AIM:To investigate the causal effect of obesity on cataract risk and explores the potential mediating roles of metabolites using Mendelian randomization(MR).METHODS:Summary-level data from large-scale genome-wide asso...AIM:To investigate the causal effect of obesity on cataract risk and explores the potential mediating roles of metabolites using Mendelian randomization(MR).METHODS:Summary-level data from large-scale genome-wide association studies to examine the relationship between obesity and cataract were utilized.Obesity-related traits,including body mass index(BMI),waist-to-hip ratio(WHR),and waist circumference(WC).A two-sample MR approach was employed to assess the causal effect of obesity on cataract risk,while potential mediators were identified from suitable genome-wide association studies(GWAS)datasets.Additionally,a metabolic pathway analysis was conducted.RESULTS:An increase of 1 standard deviation(SD)in BMI,WHR,and WC was associated with a significantly higher risk of cataract(BMI:odds ratio(OR)1.0017,95%confidence interval(CI):1.0001-1.0032,P=0.0320;WHR:OR 1.0029,95%CI:1.0006-1.0051,P=0.0129;WC:OR 1.0020,95%CI:1.0001-1.0038,P=0.0390].These associations remained robust after adjusting for confounding factors in multivariable MR analysis.Furthermore,a two-step MR analysis identified eight potential metabolic mediators,with one mediator showing a significant causal role in the relationship between obesity and cataract.CONCLUSION:This work highlights the importance of addressing obesity as a modifiable risk factor for cataracts,particularly through metabolic pathways.展开更多
[Objectives]To investigate the potential causal relationship between psoriasis and common mental disorders,and to provide genetic epidemiological evidence for the early intervention of mental comorbidities.[Methods]Ba...[Objectives]To investigate the potential causal relationship between psoriasis and common mental disorders,and to provide genetic epidemiological evidence for the early intervention of mental comorbidities.[Methods]Based on publicly available large-scale GWAS data,a bidirectional Mendelian randomization(MR)approach was employed to assess the causal associations between psoriasis and major depressive disorder(MDD),bipolar disorder,schizophrenia,and anxiety disorders.The inverse variance weighted(IVW)method served as the primary analytical tool,supplemented by sensitivity analyses using MR-Egger and weighted median methods.Additionally,a subgroup analysis was conducted for psoriatic arthritis(PsA).[Results]Forward MR analysis revealed a significant positive causal association between the genetic predisposition to psoriasis and bipolar disorder as well as MDD,whereas no significant causal relationship was observed with schizophrenia or anxiety disorders.The reverse MR analysis found no causal effect of mental disorders on psoriasis.Subgroup analysis of PsA indicated that its genetic predisposition was significantly associated with the risk of bipolar disorder.The results of various sensitivity analyses and pleiotropy tests supported the robustness of the conclusions.[Conclusions]This study provides genetic evidence supporting a causal link between psoriasis and both MDD and bipolar disorder.In particular,patients with PsA are at a higher risk of developing bipolar disorder,highlighting the need to strengthen early screening and intervention for mental health in clinical management.展开更多
AIM:To investigate the potential causal associations between 41 inflammatory cytokines and myopia using a two-sample Mendelian randomization(MR)approach.METHODS:Publicly available genome-wide association study(GWAS)da...AIM:To investigate the potential causal associations between 41 inflammatory cytokines and myopia using a two-sample Mendelian randomization(MR)approach.METHODS:Publicly available genome-wide association study(GWAS)datasets were utilized for this two-sample MR analysis.Inflammatory cytokine-related GWAS data were extracted from The University of Bristol’s Research Data Repository,and myopia-related GWAS data were obtained from the FinnGen project.Single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)associated with inflammatory cytokines were systematically selected as instrumental variables(IVs)based on three rigorous criteria:relevance,independence,and exclusion of pleiotropy.Five MR methods were employed for causal inference:the inverse-variance weighted(IVW)method as the primary analysis,supplemented by MREgger regression,weighted median estimator,simple mode,and weighted mode approaches.Sensitivity analyses were performed to evaluate the robustness of the causal estimates.RESULTS:A total of 773 myopia-associated SNPs were identified.MR analysis revealed that higher levels of macrophage inflammatory protein 1-α(MIP-1α)were associated with a 17%reduced risk of myopia[odds ratio(OR)=0.83;95%confidence interval(CI):0.69-0.99;P<0.05].In contrast,elevated levels of eotaxin(OR=1.26;95%CI:1.07-1.47;P<0.01),stromal cell-derived factor-1α(SDF-1α;OR=1.68;95%CI:1.08-2.62;P<0.05),and interleukin-2 receptor subunit alpha(IL-2Rα;OR=1.25;95%CI:1.01-1.53;P<0.05)were significantly associated with an increased risk of myopia.Sensitivity analyses confirmed the reliability of these results.CONCLUSION:This study provides evidence supporting a causal relationship between specific inflammatory cytokines and myopia.MIP-1αmay act as a protective factor against myopia,while eotaxin,SDF-1α,and IL-2Rαare potential risk factors for myopia.These findings emphasize the critical role of inflammatory pathways in the pathogenesis of myopia,offering novel insights for the development of preventive and therapeutic strategies for myopia.展开更多
AIM:To explore the causal relationship between several possible behavioral factors and high myopia(HM)using multivariable Mendelian randomization(MVMR)approach and to find the mediators among them with mediation analy...AIM:To explore the causal relationship between several possible behavioral factors and high myopia(HM)using multivariable Mendelian randomization(MVMR)approach and to find the mediators among them with mediation analysis.METHODS:The causal effects of several behavioral factors,including screen time,education time,time spent outdoors,and physical activity,on the risk of HM using univariable Mendelian randomization(MR)and MVMR analyses were first assessed.Genome-wide association study summary statistics of serum metabolites were also used in mediation analysis to determine the extent to which serum metabolites mediate the effects of behavioral factors on HM.RESULTS:MR analyses indicated that both increased time spent outdoors and a higher frequency of moderate physical activity significantly reduced the risk of HM.Further MVMR analysis confirmed that moderate physical activity independently contributed to a lower risk of HM.Additionally,MR analyses identified 13 serum metabolites significantly associated with HM,of which 12 were lipids and one was an amino acid derivative.Mediation analysis revealed that six lipid metabolites mediated the protective effects of moderate physical activity on HM,with the highest mediation proportion observed for 1-(1-enyl-palmitoyl)-GPC(p-16:0;30.83%).CONCLUSION:This study suggests that in addition to outdoor time,moderate physical activity habits may have an independent protective effect against HM and pointed to lipid metabolites as priority targets for the prevention due to low physical activity.These results emphasize the importance of physical activity and metabolic health in HM and underscore the need for further study of these complex associations.展开更多
Objective Previous studies link lower body mass index(BMI)with increased obsessive-compulsive disorder(OCD)risk,yet other body mass indicators may be more etioloically relevant.We dissected the causal association betw...Objective Previous studies link lower body mass index(BMI)with increased obsessive-compulsive disorder(OCD)risk,yet other body mass indicators may be more etioloically relevant.We dissected the causal association between body fat mass(FM)and OCD.Methods Summary statistics from genome-wide association studies of European ancestry were utilized to conduct two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis.Heterogeneity,horizontal pleiotropy,and sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness.Results The inverse variance weighting method demonstrated that a genetically predicted decrease in FM was causally associated with an increased OCD risk[odds ratio(OR)=0.680,95%confidence interval(CI):0.528–0.875,P=0.003].Similar estimates were obtained using the weighted median approach(OR=0.633,95%CI:0.438–0.915,P=0.015).Each standard deviation increases in genetically predicted body fat percentage corresponded to a reduced OCD risk(OR=0.638,95%CI:0.455–0.896,P=0.009).The sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of these findings with no outlier instrument variables identified.Conclusion The negative causal association between FM and the risk of OCD suggests that the prevention or treatment of mental disorders should include not only the control of BMI but also fat distribution and body composition.展开更多
AIM:To comprehensively assess the relationship between asthma and myopia based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(NHANES)database combined with Mendelian randomization(MR).METHODS:Initially,20497 ...AIM:To comprehensively assess the relationship between asthma and myopia based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(NHANES)database combined with Mendelian randomization(MR).METHODS:Initially,20497 subjects from the complete questionnaire cycle in the NHANES database from 2005 to 2008 were included.By exclusion criteria,8460 subjects were screened with 1676 myopia samples and 6784 control samples.Subsequently,baseline characteristics,association analyses,risk stratification analyses,and receive operating characteristic curve(ROC)were used to investigate the associations between covariates and myopia.Then,the causal relationship was explored in depth by MR analysis,and was estimated the reliability by sensitivity analyses and directionality tests.RESULTS:Baseline characteristics illustrated a significant difference between myopia and controls for both asthma and covariates(excluding gender;P<0.05).The results in all three models indicated that asthma was strongly associated with myopia and the effect on myopia was not significantly confounded by other covariates[model 3:odd ratio(OR)=1.31;95%CI=1.07-1.62;P=0.0133].The risk stratification analysis again verified that asthma remained strongly associated with myopia and was a risk factor for myopia(P<0.05,OR>1).ROC proved that the model was accurate in its prediction[area under curve(AUC)=0.7].Subsequently,the causal relationship between them was statistically significant(P<0.05)according to the inverse variance weighted(IVW)method in MR.Scatterplot showed that asthma and myopia had significant positive causality and were not affected by confounders.Forest plot displayed an increasing risk of myopia on asthma(OR>1).The funnel plot demonstrated compliance with Mendel’s second law.Sensitivity analysis and directional analysis further confirmed the confidence of the MR analysis results and a unidirectional causal relationship between them.CONCLUSION:A significant association and causality between asthma and myopia is found through the NHANES database and MR analysis,which is important implications for public health policy development and clinical practice.展开更多
AIM:To investigate the causal relationship between dietary intake and myopia using Mendelian randomization(MR)analysis.METHODS:Genome-wide association study(GWAS)data from the IEU Open GWAS database were utilized to e...AIM:To investigate the causal relationship between dietary intake and myopia using Mendelian randomization(MR)analysis.METHODS:Genome-wide association study(GWAS)data from the IEU Open GWAS database were utilized to examine associations between myopia and various dietary factors.MR analysis,incorporating both univariable and multivariable approaches,assessed the impact of food intake on myopia risk through five analytical methods,with inverse variance weighted(IVW)serving as the primary reference.Sensitivity analyses,including heterogeneity assessment,horizontal pleiotropy evaluation,and leave-oneout analysis,were conducted to validate the MR findings.RESULTS:Univariable MR analysis identified a causal link between food intake and myopia.Consumption of breaded fish,canned soup,sweet biscuits,and certain fruits correlated with a lower risk of myopia,whereas intake of low-calorie hot chocolate and cereal was associated with an increased risk.Multivariable MR analysis further confirmed that breaded fish consumption exerted a direct protective effect against myopia,particularly when consumed alongside other dietary components.These findings highlight the intricate interplay between specific dietary factors and myopia development,offering valuable insights for further research.CONCLUSION:MR analysis provides evidence supporting a potential causal relationship between breaded fish intake and myopia,underscoring its relevance in targeted myopia prevention strategies.展开更多
Objective Observational studies have shown inconsistent associations of loneliness or social isolation(SI)with ischemic heart disease(IHD),with unknown mediators.Methods Using data from genome-wide association studies...Objective Observational studies have shown inconsistent associations of loneliness or social isolation(SI)with ischemic heart disease(IHD),with unknown mediators.Methods Using data from genome-wide association studies of predominantly European ancestry,we performed a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian Randomization(MR)study to estimate causal effects of loneliness(N=487,647)and SI traits on IHD(N=184,305).SI traits included whether individuals lived alone,participated in various types of social activities,and how often they had contact with friends or family(N=459,830 to 461,369).A network MR study was conducted to evaluate the mediating roles of 20 candidate mediators,including metabolic,behavioral and psychological factors.Results Loneliness increased IHD risk(OR=2.129;95%confidence interval[CI]:1.380 to 3.285),mediated by body fat percentage,waist-hip ratio,total cholesterol,and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.For SI traits,only fewer social activities increased IHD risk(OR=1.815;95%CI:1.189 to 2.772),mediated by hypertension,high-density lipoprotein cholesterol,triglycerides,fasting insulin,and smoking cessation.No reverse causality of IHD with loneliness and SI was found.Conclusion These findings suggested more attention should be paid to individuals who feel lonely and have fewer social activities to prevent IHD,with several mediators as prioritized targets for intervention.展开更多
Objective:Based on multistage metabolomic profiling and Mendelian randomization analyses,the current study identified plasma metabolites that predicted the risk of developing gastric cancer(GC)and determined whether k...Objective:Based on multistage metabolomic profiling and Mendelian randomization analyses,the current study identified plasma metabolites that predicted the risk of developing gastric cancer(GC)and determined whether key metabolite levels modified the GC primary prevention effects.Methods:Plasma metabolites associated with GC risk were identified through a case-control study.Bi-directional two-sample Mendelian randomization analyses were performed to determine potential causal relationships utilizing the Shandong Intervention Trial(SIT),a nested case-control study of the Mass Intervention Trial in Linqu,Shandong province(MITS),China,the UK Biobank,and the Finn Gen project.Results:A higher genetic risk score for plasma L-aspartic acid was significantly associated with an increased GC risk in the northern Chinese population(SIT:HR=1.26 per 1 SD change,95%CI:1.07±1.49;MITS:HR=1.07,95%CI:1.00±1.14)and an increased gastric adenocarcinoma risk in Finn Gen(OR=1.68,95%CI:1.16±2.45).Genetically predicted plasma L-aspartic acid levels also modified the GC primary prevention effects with the beneficial effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication notably observed among individuals within the top quartile of L-aspartic acid level(P-interaction=0.098)and the beneficial effect of garlic supplementation only for those within the lowest quartile of L-aspartic acid level(P-interaction=0.02).Conclusions:Elevated plasma L-aspartic acid levels significantly increased the risk of developing GC and modified the effects of GC primary prevention.Further studies from other populations are warranted to validate the modification effect of plasma L-aspartic acid levels on GC prevention and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.展开更多
Objective Vitamin deficiencies,particularly in vitamins A,B12,and D,are prevalent across populations and contribute significantly to a range of health issues.While these deficiencies are well documented,the underlying...Objective Vitamin deficiencies,particularly in vitamins A,B12,and D,are prevalent across populations and contribute significantly to a range of health issues.While these deficiencies are well documented,the underlying etiology remains complex.Recent studies suggest a close link between the gut microbiota and the synthesis,absorption,and metabolism of these vitamins.However,the specific causal relationships between the gut microbiota composition and vitamin deficiencies remain poorly understood.Identifying key bacterial species and understanding their role in vitamin metabolism could provide critical insights for targeted interventions.Methods We conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization(MR)study to assess the causal relationship between the gut microbiota and vitamin deficiencies(A,B12,D).The genome-wide association study data for vitamin deficiencies were sourced from the FinnGen biobank,and the gut microbiota data were from the MiBioGen consortium.MR analyses included inverse variance-weighted(IVW),MR‒Egger,weighted median,and weighted mode approaches.Sensitivity analyses and reverse causality assessments were performed to ensure robustness and validate the findings.Results After FDR adjustment,vitamin B12 deficiency was associated with the class Verrucomicrobiae,order Verrucomicrobiales,family Verrucomicrobiaceae,and genus Akkermansia.Vitamin A deficiency was associated with the phylum Firmicutes and the genera Fusicatenibacter and Ruminiclostridium 6.Additional associations for vitamin B12 deficiency included the Enterobacteriaceae and Rhodospirillaceae and the genera Coprococcus 2,Lactococcus,and Ruminococcaceae UCG002.Vitamin D deficiency was associated with the genera Allisonella,Eubacterium,and Tyzzerella 3.Lachnospiraceae and Lactococcus were common risk factors for both B12 and D deficiency.Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the findings against heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy,and reverse MR tests indicated no evidence of reverse causality.Conclusions Our findings reveal a possible causal relationship between specific gut microbiota characteristics and vitamin A,B12 and D deficiencies,providing a theoretical basis for addressing these nutritional deficiencies through the modulation of the gut microbiota in the future and laying the groundwork for related interventions.展开更多
Objective:Gut microbiota(GM)and blood metabolites are associated with the development of urticaria,yet their specific causal relationships in East Asian populations remain unclear.This study aims to elucidate the caus...Objective:Gut microbiota(GM)and blood metabolites are associated with the development of urticaria,yet their specific causal relationships in East Asian populations remain unclear.This study aims to elucidate the causal and mediating relationships among GM,blood metabolites,and urticaria in East Asians using Mendelian randomization(MR)analysis.Methods:Summary-level statistics for 500 GM taxa,112 blood metabolites,and urticaria were obtained from publicly available Genome-Wide Association Studies(GWAS)datasets.Bidirectional MR analyses were performed to examine causal associations among the GM,blood metabolites,and urticaria.The inverse variance weighted(IVW)method served as the primary analytical approach,supplemented by MR-Egger,weighted median,simple mode,and weighted mode methods.Sensitivity analyses included heterogeneity tests,horizontal pleiotropy assessments,and leave-one-out analyses.Mediation analysis was conducted to evaluate the potential mediating effects of blood metabolites on the causal pathways between GM and urticaria.Results:MR analyses identified 12 GM taxa exhibiting significant causal effects on urticaria susceptibility.Nine taxa,such as MF0017_galactose_degradation(OR=1.461,95%CI 1.098 to 1.944,P=0.009),were associated with increased urticaria risk.Three taxa,such as MF0001_arabinoxylan_degradation(OR=0.846,95%CI 0.737 to 0.973,P=0.019),showed protective effects with increased abundance.Additionally,6 blood metabolites demonstrated causal associations with urticaria.Notably,the risk of developing urticaria increases with rising fasting plasma glucose(FPG)levels(OR=1.971,95%CI 1.089 to 3.567,P=0.025).Mediation analysis further demonstrated that FPG partially mediated the protective effect of MF0001_arabinoxylan_degradation on urticaria,accounting for 11.30%of the total effect.Conclusion:This study has delineated specific GM taxa and blood metabolites that hold causal relevance to urticaria in East Asian populations.Notably,arabinogalactan degradation potentially mitigates urticaria risk via reducing FPG concentrations,offering genetic evidence to support therapeutic strategies targeting GM modulation and glucose regulation.展开更多
Domain randomization is a widely adopted technique in deep reinforcement learning(DRL)to improve agent generalization by exposing policies to diverse environmental conditions.This paper investigates the impact of diff...Domain randomization is a widely adopted technique in deep reinforcement learning(DRL)to improve agent generalization by exposing policies to diverse environmental conditions.This paper investigates the impact of different reset strategies,normal,non-randomized,and randomized,on agent performance using the Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient(DDPG)and Twin Delayed DDPG(TD3)algorithms within the CarRacing-v2 environment.Two experimental setups were conducted:an extended training regime with DDPG for 1000 steps per episode across 1000 episodes,and a fast execution setup comparing DDPG and TD3 for 30 episodes with 50 steps per episode under constrained computational resources.A step-based reward scaling mechanism was applied under the randomized reset condition to promote broader state exploration.Experimental results showthat randomized resets significantly enhance learning efficiency and generalization,with DDPG demonstrating superior performance across all reset strategies.In particular,DDPG combined with randomized resets achieves the highest smoothed rewards(reaching approximately 15),best stability,and fastest convergence.These differences are statistically significant,as confirmed by t-tests:DDPG outperforms TD3 under randomized(t=−101.91,p<0.0001),normal(t=−21.59,p<0.0001),and non-randomized(t=−62.46,p<0.0001)reset conditions.The findings underscore the critical role of reset strategy and reward shaping in enhancing the robustness and adaptability of DRL agents in continuous control tasks,particularly in environments where computational efficiency and training stability are crucial.展开更多
Emerging evidence highlights the role of thyroid hormones in cancer,although findings are controversial.Research on thyroid-related traits in lung carcinogenesis is limited.Using UK Biobank data,we performed bidirecti...Emerging evidence highlights the role of thyroid hormones in cancer,although findings are controversial.Research on thyroid-related traits in lung carcinogenesis is limited.Using UK Biobank data,we performed bidirectional Mendelian randomization(MR)to assess causal associations between lung cancer risk and thyroid dysfunction(hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism)or functional traits(free thyroxine[FT4]and normal-range thyroid-stimulating hormone[TSH]).Furthermore,in the smoking-behavior-stratified MR analysis,we evaluated the mediating effect of thyroid-related phenotypes on the association between smoking behaviors and lung cancer.We demonstrated significant associations between lung cancer risk and hypothyroidism(hazard ratio[HR]=1.14,95%confidence interval[CI]=1.03–1.26,P=0.009)and hyperthyroidism(HR=1.55,95%CI=1.29–1.87,P=1.90×10^(-6))in the UKB.Moreover,the MR analysis indicated a causal effect of thyroid dysfunction on lung cancer risk(ORinverse variance weighted[IVW]=1.09,95%CI=1.05–1.13,P=3.12×10^(-6)for hypothyroidism;ORIVW=1.08,95%CI=1.04–1.12,P=8.14×10^(-5)for hyperthyroidism).We found that FT4 levels were protective against lung cancer risk(ORIVW=0.93,95%CI=0.87–0.99,P=0.030).Additionally,the stratified MR analysis demonstrated distinct causal effects of thyroid dysfunction on lung cancer risk among smokers.Hyperthyroidism mediated the effect of smoking behaviors,especially the age of smoking initiation(17.66%mediated),on lung cancer risk.Thus,thyroid dysfunction phenotypes play causal roles in lung cancer development exclusively among smokers and act as mediators in the causal pathway from smoking to lung cancer.展开更多
Background:Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)is a prevalent respiratory ailment that has risen to become the foremost cause of mortality globally,and statins are a widely used class of lipid-modifying drugs.D...Background:Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)is a prevalent respiratory ailment that has risen to become the foremost cause of mortality globally,and statins are a widely used class of lipid-modifying drugs.Data from some observational studies suggest an association between statins use and COPD.Objectives:The main objective of this study was to investigate whether lipids and apolipoproteins are bidirectionally causally associated with COPD at the genetic level using a Mendelian randomization(MR)design,and to determine the potential role of circulating inflammatory proteins as mediators in this association.Methods:The publicly available Genome-Wide Association Study(GWAS)database was utilised for the purposes of the analysis.The data on high-density lipoprotein(HDL-C),low-density lipoprotein(LDL-C),triglycerides(TG),apolipoprotein A-1(ApoA1),and apolipoprotein B(ApoB)were obtained from the UK BioBank,while the COPD dataset was obtained from the FinnGen BioBank R11(number of cases:21,617,number of controls:372,627).Furthermore,data were gathered on genetic variants linked to inflammatory processes,encompassing 91 circulating inflammatory proteins(n=14,823 individuals).A two-sample MR study was conducted using these data to assess the association between HDL-C,LDL-C,TG,ApoA1,and ApoB with the risk of COPD.Furthermore,in order to investigate the potential mediating influence of inflammatory factor alterations between lipids and COPD,a two-step Mendelian randomization(MR)mediation analysis was conducted.Results:The forward MR methods identified two lipids that were found to have a causal relationship with the development of COPD.An elevated level of LDL-C and ApoB was found to be associated with a diminished risk of COPD.Furthermore,the researchers identified circulating inflammatory factors that were determined to be the causal agents in the development of COPD.Mediation analysis indicated that the inflammatory protein S100-A12 may act as a mediator between the LDL-C and COPD pathways.Conclusion:The present MR study provides genetic evidence for a causal relationship between lipids and apolipoproteins and COPD,as well as identifying the inflammatory protein S100-A12 as a potential mediator of the COPD association.The findings offer valuable insights into the mechanistic studies of statins for COPD and potential targets for disease intervention and treatment.展开更多
Objective Observational studies have found associations between inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)and the risk of dementia,including Alzheimer’s dementia(AD)and vascular dementia(VD);however,these findings are inconsist...Objective Observational studies have found associations between inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)and the risk of dementia,including Alzheimer’s dementia(AD)and vascular dementia(VD);however,these findings are inconsistent.It remains unclear whether these associations are causal.Methods We conducted a meta-analysis by systematically searching for observational studies on the association between IBD and dementia.Mendelian randomization(MR)analysis based on summary genome-wide association studies(GWASs)was performed.Genetic correlation and Bayesian colocalization analyses were used to provide robust genetic evidence.Results Ten observational studies involving 80,565,688 participants were included in this metaanalysis.IBD was significantly associated with dementia(risk ratio[RR]=1.36,95%CI=1.04-1.78;I2=84.8%)and VD(RR=2.60,95%CI=1.18-5.70;only one study),but not with AD(RR=2.00,95%CI=0.96-4.13;I^(2)=99.8%).MR analyses did not supported significant causal associations of IBD with dementia(dementia:odds ratio[OR]=1.01,95%CI=0.98-1.03;AD:OR=0.98,95%CI=0.95-1.01;VD:OR=1.02,95%CI=0.97-1.07).In addition,genetic correlation and co-localization analyses did not reveal any genetic associations between IBD and dementia.Conclusion Our study did not provide genetic evidence for a causal association between IBD and dementia risk.The increased risk of dementia observed in observational studies may be attributed to unobserved confounding factors or detection bias.展开更多
Consecutive stresses,such as initial submergence during germination followed by water deficit during the seedling stage,pose significant challenges to direct-seeded rice cultivation.By Linkage disequilibrium analysis,...Consecutive stresses,such as initial submergence during germination followed by water deficit during the seedling stage,pose significant challenges to direct-seeded rice cultivation.By Linkage disequilibrium analysis,Sub1 and Dro1(Δbp:10 Mb),as well as Sub1 and TPP7(Δbp:6 Mb)were identified to exhibit long-range linkage disequilibrium(LRLD).Meta-QTL analysis further revealed that Sub1 and TPP7 co-segregated for tolerance to submergence at the germination and seedling stages.Based on this,we hypothesized that LRLD might influence plant responses to consecutive stresses.To test this hypothesis,we developed a structured recombinant inbred line population from a cross between Bhalum 2 and Nagina 22,with alleles(Sub1 and TPP7)in linkage equilibrium.Mendelian randomization analysis validated that the parental alleles,rather than the recombinant alleles of Sub1 and TPP7,significantly influenced 13 out of 41 traits under consecutive stress conditions.Additionally,16 minor additive effect QTLs were detected between the genomic regions,spanning Sub1 and TPP7 for various traits.A single allele difference between these genomic regions enhanced crown root number,root dry weight,and specific root area by 11.45%,15.69%,and 33.15%,respectively,under flooded germination conditions.Candidate gene analysis identified WAK79 and MRLK59 as regulators of stress responses during flooded germination,recovery,and subsequent water deficit conditions.These findings highlight the critical role of parental allele combinations and genomic regions between Sub1 and TPP7 in regulating the stress responses under consecutive stresses.Favourable haplotypes derived from these alleles can be utilized to improve stress resilience in direct-seeded rice.展开更多
Background:Ankle-foot sprains are the most common musculoskeletal injuries,which can impair balance and theoretically increase the risk of falls,but still,there is a lack of evidence supporting the direct association ...Background:Ankle-foot sprains are the most common musculoskeletal injuries,which can impair balance and theoretically increase the risk of falls,but still,there is a lack of evidence supporting the direct association between ankle-foot sprains and the future risk of falls.Methods:UK Biobank cohort was utilized to measure the association between ankle-foot sprains and fall risk with covariates adjusted.Then,the two-sample Mendelian randomization(MR)analysis was applied based on the genetically predicated ankle-foot sprains from FinnGen to validate causal relationship.Finally,genetically predicated cerebellar neuroimaging features were used to explore the mediating role of maladaptive neuroplasticity between ankle-foot sprains and falls by two-step MR analyses.Results:Patients with ankle-foot sprains history exhibited a slightly increased risk of falls than the matched controls before and after adjustment for covariates(odd ratio[OR]ranged from 1.632 to 1.658).Two-sample MR analysis showed that ankle-foot sprains led to a higher risk of falls(OR=1.036)and a lower fractional anisotropy of superior cerebellar peduncle(SCP)(left,β=0.052;right,β=0.053).A trend of mediating effect was observed for the fractional anisotropy of right SCP in the causal effects of ankle-foot sprains on falls(β=0.003).Conclusion:The history of ankle-foot sprains is associated with a slightly increased risk of falls.These findings improve our understanding of the clinical consequences of ankle-foot sprains in terms of fall risk and suggest the importance of adopting more efficient strategies for managing residual functional deficits after the injuries.展开更多
In recent years,Mendelian randomization(MR)has been increasingly utilized,leveraging genetic variants as instrumental variables.This approach significantly mitigates confounder effects and reverse causation,precisely ...In recent years,Mendelian randomization(MR)has been increasingly utilized,leveraging genetic variants as instrumental variables.This approach significantly mitigates confounder effects and reverse causation,precisely clarifying the causal links between exposures and outcomes.MR’s unique advantages have made it instrumental in medicine,especially in elucidating glaucoma’s etiology.It facilitates the identification of potential risk factors,laying the groundwork for developing preventative and therapeutic strategies against glaucoma.Recent MR research has delved into diverse potential glaucoma risk factors,including behavioral habits,metabolic profiles,and their causative linkage to the disease.This review encapsulates MR’s analysis in glaucoma etiology,heralding new avenues for understanding underlying mechanisms and establishing causality.展开更多
Dear Editor,Observational studies in epidemiology have identified a correlation between hypothyroidism and cholelithiasis[1–2].However,the causal relationship between the two diseases remains unclear.To investigate t...Dear Editor,Observational studies in epidemiology have identified a correlation between hypothyroidism and cholelithiasis[1–2].However,the causal relationship between the two diseases remains unclear.To investigate the potential causal relationship,we employed a two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization(MR)analysis.展开更多
Chronotype is determined by circadian rhythms,influenced by polygenic variations and environmental factors. Typically, chronotypes are categorized into morning-, intermediate-, and evening-types^([1]). Most cognitive ...Chronotype is determined by circadian rhythms,influenced by polygenic variations and environmental factors. Typically, chronotypes are categorized into morning-, intermediate-, and evening-types^([1]). Most cognitive functions follow daily and circadian rhythms, with the “synchronization effect” reflecting performance variations between optimal and non-optimal times based on an individual's chronotype.展开更多
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.82501261)Medical Research Projects of the Jiangsu Provincial Health Commission(No.M2024041).
文摘AIM:To investigate the causal effect of obesity on cataract risk and explores the potential mediating roles of metabolites using Mendelian randomization(MR).METHODS:Summary-level data from large-scale genome-wide association studies to examine the relationship between obesity and cataract were utilized.Obesity-related traits,including body mass index(BMI),waist-to-hip ratio(WHR),and waist circumference(WC).A two-sample MR approach was employed to assess the causal effect of obesity on cataract risk,while potential mediators were identified from suitable genome-wide association studies(GWAS)datasets.Additionally,a metabolic pathway analysis was conducted.RESULTS:An increase of 1 standard deviation(SD)in BMI,WHR,and WC was associated with a significantly higher risk of cataract(BMI:odds ratio(OR)1.0017,95%confidence interval(CI):1.0001-1.0032,P=0.0320;WHR:OR 1.0029,95%CI:1.0006-1.0051,P=0.0129;WC:OR 1.0020,95%CI:1.0001-1.0038,P=0.0390].These associations remained robust after adjusting for confounding factors in multivariable MR analysis.Furthermore,a two-step MR analysis identified eight potential metabolic mediators,with one mediator showing a significant causal role in the relationship between obesity and cataract.CONCLUSION:This work highlights the importance of addressing obesity as a modifiable risk factor for cataracts,particularly through metabolic pathways.
文摘[Objectives]To investigate the potential causal relationship between psoriasis and common mental disorders,and to provide genetic epidemiological evidence for the early intervention of mental comorbidities.[Methods]Based on publicly available large-scale GWAS data,a bidirectional Mendelian randomization(MR)approach was employed to assess the causal associations between psoriasis and major depressive disorder(MDD),bipolar disorder,schizophrenia,and anxiety disorders.The inverse variance weighted(IVW)method served as the primary analytical tool,supplemented by sensitivity analyses using MR-Egger and weighted median methods.Additionally,a subgroup analysis was conducted for psoriatic arthritis(PsA).[Results]Forward MR analysis revealed a significant positive causal association between the genetic predisposition to psoriasis and bipolar disorder as well as MDD,whereas no significant causal relationship was observed with schizophrenia or anxiety disorders.The reverse MR analysis found no causal effect of mental disorders on psoriasis.Subgroup analysis of PsA indicated that its genetic predisposition was significantly associated with the risk of bipolar disorder.The results of various sensitivity analyses and pleiotropy tests supported the robustness of the conclusions.[Conclusions]This study provides genetic evidence supporting a causal link between psoriasis and both MDD and bipolar disorder.In particular,patients with PsA are at a higher risk of developing bipolar disorder,highlighting the need to strengthen early screening and intervention for mental health in clinical management.
文摘AIM:To investigate the potential causal associations between 41 inflammatory cytokines and myopia using a two-sample Mendelian randomization(MR)approach.METHODS:Publicly available genome-wide association study(GWAS)datasets were utilized for this two-sample MR analysis.Inflammatory cytokine-related GWAS data were extracted from The University of Bristol’s Research Data Repository,and myopia-related GWAS data were obtained from the FinnGen project.Single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)associated with inflammatory cytokines were systematically selected as instrumental variables(IVs)based on three rigorous criteria:relevance,independence,and exclusion of pleiotropy.Five MR methods were employed for causal inference:the inverse-variance weighted(IVW)method as the primary analysis,supplemented by MREgger regression,weighted median estimator,simple mode,and weighted mode approaches.Sensitivity analyses were performed to evaluate the robustness of the causal estimates.RESULTS:A total of 773 myopia-associated SNPs were identified.MR analysis revealed that higher levels of macrophage inflammatory protein 1-α(MIP-1α)were associated with a 17%reduced risk of myopia[odds ratio(OR)=0.83;95%confidence interval(CI):0.69-0.99;P<0.05].In contrast,elevated levels of eotaxin(OR=1.26;95%CI:1.07-1.47;P<0.01),stromal cell-derived factor-1α(SDF-1α;OR=1.68;95%CI:1.08-2.62;P<0.05),and interleukin-2 receptor subunit alpha(IL-2Rα;OR=1.25;95%CI:1.01-1.53;P<0.05)were significantly associated with an increased risk of myopia.Sensitivity analyses confirmed the reliability of these results.CONCLUSION:This study provides evidence supporting a causal relationship between specific inflammatory cytokines and myopia.MIP-1αmay act as a protective factor against myopia,while eotaxin,SDF-1α,and IL-2Rαare potential risk factors for myopia.These findings emphasize the critical role of inflammatory pathways in the pathogenesis of myopia,offering novel insights for the development of preventive and therapeutic strategies for myopia.
基金Supported by the Central High Level Hospital Clinical Research Funding(No.BJ-2024-089).
文摘AIM:To explore the causal relationship between several possible behavioral factors and high myopia(HM)using multivariable Mendelian randomization(MVMR)approach and to find the mediators among them with mediation analysis.METHODS:The causal effects of several behavioral factors,including screen time,education time,time spent outdoors,and physical activity,on the risk of HM using univariable Mendelian randomization(MR)and MVMR analyses were first assessed.Genome-wide association study summary statistics of serum metabolites were also used in mediation analysis to determine the extent to which serum metabolites mediate the effects of behavioral factors on HM.RESULTS:MR analyses indicated that both increased time spent outdoors and a higher frequency of moderate physical activity significantly reduced the risk of HM.Further MVMR analysis confirmed that moderate physical activity independently contributed to a lower risk of HM.Additionally,MR analyses identified 13 serum metabolites significantly associated with HM,of which 12 were lipids and one was an amino acid derivative.Mediation analysis revealed that six lipid metabolites mediated the protective effects of moderate physical activity on HM,with the highest mediation proportion observed for 1-(1-enyl-palmitoyl)-GPC(p-16:0;30.83%).CONCLUSION:This study suggests that in addition to outdoor time,moderate physical activity habits may have an independent protective effect against HM and pointed to lipid metabolites as priority targets for the prevention due to low physical activity.These results emphasize the importance of physical activity and metabolic health in HM and underscore the need for further study of these complex associations.
基金supported by the Yanzhao Gold Talent Project of Hebei Province(NO.HJZD202506)。
文摘Objective Previous studies link lower body mass index(BMI)with increased obsessive-compulsive disorder(OCD)risk,yet other body mass indicators may be more etioloically relevant.We dissected the causal association between body fat mass(FM)and OCD.Methods Summary statistics from genome-wide association studies of European ancestry were utilized to conduct two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis.Heterogeneity,horizontal pleiotropy,and sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness.Results The inverse variance weighting method demonstrated that a genetically predicted decrease in FM was causally associated with an increased OCD risk[odds ratio(OR)=0.680,95%confidence interval(CI):0.528–0.875,P=0.003].Similar estimates were obtained using the weighted median approach(OR=0.633,95%CI:0.438–0.915,P=0.015).Each standard deviation increases in genetically predicted body fat percentage corresponded to a reduced OCD risk(OR=0.638,95%CI:0.455–0.896,P=0.009).The sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of these findings with no outlier instrument variables identified.Conclusion The negative causal association between FM and the risk of OCD suggests that the prevention or treatment of mental disorders should include not only the control of BMI but also fat distribution and body composition.
基金Supported by the Hainan Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China(No.825RC898)Hainan Province Clinical Medical Center。
文摘AIM:To comprehensively assess the relationship between asthma and myopia based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(NHANES)database combined with Mendelian randomization(MR).METHODS:Initially,20497 subjects from the complete questionnaire cycle in the NHANES database from 2005 to 2008 were included.By exclusion criteria,8460 subjects were screened with 1676 myopia samples and 6784 control samples.Subsequently,baseline characteristics,association analyses,risk stratification analyses,and receive operating characteristic curve(ROC)were used to investigate the associations between covariates and myopia.Then,the causal relationship was explored in depth by MR analysis,and was estimated the reliability by sensitivity analyses and directionality tests.RESULTS:Baseline characteristics illustrated a significant difference between myopia and controls for both asthma and covariates(excluding gender;P<0.05).The results in all three models indicated that asthma was strongly associated with myopia and the effect on myopia was not significantly confounded by other covariates[model 3:odd ratio(OR)=1.31;95%CI=1.07-1.62;P=0.0133].The risk stratification analysis again verified that asthma remained strongly associated with myopia and was a risk factor for myopia(P<0.05,OR>1).ROC proved that the model was accurate in its prediction[area under curve(AUC)=0.7].Subsequently,the causal relationship between them was statistically significant(P<0.05)according to the inverse variance weighted(IVW)method in MR.Scatterplot showed that asthma and myopia had significant positive causality and were not affected by confounders.Forest plot displayed an increasing risk of myopia on asthma(OR>1).The funnel plot demonstrated compliance with Mendel’s second law.Sensitivity analysis and directional analysis further confirmed the confidence of the MR analysis results and a unidirectional causal relationship between them.CONCLUSION:A significant association and causality between asthma and myopia is found through the NHANES database and MR analysis,which is important implications for public health policy development and clinical practice.
基金Supported by Xi’an Science and Technology Program Project(No.24YXYJ0108)Support Projects of Xi’an Children’s Hospital(No.2024I07).
文摘AIM:To investigate the causal relationship between dietary intake and myopia using Mendelian randomization(MR)analysis.METHODS:Genome-wide association study(GWAS)data from the IEU Open GWAS database were utilized to examine associations between myopia and various dietary factors.MR analysis,incorporating both univariable and multivariable approaches,assessed the impact of food intake on myopia risk through five analytical methods,with inverse variance weighted(IVW)serving as the primary reference.Sensitivity analyses,including heterogeneity assessment,horizontal pleiotropy evaluation,and leave-oneout analysis,were conducted to validate the MR findings.RESULTS:Univariable MR analysis identified a causal link between food intake and myopia.Consumption of breaded fish,canned soup,sweet biscuits,and certain fruits correlated with a lower risk of myopia,whereas intake of low-calorie hot chocolate and cereal was associated with an increased risk.Multivariable MR analysis further confirmed that breaded fish consumption exerted a direct protective effect against myopia,particularly when consumed alongside other dietary components.These findings highlight the intricate interplay between specific dietary factors and myopia development,offering valuable insights for further research.CONCLUSION:MR analysis provides evidence supporting a potential causal relationship between breaded fish intake and myopia,underscoring its relevance in targeted myopia prevention strategies.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82322059)the Chinese Academy of Medical·Sciences Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences(2021-I2M-1-010)+1 种基金the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2021YFC2500500)the National High Level Hospital Clinical Research Funding(2023-GSPRC-19).
文摘Objective Observational studies have shown inconsistent associations of loneliness or social isolation(SI)with ischemic heart disease(IHD),with unknown mediators.Methods Using data from genome-wide association studies of predominantly European ancestry,we performed a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian Randomization(MR)study to estimate causal effects of loneliness(N=487,647)and SI traits on IHD(N=184,305).SI traits included whether individuals lived alone,participated in various types of social activities,and how often they had contact with friends or family(N=459,830 to 461,369).A network MR study was conducted to evaluate the mediating roles of 20 candidate mediators,including metabolic,behavioral and psychological factors.Results Loneliness increased IHD risk(OR=2.129;95%confidence interval[CI]:1.380 to 3.285),mediated by body fat percentage,waist-hip ratio,total cholesterol,and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.For SI traits,only fewer social activities increased IHD risk(OR=1.815;95%CI:1.189 to 2.772),mediated by hypertension,high-density lipoprotein cholesterol,triglycerides,fasting insulin,and smoking cessation.No reverse causality of IHD with loneliness and SI was found.Conclusion These findings suggested more attention should be paid to individuals who feel lonely and have fewer social activities to prevent IHD,with several mediators as prioritized targets for intervention.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.82273704)Noncommunicable Chronic Diseases-National Science and Technology Major Project(No.2023ZD0501400-2023ZD0501402)+4 种基金Beijing Hospitals Authority’s Ascent Plan(DFL20241102)Beijing Hospitals Authority Clinical Medicine Development of Special Funding Support(No.ZLRK202325)China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2024M760152)Peking University Medicine Fund for World’s Leading Discipline or Discipline Cluster Development(No.BMU2022XKQ004)Science Foundation of Peking University Cancer Hospital(Nos.BJCH2024BJ02,XKFZ2410,BJCH2025CZ04,and 2022-27)。
文摘Objective:Based on multistage metabolomic profiling and Mendelian randomization analyses,the current study identified plasma metabolites that predicted the risk of developing gastric cancer(GC)and determined whether key metabolite levels modified the GC primary prevention effects.Methods:Plasma metabolites associated with GC risk were identified through a case-control study.Bi-directional two-sample Mendelian randomization analyses were performed to determine potential causal relationships utilizing the Shandong Intervention Trial(SIT),a nested case-control study of the Mass Intervention Trial in Linqu,Shandong province(MITS),China,the UK Biobank,and the Finn Gen project.Results:A higher genetic risk score for plasma L-aspartic acid was significantly associated with an increased GC risk in the northern Chinese population(SIT:HR=1.26 per 1 SD change,95%CI:1.07±1.49;MITS:HR=1.07,95%CI:1.00±1.14)and an increased gastric adenocarcinoma risk in Finn Gen(OR=1.68,95%CI:1.16±2.45).Genetically predicted plasma L-aspartic acid levels also modified the GC primary prevention effects with the beneficial effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication notably observed among individuals within the top quartile of L-aspartic acid level(P-interaction=0.098)and the beneficial effect of garlic supplementation only for those within the lowest quartile of L-aspartic acid level(P-interaction=0.02).Conclusions:Elevated plasma L-aspartic acid levels significantly increased the risk of developing GC and modified the effects of GC primary prevention.Further studies from other populations are warranted to validate the modification effect of plasma L-aspartic acid levels on GC prevention and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.
文摘Objective Vitamin deficiencies,particularly in vitamins A,B12,and D,are prevalent across populations and contribute significantly to a range of health issues.While these deficiencies are well documented,the underlying etiology remains complex.Recent studies suggest a close link between the gut microbiota and the synthesis,absorption,and metabolism of these vitamins.However,the specific causal relationships between the gut microbiota composition and vitamin deficiencies remain poorly understood.Identifying key bacterial species and understanding their role in vitamin metabolism could provide critical insights for targeted interventions.Methods We conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization(MR)study to assess the causal relationship between the gut microbiota and vitamin deficiencies(A,B12,D).The genome-wide association study data for vitamin deficiencies were sourced from the FinnGen biobank,and the gut microbiota data were from the MiBioGen consortium.MR analyses included inverse variance-weighted(IVW),MR‒Egger,weighted median,and weighted mode approaches.Sensitivity analyses and reverse causality assessments were performed to ensure robustness and validate the findings.Results After FDR adjustment,vitamin B12 deficiency was associated with the class Verrucomicrobiae,order Verrucomicrobiales,family Verrucomicrobiaceae,and genus Akkermansia.Vitamin A deficiency was associated with the phylum Firmicutes and the genera Fusicatenibacter and Ruminiclostridium 6.Additional associations for vitamin B12 deficiency included the Enterobacteriaceae and Rhodospirillaceae and the genera Coprococcus 2,Lactococcus,and Ruminococcaceae UCG002.Vitamin D deficiency was associated with the genera Allisonella,Eubacterium,and Tyzzerella 3.Lachnospiraceae and Lactococcus were common risk factors for both B12 and D deficiency.Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the findings against heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy,and reverse MR tests indicated no evidence of reverse causality.Conclusions Our findings reveal a possible causal relationship between specific gut microbiota characteristics and vitamin A,B12 and D deficiencies,providing a theoretical basis for addressing these nutritional deficiencies through the modulation of the gut microbiota in the future and laying the groundwork for related interventions.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province,China(2024JJ7627).
文摘Objective:Gut microbiota(GM)and blood metabolites are associated with the development of urticaria,yet their specific causal relationships in East Asian populations remain unclear.This study aims to elucidate the causal and mediating relationships among GM,blood metabolites,and urticaria in East Asians using Mendelian randomization(MR)analysis.Methods:Summary-level statistics for 500 GM taxa,112 blood metabolites,and urticaria were obtained from publicly available Genome-Wide Association Studies(GWAS)datasets.Bidirectional MR analyses were performed to examine causal associations among the GM,blood metabolites,and urticaria.The inverse variance weighted(IVW)method served as the primary analytical approach,supplemented by MR-Egger,weighted median,simple mode,and weighted mode methods.Sensitivity analyses included heterogeneity tests,horizontal pleiotropy assessments,and leave-one-out analyses.Mediation analysis was conducted to evaluate the potential mediating effects of blood metabolites on the causal pathways between GM and urticaria.Results:MR analyses identified 12 GM taxa exhibiting significant causal effects on urticaria susceptibility.Nine taxa,such as MF0017_galactose_degradation(OR=1.461,95%CI 1.098 to 1.944,P=0.009),were associated with increased urticaria risk.Three taxa,such as MF0001_arabinoxylan_degradation(OR=0.846,95%CI 0.737 to 0.973,P=0.019),showed protective effects with increased abundance.Additionally,6 blood metabolites demonstrated causal associations with urticaria.Notably,the risk of developing urticaria increases with rising fasting plasma glucose(FPG)levels(OR=1.971,95%CI 1.089 to 3.567,P=0.025).Mediation analysis further demonstrated that FPG partially mediated the protective effect of MF0001_arabinoxylan_degradation on urticaria,accounting for 11.30%of the total effect.Conclusion:This study has delineated specific GM taxa and blood metabolites that hold causal relevance to urticaria in East Asian populations.Notably,arabinogalactan degradation potentially mitigates urticaria risk via reducing FPG concentrations,offering genetic evidence to support therapeutic strategies targeting GM modulation and glucose regulation.
基金supported by the Deputyship for Research&Innovation,Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia(Project No.MoE-IF-UJ-R2-22-04220773-1).
文摘Domain randomization is a widely adopted technique in deep reinforcement learning(DRL)to improve agent generalization by exposing policies to diverse environmental conditions.This paper investigates the impact of different reset strategies,normal,non-randomized,and randomized,on agent performance using the Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient(DDPG)and Twin Delayed DDPG(TD3)algorithms within the CarRacing-v2 environment.Two experimental setups were conducted:an extended training regime with DDPG for 1000 steps per episode across 1000 episodes,and a fast execution setup comparing DDPG and TD3 for 30 episodes with 50 steps per episode under constrained computational resources.A step-based reward scaling mechanism was applied under the randomized reset condition to promote broader state exploration.Experimental results showthat randomized resets significantly enhance learning efficiency and generalization,with DDPG demonstrating superior performance across all reset strategies.In particular,DDPG combined with randomized resets achieves the highest smoothed rewards(reaching approximately 15),best stability,and fastest convergence.These differences are statistically significant,as confirmed by t-tests:DDPG outperforms TD3 under randomized(t=−101.91,p<0.0001),normal(t=−21.59,p<0.0001),and non-randomized(t=−62.46,p<0.0001)reset conditions.The findings underscore the critical role of reset strategy and reward shaping in enhancing the robustness and adaptability of DRL agents in continuous control tasks,particularly in environments where computational efficiency and training stability are crucial.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.82220108002 to F.C.,82273737 to R.Z.,82473728 to Y.W.)the US National Institutes of Health(Grant Nos.CA209414,HL060710,ES000002 to D.C.C.,CA209414,CA249096 to Y.L.)the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions(PAPD).R.Z.was partially supported by the Qing Lan Project of the Higher Education Institutions of Jiangsu Province and the Outstanding Young-Level Academic Leadership Training Program of Nanjing Medical University.
文摘Emerging evidence highlights the role of thyroid hormones in cancer,although findings are controversial.Research on thyroid-related traits in lung carcinogenesis is limited.Using UK Biobank data,we performed bidirectional Mendelian randomization(MR)to assess causal associations between lung cancer risk and thyroid dysfunction(hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism)or functional traits(free thyroxine[FT4]and normal-range thyroid-stimulating hormone[TSH]).Furthermore,in the smoking-behavior-stratified MR analysis,we evaluated the mediating effect of thyroid-related phenotypes on the association between smoking behaviors and lung cancer.We demonstrated significant associations between lung cancer risk and hypothyroidism(hazard ratio[HR]=1.14,95%confidence interval[CI]=1.03–1.26,P=0.009)and hyperthyroidism(HR=1.55,95%CI=1.29–1.87,P=1.90×10^(-6))in the UKB.Moreover,the MR analysis indicated a causal effect of thyroid dysfunction on lung cancer risk(ORinverse variance weighted[IVW]=1.09,95%CI=1.05–1.13,P=3.12×10^(-6)for hypothyroidism;ORIVW=1.08,95%CI=1.04–1.12,P=8.14×10^(-5)for hyperthyroidism).We found that FT4 levels were protective against lung cancer risk(ORIVW=0.93,95%CI=0.87–0.99,P=0.030).Additionally,the stratified MR analysis demonstrated distinct causal effects of thyroid dysfunction on lung cancer risk among smokers.Hyperthyroidism mediated the effect of smoking behaviors,especially the age of smoking initiation(17.66%mediated),on lung cancer risk.Thus,thyroid dysfunction phenotypes play causal roles in lung cancer development exclusively among smokers and act as mediators in the causal pathway from smoking to lung cancer.
基金supported by the Key Support Project of Regional Innovation and Development Joint Fund of National Natural Science Foundation of China(U20A20398)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82104454,82374399)+1 种基金the Clinical Medical Research Transformation Project of Anhui Province(202304295107020111)the Natural Science Research Key Project of Anhui Provincial Department of Education(KJ2021A0542).
文摘Background:Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)is a prevalent respiratory ailment that has risen to become the foremost cause of mortality globally,and statins are a widely used class of lipid-modifying drugs.Data from some observational studies suggest an association between statins use and COPD.Objectives:The main objective of this study was to investigate whether lipids and apolipoproteins are bidirectionally causally associated with COPD at the genetic level using a Mendelian randomization(MR)design,and to determine the potential role of circulating inflammatory proteins as mediators in this association.Methods:The publicly available Genome-Wide Association Study(GWAS)database was utilised for the purposes of the analysis.The data on high-density lipoprotein(HDL-C),low-density lipoprotein(LDL-C),triglycerides(TG),apolipoprotein A-1(ApoA1),and apolipoprotein B(ApoB)were obtained from the UK BioBank,while the COPD dataset was obtained from the FinnGen BioBank R11(number of cases:21,617,number of controls:372,627).Furthermore,data were gathered on genetic variants linked to inflammatory processes,encompassing 91 circulating inflammatory proteins(n=14,823 individuals).A two-sample MR study was conducted using these data to assess the association between HDL-C,LDL-C,TG,ApoA1,and ApoB with the risk of COPD.Furthermore,in order to investigate the potential mediating influence of inflammatory factor alterations between lipids and COPD,a two-step Mendelian randomization(MR)mediation analysis was conducted.Results:The forward MR methods identified two lipids that were found to have a causal relationship with the development of COPD.An elevated level of LDL-C and ApoB was found to be associated with a diminished risk of COPD.Furthermore,the researchers identified circulating inflammatory factors that were determined to be the causal agents in the development of COPD.Mediation analysis indicated that the inflammatory protein S100-A12 may act as a mediator between the LDL-C and COPD pathways.Conclusion:The present MR study provides genetic evidence for a causal relationship between lipids and apolipoproteins and COPD,as well as identifying the inflammatory protein S100-A12 as a potential mediator of the COPD association.The findings offer valuable insights into the mechanistic studies of statins for COPD and potential targets for disease intervention and treatment.
基金supported by the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(Grant No.2021M703366)Shenzhen Science and Technology Program(Grant No.KQTD20190929172835662).
文摘Objective Observational studies have found associations between inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)and the risk of dementia,including Alzheimer’s dementia(AD)and vascular dementia(VD);however,these findings are inconsistent.It remains unclear whether these associations are causal.Methods We conducted a meta-analysis by systematically searching for observational studies on the association between IBD and dementia.Mendelian randomization(MR)analysis based on summary genome-wide association studies(GWASs)was performed.Genetic correlation and Bayesian colocalization analyses were used to provide robust genetic evidence.Results Ten observational studies involving 80,565,688 participants were included in this metaanalysis.IBD was significantly associated with dementia(risk ratio[RR]=1.36,95%CI=1.04-1.78;I2=84.8%)and VD(RR=2.60,95%CI=1.18-5.70;only one study),but not with AD(RR=2.00,95%CI=0.96-4.13;I^(2)=99.8%).MR analyses did not supported significant causal associations of IBD with dementia(dementia:odds ratio[OR]=1.01,95%CI=0.98-1.03;AD:OR=0.98,95%CI=0.95-1.01;VD:OR=1.02,95%CI=0.97-1.07).In addition,genetic correlation and co-localization analyses did not reveal any genetic associations between IBD and dementia.Conclusion Our study did not provide genetic evidence for a causal association between IBD and dementia risk.The increased risk of dementia observed in observational studies may be attributed to unobserved confounding factors or detection bias.
基金supported by the Director General,Indian Council of Agricultural Research(ICAR),New Delhithe Director,ICAR-National Rice Research Institute,Cuttack.
文摘Consecutive stresses,such as initial submergence during germination followed by water deficit during the seedling stage,pose significant challenges to direct-seeded rice cultivation.By Linkage disequilibrium analysis,Sub1 and Dro1(Δbp:10 Mb),as well as Sub1 and TPP7(Δbp:6 Mb)were identified to exhibit long-range linkage disequilibrium(LRLD).Meta-QTL analysis further revealed that Sub1 and TPP7 co-segregated for tolerance to submergence at the germination and seedling stages.Based on this,we hypothesized that LRLD might influence plant responses to consecutive stresses.To test this hypothesis,we developed a structured recombinant inbred line population from a cross between Bhalum 2 and Nagina 22,with alleles(Sub1 and TPP7)in linkage equilibrium.Mendelian randomization analysis validated that the parental alleles,rather than the recombinant alleles of Sub1 and TPP7,significantly influenced 13 out of 41 traits under consecutive stress conditions.Additionally,16 minor additive effect QTLs were detected between the genomic regions,spanning Sub1 and TPP7 for various traits.A single allele difference between these genomic regions enhanced crown root number,root dry weight,and specific root area by 11.45%,15.69%,and 33.15%,respectively,under flooded germination conditions.Candidate gene analysis identified WAK79 and MRLK59 as regulators of stress responses during flooded germination,recovery,and subsequent water deficit conditions.These findings highlight the critical role of parental allele combinations and genomic regions between Sub1 and TPP7 in regulating the stress responses under consecutive stresses.Favourable haplotypes derived from these alleles can be utilized to improve stress resilience in direct-seeded rice.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China[No.81871823,81971583,81671652,8207090113]National Key R&D Program of China[No.2018YFC1312900]+3 种基金Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai[No.20ZR1406400]Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality[No.18JC1410403]Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Major Project[No.2017SHZDZX01,2018SHZDZX01]Shanghai Science and Technology Committee[No.22dz1204700].
文摘Background:Ankle-foot sprains are the most common musculoskeletal injuries,which can impair balance and theoretically increase the risk of falls,but still,there is a lack of evidence supporting the direct association between ankle-foot sprains and the future risk of falls.Methods:UK Biobank cohort was utilized to measure the association between ankle-foot sprains and fall risk with covariates adjusted.Then,the two-sample Mendelian randomization(MR)analysis was applied based on the genetically predicated ankle-foot sprains from FinnGen to validate causal relationship.Finally,genetically predicated cerebellar neuroimaging features were used to explore the mediating role of maladaptive neuroplasticity between ankle-foot sprains and falls by two-step MR analyses.Results:Patients with ankle-foot sprains history exhibited a slightly increased risk of falls than the matched controls before and after adjustment for covariates(odd ratio[OR]ranged from 1.632 to 1.658).Two-sample MR analysis showed that ankle-foot sprains led to a higher risk of falls(OR=1.036)and a lower fractional anisotropy of superior cerebellar peduncle(SCP)(left,β=0.052;right,β=0.053).A trend of mediating effect was observed for the fractional anisotropy of right SCP in the causal effects of ankle-foot sprains on falls(β=0.003).Conclusion:The history of ankle-foot sprains is associated with a slightly increased risk of falls.These findings improve our understanding of the clinical consequences of ankle-foot sprains in terms of fall risk and suggest the importance of adopting more efficient strategies for managing residual functional deficits after the injuries.
基金Supported by Shenzhen Science and Technology Program(No.JCYJ20220530152005013,No.JCYJ20230807114605011)Sanming Project of Medicine in Shenzhen(No.SZZYSM202411007).
文摘In recent years,Mendelian randomization(MR)has been increasingly utilized,leveraging genetic variants as instrumental variables.This approach significantly mitigates confounder effects and reverse causation,precisely clarifying the causal links between exposures and outcomes.MR’s unique advantages have made it instrumental in medicine,especially in elucidating glaucoma’s etiology.It facilitates the identification of potential risk factors,laying the groundwork for developing preventative and therapeutic strategies against glaucoma.Recent MR research has delved into diverse potential glaucoma risk factors,including behavioral habits,metabolic profiles,and their causative linkage to the disease.This review encapsulates MR’s analysis in glaucoma etiology,heralding new avenues for understanding underlying mechanisms and establishing causality.
基金by grants from the Jiangsu Province 333 High-level Talent Training Project(Grant No.LGY2016010)the Nanjing Science and Technology Development Plan(Grant No.201715003)the Jiangsu Province Six Talent Peaks(Grant No.WSN-030).
文摘Dear Editor,Observational studies in epidemiology have identified a correlation between hypothyroidism and cholelithiasis[1–2].However,the causal relationship between the two diseases remains unclear.To investigate the potential causal relationship,we employed a two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization(MR)analysis.
基金supported by Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University,Jiangsu Province High-Level Hospital Construction Funds(Grant No.GSP-LCYJFH07)。
文摘Chronotype is determined by circadian rhythms,influenced by polygenic variations and environmental factors. Typically, chronotypes are categorized into morning-, intermediate-, and evening-types^([1]). Most cognitive functions follow daily and circadian rhythms, with the “synchronization effect” reflecting performance variations between optimal and non-optimal times based on an individual's chronotype.
