Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of Rituximab (RTX) in the treatment of children with frequently relapsing/steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (FRNS/SDNS) and to analyze the factors influencing the efficacy.Methods:Case series study.The clinical data of children with FRNS/SDNS who received B-cell-guided RTX (single dose: 375 mg/m 2, maximum dose: 500 mg, one additional dose when peripheral blood CD19 + B lymphocytes ≥0.01) in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from September 2019 to March 2022 were retrospectively collected.The frequency of relapse and cumulative dose of glucocorticoids before and after RTX treatment were compared.The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze relapse-free survival rate and FRNS/SDNS-free survival rate after RTX treatment.The influencing factors of relapse were analyzed using the Cox proportional hazards regression model. Results:Totally 47 children were enrolled, including 35 males and 12 females; the age of first application of RTX was 10.2 (6.9, 13.0) years; 33 children had used one type of immunosuppressant before, and 14 children had used two or more types of immunosuppressant before; the dose of RTX treatment was 3.0 (2.0, 3.0). The frequency of relapse[0(0, 0.55) times/year vs.1.62 (1.09, 2.40) times/year] and cumulative dose of glucocorticoids[0.12 (0.05, 0.21) mg/(kg·d) vs.0.40 (0.20, 0.56) mg/(kg·d)] after RTX treatment significantly decreased compared with previous immunosuppressive treatment ( Z=-5.56, -5.54, all P<0.001). The relapse-free survival rates at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after treatment were 80.9%, 72.3%, 68.1% and 68.1%, respectively, and the FRNS/SDNS-free survival rates were 93.6%, 89.4%, 89.4% and 89.4%, respectively.Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that the high frequency of relapse during previous immunosuppressive therapy was a risk factor for relapse after RTX treatment ( P<0.05). Of the 14 children who relapsed, 6 occurred in children whose CD19 + B lymphocytes<0.01, and the frequency of relapse after RTX treatment was significantly higher than those whose CD19 + B lymphocytes≥0.01 ( Z=-2.84, P=0.005). No severe adverse reactions occurred during RTX treatment and follow-up. Conclusions:The B-cell-guided RTX is effective and safe in the treatment of FRNS/SDNS in children.The high frequency of relapse during previous immunosuppressive therapy is a risk factor for relapse after RTX treatment, and relapse in the state of B lymphocyte depletion predicts poor outcomes of RTX treatment.

Objective:To analyze the influential factors of hypoalbuminemia in patients with preeclampsia and observe the pregnancy outcomes.Methods:The clinical data of 237 pregnant women with preeclampsia who received treatment in The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Qingyuan People's Hospital) from July 2018 to December 2020 were retrospectively collected and analyzed. These patients were divided into hypoproteinemia (observation group) and no hypoproteinemia (control group) groups according to whether they had hypoproteinemia. The general situation, clinical data, and adverse maternal and infant outcomes were statistically analyzed. Risk factors of hypoalbuminemia were analyzed using a logistic regression model. The predictive efficacy was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic curve.Results:There were no significant differences in general data between the two groups (all P > 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that D-dimer ( OR = 1.25, P = 0.004), 24-hour urinary protein ( OR = 1.29, P < 0.001), and total bile acid ( OR = 1.08, P = 0.010) were the independent risk factors for hypoproteinemia in preeclampsia. The predictive efficacy of these three indicators (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.855, P < 0.001) was greater than that of a single indicator. The incidences of adverse maternal and infant outcomes including placental abruption (9.4%, P = 0.019), liver and kidney dysfunction (34.4%, P < 0.001), pleural and ascitic fluid (28.1%, P = 0.001), fetal intrauterine growth restriction (50.0%, P = 0.001), fundus lesions (6.2%, P = 0.018), HELLP syndrome (9.4%, P = 0.019), mild neonatal asphyxia (15.6%, P = 0.022), severe asphyxia (6.2%, P = 0.049), metabolic acidosis (12.5%, P = 0.001), intrauterine infection (12.5%, P = 0.004), and neonatal hospitalization for more than 20 days (37.5%, P < 0.001) were greater in the observation group compared with the control group. There were no significant differences in postpartum hemorrhage, eclampsia, respiratory distress syndrome, fetal loss, and neonatal death between the two groups (all P > 0.05). Conclusion:D-dimer, 24-hour urinary protein, and total bile acid are independent risk factors for hypoproteinemia in preeclampsia. Patients with preeclampsia complicated by hypoproteinemia have a high risk of adverse maternal and infant outcomes.

β-glucosidase has important applications in food, pharmaceutics, biomass conversion and other fields, exploring β-glucosidase with strong adaptability and excellent properties thus has received extensive interest. In this study, a novel glucosidase from the GH1 family derived from Cuniculiplasma divulgatum was cloned, expressed, and characterized, aiming to find a better β-glucosidase. The amino acid sequences of GH1 family glucosidase derived from C. divulgatum were obtained from the NCBI database, and a recombinant plasmid pET-30a(+)-CdBglA was constructed. The recombinant protein was induced to express in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). The enzymatic properties of the purified CdBglA were studied. The molecular weight of the recombinant CdBglA was 56.0 kDa. The optimum pH and temperature were 5.5 and 55 ℃, respectively. The enzyme showed good pH stability, 92.33% of the initial activity could be retained when treated under pH 5.5-11.0 for 1 h. When pNPG was used as a substrate, the kinetic parameters K_m, V_max and K_cat/K_m were 0.81 mmol, 291.99 μmol/(mg·min), and 387.50 s^-1 mmol^-1, respectively. 90.33% of the initial enzyme activity could be retained when CdBglA was placed with various heavy metal ions at a final concentration of 5 mmol/L. The enzyme activity was increased by 28.67% under 15% ethanol solution, remained unchanged under 20% ethanol, and 43.68% of the enzyme activity could still be retained under 30% ethanol. The enzyme has an obvious activation effect at 0-1.5 mol/L NaCl and can tolerate 0.8 mol/L glucose. In conclusion, CdBglA is an acidic and mesophilic enzyme with broad pH stability and strong tolerance to most metal ions, organic solvents, NaCl and glucose. These characteristics may facilitate future theoretical research and industrial production.
beta-Glucosidase ; Sodium Chloride ; Temperature ; Glucose ; Ethanol/chemistry* ; Ions ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Enzyme Stability ; Substrate Specificity

Objective:To summarize the clinical features and gene phenotype of children with spondyloenchondrodysplasia with immune dysregulation (SPENCDI) caused by ACP5 gene mutation. Methods:The medical data and genetic phenotype of a child diagnosed with SPENCDI in the Department of Pediatrics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University in February 23, 2017 were analyzed retrospectively.Besides, " spondyloenchondrodysplasia" were taken as the search terms to perform the retrieval in CNKI, Wanfang Data, and PubMed, in an attempt to conduct the literature review.χ 2 test was used to compare the factors among children with different mutations. Results:The 4.5-year-old girl was admitted to hospital for complaint of " fever and chilblain-like rash" when she was 2 years old.She was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) concomitant with lupus nephritis.Methylprednisolone combined with cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate mofetil was used for the treatment.However, she experienced multiple infections, thrombocytopenia, limp, and growth retardation during the treatment.Genetic detection identified ACP5 gene compound hybrid mutation: c.779C>A and c. 770T>C.She was diagnosed with SPENCDI, and was subjected to follow-up.A total of 78 SPENCDI patients were retrieved from the databases, with various clinical manifestations of SPENCDI, commonly with skeletal involvement and immune phenotypes; 73.08% of the cases were positive for antinuclear antibodies, 57.69% of cases were positive for anti-double stranded-DNA antibodies and 34.62% of cases had neurological symptoms.In 58 cases, ACP5 gene mutations were detected, including 44 homozygous mutations and 14 compound heterozygous mutations.Patients with ACP5 gene homozygous mutation had a higher probability of consanguineous marriage in parents [56.82% (25/44 cases) vs.14.29% (2/14 cases)]; patients with ACP5 gene heterozygous mutation were more likely to develop SLE [64.29% (9/14 cases) vs.34.09% (15/44 cases)]( χ2=7.722, 3.992; all P<0.05). Conclusions:The majority of the ACP5 gene mutations are homozygous mutations in patients with SPENCDI, and heterozygous mutations are rare.The clinical manifestations of SPENCDI are various and complex, it is prone to develop autoimmune diseases, and there was no clear correlation between clinical features and gene phenotype in SPENCDI patients.

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological features, treatment and short-term prognosis of diffuse endocapillary proliferative Henoch-Schonlein purpura nephritis (DEP-HSPN) in children.Methods:Clinicopathological data of children with DEP-HSPN diagnosed by renal biopsy in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2012 to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed.Children with HSPN with segmental endocapillary proliferation (non DEP-HSPN) and matched with the gender, age and pathological grade at the ratio of 1∶2 in the same period were recruited as controls.Results:(1) A total of 42 cases of DEP-HSPN were pathologically confirmed, accounting for 5.9% of the 712 children with HSPN during the same period.Thirty-nine newly treated cases were included, with the mean age of (8.9±3.2) years old, and the gender ratio was 1.79∶1.00.There were 21 cases of nephrotic syndrome, 14 cases of hematuria and albuminuria, 2 cases of acute glomerulonephritis, 1 case of rapid progressive nephritis and 1 case of isolated proteinuria.Pathological findings were accompanied by diffuse prolife-ration of mesangial and endocapillary.There were 13, 22 and 4 cases with pathological gradeⅡb, Ⅲb and Ⅳb, respectively.(2) Compared with non DEP-HSPN subjects, DEP-HSPN patients had a shorter course from renal symptoms to renal biopsy, and a higher incidence of nephrotic albuminuria, hypoalbuminemia, hypocomplementemia, hypertension and anemia.The main clinical type was nephrotic syndrome.The levels of D-dimer, 24-hour urinary protein (24 h UP) and urea nitrogen were significantly higher in DEP-HSPN group ( Z=-2.416, -2.595, -2.019, all P<0.05), while the red blood cells, hemoglobin, serum albumin, C 3 and glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were significantly lower ( t=-2.499, -3.746, 2.836, -3.410, 3.236, all P<0.05). Besides, the glomerular C 3 deposition was higher than those in non DEP-HSPN subjects ( Z=-1.977, P<0.05). (3)The urinary protein remission rate in DEP-HSPN group was significantly reduced at 1 month follow-up [37.0%(10/27 cases) vs.62.5%(40/64 cases), P<0.05]. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups at 3 months, and the urinary protein remission was relieved at 6 months in both groups.There was no significant difference in hematuria remission between the 2 groups at the end of follow-up. Conclusions:Clinical manifestation of DEP-HSPN is severe, which is easy to be complicated with hypertension, anemia, hypocomplementemia C 3 and so on, and the hypercoagulable state is obvious.The degree of glomerular complement C 3 deposition was high in DEP-HSPN group.Urinary protein can be relieved slowly within 1 month after active treatment, but can be relieved at 6 months.

Laryngopharyngeal reflux is an independent disease that affects the quality of life in children,but its pathogenesis is not clear and its diagnostic criteria is not unified.With the reports of laryngopharyngeal reflux continuing to emerge in recent years,this study aims to review the progress in pathogenesis,diagnosis and treatment of laryngopharyngeal reflux in children.

Objective To investigate the risk factors for occult pneumonia(OP) in children with primary nephrotic syndrome(PNS).Methods The clinical data of 115 children with PNS and findings of chest CT from July 2010 to June 2016 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were retrospectively analyzed.Based on the findings of chest CT,the subjects were divided into 2 groups:OP group and unoccult pneumonia (UOP) group.The comparisons were made between 2 groups,including gender,age,season,course of disease before admitting to hospital,formation of ascites,white blood cells,C-reactive protein,erythrocyte sedimentation rate,total protein (TP),albumin (ALB),total cholesterol,immunoglobulin G (IgG),immunoglobulin E,urine N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) and 24 h urinary protein quantity/body weight.The single factor analysis was performed to analyze above indicators between 2 groups,and the indicators which had statistical significance were analyzed by single factor analysis were analyzed by the multifactor Logistic regression.The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to evaluate the predicting ability of the indicators for PNS combined with OP.Results Among 1 15 cases,68 (59.1％) PNS patients were complicated with OP.The result of single factor analysis indicated that the risk factors were the formation of ascites,TP,ALB,IgG and NAG (all P ＜0.05).The multifactor Logistic regression showed that ascites,TP and ALB were the risk factors for OP in children with PNS(P =0.003,0.004,0.003).The area under curve (AUC) of ALB was 0.709,and the critical value was 18.55 g/L(P =0.000);the AUC of TP was 0.658,and the critical value was 39.15 g/L(P =0.004).Conclusion The incidence rate of PNS combined with OP was high.With the presence of formation of ascites,TP ＜39.15 g/L and ALB ＜ 18.55 g/L,it may indicate OP for the PNS children which require special consideration clinically and earlier chest CT examination.

Objective To discuss the clinical characteristics and prognosis of lipoprotein glomerulopathy (LPG) in chil-dren. Method Clinical data of one pediatric LPG patient were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical features and prognosis of childhood LPG were summarized based on literature review. Results A nine years old girl presented with frequent urination. The ifrst urine test revealed hematuria and proteinuria. After one week anti-infection treatment, the hematuria and proteinuria were continued. The serum albumin was slightly reduced. The hyperlipidemia and mild anemia were emerged. Kidney biopsy showed that enlarged glomeruli, with dilated capillary loops and weak eosinophilic lipoprotein thrombi in the capillary lumina under the light microscope;layered or tuftedemboluscontaining particulated lipid vacuoles under electron microscope. Gene sequencing identified APOE Tokyo (Leu141-Lys143→0). The diagnosis of LPG was confirmed. The lipid-lowering therapy was administrated and the disease was alleviated. Conclusion LPG is a rare disease in children. The level of blood lipid was signiifcantly increased, and the hormone therapy was ineffective. Kidney biopsy is the main basis for diagnosis. The genetic testing can prompt the genetic background. Lipid lowering therapy can relieve the progress of the disease.

Objective To compare the effectiveness,safety and related clinical indicators between simple drainage treatment and drainage treatment combined with intrathoracic urokinase for children with parapneumonic pleural effusion(PPE).Methods Twenty-nine in patients with PPE given pleural effusion drainage in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2013 to December 2015 were selected as research subjects,who were divided into a simple group and an urokinase group based on whether intrathoracic urokinase was injected or not.The total number of hospital stay,the total drainage volume,the total number of catheter days,the total cost,the days with fever,efficient rate,operation rate and security of the patients were retrospectively analyzed between two groups.Results The intrathoracic days of hospital stay [M(P25,P75)] of urokinase group[19(11,30) days]were less than those of simple group[30(21,38) days],and the difference was significant (Z =-2.545,P =0.011);the total drainage volume[M(P25,P75)] of the urokinase group [430 (175,1 308) mL] was more than that of the simple group [110 (10,325)mL],and the difference was significant (Z =-2.811,P =0.005);the total number of catheter days [M (P25,P75)] of urokinase group [9 (7,19) days] was less than that of the simple group [20 (10,30) days],and the difference was significant (Z =-2.020,P =0.043);the total cost [M(P25,P75)] of the urokinase group [20 000(10 000,30 000)RMB] was less than that of the simple group [40 000 (30 000,50 000) RMB],and the difference was significant (Z =-2.631,P =0.009);the days with fever between urokinase group and the simple group was not significant (Z =-0.820,P =0.412).The urokinase group had a higher cure rate[76.9％ (10/13 cases)] and a lower surgical rate [23.1％ (3/13 cases)] compared with those of the simple group[18.7％ (3/16 cases),81.3％ (3/16 cases)],and the difference was significant (x2 =9.814,P =0.003).Conclusions Intrapleural urokinase therapy as an adjuvant treatment of PPE is simple and convenient,economic,higher efficiency,lower risk,which can be used as an effective clinical solution such disease.