Objective In order to explore the relationship between the annual incidence rate of psoriasis and meteorological factors. Methods An investigation was carried out using single factor correlation analysis, multiple factor regression analysis and correlation analysis among meteorological factors. Results Single factor analysis revealed that the annual incidence of psoriasis showed a significant negative correlation with the mean annual air temperature, atmospheric pressure, relative humidity and whole year rainfall, but a positive correlation with the whole year sunshine time(P

Objective To verify whether there is any difference between early-onset and late onset subtypes of psoriasis and the rationality of this classification. Methods A total of 1 632 patients with psoriasis vulgaris were included in this study. The distribution of age at onset was calculated. The disease severity at first visit and follow up, and the family history were assessed according to different ages at onset. The results were evaluated in the light of the data from a national psoriasis survey in 1984. Results There was only one peak regarding to the age at onset in psoriasis vulgaris, rather than two peaks according to our study, it was consistent with the results of the national large scale survey reported in 1984. It was found that the earlier the age at onset, the more frequently the patient had positive family history. There was some relationship between the disease severity and the age at onset, however, a clear cut age at onset by which the disease serverity could be determined was not identified in this study. Conclusion It is suggested that the early age at onset be related only to the increased possibility of family history. Its value in clinical management is not significant.

Objective To investigate the in vitro effects of various antibiotics (spectinomycin, ceftriaxone, erythromycin, ofloxacin and doxycycline) against 12 isolates of C. trachomatis. Methods Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs ) and fractional inhibitory concentrations (FICs) of the antimicrobials against all C. trachomatis were calculated. Checkerboard method was used for the determination of FICs and Ridit test for the comparison of the interactions among the various combinations. Results No difference was observed in most of the combinations. No antagonism was found in all except for ceftriaxone-doxycycline combination. Synergism was observed in 42% (5 of 12) and 50% (6 of 12) of the chlamydial isolates for erythromycin-spectinomycin and doxycycline-spectinomycin combination, respectively. No significant difference was observed among triple combinations with spectinomycin or with ceftriaxone. When interactions of erythromycin, ofloxacin and doxycycline with spectinomycin were compared to those with ceftriaxone respectively, both interactions of erythromycin (U = 2.46, P = 0.014) and doxycycline (U = 2.83, P = 0.002) were more synergistic with spectinomycin than those with ceftriaxone. Conclusions This study indicates that the combination of spectinomycin with erythromycin or doxycycline is more effective against C. trachomatis than that of ceftriaxone. Therefore, spectinomycin rather than ceftriaxone might be recommended in the dual therapy against C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae.

OBJECTIVETo prepare a single chain antibody (ScFv) of mAb SZ-21 against platelet GPIIIa for its future clinical application.

METHODSThe expression vector pET20b-SZ-21ScFv was constructed and the fusion protein was expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3) PlysS. The activated fusion protein was obtained after a series of purification steps, including cell breakage, inclusion body solubilization, His-bind resin affinity chromatography and protein refolding.

RESULTSThe fusion protein yields were up to 21% of the total amount of bacteria protein. The ScFv fragment could inhibit ADP-induced platelets aggregation in a dose-dependent manner in vitro and the maximal inhibition rate was obtained at a concentration of 20 micro g/ml. It also reacted with endothelial cells as detected by flow cytometry. Moreover, the ScFv fragment was able to inhibit the binding of fibrinogen to platelet.

CONCLUSIONThe SZ-21ScFv fragment had the activity to inhibit platelets aggregation and the binding of fibrinogen to platelet, being potentially useful for the treatment of thrombotic diseases.

Antibodies, Monoclonal ; pharmacology ; Blood Platelets ; metabolism ; Endothelium, Vascular ; cytology ; Fibrinogen ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin Fragments ; pharmacology ; Platelet Aggregation ; Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex ; immunology ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology

ObjectiveTounderstandthetrendsandepidemiologicalcharacteristicsofsexuallytransmitteddiseases(STDs)inChinaandprovidescientificbasisformakingcontrolstrategies.MethodsDuringtheperiodof1991～2001,thecase-reportingdataof8kindsofnotifiableandmonitoringSTDs,collectedfrom31provinces,autonomousregionsandmunicipalities,wereanalyzedwithepidemiologicalmethods.Results①Epidemictrends:Duringthisperiod,theincidenceof8kindsofSTDssteadilyincreasedfrom175528(15.48per100000population)in1991to859040(68.91per100000population)in2000.Theaverageannualgrowthofincidencewas19.30%,witharangeof2.59%～36.88%.However,thereportedcasesin2001were795612withadecreaseof7.38%comparedwiththosein2000,anditwasthefirstdecreasesinceSTDcaseswerereportedfrom1987.②Geographicaldistribution:Thehigh-incidenceareasweretheZhujiangRiverDelta,YangtzeRiverDelta,MinjiangRiverValley,NortheasternChina,andBeijing,Tianjin,andChongqingManicipalities,withtheincidencerateofover70～100casesper100000populationafter1997,andtherewereveryhighratesofincidenceover1000casesper100000populationinsomeareas.Thelow-incidenceareaswerenorthChina,partsofCentralChina,NorthwesternChinaandSouthwesternChina,withtheincidenceratesoflowerthan30～50per100000population.③Populationdistri-bution:Themaletofemaleratiodecreasedfrom1.60∶1～1.69∶1intheearly1990sto1.35∶1～1.40∶1inthelate1990s.STDincidencerateswerehighestinthe20～39agegroup,andthereportedSTDcasesofthisagegroupaccountedforover80%oftotalcases.ConclusionSexuallytransmitteddiseasesinChinahavebecomeaseriouspublichealthproblemandtheeffectiveinterventionprogrammesagainstSTDsmustbeimplementedacrossthecountry.

Objective To investigate the impact of severity of psoriasis on quality of life in patients with psoriasis vulgaris.Methods A questionnaire interview was carried out to the outpatients with psoriasis vulgaris(n=504)from Dec.2000to Sept.2001.All the patients were more than18years old.The content of questionnaire included daily life and activities,work and school performance,social activities and personal relationships,and psychologic status.Disease severity was assessed with psoriasis area and severity index(PASI).498patients were included for the final analysis.Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS software package.Results63.3%patients were restricted in their food selection.40.2%had bad sleep,59.0%could not dress short clothes in the summer.26.5%were restricted in use of public traffic and services.15.1%were rejected in haircut and cosmetic service.31.2%had decreased income along with severity of the disease.58.8%felt uncomfortable in social activities and public places.25.8%avoided handshaking with others.43.3%were reluctant in social intercourse.29.0%were not willing to take part in social activities,especially for moderate and severe cases.54.9%felt that their self-esteem was injured.26.6%thought that other peoples always avoided to meet them.64.4%felt anxiety for their disease.83.1%often worried about relapse or exacerbation of psoriasis.15.9%showed a tendency to commit suicide.Conclusions The more severe the disease is the more impact it may have on the daily life,work and school performance,social activities and personal relationship,and psychologic status in patients with psoriasis vulgaris.It is reccommended that besides the conventional treatment bio-psychic and social medical management be given to the patients especially for moderate and severe cases.