Objective To analyze the clinical features of infective endocarditis with positive antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies ,and compare with ANCA associated small vessel vasculitis(AASV). Methods Three IE patients with positive ANCA were analyzed, and 13 cases from literatures were reviewed. Results Sixteen patients had positive anti-PR3 ANCA, in which 2 cases had both positive (anti-PR3 and anti-MPO ANCA) ANCA. All patients had some clinical manifestations mimic AASV, including fever ( 13/16, 81% ), rash (8/16, 50% ), rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (7/16, 44% ), splenomegaly (6/16, 38% ). Streptococcal species were identified in 12 patients, and cardiac valvular abnormalities were demonstrated in all patients. All patients except 2, who died of cerebral hemorrhage followed by cerebral infarction, recovered with antibiotic therapy. Conclusion Infective endocarditis sometimes can have the same clinical features as AASV, so physicians should carefully differentiate between them when dealing with patients with positive ANCA antibodies.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and current condition of treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).Methods 10-year inpatients cases were reviewed and followed up.Cases were divided into 2 groups:group A:patients with baseline pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP) lower than 70 mmHg； group B:patients with baseline PASP higher than 70 mm Hg.Pearson's correlation analysis,Chi-square test,Logistic regression,Cox-Mantel and Wilcoxon test were used for statistical analysis.Results There were totally 155 cases with 184 records of admission which accounted for 4.16％ among total lupus cases.The main clinical characteristics included Raynaud's phenomenon (47.3％),pericardial effusion (41.9％) and high titer of anti-RNP antibody (55.4％).There were 132 cases enrolled for prognostic statistical analysis.There were 47 cases of death (35.6％) in total,among which 9 cases (19.1％) were in group A and 38 cases (80.9％) were in group B.In group A,there was a positive correlation between PASP and lupus disease activity index score.Single therapy analysis by Chi-square test showed that cyclophosphamide (CTX) (P＜0.05) and PAH targeted drugs (P＜0.01) were significantly associated with favorable outcome but logistic regressive analysis only confirmed the efficacy of target drugs (P＜0.01).PAH target drugs significantly improved the one year survival rate of the severe cases.Conclusion The main clinical characteristics of SLE associated PAH include Raynand's phenomenon,pericardial effusion and positive anti-RNP antibody.The severity of PAH may not be related to lupus disease activity.PAH targeted drugs are effective in SLE-PAH.CTX may be effective in some cases.For severe cases,the combination therapy of CTX and PAH targeted drugs could significantly improve the prognosis.

Objective To evaluate the prevalence of atherosclerosis in Chinese premenopausal women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and study possible associations between non-traditional risk factors with premature atherosclerosis. Methods One hundred and eleven premenopausal women with SLE and 40 healthy controls without clinical cardiovascular disease were evaluated. B-mode ultrasonography was used to measure carotid plaque and intima-media wall thickness( IMT). The relationship between the patients' clinical characteristics and carotid plaque was examined. At the same time, B-mode ultrasound was used to measure flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and nitroglycerin-mediated dilation (NMD) in the brachial artery. Using this method, the difference in endothelial function between SLE patients and controls was assessed. T-test,χ2 test and logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. Results Carotid plaque was more frequently observed in patients with SLE (16 of 111 patients) than in control subjects (0 of 40 subjects) (P=0.007). The mean IMT (m-IMT) (0.62 mm vs 0.45 mm, P<0.01) and maximum IMT(M-IMT) (0.7 mm vs 0.6 mm, P<0.01) was significantly higher in patients than in controls. As compared with patients without plaque, patients with plaque were significantly older, had longer disease duration, higher body mass index (BMI), higher blood pressure, shorter prothrombin time, elevated C-reactive protein level, higher SLICC score, higher cumulative prednisone dose, less hydroxychloroquine accumulated dosage, higher m-IMT and M-IMT, lower FMD and NMD. In logistic regression analysis, older age (P=0.012, OR=1.137), higher BMI (P=0.051, OR=1.205) and higher SLICC score (P=0.000, OR=2.888) were independently related to the presence of plaque. Conclusion SLE patients have higher prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis plaque than healthy controls and the age at onset is younger than controls. In addition to traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease, SLE itself and disease related factors play important roles in premature atherosclerosis in SLE. SLE patients have significant endothelial dysfunction. Thus, endothelial dysfunction can be regarded as one manifestation of premature atherosclerosis in SLE.

Objective To assess the clinical significance of glucose-6-phosphate isomerase in RA patients. Methods The level of serum GPI in 100 patients with RA, 98 patients with other rheumatic diseases and 108 normal controls were assessed by sandwich ELISA methods. The level of RF, CRP, anti-CCP antibodies were also assessed in RA patients. Results The level of GPI was higher in RA patients [(2.4?5.0) ?g/ml] than that of normal control group [(0.12?0.14) ?g/ml (P

Objective ① To investigate the level of the vitamin D endocrine system in peripheral relationships with bone mineral density (BMD) and the disease activity respectively. Methods The level of the 25-hydroxylate vitamin D3 (25OHD3) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)D3] in plasma from 43 SLE patients and 44 normal controls were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene expression was determinied by real-time PCR in peripheral blood. BMD measurements in the lumbar spine (L1-4) and left proximal femur (femoral neck) were performed using dual X-ray absorptiometry before treatment. The relationship between the vitamin D endocrine system and the bone mass were studied. We also discussed the relationship between the vitamin D endocrine system and the disease activity. Results The levels of 25OHD3 and 1,25 (OH)2D3 were lower in the initial SLE patients than normal controls (P<0.01, P<0.01). The expressions of VDR gene were significantly increased in initial SLE compared with normal controls (P<0.01). The initial SLE patients had significantly lower BMD values, and higher frequency of osteopenia (35%) at both sites of measurement compared with matched healthy controls (P<0.01). The initial SLE patients were divided into two groups by BMD, abnormal group and normal group. There were no differences in 25OHD3, 1,25 (OH)D3 and VDR gene expression (P0.05). There was no correlation between the vitamin D endocrine system and BMD in initial SLE patients. There was no correlation between the vitamin D endocrine system and the disease activity either. Conclusion Vitamin D endocrine system may play an important role in SLE, but the level of VDR gene is not correlated with BMD and disease activity.

0.05).However,Th1was decreased significantly in S LE patients than that in the normal controls(P

Objective To correlate the chemokine score with disease activity,organ damages and clinical features in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients.Methods Peripheral blood cells obtained from 60 SLE patients,20 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and 23 healthy donors (HDs) were subjected to real-time PCR to measure the transcriptional levels of seven chemokines (RANTES,MCP-1,CCL19,MIG,IP-10,CXCL11,and IL-8).Chemokine scores were calculated and were compared between various groups of SLE patients as well as between patients and controls.Results Chemokine scores were significantly elevated in SLE patients compared with RA patients and HDs (P=0.0112 and P=0.0019,respectively).Chemokine scores were correlated positively with SLEDAI (P=0.0061) and negatively with C3 levels (P=0.003).Compared to patients without lupus nephritis (LN),chemokine scores were elevated in SLE patients with active LN,especially when their daily prednisone dosage was less than 30 mg (P=0.0418 and P=0.002,respectively).Chemokine scores were also associated with cumulative organ damage (SLICC damage index [SDI]＞0) and positive anti-Sm and anti-RNP autoantibodies.Conclusion The chemokine score may serve as a new biomarker for disease activity and organ damage in SLE patients.

Objective To study the incidence of osteopenia in patients with initial systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE). Investigate the levels of the vitamin D (VitD) endocrine system in peripheral blood of SLE patients and its relation to bone mineral density (BMD). Analyse the relationship between the estrogen receptor (ER) and BMD and evaluate the role of ER in the pathogenesis osteopenia. Methods Serum levels of 25-OH VitD_3 and 1,25-(OH)_2 VitD_3 were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The gene expression levels of VitD receptor (VDR) and ER were determined by real-time PCR. BMD measurements in the lumbar spine (L1-L4) and left proximal femur (femoral neck) were performed using dual X-ray absorptiometry before treatment. Results The initial SLE patients had significantly lower BMD values, and higher frequency of bone loss at both sites of measurement compared with normal controls (P < 0. 05). The levels of 25-OH VitD_3 and 1,25-(OH)_2 VitD3 were lower in the initial SLE patients than normal controls(P<0.01 both). There is no difference in the levels of 25-OH VitD_3 and 1,25-(OH)_2 VitD_3 between the osteopenia SLE group and the normal BMD SLE group (P > 0. 05, P > 0. 05). There are no correlations between the Vitd and BMD in initial SLE patients (P>0.05 both). The expressions of VDR gene were significantly increased in the initial SLE patients compared with the normal controls(P<0.01). There was no difference in VDR gene expression between osteopenia SLE group and normal BMD SLE group (P>0.05). The VDR gene expression does not correlate with the bone mass (P>0.05). The levels of ER-β gene expression are higher in the initial SLE group than the normal controls (P<0.01).Conclusions The incipient SLE patients may have lower BMD than expected. SLE patients present abnormal VitD endocrine system and higher ER-β mRNA expression than those in normal controls, but these weren't concerned with osteopenia.

Objective To investigate the mRNA expression of IKB kinase (IKK-α) and interferon-α (IFN-α) in the peripheral blood leukocytes of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and to explore the role of IKK-α in the production of IFN-α in SLE patients. Methods SYBR green dye I based real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of IKK-α and IFN-α in the peripheral blood leucocytes of SLE patients and healthy controls. Serum levels of IFN-α were measured with ELISA method. Results IKK-α mRNA expression levels in SLE patients were significantly higher than those of normal controls (P<0.05). IKK-α mRNA expression levels in SLE patients with active disease were significantly higher than patients with stable disease (P<0.01). IFN-α mRNA expression level in SLE patients was significantly lower than that of the normal controls (P<0.01). IFN-α mRNA expression levels in SLE patients with active disease were significantly higher than patients with stable disease (P<0.01). Serum levels of IFN-α in SLE patients with active disease was significantly higher than that of the normal controls and patients with stable disease (P<0.05). The anti-dsDNA antibody correlated positively, and complement C3 correlated negatively with serum concentration of IFN-α. IKK-α mRNA expression levels in SLE patients correlated positively with serum concentration of IFN-α. Conclusion IKK-α correlates positively with serum concentration of IFN-α. The IFN-α level is significantly correlated with disease activity, This suggests that IKK-α may play an important role in the pathogenesis of SLE.

Objective To investigate the pathogenesis of familial systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), by analyzing the gene expression profile of peripheral blood in a family with 2 SLE patients and their first-degree relatives. Methods Total RNA was extracted from peripheral blood cells of normal subjects and SLE patients. Then, synthesis double strand cDNA template from total RNA, transcription of cRNA probe with Biotin labeling, hybridization of probe with Microarray, binding of Streptavidin to Biotin, amplification with First Antibody, further amplification with Cy3-Conjugated Second Antibody, detection of Cy3 dye with ScanArray 5000 were performed. With QuantArray microarray analysis software, the scan image information was converted into numeric data. With GeneSpring microarray analysis software, cluster analysis was done to find interested genes. Results Over 3000 target genes were analysed. Fifty-nine genes differentially expressed in familial SLE patients and controls were identified. Among them, 34 genes were up-regulated and 25 genes were down-regulated. These differentially expressed genes identified in two familial SLE patients were almost identical to those found in other sporadic SLE patients. Among 34 expression increasing genes, 22 were up-regulated in SLE sisters and unaffected sisters; among 25 expression decreased genes, 17 genes down-regulated in SLE sisters and unaffected sister. Cluster analysis showed that patients were clearly separated from controls and their unaffected sisters based on their gene expression profile. These results showed that in familial SLE, multiple genes were responsible for susceptibility to SLE, and clinically unaffected relatives shared some lupus susceptibility genes with their clinically affected relatives, in addition environmental factors were probably necessary to trigger disease. Conclusion These results indicate that high-density oligonucleotide microarray has the potential to explore the heredity in SLE families.