Objective:To describe the distribution characteristics of alcohol consumption in adult twins in the Chinese National Twin Registry (CNTR), and further explore the influence of genetic factors on alcohol consumption in adult twins.Methods:The subjects of the study were twins registered by CNTR in 11 project areas across China from 2010 to 2018. A total of 56 966 twins (28 483 pairs) aged 18 years and above who answered questions about drinking behavior were included, and the random effect model was used to describe the population and regional distribution characteristics of alcohol consumption. Intra-pair analysis was performed to calculate the concordance rate and heritability of their alcohol consumption.Results:The age of all subjects was (36.6±12.0) years, and current drinkers accounted for 16.6% (9 461/56 966) of all subjects. In men, those aged 50-59 years, those in northern China, those living in rural area, those with low education level and those with high BMI, the proportions of current drinkers were higher. After excluding 468 pairs of twins who had stopped alcohol use and 21 764 pairs of twins who had no drink or had small amount drink, an intra-pair analysis was conducted in 4 929 pairs of same-sex twins, and found that the concordance rate of alcohol consumption was 64.0% (2 059/3 215) in monozygotic twins, and 52.6% (902/1 714) in dizygotic twins, the difference was significant ( P<0.001), and the heritability of alcohol consumption was 24.1% (95% CI: 18.9%- 29.3%). The further stratified analysis found that in southern men, the heritability was highest in those aged 40-49 years (36.1%, 95% CI: 21.6%-50.7%), while in northern men, the heritability was highest in those aged 50-59 years (34.2%, 95% CI: 18.1%-50.3%). Conclusions:In adult twins in China, there were population and regional differences in the distribution of alcohol consumption behavior, and alcohol consumption was influenced by genetic factors, and gender, age and region had potential modifying effects.

Donors with a serum sodium concentration of >155 mmol/L are extended criteria donors for liver transplantation (LT). Elevated serum sodium of donors leads to an increased incidence of hepatic dysfunction in the early postoperative period of LT; however, the exact mechanism has not been reported. We constructed a Lewis rat model of 70% hepatic parenchymal area subjected to ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) with hypernatremia and a BRL-3A cell model of hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R) with high-sodium (HS) culture medium precondition. To determine the degree of injury, biochemical analysis, histological analysis, and oxidative stress and apoptosis detection were performed. We applied specific inhibitors of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) and Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger (NCX) in vivo and in vitro to verify their roles in injury. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels and the area of hepatic necrosis were significantly elevated in the HS+I/R group. Increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, myeloperoxidase (MPO)‍-positive cells, and aggravated cellular apoptosis were detected in the HS+I/R group. The HS+H/R group of BRL-3A cells showed significantly increased cellular apoptosis and ROS production compared to the H/R group. The application of amiloride (Amil), a specific inhibitor of ENaC, reduced ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) aggravated by HS both in vivo and in vitro, as evidenced by decreased serum transaminases, inflammatory cytokines, apoptosis, and oxidative stress. SN-6, a specific inhibitor of NCX, had a similar effect to Amil. In summary, hypernatremia aggravates hepatic IRI, which can be attenuated by pharmacological inhibition of ENaC or NCX.
Animals ; Reperfusion Injury/drug therapy* ; Hypernatremia/complications* ; Rats ; Liver/metabolism* ; Rats, Inbred Lew ; Male ; Apoptosis ; Sodium-Calcium Exchanger/antagonists & inhibitors* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Oxidative Stress ; Epithelial Sodium Channel Blockers/pharmacology* ; Epithelial Sodium Channels ; Cell Line ; Liver Transplantation

This study aims to describe the population and regional distribution characteristics of smoking behavior among adult twins in the China Twin Registry (CNTR), as well as the concordance rates for smoking behavior in monozygotic and dizygotic twins, and estimate the heritability. The study population included adult twins in CNTR who had smoking questionnaire data. A random-effects regression model was used to describe the distribution of smoking behavior among different subgroups based on various characteristics. The concordance of smoking behavior between different zygosity groups was calculated, and heritability was estimated. A total of 28 444 twin pairs were included in this study, with an average age of (36.6±12.0) years. Among male twins, 41.2% were current smokers, while only 1.2% of females smoked. Higher smoking rates were observed among male smokers in the 50-59 age group ( z=23.0, P<0.001), northern regions ( z=2.9, P<0.01), rural areas ( z=-5.2, P<0.001), those who were divorced/widowed ( z=3.8, P<0.001), and first-born twins ( z=-4.3, P<0.001), while lower smoking rates were found in those with higher education ( z=-16.1, P<0.001) and unmarried individuals ( z=-16.0, P<0.001). The smoking concordance rate for male monozygotic twins was 69.6%, significantly higher than the 57.3% concordance rate for dizygotic twins ( χ 2=105.0, P<0.05). The heritability of smoking behavior in male twins was estimated at 28.9% (95% CI: 24.3%-33.4%). Stratified analyses showed differences in heritability across regions and age groups: the heritability in northern regions was 32.6% (95% CI: 27.3%-38.0%), higher than the 21.0% (95% CI: 12.4%-29.5%) observed in southern regions; the highest heritability of 35.1% (95% CI: 26.3%-43.9%) was found in the 18-29 age group, with heritability decreasing with age. In conclusion, the smoking rate and influencing factors in the twin population are similar to those in the general population, with unique characteristics, such as higher smoking rates in first-born twins. Genetic factors have a significant impact on smoking behavior.

Objective:To describe the distribution characteristics of alcohol consumption in adult twins in the Chinese National Twin Registry (CNTR), and further explore the influence of genetic factors on alcohol consumption in adult twins.Methods:The subjects of the study were twins registered by CNTR in 11 project areas across China from 2010 to 2018. A total of 56 966 twins (28 483 pairs) aged 18 years and above who answered questions about drinking behavior were included, and the random effect model was used to describe the population and regional distribution characteristics of alcohol consumption. Intra-pair analysis was performed to calculate the concordance rate and heritability of their alcohol consumption.Results:The age of all subjects was (36.6±12.0) years, and current drinkers accounted for 16.6% (9 461/56 966) of all subjects. In men, those aged 50-59 years, those in northern China, those living in rural area, those with low education level and those with high BMI, the proportions of current drinkers were higher. After excluding 468 pairs of twins who had stopped alcohol use and 21 764 pairs of twins who had no drink or had small amount drink, an intra-pair analysis was conducted in 4 929 pairs of same-sex twins, and found that the concordance rate of alcohol consumption was 64.0% (2 059/3 215) in monozygotic twins, and 52.6% (902/1 714) in dizygotic twins, the difference was significant ( P<0.001), and the heritability of alcohol consumption was 24.1% (95% CI: 18.9%- 29.3%). The further stratified analysis found that in southern men, the heritability was highest in those aged 40-49 years (36.1%, 95% CI: 21.6%-50.7%), while in northern men, the heritability was highest in those aged 50-59 years (34.2%, 95% CI: 18.1%-50.3%). Conclusions:In adult twins in China, there were population and regional differences in the distribution of alcohol consumption behavior, and alcohol consumption was influenced by genetic factors, and gender, age and region had potential modifying effects.

This study aims to describe the population and regional distribution characteristics of smoking behavior among adult twins in the China Twin Registry (CNTR), as well as the concordance rates for smoking behavior in monozygotic and dizygotic twins, and estimate the heritability. The study population included adult twins in CNTR who had smoking questionnaire data. A random-effects regression model was used to describe the distribution of smoking behavior among different subgroups based on various characteristics. The concordance of smoking behavior between different zygosity groups was calculated, and heritability was estimated. A total of 28 444 twin pairs were included in this study, with an average age of (36.6±12.0) years. Among male twins, 41.2% were current smokers, while only 1.2% of females smoked. Higher smoking rates were observed among male smokers in the 50-59 age group ( z=23.0, P<0.001), northern regions ( z=2.9, P<0.01), rural areas ( z=-5.2, P<0.001), those who were divorced/widowed ( z=3.8, P<0.001), and first-born twins ( z=-4.3, P<0.001), while lower smoking rates were found in those with higher education ( z=-16.1, P<0.001) and unmarried individuals ( z=-16.0, P<0.001). The smoking concordance rate for male monozygotic twins was 69.6%, significantly higher than the 57.3% concordance rate for dizygotic twins ( χ 2=105.0, P<0.05). The heritability of smoking behavior in male twins was estimated at 28.9% (95% CI: 24.3%-33.4%). Stratified analyses showed differences in heritability across regions and age groups: the heritability in northern regions was 32.6% (95% CI: 27.3%-38.0%), higher than the 21.0% (95% CI: 12.4%-29.5%) observed in southern regions; the highest heritability of 35.1% (95% CI: 26.3%-43.9%) was found in the 18-29 age group, with heritability decreasing with age. In conclusion, the smoking rate and influencing factors in the twin population are similar to those in the general population, with unique characteristics, such as higher smoking rates in first-born twins. Genetic factors have a significant impact on smoking behavior.

Objective To investigate the bacterial community diversity in human Demodex mites, so as to provide insights into unraveling the role of human Demodex mites in them caused infectious diseases. Methods From June to July 2023, Demodex mites were collected from the faces of college students in a university in Wuhu City using the adhesive tape method, and the V4 region of 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene of nuclear ribosomal DNA were amplified on an Illumina PE250 high-throughput sequencing platform. Sequencing data were spliced according to the overlapping relations and filtered to yield effective sequences, and operational taxonomic units (OTUs) was clustered. The diversity index of obtained OUTs was analyzed, and the structure of the bacterial community was analyzed at various taxonomic levels. Results A total of 57 483 valid sequences were obtained using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and 159 OUTs were classified according to similarity. Then, OUTs at a 97% similarity were included for taxonomic analyses, and the bacteria in Demodex mites belonged to 14 phyla, 20 classes, 51 orders, 72 families, and 94 genera. Proteobacteria was the dominant phylum, and Vibrio, Bradyrhizobium and Variovorax were dominant genera. A total of 56 362 valid sequences were obtained using ITS gene sequencing, and 147 OTUs were obtained, which belonged to 5 phyla, 17 classes, 34 orders, 68 families, and 93 genera and were annotated to Ascomycota, Basidiomycota and Chytridiomycota, with Ascomycota as the dominant phylum, and Alternaria alternata, Epicoccum, Penicillium, and Sarocladium as dominant genera. Conclusions There is a high diversity in the composition of bacterial communities in human Demodex mites, with multiple types of microorganisms and high species abundance.

Objective:To compare the detection method of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in simulated water samples, and to provide a reference for the detection of HEV in water.Methods:HEV fecal suspension was added to tap water or distilled water simulated water samples, and pretreatment was carried out by electropositive filter-organic eluent elution method (Method 1) to compare the extraction effect of the three nucleic acid extraction kits, A, B, and C. The simulated water samples were pre-treated by Method 1, 2 (electropositive filter-direct lysis method), 3 (tangential-flow ultrafiltration membrane-organic eluent elution method), and 4 (tangential-flow ultrafiltration membrane-direct lysis method) for pretreatment, A kit for nucleic acid extraction, Real time RT-PCR method for detection and comparison of the recovery rate; comparison of the recovery rate of different concentrations of HEV in simulated water samples; comparing the inhibitory effects of inhibitors in tap water samples on real time RT-PCR; and detection of HEV in different batches of tap water specimens.Results:Kit A nucleic acid extraction was better; the recoveries of method 1, 2, 3 and 4 were 7.31%, 39.88%, 6.85% and 64.88%, respectively, which showed a statistically significant difference in the recoveries ( F=114.069, P<0.001). The recoveries of method 4 with the addition of high, medium and low concentrations of HEV were 65.26%, 42.76% and 32.79%, respectively. The inhibition of all four pre-treatment method was less than 75%, which meets the requirements of ISO (15216-2∶2019). Twenty tap water specimens were tested for HEV and the result were negative. Conclusions:This study showed that the two membranes better recovered in combination with direct lysis, respectively; Methods 4 had a higher recovery in the detection of HEV in small volumes of distilled or tap water, but it was limited by the volume of water samples, turbidity, and so on. Suitable method can be selected for different water quality and laboratory conditions.

Objective:To optimize and compare method for hepatitis E virus (HEV) nucleic acid detection from pig liver, and provide technical references for HEV detection in animal viscera specimens.Methods:Three methods (PBS homogenization treatment, proteinase K treatment, chloroform extraction method) were used to pretreat and extract viral nucleic acid form pig liver, which was artificially contaminated with HEV fecal suspensions, and HEV RT-qPCR was used to compare the HEV recovery rate and inhibition rate. The optimized HEV method was applied to commercially available pig liver specimens, and HEV genotyping was performed on positive specimens.Results:The HEV recovery rate of PBS homogenization treatment, proteinase K treatment and chloroform extraction method was 9.88%, 0.19% and 17.28%, respectively. The recovery rate of proteinase K treatment was less than 1%, and it was discarded; t-test was performed to compare recovery rates of the other two methods, which showed statistically significant differences ( t=26.801, P<0.001), the chloroform extraction method had a higher recovery rate. The inhibition rates of the three methods were all less than 75%, within the range of the ISO/TS 15216-2∶2019 standard. Among 192 commercially available pig liver specimens, 17 specimens were detected positive for HEV RNA, with a nucleic acid positive rate of 8.85%; five specimens were successfully genotyped for HEV, all of which were genotype 4. Conclusions:The virus recovery effect was good when chloroform extraction method was used for pig liver pretreatment; moreover, this method could detect HEV RNA from commercially available pig livers, which indicate that it can be used for virus detection in food.

Objective To investigate the potential active ingredients and the mechanism of Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt. in the prevention and treatment of hyperlipidemia. Methods Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-Quadrupole-Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS) was used to qualitatively analyze the fractions and blood components of flavones in Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt. The intersection targets of flavones in Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt. and hyperlipidemia were screened,and the protein-protein interaction network was constructed and analyzed by the STRING 12.0 database. Finally,the gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were used for enrichment analysis. Results A total of 25 compounds were detected from the flavones in Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt.,and their structures were identified,including ten chalcones,nine flavanones,four flavonols,one aurone,and one biflavone. The analysis of blood components showed that marein,flavanomarein,okanin,isookanin and 5,7,3',5'-tetrahydroxyflavanone-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside were the main components of the flavones in Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt. in blood. Network pharmacological GO and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the flavones in Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt. may regulate phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B,tumor necrosis factor,hypoxia-inducible factor-1 signaling pathway and other signaling pathways in the regulation and prevention of hyperlipidemia. Conclusion Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt. can prevent and treat hyperlipidemia,and the mechanism may be related to the five blood components of the flavones in Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt.,including marein,flavanomarein,okanin,isookanin and 5,7,3',5'-tetrahydroxyflavanone-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside.