[A family with developmental glaucoma and microcornea due to novel ADAMTS18 gene mutations]

This case report presents a family with developmental glaucoma accompanied by microcornea resulting from novel mutations in the ADAMTS18 gene. The index case involves a 5-year-old twin brother, who, during a routine examination, exhibited elevated intraocular pressure persisting for over a month. The peak intraocular pressure reached approximately 25 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) in both eyes, with a corneal diameter of less than 10 mm. Ocular examination revealed an enlarged cup-to-disc ratio, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) demonstrated thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer and ganglion cell layer. Ultrasound biomicroscopy combined with gonioscopy indicated partial angle closure and abnormal anterior chamber angle development. The ocular manifestations in the twin brother were consistent with those observed in the twin sister. The clinical diagnosis was bilateral developmental glaucoma with microcornea. Genetic sequencing identified two novel compound heterozygous mutations in the ADAMTS18 gene in the twins: Mutation 1 (M1) involving the variant site 1 (c.3436C>T:p.R1146W) and Mutation 2 (M2) involving the variant site 2 (c.1454T>G:p.F485C). Ocular examinations of four additional family members were normal. Genetic testing revealed that the twins' father and sister carried M1, while the index case's mother and brother carried M2. This report underscores a unique association between ADAMTS18 gene mutations and developmental glaucoma with microcornea within a familial context, emphasizing the importance of genetic screening for early diagnosis and targeted management strategies.

[Quality of psychomotility recovery after propofol sedation for painless gastroscopy and colonoscopy]

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of propofol used for painless gastroscopy and colonoscopy on psychomotility recovery.

METHODS

One hundred adult patients undergoing painless gastroscopy and colonoscopy were recruited, aged 18-72 years, with American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) physical status Ⅰ-Ⅱ. According to age, the patients were divided into youth group (20-39 years old, 27 cases), middle age group (40-54 years old, 37 cases), and elder group (55-64 years old, 36 cases). Propofol was continuously infused according to the patients' condition to mantain the bispectal index (BIS) score 55-64. All the patients received psychomotility assesment 30 min before the operations when the discharge criteria were met including number cancellation test, number connection test and board test. The heart rate, blood pressure, saturation of pulse oximetry, electrocardiograph and BIS were monitored during the operation. The operating time, recovery time, total volume of propofol and discharge time were recorded. If the results obtained were inferior to those before operation, a third assessment was taken 30 minutes later until the results recovered or being superior to the baseline levels.

RESULTS

All the patients completed the first and second assessments, and 25 patients had taken the third assessment. There was no statistically significant difference in the results of psychomotility assessment when the patients met the discharge standard. Furthermore, the results were analyzed by grouping with age, and there was no statistical difference in the test results of the youth and middle age groups compared with the preoperative group, among which, the efficiency of the number cancellation test was significantly better than that before operation in the youth group (P < 0.05). However, in the elderly patients the number cancellation efficiency, number connection test and board test were significantly inferior to that before operation (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the accuracy of number cancellation compared with that before operation. The patients who needed the third test in the elder group were significantly more than in the other groups (P < 0.05). Compared with the preoperative results, there was no statistical difference in the test results of those who completed the third test.

CONCLUSION

The psychomotility function of the patients who underwent painless gastroscopy and colonoscopy was recovered when they met discharge criteria. The elderly patients had a prolonged recovery period.

[Clinical observation of different reperfusion methods in patients with acute ischemic stroke with atrial fibrillation within 4.5 hours from onset]

Objective: To detect the ideal treatment for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) within 4.5 hours from onset. Methods: A total of 95 AIS patients with AF was retrospectively analyzed from April 2014 to January 2019. Thirty patients (group A) were treated with endovascular treatment directly, 35 (group B) patients were treated with intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) followed by endovascular treatment, and 30 (group C) patients were treated with intravenous rtPA only. There were no significant differences among the groups in baseline data as age, gender, underlying diseases, medication, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, time from onset to treatment. Modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (mTICI), Symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation (SICH), 90 d prognosis of modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and death were compared. Results: Recanalization (mTICI≥2b) was similar in group A and B (70.0% vs. 68.6%, P>0.05). SICH of group A (6.7%) was significantly lower than that of group B (31.4%, P<0.05), but similar with that of group C (13.7%, P>0.05). Prognosis (mRS≤2) was significantly better in group A (70.0%) than that in group B (37.1%) and group C (30.0%), both P<0.01. The mortality rate in group A (6.7%) was lower than that in group B (14.3%) and group C (20.0%) without statistically significant, both P>0.05. Conclusion: AIS patients with AF within 4.5 hours from onset should receive endovascular treatment directly.

[Effects of nasogastric and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube feeding on the susceptibility of pulmonary infection in long-term coma patients with stroke or traumatic brain injury]

Objective: To investigate the effects of nasogastric tube (NGT) and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube feeding on the susceptibility of pulmonary infection in long-term coma patients with stroke or traumatic brain injury. Methods: A total of 295 candidates who were in long-term coma after stroke or traumatic brain injury but without pulmonary infection and eligible for PEG catheterization were screened prospectively between January 2014 and February 2018. The patients were divided into PEG group (86 patients) and NGT group (209 patients) according to the choice of next-of-kin. Data related to the susceptibility of pulmonary infection were collected and analyzed in the two groups one month after the catheterization. Results: After follow-up for one month, compared with NGT group, patients in PEG group had a lower incidence of pulmonary infection (23.3% vs 37.8%, P=0.023), a later occurrence of pulmonary infection (average time: 21 days vs 13 days, P=0.034), and a less severe pulmonary infection (7.0% vs 12.9%, P=0.029). The following characteristics made patients more susceptible to pulmonary infection: age ≥ 70 years (HR=1.619, 95% CI 1.054-2.172), Charlson comorbidity index ≥ 2 points (HR=1.647, 95% CI 1.043-2.485), using of proton pump inhibitor ≥ 7 days (HR=1.725, 95% CI 1.214-2.738), and number of pressure ulcers ≥ 3 (HR=2.109, 95% CI 1.128-3.844). However, serum albumin concentration ≥35 g/L (HR=0.670, 95% CI 0.375-0.963) was a protective factor for pulmonary infections. The number of consistent pathogens cultivated from saliva, gastric juice and sputum simultaneously in NGT and PEG group was 35 strains (27.8%) and 8 strains (13.3%), respectively (P=0.029). The mortality of pulmonary infection was similar in the two groups (3.5% vs 4.3%, P=1.000), but the death due to pulmonary infection in the PEG group occur later (median time: 20 days vs 11 days, P=0.012). Conclusions: PEG feeding was a preferred nutrition way which could reduce the risk of pulmonary infection more effectively than NGT feeding which might favored a retrograde gastro-pulmonary route by which pathogens colonized in stomach migrated to respiratory tract. Patients with characteristics mentioned above had the susceptibility of pulmonary infection, thus risk assessment of pulmonary infection should be conducted before selecting the catheterization method.

[Hybrid surgery for complex symptomatic intracranial fistulas: a technical note]

Objective: To explore the efficacy of hybrid management of complex symptomatic intracranial fistulas in neurovascular hybrid operating room. Methods: From March 2014 to January 2015, 2 complex dural arteriovenous fistulas and 1 carotid cavernous fistulas were managed by hybrid surgeries in the PLA Rocket Force General Hospital.With first attempts with endovascular treatment failed, all cases were finally managed by hybrid surgery.Dural arteriovenous fistulas were approached via meningeal artery followed craniotomy.The carotid cavernous fistulas were treated by direct puncture into the left cavernous sinus after craniotomy. Results: Post-operative angiography demonstrated complete occlusion for 2 cases and nearly complete occlusion for 1 case.All 3 cases had no complications.On discharge 2 patients presented no symptoms and 1 greatly improved.Within the follow-up (1-33 months), 1 patient had recurrence after 21 months and received re-embolization with complete occlusion. Conclusion: Hybrid surgery is a promising method to manage complex intracranial fistulas.

[Distribution of HLA-G 14 bp insertion/deletion polymorphism and their associations with HLA-A alleles in four Chinese ethnic groups]

Recently, a 14 bp insertion/deletion polymorphism (+14 bp/-14 bp) in exon 8 of the human leucocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) gene has been widely recognized to associate with recurrent miscarriage, autoimmune diseases, hepatocellular carcinoma and other diseases. Our previous studies have shown the distribution characteristics of linguistic family for HLA-G 14 bp insertion/deletion in different ethnic groups. In the present study, we investigated the distribution of HLA-G 14 bp insertion/deletion polymorphism and their subsequent associations with HLA-A alleles in Tu, Yugu, Lisu and Nu ethnic populations based upon the HLA-A genotyping data. Our results showed that the frequencies of the 14 bp insertion/deletion polymorphism were diverse in these four populations while that in the same linguistic subfamily was similar. The significant difference in different linguistic subfamily except for Han and Mongolian language subfamily was identified. In addition, the 14 bp insertion was found to associate with HLA-A alleles in different ethnic populations.

[Polymorphic Alu insertions and their associations with HLA I alleles in Yugu and Zhuang ethnic populations]

Many studies have show that the structurally polymorphic Alu insertion within HLA class I region are useful tools for investigating the origin, evolution and recombination of HLA class I progenitor haplotypes and gene diversity in different ethnic populations. In the present study, we determined the frequencies of HLA-Alus (i.e., AluMICB, AluTF, AluHJ, AluHG, and AluHF) in Zhuang and Yugu ethnic populations at first. Then, combined with HLA genotyping data, we studied associations between HLA-Alus and HLA-A alleles in Zhuang, Yugu, Bulang, Dai, and Hani ethnic populations. Our results showed that (1) the frequencies of five HLA-Alus were 1.5%~35.8% and 9.2%~34.8% in Zhuang and Yugu, respectively; and (2) the results of association between HLA-A alleles and HLA-Alu showed strong association between AluHG insertion and HLA-A 02 subtypes in all populations, association between AluHJ insertion and HLA-A 2402 in all populations, and association between AluHJ insertion and HLA-A 1101, -A 2407 in Bulang. The present study suggested that the distribution of HLA-Alus as well as the associations between HLA-Alus and HLA class I alleles are variable in different ethnic populations. HLA Alus alone or together with the HLA class I alleles are informative genetic markers for the identification of HLA class I allele and variation of haplotype lineages in different populations.

HLA alleles and haplotypes distribution in Dai population in Yunnan province, Southwest China

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) analysis would be a useful tool to trace the origin of modern humans. In this study, we provided the first four digital HLA-A, -B, -C and -DRB1 allele and haplotype data in the Dai ethnic population, which is a unique and representative Kam-Tai-speaking ethnic minority living in the Yunnan province of Southwestern China. Our results showed that the Dai population has unique HLA characteristic that are most closely related to the Southeastern Asia group and similar to the Kam-Tai speaking populations in China and Thailand.

Prevalence and socio-demographic correlates of major depressive episode in rural and urban areas of Beijing, China

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the 12-month and lifetime prevalence of major depressive episode (MDE) and their socio-demographic correlates in both the urban and rural areas of Beijing, China.

METHODS

A total of 4767 adults were randomly selected and interviewed in Beijing using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI 1.0). Basic socio-demographic and clinical data were collected during the interviews.

RESULTS

The overall 12-month prevalence of MDE was 3.2%; 2.8% and 3.8% for men and women, respectively. The overall lifetime prevalence of MDE was 5.3%; 4.4% and 6.3% for men and women, respectively. Being older than 25 years of age was independently associated with increased risk of MDE. Sixteen point three percent of the subjects with lifetime MDE attempted suicide while the rate of suicide attempts was only 0.2% in subjects without MDE. The percentage of subjects with MDE who received any type of treatment from medical practitioners was 33.1%; of them, only 5.4% sought help from mental health professionals.

CONCLUSIONS

National epidemiologic surveys are needed to further explore the prevalence of MDE in China. The low percentage of subjects treated for MDE constitutes a major public health problem that should be urgently addressed.

Relationships of sleep duration with sleep disturbances, basic socio-demographic factors, and BMI in Chinese people

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed at determining the mean total sleep time (TST) and the relationship between sleep duration and basic socio-demographic factors and BMI sleep problems in Chinese subjects.

METHOD

A total of 5926 subjects were randomly selected and interviewed using standardized assessment tools.

RESULTS

The reported mean TST was 7.76 h. Short sleepers were significantly older than medium and long sleepers. There were more urban residents who were short sleepers than medium and long sleepers. Short sleepers reported more sleep problems than medium and long sleepers. Short and long sleepers reported more psychiatric disorders than medium sleepers in both sexes, and short sleepers also had more major medical conditions in women. Short sleepers had a lower BMI than medium and long sleepers after controlling for the effects of age and psychiatric disorders in women.

CONCLUSIONS

Nationwide epidemiologic surveys in China are needed to further explore the relationship between sleep duration and sleep problems.

Generalized anxiety disorder in China: prevalence, sociodemographic correlates, comorbidity, and suicide attempts

PURPOSE

This study aims to determine the 12-month and lifetime prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and its sociodemographic correlates.

DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 5,926 subjects were randomly selected and interviewed.

FINDINGS

The overall 12-month and lifetime prevalence of GAD was 0.8%, and 1.2%, respectively. Being older than 25 years and female, lower education level, unemployed status, and lower (<RMB500/month) or higher (>RMB2000/month) monthly income were associated with increased risk of GAD.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

The low percentage of subjects treated for GAD indicates a major public health problem that should be addressed.

Alcohol-related disorders in Beijing, China: prevalence, socio-demographic correlates, and unmet need for treatment

BACKGROUND

The study aimed to determine the prevalence of alcohol use, episodic heavy drinking, and alcohol dependence and their socio-demographic correlates in Beijing, China. methods: A total of 5,926 subjects were randomly selected in Beijing and interviewed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI 1.0). Data on basic socio-demographic and current major medical conditions were also collected.

RESULTS

The 12-month prevalence of alcohol use and episodic heavy drinking were 32.5 and 13.8%, respectively. The 12-month and lifetime prevalence of alcohol dependence were 1.7 and 4.3%, respectively. Age above 24 years, male sex, being married and employed, low education level (junior high school, primary school or illiterate), rural residence, and having comorbid psychiatric disorders were all significantly associated with a higher likelihood of alcohol-related disorders. Only 2.4% of the subjects with alcohol dependence were receiving treatment, and a mere 1.4% had sought treatment from mental health professionals.

CONCLUSIONS

Nationwide surveys are urgently needed to further explore the prevalence of alcohol-related disorders in China.

The prevalence of insomnia, its sociodemographic and clinical correlates, and treatment in rural and urban regions of Beijing, China: a general population-based survey

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To determine the prevalence of insomnia, its sociodemographic and clinical correlates, and treatment patterns in Chinese people.

DESIGN

A total of 5,926 subjects were randomly selected in the urban and rural areas of Beijing and interviewed using standardized assessment tools. Basic sociodemographic and clinical data were also collected.

SETTING

Urban and rural regions of Beijing municipality, China. Patients or Participants Adult residents older than 15 years. Interventions N/A.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

The prevalence of at least one type of insomnia was 9.2%; the rates of difficulty initiating sleep (DIS), difficulty maintaining sleep (DMS), and early morning awakening (EMA) were 7.0%, 8.0%, and 4.9%, respectively. Increased age (age >44 and 24 years in the urban and rural samples, respectively), female sex, married, divorced, separated, or widowed marital status; having a major medical condition; and suffering from a psychiatric disorder were risk factors for all types of insomnia in both the urban and rural samples. A low level of education (primary school or illiteracy) was significantly associated with a higher likelihood of all types of insomnia in the urban sample. Current smokers and current drinkers were less likely to report any type of insomnia in the rural sample. Unemployment was associated with DMS in the urban sample, while it was associated with DIS and DMS in the rural sample. Only 5.4% of the participants with any type of insomnia reported their symptoms to medical practitioners. In contrast, nearly one-third of the subjects with insomnia reported taking benzodiazepines as sleep-enhancing drugs.

CONCLUSIONS

Nationwide epidemiologic surveys are needed to further explore the prevalence of insomnia in China. The low percentage of subjects treated for insomnia indicates a major public health problem that should be addressed. Strict controls on use of benzodiazepines are warranted.

Lifetime prevalence of suicidal ideation, suicide plans and attempts in rural and urban regions of Beijing, China

OBJECTIVE

There has been no large-scale survey of suicide-related behaviours including suicidal ideations, plans and attempts in China involving both rural and urban areas and using standardized assessment tools. The aim of the present study was to determine the lifetime prevalence of suicide-related behaviour and its relationship with sociodemographic factors and psychiatric disorders in the rural and urban regions of Beijing, China.

METHODS

A total of 5926 subjects were randomly selected in Beijing and interviewed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Basic sociodemographic and clinical data and data on suicide-related behaviour were also collected.

RESULTS

The overall lifetime prevalence estimates of suicidal ideation, plans and attempts were 2.3%, 1.4%, and 1.0%, respectively; the corresponding figures were 2.8%, 1.6%, and 1.3% in the rural sample, and 1.8%, 1.3%, and 0.9% in the urban sample. Age (>25 years), female sex, unmarried status, lower education level, lower (<RMB500 month(-1)) or higher (>RMB2000 month(-1)) monthly income and presence of major medical disorders were significantly associated with increased risk of suicide-related behaviour. 36.2% of subjects with suicide-related behavior consulted a medical practitioner and 20.7% consulted a psychiatrist.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of lifetime suicide-related behaviour in Beijing is lower than in Western countries, but the low percentage of subjects treated for suicide-related behaviour indicates a major public health problem that should be addressed. National surveys are needed to further explore the prevalence of suicide-related behaviour in China.

Prevalence and socio-demographic correlates of schizophrenia in Beijing, China

OBJECTIVE

There has been no large-scale survey of schizophrenia in China involving both rural and urban areas using standardized assessment tools and diagnostic criteria. This study aimed to determine the lifetime prevalence of schizophrenia and its socio-demographic correlates in Beijing, China.

METHODS

A total of 5926 subjects were randomly selected in Beijing and interviewed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI 1.0). Basic socio-demographic and clinical data were collected during the interviews.

RESULTS

The lifetime prevalence of schizophrenia was 0.49%, and 0.44% and 0.55% for men and women, respectively. Unmarried status, lower monthly income, urban abode and positive family history were associated with an increased risk of schizophrenia; 9.7% of the subjects with lifetime schizophrenia reported a history of suicide attempts. The percentage of subjects with schizophrenia who were receiving treatment and their preference to seek treatment from mental health professionals were 58% and 29%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

National surveys are urgently needed to further explore the prevalence of schizophrenia in China. The low percentage of subjects treated for schizophrenia is a serious public health issue that should be addressed in the near future.

Weak charge-density-wave transition in LaAgSb(2) investigated by transport, thermal, and NMR studies

We report a study of the charge-density-wave (CDW) behavior in LaAgSb(2) by means of electrical resistivity, Seebeck coefficient, thermal conductivity, specific heat, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements. Except for the Seebeck coefficient, apparent indications of CDW ordering at around 207 K were noticed in the physical quantities investigated. On the other hand, all measured physical properties are insensitive to the second CDW formation (∼184 K), as the transition character is considerably weaker than the high-temperature one. Further, analyses of the thermal conductivity and NMR Knight shift data revealed that the observed variations are essentially of electronic origin. The present findings are in good agreement with the previous results, indicating that the high-temperature CDW ordering is associated with a small gapping of the Fermi surface with a minor periodic displacement of the crystal lattice in LaAgSb(2).

HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-DRB1 alleles and haplotypes in Naxi and Han populations in southwestern China (Yunnan province)

The frequencies of the human leukocyte antigen alleles HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-DRB1 and the A-B-DRB1, A-B, and B-DRB1 haplotypes were studied in Naxi and Yunnan Han populations using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-sequence-specific amplification for alleles A and B and a PCR-microtiter plate hybridization method for the DRB1 allele. A total of 8 A, 19 B, and 30 DRB1 alleles were found in the Naxi population, and 15 A, 21 B, and 36 DRB1 alleles were found in Yunnan Han population. The common A-B-DRB1 haplotypes in the Naxi population were A*24-B*15-DRB1*1202, A*11-B*15-DRB1*0405, A*11-B*15-DRB1*1202, A*11-B*38-DRB1*08032, and A*11-B*55-DRB1*0405; the common A-B haplotypes were A*11-B*15, A*11-B*38, and A*24-B*15; and the common B-DRB1 haplotypes were B*15-DRB1*1202, B*38-DRB1*08032, and B*48-DRB1*1201. In the Yunnan Han population, the common A-B-DRB1 haplotypes were A*24-B*15-DRB1*1501, A*24-B*46-DRB1*08032, and A*24-B*15-DRB1*1201; the common A-B haplotypes were A*24-B*15, A*24-B*46, and A*34-B*46; and the common B-DRB1 haplotypes were B*15-DRB1*1501, B*46-DRB1*09012, and B*46-DRB1*1401. Phylogenetic tree and principal component analyzes based on HLA-A, HLA-B, and DRB1 allele frequencies suggested that the Naxi ethnic group belongs to the southern Chinese groups, while the Yunnan Han population is a characteristic population located intermediate between northern and southern Chinese groups, although they live in the southwest of China.

[Polymorphism of HLA-DRB1 in Han population in Yunnan and comparison with 9 Han populations]

129 samples of Han population in Yunnan province were detected by polymerase chain reaction and microtitre plate hybridization (PCR-MPH). The samples of DR*15 subgroup being detected by PCR-MPH were further analyzed by Single-Strand Conformation Polymorphism (SSCP). By first polymerase chain reaction and microtitre plate hybridization (PCR-MPH), all of the 129 samples were divided into the following subgroups, viz. DR*01,DR*03,DR*04,DR*0701,DR*08,DR*09012,DR*1001,DR*11,DR*12,DR*13,DR*14,DR*15, DR*1602 and DR*1604. The samples of DR*04, DR*08/12, DR*03/11/13/14 were further detected by second PCR-MPH and the ones of DR*15 by SSCP. 36 kinds of alleles on HLA-DRB1 were detected in these samples. Among them, DRB1*1501(0.1240),DRB1*09012(0.0969), DRB1*08032(0.0930),DRB1*1202(0.0891),DRB1*1201(0.0814), DRB1 *1401(0.0775),DRB1 *0701(0.0620),are the most frequent. The chi(2) test of HLA-DRB1 alleles was done between Yunnan Han and the other 9 Han populations. In detail, comparing with Yunnan Han on the chi(2) test, the chi(2) values of few alleles in the few Han populations was more than 10, they were Xian Han(DR8,chi(2)=13.9712), Shanghai Han(DR4,chi(2)=10.1632), Guangdong Han(DR9,chi(2)=12.6121)and Nanjing Han(DR4,chi(2)=10.5796). Comparing with 9 Han populations, the genetic distance between Yunnan Han and Liaoning Han was the nearest(0.0541),Guangdong Han was the farthest(0.1851). In the 9 Han populations, the genetic distance between Shanghai Han and Nanjing Han was the nearest(0.0122),and the one between Tianjin Han and Shanxi Han was also nearer(0.0219). Based on above analysis, the conclusion may be deduced that the resource of Yunnan Han may be close to Liaoning Han and it was not a typical southern Han population though Yunnan Han are resident in the South. Some gene flow may be exit between Yunnan Han and the local minorities and made Yunnan Han become a special population.

[A simple and rapid methods used for silver staining and gel preservation]

This paper introduced the simple and rapid methods of silver staining and gel preservation. It was taken only about 10 and 15 minutes to stain a gel. The background of gel was light, the bands were clear, the sensibility was high and the stabilization was well by the method of silver staining. The gel preservation adopted a method named two-layer transparent plastic paper "Sandwich" which could keep the gel with primitive colors for a long time. The methods were used on PAG checking and SSCP typing of HLA and the results were satisfactory. The set of methods are expected to be widely used in laboratories.

[Genetic relationships among six Chinese populations revealed by analysis of 30 autosomal STRs]

30 autosomal STRs of 6 Chinese populations (Bai, Naxi, Tu, Sala, Han in Shandong, She) were amplified by multiplex PCRs using fluerescein-labelled primers. Shriver's Dsw was estimated on the basis of the results of the genescanning and genotyping after running unnatural PAGE of the PCRs' products on ABI 377 sequencer. Phylogenetic trees were constructed by using Neighbor-Joining and UPGMA method based on Dsw, and then the genetic relationships among them were analyzed referring to some relative informations. Our results indicated that the genetic distance between Sala and Tu is near, 0.033. But the distances between Sala and other four populations are far, over 0.12; Tu is close to Naxi and Shandong Han, and the distances are 0.038, 0.063 respectively; The distance between Bai and Han is the nearest, 0.007, but there is a distance, 0.075, between Bai and Naxi, and a far distance, 0.112, between Bai and Tu; The distance between Naxi and Han is 0.100 and the distances between She and other 5 populations are all over 0.12. In both of the NJ and UPGMA phylogenetic trees, Naxi, Tu and Sala is one cluster and Bai and Han is another cluster. She is a single branch. These results, basically consistent with 6 Chinese populations' geographic distribution and histories, can provide some genetic information to comprehensively study their origin, migration, formation and development with their historical records and archaeological evidence.