Influence of Repeated Variable Load on Long-Term Behavior of Concrete Elements

The objective of this paper is to study the influence of repeated variable action on long-term behavior of concrete structural elements using quasi-permanent combination of actions, for the assessment of long-term effects （e.g., effects due to creep and shrinkage in concrete structures）, as it is proposed in Eurocodes. Extensive experimental program and analytical research using model B3 and AAEM （age adjusted effective modulus） method was performed in order to define quasi-permanent factor ψ2, for two specific loading histories. These loading histories were consist of long-term permanent action ＂G＂ and repeated variable action ＂Q＂. The variable load was applied in cycles of loading/unloading for 24 h and 48 h in period of 400 days appropriately for one series of concrete elements. 24 reinforced concrete beams, dimensions 150 mm × 280 mm × 3,000 mm, were tested. Twelve beams were made of concrete class C30/37 and 12 of concrete class C60/75.

Relevance of MUC1 mucin variable number of tandem repeats polymorphism in H pylori adhesion to gastric epithelial cells

AIM:To evaluate the influence of MUC1 mucin variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) variability on H pylori adhesion to gastric cells. METHODS: Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based adhesion assays were performed to measure the adhesion of different H pylori strains (HP26695 and HPTx30a) to gastric carcinoma cell lines (GP202 and MKN45) and GP202 clones expressing recombinant MUC1 with different VNTR lengths. RESULTS: Evaluation of adhesion results shows that H pylori pathogenic strain HP26695 has a significantly higher (P < 0.05) adhesion to all the cell lines and clones tested, when compared to the non-pathogenic strain HPTx30a. Bacteria showed a significantly higher (P < 0.05) adhesion to the GP202 cell line, when compared to the MKN45 cell line. Furthermore, both strains showed a significantly higher (P < 0.05) adhesion to GP202 clones with larger MUC1 VNTR domains. CONCLUSION: This work shows that MUC1 mucin variability conditions H pylori binding to gastric cells. The extent of bacterial adhesion depends on the size of theMUC1 VNTR domain. The adhesion is further dependent on bacterial pathogenicity and the gastric cell line. MUC1 mucin variability may contribute to determine H pylori colonization of the gastric mucosa.

Associations between IL-1RN variable number of tandem repeat, IL-1β (-511) and IL-1β (+3954) gene polymorphisms and urolithiasis in Uighur children of China

Objective:Interleukin-1(IL-1)is a pro-inflammatory cytokine which may be related to urolithiasis.Genetic polymorphisms of the interleukin-1beta(IL-1β)have been proposed as markers for urolithiasis in some areas.Due to the high incidence of urolithiasis in Uighur children(Xinjiang,China)and existence of ethnic difference,our aim is to explore the potential of IL-1 gene polymorphisms and urolithiasis among these children.Methods:Genomic DNA extracted from peripheral blood of 115 patients and 98 controls were used for genotype polymorphisms analyses.IL-1 receptor antagonist(IL-1RN)gene variable number of tandem repeat(VNTR)gene polymorphisms were analyzed by PCR method.PCR-based restriction analysis was done for the IL-1β(-511)and IL-1β(+3954)gene polymorphisms by endonucleases Ava I and Taq I,respectively.The genotype distribution,allele frequencies,carriage rate,and haplotype frequencies were statistically analyzed.Results:No significant differences were observed in genotypic frequencies between pediatric urolithiasis patients and control group for IL-1RN gene(χ^(2)=1.906,p=0.605),IL-1β(-511)gene(χ^(2)=0.105,p=0.949),or IL-1β(+3954)gene(χ^(2)=3.635,p=0.169).There were yet no significant differences of the allele frequencies of IL-1RN VNTR gene(p=0.779),IL-1β(-511)gene(p=0.941),and IL-1β(+3954)gene(p=0.418)in the case and control groups,as well as the carriage rate and haplotype of them(all p>0.05).Conclusions:The associations between IL-1RN VNTR,IL-1β(-511)and IL-1β(+3954)genes polymorphisms and urolithiasis were not significant in Uighur children.The results need to be confirmed in studies with larger population sample size,as well as in other ethnic groups.

Genetic Diversity and Drug Susceptibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Isolates in a Remote Mountain Area of China

Objective We determined the genetic diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis（MTB） in a remote mountainous area of southwest China and evaluated the resolving ability of single nucleotide polymorphism（SNP） genotyping combined with variable number tandem repeat（VNTR） genotyping for Beijing family strains in association with drug resistance status.Methods Three hundred thirty-one MTB strains were isolated from patients living in mountainous regions of southwest China,and 8-loci SNP,VNTR-15 genotyping assays,and drug susceptibility testing of 9 drugs were performed.Results A total of 183 [55.29%（183/331）] strains were classified into the Beijing family.Of the 183 strains,111（60.66%） were defined as modern Beijing strains.The most predominant modern Beijing sub-lineage and ancient Beijing sub-lineage were Bmyc10 [39.34%（72/183）] and Bmyc25 [20.77%（38/183）],respectively.Of the isolates,19.64%（65/331） were resistant to at least 1 of the 9 anti-TB drugs and 17 [4.98%（17/331）] MTB isolates were multi-drug resistant tuberculosis（MDR-TB）.Two hundred sixty-one isolates showed a clustering rate of 14.18%（37/261） and a discriminatory index of 0.9990.The Beijing lineage exhibited a significantly higher prevalence of MDR-TB,as well as resistance to isoniazid（INH）,rifampin（RIF）,and para-aminosalicylic acid（PAS） when analyzed independently（P = 0.005,P = 0.017,P = 0.014,and P = 0.006 respectively）.The Beijing lineage was not associated with genetic clustering or resistance to any drug.In addition,genetic clustering was not associated with drug resistance.Conclusion MTB strains demonstrate high genetic diversity in remote mountainous areas of southwest China.Beijing strains,especially modern Beijing strains,are predominant in remote mountainous area of China.The combination of 8-loci SNPs and VNTR-15 genotyping is a useful tool to study the molecular epidemiology of MTB strains in this area.

Short mucin 6 alleles are associated with H pylori infection

AIM： To investigate the relationship between mucin 6 （MUC6） VNTR length and Hpylori infection. METHODS： Blood samples were collected from patients visiting the Can Tho General Hospital for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. DNA was isolated from whole blood, the repeated section was cut out using a restriction enzyme （Pvu 11） and the length of the allele fragments was determined by Southern blotting. Hpylori infection was diagnosed by ^14C urea breath test. For analysis, MUC6 allele fragment length was dichotomized as being either long （〉 13.5 kbp） or short （≤ 13.5 kbp） and patients were classified according to genotype [long- long （LL）, long-short （LS）, short-short （SS）]. RESULTS： 160 patients were studied （mean age 43 years, 36% were males, 58% H pylori positive）. MUC6 PvuⅡ-restricted allele fragment lengths ranged from 7 to 19 kbp. Of the patients with the LL, LS, SS MUC6 genotype, 43% （24/56）, 57% （25/58） and 76% （11/46） were infected with Hpylori, respectively （P = 0.003）. CONCLUSION： Short MUC6 alleles are associated with H pylori infection.

Association between serotonin transporter gene polymorphisms and non-lesional temporal lobe epilepsy in a Chinese Han population

Serotonin （5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT） influences the cortical and subcortical excitatory/inhibitory balance and participates in the pathophysiological processes of epilepsy. The serotonin transporter （5-HTT） is the most important factor in serotonin inactivation. We tested whether 5-HTT polymorphisms are involved in the pathogenesis of epilepsy in Chinese Han population. We did not find a significant difference in the frequencies of genotypes and alleles in the 5-HTT gene-linked poLymorphic region （5-H-I-FLPR） in patients with non-lesional temporal lobe epilepsy and normal controls （P〉 0.05）. Frequencies of the 5-H1-1- intron 2 variable number tandem repeat （5-HTTVNTR） 12/12 genotype and allele 12 were higher in the patients with non-lesional temporal lobe epilepsy than normal controls （P 〈 0.01）. The odds ratio of affecting non-lesional temporal lobe epilepsy was 1.435 （95% Cl, 1.096 1.880） in patients carrying allele 12 （P 〈 0.05）. Although the 5-HTTLPR may not be a genetic locus of non-lesional temporal lobe epilepsy in Chinese Hart population, allele 12 in the 5-HTTVNTR may correlate with non-lesional temporal lobe epilepsy. The Stin2.12 allele and 12/12 genotype could be predisposing to non-lesional temporal lobe epilepsy.

Association of serotonin transporter gene polymorphisms and major depressive disorder in Chinese Han population

BACKGROUND： Serotonin transporter （5-HTT） polymorphisms comprise 5-HTT gene-linked polymorphism region （5-HTTLPR） and variable number of tandem repeats （VNTR）. Studies have revealed an association between 5-HTT polymorphism and major depressive disorder, which suggests that the ＂S＂ allele of 5-HTTLPR and Stin2.9 of 5-HTTVNTR are associated with major depressive disorder. However, there are a number of studies that do not support the 5-HTT polymorphism effect in major depressive disorder. OBJECTIVE： To study the relationship between 5-HTT gene polymorphism and major depressive disorder in Chinese Han population. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： Case-controlled study of 5-HTT gene polymorphism. The experiment was performed at the Central Laboratory, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, China from March 2005 to January 2006. PARTICIPANTS： A total of 99 depressive patients of Chinese Han nationality were recruited for this study. All patients met DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder and had a total score of Hamilton Depression Scale （24 items） ≥21 points. In addition, 101 healthy subjects, matched for age and gender, served as the control group. METHODS： Venous blood was collected from all subjects. 5-HTT genotypes and alleles were determined by polymerase chain reaction. Consistent with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the association between 5-HTT gene polymorphism and major depressive disorder were analyzed by Chi-square test. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： 5-HTTLPR and 5-HTTVNTR genotypes and allele frequencies were measured. RESULTS： No significant differences in 5-HTTLPR genotypes and allele frequencies were determined between patients and controls （P 〉 0.05）. However, significant differences in 5-HTTVNTR genotypes and allele frequencies were detected （P 〈 0.01 ）. The Stin2.10 allele and 10/10 genotype associated with major depressive disorder （OR = 2.61,7.7, P 〈 0.05; analysis of dose-response relationships Х^2 = 12.35, P 〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： Results from the present study revealed no association between 5-HTTLPR and major depressive disorder. However, a significant association between 5-HTTVNTR and major depressive disorder existed in a population of Chinese Han. The presence of Stin2.10 and 10/10 genotypes increased the risk for major depressive disorder in a dose-dependent manner.

Significance of IL-1Ra and IL-6 gene variants in Turkish patients with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever

Objective: To investigate the association between IL-1 Ra variable number of tandem repeat(rs2234663), IL-6-597 GA(rs1800797), IL-6-572 GC(rs1800796) and the risk of CrimeanCongo hemorrhagic fever(CCHF) in the Turkish patients. Methods: This study included 50 patients infected with CCHF and 50 healthy controls. These variants were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction and/or restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Results: The distribution of the IL-6-572 GC genotypes and alleles varied significantly between the patients and the controls. The subjects carrying IL-6-572 GC GG genotype and G allele had increased risk of developing CCHF compared to the control group(P=0.006, P=0.014, respectively). IL-6-572 GC GC genotype was higher in the controls than the patients(P=0.006). For the triple genotype combinations, the 1/2-GC-GG genotype combination was detected more frequently in the control group than CCHF patients(P=0.016). IL-6(-572/-597) GG-GG genotype was significantly higher in the patient group(P=0.015), while the GC-GG genotype was significantly lower in the patient group(P=0.005). Additionally, the G-G haplotype was significantly higher in the patient group(P=0.042), whereas C-G was found to be significantly lower in the patients than the control group(P=0.037). Conclusions: The results of this study suggest the IL-6-572 GC variant might be genetic markers of sensitivity to CCHF in the Turkish population and may facilitate greater protection against the disease.

Genetic Testing of the mucin I gene-Variable Number Tandem Repeat Single Cytosine Insertion Mutation in a Chinese Family with Medullary Cystic Kidney Disease

Background： Medullary cystic kidney disease （MCKD） is clinically indistinguishable from several other autosomal-dominant renal diseases： thus, molecular genetic testing is needed to establish a definitive diagnosis. A specific type of single cytosine insertion in the variable number tandem repeat （VNTR） of the mucin 1 （MUC1） gene is the only known cause of MCKD1; however, genetic analysis of this mutation is difficult and not yet offered routinely. To identify the causative mutation/s and establish a definitive diagnosis in a Chinese family with chronic kidney disease, clinical assessments and genetic analysis were performed, including using a modified genotyping method to identify the MUC1-VNTR single cytosine insertion. Methods： Clinical data from three patients in a Chinese family with chronic kidney disease were collected and evaluated. Linkage analysis was used to map the causative locus. Mutation analysis of uromodulin （UMOD） gene was performed using polymerase chain reaction （PCR） and direct sequencing. For MUC1 genotyping, the mutant repeat units were enriched by Mwol restriction, and then were amplified and introduced into pMD-18T vectors. The 192 clones per transformant were picked up and tested by colony PCR and second round of Mwol digestion. Finally, Sanger sequencing was used to confirm the MUC1 mutation. Results： Clinical findings and laboratory results were consistent with a tubulointerstitial lesion. Linkage analysis indicated that the family was compatible with the MCKDI locus. No mutations were found in UMOD gene. Using the modified MUC1 genotyping method, we detected the MUC1-VNTR single cytosine insertion events in three patients of the family; and mutation-containing clones were 12/192, 14/192, and 5/96, respectively, in the three patients. Conclusions： Clinical and genetic findings could support the MCKDI diagnosis. The modified strategy has been demonstrated to be a practical way to detect MUCI mutation.