QT-interval prolongation inright precordial leads an additional electrocardiographic hallmark of Brugada syndrome

AbstractObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate whether the occurrence of the Brugada Syndrome typical electrocardiogram (ECG) pattern (i.e., right bundle branch block, coved-type ST-segment elevation, and T-wave inversion in the right precordial leads) is characterized by a concomitant lengthening of QT intervals in the right precordial leads.BackgroundIt has been suggested that the typical ECG pattern of Brugada syndrome is due to a decreased net inward current during phase 1 of the action potential, which also leads to its prolongation in the right epicardium.MethodsThirty-two subjects (19 males) age 37 ± 15 years with a suspicious baseline ECG, or who were relatives of Brugada syndrome patients, underwent 12-lead ECG before and after the administration of flecainide.ResultsThe flecainide test was negative in 14 and positive in 18 subjects. After flecainide administration, the positive ECGs were characterized by a greater QT interval corrected for heart rate (QTc) prolongation in the right precordial leads than that in the negative ECGs (78.2 ± 35.5 ms vs. 22.0 ± 28.4 ms in V1and 107.1 ± 43.8 ms vs. 26.7 ± 30.1 ms in V2; p < 0.01), whereas there was no difference in the QTc prolongation in the left precordial leads (55.2 ± 25.3 ms vs. 35.1 ± 28.1 ms in V5and 53.1 ± 32.8 ms vs. 27.3 ± 22.4 ms in V6; p = NS).ConclusionsIn accordance with the electrophysiological background, the typical ECG pattern of Brugada syndrome is also characterized by a considerable prolongation of the QT interval in right precordial leads

Introducing the Bulletin of Atmospheric Science and Technology

The rapid technological development of the past few decades has allowed for an unprecedented wealth of data about ourselves and our planet. The cost reduction of space platforms, the microelectronic revolution and the nearly exponential increase in computer power have been generating novel opportunities to explore and understand the world around us. Tools and theoretical approaches, capable of putting together all the insights we may possibly gain from all these new streams of data in a multidisciplinary framework, are still being developed. We are hence faced with both a unique challenge and an opportunity to make a significant progress in many scientific fields, first and foremost in the atmospheric and climate sciences. We are pleased to announce here the launch of the Bulletin of Atmospheric Science and Technology (BAST), a new peer-reviewed journal which is meant to bridge this gap in the broad area of the atmospheric sciences. The journal encourages a cross-disciplinary approach with an emphasis on new sensor technologies and systems, combined observational and modeling techniques, innovative numerical methods, data analysis, and retrieval techniques. BAST offers a platform to share new ideas and fresh developments to stimulate research activities focusing on urban, coastal, marine, rural, and mountain environments. Particular attention will be given to cross-disciplinary studies, especially those involving citizens for the collection of crowd-sourced data and those devoted to the characterization of uncertainties and homogenization of methods. BAST aims at connecting weather and climate communities using both observational and modeling approaches, creating a forum hosting discussion and brainstorming activities. The journal also hopes to attract contributions reporting approaches or techniques from other scientific fields that can be applicable to atmospheric sciences, as well as contributions where technological developments are discussed alongside with their scientific and societal impacts. In this sense BAST will provide a new platform to support the technological revolution towards a climate-smart society through the collection and exploitation of big data. The journal will give visibility to international experiments and projects in atmospheric science and technology, illustrating preliminary or consolidated results from these initiatives. Additional fields of interest are : environmental protection; observation, understanding, and modeling of hazardous and extreme events and mitigation of their impacts; development of new sensing tools integrating satellite information with surface or airborne measurements; operation of unmanned and remotely piloted air vehicles equipped with sensors of small size and weight, especially remote sensors, pushing electro-optical-mechanical components towards a continuously increasing miniaturization. Research articles, Review articles, Technical reports, Brief reports, Letters and News are welcome. While keeping the focus of the journal on scientific research, the “Bulletin” format provides appropriate visibility to contributions from the operational side, i.e., meteorological services and private companies developing sensors and products of interest to the atmospheric science and technology community. Below we provide a more detailed description of the topics that will be emphasized and fostered in BAST

Reverse takotsubo cardiomyopathy followed by left ventricle outflow tract obstruction: A dangerous relay race

: Reverse takotsubo cardiomyopathy (rTTC) is a less frequent variant of takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) with several differences about epidemiology and clinical aspects. While left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction is relatively frequent in TTC patients, this complication has not been reported in the setting of rTTC yet. We describe the case of a female patient with rTTC complicated by LVOT obstruction and systolic anterior motion of mitral valve: the onset of these findings coincided with the regression of wall motion abnormalities. This dangerous "relay race" seems to be not casual but related to the characteristics of rTTC and should be always expected and prevented.

Remote assessment of QT interval: A new perspective for implantable cardiac monitors

There is an unmet need for simple tools for monitoring QT intervals. The feasibility of measuring the QT interval on the single‑lead subcutaneous electrocardiogram (subECG) recorded and transmitted by implantable cardiac monitors (ICMs) has never been tested

Effectiveness of the GAEC standard of cross compliance Crop rotations in maintaining organic matter levels in soils

Our study was conducted in the framework of EFFICOND project, with the aim of evaluating the environmental effectiveness of GAEC (Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions) standards with particular focus to the maintenance of soil organic matter (SOM) levels through the appropriate crop rotation. The study analyzed the effect of crop rotation on the build-up of soil organic matter in three different areas of Italy, located in the North (Lodi), Centre (Fagna, Firenze) and South (Foggia) of Italy, characterized by different climate, soil, and cropping systems. In the two experiments conducted in the South of Italy, in a dry Mediterranean climate, the stock of C was kept steady in most of the rotations compared with the monoculture of durum wheat. In such environment, with very dry and hot summers, introducing a year of fallow seems to improve SOM content, but these data need further investigation. In the Centre of Italy (Fagna), with less extreme climate than in Foggia, the effect of rotation compared to the monoculture of maize is negligible, but investigation on the soil organic matter composition, showed that in the rotation the SOM appeared to be more stable and, in the long term, probably more resistant to degradation. Eventually, experiments conducted in the North of Italy, showed that the monoculture, despite the application of FYM (Farm Yard Manure) or semi-liquid manure, led to a decrease of SOM. To an increase of the rotation complexity, corresponded an increase in the stock of C in soil. Summarizing, results showed that crop rotation could guarantee the maintenance of SOM level, given that the input of C to the soil is maintained at a good level or, in other word, that productivity of the system is high. Other practices such as conservation tillage, appropriate management of residues, and manure application could enhance the positive effect of rotations. Moreover, preliminary investigation of soil microbial diversity, suggests the positive effect of rotations on soil biological fertility

<i>SCN5A</i> Polymorphism Restores Trafficking of a Brugada Syndrome Mutation on a Separate Gene

Background— Brugada syndrome is associated with a high risk of sudden cardiac death and is caused by mutations in the cardiac voltage-gated sodium channel gene. Previously, the R282H-SCN5A mutation in the sodium channel gene was identified in patients with Brugada syndrome. In a family carrying the R282H-SCN5A mutation, an asymptomatic individual had a common H558R-SCN5A polymorphism and the mutation on separate chromosomes. Therefore, we hypothesized that the polymorphism could rescue the mutation. Methods and Results— In heterologous cells, expression of the mutation alone did not produce sodium current. However, coexpressing the mutation with the polymorphism produced significantly greater current than coexpressing the mutant with the wild-type gene, demonstrating that the polymorphism rescues the mutation. Using immunocytochemistry, we demonstrated that the R282H-SCN5A construct can traffic to the cell membrane only in the presence of the H558R-SCN5A polymorphism. Using fluorescence resonance energy transfer and protein fragments centered on H558R-SCN5A, we demonstrated that cardiac sodium channels preferentially interact when the polymorphism is expressed on one protein but not the other. Conclusions— This study suggests a mechanism whereby the Brugada syndrome has incomplete penetrance. More importantly, this study suggests that genetic polymorphisms may be a potential target for future therapies aimed at rescuing specific dysfunctional protein channels