A Case of IgA Nephropathy in a Patient With Sarcoidosis: Confirmation of Glomerular Galactose-Deficient IgA1 Deposition.

A 63-year-old Japanese housewife was admitted to our hospital because of hematuria and proteinuria lasting for 3 months. At the age of 59 years, she was diagnosed with neurosarcoidosis at another hospital, and she received oral glucocorticoid therapy for 1 year. Her serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels were elevated.

Radial Tear of the Midbody in Complete Discoid Lateral Meniscus: A Case Report.

To the best of our knowledge, there are no reports on the results of the repair of radial tears of the midbody of the complete discoid lateral meniscus (DLM). A 14-year-old female underwent meniscal replacement with autologous tendon transplantation for early re-tear after repair of the radial tear in the midbody of complete DLM. Two years after the tendon transplantation, there was no effusion or swelling, and the patient was able to exercise completely without symptoms.

C-reactive Protein Levels After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Introduction Understanding standard changes in C-reactive protein (CRP) after Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is important for early detection of septic arthritis. Methods We conducted a prospective two-center comparative study to clarify changes in postoperative CRP levels after ACLR, as well as factors that influence the changes, in a large sample of Asian patients. A total of 439 ACLR cases were included in this study.

Significantly smaller lateral extrusion was observed within 24 weeks after all-inside suture repairs of radial tear in the middle segment of lateral meniscus compared to inside-out repairs.

Purpose: To evaluate the postoperative meniscal extrusion between all-inside suture (AIS) and trans-capsular suture (TCS) repair techniques.

Methods: Thirteen patients (mean age, 19.4 years) underwent AIS repairs using only sutures (AIS group) for radial tears in the middle segment of the lateral meniscus (RTMLM), and seven patients (mean age, 20.

The Role of Intestinal Cytochrome P450s in Vitamin D Metabolism.

Vitamin D hydroxylation in the liver/kidney results in conversion to its physiologically active form of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)D]. 1,25(OH)D controls gene expression through the nuclear vitamin D receptor (VDR) mainly expressed in intestinal epithelial cells. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 24A1 is a catabolic enzyme expressed in the kidneys.

Involvement of α-klotho in growth hormone (GH) signaling.

Growth hormone (GH) exerts multiple effects on different organs directly or via its main mediator, insulin-like growth factor1 (IGF1). In this study, we focused on the novel relationship between GH action and the antiaging hormone α-klotho. Immunofluorescent staining of α-klotho was observed in the renal distal tubules and pituitary glands of somatostatin- and GH-positive cells in wild-type (WT) mice.

Activation of the IKK2/NF-κB pathway in VSMCs inhibits calcified vascular stiffness in CKD.

IKK2/NF-κB pathway-mediated inflammation in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) has been proposed to be an etiologic factor in medial calcification and stiffness. However, the role of the IKK2/NF-κB pathway in medial calcification remains to be elucidated. In this study, we found that chronic kidney disease (CKD) induces inflammatory pathways through the local activation of the IKK2/NF-κB pathway in VMSCs associated with calcified vascular stiffness.

Thirty-year outcomes of low-intensity anticoagulation for mechanical aortic valve.

The long-term safety, efficacy, and outcomes of low-intensity anticoagulation for mechanical heart valves remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term outcomes of low-intensity anticoagulation therapy after aortic valve replacement (AVR) with a mechanical prosthesis. This retrospective cohort study consulted medical records and conducted a questionnaire to investigate 519 patients who underwent single AVR with the St.

Development and Evaluation of "The Delta Plus-Minus Even Distribution Check": A Novel Patient-Based Real-Time Quality Control Method for Laboratory Tests.

Background: Laboratory testing of large sample numbers necessitates high-volume rapid processing, and these test results require immediate validation and a high level of quality assurance. Therefore, real-time quality control including delta checking is an important issue. Delta checking is a process of identifying errors in individual patient results by reviewing differences from previous results of the same patient (Δ value).

[Semi-acute Surgery for Ventricular Septal Perforation After Unsuccessful Intra-aortic Balloon Pumping Support:Report of a Case].

Ventricular septal perforation( VSP) after acute myocardial infarction( MI) is a serious condition that requires surgical treatment. However, good outcome is not always obtained. The mortality rate of VSP is particularly high in cases whom emergency surgery is performed early in the course of the disease, and the timing of surgery is known to affect prognosis.

Understanding the Human RECQ5 Helicase-Connecting the Dots from DNA to Clinics.

RECQ5, a member of the conserved RECQ helicase family, is the sole human RECQ homolog that has not been linked to a hereditary developmental syndrome. Nonetheless, dysregulation of RECQ5 has emerged as a significant clinical concern, being linked to cancer predisposition, cardiovascular disease, and inflammation. In cells, RECQ5 assumes a crucial role in the regulation of DNA repair pathways, particularly in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks and inter-strand DNA crosslinks.

Activation of the IKK2-NFκB pathway in VSMCs inhibits calcified vascular stiffness in CKD by reducing the secretion of calcifying extracellular vesicles.

IKK2-NFκB pathway mediated-inflammation in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) has been proposed to be an etiologic factor in medial calcification and stiffness. However, the role of the IKK2-NFκB pathway in medial calcification remains to be elucidated. In this study, we found that CKD induces inflammatory pathways through the local activation of the IKK2-NFκB pathway in VMSCs associated with calcified vascular stiffness.

[Branched Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair for Aortic Arch Aneurysm Following Severe Combined Valvular Disease:Report of a Case].

A 79-years-old frail man with severe combined valvular disease was referred to our hospital. Furthermore, chest computed tomography( CT) showed a saccular aneurysm in the aortic arch. We chose two staged repairs for risk reduction.

Effects of EOS789, a novel pan-phosphate transporter inhibitor, on phosphate metabolism : Comparison with a conventional phosphate binder.

Background: Inorganic phosphate (Pi) binders are the only pharmacologic treatment approved for hyperphosphatemia. However, Pi binders induce the expression of intestinal Pi transporters and have limited effects on the inhibition of Pi transport. EOS789, a novel pan-Pi transporter inhibitor, reportedly has potent efficacy in treating hyperphosphatemia.

A rare case of proliferative glomerulonephritis with monoclonal IgG2 kappa deposit: a case report.

Background: Proliferative glomerulonephritis with monoclonal immunoglobulin G (IgG) deposits (PGNMID) is a rare monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance with dense deposits of monoclonal immunoglobulin.

Case Presentation: We report a 78-year-old Japanese male patient with mild proteinuria and lower extremity edema. Monoclonal immunoglobulin could not be identified in his serum or urine.

Dietary polyphosphate has a greater effect on renal damage and FGF23 secretion than dietary monophosphate.

Phosphate (Pi)-containing food additives are used in several forms. Polyphosphate (PPi) salt has more harmful effects than monophosphate (MPi) salt on bone physiology and renal function. This study aimed to analyze the levels of parathyroid hormone PTH and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) and the expression of renal / intestinal Pi transport-related molecules in mice fed with an MPi or PPi diet.

[Introduction and Activities of Nurse Practitioner in Japan in a University Hospital].

Nurse practitioner (NP) is widely known to be an essential position of medical team in the United States, but has not yet been established as an official qualification in Japan. NP in Japan (NP-J) is accepted instead of NP, but they are not the same. We summarized the actual activities of NP-J at our hospital and had an insight into the roles of NP-J in a university hospital and the problems of introduction of NP in the future.

Tmem174, a regulator of phosphate transporter prevents hyperphosphatemia.

Renal type II sodium-dependent inorganic phosphate (Pi) transporters NaPi2a and NaPi2c cooperate with other organs to strictly regulate the plasma Pi concentration. A high Pi load induces expression and secretion of the phosphaturic hormones parathyroid hormone (PTH) and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) that enhance urinary Pi excretion and prevent the onset of hyperphosphatemia. How FGF23 secretion from bone is increased by a high Pi load and the setpoint of the plasma Pi concentration, however, are unclear.

Rectangular bone-patellar tendon bone grafts reduce early graft failure in chronic ACL-Deficient knees.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess early graft failure after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction according to chronicity of ACL deficiency (ACLD) and clarify predisposing factors.

Methods: A total of 731 patients who underwent anatomic ACL reconstruction were divided into 3 groups based on chronicity of ACLD: <6 months (Group 1), 6 months to 2 years (Group 2), and >2 years (Group 3). Types of ACL grafts used included single-bundle hamstring tendon (HT), multiple-bundle HT, and rectangular bone-patellar tendon-bone (BTB) grafts.

Ten-year outcome of unilateral leg replantation after bilateral lower leg amputation following traumatic injury: A case report.

The absolute indications for lower limb replantation are not unequivocally established; rather, this procedure is still challenging and controversial. We report a case of a young male who underwent bilateral leg amputation, followed by unilateral replantation. The patient demonstrated good 10-year outcomes.

Isolated peripheral longitudinal tears in the anterior-middle segment of medial meniscus among young soccer players: A case series.

Introduction: There was little information about the isolated medial meniscal tears in the anterior-middle segment. This study aimed to report the infrequent cases of the isolated medial meniscal tears in the anterior-middle segment related to kicking motion among young soccer players with a short-term postoperative outcome.

Presentation Of Case: In the retrospective review of the surgical records from 2000 to 2018, there were 15 cases with the corresponding tear.

MEF2D-NR4A1-FAM134B2-mediated reticulophagy contributes to amino acid homeostasis.

AAD: amino acid deficiency; APOC3: apolipoprotein C3; BACH1: BTB domain and CNC homolog 1; CEBP: CCAAT enhancer binding protein; DDIT3/CHOP: DNA damage inducible transcript 3; EBSS: Earle's Balanced Salt Solution; EIF2AK4/GCN2: eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha kinase 4; ER: endoplasmic reticulum; HisOH: histidinol; ISR: integrated stress response; MAP1LC3/LC3: microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3; MEF2D: myocyte enhancer factor 2D; MTOR: mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase; NR4A1: nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 1; RETREG1/FAM134B: reticulophagy regulator 1; RTN2: reticulon 2, TF: transcription factor; TFEB: transcription factor EB; ZBTB10: zinc finger and BTB domain containing 10.

Free Deoxycholic Acid Exacerbates Vascular Calcification in CKD through ER Stress-Mediated ATF4 Activation.

Background: Our metabolome approach found that levels of circulating, free deoxycholic acid (DCA) is associated with the severity of vascular calcification in patients with CKD. However, it is not known whether DCA directly causes vascular calcification in CKD.

Methods: Using various chemicals and animal and cell culture models, we investigated whether the modulation of DCA levels influences vascular calcification in CKD.