FTO-rs9939609 Polymorphism is a Predictor of Future Type 2 Diabetes: A Population-Based Prospective Study.

The study aimed to evaluate the contribution of the FTO A/T polymorphism (rs9939609) to the prediction of the future type 2 diabetes (T2D). A population-based prospective study included 1443 nondiabetic subjects at baseline, and they were examined for developing T2D after 5-year follow-up. Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate the hazard ratio (HR) of rs9939609 to the future T2D in the models adjusted for the confounding factors including socio-economic status, lifestyle factors (smoking and drinking history, sporting habits, and leisure time), and clinical patterns (obese status, blood pressures, and dyslipidemia) at baseline. The area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to measure the power to predict individuals with T2D. The FTO-rs9939609 polymorphism was a significant predictor of future T2D in the model unadjusted, and it remained significant in the final model after adjustment for the confounding factors, showing an additive effect of the A-allele (HR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.02-1.78, P = 0.036, AUC = 0.676). For normoglycemic subjects at baseline, the similar final adjusted model reported the increased HR per A-allele (HR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.09-2.07, P = 0.012, AUC = 0.697). Five-year changes in BMI, waist circumference, and systolic blood pressure did not remove the contribution of rs9939609 to increased HR of T2D. The population attributable risk for risk genotype was 13.6%. In conclusion, the study indicates that the FTO-rs9939609 polymorphism is an important genetic predictor for future T2D in Vietnamese population.

Myosin IIA participates in docking of Glut4 storage vesicles with the plasma membrane in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

In adipocytes and myocytes, insulin stimulation translocates glucose transporter 4 (Glut4) storage vesicles (GSVs) from their intracellular storage sites to the plasma membrane (PM) where they dock with the PM. Then, Glut4 is inserted into the PM and initiates glucose uptake into these cells. Previous studies using chemical inhibitors demonstrated that myosin II participates in fusion of GSVs and the PM and increase in the intrinsic activity of Glut4. In this study, the effect of myosin IIA on GSV trafficking was examined by knocking down myosin IIA expression. Myosin IIA knockdown decreased both glucose uptake and exposures of myc-tagged Glut4 to the cell surface in insulin-stimulated cells, but did not affect insulin signal transduction. Interestingly, myosin IIA knockdown failed to decrease insulin-dependent trafficking of Glut4 to the PM. Moreover, in myosin IIA knockdown cells, insulin-stimulated binding of GSV SNARE protein, vesicle-associated membrane protein 2 (VAMP2) to PM SNARE protein, syntaxin 4 was inhibited. These data suggest that myosin IIA plays a role in insulin-stimulated docking of GSVs to the PM in 3T3-L1 adipocytes through SNARE complex formation.

Draft Genome Sequences of 59 Endospore-Forming Gram-Positive Bacteria Associated with Crop Plants Grown in Vietnam.

We report the draft genome sequences of 59 Gram-positive bacterial strains that were isolated from Vietnamese crop plants. The strains were assigned to nine different Bacillus and Brevibacillus species. Ten strains classified as being a Bacillus sp. (3 strains), Brevibacillus sp. (6 strains), or Lysinibacillus sp. (1 strain) could not be identified to the species level.

Association of low serum selenium with anemia among adolescent girls living in rural Vietnam.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the prevalence of anemia and deficiency in trace elements in adolescent girls living in rural Vietnam. METHODS: Two hundred forty-five adolescent girls 11-17 y of age from three schools in rural province of Ha Nam, Vietnam, were assessed. RESULTS: The prevalence of anemia was 20.4%. The incidences of low serum selenium (Se), zinc, and copper in subjects were 15.9%, 26.5%, and 4.1%, respectively. The parameter significantly associated with anemia was the low serum levels of Se and vice versa (odds ratio [OR] 5.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.57-11.18, P < 0.0001). Other risk factors for anemia were a body mass index <17.00 kg/m(2) (OR 2.72, 95% CI 1.37-5.37, P = 0.004) and years of age (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.14-1.59, P < 0.001). A body mass index <17.00 kg/m(2) (OR 2.65, 95% CI 1.25-5.61, P = 0.011) was also found to be a risk factor for low serum Se. CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study demonstrate that low serum Se is independently associated with anemia in adolescent girls living in rural Vietnam. Interventions are required to gain insight into the potential role of Se on prevention and control of anemia.

Relationship of low serum selenium to anemia among primary school children living in rural Vietnam.

A cross-sectional study of 292 primary school children was conducted in rural Vietnam to investigate the relationship among micronutrient deficiencies, and other risk factors for anemia. Serum levels of iron, copper, zinc, selenium and magnesium were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and that of retinol by high performance liquid chromatography. Hemoglobin concentration in whole blood was measured by the cyanmethemoglobin method. The incidence of low serum zinc, selenium, magnesium, and copper in the children was 91.4, 75.6, 59.5, and 8.6%, respectively. Forty-five percent of the children were anemic and 11.3% suffered from vitamin A deficiency. A parameter significant associated with anemia was low serum selenium and vice versa (OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.06-3.24, p<0.05). Other factors associated with anemia were serum retinol <1.05 micromol/L (OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.25-3.36, p<0.01), and age in years (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.16-2.18, p<0.01). The study showed that low selenium is associated with anemia among school children in Vietnam. Interventions are required to gain insight into the potential role of selenium on prevention and control of anemia.