Dynamics between psychological distress and body mass index throughout adult life; evidence from 3 large cohort studies.

BACKGROUND: Associations between body mass index (BMI) and psychological distress (PD) have been reported; however, few longitudinal studies have accounted for likely life-course differences in BMI and PD stability, consistency, and their interplay across time. METHODS: Via random intercepts cross-lagged panel models, we assessed the predictive effects (from BMI to PD or vice-versa) across the last two centuries in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults [CARDIA, beginning in 1985-6] study using the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale [CES-D], and in the National Child Development Study [NCDS, beginning in 1958] and British Cohort Study [BCS, beginning in 1970] using the Malaise Inventory [MI]), assessed at least 4 times in adult life. FINDINGS: In CARDIA (n = 4724), NCDS58 (n = 7149) and BCS70 (n = 5967), autoregressive effects were stronger for BMI than for PD, meaning that carry-over effects from one occasion to the next were larger for BMI than for PD. Small interindividual correlations between traits of higher BMI and higher PD were identified among females (rfemale<|0·2|) but not males (rmale<|0·03|) in CARDIA and NCDS. Cross-lagged effects were very weak or close to zero (standardized effects η<|0·1|). INTERPRETATION: In the United States, depressive symptoms and BMI were positively correlated at the trait level among females. In the United Kingdom, relationships between PD and BMI were inconsistent between generations, with effect sizes of unlikely clinical importance, indicating negligible dominance of an intraindividual effect of BMI on PD or vice versa.

c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)-dependent internalization and Rab5-dependent endocytic sorting mediate long-distance retrograde neuronal death induced by axonal BDNF-p75 signaling.

During the development of the sympathetic nervous system, signals from tropomyosin-related kinase receptors (Trks) and p75 neurotrophin receptors (p75) compete to regulate survival and connectivity. During this process, nerve growth factor (NGF)- TrkA signaling in axons communicates NGF-mediated trophic responses in signaling endosomes. Whether axonal p75 signaling contributes to neuronal death and how signaling endosomes contribute to p75 signaling has not been established. Using compartmentalized sympathetic neuronal cultures (CSCGs) as a model, we observed that the addition of BDNF to axons increased the transport of p75 and induced death of sympathetic neurons in a dynein-dependent manner. In cell bodies, internalization of p75 required the activity of JNK, a downstream kinase mediating p75 death signaling in neurons. Additionally, the activity of Rab5, the key GTPase regulating early endosomes, was required for p75 death signaling. In axons, JNK and Rab5 were required for retrograde transport and death signaling mediated by axonal BDNF-p75 in CSCGs. JNK was also required for the proper axonal transport of p75-positive endosomes. Thus, our findings provide evidence that the activation of JNK by p75 in cell bodies and axons is required for internalization to a Rab5-positive signaling endosome and the further propagation of p75-dependent neuronal death signals.

Genomic and epidemiological monitoring of yellow fever virus transmission potential.

The yellow fever virus (YFV) epidemic in Brazil is the largest in decades. The recent discovery of YFV in Brazilian Aedes species mosquitos highlights a need to monitor the risk of reestablishment of urban YFV transmission in the Americas. We use a suite of epidemiological, spatial, and genomic approaches to characterize YFV transmission. We show that the age and sex distribution of human cases is characteristic of sylvatic transmission. Analysis of YFV cases combined with genomes generated locally reveals an early phase of sylvatic YFV transmission and spatial expansion toward previously YFV-free areas, followed by a rise in viral spillover to humans in late 2016. Our results establish a framework for monitoring YFV transmission in real time that will contribute to a global strategy to eliminate future YFV epidemics.

Establishment and cryptic transmission of Zika virus in Brazil and the Americas.

Transmission of Zika virus (ZIKV) in the Americas was first confirmed in May 2015 in northeast Brazil. Brazil has had the highest number of reported ZIKV cases worldwide (more than 200,000 by 24 December 2016) and the most cases associated with microcephaly and other birth defects (2,366 confirmed by 31 December 2016). Since the initial detection of ZIKV in Brazil, more than 45 countries in the Americas have reported local ZIKV transmission, with 24 of these reporting severe ZIKV-associated disease. However, the origin and epidemic history of ZIKV in Brazil and the Americas remain poorly understood, despite the value of this information for interpreting observed trends in reported microcephaly. Here we address this issue by generating 54 complete or partial ZIKV genomes, mostly from Brazil, and reporting data generated by a mobile genomics laboratory that travelled across northeast Brazil in 2016. One sequence represents the earliest confirmed ZIKV infection in Brazil. Analyses of viral genomes with ecological and epidemiological data yield an estimate that ZIKV was present in northeast Brazil by February 2014 and is likely to have disseminated from there, nationally and internationally, before the first detection of ZIKV in the Americas. Estimated dates for the international spread of ZIKV from Brazil indicate the duration of pre-detection cryptic transmission in recipient regions. The role of northeast Brazil in the establishment of ZIKV in the Americas is further supported by geographic analysis of ZIKV transmission potential and by estimates of the basic reproduction number of the virus.

Serum Cyr61 as a potential biomarker for diagnosis of colorectal cancer.

PURPOSE: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of serum Cyr61 as a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) and to assess the association between serum Cyr61 level and CRC clinicopathological status. METHODS: We used an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure serum Cyr61 in patients with CRC, patients with colorectal adenomas, and healthy controls. We also analyzed the relationship between serum Cyr61 and clinicopathological features of CRC patients. The levels of serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) were quantified using the Roche Cobas 6000 Analyzer. The sensitivity and specificity of Cyr61, CEA, CA19-9 and CEA + CA19-9 were evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. RESULTS: The serum level of Cyr61 was significantly increased in CRC patients compared with colorectal adenoma patients and healthy controls (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the area under the ROC curve for Cyr61 was 0.935 (95 % confidence interval 0.902-0.968), higher than that for CEA + CA19-9 (0.827, 95 % confidence interval: 0.783-0.871). Use of a Cyr61 cutoff value of 92.0 pg/mL allowed distinguishing CRC patients and healthy controls with a sensitivity of 83 % and a specificity of 97 %. Among CRC patients, an elevated level of serum Cyr61 was significantly associated with more advanced TNM stage (p < 0.0042), lymph node metastasis (p < 0.0088), and vascular invasion (p = 0.0027). CONCLUSION: Cyr61 has potential as a serum biomarker for the diagnosis of CRC and for assessment of the clinicopathological status of CRC.

Hernia Umbilical Asintomática en la Cirrosis Hepática / ASYMPTOMATIC UMBILICAL HERNIA IN LIVER CIRRHOSIS

La hernia umbilical es una complicación que puede constituirse en una amenaza para la vida en la cirrosis hepática. Aquí, demostramos dos interesantes casos de cirrosis hepática que se presentaron con hernia umbilical asintomática, pero que no fueron sometidos a ningún tipo de cirugía

Umbilical hernia is a life-threatening complication of liver cirrhosis. Herein, we demonstrated two interesting cases with liver cirrhosis that presented with asymptomatic umbilical hernia, but did not undergo any surgery.

Prognostic significance of tumor-associated macrophage infiltration in gastric cancer: a meta-analysis.

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), which play a crucial role in the tumor microenvironment, can be divided into M1 and M2 phenotypes, these phenotypes may exert opposite effects on the prognoses of patients with gastric cancer (GC). The association between TAMs and GC is contentious. Thus, a meta-analysis of 12 studies (incorporating 1388 patients) retrieved from the Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Embase databases was conducted in order to evaluate the relationship between TAMs and GC prognosis. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled to explore the effect of these cells on survival of GC patients. Our results implied that high total TAM infiltration levels correspond to worse overall survival (OS) in patients with GC (HR = 1.70, 95%CI = 1.39-2.09; P < 0.001), and a similar result was observed in relation to M2 macrophage infiltration (HR = 1.71, 95%CI = 1.19-2.45; P = 0.004). In contrast, elevated M1 macrophage density in GC patients was associated with better OS (HR = 0.46, 95%CI = 0.33-0.65; P < 0.001). This meta-analysis showed that the numbers of infiltrating M2 macrophages and total TAMs might be negative prognostic factors for patients with GC, while M1 macrophage infiltration may be associated with a favorable survival rate.

Comparison of two methods for RNA extraction from the nucleus pulposus of intervertebral discs.

RNA extraction from the nucleus pulposus of intervertebral discs has been extensively used in orthopedic studies. We compared two methods for extracting RNA from the nucleus pulposus: liquid nitrogen grinding and enzyme digestion. The RNA was detected by agarose gel electrophoresis, and the purity was evaluated by absorbance ratio using a spectrophotometer. Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) expression was assayed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Thirty human lumbar intervertebral discs were used in this study. The liquid nitrogen-grinding method was used for RNA extraction from 15 samples, and the mean RNA concentration was 491.04 ± 44.16 ng/mL. The enzyme digestion method was used on 15 samples, and the mean RNA concentration was 898.42 ± 38.64 ng/mL. The statistical analysis revealed that there was a significant difference in concentration between the different methods. Apparent 28S, 18S, and 5S bands were detectable in RNA extracted using the enzyme digestion method, whereas no 28S or 18S bands were detected in RNA extracted using the liquid nitrogen-grinding method. The GAPDH band was visible, and no non-specific band was detected in the RT-PCR assay by the enzyme digestion method. Therefore, the enzyme digestion method is an efficient and easy method for RNA extraction from the nucleus pulposus of intervertebral discs for further intervertebral disc degeneration-related studies.

Relationship between the G75A polymorphism in the apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) gene and the lipid regulatory effects of pravastatin in patients with hyperlipidemia.

In this study, we investigated the relationship between the G75A polymorphism in the apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) gene and the lipid regulatory effect of pravastatin in patients with hyperlipidemia. A total of 179 patients were divided into two groups: the pravastatin (N = 97) and policosanol (N = 82) treatment groups. The total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein (LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein, ApoA, and ApoB concentrations in the serum were measured using an automatic biochemical analyzer before and after treatment for 12 weeks. The genotypes of the ApoA1 G75A SNP were detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism, and were subsequently statistically analyzed. Pravastatin treatment induced a significant decrease in the TC, LDL-c, and ApoB levels in patients expressing the ApoA1 AA+GA genotype (P < 0.05), and not in those expressing the GG genotype (P > 0.05). However, policosanol treatment induced a non-significant decrease in the serum TC levels (P > 0.05) and a significant decrease in the ApoB levels (P < 0.05), and did not induce a decrease in the LDL-c (P > 0.05) levels in patients with the AA+GA genotype. Policosanol also induced a significant decrease in the TC and LDL-c levels in patients with the GG genotype (P < 0.05). The various genotypes of the ApoA1 G75A SNP influence the efficacy of lipid regulation by pravastatin and policosanol in patients with hyperlipidemia.

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers for Eucommia ulmoides (Eucommiaceae), an endangered tree, using next-generation sequencing.

Eucommia ulmoides Oliver, a single extant species of Eucommiaceae, is an endemic dioecious tree in China. The natural resources of E. ulmoides have rapidly declined in recent years because of the over-collection of its cortex. To design a suitable protection strategy, it is necessary to develop a set of molecular markers to investigate genetic diversity and population structure of E. ulmoides. Pyrosequencing of an enriched microsatellite library by Roche 454 FLX+ platform was used to isolate simple sequence repeats (SSRs) for E. ulmoides. A total of 1568 SSRs that contained enough flanking sequences for primer pair design were identified from 45,236 raw sequence reads. One hundred SSRs were randomly selected to design primer pairs and polymerase chain reaction was performed. Among these 100 tested primer pairs, 16 were polymorphic across 18 individuals from three E. ulmoides populations. The number of alleles ranged from 3 to 8, with an average of 5.1. The expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.110 to 0.830, with an average of 0.648, and the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.111 to 0.833, with an average of 0.524. The inbreeding coefficient ranged from -0.349 to 0.547. This set of microsatellite markers could be valuable for landscape genetic structure assessment and molecular marker-assisted breeding in E. ulmoides.

Tumor-associated macrophages in cancers.

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are major component of leukocytic infiltrate of tumors and play important roles in progression and regression of tumors. Tumor microenvironment determines the mutual conversion between M1 and M2 macrophages. In many kinds of tumors, M2 type macrophages are of the majority in TAMs and promote tumor progression and metastasis. The dynamic balance and interaction between TAMs and tumor cells have important effects on the occurrence and development of tumor. TAMs in malignant tumors are useful for clinical diagnosis and may provide a novel target for cancer treatment.

Additional chromosomal abnormalities in core-binding factor acute myeloid leukemia.

Despite sharing a similar genetic abnormality, patients with core binding factor acute myeloid leukemia (CBF-AML), which is characterized by the presence of t(8;21) or inv(16)/t(16;16), show heterogeneous survival. Other molecular or cytogenetic factors are supposed to have an impact on the prognosis. We enrolled 24 CBF-AML patients to determine the impact of cytogenetic abnormality, and c-KIT, FLT3, NPM1, and CEBPA mutations on the prognosis. Only three patients had the c-KIT mutation (3/24, 12.5%) and one had the FLT3 mutation. However, over half of the patients (14/24) harbored additional cytogenetic changes, including ten with loss of sexual chromosomes (LOS) [all in the t(8;21) group], and six had additional abnormalities (two cases had both LOS and additional abnormalities). From this small-number study, no association was found between c-KIT mutation and survival and relapse rate. However, additional chromosome abnormalities had a significant association with relapse of the disease (P = 0.027). Stem cell transplant had a trend of benefitting patients after relapse (P = 0.065). This implies that chromosome abnormalities occur in CBF-AML and might take part in the heterogeneous nature of CBF-AML.

Partial Protection from Metabolic Syndrome in Chronic Hepatitis C Elderly Subjects Due to Lower Triglyceride Level.

BACKGROUND: In Taiwan, persons over 65 years old have higher prevalence of hepatitis C. Among these patients, around 50% have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Since cardiovascular diseases and diabetes are main causes of death in this age group, in this cross-sectional study, we tried to evaluate the effects of NAFLD and hepatitis C on the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS). METHODS: In total, 25 116 subjects over 65 years old who presented for routine health check-ups were enrolled. From the results of seropositivity for hepatitis C and abnormal echogenicity, they were classified into four groups: normal (N), subjects with only hepatitis C (C), subjects with only abnormal echogenicity (E) and subjects with both hepatitis C and abnormal echogenicity (CE). RESULTS: Subjects in both groups E and CE had higher abnormal MetS components than group C. Among all five components, triglyceride (TG) was the one having the highest odds ratio (OR) in determining the incidence of MetS in groups C and E. Finally, compared to group N, both groups E and CE had significantly higher OR for having MetS. However, after adjusting for confounding factors, only the significance between groups E and N remained. In other words, higher MetS was noted in group E compared to group N and there was no difference in incidence of MetS between group CE and group N. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic hepatitis C is a protective factor against having MetS and this effect might be due to lower TG level in the elderly. Further studies are warranted for the underlying mechanisms.

Expression of macrophage migration-inhibitory factor in duodenal ulcer and its relation to Helicobacter pylori infection.

The aim of this study was to examine the expression of macrophage migration-inhibitory factor (MIF) in duodenal ulcer epithelial cells and its relation to Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection, and to discuss the pathogenic roles of MIF expression and Hp infection in duodenal ulcer. MIF protein and mRNA expression was examined in samples from patients with duodenal ulcer with and without Hp infection (N = 40 each, experimental group), and in normal duodenal bulb mucosal tissue (N = 40, control group) using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. Patients without Hp infection received routine treatment, and treatment was provided to the patients positive for Hp to eradicate Hp infection. Hp and MIF expression levels before treatment and after the ulcer had been cured were compared. The positive rates of MIF protein and mRNA in patients with Hp infection before treatment were 67.5 and 65%, respectively, and were 18.9 and 21.6% in the 37 patients from whom Hp was eliminated. These were statistically different both before and after treatment compared with controls (P < 0.05). In the patients without Hp infection, the positive rates of MIF protein and mRNA expression before (45 and 47.5%, respectively) and after (32.5 and 30%) treatment were not significantly different (P > 0.05). The results of this study suggested that MIF is related to the development of duodenal ulcer, and that the presence of Hp is closely related with the expression of MIF in the duodenal mucosa and the development of duodenal ulcer.

Correlation of Left Ventricular Diastolic Function and Left Ventricular Geometry in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate the correlation of the left ventricular diastolic function and the left ventricular geometry in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) by echocardiography. METHODS: The 181 patients diagnosed with OSAS were divided into the normal geometry group (NG), the concentric remodelling group (CR), the eccentric hypertrophy group (EH) and the concentric hypertrophy group (CH). Pearson correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were performed toward the correlation of the left ventricular diastolic function and the left ventricular geometry. RESULTS: The E peak in the EH and CH group was significantly reduced, with significant difference; the E/A, Em, Am and Em/Am was reduced in the order of the CR, EH and CH groups, while E/Em was increased, and the difference was significant. Pearson correlation analysis revealed that the Em/Am showed significant negative correlations with the left ventricular mass index (LVMI) [r = -0.419] and relative wall thickness (RWT) [r = -0.289], while the E/Em was significantly positively correlated with the LVMI (r = 0.638) and RWT [r = 0.328] (p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that LVMI and RWT had influence on the Em/Am and E/Em (r2 = 0.402, r2 = 0.107, p < 0.001). The left ventricular diastolic dysfunction was the worst in the CH group. CONCLUSIONS: There was correlation between the left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and the changes in cardiac geometry.

Effect of Ginkgo biloba extract on apoptosis of brain tissues in rats with acute cerebral infarction and related gene expression.

We investigated the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract on apoptosis of brain tissues in rats with acute cerebral infarction and apoptosis-related gene expression. Rat models of acute cerebral infarction were constructed using the suture method, and randomly divided into the control group, model, and treatment groups. In the treatment group, 4 mg/kg G. biloba extract was intravenously injected into the rat tail vein. Phosphate-buffered saline solution was injected in the model group. Seventy-two hours after treatment, rats were euthanized, and brain tissues were removed to analyze the changes in caspase-3, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) mRNA and protein levels, and variation in brain tissue cells' apoptosis indices was measured. Compared with the control group, the model and treatment groups showed significantly upregulated caspase-3, Bcl-2, and Bax mRNA and protein levels in brain tissues, but remarkably downregulated Bcl-2 mRNA and protein levels (P < 0.05). After treatment, in treatment group brain tissues, caspase-3 and Bax mRNA and protein levels were significantly lower than those in the model group, while Bcl-2 mRNA and protein levels were higher than that in the model group (P < 0.05). The model and treatment groups showed increased cell apoptosis indices of brain tissues compared to the control group; after treatment, the apoptosis index in the treatment group was significantly downregulated compared with that in the model group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, G. biloba extract significantly reduced apoptosis in rat brain tissue cells with acute cerebral infarction and thus protected brain tissues.

Hepatic arterial infusion plus systemic chemotherapy as third-line or later treatment in colorectal liver metastases.

BACKGROUNDS: The present study aimed to evaluate benefit of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAI) combined with systemic chemotherapy (SCT) for patients with colorectal liver metastases (CLMs) in a palliative setting. METHODS: This was a retrospective single-center study including 43 consecutive patients with CLM after failure of standard SCT. Among them, 20 (47 %) patients underwent HAI combined with SCT (Group A) and 23 historical control patients who had received SCT with or without targeted agent treatment (Group B). RESULTS: The two groups had similar characteristics. Compared with SCT alone, HAI combined with SCT prolonged survival (median 19.8 vs. 9.0 months; P = 0.045). Median hepatic progression-free survival was significantly longer for HAI combined with SCT vs. SCT alone (median 8.1 vs. 4.7 months; P = 0.027), as were response rates (25 and 0 %; P = 0.038) and progression-free survival (median 5.7 vs. 3.0 months; P = 0.02). Three patients (15 %) achieved conversion to potentially curative surgery. Grade 3/4 toxicities for Group A and Group B were neutropenia (5 and 8.7 %, respectively), anemia (5 and 0 %, respectively), and hyperbilirubinemia (0 and 4.3 %, respectively). Other complications were mostly grade 1 or 2. CONCLUSIONS: HAI combined with SCT treatment can improve overall survival compared with SCT alone in highly advanced CLM refractory to intravenous chemotherapy.

Differential gene expression of epigenetic modifying enzymes between Tibet pig and Yorkshire in high and low altitudes.

Epigenetic modifying enzymes play important roles in the adaptation to hypoxia, although no studies have examined their expression levels in Tibet pigs. The lung is an important functional organ in hypoxia adaptation. In this study, we examined the mRNA expression level of 5 enzymes in the lung of Tibet pigs using real-time polymerase chain reaction to determine the epigenetic performance of hypoxia adaptation. We selected four groups of pig as the study object, which were Tibet pig in highland (TH), Yorkshire in highland (YH), Tibet pig in lowland (TL), Yorkshire in lowland (YL). Expression of Dnmt1 in Tibet pig was higher than that in Yorkshire (P < 0.01), although there was no significant difference between different altitudes within each breed. Expression of Dnmt3a was higher in Tibet pig than that in Yorkshire (P < 0.01), and higher in pigs from highland than that in lowland areas (P < 0.05). Expression of Hdac1 was higher in group TH than in Yorkshire (P < 0.01). Expression of Kdm3a was higher in group TH than in the rest of the groups (P < 0.01). Expression of Uhrf1 was higher in Tibet pig than in Yorkshire (P < 0.01). In conclusion, the expression levels of the 5 epigenetic modifying genes were higher in group TH than in group YH. Under conditions of oxygen deficiency, breed was the most important factor affecting DNA methylation and gene expression.

Effect of polymorphisms of vascular endothelial growth factor on prognosis in osteosarcoma patients.

We investigated the association between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene +1612G/A, -634C/G, and +936G/C and the clinical outcome of osteosarcoma. Genomic DNA was isolated from blood samples, and 3 VEGF gene polymorphisms (+1612G/A, -634C/G, and +936G/C) were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Of the 194 patients, 82 patients (42.27%) showed a good response to chemotherapy, while 73 (37.63%) died during the follow-up period. When comparing good and poor responders, we observed no significant association between the VEGF +1612G/A, -634G/C, and +936T/C polymorphisms and clinical outcome of osteosarcoma patients. According to Cox regression analysis, the VEGF +1612A/G, -634G/C, and +936T/C polymorphisms did not statistically significantly increase the risk of overall survival of patients with osteosarcoma. This study showed that VEGF +1612A/G, -634G/C, and +936T/C polymorphisms were not related to the response to chemotherapy and clinical outcome of osteosarcoma patients.

Associations between genetic variants and the severity of metabolic syndrome in subjects with type 2 diabetes.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) includes obesity, dyslipidemia, elevated blood pressure, and dysglycemia. Subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2D) exhibit features of MetS. The etiology of MetS is complex, involving both environmental and genetic factors. In this study, we examined the role of specific candidate genetic variants on the severity of MetS in T2D subjects. A total of 240 T2D subjects aged 35-64 years were recruited. Waist circumstance, plasma triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose, and blood pressure were measured to define MetS. Subjects were divided into 4 groups according to MetS components. Target genes involved in fibrotic and inflammatory processes, insulin and diabetes, cell growth and proliferation, and hypertension were genotyped. A total of 13 genes and 103 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were analyzed to evaluate their genetic association with MetS severity in T2D subjects. Univariate ordinal logistic regression using a dominant model (homozygous for the major allele vs carriers of the minor allele) revealed 6 SNP markers within 4 genes with genotypes associated with MetS risk. For the SNP genotypes of rs362551 (SNAP25), rs3818569 (RXRG), rs1479355, rs1570070 (IGF2R), and rs916829 (ABCC8), heterozygotes showed a lower risk of MetS compared with the reference group. In addition, the CC genotype was comparable to the TT genotype for rs3777411. There was no gender-specific effect. In conclusion, our results suggest that among the Han Chinese population, several SNPs increase the risk of severe MetS in T2D subjects. Further study in a large population should be conducted.