[Efficacy and safety of transcatheter aortic valve replacement in the treatment of severe aortic stenosis].

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in the treatment of severe aortic stenosis. Methods: The clinical data of patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent TAVR at the People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region between September 2016 and September 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Changes in aortic transvalvular pressure gradients, valve orifice area, and activity tolerance of patients before and after the surgery were compared. Moreover, postoperative complications and follow-up results from 30 days to 6 years after the surgery were recorded. Results: A total of 76 patients were included in the study (50 males and 26 females), with an average age of (71.3±7.6) years, including 16 rheumatic valvular diseases, 60 senile degenerative diseases, 46 bicuspid valves and 30 tricuspid valves. The success rate of the operation was 96.1% (73/76). Compared with that before the operation, the mean aortic transvalvular pressure gradients decreased [(8.5±2.8) mmHg vs (68.5±19.2) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa),P<0.001], but the valve orifice area increased [(1.91±0.31) cm2 vs (0.65±0.21) cm2, P<0.001]. Likewise, six-minute walking test (6MWT) showed that walking distance was longer after the surgery [(430±13) m vs (201±28) m, P<0.001]. There were 1 case of retroperitoneal hematoma, 1 case of stricture balloon dilatation after femoral artery suture concomitant with postoperative puncture site infection, 1 case of femoral artery surgical incision, 2 cases of valve-in-valve (ViV) and 5 cases of perivalvular leakage (4 cases were mild and 1 case was moderate) after the surgery, respectively. Moreover, acute left main artery occlusion during operation occurred in 1 case, ventricular rupture during operation occurred in 1 case and the patient was transferred to valve replacement surgery and finally dead, delayed coronary artery occlusion and death happened in 1 case, and all of the above-mentioned 3 cases were due to surgical failure. Postoperative pacemaker implantation due to third-degree atrioventricular block was performed in 5 cases. There were 1 case of pulmonary embolism, 1 case of transient right limb disorder, 1 case of gastrointestinal bleeding and 1 case of urethral bleeding after the surgery, respectively. The patients were followed up for (1.0±0.1) years (30 days to 6 years), and the results showed that 2 cases died, including 1 case died suddenly at home (the cause of death was unknown) and 1 case died of acute heart failure 8 months after the surgery. Chronic heart failure occurred repeatedly in 6 cases. The quality of life of other patients improved significantly. Conclusion: TAVR is effective and safe for patients with severe aortic stenosis.

[Association between sleep quality/physical activity and metabolic syndrome in urban population of Xinjiang].

Objective: To explore the relationship between sleep/physical activity and metabolic syndrome (MS) in urban population of Xinjiang. Methods: This is a prospective, cross-sectional study. From July 2019 to September 2021, a two-stage random sampling method was used to randomly select residents aged 30-74 years from two communities in Urumqi of northern Xinjiang and Korla of southern Xinjiang. General situation questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Scale (PSQI) survey, International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) survey, physical examination, physiological and biochemical indicators were obtained and analyzed. The dose-response curves of healthy sleep score and physical activity with metabolic syndrome were plotted using restricted cubic spline curves. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the independent and combined effects of sleep quality and physical activity on MS risk. Results: A total of 10 209 participants were included. The mean age of the subjects was (47.1±9.1) years, and males accounted for 51.3% (5 275/10 209). The prevalence of MS was significantly associated with the healthy sleep score and physical activity. Compared to the subjects with healthy sleep, OR (95%CI) of MS with intermediate, and poor sleep were 1.20(1.06-1.35), 1.23(1.04-1.45), respectively. Compared to the subjects with high physical activity, OR (95%CI) of MS with medium, low physical activity was 1.34(1.15-1.56), 1.42(1.19-1.70), respectively. There was a significant interaction between sleep and physical activity in MS (P for interaction=0.002). Compared to the subjects with high physical activity and healthy sleep, OR (95%CI) of MS with poor sleep and high physical activity was 2.03 (1.24-3.33, P for trend=0.016). Conclusion: Poor sleep quality and lack of physical activity are not only independent risk factors for an increased risk of MS but also have a combined effect with an increased risk of MS.

Molecular tagging of biocontrol fungus Trichoderma asperellum and its colonization in soil.

AIMS: To conduct molecular tagging of the biocontrol fungus Trichoderma asperellum strain T4 and elucidate its colonization patterns in soil. METHODS AND RESULTS: We constructed an expression vector harbouring a hygromycin B-resistant gene (hph) and an efficient green fluorescent protein (egfp) gene. By applying Agrobacterium AGL-1-mediated genetic transformation technology, we conducted molecular tagging of T. asperellum and monitored the colonization dynamics of T. asperellum in soil. The results of tracking five independent transformants of T. asperellum indicated that its expansion rates ranged from 4·7 to 6·8 cm week-1 . After inoculation in soil, the quantities of T. asperellum could be maintained at over 10 × 104  CFU per gram soil in the first year. In the third year after inoculation, the quantities of T. asperellum in soil were still higher than 1 × 103  CFU per gram soil. In addition, molecularly tagged T. asperellum in soil in the second year (i.e. 12 months) after inoculation could still reach the biocontrol effect on cucumber Rhizoctonia rot by more than 74%. CONCLUSION: Trichoderma asperellum strain T4 is capable of effectively colonizing in soil and surviving for more than 1 year. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study has provided the scientific basis for applying T. asperellum as the biocontrol fungus for prevention and control of plant diseases.

[An advanced imaging method for measuring and assessing meibomian glands based on deep learning].

Objective: To evaluate the application value of a deep-learning-based imaging method for rapid measurement and evaluation of meibomian glands. Methods: Diagnostic evaluation study. From January 2017 to December 2018, 2 304 meibomian gland images of 576 dry eye patients who were treated at the Eye Center of Wuhan University People's Hospital with an average age of (40.03±11.46) years were collected to build a meibomian gland image database. These images were labeled by 2 clinicians, and a deep learning algorithm was used to build a model and detect the accuracy of the model in identifying and labeling the meibomian glands and calculating the rate of meibomian gland loss. Mean average precision (mAP) and validation loss were used to assess the accuracy of the model in identifying feature areas. Sixty-four meibomian gland images apart from the database were randomly selected and evaluated by 7 clinicians independently. The results were analyzed with paired t-test. Results: This model marked the meibomian conjunctiva (mAP>0.976, validation loss<0.35) and the meibomian gland (mAP>0.922, validation loss<1.0), respectively, thereby achieving high accuracy to calculate the area and ratio of meibomian gland loss. The proportion of meibomian glands marked by the model was 53.24%±11.09%, and the artificial marking was 52.13%±13.38%. There was no statistically significant difference (t=1.935, P>0.05). In addition, the model took only 0.499 second to evaluate each image, while the average time for clinicians was more than 10 seconds. Conclusion: The deep-learning-based imaging model can improve the accuracy of the examination and save time and be used for clinical auxiliary diagnosis and screening of diseases related to meibomian gland dysfunction.(Chin J Ophthalmol, 2020, 56: 774-779).

[Predictive value of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio on myocardial injury in severe COVID-19 patients].

Objective: To explore the predictive value of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) on myocardial injury in severe COVID-19 patients. Methods: In this single-center retrospective cohort study, we collected and analyzed data form 133 severe COVID-19 patients admitted to Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University (Eastern District) from January 30 to February 18, 2020. Patients were divided into myocardial injury group (n=29) and non-myocardial injury group (n=104) according the presence or absence of myocardial injury. The general information of patients was collected by electronic medical record database system. All patients were followed up for 30 days, the organ injury and/or dysfunction were monitored, the in-hospital death was compared between the two groups, and the disease progression was reevaluated and classified at 14 days after initial hospitalization. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors of myocardial injury in severe COVID-19 patients. The ROC of NLR was calculated, and the AUC was determined to estimate the optimal cut-off value of NLR for predicting myocardial injury in severe cases of COVID-19. Results: There was statistical significance in age, respiratory frequency, systolic blood pressure, symptoms of dyspnea, previous chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary heart disease history, white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, platelets, C-reactive protein, platelet counting, aspartate transaminase, albumin, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, urea, estimated glomerular filtration rate, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, D-dimer, CD3+, CD4+, partial pressure of oxygen, partial pressure of CO2, blood oxygen saturation, other organ injury, clinical outcome and prognosis between patients with myocardial injury and without myocardial injury (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that NLR was a risk factor for myocardial injury (OR=1.066，95%CI 1.021-1.111，P=0.033). ROC curve showed that NLR predicting AUC of myocardial injury in severe COVID-19 patients was 0.774 (95%CI 0.694-0.842), the optimal cut-off value of NLR was 5.768, with a sensitivity of 82.8%, and specificity of 69.5%. Conclusion: NLR may be used to predict myocardial injury in severe COVID-19 patients.

[Using next generation sequencing technology to analyze gene mutations in patients with acute myeloid leukemia and the impact on prognosis].

Objective: To analyze the distribution of gene mutations in newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients, based on next generation sequencing technology (NGS) and to evaluate their value in AML risk stratification. Methods: The study analyzed 453 newly diagnosed AML(excluded acute promyelocytic leukemia, APL) patients from seven hospitals in Shanghai, from January 1st 2014 to December 31th 2017. RNA and DNA were extracted from pretreatment bone marrow mononuclear cells and targeted sequencing of AML genes were performed. The data of different groups was compared. Results: A total of 453 newly diagnosed AML patients were enrolled in the study, including 247 males and 206 females with a median age of 49.5 (range,11-85) years. A total of 540 mutations/fusion genes were detected in 289 patients, 29.1% (132/259) of whom with two or more mutations/fusion genes. In all patients, NPM1 was the most common mutation(12.8%), followed by ETO and TET2 mutation (11.92% and 11.04%, respectively) . And WT1 over-expression accounted for 10.6%. Patients over the age of 50 were with a higher frequency of mutations associated with epigenetic modification, 11.93% for ASXL1, 13.99% for DMNT3A, 6.58% for IDH1/IDH2, and 13.17% for TET2. The frequency of DMNT3A mutations was three times higher than that of patients under 50 years of age (P=0.017). In this study, a relatively low proportion of genetic mutations was observed in low-risk karyotype group. In the medium-risk karyotype group, the relatively high mutation frequencies were observed in NPM1, TET2, FLT3-ITD, DNMT3A, ASXL1, and CEBPA genes. In the poor-risk karyotype group, the mutation frequencies of ASXL1, TET2, DNMT3A and PHF6 genes were more than 10%, especially ASXL1 and PHF6 mutation frequencies were significantly higher than other molecular risk stratification groups (P<0.05). Of the 254 patients (56%) with normal karyotype AML (NK-AML), 56 patients were detected to have gene mutations about epigenetic modification. The median OS of this group was worse than that of patients without related mutations, while the median LFS had no significant difference. In patients with NK-AML older than 50 years, the OS and LFS of patients with epigenetic modification related gene mutations was 12 months and 10 months, versus 18 months and 12 months of patients without mutations. Conclusions: The gene mutations frequencies in AML patients with different age and molecular risk stratification groups are different. Epigenetics gene mutation frequencies, such as DNMT3A, ASXL1, IDH1/IDH2 and TET2,are higher in patients older than 50 years. A shorter OS can be observed in older patients(>50 years) with epigenetics gene mutation.

[Comparison on the 10 years risk for ischemic cardiovascular disease among Han, Uygur, Kazak population from Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region].

Objective: To compare the 10 years risk for ischemic cardiovascular disease among Han, Uygur, Kazak nationality residents of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Methods: From October 2007 to October 2010,14 618 adult (aged ≥35 years) Han (n=5 757),Uygur (n=4 767) and Kazak (n=4 094) residents were selected to join this study through the four-stage stratified cluster sampling method from 7 cities and regions of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The 10 years risk for ischemic cardiovascular disease was calculated according to the 10 years ischemic cardiovascular disease risk assessment form modified with Chinese characteristics and compared among the residents of 3 nationalities. Results: (1) There were significant differences in age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure,fasting blood glucose,triglycerides,total cholesterol,low-density lipoprotein,high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, smoking history, and drinking history among Han, Uygur, Kazak nationality population (all P< 0.001). (2) There were significant differences in 10 years risk for ischemic cardiovascular disease between different gender and age group including 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, and ≥60 years old between Han, Uygur, Kazak nationality population (all P<0.001). (3) There were significant differences in rates of 10%-20% and>20% of 10 years risk for ischemic cardiovascular disease between different gender in Han, Uygur, Kazak nationality population (P values were 0.013 and <0.001, respectively). There were no significant differences in rates of <5% and 5%-9% of 10 years risk for ischemic cardiovascular disease between different gender in Han,Uygur,Kazak nationality population (all P>0.05).(4) There were significant differences in detection rates of diabetes,hypertension,smoking,hypertriglyceridemia,and obesity in male and female Han,Uygur,Kazak nationality population with 10 years risk for ischemic cardiovascular disease ≥10% (P<0.01 or 0.05). Meanwhile,there was significant difference in detection rates of hypercholesteremia in male Han, Uygur, Kazak nationality adults(P<0.001). There were no significant differences in detection rates of elevated low density lipoprotein cholesterol and reduced high density lipoprotein cholesterol in male and female Han,Uygur,Kazak nationality adults (all P>0.05). Conclusion: There are gender and age differences in the 10 years risk for ischemic cardiovascular disease in ≥35 years old Han,Uygur,Kazak nationality adults from Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

[Comparison of the etiological constitution of two and three or more recurrent miscarriage].

Objective: To compare the etiological constitution of recurrent miscarriage (RM) between patients with consecutive two and three or more miscarriages through combining the routine examination results and embryonic karyotype. Methods: Patients with a history of two or more consecutive clinical miscarriages (≤12 weeks of gestation) consulting in the RM clinic of the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from March 2011 to January 2016 were collected. Six hundred and ninety-six with detailed history recorded, routine clinical examinations of RM and at least once embryonic karyotype were ultimately enrolled in this study. Their etiological constitution of RM were analyzed in groups of consecutive two and three or more miscarriage. The etiologies of RM in analysis consisted of women age, body mass index (BMI) , chromosome abnormalities of couples, uterine abnormalities, endocrinology abnormalities and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) . Results: (1) Among 696 patients, the abnormal embryonic karyotypes was 60.6% (422/696) and routine RM etiologies was 32.2% (224/696) , leaving the ratio of unexplained RM was only 29.0% (202/696). (2) A total of 717 embryo karyotype were found in 696 patients, included21 cases with twice embryo karyotype results the percentage of normal embryo was 39.7% (285/717) , while abnormal ones was 60.3% (432/717). Among the types of abnormal karyotype, the most common ones (>10%) were trisomy 16 (19.2%, 83/432) , monosome X (11.3%, 49/432) and trisomy 22 (10.9%, 47/432). (3) Among the 696 RM patients, the number of two and three or more miscarriages were respectively 446 (64.1%, 446/696) and 250 (35.9%, 250/696). Comparing groups of three or more miscarriages with two miscarriages, there were significant differencein older age as well as uterine adhesion (P<0.05). But no difference was found in body mass index (BMI) , the rates of chromosome abnormalities of couples, uterine abnormalities except uterine adhesion, endocrinology abnormalities and APS (all P>0.05) between two groups. Conclusions: The abnormal embryonic karyotype is the most common cause of first-trimester RM. The etiological constitution of two and three or more recurrent miscarriages is accordant, suggesting that routine clinical examination and the embryonic karyotype should be started following two consecutive clinical early miscarriages.

Effect of weight bearing exercise to improve bone mineral density in children with cerebral palsy: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Despite widespread clinical use of weight bearing exercises to manage low bone mineral density (BMD) in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP), previous studies have reported heterogeneous results on the effect of weight bearing exercise on BMD. PURPOSE: We performed the current meta-analysis to assess the effects of weight bearing exercise on increasing BMD in children who have CP with low BMD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase from inception through to October 2016 for studies that aims to investigate the effect of weight bearing exercise on BMD in children with CP. Following the searching result, the 118 relevant studies were reviewed and undergone selection process. Standardized mean difference (SMD), 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and p-values were calculated for analysis. RESULTS: Three studies were ultimately included in the meta-analysis: one randomized-controlled study and two case-controlled studies. No significant difference was observed in the BMD of the lumbar spine between before treatment and after treatment (SMD,0.341; 95% CI,-0.647-1.330; p=0.449) but the BMD of the femur significantly improved after applying weight bearing exercise compared to pre-treatment values (SMD, 0.916; 95% CI, 0.382-1.114; p⟨0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Weight bearing exercise has a significant effect on improving BMD of the femur in children with CP.

[Current status regarding the cardiovascular disease-related risk levels among the hypertensive population of different ethnicities in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the status of the cardiovascular disease associated risk levels among hypertensive population of Han, Uygur and Kazakh ethnicities, in Xinjiang Uygur Autonornous Region, to guide hypertension prevention and treatment in different ethnicities. METHODS: Four stages random cluster sampling method was used, and all the data was collected from Xinjiang local residents aged over 18 between October 2007 and March 2010. RESULTS: A total of 14 618 subjects completed this survey, in which 2 654 Han, 1 612 Uygur and 2034 Kazakh people diagnosed with hypertension was included in this research. Most of them were"grade 1 hypertension", and the percentage of grade 3 hypertension was Han (19.1%), Uygur (17.3%) and Kazakh (32.3%), respectively. Majority hypertensive people accompanied with 1 risk factor. The risk proportions of low, medium, high and very high in hypertension population of different ethnicities were Han (19.4%, 34.6%, 46.1%), Uygur (17.7%, 37.6%, 44.7%), Kazakh (12.5%, 38.0%, 49.4%) respectively. In Han, Uygur and Kazakh ethnicities, the percentage of high risk and very high risk was highest in hypertensive men aged over 60 years old.The percentages of hypertension awareness were 42.0%, 45.6%, 46.5% and percentages of medicine therapy were 29.6%, 23.4%, 25.2% for Han, Uygur and Kazakh ethnicities, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Hypertensive people among Han, Uygur and Kazakh ethnicities in Xinjiang are mainly under high risk and very high risk situation of cardiovascular disease, especially in men aged ≥60. The percentage of hypertension awareness and medicine therapy in high risk and very high risk population is the highest, while percentage of awareness in medium risk population is low.

[Role and related mechanism of S1P/S1P1 signal pathway during post conditioning of hypertrophic cardiomyocytes].

OBJECTIVE: To study the role and mechanism of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P)/ sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1(S1P1) signal pathway during post conditioning of hypertrophic cardiomyocytes. METHODS: Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were isolated and cultured, then stimulated by norepinephrine (NE) to induce cardiomyocytes hypertrophy. Using tri-gas incubator to create hypoxia and reoxygenation enviroment to mimic ischemia-reperfusion and postconditioning. Hypertrophic cardiomyoctyes were divided into five groups according to the presence or absence of various drugs and postconditiong and relevant signal pathways changes were detected: (1) IPost group (hypoxia+ postconditioning); (2) IPost+ S1P group (cells were pretreated with S1P (1 µmol/L) for 2 h before IPost); (3) IPost+ W-146+ S1P group (cells in IPost+ W-146+ S1P group were pretreated with S1P1 inhibitor W-146 (0.4 µmol/L) for 20 min); (4) IPost+ PD98059+ S1P group (cells in IPost+ S1P group were pretreated with MAPK antagonist PD98059 (125 µmol/L) for 20 min); (5) IPost+ LY-294002+ S1P group (cells in IPost+ S1P group were pretreated with PI3K antagonist LY294002 (0.1 µmol/L) for 20 min). Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry and protein expression of relevant signal pathways were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: (1)Apoptosis rate was significantly increased in hypoxia/reoxygenation (27.90±4.49)% group compared with normal control group (7.97±2.18)%, which could be significantly reduced in IPost group (15.90±1.77)% (all P<0.05). (2)Apoptosis rate and caspase-3 expression were both significantly lower in IPost+ S1P and IPost+ S1P+ LY-294002 groups than in IPost and IPost+ S1P+ W-146 and IPost+ S1P+ PD98059 group (all P<0.05). (3)p-ERK1/2 expression was significantly higher in IPost+ S1P and IPost+ S1P+ LY-294002 group than in IPost and IPost+ S1P+ W-146 group and IPost+ S1P+ PD98059 group (all P<0.05) while p-Akt expression was similar among IPost, IPost+ S1P+ W-146 and IPost+ S1P+ PD98059 groups. p-ERK1/2 and p-Akt levels in IPost+ S1P+ W-146 group and IPost+ S1P+ PD98059 were similar as in IPost group. CONCLUSIONS: S1P can play protective role on NE induced cardiomyocytes hypertrophy during post conditioning through downregulating caspase-3 expression and reducing apoptosis rate via targeting S1P1 and activating ERK1/2 signal pathway.

[Effect and potential mechanism of ß3-adrenoceptor activation on fibrosis in cardiac fibroblast cell].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of ß3 adrenergic receptor (ß3-AR) on fibrosis in cardiac fibroblasts(CFBs) and explore the related mechanisms. METHODS: Neonatal CFBs were divided into negative control group (N-CFC): CFBs without any intervention; group treated with ß3 adrenergic receptor agonist (AngⅡ-CFC-ß3-AR BRL): CFBs treated with 10(-6) mol/L angiotensin Ⅱ(AngⅡ), 1 hour later treated with 10(-5) mol/L ß3 adrenergic receptor agonist (ß3-AR BRL37344); group treated with ß3 adrenergic receptor antagonist (AngⅡ-CFC-ß3-AR SR): CFBs treated with 10(-6) mol/L AngⅡ, 1 hour later treated with 10(-5) mol/L ß3 adrenergic receptor antagonist (ß3-AR SR59230A); and positive control group (AngⅡ-CFC): CFBs treated with 10(-6) mol/L AngⅡonly. Proliferation of CFBs was detected by the method of WST-1. Protein expression of ß3-AR, transforming growth factor ß1 receptor (TGF-ß1-R), transforming growth factor ß1(TGF-ß1), Smad-2, phospho-Smad-2 (p-Smad-2), collagen-Ⅰ (COL-Ⅰ) and collagen-Ⅲ(COL-Ⅲ) was determined by Western blot assay. RESULTS: (1) The proliferation of CFBs was the highest in AngⅡ-CFC-ß3-AR BRL, followed by AngⅡ-CFC-ß3-AR SR and AngⅡ-CFC group (all P<0.05 vs. N-CFC group). (2) The protein expression level of ß3-AR, TGF-ß1-R, TGF-ß1 and p-Smad-2 was in the same order as proliferation of CFBs. (3) The expression level of COL-Ⅰ and COL-Ⅲ protein was also in the same order as proliferation of CFBs. CONCLUSION: Activation of ß3-AR may promote fibrosis of CFBs through the TGF-ß/Smad signaling pathway and thus aggravate myocardial remodeling.

Genetic polymorphisms of serum amyloid A1 and coronary artery disease risk.

Serum amyloid A (SAA) protein is not only an inflammatory factor but also an apolipoprotein that can replace apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1) as the major apolipoprotein of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). However, the relationship between genetic polymorphisms of SAA and coronary artery disease (CAD) remains unclear. A total of four single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs12218, rs4638289, rs7131332, and rs11603089) of the SAA gene were genotyped using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method in two independent case-control studies, one of the Han population (1416 CAD patients and 1373 control subjects) and the other of the Uygur population (588 CAD patients and 529 control subjects). We found that the rs12218 CC genotype was more frequent among the CAD patients than among the controls in both the Han (8.3% vs. 4.8%, P < 0.001) and Uygur populations (15.5% vs. 11.3%, P < 0.05). After adjustments for confounding factors, such as sex, age, smoking, drinking, hypertension, diabetes, and serum levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL, and plasma SAA, the differences remained significant in the Han (CC vs. CT+TT, P < 0.001, OR = 3.863, 95% CI: 1.755-12.477) and Uygur groups (CC vs. CT+TT, P = 0.031, OR = 3.022, 95% CI: 1.033-8.840). Genetic polymorphisms in SAA1 are associated with CAD in the Han and Uygur populations in western China.

Activity of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 in cultured rabbit corneal epithelium cells stimulated by tumor necrosis factor alpha.

We studied the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) 2 and 9 generated by cultured rabbit corneal epithelium cells that had been stimulated with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), to investigate the possible regulative mechanisms of MMP-2/9 and their potential effect on corneal inflammatory diseases. The rabbit corneal epithelium cells were cultured in vitro and incubated with different concentrations of TNF-α (0, 1, 10, and 100 ng/mL) for 24 h. The activity of MMP-2/9 was examined using gelatin zymography. The results were analyzed by computer image analysis and statistical tests. TNF-α stimulated the secretion of MMP-2/9 in a dose-dependent manner, and MMP-2 was activated by TNF-α. Inflammatory factors such as TNF-α can stimulate MMP-2/9 activity in corneal epithelium cells. This may be a potential manipulating mechanism of MMP expression in the pathogenesis of corneal diseases, and could play an important role in the prevention and treatment of corneal inflammatory diseases.

Association of a transforming growth factor-ß1 polymorphism with acute coronary syndrome in a Chinese Han population.

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a complex multifactorial and polygenic disorder that is thought to result from the interaction between an individual's genetic makeup and various environmental factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of a transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) polymorphism (-509C>T) with ACS in a Chinese Han population. The TGF-ß1 polymorphism was evaluated in 336 patients with ACS and 396 healthy control subjects by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The genotype distributions of the control and ACS groups were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (X(2) = 3.54 and X(2) = 1.72, respectively, P > 0.05). The frequencies of the CC, CT, and TT genotypes were 22.61, 53.57, and 20.83% in the ACS group, respectively, whereas they were 8.33, 48.74, and 42.17% in controls. There were significant differences between controls and ACS patients in the frequencies of the CC genotype and the C allele. These results suggest that the promoter polymorphism (-509C>T) in TGF-ß1 is associated with ACS in this population. The CC genotype and the C allele of TGF-ß1 might be a specific risk factor of ACS in the Chinese Han population in Xinjiang.

Relationship between serum creatinine and obesity in children in Xinjiang, China.

This study was designed to analyze the relationship between serum creatinine and body mass index in children in Xinjiang, China. We used a stratified sampling method to select 5222 children aged 6-17 years in 3 areas in Xinjiang and then measured serum creatinine with an enzymatic method. Our analysis showed that the mean serum creatinine of the various age groups differed, and the reference value increased gradually with age. In the groups with subjects older than 10 years, the serum creatinine values had a positive correlation with body mass index (r = 0.016, 10- and 11-year-olds; r = 0.177, 12- and 13-year-olds; r = 0.314, 14- and 15-year-olds; r = 0.380, 16- and 17-year-olds; P < 0.05). In the multivariate regression analysis model, the positive relationship existed even after we removed influencing factors such as blood sugar and cholesterol (ß = 0.041, 10- and 11-year-olds; ß = 0.081, 12- and 13-year-olds; ß = 0.183, 14- and 15-year-olds; ß = 0.171, 16- and 17-year-olds; P < 0.05). Obesity is an independent risk factor associated with increasing serum creatinine levels in children aged more than 10 years. Weight control is important in the protection of renal function.

Association study of plasma NT-proBNP levels and severity of acute coronary syndrome.

The aim of this study was to investigate the N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide precursor (NT-proBNP) levels in the peripheral blood of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and to provide the basis for its application in the early diagnosis of ACS. A total of 440 patients admitted to the hospital for examination and treatment were enrolled, including 330 patients with ACS and 110 cases in the control group. Routine blood examination and determination of NT-proBNP in all subjects were conducted immediately at the time of admission to analyze the difference in plasma NT-proBNP between the two groups. The plasma NT-proBNP levels in ACS were significantly higher (P < 0.01) and were associated with the severity of coronary lesions. The present study indicated that the plasma NT-proBNP level in ACS patients is significantly increased and has a potential value in the early diagnosis of ACS.

Relationship between the acylation-stimulating protein gene and coronary heart disease in the Xinjiang Uygur and Han populations of China.

The association of the single nucleotide polymorphism 301T>C in the coding region of the acylation-stimulating protein (ASP) gene with coronary heart disease (CHD) was investigated in the Uygur (385 CHD patients and 483 control subjects) and Han (390 CHD patients and 439 control subjects) populations of China. The frequency of the CC and CT genotypes was significantly higher in patients with CHD compared to the control group (55.3 vs 46.2%, P = 0.001) in the Uygur population, but in the Han population, the frequency was significantly higher in the control group (51.7 vs 24.4%, P < 0.001). In addition, the C allele was significantly associated with CHD in the Uygur population (C allele: 33.8 vs 26.2%, T allele: 66.2 vs 73.8%; P = 0.004) and in the Han population (C allele: 14.5 vs 30.3%, T allele: 85.5 vs 69.7%; P < 0.001). The CC genotype was independently associated with increased risk of coronary artery disease when adjusted for other cardiovascular risk factors [odds ratio (OR) = 2.189, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.251-3.830, P = 0.001] in the Uygur population, but was a protective factor for CHD in the Han population (OR = 0.373, 95%CI = 0.187-0.745, P = 0.005). In conclusion, the 301T>C polymorphism of the ASP gene that influences the serum triglycerides level in the Uygur population, is associated with the development of CHD, and the CC genotype might be a risk factor of CHD.

The organic acid environmental capacity of mangrove ecosystem in Dongzhai harbor, Hainan, China.

To establish a method for studying the organic acid environmental capacity of mangrove ecosystems, high-performance liquid chromatography was used to measure the organic acid detoxification agent; Using different cultivation methods to determine the toxicity threshold of organic acids on mangrove plants; Calculate the environmental capacity of organic acids by combining the toxicity threshold of organic acids with the volume of water in the study area. The results showed the range of toxicity thresholds of organic acids to 25.29-30 mg/L would have an inhibitory effect on the development of mangrove plant hypocotyls; The organic acid environmental capacity of Dongzhai harbor Mangrove Wetland Protection Area is 7.76 × 10^4 kg/d ~ 8.73 × 10^4 kg/d, while the estimated organic acid emissions from shrimp ponds around Dongzhai harbor are 7.06 × 10^3 kg/d ~ 7.83 × 10^3 kg/d. Therefore, the organic acid emissions from shrimp ponds around Dongzhai harbor are within the carrying range of the mangrove wetland ecosystem in Dongzhai harbor.