Objective To investigate the application of percutaneous transluminal balloon dilatation (PTA) in catheter replacement within patients with catheter-related central vein disease (CVD). Methods Thirteen cases of CVD patients from Jan 2015 to Mar 2018 admitted into the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University were retrospectively analyzed. All of them underwent digital subtraction angiography (DSA) to clarify problem origin. Suitable balloons were chosen to dilate the original catheters or the occlusive veins, and then the original catheters were replaced. PTA was used to help catheter replacement and all patients were followed up for 6 months. Results Four of the 13 patients were found stuck when replacing catheters. All of them successfully had catheters removed with PTA (Hong's techniques). All patients had successfully catheter replacement with blood flow volume＞250 ml/min. Among 4 patients with edema, 3 patients showed better within 6 months. Only 3 patients needed warfarin to keep blood flow volume＞250 ml/min within 6 months. Conclusions PTA shows advantages of lesser trauma, better tolerance and higher success rate in patients with catheter-related CVD. It can also relieve symptoms resulting from occlusive central vein.

Objective To analyze the relationship between the serum B-cell activating factor (BAFF) levels and clinical characters and pathological features in children with lupus nephritis (LN). Methods ELISA was used to detect the serum BAFF (sBAFF) levels of the 54 LN children diagnosed in the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University during October 1, 2014 to December 31, 2016 and with complete clinical data. According to whether glucocorticoid or immunosuppressive agents has been used at their first admission, patients were divided into treated group (n=44) and non-therapy group (n=10). According to the renal response after induction treatment for 6 months, patients were divided into remission group (n=20) and non-response group (n=34). According to whether there was renal recurrence, they were divided into recurrence group (6 cases) and non-recurrence group (48 cases). According to renal biopsy, patients were divided into class-Ⅲ, class-Ⅳ and class-Ⅴ group. Another 15 healthy children were taken as a control group. The correlations between sBAFF and clinical manifestation, laboratory examination, renal biopsy and clinical outcome were analyzed. Results (1) Compared with the control group, the sBAFF was significantly increased in LN group (t=3.821, P＜0.001). Compared with the non- neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) group, sBAFF was significantly increased in NPSLE group (t=2.202, P=0.032). (2) Compared with that in treated group, sBAFF was significantly higher in untreated group (LSD-t=2.309, P=0.025). Compared with non-response group, sBAFF was significantly decreased in response group (LSD-t=2.035, P=0.046). (3) No significant difference was observed between class-Ⅲ, class-Ⅳ and class-Ⅴ pathological classification group (F=1.080, P=0.459). sBAFF in LN children was not significantly correlated with the active index (AI) or chronic index (CI) of Austin index (r=-0.273, P=0.063; r=0.150, P=0.314). (4) In LN children, sBAFF has positive correlation with ESR and IgG level (r=0.289, P=0.036; r=0.340, P=0.017) and negative correlation with WBC (r=-0.337, P=0.013). Multiple linear regression model showed that serum IgG level (β'=0.517, P=0.001) and renal response (β'=-0.271, P=0.037) were independent influencing factors of sBAFF level. Conclusions Renal remission and serum IgG levels in LN children are influencing factors of sBAFF levels. sBAFF is helpful to clinical assessment on renal response of LN children.

Objective To analyze the incidence and risk factors of hypocalcemia after total parathyroidectomy without autotransplantation. Methods A total of 783 maintenance hemodialysis patients who underwent TPTX in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from September 2008 to September 2017 were included in the study. The preoperative blood biochemical examination, preoperative iPTH, total mass of parathyroid gland (M) and postoperative iPTH and electrolyte results were collected. The incidence of severe hypocalcemia after TPTX were analyzed retrospectively. Binary logistic regression model was used to analyze the risk factors of severe hypocalcemia after TPTX. Results The age of 783 patients with TPTX was (46.90±10.78) years old, and the average dialysis age was (91.36±41.75) months. Postoperative severe hypocalcemia occurred in 235 cases (30.01%). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that higher preoperative blood iPTH (OR=7.56, 95%CI: 1.55-36.79, P=0.01), higher blood alkaline phosphatase (OR=36.71, 95%CI: 14.75-91.36, P＜0.01), blood phosphorus (OR=1.74, 95%CI: 1.11-2.71, P=0.02) and greater mass of resected glands (OR=1.18, 95% CI: 1.06-1.31, P＜0.01) were the risk factors for post-hypocalcemia. The higher preoperative serum calcium can reduce the risk of postoperative hypocalcemia (OR=0.02, 95%CI: 0.01-0.07, P＜0.01). Conclusions The incidence of hypocalcemia after TPTX treatment for SHPT is very high. Blood iPTH, alkaline phosphatase, phosphorus, and total mass of intraoperative parathyroid gland excision are the independent risk factors for severe hypocalcemia after surgery.

Objective To analyze the variants of 42 Chinese patients with Bartter syndrome type 3 (BS3) and explore the characteristics of genotype and phenotype. Methods Forty-two genetically diagnosed patients from 40 Han and one Hui families were collected in the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University and the Affiliated Qingdao Municipal Hospital of Qingdao University during the period of June 2012 to October 2018. The second-generation sequencing and multiplex ligase probe-dependent amplification (MLPA) technique were used to analyze the CLCNKB gene variation and its characteristics in children with BS3. The clinical data were collected, and the therapeutic effect and growth improvement were observed and followed up. Thirty eight patients were divided into severe (n=26) and light (n=12) groups according to the severity of genetic variation. The clinical phenotypic characteristics of the two groups were compared. Results Thirty-six variants including 16 novel ones of CLCNKB gene were found. The whole gene deletion of CLCNKB gene was the most frequent mutation (40%), and the rate of large deletions was up to 55%. The most common symptoms included development retardation (38/42), polydipsia and polyuria (35/42), constipation (31/42) and vomiting (27/42). All patients presented with hypokalemia, hypochloremia and metabolic alkalosis. After the medicine treatment that based on indomethacin and potassium chloride, most patients could achieve obvious recovery of growth rate and restoration of hypokalemia. The severe group showed more severe metabolic alkalosis than the light group. Conclusions Thirty-six variants of CLCNKB gene have been found in this study, including 16 novel ones, which enrich the human gene mutation database (HGMD) and provide valuable references to diagnosis, treatment and the genetic counseling of Chinese population.

Objective To investigate the predictive value of nutritional and fluid status measured by bioelectrical impedance methods for the prognosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) patients undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Methods Patients with severe AKI received CRRT in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from September 2016 to September 2018 were enrolled, and divided into death group and survival group according to 28-day survival. Cox regression was used to analyze the association between 28-day survival and lean tissue index (LTI), fat tissue index (FTI), the ratio of extracellular water (ECW) and body cell mass (BCM) (ECW/BCM), and overhydration (OH), respectively. Results A total of 156 patients were included, including 101 males and 55 females. The age was (62.7±15.4) years, with sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score of 9.9±3.9. The 28-day mortality rate was 46.2%. The pre-CRRT OH values in the 28-day survival group and death group were 2.95(1.80, 5.50) L and 4.20(2.95, 5.70) L(P=0.016), and ECW/BCM values were 1.00(0.76, 1.18) and 1.07(0.88, 1.25) (P=0.033), respectively. Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that pre-CRRT high OH values (HR=1.08, 95%CI 1.00-1.17, P=0.040) and high ECW/BCM values (HR=3.02, 95%CI 1.46-6.22, P=0.003) were associated with 28-day death. The changes of OH values (HR=0.83, 95%CI 0.72-0.95, P=0.008) and ECW/BCM values (HR=6.79, 95%CI 1.72-26.82, P=0.006) between pre-CRRT and the 7th day after CRRT initiation were significantly associated with 28-day mortality in patients who survived 7 days after CRRT initiation. After adjusting for age, gender, and SOFA scores, multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the high OH value (HR=1.16, 95%CI 1.06-1.27, P=0.002) and the high ECW/BCM value (HR=2.80, 95%CI 1.30-6.06, P=0.003) before CRRT, the change of OH value (HR=0.82, 95%CI 0.72-0.95, P=0.008) and ECW/BCM value (HR=2.79, 95%CI 1.30-5.98, P=0.009) between the 7th day after CRRT initiation and pre-CRRT, were independently associated with 28-day death, while LTI (HR=0.93, 95%CI 0.86-1.02, P=0.113) and FTI (HR=0.98, 95%CI 0.92-1.04, P=0.475) before CRRT were uncorrelated with 28-day death. Conclusions In bioelectrical impedance analysis, the high OH value and high ECW/BCM value before CRRT are associated with 28-day mortality in patients with AKI, while the nutritional indicators LTI and FTI before CRRT are not significantly related. The correction of fluid overload by CRRT within 7 days may reduce the risk of 28-day mortality.

Objective To examine the effect and mechanism of high salt diet on the renal medullary cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) expression and urinary sodium excretion. Methods Thirty male C57BL/6j mice were divided into four groups: (1) normal salt diet group (0.4%NaCl, n=5); (2) high salt diet group (8% NaCl, n=5); (3) Bortezomib+normal salt diet group (n=10); (4) Bortezomib+high salt diet group (n=10). The different groups were pre-treated with saline or bortezomib，followed by normal salt diet or high salt diet for three days. All the mice were maintained on metabolic cage at the last day and allowed free access to water. Twenty-four hours urine was collected. Body weight, urine volumes were documented. At the end of experiments, mice were sacrificed under anesthesia and the kidneys were harvested for Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. The transgenic mice carrying a luciferase reporter driven by an NF-κB response promoter, HIV long terminal repeat (LTR) (HLL mice) were used to explore the effect of high salt diet on renal medullary NF-κB activity. HLL mice were fed with normal salt diet or high salt diet for 3 days, after which renal medullary luciferase activity was determined using a commercial luciferase assay kit. Luciferase activity was quantified with a luminometer and adjusted for the total amount of proteins. The cellular location of NF-κB was examined using immunohistochemistry of NF-κB p65 staining. Results (1) Western blotting results showed high salt diet significantly increased the COX2 expression in the renal medulla of C57BL/6j mice (P﹤0.05). (2) High salt diet significantly increased NF-κB luciferase reporter activity in the HLL mice renal medullary tissues when compared to normal salt diet (P﹤0.05). The immunohistochemistry of NF-κB p65 showed the expression of NF-κB was mainly in the renal interstitial cells. (3) Western blotting results showed bortezomib inhibited the renal medullar COX2 expression induced by high salt diet (P﹤0.05). (4) Bortezomib decreased the urinary sodium excretion of high salt diet mice (P﹤0.05), but had no change on urine volume. Conclusions High salt diet induce renal medullary COX2 over-expression and activate the activation of NF-κB in renal medullary. Bortezmoib can inhibit the renal medullar COX2 expression induced by high salt diet. The NF-κB pathway activation may involve in the regulation of renal medullar COX2 expression by high salt diet.

Objective To observe the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) modified by bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) gene on the expression of renal BMP-7, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), further to explore its protective mechanism on renal injury in rats with chronic renal failure (CRF). Methods BMSCs with high expression of BMP-7 gene (BMSCs-BMP-7) and empty vector-BMSCs (BMSCs-EV) were obtained by lentiviral-mediated gene transfection. Thirty male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, 6 in each group: normal control (CON) group; PBS intervention (CRF with PBS infusion, CRF+PBS) group; BMSCs intervention (CRF with BMSCs infusion, CRF+BMSCs) group; BMSCs-EV intervention (CRF with BMSCs-empty vector infusion, CRF+BMSCs-EV) group and BMSCs-BMP-7 intervention (CRF with BMSCs-BMP-7 infusion, CRF+BMSCs-BMP-7) group. The CRF model was established by 5/6 nephrectomy. The CON group was a sham operation group. The corresponding 12-weeks interventions of each experimental group were performed after 2 weeks of modeling, the rats in the CON group and the CRF+PBS group were injected with 1 ml of PBS through the tail vein, and the other three groups were injected with 1 ml of the corresponding cell suspension once a week. At the time of sacrifice, blood and renal tissue samples were reserved. Serum creatinine (Scr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were measured by routine biochemical methods, and the expression of BMP-7, VEGF, TGF-β1 in kidney was assayed by Western blotting. Results At the time of sacrifice, the levels of Scr and BUN in the CRF+PBS group were significantly higher than those in the CON group (all P＜0.01); Compared with the CRF+PBS group, the Scr and BUN of the CRF+BMSCs group, CRF+BMSCs-EV group and CRF+BMSCs-BMP-7 group were decreased to different extents, the differences were statistically significant (all P＜0.01); the Scr and BUN of the CRF+BMSCs-BMP-7 group were significantly lower than CRF+BMSCs group and CRF+BMSCs-EV group (all P＜0.05). The expression of BMP-7 and VEGF were the lowest in the CRF+PBS group. Compared with the CRF+PBS group, the expression of BMP-7 and VEGF in the CRF+BMSCs group, CRF+BMSCs-EV group and CRF+BMSCs-BMP-7 group were significantly increased respectively (all P＜0.05). The expression of the BMP-7 and VEGF in the CRF+BMSCs-BMP-7 group were higher than those in the CRF+BMSCs group and CRF+BMSCs-EV group (P＜0.01). Compared with the CON group, the expression of TGF-β1 in the CRF+PBS group was significantly increased (P＜0.01); compared with the CRF+PBS group, the expression of TGF-β1 in the CRF+BMSCs group, CRF+BMSCs-EV and CRF+BMSCs-BMP-7 group was significantly decreased (all P＜0.01); the expression of TGF-β1 in the CRF+BMSCs-BMP-7 group was lower than the CRF+BMSCs and CRF+BMSCs-EV group (both P＜0.01). Conclusions BMSCs modified by BMP-7 has a protective effect on CRF rats; its protective mechanism may be related to antagonizing TGF-β1 and up-regulation of renal VEGF expression.