Historical Evolution and Modern Research Progress of Rehmanniae Radix / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Rehmanniae Radix is a common medicine of traditional Chinese medicine， which has the function of nourishing Yin and tonifying the kidney， and has a long application history of processing. This medicine was first recorded in Synopsis of Golden Chamber （《金匮要略》）， which was mainly produced by steaming and boiling. Its processing materials were diverse. In addition to rice wine， honey， Amomi Fructus， milk， Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum， and Carthami Flos were also recorded in ancient books， but with the evolution of time， the characteristic excipients gradually disappeared. Based on this， starting with different excipients， the author consulted the classics of materia medica and processing specifications in various regions， sorted out the historical evolution of Rehmanniae Radix processing， and explored new methods and new ideas to exert the maximum efficacy on this basis. At the same time， the effects of different processing excipients on the chemical components and pharmacodynamic effects of Rehmanniae Radix were analyzed. After literature review， it was found that Rehmanniae Radix mainly had the effects of clearing heat and cooling blood， nourishing Yin and generating fluid. Its traditional processing excipients generally used rice wine， Carthami Flos and others. After processing with different excipients， there was different effects on the chemical components and pharmacological effects of Rehmanniae Radix. In summary， this paper can provide useful reference for standardized research on different processed products of Rehmanniae Radix.

Comparison of the effect of navigation template assisted spinal pedicle fixation and traditional pedicle screw fixation:a Meta-analysis / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To systematically evaluate the efficacy of rapid prototyping drill navigation template-assisted pedicle screw fixation and traditional anatomic landmark-based fixation in the treatment of spinal disease by accessing and searching some relevant literatures home and abroad.@*METHODS@#Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and prospective case-control studies or retrospective case-control studies about rapid prototyping drill templates-assisted pedicle screw fixation and traditional anatomic landmark-based fixation for the treatment of spinal disease were searched electronically in PubMed, The Cochrane Library(Issue 5, 2017), Clinical Trial, Google Scholar, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang database and VIP database before June 2017. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, two researchers independently screened the literatures, and extracted the data. The methodological quality of randomized controlled trials were evaluated by the Cochrane Handbook, and prospective case-control studies and retrospective case-control studies were evaluated by the NOS scale. The outcomes were analyzed using RevMan 5.3 software provided by the Cochrane information management system.@*RESULTS@#A total of 7 articles were included, including 2 RCTs, 1 prospective case-control study and 4 retrospective case-control studies. A total of 237 patients were implanted with 1 688 pedicle screws, including 898 screws in the navigation template group, 790 screws in the conventional method group. Meta-analysis results showed that there was significant difference in the excellent rate of screw implantation between navigation template group and conventional method group [OR=5.05, 95% CI(3.13, 8.16), <0.000 01], there was significant difference in operative time, intraoperative blood loss for thoracolumbar surgery [WMD=-27.19, 95% CI(-38.21, -16.17), <0.000 01; WMD=-100.82, 95% CI(-182.26, -19.37), =0.02].@*CONCLUSIONS@#Compared with traditional pedicle screw fixation, navigation template spine pedicle screw fixation has better clinical effect, which can improve the excellent rate of screw placement, reduce the operation time and intraoperative bleeding.

Rapid prototyping navigation template assisted cervical screw implantation:a review / 中国骨伤

The cervical screw fixation has been used widely in the clinic setting due to the high fusion rate, immediate fixation of the surgical segment and good correction of the deformity. However, owing to the variation of anatomical structures and the narrow pedicle screws, it's rather difficult to implant the screws through traditional methods. The perforation rate of the screw is high, which can cause serious complications such as neurovascular injury. In recent years, rapid prototyping navigation templates have been reported in the appilication to assist cervical screw placement for improving the accuracy of screw placement. In this paper, we reviewed and summarized published literatures about navigation template assisted cervical screw implantation in the past 20 years, systematically introduced the methods of producing and using of navigation templates, the development of design concept and the status of application in cervical spine surgery. To date, relevant clinical and cadaveric studies confirm that the use of rapid prototyping navigation template assisted cervical screw placement in cervical surgery can reduce screw perforation rate, intraoperative ionizing radiation injury and operation time, which is worth applying in the clinical practice. However, specific clinical effects of different design types of navigation templates are not well summarized. As a result, more clinical and cadaveric studies comparing the accuracy and safety of navigation templates of different design types are needed to help clinicians select the appropriate navigation template for surgery.

Change of 3D cervical range of motion after single-level anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the change trend of cervical range of motion(ROM) after single-level anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion(ACCF) in treating cervical spondylotic myelopathy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 23 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy was retrospectively analyzed from February 2015 to April 2016. There were 11 males and 12 females, with an average age of (54.6±13.3) years. All the patients were diagnosed as cervical spondylotic myelopathy by interrogation, physical examination and radiology, and were treated by ACCF. The Coda motion system was applied to assess the cervical range of motion pre-and post-operation. JOA and VAS scores were used to evaluate the clinical outcomes.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean follow-up time was (9.4±1.6) months. Cervical ROM in all directions at 3 months postoperatively were significantly lower except for the left rotation(<0.05). There was significant difference of cervical ROM in all directions between preoperative and 6 months postoperatively(>0.05). The right lateral bending and the left rotation at 9 months postoperatively increased significantly(<0.05). Postoperative extension at 6 months was significantly better than that of 3 months postoperatively(<0.05). The extension, left and right lateral bending and left rotation at 9 months postoperatively were significantly better than of 6 months postoperatively(<0.05). Postoperative JOA scores at each time points were significantly higher than that of preoperative(<0.05) and VAS scores at each time points were significantly lower than that of preoperative(<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The change trend of three-dimensional cervical ROM after single-level ACCF revealed that the ROM decreased in short term, and later increased and was better than the preoperative level. Meanwhile, the neurological function improved significantly. But the short-term and long-term change trend of ROM postoperatively and the change trend of ROM after multi-level ACCF need to be further studied.</p>

Clinical effects of high frequency repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy on dyskinesia in patients with incomplete spinal cord injury:a Meta-analysis / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To systematically evaluate the clinical effect of high frequency repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation(HF rTMS)therapy on dyskinesia in patients with incomplete spinal cord injury.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Randomized controlled trials(RCTs) about HF rTMS therapy on patients with motor incomplete spinal cord injury were searched electronically in PubMed, Google scholar, Cochrane library, Clinical trial, Medline, Web of science, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang database before October 2016. Two reviewers independently screened the literatures according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, as well as extracted the data and assessed the methodological quality. The observed outcomes included ASIA motor score, ASIA lower extremities motor score(LEMS), Modified Ashworth score (MAS), Ten-meter walking test (10MWT) and Walking index for SCI II(WISCI II), and the outcomes were analyzed using RevMan5.2 software provided by the Cochrane information management system.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Five RCTs involved 103 patients were included, and 61 patients(experimental group) accepted real rTMS and physical rehabilitation care for SCI, 51 patients(control group) accepted only physical rehabilitation care. There were significant differences in ASIA motor score, LEMS and 10MWT between two groups after HF rTMS therapy (statistics were=2.96,=0.003;=3.04,=0.002;=2.16,=0.03; respectively). When stimulating the leg motor cortex, there was significant difference in MAS between two groups(=2.79,=0.005), and when stimulating the vertex, there was no significant difference(=0.09,=0.93). There was no significant difference in WISCI IIscore after HF rTMS therapy between two groups(=0.90,=0.37).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>HF rTMS can raise motor score in patients with incomplete spinal cord injury, improve the spasticity of the lower extremities, and increase the motor ability.</p>

Genotyping of RhD-negative blood samples diagnosed by serological tests from patients waiting for kidney transplantation / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the accuracy of serological and molecular approaches to identification of RhD-negative patients waiting for kidney transplantation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 103 RhD-negative blood samples by serological test were collected from patients waiting for kidney transplantation between January, 2006 and January, 2016. Quantitative PCR and sequencing were used to verify the results of RHD genotyping, and the false negative rates of the serological and molecular methods for RhD genotyping were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among the 103 blood samples, true RhD negativity (with all the 10 exons missing) was found in 56 samples (54.5%), and false RhD negativity (RhD positivity with loss, repetition, or missense mutation in the 10 exons) in 47 samples (45.6%). In the 47 false RhD-negative cases, weak D was detected in 1 case (2.1%), partial D in 13 cases (27.7%), and D-elution in 33 cases (70.2%). The detection rates of RhD negativity differed significantly between the serological and molecular methods (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Serological test is associated with a high false negative rate in detecting RhD blood group, and the use of the molecular approach has important clinical significance in accurate RhD genotyping for patients waiting for renal transplantation.</p>

Early intervention of BK virus replication promotes stabilization of renal graft function / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the optimal time window for intervention of BK virus (BKV) replication and its effect on the outcomes of kidney transplant recipients (KTRs).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective analysis of the clinical data and treatment regimens was conducted among KTRs whose urine BKV load was ≥1.0×10copies/mL following the operation between April, 2000 and April, 2015. KTRs with urine BKV load <1.0×10copies/mL matched for transplantation time served as the control group.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 54 recipients positive for urine BKV were included in the analysis. According to urine BKV load, the recipients were divided into 3 groups: group A with urine BKV load of 1.0×10-1.0×10copies/mL (n=22), group B with urine BKV load >1.0×10copies/mL (n=24), and group C with plasma BKV load ≥1.0×10copies/mL (n=8); 47 recipients were included in the control group. During the follow-up for 3.2-34.5 months, the urine and plasma BKV load was obviously lowered after intervention in all the 54 BKV-positive recipients (P<0.05). Eighteen (81.82%) of the recipients in group A and 19 (79.17%) in group B showed stable or improved estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) after the intervention; in group C, 4 recipients (50%) showed stable eGFR after the intervention. In the last follow-up, the recipients in groups A and B showed similar eGFR with the control group (P>0.05), but in group C, eGFR was significantly lower than that of the control group (P=0.001). The recipients in group A and the control group had the best allograft outcome with stable or improved eGFR.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Early intervention of BKV replication (urine BKV load ≥1.0×10copies/mL) in KTRs with appropriate immunosuppression reduction can be helpful for stabilizing the allograft function and improving the long-term outcomes.</p>

Risk factors for accelerated junctional escape rhythm in children early after percutaneous ventricular septal defect closure / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify the risk factors for accelerated junctional escape rhythm (AJER) in children early after percutaneous ventricular septal defect (VSD) closure.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective controlled study was conducted on 42 children who had AJER within one week after percutaneous VSD closure between January 2008 and October 2012. These subjects were compared with controls without AJER after VSD closure in terms of age, sex, diameter of VSD, occluder size, difference between occluder size and diameter of VSD, and distance between VSD and aortic valve ring. Risk factors for AJER were identified by logistic regression analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, the AJER group had a longer distance betweenVSD and aortic valve ring, a larger diameter of VSD (basal diameter), a larger occluder size (waist diameter) , and a bigger difference between the waist diameter of occluder and diameter of VSD (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that distance between VSD and aortic valve ring (OR=1.813, P<0.05) and occluder size (OR=1.671, P<0.05) are primary risk factors for AJER.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>AJER early after percutaneous VSD closure is related to diameter of VSD, occluder size, difference between the waist diameter of occluder and diameter of VSD, and distance between VSD and aortic valve ring. The distance between VSD and aortic valve ring and occluder size are primary risk factors for AJER.</p>

Significance of Tp-Te interval for risk stratification of ventricular premature contractions in children / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the significance of Tp-Te interval for risk stratification of ventricular premature contractions (VPC) in children.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 120 children with VPC were divided into benign VPC (n=40), organic disease (n=40) and ventricular parasystole groups (n=40) according to the etiology of VPC; another 40 children who underwent physical examination were selected as the normal control group. The four groups were compared in terms of Tp-Te intervals and Tp-Te/QT ratios in leads V3, V4 and V5.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The Tp-Te interval in lead V3 was significantly longer in the organic disease group than in the other groups (P<0.05), the benign VPC group had a significantly shorter Tp-Te interval in lead V4 than the normal control and organic disease groups (P<0.05), and the organic disease group had a significantly longer Tp-Te interval in lead V5 than the benign VPC group (P<0.05). The Tp-Te/QT ratios in leads V3-V5 were significantly higher in the organic disease group than in the other groups (P<0.05). The Tp-Te/QT ratios in leads V4 and V5 showed significant differences between the ventricular parasystole and benign VPC groups (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Tp-Te interval is susceptible to changes in heart rate, and it is of little value for the risk stratification of VPC in children. Tp-Te/QT ratio, however, may be used as an important non-invasive index for clinical risk stratification of VPC in children and is worthy of further study.</p>

Perinatal integrative intervention for critical pulmonary artery valve stenosis / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of different operation time to percutaneous balloon pulmonic valvuloplasty (PBPV) to critical pulmonary valve stenosis (CPS).</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Twenty-one infants (age ≤ 60 days at operating day) suffered from CPS, diagnosed by fetal echocardiogram and confirmed by echocardiography after birth, were enrolled in this case-control-study with written informed consent during April 2007 to December 2011. Of the 21 cases, 7 had prenatal diagnosis in our prenatal diagnosis center (prenatal group, Pre) and 14 were referred from other hospitals, who were divided into postpartum group A (Post A, referred within 28 days after birth) and postpartum group B (Post B, referred 29 to 60 days after birth). To Pre-group, the integrative interventional protocol was cautiously made by the consultative specialists, including intrauterine diagnosis, perinatal care and urgent PBPV soon after birth. To Post-group, emergency PBPV was preformed after the referral. Tei index of right ventricular and pressure-gradient (PG) between right ventricular and pulmonary artery were measured before and at different time points one year after PBPV.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The values of SpO2 in Pre-group ranged from 82%-92% (86.57% ± 5.34%) under the state of continuous intravenous infusion of alprostadil. PBPV was successfully preformed within 3-6 days after birth. The values of SpO2 increased to 97.33% ± 1.15% post procedure. The values of PG pre- and post- procedure were (86.34 ± 11.77) mm Hg and (31.43 ± 8.46) mm Hg respectively. Preoperative RV Tei-index was 0.68 ± 0.05, it decreased rapidly after procedure, and recovered to normal one month after procedure. Only one case showed restenosis seven months after procedure and repeated PBPV. Fourteen referral cases (6 cases in Post A group and 8 cases in Post B group, accompanied in 1 and 3 cases with heart failure), the values of SpO2 ranged from 83%-91% under state of continuous intravenous infusion of alprostadil. And the operating time was 10-57 days after birth. The values of SpO2 recovered to normal post procedure, and heart failure alleviated. Increased preoperative RV pressure obviously decreased significantly post-procedure. And increased Tei-index declined gradually, at one-year follow-up, the value of Tei-index in Post A group recovered to normal, whereas that of Post B was (0.51 ± 0.06), compared to Pre and Post A groups, the difference was significant (P < 0.05) . One case showed restenosis nine months after procedure and repeated PBPV was performed. The hypoxic exposure durations were (4.43 ± 0.68) , (16.33 ± 4.46) , (41.25 ± 9.19) , respectively, and the difference among the three groups was significant (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>To the fetuses with definite prenatal diagnosis of critical pulmonary valve stenosis, preoperative general condition can be adjusted to more suitable for emergency operation. Early PBPV can achieve shorter hypoxic exposure and better recovery of right ventricular function post procedure. Perinatal integrated intervention for CPS can significantly improve the prognosis and quality of life in this patient population.</p>

Pulmonary infection in kidney transplant and liver transplant recipients / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To summarize the features of pulmonary infection (PI) in kidney transplant (Ktx) and liver transplant (Ltx) recipients for effective control measures.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective analysis was conducted among Ktx recipients and Ltx recipients with PI during the period from Jan 2004 to Dec 2008. The clinical data concerning the infection was compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Forty-five Ktx recipients and 23 Ltx recipients developed PI after the transplantation. The incidence of PI was 7.4% and 56.1% in (P<0.001), respectively, with severe PI occurring in 2.6% and 46.3% of the recipients (P<0.001). The median time from PI diagnosis to transplant was 230 days (29-1080 days) and 4 days (2-104 days) (P<0.001), the case-fatality rate for PI was 6.7% and 17.4% (P=NS), and the mortality rate was 0.5% and 9.8% (P<0.001) in Ktx and Ltx recipients, respectively; Gram-negative organisms were the most common in both Ktx and Ltx recipients, but Ltx recipients had significantly higher incidence of multidrug-resistant bacteria (12.9% vs 37.0%, P=0.005).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The knowledge of PI after the transplantation will benefit appropriate prophylactic and empirical treatment to improve the survival of Ktx and Ltx recipients.</p>

KIR/HLA ligand matching and acute rejection after kidney transplantation / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effect of KIR/HLA ligand matching which mediates activated or inhibitory signal pathways on acute rejection (AR) after kidney transplantation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>HLA and KIR genotype assortments were analyzed in 53 donor/recipient pairs of kidney transplantation. The recipients were divided into AR group (GI, n=19) and stable renal function group (GII, n=34) based on the early graft function. The impact of donor HLA, recipient KIR and distinct KIR/HLA class I ligand combinations on acute rejection after kidney transplantation was studied.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No significant differences were found in donor HLA-C1/2, HLA-A3, HLA-A11, or HLA-Bw4 between GI and GII groups. The frequency for KIR2DL2/2DS2 and KIR genotype assortment (AA) of the recipients in GI group were significantly lower than that in GII group (26.3% vs 55.9%, P=0.038; 31.6% vs 67.6%, P=0.011). The incidence of AR was significantly lower in donor HLA-C1/1 than in non-C1/1 (31.6% vs 46.7%, P>0.05), and lower in recipient KIR genotype assortment (AA) than in non-AA (20.7% vs 52.2%, P=0.011). A significant higher number of matches for the KIR2DL2/ HLA-C1 and KIR2DL3/HLA-C1 were observed in GII group (P=0.030, P=0.028).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Distinct KIR/HLA class I ligand combinations between the donor and recipient (such as KIR2DL2/ HLA-C1 and KIR2DL3/HLA-C1) may reduce the incidence of AR. A good KIR/HLA class I ligand matching will benefit the survival of the renal allograft.</p>

Long-term survival of high-risk kidney transplant patients / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To summarize the experiences in high-risk renal transplant recipients for ketter long-term survival.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From April 1991 to December 2008, a total of 921 kidney recipients with high-risk factors were divided into six groups as following: (1) pediatric patients (< 18 years old) (GI, n = 34); (2) retransplant recipients (GII, n = 169); (3) high sensitized patients (PRA> 30% or peak PRA > 50%)(GIII, n = 35); (4) elderly recipients (> 60 years old) (GIV, n = 297); (5) diabetic patients (GV, n = 112); (6) patients with HBV/HCV infection or HBV/HCV carrier (GVI, n = 274). Each group was compared to a control of 807 recipients without any above risk factor for patient and graft survival at 1, 3 and 5 years. Incidences of acute rejection (AR), chronic rejection (CR) and complication were analyzed and compared respectively between the studied subjects and the control group as well.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, patient/graft survivals were lower in GII, GIII and GVI (all P < 0.05), GIV had worse patient survival (P < 0.05); AR and CR incidences were greater in GI and GIII (all P < 0.05); GIV, GV and GVI had more complications.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>This study suggests the benefits for long-term outcome in high-immunological risk renal transplant recipients of low acute selection incidence rate, and reduction of complication incidences is the key to long term results for non-immunological high risk recipients.</p>

Effect of resveratrol on myocardial fibrosis in mice with chronic viral myocarditis / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Some research has shown that resveratrol can ameliorate myocardial injury and improve cardiac function in mice with acute viral myocarditis (VMC), and can inhibit cardiac fibroblast proliferation and myofibroblast differentiation in vitro. This study was designed to investigate whether resveratrol has similar effects in the mouse model of chronic VMC.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred mice were inoculated with 0.3 mL of Coxsackievirus B3 1*106 TCID50. Thirty days later, the survivors (n=62) were used as a model of chronic VMC, and were randomly assigned to 4 groups: untreated VMC, and low- (10 mg/kg), middle- (100 mg/kg) and high-dose (1 000 mg/kg) resveratrol-treated VMC (once daily, for 30 days). Ten mice which received neither Coxsackievirus B3 nor resveratrol treatment served as the control group. After 30 days of resveratrol treatment, the mice were sacrificed. Serum concentrations of collagenous pre-peptides (PINP, PICP and PIIINP) were assessed using ELISA. Hematoxylin-eosin staining, picrosirius red staining and circularly polarized light were used to examine the histochemistry of myocardial collagen.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The myocardial collagen volume fraction in the high-dose (0.74+/-0.19) and the middle-dose (1.07+/-0.12) resveratrol-treated VMC groups was significantly lower than that in the untreated VMC (2.33+/-0.18) and the low-dose resveratrol-treated VMC (2.17+/-0.19) groups (P<0.05). Compared with the untreated VMC group, serum concentrations of PICP and PIIINP in the high-dose and the middle-dose resveratrol-treated VMC groups were significantly reduced (P<0.05), while PINP concentrations increased significantly (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Resveratrol can inhibit hyperplasia of myocardial collagen in the mouse model of chronic VMC, acting as an effective anti-fibrotic agent in the myocardium.</p>

Analysis of 81 cases of congenital anomalies of the vagina / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the types, clinical features and therapeutic approaches of congenital anomalies of the vagina.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 81 patients with congenital anomalies of the vagina were analyzed retrospectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were 5 types in these 81 patients, and 16 (19.7%) patients showed absence of the vagina, 15(18.5%) had vaginal obstruction, 10 (12.3%) had transverse vaginal septum,14(17.2%) had longitudinal vaginal septae,18(22.2%) had septum obliquus, and 8 (9.8%) had imperforate hymen. Forty-eight (59.2%) patients presented with primary amenorrhea, and 22(27.1%) complained of irregular pelvic pain. Fifteen of the patients with absent vagina underwent amnion artificial vaginoplasty, and the others were treated with incising and removing the septum, all having good clinical outcomes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Amnion artificial vaginoplasty is a good option for treatment of absent vagina.</p>

Analysis of natural killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor genes in Chinese / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the genotypes of natural killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) genes and their frequencies in Chinese subjects and explore the mechanism of the actions of nature killer cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The DNA samples were obtained from 67 randomly selected unrelated Chinese Han individuals for genotyping of the KIR genes using PCR with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP), and the frequencies of the KIR genes in these Chinese subjects were compared with the reported frequencies in populations of other nationalities.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Sixteen KIR genes were identified in these Chinese subjects, and 87.5% of these genes were expressed at frequencies above 0.35. Fourteen functional KIR genes combined into 25 KIR genotypes, among which the most frequent genotype KIR-2DL1-2DL3-2DL4-3DL1-3DL2-3DL3-2DS4 showed a frequency of 0.373, while the frequencies of all the other genotypes were no greater than 0.09. Comparison of the KIR combinations in Chinese Han population with those of Japanese, Korean, and Caucasians populations identified 8.93% of the KIR combinations shared by all these populations; the Chinese, Koreans and Caucasians shared 5.36% common KIR combinations, whereas only 1.79% common combinations were found in Chinese and Caucasians. In this study, 16 new gene combinations were identified (25.28%).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This study shows the high-frequency distribution of a single KIR gene polymorphism. The KIR combination KIR-2DL1-2DL3-2DL4-3DL1-3DL2-3DL3-2DS4 has the highest frequency in Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Caucasian populations, indicating that inhibitory signal transduction pathway plays an important role in the function of the natural killer cells. This study provide clues for new approaches for improving the prognosis of kidney transplantation by enhancing or inhibiting the function of the natural killer cells instead of life-time usage of immunosuppressive agents.</p>

Expression of Notch1 on peripheral lymphocytes before and after acute graft rejection following renal transplantation / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the changes in Notch1 expression on peripheral lymphocytes after acute graft rejection after renal transplantation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty renal transplant recipients experiencing acute graft rejection and 20 without acute rejection were enrolled in this study. Flow cytometry was used to detect the expression of Notch1 on peripheral lymphocytes of the patients before operation, at the occurrence of acute rejection and after anti-rejection therapy. The rates of Notch1-positive lymphocytes measured at different time points were compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>In patients with acute graft rejection, Notch1 expression at the time of rejection onset was significantly higher than that before operation (t=4.245, P=0.000) and that of patients with graft rejection (t=3.839, P=0.000), and was obviously decreased after anti-rejection therapy (t=3.102, P=0.004). Patients without graft rejection showed no significant changes in Notch1 expression after the transplantation (P=0.409). Notch1 expression was comparable between the recipients receiving Tac therapy and those with CsA therapy (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Monitoring Notch1 expression on the peripheral lymphocytes after renal transplantation may help in the diagnosis of acute graft rejection and prediction of the effect of an anti-rejection therapy.</p>

Simultaneous liver-kidney transplantation in polycystic kidney and hepatic disease with kidney and liver failure / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To review the clinical experiences concerning simultaneous liver-kidney transplantation in polycystic kidney and hepatic disease with kidney and liver failure.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This study involved 8 cases of simultaneous liver-kidney transplantation in polycystic kidney and hepatic disease with kidney and liver failure. There were 5 male and 3 female patients, aged from 41 to 67 years old with a mean of 52.8 years old. Six cases transplanted kidney after liver with orthotopic liver transplantation, and 2 cases transplanted liver after kidney with piggy-back liver transplantation. The acute rejections, complications, liver function, kidney functions, and survival rates of patient/liver/kidney were recorded.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Within the follow-up of 28 to 65 months, all 8 patients are still alive with normal liver and kidney functions: 2 living more than 5 years, 2 living more than 4 years and 4 living more than 2 years. 2 cases of pleural effusion and 1 case of pneumonia were complications after operation, which had been cured successfully. No acute rejection of allograft was observed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Simultaneous liver-kidney transplantation is a safe and effective treatment for polycystic kidney and hepatic disease with kidney and liver failure.</p>

Factors responsible for inter-individual variations in dosage/concentration of tacrolimus in renal transplant recipients / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify the factors responsible for the inter-individual variations in the dosage/concentration of tacrolimus in renal transplant recipients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This study involved renal transplant recipients receiving immunosuppressive therapy with the tacrolimus, mycophenolate and prednisone regimen after the operation. The gender, age, height, body weight, tacrolimus dosage, hormone dosage, diarrhea, blood lipids, liver function, renal function, albumin, and hematocrit of the patients were recorded at different time points, namely in early stage (3, 7, 14, and 30 days postoperatively, 118 cases), at 3 months (103 cases), 6 months (75 cases) and over one year (119 cases) after the operation. The concentrations of tacrolimus and gene polymorphisms at CYP3A5, MDR1 3435, MDR1 2677 and MDR1 1236 were also determined in these patients. Multiple linear regression was used for analysis of these factors with tacrolimus concentration/dosage*body surface area as the independent variable.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Patients in early stage following renal transplantation showed rather poor fitting of the stepwise regression model, which increased obviously 3 months after the operation and further increased till reaching a stable level at 6 months. Multiple factors were found to affect tacrolimus concentration/dosage in the early postoperative stage, during which period these factors underwent drastic variations and became stable 3 months later. In terms of pharmacogenomics, the major factors affecting tacrolimus concentration/dosage included MDR1 3435, MDR1 2677 and MDR1 1236 polymorphisms, which vastly varied between the patients early after the operation. Of these polymorphic sites, CYP3A5 produced only minor effects on tacrolimus concentration/dosage, and was not included as an active factor until the stable phase (over 1 year) following the transplantation; MDR1 3435 was found to be the predominant factor affecting tacrolimus metabolism in the stable phase. Age, liver function, albumin and hematocrit were found to be positively correlated to the independent variable tacrolimus concentration/dosage*body surface area, and identified as important factors responsible for the intra-individual variation of tacrolimus dosage/concentration.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The variations in the factors affecting tacrolimus dosage/concentration after renal transplantation are consistent with the clinical features of the patients, and these factors vary with the postoperative stages. Pharmacogenomic factors produce the most conspicuous effect on tacrolimus dosage/concentration, and agents that may interfere with tacrolimus metabolism should be avoided after the operation. Age, liver function, albumin and hematocrit are also important factors responsible for the variation of tacrolimus dosage/concentration.</p>

Combined assay of soluble CD30 and hepatocyte growth factor for diagnosis of acute renal allograft rejection / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the value of detection of both preoperative soluble CD30 (sCD30) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) level 5 days after transplantation in the diagnosis of acute rejection of renal allograft.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Preoperative serum sCD30 levels and HGF level 5 days after transplantation were determined in 65 renal-transplant recipients using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The recipients were divided according to the sCD30 levels positivity. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess the value of HGF level on day 5 posttransplantation for diagnosis of acute renal allograft rejection, and the value of combined assay of the sCD30 and HGF levels was also estimated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After transplantation, 26 recipients developed graft rejection and 39 had uneventful recovery without rejection. With the cut-off value of sCD30 of 120 U/ml, the positivity rate of sCD30 was significantly higher in recipients with graft rejection than in those without (61.5% vs 17.9%, P<0.05). Recipients with acute rejection showed also significantly higher HGF levels on day 5 posttransplantation than those without rejection (P<0.05). ROC curve analysis indicated that HGF levels on day 5 posttransplantation was a good marker for diagnosis of acute renal allograft rejection, and at the cut-off value of 90 ug/L, the diagnostic sensitivity was 84.6% and specificity 76.9%. Evaluation of both the sCD30 and HGF levels significantly enhanced the diagnostic accuracy of acute graft rejection.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Combined assay of serum sCD30 and HGF levels offers a useful means for diagnosis of acute renal allograft rejection.</p>