1.Analysis of Clinical Prognostic Characteristics in Patients with Primary Sjögren's Syndrome-Related Renal Fanconi Syndrome
Xiaoxiao SHI ; Yuan DONG ; Jiahe JIANG ; Peng XIA ; Shuo ZHANG ; Yubing WEN ; Dong XU ; Fengchun ZHANG ; Limeng CHEN
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(2):358-369
Renal Fanconi syndrome (FS) is a rare renal manifestation of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). This study aims to analyze the clinical and prognostic characteristics of patients with pSS-associated renal FS (pSS-FS) and provide insights for clinical management. Patients diagnosed with pSS-FS via renal biopsy at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 1993 to 2024 were enrolled. Data collected included age, sex, clinical symptoms (xerostomia, xerophthalmia, skin purpura, arthralgia, polyuria, and systemic symptoms), laboratory findings [serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM, complement (C3, C4), antinuclear antibody, anti-Sjögren's syndrome-associated antigen A antibody (SSA), anti-SSB antibody, 24-hour urinary protein quantification, tubular proteinuria, serum creatinine, serum electrolytes], treatment, and follow-up information. Systematic assessments included the EULAR Sjögren's Syndrome Disease Activity Index (ESSDAI) score, pulmonary involvement (including non-infectious interstitial pneumonia, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, etc.), hematological involvement (anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia), etc. Efficacy evaluations encompassed improvements in immunological parameters, renal function, and tubular function. Group comparisons were performed using chi-square/Fisher's exact tests, A total of 38 patients with pSS-FS were included, with 37(97.4%) being female. The median age at pSS diagnosis was 43(37, 57) years. Xerostomia (76.3%) and xerophthalmia (71.1%) were the predominant clinical symptoms. The most common renal tubular dysfunctions were generalized aminoaciduria (96.9%), tubular proteinuria (96.0%), and hypokalemia (94.7%). The median eGFR was 52.57(32.04, 76.10)mL/(min·1.73 m2), with 60.5% (23/38) of patients having an eGFR below 60 mL/(min·1.73 m2).After six months of immunosuppressive therapy, including moderate-to-high-dose glucocorticoids, significant improvements were observed in immunological parameters (improvement rate: 69.2%), renal tubular function (89.5%), and renal function (44.4%). Following immunosuppressive treatment, the median eGFR increased from 54.95(33.06, 76.10)mL/(min·1.73 m2) to 65.56(56.24, 83.58)mL/(min·1.73 m2).Compared to patients with normal or mildly impaired baseline eGFR [≥ 60 mL/(min·1.73 m2)], those with significantly decreased baseline eGFR [< 60 mL/(min·1.73 m2)] were older (46 years This study reports the clinical characteristics of the largest single-center cohort of pSS-FS patients internationally, characterized by varying degrees of proximal renal tubular dysfunction and renal impairment. Timely initiation of immunosuppressive therapy, including glucocorticoids, is crucial, particularly for patients with significantly reduced eGFR, who may experience more substantial renal function improvement.
2.Effect of histone methyltransferase SMYD2 on macrophage-myofibro-blast transition-promoted renal fibrosis in diabetic kidney disease
Yuan YANG ; Rui PENG ; Zeying LIU ; Xue ZOU ; Xia LI ; Huixiong YUAN ; Hehua LONG ; Teng WANG ; Mingjie CEN ; Bing GUO ; Liying ZHU ; Lirong LIU
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(2):239-249
AIM:This study aims to investigate the role of histone methyltransferase SET and MYND domain containing 2(SMYD2)in facilitating renal fibrosis through the macrophage-myofibroblast transition in diabetic kidney dis-ease(DKD).METHODS:(1)C57BL/6J mice were intraperitoneally administered 55 mg/kg of streptozotocin to induce diabetes mellitus(DM).The experimental groups were categorized as follows:normal control,DM(20 weeks),DM(28 weeks),and DM(36 weeks).Blood glucose(BG),serum creatinine(SCr)and blood urea nitrogen(BUN)levels were determined using a biochemical analyzer.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining and Masson staining were performed to assess morphological and fibrotic changes in renal tissues.Western blot analysis was used to measure the protein levels of SMYD2,histone H3 lysine 4 trimethylation(H3K4me3),arginase-1,matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP9),collagen type Ⅰ(Col Ⅰ)and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA).Immunofluorescence staining was conducted to examine the localization and expression of F4/80,α-SMA,SMYD2,CD86,CD206 and CD163.(2)Mouse monocyte/macrophage RAW264.7 cells were cultured in vitro and assigned to groups as follows:normal glucose(NG)+negative control siRNA(siNC),high glucose(HG)+siNC,NG+SMYD2 siRNA(siSMYD2),and HG+siSMYD2.Western blot analysis was used to assess the expression of relevant proteins.RESULTS:(1)Compared with normal control group,the levels of BG,SCr and BUN were significantly elevated in DM(28 weeks)and DM(36 weeks)groups(P<0.05).Renal tissue exhibited tubular atro-phy,dilation,and collagen fiber deposition.The levels of H3K4me3,arginase-1,MMP9,Col Ⅰ and α-SMA proteins were up-regulated(P<0.05).The CD86,CD206,CD163 and F4/80 were primarily localized in the interstitial macrophages of the renal tubules,α-SMA was predominantly detected in the renal interstitium,and SMYD2 was mainly expressed in renal tubular epithelial cells and the renal interstitium.(2)Compared with NG+siNC group,the protein levels of SMYD2,H3K4me3,arginase-1,CD163,Col Ⅰ,α-SMA,transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)and p-Smad3 in the cells of HG+siNC group were significantly increased(P<0.05).Knockdown of SMYD2 resulted in a reduction of these indicators(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:The SMYD2 protein appears to facilitate renal fibrosis in DKD by promoting the macrophage-myofibroblast transition,potentially through the modulation of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway.
3.Consensus of experts on the management of thoracic anesthesia with spontaneous respiration
Qisen FAN ; Lan LAN ; Jingxiang WU ; Yuan QIU ; Guiping XU ; Jiang WANG ; Duozhi WU ; Jinhui LUO ; Jian RAN ; Ying-fen LI ; Peng PAN ; Bing ZHANG ; Yuelan ZHOU ; Yiwen ZHANG ; Xuebing XU ; Yatao LIU ; Yingbin WANG ; Yan WANG ; Yulong WANG ; Youyang HU ; Shoushi WANG ; Hongwei MENG ; Haixia XU ; Peijia TANG ; Xia-oxue ZHUANG ; Canzhou ZHANG
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(13):1945-1951
Thoracic anesthesia with spontaneous respiration represents a form of precision anesthesia meticulously customized to individual patients.Considering the more stringent requirements this anesthesia approach imposes on the regulation of respiratory function,the writing group of the"Consensus of Experts on the Management of Thoracic Anesthesia with Spontaneous Respiration"has formulated elaborate guidelines regarding indications and contraindications,preoperative evaluation,anesthesia implementation,common complications,and treatment strategies.This was accomplished by referencing relevant domestic and international literature and integrating it with actual clinical requirements.The objective is to standardize the rational application of this anesthesia method.
4.Effect of histone methyltransferase SMYD2 on macrophage-myofibro-blast transition-promoted renal fibrosis in diabetic kidney disease
Yuan YANG ; Rui PENG ; Zeying LIU ; Xue ZOU ; Xia LI ; Huixiong YUAN ; Hehua LONG ; Teng WANG ; Mingjie CEN ; Bing GUO ; Liying ZHU ; Lirong LIU
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(2):239-249
AIM:This study aims to investigate the role of histone methyltransferase SET and MYND domain containing 2(SMYD2)in facilitating renal fibrosis through the macrophage-myofibroblast transition in diabetic kidney dis-ease(DKD).METHODS:(1)C57BL/6J mice were intraperitoneally administered 55 mg/kg of streptozotocin to induce diabetes mellitus(DM).The experimental groups were categorized as follows:normal control,DM(20 weeks),DM(28 weeks),and DM(36 weeks).Blood glucose(BG),serum creatinine(SCr)and blood urea nitrogen(BUN)levels were determined using a biochemical analyzer.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining and Masson staining were performed to assess morphological and fibrotic changes in renal tissues.Western blot analysis was used to measure the protein levels of SMYD2,histone H3 lysine 4 trimethylation(H3K4me3),arginase-1,matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP9),collagen type Ⅰ(Col Ⅰ)and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA).Immunofluorescence staining was conducted to examine the localization and expression of F4/80,α-SMA,SMYD2,CD86,CD206 and CD163.(2)Mouse monocyte/macrophage RAW264.7 cells were cultured in vitro and assigned to groups as follows:normal glucose(NG)+negative control siRNA(siNC),high glucose(HG)+siNC,NG+SMYD2 siRNA(siSMYD2),and HG+siSMYD2.Western blot analysis was used to assess the expression of relevant proteins.RESULTS:(1)Compared with normal control group,the levels of BG,SCr and BUN were significantly elevated in DM(28 weeks)and DM(36 weeks)groups(P<0.05).Renal tissue exhibited tubular atro-phy,dilation,and collagen fiber deposition.The levels of H3K4me3,arginase-1,MMP9,Col Ⅰ and α-SMA proteins were up-regulated(P<0.05).The CD86,CD206,CD163 and F4/80 were primarily localized in the interstitial macrophages of the renal tubules,α-SMA was predominantly detected in the renal interstitium,and SMYD2 was mainly expressed in renal tubular epithelial cells and the renal interstitium.(2)Compared with NG+siNC group,the protein levels of SMYD2,H3K4me3,arginase-1,CD163,Col Ⅰ,α-SMA,transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)and p-Smad3 in the cells of HG+siNC group were significantly increased(P<0.05).Knockdown of SMYD2 resulted in a reduction of these indicators(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:The SMYD2 protein appears to facilitate renal fibrosis in DKD by promoting the macrophage-myofibroblast transition,potentially through the modulation of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway.
5.Surveillance report on healthcare associated infections in a tertiary children's hospital from 2019 to 2023
Linna ZHANG ; Chunmei SU ; Zhiqin ZHANG ; Jing YU ; Hanling PENG ; Xinqi XIA ; Jing YUAN
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(15):2325-2329
OBJECTIVE To get the current situation of healthcare associated infection(HAI)and implement targe-ted management through analyzing the trends of HAI incidence rate,the distribution of clinical departments,the sites of HAI and the composition of pathogens in a children's hospital in a five-year period.METHODS Data on HAI cases were collected from all inpatients in Children's Hospital of Soochow University from 2019 to 2023 through the real-time monitoring system of XINGLIN Healthcare acquired Infection Surveillance;Cochran-Armit-age test was used to check for the significant changes of distribution of HAI cases.RESULTS A total of 383,376 hospitalized patients were monitored from 2019 to 2023,of which HAI occurred on 6670 cases and 7209 case-times with an incidence rate of 1.74%and an incidence case rate of 1.88%.The top five departments of HAI inci-dence rates were cardiac,neonatal,surgical and pediatric intensive care unit and department of hematology.HAI mainly occurred in blood and alimentary system,upper and lower respiratory tract.A total of 2668 strains of path-ogenic bacteria were isolated,of which 1346 strains were gram-negative bacteria,1140 strains were gram-positive bacteria and 182 strains were fungi.The top three gram-negative bacteria were Klebsiella pneumoniae,Escherich-ia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa;the top three gram-negative pathogens were Streptococcus,Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis;and the top three fungi were Candida albicans,Candida parapsilosis and Candida tropicalis.CONCLUSIONS The HAI incidence rate of this hospital steadily declines in the past five years,however the same changes are not observed in the departments with high incidence of HAI.Attention should be paid to the raising bloodstream infections and detection rate of S.epidermidis.
6.Administration of Porphyromonas gingivalis in pregnant mice enhances glycolysis and histone lactylation/ADAM17 leading to cleft palate in offspring.
Xige ZHAO ; Xiaoyu ZHENG ; Yijia WANG ; Jing CHEN ; Xiaotong WANG ; Xia PENG ; Dong YUAN ; Ying LIU ; Zhiwei WANG ; Juan DU
International Journal of Oral Science 2025;17(1):18-18
Periodontal disease is a risk factor for many systemic diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Cleft palate (CP), the most common congenital craniofacial defect, has a multifaceted etiology influenced by complex genetic and environmental risk factors such as maternal bacterial or virus infection. A prior case-control study revealed a surprisingly strong association between maternal periodontal disease and CP in offspring. However, the precise relationship remains unclear. In this study, the relationship between maternal oral pathogen and CP in offspring was studied by sonicated P. gingivalis injected intravenously and orally into pregnant mice. We investigated an obvious increasing CP (12.5%) in sonicated P. gingivalis group which had inhibited osteogenesis in mesenchyme and blocked efferocytosis in epithelium. Then glycolysis and H4K12 lactylation (H4K12la) were detected to elevate in both mouse embryonic palatal mesenchyme (MEPM) cells and macrophages under P. gingivalis exposure which further promoted the transcription of metallopeptidase domain17 (ADAM17), subsequently mediated the shedding of transforming growth factor-beta receptor 1 (TGFBR1) in MEPM cells and mer tyrosine kinase (MerTK) in macrophages and resulted in the suppression of efferocytosis and osteogenesis in palate, eventually caused abnormalities in palate fusion and ossification. The abnormal efferocytosis also led to a predominance of M1 macrophages, which indirectly inhibited palatal osteogenesis via extracellular vesicles. Furthermore, pharmacological ADAM17 inhibition could ameliorate the abnormality of P. gingivalis-induced abnormal palate development. Therefore, our study extends the knowledge of how maternal oral pathogen affects fetal palate development and provides a novel perspective to understand the pathogenesis of CP.
Animals
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Female
;
Porphyromonas gingivalis
;
Pregnancy
;
Mice
;
Cleft Palate/etiology*
;
Glycolysis
7.Integrated-omics analysis defines subtypes of hepatocellular carcinoma based on circadian rhythm.
Xiao-Jie LI ; Le CHANG ; Yang MI ; Ge ZHANG ; Shan-Shan ZHU ; Yue-Xiao ZHANG ; Hao-Yu WANG ; Yi-Shuang LU ; Ye-Xuan PING ; Peng-Yuan ZHENG ; Xia XUE
Journal of Integrative Medicine 2025;23(4):445-456
OBJECTIVE:
Circadian rhythm disruption (CRD) is a risk factor that correlates with poor prognosis across multiple tumor types, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, its mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to define HCC subtypes based on CRD and explore their individual heterogeneity.
METHODS:
To quantify CRD, the HCC CRD score (HCCcrds) was developed. Using machine learning algorithms, we identified CRD module genes and defined CRD-related HCC subtypes in The Cancer Genome Atlas liver HCC cohort (n = 369), and the robustness of this method was validated. Furthermore, we used bioinformatics tools to investigate the cellular heterogeneity across these CRD subtypes.
RESULTS:
We defined three distinct HCC subtypes that exhibit significant heterogeneity in prognosis. The CRD-related subtype with high HCCcrds was significantly correlated with worse prognosis, higher pathological grade, and advanced clinical stages, while the CRD-related subtype with low HCCcrds had better clinical outcomes. We also identified novel biomarkers for each subtype, such as nicotinamide n-methyltransferase and myristoylated alanine-rich protein kinase C substrate-like 1.
CONCLUSION
We classify the HCC patients into three distinct groups based on circadian rhythm and identify their specific biomarkers. Within these groups greater HCCcrds was associated with worse prognosis. This approach has the potential to improve prediction of an individual's prognosis, guide precision treatments, and assist clinical decision making for HCC patients. Please cite this article as: Li XJ, Chang L, Mi Y, Zhang G, Zhu SS, Zhang YX, et al. Integrated-omics analysis defines subtypes of hepatocellular carcinoma based on circadian rhythm. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(4): 445-456.
Humans
;
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology*
;
Liver Neoplasms/pathology*
;
Circadian Rhythm/genetics*
;
Prognosis
;
Male
;
Female
;
Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics*
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Middle Aged
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Machine Learning
;
Computational Biology
8.Progress on Wastewater-based Epidemiology in China: Implementation Challenges and Opportunities in Public Health.
Qiu da ZHENG ; Xia Lu LIN ; Ying Sheng HE ; Zhe WANG ; Peng DU ; Xi Qing LI ; Yuan REN ; De Gao WANG ; Lu Hong WEN ; Ze Yang ZHAO ; Jianfa GAO ; Phong K THAI
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(11):1354-1358
Wastewater-based epidemiology has emerged as a transformative surveillance tool for estimating substance consumption and monitoring disease prevalence, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. It enables the population-level monitoring of illicit drug use, pathogen prevalence, and environmental pollutant exposure. In this perspective, we summarize the key challenges specific to the Chinese context: (1) Sampling inconsistencies, necessitating standardized 24-hour composite protocols with high-frequency autosamplers (≤ 15 min/event) to improve the representativeness of samples; (2) Biomarker validation, requiring rigorous assessment of excretion profiles and in-sewer stability; (3) Analytical method disparities, demanding inter-laboratory proficiency testing and the development of automated pretreatment instruments; (4) Catchment population dynamics, reducing estimation uncertainties through mobile phone data, flow-based models, or hydrochemical parameters; and (5) Ethical and data management concerns, including privacy risks for small communities, mitigated through data de-identification and tiered reporting platforms. To address these challenges, we propose an integrated framework that features adaptive sampling networks, multi-scale wastewater sample banks, biomarker databases with multidimensional metadata, and intelligent data dashboards. In summary, wastewater-based epidemiology offers unparalleled scalability for equitable health surveillance and can improve the health of the entire population by providing timely and objective information to guide the development of targeted policies.
China/epidemiology*
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Humans
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Wastewater/analysis*
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COVID-19/epidemiology*
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Public Health
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Wastewater-Based Epidemiological Monitoring
;
SARS-CoV-2
9.Recommendations for the clinical use of anti-amyloid-β monoclonal antibody for Alzheimer's disease(2025)
Nan ZHI ; Jinwen XIAO ; Rujing REN ; Binyin LI ; Jintao WANG ; Jieli GENG ; Wenwei CAO ; Yaying SONG ; Hualong WANG ; Shuguang CHU ; Guoping PENG ; Jun LIU ; Xiaoyun LIU ; Fang YUAN ; Wen WANG ; Ronghua DOU ; Xia LI ; Ling YUE ; Wenshi WEI ; Xiaoling PAN ; Xiangyang ZHU ; Dian HE ; Weinü FAN ; Jingping SHI ; Nan ZHANG ; Hui ZHAO ; Qin CHEN ; Cuibai WEI ; Xiaochun CHEN ; Gang WANG
Journal of Chongqing Medical University 2025;50(9):1133-1140
In recent years,significant breakthroughs have been achieved in the immunotherapy for Alzheimer's disease.In line with global advancements,two anti-amyloid-β monoclonal antibodies have been approved and successfully launched in China for clinical use.Lecanemab and Donanemab were officially used in June 2024 and April 2025 in China,respectively.In order to standardize the rational and safe application of anti-amyloid-β monoclonal antibodies for Alzheimer's disease in China,this article integrates recom-mendations from the clinical trials and real-world experience from the author's team and domestic peers to further update the recom-mendations for the clinical use of anti-amyloid-β monoclonal antibody based on the 2024 version.It includes indications for therapy,pre-treatment evaluation and preparation,administration protocols and safety measures during treatment,and post-treatment monitor-ing strategies.
10.Inhibition of interferon regulatory factor 4 orchestrates T cell dysfunction, extending mouse cardiac allograft survival.
Wenjia YUAN ; Hedong ZHANG ; Longkai PENG ; Chao CHEN ; Chen FENG ; Zhouqi TANG ; Pengcheng CUI ; Yaguang LI ; Tengfang LI ; Xia QIU ; Yan CUI ; Yinqi ZENG ; Jiadi LUO ; Xubiao XIE ; Yong GUO ; Xin JIANG ; Helong DAI
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(10):1202-1212
BACKGROUND:
T cell dysfunction, which includes exhaustion, anergy, and senescence, is a distinct T cell differentiation state that occurs after antigen exposure. Although T cell dysfunction has been a cornerstone of cancer immunotherapy, its potential in transplant research, while not yet as extensively explored, is attracting growing interest. Interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) has been shown to play a pivotal role in inducing T cell dysfunction.
METHODS:
A novel ultra-low-dose combination of Trametinib and Rapamycin, targeting IRF4 inhibition, was employed to investigate T cell proliferation, apoptosis, cytokine secretion, expression of T-cell dysfunction-associated molecules, effects of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathways, and allograft survival in both in vitro and BALB/c to C57BL/6 mouse cardiac transplantation models.
RESULTS:
In vitro , blockade of IRF4 in T cells effectively inhibited T cell proliferation, increased apoptosis, and significantly upregulated the expression of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), Helios, CD160, and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen (CTLA-4), markers of T cell dysfunction. Furthermore, it suppressed the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-17. Combining ultra-low-dose Trametinib (0.1 mg·kg -1 ·day -1 ) and Rapamycin (0.1 mg·kg -1 ·day -1 ) demonstrably extended graft survival, with 4 out of 5 mice exceeding 100 days post-transplantation. Moreover, analysis of grafts at day 7 confirmed sustained IFN regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) inhibition, enhanced PD-1 expression, and suppressed IFN-γ secretion, reinforcing the in vivo efficacy of this IRF4-targeting approach. The combination of Trametinib and Rapamycin synergistically inhibited the MAPK and mTOR signaling network, leading to a more pronounced suppression of IRF4 expression.
CONCLUSIONS
Targeting IRF4, a key regulator of T cell dysfunction, presents a promising avenue for inducing transplant immune tolerance. In this study, we demonstrate that a novel ultra-low-dose combination of Trametinib and Rapamycin synergistically suppresses the MAPK and mTOR signaling network, leading to profound IRF4 inhibition, promoting allograft acceptance, and offering a potential new therapeutic strategy for improved transplant outcomes. However, further research is necessary to elucidate the underlying pharmacological mechanisms and facilitate translation to clinical practice.
Animals
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred BALB C
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Interferon Regulatory Factors/metabolism*
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Heart Transplantation/methods*
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T-Lymphocytes/immunology*
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Sirolimus/therapeutic use*
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Pyridones/therapeutic use*
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Graft Survival/drug effects*
;
Pyrimidinones/therapeutic use*
;
Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
;
Apoptosis/drug effects*
;
Male
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*

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