This study established the mouse podocyte clone-5 (MPC5) with Smad3 knockout and studied the effect of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) on the dedifferentiation of the MPC5 cells with Smad3 knockout, aiming to provide a cell tool for studying the role of Smad3 in mouse podocytes. The single-guide RNA (sgRNA) sequence targeting Smad3 was designed according to the principles of CRISPR/Cas9 design. The pX458-Smad3 vector was constructed and introduced into competent cells, and then the vector was extracted and used to transfect MPC5 cells. The successfully transfected cells were sorted by a flow cytometer. After single-cell clone expansion, PCR amplification of sequences adjacent to the edition site of Smad3 and sequencing were performed to identify potential cells with gene knockout. Western blotting was employed to verify the knockout efficiency of Smad3. Finally, the effect of Smad3 knockout on TGF-β1-induced dedifferentiation of MPC5 cells was analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reacting (RT-PCR), Western blotting, and the immunofluorescence method. The sgRNA was designed to target the fifth exon of Smad3. EGFP expression was observed 24 h after transfection of the pX458-Smad3 plasmid into MPC5 cells, with the transfection efficiency of 0.1% as determined by flow cytometry. From the transfected cells, 21 cell clones were obtained through flow cytometric sorting and single-cell clone expansion. PCR amplification and sequencing of the region around the sgRNA target site in Smad3 identified two cell clones with biallelic frameshift mutations. Western blotting results confirmed the absence of Smad3 expression in these clones, indicating successful establishment of the MPC5 cell line with Smad3 knockout. In normal MPC5 cells, TGF-β1 stimulation promoted the expression of fibrosis-related genes fibronectin and Col1a1 (collagen I) and inhibited the expression of the podocyte marker proteins synaptopodin and podocin, which suggested epithelial-mesenchymal transition and podocyte injury. However, in the two MPC5 cell lines with Smad3 knockout, TGF-β1-induced expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers was significantly suppressed. The MPC5 cell lines with Smad3 knockout that were constructed by CRISPR/Cas9 provide a valuable cell model for functional studies of Smad3 protein and highlight the critical role of Smad3 in cell dedifferentiation.
Animals ; Smad3 Protein/genetics* ; CRISPR-Cas Systems/genetics* ; Mice ; Podocytes/metabolism* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/pharmacology* ; Cell Line ; Gene Knockout Techniques ; RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems/genetics*

Objective To explore the relationship between preoperative coronary angiography and postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) in cardiac surgery. Methods The clinical data of patients who underwent coronary angiography within 30 days before cardiac surgery in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University from January 2015 to April 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to explore the relationship between the interval from preoperative coronary angiography to cardiac surgery and postoperative AKI. Results Finally 1 112 patients were collected, including 700 males and 412 females, with a median age of 61 (55, 66) years. The incidence of postoperative AKI was 40.8% (454/1 112), of which grade 2-3 AKI accounted for 11.9%. Multivariate analysis showed that age (OR=1.049, 95%CI 1.022-1.077, P<0.001), body mass index (OR=1.065, 95%CI 1.010-1.123, P=0.020) and time interval between preoperative coronary angiography and cardiac surgery within 24 hours (OR=1.625, 95%CI 1.116-2.364, P=0.011) were independent predictors of postoperative AKI. Patients who underwent coronary angiography within 24 hours before surgery had a 10.6% higher incidence of postoperative AKI compared to those who underwent angiography ≥24 hours before surgery (P=0.004). Patients who underwent valve surgery with or without coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) had a higher risk of AKI than those who only underwent CABG. The in-hospital stay of patients who developed AKI was 2 days longer than those without AKI. However, undergoing coronary angiography within 24 hours before cardiac surgery did not prolong the length of ICU stay or hospital stay, nor did it increase the risk of death or renal failure after the operation. Conclusion Undergoing coronary angiography within 24 hours before cardiac surgery increases the risk of postoperative AKI.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect and underlying mechanism of Qishishenshu Capsule on renal fibrosis in mice with early diabetic nephropathy(DN).Methods A DN mouse model was established by multiple injections of streptozotocin.The mice were randomly divided into a normal group(NC),model group(DN),and Qishi group(QS)(0.9 g/(kg·d)),with eight mice in each group.Mice were gavaged continuously for 4 weeks,and fasting blood glucose(FBG)was measured weekly.Four weeks later,urinary albumin/creatinine(UACR),serum creatinine,and blood urea nitrogen were measured.Hematoxylin-eosin,periodicacid-Schiff,and Sirius red staining were used to analyze renal pathological changes.Real-time fluorescence quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the mRNA levels of fibronectin(FN),collagen type Ⅰ alpha 1(Col1a1),and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA).Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were performed to detect FN,collagen type Ⅰ(Collagen Ⅰ),collagen typeⅢ(Collagen Ⅲ),α-SMA,Podocin,Nephrin,and transforming growth factor-β1/SMAD family member2/3(TGF-β1/Smad2/3)pathway-related proteins.Results Compared with mice in the NC group,those in the DN group showed significantly higher levels of FBG and UACR(P＜0.001),and mesangial hyperplasia,basement membrane thickening,and collagen deposition in the renal tissue.The mRNA levels of FN,Col1a1,and α-SMA were increased(P＜0.05).Protein levels of Podocin and Nephrin were decreased(P＜0.05).The levels of FN,Collagen I,Collagen Ⅲ,α-SMA,and TGF-β1/Smad2/3 pathway proteins were increased(P＜0.05).Compared with the DN group,the QS group's level of UACR was decreased(P＜0.05),their renal pathological injury was alleviated,and mRNA levels of FN,Collagen Ⅰ,andα-SMA were attenuated(P＜0.05);whereas their protein levels of Podocin and Nephrin were elevated(P＜0.05).The levels of FN,Collagen Ⅰ,Collagen Ⅲ,α-SMA,and TGF-β1/Smad2/3 pathway proteins were also decreased(P＜0.05).Conclusions Qishishenshu Capsule improved renal fibrosis in DN mice,probably through the inhibition of the TGF-β1/Smad2/3 signaling pathway.

Objective:To identify risk variables for prolonged postoperative length of stay (PPOLOS) in hip fracture patients by machine learning algorithms and construct Nomogram models.Methods:A retrospective case-control study was conducted to select 248 patients with hip fracture diagnosed and treated in Yingtan 184th Hospital from June 2019 to June 2023 by convenient sampling method. Two machine learning algorithms were used (least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, LASSO and support vector machine-Recursive Feature Elimination, SVM-RFE) to screen PPOLOS risk variables. Construct a Nomogram model to predict the risk of PPOLOS in patients with hip fracture based on intersection risk variables. The model was validated using internal data sets.Results:Among the 248 patients with hip fracture, there were 79 males and 169 females, aged (64.49 ± 8.02). The mean postoperative length of hospital stay of 248 patients was (7.98 ± 5.68) d, and the median was 7 d. LASSO algorithm identifies 7 risk variables, the SVM-RFE algorithm identified 8 risk variables. Intersectional risk variables were age, body mass index (BMI), Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), type of surgery, and central granulocytocyte ratio (NLR). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis(intersection risk variables) showed that age [ OR=1.649(1.235-2.202)], BMI [1.603(1.204-2.134)], CCI [ OR=1.670(1.236-2.258)], type of surgery [ OR=1.620(1.209-2.170), 1.699(1.243-2.321)], and NLR [ OR=3.258(2.299-4.617)] were independently associated with the risk of PPOLOS (all P<0.05). The results showed that the conformity index of the Nomogram model was 0.865 (95% CI=0.768-0.945). The area under the curve was 0.852 (95% CI=0.748-0.962). When the risk threshold was >0.08, it could provide significant clinical net benefit. The clinical impact curve showed effective identification of PPOLOS patients in high-risk groups. Conclusions:This Nomogram model can guide medical staff to make clinical diagnosis and treatment decisions as soon as possible to avoid risks, allocate medical resources rationally, and improve nursing quality.

OBJECTIVE To establish a method for simultaneous determination of atorvastatin （ATV） and its active metabolites 2-hydroxy atorvastatin acid （2-HAT）， 4-hydroxy atorvastatin acid （4-HAT） and toxic metabolite atorvastatin lactone （ALT） in rat plasma and apply it for pharmacokinetic study. METHODS LC-MS/MS method was adopted for analysis. The one-step precipitation method was used for processing plasma samples （plasma samples were pretreated by acidification to adjust pH value so as to prevent inversion of configuration）， gradient elution was used to analyze the samples， and the analysis time was 5 min. Electrospray positive ionization was adopted， and positive ion scanning was performed in multi-reaction monitoring. The m/z of quantified ion pairs of ATV and its metabolites such as 2-HAT， 4-HAT and ATL， and internal standard pitavastatin were 559.3→ 440.2， 575.2→440.3， 575.0→440.2， 540.9→448.2 and 422.2→290.0， respectively. After conducting a comprehensive methodological investigation of the analytical method， the concentrations of ATV and its metabolites 2-HAT， 4-HAT，and ATL were determined， and the pharmacokinetic parameters of ATV and its metabolites were calculated using the non- compartment model of WinNonlin 6.1. RESULTS The results of methodological validation showed that endogenous substances in blank plasma did not interfere with the determination of the components to be tested， and the standard curve had a good linear relationship； the lower limits of quantification for ATV， 2-HAT， 4-HAT and ATL were 0.5， 0.5， 0.25 and 0.063 nmol/L， respectively. The precision， accuracy， recovery， matrix effect and stability investigation were all in line with the requirements of biological analysis. Pharmacokinetic analysis showed that after intragastric administration in rats， ATV calcium metabolized rapidly， and was mainly exposed to blood circulation in the form of ATV and 2-HAT， with the lowest concentration of lactone-type metabolites. CONCLUSIONS The established method is precise， rapid and accurate for plasma concentration analysis of ATV and its active/toxic metabolites. The application of the method could help to fully elucidate the pharmacokinetic characteristics of atorvastatin calcium in rats.

Objective:To investigate the epidemiology of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in patients with maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) in Jiangsu province during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in China from December 7, 2022 to January 27, 2023, and to analyze the influencing factors of all-cause death.Methods:It was a multi-center cross-sectional investigation. Structured questionnaire was used to collect patient information by medical staff of each hemodialysis center (room) as investigators. Part of the demography data and laboratory examination data came from the Jiangsu Province Hemodialysis Data Information System. MHD patients from hemodialysis centers (rooms) at all levels of medical institutions and independent hemodialysis institutions in Jiangsu province during the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 infection were included, and the clinical characteristics and all-cause mortality of confirmed and suspected cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection were analyzed.Results:Questionnaire surveys and data analysis on 57 278 patients in 407 hemodialysis centers (rooms) were completed, accounting for 90.41% of the total number of MHD patients (63 357 cases) in Jiangsu province during the same period. There were 24 038 cases (41.97%) of SARS-CoV-2 infection and 14 805 cases (25.85%) of suspected infection, which were widely distributed in all dialysis centers in Jiangsu province. After clinical classification of 38 843 confirmed and suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection cases, 3 662 cases were severe and critical cases, accounting for 9.43% of the infected and suspected cases. Among the patients who had completed the questionnaires, there were 1 812 all-cause deaths, with an all-cause mortality rate of 3.16%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that elderly (taking ≤50 years as a reference, 51-59 years: OR=1.583, 95% CI 1.279-1.933, P=0.001; 60-69 years: OR=3.972, 95% CI 3.271-4.858, P<0.001; 70-79 years: OR=7.236, 95% CI 5.917-8.698, P<0.001; ≥80 years: OR=11.738, 95% CI 9.459-14.663, P<0.001), male ( OR=1.371, 95% CI 1.229-1.529, P<0.001), and co-infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) (positive serum HBV surface antigen, OR=0.629, 95% CI 0.484-0.817, P<0.001) were independent influencing factors for all cause mortality. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the area under the curve for male, age and current HBV infection prediction of all-cause death was 0.529 ( P<0.001), 0.724 ( P<0.001) and 0.514 ( P=0.042), respectively, and the cut-off value for age prediction of all-cause death was 65.5 years old. Compared with patients without HBV infection, MHD patients with HBV infection significantly reduced the proportion of severe and critically ill patients, all-cause hospitalizations and all cause deaths when infected with SARS-CoV-2 (4.99% vs. 6.41%, χ2=6.136, P=0.013; 8.90% vs. 11.44%, χ2=11.662, P<0.001; 2.01% vs. 3.37%, χ2=10.713, P=0.001, respectively). Conclusion:The MHD patients in Jiangsu province are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2. Elderly age and male gender are independent risk factors for death in MHD patients during the epidemic, while the HBV infection may be a protective factor for death of MHD patients infected with SARS-CoV-2.

Objective To extract and summarize the best evidence of manual rehabilitation therapy in patients with breast cancer related lymphedema.It aims to provide evidence-based basis for clinical nursing staff interven-tion.Methods According to the"6S evidence resource pyramid model",we systematically retrieved from UpTo-Date,BMJ best clinical practice,JBI evidence-based medicine center database of Joanna Briggs Institute in Australi-a,Embase,Cochrane Library,Pubmed,GIN,New Zealand Guidelines collaboration group,SIGN,American Cancer So-ciety,American Association for Physical Therapy,American Society for Lymphatic,American Lymphedema Website,Ontario Association of Registered Nurses of Canada,Yimaitong,CNKI,VIP,CBM,WanFang,CHINAL,Web of Science and OVID databases from establishment of database to January 2023.It mainly includes guidelines,consensuses,evi-dence summaries,clinical decision-making,systematic evaluation and primitive research.There were 2 researchers who independently evaluated the quality of the literature and extracted evidence.Results A total of 19 pieces of the literature were involved,including 4 guidelines,4 consensuses,3 system reviews,1 recommended practice,2 clinical decision-making,1 summary of evidence,4 primitive research.Finally,26 pieces of best evidence are summarized from the 5 aspects of indications,contraindications,treatment points,treatment effects and precautions of manual re-habilitation.Conclusion This study summarized the evidence of manual rehabilitation therapy in breast cancer re-lated lymphedema.It can provide practical basis for clinical nursing staff.In clinical practice,it is important to strictly evaluate whether patients have contraindications to treatment,to follow the recommended treatment plan and monitor complications during treatment.

Objective:To observe heart rate circadian rhythm in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 5 and to analyze the effects of parathyroidectomy (PTX) on heart rate circadian rhythm in severe secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) patients.Methods:A cross-sectional observation was performed in 213 patients with CKD stage 5 and 96 controls, and the patients were divided into those with severe SHPT (PTX group, n=70) and without severe SHPT (non-PTX group, n=143). Forty-six PTX patients were followed up prospectively. The baseline data were compared among these groups. Holter electrocardiogram was performed for each participant. Non-dipping heart rate was defined as night/day heart rate ratio greater than 0.9. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyze the related factors of heart rate circadian rhythm in patients with CKD stage 5. Results:The 24-hour, daytime and nighttime mean heart rate in patients with CKD stage 5 were all higher than those in controls, especially in PTX group (all P<0.05). The night/day heart rate ratios of controls and CKD stage 5 patients were (0.81±0.08) and (0.91±0.08) respectively ( P<0.01). Correlation analysis showed 24-hour and daytime or nighttime mean heart rate in patients with CKD stage 5 were positively correlated with serum levels of phosphorus and ln(alkaline phosphatase), while nighttime mean heart rate and night/day heart rate ratio were positively related with serum intact parathyroid hormone level. After adjusting with postoperative follow-up period (median time: 10.9 months), 24-hour and nighttime mean heart rate, and night/day heart rate ratio in PTX patients all decreased significantly (all P<0.01). Conclusions:Heart rate is increased and circadian rhythm is abnormal in patients with CKD stage 5, which are related with mineral and bone disorder. PTX significantly decreases 24-hour and nighttime mean heart rate in severe SHPT patients, and improves the heart rate circadian rhythm.

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of abnormal heart rate circadian rhythm for all-cause mortality in stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD 5) patients.Methods:The retrospective study was performed in CKD 5 patients enrolled from the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Jiangsu Province Hospital) and the Affiliated BenQ Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from February, 2011 to December, 2019. A total of 159 healthy volunteers were enrolled as the healthy control group during the same period. The circadian rhythm of heart rate was monitored by 24-hour Holter. Related indices (including 24-hour, daytime and nighttime mean heart rate, night/day heart rate ratio, 24-hour maximum heart rate, 24-hour minimum heart rate and difference between maximum and minimum of 24-hour heart rate) were calculated. Non-dipping heart rate was defined as night/day heart rate ratio greater than 0.9. Cox regression model was used to analyze the risk factors of all-cause mortality in CKD 5 patients. Kaplan-Meier survival curve and Log-rank test were used to compare the differences of cumulative mortality between high ratio group (night/day heart rate ratio>0.91) and low ratio group (night/day heart rate ratio≤0.91). The nonlinear relationship between night/day heart rate ratio and all-cause mortality was analyzed by restricted cubic spline plot. Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the predictive value of night/day heart rate ratio for all-cause mortality in CKD 5 patients.Results:A total of 159 healthy volunteers and 221 CKD 5 patients were included in this study. There were 123 males (55.66%) and the age was (52.72±13.13) years old in CKD 5 patients. The total median follow-up time was 50.0 months. Compared with controls, 24-hour, nighttime mean heart rate, 24-hour minimum heart rate in CKD 5 patients were increased (all P<0.05), furthermore, the night/day heart rate ratio was higher [(0.91±0.09) vs (0.81±0.08), P<0.001], showing "non-dipping heart rate". However, the 24-hour maximum heart rate and the difference between maximum and minimum of 24-hour heart rate in CKD 5 patients were lower than controls (both P<0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the increased night/day heart rate ratio (per 0.1 increase, HR=1.557, 95% CI 1.073-2.258, P=0.020) was an independent influencing factor for all-cause mortality in CKD 5 patients. Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that the cumulative mortality of the high ratio group was significantly increased than that of the low ratio group (Log-rank test χ 2=7.232, P=0.007). From the restricted cubic spline plot, there was a linear effect between night/day heart rate ratio and all-cause mortality ( P=0.141), and when night/day heart rate ratio was above 0.91, the risk of all-cause mortality was significantly increased in CKD 5 patients. According to time-dependent ROC curve, the accuracy of night/day heart rate ratio in predicting all-cause mortality was 70.90% even when the survival time was up to 70.0 months. Conclusions:The circadian rhythm of heart rate in CKD 5 patients displays "non-dipping" state. High night/day heart rate ratio is an independent influencing factor for all-cause mortality in CKD 5 patients.

Objective:To determine the prognostic values of clinical and laboratory features at the time of presentation on renal survival of patients with myeloperoxidase (MPO)-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody(ANCA)-associated glomerulonephritis (MPO-ANCA-GN).Methods:A total of 172 patients with MPO-ANCA-GN and hospitalized at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2005 to December 2018 were enrolled. The baseline clinical characteristics and renal biopsy pathological data were analyzed, and the renal prognosis was followed up. The clinical and pathological characteristics of different renal prognosis in all patients and 112 patients who underwent renal biopsy were analyzed, and the related factors affecting renal survival were further discussed.Results:Among these 172 patients, 81 were males and 91 were females. The median serum creatinine at diagnosis was 343.7(174.2, 606.6) μmol/L and the median estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 15.81(7.61, 38.04) ml·min -1·(1.73 m 2) -1. In total, 76 patients (44.2%) received initial renal replacement therapy (RRT). During a median follow-up duration of 20(3, 60) months, 73 patients (42.4%) progressed to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and required dialysis, including 6 (8.2%) patients who entered RRT during follow-up and 67 (91.8%) patients who received RRT at the beginning. Among the 112 patients who underwent renal biopsy, the proportion of patients who progressed to ESRD in the sclerotic group was the highest (15/25, 60.0%). The baseline serum creatinine level ( P<0.001), urine red blood cell count ( P=0.012) and the proportion of glomerular sclerosis ( P=0.002) in the non-dialysis dependent group were significantly lower than those in the dialysis dependent group, while the levels of eGFR ( P<0.001), serum albumin ( P=0.002) and hemoglobin ( P<0.001) were higher than those of the dialysis-dependent group. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the renal survival rate of the focal group was the highest ( χ2=19.488, P<0.001, log-rank test), while the renal survival rate of the sclerotic group was significantly lower than that of the crescentic group ( χ2=5.655, P=0.017); higher levels of serum creatinine (>320 μmol/L, χ2=77.229, P<0.001) and urine red blood cell count (>300 cells/μl, χ2=8.511, P=0.004), lower levels of rheumatoid factor (<20 IU/ml, χ2=8.610, P=0.003), serum albumin (<30 g/L, χ2=11.060, P=0.001) and hemoglobin (<90 g/L, χ2=21.921, P<0.001) were associated with lower renal survival rate; in terms of treatment, the renal survival rate of the glucocorticoids plus mycophenolate mofetil group was significantly higher than that of the glucocorticoids plus cyclophosphamide ( χ2=5.056, P=0.025) or the glucocorticoids alone group ( χ2=16.459, P<0.001). Multivariate Cox regression showed that baseline serum creatinine >320 μmol/L ( HR=8.803, 95% CI 3.087-25.106, P<0.001) and serum albumin <30 g/L ( HR=2.566, 95% CI 1.246-5.281, P=0.011) were the related factors affecting renal survival. Conclusion:Serum creatinine and albumin levels of MPO-ANCA-GN patients at diagnosis may be the related factors that affect the patient's renal prognosis.