Meta-analysis in more than 17,900 cases of ischemic stroke reveals a novel association at 12q24.12

Results: In an overall analysis of 17,970 cases of ischemic stroke and 70,764 controls, we identified a novel association on chromosome 12q24 (rs10744777, odds ratio [OR] 1.10 [1.07-1.13], p 5 7.12 3 10-11) with ischemic stroke. The association was with all ischemic stroke rather than an individual stroke subtype, with similar effect sizes seen in different stroke subtypes. There was no association with intracerebral hemorrhage (OR 1.03 [0.90-1.17], p 5 0.695).Conclusion: Our results show, for the first time, a genetic risk locus associated with ischemic stroke as a whole, rather than in a subtype-specific manner. This finding was not associated with intracerebral hemorrhage.Methods: Using the Immunochip, we genotyped 3,420 ischemic stroke cases and 6,821 controls. After imputation we meta-analyzed the results with imputed GWAS data from 3,548 case

The genetic epidemiology of joint shape and the development of osteoarthritis

Congruent, low-friction relative movement between the articulating elements of a synovial joint is an essential pre-requisite for sustained, efficient, function. Where disorders of joint formation or maintenance exist, mechanical overloading and osteoarthritis (OA) follow. The heritable component of OA accounts for ~ 50% of susceptible risk. Although almost 100 genetic risk loci for OA have now been identified, and the epidemiological relationship between joint development, joint shape and osteoarthritis is well established, we still have only a limited understanding of the contribution that genetic variation makes to joint shape and how this modulates OA risk. In this article, a brief overview of synovial joint development and its genetic regulation is followed by a review of current knowledge on the genetic epidemiology of established joint shape disorders and common shape variation. A summary of current genetic epidemiology of OA is also given, together with current evidence on the genetic overlap between shape variation and OA. Finally, the established genetic risk loci for both joint shape and osteoarthritis are discussed

Value-added activity and co-operative development

Non-Peer Reviewe

Subjective Well-Being in EU Countries in the Context of Economic Development and Social Policy

The article examines subjective well-being in EU countries in the context of economic development and social policy. The analysis carried out in the article is based upon the assumption from previous studies that the economic dimension is one of the most important factors influencing subjective well-being. The analysis revealed that subjective well-being in EU countries is more dependent on the level of economic development of the country measured by average income than on the orientation of national social policy measured by total social benefits as a percentage of GDP. Based on homeostatic theory of subjective well-being, income should be regarded as an external factor enabling members of society faced with social risks to maintain subjective well-being within the normative limits. Therefore, in the EU countries where the average income is higher, people have a better ability to sustain a higher level of subjective well-being than in the countries where the average income is lower. The findings of the article partially correspond to Marx's labour theory of value asserting that the owner of labour needs to get the equivalent corresponding to his or her value of labour including the amount required for satisfaction of needs in case the owner is faced with social risks. Thus, it is not that important in terms of subjective well-being whether, in case of social risks, the value of labour is ensured by the State or a market mechanism