2D:4D finger length ratio and radiographic hand osteoarthritis.

To evaluate the association between the index and ring finger's (2D:4D) length ratio with the prevalence and severity of radiographic hand osteoarthritis (OA). A population-based sample included 802 males (mean age 46.98 ± 17.10 years) and 738 females (mean age 48.65 ± 16.62 years) who had participated in a Chuvashian skeletal aging study. Age, sex, basic demographics, anthropometric data and X-rays of both hands were acquired. Each hand was visually classified on X-ray as either type 1-index finger longer than the ring finger; type 2-index and ring finger equal in length; or type 3-index finger shorter than the ring finger. Hand OA was defined by the number of affected joints (Kellgren-Lawrence score ≥ 2) in both hands and the sum total of Kellgren-Lawrence scores (total OA score). After comparing the OA variables of individuals with different finger length ratio types (after adjustment for age and BMI) significant differences were found only in females between finger ratio types of the right hand in a number of affected joints (F = 3.153, p = 0.043) and finger ratio types of the left (F = 3.330, p = 0.036) and right (F = 2.397, p = 0.047) hands of the total OA score. Females with type 3 ratios had the highest adjusted values of hand OA parameters. We found that finger length ratios are associated with hand OA parameters. Females with a type 3 finger length pattern showed significantly higher hand OA values than those with types 1 and 2.

Intrauterine stress induces bone loss in adult offspring of C3H/HeJ mice having high bone mass phenotype but not C57BL/6J mice with low bone mass phenotype.

In this study we examined to what extent and how genetics may modify osteoporosis risk arising due to environmental stresses which act during the antenatal period of life and have the potential to induce bone loss in adulthood. C57Bl/6J (C57) and C3H/HeJ (C3H) mice were used as a model system. The mice were exposed to a single injection of 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-AZA) on day 10 of pregnancy and the structure and bone mineral density (BMD) of the femur and 3rd lumbar vertebra of 3- and 6-month-old male and female offspring were evaluated by micro-computed tomography (µCT). Besides, we also attempted to evaluate whether 5-AZA affects the expression of some osteogenic genes in the embryonic limb buds. The main observation of this study is that 5-AZA-induced loss of bone quality was registered in 6-mo-old C3H offspring but not in their C57 counterparts. We also observed that C57 and C3H embryos may differ in their response to 5-AZA-induced detrimental stimuli: whereas 5-AZA treated C3H embryos exhibited a decreased expression of Col1a1, C57 embryos exhibit a decreased expression of Sox9. Overall, our study, by thorough characterization of bone homeostasis in 3- and 6-month-old offspring of 5-AZA-exposed C57 and C3H mice, allows hypothesizing that the adaptive response to antenatal insults may be stronger in offspring inherently exhibiting a low bone mass phenotype than in offspring inherently exhibiting a high bone mass phenotype.

2D:4D finger length ratio in the Chuvashian population.

In a sample of Chuvashians (803 males and 738 females) we evaluated the mean values of index finger to ring finger (2D:4D) ratio, the contributions of phalanges and metacarpals to the 2D:4D ratio, and the symmetry between right and left 2D:4D ratios. Age, sex, anthropometric data and radiographs of both hands were collected. Each hand was visually classified on a radiograph as either Type 1 - index finger was longer than ring finger; Type 2 - equal; or Type 3 - index shorter than the ring finger. The following measurements (1) from the mid-point of the base of the proximal phalanx to the mid-point of the tip of the distal phalanx; and (2) from the mid-point of the base to the mid-point of the tip of the metacarpal were obtained from the index and ring fingers. Visual classification was significantly associated with the measured 2D:4D length ratio. Women had a higher prevalence of Type 1 and Type 2, but lower prevalence of Type 3 ratio in both hands. Men had smaller measured 2D:4D phalangeal, metacarpal and ray (combined) ratios than women. Symmetry between the right and left hand measured 2D:4D ratios were significant in phalangeal (r=0.657, p<0.001), metacarpal (r=0.638, p<0.001), ray (r=0.682, p<0.001) ratios and visual classification types (contingency coefficient=0.559, p<0.001). No sex dimorphism was found between the right and left hands. Correlations between age and visual classification were significant on both sides before and after adjustment for sex. This result is probably a sign of a secular trend in the Chuvashian sample and the study should be replicated in other samples.

Association between vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 and radiographic hand osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: A recent study showed that the level of soluble Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule 1 (VCAM-1) emerged as a strong and independent predictor of the risk of hip and knee joint replacement due to severe osteoarthritis (OA). Therefore, we hypothesized that soluble VCAM-1 level can be associated with prevalence and severity of radiographic hand OA. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association between soluble VCAM-1, and radiographic hand OA in a large community-based sample. METHODS: The study population comprised Chuvashians (473 males age 45.90±17.16; and 451 females, age 46.18±16.70 years). OA was evaluated for 14 joints of each hand using Kellgren and Lawrence (K-L). OA was characterised by the number of affected joints and by the presence of at least one affected joint. The VCAM-1 level was determined by a sandwichenzyme immunoassay technique using ELISA-OSTEO kit. Statistical analyses included multiple linear and logistic regressions. RESULTS: The linear regression model showed a significant association of a number of affected joints with VCAM-1 level (p=0.004) after adjustment for age, sex, BMI. In the logistic regression model the level of association between the presence of at least one affected joint and soluble VCAM-1 level was p=0.070 (OR(95%CI): 1.003 (1.000, 1.007)). CONCLUSIONS: In this cross-sectional population-based study, we found that the serum level of soluble VCAM-1 level is positively associated with the number of affected joints of hand OA.

Climate is associated with prevalence and severity of radiographic hand osteoarthritis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether geographic location and climatic factors are associated with prevalence and severity of radiographic hand osteoarthritis (OA) in several samples of the same ethnicity. The total sample included 2079 ethnic Russians (900 males and 1179 females), belonging to 7 samples from different geographic locations in the former USSR. Places of residence were characterized by latitude, longitude, altitude and climatic parameters (mean temperatures, humidity, and daylight duration of January and July). Radiographs of the left hand were obtained from each individual. Osteoarthritis (OA) was evaluated in 14 hand joints according to Kellgren and Lawrence's grading system. OA was characterized by the presence of at least one affected joint and its severity by the number of affected joints (NAJ). Statistical analysis included prevalence estimation, polynomial and logistic regressions, ANOVA and correlation analyses. Prevalence of hand OA and NAJ were significantly associated with latitude and altitude and with most climatic parameters (except the inter-seasonal temperature amplitude and the mean atmospheric pressure of January and July). The highest correlations of hand OA prevalence were found with altitude (r=0.29, p<0.001), annual precipitation (r=-0.26, p<0.001) and the mean temperatures of July (r=0.26, p<0.001). The highest correlations of NAJ were found with altitude (r=0.51, p<0.001), mean humidity in January (r=-0.44, p<0.001) and the mean day duration in January (r=0.0.37, p<0.001). The present study demonstrates that the differences in prevalence and severity of radiographic hand OA among Russian samples are most likely dependent on climatic conditions in the place of residence.

Inheritance of finger pattern types in MZ and DZ twins.

Digital patterns of a sample on twins were analyzed to estimate the resemblance between monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins and to evaluate the mode of inheritance by the use of maximum likelihood based variance decomposition analysis. MZ twin resemblance of finger pattern types appears to be more pronounced than in DZ twins, which suggests the presence of genetic factors in the forming of fingertip patterns. The most parsimonious model shows twin resemblance in count of all three basic finger patterns on 10 fingers. It has significant dominant genetic variance component across all fingers. In the general model, the dominant genetic variance component proportion is similar for all fingertips (about 60%) and the sibling environmental variance is significantly nonzero, but the proportion between additive and dominant variance components was different. Application of genetic model fitting technique of segregation analyses clearly shows mode of inheritance. A dominant genetic variance component or a specific genetic system modifies the phenotypic expression of the fingertip patterns. The present study provided evidence of strong genetic component in finger pattern types and seems more informative compared to the earlier traditional method of correlation analysis.

Association between radiographic hand osteoarthritis and RANKL, OPG and inflammatory markers.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between prevalence and severity of radiographic hand osteoarthritis (OA) and serum levels of systemic inflammatory markers in a community-based population sample. DESIGN: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on a population comprised 1452 Chuvashians (763 males, aged 49.23 ± 17.43; and 689 females, aged 50.37 ± 17.47 years). OA was evaluated in 14 joints of each hand using Kellgren and Lawrence (K-L), joint space narrowing (JSN) and osteophyte (OS) scores. Serum levels of systemic inflammatory and osteoclastogenic cytokines were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and multiple linear regressions. RESULTS: Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) levels were associated with OA traits, but the statistically significant correlations were weak and/or moderate. In particular, the MCP-1 inflammation marker showed a statistically significant association with JSN (ß=0.077, P=0.022) and OS (ß=0.067, P=0.024) scores, but not with the number of affected joints (K-L ≥ 2). OPG was significantly correlated with the scores as to the number of affected joints (ß=0.063, P=0.035) and OS (ß=0.077, P=0.028). No significant associations were found between levels of other inflammatory [interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-17] and osteoclastogenic [receptor activator for nuclear factor κ B ligand (RANKL), macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF)] cytokines and OA characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: This study strengthens the premise that OPG might be a valid biomarker of hand OA. Confirmation of these results in larger cohorts of patients will reinforce our theory that the RANKL/OPG pathway is a suitable target for developing novel agents against OA.

Prevalence, pattern and determinants of radiographic hand osteoarthritis in five Russian community-based samples.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence and pattern of radiographic hand osteoarthritis (OA) and its association with age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and place of residence in five Russian community-based samples. DESIGN: Cross-sectional observational study: The study population comprised ethnic Russians [821 males and 1076 females, aged 18-90 (mean 46.2+/-15.3)], living in five different geographic areas. OA was evaluated for 14 joints of the left hand according to the Kellgren and Lawrence grading scheme. Statistical analyses included prevalence estimation, logistic and generalized model regressions, and chi(2) tests. RESULTS: We present extensive data on the prevalence of radiographic hand OA in a total Russian sample. After the age of 65, 98.5% of males and 96.8% of females had at least one affected joint. In individuals younger than 50, OA was most prevalent in the metacarpophalangeal joints, and after age 50, was most prevalent in the distal interphalangeal joints. Prevalence of hand OA was significantly higher in males than in females in ages 35-50. After adjustment for age, age(2) and place of residence, there were no associations between prevalence or severity of hand OA and BMI. CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences in prevalence and severity of hand OA were found between the Russian samples living in different geographic areas. Additional studies are needed to discover the mechanism defining the association between places of residence and development of hand OA.

Climatic factors in the development of radiographic hand osteoarthritis.

A study was undertaken to evaluate whether various ethno-territorial samples have different characteristics of radiographic hand osteoarthritis (OA) and to evaluate whether climate is associated with differences in hand OA characteristics. The total sample included 4775 individuals (2220 males and 2555 females), belonging to 12 sub-samples, including 9 ethnic groups, from 10 geographic locations in the former USSR. Ethnicity, latitude, longitude, and climatic parameters (mean temperatures, humidity, and day length of January and July) were collected for each sample. X-rays of the left hand were obtained from each individual. Prevalence of hand OA was evaluated in four age groups (36-40, 41-45, 46-50, and 51-55 years). Using maximum likelihood estimation, the following characters were determined: the mean age of persons having 1 and 5 affected joints--A(m1) and A(m5), and the mean time in which one additional joint was affected--T(m). The difference between samples was evaluated using the chi(2)-test. The associations between hand OA, and climate were evaluated using Pearson's correlations. Significant differences in OA characteristics among samples were found. Prevalence of hand OA in the age-group 46-50 showed significant association with longitude (r=0.57, p=0.05) and inter-seasonal temperature amplitude (r=0.77, p=0.0035) and significant negative association with mean temperature of January (r=-0.72, p=0.0089). Significant associations were found between longitude, the mean temperature of January, and inter-seasonal temperature amplitude and age-related hand OA parameters (A(m1) and A(m5)). The present study indicates that the differences in characteristics of radiographic hand OA among samples are most likely associated with climatic variation.

Hand osteoarthritis in the Abkhazian population.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence and pattern of radiographic hand osteoarthritis (OA) in an Abkhazian community-based sample and its association with age, sex, body mass index (BMI) and place of residence. The study sample was comprised of 542 males with a mean age of 43.9, sd 15.6 years and 463 females with a mean age of 44.9, sd 13.9 years. OA was evaluated for 14 joints of the left hand according to the Kellgren and Lawrence grading scheme. Statistical analyses included prevalence estimation, multiple regression analysis and chi(2) tests. In the entire Abkhazian sample the average prevalence of hand OA was 33.6% for males and 35.4% for females. After age 65, the prevalence of hand OA was 87.5% for males and 83.3% for females. No sex differences were found in the prevalence or number of affected hand joints. Statistically significant association was found between the number of affected joints and BMI, but not between the prevalence of hand OA and BMI. Different prevalences of radiographic hand OA were found in individuals from different villages, after adjustment for age, sex and BMI. Additional studies are needed to explore the possible reasons for such differences.

Facial image of Biblical Jews from Israel.

The present report deals with reconstructing the facial shapes of ancient inhabitants of Israel based on their cranial remains. The skulls of a male from the Hellenistic period and a female from the Roman period have been reconstructed. They were restored using the most recently developed programs in anthropological facial reconstruction, especially that of the Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Balueva & Veselovskaya 2004). The basic craniometrical measurements of the two skulls were measured according to Martin & Saller (1957) and compared to the data from three ancient populations of Israel described by Arensburg et al. (1980): that of the Hellenistic period dating from 332 to 37 B.C., that of the Roman period, from 37 B.C. to 324 C.E., and that of the Byzantine period that continued until the Arab conquest in 640 C.E. Most of this osteological material was excavated in the Jordan River and the Dead Sea areas. A sample from the XVIIth century Jews from Prague (Matiegka 1926) was also used for osteometrical comparisons. The present study will characterize not only the osteological morphology of the material, but also the facial appearance of ancient inhabitants of Israel. From an anthropometric point of view, the two skulls studied here definitely belong to the same sample from the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine populations of Israel as well as from Jews from Prague. Based on its facial reconstruction, the male skull may belong to the large Mediterranean group that inhabited this area from historic to modern times. The female skull also exhibits all the Mediterranean features but, in addition, probably some equatorial (African) mixture manifested by the shape of the reconstructed nose and the facial prognatism.

Age-related changes and secular trends in hand bone size.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate age- and sex-related changes in the size and shape of long hand bones in a large Chuvashian cohort using cross-sectional and longitudinal study designs. The data were gathered in 1994 (557 individuals) and 2002 (513 individuals). The latter sample included 260 individuals that were studied only during the second expedition, and 253 individuals who were previously investigated in 1994. Statistical analyses included a maximum likelihood-based model-fitting technique and a t-test comparison. We found evidence for secular trend of hand bone size in both males and females within the Chuvashian population. In males, the length and total area of the long hand bones were greater in younger individuals, but mid-shaft bone width remained almost the same in individuals born at different periods of the last century. In females, the length of the hand bones and total bone area remained unchanged in women born after 1937. However, bone mid-shaft width gradually decreased in women born after 1940. Therefore, we argue that, at least within the Chuvashian population, there is a secular trend towards a more gracile appendicular skeleton in both males and females.

Quantitative digital and palmar dermatoglyphics: sexual dimorphism in the Chuvashian population of Russia.

With the aim of determining sex dimorphism among the Chuvashian population of Russia, digital and palmar dermatoglyphics of 547 individuals (293 males, 254 females) were analyzed. The sex differences for PII, TRC, and AFRC are similar to Indian and Jewish populations. Correlation coefficients between individual finger ridge counts are a little lower than in Jews but are almost equal to Indian populations. The Mantel test of matrix correlation between sexes for 22 traits shows a very good similarity. However, sex differences of palmar traits display different levels when compared with other human populations. In light of this, our evidence indicates the possible role of environmental (prenatal) factors in the realization of dermatoglyphic sex differences. The development of palmar dermatoglyphics has had a relatively longer growth period compared with fingers [Cummins, H., 1929. The topographic history of the volar pads (walking pads, tast ballen) in the human embryo. Embryol. 20, 103-126]. The palmar dermatoglyphic pattern of affinities therefore corresponds better than fingers to the ethno historical background of the populations, ascertained by numerous studies.

Family-based association study of polymorphisms in the RUNX2 locus with hand bone length and hand BMD.

Osteoporosis is characterized by reduced bone strength. Bone size and bone mineral density (BMD) are major bone strength determinants. Identification of genes affecting the variability of these traits should improve prognosis and management of osteoporosis. This research was aimed to test the hypothesis of association of radiographic hand bone length (BL) and BMD with polymorphisms in the RUNX2 locus. Four SNPs linked to the two RUNX2 promoters were genotyped in 212 nuclear Caucasian families. These SNPs and four pairwise haplotypes were tested for association with eight BL and BMD traits, adjusted for covariates. We observed significant associations between polymorphisms linked to the RUNX2 P1 promoter and BL mean values for three studied bone groups: all 18 bones, proximal and medial bones (p = 0.0118, 0.0085, and 0.0056, respectively). Mean BMD values for all 18 bones, proximal and medial bones were associated with polymorphisms linked to the RUNX2 P2 promoter (p = 0.0032, 0.0077, 0.0007, respectively). Associations with BL and BMD mean values for medial and proximal bones remained significant even after correction for multiple testing. This study provides evidence of the association between polymorphisms linked to the two RUNX2 promoters and variability of hand BL and BMD. The results suggest independent roles for the two RUNX2 promoters in the determination of the traits studied.

Epiphyseal expansion in hand bones: association with age, sex, and hand osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVES: Previous studies showed increased femoral, neck, and tibial plateau with age in individuals with and without osteoarthritis (OA) at adjacent joints. However, the question whether epiphyseal bone enlargement is a natural phenomenon of aging or associated with OA remains open. The aim of the present study was to evaluate age- and sex-related changes in the relative size of epiphyses of long hand bones and their association with radiographic OA. DESIGN: The data were collected from a population-based European sample in 1994 (557 individuals) and in 2002 (513 individuals). The latter sample included 253 individuals who were previously investigated in 1994. The epiphyseal index (EI), reflecting the relative size of bone epiphyses and hand OA, was evaluated from hand radiographs. Statistical analyses included multiple regression analyses and a maximum likelihood-based model-fitting technique. RESULTS: Hand bone epiphyses increased with age and with OA. In males, the EI gradually increased during their entire life span. In females, the EI remained almost unchanged up to the age of 40, after which, it increased more rapidly than in males. Individuals with OA had higher values of EI at any age. In both sexes, epiphyseal enlargement is a predisposing factor for hand OA progression in adjacent joints. This was clearly seen in males, where old individuals with high EI values had much higher OA scores in comparison with age-matched individuals. CONCLUSIONS: Enlargement of long bone epiphyses with age appears to be a general tendency in the human skeleton. Our study shows that the enlargement of epiphyses may also be related to OA.

Search for hand osteoarthritis susceptibility locus on chromosome 6p12.3-p12.1.

The existence of osteoarthritis susceptibility loci on chromosome 6 for individuals suffering from hip and knee osteoarthritis has been suggested. We determined whether radiographic hand osteoarthritis in a demographically homogeneous population of European origin can be linked to loci on chromosome 6p12.3-p12.1. Nine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped in 764 individuals (members of 189 nuclear and more complex two- or three-generation families). Radiographic hand osteoarthritis was characterized by two traits: (1) the total individual osteoarthritis score (PC1-OA) and (2) the osteophytes score (PC1-OS), obtained from the principal components analysis of sums of the Kellgren and Lawrence grade and of the osteophyte grades, respectively, for 14 joints on each hand. The contribution of genetic and environmental factors and of covariates such as age and body mass index to hand osteoarthritis was evaluated by variance components analysis. The association between the studied traits and selected DNA markers was evaluated by three types of transmission disequilibrium tests. The parent-offspring and sib-sib correlations were statistically significant for all studied traits. The additive genetic effects for PC1-OA and PC1-OS were estimated to be 43% and 37.9%, respectively. Transmission disequilibrium tests consistently revealed a statistically significant association (p values ranged from 0.017 to 0.030) between SNP rs1508632 and PC1-OS. In the tested cohort the putative genetic factors are influential enough to determine interindividual differences regarding the extent of hand osteoarthritis. SNP rs1508632 lies in immediate proximity to the TINAG gene, implicating it as a possible hand osteoarthritis susceptibility gene.

Family-based association study of ROR2 polymorphisms with an array of radiographic hand bone strength phenotypes.

UNLABELLED: For the first time the study provides evidence of association of radiographic hand bone length (BL) and bone mineral density (BMD) with polymorphisms in ROR2 gene that plays important role in skeletal development. This contributes to better understanding of bone physiology and may have application in clinical practice. INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Bone size and bone mineral density (BMD) are major determinants of bone strength. Identification of genes affecting these traits' variability is important for better understanding of normal and pathological bone physiology and identification of the individuals at risk for bone fracture. This study tested the hypothesis of association of radiographic hand bone length (BL) and BMD with polymorphisms in ROR2 gene that is important in skeletal development. METHODS: Nineteen ROR2 SNPs were genotyped in 705 individuals, belonging to 212 nuclear families. The four tagging SNPs (tSNPs) and the pairwise haplotypes between adjacent tSNPs were tested for association with series of hand BL and BMD measurements, adjusted for covariates, using family-based association tests. RESULTS: We observed significant associations with BL and BMD mean values for all 18 studied hand bones (p = 0.0080, 0.0030), mean BL and BMD for proximal phalanges (p = 0.0218, 0.0060) and metacarpal bones (p = 0.0014, 0.0004). In the latter, the association remained significant after correction for multiple testing. CONCLUSIONS: The region of the first through the second ROR2 introns is most likely to contain the functional polymorphism/s responsible for the observed associations. Further studies are required to identify the ROR2 functional polymorphism/s affecting bone size and BMD variation.

Hand bone midshaft enthesophytes: the influence of age, sex, and heritability.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of the present study were (1) to evaluate whether development of enthesophytes is an age- and/or sex-associated phenomenon; (2) to clarify whether enthesophyte development is controlled by genetics; (3) to evaluate the correlations between the enthesophytes and osteophytes of the hand joints. DESIGN: The studied cohort comprised 359 Chuvashian (Russian Federation) pedigrees (424 nuclear families) and included 786 males and 723 females aged 18-90 years. The enthesophyte score (ES) was constructed as the overall number of enthesophytes at the midshaft of the phalanges of the second to the fifth fingers of both hands. The osteophyte score (OS) was constructed similarly. We used variance component (VC) analysis to examine the age-related patterns and compare the contribution of the genetic and common environmental factors to ES and OS variations. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: After age 25, ES increases with age (on average linearly). Age explains 45% of the ES variation in males but only 25% of the variation in females, in contrast to about 75% of the variation of OS in both sexes. At any age, males showed higher ES than females and the difference between sexes increased with age. Genetic components explained 20% of enthesophyte development variation. We did not find common additive genetic factors for ES and OS. The correlation coefficients between ES and OS were r=0.62 (P=0.0001) in males and r=0.50 (P=0.0001) in females. After age adjustment, the correlation decreased to r=0.087 (P=0.014) and r=0.14 (P=0.001) correspondingly. Most probably, enthesophytes and osteophytes are manifestations of different etiological processes.

Age, body composition, and reproductive indices as predictors of radiographic hand osteoarthritis in Chuvashian women.

OBJECTIVES: In our observational cross-section population-based study, we evaluated the predictors (age, body composition indices, age at menarche, and age at menopause) of radiographic hand osteoarthritis (OA) from a sample of women of European origin, who were not receiving any medication for prevention or treatment of OA. METHODS: Our population consisted of 745 Chuvashian females with a mean age of 48.65 years (range 18-84 years) residing in peripheral villages of the Russian Federation. OA was evaluated using the Kellgren and Lawrence grading scheme. To evaluate the relationship between age, age at menarche, age at menopause, body composition indices [body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-hip ratio (WHR), somatotypes (ectomorphy, mesomorphy, and endomorphy)], and an individual's osteoarthritis score (Tot28) as the dependent variable, we used multiple linear regression analysis (stepwise method). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Statistically significant predictors of hand OA in women were found to be the following: age (beta = 0.748, p = 0.000), mesomorphy (beta = 0.120, p = 0.000), WHR (beta = 0.117, p = 0.001), endomorphy (beta = -0.089, p = 0.006), and age at menarche (beta = -0.066, p = 0.012). Age was the most powerful factor in determining hand OA. Mesomorphy, the measure of muscular development was a significant predictor of hand OA. Endomorphy showed a very small, but significant, negative association with hand OA. However, BMI and WC showed no association, leading us to conclude that obesity is a mechanical rather than a systematic risk factor for OA. Age at menarche was negatively associated with hand OA, possibly because early menarche is associated with an increased rate of the general ageing process.

Genetic and environmental determinants of circulating resistin level in a community-based sample.

OBJECTIVE: Resistin is a hormone secreted by adipose tissue, monocytes, bone marrow, and other tissues. It was also proclaimed as an important link between obesity and diabetes. The main objective of this study was to elucidate the contribution of a number of endogenous factors, such as sex, age, obesity characteristics, and genetic effects to the production of resistin in apparently healthy individuals. We also tested the possible relationships between circulating levels of resistin and other adipokines (leptin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)). MEASUREMENTS: The plasma levels of studied adipokines were determined by enzyme-linked immunoassay in pedigree-based sample (n = 616), and subjected to model-based quantitative genetic analysis. RESULTS: Resistin levels were significantly higher in women than in men (3.60 +/- 2.53 vs 3.15 +/- 2.48 ng/ml, P < 0.001), and varied independently of age in either sex. Statistical-genetic analysis revealed significant familial correlations (P < 0.01) for resistin. Adjusted for covariates, 66.38 +/- 10.28% of the resistin variation was attributable to putative genetic factors. A relatively small portion of the resistin variation (11.54 +/- 5.77%) was attributable to sharing a common household environment. The remaining variation, 22.12 +/- 17.69% was due to random environmental (i.e., unmeasured non-additive genetic) effects. The results of our analysis showed modest significant correlation of resistin with TNF-alpha and IL-6, and only in some groups; thus, while resistin was correlated with TNF-alpha in men, the correlation with IL-6 was significant only in the post-menopausal women group. CONCLUSIONS: Our observations indicate that resistin is strongly influenced by genetic factors. The high heritability estimates for resistin concentrations clearly suggest the continuing need for further molecular genetic investigations.