Associations of ACE I/D and AGTR1 rs5182 polymorphisms with diabetes and their effects on lipids in an elderly Chinese population.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is generally accompanied by dyslipidaemia, but inconsistent relationships between lipid profiles and diabetes are noted. Moreover, genetic variations in insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphisms at angiotensin-converting enzyme gene (ACE) and T/C polymorphisms in the angiotensin type 1 receptor gene (AGTR1) are related to diabetes and lipid levels, but the associations are controversial. Thus, the current research aimed to explore the effects of ACE I/D, AGTR1 rs5182 and diabetes mellitus on serum lipid profiles in 385 Chinese participants with an average age of 75.01 years. METHODS: The ACE I/D variant was identified using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, whereas the AGTR1 rs5182 polymorphism was identified using the PCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method and verified with DNA sequencing. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), apolipoprotein A (ApoA), apolipoprotein B (ApoB), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were measured using routine methods, and the lipid ratios were calculated. RESULTS: ACE I/D, but not AGTR1 rs5182, was a predictor of TG/HDL-C for the whole study population. Both ACE I/D and AGTR1 rs5182 were predictors of HDL-C and LDL-C levels in females but not in males. Moreover, in females, diabetes mellitus and ACE I/D were identified as predictors of TG and TG/HDL-C, whereas AGTR1 rs5182 and diabetes mellitus were predictors of TG/HDL-C. Moreover, diabetes mellitus and the combination of ACE I/D and AGTR1 rs5182 variations were predictors of TG and TG/HDL-C exclusively in females. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated the potential for gender-dependent interactions of ACE I/D, AGTR1 rs5182, and diabetes on lipid profiles. These findings may serve as an additional explanation for the inconsistent changes of blood lipids in individuals with diabetes mellitus, thereby offering a novel perspective for the clinical management of blood lipid levels in diabetic patients.

Suicidal ideation in adolescents with adiponectin receptor 2 rs12342 polymorphism affected by Wenchuan earthquake.

PURPOSE: The present study was to investigate prevalence of suicidal ideation and its associations with biological and environmental factors in adolescents with different genotypes of rs12342 at adiponectin receptor 2 gene (ADIPOR2). METHODS: Suicidal ideation, biological and environmental factors were evaluated by questionnaires in 669 high school students after Wenchuan earthquake in China. ADIPOR2 rs12342 was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and verified by DNA sequencing. RESULTS: Female adolescents had higher prevalence of suicidal ideation than male students in AG heterozygote and GG homozygote, but not AA homozygote. Prevalence of suicidal ideation was different in male, but not female, subjects with different genotypes. Genotype and allele frequencies were significantly different between male students with and without suicidal ideation, but not the female counterparts. Family history of mental disorders, extent of damage to property, carbohydrate intake and protein intake were associated with suicidal ideation in female subjects, while ADIPOR2 rs12342, father's educational level and previous trauma experience were associated with suicidal ideation in male subjects. CONCLUSION: ADIPOR2 rs12342 is associated with and has potential to interact with environmental factors on suicidal ideation in a gender-dependent manner in youth. These findings pave a novel way and perspective for precision inferences of suicidal ideation in subjects with different genetic backgrounds. ADIPOR2 rs12342 needs to be considered when intervening suicidal ideation, especially in adolescents.

Reduced hepatic AdipoR2 by increased glucocorticoid mediates effect of psychosocial stress to elevate serum cholesterol.

Understanding the effects of psychosocial stress on serum cholesterol may offer valuable insights into the relationship between psychological disorders and endocrine diseases. However, these effects and their underlying mechanisms have not been elucidated yet. Here we show that serum corticosterone, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) are elevated in a mouse model of psychosocial stress. Furthermore, alterations occur in AdipoR2-mediated AMPK and PPARα signaling pathways in liver, accompanied by a decrease in LDL-C clearance and an increase in cholesterol synthesis. These changes are further verified in wild-type and AdipoR2 overexpression HepG2 cells incubated with cortisol and AdipoR agonist, and are finally confirmed by treating wild-type and hepatic-specific AdipoR2 overexpression mice with corticosterone. We conclude that increased glucocorticoid mediates the effects of psychosocial stress to elevate serum cholesterol by inhibiting AdipoR2-mediated AMPK and PPARα signaling to decrease LDL-C clearance and increase cholesterol synthesis in liver.

Association between PEMT rs7946 and blood pressure levels in Chinese adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: This study was to explore blood pressure levels in Chinese adolescents with different genotypes of phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT) gene ( PEMT ) rs7946, as well as effects of dietary intake on blood pressure levels with different genders and different genotypes of PEMT rs7946. METHODS: PEMT rs7946 genotypes were identified by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism and verified by DNA sequencing. Blood pressure was measured using a standard mercury sphygmomanometer. Dietary intakes were analyzed based on a 3-day diet diary, and dietary components were calculated using computer software. RESULTS: A total of 721 high school students (314 males and 407 females) at the age of 16.86 ±â€…0.59 years were included. The A allele carriers of PEMT rs7946 had increased levels of SBP, DBP, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and pulse pressure (PP) than the GG homozygotes in the female subjects. There were significant interactions between PEMT rs7946 and gender on SBP and MAP levels, regardless of whether an unadjusted or adjusted model was used. When dietary intake was taken into account, fat intake was positively associated with SBP and PP in the male GG homozygotes, while protein intake was positively associated with PP in the female A allele carriers of PEMT rs7946. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that PEMT rs7946 is significantly associated with blood pressure levels in human being. There might be interactions among PEMT rs7946, gender, and dietary intake on blood pressure levels in the adolescent population.

Arc discharge method to fabricate large concave structures for open-access fiber Fabry-Pérot cavities.

We present a novel micro-fabrication technique for creating concave surfaces on the endfacets of photonic crystal fibers. A fiber fusion splicer is used to generate arc discharges to melt and reshape the fiber endfacet. This technique can produce large spherical concave surfaces with roughness as low as 0.12 nm in various types of photonic crystal fibers. The deviation of fabricated surface and a spherical profile in the region of 70 µm in diameter is less than 50 nm. The center of the concave surface and the fiber mode field are highly coincident with a deviation less than 500 nm. Finesse measurements have shown that a Fabry-Pérot cavity composed of the fiber fabricated using this method and a plane mirror maintains finesse of 20000. This method is easy to replicate, making it a practical and efficient approach to fabricate concave surface on fibers for open-access fiber Fabry-Pérot cavities.

Associations of TNF-RII rs1061622 With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Their Interplays on Serum Lipids Levels in Adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To verify effects of rs1061622 at tumor necrosis factor-α receptor II (TNF-RII) gene (TNF-RII) on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its interactive effects with PTSD on serum lipids levels in adolescents. METHODS: PTSD was measured by PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C) in 699 adolescent survivors at 6 months after Wenchuan earthquake in China. A polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism assay were utilized for TNF-RII rs1061622 genotyping followed by verification using DNA sequencing. Serum triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were tested using routine methods. RESULTS: G (deoxyguanine) allele carriers had higher PCL-C scores than TT (deoxythymidine) homozygotes in female subjects. Female adolescents had higher PCL-C scores than male subjects in TT homozygotes. Predictors of PTSD prevalence and severity were different between G allele carriers and TT homozygotes. Subjects with PTSD had lower TG, TG/HDL-C, TC/HDL-C, and higher HDL-C than adolescents without PTSD in male G allele carriers. G allele carriers had higher TG/HDL-C and TC/HDL-C than TT homozygotes in male adolescents without PTSD, and lower TG and TG/HDL-C in male PTSD patients. G allele carriers had higher TG than TT homozygotes only in female adolescents without PTSD. CONCLUSION: These results suggest reciprocal actions of TNF-RII rs1061622 with other factors on PTSD severity, interplays of TNF-RII rs1061622 with PTSD on serum lipid levels, and novel treatment strategies for PTSD and comorbidities of PTSD with hyperlipidemia among adolescents with different genetic backgrounds of TNF-RII rs1061622 after experiencing traumatic events.

The Waist-Hip Ratio is a Mediator Between Serum Levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Its Val66Met Polymorphism in Adolescents.

Aim: To explore anthropometric, metabolic and dietary factors associated with and their interplays with the Val66Met polymorphism at brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene (Bdnf) on serum BDNF levels in adolescents. Methods: Serum BDNF levels were quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 644 high school students (278 males/366 females). A polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism assay were utilized for Bdnf Val66Met genotyping followed by verification using DNA sequencing. Serum levels of metabolic characteristics were assayed by routine methods. The intake of macro and micronutrients was collected by a three-day food record. Results: Serum BDNF levels were found to be significantly different in the subjects with different genotypes of Bdnf Val66Met (Val/Val homozygotes, 60.05 ± 28.07 ng/mL vs Val/Met heterozygotes, 56.37 ± 29.34 ng/mL vs Met/Met homozygotes, 51.32 ± 24.54 ng/mL, p = 0.022). Among the 36 tested variables, waist-hip ratio (WHR) (ß = -0.163, p < 0.001), iodine intake (ß = 0.132, p = 0.001), heart rate (ß = 0.108, p = 0.005), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (ß = 0.098, p = 0.011) and dietary fiber intake (ß = 0.082, p = 0.084) were the predictor of serum BDNF levels, while SBP (ß = 0.097, p = 0.013) and WHR (ß = 0.091, p = 0.021) were related with Bdnf Val66Met. Moreover, WHR was observed to play a partial mediating role in the relationship between Bdnf Val66Met and serum BDNF levels (95% CI [-1.161, -0.087]) and contribute 13.05% of its total effect on serum BDNF levels. Conclusion: There are interplays between WHR and Bdnf Val66Met on serum BDNF levels, which may be among the explanations for the previous heterogeneous reports and provide novel insights into the regulation of serum BDNF levels.

Treatment of wastewater using Black Soldier Fly larvae: Effect of organic concentration and load.

Recent studies have investigated the use of Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae as a promising biological treatment process for high organic content wastewater (i.a. Leachate from municipal solid waste landfill, food processing effluents), achieving both high treatment efficiency and production of secondary resources from larval biomass (i.a. Proteins and lipids). The present study was aimed at achieving a better understanding of how organic concentration and load might influence treatment performance. Larvae were fed with three artificial wastewaters characterised by same organic substances quality (degree of biodegradability and oxidation of the organic content measured respectively as BOD/COD and TOC/COD ratios) but different organic concentrations. Each type of wastewater was tested at four different loads. Treatment performance was assessed by monitoring both larval growth (in terms of weight variation, mortality and prepupation), and variation of wastewater quality and quantity to determine organic substrate consumption (measured in terms of Total Organic Carbon, TOC). Larval starvation was observed in all tests when TOC concentrations dropped below approx. 1000 mg C/L, which, for the tested wastewater, could be assumed as the limit value for adopting BSF larvae process. Substrate concentration in the feed (mgC/L) influenced larval growth (in terms of maximum wet weight, prepupation and mortality) only when organic load was above 10 mgC/larva: the higher the load, the higher the positive impact of the substrate concentration. On the contrary, the specific substrate consumption rate (vS, mgC/larva/day) appeared not to be influenced by substrate concentration but only by the organic load, with a Michaelis Menten like relationship. Accordingly, substrate load can be assumed as a design parameter for BSF treatment process, while substrate concentration might only influence potential resource recovery from larval biomass.

Identification of key surfactant in municipal solid waste leachate foaming and its influence mechanism.

Serious foaming problems and the excessive consumption of defoamer have undoubtedly become one of the most critical problems that hinder municipal solid waste (MSW) leachate treatment efficiency and industry development. Since there is limited research penetrating the foaming mechanism and identification of the key surfactants, current defoaming and surfactant removal techniques lack pertinence and orientation. In this study, a foaming characterization device was developed and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS/MS) was optimized to accurately identify the key surfactants affecting leachate foaming and offer a glimpse into their interaction mechanisms. This study collected leachate samples from 9 typical landfills and waste-to-energy facilities of various waste compositions, climatic conditions, ages, and geographical locations. The foaming problem of leachate was mainly centered on raw leachate and nanofiltration membrane concentrate (NFC). Fresh leachate performed with relatively low foaming capacity and foam stability, associated with low surfactant concentration. The pH value of the system was positively correlated with the concentration of anionic surfactants, indicating significant impacts on surfactant release in MSW. Since the distribution characteristics of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) in leachate were consistent with the variety of foaming performances, LAS proved to be an indispensable surfactant in the leachate involved in this study, and its content proportion escalated to 92.87% in aged leachate.

Treatment of wastewater using black soldier fly larvae, under different degrees of biodegradability and oxidation of organic content.

The biological treatment process based on the metabolism of Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae proved to be a highly promising technique for the treatment of high organic content (HOC) wastewater, such as sewage from food industries, leachate from municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill, etc. The present study was aimed at achieving a better understanding of how biodegradability and degree of oxidation of organic content might influence treatment performance and biomass quality. Six leachates characterised by similar COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) but different BOD5/COD (Biochemical Oxygen demand/COD) and TOC/COD (Total Organic Carbon/COD) ratios were tested. By combining these ratios, the BOD5/TOC ratio was introduced to take into account the effect of both leachate properties (biodegradability and oxidation degree). Process treatment performance was significantly influenced by the quality of organic substances. Higher BOD5/TOC values (higher biodegradability and lower oxidation degree) resulted in a greater and faster larvae growth, with final wet weight of between 49.2 and 91.9mg/larva; lower mortality between 5 and 32%; higher prepupation percentages ranging from 4 to 21% and higher specific substrate consumption rate with values varying from 0.051 to 0.063 mgTOC/mg larva/d, up to 3-fold higher than values obtained using conventional activated sludge based on COD consumption. Conversely, no significant differences were detected in larvae protein and lipid contents, including the profiling of fatty acids.

Serum Levels of Free Fatty Acids in Obese Mice and Their Associations with Routine Lipid Profiles.

PURPOSE: To investigate serum levels of free fatty acids (FFAs) and their associations with routine serum lipids in diet-induced obese mice, which have been scantily reported before. METHODS: Male C57BL/6 J mice were fed high-fat diets for 12 weeks to induce obesity. Levels of serum FFAs were measured by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Obese mice had higher serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), but lower triglycerides (TG) than control mice. A total of 30 FFAs were found, and 3 saturated fatty acids (SFAs), all 8 monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and 7 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) decreased in obese mice, but one SFA (C4:0) increased. Differences in the relative levels of individual FFAs to total FFAs, SFAs, MUFAs or PUFAs between obese and control mice were different from each other and from those evaluated by concrete levels except C4:0, C16:1, C19:1 and C18:4. Only the concrete levels of C4:0, C22:3 and C18:4 were associated with routine serum lipids, including C22:3 negatively with TG in control mice, and C4:0 and C18:4 positively with LDL-C in obese mice, although the relative levels of C4:0 to total MUFAs negatively with TC, and C23:3 to total SFAs or MUFAs negatively with TG in control mice. Different relative levels of the remaining FFAs were differently associated with different routine serum lipids in obese and/or control mice. CONCLUSION: Obesity may influence serum FFAs profiles. The relationship of individual FFAs and their relative levels to other FFAs with routine serum lipids in obese and control mice suggests that individual FFAs may interact with others and obesity on levels of routine serum lipids. Once confirmed, the interactions may be novel perspectives when fatty acids are used to improve hyperlipidemia in the subjects with obesity.

Male adolescents with Interleukin 10 rs1800872 AA genotype had higher prevalence and slower recoveries of post-traumatic stress disorder at late stage of a follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Pathophysiological mechanisms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are elusive and heterogeneous relationships have been reported among PTSD, Interleukin 10 (IL-10), and other factors after stresses. The present study aimed to longitudinally investigate associations of PTSD with environmental factors and genetic variation of rs1800872 at IL-10 gene. METHODS: Symptoms of PTSD were measured by PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C) in 462 high school students at 6, 12, and 18 months after Wenchuan earthquake in China. Genotypes of IL-10 rs1800872 were identified by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis and verified by DNA sequencing. RESULTS: AA homozygotes had higher PTSD prevalence than C allele carriers only at 18 months in male, but not female subjects. PTSD prevalence at 18 months was lowered in all subjects except male AA homozygotes when compared to that at 6 months, and only in female C allele carriers when compared to that at 12 months. PCL-C scores at 18 months were decreased in all students but not in male AA homozygotes when compared to those at 6 months. IL-10 rs1800872 was associated with PTSD at 18 months. Patterns of predictors of PCL-C scores were different between AA homozygotes and C allele carriers at different times during the follow-up. CONCLUSION: There were different reciprocal actions of IL-10 rs1800872 with other potential factors or predictors on PTSD in a time-course and gender-dependent manner. Male students with IL-10 rs1800872 AA genotype had higher prevalence and slower recoveries of PTSD at late stage of the follow-up, suggesting requirements of special psychiatric care or drug supplementation at this stage.

Preparation of artificial MSW leachate for treatment studies: Testing on black soldier fly larvae process.

When approaching the study of new processes for leachate treatment, each influencing variable should be kept under control to better comprehend the treatment process. However, leachate quality is difficult to control as it varies dramatically from one landfill to another, and in line with landfill ageing. To overcome this problem, the present study investigated the option of preparing a reliable artificial leachate in terms of quality consistency and representativeness in simulating the composition of real municipal solid waste (MSW) leachate, in view of further investigate the recent treatment process using black soldier fly (BSF) larvae. Two recipes were used to simulate a real leachate (RL): one including chemical ingredients alone (artificial synthetic leachate-SL), and the other including chemicals mixed with artificial food waste (FW) eluate (artificial mixed leachate-ML). Research data were analysed, elaborated and discussed to assess simulation performance according to a series of parameters, such as Analytical representativeness, Treatment representativeness (in this case specific for the BSF larvae process), Recipe relevance, Repeatability and Flexibility in selectively modifying individual quality parameters. The best leachate simulation performance was achieved by the synthetic leachate, with concentration values generally ranging between 97% and 118% of the RL values. When feeding larvae with both RL and SL, similar mortality values and growth performance were observed.

Insertion/deletion polymorphism at angiotensin-converting enzyme gene in PTSD individuals and their reciprocal effects on blood pressure.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to investigate relationships between insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism at angiotensin-converting enzyme gene (ACE) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as their interactions on blood pressure. METHODS: Variants of ACE I/D were identified by polymerase chain reaction method and verified by DNA sequencing. PTSD symptoms were assessed by the PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C) based on DSM-IV-TR criteria among high school students at 6 months after the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. RESULTS: Female subjects were found to have higher prevalence of PTSD and PCL-C scores than male counterparts in the II homozygotes (p = .038 for PTSD and p = .003 for PCL-C scores) and the ID heterozygotes (p = .000 for PTSD and p = .000 for PCL-C scores), but not in the DD homozygotes. Male subjects with the ID (p = .046) or the DD genotype (p = .039) had lower pulse pressure (PP) than the male II homozygotes, while the female II homozygotes had lower diastolic blood pressure (DBP) than the female DD homozygotes (p = .036). ACE I/D, PTSD, or PCL-C scores, as well as gender and BMI, were found to be the predictors of PP. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that there are interactions of ACE I/D and PTSD, together with gender and BMI, on PP. This finding may be the additional explanation for the heterogeneous relationships between PTSD and blood pressure, and suggest psychiatry care and different medication strategies for patients with comorbidities of PTSD and hypertension and with different genotypes of ACE I/D.

Depression Augments Plasma APOA4 without Changes of Plasma Lipids and Glucose in Female Adolescents Carrying G Allele of APOA4 rs5104.

The association of apolipoprotein AIV (APOA4) with depression or plasma levels of lipids and glucose has been inconsistently reported. However, interplays between APOA4 and depression on the levels have not been explored yet. The present study aimed to investigate plasma levels of APOA4, lipids, and glucose in adolescents with different genotypes of APOA4 rs5104 and with or without depression. Depressive symptoms were assessed in 631 adolescents by Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). A total score of 14 was defined as the cutoff point for depression. Plasma levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), glucose, and insulin were measured by routine methods, and APOA4 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses and verified by DNA sequencing. Female adolescents had higher prevalence of depression than male subjects only in G allele carriers (p = 0.015), but not in AA homozygotes. Risk factors of depression and predictors of depression severity were different between G allele carriers and AA homozygotes. Lower levels of glucose (p = 0.003) were observed in male G allele carriers than those in male AA homozygotes and increased TG levels (p = 0.008) in female G allele carriers when compared with those in female AA homozygotes. When both APOA4 rs5104 and depression were taken into account, subjects with depression had higher levels of plasma APOA4 than adolescents without depression only in female G allele carriers (p = 0.043), but no significant changes of plasma lipids and glucose. Depression augments plasma APOA4 levels without changes of plasma lipids and glucose in female adolescents carrying G allele of APOA4 rs5104. These results may provide a novel explanation for the inconsistent relationship between depression, APOA4, and plasma levels of lipids and glucose in the literature.

Enhanced darkening effect from the interaction of MnO2 and oxygen on the component evolution of amino-phenolic humic-like substances.

Humification is greatly enhanced by metallic oxides in nature, and the related products are critical to various environmental processes. However, little is known about the interaction between metallic oxides and oxygen in promoting the oxidative polymerization of small organic molecules during the humification process. The synthesis of humic-like acids (HLAs) with MnO2 was performed in the presence and absence of oxygen, and the influence of oxygen and MnO2 on the composition evolution of amino-phenolic HLAs was illustrated. The results of ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectra of reaction mixtures associated with two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2D-COS) combined with the XPS spectra of N 1s content changes in HLAs demonstrated that MnO2 induced pyrrole-type nitrogen formation and enhanced darkening. Furthermore, MnO2 mainly acted as a catalyst, and oxygen activated the regeneration of MnO2 by oxidizing free manganese ions, thus substantially promoting the formation and accumulation of HLAs, whereas it decreased the reaction rate of HLAs formation. Moreover, carbon dioxide release was found during the process of the formation of fulvic-like acids (FLAs), and the reaction was oxygen-independent. Additionally, the formation and transformation of products without MnO2 do not obey kinetics equations, whereas the darkening reaction with MnO2 followed the pseudo-second-order and pseudo-zero-order kinetics equations. These findings provide new insights into the behaviours and fate of the oxygen-mediated humification process and related reaction products.

[Investigation of chemical profile of bile acids and determination of them in cultured Bovis Calculus with UPLC-QDA].

In this study, 10 batches of samples of cultured Bovis Calculus(cow-bezoar) were determined for the investigation of chemical profile of bile acids with the UPLC-QDA method established. The results showed that nine common bile acids, cholic acid(CA), deoxycholic acid(DCA), chenodeoxycholic acid(CDCA), taurocholic acid(TCA), taurodeoxycholic acid(TDCA), taurochenodeoxycholic acid(TCDCA), glycocholic acid(GCA), glycodeoxycholic acid(GDCA) and glycochenodeoxycholic acid(GCDCA), were founded in samples and 7 bile acids were quantified except GDCA and GCDCA. In these samples, unconjugated bile acids, the major type of bile acids, accounted for more than 97% of all types of bile acids. As for unconjugated bile acids, CA was the most major bile acid in cultured cow-bezoar and it was about twice as much as DCA. The relative low-cost method established in the current study is accurate, rapid and sensitive, which is suitable for the studies of other drugs from animal bile.

Increased TG/HDL-C in female G allele carriers of rs1061622 at gene of tumour necrosis factor receptor 2 with suicidal ideation.

BACKGROUND: Relationships between tumour necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNF-RII), suicidal ideation and levels of serum lipids have not been reported yet. The present study was to explore lipids profiles in Chinese adolescents with different genotypes of TNF-RII rs1061622 and with or without suicidal ideation. METHODS: Dietary intakes were surveyed by questionnaires. TNF-RII rs1061622 genotypes were examined by polymerase chain reaction restriction-fragment length polymorphism and verified by DNA sequencing. Lipids levels were examined by routine methods. RESULTS: Higher TC/HDL-C levels were observed in the subjects with suicidal ideation than those without suicidal ideation in the male students, but no significant differences were found in the female counterparts. When both TNF-RII rs1061622 and suicidal ideation were considered, although there was no significant difference of suicidal ideation prevalence between the TT homozygotes and the G allele carriers, the G allele carriers had elevated levels of TG and TG/HDL-C compared with the TT homozygotes only in the female subjects with suicidal ideation. The subjects with suicidal ideation had higher TG/HDL-C levels than those without suicidal ideation only in the female G allele carriers. Both suicidal ideation and TNF-RII rs1061622, together with BMI, gender and fat intakes, were found the predictors of TG/HDL-C levels. Different relationship patterns of lipids levels were discovered between male and female subjects with different genotypes and with or without suicidal ideation. CONCLUSIONS: Different changes of lipids profiles between the subjects with or without suicidal ideation may result from not only the genders, but also their interactions with TNF-RII rs1061622.

Effects of earthquake and related environmental factors on relationship of posttraumatic stress disorder with LDLR rs5925.

To test the relationship not yet explored before among earthquake and related environmental factors, low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the genetic variation of LDLR rs5925 was selected and PTSD was examined by PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version (PCLC) in adolescents with different genotypes of LDLR rs5925 longitudinally at 6, 12 and 18 months after the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. The C allele carriers were observed to have higher PTSD prevalence than the TT homozygotes in the male subjects, and higher PTSD prevalence and PCL-C scores in the female subjects only at 6 months. When compared to that at 12 months, decreased PTSD prevalence was observed at 18 months only in the female C allele carriers, but not in the female TT homozygotes or the male subjects. The potential risk factors of PTSD and predictors of PCL-C scores were different during the follow-up. LDLR rs5925 was one of the predictors for PCL-C scores at 6 and 12 months, and one of the potential factors for PTSD prevalence at 6 months. These results suggest that interactions may occur between earthquakes and other related environmental factors, which could affect the relationship of LDLR rs5925 with PTSD and be considered for individualized treatment.

The Leptin Gene rs7799039 Modulates the Prevalence of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder After an Earthquake in Han Chinese Adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: The study's aim was to examine the prevalence and severity of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) longitudinally among high school students with different genotypes of the leptin gene (LEP) rs7799039 after the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake in China. METHODS: The symptoms of PTSD were measured by the PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C) based on DSM-IV-TR criteria in 462 students at 6, 12, and 18 months after the earthquake. The genotypes of LEP rs7799039 were identified by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses in 2018 using genomic DNA prepared in 2008 and stored at -80°C and verified by DNA sequencing. The association of LEP genotypes with PTSD was then analyzed by various statistical methods. RESULTS: The AA homozygotes had higher prevalence of PTSD than the G allele carriers at 12 months (22.30% vs 10.53%, P = .013) and higher median (interquartile range [IQR]) PCL-C scores at 12 (27.00 [24.00-35.75] vs 26.00 [22.00-31.25], P = .010) and 18 months (27.00 [21.00-32.00] vs 24.00 [19.00-29.00], P = .003) post-earthquake among female subjects. Female students had higher PCL-C scores than male subjects at 6 and 12 months regardless of the genotypes but only among the AA homozygotes at 18 months (27.00 [21.00-32.00] vs 22.00 [18.00-26.00], P = .000). The potential risk factors for and predictors of PTSD severity differed at different time points during follow-up. LEP rs7799039 was a potential factor for PTSD at 12 months and a predictor of PTSD severity at 18 months post-earthquake. CONCLUSIONS: An association of LEP rs7799039 with the prevalence and severity of PTSD in Chinese adolescents was observed. These results indicate that females with the LEP rs7799039 AA genotype had more severe PTSD characteristics compared to female G allele carriers, suggesting that psychosocial or pharmacologic managements may particularly be needed by these female subjects.