Objective:To summarize the clinical and genetic characteristics, treatment and prognosis of four children with Steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) due to variants of TRPC6 gene. Methods:Clinical data of four children with SRNS admitted to Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University between May 2020 and August 2022 were collected. Peripheral blood samples were collected from the children and their parents, and whole exome sequencing was carried out. Sanger sequencing was used to verify the pathogenicity of the candidate variants among the children and their parents.Results:All of the four children were found to harbor heterozygous variants of the TRPC6 gene, including c. 523C>T (p.R175W), c. 1327T>A (p.F443I), c. 430G>C (p.E144Q) (unreported previously), and c. 523C>T (p.R175W), which were all missense variants. Two of the children have shown a simple type, whilst two have shown a nephritis type, none had extrarenal phenotype. Comprehensive renal pathology of three children revealed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Two children were treated with steroids combined with calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs), among whom one showed significant improvement in symptoms. Conclusion:Discoveries of the novel c. 430G>C variant and the new SRNS phenotype of the c. 1327T>A variant have expanded the mutational and phenotypic spectrum of the TRPC6 gene, which has provided a reference for clinical diagnosis and genetic counseling for the families.

Transient receptor potential cation channel 6（TRPC6）gene is mainly expressed in renal podiocytes.Its variation can lead to steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome（SRNS），and the specific pathogenesis is not clear.These children have poor response to hormones and immunosuppressants，with lack of specific therapeutic drugs，and poor prognosis.In recent years，it has been found that some drugs can slow down disease progression by inhibiting the expression of TRPC6 gene or its downstream signaling pathway，and the discovery of TRPC6 protein-specific blockers may be the hope of treating such children.This review focuses on the pathogenesis of SRNS induced by TRPC6 gene variation in children and the research progress of drug therapy.

Objective:To investigate the factors affecting the time taken for B cell reconstitution after rituximab (RTX) treatment in children with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome.Methods:This was a retrospective cohort study. The clinical data of 42 children with SSNS who received treatment with RTX in Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology and Immunology, Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University between December 2019 and May 2023 were analyzed retrospectively. The data of demographics, immunosuppressant treatment and laboratory tests such as CD19 +B cell count, urinary protein quantification were collected. The patients were divided into 2 groups, the early B cell reconstruction group and the late reconstruction group based on the average time of B cell reconstruction. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the factors impacting the timing of B cell reconstruction, and the predictive value of these factors was assessed by plotting the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results:There were 42 children, with 35 males and 7 females. They were aged 3.5 (2.2, 5.9) years at the onset of PNS and (8.4±3.3) years at their first RTX treatment. The time for B cell reconstitution was (152±53) d. There were 20 children in the early reconstruction group and 22 children in the late reconstruction group. There were no statistically significant differences (all P>0.05) between the 2 groups in terms of the cumulative dose of steroids within 1 year before receiving RTX infusion (0.29 (0.16, 0.50) vs. 0.29 (0.19, 0.46) mg/(kg·d)), the percentage of children using tacrolimus before RTX (65%(13/20) vs. 45%(10/22)) and cumulative doses (0.04 (0.03, 0.05) vs. 0.03 (0.03, 0.06) mg/(kg·d)), the steroid doses at the time of RTX infusion (0.73 (0.49, 0.90) vs. 0.71 (0.58, 0.89) mg/(kg·d)), the percentage of children using tacrolimus at the initial RTX infusion (50% (10/20) vs. 41% (9/22)) and the doses (0.03 (0.02, 0.04) vs. 0.02 (0.01, 0.04) mg/(kg·d)), the discontinuation time of tacrolimus post-RTX infusion (71 (42, 91) vs. 64 (42, 91) d). A multivariate analysis revealed a correlation ( OR=0.26, 95% CI 0.10-0.68, P=0.006) between B cell count following the second RTX infusion and the time taken for B cell reconstruction. The area under the ROC curve for B cell count after the RTX infusion in predicting the time to B cell reconstruction was 0.89 (95% CI 0.78-0.99, P<0.001) and the cut-off value was 0.925×10 6/L. Conclusions:The time of B cell reconstruction is not influenced by the previous or concurrent use of tacrolimus, regardless of its duration and the dosage of steroid and tacrolimus prior to the RTX infusion. Insteadly, the peripheral blood B cell count (0.925×10 6/L) following the second RTX infusion for SSNS is identified as an independent predictor of reconstruction time, allowing for a more precise prediction and early intervention to maintain disease remission.

The data of a patient with autosomal dominant optic atrophy (ADOA) and chronic renal insufficiency caused by SSBP1 gene mutation in the Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University in July 2021 was analyzed retrospectively.Literature was reviewed.The patient was a 10-year-old girl, who visited the hospital due to " growth retardation for the past 3 years and elevated serum creatinine (Scr) for the past 2 years" . On admission, the patient′s height was 130 cm (<10 th percentile of the same sex of healthy age) and her weight was 22 kg (<3 rd precentile of the same sex of healthy age). Lab examination showed that the level of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) was 16.3 mmol/L, Scr was 115.4 μmol/L, and the estimated glomerular filtration rate was 41 mL/(min·1.73 m 2). The patient was complicated with metabolic acidosis and mild anemia.Imaging findings showed small volume of both kidneys, increased background parenchymal enhancement, scattered spot-like hyperechoes and unclear boundary between the cortex and medulla.Additionally, the patient had a history of optic atrophy.Both the father and mother of the patient had no related phenotypes.The genetic test of the patient showed that c. 320G>A (p.R107Q) was a heterozygous missense mutation, which was spontaneous.A total of 5 English papers were retrieved.There were 8 kinds of SSBP1 gene mutations reported, including 7 heterozygous missense mutations [c.320G>A (p.Arg107Gln), c.119G>T (p.Gly40Val), c.331G>C (p.Glu111Gln), c.184A>G (p.Asn62Asp), c.113G>A (p.Arg38Gln), c.422G>A (p.Ser141Asn), c.79G>A (p.Glu27Lys)] and 1 homozygous mutation [c.394A>G (p.Ile132Val)]. Studies have established that almost all patients carrying SSBP1 mutations have manifestations of eye involvement, and that some patients are complicated with progressive deterioration of renal function, sensorineural deafness, growth retardation, and hypothyroidism.It suggests that SSBP1 gene mutation can cause ADOA.For patients with optic atrophy, whether they are complicated with hearing loss and growth retardation, renal morphology and renal function evaluation are recommended.Early genetic examination is helpful for diagnosis and treatment.

Cullin-RING E3 ubiquitin ligase (CRL)-4 is a member of the large CRL family in eukaryotes. It plays important roles in a wide range of cellular processes, organismal development, and physiological and pathological conditions. DDB1- and CUL4-associated factor 8 (DCAF8) is a WD40 repeat-containing protein, which serves as a substrate receptor for CRL4. The physiological role of DCAF8 is unknown. In this study, we constructed Dcaf8 knockout mice. Homozygous mice were viable with no noticeable abnormalities. However, the fertility of Dcaf8-deficient male mice was markedly impaired, consistent with the high expression of DCAF8 in adult mouse testis. Sperm movement characteristics, including progressive motility, path velocity, progressive velocity, and track speed, were significantly lower in Dcaf8 knockout mice than in wild-type (WT) mice. However, the total motility was similar between WT and Dcaf8 knockout sperm. More than 40% of spermatids in Dcaf8 knockout mice showed pronounced morphological abnormalities with typical bent head malformation. The acrosome and nucleus of Dcaf8 knockout sperm looked similar to those of WT sperm. In vitro tests showed that the fertilization rate of Dcaf8 knockout mice was significantly reduced. The results demonstrated that DCAF8 plays a critical role in spermatogenesis, and DCAF8 is a key component of CRL4 function in the reproductive system.
Animals ; Cullin Proteins/genetics* ; DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics* ; Factor VIII ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Spermatogenesis/genetics* ; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases

OBJECTIVE:To study the effects of Dianxianqing granule on the interleukin(IL-6)content and glial fibrillary acid-ic protein(GFAP),ionized calcium linker molecules 1(Iba-1)expressions in hippocampus tissue of rats with kainate-induced epi-lepsy,and explore its mechanism of preventing and treating epilepsy. METHODS:Rats were randomly divided into sham operation group (distilled water),model group (distilled water),phenytoin group (0.03 g/kg,positive control) and Dianxianqing granule low-dose,medium-dose,high-dose groups(4.74,9.47,18.94 g/kg,calculated by crude drug),20 in each group. Rats were intra-gastrically administrated once a day,for 7 d. After 1 h of last administration,except for sham operation group,rats in other groups received single injection of kainite in hippocampus CA1 of left side to induce the epilepsy model. Behavioral changes and death of rats were observed. After 24 h of modeling,enzyme-linked immunosorbent method was used to detect the IL-6 content in hippocam-pus tissue of rats,Nissl staining was used to count the hippocampus neurons,and immunohistochemistry was used to detect the GFAP,Iba-1 expressions in hippocampus tissue of rats. RESULTS:Compared with sham operation group,rats in model group had obvious epilepsy symptoms after modeling,and parts of rats died;IL-6 content and number of neurons in hippocampus tissue were obviously decreased (P<0.01), while GFAP, Iba-1 expressions were obviously enhanced (P<0.01). Compared with model group,epilepsy symptoms and death in each administration group had improved,while IL-6 content in hippocampus tissue were in-creased to varying degrees,with no statistical significance (P>0.05). The numbers of neurons in phenytoin group,Dianxianqinggranule medium-dose, high-dose groups were obviously in-creased(P<0.01);GFAP expression was obviously decreased (P<0.01). Iba-1 expressions in hippocampus tissue in phenyt-oin group,Dianxianqing granule high-dose group were obvi-ously decreased (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS:Dianxianqing granule can play the role in preventing and treating epilepsy by inhibiting GFAP,Iba-1 expressions in hippocampus tissue and in-creasing the number of neurons in hippocampus tissue.

Objective To summarize the clinical,pathological and radiological features of retinoblastoma (RB)with central nervous system (CNS)metastasis.Methods Twenty -three patients were confirmed to have RB with CNS metastasis in Beijing Tongren Hospital from December 2005 to December 201 3,and their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed.Results (1 )The incidence of RB with CNS metastasis was 1 .83% (23 /1 260 cases),and the incidence of CNS metastasis was 7.64%(1 1 /1 44 cases)if RB with optic nerve involvement which was confirmed through pathology.At first visit 1 0 cases had a confirmed diagnosis of RB with CNS metastasis,while the other 1 3 cases had a diagnosis of RB in extraocular stages.(2)Eleven patients with RB in extraocular stages had the pathological evi-dence of optic nerve involvement which was pathologically confirmed,6 patients had optic nerve involvement with cho-roid involvement,2 patients had optic nerve involvement with nerve sheath involvement.(3)All the patients whose diagnosis of CNS metastasis had the radiological evidence of CNS metastases,and 1 case had autopsy and pathological evidence for extensive brain metastases.The main radiological feature of CNS metastasis was meninges metastasis.Thir-teen cases had the radiological features of meninges metastasis and 5 cases accompanied with spinal cord meninges me-tastasis.Then,the following radiological feature was that 7 cases had the mass of suprasellar pool.(4)Twelve cases with CNS metastasis showed the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)RB cells positive,and the positive rate was 52.1 7%(1 2 /23 ca-ses).Conclusions (1 )The occurrence of RB with CNS metastasis is very low,but the risk of CNS metastasis in-creased in the patients with the pathological evidence of the optic nerve involvement.(2)The main site of CNS metasta-ses is meninges,followed by mass formation in the suprasellar pool.The main route for CNS metastases was along the optic nerve and /or nerve sheath directly invading and /or disseminating via the CSF.(3)The positive rate of CSF cy-tology is low,and it can be improved through repeated examination.Enhanced magnetic resonance imaging should be the most effective radiology examination for diagnosis and monitoring CNS metastasis.

OBJECTIVETo observe the treatment and prognosis of optic nerve invasion in retinoblastoma (RB).

METHODThe children who had been diagnosed with unilateral RB and had received enucleation from January 2006 to December 2013 in our hospital were recruited. Tumor extension into the optic nerve were disclosed. Optic nerve involvement was classified into four grades according to the degree of invasion. Grade I is superficial invasion of the optic nerve head only, grade II is involvement up to and including the lamina cribrosa, grade III is involvement beyond the lamina cribrosa, and grade IV is involvement up to and including the surgical margin. Grade I and II are called invasion of the optic nerve before the sieve plate. Grade III and IV are called invasion of the optic nerve after the sieve plate. Other high-risk factors included extensive invasions of the choroid, sclera, anterior chamber, iris, and ciliary body. They were divided into two groups according to whether the merger of other high histopathologic risk factors. Treatment was delivered accordingly, and the prognosis of different degrees of optic nerve invasion was observed. The subjects were followed up for 6 months to 7 years (average: 43 months).

RESULTThere were 465 subjects in this study, including 279 boys and 186 girls. The right eye was affected in 260 patients and the left eye in 205 patients. The average time from onset of symptoms to visit was 2.7 months (range 1 day-24 months). Twenty-five patients died, resulting in an overall survival rate of 94.6%. The mortality rate of patients with optic nerve involvement with grade I was 0.4%, grade II was 1.0%, grade III was 8.7% was and grade IV was 60.9%. Of the 338 with invasion of the optic nerve before the sieve plate, two died of recurrence, with a survival rates of 99.4% (336/338). Of the 127 patients who had invasion of the optic nerve after the sieve plate, twenty-three died of recurrence, with a survival rate of 81.9% (104/127) , the difference was statistically significant (χ² = 52.299, P = 0.000). A total of 379 patients did not have any other merged pathology high-risk factors, 8 died, the mortality rate was 2.1%. Of the 86 patients who had complicated with other high-risk factors, 17 died, the mortality rate was 19.8%, the difference was statistically significant (χ² = 42.955, P = 0.000). Of the 338 patients, 304 had invasion of the optic nerve before the sieve plate had not merged other pathology high-risk factors, none died, of the 34 patients who had complicated with other pathology high-risk factors, 2 had died, the mortality rate was 5.9%, the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.010). Of the 127 patients with invasion of the optic nerve after the sieve plate, 76 had not complicated with other pathological high-risk factors, 9 of whom had died, the mortality rate was 11.8%, 51 had complicated with other pathological high-risk factors, 14 of whom had died, the mortality rate was 27.5%, outcomes did significantly differ between the two subgroups (χ² = 5.014, P = 0.025). Cox multivariate analysis showed that invasion of the retrolaminar optic nerve, surgical margin of the optic nerve and sclera were influential factors of colorectal cancer.

CONCLUSIONPatients with optic nerve invasion have an excellent outcome with current therapy. But for those whose resection margin was invaded, which has a high incidence of recurrence, chemotherapy is recommended for patients with postlaminar optic nerve involvement.

Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Optic Nerve Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Prognosis ; Retinoblastoma ; pathology ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

BACKGROUNDThe use of post-enucleation adjuvant therapy to decrease the extraocular relapse rate is frequently considered, but there is much controversy about the indications for adjuvant therapy. The aim of this retrospective study was to observe the treatment and prognosis for different degrees of invasion of eye tissue in retinoblastoma (RB) and identify the indications for post-enucleation adjuvant therapy.

METHODSWe recruited 537 children who had been diagnosed with unilateral RB and had received enucleation from January 2006 to December 2012 in our hospital, and divided them into three groups according to their number of histopathologic risk factors: 0 factor, 1 factor, or ≥2 factors. Histopathologic high-risk factors included invasion of the optic nerve posterior to the ethmoid plate (including optic nerve stumps) and extensive invasions of the choroid, sclera, anterior chamber, iris, and ciliary body. Treatment was delivered accordingly, and the prognosis of different degrees of histopathologic invasion was observed. The subjects were followed up for 6 months to 7 years (average follow-up time: 35 months). Statistical analysis was analyzed using χ(2) test. P < 0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTSOf the 537 RB patients who received enucleation, 25 died (overall survival: 95.3%). Of the 369 (68.7%) with no histopathologic risk factors, 1 died of recurrence, with a mortality rate of 0.3%, whereas of the 168 (31.3%) with histopathologic risk factors, 26 had recurrences and 24 died (mortality rate: 14.3%; P = 0.000). Of the 93 patients (17.3%), each of whom had a single risk factor, nine had recurrences, 16 died (8.6%). Of the 75 patients (14%) with two or more high-risk factors, 16 died (21.3%). These differences were statistically significant between the three (P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONChemotherapy is recommended for patients with histopathologic risk factors, especially those with two or more histopathologic risk factors.

Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Prognosis ; Retinoblastoma ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Risk Factors