Clin Invest Med 2010; 33 (5): E290-E297. AbstractPurpose: Metabolic syndrome (MS) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are complex diseases affected by both dietary intake and genetic background. Whether N-5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T gene polymorphism, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and dietary components folate and vitamin B12 are associated with MS in Asian has not been determined. Methods: We hypothesized that MTHFR gene C677T, folate, vitamin B12 and hs-CRP are associated with MS and factors related to MS in northern Han Chinese. To test this hypothesis, MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism was determined by PCR-RFLP, serum insulin, folate and vitamin B12 levels by radioimmunoassay, and hs-CRP by immunoturbidimetry in newly diagnosed T2DM patients with MS (118) and without MS (40), and in 55 healthy subjects. Results: Results indicated that MS-associated T2DM accounts for 75% of newly diagnosed T2DM in Han Chinese. Serum hs-CRP was higher and serum vitamin B12 was lower in subjects with TT genotype in comparison with those with CC or CT genotypes. Total T frequency was significantly higher in MS-associated T2DM patients (45.3%) compared to 26.3% in non-MS-associated T2DM patients. MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism and vitamin B12 levels were associated with MS-associated T2DM. Conclusion: MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism may contribute to insulin resistance in Han Chinese with MS by increasing hs-CRP and decreasing vitamin B12, and consequently play an important role in development of MSassociated T2DM. List of Abbreviations

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<p>Nanning Bridge is the first long span unsymmetrical extroversion arch bridge with a curve steel gird in the world. The main span of the bridge is 300m, and the incline angles of two main arch ribs are 69.7°and 66.5°. Construction technology, nature hazards and some accidents which may happen during the construction process have to be considered. A two stages risk assessment method is proposed. At the first stage, an expert investigation which is based on analytical hierarchy process (AHP) is carried out, cable supported construction scheme and hybrid supported construction scheme are compared, and cable supported schemes is recommended due to its low risks. At the second stage, 21 main risk events which may occur in the cable supported construction scheme are assessed in detail, based on a qualitative and quantitative combined assessment method, and appropriate countermeasures for those risk factors are also recommended. The risk assessment method proposed in the paper can be applied in similar bridges.</p>