Blocking endogenous ActRIIB was effective at increasing muscle size in mouse models of OI, and increasing contractile function in oim/oim mice. ActRIIB inhibitors may provide a potential mutation-specific therapeutic option for compromised muscle function in OI. Muscle Nerve 57: 294-304, 2018.

Vascular abnormalities are the most important non-cystic complications in Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) and contribute to renal disease progression. Endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress are evident in patients with ADPKD, preserved renal function, and controlled hypertension. The underlying biological mechanisms remain unknown. We hypothesized that in early ADPKD, the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-producing nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate hydrogen (NAD(P)H)-oxidase complex-4 (NOX4), a major source of ROS in renal tubular epithelial cells (TECs) and endothelial cells (ECs), induces EC mitochondrial abnormalities, contributing to endothelial dysfunction, vascular abnormalities, and renal disease progression. Renal oxidative stress, mitochondrial morphology (electron microscopy), and NOX4 expression were assessed in 4- and 12-week-old PCK and Sprague-Dawley (wild-type, WT) control rats (n = 8 males and 8 females each). Endothelial function was assessed by renal expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Peritubular capillaries were counted in hematoxylin–eosin (H&E)-stained slides and correlated with the cystic index. The enlarged cystic kidneys of PCK rats exhibited significant accumulation of 8-hydroxyguanosine (8-OHdG) as early as 4 weeks of age, which became more pronounced at 12 weeks. Mitochondria of TECs lining cysts and ECs exhibited loss of cristae but remained preserved in non-cystic TECs. Renal expression of NOX4 was upregulated in TECs and ECs of PCK rats at 4 weeks of age and further increased at 12 weeks. Contrarily, eNOS immunoreactivity was lower in PCK vs. WT rats at 4 weeks and further decreased at 12 weeks. The peritubular capillary index was lower in PCK vs. WT rats at 12 weeks and correlated inversely with the cystic index. Early PKD is associated with NOX4-induced oxidative stress and mitochondrial abnormalities predominantly in ECs and TECs lining cysts. Endothelial dysfunction precedes capillary loss, and the latter correlates with worsening of renal disease. These observations position NOX4 and EC mitochondria as potential therapeutic targets in PKD.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a global pandemic, with nearly 200 million infected patients worldwide. HCV is the most common blood-borne infection in the US with numerous health implications including liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular cancer. Traditional genotype-based HCV therapies with interferon resulted in moderate success in the sustained elimination of viral genome. Recent clinical trials of the once-daily combination tablet of sofosbuvir, a nonstructural (NS) 5B polymerase inhibitor, and velpatasvir, an NS5A inhibitor, demonstrate sustained virologic response rates of about 95%, regardless of prior treatment experience or presence of cirrhosis across all HCV genotypes. Patients reported improvements in general health, fatigue, and emotional and mental well-being after completing combination therapy. The combination treatment is effective, but does need to be administered with caution in patients receiving certain medications or with certain diseases. Herein, we review the safety and efficacy of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir combination regimen for all HCV genotypes.

Background: Asymptomatic patients at average risk of developing colorectal cancer are encouraged to undergo screening colonoscopy beginning at age 45 years. While ileal intubation is often considered the gold standard for a complete colonoscopy, the relatively low diagnostic yield has prevented widespread adoption. Small bowel cancers, including neuroendocrine tumors, may present incidentally as terminal ileitis on routine colonoscopy with terminal ileum intubation. Neuroendocrine tumors, the most common primary neoplasm of the small intestine, are often asymptomatic or present as nonspecific abdominal pain in the sixth or seventh decade of life. Case Report: A 51-year-old asymptomatic male with unremarkable physical examination underwent screening colonoscopy that revealed scattered ulcerations of the terminal ileum. Immunohistochemistry of the lesion was consistent with well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor, World Health Organization Grade I. DOTATATE positron emission tomography/computed tomography demonstrated avid adjacent right mesenteric lymph node and avid focal pancreatic body lesion. Fine-needle biopsy and immunohistochemistry of the pancreatic lesion confirmed neuroendocrine tumor, while the mesenteric lymph node was found to be benign. The patient underwent robotic-assisted ileocolic resection and has ongoing surveillance of the pancreatic lesion. Conclusion:Terminal ileitis encompasses a host of pathologic processes, including inflammatory states, infectious disease, malignancy, and vasculitis. Importantly, small bowel cancer is an increasing cause of terminal ileitis. Screening colonoscopy with ileal intubation can be a valuable tool for early detection of these lesions.

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