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Coculture of ALI-PBEC and M(GM-CSF) macrophages resulted in increased CAMP expression in M(GM-CSF) macrophages, which was absent in M(M-CSF) macrophages. CAMP encodes LL-37, an antimicrobial peptide with immune-modulating and repair-enhancing activities. In conclusion, dynamic crosstalk between ALI-PBEC and macrophages enhances epithelial innate immunity and wound repair, even upon concomitant cigarette smoke exposure. © 2020 The Author(s) Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.BACKGROUND/AIMS Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) play a key role in the eradication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, limited data are available on DAA for treating HCV infection in hemodialysis (HD) patients. This study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetic characteristics and effectiveness of daclatasvir/sofosbuvir (DAC/SOF) and ledipasvir/SOF (LDV/SOF) in HD patients. METHODS Seven patients were given SOF coadministered with DAC or LDV once daily for 12 weeks. The plasma concentrations of SOF007, DAC, and LDV were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS A sustained virologic response in week 12 (SVR12) was achieved in 6 (100%) patients, except for 1 patient dying due to severe cerebral hemorrhage not related to antiviral therapy. The extraction ratio of SOF007 was 66.67%, and the estimated HD clearance of SOF007 was 5.65 L/h. CONCLUSION The combination of SOF with either DAC or LDV is well tolerated and offers high SVR12 in HD patients. © 2020 S. Karger AG, Basel.PURPOSE To investigate the feasibility and surgical technique of robotic perineal radical prostatectomy (RPRP). MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 6 consecutive patients diagnosed with prostate cancer from December 2018 to May 2019 who underwent RPRP at our center. Perioperative outcomes were recorded for safety and feasibility analysis. RESULTS Six patients successfully underwent RPRP with no conversion to open procedures. Operative time was 140 (interquartile range [IQR] 123.75-148.75) min, console time was 70 (IQR 62.5-70) min, with an estimated blood loss of 125 (IQR 100-187.5) mL. Patients were discharged 2 days postoperatively (IQR range 1-3) with pelvic drainages removed. The Foley catheter was removed 2 weeks after surgery. Postoperative pathology revealed 5 patients with locally advanced disease (apical margin-positive prostate cancer [pT3a]bNx). Two patients had a positive surgical margin (33.3%). No complications of Clavien grade 3 and above were recorded; 1 patient had a delay in wound-healing of 1 week. Postoperative continence was achieved for 2 patients immediately after Foley catheter removal, 2 recovered 1-month postoperatively, and 1 recovered within 3 months, and 1 still had mild incontinence at the latest follow-up 1-month postoperatively. CONCLUSION RPRP is a safe and feasible alternative for the transperitoneal route in selected patients. Further investigation is required to assess its oncological and quality-of-life results. © 2020 S. Karger AG, Basel.BACKGROUND To compare the risk of incident heart failure (HF) between initiators of hydrophilic and lipophilic statins. METHODS Using claims data for commercial health insurance program enrollees in the USA (2005-2014), we identified new initiators of hydrophilic or lipophilic statins. Follow-up for the primary outcome of incident HF began after a lag period of 1 year after statin initiation. The outcome was defined as 1 inpatient or 2 outpatient diagnosis codes for HF and the use of loop diuretics. Propensity scores (PS) were used to account for confounding. Hazard ratios (HR) for incident HF were computed separately for low and high-intensity statin users, and then pooled to provide dose-adjusted effect estimates. RESULTS A total of 7,820,204 patients met all our inclusion criteria for statin initiation (hydrophilic and lipophilic statins). Mean age was 58 years, 40% had hypertension, and 23% had diabetes mellitus. After PS matching, there were 691,584 patients in the low-intensity statin group and 807,370 patients in the high-intensity statin group. After a median follow-up of 725 days (IQR 500-1,153),there were 8,389 cases of incident HF (incidence rate 4.5/1,000 person years, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.4-4.6). The unadjusted HR for the risk of HF was 0.77 (95% CI 0.76-0.79) and the pooled adjusted HR for incident HF after PS matching was 0.94 (95% CI 0.90-0.98) for hydrophilic versus lipophilic statins. The HR for incident HF was 1.06 (95% CI 1.00-1.12) for hydrophilic versus lipophilic statins for the low-intensity statin group and 0.82 (95% CI 0.78-0.87) for the high-intensity statin group. In subgroup analyses, a similar trend persisted for those younger and older than 65 years and when comparing rosuvastatin with atorvastatin. CONCLUSION In this observational cohort study, hydrophilic statins were associated with a modest risk reduction in incident HF as compared to lipophilic statins. Future research replicating these findings in different populations is recommended. © 2020 S. Karger AG, Basel.BACKGROUND Most genetics studies lack the diversity necessary to ensure that all groups benefit from genetic research. OBJECTIVES To explore facilitators and barriers to genetic research participation. METHODS We conducted a survey on genetics in research and healthcare from November 15, 2017 to February 28, 2018 among adult Kaiser Permanente (KP) members who had been invited to participate in the KP biobank (KP Research Bank). We used logistic regression to calculate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) comparing the willingness to participate in genetic research under different return of results scenarios and genetic discrimination concerns between groups, according to their demographic characteristics. RESULTS A total of 57,331 KP members were invited to participate, and 10,369 completed the survey (18% response rate). Respondents were 65% female, 44% non-Hispanic White (NH White), 22% Asian/Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander (Asian/PI), 19% non-Hispanic Black (NH Black), and 16% Hispanic. Respondents willing to participate in genetic research ranged from 22% with no results returned to 87% if health-related genetic results were returned. We also found variation by race/ethnicity; when no results were to be returned, Asian/PIs, Hispanics, and NH Blacks were less likely to want to participate than NH Whites (p less then 0.05). However, when results were returned, disparities in the willingness to participate disappeared for NH Blacks and Hispanics. Genetic discrimination concerns were more prevalent in Asian/PIs, Hispanics, and NH Blacks than in NH Whites (p less then 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Policies that prohibit the return of results and do not address genetic discrimination concerns may contribute to a greater underrepresentation of diverse groups in genetic research. HHT inhibitor price © 2020 S. Karger AG, Basel.