Viral myocarditis in combination with genetic cardiomyopathy as a cause of sudden death. An autopsy series.

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a major public health issue worldwide. In the young (< 40 years of age), genetic cardiomyopathies and viral myocarditis, sometimes in combination, are the most frequent, but underestimated, causes of SCD. Molecular autopsy is essential for prevention. Several studies have shown an association between genetic cardiomyopathies and viral myocarditis, which is probably underestimated due to insufficient post-mortem investigations. We report on four autopsy cases illustrating the pathogenesis of these combined pathologies. In two cases, a genetic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was diagnosed in combination with Herpes Virus Type 6 (HHV6) and/or Parvovirus-B19 (PVB19) in the heart. In the third case, autopsy revealed a dilated cardiomyopathy and virological analyses revealed acute myocarditis caused by three viruses: PVB19, HHV6 and Epstein-Barr virus. Genetic analyses revealed a mutation in the gene coding for desmin. The fourth case illustrated a channelopathy and a PVB19/HHV6 coinfection. Our four cases illustrate the highly probable deleterious role of cardiotropic viruses in the occurrence of SCD in subjects with genetic cardiomyopathies. We discuss the pathogenetic link between viral myocarditis and genetic cardiomyopathy. Molecular autopsy is essential in prevention of these SCD, and a close collaboration between cardiologists, pathologists, microbiologists and geneticians is mandatory.

Quantitative proteome analysis of LAP1-deficient human fibroblasts: A pilot approach for predicting the signaling pathways deregulated in LAP1-associated diseases.

Lamina-associated polypeptide 1 (LAP1), a ubiquitously expressed nuclear envelope protein, appears to be essential for the maintenance of cell homeostasis. Although rare, mutations in the human LAP1-encoding TOR1AIP1 gene cause severe diseases and can culminate in the premature death of affected individuals. Despite there is increasing evidence of the pathogenicity of TOR1AIP1 mutations, the current knowledge on LAP1's physiological roles in humans is limited; hence, investigation is required to elucidate the critical functions of this protein, which can be achieved by uncovering the molecular consequences of LAP1 depletion, a topic that remains largely unexplored. In this work, the proteome of patient-derived LAP1-deficient fibroblasts carrying a pathological TOR1AIP1 mutation (LAP1 E482A) was quantitatively analyzed to identify global changes in protein abundance levels relatively to control fibroblasts. An in silico functional enrichment analysis of the mass spectrometry-identified differentially expressed proteins was also performed, along with additional in vitro functional assays, to unveil the biological processes that are potentially dysfunctional in LAP1 E482A fibroblasts. Collectively, our findings suggest that LAP1 deficiency may induce significant alterations in various cellular activities, including DNA repair, messenger RNA degradation/translation, proteostasis and glutathione metabolism/antioxidant response. This study sheds light on possible new functions of human LAP1 and could set the basis for subsequent in-depth mechanistic investigations. Moreover, by identifying deregulated signaling pathways in LAP1-deficient cells, our work may offer valuable molecular targets for future disease-modifying therapies for TOR1AIP1-associated nuclear envelopathies.

Wearable electrocardiogram devices in patients with congenital long QT syndrome: The SMART-QT study.

BACKGROUND: In patients with congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS), the risk of ventricular arrhythmia is correlated with the duration of the corrected QT interval and the changes in the ST-T wave pattern on the 12-lead surface electrocardiogram (12L-ECG). Remote monitoring of these variables could be useful. AIM: To evaluate the abilities of two wearable electrocardiogram devices (Apple Watch and KardiaMobile 6L) to provide reliable electrocardiograms in terms of corrected QT interval and ST-T wave patterns in patients with LQTS. METHODS: In a prospective multicentre study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04728100), a 12L-ECG, a 6-lead KardiaMobile 6L electrocardiogram and two single-lead Apple Watch electrocardiograms were recorded in patients with LQTS. The corrected QT interval and ST-T wave patterns were evaluated manually. RESULTS: Overall, 98 patients with LQTS were included; 12.2% were children and 92.8% had a pathogenic variant in an LQTS gene. The main genotypes were LQTS type 1 (40.8%), LQTS type 2 (36.7%) and LQTS type 3 (7.1%); rarer genotypes were also represented. When comparing the ST-T wave patterns obtained with the 12L-ECG, the level of agreement was moderate with the Apple Watch (k=0.593) and substantial with the KardiaMobile 6L (k=0.651). Regarding the corrected QT interval, the correlation with 12L-ECG was strong for the Apple Watch (r=0.703 in lead II) and moderate for the KardiaMobile 6L (r=0.593). There was a slight overestimation of corrected QT interval with the Apple Watch and a subtle underestimation with the KardiaMobile 6L. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with LQTS, the corrected QT interval and ST-T wave patterns obtained with the Apple Watch and the KardiaMobile 6L correlated with the 12L-ECG. Although wearable electrocardiogram devices cannot replace the 12L-ECG for the follow-up of these patients, they could be interesting additional monitoring tools.

Personalized screening before subcutaneous cardioverter-defibrillator implantation: Usefulness and outcomes in clinical practice-the S-ICD screening SIS prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Electrocardiographic screening before subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (S-ICD) implantation is unsuccessful in around 10% of cases. A personalized screening method, by slightly moving the electrodes, to obtain a better R/T ratio has been described to overcome traditional screening failure. OBJECTIVE: The objectives of the SIS study were to assess to what extent a personalized screening method improves eligibility for S-ICD implantation and to evaluate the inappropriate shock rate after such screening success. METHODS: All consecutive patients eligible for an S-ICD implantation were prospectively recruited across 20 French centers between December 2019 and January 2022. In case of traditional screening failure, patients received a second personalized screening. If at least 1 vector was positive, the personalized screening was considered successful, and the patient was eligible for implantation. RESULTS: The study included 474 patients (mean age, 50.4 ± 14.1 years; 77.4% men). Traditional screening was successful in 456 (96.2%) cases. This figure rose to 98.3% (n = 466; P = .002) when personalized screening was performed. All patients implanted after successful personalized screening had correct signal detection on initial device interrogation. Nevertheless, after 1-year follow-up, 3 of the 7 patients (43%) implanted with personalized screening experienced inappropriate shock vs 18 of the 427 patients (4.2%) with traditional screening and S-ICD implantation (P = .003). CONCLUSION: Traditional S-ICD screening was successful in our study in a high proportion of patients. Considering the small improvement in success of screening and a higher rate of inappropriate shock, a strategy of personalized screening cannot be routinely recommended. CLINICALTRIALS: gov identifier: NCT04101253.

Distinct Substrates of Idiopathic Ventricular Fibrillation Revealed by Arrhythmia Characteristics on Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic ventricular fibrillation (IVF) can be associated with undetected distinct conditions such as microstructural cardiomyopathic alterations (MiCM) or Purkinje (Purk) activities with structurally normal hearts. OBJECTIVE: This study sought to evaluate the characteristics of recurrent VF recorded on implantable defibrillator electrograms, associated with these substrates. METHODS: This was a multicenter collaboration study. At 32 centers, we selected patients with an initial diagnosis of IVF and recurrent arrhythmia at follow-up without antiarrhythmic drugs, in whom mapping demonstrated Purk or MiCM substrate. We analyzed variables related to previous ectopy, sinus rate preceding VF, trigger, and initial VF cycle lengths. Logistic regression with cross validation was used to evaluate the performance of criteria to discriminate Purk or MiCM substrates. RESULTS: Among 95 patients (35 women, age 35 ± 11 years) meeting the inclusion criteria, IVF was associated with MiCM in 41 and Purk in 54 patients. A total of 117 arrhythmia recurrences including 91% VF were recorded on defibrillator. Three variables were mostly discriminant. Sinus tachycardia (≤570 ms) was more frequent in MiCM (35.9% vs 13.4%, P = 0.014) whereas short-coupled (<350 ms) triggers were most frequent in Purk-related VF (95.5% vs 23.1%, P = 0.001), which also had shorter VFCLs (182 ± 15 ms vs 215 ± 24 ms, P < 0.001).The multivariable combination provided the highest prediction (accuracy = 0.93 ± 0.05, range 0.833-1.000), discriminating 81% of IVF substrates with a high probability (>80%). Ectopy were inconsistently present before VF. CONCLUSIONS: Characteristics of arrhythmia recurrences on implantable cardioverter- defibrillator provide phenotypic markers of the distinct and hidden substrates underlying IVF. These findings have significant clinical and genetic implications.

Mode and Characteristics of Arrhythmia Initiation in Idiopathic Ventricular Fibrillation: A THESIS Substudy.

BACKGROUND: There is limited information on the mode of arrhythmia initiation in idiopathic ventricular fibrillation (IVF). A non-pause-dependent mechanism has been suggested to be the rule. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the mode and characteristics of initiation of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (PVT) in patients with short or long-coupled PVT/IVF included in THESIS (THerapy Efficacy in Short or long-coupled idiopathic ventricular fibrillation: an International Survey), a multicenter study involving 287 IVF patients treated with drugs or radiofrequency ablation. METHODS: We reviewed the initiation of 410 episodes of ≥1 PVT triplet in 180 patients (58.3% females; age 39.6 ± 13.6 years) with IVF. The incidence of pause-dependency arrhythmia initiation (prolongation by >20 ms of the preceding cycle length) was assessed. RESULTS: Most arrhythmias (n = 295; 72%) occurred during baseline supraventricular rhythm without ambient premature ventricular complexes (PVCs), whereas 106 (25.9%) occurred during baseline rhythm including PVCs. Nine (2.2%) arrhythmias occurred during atrial/ventricular pacing and were excluded from further analysis. Mode of PVT initiation was pause-dependent in 45 (15.6%) and 64 (60.4%) of instances in the first and second settings, respectively, for a total of 109 of 401 (27.2%). More than one type of pause-dependent and/or non-pause-dependent initiation (mean: 2.6) occurred in 94.4% of patients with ≥4 events. Coupling intervals of initiating PVCs were <350 ms, 350-500 ms, and >500 ms in 76.6%, 20.72%, and 2.7% of arrhythmia initiations, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Pause-dependent initiation occurred in more than a quarter of arrhythmic episodes in IVF patients. PVCs having long (between 350 and 500 ms) and very long (>500 ms) coupling intervals were observed at the initiation of nearly a quarter of PVT episodes.

Estrategia multidimensional comunitaria integral en desnutrición crónica / Community integral multidimensional strategy in chronic malnutrition

OBJETIVO: evaluar la estrategia multidimensional CLAPSEN a nivel biológico, cognitivo, social y del entorno ambiental en niños con desnutrición crónica. MÉTODOS: estudio descriptivo y de seguimiento longitudinal en 53 niños con retardo en crecimiento leve, moderado y severo. Ingresaron al modelo multidimensional de intervención comunitaria: Clínica, Laboratorio, Antropometría, Psicología, Educación y Nutrición (CLAPSEN). Se determinó el peso, talla, perímetro cefálico, perímetro braquial, pliegue cutáneo tricipital de la población en estudio, y ecografía del timo al inicio y final de la intervención. Luego de desparasitación de la población seleccionada, se realizó el seguimiento por ocho meses con la estrategia CLAPSEN. RESULTADOS: los niños recuperaron las condiciones biológicas y nutricionales siguientes, teniendo como resultados: el crecimiento de -2,11±0,7 a 0,6±0,3 (p≤0,001), anemia de 10,4 ±3,3 g/L a 12,5± 1,21 g/L(p≤0,001) las proteínas nutricionales mejoraron, las proteínas inflamatorias descendieron, la respuesta inmunitaria mejoró, reflejándose en la superficie del timo de 391,3±91 mm2 a 909,4±140,9 mm2(p≤0,001). CONCLUSIONES: la estrategia CLAPSEN, desde una visión multidimensional, fue útil para recuperar el retardo en crecimiento y desarrollo, para el control de posibles enfermedades crónicas y mejorar del entorno en el que vive el niño en forma relevante por el tiempo que duró el estudio.

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the multidimensional strategy CLAPSEN at a biological, cognitive, social and environmental level in children with chronic malnutrition. METHODS: descriptive study and longitudinal follow-up over 53 children had mild, moderate and severe growth retardation entered into the new multidimensional model of community intervention: Clinical, Laboratory, anthropometric, psychology, Educational and nutrition (CLAPSEN). The weight, height, head circumference, brachial perimeter, triceps skinfold of the study population, in addition to extracting a blood sample for lab and ultrasound exams of the thymus at the beginning and end of the intervention was determined. After deworming of the selected population, the monitoring was carried out for eight months with the CLAPSEN. RESULTS: the children recovered the following biological and nutritional conditions, with the following results: growth from -2.11 ± 0.7 to 0.6 ± 0.3 (p≤0.001)), anemia of 10.4 ± 3 , 3 g / L to 12.5 ± 1.21 g / L (p≤0.001) the nutritional proteins improved, the inflammatory proteins decreased, the immune response improved, reflecting on the thymus surface of 391.3 ± 91 mm2 at 909.4 ± 140.9 mm2 (p≤0.001). CONCLUSIONS: the CLAPSEN strategy from a unified multidimensional vision was useful to recover the delay in growth and development, for the control of possible chronic diseases and to improve the environment in which the child lives in a relevant way for the time that the study lasted.

Estudio de apoptosis linfoide por esteroides en 1 caso con miastenia gravis: Seguimiento por ultrasonografía

La miastenia gravis es una entidad clínica de origen autoinmune, cuya terapia habitual se realiza con drogas anticolinérgicas, la timectomía o la terapia con esteroides. Fue el objetivo del trabajo el conocer los cambios que se producen en el tamaño del área tímica, con el uso de esteroides, en una paciente de 2 años de edad, que presentaba miastenia gravis juvenil, con una hiperplasia tímica. Esta glándula alcanzó un área máxima de 1 928 mm. Con el uso de la prednisona a 60 mg por semanas se produjo una timectomía medicamentosa, con la reducción del área tímica a 439 mm y remisión total de la sintomatología. Se realizaron las mediciones periódicamente durante un año de los cambios del área de este órgano. No se produjeron recaídas de la enfermedad de base. La ultrasonografía demostró ser un método útil, por ser rápido, barato y no invasiva y permite un ajuste adecuado de la dosis de esteroides que se administrará.

Myasthenia gravis is a clinical agent of autoimmune origin, whose habitual therapy includes anticholinergic drugs, thymectomy, or therapy with steroids. The objective of this paper was to know the changes that occur in the size of the thymic area in a 2-year-old patient with juvenile myasthenia gravis and with thymic hyperplasia. This gland reached a maximum area of 1 928 mm and with the use of 60 mg of prednisone per week a medicamentosus thymectomy was performed with the reduction of the thymic area to 439 mm and total remission of the symptomatology. The changes of the area of this organ were periodically measured during a year. There were no relapses of the base disease. The ultrasonography proved to be a useful method, since it is fast, cheap and noninvasive and allows an adequate control of the steroids dose to be administered.

Utilidad de la ecografía timica en la Miastenia Gravis Juvenil: relato de caso / Efficacy of timic ecography in Miastenia Juvenile Gravis: case report

La Miastenia Gravis (MG), una enfermedad muscular inflamatoria de etiología autoinmune, se caracteriza por fatigabilidad neuromuscular esquelética que abarca desde la diplopia transitoria o la caída de los párpados hasta la parálisis bulbar o de los musculos respiratorios con amenaza para la vida del enfermo. Las drogas anticolinérgicas, esteroides y la timectomía constituyen hoy día la estrategia de intervención terapéutica en esta entidad. El siguiente trabajo presenta los resultados del tratamiento con esteroides durante cinco años en una paciente con el diagnóstico de MG juvenil seguido por ecografía tímica. Los resultados muestran los cambios en el tamaño del área tímica con el uso de las drogas anticolinérgicas y prednisona, a partir de una hiperplasia tmica ini´cial máxima de 1928 mm2 en la que se logró una remisión total de la sintomatología con una fluctuación del tamaño del timo en correspondencia directa con la dosis de prednisona administrada. El seguimiento ecográfico incluyó un total de 16 mediciones periódicas. Los resultados avalan el uso de la ecografía tímica como un método no invasivo, útil para el monitoreo de la terapia esteroide en la MG Juvenil.

Impacto de las intervenciones con zinc, efecto del zinc sobre la función inmunitaria / Impact of the interventions with zinc: zinc effect on the inmunitary function

Estudio comparativo de 19 niños gravemente desnutridos (kwashiorkor, marasmo o formas mixtas), hospitalizados, mediante la elaboración de un coctel immunorrestaurador que permite reducir el desfase entre recuperación clínico-nutricional y la recuperación inmunitaria (FV)

Cuaderno de Manejo Alimentario-Dietético para Niños Desnutridos / sss

El niño desnutrido y su realización. Antes de todo, el niño desnutrido debe tener un chequeo médico completo y un tratamiento clínico adecuado que permita iniciar el tratamiento de recuperación sin bloqueo de parte de infecciones respiratorias y gastrointestinales. La etiología mas frecuente de la diarrea y debemos cuidar muy bien este problema y la deshidratación habitualmente asociada.