Association between PPARG genetic polymorphisms and ischemic stroke risk in a northern Chinese Han population: a case-control study

Two common polymorphisms of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma(PPARG) gene, rs1801282 and rs3856806, may be important candidate gene loci affecting the susceptibility to ischemic stroke. This case-control study sought to identify the relationship between these two single-nucleotide polymorphisms and ischemic stroke risk in a northern Chinese Han population. A total of 910 ischemic stroke participants were recruited from the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China as a case group, of whom 895 completed the study. The 883 healthy controls were recruited from the Health Check Center of the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China. All participants or family members provided informed consent. The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the First Hospital of China Medical University, China on February 20, 2012(approval No. 2012-38-1). The protocol was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry(registration number: ChiCTR-COC-17013559). Plasma genomic DNA was extracted from all participants and analyzed for rs1801282 and rs3856806 single nucleotide polymorphisms using a SNaPshot Multiplex sequencing assay. Odds ratios(ORs) and 95% confidence intervals(CIs) were calculated using unconditional logistic regression to estimate the association between ischemic stroke and a particular genotype. Results demonstrated that the G allele frequency of the PPARG gene rs1801282 locus was significantly higher in the case group than in the control group(P < 0.001). Individuals carrying the G allele had a 1.844 fold increased risk of ischemic stroke(OR = 1.844, 95% CI: 1.286–2.645, P < 0.001). Individuals carrying the rs3856806 T allele had a 1.366 fold increased risk of ischemic stroke(OR = 1.366, 95% CI: 1.077–1.733, P = 0.010). The distribution frequencies of the PPARG gene haplotypes rs1801282-rs3856806 in the control and case groups were determined. The frequency of distribution in the G-T haplotype case group was significantly higher than that in the control group. The risk of ischemic stroke increased to 2.953 times in individuals carrying the G-T haplotype(OR = 2.953, 95% CI: 2.082–4.190, P < 0.001). The rs1801282 G allele and rs3856806 T allele had a multiplicative interaction(OR = 3.404, 95% CI: 1.631–7.102, P < 0.001) and additive interaction(RERI = 41.705, 95% CI: 14.586–68.824, AP = 0.860;95% CI: 0.779–0.940;S = 8.170, 95% CI: 3.772–17.697) on ischemic stroke risk, showing a synergistic effect. Of all ischemic stroke cases, 86% were attributed to the interaction of the G allele of rs1801282 and the T allele of rs3856806. The effect of the PPARG rs1801282 G allele on ischemic stroke risk was enhanced in the presence of the rs3856806 T allele(OR = 8.001 vs. 1.844). The effect of the rs3856806 T allele on ischemic stroke risk was also enhanced in the presence of the rs1801282 G allele(OR = 2.546 vs. 1.366). Our results confirmed that the G allele of the PPARG gene rs1801282 locus and the T allele of the rs3856806 locus may be independent risk factors for ischemic stroke in the Han population of northern China, with a synergistic effect between the two alleles.

Cable Pin System versus K-wire Tension Band Fixation for Patella Fractures in Chinese Han Population: A Meta-analysis

This meta-analysis compared the therapeutic effect of cable pin system（CPS） with K-wire tension band（KTB） in the treatment of patella fractures among Chinese Han population. The databases of PubM ed, Cochrane library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure（CNKI）, Chinese Wan Fang and Chinese VIP were searched for studies on CPS versus KTB in the treatment of patella fractures among Chinese Han population. Literatures were screened according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The quality of the studies was assessed, and meta-analysis was performed using the Cochrane Collaboration＇s REVMAN 5.3 software. A total of 932 patients from 15 studies were included in this meta-analysis（426 fractures treated with CPS and 506 fractures treated with KTB）. There were significant differences in duration of hospital stay [mean difference（MD）=–1.07; 95% confidence interval（CI）： –1.71 to –0.43], fracture healing time（MD=–1.23; 95% CI： –1.68 to –0.77）, flexion degree of knee joint at 6 th month after operation（MD=14.82; 95% CI： 10.93 to 18.71）, incidence of postoperative complication [risk ratio（RR）=0.16; 95% CI： 0.09 to 0.27] and excellent-good rate of B？stman score（RR=1.09; 95% CI： 1.03 to 1.16） between the CPS group and KTB group, while no significant difference was found in operative time between the two groups（MD=–4.52; 95% CI： –11.70 to 2.67）. For the treatment of patella fractures among Chinese Han population, limited evidence suggests that the CPS is more suitable than the KTB when considering the hospital stay, fracture healing time, flexion degree of knee at 6 th month after operation, incidence of postoperative complication and excellent-good rate of B？stman joint score. Due to the limitation of high quality evidence and sample size, more large-scale randomized controlled trials are needed to validate the findings in the future.

Haplotype Data of 23 Y-chromosome Markers in Minnan Han Chinese and Comparison with Those of 12 Y-chromosome Markers

We genotyped 23 Y-STR loci（DYS576, DYS389 I, DYS448, DYS389 II, DYS19, DYS391, DYS481, DYS549, DYS533, DYS438, DYS437, DYS570, DYS635, DYS390, DYS439, DYS392, DYS643, DYS393, DYS458, DYS385a/b, DYS456, and GATA-H4） in a sample of 109 unrelated male Chinese people residing in Minnan area and compared the results with those from our previous study on 12 Y-STR. The haplotype diversity and the discrimination capacity of the 23 Y-STR reached 0.9903 and 0.9725, respectively, and the genetic diversity for each locus ranged from 0.321（DYS391） to 0.955（DYS385）. Besides, we observed a strong correlation between the number of Y-STR markers and the substantial improvement of forensic parameters used to discriminate between individuals. The results indicated that these highly polymorphic Y-STR markers were useful for human identification in forensic cases and paternity tests within the Minnan Han Chinese population.

Association of G-protein coupled purinergic receptor P2Y2 with ischemic stroke in a Han Chinese population of North China

The G-protein-coupled purinergic receptor P2Y2(P2RY2) plays an important role in the mechanism of atherosclerosis, which is relevant to ischemic stroke. This retrospective case-control study aimed to assess the relationship between P2RY2 gene polymorphisms and ischemic stroke risk in the northern Han Chinese population. In this study, clinical data and peripheral blood specimens were collected from 378 ischemic stroke patients and 344 controls. The ischemic stroke participants were recruited from the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University and the First Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning Medical University. The controls were recruited from the Health Check Center at the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University. Ischemic stroke patients were divided into two subgroups according to the Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment(TOAST) classification: large-artery atherosclerosis(n = 178) and small-artery occlusion(n = 200) strokes. All subjects were genotyped for three single nucleotide polymorphisms(rs4944831, rs1783596, and rs4944832) in the P2RY2 gene using peripheral venous blood samples. The distribution of the dominant rs4944832 phenotype(GG vs. GA+AA) differed significantly between small-artery occlusion patients and control subjects(odds ratio(OR) = 1.720, 95% confidence interval(CI): 1.203–2.458, P < 0.01). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that the GG genotype of rs4944832 was significantly more prevalent in small-artery occlusion patients than in control subjects(OR = 1.807, 95% CI: 1.215–2.687, P < 0.01). The overall distribution of the haplotype established by rs4944831-rs1783596-rs4944832 was significantly different between ischemic stroke patients and controls(P < 0.01). In ischemic stroke patients, the frequency of the G-C-G haplotype was significantly higher than in control subjects(P = 0.028), whereas the frequency of the T-C-A haplotype was lower than in control subjects(P = 0.047). These results indicate that the G-C-G haplotype of P2RY2 is a susceptibility haplotype for ischemic stroke. In addition, the GG genotype of rs4944832 may be associated with the development of small-artery occlusion in the northern Han Chinese population. The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University on February 20, 2012(No. 2012-38-1) and the First Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning Medical University, China, on March 1, 2013(No. 2013-03-1). All participants gave their informed consent. This trial was registered with the ISRCTN Registry(ISRCTN11439124) on October 24, 2018. Protocol version(1.0).

SLC26A4 gene polymorphism and late-onset Alzheimer’s disease in a Han Chinese population from Qingdao,China

In a recent genome-wide association study, the SLC26A4 gene rs2072064 polymorphism was found to be associated with late-onset Alzheimer＇s disease in Caucasians. Here, we investigated this association in a large Northern Han Chinese cohort consisting of 599 sporadic late-onset Alzheimer＇s disease patients and 598 healthy controls matched for sex and age in a Northern Han Chinese population from Qingdao, China. Genotyping by the polymerase chain reaction-ligase detection reaction revealed that there were significant differences in the genotype （P = 0.017） and allele （P = 0.007） frequencies of the rs2072064 polymorphism between late-onset Alzheimer＇s disease patients and controls. The A allele of this polymorphism was significantly associated with a reduced risk of late-onset Alzheimer＇s disease （odds ratio （OR） = 0.792, 95% confidence interval （CI） = 0.670-0.937, P = 0.007）. When the data were stratified by the apolipoprotein E E4 status, there was a significant difference only among apolipoprotein E E4 non-carriers （genotypic P = 0.001, allelic P = 0.001）. Furthermore, the association between rs2072064 and late-onset Alzheimer＇s disease remained significant by logistic regression analysis after adjustment for age, gender, and the apolipoprotein E E4 carrier status （dominant model： OR = 0.787, 95% CI = 0.619-1.000, P = 0.050; recessive model： OR = 0.655, 95% CI = 0.448-0.959, P= 0.030; additive model： OR = 0.792, 95% CI = 0.661-0.950, P = 0.012）. These findings suggest that SLC26A4 is a susceptibility gene for late-onset Alzheimer＇s disease in a Northern Han Chinese population from the Qingdao area.

Interleukin-8 gene polymorphism is associated with acute coronary syndrome in a Han Chinese population

Background Acute coronary syndrome(ACS) is one of the most common forms of heart diseases.Recent studies have revealed that interleukin(IL)-8 plays a kev role in the development of atherosclerosis plaque and its complications, but the relationship of its common variants with ACS has not been extensively studied.Methods We tested the hypothesis that variants in IL-8-251 A/T was associated with susceptibility to ACS and its recurrence in a Chinese case-control study comprising 675 patients with ACS and 636 control subjects and replicated the investigation in an independent study comprising 360 cases and 360 control subjects. The plasma concentration of IL-8 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results IL-8 -251A】T poly-morphism was associated with increased susceptibility to ACS (P=0.004;OR=1.30 CI:1.12-1.53).Replication in the second study yielded similar results.IL-8 -251 A/T may affect the expression of IL-8 by the evidence that augmented IL-8 production revealed in serum of the AMI patients by ELISA. Conclusions IL-8 -251 A/T polymorphism is associated with ACS risk in Chinese Han population and An allele of IL-8- 251A/T may be an independent predictive factor.

Association between IgG N-glycans and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Han Chinese

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease（NAFLD） is a major public health issue worldwide. Immunoglobulin G（IgG） N-glycans are associated with risk factors for NAFLD, such as obesity and diabetes. A cross-sectional study involving 500 Han Chinese adults recruited from a community in Beijing was carried out to explore the association between IgG N-glycans and NAFLD. IgG N-glycosylation was significantly associated with NAFLD, with the disease showing a negative correlation with galactosylation（GP14, GP14n, and G2n）, positive correlation with fucosylation（FBG2n/G2n）, and positive correlation with bisecting N-acetylglucosamine（Glc NAc） [FBG2n/FG2n and FBG2n/（FG2n＋FBG2n）], after controlling age, gender, and prevalence of obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. In other words, the present study showed a possible association between NAFLD and the loss of galactose and elevations of fucose and bisecting GlcNAc. Aberrant IgG glycosylation might therefore be a potential biomarker for the primary or secondary prevention of NAFLD.

Common mtDNA variations at C5178a and A249d/T6392C/G10310A decrease the risk of severe COVID-19 in a Han Chinese population from Central China

Background:Mitochondria have been shown to play vital roles during severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)infection and coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)development.Currently,it is unclear whether mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA)variants,which define mtDNA haplogroups and determine oxidative phosphorylation performance and reactive oxygen species production,are associated with COVID-19 risk.Methods:A population-based case-control study was conducted to compare the distribution of mtDNA variations defining mtDNA haplogroups between healthy controls(n=615)and COVID-19 patients(n=536).COVID-19 patients were diagnosed based on molecular diagnostics of the viral genome by qPCR and chest X-ray or computed tomography scanning.The exclusion criteria for the healthy controls were any history of disease in the month preceding the study assessment.MtDNA variants defining mtDNA haplogroups were identified by PCR-RFLPs and HVS-I sequencing and determined based on mtDNA phylogenetic analysis using Mitomap Phylogeny.Student’s t-test was used for continuous variables,and Pearson’s chi-squared test or Fisher’s exact test was used for categorical variables.To assess the independent effect of each mtDNA variant defining mtDNA haplogroups,multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to calculate the odds ratios(OR)and 95%confidence intervals(CI)with adjustments for possible confounding factors of age,sex,smoking and diseases(including cardiopulmonary diseases,diabetes,obesity and hypertension)as determined through clinical and radiographic examinations.Results:Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that the most common investigated mtDNA variations(>10%in the control population)at C5178 a(in NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 gene,ND2)and A249 d(in the displacement loop region,D-loop)/T6392 C(in cytochrome c oxidase I gene,CO1)/G10310 A(in ND3)were associated with a reduced risk of severe COVID-19(OR=0.590,95%CI 0.428–0.814,P=0.001;and OR=0.654,95%CI 0.457–0.936,P=0.020,respectively),while A4833 G(ND2),A4715 G(ND2),T3394 C(ND1)and G5417 A(ND2)/C16257 a(D-loop)/C16261 T(D-loop)were related to an increased risk of severe COVID-19(OR=2.336,95%CI 1.179–4.608,P=0.015;OR=2.033,95%CI 1.242–3.322,P=0.005;OR=3.040,95%CI 1.522–6.061,P=0.002;and OR=2.890,95%CI 1.199–6.993,P=0.018,respectively).Conclusions:This is the first study to explore the association of mtDNA variants with individual’s risk of developing severe COVID-19.Based on the case–control study,we concluded that the common mtDNA variants at C5178 a and A249 d/T6392 C/G10310 A might contribute to an individual’s resistance to developing severe COVID-19,whereas A4833 G,A4715 G,T3394 C and G5417 A/C16257 a/C16261 T might increase an individual’s risk of developing severe COVID-19.

Genetic Polymorphism of 17 Y-STR Loci in Han Chinese Living in Lanzhou

The genetic polymorphism across 17 Y-STR loci in a population of Hart Chinese in Lanzhou was investigated. Haplotypes and allele frequencies for the 17 Y-chromosomal STRs loci DYS456, DYS389I, DYS390, DYS389 II, DYS458, DYS19, DYS385a/b, DYS393, DYS391, DYS439, DYS635, DYS392, Y GATA H4, DYS437, DYS438 and DYS448 were determined in 500 healthy unrelated autochthonous males from Lanzhou. The results showed that no shared haplotypes were observed. Gene diversity values ranged from 0.3987 （DYS391） to 0.9740 （DYS385a,b）. It was concluded that these loci will be very useful for human identification in forensic cases and paternity tests within the Han Chinese population inhabiting Lanzhou.

Establishment of the Method of Immunohistochemistry Assay for the Detection of Scrapie in Chinese Short-Tailed Han Sheep by Monoclonal Antibody

The method of immunohistochemistry assay for the detection of scrapie in Chinese Short-tailed Han sheep was established using monoclonal antibody. Genomic DNA was isolated from Chinese Short-tailed Hart sheep blood. Using the polymerase chain reaction technique, PrP27-30 gene sequence was amplified from Chinese Short-tailed Han sheep genomic DNA. By recombinant DNA technology, the recombinant protein of Chinese Short-tailed Han sheep PrP27-30 was obtained. Then, using standard methodology of myeloma cell fusion, a panel of monoclonal antibodies was generated. With mAbs, scrapie in Chinese Short-tailed Han sheep was detected by immunohistochemistry assay. The recombinant protein of Chinese Short-tailed Han sheep PrP27-30 was obtained and a panel of six hybridoma cell lines secreting specific antibodies to Chinese Short-tailed Han sheep PrP27-30 related to scrapie was obtained with one fusion between myeloma Sp2/0 and spleen ceils from mice immunized with the purified recombinant protein. Four hybridoma cell lines can be used in immunohistochemistry assay for the detection of scrapie in Chinese Short-tailed Han sheep. So that the special monoclonal antibody developed in author＇s institute can be used to detect PrP^sc of scrapie in Chinese Short-tailed Han sheep by immunohistochemistry in China.

Genetic polymorphisms in pri-let-7a-2 are associated with ischemic stroke risk in a Chinese Han population from Liaoning, China: a case-control study

Ischemic stroke is a complicated disease, and its pathogenesis has been attributed to the occurrence of genetic polymorphisms.Evidence has suggested that the microRNA let-7a is involved in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke.Pri-miRNA is the primary transcript, which undergoes several processing steps to generate pre-miRNA and, later, mature miRNAs.In this case-control study, we analyzed the distribution of prilet-7a-2 variants in patients at a high risk for ischemic stroke and the interactions of pri-let-7a-2 variants and environmental factors.Blood samples and clinical information were collected from 1086 patients with ischemic stroke and 836 healthy controls between December 2013 and December 2015 at the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University.We found that the rs1143770 CC genotype and the C allele were associated with a decreased risk of ischemic stroke, whereas the rs629367 CC genotype was associated with an increased risk for ischemic stroke.Moreover, these two single-nucleotide polymorphisms were in linkage disequilibrium in this study sample.We analyzed gene-environment interactions and found that rs1143770 exerted a combined effect on the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke, together with alcohol use, smoking, and a history of hypertension.Therefore, the detection of pri-let-7a-2 polymorphisms may increase the awareness of ischemic stroke risk.This study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, China(approval No.2012-38-1) on February 20, 2012, and was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry(registration number: ChiCTR-COC-17013559) on December 27, 2017.

Contents and Abstracts of Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering (Chinese Edition),ISSN 0577-6686,CN 11-2187/TH

Vol.43,No.3,2007 NEXT GENERATION LITHOGRAPHY——IMPRINT LITHOGRAPHY DING Yucheng LIU Hongzhong LU Bingheng LI Dichen (State Key Laboratory of Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China) 1

Comparison Research on the Differences of Uighur Han Chinese Communication Etiquette Customs and Psychological Characteristics under the Cross-cultural Environment

In this paper, we conduct research on differences of Uighur Han Chinese communication etiquette customs and the psychological characteristics under cross-cultural environment. Empathy is the process of cross-cultural communication subject and adapts to each other and good a better means of communication. In cross-cultural communication, we must improve on the sensitivity of the taboo, taboo customs of different peoples and nations. In this way can eliminate communication barriers and conflict, to achieve smooth with the harmonious language communication. This article will use the theory of intercultural communication with the understanding of the Uygur traditional culture as can dissolve the contradictions and obstacles of the communication. This article from two aspects of the language communication, nonverbal communication in the process of cross-cultural communication problems enumerated and analyzed which will be meaningful.

Differences in Heart Stroke Volume between Han and Korean-Chinese Nationalities and Correlative Factors

Objective To compare the differences in stroke volume （SV） and stroke volume index （Sl） between Han and Korean-Chinese and to investigate the correlated risk factors. Methods A total of 1 647 Han and 876 Korean-Chinese aged 10-80 years were investigated. SV, SI, cardiac output, cardiac output index, heart rate （HR）, systemic vascular resistance （SVR）, systemic vascular resistance index （SVRI）, and blood pressure were measured. Results SV/SI values in Korean-Chinese were lower than those in the Han of the same sex and age. Covariance analysis showed that, apart from the effect of sex, age and body mass index （BMI）, the differences in SV and SI between the two cohorts were still significant （P〈O.O01）. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the SV difference between the two ethnicities was affected （in descending order from a strong to weak correlation） by SVR, SVRI, HR, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, BMI, and systolic blood pressure, while the SI difference was affected by SVR, SVRI, HR, mean arterial pressure, diastolic and systolic blood pressure, and BMI. Conclusion The Fact that SV and SI in Korean-Chinese are lower than those in Han is related with higher SVR, HR and blood pressure in the Korean-Chinese.

Neuropsychiatric Symptoms and Cognitive Impairment in Chinese Patients with Parkinson's Disease in Han and Hui Ethnicity

Nenropsychiatric symptoms are common in patients with Parkinson's disease(PD)and they are likely to outweigh the motor symptoms and become a major factor affecting the quality of life of PD patients.However,the studies focusing on the non-motor symptoms in Chinese PD patients from different ethnicity are scarce.The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate neuropsychiatric symptoms and cognitive impairment in Chinese PD patients from Han and Hui populations from central China.Seventy-two Han Chinese PD patients(Han PD group)and 71 age-and sex-matched Hui Chinese PD patients(Hui PD group)were enrolled from Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University between Sept.2011 and Aug.2014 in the study.The neuropsychiatric symptoms and cognitive impairment were assessed using Neuropsychiatric Inventory(NPI)and Mini Mental State Examination(MMSE).We found that the proportion of depression,anxiety,apathy,irritability,euphoria and night time behavior disturbances were higher in the Han PD group than in the Hui PD group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).But the proportion of delusion,hallucination,agitation,disinhibition,aberrant motor behavior and change in appetite were not significantly different between the Han PD group and the Hui PD group(P>0.05).The total mean scores of the MMSE from patients in the Han PD group were similar to those in the Hui PD group(P>0.05).However,the subscale scores of recall domain and language domain in the Han PD group were significantly different from those in the Hui PD group(P<0.05).No significant difference was noted in the orientation,memory and calculation domains between the two PD groups(P>0.05).This study first showed the recall domain and language domain were different between the Han PD patients and the Hui PD patients.Depression,anxiety,apathy,irritability,euphoria and night time behavior disturbances were less presented in the Hui PD patients.All these differences may be related to the different ethnicity,which would be helpful for clinical physicians to recognize the different non-motor symptoms in Chinese PD patients with different ethnicity.

The association analysis polymorphism of CDKAL1 and diabetic retinopathy in Chinese Han population

AIM： To identify the contribution of CDKAL1 to the development of diabetic retinopathy（DR） in Chinese population.·METHODS： A case-control study was performed to investigate the genetic association between DR and polymorphic variants of CDKAL1 in Chinese Han population with type 2 diabetes mellitus（T2DM）. A welldefined population with T2 DM, consisting of 475 controls and 105 DR patients, was recruited. All subjects were genotyped for the genetic variant（rs10946398） of CDKAL1. Genotyping was performed by i PLEX technology. The association between rs10946398 and T2 DM was assessed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression（MLR） analysis.· RESULTS： There were significant differences in C allele frequencies of rs10946398（CDKAL1） between control and DR groups（45.06% versus 55.00%, P 〈0.05）.The rs10946398 of CDKAL1 was found to be associated with the increased risk of DR among patients with diabetes.·CONCLUSION： Our findings suggest that rs10946398 of CDKAL1 is independently associated with DR in a Chinese Han population.

Association of IL33/ST2 Signal Pathway Gene Polymorphisms with Myocardial Infarction in a Chinese Han Population

This study investigated the relationship between IL-33/ST2 signal pathway gene polymorphisms and myocardial infarction（MI） in Han Chinese. A case-control association analysis was performed on a total of 490 MI patients（MI group） and 929 normal subjects（NC group）. Sequenom Mass Array and Taqman genotyping technique were used to analyze the tag single nucleotide polymorphisms（SNPs） in the genes encoding IL-33, ST2, and IL-1Ra P（rs11792633, rs1041973 and rs4624606）. The results showed that the frequencies of rs4624606 genotypes AA, TT, AT were 0.031, 0.647, 0.322 in MI group and 0.026, 0.712, 0.263 in NC group, and the allele frequencies of A and T were 0.192, 0.808 in MI group and 0.157, 0.843 in NC group. There were significant differences in rs4624606 genotypes and allele frequencies between MI group and NC group（P〈0.05）. For rs11792633, the allele frequencies of C and T were 0.45, 0.55 in MI group and 0.454, 0.546 in NC group with no significant differences found between the two groups. Compared with genotype CC＋TC, rs11792633 genotype TT had an increased risk of hypertension（P〈0.05）. However, there were no significant differences in the frequencies of rs11792633 genotypes between the two groups. No significant differences were noted in the frequencies of rs1041973 genotype and allele between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that rs4624606 genotypes AT and AA＋AT were both significantly associated with MI（AT： OR=1.325, P=0.029, 95% CI=1.03–1.705; AA＋AT： OR=1.316, P=0.028, 95% CI=1.03–1.681） after factors such as age, gender, smoking, drinking, body mass index（BMI）, triglyceride（TG） and cholesterol were adjusted. Those carrying rs4624606 genotype AT or AA＋AT had an increased risk of MI. No associations were found between the polymorphisms of the other two loci with MI. It was concluded that, in the IL33/ST2 signal pathway, the A allele of rs4624606 polymorphism of IL-1Ra P gene is a potential independent risk factor for MI, and the genotypes AA＋AT and AT are associated with the incidence of MI.

Associations between thromboxane A synthase 1 gene polymorphisms and the risk of ischemic stroke in a Chinese Han population

Thromboxane A synthase 1 （TBXAS1） catalyses the synthesis of thromboxane A2 （TXA2）, which plays an important role in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke. Thus, the TBXAS1 gene was investigated as a candidate gene involved in the formation of atherosclerosis. This case-control study collected peripheral blood specimens and clinical data of 370 ischemic stroke patients and 340 healthy controls in the Northern Chinese Han population from October 2010 to May 2011. Two TBXAS1 single-nucleotide polymorphisms, rs2267682 and rs10487667, were analyzed using a SNaPshot Multiplex sequencing assay to explore the relationships between the single-nucleotide polymorphisms in TBXAS1 and ischemic stroke. The TT genotype frequency and T allele frequency of rs2267682 in the patients with ischemic stroke were significantly higher than those in the controls （P 〈 0.01 and P = 0.02）. Furthermore, compared with the GG ＋ GT genotype, the TT rs2267682 genotype was associated with increased risk of ischemic stroke （odds ratio （OR） = 1.80, 95% confidence interval （CI）： 1.16–2.79, P 〈 0.01）. Multivariate logistic analysis with adjustments for confounding factors revealed that rs2267682 was still associated with ischemic stroke （OR = 1.94,95% CI ： 1.13–3.33, P = 0.02）. The frequency of the T-G haplotype in the patients was significantly higher than that in the controls according haplotype analysis （OR = 1.49, 95% CI： 1.10–2.00, P 〈 0.01）. These data reveal that the rs2267682 TBXAS1 polymorphism is associated with ischemic stroke. The TT genotype of TBXAS1 and T allele of rs2267682 increase susceptibility to ischemic stroke in this Northern Chinese Han population. The protocol has been registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry （registration number： ChiCTR-COC-17013559）.