This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing theresources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject andinvestigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source,and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed isfor the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator.The purpose ofthis study is: 1.To demonstrate the feasibility ofconducting a longitudinal study of the relation among variants in selected candidate genes, obesity, vitamin D levels, stress, and asthma in Puerto Rican children. 2.To develop a protocol for data collection and longitudinal follow-up over a l-year period in 200 individuals (50 children with asthma [cases] and their parents [n=150], and 50 children without asthma [controls]). Phenotypic data to be gathered for cases and controls (n=I00) includes: a) administration of questionnaires on general and respiratory health, household characteristics, dietary intake, and exposure to stress and violence; b) collection and processing of blood samples for DNA ;extraction and measurement of serum total and allergen-specific lgE, eosinophil count, and vitamin 0 levels; c) assessment of overweight and obesity by measuring body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio, and skinfold thickness; d) spirometry with assessment of bronchodilator responsiveness;e) methacholine challenge testing for assessment of airway responsiveness;and f) collection of household dust for measurement of allergen levels. Parents of cases (n=100) will only have blood samples' collected for DNA extraction. 3a.To examine trends for associations between low levels of vitamin D and a)increased risk of asthma (in cases and controls) and atopy (separately in cases and controls), b) abnormal lung function phenotypes (separately in cases and controls), and c) increased risk of asthma exacerbations in cases. 3b. To examine trends for associations between increased BMI and/or weight gain during follow-up and a) increased risk of asthma (in cases and controls) and atopy (separately in cases and controls), b) abnorrnal lung function phenotypes (separately in cases and controls),and c) increased risk of asthma exacerbations in cases.
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