Discovering molecular signatures in kidney transplant biopsies with borderline changes and isolated V-lesions: single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis of human blood and tissue Spatial transcriptomics.

Acute T cell-mediated rejection (TCMR) is one of the most important causes of kidney graft injury and loss; however, in-depth transcriptomic analyses of relevant tissues and circulating immune cells are limited. In this study, we conducted single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) on peripheral blood mononuclear cells and spatial transcriptomics using kidney allograft biopsy samples. The scRNA-seq study included four patients with borderline rejection or biopsy-proven TCMR and two with no evidence of TCMR.

Complications Associated with Immunosuppressive Agents in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: A Nationwide Analysis.

Immunosuppressive therapies are vital for solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients to ensure graft survival, but long-term use can lead to complications. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the complications associated with immunosuppressive agents across different types of major SOTs. In a retrospective cohort study using a national claims database, we analyzed adult SOT recipients who began immunosuppressive therapy from 2007 to 2018.

Effects of Pilot Scale Hot Water Extracts on a Model of Dexamethasone-Induced Muscle Loss and Muscle Atrophy in C57BL/6 Mice.

This study investigates the effects of pilot scale Alnus japonica hot water extract (AJHW) on muscle loss and muscle atrophy. Building on previous in vitro studies, in vivo experiments were conducted to evaluate muscle strength, mass, fiber size, protein synthesis, and antioxidant activity. The results showed that AJHW significantly restored muscle strength, increased muscle mass, enhanced the expression of muscle synthesis markers, such as Akt and mTOR, and apoptosis inhibition markers, such as Bcl-2, compared to the muscle atrophy control.

Prediction of acute rejection in renal allografts using shear-wave dispersion slope.

Objectives: To evaluate the role of shear-wave dispersion slope for predicting renal allograft dysfunction.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 128 kidney transplant recipients (median age, 55 years [interquartile range, 43-62 years]; male, 68) who underwent biopsy for allograft evaluation from November 2022 to February 2023. Cortex and renal sinus fat stiffness and shear-wave dispersion slope were obtained at shear-wave elastography (SWE).

Clinical course of post-kidney transplant Schimke immuno-osseous dysplasia.

Background: Schimke immuno-osseous dysplasia (SIOD) is a rare systemic disease characterized by short stature, proteinuria, and recurrent infections. Patients usually have spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia, and progressive steroid-resistant nephropathy that leads to kidney failure. However, their clinical course after kidney transplantation (KT) is not yet well known.

Clinical Significances of Anti-Collagen Type I and Type III Antibodies in Antibody-Mediated Rejection.

It is important to determine the clinical significance of non-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies and their association with antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) of kidney allografts. We collected post-transplant sera from 68 ABMR patients, 67 T-cell mediated rejection (TCMR) patients, and 83 control subjects without rejection, and determined the titers of 39 non-HLA antibodies including antibodies for angiotensin II receptor type I and MICA. We compared all these non-HLA antibody titers among the study groups.

Dominant predictors of early post-transplant outcomes based on the Korean Organ Transplantation Registry (KOTRY).

Data for Asian kidney transplants are very limited. We investigated the relative importance of prognostic markers in Asian kidney transplants by using Korean Organ Transplantation Registry (KOTRY) cohort. Prediction models were developed by data-driven variable selection approach.

Deep Learning-Based Quantification of Visceral Fat Volumes Predicts Posttransplant Diabetes Mellitus in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Because obesity is associated with the risk of posttransplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM), the precise estimation of visceral fat mass before transplantation may be helpful. Herein, we addressed whether a deep-learning based volumetric fat quantification on pretransplant computed tomographic images predicted the risk of PTDM more precisely than body mass index (BMI). We retrospectively included a total of 718 nondiabetic kidney recipients who underwent pretransplant abdominal computed tomography.

Presence of a survival benefit of HLA-incompatible living donor kidney transplantation compared to waiting or HLA-compatible deceased donor kidney transplantation with a long waiting time.

HLA-incompatible living donor kidney transplantation (LDKT) is one of efforts to increase kidney transplantation opportunity for sensitized patients with kidney failure. However, there are conflicting reports for outcomes of HLA-incompatible kidney transplantation compared to patients who wait for HLA-compatible deceased donor kidney transplantation (DDKT) in the United States and United Kingdom. Waiting for an HLA-compatible DDKT is relatively disadvantageous in Korea, because the average waiting time is more than five years.

Recurrent parvovirus B19 infection-associated pure red cell aplasia in a kidney transplant patient.

Posttransplant anemia is a common complication after kidney transplantation. Parvovirus B19 (PVB19) infection can induce pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) in immunosuppressed transplant patients. We herein report a case of recurrent PVB19-associated PRCA in a kidney transplant patient.

Klotho as a potential predictor of deceased donor kidney transplantation outcomes.

Purpose: Klotho is an antiaging factor mainly produced by renal tubular cells. Klotho is reportedly decreased in an animal model of acute kidney injury and patients with chronic kidney disease. However, information on Klotho expression after kidney transplantation is limited.

Risk of Graft Failure in Kidney Recipients with Cured Post-Transplant Cancer.

Background: Post-transplant cancer (PTC) is a critical complication after kidney transplantation. However, whether successfully cured PTC affects the long-term graft outcome remains unclear.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 1,629 kidney transplant recipients from 1995 to 2017 after excluding patients with post-transplant hematologic or advanced non-curable cancers and who underwent allograft nephrectomy because of cancer.

Weaning Immunosuppressant in Patients with Failing Kidney Grafts and The Outcomes: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study.

An immunosuppressant weaning protocol in failing allografts has not yet been established. Maintaining immunosuppressants would preserve residual renal function (RRF) and prevent graft intolerance syndrome and sensitization but would increase the risks of infection and malignancy. In this study, graft failure cases after kidney transplantation in a single center were reviewed retrospectively.

Author Correction: Whole exome sequencing for the identification of CYP3A7 variants associated with tacrolimus concentrations in kidney transplant patients.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Erratum: Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Diseases in Pediatric Kidney Allograft Recipients with Epstein-Barr Virus Viremia.

This corrects the article on e203 in vol. 34, PMID: 31373185.

Nationwide Epidemiologic Study of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms in Korea: A Cross-Sectional Study Using National Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service Data.

Purpose: The prevalence and treatment patterns of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) vary according to ethnicity and region. This study analyzed nationwide data on the epidemiology, practice patterns, and mortality rates of AAA in Korea.

Materials And Methods: Data from patients treated for AAA from 2012 to 2016 were extracted from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment (HIRA) database.

Successful treatment of early acute antibody-mediated rejection in an human leukocyte antigen-incompatible and ABO-incompatible living-donor kidney transplant patient.

For successful human leukocyte antigen-incompatible (HLAi) or ABO-incompatible (ABOi) living-donor kidney transplantations (LDKTs), pretransplant desensitization is essential; however, early antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) remains the most important complication after HLAi or ABOi transplantation. Here, we report a case of early acute ABMR in simultaneous HLAi and ABOi LDKT with preformed donor-specific antibody (DSA), despite desensitization. Dialysis-dependent, severe ABMR occurred with a rebound of pre-existing DSA and appearance of de novo DSA after initial normalization of renal function, 8 days postoperatively.

Long-term Mortality Risks Among Living Kidney Donors in Korea.

Rationale & Objective: Living kidney donors may have a higher risk for death and kidney failure. This study aimed to investigate the long-term mortality experience of living kidney donors compared with members of the general public in Korea who underwent voluntary health examinations.

Study Design: Cohort study.

Mobile medication manager application to improve adherence with immunosuppressive therapy in renal transplant recipients: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Nonadherence to immunosuppressive therapy after renal transplantation is associated with poor graft outcomes. We aimed to evaluate whether the use of the Adhere4U mobile medication manager application could improve adherence among renal transplant recipients ≥1 year posttransplantation. Adhere4U can provide medication reminders, monitor medication use, and provide information on immunosuppressants.

Possible beneficial association between renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system blockade usage and graft prognosis in allograft IgA nephropathy: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Although immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is associated with an increased risk of renal allograft failure, evidences for its treatment, including renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockade (RAASB) usage, remain limited.

Methods: In this bi-center retrospective cohort study, we included patients who were recently diagnosed with IgAN through allograft biopsies. We identified their 6-month antihypertensive medication prescriptions and investigated the association between the medication types, albuminuria changes, and risk of 5-year death-censored-graft-failure (DCGF).

Ratio of triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and risk of major cardiovascular events in kidney transplant recipients.

Background: Dyslipidemia is common in kidney transplant (KT) recipients. We analyzed the ratio of triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) in KT recipients to identify risk factors for major cardiovascular events (MACE).

Methods: We retrospectively included KT recipients with a lipid profile performed 1 year after transplantation.

Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Diseases in Pediatric Kidney Allograft Recipients with Epstein-Barr Virus Viremia.

Background: Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) is one of the major complications of organ transplantation, especially in children with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) viremia (EV). We performed a retrospective study to evaluate risk factors for PTLD in children with EV.

Methods: Among 199 pediatric kidney transplantation (KT) recipients at our center from January 2001 to October 2015, records of those with EBV viral loads of > 1,000 copies/mL and/or PTLD were reviewed.

The Use of Antithrombotics Is Not Beneficial for Conservative Management of Spontaneous Isolated Dissection of the Superior Mesenteric Artery: A Meta-analysis.

Background: Conservative treatment is feasible in most patients with spontaneous isolated dissection of the superior mesenteric artery (SID-SMA). However, the role of antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants is not well defined in either symptomatic or asymptomatic SID-SMA. This study aimed to conduct a meta-analysis, including a single-arm study, comparing the resolution rate of conservative management with versus without antithrombotics for symptomatic and asymptomatic SID-SMA.

Development of a novel linear model for predicting recipient's post-transplant serum creatinine level after living donor kidney transplantation: A multicenter cross-validation study.

Background: This study was designed to develop and cross-validate a statistical model for predicting post-transplant serum creatinine of living donor kidney transplantation.

Materials And Methods: Adult recipients of living donor kidney transplantation from August 2012 to October 2017 at Samsung Medical Center (SMC) and Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH) with normal post-transplant protocol biopsy were included for modelling. Demographic data including recipient and donor's sex, age, body measurements and comorbidities, pre-transplant donor serum creatinine, graft weight, post-transplant recipient serum creatinine and the result of protocol biopsy were collected.