Hair Mineral and Trace Element Contents as Reliable Markers of Nutritional Status Compared to Serum Levels of These Elements in Children Newly Diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at high risk for nutritional deficiencies because of long-term inflammation in the gut mucosa and decreased oral intake. Because inflammation responses affect serum micronutrient concentrations, serum levels are limited in reflecting body nutrient status in acute and chronic illness. We investigated the usefulness of measuring trace elements in hair as reliable markers of nutritional status compared to serum levels in children with IBD. We retrospectively analyzed pediatric patients newly diagnosed with Crohn’s disease (n?=?49) and ulcerative colitis (n?=?16) and controls (n?=?29) from 2012 to 2016. Serum micronutrient levels, inflammatory markers, and hair trace element content were evaluated and compared at the time of diagnosis and before initiating treatment. Serum calcium (p?<?0.001), iron (p?<?0.001), zinc (p?=?0.013), selenium (p?=?0.008), albumin (p?<?0.001), prealbumin (p?<?0.001), hemoglobin and hematocrit (p?<?0.001), and WBC (p?=?0.001) and lymphocytes (p?<?0.001) differed significantly between the groups. After adjustment for the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, serum zinc and selenium levels were no longer significantly different between the groups (p?<?0.062 and p?<?0.057, respectively). Following hair analysis for mineral and trace elements, iron (p?=?0.033), selenium (p?=?0.017), and manganese (p?=?0.009) differed significantly between the groups. Serum micronutrient levels need cautious interpretation in conjunction with inflammatory markers. Hair mineral and trace element measurement may support understanding micronutrient status in children with IBD.     

Association between circulating inflammatory molecules and alcoholic liver disease in men

The association between alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and the inflammatory response remains controversial. The aim of this study was to explore this association between ALD and inflammation. We enrolled 214 male participants, who were divided into three age-matched groups: ALD (n?=?135), chronic alcohol ingestion without ALD (non-ALD; n?=?42), and control (n?=?37). The BMI was significantly higher in the ALD group than in the non-ALD and control groups (all P?=?0.000). Further, the constituent ratio of the liver inflammatory level was significantly higher in the ALD group than in the non-ALD and control groups (P?=?0.002 and P?=?0.000, respectively). In addition, the median serum ALT, AST, and GGT levels were significantly higher in the ALD group than in the control group (P?=?0.023, P?=?0.008, and P?=?0.000, respectively); these levels were also significantly higher in the ALD group than in the non-ALD group (P?=?0.013, P?=?0.010, and P?=?0.000, respectively). The median serum CRP level was significantly higher in the ALD group than in the non-ALD and control groups (P?=?0.006 and P?=?0.000, respectively). Further, the median serum TNF-α level was significantly lower in the ALD group than in the non-ALD and control groups (P?=?0.004 and P?=?0.000, respectively). The median serum sOX40L and HSP70 levels were significantly lower in the ALD group than in the control group (P?=?0.008 and P?=?0.018, respectively). In addition, the ALT, AST, and GGT levels were positively correlated with the CRP level (r?=?0.211, P?=?0.002; r?=?0.220, P?=?0.001 and r?=?0.295, P?=?0.000, respectively), and the GGT level was negatively correlated with the TNF-α (r?=??0.225, P?=?0.001), sOX40L (r?=??0.165, P?=?0.016), and HSP70 levels (r?=??0.178, P?=?0.009). Further, the Cr level was negatively correlated with the IL-10 level (r?=??0.166, P?=?0.015). Logistic regression analysis verified that the BMI (OR??=??1.637, 95%CI: 1.374–1.951, P??=??0.000) and GGT level were significantly higher (OR??=??1.039, 95%CI: 1.020–1.059, P??=??0.000) and that the TNF-α (OR??=??0.998, 95%CI: 0.996–1.000, P??=??0.030) and HSP70 levels were significantly lower (OR??=??1.017, 95%CI: 1.003–1.031, P??=??0.029) in the ALD group than in the non-ALD group. Further, the moderate-to-severe ALD patients had a significantly higher serum CRP level (Or?=???1.349, 95%CI: 1.066–1.702, P??=??0.013) and significantly lower HSP60 (OR??=??0.965, 95%CI: 0.938–0.993, P??=??0.014) and HSP70 levels (OR??=??0.978, 95%CI: 0.962–0.995, P??=??0.010) than the mild ALD patients. These results suggest that ALD patients may present with obesity, liver damage, and an imbalanced inflammatory immune response, mainly manifesting as decreased levels of immune inflammatory cytokines. In addition, they suggest that certain liver and kidney function parameters and ALD severity are either positively or negatively correlated with certain inflammatory cytokines. Hence, ALD patients may be at increased risks of obesity- and inflammation-related diseases. Accordingly, to control the inflammatory response, preventative measures for patients with this disease should include weight control and protection of liver and kidney function.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">EPSTI1</Emphasis> polymorphisms are associated with systemic lupus erythematosus

Epithelial stromal interaction 1 (EPSTI1) is an interferon (IFN) response gene, which was originally identified as a stromal fibroblast-induced gene in breast cancer. Our previous study using a customized SNP chip found evidence of an association between EPSTI1 and susceptibility to the chronic inflammatory disease, systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study aimed to validate whether polymorphisms in EPSTI1 are associated with susceptibility to SLE. We analyzed genotype and allele frequencies of SNPs at EPSTI1 using genomic DNA from 119 patients with SLE and 512 healthy controls. We found that the genotype frequencies of rs1044856 and rs1359184 in patients with SLE were significantly different from those found in the control group (P?=?0.03 and P?=?0.01, respectively). In addition, we found that genotype and allele frequencies of rs1359184 in female patients with SLE were significantly different from those found in female controls (P?=?0.02 and P?=?0.04, respectively). We identified two major haplotypes in EPSTI1 that were significantly different between patients with SLE and healthy controls (P?=?0.01 and P?=?0.05, respectively). Furthermore, we found that rs1359184 and rs1044856 in EPSTI1 were associated with antinuclear antibody (ANA) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) levels in patients with SLE (P?=?0.0035 and P?=?0.021, respectively). Our findings indicate that polymorphisms in EPSTI1 are associated with susceptibility to SLE and that haplotypes at EPSTI1 may be useful genetic markers for SLE.     

Role of perfusion parameters on DCE-MRI and ADC values on DWMRI for invasive ductal carcinoma at 3.0 Tesla

Background

The value of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values and quantitative parameters (Ktrans, Kep, Ve) in detecting prognostic factor at 3.0 Tesla remains unclear, especially in predicting prognosis of breast cancer.

Methods

A total of 151 patients with IDC underwent breast DCE-MRI and DWI-MRI at 3.0 Tesla following surgery. The ADC values were acquired with b values of 0 and 1000?s/mm². The relationship between ADC values or DCE-MRI quantitative parameters and size, histologic grade (HG), lymph node metastasis (LNM), ER, PR, and Ki67 was evaluated. The predictive values of ADC, Ktrans, Kep, and Ve to prognosis of IDC were assessed.

Results

ADC value was positively related to size (P?=?0.04) and HER2 (P?=?0.046) expression and negatively related to ER (P?=?0.012) and PR (P?<?0.001) expression. Ktrans value has positive correlation with size (P?<?0.001), HG (P?<?0.001), LNM (P?<?0.001), HER2 (P?=?0.007), and Ki67 (P?<?0.001) expression and negative correlation with ER (P?<?0.001) and PR (P?<?0.001) expression. Kep value was positively related to size (P?<?0.001) and negatively related to ER (P?<?0.001) and PR (P?<?0.001) expression. Ve value was negatively related to HER2 expression (P?=?0.004). The Cox hazard ratio (HR) of ADC, Ktrans, Kep, and Ve values on survival was 5.26 (P?=?0.093), 1.081 (P?=?0.002), 1.006 (P?=?0.941), and 0.883 (P?=?0.926), respectively.

Conclusions

Ktrans value was a best predictive indicator of HG, LNM, ER, PR, and Ki67 expression, and ADC value was the best predictive indicator of HER2. Preoperative use of the 3.0 Tesla could provide important information to determine the optimal treatment plan.

     

Assessment of right atrium dysfunction in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome using velocity vector imaging

Background and Objectives

This study aimed to assess the changes of RA function in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) using velocity vector imaging (VVI) and to evaluate the application of VVI technology.

Methods

According to the apnea–hypopnea index (AHI), 71 patients with OSAS were divided into three groups: mild, moderate, and severe. A total of 30 cases of healthy subjects were enrolled as the control group. Digital images of apex four-chamber views were acquired to measure the right atrium (RA) linear dimensions and volume parameters including RA longitudinal diameter (RAL), transverse diameter (RAT), RA maximum volume (Vmax), RA minimum volume (Vmin), right atrial volume before contraction (Vpre). Right atrial volume parameters were corrected by body surface area (VImax, VImin, VIpre). The total right atrial emptying fraction (RATEF), right atrial passive emptying fraction (RAPEF), right atrial active contraction emptying fraction (RAAEF) were calculated. The VVI data measuring right atrial global strain (RA-GLS), right atrial strain rate in ventricular systolic phase (RA-SRs), right atrial strain rate in ventricular early diastolic phase (RA-SRe), right atrial strain rate in ventricular late diastolic phase (RA-SRa).

Results

1. 1.
   RA linear dimensions and volume parameters in severe OSAS were higher than those of control group. RAPEF in severe group was lower than control group and mild OSAS group (t?= 2.681, P?=?0.021; t?= 2.985, P?=?0.011; respectively). RAAEF in OSAS moderate group was higher than that of control group (t?= 3.006, P?=?0.02), and without statistical difference (P?>?0.05) in the severe OSAS group and the control group.
    
2. 2.
   RA-GLS in moderate OSAS group was significantly lower than that of control group (t?= 2.333, P?=?0.040) and reduced more obvious in the severe OSAS group (vs control, t?= 3.25, P?=?0.008, vs mild; t?= 3.011, P?=?0.012; respectively). RA-SRe in moderate and severe OSAS groups were lower than control group (t?= 2.466, P?=?0.031; t?= 3.547, P?=?0.005; respectively). RA-SRs of OSAS in severe group was lower than that of control and mild groups (t?= 3.665, P?=?0.004; t?= 3.204, P?=?0.008; respectively). RA-SRa in severe OSAS group was lower than that of control group (t?= 2.425, P?=?0.034).
    
3. 3.
   Multivariate regression analysis showed that RA-GLS and RA-SRe were independently correlated with AHI (t?=???2.738, P?=?0.010; t?=???2.191, P?=?0.036; respectively).
    

Conclusion

RA function was impaired in patients with OSAS. On hemodynamics, the change of RA function performed increased of reserve function, reduced pipeline function and increased of contraction function. However, the strain and strain rate reduced in different degree. RA-GLS and RA-SRe decreased the earliest, which suggested that strain and strain rate were the parameters which can reflect myocardial function damage earliest. VVI can more earlier and accurately detect myocardial dysfunction of right atrium in patients with OSAS, which is expected to be a worthy technique for early clinical therapy in patients with OSAS.

     

Genetic polymorphisms in the 5'-flanking region of the melanocortin 1 receptor (<Emphasis Type="Italic">MC1R</Emphasis>) gene in foxes

The one of the key pigment genes, the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene, plays a fundamental role in the determination of coat color in a variety of mammals. However, so far there has been no report regarding the genetic variants of the MC1R promoter region and the potential association of its mutations with coat color in foxes. This work aimed to characterize 5'-flanking region of the MC1R gene and its mutations associated with coat color variations in foxes. A total of 76 individuals including 64 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), representing 11 color morphs, and 12 arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus), representing 2 color morphs were studied. To explore the potential cause of coat color variation in foxes, an 1105 bp region located upstream of the MC1R gene coding region was sequenced in 76 foxes. In the present study, a 1267 bp 5'-flanking region of fox MC1R gene was obtained using a PCR-mediated chromosome-walking technique and a 1105 bp segment was sequenced. A total of 8 novel SNPs and an insertion/deletion of 4 nucleotides were detected. The results of mutations analysis indicated that SNPs g.-52G>A, g.-266A>G, g.-297T>C, g.-300G>A and the insertion/deletion spaning positions g.-382~-379 were important in distinguishing V. vulpes and V. lagopus. This work, for the first time, described and confirmed the different variants existed in the 5'-flanking region of MC1R gene between red foxes and arctic foxes. These findings may be extremely helpful for further exploring the alternative splicings or promoter activity of MC1R gene for different coat-colored foxes.     

Expression of DENDRIN in several glomerular diseases and correlation to pathological parameters and renal failure - preliminary study

Background

In glomerular injury dendrin translocates from the slit diaphragm to the podocyte nucleus, inducing apoptosis. We analyzed dendrin expression in IgA glomerulonephritis and Henoch Schönlein purpura (IgAN/HSP) versus in podocytopathies minimal change disease (MCD) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), and compared it to pathohistological findings and renal function at the time of biopsy and the last follow-up.

Methods

Twenty males and 13 females with median of age 35?years (min-max: 3–76) who underwent percutaneous renal biopsy and had diagnosis of glomerular disease (GD) were included in this retrospective study. Fifteen patients had IgAN/HSP and eighteen podocytopathy. Control group consisted of ten patients who underwent nephrectomy due to renal cancer. Dendrin expression pattern (membranous, dual, nuclear or negative), number of dendrin positive nuclei and proportion of dendrin negative glomeruli were analyzed.

Results

In GD and the control group significant differences in number of dendrin positive nuclei and proportion of dendrin negative glomeruli were found (P?=?0.004 and P?=?0.003, respectively). Number of dendrin positive nuclei was higher in podocytopathies than in IgAN/HSP, 3.90 versus 1.67 (P?=?0.028). Proportion of dendrin negative glomeruli correlated to higher rates of interstitial fibrosis (P?=?0.038), tubular atrophy (P?=?0.011) and globally sclerotic glomeruli (P?=?0.008). Dual and nuclear dendrin expression pattern were connected with lower rate of interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy than negative dendrin expression pattern (P?=?0.024 and P?=?0.017, respectively). Proportion of dendrin negative glomeruli correlated with lower creatinine clearance (CC) at the time of biopsy and the last follow-up (P?=?0.010 and P?<?0.001, respectively). Dendrin expression pattern correlated to CC at the last follow-up (P?=?0.009), being lower in patients with negative than nuclear or dual dendrin expression (P?=?0.034 and P?=?0.004, respectively).

Conclusion

In this pilot study the number of dendrin positive nuclei was higher in podocytopathies than in inflammatory GD. Negative dendrin expression pattern correlated to chronic tubulointerstitial changes and lower CC, which needs to be confirmed in a larger series.

     

Genetic Association of <Emphasis Type="Italic">HLA</Emphasis> Gene Variants with MRI Brain Structure in Alzheimer’s Disease

There is accumulating evidence that the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) gene variants are associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, how they affect AD occurrence is still unknown. In this study, we firstly investigated the association of gene variants in HLA gene variants and brain structures on MRI in a large sample from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) to explore the effects of HLA on AD pathogenesis. We selected hippocampus, hippocampus CA1 subregion, parahippocampus, posterior cingulate, precuneus, middle temporal, entorhinal cortex, and amygdala as regions of interest (ROIs). According to the previous association studies of HLA variants and AD, 12 SNPs in HLA were identified in the dataset following quality control measures. In total group analysis, our results showed that TNF-α SNPs at rs2534672 and rs2395488 were significantly positively associated with the volume of the left middle temporal lobe (rs2534672: P?=?0.00035, Pc?=?0.004; rs2395488: P?=?0.0038, Pc?=?0.023) at baseline. In the longitudinal study, HFE rs1800562 was remarkably correlated with the lower atrophy rate of right middle temporal lobe (P?=?0.0003, Pc?=?0.003) and RAGE rs2070600 was associated with the atrophy rate of right hippocampus substructure-CA1 over 2 years (P?=?0.003, Pc?=?0.035). Furthermore, we detected the above four associations in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) subgroup analysis, as well as the association of rs2534672 with the baseline volume of the left middle temporal lobe in normal cognition (NC) subgroup analysis. Our study provided preliminary evidences that HLA gene variants might participate in the structural alteration of AD associated brain regions, hence modulating the susceptibility of AD.     

LncRNA <Emphasis Type="Italic">ANRIL</Emphasis> Expression and <Emphasis Type="Italic">ANRIL</Emphasis> Gene Polymorphisms Contribute to the Risk of Ischemic Stroke in the Chinese Han Population

The aim of the present study was to explore the role of lncRNA ANRIL in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke (IS) and coronary artery disease (CAD) and to determine the association between ANRIL variants and the genetic susceptibility of IS and CAD in the Chinese Han population. A genetic association study including 550 IS patients, 550 CAD patients, and 550 healthy controls was conducted. The expression levels of lncRNA ANRIL, CDKN2A, and CDKN2B were detected using qRT-PCR. Genotyping was performed by Sequenom MassARRAY on an Agena platform. Our study showed that IS patients had an increased lncRNA ANRIL expression (P?=?0.002) and a decreased CDKN2A expression (P?<?0.001) compared with normal controls. A significant difference with regard to the genotype distribution of rs2383207 was found between male IS patients and controls (P?=?0.011). The minor allele of rs2383207 significantly increased the IS risk under a recessive model (OR?=?1.52, 95% CI?=?1.05–2.21, P?=?0.027). The minor allele of rs1333049 was significantly associated with the risk of IS among the male patients under a recessive model (OR?=?1.56, 95% CI?=?1.04–2.35, P?=?0.031). However, no significant association was found between the ANRIL variants and the risk of CAD (all P?>?0.050). In addition, we found a decreased lncRNA ANRIL expression in IS patients who carried the GG genotype of rs1333049 compared with IS patients who carried the CC or CG genotype (P?=?0.041). In summary, we found that IS patients had an increased lncRNA ANRIL expression and a decreased CDKN2A expression compared with the controls, which might play an impellent role in pathological processes of IS. The ANRIL variants rs2383207 and rs1333049 were significantly associated with the risk of IS among males but not females in the Chinese Han population.     

The Influences of Chromium Supplementation on Glycemic Control,Markers of Cardio-Metabolic Risk,and Oxidative Stress in Infertile Polycystic ovary Syndrome Women Candidate for In vitro Fertilization: a Randomized,Double-Blind,Placebo-Controlled Trial

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of chromium intake on glycemic control, markers of cardio-metabolic risk, and oxidative stress in infertile polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) women candidate for in vitro fertilization (IVF). This randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was done among 40 subjects with infertile PCOS candidate for IVF, aged 18–40 years old. Individuals were randomly allocated into two groups to take either 200 μg/day of chromium (n?=?20) or placebo (n?=?20) for 8 weeks. Biochemical parameters were assessed at baseline and at end-of-trial. Compared with the placebo, taking chromium supplements led to significant reductions in fasting plasma glucose (??2.3?±?5.7 vs. +?0.9?±?3.1 mg/dL, P?=?0.03), insulin levels (??1.4?±?2.1 vs. +?0.4?±?1.7 μIU/mL, P?=?0.004), homeostatic model of assessment for insulin resistance (??0.3?±?0.5 vs. +?0.1?±?0.4, P?=?0.005), and a significant increase in quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (+?0.004?±?0.008 vs. ??0.001?±?0.008, P?=?0.03). In addition, chromium supplementation significantly decreased serum triglycerides (??19.2?±?33.8 vs. +?8.3?±?21.7 mg/dL, P?=?0.004), VLDL- (??3.8?±?6.8 vs. +?1.7?±?4.3 mg/dL, P?=?0.004) and total cholesterol concentrations (??15.3?±?26.2 vs. ??0.6?±?15.9 mg/dL, P?=?0.03) compared with the placebo. Additionally, taking chromium supplements was associated with a significant increase in plasma total antioxidant capacity (+?153.9?±?46.1 vs. ??7.8?±?43.9 mmol/L, P?<?0.001) and a significant reduction in malondialdehyde values (?0.3?±?0.3 vs. +?0.1?±?0.2 μmol/L, P?=?0.001) compared with the placebo. Overall, our study supported that chromium administration for 8 weeks to infertile PCOS women candidate for IVF had beneficial impacts on glycemic control, few variables of cardio-metabolic risk, and oxidative stress.     

Urine metabolites are associated with glomerular lesions in type 2 diabetes

Introduction

Little is known about the association of urine metabolites with structural lesions in persons with diabetes.

Objectives

We examined the relationship between 12 urine metabolites and kidney structure in American Indians with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

Data were from a 6-year clinical trial that assessed renoprotective efficacy of losartan, and included a kidney biopsy at the end of the treatment period. Metabolites were measured in urine samples collected within a median of 6.5 months before the research biopsy. Associations of the creatinine-adjusted urine metabolites with kidney structural variables were examined by Pearson’s correlations and multivariable linear regression after adjustment for age, sex, diabetes duration, hemoglobin A_1c, mean arterial pressure, glomerular filtration rate (iothalamate), and losartan treatment.

Results

Participants (n?=?62, mean age 45?±?10 years) had mean?±?standard deviation glomerular filtration rate of 137?±?50 ml/min and median (interquartile range) urine albumin:creatinine ratio of 34 (14–85) mg/g near the time of the biopsy. Urine aconitic and glycolic acids correlated positively with glomerular filtration surface density (partial r?=?0.29, P?=?0.030 and r?=?0.50, P?<?0.001) and total filtration surface per glomerulus (partial r?=?0.32, P?=?0.019 and r?=?0.43, P?=?0.001). 2-ethyl 3-OH propionate correlated positively with the percentage of fenestrated endothelium (partial r?=?0.32, P?=?0.019). Citric acid correlated negatively with mesangial fractional volume (partial r=-0.36, P?=?0.007), and homovanillic acid correlated negatively with podocyte foot process width (partial r=-0.31, P?=?0.022).

Conclusions

Alterations of urine metabolites may associate with early glomerular lesions in diabetic kidney disease.

     

Associations of HSP90AA2 gene polymorphisms with disease susceptibility,glucocorticoids efficacy and health-related quality of life in Chinese systemic lupus erythematosus patients

Although the current glucocorticoids (GCs) treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is effective to a certain extent, the difference in therapeutic effect between patients is still a widespread problem. Some patients can have repeated attacks that greatly diminish their quality of life. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between HSP90AA2 polymorphisms and disease susceptibility, GCs efficacy and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Chinese SLE patients. A case–control study was performed in 470 SLE patients and 470 normal controls. Then, 444 patients in the case group were followed up for 12 weeks to observe efficacy of GCs and improvement of HRQoL. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of HSP90AA2 were selected for genotyping: rs1826330 and rs6484340. HRQoL was assessed using the SF-36 questionnaire. The minor T allele of rs1826330 and the TT haplotype formed by rs1826330 and rs6484340 showed associations with decreased SLE risk (T allele: P_BH?=?0.022; TT haplotype: P_BH?=?0.033). A significant association between rs6484340 and improvement of HRQoL was revealed in the follow-up study. Five subscales of SF-36 were appeared to be influenced by rs6484340: total score of SF-36 (additive model: P_BH?=?0.026), physical function (additive model: P_BH?=?0.026), role-physical (recessive model: P_BH?=?0.041), mental health (dominant model: P_BH?=?0.047), and physical component summary (additive model: P_BH?=?0.026). No statistical significance was found between HSP90AA2 gene polymorphisms and GCs efficacy. These results revealed a genetic association between HSP90AA2 and SLE. Remarkably, HSP90AA2 has an impact on the improvement of HRQoL in Chinese population with SLE.     

Impact of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phanerochaete chrysosporium</Emphasis> inoculation on indigenous bacterial communities during agricultural waste composting

This research was conducted to distinguish between the separate effects of the Phanerochaete chrysosporium inoculation and sample property heterogeneity induced by different inoculation regimes on the indigenous bacterial communities during agricultural waste composting. P. chrysosporium was inoculated during different phases. The bacterial community abundance and structure were determined by quantitative PCR and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis, respectively. Results indicated a significant stimulatory effect of P. chrysosporium inoculation on the bacterial community abundance. The bacterial community abundance significantly coincided with pile temperature, ammonium, and nitrate (P?<?0.006). Variance partition analysis showed that the P. chrysosporium inoculation directly explained 20.5 % (P?=?0.048) of the variation in the bacterial communities, whereas the sample property changes induced by different inoculation regimes indirectly explained up to 35.1 % (P?=?0.002). The bacterial community structure was significantly related to pile temperature, water-soluble carbon (WSC), and C/N ratio when P. chrysosporium were inoculated. The C/N ratio solely explained 7.9 % (P?=?0.03) of the variation in community structure, whereas pile temperature and WSC explained 7.7 % (P?=?0.026) and 7.5 % (P?=?0.034) of the variation, respectively. P. chrysosporium inoculation affected the indigenous bacterial communities most probably indirectly through increasing pile temperature, enhancing the substrate utilizability, and changing other physico-chemical factors.     

2′-5′-Oligoadenylate synthetase 1 polymorphisms are associated with tuberculosis: a case-control study

Background

2′-5′-Oligoadenylate synthetase 1 (OAS1) plays an important role in inflammatory immune reactions. OAS1 polymorphisms have been associated with increased susceptibility to various diseases. We investigated the association of polymorphisms in OAS1 with tuberculosis (TB).

Methods

A total of 1215?TB cases and 1114 healthy controls were enrolled from two independent studies. Genotyping was conducted using the improved multiplex ligase detection reaction (iMLDR) method. Associations between OAS1 polymorphisms (rs2240190, rs1131454, 10,774,671 and 11,066,453) and TB risk were established based on distributions of allelic frequencies using different genetic models.

Results

Significant association was observed between rs10774671, rs1131454 and TB. In the initial study, the G allele of rs10774671 was a significantly protective factor against TB (P?=?0.006) and the genotype of GG differed significantly between TB patients and controls under the codominant model (P?=?0.008) after Bonferroni correction. In the validation study, we also observed that the rs10774671 G allele (P?=?0.001) and GG genotype (P?=?0.001) were associated with TB. In addition, we found that the rs1131454 G allele (P?=?0.004) and GG genotype (P?=?0.001) were protective against TB in the Chinese Han population.

Conclusions

We report novel associations of polymorphisms in OAS1 with TB in the Chinese Tibetan and Han populations. Similar studies in different populations and functional studies are warranted to confirm our results.

     

Characterization and prognosis of estrogen receptor-positive/progesterone receptor-negative male breast cancer: a population-based study

Background

The aim of this study was to explore the characteristics and prognostic information of estrogen receptor-positive/progesterone receptor-negative (ER+/PR?) male breast cancer.

Methods

Using the US National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database, we compared the demographics, clinical characteristics, and outcome of estrogen receptor-positive/progesterone receptor-positive (ER+/PR+) patients with ER+/PR? male breast cancer patients from 1990 to 2010. Two thousand three hundred twenty-two patients with ER+/PR+ tumors and 355 patients with ER+/PR? tumors were included in our study.

Results

ER+/PR? patients were younger (P?=?0.008) and more likely to be African American (P?<?0.001) while presented with higher histological grade (P?<?0.001), larger tumor size (P?=?0.010), and more invasion to the lymph nodes (P?=?0.034) and distant sites (P?<?0.001), thus later stage (P?=?0.001). Despite higher chance of receiving chemotherapy (51.0% vs 36.5%, P?<?0.001), ER+/PR? patients experienced significantly worse breast cancer-specific survival (BSCC) (P?<?0.001) and shorter overall survival (OS) (P?=?0.003). Multivariate Cox model confirmed that tumor size, lymph node invasion, metastasis, and surgery were independent prognostic factors of both BSCC and OS for ER+/PR? male breast cancer. Age at diagnosis and chemotherapy were significantly associated with OS but not with BSCC.

Conclusion

ER+/PR? male breast cancer was more aggressive and experienced shorter survival than ER+/PR+ patients. The prognosis was mainly associated with tumor size, lymph node invasion, metastasis, and surgery.

     

Depressive symptoms of female nursing staff working in stressful environments and their association with serum creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase – a preliminary study

Background

The activity of creatine kinase (CK) in serum has recently been reported to be potentially associated with several types of depression. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether serum enzymes, including CK, vary even in a healthy population with depressive symptoms caused by work-related stress. We gave questionnaires and blood examinations to 93 healthy female nursing home workers and did an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the quantitative detection of CK isozyme muscle-type M chain (CK-MM) in serum.

Findings

Depressive symptoms were determined using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale and compared with the results of the blood examination and serum CK-MM levels. The CES-D results showed significant negative correlations with total CK and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities and CK-MM level (r?=?-0.29, p?=?0.0062; r?=?-0.29, p?=?0.0065; r?=?-0.33, p?=?0.0016, respectively).

Conclusions

Total CK and LDH activities and serum CK-MM level appear to be associated with the depressive symptoms of healthy nurses working in stressful environments, although the significance level was relatively low. The simultaneous detection of serum CK and LDH activities or serum CK-MM level and LDH activity may be useful as an indicator of depressive symptoms, at least for female nursing staff with work-related stress.

     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">PPARGC1B</Emphasis> gene is associated with Kashin-Beck disease in Han Chinese

Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) is a chronic osteochondropathy. The genetic basis of KBD remains elusive now. To investigate the relationship between PPARGC1B gene polymorphism and KBD, we conducted a two-stage association study using 2743 unrelated Han Chinese subjects. In the first stage, three SNPs rs1078324, rs4705372, and rs11743128 of PPARGC1B gene were genotyped in 559 KBD patients and 467 health controls using Sequenom MassARRAY platform. In the second stage, the association analysis results of PPARGC1B with KBD were replicated using an independent sample of 1717 subjects. SNP association analysis was conducted by PLINK software. Genotype imputation was conducted by IMPUTE 2.0 against the reference panel of the 1000 genome project. Bonferroni multiple testing correction was performed. We observed a significant association signal at rs4705372 (P?=?0.0160) and a suggestive association signal at rs11743128 (P?=?0.0290). Further replication study confirmed the association signals of rs4705372 (P?=?0.0026) and rs11743128 (P?=?0.0387) in the independent validation sample. Our study results suggest that PPARGC1B is a novel susceptibility gene of KBD.     

A Missense Variant in <Emphasis Type="Italic">TREML2</Emphasis> Reduces Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease in a Han Chinese Population

Recently, Benitez and colleagues re-analyzed whole-exome sequencing data and revealed that a coding missense variant (rs3747742-C) in triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-like 2 (TREML2) gene reduced late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (LOAD) risk in Caucasians. To date, no study was carried out to test this association in other ethnic groups and populations, including Han Chinese. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to validate the relation between rs3747742 and LOAD susceptibility in a large Han Chinese population including 992 LOAD patients and 1358 healthy controls. In the total sample, the minor (C) allele of rs3747742 was associated with a reduced LOAD risk under the recessive genetic model after Bonferroni correction (odds ratio (OR)?=?0.713; 95 % confidence interval (CI): 0.546–0.932; P?=?0.013, Bonferroni-corrected P?=?0.039). Interestingly, after stratifying data according to apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 status, we revealed that this protection only exists in APOE ε4 carriers (recessive genetic model, OR?=?0.448; 95 % CI: 0.262–0.765; P?=?0.003, Bonferroni-corrected P?=?0.009) in our cohort. Taken together, our findings support rs3747742-C as a protective factor for LOAD, especially in APOE ε4 carriers.     

Assessment of left ventricular function by two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography in small breed dogs with hyperadrenocorticism

Background

Hyperadrenocorticism (HAC) is associated with an increased prevalence of hypertension. This study investigated the left ventricular function using two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) in small breed dogs affected with spontaneous HAC.Age-matched healthy controls (n?=?9), dogs with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (PDH, n?=?10), and dogs with adrenal-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (ADH, n?=?9) were included in this study. Conventional echocardiography, global longitudinal and circumferential strain, and strain rate were assessed.

Results

On group-wise comparison, left ventricular free wall (LVFWd) and interventricular septal thickness in diastole (IVSd) were thickest in the ADH group, followed by the PDH and controls (P?=?0.014 and P?=?0.001, respectively). Neither LVFWd nor IVSd was correlated with systemic blood pressure (P?=?0.238 and P?=?0.113, respectively). The values of all variables derived from the global strain and strain rate in longitudinal and circumferential directions followed the same pattern: highest in the controls, followed by PDH and then ADH (all P?<?0.05, respectively). On multiple regression analyses, global longitudinal strain, global longitudinal strain rate in systole and early diastole, and global circumferential strain all decreased linearly with increased IVSd (all P?<?0.05).

Conclusions

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) was more prevalent in the HAC group compared to the control group. Association between hypertension and development of LVH was not identified. Decreased global longitudinal and circumferential strains were associated with increased IVSd. 2D-STE revealed significant decreases in systolic functions that were undetected using conventional echocardiography in the ADH and PDH groups.

     

High-intensity interval training lowers blood pressure and improves apelin and NOx plasma levels in older treated hypertensive individuals

Hypertension is the major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and is one of the primary causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Apelin levels and NO bioavailability are impaired in older hypertensive patients. Exercise is an effective intervention for treating hypertension. Our purpose was to evaluate the effect of high-intensity interval training on blood pressure, apelin, and NOx plasma levels in older treated hypertensive individuals. Thirty treated hypertensive subjects (61.70?±?5.78 years, 17 males, 13 females) were randomly divided into 6 weeks of high-intensity interval training (n?=?15) and control (n?=?15). The exercise training was conducted for three 35-min sessions a week (1.5-min interval at 85–90% of heart rate reserve [HRR] and 2 min active phase at 50–55% of HRR). Assessment of plasma apelin, nitrite/nitrate (NOx), and endothelin-1 (ET-1) was performed before and after the intervention. At the end of the study, apelin, and NOx plasma levels increased significantly in the high-intensity interval training (HIIT) group (P?=?0.021, P?=?0.003, respectively). Conversely, ET-1 plasma levels significantly decreased in the training group after the intervention (P?=?0.015). Moreover, there was a positive correlation between the change of plasma apelin and change of plasma NOx (r?=?0. 771, P?=?0.0008). In addition, there was a negative correlation between the change of plasma ET-1, change of plasma apelin (r?=???0.595, P?=?0.019), and variation of NOx (r?=???0.572, P?=?0.025). This study indicates that, by increasing of apelin and NOx plasma levels, HIIT may be effective in reducing blood pressure.