[The pathological diagnosis and differential diagnosis of hematopoietic cell tumors of ambiguous lineage]

Objective: To explore the key points of the pathological and differential diagnoses of extra-medullary masses of hematopoietic cell tumors of ambiguous lineage, and to discuss the possible solutions. Methods: Five hematopoietic cell tumors of ambiguous lineage cases were collected, including myeloid sarcoma, mixed phenotype acute leukemia, B/myeloid, T-lymphoblastic lymphoma combined with acute myeloid leukemia, acute undifferentiated leukemia with cutaneous MPDCP and early T-precursor cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The data including morphology, immunostaining, and flow cytometry analysis were collected, and we explored the problems and differential diagnosis in the diagnosis of hematopoietic cell tumors of ambiguous lineage. Results: The five cases showed that the accurate pathological diagnosis and classification of hematopoietic cell tumors of ambiguous lineage should be based on lineage-specific antigens. Moreover, tumor cells have the potential of multi-directional differentiation. In different sites or different periods, the differentiation of tumor cells may be different. Biopsy and detection of all related markers should be performed for the initial diagnosis, and the detection should be repeated when the condition of the patient changes. Combined application of multi-techniques, including morphology and flow cytometry analysis, is recommend for the diagnosis of hematopoietic cell tumors of ambiguous lineage, since the conventional morphology and immunophenotyping methods are limited. Conclusion: Hematopoietic cell tumors of ambiguous lineage are derived from hematopoietic stem cells with a potential of multi-differentiation. The differentiation of tumor cells is variable. We need to integrate cell morphology, flow cytometry, pathology, clinical data, and molecular genetics to make a comprehensive diagnosis.

[The relationship between HPV integration and prognosis of cervical cancer]

Objective: To investigate the relationship between human papillomavirus (HPV) integration and prognosis of cervical cancer patients. Methods: The data of 82 patients with cervical cancer treated in the Radiotherapy Department of Peking Union Medical College Hospital from October 2004 to June 2012 were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into poor prognosis group (recurrence or metastasis after surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy) and good prognosis group based on a propensity score matching strategy.The HPV integration of the two groups were detected by whole exome sequencing to determine whether the integration sites were located in the common fragile sites (CFSs). HPV integration and integration into CFSs were compared between the two groups. Results: Among the enrolled 82 patients, 37 were divided in poor survival group and 45 in good survival group. A total of 90 integration breakpoints were identified, 30 of them occurred in poor prognosis group and 60 occurred in good prognosis group. In the poor prognosis group, HPV integration occurred in 20 patients, 13 of them were inserted in CFSs of 11 patients, and the numbers in good prognosis group were 26, 17, 11, respectively. There were no significantly statistical differences in the number of HPV integration events (P=0.289), HPV integration patients (P=0.735), CFSs integration events (P=0.427), and CFSs integration patients (P=0.591) between the two groups. In poor prognosis group, more CFSs integration events occurred in patients with metastasis than those in patients with only local recurrence (9 vs 2, P=0.003). Conclusions: No significant differences are observed in HPV integration and HPV integration into CFSs between cervical cancer patients with different prognoses. HPV integration into CFSs may be associated with distant metastasis.

Suppression of the SLC7A11/glutathione axis causes synthetic lethality in KRAS-mutant lung adenocarcinoma

Oncogenic KRAS is a major driver in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) that has yet to be therapeutically conquered. Here we report that the SLC7A11/glutathione axis displays metabolic synthetic lethality with oncogenic KRAS. Through metabolomics approaches, we found that mutationally activated KRAS strikingly increased intracellular cystine levels and glutathione biosynthesis. SLC7A11, a cystine/glutamate antiporter conferring specificity for cystine uptake, was overexpressed in patients with KRAS-mutant LUAD and showed positive association with tumor progression. Furthermore, SLC7A11 inhibition by either genetic depletion or pharmacological inhibition with sulfasalazine resulted in selective killing across a panel of KRAS-mutant cancer cells in vitro and tumor growth inhibition in vivo, suggesting the functionality and specificity of SLC7A11 as a therapeutic target. Importantly, we further identified a potent SLC7A11 inhibitor, HG106, that markedly decreased cystine uptake and intracellular glutathione biosynthesis. Furthermore, HG106 exhibited selective cytotoxicity toward KRAS-mutant cells by increasing oxidative stress- and ER stress-mediated cell apoptosis. Of note, treatment of KRAS-mutant LUAD with HG106 in several preclinical lung cancer mouse models led to marked tumor suppression and prolonged survival. Overall, our findings reveal that KRAS-mutant LUAD cells are vulnerable to SLC7A11 inhibition, offering potential therapeutic approaches for this currently incurable disease.

Determinants and prognostic implication of improved left ventricular ejection fraction in chronic heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction

Background

Previous studies have demonstrated that left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is not associated with overall survival in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). This study aimed to examine if improved EF is associated with better survival in these patients.

Methods

Study subjects were selected from the database in the REDEAL trial, which included all patients with CHF and a LVEF of <50% referred to our hospital between 2009 and 2017. Of these, 902 patients completed at least twice echocardiography examinations (BL and FUP) at a minimal interval of 12 [median 17 (14–25)] months.

Results

At baseline, there were 522 patients with BL_EF >35% (aged 68±12 years, male 74.5%, median EF 44%) and 381 patients with BL_EF ≤35% (aged 65±13 years, male 74.5%, median EF 29%). Survival was similar between groups (76.6% vs. 73.8%, P=0.322). Over a median echocardiography follow-up of 17 months, FUP_ EF increased by 1.3% (−4.0–8.0%) in the subgroup of BL-EF>35% and increased by 11.0% (2.0–20.0%) in the subgroup of BL_EF≤35%. Survival analysis showed that absolute change in EF was significantly associated with survival in the subgroup of BL_EF≤35% but not in the subgroup of BL_EF>35%. Therefore, further analysis was conducted among patients in the subgroup of BL_EF≤35%.

In this subset of BL_EF≤35%, improved EF was defined as a FUP_EF of >40%. 171 (44.9%) patients presented with improved EF, EF remained unchanged or reduced in the rest 210 patients (55.1%, FUP_EF≤40%). Patients with improved EF was associated with better survival over a median clinical follow-up of 19 (11–32) months (80.7% vs. 68.1%, P=0.001). Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that improved EF remained an independent determinant of overall survival after adjusted for potential clinical covariates including age, sex, diabetes, hyperuricemia, renal dysfunction, coronary artery bypass grafting, sleep-disordered breathing, and prior ICD or CRT_D implantation (HR 0.59, 95% CI 0.38–0.91, P=0.018). In this subgroup of BL_EF≤35%, age and sex-independent determinants of improved EF included without prior myocardial infarction (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.24–0.67, P<0.001), without ICD or CRT-D implantation (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.17–0.61, P=0.001), and smaller LV end-diastolic diameter (OR=0.94, 95% CI 0.90–0.99, P=0.012).

Conclusions

Longitudinal improvement in LVEF is significantly associated with survival benefit in the subgroup of baseline EF≤35% but not in the subgroup of baseline EF>35%. In the subgroup of baseline EF≤35%, improved LVEF remains an independent determinant of survival benefit Determinants of improved LVEF in HF patients with baseline EF≤35% include without myocardial infarction, without ICD implantation, and smaller LV chamber at baseline.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): This work was supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research

Impact of right and left ventricular dysfunction on long-term outcome of moderate to severe secondary mitral regurgitation patients without surgical/interventional treatment

Background

Secondary mitral regurgitation (SMR) is common in aging population and related with poor outcome. Impact of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction with or without left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in this population remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of isolated RV dysfunction and biventricular dysfunction, and to determine their prognostic implication in moderate to severe SMR without surgical/interventional treatment.

Methods

A total of 1090 consecutive moderate to severe SMR patients without surgical/interventional treatment hospitalized in our hospital center between 2009 and 2018 (aged 75±12 years, 60.4% male) were included. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed at baseline to define the cardiac morphology, function and severity of MR. Clinical and echocardiographic characteristics were analyzed. All patients completed at least 1-year clinical follow-up by reviewing the medical records or telephone interview. The primary endpoint was defined as all-cause death.

Results

A total of 521 patients (47.8%) reached the primary endpoint during the follow-up period [median 23 (8–40) months].

Mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 44.6±16.2%, and percent of patients with LVEF <50% (LV dysfunction) was 59.3%. RV dysfunction was defined as a reduced tricuspid annular plane excursion (TAPSE<17mm) or an increased systolic pulmonary artery disease (sPAP>40mmHg). Patients were divided into 4 subgroups: 1) preserved biventricular function: n=136 (12.5%); 2) isolated LV dysfunction: n=97 (8.9%); 3) isolated RV dysfunction: n=308 (28.3%); 4) biventricular dysfunction: n=549 (50.4%). The mortality in above group was 27.2%, 36.1%, 50.0%*† and 53.7%*†, respectively (*P<0.05 vs preserved biventricular function; †P<0.05 vs. isolated LV dysfunction).

Multivariable survival analysis showed that isolated LV dysfunction (adjusted HR 1.78, P=0.016), isolated RV dysfunction (HR 1.59, P=0.013), or biventricular dysfunction (HR=2.14, P<0.001) were independently associated with increased all-cause mortality, after adjustment for age, sex and other clinical covariates associated with mortality including NYHA class, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, diabetes, hyperuricemia, coronary artery diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, sleep disturbance, and kidney dysfunction.

Conclusions

Right ventricular dysfunction is associated with significantly higher mortality in patients with secondary mitral regurgitation without surgical/interventional treatment as compared to patients with preserved biventricular function and isolated LV dysfunction. Future studies are warranted to observe if operative strategy could significantly improve the outcome in SMR patients complicating with right ventricular dysfunction.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): German Federal Ministry of Education and Research

Septal mitral annular systolic excursion but not global longitudinal strain predicts outcome in non-ischemic heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction and mild diastolic dysfunction

Background

Speckle tracking derived global longitudinal strain (GLS) could provide incremental prognostic information over left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in the general population and a variety of cardiovascular diseases. Mitral annular systolic excursion (MAPSE) is a classical echocardiographic index with prognostic implication in patients with various cardiovascular diseases. Present study aimed to test the hypothesis that reduced GLS is superior to MAPSE on predicting all-cause mortality in non-ischemic heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction.

Methods

A total of 952 patients with non-ischemic heart failure and reduced LVEF, who referred to our department between 2009 and 2017, were included in this study (mean age: 66±15 years, 68.8% male). All patients underwent a routine transthoracic echocardiography examination at baseline visit. Standard echocardiographic measurements were conducted according to recent guidelines. GLS was derived from the segmental averaging (18-segment) of the three apical views. M-mode MAPSE of septal and lateral walls were obtained from standard apical 4-chamber view. All patients completed at least one-year clinical follow-up by telephone interview or clinical visit. The primary endpoint was defined as all-cause mortality or heart transplantation (HTx).

Results

Over a median follow-up period of 27 (14–40) months, 259 (27.2%) patients died and 9 (0.9%) underwent HTx. MAPSE_septal was significantly lower in non-survivors than in survivors (6 (5–8) vs. 7 (5–8) mm, P=0.009), while LVEF (36% vs. 36%, P=0.927) and GLS (−9.6% vs. −9.8%, P=0.473) were similar between non-survivors and survivors. All-cause mortality was significant higher in patients with MAPSE_septal<5mm than those with MAPSE_septal ≥5mm (34.9% vs. 26.7%, P=0.032). All-cause death increased in proportion with increased severity of diastolic dysfunction (DD, 20.4%, 29.6% and 34.0% in patients with mild, moderate and severe DD, P=0.002).

Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that reduced MAPSE_septal (<5mm, HR=1.451, 95% CI=1.079–1.951, P=0.014) was independently associated with increased all-cause mortality adjusted for clinical confounders including age, sex, NYHA class, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, hyperuricemia, chronic respiratory diseases, sleep disturbance, while MAPSE_lateral, LVEF, and GLS were not outcome determinants in this patient cohort.

Subgroup analysis showed that mild DD (n=269), reduced MAPSE_septal were significantly associated with increased all-cause mortality (adjusted HR=3.734, 95% CI=1.850–7.536, P<0.001), while MAPSE_septal was not a risk factor of all-cause mortality in the subgroup of moderate to severe DD (n=667, HR=1.314, P=0.108).

Conclusions

Septal MAPSE, but not LVEF or GLS, serves as an independent determinant of all-cause mortality in non-ischemic heart failure patients with reduced LVEF and mild diastolic dysfunction.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): German Federal Ministry of Education and Research

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus: a systematic review and meta-analysis of transmission mode

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a disease with a high case-fatality rate that is caused by infection with the SFTS virus (SFTSV). Five electronic databases were systematically searched to identify relevant articles published from 1 January 2011 to 1 December 2019. The pooled rates with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated by a fixed-effect or random-effect model analysis. The results showed that 92 articles were included in this meta-analysis. For the confirmed SFTS cases, the case-fatality rate was 0.15 (95% CI 0.11, 0.18). Two hundred and ninety-six of 1384 SFTS patients indicated that they had been bitten by ticks and the biting rate was 0.21 (95% CI 0.16, 0.26). The overall pooled seroprevalence of SFTSV antibodies among the healthy population was 0.04 (95% CI 0.03, 0.05). For the overall seroprevalence of SFTSV in animals, the seroprevalence of SFTSV was 0.25 (95% CI 0.20, 0.29). The infection rate of SFTSV in ticks was 0.08 (95% CI 0.05, 0.11). In conclusion, ticks can serve as transmitting vectors of SFTSVs and reservoir hosts. Animals can be infected by tick bites, and as a reservoir host, SFTSV circulates continuously between animals and ticks in nature. Humans are infected by tick bites and direct contact with patient secretions.

Erk and MAPK signaling is essential for intestinal development through Wnt pathway modulation

Homeostasis of intestinal stem cells (ISCs) is maintained by the orchestration of niche factors and intrinsic signaling networks. Here, we have found that deletion of Erk1 and Erk2 (Erk1/2) in intestinal epithelial cells at embryonic stages resulted in an unexpected increase in cell proliferation and migration, expansion of ISCs, and formation of polyp-like structures, leading to postnatal death. Deficiency of epithelial Erk1/2 results in defects in secretory cell differentiation as well as impaired mesenchymal cell proliferation and maturation. Deletion of Erk1/2 strongly activated Wnt signaling through both cell-autonomous and non-autonomous mechanisms. In epithelial cells, Erk1/2 depletion resulted in loss of feedback regulation, leading to Ras/Raf cascade activation that transactivated Akt activity to stimulate the mTor and Wnt/β-catenin pathways. Moreover, Erk1/2 deficiency reduced the levels of Indian hedgehog and the expression of downstream pathway components, including mesenchymal Bmp4 - a Wnt suppressor in intestines. Inhibition of mTor signaling by rapamycin partially rescued Erk1/2 depletion-induced intestinal defects and significantly prolonged the lifespan of mutant mice. These data demonstrate that Erk/Mapk signaling functions as a key modulator of Wnt signaling through coordination of epithelial-mesenchymal interactions during intestinal development.

1141 Daytime Napping Trajectory Over Time And Its Association With Cognitive Aging: A 13-year Community-based Longitudinal Study Of Older Adults

Introduction

Daytime napping is common in elderly adults and has been associated with cognitive impairment. Prior studies have assessed napping at one time point, making it difficult to examine the longitudinal progression of napping and its association with cognitive aging. We examined objectively measured daytime napping longitudinally across different stages of Alzheimer’s disease (AD): from no cognitive impairment (NCI), to mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and to Alzheimer’s dementia.

Methods

We studied 1,066 participants (female: 810; age: 81.0±7.3 [SD]) in the Rush Memory and Aging Project who have been followed for up to 13 years. Motor activities of up to 10 days were recorded annually and used to assess napping objectively. We defined daytime napping episodes as segments between 10AM and 7PM with continuous zero-activity for ≥10min but <1h (to avoid off-wrist periods). Segments that were <5min apart were merged. Cognitive and clinical evaluations were administered annually to render a clinical diagnostic classification of NCI, MCI, or Alzheimer’s dementia. To examine how napping duration and frequency change with the progression of AD, we performed linear mixed-effects models with 2 change points anchored at the diagnoses of MCI and AD while adjusted for age, sex, and education.

Results

At baseline, participants had 1.44±0.04 (mean±standard error) naps with an accumulated duration of 35.0±1.1 min per day. Napping duration increased by 5.2±0.3 min and frequency increased by 0.21±0.01 times every year (both p<0.0001). The rate of increase was more than doubled after MCI diagnosis with an annual increase of 11.4±0.7 min in duration and 0.40±0.02 times in frequency (both p<0.0001); these were doubled further after AD diagnosis with an annual change of 26.3±3.1 min in duration and 0.84±0.08 times in frequency (both p<0.0001).

Conclusion

Daytime napping duration and frequency increase with aging, and the increase was accelerated with AD progression.

Support

This work was supported by NIH grants RF1AG064312, RF1AG059867, R01AG017917, and R01AG56352.

1159 Sleep Traits And Incident Delirium During A Decade Of Follow-up In 173,000 Participants

Introduction

Delirium is an acute decline in attention and cognition that is with associated long-term cognitive dysfunction in elderly patients. Accumulating evidence points to strong associations between sleep health and disorders of the brain. We tested whether baseline sleep duration, chronotype, daytime dozing, insomnia or sleep apnea predict incident delirium during hospitalization.

Methods

We studied participants from the UK Biobank who have been followed for up to 10 years until 2017. We included 173,221 participants (mean age 60±5; range 50-71 at baseline) who had at least one episode of hospitalization/surgery and were free from prior episodes of delirium. Delirium diagnosis, hospitalization and surgical events were derived using ICD-10 coding. Multivariate logistic regression models were performed to examine the associations of self-reported baseline sleep duration (<6hrs/6-9h/>9h), daytime dozing (often/rarely), insomnia (often/rarely) and presence of sleep apnea (ICD-10 and self-report) with incident delirium during follow-up. Models were adjusted for demographics, education, Townsend deprivation index, and major confounders (number of hospitalizations/surgical procedures, BMI, diabetes, major cardiovascular diseases and risk factors, major neurological diseases, major respiratory diseases, cancer, alcohol, depression/anxiety, sedatives/sleep aides, antipsychotics, steroids and opioids).

Results

In total, 1,023 (5.7 per 1,000 subjects) developed delirium. A prior diagnosis of sleep apnea (n=1,294) saw almost a two-fold increased odds (OR 1.96, 95% CI: 1.30-2.30 p=0.001) while those who often had daytime dozing were also at increased risk (OR 1.35, 95% CI: 1.02-1.80, p=0.025). Both these effects were independent of each other. No independent effects on incident delirium were observed from sleep duration, insomnia, or chronotype.

Conclusion

Certain sleep disturbances, in particular sleep apnea and daytime dozing, are independently associated with an increased risk for developing delirium. Further work is warranted to examine underlying mechanisms and to test whether optimizing sleep health can reduce the risk of developing delirium.

Support

This work was supported by NIH grants T32GM007592, RF1AG064312, and RF1AG059867.

0032 Timing of Daily Rhythm of Cardiac Autonomic Control Contributes to Weight Loss Resistance, Independent of Daily Energy Intake and Physical Activity Level

Introduction

Obesity is a major health problem. Many treatments have been designed to help overweight/obese people to lose weight, but their effectiveness is highly variable. The same treatments may work for some persons while others have no responses — weight loss resistance. We tested whether the daily rhythm of cardiac autonomic control contributes to weight loss resistance.

Methods

We studied 39 overweight/obese Caucasian women (BMI>25; age: 21–62 years old) who completed (1) an obesity dietary treatment of up to 30 weeks with weekly assessments of body weight, and (2) ambulatory monitoring of electrocardiogram (ECG) for up to 3.5 days. Heartbeat intervals were derived from ECG. Cardiac autonomic control was assessed in each 1-h bin by examining the temporal correlation in heartbeat fluctuations — a nonlinear measure that quantifies the delicate dynamic interplay between sympathetic and vagal outflows. Daily rhythm was estimated using the cosinor analysis.

Results

Weight loss was highly variable (range: 0.68%-21.78 % of initial body weight). The correlation in heartbeat fluctuations displayed a 24-h rhythm (p<0.0001) with fewer correlations (more random) during the nighttime. The phase (peak timing) of the rhythm was highly variable, i.e., 10AM to 8PM for most participants, and after midnight in four participants. Weight loss evolution depended on the phase (p=0.006) in a nonlinear manner. Specifically, participants with the phase between 2PM-8PM lost weight faster than those with phases before 2PM and those after 8PM. The effect was independent of total energy intake, physical activity level, and sleep/wake schedules.

Conclusion

Cardiac autonomic control in overweight/obese women displayed a daily rhythm. The timing of the rhythm had previously un-identified contributions to weight loss. The inter-individual differences in the timing may reflect different circadian regulation of autonomic function and its interaction with the daily behavioral cycle.

Support

This work was supported by NIH grants R01AG048108, RF1AG059867, RF1AG064312, R01AG017917, and R01NS078009.