Sex-specific associations between cardiovascular risk factors and physical function: the Gambian Bone and Muscle Ageing Study.

Background: In Sub-Saharan Africa, the prevalence of obesity, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and impaired physical function are increasing due to rapid urbanization. We investigated sex differences in associations between cardiac workload, arterial stiffness, peripheral vascular calcification (PVC) and physical function in Gambian adults.

Methods: A total of 488 Gambians aged 40-75+ years were recruited (men: 239; and women: 249).

Topological data analysis reveals genotype-phenotype relationships in primary ciliary dyskinesia.

Background: Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a heterogeneous inherited disorder caused by mutations in approximately 50 cilia-related genes. PCD genotype-phenotype relationships have mostly arisen from small case series because existing statistical approaches to investigating relationships have been unsuitable for rare diseases.

Methods: We applied a topological data analysis (TDA) approach to investigate genotype-phenotype relationships in PCD.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of school-based interventions with health education to reduce body mass index in adolescents aged 10 to 19 years.

Background: Adolescents are increasingly susceptible to obesity, and thus at risk of later non-communicable diseases, due to changes in food choices, physical activity levels and exposure to an obesogenic environment. This review aimed to synthesize the literature investigating the effectiveness of health education interventions delivered in school settings to prevent overweight and obesity and/ or reduce BMI in adolescents, and to explore the key features of effectiveness.

Methods: A systematic search of electronic databases including MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsychINFO and ERIC for papers published from Jan 2006 was carried out in 2020, following PRISMA guidelines.

Ethnic Differences in Bone Microarchitecture.

Purpose Of The Review: The aim of this review is to briefly introduce updates in global fracture epidemiology and then to highlight recent contributions to understanding ethnic differences in bone density, geometry and microarchitecture and consider how these might contribute to differences in fracture risk. The review focuses on studies using peripheral quantitative computed tomography techniques.

Recent Findings: Recent studies have contributed to our understanding of the differences in fracture incidence both between countries, as well as between ethnic groups living within the same country.

Occupation and risk of knee osteoarthritis and knee replacement: A longitudinal, multiple-cohort study.

Objectives: To examine the effect of occupation on knee osteoarthritis (OA) and total knee replacement (TKR) in working-aged adults.

Methods: We used longitudinal data from the Chingford, Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) and Multicentre Osteoarthritis (MOST) studies. Participants with musculoskeletal disorders and/or a history of knee-related surgery were excluded.

Occupational Risk in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies.

Objective: To assess the association between occupational exposures and knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: We systematically searched for observational studies that examined the relationship between occupational exposures and knee OA and total knee replacement. Four databases were searched up to October 1, 2019.

Predominant lifetime occupation and associations with painful and structural knee osteoarthritis: An international participant-level cohort collaboration.

Objective: With adults working to older ages, occupation is an important, yet less modifiable domain of physical activity to consider in the risk of knee osteoarthritis (OA). This study aimed to investigate the association between predominant lifetime occupation and prevalent knee OA.

Design: Participant-level data were used from five international community-based cohorts: Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project, the Hertfordshire Cohort Study, the Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study, the Tasmanian Cohort Study and Framingham Osteoarthritis Study.

Are jumping mechanography assessed muscle force and power, and traditional physical capability measures associated with falls in older adults? Results from the Hertfordshire Cohort Study.

Objectives: To explore associations between measures of lower limb muscle force, velocity and power from jumping mechanography (JM) and simple physical capability (PC) testing, and falls in community dwelling older adults.

Methods: Participants performed a two-leg countermovement jump on a ground reaction force platform. Jump force, power and velocity were calculated.

Intergenerational effect of early-life growth on offspring height: Evidence from the Hertfordshire Cohort Study.

Background: Previous intergenerational (parent to child) and transgenerational (grandparent to grandchild) studies have shown there is a link between parental and offspring birthweight.

Objectives: The aim was to explore the association between the early-life weight gain of an individual and the adult height of their children and grandchildren.

Methods: Study participants across three generations of the Hertfordshire Cohort Study (HCS) were included in this study.

Novel Approach to Estimate Osteoarthritis Progression: Use of the Reliable Change Index in the Evaluation of Joint Space Loss.

Objective: Osteoarthritis-related changes in joint space measurements over time are small and sensitive to measurement error. The Reliable Change Index (RCI) determines whether the magnitude of change observed in an individual can be attributed to true change. This study aimed to examine the RCI as a novel approach to estimating osteoarthritis progression.