Time trends in stroke incidence and in prevalence of risk factors in Southern Germany, 1989 to 2008/09.

In prior studies, stroke incidence has mainly shown either declining time trends or stable rates in high-income countries. Changes could partially be linked to trends in classic cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. In the present study, we analyzed the incidence of stroke in parallel with the prevalence of CVD risk factors over time in a German population.

Association of glycemic status and segmental left ventricular wall thickness in subjects without prior cardiovascular disease: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and changes in LV geometry are associated with increased cardiovascular mortality. Subjects with type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of such alterations in cardiac morphology. We sought to assess the association of glycemic status and LV wall thickness measured by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), and potential interactions of hypertension and diabetes.

Ldlr and ApoE mice better mimic the human metabolite signature of increased carotid intima media thickness compared to other animal models of cardiovascular disease.

Background And Aims: Preclinical experiments on animal models are essential to understand the mechanisms of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Metabolomics allows access to the metabolic perturbations associated with CVD in heart and vessels. Here we assessed which potential animal CVD model most closely mimics the serum metabolite signature of increased carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in humans, a clinical parameter widely accepted as a surrogate of CVD.

Identification of Comprehensive Metabotypes Associated with Cardiometabolic Diseases in the Population-Based KORA Study.

Scope: "Metabotyping" describes the grouping of metabolically similar individuals. We aimed to identify valid metabotypes in a large cohort for targeted dietary intervention, for example, for disease prevention.

Methods And Results: We grouped 1729 adults aged 32-77 years of the German population-based KORA F4 study (2006-2008) using k-means cluster analysis based on 34 biochemical and anthropometric parameters.

Advanced tools for the analysis of protein phosphorylation in yeast mitochondria.

The biochemical analysis of protein phosphorylation in mitochondria lags behind that of cytosolic signaling events. One reason is the poor stability of many phosphorylation sites during common isolation procedures for mitochondria. We present here an optimized, fast protocol for the purification of yeast mitochondria that greatly increases recovery of phosphorylated mitochondrial proteins.

Neuropathic pain is not adequately treated in the older general population: Results from the KORA F4 survey.

Purpose: We evaluated the pharmacological treatment of distal sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSPN) among older subjects from the general population.

Methods: The study included subjects aged 61 to 82 years from the KORA F4 survey (2006-2008). DSPN was defined as the presence of bilaterally impaired foot-vibration perception and/or bilaterally impaired foot-pressure sensation.

Risk thresholds for alcohol consumption: combined analysis of individual-participant data for 599 912 current drinkers in 83 prospective studies.

Background: Low-risk limits recommended for alcohol consumption vary substantially across different national guidelines. To define thresholds associated with lowest risk for all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease, we studied individual-participant data from 599 912 current drinkers without previous cardiovascular disease.

Methods: We did a combined analysis of individual-participant data from three large-scale data sources in 19 high-income countries (the Emerging Risk Factors Collaboration, EPIC-CVD, and the UK Biobank).

New indexes of body fat distribution and sex-specific risk of total and cause-specific mortality: a prospective cohort study.

Background: A number of prior studies have examined the association between anthropometric measures and mortality, but studies investigating the sex-specific predictive value of novel anthropometric measures on mortality are scarce so far. Therefore, we investigated the sex-specific relevance of the new anthropometric measures body adiposity index (BAI) and waist to height ratio (WHtR) as well as the common measures body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist to hip ratio (WHR) for cause-specific mortality risk.

Methods: The analysis was based on data from the German population based KORA (Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg) Augsburg cohort study.

Correlation of MRI-derived adipose tissue measurements and anthropometric markers with prevalent hypertension in the community.

Objectives: To compare the correlations of MRI-derived adipose tissue measurements and anthropometric markers, respectively, with prevalent hypertension in a community-based sample, free of clinical cardiovascular disease.

Methods: MRI-derived adipose tissue measurements were obtained in 345 participants (143 women; age 39-73 years) of the KORA FF4 survey from Southern Germany using a 3-Tesla machine and included total adipose tissue (TAT), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SCAT), hepatic fat fraction (HFF), pancreatic fat fraction (PFF) as well as pericardial adipose tissue (PAT). In addition, the anthropometric markers body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-hip ratio (WHR) and waist-height ratio (WHtR) as well as blood pressure measurements were obtained.

Myeloperoxidase, superoxide dismutase-3, cardiometabolic risk factors, and distal sensorimotor polyneuropathy: The KORA F4/FF4 study.

Background: Oxidative stress has been proposed as important pathomechanism of cardiometabolic diseases and distal sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSPN). However, the relevance of biomarkers of oxidative stress has not been investigated in this context. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the association of the prooxidant myeloperoxidase (MPO) and the antioxidant extracellular superoxide dismutase (SOD3) with cardiometabolic risk factors and with prevalence and incidence of DSPN.

Mediator Effect of Balance Problems on Association Between Grip Strength and Falls in Older Adults: Results From the KORA-Age Study.

To examine the association between grip strength and history of falls among older individuals, and to assess the possible mediating effect of balance problems on this relationship. Data originate from KORA (Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg)-Age Study of 808 individuals (65 years and above). Follow-up assessment occurred 3 years later.

Burden of cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular disease in childhood cancer survivors: data from the German CVSS-study.

Aims: The cardiac and vascular late sequelae in long-term survivors of childhood cancer (CVSS)-study aimed to quantify the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in German childhood cancer survivors (CCS).

Methods And Results: In the CVSS-study (NCT02181049), 1002 CCS (age range 23-48 years) diagnosed with neoplasia prior to 15 years of age between 1980 and 1990 prospectively underwent a systematic, standardized clinical and laboratory cardiovascular screening, identical to the population-based Gutenberg Health Study (GHS) cohort. For 951 individuals, prevalences of CVRF and CVD were primarily compared to the GHS sample and to two further German population-based cohorts.

Association between admission anemia and long-term mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction: results from the MONICA/KORA myocardial infarction registry.

Background: Previous studies have shown that the presence of anemia is associated with increased short- and long-term outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This study aims at examining the impact of admission anemia on long-term, all-cause mortality following AMI in patients recruited from a population-based registry. Contrary to most prior studies, we distinguished between patients with mild and moderate to severe anemia.

Muscular Strength is Independently Associated with Cystatin C: The KORA-Age Study.

The purpose of this study was to investigate if there is a link between muscular strength (MS) and markers of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among older adults. The cross-sectional analysis based on 1041 men and women, aged 65-94 years, who participated in the KORA-Age study. Participants underwent an interview and extensive examinations including anthropometric measurements, diseases and drug intake registration, determination of health-related behaviors, collection of blood samples for measurements of cystatin C and maximal muscle strength evaluation.

Phenotypic Multiorgan Involvement of Subclinical Disease as Quantified by Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Subjects With Prediabetes, Diabetes, and Normal Glucose Tolerance.

Introduction: Detailed mechanisms in the pathophysiology of diabetes disease are poorly understood, but structural alterations in various organ systems incur an elevated risk for cardiovascular events and adverse outcome. The aim of this study was to compare multiorgan subclinical disease phenotypes by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to study differences between subjects with prediabetes, diabetes, and normal controls.

Materials And Methods: Subjects without prior cardiovascular disease were enrolled in a prospective case-control study and underwent multiorgan MR for the assessment of metabolic and arteriosclerotic alterations, including age-related white matter changes, hepatic proton density fat fraction, visceral adipose tissue volume, left ventricular remodeling index, carotid plaque, and late gadolinium enhancement.

[Assessing incident cardiovascular and metabolic diseases in epidemiological cohort studies in Germany].

Background: Cardiovascular and metabolic diseases are a major cause of mortality and loss of quality of life in Germany. Research into risk factors of these diseases requires large population-based cohort studies. Complete and accurate assessment of the incidence of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases is a key element for valid interpretation of the results from such studies.

Association of serum potassium concentration with mortality and ventricular arrhythmias in patients with acute myocardial infarction: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background Challenging clinical practice guidelines that recommend serum potassium concentration between 4.0-5.0 mEq/L or ≥4.

Subclinical changes in MRI-determined right ventricular volumes and function in subjects with prediabetes and diabetes.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess subclinical changes in right ventricular volumes and function in subjects with prediabetes and diabetes and controls without a history of cardiovascular disease.

Methods: Data from 400 participants in the KORA FF4 study without self-reported cardiovascular disease who underwent 3-T whole-body MRI were obtained. The right ventricle was evaluated using the short axis and a four-chamber view.

Alcohol consumption, but not smoking is associated with higher MR-derived liver fat in an asymptomatic study population.

Background: The aim of our study was to determine the relation of alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking on continuous-measured hepatic fat fraction (HFF) in a population free of cardiovascular disease. We suggested a direct correlation of alcohol consumption with HFF and increased HFF in former smokers compared to current smokers.

Methods: Data from 384 subjects (mean age: 56 years, 58% men) of a population-based cohort study (KORA) were included in a cross-sectional design.

Body fat distribution and risk of incident ischemic stroke in men and women aged 50 to 74 years from the general population. The KORA Augsburg cohort study.

Background: It remains controversial whether measures of general or abdominal adiposity are better risk predictors for ischemic stroke. Furthermore, so far it is unclear whether body fat mass index (BFMI) and fat free mass index (FFMI) are risk predictors for ischemic stroke. This study examined the sex-specific relevance of body mass index (BMI), BROCA Index, waist circumference (WC), waist-height ratio (WHtR), BFMI and FFMI for the development of ischemic stroke in a Caucasian population.

Regional differences in antihyperglycemic medication are not explained by individual socioeconomic status, regional deprivation, and regional health care services. Observational results from the German DIAB-CORE consortium.

Aims: This population-based study sought to extend knowledge on factors explaining regional differences in type 2 diabetes mellitus medication patterns in Germany.

Methods: Individual baseline and follow-up data from four regional population-based German cohort studies (SHIP [northeast], CARLA [east], HNR [west], KORA [south]) conducted between 1997 and 2010 were pooled and merged with both data on regional deprivation and regional health care services. To analyze regional differences in any or newer anti-hyperglycemic medication, medication prevalence ratios (PRs) were estimated using multivariable Poisson regression models with a robust error variance adjusted gradually for individual and regional variables.

Erratum: Sequence data and association statistics from 12,940 type 2 diabetes cases and controls.

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1038/sdata.2017.

Guidelines and recommendations on yeast cell death nomenclature.

Elucidating the biology of yeast in its full complexity has major implications for science, medicine and industry. One of the most critical processes determining yeast life and physiology is cel-lular demise. However, the investigation of yeast cell death is a relatively young field, and a widely accepted set of concepts and terms is still missing.

Prediabetes is associated with microalbuminuria, reduced kidney function and chronic kidney disease in the general population: The KORA (Cooperative Health Research in the Augsburg Region) F4-Study.

Background And Aims: We investigated the associations of serum fasting (FG) and 2-h postload (2HG) glucose from an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting insulin and the homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) with urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

Methods And Results: We performed cross-sectional analyses of 2713 subjects (1429 women; 52.7%) without known type 2 diabetes, aged 31-82 years, from the KORA (Cooperative Health Research in the Augsburg Region) F4-Study.