Quantification and size distribution of 24-hour urinary extracellular vesicles from healthy adults / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the quantity and size distribution of 24-hour urinary extracellular vesicles (uEVs) from healthy adults.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The 24-hour uEVs from 9 healthy adults were isolated by hydrostatic filtration dialysis (HFD). The effectiveness of uEVs enrichment was evaluated using Western blotting and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The quantity and size distribution of the uEVs was analyzed with BCA protein quantification, TEM, and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>uEVs with different sizes and morphologies were observed under TEM. Western blotting confirmed the expression of TSG101 in all the uEV fractions from the 9 donors, ranging from 132.50 to 760.70 ng/mL. NTA results showed that the number of 24-hour uEVs amount ranged from 3.56 × 10¹² particles to 5.12 × 10¹² particles, with a CV of 14.23%. The proportion of the vesicles with a diameter <40 nm was 0.04%-0.69% with a number range of (1.80-26.49)× 10⁹ particles; the proportion of vesicles with a diameter of 40-100 nm (which is consistent with the size of exosomes)was 22.07%-42.08% with a number range of (1.00-1.77)× 10¹² particles. The proportion of vesicles with a diameter of 100-1000 nm (consistent with the size of microvesicles) was 57.88%-77.85% with a number range of (2.09-3.86)× 10¹² particles.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The established HFD method allows efficient and convenient isolation of uEVs from a large amount of urine samples. The 24-hour uEVs from healthy adults show narrow differences between individuals and thus can be an ideal source of samples for relevant studies.</p>

Prevalence and distribution of metabolic syndrome in a southern Chinese population Relation to exercise, smoking, and educational level

To investigate the prevalence and distribution of metabolic syndrome [MetS] and the impact of exercise, smoking, and educational level on the risk of MetS in a southern Chinese population. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Zhuhai City, China from June to August 2012. Data on exercise, smoking, and educational level, anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, lipid, and glucose levels were collected. The prevalence of MetS [as defined by the International Diabetes Federation] was determined. Data necessary to evaluate MetS, the socio-economic characteristics, and lifestyle were obtained for 4645 subjects aged 18-75 years old. A total of 19.8% of the participants had MetS. The adjusted odds of having MetS were lower among males [adjusted odds: 0.75; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.57-1.01] compared with females. Those participants who currently smoked had a higher risk of developing MetS compared with non-smokers [adjusted odds: 1.61; 95% CI: 1.13-2.50]. Those who had no physical exercise had a higher risk of developing MetS compared with those who physically exercised more than 60 minutes/day [adjusted odds: 1.51; 95% CI: 1.12-2.23;]. Compared with those with no education, every category of attained educational level had a lower risk of developing MetS [P<0.001]. The findings in this study revealed that current smokers had a greater risk of developing MetS compared with non-smokers. Increased physical activity and higher levels of education attained served as protective factors for the population