Polymorphisms in the Uncoupling Protein 2 Gene Are Associated with Diabetic Retinopathy in Han Chinese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

Background: The uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) gene plays an important role in the complications of type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, the association between variants in the UCP2 gene and diabetic retinopathy (DR) in Han Chinese T2D patients remains unclear.

Methods: Two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) [rs659366 (-866G/A) and a 45-bp insertion/deletion (I/D) in the 3'-UTR] in the UCP2 gene were genotyped in a study cohort of 209 T2D patients with DR and 199 T2D patients without DR by direct DNA sequencing.

Traditional Chinese medicine integrated with chemotherapy for stage IV non-surgical gastric cancer: a retrospective clinical analysis.

Objective: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is regarded as an important treatment for gastric cancer patients, especially for those in advanced stage. To evaluate the effects of TCM treatment on gastric cancer patients, the authors performed a retrospective study to report the result of the integrated treatment of TCM with chemotherapy for stage IV non-surgical gastric cancer.

Methods: In this study, 182 patients with stage IV and non-surgical gastric cancer were retrospectively analyzed to evaluate the effects of TCM integrated with chemotherapy.

Identification of HNF4A Mutation p.T130I and HNF1A Mutations p.I27L and p.S487N in a Han Chinese Family with Early-Onset Maternally Inherited Type 2 Diabetes.

Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) is characterized by the onset of diabetes before the age of 25 years, positive family history, high genetic predisposition, monogenic mutations, and an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance. Here, we aimed to investigate the mutations and to characterize the phenotypes of a Han Chinese family with early-onset maternally inherited type 2 diabetes. Detailed clinical assessments and genetic screening for mutations in the HNF4α, GCK, HNF-1α, IPF-1, HNF1β, and NEUROD1 genes were carried out in this family.

[Evaluation of a pilot study on needle and syringe exchange program among injecting drug users in a community in Guangdong, China].

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of needle and syringe exchange program among a community of injecting drug users (IDUs) on AIDS prevention.

Methods: A quasi-experiment design was used in a controlled community intervention study. Needle and syringe exchange program was implemented for 10 months in IDUs of an intervention community, including peer education and health education, provision of free needles and syringes, and collecting back of used needles and syringes by trained peer educators and local health workers, whereas no intervention measure in a control community was instituted.

[Severe acute respiratory syndrome in Guangdong Province of China: epidemiology and control measures].

Objective: To explore epidemiological features and risk factors of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Guangdong Province of China, so as to work out effective strategies for its better control.

Methods: A total of 1 511 clinically confirmed SARS cases in Guangdong Province of China from November 16, 2002 to Jun 15, 2003 were retrospectively analyzed.

Results: The first SARS case was identified in Foshan municipality on November 16, 2002, followed by 1 511 clinically confirmed cases (including 58 deaths) up to May 15, 2003.