Clinicopathological characteristics and gene mutations in 11 patients with lipoprotein glomerulopathy

OBJECTIVE

Lipoprotein glomerulopathy (LPG) is a rare disorder characterized by the development of glomerular lipoprotein thrombosis. LPG exhibits familial aggregation, with mutations in the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene identified as the leading cause of this disease. This study aimed to investigate APOE gene mutations and the clinicopathological features in eleven LPG patients.

METHODS

Clinicopathological and follow-up data were obtained by extracting DNA, followed by APOE coding region sequencing analysis. This study analyzed clinical and pathological manifestations, gene mutations, treatment and prognosis.

RESULTS

The mean age of the eleven patients was 33.82 years. Among them, five had a positive family history for LPG, ten presented with proteinuria, four exhibited nephrotic syndrome, and six presented with microscopic hematuria. Dyslipidemia was identified in ten patients. In all renal specimens, there was evident dilation of glomerular capillary lumens containing lipoprotein thrombi, and positive oil red O staining was observed in frozen sections of all samples. APOE gene testing revealed that one patient had no mutations, while the remaining ten patients exhibited mutations in the APOE gene, with three patients presenting with multiple mutations simultaneously. Following the confirmation of LPG diagnosis, treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI)/angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) was initiated, and the disease progressed slowly.

CONCLUSION

LPG is histologically characterized by lamellated lipoprotein thrombi in glomeruli, and kidney biopsy is essential for diagnosis. Mutations in the APOE gene are the leading cause of LPG. This study revealed clinicopathological characteristics and APOE gene mutations in patients with LPG, which helps us better understand the disease.

[Research progress on the role of resveratrol in wound healing]

The difficulty of wound healing in patients is a difficult problem that doctors in all clinical departments may encounter, and there is still no good solution. Resveratrol is a kind of natural active substance, which has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and angiogenesis promoting effects, and is a potential drug to promote wound healing. However, the clinical application of resveratrol is limited due to its low bioavailability. In this review, the molecular mechanism of resveratrol in promoting wound healing and its administration methods in wound treatment were reviewed to provide ideas for the redevelopment of resveratrol.

[Research progress on HEG1 in cardiovascular generation and tumor development]

Heart development protein with EGF-like domains 1 (HEG1) is a novel mucin-like membrane protein with a long O-glycosylation region and EGF domain. HEG1 plays critical roles in embryo development and cardiogenesis, and is closely related to the occurrence and progression of malignant tumors. Here this article demonstrates the research progress on HEG1 in cardiovascular formation and tumor development in recent years, to inspire new ideas for the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of related diseases.

Anti-complement factor H (CFH) autoantibodies could delay pristane-induced lupus nephritis

PURPOSE

Anti-complement factor H (CFH) autoantibodies could be detected in lupus and its significance remained to be elucidated. Herein, we aimed to explore the roles of anti-CFH autoantibodies based on pristane-induced lupus mice.

METHODS

Twenty-four female Balb/c mice were randomly divided into four groups, with one group injected with pristane (pristane group), one group with pristane and then human CFH (hCFH) (pristane-CFH group) 3 times, and the other two as vertical controls, PBS group and PBS-CFH group. Histopathological analysis was performed six months after pristane administration. Levels of hCFH, anti-CFH autoantibodies and anti-dsDNA antibody were detected. Murine IgG (mIgG) were purified and cross-reactivity, epitopes, subclasses and functional analysis were further evaluated in vitro.

RESULTS

Immunization with hCFH and subsequent development of anti-CFH autoantibodies significantly attenuated nephritis of pristane-induced lupus, including lower levels of urinary protein and serum creatinine, decreased levels of serum anti-dsDNA antibody, greatly ameliorated renal histopathologic damage, decreased IgG, complements (C1q, C3) deposits and lower inflammatory factor (IL-6) expression in glomerulus. Furthermore, the purified mIgG (contained anti-CFH autoantibodies) could recognize both hCFH and murine CFH, and the epitopes were predominantly located in hCFH short consensus repeats (SCRs) 1-4, 7 and 11-14. The IgG subclasses were predominant IgG1. The autoantibodies could enhance the binding between hCFH and C3b, and increase factor I mediated-C3b lysis in vitro.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggested that anti-CFH autoantibodies could attenuate pristane-induced lupus nephritis by increasing bio-functions of CFH on regulating complement activation and controlling inflammation.

Clinical value of the renal pathologic scoring system in complement-mediated thrombotic microangiopathy

OBJECTIVES

This study was initiated to establish a renal thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) scoring system based on clinical needs and investigate its predictive value for patients' long-term outcomes.

METHODS

Kidney biopsy-proven Complement-mediated TMA (C-TMA) patients from January 2000 to December 2017 in Peking University First Hospital were retrospectively studied. Both acute and chronic TMA-related lesions, including 15 pathologic indices, were semiquantitatively scored. The interobserver and intraobserver reproducibility and correlation between the pathologic indices and clinical parameters were analyzed. Furthermore, the patients were divided into 2 groups by dialysis use at baseline, and the association of these pathologic indices with their prognostic outcomes was assessed between the two groups.

RESULTS

Ninety-two patients with renal biopsy-proven C-TMA were enrolled. All fifteen included pathology indices showed good or moderate interobserver and intraobserver reproducibility and correlated well with several clinical parameters. Several clinicopathological indices were worse in the dialysis group than in the nondialysis group, such as serum creatinine, hemoglobin, platelet count, and estimated glomerular filtration rate. Moreover, morphologic features in the dialysis group presented with more severe vascular lesions. Interstitial fibrosis and chronic tubulointerstitial lesions were related to a trend of high risk of continuous dialysis in the dialysis group. Based on univariate and multivariable Cox regression analysis, more severe glomerular lesions, including glomerular mesangiolysis, glomerular basement membrane double contours and glomerular mesangial proliferation, were identified as risk factors predicting worse prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our renal C-TMA semiquantitative scoring system is reliable with good reproducibility and prognostic value in clinical practice, which needs further validation.

[Progress and reflection of conversion therapy for locally advanced pancreatic cancer]

With the improvement of nonsurgical treatment in pancreatic cancer, the increasing accuracy of subclassification of anatomy, and the continuous refinement of surgical resection techniques, more and more locally advanced pancreatic cancer(LAPC) patients have the opportunity to undergo conversion surgery and achieve survival benefits,which has attracted the attention of scholars in this field. Despite the numerous prospective clinical studies conducted, there is still a lack of high-level evidence-based medical evidence in terms of conversion treatment strategies, efficacy evaluation, surgical timing and survival prognosis, and there are not yet specific quantitative standards and guiding principles for conversion treatment for these patients in clinical practice, and the indications for surgical resection rely more on the experience of each center or surgeon, lacking consistency. Therefore,the indicators for the evaluation of the efficacy of conversion treatment in patients with LAPC were summarized to reflect on the different modes of conversion treatment and clinical outcomes currently being explored, expecting to provide more accurate recommendations and guidance for the clinic.

Primary membranous nephropathy in two siblings with one combined with anti-glomerular basement membrane disease: a case report

BACKGROUND

The phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) associated with membranous nephropathy (MN) is an organ-specific autoimmune disease associated with PLA2R and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes. Familial PLA2R-related MN is rarely reported. The combination of anti-GBM disease and MN has been well documented, though the mechanism behind it remains unclear.

CASE PRESENTATION

We describe two siblings diagnosed with pathology-confirmed PLA2R-related MN 1 year apart. And one of the two siblings developed an anti-GBM disease. The high-resolution HLA typing showed identical alleles in both siblings, specifically heterozygotes of DRB1*15:01/*03:01.

CONCLUSION

We describe a familial case of PLA2R-related MN supporting the role of genetic factors that HLA-DRB1*15:01 and DRB1*03:01 predispose patients in the development of PLA2R-related MN in the Han Chinese population. The combination of MN and anti-GBM disease may also partially be associated with the same susceptible HLA allele DRB1*15:01.

[Population structure of food-borne Staphylococcus aureus in China]

Objective: To understand the population structure of food-borne Staphylococcus (S.) aureus in China. Methods: Whole genome sequencing was used to analyze 763 food-borne S. aureus strains from 16 provinces in China from 2006 to 2020. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST), staphylococcal protein A gene (spa) typing, and staphylococcal chromosome cassettemec (SCCmec) typing were conducted, and minimum spanning tree based on ST types (STs) was constructed by BioNumerics 7.5 software. Thirty-one S. aureus strains isolated from imported food products were also included in constructing the genome phylogenetic tree. Results: A total of 90 STs (20 novel types) and 160 spa types were detected in the 763 S. aureus isolates. The 72 STs (72/90, 80.0%) were related to 22 clone complexes. The predominant clone complexes were CC7, CC1, CC5, CC398, CC188, CC59, CC6, CC88, CC15, and CC25, accounting for 82.44% (629/763) of the total. The STs and spa types in the predominant clone complexes changed over the years. The methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) detection rate was 7.60%, and 7 SCCmec types were identified. The ST59-t437-Ⅳa (17.24%, 10/58), ST239-t030-Ⅲ (12.07%, 7/58), ST59-t437-Ⅴb (8.62%, 5/58), ST338-t437-Ⅴb (6.90%, 4/58) and ST338-t441-Ⅴb (6.90%, 4/58) were the main types in MRSA strains. The genome phylogenetic tree had two clades, and the strains with the same CC, ST, and spa types clustered together. All CC7 methicillin sensitive S. aureus strains were included in Clade1, while 21 clone complexes and all MRSA strains were in Clade2. The MRSA strains clustered according to the SCCmec and STs. The strains from imported food products in CC398, CC7, CC30, CC12, and CC188 had far distances from Chinese strains in the tree. Conclusions: In this study, the predominant clone complexes of food-borne strains were CC7, CC1, CC5, CC398, CC188, CC59, CC6, CC88, CC15, and CC25, which overlapped with the previously reported clone complexes of hospital and community-associated strains in China, suggesting that close attention needs to be paid to food, a vehicle of pathogen transmission in community and food poisoning.

[Study of the urban-impact on microbial communities and their virulence factors and antibiotic resistance genomes in the Nandu River, Haikou]

Objective: To explore the changes in bacterial community structure, antibiotic resistance genome, and pathogen virulence genome in river water before and after the river flowing through Haikou City and their transmission and dispersal patterns and to reveal anthropogenic disturbance's effects on microorganisms and resistance genes in the aquatic environment. Methods: The Nandu River was divided into three study areas: the front, middle and rear sections from the upstream before it flowed through Haikou City to the estuary. Three sampling sites were selected in each area, and six copies of the sample were collected in parallel at each site and mixed for 3 L per sample. Microbial community structure, antibiotic resistance, virulence factors, and mobile genetic elements were analyzed through bioinformatic data obtained by metagenomic sequencing and full-length sequencing of 16S rRNA genes. Variations in the distribution of bacterial communities between samples and correlation of transmission patterns were analyzed by principal co-ordinates analysis, procrustes analysis, and Mantel test. Results: As the river flowed through Haikou City, microbes' alpha diversity gradually decreased. Among them, Proteobacteria dominates in the bacterial community in the front, middle, and rear sections, and the relative abundance of Proteobacteria in the middle and rear sections was higher than that in the front segment. The diversity and abundance of antibiotic resistance genes, virulence factors, and mobile genetic elements were all at low levels in the front section and all increased significantly after flow through Haikou City. At the same time, horizontal transmission mediated by mobile genetic elements played a more significant role in the spread of antibiotic-resistance genes and virulence factors. Conclusions: Urbanization significantly impacts river bacteria and the resistance genes, virulence factors, and mobile genetic elements they carry. The Nandu River in Haikou flows through the city, receiving antibiotic-resistant and pathogen-associated bacteria excreted by the population. In contrast, antibiotic-resistant genes and virulence factors are enriched in bacteria, which indicates a threat to environmental health and public health. Comparison of river microbiomes and antibiotic resistance genomes before and after flow through cities is a valuable early warning indicator for monitoring the spread of antibiotic resistance.

Establishing a novel and sensitive assay for bioactivity determination of anti-CD25 antibodies

Anti-CD25 antibodies have been approved for renal transplantation and has been used prior to and during transplantation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, no reported bioassays have been reflected the mechanism of action (MOA) of anti-CD25 antibodies. Here, we describe the development and validation of a reporter gene assay (RGA) based on the engineered C8166-STAT5RE-Luc cells expressing endogenous IL-2 receptors and a STAT5-inducible element-driven firefly luciferase in C8166 cell lines. The RGA was fully validated according to the International Conference on the Harmonization of Technical Requirements for the Registration of Pharmaceuticals for the Human Use-Q2 (ICH-Q2). After optimization, the assay showed excellent specificity, linearity, accuracy, precision, and robustness. Due to the MOA relatedness and the excellent assay performance, the RGA is suitable for exploring the critical quality attributes (CQAs), release inspection, comparability and stability of anti-CD25 mAbs.

Genome-Wide Association Study in Acute Tubulointerstitial Nephritis

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

Polymorphisms of HLA genes may confer susceptibility to acute tubulointerstitial nephritis (ATIN), but small sample sizes and candidate gene design have hindered their investigation. The first genome-wide association study of ATIN identified two significant loci, risk haplotype DRB1*14-DQA1*0101-DQB1*0503 (DR14 serotype) and protective haplotype DRB1*1501-DQA1*0102-DQB1*0602 (DR15 serotype), with amino acid position 60 in the peptide-binding groove P10 of HLA-DR β 1 key. Risk alleles were shared among different causes of ATIN and HLA genotypes associated with kidney injury and immune therapy response. HLA alleles showed the strongest association. The findings suggest that a genetically conferred risk of immune dysregulation is part of the pathogenesis of ATIN.

BACKGROUND

Acute tubulointerstitial nephritis (ATIN) is a rare immune-related disease, accounting for approximately 10% of patients with unexplained AKI. Previous elucidation of the relationship between genetic factors that contribute to its pathogenesis was hampered because of small sample sizes and candidate gene design.

METHODS

We undertook the first two-stage genome-wide association study and meta-analysis involving 544 kidney biopsy-defined patients with ATIN and 2346 controls of Chinese ancestry. We conducted statistical fine-mapping analysis, provided functional annotations of significant variants, estimated single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based heritability, and checked genotype and subphenotype correlations.

RESULTS

Two genome-wide significant loci, rs35087390 of HLA-DQA1 ( P =3.01×10 -39 ) on 6p21.32 and rs2417771 of PLEKHA5 on 12p12.3 ( P =2.14×10 -8 ), emerged from the analysis. HLA imputation using two reference panels suggested that HLA-DRB1*14 mainly drives the HLA risk association . HLA-DRB1 residue 60 belonging to pocket P10 was the key amino acid position. The SNP-based heritability estimates with and without the HLA locus were 20.43% and 10.35%, respectively. Different clinical subphenotypes (drug-related or tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome) seemed to share the same risk alleles. However, the HLA risk genotype was associated with disease severity and response rate to immunosuppressive therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified two candidate genome regions associated with susceptibility to ATIN. The findings suggest that a genetically conferred risk of immune dysregulation is involved in the pathogenesis of ATIN.

Abnormal expression of miRNA-122 in cerebral infarction and related mechanism of regulating vascular endothelial cell proliferation and apoptosis by targeting CCNG1

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the value of serum miRNA-122 expression in the diagnosis, severity, and prognosis of Acute Cerebral Infarction (ACI) and the correlation mechanism of serum miRNA-122 on the proliferation and apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells in ACI.

METHOD

A total of 60 patients with ACI who were admitted to the emergency department of the Taizhou People's Hospital from January 1, 2019, to December 30, 2019, and 30 healthy controls during the same period were selected. General clinical data of all patients at admission were collected. Including age, sex, medical history, and inflammatory factors (C-Reactive Protein [CRP], Interleukin-6 [IL-6], Procalcitonin [PCT], Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipid carrier protein [NGAL]). The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at admission and short-term prognosis (the Modified Rankin Score [mRS]) score at 3 months after onset were recorded. The expression level of miRNA-122 in the serum of patients with ACI and normal controls was detected by reverse-transcription quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-QPCR), and the correlation between the expression level of miRNA-122 in the serum of patients with ACI and the level of inflammatory factors, NIHSS and mRS scores were analyzed. The expression levels of miRNA-122 in the serum of patients with ACI, normal people, and Human Umbilical cord Endothelial Cells (HUVECs) cultured in a blank control group were detected by RT-QPCR and statistically analyzed. MTT and flow cytometry was used to compare the proliferation and apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells in the miRNA-122 mimics and inhibitors transfection groups and the corresponding negative control group. The mRNA and protein levels of apoptosis-related factors Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase-3, and angiogenesis-related proteins Hes1, Notch1, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors (VEGF), and CCNG1 were detected by RT-QPCR and Western blot. Bioinformatics methods predicted CCNG1 to be the target of miRNA-122, and the direct targeting relationship between CCNG1 and miRNA-122 was verified by a dual-luciferase reporting assay.

RESULT

Serum miRNA-122 expression in patients with ACI was significantly higher than that in healthy controls, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.929, 95% Confidence Interval of 0.875‒0.983, and an optimal cut-off value of 1.397. The expression levels of CRP, IL-6, and NGAL in patients with ACI were higher than those in healthy control groups, p < 0.05; miRNA-122 was positively correlated with CPR, IL-6, NIHSS score, and mRS score. At 48h and 72h, the proliferation rate of HUVECs cells in the miRNA-122 mimics group decreased and the apoptosis rate increased. Cell proliferation rate increased, and apoptosis rate decreased significantly in the groups transfected with miRNA-122 inhibitors. The mRNA and protein levels of pro-apoptotic factors Bax and caspase-3 were significantly increased in the miRNA-122 mimics transfection group, while those of anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2 were significantly decreased compared to those of the control group. The expression of Bax and Caspase-3 decreased, and the expression of anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2 increased in the transfected miRNA-122 inhibitors group. mRNA expression levels of Hes1, Notch1, VEGF, and CCNG1 in the miRNA-122 mimic transfected group were significantly decreased, while mRNA expression levels in the miRNA-122 inhibitors transfected group were significantly increased. Bioinformatics showed that there was a miRNA-122 binding site in the 3'UTR region of CCNG1, and dual luciferase assay confirmed that CCNG1 was the target of miRNA-122.

CONCLUSION

Serum miRNA-122 increased significantly after ACI, which may be a diagnostic marker of ACI. miRNA-122 may be involved in the pathological process of ACI and is related to the degree of neurological impairment and short-term prognosis in patients with ACI. miRNA-122 may play a regulatory role in ACI by inhibiting cell proliferation, increasing apoptosis, and inhibiting vascular endothelial cell regeneration through the CCNG1 channel.

Clinicopathological Features of Kidney Injury Related to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Systematic Review

(1) Background: Despite increasing recognition of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and kidney immune-related adverse events (IRAEs), no large-sample studies have assessed the pathological characteristics and outcomes of biopsy-proven kidney IRAEs. (2) Methods: We comprehensively searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane for case reports, case series, and cohort studies for patients with biopsy-proven kidney IRAEs. All data were used to describe pathological characteristics and outcomes, and individual-level data from case reports and case series were pooled to analyze risk factors associated with different pathologies and prognoses. (3) Results: In total, 384 patients from 127 studies were enrolled. Most patients were treated with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors (76%), and 95% presented with acute kidney disease (AKD). Acute tubulointerstitial nephritis/acute interstitial nephritis (ATIN/AIN) was the most common pathologic type (72%). Most patients (89%) received steroid therapy, and 14% (42/292) required RRT. Among AKD patients, 17% (48/287) had no kidney recovery. Analyses of pooled individual-level data from 221 patients revealed that male sex, older age, and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) exposure were associated with ICI-associated ATIN/AIN. Patients with glomerular injury had an increased risk of tumor progression (OR 2.975; 95% CI, 1.176, 7.527; p = 0.021), and ATIN/AIN posed a decreased risk of death (OR 0.164; 95% CI, 0.057, 0.473; p = 0.001). (4) Conclusions: We provide the first systematic review of biopsy-proven ICI-kidney IRAEs of interest to clinicians. Oncologists and nephrologists should consider obtaining a kidney biopsy when clinically indicated.

A modified renal risk score for Chinese patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis

BACKGROUND

The renal risk score (RRS) is a useful tool to predict end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV). The current study aimed to validate the predictive performance of RRS and to further modify this model in Chinese AAV patients.

METHODS

Two hundred and seventy-two patients diagnosed with AAV confirmed by renal biopsies were retrospectively enrolled from a single center. The RRS was calculated based on 3 categorical variables, i.e., the proportion of normal glomeruli, the proportion of interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (IF/TA), and eGFR at biopsy, classifying these patients into low-, medium-, and high-risk groups. In addition, a modified model was developed based on the RRS and was further validated in another independent cohort of 117 AAV patients. The predictive performance of each model was evaluated according to discrimination and calibration.

RESULTS

Patients were classified by the RRS into low- (26.5%), medium- (46.7%), and high-risk (26.8%) groups, with 120-month renal survival rates of 93.3%, 57.2%, and 18.4%, respectively (P < 0.001). The RRS showed good discrimination but less satisfactory calibration. Therefore, a modified model with improved discrimination and calibration was developed in Chinese AAV patients, with eGFR, proportion of normal glomeruli (both as continuous variables), and IF/TA (< 25%, 25-50%, > 50%) included. Internal and external validation of the modified model were performed. Finally, an online risk prediction tool was developed based on the modified model.

CONCLUSIONS

The RRS was an independent predictor of ESRD of AAV patients. The modified model could predict the probability of ESRD for AAV patients with improved performance in Chinese AAV patients.

[Risk assessment of Cronobacter sakazakii in infant formula powder]

Objective: To assess the risk of foodborne diseases caused by Cronobacter sakazakii in infant formula powder from retail to feeding and provide formulate suggestions for safe feeding of infants at home. Methods: This study used the special monitoring and risk monitoring data of infant formula powder in Heilongjiang Province and combined data at home and abroad. The @RISK software was used to evaluate the disease risk caused by Cronobacter sakazakii in the process of infant formula powder from retail to feeding. Results: According to the results of this quantitative risk assessment, the risk of foodborne diseases caused by Cronobacter sakazakii at the current consumption pattern in Heilongjiang Province was 5.158×10^-5 persons/million (40.0 ℃ and 50.0 ℃), 1.072×10^-7 persons/million (60.0 ℃), 5.544×10^-14 persons/million (70.0 ℃). When the feeding time of infant formula powder was adjusted to 0-2 h and 2-3 h respectively, the above prediction results did not change. When it was adjusted to 3-4 h, the risk increased. If it was adjusted to 4-24 h, the number of Cronobacter sakazakii increased by 14-24 orders of magnitude at room temperature. If the initial pollution concentration (after flushing) was adjusted to 1 MPN/ml, the average disease risk per meal was 805.7 persons/million (40.0 ℃ and 50.0 ℃), 1.7 persons/million (60.0 ℃) and 9.1 × 10^-7 persons/million (70.0 ℃). The results of sensitivity analysis showed that the water temperature (70.0 ℃), initial pollution concentration, room storage time and temperature were important factors of risk. Conclusion: Controlling the contamination level of Cronobacter sakazakii in infant formula powder, controlling the feeding time within 3 h, storing in refrigerator and mixing with water with temperature not lower than 70.0 ℃ are effective measures to prevent infants from eating infant formula powder infected by Cronobacter sakazakii.

Rituximab for the treatment of refractory anti-glomerular basement membrane disease

BACKGROUND

Anti-glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) disease is a rare but severe autoantibody-mediated immune disorder. The typical clinical presentation includes rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis and often concurrent pulmonary hemorrhage. The present study is aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of rituximab either used alone or with other immunosuppressants.

METHODS

Eight patients diagnosed with anti-GBM disease and treated with rituximab from 2014 to 2020 were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

Eight patients included 5 males and 3 females with a median age of 58.5 years. They all presented severe kidney injuries and 1 patient had lung hemorrhage. At diagnosis, the median of serum creatinine was 246 µmol/L (ranging from 91 to 850 µmol/L), with 3 patients requiring dialysis. All of them received corticosteroids and plasmapheresis. Rituximab was given as either standard four weekly doses or one pulse ranging from 100 to 600 mg. After a median follow-up of 34.5 months, kidney function was partially recovered or stabilized in 5/8 (62.5%) patients, free of dialysis. Anti-GBM antibodies remained undetected in all patients during follow-up. No severe adverse effect associated with rituximab was observed.

CONCLUSION

Rituximab may be an alternative therapy in the treatment of patient with severe or refractory anti-GBM disease.

[Changes of brain network characteristics in patients with depression before and after precise repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation]

Objective: To investigate the changes of brain network characteristics in patients with depression before and after precise repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) treatment. Methods: Patients with depression in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University and healthy volunteers in the community of Xinxiang city from February 2018 to March 2019 were simultaneously recruited. The left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex was precisely selected as the stimulation target through the latest Human Brainnetome Atlas, and the near infrared navigation was used to achieve accurate brain stimulation treatment in combination with the structural magnetic resonance data. Moreover, functional connectivity was analyzed before and after rTMS treatment in significantly altered brain areas of patients with depression. Results: Nineteen patients (11 males and 8 females) with depression were included, aged (34±11) years. Meanwhile, 22 healthy controls (9 males and 13 females), aged (30±9) years, were also enrolled. Functional connectivity of insular cortex was decreased in depression patients when the insula was analyzed as the target area (P<0.05). The functional connection from insula to middle frontal lobe and superior parietal lobe in patients with depression decreased before rTMS treatment (P<0.05), but increased after rTMS treatment (P<0.05). The functional connection between dIg_L of the insula and the right middle prefrontal lobe was correlated with Beck Anxiety Index (BAI) before rTMS treatment and Beck Depression Index (BDI) after rTMS treatment (r=0.737, P=0.003; r=0.696, P=0.005). Conclusions: Abnormal functional connectivity of insula may be the brain imaging mechanism of rTMS treatment. Precise brain region selection based on Human Brainnetome Atlas provides a new technical method for clinical rTMS precision treatment.

Recognizing the true face of noninfectious cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis

Cryoglobulinemia encompasses a group of diseases with circulating aberrant Igs, which can cause systemic cryoglobulinemic vasculitis, including cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis. The complexities of different types and changing etiologies of cryoglobulinemias determine its heterogeneous clinical manifestations and diagnostic difficulties. In this issue of Kidney International, Javaugue et al. have emphasized the diagnostic points of cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis and hematological disorders as the major culprits of noninfectious cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis in a large cohort.

[Minimally invasive enucleation for benign and low-grade malignant pancreatic tumors: an analysis of 60 cases]

Objective: To investigate the safety and feasibility of minimally invasive pancreatic tumor enucleation. Methods: The clinicopathological data of 60 patients with minimally invasive pancreatic tumor enucleation admitted to the Department of Pancreatic Surgery of Fudan University Cancer Center from November 2019 to August 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 17 males and 43 females,with age of (50.0±13.2)years(range: 23 to 73 years). Tumors were located in the head of pancreas in 40 cases(66.7%),neck and tail of pancreas in 20 cases(33.3%). Patients were divided into robotic group(n=25) and laparoscopic group(n=35) according to surgical methods. The measurement data were compared by t-test or Mann-Whitney U test, and the categorical data were compared by χ² test or Fisher exact probability method. The influencing factors of postoperative pancreatic fistula were analyzed by univariate and multivariate Logistic regression. Results: All patients successfully completed tumor enucleation without conversion to laparotomy. The operation time was (183.5±67.3)minutes(range:90 to 410 minutes). Twelve patients(20.0%) underwent stent placement and pancreatic duct repair during operation. The removal time of abdominal drainage tube after operation was (24.7±22.9)days(range:2 to 113 days). The tumor diameter in the robotic group was larger than that in the laparoscopic group((3.5±0.9)cm vs. (2.9±0.7)cm,t=-2.825,P=0.006). The incidences of postoperative biochemical fistula and grade B pancreatic fistula were 20.0%,22.9% and 36.0%,51.4%,respectively(χ²=2.289,P=0.318). There were no grade C pancreatic fistula,lymphatic fistula,biliary fistula,delayed gastric emptying,secondary operation and perioperative death in both groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed on the occurrence of clinically related pancreatic fistula(above grade B). The results showed that the increase of body mass index(OR=1.285,95%CI:1.053 to 1.569,P=0.014),the larger diameter of the tumor(OR=3.703,95%CI:1.465 to 9.360,P=0.006) and intraoperative pancreatic duct repair(OR=7.889,95%CI:1.471 to 42.296,P=0.016) were independent risk factors,whereas robotic surgery(OR=0.168,95%CI:0.036 to 0.796,P=0.025) was a protective factor. No case of pancreatin dependent dyspepsia and new onset diabetes mellitus was observed. Conclusions: Minimally invasive tumor enucleation is feasible in the treatment of benign and low-grade pancreatic tumors. The incidence of pancreatic fistula is high in the short term after operation,but serious complications are rare. The robot assisted system can reduce the risk of postoperative pancreatic fistula and has more advantages in dealing with larger diameter tumors because of clearer surgical vision and more accurate operation.

Fibrinogen A Alpha-Chain Amyloidosis in Two Chinese Patients

Objectives

Fibrinogen A alpha-chain amyloidosis (AFib amyloidosis) is the most common form of hereditary renal amyloidosis in the United Kingdom and Europe, but has rarely been reported in Asia. In this study, we reported two AFib amyloidosis patients in China, reviewing the literature and summarizing main characteristics of AFib amyloidosis in Asia.

Methods

Two unrelated Chinese patients were diagnosed with AFib amyloidosis by clinical presentation, renal biopsy, mass spectrometry and DNA sequencing in Peking University First Hospital of China from 2014 to 2016.

Results

Both of the patients presented with proteinuria, edema and hypertension. Renal biopsies of two patients showed extensive amyloid deposits (Congo red positive) in glomeruli, and focal tubulointerstitial amyloid deposits was also found in patient 1. Besides, hepatic involvement of amyloidosis has been detected by liver biopsy in patient 1. By electron microscopy, randomly arranged fibrils in a diameter of 8–12 nm was identified in mesangial matrix and subendothelial area of glomeruli. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated amyloid deposits were strongly positive for fibrinogen Aα in glomeruli and positive for LECT2 in the interstitium of renal medulla and the liver in Patient 1. Unevenly positive staining for both fibrinogen Aα and ApoA-I were found in Patient 2. Fibrinogen Aα was the most abundant amyloidogenic protein in both patients identified by laser microdissection and mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis. Genetic analysis revealed the fibrinogen A a-chain gene (FGA) mutation in both patients, including a new deletion mutation [c.1639delA (p.Arg547Glyfs^*21; NM_000508)] in Patient 2. Genetic analysis of the LECT2 gene in patient 1 revealed a codon change from ATC to GTC at position 172 [c.172A>G (p.Ile58Val; NM_002302)], which is a common polymorphism (SNP rs31517) in all ALECT2 amyloidosis patients.

Conclusions

We reported two AFib amyloidosis patients in China, one of them coexisted with ALECT2 amyloidosis simultaneously.

[The diagnosis and treatment of G3 neuroendocrine tumors according to the new NCCN guideline]

Gastrointestinal pancreas (GEP) is the most common site of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs). In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) classification for GEP NET was updated to include a new category of well-differentiated high-grade (Ki 67>20%) GEP-NET G3, distinct from high-grade poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC). As a new category, NET G3 are considered a molecularly, radiologically, and prognostically distinct entity compared to NEC and NET G1/G2. The management of NET G3 remains a challenge awaiting future trials taking into consideration the unique characteristics of this new category. The latest NCCN clinical guidelines of neuroendocrine and adrenal tumors firstly gave the recommendation of diagnosis and treatment of G3 NET separately from NEC and G1/G2 NET. Hereon,we aim to summarize the management of G3 NET in combination with the new NCCN guidelines and the current evidences.

[Efficacy of conversion therapy and direct surgical resection in patients with metastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors]

Objective: To explore the prognosis of Chinese patients with metastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PanNET) treated with conversion therapy and surgical resection. Methods: The pathological data and prognostic information was retrospectively collected of patients with metastatic PanNET treated in Fudan University Shanghai cancer center from January 2010 to May 2021, and propensity score matching was used to analyze the prognosis difference between conversion treatment followed surgery and direct surgery. Results: There were 58 males and 43 females in 101 patients with metastatic PanNET. The age raged from 18 to 74 years, with a median age of 51 years. A total of 88 patients received primary tumor with liver metastases resection, 1 receied of primary tumor resection and 12 received primary tumor resection and combined organs or extrahepatic metastases. Multivariate analysis showed that R2(HR=1.943,95%CI:1.262-2.990,P=0.003)resection and G3(HR=1.876,95%CI:1.001-3.516,P=0.05) were independent risk factors for postoperative progression of metastatic patients. There were 63 patients (62.4%) who had received direct surgery, and 38 patients (37.6%) who had received preoperative conversion therapy. The conversion therapy had a higher proportion of T3/T4 stage (68.1% vs 39.7%, P=0.007), resection with combined organs/extrahepatic metastasis (26.3% vs 9.5%, P=0.005) and R2 resection (71.1% vs 42.9%, P=0.005). The median progression-free survival (mPFS) between conversion therapy and direct surgery had no statistically significant, but after the propensity score matching the mPFS of the conversion therapy group was significantly longer than direct surgery group (HR=0.442,95%CI:0.207-0.943,P=0.027). Conclusions: Conversion therapy for partially metastatic PanNET is better than that of direct surgery. Radical resection and grade are independent prognostic factors for metastatic PanNET after resection.

Kidney Histopathologic Spectrum and Clinical Indicators Associated with MGRS

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Patients with monoclonal gammopathy and concomitant kidney diseases are frequently found in clinical practice. Some of them are diagnosed with monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS) due to the presence of monoclonal Ig-related kidney injuries. This study aimed to investigate the histopathologic spectrum and clinical characteristics associated with MGRS in a large cohort of patients with monoclonal gammopathy and biopsy-proven kidney diseases from a single Chinese nephrology referral center.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS

Patients who presented with monoclonal gammopathy (monoclonal spike on serum and/or urine immunofixation tests) and underwent kidney biopsy in the Peking University First Hospital from January 1, 1999 to December 31, 2020 were enrolled in this retrospective study. Patients with malignant hematologic diseases were excluded. Clinical and laboratory data were collected from the electronic medical record system. Comparisons of patients with and without MGRS and with and without amyloidosis were performed. The clinical characteristics associated with MGRS were identified using multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

A total of 700 patients with monoclonal gammopathy and kidney biopsy were identified. Thirteen patients with repeat kidney biopsies were analyzed separately. For the remaining 687 patients with one kidney biopsy, 261 patients (38%) had MGRS lesions, and the rest (426 patients, 62%) had non-MGRS kidney diseases. Ig-related amyloidosis accounted for the most MGRS cases (n=164, 63%), followed by monoclonal Ig deposition disease (n=23, 9%) and thrombotic microangiopathy (n=22, 8%). In the non-MGRS group, membranous nephropathy was the most common diagnosis (n=171, 40%). In the multivariable logistic regression model, the presence of abnormal serum free light chain ratio, older age, and greater proteinuria were independently associated with MGRS.

CONCLUSIONS

Monoclonal Ig amyloidosis is the leading cause of MGRS in Chinese patients with monoclonal gammopathy. The presence of abnormal free light chain ratio, older age, and greater proteinuria were associated with MGRS.

[Effect of laparoscopic surgery for pancreatic cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy]

Objective: To evaluate the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer. Methods: Clinical data of 8 patients underwent laparoscopic surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center from September 2019 to June 2020 were reviewed retrospectively. There were 5 males and 3 females,aged from 47 to 72 years old. All patients underwent abdominal enhanced CT and PET-CT before operation to accurately evaluate the tumor stage and exclude distant metastasis. Results: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with AG regimen(gemcitabine 1 000 mg/m² and albumin bound paclitaxel 125 mg/m²) was received for 2 to 6 cycles before surgery. All 8 patients successfully completed the operation,including 5 cases of pancreaticoduodenectomy,2 cases of radical antegrade modular pancreatosplenectomy(RAMPS),and 1 case of total pancreatectomy. No conversion to laparotomy or laparoscopic assisted surgery. The operation time was 240 to 450 minutes,the blood loss was 100 to 500 ml,the postoperative length of stay was 10 to 16 days. During the follow-up period up to December 31, 2020, there was 1 case suffered grade B pancreatic leakage and abdominal infection. The numbers of resected lymph nodes were 9 to 31. All patients received R0 resection. The follow-up times were 4.5 to 9.5 months. One patient underwent RAMPS was diagnosed as liver metastasis after 2 months of the operation,and the other 7 patients still survived without tumor recurrence. Conclusion: Minimally invasive surgery of pancreatic cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy is safe and feasible in experienced pancreatic minimally invasive centers.

[Establishment and validation of prediction model of new-onset pelvic organ prolapse in early postpartum period]

Objective: To analyze the risk factors of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and to establish the prediction model. Methods: A study was conducted on the prevalence of POP among 2 247 parturient women at 6 weeks postpartum in Peking University People's Hospital from December 2018 to October 2019, and relevant influencing factors were analyzed to construct a prediction model of early postpartum POP using logsitic regression, which was validated internally. Data from November 2019 to December 2019 (403 parturient women) were collected for external validation of the prediction model. In addition, the obstetrical factors affecting the occurrence of early postpartum POP in 885 primiparas with vaginal delivery (from January 2019 to November 2019) were further discussed. Results: A total of 2 247 cases were included in the modeling group, and 403 cases were included in the external validation data set. POP accounted for 24.3% (545/2 247). Age, parity, body mass index before pregnancy, vaginal delivery and newborn birth weight were negative factors for early postpartum POP (all P<0.05). The nomogram was established based on the above factors, and internal and external verification indicated that the model had a good discrimination (C-index were 0.759 and 0.760, respectively). In addition, this study found that age and newborn birth weight were the main causes of early postpartum POP in primiparas with vaginal delivery (P=0.044, P=0.004). Conclusions: The incidence of early postpartum POP is high. The prediction model of POP constructed in this study could be used to guide clinical practice to a certain extent and give corresponding treatment suggestions to pregnant women scientifically, so as to provide theoretical support for primary prevention.

Case Report: Lenalidomide as a Second-Line Treatment for Bortezomib-Ineffective Nephrotic Syndrome Caused by LCDD: 2 Case Reports and a Literature Review

Background: Light-chain deposition disease (LCDD) is a rare systemic disorder characterized by the deposition of monoclonal light chains in organs. The kidney is a prominent target of light-chain deposition, with a median time to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) of 2.7 years and 5-year ESRD-free survival of 37%. The therapeutic management of LCDD remains ill-defined. In addition to bortezomib-based therapy as first-line therapy, the effect of lenalidomide on LCDD is rarely reported.

Case Presentation: This study describes two male LCDD patients in their 60s with nephrotic syndrome and moderately impaired renal function. One patient had monoclonal IgGλ with underlying MGRS, and another had monoclonal IgGκ with underlying monoclonal gammopathy that developed into symptomatic MM during follow-up. The hallmarks of this disease were consistent with previous reports. Both patients initially received BCD therapy, but no hematological response was observed. Consequently, the nephrotic syndrome was refractory. Sequential Rd therapy was initiated, and partial hematological response and nephrotic remission were observed in the IgGλ patient but absent in the IgGκ patient.

Conclusion: Limited reports have demonstrated the effect of lenalidomide in LCDD. We report the outcome of lenalidomide in two cases of bortezomib-resistant LCDD. This treatment might be a beneficial supplement for those unresponsive or intolerant to bortezomib in LCDD, but the effect should be prospectively investigated.

[Advances in basic and translational research in neuroendocrine neoplasms]

With the development of diagnostic techniques and the improvement of people's living standards, the detection rate of neuroendocrine tumor has been increasing and people are paying more and more attention to it. With multiple treatment modalities, the clinical research progress of neuroendocrine tumor is remarkable. However, due to the tumor heterogeneity, metastasis and recurrence of neuroendocrine tumor remains a difficult problem for clinicians. The efficacy of neuroendocrine tumor still needs to be improved. Therefore, the biological behavior of neuroendocrine tumor needs to be further studied. In recent years, with the development of molecular biology, the basic and transformation research of neuroendocrine tumor has made some progress. In this paper, we focus on the hot topics of neuroendocrine tumor, such as multiomics (copy number variation, genomics, transcriptomics), tumor microenvironment (immune microenvironment, tumor microvasculature, tumor-associated fibroblasts, etc.), preclinical research model construction (cell lines, organoids, patient derived xenograft models, genetically engineered mice), etc. Specifically, the related clinical transformation significance will be elaborated.

C3 glomerulonephritis associated with monoclonal gammopathy: a retrospective case series study from a single institute in China

Objective

To investigate the demographic and clinicopathological features and renal outcomes of Chinese patients with C3 glomerulonephritis in the setting of monoclonal gammopathy.

Methods

Patients with renal biopsy-proven C3 glomerulonephritis and detectable serum and/or urine monoclonal immunoglobulin from 2006 to 2018 in Peking University First Hospital were included, their clinical data, renal pathology type, treatment, and prognosis were collected and analyzed.

Results

Nineteen patients were enrolled, accounting for 24% of C3GN patients in the study period. The mean age of onset was 55 years old and the gender ratio was 4/15 (female/male). The mean eGFR at biopsy was 49.55 ± 29.81 ml/min/1.73m². The prominent clinical manifestations included nephrotic syndrome (58%), anemia (68%), microscopic hematuria and leukocyturia (58%), and hypocomplementemia (13, 68%). The IgG was the most common isotype of monoclonal Ig on immunofixation electrophoresis. Kidney biopsies revealed a relatively prominent MPGN pattern. Only two patients had direct evidence of monocle immunoglobulins acting as C3GN pathogenic factors. Two patients had concurrent TMA-like renal injuries. The median renal survival was 12 and 15 months, respectively in patients receiving conservative therapy and immunosuppressant therapy, without statistical significance. The efficacy of clone-targeted therapy needed further investigation. Plasma exchange therapy only improved one patient’s renal outcome.

Conclusions

This is the first case series report of C3GN combined with monoclonal Ig in northern China. The renal prognosis of these patients is poor, and immunosuppressant therapies show no advantage over supportive therapy in renal prognosis, while the benefit of clone-targeted chemotherapy is still requiring investigation.

[Surgical treatment for pancreatic cancer with liver metastasis:exploration and innovation]

The prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients with liver metastasis (PCLM) is very poor and the median overall survival(OS) is less than 6 months.The current standard treatment for PCLM is systematic chemotherapy.Though the chemotherapeutic regimens are better than gemcitabine only,the OS remains dissatisfied.A lot of retrospective studies identified that surgical treatment can only offer survival benefits for highly selected rather than entire PCLM patients.The Chinese Study Group for Pancreatic Cancer (CSPAC) has initiated a multiple-center,prospective,randomized comparison clinical trial,named CSPAC-1 to identify the standard and value of surgical treatment of PCLM patients.This manuscript reviewed the current progress of surgical treatment for pancreatic cancer with liver metastasis and looked forward to opportunities and challenges in the future.

Clinicopathological features and outcomes of coexistent light chain cast nephropathy and light chain deposition disease in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma

AIMS

A varying proportion of patients with multiple myeloma suffer from more than one type of kidney disease simultaneously, of which the most common pattern is coexistent light chain cast nephropathy and light chain deposition disease (LCCN+LCDD). We investigated clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes of LCCN+LCDD in comparison with pure LCCN and pure LCDD.

METHODS

We retrospectively analysed 45 newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients with pure LCCN (n=26), LCCN +LCDD (n=9) and pure LCDD (n=10) between 2000 and 2019 at Peking University First Hospital.

RESULTS

Pathologically, patients with LCCN+LCDD were more likely to have λ light chain isotype and presented atypical features of LCDD including less nodular glomerulosclerosis and less deposit distribution than patients with pure LCDD. In clinical characteristics, patients with LCCN +LCDD and patients with pure LCCN shared similar features. The death-censored renal survival in patients with LCCN +LCDD was similar to patients with pure LCCN but worse than patients with pure LCDD, but the overall survival was much better than patients with LCCN alone and similar to patients with pure LCDD. For patients with pure LCCN, the independent predictor of death-censored renal survival was lactate dehydrogenase, and the independent predictors of overall survival were the mean number of casts and serum albumin.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with LCCN+LCDD had similar renal outcome compared with patients with pure LCCN but the overall survival is much better. Thus, for patients with LCCN, especially those with λ restriction, pathologists should carefully evaluate the kidney specimens to exclude the possibility of combined LCDD.

Case Report: Predominant Tubulointerstitial Lupus Nephritis or the Combination With IgG4-Related Disease?

Isolated or dominant tubulointerstitial lupus nephritis is rare. Here, we reported a 67-year-old man diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) based on clinical and laboratory criteria, who was showing impaired renal function and non-nephrotic range proteinuria in the past 2 years. Renal biopsy showed almost normal glomeruli, but the tubulointerstitium showed “storiform” pattern with interstitial infiltration of IgG3 predominant plasma cells. Immunofluorescence showed linear and granular staining of IgG and C1q along TBM and interstitium. He started on medium dose of oral steroids and mycophenolate mofetil, which were gradually tapered. As a result, his renal function improved over a few days. Now, he continued on low dose steroids and mycophenolate mofetil with no evidence of relapse.

Crystalline appearance in light chain cast nephropathy is associated with higher early mortality in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma

BACKGROUND

Light chain cast nephropathy (LCCN) is the most common kidney lesion in multiple myeloma patients. LCCN may exhibit a crystalline appearance. The frequency and clinical significance of crystalline LCCN are not well understood. Here, we report the first retrospective study of crystalline LCCN.

METHODS

Twenty-six patients with LCCN were enrolled. We studied the clinicopathological features and outcomes of LCCN patients and compared ordinary LCCN patients (n = 18) with crystalline LCCN patients (n = 8).

RESULTS

Crystalline LCCN was not rare (8/26, 30.8%) in our study. The median age of LCCN patients was 57.5 (range, 41-75) years. No patients presented with nephrotic syndrome. No significant differences in clinical features were observed between the two groups. All crystalline LCCN patients suffered from advanced multiple myeloma and acute kidney injury. There was a dominance of the λ isotype (7/8, 87.5%) in patients with crystalline LCCN. Patients with ordinary LCCN had significantly higher scores of tubular atrophy and acute tubular injury than those with crystalline LCCN. The crystalline casts of 5 crystalline LCCN patients stained negative with antihuman Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein. There were no significant differences in the median overall survival between the crystalline LCCN group and the ordinary LCCN group (6.0 months vs. 35.0 months, p = 0.173). However, crystalline LCCN patients had higher early mortality than ordinary LCCN patients (50.0% vs 11.1%, p = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

Crystalline LCCN patients had higher early mortality than ordinary LCCN patients. Thus, for patients with LCCN, crystalline appearance should be screened carefully.

[The Chinese guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (2020)]

Pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (pNENs) are highly heterogeneous, and the management of pNENs patients can be intractable. To address this challenge, an expert committee was established on behalf of the Group of Pancreatic Surgery, Chinese Society of Surgery, Chinese Medical Association, which consisted of surgical oncologists, gastroenterologists, medical oncologists, endocrinologists, radiologists, pathologists, and nuclear medicine specialists. By reviewing the important issues regarding the diagnosis and treatment of pNENs, the committee concluded evidence-based statements and recommendations in this article, in order to further improve the management of pNENs patients in China.

Antibody response in COVID-19 patients with and without re-positive RT-PCR results during the convalescent phase

Nucleic acid testing and antibody testing data from 143 recovered COVID-19 patients during the convalescent phase were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 23 (16.1%) recovered patients re-tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA by RT-PCR. Three months after symptom onset, 100% and 99.3% of the patients remained positive for total and IgG antibodies, and the antibody levels remained high. IgM antibodies declined rapidly, with a median time to seroconversion of 67 (95% CI: 59, 75) days after onset. Approximately 25% of patients were seronegative for IgA antibodies at three months after onset. There was no statistically significant difference in antibody kinetics between patients with and without re-positive RT-PCR results during the convalescent phase.

Monoclonal Immunoglobulin-Associated Renal Lesions in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma: A Report from a Single Center

Background

Monoclonal immunoglobulin-associated renal lesions in patients with newly diagnosed myeloma vary. We aimed to determine the pathological spectrum and analyze associated prognostic factors.

Methods

Fifty-six patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma and biopsy-proven renal lesions were enrolled. Kidney biopsies were reanalyzed, and the baseline clinical characteristics, treatments and outcomes were recorded.

Results

Fifty-one patients had monoclonal immunoglobulin-associated renal lesions, with myeloma cast nephropathy (MCN) being the most common pattern. We divided our cohort into pure MCN, MCN+ other pathologies and non-MCN. Patients with MCN had more severe renal injury than those with non-MCN. In our cohort, none of the patients with pure MCN or MCN + other pathologies presented with nephrotic syndrome. Patients with non-MCN had better renal and overall survival than those with pure MCN but similar survivals to those with MCN + other pathologies. Number of myeloma casts (HR 1.08, p = 0.012) was the only independent prognostic factor for renal survival. Male sex (HR: 3.64; p = 0.015) and number of casts (HR: 1.17; p = 0.001) were independent prognostic factors for overall survival.

Conclusion

Patients with MCN had more severe renal injury than those with non-MCN. Patients with non-MCN had better renal and overall outcomes than those with pure MCN, but their outcomes were similar to those with MCN + other pathologies. The independent predictors of overall survival were male sex and number of myeloma casts.

[Analysis of magnetic resonance imaging findings of fungal spondylitis]

The clinical and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) data of 8 cases of fungal spondylitis were retrospectively enrolled in the study, and the typical MRI findings were mainly discussed. The results released that fungal spondylitis should be suspected when the infection spreads along paraspinal ligament, and vertebral lesions show jumping discontinuous distribution. A blurred and incomplete outline of endplate on T1 weighted imaging sequence, loss of hyperintensity of the vertebral body, and banded like hypointensity under endplate on T₂ weighted imaging sequence, indicate fungal spondylitis. These features contribute to the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of fungal spondylitis.

[Impact of neoadjuvant therapy on the perioperative complications of pancreatic cancer]

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most malignant digestive tract tumors with a 5-year survival rate of less than 10%. Surgery remains the basis of long-term survival of pancreatic cancer patients. With the progress of chemotherapy, neoadjuvant therapy has been gradually carried out in pancreatic cancer. There are more and more studies on the effects of neoadjuvant therapy on perioperative complications of pancreatic cancer, but the results are not consistent. This article reviews the recent studies on neoadjuvant therapy for pancreatic cancer and analyzes the impact of some key factors on perioperative complications.

Myeloma cast nephropathy with diffuse amyloid casts without systemic amyloidosis: two cases report

Background

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma-cell derived hematologic malignant disease. The malignant proliferating plasma cells secrete massive monoclonal immunoglobulins which lead to various pathologic types of renal injury. Myeloma cast nephropathy (MCN) is the most common histopathologic lesion with the worst renal prognosis. Rarely, the free light chains in the protein casts can form amyloid fibrils. Here, we reported two rare cases of MCN with diffuse amyloid casts.

Case presentation

Case 1: A 54-year-old Chinese man presented with a 4-year history of multiple myeloma, proteinuria and hematuria. He had monoclonal IgAλ plus free λ spike in both serum and urine. He had been on chemotherapy for 4 years and maintained normal serum creatinine until 11 months ago. Then, his renal function deteriorated and he went on hemodialysis 4 months before admission. Renal biopsy showed diffuse amyloid casts in the tubular lumens, without any obvious amyloid deposits in other kidney compartments or signs of extra-renal amyloidosis. The amyloid fibrils formed around mononuclear cells which were CD68 negative. According to the morphology and location, these mononuclear cells were considered as tubular epithelial cells. The patient was maintained on chemotherapy and hemodialysis. He died 8 months after renal biopsy.

Case 2: A 58-year-old Chinese man presented with a one-and-a-half-year history of proteinuria and slowly rising serum creatinine. He had monoclonal IgDλ spike in both serum and urine. Amyloid casts were observed in the tubular lumens and mononuclear cells could be identified in the center of some casts. There were no amyloid deposits in other kidney compartments and no sign of systemic amyloidosis. The patient also had fine granular deposits along the tubular basement membrane with λ linear staining along tubular basement membrane suggesting light chain deposition disease. He was treated with bortezomib-based chemotherapy followed by lenalidomide-based chemotherapy and achieved very good partial remission (VGPR). After 27 months of follow-up, the patient still showed no signs of systemic amyloidosis.

Conclusions

These 2 cases of MCN with diffuse amyloid casts have different histopathologic characteristics from the usual myeloma casts and tubular epithelial cells might play important roles in the pathogenesis.

Clinical and Pathological Characteristics of Patients With Nonproteinuric Diabetic Nephropathy

INTRODUCTION

As the most common complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), diabetic nephropathy (DN) was initially considered to begin with proteinuria preceding the progression of renal insufficiency. This clinical paradigm has been questioned in the late decades, as many DM patients without proteinuria have progressive renal insufficiency. However, the characteristics of nonproteinuric DN were not fully clear yet.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 390 patients with renal biopsy-proven DN in our center were retrospectively recruited in the current study. Clinical and histopathological data of the patients were analyzed. We used propensity score-matching methods to address the imbalance of age, sex, and diabetes duration for comparative analyses.

RESULTS

Among all the renal biopsy-proven DN patients with renal biopsy proven DN, 18 patients were classified as nonproteinuric DN. Compared with 36 propensity score-matched proteinuric DN patients, diabetic retinopathy (DR) was less frequent in nonproteinuric DN patients (38.9% vs. 66.4%, p<0.05). During the follow-up of 24.0 (12.0-42.0) months, the probability of developing the end-stage renal disease (ESRD) was significantly lower in nonproteinuric DN patients than in proteinuric ones in both the propensity score-matched cohort and overall cohort (log-rank test, p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with proteinuric DN patients, DR was less frequent in nonproteinuric DN patients. Nonproteinuric DN patients had better renal outcomes than proteinuric DN patients.

[COVID-19 epidemic and its characteristics in Heilongjiang province]

Objective: To describe the COVID-19 epidemic and its characteristics in Heilongjiang province, and provide evidence for the further prevention and control of COVID-19 in the province. Methods: The information of COVID-19 cases and clusters were collected from national notifiable disease report system and management information system for reporting public health emergencies of China CDC. The Software's of Excel 2010 and SPSS 23.0 were applied for data cleaning and statistical analysis on the population, time and area distributions of COVID-19 cases. Results: On January 22, 2020, the first confirmed case of COVID-19 was reported in Heilongjiang. By March 11, 2020, a total of 482 cases domestic case of COVID-19, The incidence rate was 1.28/100 000, the mortality rate was 2.70% (13/482) in 13 municipalities in Heilongjiang. There were 81 clusters of COVID-19, The number of confirmed cases accounted for 79.25% (382/482) of the total confirmed cases and 12 cases of deaths. The family clusters accounted for 86.42% (70/81). Compared with the sporadic cases, the mortality rate, proportion of elderly cases aged 60 or above and severe or critical cases of clinical classification were all higher in the clusters especially the family clusters, but the differences were not significant (P>0.05). There were 34 clusters involving more than 5 confirmed cases accounted for 41.98% (34/81) of the total clusters, the involved cases accounted for 68.31% (261/382) of the total cases of clusters. There were significant differences in age distribution of the cases among the case clusters with different case numbers. In the clusters involving 6-9 cases, the proportion of cases aged 65 years or above was more (26.53%, 39/147). Conclusions: The incidence rate of COVID-19 was relatively high and the early epidemic was serious in Heilongjiang, The number of cases was large in clusters especially family clusters.

Interstitial eosinophilic infiltration in diabetic nephropathy is indicative of poor prognosis, with no therapy benefit from steroid

BACKGROUND

Studies suggested that eosinophils in diabetes might be associated with severity of diabetic nephropathy (DN). In a retrospective study of 102 Chinese patients with biopsy-proven DN, we aimed to evaluate relationships of both blood and renal eosinophils (Eos) to the severity of DN and check whether Eos can serve as an indicator of prognosis as well as the therapeutic effect of steroids.

METHODS

One hundred and two patients diagnosed with DN were enrolled. Demographical and clinical data and histopathological scores were associated. Interstitial eosinophilic aggregates (IEA) were defined as the presence of ≥10 Eos in at least one high-power field. End-stage renal disease was defined as the end point.

RESULTS

We observed that log₂ (blood eosinophil counts) correlated with neutrophil counts, proteinuria, and tubulointerstitial inflammatory cell infiltration. IEA was observed in 33.3% of the DN patients and was associated with decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate, higher proteinuria, hematuria, higher HbA1c, increased blood eosinophil counts, tubular injury, tubulointerstitial chronicity, and interstitial inflammation. IEA was associated with worse renal prognosis (hazard ratio [HR] 2.424, P = 0.008). Consistently, urine eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) (ng/mgCr) was associated with renal injury and poor renal prognosis (HR 1.173, P = 0.020). Patients with IEA were more likely to be treated with steroid/immunosuppressants (47.1% vs 14.7%, P = 0.001) but did not show renal benefit.

CONCLUSIONS

It suggested that both blood and renal infiltrated eosinophils were prevalent in DN and associated with severity of DN. IEA in renal pathology showed better fit in correlation with renal prognosis. Treatment with steroid/immunosuppressants showed no significant improvement regarding renal prognosis.

Skimmed Milk Diluent Promotes the Sperm Motility and Conception Rate of Dorper Sheep Compared to Vitamin B12 Diluent

BACKGROUND

Dorper sheep is an ideal breed for improvement, with higher meat production and increased adaptability. Artificial insemination is an efficient technique for Dorper genetic improvement and reproduction management. However, there is no uniform diluent for Dorper semen dilution.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effects of vitamin B12 (VB12) and skimmed milk diluents on sperm motility at different ratios and time points, and the effects on conception rate.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We detected the effect of diluents on sperm density, deformity, motility and conception rate of Dorper sheep.

RESULTS

We found the optimal dilution ratio of skimmed milk is 1:3. Compared to VB12, skimmed milk at 1:3 ratio prolonged semen storage time (48 h vs. 18 h, storage at a low temperature of 4°C) and increased the survival index of sperm (44.7 ± 2.8 vs. 18.5 ± 0.6, P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

Skimmed milk is more effective, nutritious and convenient than vitamin B12, representing a more advantageous diluent.

Diagnostic roles of urinary kidney microvesicles in diabetic nephropathy

Background

The pathology of diabetic nephropathy (DN) broadly involves the injury of glomeruli, tubulointerstitium and endothelium. Cells from these compartments can release increased numbers of microvesicles (MVs) into urine when stressed or damaged. Currently whether urinary MVs from these three parts can help diagnose DN and reflect pathological features remain unclear.

Methods

Forty-nine patients with histologically proven DN and 29 proteinuric controls with membranous nephropathy or minimal change disease were enrolled. Urinary podocyte, proximal tubular and endothelial cell-derived MVs were quantified by flow cytometry. Renal glomerular, tubulointerstitial and vascular lesions were semi-quantitatively scored and their relevance to urinary MVs were analyzed.

Results

DN patients had greater numbers of urinary MVs from podocytes, proximal tubular and endothelial cells compared with proteinuric controls. The combination of podocyte nephrin+ MVs and diabetic retinopathy optimally diagnose DN with 89.7% specificity and 88.9% sensitivity. Moreover, positive correlations were observed between urinary levels of proximal tubular MVs and the severity of tubular injury and between urinary levels of endothelial MVs and the degree of vascular injury. Using urinary proximal tubular MVs as the indicators for tubular injury, the differences between DN patients and proteinuric controls diminished after matching the degree of renal vascular injury or when proteinuria >8 g/24 h.

Conclusions

Urinary kidney-specific cell-derived MVs might serve as noninvasive biomarkers for the diagnosis of DN in diabetic proteinuric patients. Their elevated levels could reflect corresponding renal pathological lesions, helping physicians look into the heterogeneity of DN.

Unveiling the Features of Mercury-Associated Minimal Change Disease: Comparison with Primary Minimal Change Disease

Introduction

Long-term exposure to mercury can cause minimal change disease. However, the current understanding of mercury-associated minimal change disease (M-MCD) is inadequate. To improve the understanding of M-MCD, this study retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathological, ultrastructural, and prognostic features of M-MCD, in comparison with primary minimal change disease (P-MCD).

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathological data of 21 M-MCD patients and 21 P-MCD patients. Electron micrographs of glomerular capillaries were taken, and the foot process width (FPW) was measured. A receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis was performed to determine the optimum cutoff value of FPW that can differentiate the M-MCD from P-MCD.

Results

M-MCD patients presented similar clinical and routine pathological characteristics with P-MCD patients but had lower levels of FPW (935.0 [interquartile range (IQR) 853.7-1,176.7] nm vs. 1,403.2 [IQR 1,089.2-1,841.8] nm, p = 0.002). ROC curve analysis showed that FPW value below 1,385 nm might help to differentiate M-MCD from P-MCD (area under the curve of 0.787, sensitivity of 94.7%, and specificity of 52.4%). For patients with M-MCD, 77.8% achieved complete remission after mercury detoxification monotherapy. Patients with M-MCD had a lower relapse rate than patients with P-MCD (0 vs. 47.1%, p = 0.003). In addition, there was no significant difference in remission time between M-MCD patients treated with mercury detoxification monotherapy and those initially treated with immunosuppressive therapy (2.0 [IQR 1.0-6.0] months vs. 2.0 [IQR 1.5-2.5] months, p = 0.606).

Conclusions

M-MCD patients showed similar clinicopathological features with P-MCD patients, but with less severe foot process effacement, suggesting different pathogenesis of these 2 disease entities. The treatment of mercury detoxification was highly effective for patients with M-MCD and can be considered as a primary choice in clinical practice.

Clinical-Pathological Features and Outcome of Atypical Anti-glomerular Basement Membrane Disease in a Large Single Cohort

Background: Atypical cases of anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) disease had absent circulating antibodies but linear IgG deposits along GBM in the kidneys. Herein, we reported the clinical-pathological features and outcome of these rare cases.

Methods: Linear IgG deposit along GBM were examined by immunofluorescence on renal specimens, with exclusion of diabetic kidney disease. Circulating anti-GBM antibodies were tested by commercial ELISA assay. Clinical, pathological and follow-up data were retrospectively analyzed.

Results: From 2013 to 2018, a total of 60 patients were diagnosed as atypical anti-GBM disease. They had a male predominance, with an average age of 51.7 ± 15.6 years. Three (5.0%) patients had alveolar hemorrhage. Forty five percent of them presented with acute kidney disease. All patients had linear IgG deposit along GBM, some in addition on tubular basement membrane and/or Bowmans' capsules. C3 deposition was found in 65.0% of the patients. 41.7% (25/60) of the patients showed crescent formation and the percentage of crescent was (34.7 ± 23.5)% in those patients. They had higher prevalence of hematuria and C3 deposit, higher levels of serum creatinine, worse renal and patient survival than those without crescent (P < 0.05). During the follow-up of 35.7 ± 21.4 months, 14 (23.3%) patients progressed to ESRD. The serum creatinine on diagnosis [per 200 μmol/L increase, HR (95% CI): 2.663 (1.372, 5.172), P = 0.004], serum C3 [per 0.1 g/L increase, HR (95% CI): 0.689(0.483, 0.984), P = 0.040] and the intensity of kidney C3 staining [per 1+ increase, HR (95% CI): 2.770 (1.115, 6.877), P = 0.028] were independent predictive factors for kidney outcome. Nine (15.0%) patients died of all causes.

Conclusions: Atypical anti-GBM disease manifested milder kidney injury and scarce pulmonary hemorrhage compared to the classical cases. Though heterogeneous, a substantial number of the patients had complement activation and crescent formation. Patients having crescents presented with more severe clinical course and worse outcomes. The poor kidney and patient prognosis emphasize prompt interventions from physicians. The immunosuppressive intervention was not associated with kidney or patient outcome. Further studies are needed to address the optimal therapeutic regimen.

Podocyte Involvement in Renal Thrombotic Microangiopathy: A Clinicopathological Study

BACKGROUND

The current study aimed to evaluate the associations between podocyte injury and clinicopathological features in renal thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) based on a Chinese cohort, which might be underscored in this disease.

METHODS

The clinical, laboratory, and renal histopathological data of patients with renal biopsy-proven TMA from 2000 to 2015 in our institute were collected. Foot process effacement (FPE) was quantified by foot process width (FPW) by electron microscopy. Podocytes in the renal specimens were also detected by stainings for podocyte-specific markers, including Wilms tumor 1 (WT-1), synaptopodin, and podocalyxin. The associations between FPW and clinico-histopathological data were further analyzed. A composite end-point was defined by all-cause death or end-stage renal disease to address the predictive value of FPW.

RESULTS

Sixty-three patients with renal biopsy-proven TMA were enrolled. The FPW of renal TMA patients was 1,090 ± 637 nm (range, 572-4,748 nm), which was significantly higher than the normal range in our center (p = 0.005). By immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence assays, we found decreased expressions of synaptopodin, podocalyxin, and WT-1 and continued stainings of WT-1 in some podocytes without detectable synaptopodin stainings in the areas of sclerotic tufts and cellular crescents. The FPW value was correlated with the serum albumin concentration (rs = -0.281, p = 0.026), proteinuria amount (rs = 0.255, p = 0.047), serum creatinine levels (rs = 0.339, p = 0.007), and eGFR (rs = -0.335, p = 0.007). According to ROC curve analysis, the optimal cutoff level of FPW for predicting the composite end-point was 869 nm. In patients with FPW ≥ 869 nm, FPW levels were further correlated with the severity of mesangiolysis (rs = 0.351, p = 0.033) and glomerulosclerosis (rs = 0.369, p = 0.025) in pathological evaluations. Patients without clinical remission also had higher FPW than those with remission (1,240 ± 793 vs. 925 ± 344 nm, p = 0.013). The multivariate Cox hazard model showed that FPW ≥ 869 nm was an independent risk factor for the composite end-point (hazard ratio: 3.64, 95% CI: 1.37-9.66, p = 0.009).

CONCLUSION

The podocyte injury was prevalent and the FPW levels were closely associated with clinicopathological features, especially prognosis, in renal TMA patients.