Circadian Clock Genes in the Metabolism of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common disease, which is characterized by the accumulation of triglycerides in the hepatocytes without excess alcohol intake. Circadian rhythms can participate in lipid, glucose, and cholesterol metabolism and are closely related to metabolism seen in this disease. Circadian clock genes can modulate liver lipid metabolism. Desynchrony of circadian rhythms and the influences imparted by external environmental stimuli can increase morbidity. By contrast, synchronizing circadian rhythms can help to alleviate the metabolic disturbance seen in NAFLD. In this review, we have discussed the current research connections that exist between the circadian clock and the metabolism of NAFLD, and we have specifically focused on the key circadian clock genes, Bmal1, Clock, Rev-Erbs, Rors, Pers, Crys, Nocturnin, and DECs

Lower Vitamin D Levels are Associated with Higher Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii —a US National Survey Study

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with high susceptibility to infections. The present study aimed at exploring the relationship between vitamin D levels and Toxoplasma gondii ( T. gondii ) infection, on the basis of a nationally representative database. The study data came from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) 2001–2004. Participants underwent both Toxoplasma IgG antibody testing and serum vitamin D testing. Vitamin D deficiency was defined by a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level <20 ng/mL. Multivariate logistic regression and propensity score matching were used to adjust for potential confounders. All analyses were conducted in R software. A total of 10613 participants were included. Among these, 3973 (37.4%) were vitamin D deficient, and 2070 (19.5%) were seropositive for T. gondii IgG antibody. Vitamin D deficiency was found in 42.3% of the seropositive population, compared with 36.3% of the seronegative population ( P <0.001). After adjustment for sex, age, body mass index, smoking history, drinking history and testing season, vitamin D deficiency was associated with an elevated risk of T. gondii infection (OR=1.303, 95% CI=1.136–1.495, P <0.001). This effect persisted in the propensity matching cohort. Low vitamin D levels are associated with high seroprevalence of T. gondii

The relationship between psychological resilience and depression among the diabetes patients under the background of “dynamic zero COVID-19”: the mediating role of stigma and the moderating role of medication burden

ObjectiveDepression in diabetes patients is caused by their own disease or the surrounding social environment. How to cope with changes in mentality and adjust psychological stress responses, especially under China’s dynamic zero COVID-19 policy, is worth further discussion. The researchers constructed a moderated mediation model to test the effect of psychological resilience during dynamic zero COVID-19 on depression in diabetes patients and the mediating role of stigma and the moderating effect of medication burden.MethodFrom June to September, 2022, data were collected in Jinghu District, Wuhu City, Anhui Province, by multi-stage stratified sampling. Firstly, we selected a tertiary hospital randomly in Jinghu District. Secondly, departments are randomly chosen from the hospital. Finally, we set up survey points in each department and randomly select diabetes patients. In addition, we used the Connor-Davidson Elasticity Scale (CD-RISC) to measure psychological resilience of patients, and used the Stigma Scale for Chronic Illness (SSCI) to measure stigma, medication burden was measured by the Diabetes Treatment Burden Scale (DTBQ), and depression was assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). We used SPSS (version 23.0) and PROCESS (version 4.1) for data analysis.Results(1) Psychological resilience was negatively correlated with stigma, medication burden, and depression. Stigma was positively associated with medication burden and depression. Medication burden and depression are positively correlated, (2) The mediation analysis showed that psychological resilience had a direct predictive effect on depression, and stigma partially mediated the relationship, and (3) Medication burden moderates the direct pathway by which psychological resilience predicts depression; Medication burden moderates the first half of “psychological resilience → stigma → depression.”ConclusionUnder the mediating effect of stigma, psychological resilience can improve depression. Medication burden has a moderating effect on the relationship between psychological resilience and depression, and it also has a moderating effect on the relationship between psychological resilience and stigma. These results facilitate the understanding of the relationship mechanisms between psychological resilience and depression

Serological analysis of allergic components of house dust mite provides more insight in epidemiological characteristics and clinical symptom development in North China

BackgroundHouse dust mite (HDM) is the most common airborne source causing complex allergy symptoms. There are geographic differences in the allergen molecule sensitization profiles. Serological testing with allergen components may provide more clues for diagnosis and clinical management.ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the sensitization profile of eight HDM allergen components in a large number of patients enrolled in the clinic and to analyze the relation of gender, age, and clinical symptoms in North China.MethodsThe 548 serum samples of HDM-allergic patients (ImmunoCAP® d1 or d2 IgE ≥0.35) were collected in Beijing City and divided in four different age groups and three allergic symptoms. The specific IgE of HDM allergenic components, Der p 1/Der f 1, Der p 2/Der f 2, Der p 7, Der p 10, Der p 21, and Der p 23, was measured using the micro-arrayed allergen test kit developed by Hangzhou Zheda Dixun Biological Gene Engineering Co., Ltd. The new system was validated by comparing to single-component Der p 1, Der p 2, and Der p 23 tests by ImmunoCAP in 39 sera. The epidemiological study of these IgE profiles and the relation to age and clinical phenotypes were analyzed.ResultsA greater proportion of male patients was in the younger age groups, while more female patients were in the adult groups. Both the sIgE levels and the positive rates (approximately 60%) against Der p 1/Der f 1 and Der p 2/Der f 2 were higher than for the Der p 7, Der p 10, and Der p 21 components (below 25%). The Der f 1 and Der p 2 positive rates were higher in 2–12-year-old children. The Der p 2 and Der f 2 IgE levels and positive rates were higher in the allergic rhinitis group. The positive rates of Der p 10 increased significantly with age. Der p 21 is relevant in allergic dermatitis symptom, while Der p 23 contributes to asthma development.ConclusionHDM groups 1 and 2 were the major sensitizing allergens, with group 2 being the most important component relevant to respiratory symptoms in North China. The Der p 10 sensitization tends to increase with age. Der p 21 and Der p 23 might be associated with the development of allergic skin disease and asthma, respectively. Multiple allergen sensitizations increased the risk of allergic asthma

Predicting depressive symptom by cardiometabolic indicators in mid-aged and older adults in China: a population-based cross-sectional study

ObjectiveDepressive symptom is a serious mental illness often accompanied by physical and emotional problems. The prevalence of depressive symptom in older adults has become an increasingly important public health priority. Our study used cardiometabolic indicators to predict depressive symptom in middle-aged and older adults in China.MethodsThe data came from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study 2011 (CHARLS2011), which was a cross-sectional study. The analytic sample included 8,942 participants aged 45 years or above. The study evaluated the relationship between cardiometabolic indicators and depression by measuring 13 indicators, including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, waist-height ratio (WHtR), conicity index, visceral adiposity index (VAI), Chinese visceral adiposity index (CVAI), lipid accumulation product (LAP), a body shape index (ABSI), body roundness index (BRI), triglyceride glucose index (TyG-index) and its correlation index (TyG-BMI, TyG-waist circumference, TyG-WHtR). Binary logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between thirteen cardiometabolic indicators and depressive symptom. In addition, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and area under curve (AUC) were used to evaluate the predictive anthropometric index and to determine the optimum cut-off value.ResultsThe study included 8,942 participants, of whom 4,146 (46.37%) and 4,796 (53.63%) were male and female. The prevalence of depressive symptom in mid-aged and older adults in China was 41.12% in males and 55.05% in females. The results revealed that BMI [AUC = 0.440, 95%CI: 0.422–0.457], waist circumference [AUC = 0.443, 95%CI: 0.425–0.460], WHtR [AUC = 0.459, 95%CI: 0.441–0.476], LAP [AUC = 0.455, 95%CI: 0.437–0.472], BRI [AUC = 0.459, 95%CI: 0.441–0.476], CVAI [AUC = 0.449, 95%CI: 0.432–0.467], TyG-BMI [AUC = 0.447, 95%CI: 0.429–0.465], and TyG-waist circumference [AUC =0.452, 95%CI: 0.434–0.470] were weak predictors of depressive symptom (p &lt; 0.05) in males. In females, BMI [AUC = 0.470, 95%CI: 0.453–0.486], LAP [AUC = 0.484, 95%CI: 0.467–0.500], TyG-BMI [AUC = 0.470, 95%CI: 0.454–0.487], and TyG-waist circumference [AUC =0.481, 95%CI: 0.465–0.498] were weak predictors of depressive symptom (p &lt; 0.05). On the other side, VAI, ABSI, conicity index and TyG index could not predict depressive symptom in middle-aged and older adults.ConclusionMost cardiometabolic indicators have important value in predicting depressive symptom. Our results can provide measures for the early identification of depressive symptom in middle-aged and older adults in China to reduce the prevalence of depressive symptom and improve health

Association of polymorphisms in survivin gene with the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in Chinese han population: a case control study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Survivin, one of the strongest apoptosis inhibitors, plays a critical role in the development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). By comparison, relatively little is known about the effect of <it>survivin </it>gene polymorphisms on HCC susceptibility. Our study aimed to investigate the association of <it>survivin </it>gene polymorphisms with the risk of HCC in Chinese han population.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A case-control study was conducted in Chinese han population consisting of 178 HCC cases and 196 cancer-free controls. Information on demographic data and related risk factors was collected for all subjects. Polymorphisms of the <it>survivin </it>gene, including three loci of rs8073069, rs9904341 and rs1042489, were selected and genotyped by a polymerase chain reaction- restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique. Association analysis of genotypes/alleles and haplotypes from these loci with the risk of HCC was conducted under different genetic models.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Using univariate analysis of rs8073069, rs9904341 and rs1042489 under different genetic models, no statistically significant difference was found in genotype or allele distribution of HCC cases relative to the controls (<it>P </it>> 0.05). Linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis showed that these loci were in LD. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that with no G-C-T haplotype as reference, the haplotype of G-C-T from these loci was associated with a lower risk for HCC under the recessive model (<it>OR = </it>0.46, 95% confidence interval (<it>CI</it>): 0.24~0.90, <it>P </it>= 0.023). Both HBsAg+ and the medical history of viral hepatitis type B were risk factors for HCC. However, no statistically significant haplotype-environment interaction existed.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>No association between rs8073069, rs9904341 or rs1042489 in <it>survivin </it>gene and the risk of HCC is found in Chinese han population, but rs8073069G-rs9904341C- rs1042489T is perhaps a protective haplotype for HCC.</p

High blood galectin-3 level associated with risk of frailty in aging

BackgroundFrailty is one of the most problematic expressions of population aging, but its underlying mechanism has not been fully elucidated. Circulating galectin-3 (Gal-3) is involved in the pathogenesis of many age-related diseases. This study aims to explore the influence of circulating Gal-3 on the regulation of frailty and aging and to identify the potential mechanism further.MethodsIn this cross-sectional analysis, the Fried frailty phenotype (FP) was assessed among 149 community elderly residents in Shanghai. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated by the Ficoll-Paque density gradient method, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) encoding transcription factors in frailty were detected by Illumina and bioinformatics analyzed with R software. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analyses and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses were performed to explore the functional roles of these DEGs and the target genes related to frailty phenotypes. The serum Gal-3 concentration was tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Mouse frailty phenotype was used to construct an in vivo model of frailty, after which the serum levels of circulating Gal-3 and its gene expression levels in mouse tissues were determined.ResultsParticipants’ mean age was 72.04 ± 7.05 years. In total, 21.48% were frail and 36.91% were pre-frail. The mean serum Gal-3 concentration was 46.34 ± 17.99 ng/mL in frail participants, 32.30 ± 8.14 ng/mL in pre-frail participants, and 26.00 ± 5.87 ng/mL in non-frail individuals (p &lt; 0.001). Significant positive correlations between serum Gal-3 level and FP score, SARC-F score, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6, etc., were observed. In addition, the KEGG pathway and GO enrichment analyses showed that 265 DEGs in PBMCs of frail participants were mainly related to inflammatory response, translation, RNA binding, protein binding, ribosome, and primary immunodeficiency. LGALS3 was identified as the overlapping gene between frailty-related DEGs and aging-related DEGs. The elevated serum Gal-3 concentration in the in vivo model of frailty was consistent with the results in participants.ConclusionIn both community-dwelling older adults and aged mice, serum Gal-3 concentration was positively correlated with frailty. This circulating mediator may be a promising indicator of frailty.Clinical trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry identifier, ChiCTR2000036399

Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead