Purpose To investigate the role of secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine(SPARC)expression in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of mesothelioma.Methods Immunohistochemical EnVision two-step method was used to detect SPARC expression in 40 cases of mesothelioma,4 cases of well-differentiated mesothelial tumour(WDPMT),40 cases of poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma of the lung,40 cases of poorly differentiated ad-enocarcinoma of the lung,20 cases each of low-grade and high-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary.The sensitivity and specificity of SPARC,Calretinin,D2-40,and WT-1 expression in mesothelioma were compared and analyzed.Results SPARC showed diffuse strong positive expression in mesothelioma(37/40 cases),medium positive expression in WDPMT(3/4 cases),and focal weak positive expression in a few cases of poorly differentiated squamous cell carcino-ma of the lung(1/40 cases),poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the lung(2/40 cases),low-grade serous carci-noma of the ovary(0/20 cases),and high-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary(1/20 cases).In 40 mesotheliomas,the sensitivity of SPARC was 92.5％,and the specificity of SPARC in control tumors(squamous carcinoma of the lung,adenocarcinoma of the lung,and serous carcinoma of the ovary)was 96.7％.Conclusion SPARC is widely expressed in mesotheliomas,with a sensitivity similar to that of Calretinin,D2-40,and WT-1,but with a much higher specificity than other mesothelial markers.It is of great significance in distinguishing between mesothelioma and pulmo-nary poorly differentiated carcinoma and ovarian serous carcinoma.

Purpose To investigate the role of secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine(SPARC)expression in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of mesothelioma.Methods Immunohistochemical EnVision two-step method was used to detect SPARC expression in 40 cases of mesothelioma,4 cases of well-differentiated mesothelial tumour(WDPMT),40 cases of poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma of the lung,40 cases of poorly differentiated ad-enocarcinoma of the lung,20 cases each of low-grade and high-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary.The sensitivity and specificity of SPARC,Calretinin,D2-40,and WT-1 expression in mesothelioma were compared and analyzed.Results SPARC showed diffuse strong positive expression in mesothelioma(37/40 cases),medium positive expression in WDPMT(3/4 cases),and focal weak positive expression in a few cases of poorly differentiated squamous cell carcino-ma of the lung(1/40 cases),poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the lung(2/40 cases),low-grade serous carci-noma of the ovary(0/20 cases),and high-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary(1/20 cases).In 40 mesotheliomas,the sensitivity of SPARC was 92.5％,and the specificity of SPARC in control tumors(squamous carcinoma of the lung,adenocarcinoma of the lung,and serous carcinoma of the ovary)was 96.7％.Conclusion SPARC is widely expressed in mesotheliomas,with a sensitivity similar to that of Calretinin,D2-40,and WT-1,but with a much higher specificity than other mesothelial markers.It is of great significance in distinguishing between mesothelioma and pulmo-nary poorly differentiated carcinoma and ovarian serous carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a common autosomal dominant hereditary disease. Its early diagnosis and intervention significantly improve the patient's quality of life. However, there are few types of research on the FH pathogenic genes in China. METHODS: In this study, we recruited a family diagnosed with FH and used whole exome sequencing (WES) to analyze the proband variants. Intracellular cholesterol level, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, and the expression of pyroptosis-related genes were detected after overexpression of wild-type or variant LDLR in L02 cells. RESULTS: A heterozygous missense variant predicted to be deleterious to LDLR (c.1879G > A, p.Ala627Thr) was identified in the proband. Mechanistically, intracellular cholesterol level, ROS level, and the expression of pyroptosis-related genes, nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and components (caspase 1, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC) and NLRP3), gasdermin D (GSDMD), interleukin (IL) -18, IL-1β was elevated in the variant LDLR group, which was attenuated by inhibition of ROS. CONCLUSIONS FH is associated with a variant (c.1879G>A, p.Ala627Thr) in the LDLR gene. Regarding the mechanism, the ROS/NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis in hepatic cells may contribute to the pathogenesis of the LDLR variant.

Objective: To describe the distribution characteristics of hypertension among adult twins in the Chinese National Twin Registry (CNTR) and to provide clues for exploring the role of genetic and environmental factors on hypertension. Methods: A total of 69 220 (34 610 pairs) of twins aged 18 and above with hypertension information were selected from CNTR registered from 2010 to 2018. Random effect models were used to describe the population and regional distribution of hypertension in twins. To estimate the heritability, the concordance rates of hypertension were calculated and compared between monozygotic twins (MZ) and dizygotic twins (DZ). Results: The age of all participants was (34.1±12.4) years. The overall self-reported prevalence of hypertension was 3.8%(2 610/69 220). Twin pairs who were older, living in urban areas, married, overweight or obese, current smokers or ex-smokers, and current drinkers or abstainers had a higher self-reported prevalence of hypertension (P<0.05). Analysis within the same-sex twin pairs found that the concordance rate of hypertension was 43.2% in MZ and 27.0% in DZ, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). The heritability of hypertension was 22.1% (95%CI: 16.3%- 28.0%). Stratified by gender, age, and region, the concordance rate of hypertension in MZ was still higher than that in DZ. The heritability of hypertension was higher in female participants. Conclusions: There were differences in the distribution of hypertension among twins with different demographic and regional characteristics. It is indicated that genetic factors play a crucial role in hypertension in different genders, ages, and regions, while the magnitude of genetic effects may vary.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Alcohol Drinking ; Diseases in Twins/genetics* ; Hypertension/genetics* ; Twins, Dizygotic/genetics* ; Twins, Monozygotic/genetics*

Objective: To describe the distribution characteristics of hyperlipidemia in adult twins in the Chinese National Twin Registry (CNTR) and explore the effect of genetic and environmental factors on hyperlipidemia. Methods: Twins recruited from the CNTR in 11 project areas across China were included in the study. A total of 69 130 (34 565 pairs) of adult twins with complete information on hyperlipidemia were selected for analysis. The random effect model was used to characterize the population and regional distribution of hyperlipidemia among twins. The concordance rates of hyperlipidemia were calculated in monozygotic twins (MZ) and dizygotic twins (DZ), respectively, to estimate the heritability. Results: The age of all participants was (34.2±12.4) years. This study's prevalence of hyperlipidemia was 1.3% (895/69 130). Twin pairs who were men, older, living in urban areas, married,had junior college degree or above, overweight, obese, insufficient physical activity, current smokers, ex-smokers, current drinkers, and ex-drinkers had a higher prevalence of hyperlipidemia (P<0.05). In within-pair analysis, the concordance rate of hyperlipidemia was 29.1% (118/405) in MZ and 18.1% (57/315) in DZ, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Stratified by gender, age, and region, the concordance rate of hyperlipidemia in MZ was still higher than that in DZ. Further, in within-same-sex twin pair analyses, the heritability of hyperlipidemia was 13.04% (95%CI: 2.61%-23.47%) in the northern group and 18.59% (95%CI: 4.43%-32.74%) in the female group, respectively. Conclusions: Adult twins were included in this study and were found to have a lower prevalence of hyperlipidemia than in the general population study, with population and regional differences. Genetic factors influence hyperlipidemia, but the genetic effect may vary with gender and area.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult ; China/epidemiology* ; Diseases in Twins/genetics* ; Hyperlipidemias/genetics* ; Metabolic Diseases ; Twins, Dizygotic ; Twins, Monozygotic/genetics*

Objective:To explore the effect of long noncoding RNA(lncRNA)THAP7-AS1 on the glycolysis of gastric cancer(GC)cells by regulating methyltransferase-like 3(METTL3)mediated N6-methyladenosine(m6A)modification. Methods:Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis(GEPIA)database was used to analyze the expression levels of THAP7-AS1 and METTL3 in GC tissues and their relationship with the overall survival of GC patients.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blotting were used to analyze the expression of THAP7-AS1,METTL3 mRNA,glucose transporter 1(GLUT1)mRNA,and METTL3 protein in GC tissues and paracancerous tissues samples collected from 80 GC patients in Department of Oncology,The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University(the First People's Hospital of Zunyi),and the relationship between THAP7-AS1 levels and the clinicopathological characteristics of GC patients was analyzed.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blotting were used to verify the expression of THAP7-AS1,METTL3 mRNA,GLUT1 mRNA,and METTL3 protein in GES-1,BGC-823 and SGC-7901 cells.Lentiviral infection was used to knock-down THAP7-AS1 or overexpress METTL3 BGC-823 and SGC-7901 cells,and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blotting were used to examine effect of different treatment on the expression of THAP7-AS1,METTL3 mRNA,GLUT1 mRNA,and METTL3 protein;colorimetry assay was used to detect the m6A modification level in the total RNA;methylated RNA immunoprecipitation(MeRIP)-quantitative PCR(qPCR)was used to detect the GLUT1 m6A modification level;glycolysis stress test kits were used to detect the extracellular acidification rate(ECAR),glucose uptake and lactate production of treated GC cells;Western blotting was used to examine the expression levels of METTL3,GLUT1,M2 type pyruvate kinase(PKM2)and lactic dehydrogenase(LDHA)proteins in treated GC cells;EdU staining,wound healing assay and Transwell invasion assay were used to evaluate the proliferation,migration and invasion of treated GC cells.Finally,a mouse model of subcutaneously transplanted GC tumor was established using nude mice,and the effect of knocking-down THAP7-AS1 was assessed by measuring the tumor volume and weight,as well as the expression levels of METTL3 and GLUT1 proteins in transplanted GC tumor tissues. Results:Analysis of the GEPIA database showed that the expression levels of THAP7-AS1 and METTL3 was higher in GC tissue than those in normal gastric tissues,and the expression levels of THAP7-AS1 and METTL3 are negatively correlated with overall survival of GC patients(P＜0.05).Compared with the paracancerous tissues(or normal gastric epithelial cells),the expression levels of THAP7-AS1,METTL3 mRNA,GLUT1 mRNA and METTL3 protein was significantly increased in GC tissues(or GC cells),and the higher the expression of THAP7-AS1,the higher the TNM stage,the lower the degree of tumor differentiation,and the easier the occurrence of microvascular infiltration and lymph node metastasis(P＜0.05).Knocking-down of THAP7-AS1 down-regulated the expression levels of METTL3 mRNA,GLUT1 mRNA and METTL3 protein,the m6A modification levels in total RNA and GLUT1,the ECAR levels,the glucose uptake,the lactate production,EdU positive rate,scratch healing rate,the number of invaded cells,and the expression levels of glycolysis-related proteins(METTL3,GLUT1,PKM2 and LDHA)in GC cells(P＜0.05).Overexpression of METTL3 could partially reverse these effects of THAP7-AS1 knock-down(P＜0.05).In vivo experiments showed that THAP7-AS1 knock-down can obviously inhibit the growth of transplanted GC tumors(P＜0.05). Conclusion:lncRNA THAP7-AS1 can promote the glycolysis which further promotes the proliferation,migration and invasion of GC cells by regulating METTL3 mediated m6A modification.

The present study clarified the molecular mechanism of curcumol against liver fibrosis based on its effects on the autopha-gy and apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells. The hepatic stellate cells were divided into a blank control group, a transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)(10 ng·mL~(-1)) group, and low-(12.5 mg·L~(-1)), medium-(25 mg·L~(-1)), and high-dose(50 mg·L~(-1)) curcumol groups. The effect of curcumol on the viability of hepatic stellate cells induced by TGF-β1 was detected by the MTT assay kit. The apo-ptosis in each group was determined by flow cytometry. Real-time fluorescence-based quantitative PCR(RT-PCR) was employed for the detection of mRNA expression of α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA), type Ⅰ collagen(collagen Ⅰ), and type Ⅲ collagen(collagen Ⅲ). Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of p62, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3), beclin1, B cell lymphoma 2(Bcl-2), and Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax). Transmission electron microscopy(TEM) was used to observe cell morphology and autophagosome formation in each group. The autophagic flux was observed after cell infection with adenovirus under double fluorescence labeling. The cell viability assay revealed that compared with the TGF-β1 group, the curcumol groups showed significantly decreased cell viability. The apoptosis assay showed that the apoptosis rates of the curcumol groups were significantly higher than that of the TGF-β1 group. RT-PCR indicated that the mRNA expression of α-SMA, collagenⅠ, and collagen Ⅲ in the curcumol groups was significantly lower than that of the TGF-β1 group. Western blot showed that the expression of p62, LC3, beclin1, Bcl-2, and Bax in the curcumol groups was significantly different from that in the TGF-β1 group. As demonstrated by TEM, compared with the TGF-β1 group, the curcumol groups showed significantly increased autophagosomes. The detection of autophagic flow by the adenovirus under double fluorescence labeling showed that autolysosomes in the curcumol groups were significantly increased compared with those in the TGF-β1 group. Curcumol can induce the autophagy and apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells, which may be one of its anti-liver fibrosis mechanisms.
Actins/metabolism* ; Apoptosis ; Autophagy ; Hepatic Stellate Cells ; Humans ; Liver/metabolism* ; Liver Cirrhosis/metabolism* ; Sesquiterpenes ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism*

Objective: To describe the distribution characteristics of type 2 diabetes in twins in Chinese National Twin Registry (CNTR), provide clues and evidence for revealing the influence of genetic and environmental factors for type 2 diabetes. Methods: Of all twins registered in the CNTR during 2010-2018, a total 18 855 twin pairs aged ≥30 years with complete registration information were included in the analysis. The random effect model was used to describe the population and area distribution characteristics and concordance of type 2 diabetes in twin pairs. Results: The mean age of the subjects was (42.8±10.2) years, the study subjects included 10 339 monozygotic (MZ) twin pairs and 8 516 dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs. The self-reported prevalence rate of type 2 diabetes was 2.2% in total population and there was no sighificant difference between MZ and DZ. Intra-twin pairs analysis showed that the concordance rate of type 2 diabetes was 38.2% in MZ twin pairs, and 16.0% in DZ twin pairs, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). The concordance rate of type 2 diabetes in MZ twin parts was higher than that in DZ twin pairs in both men and women, in different age groups and in different areas (P<0.05). Further stratified analysis showed that in northern China, only MZ twin pairs less than 60 years old were found to have a higher concordance rate of type 2 diabetes compared with DZ twin pairs (P<0.05). In southern China, the co-prevalence rate in male MZ twin pairs aged ≥60 years was still higher than that in DZ twin pairs (P<0.05). Conclusion: The twin pairs in this study had a lower self-reported prevalence of type 2 diabetes than the general population. The study results suggested that genetic factors play a role in type 2 diabetes prevalence in both men and women, in different age groups and in different areas, however, the effect might vary.
Adult ; China/epidemiology* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/genetics* ; Diseases in Twins/genetics* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Registries ; Twins, Dizygotic ; Twins, Monozygotic/genetics*

Objective: To describe the distribution characteristics of coronary heart disease in adult twins recruited from Chinese Twin Registry (CNTR), and provide clues and evidence for the effect of genetic and environmental influences on coronary heart disease. Methods: By using the data of CNTR during 2010-2018, a total of 34 583 twin pairs aged ≥18 years who completed questionnaire survey and had related information were included in the current study to analyze the population and area distribution characteristics of coronary heart disease. Random effect models were used to compare the differences between groups. The concordane rate of coronary heart disease were calculated respectively in monozygotic (MZ) twin pairs and dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs to estimate the heritability. Results: The twin pairs included in this analysis were aged (34.2±12.4) years. The overall prevalence rate of coronary heart disease in twin pairs was 0.7%. Twin pairs who were women, older, obese and lived in northern China had higher prevalence of coronary heart disease (P<0.05). Intra-pair analysis in the same-sex twin pairs found that the concordane rate of coronary heart disease was higher in MZ twin pairs (25.3%) than in DZ twins (7.4%), and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). The overall heritability of coronary heart disease was 19.3% (95%CI: 11.8%-26.8%). Stratified by gender, age and area, the concordane rate was still higher in MZ twin pairs than in DZ pairs. Participants who were women, aged 18-30 years or ≥60 years and lived in northern China had a higher heritability of coronary heart disease. Conclusion: The distribution of coronary heart disease in twin pairs differed in populations and areas. The prevalence of coronary heart disease was affected by genetic factors, but the effect varied with age, gender and area.
Adolescent ; Adult ; China/epidemiology* ; Coronary Disease/genetics* ; Diseases in Twins/genetics* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Twins, Dizygotic ; Twins, Monozygotic/genetics*

Objective: To explore the gene-lifestyle interaction on coronary heart disease (CHD) in adult twins of China. Methods: Participants were selected from twin pairs registered in the Chinese National Twin Registry (CNTR). Univariate interaction model was used to estimate the interaction, via exploring the moderation effect of lifestyle on the genetic variance of CHD. Results: A total of 20 477 same-sex twin pairs aged ≥25 years were recruited, including 395 CHD cases, and 66 twin pairs both had CHD. After adjustment for age and sex, no moderation effects of lifestyles, including current smoking, current drinking, physical activity, intake of vegetable and fruit, on the genetic variance of CHD were found (P>0.05), suggesting no significant interactions. Conclusion: There was no evidence suggesting statistically significant gene-lifestyle interaction on CHD in adult twins of China.
Adult ; China/epidemiology* ; Coronary Disease/genetics* ; Diseases in Twins/genetics* ; Humans ; Life Style ; Twins/genetics* ; Twins, Dizygotic ; Twins, Monozygotic