Objective To explore the number of peripheral blood regulatory T cells (Treg) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its correlation with vascular calcification. Methods This was a single-center, cross-sectional, and observational study. Non-dialysis patients with CKD treated at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University from March 2021 to March 2022 were enrolled. Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) was assessed using lateral abdominal X-ray. Number of Treg and cytokine levels were measured by flow cytometry. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the related factors for AAC in CKD patients. Results A total of 83 patients were included, aged 17–86 years, with 57 males (68.7%). The distribution of CKD stages was as follows: stage G1 in 7 patients (8.4%), stage G2 in 17 patients (20.5%), stage G3 in 21 patients (25.3%), stage G4 in 19 patients (22.9%), and stage G5 in 19 patients (22.9%). No AAC was observed in patients with stages G1 and G2, while the prevalence of AAC in patients with stages G3, G4, and G5 was 23.8%, 21.1%, and 26.3%, respectively. Compared with stage G1 patients, those with stages G3–5 showed decreased number of peripheral blood Treg and elevated levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-17F (P＜0.05). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for number of peripheral blood Treg in predicting AAC in CKD patients was 0.766 (95%CI 0.652–0.879, P＝0.002). Logistic regression analysis showed that decreased number of Treg was related factor for AAC in CKD patients (OR＝0.957, 95%CI 0.922–0.992, P＝0.018). Conclusion As CKD progresses, number of peripheral blood Treg significantly decreases, which is correlated with AAC in CKD patients.

Objective To investigate the effect of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (empagliflozin, EMPA) on myocardial remodeling in a mouse uremic cardiomyopathy (UCM) model induced by 5/6 nephrectomy, through the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (PKB/AKT)/p65 signaling pathway. Methods The animals were divided into three groups: Sham group (n=6), UCM group (n=8), and UCM＋EMPA group (n=8). A UCM model was established in C57BL/6N mice using the 5/6 nephrectomy. Starting from 5 weeks post-surgery, EMPA or a placebo was administered. After 16 weeks, blood pressure, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, 24-hour urine glucose and urine sodium were measured. Cardiac structure and function were assessed by echocardiography. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Masson trichrome staining were used to observe pathological changes in the heart and kidneys. Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) staining was used to evaluate myocardial hypertrophy. The real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expression levels of myocardial hypertrophy- and fibrosis-related mRNAs. Western blotting was used to detect the expression levels of PI3K, AKT and p65 in myocardial tissues. Results After 16 weeks, UCM group exhibited significantly higher blood pressure, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen than sham group (P＜0.01); UCM＋EMPA group exhibited lower blood pressure, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and higher 24 h urine sodium and glucose than UCM group (P＜0.05). Echocardiographic results showed ventricular remodeling in the UCM group, evidenced by left ventricular wall thickening, left ventricular enlargement, increased left ventricular mass, and decreased systolic function (P＜0.05); ventricular remodeling was alleviated (P＜0.05), though there was no significant improvement in systolic function in UCM＋EMPA group. HE and Masson stainings revealed myocardial degeneration, necrosis, and interstitial fibrosis in UCM group (P＜0.01); the myocardial pathology improved with reduced collagen deposition in UCM＋EMPA group (P＜0.01). WGA staining confirmed myocardial hypertrophy in UCM group (P＜0.01), while myocardial hypertrophy was alleviated in UCM＋EMPA group (P＜0.01). RT-qPCR results showed myocardial hypertrophy- and fibrosis-related genes (NPPA, NPPB, MYH7, COL1A1, COL3A1, TGF-β1) were upregulated in UCM group (P＜0.05), but downregulated in UCM＋EMPA group. Western blotting showed PI3K, p-AKT/AKT ratio, and p-p65/p65 ratio were increased in UCM group, but decreased in UCM＋EMPA group (P＜0.05). Conclusion EMPA can improve myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis in the UCM mouse model, and it may play the role through inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/p65 signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the levels of high-mobility group box 1(HMGB1)protein,soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1(sFLT-1)and lactate-to-albumin ratio(LAR)in patients with severe pulmonary infection-associ-ated sepsis undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy(CRRT),and their correlation with 28-day clinical outcomes.METHODS A total of 102 patients with severe pulmonary infection-associated sepsis undergoing CRRT admitted to the People's Hospital of Nanchuan Chongqing from Jul.2021 to Jul.2024 were enrolled.Based on 28-day clinical outcomes,they were divided into a favorable prognosis group(71 cases)and a poor prognosis group(31 cases).The levels of HMGB1,sFLT-1,lactate,albumin and LAR were compared between the two groups.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis was performed to evaluate the predictive value of HMGB1,sFLT-1 and LAR for 28-day clinical outcomes in patients with severe pulmonary infection-associated sepsis undergoing CRRT.RESULTS Gram-negative bacteria were the predominant pathogens in patients with se-vere pulmonary infection-associated sepsis undergoing CRRT.The poor prognosis group had higher lactate levels(4.01±1.07 mmol/L)and lower albumin levels(27.46±4.15 g/L)than the favorable prognosis group(P＜0.05).The levels of HMGB1(62.66±15.66 ng/ml),sFLT-1(0.71±0.17 ng/ml)and LAR(14.59±3.64％)in the poor prognosis group were significantly higher than those in the favorable prognosis group(P＜0.05).The combined detection of HMGB1,sFLT-1 and LAR yielded an area under the curve(AUC)of 0.949 for predicting poor 28-day mortality in patients with severe pulmonary infection-associated sepsis undergoing CRRT,superior to the single detection of the indexes(P＜0.05),with a sensitivity of 93.55％and specificity of 87.32％.CONCLUSIONS In patients with severe pulmonary infection-associated sepsis undergoing CRRT,gram-negative bacteria are the predominant pathogens.Patients with poor prognosis exhibit abnormally elevated levels of HMGB1,sFLT-1 and LAR,and the combined detection of these three markers demonstrates high predictive value for 28-day mortality.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the levels of high-mobility group box 1(HMGB1)protein,soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1(sFLT-1)and lactate-to-albumin ratio(LAR)in patients with severe pulmonary infection-associ-ated sepsis undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy(CRRT),and their correlation with 28-day clinical outcomes.METHODS A total of 102 patients with severe pulmonary infection-associated sepsis undergoing CRRT admitted to the People's Hospital of Nanchuan Chongqing from Jul.2021 to Jul.2024 were enrolled.Based on 28-day clinical outcomes,they were divided into a favorable prognosis group(71 cases)and a poor prognosis group(31 cases).The levels of HMGB1,sFLT-1,lactate,albumin and LAR were compared between the two groups.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis was performed to evaluate the predictive value of HMGB1,sFLT-1 and LAR for 28-day clinical outcomes in patients with severe pulmonary infection-associated sepsis undergoing CRRT.RESULTS Gram-negative bacteria were the predominant pathogens in patients with se-vere pulmonary infection-associated sepsis undergoing CRRT.The poor prognosis group had higher lactate levels(4.01±1.07 mmol/L)and lower albumin levels(27.46±4.15 g/L)than the favorable prognosis group(P＜0.05).The levels of HMGB1(62.66±15.66 ng/ml),sFLT-1(0.71±0.17 ng/ml)and LAR(14.59±3.64％)in the poor prognosis group were significantly higher than those in the favorable prognosis group(P＜0.05).The combined detection of HMGB1,sFLT-1 and LAR yielded an area under the curve(AUC)of 0.949 for predicting poor 28-day mortality in patients with severe pulmonary infection-associated sepsis undergoing CRRT,superior to the single detection of the indexes(P＜0.05),with a sensitivity of 93.55％and specificity of 87.32％.CONCLUSIONS In patients with severe pulmonary infection-associated sepsis undergoing CRRT,gram-negative bacteria are the predominant pathogens.Patients with poor prognosis exhibit abnormally elevated levels of HMGB1,sFLT-1 and LAR,and the combined detection of these three markers demonstrates high predictive value for 28-day mortality.

Objective:To analyze the disease burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the Belt and Road countries and its change trend.Methods:It was a cross-sectional epidemiological study based on surveillance data. Data on age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR) and age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) of CKD were derived from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease Study. The annual percentage change (APC) was calculated to evaluate the ASPR trend of CKD from 1990 to 2019.Results:In 2019, the number of CKD cases and deaths in the Belt and Road countries was 426 million and 798 000, respectively, accounting for 61.1% and 55.9% of CKD cases and deaths worldwide. The ASPR and ASMR of CKD in China were 8.1% and 11.2 per 100 000 population, slightly lower than the global average. Countries in North America and Oceania had a higher burden of CKD, and European countries had a lower burden. In the etiology, hypertension and diabetes-related CKD morbidity and mortality accounted for 23.7% and 68.8% of total CKD morbidity and mortality, respectively. From 1990 to 2019, the ASPR of CKD increased in 150 countries (98.0%) and the fastest increase was observed in Morocco ( APC=1.52%). The hotspots with high ASPR of CKD were located in Belt and Road countries from Asia, South/North America and Oceania, and the hotspots with high ASMR were distributed in countries from Africa, South/North America and Oceania. The sociodemographic index and life expectancy were positively correlated with the ASPR of CKD ( r=0.409, P<0.001; r=0.361, P<0.001) , and negatively correlated with the ASMR of CKD ( r=-0.317, P<0.001; r=-0.391, P<0.001). Conclusions:Belt and Road countries have substantial disease burdens of CKD, and the prevalence rate of CKD is rising fast. Health cooperation among member states should be strengthened to jointly address the challenges posed by chronic diseases such as CKD.

The genus jujube(Ziziphus jujuba Mill.)within the Rhamnaceae family encompasses numerous varieties,such as Ziziphus jujuba Mill.var.jujuba,Ziziphus jujuba var.inermis,and var.spinosa,etc.Among these,the jujube fructus has the most abundant cultivated variants across the country,including Ziziphus jujuba cv.Hamidazao and Ziziphus jujuba cv.Huanghetanzao.Jujube plants are rich in variety and are used for both medicinal and food purposes.Polysaccharides,one of the main active ingredients of jujube,are important medicinal components that contribute to its efficacy.Jujube polysaccharides have been found to promote hematopoiesis,exhibit antioxidant and anti-tumor activities,repair liver damage,regulate the immune system,and provide anti-inflammatory effects.By comprehensively summarizing and analyzing the literature on jujube polysaccharides from different varieties and origins,this paper reviews the potential mechanisms of action of jujube polysaccharides in exerting biological activities.It also summarizes the primary structural features,such as relative molecular mass,monosaccharide composition,glycosidic linkage,and the substituent modifications of jujube polysaccharides by sulfation,phosphorylation,carboxymethylation,selenization,and acetylation.This review aims to provide a reference for the research and development of jujube in the fields of innovative polysaccharide drugs and functional foods.

Objective To explore the effect of urine mixing degree on 24-hour urinary total protein(24 h UTP)in patients with chronic kidney disease(CKD).Methods From October 1,2023 to December 31,2023,30 hospitalized patients who needed to complete 24 h UTP testing in Zhongshan Hospital,Fudan University were selected.A 5 L unified container was used to collect urine for 24 hours.After collection and one hour's standing,the urine sample was divided into upper,middle,and lower equal parts according to volume,which was defined as direct-sampling group.Then,the urine samples were fully mixed with a magnetic stirrer and sampled again according to the above-mentioned three-equal sampling method,which was defined as mixed-sampling group.The generalized estimating equation was used to compare the urinary protein concentration before and after mixing and at different sampling location.Results The results of generalized estimating equation showed that after controlling the variable"sampling position",there was no significant difference in urinary protein concentration between the direct-sampling group and the mixed-sampling group.After controlling the variable"mixing method",there was still no significant difference in urinary protein concentration at different sampling positions.After adjusting the covariates such as age,gender,and estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR),the results were consistent.Conclusions With standard protocol,the entire 24-hour urine sample is a relatively even-distributed solution.After the total urine collection is completed,the temporary sample can be directly extracted from any level of the original urine within 1 hour,and the urine protein concentration of the sample multiplied by the urine volume can reflect the 24 h UTR.

Cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure, coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, aneurysm, thrombosis, and hypertension, are a great economic burden and threat to human health and are the major cause of death worldwide. Recently, researchers have begun to appreciate the role of microbial ecosystems within the human body in contributing to metabolic and cardiovascular disorders. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that the gut microbiota is closely associated with the occurrence and development of cardiovascular diseases. The gut microbiota functions as an endocrine organ that secretes bioactive metabolites that participate in the maintenance of cardiovascular homeostasis, and their dysfunction can directly influence the progression of cardiovascular disease. This review summarizes the current literature demonstrating the role of the gut microbiota in the development of cardiovascular diseases. We also highlight the mechanism by which well-documented gut microbiota-derived metabolites, especially trimethylamine N-oxide, short-chain fatty acids, and phenylacetylglutamine, promote or inhibit the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. We also discuss the therapeutic potential of altering the gut microbiota and microbiota-derived metabolites to improve or prevent cardiovascular diseases.

Objective: To analyze the factors affecting the complication of pulmonary atelectasis among children with tracheobronchial tuberculosis (TBTB), so as to provide the reference for the prevention and treatment of pulmonary atelectasis complicated by TBTB. Methods: Children with TBTB admitted to Department of Paediatrics, Linping Division of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine were selected as the study subjects from October 2018 to March 2023. Subjects's basic information, etiological examination results and laboratory testing results were collected using a self-designed questionnaire, and factors affecting the complication of pulmonary atelectasis among children with TBTB were identified using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: A total of 120 children with TBTB were included, with the age of 6 months to 12 years. There were 33 children at ages of less than one year (27.50%), 71 girls (59.17%) and 25 children with TBTB and pulmonary atelectasis (20.83%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified less than one year of age (OR=1.720, 95%CI: 1.126-3.358), type Ⅵ of TBTB (OR=1.669, 95%CI: 1.101-2.236), high level of C-reactive protein (OR=1.887, 95%CI: 1.088-2.686) and high level of procalcitonin (OR=1.844, 95%CI: 1.034-2.654) as risk factors for the complication of pulmonary atelectasis in children with TBTB. Conclusion Less than one year of age, type Ⅵ of TBTB, high level of C-reactive protein and high level of procalcitonin may increase the risk of pulmonary atelectasis in children with TBTB.