BEIJING - Chinese researchers have identified two new risk gene variants that are responsible for leprosy.The findings have been published in the American Journal of Human Genetics.The research, led by Yao Yonggang from the Chinese Academy of Sciences Kunming institute of zoology, was based on a study involving 1,433 patients with leprosy and 1,625 healthy individuals from Southwest China's Yunnan province.More than 30 risk genes affecting susceptibility to leprosy have been identified. The research team has identified and validated two new rare damaging variants in HIF1A and LACC1 genes that can increase risk of developing the disease.Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease which can cause nerve damage, leading to muscle weakness and atrophy, and permanent disability. Leprosy patients also suffer from discrimination.In 2011, China announced plans to eradicate the disease by 2020.China had reduced incidence of the disease to less than 1 case per 10,000 people in 1981, but leprosy remains a major problem in some rural areas in Southwest China.As of the end of 2016, more than 50,000 people with leprosy had been cured in Yunnan province.The number of new cases reported in the province accounts for about one fourth of the country's total. It still has 44 counties with serious leprosy problems.According to the China Leprosy Association, nearly 480,000 people have been given free treatment and cured over the past half century, and now only 6,000 people suffer from the disease in the whole country. silicone wristband usb flash drivepink breast cancer silicone wristbandsusb wristbands custombracelet en silicone nikesilicone allergy bracelet
BEIJING - China is rolling out a major documentary series on its diplomatic principles, practices and achievements over the past five years. The English-language version of the program is now also available on TV and online. To help audience better understand Chinese diplomacy, Xinhua is releasing a variety of reports that include anecdotes, quotable quotes, facts and figures. The following is a selection of remarks on promoting world peace by Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee: "Where light inches forward, darkness retreats... To achieve lasting nuclear security, China will continue its efforts." (Excerpts from Xi's speech at the third Nuclear Security Summit held in the Netherlands in March 2014) "In the interest of peace, we need to foster a keen sense of a global community of shared future. Prejudice, discrimination, hatred and war can only cause disasters and suffering, while mutual respect, equality, peaceful development and common prosperity represent the right path to take." (Speech at the Commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in Beijing) "We should renew our commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, build a new type of international relations featuring win-win cooperation and create a community of shared future for mankind." (Speech at the General Debate of the 70th Session of the UN General Assembly) "Only through development can we resolve the root cause of conflicts, safeguard the fundamental rights of the people,and meet the ardent hope of our people for a better future." (Speech at United Nations Sustainable Development Summit at the UN headquarters in New York)
