Among N. gonorrhoeae strains isolated in Nanjing, China, plasmid mediated resistance including PPNG and TRNG increased significantly between 1999 and 2006. Chromosomally mediated resistance to both penicillin and ciprofloxacin was also high during this period. Spectinomycin resistance of N. gonorrhoeae was sporadic. Ceftriaxone and spectinomycin can be considered effective antimicrobial agents for the treatment of gonorrhea in Nanjing at the present time.

Disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP) is an uncommon autosomal dominant chronic keratinization disorder, characterized by multiple superficial keratotic lesions surrounded by a slightly raised keratotic border. Thus far, although two loci for DSAP have been identified, the genetic basis and pathogenesis of this disorder have not been elucidated yet. In this study, we performed a genome-wide linkage analysis in three Chinese affected families and localized the gene in an 8.0 cM interval defined by D12S330 and D12S354 on chromosome 12. Upon screening 30 candidate genes, we identified a missense mutation, p.Ser63Asn in SSH1 in one family, a frameshift mutation, p.Ser19CysfsX24 in an alternative variant (isoform f) of SSH1 in another family, and a frameshift mutation, p.Pro27ProfsX54 in the same alternative variant in one non-familial case with DSAP. SSH1 encodes a phosphatase that plays a pivotal role in actin dynamics. Our data suggested that cytoskeleton disorganization in epidermal cells is likely associated with the pathogenesis of DSAP.

SART3 is a candidate gene for DSAP, and is possibly involved in the pathogenesis of DSAP.

Previous studies have suggested that psoriasis is associated with individuals who are overweight or obese. Omentin is a recently discovered adipokine that is involved in chronic inflammatory processes. This study evaluated the relationship between omentin and psoriasis, focusing on omentin-1 serum levels, skin expression of omentin-1, and omentin-1 gene polymorphism (rs2274907; Val109Asp). Levels of omentin-1 in serum samples from 44 patients with psoriasis and 38 healthy controls were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expressions of omentin-1 were measured by immunohistochemistry in 3 psoriasis affected skins and 3 normal skins. The rs2274907 variant was typed using a SNaPshot assay in 354 cases and 214 controls. We found significantly lower serum levels of omentin-1 in psoriasis patients compared with healthy controls (p < 0.001) with an inverse correlation with the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (p < 0.01). The comparison of genotype and allele distribution revealed no significant difference in genotype frequency between psoriasis patients and controls. Therefore, omentin-1 may have a role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and might be a potential biological marker for psoriasis severity.

No abstract