ki Kwok, Shiu Lun Au Yeung, Gabriel M. Leung, C. Mary Schooling
Summary: The study found that rapid infant and pubertal growth were associated with disproportionate lung and airway growth, as well as increased risk of asthma.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Guoyi Yang, C. Mary Schooling
Summary: Mendelian randomization analysis showed that commonly used lipid modifiers, such as statins and ezetimibe, may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, with a significant mediation effect by higher BMI. However, no significant associations were found between PCSK9 inhibitors and type 2 diabetes risk or BMI.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Guoyi Yang, C. Mary Schooling
Summary: In this study, the associations of apoB, TG, and Lp(a) with type 2 diabetes and metabolic traits were examined using Mendelian randomization (MR). The results showed that apoB and Lp(a) had little association with type 2 diabetes and metabolic traits, while higher TG levels were associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes and higher glycemic traits, especially in women. The study also found that sex hormones may play a role in the relationship between TG and type 2 diabetes.
CARDIOVASCULAR DIABETOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Shiu Lun Au Yeung, Maria Carolina Borges, Tommy Hon Ting Wong, Deborah A. Lawlor, C. Mary Schooling
Summary: A study using Mendelian randomization (MR) found that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is likely to increase the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in both Europeans and East Asians. Additionally, there may be differential effects on coronary artery disease (CAD) between Europeans and East Asians.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
C. M. Schooling, J. V. Zhao
Summary: This review summarizes the causal risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) using Mendelian randomization (MR) to obtain unbiased estimates. MR studies confirm the role of major CVD risk factors and provide insights into the linear relation with alcohol, the importance of diastolic blood pressure, and the major target lipid apolipoprotein B. However, identifying a healthy diet and the role of early life influences remains challenging. The use of MR has helped validate intervention targets for CVD, and incorporating more global diversity and an overarching framework would enhance the informativeness of MR studies.
CURRENT CARDIOLOGY REPORTS
(2023)
Letter
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
C. Mary Schooling, Kezhen Fei, Mary Beth Terry
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jack C. M. Ng, C. Mary Schooling
Summary: Observationally, the association between basal metabolic rate (BMR) and mortality is uncertain. This study used Mendelian randomization methods to examine the causal effect of BMR on parental attained age. The results suggest that higher BMR may reduce lifespan, particularly in women.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Biology
Jie Zhao, Bohan Fan, Jian Huang, Benjamin John Cowling, Shiu Lun Ryan Au Yeung, Andrea Baccarelli, Gabriel M. Leung, C. Mary Schooling, Sihoon Lee
Summary: Through an environment-wide association study and an epigenome-wide association study, this research systematically assessed the factors associated with obesity at the onset and end of puberty. The study identified several factors, such as maternal second-hand smoking, maternal weight, and birth weight, that were consistently associated with obesity. It also found that factors like diet, physical activity, snoring, binge eating, and earlier puberty were positively associated with BMI at the end of puberty. These findings provide important information for future interventions to improve population health in Hong Kong and similar Chinese settings.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
C. Mary Schooling, Man Ki Kwok, Jie Zhao
Summary: This study used uni- and multi-variable Mendelian randomization to assess the association between major fatty acids and their sub-species and ischaemic heart disease (IHD) overall and sex-specifically, as well as lifespan sex-specifically. The results showed a negative association between PUFAs and IHD and lifespan in men, while no association was found in women. Similar findings were observed for omega-6 fatty acids and linoleic acid. The independent associations of SFAs, mono-unsaturated fatty acids, or omega-3 fatty acids with IHD or lifespan were limited. In conclusion, specific subspecies of PUFAs may contribute to disparities in lifespan by sex, and sex-specific dietary advice could help address these inequities.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Eleanor Sanderson, M. Maria Glymour, Michael V. Holmes, Hyunseung Kang, Jean Morrison, Marcus R. Munafo, Tom Palmer, C. Mary Schooling, Chris Wallace, Qingyuan Zhao, George Davey Smith
Summary: Mendelian randomization (MR) uses genetic variation to address causal questions about modifiable exposures, with principles based on Mendel's laws and instrumental variable estimation methods. It enables inference of causal effects and can be used as part of a triangulation across multiple sources of evidence for causal inference.
NATURE REVIEWS METHODS PRIMERS
(2022)