Objective To investigate the influence factors of non-responsiveness and lowresponsiveness to hepatitis B vaccine of infants born to hepatitis 1 surface antigen (HBsAg) positive mothers.Methods A total of 219 HBsAg positive mothers and their full-term neonates were selected from July 2011 to December 2012 in the Third People's Hospital of Taiyuan.Serologic hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers and HBV DNA load of mothers and their neonates were determined.Neonates were followed up for 12 months to observe the effect of HBV intrauterine infection,hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) status,sex,delivery mode,feeding option and suffering from infectious disease during followup period on the immune response to hepatitis B vaccine.Chi-square test was used in univariate analyses and unconditional Logistical regression was used in multivariate analyses.Results There were 16 cases of non-responsiveness and 33 cases of low-responsiveness in all 219 neonates.The rate of non-responsiveness and low-responsiveness was 22.37 ％.In univariate analyses,neonatal HBeAg positivity (x2 =4.895,P=0.027),natural birth (x2 =5.210,P=0.022),suffering from infectious diseases during follow-up period (x2 =4.329,P=0.037) were significantly associated with non-responsiveness and low-responsiveness.There was no relationship between mother HBeAg positivity and the level of response to hepatitis B vaccine.In multivariate analyses,natural birth (OR=2.022,95 ％CI:1.045-3.914) and suffering from infectious diseases (OR=2.324,95 ％ CI:1.058-5.103) were associated with non-responsiveness and low-responsiveness.Conclusion Infants born to HBsAg positive mothers with natural birth or suffering from infectious diseases during follow-up period are more likely to be non-responsiveness and lowresponsiveness to hepatitis B vaccine.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus extended-release (Tac-ER) in the early stage after kidney transplantation. Methods Clinical data of 68 recipients undergoing kidney transplantation from 34 pairs of renal allografts were retrospectively analyzed. Two recipients who received bilateral kidneys from the same donor were treated with Tac-ER (Tac-ER group) and tacrolimus immediate-release (Tac-IR) (Tac-IR group) as one of the basic immunosuppressant. The changes of tacrolimus dosage and blood concentration, intra-patient variability (IPV), renal function, incidence of acute rejection, recipient and allograft survival rates and adverse events were statistically compared between two groups. Results The average daily dose of tacrolimus in the Tac-ER group was significantly higher than that in the Tac-IR group (F=8.386, P=0.005). In the Tac-ER group, the mean trough concentration at postoperative 4 d was (6.14±4.04) ng/mL, did not reach the target concentration, significantly lower than (9.41±5.47) ng/mL in the Tac-IR group (F=7.854, P=0.007). In the Tac-ER group, the IPV of trough concentration of tacrolimus within postoperative 1 month was significantly higher than that in the Tac-IR group (0.44±0.15 vs. 0.36±0.12, P=0.032). At postoperative 6 months, there was no significant difference in the renal function between two groups [serum creatinine level was (126±26) μmol/L vs. (120±28) μmol/L, and the estimated glomerular filtration rate was (56±13) mL/(min·1.73 m²) vs. (60±15) mL/(min·1.73 m²), both P > 0.05]. The allograft and recipient survival rates were 100% in both groups. The incidence of acute rejection within postoperative 1 month was 18% in the Tac-ER group and 3% in the Tac-IR group, with no significant difference (P > 0.05). The overall incidence of adverse events was 94% in the Tac-ER group and 97% in the Tac-IR group, with no significant difference (P > 0.05). Conclusions The efficacy and safety of Tac-ER are equivalent to those of Tac-IR, whereas a higher dose of Tac-ER should be orally given to reach the blood concentration similar to that of Tac-IR. During early-stage drug treatment, Tac-ER should be orally given before kidney transplantation or inittally with loading dose, aiming to increase the systemic exposure to tacrolimus early after kidney transplantation and prevent acute rejection caused by insufficient exposure.

Objective:To analyze the clinical and chest CT features in a family with interstitial lung disease(ILD), and assess the probable causative gene mutations for the family.Methods:In order to identify the etiology of the proband′s ILD, the pedigree was investigated.The clinical data of five proband′s pedigree members were collected, and the chest HRCT examination was performed on four proband′s pedigree members with respiratory symptoms.The human whole exon sequencing was performed on the proband′s blood samples, then its deleterious effects were assessed.Subsequently, the strong pathogenic mutation was validated by Sanger sequencing.Results:According to the family survey, there were five patients with ILD in the family, including three males and two females.One of them died.The surfactant protein C(SFTPC)gene(exon4, c.342G>T, p.K114N)was found in all four surviving patients.The mutation was considered to be originated from the father of the proband, and the pathogenic mutation was considered, which was not included in the databases and was a noval mutation.In addition, the clinical manifestations of different patients in the family were significantly different.Conclusion:The novel mutation of p. k114n in SFTPC gene can lead to ILD in children, and the mutation has incomplete exons in family members.Chest CT and whole exon sequencing play an important role in the diagnosis of ILD in children.

Objective:To evaluate clinical effect of tampon tamponade combined with wedge resection of the nail folds in the treatment of ingrown toenail-induced paronychia.Methods:A total of 96 patients with ingrown toenail-induced paronychia were collected from Department of Emergency Medicine, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University between August 2017 and April 2019, and randomly and equally divided into 2 groups by using a random number table: control group treated surgically with the Winograd method, and treatment group treated with tampon tamponade combined with wedge resection of the nail folds. All the patients were followed up for 6 - 23 months after surgery.Results:Six months after operation, 47 (97.92%) and 41 (85.42%) cases were cured in the treatment group and control group respectively, and the cure rate significantly differed between the 2 groups ( χ2 = 4.909, P < 0.05) . The visual analogue scale scores for pain were significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group on day 3 and 1 month after operation (both P < 0.05) . The postoperative recurrence rate and infection rate were 0 and 2.08% in the treatment group respectively, which were significantly lower than those in the control group (6.25%, 12.5%, respectively, both P < 0.05) . Conclusion:Tampon tamponade combined with wedge resection of the nail folds is effective for the treatment of ingrown toenail-induced paronychia with a simple operative procedure and a low postoperative recurrence rate, and is worthy of clinical promotion.

OBJECTIVE: To study the anti- fibrotic effect of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (hUCMSC-EXOs) and explore the mechanism. METHODS: Twenty-four C57 BL/6 mice were divided into 4 groups (=6), including the control group treated with intratracheal injection of saline (3 mg/kg); lung fibrosis model group with intratracheal injection of 1.5 mg/mL bleomycin solution (prepared with saline, 3 mg/kg); EXOs1 group with intratracheal injection of 1.5 mg/mL bleomycin solution (3 mg/kg) and hUCMSC-EXOs (100 μg/250 μL, given by tail vein injection on the next day after modeling); and EXOs2 group with intratracheal injection of 1.5 mg/mL bleomycin solution (3 mg/kg) and hUCMSC-EXOs (100 μg/250 μL, given by tail vein injection on the 10th day after modeling). At 21 days after modeling, pulmonary index, lung tissue pathology and collagen deposition in the mice were assessed using HE staining and Masson staining. The expression level of TGF-β1 was detected using ELISA, and vimentin, E-cadherin and phosphorylated Smad2/3 (p-Smad2/3) were detected using immunohistochemical staining. CCK8 assay was used to evaluate the effect of hUCMSCEXOs on the viability of A549 cells, and Western blotting was used to detect the expression levels of p-Smad2/3, vimentin, and E-cadherin in the cells. RESULTS: Compared with those in the model group, the mice treated with hUCMSC-EXOs showed significantly reduced the pulmonary index ( < 0.05), collagen deposition, lung tissue pathologies, lowered expressions of TGF-β1 ( < 0.05), vimentin, and p-Smad2/3 and increased expression of E-cadherin. hUCMSC-EXOs given on the second day produced more pronounced effect than that given on the 11th day ( < 0.05). CCK8 assay results showed that hUCMSC-EXOs had no toxic effects on A549 cells ( > 0.05). Western blotting results showed that hUCMSC-EXOs treatment significantly increased the expression of E-cadherin and decreased the expressions of p-Smad2/3 and vimentin in the cells. CONCLUSIONS hUCMSC-EXOs can alleviate pulmonary fibrosis in mice by inhibiting epithelialmesenchymal transition activated by the TGF-β1/Smad2/3 signaling pathway, and the inhibitory effect is more obvious when it is administered on the second day after modeling.
Animals ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Exosomes ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells ; Mice ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; Umbilical Cord

OBJECTIVE: To study the anti- fibrotic effect of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (hUCMSC-EXOs) and explore the mechanism. METHODS: Twenty-four C57 BL/6 mice were divided into 4 groups (=6), including the control group treated with intratracheal injection of saline (3 mg/kg); lung fibrosis model group with intratracheal injection of 1.5 mg/mL bleomycin solution (prepared with saline, 3 mg/kg); EXOs1 group with intratracheal injection of 1.5 mg/mL bleomycin solution (3 mg/kg) and hUCMSC-EXOs (100 μg/250 μL, given by tail vein injection on the next day after modeling); and EXOs2 group with intratracheal injection of 1.5 mg/mL bleomycin solution (3 mg/kg) and hUCMSC-EXOs (100 μg/250 μL, given by tail vein injection on the 10th day after modeling). At 21 days after modeling, pulmonary index, lung tissue pathology and collagen deposition in the mice were assessed using HE staining and Masson staining. The expression level of TGF-β1 was detected using ELISA, and vimentin, E-cadherin and phosphorylated Smad2/3 (p-Smad2/3) were detected using immunohistochemical staining. CCK8 assay was used to evaluate the effect of hUCMSCEXOs on the viability of A549 cells, and Western blotting was used to detect the expression levels of p-Smad2/3, vimentin, and E-cadherin in the cells. RESULTS: Compared with those in the model group, the mice treated with hUCMSC-EXOs showed significantly reduced the pulmonary index ( < 0.05), collagen deposition, lung tissue pathologies, lowered expressions of TGF-β1 ( < 0.05), vimentin, and p-Smad2/3 and increased expression of E-cadherin. hUCMSC-EXOs given on the second day produced more pronounced effect than that given on the 11th day ( < 0.05). CCK8 assay results showed that hUCMSC-EXOs had no toxic effects on A549 cells ( > 0.05). Western blotting results showed that hUCMSC-EXOs treatment significantly increased the expression of E-cadherin and decreased the expressions of p-Smad2/3 and vimentin in the cells. CONCLUSIONS hUCMSC-EXOs can alleviate pulmonary fibrosis in mice by inhibiting epithelialmesenchymal transition activated by the TGF-β1/Smad2/3 signaling pathway, and the inhibitory effect is more obvious when it is administered on the second day after modeling.
Animals ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Exosomes ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells ; cytology ; Mice ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; therapy ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; genetics ; Umbilical Cord ; cytology

Objective:To observe the safety and efficacy of early conversion into a simplified once-daily immunosuppressive regimen of sirolimus plus low-dose extended-release tacrolimus in kidney transplant recipients.Methods:From April 2019 to August 2020, clinical data were collected from 44 recipients (22 pairs) of kidney transplantation. Two kidneys from the same donor were randomly divided into observed and control groups. The immunosuppressive regimen of two groups was the same within 1 month post-transplantation, i. e. tacrolimus plus mycophenolatemofetil (or mycophenolate sodium) and prednisone. Then the immunosuppressive regimen of observed group was switched into a simplified once-daily regimen of sirolimus plus low-dose extended-release tacrolimus and prednisone while control group remained unchanged. The changes of graft function, proteinuria and the incidence of related adverse events were recorded.Results:No inter-group difference existed in serum level of creatinine at Month 1 post-transplantation (163.40±51.57 vs 166.10±49.48 μmol/L). After regimen conversion, serum level of creatinine was slightly lower in observed group than that in control group at Months 3 and 6 post-transplantation (130.10±30.10 vs 134.90±28.97, 121.50±24.96 vs 136.30±27.06). However, there was no statistic difference. The 24-hour urinary total trace protein was slightly higher in observed group than that in control group (331.20±84.21 vs 279.50±80.91 and 209.60±66.02 vs 179.50±37.60 mg/24 h) at Months 3 and 6 post-transplantation. However, there was no statistic difference. No inter-group difference existed in the incidence of drug side effects or other adverse events.Conclusions:In kidney transplant recipients at Month 1 post-transplantation, a conversion of immunosuppressive regimen into a simplified once-daily of sirolimus plus low-dose extended-release tacrolimus can significantly boost patient compliance without an elevated risk of drug side effects or adverse events and offer an advantage of reducing nephrotoxicity.

Objective:To explore the epidemiological characteristics, risk factors, preventions and treatments of recent human parvovirus B19 (HPV-B19) infections in recipients of renal transplantation (RT).Methods:From May 2020 to June 2021, retrospective review was conducted for epidemiological characteristics, treatment protocols, preventions and outcomes of HPV-B19 infected recipients after RT.Risk factors were analyzed using uninfected recipients after RT in the same period as controls.And 78 recipients who were not infected after RT with similar operation time were used as a control group for risk factor analysis.The infection rates of the four liver transplant recipients infected with HPV-B19 during the same period were calculated and compared with those of the kidney transplant recipients.Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were used for statistical analysis.Results:During the observation period, HPV-B19 infection occurred in 39/368 recipients after RT with an overall infection rate of 10.60%(39/368). In terms of clinical symptoms, all 39 recipients presented with pure red cell aplasia (PRCA). In terms of season of infection, HPV-B19 infections occurred predominantly in autumn and winter [74.3% (29/39) of infections in autumn and winter, including 48.7% (19/39) in autumn]. Comparing the infection rates of different transplant recipients, 4 out of 123 liver transplant recipients were infected with HPV-B19 during the same period.The rate of infection was lower in liver transplant recipients than in RT counterparts (3.25% vs.10.60%, χ2=6.225, P=0.013). Analysis of OR values showed that transfusion of blood products was a risk factor for recent postoperative infection ( χ2=4.806, P=0.028, OR=2.418, 95% CI=1.088-5.373). Conclusions:HPV-B19 infection in renal transplant patients is mainly manifested as PRCA and is more likely than in liver transplant patients.Autumn and winter may be susceptible seasons for HPV-B19 and protection should be increased to prevent infection.Transfusion of blood products is a risk factor for recent HPV-B19 infection after RT, therefore donors should be routinely examined and it is imperative to test the safety of blood products in patients after RT.Thus HPV-B19 infection is well-controlled so that further spread may be prevented to avoid an epidemic outbreak.

Objective:We employ different regimens of induction therapy in living donor ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation(ABOi-KT) recipients to compare their clinical outcomes during 6 months post-KT.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted for the relevant clinical data of 41 ABOi-KT recipients from June 2018 to September 2022.Thirteen recipients on induction therapy of anti-human T lymphocyte porcine immunoglobin(pATG)were enrolled in pATG group; 19 recipients on induction therapy of basiliximab in basiliximab group; 9 recipients on induction therapy of rabbit anti-human thymocyte immunoglobulin(rATG)in rATG group.Differences in age, gender, body mass index(BMI), dialysis modality/duration, sideness of donor kidney, frequency of blood group antibody treatment, dose of rituximab, basic blood group antibody titers of IgG/IgM, and the gender and BMI of recipient's donor were compared for three groups.Immune status was assessed by comparing absolute lymphocyte count before pre-treatment and within 6 months post-KT in recipients under different induction regimens among 3 groups by one-way analysis of variance.Transplant kidney function was assessed by comparing the levels of serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR)and serum urea nitrogen using one-way analysis of variance.The incidence of delayed graft function(DGF), acute rejection(AR)and infection was compared among three groups.Results:Regarding baseline profiles, except for donor age pATG group[(60.23±6.10)years]versus basiliximab group[(51.95±6.97)years]was statistically significant( P=0.002), the differences in the remaining parameters were not statistically significant among three groups(all P>0.05). At Day 1/3/7/10/14 post-KT, absolute lymphocyte counts were(0.17±0.07)×10 9/L, (0.27±0.14)×10 9/L, (0.85±0.40)×10 9/L, (1.05±0.56)×10 9/L and(1.10±0.56)×10 9/L in pATG group and(0.69±0.04)×10 9/L, (0.18±0.21)×10 9/L, (0.57±0.44)×10 9/L, (0.67±0.45)×10 9/L and(0.81±0.46)×10 9/L in rATG group respectively.They were all higher than those in basiliximab group[(0.46±0.18)×10 9/L, (0.67±0.26)×10 9/L, (1.29±0.48)×10 9/L, (1.56±0.49)×10 9/L, (1.75±0.53)×10 9/L]and the differences were statistically significant(all P<0.05). No statistically significant difference existed in absolute lymphocyte count among 3 groups before pre-treatment and after Day 21 post-KT(all P>0.05). At Week 1/2/4/12/24 post-KT, the differences in serum levels of creatinine and urea nitrogen were not statistically significant( P>0.05). At Month 1/3 post-KT, eGFR was(47.24±14.51)and(49.94±14.31)ml·min -1·(1.73 2) -1 in rATG group and they were lower than(67.36±21.60)and(65.00±14.67)ml·min -1·(1.73 2) -1 in basiliximab group with a statistically significant difference( P<0.05). However, at Week 1/2/24 post-KT, no statistically significant difference existed in eGFR among 3 groups( P>0.05). In ATG, basiliximab and rATG groups, DGF(1 case, 1 case, 1 case), AR(2 cases, 2 cases, 1 case)and infection(4 cases, 7 cases, 3 cases)occurred during 6 months post-KT. Conclusions:Through a limited sample of single centers, no statistically significant difference existed in graft function recovery for ABOi-KT recipients on induction therapies of pATG, basiliximab and rATG.And DGF, AR and infections occurred in all three groups.However, there were little inter-group differences.