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Recent studies suggest that meat intake is associated with diabetes-related phenotypes. However, whether the associations of meat intake and glucose and insulin homeostasis are modified by genes related to glucose and insulin is unknown.

Using genome-wide data from 253,288 individuals, we identified 697 variants at genome-wide significance that together explained one-fifth of the heritability for adult height. By testing different numbers of variants in independent studies, we show that the most strongly associated ∼2,000, ∼3,700 and ∼9,500 SNPs explained ∼21%, ∼24% and ∼29% of phenotypic variance. Furthermore, all common variants

Indications exist in the scientific literature that infection with human herpes family viruses may contribute to the pathogenesis of neuroblastoma (NB). However, systematic investigations regarding viral presence in NB cells have been scarcely reported. Here, the presence of DNA from Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) was assessed by PCR in 12 NBs, supplemented with RNA in s

Studies on the influence of alcohol consumption on lung function have shown conflicting results. Self-reported alcohol consumption may be inaccurate. This study used both a validated alcohol questionnaire and a blood marker of heavy alcohol consumption, and examined potential associations with different lung physiological variables.

To resist infections, robust defense mechanisms of the airways are essential. Retinoic acid promotes differentiation and maintains the phenotypic characteristics of bronchial epithelium. In addition, it induces the expression of the antibacterial growth factor midkine (MK). In the present study, we explored the expression and antibacterial activity of MK in an airway context. MK was detected in br

In jawed vertebrates, development of an adaptive immune-system is essential for protection of the born organism against otherwise life-threatening pathogens. Myeloid cells of the innate immune system are formed early in development, whereas lymphopoiesis has been suggested to initiate much later, following emergence of definitive hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Herein, we demonstrate that the emb

Arterial stiffness has been hypothesized to contribute to cognitive decline. However, previous studies have reported inconsistent results. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the association between carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), a marker of arterial stiffness, and cognitive function.

Immigrant populations from the Middle East develop diabetes earlier than indigenous European populations; however, the underlying etiology is poorly understood. This study looked at the risk factors associated with early diabetes onset and, in non-diabetics, glycaemic control in immigrants from Iraq compared with native Swedes.

Introduction: Inherited deficiencies of several complement components strongly predispose to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) while deficiencies of complement inhibitors are found in kidney diseases such as atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS). Methods: The exons of complement inhibitor genes CD46 and CFH (factor H) were fully sequenced using the Sanger method in SLE patients with nephritis

It is rare that epidemiological surveys of patients with major trauma include both those admitted to the emergency department and those sent for medico-legal autopsy. The main aim of the present population-based study of major trauma was to examine the importance of medico-legal autopsy data.

Particulate air pollution increases risk of cancer and cardiopulmonary disease, partly through oxidative stress. Traffic-related noise increases risk of cardiovascular disease and may cause oxidative stress. In this controlled random sequence study, 18 healthy subjects were exposed for 3h to diesel exhaust (DE) at 276μg/m(3) from a passenger car or filtered air, with co-exposure to traffic noise a

BACKGROUND The nature and underlying mechanisms of an inverse association between adult height and the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) are unclear. METHODS We used a genetic approach to investigate the association between height and CAD, using 180 height-associated genetic variants. We tested the association between a change in genetically determined height of 1 SD (6.5 cm) with the risk of

We prospectively evaluated fat intake as predictor of developing breast cancer (BC) subtypes defined by estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor 2 receptor (HER2), in a large (n = 337327) heterogeneous cohort of women, with 10062 BC case patients after 11.5 years, estimating BC hazard ratios (HRs) by Cox proportional hazard modeling. High total and satu

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Adaptive immune responses have been shown to play an important role in the atherosclerotic disease process and both pathogenic and protective immunity has been identified. Apolipoprotein (apo) B100 appears to be a key antigen and novel therapies modulating immune responses against apo B100 have shown promising results in experimental models. This review will discuss recent deve

Emerging knowledge of the role of atheroprotective immune responses in modulating inflammation and tissue repair in atherosclerotic lesions has provided promising opportunities to develop novel therapies directly targeting the disease process in the artery wall. Regulatory T (Treg) cells have a protective role through release of anti-inflammatory cytokines and suppression of auto-reactive effector

Aims. Oxidation of LDL in the extracellular matrix of the arterial wall results in formation of malondialdehyde (MDA) that modifies surrounding matrix proteins. This is associated with activation of an immune response against modified extracellular matrix proteins present in atherosclerotic plaques. Clinical studies have revealed an inverse association between antibodies to MDA-modified fibronecti

Nanoparticles are widely used in the pharmaceutical and food industries, but the consequences of exposure to the human body have not been thoroughly investigated. Apolipoprotein A-I (apoAI), the major protein in high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and other lipoproteins are found in the corona around many nanopartides, but data on protein structural and functional effects are lacking. Here we investig

It is well established that atherosclerosis is caused by an inflammatory process in the arterial intima. However, it is only in recent years that it has become clear that this inflammation is modulated by immune responses against plaque antigens. These antigens are primarily believed to be modified self-antigens such as oxidized LDL. The immune system is challenged to determine whether these antig