The sequence of the human genome

A 2.91-billion base pair (bp) consensus sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome was generated by the whole-genome shotgun sequencing method. The 14.8-billion bp DNA sequence was generated over 9 months from 27,271,853 high-quality sequence reads (5.11-fold coverage of the genome) from both ends of plasmid clones made from the DNA of five individuals. Two assembly strategies-a whole-genome assembly and a regional chromosome assembly-were used, each combining sequence data from Celera and the publicly funded genome effort. The public data were shredded into 550-bp segments to create a 2.9-fold coverage of those genome regions that had been sequenced, without including biases inherent in the cloning and assembly procedure used by the publicly funded group. This brought the effective coverage in the assemblies to eightfold, reducing the number and size of gaps in the final assembly over what would be obtained with 5.11-fold coverage. The two assembly strategies yielded very similar results that largely agree with independent mapping data. The assemblies effectively cover the euchromatic regions of the human chromosomes. More than 90% of the genome is in scaffold assemblies of 100,000 bp or more, and 25% of the genome is in scaffolds of 10 million bp or larger. Analysis of the genome sequence revealed 26,588 protein-encoding transcripts for which there was strong corroborating evidence and an additional approximately 12,000 computationally derived genes with mouse matches or other weak supporting evidence. Although gene-dense clusters are obvious, almost half the genes are dispersed in low G+C sequence separated by large tracts of apparently noncoding sequence. Only 1.1% of the genome is spanned by exons, whereas 24% is in introns, with 75% of the genome being intergenic DNA. Duplications of segmental blocks, ranging in size up to chromosomal lengths, are abundant throughout the genome and reveal a complex evolutionary history. Comparative genomic analysis indicates vertebrate expansions of genes associated with neuronal function, with tissue-specific developmental regulation, and with the hemostasis and immune systems. DNA sequence comparisons between the consensus sequence and publicly funded genome data provided locations of 2.1 million single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). A random pair of human haploid genomes differed at a rate of 1 bp per 1250 on average, but there was marked heterogeneity in the level of polymorphism across the genome. Less than 1% of all SNPs resulted in variation in proteins, but the task of determining which SNPs have functional consequences remains an open challenge.

The genome sequence of Drosophila melanogaster

The fly Drosophila melanogaster is one of the most intensively studied organisms in biology and serves as a model system for the investigation of many developmental and cellular processes common to higher eukaryotes, including humans. We have determined the nucleotide sequence of nearly all of the approximately 120-megabase euchromatic portion of the Drosophila genome using a whole-genome shotgun sequencing strategy supported by extensive clone-based sequence and a high-quality bacterial artificial chromosome physical map. Efforts are under way to close the remaining gaps; however, the sequence is of sufficient accuracy and contiguity to be declared substantially complete and to support an initial analysis of genome structure and preliminary gene annotation and interpretation. The genome encodes approximately 13,600 genes, somewhat fewer than the smaller Caenorhabditis elegans genome, but with comparable functional diversity.

Microplastics generated when opening plastic packaging

Millions of tonnes of plastics have been released into the environment. Although the risk of plastics to humans is not yet resolved, microplastics, in the range of 1 μm - 5 mm, have entered our bodies, originating either from ingestion via the food chain or from inhalation of air. Generally there are two sources of microplastics, either directly from industry, such as cosmetic exfoliants, or indirectly from physical, chemical and biological fragmentation of large (>5 mm) plastic residues. We have found that microplastics can be generated by simple tasks in our daily lives such as by scissoring with scissors, tearing with hands, cutting with knives or twisting manually, to open plastics containers/bags/tapes/caps. These processes can generate about 0.46–250 microplastic/cm. This amount is dependent on the conditions such as stiffness, thickness, anisotropy, the density of plastic materials and the size of microplastics.This finding sends an important warning, that we must be careful when opening plastic packaging, if we are concerned about microplastics and care about reducing microplastics contamination.

The Drosophila Lissencephaly1 (DLis1) gene is required for nuclear migration

Nuclear movement is critical for several developmental processes in eukaryotes. Drosophila oogenesis provides a paradigmatic example in which localization of the nucleus generates a source of cellular asymmetry that is used in patterning both the anterior-posterior and the dorsal-ventral axes of the oocyte. In this study we show that mutations in the Drosophila Lissencephaly1 (DLis1) gene result in partial ventralization of the eggshell. DLis1 mutations affect the localization of gurken mRNA and protein in the oocyte. These defects are correlated with incorrect positioning of the oocyte nucleus, suggesting that DLis1 is required for nuclear migration. DLis1 shows significant sequence conservation across the evolutionary spectrum. Fungal cognates of DLis1 are involved in nuclear migration while homologs in humans and mice are implicated in neuronal migration. DLis1 shows genetic interactions with the Glued and Dynein heavy chain subunits of the dynein/dynactin complex, supporting the idea that the Lis1 family of proteins plays a role in microtubule motor-based nuclear motility.

Hyper immunoglobulin E response in mice with monoclonal populations of B and T lymphocytes

A key event in the pathogenesis of allergies is the production of antibodies of the immunoglobulin (Ig)E class. In normal individuals the levels of IgE are tightly regulated, as illustrated by the low serum IgE concentration. In addition, multiple immunizations are usually required to generate detectable IgE responses in normal experimental animals. To define the parameters that regulate IgE production in vivo, we generated mice bearing monoclonal populations of B and T lymphocytes specific for influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) and chicken ovalbumin (OVA), respectively. A single immunization of the monoclonal mice with the cross-linked OVA-HA antigen led to serum IgE levels that reached 30-200 microg/ml. This unusually high IgE response was prevented by the infusion of regulatory alpha/beta CD4(+) T cells belonging to both CD25(+) and CD25(-) subpopulations. The regulation by the infused T cells impeded the development of fully competent OVA-specific effector/memory Th2 lymphocytes without inhibiting the initial proliferative response of T cells or promoting activation-induced cell death. Our results indicate that hyper IgE responses do not occur in normal individuals due to the presence of regulatory T cells, and imply that the induction of regulatory CD4(+) T cells could be used for the prevention of atopy.

HBV-induced ROS accumulation promotes hepatocarcinogenesis through Snail-mediated epigenetic silencing of SOCS3

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been demonstrated to be involved in Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated hepatocarcinogenesis through activation of the STAT3 pathway. The sustained activation of the IL-6/STAT3 pathway is frequently associated with repression of SOCS3, which is both a target gene and a negative regulator of STAT3. However, the silencing mechanism of SOCS3 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains to be elucidated. Here, we showed that the repression of SOCS3 and sustained activation of IL-6/STAT3 pathway in HBV-producing HCC cells were caused by HBV-induced mitochondrial ROS accumulation. Mechanistic studies revealed that ROS-mediated DNA methylation resulted in the silencing of SOCS3. Decreased SOCS3 expression significantly promoted the proliferation of HCC cells and growth of tumor xenografts in mice. Further studies revealed that HBV-induced ROS accumulation upregulated the expression of the transcription factor, Snail, which bound to the E-boxes of SOCS3 promoter and mediated the epigenetic silencing of SOCS3 in association with DNMT1 and HDAC1. In addition, we found that the expression of Snail and SOCS3 were inversely correlated in HBV-associated HCC patients, suggesting that SOCS3 and/or Snail could be used as prognostic markers in HCC pathogenesis. Taken together, our data show that HBV-induced mitochondrial ROS production represses SOCS3 expression through Snail-mediated epigenetic silencing, leading to the sustained activation of IL-6/STAT3 pathway and ultimately contributing to hepatocarcinogenesis.

Transverse-momentum and pseudorapidity distributions of charged hadrons in pp collisions at square root of s = 7 TeV

Charged-hadron transverse-momentum and pseudorapidity distributions in proton-proton collisions at square root of s = 7  TeV are measured with the inner tracking system of the CMS detector at the LHC. The charged-hadron yield is obtained by counting the number of reconstructed hits, hit pairs, and fully reconstructed charged-particle tracks. The combination of the three methods gives a charged-particle multiplicity per unit of pseudorapidity dN(ch)/dη|(|η|<0.5) = 5.78 ± 0.01(stat) ± 0.23(syst) for non-single-diffractive events, higher than predicted by commonly used models. The relative increase in charged-particle multiplicity from square root of s = 0.9 to 7 TeV is [66.1 ± 1.0(stat) ± 4.2(syst)]%. The mean transverse momentum is measured to be 0.545 ± 0.005(stat) ± 0.015(syst)  GeV/c. The results are compared with similar measurements at lower energies.

Risk factors for disease progression in patients with mild to moderate coronavirus disease 2019-a multi-centre observational study

Objectives

Since December 2019, the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that emerged in Wuhan city has spread rapidly around the world. The risk for poor outcome dramatically increases once a patient progresses to the severe or critical stage. The present study aims to investigate the risk factors for disease progression in individuals with mild to moderate COVID-19.

Methods

We conducted a cohort study that included 1007 individuals with mild to moderate COVID-19 from three hospitals in Wuhan. Clinical characteristics and baseline laboratory findings were collected. Patients were followed up for 28 days for observation of disease progression. The end point was the progression to a more severe disease stage.

Results

During a follow up of 28 days, 720 patients (71.50%) had recovered or were symptomatically stable, 222 patients (22.05%) had progressed to severe disease, 22 patients (2.18%) had progressed to the critically ill stage and 43 patients (4.27%) had died. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models identified that increased age (hazard ratio (HR) 2.56, 95% CI 1.97–3.33), male sex (HR 1.79, 95% CI 1.41–2.28), presence of hypertension (HR 1.44, 95% CI 1.11–1.88), diabetes (HR 1.82, 95% CI 1.35–2.44), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (HR 2.01, 95% CI 1.38–2.93) and coronary artery disease (HR 1.83, 95% CI 1.26–2.66) were risk factors for disease progression. History of smoking was protective against disease progression (HR 0.56, 95% CI 0.34–0.91). Elevated procalcitonin (HR 1.72, 95% CI 1.02–2.90), urea nitrogen (HR 1.72, 95% CI 1.21–2.43), α-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (HR 3.02, 95% CI 1.26–7.21) and D-dimer (HR 2.01, 95% CI 1.12–3.58) at baseline were also associated with risk for disease progression.

Conclusions

This study identified a panel of risk factors for disease progression in individuals with mild to moderate COVID-19.

Functional antagonism between Msx2 and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha in regulating the mouse amelogenin gene expression is mediated by protein-protein interaction

Ameloblast-specific amelogenin gene expression is spatiotemporally regulated during tooth development. In a previous study, the CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBPalpha) was identified as a transcriptional activator of the mouse amelogenin gene in a cell type-specific manner. Here, Msx2 is shown to repress the promoter activity of amelogenin-promoter reporter constructs independent of its intrinsic DNA binding activity. In transient cotransfection assays, Msx2 and C/EBPalpha antagonize each other in regulating the expression of the mouse amelogenin gene. Electrophoresis mobility shift assays demonstrate that Msx2 interferes with the binding of C/EBPalpha to its cognate site in the mouse amelogenin minimal promoter, although Msx2 itself does not bind to the same promoter fragment. Protein-protein interaction between Msx2 and C/EBPalpha is identified with co-immunoprecipitation analyses. Functional antagonism between Msx2 and C/EBPalpha is also observed on the stably transfected 2.2-kilobase mouse amelogenin promoter in ameloblast-like LS8 cells. Furthermore, the carboxyl-terminal residues 183-267 of Msx2 are required for protein-protein interaction, whereas the amino-terminal residues 2-97 of Msx2 play a less critical role. Among three family members tested (C/EBPalpha, -beta, and -gamma), Msx2 preferentially interacts with C/EBPalpha. Taken together, these data indicate that protein-protein interaction rather than competition for overlapping binding sites results in the functional antagonism between Msx2 and C/EBPalpha in regulating the mouse amelogenin gene expression.

Effect of lipase inhibition on gastric emptying of, and the glycemic and incretin responses to, an oil/aqueous drink in type 2 diabetes mellitus

This study examined the effects of the lipase inhibitor, orlistat, on gastric emptying of, and the glycemic and incretin hormone responses to, a drink containing oil and glucose components in patients with type 2 diabetes. Seven patients (aged 58 +/- 5 yr), managed by diet alone, consumed 60 ml olive oil (labeled with 20 MBq (99m)Tc-V-thiocyanate) and 300 ml water containing 75 g glucose (labeled with 6 MBq (67)Ga-EDTA), on two occasions, with and without 120 mg orlistat, positioned in the left lateral decubitus position with their back against a gamma camera. Venous blood samples, for measurement of blood glucose and plasma insulin, glucagon-like peptide-1 and glucose-dependent insulintropic polypeptide were obtained immediately before, and after, the drink. Gastric emptying of both oil (P < 0.001) and glucose (P < 0.0005) was faster after orlistat compared with control. Postprandial blood glucose (P < 0.001) and plasma insulin (P < 0.05) were substantially greater after orlistat compared with control. In contrast, plasma glucagon-like peptide-1 (P < 0.005) and glucose-dependent insulintropic polypeptide (P < 0.05) were less after orlistat. In conclusion, inhibition of fat digestion, by orlistat, may exacerbate postprandial glycemia, as a result of more rapid gastric emptying and a diminished incretin response.

EGFR-targeted mAb therapy modulates autophagy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma through NLRX1-TUFM protein complex

EGFR-targeted therapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients frequently results in tumor resistance to treatment. Autophagy is an emerging underlying resistance mechanism, however, the molecular autophagy machinery in HNSCC cells and potential biomarkers of patient response to EGFR-targeted therapy remain insufficiently characterized. Here we show that the EGFR blocking with cetuximab leads to varied autophagic responses, which modulate cancer cell susceptibility to EGFR inhibition. Inhibition of autophagy sensitizes HNSCC cells to EGFR blockade. Importantly, we identify a novel signaling hub centering on the NLRX1-TUFM protein complex, promoting autophagic flux. Defects in the expression of either NLRX1 or TUFM result in compromised autophagy when treated with EGFR inhibitors. As a previously undefined autophagy-promoting mechanism, we found that TUFM serves as a novel anchorage site, recruiting Beclin-1 to mitochondria, promoting its polyubiquitination, and interfering with its interaction with Rubicon. This protein complex is also essential for endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress signaling induction, possibly as an additional mechanism to promote autophagy. Utilizing tumor specimens from a novel neoadjuvant clinical trial, we show that increased expression of the autophagy adaptor protein, SQSTM1/p62, is associated with poor response to cetuximab therapy. These findings expand our understanding of the components involved in HNSCC autophagy machinery that responds to EGFR inhibitors, and suggest potential combinatorial approaches to enhance its therapeutic efficacy.

Prevalence of factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A mutations in Chinese patients with deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common vascular disease that results in two major clinical manifestations: deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Several genetic risk factors, especially factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A mutations have been reported to be related to VTE in Caucasians, but the relationship remains controversial in other populations. Thus, the objective of the present study was to compare the frequency of the two mutations and also to investigate whether acquired risk factors other than genetic mutations may play a different role in Chinese VTE patients. Thirty-five patients were diagnosed with DVT concomitant PE, 178 patients with DVT, 54 patients with PE and 102 control subjects were recruited. The mutation was determined by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Of all subjects, none was a carrier of factor V Leiden or prothrombin G20210A mutations. The frequency of surgery was significantly higher in the PE group than that in other groups. There was no significant difference among the three groups in other known risk factors. The data presented here indicate that factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A mutations are very rare in the Chinese population, and the genetic risk profile of VTE in the Chinese population is different from that in Caucasians.

The interleukin-33 receptor ST2 is important for the development of peripheral airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation in a house dust mite mouse model of asthma

BACKGROUND

Several clinical and experimental studies have implicated IL-33 and its receptor ST2 in the development of asthma. However, the effect of IL-33/ST2 signalling on airway responses and inflammation in allergic asthma is not well established.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of IL-33/ST2 signalling in promoting allergen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), airway inflammation, antigen-specific IgE production and mast cell activity in a mouse model of asthma.

METHODS

ST2-deficient (ST2(-/-)) mice and control BALB/c mice were given house dust mite (HDM) extract over a 6-week period. Forty-eight hours after the final HDM administration, lung function and airway inflammation were evaluated. Airway responsiveness was determined in the central airways and peripheral lung. Cellular infiltration and mast cell protease mMCP-1 levels were quantified in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Recruitment of inflammatory cells and inflammatory cytokine profiles were assessed in pulmonary tissue, and HDM-specific IgE was measured in serum.

RESULTS

ST2 deficiency diminished HDM-induced AHR in the peripheral lung, while AHR in the central airways was unaffected. Inflammatory responses to HDM were also reduced in ST2(-/-) mice as reflected by the lower induction of HDM-specific serum IgE, inhibition of HDM-induced eosinophilia and reduced macrophage count in BALF, and a diminished influx of inflammatory cells and reduced goblet cell hyperplasia around the peripheral airways. Furthermore, the levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-5, IL-13, IL-33, GM-CSF, thymic stromal lymphopoietin and mast cell protease mMCP-1 were reduced in HDM-treated ST2(-/-) mice compared with wild-type controls.

CONCLUSIONS

In addition to promoting Th2 inflammation, we now suggest a role for the IL-33/ST2 pathway for the induction of peripheral inflammation and mucus production that causes AHR in the peripheral lung. This mechanism for inducing AHR at distal parts of the lung may be of specific importance as asthma is considered as a small airway disease.

Identification of mouse CPX-2, a novel member of the metallocarboxypeptidase gene family: cDNA cloning, mRNA distribution, and protein expression and characterization

A novel member of the metallocarboxypeptidase gene family was identified from its homology with carboxypeptidase E and has been designated CPX-2. The cDNA of 2500 nucleotides encodes a protein of 764 amino acids that contains an N-terminal signal peptide-like sequence, a 158-residue discoidin domain, and a 400-residue carboxypeptidase domain. The 400-residue metallocarboxypeptidase domain has 59% amino acid identity with a protein designated AEBP-1; 44% to 46% identity with carboxypeptidases E, N, and Z; and lower homology with other members of the metallocarboxypeptidase gene family. The discoidin domain of CPX-2 has 22% amino acid identity with the carbohydrate-binding domain of discoideum-I, 29% to 34% identity with the phospholipid-binding domain of human factors V and VIII, and 59% identity with the discoidin-like domain on AEBP-1. CPX-2 is missing several of the predicted active-site residues that are conserved in most other members of the metallocarboxypeptidase gene family and which are thought to be required for enzyme activity. Expression of CPX-2 using the baculovirus system produced several forms of protein, from 80 to 105 kDa, but no detectable activity toward a variety of carboxypeptidase substrates. A shorter 50-kDa form of CPX-2, which contains the carboxypeptidase domain but not the discoidin domain, was also inactive when expressed in the baculovirus system. CPX-2 is able to bind to Sepharose-Arg; this binding is blocked by 10 mM Arg. Northern blot analysis showed CPX-2 mRNA in mouse brain, liver, kidney, and lung. In situ hybridization analysis of brain revealed a broad distribution. Areas that are enriched in CPX-2 include the hippocampus, cerebral cortex, median eminence, and choroid plexus. Taken together, these data suggest a widespread function for CPX-2, possibly as a binding protein rather than an active carboxypeptidase.

Effect of Protein Supplementation Combined with Resistance Training on Muscle Mass, Strength and Function in the Elderly: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

The loss of muscle mass, strength and function associated with increasing age has various health ramifications, including the elevated risk for falls, fractures, frailty, poor quality of life, and mortality. Several studies have confirmed the effects of protein supplementation and RT (resistance training) for this age-related change independently, but whether a combination of the two produces a stronger effect remains controversial.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to explore whether a combination of protein supplementation and RT leads to reduction of muscle mass, strength and function in the elderly.

METHODS

We retrieved RCTs (randomized controlled trials) reporting the effects of protein supplementation combined with RT on muscle mass, strength and function in the elderly, published before May 2018 through PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and manual searches.

RESULTS

Twenty-one RCTs were included, involving 1,249 participants. The results showed that protein supplementation combine with RT significantly enhances the muscle mass and strength of the older adults, where FFM (fat-free mass) increased by 0.23 kg (95% CI: 0.09, 0.38; P=0.002), ASMM (appendicular skeletal muscle mass) by 0.39 kg (95% CI: 0.14, 0.64; P=0.002), handgrip strength by 0.29 kg (95% CI: 0.08, 0.50; P=0.008), knee extension strength by 0.27 kg (95% CI: 0.06, 0.47; P=0.013), leg press strength by 0.33 kg (95% CI: 0.01, 0.64; P=0.04), but no significant effects were seen on muscle function.

CONCLUSION

Compared to simple RT, protein supplementation combine with RT is more effective in enhancing the muscle mass and strength in the elderly, and the findings do not support the benefit of combination treatment for muscle function.

Identification of mouse CPX-1, a novel member of the metallocarboxypeptidase gene family with highest similarity to CPX-2

The recent finding that Cpe(fat)/Cpe(fat) mice, which lack carboxypeptidase E (CPE) activity because of a point mutation, are still capable of a reduced amount of neuroendocrine peptide processing suggested that additional carboxypeptidases (CPs) participate in this processing reaction. Searches for novel members of the CPE gene family led to the discovery of CPD, CPZ, AEBP1, and CPX-2. In the present report, we describe mouse CPX-1, another novel member of this gene family. Like AEBP1 and CPX-2, CPX-1 contains an N-terminal region of 160 amino acids with sequence similarity to the discoidin domain of a variety of proteins. The 410-residue CP-like domain of CPX-1 has 54% to 62% amino acid sequence identity with AEBP1 and CPX-2 and 33% to 49% amino acid identity with other members of the CPE subfamily. However, several active-site residues that are important for catalytic activity of other CPs are not conserved in CPX-1. Furthermore, CPX-1 expressed in either the baculovirus system or the mouse AtT-20 cell line does not cleave standard CP substrates. Northern blot analysis showed the highest levels of CPX-1 mRNA in testis and spleen and lower levels in salivary gland, brain, heart, lung, and kidney. In situ hybridization of CPX-1 mRNA in embryonic and fetal mouse tissue showed expression throughout the head and thorax, with abundance in primordial cartilage and skeletal structures. In the head, high levels of CPX-1 mRNA were associated with the nasal mesenchyme, primordial cartilage structures in the ear, and the meninges. In the thorax, CPX-1 mRNA was expressed in multiple developing skeletal structures, including chondrocytes and perichondrial cells of the rib, vertebral, and long-bone primordia. Taken together, these findings suggest that it is unlikely that CPX-1 functions in the processing of neuroendocrine peptides. Instead, CPX-1 may have a role in development, possibly mediating cell interactions via its discoidin domain.

Associations of blood glucose and prevalent diabetes with risk of cardiovascular disease in 500 000 adult Chinese: the China Kadoorie Biobank

AIMS

To examine the relationship of self-reported diabetes, and of random blood glucose levels among individuals without known diabetes, with the prevalence of cardiovascular disease in Chinese adults.

METHODS

We examined cross-sectional data from the China Kadoorie Biobank of 0.5 million people aged 30-79 years recruited from 10 diverse regions of China in the period 2004-2008. Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios of prevalent cardiovascular disease associated with self-reported diabetes, and with measured random blood glucose levels among participants with no history of diabetes, adjusting simultaneously for age, sex, area, education, smoking, alcohol, blood pressure and physical activity.

RESULTS

A total of 3.2% of participants had self-reported diabetes (men 2.9%; women 3.3%) and 2.8% had screen-detected diabetes (men 2.6%; women 2.8%), i.e. they had no self-reported history of diabetes but a blood glucose level suggestive of a diagnosis of diabetes. Compared with individuals without a history of diabetes, the odds ratios associated with self-reported diabetes were 2.18 (95% CI 2.06-2.30) and 1.88 (95% CI 1.75-2.01) for prevalent ischaemic heart disease and stroke/transient ischaemic attack, respectively. Among participants without self-reported diabetes there was a positive association between random blood glucose and ischaemic heart disease and stroke/transient ischaemic attack prevalence (P for trend <0.0001). Below the diabetic threshold (<11.1 mmol/l) each additional 1 mmol/l of random blood glucose was associated with 4% (95% CI 2-5%) and 5% (95% CI 3-7%) higher odds of prevalent ischaemic heart disease and stroke/transient ischaemic attack, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In this adult Chinese population, self-reported diabetes was associated with a doubling of the odds of prevalent cardiovascular disease. Below the threshold for diabetes there was still a modest, positive association between random blood glucose and prevalent cardiovascular disease.

Expression of genes associated with antibiotic extrusion in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

We cloned the gene(s) associated with multiantibiotic resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa from a mutant with elevated drug extrusion. The strain harboring cloned gene accumulated less amount of ofloxacin than the strain without the clone. By using Southern and northern blot analyses, we investigated whether multiantibiotic resistance is caused by gene amplification or overexpression. We found that all our multiantibiotic resistance is caused by gene amplification or overexpression. We found that all our multiantibiotic resistant mutants isolated earlier overexpressed mRNA homologous to the cloned gene(s). Overexpression of the 41 KDa and 110 KDa inner and the 50 KDa outer membrane proteins were detected. Other multiantibiotic resistant mutants including the nalB mutant overexpressed the mRNA and the membrane proteins, but the nfxB and nfxC mutants did little. We concluded that low antibiotic accumulation in the multiantibiotic resistant mutants is attributable to overexpression of the antibiotic extrusion machinery.