[Evaluation of the right ventricular function in patients with pneumoconiosis by three-dimensional speckle-tracking imaging].

Objective: To evaluate the changes of right ventricular function in patients with pneumoconiosis in different stages using three-dimensional speckle-tracking imaging (3D-STI) . Methods: In June 2020, 114 pneumoconiosis patients were selected as subjects, including 45 patients in stage Ⅰ pneumoconiosis group, 36 patients in stage Ⅱ pneumoconiosis group and 33 patients in stage Ⅲ pneumoconiosis group. Fifty healthy subjects were enrolled and served as control group. The longitudinal strain (LS) , radial strain (RS) and circumferential strain (CS) of free wall middle and basal segment of right ventricular were collected and compared. The right ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) , right ventricular global circumferential strain (GCS) , right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) , right ventricular global radial strain (GRS) , the rate of fractional area change (FAC) , the tricuspid valve systolic peak velocity (TVSPV) and the pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) of each subject in the groups were collected and compared by 3D-STI. Results: The LS and RS of the right ventricular basal segment of patients in stage Ⅱ pneumoconiosis group were significantly lower than those of control group (P<0.0125) . The LS, CS, RS of the right ventricular basal segment and RS of right ventricular middle segment of patients in stage Ⅲ pneumoconiosis group were significantly lower than those of control group (P<0.0125) . The LS, CS and RS of the right ventricular basal segment of patients in stage Ⅰ pneumoconiosis group were significantly higher than those of stage Ⅲ pneumoconiosis group (P<0.0125) , and the RS of the right ventricular basal segment of patients in stage Ⅱ pneumoconiosis group was significantly higher than that of stage Ⅲ pneumoconiosis group (P<0.0125) . The levels of RVEF and GLS of patients in stage Ⅱ and stage Ⅲ pneumoconiosis group were significantly lower than those of control group (P<0.0125) , while the levels of PASP were significantly higher than that of control group (P<0.0125) . The levels of FAC and TVSPV of patients in stage Ⅲ pneumoconiosis group were significantly lower than those of control group (P<0.0125) . The levels of RVEF, GLS and FAC of patients in stage Ⅰ pneumoconiosis group were significantly higher those that of stage Ⅲ pneumoconiosis group (P<0.0125) , and the PASP level was significantly lower than that of stage Ⅲ pneumoconiosis group (P<0.0125) . The FAC level of patients in stage Ⅱ pneumoconiosis group was significantly higher than that of stage Ⅲ pneumoconiosis group (P<0.0125) . Conclusion: Patients with pneumoconiosis could experience a decline in right ventricular function at an early stage. The 3D-STI can accurately detect the GLS, GRS, GCS and hemodynamic changes of the right ventricular and evaluate the right ventricular function comprehensively and objectively. 3D-STI is of great significance for the early detection of right ventricular dysfunction in patients with pneumoconiosis.

Outcome impact of individualized fluid management during spine surgery: a before-after prospective comparison study.

BACKGROUND: Individualized fluid management (IFM) has been shown to be useful to improve the postoperative outcome of patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. A limited number of clinical studies have been done in orthopaedic patients and have yielded conflicting results. We designed the present study to investigate the clinical impact of IFM in patients undergoing major spine surgery. METHODS: This is a before-after study done in 300 patients undergoing posterior spine arthrodesis. Postoperative outcomes were compared between control group implementing standard fluid management (n = 150) and IFM group (n = 150) guided by fluid protocol based on continuous stroke volume monitoring and optimization. The primary outcome measure was the proportion of patients who developed one or more complications within 30 days following surgery. RESULTS: During surgery, patients received on average the same volume of crystalloids (7.4 vs 7.2 ml/kg/h) and colloids (1.6 vs 1.6 ml/kg/h) before and after the implementation of IFM. During 30 days following surgery, the proportion of patients who developed one or more complications was lower in the IFM group (32 vs 48%, p < 0.01). This difference was mainly explained by a significant decrease in post-operative nausea and vomiting (from 38 to 19%, p < 0.01), urinary tract infections (from 9 to 1%, p < 0.01) and surgical site infections (from 5 to 1%, p < 0.05). Median hospital length of stay was not affected by the implementation of IFM. CONCLUSION: In patients undergoing major spine surgery, the implementation of IFM was associated with a significant decrease in postoperative morbidity. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02470221 . Prospectively registered on June 12, 2015.

MiR-20a acted as a ceRNA of lncRNA PTENPL and promoted bladder cancer cell proliferation and migration by regulating PDCD4.

OBJECTIVE: Bladder cancer is the most frequent tumor of the urinary system. Despite variety of new treatment options, bladder cancer remains a main global medical problem. Our purpose was to explore the potential molecular and therapeutic targets of bladder cancer diagnosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The qRT-PCR was used to assess the expression of miR-20a in tissues and cell lines. Counting Cell Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was carried out to evaluate cell proliferation. Cell migration was calculated using the transwell assay. RESULTS: The expression of miR-20a increased and PDCD4 decreased in bladder cancer tissues compared with normal tissues. Overexpression of miR-20a promoted T24 cell proliferation and migration, while miR-20a inhibitor suppressed cell proliferation and migration. MiR-20a targeted PDCD4 to regulate its expression in T24 cells. MiR-20a is inversely related to PDCD4 and PTENPL in bladder cancer tissues. Upregulation of PDCD4 suppressed T24 cell proliferation and migration. CONCLUSIONS: The PTENP1/miR-20a/PTEN axis was involved in the progression of bladder cancer. Our study investigated the function of miR-20a in bladder cancer and provided new insights into the treatment of bladder cancer.

Long noncoding RNA CASC2c inhibited cell proliferation in hepatocellular carcinoma by inactivated ERK1/2 and Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway.

PURPOSE: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to play important roles in tumorigenesis, but their biological functions and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Alternative splicing of five exons results in three transcript variants of cancer susceptibility 2 (CASC2): the lncRNAs CASC2a, CASC2b, and CASC2c. CASC2a/b have been found to have crucial regulatory functions in a number of malignancies, but few studies have examined the effects of CASC2c in cancers. The objective of the study was to investigate the role of CASC2c in the proliferation and apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. METHODS: This study first investigated the expression levels of CASC2c in tumor tissues, corresponding non-tumor tissues and cells using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The function and underlying molecular mechanism of CASC2c in human HCC were investigated in QGY-7703 cell line, as well as in gastric cancer (GC) cell and colorectal cancer (CRC) cell. RESULTS: In the present work, we observed that CASC2c was significantly down-regulated in HCC tissues and cells. Moreover, its overexpression remarkably inhibited the growth, migration, and invasion of HCC cells in vitro and promoted their apoptosis. Furthermore, we demonstrated that CASC2c overexpression decreased p-ERK1/2 levels in HCC, GC, and CRC cells. Interestingly, while overexpression of CASC2c decreased ß-catenin expression in HCC and GC cells, it increased that in CRC cells. CONCLUSION: The lncRNA-CASC2c has a vital role in tumorigenesis and cancer progression, and may serve as a biomarker or therapeutic target in cancer treatment via down-regulation of the ERK1/2 and Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathways.

Efficacy and safety of vitrectomy for congenital cataract surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis based on randomized and controlled trials.

PURPOSE: To explore the effectiveness and safety of vitrectomy for congenital cataract surgery. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Science Direct, The Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and the Wanfang Database. Two researchers extracted data and assessed paper quality independently. Posterior capsule opacification (PCO) or visual axis opacification (VAO), reoperation rate, visual acuity, intraocular lenses (IOL) deposit, synechias, uveitis, secondary glaucoma, low-contrast sensitivity and IOL decentration were compared. RESULTS: We included 11 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 634 congenital cataract eyes. Cases of posterior capsule opacification in vitrectomy group were significantly less than that of control group, with risk ratio (RR) of 0.15 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.09, 0.26], and there was no heterogeneity (I2  = 0%, p = 0.94). Reoperation rate in vitrectomy group was lower than that of control group either (RR = 0.40, 95%CI: 0.17, 0.94), and there was no heterogeneity (I2  = 0%, p = 0.85). Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measured in LogMAR unit of vitrectomy group was smaller, with a mean difference (MD) of -0.17 (95%CI: -0.28, -0.05), and I2 was only 22%, indicating of a small heterogeneity. No statistical difference was found between two groups on IOL deposit (RR = 1.23, 95%CI: 0.70, 2.17), and the heterogeneity was small (I2  = 16%, p = 0.31). No statistical difference was found between two groups on synechias (RR = 1.08, 95%CI: 0.60, 1.94), with a quite small heterogeneity (I2  = 3%, p = 0.38). No statistical difference was found between two groups on uveitis (RR = 0.55, 95%CI: 0.15, 2.01), and there was no heterogeneity (I2  = 0%, p = 0.94). There was no statistical difference on IOP either, with a MD of 0.25 (95%CI: -1.56, 2.07), and there was no heterogeneity (I2  = 0%). Egger's test showed that there was no publication bias for all assessed outcomes. Low-contrast sensitivity was better in the vitrectomy group. And no evidence indicated vitrectomy could lead to a higher risk on secondary glaucoma or IOL decentration. CONCLUSION: Vitrectomy helps lower the PCO risk and reoperation risk after congenital cataract surgery, and also, vitrectomy helps patients gain a better BCVA and achieve a better low-contrast sensitivity, with no trade-off on IOP control, IOL deposit, synechias, uveitis and secondary glaucoma. We recommend performing vitrectomy during congenital cataract surgery.

Association of branched-chain amino acids with coronary artery disease: A matched-pair case-control study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Several recent studies have found an independent relationship between levels of plasma branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD); however, few studies have investigated the associations of BCAAs with CAD and the risk of cardiovascular events. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between BCAAs and CAD. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 143 patients with CAD diagnosed by coronary angiography at Beijing Hospital (Beijing, China) during 2008-2011. Apparently healthy control individuals (n = 286) and the patients with CAD were matched (2:1 ratio) by age and gender. The healthy control individuals were selected at random from a set of subjects who attended an annual physical examination at the same hospital in 2011. Conditional logistic regression models were used to evaluate the associations between measured variables and CAD. After multivariate adjustment for traditional CAD risk factors, each one-standard-deviation increase in BCAA concentration was associated with an approximately twofold increase in the risk of CAD (odds ratio = 1.63, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.21-2.20, P = 0.001). As compared with subjects in the lowest quartile of BCAA levels, the odds ratios (95% CIs) for CAD risk in subjects belonging to quartiles 2, 3, and 4 were 1.65 (0.75-3.61), 2.04 (0.92-4.53), and 3.86 (1.71-8.69), respectively (P trend = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that BCAAs are significantly related to CAD development. This relationship is independent of diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and body mass index.

Midazolam suppresses osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

OBJECTIVE: Previous study showed that peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors (PBRs) are expressed in human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and diazepam was found to inhibit hMCSs viability in high concentration. Midazolam, a benzodiazepine derivative, is widely used as an intravenous sedative in hospital. Peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors (PBRs) affect a broad spectrum of cellular functions. We tested the cell viability and osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Bone marrow was collected from 12 patients during the operation of spine internal fixation. Cultivated with basal medium, the hBMSCs were incubated with or without midazolam (0.1, 1, 5, 10, 15, 20 µM, respectively). Cell viability were tested with MTS assay after 2, 4, 6 hours respectively. Cell morphology was observed and recorded at 6 hour. After cultivated with osteogentic medium, the hBMSCs were incubated with or without midazolam (5, 10, 15, 20 µM, respectively). Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and alizarin red S staining were measured. Cultivated with osteogentic medium with or without treatment of 15 µM midazolam, the mRNA expression of ALP, type 1 collagen (COL1), Runx2 and PPARγ was analyzed by real-time RT-PCR. RESULTS: The treatments of midazolam inhibited cell viability to 85%-16% respectively (p < 0.05). Rounded up phenomenon with floating cells, Membrane-blebbed cells and cytoplasmic contraction were observed after 10, 15 or 20 µM midazolam treatment. The ALP activity and Calcium deposition of hBMSCs exposed to 15 and 20 µM midazolam was significantly inhibited at 7, 14 and 21 days (p < 0.05). And the mRNA expression of ALP, COL1 and PPARγ was significantly suppressed in the hBMSCs cultured with 15 µM midazolam (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Midazolam exert negative effect on cell viability and osteogenic differentiation of cultured hBMSCs. During sedation in critical care, the use of midazolam may suppress activity of hBMSCs.

Heterorhabditidoides rugaoensis n. sp. (Rhabditida: Rhabditidae), a Novel Highly Pathogenic Entomopathogenic Nematode Member of Rhabditidae.

A novel entomopathogenic nematode species, Heterorhabditidoides rugaoensis n. sp. RG081015, collected from Rugao, China, is described. The new species is morphologically very similar to H. chongmingensis but can be distinguished from it on the basis of some morphological characteristics, combined with molecular data and a cross-hybridization test. Males of the new species can be recognized on the basis of body length averaging 1396.2 µm; lateral field with one ridge; metastome isoglottoid with one hemispherical swellings comprised of two to three well-developed warts; asymmetric spicules; peloderan bursa. In IJs, EP = 134.5 µm; ES = 149.3 µm; tail length = 82.5 µm; and a = 20.5. Hermaphroditic females have four to five lateral ridges. The 18S rDNA and ITS sequences of the two nematodes share 99% and 98% identity, respectively. Phylogenetic trees of 18S rDNA and ITS indicate that the new species is most closely related to H. chongmingensis; thus, the two nematodes belong to the same genus. Failure of cross-hybridization between them indicates that nematode strain RG081015 is a novel species and is described herein as H. rugaoensis n. sp. The LC50 of the novel species against Galleria mellonella were 24.35 IJs / ml within 48 hours of infection. Morphological characteristics, genetic similarity analyses, and phylogenetic relationships provide strong evidence that some species of Oscheius/Insectivora-group should be reassigned to the genus Heterorhabditidoides.

Sustainable oil-in-water analysis using a supercritical fluid carbon dioxide extraction system directly interfaced with infrared spectroscopy.

A direct aqueous supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) system using carbon dioxide provides a sustainable means by which a vast range of industries may continue to depend on well established infrared (IR) techniques to determine oil-in-water. The SFE-IR method provides an environmentally friendly substitute for current national standard IR reference methods for measuring oil-in-water that rely on using increasingly restricted ozone depleting solvents whose manufacture is being phased out in accordance with international law. The SFE-IR analysis of a 500 mL water sample can be accomplished in 15 min. A rapid on-line SFE-IR calibration method has been implemented. With this calibration method, SFE-IR accuracy for determining diesel oil in 500 mL spiked water samples using single wave number measurement was 86.0%-98.8% with precision (RSD) ranging from 2.5%-7.0%. Using a general purpose calculation which involves measuring infrared absorbance values at three different wave numbers, SFE-IR method accuracy for determining diesel oil in 500 mL spiked water samples was 83.7%-92.2% with RSD 1.0%-9.3%. Data is presented that indicates current long established national standard IR reference methods involving three wave number calculations should be reviewed since, without careful consideration, the inclusion of calculated aromatic hydrocarbon species contributions to final oil-in-water concentration values may provide less accurate results.

Direct aqueous supercritical fluid extraction coupled on-line with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for the analysis of polyether ionophore antibiotics in water.

A direct aqueous SFE system designed to extract water samples contained in vials has been coupled on-line with a reverse phase LC-MS-MS system using a single 10-port valve. An SFE trap system using C(1) stationary phase connected to a C(18) analytical HPLC column enabled the SFE-LC-MS-MS analysis of three polyether ionophore antibiotics in water using a step gradient. A quantitative SFE-LC-MS-MS method has been developed whereby the progress of SFE can be monitored directly on-line such that ionophore recovery profile data from a single water sample can be obtained. Using a continuous direct aqueous SFE period of 75 min, the SFE-LC-MS-MS recoveries of the ionophores were: monensin 76.2% with RSD 4.1%, lasalocid 84.6% with RSD 3.8% and narasin 91.2% with RSD 3.2%. With positive ion electrospray ionization, the SFE-LC-MS-MS system using a 4 mL water sample provided multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) limits of detection for monensin and lasalocid each equivalent to 90 ng/L whereas 30 ng/L for narasin. A two-way valve controlling carbon dioxide distribution to the SFE vessel has provided a means for the initial investigation of the recovery of ionophore sodium salts from water using static SFE.

Effect of microkeratome suction duration on corneal flap thickness and incision angle.

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of suction duration on corneal flap thickness and incision angle of the cut margin created by a microkeratome in a porcine eye. METHODS: Thirty porcine eyes were randomly assigned to three groups according to different suction duration: group 1 (10 sec), group 2 (35 sec), and group 3 (60 sec). The Hansatome microkeratome with a #160 plate and 8.5-mm-diameter suction ring was used to create a corneal flap with a diameter of 8.5 millimeters. Corneal flap thickness was measured by automated ultrasonic pachymetry, and the incision angle was assessed by measuring the angle of a sagittal section of the cornea using image analysis software. RESULTS: Mean corneal flap thickness in groups 1 (10 sec), 2 (35 sec), and 3 (60 sec) was 87.8 +/- 22.0 microm, 116.0 +/- 7.0 microm, and 127.2 +/- 16.8 microm, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between groups 1 (10 sec) and 2 (35 sec) (P=.005) and groups 1 and 3 (P=.004). The mean incision angle in groups 1, 2, and 3 was 34.8 +/- 9.0 degrees, 44.4 +/- 16.1 degrees, and 48.24 +/- 15.3 degrees, respectively. A statistically significant difference was found between groups 1 (10 sec) and 2 (35 sec) (P=.044) and groups 1 (10 sec) and 3 (60 sec) (P<.001). CONCLUSION: In laser in situ keratomileusis in porcine eyes, an increase in suction duration resulted in a thicker flap and greater incision angle.

[Effects of baicalin on hepatocyte apoptosis induced by TNF-alpha and act D in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of baicalin on rat hepatocyte apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factora (TNF-alpha) and actinomycin D (Act D) in vitro. METHODS: Hepatocytes were cultured with different concentrations of baicalin and the cell apoptosis was induced by TNF-alpha and Act D in vitro. After culturing for 24 h, the activity of hepatocysts was examined by MTT assay and the function of hepatocytes for secreting albumin was detected by bromocresolum Viride method. Agarose gelelectrophoresis and flow cytometric analysis were used to determine the apoptotic cells. RESULTS: The actively of the hepatocyte (A) and content of albumin (ALB) in the supernatant of cultured cells in the groups of 0.2 microgram.ml-1 and 2.0 micrograms.ml-1 of baicaline were significantly higher than those in apoptotic model group (A: P < 0.01; ALB: P < 0.01); respectively Even the ALB value in the group of 0.2 microgram.ml-1 baicalin was higher that of black control group (P < 0.01); The clear "ladder-like" streak-band of DNA fragments was found only in the apoptosis model group by the agarose gel electrophoresis. The flow cytometry showed that all the apoptosis rates in the three baicalin groups were lower than that of the apoptotic model group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Baicaline can restrain rat hepatocyte apoptosis induced by TNF-alpha and ActD in vitro.

Comparison of the biological activities of human immunodeficiency virus 1 P24 and GP41 expressed in Spodoptera frugiperda cells by use of bac-to-bac system.

Recombinant transposing plasmids pFH24 and pFH41 were constructed by cloning the human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) p24 and gp41 genes, respectively, into the transposing vector pFastBacHTa. Recombinant bacmids rBH24 and rBH41 were obtained by transposing pPolh/p24 and pPolh/gp41 expression cassettes from recombinant plasmids pFH24 and pFH41, respectively. Recombinant viruses rAcH24 and rAcH41 were generated by transfection of the Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells with the DNAs of plasmids rBH24 and rBH41, respectively. Analysis of the expressed p24 or gp41 proteins with an antiserum to HIV-1 (HIV-1 antiserum) by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and dot blot assay showed high biological activity of these proteins; p24 was more active than gp41. Also a Western blot analysis showed stronger bands for p24 than for gp41. The high reactivities of p24 and gp41 with the HIV-1 antiserum suggest that these proteins could also be used as specific standard antigens in HIV-1 diagnostics.

Liver involvement in epidemic haemorrhagic fever: in situ hybridization, immunohistochemical and pathological studies.

In the present study, liver biopsy specimens from 37 patients with epidemic haemorrhagic fever (EHF) were investigated by using light and electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry for the EHF virus envelope protein G2 and in situ hybridization (ISH) for EHF viral RNA. Immunostaining and in situ hybridization were both positive, and a few of the aetiological agents, the EHF virus (EHFV) particles, were found individually within the dilated Golgi cisternae and vesicles, and the dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum of the hepatocyte. The pathological alterations of the liver cells infected with EHFV were: hepatocellular degeneration, cytoplasmic vacuolation, and spotty necrosis; moreover, zonal necrosis was present and adjacent to the narrowed and occluded sinusoids. In degenerated and spotty necrotic cells, the positive signals from of ISH for EHFV RNA and those from immunostaining for the virus protein were both stronger than those in the zonal liver cell necrosis area. The results showed that hepatocellular degeneration and spotty necrosis might be directly related to the virus and its duplication inside the liver cells, while the zonal necrosis was ischaemic and thought to be caused by microcirculation dysfunction.

Ultrastructural observation on macrophage-lymphocyte interactions in semen from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook.f. takers.

Sixty-nine specimens from Tripterygium Wilfordii Hook.f. (TWH) users were investigated by electron microscopy. No macrophages were demonstrated in the 21 specimens collected prior to the administration of TWH. However, it was found in 23 out of the 48 semen specimens obtained following the TWH administration. The macrophages were functionally active as shown by the presence of a large number of cytoplasmic processes and pseudopodia on the surface, and primary and secondary lysosomes in the cytoplasm. The macrophages phagocytized sperm debris and degenerated or dead spermatids with formation of specific phagosomes. Around those macrophages, lymphocytes were commonly noted. The cytoplasmic processes of the two cell types could come into contact or even fuse with each other, leading to tight junction-like structure; in some of the contacts, the plasma membranes were found dissolved so as to form direct cytoplasmic linkage.

[Serum soluble interleukin 2 receptor levels in patients with diffuse connective tissue diseases].

Soluble interleukin 2 receptor (SIL-2R) levels in serum appear to reflect the status of lymphocytic activation and proliferation. We examined the levels of serum SIL-2R in 65 patients with diffuse connective tissue diseases by using ELISA method. The mean levels of serum SIL-2R were respectively 0.46 U/L, 0.53 U/L, 0.46 U/L in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and dermatomyositis during disease activity and were significantly higher than those in healthy controls (0.25 U/L). The levels of serum SIL-2R were 0.62 U/L and 0.60 U/L respectively in a patient with mixed connective tissue disease and a patient with systemic sclerosis. The levels of SIL-2R were respectively 0.24 U/L and 0.29 U/L in SLE and RA patients during clinical remission, being significantly lower than during disease activity. SLE patients with high SIL-2R levels were associated with high levels of 125I-DNA rate and erythrocyte sedimentation rate and lower levels of C3 complement components. The measurement of SIL-2R levels may be an useful indicator for monitoring disease activity in SLE and RA patients. Moreover it is a noninvasive method.

[Blood coagulation changes in systemic lupus erythematosus].

Changes of blood coagulation in 32 cases of SLE were investigated. Abnormalities frequently found were elevation of blood fibrinogen, FDP, V111R: Ag levels, prolonged or shortened KPTT time, and depressed AT-III value. Half of the patients with SLE showed laboratory changes compatible with the diagnostic criteria of DIC, but acute DIC was encountered clinically only in 2 cases hypercoagulation state or hypercoagulation with lower fibrinolysis, however were frequently seen. Lupus anticoagulant were detected in 6 patients and deep vein thrombosis of lower extremity in 1 patient. Examination of blood coagulation in patients with SLE was, therefore, of clinical importance.