OBJECTIVE To investigate the efficacy and safety of ivabradine in the treatment of end-stage renal disease patients with chronic heart failure （CHF） during maintenance hemodialysis （MHD）. METHODS End-stage renal disease patients with CHF during MHD who were treated in our hospital from May 2021 to September 2023 and met the inclusion criteria were selected as the study subjects. They were randomly divided into control group and observation group， with 60 cases in each group， using a random number table method. Both groups of patients received MHD three times a week for 4 hours each time and were anticoagulated with low-molecular weight heparin sodium. At the same time， they were treated with CHF conventional therapy； based on the above treatment， observation group was orally administered Ivabradine tablets 5 mg， twice a day （if the resting heart rate was above 60 beats/min after 2 weeks， the drug dose was increased to 7.5 mg， twice a day）. Both groups of patients were treated continuously for 6 months. The clinical efficacy of 2 groups was compared as well as vital signs， cardiac function， the levels of heart failure- related biomarkers and inflammatory factors before and after treatment， and the incidences of dialysis-related hypotension and adverse drug reactions. RESULTS The effective rate of the observation group （92.45%） was significantly higher than that of the control group （76.47%）， and the incidence of dialysis-related hypotension （20.75%） was significantly lower than that of the control group （41.18%） （P＜0.05）. The heart rate， the levels of left ventricular end-systolic diameter， left ventricular end-diastolic diameter， serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide， cancer antigen 125， tumor necrosis factor-α， interleukin-6， and hypersensitive C-reactive protein in observation group after treatment were significantly lower than those of control group （P＜0.05）； the left ventricular ejection fraction and cardiac output were significantly higher than those in the control group （P＜0.05）. There was no statistically significant difference in the diastolic blood pressure， systolic blood pressure， or the total incidence of adverse drug reactions between the two groups after treatment （P＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Ivabradine can significantly improve cardiac function， inhibit ventricular remodeling， down-regulate serum levels of serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and cancer antigen 125， decrease body inflammation levels and the incidence of dialysis-related hypotension in end-stage renal disease patients with CHF during MHD， with significant clinical effects and good safety.

Hepatocyte transplantation is considered a promising alternative treatment to liver transplantation. Although the safety and efficacy of hepatocyte transplantation in the treatment of acute liver failure and certain inherited metabolic diseases of the liver have been validated in many clinical trials, clinical hepatocyte transplantation still faces many problems and limitations, such as a shortage of high-quality donor organs, reduced cell viability after cryopreservation, low cell implantation and proliferation rates, and allogeneic hepatocyte rejection. This article reviews the latest basic research and clinical application progress in hepatocyte transplantation.

Objective:To investigate the role of signal lymphocyte activating molecule family member 5 (SLAMF5) in liver transplantation rejection in SD rats.Methods:Forty-five male SD rats without special pathogens, weight 260-300 g, aged 10-12 weeks were included. Among them, forty male SD rats (20 donors and 20 recipients respectively) were established with reference to the " two cuff" method. 15 liver transplantation model rats were randomly divided into 1 week (LT-1W) group, 2 weeks (LT-2W) group and 3 weeks (LT-3W) group, with 5 rats in each group, and 5 normal rats were taken as the normal control group. The expressions of SLAMF5, CD4 and CD8 were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Western blot and immunohistochemistry. The correlations between SLAMF5 expression in the lymphocyte infiltration area and the rejection activity index was analyzed.Results:The levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and total bilirubin were significantly higher in LT-1W group, LT-2W group and LT-3W group than those in the normal control group (all P<0.05). PCR results showed that the relative expression of SLAMF5 mRNA were (5.44±1.11), (4.69±1.12), (2.18±0.68) respectively, which were increased in LT-1W group, LT-2W group and LT-3W group than those in normal control group (1.01±0.23), and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Immunohistochemical staining showed that SLAMF5 and CD4, CD8 positive T cells were mainly distributed in the portal area, hepatic lobule area and around the proliferative bile duct, and there was a certain overlap. Correlation analysis showed that there was a positive correlation between the expression of SLAMF5 in the lymphocyte infiltration area and the rejection activity index ( r=0.519, P=0.048). Conclusion:The expression of SLAMF5 is increased after liver transplantation in SD rats, and there is a correlation between SLAMF5 expression and liver transplantation rejection in rats.

To analyzed a case of pediatric patient with propionic acidemia combined with dilated cardiomyopathy retrospectively, who underwent living donor liver transplantation at the Liver Transplantation Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University in March 2019.A 2 years and 6 months female child was admitted to hospital for propionic acidemia.The pretransplant echocardiogram showed left ventricular dilatation and systolic dysfunction, and thus dilated cardiomyopathy was considered.A living donor liver transplant was performed using her mother′s left latera-llobe.On the 14 months postoperatively, the child was on a liberated protein diet, but still required levocarnitine supplementation.Her hepatic and cardiac function returned normal, but growth retardation was still present.During the follow-up period, further propionic acidemia-related complications like metabolic decompensation, or any transplant-related complications were not reported.This case report suggested that liver transplantation is effective on pediatric propionic acidemia combined with cardiomyopathy, which reverses cardiomyopathy, improves cardiac function, relieves strict protein restriction, reduces the risk of metabolic decompensation, and significantly improves quality of life.

Objective:To study the effect of microRNA (miR)-330-3p on hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) in mice, meanwhile, and to determine potential molecular mechanism.Methods:Eighty male C57BL/6 mice, aged 7-8 weeks, 23-25 g, specific pathogen free, were randomly divided into 8 groups (10 mice in each group) using random number table: reperfusion 2 h group, 6 h group, 12 h group, 24 h group, sham group, miR-330-3p agomir group (preoperative injection of agonist), miR-330-3p antagomir group (preoperative injection of inhibitor) and miRNA-NC group. Except for the sham group, the hepatic IRI model were established in mice. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression of miR-330-3p and phosphoglycerate mutase family member 5 (PGAM5), cleave caspase-1 and GSDMD. Luciferase reporter assay was performed to investigate whether miR-330-3p directly targets PGAM5. At the same time, AML12 cells were also treated with miR-330-3p mimics/inhibitor or PGAM5 siRNA, then the expression of PGAM5, NLRP3, cleave caspase-1 and GSDMD were detected by Western blot analysis.Results:Level of miR-330-3p gradually decreased after reperfusion, however, mRNA level of PGAM5 was increased thereafter ( P<0.05) as compared with the sham group. Serum level of AST and ALT were decreased in miR-330-3p agomir group while that of were increased in miR-330-3p antagomir group as a function of time following reperfusion, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Cleave caspase-1 expression was decreased in miR-330-3p agomir group but was increased in miR-330-5p antagomir group ( P<0.05). Luciferase reporter assay was performed to determine PGAM5 was a target gene of miR-330-3p. SiRNA-mediated knockdown of PGAM5 decreased level of GAM5 (0.24±0.09), NLRP3(0.12±0.07), cleave caspase-1 (0.15±0.07) and GSDMD (1.08±0.08) as compared with the siRNA-NC group (1.17±0.14), (0.36±0.09), (0.68±0.09), (1.36±0.08), and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Conclusion:MiR-330-3p can alleviate hepatic IRI in mice, which may be related to inhibition of PGAM5-induced pyroptosis.

Hypersplenism is a common and serious complication in patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Currently, the therapeutic options for severe hypersplenism mainly include total splenectomy, partial splenic embolization, local thermal ablation, splenic artery ligation, surgical shunt, and partial splenectomy. This article discussed the current progress in the relative mechanisms and invasive treatment of severe secondary hypersplenism in the patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension.

Objective To investigate the safety and effectiveness of anatomical partial splenectomy during liver transplantation in pediatric patients to prevent postoperative refractory hypersplenism.Methods From January 2015 to August 2018,7 pediatric patients with preoperative severe hypersplenism underwent anatomical subtotal splenectomy together with liver transplantation at our institution.Clinical informations,including operative time,intraoperative bleedinh,postoperative hospital stay,postoperative complications,platelet counts,leukocyte counts and the length and thickness of spleen determined by abdominal ultrasound,were collected retrospectively and statistically analyzed.Results The median total operation time was 495 min (320-768 min),the median intraoperative blood loss was 350 mL (300-1300 mL) and the median hospital stay was 19 days (14-55 days).Patients were followed up for 7.0-36.6 months (median 20.1 months).The length and thickness of spleen were reduced immediately from (18.89 ± 1.77) to (11.13 ± 2.28) cm (P＜0.001)and from (6.31 ± 0.53) to (4.97 ± 1.29) cm (P＜0.05),respectively.During the follow-up period of the first week,the mean platelet counts and leukocyte counts increased from (46.71 ± 18.91) × 109/L to (173.71 ± 73.15) × 109/L (P＜0.001) and from (1.59 ± 0.42) × 109/L to (11.12 ± 4.17) × 109/L (P＜0.001),respectively.During the one-year follow-up period,there was no residual splenic regrowth,and the peripheral blood cell counts remained normal.All patients survived to date with no procedure-related complications.Conclusions The anatomical subtotal splenectomy during liver transplantation in pediatric transplant recipients with preoperative severe splenomegaly and hypersplenism is a feasible option for the prevention of posttransplant refractory hypersplenism.

Objective To analyze the donor specific antibody (DSA) in liver transplantation,and discuss the therapeutic schemes.Methods We retrospectively analyzed prospectively collected samples from 139 cases of liver transplantation from September 1,2013 to July 1,2015.Luminex assays were applied to determine human leukocyte antigen,panel reactive antibody (PRA).For PRA positive cases,DSA,C1q and C4d were detected,and liver biopsy was done.Results Of 139 cases enrolled,there were 12 cases positive for DSAs,including 2 cases of PreDSA:1 case of Ⅰ DSA (HLA-A mismatch),and 1 case of Ⅱ DSA (HLA-DQ mismatch).Ten cases of de novo DSA (including 1 case of PreDSA) all were HLA-DQ mismatch.The liver biopsy on 5 cases showed hepatic fibrosis,early rejection and intrahepatic cholestasis,and only 2 cases showed positive C4d.Of 6 cases of DSA,5 cases showed positive C1q.In the patients positive for DSA,tacrolimus dose was adjusted postoperatively,adding mycophenolatemofetil or increasing its dose,or methylprednisolone and immunoglobulin given.Conclusion DSAs are important indicators of sensitized recipients in liver transplantation,associated with trends toward worse outcomes in patients or allografts.The monitoring of DSA is requisite in order to adjust the immunosuppressant.

Objective: To conduct an epidemiological investigation of two leptospirosis death cases reported in Guizhou Province in 2014. Methods: The information of the patients were investigated and analyzed. The serological detection, samples of the two patients was detected using ELISA and microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Leptospira carrier status of murine host animal in the living environment of the two patients was investigated in October and November of 2014. Leptospires in the kidney were cultured and isolated, the isolates were identified using Leptospira specific PCR and further identified with serogroup specific PCR and the conventional MAT. The relativity between the carrier status of murine and the death cases of human leptospirosis was analyzed. Results: The two death cases of human leptospirosis came from Liping County and the clinical symptoms were consistent with the diagnosis criteria for Leptospirosis. The results of ELISA detection showed that the anti-Leptospira antibody was positive for one of the death cases, MAT identified the serum reacted with sera-group icterohaemorrhagiae Leptospira, while the serum sample of the other case was failed to perform antibody detection due to hemolysis. 1 600 traps were placed in the living environment of the two death cases and 183 murine rodents were trapped. The murine density was 11.44% (183/1 600); 40 leptospirea suspected strains were isolated and all of them were isolated from Apodemus agrarius. The positive rate was 21.86% (40/183); 95 Apodemus agrarius were trapped and the murine density was 5.93% (95/1 600). Species specific PCR identified all the 40 strains as Leptospire. Serogroup specific PCR further identification showed that they were iterohaemorrahgiae serogroup Leptospria. interrogans. Conclusion Anti-iterohaemorrahgiae Leptospira antibody was detected from one of the two patients. 40 strains of iterohaemorrahgiae serogroup Leptospira interrogans were isolated and all of them were isolated from Apodemus agrarius in the living environment and the serogroup of the Leptospira matched with the serological detection results from patients, which indicated that the two death cases were caused by the infection of iterohaemorrahgiae serogroup Leptospira interrogans, and Apodemus agrarius were the potential source of infection.

Objective To investigate the effects of Leptospira interrogans ( L. interrogans) infec-tion on the activities of NADPH oxidase ( nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-oxidase) and the lev-els of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in THP-1 and J774A. 1 cells and to understand the bactericidal mecha-nisms of macrophages in different hosts against L. interrogans. Methods Human mononuclear macrophage cell line (THP-1 cells) and murine mononuclear macrophage cell line (J774A. 1 cells) were infected with L. interrogans strain 56601. The activities of NADPH oxidase and the levels of superoxide ion ( O-2 ) were measured with spectrophotography. Changes in the levels of ROS were detected with immunofluorescence as-say. Results Compared with the normal cells, the activities of NADPH oxidase in L. interrogans-infected J774A. 1 cells changed from 0. 619 0 μmol · min-1 · mg-1 to 0. 305 5 μmol · min-1 · mg-1 , 6. 141 5μmol·min-1 ·mg-1 , 1. 487 1μmol·min-1 ·mg-1 and 0. 964 6μmol·min-1 ·mg-1 after 2, 4, 12 and 24 hours of infection, respectively (P<0. 05), while the activities of NADPH oxidase in L. interrogans-infected THP-1 cells were up-regulated from 0. 723 5μmol·min-1 ·mg-1 to 0. 884 2μmol·min-1 ·mg-1 , 1. 897 1μmol·min-1 ·mg-1 , 1. 125 4 μmol·min-1 ·mg-1 and 0. 562 7 μmol·min-1 ·mg-1 , respectively ( P<0. 05). The levels of O-2 in L. interrogans-infected J774A. 1 cells at the time points of 2 h, 4 h, 12 h and 24 h after infection increased from 0. 189 0μmol/L to 0. 236 3μmol/L, 0. 297 7μmol/L, 0. 324 0μmol/L and 0. 305 7 μmol/L, respectively (P<0. 05), while the levels of O-2 in L. interrogans-infected THP-1 cells rose from 0. 123 7 μmol/L to 0. 149 3 μmol/ L, 0. 249 0 μmol/ L, 0. 270 0 μmol/ L and 0. 272 7μmol/L, respectively (P<0. 05). The fluorescence intensity of ROS in THP-1 and J774A. 1 cells increased gradually after infection with L. interrogans for 2 h and decreased after reaching the peak at 24 h. Conclu-sion Both the activities of NADPH oxidase and the levels of O-2 in J774A. 1 and THP-1 cells were signifi-cantly upregulated after infected with L. interrogans, especially in J774A. 1 cells. The results of this study provided references for further elucidating the bactericidal mechanisms of macrophages in different hosts against L. interrogans.