Attempt to replicate published genetic associations in a large, well-defined osteoarthritis case-control population (the GOAL study).

Objective: Published studies have tested over 90 genes for association with osteoarthritis (OA), but few positives reported have been independently replicated. Using a new case-control study, our aim was to attempt the replication of findings from 12 genes reported to have significant genetic association with OA and to further examine the role of genetic variation in six of these genes.

Methods: A case-control study was undertaken in Nottingham, UK.

Increased estrogen rather than decreased androgen action is associated with longer androgen receptor CAG repeats.

Context: The individual variability in the waning androgenic-anabolic functions of aging men may be influenced by the CAG repeat polymorphism in exon 1 of the androgen receptor (AR), affecting androgen sensitivity. However, findings on its phenotypic effects are inconclusive.

Objective: The aim was to investigate the relationships between health status, various reproductive hormones, and the AR CAG repeat length.

Genetic variation in sex hormone genes influences heel ultrasound parameters in middle-aged and elderly men: results from the European Male Aging Study (EMAS).

Genes involved in sex hormone pathways are candidates for influencing bone strength. Polymorphisms in these genes were tested for association with heel quantitative ultrasound (QUS) parameters in middle-aged and elderly European men. Men 40-79 yr of age were recruited from population registers in eight European centers for the European Male Aging Study (EMAS).

Exploring the genetic susceptibility of chronic widespread pain: the tender points in genetic association studies.

Chronic widespread pain (CWP) is a prevalent disorder associated with a low pain threshold and increased levels of psychological distress. Evidence indicates that there is a genetic component to CWP syndromes and pain sensitivity. Here we have identified and reviewed the current literature on genetic association (GA) studies of CWP and pain sensitivity by searching MEDLINE and EMBASE between January 1990 and May 2007.

Data management for the International Registry of Reproductive Pathology using SNOMED coding and computerization.

The International Registry of Reproductive Pathology contains more than 19,000 case records. It is indexed with the aid of Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine (SNOMED) codes and the MUMPS-11 interactive computer language. A package of programs was developed to maintain an index file of cases in the collection and to produce for each species a printed list of case numbers for every combination of topography, morphology and etiology.