The MpNAC72/MpERF105-MpMYB10b module regulates anthocyanin biosynthesis in Malus 'Profusion' leaves infected with Gymnosporangium yamadae.

Apple rust is a serious fungal disease affecting Malus plants worldwide. Infection with the rust pathogen Gymnosporangium yamadae induces the accumulation of anthocyanins in Malus to resist rust disease. However, the mechanism of anthocyanin biosynthesis regulation in Malus against apple rust is still unclear. Here, we show that MpERF105 and MpNAC72 are key regulators of anthocyanin biosynthesis via the ethylene-dependent pathway in M. 'Profusion' leaves under rust disease stress. Exogenous ethephon treatment promoted high expression of MpERF105 and MpNAC72 and anthocyanin accumulation in G. yamadae-infected M. 'Profusion' leaves. Overexpression of MpERF105 increased the total anthocyanin content of Malus plant material and acted by positively regulating its target gene, MpMYB10b. MpNAC72 physically interacted with MpERF105 in vitro and in planta, and the two form a protein complex. Coexpression of the two leads to higher transcript levels of MpMYB10b and higher anthocyanin accumulation. In addition, overexpression of MpERF105 or MpNAC72 enhanced the resistance of M. 'Profusion' leaves to apple rust. In conclusion, our results elucidate the mechanism by which MpERF105 and MpNAC72 are induced by ethylene in G. yamadae-infected M. 'Profusion' leaves and promote anthocyanin accumulation by mediating the positive regulation of MpMYB10b expression.

Analysis of risk factors for acute kidney injury in children with severe wasp stings.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in children with sepsis, chronic kidney disease, poisoning or other conditions. Wasp stings are recognized as an important etiology. Several retrospective studies have investigated AKI after wasp stings in adults, but research on children remains limited. METHODS: The study included 48 children with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome after wasp stings. Demographic data, clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, management and clinical outcomes were collected, and analyzed to identify early indicators or risk factors for AKI. RESULTS: 20 children (41.7%) developed AKI, and 28 (58.3%) did not. Serum creatine levels elevated mostly within 24 h from stings in children with AKI (16/20, 80%). Compared with non-AKI group, AKI group exhibited more cases with cola-colored urine, jaundice, and had higher sting numbers/body surface area (BSA) and higher revised sequential organ failure assessment scores (rSOFA) as well as higher levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin (TBIL), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), troponin (cTnI), creatine kinase (CK), and longer prothrombin time (PT). Both univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis identified cola-colored urine as a potential early risk factor for AKI. CONCLUSIONS: The AKI group exhibited higher sting numbers/BSA, higher levels of CRP, ALT, AST, TBIL, LDH, cTnI, and CK, as well as longer PT (p < 0.05). Our findings also suggest that cola-colored urine may serve as an early indicator or potential risk factor for AKI after wasp stings in children, which is very easy to identify for first aiders or pediatricians.

Aging Biomarkers and Novel Targets for Anti-Aging Interventions.

The aging population worldwide is expanding at an increasing rate. By 2050, approximately a quarter of the world population will consist of the elderly. To slow down the aging process, exploration of aging biomarkers and the search for novel antiaging targets have attracted much interest. Nonetheless, because aging research is costly and time-consuming and the aging process is complicated, aging research is considered one of the most difficult biological fields. Here, providing a broader definition of aging biomarkers, we review cutting-edge research on aging biomarkers at the molecular, cellular, and organismal levels, thus shedding light on the relations between aging and telomeres, longevity proteins, a senescence-associated secretory phenotype, the gut microbiota and metabolic patterns. Furthermore, we evaluate the suitability of these aging biomarkers for the development of novel antiaging targets on the basis of the most recent research on this topic. We also discuss the possible implications and some controversies regarding these biomarkers for therapeutic interventions in aging and age-related disease processes. We have attempted to cover all of the latest research on aging biomarkers in our review but there are countless studies on aging biomarkers, and the topic of aging interventions will continue to deepen even further. We hope that our review can serve as a reference for better characterization of aging and as inspiration for the screening of antiaging drugs as well as give some clues to further research into aging biomarkers and antiaging targets.

Synthesis and Application of Water-Soluble Oxazine Dyes for Detection of PHAs-Producing Bacteria.

Derivatives of oxazine dyes were synthesized on mulitigram scales via efficient synthetic strategies. One practical route was selected to prepare compounds 6, 9 and 10, especially water-soluble compound 6 was obtained in better yield than reported, and compound 10 was insoluble in aqueous media in absence of phenolic-OH. Compounds 3 and 9 were found to be clear pH-dependent between pH = 4.0 and 10.0, and could be used as acid-base indicators to measure intracellular pH. Compounds 6, 9, 10 all have carboxylic acid functionalities, which could be activated and used to conjugate the dyes to biomolecules. In addition, compounds 6 and 9 with good solubility in aqueous media were used to develop a simple, quick, safe, highly sensitive staining method to detect PHAs-producing bacteria on heat-fixed smears, which was confirmed by fluorescence images of PHAs granules of bacteria.

The relationship between children kidney diseases and adult ESRD--an epidemiological investigation of 700 cases.

BACKGROUND: We planned an epidemic investigation of 700 cases who suffered from chronic renal failure (CRF) to search for the evidence to demonstrate the relationship between children kidney diseases and adult CRF. METHODS: Seven hundred patients from four hospitals in Chengdu, China, were investigated face-to-face to complete a questionnaire referring to the information of diagnoses, treatment, history and so on. These enumeration count data were analyzed by statistical description. RESULTS: In 700 patients, there were 402 male and 298 female including 21 children and 679 adults. In the disease spectrum, the unclear accounted for 36.3% of totality. Chronic glomerulonephritis made the top proportion (14.4%) in primary kidney diseases. Diabetic nephropathy (15.3%), hypertensive nephropathy (10.1%), and gouty nephropathy (6%) made the primary proportion in secondary kidney diseases. In 21 children, chronic glomerulonephritis had the highest proportion of 52.4%, followed by nephrotic syndrome (19%), Henoch-Schönlein purpura (9.5%), and urinary tract obstruction (4.8%). Thirty-eight cases developed into kidney diseases during childhood including 21 children mentioned above, in which 17 cases presented CRF in the adult stage. The primary renal diseases are chronic glomerulonephritis (60.5%), purpura nephritis (18.4%), nephrotic syndrome (10.5%), urinary tract obstruction (2.6%), and the unclear (7.9%). CONCLUSION: The survey showed that there were a high proportion of patients whose causes were unknown, to which attention should be paid. Chronic glomerulonephritis remained the main cause of CRF no matter whether in children or in adults. Purpura during childhood, used to be thought as self-limited, might eventually develop into CRF in adulthood, which caught our eyes.

Changes of stressful life events, coping strategies and mental health among youths in the pre- and post-coronavirus 2019 pandemic era: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: In the pandemic era, stressful life events (StressLEv) aggravated the impact on mental health. However, youths exhibited different responses to StressLEv because of diverse coping strategies, social support, and emotional intelligence before and after the pandemic. AIMS: To explore the changes in StressLEv and coping strategies before and after the coronavirus 2019 pandemic, as well as report the associations among mental health and related factors in a sample of Chinese youths experiencing the post-pandemic era. METHOD: A cross-sectional study using convenience sampling was conducted from July 1 to August 30, 2022, covering 3,038 youths aged 14 to 25 in China. Multiple logistic regression was conducted for crude odds ratios (ORs) and adjusted ORs. The relationships between lasso-selected variables was examined using structural equation modeling. RESULTS: More StressLEv and limited coping strategies were reported after the pandemic. In the post-pandemic era, BSI-positive youths (youths diagnosed as considered case by Brief Symptom Inventory, BSI) reported more StressLEv (BSI-positive: mean = 75.47; BSI-negative: mean = 28.69), less social support (BSI-positive: mean = 31.81; BSI-negative: mean = 39.22), and lower emotional intelligence (BSI-positive: mean = 75.34; BSI-negative: mean = 89.42). The willingness to engage in mental health counseling (OR: no vs. yes: 1.89; uncertain vs. yes: 4.42), being punished (OR: 1.27), adaptation problems (OR: 1.06), task-oriented coping (OR: 0.95), social diversion coping (OR: 0.90), objective support (OR: 0.90), utilization of social support (OR: 0.81), and regulation of emotion in oneself (OR: 0.94) were associated with mental health. Structural equation modeling supported our theoretical framework. CONCLUSIONS: Pandemic-induced mental health problems should not be ignored. The proposed response mechanisms could guide the development of effective interventions, which can help youths better cope with StressLEv and maintain good mental health.

Decreased Enterobacteriaceae translocation due to gut microbiota remodeling mediates the alleviation of premature aging by a high-fat diet.

Aging-associated microbial dysbiosis exacerbates various disorders and dysfunctions, and is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality in the elderly, but the underlying cause of this aging-related syndrome is confusing. SIRT6 knockout (SIRT6 KO) mice undergo premature aging and succumb to death by 4 weeks, and are therefore useful as a premature aging research model. Here, fecal microbiota transplantation from SIRT6 KO mice into wild-type (WT) mice phenocopies the gut dysbiosis and premature aging observed in SIRT6 KO mice. Conversely, an expanded lifespan was observed in SIRT6 KO mice when transplanted with microbiota from WT mice. Antibiotic cocktail treatment attenuated inflammation and cell senescence in KO mice, directly suggesting that gut dysbiosis contributes to the premature aging of SIRT6 KO mice. Increased Enterobacteriaceae translocation, driven by the overgrowth of Escherichia coli, is the likely mechanism for the premature aging effects of microbiome dysregulation, which could be reversed by a high-fat diet. Our results provide a mechanism for the causal link between gut dysbiosis and aging, and support a beneficial effect of a high-fat diet for correcting gut dysbiosis and alleviating premature aging. This study provides a rationale for the integration of microbiome-based high-fat diets into therapeutic interventions against aging-associated diseases.

Anthocyanins from Malus spp. inhibit the activity of Gymnosporangium yamadae by downregulating the expression of WSC, RLM1, and PMA1.

Malus plants are frequently devastated by the apple rust caused by Gymnosporangium yamadae Miyabe. When rust occurs, most Malus spp. and cultivars produce yellow spots, which are more severe, whereas a few cultivars accumulate anthocyanins around rust spots, forming red spots that inhibit the expansion of the affected area and might confer rust resistance. Inoculation experiments showed that Malus spp. with red spots had a significantly lower rust severity. Compared with M. micromalus, M. 'Profusion', with red spots, accumulated more anthocyanins. Anthocyanins exhibited concentration-dependent antifungal activity against G. yamadae by inhibiting teliospores germination. Morphological observations and the leakage of teliospores intracellular contents evidenced that anthocyanins destroyed cell integrity. Transcriptome data of anthocyanins-treated teliospores showed that differentially expressed genes were enriched in cell wall and membrane metabolism-related pathways. Obvious cell atrophy in periodical cells and aeciospores was observed at the rust spots of M. 'Profusion'. Moreover, WSC, RLM1, and PMA1 in the cell wall and membrane metabolic pathways were progressively downregulated with increasing anthocyanins content, both in the in vitro treatment and in Malus spp. Our results suggest that anthocyanins play an anti-rust role by downregulating the expression of WSC, RLM1, and PMA1 to destroy the cell integrity of G. yamadae.

Case Report: Cystinosis in a Chinese Child With a Novel CTNS Pathogenic Variant.

Objective: To report a rare case of cystinosis with a novel CTNS pathogenic variant in the Chinese population. Methods: Retrospective analysis of the clinical manifestations, laboratory results, and gene detection data of a child with cystinosis. Results: A Chinese Zang ethnic girl could not stand or walk until 3 years old, with additional symptoms including a loss of appetite. Since then, the girl gradually exhibited "X" leg, double wrist joints, a bilateral ankle deformity, and rickets. At the age of 9 years, the girl was hospitalized. Laboratory testing showed that her blood phosphorus, blood calcium and blood potassium levels were significantly decreased. At the same time, the girl's urine glucose and urine protein were positive, although her fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, and 75 g glucose tolerance were not significantly abnormal. Further, blood gas analysis showed metabolic acidosis. These symptoms corresponded to Fanconi syndrome. Gene analysis showed that there was a homozygous pathogenic variant c.140 ≤ 5G > A (p.?) in the CTNS gene, which was a small variation in the intron region. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the rare variant. Conclusion: Attention should be paid to the differential diagnosis of cystinosis by gene analysis in children whose clinical manifestations include exercise dysplasia, renal damage, or multiple organ damage (including bone, thyroid, etc) and who cannot be firmly diagnosed for the time being.

Crumbs homolog 2 mutation in two siblings with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome: Two case reports.

BACKGROUND: Crumbs homolog 2 (CRB2) is a recently discovered gene that is closely related to the maintenance of normal polarity in podocytes; mutations can directly lead to steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS). However, the characteristics of nephrotic syndrome (NS) caused by CRB2 mutations have not been described. CASE SUMMARY: We report a novel compound heterozygous mutation of the CRB2 gene in two siblings with SRNS. The two siblings had edema, proteinuria, hypoproteinemia and hyperlipidemia. Both their father and mother had normal phenotypes (no history of NS). Whole exon sequencing (WES) of the family showed a novel compound heterozygous mutation, c.2290 (exon 8) C > T and c.3613 (exon 12) G > A. Glucocorticoid therapy (methylprednisolone pulse therapy or oral prednisone) and immunosuppressive agents (tacrolimus) had no effect. During a 3-year follow-up after genetic diagnosis by WES, proteinuria persisted, but the patient was healthy. CONCLUSION: CRB2 mutations related to SRNS often occur in exons 7, 10, and 12. Clinical manifestations of SRNS caused by CRB2 mutations are often less severe than in other forms of SRNS.

Efficacy and Safety of Vadadustat for Anemia in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Vadadustat is a novel drug for treating anemia patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), but its effect and safety remain uncertain. This study aimed to summarize the evidence for vadadustat in the treatment of CKD patients with anemia. Methods: PubMed, Ovid Medline, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, Wanfang Data, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and an international trial register were searched from their inception to June 2021 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the efficacy and safety of vadadustat to those of placebo or erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) in treating anemia in CKD patients. Data were pooled in a meta-analysis, with results expressed as the mean difference for continuous outcomes and relative risk for categorical outcomes with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). The certainty of evidence was rated according to Cochrane methods and the GRADE approach. Results: Ten RCTs comparing vadadustat with placebo (4 RCTs) or darbepoetin alfa (6 RCTs) were included (n = 8,438 participants). Compared with placebo, vadadustat increased the hemoglobin (Hb) response rate (risk ratio 5.27; 95% CI: 2.69 to 10.31; p < 0.001; high certainty of evidence) and Hb level from baseline (∆Hb) (mean difference (MD) 1.28; 95% CI: 0.83 to 1.73; p < 0.001; low certainty of evidence). Compared with placebo or darbepoetin alfa, vadadustat decreased hepcidin (MD -36.62; 95% CI: -54.95 to -18.30; p < 0.001) and ferritin (MD -56.24; 95% CI: -77.37 to -35.11; p < 0.001) levels and increased iron-binding capacity (MD 24.38; 95% CI: 13.69 to 35.07; p < 0.001), with a low to moderate certainty of evidence. Moderate to high certainty evidence suggested that compared with placebo or darbepoetin alfa, vadadustat significantly increased the risk of nausea and diarrhea but did not significantly increase the risk of serious adverse events, especially all-cause mortality, cardiac events and nonfatal stroke. Conclusion: Vadadustat may safely improve Hb levels and promote iron utilization in CKD patients with anemia without increasing the incidence of serious adverse events.

SPATA4 improves aging-induced metabolic dysfunction through promotion of preadipocyte differentiation and adipose tissue expansion.

Spermatogenesis-associated protein 4 (SPATA4) is conserved across multiple species. However, the function of this gene remains largely unknown. In this study, we generated Spata4 transgenic mice to explore tissue-specific function of SPATA4. Spata4 overexpression mice displayed increased subcutaneous fat tissue compared with wild-type littermates at an old age, while this difference was not observed in younger mice. Aging-induced ectopic fat distribution, inflammation, and insulin resistance were also significantly attenuated by SPATA4. In vitro, SPATA4 promoted preadipocyte differentiation through activation of the ERK1/2 and C/EBPß pathway and increased the expression of adipokines. These data suggest SPATA4 can regulate lipid accumulation in a tissue-specific manner and improve aging-induced dysmetabolic syndromes. Clarifying the mechanism of SPATA4 functioning in lipid metabolism might provide novel therapeutic targets for disease interventions.

[Activation of TLR3 pathway in the pathogenesis of nephrotic syndrome induced by respiratory syncytial virus in rat model].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the activation of toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) pathway on the process of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) induced nephropathy. METHODS: SD rats were inoculated intranasally and intraperitoneally with 6 X 10(6) plaque forming unit(PFU) RSV and sacrificed on days 4, 14, 30 postinoculation (RSV4, RSV14 and RSV30). The normal rats without intervention were set as control. Renal tissues were obtained, and the morphological changes were studied. The expressions of TLR3, NF-kappaB and IL-13 in the rats' kidney were measured with real-time quantitative RT-PCR, and indirect IF staining. RESULTS: After the inoculation of RSV, the rats had proteinuria and the fusion of foot processes of glomerular epithelial cells, resembling human minimal changed nephrotic syndrome (MCNS). The expressions of TLR3, NF-kappaB and IL-13 in renal tissues increased obviously at Day 4 and Day 14 postinoculation, the differences were significant when compared with normal control rats (P < 0.05). The expressions of these three factors decreased at Day 30, which were not significantly different to those of normal control group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: TLR3 signal pathway may play an important role in early stage of RSV nephropathy.

A child with recurrent pyogenic arthritis with the PSTPIP1 mutation.

Pyogenic arthritis, pyoderma gangrenosum, and acne syndrome is a rare disease, linked to an auto-inflammatory pathway. We report a 7-year-old boy with recurrent suppurative knee arthritis without signs of suppurative skin infection or ulcer; his younger brother had the same symptom. Genetic testing indicated the presence of proline-serine-threonine phosphatase interacting protein 1 gene mutation in both boys. Our patient's grandfather had a history of recurrent pyoderma, and his father though a genetic carrier had no symptoms. Interestingly, our patient displayed markedly high levels of interleukin-6, while interleukin-1 and other cytokines were not elevated. These lab findings led to the treatment of pyogenic arthritis, pyoderma gangrenosum, and acne syndrome with tocilizumab. Previously reported cases of similar phenotypes of the syndrome have not presented in this fashion, nor have there been reported cases of pyogenic arthritis, pyoderma gangrenosum, and acne syndrome with a positive family history and an elevation in interleukin-6. The mutation site of proline-serine-threonine phosphatase interacting protein 1 in this incomplete pyogenic arthritis, pyoderma gangrenosum, and acne syndrome has not been reported before. It is possible that there are other pathogenic ways to trigger these auto-inflammatory disorders. Tocilizumab, which specifically targets interleukin-6, was effective in this case.

Effects of hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and renal transplantation on the quality of life of patients with end-stage renal disease.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and renal transplantation on the quality of life of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and analyze the influencing factors. METHODS: A total of 162 ESRD patients who received maintenance hemodialysis, continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, and renal transplantation from February 2017 to March 2018 in our hospital were divided into a hemodialysis group, a peritoneal dialysis group, and a renal transplantation group. The baseline clinical data, serum indices, as well as environmental factors such as education level, marital status, work, residential pattern, household income, and expenditure were recorded. The quality of life was assessed using the short-form 36-item (SF-36) scale reflecting the Physical Component Summary (PCS) and the Mental Component Summary (MCS). One-way analysis of variance and logistic stepwise multiple regression analysis were performed to analyze the factors influencing the quality of life. RESULTS: The renal transplantation group had the highest average scores for all dimensions of the SF-36 scale. The PCS and MCS scores of this group were higher than those of the hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis groups. The peritoneal dialysis group had higher scores for physical functioning, physical role, bodily pain, general health, mental health, PCS, and MCS than those of the hemodialysis group. Age, HGB, GLU, and ALP were the main factors influencing PCS. Age, education level, residential pattern, medication expenditure, and monthly per capita income mainly affected MCS. CONCLUSION: In terms of quality of life, renal transplantation is superior to peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis.

Protective Effects of SIRT6 Overexpression against DSS-Induced Colitis in Mice.

Sirtuin 6 (SIRT6), as a NAD + -dependent deacetylase, plays an indispensable role in the regulation of health and physiology. Loss of SIRT6 causes spontaneous colitis in mice and makes intestinal epithelial cells prone to stress. However, whether SIRT6 overexpression increases resistance to colitis remains unknown. Here, in vivo results demonstrated that SIRT6 overexpression attenuates DSS-induced colitis in terms of clinical manifestations, histopathological damage, loss of tight junction function and imbalanced intestinal microenvironment. Additionally, we also found that the activation of NF-κB and c-Jun induced by DSS is diminished by SIRT6 overexpression. Furthermore, SIRT6 may regulate TAK1 to inhibit NF-κB and c-Jun signaling. Thus, our findings highlight the protective effect of SIRT6 on colon, further supporting the perspective that SIRT6 may be a therapeutic target for intestine injury under stress.

A high-fat diet reverses metabolic disorders and premature aging by modulating insulin and IGF1 signaling in SIRT6 knockout mice.

Mammalian sirtuin 6 (SIRT6) is involved in the regulation of many essential processes, especially metabolic homeostasis. SIRT6 knockout mice undergo premature aging and die at age ~4 weeks. Severe glycometabolic disorders have been found in SIRT6 knockout mice, and whether a dietary intervention can rescue SIRT6 knockout mice remains unknown. In our study, we found that at the same calorie intake, a high-fat diet dramatically increased the lifespan of SIRT6 knockout mice to 26 weeks (males) and 37 weeks (females), reversed multi-organ atrophy, and reduced body weight, hypoglycemia, and premature aging. Furthermore, the high-fat diet partially but significantly normalized the global gene expression profile in SIRT6 knockout mice. Regarding the mechanism, excessive glucose uptake and glycolysis induced by the SIRT6 deficiency were attenuated in skeletal muscle through inhibition of insulin and IGF1 signaling by the high-fat diet. Similarly, fatty acids but not ketone bodies inhibited glucose uptake, glycolysis, and senescence in SIRT6 knockout fibroblasts, whereas PI3K inhibition antagonized the effects of a high-fatty-acid medium in vitro. Overall, the high-fat diet dramatically reverses numerous consequences of SIRT6 deficiency through modulation of insulin and IGF1 signaling, providing a new basis for elucidation of SIRT6 and fatty-acid functions and supporting novel therapeutic approaches against metabolic disorders and aging-related diseases.

[Expression of glomerular heparan sulfate domains in pediatric patients with minimal change nephrotic syndrome].

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the expression of glomerular heparin sulfate (HS) in paediatric patients with minimal change nephritic syndrome (MCNS). METHODS: The kidyney tissues were collected by biopsy from 13 paediatric patients with MCNS, while 5 normal renal biopsy samples were used as control. HS in glomeruli was analysed by indirect immunofluorescence staining using four different monoclonal antibodies, Hepss1, 3G10, JM403 and 10E4, which all recognize distinct HS species and each interacts with a specific HS domain. The concentrations of urine heparan sulfate also were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Elisa). RESULTS: Expression of HS fine domains was aberrant in paediatric patients compared with control subjects. Children with MCNS in replase showed a decreased glomerular expression of 10E4, JM403 and Hepss1 (P < 0.05). The level of urinary HS was significantly increased in peadiatric patients with MCNS when compared with that in control subjects (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that loss of heparan sulphate in renal tissue may play a role in the pathogenesis of MCNS proteinuria.

Colour Doppler and Biomarkers Utility for Renal Damage due to Congenital Hydronephrosis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine colour doppler and serum biomarkers spectrum in children with congenital hydronephrosis. STUDY DESIGN: An observational study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Pediatric Nephrology, West China 2nd University Hospital of Sichuan University and Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Disease of Women and Children (Sichuan University), China, from January to December 2017. METHODOLOGY: A total of 95 children with hydronephrosis were selected as case group. According to the degree of hydronephrosis, the patients were divided into mild hydronephrosis group, moderate hydronephrosis group, and severe hydronephrosis group. Forty children with normal renal function were selected as normal comparison group. Peak systolic velocity (Vmax), end diastolic velocity (Vmin), resistance index (RI), pulsatility index (PI), and serum cystatin C (CysC), ß2-microglobulin (ß2-MG), and 1-microglobulin (ß1-MG) of all subjects in both groups were recorded and compared. RESULTS: The Vmax, Vmax of main renal artery (MRA) and interlobar renal artery (IRA) in case group were lower than those of normal group (all p<0.001). RI of MRA and IRA in case group were higher than those of normal control group (both p<0.001). There were no significant differences in the PI of MRA and IRA between the two groups (p=0.700, and 0.250 respectively). The levels of serum CysC, ß2-MG and α1-MG in normal control group, mild hydronephrosis group, moderate hydronephrosis group, and severe hydronephrosis group were significantly different (all p<0.001), and the levels of serum CysC, ß2-MG, α1-MG were also different in children with different degrees of hydronephrosis. CONCLUSION: Combined detection of colour doppler and serum biomarkers CysC, ß2-MG and α1-MG in the diagnosis of renal damage in congenital hydronephrosis is feasible and reliable.