Preparation and anti-leakage properties of hydroxyethyl cellulose-g-poly (butyl acrylate-co-vinyl acetate) emulsion.

A hydroxyethyl cellulose-g-poly (butyl acrylate-co-vinyl acetate)(HEC-g-P (BA-co-VAc)) emulsion was synthesized by free radical emulsion polymerization method from hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), butyl acrylate (BA) and vinyl acetate (VAc) in the presence of emulsifier sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS). The structure, thermal stability and morphology of the emulsion were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and other analytical techniques. The results proved that BA and VAc monomers had grafted with HEC. Its thermal stability was also significantly improved compared to HEC. Moreover, the prepared emulsion was evaluated to study the performance of preventing water leakage in soil. Compared with the published anti-leakage materials prepared by directly doping hydroxyethyl cellulose, the emulsion interacted with attapulgite to form a dense consolidation layer, which had better anti-leakage performance and water retention. Therefore, the material was more favorable for popularization and application in arid and semi-arid areas.

Common variants in LTBP3 gene contributed to the risk of hip osteoarthritis in Han Chinese population.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common chronic joint disease affected by environmental and genetic factors. The LTBP3 gene may be involved in the occurrence and development of OA by regulating TGF-ß activity and the TGF-ß signaling pathway. A total of 2780 study subjects, including 884 hip OA cases and 1896 controls, were recruited. Nine tag single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located within the LTBP3 gene region were selected for genotyping. Genetic association analyses were performed at both the genotypic and allelic levels. GTEx data were extracted to investigate the functional consequence of significant SNPs. SNP rs10896015 was significantly associated with the risk of hip OA at both the genotypic (P=0.0019) and allelic levels (P=0.0009). The A allele of this SNP was significantly associated with a decreased risk of HOA (OR [95%CI] = 0.79 [0.69-0.91]). This SNP was also significantly associated with the clinical severity of hip OA. SNP rs10896015 could affect the gene expression of 11 genes, including LTBP3, in multiple human tissues based on GTEx data. We obtained evidence for a genetic association between the LTBP3 gene and hip OA susceptibility and clinical severity based on Chinese Han populations. Our findings replicated the association signals reported by a recent genome-wide association study and deepen the basic understanding of osteoarthritis pathology.

Evaluation of Relationship Between Common Variants in FGF18 Gene and Knee Osteoarthritis Susceptibility.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis disease. Previous etiological studies indicated that both environmental and genetic factors play important roles in the occurrence and development of knee OA (KOA). In the present study, we aimed to investigate the association between the FGF18 gene and susceptibility to KOA in Han Chinese population. METHODS: A total of 2,556 unrelated Han Chinese individuals, including 866 KOA patients and 1,688 healthy controls, were recruited. Nine tag SNPs located within the gene region of FGF18 were selected for genotyping. Logistic models were fitted for single marker-based association analyses. Age, gender and BMI were included in each model as covariates. To investigate the functional consequences of significant SNP, we extracted expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) data from the GTEx database. RESULTS: SNP rs3884606 was significantly associated with the risk of KOA (OR [95% CI] = 1.25 [1.11-1.41], p = 0.0002) after adjusting for age, gender and BMI. The G allele was significantly associated with an increased risk of KOA. No significant eQTL signals could be identified for SNP rs3884606 on FGF18. CONCLUSION: In this study, we identified a genetic polymorphism in FGF18 that was significantly associated with the risk of KOA based on samples with Chinese Han ancestry. Our findings replicated the recent GWAS report and supported an association between KOA and FGF18.

[Research & development on computer expert system for forensic bones estimation].

OBJECTIVE: To build an expert system for forensic bones estimation. METHODS: By using the object oriented method, employing statistical data of forensic anthropology, combining the statistical data frame knowledge representation with productions and also using the fuzzy matching and DS evidence theory method. RESULTS: Software for forensic estimation of sex, age and height with opened knowledge base was designed. CONCLUSION: This system is reliable and effective, and it would be a good assistant of the forensic technician.