[Epidemic trends and prevention and control of seasonal influenza in China after the COVID-19 pandemic]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a series of non-pharmaceutical interventions, which were implemented to curb the spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), significantly modified the seasonal pattern of influenza. The intensity of influenza activity markedly decreased and B/Yamagata lineage was no longer detected. As the national influenza sentinel surveillance data shown, clear seasonal patterns were observed for influenza between 2012-2019, annually with an average of 14.57% of specimens tested positive for influenza virus. However, the seasonal pattern of influenza was disrupted after the outbreak of COVID-19. In the 2020-2021 season, influenza demonstrated an extremely low activity (yearly positivity rate<1.0%), followed by a resurgence of winter peak in the 2021-2022 season. Following the downgrade of management of COVID-19 to Class B in China in December 26, 2022, social activities gradually resumed, leading to the rebound of influenza activity with an out-of-season ciculation. After COVID-19 pademic, other respiratory infectious diseases caused by SARS-CoV-2, respiratory syncytial virus, and mycoplasma pneumonia were alternatively or concurrently circulated with influenza. The prevention and control of influenza and other respiratory infectious diseases emphasizes a multi-disease prevention strategy, including long-term and continuous monitoring the epidemic trends in influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2, promoting influenza and COVID-19 vaccination among key populations, and strengthening the knowledge and public awareness of prevention and control for respiratory infectious diseases, etc.

Genetic association of COVID-19 severe versus non-severe cases by RNA sequencing in patients hospitalised in Hong Kong

INTRODUCTION

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused extensive disruption of public health worldwide. There were reports of COVID-19 patients having multiple complications. This study investigated COVID-19 from a genetic perspective.

METHODS

We conducted RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) analysis of respiratory tract samples from 24 patients with COVID-19. Eight patients receiving mechanical ventilation or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation were regarded as severe cases; the remaining 16 patients were regarded as non-severe cases. After quality control, statistical analyses were performed by logistic regression and the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test to identify genes associated with disease severity.

RESULTS

Six genes were associated with COVID-19 severity in both statistical tests, namely RPL15, BACE1-AS, CEPT1, EIF4G1, TMEM91, and TBCK. Among these genes, RPL15 and EIF4G1 played roles in the regulation of mRNA translation. Gene ontology analysis showed that the differentially expressed genes were mainly involved in nervous system diseases.

CONCLUSION

RNA sequencing analysis showed that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection is associated with the overexpression of genes involved in nervous system disorders.

[Advances in clinical significance and detection methods research of high density lipoprotein subfractions]

High density lipoprotein (HDL) is an important biochemical index of clinical cardiovascular disease. Many new studies have demonstrated abnormalities of plasma HDL subfractions in patients with this disease,and their clinical significance is greater than the overall abnormalities of HDL. Therefore,the HDL subfraction as an important factor in cardiovascular disease has attracted extensive research and attention. This article summarizes current research on HDL subfractions,their measurements and their relationships with atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease.

[Analysis on the implementation of payment policies for four non-national immunization program vaccines in China]

This study systematically retrieved information on the payment policy of vaccination fees for pneumococcal vaccines, human papillomavirus vaccines, haemophilus influenzae type b vaccines and rotavirus vaccines using a Python-based crawler. The proportion of the population covered by policies among the total applicable population was estimated based on the medical insurance coverage ratio and population data in 2020. This study showed that the payment policies included two categories, government-funded free vaccination policies and medical insurance payment policies. Among the four non-national immunization program vaccines, the free vaccination policies only involved pneumococcal vaccines and human papillomavirus vaccines. Among them, the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine, and the human papillomavirus vaccine were provided free of charge in 1, 10 and 15 provinces, respectively. For these policies, the corresponding covered population and the proportion among the total applicable population were children aged 6 months to 2 years old (2.5%), older people (1.2% to 21.5%) and middle school girls (1.1% to 12.2%). Medical insurance payment policies were implemented in 14 provinces, and nearly covered the four types of vaccines in the policy implementation areas, with the proportion of the covered population about 10.9% to 41.5% among the total applicable population.

CXCL16 inhibits epithelial regeneration and promotes fibrosis during the progression of radiation enteritis

Radiation enteritis (RE) is a prevalent complication of radiotherapy for pelvic malignant tumors, characterized by severe intestinal epithelial destruction and progressive submucosal fibrosis. However, little is known about the pathogenesis of this disease, and so far, there is no specific targeted therapy. Here, we report that CXCL16 is upregulated in the injured intestinal tissues of RE patients and in a mouse model. Genetic deletion of Cxcl16 mitigates fibrosis and promotes intestinal stem cell-mediated epithelial regeneration after radiation injury in mice. Mechanistically, CXCL16 functions on myofibroblasts through its receptor CXCR6 and activates JAK3/STAT3 signaling to promote fibrosis and, at the same time, to transcriptionally modulate the levels of BMP4 and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in myofibroblasts. Moreover, we find that CXCL16 and CXCR6 auto- and cross-regulate themselves in positive feedback loops. Treatment with CXCL16 neutralizing monoclonal antibody attenuates fibrosis and improves the epithelial repair in RE mouse model. Our findings emphasize the important role of CXCL16 in the progression of RE and suggest that CXCL16 signaling could be a potential therapeutic target for RE. © 2022 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

Exosome-mediated delivery of SCD-1 siRNA promoted the death of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cells via regulating ROS level

PURPOSE

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is one of the most aggressive cancers in the world. Stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD-1) is one of major enzymes in the de novo synthesis of fatty acids and is related to cancer aggressiveness and poor patient prognosis. The study aimed to construct exosomes loaded SCD-1 interference, investigate its effects and mechanisms on the cell proliferation and apoptosis of ATC cells.

METHODS

The expressions of SCD-1 in normal thyroid cell line and ATC cell lines were determined by qRT-PCR and western blotting, respectively. Exosomes were prepared and purification then loaded with SCD-1 siRNA by electroporation and observed by transmission electron microscopy. Higher SCD-1 mRNA and protein levels were found in ATC cell lines compared than normal thyroid cell line (P < 0.05), and both Hth-7 and FRO cells could uptake PKH67-labeled exosomes. The effects of exosomes loaded SCD-1 siRNA on ATC cells were measured by CCK8 assay and apoptosis detection kit.

RESULTS

When compared with control group, the cell viability significantly decreased in both two ATC cell lines taken up exosomes loaded SCD-1 siRNA (P < 0.001), and apoptotic and necrotic cells obviously increased (P < 0.05). In order to explore the mechanism of exosomes loaded SCD-1 on ATC, the ROS level was detected by fluorescence reagent. It was found that exosomes loaded SCD-1 siRNA significantly increased intracellular ROS level of ATC cells (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Exosomes loaded SCD-1 siRNA inhibited ATC cellular proliferation and promoted cellular apoptosis, and the mechanisms involved maybe the regulation of fatty acids metabolism and ROS level. Our study provides a promising therapeutic strategy for ATC.

[Exposure to famine in fetus and infant period and risk for hypertension in adulthood]

Objective: To investigate the relationship between exposure to famine in fetus and infant period and the risks for hypertension in adulthood. Methods: A total of 5 960 participants born between 1956 and 1965 were included in the study and were divided into unexposed group (1963-1965), fetal exposed group (1959-1961), early- childhood exposed group (1956-1958) and transitional group (1962). Logistic regression model was used to explore the association between famine exposure in early life and the risk for hypertension in adulthood. Results: Both the fetal exposure and the early-childhood exposure were the risk factors for hypertension in adulthood (OR=1.249, 95%CI: 1.049-1.486 and OR=1.360, 95%CI: 1.102-1.679). Meanwhile, in rural area, compared with unexposed group, the fetal exposure (OR=1.401, 95%CI: 1.091-1.798) and the early-childhood exposure (OR=1.460, 95%CI: 1.145-1.862) were also associated with a greater risk of hypertension in adulthood. In addition, fetal exposure and early-childhood exposure to famine in women were associated with 36.0% and 31.9% increased risks for hypertension (95%CI: 7.8%-71.7% and 95%CI: 4.8%-66.0%) according to the stratified analysis. Conclusion: Fetal exposure to famine might increase the risk for hypertension in adulthood.

[Comparative analysis of sleep monitoring between young and middle-aged and elderly OSA patients]

Objective:The aim of this study is to compare the night sleep hypoxia degree and sleep structure of young and middle-aged and elderly patients with OSA, so that PSG has more important application value.Method:A total of 438 patients diagnosed with OSA from February 2017 to January 2019 were selected,including 119 patients in the youth group with an average age of (28.5±5.1）years,and 319 patients in the middle and elderly group with an average age of (45.8±2.7)years.The results recorded by PSG in the two groups were retrospectively analyzed. Result:①The AHI, ODI, OAI, MAI and ASaO₂of OSA patients in the junior group were significantly higher than those in the middle-aged and elderly group, while CAI was not statistically significant between the two groups (P=0.419).②The NREM stage Ⅰ (61.1±4.3)% in the junior group was significantly higher than that in the junior group (53.3±3.4)%.NREM stage Ⅱ (33.2±2.3)% and NREM stage Ⅲ+Ⅳ (4.3±1.3)% in the junior group were higher than those in the middle-aged group (29.2±3.9)% and stage Ⅲ+Ⅳ (2.6±0.9)%, while the percentage of REM stage and microarousal index were not statistically significant between the two groups.③Young OSA patients were associated with hypertension and 47.0% middle-aged and elderly patients were associated with hypertension.There was no statistical difference between the two groups in whether hypertension was associated with hypertension or not.Conclusion:The NREM phase is particularly susceptible to age, and age affects slow wave sleep. The sleep structure of middle-aged and older people demonstrates their sleep characteristics: reduced total sleep time,slow wave sleep,low sleep efficiency,and delayed sleep. The young people's nighttime hypoxia is more serious. AHI,ODI,OAI,MAI,ASaO₂ and other indicators are significantly higher than the middle-aged and elderly people, but the sleep structure 2 groups are similar, indicating that young people have strong sleep physiological compensation and Adjustment ability.

[Vestibular function test in patients sudden sensorineural hearing loss patients with vertigoand its clinical significance]

Objective:The aim of this study is to analyze the results of vestibular function tests and clinical value of patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss （SSHL） and vertigo. Method:Twelve cases（24 ears） of unilateral SSHL with vertigo were included in the study group. 11 age and sex matched normal subjects（22 ears） were recruited as the normal control group. Both patients and normal subjects underwent carolic tests, ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential （oVEMP）, and cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential （cVEMP） in bilateral ears. The results were compared between the subjects and the normal control group. Result: The rate of positive oVEMP was 25.0% in the affected ear and 50.0% in the contralateral ear in patients with SSHL and vertigo, and 90.9% in normal subjects; while the rate of positive cVEMP was 58.3% in the affected ear and 58.3% in the contralateral ear in patients with SSHL and vertigo, and 90.9% in normal subjects. There were no significant differences between the affected and contralateral ears （P>0.05）. Compared to normal subjects, oVEMP and cVEMP in both the affected and contralateral ears were significantly reduced （P<0.05）. The parameters of oVEMP and cVEMP （N1 latency, P1 latency, amplitudes） were not significantly different among the groups（P<0.05）. Compared to normal subjects, the threshold difference of oVEMP and cVEMP in both the affected and contralateral ears werehigher than the normal subjects（P<0.05）. Among 12 SSHL patients who underwent caloric test, 9 were found with unilateral semicircular canal weakness（CP>25%）, and the abnormal rate was 75% （9/12）. Conclusion:Patients with vertigo with vertigo have impaired conduction function in the ipsilateral and contralateral vestibular pathways, mainly due to decreased vestibular evoked myogenic potential, increased threshold, and abnormal cold and heat tests. The vestibular function test provides an objective basis for assessing the inner ear injury in patients with vertigo.

[Brief discussion of history of vascular surgery in New China]

The history of vascular surgery in new China could be divided into the following three stages: the first stage, since the early 1980s, the technique of endovascular surgery was introduced in China, developed in some major hospitals, and gradually popularized to some basic hospitals conditionally. Vascular surgery had gradually developed into an independent discipline in China by the late 1980s. The second stage, since the late 1980s, vascular diagnosis and treatment technology, vascular equipment, and related research modification had been improving continuously in China, and achieved certain success, especially since the establishment of the department of vascular surgery affiliated to the Chinese Medical Association in 1993, vascular surgery in China representing its period of primary development. The third stage, since the beginning of the 21st century, the innovation of the technique of endovascular surgery and hybridization technology, and the development of materials technology had contributed to the second leaping forward of vascular surgery in China. Since then, vascular surgery enters a new era of minimally invasive surgery and opens a period of rapid development.

[Analysis of the recurrence related factors of sinonasal inverted papilloma]

Objective:To evaluate the influence risk factors of recurrence and the methods for reducing recurrence of sinonasal inverted papilloma (SNIP). Method:Clinical data of 34 patients with SNIP were analyzed retrospectively. All of them were unilateral onset. The diagnosis was confirmed pathologically and the range of lesions was determined by endoscopic and imaging examination; clinical classification according to Krouse classification method; All operations were performed under nasal endoscope, of which 20 cases were operated by simple nasal endoscope, and 14 cases were operated by endoscopic anterior lacrimal recess approach. The patients were followed up for 12-36 months. The curative effects were observed and the prognostic factors of the patients were analyzed. Result:Thirty-four cases of SNIP patients with postoperative recurrence rate was 17.65% (6/34); simple nasal endoscopic surgery in 20 cases, the recurrence rate was 25.00%(5/20); endoscopic anterior lacrimal recess approach in 14 cases, the recurrence rate was 7.14%(1/14), the difference was statistically insignificant (χ²=1.807, P>0.05). Four cases in stage Ⅰ had no recurrence；20 cases in stage Ⅱ, the recurrence rate was 15.0%(3/20); 9 cases in stage Ⅲ, the recurrence rate was 33.3%(3/9); 1 case in stage Ⅳ had no recurrence, the recurrence rate of the patients with different stages were statistically insignificant (χ²=2.692, P>0.05). Conclusion:Simple endoscopic resection of the tumor and endoscopic anterior lacrimal recess surgery are effective methods for the treatment of SNIP. The nasal surgery history and tumor origin are the risk factors for recurrence. The operation completely tumorresection,detailed preoperative examination and postoperative regular endoscopic examination are the keys to preventing recurrence.

[Two cases of piriform pit carcinoma were repaired with thyroid lobe]

Two cases with piriform fossa cancer underwent larynx lateral wall repair surgery. Case 1: The patient was admitted to the hospital because of pharyngeal discomfort with swallowing pain for 2 months Electronic laryngoscopy revealed neoplasm in the left piriform fossa. Space occupying lesion in left piriform fossa and paranasal space was found in MRI scan. The pathological diagnosis of this patient was squamous cell squamous cell carcinoma (T2N1M0). Case 2: The patient was admitted to the hospital because of blood in the sputum for more than 1 year. The electronic laryngoscope suggested neoplasm in the pharyngeal space and left vocal cord paralysis.Soft tissue thickening of the oropharynx and hypopharyngeal right wall was found in MRI scan. The pathological diagnosis of this patient was squamous cell carcinoma (T1N2M0).

[Various choices of reconstructing the left subclavicular artery to extend the proximal landing zone thoracic endovascular aortic repair]

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has become the preferred treatment for Stanford type B aortic dissection. Covered the left subclavian artery (LSA) directly may cause corresponding complications in Stanford type B aortic dissection with unfavourable proximal landing zone. TEVAR can be successfully implemented by reconstructing LSA to expand the proximal landing zone. Currently, the methods of reconstructing LSA mainly include hybridization technology (carotid-subclavian artery transposition), chimney technology (including branch stent technology) and fenestration (or slot technology), etc. These techniques are all valid for aortic dissection that needs to reconstructing LSA. The choices and applications of these techniques should follow the individualized principles.

[Research progress of Lgr5-positive stem cells in the formation of organoid in 3D culture]

Stem cell is critical to regeneration of tissue or organ of human. How to promote repair or regeneration in the tissues/organ using its pluripotency is always an important issue. Lgr5-possitive cell is one type of the stem cell-like cells capable of pluripotent differentiation in various tissues/organs of both humans and mice. Current study showed that single or small amount Lgr5-possitive stem cells can grow and form a plurality of organs in 3D culture system, and some organs can present similar biological and physiological properties with the progenitor they were derived. These studies provided new insight into future orientation, for example, Lgr5-possitive inner ear cells were confirmed as inner ear pluripotent cells population, the experiences obtained from organoid studies of Lgr5-possitive cells have certainly showed potential in the future study of inner ear stem cells. This review will focus on the recent progress associated with Lgr 5-positive stem cells forming organoids in the 3D culture.

[Effect of three types of rapid maxillary expansion: a three-dimensional finite element study]

Objective: To evaluate the transverse displacement, stress distribution and tendency of change in tooth, alveolar bone and mid-palatal suture using three kinds of rapid maxillary expansion methods. Methods: Cone-beam CT image data was obtained by scanning skulls of a volunteer. Three-dimensional models of maxillary complex were re-established using Mimics and Geomagic Studio and models of Hyrax expander, Haas expander and miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expander (MARPE) were established using ANSYS Workbench. Stress distribution, displacement and tendency of change in tooth, alveolar bone and mid-palatal suture were evaluated. Results: Hyrax expander brought 0.105 mm lateral displacement of crown, 0.022 mm mid-palatal suture width increase, wedge opening and clockwise rotation tendency of maxilla. Haas expander created uniform stress distribution, 0.216 mm lateral displacement of crown, and 0.031 mm mid-palatal suture width increase. In MARPE model, the lateral displacement of crown was 0.267 mm, and mid-palatal suture width increased 0.315 mm. The maximum of mid-palatal suture expansion and stress distribution appeared in the middle region, and maxilla had tendency of counterclockwise rotation. Conclusions: The lateral changes of teeth and bones brought by MARPE were the most significant. Haas expander had some advantages in comparison with Hyrax.

Polyketides with different post-modifications from desert endophytic fungus Paraphoma sp

Three new polyketides 4,6,8-trihydroxy-5-methyl-3,4-dihydronaphthalen-1(2H)-one (1), 5,7-dihydroxy-3-(1-hydroxyethyl)-3,4-dimethylisobenzofuran-1(3H)-one (2) and 1-(4-hydroxy-6-methoxy-1,7-dimethyl-3-oxo-1,3-dihydroisobenzofuran-1-yl) ethyl acetate (3) together with seven known analogues (4-10) were isolated from desert endophytic fungus Paraphoma sp. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by analysis of NMR data. The absolute configuration of (1-3) was established on the basis of CD experiments. The possible biosynthetic pathway of compounds (1-10) was suggested, which implied that these secondary metabolites might be originated from polyketide biosynthesis with different post-modification reactions. Compounds 2, and 5-8 were evaluated for bioactivities against plant pathogen A. solani, whereas none of them displayed any biological effects. In addition, compounds 1, 2 and 5-10 were also tested for cytotoxic activities against three human cancer cell lines (HepG2 cells, MCF-7 cells and Hela cells) without biological effects.

[Efficacy and safety analysis of ivabradine hydrochloride treatment of Chinese patients with chronic heart failure: subgroup analysis of Chinese patients in the SHIFT study]

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ivabradine for the treatment of Chinese patients with chronic heart failure based on the Chinese subgroup data of the systolic heart failure treatment with the I(f) inhibitor ivabradine trial (SHIFT). Method: A total of 6 558 stable outpatients who presented symptoms of heart failure, with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤35%, sinus rhythms with a heart rate ≥70 bpm participated in the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, international multicenter clinical study.The subset of Chinese patients with heart rate ≥75 bpm was enrolled in the post-hoc subgroup analyses.Patients were randomly allocated by computer-generated assignment through a telephone interactive voice response system to ivabradine group (starting dose 5 mg bid, which was then uptitrated to the maximum 7.5 mg bid) or matched placebo group.The clinical baseline characteristics of participants were obtained and analyzed.The primary outcome endpoint was a composite endpoint of cardiovascular death or hospitalization resulting from worsening HF.The primary safety endpoint included total incidence of adverse events during the study, bradycardia, and adverse visual reaction (phosphenes). Results: A total of 49 Chinese centers enrolled a total of 225 patients with chronic heart failure, of whom, 106 patients were randomized to the ivabradine group and the other 119 patients to the placebo group, and the mean follow-up time was (15.6±5.1) months.By the end of the study, mean heart rate (71.0 bpm vs. 80.3 bpm, P<0.05) and incidence of the primary endpoint events (18.9% (20/106) vs. 31.9%(38/119), HR=0.56, 95%CI 0.33-0.97, P=0.039) were significantly lower, while the percentage of patients with improvement in heart functional class NYHA (53.8% (56/106) vs. 34.5% (41/119), P=0.006 1) was significantly higher in the ivabradine group than in the placebo group.The total number of adverse events (129 events, 49.6% PY) in the ivabradine group was lower than that in the placebo group (203 events, 50.8% PY). In the ivabradine group and the placebo group, there were respectively 2 patients (1.9%) and 0 patients experienced bradycardia, 3 patients (2.9%) and 1 patient (0.8%) experienced adverse visual reaction (phosphenes). Conclusions: Ivabradine significantly reduced heart rate and improved the clinical outcomes and NYHA function class in Chinese patients with chronic heart failure, these beneficial effects are achieved without inducing remarkable adverse reactions.The results of Chinese subgroup analysis were thus consistent with the overall results of the SHIFT study. Clinical Trial Registry: International standard randomized controlled trials registry, ISRCTN 70429960.

Exogenous NO depletes Cd-induced toxicity by eliminating oxidative damage, re-establishing ATPase activity, and maintaining stress-related hormone equilibrium in white clover plants

Various nitric oxide (NO) regulators [including the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP), the NO scavenger 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (cPTIO), the NO-synthase inhibitor N (G)-nitro-L-Arg-methyl ester (L-NAME), and the SNP analogues sodium nitrite/nitrate and sodium ferrocyanide] were investigated to elucidate the role of NO in white clover (Trifolium repens L.) plants after long-term (5 days) exposure to cadmium (Cd). A dose of 100 μM Cd stress significantly restrained plant growth and decreased the concentrations of chlorophyll and NO in vivo, whereas it disrupted the balance of stress-related hormones and enhanced the accumulation of Cd, thereby inducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) burst. However, the inhibition of plant growth was relieved by 50 μM SNP through its stimulation of ROS-scavenging compounds (ascorbic acid, ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, glutathione reductase, non-protein thiol, superoxide dismutase, and total glutathione), regulation of H(+)-ATPase activity of proton pumps, and increasing jasmonic acid and proline but decreasing ethylene in plant tissues. Even so, the alleviating effect of SNP on plant growth was counteracted by cPTIO and L-NAME and was not observed with SNP analogues, suggesting that the protective roles of SNP are related to the induction of NO. These results suggest that NO may improve the Cd tolerance of white clover plants by eliminating oxidative damage, re-establishing ATPase activity, and maintaining hormone equilibrium. Improving our understanding of the role of NO in white clover plants is key to expanding the plantations to various regions and the recovery of pasture species in the future.

Defective bone repair in mast cell deficient mice with c-Kit loss of function

KitW-sh mice carry an inactivating mutation in the gene encoding the receptor for stem cell factor, which is expressed at high levels on the surface of haematopoietic precursor cells. The mutation results in mast cell deficiency, a variety of defects in innate immunity and poorly defined abnormalities in bone. The present study was designed to characterise healing of a cortical window defect in skeletally mature KitW-sh mice using high-resolution micro computed tomographic imaging and histological analyses. The cortical bone defect healed completely in all wild type mice but failed to heal in about half of the KitW-sh mice by 12 weeks post-operative. Defective healing was associated with premature and excessive expression of TRAP positive cells embedded in fibrous marrow but with little change in ALP activity. Immuno-histochemical analyses revealed reduced CD34 positive vascular endothelial cells and F4/80 positive macrophages at 1 and 2 weeks post-operative. Impaired bone healing in the KitW-sh mice was therefore attributed to altered catabolic activity, impaired re-vascularisation and compromised replacement of woven with compact bone.

Four pairs of gene-gene interactions associated with increased risk for type 2 diabetes (CDKN2BAS-KCNJ11), obesity (SLC2A9-IGF2BP2, FTO-APOA5), and hypertension (MC4R-IGF2BP2) in Chinese women

Metabolic disorders including type 2 diabetes, obesity and hypertension have growing prevalence globally every year. Genome-wide association studies have successfully identified many genetic markers associated to these diseases, but few studied their interaction effects. In this study, twenty candidate SNPs from sixteen genes are selected, and a lasso-multiple regression approach is implemented to consider the SNP–SNP interactions among them in an Asian population. It is found out that the main effects of the markers are weak but the interactions among the candidates showed a significant association to diseases. SNPs from genes CDKN2BAS and KCNJ11 are significantly associated to risk for developing diabetes, and SNPs from FTO and APOA5 might interact to play an important role for the onset of hypertension.