Objective To examine the predictive value of fetal umbilical artery Doppler in preterm birth in pregnant women with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE).Methods The clinical data from 160 live births of SLE patients were analyzed retrospectively.Results The mean age of SLE patients at pregnancy was(29.7 ± 3.7) years(20 ~ 37 years). Totally,56 patients(32.5%)were preterm births and 76(47.5%)were full-term births without any other adverse pregnancy outcomes. The rate of preterm birth before 34 weeks was 26.9% and that was 73.1% for those preterm deliveries after 34 weeks. Iatrogenic preterm birth was the most common cause of preterm birth(32 cases),followed by spontaneous preterm birth(12 cases)and preterm premature rupture of membranes (10 cases).The pulsatility index(PI),resistance index(RI)as well as S/D value of SLE patients with pre-term delivery was higher than those of patients with full-term delivery(P<0.05).The area below the ROC curve for PI, RI and S/D was 0.6(95% CI 0.5~0.7),0.7(95% CI 0.6~0.8)and 0.6(95% CI 0.5~0.7),respectively.PI with cut-off value of 1.0 indicated the highest risk of preterm birth,with sensitivities of 34.6% and 84.2.The optimal cut-off value for RI and S/D was 0.7 and 2.8 respectivly,at which sensitivity and specificity had the best combination. Conclusions Pregnancies in lupus still have an increased risk of preterm birth. Umbilical artery Doppler was a useful monitoring tool for preterm birth in lupus pregnancies.

Objective To describe the characteristics and risk factors for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB)infection in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE).Methods A retrospective analysis was per-formed. Results Among our sample of 784 hospitalized patients,42(5.4%)were diagnosed with TB infection. Seventeen were pulmonary TB,11 were pulmonary and extra-pulmonary TB and 14 were extra-pulmonary TB.hest X-rays showed Abnormal chest imaging was observed in 34 cases,among which,19 were multi-lobar involvements and 9 were single-lobe involvements. Logistic regression multivariate analysis indicated that anemia and the daily mean dose of glucocorticoid(GC)were associated with TB. Conclusions Manifestations of TB in SLE patients were atypical.Anemia and the daily mean dose of GC were associated with TB.

Objective To investigate the characteristics of bone marrow examination in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with blood system damage.Methods The data of 150 SLE patients with bone marrow puncture were analyzed retrospectively.Results Of the 150 patients,68 patients had abnormalities in bone marrow examination.Common bone marrow abnormalities were low proliferative bone marrow (26 cases,38.2％),hemophagocytic (17 cases,25％),pure red blood cells aplastic anemia (6 cases,8.8％),aplastic anemia (12 cases,17.6％) and decreased megakaryocyte count (7 cases,10.4％).10 cases of severe and severe anemia (90.9％ of patients with severe and severe anemia) and 21 patients with severe thrombocytopenia (67.7％ of patients with severe thrombocytopenia) had abnormal bone marrow examination.Conclusions It is not uncommon for SLE patients to have abnormal bone marrow examination.When the peripheral blood test is found to be severe anemia or severe thrombocytopenia,bone marrow aspiration and bone marrow biopsy are needed.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of etanercept in active ankylosing spondylitis (AS) pa-tient for 48 weeks by tapering the dosage of etanercept every 12 weeks. Methods 52 patients with active AS were enrolled in this study , and 47 patients finished 48 Weeks of observation. 50 mg etanercept was applied subcutaneously once a week for 12 weeks , and was tapered to 50 mg every two weeks for another 12 weeks , and then 25 mg every two weeks for another 24 weeks. BASDAI, BASFI, BASMI, ASDAS, as well as Serum levels of CRP and ESR were doaunented at week 0, 12, 24 and 48, respectively. Result Among the 47 active AS patients, 40 (85.1%) were male, with mean disease duration of 4.1 ± 3.8 years. After 12 -week treatment with 50 mg etanercept weekly, the scores of BASDAI, BASFI, BASMI, ASDAS, as well as levels of ESR and CRP, declined significantly compared to the baseline (P < 0.05, respectively). Despite of tapering the dosage of etan-ercept gradually, most of the patients (87.2%, 41/47) kept in ASAS 40 response during the following 36 weeks. No severe adverse events were observed during the treatment period. Conclusion This study demonstrat-ed the clinical efficacy of etanercept in patients with active AS. A dosage reduction strategy could maintain the clinical efficacy of etanercept during 48 weeks , which indicates that gradually tapering etanercept might be a po-tential effective, economic and safe way for active AS patients.

[ABSTRACT]AIM:ToobservehowfarnesoidXreceptor(FXR)functionedinconcanavalinA(ConA)-induced hepatitis (CIH) and the regulation of FXR-thyrotropin embryonic factor (TEF) pathway.METHODS:C57BL/6 mice were injected with Con A to induce hepatitis .The expression of FXR and TEF in the liver specimens was determined by qRT-PCR and Western blotting .The concentrations of serum ALT/AST and inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-4 and IL-2 in the blood samples were tested after Con A injection .RESULTS:FXR was down-regulated in CIH mice .TEF was up-regula-ted when FXR was activated by chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA).Activation of FXR reduced the levels of aminotransferases and inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-4 and IL-2 in the CIH mice induced by Con A injection .CONCLUSION:FXR activation attenuates CIH mouse liver injury and reduces inflammatory cytokines .FXR activation results in TEF up-regu-lation.The FXR-TEF pathway may play a protective role in autoimmune hepatitis .

Objective To explore the efficacy of triple therapy and sequential therapy in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) in patients receiving long-term non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID) treatment.Methods Patients receiving long-term NSAID treatment were enrolled in this study.Patients diagnosed as Hp infection were divided into triple therapy and sequential therapy groups.The patients in triple therapy group received omeprazole,clarithromycin and amoxicillin theray for 10 days.The patients in sequential group received esomeprazole with amoxicillin for five days,and then esomeprazole with clarithromycin and metronidazole for another five days.All patients were given mucosal protective therapy as maintenance treatment after eradication therapy and followed up for 12 weeks.Patients underwent endoscopy examination and Hp testing before and after follow-up.Hp eradication rates were compared with the intention-to-treat (ITT) and per protocol (PP) analysis.Results According to ITT analysis,the eradication rates of Hp in triple therapy group and sequential therapy group were 78.4 ％ (40/51) and 80.0 ％ (40/50) respectively,there was no significant difference between these two groups (x2 =0.038,P=0.846).According to PP analysis,the eradication rates of Hp in triple therapy group and sequential therapy group were 84.4％ (38/45) and 87.0％ (40/46) respectively,there was no significant difference between these two groups either (x2=0.117,P=0.732).Conclusion There was no significant difference in Hp eradication between triple therapy and sequential therapy in patients receiving long-term NSAID treatment.

Objective To investigate the prevalence and the risk factors of gastroduodenal damages induced by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Methods One hundred and eighty-four patients who were prescribed NSA1Ds for long time in rheumatology and cardiovascular clinics were enrolled. Clinical data such as age, sex, medication history and body mass index were recorded. The lesions were estimated by endoscopy and the specimens were tested for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. Results Peptic ulcer was found in 63 (34. 24%) patients including gastric ulcer in 22, duodenal ulcer in 34 and compound ulcer in 7. The endoscopic examination showed that 57 out of 121 patients without peptic ulcer had ≥3 erosive lesions. Logistic regression analysis revealed that H. pylori infection was important risk factor that induced the peptic ulcer in those who were taking NSAIDs for long time (OR = 13. 86, 95% CI: 6. 53 ～ 29. 43). The incidence of gastroduodenal damage was similar in patients taking NSAIDs and low dose aspirin (OR =0.45,95CI:0.16～ 1.28). Conclusions NSAIDs may cause gastroduodenal damages in long-term users and H. pylori infection was an important risk factor. The effect of low dose aspirin on gastroduodenal damages is as same as NSAIDs.

Objective To explore the relationship between Adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) and macrophage activation syndrome (MAS). Methods A total of 78 patients with AOSD who had completed medical information were included in this study. Eleven patients who were diagnosed as rheumatic disease associated hemophagocytic syndrome among 26 patients who had hemophagocytic syndrome with histological evidence consisted of the MAS group. Clinical and laboratory data were analyzed in 78 patients with AOSD and 11 patients with MAS. Results Among 78 cases of AOSD, 9 patients (12%) could be diagnosed as MAS but didn't have hemophagocytic histological evidence. In the 11 MAS cases with hemophagocytic phenomenon, 6 patients fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of AOSD, 2 cases with panniculitis, 1 case with SLE, 1 case of dermatomyositis and 1 case of systemic vasculitis. Logistic analysis showed that splenomegaly (OR =2.13, 95%CI=1.11-3.42), leukopenia (OR=3.57, 95%CI=2.30～4.86), anaemia (OR=0.85, 95%CI=1.03～2.76), thrombocytopenia (OR=2.98, 95%CI=1.17-4.30) and hypertriglyceridemia (OR=1.66, 95%CI=1.02～2.74) were associated with development of MAS in AOSD. Conclusion The development of MAS in AOSD patient is frequent and hemophagocytic histological evidence could be found in severe cases. When splenomegaly and hypocytomsis present in AOSD patients, bone marrow examination should be done and the level of triglyceride and fibrinogen and activity of NK cells should be measured for early diagnosis.

Objective To compare the clinical efficacy of ibuprofen arginate,a new nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug,with that of ibuprofen,in patients with rheumatoid arthritis or knee osteoarthritis and to evaluate the safety and tolerability of ibuprofen argihate.Methods This is a muhicenter,random,open,active comparator-controlled,parallel clinical trail in which 171 patients with rheumatoid arthritis or knee osteoarthritis were enrolled.Patients were randomized to 2 groups:400 mg of ibuprofen arginate three times daily and 400 mg of ibuprofen three times daily respectively.Clinical efficacy and safety were evaluated after 4-week treatment.Results Ibuprofen arginate,at dosages of 400 mg three times daily,had shown significant efficacy in relieving pain,tenderness and swelling of joints and there was no significant difference when compared to that of ibuprofen.There was no difference in clinical adverse effects between the two groups and no serious adverse effects were repofled.But ibuprofen arginate could initiate effectiveness more rapidly than ibuprofen in both rheumatoid arthritisand osteoarthritis patients.Conclusion Ibuprofen arginate has the same clinical efficacy and safety profiles as itmprofen in treating rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.However,its onset is more rapid than ibuprofen.

Objective To analyze the correlation between serum anti-C1q antibody (anti-C1q Ab)and renal pathological characteristic,disease activity as well as some laboratory tests in patients with lupus nephritis (LN).Methods Serum anti-C1q antibodies were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay ELISA) in 120 patients with systemic lupus nephritis (SLE),which included 60 LN patients and 60 non-LN patients.Renal biopsy was conduted in all LN patients.The relationships between serum anti-C1q Ab level and renal pathohistology,lupus nephritis activity,as well as some laboratory parameters were analyzed.Results The mean level of serum anti-C1q Ab in LN patients was (89+26) U/ml,significantly higher than that of nonLN patients (57±23) U/ml (P＜0.01).Twelve cases of renal biopsies were classified as WHO Class Ⅱ,fourteen cases Class Ⅲ,eighteen cases Class Ⅳ,and sixteen cases Class Ⅴ.Significant difference of serum anti-C1q Ab level between each class was found by ANOVA test,and serum anti-C1q Ab level of Class Ⅳ was the highest (P＜0.01).Renal biopsies showed a positive correlation between serum anti-C1q Ab level and activity index of renal pathohistology (P＜0.01).Renal deposition of C1q was related with the level of serum anti-C1q Ab.Serum anti-C1q Ab level was positively correlated with proteinuria (P＜0.01),and negatively correlated with levels of C3 and C4 (P＜0.01).Mean level of serum anti-C1q antibody in SLE patients with positive antidsDNA was higher than that in the patients with negative anti-dsDNA (P＜0.01).Conclusion Serum antiC1q Ab level is significantly associated with lupus nephritis activity and renal pathohistology.It is a useful marker to predict renal lesion and disease activity in lupus nephritis.