Rational Regulation of Reaction Specificity of Nitrilase for Efficient Biosynthesis of 2-Chloronicotinic Acid through a Single Site Mutation.

Nitrilase-catalyzed hydrolysis of 2-chloronicotinonitrile (2-CN) is a promising approach for the efficient synthesis of 2-chloronicotinic acid (2-CA). The development of nitrilase with ideal catalytic properties is crucial for the biosynthetic route with industrial potential. Herein, a nitrilase from Rhodococcus zopfii (NIT), which showed much higher hydration activity than hydrolysis activity, was designed for efficient hydrolysis of 2-CN.

Assessment of serum Tim-3 and Gal-9 levels in predicting the risk of infection after kidney transplantation.

Infection remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality after kidney transplantation (KT). Reliable biomarkers to predict post-transplant infection are lacking. We investigated the predictive performance of pre- and post-transplant levels of T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-3 (Tim-3) and Galectin-9 (Gal-9), two pleiotropic immunomodulatory molecules, in early identification of infection.

Comparison of urine and blood NGAL for early prediction of delayed graft function in adult kidney transplant recipients: a meta-analysis of observational studies.

Background: Neutrophil gelatinase-assoicated lipocalin (NGAL) appears to be a promising proximal tubular injury biomarker for early prediction of delayed graft function (DGF) in kidney transplant recipients. However, its predictive values in urine and blood were varied among different studies. Here, we performed the meta-analysis to compare the predictive values of urine NGAL (uNGAL) and blood NGAL (bNGAL) for DGF in adult kidney transplant recipients.

Correlation of CYP2C19 genotype with plasma voriconazole exposure in South-western Chinese Han patients with invasive fungal infections.

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between CYP2C19 genotype and dose-adjusted voriconazole (VCZ) trough concentrations (C0/dose).We analyzed the correlation between CYP2C192(681G>A), CYP2C193(636G>A), and CYP2C1917(-806C>T) genetic polymorphisms and the dose-corrected pre-dose concentration (C0/dose) in 106 South-western Chinese Han patients.The frequencies of variant alleles of CYP2C192, 3, and 17 were 29.

A Low Fixed Tacrolimus Starting Dose Is Effective and Safe in Chinese Renal Transplantation Recipients.

BACKGROUND We investigated whether a low fixed Tac starting dose regimen could lead to a better achievement of Tac target concentrations, as well as an effective immunosuppressive treatment, in Chinese kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). MATERIAL AND METHODS We collected whole-blood and serum samples from 189 KTRs and the Tac starting dose was 2, 2.5, or 3 mg/day.

Soluble Tim-3 and Gal-9 are associated with renal allograft dysfunction in kidney transplant recipients: A cross-sectional study.

Background: T cell immunoglobulin mucin-3 (Tim-3) has been reported to participate in the regulation of immune response and the induction of allograft tolerance. However, the association between Tim-3 and renal allograft dysfunction is unclear. We studied the expression of cellular and soluble Tim-3 (sTim-3), soluble galectin-9 (sGal-9) and carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule-1 (sCEACAM-1) in kidney transplantation recipients (KTRs) to explore their roles in allograft dysfunction.

Impact of immunosuppressive drugs on circulating Tfh cells in kidney transplant recipients: A pilot study.

Background: T follicular helper cells (Tfh) are recently revealed to be vital in antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). However, the impact of immunosuppressive drugs on Tfh cells is not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate the variation of Tfh cells phenotypically and functionally in KTRs treated with different immunosuppression regimens.

Correlation of HLA-DP/DQ polymorphisms with transplant etiologies and prognosis in liver transplant recipients.

Previous study has identified that the genetic variants in the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DP/DQ region were strongly associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. But their roles in liver function recovery after hepatic transplantation were still obscure. This study aimed to investigate whether HLA-DP/DQ polymorphisms were associated with post-transplant etiologies and prognosis in Chinese liver transplant recipients.

[Diagnostic Value of Immunofixation Electrophoresis and KAP/LAM Ratio in Multiple Myeloma Patients with Renal Injury].

Objectives: To explore the diagnostic value of immunofixation electrophoresis and Kappa/Lambda (KAP/LAM) ratio in multiple myeloma patients with renal injury.

Methods: The serum of 822 patients of renal disease were collected for the examnation of immunofixation electrophoresis, KAP/LAM ratio, serum immunoglobulin levels and renal function, including serum urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Crea), cystatin C (Cys-C) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). To analyze the diagnostic value of immunofixation and KAP/LAM ratio in the differentiation of renal injury of multiple myeloma from primary renal injury diseases.

Overweight Kidney Transplant Recipients Are at Risk of Being Overdosed Following Standard Bodyweight-Based Tacrolimus Starting Dose.

Background: Bodyweight-based dosing of tacrolimus (Tac) is considered standard care, even though the available evidence is thin. An increasing proportion of transplant recipients is overweight, prompting the question if the starting dose should always be based on bodyweight.

Methods: For this analysis, data were used from a randomized-controlled trial in which patients received either a standard Tac starting dose or a dose that was based on genotype.

The influence of living donor SHROOM3 and ABCB1 genetic variants on renal function after kidney transplantation.

Objective: A genome-wide association study has identified several gene polymorphisms associated with loss of renal function. The effect of these variants on renal function in kidney transplant recipients receiving immunosuppressive treatment is unknown.

Materials And Methods: A cohort of 189 kidney transplant recipients and their living donors were recruited from West China Hospital of Sichuan University, on whom we assessed the association of five single nucleotide polymorphisms with renal function after kidney transplantation.

The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of mycophenolate mofetil in younger and elderly renal transplant recipients.

Aims: Elderly transplant recipients have a lower incidence of acute rejection, and a higher risk to die from infectious complications. A potential cause may be differences in the pharmacokinetics (PK) or pharmacodynamics (PD) of the immunosuppressive drugs they are taking. This study was designed to comprehensively evaluate the influence of age on the PK and PD of mycophenolic acid (MPA).

Different characteristics of cryptococcal meningitis between HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected patients in the Southwest of China.

Cryptococcus is the major pathogen that causes fungal meningitis. In the People's Republic of China, especially in the Southwest area, cryptococcal meningitis (CM) in HIV-uninfected patients is more common than in HIV-infected patients. We compared clinical features and laboratory data pertaining to CM in patients with different immunological statuses.

Donor ABCB1 3435 C>T genetic polymorphisms influence early renal function in kidney transplant recipients treated with tacrolimus.

Aim: Determine the effect of genetic variants of donors and recipients on early renal function and tacrolimus pharmacokinetics in kidney transplant recipients.

Patients & Methods: We measured CYP3A5 (6986A>G), ABCB1 (3435C>T, 2677G>T/A, 1236C>T) genetic polymorphisms in 120 renal transplant recipients and donors by high-resolution melting curve analysis. The renal function and tacrolimus trough concentrations were analyzed.

Procalcitonin levels predict acute kidney injury and prognosis in acute pancreatitis: a prospective study.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) has been proposed as a leading cause of mortality for acute pancreatitis (AP) patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). This study investigated the predictive value of procalcitonin (PCT) for AKI development and relevant prognosis in patients with AP, and compared PCT's predictive power with that of other inflammation-related variables.

Methods: Between January 2011 and March 2013, we enrolled 305 cases with acute pancreatitis admitted to ICU.