Association of high sensitivity C-reactive protein and abdominal aortic aneurysm: a meta-analysis and systematic review

<p><b>Objective:</b> To evaluate the association of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) with the presence of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).</p> <p><b>Methods:</b> Medline, Cochrane, Embase, and Google Scholar databases were searched until 22 June 2016 using the keywords predictive factors, biomarkers, abdominal aortic aneurysm, prediction, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, and hsCRP. Prospective studies, retrospective studies, and cohort studies were included.</p> <p><b>Results:</b> Twelve case–control studies were included in the meta-analysis with a total of 8345 patients (1977 in the AAA group and 6368 in the control group). The pooled results showed that AAA patients had higher hsCRP value than the control group (difference in means = 1.827, 95% CI = 0.010 to 3.645, <i>p</i> = .049). Subgroup analysis found AAA patients with medium or small aortic diameter (<50 mm) had higher hsCRP plasma levels than the control group (difference in means = 1.301, 95% CI = 0.821 to 1.781, <i>p</i> < .001). In patients with large aortic diameter (≥50 mm), no difference was observed in hsCRP levels between the AAA and control groups (difference in means = 1.769, 95% CI = −1.387 to 4.925, <i>p</i> = .272). Multi-regression analysis found the difference in means of hsCRP plasma levels between AAA and control groups decreased as aortic diameter increased (slope = −0.04, <i>p</i> < .001), suggesting that hsCRP levels may be inversely associated with increasing aneurysm size.</p> <p><b>Conclusions:</b> Our findings suggest that hsCRP levels may possibly be used as a diagnostic biomarker for AAA patients with medium or small aortic diameter but not for AAA patients with large aortic diameter. The correlation between serum hsCRP level and AAA aneurysm is not conclusive due to the small number of included articles and between-study heterogeneity.</p

Data_Sheet_1_The neuropeptide Y single-nucleotide polymorphism rs16147:T>C moderates the effect of alcohol dependence on depression in male Chinese Han population.docx

BackgroundPrevious studies suggest that alcohol dependence is associated with depression, however, the effect of alcohol dependence varies from individual to individual, which may be due to different genetic backgrounds. The interactions between alcohol dependence and different gene polymorphisms may finally shape the onset of depression. Neuropeptide Y (NPY), which can maintain homeostasis from high-stress stimulation, may protect individuals from the onset of depression. Here, we explored whether the NPY rs16147:T>C has an association with depression in individuals with alcohol dependence during the period of alcohol dependence withdrawal.MethodsA total of 455 males with alcohol dependence were recruited. The scale of Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST) and Self-Depression Scale (SDS) were respectively used to analyze the condition of alcohol dependence and depression. Genomic DNA was extracted from each blood sample and NPY polymorphisms were genotyped. The interaction between NPY rs16147:T>C and alcohol dependence on depression was first analyzed. Then, region of significance analysis was used to confirm which model provided the best fit for the interaction (diathesis-stress or differential susceptibility). Finally, by using internal replication analyses, the accuracy and robustness of the interaction results were improved.ResultsAlcohol dependence was positively correlated with depression. CC homozygotes of NPY rs16147:T>C exhibited less depression when exposed to low alcohol dependence, but more depression when exposed to high alcohol dependence. Individuals with the T allele showed the opposite result.ConclusionNPY rs16147:T>C might be correlated with susceptibility for depression in males during alcohol dependence withdrawal. The findings support the differential susceptibility model.</p