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Objectives: To compare the efficacy and safety of hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl-hydroxylase inhibitors (HIF-PHis), a novel agent for management of anemia in chronic kidney disease (CKD), between transplant recipients and nontransplant individuals., Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on nondialysis-dependent CKD stage 3 to 5 patients treated with the HIF-PHi roxadustat or daprodustat at a single institution. Patients were categorized as kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) and non-KTRs. Efficacy outcomes (hemoglobin and creatinine levels) and safety profiles (rate of adverse events [AEs], descriptions, and discontinuations due to AEs) were assessed 3 months before and 6 months after HIF-PHi initiation within and then between the groups., Results: The study comprised 82 patients (KTR: 43, non-KTR: 39). Median ages significantly differed between the KTR (52.7 years) and non-KTR (82.9 years) groups (P < .001). Roxadustat was predominantly used in the KTR group (88.4%), while daprodustat was used in the non-KTR group (94.9%, P < .001). Both groups exhibited significant increases in Hb levels at 1, 3, and 6 months post-HIF-PHi initiation (P for trend, <.001), with a relative increase in Hb level at 6 months of 16% for KTRs and 13% for non-KTRs. Creatinine levels showed no significant changes over 6 months. Although no difference was observed in drug discontinuation due to AEs, the KTR group experienced a significantly higher rate of thrombotic events (18.6 vs 2.6%, P = .049)., Conclusions: HIF-PHis demonstrate comparable efficacy for managing anemia in CKD, regardless of transplant status. However, heightened vigilance for thrombosis events is necessary during follow-up for KTRs., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this article., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Using sound velocity and attenuation measurements in high magnetic fields, we identify a new transition in the vortex lattice state of La&#95;{2-x}Sr&#95;{x}CuO&#95;{4}. The transition, observed in magnetic fields exceeding 35 T and temperatures far below zero field T&#95;{c}, is detected in the compression modulus of the vortex lattice, at a doping level of x=p=0.17. Our theoretical analysis based on Eilenberger's theory of the vortex lattice shows that the transition corresponds to the long-sought 45° rotation of the square vortex lattice, predicted to occur in d-wave superconductors near a van Hove singularity.

A 78-year-old man with a history of surgical resection for ameloblastoma 31 years earlier visited our hospital for prolonged cough. Chest computed tomography showed multiple nodules in both lungs. Although there was no local recurrence in the mandible, the specimen taken from a transbronchoscopic bronchial biopsy showed recurrent ameloblastoma. Despite receiving no treatment, the disease in our patient remained clinically stable for 8.4 years. Chest physicians should be aware that pulmonary malignant ameloblastoma can first relapse several decades after curative surgery. In addition, pulmonary malignant ameloblastoma without local recurrence may be associated with a good prognosis.

Objective: C-C motif chemokine ligand 20 is thought to contribute to the development of endometriosis by recruiting Th17 lymphocytes into endometriotic foci. The present study investigated the effects of dienogest, a progesterone receptor agonist used to treat endometriosis, on C-C motif chemokine ligand 20 expression by endometriotic cells., Study Design: Effects of dienogest on mRNA expression and protein secretion of C-C motif chemokine ligand 20 induced by interleukin 1β were assessed in three immortalized endometriotic epithelial cell lines, parental cells (EMosis-CC/TERT1), and stably expressing human progesterone receptor isoform A (EMosis-CC/TERT1/PRA+) or isoform B (EMosis-CC/TERT1/PRA-/PRB+)., Results: Dienogest markedly inhibited interleukin 1β-stimulated C-C motif chemokine ligand 20 mRNA expression and protein secretion in EMosis-CC/TERT1/PRA-/PRB+, which was abrogated by the progesterone receptor antagonist RU486. In EMosis-CC/TERT1/PRA+, dienogest slightly inhibited C-C motif chemokine ligand 20 mRNA and protein. In EMosis-CC/TERT1, dienogest slightly inhibited C-C motif chemokine ligand 20 mRNA, but had no effect on C-C motif chemokine ligand 20 protein., Conclusion: Dienogest inhibited interleukin 1β-induced up-regulation of C-C motif chemokine ligand 20 in endometriotic epithelial cells, mainly mediated by progesterone receptor B., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Dienogest (DNG) is a selective progesterone receptor (PR) agonist and oral administration of DNG is used for the treatment of endometriosis. DNG is considered to act on PR to down-regulate pathophysiological factors associated with endometriosis. PR exists as two major isoforms, PR-A and PR-B, and their physiological functions are mostly distinct. It was suggested that PR isoform expression patterns are altered in endometriosis, but it is unknown whether the pharmacological effects of DNG are exerted through PR-A, PR-B or both. In the present study, we investigated the pharmacological effects of DNG through these PR isoforms on the expression of CYP19A1 which encodes aromatase and inflammatory and neuroangiogenesis factors associated with the pain and progression of endometriosis. We used immortalized human endometriotic epithelial cell lines that specifically express PR-A or PR-B in a spheroid cell culture system, and treated them with DNG. We evaluated messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of CYP19A1, prostaglandin (PG)E2 synthase (cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and microsomal PGE2 synthase (mPGES)-1), inflammatory cytokines (interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1) and neuroangiogenesis factors (vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and nerve growth factor (NGF)) using real-time polymerase chain reaction. In addition, PGE2 production was measured by enzyme immunoassay. We found that DNG down-regulated mRNA expression of CYP19A1, COX-2, mPGES-1, IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, NGF and VEGF, and PGE2 production in human endometriotic epithelial cell lines that specifically express either PR-A or PR-B. These results demonstrate that DNG activates both PR-A and PR-B and down-regulates the expression of pathophysiological factors associated with pain and progression of endometriosis. Our results suggest that DNG exerts therapeutic efficacy against the pain and progression of endometriosis regardless of PR isoform expression patterns., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)