Broad-Specificity Screening of Pyrethroids Enabled by the Catalytic Function of Human Serum Albumin on Coumarin Hydrolysis.

Sensing systems based on cholinesterase and carboxylesterase coupled with different transduction technologies have emerged for pesticide screening owing to their simple operation, fast response, and suitability for on-site analysis. However, the broad spectrum and specificity screening of pyrethroids over organophosphates and carbamates remains an unmet challenge for current enzymatic sensors. Human serum albumin (HSA), a multifunctional protein, can promote various chemical transformations and show a high affinity for pyrethroids, which offer a route for specific and broad-spectrum pyrethroid screening. Herein, for the first time, we evaluated the catalytic hydrolysis function of human serum albumin (HSA) on the coumarin lactone bond and revealed that HSA can act as an enzyme to catalyze the hydrolysis of the coumarin lactone bond. Molecular docking and chemical modifications indicate that lysine 199 and tyrosine 411 serve as the catalytic general base and contribute to most of the catalytic activity. Utilizing this enzymatic activity, a broad specific ratiometric fluorescence pyrethroids sensing system was developed. The binding energetics and binding constants of pesticides and HSA show that pyrethroids bind to HSA more easily than organophosphates and carbamates, which is responsible for the specificity of the sensing system. This study provides a general sensor platform and strategy for screening pesticides and reveals the catalytic activity of HSA on the hydrolysis of the coumarin lactone bond, which may open innovative horizons for the chemical sensing and biomedical applications of HSA.

Quantitative proteomics analysis of chicken embryos reveals key proteins that affect right gonadal degeneration in females.

In birds, embryonic gonads of females develop in a way different from mammals, with the left one develops into a functional ovary, while the right one degenerates during embryogenesis. Here, we examined the proteomics profiles of the female and male left and right gonads at embryonic day 6.5 (E6.5) with the label free tandem mass spectrometry proteomics technique. The relative protein abundance of the left and right gonads of female and male embryos was determined to identify their differential proteins. Overall, a total of 7726 proteins were identified, of which 79 and 54 proteins were significantly different in female and male right gonads compared with female left gonads and male left gonads respectively. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the proteins DMRT1, ZFPM2, TSHZ3 were potentially associated with the degeneration of the right gonads in female embryos. The proteomics in this study provide clues for further elucidation of the pathways of sex determination, sex differentiation, and right gonadal degeneration in birds.

Ultrathin Niobate Nanosheet Assembly with Au NPs and CdS QDs as a Highly Efficient Photocatalyst.

Niobate nanosheets have aroused widespread interest in recent years for their prospects in catalysis. The exploration of 2D niobate catalysis with stable and efficient properties is still the focus in chemistry and materials science. Herein, the successful fabrication of 2D CdS/Au/HNb3 O8 catalyst is demonstrated which revealed efficient photocatalytic properties in H2 evolution, oxidative self-coupling of amines to imines, and degradation of dyes. Especially the assembled architecture can give a rate of 5.85 mmol ⋅ g-1 ⋅ h-1 of photocatalytic H2 evolution, an ∼254-fold enhancement, compared with bare HNb3 O8 nanosheets under identical conditions. In accordance with density functional theory (DFT) and X-ray adsorption fine structure (XAFS) analyses, the vast improvements are benefited from efficient migration and separation of charge carriers. Besides, the surface plasma resonance (SPR) effect of Au NPs enhances the light harvesting capacity and boosts the generation of hot electrons, efficiently improving the visible-light absorption.

LncRNA HOTAIR regulates the expression of E-cadherin to affect nasopharyngeal carcinoma progression by recruiting histone methylase EZH2 to mediate H3K27 trimethylation.

BACKGROUND/AIM: There has been increasing evidence for the function of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). We aim to delve into the position of lncRNA HOX antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR), together with enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), E-cadherin and trimethylation of lysine 27 on histone H3 (H3K27me3) in NPC. METHODS: HOTAIR, EZH2, and E-cadherin expression in NPC tissues and cells were tested. NPC cell biological functions were examined through gain-of and loss-of function assays. The mechanism of lncRNA HOTAIR/E-cadherin/EZH2/H3K27 axis in NPC was decoded. RESULTS: LncRNA HOTAIR and EZH2 were highly expressed in NPC, and E-cadherin was lowly expressed. Down-regulation of HOTAIR or EZH2 inhibited NPC cell progression and tumor growth. HOTAIR recruited histone methylase EZH2 to mediate trimethylation of H3K27 and regulated E-cadherin expression. CONCLUSION: HOTAIR inhibits E-cadherin by stimulating the trimethylation of H3K27 to promote NPC cell progression through recruiting histone methylase EZH2.

Unraveling the Mechanism of Near-Infrared Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence of TPA-Based Molecules: Effect of Hydrogen Bond Steric Hindrance.

A recently synthesized novel molecule (named CAT-1) exhibits intriguing near-infrared (NIR) thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) close to 1000 nm wavelength; however, the mechanism behind these intrinsic properties is not fully understood. Herein, we unravel that the fluorescence emission spectrum with a broad wavelength range (770-950 nm) of CAT-1 is primarily induced by hydrogen bond steric hindrance based on density functional theory and Marcus theory. It is found that the hydrogen bond steric hindrance plays a critical role in inhibiting the twist of the configuration of different excited states, which leads to the minor driving force for fast electron trapping between the excited states, as well as small internal reorganization energy caused by less changed geometric configuration. Furthermore, such steric hindrance will cause a more distorted plane, resulting in a less favorable electron delocalization. A faster reverse intersystem crossing (RISC) rate is then obtained due to the nearly unchanged conformation between excited states caused by steric hindrance, although the spin-orbit coupling is small. Consequently, the NIR TADF with a longer wavelength can be emitted in CAT-1. This work shows that the hydrogen bond steric hindrance can fine-tune the electronic interactions of the donor and acceptor units to control the TADF.

Largely Color-Tuning Prompt and Delayed Fluorescence: Dinuclear Cu(I) Halide Complexes with tert-Amines and Phosphines.

Luminescent copper(I) halide complexes with bi- and tridentate rigid ligands have gained wide research interests. In this paper, six tetracoordinate dinuclear copper(I) halide complexes, Cu2X2(ppda)2 [ppda = 2-[2-(dimethylamino)phenyl(phenyl)phosphino]-N,N-dimethylaniline, X = I (1), Br (2), Cl (3)] and Cu2X2(pfda)2 [pfda = 2-[2-(dimethylamino)-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl(phenyl)phosphino]-N,N-dimethyl-5-trifluoromethylaniline, X = I (4), Br (5), Cl (6)], were successfully prepared and systematically characterized on their structures and photophysical properties. Complexes 1-5 have a centrosymmetric form with a planar Cu2X2 unit, and complex 6 has a mirror symmetry form with a butterfly-shaped Cu2X2. Solid complexes 1, 4, and 5 emit delayed fluorescence at room temperature, intense blue to greenish yellow (λmax = 443-570 nm) light, and their peak wavelengths are located at 443-570 nm with microsecond lifetimes (τ = 0.4-19.2 µs, ΦPL = 0.05-0.48). Complexes 2, 3, and 6 show prompt fluorescence, very weak yellowish green to yellow (λmax = 534-595 nm) emission with peak wavelengths at 534-595 nm, and lifetimes in nanoseconds (τ = 4.4-9.3 ns, ΦPL < 0.0001). (Metal + halide) to ligand and intraligand charge transitions are the main origin of the emission of the complexes. Solution-processed, complex-4-based nondoped and doped devices emit yellow green light with CIE coordinated at (0.41, 0.51), a maximum EQE up to 0.17%, and luminance reaching 75.52 cd/m2.

Light Driven Mechanism of Carbon Dioxide Reduction Reaction to Carbon Monoxide on Gold Nanoparticles: A Theoretical Prediction.

Insightful understanding of the light driven CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) mechanism on gold nanoparticles is one of the important issues in the plasmon mediated photocatalytic study. Herein, time-dependent density functional theory and reduced two-state model are adopted to investigate the photoinduced charge transfer in interfaces. According to the excitation energy and orbital coupling, the light driven mechanism of CO2RR on gold nanoparticles can be described as follows: the light induces electron excitation and then transfers to the physisorbed CO2, and CO2 can relax to a bent structure adsorbed on gold nanoparticles, and the adsorbed C-O bonds are dissociated finally. Moreover, our calculated results demonstrate that the s, p, and d electron excitations of gold nanoparticles are the major contribution for the CO2 adsorption and the C-O dissociation process, respectively. This work would promote the understanding of the light driven electron transfer and photocatalytic CO2RR on the noble metal.

Effects of Lycium barbarum Polysaccharide on Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Oxidative Stress in Obese Mice.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of obesity-associated decline in male fertility has increased over the years. Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP), a natural plant polysaccharide extracted from the Chinese herb L. barbarum has shown promising therapeutic effects in overcoming the same. AIM: This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of LBP on the testes of obese mice. METHODS: Following administration of LBP to high-fat diet-induced obese mice for 35 days, serum, sperm, and testis samples were obtained for subsequent experiments. Biochemical analysis and sex hormone content determination were performed to observe changes in glycolipid metabolism and testosterone levels, respectively, in the blood. Hematoxylin and eosin staining were carried out to assess the pathological changes in the testicular tissue. Oxidative stress levels were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and expression levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress markers were determined using western blot in the testicular tissue. RESULTS: Our results suggested that LBP reduced glucose levels and insulin resistance, increased testosterone levels and insulin sensitivity, and decreased testicular oxidative stress and pathological damage in obese mice. In addition, LBP down-regulated the expression of p-eIF2α, GRP78, and CHOP in the testicular tissues of obese mice. CONCLUSION: Our results show that LBP is a potential novel drug for preventing male infertility caused by obesity.

From a blue to white to yellow emitter: a hexanuclear copper iodide nanocluster.

Highly emissive copper(i) halide nanoclusters showing thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) have been paid much attention, but rarely reported so far. Herein, a hexanuclear copper(i) iodide cluster containing a tridentate N∧P∧N ligand, [Cu6I6(ppda)2] {ppda = 2-[2-(dimethylamino)phenyl(phenyl)phosphino]-N,N-dimethylaniline}, was synthesized. All six copper atoms are four-coordinate, including four CuPNI2 and two CuI4 units. This complex exhibits intense white emission in the powder state at room temperature and shows a peak at a wavelength of 535 nm (ΦPL = 0.36) with a microsecond lifetime (τ = 4.4 µs). Emission colors can be largely tuned from blue to white to yellow, from the crystal to powder to film state at 297 K. The emission of [Cu6I6(ppda)2] originates from a combination of MLCT and XLCT transitions. This complex showed good thermal stability. A solution-processed, nondoped device of complex [Cu6I6(ppda)2] exhibits stable yellow emission with the CIE coordinates (x, y) of (0.43, 0.51). [Cu6I6(ppda)2] also shows reasonable photocatalytic H2 evolution activity under visible-light irradiation.

Recognition of PDL1/L2 by different induced-fit mechanisms of PD1: a comparative study of molecular dynamics simulations.

Recent clinical data has shown that some cancers choose to express PDL2 compared to PDL1. Therefore, a detailed and comparative study of the dynamic binding mechanism between PD1/PDL1 and PD1/PDL2 can guide drug design towards PD1. Herein, long time-scale classical molecular dynamics simulation, binding free energy calculation, energy decomposition and homology modeling for PD1/PDL2 were used to shed light on the differences in the binding mechanisms of the PD1/PDL1 and PD1/PDL2 complexes. On one hand, our results reveal a different binding mechanism of PD1 binding to PDL1 and PDL2, which is mainly attributed to the induced-fit from different proteins, that is, the C'D loop of PD1 is essential for PD1/PDL1, while the CD loop of PDL2 is critical for PD1/PDL2. Particularly, the "enclosed" conformation of PDL2 leads to a higher affinity between PD1-PDL2 in comparison to the affinity between PD1-PDL1. For PD1/PDL1, the key residues of N66, Y68, Q75, T76, K78, D85, I126, L128, A132, I134 and E136 are the dominant residues for stabilizing the protein-protein interaction (PPI). For PD1/PDL2, the key residues are mainly concentrated in the FG loop, including N33/Q75/L128/A132/Q133/I134/K135. These findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the distinctive binding kinetics and thermodynamic features, which will contribute meaningfully for the design of peptides and small molecule inhibitors to selectively break the PPI interfaces of PD1/PDL1 and PD1/PDL2.

Impact of RTN4 gene polymorphism and its plasma level on susceptibility to nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A case-control study.

The RTN4 gene plays a role in the development and progression of cancer. This case-control study aimed to investigate the association between the RTN4 gene polymorphism and its plasma level with the risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in a Chinese population.RTN4 gene polymorphisms (rs2920891, rs17046583, rs117465650, rs10496040, and rs2588519) in 220 patients with NPC and 300 healthy controls were analyzed using Snapshot single-nucleotide polymorphism genotyping assays. The plasma level of RTN4 was measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The allele frequencies of RTN4 gene polymorphisms showed no significant difference between the patients and controls (P > .05). Nevertheless, the rs2920891 polymorphism in a dominant model (A/C+C/C) and codominant model (A/C) was significantly associated with the susceptibility to NPC (P = .017, odds ratio [OR] = 1.54, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.08-2.21 and P = .034, OR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.13-2.38, respectively). The plasma level of RTN4 was significantly higher in patients with NPC in comparison with the controls (P < .001). Furthermore, we observed that patients with NPC carrying the rs2920891 A/C+C/C genotype had a higher RTN4 level than those carrying the A/A genotype (P < .001).Our findings indicated that the rs2920891 polymorphism may be associated with increased susceptibility to NPC, possibly by increasing plasma RTN4.

Genetic association of promoter in GRP78 gene with nasopharyngeal carcinoma in a Chinese population.

BACKGROUND: Emerging evidences were accumulated to support the view that GRP78 might be associated with multiple types of cancer. Given these, the aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of GRP78 gene promoter and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). METHODS: Three SNPs (rs3216733, rs17840761 and rs17840762) in GRR78 promoter were estimated in 422 NPC patients and 452 controls. Genotyping was performed using SNaPshot SNP. Serum GRP78 level was performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Data were analyzed by SPSS 17.0 software. RESULTS: Significant association between rs3216733 polymorphism and NPC was observed (Cd vs. dd: OR = 0.57, 95% CI 0.43-0.76, P < 0.001; CC vs. dd: OR = 0.62, 95% CI 0.39-0.98, P = 0.043; Cd/CC vs. dd: OR = 0.58, 95% CI 0.44-0.76, P < 0.001; C vs. d OR = 0.70, 95% CI 0.57-0.86, P = 0.001). Additionally, we further found that expression were down-regulated in serum of patients with NPC carrying rs3216733 CC genotype when compared to that of dd genotype (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The observations suggest that rs3216733 polymorphism in the GRP78 gene promoter may correlate with NPC susceptibility.

Genetic polymorphisms in interleukin 13 gene with the susceptibility to nasopharyngeal carcinoma in a Chinese population.

Although inflammation is emerging as a candidate risk factor in tumorigenesis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). In particular, Interleukin (IL) 13 involved inflammatory diseases and cancers. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in IL-13 have been associated with multiple cancers. The study analyzed genetic polymorphisms in IL-13 aiming to investigate its' potential susceptibility with the NPC. The genotyping of polymorphisms (rs20541, rs1295687 and rs2069744) was examined by Snapshot SNP and DNA sequencing. All SNPs were within Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and each appeared in three genotypes in NPC and controls. Adjusted logistic regression showed that the TT genotype of rs20541 increased the risk of lymph node metastasis (TT vs. CC: OR = 2.87, 95%CI, 1.33-6.18, P = 0.007). CT/CC genotypes were associated with the decreased the risk of lymph node metastasis in NPC (CT/CC vs. TT: OR = 0.32, 95%CI, 0.16-0.65, P = 0.002). The concentration of IL-13 was significantly elevated in NPC patients compared with controls (P = 0.012). Moreover, significant differences were detected in the T-C-T haplotype distribution between NPC patients and controls (OR = 2.47, 95%CI, 1.06-5.78, P = 0.031). Our results, the first report, provide evidence that rs20541 polymorphisms may affect the lymph node metastasis of NPC patients in Chinese population.

[Association of single nucleotide polymorphisms of rs3819024 and rs8193037 loci of IL-17A gene with the risk of ischemic stroke].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association of polymorphisms of rs3819024 and rs8193037 loci in the promoter region of IL-17A gene with the risk of ischemic stroke (IS) among ethnic Han Chinese from Guangxi. METHODS: The polymorphisms of rs3819024 and rs8193037 loci were detected by a SNaPshot assay and DNA sequencing among 392 IS patients and 443 healthy controls with matched age and gender. RESULTS: The genotypes, dominant model, recessive model, and alleles of rs3819024 polymorphisms showed no significant difference between the two groups, with the P values calculated as 0.150, 0.227, 0.125, 0.594 and 0.202, respectively, and OR (95% CI) as 1.27(0.92-1.74), 1.28(0.86-1.91), 1.27(0.94-1.72), 1.10(0.78-1.54), and 1.13(0.94-1.38), respectively. The genotypes, dominant model, recessive model, and alleles of rs8193037 polymorphisms also showed no significant difference between the two groups, with the P values calculated as 0.722, 0.352, 0.863, 0.345 and 0.969, respectively, and OR (95% CI) as 0.94(0.65-1.35), 2.25(0.41-12.35), 0.97(0.68-1.38), 2.27(0.41-12.48), and 1.01(0.72-1.40), respectively. CONCLUSION: Polymorphisms of the rs3819024 and rs8193037 loci of the IL-17A gene are not associated with the susceptibility to IS among ethnic Han Chinese from Guangxi.

Lycium barbarum polysaccharide prevents cisplatin-induced MLTC-1 cell apoptosis and autophagy via regulating endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway.

BACKGROUND: Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) has been reported to contribute to the recovery of male hypogonadism and infertility. AIM: The aim of current study was to investigate the underlying mechanisms of LBP on male infertility recovery. METHODS: Recently, it is reported that cell apoptosis mediated by endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) was distinguished from that mediated by death reporters and mitochondria pathway, which could induce cell apoptosis independently. The possible signaling mechanisms were investigated using diversified molecular biology techniques, such as flow cytometry, western blotting, and immunofluorescence. RESULTS: In this study, we found that LBP protected Leydig MLTC-1 cells against cisplatin (DDP) by regulating ERS-mediated signal pathway, which was evidenced by downregulation of phosphorylation PERK, phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation-initiation factor 2α and activating transcription factor 4. Meanwhile, LBP decreased DDP-induced MLTC-1 cell apoptosis via reducing ERS apoptosis-relative proteins caspase 3, caspase 7, and caspase 12. In addition, the result of monodansylcadaverine staining indicated that LBP significantly inhibited DDP-induced autophagosome formation in MLTC-1 cells. Moreover, immunofluorescences and Western blot assays demonstrated that LBP reversed DDP-induced LC3II and Atg5 upregulation in MLTC-1 cells. Finally, the data of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that LBP markedly recovered MLTC-1 cells testosterone level even in the presence of DDP. CONCLUSION: Thus, we suggest that LBP protected MLTC-1 cells against DDP via regulation of ERS-mediated apoptosis and autophagy.

Association of GRP78 promoter polymorphisms and serum GRP78 level with risk of asthenozoospermia.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was undertaken to investigate the association of 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78) gene promoter polymorphisms with risk of asthenozoospermia (AZS) men. In addition, we performed association analysis between GRP78 promoter mutations and serum GRP78 level in asthenozoospermia. METHODS: The study population comprised 400 subjects with AZS patients and 400 healthy controls. We assessed GRP78 rs3216733, rs17840761, and rs17840762 polymorphisms by using Snapshot SNP genotyping assays; serum GRP78 level was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Semen quality was assessed by computer-assisted semen analysis. RESULTS: We found that rs3216733 was associated with increased risk of AZS (Gd vs. dd: adjusted OR = 1.42, 95% CI, 1.06-1.93, P = 0.020; Gd/GG vs. dd: adjusted OR = 1.43, 95% CI, 1.08-1.91, P = 0.013; G vs. d adjusted OR = 1.26, 95% CI, 1.03-1.56, P = 0.027). The haplotype analyses showed the frequency of G-C-C haplotype was significantly higher in AZS (P = 0.026). The percentage of progressive motility sperm was lower in the asthenozoospermic men with Gd and Gd/GG genotypes than dd genotype (P = 0.003). Moreover, the serum GRP78 levels were significantly lower in rs3216733 Gd/GG genotypes compared with the dd genotype (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that rs3216733 Gd/GG genotypes contribute to poor sperm motility, probably by decreasing the level of GRP78.

[Asthenozoospermia is not correlated with 3' UTR polymorphisms of the GRP78 gene].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation of the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs12009, rs1140763 and rs16927997 in the 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR) of the glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) gene with the risk of male asthenozoospermia (AZS). METHODS: We included 400 AZS patients in the AZS group and another 400 fertile men as normal controls. Using the SNaPshot technique, we genotyped the rs12009, rs1140763 and rs16927997 polymorphisms in the 3'UTR of the GRP78 gene in all the male subjects and analyzed the association of the three SNPs with AZS. RESULTS: The percentage of progressively motile sperm was significantly lower in the AZS group than in the normal controls (ï¼»20.09 ± 8.18ï¼½ % vs ï¼»57.16 ± 13.45ï¼½ %, P <0.01). Three genotypes of CC, CT and TT and 2 alleles of C and T were found in rs12009 and rs1140763 of the GRP78 gene, and another three genotypes of GG, GA and AA and two alleles of G and A were observed in rs16927997. There were no statistically significant differences between the control and AZS groups in the frequencies of the C and T alleles in rs12009 (44.3% vs 47.3% and 55.7% vs 52.7%, P >0.05) or rs1140763 (50.0% vs 52.0% and 50.0% vs 48.0%, P >0.05) or those of the G and A alleles in rs16927997 (6.0% vs 4.4% and 94.0% vs 95.6%, P >0.05), nor in the genotypes and allele frequencies of the 3 polymorphisms (P >0.05). Furthermore, three haplotypes of C-C-A, T-C-G and T-T-A were observed in the male subjects but showed no evident correlation between the AZS and normal control groups. CONCLUSIONS: The polymorphisms in the 3'UTR of the GRP78 gene are not correlated with the risk of male asthenozoospermia.

Near-saturated red emitters: four-coordinate copper(i) halide complexes containing 8-(diphenylphosphino)quinoline and 1-(diphenylphosphino)naphthalene ligands.

Recently, highly emissive neutral copper halide complexes have received much attention. Here, a series of four-coordinate mononuclear Cu(i) halide complexes, [CuX(dpqu)(dpna)] (dpqu = 8-(diphenylphosphino)quinoline, dpna = 1-(diphenylphosphino)naphthalene, X = I (1), Br (2) and Cl (3)), were synthesized, and their molecular structures and photophysical properties were investigated. These complexes exhibit near-saturated red emission in the solid state at room temperature and have peak emission wavelengths at 669-691 nm with microsecond lifetimes (τ = 0.46-1.80 µs). Small S1-T1 energy gaps in the solid state indicate that the emission occurs from a thermally activated excited singlet state at ambient temperature. The emission of the complexes 1-3 mainly originates from MLCT transition. The solution-processed devices of complex 1 exhibit stable red emission with a CIE(x, y) of (0.62, 0.38) for a doped device and (0.63, 0.37) for a non-doped device.

Association between polymorphisms in the promoter region of miR-17-92 cluster and systemic lupus erythematosus in a Chinese population.

The aim of this study was to investigate the association of genetic polymorphisms in the promoter region of miR-17-92 with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The gene polymorphism was analysed using SNaPshot in 312 SLE patients and 396 controls. Relative expression of miR-17-92 was measured by quantitative real-time PCR. Association was found between rs9515692 and a decreased risk of SLE (CT vs CC: OR = 0.65, 95%CI, 0.46-0.92, P = .014; CT+TT vs CC: OR = 0.64, 95%CI, 0.46-0.90, P = .009; T vs C: OR = 0.69, 95%CI, 0.52-0.92, P = .010, respectively). Haplotype analysis showed that C-G-G, C-A-A haplotypes were associated with an increased SLE risk (OR=4.46, 95%CI, 2.17-9.17, P < 0.001; OR=2.33, 95%CI, 1.44-3.76, P < 0.001, respectively). T allele and CT+TT genotypes in rs9515692 were associated with decreased risk of anti-dsDNA in SLE (CT+TT vs CC: OR = 0.42, 95%CI = 0.24-0.72, P = .002; T vs A: OR = 0.49, 95%CI = 0.31-0.79, P = .003). Moreover, rs9515692 CT+TT genotypes had a higher level of miR-17 as compared to CC genotype (P = .017). These findings suggest that the rs9515692 CT+TT genotypes were a protective factor for the susceptibility of SLE, probably by increasing the expression of miR-17.