Mutational, immune microenvironment, and clinicopathological profiles of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma with BCL6 rearrangement

BCL6-rearrangement (BCL6-R) is associated with a favorable prognosis of follicular lymphoma (FL), but the mechanism is unknown. We analyzed the clinicopathological, immune microenvironment (immune checkpoint, immuno-oncology markers), and mutational profiles of 10 BCL6-R-positive FL, and 19 BCL6-R-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) cases (both BCL2-R and MYC-R negative). A custom-made panel included 168 genes related to aggressive B-cell lymphomas and FL. FL cases were nodal, histological grade 3A in 70%, low Ki67; and had a favorable overall and progression-free survival. DLBCL cases were extranodal in 60%, IPI high in 63%, non-GCB in 60%, EBER-negative; and had a progression-free survival comparable to that of DLBCL NOS. The microenvironment had variable infiltration of M2-like tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) that were CD163, CSF1R, LAIR1, PD-L1, and CD85A (LILRB3) positive; but had low IL10 and PTX3 expression. In comparison to FL, DLBCL had higher TAMs, IL10, and PTX3 expression. Both lymphoma subtypes shared a common mutational profile with mutations in relevant pathogenic genes such as KMT2D, OSBPL10, CREBBP, and HLA-B (related to chromatin remodeling, metabolism, epigenetic modification, and antigen presentation). FL cases were characterized by a higher frequency of mutations of ARID1B, ATM, CD36, RHOA, PLOD2, and PRPRD (p < 0.05). DLBCL cases were characterized by mutations of BTG2, and PIM1; and mutations of HIST1H1E and MFHAS1 to disease progression (p < 0.05). Interestingly, mutations of genes usually associated with poor prognosis, such as NOTCH1/2 and CDKN2A, were infrequent in both lymphoma subtypes. Some high-confidence variant calls were likely oncogenic, loss-of-function. MYD88 L265P gain-of-function was found in 32% of DLBCL. In conclusion, both BCL6-R-positive FL and BCL6-R-positive DLBCL had a common mutational profile; but also, differences. DLBCL cases had a higher density of microenvironment markers.

Mixed Mesonephric-like Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell Carcinoma, and Endometrioid Carcinoma Arising from an Endometriotic Cyst

Mesonephric-like adenocarcinoma is a rare neoplasm of the uterine corpus and ovary. Unlike prototypical mesonephric adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix, which is considered of Wolffian origin, recent evidence suggests that mesonephric-like adenocarcinoma is a Mullerian tumor associated with endometriosis. We report here on a 48-year-old woman with a mixed carcinoma of the ovary that consisted of mesonephric-like adenocarcinoma, clear cell carcinoma, and endometrioid carcinoma, arising from an endometriotic cyst. The mesonephric-like adenocarcinoma consisted of cuboidal cells with vesicular nuclei presenting with a tubular, ductal, papillary, and solid architecture forming nodules. Each component showed distinct immunophenotypes that were consistent with their morphology. The mesonephric-like adenocarcinoma showed diffuse positive staining for paired box 8 and GATA binding protein 3, and negative staining for estrogen and progesterone receptors. A p53 stain exhibited wild-type immunoreactivity. A complete loss of AT-rich interactive domain-containing protein 1A (ARID1A) expression was suggestive of an ARID1A mutation. Manual macrodissection and Sanger sequencing revealed identical KRAS and PIK3CA mutations in all three components. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of mesonephric-like adenocarcinoma combined with a clear cell carcinoma and endometrioid carcinoma, which supports the hypothesis that mesonephric-like adenocarcinoma is an endometriosis-associated neoplasm. The report also highlights a potential pitfall in diagnosing mesonephric-like adenocarcinoma combined with clear cell carcinoma.

Mutational Profile and Pathological Features of a Case of Interleukin-10 and RGS1-Positive Spindle Cell Variant Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with spindle cell morphology is a rare variant. We present the case of a 74-year-old male who initially presented with a right supraclavicular (lymph) node enlargement. Histological analysis showed a proliferation of spindle-shaped cells with narrow cytoplasms. An immunohistochemical panel was used to exclude other tumors, such as melanoma, carcinoma, and sarcoma. The lymphoma was characterized by a cell-of-origin subtype of germinal center B-cell-like (GCB) based on Hans’ classifier (CD10-negative, BCL6-positive, and MUM1-negative); EBER negativity, and the absence of BCL2, BCL6, and MYC rearrangements. Mutational profiling using a custom panel of 168 genes associated with aggressive B-cell lymphomas confirmed mutations in ACTB, ARID1B, DUSP2, DTX1, HLA-B, PTEN, and TNFRSF14. Based on the LymphGen 1.0 classification tool, this case had an ST2 subtype prediction. The immune microenvironment was characterized by moderate infiltration of M2-like tumor-associated macrophages (TMAs) with positivity of CD163, CSF1R, CD85A (LILRB3), and PD-L1; moderate PD-1 positive T cells, and low FOXP3 regulatory T lymphocytes (Tregs). Immunohistochemical expression of PTX3 and TNFRSF14 was absent. Interestingly, the lymphoma cells were positive for HLA-DP-DR, IL-10, and RGS1, which are markers associated with poor prognosis in DLBCL. The patient was treated with R-CHOP therapy, and achieved a metabolically complete response.

Different prognosis of ARVC patients between DSG2 and PKP2 variant carriers

Background

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is an inherited cardiomyopathy mainly caused by desmosomal gene variants. In Europe and North America, pathogenic variants in PKP2 were identified in most of the ARVC patients. On the other hand, we have reported that the genetic backgrounds of ARVC in Japanese were different from those in European; pathogenic variants in DSG2 were predominant in Japanese. Genotype-phenotype correlations, however, have not been clarified yet.

Purpose

In this study, we aimed to examine whether the genotype affect the phenotype and outcome in Japanese ARVC patients.

Methods and results

This study included 167 Japanese ARVC patients who received genetic testing (128 males [77%]). Their median age at diagnosis was 44 [24–55] years old and median follow-up duration was 10 [4–21] years. We found 90 patients with pathogenic variants: 52 in DSG2 (31%), 30 in PKP2 (18%), 3 in DSP (1.8%), 1 in DSC (0.6%), 1 in JUP (0.6%) and 3 in DES (1.8%). The age of the first sustained ventricular arrhythmia (SVT) were older in the patients with DSG2 than those with PKP2 variants (48±15 years vs. 35±15 years, P=0.008) but younger in DSG2 variant carriers at the first hospitalization for heart failure (41 [22–61] years vs. 67 [61–74] years, P=0.03). The left ventricular ejection fractions of DSG2 variant carriers were significantly lower at diagnosis than that of PKP2 (52 [41–60] % vs. 61 [56–66] %, P=0.002). Kaplan-Meier survival curve for lethal arrhythmic events including SVT, ventricular fibrillation and sudden death revealed that the event rate of DSG2 variant carriers was significantly lower than that of PKP2 (log-rank test, P=0.02) (Fig. 1).

Among 11 patients who had both SVT and hospitalizations for HF, 7 PKP2 variant carriers had SVT first, then, hospitalized for HF (48 [35–53] years and 67 [55–71] years, P=0.02). Contrary, the clinical course of 4 DSG2 variants carriers were different from those with PKP2 (54 [40–68] years for SVT and 65 [56–70, P=0.1] years for HF) (Fig. 2).

Conclusion

The patients with DSG2, which is the major causative gene for ARVC in Japanese, show different phenotype and outcome from those with PKP2. We should examine the effect of variants on the prognosis of ARVC patients in more large population including various ethnics.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Intraosseous Lipoma of the Calvaria in the Early Stage Resembling Normal Fatty Marrow

Intraosseous lipoma (IOL) is a benign bone tumor that usually arises from the lower limb and rarely arises from the skull. Radiological diagnosis of a typical case is not problematic due to its characteristic calcification and marginal sclerosis. Here, we report a case of calvarial IOL in the early stage lacking conventional radiopathological features. The patient is a 7-year-old girl who presented with a slow-growing protuberance on the vertex of the head. Computed tomography displayed a low-density mass without calcification that was continuous with the surrounding diploe. The mass was resected piece by piece for diagnostic and cosmetic reasons. Histologically, the specimen consisted of bony trabeculae and intertrabecular adipose tissue, which resembled normal fatty marrow. However, adipose tissue was considered neoplastic since it lacked hematopoietic elements. The final diagnosis of IOL was made by radiopathological correlation. This case suggests that IOL should be included in the differential diagnosis of diploic expansion, even if calcification is absent. The histology of an early-stage IOL resembles normal fatty marrow, but recognizing the absence of hematopoietic elements aids the diagnosis. Also, our literature review indicates that such cases are likely to be encountered in the calvaria than cranial base.

Early onset of heart failure in Japanese ARVC patients with pathogenic desmosomal gene variants

Background

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is an inherited cardiomyopathy mainly caused by desmosomal gene variants. Although there are a lot of reports regarding to European ARVC patients, the ones in Asian are a few, and the characteristics of Asian ARVC have been still unclear. We have reported that the genetic backgrounds in Japanese ARVC patients were different from those in European ones. In this study, we aimed to examine the phenotype and outcome of Japanese ARVC patients with specific genetic backgrounds.

Methods and results

This study included 104 Japanese ARVC patients who were diagnosed as definite in the 2010 Task Force Criteria for ARVC and received genetic analysis (79 males [76%]; median age at diagnosis, 40 years [IQR 22–53 years].) Fifty-seven patients carried variants in desmosomal genes classified as pathogenic based on ACMG guideline: 30 in DSG2 (29%), 22 in PKP2 (21%), 2 in DSC2 (2%) and 3 in DSP (3%). The median age of diagnosis was significantly younger in the patients with the pathogenic variants than in those without (37 years [IQR 21–49 years] vs. 46 years [IQR 34–58 years], P=0.01). During a median follow-up of 9.3 years (IQR 3.5–20.9 years), 10 patients died and 2 were received heart transplantation. Sixty-two suffered lethal arrhythmic events including cardiopulmonary arrest, ventricular fibrillation, sustained ventricular tachycardia and appropriate shocks by implantable cardioverter defibrillator. Twenty-two were hospitalized for heart failure. There was no difference in these events rate between the two groups. However, survival analysis revealed that patients with pathogenic variants hospitalized for heart failure significantly earlier in their life than those without (P=0.04, log-rank test, Figure 1).

Conclusions

The Japanese ARVC patients with pathogenic variants in desmosomal genes are diagnosed and hospitalize for heart failure at younger age than those without. These findings have not been reported in other ethnics. Our study warns that we should be cautious for not only the prevention of lethal arrhythmic events but also the progress of the heart failure in Japanese ARVC patients with pathogenic variants.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development Figure 1

A collision tumor of solitary fibrous tumor/hemangiopericytoma and meningioma: A case report with literature review

An intracranial collision tumor is a rare lesion composed of two histologically different neoplasms in the same anatomic location. Even more rare is the collision tumor of a solitary fibrous tumor/hemangiopericytoma (SFT/HPC) and meningioma. The patient was a 46-year-old woman who had a 40 × 35 × 30-mm mass in the vermis of the cerebellum. Histologically, the mass consisted of two different components. One component showed the morphology of meningioma (World Health Organization (WHO) grade I), and the other component exhibited small round cell proliferation with hypercellular density, which was revealed to be SFT/HPC (WHO grade III) based on STAT6 immunohistochemistry. STAT6 showed completely different immunohistochemistry results in these two components (nuclear-negative in meningioma and nuclear-positive in SFT/HPC). Since these two neoplasms are associated with different prognoses, they should be distinguished from each other. When meningioma and an SFT/HPC-like lesion are identified morphologically, it is important to recognize the presence of such a collision tumor composed of meningioma and SFT/HPC, and identify the SFT/HPC component by employing STAT6 immunohistochemistry.

Ventricular tachycardia in cardiac sarcoidosis -prognosis, characterization of ventricular substrates and outcomes of treatment-

Background

The prognosis, the underlying substrate and clinical outcomes of treatment are unclear in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis (CS)-related ventricular tachycardia (VT).

Objective

This study investigated the prognosis and the relationship between electroanatomical mapping (EAM) and imaging findings in patients with CS-related VT.

Methods

A total of 203 CS patients (Age 68.1±11.6 years, 87 males) were enrolled at two tertiary care medical centers between 2000 and 2018. All met the 2016 Japanese Circulation Society guidelines for diagnosis of CS. They were followed for a composite of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) including cardiac death, heart transplantation, unscheduled hospitalization for heart failure, and life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. Distribution of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) on cardiac MRI (CMR) and/or an abnormal myocardial 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake on positron emission tomography at diagnosis were examined. The relationship between EAM and the image findings were also analyzed in patients with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for VT.

Results

During a median follow-up of 53 months, 87 of the 203 patients (43%) experienced a MACE. Baseline factors associated with MACE were presence of sustained VT (HR, 2.43, 95% CI 1.54–3.85, P&lt;0.001), left ventricular ejection fraction below 50% (HR, 1.95 95% CI 1.07–3.56, P=0.029), and abnormal myocardial FDG uptake (HR, 2.42 95% CI 1.04–5.61, P=0.039). Overall, 69 of the 203 patients (34%) experienced sustained VT. Abnormal myocardial FDG uptake was significantly more prevalent in patients with VT than in those without (92.7% vs. 78.5%, P=0.02). A total of 25 patients (9.9%) required RFA for CS-related VT (Age 64.0±8.7 years, 12 males, 1.32±0.56 RFAs per patient). Abnormal electrocardiograms (EGM) were observed in 22 of the 25 patients (88%). LGE was more frequent than abnormal FDG uptake in areas with an abnormal EGM (77% vs. 41%; P=0.002). Over a mean follow-up period of 67-months, 13 of the 25 patients with RFA (52%) remained free of VT episodes (Figure). VT recurred in nine of the 12 patients with RFA and in 17 of the 47 patients without RFA, but was suppressed by intensive pharmacologic therapy such as the combined use of amiodarone and sotalol. In patients with CS-related VT, survival without experiencing a MACE did not differ in participants with or without RFA.

Conclusions

In our 203 CS patients, sustained VT and abnormal FDG uptake were associated with worse cardiac outcomes. The prevalence of abnormal FDG uptake was significantly higher in patients with CS-related VT, LGE on CMR was more frequent within localized areas of an abnormal EGM, suggesting that both scar itself and the associated inflammation were involved in the pathogenesis of CS-related VT. Successful RFA of CS-related VT is still challenging, and recurrence is common. Preprocedural CMR can be useful in detecting abnormal EGMs that are potential targets for substrate ablation.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Cardiac function at diagnosis is important prognostic factor in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis -from Japanese nationwide questionnaire survey-

Background

Sarcoidosis is a systemic non-caseating granulomatous disease of unknown etiology. Cardiac involvement (cardiac sarcoidosis, CS) has been reported to be an important prognostic factor in this disease because of heart failure and/or ventricular arrhythmia, and corticosteroid therapy is usually prescribed to prevent cardiac events. However, little is known about the relationship of cardiac function and concomitant corticosteroid therapy on later cardiac events in CS.

Objective

We evaluated the relationship between prognosis and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at the time of diagnosis in CS patients from the Japanese nationwide questionnaire survey.

Methods

Total of 757 Japanese patients from 57 hospitals who diagnosed CS were examined. Patients who unsatisfied the criteria of the Japanese new guidelines, or who underwent cardiac transplantations were excluded, and 420 patients (287 females, mean age 60±13 years old, median follow-up periods 1864 days [interquartile range: 845–3159 days]) were analyzed. The relationship of adverse events (all-cause death, cardiovascular death, and appropriate ICD [Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator] discharge) and LVEF (with corticosteroid 84%) (low LVEF: LVEF≤35% n=98 [with corticosteroid in 78%], moderate LVEF: LVEF 35–50% n=104 [with corticosteroid in 93%], normal LVEF: 50≤LVEF n=218 [with corticosteroid in 83%]) were evaluated respectively.

Results

89 CS patients developed all-cause death (n=50), cardiovascular death (n=30) or appropriate ICD discharge (n=48). The frequency of corticosteroid therapy was not different in the each LVEF group, but Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that all-cause death, cardiovascular death, and all cardiovascular adverse events were more observed in lower LVEF group (log-rank p&lt;0.0001). Furthermore, multivariate Cox hazard analysis revealed that LVEF was a most important independent prognostic factor in CS.

Conclusion

This Japanese nationwide questionnaire survey data showed that initial LVEF was an independent and strong prognostic predictor in CS, therefore primary prevention would be needed even after starting corticosteroid in patients with decreased cardiac function.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Long time clinical course of cardiac sarcoidosis with corticosteroid therapy -from Japanese nationwide questionnaire survey-

Background

Sarcoidosis is a systemic inflammatory syndrome of unknown etiology and cardiac involvement has been reported to be an important prognostic factor in this disease. An autopsy study has reported that the frequency of this cardiac involvement (cardiac sarcoidosis: CS) varies in the different countries and races and very frequent in Japanese patients. We therefore performed the nationwide questionnaire survey and try to clarify the clinical characteristics and corticosteroid effect in CS, especially focused on arrhythmic events in this disease.

Methods

Total of 757 Japanese patients from 57 hospitals who diagnosed CS were examined. Patients who unsatisfied the criteria of the Japanese new guidelines, or who underwent cardiac transplantations were excluded, and 420 patients (287 females, median follow-up periods 1864 days [interquartile range: 845–3159 days]) were analyzed. The clinical outcome and corticosteroid effect were evaluated.

Results

Clinical characteristics at diagnosis was as follows: female dominant (68%), mean age of 60±13 years old, mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 49±16%. Arrhythmic events were very frequently observed as an initial cardiac manifestation in 263 patients (62%) of CS, of which atrioventricular block (AVB) in 174 (41%), ventricular tachycardia (VT) in 73 (17%) and AVB with VT in 17 (4%) (Figure 1A). Pacemaker was implanted in 166 patients (40%) and defibrillators was 137 patients (33%). Corticosteroid was prescribed in 144 (83%) of 174 patients with AVB and in 62 (85%) of 73 patients with VT. Initial dose was mean 47.9 mg and maintenance dose of mean 7.3 mg. Corticosteroid improved VT as good as AVB (27% vs. 29%). However, corticosteroid sometimes worsened VT events compared with AVB (10% vs. 2%) (Figure 1B). During the course of follow-up, 32 patients were needed to increase corticosteroid in 23 of AVB and 10 of VT cases. However, there were no difference in mortality between the groups, whether or not to increase corticosteroid. All survival rate was 92% (5-year mortality), 83% (10-year mortality) and free from all cause death and defibrillator charge was 81% (5 year), 71% (10 year).

Conclusion

Fatal arrhythmia is commonly observed in CS as a primary symptom. Corticosteroid sometimes worsen ventricular arrhythmia and appropriate defibrillator discharge was common. Thus, careful attention for activating ventricular arrhythmia would be needed during the follow-up period even after corticosteroid therapy.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Long-term follow up ventricular tachycardia patients with preserved cardiac function -from Japanese cardiac sarcoidosis nationwide questionnaire survey-

Background

Prior ventricular tachycardia (VT) and low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) are the most important prognostic factors in cardiac sarcoidosis (CS). Recently diagnosis of CS was renewed according to Japanese new guidelines. Patients with preserved cardiac function often have VT events, thus new guidelines recommends to assess the implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation for CS patients with preserved LVEF (35%≤LVEF&lt;50%). However, the long-term prognosis of CS patients with preserved LVEF is unclear.

Objective

In CS patients with preserved LVEF, we evaluated the prognosis between VT manifestation and non-VT manifestation groups at CS diagnosis from Japanese nationwide questionnaire survey.

Methods

Total of 757 Japanese patients from 57 hospitals who diagnosed CS were examined. Patients who unsatisfied the criteria of the Japanese new guidelines, who had LVEF≤35%, LVEF&gt;50%, or who underwent cardiac transplantations were excluded. 104 patients with LVEF 35–50% (67 females, mean age 60±15 years old, median follow-up periods 2134 days [interquartile range: 758–2935 days]) were analyzed. The prognosis between VT manifestation and non-VT manifestation groups at CS diagnosis were evaluated.

Results

30 patients had VT manifestation at CS diagnosis and 24 patients (80%) received ICDs. 74 patients had no VT manifestation at CS diagnosis and 19 patients (44%) received ICDs during follow up period. All-cause mortality was not different between two groups (Figure). Appropriate ICD therapy of non-VT manifestation group was significantly lower compared with that of VT manifestation group (log-rank p=0.001), however considerable number (n=7, 15%) of non-VT manifestation group had appropriate ICD therapy event during follow-up period. Cox hazard analysis revealed that concomitant non-sustained VT (NSVT) with atrioventricular block (AVB) was a predictor of appropriate ICD therapy in non-VT manifestation group.

Conclusion

This nationwide survey showed that considerable number of CS patients with preserved LVEF had VT events, independent of VT manifestation. Concomitant NSVT with AVB was a predictor of VT events, and ICD implantation should be assessed.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Micro-embolic risks during radiofrequency and cryoballoon-ablation of atrial fibrillation -analysis from real-time carotid artery doppler monitoring-

Background

Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with risks of silent cerebral events. However, the timing of intraprocedural micro-embolic events or differences between open-irrigated radiofrequency (RF) and cryoballoon (Cryo) ablation are unclear. Newly developed real-time carotid artery Doppler is a simple non-invasive method to detect micro-embolic signals (MESs) during ablation.

Objective

We investigated the timing of detecting MESs during RF and Cryo ablation of AF.

Methods

During the first pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) session of AF, MESs were monitored by real-time carotid artery Doppler monitoring throughout the procedure. The MES counts were collected and evaluated separately during the different steps of the procedure (Figure).

Results

Thirty-three AF patients (RF/Cryo: 22/11 cases, 9 females, 69.5±11.6 y.o) were included. PVI was successfully accomplished in all patients with no major complications. The MES count was significantly greater in the RF group than Cryo group (table). In both groups, left atrial (LA) access (interatrial puncture) and sheaths insertion to the LA generated a significant number of MESs (RF: 1690 of 9116 MESs [18.5% of the total MESs], Cryo: 793 of 2285 MESs [34.7%]). In the RF group, MESs were observed incessantly during PVI (Figure). The LA dwell time was significantly longer in the RF group than Cryo group (table). In the RF group, the MES count was significantly greater in the longer LA dwell time group (LA dwell time &gt;130min) than the shorter group (464.2±179.7 vs 302.6±138.2: P=0.049). During the cryo-applications in the Cryo group, the MESs were greatest during the first cryoballoon application (625 of 2285 MESs [27.4%]).

Conclusions

There were more MESs during RF ablation than cryoablation. MESs were recorded during a variety of steps throughout the procedure. In the RF group, most of MESs were recorded incessantly during radiofrequency ablation and greater number of MESs were recorded in patients with longer LA dwell time. In the Cryo group, most of MESs occurred during phases with a high probability of gaseous emboli.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

The safety of catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in elderly patients -analysis of the nationwide database in Japan, JROAD-DPC-

Background

“Age” is one of the major concerns and determinants of the indications for catheter ablation (CA) of atrial fibrillation (AF). There are little safety data on CA of AF according to the age. This study aimed to assess the safety of CA in elderly patients undergoing CA of AF.

Methods and results

We investigated the complication rate of CA of AF for the different age groups (&lt;60 years, 60–65, 65–70, 70–75, 75–80, 80–85, and ≥85) by a nationwide database (Japanese Registry Of All cardiac and vascular Diseases [JROAD]-DPC). The JROAD-DPC included 73,296 patients (65±11 years, 52,883 men) who underwent CA of AF from 516 hospitals in Japan. Aged patients had more comorbidities and a significantly increased CHADS2 score and higher rate of female according to a higher age. The overall complication rate was 2.6% and in-hospital mortality was 0.05%. By comparing each age group, complications occurred more frequently in higher aged groups. A multivariate adjusted hazard ratio revealed an increased age was independently and significantly associated with the overall complications (odds ratio was 1.25, 1.35, 1.72, 1.86, 2.76 and 3.13 respectively; reference &lt;60 years).

Conclusions

The frequency of complications was significantly higher according to a higher age. We should take note of the indications and procedure for CA of AF in aged patients.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Intramural Research Fund 17 (Kusano) for Cardiovascular Diseases of the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center

[Spindle cell type anaplastic carcinoma of the pancreas: review of 27 Japanese case reports]

Spindle cell type anaplastic carcinoma of the pancreas is extremely rare and has a very poor prognosis. A previously healthy 68-year-old woman was referred to our hospital due to a large tumor in the body of the pancreas. Abdominal computed tomography revealed an irregular, well-enhanced 140-mm tumor containing a cystic component. The patient underwent distal pancreatectomy for a possible malignant tumor (e.g., mucinous cystic neoplasms). Histological examination showed that the tumor contained spindle-shaped cells and adenocarcinoma with nuclear atypia, and a definitive diagnosis of anaplastic carcinoma spindle cell type was made. A review of 27 cases reported in Japan revealed 43% of these lesions invaded other organs, and 26% were classified in Stage IV at the time of diagnosis. Postoperative recurrence rate was 78.2%, and mortality rate was 59.3%. Early diagnosis and sequential radial surgery would improve the poor prognosis.

Improved two-dimensional electrophoretic mapping of Japanese human hair proteins; application to curved and straight Japanese human hairs; and protein identification by MALDI MS and MS/MS quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate improved protein extraction and two-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE) separation methods with Japanese reference human hair (JRH); to determine whether fibre curvature is related to protein composition in curly and straight Japanese women's human hair (JHH) samples; and to identify proteins from JRH 2DE maps and expression differences between curly and straight JHH.

METHODS

Hair keratin and keratin-associated proteins (KAPs) were extracted intact with dithiothreitol or tris(2-carboxyethyl) phosphine from JRH or from curved or straight JHH. Extracted proteins were isoelectric-focused on first-dimensional pH gradient gel strips, then separated by molecular weight on laboratory-made, second-dimension, large format gels. The software compared protein abundance between duplicate 2DE gels of curved and straight JHH. Thirty-eight proteins from a JRH 2DE gel were enzyme-cleaved for MALDI-TOF-MS analysis to determine peptide composition, and where possible, de novo sequencing gave peptide sequence data. An in-house human hair protein database incorporating ninety-eight annotated protein sequences assisted MS analysis.

RESULTS

2DE gels of tris(2-carboxyethyl) phosphine-extracted JRH improved keratin and KAP resolution and number compared to those of dithiothreitol-extracted JRH and published commercially made second-dimensional gels. Silver-stained 2DE gels of the straight or curved JHH sets were remarkably similar. Over-staining to reveal basic proteins caused poor resolution of the major acidic protein classes. Software comparisons of fifty-nine resolved proteins revealed two were significantly different in abundance between curved and straight hairs but in insufficient amounts for MS analysis. MS identified twelve proteins from a JRH CBBG-stained 2DE gel: six type II keratins, three type I keratins and three high sulphur proteins. A further eight were potential conformational isoforms and isoelectric variants of the identified proteins bringing the total to twenty identified or partially identified proteins.

CONCLUSION

Root-end human hair extraction with tris(2-carboxyethyl) phosphine improves protein resolution and visualizes more proteins on large format 2DE gels. The two minor protein differences between duplicate straight or curved JHH 2DE gels were unlikely to change fibre structure from straight to curved hair. MS results confirmed that multiple isoforms exist of various hair proteins. Low sequence coverage prevented distinction between members in rows of homologous protein spots of similar molecular weight.

P5655Efficacy of new-generation atrial antitachycardia pacing for atrial tachyarrhythmias in patients with left ventricular dysfunction

Background

The progression to persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with a worse clinical outcome in patients with previous atrial tachyarrhythmias. New-generation atrial antitachycardia pacing (ATP) (Reactive ATP) reduced the progression to persistent AF in patients with pacemaker and preserved left ventricular (LV) function. However, little is known about the efficacy of Reactive ATP in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) and LV dysfunction.

Purpose

We aimed to investigate the efficacy of Reactive ATP for atrial tachyarrhythmias in patients with LV dysfunction (LV ejection fraction [LVEF] <40%).

Methods

This study included 423 patients with CIED and previous atrial tachyarrthythmias. Reactive ATP was programmed in 284 patients (ATP group) and 139 were implanted with a dual-chamber device without ATP function (control group). The differences in the success rate of ATP and incidence of progression to persistent AF (≥7 days) between the ATP and control groups were evaluated in 108 patients with LVEF <40% (reduced LVEF) and 315 with LVEF ≥40% (preserved LVEF). Patients with persistent AF were excluded from this study.

Results

During 710±337 days of follow-up period, 16 patients (15%) with reduced LVEF and 51 (16%) with preserved LVEF progressed to persistent AF (p=0.88). The mean ATP success rate was lower in patients with reduced LVEF than in those with preserved LVEF, although not statistically significant (reduced LVEF: 27.2±19.4% and preserved LVEF: 35.1±29.2%, p=0.12). The incidence of progression to persistent AF was significantly lower in the ATP group than in the control group both in patients with reduced and preserved LVEF (log-rank, reduced LVEF: p=0.0070 and preserved LVEF: p<0.0001) (Figure). Multivariate analysis showed that use of Reactive ATP and smaller left atrium were associated with lower incidences of persistent AF, while LVEF was not predictive of progression to persistent AF (Reactive ATP: hazard ratio [HR] 0.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.17–0.46, p<0.0001, left atrium diameter: HR 1.03, 95% CI 1.00–1.07, p=0.030).

Figure 1

Conclusions

Reactive ATP was effective in preventing AF progression in patients with LV dysfunction.

Electron microscopy and tomography reveal that sodium 2-naphthalene sulfonate incorporated into perming solutions swells and tilts trichocyte intermediate filaments causing straightening of curly Japanese human hair

OBJECTIVE

A new hair-care process has been specifically developed for the straightening of curved Japanese woman's hair . The process included sodium 2-naphthalene sulfonate (SNS) in the reduction and oxidation steps of a conventional perming process. Our objective was to develop an understanding of how this process caused hair straightening by measuring the changes to morphology and ultrastructure between untreated, conventionally permed and SNS permed hair. Untreated and SNS permed Merino wool fibres were used to confirm structural changes.

METHODS

Japanese hair samples were measured for single-fibre curvature before and after perming treatments. A silver staining method was developed to stain hair fibres without changing fibre curvature so that transmission electron microscopy could be used to measure changes in the lateral dimensions of all structural components from the cellular to protein filament level. Electron tomography determined intermediate filament slopes and slope changes after SNS perming relative to the central longitudinal axis of the fibre.

RESULTS

SNS perming was found to cause greater lateral swelling than conventional perming of: the paracortical cells of wool; the cuticle, the cuticular cell membrane complex and the macrofibrillar centre-to-centre distance of hair; and of the intermediate filaments in wool and hair. In curved hair, SNS perming caused the intermediate filaments of the helical macrofibrils to simultaneously swell and to tilt further, resulting in the slight longitudinal contraction of the macrofibrils. The overall swelling and tilting was greatest in the helical macrofibrils of Type B cortical cells predominately located in the convex fibre half. The presence of a higher percentage of helical macrofibrils in the convex fibre half than in the concave fibre half caused a contraction differential between the two halves leading to straighten of the curved fibre. A mechanical model was proposed to explain how SNS perming straightened curly hair.

CONCLUSION

The effects of conventional and SNS perming on the morphological and ultrastructural components of curved Japanese hair and high-curl Merino wool fibres have given clear insights into understanding the mechanism of fibre curvature change.