Objective:To evaluate left ventricular structural and functional abnormalities and vascular calcification in kidney transplant (KT) recipients, explore their influencing factors and examine the effects of mineral and bone disorders.Methods:From January 2017 to December 2019, retrospective analysis was performed for 292 KT recipients. Biochemical markers of bone metabolism, bone mineral density (BMD), left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular diastolic function, coronary artery calcification (CAC) score and thoracic aortic calcification (TAC) score were assessed. Linear regression and binary Logistic regression analyses were employed for evaluating the influencing factors of cardiovascular parameters and the influence of abnormal mineral and bone metabolism.Results:Postoperative abnormalities in mineral and bone disorders were manifested mostly as hypercalcemia (8.9%, 26/292), hypophosphatemia (27.1%, 79/292), low 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)vitD) (67.0%, 196/292), hyperparathyroidismhigh parathyroid hormone (PTH) (50.6%, 148/292), elevated bone turnover markers and bone loss rate of 25%-30%. The prevalence of LVH, LVEF<50%, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, high CAC score and high TAC score were 39.9%(116/292), 0%, 13.1%(38/292), 17.3%(50/292) and 39.9%(116/292) respectively. The results of multivariate analysis indicated that LVH was correlated positively with hypertension and serum calcium (Ca) (95% CI: 1.242-28.080, P=0.026; 95% CI: 1.714-277.584, P=0.018); LVEF was correlated positively with lumbar vertebrae BMD (95% CI: 0.000 1-0.005 5, P=0.041); Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction was correlated positively with age, diabetes and parathyroid hyperplasia/nodules (95% CI: 1.050-1.176, P<0.001; 95% CI: 2.118-43.813, P=0.003 and 95% CI: 1.419-9.103, P=0.007); High CAC score was correlated positively with recipient age and dialysis time (95% CI: 1.036-1.160, P=0.001; 95% CI: 1.009-1.041, P=0.002); High TAC score was correlated positively with age (95% CI: 1.095-1.215, P<0.001). Correlation analysis indicated that TAC was correlated positively with serum Ca ( r=0.233, P=0.003), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP)( r=0.325, P<0.001) and type Ⅰ collagen cross-linked N-terminal peptide (NTX)( r=0.204, P=0.011) and negatively with femoral neck BMD ( r=0.194, P=0.017). Conclusions:There is a high prevalence of left ventricular structural and functional abnormalities and vascular calcification. It is closely correlated with mineral and bone disorders.

Objective:To observe the efficacy and safety of Iguratimod in reducing the level of panel reactive antibodies in renal transplant recipients.Methods:The clinical data of 35 patients with PRA-positive renal transplant recipients were retrospectively analyzed. All recipients were treated with Iguratimod for PRA-positive. The changes in PRA levels before and after treatment and the adverse events were observed.Results:Of the 35 recipients, 4 of them were discontinued due to pulmonary infection, and 2 patients were discontinued during the observation period. 3 patients were lost to follow-up. A total of 26 recipients were included. When Iguratimod was taken to 9 months, the PRA was reviewed. 71.5 % of the 207 sites showed a downward trend, 69.9 % of the 107 class I sites and 75.9 % of the 41 class II site showed a downward trend, and there was no difference in renal function before and after treatment. There were no significant changes in blood routine, liver function, blood lipids, and blood glucose. There were no other adverse events.Conclusions:Iguratimod can effectively reduce the level of PRA in renal transplant recipients with less adverse events.

Objective:To evaluate the values of bone mineral density(BMD)of renal transplant recipients and analyze the influencing factors so as to provide rationales for preventing and treating osteoporosis after renal transplantation.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted for clinical data of 254 renal transplant recipients hospitalized from January 2017 to May 2019. The values of BMD of right femoral neck and lumbar vertebrae were detected by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry(DEXA)and their relationships with other clinical parameters analyzed.Results:The average age was(40.5±9.8)years. Males accounted for 66.1 %, and menopausal women 5.9 %. The prevalence of osteopenia/osteoporosis of right femoral neck bone mass and lumbar vertebrae was 20.1 %, 2.8 % and 26.1 %, 3.6 % respectively. Chi-square test showed that recipients with lower BMD of femoral neck and lumbar spine were elders, menopausal women and those with longer postoperative time( P<0.05). Multivariate linear regression analysis indicated that BMD of right femoral neck was positively correlated with BMI and negatively correlated with acute rejection( P<0.05). The BMD of lumbar vertebrae was positively correlated with BMI and negatively correlated with PTH level ( P<0.05). Conclusions:There is a high prevalence of bone loss in kidney transplant recipients. Regular monitoring of BMD, active control of hyperparathyroidism, maintaining an excellent nutritional status, tapering of glucocorticoid dose and using immunosuppressants with less effect on bone metabolism may prevent osteoporosis.

Objective:To observe the efficacy and safety of quadruple low-dose immunosuppressant maintenance therapy of sirolimus(SRL), calcineurin inhibitors(CNIs), mycophenolate mofetil(MMF)and glucocorticoid in recipients switched within three months after renal transplantation.Methods:This retrospective study recruited 61 recipients on quadruple immunosuppressive therapy within three months after renal transplantation from 2013 to 2018. The changes of serum creatinine(SCr), blood urea nitrogen(BUN), hemoglobin(HGB), white blood cell(WBC), platelet(PLT), liver function, fasting blood-glucose(FBG), serum lipid, electrolyte and urine protein before and after using this protocol were recorded.Results:No significant difference existed between before and after protocol switching in WBC or serum sodium. But after protocol switching, significant differences could be observed in SCr, BUN, serum calcium, serum potassium, aspartate transaminase(AST), PLT, alanine transaminase(ALT), HGB, FBG, triglycerides(TG)and cholesterol(TC, P<0.05). Urine protein negative rate was 44.26 % before switching. However, it was 81.97 % after protocol switching. After switching during a 1-year follow-up period, the incidence of pulmonary infection rate was 24.59 %, the incidence of BKV infection rate 4.92 %, the incidence of transplant renal artery stenosis 3.28 % and the incidence of acute rejection 6.56 %. Conclusions:Quadruple low-dose immunosuppression maintenance therapy of SRL, CNIs, MMF and glucocorticoid switched within 3 months after renal transplantation may be an effective and safe protocol of improving renal allograft function and enhancing recipient prognosis.

Objective To explore the early diagnosis and treatment for transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS) through single-center retrospective study.Methods Clinical manifestation,laboratory tests and imaging data in 287 patients underwent renal transplantation in our center were analyzed retrospectively.Ultrasound parameters in TRAS patients and non-TRAS patients was compared to discover the thresholds of some CDUS parameters.Changes of ultrasound parameter and serum creatinine in TRAS patients and non-TRAS patients were compared.The changes of blood pressure and serum creatinine before and after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) were observed.Results Totally 13 cases had TRAS in the 287 patients.Renal artery PSV ＞ 250 cm/s,interlobar artery resistance index (RI) ＜0.51,PSV ratio of the renal artery to the interlobar artery ＞ 10 were considered as the color doppler ultrasound (CDUS) diagnostic threshold.Symptomatic TRAS patients and asymptomatic TRAS patients were treated by PTA,and the serum creatinine and mean arterial pressure significantly decreased (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Monitoring renal allograft blood flow and clinical manifestation after renal transplantation is helpful for early diagnosis of TRAS in the postoperatively follow-up.Transplant renal artery PSV ＞ 250 cm/s,interlobar artery RI ＜ 0.51 and PSV ratio of the renal artery to the interlobar artery ＞ 10 can be considered as the CDUS diagnostic threshold.

Objective To explore the early diagnosis and treatment for transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS) through single-center retrospective study.Methods Clinical manifestation,laboratory tests and imaging data in 287 patients underwent renal transplantation in our center were analyzed retrospectively.Ultrasound parameters in TRAS patients and non-TRAS patients was compared to discover the thresholds of some CDUS parameters.Changes of ultrasound parameter and serum creatinine in TRAS patients and non-TRAS patients were compared.The changes of blood pressure and serum creatinine before and after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) were observed.Results Totally 13 cases had TRAS in the 287 patients.Renal artery PSV ＞ 250 cm/s,interlobar artery resistance index (RI) ＜0.51,PSV ratio of the renal artery to the interlobar artery ＞ 10 were considered as the color doppler ultrasound (CDUS) diagnostic threshold.Symptomatic TRAS patients and asymptomatic TRAS patients were treated by PTA,and the serum creatinine and mean arterial pressure significantly decreased (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Monitoring renal allograft blood flow and clinical manifestation after renal transplantation is helpful for early diagnosis of TRAS in the postoperatively follow-up.Transplant renal artery PSV ＞ 250 cm/s,interlobar artery RI ＜ 0.51 and PSV ratio of the renal artery to the interlobar artery ＞ 10 can be considered as the CDUS diagnostic threshold.

Objective To discuss the risk factors on short-term prognosis after kidney transplantation from donors after cardiac death (DCD). Methods We retrospectively analyzed the information of donors and recipients who performed DCD donor kidney transplantation in our center between January 2011 and August 2015, including 64 donors and 95 recipients. Also, we analyzed the potential relationship among donors' clinical characteristics and the early recovery of graft function, including the incidence of delayed graft function(DGF)and the serum creatinine (SCr) on the 90th day, and infection rate after kidney transplantation.Results We found that when donors had the factors of WIT>10 min, urine volume<100 ml/h, SBP≤100 mmHg or a history of CPR, the incidence of recipients' DGF were 55.6%,73.3%,62.5%,77.8% respectively with a significant difference. Recipients would have more chance to be infected if donors have the following characteristics: male, older than 50 years, died of cerebral hemorrhage which was caused by cardiovascular diseases, WIT>30 min, treated in ICU for more than 10 days or infection. Conclusions Nowadays, DCD has become the main graft source in Chinese kidney transplantation. This research indicates that the donors' factors may affect the recovery of graft function and the incidence of infection after kidney transplantation to some extent.By evaluating rigorously and preserving quality of renal grafts carefully, DCD would become more safe and valid.

OBJECTIVETo study the technique and clinical outcomes of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy for high risk prostate cancer.

METHODSA total of 65 patients with high risk prostate cancer were treated with surgery in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2011 to June 2013. The mean age was 67 years (range 45-75 years). The mean preoperative prostate specific antigen (PSA) level was 26.7 µg/L (range 11.2-65.5 µg/L). The transrectal biopsy revealed Gleason score of 3+3 in 4 patients, Gleason 3+4 in 27 patients, Gleason 4+3 in 11 patients, Gleason 4+4 in 21 patients and Gleason 4+5 in 2 patients. The bone metastasis was excluded by scintigraphy examination. The surgical procedures were performed through transperitoneal approach. Extended pelvic lymph nodes dissection was performed after the removal of the prostate. Adjuvant radiotherapy or hormonal therapy was administrated according to the pathological results. Serum PSA was detected every 1 to 2 month and urinary continence was evaluated every 3 month in the first year, and then serum PSA was detected every 2 to 3 month.

RESULTSThe mean operative time was (134±21) minutes and the median blood loss was (300±146) ml. Bladder neck reconstruction was performed in 15 cases. The drainage was removed on postoperative day 4 and the catheter was removed on day 7. Pathologic results demonstrated pT2 in 25 patients, pT3a in 28 patients, pT3b in 9 patients and pT4 in 3 patients. Positive surgical margin was presented in 15 patients. A median of 19 lymph nodes (range 11-24 nodes) were retrieved during lymphadenectomy and 11 patients had lymph nodes metastasis with a total of 19 positive nodes. Forty-three patients recovered continence after the removal of catheter. Eleven patients received adjuvant hormonal therapy and 19 patients received adjuvant radiation therapy. With the median of 20 months follow-up (range 12-30 months), 5 patients got biochemical recurrence.

CONCLUSIONSLaparoscopic radical prostatectomy with extended lymph nodes dissection for high risk prostate cancer is safe and technical feasible. It provides accurate information on tumor stage and grade. It is an important component of multimodality for the treatment of high risk prostate cancer.

Aged ; Biopsy ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Grading ; Postoperative Period ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; blood ; Prostatectomy ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; surgery

BACKGROUNDEarly detection of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is a big challenge in smear negative and sputum scarce patients in China. Simultaneous amplification and testing methods for detection of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) complex (SAT-TB assay) is a novel molecular technique established in our hospital. This method has a high sensitivity and specificity in the lab. In this study, the clinical diagnostic performance of this method in smear-negative or sputum-scarce PTB suspects was investigated and evaluated.

METHODSTwo hundred smear negative and 80 sputum-scarce patients were recruited in this study. Samples that included sputum or bronchial washing fluid were collected and sent for both bacteria culture and SAT-TB assay. Diagnosis for these patients was based on the comprehensive evaluation of chestX- ray/CT study, histology examination, lab results, and treatment response. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) for each diagnostic test were investigated and calculated using confirmed tuberculosis (TB) and non-TB cases. The time required for detection of MTB was also measured for each method.

RESULTSNinety-two patients (33%) were diagnosed as definitive TB, 112 patients (40%) were probable PTB, and 76 (27%) were non-TB. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of SAT-TB in smear-negative PTB suspects were 93% (95% CI, 84%-98%), 98% (95% CI, 90%-100%), 98% (95% CI, 91%-100%), and 93% (95% CI, 83%-98%). In sputum scarce PTB suspects, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of the SAT-TB assay on bronchial washing fluids were 90% (95% CI, 74%-98%), 100% (95% CI, 85%-100%), 100% (95% CI, 88%-100%), and 88% (95% CI, 69%-97%). The accuracy of the SAT-TB assay is consistent with the bacteria culture assay. The median time required for detecting MTB in the SAT-TB assay was 0.5 day, which was much faster than bacteria culture (28 days).

CONCLUSIONSThe SAT-TB assay is a fast and accurate method for the detection of MTB. It can be widely applied in the clinic and be an asset in early detection and management of PTB suspects, especially in those patients who are smear negative or sputum scarce.

Adult ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; genetics ; pathogenicity ; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques ; methods ; Sputum ; microbiology ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary ; diagnosis ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDOver the past two decades, the clinical presentation of renal masses has evolved, where the rising incidence of small renal masses (SRMs) and concomitant minimal invasive treatments have led to noteworthy changes in paradigm of kidney cancer. This study was to perform a proportional meta-analysis of observational studies on perioperative complications and oncological outcomes of partial nephrectomy (PN) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA).

METHODSThe US National Library of Medicine's life science database (Medline) and the Web of Science were exhaustly searched before August 1, 2013. Clinical stage 1 SRMs that were treated with PN or RFA were included, and perioperative complications and oncological outcomes of a total of 9 565 patients were analyzed.

RESULTSPatients who underwent RFA were significantly older (P < 0.001). In the subanalysis of stage T1 tumors, the major complication rate of PN was greater than that of RFA (laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN)/robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN): 7.2%, open partial nephrectomy (OPN): 7.9%, RFA: 3.1%, both P < 0.001). Minor complications occurred more frequently after RFA (RFA: 13.8%, LPN/RPN: 7.5%, OPN: 9.5%, both P < 0.001). By multivariate analysis, the relative risks for minor complications of RFA, compared with LPN and OPN, were 1.7-fold and 1.5-fold greater (both P < 0.01), respectively. Patients treated with RFA had a greater local progression rate than those treated by PN (RFA: 4.6%, LPN/RPN: 1.2%, OPN: 1.9%, both P < 0.001). By multivariate analysis, the local tumor progression for RFA versus LPN/RPN and OPN were 4.5-fold and 3.1-fold greater, respectively (both P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSThe current data illustrate that both PN and RFA are viable strategies for the treatment of SRMs. Compared with PN, RFA showed a greater risk of local tumor progression but a lower major complication rate, which is considered better for poor candidates. PN is with no doubt the golden treatment for SRMs, and LPN has been widely accepted as the first option for nephron-sparing surgery by experienced urologists. RFA may be the best option for select patients with significant comorbidity.

Catheter Ablation ; adverse effects ; methods ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; surgery ; therapy ; Nephrectomy ; adverse effects ; methods