Estimation of CT-derived abdominal visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue depots from anthropometry in Europeans, South Asians and African Caribbeans.

Background: South Asians and African Caribbeans experience more cardiometabolic disease than Europeans. Risk factors include visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous abdominal (SAT) adipose tissue, which vary with ethnicity and are difficult to quantify using anthropometry.

Objective: We developed and cross-validated ethnicity and gender-specific equations using anthropometrics to predict VAT and SAT.

Population genomics of cardiometabolic traits: design of the University College London-London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine-Edinburgh-Bristol (UCLEB) Consortium.

Substantial advances have been made in identifying common genetic variants influencing cardiometabolic traits and disease outcomes through genome wide association studies. Nevertheless, gaps in knowledge remain and new questions have arisen regarding the population relevance, mechanisms, and applications for healthcare. Using a new high-resolution custom single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array (Metabochip) incorporating dense coverage of genomic regions linked to cardiometabolic disease, the University College-London School-Edinburgh-Bristol (UCLEB) consortium of highly-phenotyped population-based prospective studies, aims to: (1) fine map functionally relevant SNPs; (2) precisely estimate individual absolute and population attributable risks based on individual SNPs and their combination; (3) investigate mechanisms leading to altered risk factor profiles and CVD events; and (4) use Mendelian randomisation to undertake studies of the causal role in CVD of a range of cardiovascular biomarkers to inform public health policy and help develop new preventative therapies.

Dietary energy intake is associated with type 2 diabetes risk markers in children.

OBJECTIVE Energy intake, energy density, and nutrient intakes are implicated in type 2 diabetes risk in adults, but little is known about their influence on emerging type 2 diabetes risk in childhood. We examined these associations in a multiethnic population of children. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS This was a cross-sectional study of 2,017 children predominantly of white European, South Asian, and black African-Caribbean origin aged 9-10 years who had a detailed 24-h dietary recall and measurements of body composition and provided a fasting blood sample for measurements of plasma glucose, HbA1c, and serum insulin; homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance was also derived.

N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide but not copeptin improves prediction of heart failure over other routine clinical risk parameters in older men with and without cardiovascular disease: population-based study.

Aims: Measurement of NT-proBNP and copeptin may help identify those at high risk of heart failure (HF). However the value of NT-proBNP and copeptin has been little studied in the older population in primary care. This study aims to examine the use of NT-proBNP and copeptin in improving risk prediction and stratification of HF in older men with and without cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Low birth weight, later renal function, and the roles of adulthood blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity in a British birth cohort.

Low birth weight has been shown to be associated with later renal function, but it is unclear to what extent this is explained by other established kidney disease risk factors. Here we investigate the roles of diabetes, hypertension, and obesity using data from the Medical Research Council National Survey of Health and Development, a socially stratified sample of 5362 children born in March 1946 in England, Scotland, and Wales, and followed since. The birth weight of 2192 study members with complete data was related to three markers of renal function at age 60-64 (estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) calculated using cystatin C (eGFRcys), eGFR calculated using creatinine and cystatin C (eGFRcr-cys), and the urine albumin-creatinine ratio) using linear regression.

Plasma vitamin C, but not vitamin E, is associated with reduced risk of heart failure in older men.

Background: Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of heart failure (HF). However, data on the association between antioxidant intakes and circulating levels and risk of incident HF in the older general population are limited. We have examined prospectively the associations between plasma vitamin C and E, dietary intakes of vitamin C and E, and incident HF.

Apolipoprotein E genotype, cardiovascular biomarkers and risk of stroke: systematic review and meta-analysis of 14,015 stroke cases and pooled analysis of primary biomarker data from up to 60,883 individuals.

Background: At the APOE gene, encoding apolipoprotein E, genotypes of the ε2/ε3/ε4 alleles associated with higher LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels are also associated with higher coronary risk. However, the association of APOE genotype with other cardiovascular biomarkers and risk of ischaemic stroke is less clear. We evaluated the association of APOE genotype with risk of ischaemic stroke and assessed whether the observed effect was consistent with the effects of APOE genotype on LDL-C or other lipids and biomarkers of cardiovascular risk.

Association between younger age when first overweight and increased risk for CKD.

There is little information on how the duration of overweight or obesity during life affects the risk for CKD. To investigate whether prolonged exposure to overweight during adult life increases the risk of later CKD in a cumulative manner, we analyzed data from the Medical Research Council National Survey of Health and Development, a socially stratified sample of 5362 singleton children born in 1 week in March 1946 in England, Scotland, and Wales. Multiple imputation expanded the analysis sample from the initial 1794 participants with complete data to 4584.

The relationship between metabolic risk factors and incident cardiovascular disease in Europeans, South Asians, and African Caribbeans: SABRE (Southall and Brent Revisited) -- a prospective population-based study.

Objectives: This study sought to determine whether ethnic differences in diabetes, dyslipidemia, and ectopic fat deposition account for ethnic differences in incident cardiovascular disease.

Background: Coronary heart disease risks are elevated in South Asians and are lower in African Caribbeans compared with Europeans. These ethnic differences map to lipid patterns and ectopic fat deposition.

Alkaline phosphatase, serum phosphate, and incident cardiovascular disease and total mortality in older men.

Objective: We have examined the association between serum phosphate and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) with incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes and total mortality in older men.

Approach And Results: A prospective study of 3381 men, aged 60 to 79 years, without a history of myocardial infarction or stroke followed up for an average 11 years during which there were 605 major CVD events (fatal coronary heart disease and nonfatal myocardial infarction, stroke, and CVD death) and 984 total deaths. ALP but not serum phosphate was associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease and overall CVD events which persisted after adjustment for CVD risk factors and markers of inflammation and after exclusion of men with chronic kidney disease (adjusted hazard ratio per SD, 1.

Quantification of blood vessel calibre in retinal images of multi-ethnic school children using a model based approach.

Changes and variation in retinal vessel width are related to vascular risk factors and prospectively related to cardiovascular disease in later life. Hence, assessment of vessel width may be a useful physio-marker and potential predictor of cardiovascular status. However, measurement of vessel calibre from retinal images is a challenging process to automate.

Influence of adiposity on insulin resistance and glycemia markers among U.K. Children of South Asian, black African-Caribbean, and white European origin: child heart and health study in England.

Objective: Ethnic differences in type 2 diabetes risk between South Asians and white Europeans originate before adult life and are not fully explained by higher adiposity levels in South Asians. Although metabolic sensitivity to adiposity may differ between ethnic groups, this has been little studied in childhood. We have therefore examined the associations among adiposity, insulin resistance, and glycemia markers in children of different ethnic origins.

Randomised controlled trial of a complex intervention by primary care nurses to increase walking in patients aged 60-74 years: protocol of the PACE-Lift (Pedometer Accelerometer Consultation Evaluation - Lift) trial.

Background: Physical activity is essential for older peoples' physical and mental health and for maintaining independence. Guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes weekly, of at least moderate intensity physical activity, with activity on most days. Older people's most common physical activity is walking, light intensity if strolling, moderate if brisker.

Prospective study of IL-18 and risk of MI and stroke in men and women aged 60-79 years: a nested case-control study.

Aim: IL-18 is hypothesized to destabilise atherosclerotic plaques, leading to thrombotic events and epidemiologic studies suggest that IL-18 may increase risk of CHD or CVD. We examined prospective associations between levels of serum IL-18 and new CHD and stroke events in older men and women from a general population.

Methods: A case-control study was nested within a prospective cohort of men and women aged 60-79 years recruited from general practices in 25 British towns in 1998-2000 and followed-up for 7.

Adiposity, adipokines, and risk of incident stroke in older men.

Background And Purpose: The association between adiposity and adipocytes and risk of stroke in older adults is uncertain. We have examined the association between adiposity measures and adipocytes (adiponectin and leptin) with incident stroke events in older men.

Methods: Prospective study of 3411 men aged 60 to 79 years with no previous diagnosis of myocardial infarction, heart failure, or stroke followed-up for an average of 9 years, during which there were 192 incident major stroke events.

C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, and cardiovascular disease prediction.

Background: There is debate about the value of assessing levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and other biomarkers of inflammation for the prediction of first cardiovascular events.

Methods: We analyzed data from 52 prospective studies that included 246,669 participants without a history of cardiovascular disease to investigate the value of adding CRP or fibrinogen levels to conventional risk factors for the prediction of cardiovascular risk. We calculated measures of discrimination and reclassification during follow-up and modeled the clinical implications of initiation of statin therapy after the assessment of CRP or fibrinogen.

Ethnic differences in disability prevalence and their determinants studied over a 20-year period: a cohort study.

Background: To compare disability prevalence rates in the major ethnic groups in the UK and understand the risk factors contributing to differences identified. It was hypothesised that Indian Asian and African Caribbean people would experience higher rates of disability compared with Europeans.

Methods: Data was collected from 888 European, 636 Indian Asian and 265 African Caribbean men and women, aged 58-88 years at 20-year follow-up of community-based cohort study, based in West London.

Ethnic and socioeconomic influences on childhood blood pressure: the Child Heart and Health Study in England.

Objectives: Compared to UK white European adults, UK black African-Caribbean adults have higher mean SBP and DBP; UK South Asian adults have higher mean DBP but lower SBP. Information on blood pressure (BP) in UK children from different ethnic groups is limited. The aim of this study was to compare BP levels in UK children of black African-Caribbean, South Asian and white European origin.

Insulin resistance and truncal obesity as important determinants of the greater incidence of diabetes in Indian Asians and African Caribbeans compared with Europeans: the Southall And Brent REvisited (SABRE) cohort.

Objective: To determine the extent of, and reasons for, ethnic differences in type 2 diabetes incidence in the U.K.

Research Design And Methods: Population-based triethnic cohort.

Trends in blood pressure in 9 to 11-year-old children in the United Kingdom 1980-2008: the impact of obesity.

Objectives: High blood pressure (BP) is a major public health issue, both in the United Kingdom and worldwide. Although BP levels in UK adults are declining, there is little published information on BP trends in children, a particular concern in the context of the rising levels of childhood adiposity. Our aims are to determine whether BP in children has changed over time and whether the change reflected trends in adiposity.

Prevalence of overweight, obesity and thinness in 9-10 year old children in Mauritius.

Objective: To document the prevalence of overweight, obesity and thinness in 9-10 year old children in Mauritius.

Methods: 412 boys and 429 girls aged 9-10 years from 23 primary schools were selected using stratified cluster random sampling. All data was cross-sectional and collected via anthropometry and self-administered questionnaire.

Longitudinal associations between changes in physical activity and onset of type 2 diabetes in older British men: the influence of adiposity.

Objective: To determine how much physical activity (PA) is needed to protect against diabetes onset in older adults, whether protection is greater among overweight individuals, and whether taking up moderate activity in later life is beneficial.

Research Design And Methods: Men (4,252) from a U.K.