Genome-wide association identifies a susceptibility locus for coronary artery disease in the Chinese Han population.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) causes more than 700,000 deaths each year in China. Previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in populations of European ancestry identified several genetic loci for CAD, but no such study has yet been reported in the Chinese population. Here we report a three-stage GWAS in the Chinese Han population. We identified a new association between rs6903956 in a putative gene denoted as C6orf105 on chromosome 6p24.1 and CAD (P = 5.00 × 10⁻³, stage 2 validation; P = 3.00 × 10⁻³, P = 1.19 × 10⁻8 and P = 4.00 × 10⁻³ in three independent stage 3 replication populations; P = 4.87 × 10⁻¹², odds ratio = 1.51 in the combined population). The minor risk allele A of rs6903956 is associated with decreased C6orf105 mRNA expression. We report the first GWAS for CAD in the Chinese Han population and identify a SNP, rs6903956, in C6orf105 associated with susceptibility to CAD in this population.

[Characterization of severe acute occupational poisoning accidents related to asphyxiating gases in China between 1989 and 2003].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze severe acute occupational poisoning accidents related to asphyxiating gases reported in China between 1989 and 2003, and to study the characteristics of severe acute occupational poisoning accidents and provide scientific evidences for prevention and control strategies. METHODS: The data from the national occupational poisoning case reporting system were analyzed with descriptive methods. RESULTS: (1) There were 273 severe acute occupational poisoning accidents related to asphyxiating gases for 15 years with 1638 workers poisoned and 600 workers died, which accounted for 53.95% in total accidents and 35.17% of workers poisoned and 78.64% of workers died of all severe acute occupational poisoning accidents. The average poisoning age was (33.8 +/- 9.7) years old and the average death age was (36.6 +/- 10.0) years old. (2) Most of the accidents were caused by hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide respectively, and mainly occurred in chemical industry, mining, water disposal industry, paper making industry and brewing industry. The risk was higher in some jobs than others, such as cleanout, machine maintenance and repair, production, mine and digging. The poisoning accidents occurred more frequently from April to September each year and occurred in the confined space, in the basement and the mine, and workers died of poisoning mostly were men. CONCLUSION: (1) The severe acute occupational poisoning accidents related to asphyxiating gases are more dangerous than others. (2) The control of poisoning accidents related to hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, which occurred easily in the confined space, should be paid more attention to, and good work practice should be developed on some posts, such as digging, cleanout, dredge, machine maintenance and repair and mine.

[Characterization of severe acute occupational poisoning accidents related to irritating gases in China between 1989 and 2003].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze severe acute occupational poisoning accidents related to irritating gases reported in China between 1989 and 2003, and to study the characteristics of severe acute occupational poisoning accidents and provide scientific evidences for prevention and control strategies. METHODS: The data from the national occupational poisoning case reporting system were analyzed with descriptive methods. RESULTS: (1) There were 92 severe acute occupational poisoning accidents related to asphyxiating gases during 15 years, which showed that there were 14.5 accidents occurred each year. Forty types of chemicals were reported to cause poisoning accidents directly. On average, there were 14.5 persons poisoned and 0.8 persons died of poisoning in each event. The number of death of poisoning reached 7 in most of the severe accidents. Chlorine was the main irritating gas resulting in poisoning accidents according to the number of accidents, cases and death. CONCLUSION: (1) The severe acute occupational poisoning related to irritating gases are more dangerous than others because of it is involved in more cases in each accident. (2) The accidents have concentricity in the certain types of chemicals, industries and jobs, and should be focused on control. (3) It is important to develop the program about early warning and forecast and the first aid.