Evaluation of thyroid profile among children aged 1-15 years with nephrotic syndrome:An observation study

BACKGROUND The interaction between the kidney and the thyroid is important for normal function of both organs.In nephrotic syndrome,proteinuria leads to loss of several proteins,which in turn causes hypothyroidism.AIM To assess the thyroid function in children with nephrotic syndrome.METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary center,Bhopal,from February 2020 to January 2021.Consecutive children aged 1-15 years admitted with nephrotic syndrome(first-time diagnosed and all relapse cases)were included in the study.A thyroid profile was sent along with routine investigations,and thyroid hormone status was assessed in nephrotic syndrome children.RESULTS Of the 70 patients,39(55.7%)showed abnormal thyroid profiles;19(27.1%)had overt hypothyroidism,and 20(28.6%)had subclinical hypothyroidism.Overt hypothyroidism was seen in 16.1%of newly diagnosed cases,40%of second relapses,and 2.7%of frequently relapsed cases(P<0.001).The mean serum free T3 and free T4 levels in frequent relapses were 2.50±0.39 ng/dL and 0.78±0.12 ng/dL,respectively,which were significantly lower than in newly diagnosed cases(2.77±0.37 ng/dL and 0.91±0.19 ng/dL,respectively).The mean thyroidstimulating hormone(TSH)level was significantly higher in frequent relapses (5.86±1.56μIU/mL)and second relapse(5.81±1.78μIU/mL)than in newly diagnosed cases(4.83±0.76μIU/mL)and first relapse cases(4.74±1.17μIU/mL),(P<0.01).CONCLUSION An abnormal thyroid profile was commonly observed in children with nephrotic syndrome,and overt hypothyroidism was more common in frequent relapse cases.Therefore,thyroid screening should be a part of the management of nephrotic syndrome so that hypothyroidism can be detected and managed at an early stage.

HDR syndrome presented with nephrotic syndrome in a Chinese boy: A case report

BACKGROUND HDR syndrome is a rare genetic disease caused by variants in the GATA3 gene and is phenotypically defined by the triad of hypoparathyroidism(H),deafness(D),and renal disease(R).Renal disorders of HDR are mainly developmental ab-normalities,although renal functional abnormalities can also be observed.Ne-phrotic syndrome or nephrotic-level proteinuria is rare in HDR syndrome.Here,we report a Chinese infant with HDR syndrome who presented with early-onset nephrotic syndrome.We suggest that variants in the GATA3 gene might be asso-ciated with nephrotic syndrome.(p.Pro235 Leu),in exon 3 of the GATA3 gene.CONCLUSION We report an infant with HDR syndrome who presented with early-onset nephrotic syndrome in China.We suggest that variants in the GATA3 gene might be associated with infant-onset nephrotic syndrome.

Clinical Value of ABCB1 and PAI-1 Gene Polymorphisms in Predicting Glucocorticoid-induced Adverse Reactions in Nephrotic Syndrome Patients

Objective Glucocorticoid(GC)-induced adverse reactions(ARs)have been extensively studied due to their potential impact on patients’health.This study aimed to examine the potential correlation between two polymorphisms[adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette B1(ABCB1)C3435T and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1(PAI-1)4G/5G]and various GC-induced ARs in nephrotic syndrome(NS)patients.Methods In this study,513 NS patients who underwent GC treatment were enrolled.Then,the patients were divided into two groups based on ABCB1 C3435T and PAI-14G/5G genotyping,and intergroup comparisons of clinicopathological data and GC-induced ARs were performed.Univariate and multivariate logistic analyses were subsequently conducted to identify potential risk factors for GC-induced ARs,and a nomogram was subsequently established and validated via the area under the ROC curve(AUC),calibration curve and decision curve analysis(DCA).Results We identified ABCB1 C3435T as an independent risk factor for the development of steroid-associated avascular necrosis of the femoral head(SANFH)(OR:2.191,95%CI:1.258–3.813,P=0.006)but not as a risk factor for the occurrence of steroid diabetes mellitus(S-DM).On the other hand,PAI-14G/5G was identified as an independent risk factor for the development of both SANFH(OR:2.198,95%CI:1.267–3.812,P=0.005)and S-DM(OR:2.080,95%CI:1.166–3.711,P=0.013).Notably,no significant correlation was found between the two gene polymorphisms and other GC-induced ARs.In addition,two nomograms were established and validated to demonstrate strong calibration capability and clinical utility.Conclusion Assessing ABCB1 C3435T and PAI-14G/5G before steroid treatment in NS patients could be useful for identifying patients at a high risk of developing SANFH and S-DM.

Pediatric Nephrotic Syndrome in a Cameroonian Cohorte: The Beast to Slaughter

Background: Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) is a frequent pathology in children. There is little data on the future of NS in children in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Cameroon. The aim of our study is to report the prognosis of children treated for nephrotic syndrome in the city of Yaoundé. Method: This was an analytical cross-sectional study with retrospective collection in 4 reference hospitals in the Cameroonian capital over a period of five years from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2022. We included all medical records of patients treated for idiopathic INS. We excluded incomplete records and those with a history of chronic kidney disease. The sociodemographic, clinical, paraclinical, and therapeutic data, as well as the short-term evolution were collected in the files. Data was analysed using the software statistical package for social sciences version 25.0. Statistical significance was set at a p-value Results: A total of 131 children (58% boys) were included in our study over a period of 5 years. The median age was 8 [6 - 11] years. Median proteinuria was 5 g/24h [3 - 8.4], median serum protein was 39 [34 - 46] g/l and median estimated glomerular filtration rate was 130.36 [68 - 174.6] ml/min/1.73m2. During steroid therapy, 45.07% were in partial remission at 2 months, 16.9% were in complete remission at 4 and 6 months, and 37.25% had relapsed. Steroid sensitivity was reported in 28.17% of cases, steroid resistance in 64.78% of cases and steroid dependent in 7.04% of cases. The mortality rate was 12.97%. Survival time averaged 48.2 months, with an overall crude survival rate of 99.2% at 3 and 6 months and 98.4% at 1 year. Regarding renal survival, renal function was impaired in 8.33% of patients at 6 months and 9% at 12 months. Conclusion: Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome is a common disease in children. Its evolution depends on corticosteroid therapy. The long-term prognosis is dominated by the risk of progression to end-stage kidney disease or even death. Rigorous and affordable follow-up is essential to reduce the number of patients lost to follow-up and the occurrence of complications.

Study of the Effects of Glucocorticoid on Growth and Adult Final Height in Children with Primary Nephrotic Syndrome

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of growth, as well as factors associated with growth retardation in children with primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS), and to investigate the effect of glucocorticoid (GC) use duration on growth retardation in these children. Methods: Clinical and laboratory data of 353 PNS children treated at our hospital from July 2014 to June 2015 were collected through the medical record management system. Height, weight, and GC usage were recorded. Follow-up assessments were conducted in August 2022 for the original group, recording height, weight, and GC usage. Height and weight were evaluated using standard deviation scores (SDS). Categorical data were analyzed using chi-square test while continuous measurement data were analyzed using t-test or rank-sum test. Linear regression was used to assess the association between two single independent variables, and logistic regression analysis was used to screen for risk factors related to growth retardation in children with PNS. Results: Among the 353 PNS children enrolled in this study, male-to-female ratio of 2.64:1 (256 males vs 97 females). A total of 119 children exhibited growth retardation, incidence rate of 33.71%. The duration of GC usage among those with growth retardation was significantly longer compared to those without it (762.81 ± 934.50 days vs 263.77 ± 420.49 days;p Conclusion: PNS children treated with GC have a high incidence of growth retardation, and a high proportion of short stature in adulthood, especially in children with growth retardation in childhood, most of them have short stature after grown up. Time of GC usage is a risk factor for growth retardation in children with PNS.

Pathological and Etiological Aspects of Nephrotic Syndrome at the Niamey General Reference Hospital

Introduction: Studies have been conducted on nephrotic syndrome in Niger. The study aimed to determine the histological and etiological aspects of nephrotic syndrome. Patients and Method: This was a retrospective study from February 1st, 2018 to January 31st, 2024. All patients with nephrotic syndrome who underwent renal biopsy were included. Samples were analyzed at the anatomy-cytology pathology laboratory of the Faculty of Medicine in Dakar (Senegal). The variables studied included clinical, biological, histological and etiological characteristics. Data were analyzed using Excel 2013 and Epi-info 7.2.0 software. Results: The study included 119 patients with nephrotic syndrome. Prevalence of nephrotic syndrome was 11.24%. The male-to-female ratio was 2.25:1. The mean age at diagnosis was between 34.5 ± 18.84 years. Edema was the reason for admission in 40.34% of cases. The nephrotic syndrome was impure in 63.86% of cases. Nine histological lesions were identified. Focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (40.09%), minimal change disease (23.53%), membranous nephropathy (13.45%), diabetic nephropathy (10.92%), membranous proliferative glomerulonephritis (3.36%), acute glomerulonephritis (3.36%), glomerular thrombotic microangiopathy (2.52%), non-IgA mesengial proliferative glomerulonephritis (1.68%) and amyloidosis (0.84%). Nephrotic syndrome was primary in 57.98% of cases. Secondary etiologies were dominated by diabetes (11.76%), followed by hepatitis B virus (9.24%), lupus, lymphoma, malaria, syphilis, cryoglobulinemia, sickle cell disease and HIV. Conclusion: Future studies should investigate the causes of glomerulopathy secondary to chronic tubulointerstitial lesions.

Uncharted Territory: Frequent Relapsing, Steroid Sensitive Secondary Minimal Change Nephrotic Syndrome Cause by Solid Tumor of the Gastro-Esophageal Junction —(Case Presentation and Review of the Literature)

We reported a biopsy proved case of minimal change nephrotic syndrome in a 72-year-old patient. The minimal change nephrotic syndrome has been steroid sensitive, but the patient had 7 relapses over a span of 5 years. Each time the dose of steroid is tapered, a relapse of the nephrotic syndrome occurred. Eventually, the patient was complaining of dysphagia and difficulty swallowing. Hospital work-up with barium swallow, endoscopy, and CT of the chest, abdomen and pelvis, revealed a focal stenotic lesion with mild to moderate esophageal dysmotility 7/15/2022. A diagnosis of an ulcerating lesion with biopsy confirmed a neuro-endocrine carcinoma of the gastro-esophageal junction was entertained. The CT of the chest/abdomen/pelvis, 7/19/2022, has shown, an esophageal mass of 5.1 × 5.6 × 7 cm of the gastro-esophageal junction with ulceration. No evidence of spread beyond the esophagus and stomach. The histology revealed a poorly differentiated neuroendocrine tumor of the gastro-esophageal junction. The patient underwent several rounds of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery culminating in tumor control. His nephrotic syndrome was resolved after the tumor has been controlled by surgery and chemotherapy.

Transanal surgery for obstructed defecation syndrome: Literature review and a single-center experience

Obstructed defecation syndrome(ODS) is a functional disorder commonly encountered by colorectal surgeons and gastroenterologists, and greatly affects the quality of life of patients from both societal and psychological aspects. The underlying anatomical and pathophysiological changes of ODS are complex. However, intra-rectal intussusception and rectocele are frequently found in patients with ODS and both are thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis of ODS. With the development of evaluation methods in anorectal physiology laboratories and radiology studies, a great variety of new operative procedures, especially transanal procedures, have been invented to treat ODS. However, no procedure has been proved to be superior to others at present. Each operation has its own merits and defects. Thus, choosing appropriate transanal surgical procedures for the treatment of ODS remains a challenge for all surgeons. This review provides an introduction of the current problems and options for treatment of ODS and a detailed summary of the essential assessments needed for patient evaluation before carrying out transanal surgery. Besides, an overview of the benefits and problems of current transanal surgical procedures for treatment of ODS is summarized in this review. A report of clinical experience of some transanal surgical techniques used in the authors' center is also presented.

The treatment of relapsing primary nephrotic syndrome in children

Objective: To explore better therapy and reduce the rate of re-relapse of primary nephritic syndrome in children who had been treated with corticosteroids but relapsed. Methods: Eighty relapsers were enrolled from Jan. 1994 to Apr. 2000, who were randomly divided into two groups. The treatment group (n=39) had been treated with tripterysium glucosides for three months,with the control group (n=41) members were treated with cyclophosphmide (CTX) by intermission intravenous pulse, with total dose of CTX not being more than 150 mg/kg. Prednisone, meanwhile, was given to both groups. The total treatment period of prednisone was prolonged by 12-18 months. Results: After following up for 3-7 years, the re-relapse rates of both groups were observed. The re-relapse rate of the treatment group was 28.2% to 29.3% in the CTX-controlled group. The re-relapse rates between two groups were almost similar, and with no observed significant difference (P>0.05). The side effect of tripterysium glucosides was less than that of CTX. Conclusion: For the treatment of relapsing nephritic syndrome in children, the combination of tripterysium glucosides and prolonged corticosteroid therapy is as effective as the regimen of CTX plus prolonged use of prednisone.

Clinical Study of Gushen Tablet(固肾片)in Reducing Children's Nephrotic Syndrome Relapse

Objective:To explore the effect of Gushen tablet (固肾片,GST) in reducing the relapse of children's nephrotic syndrome and the possible mechanism of drugs used. Methods: Fifty children with primary nephrotic syndrome who had been induced and alleviated with regular glucocorticoid (GC) were randomly divided into two groups: the GST group used GST and standard middle-long term course of GC, and the control group adopted standard middle-long term course of GC and immunoinhibitory or immuno-modulatory agents for treatment. The 0.5,1 and 2 years after the treatment the relapse episodes, time for urinary protein negative conversion after relapse, the episodes of patient's infection and relapse after infection were evaluated. Before and after treatment the plasma cortisol and T lymphocyte subpopulation were determined. Results: The relapse rate of GST group: the rates after 0. 5, 1, 2 years were 20.0%, 30. 0% and 40. 9%, and the frequent relapse rate were 0, 6. 7% and 9. 2% respectively, which were lower than those of control group (60. 0%, 70. 0%, 69. 2% and 25. 0%, 15. 0%, 15. 4% respectively) ; in the GST group no relapse occurred within 0. 5 year, the relapse rate after 1 and 2 years reduced by 40. 0% and 28. 3%, compared with those of the control group (all P<0. 05) ; during the observation period, the mean infection/every child patient was 1. 86 episodes in GST group, after infection the nephrotic relapse rate was 28.3%, which was lower than that of the control group (2. 25 episodes, 71.1%, P<0. 05) > the relapse per patient in GST group was 0. 8 episodes, time for urinary protein negative conversion was 12. 00± 8. 98 days, lower than those of control group (1. 6 episodes, 20. 75±11. 95 days, P<0. 05) ; 3 months after GST treatment the plasma cortisol level normalized, and the CD4/CD8 ratio elevated (P<0. 05). Conclusion:GST could possibly reduce the relapse of children nephrosis, and the frequent relapse and relapse episodes, and the time for post-relaptic urinary protein negative conversion shortened, the plasma cortisol elevated, and the adjustment of cellular immunity disturbance promoted.

Pseudothrombus deposition accompanied with minimal change nephrotic syndrome and chronic kidney disease in a patient with Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia: A case report

BACKGROUND Waldenstr?m’s macroglobulinemia(WM) is a rare lymphoid neoplasia, which can have renal complications. These rarely occur, and most common renal manifestations are mild proteinuria and microscopic hematuria. Herein we describe a case of WM that presented with pseudothrombi depositing in capillaries associated with minimal change nephrotic syndrome and chronic kidney disease(CKD).CASE SUMMARY A 52-year-old man presented with features suggesting nephrotic syndrome.Extensive workups were done, and there were elevated serum levels of interleukin-6 and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF), capillary pseudothrombus accumulation associated with minimal change nephrotic syndrome, CKD, and WM. Treatment was directed at the patient’s WM with bortezomib, thalidomide, and dexamethasone whereby serum immunoglobulin M(IgM) decreased. The damage of IgM on the kidney was corrected; thus, the patient’s proteinuria and serum creatinine had improved. The patient is still under clinical follow-up.CONCLUSION It is essential for clinicians to promptly pay more attention to patients presenting with features of nephrotic syndrome and do extensive workups to come up with a proper therapy strategy.

Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome in Children with Nephrotic Syndrome:a Case Report

REVERSIBLE posterior leukoencephalopathy syn- drome （RPLS） is a rare neurological syndrome charac- terized by headache, altered mental status, seizures, and visual disturbance,associated with reversible white matter cnanges,- n been commonly reported in patients with severe hypertension and pre-eclampsia. Here we report a case with nephrotic syndrome complicated by RPLS.

Yellow nail syndrome accompanied by minimal-change nephrotic syndrome:A case report

BACKGROUND In most cases of yellow nail syndrome(YNS),the classic triad of yellow nails,lymphedema and respiratory manifestations rarely manifest simultaneously.Therefore,diagnosis is delayed or frequently missed.CASE SUMMARY We report a 62-year-old YNS patient presenting with bilateral pleural,pericardial and peritoneal effusions who,2 mo later,developed minimal-change nephrotic syndrome.After treatment with vitamin E,clarithromycin and prednisone for 3 mo,effusions in the chest,pericardium and abdominal cavity decreased while urine protein levels returned to within normal ranges.CONCLUSION Clinicians should consider the possibility of YNS for patients presenting with multiple serous effusions and nephrotic syndromes.

Crumbs homolog 2 mutation in two siblings with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome:Two case reports

BACKGROUND Crumbs homolog 2(CRB2)is a recently discovered gene that is closely related to the maintenance of normal polarity in podocytes;mutations can directly lead to steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome(SRNS).However,the characteristics of nephrotic syndrome(NS)caused by CRB2 mutations have not been described.CASE SUMMARY We report a novel compound heterozygous mutation of the CRB2 gene in two siblings with SRNS.The two siblings had edema,proteinuria,hypoproteinemia and hyperlipidemia.Both their father and mother had normal phenotypes(no history of NS).Whole exon sequencing(WES)of the family showed a novel compound heterozygous mutation,c.2290(exon 8)C>T and c.3613(exon 12)G>A.Glucocorticoid therapy(methylprednisolone pulse therapy or oral prednisone)and immunosuppressive agents(tacrolimus)had no effect.During a 3-year follow-up after genetic diagnosis by WES,proteinuria persisted,but the patient was healthy.CONCLUSION CRB2 mutations related to SRNS often occur in exons 7,10,and 12.Clinical manifestations of SRNS caused by CRB2 mutations are often less severe than in other forms of SRNS.

Trends in pediatric nephrotic syndrome

Nephrotic syndrome(NS)is relatively common in children,with most of its histological types being minimal changed disease.Its etiology has long been attributed to lymphocyte(especially T-cell)dysfunction,while T-cell-mediated vascular hyperpermeability increases protein permeability in glomerular capillaries,leading to proteinuria and hypoproteinemia.Based on this etiology,steroids and immunosuppressive drugs that are effective against this disease have also been considered to correct T-cell dysfunction.However,in recent years,this has been questioned.The primary cause of NS has been considered damage to glomerular epithelial cells and podocyte-related proteins.Therefore,we first describe the changes in expression of molecules involved in NS etiology,and then describe the mechanism by which abnormal expression of these molecules induces proteinuria.Finally,we consider the mechanism by which infection causes the recurrence of NS.

肾病综合征(Nephrotic Syndrome,NS)的治疗

肾病综合征(NS)为临床上常见病。NS在临床上分为Ⅰ型(肾小球肾病)和Ⅱ型(肾炎型肾病)。治疗原则1.综合治疗。如药物联合、中西医药结合可增加疗效,减少药物的毒副作用。2.防治合并症。如高血压、感染、糖尿病等。3.药物及剂量的个体化、合理化。治疗方案1.首推方案糖类皮质激素治疗方案。机理不十分清楚,可能通过影响细胞免疫反应而发挥作用,抑制抗体产生,且有很强的抗炎作用.用药原则始量足、减量慢、维持长。

Traditional Chinese medicine combined with low-dose glucocorticoid for treating nephrotic syndrome: A case report

Nephrotic syndrome(NS)is a common refractory clinical disease that can develop into end-stage renal disease(ESRD)if cannot be controlled.At present,in Western medicine,glucocorticoid or immunosuppressant drugs with heavy dose and long course are used for the therapy of NS.There are still few reports on the combined treatment of traditional Chinese medicine and low-dose glucocorticoid for NS.Here,we reported a case of a 48-year-old man diagnosed with NS,accompanied by severe pulmonary infection,abundant proteinuria,and pleural effusion.Integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine was used as the therapeutic regimen of this patient.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)mainly focused on invigorating spleen and kidney,promoting blood circulation,removing blood stasis and promoting diuresis,and Chinese patent medicines or TCM immunosuppressants were given to consolidate the treatment.In Western medicine,small dose and short course glucocorticoids combined with symptomatic treatment were adopted.Delightfully,proteinuria subsided after 5 months treatment with integrated TCM and Western medicine and all laboratory reports were negative after 10 months,which has been normal so far(July 2019).This case report indicates that the combination of TCM and low-dose glucocorticoid is effective in curing NS,with low recurrence rate and few side effects.

Long-term Effect of TCM Decoctions in Treatment of Nephrotic Syndrome

Fifty-seven cases of nephrotic syndrome were treated with TCM decoctions as accessory treatment for prednisone and cyclophosphamide, and the effects were observed in a follow-up period of 5-15 years. The long-term complete remission rate of 68.4% and recurrence rate of 26.3% in the treatment group were respectively higher and lower than those in the control group (P

Traditional Chinese medicine Master XIONG Jibo’s medication experience in treating arthralgia syndrome through data mining

Objective This study aimed to examine and propagate the medication experience and group formula of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)Master XIONG Jibo in diagnosing and treat-ing arthralgia syndrome(AS)through data mining.Methods Data of outpatient cases of Professor XIONG Jibo were collected from January 1,2014 to December 31,2018,along with cases recorded in A Real Famous Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctor:XIONG Jibo's Clinical Medical Record 1,which was published in December 2019.The five variables collected from the patients’data were TCM diagnostic information,TCM and western medicine diagnoses,syndrome,treatment,and prescription.A database was established for the collected data with Excel.Using the Python environment,a custom-ized modified natural language processing(NLP)model for the diagnosis and treatment of AS by Professor XIONG Jibo was established to preprocess the data and to analyze the word cloud.Frequency analysis,association rule analysis,cluster analysis,and visual analysis of AS cases were performed based on the Traditional Chinese Medicine Inheritance Computing Platform(V3.0)and RStudio(V4.0.3).Results A total of 610 medical records of Professor XIONG Jibo were collected from the case database.A total of 103 medical records were included after data screening criteria,which comprised 187 times(45 kinds)of prescriptions and 1506 times(125 kinds)of Chinese herbs.The main related meridians were the liver,spleen,and kidney meridians.The properties of Chinese herbs used most were mainly warm,flat,and cold,while the flavors of herbs were mainly bitter,pungent,and sweet.The main patterns of AS included the damp heat,phlegm stasis,and neck arthralgia.The most commonly used herbs for AS were Chuanniuxi(Cyathu-lae Radix),Huangbo(Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex),Cangzhu(Atractylodis Rhizoma),Qinjiao(Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix),Gancao(Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma),Huangqi(Astragali Radix),and Chuanxiong(Chuanxiong Rhizoma).The most common effect of the herbs was“promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis”,followed by“supple-menting deficiency(Qi supplementing,blood supplementing,and Yang supplementing)”,and“dispelling wind and dampness”.The data were analyzed with the support≥15%and con-fidence=100%,and after de-duplication,five second-order association rules,39 third-order association rules,39 fourth-order association rules,and two fifth-order association rules were identified.The top-ranking association rules of each were“Cangzhu(Atractylodis Rhizoma)→Huangbo(Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex)”“Cangzhu(Atractylodis Rhizoma)+Chuanniuxi(Cyathulae Radix)→Huangbo(Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex)”“Chuanniuxi(Cyathulae Radix)+Danggui(Angelicae Sinensis Radix)+Gancao(Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma)→Qinjiao(Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix)”and“Chuanniuxi(Cyathulae Radix)+Danggui(Angelicae Sinensis Radix)+Gancao(Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma)+Huangbo(Phello-dendri Chinensis Cortex)→Qinjiao(Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix)”,respectively.Five clusters were obtained using cluster analysis of the top 30 herbs.The herbs were mainly dry-ing dampness,supplementing Qi,and promoting blood circulation.The main prescriptions of AS were Ermiao San(二妙散),Gegen Jianghuang San(葛根姜黄散),and Huangqi Chongteng Yin(黄芪虫藤饮).The herbs of core prescription included Cangzhu(Atractylodis Rhizoma),Chuanniuxi(Cyathulae Radix),Gancao(Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma),Huangbo(Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex),Mugua(Chaenomelis Fructus),Qinjiao(Gentianae Macro-phyllae Radix),Danggui(Angelicae Sinensis Radix),and Yiyiren(Coicis Semen).Conclusion Clearing heat and dampness,relieving collaterals and pain,and invigorating Qi and blood are the most commonly used therapies for the treatment of AS by Professor XIONG Jibo.Additionally,customized NLP model could improve the efficiency of data mining in TCM.

Therapy of Rituximab in Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy with Nephrotic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of rituximab(RTX) in the treatment of idiopathic membranous nephropathy(IMN) with nephrotic syndrome with a systematic review and meta-analysis.Methods Pub Med, Embase, Cochrane Library and Clinical Trials(December 2016) were searched to identify researches investigating the treatment of RTX in adult patients with biopsy-proven IMN. Complete remission(CR) or partial remission was regarded as effective therapy, and the cumulated remission rate was calculated.Results Seven studies involved 120 patients(73% were men) were included in our systematic review and metaanalysis. All were prospective observation cohort studies or matched-cohort studies, mainly came from two medical centers, and one study was multi-centric(four nephrology units in northern Italy). The creatinine clearance was more than 20 ml/(min·1.73 m2) and persistent proteinuria higher than 3.5 g/d for at least 6 months. All patients received treatment previously [44(36.7%) had immunosuppressive treatment]. In 12-and 24-month, 56%(95%CI, 0.47-0.65) and 68%(95%CI, 0.41-0.87) patients could reach remission, while 15%(95%CI, 0.09-0.23) and 20%(95%CI, 0.12-0.32) patients could reach CR. The reduction in proteinuria was gradual and obvious, paralleled with upward trend of serum albumin level and decreasing serum cholesterol level. Renal functions were stable. Relapses happened in 24 months were around 8%. RTX related adverse events were mild and were mostly infusion-related reactions.Conclusions RTX treatment in IMN was efficient, well tolerated and safe. More than 60% patients can reach partial remission or CR in 24 months, and relapse is rare. Adverse events of RTX are mostly infusion-related reactions and generally mild.