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. wristbands canadacustom silicone bracelets canadarubber bracelets canadasilicone bracelets canadasilicone wristbands canadacustom wristbands canadacanadian wristbandswristbands canada
A job fair for retired soldiers is held in Beijing on Dec 11, 2018. [Photo/IC] BEIJING -- China's Ministry of Veterans Affairs said Wednesday it had carried out multiple measures to help military veterans find jobs and support them in other fields. Local governments provided more than 80,000 former military officers with civilian jobs and helped over 400,000 retired soldiers resettle in 2018, said Wang Zhiming, a spokesman for the ministry at a press conference. The ministry was unveiled in April 2018 to provide better services to veterans. China's 123 centrally-administered state-owned enterprises have mobilized and offered around 15,000 job positions to veterans last year, Wang said, adding that the ministry also granted preferential policies to ex-servicemen who set up businesses, including financial and tax benefits. The ministry has strengthened the education and training for veterans to make them more competitive in the job market and provided additional benefits for job-seekers. The ministry noted that a draft law on veterans' welfare had been sent to departments at the central and provincial governments and the military for consultation. Wang said the draft law would be open for public comment in due time. The draft law includes provisions on the job placement, training, employment, favorable treatment and pensions of ex-serviceman, Wang said. Personnel files would be set up for veterans, and special treatment for retired soldiers with war experience clearly defined in the draft law. Wang said new rules were also added to the draft law to clarify the accountability and responsibilities of officials tasked with arranging veterans. The ministry added that the government was considering building military cemeteries to honor soldiers who had devoted their lives to the country. The move is crucial to strengthening the protection of rights and interests of military personnel and enabling their families to have a stronger sense of honor and pride, Wang said, adding such efforts would make military service an occupation enjoying public respect. The ministry has also relaxed certain restrictions concerning veterans' resettlement and enhanced the support for them before they were employed. With veterans' affairs department set up at various levels of governments, a unified working system to provide services has been established, Wang said. The ministry would put more efforts on improving the supervision and inspection mechanism to protect veterans' rights and interests.
