Lack of association between apolipoprotein C3 gene polymorphisms and risk of coronary heart disease in a Han population in East China

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Several polymorphisms in the apolipoprotein C3 (APOC3) gene have been found association with hypertriglyceridemia(HTG), but the link with coronary heart disease(CHD) risk between ethnicities was still controversial. Among them, reseachers paid more attentions to the promoter polymorphisms T-455C and C-482T because both of them located in insulin-responsive element (IRE) and insulin was thought to exert its action by down-regulating APOC3 gene expression. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of the two polymorphisms of APOC3 with CHD in a Han population in East China.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assays were carried out to detect the genotypes of APOC3 gene, including the T-455C and C-482T, in 286 subjects with CHD and 325 controls without CHD. The levels of serum lipid profiles were also detected by biochemical methods.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There was no difference of genotype frequencies and allele frequencies between the CHD population and the controls(P > 0.05). Compared with the most common genotype -455TT or -482CC, the variants had neither significantly increased CHD risk, nor the lipid variables showed any statistically relevant differences in the research population. The adjusted OR of CHD were 5.67 [0.27-18.74] and 0.75 [0.20-2.73] in carriers of the APOC3 -455C and -482T variants, respectively(P > 0.05). There was also no significant difference in APOC3 haplotype distribution in CHD and controls, but there was a strong linkage disequilibrium between T-455C and C-482T with D' = 0.9293, 0.8881, respectively(P < 0.0001).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our data did not support a relationship between the two polymorphisms of APOC3 gene and risk of CHD in the Han population in East China.</p

Scientific Publications on Primary Biliary Cirrhosis from 2000 through 2010: An 11-Year Survey of the Literature

BACKGROUND: Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic liver disease characterized by intrahepatic bile-duct destruction, cholestasis, and fibrosis. It can lead to cirrhosis and eventually liver failure. PBC also shows some regional differences with respect to incidence and prevalence that are becoming more pronounced each year. Recently, researchers have paid more attention to PBC. To evaluate the development of PBC research during the past 11 years, we determined the quantity and quality of articles on this subject. We also compared the contributions of scientists from the US, UK, Japan, Italy, Germany, and China. METHODS: The English-language papers covering PBC published in journals from 2000 through 2010 were retrieved from the PubMed database. We recorded the number of papers published each year, analyzed the publication type, and calculated the accumulated, average impact factors (IFs) and citations from every country. The quantity and quality of articles on PBC were compared by country. We also contrasted the level of PBC research in China and other countries. RESULTS: The total number of articles did not significantly increase during the past 11 years. The number of articles from the US exceeded those from any other country; the publications from the US also had the highest IFs and the most citations. Four other countries showed complex trends with respect to the quantity and quality of articles about PBC. CONCLUSION: The researchers from the US have contributed the most to the development of PBC research. They currently represent the highest level of research. Some high-level studies, such as RCTs, meta-analyses, and in-depth basic studies should be launched. The gap between China and the advanced level is still enormous. Chinese investigators still have a long way to go

Prevalence of primary biliary cirrhosis in adults referring hospital for annual health check-up in Southern China

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is an autoimmune liver disease characterized by the presence of anti-mitocondrial autoantibodies (AMA) which has an essential role also for diagnosis. In addition, also some anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) have been shown to be highly specific PBC. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of PBC among the adults referring hospital for annual health check-up in Southern China by screening sera for PBC-specific autoantibodies.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>AMA and ANA were screened in 8,126 adults (mean age 44 ± 15 years, 48% females) by indirect immunofluorenscence (IIF). Positive sera were tested by ELISA/immunoblotting for AMA-M2, anti-sp100 and anti-gp210. A diagnosis of PBC was re-assessed six months after the initial testing.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Out of 8,126 individuals 35 were positive for AMA and 79 positive for ANA. Nineteen, 4, and 3 of the subjects positive for AMA and/or ANA showed reactivity for AMA-M2, anti-sp100 or gp210, respectively, further tested with ELISA/immunoblotting. Fourteen in the 39 individuals positive for AMA at IIF, AMA-M2, anti-gp210, or anti-sp100 had abnormal cholestatic liver functional indices. One definite and 3 probable PBC diagnosis could be made in 4 cases including 3 females and 1 male after half a year.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We found a point prevalence rate of PBC among Southern Chinese adults attending for yearly health check-up of 492 cases per million (95% CI, 128 to 1,093) and 1,558 cases per million (95% CI, 294 to 3,815) for women over 40, a finding similar to prevalence reported in other geographical areas.</p

The association between TNF-α, IL-10 gene polymorphisms and primary Sjögren's syndrome: a meta-analysis and systemic review.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have evaluated the associations of TNF-α, IL-10 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to pSS, but the results remained controversial. To assess the associations between TNF-α-308, IL-10-1082, -819, -592 polymorphisms and pSS risk, a meta-analysis was conducted. METHOD: The available articles were searched in PubMed, EMBASE and MEDLINE. ORs with 95% CIs were calculated to determine the strength of associations by fixed-effects or random-effects models. The data about IL-10-1082, -819, -592 polymorphisms were analyzed in the additive, dominant and recessive modes. The associations between haplotypes of IL-10 gene and susceptibility to pSS were also assessed. RESULTS: A total of 9 relevant studies were identified in the meta-analyses. TNF-α-308 A allele was significantly associated with pSS (OR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.53-2.13). The IL-10 -1082 G allele and the genotype "GCC/ATA" were identified as a candidate genetic risk factor for pSS. Under the dominant model for -819 and -582, the overall ORs suggested that individuals with genotype (CC+TC) or (CC+AC) may have a 59% increased risk of pSS in Caucasians population (OR = 1.59, 95% CI:1.09-1.23). Besides, the genotype "ATA/ATA" may be a protective factor against the development of pSS in Caucasians (OR = 0.40, 95% CI:0.19-0.84). CONCLUSION: The meta-analysis demonstrated TNF-α-308 A, IL-10-1082 G allele were significantly associated with pSS susceptibility, supporting these alleles were predisposing factors for pSS. In Caucasian population, the genotype "ATA/ATA" may be a protective factors

Association of human leukocyte antigen class II with susceptibility to primary biliary cirrhosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Several previous studies suggested that HLA-Class II may be associated with susceptibility to primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), but data from individual studies remain controversial. Therefore, a systematic review and meta-analysis is needed to comprehensively evaluate the association between HLA-Class II and PBC risk. METHODS: All published reports of an association between HLA class II and PBC risk were searched in PubMed, EMBASE (updated to 22 May 2012). ORs with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were extracted from each included study and the meta-analysis was performed using the fixed- or random-effects model. RESULTS: A total of 3,732 PBC patients and 11,031 controls from 34 studies were included in the meta-analysis. An assessment of study quality revealed that the majority of studies included (18 studies) were of high quality. The serological group DR8 was found to be a risk factor for PBC (OR = 2.82, 95%CI: 1.84-4.30). At the allelic level, HLA-DR*08 and HLA-DR*0801 were identified as risk factors for PBC (OR = 2.30, 95%CI: 1.76-3.00; OR = 3.23, 95%CI: 2.22-4.70, respectively), whereas HLA-DR*11 and HLA-DR*13 were potent protective factors (OR = 0.31, 95%CI: 0.27-0.38; OR = 0.62, 95%CI: 0.48-0.81, respectively). HLA-DQB1 and HLA-DQB1*0402 conferred a predisposition to PBC development (OR = 3.47, 95%CI: 2.35-5.13), whereas HLA-DQB1*0604 was protective against PBC (OR = 0.3, 95%CI: 0.18-0.58). No HLA-DPB1 allele was observed to be associated with PBC susceptibility (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The present study revealed that HLA-Class II components are closely associated with the development of PBC

Average number of citations in articles published by researchers from the different countries during the past 11 years.

<p>Average number of citations in articles published by researchers from the different countries during the past 11 years.</p