Clinical features of liver disturbance in rheumatoid diseases: clinicopathological study with special reference to the cause of liver disturbance

Background: Background: Liver disturbance in rheumatoid diseases results not only from liver disease associated with the rheumatoid diseases themselves but also from various other causes. This study aimed to elucidate the clinical features of liver disturbance in rheumatoid diseases, focusing on the cause of this disturbance. Methods: A clinicopathological study was performed in 306 patients (106 with systemic lupus erythematosus, 71 with Sj?gren's syndrome, 59 with rheumatoid arthritis, 27 with scleroderma, 30 with polymyositis, and 13 with polyarteritis nodosa). Results: Liver disturbance occurred in 43% of these patients and resulted from various causes. Its degree and duration varied from one cause to another. Liver disease associated with rheumatoid diseases was the leading cause of the liver disturbance in these patients and was characterized by mild and transient liver disturbance (maximum alanine aminotransferase [ALT] level during the study period, 68 ± 8 IU/ml; maximum alkaline phosphatase [ALP] level, 410 ± 31 IU/ml; duration of liver disturbance, 6 ± 2 months). Most patients with this type of liver disease showed minimal change in liver histology, although two-thirds of those evaluated by the international scoring system for autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) were classified as “probable” or “definite”. Eight of 14 patients with histologically proven chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis were infected with hepatotropic virus (7 with hepatitis C virus [HCV] and 1 with hepatitis B virus [HBV]). Five of 9 patients in whom the hepatic lesion progressed had hepatotropic virus infection (4 with HCV and 1 with HBV), and the other 4 patients suffered from autoimmune liver diseases. Conclusions: Liver disease associated with rheumatoid diseases was the leading cause of liver disturbance in these patients and was characterized by mild and transient liver disturbance, whereas progressive liver diseases were often associated with hepatotropic virus, mainly HCV, or autoimmune liver diseases. Liver histology is indispensable for differentiating AIH from liver disease associated with rheumatoid diseases. Received: August 27, 2001 / Accepted: January 7, 2002     

缬沙坦刻痕片的药学研究

目的 以单面中刻痕的缬沙坦片为例对刻痕片进行药学研究。方法 对缬沙坦刻痕片分割的方法及损失量进行考察,并研究分割后的释放行为和脆碎度。结果 单面中刻痕的缬沙坦片利于分割,且分割后损失量<0.16%,单半片释放行为与整片相似,脆碎度考察后能符合药典要求。结论 单面中刻痕的缬沙坦片可以被均匀的分割,能正常释放,有利于临床的剂量调整。     

Utility of a simplified ultrasonography scoring system among patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A multicenter cohort study

We aimed to evaluate the utility of a simplified ultrasonography (US) scoring system, which is desired in daily clinical practice, among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) receiving biological/targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).A total of 289 Japanese patients with RA who were started on tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, abatacept, tocilizumab, or Janus kinase inhibitors between June 2013 and April 2019 at one of the 15 participating rheumatology centers were reviewed. We performed US assessment of articular synovia over 22 joints among bilateral wrist and finger joints, and the 22-joint (22j)-GS and 22-joint (22j)-PD scores were evaluated as an indicator of US activity using the sum of the GS and PD scores, respectively.The top 6 most affected joints included the bilateral wrist and second/third metacarpophalangeal joints. Therefore, 6-joint (6j)-GS and -PD scores were defined as the sum of the GS and PD scores from the 6 synovial sites over the aforementioned 6 joints, respectively. Although the 22j- or 6j-US scores were significantly correlated with DAS28-ESR or -CRP scores, the correlations were weak. Conversely, 6j-US scores were significantly and strongly correlated with 22j-US scores not only at baseline but also after therapy initiation.Using a multicenter cohort data, our results indicated that a simplified US scoring system could be adequately tolerated during any disease course among patients with RA receiving biological/targeted synthetic DMARDs.     

Comparison of infarct size changes with delayed contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and electrocardiogram QRS scoring during the 6 months after acutely reperfused myocardial infarction

Introduction

Magnetic resonance imaging using the delayed contrast-enhanced (DE-MRI) method can be used for characterizing and quantifying myocardial infarction (MI). Electrocardiogram (ECG) score after the acute phase of MI can be used to estimate the portion of left ventricular myocardium that has infracted. There are no comparison of serial changes on ECG and DE-MRI measuring infarct size.

Aim

The general aim of this study was to describe the acute, healing, and chronic phases of the changes in infarct size estimated by the ECG and DE-MRI. The specific aim was to compare estimates of the Selvester QRS scoring system and DE-MRI to identify the difference between the extent of left ventricle occupied by infarction in the acute and chronic phases.

Methods

In 31 patients (26 men, age 56 ± 9) with reperfused ST-elevation MI (11 anterior, 20 inferior), standard 12-lead ECG and DE-MRI were taken from 1 to 2 days (acute), 1 month (healing), and 6 months (chronic) after the MI. Selvester QRS scoring was used to estimate the infarct size from the ECG.

Results

The correlation values between infarct size measured by DE-MRI and QRS scoring range from 0.33 to 0.43 higher for anterior than inferior infarcts. The infarct size estimated by QRS scoring was larger (about 5% of the left ventricle) than infarct size by DE-MRI acute and 1 month, but at 6 months, there was no difference. In about half of the patients, the QRS score agreed with DE-MRI in change of infarct size from acute to 6 months.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Selvester QRS scoring system is in half of the patients with reperfused first time MI in good accordance with DE-MRI in identifying a decrease or no change in the extent of left ventricle occupied by infarction in the acute and chronic phases.     

荧光定量PCR与半定量PCR检测猕猴不同器官组织中黄嘌呤脱氢酶/氧化酶基因的mRNA表达差异的比对

目的 分析荧光定量PCR 与半定量PCR 检测猕猴体内肝脏组织、上皮组织、睾丸组织、心肌组织,肾脏组织中黄嘌呤氧化脱氢酶（XDH/XO）的mRNA的相对表达量的差异,其结果具有一定的参考价值。方法 提取健康猕猴新鲜肝脏组织、上皮组织、睾丸组织、心肌组织,肾脏组织中总RNA,使用相同的引物序列及内参基因,分别用荧光定量PCR 与半定量PCR 进行相对定量检测,结果做比对分析。结果 两种检测方法的特异性没有差异,荧光定量PCR较半定量PCR灵敏性高,均显示猕猴不同组织XDH/XO的mRNA表达在肝脏组织中表达水平最高,对于表达量较低的其他组织,荧光定量PCR 与半定量PCR检测结果有一定差异。结论: 荧光实时定量PCR优于半定量PCR 法。     

From cutting edge to guideline: A first step in harmonization of the zebrafish embryotoxicity test (ZET) by describing the most optimal test conditions and morphology scoring system

In the last couple of years, the interest in the zebrafish embryotoxicity test (ZET) for use in developmental toxicity assessment has been growing exponentially. This is also evident from the recent proposal for updating the ICHS5 guideline. The methodology of the ZET used by the different groups varies greatly. To further evaluate its successfulness and to take the ZET to the next level, harmonization of procedures is crucial. In the present study, based on literature and empirical data, the most optimal study design regarding temperature, test chamber, exposure period, presence of chorion, solvent use, exposure method, choice of concentrations, and teratogenic classification is proposed. Furthermore, our morphology scoring system is reported in detail as protocol to further enhance study design harmonization.     

失代偿期肝硬化患者的MELD评分与预后

目的评价MELD评分系统在晚期肝病中的应用。方法对87例住院失代偿期乙肝肝硬化患者进行MELD评分，同时进行C-T-P评分。随访3、12、24月的生存率，并分组比较。结果随访3月病死率31．0％；12月病死率40．2％；24月病死率为75．9％。以MELD系统R为18分组比较，显示〉18分组3月、12月的病死率明显高于≤18分组（P=0．001及0．006），24月无明显差异；以R≤9分、10—19分、20-29分、30-39分、≥40分组比较，显示≤9分组3月、12月病死率为0，≥40分组3月病死率为100％。10分以上者在24月均有较高的病死率。C-T-P评分有相类似的结果。结论MELD对失代偿肝病1年内的短期预后判定较为准确。C-T-P系统也是良好的肝功能评价方法之一。     

Socioeconomics of coronary artery calcium: Is it scored or ignored?

ImportanceChicago is one of the most racially segregated cities in the US, with the largest mortality gap between neighborhoods. Computed tomographic coronary artery calcium scoring (CACS) is an excellent risk stratification tool, but costs about $200 out-of-pocket, making it inaccessible to some.ObjectiveTo determine whether this ACC/AHA guideline-recommended screening tool is accessible to all populations and neighborhoods, we evaluated the price and availability of CACS in Chicago area hospitals.DesignWe used the Illinois Department of Public Health list of area hospitals to inquire about CACS availability and price. We compared these results to US Census Bureau data for each hospital's service area's demographic, ethnic and socioeconomic population characteristics.ResultsOut of the 40 hospitals in Chicagoland, 30 offered CACS. The 10 hospitals without CACS were smaller hospitals in zip codes with a higher population density (p ?< ?0.01), higher poverty rates (22% vs. 13%, p ?< ?0.01), lower percentage of white population (p ?< ?0.02), lower frequency of higher education (35% vs. 51%, p ?< ?0.05), and a trend toward more black residents (p ?< ?0.10). Life expectancy was greater in areas with CACS available (78 vs. 75 years, p ?< ?0.05).Even in areas with CACS, there was wide price variation, with higher prices in poorer areas (r ?= ?0.57, p ?< ?0.01). The highest vs. lowest quintile of income had higher education, larger white population (80% vs. 14%, p ?< ?0.0001), and longer life expectancy (81 vs. 72 years, p ?< ?0.0002), but tended to have a lower price of CACS ($86 vs. $487, p ?< ?0.08).Conclusions and relevanceCACS is a powerful, evidenced-based clinical tool, but the availability and price vary widely in Chicagoland, and directly correlate with the socioeconomic and health care disparities that are known to exist. Removing these barriers to coronary artery disease screening may be one method to improve the poor cardiovascular outcomes in these areas.