Association of LDLR rs1433099 with the Risk of NAFLD and CVD in Chinese Han Population

Background and AimsRecent genome-wide association studies have shown that low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) rs1433099 polymorphism is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in many countries. However, the association of LDLR rs1433099 with CVD in China has not been reported yet. There are no studies on LDLR rs1433099 and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) as well. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether LDLR rs1433099 is related to CVD or NAFLD in the Chinese population.MethodsLDLR rs1433099 polymorphism was genotyped in 507 individuals, including 140 healthy controls, 79 NAFLD patients, 185 CVD patients, and 103 patients with NAFLD combined with CVD. The expression of LDLR was tested by the sequence detection system, and clinical parameters were assessed by biochemical tests and physical examination.ResultsThe genotype distribution of LDLR rs1433099 was not statistically different among the NAFLD group, the CVD group, the combined group, and the healthy control group (p>0.05). There was no significant correlation of LDLR rs1433099 genotypic distribution or allele frequency and the risk of NAFLD, CVD or NAFLD combined with CVD (p>0.05). In the CVD group, T allele carriers had higher alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase than non-carriers (p<0.05).ConclusionsOur study demonstrated that the LDLR rs1433099 polymorphism is not a risk factor of NAFLD. The LDLR rs1433099 polymorphism may increase the risk of CVD through a mechanism involving alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase.     

Separation of Human proα1(I) and proα2(I) Procollagen Chains by Reverse Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography

Human pro α1(I) and pro α2(I) procollagen chains have been separated on a large por (33 nm) reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography C₁₈ column using an acetonitrile aqueous gradient containing 9 mM trifluoroacetic acid. The separation of the chains was evaluated by gel electrophoresis. The yield of the chromatography, based on radiolabel recovery, is equal to or better than 80%. Absorbance monitoring at 210 nm permits detection of less than 5 µg procollagen.     

Detection of Pneumocystis jirovecii by PCR in patients with lung cancer: A preliminary study

IntroductionInfection complications in lung cancer (LC), one of the most common cancers in the world, are still among the most important causes of death. Of them, P. jirovecii, which is as an opportunistic infection, causes a life-threatening type of pneumonia in cancer patients. This preliminary study aimed to determine the incidence and clinical status of P. jirovecii by PCR in lung cancer patients compared to the conventional method.Material and methodsSixty-nine lung cancer patients and fSorty healthy individuals were included in the study. After sociodemographical and clinical features were recorded, sputum samples were collected from attenders. Firstly, microscopic examination was made with Gomori's methenamine silver stain and then PCR was performed.ResultsP. jirovecii was detected in three of 69 lung cancer patients by PCR (4.3%), but not by microscopy. However, healthy individuals were negative for P. jirovecii by both methods. Based on clinical and radiological findings, P. jirovecii was evaluated as probable infection in one patient and colonization in the other two patients. Although PCR is more sensitive than conventional staining methods, it cannot distinguish probable and proven infections from pulmonary colonization.DiscussionIt is important to evaluate the decision of infection together with laboratory, clinical and radiological findings. Moreover, PCR may enable to know the colonization and to take precautions such as prophylaxis, due to the risk of colonization turning into an infection in immunocompromised patient groups. Further studies involving larger populations and evaluating the colonization-infection relationship in patients with solid tumors are needed.     

艾滋病合并肺结核患者CD4+T淋巴细胞与肺结核类型的关系

目的探讨艾滋病合并肺结核患者CD4⁺T淋巴细胞的变化及意义。方法选取2014年6月至2019年6月在徐州医科大学附属沭阳医院治疗的93例艾滋病合并肺结核患者(艾滋病合并肺结核组),选取同期在徐州医科大学附属沭阳医院治疗的90例单纯肺结核患者(肺结核组)以及90例艾滋病未合并肺结核患者(艾滋病组)作为研究对象。检测三组的血清CD4+T淋巴细胞水平。结果艾滋病合并肺结核组、肺结核组和艾滋病组的CD4+T淋巴细胞水平分别为(92.21±16.68)个/mm³、(351.22±63.33)个/mm³和(240.41±30.21)个/mm³,艾滋病合并肺结核组明显低于肺结核组和艾滋病组(P<0.05),艾滋病组明显低于肺结核组(P<0.05);艾滋病合并肺结核组病变分类Ⅲ型患者CD4+T淋巴细胞水平为(85.66±17.03)个/mm³,明显低于Ⅰ型、Ⅱ型和Ⅳ型患者(P<0.05);Ⅱ型患者CD4+T淋巴细胞水平为(95.51±13.38)个mm³,明显低于Ⅰ型和Ⅳ型患者(P<0.05)。结论在艾滋病合并肺结核患者中,CD4⁺T淋巴细胞明显减少,与肺结核病变类型有一定关系。     

Causal associations of body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio with cardiometabolic traits among Chinese children: A Mendelian randomization study

Background and aimsBody mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) have been reported to be causally associated with cardiometabolic diseases in adults in European populations. However, this causality was less explored in East Asian populations and in children. Our study aimed to explore and compare the causal associations of general obesity (measured by BMI) and central obesity (measured by WHR) with cardiometabolic traits.Methods and resultsWe performed a Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis in 2030 unrelated children from two independent case–control studies in Beijing, China. BMI-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and WHR-SNPs identified by previous genome-wide association studies were used as genetic instruments to examine the casual associations of BMI and WHR with cardiometabolic traits, including glycemic traits, blood lipids, and blood pressure. Each 1-SD increase in BMI and WHR were significantly associated with 0.111 mmol/L and 0.110 mmol/L increase in log-transformed fasting insulin (FINS), 0.049 and 0.060 increase in log-transformed HOMA-β, 0.112 and 0.108 increase in log-transformed HOMA-IR, 0.009 mmol/L and 0.015 mmol/L increase in log-transformed triglyceride, and 15.527 mmHg and 7.277 mmHg increase in systolic blood pressure, respectively (all P < 0.05). The receiver operating characteristic curves showed that WHR had a stronger effect on FINS, HOMA-β, HOMA-IR, and triglyceride than BMI (all P < 0.05).ConclusionsUsing the MR method, we found that the genetic predisposition to higher BMI or WHR was associated with altered cardiometabolic traits in Chinese children. When compared with general obesity, central obesity might have stronger effects on glycemic traits and blood lipids among children.     

Associations between dietary flavonoid intake with hepatic steatosis and fibrosis quantified by VCTE: Evidence from NHANES and FNDDS

Background and aimFlavonoids are natural products of plant origin and have been shown to be beneficial for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in animal studies. However, relevant epidemiological evidence is still lacking, and the relationship between flavonoid and subclass intake with quantified hepatic steatosis and fibrosis has not been investigated.Methods and resultsThis study was based on the Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies (FNDDS) expanded flavonoid intake database and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017–2018 and included a total of 4113 participants with vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) data. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess linear relationships between flavonoids and hepatic steatosis and fibrosis. Smoothed curve fit and a generalized additive model were used to investigate the non-linear relationship, and a two-tailed linear regression model was used to find potential inflection points. Of the 4113 participants, 1045 (25.41%) were diagnosed with NAFLD. After adjusting for energy and major non-dietary covariates, significant linear negative correlations were observed between total flavonoids and CAP [-1.53 (−2.59, −0.47)] and LSM [-0.17 (−0.27, −0.07)]. After adjusting for all covariates, flavones had the strongest and most significant negative association with hepatic steatosis [-1.98 (−3.79, −0.17)]. The results of smooth curve fitting and subgroup analysis demonstrated gender differences, and threshold effect analysis further identified a U-shaped relationship and inflection point between flavonoid intake and hepatic steatosis (infection point: 287.25 mg/d).ConclusionsOur findings suggest negative associations between flavonoid and subclass intake with hepatic steatosis and fibrosis.