BACKGROUND: The high incidence of urinary fistula following renal transplantation not only influence on wound healing, but also result in local or systemic infection, even renal allograft loss or death. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a standard for diagnosing and treating of urinary fistula. OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively analyze the diagnosis and treatment of urinary fistula following renal transplantation in 95 cases. METHODS: In 95 cases, there were 59 males and 36 females, aged from 19 to 61 years, urinary fistula occurred at days 1-40 after renal transplantation, including 74 simple fistulas and 21 complex fistulas. Besides of our clinical experiences and routine methods, the "five-step procedure protocol" for diagnosis and treatment of urinary fistula reported by Li Qian-sheng was also referred. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Totally 56 cases were managed by conservative treatment, 45 of whom were cured. 50 cases (including 11 cases those failed to cure by conservative treatment) were managed by surgical treatment, 45 of whom were cured. Of the remaining 5 cases, 2 grafts were removed because of graft rupture and massive hemorrhage caused by uncontrolled acute rejection, and 3 recipients died of severe pneumonia shortly after transplantation. 71 of the 90 cases were received long-term follow up, ranging 2 to 11 years. Of the simple urinary fistula cases, 56 were on regular follow up; 41 kept a normal graft function, 10 were diagnosed of chronic allograft nephropathy, 4 returned to hemodialysis and 1 died of lung cancer. Of the complicated ones, 15 were on regular follow up. 8 kept a normal graft function, 4 were diagnosed of chronic allograft nephropathy, and 3 returned to hemodialysis. The design of "five-step procedure protocol" makes urinary fistula diagnosis and treatment more ordered and standard, which can obtain excellent therapeutic efficiency.

Objective To systematically evaluate the effect of routine insertion of double-J stents to prevent major urological complications(MUCs)in kidney transplant recipients.Methods Medline,Embase,Cochrane Library,and Chinese Biomedicine database were searched to locate relevant randomized controlled trials(RCT).Data extraction and assessment of methodologic quality were performed independently by two reviewers.Meta-analysis was performed by Revman 5.0 software.Results Ten RCT(including 1616 patients)were identified.By comparing the routine stent group with the no stent group,the meta-analysis showed:(1)incidence of urine leak,urinary obstruction and UTI was 4 times lower,6 times lower,increased by 52 % respectively(P＜0.0001);(2)Patient and graft survival,rate of acute rejection,delayed graft function and hematuria were of no significant difference.In subgroup analysis,it was found:(1)Compared with the no stent group,the group in which stent duration was≤ 4 weeks had a lower incidence of MUCs and a higher incidence of UTI;meanwhile,the group in which stent duration was ＞ 4 weeks had a much lower incidence of MUCs and the rate of UTI was increased without significant difference;(2)In the RCT of which urethral catheter duration was ＜ 5 days,there were no significant differences between the two groups in MUCs and UTI.In the RCT of which urethral catheter duration was ≥5 days,the stent group had a lower incidence of MUCs and a higher incidence of UTI.Conclusion Routine stenting reduces the incidence of MUCs.Although the double-J stent increases the risk of UTI,it seems that UTI doesn't affect the outcome of transplantation.The stent duration should be within 4 weeks.For the stent recipients,the longer duration of urethral catheter,the lower incidence of MUCs,the higher incidence of UTI;thus,it is up to clinicians to decide the optimal duration of urethral catheter.Long term prescription of 480 mg cotrimoxazole once daily,from the operation day till after stent removal,effectively reduces the risk of UTI associated with stent placement.

Objective To assess the effectiveness and safety of vitamin D in preventing and treating bone loss in renal transplant patients.Methods Methods recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration were used.MEDLINE,EMBase,Cochrane Library and CNKI were searched from Jan.1990 to Nov.2009 to locate all the randomized controlled trials (RCT) concerning preventing and treating bone loss by vitamin D in renal transplant patients.The qualities of included trials were evaluated by two independent reviewers.Trails consistent with criteria wereanalyzed by Revman 4.2 software.Results Nine RCTs involving 658 post transplant patients were included.The qualities of included trials were graded as grade A in 4,grade B in 2 and grade C in 3.Meta-analysis showed that after being treated with vitamin D for one year,the difference of BMD,Z-score and T-score between the two groups was statistically significant (P＜ 0.05); the difference of PTH concentration was also statistically significant (P＜0.01),but there was no significant difference in concentrations of serum calcium and phosphorus,and the incidence of hypercalcemia (P＞0.05).Conclusion Current available evidence demonstrates that vitamin D is effective and safe in preventing and treating bone loss in renal transplant patients.

Objective To investigate the effect of birth order on outcomes of renal transplantation from siblings.Method We conducted a retrospective study to examine the immune effect exerted by birth order in kidney transplantation between siblings.227 kidney transplants were included and we stratified the cohort by birth order,old to young parings (group A,104 pairs) and young to old pairings (group B,123 pairs),using old to young parings as reference group.Result During the follow-up period,4 recipients suffered graft failure and 2 died.The survival rate of recipients and grafts was 98％ and 95％,respectively.After adjusting the effect of confounding factors in demography,young to old pairings were found at a higher risk of developing death uncensored graft failure (Hazards ratio,HR =2.77,95％ CI..0.23,33.00),which was not significantly different from group A (P =0.42).And group B had a higher risk of developing death censored graft failure (HR =10.79,95％ CI:0.30-389.43),with no statistically significant difference (P＞0.05).Most rejections occurred in two months after transplantation,and the rejection-free rate in 3 years post-transplantation was 86％.Similarly,no significant difference was detected between the two groups in terms of death censored graft failure,and no benefit of birth order was found in rejection protection (HR =1.266,95％ CI:0.391,4.103,P =0.694).Conclusion Birth order may not be taken into consideration in kidney transplantation between siblings.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of immunosuppression of calcineurin inhibitor monotherapy (AiCNIm)after alemtuzumab induction following renal transplantation.Methods Randomized control clinical trials related to application of AiCNIm (AiCNIm group ) and conventional triple regimes (Triple group ) for immunosupression after renal transplantation,published from 1 980 to December 31 201 4,were searched online from PubMed,Embase,Web of Science,Cochrance library and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases.Meta-analysis was performed by Rev Man 5.2 software.Results Five randomized control studies consisting of 421 renal transplant recipients were included.The results of follow up for 6-1 2 months revealed that compared with the Triple group, the incidence of rejection response confirmed by acute rejection or aspiration biopsy in the AiCNIm group was significantly lower [relative risk (RR) =0.59,95% confidence interval (CI):0.40-0.89 ].However,there was no significant difference in the risk of renal allograft dysfunction (RR =0.85,95%CI:0.38-1 .87),death of recipient (RR =0.89,95%CI:0.30-2.67),infection (RR =1 .03,95%CI:0.91 -1 .1 7)and new-onset diabetes after transplantation (RR =0.62, 95%CI:0.29-1 .30)between two groups (all in P >0.05).Conclusions According to the existing evidence,application of calcineurin inhibitor monotherapy after renal transplantation exerts short-term immunosuppressive effect and high safety after alemtuzumab induction.

Objective To investigate the effects of different immunosuppressive agents on mesangial cell proliferation through a mesangial cell injury model in vitro. Methods Mesangial cell line (HBZY-1) in period of proliferation was cultured in vitro with cytochalasin B for 2 h, then HBZY-1 cells were divided into 5 groups: blank (control) group, cyclosporine A (CsA) group, Tacrolimus (Tac) group, mycophelonate mofetil (MMF) group and rapamycin (RAPA) group. Subsequently,the number of HBZY-1 cells at different time points was measured by using the professional image analysis software after treatment for 6, 12 and 24 h, respectively. Results Damaged HBZY-1 cells recovered in all groups. At 6 h, the number of HBZY-1 cells in Tac group was significantly more than that in control group (P＜0.05), but the difference had no significance between the other treatment groups and control group (P＞0. 05). At 12 h, there was no significant difference in of the number of HBZY-1 cells among the all groups (P＞0. 05). At 24 h, there was no significant difference in the cell number between MMF and control groups (P＞0. 05). CsA, Tac and RAPA resulted in HBZY-1 cell proliferation, and the cell number in CsA and Tac groups was significantly more than that in the other groups (P＜0. 05). As compared with the control group, the cell number in RAPA group was significantly increased (P＜0. 05). Conclusion CsA, Tac, MMF and RAPA contribute to recovery of damaged HBZY-1 cells, but CsA and Tac result in over-proliferation of HBZY-1 cells. RAPA and MMF can prevent HBZY-1 cells against over-proliferation, and MMF scarcely results in HBZY-1 cell proliferation.

Objective To investigate the changes of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) induced by tacrolimus (FK506) in rats and evaluate its effect on blood glucose levels. Methods Ten SD rats were divided into the FK506 group and control group (n=5 in each group). In the FK506 group, the rats were received a subcutaneous injection of FK506 (3 mg/kg) +sunflower oil solution containing 10% ethanol daily for consecutive 4 weeks. In the control group, the rats were received a subcutaneous injection of an equivalent amount of sunflower oil solution containing 10% ethanol for consecutive 4 weeks. During the drug injection period, the body mass of rats was measured every week in two groups. After the drug injection period, blood glucose level, SCFA content in the blood and feces samples were measured in two groups. Results Compared with the control group, the relative body mass of rats in the FK506 group was significantly lower at the 2nd, 3rd and 4thweeks (all P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the blood glucose levels of rats in the FK506 group were significantly increased at 0, 30, and 60 min after giving glucose (P<0.01-0.05). Compared with the control group, the contents of acetic acid, propionic acid, isobutyric acid, butyric acid, isovaleric acid and valeric acid in the feces sample were significantly lower in the FK506 group (P<0.01-0.05). Conclusions FK506 can upregulate the blood glucose level in rats, which is probably induced by the decrease of SCFA content in rat feces.

Objective To evaluate the safety of super-minimal incision kidney transplantation (SMIKT).Methods We included the clinical data and outcomes of 40 cases of SMIKT and 56 cases of conventional Gibson incision kidney transplantation (CIKT),and compared the operation time,post operative pain,analgesic requirements,1 month renal function and 1 month Vancouver scar scale between the two groups.Results As compared with CIKT,operation time was significantly shortened (100 ± 10 versus 127.5 ± 34.3 min,P =0.044),incision length was significantly shortened (5.2 ± 0.2 versus 13.0 ± 2.0 cm,P＜0.001),and post-operative pain at day 1 was significantly reduced in SMIKT (1.31 ± 1.15 versus 4.02 ± 1.83,P =0.004).However,there was no significant difference in post-operative pain at day 2 and day 3 between CIKT and SMIKT.SMIKT required less analgesic medications than CIKT (3.13 ± 1.74 versus 11.69 ± 2.89,P =0.002).No significant difference in 1 month renal function was observed between two groups.SMIKT had fewer Vancouver scar scale score than CIKT (6.50 ± 0.58 versus 8.67 ± 0.58,P =0.004).Conclusion SMIKT is a safe novel surgery,which can significantly reduce operation time,post-operative pain,had fewer analgesic requirements and better 1-month cosmetic effect.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of individualized preconditioning in ABO-incompatible living donor kidney transplantation.Methods A series of 36 living donor kidney transplants across a wide range of ABO blood group incompatibilities using individualized preconditioning protocols were performed from September 2014 to June 2017.Preconditioning included oral immunosuppressants with or without the administration of rituximab,PE or DFPP.Medical records and electronic databases were reviewed for isoagglutinin titers,patient and graft survivals,graft function,rejections,infections as well as surgical complications.Results Of 30 ABO blood group incompatibilities,there were 6 cases of AB to A,2 cases of AB to B,4 cases of A to B,3 cases of B to A,13 cases of A to O (13),and 8 cases of B to O.Median initial ABO antibody titers were 1∶32 (1∶2-1∶256) (IgM) and 1 ∶ 8 (0-1∶64) (IgG),respectively.Individualized preconditioning included oral immunosuppressants alone (10 cases),oral immunosuppressants + PE (4 cases),oral immunosuppressants + PE + DFPP (1 case),oral immunosuppressants + rituximab + PE (16 cases),oral immunosuppressants + rituximab + DFPP (2 cases),and oral immunosuppressants + rituximab + PE+ DFPP (3 cases).After individualized preconditioning,an acceptable ABO antibody titer (≤1 ∶ 16) was obtained on the day of transplantation.Median follow-up duration was 12 months (1-33).Graft and patient survival rate was 94.4％ (34/36) and 100％ (36/36) respectively.Median value of serum creatinine at one year posttransplantation was 89 μmol/L,and eGFR was (81.07 mL/min/1.73 m2).In total,there was one episode of urinary tract infection and upper gastrointestinal tract hemorrhage,two cases of hyperacute rejection (leading to graft loss),acutecelluar-mediated rejection,delayed graft function,bone marrow suppression and pneumonia,and 3 cases of acute antibody-mediated rejection and wound fat liquefaction,respectively.Conclusion Our initial experience indicates that individualized preconditioning protocol based on initial ABO antibody titers is safe and technically feasible,and leads to excellent short-term survival of ABOi living donor kidney transplantation.

Objective To investigate the safety and efficacy of conversion from calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) to mammalian target of rapamycin (mTORi) in liver transplant recipients.Methods Such databases as MEDLINE (PUBMED),EMBASE,Cochrane Library and clinical trial registries (ClinicalTrials.gov,WHO International Trial Registry Network,Australian & New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry) were searched from the inception of each resource up to April 2015 for collecting the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about liver transplant recipients after conversion from CNIs to mTORi,and the references of those trials were also searched by hand.After study selection,assessment and data extraction conducted by two reviewers independently,meta-analyses were performed by using the RevMan5.3 software.The quality of those trials was assessed by using the Jadad Score.Then,the safety and efficacy of conversion from CNI to mTORi were systematically assessed as a strategy for eliminating CNI exposure in liver transplant recipients.Results Ten RCTs (1917 patients) were included in this meta-analysis.The follow-up duration post-randomization was 6 to 36 months.The mean mTORi conversion time after transplantation was ≤6 months in 4 trials,and ＞6 months in 6.The meta-analysis revealed that the estimated glomerular filtration rate was significantly increased,and the incidence of renal failure and hyperglycemia was significantly reduced in mTORi conversion group as compared with those in CNI treatment group (P＜0.05 for all).The incidence of acute rejection in mRORi conversion group and CNI treatment group was 11.3％ and 6.3％ respectively (P＜0.01),and that confirmed by biopsy was 14.0％ and 8.4％ respectively (P＜0.01).The percentage of recipients discontinuing the medication in mRORi conversion group and CNI treatment group was 41.6％ and 21.5％ respectively (P＜0.01).The main reasons for drug withdrawal were drug-related adverse events (Aes),including acute rejection,bone marrow depression,anemia,leucopenia,thrombocytopenia,mouth sores/stomatitis,hyperlipidemia,hypercholesterolemia,rash,edema,and pyrexia.There was no significant difference between the two groups with regard to death,graft loss,loss to follow-up,infection,gastrointestinal symptoms,malignancy,and hypertension.Conclusion Conversion from CNI to mTORi therapy results in a significant improvement in renal function.However,this conversion strategy may lead to the high discontinuation rate due to mTORi-associated Aes,indicating that conversion may only be a treatment option in selected patients.