P1582Prognostic value of C-reactive protein/albumin ratio for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in end-stage renal disease patients with incident haemodialysis therapy

Background

Hypoalbuminemia, a manifestation of protein-energy wasting or malnutrition, is commonly observed in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and is associated with chronic inflammation and increasing cardiovascular (CV) risk. Recently, C-reactive protein (CRP)/albumin ratio at discharge is reportedly a well-predictor of mortality in severe sepsis or cancer patients.

We investigated prognostic value of the CRP/albumin ratio at just starting haemodialysis (HD) therapy for CV morbidity and mortality in patients with ESRD.

Methods

A total of 1,548 ESRD patients were enrolled and were divided into quartiles according to CRP/albumin levels at initiation of HD; quartile 1 (Q1): <0.22, Q2: 0.23–0.54, Q3: 0.55–1.83 and Q4: >1.84. They were followed up for 10-year after starting HD therapy. Primary endpoint was CV events defined as hospitalization due to CV events such as cardiac disease, stroke and peripheral artery disease and CV death. We also evaluated the incremental value with C-index when CRP alone, albumin alone and the CRP/albumin ratio were added into a model with established risk factors.

Results

During follow-up period (median: 59 months), 512 cases experienced CV events (33.1%) including 165 cases of CV deaths (10.7%). Kaplan-Meier analysis shows that CV event-free survival rates for 10 years were 63.5%, 53.8%, 47.5% and 31.9% in Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4, and that CV survival rates were 90.4%, 83.9%, 77.2% and 64.6% in Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4, respectively (p<0.0001 in both). After adjustment for all baseline variables, elevated CRP/albumin ratio was identified as an independent predictor for CV events [hazard ratio (HR) 1.51, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11–2.07, p=0.0093 for Q2 vs. Q1, HR 1.79, 95% CI 1.33–2.42, p<0.0001 for Q3 vs. Q1and HR 2.27, 95% CI 1.70–3.07, p<0.0001 for Q4 vs. Q1, respectively]. As to CV mortality, similar results were obtained (HR 1.80, 95% CI 0.98–3.44, p=0.056 for Q2 vs. Q1, HR 2.56, 95% CI 1.45–4.71, p=0.0009 for Q3 vs. Q1 and HR 2.66, 95% CI 1.53–4.86, p=0.0004 for Q4 vs. Q1, respectively). Furthermore, adding the CRP/albumin ratio to a baseline model with established risk factors improved the C-index greater than that of CRP alone or albumin alone, respectively (0.715 from 0.692, p=0.0095 and from 0.683, p=0.0019)

Conclusion

The CRP/albumin ratio, which easily available from daily practice, could strongly stratify the risk of future CV morbidity and mortality in ESRD patients who need HD therapy.

5945Single nucleotide polymorphisms of PAR2 gene is associated with subclinical myocardial damage in the general population

Introduction

The protease activated receptor (PAR) 2 is a G protein-coupled receptor and expressed in cardiomyocytes, vascular cells, and leukocytes. Experimental studies demonstrated that PAR2 signaling is associated with adverse cardiac remodeling, heart failure, vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis. Recently, we and others demonstrated that subclinical myocardial damage is associated with cardiovascular mortality in general population. However, the impact of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of PAR2 gene on subclinical myocardial damage in general population is unclear.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate whether SNPs of PAR2 gene is associated with subclinical myocardial damage in general population.

Methods

The present study included 2,926 apparently healthy subjects (aged ≥40) who participated in a community-based health checkup. We investigated 639 SNPs and measured serum heart-type fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) as markers of subclinical myocardial damage.

Results

We found the association of SNPs rs616235 within a PAR2 gene with subclinical myocardial damage. The homozygous A-allele (AA), heterozygous (AG), and homozygous G-allele (GG) carriers of rs616235 were identified in 2084 (71%), 791 (27%), and 51 (2%) subjects, respectively. The prevalence rates of subclinical myocardial damage were 29% in AA carriers, 23% in AG carriers, and 18% in GG carriers. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that the homozygous (AA) of rs616235 was independently associated with subclinical myocardial damage (odds ratio: 1.330, 95% confidence interval: 1.077–1.641, P=0.0080) after adjustment for conventional cardiovascular risk factors.

Conclusions

Genetic variant of PAR2 gene was independently associated with subclinical myocardial damage in the general population.

P2240CTA derived plaque characteristics and cardiac events in deferred lesions by invasive FFR

Background

Fractional flow reserve (FFR) based strategy for coronary artery disease (CAD) is widely accepted. However, cardiac events could occur at deferred lesions after FFR. We previous reported that CT derived high risk plaque (HRP) and residual stenosis were the independent predictors of cardiac events.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate if plaque characteristics on CTA could predict cardiac events in deferred lesions after FFR.

Methods

We included 211 vessels of 193 patients who were deferred revascularization after CTA and invasive FFR. The presence of HRP and the stenosis grading on CTA were analyzed.

Results

Median follow-up period after CTA was 623 days (IQR 302–945). HRP and obstructive stenosis were detected in 58 (27.5%) and 87 (41.2%) lesions, respectively. Cardiac events were occurred in 10 lesions at 440±167 days in average (range: 150–770 days). Multivaliate cox hazard regression analysis revealed that HRP (HR8.01, p=0.0032) and obstructive stenosis with ≥70% (HR 34.93, p<0.0001) were the independent predictors of cardiac events after adjusted for age, sex, and FFR≤0.8. Of 21 lesions with both HRP and obstructive stenosis, 29% lesions resulted in cardiac events in 2 years.

Conclusions

Even in the deferred lesions by invasive FFR, lesions with HRP and obstructive stenosis showed high rate of cardiac events. These lesions should be treated with intensive medical therapy to prevent cardiac events.

P2462Left atrial appendage wall velocity evaluated by transthoracic echocardiography is a feasible parameter for predicting cardiac prognosis in patients with heart failure

Background

It was reported that left atrial (LA) remodeling is occurred in patients with heart failure (HF), and increased LA volume index (LAVI) is a feasible predictor for poor prognosis of HF. It was reported that LA remodeling is associated with LA appendage (LAA) dysfunction. We previously reported that LAA wall motion velocity (LAWV) obtained by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) can noninvasively evaluate LAA dysfunction. However, it remains to be determined whether LAWV is useful for predicting poor prognosis in patients with HF.

Purpose

We investigated whether LAA dysfunction assessed by LAWV is associated with poor prognosis in patients with HF.

Methods

We performed TTE at discharge in 217 consecutive patients who hospitalized for HF (126 males, 71±13 years) and prospectively followed them up. LAWV was measured using Doppler tissue imaging at the LAA tip from the parasternal short-axis view on TTE imaging.

Results

There were 86 patients with cardiac events including 14 cardiac deaths and 72 rehospitalizations for HF during a median follow-up period of 404 days (interquartile range 168–748 days). LAWV was significantly lower in patients with cardiac events than in those without. LAWV was significantly decreased with advancing left ventricular diastolic dysfunction grade. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that significantly higher cardiac event rate was observed in patients with low LAWV (log-rank test, P=0.004). Cox multivariate hazard analysis revealed that LAWV was an independent predictor for cardiac events after adjusting for confounding factors (hazard ratio 0.57, 95% confidence interval 0.40–0.82, P<0.05). Further, we categorized the patients into 3 groups based on the median of LAWV and left atrial volume index (LAVI), and Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients with both low LAWV and high LAVI had the highest rate of cardiac events among 3 groups (log-rank test, P<0.001; Figure).

Figure 1

Conclusion

LAWV may be a feasible parameter for predicting cardiac prognosis in patients with HF.

P4620Circulating concentration of presepsin improves early prediction of short-term mortality in patients treated at medical cardiac intensive care units

Background

Presepsin, a subtype of soluble CD14, is an inflammatory marker, which largely reflects monocytic activation. Presepsin appears to be an accurate diagnostic marker of sepsis, but its clinical significance remains unclear in cardiovascular disease.

Purpose

This prospective study aimed to investigate the predictive value of plasma presepsin levels on admission to medical (non-surgical) cardiac intensive care units (MCICUs) for short-term mortality.

Methods

We examined 1560 patients hospitalized in MCICUs and measured the baseline plasma presepsin levels at admission.

Results

Acute coronary syndrome was present in 46% of the patients, and acute decompensated heart failure in 36%. Before MCICUs admission, emergent coronary angiography or percutaneous coronary intervention was performed in 36%, mechanical ventilation was required for respiratory insufficiency in 2.1%, and intraaortic balloon pumps were needed for hemodynamic instability in 8.9%. During 6 months after admission, there were 113 (7.2%) deaths. Patients who died were older (median: 77 vs. 71 years, P<0.0001); had higher levels of presepsin (263 vs. 119 pg/mL, P<0.0001), B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP: 696 vs. 186 pg/mL, P<0.0001), high-sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT: 81 vs. 47 pg/mL, P=0.004), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (13.8 vs. 2.2 mg/L, P<0.0001); and had lower levels of estimated glomerular filtration rate (50 vs. 65 mL/min/1.73m2, P<0.0001) and left ventricular ejection fraction (43% vs. 51%, P<0.0001) than those of the survivors. In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, higher levels of presepsin (P=0.0002), BNP (P=0.04), and hsTnT (P=0.009) were all independent predictors of 6-month deaths. Quartiles of presepsin levels were associated with higher mortality rates within 6 months after admission (Table). Adding presepsin levels to a baseline model that included established risk factors, BNP, and hsTnT further enhanced reclassification (P=0.004) and discrimination (P=0.003) beyond that of the baseline model.

Mortality rates according to presepsin Presepsin quartile 1st 2nd 3rd 4th P value ≤80 pg/mL 81–124 pg/mL 125–232 pg/mL >232 pg/mL 1-month mortality 0.8% 2.0% 3.3% 8.0% <0.0001 6-month mortality 0.8% 3.8% 8.2% 16.3% <0.0001

Conclusions

Presepsin levels at admission could improve the prediction of short-term mortality in patients hospitalized at MCICUs.

P1615HECT-Type Ubiquitin E3 Ligase ITCH attenuates cardiac hypertrophy by suppressing Wnt signaling pathway

Background

The homologous to the E6-AP carboxyl terminus (HECT)–type ubiquitin E3 ligase ITCH is an enzyme that plays an important role in ubiquitin proteasomal protein degradation. Dishevelled proteins (Dvl1, Dvl2 and Dvl3), which are involved in canonical Wnt/β catenin signaling pathway, play a role in cardiac hypertrophy.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to examine whether ITCH interacts with Dvls and prevents cardiac hypertrophy induced by pressure overload.

Methods and results

We confirmed the protein interaction between ITCH and Dvls in cardiomyocytes. Overexpression of ITCH decreased protein expression levels of Dvls, phospho-GSK3β and β-catenin. Conversely, knockdown of ITCH using small interfering RNA augmented canonical Wnt/β catenin signaling pathway. Thoracic transverse aortic constriction (TAC) was performed in transgenic mice with cardiac-specific overexpression of ITCH (ITCH-Tg) and wild-type (WT) mice. The canonical Wnt/β catenin signaling pathway was inhibited and cardiac hypertrophy was attenuated in ITCH-Tg mice compared with WT mice after TAC.

Overexpression of ITCH in cardiomyocytes

Conclusion

We demonstrated that ITCH targets Dvls for ubiquitin-proteasome degradation in cardiomyocytes and ameliorates cardiac hypertrophy by suppressing canonical Wnt/β catenin signaling pathway.

Effect of rice bran fermented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Lactobacillus plantarum on gut microbiome of mice fed high-sucrose diet

To clarify the effect of rice bran (RB) and fermented RB (FRB) in a high-sucrose and low-dietary fibre diet on the gut microbiome, the in vitro bile acid-lowering capacity and caecal microbiota of ICR mice fed with 20% RB or FRB diets for two weeks were determined. The caecal microbiome was analysed by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. The in vitro bile acid-lowering capacity was high for FRB. In mouse experiments, triacylglycerol and total cholesterol were generally lower with FRB, although the faecal frequency was highest in mice fed with RB. The Shannon-Wiener and Simpson's indices for alpha-diversity in the microbiome of mice fed with RB and FRB, were higher than mice fed the control diet. At the phylum level in the caecal microbiome, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were high with FRB and RB, respectively. At the operational taxonomic unit level, some bacterial groups related to diabetes and gut toxicity, such as Lachnospiraceae and Enterorhabdus mucosicola, were high for RB but not for FRB diets. These results suggest that FRB, rather than RB, intake improve the intestinal environment and blood lipid condition.

Femtoliter nanofluidic valve utilizing glass deformation

In the field of micro/nanofluidics, the channel open/close valves are among the most important technologies for switching and partitioning actions and integration of various operations into fluidic circuits. While several types of valves have been developed in microfluidics, few are capable in nanofluidics. In this study, we proposed a femtoliter (fL) volume nanochannel open/close valve fabricated in glass substrates. The valve consists of a shallow, circular and stepped-bottom valve chamber connected to nanochannels and an actuator. Even with tiny deformation occurring at the nanolevel in glass, an open/closed state of a nanochannel (10-1000 nm) can be achieved. We designed a fL-valve based on an analytical material deformation model, and developed a valve fabrication process. We then verified the open/closed state of the valve using a 308 fL-valve chamber with a four-stepped nanostructure fitting an arc-shape of deflected glass, confirmed its stability and durability over 50 open/close operations, and succeeded in stopping/flowing an aqueous solution at 209 fL s-1 under a 100 kPa pressure in a 900 nm nanochannel with a fast response of ∼0.65 s. A leak flow from the closed valve was sufficiently small even at a 490 kPa pressure-driven flow. Since the developed fL-valve can be applied to various nanofluidic devices made of glass and other rigid materials such as plastic, it is expected that this work will contribute significantly to the development of novel integrated micro/nanofluidics chemical systems for use in various applications, such as single cell/single molecule analysis.

Observation of a Magnetopiezoelectric Effect in the Antiferromagnetic Metal EuMnBi_{2}

We have experimentally studied a magnetopiezoelectric effect predicted recently for magnetic metals with low crystal symmetries. In EuMnBi_{2} with antiferromagnetic Mn moments at 77 K, dynamic displacements emerge along the a direction upon application of ac electric fields in the c direction and increase in proportion to the applied electric fields. Such displacements are not observed along the c direction of EuMnBi_{2} or EuZnBi_{2} with nonmagnetic Zn ions. As temperature increases from 77 K, the displacement signals decrease and disappear at about 200 K, above which electric conduction changes from coherent to incoherent. These results demonstrate the emergence of the magnetopiezoelectric effect in a magnetic metal lacking inversion and time-reversal symmetries.

A case with good response to belimumab for lupus nephritis complicated by IgG4-related disease

Immunoglobulin (Ig)G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is an unusual complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We report a case in which belimumab proved efficacious for not only SLE, but also IgG4-RD. A 58-year-old Japanese woman had suffered from photodermatosis and erythema on the limbs for 20 years. She presented in slight fever and fatigue since 2016. Laboratory data showed hypergammaglobulinemia, proteinuria and positive results for anti-nuclear antibody and anti-double-stranded DNA antibody. Furthermore, elevated levels of serum IgG4 were detected. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography disclosed multiple areas of poor enhancement in the kidneys. The patient was diagnosed with lupus nephritis and IgG4-RD from renal biopsy. Treatment was started with prednisolone at 40 mg/day and mycophenolate mofetil. Proteinuria and serological findings improved initially, but tapering the dose of glucocorticoid proved difficult. After treatment was started with belimumab, clinical symptoms and proteinuria resolved completely. The dose of glucocorticoid was successfully tapered and serum concentration of IgG4 fell further. This appears to represent the first report of a case in which both SLE and IgG4-RD were effectively treated using belimumab.

Deciphering the influence of paraimmunobiotic bifidobacteria on the innate antiviral immune response of bovine intestinal epitheliocytes by transcriptomic analysis

Previously, we reported that the non-viable immunomodulatory Bifidobacterium infantis MCC12 and Bifidobacterium breve MCC1274 strains (paraimmunobiotic bifidobacteria) were able to increase the protection against rotavirus infection in bovine intestinal epithelial (BIE) cells. In order to gain insight into the influence of paraimmunobiotic bifidobacteria on the innate antiviral immune response of BIE cells, their effect on the transcriptomic response triggered by Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) activation was investigated. By using microarray technology and qPCR analysis, we obtained a global overview of the immune genes involved in the innate antiviral immune response in BIE cells. Activation of TLR3 by poly(I:C) in BIE cells significantly increased the expression of interferon (IFN)-α and IFN-β, several interferon-stimulated genes, cytokines, and chemokines. It was also observed that both paraimmunobiotic bifidobacteria differently modulated immune genes expression in poly(I:C)-challenged BIE cells. Most notable changes were found in genes involved in antiviral defence (IFN-β, MX1, OAS1X, MDA5, TLR3, STAT2, STAT3), cytokines (interleukin (IL)-6), and chemokines (CCL2, CXCL2, CXCL6) that were significantly increased in bifidobacteria-treated BIE cells. B. infantis MCC12 and B. breve MCC1274 showed quantitative and qualitative differences in their capacities to modulate the innate antiviral immune response in BIE cells. B. breve MCC1274 was more efficient than the MCC12 strain to improve the production of type I IFNs and antiviral factors, an effect that could be related to its higher ability to protect against rotavirus replication in BIE cells. Interestingly, B. infantis MCC12 showed a remarkable anti-inflammatory effect. The MCC12 strain was more efficient to reduce the expression of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines (IL-16, IL-20, CX3CL1) when compared with B. breve MCC1274. These results provided valuable information for the deeper understanding of the antiviral immune response of intestinal epithelial cells as well as the host-paraimmunobiotic interaction in the bovine host.

New evaluation of trunk movement and balance during walking in COPD patients by a triaxial accelerometer

Background

Individuals with COPD may experience ambulatory difficulty due to both effort intolerance arising from respiratory dysfunction and impaired balance control during walking. However, the trunk movement during walking has not been evaluated or adjusted for patients with COPD. The Lissajous index (LI) visually and numerically evaluates the left–right symmetry of the trunk movement during walking and is useful in clinical practice. In COPD patients, the LI is used as an indicator of the left–right symmetry of the trunk during walking. Here, we used the LI to evaluate the symmetry of COPD patients based on bilateral differences in mediolateral and vertical accelerations, and we investigated the correlation between the patients’ symmetry evaluation results and their physical function.

Patients and methods

Sixteen stable COPD patients (all males; age 71.3±9.2 years) and 26 healthy control subjects (15 males; age 68.2±6.9 years) participated in this study. They performed the 10-minute walk test at a comfortable gait speed wearing a triaxial accelerometer, and we measured their trunk acceleration for the evaluation of symmetry. Motor functions were also evaluated in the patients with COPD.

Results

The average mediolateral bilateral difference and LI values of the COPD patients were significantly larger than those of the healthy subjects. The COPD patients’ LI values were significantly correlated with their static balance.

Conclusion

The LI measured using a triaxial accelerometer during walking is useful in balance assessments of patients with COPD.