Interactions of the apolipoprotein C-III 3238C>G polymorphism and alcohol consumption on serum triglyceride levels

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Both apolipoprotein (Apo) C-III gene polymorphism and alcohol consumption have been associated with increased serum triglyceride (TG) levels, but their interactions on serum TG levels are not well known. The present study was undertaken to detect the interactions of the ApoC-III 3238C>G (rs5128) polymorphism and alcohol consumption on serum TG levels.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 516 unrelated nondrinkers and 514 drinkers aged 15-89 were randomly selected from our previous stratified randomized cluster samples. Genotyping of the ApoC-III 3238C>G was performed by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism combined with gel electrophoresis, and then confirmed by direct sequencing. Interactions of the ApoC-III 3238C>G genotype and alcohol consumption was assessed by using a cross-product term between genotypes and the aforementioned factor.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Serum total cholesterol (TC), TG, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), ApoA-I and ApoB levels were higher in drinkers than in nondrinkers (<it>P </it>< 0.05-0.001). There was no significant difference in the genotypic and allelic frequencies between the two groups. Serum TG levels in nondrinkers were higher in CG genotype than in CC genotype (<it>P </it>< 0.01). Serum TC, TG, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and ApoB levels in drinkers were higher in GG genotype than in CC or CG genotype (<it>P </it>< 0.01 for all). Serum HDL-C levels in drinkers were higher in CG genotype than in CC genotype (<it>P </it>< 0.01). Serum TC, TG, HDL-C and ApoA-I levels in CC genotype, TC, HDL-C, ApoA-I levels and the ratio of ApoA-I to ApoB in CG genotype, and TC, TG, LDL-C, ApoA-I and ApoB levels in GG genotype were higher in drinkers than in nondrinkers (<it>P </it>< 0.05-0.01). But the ratio of ApoA-I to ApoB in GG genotype was lower in drinkers than in nondrinkers (<it>P </it>< 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the levels of TC, TG and ApoB were correlated with genotype in nondrinkers (<it>P </it>< 0.05 for all). The levels of TC, LDL-C and ApoB were associated with genotype in drinkers (<it>P </it>< 0.01 for all). Serum lipid parameters were also correlated with age, sex, alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, blood pressure, body weight, and body mass index in both groups.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study suggests that the ApoC-III 3238CG heterozygotes benefited more from alcohol consumption than CC and GG homozygotes in increasing serum levels of HDL-C, ApoA-I, and the ratio of ApoA-I to ApoB, and lowering serum levels of TC and TG.</p

Effect of rubber particles and fibers on the dynamic compressive behavior of novel ultra-lightweight cement composites:Numerical simulations and metamodeling

This paper presents, first, a finite element (FE) model for a rubberized ultra-lightweight cement composite (RULCC), which uses a modified Holmquist-Johnson-Concrete (H-J-C) constitutive law that is calibrated and validated by new Split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) tests on the material. The validated FE model is used then as the core of a cloud computing platform using a multi node cloud simulation framework to carry out the parametric simulations, which generate required data to develop a meta-model to predict the dynamic impact strength of the RULCC. Design of experiment (DoE) and Generic Programming techniques are the main instruments in developing meta-models with reduced size of data. Finally, a meta-model of explicit expression, which is the first of its kind and considers the effect of rubber ratio, fiber ratio and dynamic impact strain rate, is proposed to predict the dynamic impact strength of the RULCC

QTL Mapping of Seed Vigor of Backcross Inbred Lines Derived From Oryza longistaminata Under Artificial Aging

Seed vigor is an important character of seed quality that promotes rice to germinate rapidly from soil and developing to a strong seedling, especially in the current rice direct-sowing production system. However, previous studies for seed vigor mainly concentrate in cultivars, and less reports involving in wild rice. In this study, 152 backcross inbred lines (BILs) derived from wild rice Oryza longistaminata were genotyped with re-sequencing technology, and QTLs for seed vigor related traits under normal and artificial aging treatment were analyzed. Totally, 36 QTLs were detected, of which, eight for germination potential (GP), 10 for germination rate (GR), 9 for seedling length (SL), and 9 for root length (RL). Among these, 14 novel QTLs were identified from O. longistaminata. Of which, six QTLs were related to germination, and eight related to seedling growth under aging stress. What’s more, the major QTLs q9SL1.1, q6SL1.1, and q3SL1.1 for seedling length were fallen in the same locus and fine-mapped an interval about 90 Kb. The major QTLs q9GR8.1 and q9GP8.1 related with germination were fine-mapped to an interval about 90 Kb. This work will provide us basis for breeding of high seed vigor rice in rice breeding programs and further cloning of these genes

Genome-Wide Identification and Expansion Patterns of SULTR Gene Family in Gramineae Crops and Their Expression Profiles under Abiotic Stress in Oryza sativa

Sulfate transporters (SULTRs), also known as H+/SO42− symporters, play a key role in sulfate transport, plant growth and stress responses. However, the evolutionary relationships and functional differentiation of SULTRs in Gramineae crops are rarely reported. Here, 111 SULTRs were retrieved from the genomes of 10 Gramineae species, including Brachypodium disachyon, Hordeum vulgare, Setaria italica, Sorghum bicolor, Zea mays, Oryza barthii, Oryza rufipogon, Oryza glabbermia and Oryza sativa (Oryza sativa ssp. indica and Oryza sativa ssp. japonica). The SULTRs were clustered into five clades based on a phylogenetic analysis. Syntheny analysis indicates that whole-genome duplication/segmental duplication and tandem duplication events were essential in the SULTRs family expansion. We further found that different clades and orthologous groups of SULTRs were under a strong purifying selective force. Expression analysis showed that rice SULTRs with high-affinity transporters are associated with the functions of sulfate uptake and transport during rice seedling development. Furthermore, using Oryza sativa ssp. indica as a model species, we found that OsiSULTR10 was significantly upregulated under salt stress, while OsiSULTR3 and OsiSULTR12 showed remarkable upregulation under high temperature, low-selenium and drought stresses. OsiSULTR3 and OsiSULTR9 were upregulated under both low-selenium and high-selenium stresses. This study illustrates the expression and evolutionary patterns of the SULTRs family in Gramineae species, which will facilitate further studies of SULTR in other Gramineae species

Responses of the Lodging Resistance of Indica Rice Cultivars to Temperature and Solar Radiation under Field Conditions

Much attention has shifted to the effects of temperature and solar radiation on rice production and grain quality due to global climate change. Meanwhile, lodging is a major cause of rice yield and quality losses. However, responses of the lodging resistance of rice to temperature and solar radiation are still unclear. To decipher the mechanisms through which the lodging resistance might be affected by temperature and solar radiation, 32 rice cultivars with different lodging resistance were grown at two eco-sites on three sowing dates over a period of three years. Based on the field observation, 12 indica rice cultivars which did not lodge were selected for analysis. Significant differences were found in the lodging resistance of the indica rice cultivars at different temperature and solar radiation treatments. The results showed that temperature was the main factor that affected the lodging resistance of indica rice cultivars under the conditions of this study. With the increased average daily temperature, the lodging resistance decreased rapidly, primarily due to the significant reduction in physical strength of the culm, which was attributed to the longer and thinner basal second internode. Among the 12 indica rice cultivars, the lodging-moderate cultivar Chuanxiang 29B was most sensitive to temperature, and the lodging-resistant cultivar Jiangan was least responsive to temperature. These results suggested that rice breeders could set the shorter and thicker basal internode as the main selection criteria to cultivate lodging-resistant indica cultivars to ensure a high yield at a higher ambient temperature

Spin-frustrated Complex, [Fe\u3csup\u3eII\u3c/sup\u3eFe\u3csup\u3eIII\u3c/sup\u3e(trans-1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylate)₁.₅]\u3csub\u3e∞\u3c/sub\u3e: Interplay between Single-Chain Magnetic Behavior and Magnetic Ordering

A three-dimensional mixed-valent iron(II, III) trans-1,4- cyclohexanedicarboxylate, 1,4-chdc, coordination polymer, [FeIIFeIII-(µ4-O)(1,4-chdc)1.5]∞, 1, has been synthesized hydrothermally by mixing iron powder and 1,4-chdcH2 and investigated by X-ray diffraction, dc and ac magnetic susceptibility, and iron-57 Mössbauer spectroscopy over a wide range of temperatures. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies of 1 at 90(2), 293(2), and 473(2) K reveal a tetrahedral [Fell2(µ4-O)Felll2(µ4-O)]6+ mixed-spin-chain structure with no change in the P1- space group but with subtle changes in the Fe-0 and Fe Fe distances with increasing temperature. These changes are associated with the electron delocalization observed by Mossbauer spectroscopy above 225 K. Magnetic studies reveal three different magnetic regimes in 1 between 2 and 320 K. Above 36 K 1 is a one-dimensional ferrimagnetic-like complex with frustration arising from competing exchange interactions between the iron(ll) and iron(lll) ions in the chains. Between 36 and 25 K the interchain interactions are non-negligible and 1 undergoes three-dimensional ordering at 32.16 K but with some residual fluctuations. Below 25 K the residual fluctuations slow and eventually freeze below 15 K.; the small net moment of 0.22 µB per mole of 1 observed below 15 K may be attributed to a non-collinear or canted spin structure of the spins of the four iron ions in the [FeII2(µ4-O)Felll2-(µ4-O)]6+ chains. Below 32 K the Mössbauer spectra of 1 exhibit sharp sextets for both the iron(lll) and iron(ll) ions and are consistent with either a static long-range or a short-range magnetic ground state or a slow relaxation between two canted magnetic states that are indistinguishable at the observed spectral resolution. The 85 and 155 K spectra reveal no electron delocalization and correspond solely to fixed valence iron(ll) and iron(lll). Between 225 and 310 K the spectra reveal the onset of electron delocalization such that, at 295 to 310 K, 25, 25, and 50% of the iron in 1 is present as iron(ll), iron(lll), and iron(ll/lll) ions, respectively. The absence of any spectral line broadening associated with this electron delocalization and the coexistence of four doublets between 225 and 310 K indicate that the delocalization occurs through electron tunneling via vibronic coupling. The sudden increase in the tunneling rate beginning above about 260 K and the presence of a cusp in the magnetic susceptibility centered at about 275 K strongly suggest the existence of a charge order/disorder transition whose nature and order are discussed

Experimental and Theoretical Study of Reactions of OH Radicals with Hexenols: An Evaluation of the Relative Importance of the H‑Abstraction Reaction Channel

C6 hexenols are one of the most significant groups of volatile organic compounds with biogenic emissions. The lack of corresponding kinetic parameters and product information on their oxidation reactions will result in incomplete atmospheric chemical mechanisms and models. In this paper, experimental and theoretical studies are reported for the reactions of OH radicals with a series of C6 hexenols, (<i>Z</i>)-2-hexen-1-ol, (<i>Z</i>)-3-hexen-1-ol, (<i>Z</i>)-4-hexen-1-ol, (<i>E</i>)-2-hexen-1-ol, (<i>E</i>)-3-hexen-1-ol, and (<i>E</i>)-4-hexen-1-ol, at 298 K and 1.01 × 10⁵ Pa. The corresponding rate constants were 8.53 ± 1.36, 10.1 ± 1.6, 7.86 ± 1.30, 8.08 ± 1.33, 9.10 ± 1.50, and 7.14 ± 1.20 (in units of 10^–11 cm³ molecule^–1 s^–1), respectively, measured by gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector (GC-FID), using a relative technique. Theoretical calculations concerning the OH-addition and H-abstraction reaction channels were also performed for these reactions to further understand the reaction mechanism and the relative importance of the H-abstraction reaction. By contrast to previously reported results, the H-abstraction channel is a non-negligible reaction channel for reactions of OH radicals with these hexenols. The rate constants of the H-abstraction channel are comparable with those for the OH-addition channel and contribute >20% for most of the studied alcohols, even >50% for (<i>E</i>)-3-hexen-1-ol. Thus, H-abstraction channels may have an important role in the reactions of these alcohols with OH radicals and must be considered in certain atmospheric chemical mechanisms and models