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 analyze the clinical characteristics of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and to raise clinicians′ awareness.Methods:We retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics of hospitalized patients with the diagnosis of PsA in our hospital. The PsA were classified according to the Classification of Psoriatic Arthritis (CASPAR) criteria. We compared the clinical characteristics and risk factors between the oligoarthritis type and symmetrical polyarthritis subtypes. Comparing the clinical features of PsA patients with hyperuricemia to those with normal uric acid levels. The t-test was utilized to assess the differences in normally distributed continuous variables between the two groups, while the Mann-Whitney U test was employed for the comparison of skewed distributed continuous variables across the groups. Results:162 PsA patients were included, the average age at PsA onset was (38±15)years old and the average of PsA duration was (7.3±6.6) years, 72.8%(118/162) patients were male. Eighty-nine patients (54.9%) presented with symmetric polyarthritis, and 49 patients (30.2%) with oligoarthritis. The median duration of PsA in patients with oligoarthritis was significantly shorter than patients with symmetric polyarthritis [4.0(0.8, 8.5) years vs. 7.0(2.0 10.0) years, Z=-2.83, P=0.005]. Mean serum uric acid levels [(391±126)μmol/L vs. (334±130)μmol/L, t=2.00, P=0.016] and the proportion of patients with concomitant hyperuricemia [(44.9%(22/49) vs. 23.6%(21/89), χ2=6.68, P=0.010] in patients with oligoarthritis was significantly higher than that of patients with symmetric polyarthritis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that patients with hyperuricemia had a significantly increased risk of presenting with oligoarthritis subtype of PsA [ OR(95% CI)=2.938(1.252, 6.890), P=0.013]. Compared with patients with normal uric acid, PsA patients with hyperuricemia were older in age [(51±13)years vs. (48±16)years, t=-3.30, P=0.001], and had a higher proportion of males [86.0%(37/45) vs. 55.6%(45/81), χ2=11.66, P=0.001] longer median duration of psoriasis (11.0(6.0, 11.5)years vs. 8.5(8.0, 18.0)years), higher proportion of oligoarthritis [51.2%(22/43) vs. 28.4%(23/81), χ2=6.30, P=0.012] and higher proportion of hypertension [20.9%(9/43) vs. 7.4%(6/81), χ2=4.83, P=0.028] and cardiovascular disease [9.3%(4/43) vs. 1.2%(1/81), χ2=2.87, P=0.049] all were with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Oligoarthritis subtype of PsA patients have a shorter disease duration, higher serum uric acid level, and a higher proportion of hyperuricemia compared to symmetrical polyarthritis subtype of PsA patients; PsA patients with hyperuricemia are more likely to have oligoarthritis, with a higher risk of concomitant hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

Nonhuman primates(NHPs)are susceptible hosts of tuberculosis(TB).After infection,TB not only spreads among monkey populations but can also spread to humans.An effective vaccine to protect NHPs from TB has not been developed.Although prevention and control protocols have matured and reduced the incidence of TB among NHPs in captivity,outbreaks continue to occur.This article summarizes the worldwide epidemiological situation of TB in monkeys in captivity and in the wild,analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of commonly used detection method,and summarizes the most common practices of TB prevention and control in NHPs.Our findings indicate that TB poses a great threat to NHPs,underscoring the importance of raising awareness of TB among NHP breeding workers and managers.Additionally,our result provide a basis for improving current management procedures and offer valuable insights for TB diagnosis,prevention,and control in NHPs in China.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the damage effect and potential toxic mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein(S protein)on human neuroblastomacells(SH-SY5Y).METHODS SH-SY5Y were treated with S protein at concentrations of 25,50,75,and 100 mg·L-1 for 24 h.Cell viability of SH-SY5Y was detected using the CCK-8 assay.The cytotoxic lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)detection kit was used to measure the release rate of LDH,and the 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine(EdU)-488 cell prolifera-tion kit was used to assess cell proliferation.The ATP detection kit was used to measure intracellular ATP content.The JC-1 fluorescent probe method was employed to detect the mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP)of cells.Seahorse XF was used to measure mitochondrial respiratory and glycolytic capacity.RESULTS Compared with the cell control group,cell viability was significantly reduced in S protein 25,50,75 and 100 mg·L-1 groups(P<0.01),and the half-inhibition concentration(IC50)was 65.05 mg·L-1.The LDH release rate wassignificantly increased(P<0.01)and the proportion of EdU positive cellswas significantly reduced(P<0.01)in S protein 25,50,75 and 100 mg·L-1 groups.S protein signifi-cantly reduced intracellular ATP content(P<0.01)at the concentrations of 75 and 100 mg·L-1,while significantly reduced intracellular MMP(P<0.05,P<0.01)at the concentrations of 50 and 75 mg·L-1.S protein 50 mg·L-1 increased the maximum value of basal glycolysis levels and glycolytic capacity(P<0.05,P<0.01),and S protein 25 and 50 mg·L-1 increased the maximum value of respiration capacity(P<0.05,P<0.01).SH-SY5Y cell viability was positively correlated with the intracellular ATP content and the MMP level(r2=0.9209,P=0.001;r2=0.6170,P=0.0025),and negatively correlated with the maximum level of basal glycolysis and glycolytic capacity(r2=0.5194,P=0.0285;r2=0.6664,P=0.0073),and nega-tively correlated with ATP production capacity(r2=0.8204,P=0.0008).CONCLUSIONS protein decreases the viability of SH-SY5Y cells and inhibited cell proliferation.The mechanism may be closely related to the disorder of energy metabolism.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the damage effect and mechanisms of cyclophosphamide(CTX)and its active metabolite derivative 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide(4-HC)to human neuroblas-toma SH-SY5Y cells.METHODS SH-SY5Y cells were treated with CTX[0(cell control),0.01,0.1,1,5,10,20,40 and 80 mmol·L-1]and 4-HC[0(cell control),0.01,0.1,1,5,10,20,40 and 80 μmol·L-1]for 48 h.Cell confluence and morphology were observed by the IncuCyte ZOOM system.Cell viability was assessed by CCK-8 assay.Lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)release was measured by LDH assay kit.SH-SY5Y cells were treated with CTX(0,1,5,10 and 20 mmol·L-1)and 4-HC(0,1,5,10 and 20 μmol·L-1)for 48 h before cell proliferation was analyzed by 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine(EdU)staining assay.Immunofluorescence was employed to assess the levels of the DNA double-strand break marker γ-H2AX and to evaluate changes in mitochondrial membrane potential.SH-SY5Y cells were treated with CTX(0,1,5 and 10 mmol·L-1)and 4-HC(0,1,5 and 10 μmol·L-1)for 48 h,and the alterations in glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation levels were analyzed using the Seahorse XFe96 Analyzer.RESULTS Compared with the cell control group,cell confluence and cell viability were significantly reduced in the CTX and 4-HC groups(P<0.01),and the half-maximal inhibitory concentrations(IC50)for CTX and 4-HC were 4.44 mmol·L-1 and 4.78 μmol·L-1,respectively.The release rate of LDH was signif-icantly increased while the percentage of EdU+cells was significantly reduced in the CTX and 4-HC groups(P<0.01).The percentage of γ-H2AX+cells was significantly increased and mitochondrial membrane potential significantly decreased in the CTX and 4-HC group(P<0.05).Treatment with CTX and 4-HC resulted in reduced levels of maximum glycolytic capacity,glycolytic reserve,maximal respi-ration,and ATP production(P<0.05).CONCLUSION CTX and 4-HC exert significant cytotoxic effects on SH-SY5Y cells by disrupting cell membrane structure,impeding cell proliferation,and reducing cell viability.The mechanisms underlying these effects may involve intracellular DNA damage,disturbance of energy metabolism and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between thyroid function abnormality-immune related adverse event (TFA-irAE) and treatment efficacy and survival in advanced cancer patients treated with programmed death-1 (PD-1) inhibitors.Methods:The clinical data of 90 patients with advanced cancer who received 6 cycles of PD-1 inhibitor treatment from January 2021 to June 2022 in Department of Oncology of Yuncheng Central Hospital Affiliated to Shanxi Medical University were collected. Serum levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT 4), thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), and thyroglobulin antibody (TGAb) were measured by chemiluminescence immunoassay in patients after PD-1 inhibitor treatment, and the incidence of TFA-irAE was observed in the patients after 6 cycles of therapy. According to the occurrence of TFA-irAE, the patients were divided into TFA-irAE occurrence group ( n=40) and TFA-irAE non-occurrence group ( n=50), the therapeutic efficacy and survival of the two groups were calculated and compared. The thyroid function indexes of patients with different efficacy (33 cases in effective group and 57 cases in ineffective group) and patients with different prognosis (30 cases in survival group, 60 cases in death group) were compared, and the influencing factors of efficacy and survival were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression and Cox analysis. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was drawn, and the survival of TFA-irAE occurrence group and TFA-irAE non-occurrence group were compared by log-rank test. Results:One year after treatment, the treatment effective rate of TFA-irAE occurrence group and TFA-irAE non-occurrence group were 42.5% (17/40), 32.0% (16/50), respectively, with no statistically significant difference ( χ2=1.06, P=0.304). After 6 cycles of PD-1 inhibitor treatment, serum levels of TSH [ (2.56±0.41) mU/ml vs. (3.11±0.53) mU/ml], TPOAb [ (56.78±5.72) U/ml vs. (62.67±6.31) U/ml] and TGAb [ (81.57±8.23) U/ml vs. (92.34±9.31) U/ml] in the effective group were significantly lower than those in the ineffective group, with statistically significant differences ( t=4.45, P<0.001; t=3.89, P<0.001; t=5.29, P<0.001). The serum levels of TSH [ (2.69±0.46) mU/ml vs. (3.06±0.65) mU/ml], FT 4 [ (10.45±1.13) pmol/L vs. (11.50±1.36) pmol/L], TPOAb [ (56.27±5.61) U/ml vs. (62.47±6.34) U/ml] and TGAb [ (81.62±8.31) U/ml vs. (91.73±9.35) U/ml] in the survival group were significantly lower than those in the death group, with statistically significant differences ( t=2.27, P=0.025; t=3.02, P=0.003; t=3.79, P<0.001; t=4.19, P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that TSH ( OR=1.52, 95% CI: 1.13-2.05, P=0.006), TPOAb ( OR=1.42, 95% CI: 1.13-1.78, P=0.002) and TGAb ( OR=1.35, 95% CI: 1.05-1.73, P=0.018) were all independent factors affecting the efficacy of patients with advanced cancer treated with PD-1 inhibitors. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that TSH ( HR=1.42, 95% CI: 1.06-1.92, P=0.030), TPOAb ( HR=1.31, 95% CI: 1.05-1.64, P=0.018), TGAb ( HR=1.41, 95% CI: 1.09-1.83, P=0.008) and FT 4 ( HR=1.36, 95% CI: 1.02-1.81, P=0.038) were all independent factors affecting the survival of patients with advanced cancer treated with PD-1 inhibitors. Survival analysis showed that the median overall survival in the TFA-irAE occurrence group and the TFA-irAE non-occurrence group were 10.8 and 8.0 months, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( χ2=9.53, P=0.002) . Conclusion:Although the occurrence of TFA-irAE may have less effect on the efficacy of advanced tumor patients treated with PD-1 inhibitors, it may affect the survival of patients. TSH, TPOAb and TGAb are all independent influencing factors for the efficacy of patients with advanced tumors treated with PD-1 inhibitors, while TSH, TPOAb, TGAb and FT 4 are independent influencing factors for the survival of patients with advanced tumors treated with PD-1 inhibitors.

Irinotecan (CPT11) chemotherapy-induced diarrhea affects a substantial cancer population due to β-glucuronidase (Gus) converting 10-O-glucuronyl-7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN38G) to toxic 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN38). Existing interventions primarily address inflammation and Gus enzyme inhibition, neglecting epithelial repair and Gus-expressing bacteria. Herein, we discovered that dehydrodiisoeugenol (DDIE), isolated from nutmeg, alleviates CPT11-induced intestinal mucositis alongside a synergistic antitumor effect with CPT11 by improving weight loss, colon shortening, epithelial barrier dysfunction, goblet cells and intestinal stem cells (ISCs) loss, and wound-healing. The anti-mucositis effect of DDIE is gut microbiota-dependent. Analysis of microbiome profiling data from clinical patients and CPT11-induced mucositis mice reveals a strong correlation between CPT11 chemotoxicity and Gus-expressing bacteria, particularly Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis). DDIE counters CPT11-induced augmentation of E. faecalis, leading to decreased intestinal Gus and SN38 levels. The Partial Least Squares Path Model (PLS-PM) algorithm initially links E. faecalis to dysregulated epithelial renovation. This is further validated in a 3D intestinal organoid model, in which both SN38 and E. faecalis hinder the formation and differentiation of organoids. Interestingly, colonization of E. faecalis exacerbates CPT11-induced mucositis and disturbs epithelial differentiation. Our study unveils a microbiota-driven, epithelial reconstruction-mediated action of DDIE against mucositis, proposing the 'Gus bacteria-host-irinotecan axis' as a promising target for mitigating CPT11 chemotoxicity.

Objective:To investigate the epidemiology of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in patients with maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) in Jiangsu province during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in China from December 7, 2022 to January 27, 2023, and to analyze the influencing factors of all-cause death.Methods:It was a multi-center cross-sectional investigation. Structured questionnaire was used to collect patient information by medical staff of each hemodialysis center (room) as investigators. Part of the demography data and laboratory examination data came from the Jiangsu Province Hemodialysis Data Information System. MHD patients from hemodialysis centers (rooms) at all levels of medical institutions and independent hemodialysis institutions in Jiangsu province during the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 infection were included, and the clinical characteristics and all-cause mortality of confirmed and suspected cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection were analyzed.Results:Questionnaire surveys and data analysis on 57 278 patients in 407 hemodialysis centers (rooms) were completed, accounting for 90.41% of the total number of MHD patients (63 357 cases) in Jiangsu province during the same period. There were 24 038 cases (41.97%) of SARS-CoV-2 infection and 14 805 cases (25.85%) of suspected infection, which were widely distributed in all dialysis centers in Jiangsu province. After clinical classification of 38 843 confirmed and suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection cases, 3 662 cases were severe and critical cases, accounting for 9.43% of the infected and suspected cases. Among the patients who had completed the questionnaires, there were 1 812 all-cause deaths, with an all-cause mortality rate of 3.16%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that elderly (taking ≤50 years as a reference, 51-59 years: OR=1.583, 95% CI 1.279-1.933, P=0.001; 60-69 years: OR=3.972, 95% CI 3.271-4.858, P<0.001; 70-79 years: OR=7.236, 95% CI 5.917-8.698, P<0.001; ≥80 years: OR=11.738, 95% CI 9.459-14.663, P<0.001), male ( OR=1.371, 95% CI 1.229-1.529, P<0.001), and co-infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) (positive serum HBV surface antigen, OR=0.629, 95% CI 0.484-0.817, P<0.001) were independent influencing factors for all cause mortality. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the area under the curve for male, age and current HBV infection prediction of all-cause death was 0.529 ( P<0.001), 0.724 ( P<0.001) and 0.514 ( P=0.042), respectively, and the cut-off value for age prediction of all-cause death was 65.5 years old. Compared with patients without HBV infection, MHD patients with HBV infection significantly reduced the proportion of severe and critically ill patients, all-cause hospitalizations and all cause deaths when infected with SARS-CoV-2 (4.99% vs. 6.41%, χ2=6.136, P=0.013; 8.90% vs. 11.44%, χ2=11.662, P<0.001; 2.01% vs. 3.37%, χ2=10.713, P=0.001, respectively). Conclusion:The MHD patients in Jiangsu province are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2. Elderly age and male gender are independent risk factors for death in MHD patients during the epidemic, while the HBV infection may be a protective factor for death of MHD patients infected with SARS-CoV-2.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of targeting and killing CD248-positive myofibroblasts on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice. Methods IgG78-DM1, an antibody-maytansine 1 (DM1) conjugate targeting CD248, was prepared. The drug conjugation efficiency was measured and calculated by UV spectrophotometer, and the identification of IgG78-DM1 was performed through SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis. In vitro, the binding activity of IgG78-DM1 on CD248-positive myofibroblasts was detected by flow cytometry and the cytotoxicity of IgG78-DM1 to CD248-positive myofibroblasts was evaluated by CCK-8 assay. In vivo, C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into control group, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis group, human IgG-DM1 (hIgG-DM1) control group, and IgG78-DM1 treatment group. Then, the mouse models with pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin were constructed. Two weeks later, the animal models were intravenously injected with IgG78-DM1. After the treatment of two weeks, lung tissues were collected for Masson staining and Sirius Red staining to evaluate the degree of pulmonary fibrosis. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to measure the expression levels of CD248, as well as markers of fibroblastic activation including alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and type I collagen alpha 1 (COL1A1). The safety of IgG78-DM1 was preliminarily assessed by conducting liver and kidney function tests. Results IgG78-DM1 was successfully prepared, and its drug conjugation ratio was 3.2. The antibody structure remained stable after conjugation, allowing effective binding and cytotoxicity against CD248-positive myofibroblasts. After treatment with IgG78-DM1, the degree of pulmonary fibrosis in mice significantly reduced, accompanied by the decrease of the expression of CD248, α-SMA, and COL1A1. The liver and kidney function of the mice remained at normal levels compared to the normal control group. Conclusion IgG78-DM1 effectively inhibits pulmonary fibrosis in mice by targeting and killing CD248-positive myofibroblasts. The safety of this strategy is preliminarily assessed.
Humans ; Animals ; Mice ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Pulmonary Fibrosis/drug therapy* ; Myofibroblasts ; Antibodies ; Bleomycin ; Antigens, Neoplasm ; Antigens, CD

Humans ; Angina, Stable ; COVID-19 ; Risk Factors ; Patients