Risk factors for ischaemic and intracerebral haemorrhagic stroke in 22 countries (the INTERSTROKE study): a case-control study.

Background: The contribution of various risk factors to the burden of stroke worldwide is unknown, particularly in countries of low and middle income. We aimed to establish the association of known and emerging risk factors with stroke and its primary subtypes, assess the contribution of these risk factors to the burden of stroke, and explore the differences between risk factors for stroke and myocardial infarction.

Methods: We undertook a standardised case-control study in 22 countries worldwide between March 1, 2007, and April 23, 2010.

The relationship of fall-related fractures to social deprivation.

Unlabelled: The relationship between fall-related fractures and social deprivation was studied in 3,843 patients. The incidence of fractures correlated with deprivation in all age groups although the spectrum of fractures was not affected by deprivation. The average age and the prevalence of hip fractures decreased with increasing deprivation.

Metabolic syndrome and risk of acute myocardial infarction a case-control study of 26,903 subjects from 52 countries.

Objectives: This study examines the risk of acute myocardial infarction (MI) conferred by the metabolic syndrome (MS) and its individual factors in multiple ethnic populations.

Background: The risk of the MS on MI has not been well characterized, especially in multiple ethnic groups.

Methods: Participants in the INTERHEART study (n = 26,903) involving 52 countries were classified using the World Health Organization (WHO) and International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria for MS, and their odds ratios (ORs) for MI were compared with the individual MS component factors.

[Current issues in measurement and reporting of urinary albumin excretion].

Urinary excretion of albumin indicates kidney damage and is recognized as a risk factor for progression of kidney disease and cardiovascular disease. The role of urinary albumin measurements has focused attention on the clinical need for accurate and clearly reported results. The National Kidney Disease Education Program and the IFCC convened a conference to assess the current state of preanalytical, analytical, and postanalytical issues affecting urine albumin measurements and to identify areas needing improvement.

Stable genes and changing environments: body mass index across adolescence and young adulthood.

The transition between adolescence and young adulthood is a developmentally sensitive time where children are at an increased risk for becoming overweight and developing obesity. Twin studies have reported that body mass index [BMI] is highly heritable, however, it remains unclear whether the genetic influences are sex-limited and whether non-additive genetic influences contribute to body mass index [BMI] during these ages. In the current report, we examined self-reported data on BMI in same [n = 2,744] and opposite-sex [n = 1,178] siblings participating in the National Longitudinal Study on Adolescent Health [Add Health].

An omnibus test for family-based association studies with multiple SNPs and multiple phenotypes.

We propose an omnibus family-based association test (MFBAT) that can be applied to multiple markers and multiple phenotypes and that has only one degree of freedom. The proposed test statistic extends current FBAT methodology to incorporate multiple markers as well as multiple phenotypes. Using simulation studies, power estimates for the proposed methodology are compared with the standard methodologies.

Ethnicity, body mass, and genome-wide data.

This article combines social and genetic epidemiology to examine the influence of self-reported ethnicity on body mass index (BMI) among a sample of adolescents and young adults. We use genetic information from more than 5,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms in combination with principal components analysis to characterize population ancestry of individuals in this study. We show that non-Hispanic white and Mexican-American respondents differ significantly with respect to BMI and differ on the first principal component from the genetic data.

Genetic variants associated with myocardial infarction risk factors in over 8000 individuals from five ethnic groups: The INTERHEART Genetics Study.

Background: Myocardial infarction (MI) is a leading cause of death globally, but specific genetic variants that influence MI and MI risk factors have not been assessed on a global basis.

Methods And Results: We included 8795 individuals of European, South Asian, Arab, Iranian, and Nepalese origin from the INTERHEART case-control study that genotyped 1536 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 103 genes. One hundred and two SNPs were nominally associated with MI, but the statistical significance did not remain after adjustment for multiple testing.

Feasibility of biological specimen collection for the Canadian longitudinal study on aging (CLSA) biorepository.

ABSTRACTBiological specimen collection is an integral part of many longitudinal epidemiological studies. It is important to achieve high participant satisfaction for continuing involvement, and high sample quality for accurate biomarker measurement. We conducted a study to evaluate these issues on the sample collection proposed for the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA).

Prediction of outcome after humeral diaphyseal fracture.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to examine the demographic factors, functional outcome and radiological data to predict the outcome of humeral diaphyseal fractures.

Methods: We performed a prospective study on a consecutive series of 110 patients of 16 years or over, who had sustained a humeral diaphyseal fracture. There were 42 males and 68 females, with an average age of 59 years (range 16-93 years).

Is a pre-operative brain natriuretic peptide or N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide measurement an independent predictor of adverse cardiovascular outcomes within 30 days of noncardiac surgery? A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

Objectives: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine if pre-operative brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) (i.e., BNP or N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide [NT-proBNP]) is an independent predictor of 30-day adverse cardiovascular outcomes after noncardiac surgery.

Locked volar plating for unstable distal radial fractures: clinical and radiological outcomes.

We studied 40 patients treated with locked volar plates for unstable distal radial fractures. Outcome was assessed at a mean of 59 weeks, both radiologically and functionally using the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, range of motion and grip strength. The complication rate in our series was 48%.

Test of association between GABRA2 (SNP rs279871) and adolescent conduct/alcohol use disorders utilizing a sample of clinic referred youth with serious substance and conduct problems, controls and available first degree relatives.

Unlabelled: Recent findings have linked the GABRA2 gene with antisocial personality disorder and alcohol dependence (AD) in adults and conduct disorder (CD), but not AD symptoms, in children and adolescents. We sought to replicate previous findings and test for an association between a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the GABRA2 gene (rs279871) and CD among adolescents.

Methods: Adolescent patients (n=371), 13-18 years old, were recruited from a university substance abuse treatment program.

The Family Atherosclerosis Monitoring In earLY life (FAMILY) study: rationale, design, and baseline data of a study examining the early determinants of atherosclerosis.

Background: Complex interactions among genetic, epigenetic, and environmental exposures, further modified by a child's postnatal environment, underlie the relationship among maternal health, fetal growth, and the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in the child and disease in the adult. Few available studies consider the genetic and environmental influences of the family, beyond maternal health. The purpose of this study is to examine the fetal and early childhood family-based determinants for the development of adiposity, CVD risk factors, and atherosclerosis in childhood.

Association of CHRN genes with "dizziness" to tobacco.

The neuronal nicotinic receptor genes (CHRN) have been implicated in a variety of smoking-related behaviors. Here we tested for association between an early subjective response phenotype, "dizziness," and 226 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CHRN genes. The sample included 789 nicotine-dependent cases and 811 controls, where early "dizziness" reports were significantly associated with case/control status (P < 0.

SNPs in CHRNA6 and CHRNB3 are associated with alcohol consumption in a nationally representative sample.

The CHRNA6 and CHRNB3 genes have been associated with nicotine dependence and early subjective response to nicotine. Here we present evidence, using a nationally representative sample of adults, that this region is also associated with alcohol behaviors. Six SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) spanning the CHRNB3/A6 genes were analyzed using the statistical genetics software FBAT-PC, which allows one to examine a collection of multiple phenotypes to generate a maximally heritable composite phenotype for each SNP.

Effect of telmisartan on renal outcomes: a randomized trial.

Background: Angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs) blunt progression of advanced diabetic nephropathy, but their long-term renal effects in other patients are not clear.

Objective: To examine the long-term renal effects of telmisartan versus placebo in adults at high vascular risk.

Design: Randomized trial.

The use of hospital registries in orthopaedic surgery.

A hospital registry is a collection of prospectively recorded information about patients who have a specific condition or who received a specific type of treatment. Hospital registries are beneficial for the patient, physicians, and administrators and serve several purposes, with the primary purpose being quality control. This article focuses on the role of registries at the hospital level and their advantages compared with other data sets.