Background::Growth retardation is a common complication of chronic kidney disease in children, which can be partially relieved after renal transplantation. This study aimed to develop and validate a predictive model for growth patterns of children with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) after kidney transplantation using machine learning algorithms based on genomic and clinical variables.Methods::A retrospective cohort of 110 children who received kidney transplants between May 2013 and September 2021 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were recruited for whole-exome sequencing (WES), and another 39 children who underwent transplant from October 2021 to March 2022 were enrolled for external validation. Based on previous studies, we comprehensively collected 729 height-related single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in exon regions. Seven machine learning algorithms and 10-fold cross-validation analysis were employed for model construction.Results::The 110 children were divided into two groups according to change in height-for-age Z-score. After univariate analysis, age and 19 SNPs were incorporated into the model and validated. The random forest model showed the best prediction efficacy with an accuracy of 0.8125 and an area under curve (AUC) of 0.924, and also performed well in the external validation cohort (accuracy, 0.7949; AUC, 0.796). Conclusions::A model with good performance for predicting post-transplant growth patterns in children based on SNPs and clinical variables was constructed and validated using machine learning algorithms. The model is expected to guide clinicians in the management of children after renal transplantation, including the use of growth hormone, glucocorticoid withdrawal, and nutritional supplementation, to alleviate growth retardation in children with ESRD.

Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics of pediatric kidney transplant recipients reinfected with SARS-CoV-2.Method:The relevant clinical data were retrospectively reviewed for 191 pediatric kidney transplant recipients at a single center. Based upon whether or not there was a reinfection of SARS-CoV-2, they were assigned into two groups of single infection (group A, 127 cases) and reinfection (group B, 64 cases). Baseline profiles, clinical symptoms, diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, markers of disease progression, immune status, respiratory support modalities, comorbidities and transplantation-related data were collected for comparing the inter-group differences during primary infection and between two infections in reinfected group.Result:As compared with group A, group B recipients had a higher proportion of age <12 years (71.9% vs 54.3%) ,unvaccinated (81.2% vs 66.1%) and such symptoms as high fever (34.4% vs 12.6% ), dry cough (43.8% vs 23.6% ) and chest tightness (14.1% vs 3.9 %) during primary infection (all P<0.05). During primary infection, the levels of IL-6 and CRP were higher in group B than in group A and inter-group difference was statistically significant (both P<0.01). The levels of IL-6 ( P<0.01), CRP ( P<0.01) and PCT ( P= 0.023) were lower in group B during reinfection than those during primary infection and the difference was statistically significant. During primary infection, the counts of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, NK and B lymphocyte of group B were lower than those of group A. And inter-group differences were statistically significant (all P<0.01). During reinfection, the levels of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, NK and B lymphocyte counts of group B spiked as compared with those of group A during primary infection and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.01). The levels of SCr and UA in group B differed insignificantly before and after primary infection with SARS-CoV-2. However, the differences before and after reinfection were statistically significant (both P<0.01) . Conclusion:Symptomatic and immunocompromised pediatric KT recipients during primary infection with SARS-CoV-2 are more prone to reinfection during subsequent epidemics. Though mildly symptomatic, reinfection may exacerbate impairments of graft kidney function in pediatric KT recipients.

Objective:To investigate alterations in the glymphatic system of spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) patients based on quantitative MRI, and its association with genetic information and motor dysfunction.Methods:The study was a cross-sectional study. This prospective study recruited 39 confirmed SCA3 patients (SCA3 group) and 40 matched healthy controls (HC group) who were seen at the Southwest Hospital of Army Medical University from May 2017 to June 2023. All subjects underwent cranial MRI scanning. Clinical assessments were conducted on all participants using the scale for the assessment and rating of ataxia (SARA) and the international cooperative ataxia rating scale (ICARS). The automatic segmentation and volume measurement of the choroid plexus based on Freesurfer 6.0; the perivascular interstitial space (PVS) was automatically segmented based on the deep-learning model VB-Net, and the volume of the PVS in each brain region was quantified after manual correction. Independent samples t-test and Mann-Whitney U-test were used to analyze the changes in the class lymphatic system in the SCA3 group and the HC group. Pearson partial correlation analysis was used to explore the relationship between CAG repeats, the glymphatic system, and motor dysfunction. Results:The standardized choroid plexus volume in the SCA3 group was (1.24±0.36)×10 3 mm 3, and that in the HC group was (0.96±0.34)×10 3 mm 3, with a statistically significant difference ( t=4.01, P<0.001). PVS volumes in the frontal lobe, temporal lobe, parietal lobe, basal ganglia, cerebellum, thalamus, and brainstem regions in the SCA3 group were significantly higher than those of HC group ( P<0.05). Partial correlation analysis revealed that CAG repeats in SCA3 group were positively correlated with SARA, ICARS, and basal ganglia PVS volumes ( r=0.65, 0.58, 0.29; P=0.001, 0.001, 0.042). Cerebellar and temporal lobe PVS volumes were positively correlated with SARA ( r=0.59, 0.47; P=0.001, 0.003), and positively correlated with ICARS scores ( r=0.61, 0.40; P=0.001, 0.011). Choroid plexus volume was positively correlated with cerebellar and basal ganglia PVS volumes ( r=0.41, 0.31; P=0.009, 0.043). Conclusions:The glymphatic system of SCA3 patients have significant alteration and have association with CAG repeats and motor dysfunction.

Hereditary nephrotic syndrome (NS) has a high risk of progression to end-stage renal disease.Renal transplantation is the optimal renal replacement therapy.The specificity of hereditary NS in the field of kidney transplantation has not been systematically illustrated yet.Due to the large amount of hormone uses before operation, the difference of immunosuppressive therapy in patients with hereditary NS should be well concerned, including the selection of immune induction and maintenance regimens.Relatives of patients with hereditary NS should undergo genetic testing before living donor transplantation, and donors are qualified only after a thorough risk assessment and informed consent.Post-transplant recurrence of hereditary NS is rare, with an acceptable response to plasma exchange.This review aims to describe the characteristics of hereditary NS in children in the field of kidney transplantation, thus providing guidance for kidney transplantation for hereditary NS.

Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety of low-dose rabbit anti-human thymocyte globulin (rATG) for induction therapy of kidney transplantation (KT) in children.Methods:From October 2018 to May 2021, clinical data were reviewed retrospectively for 77 pediatric KT recipients on a low-dose rATG induction protocol.Recipient/graft survival rate, renal function recovery, acute rejection (AR) and adverse reactions were observed at 1 year post-operation.The postoperative changes of renal function were examined by Friedman’s test; According to the preoperative baseline data, Pearson’s Chi-square or Fisher's exact test was utilized for examining the influencing factors of postoperative AR.Results:A total of 16(20.78%) recipients had AR within the first 6 months post-operation.The incidence of delayed graft function (DGF) was 14.29%(11/77); The incidence of severe infection post-transplantation 18.18%(14/77), the infection rate of BK virus 25.97%(20/77) and the incidence of neutropenia 32.47%(25/77).The recipient/graft survival rate at 1 year post-operation was 97.40%(75/77) and 94.81%(73/77) respectively.Chi-square test indicated that the incidence of postoperative infection in children with body weight ≤30 kg and height ≤138 cm was 28.95%(11/38) and 27.50%(11/40) respectively, Both were higher than 7.69%(3/39) and 8.11%(3/37) of children with body weight >30 kg and height>138 cm.The difference between groups was statistically significant ( P=0.016 and 0.028). Conclusions:Low-dose rATG is generally excellent in preventing AR in pediatric KT recipients.And the risk of related AR may be lower.The infection rate of recipients with decent preoperative development is low.

Objective:To investigate the short-term efficacy and safety of Donafenib as postoperative adjuvant therapy for patients with high risk of recurrence after radical resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:The propensity score matching (PSM) and retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 157 HCC patients with high risk of recurrence after radical resection who were admitted to 6 medical centers, including The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University et al, from June 2021 to February 2023 were collected. There were 128 males and 29 females, aged (59±10)years. Of 157 patients, 101 cases undergoing Donafenib as postoperative adjuvant therapy were divided into the the Donafenib group, and 56 cases under-going no systemic postoperative adjuvant therapy were divided into the control group. Observation indicators: (1) PSM and comparison of general data of patients between the two groups after matching; (2) postoperative treatment; (3) follow-up and survival of patients; (4) analysis of risk factors affecting recurrence-free survival of patients. PSM was done based on the principle of optimal perfect matching, with the clamp value of 0.5, and the Donafenib group and the control group were matched at a ratio of 1.25∶1. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was conducted using the t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range). Count data were described as absolute numbers and/or percentages, and comparison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test. Comparison of ordinal data between groups was conducted using the Kruskal-Wallis H test. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival rates and draw survival curves, and the Log-Rank test was used for survival analysis. The COX proportional hazard model was used for univariate and multivariate analyses. Results:(1) PSM and comparison of general data of patients between the two groups after matching. Of 157 patients, 126 cases were successfully matched, including 70 cases in the Donafenib group and 56 cases in the control group, respectively. The elimination of tumor number confounding bias ensured comparability between the two groups after PSM. (2) Postoperative treatment. After PSM, of 70 patients in the Donafenib group, there were 23 cases receiving Donafenib monotherapy, 26 cases combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), 14 cases combined with immunotherapy, and 7 cases combined with TACE+immunotherapy. Of 56 patients in the control group, there were 37 cases receiving postoperative follow-up alone and 19 cases combined with TACE. (3) Follow-up and survival of patients. All 157 patients were followed up, and the follow-up time of the 101 patients in Donafenib group and the 56 patients in control group were 10.1(range, 6.3-14.6)months and 22.2(range, 15.1-25.5)months, respectively. During the follow-up period, 70 patients in the Donafenib group experienced treatment-related adverse reactions, inclu-ding 8 cases of grade 3 adverse reactions, 23 cases of grade 2 and 39 cases of grade 1 adverse reactions, respectively. After PSM, the postoperative 12-, 18-month recurrence-free survival rates were 83.7%, 83.7% in the 70 patients of Donafenib group and 67.8%, 58.9% in the 56 patients of control group, respectively, showing a significant difference in the postoperative recurrence-free survival time between the two groups ( hazard ratio=0.395, 95% confidence interval as 0.176-0.888, P<0.05). (4) Analysis of risk factors affecting recurrence free survival of patients. Results of multivariate ana-lysis showed that microvascular invasion, vascular thrombus, clinical stage as ⅢA were independent risk factors affecting recurrence-free survival in patients with high risk of recurrence after radical resection of HCC ( hazard ratio=2.181, 2.612, 2.612, 95% confidence interval as 1.028-4.629, 1.128-6.047, 1.128-6.047, P<0.05), Donafenib as postoperative adjuvant therapy was an independent protective factor affecting recurrence-free survival in patients with high risk of recurrence after radical resection of HCC ( hazard ratio=0.457, 95% confidence interval as 0.227-0.920, P<0.05). Results of further analysis showed that after PSM, there were significant differences in the postoperative recurrence-free survival time in patients with different clinical factors, including male, age ≥60 years, tumor diameter >5 cm, positive microvascular invasion, positive hepatitis B virus infection, alpha fetoprotein <200 μg/L, between the Donafenib group and the control group ( hazard ratio=0.283, 0.202, 0.174, 0.345, 0.273, 0.180, 95% confidence interval as 0.114-0.707, 0.044-0.937, 0.038-0.794, 0.128-0.929, 0.091-0.819, 0.052-0.620, P<0.05). Conclusion:Donafenib as postoperative adjuvant therapy can effectively reduce the short-term recurrence rate in patients with high risk of recurrence after radical resection of HCC, with good safety and tolerance.

Objective:To explore the feasibility and safety of long-distance urological nephrotomy with the support of 5G communication technology by using the domestic robot.Methods:Clinical data of the patients with remote robot-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy, which were completed from March to April 2021 by the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University (as the host hospital where the main operating system located) were retrospectively analyzed. There were 3 patients, including 2 males and 1 female.The average age was 61 (49-73) years, and the average body mass index was 23.73 (20.00-27.76) kg/m 2. One patient had a ASA classification of grade 2, and the other 2 patients had grade 3. All patients met the surgical criteria for non-functional nephrectomy. The chief surgeon who performing the telesurgery was located at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University. The surgeon remotely controlled the bedside operating system (slave system) in 3 local hospitals located in other cities in Shandong Province (network communication distances of 82.5, 141 and 229 km, respectively) by manipulating the master system located in Qingdao. Images and operating instructions during surgery were transmitted using 5G wireless communication technology. Intraoperative network conditions, robot operation, and patient perioperative data were summarized. Results:All 3 tele-nephrectomies were successfully completed. The average network signal latency time was 27.3 (23-30) ms, with no packet loss, and the average total latency time was 177.3(173-180) ms. The mean resection time was 79.3 (52-111) min, and the average intraoperative blood loss was 31.1 (15.6-41.9) ml. There were no network related adverse events occurred during the operation, and the robot-related adverse events occured 3 times, all three of which were characterized by inconsistent master and slave movements of the manipulator arm and the bedside robotic arm. None of these adverse events affected the successful performance of the telesurgery. The mean postoperative exhaust time was 60.5 (38.5-78.0) h. The mean postoperative VAS score at 24 hours was 3.7 (3-4). The Clavien-Dindo classification were all grade I. No significant abnormality was found on the 30th day after surgery, and the patients recovered well at the follow-up until 6 months postoperatively.Conclusions:It is safe and feasible to perform remote robot-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy based on 5G communication technology with no serious adverse events or surgical complications.However, the conclusion needs to be further verified by large sample and multi-center prospective study.

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of vascular interventional therapy in children with transplantation renal artery stenosis(TRAS).Methods:From January 2013 to September 2021, retrospective analysis was performed for clinical data of 238 TRAS children.Peak systolic velocity(PSV)of transplant renal artery, interlobular artery PSV, transplant renal artery PSV/ interlobular artery PSV(post PSV ratio)and serum creatinine level before and after vascular interventional therapy and at the last follow-up were compared.Results:Six pediatric kidney transplantation recipients were diagnosed as TRAS.The median operative age was 12(9-17)years, the median postoperative time to diagnosing TRAS 4(1.7-18.0)months and the median follow-up period 6.6(2.5-8.0)years.All of them received vascular interventional therapy of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty(PTA, n=5)and stent angioplasty( n=1). The serum creatinine pre-treatment with vascular interventional therapy was significantly higher than baseline serum creatinine level at discharge(200.8±88.5)vs(75.2±27.9)μmol/L, P=0.025 and decreased to(103.8±44.7)μmol/L at Month 1 post-treatment( P=0.196)and(98.7±30.2)μmol/L at the last follow-up( P=0.115). Comparing with internal diameter of grafted renal artery anastomosis site(2.6±0.6 mm)pre-treatment with vascular interventional therapy, significant changes occurred at 24 h post-treatment(3.8±0.5 mm)and at the last follow-up(4.1±0.8 mm)(all P=0.027). In addition, PSV and post PSV ratio of transplanted renal artery at 24 h post-treatment(163±45.0 cm/s, 6.5±2.2)and at the last follow-up(184.7±80.8 cm/s, 5.4±2.0)were significantly lower than that before vascular interventional therapy(356.5±77.9 cm/s, 18.0±5.8)and interlobular artery PSV was significantly higher than that before vascular interventional therapy( P=0.024, P=0.032, respectively). During follow-ups, no restenosis or thrombosis occurred in transplanted renal arteries. Conclusions:PTA or stent angioplasty for TRAS children is technically feasible with low restenosis rate and relatively satisfactory mid/long-term outcomes.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of applying the digital six-axis external fixation frame based on CT data in the treatment of tibiofibular fractures.Methods:The clinical data of 43 patients with tibiofibular fractures treated by the self-developed digital six-axis external fixation frame based on CT data at Integrated Orthopedic Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Western Medicine,HongHui Hospital from January 2018 to January 2021 were retrospective analysis.There were 27 males and 16 females,aged (36.0±9.4) years(range:25 to 50 years).AO classification:15 cases of 42A,11 cases of 42B, and 17 cases of 42C.There were 7 open fractures and Gustilo fracture classification:2 cases of type Ⅰ,4 cases of type Ⅱ,and 1 case of type Ⅲ.The two or three plane rings were connected with six connecting rods to form a complete six-axis external fixation frame,and the distal and proximal fracture blocks were connected to the distal and proximal rings by fixation pins,and the lengths of the six connecting rods needed to be adjusted were calculated by using the supporting software according to the CT data after surgery,and then the lengths of the connecting rods were adjusted one by one to complete the reduction of the fracture. The reduction accuracy of this six-axis external fixation brace was evaluated by measuring postoperative radiographs; postoperative recovery and complications were collected,the time of brace removal was recorded,and the function of the affected limb was evaluated according to the Johner-Wruhs score at the final follow-up.Results:Postoperative radiographs showed that all patients achieved satisfactory reduction with lateral displacement( M(IQR)) of 2.3(2.5) mm (range:0.3 to 7.3 mm),anteroposterior displacement of 2.1 (2.4) mm (range:0.3 to 5.7 mm),anteroposterior angulation of 2.5(2.4)°(range:0 to 5°),internal and external angulation of 2.1(1.5)°(range:0 to 4°), and no significant internal or external rotational deformity was detected on the exterior.On the second postoperative day,all patients were able to walk with partial weight-bearing on crutches. All 43 patients were followed up for more than 6 months,with a follow-up period of (33.3±7.3) weeks (range:24 to 42 weeks).The external fixation frame was removed after the fracture healed.The external frame was removed at 20(3)weeks (range:18 to 25 weeks) postoperatively. Up to the final follow up, no secondary fracture occurred in any of them.The Johner-Wruhs score of the affected limb at the last follow-up was excellent in 39 cases and good in 4 cases. Conclusion:The digital six-axis external fixator based on CT data for tibiofibular fractures has the advantages of precise reduction,firm fixation,simple operation,rapid fracture healing,and minimal trauma, which is a minimally invasive method for treating tibiofibular fractures,especially suitable for patients with poor skin and soft tissue conditions such as open injuries.