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.Expert consensus on infection prevention and control of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in medical institutions
Tianxiang GE ; Yangyang JIA ; Chunhui LI ; Jianrong HUANG ; Xiujuan MENG ; Xiaodong GAO ; Jingping ZHANG ; Fu QIAO ; Lijuan XIONG ; Hui LIANG ; Wei LI ; Haiyan LOU ; Wenjuan WU ; Tianxin XIANG ; Jiansen CHEN ; Biao ZHU ; Kaijin XU ; Zhihui ZHOU ; Hongliu CAI ; Meihong YU ; Yan ZHANG ; Yanwan SHANGGUAN ; Haiting FENG ; Hangping YAO ; Lei GUO ; Tieer GAN ; Weihong ZHANG ; Jimin SUN ; Ye LU ; Qun LU ; Meng CAI ; Jin SHEN ; Yunsong YU ; Anhua WU ; Liu-yi LI ; Tingting QU
Chinese Journal of Infection Control 2025;24(4):437-450
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease(CJD)is a rapidly progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disorder caused by prions,with certain infectivity and iatrogenic transmission risks.With the rapid progress and application of new dia-gnostic biomarkers and detection methods,as well as the construction and improvement of surveillance and reporting systems,the detection of CJD in patients domestically and internationally has shown an increasing trend year by year.Due to its long incubation period and heterogeneity of early symptoms,early identification and diagnosis of the disease is difficult,increasing the risk of transmission within medical institutions.Currently,there is a lack of con-sensus on the infection prevention and control of CJD.In order to timely identify and diagnose CJD as well as effec-tively block its transmission in medical institutions,this consensus summarizes 15 clinical concerns and formulates 24 specific recommendations based on the latest domestic and international research findings and clinical evidence,as well as combines with clinical practice,aiming to standardize healthcare-associated infection prevention and control measures for CJD and reduce its transmission risk in medical institutions.
5.LncRNA GS1-124K5.4 targeting regulation of PRDX6 on proliferation,migration and Invasion of lung squamous carcinoma cells
Yu-ning HU ; Yan-lei GE ; Ye JIN ; Jun-qing GAN ; Wei-nan YAO ; Ya-nan WU ; Xuan ZHENG ; Zi-qing LIU ; Xin SU ; Guo-gui SUN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(8):1531-1541
Aim To investigate the effect of long-chain non-coding RNA(lncRNA)GS1-124K5.4 targeting regulation of PRDX6 on proliferation,migration and in-vasion of lung squamous carcinoma(LUSC)cells and the underlying mechanism.Methods The expression level of lncRNA GS1-124K5.4 in lung cancer tissues and adjacent tissues of 60 patients with LUSC were de-termined by fluorescence in situ hybridization.The ex-pression level of lncRNA GS1-124K5.4 in human nor-mal lung cells and LUSC cells were determined by qRT-PCR.Two kinds of LUSC cells(NCI-H 1703,SK-MES-1)with highest expression level of lncRNA GS1-124K5.4 were selected for subsequent experi-ments.The distribution of lncRNA GS1-124K5.4 in cells was studied by fluorescence in situ hybridization and prokaryotic separation.The effect of knockdown of lncRNA GS1-124K5.4 on proliferation of NCI-H1703 and SK-MES-1 cells was studied by CCK-8 experiment and cell clone formation experiment;the effect of knockdown of lncRNA GS1-124K5.4 on migration of NCI-H1703 and SK-MES-1 cells was studied by cell scratch experiment and Transwell cell migration experi-ment;and the effect of knockdown of lncRNA GS1-124K5.4 on invasion of NCI-H1703 and SK-MES-1 cells was studied by Transwell invasion experiment.The protein to be bound by lncRNA GS1-124K5.4 was detected by RNA pull-down combined with mass spec-trometry and immune-precipitation.The effect of knockdown of lncRNA GS1-124K5.4 targeting PRDX6 on proliferation,migration and invasion of NCI-H1703 and SK-MES-1 cells was studied.Results(1)The fluorescence intensity of lncRNA GS1-124K5.4 in lung squamous cell carcinoma increased compared with that in adjacent tissues(P<0.05),and the expression of lncRNA GS1-124K5.4 was related with lymph node metastasis and clinical stage(P<0.05).(2)The ex-pression level of lncRNA GS1-124K5.4 in NCI-H1703,NCI-H520 and SK-MES-1 cells significantly increased(P<0.05).(3)The result of fluorescence in situ hybridization experiment and nucleoplasm sepa-ration experiment showed that lncRNA GS1-124K5.4 was mainly distributed in cell nucleus.(4)The prolif-eration,migration and invasion ability of NCI-H1703 and SK-MES-1 cells with knockdown of lncRNA GS1-124K5.4 significantly decreased(P<0.05).(5)PRDX6 protein to be bound to LncRNA GS1-124K5.4 was determined by RNA pull-down combined with mass spectrometry and immunoprecipitation.(6)The prolif-eration,migration and invasion ability of NCI-H1703 and SK-MES-1 cells with overexpression of lncRNA GS1-124K5.4 significantly increased(P<0.05);the proliferation,migration and invasion ability of NCI-H1703 and SK-MES-1 cells with knockdown of PRDX6 significantly decreased(P<0.05);the proliferation,migration and invasion ability of NCI-H1703 and SK-MES-1 cells with overexpression of lncRNAGS1-124K5.4 and knockdown of PRDX6 showed no signifi-cant change(P>0.05).Conclusions LncRNA GS1-124K5.4 is highly expressed in lung squamous cell carcinoma,and it may promote the proliferation,migration and invasion of lung squamous carcinoma cells by targeting the expression of PRDX6 protein.
6.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.
8.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.
9.Evaluation of neoadjuvant chemotherapy curative effect in patients with breast cancer by MRI
Liangfeng YAO ; Baoliang GUO ; Hongyan HE ; Xulong FAN ; Cuishan LIANG ; Gan TIAN ; Yunneng CUI
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(5):767-770
Objective To analyze the value of MRI in evaluating the treatment efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC)in breast cancer patients.Methods The clinical data of 130 patients with breast cancer were analyzed retrospectively.All patients under-went 4-8 cycles of NAC,with MRI examinations was performed before and after NAC treatment.Based on postoperative response eval-uation criteria in solid tumors(RECIST),the patients were categorized into effective and ineffective groups.The MRI related param-eters,early enhancement parameters and peak enhancement parameters before and after NAC were observed to evaluate the efficacy of MRI in evaluating the treatment efficacy of NAC in breast cancer.Results The sensitivity,specificity,and accuracy of MRI in evalua-ting the treatment efficacy of NAC in breast cancer were 96.74%,89.47%,and 94.62%,respectively.The Kappa value for consis-tency analysis between MRI and postoperative pathology reached 0.869,indicating good agreement.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis showed that the area under the curve(AUC)for MRI in predicting the treatment efficacy of NAC in breast cancer was 0.935[95% confidence interval(CI)0.831-0.981].Significant differences were observed between the effective and ineffec-tive groups in early and peak enhancement parameters before and after NAC(P<0.05).Conclusion MRI can effectively assesses the treatment efficacy of NAC in breast cancer patients,demonstrating high value in clinical applications.
10.Porphyromonas gingivalis Promotes the Development of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Upregulating HuR to Suppress hsa_circ_0057552
Rui YANG ; Bian-Li GU ; Lin-Lin SHI ; Shuo-Xuan LI ; Yao-Wu LANG ; Zhi-Xiang ZUO ; She-Gan GAO
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(11):1678-1686
Recent studies have revealed a significant association between Porphyromonas gingivalis(P.gingivalis)infection and poor prognosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC).Although cer-tain circular RNAs(circRNA)have been shown to suppress ESCC tumorigenesis and progression,their regulatory mechanisms in P.gingivalis infection-associated ESCC remain elusive.In this study,RT-qPCR analysis demonstrated that P.gingivalis infection downregulated hsa_circ_0057552 expression in ESCC cells and tissues in a time-and dose-dependent manner.Actinomycin D assays further confirmed that P.gingivalis infection reduced the RNA stability of hsa_circ_0057552 in ESCC cells(P<0.05).Functional assays in vitro and a subcutaneous tumor xenograft model in vivo revealed that hsa_circ_0057552 overexpression significantly inhibited ESCC cell proliferation,migration,invasion,and tumor growth(P<0.05).Additionally,PCR array screening combined with RT-qPCR and Western blotting in-dicated that P.gingivalis infection markedly upregulated human antigen R(HuR)expression at both RNA and protein levels(P<0.05).Mechanistic investigations demonstrated that HuR knockdown signifi-cantly increased hsa_circ_0057552 expression(P<0.01),whereas hsa_circ_0057552 overexpression had no regulatory effect on HuR.Finally,si-HuR treatment reversed the inhibitory effect of P.gingivalis on hsa_circ_0057552 transcription.This study demonstrated that P.gingivalis may promote the progression of ESCC through a novel mechanism involving the regulation of HuR/hsa_circ_0057552,thereby identif-ying a novel therapeutic target and molecular marker for P.gingivalis-associated ESCC.

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