Genetic and Environmental Influences on Blood Pressure and Body Mass Index in the National Academy of Sciences-National Research Council World War II Veteran Twin Registry

Blood pressure (BP) and obesity phenotypes may covary due to shared genetic or environmental factors or both. Furthermore, it is possible that the heritability of BP differs according to obesity status-a form of GxE interaction. This hypothesis has never been tested in White twins. The present study included 15 924 White male twin pairs aged between 15 and 33 years from the National Academy of Sciences-National Research Council World War II Veteran Twin Registry. Systolic and diastolic BPs, as well as height and weight, were measured at the induction physical examination. Body mass index (BMI) was used as the index of general obesity. Quantitative genetic modeling was performed using Mx software. Univariate analysis showed that narrow sense heritabilities (95% CI) for systolic BP, diastolic BP, height, and BMI were 0.401 (0.381-0.420), 0.297 (0.280-0.320), 0.866 (0.836-0.897), and 0.639 (0.614-0.664), respectively. Positive phenotypic correlations of BMI with systolic BP (r=0.13) and diastolic BP (r=0.08) were largely due to genetic factors (70% and 86%, respectively). The gene-BMI interaction analysis did not show any support for a modifying effect of BMI on genetic and environmental influences of systolic BP and diastolic BP. Our results suggest that correlations between BP and BMI are mainly explained by common genes influencing both. Higher BMI levels have no influence on the penetrance of genetic vulnerability to elevated BP. These conclusions may prove valuable for gene-finding studies

Can senior executive characteristics improve carbon emission performance? Evidence from China

In recent years, the backbone of China's market economy has involved controlling corporate carbon emissions and reducing environmental pollution. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the characteristics of senior managers and the carbon emission performance of enterprises. The empirical study used panel data on high-emission industries operating in the China A-shares market from 2014 to 2017. The results showed that the natural age, education level, and professional background of senior managers in high-emission enterprises were negatively correlated with the carbon emission performance of enterprises. However, in the case of large enterprises, there is no strong relationship between the natural age of executives and carbon emission performance, while professional background and education level are negatively correlated with carbon emission performance. However, natural age is significantly related to carbon emission performance in small and medium-sized enterprises. In the regional classification of enterprises, the natural age and professional background of the core executives of high-emitting enterprises in the eastern region are negatively correlated with carbon emission performance, while the professional background of the core executives of high-emitting enterprises in the central and western regions is positively correlated with carbon emission performance. Moreover, the natural age and educational level of executives are negatively correlated with carbon emission performance. To measure the carbon emission performance of an enterprise, the study used the balanced scorecard evaluation system (CEP). Meanwhile, it innovatively classifies and sorts the sample companies based on their overall size and distribution area, and analyzes the carbon performance and executive characteristics from two perspectives. The study provides suggestions and countermeasures for companies in China, especially those in high-emission industries, to help reduce pollution

Linkage and linkage disequilibrium analysis of the lipoprotein lipase gene with lipid profiles in Chinese hypertensive families

A B S T R A C T Elevated TG [triacylglycerol (triglyceride)] is a significant independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. LPL (lipoprotein lipase) is one of the key enzymes in the metabolism of the TG-rich lipoproteins which hydrolyses TG from the chylomicrons and very-LDL (low-density lipoprotein). To investigate the relationship between the LPL gene and lipid profiles, especially TG, in 148 hypertensive families, we have chosen seven flanking microsatellite markers and four internal markers of the LPL gene and conducted linkage analysis by SOLAR and S.A.G.E. (statistical analysis for genetic epidemiology)/SIBPAL 2 programs, and linkage disequilibrium analysis by QTDT (quantitative transmission/disequilibrium test) and GOLD (graphical overview of linkage disequilibrium). There were statistically significant differences in lipid levels between subjects without and with hypertension within families. A maximum LOD score of 1.3 with TG at the marker D8S261 was observed by SOLAR. Using S.A.G.E./SIBPAL 2, we identified a linkage with TG at the marker 'ATTT' located within intron 6 of the LPL gene (P = 0.0095). Two SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms), HindIII and HinfI, were found in linkage disequilibrium with LDLcholesterol levels (P = 0.0178 and P = 0.0088 respectively). A strong linkage disequilibrium was observed between the HindIII in intron 8 and HinfI in the exon 9 (P < 0.00001, D = 0.895). Linkage disequilibrium was also found between the 'ATTT' polymorphism in intron 6 and two SNPs (P = 0.0021 and D = 0.611 for HindIII; and P = 0.00004, D = 0.459 for HinfI). The present study in the Chinese families with hypertension suggested that the LPL gene might influence lipid levels, especially TG metabolism. Replication studies both in Chinese and other populations are warranted to confirm these results