Alopeeia areata (AA) has been well recognized with familial tendencies, but the genetic basis of this clinical observation remains unknown. The cytokine interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (ILlra) is a potent anti-inflammatory protein that can prevent immune-mediated inflammatory response in the skin. We characterized a polymorphism within the gene for this cytokine ILlra in this study and tested the gene as a possible marker in patients with alopecia areata. We have determined allele frequencies of the polymorphic cytokine genes in a control population and a group of 72 patients with alopecia areata. The frequency of allele 2 of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in patients with AA was significantly higher than that of control group. It suggests that interleukin-1 receptor antagonist gene may be a candidate gene or severity factor for alopecia areata.

Objective:To revise the Chinese version of Devereux Early Childhood Assessment for Preschool-ers,Second Edition (DECA-P2 ),and assess its validity and reliability.Methods:Totally 608 children aged 3 -5 years were rated by their teachers with the Chinese version of DECA-P2 and two criterion scales,which included the Chinese version of Preschool Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale,and Social Competence and Behavior Evalua-tion Scale-30.Data of 570 were valid.After identifying valid items using item analysis,exploratory factor analysis was performed for half of all samples.Confirmatory factor analysis was also conducted with another half samples.Moreover,the present study tested criterion-related validity,internal consistency reliability and split-half re-liability of the Chinese version of DECA-P2.Results:Through the exploratory factor analysis,the obtained structure of protective factors was the same as the original scale,accounting for 59.82%of the variance.The results of con-firmatory factor analysis achieved the standard of psychometrics (χ2/df=2.50,RMESA=0.07,CFI=0.91,IFI=0.91).Generally,each subscale had significant correlation with the two criterion scales (r=-0.21 ~0.80). Be-sides,the Cronbach αcoefficients of all subscales were between 0.80 and 0.93,and the split-half reliabilities of them were between 0.79 and 0.89.Conclusion:The Chinese version of DECA-P2 has acceptable psychometric quality and can be applied to evaluate resilience for children aged from 3 to 5 years in China.