A genome-wide association study of bitter and sweet beverage consumption

Exploring the effect of lifestyle behaviors and socioeconomic status on atrial fibrillation: the mediating role of 91 inflammatory cytokines

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most prevalent cardiac arrhythmias and has a significant economic and social burden. Whether it is associated with lifestyle behaviors and socioeconomic status is currently poorly understood. This study aimed to explore the relationship among these factors and determine the role of inflammatory cytokines.

Method

We investigated the causal effects of lifestyle behaviors and socioeconomic status on AF using bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR). Instrumental variables were obtained from a publicly available genome-wide association study. A two-step MR was conducted to determine the mediating role of 91 inflammatory cytokines. Inverse variance weighted was used as the main method with four supplementary MR methods. To obtain more robust results, several sensitivity analyses were conducted.

Result

The results indicated that seven of the lifestyle behaviors [smoking initiation, vegetable intake, coffee consumption (cups/day), dozing, lifetime smoking index, napping, and alcohol abuse] were potential risk factors for AF. One socioeconomic status, education attainment (years of education), was causally associated with a decreased risk of AF. Moreover, we found that thymic stromal lymphopoietin, CD40l receptor, C-X-C motif chemokine 6, and C-X-C motif chemokine 11 levels mediated the causal effect, at proportions of 13.6%, 4.1%, 4.3%, and 6.9%, respectively.

Conclusion

Our findings provide insight into the relationship between lifestyle behaviors, socioeconomic status, and AF. Inflammatory cytokines are potential mediators of this relationship.

Research on Bitter Peptides in the Field of Bioinformatics: A Comprehensive Review

Bitter peptides are small molecular peptides produced by the hydrolysis of proteins under acidic, alkaline, or enzymatic conditions. These peptides can enhance food flavor and offer various health benefits, with attributes such as antihypertensive, antidiabetic, antioxidant, antibacterial, and immune-regulating properties. They show significant potential in the development of functional foods and the prevention and treatment of diseases. This review introduces the diverse sources of bitter peptides and discusses the mechanisms of bitterness generation and their physiological functions in the taste system. Additionally, it emphasizes the application of bioinformatics in bitter peptide research, including the establishment and improvement of bitter peptide databases, the use of quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models to predict bitterness thresholds, and the latest advancements in classification prediction models built using machine learning and deep learning algorithms for bitter peptide identification. Future research directions include enhancing databases, diversifying models, and applying generative models to advance bitter peptide research towards deepening and discovering more practical applications.

Identification of Sweetness Preference-Related Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms for Polygenic Risk Scores Associated with Obesity

Our study aimed to identify sweetness preference-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), characterize the related genetic loci, and develop SNP-based polygenic risk scores (PRS) to analyze their associations with obesity. For genotyping, we utilized a pooled genome-wide association study (GWAS) dataset of 18,499 females and 10,878 males. We conducted genome-wide association analyses, functional annotation, and employed the weighted method to calculate the levels of PRS from 677 sweetness preference-related SNPs. We used Cox proportional hazards modeling with time-varying covariates to estimate age-adjusted and multivariable hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for obesity incidence. We also tested the correlation between PRS and environmental factors, including smoking and dietary components, on obesity. Our results showed that in males, the TT genotype of rs4861982 significantly increased obesity risk compared to the GG genotype in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS) cohort (HR = 1.565; 95% CI, 1.122-2.184; p = 0.008) and in the pooled analysis (HR = 1.259; 95% CI, 1.030-1.540; p = 0.025). Protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type O (PTPRO) was identified as strongly associated with sweetness preference, indicating a positive correlation between sweetness preference and obesity risk. Moreover, each 10 pack-year increment in smoking was significantly associated with an increased risk of obesity in the HPFS cohort (HR = 1.024; 95% CI, 1.000-1.048) in males but not in females. In conclusion, significant associations between rs4861982, sweetness preference, and obesity were identified, particularly among males, where environmental factors like smoking are also correlated with obesity risk.

Genome-wide association studies of coffee intake in UK/US participants of European ancestry uncover cohort-specific genetic associations

Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages. We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of coffee intake in US-based 23andMe participants (N = 130,153) and identified 7 significant loci, with many replicating in three multi-ancestral cohorts. We examined genetic correlations and performed a phenome-wide association study across hundreds of biomarkers, health, and lifestyle traits, then compared our results to the largest available GWAS of coffee intake from the UK Biobank (UKB; N = 334,659). We observed consistent positive genetic correlations with substance use and obesity in both cohorts. Other genetic correlations were discrepant, including positive genetic correlations between coffee intake and psychiatric illnesses, pain, and gastrointestinal traits in 23andMe that were absent or negative in the UKB, and genetic correlations with cognition that were negative in 23andMe but positive in the UKB. Phenome-wide association study using polygenic scores of coffee intake derived from 23andMe or UKB summary statistics also revealed consistent associations with increased odds of obesity- and red blood cell-related traits, but all other associations were cohort-specific. Our study shows that the genetics of coffee intake associate with substance use and obesity across cohorts, but also that GWAS performed in different populations could capture cultural differences in the relationship between behavior and genetics.

Caffeine consumption outcomes on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis disease progression and cognition

Caffeine consumption outcomes on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) including progression, survival and cognition remain poorly defined and may depend on its metabolization influenced by genetic variants. 378 ALS patients with a precise evaluation of their regular caffeine consumption were monitored as part of a prospective multicenter study. Demographic, clinical characteristics, functional disability as measured with revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R), cognitive deficits measured using Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural ALS Screen (ECAS), survival and riluzole treatment were recorded. 282 patients were genotyped for six single nucleotide polymorphisms tagging different genes involved in caffeine intake and/or metabolism: CYP1A1 (rs2472297), CYP1A2 (rs762551), AHR (rs4410790), POR (rs17685), XDH (rs206860) and ADORA2A (rs5751876) genes. Association between caffeine consumption and ALSFRS-R, ALSFRS-R rate, ECAS and survival were statistically analyzed to determine the outcome of regular caffeine consumption on ALS disease progression and cognition. No association was observed between caffeine consumption and survival (p = 0.25), functional disability (ALSFRS-R; p = 0.27) or progression of ALS (p = 0.076). However, a significant association was found with higher caffeine consumption and better cognitive performance on ECAS scores in patients carrying the C/T and T/T genotypes at rs2472297 (p-het = 0.004). Our results support the safety of regular caffeine consumption on ALS disease progression and survival and also show its beneficial impact on cognitive performance in patients carrying the minor allele T of rs2472297, considered as fast metabolizers, that would set the ground for a new pharmacogenetic therapeutic strategy.

Causal effects of smoking, alcohol consumption, and coffee intake on hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases: A Mendelian randomization study

BACKGROUND

Hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases, such as cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, cholelithiasis, and pancreatitis, are major global health challenges. Lifestyle factors like smoking, alcohol consumption, and coffee intake are commonly studied for their health impacts. However, observational studies often face issues with confounding factors and reverse causality, making it difficult to establish causal relationships.

METHODS

This research uses Mendelian randomization (MR) to investigate the causal effects of smoking, alcohol use, and coffee intake on 10 hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases. Genetic data from the Sequencing Consortium of Alcohol and Nicotine Use (GSCAN) and self-reported GWAS were used to derive instrumental variables (IVs). The outcomes were obtained from the FinnGen and UK Biobank cohorts. Univariable and multivariable MR analyses were conducted to assess the associations.

RESULTS

Genetic predisposition to tobacco use was associated with increased risks of acute pancreatitis, alcoholic hepatitis, chronic pancreatitis, cirrhosis, gallstones, liver cancer, and pancreatic cancer. Alcohol consumption was linked to acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, alcoholic liver disease, hepatic cancer, and cholangitis. Coffee intake showed minimal associations, with a slight protective effect against non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms the harmful effects of inhaling tobacco and consuming alcohol on hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases. It highlights the need for public health strategies to reduce tobacco use and heavy alcohol consumption. Coffee intake showed minimal effects, suggesting further research is needed to understand its relationship with hepatobiliary health.

Association between sugar-sweetened beverages and pure fruit juice with risk of six cardiovascular diseases: a Mendelian randomization study

BACKGROUND

In observational and prospective cohort studies, intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and pure fruit juice (PFJ) has been associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Still, the causality of the connection has not yet been determined. Our objective was to uncover the relationship between SSBs/PFJ and CVD.

METHODS

Genetically predicted causal associations between SSBs/PFJ (obtained in a published genome-wide association study) and six common CVDs (atrial fibrillation (AF), angina, heart failure (HF), acute myocardial infarction, hypertension, and coronary atherosclerosis) were assessed using MR analytic modeling. The primary analysis method utilized was the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method, complemented by additional methods such as the weighted median method, MR Egger regression, Cochran's Q test, MR pleiotropy residual, funnel plot, Bonferroni correction, and others for MR analysis. To ensure the robustness of the findings, F-values were calculated as a complementary test to set looser thresholds for exposing genetic instrumental variables (P < 1e-5).

RESULTS

The results of MR analysis suggested genetically causal associations between SSBs and AF (odds ratio (OR): 1.023; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.007-1.038; P = 0.0039) as well as between PFJ and angina (OR: 0.968; 95% CI, 0.943-0.993; P = 0.0138) there was genetic causality. However, MR analysis showed no causal association between SSBs/PFJ and other CVD risks.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that there may be a potential causal relationship between SSBs intake and AF and a causal negative association between PFJ intake and angina.

Investigation of the causal relationship between breast cancer and thyroid cancer: a set of two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization study

PURPOSE

A potential association between breast (BC) and thyroid cancer (TC) has been observed. We investigated if the relationship between BC and TC is causal using bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) in Asian and European populations.

METHODS

BC-linked single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were acquired from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) conducted by the Breast Cancer Association Consortium and Biobank Japan. The most recent TC GWAS data were obtained from the FinnGen Project and National Biobank of Korea. We assessed the potential causal relationship between BC and TC using various MR methods, including inverse-variance-weighting (IVW). Sensitivity, heterogeneity, and pleiotropic tests were performed to assess reliability.

RESULTS

We found a bidirectional causal association between BC and TC within Europeans (IVW, TC on BC: odds ratio [OR] 1.090, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.012-1.173, P = 0.023; BC on TC: OR 1.265, 95% CI: 1.158-1.381, P < 0.001). A one-way causal relationship between BC susceptibility and TC risk was found in Asians (IVW BC on TC: OR 2.274, 95% CI: 2.089-2.475, P < 0.001). Subsequently, we identified a noteworthy bidirectional causal relationship between estrogen receptor (ER)-positive BC and TC (IVW, TC on ER-positive BC: OR 1.104, 95% CI: 1.001-1.212, P = 0.038; ER-positive BC on TC: OR 1.223, 95%CI: 1.072-1.395, P = 0.003), but not ER-negative BC and TC in Europeans.

CONCLUSION

We revealed a reciprocal causal association between ER-positive BC and TC. These findings establish a theoretical framework for the simultaneous surveillance and treatment of BC and TC.

The role of coffee and potential mediators in subclinical atherosclerosis: insights from Mendelian randomization study

Background and aims

Coffee contains many bioactive compounds, and its inconsistent association with subclinical atherosclerosis has been reported in observational studies. In this Mendelian randomization study, we investigated whether genetically predicted coffee consumption is associated with subclinical atherosclerosis, as well as the role of potential mediators.

Methods

We first conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis to examine the causal effect of coffee and its subtypes on subclinical atherosclerosis inferred from coronary artery calcification (CAC). Next, the significant results were validated using another independent dataset. Two-step Mendelian randomization analyses were utilized to evaluate the causal pathway from coffee to subclinical atherosclerosis through potential mediators, including blood pressure, blood lipids, body mass index, and glycated hemoglobin. Mendelian randomization analyses were performed using the multiplicative random effects inverse-variance weighted method as the main approach, followed by a series of complementary methods and sensitivity analyses.

Results

Coffee, filtered coffee, and instant coffee were associated with the risk of CAC (β = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.12 to 1.47, p = 0.022; β = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.17 to 1.15, p = 0.008; β = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.20 to 1.13, p = 0.005; respectively). While no significant causal relationship was found between decaffeinated coffee and CAC (β = -1.32, 95% CI: -2.67 to 0.04, p = 0.056). The association between coffee and CAC was validated in the replication analysis (β = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.07 to 0.48, p = 0.009). Body mass index mediated 39.98% of the effect of coffee on CAC (95% CI: 9.78 to 70.19%, p = 0.009), and 5.79% of the effect of instant coffee on CAC (95% CI: 0.54 to 11.04%, p = 0.030).

Conclusion

Our study suggests that coffee other than decaffeinated coffee increases the risk of subclinical atherosclerosis inferred from CAC. Body mass index mediated 39.98 and 5.79% of the causal effects of coffee and instant coffee on CAC, respectively. Coffee should be consumed with caution, especially in individuals with established cardiovascular risk factors, and decaffeinated coffee appears to be a safer choice.

The role of hypertension in the relationship between leisure screen time, physical activity and migraine: a 2-sample Mendelian randomization study

BACKGROUND

The relationship between lifestyle and migraine is complex, as it remains uncertain which specific lifestyle factors play the most prominent role in the development of migraine, or which modifiable metabolic traits serve as mediators in establishing causality.

METHODS

Independent genetic variants strongly associated with 20 lifestyle factors were selected as instrumental variables from corresponding genome-wide association studies (GWASs). Summary-level data for migraine were obtained from the FinnGen consortium (18,477 cases and 287,837 controls) as a discovery set and the GWAS meta-analysis data (26,052 cases and 487,214 controls) as a replication set. Estimates derived from the two datasets were combined using fixed-effects meta-analysis. Two-step univariable MR (UVMR) and multivariable Mendelian randomization (MVMR) analyses were conducted to evaluate 19 potential mediators of association and determine the proportions of these mediators.

RESULTS

The combined effect of inverse variance weighted revealed that a one standard deviation (SD) increase in genetically predicted Leisure screen time (LST) was associated with a 27.7% increase (95% CI: 1.14-1.44) in migraine risk, while Moderate or/and vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was associated with a 26.9% decrease (95% CI: 0.61-0.87) in migraine risk. The results of the mediation analysis indicated that out of the 19 modifiable metabolic risk factors examined, hypertension explains 24.81% of the relationship between LST and the risk of experiencing migraine. Furthermore, hypertension and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) partially weaken the association between MVPA and migraines, mediating 4.86% and 4.66% respectively.

CONCLUSION

Our research findings indicated that both LST and MVPA in lifestyle have independent causal effects on migraine. Additionally, we have identified that hypertension and DBP play a mediating role in the causal pathway between these two factors and migraine.

Association of education with cholelithiasis and mediating effects of cardiometabolic factors: A Mendelian randomization study

BACKGROUND

Education, cognition, and intelligence are associated with cholelithiasis occurrence, yet which one has a prominent effect on cholelithiasis and which cardiometabolic risk factors mediate the causal relationship remain unelucidated.

AIM

To explore the causal associations between education, cognition, and intelligence and cholelithiasis, and the cardiometabolic risk factors that mediate the associations.

METHODS

Applying genome-wide association study summary statistics of primarily European individuals, we utilized two-sample multivariable Mendelian randomization to estimate the independent effects of education, intelligence, and cognition on cholelithiasis and cholecystitis (FinnGen study, 37041 and 11632 patients, respectively; n = 486484 participants) and performed two-step Mendelian randomization to evaluate 21 potential mediators and their mediating effects on the relationships between each exposure and cholelithiasis.

RESULTS

Inverse variance weighted Mendelian randomization results from the FinnGen consortium showed that genetically higher education, cognition, or intelligence were not independently associated with cholelithiasis and cholecystitis; when adjusted for cholelithiasis, higher education still presented an inverse effect on cholecystitis [odds ratio: 0.292 (95%CI: 0.171-0.501)], which could not be induced by cognition or intelligence. Five out of 21 cardiometabolic risk factors were perceived as mediators of the association between education and cholelithiasis, including body mass index (20.84%), body fat percentage (40.3%), waist circumference (44.4%), waist-to-hip ratio (32.9%), and time spent watching television (41.6%), while time spent watching television was also a mediator from cognition (20.4%) and intelligence to cholelithiasis (28.4%). All results were robust to sensitivity analyses.

CONCLUSION

Education, cognition, and intelligence all play crucial roles in the development of cholelithiasis, and several cardiometabolic mediators have been identified for prevention of cholelithiasis due to defects in each exposure.

The effect of coffee consumption on three main bone disorders: a Mendelian randomization trial

INTRODUCTION

Despite a large number of observational studies examining the effect of coffee consumption(CC) on bone disorders(BDs), particularly, osteoarthritis(OA), osteoportic fracture(OF), and rheumatoid arthritis(RA), the conclusions are highly controversial. Thus, it is essential to examine the causal association between CC and BDs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was performed to assess the causal influence of CC on OF, RA, and OA. The main endpoint was the odds ratio (OR) of the inverse variance weighted (IVW) approach. In addition, the weighted median (WM), MR-Egger regressions, MR-pleiotropy residual sum and outlier (MR-PRESSO) and multivariable MR (MVMR) were included in sensitivity analyses. Furthermore, the function of causal SNPs was evaluated by gene ontology (GO) analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis, and protein-protein interaction networks.

RESULTS

Primary MR analysis based on the IVW method suggested that changes in CC alter risk of OF (OR = 1.383, 95%CI 1.079-1.853, P = 0.039), RA(OR: 1.623, 95%CI 1.042-2.527, P = 0.032) and HOA (hip osteoarthritis, OR = 1.536, 95% CI 1.044-2.259, P = 0.021). However, these causal relationships were not robust in sensitivity analyses. In contrast, there is a positive causal relationship between increased CC and the risk of KOA (knee osteoarthritis, OR: 2.094, 95%CI: 1.592-2.754, P = 1.41 × 10-7), as evidenced by the IVW using random effect. A similar effect size was observed across all MR sensitivity analyses, with no evidence of horizontal pleiotropy.

CONCLUSION

Based on our MR analysis, increased CC was causally linked to an increase in the risk of KOA. Genetic predictions suggested that CC reduction may have benefits for bone health.

Effect of coffee, tea and alcohol intake on circulating inflammatory cytokines: a two sample-Mendelian randomization study

BACKGROUND

Despite the abundance of research examining the effects of coffee, tea, and alcohol on inflammatory diseases, there is a notable absence of conclusive evidence regarding their direct causal influence on circulating inflammatory cytokines. Previous studies have primarily concentrated on established cytokines, neglecting the potential impact of beverage consumption on lesser-studied but equally important cytokines.

METHODS

Information regarding the consumption of coffee, tea, and alcohol was collected from the UK Biobank, with sample sizes of 428,860, 447,485, and 462,346 individuals, respectively. Data on 41 inflammatory cytokines were obtained from summary statistics of 8293 healthy participants from Finnish cohorts.

RESULTS

The consumption of coffee was found to be potentially associated with decreased levels of Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (β = -0.57, 95% CI -1.06 ~ -0.08; p = 0.022) and Stem cell growth factor beta (β = -0.64, 95% CI -1.16 ~ -0.12; p = 0.016), as well as an increase in TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (β = 0.43, 95% CI 0.06 ~ 0.8; p = 0.023) levels. Conversely, tea intake was potentially correlated with a reduction in Interleukin-8 (β = -0.45, 95% CI -0.9 ~ 0; p = 0.045) levels. Moreover, our results indicated an association between alcohol consumption and decreased levels of Regulated on Activation, Normal T Cell Expressed and Secreted (β = -0.24, 95% CI -0.48 ~ 0; p = 0.047), as well as an increase in Stem cell factor (β = 0.17, 95% CI 0.02 ~ 0.31; p = 0.023) and Stromal cell-derived factor-1 alpha (β = 0.20, 95% CI 0.04 ~ 0.36; p = 0.013).

CONCLUSION

Revealing the interactions between beverage consumption and various inflammatory cytokines may lead to the discovery of novel therapeutic targets, thereby facilitating dietary interventions to complement clinical disease treatments.

Pleiotropy and genetically inferred causality linking multisite chronic pain to substance use disorders

Individuals suffering from chronic pain develop substance use disorders (SUDs) more often than others. Understanding the shared genetic influences underlying the comorbidity between chronic pain and SUDs will lead to a greater understanding of their biology. Genome-wide association statistics were obtained from the UK Biobank for multisite chronic pain (MCP, Neffective = 387,649) and from the Million Veteran Program and the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium meta-analyses for alcohol use disorder (AUD, Neffective = 296,974), cannabis use disorder (CanUD, Neffective = 161,053), opioid use disorder (OUD, Neffective = 57,120), and problematic tobacco use (PTU, Neffective = 270,120). SNP-based heritability was estimated for each of the traits and genetic correlation (rg) analyses were performed to assess MCP-SUD pleiotropy. Bidirectional Mendelian Randomization analyses evaluated possible causal relationships. Finally, to identify and characterize individual loci, we performed a genome-wide pleiotropy analysis and a brain-wide analysis using imaging phenotypes available from the UK Biobank. MCP was positively genetically correlated with AUD (rg = 0.26, p = 7.55 × 10-18), CanUD (rg = 0.37, p = 8.21 × 10-37), OUD (rg = 0.20, p = 1.50 × 10-3), and PTU (rg = 0.29, p = 8.53 × 10-12). Although the MR analyses supported bi-directional relationships, MCP had larger effects on AUD (pain-exposure: beta = 0.18, p = 8.21 × 10-4; pain-outcome: beta = 0.07, p = 0.018), CanUD (pain-exposure: beta = 0.58, p = 2.70 × 10-6; pain-outcome: beta = 0.05, p = 0.014) and PTU (pain-exposure: beta = 0.43, p = 4.16 × 10-8; pain-outcome: beta = 0.09, p = 3.05 × 10-6) than the reverse. The genome-wide analysis identified two SNPs pleiotropic between MCP and all SUD investigated: IHO1 rs7652746 (ppleiotropy = 2.69 × 10-8), and CADM2 rs1248857 (ppleiotropy = 1.98 × 10-5). In the brain-wide analysis, rs7652746 was associated with multiple cerebellum and amygdala imaging phenotypes. When analyzing MCP pleiotropy with each SUD separately, we found 25, 22, and 4 pleiotropic variants for AUD, CanUD, and OUD, respectively. To our knowledge, this is the first large-scale study to provide evidence of potential causal relationships and shared genetic mechanisms underlying MCP-SUD comorbidity.

The Multidisciplinary Approach in the Management of Patients with Kidney Stone Disease-A State-of-the-Art Review

Kidney stone disease has a multifactorial etiology, and evolving dietary habits necessitate continuous updates on the impact of dietary components on lithogenesis. The relationship between diseases influenced by lifestyle, such as obesity and diabetes, and kidney stone risk underscores the need for comprehensive lifestyle analysis. Effective management of kidney stones requires a multidisciplinary approach, involving collaboration among nutritionists, urologists, nephrologists, and other healthcare professionals to address the complex interactions between diet, lifestyle, and individual susceptibility. Personalized dietary therapy, based on each patient's unique biochemical and dietary profile, is essential and necessitates comprehensive nutritional assessments. Accurate dietary intake evaluation is best achieved through seven-day, real-time dietary records. Key factors influencing urinary risk include fluid intake, dietary protein, carbohydrates, oxalate, calcium, and sodium chloride. Personalized interventions, such as customized dietary changes based on gut microbiota, may improve stone prevention and recurrence. Current research suggests individualized guidance on alcohol intake and indicates that tea and coffee consumption might protect against urolithiasis. There is potential evidence linking tobacco use and secondhand smoke to increased kidney stone risk. The effects of vitamins and physical activity on kidney stone risk remain unresolved due to mixed evidence. For diseases influenced by lifestyle, conclusive evidence on targeted interventions for nephrolithiasis prevention is lacking, though preliminary research suggests potential benefits. Management strategies emphasize lifestyle modifications to reduce recurrence risks, support rapid recovery, and identify predisposing conditions, highlighting the importance of these changes despite inconclusive data.

Genome-wide association studies of lifetime and frequency cannabis use in 131,895 individuals

Cannabis is one of the most widely used drugs globally. Decriminalization of cannabis is further increasing cannabis consumption. We performed genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of lifetime (N=131,895) and frequency (N=73,374) of cannabis use. Lifetime cannabis use GWAS identified two loci, one near CADM2 (rs11922956, p=2.40E-11) and another near GRM3 (rs12673181, p=6.90E-09). Frequency of use GWAS identified one locus near CADM2 (rs4856591, p=8.10E-09; r2 =0.76 with rs11922956). Both traits were heritable and genetically correlated with previous GWASs of lifetime use and cannabis use disorder (CUD), as well as other substance use and cognitive traits. Polygenic scores (PGSs) for lifetime and frequency of cannabis use associated cannabis use phenotypes in AllofUs participants. Phenome-wide association study of lifetime cannabis use PGS in a hospital cohort replicated associations with substance use and mood disorders, and uncovered associations with celiac and infectious diseases. This work demonstrates the value of GWASs of CUD transition risk factors.

The relationship between height and fruit/vegetable intakes in adults: A nationwide cross-sectional study

Background: Worldwide, fruit and vegetable intake is below recommendations. There is increasing evidence to suggest an association between height and diet. Aim: to analyse the associations of fruit and vegetable intake with attained height in Portuguese adults. Methods: A representative sample of 17 480 Portuguese adults (56.7% women) participated in this cross-sectional study. The survey comprised sociodemographic characteristics and self-reported height and weight. We performed regression models to assess the associations between height and fruit and vegetable consumption. Results: Compared with no intakes, those men with higher fruit and vegetables intake had 0.54 cm (95% CI 0.04; 1.04) greater height. Also, women with higher intakes of vegetables, fruit and vegetables combined were directly associated with a greater height of 0.29 cm (95% CI 0.03; 0.56 in vegetables) and 0.51 cm (95% CI 0.09; 0.93 in fruit and vegetables combined). Conclusion: Greater consumption of fruit and vegetables was directly associated with higher height in adults. From a health promotion perspective, intervention programmes aiming at improving fruit and vegetable intake should be highlighted so that full height potential is achieved.

The relationship between coffee-related factors and cortical and hippocampal structure: a triangulation of evidence approach and Mendelian randomization research

Objective

Existing studies have reported sustained changes in the cortical structure of rats due to coffee-related factors, which are speculated to occur in the human body. However, there is a lack of research on this topic. Additionally, previous observational studies have found the impact of diseases on cortical structure and the potential therapeutic effects of coffee on these diseases. Our aim was to study the causal effects of coffee-related factors on the human brain using SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms). We will connect these discovered causal effects to the impact of diseases on the brain. Through triangulating evidence, we will reveal the potential active areas of coffee in preventing diseases.

Methods

We utilized GWAS data from multiple cohorts and their databases, selecting instrumental variables for genetic prediction of coffee intake and plasma levels of caffeine and its direct metabolites. We applied these instrumental variables to individual data on cortical thickness and surface area, as well as hippocampal volume, from the ENIGMA and CHARGE consortium for Mendelian randomization analysis (MR). Triangular evidence was obtained by integrating existing evidence through a specified retrieval strategy, calculating the overlap between coffee's effects on brain regions and disease-related brain regions to identify potential regions of action.

Results

The MR analysis yielded 93 positive results for 9 exposures, among which theobromine, a metabolite in the caffeine pathway, was found to be associated with increased hippocampal volume. For cortical structure, theobromine in the caffeine pathway was associated with a decrease in total surface area, while theobromine and caffeine in the pathway were associated with an increase in total thickness. The overlap rate of triangular evidence showed no difference in both overall and subgroup analyses, indicating a high overlap between the effects of coffee on brain regions and disease.

Conclusions

From predicted outcomes from causal effects, coffee intake-related factors may have lasting effects on cortical structure. Additionally, theobromine and theophylline have the greatest impact on certain brain gyri, rather than caffeine. Triangulation evidence indicates that disease and coffee intake-related factors act on the same cortical regions, suggesting the presence of potential shared or antagonistic pathways.

A phenome-wide association and Mendelian randomisation study of alcohol use variants in a diverse cohort comprising over 3 million individuals

BACKGROUND

Alcohol consumption is associated with numerous negative social and health outcomes. These associations may be direct consequences of drinking, or they may reflect common genetic factors that influence both alcohol consumption and other outcomes.

METHODS

We performed exploratory phenome-wide association studies (PheWAS) of three of the best studied protective single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes encoding ethanol metabolising enzymes (ADH1B: rs1229984-T, rs2066702-A; ADH1C: rs698-T) using up to 1109 health outcomes across 28 phenotypic categories (e.g., substance-use, mental health, sleep, immune, cardiovascular, metabolic) from a diverse 23andMe cohort, including European (N ≤ 2,619,939), Latin American (N ≤ 446,646) and African American (N ≤ 146,776) populations to uncover new and perhaps unexpected associations. These SNPs have been consistently implicated by both candidate gene studies and genome-wide association studies of alcohol-related behaviours but have not been investigated in detail for other relevant phenotypes in a hypothesis-free approach in such a large cohort of multiple ancestries. To provide insight into potential causal effects of alcohol consumption on the outcomes significant in the PheWAS, we performed univariable two-sample and one-sample Mendelian randomisation (MR) analyses.

FINDINGS

The minor allele rs1229984-T, which is protective against alcohol behaviours, showed the highest number of PheWAS associations across the three cohorts (N = 232, European; N = 29, Latin American; N = 7, African American). rs1229984-T influenced multiple domains of health. We replicated associations with alcohol-related behaviours, mental and sleep conditions, and cardio-metabolic health. We also found associations with understudied traits related to neurological (migraines, epilepsy), immune (allergies), musculoskeletal (fibromyalgia), and reproductive health (preeclampsia). MR analyses identified evidence of causal effects of alcohol consumption on liability for 35 of these outcomes in the European cohort.

INTERPRETATION

Our work demonstrates that polymorphisms in genes encoding alcohol metabolising enzymes affect multiple domains of health beyond alcohol-related behaviours. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of these effects could have implications for treatments and preventative medicine.

FUNDING

MVJ, NCK, SBB, SSR and AAP were supported by T32IR5226 and 28IR-0070. SSR was also supported by NIDA DP1DA054394. NCK and RBC were also supported by R25MH081482. ASH was supported by funds from NIAAA K01AA030083. JLMO was supported by VA 1IK2CX002095. JLMO and JJMM were also supported by NIDA R21DA050160. JJMM was also supported by the Kavli Postdoctoral Award for Academic Diversity. EGA was supported by K01MH121659 from the NIMH/NIH, the Caroline Wiess Law Fund for Research in Molecular Medicine and the ARCO Foundation Young Teacher-Investigator Fund at Baylor College of Medicine. MSA was supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III and co-funded by the European Union Found: Fondo Social Europeo Plus (FSE+) (P19/01224, PI22/00464 and CP22/00128).

Beverage consumption and facial skin aging: Evidence from Mendelian randomization analysis

BACKGROUND

Observational studies have linked coffee, alcohol, tea, and sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption to facial skin aging. However, confounding factors may influence these studies. The present two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) investigated the potential causal association between beverage consumption and facial skin aging.

METHODS

The single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with coffee, alcohol, and tea intake were derived from the IEU project. The SSB-associated SNPs were selected from a genome-wide association study (GWAS). Data on facial skin aging were derived from the largest GWAS involving 16 677 European individuals. The inverse variance-weighted (IVW) was the main MR analysis method, supplemented by other methods (MR-Egger, weighted median, simple mode, and weighted mode). The MR-Egger intercept analysis was used for sensitivity analysis. Moreover, we conducted a replication analysis using data from another GWAS dataset on coffee consumption to validate our findings.

RESULTS

Four instrumental variables (IVs) sets were used to examine the causal association between beverage consumption (coffee, alcohol, tea, SSB) and facial skin aging. Our results revealed that genetically predicted higher coffee consumption reduced the risk of facial skin aging (OR: 0.852; 95% CI: 0.753-0.964; p = 0.011, IVW method). The sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of the findings, with no evidence of pleiotropy or heterogeneity. The results of replicated MR analysis on coffee consumption were consistent with the initial analysis (OR = 0.997; 95% CI = 0.996-0.999; p = 0.003, IVW method).

CONCLUSIONS

This study manifests that higher coffee consumption is significantly associated with a reduced risk of facial skin aging. These findings can offer novel strategies for identifying the underlying etiology of facial skin aging.

Understanding the determinants of sweet taste liking in the African and East Asian ancestry groups in the U.S.-A study protocol

BACKGROUND

The liking for sweet taste is a powerful driver for consuming added sugars, and therefore, understanding how sweet liking is formed is a critical step in devising strategies to lower added sugars consumption. However, current research on the influence of genetic and environmental factors on sweet liking is mostly based on research conducted with individuals of European ancestry. Whether these results can be generalized to people of other ancestry groups warrants investigation.

METHODS

We will determine the differences in allele frequencies in sweet-related genetic variants and their effects on sweet liking in 426 adults of either African or East Asian ancestry, who have the highest and lowest average added sugars intake, respectively, among ancestry groups in the U.S. We will collect information on participants' sweet-liking phenotype, added sugars intake (sweetness exposure), anthropometric measures, place-of-birth, and for immigrants, duration of time living in the U.S. and age when immigrated. Ancestry-specific polygenic scores of sweet liking will be computed based on the effect sizes of the sweet-related genetic variants on the sweet-liking phenotype for each ancestry group. The predictive validity of the polygenic scores will be tested using individuals of African and East Asian ancestry from the UK Biobank. We will also compare sweet liking between U.S.-born individuals and immigrants within each ancestry group to test whether differences in environmental sweetness exposure during childhood affect sweet liking in adulthood.

DISCUSSION

Expanding genetic research on taste to individuals from ancestry groups traditionally underrepresented in such research is consistent with equity goals in sensory and nutrition science. Findings from this study will help in the development of a more personalized nutrition approach for diverse populations.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This protocol has been preregistered with the Center for Open Science (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/WPR9E).

Causal association of genetically determined caffeine intake from tea or coffee with bone health: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study

BACKGROUND

Relationship of caffeine intake and consumption of caffeinated beverages, such as tea and coffee, with bone health remains controversial. This study aimed to evaluate whether genetically determined caffeine intake from tea or coffee has causal effects on overall total body bone mineral density (TB-BMD) and fracture. We also assessed the association with TB-BMD in five age strata.

METHODS

Using two-sample Mendelian randomization approach, summary statistics were retrieved from genome-wide association studies (GWAS)/GWAS meta-analyses of caffeine intake from tea (n = 395 866)/coffee (n = 373 522), TB-BMD (n = 66 628), and fracture (n = 426 795). Inverse variance weighted method was adopted as the main univariable analysis. Multivariable analysis was conducted to evaluate whether the causal effect is independent.

RESULTS

In univariable analysis, genetically determined caffeine intake from tea had positive association with overall TB-BMD (per SD increase in genetically determined caffeine intake, beta of TB-BMD [in SD]: 0.166; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.006-0.326) and inverse association with fracture (OR = 0.79; 95% CI: 0.654-0.954). Genetically determined caffeine intake from coffee was also positively associated with overall TB-BMD (beta = 0.231; 95% CI: 0.093-0.369). The association remained significant after adjustment for smoking in multivariable analysis. Genetically determined caffeine intake from tea or coffee was both positively associated with TB-BMD in the age strata of 45-60 years, but we lacked evidence of association in other strata.

CONCLUSIONS

Genetically, caffeine intake from tea or coffee may be beneficial to bone health. Due to the ascertainment method of caffeine intake from tea, our study also implied genetically higher tea consumption may improve TB-BMD and lower fracture risk.

Lifestyle factors, glycemic traits, and lipoprotein traits and risk of liver cancer: a Mendelian randomization analysis

The current state of knowledge on the relationship between lifestyle factors, glycemic traits, lipoprotein traits with liver cancer risk is still uncertain despite some attempts made by observational studies. This study aims to investigate the causal genetic relationship between factors highly associated with liver cancer incidence by using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. Employing MR analysis, this study utilized previously published GWAS datasets to investigate whether lifestyle factors, glycemic traits, and lipoprotein traits would affect the risk of liver cancer. The study utilized three MR methods, including inverse variance-weighted model (IVW), MR Egger, and weighted median. Furthermore, MR-Egger analyses were performed to detect heterogeneity in the MR results. The study also conducted a leave-one-out analysis to assess the potential influence of individual SNPs on the MR analysis results. MR-PRESSO was used to identify and remove SNP outliers associated with liver cancer. MR analyses revealed that 2-h glucose (odds ratio, OR 2.33, 95% confidence interval, CI 1.28-4.21), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM, OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.18-2.37), body mass index (BMI, OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.18-2.37), waist circumference (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.18-2.37) were associated with increased risk of liver cancer. On the contrary, apolipoproteins B (APOB, OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.47-0.97), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL, OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.42-0.92) were negatively related to liver cancer risk. Additionally, after adjusting for BMI, apolipoproteins A-I (APOA-I, OR 0.56, 95% CI, 0.38-0.81), total cholesterol (TC, OR 0.72, 95% CI, 0.54-0.94), and total triglycerides (TG, OR 0.57, 95% CI, 0.40-0.78) exhibited a significant inverse correlation with the risk of liver cancer. This study supports a causal relationship between 2-h glucose, T2DM, BMI, and waist circumference with the increased risk of liver cancer. Conversely, the study reveals a cause-effect relationship between TC, TG, LDL, APOA-I, and APOB with a decreased risk of liver cancer.

Beverages - a scoping review for Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023

Background: Coffee, tea, sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), and low- and no-calorie sweetened beverages (LNCSBs) are generally frequently consumed in the Nordic and Baltic countries. These beverages have also been related to potential health effects. This scoping review describes the evidence for the role of coffee, tea, SSBs, and LNCSBs for health-related outcomes as a basis for setting and updating food-based dietary guidelines. We used evidence from several qualified systematic reviews (i.e. World Cancer Research Fund, US Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, European Food Safety Authority, and World Health Organization) and performed a search for additional systematic reviews. The evidence suggests that moderate coffee and tea consumption do not have long-term adverse health effects. The long-term favorable effects of coffee consumption are related to reduced risk of endometrial and liver cancer, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular deaths. However, results from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) suggest that coffee brews that are rich in diterpenes, such as boiled coffee, increase serum cholesterol concentrations. High caffeine intake in pregnancy is associated with higher risk of pregnancy loss, preterm birth, and low birth weight. High consumption of SSBs has been associated with increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease, based on data from RCTs and prospective cohort studies. The consumption of LNCSBs may result in a small reduction in body weight in adults, likely mediated through the effect of reduced energy intake, but has neutral effects on other cardiometabolic risk markers using evidence from RCTs. However, evidence from observational studies indicates increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases among high LNCSB consumers. In conclusion, current evidence suggests that moderate coffee and tea consumption have no long-term adverse health effects. The evidence of beneficial effects of coffee consumption on liver and endometrial cancer risk, and some cardiovascular outcomes, comes from observational studies. High consumption of boiled coffee should be avoided due to negative effect on lipid profile. Pregnant women should not exceed the recommended daily dose of caffeine intake of 200 mg set by the European Food Safety Authority as a safe level for the fetus. High consumption of SSBs has consistently been associated with adverse health effects, which is mainly due to excess energy intake, and should be limited. The conflicting results from RCTs and observational studies regarding LNCSBs may be due to revere causation and should be explored further.

Elucidating the causal landscape: Mendelian randomization analysis of lifestyle and physiological factors in stress urinary incontinence

PURPOSE

To explore the potential causal links between obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2D), and lifestyle choices (such as smoking, alcohol and coffee consumption, and vigorous physical activity) on stress urinary incontinence (SUI), this study employs a Mendelian Randomization approach. This research aims to clarify these associations, which have been suggested but not conclusively established in prior observational studies.

METHODS

Genetic instruments associated with the exposures at the genome-wide significance (p < 5 × 10-8) were selected from corresponding genome-wide association studies. Summary-level data for SUI, was obtained from the UK Biobank. A two-sample MR analysis was employed to estimate causal effects, utilizing the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method as the primary analytical approach. Complementary sensitivity analyses including MR-PRESSO, MR-Egger, and weighted median methods were performed. The horizontal pleiotropy was detected by using MR-Egger intercept and MR-PRESSO methods, and the heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran's Q statistics.

RESULTS

Our findings demonstrate a significant causal relationship between higher body mass index (BMI) and the risk of SUI, with increased abdominal adiposity (WHRadjBMI) similarly linked to SUI. Smoking initiation is also causally associated with an elevated risk. However, our analysis did not find definitive causal connections for other factors, including T2D, alcohol consumption, coffee intake, and vigorous physical activity.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings provide valuable insights for clinical strategies targeting SUI, suggesting a need for heightened awareness and potential intervention in individuals with higher BMI, WHR, and smoking habits. Further research is warranted to explore the complex interplay between genetic predisposition and lifestyle choices in the pathogenesis of SUI.

Artificially sweetened beverages consumption and risk of obesity-related cancers: a wide-angled Mendelian randomization study

Background

The impact of artificially sweetened beverages (ASBs) consumption on obesity-related cancers (ORCs) risk remains controversial. To address this challenging issue, this study employed wide-angle mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to explore the genetic causality between ASB consumption and the risk of ORCs, thereby effectively minimizing the impact of external confounders.

Methods

We conducted a suite of analyses encompassing univariable, multivariable, and two-step MR to evaluate causal associations between ASB consumption (samples = 85,852) and risk of ORCs (total samples = 2,974,770) using summary statistics from genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Total, direct, and intermediary effects were derived by performing inverse-variance weighted (IVW), MR-Egger, weighted mode, weighted median, and lasso method. Additionally, we performed an extensive range of sensitivity analyses to counteract the potential effects of confounders, heterogeneity, and pleiotropy, enhancing the robustness and reliability of the findings.

Results

Genetically predicted ASB consumption was positively associated with the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC, p = 0.011; OR: 6.879; 95% CI: 1.551, 30.512 by IVW) and breast cancer (p = 0.022; OR: 3.881; 95% CI: 2.023, 9.776 by IVW). Multivariable analysis yielded similar results. The results of the two-step MR unveiled that body mass index (BMI) assumes a pivotal role in mediating the association between ASB consumption and CRC risk (intermediary effect = 0.068, p = 0.024).

Conclusion

No causal connection exists between ASB consumption and the majority of ORCs, in addition to CRC and breast cancer. Additionally, our findings suggest that BMI might be a potential mediator in the association between ASB consumption and CRC.

Functional 3'-UTR Variants Identify Regulatory Mechanisms Impacting Alcohol Use Disorder and Related Traits

Although genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified loci associated with alcohol consumption and alcohol use disorder (AUD), they do not identify which variants are functional. To approach this, we evaluated the impact of variants in 3' untranslated regions (3'-UTRs) of genes in loci associated with substance use and neurological disorders using a massively parallel reporter assay (MPRA) in neuroblastoma and microglia cells. Functionally impactful variants explained a higher proportion of heritability of alcohol traits than non-functional variants. We identified genes whose 3'UTR activities are associated with AUD and alcohol consumption by combining variant effects from MPRA with GWAS results. We examined their effects by evaluating gene expression after CRISPR inhibition of neuronal cells and stratifying brain tissue samples by MPRA-derived 3'-UTR activity. A pathway analysis of differentially expressed genes identified inflammation response pathways. These analyses suggest that variation in response to inflammation contributes to the propensity to increase alcohol consumption.

Coffee and the risk of osteoarthritis: a two-sample, two-step multivariable Mendelian randomization study

Purpose: To investigate the potential causal relationship between coffee consumption and osteoarthritis (OA), and to disentangle whether body mass index (BMI) and Bone mineral density (BMD) mediate this relationship. Methods: We performed two-sample and two-step Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses utilizing publicly available genome-wide association studies (GWAS) summary statistics to estimate the association between coffee intake and OA risk (including knee OA, hip OA, knee or hip OA, and total OA), as well as the possible mediating effects of BMI and BMD. In addition, data of different coffee types (decaffeinated coffee, instant coffee, ground coffee-including espresso, filter, etc., and other coffee types) were used to explore the effect of coffee type on the risk of OA. Results: In two-sample MR, coffee intake increased the risk of OA in various sites, with the most significant impact observed in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) (odds ratio [OR] 2.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.57-2.61, p < 0.001). The effect on self-reported OA was minimal (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.05, p = 0.006). Further analysis of different types of coffee revealed that only decaffeinated coffee was causally associated with both KOA (OR 4.40, 95% CI 1.71-11.33, p = 0.002) and self-reported OA (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.02-1.26, p = 0.022). In two-step MR, BMI explained over half of the coffee intake-all OA risk association, while BMD accounted for less than 5% of the mediation effect. Conclusion: Our study suggests that coffee intake increase the risk of OA, with BMI playing a significant mediating role. Decaffeinated coffee appears to have the greatest impact on OA risk compared to other types of coffee. Therefore, managing BMI and selecting appropriate types of coffee should be included in the health management of individuals who frequently consume coffee.

Genetic architecture of alcohol consumption identified by a genotype-stratified GWAS and impact on esophageal cancer risk in Japanese people

An East Asian-specific variant on aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2 rs671, G>A) is the major genetic determinant of alcohol consumption. We performed an rs671 genotype-stratified genome-wide association study meta-analysis of alcohol consumption in 175,672 Japanese individuals to explore gene-gene interactions with rs671 behind drinking behavior. The analysis identified three genome-wide significant loci (GCKR, KLB, and ADH1B) in wild-type homozygotes and six (GCKR, ADH1B, ALDH1B1, ALDH1A1, ALDH2, and GOT2) in heterozygotes, with five showing genome-wide significant interaction with rs671. Genetic correlation analyses revealed ancestry-specific genetic architecture in heterozygotes. Of the discovered loci, four (GCKR, ADH1B, ALDH1A1, and ALDH2) were suggested to interact with rs671 in the risk of esophageal cancer, a representative alcohol-related disease. Our results identify the genotype-specific genetic architecture of alcohol consumption and reveal its potential impact on alcohol-related disease risk.

Genetic Variants of Adrenoceptors

Adrenoceptors are class A G-protein-coupled receptors grouped into three families (α1-, α2-, and β-adrenoceptors), each one including three members. All nine corresponding adrenoceptor genes display genetic variation in their coding and adjacent non-coding genomic region. Coding variants, i.e., nucleotide exchanges within the transcribed and translated receptor sequence, may result in a difference in amino acid sequence thus altering receptor function and signaling. Such variants have been intensely studied in vitro in overexpression systems and addressed in candidate-gene studies for distinct clinical parameters. In recent years, large cohorts were analyzed in genome-wide association studies (GWAS), where variants are detected as significant in context with specific traits. These studies identified two of the in-depth characterized 18 coding variants in adrenoceptors as repeatedly statistically significant genetic risk factors - p.Arg389Gly in the β1- and p.Thr164Ile in the β2-adrenoceptor, along with 56 variants in the non-coding regions adjacent to the adrenoceptor gene loci, the functional role of which is largely unknown at present. This chapter summarizes current knowledge on the two coding variants in adrenoceptors that have been consistently validated in GWAS and provides a prospective overview on the numerous non-coding variants more recently attributed to adrenoceptor gene loci.

Genetically predicted lifestyle factors, socioeconomic status and risk of coronary artery disease in individuals with diabetes: a Mendelian randomization study

Background

This study explores the causal links between genetically predicted lifestyle factors, socioeconomic status, and coronary artery disease (CAD) risk in individuals with diabetes using a bidirectional Mendelian-randomization approach.

Methods

This study explored the potential causal relationships of lifestyle factors and socioeconomic status with the risk of CAD in diabetes patients by a bidirectional, two-sample Mendelian-randomization (MR) analysis.

Results

Genetically predicted smoking initiation (p = 0.005, 95% CI: 1.08-1.55) and insomnia (p = 0.001, 95% CI: 1.06-1.29) were associated with a higher risk of CAD in individuals with diabetes, whereas educational attainment (p = 0.0001, 95% CI: 0.47-0.78) was associated with a lower risk of CAD. The lifetime smoking index (p = 0.016, 95% CI: 1.12-3.03) was suggestively associated with a higher risk of CAD, while household income before taxes (p = 0.048, 95% CI: 0.41-1.00) was suggestively associated with a lower risk of CAD. In addition, we observed a suggestive negative association between the genetically predicted risk of CAD and the lifetime smoking index (p = 0.016, 95% CI: 0.98-0.99) and a significant causal relationship between the risk of CAD and household income before taxes (p = 0.006, 95% CI: 0.97-0.99).

Conclusion

The results of this study provide evidence that smoking initiation, lifetime smoking index and insomnia are associated with an increased risk of CAD in individuals with diabetes, educational attainment and household income before taxes are associated with a reduced risk of CAD in individuals with diabetes, and the possible role of lifetime smoking index and household income before taxes on the risk of CAD in individuals with diabetes. It provides an opportunity for the prevention and management of CAD in individuals with diabetes.

Genetic association between coffee/caffeine consumption and the risk of obstructive sleep apnea in the European population: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study

BACKGROUND

The association between coffee/caffeine consumption and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) risk remains unclear.

PURPOSE

To determine the relationship between coffee/caffeine consumption and the risk of OSA, using the Mendelian randomization (MR) method in the European population.

METHODS

Two sets of coffee consumption-associated genetic variants were, respectively, extracted from the recent genome-wide meta-analysis (GWMA) and genome-wide association study (GWAS) of coffee consumption. Taking other caffeine sources into account, genetic variants associated with caffeine consumption from tea and plasma caffeine (reflecting total caffeine intake) were also obtained. The inverse variance weighted (IVW) technique was utilized as the primary analysis, supplemented by the MR-Egger, weighted-median, and MR-Pleiotropy RESidual Sum and Outlier (PRESSO) techniques. Leave-one-out (LOO) analysis was performed to assess whether the overall casual estimates were driven by a single SNP. Additional sensitivity analyses were performed using similar methods, while the genetic variants associated with confounders, e.g., body mass index and hypertension, were excluded.

RESULTS

The IVW method demonstrated that coffee consumption GWMA (OR: 1.065, 95% CI 0.927-1.224, p = 0.376), coffee consumption GWAS (OR: 1.665, 95% CI 0.932-2.977, p = 0.086), caffeine from tea (OR: 1.198, 95% CI 0.936-1.534, p = 0.151), and blood caffeine levels (OR: 1.054, 95% CI 0.902-1.231, p = 0.508) were unlikely to be associated with the risk of OSA. The other three methods presented similar results, where no significant associations were found. No single genetic variant was driving the overall estimates by the LOO analysis. These findings were also supported by the sensitivity analyses with no confounding genetic variants.

CONCLUSION

Our study found no association between coffee/caffeine consumption and the risk of OSA.

Understanding the Determinants of Sweet Liking in the African and East Asian Ancestry Groups in the U.S. - A Study Protocol

Background

The liking for sweet taste is a powerful driver for consuming added sugars, and therefore, understanding how sweet liking is formed is a critical step in devising strategies to lower added sugars consumption. However, current research on the influence of genetic and environmental factors on sweet liking is mostly based on research conducted with individuals of European ancestry. Whether these results can be generalized to people of other ancestry groups warrants investigation.

Methods

We will determine the differences in allele frequencies in sweet-related genetic variants and their effects on sweet liking in 426 adults of either African or East Asian ancestry, who have the highest and lowest average added sugars intake, respectively, among ancestry groups in the U.S. We will collect information on participants' sweet-liking phenotype, added sugars intake (sweetness exposure), anthropometric measures, place-of-birth, and for immigrants, duration of time living in the U.S. and age when immigrated. Ancestry-specific polygenic scores of sweet liking will be computed based on the effect sizes of the sweet-related genetic variants on the sweet-liking phenotype for each ancestry group. The predictive validity of the polygenic scores will be tested using individuals of African and East Asian ancestry from the UK Biobank. We will also compare sweet liking between U.S.-born individuals and immigrants within each ancestry group to test whether differences in environmental sweetness exposure during childhood affect sweet liking in adulthood.

Discussion

Expanding genetic research on taste to individuals from ancestry groups traditionally underrepresented in such research is consistent with equity goals in sensory and nutrition science. Findings from this study will help in the development of a more personalized nutrition approach for diverse populations.

Trial registration

This protocol has been preregistered with the Center for Open Science (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/WPR9E) and is approved by the City University of New York Human Research Protection Program (IRB#: 2023-0064-Brooklyn).

Association of coffee and caffeine consumption with risk and prognosis of endometrial cancer and its subgroups: a Mendelian randomization

Background

Previous studies have not established potential causal associations between coffee and caffeine consumption in endometrial cancer (EC) and its subgroups. Therefore, we used a two-sample MR method to assess the causal association between coffee and caffeine consumption and EC risk. We also evaluated the association between these genetically predicted exposures and EC prognosis.

Materials and methods

This study used 12 and two independent single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with coffee and caffeine consumption as instrumental variables at a genome-wide significance level of p < 5 × 10-8. The EC Association Consortium (ECAC) performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) analysis of 12,906 cases and 108,979 controls. FinnGen Consortium performed a GWAS analysis of 1,967 EC cases and 167,189 controls. The primary technique we employed was inverse-variance weighted, followed by the weighted median, MR-Egger regression, and MR robust adjusted profile score methods. We used the MR pleiotropy residual sum, Outlier test, and MR-Egger regression to assess Outlier and pleiotropic variants. We also conducted a sensitivity analysis through the leave-one-out method.

Results

Genetically predicted coffee consumption was not associated with EC and its subgroups in the ECAC, and the association was consistent in the FinnGen consortium. After excluding eight SNPs with confounding factors, the study performed sensitivity analyses, delivering consistent results. We also observed that caffeine consumption was not correlated with EC risk. As confirmed by MR analysis, selected SNPs determined that most do not significantly impact the likelihood of developing EC.

Conclusion

Our study indicated no convincing evidence supports coffee and caffeine consumption causing EC or impacting its prognosis. More studies are needed to validate the results.

Apolipoprotein B and interleukin 1 receptor antagonist: reversing the risk of coronary heart disease

Aims

Epidemiological evidence for the link of interleukin 1 (IL-1) and its inhibition with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remains controversial. We aim to investigate the cardiovascular effects of IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) and underlying mechanisms.

Methods

Genetic variants identified from a genome-wide association study involving 30,931 individuals were used as instrumental variables for the serum IL-1Ra concentrations. Genetic associations with CVDs and cardiometabolic risk factors were obtained from international genetic consortia. Inverse-variance weighted method was utilized to derive effect estimates, while supplementary analyses employing various statistical approaches.

Results

Genetically determined IL-1Ra level was associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD; OR, 1.07; 95% CI: 1.03-1.17) and myocardial infarction (OR, 1.13; 95% CI: 1.04-1.21). The main results remained consistent in supplementary analyses. Besides, IL-1Ra was associated with circulating levels of various lipoprotein lipids, apolipoproteins and fasting glucose. Interestingly, observed association pattern with CHD was reversed when adjusting for apolipoprotein B (OR, 0.84; 95%CI: 0.71-0.99) and slightly attenuated on accounting for other cardiometabolic risk factors. Appropriate lifestyle intervention was found to lower IL-1Ra concentration and mitigate the heightened CHD risk it posed.

Conclusion

Apolipoprotein B represents the key driver, and a potential target for reversal of the causal link between serum IL-1Ra and increased risk of CHD/MI. The combined therapy involving IL-1 inhibition and lipid-modifying treatment aimed at apolipoprotein B merit further exploration.

Lifestyle factors, serum parameters, metabolic comorbidities, and the risk of kidney stones: a Mendelian randomization study

Background and objective

The early identification of modifiable risk factors is important for preventing kidney stones but determining causal associations can be difficult with epidemiological data. We aimed to genetically assess the causality between modifiable factors (lifestyle factors, serum parameters, and metabolic comorbidities) and the risk of kidney stones. Additionally, we aimed to explore the causal impact of education on kidney stones and its potential mediating pathways.

Methods

We conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study to explore the causal association between 44 modifiable risk factors and kidney stones. The FinnGen dataset initially explored the causal relationship of risk factors with kidney stones and the UK Biobank dataset was used as the validation set. Then, a meta-analysis was conducted by combining discovery and validation datasets. We used two-step MR to assess potential mediators and their mediation proportions between education and kidney stones.

Results

The combined results indicated that previous exposures may increase the risk of kidney stones, including sedentary behavior, urinary sodium, the urinary sodium/potassium ratio, the urinary sodium/creatinine ratio, serum calcium, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), the estimated creatinine-based glomerular filtration rate (eGFRcrea), GFR estimated by serum cystatin C (eGFRcys), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), fasting insulin, glycated hemoglobin, and hypertension. Coffee intake, plasma caffeine levels, educational attainment, and the urinary potassium/creatinine ratio may decrease the risk of kidney stones. Ranked by mediation proportion, the effect of education on the risk of kidney stones was mediated by five modifiable risk factors, including sedentary behavior (mediation proportion, 25.7%), smoking initiation (10.2%), BMI (8.2%), T2DM (5.8%), and waist circumference (3.2%).

Conclusion

This study provides MR evidence supporting causal associations of many modifiable risk factors with kidney stones. Sedentary lifestyles, obesity, smoking, and T2DM are mediating factors in the causal relationship between educational attainment and kidney stones. Our results suggest more attention should be paid to these modifiable factors to prevent kidney stones.

Genome-Wide Association Studies of Coffee Intake in UK/US Participants of European Ancestry Uncover Gene-Cohort Influences

Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages. We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of coffee intake in US-based 23andMe participants (N=130,153) and identified 7 significant loci, with many replicating in three multi-ancestral cohorts. We examined genetic correlations and performed a phenome-wide association study across thousands of biomarkers and health and lifestyle traits, then compared our results to the largest available GWAS of coffee intake from UK Biobank (UKB; N=334,659). The results of these two GWAS were highly discrepant. We observed positive genetic correlations between coffee intake and psychiatric illnesses, pain, and gastrointestinal traits in 23andMe that were absent or negative in UKB. Genetic correlations with cognition were negative in 23andMe but positive in UKB. The only consistent observations were positive genetic correlations with substance use and obesity. Our study shows that GWAS in different cohorts could capture cultural differences in the relationship between behavior and genetics.

Coffee consumption and periodontitis: a Mendelian Randomization study

BACKGROUND

Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages in the world, coffee consumption has been growing in the United States over the past 20 years. Periodontitis is defined by the pathologic loss of the periodontal ligament and destruction of the connective tissue attachment and alveolar bone loss and is related to different systemic diseases and conditions. However, the causality has remained unclarified, thus we regarded discovering the causal relationship between coffee consumption and the liability to periodontitis as the objective of the study.

METHODS

Coffee consumption was subdivided into binary coffee consumption and continuous coffee consumption to refine the study design. Genetic instruments were stretched from the MRC-IEU's (MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit) output from the GWAS pipeline using phesant-derived variables based on the UK Biobank, the Gene-Lifestyle Interactions in Dental Endpoints (GLIDE) project, and the joint meta-analysis of a recent GWAS. The IVW (Inverse Variance Weighted) was regarded as the primary method to estimate the causality, a scatter plot revealed the intuitive result, and tests for stability were also carried out.

RESULTS

An effect of continuous coffee consumption on the risk of periodontitis was found, with per SD of coffee consumed increases, the risk of periodontitis rises by 1.04% (Odds Ratio of IVW is 1.0104), while the effect of binary coffee consumption on periodontitis did not meet the requirement of indicating a strong causal association, neither were the reverse causality analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

The study indicated the causality of continuous coffee consumption to the risk of periodontitis with a relatively small scale of effect estimate and no strong evidence for an effect of binary coffee-consuming behavior on periodontitis. There was also no intensive evidence suggesting reverse causality.

Dietary Sugar Research in Preschoolers: Methodological, Genetic, and Cardiometabolic Considerations

Excess dietary sugar intake increases the risk of unhealthy weight gain, an important cardiometabolic risk factor in children. To further our understanding of this relationship, we performed a narrative review using two approaches. First, research examining dietary sugar intake, its associations with cardiometabolic health, impact of genetics on sweet taste perception and intake, and how genetics moderates the association of dietary sugar intake and cardiometabolic risk factors in preschool-aged children 1.5-5 years old is reviewed. Second, methodological considerations for collecting and analyzing dietary intake of sugar, genetic information, and markers of cardiometabolic health among young children are provided. Our key recommendations include the following for researchers: (1) Further longitudinal research on sugar intake and cardiometabolic risk factors is warranted to inform policy decisions and guidelines for healthy eating in preschool-aged children. (2) Consistency in sugar definitions is needed across research studies to aid with comparisons of results. (3) Select dietary collection tools specific to each study's aim and sugar definition(s). (4) Limit subjectivity of dietary assessment tools as this impacts interpretation of study results. (5) Choose non-invasive biomarkers of cardiometabolic disease until the strengths and limitations of available biomarkers in preschool-aged children are clarified. (6) Select approaches that account for the polygenic nature of cardiometabolic disease such as genome risk scores and genome wide association studies to assess how genetics moderates the relationship between dietary sugar intake and cardiometabolic risk. This review highlights potential recommendations that will support a research environment to help inform policy decisions and healthy eating policies to reduce cardiometabolic risk in young children.

Univariable and multivariable mendelian randomization study revealed the modifiable risk factors of urolithiasis

BACKGROUND

Urolithiasis is a common urological disease with increasing incidence worldwide, and preventing its risk poses significant challenges. Here, we used Mendelian randomization (MR) framework to genetically assess the causal nature of multifaceted risk factors on urolithiasis.

METHODS

17 potential risk factors associated with urolithiasis were collected from recently published observational studies, which can be categorized basically into lifestyle factors and circulating biomarkers. The instrumental variables of risk factors were selected from large-scale genome-wide association studies (N ≤ 607,291). Summary-level data on urolithiasis were obtained from UK Biobank (UKB) (3,625 cases and 459,308 noncases) and the FinnGen consortium (5,347 cases and 213,445 noncases). The univariable and multivariable MR analyses were applied to evaluate the causal, independent effect of these potential risk factors upon urolithiasis. Effects from the two consortia were combined by the meta-analysis methods.

RESULTS

Higher genetically predicted sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG, OR, 0.708; 95% CI, 0.555 to 0.903), estradiol (OR, 0.179; 95% CI, 0.042 to 0.751), tea intake (OR, 0.550; 95% CI, 0.345 to 0.878), alcoholic drinks per week (OR, 0.992; 95% CI, 0.987 to 0.997), and some physical activity (e.g., swimming, cycling, keeping fit, and bowling, OR, 0.054; 95% CI, 0.008 to 0.363) were significantly associated with a lower risk of urolithiasis. In the Multivariate Mendelian Randomization (MVMR) analyses, the significant causal associations between estradiol, SHBG, tea intake, and alcoholic drinks per week with urolithiasis were robust even after adjusting for potential confounding variables. However, the previously observed causal association between other exercises and urolithiasis was no longer significant after adjusting for these factors.

CONCLUSIONS

The univariable and multivariable MR findings highlight the independent and significant roles of estradiol, SHBG, tea intake, and alcoholic drinks per week in the development of urolithiasis, which might provide a deeper insight into urolithiasis risk factors and supply potential preventative strategies.

The Implications of Taste and Olfaction in Nutrition and Health

Taste and olfaction are sensory modalities that act synergistically to orchestrate the behaviors essential for survival, such as interactions with the environment, nutrient-rich food identification, and the avoidance of noxious substances [...].

Caffeine for Headaches: Helpful or Harmful? A Brief Review of the Literature

Consumption of caffeine in the diet, both daily and occasional, has a significant biological effect on the nervous system. Caffeine, through various and not yet fully investigated mechanisms, affects headaches. This is especially noticeable in migraine. In other headaches such as hypnic headache, post-dural puncture headache and spontaneous intracranial hypotension, caffeine is an important therapeutic agent. In turn, abrupt discontinuation of chronically used caffeine can cause caffeine-withdrawal headache. Caffeine can both relieve and trigger headaches.

Genetic Evidence for Causal Effects of Socioeconomic, Lifestyle, and Cardiometabolic Factors on Epigenetic-Age Acceleration

GrimAge acceleration (GrimAgeAccel) and PhenoAge acceleration (PhenoAgeAccel) are DNA methylation-based markers of accelerated biological aging, standing out in predicting mortality and age-related cardiometabolic morbidities. Causal risk factors for GrimAgeAccel and PhenoAgeAccel are unclear. In this study, we performed 2-sample univariable and multivariable Mendelian randomization (MR) to investigate causal associations of 19 modifiable socioeconomic, lifestyle, and cardiometabolic factors with GrimAgeAccel and PhenoAgeAccel. Instrument variants representing 19 modifiable factors were extracted from genome-wide association studies (GWASs) with up to 1 million Europeans. Summary statistics for GrimAgeAccel and PhenoAgeAccel were derived from a GWAS of 34 710 Europeans. We identified 12 and 8 factors causally associated with GrimAgeAccel and PhenoAgeAccel, respectively. Smoking was the strongest risk factor (β [standard error {SE}]: 1.299 [0.107] year) for GrimAgeAccel, followed by higher alcohol intake, higher waist circumference, daytime napping, higher body fat percentage, higher body mass index, higher C-reactive protein, higher triglycerides, childhood obesity, and type 2 diabetes; whereas education was the strongest protective factor (β [SE]: -1.143 [0.121] year), followed by household income. Furthermore, higher waist circumference (β [SE]: 0.850 [0.269] year) and education (β [SE]: -0.718 [0.151] year) were the leading causal risk and protective factors for PhenoAgeAccel, respectively. Sensitivity analyses strengthened the robustness of these causal associations. Multivariable MR analyses further demonstrated independent effects of the strongest risk and protective factors on GrimAgeAccel and PhenoAgeAccel, respectively. In conclusion, our findings provide novel quantitative evidence on modifiable causal risk factors for accelerated epigenetic aging, suggesting promising intervention targets against age-related morbidity and improving healthy longevity.

Association between caffeine consumption and bone mineral density in children and adolescent: Observational and Mendelian randomization study

BACKGROUND

Coffee is the most commonly consumed beverage among children and adolescences. Caffeine was demonstrated to be associated with bone metabolism. However, the relationship between caffeine intake and BMD in children and adolescents remains unclear. This study aimed to identified relationship between caffeine consumption and bone mineral density (BMD) in children and adolescents.

METHODS

Based on National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), we conducted an epidemiological cross-section study to measure the relationship between caffeine consumption and BMD in children and adolescents by multivariate linear regression models. Then, five methods of Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses were performed to estimate their causal relationship between coffee and caffeine intake and BMD in children and adolescents. MR-Egger and inverse-variance weighted (IVW) were used to evaluate the heterogeneity effect of instrumental variables (IVs).

RESULTS

In epidemiological studies, individuals with the highest quartile of caffeine intake do not have a significant change in femur neck BMD (β = 0.0016, 95% CI: -0.0096, 0.0129, P = 0.7747), total femur BMD (β = 0.0019, P = 0.7552), and total spine BMD (β = 0.0081, P = 0.1945) compared with the lowest quartile. In MR analysis, the IVW-random effect indicates no causal relationship between coffee consumption and TB- BMD (β = 0.0034, P = 0.0910). Other methods of MR analyses and sensitivity analysis reveals consistent findings. Similarly, the fixed-effects IVW method shows no causal association between caffeine intake and TB-BMD in children and adolescents (β = 0.0202, P = 0.7828).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study does not support a causal relationship between caffeine consumption and BMD in children and adolescents. However, more studies are needed to verify our findings, such as its underlying molecular mechanisms and the long-term impact of early caffeine exposure at a younger age.

Lifestyle factors, metabolic factors and socioeconomic status for pelvic organ prolapse: a Mendelian randomization study

BACKGROUND

Previous observational studies have reported that lifestyle factors, metabolic factors and socioeconomic status are associated with the development of female pelvic organ prolapse (POP); however, whether these associations are causal remains unclear. The current study aimed to assess the causal effect of lifestyle factors, metabolic factors and socioeconomic status on POP risk.

METHODS

We conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study based on summary-level data from the largest available genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to evaluate whether lifestyle factors, metabolic factors and socioeconomic status are causally related to POP. We used single nucleotide polymorphisms that are strongly associated with exposure at the genome-wide significance level (P < 5 × 10-8) as instrumental variables from genome-wide association studies. The method of random-effect inverse-variance weighting (IVW) was used as the primary analysis method, supplemented with the weighted median, MR-Egger and the MR pleiotropy residual sum and outlier applied to verify the MR assumptions. Two-step MR was conducted to investigate potential intermediate factors that are on the causal pathway from exposure to POP.

RESULTS

There were associations with POP for genetically predicted waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) (odds ratio (OR) 1.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.03 per SD-increase, P < 0.001), WHR adjusted for body mass index (WHRadjBMI) (OR 1.017, 95% CI 1.01-1.025 per SD-increase, P < 0.001) and education attainment (OR 0.986, 95% CI 0.98-0.991 per SD-increase) in the meta-analysis. Additionally, genetically predicted coffee consumption (OR per 50% increase 0.67, 95% CI 0.47-0.96, P = 0.03), vigorous physical activity (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.69-0.98, P = 0.043) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.84-0.98 per SD-increase, P = 0.049) were inversely associated with POP in the FinnGen Consortium. The mediation analysis showed that the indirect effects of education attainment on POP were partly mediated by WHR and WHRadjBMI, with a mediated proportion of 27% and 13% in the UK Biobank study, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provides MR evidence of a robust causal association of WHR, WHRadjBMI and education attainment with POP.

Genome-wide characterization of the U-box gene in Camellia sinensis and functional analysis in transgenic tobacco under abiotic stresses

Plants U-box genes are crucial for plant survival, and they extensively regulate plant growth, reproduction and development as well as coping with stress and other processes. In this study, we identified 92 CsU-box genes through genome-wide analysis in the tea plant (Camellia sinensis), all of them contained the conserved U-box domain and were divided into 5 groups, which supported by the further genes structure analysis. The expression profiles in eight tea plant tissues and under abiotic and hormone stresses were analyzed using the TPIA database. 7 CsU-box genes (CsU-box27/28/39/46/63/70/91) were selected to verify and analyze expression patterns under PEG-induced drought and heat stress in tea plant respectively, the qRT-PCR results showed consistent with transcriptome datasets; and the CsU-box39 were further heterologous expressed in tobacco to perform gene function analysis. Phenotypic analyses of overexpression transgenic tobacco seedlings and physiological experiments revealed that CsU-box39 positively regulated the plant response to drought stress. These results lay a solid foundation for studying the biological function of CsU-box, and will provide breeding strategy basis for tea plant breeders.

Bounding the average causal effect in Mendelian randomisation studies with multiple proposed instruments: An application to prenatal alcohol exposure and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

BACKGROUND

As large-scale observational data become more available, caution regarding causal assumptions remains critically important. This may be especially true for Mendelian randomisation (MR), an increasingly popular approach. Point estimation in MR usually requires strong, often implausible homogeneity assumptions beyond the core instrumental conditions. Bounding, which does not require homogeneity assumptions, is infrequently applied in MR.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to demonstrate computing nonparametric bounds for the causal risk difference derived from multiple proposed instruments in an MR study where effect heterogeneity is expected.

METHODS

Using data from the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (n = 2056) and Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (n = 6216) to study the average causal effect of maternal pregnancy alcohol use on offspring attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms, we proposed 11 maternal SNPs as instruments. We computed bounds assuming subsets of SNPs were jointly valid instruments, for all combinations of SNPs where the MR model was not falsified.

RESULTS

The MR assumptions were violated for all sets with more than 4 SNPs in one cohort and for all sets with more than 2 SNPs in the other. Bounds assuming one SNP was an individually valid instrument barely improved on assumption-free bounds. Bounds tightened as more SNPs were assumed to be jointly valid instruments, and occasionally identified directions of effect, though bounds from different sets varied.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that, when proposing multiple instruments, bounds can contextualise plausible magnitudes and directions of effects. Computing bounds over multiple assumption sets, particularly in large, high-dimensional data, offers a means of triangulating results across different potential sources of bias within a study and may help researchers to better evaluate and emphasise which estimates are compatible with the most plausible assumptions for their specific setting.

Consumption frequencies of beverages and the hypertension risk in adults: a cohort study in China

OBJECTIVE

To explore the associations between the consumption frequencies of alcohol, tea and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and the hypertension risk among Chinese adults.

DESIGN

A longitudinal study of the effect of beverage consumption on hypertension risk.

SETTING

Nine provinces in China, including Jiangsu, Hubei, Hunan, Guangxi, Guizhou, Liaoning, Heilongjiang, Shandong and Henan.

PARTICIPANTS

The longitudinal data of the China Health and Nutrition Survey from 2004 to 2015 were used. A total of 4427 participants from 9 provinces were included at baseline.

OUTCOME

First incidence of hypertension.

RESULTS

During a mean follow-up of 8.7 years, 1478 participants developed hypertension. Alcohol consumption more than twice a week in young men (HR 1.86, 95% CI 1.09 to 3.18) or middle-aged men (HR 1.37, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.87) was associated with a higher hypertension risk. Middle-aged women who consumed tea frequently (HR 0.71, 95% CI 0.52 to 0.97), or young women who consumed SSBs less than once a week (HR 0.31, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.67) had a lower risk of hypertension.

CONCLUSIONS

High-frequency alcohol consumption increased the risk of hypertension in men, and frequent tea consumption and low-frequency SSBs consumption were associated with lower risk of hypertension in women. Consumption frequency of beverages was also suggested to be considered in the prevention and control of hypertension.

Association of smoking, alcohol, and coffee consumption with the risk of ovarian cancer and prognosis: a mendelian randomization study

OBJECTIVE

Currently, the association between smoking, alcohol, and coffee intake and the risk of ovarian cancer (OC) remains conflicting. In this study, we used a two-sample mendelian randomization (MR) method to evaluate the association of smoking, drinking and coffee consumption with the risk of OC and prognosis.

METHODS

Five risk factors related to lifestyles (cigarettes per day, smoking initiation, smoking cessation, alcohol consumption and coffee consumption) were chosen from the Genome-Wide Association Study, and 28, 105, 10, 36 and 36 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were obtained as instrumental variables (IVs). Outcome variables were achieved from the Ovarian Cancer Association Consortium. Inverse-variance-weighted method was mainly used to compute odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (Cl).

RESULTS

The two-sample MR analysis supported the causal association of genetically predicted smoking initiation (OR: 1.15 per SD, 95%CI: 1.02-1.29, P = 0.027) and coffee consumption (OR: 1.40 per 50% increase, 95%CI: 1.02-1.93, P = 0.040) with the risk of OC, but not cigarettes per day, smoking cessation, and alcohol consumption. Subgroup analysis based on histological subtypes revealed a positive genetical predictive association between coffee consumption and endometrioid OC (OR: 3.01, 95%CI: 1.50-6.04, P = 0.002). Several smoking initiation-related SNPs (rs7585579, rs7929518, rs2378662, rs10001365, rs11078713, rs7929518, and rs62098013), and coffee consumption-related SNPs (rs4410790, and rs1057868) were all associated with overall survival and cancer-specific survival in OC.

CONCLUSION

Our findings provide the evidence for a favorable causal association of genetically predicted smoking initiation and coffee consumption with OC risk, and coffee consumption is linked to a greater risk of endometrioid OC.

Causal relationship of sugar-sweetened and sweet beverages with colorectal cancer: a Mendelian randomization study

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Prospective cohort studies have suggested that sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) intake is significantly associated with the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, it remains unclear whether this observed association was susceptible to potential confounding factors due to the long-term development process of CRC, and the risk of CRC associated with sweet beverages has rarely been reported. We aimed to investigate the association between SSBs/sweet beverages and CRC risk.

METHODS

We performed two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis using independent genetic variants for SSBs and sweet beverages from a published genome-wide association study (GWAS). Summary statistics for instrument-outcome associations from two databases for malignant neoplasms of the colon and the rectum (FinnGen and UK Biobank). The inverse weighted method (IVW) meta-analysis was the main method used to estimate the relationship, and sensitivity analyses were performed with Cochran's Q test, leave-one-out analysis, MR-Egger regression, Steiger filtering, and the MR PRESSO test.

RESULTS

Genetically predicted SSBs intake was associated with a higher colonic malignant neoplasms risk (odds ratio (OR): 1.013; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.001, 1.026; P = 0.036) in a combined sample size of 579,986 individuals (4029 cases). Such a significant causal effect of SSBs on rectal malignant neoplasms or sweet beverages on CRC was not observed.

CONCLUSION

Our findings corroborated a causal association between SSBs and colonic malignant neoplasms risk but did not support such a relationship in the analysis of the rectal malignant neoplasms nor the sweet beverage intake, which might be interpreted with caution and further confirmed.