Finerenone in Primary IgA Nephropathy: A Matched Case-Control Study.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate whether supplementation of finerenone to renin-angiotensin system inhibitor (RASi) therapy confers additional renoprotective benefit versus RASi therapy only in clinical IgA nephropathy (IgAN).

Methods: Primary IgAN patients administered RASi therapy at Ruijin Hospital from January 2023 to December 2023 were retrospectively enrolled, with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥25 mL/min/1.73 m.

Efficacy and safety of telitacicept in IgA nephropathy: real-world study outcomes.

Background: Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is one of the most common causes of primary glomerulonephritis that lacks a specific treatment option. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of telitacicept in patients with IgAN.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis in 82 biopsy-proven IgAN patients with baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) >20 mL/min/1.

Suppressed OsPsbS1 expression triggers rice leaf senescence mediated by reactive oxygen species.

Premature leaf senescence is an important factor affecting rice growth, development, and fitness. Although rice photosystem II subunit S (OsPsbS1) is a major gene controlling nonphotochemical quenching capacity (NPQ) in the photoprotective process, the role it plays in rice leaf senescence has not been explored yet. In this study, we use CRISPR/Cas9 technology to edit the OsPsbS1 gene, resulting in stable homozygous lines with premature leaf senescence.

Assessment of the placental microbiota of preterm infants with pneumonia: a case control study.

Objective: To investigate the specific characteristics and differences in the placental microbiome of preterm infants with and without pneumonia.

Methods: Fifty-nine infants born at 32-36 weeks' gestation were enrolled in this study. Among them, 33 developed pneumonia within 48 hours of birth, while the remaining 26 did not.

Genetically Predicted Causal Relationship between Gut Microbiota and Various Kidney Diseases.

Introduction: Although recent research suggests that alterations in gut microbiota play a critical role in the pathophysiology of kidney diseases, the causal relationship between specific intestinal flora and the risk of kidney diseases remains unclear. Here, we investigated the causal relationship between gut microbiota and different kidney diseases through mendelian randomization analysis.

Methods: Gut microbiota and three types of kidney diseases, including diabetic nephropathy, IgA nephropathy, and membranous nephropathy, were identified from large-scale genome-wide association studies summary data.

From Tradition to Innovation: Pinellia ternata Extracts Stabilized Selenium Nanoparticles for Enhanced Bioactivity.

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) are widely used for their effective antioxidative, anti-tumor, and antibacterial properties with minimal toxicity. Developing eco-friendly and simple synthesis methods for SeNPs with improved bioactivity, biocompatibility, and stability is crucial. This study synthesized bioactive SeNPs using extracts from the traditional Chinese medicine Pinellia ternata as a stabilizing agent.

Association of Serum Polyamines with Cardiovascular Events and All-Cause Mortality in Chronic Kidney Disease.

Background: Emerging evidence indicates that serum polyamines, including putrescine, spermidine, and spermine, may serve as potential biomarkers for chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its progression. However, the association between serum polyamine levels, cardiovascular (CV) events, and mortality in CKD patients remains poorly understood.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, involving 297 adult patients with CKD at stages 1-5 from March 2015 to September 2018, with follow-up until May 2023.

The blood urea nitrogen-to-creatinine ratio is associated with acute kidney injury among COVID-19 patients.

Introduction: To explore the associations between the blood urea nitrogen-to-creatinine ratio (BCR), acute kidney injury (AKI), and in-hospital mortality in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.

Methods: COVID-19 patients from Ruijin Hospital LuWan Branch, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine were enrolled in this study. Clinical data and laboratory parameters were collected.

Air Pollution and Childhood Asthma Hospitalizations in Chengdu, China: A Time-Series Study.

Purpose: Research on the relationship between air pollutants and hospitalization for asthma in children in developing countries remains inadequate. This study aimed to assess the short-term effects of air pollutants, including sulfur dioxide (SO), nitrogen dioxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O), particulate matter ≤ 2.5 µm (PM), and particulate matter ≤ 10 µm (PM), on children hospitalized for asthma in Chengdu, China, from 2017-2022.

Daratumumab treatment for kidney-involved light chain deposition disease prevents renal function progression: a case report with 3 years of follow-up and review of the literature.

Light chain deposition disease (LCDD) is a clonal plasma cell disorder characterized by the deposition of nonamyloid monoclonal light chains in multiple organs. It can affect various systems throughout the body, mainly the kidneys. Symptoms may include renal insufficiency, proteinuria, hematuria, and others.

Synergistic Effect of Amino-Modified Co-MOF and APP on Improvement of the Fire Safety of the Rigid Polyurethane Foam.

The combustion of rigid polyurethane foam (RPUF) generates significant amounts of toxic and high-temperature smoke, which restricts its application. Here, an amino-modified Co-MOF (NH-Co-MOF) was synthesized and it was used in conjunction with ammonium polyphosphate (APP) to decrease the flammability of RPUF. We obtained the expected results: the fire safety of RPUF was greatly enhanced by the addition of NH-Co-MOF and APP.

Predictive Value of TyG and TyG-BMI Indices for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in High-Altitude Regions of China: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The associations between triglyceride glucose (TyG), triglyceride glucose-body mass index (TyG-BMI), and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in high-altitude regions remain unclear. This is a cross-sectional, population-based study comprising 1384 adults living in Jianchuan county, China, which has an average altitude of over 2200 m. Logistic regressions were used to examine the associations between TyG, TyG-BMI, and NAFLD.

Sparkling Synergy: Enhancing Hydrogen Evolution with a Mesoporous CoP/FeP Interface.

The reaction kinetics is predominantly determined by the surface and interface engineering of electrocatalysts. Herein, we demonstrate the growth of cobalt monophosphide and iron monophosphide (CoP/FeP) with an effective solid interface. The surface of CoP/FeP is mesoporous, which is obtained by phosphidizing mesoporous CoFeO.

Uromodulin and progression of IgA nephropathy.

Background: This study investigates the link between genetic variants associated with kidney function and immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy (IgAN) progression.

Methods: We recruited 961 biopsy-proven IgAN patients and 651 non-IgAN end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients from Ruijin Hospital. Clinical and renal pathological data were collected.

Trim47 prevents hematopoietic stem cell exhaustion during stress by regulating MAVS-mediated innate immune pathway.

The maintenance of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) functional integrity is essential for effective hematopoietic regeneration when suffering from injuries. Studies have shown that the innate immune pathways play crucial roles in the stress response of HSCs, whereas how to precisely modulate these pathways is not well characterized. Here, we identify the E3 ubiquitin ligase tripartite motif-containing 47 (Trim47) as a negative regulator of the mitochondrial antiviral-signaling protein (MAVS)-mediated innate immune pathway in HSCs.

Oral glucocorticoids with intravenous cyclophosphamide or oral glucocorticoids alone in the treatment of IgA nephropathy present with nephrotic syndrome and mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis.

Background: Few studies have evaluated the treatment of immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) patients with nephrotic syndrome (NS) and mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN). The aim of this study was to compare the therapeutic effects of oral glucocorticoids (GCS) combined with intravenous cyclophosphamide (CTX) and oral GCS alone in the treatment of the MPGN-IgAN patients with NS.

Methods: Biopsy-proven primary IgAN patients who were aged ≥14 years at diagnosis, had coexistent NS and MPGN and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥15 mL/min/1.

Epidemiology of asthma exacerbation in children before and after the COVID-19 pandemic: a retrospective study in Chengdu, China.

Purpose: To examine the numbers and characteristics of children affected by asthma exacerbation in Chengdu, China, before and after the COVID-19 pandemic to inform efforts to manage childhood asthma in the post epidemic era.

Methods: Data were retrospectively collected from children admitted for asthma exacerbation to Chengdu Women and Children's Central Hospital between January 2017 and December 2022. Rates of hospitalization, ages of the affected children, comorbidities and infections, and relationships between hospitalization and seasonal or environmental factors were examined before and after the epidemic.

Bacterial Colonization in the Airways and Intestines of Twin and Singleton Preterm Neonates: A Single-Center Study.

Limited studies have investigated the microbial colonization of the airways and intestines in preterm neonates. We studied the composition of intestinal and airway bacterial colonies in several preterm twin pairs and singletons to explore the dominant bacteria, assess their variability, and predict their phenotypic and metabolic functions. In this descriptive study, we collected sputum and fetal stool specimens from 10 twin pairs (20 cases) and 20 singleton preterm neonates.

Validity of the SARC-F questionnaire in assessing sarcopenia in patients with chronic kidney disease: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: To examine the validity of the 5-component SARC-F questionnaire for screening sarcopenia among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods: Eligible participants were enrolled from the Department of Nephrology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from March 2019 to November 2019. Evaluations were performed using the self-administered SARC-F questionnaire.

Multimodal Fusion Network for Detecting Hyperplastic Parathyroid Glands in SPECT/CT Images.

In secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) disease, preoperatively localizing hyperplastic parathyroid glands is crucial in the surgical procedure. These glands can be detected via the dual-modality imaging technique single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) since it has high sensitivity and provides an accurate location. However, due to possible low-uptake glands in SPECT images, manually labeling glands is challenging, not to mention automatic label methods.

A pilot study exploring the association of bronchial bacterial microbiota and recurrent wheezing in infants with atopy.

Background: Differences in bronchial microbiota composition have been found to be associated with asthma; however, it is still unclear whether these findings can be applied to recurrent wheezing in infants especially with aeroallergen sensitization.

Objectives: To determine the pathogenesis of atopic wheezing in infants and to identify diagnostic biomarkers, we analyzed the bronchial bacterial microbiota of infants with recurrent wheezing and with or without atopic diseases using a systems biology approach.

Methods: Bacterial communities in bronchoalveolar lavage samples from 15 atopic wheezing infants, 15 non-atopic wheezing infants, and 18 foreign body aspiration control infants were characterized using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

Chronic Corticosterone Exposure Suppresses Copper Transport through GR-Mediated Intestinal CTR1 Pathway in Mice.

Numerous studies have discovered that chronic stress induces metabolic disorders by affecting iron and zinc metabolism, but the relationship between chronic stress and copper metabolism remains unclear. Here, we explore the influence of chronic corticosterone (CORT) exposure on copper metabolism and its regulatory mechanism in mice. Mice were treated with 100 μg/mL CORT in drinking water for a 4-week trial.

Association between different infection profiles and one-year outcomes in ANCA-associated vasculitis: a retrospective study with monthly infection screening.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore clinical features of early infection in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) and to identify the association between the infection profile of patients with AAV during the first 3 months and 1-year survival.

Methods: A total of 415 newly diagnosed patients with AAV in the Department of Nephrology at Shanghai Ruijin Hospital from 2000 to 2018 were included. Four Cox regression models were used to analyse the association based on demographics, comorbidities, laboratory baseline index and therapy parameter.

Particulate matter of air pollution may increase risk of kidney failure in IgA nephropathy.

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is characterized by deposition of galactose-deficient IgA1 (Gd-IgA1) in glomerular mesangium associated with mucosal immune disorders. Since environmental pollution has been associated with the progression of chronic kidney disease in the general population, we specifically investigated the influence of exposure to fine particulate matter less than 2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.

Chronic Psychological Stress Disrupts Iron Metabolism and Enhances Hepatic Mitochondrial Function in Mice.

To explore the changes in iron metabolism and mitochondrial function exposed to chronic psychological stress, seventy-five male mice aged 5 ~ 6 weeks were randomly sorted into 2 groups: control group and chronic psychological stress group. Mice were conducted by communication box to induce psychological stress for 21 consecutive days. The results showed that chronic psychological stress led to a significant reduction in average daily gain (P < 0.