Profile of childhood vitiligo in China: an analysis of 541 patients.

From July to December 2002, we collected data from 2247 vitiligo patients in order to establish the clinical and epidemiologic profile of vitiligo in China. Of these patients, 541 (24.1%) were children aged equal to or less than 12 years.

Epidemiological characteristics of HIV/AIDS in west China.

China is facing a major crisis because of the increasing epidemic of HIV/AIDS, especially in the western areas. The purpose of this paper is to enhance understanding of the crisis by analysing the published literature on the epidemiology, demographic features, routes of infection, and risk factors of HIV/AIDS infection in the 12 provinces in the west of China. HIV/AIDS has increased rapidly in recent years.

Sulfasalazine prevents apoptosis in spermatogenic cells after experimental testicular torsion/detorsion.

Aim: To determine whether sulfasalazine can prevent apoptosis in spermatogenic cells by preventing the activation of NF-kappaB in spermatogenic epithelium in experimental testicular torsion.

Methods: Thirty-two adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to unilateral 720 degree testicular torsion for durations of 0 h and 2 h, then the torsion was relieved. The ischemic/reperfused testes were collected for the detection of NF-kappaB expression with Western blotting and immunohistochemistry techniques, and detection of apoptosis with TUNEL techniques.

[Relationship between VEGF and MMP-2, MMP-9 in 82 patients with acute myeloid leukemia].

In order to investigate the relationship between VEGF and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, -9 in acute myeloid leukemia patients, and evaluate the significance of them in extramedullary leukemic invasion, the expressions of MMP-2 mRNA, MMP-9 mRNA, VEGF mRNA in bone marrow from 86 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), as well as human hematopoietic cell lines were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The proteolytic activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the supernatants were measured by zymography. The VEGF protein in serum of all samples was detected by ELISA.

Five mutations of ATP2A2 gene in Chinese patients with Darier's disease and a literature review of 86 cases reported in China.

Darier's disease (DD) is an autosomal dominantly inherited skin disorder characterized by loss of adhesion between epidermal cells (acantholysis) and abnormal keratinization. To date, at least 140 mutations in the ATP2A2 gene have been identified as the genetic basis of DD. Here we reported three familial and two sporadic Chinese DD patients totally with four missense mutations (N767D, M494I, M494L, C318F) and one splice-site mutation (1288-6A-->G) in ATP2A2 gene, and presented a literature review of DD cases reported in China since 1989.

Inversa acne (hidradenitis suppurativa): a case report and identification of the locus at chromosome 1p21.1-1q25.3.

Acne inversa (hidradenitis suppurativa) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory skin disease characterized by recurrent draining sinuses and abscesses, predominantly in skin folds that carry terminal hairs and apocrine glands. The genetic basis for this disease is unknown. In this study, we performed a genome-wide scan in a four-generation Chinese family to map the chromosome location of the responsible gene.

[Regulatory effect of integrin alpha5 and beta1 on proliferation inhibition of K562 cells induced by interferon alpha-2b].

Background & Objective: Integrin beta1 can inhibit the proliferation of chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML) ph+ cells. The dysfunction of integrin beta1 might accelerate the growth of CML ph+ cells. This study was to explore the effects of integrin alpha5 and beta1 on the proliferation inhibition of K562 cells induced by IFNalpha-2b.

[Effects of experimental varicocele on methylenedioxyamphetamine, total antioxidants content and sialic acid of the epididymis in adolescent rats].

Objective: To explore the changes of methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), total antioxidants content (TAC) and sialic acid (SA) from the unilateral epididymis of experimental varicocele in adolescent rats, and to illuminate the effects of varicocele on unilateral epididymis epithelium.

Methods: Experimental left varicocele model of 16 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were established by partial ligation of left renal vein. The epididymis were collected for detecting the content of MDA, TAC and SA by using spectrophotometry.

A novel MGST2 non-synonymous mutation in a Chinese pedigree with psoriasis vulgaris.

A balanced translocation was recently identified in a German psoriasis patient. One of the breakpoints was mapped immediately upstream of the microsomal glutathione S-transferase 2 (MGST2) gene, suggesting it as a candidate gene. Here, we report the identification of a novel non-synonymous mutation in MGST2 by a comprehensive sequence analysis of MGST2's coding region in Chinese psoriasis samples.

The epidemiology of childhood alopecia areata in China: a study of 226 patients.

To study the clinical and epidemiologic profile of childhood alopecia areata, we performed a survey in which a total of 226 childhood patients less than 16 years old were enrolled. Statistical analysis and heritability were performed using EPI INFO 6.0, SPSS10.

Association of HLA-DQA1 and DQB1 genes with vitiligo in Chinese Hans.

Background: Vitiligo is an acquired depigmentary disorder of the skin and hair which results from selective destruction of melanocytes. Serological typing and genotyping of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) have shown discrepancies in HLA associations with vitiligo in different ethnic populations.

Methods: Polymerase chain reaction sequence-specific primer (PCR-SSP) method was used to analyze the distribution of HLA-DQA(1) and -DQB(1) alleles among 187 patients with vitiligo and 273 healthy controls through Epi Info version 6 package (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA).

Measurement of electrolyte concentrations in expressed prostatic secretion and urine from patients with chronic prostatitis and its implications.

This study was aimed at measuring concentration of electrolytes, especially K+ in expressed prostatic secretion (EPS) and urine from patients with chronic prostatitis. The concentration of potassium, sodium, chloride, calcium in EPS and urine of 31 controls and 79 patients with prostatitis were measured and analyzed. There was no significant difference in the concentrations of potassium, sodium, chloride and calcium between the patients and the controls.

K channel expression in prostate epithelium and its implications in men with chronic prostatitis.

Objective: To investigate the effect of the Kv1.3 K(+) channel on the pathogenesis of chronic prostatitis.

Materials And Methods: The expression of the Kv1.

[The study on donor site sequelae after autologous breast reconstruction with an extended latissimus dorsi flap].

Objective: To study the prevention and treatment on the donor site sequelae after autologous breast reconstruction with extended latissimus dorsi flap.

Methods: 88 patients received breast reconstruction with extended latissimus dorsi flap between May 1999 and Nov 2004 were concerned. We analyzed the donor site sequelae by objective and subjective evaluation and we assessed the functional condition.

Elevated levels of serum soluble Fas are associated with organ and tissue damage in systemic lupus erythematosus among Chinese.

The aims of the present study are to evaluate the difference of the levels of soluble Fas (sFas) antigen between patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and healthy controls and to explore whether sFas has a role in either the disease activity or the organ damage in SLE. Serum levels of sFas were measured in 40 Chinese patients with SLE and 15 age-, gender-, and race-matched healthy controls using double antibody ELISA. SLEDAI scores for disease activity were determined.

Effects of activin A on the activities of the mouse peritoneal macrophages.

Activin A is a kind of pre-inflammatory factor that belongs to the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily. To investigate the effect and mechanism of activin A on the activities of mouse macrophages, the secretion of NO in the supernatant of cultured mouse peritoneal macrophages was examined by NO assay kit, and the expression of iNOS, ActRIIA and ARIP2 mRNA in mouse peritoneal macrophages was analyzed by RT-PCR. The results showed that activin A stimulated the secretion of NO and the expression of iNOS mRNA in non-activated mouse macrophages in a time- and dose-dependent manner.

[Association between the beta 2 adrenergic receptor polymorphism and blood pressure in YueXi population].

Objective: To investigate the association between Arg16Gly polymorphism of beta(2)-adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) gene and blood pressure levels.

Methods: A total of 487 hypertensive individuals were recruited from YueXi county of Anhui province. 672 patients' parents and siblings were also invited to take part in the study and used as genomic control.

Association of HLA class I alleles with aloplecia areata in Chinese Hans.

Background: Some studies suggested that human HLA status may potentiate development of the AA phenotype and exists ethic differences. No report has been published about HLA class I alleles associated with AA in Chinese Hans.

Objective: To study the distribution of HLA class I alleles and haplotypes in Chinese Hans AA patients and the relation of HLA class I profile with age of onset, severity, duration of current attack, past history and family history.

Arterial hypoxemia and intrapulmonary vasodilatation in rat models of portal hypertension.

Background: Rats with chronic bile duct ligation (CBDL) and portal vein ligation (PVL) are used as models of portal hypertension. CBDL rats show hypoxemia with intrapulmonary vasodilatation (IPVD), and are recognized as a model of hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS), while PVL rats are normoxemic. We investigated the differences in arterial oxygenation between these models, and the key factors leading to HPS.

The genetic concept of vitiligo.

Vitiligo is a relatively common, acquired pigmentary disorder characterized by areas of depigmented skin resulting from loss of epidermal melanocytes. The prevalence of this disease varies from 0.1 to 2% in various global populations.