1.Intravenous immunoglobulin and mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors for treatment of BK virus infections in kidney transplantation:a systematic review
Khi Yung FONG ; Terence KEE ; Sobhana THANGARAJU ; Quan Yao HO ; Ian Tatt LIEW ; Carolyn TIEN ; Edwin Jonathan ASLIM ; Lay Guat NG ; Ee Jean LIM ; Valerie Huei Li GAN
Clinical Transplantation and Research 2026;40(1):55-67
Background:
Reduction of immunosuppression (ROI) remains the mainstay of treatment for BK virus infection (BKVI) in kidney transplantation (KT). This review explored the role of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor (mTORi) regimens as alternative therapies for KT recipients with BKVI, focusing on viral clearance and graft-related outcomes.
Methods:
An electronic search was conducted for articles examining IVIG or mTORi use in treating BKVI among adult and/or pediatric KT recipients. Meta-analyses of proportions were performed for relevant outcomes.
Results:
Twenty-seven studies (13 evaluating IVIG and 14 evaluating mTORi) were included; all but three enrolled only adult participants. In IVIG studies, the pooled viral clearance rate was 76.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 64.2%–85.5%), with numerically higher clearance for IVIG after ROI compared to IVIG with ROI (87.0% vs. 66.1%). Overall graft survival was 84.7% (95% CI, 70.7%–92.7%), with numerically higher survival in IVIG after ROI than in IVIG with ROI (93.6% vs. 78.4%). Pooled histological clearance and graft rejection rates were 82.8% and 14.5%, respectively. In mTORi studies, the pooled viral clearance rate was 68.0% (95% CI, 58.0%–76.7%) and overall graft survival was 89.1% (95% CI, 82.7%–93.4%), with no significant difference between patients with and without prior ROI. Histological clearance and graft rejection rates were 59.8% and 8.6%, respectively.
Conclusions
IVIG and mTORi regimens appear to be feasible alternatives to ROI in KT recipients with BKVI, achieving viral clearance while maintaining graft survival. Future randomized controlled trials are needed to further define their role and strengthen current evidence with higher-quality data.
2.Clinicopathological characteristics and diagnostic strategies of prostatic paraganglioma presenting with prostatic mass and micturition-associated symptoms
Mengjie ZHANG ; Qun LU ; Yao FU ; Qing ZHANG ; Weidong GAN ; Hongqian GUO
Journal of Modern Urology 2026;31(6):552-558
Objective To evaluate the clinical characteristics, diagnostic reasoning, and therapeutic strategies of prostatic paraganglioma (PPG) to provide an evidence-based foundation for early diagnosis and precision treatment of this rare malignancy. Methods The clinical data of a patient with PPG admitted to our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Concurrently, a systematic search was conducted across domestic and international databases, including PubMed, CNKI, and Wanfang.Clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, pathological features, therapeutic modalities, and prognostic data of 24 cases reported between 1979 and 2025 were pooled with the institutional case for a comprehensive analysis (n=25). Results Epidemiological features: the age at onset ranged from 8 to 76 years, with a mean age of (44.6±15.2) years, predominantly affecting young and middle-aged adults (30-50 years).Notably, 20.0% (5/25) of the patients exhibited characteristic micturition-associated catecholamine release symptoms (e.g., post-micturition palpitations, transient hypertension).Laboratory findings: among the 19 patients who underwent catecholamine metabolite testing, 14 (73.7%) showed significant elevation in serum or urinary norepinephrine and methoxyadrenaline levels.Pathological and immunohistochemical features: the positivity rate for neuroendocrine markers (chromogranin A, synaptophysin, and neuron-specific enolase) was 100%, while the negativity rate for prostate-specific markers (prostate-specific antigen and prostate-specific acid phosphatase) was also 100%.Treatment and prognosis: surgical intervention was performed in 96.0% (24/25) of the patients, including radical prostatectomy (37.5%), precision tumor excision (25.0%), and transurethral resection (12.5%).Favorable outcomes without recurrence were observed in 89.5% (17/19) of the total cohort. Conclusion PPG is clinically exceedingly rare.The disease should be highly suspected in patients presenting with a prostatic mass, normal prostate-specific antigen level, and micturition-associated cardiovascular symptoms.Testing for catecholamine metabolites is the key screening tool.Robot-assisted surgery facilitates precise tumor excision while ensuring optimal functional preservation.Given the malignant potential and genetic correlations of PPG, lifelong follow-up is recommended.
3.Predictors of moderate, severe, and critical COVID-19 infection in a largely vaccinated kidney transplant recipient cohort during the Omicron era: the importance of timely booster vaccinations and early presentation to care
Cherie Le Si GAN ; Shimin Jasmine CHUNG ; Quan Yao HO ; Thuan Tong TAN ; Ban Hock TAN ; Ian Tatt LIEW ; Carolyn Shan-Yeu TIEN ; Sobhana THANGARAJU ; Terence KEE
Clinical Transplantation and Research 2025;39(1):46-54
Background:
Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) are at risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) complications and mortality. This study examined factors associated with moderate, severe, or critical COVID-19 infection among KTRs during the Omicron-predominant period.
Methods:
This single-center retrospective study included KTRs aged ≥18 years diag-nosed with COVID-19 between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023. Mild infection was defined as symptomatic illness without lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI);moderate infection as LRTI without hypoxia; severe infection as oxygen saturation <94% on room air; and critical infection as respiratory failure, septic shock, or multiple organ dysfunction. We compared the characteristics of KTRs with asymptomatic or mild COVID-19 versus those with moderate to critical disease. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with moderate to critical illness.
Results:
Most KTRs (94.4%) had received three or more vaccine doses. Of 603 episodes of COVID-19 infection during the study period, 554 (91.9%) were asymptomatic or mild, while 49 (8.1%) were moderate to critical. Multivariate analysis revealed that older age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.037; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.006–1.069) and longer symptom duration before seeking care (aOR, 1.288; 95% CI, 1.155–1.436) were associated with higher odds of moderate to critical disease. Protective factors included receiving a vaccine booster within the past year (aOR, 0.414; 95% CI, 0.212–0.809) and higher glomerular filtration rate (aOR, 0.971; 95% CI, 0.956–0.986).
Conclusions
KTRs should seek care early if infected with COVID-19 and keep their COVID-19 vaccine boosters updated within 1 year of the last dose.
4.Study on the improvement mechanism of Huatan tongmai decoction on rats with polycystic ovary syndrome
Xinya YAO ; Hanmei LIN ; Kena LU ; Ziqing GAN ; Hua GUO ; Wenyi LI ; Jianling LI ; Qilin JIN
China Pharmacy 2025;36(23):2918-2923
OBJECTIVE To investigate the improvement mechanism of Huatan tongmai decoction on rats with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) by regulating autophagy through phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. METHODS A total of 40 rats were randomly divided into blank group (purified water), model group (purified water), traditional Chinese medicine group [Huatan tongmai decoction, 24 g/(kg·d)] and chemical drug group [metformin, 0.16 g/(kg·d)], with 10 rats in each group. Except for blank group, other groups were given a combination of high-fat diet and intragastric administration of 1 mg/kg letrozole suspension to establish PCOS rat model. After modeling, they were given relevant medicine or water intragastrically, once a day, for 42 consecutive days. After the last administration, the pathological and ultrastructural changes of ovarian tissue were observed. The levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone (T), estradiol (E2) ,luteinizing hormone (LH) in serum were detected,and the LH/FSH ratio was calculated. mRNA expressions of Beclin-1, p62 and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) in ovarian tissue were detected. The expressions of related proteins of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and autophagy in rat ovarian tissues were also detected. RESULTS Compared with blank group, the pathological damage and ultrastructural changes of the ovarian tissue in the model group rats were obvious, and a large number of autophagosomes could be seen in cells. The levels of T and LH and the LH/FSH ratio in serum, as well as mRNA and protein expressions of Beclin-1 and LC3, were increased significantly (P<0.05), while the levels of E2 and FSH in serum, as well as mRNA and protein expressions of p62 and the phosphorylation levels of PI3K, AKT and mTOR proteins in ovarian tissue, were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with model group, the pathological damage of ovarian tissue in the administration groups was significantly reduced, the number of autophagosomes was smaller, and the expression levels of the above indicators were significantly reversed (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Huatan tongmai decoction can inhibit autophagy in ovarian granular cells by activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, regulate the secretion of sex hormones, alleviate pathological damage in ovarian tissues, and promote normal follicular development, thereby exerting an ameliorative effect on PCOS rats.
6.Analysis of health-related lifestyles among primary and secondary school students in nutrition improvement program regions of China between 2021 and 2023
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(6):788-791
Objective:
To analyze the features of unhealthy lifestyle patterns among primary and secondary school students in the nutrition improvement program for rural compulsory education students (NIPRCES) areas in China in 2021 and 2023, so as to provide data support for lifestyle promotion and healthy development among primary and secondary school students.
Methods:
Adopting a cluster random sampling method, data on primary and secondary students aged 7-15 years from nutrition and health surveillance of China NIPRCES in 2021 and 2023 were collected. The prevalence of unhealthy lifestyles among primary and secondary students such as physical inactivity, outdoor inactivity, excessive screen time, and sleep deprivation by gender, school section, urban/rural, and region were analyzed. The reporting rates of the above indicators among primary and secondary students were compared by Chi-square test.
Results:
In 2021 and 2023, the rates of moderate to vigorous physical inactivity among primary and secondary school students were 79.2% and 80.4%, the rates of outdoor inactivity were 42.8% and 49.3%, the rates of excessive video time were 2.6% and 2.9%, the rates of sleep deprivation were 32.9% and 22.6%, and the differences were statistically significant( χ 2=51.86,1 071.48,18.36,3 296.99, P <0.05). In 2023, the rate of outdoor inactivity for primary and secondary students increased by 6.5 percentage points compared with 2021, and the rate of sleep deprivation decreased by 10.3 percentage points compared with that in 2021. In 2021 and 2023, the reporting rates of moderate to vigorous physical inactivity, outdoor inactivity, and sleep deprivation among girls and junior high school students were higher than those among boys ( χ 2=174.41,180.11; 175.75, 85.46 ;92.22,151.35) and elementary school students ( χ 2=136.64,5.75; 40.55,4.71;162.80,3 291.61); the reporting rates of moderate to vigorous physical inactivity( χ 2=194.43,118.60) and sleep deprivation ( χ 2=969.66,983.72) among urban students were higher than those among rural students; the reporting rates of excessive video time for boys and junior high school students were higher than those for girls ( χ 2=103.62,84.85) and elementary school students ( χ 2=810.09,626.51)( P <0.05). From a regional distribution perspective, the reporting rates of moderato to vigorous physical inactivity, outdoor inactivity, and excessive video time among primary and seconday school students in the central and western regions were lower than those in the eastern region ( χ 2= 663.44,302.78; 356.97,82.10;50.89,81.83) ( P <0.05).
Conclusions
Unhealthy lifestyles remain prevalent among primary and secondary students in NIPRCES areas of China. These findings underscore the need to strengthen policy implementation for promoting healthy lifestyles among primary and secondary school students.
7.Predictors of moderate, severe, and critical COVID-19 infection in a largely vaccinated kidney transplant recipient cohort during the Omicron era: the importance of timely booster vaccinations and early presentation to care
Cherie Le Si GAN ; Shimin Jasmine CHUNG ; Quan Yao HO ; Thuan Tong TAN ; Ban Hock TAN ; Ian Tatt LIEW ; Carolyn Shan-Yeu TIEN ; Sobhana THANGARAJU ; Terence KEE
Clinical Transplantation and Research 2025;39(1):46-54
Background:
Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) are at risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) complications and mortality. This study examined factors associated with moderate, severe, or critical COVID-19 infection among KTRs during the Omicron-predominant period.
Methods:
This single-center retrospective study included KTRs aged ≥18 years diag-nosed with COVID-19 between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023. Mild infection was defined as symptomatic illness without lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI);moderate infection as LRTI without hypoxia; severe infection as oxygen saturation <94% on room air; and critical infection as respiratory failure, septic shock, or multiple organ dysfunction. We compared the characteristics of KTRs with asymptomatic or mild COVID-19 versus those with moderate to critical disease. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with moderate to critical illness.
Results:
Most KTRs (94.4%) had received three or more vaccine doses. Of 603 episodes of COVID-19 infection during the study period, 554 (91.9%) were asymptomatic or mild, while 49 (8.1%) were moderate to critical. Multivariate analysis revealed that older age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.037; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.006–1.069) and longer symptom duration before seeking care (aOR, 1.288; 95% CI, 1.155–1.436) were associated with higher odds of moderate to critical disease. Protective factors included receiving a vaccine booster within the past year (aOR, 0.414; 95% CI, 0.212–0.809) and higher glomerular filtration rate (aOR, 0.971; 95% CI, 0.956–0.986).
Conclusions
KTRs should seek care early if infected with COVID-19 and keep their COVID-19 vaccine boosters updated within 1 year of the last dose.
8.Analysis of depressive symptoms and associated factors among primary and secondary school students in the in depth monitoring counties Rural Nutrition Improvement Program
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(2):219-222
Objective:
To understand the prevalence and related factors of depressive symptoms among primary and secondary school students in the in depth monitoring counties of China s Rural Compulsory Education Nutrition Improvement Program, so as to provide a basis for prevention and psychological intervention of depressive symptoms among children and adolescents in rural areas.
Methods:
In November 2022, a stratified random sampling method was adopted to collect height and weight data, basic personal and family information of 7 949 primary and secondary school students from grade three to grade nine through physical measurements and questionnaires in 56 key monitoring schools implementing the Student Nutrition Improvement Program in 7 in depth monitoring counties (Jalaid Banner in Inner Mongolia, Jinzhai County in Anhui, Mao Xian in Sichuan, Tiandeng County in Guangxi, Mian County in Shaanxi, Zhaozhou County in Heilongjiang and Youxi County in Fujian), and to obtain the information related to their depressive symptoms through the self assessment questionnaire on depression. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze the prevalence of depressive symptoms among primary and secondary school students, as well as their related factors.
Results:
The detection rate of depressive symptoms among primary and secondary school students in the in depth monitored counties was 23.5%. Logistic regression analysis showed that the probability of detecting depressive symptoms was higher among female students, middle school students, students whose video screen duration per day was >2 h, and students whose parents marital status was divorced or widowed ( OR =1.40, 1.64, 1.60, 1.24), and students whose sleep duration reached the recommended standard, whose parents usually accompanied them daily for time was 60-<120 min and ≥120 min, and students whose mothers literacy level was middle school graduation had lower probability of detecting depressive symptoms ( OR =0.85, 0.84, 0.71, 0.76) ( P < 0.05 ).
Conclusion
The detection rate of depressive symptoms among students in the in depth monitoring area is high, and targeted interventions need to be developed for students to reduce the risk of mental health problems.
9.Color Space Method Combined with Chemometrics to Determine Processing Degree of Angelicae Sinensis Radix Carbonisata
Liuying QIN ; Yao HUANG ; Lifan GAN ; Yuanjun LIU ; Congyou DENG ; Dongmei SUN ; Lijin LIANG ; Lin ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):201-210
ObjectiveTo study the changing law of appearance color and physicochemical properties of Angelicae Sinensis Radix Carbonisata(ASRC) during the processing by color space method combined with statistical analysis, so as to provide reference for determining the processing endpoint and evaluating the quality of the decoction pieces. MethodsTaking processing time(4, 8, 12, 16 min) and temperature(180, 200, 220, 240 ℃) as factors, ASRC decoction pieces with different processing degrees were prepared in a completely randomized design. Then, the brightness value(L*), red-green value(a*), yellow-blue value(b*), and total chromaticity value (E*ab) of the decoction pieces were determined by spectrophotometer, the color difference value(ΔE) was calculated, and the data of colorimetric values were analyzed by discriminant analysis. At the same time, the pH, charcoal adsorption, and contents of tannins, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural(5-HMF), tryptophan, chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, senkyunolide I, senkyunolide H and ligustilide of ASRC with different processing degrees were determined by pH meter, ultraviolet and visible spectrophotometry and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography(UPLC). Principal component analysis(PCA) was used to analyze the data of physicochemical indexes, after determining the processing technology of ASRC, the canonical discriminant function was established to distinguish the decoction pieces with different processing degrees, and leave-one-out cross validation was conducted. Finally, Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the correlation between various physicochemical indexes and chromaticity values. ResultsWith the prolongation of the processing time, L*, a*, b* and E*ab all showed a decreasing trend, and the established discriminant model based on color parameters was able to distinguish ASRC with different processing degrees. The pH showed an increasing trend with the prolongation of processing time, and the charcoal adsorption, and the contents of tannins, 5-HMF, and tryptophan all showed an increasing and then decreasing trend. Among them, the charcoal adsorption, contents of tannin and 5-HMF reached their maximum values successively after processing for 8-12 min. While the contents of chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, senkyunolide I, senkyunolide H and ligustilide decreased with the increase of processing time, with a decrease of 60%-80% at 8 min of processing. Therefore, the optimal processing time should be determined to be 8-12 min. PCA could clearly distinguish ASRC with different processing degrees, while temperature had no significant effect on the processing degree. The 12 batches of process validation results(10 min, 180-240 ℃) showed that except for 3 batches identified as class Ⅱ light charcoal, all other batches were identified as class Ⅲ standard charcoal, and the chromaticity values of each batch of ASRC were within the reference range of class Ⅱ-Ⅲ sample chromaticity values. The correlation analysis showed that the chromaticity values were negatively correlated with pH and charcoal adsorption, and positively correlated with contents of tryptophan, chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, senkyunolide I, senkyunolide H, and ligustilide. And both pH and charcoal adsorption were negatively correlated with the contents of the above components, but the charcoal adsorption was positively correlated with the content of 5-HMF. ConclusionThe chromaticity values and the contents of various physicochemical indicators of ASRC undergo significant changes with the prolongation of processing time, and there is a general correlation between chromaticity values and various physicochemical indicators. Based on the changes in color and physicochemical indicators, the optimal processing time for ASRC is determined to be 8-12 min. This study reveals the dynamic changes of the relevant indexes in the processing of ASRC, which can provide a reference for the discrimination of the processing degree and the quantitative study of the processing endpoint.
10.Predictors of moderate, severe, and critical COVID-19 infection in a largely vaccinated kidney transplant recipient cohort during the Omicron era: the importance of timely booster vaccinations and early presentation to care
Cherie Le Si GAN ; Shimin Jasmine CHUNG ; Quan Yao HO ; Thuan Tong TAN ; Ban Hock TAN ; Ian Tatt LIEW ; Carolyn Shan-Yeu TIEN ; Sobhana THANGARAJU ; Terence KEE
Clinical Transplantation and Research 2025;39(1):46-54
Background:
Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) are at risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) complications and mortality. This study examined factors associated with moderate, severe, or critical COVID-19 infection among KTRs during the Omicron-predominant period.
Methods:
This single-center retrospective study included KTRs aged ≥18 years diag-nosed with COVID-19 between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023. Mild infection was defined as symptomatic illness without lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI);moderate infection as LRTI without hypoxia; severe infection as oxygen saturation <94% on room air; and critical infection as respiratory failure, septic shock, or multiple organ dysfunction. We compared the characteristics of KTRs with asymptomatic or mild COVID-19 versus those with moderate to critical disease. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with moderate to critical illness.
Results:
Most KTRs (94.4%) had received three or more vaccine doses. Of 603 episodes of COVID-19 infection during the study period, 554 (91.9%) were asymptomatic or mild, while 49 (8.1%) were moderate to critical. Multivariate analysis revealed that older age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.037; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.006–1.069) and longer symptom duration before seeking care (aOR, 1.288; 95% CI, 1.155–1.436) were associated with higher odds of moderate to critical disease. Protective factors included receiving a vaccine booster within the past year (aOR, 0.414; 95% CI, 0.212–0.809) and higher glomerular filtration rate (aOR, 0.971; 95% CI, 0.956–0.986).
Conclusions
KTRs should seek care early if infected with COVID-19 and keep their COVID-19 vaccine boosters updated within 1 year of the last dose.


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