[Analysis of characteristics related to the disease activity of systemic lupus erythematosus and construction of an evaluation model].

Objective: To stratify systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients clinically, to analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with and without disease activity, and to explore the application va-lue of key clinical indicators in assessing disease activity, as well as to construct an evaluation model.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data of the SLE patients diagnosed at Peking University People' s Hospital from May 1995 to April 2014. Demographic information, clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, and antibody detection results were collected.

Nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (NCQDs) detected to mercury ions in food monitoring.

Using 2,3-diaminopyridine and citric acid as precursors, blue fluorescent nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (NCQDs) with a narrow size distribution (∼7.2 nm) were prepared and applied in the following assay for mercury ion detection at a weight ratio of 2,3-diaminopyridine:citric acid = 1:1 (0.2 g: 0.

Profile of immunological biomarkers in Behcet's syndrome: a large-scale single-center real-world study.

Behcet's syndrome (BS) is a vasculitis characterized by immune dysregulation. Biomarkers are valuable for assessing clinically atypical pathogenesis. We aimed to investigate the distribution of different biomarkers and their effects on the clinical features of patients with BS in a large-scale, real-world study.

Substituent effects on the ESIPT process and the potential applications in materials transport field of 2'-aminochalcone derivatives.

This work investigates the different charge transfer characteristics and excited state intramolecular proton transfer process (ESIPT) of 2'-aminochalcones derivatives carrying different electron-withdrawing groups. Four new molecules are designed in the experiment and named as 2c, 3c, 4c and 5c, respectively. (Dyes and Pigments, 2022, 202.

The effect of the number of conjugated C=C bonds on the ESIPT and ICT reactions of SNCN derivatives.

The electronic structure of the molecule is significantly influenced by the number of conjugated C=C bonds. In this work, the influence of the conjugated C=C bonds of the SNCN derivatives on the excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) and intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) properties are studied by density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). The calculation level is proved to be reasonable by calculating electronic spectra.

Mitochondrial genome sequencing with short overlapping amplicons on MiSeq FGx system.

With the development and maturation of massively parallel sequencing (MPS) technology, the mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequencing is increasingly applied in the forensic field. In this study, we employed the strategy of short overlapping amplicons for the whole mitogenome, library preparation with tagmentation using the Nextera® XT DNA Library Preparation Kit, sequencing on the MiSeq FGx Forensic Genomics System and analyzing data using the mitochondrial(mtDNA) MSR Plug-in and the mtDNA Variant Analyzer. A total of 27 libraries and 56 libraries were sequenced in a run using MiSeq Reagent Kit v2 and v3, respectively.

Diminished natural killer T-like cells correlates with aggravated primary Sjögren's syndrome.

Objective: To reveal the characteristics and potential role of natural killer T-like cells (NKT-like cells) in the pathogenesis of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS).

Methods: Forty-six patients with pSS and 30 healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. The frequencies and cell count of NKT-like cells as well as other lymphocyte subsets were analyzed by flow cytometry.

"Turn-on" fluorescent probes based on Rhodamine B/amino acid derivatives for detection of Fe in water.

Five kinds of Fe fluorescent probes (RhB-Gly, RhB-Ala, RhB-Try, RhB-Cys, and RhB-His) were synthesized and characterized by NMR and mass spectrometry, based on the "OFF-ON" mechanism of Rhodamine B derivatives. The RhB-His based probe showed remarkable sensing performance toward the detection for Fe and showed high selectivity for Fe in the presence of other metal ions (such as Fe, Hg, Zn, Ba, Al, Co, Cd, K, Na, Mn, Pd, Pb, Ca, Ni, Cu, and Ag), in PBS buffer solution (containing 2% of EtOH, pH 7.4, 1.

Interleukin 17E associates with haematologic involvement and autoantibody production in primary Sjögren's syndrome.

Objectives: Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is one of the most prevalent systemic autoimmune diseases characterised by inflammation and tissue damage of exocrine glands, especially salivary or lacrimal gland. IL-17 related immune response is pathogenic with proinflammatory feature in pSS. However, whether IL-17E, an IL-17 family member, is involved in pSS pathogenesis or not, has not been determined.

Double Negative B Cell Is Associated With Renal Impairment in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Acts as a Marker for Nephritis Remission.

Recent studies on double negative B cells (DN B cells) suggested that they have potential pathogenic roles in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study aimed to determine the circulating DN B cells in SLE patients and analyzed the clinical significance of this cell subset. Fifty-seven SLE patients and fifty healthy controls (HCs) were recruited in this study.

p-Pyridine BODIPY-based fluorescence probe for highly sensitive and selective detection of picric acid.

A novel fluorescence probe p-PBP for PA was synthesized based on a basic N atom as the electronic donor. The probe could detect PA over TNT, CE, PETN, RDX, HMX, NB, NT, DNT, NP, DNP, and common inorganic explosive ions (K, Ba, NH, NO, ClO, and ClO), and common ions (Na, Ca, and Mg) with high selectivity. The fluorescence quenching was attributed to the photo-induced electron transfer (PET) processes from the excited state of p-PBP to the ground state PA.

Efficacy and safety of low-dose IL-2 in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Objectives: Open-labelled clinical trials suggested that low-dose IL-2 might be effective in treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A double-blind and placebo-controlled trial is required to formally evaluate the safety and efficacy of low-dose IL-2 therapy.

Methods: A randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled clinical trial was designed to treat 60 patients with active SLE.

Evaluation of 12 different assays for detecting ANCA in Chinese patients with GPA and MPA: a multicenter study in China.

Objective: Due to lack of comprehensive evaluation for various detection methods for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) in Chinese population, we evaluate the diagnostic performance of 12 established analysis methods in Chinese patients having granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA).

Methods: Sera were collected from 209 patients with GPA or MPA and 243 diseases controls from 15 centers. Twelve different reagents were employed for C-ANCA, P-ANCA, myeloperoxidase (MPO)-ANCA, and proteinase 3(PR3)-ANCA detection.

Decreased serum thrombospondin-1 and elevation of its autoantibody are associated with multiple exacerbated clinical manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus.

The pathological effects of thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) have been studied in many preclinical tumor models and rheumatoid arthritis. However, the role of TSP-1 and anti-thrombospondin-1 autoantibodies (ATSA) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has not been specifically defined. In this study, we investigated the clinical relevance and functional significance of TSP-1 and ATSA in SLE patients.

Circulating immune complexome analysis identified anti-tubulin-α-1c as an inflammation associated autoantibody with promising diagnostic value for Behcet's Disease.

Background: Behcet's disease (BD) is a chronic, multisystem-involved vasculitis and its pathogenesis remains elusive. No specific serological markers for BD diagnosis have been established. Identification of novel diagnostic biomarkers will be helpful in timely diagnostic and treatment for Behcet's disease.

Prevalence, risk factors, and prognosis of interstitial lung disease in a large cohort of Chinese primary Sjögren syndrome patients: A case-control study.

To determine the prevalence of pulmonary complications in primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS), and to identify the risk factors and the prognosis associated with pulmonary involvement in pSS patients.A total of 1341 hospitalized patients (853 with pSS and 488 with secondary Sjögren syndrome [sSS]) were retrospectively reviewed. Of these, 165 hospitalized patients with pSS-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD) were analyzed and recruited as a study group.

Anti-tubulin-α-1C autoantibody in systemic lupus erythematosus: a novel indicator of disease activity and vasculitis manifestations.

A variety of autoantibodies has been involved in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), some of which are well known and applied as disease biomarkers. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of a novel autoantibody, anti-tubulin-α-1C, in patients with SLE and investigate its clinical significance. Anti-tubulin-α-1C autoantibody levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 128 SLE patients, 38 primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) patients, and 106 healthy controls (HCs).

Lipopolysaccharide-binding protein is a sensitive disease activity biomarker for rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: This study was performed to evaluate the performance and clinical significance of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) as a disease activity biomarker in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: LBP levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The associations between LBP and the clinical and serological features of RA and its clinical significance as a RA disease activity biomarker were analysed.

Low-dose interleukin-2 treatment selectively modulates CD4(+) T cell subsets in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a potentially life-threatening autoimmune disease characterized by altered balance of activity between effector and regulatory CD4(+) T cells. The homeostasis of CD4(+) T cell subsets is regulated by interleukin (IL)-2, and reduced production of IL-2 by T cells is observed in individuals with SLE. Here we report that treatment with low-dose recombinant human IL-2 selectively modulated the abundance of regulatory T (Treg) cells, follicular helper T (TFH) cells and IL-17-producing helper T (TH17) cells, but not TH1 or TH2 cells, accompanied by marked reductions of disease activity in patients with SLE.

GITRL is associated with increased autoantibody production in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

The study aimed to determine the serum level of glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor family-related protein ligand (GITRL) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and investigate its clinical significance. GITRL levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 88 RA patients, 20 osteoarthritis (OA) patients, and 20 healthy controls (HCs). Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies and rheumatoid factor immunoglobulin G (RF-IgG) were also tested by ELISA.

The Clinical Relevance of IL-17-Producing CD4+CD161+ Cell and Its Subpopulations in Primary Sjögren's Syndrome.

Objective: Th17 cells have been demonstrated to play an important role in the onset and development of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). In this study, we evaluated the expansion and clinical significance of circulating CD4+CD161+ T cell and its "effector" (CD4+CD25-CD161+ T cell) and "regulatory" (CD4+CD25+CD161+ T cell) subpopulations.

Methods: Fifty-eight pSS patients and 16 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited in our study.

Establishment of a decision tree model for diagnosis of early rheumatoid arthritis by proteomic fingerprinting.

Aim: The objective of this study was to identify proteomic biomarkers specific for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) in combination with weak cationic exchange (WCX) magnetic beads.

Methods: Serum samples from 50 patients with RA and 110 disease controls (50 SLE and 60 SS) and 51 healthy individuals were analyzed. The samples were randomly divided into a training set or test set to develop a diagnostic model for RA.

Establishment of a novel diagnostic model for Sjögren's syndrome by proteomic fingerprinting.

Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is a systemic autoimmune disease that lacks sensitive and specific diagnostic methods. The aim of this study was to identify potential biomarkers specific for pSS and to establish a diagnostic model. Serum samples from patients with pSS, disease controls (DC, patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA)), and healthy controls (HC)) were randomly divided into a training set (35 pSS, 50 DC, and 26 HC) and a testing set (25 pSS, 50 DC, and 25 HC).

Antilymphocyte antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus: association with disease activity and lymphopenia.

Purpose: We analyzed the prevalence, clinical correlation, and the functional significance of ALA in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: ALA IgG was detected by indirect immunofluorescence in the serum of 130 SLE patients, 75 patients with various rheumatic diseases, and 45 healthy controls (HC).

Results: The sensitivity and specificity of ALA IgG in SLE were 42.

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and interleukin 33 form a regulatory circuit to perpetuate the inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis.

Hyperplasia of synovial fibroblasts, infiltration with inflammatory cytokines, and tissue hypoxia are the major characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Interleukin 33 (IL-33) is a newly identified inflammatory cytokine exacerbating the disease severity of RA. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) showed increased expression in RA synovium and could regulate a number of inflammatory cytokine productions.