Advanced Atrioventricular Block in Athletes: Prevalence and Role of Anti-Ro/Sjögren Syndrome-Related Antigen A Antibodies

BACKGROUND: Advanced atrioventricular block (AVB), that is, higher than second-degree Mobitz-1, is an abnormal finding in athletes. Despite intensive investigation, in several cases the pathogenesis remains unknown, but frequently pacemaker implantation is still indicated. Increasing evidence points to circulating anti-Ro/Sjögren syndrome-related antigen A (SSA) antibodies cross-reacting with L-type calcium channel and inhibiting the related current as an epidemiologically relevant and potentially reversible cause of isolated AVB in adults. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of anti-Ro/SSA-associated advanced AVBs in a large sample of young athletes. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 2536 consecutive athletes aged <40 years without a history of cardiac diseases/interventions were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Resting and exercise electrocardiography was performed, and those presenting any AVB were further evaluated by 24-hour Holter ECG. Athletes with second-degree AVBs and their mothers underwent anti-Ro/SSA testing. Moreover, purified immunoglobulin G from subjects with anti-Ro/SSA-positive and anti-Ro/SSA-negative advanced AVB were tested on L-type calcium current and L-type-calcium channel expression using tSA201 cells. The global prevalence of advanced AVB in the overall sample was ≈0.1%, but the risk considerably increased (2%) when intensely trained postpubertal male subjects were selectively considered. While none of the athletes with advanced AVB showed heart abnormalities, in 100% of cases anti-Ro/SSA antibodies were detected. Ex vivo experiments showed that immunoglobulin G from anti-Ro/SSA-positive but not -negative subjects with advanced AVB acutely inhibit L-type calcium current and chronically downregulate L-type-calcium channel expression. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides evidence that advanced AVB occurs in young athletes, in most cases associated with anti-Ro/SSA antibodies blocking L-type calcium channels. These findings may open new avenues for immunomodulating therapies to reduce the risk of life-threatening events in athletes, avoiding or delaying pacemaker implantation

WNT signalling in prostate cancer

Genome sequencing and gene expression analyses of prostate tumours have highlighted the potential importance of genetic and epigenetic changes observed in WNT signalling pathway components in prostate tumours-particularly in the development of castration-resistant prostate cancer. WNT signalling is also important in the prostate tumour microenvironment, in which WNT proteins secreted by the tumour stroma promote resistance to therapy, and in prostate cancer stem or progenitor cells, in which WNT-β-catenin signals promote self-renewal or expansion. Preclinical studies have demonstrated the potential of inhibitors that target WNT receptor complexes at the cell membrane or that block the interaction of β-catenin with lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 and the androgen receptor, in preventing prostate cancer progression. Some WNT signalling inhibitors are in phase I trials, but they have yet to be tested in patients with prostate cancer

Listening to a conversation with aggressive content expands the interpersonal space

The distance individuals maintain between themselves and others can be defined as ‘interpersonal space’. This distance can be modulated both by situational factors and individual characteristics. Here we investigated the influence that the interpretation of other people interaction, in which one is not directly involved, may have on a person’s interpersonal space. In the current study we measured, for the first time, whether the size of interpersonal space changes after listening to other people conversations with neutral or aggressive content. The results showed that the interpersonal space expands after listening to a conversation with aggressive content relative to a conversation with a neutral content. This finding suggests that participants tend to distance themselves from an aggressive confrontation even if they are not involved in it. These results are in line with the view of the interpersonal space as a safety zone surrounding one’s body

Validation of NIRS analysis in Authentication of Fresh and Frozen-ThawedFish Products

Providing label information about the preserving method used for fish conservation (eg. chilling or freezing) could have a strong influences on consumer acceptance. Thawed fish is more susceptible to microbial invasion than fresh fish, with a consequent reduction of its shelf life1. This should be strongly considered on management plans, such as the HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) system, to reach higher standards of seafood quality and safety. The substitution of thawed products labeled as fresh is a common commercial fraud. There are numerous techniques available to distinguish fresh-chilled from frozen-thawed fish, having different performances. This study was the first part of a collaborative trial among different laboratories. The ring trial was carried out to evaluate the discriminating ability of three analytical techniques, a histological method, front-face fluorescence spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy (IRs). This paper only reports the performances of IRs techniques, in terms of their specificity, sensitivity, accuracy, intra-laboratory reproducibility and agreement with the Standard test for authentication of fresh and thawed Gilthead Sea bream (Sparus aurata) fillets

NON-DESTRUCTIVE NON TOUCH VISIBLE-NIR TRANSMITTANCE SPECTROSCOPY FOR IDENTIFICATION OF FRESH AND FROZEN-THAWED FISH

The online evaluation of the quality and freshness of the seafood is usually done through the employment of trained operators. This practice is costly in economic terms and requires a period of training of technicians. For certain frauds (eg. defrosted as fresh) also are not yet available objective assessment criteria, particularly for products already processed, sliced or filleted. The handling of the product reduces the shelf-life by making the fish susceptible to microbial growth. This study was carried out to evaluate the discrimination power of a portable Visible-NIR transmittance spectroscopy on fresh and thawed fish products