Objective To investigate the clinical features and prognostic risk factors of pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) in patients with glomerular disease. Methods The medical charts of all patients with confirmed PCP, diagnosed in Peking University First Hospital from August 2006 to February 2018 were retrospectively reviewed, and 36 cases with glomerular disease were enrolled. Clinical and imaging data were collected and analyzed. Thirty-six patients were divided into survival group and death group. The clinical data, baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), mechanical ventilation and APACHE II score were compared. Results A total of 27 males and 9 females were included, with age of (49.6±17.5) years. All patients were receiving immunosuppressive therapy at the PCP onset, with a median duration of 2.5 months, and none of them was receiving PCP prophylaxis. The main clinical manifestations included fever (100.0%), dyspnea (75.0%) and dry cough (61.1%). Hypoxemia occurred in 97.2% of patients and 17 cases presented as type 1 respiratory failure. Fifteen out of 30(50.0%) patients had CD4+ T cell counts below 200 cells/mm3. Ground glass opacity was the most common finding in CT imaging of 28 patients, followed with grid shadows, consolidation and nodules. Thirty-five patients received trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) as initial therapy, and 17.1%(6/35) of them developed acute kidney injury due to sulfonamide use. Ten patients died during hospitalization, with respiratory failure as the only direct cause of death. Elder age, delayed diagnosis of PCP, mechanical ventilation and high APACHEⅡscores were associated with poor survival. Conclusions PCP is a severe complication of immunosuppressive therapy in patients with glomerular disease. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are critical to improve prognosis. Hydration prior to sulfonamide treatment and alkalization of urine are necessary to reduce the incidence of acute kidney injury.

Objective To investigate the influencing factors of hungry bone syndrome (HBS) in maintenance hemodialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) after parathyroidectomy (PTX). Methods A retrospective study was conducted on maintenance hemodialysis patients with SHPT undergoing successful parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation. Clinical data and perioperative indicators of the selected patients were collected. The enrolled patients were divided into HBS group and non-HBS group based on whether the lowest level of blood calcium less than 2.0 mmol/L after surgery. The difference of general clinical data and perioperative indicators between the two groups were compared. The risk factors of HBS were analyzed by logistic regression analysis. Multiple linear regression method was used to analyze the independent factors affecting the maintenance time of intravenous calcium supplementation, the total amount of calcium supplementation during intravenous calcium supplementation and the highest serum level of potassium within 24 h after surgery. Results A total of 306 patients were included in the study. All patients had low levels of serum calcium after operation. There were 230 patients (75.16%) with the lowest blood calcium＜2.00 mmol/L after PTX (HBS group), and 76(24.84%) cases in the non-HBS group. Predialysis coefficient of serum calcium=(preoperative blood calcium-2.20) mmol/L÷0.01 mmol/L. Logistic regression analysis showed that higher predialysis coefficient of serum calcium (B=-0.063, OR=0.939, 95%CI 0.894-0.987, P=0.013) and lower level of preoperative serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (B=0.035, OR=1.033, 95%CI 1.019-1.050, P＜0.001) were independent risk factors for HBS. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that preoperative blood intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) (B=0.017, P＜0.001 and B=0.041, P＜0.001), preoperative serum ALP (B=0.052, P＜0.001 and B=0.107, P＜0.001) and preoperative hemoglobin (Hb) (B=-0.453, P=0.041 and B=-1.058, P=0.007) were independent factors affecting the maintenance time of intravenous calcium supplementation and the total amount of calcium supplementation in HBS patients. Preoperative predialysis level of serum potassium (B=0.859, P＜0.001) was the independent influencing factor of the maximum level of serum potassium within 24 hours after surgery. Conclusions Patients with lower levels of preoperative serum calcium and higher levels of serum ALP are prone to HBS after PTX. Postoperative calcium supplementation may need to be strengthened in HBS patients with higher preoperative iPTH and ALP levels and lower preoperative Hb levels. High preoperative basal potassium levels may increase the risk of hyperkalemia after PTX.

Objective To investigate the association of serum magnesium (Mg) level with all-cause mortality in maintenance hemodialysis patients. Methods A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted in seven hemodialysis centers of Guizhou province. The adult outpatients who underwent hemodialysis for more than 3 months were included from June 2015 to June 2016. Demographics, baseline clinical and laboratory test results were collected. All patients were followed up until June 30, 2018. Patients were divided into 4 groups according to their baseline serum Mg levels (interquartile range). Kaplan-Meier method was used to compare the survival rates of the four group. Cox regression model was used to analyze the association of Mg with all-cause mortality. Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of low Mg level. Results A total of 868 hemodialysis dialysis patients with baseline Mg data were enrolled in this study, with age of (55.47±16.17) years old, among whom 59.4% were male. There were 11 (1.3%) patients with hypomagnesemia (Mg＜0.7 mmol/L), 432(49.8%) patients with hypermagnesemia (Mg＞1.05 mmol/L), and 16(1.8%) patients with Mg＞2.0 mmol/L. Median Mg was 1.05 mmol/L and interquartile range was 0.95-1.24 mmol/L. The comparison between Mg quartile groups showed that the difference in age, hemoglobin, serum albumin, serum calcium, parathyroid hormone (PTH), serum creatinine, uric acid and urea nitrogen was statistically significant (all P＜0.05). After a median follow-up of 24 months, 207 patients died. Kaplan-Meier curves showed higher all-cause mortality in patients with Mg≤0.95 mmol/L (Q1 group) (Log-rank test χ2=15.11, P=0.002). However, after adjusting for age, comorbidities and biochemical indicators(especially albumin), there was no statistically significant difference in the hazard ratio for all-cause death among the four groups. Multiple logistic regression analysis results showed that low serum albumin (OR=0.946, 95%CI 0.913-0.979, P=0.002) and low serum uric acid (OR=0.994, 95%CI 0.992-0.997, P＜0.001) were the risk factors for baseline Mg≤0.95 mmol/L. Conclusions Hypomagnesemia is rare in MHD patients, while hypermagnesemia is more common. Baseline serum Mg≤0.95 mmol/L in MHD patients is correlated with increased risk of all-cause death, but it may be not an independent risk factor. Baseline serum Mg≤0.95 mmol/L that occurred is associated with low levels of albumin and serum uric acid.

Objective To analyze the predictive value of apolipoprotein B (ApoB) in the risk of progression to renal replacement therapy (RRT) in diabetic kidney disease (DKD) patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 3-5. Methods The data of DKD patients with CKD stage 3-5 who were hospitalized and followed up with detailed clinical data from January 2011 to November 2014 in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University were retrospectively collected. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated according to the CKD-EPI formula. After 2 years of follow-up, the patients were divided into RRT group and non-RRT group according to whether they had entered renal replacement therapy. Cox regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of DKD progression to RRT. The predicted value of ApoB in the risk of progression to renal replacement therapy (RRT) of DKD patients within 2 years of follow-up was analyzed by plotting the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). By establishing multiple Cox models, the effect of ApoB elevation on the progression of DKD patients to RRT was analyzed after adjusting for the influencing factors gradually. Results A total of 258 cases were included in this study, including 156 males and 102 females. They were (66.13±11.88) years old (27-91 years old). CKD 3-5 patients were 181 cases, 50 cases and 27 cases respectively. There were 165 cases in the non-RRT group and 93 cases in the RRT group. There were statistically significant difference in hemoglobin, hematocrit, blood phosphorus, ApoB, serum creatinine, urea nitrogen, serum cystatin C, eGFR and in the proportion of using angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, diuretic, β blockers between the two groups (all P＜0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that ApoB was an independent predictor of progression to RRT in patients with DKD within 2 years (HR=2.203, 95% CI 1.352-3.589, P=0.002). The area under the ROC curve of ApoB for DKD progression to RRT within 2 years of follow-up was 0.641 (C-index=0.749, P＜0.01). After adjusting for confounding factors, Cox regression analysis showed that for every 1 mmol/L increase in ApoB, the risk of RRT increased by 1.038 times in DKD patients with CKD stage 3-5 (HR=2.038, 95% CI 1.312-3.168, P=0.002). Conclusions ApoB is an independent predictor of progression to RRT with CKD stage 3-5 diabetic kidney disease (DKD). For every 1 mmol/L increase in ApoB, the risk of progression to RRT in patients with CKD 3-5 DKD increases by 1.038 times.

Objective To investigate the relationship between preoperative serum homocysteine (Hcy) level and acute kidney injury (AKI) after cardiac valve replacement surgery. Methods The data of the inpatients who accepted cardiac valve replacement surgery, age ≥18 years, no renal replacement therapy before surgery, non-renal decompensation and preoperative serum creatinine (Scr)＜178 μmol/L, survival within 48 h after surgery, and with preoperative serum Hcy data in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2017 was retrospectively analyzed. AKI was diagnosed in patients whose Scr increased more than 26.5 μmol/L (0.3 mg/dl) within 48 hours or 1.5 times higher than baseline within 7 days after surgery. According to this, patients were divided into AKI group and non-AKI group, and the affecting factors for AKI were compared between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the independent influencing factors of AKI. The relationship between serum Hcy level and AKI incidence was analyzed by Spearman correlation analysis. Whether the AKI occurred and serum Hcy levels were used as variables to map the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), and was used to assess the value of preoperative serum Hcy level for predicting AKI after cardiac valve replacement surgery. Results A total of 810 subjects were included in the study, including 375 males and 435 females. They were (50±11) years old (19-78 years old). Among them, 329 patients with AKI occurred within 7 days after heart valve replacement, and the incidence rate was 40.6% (male 45.9%, female 36.1%). The serum Hcy level in the AKI group was higher than that in the non-AKI group [(15.74±4.55) μmol/L vs (13.87±3.85) μmol/L, t=6.106, P＜0.01]. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed age (OR=1.030, 95%CI 1.014-1.045, P＜0.001), extracorporeal circulation time (OR=1.011, 95%CI 1.007-1.016, P＜0.001), Scr (OR=1.014, 95%CI 1.005-1.023, P=0.002), serum Hcy (OR=1.059, 95% CI 1.017-1.103, P=0.006), high level of Hcy (＞13.64 μmol/L) (OR=1.465, 95%CI 1.059-2.027, P=0.021) and moderate to severe hyperhomocystinemia (16≤Hcy≤100 μmol/L) [with normal HHcy (Hcy＜10 μmol/L) as reference, OR=2.180, 95%CI 1.245-3.816, P=0.006] were independent influencing factors of AKI after cardiac valve replacement surgery. Spearman correlation analysis showed that the incidence of postoperative AKI increased with the increase of preoperative serum Hcy level (rs=0.927, P＜0.001). The results of ROC curve showed that the area under the curve of the preoperative serum Hcy level predicting AKI after heart valve replacement was 0.701, and the cutoff value was 13.64 μmol/L, with the sensitivity 61.3%, specificity 70.9%. Conclusions Preoperative serum Hcy level is an influencing factor for AKI after cardiac valve replacement surgery. The higher the level of preoperative serum Hcy, the higher the incidence of AKI after cardiac valve replacement surgery. Patients with preoperative serum Hcy levels＞13.64 μmol/L have an increased risk of AKI after cardiac valve replacement surgery.

Objective To investigate the expression of apoptosis stimulating protein two of p53 (ASPP2) in acute kidney injury (AKI) induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in mice. Methods Thirty-two male Balb/c mice were randomly divided into olive oil control group (control group, 8 mice) and CCl4 experimental group (experimental group, 24 mice). A mouse model of AKI was induced by a single high-dose abdominal injection of CCl4. The mice in the experimental group were sacrificed at 12 h, 24 h and 48 h after CCl4 injection. The mice in the control group were sacrificed 24 h after treatment. The serum and kidney tissue samples were collected. Serum biochemical indicators [serum creatinine (Scr) and urea nitrogen (BUN)] were measured by automatic biochemical analyzer. The pathological damage of kidney tissue was observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Periodate-Schiff (PAS) staining. ASPP2 positioning and expression level were observed by immunohistochemistry. The apoptosis of mouse kidney tissue was detected by in situ apoptosis. The expression of ASPP2 protein and ASPP2 mRNA in renal tissue were detected by Western blotting and quantitative real-time PCR. Results Compared with the control group, the levels of Scr and BUN were significantly increased in the experimental group (P＜0.01). Histopathology showed partial renal tubular brush margin detachment, renal tubular epithelial cell necrosis and nuclear disintegration in the experimental group. TUNEL staining showed that the apoptosis rate of renal tissue cells increased significantly in the experimental group (P＜0.01). Compared with the control group, the expression of ASPP2 in the experimental group increased at the early period and then decreased with the prolongation of injury time. The mRNA expression was consistent with the protein expression, and all reached the peak after 24 hours injury (P＜0.01). Immunohistochemistry showed that ASPP2 was mainly localized in the cytoplasm of renal tubular epithelial cells. Conclusions A single high-dose injection of CCl4 in the abdominal cavity can induce AKI in mice. The expression of ASPP2 is consistent with the degree of renal tissue damage. As the damage of renal tissue is aggravated, the expression of ASPP2 is gradually increased, which indicates that ASPP2 may be a damage factor.

Objective To investigate the pathogenesis of the production of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) in the rat models of chronic bronchitis (CB) with recurrent infections. Methods The CB models were made by double element of smoking and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. The rats were divided into four groups, including normal control group (n=5), phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)-treated healthy rats control group (n=5), CB rats group (n=5) and PMA-treated CB rats group (n=6). Renal function of rats was detected. The histopathological lung and kidney tissues were observed by HE staining of paraffin section. Immunological markers, including myeloperoxidase anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (MPO-ANCA), proteinase 3 anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (PR3-ANCA) and citrullinated histone H3 (CitH3), were measured by enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay (ELISA) at different time points. Correlation between CitH3 and MPO-ANCA was analyzed by the Spearman rank correlation. NETs components were further detected in lung and kidney tissue by confocal immunofluorescence and colocalization analysis. Results (1) The serum levels of CitH3 and MPO-ANCA in CB+PMA group showed an increased trend. Compared with those in the normal control group and CB rats group, the serum levels of CitH3 and MPO-ANCA in CB+PMA group increased significantly at the sixth week (both P＜0.05). Serum CitH3 levels in rats were positively correlated with serum MPO-ANCA levels (rs=0.490，P=0.024). (2) There were pathological manifestations of CB in the lung tissues of rats in CB group and CB+PMA group, and no obvious abnormalities in the lung tissues of rats in the normal control group and control group. In the rat kidney tissue of CB+PMA group, there were inflammatory cells infiltrated in the glomerular and around the renal tubules, but glomerular necrosis was not found. No obvious abnormalities were observed in the kidney tissues of rats in the normal control group, PMA-treated healthy rats control group and CB group. (3) In the lung and kidney tissues of CB+PMA group NETs could be detected by confocal immunofluorescence analysis. Conclusion CB rats with the recurrent infections can release large amounts of NETs, in which the exposure of MPO antigen will break the immune tolerance and result in the production of MPO-ANCA.