Objective To summarize the features of multiple sclerosis (MS) in China. Methods The clinical manifestations and inducements of 413 MS patients are comprehensively analyzed using clinical statistical method. Other parameters are also analyzed by electromyography and brainstem auditory evoked potential. Results MS in China mainly invades young and middle-aged people, with a higher ratio in female than in male. MS was found mostly acute or subacute in onset and usually due to an inducement mainly consisting of common cold, fever, cyesis and fatigue. The first seen symptoms were various and complicated, but mainly showed different types of visual disturbance such as the acuity of vision decrease, constriction of visual field and diplopia. Limb paralysis, sensory abnormality and visual disturbance were found the commonest symptoms. Lhermitte’s sign was common. Paroxysmal symptoms as algospasm and seizure were relatively common. Electromyography and brainstem evoked potential showed that peripheral nervous system damage might occur in MS. Spinal cord and visual nerve were found the mostly invaded according to the clinical data. Conclusion The features of MS in China should be different from those in the western countries.

Objective TO explore the etiology and pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. Methods The information of pa-tients from 413 MS was analyzed comprehensively by the clinical statistical methods. Results Common cold was the com-monest factor causing MS, and fever,fatigue and childbirth were also the common causes. Immunological disturbance exis-ted in MS. CD~+_4 cell decreased in most of MS patients, but the distribution of CD~+_8 cell was not regular. The level of sexhormones was abnormal in MS,but it was not the same in male and female. There were three patients having family histo-ry of MS. Conclusion Virus infection,sex hormones and heredity factors are all related to MS through facilitating immu-nological disturbance.

Objective To investigate brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) concentrations in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO),and their neuroprotective effects.Methods Sixty-two patients (49 patients were MS and 13 patients were NMO) and 21 controls were investigated in our studies.The disability severity in MS and NMO patients in their relapse period was assessed by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS).MRI scanning of brain,spinal cord or optic nerve was examined and the oligoclonal band in serum and CSF were detected.BDNF and GDNF concentrations in serum and CSF were assessed by Liquid Assay.Results There were no significant differences of BDNF (μg/L,5.616±0.650 in serum and 0.186±0.012 in CSF of MS patients;6.584±0.929 in serum and 0.176± 0.006 in CSF of NMO patients) and GDNF (μg/L,0.039 in serum and 0.080 in CSF of MS patients;0.029 in serum and 0.050 in CSF of NMO patients) concentrations in serum and CSF in patients with MS and NMO in relapse,compared with those in controls.There was a positive correlation between BDNF and GDNF concentrations in CSF (r=0.756,P=0.000),and a negative correlation between BDNF and GDNF concentrations in serum (r=-0.329,P=0.018).There were no correlations of BDNF and GDNF concentrations in serum and CSF with EDSS,blood brain barrier index,Delpech index and Tourtellotte synthesis rate.There were no significant differences of BDNF and GDNF concentration in serum and CSF between NMO/MS patients with and without atrophy.Conclusions The level of BDNF in patients with MS and NMO is correlated with that of GDNF,which may have a synergistic neurotrophic effect on MS and NMO.BDNF and GDNF are not associated with the blood-brain harrier destruction and lgG synthesis in central nervous system.However,associations of BDNF and GDNF with functional disability and neuron atrophy in NMO and MS patients still need further studies.

Objective To investigate the associations of aquaporin-4 (AQP4) promoter polymorphisms with anti-AQP4 antibody and genetic susceptibility to multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO) in Southern Chinese population.Methods The polymorphisms of AQP4promoter 0 and 1 were analyzed by PCR and DNA sequencing in 18 NMO,38 MS,13 recurrent myelitis (RM),6 recurrent optic neuritis (RON)patients and 39 healthy controls. Results Fourteen polymorphism loci were observed in AQP4-promoter 0,while 6 ones were observed in AQP4-promoter 1.Among them,the incidence rate of polymorphism at position - 1003 bp (A-G) of AQP4-promoter 0 in anti-AQP4 antibody-positive patients was significantly higher than that in anti-AQP4 antibody-negative patients and controls (former:13/18 vs 20/45,P =0.046; latter:13/18 vs 10/39,P =0.001 ).The incidence rates of polymorphism at position between -401 bp and -400 bp ( C inserted) of AQP4-promoter 1 in anti-AQP4 antibody-positive and -negative patients were significantly higher than that in controls( former:5/16 vs 0/28,P =0.008; latter:8/38 vs 0/28,P =0.027 ). The incidence rates of polymorphism at position - 1003 bp (A-G) of AQP4-promoter 0 and position between -401 bp and -400 bp ( C inserted)of AQP4-promoter 1 in patients with NMO and MS were significantly higher than that in controls( NMO:11/18 vs 10/39,P =0.010;4/15 vs 0/28,P =0.020; MS:19/38 vs 10/39,P =0.027;8/34 vs 0/28,P =0.018).Conclusions Polymorphisms loci were observed in AQP4-promoter 0 and AQP4-promoter 1,which may have an influence on the susceptibility to MS and NMO.Polymorphism at position - 1003 bp ( A-G) of AQP4-promoter 0 may be related to the emergence of anti-AQP4 antibody in patients with NMO and MS.

Objective To investigate the relation between Fas-mediated apoptosis and glucocorticoid treatment in myasthenia gravis (MG). Methods In 17 patients with MG, 6 patients received glucocorticoid treatment (glucocorticoid treatment group),and 11 patients were treated without glucocorticoid (nonglucocorticoid treatment group). Meanwhile, 13 healthy cases were selected as healthy control group. CD4,CD8 and Fas expressions in peripheral blood T lymphocyte were detected by flow cytometry in three groups and analyzed. Results The percentage of CD4-CD8+ cells in peripheral blood T lymphocyte in glucocorticoid treatment group was significantly higher than that in healthy control group[(36.75 ± 11.56)% vs. (26.31 ±9.00)%, P = 0.027], while the percentage of CD4-CD8- cells was significantly lower [(30.56 ± 9.72)% vs.(42.96 ± 11.54)%, P =0.018]. The percentage of CD4-CD8+ cells in peripheral blood T lymphocyte in glucocorticoid treatment group was significantly higher than that in non-glucocorticoid treatment group [(36.75 ± 11.56)% vs. (25.24 ±7.63)% ,P =0.019]. The percentages of Fas+ and CD8 +Fas+ cells in peripheral blood T lymphocyte in glucocorticoid treatment group were significantly higher than those in healthy control group[(46.10 ± 7.13)% vs. (31.22 ± 13.00)%, P=0.006; (62.86 ± 12.29)% vs. (45.59 ±11.50)%, P = 0.003]. The percentage of CD8+ Fas+ cells in peripheral blood T lymphocyte in glucocorticoid treatment group was significantly higher than that in non-glucocorticoid treatment group [(62.86 ± 12.29)%vs (50.84 ± 8.31 )%, P = 0.034]. Conclusions Glucocorticoid treatment may have influence on peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets in patients with MG. Fas-mediated apoptosis may be involved in the mechanism of glucocorticoid treatment in MG.

Objective: To investigate the possible role of IL17-and IL22-secreting cells combined with patch test for the prediction of formaldehyde-induced occupational allergic contact dermatitis(OACD). Methods: From October 2014 to October 2016, totally 131 formaldehyde-exposed workers(49 cases with inflammatory skin lesions,82 ones without inflammatory skin lesions)and 63 non-exposed health controls were recruited. Patch-test was performed in 49 cases of formaldehyde-exposed workers with inflammatory skin lesions. Circulating IL17+and IL22+Tcell subsets were assessed by flow cytometry(FCM). Results: Among 49 cases of formaldehyde-exposed workers with inflammatory skin lesions,32 cases were with positive patch-test while 17 cases with negative patch-test. The proportions of circulating CD3+CD8-IL17+ and CD3+CD8-IL22+ cells from patch-test(+) formaldehyde-exposed workers were significantly higher than that of patch-test(-)group, formaldehyde-exposed workers without skin lesions and non-exposed controls(P<0.05). The proportions of circulating CD3+CD8-IL17+ and CD3+CD8-IL22+cells from patch-test(-)group and formaldehyde-exposed workers without skin lesions were also higher than that of non-exposed controls(P<0.05). But there was no significant difference between patch-test(-)group and formaldehyde-exposed workers without skin lesions(P>0.05). Peripheral CD3+CD8+IL17+and CD3+CD8+IL22+cells were also detected in spite of small amounts. The percentages of CD3+CD8+IL17+and CD3+CD8+IL22+ cells inperipheral blood from patch-test(+)formaldehyde-exposed workers were enhanced significantly, compared to patch-test(-)group, formaldehyde-exposed workers without skin lesions and non-exposed controls(P<0.05). The proportions of circulating CD3+CD8+IL17+ and CD3+CD8+IL22+ cells from patch-test(-)group and formaldehyde-exposed workers without skin lesions were significantly higher than that of non-exposed controls(P<0.05). But there was no significant difference between patch-test(-) group and formaldehyde-exposed workers without skin lesions(P>0.05). Conclusion The proportions of circulating IL17+ and IL22+T cells(both CD8-and CD8+)are enhanced in formaldehyde-exposed workers at proposed OEL, possibly involved in the development of formaldehyde-induced OACD.The detection of IL17-and IL22-secreting cells combined with formaldehyde patch test help to screen the workers with allergy property and prevent OACD.