A Pocket Guide to CCR5-Neurotropic Flavivirus Edition

CCR5 is among the most studied chemokine receptors due to its profound significance in human health and disease. The notion that CCR5 is a functionally redundant receptor was challenged through the demonstration of its unique protective role in the context of West Nile virus in both mice and humans. In the nearly two decades since this initial discovery, numerous studies have investigated the role of CCR5 in the context of other medically important neurotropic flaviviruses, most of which appear to support a broad neuroprotective role for this receptor, although how CCR5 exerts its protective effect has been remarkably varied. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms by which CCR5 controls neurotropic flaviviruses, as well as results from human studies evaluating a genetic link to CCR5, and propose unexplored areas of research that are needed to unveil even more exciting roles for this important receptor.

Birthweight, genetic risk, and gastrointestinal cancer incidence: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

The epidemiologic studies investigating the association of birthweight and genetic factors with gastrointestinal cancer remain scarce. The study aimed to prospectively assess the interactions and joint effects of birthweight and genetic risk levels on gastrointestinal cancer incidence in adulthood.

METHODS

A total of 254,997 participants were included in the UK Biobank study. We used multivariate restricted cubic splines and Cox regression models to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidential intervals (CI) for the association between birthweight and gastrointestinal cancer risk, then constructed a polygenic risk score (PRS) to assess its interaction and joint effect with birthweight on the development of gastrointestinal cancer.

RESULTS

We documented 2512 incident cases during a median follow-up of 8.88 years. Compare with participants reporting a normal birthweight (2.5-4.5 kg), multivariable-adjusted HR of gastrointestinal cancer incidence for participants with high birthweight (≥4.5 kg) was 1.17 (95%CI: 1.01-1.36). Such association was remarkably observed in pancreatic cancer, with an HR of 1.82 (95%CI: 1.26-2.64). No statistically significant association was observed between low birth weight and gastrointestinal cancers. Participants with high birthweight and high PRS had the highest risk of gastrointestinal cancer (HR: 2.95, 95%CI: 2.19-3.96).

CONCLUSION

Our findings highlight that high birthweight is associated with a higher incidence of gastrointestinal cancer, especially for pancreatic cancer. Benefits would be obtained from birthweight control, particularly for individuals with a high genetic risk.KEY MESSAGESThe epidemiologic studies investigating the association of birthweight and genetic factors with gastrointestinal cancer remain scarce.This cohort study of 254,997 adults in the United Kingdom found an association of high birthweight with the incidence of gastrointestinal cancer, especially for pancreatic cancer, and also found that participants with high birthweight and high polygenic risk score had the highest risk of gastrointestinal cancer.Our data suggests a possible effect of in utero or early life exposures on adulthood gastrointestinal cancer, especially for those with a high genetic risk.

Gene Polymorphisms and Expression of NRG1, DAOA, and DISC1 Genes in a Chinese Han Population with an Ultra-High Risk for Psychosis

Purpose

Although there is previous evidence supporting that ultra-high risk (UHR) for psychosis transformation is associated with NRG1, DAOA, and DISC1 genes, there have been no relevant studies in the Chinese population. The objective of the current study was to explore the gene polymorphism and expression of NRG1, DAOA, and DISC1 genes in a Han population with UHR for psychosis in China.

Methods

Eighteen UHR individuals, 61 first-degree relatives of patients with schizophrenia (FDR), 55 first-episode psychosis individuals (FEP), and 61 healthy controls (HC) were enrolled in the study. The genotypes at four loci of the NRG1 gene, four loci of the DAOA gene, and two loci of the DISC1 gene were tested for all subjects, and mRNAs of NRG1 and DISC1 were examined and analyzed in a pairwise comparison among the four groups. Statistical analysis of genetics was performed using snpStats software. For the case-control association analysis, a single site association study, epistatic effect analysis, and haplotype analysis were used to explore the association of the above genes.

Results

This study found that rs3918341 in the DAOA gene was associated with susceptibility to UHR by single site association analysis. Epistatic effect analysis results showed that the NRG1 gene interacted with the DAOA gene and DISC1 gene in the susceptibility to UHR. Haplotype association analysis showed that all haplotypes were not significantly associated with UHR. NRG1 mRNA was significantly downregulated in the UHR group compared with the HC group as well as the FEP group.

Conclusion

Our preliminary results show that NRG1, DAOA, and DISC1 genes may play a role in psychosis onset, opening the way to the identification of prognostic biomarkers.

Extracranial carotid artery atherosclerotic plaque and APOE polymorphisms: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction

Carotid atherosclerotic plaque is an important independent risk factor for stroke. Apolipoprotein E (APOE) influences cholesterol levels and certain isoforms are associated with increased carotid atherosclerosis, though the exact association between APOE and carotid plaque is uncertain. The study aimed to evaluate the association between APOE and carotid plaque.

Methods

A systematic review was performed to retrieve all studies which examined the association between carotid plaque and APOE. This study was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Independent readers extracted the relevant data from each study including the type of imaging assessment, plaque definition, frequency of APOE E4 carrier status and type of genotyping. Meta-analyses with an assessment of study heterogeneity and publication bias were performed. Results were presented in a forest plot and summarized using a random-effects model.

Results

After screening 838 studies, 17 studies were included for systematic review. A meta-analysis of 5 published studies showed a significant association between ε4 homozygosity and carotid plaque [odds ratio (OR), 1.53; 95% CI, 1.16, 2.02; p = .003]. Additionally, there was a significant association between patients possessing at least one ε4 allele, heterozygotes or homozygotes, and carotid plaque (OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.03, 1.52; p = .03). Lastly, there was no association between ε4 heterozygosity and carotid plaque (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.93, 1.26; p = .30).

Conclusion

APOE ε4 allele is significantly associated with extracranial carotid atherosclerotic plaque, especially for homozygous individuals.

HLA-targeted sequencing reveals the pathogenic role of HLA-B*15:02/HLA-B*13:01 in albendazole-induced liver failure: a case report and a review of the literature

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is one of the serious adverse drug reactions (ADRs), which belongs to immune-mediated adverse drug reactions (IM-ADRs). As an essential health drug, albendazole has rarely been reported to cause serious liver damage. A young man in his 30 s developed severe jaundice, abnormal transaminases, and poor blood coagulation mechanism after taking albendazole, and eventually developed into severe liver failure. The patient was found heterozygous of HLA-B*15:02 and HLA-B*13:01 through HLA-targeted sequencing, which may have a pathogenic role in the disease. This case report summarizes his presentation, treatment, and prognosis. A useful summary of the diagnosis and associated genetic variant information is provided.

Genomic Markers Associated with Cytomegalovirus DNAemia in Kidney Transplant Recipients

Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a major pathogen after solid organ transplantation, leading to high morbidity and mortality. Transplantation from a CMV-seropositive donor to a CMV-seronegative recipient (D+/R-) is associated with high risk of CMV disease. However, that risk is not uniform, suggesting a role for host factors in immune control of CMV. To identify host genetic factors that control CMV DNAemia post transplantation, we performed a whole-exome association study in two cohorts of D+/R- kidney transplant recipients. Quantitative CMV DNA was measured for at least one year following transplantation. Several CMV-protective single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified in the first cohort (72 patients) but were not reproducible in the second cohort (126 patients). A meta-analysis of both cohorts revealed several SNPs that were significantly associated with protection from CMV DNAemia. The copy number variation of several genes was significantly different between recipients with and without CMV DNAemia. Amongst patients with CMV DNAemia in the second cohort, several variants of interest (p < 5 × 10-5), the most common of which was NLRC5, were associated with peak viral load. We provide new predictive genetic markers for protection of CMV DNAemia. These markers should be validated in larger cohorts.

Adherence to a healthy lifestyle, genetic susceptibility to abdominal obesity, cardiometabolic risk markers, and risk of coronary heart disease

BACKGROUND

Little is known about whether the association between genetic susceptibility to high waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), a measure of abdominal obesity, and incident coronary heart disease (CHD) is modified by adherence to a healthy lifestyle.

OBJECTIVES

To explore the interplay of genetic susceptibility to high WHR and adherence to a healthy lifestyle on incident CHD.

METHODS

This study included 282,316 white British individuals from the UK Biobank study. Genetic risk for high WHR was estimated in the form of weighted polygenic risk scores (PRSs), calculated based on 156 single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Lifestyle scores were calculated based on 5 healthy lifestyle factors: regular physical activity, no current smoking, a healthy diet, <3 times/wk of alcohol consumption and 7-9 h/d of sleep. Incident CHD (n = 11,635) was accrued over a median 13.8 y of follow-up, and 12 individual cardiovascular disease risk markers assessed at baseline.

RESULTS

Adhering to a favorable lifestyle (4-5 healthy factors) was associated with a 25% (hazard ratio: 0.75, 95% confidence interval: 0.70, 0.81) lower hazard of CHD compared with an unfavorable lifestyle (0-1 factor), independent of PRS for high WHR. Estimated 12-y absolute risk of CHD was lower for a favorable lifestyle at high genetic risk (1.73%) and medium genetic risk (1.67%) than for an unfavorable lifestyle at low genetic risk (2.08%). Adhering to a favorable lifestyle was associated with healthier levels of cardiovascular disease risk markers (except random glucose and high-density lipoprotein), independent of PRS for high WHR.

CONCLUSIONS

Individuals who have high or medium genetic risk of abdominal obesity but adhere to a healthy lifestyle may have a lower risk of developing CHD, compared with those who have low genetic risk and an unhealthy lifestyle. Future clinical trials of lifestyle modification could be implemented for individuals at high genetic risk of abdominal obesity for the primary prevention of CHD events.

Population genetics and external proficiency testing for HLA disease associations

Numerous associations of HLA variants with susceptibility to diseases, namely, those with an immunopathological component, have been described to date. The strongest HLA associations were incorporated into the standard algorithms for the diagnostics. Disease-associated HLA variants are routinely detected by various techniques including DNA-based assays. For the identification of HLA markers or their combinations with the highest diagnostic value and those with frequent clinical indications (e.g., HLA-B*27, -B*57:01, -DQ2/-DQ8, -DQB1*06:02), diagnostic tests that focus on a single or limited number of specific HLA antigens/alleles, have already been developed; the use of complete typing for particular HLA loci is a relevant alternative. Importantly, external proficiency testing (EPT) became an integral part of good laboratory practice for HLA disease associations in accredited laboratories and not only supports correct "technical" identification of the associated HLA variants, but also adequate interpretation of the results to the clinicians. In the present article selected aspects of EPT for HLA disease associations related to population genetics are reviewed and discussed with the emphasis on the optimal level of HLA typing resolution, population-based differences in disease associated HLA alleles within the allelic group, distribution and linkage disequilibrium of HLA alleles in particular populations and interpretation of the presence of less common HLA variants/haplotypes. In conclusion, the laboratories that perform and interpret the tests to the clinicians, producers of the certified diagnostics and EPT providers should consider, among others, the genetic characteristics of the populations in order to optimise the diagnostic value of the tests for disease-associated HLA variants.

Shared genetic architecture of COVID-19 and Alzheimer's disease

The severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the сoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have become a global health threat. At the height of the pandemic, major efforts were focused on reducing COVID-19-associated morbidity and mortality. Now is the time to study the long-term effects of the pandemic, particularly cognitive impairment associated with long COVID. In recent years much attention has been paid to the possible relationship between COVID-19 and Alzheimer's disease, which is considered a main cause of age-related cognitive impairment. Genetic predisposition was shown for both COVID-19 and Alzheimer's disease. However, the analysis of the similarity of the genetic architecture of these diseases is usually limited to indicating a positive genetic correlation between them. In this review, we have described intrinsic linkages between COVID-19 and Alzheimer's disease, pointed out shared susceptibility genes that were previously identified in genome-wide association studies of both COVID-19 and Alzheimer's disease, and highlighted a panel of SNPs that includes candidate genetic risk markers of the long COVID-associated cognitive impairment.

Corrigendum: Role of a novel mouse mutant of the Galnt2tm1Lat/tm1Lat gene in otitis media

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.1054704.].

Lifestyle, Genetic Susceptibility, and the Risk of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Large Prospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Lifestyle is an important contributor of age-related chronic disease, but the association between lifestyle and the risk of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) remains unknown. The extent to which genetic susceptibility modifies the effects of lifestyle on IPF also remains unclear.

RESEARCH QUESTION

Is there a joint effect or interaction of lifestyle and genetic susceptibility on the risk of developing IPF?

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

This study included 407,615 participants from the UK Biobank study. A lifestyle score and a polygenic risk score were constructed separately for each participant. Participants were then classified into three lifestyle categories and three genetic risk categories based on the corresponding score. Cox models were fitted to assess the association of lifestyle and genetic risk with the risk of incident IPF.

RESULTS

With favorable lifestyle as the reference group, intermediate lifestyle (hazard ratio, 1.384; 95% CI, 1.218-1.574) and unfavorable lifestyle (hazard ratio, 2.271; 95% CI, 1.852-2.785) were significantly associated with an increased risk of IPF. For the combined effect of lifestyle and polygenic risk score, participants with unfavorable lifestyle and high genetic risk had the highest risk of IPF (hazard ratio, 7.796; 95% CI, 5.482-11.086) compared with those with favorable lifestyle and low genetic risk. Moreover, approximately 32.7% (95% CI, 11.3-54.1) of IPF risk could be attributed to the interaction of an unfavorable lifestyle and high genetic risk.

INTERPRETATION

Exposure to unfavorable lifestyle significantly increased the risk of IPF, particularly in those with high genetic risk.

Public perspective on medications to delay Alzheimer's disease symptoms

Disease-modifying treatments for Alzheimer's disease are emerging. Our research examined how personal risk for AD may influence intentions to ask for medications to delay symptoms of AD, and how the availability of such medications impacts interest in AD-related genetic testing. Invitations to a web-based survey were posted on social media sites. Respondents were sequentially assigned to imagine that they had a 5%, 15%, or 35% chance of developing AD. They were then provided a hypothetical scenario describing a medication that delayed AD symptoms. After reporting intentions to ask for the medication, respondents were asked about their interest in genetic testing to predict AD risk. Data from 310 individuals were analyzed. Intentions to ask for a preventative medication were greater for respondents presented AD risks of 35% compared to risks of 15% and 5% (86% vs. 66% vs. 62%, respectively, p < 0.001). The proportion who would ask for genetic susceptibility testing increased from 58% to 79% when respondents were told to imagine that a medication that delayed AD symptoms existed (p < 0.001). Findings suggest that individuals who know they have an increased risk for AD are more likely pursue medications to delay onset of disease symptoms, and the availability of AD-delaying treatments will increase interest in associated genetic testing. Findings provide insight about who will pursue emerging preventative medications, including individuals for whom the medications may be inappropriate, and the impact on genetic test utilization.

Systemic assessment of solute carrier family 11-member A1 (rs17235409) gene polymorphism and Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Risk in Asian and caucasian population: A comprehensive updated meta-analysis

Background

The present meta-analysis was assessed to confirm the association between solute carrier family 11-member A1 (SLC11A1) gene (rs17235409) polymorphism with the Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in the Asian and Caucasian populations.

Methods

A search was conducted using the databases including Google Scholar, Science Direct, Embase, and PubMed to find the case-control studies related to SLC11A1 gene polymorphism and tuberculosis (TB) infection. The MetaGenyo programme was used to perform statistical analyses of the data. The odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were calculated based on genetic models such as allelic model, dominant model, recessive model, and overdominant. The heterogeneity and publication bias for the present study were examined to assess its quality. The study was registered in PROSPERO (ID Number: 461434).

Results

This current study revealed the association between the SLC11A1 gene polymorphism with TB. The statistical value obtained at P < 0.05 was deemed to be statistically significant. The meta-analysis results revealed that allele contrast and recessive models are significant association between SLC11A1 gene polymorphism with risk of TB infections, and dominant and overdominant models have no significant association with TB risk. In addition, the subgroup analysis based on the ethnicity dominant revealed a significant association with the risk of TB. Therefore, this results that the gene SLC11A1 has a significant association for allelic and recessive and has no significant association for dominant and overdominant with the risk of TB.

Conclusion

According to the data retrieved from the database with respect to the present study revealed that SLC11A1 gene polymorphism rs17235409 for allelic, recessive models have been associated with TB infections, but dominant and overdominant models have not been associated with TB infections.

Identification of Genomic Regions Implicated in Susceptibility to Schistosoma mansoni Infection in a Murine Backcross Genetic Model

Only a small number of infected people are highly susceptible to schistosomiasis, showing high levels of infection or severe liver fibrosis. The susceptibility to schistosome infection is influenced by genetic background. To assess the genetic basis of susceptibility and identify the chromosomal regions involved, a backcross strategy was employed to generate high variation in schistosomiasis susceptibility. This strategy involved crossing the resistant C57BL/6J mouse strain with the susceptible CBA/2J strain. The resulting F1 females (C57BL/6J × CBA/2J) were then backcrossed with CBA/2J males to generate the backcross (BX) cohort. The BX mice exhibited a range of phenotypes, with disease severity varying from mild to severe disease, lacking a fully resistant group. We observed four levels of infection intensity using cluster and principal component analyses and K-means based on parasitological, pathological, and immunological trait measurements. The mice were genotyped with 961 informative SNPs, leading to the identification of 19 new quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with parasite burden, liver lesions, white blood cell populations, and antibody responses. Two QTLs located on chromosomes 15 and 18 were linked to the number of granulomas, liver lesions, and IgM levels. The corresponding syntenic human regions are located in chromosomes 8 and 18. None of the significant QTLs had been reported previously.

Novel Prion Protein Gene Polymorphisms in Awassi Sheep in Three Regions of the Fertile Crescent

Scrapie is a fatal, neurodegenerative disease that affects sheep and goats, and genetic susceptibility to scrapie in sheep is associated with polymorphisms in the prion protein (PRNP) gene. The aim of this study is to identify PRNP polymorphism in Awassi sheep from Türkiye, the Palestinian Authority, and Saudi Arabia. A total of 150 healthy sheep were genotyped for PRNP, using Sanger sequencing. There were seven alleles and eleven genotypes observed based on codons 136, 154, and 171 of PRNP. The ARQ allele was predominant in all populations. The most resistant allele to scrapie, ARR, was present in all three regions. The VRQ allele, associated with the highest susceptibility to scrapie, was detected only in Türkiye at a low frequency. In this study, twenty-seven amino acid substitutions were found. Eight of them (R40Q, G65E, H88L, S98T, A118P, S138T, V192F and L250I) have not been previously reported. These data indicate that sheep breeds close to the sheep domestication center have maintained high genetic diversity in the PRNP region. Our findings on PRNP will provide valuable insights for sheep breeding programs, aiding in the selection of genotypes resistant to scrapie in Türkiye, the Palestinian Authority, and Saudi Arabia.

MiRNA-423 rs6505162 and miRNA-6811 rs2292879 SNP associated with lung cancer in Hainan, China

BACKGROUND

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are known to exert significant influence on various physiological processes and diseases, including cancers. The primary objective of this present study was to examine the impact of eight single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in miRNA on the susceptibility to lung cancer (LC) within the Chinese Southern population.

METHODS

The genotypes of these eight polymorphisms were determined in 132 LC patients and 214 cancer-free controls.

RESULTS

In overall analyses, GG genotype of miRNA-6811 rs2292879 polymorphism was significantly correlated with increased risk of LC (GG vs. AA, adjusted OR = 5.10, 95% CI = 1.02-25.43, P=0.047), yet the genotype frequencies of rs2292879 SNP in controls did not met the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) (P=0.001) in present study. Stratified analyses by smoking revealed that miRNA-423 rs6505162 variants significantly decreased the LC risk in heterozygous (CA vs. CC, adjusted OR = 0.14, 95% CI = 0.03-0.81, P=0.028) and recessive (AA vs. CA + CC, adjusted OR = 0.17, 95% CI = 0.03-0.90, P=0.038) genetic models in smoking population. However, miRNA-196A2 rs11614913, miRNA-196A2 rs12304647, miRNA-146A rs2910164, miRNA-16-1 rs1022960, miRNA-608 rs4919510, and miRNA-27a rs895819 polymorphisms were not significantly associated with LC.

CONCLUSION

The findings of our study indicate a potential decrease in LC risk among smokers with the miRNA-423 rs6505162 variants, while an increase in risk is associated with miRNA-6811 rs2292879 polymorphisms in the population of Southern Chinese. However, further well-designed research is necessary to fully understand the precise impact of these two SNPs on the development of LC.

Multi-ancestry genome-wide association study of 4069 children with glioma identifies 9p21.3 risk locus

BACKGROUND

Although recent sequencing studies have revealed that 10% of childhood gliomas are caused by rare germline mutations, the role of common variants is undetermined and no genome-wide significant risk loci for pediatric central nervous system tumors have been identified to date.

METHODS

Meta-analysis of 3 population-based genome-wide association studies comprising 4069 children with glioma and 8778 controls of multiple genetic ancestries. Replication was performed in a separate case-control cohort. Quantitative trait loci analyses and a transcriptome-wide association study were conducted to assess possible links with brain tissue expression across 18 628 genes.

RESULTS

Common variants in CDKN2B-AS1 at 9p21.3 were significantly associated with astrocytoma, the most common subtype of glioma in children (rs573687, P-value of 6.974e-10, OR 1.273, 95% CI 1.179-1.374). The association was driven by low-grade astrocytoma (P-value of 3.815e-9) and exhibited unidirectional effects across all 6 genetic ancestries. For glioma overall, the association approached genome-wide significance (rs3731239, P-value of 5.411e-8), while no significant association was observed for high-grade tumors. Predicted decreased brain tissue expression of CDKN2B was significantly associated with astrocytoma (P-value of 8.090e-8).

CONCLUSIONS

In this population-based genome-wide association study meta-analysis, we identify and replicate 9p21.3 (CDKN2B-AS1) as a risk locus for childhood astrocytoma, thereby establishing the first genome-wide significant evidence of common variant predisposition in pediatric neuro-oncology. We furthermore provide a functional basis for the association by showing a possible link to decreased brain tissue CDKN2B expression and substantiate that genetic susceptibility differs between low- and high-grade astrocytoma.

The rs72613567:TA polymorphism in HSD17B13 is associated with survival benefit after development of hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The influence of genetic factors on survival following a diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear.

AIM

To assess whether genetic polymorphisms influencing the susceptibility to develop HCC are also associated with HCC prognosis.

METHODS

We included United Kingdom Biobank (UKB) participants diagnosed with HCC after study enrolment. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Patients were followed from the date of HCC diagnosis to death or the registry completion date. Five HCC susceptibility loci were investigated: rs738409 (PNPLA3), rs58542926 (TM6SF2); rs72613567 (HSD17B13); rs2242652 (TERT) and rs708113 (WNT3A). The associations between these genetic variants and HCC mortality risk were assessed using Cox regression, adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, aetiology, severity of the underlying liver disease and receipt of curative HCC treatment.

RESULTS

The final sample included 439 patients; 74% had either non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or alcohol-related liver disease. There were 321 deaths during a mean follow-up of 1.9 years per participant. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates at 1, 3 and 5 years were 53.2%, 31.2% and 22.6% respectively. In multivariate analysis, rs72613567:TA (HSD17B13) was the only genetic susceptibility variant significantly associated with all-cause mortality risk (aHR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.61-0.90; p = 0.003). Other associated factors were Baveno stage 3-4 (aHR: 1.65; 95% CI: 1.05-2.59; p = 0.03) and HCC treatment with curative intent (aHR: 0.25; 95% CI: 0.17-0.37; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The rs72613567:TA polymorphism in HSD17B13 is not only associated with a reduction in the risk of developing HCC but with a survival benefit in HCC once established. Therapeutic inhibition of HSD17B13 may augment survival in individuals with HCC.

Variety and Duration of Different Sedentary Behaviors, Inflammation, Genetic Susceptibility, and New-Onset Dementia in the Older Population

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to evaluate the relationship of the variety and duration of different sedentary behaviors (TV-watching, driving, and nonoccupational computer use) with the risk of dementia in older participants, and examine whether inflammation and genetic susceptibility may modify the relationship.

DESIGN

A prospective cohort study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

173,829 older participants (≥60 years) without prior dementia in the UK Biobank were enrolled.

METHODS

A healthy sedentary behavior score was calculated as the number of the 3 major sedentary behaviors with a duration associated with the lowest risk of dementia. The primary outcome was new-onset all-cause dementia.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 12.4 years, 4965 (2.9%) participants developed new-onset dementia. There were U-shaped associations for TV-watching and driving time, and a reversed J-shaped association for nonoccupational computer use time with new-onset all-cause dementia, with the lowest dementia risk at >0-<2 hours/day for all the 3 sedentary behaviors. Moreover, a higher healthy sedentary behavior score was significantly associated with a lower risk of all-cause dementia (per 1 score increment: hazard ratio 0.78, 95% CI 0.75-0.81), with a stronger inverse association in those with higher levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and monocytes (both P-interactions <.05). Genetic risks of dementia did not significantly modify the association. Similar trends were found for new-onset Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

The associations between the duration of different sedentary behaviors and new-onset dementia were different in the older population. Moreover, the variety of sedentary behavior was inversely associated with new-onset dementia, especially among those with higher levels of inflammation.

IFNL4 Genotypes and Risk of Childhood Burkitt Lymphoma in East Africa

Interferon lambda 4 (IFN-λ4) is a novel type-III interferon that can be expressed only by carriers of the genetic variant rs368234815-dG within the first exon of the IFNL4 gene. Genetic inability to produce IFN-λ4 (in carriers of the rs368234815-TT/TT genotype) has been associated with improved clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The IFN-λ4-expressing rs368234815-dG allele (IFNL4-dG) is most common (up to 78%) in West sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), compared to 35% of Europeans and 5% of individuals from East Asia. The negative selection of IFNL4-dG outside Africa suggests that its retention in African populations could provide survival benefits, most likely in children. To explore this hypothesis, we conducted a comprehensive association analysis between IFNL4 genotypes and the risk of childhood Burkitt lymphoma (BL), a lethal infection-associated cancer most common in SSA. We used genetic, epidemiologic, and clinical data for 4,038 children from the Epidemiology of Burkitt Lymphoma in East African Children and Minors (EMBLEM) and the Malawi Infections and Childhood Cancer case-control studies. Generalized linear mixed models fit with the logit link controlling for age, sex, country, P. falciparum infection status, population stratification, and relatedness found no significant association between BL risk and 3 coding genetic variants within IFNL4 (rs368234815, rs117648444, and rs142981501) and their combinations. Because BL occurs in children 6-9 years of age who survived early childhood infections, our results suggest that additional studies should explore the associations of IFNL4-dG allele in younger children. This comprehensive study represents an important baseline in defining the health effects of IFN-λ4 in African populations.

Associations of air pollution with all-cause dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and vascular dementia: a prospective cohort study based on 437,932 participants from the UK biobank

Objective

To prospectively assess whether air pollution, including PM2.5, PM10, and NOx, is associated with the risk of all-cause dementia, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and vascular dementia, and to investigate the potential relationship between air pollution and genetic susceptibility in the development of AD.

Methods and results

Our study included 437,932 participants from the UK Biobank with a median follow-up period of over 10 years. Using a Cox proportional hazards model, we found that participants exposed to PM2.5 levels of ≥10 μg/m3 had a higher risk of developing all-cause dementia (HR = 1.1; 95% CI: 1.05-1.28; p < 0.05) compared to the group exposed to PM2.5 levels of <10 μg/m3. However, there was no significant association between PM10 levels of ≥15 μg/m3 and the risk of all-cause dementia, AD, or vascular dementia when compared to the group exposed to PM10 levels of <15 μg/m3. On the other hand, participants exposed to NOx levels of ≥50 μg/m3 had a significantly higher risk of all-cause dementia (HR = 1.14; 95% CI: 1.02-1.26; p < 0.05) and AD (HR = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.08-1.48; p < 0.05) compared to the group exposed to NOx levels of <50 μg/m3. Furthermore, we examined the combined effect of air pollution (PM2.5, PM10, and NOx) and Alzheimer's disease genetic risk score (AD-GRS) on the development of AD using a Cox proportional hazards model. Among participants with a high AD-GRS, those exposed to NOx levels of ≥50 μg/m3 had a significantly higher risk of AD compared to those in the group exposed to NOx levels of <50 μg/m3 (HR = 1.36; 95% CI: 1.03-1.18; p < 0.05). Regardless of air pollutant levels (PM2.5, PM10, or NOx), participants with a high AD-GRS had a significantly increased risk of developing AD. Similar results were obtained when assessing multiple variables using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW).

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that individuals living in areas with PM2.5 levels of ≥10 μg/m3 or NOx levels of ≥50 μg/m3 are at a higher risk of developing all-cause dementia. Moreover, individuals with a high AD-GRS demonstrated an increased risk of developing AD, particularly in the presence of NOx ≥ 50 μg/m3.

ICOS gene polymorphisms in systemic lupus erythematosus: A case-control study

The inducible T-cell costimulator (ICOS) may play an important role in adaptive immunity by regulating the interaction between T cells and antigen-presenting cells. Disruption of this molecule can lead to autoimmune diseases, in particular systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this study, we aimed to explore the possible association between ICOS gene polymorphisms and SLE as well as their influence on disease susceptibility and clinical outcomes. A further objective was to assess the potential impact of these polymorphisms on RNA expression. A case-control study, including 151 patients with SLE, and 291 unrelated healthy controls (HC) matched in gender, and geographical origin, was performed to genotype two polymorphisms located in the ICOS gene: rs11889031 (-693 G/A) and rs10932029 (IVS1 + 173 T/C); using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. The different genotypes were validated by direct sequencing. The expression level of ICOS mRNA was assessed by quantitative PCR in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of SLE patients and HC. The results were analysed using Shesis and spss.20. Our results revealed a significant association between ICOS gene rs11889031 > CC genotype and SLE disease (codominant genetic model 1, (C/C vs. C/T), p = .001, odds ratio [OR] = 2.18 IC [1.36-3.49]); codominant genetic model 2, (C/C vs. T/T) p = .007, OR = 15.29 IC [1.97-118.5]); dominant genetic model, (C/C vs. C/T + T/T) p = .0001, OR = 2.44 IC [1.53-3.9]). Besides, there was a marginal association between rs11889031 > TT genotype and T allele with a protective role from SLE (recessive genetic model, p = .016, OR = 0.08 IC [0.01-0.63] and p = 7.6904E - 05, OR = 0.43 IC = [0.28-0.66], respectively). Moreover, statistical analysis indicated that the rs11889031 > CC genotype was linked with clinical and serological manifestations of SLE, including blood pressure, and anti-SSA antibodies production in SLE patients. However, the ICOS gene rs10932029 polymorphism was not associated with susceptibility to SLE. On the other side, we did not note any effect of the two selected polymorphisms on the level of ICOS mRNA gene expression. The study showed a significant predisposing association of the ICOS rs11889031 > CC genotype with SLE, in contrast to a protective effect of rs11889031 > TT genotype in Tunisian patients. Our results suggest that ICOS rs11889031 may act as a risk factor for SLE and could be used as a genetic susceptibility biomarker.

Association of Toll-Like Receptor Gene Polymorphisms with Tuberculosis in HIV-Positive Participants

Genetic factors in the HIV-background may play a significant role in the susceptibility to secondary diseases, like tuberculosis, which is the leading cause in mortality of HIV-positive people. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are considered to be receptors for adaptive immunity, and polymorphisms in TLR genes can influence the activity of the immune response to infection. We conducted a case-control study of the association of TLR gene polymorphisms with the risk of tuberculosis coinfection in a multi-country sample of HIV-positive participants. Our study revealed certain associations between TLR4 and TLR6 polymorphisms and HIV-tuberculosis coinfection. We also found that the analyzed TLR1 and TLR4 polymorphisms were linked with the decline in CD4+ cell count, which is a predictor of disease progression in HIV-infected individuals. Our findings confirm that TLR gene polymorphisms are factors that may contribute to development of HIV-tuberculosis coinfection. However, the essence of the observed associations remains unclear, since it can also include both environmental factors and epigenetic mechanisms of gene expression regulation.

Impact of Alcohol Dehydrogenase 7 Polymorphism and Alcohol Consumption on Risk of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Korean Case-Control Study

BACKGROUND

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is closely associated with alcohol consumption and individual genetic susceptibility, such as single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). This study aimed to investigate the association of ADH7 SNPs with the risk of HNSCC.

METHODS

We analyzed ADH7 rs1573496C>G, rs3737482T>C, rs1154460G>A, and rs284787T>C SNPs in 250 patients with HNSCC and 322 controls in the Korean populations. Genotyping was conducted using the TaqMan assay. Linkage disequilibrium and haplotypes were analyzed.

RESULTS

The odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of the CT and CC genotypes of ADH7 rs3737482T>C were 0.48 (0.29-0.78) and 0.69 (0.49-0.96), indicating a significantly decreased risk. In SNP of rs1154460G>A, the OR and 95% CI of the AA genotype was 1.63 (1.11-2.40), showing a significant increase in the risk. Furthermore, SNPs of ADH7 rs3737482T>C and ADH7 rs1154460G>A exhibit synergistic interactions with alcohol composition on the risk of HNSCC. None of the haplotypes were associated with the risk of HNSCC.

CONCLUSIONS

ADH7 rs3737482T>C and rs1154460G>A SNPs are associated with the risk of development of HNSCC in Koreans. They could serve as molecular biological markers to screen high-risk groups for HNSCC.