The association between the essential metal mixture and fasting plasma glucose in Chinese community-dwelling elderly people.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies about the effect of essential metal mixture on fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels among elderly people are sparse. The object of this study was to examine the associations of single essential metals and essential metal mixture with FPG levels in Chinese community-dwelling elderly people. METHODS: The study recruited 2348 community-dwelling elderly people in total. Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry was adopted to detect the levels of vanadium (V), selenium (Se), magnesium (Mg), cobalt (Co), calcium (Ca), and molybdenum (Mo) in urine. The relationships between single essential metals and essential metal mixture and FPG levels were evaluated by linear regression and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models, respectively. RESULTS: In multiple-metal linear regression models, urine V and Mg were negatively related to the FPG levels (ß = - 0.016, 95 % CI: - 0.030 to - 0.003 for V; ß = - 0.021, 95 % CI: - 0.033 to - 0.009 for Mg), and urine Se was positively related to the FPG levels (ß = 0.024, 95 % CI: 0.014-0.034). In BKMR model, the significant relationships of Se and Mg with the FPG levels were also found. The essential metal mixture was negatively associated with FPG levels in a dose-response pattern, and Mg had the maximum posterior inclusion probability (PIP) value (PIP = 1.0000), followed by Se (PIP = 0.9968). Besides, Co showed a significant association with decreased FPG levels in older adults without hyperlipemia and in women. CONCLUSIONS: Both Mg and Se were associated with FPG levels, individually and as a mixture. The essential metal mixture displayed a linear dose-response relationship with reduced FPG levels, with Mg having the largest contribution to FPG levels, followed by Se. Further prospective investigations are necessary to validate these exploratory findings.

The association between essential trace element mixture and cognitive function in Chinese community-dwelling older adults.

BACKGROUND: The evidence about the effect of essential trace element (ETE) mixture on cognitive function amongst older adults is limited. This study aims to evaluate the associations of single ETEs and ETE mixture with cognitive function using a representative sample of community-dwelling older adults in China. METHODS: A total of 3814 older adults were included in the study. Urinary concentrations of selenium (Se), vanadium (V), cobalt (Co), strontium (Sr), and molybdenum (Mo) were detected by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Cognitive function in older adults was assessed using the Chinese version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Linear regression and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) were performed to explore the associations of single ETEs and ETE mixture with cognitive function, respectively. RESULTS: Linear regression showed that urinary levels of Se and V were positively associated with MMSE scores in the adjusted single-element models. BKMR also showed marginally positive associations of Se and V with MMSE scores. Moreover, higher urinary levels of ETE mixture were significantly associated with increased MMSE scores in a dose-response pattern, and Se was the most important contributor within the mixture. Both Se and V demonstrated positive additive effects on the associations of other ETEs with MMSE scores, whereas Co had a negative additive effect. CONCLUSIONS: V and Se are positively associated with cognitive function, individually and as a mixture. ETE mixture exhibits a linear dose-response association with improved cognitive function, with Se being the most important component within the mixture. Mixture analyses rather than single ETE analyses may provide a real-world perspective on the relationship between ETE mixture and cognitive function. Further cohort studies are needed to clarify the association of multiple ETEs with cognitive function.

Alpha-fetoprotein/endoplasmic reticulum stress signaling mitigates injury in hepatoma cells.

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress play multiple roles in hepatocellular carcinoma. Here, we analyzed the crosstalk between AFP and ER stress in human hepatoma cells. We induced ER stress in human hepatoma cell lines (HepG2 and SK-Hep1 cells) with thapsigargin (TG, an ER stress inducer), and mitigated ER stress with 4-phenylbutyrate acid (4-PBA, an ER stress inhibitor). AFP expression was knocked down by AFP short hairpin RNA and rescued by the pCI-AFP vector. AFP expression and ER stress were examined, and their roles in apoptosis, necroptosis, and proliferation were analyzed. TG significantly induced ER stress, apoptosis, necroptosis, and intracellular AFP protein levels, and reduced proliferation and AFP mRNA expression as well as supernatant AFP protein levels in HepG2 and SK-Hep1 cells. 4-PBA pretreatment partially reversed those changes in HepG2 cells. By contrast to AFP overexpression, knockdown of AFP significantly exacerbated TG-induced ER stress, apoptosis, and necroptosis, and decreased proliferation and the expression of activating transcription factor 6 alpha. In conclusion, ER stress causes the accumulation of AFP protein, which may be related to the reduction of AFP secretion. Accumulated AFP mitigates apoptosis and necroptosis and restores the proliferation of hepatoma cells by reducing ER stress.

Phosphorylation of eIF2α mitigates endoplasmic reticulum stress and hepatocyte necroptosis in acute liver injury.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Necroptosis and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been implicated in acute and chronic liver injury. Activated eukaryotic initiation factor 2 alpha (eIF2α) attenuates protein synthesis and relieves the load of protein folding in the ER. In this study, we aimed to analyze the impact of eIF2α phosphorylation on hepatocyte necroptosis in acute liver injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male BALB/c mice were injected with tunicamycin or d-galactosamine, and LO2 cells were incubated with tunicamycin to induce acute liver injury. 4-Phenylbutyric acid (PBA) and salubrinal were used to inhibit ER stress and eIF2α dephosphorylation, respectively. We analyzed the eIF2α phosphorylation, ER stress, and hepatocyte necroptosis in mice and cells model. RESULTS: Tunicamycin or d-galactosamine significantly induced ER stress and necroptosis, as well as eIF2α phosphorylation, in mice and LO2 cells (p<0.05). ER stress aggravated tunicamycin-induced hepatocyte necroptosis in mice and LO2 cells (p<0.05). Elevated eIF2α phosphorylation significantly mitigated hepatocyte ER stress (p<0.05) and hepatocyte necroptosis in mice (34.37±3.39% vs 22.53±2.18%; p<0.05) and LO2 cells (1±0.11 vs 0.33±0.05; p<0.05). Interestingly, tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) 1 protein levels were not completely synchronized with necroptosis. TNFR1 expression was reduced in d-galactosamine-treated mice (p<0.05) and cells incubated with tunicamycin for 12 and 24h (p<0.05). ER stress partially restored TNFR1 expression and increased necroptosis in tunicamycin-incubated cells (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results imply that ER stress can mediate hepatocyte necroptosis independent of TNFR1 signaling and elevated eIF2α phosphorylation can mitigate ER stress during acute liver injury.

The relationship between demands for lung cancer screening and the constructs of health belief model: a cross-sectional survey in Hefei, China.

The aim of investigation is to explore the relationship between demands for lung cancer screening (LCS) and the constructs derived from the health belief model (HBM) in Hefei. The study collected data about socio-demographics, health beliefs in and demands for LCS during early June to later July 2015. By constructing a LCS demands HBM constructs, it calculated indices of demands for LCS (DSI) and HBM constructs, which include perceived risk (PR) and seriousness (PS) of the cancers; and perceived effectiveness (PE), benefits (PB) and difficulties (PD) of the screening. It also performed descriptive and multivariate regression analysis of the demands and the HBM constructs. The amount of 823 respondents participated and completed the survey. 6.4% of them had ever undertaken LCS, whereas 60.1% of them expressed willingness to accept the service of LCS if it is free. In multiple regression analysis which used weights in calculating the HBM construct indices, education displayed significant positive associations with DSI (p = .044), and most of HBM constructs indices (PSI, PRI, PBI, and PDI) were statistically significant with DSI (p < .05). HBM-based constructs regarding LCS have important effects on demands for the service, and may provide effective paths to cancer screening promotion.

The decreased frequency of SIGIRR-positive CD4+ T cells in peripheral blood of patients with SLE and its correlation with disease activity.

Recently, many studies have shown that Single immunoglobulin interleukin-1 receptor related protein (SIGIRR), a member of the IL-1R family acting as a negative regulator of TLR/IL-1R signaling, affects autoimmune responses in animal model of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, the role of SIGIRR in the pathogenesis of human SLE has not been widely explored. In this study, we analyzed the frequency of SIGIRR-positive CD4+ T cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of SLE patients and its correlation with disease activity as well as the clinical data. Circulating SIGIRR-positive CD4+ T cells were quantified in 51 SLE patients and 38 healthy controls by using flow cytometer. Results showed that the percentages of SIGIRR-positive CD4+ T cells were decreased in the PBMCs of SLE patients compared with healthy controls (Z = -5.49, P < 0.001). The frequency of SIGIRR-positive CD4 + T cells were also significantly decreased in SLE patients with nephritis than those without nephritis (Z = -3.71, P < 0.001). In addition, there was significant correlation between the percentages of SIGIRR-positive CD4+ T cells and SLEDAI score (r s = -0.74, P < 0.001), 24-hour urine protein (r s = -0.62, P < 0.001), Scr (r s = -0.65, P < 0.001), ESR (r s = -0.60, P < 0.001), C3 (r s = 0.53, P < 0.001) as well as C4 (r s = 0.52, P < 0.001). However, there was no correlation between the proportion of SIGIRR-positive CD4+ T cells and glucocorticoid dose (P = 0.59). In summary, decreased numbers of SIGIRR-positive CD4+ T cells in SLE patients and its correlation with SLEDAI score as well as the clinical data suggest that SIGIRR may be involved in the pathogenesis of SLE.

Lack of association between the polymorphisms of hypoxia-inducible factor 1A (HIF1A) gene and SLE susceptibility in a Chinese population.

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) introduced the immune imbalance between Th17 and Treg cells, which may play an important role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim of the present study was to determine whether the HIF1A gene influences the susceptibility to SLE. A study on this relationship has not been conducted to date. A total of 3,793 subjects (1,497 SLE patients and 2,296 controls) were included in this study. The genotyping of five single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs11549465, rs12434438, rs1957757, rs1951795, rs7143164) was determined by Sequenom MassARRAY technology. The statistical analysis was conducted using chi-square test. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated using unconditional logistic regression with adjustment of age and sex. The allele frequencies were not associated with the disease. No significant differences in genotype frequencies existed between the patients with SLE and the controls in all five SNPs. It is worth mentioning that the allele T at rs11549465, located at the exon sequence, revealed a trend but no significant difference towards the more frequent allele T in SLE than in controls (C versus T: OR=1.206, 95 % CI=0.972-1.495, p =0.088). The genotype effects of recessive, dominant, and codominant models were observed; however, no significant evidence for association was detected. Our findings suggest that the gene polymorphisms of HIF1A might not contribute to SLE susceptibility in the Chinese population. However, further studies are needed on an independent cohort from different genetic backgrounds to confirm HIF1A as an SLE genetic factor.

Prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus and risk factors in rural areas of Anhui Province.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a severe complex rheumatic disease, but good estimate of its prevalence and risk factors is lacking in China. The aim of the study was to explore the prevalence of SLE and risk factors in rural areas of Anhui Province of China. Eleven counties were randomly selected in Anhui Province, and then, 15% of the villages in selected counties were randomly sampled as study sites. Patients with SLE were identified through two phases. Based on the cases identified, a population-based case-control study was designed to examine risk factors associated with SLE. A total of 1,253,832 individuals and identified 471 SLE cases were surveyed. Crude and age-standardized prevalence were estimated at 37.56 and 36.03 per 100,000 persons, respectively. Gender difference in the prevalence of SLE was significant (P = 4.62 × 10(-76)), and the age-standardized prevalence was 6.17 for males and 67.78 for females per 100,000 persons. The distribution of SLE prevalence was significant by age group (P = 1.78 × 10(-53)), and the peak prevalence was observed at 40-50 years. Multiple environmental factors were associated with SLE, including birth conditions, sweet food, cooking oil, taste, fruit consumption, sunlight exposure, quality of sleep, physical activities, drinking water, residence, negative life events, hepatitis B vaccine, age of menarche, and age at birth of first child (P < 0.05). Our large population-based epidemiological survey estimated the prevalence of SLE at 37.56 per 100,000 persons. Multiple environmental factors were associated with the development of SLE.

Association of P2X7R gene polymorphisms with systemic lupus erythematosus in a Chinese population.

The P2X7 receptor is a ligand-gated cationic channel receptor that is actived by ATP and normally expressed by a variety of immune system cells, including macrophages and lymphocytes. Because it leads to release of IL-1ß and cell death by apoptosis or necrosis, it is a potential therapeutic target for a variety of autoimmune inflammatory diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The P2X7R gene is highly polymorphic, and many single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been detected. A case-control study was performed to investigate the associations of SNPs in the P2X7R gene (rs1718119, rs2230911 and rs3751143) with susceptibility to SLE in 535 Chinese SLE patients and 532 controls. Results showed that rs1718119 was associated with SLE; in particular carriers of the A allele and AA/AG/(AG+AA) genotypes were at lower risk of the disease [A versus G, P < 0.001, odds ratio (OR) = 0.543, 95% CI: 0.424-0.697; AG versus GG, P = 0.018, OR = 0.659, 95% CI: 0.466-0.931; AA versus GG, P = 0.011, OR = 0.176, 95% CI: 0.046-0.668; AG+AA versus GG, P = 0.004, OR = 0.607, 95% CI: 0.433-0.850], but no significant differences in rs2230911 and rs3751143 were observed between SLE patients and controls. Stratification of cases for the presence of nephritis showed that rs2230911 G allele and CG/(CG+GG) genotypes were at a lower risk of SLE with nephritis (LN) (G versus C, P = 0.011, OR = 0.640, 95% CI: 0.454-0.903; CG versus CC, P = 0.035, OR = 0.645, 95% CI: 0.429-0.970; GG versus CC, P = 0.101, OR = 0.349, 95% CI: 0.099-1.228; CG+GG versus CC, P = 0.015 OR = 0.612, 95% CI: 0.411-0.910), but rs1718119 and rs3751143 were not associated with LN. Analysis of the haplotypes revealed one haplotype (ACA) that appeared to be a significantly 'protective' haplotype (P = 0.009, OR = 0.708, 95% CI: 0.546-0.918) with SLE. The findings suggest that the P2X7R gene might contribute to SLE susceptibility in the Chinese population.

Lack of association between IL-23R gene polymorphisms and systemic lupus erythematosus in a Chinese population.

OBJECTIVE: The aim to this study was to investigate the association between the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of interleukin (IL)-23 receptor gene and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a Chinese population. METHODS: A case-control study was performed to investigate the associations of SNPs in IL-23R gene (rs10889677 and rs1884444) with susceptibility to SLE in 521 Chinese SLE patients and 527 normal controls. The chi-square test and unconditional Logistic regression were used to analysis by SPSS 10.1 software. RESULTS: No significant differences were detected for the distribution of allele and genotype frequencies of these two SNPs between patients and controls as well as SLE patients with nephritis (LN) and those without nephritis. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that the polymorphisms of IL-23R gene might not contribute to the susceptibility of SLE in the Chinese population.

CTLA-4 -1722T/C polymorphism and systemic lupus erythematosus susceptibility: a meta-analysis involving ten separate studies.

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) -1722T/C polymorphism has been identified as a susceptibile gene for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but studies are inconsistent. To better assess the association between CTLA-4 -1722T/C polymorphism and SLE, a meta-analysis was performed, including 10 studies, total of 1 387 patients and 1 617 controls. Overall, the CTLA-4 -1722T/C polymorphism was significantly associated with SLE susceptibility (T VS C: OR = 1.17, 95% CI = 0.86-1.60, P = 0.304; T/T VS C/C: OR = 1.92, 95% CI = 1.09-3.39, P = 0.024; T/C VS C/C: OR = 1.50, 95% CI = 0.91-2.49, P = 0.114; T/T VS T/C: OR = 1.29, 95% CI = 0.95-1.75, P = 0.107). When stratified by ethnicity, the CTLA-4 -1722T/C polymorphism was associated with SLE only in Asians (T VS C: OR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.10-1.96, P = 0.010; T/T VS C/C: OR = 2.09, 95% CI = 1.13-3.85, P = 0.018; T/C VS C/C: OR = 1.53, 95% CI = 0.87-2.69, P = 0.141; T/T VS T/C: OR = 1.42, 95% CI = 0.97-2.09, P = 0.070). In summary, the CTLA-4 -1722T/C polymorphism confers to SLE risk, especially in Asians.

Expression profiles of Th17 pathway related genes in human systemic lupus erythematosus.

Recently, evidence is emerging that inappropriate regulation of type 17 T helper cells (Th17) plays a fundamental role in the development of many autoimmune diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, the role of Th17-related cytokines in SLE remains elusive. To further investigate the role and imbalance of Th17-related cytokines in the pathogenesis of SLE. A Quantitative RT-PCR Array (Human Th17 for Autoimmunity & Inflammation PCR Array) analyses were performed to study Th17-related genes expression in peripheral white blood cells of 25 new-onset patients with SLE and 15 healthy subjects. When gene expression for SLE patients was compared to the mean of normal controls, among the 84 target genes related to Th17 pathway, 7 (CXCL1, ICAM1, IL10, IL5, IL8, ISG20, JAK2,) were upregulated and 6 (CD28, CD40LG, S1PR1, IL17RE, IL23R, RORC) downregulated. However, comparisons of mRNA expression of Th17 related cytokines between lupus nephritis (LN) patients and SLE patients without nephritis (SLE non LN) showed no significant difference. In conclusion, SLE patients and normal controls showed different expression of a few genes in Th17 pathway, indicating that the pathway may be involved in the pathogenesis of SLE.

[Impact of evening exercise on college students' sleep quality].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of college students' evening exercise on their sleep quality, so as to provide a scientific basis for college students to choose an appropriate method of exercise and improve their sleep quality. METHODS: From September to October in 2012, Multi-stage cluster random sampling method was used to select the 5997 college students in Anhui province. The status of college students' exercise and their sleep quality were investigated by the general situation questionnaire, Physical activity rating scale-3(PARS-3), Rating of perceived exertion(RPE) and Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI). Kruskal-Wallis test was used to analyze the impact of evening exercise on sleep quality and multivariate unconditional logistic regression was used to analyze the factors of sleep quality in evening excise students. RESULTS: The median of PSQI total score among 5806 college students was 5 and 1030(17.7%) students had poor sleep quality. The median of the PSQI scores was the same (5 points) for evening exercise group, daytime exercise group,daytime and evening exercise group and non-exercise group (1406, 1514, 1244, 1642 respectively). The difference was not statistically significant (χ(2) = 2.80, P = 0.42). Compared to non-exercise population, the OR (95%CI) value of evening exercise' impact on sleep quality was 0.90(0.73-1.10). Compared to very light evening exercise, the OR (95%CI) value of moderate and large amount of evening exercise' impact on sleep quality was 0.58 (0.44-0.75) and 0.67 (0.48-0.93) respectively; Compared to other sports, the OR (95%CI) value of badminton, rope skipping and jogging' impact on sleep quality was 0.72 (0.55-0.93), 0.38 (0.21-0.70) and 0.76 (0.60-0.95) respectively and they were all protective factors of sleep quality. Compared to small exercise intensity, the OR (95%CI) value of moderate, vigorous and very vigorous exercise intensity' impact on sleep quality was 1.68 (1.13-2.52), 2.38 (1.48-3.83) and 3.18 (1.72-5.90) respectively and they were harmful factors of sleep quality. CONCLUSION: There was no impact of evening exercise on sleep quality for college students. Type of sports should be adequately chosen for evening exercise. College students can take moderate and large amount of evening exercise but should avoid activities of vigorous intensity.

Association of tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at lncRNA MALAT1 with type 2 diabetes mellitus susceptibility in the Chinese Han population: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic, lifelong disease. The molecular mechanisms and pathophysiology of T2DM have not yet been fully elucidated. Dysregulation of the long non-coding RNA metastasis associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (lncRNA MALAT1) is considered one of the main contributing factors of the dysfunction found in many diseases, including those of the endocrine system. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between lncRNA MALAT1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and T2DM in the Chinese Han population. METHODS: We genotyped three SNPs (rs3200401 C > T, rs619586 A > G, rs11227209 C > G) of the MALAT1 gene, including 571 T2DM patients and 526 controls. The association between different genotypes and the risk of T2DM was analyzed using logistic regression, and the results were expressed by odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (95%CI), and then stratified by age, sex, and BMI. P < 0.05 on both sides was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: We found that the CT + TT genotypes of the rs3200401 polymorphism were significantly associated with an increased risk of T2DM in Chinese Han population (OR = 1.77; 95% CI:1.35-2.33; Padjusted < 0.001), whereas MALAT1 rs619586 AG + GG genotypes were associated with a reduced risk of T2DM (OR = 0.67; 95% CI:0.48-0.94; Padjusted = 0.021). Subsequent stratified analysis showed that compared with the rs3200401 CC genotype, CT + TT genotypes were associated with an increased risk of T2DM in the male, female, age ≥ 65 years, and BMI ≥ 24 subgroups (OR = 1.68, 95% CI:1.10-2.56, Padjusted = 0.016; OR = 1.83, 95% CI:1.27-2.62, Padjusted = 0.001; OR = 1.86, 95% CI:1.38-2.52, Padjusted < 0.001; OR = 2.13, 95% CI:1.45-3.15, Padjusted < 0.001; respectively). Haplotype analysis showed that T-A-C haplotype had a 1.533-fold increased risk of T2DM (95% CI, 1.208-1.945, P < 0.001) and C-G-G was associated with a decreased risk of T2DM. No significant association was found between rs11227209 and T2DM risk (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that MALAT1 rs619586 and rs3200401 confer susceptibility for T2DM in the Chinese Han population and provide new genetic targets for the treatment of diabetes and its complications in the future.

Gender-Specific Association of Handgrip Strength with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Chinese Han Older Adults.

Purpose: We aimed to analyze the relationship between handgrip strength/relative handgrip strength among older Han adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) by gender to determine the optimal cut-off value of grip strength for older adults. Methods: A multi-stage sampling method was used to conduct a questionnaire survey and physical examination of 6128 older adults in Anhui Province. Chi-squares tests, t-tests, analysis of variance, and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the association between handgrip strength/relative handgrip strength and T2DM between the sexes. The decision tree model (CRT) was used to explore the predictive value of handgrip strength /relative handgrip strength on T2DM. Results: There was an association between handgrip strength and T2DM (P = 0.006, OR = 0.985, 95% CI = 0.975, 0.996), which was found in females (P = 0.013, OR = 0.978, 95% CI = 0.961, 0.995) but not in males (P = 0.125, OR = 0.989, 95% CI = 0.976, 1.003). Relative handgrip strength was also correlated with T2DM (P = 0.014, OR = 0.730, 95% CI = 0.568, 0.939), which was found in females (P = 0.003, OR = 0.534, 95% CI = 0.352, 0.809) but not in males (P = 0.432, OR = 0.879, 95% CI = 0.638, 1.212). The incidence of T2DM in elderly females with hypertension who were uneducated and with a handgrip strength of <17.350 kg was 24.3% (115 cases), whereas that in elderly females with hypertension and a relative handgrip strength of <0.240 was 29.0% (127 cases). Conclusion: According to our results, handgrip strength and relative handgrip strength were associated with T2DM. People with hypertension had a higher risk of T2DM in women with a handgrip strength of ≤ 17.350kg and a relative grip strength of ≤ 0.240. Further research is needed to validate the effectiveness of this cut-off for implementing interventions and avoiding risks.

The associations of non-essential metal mixture with fasting plasma glucose among Chinese older adults without diabetes.

The evidence about the effect of non-essential metal mixture on fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels among older adults without diabetes is limited. This study aims to estimate the individual and joint relationship between five non-essential metals and FPG levels in Chinese older adults without diabetes. This study included 2362 older adults without diabetes. Urinary concentrations of five non-essential metals, i.e., cesium (Cs), aluminum (Al), thallium (Tl), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As), were detected by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The associations of single metals and the metal mixture with FPG levels were assessed using linear regression and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models, respectively. Adjusted single-metal linear regression models showed positive associations of urinary Al (ß = 0.016, 95%CI: 0.001-0.030) and Cs (ß = 0.018, 95%CI: 0.006-0.031) with FPG levels. When comparing the 2th, 3th, and 4th quartiles of urine Cs to its 1th quartile, the significant associations between Cs and FPG levels were found and presented as an "inverted U" trend (ßQ2 vs. Q1: 0.034; ßQ3 vs. Q1:0.054; ßQ4 vs. Q1: 0.040; all P<0.05). BKMR analyses showed urinary level of Cs exhibited an "inverted U" shape association with FPG levels. Moreover, the FPG levels increased linearly with the raised levels of the non-essential metal mixture, and the posterior inclusion probability (PIP) of Cs was the highest (0.92). Potential positive interaction of As and Cs on FPG levels was found in BKMR model. Stratified analysis displayed significant interactions of hyperlipidemia and urine Cs or Tl on FPG levels. An inverse U-shaped association between Cs and FPG was found, individually and as mixture. The FPG levels increased with the raised levels of the non-essential metal mixture, and Cs was the most contributor to FPG levels. Further research is required to confirm the correlation between non-essential metals and FPG levels and to clarify the underlying mechanisms.

Selenium attenuates the association of co-exposure to arsenic, cadmium, and lead with cognitive function among Chinese community-dwelling older adults.

The effects of interactions between the toxic and essential metal mixtures on cognitive function are poorly understood. This study aims to identify the joint association of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) with cognitive function in older adults and the moderating role of selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) in this association. This study included 1000 community-dwelling older adults. Cognitive function was assessed by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Blood concentrations of As, Cd, Pb, Se, Zn, and Cu were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Linear regression and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models were applied to assess the individual and joint associations of As, Cd, and Pb with cognitive function and to examine whether Se, Zn, and Cu (individually and as a mixture) modified these associations. In the adjusted single-metal models, both Cd (ß = - 0.37, 95% CI: - 0.73 to - 0.01) and Pb (ß = - 0.44, 95% CI: - 0.86 to - 0.02) were associated with MMSE scores, while Se (ß = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.30 to 1.13) exhibited a positive relationship with MMSE scores. Univariate exposure-response functions from BKMR models showed similar results. Moreover, the toxic metal mixture (As, Cd, and Pb) exhibited a significant negative association with MMSE scores in a dose-response pattern, with Pb being the greatest contributor within the mixture. The negative association of Pb alone or the toxic metal mixture with MMSE scores became weaker at higher concentrations of Se within its normal range, especially when Se levels were greater than the median (89.18 µg/L). Our findings support that Se can attenuate the negative associations of exposure to single Pb or the As, Cd, and Pb mixtures with cognitive function. Future prospective studies are needed to replicate our findings.

Association of AFF1 rs340630 and AFF3 rs10865035 polymorphisms with systemic lupus erythematosus in a Chinese population.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), AF4/FMR2 family, member 1 (AFF1) rs340630 and AF4/FMR2 family, member 3 (AFF3) rs10865035, show significant evidence for association with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a Chinese population. A total of 868 Chinese patients with SLE and 975 geographically and ethnically matched healthy control subjects were enrolled in the current study. The genotypes of these two SNPs were determined by Sequenom MassArray technology. Significant evidence for association of AFF3 rs10865035 with SLE was detected (for A versus G, P = 4.81 × 10(-4), odds ratio (OR) 1.26, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.11-1.44). However, no association between AFF1 rs340630 and SLE was found in the Chinese population (for A versus G, P = 0.79, OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.86-1.12). No significant evidence for association of AFF3 rs10865035 polymorphism with any clinical features was detected. By targeting a variant with convincing evidence for association with rheumatoid arthritis, significant association of AFF3 rs10865035 with SLE was detected in the Chinese population, indicating that AFF3 might be a common autoimmunity gene. Further case-control studies based on larger sample sizes in diverse ethnic populations are required to clarify the role of AFF1 rs340630 in SLE.

Association of RIP2 gene polymorphisms and systemic lupus erythematosus in a Chinese population.

The aim of this study was to investigate the association of receptor interacting protein 2 (RIP2) single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a Chinese population. A case-control study was performed on the SNPs rs16900617 and rs16900627 in 590 Chinese SLE patients and 660 healthy controls. These SNPs were typed by TaqMan allele discrimination assays. We found a significant association of rs16900617 G allele [odds ratio (OR) = 0.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.41-0.72] and rs16900627 G allele (OR = 1.28, 95% CI 1.04-1.58) with SLE. Significant differences in genotype frequency distribution were also found in SLE and control individuals (rs16900617: AG versus AA, OR = 0.59, 95% CI 0.44-0.81; GG versus AA, OR = 0.08, 95% CI 0.01-0.65; AG + GG versus AA, OR = 0.55, 95% CI 0.41-0.75; rs16900627: AG versus AA, OR = 1.51, 95% CI 1.17-1.93; AG + GG versus AA, OR = 1.43, 95% CI 1.13-1.82). Analysis of the haplotypes revealed that two haplotypes of AG and GA were also significantly associated with SLE (OR = 1.37, 95% CI 1.11-1.70; OR = 0.60, 95% CI 0.45-0.79). Our findings suggest that the RIP2 gene polymorphisms may be associated with susceptibility to SLE in the Chinese population.

Increased serum RANTES in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

The aim of this study was to investigate the serum RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted) level in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and the associations with disease activity and clinical laboratory indexes. Twenty-seven SLE patients and 27 normal controls were enrolled in this study. Serum RANTES was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The clinical and laboratory parameters of the patients were also recorded. Results showed that serum RANTES level was significantly elevated in SLE patients when compared with normal controls. Serum RANTES level was correlated with C3, ANA, anti-dsDNA antibodies, anti-Sm antibodies, and anti-SSB antibodies. Nevertheless, no association of serum RANTES level with SLEDAI was found. Taken together, serum RANTES level was significantly higher in SLE patients, suggesting that RANTES might be involved in the pathogenesis of SLE.