Gender-specific association of SLC19A1 and MTHFR genetic polymorphism with oxidative stress biomarkers and plasma folate levels in older adults

Background Plasma folate levels are closely related to antioxidant capacity and are regulated by folate pathway gene polymorphism. However, few studies have explored the gender-specific association of folate pathway gene polymorphism with oxidative stress biomarkers. The present study was designed to explore the gender-specific independent and combined impacts of solute carrier family 19 member 1 (SLC19A1) and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) genetic polymorphisms on oxidative stress biomarkers in older adults. Methods A total of 401 subjects were recruited, including 145 males and 256 females. Demographic characteristics of the participants were collected by using a self-administered questionnaire. Fasting venous blood samples were taken for folate pathway gene genotyping, circulating lipids parameters and erythrocyte oxidative stress biomarkers measurement. The difference of genotype distribution and the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was calculated by the Chi-square test. The general linear model was applied to compare the plasma folate levels and erythrocyte oxidative stress biomarkers. Multiple linear regression was used to explore the correlation between genetic risk scores and oxidative stress biomarkers. Logistic regression was used to explore the association of genetic risk scores of folate pathway gene with folate deficiency. Results The male subjects have lower plasma folate and HDL-C levels than the female ones, and the male carrying MTHFR rs1801133 (CC) or MTHFR rs2274976 (GA) genotypes have higher erythrocyte SOD activity. The plasma folate levels, erythrocyte SOD and GSH-PX activities were negatively correlated with genetic risk scores in the male subjects. A positive correlation between the genetic risk scores and folate deficiency was observed in the male subjects. Conclusions There was association between folate pathway gene polymorphism of Solute Carrier Family 19 Member 1 (SLC19A1) and Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) with erythrocyte SOD and GSH-PX activities, and folate levels in male but not in female aging subjects. Genetic variant of genes involved in folate metabolism has strong impact on plasma folate levels in the male aging subjects. Our data demonstrated that there was a potential interaction of gender and its genetic background in affecting the body's antioxidant capacity and the risk of folate deficiency in aging subjects

Chiral 3D Covalent Organic Frameworks for High Performance Liquid Chromatographic Enantioseparation

In spite of their great promise for enantioselective processes due to the rich host–guest chemistry, it remains a challenge to construct covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with chiral three-dimensional (3D) structures. Here we report bottom-up synthesis of the first example of 3D chiral COFs by imine condensation of an enantiopure 2-fold symmetric TADDOL-derived tetraaldehyde with a tetrahedral tetra­(4-anilyl)­methane. After postsynthetic oxidation of imine linkages, the framework is transformed into an amide-linked COF with retention of crystallinity and permanent porosity as well as enhanced chemical stability. The resultant isostructural COFs feature a 4-fold interpenetrated diamondoid open framework with tubular channels decorated with chiral dihydroxy auxiliaries. Both COFs can be used as chiral stationary phases for high performance liquid chromatography to enantioseparate racemic alcohols, and the oxidized COF shows superior separation performance compared to the pristine framework

Different laboratory abnormalities in COVID-19 patients with hypertension or diabetes

The pandemic of COVID-19 has placed an enormous burden on health authorities across the world. The symptoms of COVID-19 range from mild to life-threatening. Those who are elderly or have pre-existing health issues like hypertension or diabetes are more likely to develop severe disease. To understand why patients with hypertension and diabetes yield poorer clinical outcomes than those without, 99 patients with laboratory-confirmed moderate or severe COVID-19 were recruited and factors that associate with their preexisting health issues were explored using appropriate statistical methods. In our analysis, we found HRCT peak scores for hypertensive or diabetic COVID-19 patients were higher compared to those without (P < 0.05), which confirmed an increased disease severity in COVID-19 patients with hypertension or diabetes. Most interestingly, in laboratory findings on admission, we found white blood cell counts (P = 0.035), neutrophil counts (P = 0.045), D-dimer (P = 0.017) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (P = 0.007) were all increased in hypertensive COVID-19 patients compared to non-hypertensive ones; while lymphocyte count was not significantly changed in hypertensive COVID-19 patients (P = 0.260). In contrast, there was a significant decrease in lymphocyte count in COVID-19 patients with diabetes compared with those without (P = 0.019); while changes in white blood cell counts, neutrophil counts, D-dimer and LDH were not significant (P > 0.05) in COVID-19 patients with diabetes. These results suggest different mechanisms exist for hypertension or diabetes as risk factors for severe cases of COVID-19, which might shed light on future mechanistic studies

Temporal radiographic changes in COVID-19 patients: relationship to disease severity and viral clearance

COVID-19 is “public enemy number one” and has placed an enormous burden on health authorities across the world. Given the wide clinical spectrum of COVID-19, understanding the factors that can predict disease severity will be essential since this will help frontline clinical staff to stratify patients with increased confidence. To investigate the diagnostic value of the temporal radiographic changes, and the relationship to disease severity and viral clearance in COVID-19 patients. In this retrospective cohort study, we included 99 patients admitted to the Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, with laboratory confirmed moderate or severe COVID-19. Temporal radiographic changes and viral clearance were explored using appropriate statistical methods. Radiographic features from HRCT scans included ground-glass opacity, consolidation, air bronchogram, nodular opacities and pleural effusion. The HRCT scores (peak) during disease course in COVID-19 patients with severe pneumonia (median: 24.5) were higher compared to those with pneumonia (median: 10) (p = 3.56 × 10 −12), with more frequency of consolidation (p = 0.025) and air bronchogram (p = 7.50 × 10 −6). The median values of days when the peak HRCT scores were reached in pneumonia or severe pneumonia patients were 12 vs. 14, respectively (p = 0.048). Log-rank test and Spearman’s Rank-Order correlation suggested temporal radiographic changes as a valuable predictor for viral clearance. In addition, follow up CT scans from 11 pneumonia patients showed full recovery. Given the values of HRCT scores for both disease severity and viral clearance, a standardised HRCT score system for COVID-19 is highly demanded. </p