| 1. |
- Vasan, Ramachandran S, et al.
(författare)
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Genetic variants associated with cardiac structure and function : a meta-analysis and replication of genome-wide association data
- 2009
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Ingår i: Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). - : American Medical Association (AMA). - 0098-7484 .- 1538-3598. ; 302:2, s. 168-178
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- CONTEXT: Echocardiographic measures of left ventricular (LV) structure and function are heritable phenotypes of cardiovascular disease. OBJECTIVE: To identify common genetic variants associated with cardiac structure and function by conducting a meta-analysis of genome-wide association data in 5 population-based cohort studies (stage 1) with replication (stage 2) in 2 other community-based samples. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Within each of 5 community-based cohorts comprising the EchoGen consortium (stage 1; n = 12 612 individuals of European ancestry; 55% women, aged 26-95 years; examinations between 1978-2008), we estimated the association between approximately 2.5 million single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; imputed to the HapMap CEU panel) and echocardiographic traits. In stage 2, SNPs significantly associated with traits in stage 1 were tested for association in 2 other cohorts (n = 4094 people of European ancestry). Using a prespecified P value threshold of 5 x 10(-7) to indicate genome-wide significance, we performed an inverse variance-weighted fixed-effects meta-analysis of genome-wide association data from each cohort. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Echocardiographic traits: LV mass, internal dimensions, wall thickness, systolic dysfunction, aortic root, and left atrial size. RESULTS: In stage 1, 16 genetic loci were associated with 5 echocardiographic traits: 1 each with LV internal dimensions and systolic dysfunction, 3 each with LV mass and wall thickness, and 8 with aortic root size. In stage 2, 5 loci replicated (6q22 locus associated with LV diastolic dimensions, explaining <1% of trait variance; 5q23, 12p12, 12q14, and 17p13 associated with aortic root size, explaining 1%-3% of trait variance). CONCLUSIONS: We identified 5 genetic loci harboring common variants that were associated with variation in LV diastolic dimensions and aortic root size, but such findings explained a very small proportion of variance. Further studies are required to replicate these findings, identify the causal variants at or near these loci, characterize their functional significance, and determine whether they are related to overt cardiovascular disease.
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| 2. |
- Emerging Risk Factors, Collaboration, et al.
(författare)
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The Emerging Risk Factors Collaboration: analysis of individual data on lipid, inflammatory and other markers in over 1.1 million participants in 104 prospective studies of cardiovascular diseases
- 2007
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Ingår i: Eur J Epidemiol. - 0393-2990. ; 22:12, s. 839-69
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Many long-term prospective studies have reported on associations of cardiovascular diseases with circulating lipid markers and/or inflammatory markers. Studies have not, however, generally been designed to provide reliable estimates under different circumstances and to correct for within-person variability. The Emerging Risk Factors Collaboration has established a central database on over 1.1 million participants from 104 prospective population-based studies, in which subsets have information on lipid and inflammatory markers, other characteristics, as well as major cardiovascular morbidity and cause-specific mortality. Information on repeat measurements on relevant characteristics has been collected in approximately 340,000 participants to enable estimation of and correction for within-person variability. Re-analysis of individual data will yield up to approximately 69,000 incident fatal or nonfatal first ever major cardiovascular outcomes recorded during about 11.7 million person years at risk. The primary analyses will involve age-specific regression models in people without known baseline cardiovascular disease in relation to fatal or nonfatal first ever coronary heart disease outcomes. This initiative will characterize more precisely and in greater detail than has previously been possible the shape and strength of the age- and sex-specific associations of several lipid and inflammatory markers with incident coronary heart disease outcomes (and, secondarily, with other incident cardiovascular outcomes) under a wide range of circumstances. It will, therefore, help to determine to what extent such associations are independent from possible confounding factors and to what extent such markers (separately and in combination) provide incremental predictive value.
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| 3. |
- Schmidt, Johannes, et al.
(författare)
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Biofuel Production in Austria Considering the Use of Waste Heat : a Study on Costs and Potentials of Greenhouse Gas Reduction
- 2009
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Ingår i: Jahrbuch der Österreichischen Gesellschaft für Agrarökonomie. - 1815-1027. ; 18:3, s. 107-116
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Die Biotreibstoffproduktion mit Technologien der zweiten Generationverspricht geringere Treibhausgasemissionen im Vergleich zu Technologiender ersten Generation. Die Kosten, Emissionen und optimaleStandorte von Biomassekraftwerken, die diese neuen Technologienverwenden, werden mit Hilfe eines linearen Integer- Optimierungsmodellsfür Österreich abgeschätzt. Holz aus der Forstproduktion undvon Kurzumtriebsanlagen geht als biogener Rohstoff in das Modell ein.Einnahmen durch den Verkauf der Nebenprodukte Wärme, Strom undBiogas, die in der Treibstoffproduktion entstehen, werden ebenfallsberücksichtigt. Die Modellresultate zeigen, dass der Ausstoß vonTreibhausgasemissionen in Österreich durch den Einsatz von Biotreibstoffenum 2%-3,5% verringert werden kann. Allerdings ist nur dieFermentierungstechnologie in der Lage, Treibstoffe zu konkurrenzfähigenKosten zu produzieren, weil höhere Erlöse durch den Verkaufder Nebenprodukte erzielt werden können.
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| 4. |
- Schmidt, Johannes, et al.
(författare)
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Potentials for biomass fired combined heat and power plants considering the spatial distribution of biomass supply and heat demand : an Austrian case study
- 2009
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plants fired by forest wood can significantly contribute toattaining the target of increasing the share of renewable energy production. However, the spatialdistribution of biomass supply and of heat demand limit the potentials of CHP production. Thispaper assesses CHP potentials using a mixed integer programming model that optimizes locationsof bioenergy plants. Investment costs of district heating infrastructure are modeled as a functionof heat demand densities, which can differ substantially. Gasification of biomass in a combinedcycle process is assumed as production technology. Some model parameters have a broad rangeaccording to a literature review. Monte-Carlo simulations have therefore been performed toaccount for model parameter uncertainty in our analysis. The model is applied to assess CHPpotentials in Austria. Optimal locations of plants are clustered around big cities in the East of the country. At current power prices, biomass based CHP production allows producing around 3% ofthe total energy demand in Austria. Yet, the heat utilization decreases when CHP productionincreases due to limited heat demand that is suitable for district heating. Production potentials aremost sensitive to power prices, biomass costs and biomass availability.
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