Objective:To investigate the value of diameter of pulmonary nodules,radiological indicators,serum tumor markers(CEA,CYFRA21-1,and SCC),and methylation of HOXA7 and SOX17 in circulating tumor DNA(ctDNA)in the early diagnosis of lung can-cer.Methods:A total of 60 patients with malignant pulmonary nodules and 60 patients with benign pulmonary nodules who were admit-ted to our hospital from September 2021 to December 2022 were enrolled as lung cancer group and benign nodule group,respectively,and 80 healthy individuals who underwent physical examination in our hospital during the same period of time were enrolled as control group.The three groups were compared in terms of the diameter of nodules,spiculation sign,levels of serum tumor markers,and meth-ylation rates of HOXA7 and SOX17 in plasma ctDNA,and a multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify the independent risk factors for carcinogenesis and establish a predictive model.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the model.Results:Compared with the benign nodule group and the control group,the lung cancer group had significantly higher diameter of pulmonary nodules,proportion of patients with spiculation sign,CEA,ProGRP,CYFRA21-1,and methylation rates of serum HOXA7,and SOX17,and the lung can-cer group had a significantly higher level of SCC than the control group(all P<0.05).The diameter of pulmonary nodules,spiculation sign,and methylation rates of HOXA7 and SOX17 in serum ctDNA were independent risk factors for malignant pulmonary nodules(P<0.05),and a predictive model was established as Y=ex/(1+ex),where x=-7.233+(0.108×nodule diameter)+(3.860×spiculation sign)+(0.021×HOXA7 methylation rate)+(0.043×SOX17 methylation rate).The predictive model had an area under the ROC curve(AUC)of 0.981,with a significantly larger AUC than each indicator alone and the Mayo and LCBP models(P<0.05).Conclusion:The diameter of pulmonary nodules,spiculation sign,and methylation rates of HOXA7 and SOX17 in ctDNA have a relatively high value in the early diagnosis of lung cancer,and the predictive model based on these indicators can significantly improve diagnostic performance.

Objective:To investigate changes in serum C3d and C5b-9 levels in elderly patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy(IMN)and their correlations with prognosis.Methods:Two hundred thirty-one elderly patients with IMN and 96 non-elderly patients with IMN confirmed by kidney biopsy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2015 to May 2017 were enrolled.During the same period, 118 healthy individuals receiving health checkups were included as controls.Patients were divided into the low C3d group( n=112)and the high C3d group( n=113)according to the median level of serum C3d.Serum C3d and C5b-9 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results:Serum C3d and C5b-9 levels in elderly IMN patients were 0.23(0.15, 0.45)mg/L and 0.28(0.20, 1.23)mg/L, respectively, which were higher than those in healthy controls[0.18(0.13, 0.22)mg/L, 0.22(0.16, 0.26)mg/L, respectively]( Z=-4.261 and -6.213, P<0.001). Serum C3d levels in elderly and non-elderly IMN patients were correlated negatively with the estimated glomerular filtration rate( r=-0.155 and -0.426, P=0.019 and 0.000), but positively with serum creatinine, anti-phospholipase A2 receptor(PLA2R)antibody levels and 24 h urinary protein( r=0.184, 0.326, 0.407, 0.321 and 0.145, P=0.005, 0.001, 0.000, 0.001 and 0.027). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the cumulative renal survival rate in elderly IMN patients was lower in the high C3d group than in the low C3d group(47.8% vs.70.8%, Log Rank χ2=7.399, P=0.007). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that high C3d levels were an independent risk factor for poor renal outcomes in elderly IMN patients( HR=2.288, 95% CI: 1.082-4.839, P=0.030). Conclusions:High serum C3d levels are associated with increases in urinary protein excretion and anti-PLA2R antibody levels, renal function decline, and poor renal outcomes in elderly IMN patients.

Objective:To detect serum level of complement factor B (CFB), and to explore its correlations with clinical parameters and prognosis in children with primary IgA nephropathy (IgAN).Methods:A total of 204 children with primary IgAN confirmed by kidney biopsy in the Department of Nephrology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from December 2014 to April 2017 were included in IgAN group.During the same period, 84 healthy children were included in healthy control group.Their mean age was (11.0±3.5) years and (10.9±3.2) years, respectively.Patients in IgAN group were divided into low CFB group (102 cases) and high CFB group (102 cases) according to the medium serum level of CFB measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Spearman′ s coefficient was employed to analyze correlation amongst various parameters.Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional ha-zards models were used to evaluate the relationship between serum CFB level and prognosis in children with IgAN. Results:Serum CFB levels were significantly higher in IgAN group than that in healthy control group [290.9 (186.2-453.9) mg/L vs.218.9 (155.0-321.3) mg/L, Z=-3.372, P=0.001]. Serum levels of CFB were negatively correlated with serum albumin ( r=-0.388, P<0.001) and estimated glomerular filtration rate ( r=-0.416, P<0.001), but positively correlated with serum creatinine ( r=0.305, P<0.001) and 24 h urinary protein ( r=0.456, P<0.001) in IgAN group.The incidences of crescents (C1-2) (70.6% vs.29.4%, χ2=34.588, P<0.001) and C 3 deposition (+ + -+ + + ) (63.7% vs.44.1%, χ2=7.892, P=0.005) were significantly higher in high CFB group than those in low CFB group. Kaplan- Meier analysis showed that high CFB levels predicted worse renal outcome in pediatric IgAN patients ( χ2=17.509, P<0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the high CFB level was the independent risk factor for the poor renal outcome ( HR=2.517, 95% CI: 1.284-4.932, P=0.007). Conclusions:High serum levels of CFB are associated with decreased renal function, increased urinary protein excretion, crescentic formation and poor renal outcome in pediatric IgAN patients.

Objective: To explore the value of baseline geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) in evaluating the prognosis of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who underwent peritoneal dialysis (PD). Methods: The clinical data of patients who underwent PD catheterization and started PD therapy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 1, 2013 to December 30, 2018 were collected retrospectively. The follow-up endpoint was death or hemodialysis. The follow-up deadline was March 1, 2019. The GNRI cut-off value was determined according to the ROC curve, and the patients were divided into GNRI≤90.5 group and GNRI>90.5 group. The differences of clinical data and laboratory tests were compared between the two groups. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to compare the difference in PD rate between the two groups during follow-up, and the factors that affecting patients PD withdrawal were analyzed by Cox regression. Results: The GNRI cut-off value was determined to be 90.5 based on the ROC curve. Until the deadline for follow-up, the drop-out rate of GNRI≤90.5 group was significantly higher than the GNRI>90.5 group (35.88% vs 21.58%, P=0.003). Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed a higher rate of maintaining PD in the GNRI>90.5 group than that in GNRI≤90.5 group during follow-up (P=0.021). Cox univariate regression showed that male, GNRI and serum Alb were protective factors for PD patients, and Scr was a risk factor. After multiple factors correction, male and GNRI were also the protective factors for PD patients. Conclusion As an objective indicator of nutritional evaluation, baseline GNRI can be used as a prognostic indicator for PD patients.

Objective To investigate the incidence situation of metabolic syndrome (MS) in patients with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD),and analyze the correlation between MS and prognosis of patients.Methods The patients who received peritoneal dialysis from June 1,2002 to April 30,2018 and followed up regularly were divided into MS group and non-MS group according to the diagnostic criteria of MS.Follow-up was until July 31,2018.The differences of clinical data,metabolic indexes and clinical outcomes between the two groups were compared.The survival rates of the two groups were compared by Kaplan-Meier survival curve,and the risk factors of all-cause death and cardiovascular disease (CVD) death were analyzed by Cox regression analysis.Results A total of 516 patients with CAPD were enrolled in this study,including 340 males (65.9％)and 176 females (34.1％).Their age was (47.29± 12.20) years.The median follow-up time was 20 (9,39) months.According to the diagnostic criteria of MS,the patients were divided into MS group (210 cases,40.7％) and non-MS group (306 cases,59.3％).At baseline,there was no significant difference in age,educational background,duration of peritoneal dialysis,smoking history and drinking history between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05),but the patients in MS group were more exposed to high glucose peritoneal dialysate (P ＜ 0.05).The body mass index (BMI),blood phosphorus,blood glucose,blood potassium,triglyceride,cholesterol and systolic blood pressure in MS group were significantly higher than those in non-MS group (all P ＜ 0.05),and HDL-C level was significantly lower in MS group than in non-MS group (P ＜ 0.05).There were no significant differences in other indicators between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that the cumulative survival rate in MS group was significantly lower than that in non-MS group,and the difference was statistically significant (Log-rank x2=14.87,P ＜ 0.001).If CVD death was taken as the end event,the cumulative survival rate in the non-MS group was significantly higher than that in the MS group (Log-rank x2=14.49,P ＜ 0.001).Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that MS and high 4 h dialysate creatinine/serum creatinine ratio (4hD/Pcr) were independent risk factor for all-cause death (HR=1.982,95％CI 1.240-3.168,P=0.004;HR=3.855,95％CI 1.306-11.381,P=0.015) and CVD death (HR=2.499,95％CI 1.444-4.324,P=0.001;HR=5.799,95％ CI 1.658-20.278,P=0.006) in patients with CAPD.Conclusion The prevalence of MS in patients with CAPD is high,and MS and high 4hD/Pcr are independent risk factor for all-cause and CVD death in CAPD patients.They can be used as valuable indicators to predict the treatment outcomes and long-term prognosis of patients with CAPD.

Objective To reduce the incidence of peritoneal dialysis related peritonitis for patients in rural area and to improve management quality of peritoneal dialysis center.Methods We established multidisciplinary collaborative research group involving departments of nephrology,nutrition,infection,and quality control.Risk factors of peritoneal dialysis related peritonitis in rural patients were analyzed,and prevention measures were designed.The rate of peritoneal dialysis related peritonitis in 89 patients after implementation was analyzed.Results The rate of peritoneal dialysis related peritonitis was decreased from 43 patient·month per time to 67 patient ·month per time.Conclusion The compound pathway can effectively reduce the rate of peritonitis,improve patient satisfaction,and prolong dialysis age.

Objective To sum up and analyze the clinical and pathological characteristics in patients with both IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and diabetes mellitus. Methods A total of 500 patients were recruited, including 25 patients with both IgAN and diabetes mellitus, and 475 patients with IgAN only, who were diagnosed by renal-biopsy during Jan 2015 to Jan 2017 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. The clinical and pathological data were collected and analyzed using SPSS 22.0. Propensity Score Matching was used to match and select the patients in the both groups, and thereafter the depth of the basement membrane from the matched patients were compared using electron microscopy. The data of the patients whose follow - up time was ≥3 months were retrospectively collected, and Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to compare the difference of the prognosis. Results Compared to the patients with IgAN only, patients with both IgAN and diabetes mellitus were older [(46.36±13.49) years vs (34.00±13.80) years, P<0.001], had higher level of serum triglyceride [2.06(1.52, 3.11) mmol/L vs 1.51(1.01, 2.25) mmol/L, P=0.012] and thicker basement membrane [(384.33 ± 61.20) nm vs (346.72 ± 52.65) nm, P=0.044]. The patients with both IgAN and diabetes mellitus were more prone to reach the composite endpoint [4/7(57.14％) vs 25/265(9.33％), P<0.001] and had worse prognosis (Log-Rank test, P=0.004). Conclusions IgAN patients with diabetes mellitus have different clinical, pathological characteristics and prognosis from patients with IgAN alone. These patients need to be closely monitored and actively treated.

Objective To investigate the association of red cell distribution width (RDW) with all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related mortality in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD).Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 207 patients who initiated CAPD for more than 3 months between July 2005 and March 2016 in the First Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University.Baseline data on demographic,clinical and biochemical variables as well as comorbidities were obtained;medications and clinic outcomes were recorded.According to receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC) analysis,patients were divided into high RDW (RDW ＞ 15.1％) and low RDW (RDW≤ 15.1％) groups.The data of two groups were compared and Spearman's correlation analysis was used to explore the association of RDW with clinical and biochemical parameters.Survival curves were calculated using Kaplan-Meier method.Cox regression model was employed to analyze risk factors of all-cause and CVD-related mortality.Results In this study,207 CAPD patients were enrolled.The overall median survival time was 80 months.And the median survival time of high RDW group (68 patients) and low RDW group (139 patients) were 59 months and 96 months,respectively.There were statistical differences in diastole pressure,hemoglobin,hematocrit,serum albumin,intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH),eGFR,cholesterol,lipoprotein a,4-hour dialysate-to-plasma ratio for creatinine (4hD/Pcr),total Ccr (P ＜ 0.05,respectively);the two groups also varied in the proportion of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,cardiovascular disease and hyperlipidemia,as well as in the use of iron supplements,angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin Ⅱ receptor blockers (ARB),and beta-receptor blockers (P＜0.05,respectively).Cardiovascular event was a leading cause of mortality.Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that the high RDW group had higher all-cause and CVD-related mortality compared with the low RDW group (P ＜ 0.01).The 1-year,3-year,and 5-year patient survivals of the high RDW and low RDW group were 87.97％ vs 97.01％,58.02％ vs 81.53％,and 41.62％ vs 67.96％,respectively,demonstrating significant differences (P=0.001).Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that high RDW was independent risk factor for all-cause mortality (HR=1.212,95％CI:1.007-1.458,P=0.042) and CVD-related mortality (HR=1.697,95％ CI:1.030-2.795,P=0.038).Conclusion RDW is associated with mortality risks in CAPD patients and can be stratified as a valuable indicator for the risk of death.

Objective To observe the expression of ChemR23 induced by Angiotensin Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ) in podocyte and its role in renal injury.Methods Conditionally immortalized mice podocytes were cultured in vitro.Immunofluorescence was used to observe the sub-cellular location of ChemR23.The expressions of ChemR23,Nephrin and Podocin stimulated by different concentrations of Ang Ⅱ were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blotting.Lentivirus targeting ChemR23 was used.The expressions of Nephrin and Podocin and the phosphorylation state of NF-κB P65 were detected by Western Blot.The inhibitor of NF-κB P65 was added to the cultural medium for 2 h before Ang Ⅱ stimulation.The effect of NF-κB P65 inhibitor on Ang Ⅱ-induced expression of Nephrin and Podocin was detected by Western Blot.Results It is showed that ChemR23 was located in cytosol and membrane.Compared with the normal control,the expression of ChemR23 was significantly increased by Ang Ⅱ in mRNA and protein level,while the expressions of Nephrin and Podocin were decreased (P ＜ 0.05).When using Lentivirus vector to interfere the expression of ChemR23,Ang Ⅱ-repressed expressions of Nephrin and Podocin were restored (P ＜ 0.05).Western Blot showed the level of phosphorylated NF-κB P65 was significantly increased by Ang Ⅱ stimulation (P ＜ 0.05),which could be inhibited by interfering the expression of ChemR23.When adding the NF-κB P65 inhibitor,the low expression of Nephrin and Podocin induced by Ang Ⅱ stimulation was restored (P＜0.05).Conclusions Ang Ⅱ can induce ChemR23 expression,which activates NF-κB P65 signaling pathway,and then inhibits the expressions of Nephrin and Podocin.Targeting ChemR23 is a potential way to alleviate podocyte injury caused by Ang Ⅱ.