Northern Chinese Women Research Articles

Polymorphisms in miR-17-92 cluster promoter region is associated with risk and prognosis of endometrial cancer.

Accumulating researches have reported that miR-17-92 cluster expression has strong association with tumorigenesis. In this study, we investigated the effects of 2 genetic polymorphisms in the promoter region of the miR-17-92 cluster and the risk and prognosis of endometrial cancer in northern Chinese women. Two polymorphisms (rs9588884 and rs982873) in the promoter of miR-17-92 cluster were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction and ligase detection reaction (PCR-LDR) in398 EC patients and 420 controls. The levels of miR-17-92 mRNA were investigated in 65EC tissues by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The impact of genetic features on the risk and clinical outcomes of EC was analyzed. The prognostic value of hsa-miR-17 and hsa-miR-20a in EC patients was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier plotter database. The results showed that a significant decrease in risk of EC with rs9588884 (GG vs CC: OR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.32-0.78, P = .002; G vs C: OR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.62-0.91, P = .005, respectively). Similarly, association was found between rs982873 and a decreased risk of EC (CC vs TT: OR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.34-0.82, P = .004; C vs T: OR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.63-0.94, P = .010, respectively). Moreover, survival analysis showed that the CG or GG genotype of rs9588884 may significantly increase overall survival (OS) compared with the CC genotype in the 5-year follow-up (HR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.29-0.82 and HR = 0.36, 95% CI = 0.16-0.83, respectively). RT-qPCR results showed that the expression level of miR-17-92 mRNA in EC tissues with the rs9588884 GG genotype was significantly lower than those with the GC + CC genotype (P = .030). However, there was no significant difference in the prognosis and expression level of miR-17-92mRNA in tissues of EC patients with different genotypes of rs982873 (P = .343). In addition, analysis using Kaplan-Meier plotter database showed that high hsa-miR-20a expression was significantly correlated with poor OS in EC patients (HR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.02-2.61, P = .039). The genetic polymorphisms rs9588884 and rs982873 in the promoter of miR-17-92 cluster decreased EC risk. Both rs9588884 and the expression level of hsa-miR-20a mRNA may be associated with its clinical outcome in EC patients.

The rs2275913 polymorphism of the interleukin-17A gene is associated with the risk of ovarian endometriosis

The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between two genetic variants (rs2275913 and rs3748067) of interleukin-17A (IL-17A) and the risk of ovarian endometriosis in northern Chinese women. This study was performed in 316 patients with ovarian endometriosis and 328 female control subjects. The genotypes of the two polymorphisms were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. The mRNA expression of IL-17A was detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). There was a significant difference in the genotype distributions of the rs2275913 polymorphism between the patients and control subjects (p = .006). Compared with the GG genotype of rs2275913, the AA genotype was correlated with a higher susceptibility to the development of ovarian endometriosis (OR = 2.28, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.37–3.80). Furthermore, the levels of IL-17A mRNA were higher in the ectopic endometrium from ovarian endometriosis patients carrying the rs2275913 AA genotype than in those carrying the rs2275913 GG genotype (p = .007). This study suggested that the rs2275913 polymorphism at the promoter region of IL-17A may be a functional genetic variant, and the rs2275913 AA genotype is associated with a higher risk of developing ovarian endometriosis in northern Chinese women. IMPACT STATEMENT What is already known on this subject? Interleukin-17A (IL-17A) is a crucial proinflammatory and angiogenic cytokine that has been shown to participate in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Genetic variants in IL-17A may alter the expression of the IL-17A, and are associated with the susceptibility to a wide range of human diseases. What do the results of this study add? This study suggested that the rs2275913 polymorphism at the promoter region of IL-17A may be a functional genetic variant that affects the expression of IL-17A mRNA in ectopic endometrial tissues. The AA genotype of rs2275913 was associated with a higher risk of developing ovarian endometriosis in northern Chinese women. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? IL-17A may be a potential biomarker for early diagnosis and gene-targeted therapy of ovarian endometriosis.

CTLA-4 polymorphism contributes to the genetic susceptibility of epithelial ovarian cancer.

Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4), an inhibitory molecule on T-cells, plays a key role in tumorigenesis and progression. In the present study, we investigated the effects of three polymorphisms in the CTLA-4 gene on the risk of epithelial ovarian cancer and the clinical outcomes of patients. A case-control study was performed in 527 epithelial ovarian cancer patients and 532 controls. Genotypes of three polymorphisms were determined by polymerase chain reaction/ligase detection reaction. A survival analysis was performed in 346 patients who were followed up for more than 3 years and 208 patients who were followed up for more than 5 years. There were significant differences in the genotype and allele distribution frequencies of the rs5742909 C/T polymorphism in CTLA-4 between patients and controls (p=0.009 and p=0.04, respectively). Compared with the CC genotype, the CT + TT genotype may significantly decrease the risk of developing epithelial ovarian cancer (OR=0.69, 95% CI=0.52-0.91). However, no significant association between the rs231775 G/A and rs3087243 G/A polymorphisms and epithelial ovarian cancer risk was observed. The survival analysis showed that three polymorphisms may not be related to the clinical outcomes of patients. Our results suggested that the rs5742909 C/T polymorphism of CTLA-4 may decrease the genetic susceptibility to epithelial ovarian cancer among northern Chinese women.

Association of interleukin-12B gene polymorphisms and mRNA expression with preeclampsia

ObjectiveTo explore the effects of functional genetic polymorphisms of the interleukin-12B (IL-12B) gene on the susceptibility to preeclampsia in northern Chinese women. Study DesignMaternal peripheral blood from 306 preeclamptic women and 310 control women and the placentas from 52 preeclamptic and 55 control women were collected. Two polymorphisms (rs17860508 and rs3212227) of the IL-12B gene were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with a direct sequencing method. The mRNA expression of IL-12B in the placentas was measured by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). ResultsSignificant differences were observed between preeclamptic women and the control group in the genotype frequencies of rs17860508 (P = 0.017). Compared with the TTAGAG/TTAGAG genotype of rs17860508, the GC/GC genotype were associated with a higher risk of preeclampsia (adjusted OR: 1.95; 95% CI = 1.18–3.22; P = 0.009), especially the early-onset preeclampsia (adjusted OR: 2.40; 95% CI = 1.23–4.68; P = 0.010). The qRT-PCR results showed that the mRNA levels of IL-12B were significantly higher in the placentas of preeclampsia patients than that in the placentas of controls (P = 0.001). Moreover, the expression of IL-12B mRNA was significantly higher in the placentas of patients carrying the GC/GC genotype than in those carrying the TTAGAG/GC (P = 0.007) and TTAGAG/TTAGAG (P = 0.005) genotypes. ConclusionThe GC/GC genotype of rs17860508 polymorphism may be a risk factor for the early-onset preeclampsia by upregulating the expression of IL-12B in northern Chinese women.

Effect of Body Mass Index on the Associations between Parity and Metabolic Syndrome and its Components among Northern Chinese Women

ObjectivesThe aims of this study were to assess the associations between parity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components and to evaluate the effects of body mass index (BMI) on these associations. MethodsA total of 5,674 women were enrolled from Jidong and Kailuan communities (Tangshan, Hebei) in Northern China. All participants completed standardized questionnaires, physical examination, and biochemical measurements. Logistic regression analysis was used to test the associations. ResultsCompared with women with parity of one, nulliparous women had decreased odds ratios (ORs); those with parity of two had odds of abdominal obesity [OR = 1.45, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.17–1.81, P < 0.001], high blood pressure (OR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.03–1.54, P = 0.025), elevated fasting glucose levels (OR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.03–1.79, P = 0.029), and MetS (OR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.13–1.73, P = 0.002); and those with parity of three or more had increased odds of elevated triglyceride levels (OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.04–1.94, P = 0.027) and MetS (OR = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.10–2.05, P = 0.011) after complete adjustment for confounders. Furthermore, BMI and age subgroups partially modified the associations between parity and MetS and its components. ConclusionsParity is positively associated with MetS and select components in women. BMI is an important modifier involved in the associations between parity and MetS.

The prevalence of CGG repeat expansion mutation in FMR1 gene in the northern Chinese women of reproductive age

BackgroundThe prevalence of CGG repeat expansion mutation in FMR1 gene varies among different populations. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of this mutation in women of reproductive age from northern China.MethodsA total of 11,891 pre-conceptional or pregnant women, including 5037 pregnant women and 7357 women with the history of spontaneous abortion or induced abortion due to delayed growth of the embryos, were recruited. The number of CGG repeats in FMR1 was measured by the TRP-PCR method. We also offered genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis to the women carrying pre-mutation or full mutation alleles.ResultsThe prevalence of pre-mutation in reproductive women in northern China was 1/410, higher than that in southern China and Korea but lower than that in western countries. We also found that the prevalence of pre-mutation was relatively high (1/320) in women with abortion history.ConclusionScreening for CGG repeat expansion mutation in FMR1 should be recommended to the women with the history of spontaneous abortion or induced abortion due to delayed growth of the embryos.

The relationship between serum fibroblast growth factor 23, Klotho, and lumbar spine bone mineral density in northern Chinese postmenopausal women.

Changes in serum protein levels of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) and Klotho resulting from bone metabolism are still controversial. The purpose of this study was to observe the relationship between FGF23 and Klotho serum proteins and lumbar spine bone mineral density (LBMD) in northern Chinese postmenopausal women. This was a community-based cross-sectional study carried out in Shenyang, a northern Chinese city. The study included 355 postmenopausal women with an average age of 62.92 ± 8.78 years. FGF23 and Klotho serum proteins were measured using a sandwich enzyme immunoassay. LBMD was examined using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Pearson's correlation and regression analyses were performed to investigate the associations among them. The LgKlotho was positively correlated with LBMD (r = 0.105). There was a linear relationship between LgKlotho serum levels and LBMD (P = 0.007) after adjusting for BMI, and the relationship still existed after adjustments for many confounding variables (P = 0.045), including age, BMI, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, total protein, total bilirubin, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, serum calcium, estimated glomerular filtration rate, serum uric acid, estradiol, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, milk intake, calcium and vitamin D supplements, physical exercise, and fracture history in postmenopausal women. FGF23 serum levels were, however, not significantly associated with LBMD. Klotho was positively correlated with LBMD, and there was a linear relationship between Klotho serum protein levels and LBMD; however, the levels of serum Klotho were not independently associated with reduced LBMD in northern Chinese postmenopausal women. Moreover, serum FGF23 levels were not significantly related to LBMD in this sample population.

Association of TNFAIP8 gene polymorphisms with endometrial cancer in northern Chinese women

BackgroundTumor necrosis factor-a-induced protein 8 (TNFAIP8) presented a elevated expression in endometrial cancer (EC). However, the relationship of TNFAIP8 gene polymorphisms with EC risk remains unclear. This case–control study aimed to investigate the effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in TNFAIP8 on northern Chinese women with EC.MethodsSNP rs11064, rs1045241, and rs1045242 in TNFAIP8 were successfully genotyped in 248 cancer-free controls and 226 ECs by SNaPshot method, respectively. Logistic regression was performed to assess relationship of SNPs with EC risk. The relationships of SNPs with clinicopathological variables were evaluated by Chi-square test or Student’s t-test or Fisher’s text.ResultsThe minor alleles of rs11064 in TNFAIP8 were strongly associated with EC risk, with adjust odds ratio (OR) of 1.719 (95% CI 1.180–2.506, P = 0.005). The minor allele of rs1045242 in the TNFAIP8 gene was strongly associated with with EC risk (adjust OR: 1.636, 95% CI 1.107–2.417, P = 0.014). rs11064 SNPs correlated with TNFAIP8 protein expression in EC (P = 0.015). For rs1045242, patients with AG + GG presented higher TNFAIP8 protein expression than that with AA (P = 0.020). It also showed that SNP rs11064 was associated with advanced FIGO stage (P = 0.001), deep myometrial invasion (P = 0.047), and lymph node metastasis (P = 0.048) under the codominant model in ECs.ConclusionsSNP rs11064 in TNFAIP8 increased EC risk and significantly related with its protein expression in northern Chinese women.

Association between the vascular endothelial growth factor gene polymorphisms and the risk of polycystic ovary syndrome in Northern Chinese women

The present study aimed to investigate whether the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs2010963 and rs833061 in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene is correlated with the risk of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in Northern Chinese women, as a preliminary study. This case-control study comprised 118 women with PCOS and 130 healthy women as controls. Genotyping of the two polymorphisms within the VEGF gene 5′-untranslated region and promoter region were performed using polymerase chain reaction ligase detection reaction method. The data showed that there was a significant difference in the genotype and allele distribution of the rs2010963 polymorphism between the PCOS group and the control group (p = .020 and .033, respectively). The women carrying the C allele (G/C + C/C genotype) had a lower risk of PCOS compared with the women with G/G genotype [odds ratio (OR = 0.55; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.33–0.91]. Our study shows for the first time that the rs2010963 polymorphism may be associated with a risk of PCOS in Northern Chinese women.

Aberrant methylation of the IL-12B promotor region contributes to the risk of developing ovarian endometriosis.

Studies have shown that aberrant expression of IL-12p40, which is encoded by the interleukin-12B (IL-12B) gene, may be involved in the development of endometriosis. In this study, we investigated the role of aberrant methylation of the IL-12B promoter region and its associated expression in the development of ovarian endometriosis. By using pyrosequencing, we analyzed the methylation level of the IL-12B promoter region in eutopic and ectopic endometrium of patients with ovarian endometriosis and normal endometrium of control women. The expression of IL-12B mRNA was detected by quantitative real-time PCR. The results showed that the methylation level of the IL-12B promoter region in ectopic and eutopic endometrium of patients with ovarian endometriosis was significantly lower than that in endometrium of women without endometriosis ( p < 0.001 and p = 0.041, respectively). In contrast, mRNA levels were significantly increased in ectopic and eutopic endometrium of patients with ovarian endometriosis compared to those in endometrium of women without endometriosis ( p < 0.001 and p = 0.042, respectively). Correlation analysis showed that the methylation level of the IL-12B promoter region was negatively correlated with mRNA levels of IL-12B ( p < 0.001). Our data suggested that aberrant methylation of the IL-12B promoter region may be responsible for aberrant IL-12B mRNA expression in endometrium tissue of women, which may be associated with the development of ovarian endometriosis in northern Chinese women.

A functional promoter polymorphism in interleukin 12B gene is associated with an increased risk of ovarian endometriosis

ObjectiveTo explore the role of functional genetic variant of IL12B in the pathogenesis of ovarian endometriosis. Study designThis study included 815 patients with ovarian endometriosis and 788 women in the control group. Two polymorphisms were genotyped by a method of polymerase chain reaction and ligase detection reaction. To assess the biological significance of polymorphisms, we detected the level of IL12p40 protein expression in patients' eutopic endometrial tissues using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Result(s)Compared with the CTCTAA/CTCTAA genotype, the GC/GC and GC/CTCTAA genotypes of rs17860508 could significantly increase the risk of ovarian endometriosis development (OR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.19–2.09; OR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.08–1.74, respectively). Moreover, the IL12B mRNA was expressed at significantly higher levels in the eutopic endometrial tissue of patients with the GC/GC genotype than in patients with the CTCTAA/CTCTAA genotype. However, the rs3212227 polymorphism may not be associated with a risk of ovarian endometriosis. Conclusion(s)The rs17860508 polymorphism in the IL12B promoter region may influence the risk of developing ovarian endometriosis by altering the endometrial expression of IL12B of in Northern Chinese women.

Increased breast cancer risk with HABP1/p32/gC1qR genetic polymorphism rs2285747 and its upregulation in northern Chinese women.

ObjectHyaluronic acid binding protein 1 (HABP1/p32/gC1qR) is overexpressed in breast cancer. However, it is unknown whether HABP1 gene polymorphisms affect breast cancer risk. This study aims to evaluate the potential association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of HABP1 with breast cancer in northern Chinese women.ResultsThe minor allele of rs2285747 was strongly associated with breast cancer with OR of 1.553 (95% CI = 1.251–1.927). SNP rs2285747 was also associated with high HABP1 protein expression under the co-dominant and dominant model (p = 0.005, p = 0.019, respectively). For rs2472614, the patients with CG and GG were more likely to have HER2 negative tumors compared to CC (p = 0.015). For rs3786054, the patients with AG and GG were more likely to have HER2 and P53 negative breast cancer compared to AA (p = 0.024, p = 0.064, receptively).Materials and MethodsSeven SNPs were analyzed in 505 breast cancer patients and 505 controls using SNaPshot method. The associations between SNPs and breast cancer were examined by logistic regression. The associations of SNPs with HABP1 protein expression and disease characteristics were examined by chi-square test.ConclusionsSNP rs2285747 of HABP1 increased breast cancer risk and elevated its protein expression in northern Chinese women.

In the Wake of the Mongols: The Making of a New Social Order in North China, 1200–1600 by Jinping Wang

Reviewed by: In the Wake of the Mongols: The Making of a New Social Order in North China, 1200–1600 by Jinping Wang Carl Déry (bio) Jinping Wang. In the Wake of the Mongols: The Making of a New Social Order in North China, 1200–1600. Harvard University Press, 2018. xxii, 336 pp. Hardcover $49.95, isbn 978-0-674-98715-9. This book tells a story that brings us into the aftermath of the devastating Mongol conquest of China. With an emphasis on the social elites of the Shanxi province, the objective is to illustrate "how northern Chinese men and women resiliently adapted . . . and created a radically new social order under the leadership of Daoists and Buddhists" (p. 4). While traditional historiography of social elites in China concentrates more on a Southern based narrative, underlying the dominant role of the Confucian literati culture, the author argues that this interpretative model does not apply to the Northern distinctive society in which "elite families had to rely on powerful religious institutions to help create and strengthen community solidarity" (p. 20). The author draws on unpublished and rarely or never studied stele inscriptions to better grasp the social transformations of the time revealed by interactions among rural communities. Aside from these steles which "were the most common way for northern individuals and institutions to express their social power" (p. 25), the author also relies on other sources like local gazetteers and literary anthologies. With a strong focus on the elites and on the institutions that dominated local society, the book reveals how religious institutions and clergy members all played important roles in social reorganization caused by dynastic transition, political reform, and natural disasters. [End Page 236] The book is divided into five chapters structured by time period and topics. The first chapter helps to provide the baseline for Northern Chinese degree-holder society before the Mongol conquest, presenting the changing life of a well known scholar during the Jin Dynasty, Yuan Haowen 元好問 (190–1257). The next three chapters present the social, political, and economic dimension of religious institutions that created the distinctive social order in North China during the transformative era of the Mongol rule. While chapter two presents the Quanzhen Daoist order, chapter three deals with the Buddhist order at Mount Wutai and chapter four discusses the implication of these communities in developing local irrigation projects. As another measure of transformation, chapter five presents the Ming dynasty and how it also changed the recently developed socio-economic model and brought back literati culture to a central role. The story of Yuan Haowen illustrates "the functioning of the typical Chinese examination based society" (p. 28). His life depicts the Jin-Yuan transition and his writings are a testimony of the transformation following the destructive Mongol invasion, marking "the disappearance of critical institutions that had sustained the Jin degree-holder society" (p. 49). After having lost all their property and being plunged into poverty, numerous scholars had to become peasants, and this generated "a new type of literati-peasant connection [and it gave] literati awareness of social problems and perspectives on social customs that differed from what they had been used to learning from texts" (p. 53). In these troubled times, the Quanzhen Daoist order, established between 1153–1160, offered a teaching "that particularly appealed to powerless people because of its religious simplicity, economic self-reliance, and charitable practices" (p. 63). Imperial patronage also played a crucial role in the development of the institution, and it help the devotees "to survive the chaos of their times" (p. 66). After having won great popularity among local people because of his relief work, Qiu Chuji 丘處機 (1148-1227), a religious leader from the Shandong province, was recognized as the leader of all Daoists by Chinggis Khan in 1220–1222, who then issued two edicts "exempting his disciples from taxes and the duty of labor service" (p. 67). Preoccupied by conquest, the Mongols conferred a great deal of autonomy and administrative responsibility to local group organizations that they felt were competent and reliable. The prominent position of the Quanzhen Daoist order helped the literati who suffered from the hardships of the time, especially after the suppression...

The effect of polymorphisms in PD-1 gene on the risk of epithelial ovarian cancer and patients' outcomes

ObjectiveProgrammed death-1 (PD-1), an important immunosuppressive molecule, plays a key role in tumor-cell-mediated immune escape. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of PD-1 gene polymorphisms on the risk of developing epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and patients' outcomes. MethodsA case–control study was performed in 620 EOC patients and 620 control women. Survival data were available for 258 patients who received platinum-based chemotherapy after cytoreductive surgery. ResultsThere were significant differences in the genotype and allele distribution frequencies of the PD-1.1 A/G between cases and controls (P=0.028 and P=0.02, respectively). Compared with the AA genotype, AG and GG genotypes may significantly decrease the risk of developing EOC (OR=0.71, 95%CI=0.54–0.94; OR=0.68, 95%CI=0.50–0.94, respectively). We did not find a significant difference in the genotype distribution frequency of the PD-1.5 C/T between cases and controls (P=0.096), but the frequency of T alleles was significantly lower in the EOC cases than that in the controls (P=0.033). Compared to the carriers with C alleles, the carriers with T alleles were at a significantly decreased risk of developing EOC (OR=0.82, 95%CI=0.69–0.98). Survival analysis showed that the two polymorphisms were not associated with patients' outcomes. ConclusionsPD-1 gene polymorphisms may be involved in the development of EOC, but not associated with its clinical outcome in EOC patients among northern Chinese women.

Comparative Analysis of Vaginal Bacterial Diversity in Northern-Chinese Women Associated With or Without Bacterial Vaginosis

Background: Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is the common vaginal infection in women and it has been linked to enhanced risks for pre-term birth, pelvic inflammatory disease and sexually transmitted diseases. BV is caused by a disorder of vaginal microbiota which changes from the normal lactobacillus dominated community to a more diverse community of non-lactobacillus bacteria. Several previous reports analyzed the overall vaginal microbial communities of volunteers from limited sampling area and they suggested a possible link between the vaginal microbial contents and the ethnicity of women. Here, we analyzed the diversity of vaginal microbiota in 10 subjects associated with BV (BV+) and 10 subjects without BV (BV-) from the metropolitan area of Herbing in Northern China using full-length 16S rDNA. Results: The vaginal bacterial communities detected in subjects with BV were much more taxon rich and diverse than those without BV. At a 97% sequence similarity cutoff, the number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) per 10 subjects with BV was nearly three times greater than 10 subjects without BV by 29.4 ± 9.3 versus 11.7 ± 7.8 (Mean ±SD). Our data confirmed that there is a shift in the abundance of bacterial species present in the vaginal environment when BV and non-BV groups were compared. Each sequence read was assigned to a genus or a species when possible. Principal component analysis was performed at genus levels. Most BV+ samples clustered together while there were two clusters among BV- samples. Several bacteria have been found to be associated with BV, including Gardnerella, Atopobium, Peptoniphilus, Leptotrichia/Sneathia, Prevotella, Parvimonas and Dialister, Based on result of classification, four possible novel phylotype microorganisms were found. Conclusions: The data presented here on the composition and richness of the vaginal microbial ecosystem in BV and health state will provide the depth insight in the etiology of BV.

Association between Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the OPRM1 Gene and Intraoperative Remifentanil Consumption in Northern Chinese Women

Background: Recent studies have suggested that some single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the human -opioid receptor gene (OPRM1) affect the postoperative analgesic efficacy of opioids and their side effects. In this study, we assessed the association between SNPs in the OPRM1 gene and intraoperative remifentanil consumption as well as perioperative side effects during gynecological hysteroscopic surgery in women from Northern China. Methods: We analyzed 178 women undergoing gynecological hysteroscopic surgery. SNP genotyping was performed using the SNaPshot method. The state anxiety index (SAI) and pressure pain threshold (PPT) of all patients were assessed preoperatively. Monitored anesthesia care was maintained by the intravenous infusion of remifentanil. Intraoperative remifentanil usage and perioperative side effects were recorded. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software. Results: Patients carrying one or two copies of the minor allele (G allele) of rs558025 required significantly more intraoperative remifentanil than patients without the minor allele (p = 0.001, corrected p = 0.006). There were no significant associations between the six SNPs and various clinical characteristics. No significant associations between the six SNPs and PPT or SAI were found in our study. Conclusions: SNP rs558025 in the OPRM1 gene was associated with intraoperative remifentanil consumption during gynecological hysteroscopic surgery in our subjects. i 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel

Genetic variation of the E-cadherin gene is associated with primary infertility in patients with ovarian endometriosis

To explore the association between the genetic variant of E-cadherin gene and endometriosis-related infertility. Case-control study. University hospital. Five hundred eighty-nine women with ovarian endometriosis including 127 patients with primary infertility and 589 female controls in northern China. None. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter region, exons, and the 3' untranslated region of the E-cadherin gene were identified by direct sequencing in patients with ovarian endometriosis and with polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Six candidate SNPs (rs16260, rs28372783, rs1801552, rs1801026, rs8049282, and rs13689) were genotyped by PCR and ligase detection reaction. The results revealed a significant association of rs8049282 SNP on E-cadherin gene with endometriosis-related infertility. When compared with control women or endometriosis patients who had a history of successful fertility, the CC genotype of rs8049282 may significantly increase the risk of primary infertility in patients with ovarian endometriosis (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 2.70, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.45-5.00; OR = 2.54, 95% CI 1.45-4.44, respectively). Our results suggested that genetic variants on the E-cadherin gene may be involved in endometriosis-related infertility. The rs8049282 SNP of the E-cadherin gene may be a potential molecular marker for the development of primary infertility in northern Chinese women with ovarian endometriosis.

Distribution of various types of low-risk human papillomavirus according to cervical cytology and histology in northern Chinese women

ObjectiveTo describe the distribution of specific types of low-risk (LR) human papillomavirus (HPV) among a general population of northern Chinese women. MethodsBetween 2007 and 2012, 118 096 women were tested with the HPV Geno-Array Test Kit (HybriBio) at China Medical University’s Shengjing Affiliated Hospital, Shenyang, China. Among these women, 80 418 underwent cervical cytology and colposcopic examination, and 30 961 of these had a cervical biopsy. The prevalence of HPV infection among the women was analyzed according to age, and cytologic and histologic findings. ResultsCP8304 was the most common type of LR-HPV overall, and was most prevalent in the youngest age group. The overall prevalence of LR-HPV (averaged across all types) was 1.7% in women with normal cytology, 8.8% in those with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS), 8.0% in those with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL), and 5.8% in those with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL). LR-HPV alone, without any high-risk (HR)-HPV, was most common among women with ASCUS and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) not otherwise specified (CINNOS) together. Co-infections of LR-HPV and HR-HPV were most common among women with LSIL and CIN1. ConclusionThese data will facilitate modeling of the cost-effectiveness of a prophylactic LR-HPV vaccination in China.

The Relationship between Seven Common Polymorphisms from Five DNA Repair Genes and the Risk for Breast Cancer in Northern Chinese Women

BackgroundConverging evidence supports the central role of DNA damage in progression to breast cancer. We therefore in this study aimed to assess the potential interactions of seven common polymorphisms from five DNA repair genes (XRCC1, XRCC2, XRCC3, XPA and APEX1) in association with breast cancer among Han Chinese women.Methodology/Principal FindingsThis was a case-control study involving 606 patients diagnosed with sporadic breast cancer and 633 age- and ethnicity-matched cancer-free controls. The polymerase chain reaction - ligase detection reaction method was used to determine genotypes. All seven polymorphisms were in accordance with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in controls. Differences in the genotypes and alleles of XRCC1 gene rs25487 and XPA gene rs1800975 were statistically significant between patients and controls, even after the Bonferroni correction (P<0.05/7). Accordingly, the risk for breast cancer was remarkably increased for rs25487 (OR = 1.28; 95% CI: 1.07–1.51; P = 0.006), but decreased for rs1800975 (OR = 0.77; 95% CI: 0.67–0.90; P = 0.001) under an additive model at a Bonferroni corrected alpha of 0.05/7. Allele combination analysis showed higher frequencies of the most common combination C-G-G-C-G-G-G (alleles in order of rs1799782, rs25487, rs3218536, rs861539, rs1800975, rs1760944 and rs1130409) in controls than in patients (PSim = 0.002). In further interaction analysis, two-locus model including rs1800975 and rs25487 was deemed as the overall best model with the maximal testing accuracy of 0.654 and the cross-validation consistency of 10 out of 10 (P = 0.001).ConclusionOur findings provide clear evidence that XRCC1 gene rs25487 and XPA gene rs1800975 might exert both independent and interactive effects on the development of breast cancer among northern Chinese women.

Association between Genetic Variants of the VEGFR-2 Gene and the Risk of Developing Endometriosis in Northern Chinese Women

Aim: To investigate the association of tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) gene with susceptibility to endometriosis. Methods: This study comprised 571 patients with endometriosis and 580 women in the control group. Five tag SNPs in the VEGFR-2 gene were selected using a Haploview program, and those SNPs were genotyped by a method of polymerase chain reaction and ligase detection reaction. Results: Statistical results show that there was a significant difference in the genotype and allele distribution of the 1192C/T polymorphism between the disease group and the control group (p = 0.041 and 0.017). The women carrying the T allele (C/T+T/T genotype) had a lower risk of developing endometriosis compared with the women with the C/C genotype (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.57-0.99). There was no significant difference in the allele and genotype distribution of four other tag SNPs (1719T/A, +31C/T, IVS25-92A/G and IVS6+​54C/T) between the disease group and the control group (all p > 0.05). Conclusions: Our results suggested that the 1192C/T polymorphisms on the VEGFR-2 gene might affect the risk of developing endometriosis in Northern Chinese women of Han ethnicity.