Waist-hip ratio (WHR) is a measure of body fat distribution and a predictor of metabolic consequences independent of overall adiposity. WHR is heritable, but few genetic variants influencing this trait have been identified. We conducted a meta-analysis of 32 genome-wide association studies for WHR adjusted for body mass index (comprising up to 77,167 participants), following up 16 loci in an additional 29 studies (comprising up to 113,636 subjects). We identified 13 new loci in or near RSPO3, VEGFA, TBX15-WARS2, NFE2L3, GRB14, DNM3-PIGC, ITPR2-SSPN, LY86, HOXC13, ADAMTS9, ZNRF3-KREMEN1, NISCH-STAB1 and CPEB4 (P = 1.9 × 10⁻⁹ to P = 1.8 × 10⁻⁴⁰) and the known signal at LYPLAL1. Seven of these loci exhibited marked sexual dimorphism, all with a stronger effect on WHR in women than men (P for sex difference = 1.9 × 10⁻³to P = 1.2 × 10⁻¹³). These findings provide evidence for multiple loci that modulate body fat distribution independent of overall adiposity and reveal strong gene-by-sex interactions.

We conducted a study to assess the efficacy of the use of osteophony in the evaluation of shoulder trauma. Evaluation of the shoulder includes the physical examination and often a radiographic series. We studied the usefulness of the olecranon-manubrium percussion (OMP) test, a physical diagnostic procedure performed in shoulder trauma. The bell of the stethoscope is placed over the manubrium, both elbows are flexed at 90 degrees, and the olecranon is percussed. In the normal examination with no disruption of bony conduction, both sides should produce a crisp equal sound. In the event of a dislocation or fracture with disruption of bony conduction, the affected side should be duller in pitch and intensity. We evaluated the utilization of the OMP test to assess its accuracy when used as a screening test for radiographs in conjunction with the physical examination and radiographic examination. Ninety-six patients were prospectively evaluated by the OMP test and also received radiographs. In those patients who had radiographic abnormalities, 40 of 47 (85.1%) had an abnormal OMP sign. In those patients without radiographic abnormalities, none had an abnormal OMP sign. In assessing anterior shoulder dislocations, 11 of 13 (84.6%) had an abnormal OMP sign (P less than .02).

Background. The present study was designed to evaluate if electro-acupuncture (EA) could affect oligo-/anovulation and related endocrine and neuroendocrine parameters in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods. Twenty-four women (between the ages of 24 and 40 years) with PCOS and oligo-/amenorrhea were included in this non-randomized, longitudinal, prospective study. The study period was defined as the period extending from 3 months before the first EA treatment, to 3 months after the last EA treatment (10-14 treatments), in total 8-9 months. The menstrual and ovulation patterns were confirmed by recording of vaginal bleedings and by daily registrations of the basal body temperature (BBT). Blood samples were collected within a week before the first EA, within a week after the last EA and 3 months after EA. Results. Nine women (38%) experienced a good effect. They displayed a mean of 0.66 ovulations/woman and month in the period during and after the EA period compared to a mean of 0.15 before the EA period ( p =0.004). Before EA, women with a good effect had a significantly lower body-mass index (BMI) ( p <0.001), waist-to-hip circumference ratio (WHR) ( p =0.0058), serum testosterone concentration ( p =0.0098), serum testosterone/sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) ratio ( p =0.011) and serum basal insulin concentration (p=0.0054), and a significantly higher concentration of serum SHBG ( p =0.040) than did those women with no effect. Conclusion.