Tocilizumab en el tratamiento del rechazo humoral crónico activo resistente a terapia estándar

IntroductionThere is no consensus on the most appropriate treatment for chronic active antibody-mediated rejection (cAMR). Recent studies suggest that treatment with tocilizumab (TCZ) may stabilize graft function, decrease the intensity of donor-specific HLA antibodies (DSAs) and reduce inflammation of microcirculation.Patients and methodsObservational study with renal allograft recipients diagnosed with cAMR (n = 5) who had not submitted a response to traditional treatment based on the combination of plasma replacements, immunoglobulins, and rituximab. Patients were told to be treated with TCZ as compassionate use in six doses per month (8 mg/kg/month). Renal function, proteinuria, and the intensity of DSAs were monitored during follow-up.ResultsFive patients, average age 60 ± 13 years, three male and two retrasplants (cPRA average 55%) with preformed DSAs. Treatment with TCZ was initiated within 47 ± 52 days of biopsy. In two cases treatment was discontinued after the first dose, by severe bicitopenia with cytomegalovirus viremia and by graft failure, respectively. In the three patients who completed treatment, no stability of renal function (serum creatinine from 1.73 ± 0.70 to 2.04 ± 0.52 mg/dL, e-FGR 4 6 ± 15 to 36 ± 16 mL/min), showed increased proteinuria (3.2 ± 4.0 to 6.9 ± 11.0 g/g) and the intensity of DSAs maintain stable. No changes were observed in the degree of inflammation of microcirculation (g + pt 4.2 ± 0.8 vs. 4.3 ± 1.0) or in the degree of transplant glomerulopathy (cg 1.2 ± 0.4 vs. 1.8 ± 1.0).ConclusionsTCZ therapy does not appear to be effective in modifying the natural history of chronic active antibody-mediated rejection, does not improve the degree of inflammation of microcirculation and does not reduces the intensity of DSAs.     

Protective activities of ellagic acid and urolithins against kidney toxicity of environmental pollutants: A review

Oxidative stress and inflammation are two possible mechanisms related to nephrotoxicity caused by environmental pollutants. Ellagic acid, a powerful antioxidant phytochemical, may have great relevance in mitigating pollutant-induced nephrotoxicity and preventing the progression of kidney disease. This review discusses the latest findings on the protective effects of ellagic acid, its metabolic derivatives, the urolithins, against kidney toxicity caused by heavy metals, pesticides, mycotoxins, and organic air pollutants. We describe the chelating, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, antiautophagic, and antiapoptotic properties of ellagic acid to attenuate nephrotoxicity. Furthermore, we present the molecular targets and signaling pathways that are regulated by these antioxidants, and suggest some others that should be explored. Nevertheless, the number of reports is still limited to establish the efficacy of ellagic acid against kidney damage induced by environmental pollutants. Therefore, additional preclinical studies on this topic are required, as well as the development of well-designed clinical trials.     

Effect of Electroacupuncture on Spermatogenesis in Rats with Oligozoospermia of Insufficiency of Shen (Kidney) Essence Syndrome

Objective: To assess the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) on expression of cytoskeletal proteins from Sertoli cells(SCs) and spermatogenesis in rats with oligozoospermia of insufficiency of Shen(Kidney)essence syndrome(OIKES).Methods: Twenty healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups using a random number table: control,tripterygium glycosides(TG) treatment,sham and EA groups(n=5 in each group).A rat model of OIKES was established by oral gavage with TG.The EA group was treated with TG and received EA at Shenshu(BL 23) and Zusanli(ST 36) acupoints for 20 min,once daily for 30 days,while the sham group received EA at identical acupoints with skin penetration without stimulation.After 30 days,the ?nal body weight and coef?cients for the testis and epididymis were calculated and sperm parameters were measured.Immunohistochemical analyses were performed to detect expression of vimentin and α-tubulin in SCs and proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA) immunoreactivity in germ cells.Apoptosis in germ cells was quanti?ed by the transferase biotin-dUTP nick end labeling assay.Results: Compared with the control group,the final body weight and testis/epididymis coefficients of rats in the TG-treated group were not significantly different,but the sperm count and motility were lower(P0.05).Expressions of vimentin and α-tubulin were also signi?cantly weaker(P0.01).The PCNA immunoreactivity of germ cells was decreased(P=0.059),whereas the apoptotic index of germ cells was increased signi?cantly(P0.01).In contrast,EA at BL 23 and ST 36 acupoints signi?cantly improved the ?nal body weight as well as the sperm count,concentration and motility(P0.01 or P0.05).EA increased expression of vimentin and α-tubulin in SCs markedly,and signi?cantly enhanced PCNA immunoreactivity with decreased apoptosis in germ cells(P0.01 or P0.05).Conclusions: EA at BL 23 and ST 36 acupoints has protective effects on spermatogenesis in rats with OIKES.This effect seems to be achieved by attenuating TG-induced disruption of cytoskeletal protein in SCs.     

补肾纳气法治疗小儿支气管哮喘的临床分析

目的：探讨分析补肾纳气法治疗小儿支气管哮喘的临床效果。方法方便选取该院儿科于2013年3月—2014年11月收治的小儿支气管哮喘患者67例，根据随机数字法分为对照组33例和观察组34例，对照组患者予以氨茶碱片治疗，观察组患者实施补肾纳气法治疗，观察两组患者的治疗效果，进行临床对照性分析。结果对照组患者不良反应发生率24.2%，观察组患者不良反应发生率5.8%，观察组不良反应发生率明显低于对照组(P﹤0.05)；对照组患者总有效率60.6%，观察组患者总有效率85.3%。观察组患者治疗后总有效率明显高于对照组(P﹤0.05)。结论补肾纳气法治疗小儿支气管哮喘的临床效果好，应用价值高，值得在临床实践中推广应用。     

The prognostic value of elevated neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio for cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Patients undergoing cardiac surgery are at significant risk of developing postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI). Neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a widely available inflammatory biomarker which may be of prognostic value in this setting.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting associations between perioperative NLR with postoperative AKI. We searched Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Library, without language restriction, from inception to May 2022 for relevant studies. We meta-analysed the reported odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for both elevated preoperative and postoperative NLR with risk of postoperative AKI and need for renal replacement therapy (RRT). We conducted a meta-regression to explore inter-study statistical heterogeneity.

Results

Twelve studies involving 10,724 participants undergoing cardiac surgery were included, with eight studies being deemed at high risk of bias using PROBAST modelling. We found statistically significant associations between elevated preoperative NLR and postoperative AKI (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.18–1.77), as well as postoperative need for RRT (OR 2.37, 95% CI 1.50–3.72). Postoperative NLR measurements were not of prognostic significance.

Conclusions

Elevated preoperative NLR is a reliable inflammatory biomarker for predicting AKI following cardiac surgery.     

Predicting Renal Function Outcomes After Partial and Radical Nephrectomy

Background

Partial nephrectomy (PN) is generally favored for cT1 tumors over radical nephrectomy (RN) when technically feasible. However, it can be unclear whether the additional risks of PN are worth the magnitude of renal function benefit.

基于子宫内膜异位症与恶性肿瘤的相关性探析补肾化瘀法作用机制及中医理论依据

子宫内膜异位症其异位内膜组织虽然在形态学上呈良性表现，却具有类似恶性肿瘤的生物学特性。中医学一般认为，“正虚伏邪”为恶性肿瘤的病机特点；那么，肾虚血瘀既属于“正虚伏邪”的范畴，又体现了EMs发病学和疾病发生、发展过程中的主要特点。在“病证相应”的中医治则之下，补肾化瘀法的临床疗效主要表现为：缓解痛经症状、提高受孕率，以及调整月经周期。本文基于EMs与恶性肿瘤的相关性，通过分析补肾化瘀法治疗EMs的理论依据及其抑制异位内膜侵袭的调控机制，主要包括解除免疫抑制、阻断局部微血管新生等，旨在阐明其疗效显著的原因，为临床推广提供可靠的基础研究证据。     

11C-乙酸盐PET显像在肾脏肿瘤诊断中的作用

目的探讨^11C-乙酸盐PET显像在肾脏肿瘤诊断中的作用及其与^18F-脱氧葡萄糖（FDG）肾肿瘤显像的关系。方法29例疑肾肿瘤患者行^11C-乙酸盐PET早期及延迟显像，其中22例1周内行^18F—FDG PET显像。所有患者均有手术病理检查或CT、随访结果。患者静脉注射^11C-乙酸盐后即刻采集肾脏部位早期图像，以反映肾皮质血流灌注；10min后采集延迟图像，以反映^11C-乙酸盐在肾皮质内的代谢。观察^11C-乙酸盐在人体内的分布，并比较^11C-乙酸盐与^18F—FDG肾肿瘤显像的阳性率及其与病理类型、分级的关系。结果^11C-乙酸盐在人体内以胰腺摄取最高，并可能经胰液分泌人肠道。肾皮质对^11C-乙酸盐摄取随时间而变化，延迟相大部分原发肾皮质肿瘤（13例中分级Ⅰ～Ⅱ为12例）对^11C-乙酸盐摄取高于正常肾皮质，阳性率为76．9％（10／13例）；而^18F—FDG显像仅为30．8％（4／13例）。6例肾盂输尿管移行细胞癌^11C-乙酸盐显像阳性仅2例；其中5例行^18F—FDG显像，均阳性。1例肾血管平滑肌脂肪瘤^11C-乙酸盐早期及延迟显像均清晰显示，2例输尿管炎症对^11C-乙酸盐无摄取。结论^11C-乙酸盐PET显像对恶性程度较低的肾皮质肿瘤显像阳性率较高，可弥补^18F—FDG显像的不足。