Objective To evaluate the antitumor effects of chenodeoxycholic acid-verticinone ester ( CDCA-Ver ) on tumor growth and immune system of H22-bearing mice. Methods Antitumor activity against a solid tumor mass was evaluated in Kunming mice. H22 cells were transferred into the abdomen cavity of Kunming mice. H22 cells were inoculated through subcutaneous injection at the right armpit of the mouse to establish a solid tumor model. At 24 h after H22 tumor cells inoculation, 40 tumor-bearing Kunming mice were randomly divided into 4 groups according to random number table ( n=10 each group):model control group, cyclophosphamide ( CTX) group, intraperitoneal CDCA-Ver injection group and intravenous CDCA-Ver injection group. In model control group, sterile 0. 9% sodium chloride solution (10 mL·kg-1 ) was intraperitoneally injected once daily. In CTX group and intraperitoneal CDCA-Ver injection group, CTX (20 mg·kg-1 ) and CDCA-Ver (20 mg·kg-1 ) was intraperitoneally injected once daily, respectively. In intravenous CDCA-Ver injection group, CDCA-Ver ( 20 mg · kg-1 ) was injected through tail vein once daily. CDCA-Ver, CTX and NS were injected into the mice of the experimental groups once daily for 10 days, respectively. The dose volume was 0. 1 mL · ( 10 g )-1 body weight. The positive control drug was cyclophosphamide. Ten mice were treated with 20 mg · kg-1 CDCA-Ver through intravenous injection ( i. v. ) . Ten mice were treated with 20 mg·kg-1 CDCA-Ver through intraperitoneal injection. The thymus and spleen indices and the tumor inhibition rate were assessed, and histopathological examination with haematoxylin and eosin ( H&E) staining was carried out to evaluate the antitumor effects of CDCA-Ver. Results CDCA-Ver ( ivor ip) suppressed the growth of solid tumor in H22-bearing mice. The inhibition rate was 48. 3% at the dose of 20 mg·kg-1 CDCA-Ver (ip). There was no significant difference between CDCA-Ver (ip) and CTX treated group (P<0. 05). Compared with the control, the weight of thymus and spleen of CDCA-Ver (ip) treated group was not obviously changed. But a significant weight loss of thymus and spleen in CTX group was observed, which was attributed to the immune suppression from CTX. The thymus and spleen indices in the CTX-treated mice were significantly lower than those of the control group (P<0. 01). We further conducted histopathological examination to confirm the results. The immune system was not suppressed by CDCA-Ver ( ip ) in tumor-bearing animals. The low toxicity of CDCA-Ver was an outstanding advantage for the development of newly anticancer drug. Conclusion CDCA-Ver treatment can significantly inhibit tumor growth in mice.

Based on fundamental theory, literatures of TCM and clinical practice, we have found that there are some errors in the theory of stroke. We put forward several views on it: Firstly, the key reason of stroke is the hidden pathogenic factor which is phlegm and stasis, but not wind and fire. Secondly, the production of wind is due to the liver-blood injury caused by phlegm and stasis; the production of f ire is due to whether the liver-blood injury caused by phlegm and stasis or the f ire stagnated by phlegm and stasis in pericardium. Thirdly, the disease location of stroke is in the level of spirit, not in channels and collaterals. Liver soul injury leads to paralysis and aphemia. Lung soul injury leads to numbness. Kidney will injury leads to sensory aphasia. Pericardium invaded by phlegm and stasis, mind disorder will exists. Fourthly, spirit injury is a def icient syndrome, and supplementing blood and qi is the key of treatment, and expelling phlegm and stasis, balancing yin and yang are also needed. The main treatment principles of liver soul injury, lung soul injury, kidney will injury and pericardium injury are tonifying blood, cultivating qi, replenishing essence and nourishing both qi and blood respectively.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH) is one of the most severe complications of systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE).Recent studies emphasized the role of T and B lymphocytes in the pathogenesis of PAH.Rituximab (RTX),not only targeting at B lymphocytes,but also been proven to affect T cells,thus could be a potential treatment for SLE-PAH.

Objective To explore the relationship among personality traits,aggression,depression,anxiety and suicide ideation by developing a structural equation model.MethodsA total of 2141 participants derived from a stratified random cluster sampling were investigated with Eysenck personality questionnaire(EPQ),aggression questionnaire(AQ),patient health questionnaire depression scale(PHQ-9) ,generalized anxiety disorder scale(GAD-7) and Beck depression inventory(BDI-13).ResultsIn EPQ,the scores of neuroticism,extroversion and psychoticism were (40.00±5.84),(59.84±7.02)and (36.63±6.41) respectively.In AQ,the scores of physical aggression,verbal aggression and anger were (32.41±5.15),(30.43±7.24),and (34.39±6.09) respectively.The median scores of PHQ-9 and GAD-7 were 5 and 6,and the inter-quartile range were 4 and 5.The suicide ideation was correlated with measurement indicator respectively(r=-0.19-0.40,P<0.01).Aggression and depression directly affected suicide ideation(direct effect was 0.27,0.24 respectively) and aggression indirectly affected suicide ideation trough anxiety(indirect effect was 0.02).Personality traits indirectly affected suicide ideation through aggression,anxiety and depression(indirect effect was 0.40).Anxiety indirectly affected suicide ideation through depression(indirect effect was 0.13).ConclusionPersonality traits,aggression,anxiety and depression affect suicide ideation,and these factors have different effecting mechanism.

Objective To explore the potential role of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP) in the assessment of patients with connective tissuediseases(CTD) associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Methods Thirty patients with CTD associated PAH were evaluated by WHO function, echocardiography, right heart catheterization and blood biomarkers. All the clinical data was analyzed statistically. Results All patients [age (39.5 ± 11.6) yr]were female. Both NT-proBNP and BNP were significantly increased and significantly correlated ( all P ＜0. 05 ) respectively with mean pulmonary arterial pressure ( r = 0. 53 and r = 0. 40 ), right arterial pressure ( r = 0. 55 and r = 0. 42 ), pulmonary vascular resistance ( r = 0. 69 and r = 0. 61 ), cardiac index ( r = - 0. 58and r = - 0. 46), mixed venous blood oxygen saturation ( r = - 0. 62 and r = - 0. 54 ), pericardial effusion ( r = 0. 46 and r = 0. 43 ), right atrial sizes ( r = 0. 40 and 0. 53, and r = 0. 39 and 0. 45 ) and right ventricular size ( r = 0. 55 and r = 0. 37 ). Furthmore, NT-proBNP, but not BNP, significantly correlated with WHO function class ( r = 0. 55 ). Conclusion Blood NT-proBNP and BNP were elevated in patients with CTD associated PAH and paralleled the extent of function class, pulmonary hemodynamic changes and right ventricular remodeling.

Objective To determine the clinical significance of pulmonary function test(PFT)in evaluating the features and severity of lung impairments associated with connective tissue diseases(CTD)by comparing the differences of pulmonary function test parameters among groups of CTD associated pulmonary disorders.Methods Cases of CTD associated pulmonary disorders were prospectively enrolled and assigned into 3 groups according to their lung impairments:CTD associated pulmonary arterial hypertension group (CTD-PAH,n=29),CTD associated interstitial lung disease group(CTD-ILD,n=35),CTD associated PAH plus ILD group(CTD-PAH+ILD,n=16)and CTD control group(n=34).Pulmonary function test parameters,including total lung capacity(TLC % predicted),forced vital capacity(FVC % predicted),forced expiratory volume in the first second(FEV_(1.0)% predicted),FE_(1.0)%/FVC and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide(DLco,% predicted)were measured and compared among the four groups.Results One hundred and forteen eases were included and predominantly female with average onset age of 35～39 years old.CTDs that were predisposed to lung diseases were mixed connective disease(MCTD),systemic sclerosis(SSc),systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE)and primary Sj(o)ren syndrome(pSS),in order.There were 10,29 and 46 percent of patients presented with decreased TLC% in CTD-PAH,CTD-ILD and CTD-PAH+ILD group respectively,50,36 and 71 percent of patients with decreased FVC% respectively,54,47 and 71 percent of patients with decreased FEV_(1.0)% respectively,and 100,82 and 100 percent with decreased DLco% respectively.ANOVA analysis demonstrated that TLC%,FVC%,FEV_(1.0)%,DLco% had significant differences between CTD control group and each of the CTD associated lung disease group(P＜0.05),although none of them was lack of difference between the PAH and ILD groups.TLC% was significantly higher in CTD-PAH group than CTD-PAH+ILD group[(89±15)% vs(79±12)%,P＜0.05],while FVC% was significantly lower in CTDPAH+ILD group either than CTD-PAH group or than CTD-ILD group[(81±13)%,(80±16)% vs(65±22)%,P＜0.05].ConclusionPulmonary function test may be valuable in early screening for CTD associated lung disorders than distinguishing CTD-PAH from ILD,which usually reveal restrictive ventilation dysfunction and/or diffusing capacity dysfunction.

A 53-year-old woman presented with arthralgia and dyspepsia on exertion.Symmetrical joint swelling and pain of bilateral hands with pigmentation sedimentation in the articular surfaces,dry cough and short of breath were the main clinical manifestations.Elevated levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (89 mm/1 h),C-reactive protein (64.45 mg/L),IgG (31.22 g/L) and IgA (5.44 g/L).Rheumatoid factor was positive and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody was negative.Chest high-resolution computed tomography scan found that diffusely distributed lung nodules,round cysts with varying sizes and patchy ground glass opacities.A significant plasma cell infiltration and amyloid deposition were seen in lung tissue.The patient was finally diagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis,interstitial lung disease and pulmonary nodules.Combination therapy of prednisone 7.5 mg qodpo,thalidomide 50 mg qdpo,tocilizumab 560 mg iv once per month for 1 month.Chest computed tomography showed stable lung nodules,however,pulmonary interstitial lesions gradually aggravated.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics in patients with primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS) and to identify potential predictors of thrombotic events.Methods A total of 107 patients with PAPS were enrolled in our study, who were admitted in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2004 to December 2014.Demographic data, age at onset, disease duration, past history of hypertension and regular cigarette smoking, clinical manifestations, imaging characteristics, management and prognosis were retrospectively collected.Bivariate statistical analysis and logistical regression test were performed to compare the discrepancy between patients with or without thromboembolic events.Results In 107 patients, there were 65 female and 42 male patients, with mean age (39.8 ± 15.8) years old, median disease duration 10.5 (2.0, 48.0) months.A total of 72(67.3％) patients reported episodes of thromboembolic events, including 72 venous thromboses and 29 arterial thromboses.The most frequent venous thromboses were deep vein thromboses (35.5％), pulmonary embolism the second common (29.9％), with cranial venous sinus thromboses the following (8.4％).In arterial thromboembolic events, the incidence of transient ischemic attack (TIA) and ischemic stoke was the highest (14.0％), embolism of lower extremities the second (6.5％) ,and 4 patients (3.7％) with acute myocardial infarction.Sixty seven patients (62.6％)had positive lupus anticoagulant, 60 patients (56.1％)with positive anticardiolipin antibody,32 patients (29.9％, 32/74) with positive β2 glycoprotein Ⅰ (β2GP I).Forty patients(37.4％)had double positive antibodies, while 19 cases (17.8％)with triple positive.In logistical regression, aging (per 10 years) and hypocomplementemia were significantly related to venous thrombosis (OR =1.421, 95％ CI 1.066-1.894, P ＜ 0.05, and OR =6.435, 95％ CI 1.374-30.130, P ＜ 0.05, respectively).Cigarette smoking and triple positive antibodies were independent risk factors of arterial thrombosis (OR =3.996, 95％ CI 1.079-14.795, P ＜ 0.05 and OR =3.166, 95％ CI 1.102-9.097, P ＜ 0.05, respectively).Conclusion Alas is an autoimmune disorder characterized by recurrent arterial and venous thromboembolic events.Venous thromboembolism is more common than the arterial.Age and hypocomplementemia are predictors of venous thromboembolism;while smoking and triple positive antibodies are independent risk factors of arterial thromboembolism.

A 29-year-old woman was admitted to the Department of Rheumatology,Peking Union Medical College Hospital due to intermittent rashes,fever and headache.Palpable purpura were symmetrically distributed on the extremities and trunk.Other manifestations included headache with nausea and vomiting.Elevated white blood cell (WBC) count,platelet (PLT) count,erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein were the main laboratory findings.Antinuclear antibodies and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies were negative.Examination of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) revealed high intracranial pressure,while routine cytology and biochemical tests of CSF were normal.Head MRI scan and PET-CT did not detect remarkable findings.A diagnosis of systemic vasculitis was confirmed by the biopsy of skin lesion which showed inflammatory infiltration of the muscular vessel wall.Combination therapy of corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide lead to a rapid improvement in clinical symptoms and laboratory parameters.The patient was in stable remission till 6 month follow-up.

Objective Immune and inflammatory mechanisms could play a significant role in genesis or progression of interstitial lung disease and pulmonary arterial hypertension,especially in patients with connective tissue diseases.Specific antibodies may predict the occurrence of this condition.Methods The plasma of patients with systemic sclerosis(SSc)or mixed connective tissue disease(MCTD)were screened with enzyme linked immunoserbent assay(ELISA)and Western blotting using recombinant mocsin.The clinical data were recorded and pulmonary function tests(PFTs)were performed in 78 consecutive individuals in order to identify the difference in clinical manifestations between anti-mocsin positive group and negative group.Results Our results showed high titers of anti-mocsin antibodies in 21(53%)of 40 patients with SSc,and 15(39%)of 38 patient with MCTD.The presence of anti-moesin antibodies was significantly correlated with pulmonary involvement(ILD and PAH)in SSc and MCTD patiens(P=0.001).Comparing with the antibody negative group,the total lung capacity[(82±10)% vs(90±14)%,P=0.027),forced vital capacity [(76±13)% vs(85±17)%,P=0.040]and diffu-sing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide[(58±16)% vs (72±23)%,P=0.014]of PFTs in anti-moesin antibodies positive group were noted to be significantly decreased(P＜0.05).Conclusion Specific antibodies to moesin is prevalent in patients with SSc and MCTD,so it may be an early predictor of pulmonary involvement in patients with SSc or MCTD.