[Objective] To explore the clinical features of IgG4-related urinary diseases so as to provide reference for the diagnosis and treatment of such diseases. [Methods] The clinical data of 4 cases of IgG4-related urinary system diseases diagnosed and treated in Xijing Hospital of Air Force Medical University during Aug.2019 and Dec.2023 were retrospectively collected.Here, we report on the diagnosis and treatment of these patients, analysing their symptoms, serology, imaging and pathology as well as their treatment and outcomes. [Results] The patients included 2 male and 2 female.The lesions were involved with the retroperitoneum and urinary system.Three patients had symptoms of lumbar pain.The imaging manifestations were complex, including retroperitoneal mass involving urinary system organs in 2 cases, tabdense shadow of the right kidney in 1 case, and simple cystic mass of kidney in 1 case.Serum IgG4 value was not detected before surgery.All patients underwent radical surgical treatment.Postoperative pathology showed fibrous tissue hyperplasia with a large number of plasma cells, lymphocytes, a few neutrophil infiltrates, and lymphoid follicles and obliterated vasculitis in some specimens.The number of IgG4⁺ plasma cells was more than 10 in all tissues under high power microscope.After surgery, 3 patients had symptoms improved, and serum IgG4 value was within the normal range; 1 patient (patem 3) had elevated IgG4 value during follow-up, received subsequent hormone therapy, and the serum IgG 4 level remained stable. [Conclusion] The symptoms of IgG4-related diseases involving the urinary system are non-specific, and the imaging findings are various, easily confused with other diseases.Early detection of serum IgG4 and biopsy pathology can help clinicians make correct diagnosis in the early stage.

Objective To investigate the impact of two different surgical methods, orthotopic kidney transplantation and abdominal heterotopic kidney transplantation, on the surgical outcomes of pig-to-pig kidney transplantation and the short-term survival of recipient pigs after surgery. Methods Twenty-four Bama miniature pigs were divided into two groups, with 12 pigs in each group, and underwent orthotopic kidney transplantation and abdominal heterotopic kidney transplantation, respectively. The perioperative indicators of the recipient pigs, renal blood perfusion, the overall incidence rate of complications and survival rate were compared between the two surgical methods. Results The total surgical time, renal artery anastomosis time, renal vein anastomosis time, cold ischemia time and total ischemia time were all shorter in the abdominal heterotopic kidney transplantation group than in the orthotopic kidney transplantation group, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). The number of satisfactory renal perfusion cases was higher in the abdominal heterotopic kidney transplantation group than in the orthotopic kidney transplantation group (83% vs. 75%), but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The total incidence of postoperative complications was 33% in the heterotopic kidney transplantation group, with a survival rate of 92%, and the cause of death was rupture of the vascular anastomosis. The total incidence of postoperative complications was 50% in the orthotopic kidney transplantation group, with a survival rate of 83%, and the causes of death were renal vein thrombosis and renal artery thrombosis. There were no statistically significant differences in the total incidence of postoperative complications and survival rates between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions Compared with orthotopic kidney transplantation, abdominal heterotopic kidney transplantation showes better surgical outcomes in pig-to-pig kidney transplantation and is more beneficial for the short-term survival of recipient pigs after surgery. This provides experience for improving the stability of pig-to-non-human primate kidney xenotransplantation models in the future.

BACKGROUND: The primary limitation to kidney transplantation is organ shortage. Recent progress in gene editing and immunosuppressive regimens has made xenotransplantation with porcine organs a possibility. However, evidence in pig-to-human xenotransplantation remains scarce, and antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) is a major obstacle to clinical applications of xenotransplantation. METHODS: We conducted a kidney xenotransplantation in a brain-dead human recipient using a porcine kidney with five gene edits (5GE) on March 25, 2024 at Xijing Hospital, China. Clinical-grade immunosuppressive regimens were employed, and the observation period lasted 22 days. We collected and analyzed the xenograft function, ultrasound findings, sequential protocol biopsies, and immune surveillance of the recipient during the observation. RESULTS: The combination of 5GE in the porcine kidney and clinical-grade immunosuppressive regimens prevented hyperacute rejection. The xenograft kidney underwent delayed graft function in the first week, but urine output increased later and the single xenograft kidney maintained electrolyte and pH homeostasis from postoperative day (POD) 12 to 19. We observed AMR at 24 h post-transplantation, due to the presence of pre-existing anti-porcine antibodies and cytotoxicity before transplantation; this AMR persisted throughout the observation period. Plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin treatment mitigated the AMR. We observed activation of latent porcine cytomegalovirus toward the end of the study, which might have contributed to coagulation disorder in the recipient. CONCLUSIONS 5GE and clinical-grade immunosuppressive regimens were sufficient to prevent hyperacute rejection during pig-to-human kidney xenotransplantation. Pre-existing anti-porcine antibodies predisposed the xenograft to AMR. Plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin were safe and effective in the treatment of AMR after kidney xenotransplantation.
Transplantation, Heterologous/methods* ; Kidney Transplantation/methods* ; Heterografts/pathology* ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous/administration & dosage* ; Graft Survival/immunology* ; Humans ; Animals ; Sus scrofa ; Graft Rejection/prevention & control* ; Kidney/pathology* ; Gene Editing ; Species Specificity ; Immunosuppression Therapy/methods* ; Plasma Exchange ; Brain Death ; Biopsy ; Male ; Aged

Objective:To study the current status of longitudinal extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) in extremely preterm infants (EPIs) and to develop a prediction model based on clinical data from multiple NICUs.Methods:From January 2017 to December 2018, EPIs admitted to 32 NICUs in North China were retrospectively studied. Their general conditions, nutritional support, complications during hospitalization and weight changes were reviewed. Weight loss between birth and discharge > 1SD was defined as longitudinal EUGR. The EPIs were assigned into longitudinal EUGR group and non-EUGR group and their nutritional support and weight changes were compared. The EPIs were randomly assigned into the training dataset and the validation dataset with a ratio of 7∶3. Univariate Cox regression analysis and multiple regression analysis were used in the training dataset to select the independent predictive factors. The best-fitting Nomogram model predicting longitudinal EUGR was established based on Akaike Information Criterion. The model was evaluated for discrimination efficacy, calibration and clinical decision curve analysis.Results:A total of 436 EPIs were included in this study, with a mean gestational age of (26.9±0.9) weeks and a birth weight of (989±171) g. The incidence of longitudinal EUGR was 82.3%(359/436). Seven variables (birth weight Z-score, weight loss, weight growth velocity, the proportion of breast milk ≥75% within 3 d before discharge, invasive mechanical ventilation ≥7 d, maternal antenatal corticosteroids use and bronchopulmonary dysplasia) were selected to establish the prediction model. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the training dataset and the validation dataset were 0.870 (95% CI 0.820-0.920) and 0.879 (95% CI 0.815-0.942), suggesting good discrimination efficacy. The calibration curve indicated a good fit of the model ( P>0.05). The decision curve analysis showed positive net benefits at all thresholds. Conclusions:Currently, EPIs have a high incidence of longitudinal EUGR. The prediction model is helpful for early identification and intervention for EPIs with higher risks of longitudinal EUGR. It is necessary to expand the sample size and conduct prospective studies to optimize and validate the prediction model in the future.

Organ shortage has become one of the major challenges hindering the development of organ transplantation. Xenotransplantation is one of the most valuable methods to resolve global organ shortage. In recent years, the development of genetic engineering technique and research and development of new immunosuppressant have provided novel theoretical basis for xenotransplantation. International scholars have successively carried out researches on xenotransplantation in genetically modified pigs to non-human primates or brain death recipients, making certain substantial progresses. However, most of the researches are still in the preclinical stage, far from clinical application. Therefore, according to the latest preclinical experimental research progress at home and abroad, the history of xenotransplantation, the development of gene modification technology, xenotransplantation rejection and immunosuppression regimens were reviewed, aiming to provide reference for subsequent research of xenotransplantation, promote clinical application of xenotransplantation and bring benefits to more patients with end-stage diseases.

Objective To explore the advantages and safety of laparoscopic operation compared with open surgery for the treatment of acute appendicitis in pregnancy.Methods The clinical data of 22 patients with early,middle and late pregnancy acute appendicitis from November 2004 to April 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.They were divided into laparoscopic operation group(n=9)and open group(n=13)according to the operation method.The infection indicators and fetal outcome indicators were compared between the two groups.Results Comparison of hospitalization time,intraoperative bleeding,drain placement rate,C-reactive protein,procalcitonin,antibiotic use time,incision infection rate,abdominal infection rate,fertility preservation treatment time,pathological manifestations,preterm delivery rate,delivery mode,fetal survival rate between the two groups,the differences were not statistically significant(P＞0.05);the operation time of laparoscopic group was longer than that of open group,postoperative analgesic use time,postoperative time of first feeding and postoperative anal defecation time were shorter than those of open group,postoperative leukocyte count was lower than that of open group,the differences were all statistically significant(P＜0.05),and anesthesia mode was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion Laparoscopic surgery is safe and feasible for the treatment of appendicitis in pregnancy.Compared with laparotomy,it has the advantages of small incision,beautiful incision,fast intestinal recovery,early feeding,less infection,good maternal-fetal outcome and high fetal safety.

Objective:To explore the clinical value of introducing 68Ga PSMA PET / CT into the prostate cancer(PCa)screening clinic, and to analyze the incidence rate and biopsy of PCa in the screening clinic of our hospital. Methods:The data of the people who participated in PCa screening in the urology screening clinic of our hospital from March 2021 to November 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Serum PSA was used as the screening index. The subjects with PSA≥4ng/ml were first examined by mpMRI to find suspicious nodules, and the positive ones were further examined by 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT to determine the lesions.The puncture target was outlined, and systematic+ targeted puncture was conducted under ultrasound guidance. The age, PSA distribution, puncture detection rate, Gleason score and clinical stage of patients with PCa were recorded. Results:A total of 1 079 subjects were included in the screening, with an average age of (63.9±9.9)(ranging 40-92) years old, and 249 patients (23.1%, 249/1 079) with PSA≥4ng/ml. Among them, 87 cases (87/249, 34.9%) received mpMRI, and 34 cases (34/249, 13.7%) had PI-RADS score ≥3 points. These 34 patients with suspected nodules on MRI were further scanned with 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT, and 11 cases (11/249, 4.4%) had abnormal uptake of PSMA nuclide. A total of 32 patients (12 patients with PSA abnormalities and 20 patients with positive imaging) finally received prostate biopsy, and 11 patients were diagnosed with PCa, with a positive detection rate of 34.4% (11/32), accounting for 1.0% (11/1 079) of the screening population. Among them, 20 patients with positive imaging (9 patients with only mpMRI positive and 11 patients with both mpMRI and 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT positive) underwent system + targeted fusion biopsy, and the positive rate was 45% (9/20). 12 patients (only PSA abnormal) underwent routine systematic puncture biopsy, and the positive detection rate was 16.7% (2/12). The difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Among the patients with confirmed PCa, 27.3% (3/11) had Gleason score less than 7, and 72.7% (8/11) had Gleason score≥7. Localized PCa (≤T 2) accounted for 45.4% (5/11), local progression (T 3-T 4) accounted for 18.2% (2/11), and metastatic PCa suggested by 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT accounted for 36.4% (4/11), including 3 systemic multiple bone metastases and one bone metastasis with distant lymph node metastasis. Clinically significant PCa accounted for 90.9% (10/11) of the confirmed patients, and the proportion of high-risk patients in localized or locally advanced PCa was 71.4% (5/7). Conclusions:In PCa screening, if 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT is introduced on the basis of conventional mpMRI, the detection rate of clinically meaningful PCa can be improved. Combined with targeted puncture, tumor lesions can be found early and the screening efficiency of PCa can be improved. In this study, the detection rate of PCa in outpatient screening reached 1.0%. In confirmed cases, the proportion of high-risk patients and metastatic patients was higher.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors for biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy.Methods:The clinical data of 558 radical prostatectomy patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University from January 2010 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The average age was 67.9 (40-87) years old, and the average body mass index was 24.56 (15.12-35.94) kg/m 2. The average PSA was 41.07 ng/ml, including 48 cases<10 ng/ml, 98 cases 10-20 ng/ml, and 412 cases>20 ng/ml. There were 123, 214, 118, 89, and 14 cases with biopsy Gleason 6-10 score, respectively. The clinical stage : 90 cases in ≤T 2b, 273 cases in T 2c, and 195 cases in ≥T 3 . 558 cases underwent radical prostatectomy, including 528 robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery, 25 laparoscopic surgery, and 5 open-surgery. The risk factors for postoperative biochemical recurrence were analyzed by Cox regression. Results:A total of 63 patients had postoperative pathological stage pT 2a, 32 patients had pT 2b, 241 patients had pT 2c, and 222 patients had ≥pT 3. A total of 210 cases developed biochemical recurrence after surgery, and the mean time to biochemical recurrence was 33.3 (3-127) months after the radical prostatectomy. The biochemical recurrence rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 9.7% (54/558), 21.5% (120/558), and 31.7% (177/558), respectively. Among pT 2a and pT 2b patients, 7 (11.1%) and 4 (12.5%) cases developed biochemical recurrence, respectively. Among pT 2c stage patients, 145 (60.17%) cases had positive cut margins, treated with androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) after surgery. 68 (28.21%) cases of pT 2c stage patients had biochemical recurrence at mean 36.1 (3-106)months after the radical prostatectomy. Among ≥pT 3 patients, 147 patients with positive margins, perineural invasion, seminal vesicle invasion and positive pelvic lymph nodes were treated with postoperative androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) + radiotherapy. 98 of 147 patients (66.67%) had biochemical recurrence, and the average time to biochemical recurrence was 30.6 (24-98) months.75 patients of ≥pT 3 without positive margins, perineural invasion, seminal vesicle invasion or positive pelvic lymph nodes, were treated with postoperative ADT. 33 of them (44%) had biochemical recurrence, and the average time to biochemical recurrence was 32.5 (21-106) months. 5-and 10-year survival rates of 210 patients with biochemical recurrence were 89.05% (187/210) and 78.09% (164/210) respectively, 5- and 10-year tumor-specific survival rates were 92.57% and 87.69%, respectively. 46 of 210 cases died, of which 31 (67.39%) died from prostate cancer, and 15 cases (32.61%) died from cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Multifactorial Cox regression analysis showed that patient's age ≥70 years, initial PSA > 20ng/ml, ≥pT 3 and Gleason score ≥7 were independent risk factors for biochemical recurrence. Conclusions:After radical prostatectomy, patients were treated according to their pathological stage and surgical margins. Patients with positive margins have a higher risk of biochemical recurrence. The independent risk factors for biochemical recurrence included age ≥70 years, initial PSA > 20ng/ml, ≥pT 3 and Gleason score ≥7.

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristic of one patient with metastatic prostate cancer and the relative literatures were reviewed. A 40-year-old man was admitted and diagnosed as prostate cancer on March 20, 2018(T 4N 1M 1a) with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) at 47.99 ng/ml. The first 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT showed multiple nodular lesions in the bilateral peripheral bands of the prostate, multiple nodular lesions in the right apex, abnormal uptake of nuclides in multiple lymph nodes in the abdominal aortic wandering zone, the abdominal aortic bifurcation zone, and the bilateral iliac artery wandering zone at the level of the lumbar 2-5 vertebral body, and metastasis was considered. The patient was treated with six cycles of drug castration combined with antiandrogenic treatment and pre-operative system chemotherapy(docetaxel). Six months later, the PSA decreased to 0.225ng/ml. Robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy and expanded pelvic lymph node dissection was performed. Postoperative total androgen blocking therapy was maintained, and PSA slowly increased. Ten months after operation, salvage radiotherapy for enlarged lymph nodes was performed in pelvic extension field, prostate tumor bed area and pelvic cavity. PSA remained stable for 7 months postradiotherapy, and then increased. The patient developed castration-resistant prostate cancer and was treated with triptorelin combined with abiraterone. PSA was decreased, and local radiotherapy was performed for new lymph node metastases in the neck. 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT could provide a decision-making basis for accurate clinical staging, therapeutic effect evaluation and distant metastatic lesions location with guiding value for the formulation of individualized treatment plans.

Hormone-sensitive prostate cancer with visceral metastasis is a difficulty in clinical diagnosis and treatment. We treated a patient with hormone-sensitive prostate cancer with visceral metastasis and managed it under the multi-disciplinary treatment model (MDT). A 55-year-old man presented to the hospital complaining of increased prostate-specific antigen (PSA) found in the physical examination for 2 days. At admission, the PSA was 389.2ng/ml, and 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT showed metastatic malignant lesions of the prostate, with lymph node metastasis, lumbar vertebral metastases and liver tubercles. Transrectal prostate puncture biopsy: prostate adenocarcinoma, Gleason score of 4+ 5=9. The patient has no history of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and diagnosed as metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). Then the patient received total androgen blockade therapy (CAB regimen). After MDT discussion, metastatic prostate cancer was diagnosed based on the liver histopathology of percutaneous biopsy. After the second MDT discussion, the regimen was changed to abirone plus ADT. After 6 months, the blood PSA was controlled at a level between 0.003 to 0.006 ng/ml, and the testosterone was less than 2.5ng/dl. Re-examination of 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT showed that lower signal of radionuclide in all lesions, especially no more abnormal uptake lesions were identified in the liver.