Prognostic Utility of Left Atrial Strain From MRI Feature Tracking in Ischemic and Nonischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy: A Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND. MRI-based prognostic evaluation in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) has historically used markers of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and feature tracking (FT)-derived left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS). Early data indicate that FT-derived left atrial strain (LAS) parameters, including reservoir, conduit, and booster, may also have prognostic roles in such patients. OBJECTIVE. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the prognostic utility of LAS parameters, derived from MRI FT, in patients with ischemic or nonischemic DCM, including in comparison with the traditional parameters of LGE and LVGLS. METHODS. This retrospective study included 811 patients with ischemic or nonischemic DCM (median age, 60 years; 640 men, 171 women) who underwent cardiac MRI at any of five centers. FT-derived LAS parameters and LVGLS were measured using two- and four-chamber cine images. LGE percentage was quantified. Patients were assessed for a composite outcome of all-cause mortality or heart failure hospitalization. Multivariable Cox regression analyses including demographic characteristics, cardiovascular risk factors, medications used, and a wide range of cardiac MRI parameters were performed. Kaplan-Meier analyses with log-rank tests were also performed. RESULTS. A total of 419 patients experienced the composite outcome. Patients who did, versus those who did not, experience the composite outcome had larger LVGLS (-6.7% vs -8.3%, respectively; p < .001) as well as a smaller LAS reservoir (13.3% vs 19.3%, p < .001), LAS conduit (4.7% vs 8.0%, p < .001), and LAS booster (8.1% vs 10.3%, p < .001) but no significant difference in LGE (10.1% vs 11.3%, p = .51). In multivariable Cox regression analyses, significant independent predictors of the composite outcome included LAS reservoir (HR = 0.96, p < .001) and LAS conduit (HR = 0.91, p < .001). LAS booster and LGE were not significant independent predictors in the models. LVGLS was a significant independent predictor only in a model that initially included LAS booster but not the other LAS parameters. In Kaplan-Meier analysis, all three LAS parameters were significantly associated with the composite outcome (p < .001). CONCLUSION. In this multicenter study, LAS reservoir and LAS conduit were significant independent prognostic markers in patients with ischemic or nonischemic DCM, showing greater prognostic utility than the currently applied markers of LVGLS and LGE. CLINICAL IMPACT. FT-derived LAS analysis provides incremental prognostic information in patients with DCM.

[Two cases of coagulation factor â ª deficiency caused by compound heterozygous mutations].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the molecular pathogenesis of two coagulation factor Ⅺ (FⅪ) deficiency patients. METHODS: Coagulant assays: activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), normal pooled-plasma corrected APTT test, PT, PT-INR and one-stage assay of coagulation factors activities were validated to diagnose coagulation factor Ⅺ deficiency. The patients' DNA samples were extracted and all exons and flanking sequences of F11 gene were amplified using PCR. After purified, the products of PCR were sequenced directly, the mutations were detected by comparing with wild sequences and analyzed using some bio-informatics softwares. RESULTS: The two patients were diagnosed with coagulation factor Ⅺ deficiency due to prolonged APTT, corrected APTT and low activities of coagulation factor FⅪ. The results of APTT, FⅪ: C were 88.1s, 1.1% and 107.1s, 3.8%, and the prolonged APTT could be corrected to normal range 32.9 s and 31.5 s, respectively. Through genetic analysis, we discovered compound heterozygous mutations g.1305-1G>A and g.1325delT in patient 1 and the sequencing results of TA plasmid clones showed that the two mutations were located on different strands of chromosomes. Compound heterozygous mutations g.1124A>G and g.1550C>G were detected in patient 2 resulting in Lys357Arg and Cys482Trp. Software analysis indicated the mutations probably brought amino acid sequence changed, protein features affected and splice site changed. CONCLUSION: Compound heterozygous mutations g.1305-1G>A, g.1325delT and g.1124A>G, g.1550C>G had been identified in two coagulation factor Ⅺ deficiency patients which might be responsible for their prolonged APTT and low FⅪ: C. To the best of our knowledge, g.1325delT and g.1550C>G have been reported, while g.1124A>G and g.1305-1G>A are reported for the first time in the literature.

An unusual hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for donor acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Donor acute lymphoblastic leukemia with recipient intact is a rare condition. We report a case of donor developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia 8 yrs after donating both bone marrow and peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cells. CASE PRESENTATION: This case report describes a 51-year old female diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who donated both bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cells 8 yrs ago for her brother with severe aplastic anemia. Whole exome sequencing revealed leukemic genetic lesions (SF3B1 and BRAF mutation) only appeared in the donor sister, not the recipient, and an unusual type of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with the recipient's peripheral blood stem cells was done. The patient remained in remission for 3 months before disease relapsed. CD19 CAR-T therapy followed by HLA-identical unrelated hematopoietic stem cell transplantation was applied and the patient remains in remission for 7 months till now. CONCLUSIONS: This donor leukemia report supports the hypothesis that genetic lesions happen randomly in leukemogenesis. SF3B1 combined with BRAF mutation might contribute to the development of acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The effect of bending stiffness on scaling laws for the size of colloidal nanosheets.

Using coarse-grained Brownian dynamics simulations, we study the relationship between hydrodynamic radius ([Formula: see text] and the lateral size ([Formula: see text] of dispersed nanosheets. Our simulation results show that the bending modulus of the nanosheets has a significant impact on the exponent of this power-law relationship between the radius of gyration (and thus [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] The exponent can vary from 0.17 to 1. This sheds light on the interpretation of dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements, such that DLS data can capture both nanosheet lateral size and modulus (which is, in turn, affected by nanosheet thickness).

Brownian dynamics simulations of nanosheet solutions under shear.

The flow-induced conformation dynamics of nanosheets are simulated using a Brownian Dynamics (BD) formulation applied to a bead-rod sheetlike molecular model. This is the first-ever use of BD to simulate flow-induced dynamics of two-dimensional structures. Using this framework, we simulate dilute suspensions of coarse-grained nanosheets and compute conformation dynamics for simple shear flow. The data show power law scaling relationships between nanosheet parameters (such as bending moduli and molecular weight) and the resulting intrinsic viscosity and conformation. For nonzero bending moduli, an effective dimension of 2.77 at equilibrium is calculated from the scaling relationship between radius of gyration and molecular weight. We also find that intrinsic viscosity varies with molecular weight with an exponent of 2.12 ± 0.23; this dependence is significantly larger than those found for linear polymers. Weak shear thinning is observed at high Weissenberg number (Wi). This simulation method provides a computational basis for developing manufacturing processes for nanosheet-derived materials by relating flow forces and nanosheet parameters to the resulting material morphology.

Gambogic acid induces mitochondria-dependent apoptosis by modulation of Bcl-2 and Bax in mantle cell lymphoma JeKo-1 cells.

OBJECTIVE: To study the mechanisms in gambogic acid (GA) -induced JeKo-1 human Mantle Cell Lymphoma cell apoptosis in vitro. METHODS: The proliferation of GA-treated JeKo-1 cells was measured by CCK-8 assay and Ki-67 immunocytochemical detection. Apoptosis, cell cycle and mitochondrial membrane potential were measured by flow cytometric analysis. Caspase-3, -8 and -9 were detected by colorimetric assay. Bcl-2 and Bax were analyzed by Western blotting. RESULTS: GA inhibited cell growth in a time- and dose- dependent manner. GA induces apoptosis in JeKo-1 cells but not in normal bone marrow cells, which was involved in reducing the membrane potential of mitochondria, activating caspases-3, -8 and -9 and decreasing the ratio of Bcl-2 and Bax without cell cycle arresting. CONCLUSIONS: GA induced apoptosis in human MCL JeKo-1 cells by regulating Bcl-2/Bax and activating caspase-3, -8 and -9 via mitochondrial pathway without affecting cell cycle.

[The relationship between polymorphism of genes XPA, XPC, XPD, XRCC1 and susceptibility to acute lymphoblastic leukemia].

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between polymorphism of genes XPA, XPC, XPD, XRCC1 and susceptibility to acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in a Chinese population. METHODS: Polymorphism were determined by a case-control study through matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry method of Mass-ASSAY platform in 114 confirmed ALL cases and 169 age- and sex-matched controls, so as to compare the relationship between different genotypes and ALL risk. RESULTS: Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that individuals carrying at least one 23G variant allele (AG/GG genotypes) had a significantly increased risk for ALL (adjusted OR 2.02; 95%CI 1.08 - 3.78) compared with the wild-type genotype (23AA), and evidence that positive interactions between the polymorphisms in XPC C499T and XPA A23G might occur. Furthermore, individuals with both putative risk genotypes had a significantly higher risk (adjusted OR 5.60; 95%CI 1.57 - 19.90), compared with those with both wild-genotypes. By contrast, no significant association was observed between the XPD T751G, XRCC1 G399A, C194T polymorphism and ALL risk. CONCLUSIONS: XPA A23G and XPC C499T polymorphism may contribute to the risk of developing ALL. There are significant combinations between XPC C499T and XPA A23G.

Prognostic relevance of protein expression, clinical factors, and MYD88 mutation in primary bone lymphoma.

Primary bone lymphomas (PBLs) are composed of malignant lymphoid cells presenting in osseous sites, without supra-regional lymph node or extranodal involvement. We systematically characterized the immunophenotype and the myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MYD88)-L265P gene mutation status in PBL. Clinical data from 19 patients with PBL treated at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital between 2009 and 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. Protein expression patterns were identified immunohistochemically, and MYD88 mutation was assessed using polymerase chain reaction and direct DNA sequencing. Fifteen patients presented with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Clinical factors favoring a good prognosis were an age < 60 years and rituximab treatment. B-cell lymphoma 2 expression was detected in 5/15 diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients, and was associated with a poor prognosis in a univariate model. Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK/STAT3) signaling factors were upregulated in PBLs. All eighteen evaluable PBL samples harbored wild-type MYD88. These data thus suggest that age and rituximab treatment are independent prognostic factors determining overall survival, and that activation of JAK/STAT3 signaling may promote the pathogenesis of PBL. Moreover, the absence of MYD88-L265P mutation in PBL indicate there are distinct pathogenetic backgrounds among extranodal lymphomas.

Dysplastic changes in erythroid precursors as a manifestation of lead poisoning: report of a case and review of literature.

Dysplastic changes in erythroid precursors occur not only in patients with hematologic diseases, but also those with other diseases. Here, we report on a patient that presented with dysplastic changes in erythroid precursors due to lead poisoning from the intake of Chinese folk remedies.

[Gambogic acid induces apoptosis of Jurkat cell through the MAPK signal pathway].

The aim of this study was to investigate the apoptosis-inducing effect of gambogic acid (GA) on Jurkat cells and its underlying signaling pathway. Apoptosis induced by GA and some inhibitors was assayed by Annexin V/PI doubling staining. The levels of caspase 3, caspase 8 and caspase 9 activated in living Jurkat cells were measured by flow cytometry. The expressions of caspase 3, caspase 9, p-JNK and P38 were detected by Western blot. The results showed that GA induced apoptosis of Jurkat cells in a dose-dependent manner. The positive cell number of activated caspase 3, caspase 8, caspase 9 and the levels of activated caspase 3, caspase 9, p-JNK, P38 increased after Jurkat cells were treated with GA. ROS, CaMKII, caspase 3, caspase 9, MAPKK, JNK1/2 and P38 inhibitors had some significant effect on GA-induced apoptosis. ROS, CaMKII, MAPKK, JNK1/2 and P38 inhibitors decreased the levels of activated caspase 3, caspase 9 by GA.ROS, CaMKII, MAPKK, JNK1/2 inhibitors decreased the levels of p-JNK by GA. ROS, CaMKII, MAPKK, P38 inhibitors decreased the levels of P38 by GA. It is concluded that GA induced apoptosis of Jurkat cells by activated caspases through activating of ROS-CaMKII-MAPKK-JNK/P38 pathway.