Genetic spectrum of CAKUT and risk factors for kidney failure: a pediatric multicenter cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tracts (CAKUT) are the leading cause of kidney failure in children with phenotypic and genotypic heterogeneity. Our objective was to describe the genetic spectrum and identify the risk factors for kidney failure in children with CAKUT. METHODS: Clinical and genetic data were derived from a multicenter network (Chinese Children Genetic Kidney Disease Database, CCGKDD) and the Chigene database. A total of 925 children with CAKUT who underwent genetic testing from 2014 to 2020 across China were studied. Data for a total of 584 children wereobtained from the CCGKDD, including longitudinal data regarding kidney function. The risk factors for kidney failure were determined by the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: A genetic diagnosis was established in 96 out of 925 (10.3%) children, including 72 (8%) with monogenic variants, 20 (2%) with copy number variants (CNVs), and 4 (0.4%)with major chromosomal anomalies. Patients with skeletal abnormalities were more likely to have large CNVs or abnormal karyotypes than monogenic variants. Eighty-two patients from the CCGKDD progressed to kidney failure at a median age of 13.0 (95% confidence interval, 12.4-13.6) years, and twenty-four were genetically diagnosed with variants of PAX2, TNXB, EYA1, HNF1B and GATA3 or the 48, XXYY karyotype. The multivariate analysis indicated that solitary kidney, posterior urethral valves, bilateral hypodysplasia, the presence of certain variants and premature birth were independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: The genetic spectrum of CAKUT varies among different subphenotypes. The identified factors indicate areas that require special attention.

Retracted: Effects of Nano-Hydroxyapatite/Polyetheretherketone-Coated, Sandblasted, Large-Grit, and Acid-Etched Implants on Inflammatory Cytokines and Osseointegration in a Peri-Implantitis Model in Beagle Dogs.

The article is withdrawn by the authors request.

Effect of Choukroun Platelet-Rich Fibrin Combined With Autologous Micro-Morselized Bone on the Repair of Mandibular Defects in Rabbits.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to explore the effect of Choukroun platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) combined with autologous micro-morselized bone on the repair of mandibular defects in rabbits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six healthy New Zealand rabbits were selected for the present study. After models of mandibular defects were established, rabbits were randomly divided into Choukroun PRF, autologous micro-morselized bone (autologous), Choukroun PRF combined with autologous bone (combined) and model groups. After the rabbits were sacrificed at 2, 8, and 12 weeks postoperatively, their bone formation was assessed by x-ray and scanning electron microscopy, and the histologic changes of the mandibular defect area were detected by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Cone-beam computed tomography was used to observe the size of the change of the mandibular defect area. Bone mineral density (BMD) was analyzed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: The bone defect in the combined group showed better repair, increased bone mineral content, and denser callus than the other groups, and the defect area was filled with mature trabecular bone. In the Choukroun PRF and autologous groups, the defect area was smaller and filled with osteoporotic trabecular bone. A clear mandibular defect area was still observed in the model group. Compared with the other groups, the combined group showed more bone regeneration, more fibrous tissue regeneration, and greater bone maturity at all time points. The combined group had the highest BMD, there was no relevant difference in BMD between the Choukroun PRF and autologous groups, and the model group had the lowest BMD. BMD in all 4 groups increased with time. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that Choukroun PRF combined with autologous micro-morselized bone can substantially improve the repair of mandibular defects in rabbits, and the effect is superior to Choukroun PRF or autologous micro-morselized bone alone.

Effects of Nano-Hydroxyapatite/Polyetheretherketone-Coated, Sandblasted, Large-Grit, and Acid-Etched Implants on Inflammatory Cytokines and Osseointegration in a Peri-Implantitis Model in Beagle Dogs.

BACKGROUND This study explored the effects of nano-hydroxyapatite/polyetheretherketone (n-HA/PEEK)- coated sandblasted, large-grit, and acid-etched (SLA) implants on inflammatory cytokines and osseointegration in peri-implantitis model beagle dogs. MATERIAL AND METHODS Peri-implantitis models were established. Eight beagle dogs were randomly and evenly assigned into SLA tied, SLA + n-HA/PEEK tied, SLA untied, or SLA + n-HA/PEEK untied groups. A special periodontal probe was used to detect the plaque index (PLI), probing depth (PD), and modified Sulcus Bleeding Index (mSBI). Gingival crevicular fluid was collected and an ELISA kit was utilized to detect IL-1, IL-6, and IL-17 levels. The colony-forming units were counted and the maximum shear strength of implants was tested using the axial pullout test. HE staining was used to detect the inflammation of peri-implant bone tissues. Osseointegration was observed through toluidine blue staining. Bone-to-implant contact (BIC) was obtained through histological observation and the mineral apposition rate (MAR) was calculated after immune fluorescent double staining. RESULTS The SLA tied group demonstrated higher levels of PLI, PD, mSBI, IL-1, IL-6, and IL-17 and a higher degree of inflammation than the SLA + n-HA/PEEK tied group. The tied groups also displayed similar results over the untied groups at the same time point. The maximum shear strength, BIC, and MAR in the SLA tied group were significantly lower than in the SLA + n-HA/PEEK tied group. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate that SLA + n-HA/PEEK implants can promote osseointegration and relieve the inflammation response of peri-implantitis in beagle dogs.

Maternal protein restriction reduces perlecan at mid-metanephrogenesis in rats.

AIM: Maternal dietary protein restriction reduces nephron number in offspring and increases the risk of cardiovascular and chronic kidney diseases. Perlecan is the major basement membrane/extracellular matrix heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) that plays a crucial role in nephron formation. This study was to determine whether maternal dietary protein restriction during pregnancy leads to an abnormal perlecan expression pattern during kidney development and a correlation with aberrant cell proliferation and apoptosis. METHODS: Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups, maintained on either a low-protein diet (MLP group) or a normal-protein diet (MNP group). Kidneys were dissected from embryos of different kidney development stages. Real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry were performed to detect the transcript level of rHSPG2, the coding gene of perlecan, and its protein expression pattern. Apoptosis and proliferation cell were detected by TUNEL system and Ki67 marker. RESULTS: Embryonic weights and nephron number were significantly affected by maternal low protein diets. The transcript level of rHSPG2 in the MLP group was significantly lower at embryonic day 18 and the neonatal period. Immunohistochemistry study was consistent with the RT-PCR results. The proliferation level of the MLP group was significantly lower than the MNP group at E18 and more apoptotic cells was detected in MLP newborn. CONCLUSION: Maternal protein restriction reduced the expression of perlecan and lead aberrant cell proliferation and apoptosis during mid-metanephrogenesis in offspring. This data may provide new evidence to understand the mechanism of reduced nephron number due to maternal protein restriction and enlighten solution.

Responsible genes in children with primary vesicoureteral reflux: findings from the Chinese Children Genetic Kidney Disease Database.

BACKGROUND: Primary vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is a common congenital anomaly of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) in childhood. The present study identified the possible genetic contributions to primary VUR in children. METHODS: Patients with primary VUR were enrolled and analysed based on a national multi-center registration network (Chinese Children Genetic Kidney Disease Database, CCGKDD) that covered 23 different provinces/regions in China from 2014 to 2019. Genetic causes were sought using whole-exome sequencing (WES) or targeted-exome sequencing. RESULTS: A total of 379 unrelated patients (male: female 219:160) with primary VUR were recruited. Sixty-four (16.9%) children had extrarenal manifestations, and 165 (43.5%) patients showed the coexistence of other CAKUT phenotypes. Eighty-eight patient (23.2%) exhibited impaired renal function at their last visit, and 18 of them (20.5%) developed ESRD at the median age of 7.0 (IQR 0.9-11.4) years. A monogenic cause was identified in 28 patients (7.39%). These genes included PAX2 (n = 4), TNXB (n = 3), GATA3 (n = 3), SLIT2 (n = 3), ROBO2 (n = 2), TBX18 (n = 2), and the other 11 genes (one gene for each patient). There was a significant difference in the rate of gene mutations between patients with or without extrarenal complications (14.1% vs. 6%, P = 0.035). The frequency of genetic abnormality was not statistically significant based on the coexistence of another CAKUT (9.6% vs. 5.6%, P = 0.139, Chi-square test) and the grade of reflux (9.4% vs. 6.7%, P = 0.429). Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that the presence of genetic mutations did affect renal survival (Log-rank test, P = 0.01). PAX2 mutation carriers (HR 5.1, 95% CI 1.3-20.0; P = 0.02) and TNXB mutation carriers (HR 20.3, 95% CI 2.4-168.7; P = 0.01) were associated with increased risk of progression to ESRD. CONCLUSIONS: PAX2, TNXB, GATA3 and SLIT2 were the main underlying monogenic causes and accounted for up to 46.4% of monogenic VUR. Extrarenal complications and renal function were significantly related to the findings of genetic factors in children with primary VUR. Like other types of CAKUT, several genes may be responsible for isolated VUR.

COVID-19 Outbreak and Management Approach for Families with Children on Long-Term Kidney Replacement Therapy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: During the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak, the treatment of families with children on long-term KRT is challenging. This study was conducted to identify the current difficulties, worries regarding the next 2 months, and mental distress experienced by families with children on long-term KRT during the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak and to deliver possible management approaches to ensure uninterrupted treatment for children on long-term KRT. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: A multicenter online survey was conducted between February 10 and 15, 2020, among the families with children on long-term KRT from five major pediatric dialysis centers in mainland China. The primary caregivers of children currently on long-term KRT were eligible and included. Demographic information, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection status, current difficulties, and worries regarding the next 2 months were surveyed using a self-developed questionnaire. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and the General Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 were used to screen for depressive symptoms and anxiety, respectively. RESULTS: Among the children in the 220 families included in data analysis, 113 (51%) children were on dialysis, and the other 107 (49%) had kidney transplants. No families reported confirmed or suspected cases of coronavirus disease 2019. Overall, 135 (61%) and 173 (79%) caregivers reported having difficulties now and having worries regarding the next 2 months, respectively. Dialysis supply shortage (dialysis group) and hard to have blood tests (kidney transplantation group) were most commonly reported. A total of 29 (13%) caregivers had depressive symptoms, and 24 (11%) had anxiety. After the survey, we offered online and offline interventions to address their problems. At the time of the submission of this paper, no treatment interruption had been reported. CONCLUSIONS: The coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak has had physical, mental, logistical, and financial effects on families with children on long-term KRT.

Future view and development of immunology: exploring the immunology based on Chinese medicine and culture.

The immunologically mediated disease is a big family which affects many people in the world, since the cures are not yet available for most immune diseases, the patients face a lifetime of illness and treatment. Chinese medicine inspires us to develop new methods for the treatment of immune diseases. Previous researches of immune system have revealed that an immune network exists. The immune system is like a complex highway; if we travel on these highways, we must have a map to avoid travelling in the wrong direction. Drawing the map of immune network will provide new tools for us to look directly at the basis of the immune system.

Optimization of Phenolics Extracted from Idesia polycarpa Defatted Fruit Residue and Its Antioxidant and Depigmenting Activity In Vitro and In Vivo.

Extraction of phenolics from Idesia polycarpa defatted fruit residue was optimized by the maximization of the yield in total phenolics, using the response surface methodology. The optimized conditions were 50% ethanol, 5 h extraction time, 1 : 40 liquid to solid ratio, and 80°C extraction temperature. The experimental average total phenolics yield was 54.49 ± 4.26 mg/g. These antioxidant properties of phenolics were comprehensively analyzed for the first time. All the extracts not only demonstrated the significant free radical scavenging activities and metal chelating activity but also inhibited lipid, lipoprotein peroxidation and revealed reducing power activity. Ethyl acetate extraction (EAE) also inhibited mushroom tyrosinase activity and significantly increased the average skin-whitening index (L value) of the skin of C57BL/6 mice, indicating its potential use for skin hyperpigmentation in humans. The results of cell experiments showed EAE could strongly inhibit cellular tyrosinase activity, which had led to the decrease of melanogenesis in B16 mouse melanoma cells. Overall, EAE is an excellent natural antioxidant and depigmenting agent, which can be developed as a new food additive, medicine, and cosmetic.

[Reliability of three dimensional resin model by rapid prototyping manufacturing and digital modeling].

PURPOSE: To describe a new technique for fabricating an 3D resin model by 3D reconstruction and rapid prototyping, and to analyze the precision of this method. METHODS: An optical grating scanner was used to acquire the data of silastic cavity block , digital dental cast was reconstructed with the data through Geomagic Studio image processing software. The final 3D reconstruction was saved in the pattern of Stl. The 3D resin model was fabricated by fuse deposition modeling, and was compared with the digital model and gypsum model. The data of three groups were statistically analyzed using SPSS 16.0 software package. RESULTS: No significant difference was found in gypsum model,digital dental cast and 3D resin model (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Rapid prototyping manufacturing and digital modeling would be helpful for dental information acquisition, treatment design, appliance manufacturing, and can improve the communications between patients and doctors.