ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To assess the association of rs55829688 and rs75315904 polymorphisms of the lncRNA-GAS5 gene with susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Guangxi population.@*METHODS@#Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from the SLE group and control group. Following extraction of genomic DNA, SNPscan and Sanger sequencing were carried out to determine the genotypes for the rs55829688 and rs75315904 loci of the lncRNA-GAS5 gene.@*RESULTS@#No difference was found between the two groups with regard to the genotypic frequencies for rs55829688 and rs75315904 (P > 0.05). However, the frequencies of C allele of rs55829688 between the two groups was significantly different (P < 0.05). In the SLE group, the frequencies of C allele and CT+CC genotype for rs55829688 among SLE patients with nephritis were significantly lower than those of SLE patients without nephritis (P < 0.05). In addition, haplotype analysis showed that the frequency of rs55829688 C/rs75315904 A allele in the SLE group was lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#In Guangxi population, the carrier status of rs55829688 C allele of the lncRNA-GAS5 gene may reduce the risk of SLE and its complicated nephritis, and the rs55829688 C/rs75315904 A haplotype may reduce the risk for SLE.
Subject(s)
Humans , Case-Control Studies , China/epidemiology , Gene Frequency , Genetic Predisposition to Disease , Genotype , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/genetics , Nephritis , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide , RNA, Long Noncoding/geneticsABSTRACT
D-allulose-3-epimerase (DPEase) is the key enzyme for isomerization of D-fructose to D-allulose. In order to improve its thermal stability, short amphiphilic peptides (SAP) were fused to the N-terminal of DPEase. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that the heterologously expressed DPEase folded correctly in Bacillus subtilis, and the protein size was 33 kDa. After incubation at 40 °C for 48 h, the residual enzyme activity of SAP1-DSDPEase was 58%. To make the recombinant B. subtilis strain reusable, cells were immobilized with a composite carrier of sodium alginate (SA) and titanium dioxide (TiO2). The results showed that 2% SA, 2% CaCl2, 0.03% glutaraldehyde solution and a ratio of TiO2 to SA of 1:4 were optimal for immobilization. Under these conditions, up to 82% of the activity of immobilized cells could be retained. Compared with free cells, the optimal reaction temperature of immobilized cells remained unchanged at 80 °C but the thermal stability improved. After 10 consecutive cycles, the mechanical strength remained unchanged, while 58% of the enzyme activity could be retained, with a conversion rate of 28.8% achieved. This study demonstrated a simple approach for using SAPs to improve the thermal stability of recombinant enzymes. Moreover, addition of TiO2 into SA during immobilization was demonstrated to increase the mechanical strength and reduce cell leakage.
Subject(s)
Bacillus subtilis/metabolism , Carbohydrate Epimerases/genetics , Enzyme Stability , Enzymes, Immobilized/metabolism , Fructose , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Racemases and Epimerases , TemperatureABSTRACT
Objective@#To describe the characteristics of habitual snoring among adults from 10 regions engaged in the China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB) study.@*Methods@#The baseline survey of CKB was conducted from 2004 to 2008. Data was collected regarding the information on socio- demographic characteristics, lifestyle, sleeping habits, and results from the physical examination of the participants. Logistic regression models were used to compare the regional differences and to estimate the associations of other baseline characteristics on snoring habit.@*Results@#A total of 512 713 participants were included in this study. The overall prevalence of habitual snoring was 21.2%, higher among men, in south regions and urban areas, but no difference observed among people with different socioeconomic status after adjusting for age, regions, BMI, waist circumference or lifestyle factors. Results showed that the prevalence of habitual snoring under the multivariable adjusted model increased among current and ever smokers, also among current and ever alcohol consumers. The risk of habitual snoring was increased by 19% per 1 kg/m2 and 6% per 1 cm increment in BMI or waist circumference, respectively. Among participants with similar BMI, central obese individuals were more likely to be habitual snorers. For individuals with similar waist circumference, the prevalence of habitual snoring was higher among those with higher BMI.@*Conclusion@#The prevalence of habitual snoring varied across regions. Substantial differences in habitual snoring were also seen among people with different lifestyles and body sizes.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#To describe the regional and population-related differences in skeletal muscle mass and handgrip strength across the 10 regions of China.@*Methods@#24 533 participants aged 38-88 years from the second resurvey of China Kadoorie Biobank were included in our analyses. Appendicular and trunk skeletal muscle mass were assessed using the bioelectrical impedance analysis (TANITA). Handgrip strength was measured using Jamar hand-held dynamometer. Low muscle mass and low muscle strength were defined as the lowest quintile of height-adjusted appendicular muscle mass or handgrip strength according to the Consensus Report of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia. We analyzed the mean value of absolute muscle mass, height-adjusted muscle mass, weight-adjusted muscle mass and handgrip strength. We also reported the prevalence of low muscle mass and low muscle strength.@*Results@#The average appendicular and total skeletal muscle mass were (22.0±0.02) kg and (49.7±0.05) kg in men, which were higher than in women [(15.9±0.02) kg and (37.2±0.04) kg, respectively]. The handgrip strength was (32.6±0.06) kg in men, which was higher than (19.9±0.05) kg in women. The absolute muscle mass was higher in north area and urban region (P<0.001). The weight-adjusted muscle mass showed reverse patterns of regional difference compared with height-adjusted muscle mass. Both muscle mass and handgrip strength decreased by age (trend P<0.001), with a larger decline observed in handgrip strength. According to AWGS criteria, the proportions of low muscle mass and strength increased by age. Among participants over 80 years old, the prevalence of low muscle mass and strength were 56.2% and 74.5% in men, and 35.7% and 66.0% in women.@*Conclusions@#Levels of skeletal muscle mass and strength varied greatly among people from 10 regions and among participants with different demographic characteristics. The prevalence of low muscle mass and strength was extremely high in elderly.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#To assess the association of BMI and waist circumference (WC) with metabolic risk factors, and confirm the appropriate cut-off points of BMI and WC among Chinese adults.@*Methods@#After excluding participants with missing or extreme measurement values, as well as individuals with self-reported histories of cancer, a total of 501 201 adults in baseline and 19 201 adults in the second re-survey from the China Kadoorie Biobank were included. The associations of BMI and WC with metabolic risk factors were estimated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were conducted to assess the appropriate cut-off values of BMI and WC to predict the risk of hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia and clustering of risk factors.@*Results@#The prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia and clustering of risk factors all presented ascending trends with the increasing levels of BMI or WC. Defined as the points on the ROC curve where Youden’s index reached the highest, the appropriate overweight cut-off points of BMI were around 24.0 kg/m2 both in men and women, and the points of WC were around 85 cm in men and 80 to 85 cm in women. With specificity 90% for identification of risk factors, the appropriate obese cut-off points of BMI were around 28.0 kg/m2 both in men and women, with the range of 27.0 to 28.9 kg/m2.@*Conclusions@#The cut-off points for overweight and obesity recommended by Coorperative Meta-analysis Group of China Obesity Task Force was verified in the large sample survey conducted more recently. The cut-off points of BMI were 24.0 and 28.0 kg/m2 for overweight and obesity, and the cut-off point of WC was 85 cm in men and 80 to 85 cm in women for central obesity.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#To analyze the physical characteristics of fine particulate matters (PM2.5) and submicron particulate matters (PM1), and investigate the factors influencing the emission peak of printer particles.@*Methods@#A 12-hour particle concentration monitoring for PM2.5 and PM1 was conducted in a printing shop on January 5th, 2018. PM2.5 in the air was analyzed after the monitoring process to figure out morphological characteristics and element composition of printer particles. Besides, experiments were carried out in an enclosed space to detect the number concentration peaks of PM1 during every printing process. Influencing factors investigated in this study were printer types, toner coverages and interval time between different printing processes.@*Results@#The 12-hour particles concentration monitoring showed that the number concentration of PM1 and the mass concentration of PM2.5 were 7.510×104 pt/cm3 and 96.85 μg/m3. The diameter of most PM2.5 was less than 100 nm, with a fractal dimension of 2.591. Most PM2.5 appeared as regular spheres with typical agglomeration phenomenon, while some were in rhabditiform or irregular shapes. Element analysis showed that PM2.5 was mainly composed of C, O, Si, Ca, with less metallic element. The PM1 emission peak values of three printers were 3.60×104, 3.43×104, 0.31×104 pt/cm3, respectively and the difference was not statistically significant (χ2=5.42, P>0.05). When the page coverage rate was 0%, 2.5%, 5%, 10%, 20% and 50%, the PM1 emission peak value of printer A was 6.74×104, 4.62×104, 3.82×104, 2.82×104, 1.00×104 and 1.08×104 pt/cm3, and the difference was also not statistically significant (χ2=7.01, P>0.05). The natural logarithm of PM1 emission peak value in printing work was associated with the resting time before printing and the change value of heating roller temperature (r value was 0.83 and 0.89, respectively, all P values<0.05).@*Conclusion@#PM2.5 and PM1 in the printing shop stayed at a high level. Particles appeared as various shapes and element compositions were complex. The temperature change of heating roller was one of most important factors that lead to the increased number concentration peak of PM1.