Factors Associated with Brachial-Ankle Pulse Wave Velocity in an Apparently Healthy Chinese Population.

Purpose: To investigate the factors influencing brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) in an apparently healthy Chinese population, especially the associations between baPWV and indices of blood pressure (BP).

Methods: A total of 1123 participants with no history of hypertension were enrolled in this study, and the baPWV and BP of all four limbs were measured along with other covariates. Correlation analyses and multivariate linear regression models were used to identify factors associated with baPWV.

Better pulmonary function is associated with greater handgrip strength in a healthy Chinese Han population.

Background: Handgrip strength (HGS) has been widely studied in clinical and epidemiological settings, but the relationship between HGS and pulmonary function is still controversial. This study analysed pulmonary function and HGS stratified by sex and age in a healthy Chinese Han population, as well as the associations between HGS and pulmonary function parameters.

Methods: HGS was measured by a Jamar dynamometer and pulmonary function was tested using a portable spirometer.

Pulse Pressure, Instead of Brachium-Ankle Pulse Wave Velocity, is Associated with Reduced Kidney Function in a Chinese Han Population.

Background/aims: In this study, we aim to investigate the association between renal function and arterial stiffness in a Chinese Han population, and further to discuss the effects of smoking on renal function.

Methods: We collected the data of the brachium-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), blood pressure, blood chemistry and smoking status. Then, the multiple linear regression was done to explore the relationship between estimated glomerular filtration (eGFR) and baPWV.

Urinary sediment miRNAs reflect tubulointerstitial damage and therapeutic response in IgA nephropathy.

Background: Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common glomerulonephritis worldwide. The clinical spectrum of IgAN varies from minor urinary abnormalities to rapidly progressive renal failure. Evaluation of the disease by repeated renal biopsy is not practical due to its invasive procedure.

Comparative proteomic analysis of urine and laser microdissected glomeruli in IgA nephropathy.

The purpose of the present study was to identify the differential proteins that synchronously change in urine and glomeruli and could be used to monitor glomerular lesions of IgA nephropathy (IgAN). The proteomes of urine and glomeruli from four IgAN patients who were graded III/IV according to the grading system of Lee et al. were compared to the urine proteomes of four healthy volunteers and the glomeruli proteomes of adjacent normal tissue from four patients with renal tumors, respectively.

System analysis of gene mutations and clinical phenotype in Chinese patients with autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease.

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common inherited kidney disorder mainly caused by mutation in PKD1/PKD2. However, ethnic differences in mutations, the association between mutation genotype/clinical phenotype, and the clinical applicable value of mutation detection are poorly understood. We made systematically analysis of Chinese ADPKD patients based on a next-generation sequencing platform.

Profiling and initial validation of urinary microRNAs as biomarkers in IgA nephropathy.

Background. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been found in virtually all body fluids and used successfully as biomarkers for various diseases. Evidence indicates that miRNAs have important roles in IgA nephropathy (IgAN), a major cause of renal failure.

Using Next-Generation Sequencing to Identify a Mutation in Human MCSU that is Responsible for Type II Xanthinuria.

Background: Hypouricemia is caused by various diseases and disorders, such as hepatic failure, Fanconi renotubular syndrome, nutritional deficiencies and genetic defects. Genetic defects of the molybdoflavoprotein enzymes induce hypouricemia and xanthinuria. Here, we identified a patient whose plasma and urine uric acid levels were both extremely low and aimed to identify the pathogenic gene and verify its mechanism.

The correlation between peripheral leukocyte telomere length and indicators of cardiovascular aging.

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between telomere length in peripheral blood white cells and cardiovascular function in a healthy, aging Han Chinese population.

Methods: In 2012, peripheral blood leukocytes were obtained from 139 healthy individuals in Beijing, China, and telomere restriction fragment (TRF) length was assayed using a digoxigenin-labeled hybridization probe in Southern blot assays. Indicators of cardiovascular function were also evaluated, including electrocardiograms (ECG), (RR, P, PR, QRS, ST and T intervals); blood pressure (BP), (SBP, DBP, PP, PPI); cardiovascular ultrasound (left ventricular ejection fraction, LVEF); mitral early and late diastolic peak flow velocity (MVE and MVA); and lipid indices (TC, TG, HDL, LDL, LCI).

Select aging biomarkers based on telomere length and chronological age to build a biological age equation.

The purpose of this study is to build a biological age (BA) equation combining telomere length with chronological age (CA) and associated aging biomarkers. In total, 139 healthy volunteers were recruited from a Chinese Han cohort in Beijing. A genetic index, renal function indices, cardiovascular function indices, brain function indices, and oxidative stress and inflammation indices (C-reactive protein [CRP]) were measured and analyzed.

Genomic and epigenomic analyses of monozygotic twins discordant for congenital renal agenesis.

Monozygotic twins have been widely studied to distinguish genetic and environmental factors in the pathogenesis of human diseases. For renal agenesis, the one-sided absence of renal tissue, the relative contributions of genetic and environmental factors to its pathogenesis are still unclear. In this study of a pair of monozygotic twins discordant for congenital renal agenesis, the genomic profile was analyzed from a set of blood samples using high-throughput exome-capture sequencing to detect single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), copy number variations (CNVs), and insertions and deletions (indels).

Single-incision versus conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with uncomplicated gallbladder disease: a meta-analysis.

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the gold standard treatment for cholecystectomy. Recently, single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) has been suggested as an alternative technique.

Methods: Six databases were searched and reference lists of retrieved articles were checked to identify eligible studies.

[CAG repeats of DNA polymerase gamma in Chinese males and relationship of idiopathic male infertility to CAG repeats].

Objective: To analyze the polymerase gamma(Polg) gene polymorphisms in Chinese idiopathic infertile males and evaluate the correlation of the polymorphisms with male infertility.

Methods: We conducted a study of Polg CAG repeats in the sperm or blood DNA of 55 asthenospermia patients, 57 oligospermia patients, 34 azoospermia patients, and 104 controls with PCR and GeneScan. Phenotypic data were available in all the subjects, including semen parameters, and clinical profiles.

A differentially methylated region of the DAZ1 gene in spermatic and somatic cells.

Aim: To investigate the methylation status of the deleted in azoospermia 1 (DAZ1) gene promoter region in different cell types.

Methods: Using CpG island Searcher software, a CpG island was found in the promoter region of the DAZ1 gene. The methylation status of this region was analyzed in sperm and leukocytes by bisulfited sequencing.

[(CAG) n polymorphism of androgen receptor gene in idiopathic azoospermic and oligospermic Chinese men].

Objective: To research (CAG)n polymorphism of androgen receptor gene in idiopathic azoospermic and oligospermic Chinese men, and to explore its correlation with the development of dyszoospermia.

Methods: Fifty-two men with oligospermia and 31 with azoospermia were enrolled, the number of CAG sequence repeats determined by PCR and denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), and (CAG)n polymorphism analyzed.

Results: The CAG repeats in the men with oligospermia and those with azoospermia were 22.

Construction and characterization of a novel 13.34-fold chicken bacterial artificial chromosome library.

A chicken bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library consisting of 138,240 clones was constructed in vector pBeloBAC11 with genomic DNA isolated from female white-silk chicken. An average insert size of 118 kb was estimated from 452 randomly isolated clones, which indicate the library to be approximate 13.34-fold genome coverage.