1058-71 Visualization of the effect of atrial-ventricular and right-left delay on cardiac output during biventricular pacing

Aprovada pel gerent de l'Institut Municipal d'Hisenda el 15-04-201

Comprehensive molecular characterization of gastric adenocarcinoma

Gastric cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths, but analysis of its molecular and clinical characteristics has been complicated by histological and aetiological heterogeneity. Here we describe a comprehensive molecular evaluation of 295 primary gastric adenocarcinomas as part of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) project. We propose a molecular classification dividing gastric cancer into four subtypes: tumours positive for Epstein–Barr virus, which display recurrent PIK3CA mutations, extreme DNA hypermethylation, and amplification of JAK2, CD274 (also known as PD-L1) and PDCD1LG2 (also knownasPD-L2); microsatellite unstable tumours, which show elevated mutation rates, including mutations of genes encoding targetable oncogenic signalling proteins; genomically stable tumours, which are enriched for the diffuse histological variant and mutations of RHOA or fusions involving RHO-family GTPase-activating proteins; and tumours with chromosomal instability, which show marked aneuploidy and focal amplification of receptor tyrosine kinases. Identification of these subtypes provides a roadmap for patient stratification and trials of targeted therapies

Integrated genomic characterization of oesophageal carcinoma

Oesophageal cancers are prominent worldwide; however, there are few targeted therapies and survival rates for these cancers remain dismal. Here we performed a comprehensive molecular analysis of 164 carcinomas of the oesophagus derived from Western and Eastern populations. Beyond known histopathological and epidemiologic distinctions, molecular features differentiated oesophageal squamous cell carcinomas from oesophageal adenocarcinomas. Oesophageal squamous cell carcinomas resembled squamous carcinomas of other organs more than they did oesophageal adenocarcinomas. Our analyses identified three molecular subclasses of oesophageal squamous cell carcinomas, but none showed evidence for an aetiological role of human papillomavirus. Squamous cell carcinomas showed frequent genomic amplifications of CCND1 and SOX2 and/or TP63, whereas ERBB2, VEGFA and GATA4 and GATA6 were more commonly amplified in adenocarcinomas. Oesophageal adenocarcinomas strongly resembled the chromosomally unstable variant of gastric adenocarcinoma, suggesting that these cancers could be considered a single disease entity. However, some molecular features, including DNA hypermethylation, occurred disproportionally in oesophageal adenocarcinomas. These data provide a framework to facilitate more rational categorization of these tumours and a foundation for new therapies

Current and prospective pharmacological targets in relation to antimigraine action

Migraine is a recurrent incapacitating neurovascular disorder characterized by unilateral and throbbing headaches associated with photophobia, phonophobia, nausea, and vomiting. Current specific drugs used in the acute treatment of migraine interact with vascular receptors, a fact that has raised concerns about their cardiovascular safety. In the past, α-adrenoceptor agonists (ergotamine, dihydroergotamine, isometheptene) were used. The last two decades have witnessed the advent of 5-HT1B/1D receptor agonists (sumatriptan and second-generation triptans), which have a well-established efficacy in the acute treatment of migraine. Moreover, current prophylactic treatments of migraine include 5-HT2 receptor antagonists, Ca2+ channel blockers, and β-adrenoceptor antagonists. Despite the progress in migraine research and in view of its complex etiology, this disease still remains underdiagnosed, and available therapies are underused. In this review, we have discussed pharmacological targets in migraine, with special emphasis on compounds acting on 5-HT (5-HT1-7), adrenergic (α1, α2, and β), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP 1 and CGRP2), adenosine (A1, A2, and A3), glutamate (NMDA, AMPA, kainate, and metabotropic), dopamine, endothelin, and female hormone (estrogen and progesterone) receptors. In addition, we have considered some other targets, including gamma-aminobutyric acid, angiotensin, bradykinin, histamine, and ionotropic receptors, in relation to antimigraine therapy. Finally, the cardiovascular safety of current and prospective antimigraine therapies is touched upon

The Helicobacter pylori Genome Project : insights into H. pylori population structure from analysis of a worldwide collection of complete genomes

Helicobacter pylori, a dominant member of the gastric microbiota, shares co-evolutionary history with humans. This has led to the development of genetically distinct H. pylori subpopulations associated with the geographic origin of the host and with differential gastric disease risk. Here, we provide insights into H. pylori population structure as a part of the Helicobacter pylori Genome Project (HpGP), a multi-disciplinary initiative aimed at elucidating H. pylori pathogenesis and identifying new therapeutic targets. We collected 1011 well-characterized clinical strains from 50 countries and generated high-quality genome sequences. We analysed core genome diversity and population structure of the HpGP dataset and 255 worldwide reference genomes to outline the ancestral contribution to Eurasian, African, and American populations. We found evidence of substantial contribution of population hpNorthAsia and subpopulation hspUral in Northern European H. pylori. The genomes of H. pylori isolated from northern and southern Indigenous Americans differed in that bacteria isolated in northern Indigenous communities were more similar to North Asian H. pylori while the southern had higher relatedness to hpEastAsia. Notably, we also found a highly clonal yet geographically dispersed North American subpopulation, which is negative for the cag pathogenicity island, and present in 7% of sequenced US genomes. We expect the HpGP dataset and the corresponding strains to become a major asset for H. pylori genomics

Center-Level Variation in Transplant Rates Following the Heart Allocation Policy Change.

Importance: Wide state-level variability in waiting list outcomes have been noted for patients listed for heart transplant in the US, but little is known regarding center-level transplant rates since the heart allocation policy change. Objective: To evaluate center-level transplant rates following the recent allocation policy change for heart transplant. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study used data from the United Network for Organ Sharing database from October 18, 2015, to March 1, 2020, for a nationwide analysis of transplant centers in the US. Transplant candidates were stratified into 2 time cohorts, with era 1 denoting the 3-year period before the policy change (October 18, 2018), and era 2 representing the 500-day period after the policy change but before the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were analyzed from May to June 2021. Exposure: The heart allocation policy change enacted on October 18, 2018. Main Outcomes and Measures: Competing risk regression for waiting list outcomes was performed to calculate adjusted era 1 and era 2 center-level transplant rates. Rates were compared across regions and states, as well as within organ procurement organizations. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to assess center-level factors associated with era 2 transplant rates. Results: Of 15 940 transplant candidates included for analysis, 5063 (median [IQR] age, 56 [45-63] years; 1385 women [27.4%]) comprised the era 2 cohort. The proportion of patients with temporary mechanical circulatory support increased between era 1 and era 2 (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, 2.00% vs 3.42%; percutaneous ventricular assist device, 0.66% vs 1.86%; intra-aortic balloon pump, 5.21% vs 13.10%). The adjusted mean center-level likelihood of transplant increased after the rule change (from 48.1% in era 1 to 78.0% in era 2). Significant variation in transplant rates was observed across regions and states even among centers with shared organ procurement organizations. The largest absolute difference in transplant rates was 27.1% for 2 centers belonging to the same organ procurement organization. Centers with higher transplant volumes in era 2 and with a greater proportion of candidates with intra-aortic balloon pump were observed to have higher transplant rates. Conclusions and Relevance: Despite sharing organ supply and having a small geographical distance, these findings suggest that intercenter disparities in the likelihood of transplant have persisted following the heart allocation policy change. Further work is necessary to ensure equitable allocation of organs in heart transplant

Potentiation of EBV-Induced B Cell Transformation by CXCR4-Tropic, But Not CCR5-Tropic, HIV gp120: Implications for HIV-Associated Lymphomagenesis

R5 and X4 HIV strains use CCR5 or CXCR4 chemokine receptors (CKRs), respectively, for entry. Preferential growth of X4 vs. R5 HIV in cell lines reflects constitutive expression of CXCR4, but not CCR5 (in contrast to dual expression on primary T cells), and CXCR4 is the predominant CKR found on most tumors. Non-Hodgkin's B cell lymphomas (NHL) are increased among HIV+ patients, and interactions between HIV envelope and CKRs may contribute to lymphomagenesis. Despite strong evidence for a CXCR4–SDF-1 oncogenic axis, no in vitro evaluation of CXCR4-mediated normal lymphocyte transformation has been published. Exposure of normal B cells to EBV in the presence of X4 gp120 (but not R5 gp120) increased proliferation and BLCL outgrowth, comparable to anti-CD40 mAb costimulation. This suggests a role for X4 tropic viral envelope signaling via CXCR4 and/or CXCR7 in HIV-associated lymphomagenesis

Effect of cytokine hemoadsorption on brain death–induced ventricular dysfunction in a porcine model

ObjectiveIn an effort to expand the cardiac donor pool, we tested the hypothesis that hemoadsorption of cytokines attenuates brain death–induced ventricular dysfunction.MethodsEighteen Yorkshire pigs (50-60 kg) were instrumented with a left ventricular conductance catheter. Cytokine expression, preload recruitable stroke work, and the diastolic relaxation constant tau were measured at baseline and at hourly intervals for 6 hours after induction of brain death by intracranial balloon inflation (brain death, n = 6) or sham operation (control, n = 6). In a third group (brain death + hemoadsorption, n = 6), 3 hours after induction of brain death, animals were placed on an extracorporeal circuit containing a cytokine-hemoadsorption device for the remaining 3 hours of the experiment. Myocardial water content was measured after the animals were killed.ResultsSix hours after induction of brain death, tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-6 were highest in the brain death group (106 ± 13.1 pg/mL and 301 ± 181 pg/mL, respectively), lowest in controls (68.3 ± 8.55 pg/mL and 37.8 ± 11 pg/mL, respectively), and intermediate in the brain death + hemoadsorption group (81.2 ± 35.2 pg/mL and 94.6 ± 20 pg/mL, respectively). Compared with controls, preload recruitable stroke work was significantly reduced in the brain death group 4 hours after the induction of brain death and was 50% of baseline by 5 hours. In the brain death + hemoadsorption group, preload recruitable stroke work was relatively preserved at 80% of baseline at similar time points. Tau remained unchanged in the control and brain death + hemoadsorption groups, whereas in the brain death group it was significantly elevated versus baseline 5 (139.3% ± 21.5%) and 6 (172% ± 16.1%) hours after induction of brain death. Myocardial water content was significantly greater in the brain death group than in the other 2 groups.ConclusionsHemoadsorption of cytokines using an extracorporeal circuit attenuates brain death–induced ventricular dysfunction in a porcine model. Improvement in function generally correlates with trends in cytokine expression, but this relationship requires further investigation