The relationship between AASI and arterial atherosclerosis in ESRD patients.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between ambulatory blood pressure and arterial atherosclerosis and provide simple and easy reference indicators for the prediction, prevention and prognosis of cardiovascular events in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. METHOD: This prospective study consecutively collected clinical data of 114 ESRD hospitalized patients in the Department of Nephrology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University during August 2012 to December 2012. The data included laboratory data, the ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), carotid ultrasound, two-dimensional echocardiography and the prognosis scores of the death risk. RESULTS: (1) A series of ABPM parameters were closely associated with atherosclerosis (p ≤ 0.05). Ambulatory Arterial Stiffness Index (AASI) was the most representative parameter of ABPM and also the best indicator for atherosclerosis (logistic regression analysis, p = 0.005). (2) AASI was a comprehensive index of atherosclerosis (p < 0.001), which was associated with the increase of left ventricular diameter (p = 0.028) and the risk of death (p < 0.001). The independent risk factors of AASI were the growth of the age (p < 0.001), elevated serum fibrinogen (p = 0.009) and reduced serum albumin (p = 0.022). CONCLUSION: AASI, as the representative of ABPM parameters, related well to atherosclerosis, which implied a broader application of ABPM in ESRD patients.

[Treatment of chronic primary glomerulopathy patients of Shen deficiency and dampness heat syndrome by yishen qingli granule combined low-dose Tripterygium wilfordii multiglycoside tablet: a clinical efficacy observation].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of treatment of chronic primary glomerulopathy (CPG) patients of Shen deficiency and dampness heat syndrome (SDDHS) by Yishen Qingli Granule (YQG) combined with low-dose Tripterygium Wilfordii multiglycoside Tablet (TWT). METHODS: Totally 231 CPG patients of SDDHS were enrolled in this study (including 60 patients from First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 58 from First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 46 from Xinqiao Hospital of Third Military Medical University, 35 from First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, 14 from First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, and 18 from Wuxi Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine). They were randomly assigned to the control group (116 cases) and the trial group (115 cases) according to block group method. There were 217 cases in the safety analysis set (109 cases in the trial group vs 108 cases in the control group), and 203 cases in the full analysis set (99 cases in the trial group vs 104 cases in the control group). All patients received basic treatment such as ACEI/ARB. Furthermore, YQG (consisting of raw astragalus 10 g, prepared Polygonum Multiflorum 10 g, Pyrrosia 10 g, 1.5 g each package, containing 10 g of crude drugs) was additionally given to patients in the trial group, each package, twice daily. The TWT (10 mg) was given, twice a day. The TWT dose was adjusted according to 24 h urinary total protein (UTP). The placebos of YQG and TWT were administered to those in the control group. The treatment course consisted of 24 weeks and the follow-up visit lasted for 24 weeks. The biochemical indices were observed before and after treatment including 24 h UTP, urine red cell count (U(RBC)), renal functions (BUN, SCr), blood routine test (WBC), and liver functions (SGPT, SGOT). Reverse reactions such as gastrointestinal discomfort, skin rash, and irregular menstruation were also observed. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the total effective rate was better in the trial group (82.83% vs 61.54%, P < 0.01). Results of stratified comparison of UTP showed better efficacy in the trial group (0.8-3.0 g/24 h, P < 0.01). The UTP decline occurred in the trial group after 8 weeks of treatment, with stable action, showing statistical difference when compared with the control group (P < 0.01). In the trial group, U(RBC) level decreased after treatment but changed more significantly. But there was no statistical difference in the changes when compared with the control group (P > 0.05). After treatment, there were no statistical difference in safety indicators such as WBC, SGPT, and SGOT between the two groups after treatment (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: On the basis of basic treatment such as ACEI/ARB, application of YQG combined with low-dose TWT had better effect in controlling proteinuria of CPG patients, and could help stabilizing their conditions with less adverse reactions.

Nephrotic syndrome in syngeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is widely used in the treatment of hematological diseases. However, complications after transplantation, such as acute and chronic graft-vs-host disease (GVHD), still seriously affect the quality of life and even threaten the lives of patients. There is evidence that glomerular diseases can manifest as GVHD. However, GVHD should not occur as a result of syngeneic HSCT. CASE SUMMARY: A 20-year-old male diagnosed with T lymphoblastic lymphoma (stage IIIA, aaIPI 1) in September 2013 was treated with six cycles of hyper-CVAD and achieved complete remission. He underwent syngeneic HSCT in June 2014, and had no kidney disease history before the transplant. However, nephrotic syndrome occurred 24 mo later in the patient after syngeneic HSCT. Renal biopsy was performed, which led to a diagnosis of atypical membranous nephropathy. After treatment with glucocorticoids combined with cyclophosphamide and cyclosporine, the nephrotic syndrome was completely relieved. CONCLUSION: We report a case of delayed nephrotic syndrome after syngeneic HSCT. Antibody-mediated autoimmune glomerular disease may be the underlying mechanism. After treatment with immunosuppressive agents, the nephrotic syndrome was completely relieved but further long-term follow-up is still needed.

Effects of Niaoduqing Particles () on Delaying Progression of Renal Dysfunction: A Post-trial, Open-Label, Follow-up Study.

OBJECTIVE: To follow up the participants of the randomized clinical trial "Efficacy and Safety of Niaoduqing Particles () for Delaying Moderate-to-Severe Renal Dysfunction", and assess the long-term effects of Niaoduqing Particles on delaying the progression of renal dysfunction. METHODS: Participants, who had previously been randomly assigned to receive Niaoduqing Particles or placebo for 24 weeks (146 cases in each group), were invited to follow-up and all were administered Niaoduqing Particles 5 g thrice daily and 10 g before bedtime for 24 weeks. The primary endpoints were changes in baseline serum creatinine (Scr) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) after completion of the open-label treatment period. RESULTS: After the double-blind period, the median (interquartile range) changes in Scr were 1.1 (-13.0-24.1) and 11.7 (-2.6-42.9) µmol/L for the Niaoduqing Particle and placebo groups, respectively (P=0.008), and the median changes in eGFRs were-0.2 (-4.3-2.7) and-2.21 (-5.7-0.8) mL•min-1•1.73 m-2, respectively (P=0.016). There were significant differences in the double-blind period changes in renal function between groups. After the open-label period, the median changes in Scr were 9.0 (-10.0-41.9) and 17.5 (-6.0-50.0) µmol/L for the Niaoduqing Particle and placebo groups according to baseline grouping, respectively (P=0.214), and the median changes in eGFRs were-2.3 (-6.4-1.9) and-3.7 (-7.5-1.1) mL•min-1•1.73 m-2, respectively (P=0.134). There were no statistical differences in the open-label period changes in renal function between groups. The eGFR reduction of participants who accepted Niaoduqing Particle treatment for 48 weeks was projected to 2.5 mL•min-1•1.73 m-2 per year. CONCLUSION: Niaoduqing Particles appear to have long-term efficacy for patients with moderate-to-severe renal dysfunction. Although there was no statistical difference, the early use of Niaoduqing Paticles seems to ameliorate the worsening of renal function. (Trial registration No. ChiCTR-TRC-12002448).

TMPRSS2: A potential target for treatment of influenza virus and coronavirus infections.

Influenza virus and coronavirus epidemics or pandemics have occurred in succession worldwide throughout the early 21st century. These epidemics or pandemics pose a major threat to human health. Here, we outline a critical role of the host cell protease TMPRSS2 in influenza virus and coronavirus infections and highlight an antiviral therapeutic strategy targeting TMPRSS2.

Efficacy and Safety of Niaoduqing Particles for Delaying Moderate-to-severe Renal Dysfunction: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Multicenter Clinical Study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) with moderate-to-severe renal dysfunction usually exhibits an irreversible course, and available treatments for delaying the progression to end-stage renal disease are limited. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of the traditional Chinese medicine, Niaoduqing particles, for delaying renal dysfunction in patients with stage 3b-4 CKD. METHODS: The present study was a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trial. From May 2013 to December 2013, 300 CKD patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) between 20 and 45 ml·min-1·1.73 m-2, aged 18-70 years were recruited from 22 hospitals in 11 Chinese provinces. Patients were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either a test group, which was administered Niaoduqing particles 5 g thrice daily and 10 g before bedtime for 24 weeks, or a control group, which was administered a placebo using the same methods. The primary endpoints were changes in baseline serum creatinine (Scr) and eGFR after completion of treatment. The primary endpoints were analyzed using Student's t-test or Wilcoxon's rank-sum test. The present study reported results based on an intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis. RESULTS: A total of 292 participants underwent the ITT analysis. At 24 weeks, the median (interquartile range) change in Scr was 1.1 (-13.0-24.1) and 11.7 (-2.6-42.9) µmol/L for the test and control groups, respectively (Z = 2.642, P = 0.008), and the median change in eGFR was -0.2 (-4.3-2.7) and -2.2 (-5.7-0.8) ml·min-1·1.73 m-2, respectively (Z = -2.408, P = 0.016). There were no significant differences in adverse events between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Niaoduqing particles safely and effectively delayed CKD progression in patients with stage 3b-4 CKD. This traditional Chinese medicine may be a promising alternative medication for patients with moderate-to-severe renal dysfunction. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Register, ChiCTR-TRC-12002448; http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=7102.

[Effect of devascularization on volt-ampere characteristic of acupoints].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of forearms devascularization on the volt-ampere (V-A) characteristics of Neiguan (PC 6) and Taiyuan (LU 9) so as to investigate the relationship among functions of acupoints, qi and blood in human body and V-A characteristics of acupoints. METHODS: Either forearms of 23 healthy volunteers were devascularized and the changes of V-A characteristics in ipsilateral Neiguan (PC 6) and Taiyuan (LU 9) in normal and devascularization statuses were detected by home-made intelligent V-A detecting system. RESULTS: Compared with the normal status, both range-increasing and range-decreasing V-A areas of Neiguan (PC 6) and Taiyuan (LU 9) were significantly increased in devascularization status (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and the change rates of these two V-A areas of Neiguan (PC 6) were larger than those of Taiyuan (LU 9) (both P < 0.05). The inertia areas of Neiguan (PC 6) but not Taiyuan (LU 9) became significantly larger after devascularization (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The changes in V-A characteristics of Neiguan (PC 6) and Taiyuan (LU 9) can reflect the alteration of local blood supply, and Neiguan (PC 6) is more sensitive to changes of blood flow than Taiyuan (LU 9).

[Relationship between electroacupuncture-induced regulatory effect on leukocytes and the caliber of splenic sinusoid basal lamina eyehole on rabbits].

OBJECTIVE: To study the underlining mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) in regulating leukocyte counts in the rabbit. METHODS: A total of 75 rabbits were randomly divided into normal control, leukocytosis model, leukocytosis + EA, leukopenia model, leukopenia+EA groups, with 15 cases in each. EA (2-20 Hz, 1-2 mA) was applied to "Dazhui" (DU 14), bilateral "Zusanli" (ST 36) and bilateral "Geshu" (BL 17) for 20 min, once daily for 5 days. Leukocytosis and leukopenia models were duplicated by intravenous injection of coliform (0.1 ml/kg) and cyclophosphamide (30 mg/kg) separately. Peripheral blood leukocyte counts were detected every day. At the end of the experiment, the rabbit's spleen tissue was collected under anesthesia, and the diameter of splenic sinusoid basal lamina eyehole was measured under scanning electronic microscope. RESULTS: Compared with normal control group, after i.v. coliform and cyclophosphamide, leukocytes increased and decreased significantly and respectively, while the area of the splenic sinusoid basal lamina eyehole in leukocytosis model group increased lightly and that of leukopenia model group reduced obviously (P < 0.01). In comparison with their individual model group, the leukocyte count in leukocytosis + EA group decreased considerably (P < 0.05), while that of leukopenia + EA group increased markedly (P < 0.01). The area of splenic sinusoid basal lamina eyehole in leukocytosis+ EA group decreased apparently (P < 0.05), and that in leukopenia+ EA group increased remarkably (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION EA is able to regulate the leukocyte counts in coliform-induced leukocytosis and cyclophosphamide-induced leukopenia rabbits, which may be related with its effects in improving the splenic sinusoid basal lamina eyehole activity.