The ADAM33 S2 polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to pediatric asthma in the Chinese Han population.

BACKGROUND: The disintegrin and metalloprotease domain containing protein 33 (ADAM33) is a novel susceptibility gene for asthma and airway hyperresponsiveness, particularly in the Asian population. We investigated the influence of ADAM33 polymorphisms on the serum levels of ADAM33 and the susceptibility to pediatric asthma in the Chinese Han population. METHODS: Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis was employed to study the genotypic distribution of F+1, T1, and S2 in ADAM33 in a cohort of 120 pediatric asthma patients and 105 healthy controls. The serum levels of secreted ADAM33 protein were measured in all the study subjects using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: This case-control study showed that the distribution of F+1 and T1 genotypes of ADAM33 was not significantly different between pediatric asthma patients and healthy controls (p > 0.05); however, the genotype and allele frequencies of the S2 polymorphism were significantly different between asthmatic patients and healthy controls (both p < 0.05). In addition, the frequency of CGC and CGG haplotypes exhibited statistically significant differences, with lower CGC and higher CGG frequencies found in the case group compared to the control group. Finally, in comparison to healthy controls, the serum levels of ADAM33 protein were significantly lower in patients carrying the S2 polymorphism. CONCLUSION: Our results provide evidence that the ADAM33 S2 polymorphism is associated with increased susceptibility to pediatric asthma and that the CGG haplotype for the F+1, T1, and S2 polymorphisms is associated with an elevated risk of pediatric asthma in the Han population, whereas the CGC haplotype appears to confer a protective effect. Our results may prove useful for population-based screening to affect early intervention.

High plasma neopterin levels in Chinese children with autism spectrum disorders.

BACKGROUND: Neopterin, a pteridine mainly synthesized by activated macrophages, is a marker of inflammation, immune system activation and an active participant in Autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The aim of this study was to assess the clinical significance of plasma neopterin levels in ASD. METHODS: Eighty patients diagnosed with ASD and 80 sex and age matched typically developing children were assessed for plasma levels of neopterin at admission. Plasma neopterin levels were measured using a human ELISA kit and severity of ASD were evaluated with the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) score. RESULTS: We found that the mean plasma neopterin level was significantly (P<0.0001) higher in children with ASD as compared to controls. Plasma neopterin increased with increasing severity of ASD as defined by the CARS score. Based on the ROC curve, the optimal cutoff value of plasma neopterin level as an indicator for auxiliary diagnosis of ASD was projected to be 8.5nmol/L, which yielded a sensitivity of 84.2% and a specificity of 80.1%, with the area under the curve at 0.876 (95% CI, 0.825-0.928). Elevated neopterin (≥8.5nmol/L) was an independent diagnosis indicator of ASD with an adjusted OR of 12.11 (95% CI: 5.48-28.11; P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicated that autistic children had higher plasma levels of neopterin, and elevated plasma neopterin levels may be associated with severity of ASD among Chinese children.

Thioredoxin: a novel, independent diagnosis marker in children with autism.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress increases serum thioredoxin (TRX), a redox-regulating protein with antioxidant activity recognized as an oxidative-stress marker. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical significance of serum TRX levels in Autism spectrum disorders (ASD). METHODS: Eighty patients diagnosed with ASD and 100 sex and age matched typically developing children were assessed for serum TRX content at admission. TRX were assayed with solid-phase sandwich ELISA, and severity of ASD was evaluated with the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) Score. RESULTS: The results indicated that the median serum TRX levels were significantly (P<0.0001) higher in children with ASD as compared to typically developing children [17.9(IQR: 10.7-25.8)ng/ml and 5.5(3.6-9.2)ng/ml, respectively]. Levels of TRX increased with increasing severity of ASD as defined by the CARS score. After adjusting for all other possible covariates, TRX still was an independent diagnosis marker of ASD with an adjusted OR of 1.454 (95% CI, 1.232-1.892; P<0.0001). Based on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the optimal cut-off value of serum TRX levels as an indicator for auxiliary diagnosis of autism was projected to be 10.6ng/ml. Further, we found that an increased diagnosis of ASD was associated with TRX levels ≥10.6ng/ml (adjusted OR 15.31, 95% CI: 7.36-31.85) after adjusting for possible confounders. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that serum TRX levels were associated with ASD, and elevated levels could be considered as a novel, independent diagnosis indicator of ASD.

[Effects of different maize straw-returning modes on the soil respiration in a winter wheat field].

By using static chamber-TGC method, an in situ observation was conducted in a 10-year conservation tillage winter wheat field to study the effects of different maize straw-returning modes on the soil respiration. The soil respiration had a significant positive correlation with the stubble height of maize straw, and two peaks were observed in wheat growth period. Under no tillage and no straw-returning, the soil respiration was 72.5% of that under no tillage with all straw-returning, and the soil respiration under conventional tillage and no straw- returning was 76.5% of that under conventional tillage with all straw-returning. The soil respiration was significantly positively correlated with the soil temperature and soil organic carbon at 20 cm depth, but no significant correlation with the soil organic carbon at 40 cm depth. A correlation was also observed between the soil respiration and soil moisture. The diurnal soil respiration in the treatments of all straw-returning presented a single-peak curve, with the peak at 18:00. There was a similar variation trend of soil temperature and soil respiration at the depth of 20 cm. Among the treatments of different straw-returning amounts, straw-returning with the stubble of 1 m height could reduce the soil respiration significantly, being a reasonable straw-returning mode.

[The expression and role of Cathepsin B in intracranial aneurysm wall].

OBJECTIVES: To detect the expression of Cathepsin B (CatB) in the intracranial aneurysm wall and its effect to the apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells, aimed at clarifying the pathological formation mechanism of intracranial aneurysm. METHODS: From November 2006 to February 2009, 20 intracranial aneurysm samples were collected as the experimental group, and 6 cases of normal pallium artery samples were collected as the control group. Immunohistochemical technique was used to evaluate the expressions of CatB, alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and Caspase-3. The expression of CatB mRNA was evaluated by real-time PCR. The ultrastructure of intracranial aneurysms were observed by using the transmission electronic microscope. RESULTS: Compared with the normal pallium artery specimens, the expression of CatB and Caspase-3 both significantly increased in the intracranial aneurysm walls where alpha-SMA decreased (P < 0.05). The mean expression of CatB mRNA in intracranial aneurysm samples was about 3.8-folds than that in control group (P < 0.01). There were excessive apoptotic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in the tunica median, and typical apoptotic body were observed in some aneurysm walls. CONCLUSION: Cathepsin B may be involved in the formation and the progression of intracranial aneurysm.