Objective To explore the protection of early autophagy activation on podocyte injury induced by aldosterone.Methods In vitro cultured mouse podocyte clones (MPC5) were treated with aldosterone for 6,12,24,48 h respectively.Apoptosis of podocytes was detected by Annexin V combined with flow cytometry.After 24 h treatment with aldosterone,the existence of apoptotic body and autophagosome was observed by electron microscopy.The protein expressions of LC3,caspase-3 and nephrin were examined by Western blotting.The mRNA expression of Beclin-l was detected by real-time PCR.Results The induction of apoptosis and autophagy by aldosterone in podocytes was in timedependent mannner.After 24 h treatment with aldosterone,the apoptosis was increased by 26.5％ (P ＜ 0.05)and the expression of nephrin was decreased by 28.0％ (P ＜ 0.05) compared to control group.Aldosterone remarkably induced the expression of Beclin-1 at 6 h and promoted the transformation of LC3-Ⅰ to LC3-Ⅱat 12 h (P ＜ 0.05).Compared to simple aldosterone treatment,the apoptosis rate of podocyte was increased by 39.0％ (P ＜ 0.05) and the expression of nephrin was declined by 19.5％ (P ＜ 0.05) after 3-methyladenine (3-MA) pre-treatment.Conclusions Aldosterone can induce autophagy and apoptosis in podocytes.Autophagy occurs earlier (12 h) than apoptosis (24 h).The occurrence of autophagy can inhibit the apoptosis,so the autophagy pathway may be a new research topic of glomerular disease treatment.

Objective To summarize the clinical characteristics and laboratory test results of children with Henoch - Schonlein purpura(HSP),and further to analyze the risk factors for HSP combined with cardiac damage. Methods The clinical and laboratory tests findings from 707 children diagnosed as HSP at Nanjing Children's Hospi-tal were retrospectively analyzed,who were recruited from November 2011 to December 2012. The possible risk factors for HSP with cardiac damage in children were recorded,including gender,age,predisposing causes,gastrointestinal symptoms,joint pain,kidney disorders,serum electrolytes,anti - streptolysin 〝O〝 test,erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and complement level were summarized. Chi - square test and Logistic regression were performed to analyze the risk fac-tors of cardiac damage in children with HSP. Results Among 707 cases,192(27. 2% )patients were combined with car-diac damage,115 male and 77 female,and the proportion of men to women was 1. 00: 0. 67;age ranged from 11 months to 15 years and 4 months(6 years and 5 months for median age),6 patients ﹤ 3 years old occupying 3. 1% ,103 patients≥3 - 7 years old occupying 53. 7% ,82 patients≥7 - 14 years old occupying 42. 7% ,1 patient≥14 years old occupying 0. 5% ,and the age of onset in preschool and school age. Electrocardiogram(ECG)abnormalities were found in 190 patients,the main manifestations including long Q - T interval,ST - T segment falling down and sinus bradycar-dia,and one or more items of abnormal myocardial enzymes existed in 24 cases;echocardiography was performed in 35 cases of children,but no abnormality was detected,no obvious symptoms such as flustered or chest tightness or precor-dial distress. Statistical analysis showed that gender,predisposing causes,mixed HSP,complement level were related to the incidence of cardiac damage in children with HSP(P ﹤ 0. 05). Furthermore binary Logistic regression identified that in male patients,the ratio of X1 vs OR ratio was 0. 654(95% CI 0. 462 - 0. 926,P ﹤ 0. 05),for predisposing causes,the ratio of X2 vs OR ratio was 2. 63(95% CI 1. 838 - 3. 765,P ﹤ 0. 001),for mixed HSP,the ratio of X3 vs OR ratio was 2. 452(95% CI 1. 301 - 4. 621,P ﹤ 0. 01),which were independent factors for cardiac damage in chil-dren with HSP. Conclusions ECG and/ or myocardial enzyme spectrum abnormalities are the main clinical ma-nifestations of cardiac damage in children with HSP. Male patients,predisposing causes of the respiratory tract infec-tion,mixed HSP and hypocomplementemia were high risk factors in the development of cardiac damage,which require special consideration clinically,and earlier ECG and myocardial enzymes examination,early diagnosis and treatment are necessary to avoid the occurrence of severe cases.

Objective To investigate the role of oxidative stress-dependent Rasextracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) signaling in aldosterone (ALDO)-induced mesangial cell proliferation. Methods The incorporation of 3H-thymidine (3H-TdR) and cell count were used as the measure of mesangial cell (MC) proliferation.Western blotting was used to detect the activation of Ki-RasA,c-Raf,MEK1/2,ERK1/2 and PI3K. Results Aldosterone significantly induced human mesangial cell proliferation,and anti-oxidant N-Acetylcysteine (NAC),catalase,and super oxide dismutase (SOD) significantly inhibited ALDO-induced mesangial cell proliferation (P＜0.01,respectively).Stimulation by ALDO for 3 h,Ki-RasA,c-Raf,MEK1/2,and ERK1/2 activity increased by 4.05-, 3.62-, 4.52-, and 3.40-fold compared with control group (P ＜0.01,respectively).NAC almost completely blocked ALDO-induced Ki-RasA,c-Raf,MEK1/2,and ERK1/2 activation (P＜0.01,respectively).Ki-RasA siRNA dose-dependently inhibited Ki-RasA expression, ALDO-induced Ki-RasA activation, and mesangial cell proliferation (P ＜0.01,respectively).c-Raf inhibitor GW5074 and MEK1/2 inhibitor PD98059 also reduced ALDO-induced mesangial cell proliferation by 65％ respectvely (P＜0.01).Ki-RasA siRNA had no effect on ALDO-induced PI3K phosphorylation.Combining LY294002 and PD98059 completely blocked ALDO-induced mesangial cell proliferation (P＜0.01). Conclusions ALDO-induced Ki-RasA-c-Raf-MEK-ERK signaling activation is dependent on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production,which mediates ALDO-induced mesangial cell proliferation.Inhibition of both ERK1/2 and PI3K signaling simultaneously completely blocks ALDO-induced mesangial cell proliferation.

Objective To elucidate whether Ang Ⅱ indnces the proliferation of mesangial cells through ROS-EGFR-JNK-AP-1 signaling pathway. Methods The incorporation of 3H-thymidine (3H-TdR) and cell count were used to measure mesangial cell (MC) proliferation. ROS production was determined by DCFDA fluorescence. EGFR and JNK activation was assayed by Western blot. Results Ang Ⅱ significantly enhanced ROS production in mesangial cells, which was up-regulated by 2.26 folds of control group after incubation with Ang Ⅱ for 60 min. Ang Ⅱ induced EGFR phosphorylation in dose- and time-dependent manner, with the peak (3.96 folds increase) at 30 min. EGFR phosphorylation was significantly blocked by AT1R antagonist losartan, antioxidant NAC, and NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin and DPI. EGFR antagonist AG1478 significantly inhibited Ang Ⅱ-induced mcsangial cell proliferation. Losartan, NAC, apocynin, DPI, and AG1478 ahnost abolished Ang Ⅱ-induced JNK activation. Conclusions ROS-EGFR-JNK-AP-1 signaling pathway is involved in Ang Ⅱ-induced mesangial cell proliferation. Apocynin and AG 1478 may be used as new therapy.

AIM: To investigate the role of NF-?B/I?B signal pathway in the regulation of (cyclooxygenase-2) (COX-2) expression in human mesangial cells (HMC). METHODS: The PGE_2 concentration in supernatants of HMC was measured by radioimmunoassay. COX-2 mRNA and protein expression were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and Western blot were used to detect the activity of NF-?B and degradation of I?B. RESULTS: IL-1? significantly upregulated COX-2 expression and PGE_2 production in HMC. Significant up-regulation of NF-?B activation, nuclear translocation of p65 subunit, and degradation of I?B ? and I?B ? were observed in IL-1?-induced HMC. CONCLUSION: Expression of COX-2 in IL-1?-induced HMC is mediated by NF-?B/I?B signal pathway. [

Objective To detect the α1-antitrypsin (AAT) concentration in urine samples of children with primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS) before initiation of glucocorticoid treatment,in order to verify whether it could predict the response to glucocorticoid-based therapy.Methods Forty-three children diagnosed as PNS initially were chosen as subjects,namely steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) and steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) depending on reaction to glucocorticoid therapy four weeks later,and 15 healthy children serving as normal control.The mid stream of the first morning urine samples were collected from children before taking glucocorticoid.ELISA kit was used to quantify the urinary AAT concentration which was revised by urine creatinine further.The data of urine AAT/Cr were expressed as median with interquartile range.Data analysis was performed using the SPSS 17.0.Results AAT was absent in urine samples of normal healthy children,and there were no statistic differences of the AAT concentrations in urine between children with SSNS and SRNS [(30.4+4.5) mg/L vs (31.8+4.6) mg/L,t=-1.0,P=0.33].The level of urine AAT/Cr in children with SRNS was higher than that in children with SSNS [0.049(0.028-0.073) vs 0.028(0.022-0.036),Z=2.4,P=0.02].Among the laboratory parameters of the two subgroups before taking glucocortiod,the levels of platelet,blood white cell count,serum globulin,urine white cell count,urine red cell count,urine IgG and urine α1-microglobulin were significantly different (P＜0.05).Three parameters that included urine AAT/Cr (OR=6.81 × 1028,P=0.O05),serum globulin (OR=1.69,P=0.01) and urine α1-microglobulin (OR=1.05,P=0.009) further entered the logistic regression model to predict the SRNS independently.The ROC curve based on the level of the urine AAT/Cr was constructed,and the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.72.When the cutoff value of urine AAT/Cr was 0.035,the sensitivity and specificity of the urine AAT/Cr prediction were 68％ and 75％ respectively (Youden' s index 0.43).The AUC that based on the logistic regression model which included urine AAT/Cr,serum globulin and urine α1-mieroglobulin was improved to 0.94,and the sensitivity and specificity of the model prediction were 95％ and 83％ respectively (Youden' s index 0.78).There was no significant difference of the urine AAT/Cr level among the different pathological types of the children undergoing renal biopsy.Conclusions There are no statistic differences of the AAT concentrations in urine between children with SSNS and SRNS.The level of urine AAT/Cr is significantly higher in the SRNS than that in the SSNS which can be as a candidate biomarker to predict the response to glucocorticoid-based therapy.It has a better prediction efficacy based on the model which includes urine AAT/Cr,serum globulin and urine α1-microglobulin.

Objective To analyze the clinicopathological features and prognosis of minimal change nephropa-thy with IgA deposition(MCD-IgA)in children.Methods The clinical and pathological data of 10 cases in Chil-dren's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2010 to December 2015 with MCD-IgA were retrospective-ly analyzed,and 24 cases of minimal change nephrotic syndrome(MCD-NS)and 21 cases of IgA nephropathy clini-cally manifested with nephrotic syndrome(NS-IgAN)were selected as controls.Results (1)Clinical manifesta-tions:there were no significant differences in age,gender,incidence of hematuria,level of 24 hours urine protein,serum albumin and cholesterol levels and elevated serum IgA ratio in MCD-IgA compared with MCD-NS group.Compared with MCD-IgA and MCD-NS,NS -IgAN group showed older age of onset[(8.6 ± 2.1)years vs.(4.8 ± 2.4) years,(4.0 ± 1.6)years],higher level of serum albumin[(22.8 ± 4.3)g/L vs.(19.0 ± 1.9)g/L,(16.8 ± 3.0) g/L],and lower level of serum total cholesterol[(7.9 ± 1.9)mmol/L vs.(9.9 ± 2.7)mmol/L,(9.8 ± 2.1)mmol/L], and all the differences were significant(all P<0.05).NS-IgAN group was all associated with gross hematuria.(2) Pathology:the light microscope lesions in MCD-IgA and MCD-NS group were mild,but it was usually associated with severe histologic lesions in NS-IgAN,such as endocapillary proliferation,segmental sclerosis,crescent formation,tuft necrosis and chronic tubulointerstitial lesions;in MCD -NS group,immunofluorescence was negative. In MCD -IgA group,IgA deposition intensity was weak(less than + +),and 3 cases(30.0%)were accompanied with C3deposi-tion.In NS-IgAN group,IgA deposition intensity was stronger(more than + + +),and most of the cases were accom-panied with C3and other immunoglobulins deposition.Under electron microscope,both MCD-IgA and MCD-NS showed wide foot process effacement,and a small amount of mesangial electron dense deposit was detected in 9 cases of MCD-IgA.In NS-IgAN group,large amount of electron dense deposit was found in the mesangial region,and only 8 cases (38.0%)showed more than 50% of foot process effacement.(3)Prognosis:in MCD-IgA group,9 patients were ster-oid-dependent or frequently relapsed,1 case showed steroid-resistance,6 patients required additional agents.Except 1 case lost,with an average of(61.5 ± 28.8)months were followed up,8 patients achieved complete remission;In MCD-NS group,20 cases were steroid-dependent or frequently relapsed,4 cases were steroid-resistant,23 cases re-quired additional immunosuppressive agents.Followed up for an average of(36.4 ± 12.5)months,22 cases(91.7%) achieved complete remission;In NS-IgAN group,all cases were steroid-resistant and combined with cyclophospha-mide treatment;followed up for an average of(38.6 ± 15.2)months,19 cases(90.5%)achieved complete remission. Conclusions The clinical manifestations and prognosis of MCD-IgA were similar to MCD-NS,but the clinical and pathological findings of MCD-IgA were different from those of NS-IgAN.It is deduced that the nature of MCD-IgA is still a MCD,and that the IgA deposition may be nonspecific.

Objective:To investigate the clinical manifestations, pathological characteristics, treatment and prognosis of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) in 13 children.Methods:The clinical and pathological data of 13 cases of AAV in children′s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from June 2000 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.Results:Among the 13 cases, 12 cases were diagnosed with microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and 1 case was granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), including 10 females and 3 males. The onset age ranged from 3 years and 11 months to 13 years and 10 months. The most frequently involved organ was the kidney (12 cases, 92.3%), followed by respiratory system (7 cases, 53.8%), skin (5 cases, 38.5%), digestive system (4 cases, 30.8%), nervous system (4 cases, 30.8%) and cardiovascular system (3 cases, 23.1%). There were 10 cases with orthotic anemia, 7 cases with positive antinuclear antibody, and 3 cases with mildly decreased complement C3. Among the 12 children with renal impairment, 9 cases were accompanied by abnormal renal function at the beginning of the disease. Renal biopsy was classified according to the Berden as follows: sclerotic in 5 cases, crescentic 3 cases, focal in 2 cases and mixed in 2 cases. All children were treated with glucocorticoid combined with immunosuppressant. During the follow-up time from 8 months to 128 months, 4 cases acquired complete remission, 8 cases achieved partial remission and 1 case recurred after complete remission, and 7 cases progressed to chronic kidney disease stage 5. Three children with complete remission underwent repeated renal biopsy, including 2 cases of mixed type and 1 case of crescent type initially, and all changed to focal type.Conclusions:AAV in children occurs mainly in school-age female, and most of AAV in children is MPA. The clinical manifestations are various. Most of them have renal damage and anemia, and lung damage is also common. Patients with skin purpura onset may be misdiagnosed as Henoch-Schonlein purpura, and AAV with ANA positive or complement reduction should exclude systemic lupus erythematosus. Once the renal function is abnormal in AAV, especially estimated glomerular filtration rate<60 ml·min -1·(1.73 m 2) -1 and the pathological classification is sclerotic type or crescent type, it is difficult to reverse even after active treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment are very important for AAV.

Objective: To establish comprehensive laboratory reference intervals for Chinese children. Methods: This was a cross-sectional multicenter study. From June 2013 to December 2014, eligible healthy children aged from 6-month to 17-year were enrolled from 20 medical centers with informed consent. They were assessed by physical examination, questionnaire survey and abdominal ultrasound for eligibility. Fasting blood samples were collected and delivered to central laboratory. Measurements of 15 clinical laboratory parameters were performed, including estradiol (E2), testosterone(T), luteinizing hormone(LH), follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH), alanine transaminase(ALT), serum creatinine(Scr), cystatin C, immunoglobulin A(IgA), immunoglobulin G(IgG), immunoglobulin M(IgM), complement (C3, C4), alkaline phosphatase(ALP), uric acid(UA) and creatine kinase(CK). Reference intervals were established according to central 95% confidence intervals for reference population, stratified by age and sex. Results: In total, 2 259 children were enrolled. Finally, 1 648 children were eligible for this study, including 830 boys and 818 girls, at a mean age of 7.4 years. Age- and sex- specific reference intervals have been established for the parameters. Reference intervals of sex hormones increased gradually with age. Concentrations of ALT, cystatin C, ALP and CK were higher in children under 2 years old. Serum levels of sex hormones, creatinine, immunoglobin, CK, ALP and urea increased rapidly in adolescence, with significant sex difference. In addition, reference intervals were variable depending on assay methods. Concentrations of ALT detected by reagents with pyridoxal 5'-phosphate(PLP) were higher than those detected by reagents without PLP. Compared with enzymatic method, Jaffe assay always got higher results of serum creatinine, especially in children younger than 9 years old. Conclusion This study established age- and sex- specific reference intervals, for 15 clinical laboratory parameters based on defined healthy children.

Background::Although overnight fasting is recommended prior to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), the benefits and safety of high-carbohydrate fluid diet (CFD) intake 2 h before ERCP remain unclear. This study aimed to analyze whether high-CFD intake 2 h before ERCP can be safe and accelerate patients’ recovery.Methods::This prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial involved 15 tertiary ERCP centers. A total of 1330 patients were randomized into CFD group ( n = 665) and fasting group ( n = 665). The CFD group received 400 mL of maltodextrin orally 2 h before ERCP, while the control group abstained from food/water overnight (>6 h) before ERCP. All ERCP procedures were performed using deep sedation with intravenous propofol. The investigators were blinded but not the patients. The primary outcomes included postoperative fatigue and abdominal pain score, and the secondary outcomes included complications and changes in metabolic indicators. The outcomes were analyzed according to a modified intention-to-treat principle. Results::The post-ERCP fatigue scores were significantly lower at 4 h (4.1 ± 2.6 vs. 4.8 ± 2.8, t = 4.23, P <0.001) and 20 h (2.4 ± 2.1 vs. 3.4 ± 2.4, t= 7.94, P <0.001) in the CFD group, with least-squares mean differences of 0.48 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.26–0.71, P <0.001) and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.57–0.95, P <0.001), respectively. The 4-h pain scores (2.1 ± 1.7 vs. 2.2 ± 1.7, t = 2.60, P = 0.009, with a least-squares mean difference of 0.21 [95% CI: 0.05–0.37]) and positive urine ketone levels (7.7% [39/509] vs. 15.4% [82/533], χ2 = 15.13, P <0.001) were lower in the CFD group. The CFD group had significantly less cholangitis (2.1% [13/634] vs. 4.0% [26/658], χ2 = 3.99, P = 0.046) but not pancreatitis (5.5% [35/634] vs. 6.5% [43/658], χ2 = 0.59, P = 0.444). Subgroup analysis revealed that CFD reduced the incidence of complications in patients with native papilla (odds ratio [OR]: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.39–0.95, P = 0.028) in the multivariable models. Conclusion::Ingesting 400 mL of CFD 2 h before ERCP is safe, with a reduction in post-ERCP fatigue, abdominal pain, and cholangitis during recovery.Trail Registration::ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT03075280.