Metabolic syndrome (MetS), a cluster of metabolic disturbances that increase the risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes, was because of genetic susceptibility and environmental risk factors. To identify the genetic variants associated with MetS and metabolic components, we conducted a genome‐wide association study followed by replications in totally 12,720 participants from the north, north‐eastern and eastern China. In combined analyses, independent of the top known signal at rs651821 on APOA5, we newly identified a secondary triglyceride‐associated signal at rs180326 on BUD13 (P combined = 2.4 × 10−8). Notably, by an integrated analysis of the genotypes and the serum levels of APOA5, BUD13 and triglyceride, we observed that BUD13 was another potential mediator, besides APOA5, of the association between rs651821 and serum triglyceride. rs671 (ALDH2), an east Asian‐specific common variant, was found to be associated with MetS (P combined = 9.7 × 10−22) in Han Chinese. The effects of rs671 on metabolic components were more prominent in drinkers than in non‐drinkers. The replicated loci provided information on the genetic basis and mechanisms of MetS and metabolic components in Han Chinese.

Background: There is metabolic heterogeneity in normal-weight individuals, however, there has been limited research in the Chinese population. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, distribution and epidemiological determinants of metabolically obese but normal-weight (MONW) in a Chinese population. Methods: A total of 17,876 normal-weight individuals were recruited from 37,815 individuals in Zhejiang province in southeastern China. Normal-weight was defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 18.5-23.9 kg/m 2 . Metabolically abnormal traits were assessed by metabolic syndrome criteria from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) in 2015. MONW was defined as individuals who had at least two metabolically abnormal trait but normal weight. Multiple logistic regression was used to investigate MONW risk factors, adjusting for potential confounders. Results: The prevalence of metabolic abnormality was 34.1% in normal-weight individuals, and the overall prevalence of MONW was 16.1% in the general population. Different MONW distributions were found between men and women depending on age. Compared with women, men had a significantly higher MONW prevalence among those aged < 45 years old, and there was a lower prevalence for those aged ≥50 years old. Higher BMI or waist circumference (WC), central obesity, menopause, and family histories of hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, increased MONW risk. Higher education levels, regular alcohol drinking, and balanced or vegetarian food preferences reduced MONW risk.Conclusions: Normal-weight individuals have metabolic heterogeneity in China. The MONW distribution between men and women depends on age. BMI, WC, dietary factors, and family history of chronic diseases, are associated with metabolic status.

ObjectivePoor sleep quality is highly prevalent in patients with chronic diarrheal symptoms or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study aimed to evaluate the associations of chronic diarrheal symptoms and IBD with sleep quality in the general US population.Methods14,696 adults (≥20 years) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2005–2010) were included in the study. Chronic diarrheal symptoms and IBD were defined by self-reports. Sleep quality was assessed by sleep disorder, sleep trouble, and sleep duration. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the associations.ResultsAfter adjustment of a series of covariates, we found that participants with chronic diarrheal symptoms or IBD had higher odds of sleep disorder [chronic diarrheal symptoms: odds ratio (OR) = 1.20, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.04–1.38; IBD: OR = 3.86, 95% CI = 1.92–7.77] and sleep trouble (chronic diarrheal symptoms: OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.09–1.30; IBD: OR = 2.32, 95% CI = 1.30–4.14), respectively. Sleep duration for participants with IBD was significantly shorter than that for those without IBD (β = −0.39, 95% CI = −0.78 to 0.01, P = 0.045). Subgroup analyses revealed that the associations of chronic diarrheal symptoms and IBD with sleep disorder and sleep trouble were more pronounced among women.ConclusionsIn this large sample of US adults, we found that chronic diarrheal symptoms and IBD were significantly associated with sleep quality, particularly in women. The findings highlight the importance of managing bowel health to promote high quality of sleep; and thus, improve quality of life in this subpopulation.

An epidemiological investigation on echinococcosis was made in Jiuzhi County of Qinghai Province, western China. Ultrasonography and an indirect hemagglutination test revealed a morbidity of 8.0% (124/1,549) and a seroprevalence of 25.8% (287/1,113), respectively, in the Tibetan population. The morbidity in herdsmen (16.6%) and Buddhist priests (15%) was significantly higher than that in other occupation groups (3.2%), and it was higher in females (9.8%) than in males (6.2%). The ultrasound images showed a coexistence of cystic echinococcosis (CE) and alveolar echinococcosis (AE), occupying 69 and 31% of the cases, respectively. An Echinococcus Western blot assay was performed as a serological backup test for differentiating CE and AE. The assay revealed that serum samples from most cases with a positive AE image showed a specific antibody against antigen bands at 16/18 kDa. Autopsy proved that 9 out of 12 stray dogs were infected with Echinococcus granulosus (n = 8) and E. multilocularis (n = 1). Inspection at the abattoirs demonstrated a hydatid rate of 78.5% in yaks and 82.6% in sheep. The data indicate that Jiuzhi County is an important endemic area for both CE and AE, in both human and animal populations.

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