BEIJING - Researchers from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, and Britain have found three new genes that are likely to cause immune disorders.Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a common autoimmune disease that usually affects women, especially those of childbearing age. China has more than one million people diagnosed with SLE.Symptoms include fatigue, fever, muscle and joint pains, and a red rash on the face. The disease may lead to organ failure, brain dysfunction,subsequent infections, and become life threatening in severe cases.The cause of SLE is not clear, but previous studies have shown that genetic factors play an important role. There is no cure for the disease.More than 80 susceptibility loci of SLE have been identified through genome-wide association studies. Researchers have not only verified the well-established genes, but also identified three new risk ones. They are ST3AGL4, MFHAS1, and CSNK2A2.The research, jointly undertaken by the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University (FAHAMU), the University of Hong Kong, Guangzhou Medical University, and King's College London, was published recently in the journal Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases."The discovery of these risk genes will help us understand the genetic mechanisms of SLE. It will also shed light on the development of new drugs and clinical applications of gene study," said Sheng Yujun, lead researcher at FAHAMU. custom bar braceletcustom sports braceletscustom logo wristbandsde securite pour personne ageeembossed wristbandscolorfilled wristbandsembossed printed wristbandsdual layer wristbands
KUALA LUMPUR - Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Bai Tian on Friday expressed his appreciation for Malaysia's all-out efforts in search and rescue for the missing crew of a capsized sand dredger.Malaysia launched search and rescue operations involving multi-agencies, including the coast guard, the navy and police, after a sand dredging vessel capsized Wednesday in the waters off its southern Johor state.There were a total of 18 onboard the ship when the incident happened, including 16 Chinese, one Malaysian and one Indonesia. Three Chinese were rescued while one was dead. Another two Chinese were rescued by divers on Friday after being trapped inside the ship for more than 50 hours.Following the incident, the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia has asked for assistance from various Malaysian ministries and agencies for search and rescue operation, and had received positive responses, said Bai."We really feel that the Malaysian government has attached great importance to the search and rescue operations. The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and the Navy immediately sent divers and rescuers with professional equipment by sea and by land overnight to join the operations," he told reporters at the embassy in Kuala Lumpur.Various government ministries have stated that the Malaysian side will do its utmost to find the missing crew, he said, adding that hospitals were instructed to be prepared should survivors be found.At the invitation of the Malaysian side, China has sent rescuers, including divers, to Malaysia to join the operations, Bai said. Rescuers from the two countries cooperated closely in devising the rescue plan and conducting underwater search."The search and rescue operations have become important practical cooperation between the Chinese and Malaysian maritime rescuers, while demonstrating the friendship between the two countries that we are like family that could go through hardship together," said the ambassador."I have expressed my appreciation to the various Malaysian agencies for their all-out efforts in the search and rescue. We will continue work closely with the Malaysian government to continue the search," he said.
