North Chinese Population Research Articles

Assessment of population genetic diversity and genetic structure of the North Chinese leopard (Panthera pardus japonensis) in fragmented habitats of the Loess Plateau, China

Leopard (Panthera pardus) populations on the Chinese Loess Plateau have experienced severe declines and were once on the verge of extinction. Currently, leopards in the Loess Plateau region are mainly scattered in human-dominated fragmented habitats in Shanxi, Shaanxi and Ningxia. The lack of information on the genetic diversity and genetic structure makes difficult to assess the resistance and persistence of this metapopulation to various factors. In this study, we used mitochondrial ND-5 gene sequences and eight microsatellite loci to genetically analyze 97 faecal samples collected from three leopard ranges on the Loess Plateau of China. Among these samples, 62 feces were successfully identified from 22 individuals (6 females, 16 males). Mitochondrial haplotypes showed four different haplotypes and the genetic diversity was moderate (Hd = 0.331, Pi = 0.0036), while SSR showed high diversity (PIC = 0.673). STRUCTURE and TESS analyses revealed that leopard populations on the Loess Plateau appeared to have a distinct population boundary (K = 2) associated with a spatial-geographic barrier (the Yellow River). We estimate that the time of population divergence occurred between 8700 and 8300 years BP. Based on this research, we suggest that the leopard population on both sides of the Yellow River should be divided into two conservation management units to improve the efficiency of conservation management and contribute to the better recovery of the North Chinese leopard population.

Association of Sirtuin Gene Polymorphisms with Susceptibility to Coronary Artery Disease in a North Chinese Population.

Aims Coronary artery disease (CAD) represents the leading cause of death worldwide. Accumulating evidence also suggests that sirtuins (SIRTS) have been associated with CAD. The present study was aimed at investigating the association between 12 gene polymorphisms for SIRTs and the development of CAD in a Chinese population. Materials and Methods 12 SNPs (rs12778366 (T > C), rs3758391 (T > C), rs3740051 (A > G), rs4746720 (C > T), rs7895833 (G > A), rs932658 (A > C) for SIRT1, rs2015 (G > T) for SIRT2, rs28365927 (G > A), rs11246020 (C > T) for SIRT3, rs350844 (G > A), rs350846 (G > C), and rs107251 (C > T) for SIRT6) were selected and assessed in a cohort of 509 CAD patients and 552 matched healthy controls for this study. Genomic DNA from whole blood was extracted, and the SNPs were assessed using MassARRAY method. Results TT genotype for rs3758391 and GG genotype for rs7895833 of SIRT1 were at higher risk of CAD, whereas the CC genotype for rs4746720 of SIRT1 was associated with a significantly decreased risk of CAD. The A allele of the rs28365927 of SIRT3 showed a significant decreased risk association with CAD patient group (P = 0.014). Significant difference in genotypes rs350844 (G > A) (P = 0.004), rs350846 (G > C) (P = 0.002), and rs107251 (C > T) (P ≤ 0.01) for SIRT6 was also found between the CAD patients and the healthy controls. Haplotype CTA significantly increased the risk of CAD (P = 0.000118, OR = 1.497, 95%CI = 1.218–1.840), while haplotype GCG significantly decreases the risk of CAD (P = 0.000414, OR = 1.131, 95%CI = 0.791–1.619). Conclusions The SNP rs28365927 in the SIRT3 gene and SNP rs350844, rs350846, and rs107251 in the SIRT6 gene present significant associations with CAD in a north Chinese population. Haplotype CTA and GCG generated by rs350846/rs107251/rs350844 in the SIRT6 might also increase and decrease the risk of CAD, respectively.

The physical evolution and biocultural adaptation indicated by the human skeletons of Donghulin site, Beijing

Abstract Human remains recovered from the Donghulin site are key materials for the study of the physical evolution and biocultural adaptation of the North Chinese population during the early Holocene. Physical anthropological study of the skeletal remains of two Donghulin individuals shows that their craniofacial heterogeneity and diversity are comparable to that of the Upper Paleolithic population. Early Holocene is the critical period for the formation of the diagnostic craniofacial features of modern East Asian population. The dental macrowear, dental caries, and femoral midshaft diaphyseal cross section geometry suggest that the Donghulin people were undergoing a physical transformation attributable to reduced mobility and broad-spectrum diet, which is consistent with the Upper Paleolithic-Neolithic transition of lifestyle and subsistence strategy.

Prevalence, risk factors and associated ocular diseases of cerebral stroke: the population-based Beijing Eye Study

ObjectiveTo assess the prevalence of cerebral stroke in the general population of Beijing and its association with systemic risk factors and ocular diseases.SettingThe population-based Beijing Eye Study was conducted in...

Association of FKBP5 polymorphisms with patient susceptibility to coronary artery disease comorbid with depression.

BackgroundCoronary artery disease (CAD) and depression cause great burden to society and frequently co-occur. The exact mechanisms of this comorbidity are unclear. FK506-binding protein 51 (FKBP51) is correlated with cardiovascular disease and depression. The aim of this study was to determine the role of the seven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of FKBP5 that code FKBP51, namely, rs1360780 (C>T), rs2817032 (T>C), rs2817035 (G>A), rs9296158 (G>A), rs9470079 (G>A), rs4713902 (T>C), and rs3800373 (C>T) in a patient’s susceptibility to comorbid CAD and depression.MethodsWe enrolled 271 Northern Chinese Han patients with CAD, including 123 patients with depression and 147 patients without depression. We also included 113 healthy controls that match the patients’ sex and age. Genomic DNA from whole blood was extracted, and seven SNPs were assessed using MassArray method. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 was applied to access the depression.ResultsThe GA genotype for rs9470079 was associated with a significantly decreased risk of CAD (odds ratio = 0.506, 95% confidence interval = 0.316–0.810, P = 0.005) when the GG genotype was used as reference. A statistically significant difference was observed among females but not among males in the rs9470079 genotype and allele frequency. Patients with CAD were further divided into CAD+D and CAD-D groups according to the presence of comorbid depression and were compared with the controls. Significant differences were found regarding the genotype and allele frequency of rs2817035 and rs9470079 in CAD+H groups compared with the control subjects in all groups and the female groups (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThe current study found a remarkable association between FKBP5 gene variations and the risk of comorbid CAD and depression in a north Chinese population. rs9470079 may be a potential gene locus for the incidence of comorbid CAD and depression.

Association of leptin and leptin receptor polymorphisms with coronary artery disease in a North Chinese Han population.

INTRODUCTION: Leptin (LEP) is a peptide hormone that acts via leptin receptor (LEPR) binding. Genetic evidence from different human populations has implicated LEP/LEPR in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD), and suggests that certain LEP/LEPR gene polymorphisms may increase the risk of CAD. The aim of this study was to assess two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in LEP genes (rs2167270 and rs7799039) and two in LEPR genes (rs6588147, rs1137100) for association with CAD.METHODS: We enrolled 271 North Chinese Han CAD patients, and 113 healthy age- and sex-matched controls. Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood, and the four SNPs were assessed using a MassArray system.RESULTS: The G allele frequency at rs2167270 was significantly higher among CAD cases than among controls. The AG genotype at rs7799039 was associated with a significantly decreased risk of CAD unlike the AA genotype used as the reference. The A allele was significantly associated with the CAD patient group. Interestingly, statistically significant differences in genotype and allele frequency at LEP rs2167270 and rs7799039 existed among females but not among males. CONCLUSIONS: The current study detected a significant association between genetic variations at LEP rs7799039 and rs2167270 and the risk of CAD in a north Chinese population, and revealed that LEP rs2167270 and rs7799039 gene polymorphisms might act as predisposing factors for CAD.

Simulating the Impact of Elevated Levels of Interleukin-6 on the Pharmacokinetics of Various CYP450 Substrates in Patients with Neuromyelitis Optica or Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders in Different Ethnic Populations.

A physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model was used to simulate the impact of elevated levels of interleukin (IL)-6 on the exposure of several orally administered cytochrome P450 (CYP) probe substrates (caffeine, S-warfarin, omeprazole, dextromethorphan, midazolam, and simvastatin). The changes in exposure of these substrates in subjects with rheumatoid arthritis (and hence elevated IL-6 levels) compared with healthy subjects were predicted with a reasonable degree of accuracy. The PBPK model was then used to simulate the change in oral exposure of the probe substrates in North European Caucasian, Chinese, and Japanese population of patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO) or NMO spectrum disorder with elevated plasma IL-6 levels (up to 100pg/mL). Moderate interactions [mean AUC fold change, ≤ 2.08 (midazolam) or 2.36 (simvastatin)] was predicted for CYP3A4 probe substrates and weak interactions (mean AUC fold change, ≤ 1.29-1.97) were predicted for CYP2C19, CYP2C9, and CYP2D6 substrates. No notable interaction was predicted with CYP1A2. Although ethnic differences led to differences in simulated exposure for some of the probe substrates, there were no marked differences in the predicted magnitude of the change in exposure following IL-6-mediated suppression of CYPs. Decreased levels of serum albumin (as reported in NMO patients) had little impact on the magnitude of the simulated IL-6-mediated drug interactions. This PBPK modeling approach allowed us to leverage knowledge from different disease and ethnic populations to make predictions of cytokine-related DDIs in a rare disease population where actual clinical studies would otherwise be difficult to conduct.

Persistent first intersegmental artery (PFIA) visualized by three-dimensional computed tomography angiography in Chinese population

BackgroundPersistent first intersegmental artery (PFIA) is one of the most frequently vertebral artery (VA) variations. The presence of PFIA obviously increases the complexity and difficulty of vertebral lesion treatment. Thus, preoperative detection of PFIA is necessary to increase the successful rate of surgeries. We attempted to evaluate the utility value of three-dimension (3D) computed tomography angiography (CTA) for detecting PFIA in the north Chinese population. Materials and methodsConsecutive patients subjected to CTA between June 2012 and March 2014 were recruited from 5 clinical centers in the north of China. . The VA-cervical atlas complexus were observed by CTA. The assessment of PFIA was performed by reconstructing the images via Materialise's interactive medical image control system (MIMICS) and the measurement of VA diameter was performed on the source images. PFIA including unilateral and bilateral was calculated. The dominant side was defined as the unilateral VA with 130% fold larger diameter than the other side. ResultsA total of 200 north Chinese patients with mean age of 57.8 ± 9.3 years old were enrolled in the present study. Total 400 VA-cervical atlas complexus were observed by 3D-CTA, among which 9 complexus (2.25%) were diagnosed with PFIA, and 3 complexus (0.75%) were presented with the dominant VA. The spinal surgical procedures were performed successfully in all the patients with no injury and complications to the VA. ConclusionsThe incidence of PFIA in 400 VA-cervical atlas complexus are relatively high (2.25%) in our patient population. On the basis of relatively high prevalence of this anomaly, the preoperative detection of PFIA by 3D-CTA is recommended for the north Chinese population.

Second primary cancer after index head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in Northern China

To evaluate the clinicopathologic features, prognostic factors, and management of patients in the NorthChinese population with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) who developed a second primary malignancy (SPM). This was a retrospective study including 1818 eligible patients between June 1999 and April2011. A total of 188 HNSCC patients developed SPM. Multiple oral dysplastic lesions (MODLs) (P<.001) were among the risk factors for occurrence of SPM. However, MODLs were closely associated with many mild pathologic features, such as early T stage (P<.001), early N stage (P=.036), good pathologic differentiation (P<.001), and mild growth pattern (P<.001). Interestingly, multivariate survival analysis showed that SPM patients had a better prognosis if they had the characteristics of MODLs (P=.020). MODLs were a crucial risk factor leading to the occurrence of oral SPM after an index HNSCC in patients in Northern China. However, SPM patients with the characteristics of MODLs had a better prognosis.

Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients with HLA-B*2704 have More Uveitis than Patients with HLA-B*2705 in a North Chinese Population

ABSTRACTPurpose: To investigate the correlation between clinical features of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and different human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27 subtypes.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 216 patients with AS. HLA-B27 and its subtypes were detected by polymerase chain reaction with sequence specific primer (PCR-SSP). Clinical features were compared between the different HLA-B27 subtypes. A meta-analysis on uveitis frequencies in AS patients with HLA-B*2705 vs 2704 was performed.Results: The most prevalent subtypes of HLA-B27 were HLA-B*2704 (66.1%) and HLA-B*2705 (32.2%). There were 57 HLA-B27-positive AS patients with the history of uveitis; 45 were B*2704 and 12 were B*2705. Patients with B*2704 had more uveitis than B*2705 (p = 0.021). After meta-analysis, there was no significant difference in the presence of uveitis between HLA-B*2704 and HLA-B*2705.Conclusions: AS patients with B*2704 have a higher risk of uveitis than AS with B*2705 in a north Chinese people.

Lysyl Oxidase Gene G473A Polymorphism and Cigarette Smoking in Association with a High Risk of Lung and Colorectal Cancers in a North Chinese Population.

The relationship among the lysyl oxidase (LOX) G473A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), cigarette smoking and lung, colorectal, colon and rectum cancer susceptibility was studied in 200 cases of lung cancer, 335 cases of colorectal cancer including 130 cases of colon cancer and 205 cases of rectum cancer, and 335 healthy people in Tangshan, China. Peripheral blood DNA samples were collected, DNA sequencing and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) performed, followed by multivariate logistic regression analysis. In comparison to LOX473GG genotype carriers, individuals with LOX473AA exhibited a higher susceptibility to lung, colon-rectum, colon, and rectum cancers with OR values amounting to 3.84-, 2.74-, 2.75-, and 2.74-fold of the control, respectively. In the LOX 473AA-positive population, females were more susceptible than males to carcinogenesis with OR values (female vs. male): 5.25 vs. 3.23, 2.29 vs. 1.51, 2.27 vs. 1.45, and 2.25 vs. 1.53, respectively, for lung, colon-rectum combined, colon, and rectum cancers. LOX G473A polymorphism apparently elevated human sensitivity to cigarette smoking carcinogens for eliciting cancers in the lung and colon only. Thus, LOX G473A polymorphism positively correlates with carcinogenesis and it may be used as an ideal intrinsic biomarker for prediction or diagnosis of carcinogenesis in humans.

Quantitative assessment of the association between Fas/FasL gene polymorphism and susceptibility to esophageal carcinoma in a north Chinese population.

The case–control study aims to investigate the association of Fas and FasL genetic polymorphisms (Fas‐670A/G (rs1800682), Fas‐1377G/A (rs2234767) and FasL‐844T/C (rs763110)) with esophageal carcinoma susceptibility in a north Chinese population. A total of 204 patients with esophageal carcinoma and 248 healthy controls were enrolled from Henan, China and genotyped by the polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism method. There were no significant differences in distributions of their genotypes frequencies between patients and controls in Fas‐670A/G, Fas‐1377G/A and FasL‐844T/C polymorphisms (P > 0.05). Stratified analysis showed that no significant association was found between esophageal carcinoma and gene polymorphisms of Fas‐670 A/G, Fas‐1377G/A, and FasL‐844T/C (P > 0.05). Genetic polymorphisms in the death pathway genes Fas and FasL were not associated with risk of developing esophageal carcinoma in a north Chinese population.

Association between peptidyl arginine deiminase 4 (PADI4)-104C/T polymorphism and rheumatoid arthritis: a meta-analysis in the Chinese population.

The correlation between the -104C/T polymorphism in the peptidyl arginine deiminase 4 (PADI4) gene and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) risk has been analyzed in several studies. However, the results are inconclusive and remain to be confirmed in several ethnic groups. The effect of the PADI4-104C/T polymorphism on RA risk in the Chinese population was evaluated in a meta-analysis. Studies with dates of publication up to July 2015 conforming to the inclusion criteria were retrieved from PubMed and Chinese databases. The associations were assessed with pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Ten studies, including 2119 RA cases and 1962 controls, that conformed to the study criteria were included in this analysis. The overall analysis indicated a significant association between the PADI4-104C/T polymorphism and RA risk in the Chinese population (T vs C: OR = 1.45, 95%CI = 1.18-1.78; TT vs CC: OR = 1.49, 95%CI = 1.24-1.80; TT vs CC+CT: OR = 1.28, 95%CI = 1.08-1.51; TT+CT vs CC: OR = 1.75, 95%CI = 1.30-2.37). Analysis of data stratified by the geographic area and source of controls revealed that the PADI4-104C/T polymorphism was significantly associated with RA risk in a North Chinese population. In conclusion, the results of this meta-analysis indicated that the PADI4-104C/T variants could influence the risk of RA in the Chinese population; further studies in other ethnic groups are required to draw definite conclusions.

MCP-1 gene polymorphisms in North Chinese patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) remains one of the most important infectious diseases worldwide. Several studies have suggested that genetic factors may affect the susceptibility to PTB, but the specific genes involved have not been fully characterized. The gene for monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) has been linked to an increased risk of tuberculosis in some Mexican and Korean populations. To explore the role of the MCP-1 gene in the susceptibility to PTB in a North Chinese population, we evaluated the association between MCP-1 -2518A/G gene polymorphisms and the risk for tuberculosis. Polymerase chain reaction amplification of genomic DNA followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis was used. There was a significant increase in the frequency of the GG genotype of MCP-1 -2518 in 136 patients with PTB compared to that in 152 healthy controls (P = 0.008, X(2) = 7.133, odds ratio = 1.96). Similarly, the frequencies of the A/G alleles in the 2 groups differed; the frequency of allele G was higher in patients with PTB (P = 0.011, X(2) = 6.428, odds ratio = 1.536). In conclusion, the -2518A/G polymorphism in the MCP-1 gene was found to be associated with an increased susceptibility to PTB in a North Chinese population.

Ten-year cumulative incidence of diabetic retinopathy. The Beijing Eye Study 2001/2011.

ObjectiveTo assess the cumulative 10-year incidence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and its associated factors in a population living in Greater Beijing.MethodsThe population-based longitudinal Beijing Eye Study, which included 4439 subjects (age in 2001: 40+years) in 2001, was repeated in 2011 with 2695 subjects participating (66.4% of the survivors). The study participants underwent a detailed ophthalmic examination. Fundus photographs were examined for the new development of DR.ResultsAfter excluding individuals with DR at baseline (n = 87) or no sufficient fundus photographs in 2011 (n = 6), the study included 2602 subjects with a mean age of 64.6±9.7 years (median: 64.0 years; range: 50 to 93 years). In the 10-year period, 109 subjects (39 men) developed new DR with an incidence of 4.2% (95% confidence interval (CI): 3.45,5.03). In multiple logistic regression analysis, incident DR was significantly associated with higher HbA1c value (P<0.001; Odds Ratio (OR): 1.73; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.35,2.21), longer duration of diabetes mellitus (P<0.001; OR: 1.16; 95% CI: 1.10,1.22), higher serum concentration of creatinine (P = 0.02; OR: 1.01; 95% CI: 1.002,1.022), lower educational level (P = 0.049; OR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.55,0.99), higher estimated cerebrospinal fluid pressure (P = 0.038; OR: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.01,1.22), and shorter axial length (P<0.001; OR: 0.48; 95% CI: 0.33,0.71).ConclusionsThe cumulative 10-year incidence (mean: 4.2%) of DR in a North Chinese population was significantly associated with a higher HbA1c value, longer known duration of diabetes mellitus, higher estimated CSFP and shorter axial length (P<0.001). Shorter axial length (or hyperopia) and, potentially, higher CSFP may be additional risk factors to be taken into account when counseling and treating patients with diabetes mellitus.

Prognostic Factors of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Buccal Mucosa: A Retrospective Study of 168 Cases in North China

Buccal mucosa squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) is considered a rare and aggressive malignancy that has a high rate of locoregional recurrence. The aim of this study was to analyze the outcome of surgical therapy as a treatment for BSCC in a North Chinese population over a period of 14 years. A retrospective study was performed by reviewing the records and pathologies of 168 patients with BSCC who were treated at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Stomatological Hospital, Peking University, from June 1999 to September 2013. The rates of local, regional, and locoregional recurrence were 47.3%, 13.5%, and 6.8%, respectively. The neck metastasis rate in patients classified as having cN0 was 28.4%, and the occult metastasis rate in patients with BSCC stages T2 to T4 was higher than 15%. Neck metastases were most common at levels I and II. The 3-year disease-free survival, overall survival, and disease-specific survival rates were 60.6%, 74.6%, and 78.0%, respectively. Gender, T stage, pathologic node status, and pathologic grade were significant factors in determining disease-specific survival. However, only pathologic node status (P = .002) was an independent predictive factor of 3-year disease-specific survival. Buccal carcinoma is an aggressive disease with high rates of local and regional recurrence. In seeking to offer better prognoses and quality of life, extensive resection of the primary tumor, supraomohyoid neck dissection, and preferred free flap reconstruction are the therapies that have been recommended and used in the authors' hospital during the past 10 years.

Association of interleukin-33 gene single nucleotide polymorphisms with ischemic stroke in north Chinese population

BackgroundIL-33, an IL-1-like cytokine, is a ligand for IL1RL1, which is an important effector molecule of type 2 T helper responses. Although IL-33/IL1RL1 interaction has been suggested to be important in the development of atherosclerosis, genetic influences of the polymorphisms of IL33 in human ischemic stroke are unclear. The aim of this study was to examine whether the single nucleotide polymorphisms in IL33 are associated with ischemic stroke in Northern Chinese population.MethodsWe used a nested case–control study involving 90 ischemic stroke patients and 270 age-matched, sex-matched and blood pressure-matched non-ischemic stroke controls from a rural population and determined the genotypes of four polymorphisms (rs1929992, rs10975519, rs4742170, rs16924159) in IL33 by Snapshot SNP genotyping assays to assess any links with ischemic stroke.ResultsUnivariate analysis showed two single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs1929992, rs4742170) in IL33 were associated with ischemic stroke in additive, dominant, and recessive model. Binary Logistic Regression shows that rs4742170 variation is the most important factor associated with ischemic stroke (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.880, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.316-2.686 in an additive model; OR = 2.091, CI = 1.249-3.498 in a dominant model; OR = 2.623, CI = 1.366-5.036 in a recessive model).ConclusionIn this sample of patients, genetic variation of rs4742170 in IL33 is significantly associated with the developing of ischemic stroke.

Pseudoexfoliation: Normative Data and Associations: The Beijing Eye Study 2011

To assess the prevalence of pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) and its associations in a population-based setting. Population-based, cross-sectional cohort study. Of 4403 eligible subjects with an age of ≥ 50 years, 3468 individuals (78.8%) participated in the Beijing Eye Study 2011 (mean age, 64.6 ± 9.8 years; range, 50-93 years). All study participants underwent a detailed ophthalmologic examination. After medical pupil dilation, PEX was assessed by an experienced ophthalmologist using slit-lamp-based biomicroscopy. Prevalence and associations of PEX. Slit-lamp examination results were available for 3022 study participants (87.1%). Definite pseudoexfoliation was observed in 72 of the 3022 subjects, with a prevalence of 2.38% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.84-2.93). Suspected PEX was detected in 104 of the subjects (3.44%; 95% CI, 2.8-4.1). The overall prevalence of PEX (definite and suspected) was 176 of 3022 or 5.82% (95% CI, 4.99-6.66). In 80 subjects (45.5%), PEX was detected in both eyes, whereas it was detected only in the right eye in 42 subjects (23.9%) and only in the left eye in 54 (30.7%). The prevalence of PEX increased from 1.1% in among those 50 to 54 years old, to 3.5%, 5.7%, and 11.8% among those 60 to 64 years, 70 to 74 years, and ≥ 80 years, respectively. In multivariate analysis, presence of PEX was significantly associated with older age (P<0.001; odds ratio [OR], 1.08; 95% CI, 1.04-1.10), shorter axial length (P = 0.03; OR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.68,0.98), and shallower anterior chamber (P = 0.03; OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.36-0.95). We found that PEX was not associated (all P>0.05) with sex, diabetes mellitus, blood pressure, psychological depression, smoking, dyslipidemia, body mass index, central corneal thickness, corneal diameter, optic nerve head measurements, choroidal thickness, retinal vessel diameters, early age-related macular degeneration, or retinal vein occlusion. In a North Chinese population aged ≥ 50 years, the prevalence of definite PEX was 2.38% (95% CI, 1.84-2.93), suspect PEX was 3.4% (95% CI, 2.8-4.1) and overall PEX was 5.82% (95% CI, 4.99-6.66). We found PEX to be associated with older age, shorter axial length, and shallower anterior chamber. The relationship between PEX and glaucomatous optic neuropathy remained inconclusive among our population. The authors have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Long-term effects of salt substitution on blood pressure in a rural North Chinese population

Dietary sodium and potassium intake can influence blood pressure. The effects of salt substitution on patients with hypertension and normotensive family member controls, however, have not been evaluated in a rural Chinese population. The objective of this study, accordingly, was to assess the long-term effects of salt substitution on blood pressure. We conducted a double-blind, randomized controlled trial among 200 families in rural China to establish the 2-year effects of a reduced-sodium, high-potassium salt substitute (65% sodium chloride, 25% potassium chloride, 10% magnesium sulfate) compared with normal salt (100% sodium chloride) on blood pressure. Of the 462 individuals in the trial, 372 completed the study (81%). For normotensive subjects, the mean overall difference in systolic and diastolic blood pressure between the two groups at the 24-month follow-up was 2 mm Hg (95% confidence interval (CI) 0-4 mm Hg, P<0.05) and 2 mm Hg (95% CI 1-3 mm Hg, P<0.05), respectively. For subjects with hypertension, the mean overall decrease in systolic blood pressure showed a 4-mm Hg (95% CI 2-6 mm Hg, P<0.05) decrease between the two groups. Diastolic blood pressure was not affected by salt use in the hypertensive group. Salt substitution lowers systolic blood pressure in hypertensive patients and lowers both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in normotensive controls. Salt substitution, therefore, may be an effective adjuvant therapy for hypertensive patients and the potential efficacy in preventing hypertension in normotensive individuals.

Association between polymorphisms of Pen2 gene and late onset Alzheimer's disease

To explore the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in Pen2 gene and late onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) in North Chinese population. The genotypes of ApoE and Pen2 gene were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and direct sequencing respectively in 480 LOAD patients and 480 healthy controls. The strength of association between polymorphisms and AD was estimated with odds ratios (OR). The genotype of IVS2 + 335T < A was obtained. There was an association between IVS2 + 335T < A and apolipoprotein E (ApoE) genotypes (P = 0.002). In the subjects with APOEε 4 allele, there were significant differences in the distribution of alleles (P = 0.003) and genotypes (P = 0.007) between AD and control groups. The ORs (95% confidence interval (CI)) of allele A and T/A + A/A genotypes were 4.720 (1.517 - 10.654) and 3.886 (1.381 - 10.932) respectively with allele T and genotype T/T as references. An association exists between IVS2 + 335T < A and the development of LOAD in ApoEε 4 carriers within the northern Chinese population. And allele A of Pen 2 gene may increase the risk for LOAD.