Ruofei Shi

Clinical manifestations of dermatomyositis and clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis patients with positive expression of anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 antibody.

To investigate the clinical features of dermatomyositis (DM) and clinically amyopathic DM (CADM) patients with the presence of anti–melanoma differentiation–associated gene 5 (anti–MDA‐5) antibodies.

Evaluation of a school-based HIV/AIDS peer-led prevention programme: the first intervention trial for children of migrant workers in China.

The effectiveness of a peer-led education intervention in HIV/AIDS prevention was assessed in the Chinese children of migrant workers. A prospective study was conducted in 12 junior high schools for migrant children. Among the intervention group, a peer-education-based HIV/AIDS prevention was implemented for three months. The results during the baseline survey indicated that the level of knowledge on HIV/AIDS was lower in children of migrant workers. After three months of peer-led intervention, compared with the control group, students in the intervention group positively increased their HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, modified their attitude and improved their protection self-efficacy. Compared with attitude, intervention was more effective in the improvement of knowledge and protection self-efficacy, especially knowledge. The findings suggest that peer-led education was an effective method in improving knowledge, attitude and protection self-efficacy in Chinese children of migrant workers. Heightened concerns targeting the group students were particularly necessary, given their lower level of related knowledge and vulnerability to HIV infection.

Enhanced Proliferation and Activation of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells in Patients with Psoriasis Vulgaris Mediated by Streptococcal Antigen with Bacterial DNA

Streptococcal infection is believed to have an intimate relationship with psoriasis, although the pathogenic role of streptococcal DNA is not fully understood. To gain a clearer understanding of these dynamics, we investigated the effect of streptococcal DNA on lymphocyte proliferation and activation as well as cytokine secretion in psoriasis. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from psoriatic patients had higher proliferative responses upon stimulation by streptococcal antigen (SA) when compared with those from healthy individuals. Strikingly, this enhanced proliferation of PBMCs was attenuated after administration of SA treated with DNase-I. In addition, CD69 expression levels on T cells, including skin-homing lymphocyte cutaneous lymphocyte-associated antigen positive T cells, and IFN-alpha secretion by PBMCs were also attenuated in patients after stimulation with SA without nucleic acid (non-nucleic acid SA, non-NASA) compared with stimulation with untreated SA. However, activation marker CD86 expression levels on B cells as well as the secretion of IFN-gamma and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha following stimulation with SA or non-NASA were not significantly altered. Interestingly, the attenuated T-cell activation and IFN-alpha secretion in psoriatic patients could be reconstituted when stimulated by non-NASA combined with synthetic CpG-A, but not when combined with synthetic CpG-B. This study demonstrates the integral function of SA, particularly streptococcal DNA, in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.

Effectiveness of peer education in HIV/STD prevention at different types of senior high schools in Shanghai, People's Republic of China

The epidemic of HIV/AIDS greatly threatens Chinese youth. Our study was intended to examine the effectiveness of the peer education method in HIV/AIDS prevention in different types of senior high schools in Shanghai. A peer education intervention was conducted in 10 different types of senior high schools, including three key senior schools, four ordinary senior schools and three vocational schools in Shanghai for three months. A cohort of 1910 students was surveyed (n = 976 intervention group, n = 934 control group) through anonymous questionnaires, both pre- and postintervention. There were significant differences in the results among these different types of senior schools. Peer education is an efficient method of increasing the knowledge of AIDS/sexually transmitted diseases in senior school students. However, the contents and the schedule should be different between different types of schools, and students in vocational schools require more health education.

Gottron Papules and Gottron Sign with Ulceration: A Distinctive Cutaneous Feature in a Subset of Patients with Classic Dermatomyositis and Clinically Amyopathic Dermatomyositis

Objective. Gottron papules and Gottron sign are characteristic and possibly pathognomonic cutaneous features of classic dermatomyositis and clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis (DM/CADM). However, the Gottron papules/Gottron sign with cutaneous ulceration (ulcerative Gottron papules/Gottron sign) are less common. We aimed to clarify the clinical characteristics of patients with DM/CADM who have ulcerative Gottron papules/Gottron sign. Methods. Clinical features, laboratory findings, and prognosis of patients with DM/CADM who had Gottron papules/Gottron sign with or without ulceration were analyzed and compared. Results. Occurrences of acute interstitial pneumonia/subacute interstitial pneumonia (AIP/SIP) were significantly higher in patients with ulcerative Gottron papules/Gottron sign (19/26) versus patients with Gottron papules/Gottron sign without ulceration (2/66, p < 0.001). We also observed that the white blood cell counts (mean ± SD 4.2 ± 1.6 vs 6.9 ± 2.9; p < 0.001) and creatine kinase (CK) levels (198.0 ± 377.7 vs 1364.0 ± 2477.0; p = 0.019) were significantly lower, whereas the positive rate of antimelanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 antibody (anti-MDA5; 88.5% vs 6.1%, p < 0.001) and serum ferritin levels (665.2 ± 433.5 vs 256.2 ± 279.0, p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the patients with ulcerative Gottron papules/Gottron sign. Moreover, the cumulative survival rate of the group with ulcerative Gottron papules/Gottron sign was significantly lower (p < 0.001). Conclusion. Patients with DM/CADM who have ulcerative Gottron papules/Gottron sign, positive anti-MDA5 antibody, and significantly lower baseline CK level are at increased risk of interstitial lung disease, especially AIP/SIP. A new designation for this subgroup of patients should be established to draw more attention to this clinical entity.

HIV/AIDS education effects on behaviour among senior high school students in a medium-sized city in China.

Few studies have examined the long-term effects of peer-led HIV prevention in Chinese adolescents. A two-year follow-up study was conducted among senior high school students in a medium-sized city of Fujian Province, from 1 March 2006 to 30 April 2008. In all, 3068 students from 14 schools were invited in March 2006, and 893 students in five schools were followed up. Data were collected at baseline, right after intervention (one month later) and two years later by a self-administered questionnaire. In the intervention group, the average knowledge score including reproductive health and HIV/AIDS/sexually transmitted diseases rose from 4.30 to 7.06 one month later (P < 0.01) and to 7.08 two years later (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference between the average knowledge score after one month and two years (P > 0.05). Sustained increases were found in the attitude scores towards people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) and intention of condom use after intervention. The study indicates that peer-led HIV prevention education succeeds in improving and sustaining HIV/AIDS-related knowledge and some behaviour intentions. Future research should focus on strategies to sustain long-term behaviour change.

Propylthiouracil-induced ANCA-positive erythema nodosum treated with thalidomide

Background  Propylthiouracil (PTU), one of the mainstays of antithyroid therapy drugs, can lead to antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) positivity and skin lesions. PTU‐induced ANCA‐positive vasculitis is rare and even more rare is erythema nodosum.

HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, sources and perceived need among senior high school students: a cross-sectional study in China

This study aimed to assess HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, sources and perceived need among senior high school students in China. A total of 2668 senior high school students aged 15.17–23.42 years participated in the survey. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on HIV/sexually transmitted infection-related knowledge, sources and perceived information need. The results showed that levels of HIV/AIDS knowledge were distributed as follows: low for 6.8%, moderate for 29.6% and high for 63.7%. The most important information sources were, in rank order, TV/photographic recording (72.1%), school heath education curriculum (51.8%) and reading materials (45.7%). About half of the students, 46.3%, confirmed a need for more information and 87.8% of the sampled senior high school students communicated with others if he/she had problems related to HIV/AIDS. Strengthening and improving information sources, particularly its accuracy and comprehensiveness, would help in ensuring that adolescents obtained the HIV/AIDS health information they needed.

SRSF1 Facilitates Cytosolic DNA-Induced Production of Type I Interferons Recognized by RIG-I

Background Evidence has shown that psoriasis is closely associated with infection; however, the mechanism of this association remains unclear. In mammalian cells, viral or bacterial infection is accompanied by the release of cytosolic DNA, which in turn triggers the production of type-I interferons (IFNs). Type I IFNs and their associated genes are significantly upregulated in psoriatic lesions. RIG-I is also highly upregulated in psoriatic lesions and is responsible for IFN production. However, RIG-I mediated regulatory signaling in psoriasis is poorly understood. Methods We screened a cDNA library and identified potential RIG-I interacting partners that may play a role in psoriasis. Results We found that serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 1 (SRSF1) could specifically interact with RIG-I to facilitate RIG-I mediated production of type-I IFN that is triggered by cytosolic DNA. We found SRSF1 associates with RNA polymerase III and RIG-I in a DNA-dependent manner. In addition, treatment with a TNFα inhibitor downregulated SRSF1 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from psoriasis vulgaris patients. Discussion Based on the abundance of pathogenic cytosolic DNA that is detected in psoriatic lesions, our finding that RIG-I interacts with SRSF1 to regulate type-I IFN production reveals a critical link regarding how cytosolic DNA specifically activates aberrant IFN expression. These data may provide new therapeutic targets for the treatment of psoriasis.

Study of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge among junior high-school students in Shanghai, China

The aim of this study was to assess the HIV/AIDS-related knowledge among junior high-school students in Shanghai, China, and the factors influencing this knowledge. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 20 middle schools of two districts by a cluster-stratified selection procedure in Shanghai, China. The 2432 sampled students, aged from 11.1 to 16.7 years, completed a self-administered questionnaire of HIV/AIDS prevention. The results showed that the overall correct rate of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge was 62%. Using multivariable logistic regression analysis, we found that the main factors influencing HIV/AIDS-related knowledge among junior high school students were the type of school (odds ratio [OR] = 1.641), age (OR = 1.727), whether the student was a single child in the family (OR = 1.389), whether the student had previous HIV/AIDS-related education experience (OR = 2.003) and whether the student had ever discussed HIV/AIDS with their parents (OR = 1.282). The results indicate that HIV/AIDS-related knowledge among Shanghai junior high school students is not high enough, and more attention needs to be paid to enhance HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, especially among younger students from common type schools without HIV/AIDS-related education experience. We encourage Chinese parents to get involved in their childrens HIV/AIDS prevention education.