Extending the honey bee venome with the antimicrobial peptide apidaecin and a protein resembling wasp antigen 5

Honey bee venom is a complex mixture of toxic proteins and peptides. In the present study we tried to extend our knowledge of the venom composition using two different approaches. First, worker venom was analysed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and this revealed the antimicrobial peptide apidaecin for the first time in such samples. Its expression in the venom gland was confirmed by reverse transcription PCR and by a peptidomic analysis of the venom apparatus tissue. Second, genome mining revealed a list of proteins with resemblance to known insect allergens or venom toxins, one of which showed homology to proteins of the antigen 5 (Ag5)/Sol i 3 cluster. It was demonstrated that the honey bee Ag5-like gene is expressed by venom gland tissue of winter bees but not of summer bees. Besides this seasonal variation, it shows an interesting spatial expression pattern with additional production in the hypopharyngeal glands, the brains and the midgut. Finally, our immunoblot study revealed that both synthetic apidaecin and the Ag5-like recombinant from bacteria evoke no humoral activity in beekeepers. Also, no IgG4-based cross-reactivity was detected between the honey bee Ag5-like protein and its yellow jacket paralogue Ves v 5

Cardiogoniometry can predict positive response to cardiac resynchronization therapy � A proof of concept study

Background: According to American Heart Association guidelines, QRS duration and morphology are used to select patients for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). But still there are some patients who are not responding to this device. We investigated whether the Cardiogoniometry (CGM) as a three-dimensional vectorcardiogram method can improve patient selection. Methods: Echocardiography and CGM were performed for 25 consecutive patients with Left bundle branch morphology who were candidate for CRT implantation and were in sinus rhythm. Patients re-evaluated by echocardiography after 6 months post CRT implantation. Results: The mean age of the patients was 63 ± 13 years and 17 (68) were males. The mean LVEF was 19.4 ± 7.4 and 24.2 ± 11.5 before and after CRT implantation respectively. Median of the duration of the R loop before the R maximum demonstrated a negative correlation with the increase in LVEF, (r = �0.36, P = 0.07) and mean of maximal spatial velocity of the T-loop for all measured showed a positive correlation (r = 0.39, p = 0.04). Other parameters didn't show any significant differences. Conclusions: Three-dimensional vectorcardiogram parameters can be helpful to predict the CRT response. Shorter duration of the R loop before the maximum R and smaller R loop area are predictors for responder patients. © 201

Current Issues and Recent Advances in Pacemaker Therapy

Patients with implanted pacemakers or defibrillators are frequently encountered in various healthcare settings. As these devices may be responsible for, or contribute to a variety of clinically significant issues, familiarity with their function and potential complications facilitates patient management. This book reviews several clinically relevant issues and recent advances of pacemaker therapy: implantation, device follow-up and management of complications. Innovations and research on the frontiers of this technology are also discussed as they may have wider utilization in the future. The book should provide useful information for clinicians involved in the management of patients with implanted antiarrhythmia devices and researchers working in the field of cardiac implants

Case Reports

9th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Indonesian Heart Rhythm Society 2022 Abstracts: Case Report