PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

C Liu

Publications and source records attributed to C Liu.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Modes of propagation of Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release in bullfrog sympathetic ganglion cells.

How depolarization-induced Ca2+ entry or caffeine activates Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release (CICR) in the cytoplasm and nucleoplasm was studied by recording intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) with a confocal microscope in cultured bullfrog sympathetic ganglion cells. The amplitude and propagation speed of voltage pulse-induced rises in [Ca2+]i were greater in the submembrane (< 5 microns depth) region than in the core region, and delayed and smaller, but significant, in the nucleus. Ryanodine and dantrolene reduced the rises in [Ca2+]i in both the cytoplasm and nucleus. A rapid application of high K+ solution induced global rises in [Ca2+]i in both the cytoplasm and nucleoplasm, which were decreased by dantrolene. Caffeine produced a slow, small rise in [Ca2+]i which grew into a global, regenerative rise both in the cytoplasm and nucleoplasm with some inward gradient in the cytoplasm. Each of the high [Ca2+]i phases during caffeine-induced [Ca2+]i oscillation began in the submembrane region, while low [Ca2+]i phases started in the core region. These results suggest that CICR activated by Ca2+ entry or caffeine occurs predominantly in the submembrane region causing an inwardly spreading Ca2+ wave or [Ca2+]i oscillations, and that the nuclear envelope can cause CICR in the nucleoplasm, which is delayed due to Ca2+ diffusion barrier at the nuclear pores.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Effects of physiological versus pharmacological beta-carotene supplementation on cell proliferation and histopathological changes in the lungs of cigarette smoke-exposed ferrets.

There remains a remarkable discordance between the results of observational epidemiological studies and intervention trials using beta-carotene as a potential chemopreventive agent. One question that needs to be examined is whether the adverse outcomes of human beta-carotene trials are related to the large doses of beta-carotene that were administered. In the present study, ferrets were given a physiological (low) dose or a pharmacological (high) dose of beta-carotene supplementation (0.43 mg versus 2.4 mg/kg body wt/day, which is equivalent to 6 mg versus 30 mg/day in humans) and exposed to cigarette smoke for 6 months. We investigated the effects of these doses of beta-carotene on retinoid concentrations, expression of retinoic acid receptors (RARs), activator protein 1 (AP-1; c-Jun and c-Fos), cyclin D1, proliferating cellular nuclear antigen (PCNA), and histopathological changes in the lungs of both normal and cigarette smoke-exposed ferrets. Thirty-six male ferrets were treated in six groups-control, smoke-exposed (SM), low-dose beta-carotene (LBC), high-dose beta-carotene (HBC), low-dose beta-carotene plus smoke exposure (LBC+SM) or high-dose beta-carotene plus smoke exposure (HBC+SM)-for 6 months. Retinoic acid concentration and RAR beta gene expression, but not expression of RAR alpha and RAR gamma, was reduced in the lung tissue of HBC+SM, HBC, SM and LBC+SM ferrets, but not in that of LBC ferrets, as compared with the control group. Expression of AP-1 and PCNA was greater in HBC+SM, HBC, SM and LBC+SM ferrets, but not in the LBC ferrets, as compared with the control group. Increased amounts of cyclin D1 and keratinized squamous metaplasia were observed in the lung tissue of HBC+SM, HBC and SM groups but not in that of the LBC+SM, LBC or control groups. These data suggest that, in contrast with a pharmacological dose of beta-carotene, a physiological dose of beta-carotene in smoke-exposed ferrets has no potentially detrimental effects and may afford weak protection against lung damage induced by cigarette smoke.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Tissue distribution of lycopene in ferrets and rats after lycopene supplementation.

To determine lycopene uptake and tissue distribution in ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) and F344 rats, we supplemented orally 4.6 mg/(kg body wt.d) lycopene in a tomato oleoresin-corn oil mixture (experimental groups). After 9 wk of supplementation, the animals were killed and blood and organs were collected. Plasma and tissue carotenoids were extracted and measured using HPLC. Mean concentrations of lycopene (nmol/kg wet tissue) in saponified tissues of ferrets were as follows: liver 933, intestine 73, prostate 12.7 and stomach 9.3. Levels of lycopene (nmol/kg wet tissue) in saponified tissue of rats were as follows: liver 14213, intestine 3125, stomach 78.6, prostate 24 and testis 3.9. When these organs were extracted without saponification, the lycopene levels were lower, except for rat testis. All-trans-lycopene was the predominant isomer found in tomato oleoresin and in the majority of rat tissues, whereas cis-lycopenes were predominant in rat prostate and plasma. This pattern was reversed in ferrets. The results show the following: 1) lycopene from tomato oleoresin is absorbed and stored primarily in the liver of both animals; 2) saponification generally improves the extraction of lycopene from most tissues of both animals; 3) cis-lycopene and all-trans-lycopene are the predominant isomers in ferret and rat tissues, respectively; and 4) rats absorb lycopene more effectively than ferrets.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2000

Sutural expansion osteogenesis for management of the bony-tissue defect in cleft palate repair: experimental studies in dogs.

A series of experimental studies on sutural expansion osteogenesis for management of the bony-tissue defect in cleft palate repair was performed between 1995 and 1997. Forty-five young dogs in weaning were used in four experiments that were divided into two parts. Part I probed the possibility of closing the surgically constructed hard palate cleft not only with mucoperiosteum but also with bony tissue by the technique of sutural expansion of lateral palatine sutures. Part II explored the possibility of pushing the palatine bone posteriorly and advancing the maxillary segment anteriorly by transverse palatine suture expansion. In Part I, a ring-shaped suture expander made of nickel-titanium shape memory alloy was used to expand the lateral suture of palatine bones. Expansion forces of 200 G, 360 G, and 480 G were used for the first experiment. A force of 360 G was chosen for two other experiments; this force is equivalent to the distraction rate of 0.5 mm per day of a jackscrew device. The ring-shaped suture expander was opened and its two feet were fixed in the medial sides of residual horizontal plates of the palatine bones immediately after a hard palate cleft was constructed surgically under endotracheal general anesthesia. At the eighth postoperative day, under the traction of 360 G, the two sides of the 8-mm-wide hard palate cleft were brought into contact with each other, and 8 or 9 days later the closed palatal cleft had healed completely with mucosal tissue. This experiment was repeated twice and yielded the same results. Sutural expansion osteogenesis was evaluated physically, fluorescently, histologically, and ultrastructurally to examine the deposition of the regenerated bone in the suture areas. Additionally, the influence of sutural expansion osteogenesis of the palatal bones on other facial bones was also studied cephalometrically. In Part II, a bow-shaped suture expander made of nickel-titanium shape memory alloy was applied to expand either the left or the right side of the transverse palatal suture of each of the experimental dogs. At the postoperative week 4 to 6, the maxillary segment was moved forward 5 to 6 mm on the expanded side, and the palatal bone was pushed backward 5 mm. The changes of bone position were assessed radiographically and cephalometrically. Tissue response of circum-maxillary sutures was examined histologically. These experiments led to the following conclusions: (1) Bony closure of the surgically constructed hard palate cleft with a ring-shaped suture expander made of nickel-titanium shape memory alloy is possible. (2) Anterior advancement of the maxillary segment and posterior lengthening of the hard palate using a bow-shaped suture expander made of nickel-titanium shape memory alloy applied at the palatomaxillary suture (transverse palatal suture) of the hard palate are also possible. Thus, in humans, a new approach for cleft palate repair may be a worthwhile investigation.

Alloys↗
PubMed2000

The TITAN5 gene of Arabidopsis encodes a protein related to the ADP ribosylation factor family of GTP binding proteins.

The titan (ttn) mutants of Arabidopsis exhibit dramatic alterations in mitosis and cell cycle control during seed development. Endosperm development in these mutants is characterized by the formation of giant polyploid nuclei with enlarged nucleoli. Embryo development is accompanied by significant cell enlargement in some mutants (ttn1 and ttn5) but not others (ttn2 and ttn3). We describe here the molecular cloning of TTN5 using a T-DNA-tagged allele. A second allele with a similar phenotype contains a nonsense mutation in the same coding region. The predicted protein is related to ADP ribosylation factors (ARFs), members of the RAS family of small GTP binding proteins that regulate various cellular functions in eukaryotes. TTN5 is most closely related in sequence to the ARL2 class of ARF-like proteins isolated from humans, rats, and mice. Although the cellular functions of ARL proteins remain unclear, the ttn5 phenotype is consistent with the known roles of ARFs in the regulation of intracellular vesicle transport.

ADP-Ribosylation Factors↗
PubMed2000

Localization of multiple sound sources with two microphones.

This paper presents a two-microphone technique for localization of multiple sound sources. Its fundamental structure is adopted from a binaural signal-processing scheme employed in biological systems for the localization of sources using interaural time differences (ITD). The two input signals are transformed to the frequency domain and analyzed for coincidences along left/right-channel delay-line pairs. The coincidence information is enhanced by a nonlinear operation followed by a temporal integration. The azimuths of the sound sources are estimated by integrating the coincidence locations across the broadband of frequencies in speech signals (the "direct" method). Further improvement is achieved by using a novel "stencil" filter pattern recognition procedure. This includes coincidences due to phase delays of greater than 2pi, which are generally regarded as ambiguous information. It is demonstrated that the stencil method can greatly enhance localization of lateral sources over the direct method. Also discussed and analyzed are two limitations involved in both methods, namely missed and artifactual sound sources. Anechoic chamber tests as well as computer simulation experiments showed that the signal-processing system generally worked well in detecting the spatial azimuths of four or six simultaneously competing sound sources.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Apoptosis and regeneration of hepatocytes during recovery from transient hepadnavirus infections.

It is well known that hepatitis B virus infections can be transient or chronic, but the basis for this dichotomy is not known. To gain insight into the mechanism responsible for the clearance of hepadnavirus infections, we have performed a molecular and histologic analysis of liver tissues obtained from transiently infected woodchucks during the critical phase of the recovery period. We found as expected that clearance from transient infections occurred subsequent to the appearance of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells and the production of interferon gamma and tumor necrosis factor alpha in the infected liver. These events were accompanied by a significant increase in apoptosis and regeneration of hepatocytes. Surprisingly, however, accumulation of virus-free hepatocytes was delayed for several weeks following this initial influx of lymphocytes. In addition, we observed that chronically infected animals can exhibit levels of T-cell accumulation, cytokine expression, and apoptosis that are comparable with those observed during the initial phase of transient infections. Our results are most consistent with a model for recovery predicting replacement of infected hepatocytes with regenerated cells, which by unknown mechanisms remain protected from reinfection in animals that can be cured.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

The RNA helicase and nucleotide triphosphatase activities of the bovine viral diarrhea virus NS3 protein are essential for viral replication.

Helicase/nucleoside triphosphatase (NTPase) motifs have been identified in many RNA virus genomes. Similarly, all the members of the Flaviviridae family contain conserved helicase/NTPase motifs in their homologous NS3 proteins. Although this suggests that this activity plays a critical role in the viral life cycle, the precise role of the helicase/NTPase in virus replication or whether it is essential for virus replication is still unknown. To determine the role of the NS3 helicase/NTPase in the viral life cycle, deletion and point mutations in the helicase/NTPase motifs of the bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) (NADL strain) NS3 protein designed to abolish either helicase activity alone (motif II, DEYH to DEYA) or both NTPase and helicase activity (motif I, GKT to GAT and deletion of motif VI) were generated. The C-terminal domain of NS3 (BVDV amino acids 1854 to 2362) of these mutants and wild type was expressed in bacteria, purified, and assayed for RNA helicase and ATPase activity. These mutations behaved as predicted with respect to RNA helicase and NTPase activities in vitro. When engineered back into an infectious cDNA for BVDV (NADL strain), point mutations in either the GKT or DEYH motif or deletion of motif VI yielded RNA transcripts that no longer produced infectious virus upon transfection of EBTr cells. Further analysis indicated that these mutants did not synthesize minus-strand RNA. These findings represent the first report unequivocably demonstrating that helicase activity is essential for minus-strand synthesis.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed2000

Novel materials to enhance keratoprosthesis integration.

BACKGROUND: The successful integration of keratoprostheses (KPros) within the cornea depends in part on peripheral host keratocyte adhesion to anchor the implant in place and prevent epithelial downgrowth. The following study incorporated different acrylate co-monomers with poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (p(HEMA)) and measured the suitability of these materials as potential skirt materials in terms of their ability to enhance keratocyte adhesion to p(HEMA). METHODS: p(HEMA) hydrogels incorporating varying amounts of the acrylate co-monomers methacrylic acid (MA), 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DEM), or phenoxyethyl methacrylate (PEM) were formed by free radical polymerisation. Keratocytes were seeded onto discs of each material and incubated at 37 degrees C for 72 hours. Assays for viable cell adhesion were carried out. A viability/cytotoxicity assay using solutions of calcein-AM (0.5 mM) and ethidium homodimer-1 (EthD-1) (0.5 microM) were used to measure viable and non-viable cell adhesion, respectively. An ATP assay was also used to quantify cell adhesion in terms of the amount of ATP present following lysis of adherent cells. RESULTS: The viability/cytotoxicity assays indicated that the incorporation of 15 mol% of the co-monomer PEM or of 20 mol% DEM increased cell adhesion to p(HEMA) by at least four times. The ATP assays confirmed the results for PEM but absorption of ATP to the DEM containing hydrogel indicated that the assay was not a suitable measure of cell adhesion to this material. CONCLUSIONS: The properties of p(HEMA) may be moderated to enhance keratocyte adhesion by the incorporation of PEM or DEM suggesting that these may be suitable materials for use in the further development of a novel KPro skirt material.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed2000

Disability outcome measures in therapeutic trials of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: effects of heterogeneity of disease course in placebo cohorts.

OBJECTIVES: Recent phase III clinical trials of immunomodulatory therapies in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis have shown significant benefits of active treatment on relapse related end points, but effects on disability outcomes have been inconsistent. These apparent discrepancies could be due to differences in the clinical end points employed, the behaviour of placebo cohorts, or both. METHODS: Disability data from the placebo cohorts of two large phase III studies, the United States glatiramer acetate trial (Copolymer 1 Multiple Sclerosis Study Group) and the multinational interferon beta-1a trial (PRISMS Study Group) were combined and masked (n = 313). Two groups of disability outcome measures were assessed. Firstly, measures of disability change (2 year EDSS difference and area under the EDSS/time curve, AUC) were calculated. Secondly, conventional disease progression end points ("confirmed progression" and "worsening to EDSS 6.0") were evaluated by using Kaplan-Meier analysis and compared with a categorical classification based on EDSS trends. RESULTS: The average increase in disability for the entire cohort as assessed by mean 2 year EDSS change (<0.5 EDSS point) or mean AUC (+0.57 EDSS-years) was small. For the "confirmed progression" end points, increasing the stringency of the definition lowered their incidence (from 32% with 1.0 point at 3 months, to 9% with 2.0 points at 6 months), but did not improve the positive predictive accuracy for "sustained progression" maintained to the end of the study. The error rate for this outcome was about 50%. Worsening to EDSS 6.0 was a more reliable end point, but had even lower sensitivity (incidence <10%). EDSS trend analysis showed markedly heterogeneous disease courses, which were then categorised into "stable" (26%), "relapsing-remitting" (59%), and "progressive" (15%) courses. Patients with the last course had deteriorated considerably by the end of 2 years (mean worsening of 2.0 EDSS points). CONCLUSION: In relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis treatment trials, the conventional measure of mean EDSS change has low sensitivity, whereas the widely applied confirmed progression end points have high error rates regardless of their definition stringency. Alternative methods with better data utilisation include AUC summary measures and categorical disease trend analysis. The heterogeneity of disability outcomes in short trials, combined with unreliable clinical end points, diminishes the credibility of therapeutic claims aimed at reducing irreversible neurological deficits. The behaviour of patients treated with placebo should be carefully analysed before conclusions are drawn on the efficacy of putative treatments.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Chronic toxicity of rare-earth elements on human beings: implications of blood biochemical indices in REE-high regions, South Jiangxi.

Blood analyses for rare-earth element (REE)-high background regions in South Jiangxi show that the population averages of many of the biochemical indices deviate markedly from normal values in the normal region. These deviations are thought to be caused by prolonged intake of REE through food chains in view of that the toxicity of other harmful metals such as Pb and Cd can be neglected because of their insignificant amounts in the environment. In comparison with the normal region, blood biochemical indices abnormal in the REE-high regions are manifested as low total serum protein (TSP), albumin, beta-globulin, glutamic pyruvic transitanase, serium triglycerides, and immunoglobulin, but high cholesterol. These deviations may be related to the REE concentration and composition of food chains, and are sex dependent. Certain blood indices (such as TSP) of different age groups in the LREE-high region indicate that the influence of REE on males is a one-way irreversible process, whereas females show a strong ability of restoration.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Rare-earth element distribution characteristics of biological chains in rare-earth element-high background regions and their implications.

The rare-earth element (REE) contents of water and vegetables from two typical REE-high background regions and a normal region in Gannan, Jiangxi Province, indicated that the REE contents were significantly different from those of water and vegetables, respectively. The average values are 0.03 mg/L and 0.11 mg/L REE for water from regions A and B. As the REE contents of vegetables from region A are different from region B, it is suggested that there are a number of factors controlling the REE distribution from those among plants. By comparing with the normal region, the soluble REE contents of water from the REE-high background regions are higher than those of the normal region by factors of 18 and 68, respectively. The REE contents of most plants and crops from regions A and B are higher than those of the normal region. It is clear that the REEs are the indispensable elements of plants during their growing period. Why are the REE contents of some plants from regions A and B usually higher than those from the normal region? The answer is that the plants and crops have passively absorbed REE during their growth.

China↗
PubMed2000

Bacteriostatic effects of cerium-humic acid complex: an experimental study.

The bacteriostatic potency of the cerium-humic acid complex was evaluated by experimental measurement of this complex interaction with E. coli, Bacillus pyocyaneus, Staphylococcus aureus, Leuconostoc and Streptococcus faecalis, and by comparison bacteriostatic effects with the cerium-citrate complex. The experimental results indicated that the cerium-humic acid complex strongly inhibited growth of all five bacterial strains, and its diameter of bacteriostatic circles were more than 30 mm. The minimal bacteria-inhibiting concentration were 1 x 10(-3), 2 x 10(-3) and 1 x 10(-2) mol/L for E. coli and Bacillus pyocyaneus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Leuconostoc and Streptococcus faecalis individually, and the measured minimal bactericidal concentrations were 2 x 10(-3) and 1 x 10(-2) mol/L for Bacillus pyocyaneus, E. coli, and Leuconostoc. To kill Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus faecalis, the concentration had to be more than 1 x 10(-20 mol/L. On the contrary, we found that cerium-citrate complex did not inhibit the growth of the above five bacteria, but stimulated bacterial growth. The completely different bacteriostatic results of two cerium complexes may hint that the association and chemical properties of the two complexes were different.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2000

A method of "unilateral operation" for early repair of unilateral complete cleft palate. Preliminary report.

OBJECTIVE: This article describes a method of "unilateral operation" and the preliminary results of a group of patients with unilateral complete cleft palate undergoing the operation at early age. DESIGN: The "unilateral operation" consists of four relaxation maneuvers. After all of the four maneuvers have been performed on the deformed side of an unilateral complete cleft palate, the deformed side can be moved posteriorly and medially to contact with the normal side. Then the cleft can be closed without tension. RESULTS: From 1995 to 1998, 19 cases of unilateral complete cleft palate were repaired with this method at 5-12 months of age. Postoperatively, there were no deaths nor dehiscences. Under the care and guidance of an experienced speech pathologist, 15 of 17 of these children have normal vocal quality at 1-2 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: The "unilateral operation" is a rational, adequate, and safe method for early repair of unilateral complete cleft palate. It's design addresses four principles. First, operating only on the deformed side of a unilateral complete cleft palate leaves the normal side unperturbed. Second, complete relaxation of the deformed side is achieved before closing the cleft. Third, in comparison with conventional procedures, which operate on both sides of the palate, this method has the advantage of less surgical trauma, less blood loss, and shorter time of operation. Fourth, all of these advantages are beneficial to early cleft palate repair, which is an important factor in achieving good speech.

Anesthesia, General↗
PubMed2000

Corn distillers grains versus a blend of protein supplements with or without ruminally protected amino acids for lactating cows.

In a replicated 4 x 4 Latin square design with 4-wk periods, we used 12 multiparous Holstein cows averaging 83 d postpartum to compare corn distillers grains (CDG) versus a blend (BLEND) of other protein sources with CDG (fish meal and soybean meal), and to determine the effectiveness of ruminally protected lysine and methionine (RPLM) in improving the utilization of CDG as a protein supplement for lactating cows. The 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments was as follows: CDG diet, CDG diet plus RPLM, BLEND diet, and BLEND diet plus RPLM. All diets contained 30% corn silage, 20% alfalfa hay, and 50% the respective corn-based concentrate mixture. The array of amino acids available for absorption when cows were fed the BLEND diet was more desirable than for the CDG diet according to Milk Protein Score and Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System. Dry matter intakes were similar among all diets. Milk yields (32.6, 31.7, 32.8, and 32.8 kg/d, respectively) were similar for cows fed all diets. Milk fat yields and percentages (3.72, 3.76, 3.67, and 3.63%) were unaffected by diet, but milk protein percentages (3.23, 3.26, 3.25, and 3.26%) tended to be higher when fed RPLM. Concentrations of most protein fractions in milk were similar for all diets, although beta-lactoglobulin was increased slightly when cows were fed BLEND diets. Lysine, Met, and Phe were indicated as the most limiting amino acids for all diets according to extraction efficiency and transfer efficiency of amino acid from blood by the mammary gland. Methionine status was apparently improved by RPLM supplementation; Lys status was improved by the BLEND diets. Milk yield and composition when cows were fed CDG were not further improved by feeding blends of protein sources or RPLM; however, such dietary changes improved Lys and Met status of the cows.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗
PubMed2000

Virulizin-2gamma, a novel immunotherapeutic agent, in treatment of human pancreatic cancer xenografts.

Virulizin-2gamma, a novel biological response modifier extracted from bovine bile, has shown in clinical studies a significant antitumor activity against pancreatic cancer. We report here the results of preclinical evaluation of Virulizin-2gamma in treatment of human pancreatic cancer xenograft in nude mice. In this in vivo study, 14 daily bolus intraperitoneal administrations of Virulizin-2gamma (0.2 ml/mouse/day) significantly inhibited the growth of BxPC-3 human pancreatic tumor xenografts, with T/C value of 60%. Virulizin-2gamma also potentiated the antitumor activity of gemcitabine (120 mg/kg x4, q3d) in this tumor model. The combination therapy resulted in T/C values of 26% compared to gemcitabine alone (T/C 33%). In addition, based on body weight observation, no signs of toxicity related to treatment with Virulizin-2gamma, either as a single agent or when combined with gemcitabine were found. Virulizin-2gamma was well tolerated by the mice. The data from in vitro studies revealed that Virulizin-2gamma did not have direct cytotoxicity against cultured tumor cell lines, indicating that the in vivo antitumor activity is likely due to its immunomodulating effects on host immune cells. These preclinical results supported the safety and efficacy observed in clinical studies and indicated that Virulizin-2gamma is a promising immunotherapeutic agent for treatment of pancreatic cancer and worthy of further clinical evaluation.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed2000

Aplastic anemia is associated with HLA-DRB1*1501 in northern Han Chinese.

It has been reported that aplastic anemia (AA) is more common in HLA-DR2-positive individuals than in the general population. We investigated the frequency of some HLA loci of 102 Northern Han Chinese patients with AA and 105 healthy control subjects. Polymerase chain reaction and sequence specific oligonucleotide probe hybridization were used to determine HLA-DR- and HLA-DR2-related DRB1 alleles. The frequency of DR2 is increased in AA patients; the relative risk (RR) was 2.86, and the difference was significant (chi 2 = 11.1, P = .004). The RR of HLA-DRB1*1501 was 3.07, and the difference was significant (chi 2 = 9.42, P = .008). The above results suggest that HLA-DR2 is significantly associated with AA in Northern Han Chinese. HLA-DRB1*1501 is the main subtype of HLA-DR2, and may be the susceptibility gene of AA.

Alleles↗