Association In Asian Populations Research Articles

Ultra-processed Food Intake and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in Korean Adults

BackgroundSeveral studies from the United States and European countries reported a positive association between ultra-processed food intake and diabetes risk. However, little is known about the association in Asian populations. It is also unknown about the individual ultra-processed food items that are most unfavorably associated with diabetes risk. ObjectiveWe examined the associations of ultra-processed food intake (combined, as well as individual ultra-processed food items) with the risk of type 2 diabetes. MethodsThis prospective analysis included 7438 participants aged 40–69 y from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study Ansan–Ansung cohort. Dietary intake was assessed at baseline using a 103-item semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Ultra-processed foods were classified using the Nova definition. Incident type 2 diabetes cases were identified via follow-up interviews and health examination. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusting for potential confounders. ResultsDuring the follow-up (2001–2019; median: 15 y), a total of 1187 type 2 diabetes cases were identified. Compared with the lowest quartile of ultra-processed food intake, the highest quartile was positively associated with diabetes risk [HR (95% CI) = 1.34 (1.13, 1.59), P-trend = 0.002]. The association did not change after additional adjustment for diet quality or BMI. Among individual ultra-processed food items, a higher consumption of ham/sausage [per 1% increase in the weight ratio: HR (95% CI) = 1.40 (1.05, 1.86)], instant noodles [1.07 (1.02, 1.11)], ice cream [1.08 (1.03, 1.13)], and carbonated beverages [1.02 (1.00, 1.04)] were associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, whereas a higher intake of candy/chocolate was associated with a decreased risk [0.78 (0.62, 0.99)]. ConclusionsOur data suggest that the high intake of ultra-processed foods, particularly ham/sausage, instant noodles, ice cream, and carbonated beverages, is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes in Korean adults.

Pharmacogenomics of Cancer Pain Treatment Outcomes in Asian Populations: A Review

In advanced cancer, pain is a poor prognostic factor, significantly impacting patients' quality of life. It has been shown that up to 30% of cancer patients in Southeast Asian countries may receive inadequate analgesia from opioid therapy. This significant under-management of cancer pain is largely due to the inter-individual variability in opioid dosage and relative efficacy of available opioids, leading to unpredictable clinical responses to opioid treatment. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) cause the variability in opioid treatment outcomes, yet their association in Asian populations remains unclear. Therefore, this review aimed to evaluate the association of SNPs with variability in opioid treatment responses in Asian populations. A literature search was conducted in Medline and Embase databases and included primary studies investigating the association of SNPs in opioid treatment outcomes, namely pharmacokinetics, opioid dose requirements, and pain control among Asian cancer patients. The results show that CYP2D6*10 has the most clinical relevance in tramadol treatment. Other SNPs such as rs7439366 (UGT2B7), rs1641025 (ABAT) and rs1718125 (P2RX7) though significant have limited pharmacogenetic implications due to insufficient evidence. OPRM1 rs1799971, COMT rs4680 and ABCB1 (rs1045642, rs1128503, and rs2032582) need to be further explored in future for relevance in Asian populations.

Examine the Association between Metabolic Syndrome and Frailty in an Older Asian Population

Background: There has been evidence that metabolic syndrome (MetS) may increase the risk of frailty. However, there is limited evidence on this association in Asian populations. Aims: This study aims to identify the association between MetS and frailty in older people in Vietnam. Methods: This is a cross-sectional analysis of a dataset that was obtained from an observational study on frailty and sarcopenia in patients aged ≥60 at a geriatric hospital in Vietnam. Frailty was defined by the frailty phenotype. The participants were defined as having MetS if they had ≥3 out of 5 criteria from the definition of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adults Treatment Panel (ATP) III. Multiple logistic regression models were performed to estimate the risk of having frailty in patients with MetS. Results: Of the 669 participants (mean age 71, 60.2% female), 62.3% had MetS and 39.0% were frail. The prevalence of frailty was 42.2% in participants with MetS and 33.7% in participants without MetS (p = 0.029). On the logistic regression models, MetS was associated with an increased likelihood of being frail (adjusted OR 1.52, 95%CI 1.01–2.28), allowing for age, sex, education, nutritional status, history of hospitalization, and chronic diseases. Conclusion: There was a significant association between MetS and frailty in this population. Further longitudinal studies are required to confirm this association.

Association between intake of white rice and incident type 2 diabetes – An updated meta-analysis

AimsMeta-analyses on the association between white rice intake and incident type 2 diabetes (T2D) have been inconsistent. Since the last meta-analysis, more studies have been published with inconsistent results. We aimed to examine the rice-T2D association in Asian populations in an updated meta-analysis. MethodsWe systematically searched the Medline and Embase databases between January 2012 (the date of the first meta-analysis) and December 2020 for prospective studies examining T2D risk and baseline rice intake. Random-effects models were applied to pool relative risks (RRs). Meta regression analyses were used to evaluate the influence of sex. ResultsSix articles with eleven comparisons in Asian countries were included in the current meta-analysis. A total of 12,395 incident T2D cases were ascertained from 256,818 participants. The pooled RR was 1.25 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.17–1.33) comparing extreme categories of rice intake with higher heterogeneity (I2 = 88%, P < 0.0001). When stratified by sex, the RR was 1.58 (1.26–1.99) among women and 1.30 (0.85–1.98) among men (P-interaction = 0.42). ConclusionsA positive association between rice intake and incident T2D in Asian populations was found, especially among women.

Maternal Prepregnancy Body Mass Index, Gestational Weight Gain, and Risk of Adverse Perinatal Outcomes in Taiwan: A Population-Based Birth Cohort Study.

Epidemiological studies have shown that maternal prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG) are associated with increased risk of perinatal outcomes. However, the evidence of such associations in Asian populations is limited. We conducted a secondary data analysis to investigate the relationships of prepregnancy BMI and GWG with the risks of adverse perinatal outcomes, including gestational diabetes (GDM), gestational hypertension (GHTN), preeclampsia, cesarean delivery, preterm birth, low birth weight (LBW), and macrosomia. We categorized prepregnancy BMI by the WHO classification and GWG by the Institute of Medicine guidelines. We performed adjusted logistic regression models to estimate the odds ratios of adverse perinatal outcomes. A total of 19,052 women were included; prepregnancy overweight and obesity were associated with a greater risk of GDM, GHTN, preeclampsia, cesarean delivery, preterm birth, and macrosomia. Women with excessive GWG had a greater risk of GHTN, preeclampsia, cesarean delivery, and macrosomia. In conclusion, regardless of the range of GWG during pregnancy, maternal prepregnancy BMI is significantly associated with the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes in Taiwan. Public health attention regarding obesity reduction before conception and prenatal counseling for optimal GWG is needed to mitigate the risk of poor perinatal outcomes.

Alanine aminotransferase—a marker of cardiovascular risk at high and low activity levels

Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) plays a crucial role in amino acid metabolism and gluconeogenesis. Serum ALT activity is a reliable marker of liver disease and general health. Serum ALT may be associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) or mortality and positive, negative, neutral and J- or U-shaped relationships between ALT and CVD or mortality have been reported. A positive or U-shaped relationship between ALT and CVD or mortality appears to be more likely in studies including subjects across all ALT levels. An inverse relationship between ALT and CVD or mortality is more likely in studies including subjects with ALT within the reference range. The association between ALT and CVD or mortality may differ according to age (more likely to be positive in younger and inverse in older subjects), sex (stronger in men), diabetes (more likely to be positive in diabetic subjects and inverse in nondiabetic subjects), obesity (stronger association in lean subjects) and geographic location (stronger association in Asian population). The association between high ALT and CVD or mortality is explained by CVD risk factors (mostly due to underlying hepatic inflammation or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease) that are more prevalent in subjects with high ALT. The association between low ALT and CVD risk is explained by risk factors (advanced age, hepatic aging, frailty, sarcopenia, malnutrition and occult diseases) that tend to cluster in subjects with low ALT levels and are poorly linked with traditional CVD risk factors. High and low ALT levels have clinical meaning and both of them should be reported and analyzed.

Association of a placental Interleukin-6 genetic variant (rs1800796) with DNA methylation, gene expression and risk of acute chorioamnionitis

BackgroundAcute chorioamnionitis (aCA), inflammation of the placenta and fetal membranes, is a frequently reported lesion in preterm deliveries. Genetic variants in innate immune system genes such as Interleukin-6 (IL6) may contribute to the placenta’s inflammatory response, thus predisposing some pregnancies to aCA. These genetic variants may modulate molecular processes such as DNA methylation and gene expression, and in turn might affect susceptibility to aCA. Currently, there is remarkably little research on the role of fetal (placental) genetic variation in aCA. We aimed to explore the associations between genetic variants in candidate immune-system genes and susceptibility towards inflammatory responses in the placenta, which is linked to a strong inflammatory response in the newborn.MethodsDNA samples from 269 placentas (72 aCA cases, 197 non-aCA cases) were collected for this study. Samples were genotyped at 55 ancestry informative markers (AIMs) and 16 additional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 12 candidate innate immune system genes using the Sequenom iPLEX Gold Assay. Publicly available datasets were used to obtain DNA methylation (GSE100197, GSE74738, GSE115508, GSE44667, GSE98224) and gene expression data (GSE44711, GSE98224).ResultsDifferences in IL6 placental allele frequencies were associated with aCA (rs1800796, p = 0.04) with the CC genotype specifically implicated (OR = 3.1; p = 0.02). In a subset of the placental samples (n = 67; chorionic villi), we showed that the IL6 SNP (rs1800796) was associated with differential DNA methylation in five IL6-related CpG sites (cg01770232, cg02335517, cg07998387, cg13104385, and cg0526589), where individuals with a CC genotype showed higher DNA methylation levels than individuals carrying the GG genotype. Using two publicly available datasets, we observed that the DNA methylation levels at cg01770232 negatively correlated with IL6 gene expression in the placenta (r = − 0.67, p < 0.004; r = − 0.56, p < 2.937e-05).ConclusionsWe demonstrated that the minor C allele at the IL6 SNP (rs1800796), which is largely limited to East Asian populations, is associated with the presence of aCA. This SNP was associated with increased DNA methylation at a nearby MEPC2 binding site, which was also associated with decreased expression of IL6 in the placenta. Decreased expression of IL6 may increase vulnerability to microbial infection. Additional studies are required to confirm this association in Asian populations with larger sample sizes.

Association between diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes and the ICAM-1 rs5498 polymorphism: a meta-analysis of case-control studies

BackgroundGenetic studies have reported contradictory results on the association between the intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) rs5498 polymorphism and diabetic retinopathy (DR) risk in type 2 diabetic patients. We aimed to perform a systematic literature search and conduct random-effects meta-analysis to provide a quantitative evaluation.MethodsWe searched Pubmed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science and Wanfang databases from inception up to January 2018. Allelic and genotype frequencies of rs5498 was compared between DR cases and controls. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using a random effects model.ResultsNine studies involving a total of 1792 cases and 1400 controls met our inclusion criteria. We did not find any significant association between rs5498 and DR risk at the dominant model (GG + GA versus AA, OR = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.66–1.50, P = 0.987), the recessive model (GG versus GA + AA, OR = 1.24, 95% CI: 0.86–1.77, P = 0.245), the GG versus AA contrast (OR = 1.14, 95% CI: 0.68–1.92, P = 0.611), and the G allele versus A allele contrast (OR = 1.08, 95% CI: 0.81–1.45, P = 0.592). Subgroup analysis by ethnicity showed no association in Asian populations (G allele versus A allele: OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 0.76–1.44, P = 0.790). Subgroup analysis by DR subtype also did not reveal any association of rs5498 with proliferative DR (G allele versus A allele: OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 0.71–2.52, P = 0.364) and non-proliferative DR (G allele versus A allele: OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.43–1.17, P = 0.180).ConclusionOur meta-analyses provide no evidence of the association of rs5498 with DR in type 2 diabetic patients.

Body weight perception, disordered weight control behaviors, and depressive symptoms among Korean adults: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2014.

Background/ PurposeDespite emerging evidence suggesting harmful influences of accurate weight perception on psychological health among individuals with obesity, little is known about the association in Asian populations. The aim of this study was investigate the association between body weight perception and depressive symptoms among Korean adults, and potential differential associations across gender.MethodsWe used data from the sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2014, comprising 3,318 female (n = 1,876) and male (n = 1,442) participants, aged 19–65 years, with no history of depression and a body-mass index (BMI)> = 18.5kg/m2. Depressive symptoms were measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 Korean version. Weight perception patterns were categorized by comparing self-perceived and objectively measured weight status. Gender-stratified four-level multilevel linear models adjusted for age, BMI, menopause, education, income, marital status, urbanicity, chronic conditions, exercise, smoking, and alcohol use. Subgroup analyses were performed across BMI category.ResultsAmong women with obesity, those who underperceived their weight status reported fewer depressive symptoms compared to those who accurately perceived their weight status (β = -1.25, p<0.05). Among women with normal weight, those who overperceived their weight status reported more depressive symptoms compared to those who accurately perceived their weight status (β = 1.00, p<0.05). The same associations were not found in men.ConclusionAwareness-oriented strategies for obesity prevention and weight management focused on providing information on weight status may need to consider unintended consequences of accurate weight perception on mental health among individuals with obesity, particularly among women.

Meta-analysis of GABRB2 polymorphisms and the risk of schizophrenia combined with GWAS data of the Han Chinese population and psychiatric genomics consortium.

Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a severe psychiatric disorder with evidence of a strong genetic component in the complex etiologies. Some studies indicated that gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptor β2 subunit gene (GABRB2) was associated with SCZ. Other studies reported a negative association. Moreover, the results of two previous meta-analyses of GABRB2 with SCZ were inconsistent and the sample sizes were limited. Therefore, an updated meta-analysis combined with genome-wide association study (GWAS) data of the Han Chinese population and Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC) was performed. Available case–control and family-based genetic data were extracted from association studies, and the GWAS data were included. The findings showed no association between six single-nucleotide polymorphisms of GABRB2 (rs6556547, rs1816071, rs1816072, rs194072, rs252944, and rs187269) and SCZ in a total of 51,491 patients and 74,667 controls. The ethnic subgroup analysis revealed no significant association in Asian populations. Since the PGC data of SCZ (SCZ-PGC, 2014) contained 3 studies of Asian populations (1866 patients and 3418 controls), only the data of European samples in SCZ-PGC were used for the meta-analysis of the Caucasian population in the present study. The result still showed no association in the Caucasian population. In conclusion, the present meta-analysis on combined data from GWASs of the Han Chinese population and PGC suggested that GABRB2 polymorphisms might not be associated with SCZ.

Association between CLU gene rs11136000 polymorphism and Alzheimer's disease: an updated meta-analysis.

Large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identified that the single nucleotide polymorphism rs11136000 in Clusterin (CLU) gene was associated with risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in Caucasian ancestry. However, recent studies reported either a weak association or no association between rs11136000 polymorphism and AD in Asian populations. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to explore whether rs11136000 polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to AD in Asian populations. A total of 17 articles including 26 studies with 19,829 cases and 30,900 controls, which were identified by searching PubMed, MEDLINE, and AlzGene up to Nov 2016, were collected for this meta-analysis. The significant association between rs11136000 and AD in the pooled population was found under all the models. In subgroup analysis, we identified significant association in Asian population under the additive mode (OR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.85-0.96) but not in the recessive model (OR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.53-1.21) and the dominant model (OR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.86-1.03). Our analysis further supports previous findings that the rs11136000 polymorphism C allele is associated with AD susceptibility. To our knowledge, this is the new largest meta-analysis to access to the association of CLU rs11136000 polymorphism with AD risk.

Impact of PNPLA3 and IFNL3 polymorphisms on hepatic steatosis in Asian patients with chronic hepatitis C

Background and aimsA recent meta-analysis revealed that the genotype PNPLA3 rs738409 GG is associated with a higher risk of hepatic steatosis (HS) in Caucasian patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). However, controversial results were found regarding Asian populations. Furthermore, previous studies have shown a negative association between interferon lambda 3 (IFNL3) rs12979860 CC and HS in Caucasian CHC patients, but there have been no reports indicating any such association in Asian populations. In this study, then, we investigated the association of PNPLA3 and IFNL3 polymorphisms with HS in Asian CHC patients.MethodsWe enrolled consecutive CHC patients who underwent liver biopsy prior to antiviral therapy. We excluded those patients with decompensated liver disease, any co-existing chronic liver disease, or HIV or HBV co-infection.Results1080 CHC patients were enrolled, and HS was found in 453 (41.9%) patients. The frequency distribution of the G allele was significantly associated with HS (P<0.001), and this conferred a higher risk to G allele homozygotes (OR: 2.06, 95% CI: 1.46–2.88, P <0.001) than to G allele carriers (OR: 1.98, 95% CI: 1.52–2.58, P<0.001). There was a borderline significant difference in the prevalence of HS in rs12979860 CC versus non-CC (40.8% versus 49.3%, P = 0.059). After adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, diabetes, and excessive alcohol intake, the rs738409 G allele homozygote carriers still carried a higher risk for HS (OR: 1.93, 95% CI: 1.35–2.77, P = 0.003).ConclusionThe PNPLA3 rs738409 GG genotype is positively associated with HS, while the IFNL3 rs 12979860 CC genotype may be negatively associated with HS, in Asian CHC patients.

Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and type 2 diabetes incidence in Thai adults: results from an 8-year prospective study

Background:The global prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is high and is increasing in countries undergoing rapid socio-economic development, including Thailand. Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake may contribute to the risk of developing T2DM. However, few studies have assessed this association in Asian populations, and the results have been inconsistent. We aimed to assess that association in a prospective study of Thai adults.Methods:Data were from Thai Cohort Study participants surveyed in 2005, 2009 and 2013. The nation-wide sample included adult cohort members who were free of diabetes in 2005 and who were followed-up in 2013 (n=39 175). We used multivariable logistic regression to assess associations between SSB intake and eight-year T2DM incidence. We used a counterfactual mediation analysis to explore potential mediation of the SSB intake and T2DM-risk relationship.Results:In women (but not men) consuming SSBs once or more per day (versus rarely) was associated with increased T2DM incidence at the 8-year follow-up (odds ratio (OR)=2.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5–3.9). Obesity in 2009 was found to mediate ~23% of the total association between SSB intake in 2005 and T2DM risk in 2013 (natural indirect effect 1.15, 95% CI (1.02, 1.31).Conclusions:Frequent SSB consumption associated with higher T2DM incidence in women but not men. We found that a moderate proportion of the SSB-T2DM relationship was mediated through body mass index (BMI). Our findings suggest that targeting SSB consumption can help prevent a national rise in the incidence of T2DM.

Association between Parkinson's disease and risk of colorectal cancer

BackgroundGrowing evidence has reported that gut microbiota is involved in pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD) and colorectal cancer (CRC), and the association between PD and CRC does not reach a consensus. In order to explore their correlation, herein we summarize the epidemiological evidence and included relevant studies to perform a meta-analysis. MethodsA comprehensive literature search for relevant articles published was performed in Medline, Web of Science and Embase up to June 30, 2016. The pooled risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was used to estimate the effects and calculated using the method of generic inverse variance with the Random-effects model. ResultsThirteen studies were included and analyzed in this meta-analysis. The pooled result of 11 cohort studies and 2 case-control studies comprising 343,226 PD patients showed that patients with PD had a decreased risk of CRC (RR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.66–0.93, P = 0.006). Further subgroup analyses performed in Western population revealed that the significant inverse association between PD and risk of CRC was not undermined by many factors, including study design, tumor location, gender and quality of the study. ConclusionPatients with PD was significantly associated with a decreased risk of CRC in Western population. Future studies are warranted to further clarify this association in Asian population.

A vegetable, fruit, and white rice dietary pattern during pregnancy is associated with a lower risk of preterm birth and larger birth size in a multiethnic Asian cohort: the Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) cohort study

Maternal dietary patterns during pregnancy have been shown to influence infant birth outcomes. However, to our knowledge, only a few studies have examined the associations in Asian populations. We characterized maternal dietary patterns in Asian pregnant women and examined their associations with the risk of preterm birth and offspring birth size. At 26-28 wk of gestation, 24-h recalls and 3-d food diaries were collected from the women in the Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes mother-offspring cohort. Dietary patterns were derived from exploratory factor analysis. Gestational age was determined by a dating ultrasound scan in the first trimester, and infant birth anthropometric measurements were obtained from hospital records. Associations were assessed by logistic and linear regressions with adjustment for confounding factors. Three maternal dietary patterns were identified: vegetable, fruit, and white rice (VFR); seafood and noodle (SfN); and pasta, cheese, and processed meat (PCP). Of 923 infants, 7.6% were born preterm, 13.4% were born small for gestational age, and 14.7% were born large for gestational age. A greater adherence to the VFR pattern (per SD increase in VFR score) was associated with a lower risk of preterm births (OR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.50, 0.91), higher ponderal index (β: 0.26 kg/m3; 95% CI: 0.06, 0.45 kg/m3), and increased risk of a large-for-gestational-age birth (RR: 1.31; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.62). No associations were observed for the SfN and PCP patterns in relation to birth outcomes. The VFR pattern is associated with a lower incidence of preterm birth and with larger birth size in an Asian population. The findings related to larger birth size warrant further confirmation in independent studies. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01174875.

Association of IL-6 and MMP-3 gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a meta-analysis.

Recently, several institutions have investigated the associations of MMP-3-1171 5A/6A and IL-6-174-G/C gene polymorphisms with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), while reports from different institutions are not consistent. Therefore, we, comprehensively and systematically performed this meta-analysis to detect whether the two gene polymorphisms are correlated with AIS. From January 1994 to October 2015, all case-control studies focussed on the relationship between the two aforementioned gene polymorphisms and the susceptibility to AIS were retrieved from bibliographic databases. A total of 16 articles were found, of which five consisted of 944 cases and 1177 controls, were finally included after being assessed by two reviewers. We calculated the pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) to assess the associations. The pooled data analyses were based on allele contrast, homozygote, heterozygote, dominant and recessive models. Overall, there was no significant association of IL-6-174-G/C gene polymorphism with AIS risk. Significant association was observed in homozygote model of MMP-3-1171-5A/6A gene polymorphism (5A5A versus 6A6A: OR = 1.69, 95% CI = 1.11-2.58, P = 0.02). When stratified into Caucasian and Asian populations, positive association was found in Caucasian population (5A versus 6A: OR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.11-1.84, P = 0.006; 5A5A versus 6A6A: OR = 1.90, 95% CI = 1.13-3.19, P = 0.015); however, there was no significant association in Asian population. The present study concluded that 5A5A genotype of MMP-3-1171 5A/6A gene polymorphism was associated with AIS, especially in Caucasian population. However, no significant association was detected between IL-6-174-G/C gene polymorphism and AIS.

Cataract Surgery and Age-Related Macular Degeneration in the 2008-2012 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

In the past, concern has been raised that cataract surgery may be associated with the incidence or progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD); inconsistent findings from previous studies have puzzled clinicians. In addition, data addressing this association in Asian populations and in the era of phacoemulsification are scarce. To determine the associations between cataract surgery and AMD in a representative Korean population. This cross-sectional study used a multistage, probability-cluster survey sample to produce nationally representative estimates. Data were analyzed from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), which included results for cataract surgery status and AMD grading from 2008 to 2012. A total of 20 419 participants 40 years or older were included. Data were analyzed from February 5 to August 20, 2015. The association between cataract surgery and AMD was assessed in each right and left eye using logistic regression models and in both eyes using generalized estimating equation models. Sample weights were applied to adjust for survey design, nonresponse, and stratification to generate nationally representative population-based results. From the 20 419 eligible individuals (11 642 women [51.9%] and 5777 men [48.1%]; mean [SE] age, 55.83 [0.14] years), 17 987 had information regarding cataract surgery status and gradable fundus photographs of at least 1 eye. A total of 34 863 eyes (17 616 right eyes and 17 247 left eyes) underwent analysis. Of these, 1264 right eyes (5.5%) and 1235 left eyes (5.4%) had cataract surgery. Of 1056 right eyes and 949 left eyes with any AMD (early or late), 167 right eyes (15.2%) and 147 left eyes (13.7%) had cataract surgery. The analyses did not show any association between cataract surgery and any form of AMD (early, late, and all) except in left eyes, where cataract surgery was associated with late AMD (odds ratio, 2.34; 95% CI, 1.13-4.85). The results suggest that the association between cataract surgery and AMD is uncertain in the current era of phacoemulsification. The association for left eyes might be a chance finding.

Differential association for N-acetyltransferase 2 genotype and phenotype with bladder cancer risk in Chinese population.

BackgroundN-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) is involved in both carcinogen detoxification through hepatic N-acetylation and carcinogen activation through local O-acetylation. NAT2 slow acetylation status is significantly associated with increased bladder cancer risk among European populations, but its association in Asian populations is inconclusive.MethodsNAT2 acetylation status was determined by both single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and caffeine metabolic ratio (CMR), in a population-based study of 494 bladder cancer patients and 507 control subjects in Shanghai, China.ResultsThe CMR, a functional measure of hepatic N-acetylation, was significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner among both cases and controls possessing the SNP-inferred NAT2 slow acetylation status (all P-values<5.0×10−10). The CMR-determined slow N-acetylation status (CMR<0.34) was significantly associated with a 50% increased risk of bladder cancer (odds ratio = 1.50, 95% confidence interval = 1.10-2.06) whereas the SNP-inferred slow acetylation statuses were significantly associated with an approximately 50% decreased risk of bladder cancer. The genotype-disease association was strengthened after the adjustment for CMR and was primarily observed among never smokers.ConclusionsThe apparent differential associations for phenotypic and genetic measures of acetylation statuses with bladder cancer risk may reflect dual functions of NAT2 in bladder carcinogenesis because the former only measures the capacity of carcinogen detoxification pathway while the latter represents both carcinogen activation and detoxification pathways. Future studies are warranted to ascertain the specific role of N- and O-acetylation in bladder carcinogenesis, particularly in populations exposed to different types of bladder carcinogens.

ZNF804A Genetic Variation Confers Risk to Bipolar Disorder

Genetic variation in the gene encoding zinc finger protein 804A gene (ZNF804A) has been identified to be associated with bipolar disorder in genome-wide association studies, while little is known regarding their association in Asian populations. In this study, we aimed to examine whether ZNF804A may confer susceptibility to BD in Han Chinese. We measured the mRNA expression level of ZNF804A in patients with BD and controls. Two functional variants (rs1344706 and rs359895) in ZNF804A were genotyped among 1508 individuals with or without BD. We then performed a meta-analysis based on present literature. Our results showed that ZNF804A mRNA level in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was significantly higher in BD patients than that in controls (P = 0.01). The rs1344706 showed significant allelic association with BD (P = 0.034). The frequency of T allele of rs1344706 was higher in patients than that in controls (odds ratio = 1.19, 95% confidence interval 1.03-1.37). After pooling all data, meta-analysis indicated a significant association of rs1344706 with BD (P = 0.0003). Furthermore, we performed an eQTL analysis and observed significant associations between rs1344706 and ZNF804A expression level in hippocampus (P = 0.032) and occipital cortex (P = 0.036). After stratified by diagnosis, the association of rs1344706 with BD was only survived in BD-I (genotypic P = 0.04, allelic P = 0.014), but not in BD-II. Our findings provided supportive evidence for the involvement of ZNF804A rs1344706 in BD, especially in BD-I.

NADPH oxidase p22phox C242T polymorphism and ischemic cerebrovascular disease: an updated meta-analysis.

BackgroundA growing number of studies on the associations between nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase p22phox C242T polymorphism and risk of ischemic cerebrovascular disease have recently been published, but the results remain inconsistent.Material/MethodsWe performed an updated meta-analysis to evaluate this association. Eight case-control studies were included, involving 2045 cases and 2102 controls. Heterogeneity was assessed by the Q test and the I2 statistic. Begg and Egger’s tests were conducted to evaluate publication bias. Odds ratio (OR) was tested to identify the associations.ResultsSignificant associations between p22phox gene C242T polymorphism and ischemic cerebrovascular disease (ICVD) risk were observed in the allelic genetic model (OR=1.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00–1.77, p=0.048). No statistical significant association was found in the dominant model (OR=0.74, 95% CI 0.54–1.02, p=0.064) and recessive model (OR=1.40, 95% CI 0.89–2.19, p=0.146). Subgroup analysis showed an association in European populations for recessive model (OR=2.13, 95% CI 1.06–4.26, p=0.034) and no significant evidence of association in Asian populations was found (dominant model: OR=0.64, 95% CI 0.41–1.00, p=0.05; recessive model: OR=0.98, 95% CI 0.53–1.81, p=0.948; allelic model: OR=1.51, 95% CI 0.98–2.32, p=0.061).Conclusionsp22phox gene C242T polymorphism was associated with ICVD risk in the allelic genetic model, as well as in European populations for recessive model. No evidence showed association between p22phox gene C242T polymorphism and ICVD risk in the dominant model and recessive model. Furthermore, no association existed in Asian populations for any of the 3 genetic models and European populations in the dominant model and allelic model.