Analysis of Associations of Human BAFF Gene Polymorphisms with Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases

<div><p>Background</p><p>The B-lymphocyte-activating factor (BAFF) is associated with B-cell functions, and gene polymorphisms of the BAFF have been linked to autoimmune diseases (AIDs). In this study, we explored possible associations of two BAFF single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), rs1041569 and rs2893321, with autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs) in an ethnic Chinese population.</p><p>Material and Methods</p><p>In total, 319 Graves’ disease (GD), 83 Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) patients, and 369 healthy controls were enrolled. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and direct sequencing were used to genotype rs2893321 and rs1041569.</p><p>Results</p><p>There was a significant difference in frequencies of the G allele and AG+GG genotype of rs2893321 between the GD and control groups (<i>p</i> = 0.013, odds ratio (OR) = 0.76, and <i>p</i> = 0.017, OR = 0.68, respectively) and between the AITD and control groups (<i>p</i> = 0.009, OR = 0.76, and, <i>p</i> = 0.014, OR = 0.69, respectively). The AA genotype of rs2893321 was associated with low titers of the thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibody (TSHRAb) (<i>p</i> = 0.015) in males but not in females. The AA genotype of rs2893321 was associated with the presence of two different types of thyroid autoantibody (TAb) (TSHRAb and Hashimoto’s autoantibody (anti-thyroglobulin or anti-microsomal antibody)) in females and with that of one type in males.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>rs2893321 may be a susceptible genetic variant for the development of GD and AITDs. Associations of rs2893321 with susceptibility to GD and AITDs and the correlation between rs2893321 and TAb exhibit a dimorphic pattern. Additional studies with larger sample sizes are required to confirm our findings.</p></div

Short-span composite beam tests to evaluate stud resistances

The results of a parametric study on ten short-span composite beam tests with small degrees of shear connection between 12 and 46% are presented. The beam tests were conducted using composite slabs with two modern forms of profiled steel sheeting. Important parameters of the shear connection, such as stud diameter, number of studs per rib, reinforcement pattern, welding procedure and concrete strength, were varied. All the test configurations were selected in accordance with a previously conducted study on the behaviour of shear connectors in push-out specimens. A comparison of the bending resistance of the beam tests and the calculated plastic bending resistance is presented. The shear connector resistances were taken either from the push-out test results or from the analytical methods of Konrad, EN 1994-1-1 and Nellinger. Evaluation of the push-out and beam test results showed that the current shear connector resistances in EN 1994-1-1 insufficiently predict the observed concrete failure modes and resistances in the presence of modern forms of steel decking. New approaches to the shear connector resistance proposed by Konrad and Nellinger led to more accurate predictions of the shear resistance of headed studs and the plastic bending resistance of the composite beam tests

Analysis of Associations of Human BAFF Gene Polymorphisms with Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases - Fig 1

<p>Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor antibody titers at the baseline in different genotypes of rs1041569 (Panel A) and rs2893321 (Panel B) in Graves’ disease in females and males. TSHRAb, thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibody; the number in the column indicates the number of patients.</p

Effect of body mass index on diabetogenesis factors at a fixed fasting plasma glucose level

<div><p>Aim</p><p>The present study evaluated the relative influence of body mass index (BMI) on insulin resistance (IR), first-phase insulin secretion (FPIS), second-phase insulin secretion (SPIS), and glucose effectiveness (GE) at a fixed fasting plasma glucose level in an older ethnic Chinese population.</p><p>Methods</p><p>In total, 265 individuals aged 60 years with a fasting plasma glucose level of 5.56 mmol/L were enrolled. Participants had BMIs of 20.0–34.2 kg/m². IR, FPIS, SPIS, and GE were estimated using our previously developed equations. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to assess the correlations between the four diabetogenesis factors and BMI. A general linear model was used to determine the differences in the percentage of change among the four factor slopes against BMI.</p><p>Results</p><p>Significant correlations were observed between BMI and FPIS, SPIS, IR, and GE in both women and men, which were higher than those reported previously. In men, BMI had the most profound effect on SPIS, followed by IR, FPIS, and GE, whereas in women, the order was slightly different: IR, followed by FPIS, SPIS, and GE. Significant differences were observed among all these slopes, except for the slopes between FPIS and SPIS in women (p = 0.856) and IR and FPIS in men (p = 0.258).</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>The contribution of obesity to all diabetes factors, except GE, was higher than that reported previously. BMI had the most profound effect on insulin secretion in men and on IR in women in this 60-year-old cohort, suggesting that lifestyle modifications for obesity reduction in women remain the most important method for improving glucose metabolism and preventing future type 2 diabetes mellitus.</p></div

Demographic characteristics in the Graves’ disease (GD), Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT), and control groups.

<p>Demographic characteristics in the Graves’ disease (GD), Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT), and control groups.</p

Associations of thyroid function at the baseline with gene polymorphisms in Graves’ disease (GD) and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT).

<p>Associations of thyroid function at the baseline with gene polymorphisms in Graves’ disease (GD) and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT).</p

Genotypic and allelic frequencies of rs1387153, rs10830963, and rs1562444 in the melatonin receptor type 1B gene.

<p>Genotypic and allelic frequencies of rs1387153, rs10830963, and rs1562444 in the melatonin receptor type 1B gene.</p

Combined haplotype frequencies of rs13140012 and rs2119882 in Graves’ disease (GD) and in controls.

<p>Combined haplotype frequencies of rs13140012 and rs2119882 in Graves’ disease (GD) and in controls.</p

Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (anti-TPO Ab) titers at the baseline in different genotypes of rs6553010, rs13140012, and rs2119882, and the combined genotype of rs13140012 and rs2119882 in patients with Graves’ disease.

<p>Low anti-TPO, low anti-TPO Ab titer (≤1:1600); high anti-TPO, high anti-TPO Ab titer (1:6400~1:25,600 and >1:25,600); the number in the column indicates the frequency of the genotype.</p

Multivariate logistic regression analysis to predict the development of Graves’ disease (GD).

<p>Multivariate logistic regression analysis to predict the development of Graves’ disease (GD).</p