Interaction Between Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) Gene Polymorphisms and Environment with Susceptibility to Ischemic Stroke in Chinese Population.

Aims: To investigate the association of several single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene, and additional gene-environment interaction with ischemic stroke (IS) risk.

Methods: Testing for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in controls was conducted using SNPstats (online software: http://bioinfo.iconcologia.

Early evaluation of carotid elasticity by an instantaneous wave intensity technique in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objectives: To explore the application of instantaneous wave intensity for early diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-induced atherosclerosis, we observed carotid elasticity by instantaneous wave intensity in premenopausal women with SLE.

Methods: The study included 3 groups (each group with 30 participants): SLE1 (course of disease <5 years), SLE2 (course of disease ≥5 years) and healthy control. Carotid parameters, including instantaneous acceleration wave intensity, instantaneous deceleration wave intensity, negative area, stiffness constant, wave intensity pulse wave velocity, stiffness constant pulse wave velocity, pressure strain elastic modulus, arterial compliance, augmentation index, and intima-media thickness, were measured.