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Objective: To investigate the relationship between homocysteine (HCY) and androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Methods: A case control study and two observational experiments on mice were conducted. In the first part, a total of 528 Chinese AGA patients and 500 age‐matched healthy controls were included. Serum HCY levels of AGA and controls were compared. In the second part, eight mice were divided into two groups. Both groups of mice had their hair removed. AGA group received a DHT injection, and the other as control group. HCY levels in hair follicles (HFs) were detected by ELISA and compared. In the third part, twelve mice were divided into three groups and fed with different concentrations of methionine. After 4 weeks, serum HCY levels, parameters related to hair growth through observation and HE staining, and expression of immunohistochemistry (IHC) hair‐growth‐related markers Ki67, VEGF, IGF‐1, Krt27, FGF9, and TGF‐β1 were compared among the three groups. Results: In the first part, HCY levels were higher in AGA than the controls of both genders. However, there was no difference in HCY levels between groups with varying severity. Rates of hyperhomocysteinemia was higher in AGA patients than the controls. Logistic regression analysis showed serum HCY levels was positively correlated with the incidence of AGA. In the second part, HCY of the HFs in the AGA group was significantly higher than that in the control group. The third part showed that the increase in serum HCY levels inhibited the growth of mice hair, with the less expressed stimulative markers Ki67, VEGF, IGF‐1, Krt27, and FGF9, while there was no difference in the expression of inhibitory markers TGF‐β1. Conclusion: There is a potential relationship between HCY and AGA. HCY had an inhibitory effect on hair growth. Further studies are necessary to explore the specific mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mathematical ability has always been considered an important influencing factor in description‐based risky choices. Experience‐based risky choices, which occur frequently in daily life, are very different from description‐based risky choices. The association between experience‐based risky choice and mathematical ability remains unknown. This study adopts the feedback paradigm for experience‐based risky choice to explore the association between multiple mathematical abilities and experience‐based risky choice. The results show that, in experience‐based risky choice, mathematical ability did not influence the decision to pursue higher expected value, but it did influence preference for risky. Thus, our study contributes to a more comprehensive view of mathematical ability and risky choice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alopecia areata (AA) is a common chronic hair condition that has negative impact on both patients and their families. The aim of this article is to assess the impact of AA on patients’ quality of life (QoL) using the dermatology life quality index (DLQI) questionnaire, and assess its feasibility and internal consistency. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 831 patients with AA between January 2010 and July 2012. The Chinese version of DLQI questionnaire was used to assess the QoL of AA patients more than 16 years old. About 698 patients (84%) completed the questionnaire. The scores ranged from 0 to 29 with a mean of 5.8 ± 5.6. Patients’ QoL was affected moderately to extremely by AA. Questions 2 (embarrassment), 5(social or entertainment), and 3 (shopping or housework) had the most impact on patients. Mean score of younger patients was higher compared to older ones (6.2 vs. 4.8,P < .05). Patients with alopecia totalis/alopecia universalis, longer duration, local symptoms, and recurrent disease exhibited higher scores (P < .001). Among our patients with AA, Cronbach’s alpha was .881, indicating high internal reliability of DLQI questionnaire. In conclusion, AA moderately affected the QoL of the patients. These individuals had to be treated early, and required psychological support in addition to prescription drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective: The IKZF4(Ikaros family zinc finger 4) gene encodes Eos, a zinc finger transcription factor that belongs to the Ikaros family. High expression of Eos on Treg cells is important for the suppression of autoimmune responses and immune homeostasis. It has been suggested that the SNP in IKZF4 may influence the pathogenesis of AA(alopecia areata). The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between IKZF4 polymorphism and AA in the Chinese Han population., Methods: We examined 459 patients and 434 controls in this study. The rs1701704 polymorphism was evaluated using HRM analysis and direct sequencing., Results: The prevalence of the C/C, A/C, and A/A genotypes in AA patients was 7.4%, 37.5% and 55.1%, respectively. There were significant differences in genotype distribution and allele frequencies between AA and the control group (P < .0001). The frequency of the C allele in the AA group was significantly higher (P < .0001), and the frequencies of the C allele and C/C genotype in patients with family history were higher (P < .0001; P = .001)., Conclusions: The rs1701704 SNP of IKZF4 may be a genetic marker for assessing the risk of AA in the Chinese Han population.

Background: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate gene expression in concert with microRNAs (miRNAs) and mRNAs. This study was designed to explore the potential roles of lncRNAs and their related competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks in alopecia areata (AA)., Methods: This study comprised six participants (three AA patients and three healthy individuals) whose serum lncRNA profiles were evaluated by lncRNA sequencing. Following differential expression analysis, and function enrichment analysis, a lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network was then constructed using various bioinformatics tools and validated using quantitative reverse-transcription PCR (qRT-PCR)., Results: We identified 220 mRNAs and 166 lncRNAs that were differentially expressed in AA patients. The differentially expressed mRNAs were predominantly associated with cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions, MAPK signaling and Ras signaling pathways. The differentially expressed lncRNAs were primarily associated with cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions, chemokine signaling pathways, axon guidance, and legionellosis. In addition, qRT-PCR analyses verified the upregulation of AC005562.1, AF131217.1, and RP11-251G23.5 and downregulation of RP11-231E19.1 in AA patients., Conclusion: We constructed a complex ceRNA network for AA and discovered that various RP11 lncRNAs including RP11-251G23.5 and RP11-231E19 may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of AA via the regulation of the cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction pathway, which could serve as a therapeutic target for alopecia areata in clinical interventions.