We performed a genome-wide association study for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in 1,007 cases with high-pressure glaucoma (HPG) and 1,009 controls from southern China. We observed genome-wide significant association at multiple SNPs near ABCA1 at 9q31.1 (rs2487032; P = 1.66 × 10(-8)) and suggestive evidence of association in PMM2 at 16p13.2 (rs3785176; P = 3.18 × 10(-6)). We replicated these findings in a set of 525 HPG cases and 912 controls from Singapore and a further set of 1,374 POAG cases and 4,053 controls from China. We observed genome-wide significant association with more than one SNP at the two loci (P = 2.79 × 10(-19) for rs2487032 representing ABCA1 and P = 5.77 × 10(-10) for rs3785176 representing PMM2). Both ABCA1 and PMM2 are expressed in the trabecular meshwork, optic nerve and other ocular tissues. In addition, ABCA1 is highly expressed in the ganglion cell layer of the retina, a finding consistent with it having a role in the development of glaucoma.

This study was aimed to examine the prognostic value of preoperative neutrophils, platelets, lymphocytes, monocytes and calculated ratios in patients with laryngeal squamous cell cancer (LSCC). From January 2007 to December 2011, 979 patients with LSCC were enrolled in our study. Preoperative neutrophils, platelets, lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) were analyzed. Besides well-established clinicopathological prognostic factors, we evaluated the independent prognostic relevance of these hematological parameters by Cox regression models in disease-free survival (DFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). We found patients in the highest tertile of NLR (>2.40), PLR (>111.00) were at significantly higher risk of DFS and CSS (P<0.05) compared with those in the lowest tertile after multivariate analysis, whereas presenting significantly higher risk in the lowest tertile of lymphocytes (<1.60×109/L) and LMR (<3.50). Additionally, the tertile category of NLR as well as PLR increased and lymphocytes as well as LMR decreased in shorter DFS and CSS by the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test. In conclusion, this study indicated that preoperative lymphocytes, NLR, PLR and LMR were significantly associated with LSCC progression, DFS and CSS, and these hematological parameters could be considered independent prognostic values for patients with LSCC.

Otomycosis is frequently seen in Shanghai and is a challenging problem due to recurrence and resistance to therapy. The aims of this study were to determine the pattern of fungal agents, sex distribution, clinical presentation, predisposing factors, complications and treatment outcomes of otomycosis. Retrospective review of 108 patients with a clinical diagnosis of otomycosis treated from September 2009 to September 2010 in otolaryngology outpatient department. It has been found to be more prevalent in female patients than male patients with a sex ratio (F : M) of 2 : 1. Aspergillus niger (54.78%) followed by Candida albicans (16.52%) were the dominant fungi. Pruritus and otorrhea were the most common presenting complaints. The predisposing factors included frequent scratching of the external ear canal (79.63%), taking ototopical and/or oral antimicrobials (24.07%), diabetes (11.11%) and otologic procedures (7.41%). Residual disease was observed in 9.26% and recurrence in 8.89% of the subjects. Topical Fluconazole ear drops and mechanical debridement of visible fungal elements in the external auditory canal were all relatively effective with 83.33% resolution rate on initial application. The diagnosis of otomycosis requires vigilance from clinicians given its non-specific symptoms. Sometimes mycological examinations are necessary. Treatment regimens such as topical fluconazole coupled with mechanical debridement are generally effective. However, recurrence is not uncommon and eradication of disease can be particularly difficult in patients with diabetes and a mastoid cavity.

IntroductionThe aim of this study was to examine health-related quality of life (HRQoL) as measured by EQ-5D and to investigate the influence of chronic conditions and other risk factors on HRQoL based on a distributed sample located in Shaanxi Province, China.MethodsA multi-stage stratified cluster sampling method was performed to select subjects. EQ-5D was employed to measure the HRQoL. The likelihood that individuals with selected chronic diseases would report any problem in the EQ-5D dimensions was calculated and tested relative to that of each of the two reference groups. Multivariable linear regression models were used to investigate factors associated with EQ VAS.ResultsThe most frequently reported problems involved pain/discomfort (8.8%) and anxiety/depression (7.6%). Nearly half of the respondents who reported problems in any of the five dimensions were chronic patients. Higher EQ VAS scores were associated with the male gender, higher level of education, employment, younger age, an urban area of residence, access to free medical service and higher levels of physical activity. Except for anemia, all the selected chronic diseases were indicative of a negative EQ VAS score. The three leading risk factors were cerebrovascular disease, cancer and mental disease. Increases in age, number of chronic conditions and frequency of physical activity were found to have a gradient effect.ConclusionThe results of the present work add to the volume of knowledge regarding population health status in this area, apart from the known health status using mortality and morbidity data. Medical, policy, social and individual attention should be given to the management of chronic diseases and improvement of HRQoL. Longitudinal studies must be performed to monitor changes in HRQoL and to permit evaluation of the outcomes of chronic disease intervention programs.

Genetic variants in CDKN2B-AS1, SIX1/SIX6, and TMCO1 were associated with POAG in a Han Chinese population. Genes CDKN2B-AS1 and SIX1/SIX6 seem to harbor a tendency toward POAG with lower IOP, while carriers of risk alleles at TMCO1 seem to be predisposed to developing POAG with higher IOP.