Toll-like receptor 3 polymorphism is not associated with neovascular age-related macular degeneration and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy in the Chinese.

Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) variants in mainland northern Chinese patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) and neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) were investigated. The complete genes of TLR3, including all exons and the promoter region, were assessed using direct sequencing technology of 284 unrelated mainland northern Chinese individuals: 96 nAMD patients, 92 PCV patients, and 96 controls. Six single nucleotide polymorphisms were identified: rs5743303, rs5743305, rs5743312, rs3775291, rs3775290, and rs6830345. The distribution of TLR3 genotypes for nAMD and PCV was not significantly different compared with normal controls. This study indicates that the TLR3 gene polymorphism is not associated with nAMD and PCV in northern Chinese patients.

Genetic polymorphisms of VKORC1, CYP2C9, CYP4F2 in Bai, Tibetan Chinese.

BACKGROUND: VKORC1, CYP2C9 and CYP4F2 are three critical genes associated with inter-individual variation of warfarin dose. Many dosing algorithms containing these gene polymorphisms and demographic characteristics have been set up for better use of warfarin. However, with distinct gene mutation frequencies among different ethnics, dosing algorithms differ greatly. For Chinese, related research just concentrate on Han Chinese, ignoring other Chinese ethnicities. This study aims to detect the popular polymorphisms in these three critical genes in Bai, Tibetan Chinese, to start the exploration of better use of warfarin in Chinese minorities. METHODS: PCR-based methods were used to analyze VKORC1 3673G > A, CYP2C9*3, CYP4F2 rs2108622 C > T in Han, Bai and Tibetan Chinese. RESULTS: The differences among the mutation frequencies of the studied genes in three ethnicities were not statistically significant. The frequency of A-allele of VKORC1 3673G > A was 92.8%, 90.2%, 90.8% in Bai, Tibetan, Han Chinese, respectively. The frequency of *3-allele in CYP2C9*3 was low in Bai (4.5%), Tibetan (2.8%) and Han Chinese (4.6%). Approximately one fourth of each ethnic had the mutant T-allele of CYP4F2 rs108622. However, Bai Chinese got statistically higher A-allele frequency of VKORC1 3673G > A than previously studied Han Chinese did. CONCLUSIONS: Bai Chinese got significant higher A-allele frequency of VKORC1 3673G > A.

[Analysis on characteristics of HIV-1 molecular network in injected drug users in Guangzhou, 2008-2017].

Objective: To understand the characteristics of the HIV-1 molecular networks in injected drug users (IDUs) in Guangzhou from 2008 to 2017, and provide reference for the prevention and control of AIDS in this population. Methods: The serum samples of newly diagnosed HIV-1 positive IDUs in Guangzhou from 2008 to 2017 were collected, HIV-1 RNA was extracted for pol gene amplification and sequencing. The molecular cluster in the phylogenetic tree was identified by Cluster Picker 1.2.3 for cluster analysis. TN93 model in HyPhy2.2.4 was used to calculate the gene distance between the cluster sequences. Software Cytoscape3.8.2 was used to visualize the molecular network, and χ2 test or exact probability method was used for cluster analysis and centrality analysis. Results: A total of 586 sequences were successfully amplified (73.9%, 586/793), and 80 molecular clusters were produced, with a clustering rate of 46.6% (273/586). In molecular clusters, the proportions of the strains from IDUs in Han ethnic group (48.4%, 260/537), IDUs who were local residents in Guangdong (52.7%, 146/277) and IDUs whose strain sequence subtype was CRF55_01B (93.3%, 14/15) were higher. In the molecular network, the degree range was 1-7, and nodes with degree ≥3 accounted for 12.8% (24/187), which was associated with another 81 nodes in the molecular network (43.3%, 81/187). The centrality analysis showed that the proportions of housework/unemployed with high degree centrality (19.0%, 19/100), high intermediary (22.0%, 22/100), and high proximity centrality (32.0%, 32/100) were higher in IDUs infected with HIV-1. Conclusion: The risk of HIV-1 clustering in IDUs in Guangzhou was high, suggesting that IDUs who were from both Guangdong and Guangxi and were house workers or unemployed should be viewed as the key targets, and precise intervention should be implemented to reduce the HIV-1 infection rate in this population.

[Application of autologous cartilage in rhinoplasty for patients with traumatic nasal contraction and nasal dysfunction].

Objective: To explore the application and effect of autologous cartilage in rhinoplasty for patients with traumatic hernia and nasal dysfunction. Methods: From January 2017 to April 2019,30 patients with nasal trauma admitted to Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University were treated for 6 days to 14 years. All patients were accompanied by different degrees of nasal deformity and nasal ventilatory disorders. They were classified into three categories: light, medium and heavy. All of them were open at the same time. Rhinoplasty and nasal septum deviation correction. For mild to moderate nasal deformity and nasal ventilatory disorders, ear cartilage was used to modify the tip of the nose and strengthen the nasal septal cartilage support to modify the deformity of the nasal back. For severe nasal deformity and nasal ventilatory disorders, we engraved the costal cartilage into a "Y" shaped monolithic stent or flank costal cartilage to form a 2+1 or 4+1 stent, and the costal cartilage stent and the septal cartilage tail end were sutured. Reshape the nasal septum frame support and the nasal column to avoid collapse of the nose. Results: Three patients had a septal hematoma after operation and recovered normally after cleansing. All patients were followed up for 2 months to 2 years, and no complications such as nasal septum perforation and nasal bridge collapse occurred. The postoperative cure rate was 60.0% (18/30). All patients had a grade I nasal drop after surgery, and the effective rate was 100% (30/30). The patient's preoperative measurement deviation was (6.85±2.43) mm, the postoperative measurement deviation was (2.4±1.58) mm, the preoperative nasal appearance VAS score was (1.93±1.31), and the postoperative nasal appearance VAS score was (6.60±1.16), the difference in facial appearance deviation and VAS score before and after surgery was statistically significant (P<0.05). All patients had improved nasal ventilation after operation. The preoperative nasal ventilation VAS score was (1.97±1.07), the postoperative nasal ventilation VAS score was (6.53±1.04), and the difference between preoperative and postoperative nasal ventilation VAS scores was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusions: Autologous cartilage is effective in rhinoplasty in patients with traumatic nasal contraction and nasal dysfunction. One stage open rhinoplasty and nasal septum deviation surgery are performed to shorten the treatment time and improve the nasal appearance and nasal ventilation function. The patients got satisfaction.