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 examine the effectiveness of Chinese medicine (CM) Lianhua Qingwen Granule (LHQW) and Jingyin Gubiao Prescription (JYGB) in asymptomatic or mild patients with Omicron infection in the shelter hospital. METHODS: This single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted in the largest shelter hospital in Shanghai, China, from April 10, 2022 to May 30, 2022. A total of 56,244 asymptomatic and mild Omicron cases were included and divided into 4 groups, i.e., non-administration group (23,702 cases), LHQW group (11,576 cases), JYGB group (12,112 cases), and dual combination of LHQW and JYGB group (8,854 cases). The length of stay (LOS) in the hospital was used to assess the effectiveness of LHQW and JYGB treatment on Omicron infection. RESULTS: Patients aged 41-60 years, with nadir threshold cycle (C_T) value of N gene <25, or those fully vaccinated preferred to receive CM therapy. Before or after propensity score matching (PSM), the multiple linear regression showed that LHQW and JYGB treatment were independent influence factors of LOS (both P<0.001). After PSM, there were significant differences in LOS between the LHQW/JYGB combination and the other groups (P<0.01). The results of factorial design ANOVA proved that the LHQW/JYGB combination therapy synergistically shortened LOS (P=0.032). CONCLUSIONS Patients with a nadir C_T value <25 were more likely to accept CM. The LHQW/JYGB combination therapy could shorten the LOS of Omicron-infected individuals in an isolated environment.
Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; China/epidemiology* ; Hospitalization ; COVID-19 Drug Treatment ; COVID-19/epidemiology* ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Length of Stay ; Young Adult ; Aged

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Yangxue Qingnao Pills (YXQNP) combined with amlodipine in treating patients with grade 1 hypertension. METHODS: This is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study. Adult patients with grade 1 hypertension of blood deficiency and Gan (Liver)-yang hyperactivity syndrome were randomly divided into the treatment or the control groups at a 1:1 ratio. The treatment group received YXQNP and amlodipine besylate, while the control group received YXQNP's placebo and amlodipine besylate. The treatment duration lasted for 180 days. Outcomes assessed included changes in blood pressure, Chinese medicine (CM) syndrome scores, symptoms and target organ functions before and after treatment in both groups. Additionally, adverse events, such as nausea, vomiting, rash, itching, and diarrhea, were recorded in both groups. RESULTS: A total of 662 subjects were enrolled, of whom 608 (91.8%) completed the trial (306 in the treatment and 302 in the control groups). After 180 days of treatment, the standard deviations and coefficients of variation of systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels were lower in the treatment group compared with the control group. The improvement rates of dizziness, headache, insomnia, and waist soreness were significantly higher in the treatment group compared with the control group (P<0.05). After 30 days of treatment, the overall therapeutic effects on CM clinical syndromes were significantly increased in the treatment group as compared with the control group (P<0.05). After 180 days of treatment, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, ankle brachial index and albumin-to-creatinine ratio were improved in both groups, with no statistically significant differences (P>0.05). No serious treatment-related adverse events occurred during the study period. CONCLUSIONS Combination therapy of YXQNP with amlodipine significantly improved symptoms such as dizziness and headache, reduced blood pressure variability, and showed a trend toward lowering urinary microalbumin in hypertensive patients. These findings suggest that this regimen has good clinical efficacy and safety. (Registration No. ChiCTR1900022470).
Humans ; Amlodipine/adverse effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Hypertension/complications* ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Adult ; Blood Pressure/drug effects* ; Double-Blind Method ; Aged ; Antihypertensive Agents/adverse effects*

Objective:To discuss the ameliorative effect of total flavonoids from corn silk(TFCS)on kidney injury in the rats with urate nephropathy,and to clarify the possible mechanism.Methods:Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group,model group,positive control group[benzbromarone(BZM)group,5 mg·kg-1·d-1],low dose of TFCS group(20 mg·kg-1·d-1),medium dose of TFCS group(40 mg·kg-1·d-1),and high dose of TFCS group(80 mg·kg-1·d-1),and there were 10 rats in each group.Except for control group,the rats in the other groups were administered potassium oxonate(350 mg·kg-1)and adenine(70 mg·kg-1)by gavage for 4 weeks to establish the hyperuricemic nephropthy models.The rats in different doses of TFCS groups were treated with TFCS for 2 weeks.Speckle blood flow imager was used to detect the renal blood perfusion of the rats in various groups and the kidney coefficients of the rats in various groups were caculated;HE staining and Masson staining were used to observe the pathomorphology and fibrosis degrees of kidney tissue of the rats in various groups and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)method was used to detect the levels of uric acid(UA),creatinine(Cr),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),interleukin-6(IL-6),and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in the serum and levels of β2-microglobulin(β2-MG)and microalbumin(ALB)in the urine of the rats in various groups;Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of urate transporter 1(URAT1),glucose transporter 9(GLUT9),and ATP-binding cassette transporter G2(ABCG2)proteins in kidney tissue of the rats in various groups.Results:Compared with control group,the renal blood perfusion volume of the rats in model group was significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with model group,the renal blood perfusion volumes of the rats in BZM group and low,medium,and high doses of TFCS groups were significantly increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Compared with control group,the kidney weight of the rats in model group was increased,with visible white granular spots on the surface,absence of blood color,and kidney volume was increased.Compared with model group,the kidney volumes of the rats in BZM group and medium and high doses of TFCS groups were decreased,with color tending toward that in control group,and the white granular spots on the surface were significantly reduced.Compared with model group,the kidney coefficients of the rats in BZM group and medium and high doses of TFCS groups were decreased(P<0.01).The HE staining results showed there were no abnormalities in kidney tissue structure in control group,while there were a small amount of brown-yellow urate crystal deposition and interstitial connective tissue hyperplasia in model group;compared with model group,the kidney tissue damage and inflammatory infiltration were alleviated to varying degrees in BZM group and different doses of TFCS groups.The Masson staining results revealed no obvious collagen fiber deposition in control group,whereas significant blue collagen fiber deposition in kidney tissue of the rats was found in model group,and the collagen volume fraction(CVF)was increased compared with control group(P<0.01);compared with model group,the CVFs of the rats in BZM group and different doses of TFCS groups were decreased(P<0.01).The ELISA results showed that compared with control group,the levels of UA,Cr,BUN,IL-6,and TNF-α in serum of the rats in model group were increased(P<0.01);compared with model group,the levels of UA,Cr,BUN,IL-6,and TNF-α in serum of the rats in BZM group and medium and high doses of TFCS groups were decreased(P<0.01).Compared with control group,the levels of β2-MG and ALB in urinary in model group were increased(P<0.01);compared with model group,the levels of β2-MG and ALB in urinary of the rats in different doses of TFCS groups were decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01).The Western blotting results showed that compared with control group,the expression levels of URAT1 and GLUT9 proteins in kidney tissue of the rats in BZM group and model group were increased(P<0.01),while the expression level of ABCG2 protein was decreased(P<0.01).Compared with model group,the expression levels of URAT1 and GLUT9 proteins in kidney tissue of the rats in different doses of TFCS groups were decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and the expression level of ABCG2 protein was increased(P<0.01).Conclusion:TFCS can significantly alleviate the kidney injury in the rats with urate nephropathy model,and its mechanism may be related to the downregulation of expression of URAT1 and GLUT9 proteins and upregulation of ABCG2 protein expression in kidney tissue.

The stability of ammonium ion selective electrode is an important indicator to ensure accurate monitoring of ammonia nitrogen concentration in drinking water.However,in long-term monitoring process,interfering ions and water molecules in water samples may penetrate into the interior of the ammonium ion selective electrode to form a water layer,which affects the potential response and stability of the electrode.Perfluorooctanoic acid is a low surface energy material,and doping it in polyaniline can reduce surface energy of the composite and improve surface roughness.In this work,five ammonium ion selective electrodes were prepared by doping polyaniline with different concentrations of perfluorooctanoic acid as a solid contact layer,which made the solid contact layer of electrode had hydrophobic properties,thereby improving stability of the ammonium ion selective electrode.The stability of the ion-selective electrode was evaluated by potential drift experiment,and the optimal doping concentration of perfluorooctanoic acid in the sediment solution was determined to be 5 mmol/L.The experiment results showed that the solid contact layer had a water contact angle of 132o under the doping concentration,the potential drift rate was 41.66 μV/h,and potential drift rate in the aqueous layer test was 1.31 mV/h,which were all better than those of the unmodified electrode.The standard deviation of the electrode potential was 1.42 mV,which was obviously superior to that of the unmodified electrode.The characteristics of high stability of the electrode made it suitable for long-term monitoring of ammonia nitrogen content in water samples.

Objective To explore the influencing factors of cognitive impairment in non-dialysis patients with chronic kidney disease(CKD).Methods A total of 60 hospitalized non-dialysis patients with CKD in the Department of Nephrology of Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University from September 2022 to September 2023 were enrolled as research objects.According to the estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR),they were divided into stage 1 to 2 of CKD group[eGFR ≥60 mL/(min·1.73 m2)]with 23 cases,the stage 3 of CKD group[eGFR 30～＜60 mL/(min·1.73 m2)]with 20 cases,and stage 4 to 5 of CKD group[eGFR＜30 mL/(min·1.73 m2)]with 17 cases.The Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale(MoCA)was used to evaluate the cognitive function of the patients.Basic data and common clinical laboratory in-dicators on hospital admission were collected to analyze the differences in cognitive function levels under different renal function statuses and to explore the influencing factors of cognitive impairment.Results The incidence rates of cognitive impairment in the stage 1 to 2 of CKD group,stage 3 of CKD group,and stage 4 to 5 of CKD group were 47.8％,85.0％,and 94.1％respectively,the median MoCA scored 26,24 and 20 respectively,with statistically significant between-group differ-ences(P＜0.05).Cognitive function was significantly negatively correlated with age(r=-0.634,P＜0.001),blood urea nitrogen(BUN)(r=-0.574,P＜0.001),serum creatinine(Cr)(r=-0.417,P＜0.001),cystatin C(Cys-C)(r=-0.327,P=0.011),serum β2-microglobulin(β2-MG)(r=-0.259,P=0.046),and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP)(r=-0.474,P＜0.001),and was significantly positively correlated with hemoglobin(HB)(r=0.401,P=0.001)and eGFR(r=0.485,P＜0.001).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age(P=0.006)and NT-proBNP(P=0.041)were influencing factors of cognitive im-pairment in non-dialysis patients with CKD.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis showed that the area under the curve(AUC),sensitivity,and specificity of age for prediction were 0.860,0.864 and 0.812 respectively,the AUC,sensitivity,and specificity of NT-proBNP for pre-diction were 0.808,0.795 and 0.875 respectively,and the combined prediction of age and NT-proBNP had an AUC,sensitivity,and specificity of 0.893,0.955,and 0.750,respectively.Conclusion As renal function deteriorates,the incidence rate and severity of cognitive impairment in non-dialysis patients with CKD tend to increase.Advanced age,renal function deterioration,high NT-proBNP level,and anemia are associated with the occurrence of cognitive impairment in non-di-alysis patients with CKD,among which age and NT-proBNP are influencing factors for cognitive im-pairment.

Objective:To explore the impact of uncertain resection on postoperative survival in non-small cell lung cancer.Methods:This is a retrospective cohort study. A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 477 patients with non-small cell lung cancer who underwent lobectomy in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University from December 2012 to December 2013. There were 302 males and 175 females, aged (59±8) years (range: 27 to 79 years). According to the surgical resection criteria issued by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, the patients were divided into the intact resection group (R0 group, 286 cases) and the uncertain resection group (R (un) group, 191 cases). Clinical data between the two groups were compared using χ2 test, and propensity score matching (PSM) was performed on patients using the R language, with matching variables including gender, age, smoking history, adjuvant therapy, TNM stage, pathological type, and tumor site. The nearest-neighbor method was used for 1∶3 matching and the caliper value was 0.02. The survival curve was plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the Log-rank test. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to identify risk factors in overall survival (OS). Subgroup analysis was based on TNM staging and mediastinal lymph node metastasis status. Results:In the R (un) group, 68 patients had positive lymph in the highest group and 129 patients did not undergo complete dissection of the mediastinal lymph nodes. The baseline data for the R0 group and the R (un) group were corrected using PSM, and a total of 369 patients were successfully matched, including 227 cases in the R0 group and 142 cases in the R (un) group. After PSM, the 5-year survival rates of the R0 group and the R (un) group were 64.3% and 52.1%, respectively ( P=0.021). The 5-year survival rates of stage Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅲ patients were 85.2%, 65.9%, and 34.8%, respectively ( P<0.01). TNM stage ( χ2=46.913, P<0.01), pathological classification of adenosquamous cell carcinoma ( HR=5.970, 95% CI: 3.117 to 11.431, P<0.01) and R (un) resection ( HR=1.512, 95% CI: 1.065 to 2.147, P=0.021) were prognostic factors for postoperative survival. Subgroup analysis showed that in stage Ⅲ patients, 5-year survival rates of the R0 group and the R (un) group after resection were 45.8% and 9.5%, respectively ( P=0.002). Among patients with mediastinal lymph node metastasis, 5-year survival rates of the R0 group and the R (un) group were 50.6% and 7.1%, respectively ( P<0.01). Conclusions:TNM staging, pathological type, and R (un) resection are prognostic factors for overall postoperative survival in non-small cell lung cancer. In stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ patients, R (un) is not a prognostic factor for postoperative survival of non-small cell lung cancer. In patients with stage Ⅲ and mediastinal lymph node metastasis, R (un) is a prognostic factor for non-small cell lung cancer after surgery.

Objective To analyze the consistency between computer tomography angiography(CTA)and digital subtraction angiography(DSA)in evaluating the global limb anatomic staging system(GLASS)stage of patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia(CLTI).Methods The clinical data of patients with CLTI,who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University of China to receive treatment between January 2017 and December 2020,were retrospectively analyzed.Taking the DSA assessment as the gold standard,the consistency of CTA and DSA in evaluating the GLASS stage of patients with CLTI was analyzed.Results In the assessment of GLASS stage of CLTI,CTA showed strong agreement with DSA.The weighted Kappa coefficient of CTA and DSA for the staging of femoropopliteal segment was 0.798(95％CI=0.722-0.873,P＜0.01),and the weighted Kappa coefficient of CTA and DSA for the staging of infrapopliteal artery segment was 0.785(95％ CI=0.725-0.845,P＜0.0l).For the overall staging of GLASS,the weighted Kappa coefficient of CTA and DSA was 0.832(95％ CI=0.752-0.91 1,P＜0.01).All the above results indicated that a very strong consistency existed between CTA and DSA in evaluating the GLASS stage of patients with CLTI.Conclusion CTA examination of lower limb can accurately evaluate GLASS score and stage of CLTI patient's target lesions,which is helpful in diagnosing lower extremity arteriosclerosis occlusion disease as well as in assessing the technical difficulty degree of its revascularization operation.(J Intervent Radiol,2024,33:300-303)

【Objective】 To establish a blood quality monitoring indicator system, in order to continuously improve blood quality and standardized management. 【Methods】 Based on the research of literature and standards, and guided by the key control points of blood collection and supply process, the blood quality monitoring indicator system was developed. Through two rounds of Delphi expert consultation, the indicator content was further revised and improved according to expert opinions after six months of trial implementation. The indicator weight was calculated by questionnaire and analytic hierarchy process. 【Results】 A blood quality monitoring indicator system covering the whole process of blood collection and supply was constructed, including five primary indicators, namely blood donation service, blood component preparation, blood testing, blood supply and quality control, as well as 72 secondary indicators, including definitions, calculation formulas, etc. Two rounds of expert consultation and two rounds of feasibility study meeting were held to revise 17 items and the weight of each indicator was obtained through the analytic hierarchy process. After partial adjustments, a blood quality monitoring indicator system was formed. 【Conclusion】 A blood quality monitoring indicator system covering the whole process of blood collection and supply has been established for the first time, which can effectively evaluate the quality management level of blood banks and coordinate blood quality control activities of blood banks in Shandong like pieces in a chess game, thus improving the standardized management level

【Objective】 To objectively evaluate the quality control level of blood testing process in blood banks through quantitative monitoring and trend analysis, and to promote the homogenization level and standardized management of blood testing laboratories in blood banks. 【Methods】 A quality monitoring indicator system covering the whole process of blood collection and supply, including blood donation service, blood component preparation, blood testing, blood supply and quality control was established. The questionnaire Quality Monitoring Indicators for Blood Collection and Supply Process with clear definition of indicators and calculation formulas was distributed to 17 blood banks in Shandong province. Quality monitoring indicators of each blood bank from January to December 2022 were collected, and 31 indicators in terms of blood testing were analyzed using SPSS25.0 software. 【Results】 The proportion of unqualified serological tests in 17 blood bank laboratories was 55.84% for ALT, 13.63% for HBsAg, 5.08% for anti HCV, 5.62% for anti HIV, 18.18% for anti TP, and 1.65% for other factors (mainly sample quality). The detection unqualified rate and median were (1.23±0.57)% and 1.11%, respectively. The ALT unqualified rate and median were (0.74±0.53)% and 0.60%, respectively. The detection unqualified rate was positively correlated with ALT unqualified rate (r=0.974, P<0.05). The unqualified rate of HBsAg, anti HCV, anti HIV and anti TP was (0.15±0.09)%, (0.05±0.04)%, (0.06±0.03)% and (0.20±0.05)% respectively. The average unqualified rate, average hemolysis rate, average insufficient volume rate and the abnormal hematocrit rate of samples in 17 blood bank laboratories was 0.21‰, 0.08‰, 0.01‰ and 0.02‰ respectively. There were differences in the retest concordance rates of four HBsAg, anti HCV and anti HIV reagents, and three anti TP reagents among 17 blood bank laboratories (P<0.05). The usage rate of ELISA reagents was (114.56±3.30)%, the outage rate of ELISA was (10.23±7.05) ‰, and the out of range rate of ELISA was (0.90±1.17) ‰. There was no correlation between the out of range rate, outrage rate and usage rate (all P>0.05), while the outrage rate was positively correlated with the usage rate (r=0.592, P<0.05). A total of 443 HBV DNA positive samples were detected in all blood banks, with an unqualified rate of 3.78/10 000; 15 HCV RNA positive samples were detected, with an unqualified rate of 0.13/10 000; 5 HIV RNA positive samples were detected, with an unqualified rate of 0.04/10 000. The unqualified rate of NAT was (0.72±0.04)‰, the single NAT reaction rate [(0.39±0.02)‰] was positively correlated with the single HBV DNA reaction rate [ (0.36±0.02) ‰] (r=0.886, P<0.05). There was a difference in the discriminated reactive rate by individual NAT among three blood bank laboratories (C, F, H) (P<0.05). The median resolution rate of 17 blood station laboratories by minipool test was 36.36%, the median rate of invalid batch of NAT was 0.67%, and the median rate of invalid result of NAT was 0.07‰. The consistency rate of ELISA dual reagent detection results was (99.63±0.24)%, and the median length of equipment failure was 14 days. The error rate of blood type testing in blood collection department was 0.14‰. 【Conclusion】 The quality monitoring indicator system for blood testing process in Shandong can monitor potential risks before, during and after the experiment, and has good applicability, feasibility, and effectiveness, and can facilitate the continuous improvement of laboratory quality control level. The application of blood testing quality monitoring indicators will promote the homogenization and standardization of blood quality management in Shandong, and lay the foundation for future comprehensive evaluations of blood banks.