The Nutri-Score nutrition label: Associations between the underlying nutritional profile of foods and lipoprotein particle subclass profiles in adults.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Lipoprotein particle concentrations and size are associated with increased risk for atherosclerosis and premature cardiovascular disease. Certain dietary behaviours may be cardioprotective and public health strategies are needed to guide consumers' dietary choices and help prevent diet-related disease. The Food Standards Agency nutrient profiling system (FSAm-NPS) constitutes the basis of the five-colour front-of-pack Nutri-Score labelling system. No study has examined FSAm-NPS index associations with a wide range of lipoprotein particle subclasses. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 2006 middle-to older-aged men and women randomly selected from a large primary care centre. Individual participant FSAm-NPS dietary scores were derived from validated food frequency questionnaires. Lipoprotein particle subclass concentrations and size were determined using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Multivariate-adjusted linear regression analyses were performed to examine FSAm-NPS relationships with lipoprotein particle subclasses. RESULTS: In fully adjusted models which accounted for multiple testing, higher FSAm-NPS scores, indicating poorer dietary quality, were positively associated with intermediate-density lipoprotein (ß = 0.096, p = 0.005) and small high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (ß = 0.492, p = 0.006) concentrations, a lipoprotein insulin resistance score (ß = 0.063, p = 0.02), reflecting greater lipoprotein-related insulin resistance, and inversely associated with HDL size (ß = -0.030, p = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS: A higher FSAm-NPS score is associated with a less favourable lipoprotein particle subclass profile in middle-to older-aged adults which may be a potential mechanism underlying reported health benefits of a healthy diet according to Nutri-Score rating.

Plant-based diet adherence is associated with metabolic health status in adults living with and without obesity.

PURPOSE: Metabolic health phenotypes exist across the body mass index spectrum. Diet may be an important modifiable risk factor, yet limited research exists on dietary patterns in this context. We investigated associations between dietary patterns, reflecting dietary quality, healthfulness and inflammatory potential, and metabolic health phenotypes in adults living with and without obesity. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 2,040 middle- to older-aged men and women randomly selected from a large primary care centre. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension score, Healthy Eating Index, Dietary Inflammatory Index, overall, healthful and unhealthful plant-based dietary indices and Nutri-Score were derived from validated food frequency questionnaires. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were used to examine diet score relationships with metabolic health phenotypes (Metabolically Healthy/Unhealthy Obese (MHO/MUO) and Non-Obese (MHNO/MUNO)), defined using three separate metabolic health definitions, each capturing different aspects of metabolic health. RESULTS: In fully adjusted models, higher unhealthful plant-based dietary scores were associated with a lower likelihood of MHO (OR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.93-1.00, p = 0.038) and MHNO (OR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.95-0.99, p = 0.006). Higher Nutri-Score values were associated with an increased likelihood of MHNO (OR = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.01-1.13, p = 0.033). CONCLUSION: These findings provide evidence that more unhealthful plant-based diets may be linked with unfavourable metabolic health status, irrespective of BMI.

Lifestyle factors and BMI attenuate relationships between biomarkers of inflammation and depressive symptoms and well-being: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Mental disorders are a growing public health concern and evidence has linked chronic low-grade inflammation with depression and well-being. Research also suggests that certain modifiable lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol use, physical activity, diet quality and BMI are related to psychological health. These may modulate the relationship between low-grade inflammation and mental health conditions. In this study we examined inflammatory biomarker associations with two psychological health scores and investigated whether relationships are influenced by lifestyle factors and BMI. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 1824 middle-to older-aged men and women randomly selected from a large primary care centre. Depressive symptoms and well-being were assessed using the 20-item Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) Scale and the World Health Organization-Five (WHO-5) Well-Being Index. Linear regression analyses were performed to examine depression and well-being score relationships with six inflammatory biomarkers, and a composite inflammatory biomarker score, adjusting for demographic characteristics, health conditions, lifestyle factors and BMI. Results: Depression and well-being score associations with complement component 3 (CES-D only) c-reactive protein, interleukin 6, leptin, white blood cell counts, neutrophils and the inflammatory biomarker score were observed. These relationships survived adjustment for demographic variables and health conditions but were attenuated in models which included lifestyle factors and BMI. In final models, only leptin (ß = 0.566, p = 0.018) and inflammatory score (ß = 0.137, p = 0.004) associations with the CES-D score remained. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the relationship between systemic low-grade inflammation and depressive symptoms and well-being may be largely explained by lifestyle factors and adiposity, highlighting the potential importance of promoting a healthy lifestyle in the treatment of depressive disorders.

Associations between adiposity measures and depression and well-being scores: A cross-sectional analysis of middle- to older-aged adults.

BACKGROUND: Obesity and mental health are significant global health concerns. Evidence has linked increased adiposity with depression and well-being; however, there is limited documented evidence in Ireland. Research also suggests lifestyle factors and disease conditions to be related to mental health. These may modulate relationships between adiposity and depression and well-being. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 1,821 men and women aged 46-73 years, randomly selected from a large primary care centre. Depression and well-being were assessed using the 20-item Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and the World Health Organization-Five (WHO-5) Well-Being Index. Linear regression analyses were performed to examine relationships between mental health scores (dependent variable) and adiposity (independent variable) defined using body mass index (BMI) and waist-height ratio while adjusting for demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors and disease conditions. RESULTS: BMI and waist-height ratio had a significant positive association with depression scores and a significant inverse association with well-being scores in males and females. These associations were maintained following adjustment for demographic variables and lifestyle factors. In final models where disease conditions were adjusted for, BMI (ß = 0.743, p < .001) and waist-height ratio (ß = 0.719, p < .001) associations with the CES-D score remained significant. In stratified analyses, relationships between measures of adiposity and depression were found to be stronger in females (BMI: ß = 0.806, p = .007; waist-height ratio: ß = 0.768, p = .01) than males (BMI: ß = 0.573, p = .049; waist-height ratio: ß = 0.593, p = .044) but no effect modification was identified. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that increased adiposity is significantly associated with poorer mental health, independent of lifestyle factors and disease conditions. Targeted interventions for reducing depression should include better population-level weight management measures.

Relationships between childhood adversity and inflammatory biomarkers in adulthood: A cross-sectional analysis of a middle-to older-aged population.

Background: Exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) has been linked with increased cardiometabolic risk in adulthood. Low-grade systemic inflammation may underlie this association. Thus far, however, there has been limited investigation of later life inflammatory biomarkers in the context of childhood adversity. Objectives: To assess ACE history, and ACE subcategory, relationships with a broad range of inflammatory biomarkers in middle-to older-aged adults to test the hypothesis that ACE exposure is associated with an unfavourable inflammatory profile in adulthood and determine whether associations vary by ACE subtype and sex. Methods: This study used data from a random sample of 1,839 men and women aged 46-74 years. Participant exposure to ACEs (overall and subtypes including abuse, neglect and household dysfunction) was determined using a validated 10-item ACE questionnaire. Inflammatory biomarkers (pro-inflammatory cytokines, adipocytokines, acute-phase response proteins, white blood cell counts and their constituents, coagulation factors and glycoprotein acetyl) were measured from participant blood samples. Linear regression analyses examined relationships between ACE history (overall and each subcategory) and inflammatory biomarkers in adulthood, controlling for potential confounders. Sex-stratified and mediation analyses were also conducted. Results: In age and sex-adjusted models, ACE history was significantly associated with higher c-reactive protein (p = 0.027), resistin (p = 0.024), white blood cell count (WBC) (p = 0.034), monocyte (p = 0.044), eosinophil (p = 0.031) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (p = 0.047) concentrations, and lower adiponectin (p = 0.025) levels. Results from stratified analyses indicated sex differences and ACE subtype specific associations, with household dysfunction identified as the main driver of positive ACE associations with WBCs and constituents (all p < 0.05). Mediation analyses suggested that BMI and smoking mediate relationships between ACE exposures and increased inflammation. Conclusions: This study provides evidence that ACE exposure may be associated with more pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic profiles in adulthood. Associations differed according to ACE subtype, and sex differences exist, which may influence cardiometabolic risk.

How, and why, science and health researchers read scientific (IMRAD) papers.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of our study was to determine the order in which science and health researchers read scientific papers, their reasons for doing so and the perceived difficulty and perceived importance of each section. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: An online survey open to science and health academics and researchers distributed via existing research networks, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn. RESULTS: Almost 90% of respondents self-declared to be experienced in reading research papers. 98.6% of the sample read the abstract first because it provides an overview of the paper and facilitates a decision on continuing to read on or not. Seventy-five percent perceived it to be the easiest to read and 62.4% perceived it to be very important (highest rank on a 5-point Likert scale). The majority of respondents did not read a paper in the IMRAD (Introduction, Methods, Results And Discussion) format. Perceived difficulty and perceived importance influenced reading order. CONCLUSION: Science and health researchers do not typically read scientific and health research papers in IMRAD format. The more important a respondent perceives a section to be, the more likely they are to read it. The easier a section is perceived, the more likely it will be read. We present recommendations to those teaching the skill of writing scientific papers and reports.

Anthropometric measures, predicted visceral adipose tissue and biomarkers of chronic inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Evidence has linked low-grade systemic inflammation and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) with development of chronic conditions. Cytokines and select proteins released by VAT may promote a low-grade inflammatory response. A number of equations have been developed to estimate VAT levels. In this study, we compared predicted VAT equation relationships with biomarkers of inflammation. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 2038 men and women aged 46-73 years. Correlation and linear regression analyses were performed to examine inflammatory biomarker relationships with four commonly assessed anthropometric measures and 10 predicted VAT equations. RESULTS: Compared with anthropometric measures, predicted VAT equations were found to explain a greater proportion of variance in CRP (R2 = .075, p = .001), IL-6 (R2 = .060, p = .001), TNF-α (R2 = .017, p = .005), resistin (R2 = .011, p = .012), monocyte (R2 = .027, p = .001), eosinophil (R2 = .012, p = .01) and basophil (R2 = .015, p = .002) levels in males, and a greater variance in concentrations of C3 (R2 = .175, p = .001), IL-6 (R2 = .090, p = .001), TNF-α (R2 = .036, p = .001), adiponectin (R2 = .121, p = .001), the adiponectin-to-leptin ratio (R2 = .444, p = .001), resistin (R2 = .025, p = .001), white blood cell count (R2 = .057, p = .001), neutrophils (R2 = .061, p = .001) and lymphocytes (R2 = .020, p = .001) in females. CONCLUSION: Equations for assessing VAT levels might be useful to characterise metabolic health. Further studies that examine predicted VAT relationships with disease and mortality outcomes are warranted.

Plant-based dietary indices and biomarkers of chronic low-grade inflammation: a cross-sectional analysis of adults in Ireland.

PURPOSE: There is increasing interest in the health benefits of plant-based diets (PBDs). Evidence reports favourable associations with inflammatory profiles and reduced cardiovascular disease risk. However, limited studies have examined relationships between PBD indices (PDIs) and inflammatory biomarkers. We explored overall PDI, healthful PDI (hPDI) and unhealthful PDI (uPDI) associations with inflammatory biomarker profiles. METHODS: This cross-sectional analysis included 1986 middle- to older-aged adults from the Mitchelstown Cohort. PDI scores were calculated using validated food frequency questionnaires. PDI score associations with inflammatory biomarkers were assessed via linear regression analysis, with adjustment for potential confounders. RESULTS: Comparison of quintiles (Q5 vs Q1) revealed lower concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), white blood cells (WBCs), neutrophils and monocytes, and the leptin-to-adiponectin ratio (PDI and hPDI P < 0.05); lower leptin (PDI, P < 0.05), and complement component 3 (C3), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), plasminogen activator inhibitor 1, lymphocytes and eosinophils (hPDI, P < 0.05); and higher concentrations of adiponectin (PDI and hPDI, P < 0.05). Conversely, higher concentrations of C3, CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, resistin, WBCs, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes and eosinophils, and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and lower adiponectin concentrations were observed comparing uPDI quintiles (P < 0.05). In fully adjusted regression models, higher hPDI scores were associated with lower concentrations of C3, TNF-α, WBCs, neutrophils and monocytes (all P < 0.01). Higher uPDI scores were associated with higher C3 and TNF-α concentrations (all P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that a more healthful PBD is associated with a more favourable inflammatory profile and that a more unhealthful PBD is associated with the reverse.

Cohort profile update: The Cork and Kerry Diabetes and Heart Disease Study.

Background: The Cork and Kerry Diabetes and Heart Disease Study was established to investigate the prevalence of diabetes and cardiovascular disease among middle-aged adults in Ireland. The Mitchelstown cohort was recruited from a single large primary care centre between 2010-2011. A rescreen of this cohort was conducted in 2015. Methods: Data were collected on cardiovascular health and associated risk factors. In addition, the rescreen incorporated new measures which included information on cognition and frailty, medication adherence, dietary factors and the collection of stool samples with RNA sequencing of the gut microbiome. Results: Of 2047 participants in the original cohort, 237 (11.6%) were deceased, too ill to participate or were lost to follow-up. Of the remaining 1810 baseline study participants, 1378 men and women aged 51-77 years agreed to take part in the rescreen (response rate of 76.1%). The prevalence of hypertension was high, ranging from 50% to 64% depending on the measurement method. An investigation of the association of gut microbiota with metabolic syndrome and obesity indicated greater microbiome diversity in metabolically healthy non-obese individuals relative to their unhealthy counterparts. Analysis of prescribing data over time demonstrated a high prevalence of potentially inappropriate prescribing among older-aged people in primary care which increased as they progressed to more advanced old age. Conclusions: The rescreen has provided new insights into cardiovascular health. In addition, this study is embedded in a single primary care centre, enabling passive follow-up of study participants through electronic health records. All data collected at baseline and rescreen are maintained and stored at the School of Public Health, University College Cork and specific proposals for future collaborations are welcome.

Plant-based diet indices and lipoprotein particle subclass profiles: A cross-sectional analysis of middle- to older-aged adults.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Plant-based diets (PBDs) are associated with favourable lipid profiles and cardiometabolic outcomes. However, limited data regarding PBD indices (PDIs) and lipoprotein subclasses exist. We examined overall PDI, healthful PDI (hPDI) and unhealthful PDI (uPDI) associations with lipid and lipoprotein profiles. METHODS: This cross-sectional analysis includes 1,986 middle- to older-aged adults from the Mitchelstown Cohort. The PDI, hPDI and uPDI scores were calculated from validated food frequency questionnaires. Higher PDI, hPDI and uPDI scores indicate a more PBD, healthful PBD and unhealthful PBD, respectively. Lipoprotein particle size and subclass concentrations were measured using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Relationships between PDIs and lipid and lipoprotein profiles were examined via correlation and regression analyses adjusted for covariates. RESULTS: In fully adjusted regression analyses, higher PDI scores were associated with lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentrations and more triglyceride-rich lipoprotein and small very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) particles. Higher hPDI scores were negatively associated with non-HDL cholesterol concentrations, large VLDL and small HDL particles, the Lipoprotein Insulin Resistance Index (LP-IR) score and VLDL particle size. Higher uPDI scores were associated with lower HDL cholesterol and greater triglyceride concentrations and more medium and large VLDL, total LDL, small LDL and total non-HDL particles, less large LDL and large HDL particles, a greater LP-IR score, greater VLDL particle size and smaller LDL and HDL particle size. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides novel evidence regarding associations between PBD quality and lipoprotein subclasses. A more unhealthful PBD was robustly associated with a more pro-atherogenic lipoprotein profile.

Clinical research nurse predictions of trial failure, recruitment and retention: a case for their early inclusion in trial design.

BACKGROUND: Clinical research nurses are a key part of the clinical trial team but typically get involved later in the trial, usually during recruitment. The purpose of our study was to establish if CRNs who read the trial protocol can predict the performance of the trial. METHODS: We randomly selected 18 trial protocols with three statuses, terminated, withdrawn, and completed, from ClinicalTrials.gov, between 2014 and 2018 inclusive. We gave the protocols to five CRNs, asked them to make a judgement and provide a reason for that judgement (via a 12-item questionnaire) on the status of the trial (terminated, withdrawn or completed), if the trial met its recruitment target, if it recruited on time, and if it retained its participants. We also asked if it was likely a CRN was involved in the design of the trial. The CRNs were blinded to the study outcomes, did not receive any training on how to read a protocol and were prohibited from using/abstained from using the internet while completing the task. RESULTS: Twenty-three questionnaires on 23 trial protocols (18 different trials) were completed by 5 CRNs. The CRNs correctly predicted the trial status 48%, 95% CI: 29-67% (11/23) of the time; successful/unsuccessful recruitment 74%, 95% CI: 54-87% (17/23) of the time; on-time recruitment 70%, 95% CI: 49-84% (16/23) of the time; and participant retention 52%, 95% CI: 33-71% (12/23). CRNs identified 100% (sensitivity) of sites that hit their target and 63%, 95% CI: 36-84% (specificity) of sites that missed their target. CONCLUSIONS: CRNs are very good judges of trial recruitment and site performance issues and are a vital part of the clinical trial team. Taken with the ESP (Estimating Site Performance) study, we have made a strong case for broadening the trial team at the trial design stage. Early engagement of a broad skillset can potentially offset problems of recruitment, retention and trial failure.

Association of adverse childhood experiences with lipid profiles and atherogenic risk indices in a middle-to-older aged population.

Background: Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) have been associated with poor later life health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease (CVD). Limited research investigating potential underlying biological mechanisms linking ACE to CVD exists, particularly regarding lipid biomarkers. Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the associations between childhood adversity and unfavourable lipid profiles and derived atherogenic risk indices in a middle-to-older aged population. Methods: This cross-sectional study includes 1820 participants from the Mitchelstown cohort (49% male) in Ireland. Participants' self-reported history of childhood adversity (overall and by subtypes household dysfunction, abuse and neglect) were assessed through a validated 10-item ACE questionnaire. Lipid profiles were determined and atherogenic risk indices including Castelli's Risk Index 1 and 2 (CRI-I and CRI-II), Atherogenic Coefficient (AC) and Atherogenic Index Plasma (AIP) were generated. Logistic regression analysed ACE associations with unfavourable lipid outcomes, controlling for potential confounders. Results: ACE history (reported by 23% of sample), in particular childhood exposure to household dysfunction, was associated with later-life non-optimal TG and HDL-C concentrations and atherogenic risk indices CRI-II and AC in age and sex-adjusted models (all p < 0.05). In fully adjusted models, adults reporting ACE or exposure to household dysfunction were approximately twice as likely to have pro-atherogenic CRI-II relative to adults with no ACE (OR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.19-2.92, p = 0.006 and OR = 2.19, 95% CI: 1.33-3.61, p = 0.002, respectively). Sex-stratified analysis demonstrated sex-specific associations. Conclusions: This study provides evidence that ACEs are common among older adults in Ireland and are associated with unfavourable lipid profiles and derived atherogenic risk indices.

Trends in public attitudes to permitting cannabis for recreational use: analysis of Irish survey data since 2002.

BACKGROUND: There has been considerable debate around the liberalization of cannabis laws in many countries. Given recent changes in cannabis policy, and the current discussion regarding cannabis legalization in Ireland, the aim of this study was to examine changes in attitudes over time towards permitting recreational cannabis use. METHODS: We analyzed data from Ireland's 2002/03 (n = 4918); 2006/07 (n = 4967); 2010/11 (n = 5119); 2014/15 (n = 5937); 2019/20 (n = 3982) National Drug Prevalence Surveys. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to examine factors associated with being in favour of the use of cannabis for recreational purposes. RESULTS: The results indicate that there is minority support for permitting recreational cannabis use, which ranged from 19.1% in 2006/07 to 29.9% in 2019/20. In multivariable analysis being male and living in Dublin were significant predictors of agreeing with recreational cannabis use, as were being either a recent or past cannabis user, knowing cannabis users, perceiving cannabis use as not being a great risk, and not disapproving of cannabis use. Subjects aged less than 35 years and those who had completed primary education only were significantly less likely to agree with permitting recreational cannabis use. CONCLUSION: The results from this study indicate that there is minority support for allowing recreational cannabis use. Support was highest among recent cannabis users, consistent with previous studies. The relative lack of support for recreational cannabis use among younger respondents was surprising and warrants further research.

Support for evidence-based alcohol policy in Ireland: results from a representative household survey.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol use is a leading risk factor for death and disability and there is a need for evidence-based policy measures to tackle excess alcohol consumption and related harms. The aim of this study was to examine attitudes towards alcohol control measures among the general public in the context of significant reforms undertaken in the Irish alcohol policymaking landscape. METHODS: A representative household survey was conducted among individuals aged 18+ years in Ireland. Descriptive and univariate analyses were used. RESULTS: A total of 1069 participants took part (48% male) and there was broad support (>50%) for evidence-based alcohol policies. Support was strongest for a ban on alcohol advertising near schools and creches (85.1%) and for warning labels (81.9%). Women were more likely than men to support alcohol control policy measures while participants with harmful alcohol use patterns were significantly less likely to support these measures. Respondents with a greater awareness of the health risks of alcohol showed higher levels of support, while those who had experienced harms due to other people's drinking showed lower support compared with those who had not experienced such harms. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence of support for alcohol control policies in Ireland. However, notable differences were found in levels of support according to sociodemographic characteristics, alcohol consumption patterns, knowledge of health risks and harms experienced. Further research on reasons behind public support towards alcohol control measures would be worthwhile, given the importance of public opinion in the development of alcohol policy.

Factors associated with public awareness of the relationship between alcohol use and breast cancer risk.

BACKGROUND: Public awareness of the carcinogenic effects of alcohol is low, particularly the association between alcohol use and the risk of developing breast cancer. Breast cancer is the third most common cancer in Ireland and alcohol use remains high. This study examined factors related to awareness of the association between alcohol use and breast cancer risk. METHODS: Using data from Wave 2 of the national Healthy Ireland Survey, a representative sample of 7,498 Irish adults aged 15 + years, descriptive and logistic regression analyses were conducted to investigate relationships between demographic characteristics, type of drinker and awareness of breast cancer risk. RESULTS: A low level of awareness of the risk of alcohol use (drinking more than the recommended low-risk limit) associated with breast cancer was found, with just 21% of respondents correctly identifying the relationship. Multivariable regression analyses found that factors most strongly associated with awareness were sex (female), middle age (45-54 years) and higher educational levels. CONCLUSION: As breast cancer is a prevalent disease among women in Ireland, it is essential that the public, in particular women who drink, are made aware of this association. Public health messages that highlight the health risks associated with alcohol use, and which target individuals with lower educational levels, are warranted.

A New Phase of Networking: The Molecular Composition and Regulatory Dynamics of Mammalian Stress Granules.

Stress granules (SGs) are cytosolic biomolecular condensates that form in response to cellular stress. Weak, multivalent interactions between their protein and RNA constituents drive their rapid, dynamic assembly through phase separation coupled to percolation. Though a consensus model of SG function has yet to be determined, their perceived implication in cytoprotective processes (e.g., antiviral responses and inhibition of apoptosis) and possible role in the pathogenesis of various neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia) have drawn great interest. Consequently, new studies using numerous cell biological, genetic, and proteomic methods have been performed to unravel the mechanisms underlying SG formation, organization, and function and, with them, a more clearly defined SG proteome. Here, we provide a consensus SG proteome through literature curation and an update of the user-friendly database RNAgranuleDB to version 2.0 (http://rnagranuledb.lunenfeld.ca/). With this updated SG proteome, we use next-generation phase separation prediction tools to assess the predisposition of SG proteins for phase separation and aggregation. Next, we analyze the primary sequence features of intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) within SG-resident proteins. Finally, we review the protein- and RNA-level determinants, including post-translational modifications (PTMs), that regulate SG composition and assembly/disassembly dynamics.

Associations between the Nutrient Profiling System Underlying the Nutri-Score Nutrition Label and Biomarkers of Chronic Low-Grade Inflammation: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of a Middle- to Older-Aged Population.

Low-grade systemic inflammation is associated with a range of conditions. Diet may modulate inflammation and public health strategies are needed to guide consumers' dietary choices and help prevent diet-related disease. The Food Standards Agency nutrient profiling system (FSAm-NPS) constitutes the basis of the five-colour front-of-pack Nutri-Score labelling system. No study to date has examined FSAm-NPS dietary index associations with biomarkers of inflammation. Therefore, our objective was to test relationships between the FSAm-NPS and a range of inflammatory biomarkers in a cross-sectional sample of 2006 men and women aged 46-73 years. Individual participant FSAm-NPS scores were derived from food frequency questionnaires. Pro-inflammatory cytokine, adipocytokine, acute-phase response protein, coagulation factor and white blood cell count concentrations were determined. Correlation and linear regression analyses were used to examine FSAm-NPS relationships with biomarker levels. In crude and adjusted analyses, higher FSAm-NPS scores, reflecting poorer nutritional quality, were consistently and positively associated with biomarkers. In fully adjusted models, significant associations with concentrations of complement component 3, c-reactive protein, interleukin 6, tumour necrosis factor alpha, resistin, white blood cell count, neutrophils, eosinophils and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio persisted. These results suggest that dietary quality, determined by Nutri-Score rating, is associated with inflammatory biomarkers related to health.

Dietary score associations with markers of chronic low-grade inflammation: a cross-sectional comparative analysis of a middle- to older-aged population.

PURPOSE: To assess relationships between the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), Mediterranean Diet (MD), Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII®) and Energy-adjusted DII (E-DII™) scores and pro-inflammatory cytokines, adipocytokines, acute-phase response proteins, coagulation factors and white blood cells. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 1862 men and women aged 46-73 years, randomly selected from a large primary care centre in Ireland. DASH, MD, DII and E-DII scores were derived from validated food frequency questionnaires. Correlation and multivariate-adjusted linear regression analyses with correction for multiple testing were performed to examine dietary score relationships with biomarker concentrations. RESULTS: In fully adjusted models, higher diet quality or a less pro-inflammatory diet was associated with lower concentrations of c-reactive protein, neutrophils (all dietary scores), complement component 3 [C3], interleukin 6 [IL-6], tumour necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α], white blood cell count [WBC], the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio [NLR] (DASH, DII and E-DII), monocytes (DASH and DII) and resistin (DII and E-DII). After accounting for multiple testing, relationships with C3 (DASH: ß = - 2.079, p = .011 and DII: ß = 2.521, p = .036), IL-6 (DASH: ß = - 0.063, p = .011), TNF-α (DASH: ß = - 0.027, p = .034), WBC (DASH: ß = - 0.028, p = .001 and DII: ß = 0.029, p = .02), neutrophils (DASH: ß = - 0.041, p = .001; DII: ß = 0.043, p = .007; E-DII: ß = 0.029, p = .009) and the NLR (DASH: ß = - 0.035, p = .011) persisted. CONCLUSIONS: Better diet quality, determined by the DASH score, may be more closely associated with inflammatory biomarkers related to health in middle- to older-aged adults than the MD, DII and E-DII scores.

Comparing Cannabis Use Disorder in the General Population with Cannabis Treatment Seekers Using Multi-Source National Datasets: Who Receives Treatment?

INTRODUCTION: Given the increased prevalence of cannabis use in Ireland and increase in cannabis potency, this study aimed to estimate the size of the potential population in Ireland that may be in need of cannabis treatment and the percentage of people with cannabis use disorder (CUD) who actually access treatment. We also compared the profile of those with CUD in the general population to those who receive treatment for their cannabis use to explore whether certain subgroups are more or less likely to enter treatment. METHOD: This was a retrospective, multi-source database study. Data were obtained from (1) Ireland's 2014/2015 national general population survey (GPS) on drug use and (2) treatment data from the Irish National Drug Treatment Reporting System (NDTRS) for 2015. The profiles of GPS cases with CUD and NDTRS cases were compared using 2-sided t tests designed for independent samples. RESULTS: The prevalence of last year cannabis use among adults aged 15 and older was 6.5% and the prevalence of CUD was 2.6%, representing 94,515 of the Irish population. A total of 4,761 cases entered treatment for problem cannabis use. NDTRS treatment cases were significantly more likely than GPS cases to be unemployed (63.7% vs. 26.6%) and have no or primary level only educational attainment (56.3% vs. 21.2%). Over half (53.3%) of NDTRS cases first used cannabis before the age of 15 years, compared to 14.7% of CUD cases in the population. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that earlier users and those with more complex or disadvantaged lives are more likely to seek treatment. A broad population health approach that engages multiple sectors such as health, social welfare, and education is recommended to ensure that there is increased opportunity for people with CUD to be identified and signposted towards treatment.

Associations between a protective lifestyle behaviour score and biomarkers of chronic low-grade inflammation: a cross-sectional analysis in middle-to-older aged adults.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Certain lifestyle behaviours may have a protective effect against low-grade systemic inflammation, which is linked to chronic disease. Our objective was to examine associations between a five-component protective lifestyle behaviour (PLB) score and a range of pro-inflammatory cytokines, adipocytokines, acute-phase response proteins, coagulation factors and white blood cells. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 2045 middle-to-older aged men and women. Low-risk behaviours included never smoking, moderate alcohol intake, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, a high-quality diet (upper 40% Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension score) and a normal body mass index (BMI) (18.5-24.9 kg/m2). Linear and logistic regression analyses tested individual protective behaviour and PLB score associations with biomarkers. RESULTS: Analysis of individual low-risk behaviours revealed varied associations depending on the biomarker, with normal BMI showing the most consistent associations. Examination of the PLB score showed that compared to subjects with 4-5 protective behaviours, those with 0-1 protective behaviours had 1.4-3.8 increased odds of having a less favourable inflammatory profile. Following adjustment for BMI, significant trend relationships were observed between the number of protective behaviours and complement component 3 (P < 0.001), c-reactive protein (P < 0.001), interleukin 6 (P < 0.001), tumour necrosis factor alpha (P < 0.001) and white blood cell count (P < 0.001) concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest a cumulative protective effect of healthy lifestyle behaviours against systemic inflammation in middle-to-older aged adults which is independent of having a healthy body weight.