Paradoxical low-flow, low-gradient aortic stenosis despite preserved left ventricular ejection fraction : new insights from weights of operatively excised aortic valves

Aims : We reported that patients with small aortic valve area (AVA) and low flow despite preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), i.e. ‘paradoxical’ low flow (PLF), have worse outcomes compared with patients with normal flow (NF), although they generally have a lower mean gradient (MG). The aortic valve weight (AVW) excised at the time of valve replacement is a flow-independent marker of stenosis severity. The objective of this study was to compare the AVW of patients with PLF and MG,40 mmHg with the AVW of patients with NF and MG=40 mmHg. Methods and results : We recruited 250 consecutive patients undergoing valve replacement (Cohort A) for severe stenosis. Among them, 33 (13%) were in PLF [LVEF > 50% but stroke volume index (SVi) = 35 mL/m2] with MG 50% and SVi > 35 mL/m2) with MG = 40 mmHg (NF-HG group). Despite a much lower MG (29 ± 7 vs. 53 ± 10 mmHg; P < 0.0001), patients in the PLF-LG group had a similar AVA (0.73 ± 0.12 vs. 0.69 ± 0.13; P = 0.19) compared with those in the NF-HG group. The AVW [median (interquartile): 1.90 (1.63–2.50) vs. 2.60 (1.66–3.32)] and prevalence of bicuspid phenotype (15 vs. 42%) were lower in the PLF-LG group than in the NF-HG group. However, AVWs analysed separately in the tricuspid and bicuspid valves were similar in both groups [tricuspid valves: 1.80 (1.63–2.50) vs. 2.30 (1.58–3.00) g; P = 0.26 and bicuspid valves: 2.72 (1.73–3.61) vs. 2.60 (2.10–3.55) g; P = 0.93]. When using cut-point values of AVW established in another series of non-consecutive patients (n = 150, Cohort B) with NF and concordant Doppler-echocardiographic findings, we found that the percentage of patients with evidence of severe stenosis in Cohort A was 70% in patients with PLF-LG and 86% in patients with NF-HG. Conclusion : The aortic valve weight data reported in this study provide evidence that a large proportion of patients with PLF and low-gradient have a severe stenosis and that the gradient may substantially underestimate stenosis severity in these patients. A multi-parametric approach including all Doppler-echocardiographic parameters of valve function as well as other complementary diagnostic tests may help correctly identify these patients

Altered branched-chain α-keto acid metabolism is a feature of NAFLD in individuals with severe obesity.

Hepatic de novo lipogenesis is influenced by the branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase (BCKDH) kinase (BCKDK). Here, we aimed to determine whether circulating levels of the immediate substrates of BCKDH, the branched-chain α-keto acids (BCKAs), and hepatic BCKDK expression are associated with the presence and severity of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Eighty metabolites (3 BCKAs, 14 amino acids, 43 acylcarnitines, 20 ceramides) were quantified in plasma from 288 patients with bariatric surgery with severe obesity and scored liver biopsy samples. Metabolite principal component analysis factors, BCKAs, branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), and the BCKA/BCAA ratio were tested for associations with steatosis grade and presence of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Of all analytes tested, only the Val-derived BCKA, α-keto-isovalerate, and the BCKA/BCAA ratio were associated with both steatosis grade and NASH. Gene expression analysis in liver samples from 2 independent bariatric surgery cohorts showed that hepatic BCKDK mRNA expression correlates with steatosis, ballooning, and levels of the lipogenic transcription factor SREBP1. Experiments in AML12 hepatocytes showed that SREBP1 inhibition lowered BCKDK mRNA expression. These findings demonstrate that higher plasma levels of BCKA and hepatic expression of BCKDK are features of human NAFLD/NASH and identify SREBP1 as a transcriptional regulator of BCKDK

Fictions du numérique. Représentations d’Internet et des réseaux sociaux dans le roman contemporain : Présentation du dossier

Les articles réunis dans ce dossier étudient les manières dont le roman contemporain intègre à sa trame des éléments de culture numérique tels les courriels, les messages textes, les entrées de réseaux sociaux ou les données (textuelles, iconographiques, statistiques) de moteurs de recherche. Le phénomène est abordé à la fois d’un point de vue thématique, comme représentation critique de mutations sociales en cours, et d’un point de vue formel, comme facteur contribuant à une reconfiguration des codes narratifs.The articles in this issue explore the ways in which contemporary novels integrate elements of digital culture such as emails, text messages, social network posts or search engine data (textual, iconographic, statistical). The phenomenon is approached both at the thematic level, as a critical representation of current social mutations, and at the formal level, as a factor contributing to a reconfiguration of narrative codes

Inflammatory Pseudotumour of the Lung

Inflammatory pseudotumours of the lung are extremely rare. Their pathogenesis is controversial, their diagnosis is often difficult and their clinical behaviour may be unpredictable – ranging from benign to locally invasive, to metastatic in spite of an apparently ‘benign’ histology. A patient who presented with multiple recurrent lesions in the contralateral lung almost two years after the resection of a large primary tumour of the left upper lobe is reported

Inflammation is associated with the remodeling of calcific aortic valve disease

Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is the most frequent heart valve disorder. Studies indicate that mineralization of the aortic valve may be related to the inflammatory process. However, no clear evidence has been given regarding clinical evolution of aortic stenosis and the inflammatory process within the aortic valve. Aortic valves excised from 285 patients with CAVD undergoing aortic valve replacement were analyzed for the presence of chronic inflammatory infiltrates, and those findings were related to the hemodynamic severity of aortic stenosis. In a subset of 57 patients, in whom additional valvular tissue and the clinical progression rate of aortic stenosis were available, the density of leukocytes was determined as well as the number of TNF-a transcripts. Histological analyses revealed that in 81 (28.4 %) patients, the presence of chronic inflammatory infiltrates was documented within CAVD tissue, which was characterized by the existence of a cluster of cells as well as the presence of neovascularisation and osseous metaplasia. The presence of an inflammatory process within the CAVD tissue was independently related to the remodeling process and the peak transaortic gradient. In addition, the density of leukocytes within CAVD tended to correlate (r¿=¿0.25, p¿=¿0.05) with the progression rate of aortic stenosis. Dense inflammatory infiltrate within CAVD is associated with an active remodeling process, the severity of aortic stenosis, and the hemodynamic progression rate

Lipoprotein lipase in aortic valve stenosis is associated with lipid retention and remodelling

Background: Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is a chronic disorder characterized by a fibrocalcific remodelling. It is suspected that lipid retention within the aortic valve may be one important mechanism participating to aortic valve remodelling. Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is implicated in lipid metabolism and may play a role in lipid retention within the aortic valve. Methods: In 57 patients, CAVD were analysed for the expression of LPL by q-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Expression of oxidized-LDL (ox-LDL) and decorin was also documented. In addition, a complete blood profile, including the size of LDL and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles, were performed to find associations between the blood lipid profile and expression of ox-LDL and LPL within CAVD. Results: Immunohistochemistry studies revealed that LPL was expressed in stenotic aortic valves as a diffuse staining and also in dense cellular areas where macrophages were abundant. Expression of LPL co-localized with decorin and ox-LDL. In turn, valves with higher amount of ox-LDL had elevated number of LPL transcripts. In addition, we documented that the small, dense HDL phenotype was associated with an elevated amount of ox-LDL and LPL transcripts within CAVD. Furthermore, expression of LPL was associated with several indices of fibrocalcific remodelling of the aortic valve. Conclusion: Expression of LPL within CAVD is related to the amount of ox-LDL, which is, in turn, associated with the small, dense HDL phenotype. Lipid retention associated with smaller HDL particles may participate in the expression of LPL, whereby a fibrocalcific remodelling of the aortic valve is promoted

Sex-related discordance between aortic valve calcification and hemodynamic severity of aortic stenosis : is valvular fibrosis the explanation?

Rationale: Calcific aortic stenosis (AS) is characterized by calcium deposition in valve leaflets. However, women present lower aortic valve calcification (AVC) loads than men for the same AS hemodynamic severity. Objective: We thus aimed to assess sex-differences in aortic valve fibro-calcific remodelling. Methods and Results: One hundred and twenty-five patients underwent Doppler-echocardiography and multidetector-computed-tomography within 3 months prior to aortic valve replacement. Explanted stenotic tricuspid aortic valves were weighed and fibrosis degree was determined. Sixty-four men and 39 women were frequency-matched for age, body mass index (BMI), hypertension, renal disease, diabetes, and AS severity. Mean age was 75±9years, mean gradient (41±18mmHg) and indexed aortic valve area (0.41±0.12cm2/m2) were similar between men and women (all p=0.18). Median AVC (1973[1124-3490]AU) and mean valve weight (2.36±0.99g) were lower in women compared to men (both p<0.0001). AVC density correlated better with valve weight in men (r2=0.57; p<0.0001) than in women (r2=0.26; p=0.0008). After adjustment for age, BMI, AVC density and aortic annulus diameter, female sex was an independent risk factor for higher fibrosis score in AS valves (p=0.003). Picrosirius red staining of explanted valves showed greater amount of collagen fibers (p=0.01) and Masson's trichrome staining revealed a greater proportion of dense connective tissue (p=0.02) in women compared to men. Conclusions: In this series with tricuspid aortic valve and similar AS severity, women have less valvular calcification but more fibrosis compared to men. These findings suggest that the pathophysiology of the disease and thus potential targets for drug development may be different according to sex

Angiotensin receptor blockers are associated with reduced fibrosis and interleukin-6 expression in calcific aortic valve disease.

BACKGROUND: Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is a chronic disorder characterized by the mineralization of the aortic valve and involving fibrosis. OBJECTIVES: In this work we sought to determine if the fibrotic component of the remodeling process of CAVD was related to the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) and/or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). METHODS: In 477 patients with CAVD, the aortic valve was examined by histology. A semiquantitative score of fibrosis was generated and associations with clinical/cardiometabolic variables examined. In a subset of 103 patients the aortic valve was available to study the infiltration by inflammatory cells and expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) by quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS: The fibrosis score of the aortic valve was independently related to the hemodynamic severity of CAVD measured by echocardiography. The fibrotic score of the aortic valve was also related to the expression of IL-6. The use of ARBs but not of ACEi was associated with a lower fibrosis score of the aortic valve even after correction for covariates. In addition, patients under ARBs had lower aortic valve inflammation and expression of IL-6. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that ARBs may alter the fibrotic process of the aortic valve in CAVD, possibly by lowering tissue inflammation

Le triomphe de la scène intermédiale

À Paris, entre la fin du XIXe siècle et le début des années 1930, le cinéma, le disque et la radio triomphent. Dans ce monde du divertissement de plus en plus dominé par l’artifice, le médiatisé et le « reproduit », le théâtre s’affirme comme l’une des ultimes enclaves de vérité, à cause, notamment, de la présence de « vrais » acteurs rencontrant un « vrai » public. Pourtant, ses artisans n’en recourent pas moins aux mêmes technologies de reproduction de l’image et du son que celles qui font le succès des grands médias. Par l’examen attentif de documents d’archives et de « relevés de mises en scène » de dizaines de spectacles, les auteurs de ce livre révèlent une histoire du théâtre de la modernité aux antipodes de celle vantée par le discours qui a traversé tout le XXe siècle et qui reste encore très prégnante à l’ère numérique. L’image qu’ils dégagent est celle d’un art qui n’hésite pas à intégrer tous les moyens susceptibles d’accroître l’efficacité et l’attractivité de la représentation. En examinant également les dynamiques intermédiales - entre théâtre, cinéma et littérature - qui s’instaurent avec le développement rapide des technologies électriques, les auteurs montrent bien comment le théâtre de la modernité perpétue une tradition plus de deux fois millénaire