Association of Gghrelin Polymorphisms with Metabolic Syndrome in Han Nationality Chinese

Objective To investigate the association of ghrelin gene polymorphisms with metabolic syndrome in Han Nationality Chinese. Methods A total of 240 patients with metabolic syndrome and 427 adults aged above forty years were recruited. Genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Results The allelic frequency of the Leu72Met polymorphism was 17.3% in the patient group and 11.9% in the control group （x^2=7.36, P=0.007）. Metabolic syndrome was more prevalent among carriers of the Met72 variant （43.8 vs 33.1%, age- and sex-adjusted odds ratio=1.57, P=0.01）. No Arg51Gln variants were found in our study subjects. Conclusion Rather than being associated with its individual components, Leu72Met polymorphism is associated with metabolic syndrome in the Han Nationality Chinese. Arg51Gln polymorphism is rare in the Han Nationality Chinese.

Ultrasonographic measurement of median nerve cross-sectional area reference values in a healthy Han population from Guiyang,China

High-resolution ultrasonography was used to analyze the nerve cross-sectional area （CSA） of the median nerve at 7 sites： the wrist crease, pisiform bone, hamate bone, 6 cm proximal to the tip of the wrist crease, proximal forearm （where the nerve enters the pronator teres muscle）, 4 cm proximal to the tip of the medial epicondyle, and mid-humerus （mid-point between elbow crease and axilla） in 200 healthy volunteers from Guiyang, China. Results showed similar CSA values between the left and right sides, but the CSA 6 cm proximal to the tip of the wrist crease, proximal forearm, 4 cm proximal to tip of the medial epicondyle, and mid-humerus in males was greater than that of females. Moreover, CSA values at the wrist crease, pisiform bone, and hamate bone were greater in the middle-aged and old groups when compared to the young group, and correlated with body mass and height. Thus, reference values of median nerve CSA of the upper limbs can facilitate the analysis of abnormal nerve conditions.

Association of single nucleotide polymorphism of vitamin D receptor gene start codon and the suscepbility to prostate cancer in Han nationality in Hubei, China

Aim: To investigate the single nucleotide polymorphism of vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene start codon in the Han nationality in Hubei and its relationship to the susceptibility to prostate cancel (PCa). Methods: The VDR genotypes were determined by poly-merase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in 80 patients with PCa and 96 normal male controls from the Han nationality in Hubei, using endonuclease Fok. Direct sequencing was done in part of the PCR products. Results: The frequency distribution of Fok I alleles in this cohort all followed the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The distribution of genotypes and alleles had no significant difference between PCa patients and the controls (P>0.05). Conclusion: There was no significant relationship between Fok I polymorphism of VDR gene start codon and PCa in the Han nationality in Hubei.

Difference in normal corneal thickness and curvature between Mongolian and Han nationalities

AIM: To investigate the differences in central corneal thickness(CCT) and curvature in myopic patients with different genders between Mongolian and Han nationalities in the Inner Mongolia region.METHODS: Patients with myopia, among whom 122cases(244 eyes) were Mongolian and 150 cases(300eyes) were Han, were selected. Pentacam was used to measure the corneal curvature, whereas CCT was determined by Pentacam, Orbscan and ultrasound pachymetry.RESULTS: Comparisons of the curvature of men and women in Mongolia showed a significant difference(P 【0.05) by comparing of the CCT values measured by three methods in Han and Mongolian in Inner Mongolia, we can draw a conclusion that the CCT values measured by Pentacam are less than the values by Orbscan and ultrasound pachymetry, and there are statistically significant difference in CCT measurement among the instruments except between the Orbscan and ultrasound pachymetry. The CCT values of Mongolians are more than Han people, and the analysis exhibited statistical significance. The CCT values measured by Orbscan in Mongolia of women are more than men, the difference showed statistical significance.CONCLUSION: Corneal curvature in Mongolian females was significantly higher than that in males. However, no significant difference was observed among Han males and females. The CCT values of Mongolian females were higher than those of males. The normal CCT values measured by Pentacam in Mongolian myopic patients were smaller than those obtained by Orbscan or ultrasound. The normal CCT values of Mongolian patients with myopia were higher than those reported for domestic people.

Study on the Relationship between 5-HttLPR Gene and BDNF Gene Polymorphism and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Li and Han Nationality of Hainan Province

Objective: To investigate the correlation between 5-HTTLPR (5-and serotonin transporter linked polymer region) gene polymorphism and BDNF (brain derived neural factor) gene polymorphism and PTSD (post traumatic stress disorders) in Li and Han nationalities in Hainan Province. Methods: 167 Hainan Li PTSD patients, 141 Hainan Han PTSD patients and 158 healthy volunteers (control group) were investigated by ETI, caps, Toh, WCST, TMT and WAIS-RC. The polymorphisms of rs6265 locus of 5-HTTLPR and BDNF genes were detected by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and page (polycylamide gel electrophoresis), and the correlation with PTSD was analyzed. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of PTSD. Results: The ETI score, total PTSD score and TMT time of Li PTSD patients were significantly higher than those of Han PTSD patients (P < 0.01). The comprehension, picture filling, picture arrangement, operation IQ and total IQ of WAIS-RC were significantly lower than those of Han PTSD patients (P < 0.01);The numbers of errors, TMT and Toh in WCST were significantly lower than those in Han PTSD patients (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the distribution of 5-HTTLPR genotype and allele between Li PTSD patients and control group (P > 0.05). SS genotype of 5-HTTLPR and (GA + AA) genotype of rs6265 locus may increase the risk of PTSD in Hainan Han population. AA and GA + AA genotypes at rs6265 locus may increase the risk of PTSD in Li population (P < 0.05). Among Li PTSD patients, the ETI score, PTSD total score, TMT time, Toh planning time and execution time of AA genotype at rs6265 locus were significantly higher than those of GG genotype;the total scores of comprehension and operation IQ, and Toh in WAIS-RC were significantly lower than those in GG genotype (P < 0.05). Among Han PTSD patients, the ETI score, PTSD total score and TMT time of SS genotype of 5-HTTLPR were significantly higher than those of LL genotype, and the comprehension, arithmetic and block diagram in WAIS-RC were significantly lower than those of LL genotype;The ETI score, PTSD total score and TMT time of patients with (GA + AA) genotype at rs6265 locus were also significantly higher than those of patients with GG genotype. The comprehension and block diagram in WAIS-RC were significantly lower than those of patients with GG genotype. The number of WCST errors in patients with AA genotype was significantly higher than those of patients with GG genotype, and the operational IQ in WAIS-RC was significantly lower than those of patients with GG genotype (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The LL genotype of 5-HTTLPR and the GG genotype of rs6265 locus are related to PTSD of Li and Han nationalities in Hainan, which are important protective factors for PTSD of Li and Han nationalities in Hainan.

Analysis of dynamic smile and upper lip curvature in young Chinese

During smile evaluation and anterior esthetic construction,the anatomic and racial variations should be considered in order to achieve better matching results.The aims of this study were to validate an objective method for recording spontaneous smile process and to categorize the smile and upper lip curvature of Chinese Han-nationality youth.One hundred and eighty-eight Chinese Han-nationality youths(88 males and 100 females) ranged from 20 to 35 years of age were selected.Spontaneous smiles were elicited by watching comical movies and the dynamics of the spontaneous smile were captured continuously with a digital video camera.All subjects’ smiles were categorized into three types:commissure,cuspid and gummy smile based on video editing software and final images.Subjects’ upper lip curvatures were also measured and divided into three groups:upward,straight and downward.Reliability analysis was conducted to obtain intra-rater reliabilities on twice measurements.The Pearson Chi-square test was used to compare differences for each parameters(α=0.05).In smile classification,60.6%commissure smile,33.5%cuspid smile and 5.9%gummy smile were obtained.In upper lip measurement,26.1%upward,39.9%straight and 34.0%downward upper lip curvature were determined.The commissure smile group showed statistically significant higher percentage of straight(46.5%) and upward(40.4%) in upper lip curvatures(P<0.05),while cuspid smile group(65.1%) and gummy smile group(72.7%) showed statistically significant higher frequency in downward upper lip curvature(P<0.05).It is evident that differences in upper lip curvature and smile classification exist based on race,when comparing Chinese subjects with those of Caucasian descent,and gender.

Genetic Polymorphism of 38 Y-chromosome Short Tandem Repeats in Beijing Han Population from China

Objective:To investigate 38 Y-chromosome short tandem repeat(Y-STR)genetic polymorphisms in Beijing Han and analyze the genetic distance with neighboring or linguistically similar populations.Materials and Methods:In the study,we selected 531 unrelated male individuals of Beijing Han,and the results were statistically analyzed by testing with GSTAR™41Y reagents.Results:The allele peak heights were balanced among the Y loci,the amplified fragment ranged from 100 to 500 bps.A total of 531 haplotypes were detected in 531 samples.Eight null genotypes were observed on locus DYS448.One and three double alleles were observed on single-copy locus DYS576 and DYS19,respectively.DYS385 a/b,DYF387S1 a/b,and DYS527 a/b were more common in double copies,but 3,13,and 11 triple alleles were detected,respectively.The gene diversity values of Y-STRs except DYS391,DYS438,and DYS645 were>0.5.Twenty-seven Y-STRs of Beijing Han population were selected for genetic distance comparison with 17 populations including Changchun Han,with Rst values ranging from 0.0002 to 0.1703.Conclusion:The 38 Y-STRs in this study have strong male lineage identification ability and have great potential for individual identification,kinship identification,Y-STR database construction,and genetic relationship research.

Health-related behaviors in children of ethnic minorities and Han nationality in China

Objective:The purpose of this study was to understand the health-related behaviors in children of ethnic minorities and Han nationality so as to provide a basis for formulating a health promotion plan,reasonably allocating health resources,and improving health conditions of the entire population of children.Methods:The selection and processing of study subjects,as well as health-related behaviors,were based on the 2009 Chinese Health and Nutrition Survey(CHNS)data.A total of 867 children were involved in this study,including 762 Han children and 105 minority children.Comparative analysis was conducted on the reported ratio of health-related behaviors,including society and family variation,as well as dietary habit variation,and health condition scores.Results:A comparison on health-related behaviors between ethnic minority and Han children indicated the following:with respect to society and family variation,statistical significance(P<0.05)existed between the two groups in health-related behaviors influenced by parents who did or did not stay at home,level of education,and medical insurance status;and with respect to dietary habit variation,statistical significance(P<0.05)existed in the differences of dietary habits between the two groups.Moreover,differences in the weight-forage Z score(WAZ),weight-forheight Z score(WHZ),and body mass index-for-age Z score(BAZ)between the two groups were statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion:Health-related behavioral norms and health conditions of ethnic minority children should be further improved.Increased health awareness of families with children and health care system development should be stressed to elevate the health level of the entire population of children in China.

Genetics analysis of haptoglobin gene in Fujian Han nationality

To study the genetic features(characteristics)of haptoglobin gene,four different age groups of Fujian Han people were investigated.The phenotypes of the hap-toglobin of four different groups were analyzed by using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.The frequency of Hp^(1) in the population of Fujian Han nationality accounted for 0.340,among which children,youths,middle aged and elder groups were 0.307,0.338,0.363 and 0.383,respect-ively.The Hp^(0-0)phenotype frequency was 0.026 in which the four age groups accounted for 0.032,0.046,0.014 and 0.014,respectively.The frequency of Hp^(1)gene is rising with increasing age.The frequency of Hp^(0-0)phenotype is highest in the middle aged group and then tends to drop with increasing age.

Nationality differences in distributions of serum lipids, lipoproteins and apolipoproteins levels in Xinjiang China

Objective To reveal the distribution characteristics of serum lipids,lipoproteins,and apolipoproteins levels in different nationalities.Methods Quantitative levels of those traits mentioned above were determined and body height(H),weight(W)and body mass index(BMI=W/H2)were assessed in 773 Kazaks(men 360 and women 413)and 911 Han nationality(men 466 and women 445)from the Xinjiang Autonomous Region of China.Results Kazaks men and women,respectively,had significantly higher serum levels of HDL-c and ApoA1 (all P ＜ 0.001)and significantly lower serum levels of TG(men P ＜ 0.01,women P ＜ 0.001),Lp(a)(allP＜0.005),ApoB(men P＜0.005,women P＜0.001)and ApoB/A1(men P＜0.01,women P＜0.001)than their Han nationality controls.The threshold points of ApoA1(＜ 1.2 g/L)and ApoB(＞ 1.2 g/L)are higher in Hans than in Kazaks for ApoA1(20.7 vs 9.8%)and ApoB(18.6 vs 14.3%);the serum levels of TG,HDL-c,Lp(a),ApoA1 and ApoB/A1 are all closely correlated with nationality(P ＜ 0.001,P = 0.001,and P ＜ 0.05,respectively).Conclusion The results suggest that the nationality differences exist in serum levels of lipids,lipoproteins,and apolipoproteins,and Kazaks have a superior serum lipid pedigree to Hans.This differences may come from genetic differences,which affect the serum levels of lipids,lipoproteins,and apolipoproteins by controlling lipid metabolism pattems.Future study will be needed to dissect to the role of genetic factors on serum lipids.