Background::Urticaria is a common skin disease characterized by episodes of wheals, and it has a negative effect on patients’ quality of life. Large-scale population-based epidemiological studies of urticaria are scarce in China. The aim of this survey was to determine the prevalence, clinical forms, and risk factors of urticaria in the Chinese population.Methods::This survey was conducted in 35 cities from 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities of China. Two to three communities in each city were selected in this investigation. Participants completed questionnaires and received dermatological examinations. We analyzed the prevalence, clinical forms, and risk factors of urticaria.Results::In total, 44,875 questionnaires were distributed and 41,041 valid questionnaires were collected (17,563 male and 23,478 female participants). The lifetime prevalence of urticaria was 7.30%, with 8.26% in female and 6.34% in male individuals ( P < 0.05). The point prevalence of urticaria was 0.75%, with 0.79% in female and 0.71% in male individuals ( P < 0.05). Concomitant angioedema was found in 6.16% of patients. Adults had a higher prevalence of urticaria than adolescents and children. Living in urban areas, exposure to pollutants, an anxious or depressed psychological status, a personal and family history of allergy, thyroid diseases, and Helicobacter pylori infection were associated with a higher prevalence of urticaria. Smoking was correlated with a reduced risk of urticaria. Conclusion::This study demonstrated that the lifetime prevalence of urticaria was 7.30% and the point prevalence was 0.75% in the Chinese population; women had a higher prevalence of urticaria than men. Various factors were correlated with urticaria.

BACKGROUND:The main clinical manifestation of senile arteriosclerosis obliterans is lower limb ischemia, which is currently difficult to treat. One method is by autologous stem cell transplantation into the muscles of ischemic limbs to improve the formation of new capillaries and restore lower limb blood flow. Endothelial progenitor cell marker CD34+ cell transplantation has been shown to promote angiogenesis in ischemic limbs. Therefore, we propose that peripheral blood autologous CD34+ cell transplantation in older adult patients with atherosclerotic ischemia could effectively promote angiogenesis.OBJECTIVE:To assume that peripheral blood autologous CD34+ cell transplantation in the elderly with atherosclerotic ischemia could effectively promote angiogenesis.METHODS:This is a prospective, single-center, open-label, randomized, and controlled clinical trial that will be completed at the Qingdao No. 9 People's Hospital, China. Twenty older adult patients with atherosclerotic lower limb ischemia will be randomized into two groups. In the cell transplantation group (n=10), peripheral blood CD34+ cells transfected with vascular endothelial growth factor 165 (VEGF165) gene will be intramuscularly transplanted into the ischemic limbs in older adult patients with atherosclerotic lower limb ischemia. In the control group (n=10), normal saline will be intramuscularly injected into the ischemic limbs. All patients will be followed up for 6 months. The primary outcome will be ankle-brachial indices before and 6 months after transplantation to assess lower limb ischemia in both groups.The secondary outcomes will be the number of microvessels in the lower limb muscles before and 6 months after transplantation, the morphology of new blood vessels revealed by CT angiography, the number of VEGF-immunoreactive cells 6 months after transplantation and the incidence of adverse reactions. The trial was registered at the ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier:NCT03098771), and the study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Qingdao No. 9 People's Hospital of China. All protocols will be in accordance with Declaration of Helsinki,formulated by the World Medical Association. All patients will be informed of study protocols and provide a written informed consent prior to the beginning of the trial.DISCUSSION:This trial will begin in January 2018 and finish in December 2019. We aim to quantify the effects of VEGF165 gene-modified CD34+ cell transplantation in the treatment of older adult patients with atherosclerotic ischemia to develop a new effective treatment of lower limb ischemia.

Objective To observe the clinical effects of different fluid therapies in treating severe preeclampsia complicated by ascites. Methods Between Jan. 2010 and Dec. 2012, patients with severe preeclampsia complicated by ascites in Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital were included in this study. The treatment group ( n=55 ) were given intravenous drip of 6% hydroxyl starch 130/0. 4 plus furosemide, and the control group (n=52) received intravenous drip of 5%human serum albumin plus furosemide. The mean arterial pressure, respiratory rate, heart rate, oxyhemoglobin saturation, colloid osmotic pressure, hematocrit and the incidence of acute pulmonary edema were observed and compared between the two groups. Results Twenty-four hours after cesarean section, the mean arterial pressure of the treatment group was significantly lower than that of the control group, whereas heart rate and oxyhemoglobin saturation were significantly higher (all P<0. 05). The incidence of acute pulmonary edema of the control group was 17. 3%, while no patient in the treatment group developed acute pulmonary edema. On the 5th day after surgery, the hematocrit and 24 h proteinuria were significantly lower in the treatment group, while colloid osmotic pressure was higher (all P<0. 05). There was no difference in serum albumin level between the two groups (P>0. 05). The average duration of edema after treatment was significantly shorter in the treatment group [(2. 43±0. 37) d versus (3. 74±0. 59) d, P<0. 01]. Conclusion 6% hydroxyl starch 130/4. 0 plus furosemide can effectively elevate the colloid osmotic pressure, resolve edema, improve hypovolemia, sustain oxygen supply to the organs and decrease the complication of pulmonary edema in patients with severe preeclampsia complicated by ascites.

Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of ligation of the descending branch of uterine artery and compression sutures at the lower uterine segment in managing postpartum bleeding due to pernicious placenta previa. Methods Clinical data of 227 patients with pernicious placenta previa, admitted to Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital between June 2010 and June 2013, were retrospectively analyzed. Eight-two women,who were admitted between June,2010 to December,2011, receiving B-Lynch sutures combined with uterine lower segment packing after delivering the baby and placenta during cesarean section were assigned as the control group. Another 145 cases, who were admitted between January 2012 to June 2013, receiving ligation of the descending branch of uterine artery and compression sutures at the lower uterine segment, were defined as the observational group. Several indicators during and after the operation were compared between the two groups. T-test or Chi-square test were applied for statistics. Results The duration of operation in the observational group was shorter than in the control [(92±26) vs (106±32) min, t=3.579, P<0.01]. The estimated blood loss during the operation, the total blood loss during the first 24 h after delivery and the blood loss during the operation for placenta percreta in the observational group were all lower than in the control [(1 230±481) vs (1 858±632) ml, (1 475±236) vs (2 482±364) ml, and (2 131±515) vs (2 587±498) ml, t=8.413, 25.295 and 6.484, all P<0.01]. The adjusted postoperative hemoglobin values of the observational group were significantly higher than that of control [(82±21) vs (69±19) g/L, t= - 4.634, P<0.01]. Besides, significant differences were found between the observational and control group on the rates of hysterectomy, blood transfusion, and uterine artery embolization [1%(2/145) vs 7%(6/82), 40%(58/145) vs 66%(54/82), 2%(3/145) vs 12%(10/82), χ2=5.408, 13.945 and 9.904, P < 0.05 or 0.01]. The dosage of Carboprost Tromethamine required was smaller in the observational group [(573±104) vs (729±128) μg, t=9.971, P<0.01]. Conclusions Ligation of descending branch of uterine artery and compression sutures in the lower uterine segment during cesarean section in women with pernicious placenta previa is an effective and simple method to control bleeding resulting reduction of blood loss and the hysterectomy rate.

OBJECTIVETo map the gene responsible for nonsyndromic hearing impairment in a consanguineous family.

METHODSFirstly, X chromosome scanning was used to exclude X chromosome. Secondly, candidate gene analyzing and genome scanning were performed by homozygosity mapping. Then, additional markers flanking the tightly linked marker were tested to confirm linkage and decide the candidate region.

RESULTSThe nonsyndromic hearing impairment of this family was autosomal recessive. Twenty-five known genes were excluded. Autosomal genome scanning indicated that D17S1293 was tightly linked with disease gene. And further study mapped the disease gene to a 5.07 cM interval bounded by D17S1850 and D17S1818.

CONCLUSIONThe disease gene of the family is mapped to a 5.07 cM interval between D17S1850 and D17S1818, which is a new locus of autosomal recessive nonsyndromic hearing impairment.

Chromosome Mapping ; methods ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17 ; genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 18 ; genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, X ; genetics ; Consanguinity ; Family Health ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Pedigree

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between polymorphism of N-acetyltransferase (NAT2) gene and genetic susceptibility to laryngeal carcinoma.

METHODSA case-control study on 62 laryngeal carcinoma patients and 56 controls was conducted. NAT2 alleles were differentiated by polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methods using originally created PCR primers and genomic DNA extracted from peripheral white blood cells. Genetic risk for NAT2 genotype was analyzed by smoking index (SI, cigarettes smoked per day x years of smoking).

RESULTSThe frequency of NAT2 slow genotype was 80.6% in patients with laryngeal carcinoma and 60.7% in the controls, the difference of which was statistically significant (chi(2) = 5.70, P = 0.017). The odds ratios were 2.70 (95% CI 1.19 approximately 6.11). Among the individuals with NAT2 slow genotype at high level of cigarette smoking, there was a significantly higher risk of 5.64 (95% CI 1.77 approximately 17.92), while those at low level were considered the reference group (OR 1.38, 95% CI 0.42 approximately 4.52).

CONCLUSIONNAT2 slow genotype increases the risk of susceptibility to laryngeal carcinoma. The combined effect of NAT2 slow genotype and exposure to smoking is observed during the development of laryngeal cancer.

Aged ; Alleles ; Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase ; genetics ; DNA, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Smoking ; Statistics as Topic

OBJECTIVETo study the prevalence of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T genotype and its association with deep vei n thrombophilia in Chinese.

METHODSPolymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis was conducted to examine mutation with 63 deep vein thrombophilic patients and 80 health controls in Shandong Hans. The genotype frequencies were calculated by gene counting in patients and controls, and an analysis was made on the association of MTHFR C677T mutation with deep venous thrombosis in Shandong Hans.

RESULTSIn case- controls, the frequencies of C/T heterozygote were 41.27% and 43.75%; whereas those of T/T homozygote were 52.38% and 36.25%. Significantly elevated mutation was observed in patients(Chi-square=6.372, P 0.01 OR(T/T)=4.552 95% confidence interval:1.440-14.390, Chi-square =6.742 P=0.009).

CONCLUSIONThe C677T mutation of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene is a risk factor associated with deep vein thrombophilia in Shandong Hans.

China ; DNA ; genetics ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) ; Odds Ratio ; Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-NH Group Donors ; genetics ; Point Mutation ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Thrombophilia ; enzymology ; genetics ; Venous Thrombosis ; enzymology ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo determine the linkage between Smith-Fineman-Myers syndrome (SFMS) and X-linked nuclear protein(XNP) locus.

METHODSPolymerase chain reaction and denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were used to genotype two polymorphic short tandem repeats within XNP gene.

RESULTSOne of the two short tandem repeats was informative in SFMS family from Shandong, China. Recombination between SFMS locus and XNP gene was observed in the SFMS family.

CONCLUSIONXNP gene is not associated with the disease in the SFMS family from Shandong, China. SFMS exhibits locus heterogeneity at molecular level.

Abnormalities, Multiple ; genetics ; Craniofacial Abnormalities ; genetics ; DNA Helicases ; Female ; Genetic Linkage ; Growth Disorders ; genetics ; Humans ; Intellectual Disability ; genetics ; Male ; Muscle Hypotonia ; genetics ; Nuclear Proteins ; genetics ; Pedigree ; Phenotype ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Recombination, Genetic ; Syndrome ; X Chromosome ; X-linked Nuclear Protein

OBJECTIVETo determine the genomic structure of low density lipoprotein receptor related protein 5 (LRP5) gene.

METHODScDNA sequence encoding LRP5 was used to screen genomic clones containing LRP5 gene by computer hybridization approach. By comparing the cDNA sequence of LRP5 with the genomic sequences, the genomic structure of LRP5 was determined, and then it was conformed by amplifying and sequencing the sequences of exons and splicing junction.

RESULTSThe genomic sequence of LRP5 gene was 131.6 kb in length, containing 23 exons and 22 introns. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms were detected within the coding sequences of LRP5 gene, namely A459G in exon 2, C2220T in exon 10 and G4416C in exon 21. Four polymorphic markers, D11S1917, D11S4087, D11S1337 and D11S4178, located in the 5' flank sequence, introns 1, 4, and 13 of the LRP5 gene, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe characterization of genomic structure of LRP5 gene allows the investigators to detect disease-causing mutation within the gene and further study the function of LRP5 gene.

Base Sequence ; DNA ; chemistry ; genetics ; Exons ; Genes ; genetics ; Humans ; Introns ; LDL-Receptor Related Proteins ; Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein-5 ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Receptors, LDL ; genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

Objective　To construct rapid amplification cDNA ends(RACE) cDNA libraries from human fetal bone and joint and provide resources for isolation of bone- and joint- specific development-related genes.Methods　Total RNA of bone and joint were extracted with the modified single-step method of RNA isolation by acid guanidinium thiocyanate-phenol-chloroform extraction. The double-stranded end-blunted cDNA were synthesized using TaKaRa's cDNA synthesis kit and ligated to cassette adaptors. All of the cDNA molecules were amplified by a pair of common primers.Results　A protocol for RACE cDNA library construction from bone and joint was established and two RACE cDNA libraries from human fetal bone and joint were successfully constructed.Conclusion　The protocol of RACE cDNA library construction from limited materials proved to be simple and efficient and the library was suitable for RACE to isolate tissue-specific genes.