We have investigated the high-pressure behavior of the 'lone-pair' compound SnO using monochromatic synchrotron X-ray diffraction, synchrotron far-and mid-infrared reflection measurements, and Raman spectroscopy. The litharge-type ambient pressure structure is observed up to at least 20 GPa, though with indications for a small distortion above 15 GPa. Changes in interatomic distances are determined via full Rietveld refinements of diffraction patterns. SnO is found to undergo a semiconductor to metal transition near 5(1) GPa; the transition is attributed to the closure of the indirect fundamental gap. The mode Grüneisen parameters of zone-center Raman mode frequencies are reported. The results are discussed in light of related experimental and theoretical studies of structural, dynamical, and electronic properties of SnO.

This study aims to assess the risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and to determine the association of traditional and biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) with risk for CVD in Chinese rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. A cross-sectional cohort of 2013 RA patients from 21 hospitals around China was established. Medical history of CVD was documented. The patients' social background, clinical manifestations, comorbidities, and medications were also collected. Of the 2013 patients, 256 had CVD with an incidence of 12.7%. Compared with non-CVD controls, RA patients with CVD had a significantly advanced age, long-standing median disease duration, more often male and more deformity joints. Patients with CVD also had higher rates of smoking, rheumatoid nodules, interstitial lung disease, and anemia. The prevalence of comorbidities, including hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension, and hyperlipidemia, was also significant higher in the CVD group. In contrast, patients treated with methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), and TNF blockers had lower incidence of CVD. The multivariate analysis showed that the use of HCQ was a protective factor of CVD, while hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and interstitial lung disease were independent risk factors of CVD. Our study shows that the independent risk factors of CVD include hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and interstitial lung disease. HCQ reduces the risk of CVD in patients with RA.