Epicardial Adipose Tissue and Left Ventricular Systolic Function in Rheumatoid Arthritis Assessed by Two-Dimensional Speckle Tracking Echocardiography.

Introduction Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is an emerging cardiovascular biomarker. Subclinical left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction is common in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of this study was to assess LV systolic function using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) and investigate its association with EAT in RA patients without clinical cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Genetic diversity and population structure of the long-tailed hamster Cricetulus longicaudatus in Shanxi Province, China.

The long-tailed hamster Cricetulus longicaudatus is a dominant rodent in farmland of Shanxi Province, China, but little is known about its genetic diversity and population structure. In this study, the genomic DNAs of individuals from 13 populations captured in different fields of Shanxi were extracted and amplified by six pairs of microsatellite primers and by universal primers for mtDNA COI gene sequences. Our data revealed significant departure from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in four of the 13 populations.

Prevalence of psoriasis in China: a population-based study in six cities.

Background: Although psoriasis occurs worldwide, the prevalence varies considerably between different peoples and regions. In China, a questionnaire-based study was carried out in 1987 and the prevalence of psoriasis was found to be 0.12%.

Prevalence and clinical profile of vitiligo in China: a community-based study in six cities.

Vitiligo is a common skin disease, the prevalence of which varies between races and countries. In China, no population-based study has been reported, although there have been some epidemiological studies on single cities or regions. The objective of this study was to obtain the prevalence and clinical profile of vitiligo in China.

Prevalence of acne vulgaris in Chinese adolescents and adults: a community-based study of 17,345 subjects in six cities.

Acne vulgaris is a common skin condition in adolescents. The prevalence of acne is thought to vary between ethnic groups and countries. A large-scale community-based study was performed in six cities in China to determine the prevalence and possible risk factors for acne in the Chinese population.