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In prospective genomic studies (e.g. DNA methylation, metagenomics, and transcriptomics), it is crucial to estimate the overall fraction of phenotypic variance (OFPV) attributed to the high-dimensional genomic variables, a concept similar to heritability analyses in genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Unlike genetic variants in GWAS, these genomic variables are typically measured with error due to technical limitation and temporal instability. While the existing methods developed for GWAS can be used, ignoring measurement error may severely underestimate OFPV and mislead the design of future studies. Assuming that measurement error variances are distributed similarly between causal and noncausal variables, we show that the asymptotic attenuation factor equals to the average intraclass correlation coefficients of all genomic variables, which can be estimated based on a pilot study with repeated measurements. We illustrate the method by estimating the contribution of microbiome taxa to body mass index and multiple allergy traits in the American Gut Project. Finally, we show that measurement error does not cause meaningful bias when estimating the correlation of effect sizes for two traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To elucidate the sociodemographic and study factors involved in enrollment in the Traumatic Brain Injury Model System (TBIMS) database, this study examined the effect of a variety of variables on enrollment at a local TBIMS center. A sample of 654 individuals from the local TBIMS center was studied examining enrollment by age, gender, race, ethnicity, homelessness status at date of injury, history of homelessness, health insurance status, presence of social support, primary language, consenting in hospital or after discharge, and the need for an interpreter. Binary logistic regression was conducted to identify variables that predict center-based enrollment into TBIMS. Results demonstrated that older age was associated with decreasing enrollment (OR = 0.99, p = 0.01), needing an interpreter made enrollment less likely (OR = 0.33, p < 0.01), being primarily Spanish speaking predicted enrollment (OR = 3.20, p = 0.02), Hispanic ethnicity predicted enrollment (OR = 7.31, p = 0.03), and approaching individuals in the hospital predicted enrollment (OR = 6.94, p < 0.01). Here, OR denotes the odds ratio estimate from a logistic regression model and P denotes the corresponding p-value. These results can be useful in driving enrollment strategies at this center for other similar TBI research, and to contribute a representative TBI sample to the national database. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Background Methods Results Conclusions Binimetinib and selumetinib are two mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitors used to treat low‐grade gliomas and plexiform neurofibromas. Cutaneous toxicities are commonly associated with MEK inhibitors; however, limited studies have examined cutaneous effects in a pediatric population or whether toxicities vary between MEK inhibitors.We conducted an IRB‐approved, single‐center, retrospective review of pediatric neuro‐oncology patients on binimetinib or selumetinib who presented to NYU from April 2016 through July 2022.Forty‐six children met inclusion criteria (23 females, 23 males) with a mean age of 11.7 years. Thirty‐three were treated with binimetinib and 13 with selumetinib. Dermatologic adverse events were encountered in 97.8% of the cohort, and the most common were acneiform eruption (63.0%), paronychia (58.7%), and xerosis (54.3%). Children 12 years and older were more likely to have acneiform eruption (p < 0.001) and seborrheic dermatitis (p < 0.001), while children under 12 were more likely to have xerosis (p = 0.037). The incidence of cutaneous adverse events was significantly different between MEK inhibitors for folliculitis and hair pigment dilution (39.4% binimetinib, 0% selumetinib, p = 0.009). Significantly, more patients required MEK inhibitor dose reduction/hold on binimetinib (87.9%) than selumetinib (46.2%) (p = 0.006). Severity of cutaneous disease was not associated with tumor response.Our study confirms dermatologic adverse events are common in children on MEK inhibitors. Age appears to be associated with increased likelihood of certain cutaneous reactions. Overall, the selumetinib patients in our cohort presented with less severe adverse events and decreased risk of MEK inhibitor dose reduction/hold. Our results will aid clinicians in providing appropriate counseling, treatments, and improved preventive care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure is the primary risk factor for melanoma although the relationship is complex. Compared to radiation from UVB wavelengths, UVA makes up a majority of the surface solar UVR, penetrates the skin more deeply, is the principal range emitted by tanning beds, and is less filtered by sunscreens and window glass. Few studies have examined the relationship between ambient UVA and UVB and melanoma risk., Methods: Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated for the association between satellite-based ambient (based on residential history) UVA, UVB and melanoma in non-Hispanic White participants using data from the United States Radiologic Technologists study, a large, nationwide prospective cohort. Associations of UVA and UVB quartile (Q) were examined in mutually adjusted and stratified models, additionally adjusted for demographic and sun sensitivity characteristics., Results: There were 837 incident melanoma cases among 62,785 participants. Incidence of melanoma was statistically significantly increased for the highest quartile of childhood UVA exposure after adjustment for UVB (IRR = 2.82; 95%CI:1.46,5.44), but not for higher childhood UVB after adjustment for UVA. Childhood UVA was associated with increased melanoma risk within strata of UVB. Childhood UVB was not associated with melanoma after adjustment for UVA, but there was some evidence of lower risk with increased lifetime ambient UVB after UVA adjustment., Conclusions: Melanoma risk was elevated among participants living in locations with high annual childhood and lifetime UVA after controlling for UVB. With confirmation, these findings support increased protection from solar UVA for melanoma prevention., (Published by Oxford University Press 2024.)