Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies in new-onset systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract: Background: The clinical significance of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies in patients with new-onset systemic lupus erythematosus, especially in systemic disease accompanied by interstitial lung disease remains to be elucidated. Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the role of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies in new-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients. Methods: A hundred and seven patients with new-onset SLE were enrolled. Presence of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies in the sera was assessed by indirect immunofluorescence as well as enzyme linked immunosorbent assay against proteinase-3 and myeloperoxidase. Clinical features and laboratory parameters of patients were also recorded. All patients were subjected to chest X-ray, chest high-resolution computed tomography and pulmonary function test. Results: Forty-five systemic lupus erythematosus patients (45/107, 42%) were seropositive for anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies. Compared with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies-negative patients, the anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies-positive patients had significantly higher incidence of renal involvement, anemia, and Raynaud's phenomenon as well as decreased serum level of complement 3/complement 4 and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. In addition, there was a positive correlation between serum anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies level and disease activity of systemic lupus erythematosus. Furthermore, prevalence of interstitial lung disease in the anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies -positive patients (25/45, 55.6%) was obviously higher than that in the anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies-negative patients (15/62, 24.2%). Study limitations: The sample size was limited and the criteria for screening new-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients might produce bias. Conclusions: The level of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies in new-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients correlates positively with the disease activity and the prevalence of interstitial lung disease.

Porphyria cutanea tarda and Sjogren's syndrome

Porphyria cutanea tarda is prevalent in connective tissue disease, common in systemic lupus erythematosus. However, the co-existence of primary sjogren's syndrome and porphyria cutanea tarda is rare and poses diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. We report a case of porphyria cutanea tarda associated with primary sjogren's syndrome.

A study on bisphenol A, nonylphenol, and octylphenol in human urine amples detected by SPE-UPLC-MS / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a comprehensive analytical method based on SPE-UPLC-MS for the simultaneous determination of bisphenol A (BPA), nonylphenol (NP), and octylphenol (OP) in urine samples.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty urine samples collected from healthy subjects were analyzed for BPA, NP, and OP concentrations. The samples were de-conjugated by adding β-glucuronidase and sulfatase. After the enzymatic treatment, the samples were subjected to the OASIS HLB column solid phase extraction cartridges so as to be cleaned and concentrated. The UPLC separation was performed on a Acquity UPLCTM BEH C18 column (2.1×100 mm, 1.7 μm) with a gradient elution system of methanol-water as the mobile phase. Triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry analyzer was used for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of UPLC-MS/MS system.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The limit of detection of BPA, NP, and OP was 0.10, 0.10, and 0.15 ng/mL, respectively. The recoveries of BPA, NP and OP were 80.1%-108%, 81.3%-109%, and 81.5%-98.7%, respectively. Among the 60 urine samples, BPA was detected in 8 samples at the level of 0.297-32.7ng/mL, NP was detected in 29 samples at the level of 1.69-27.8 ng/mL, and OP was detected in 17 samples at the level of 0.407-11.1 ng/mL.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The method is simple with high sensitivity and selectivity, and is suitable for the determination of BPA, NP, and OP in urine. As shown by our analysis, BPA, NP, and OP appear to be prevalent in human urine. This is particularly true for NP. The results from our study is therefore valuable for future studies to assess the exposure to BPA, NP, and OP in the general population.</p>