Objective:To investigate the different clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN) accompanied by IgA deposition diagnosed by renal biopsy.Methods:The study was a retrospective cohort study. Clinical and pathological data of patients diagnosed with DN through renal biopsy in Beijing Anzhen Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University from January 1, 2010 to March 31, 2023 were retrospectively collected. The clinical and pathological characteristics and prognosis of DN patients with IgA deposition and DN control group patients without IgA deposition were compared. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the intensity of galactose-deficient IgA1 (Gd-IgA1) staining in renal tissue of DN patients with DN IgA deposition, and grouping was performed according to whether the staining intensity was≥2+. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the serum level of Gd-IgA1 in patients. A 50% decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from baseline or progression to end-stage renal disease within 5 years was defined as a renal endpoint event, and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Log-rank test were used to compare the difference in cumulative incidence of renal endpoint events between two groups of patients.Results:A total of 101 DN patients were enrolled in this study, including 68 males (67.3%) and 33 females (32.7%), with age of (52.2±10.3) years and a median follow-up time of 13.5(4.8, 26.3) months. There were 44 patients with IgA deposition (43.6%) and 57 patients without IgA deposition (56.4%). Compared with DN control group, Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that DN patients with IgA deposition had a higher cumulative incidence of renal endpoint within 5 years ( χ2=6.473, P=0.011). The proportion of positive glomerular Gd-IgA1 (KM55) staining in the DN patients with IgA deposition was 54.5% (24/44), and immunofluorescence examination showed consistent distribution of Gd-IgA1 and IgA in the glomerular mesangial and capillary regions. The serum level of Gd-IgA1 in the glomerular Gd-IgA1 positive patients was significantly higher than that in those negative patients [(6 296.4± 1 535.4) μg/L vs. (4 057.4±1 082.0) μg/L, t=-3.037, P=0.010]. In DN patients with IgA deposition, the age of the subgroup with endpoint events was younger [(42.8±6.9) years vs. (53.3±9.4) years, t=-3.440, P=0.002], the duration of proteinuria was shorter [6.0(1.0, 22.0) months vs. 12.0(10.0, 36.0) months, Z=-2.150, P=0.032], and the proportion of patients with glomerular Gd-IgA1 staining intensity ≥2+ was higher [Fisher'exact test, 30.8%(4/13) vs. 0(0/20), P=0.017]. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that patients with glomerular Gd-IgA1 staining intensity≥2+ had a significantly higher cumulative incidence of renal endpoint events ( χ2=4.846, P=0.028). Conclusion:DN patients with glomerular IgA deposition and Gd-IgA1 positivity may be associated with worse prognosis.

Objective:To investigate the different clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN) accompanied by IgA deposition diagnosed by renal biopsy.Methods:The study was a retrospective cohort study. Clinical and pathological data of patients diagnosed with DN through renal biopsy in Beijing Anzhen Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University from January 1, 2010 to March 31, 2023 were retrospectively collected. The clinical and pathological characteristics and prognosis of DN patients with IgA deposition and DN control group patients without IgA deposition were compared. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the intensity of galactose-deficient IgA1 (Gd-IgA1) staining in renal tissue of DN patients with DN IgA deposition, and grouping was performed according to whether the staining intensity was≥2+. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the serum level of Gd-IgA1 in patients. A 50% decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from baseline or progression to end-stage renal disease within 5 years was defined as a renal endpoint event, and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Log-rank test were used to compare the difference in cumulative incidence of renal endpoint events between two groups of patients.Results:A total of 101 DN patients were enrolled in this study, including 68 males (67.3%) and 33 females (32.7%), with age of (52.2±10.3) years and a median follow-up time of 13.5(4.8, 26.3) months. There were 44 patients with IgA deposition (43.6%) and 57 patients without IgA deposition (56.4%). Compared with DN control group, Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that DN patients with IgA deposition had a higher cumulative incidence of renal endpoint within 5 years ( χ2=6.473, P=0.011). The proportion of positive glomerular Gd-IgA1 (KM55) staining in the DN patients with IgA deposition was 54.5% (24/44), and immunofluorescence examination showed consistent distribution of Gd-IgA1 and IgA in the glomerular mesangial and capillary regions. The serum level of Gd-IgA1 in the glomerular Gd-IgA1 positive patients was significantly higher than that in those negative patients [(6 296.4± 1 535.4) μg/L vs. (4 057.4±1 082.0) μg/L, t=-3.037, P=0.010]. In DN patients with IgA deposition, the age of the subgroup with endpoint events was younger [(42.8±6.9) years vs. (53.3±9.4) years, t=-3.440, P=0.002], the duration of proteinuria was shorter [6.0(1.0, 22.0) months vs. 12.0(10.0, 36.0) months, Z=-2.150, P=0.032], and the proportion of patients with glomerular Gd-IgA1 staining intensity ≥2+ was higher [Fisher'exact test, 30.8%(4/13) vs. 0(0/20), P=0.017]. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that patients with glomerular Gd-IgA1 staining intensity≥2+ had a significantly higher cumulative incidence of renal endpoint events ( χ2=4.846, P=0.028). Conclusion:DN patients with glomerular IgA deposition and Gd-IgA1 positivity may be associated with worse prognosis.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between serum growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) and the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN), and further explore the relationship of GDF15 with the cardiac and renal prognosis of IgAN patients.Methods:It was a single-center retrospective cohort study. From January 2018 to December 2022, the relevant data were collected from patients who were diagnosed with primary IgAN at the Department of Nephrology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, and regularly followed up for at least 1 year. Serum samples were collected at admission and the baseline level of serum GDF15 was measured. Based on the median GDF15 level, IgAN patients were categorized into high-level GDF15 group and low-level GDF15 group, and their clinicopathological characteristics were compared. A multiple linear regression model was then constructed to identify independent factors associated with serum GDF15 level based on these comparisons. Subsequently, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed to investigate the association between serum GDF15 level and the cardiorenal prognosis of IgAN patients.Results:A total of 104 IgAN patients were included in this study. The serum GDF15 level in these IgAN patients was 825.60 (556.84, 1 428.15) ng/L. Serum GDF15 level was positively correlated with 24 h urinary protein ( r=0.405, P<0.001), negatively correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)( r=-0.606, P<0.001). The serum levels of GDF15 in patients with tubular atrophy or interstitial fibrosis (overall comparison among T0, T1, and T2, H=21.866, P<0.001), crescentic lesions (overall comparison among C0, C1, and C2, H=13.787, P=0.001), or intrarenal arteriolar lesions (overall comparison among none, mild, and moderate-to-severe, H=9.856, P=0.007) were significantly different. Compared with IgAN patients without tubular atrophy or interstitial fibrosis, those with Oxford classification T1 ( Z=-17.326, P=0.042) or T2 ( Z=-42.933, P<0.001) had higher serum GDF15 levels. Compared with IgAN patients without crescentic lesions, those with Oxford classification C2 had higher serum GDF15 levels ( Z=-45.929, P=0.001). Compared with IgAN patients without intrarenal arteriolar lesions, those with moderate-to-severe arteriolar sclerosis had higher serum GDF15 levels ( Z=-26.686, P=0.005). The median GDF15 was used as the cut-off value to divide IgAN patients into a high-level GDF15 group (≥825.60 ng/L, n=52) and a low-level GDF15 group (<825.60 ng/L, n=52). Compared to low-level GDF15 group, IgAN patients in high-level GDF15 group presented with a higher proportion of diabetes mellitus ( χ 2=9.420, P=0.002) and cardiovascular disease ( χ 2=7.792, P=0.005), a higher level of systolic blood pressure ( Z=-2.266, P=0.023), body mass index ( Z=-2.183, P=0.031), 24 h urinary protein ( Z=-3.485, P<0.001), blood total cholesterol ( Z=-2.002, P=0.045) and left ventricular mass index ( Z=-2.649, P=0.008), and a lower level of blood albumin ( Z=-3.053, P=0.002) and eGFR ( Z=6.480, P<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that serum GDF15 level was independently associated with systolic blood pressure (regression coefficient B=29.453, 95% CI 14.139–44.767, P<0.001), blood albumin ( B=-81.412, 95% CI -113.084–-49.740, P<0.001) and eGFR ( B=-9.797, 95% CI -17.554–-2.040, P=0.014). Moreover, IgAN patients in high-level GDF15 group exhibited significantly poorer cardiac and renal prognosis compared to low-level GDF15 group ( χ 2=9.955, P=0.002). Conclusion:High serum GDF15 level correlates with disease severity in IgAN, and high serum GDF15 level may suggest a poorer cardiorenal prognosis in IgAN patients.

Objective:To evaluate effectiveness of finerenone in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the real world, and to analyze the associated factors of renal function progression during treatment.Methods:It was a single-center retrospective study. The patients diagnosed with T2DM and CKD who received finerenone treatment for 3 months in Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University between April 1 and October 1, 2023 were included. The clinical data before and after finerenone treatment were collected. Based on urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), the patients were divided into different groups, and the differences of clinical data before and after treatment were compared respectively. Logistic regression models was used to analyze the correlated factors of renal function changes during the treatment.Results:A total of 151 patients were included with age of 63 (54, 70) years, and 103 males accounted for 68.2%. UACR level after 3 months of finerenone treatment was significantly lower than those before treatment ( Z=-5.051, P<0.001), whereas there was no statistically significant change in eGFR ( P>0.05). Both patients with baseline eGFR ≥60 ml·min -1·(1.73 m 2) -1 ( Z=-4.543, P<0.001) and those with baseline eGFR <60 ml·min -1·(1.73 m 2) -1 ( Z=-2.610, P=0.009) showed significant reductions in UACR after treatment. Both patients with baseline UACR ≥300 mg/g ( Z=-4.681, P<0.001) and those with baseline UACR <300 mg/g ( Z=-1.979, P=0.048) exhibited significantly lower UACR levels after treatment. The percentage reduction in UACR was greater in patients with baseline UACR ≥300 mg/g than in those with baseline UACR <300 mg/g ( Z=-2.102, P=0.036).After 3 months of finerenone therapy, serum potassium level was slightly higher than baseline, but the difference was not statistically significant ( P>0.05).The incidence of hyperkalemia after treatment was higher than baseline in patients with baseline eGFR <60 ml·min -1·(1.73 m 2) -1 ( χ 2=2.558 , P=0.039). During the treatment, 74 patients (49.0%) experienced renal function progression. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified increased baseline serum albumin <45 g/L was an independent correlated factor of renal function progression during finerenone therapy ( OR=1.934, 95% CI 1.157-3.231, P=0.012). Conclusions:UACR in patients with T2DM and CKD can be reduced significantly after short-term treatment of finerenone. Increased baseline serum albumin level <45 g/L is independently associated with renal function progression during finerenone therapy.

Objective To observe the effectiveness and safety of pirfenidone in the prevention and treatment of radiation-induced lung injury in esophageal cancer.Methods We retrospectively analyzed the data of 103 patients with esophageal cancer,of whom 53 in the combined group were treated with simultaneous chemoradiotherapy combined with pirfenidone and 50 in the control group were treated with simultaneous chemoradiotherapy only.The patients were followed up for three years to observe the treatment effects,adverse effects,and survival,as well as the incidence of radiation-induced lung injury,lung function,and changes in lung injury cytokine levels within one year after radiotherapy.Results Treatment efficiency in the combined group was higher than that in the control group(86.8%vs.70.0%,P＜0.05).The two-and three-year survival rates in the combined group were 84.9%and 71.7%,respectively,which were higher than those(68.0%and 52.0%)in the control group(P＜0.05).The one-,two-,and three-year disease-free survival rates in the combined group were 86.8%,67.9%,and 47.2%,respectively,which were higher than those(62.0%,46.0%,and 28.0%)in the control group(P＜0.05).The incidence rates of radiation pneumonitis at three months,pulmonary fibrosis at six months,and one year after radiotherapy in the combined group were 22.6%,13.2%,and 14.0%,respectively,which were lower than those(42.0%,30.0%,and 31.8%)in the control group at the same time(P＜0.05).At the end of radiotherapy and at three months,six months and one year after radiotherapy,the combined group showed higher levels of lung function indicators but lower levels of lung injury-related cytokines than the control group(P＜0.05).The incidence of rash in the combined group was 18.9%,which was higher than that(2.0%)in the control group(P＜0.05).However,no statistically significant difference in the incidence and severity of other adverse reactions was found between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion Pirfenidone not only effectively reduces radiation-induced lung injury and improves lung function in esophageal cancer patients undergoing simultaneous chemoradiotherapy,but also helps improve tumor control rates and patient survival with a good safety profile.

Objective To observe the effectiveness and safety of pirfenidone in the prevention and treatment of radiation-induced lung injury in esophageal cancer.Methods We retrospectively analyzed the data of 103 patients with esophageal cancer,of whom 53 in the combined group were treated with simultaneous chemoradiotherapy combined with pirfenidone and 50 in the control group were treated with simultaneous chemoradiotherapy only.The patients were followed up for three years to observe the treatment effects,adverse effects,and survival,as well as the incidence of radiation-induced lung injury,lung function,and changes in lung injury cytokine levels within one year after radiotherapy.Results Treatment efficiency in the combined group was higher than that in the control group(86.8%vs.70.0%,P＜0.05).The two-and three-year survival rates in the combined group were 84.9%and 71.7%,respectively,which were higher than those(68.0%and 52.0%)in the control group(P＜0.05).The one-,two-,and three-year disease-free survival rates in the combined group were 86.8%,67.9%,and 47.2%,respectively,which were higher than those(62.0%,46.0%,and 28.0%)in the control group(P＜0.05).The incidence rates of radiation pneumonitis at three months,pulmonary fibrosis at six months,and one year after radiotherapy in the combined group were 22.6%,13.2%,and 14.0%,respectively,which were lower than those(42.0%,30.0%,and 31.8%)in the control group at the same time(P＜0.05).At the end of radiotherapy and at three months,six months and one year after radiotherapy,the combined group showed higher levels of lung function indicators but lower levels of lung injury-related cytokines than the control group(P＜0.05).The incidence of rash in the combined group was 18.9%,which was higher than that(2.0%)in the control group(P＜0.05).However,no statistically significant difference in the incidence and severity of other adverse reactions was found between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion Pirfenidone not only effectively reduces radiation-induced lung injury and improves lung function in esophageal cancer patients undergoing simultaneous chemoradiotherapy,but also helps improve tumor control rates and patient survival with a good safety profile.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between serum growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) and the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN), and further explore the relationship of GDF15 with the cardiac and renal prognosis of IgAN patients.Methods:It was a single-center retrospective cohort study. From January 2018 to December 2022, the relevant data were collected from patients who were diagnosed with primary IgAN at the Department of Nephrology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, and regularly followed up for at least 1 year. Serum samples were collected at admission and the baseline level of serum GDF15 was measured. Based on the median GDF15 level, IgAN patients were categorized into high-level GDF15 group and low-level GDF15 group, and their clinicopathological characteristics were compared. A multiple linear regression model was then constructed to identify independent factors associated with serum GDF15 level based on these comparisons. Subsequently, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed to investigate the association between serum GDF15 level and the cardiorenal prognosis of IgAN patients.Results:A total of 104 IgAN patients were included in this study. The serum GDF15 level in these IgAN patients was 825.60 (556.84, 1 428.15) ng/L. Serum GDF15 level was positively correlated with 24 h urinary protein ( r=0.405, P<0.001), negatively correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)( r=-0.606, P<0.001). The serum levels of GDF15 in patients with tubular atrophy or interstitial fibrosis (overall comparison among T0, T1, and T2, H=21.866, P<0.001), crescentic lesions (overall comparison among C0, C1, and C2, H=13.787, P=0.001), or intrarenal arteriolar lesions (overall comparison among none, mild, and moderate-to-severe, H=9.856, P=0.007) were significantly different. Compared with IgAN patients without tubular atrophy or interstitial fibrosis, those with Oxford classification T1 ( Z=-17.326, P=0.042) or T2 ( Z=-42.933, P<0.001) had higher serum GDF15 levels. Compared with IgAN patients without crescentic lesions, those with Oxford classification C2 had higher serum GDF15 levels ( Z=-45.929, P=0.001). Compared with IgAN patients without intrarenal arteriolar lesions, those with moderate-to-severe arteriolar sclerosis had higher serum GDF15 levels ( Z=-26.686, P=0.005). The median GDF15 was used as the cut-off value to divide IgAN patients into a high-level GDF15 group (≥825.60 ng/L, n=52) and a low-level GDF15 group (<825.60 ng/L, n=52). Compared to low-level GDF15 group, IgAN patients in high-level GDF15 group presented with a higher proportion of diabetes mellitus ( χ 2=9.420, P=0.002) and cardiovascular disease ( χ 2=7.792, P=0.005), a higher level of systolic blood pressure ( Z=-2.266, P=0.023), body mass index ( Z=-2.183, P=0.031), 24 h urinary protein ( Z=-3.485, P<0.001), blood total cholesterol ( Z=-2.002, P=0.045) and left ventricular mass index ( Z=-2.649, P=0.008), and a lower level of blood albumin ( Z=-3.053, P=0.002) and eGFR ( Z=6.480, P<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that serum GDF15 level was independently associated with systolic blood pressure (regression coefficient B=29.453, 95% CI 14.139–44.767, P<0.001), blood albumin ( B=-81.412, 95% CI -113.084–-49.740, P<0.001) and eGFR ( B=-9.797, 95% CI -17.554–-2.040, P=0.014). Moreover, IgAN patients in high-level GDF15 group exhibited significantly poorer cardiac and renal prognosis compared to low-level GDF15 group ( χ 2=9.955, P=0.002). Conclusion:High serum GDF15 level correlates with disease severity in IgAN, and high serum GDF15 level may suggest a poorer cardiorenal prognosis in IgAN patients.

Objective:To evaluate effectiveness of finerenone in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the real world, and to analyze the associated factors of renal function progression during treatment.Methods:It was a single-center retrospective study. The patients diagnosed with T2DM and CKD who received finerenone treatment for 3 months in Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University between April 1 and October 1, 2023 were included. The clinical data before and after finerenone treatment were collected. Based on urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), the patients were divided into different groups, and the differences of clinical data before and after treatment were compared respectively. Logistic regression models was used to analyze the correlated factors of renal function changes during the treatment.Results:A total of 151 patients were included with age of 63 (54, 70) years, and 103 males accounted for 68.2%. UACR level after 3 months of finerenone treatment was significantly lower than those before treatment ( Z=-5.051, P<0.001), whereas there was no statistically significant change in eGFR ( P>0.05). Both patients with baseline eGFR ≥60 ml·min -1·(1.73 m 2) -1 ( Z=-4.543, P<0.001) and those with baseline eGFR <60 ml·min -1·(1.73 m 2) -1 ( Z=-2.610, P=0.009) showed significant reductions in UACR after treatment. Both patients with baseline UACR ≥300 mg/g ( Z=-4.681, P<0.001) and those with baseline UACR <300 mg/g ( Z=-1.979, P=0.048) exhibited significantly lower UACR levels after treatment. The percentage reduction in UACR was greater in patients with baseline UACR ≥300 mg/g than in those with baseline UACR <300 mg/g ( Z=-2.102, P=0.036).After 3 months of finerenone therapy, serum potassium level was slightly higher than baseline, but the difference was not statistically significant ( P>0.05).The incidence of hyperkalemia after treatment was higher than baseline in patients with baseline eGFR <60 ml·min -1·(1.73 m 2) -1 ( χ 2=2.558 , P=0.039). During the treatment, 74 patients (49.0%) experienced renal function progression. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified increased baseline serum albumin <45 g/L was an independent correlated factor of renal function progression during finerenone therapy ( OR=1.934, 95% CI 1.157-3.231, P=0.012). Conclusions:UACR in patients with T2DM and CKD can be reduced significantly after short-term treatment of finerenone. Increased baseline serum albumin level <45 g/L is independently associated with renal function progression during finerenone therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To propose a sensitivity test method for geometric correction position deviation of cone-beam CT systems. METHODS: We proposed the definition of center deviation and its derivation. We analyzed the influence of the variation of the three-dimensional spatial center of the steel ball point, the projection center and the size of the steel ball point on the deviation of geometric parameters and the reconstructed image results by calculating the geometric correction parameters based on the Noo analytical method using the FDK reconstruction algorithm for image reconstruction. RESULTS: The radius of the steel ball point was within 3 mm. The deviation of the center of the calibration parameter was within the order of magnitude and negligible. A 10% Gaussian perturbation of a single pixel in the 3D spatial coordinates of the steel ball point produced a deviation of about 3 pixel sizes, while the same Gaussian perturbation of the 2D projection coordinates of the steel ball point produced a deviation of about 2 pixel sizes. CONCLUSION The geometric correction is more sensitive to the deviation generated by the three-dimensional spatial coordinates of the steel ball point with limited sensitivity to the deviation generated by the two-dimensional projection coordinates of the steel ball point. The deviation sensitivity of a small diameter steel ball point can be ignored.
Algorithms ; Calibration ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Steel

Objective:To analyze the fail mode of neoadjuvant therapy combined with surgery for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after long-term follow-up.Methods:Clinical data of consecutive 238 patients with locally advanced resectable ESCC who underwent neoadjuvant therapy combined with surgery in Zhejiang Cancer Hospital from September 2012 to October 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The failure mode in the whole cohort was analyzed after long-term follow-up. The overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) rates were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method. Survival differences were determined by log-rank test.Results:The pathological complete response (pCR) rate was 42.0% in 238 patients. After a median follow-up of 46.1 months, tumor progression occurred in 96 patients (40.3%), including 25 patients (10.5%) with local recurrence, 61 patients (25.6%) with distant metastases, and 10 patients (4.2%) with simultaneous local recurrence and distant metastases. The median OS and DFS were 64.7 months and 49.9 months. And the 3-, 5-, and 7-year OS and DFS rates were 70.0%, 52.8%, 36.4% and 63.5%, 42.5%, and 30.0%, respectively. The 3-, 5-, and 7-year locoregional recurrence-free survival rates and distant metastasis-free survival rates were 86.0%, 71.4%, 61.2% and 70.6%, 55.9%, 43.0%. Compared with non-pCR patients, the overall progression rate and distant metastasis rate of pCR patients were lower (26.0% vs. 50.7%, 16.0% vs. 32.6%, both P<0.05). And the 3-, 5-, and 7-year OS (83.0% vs. 60.2%, 69.7% vs. 41.7%, 50.4% vs. 27.7%, all P<0.001) and DFS rates (80.4% vs. 51.4%, 63.9% vs. 31.2%, 45.9% vs. 20.3%, all P<0.001) were significantly better in pCR patients. Conclusions:Distant metastasis is the main failure mode of patients with locally advanced ESCC after neoadjuvant therapy. Patients with postoperative pCR can achieve better long-term survival.