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Background: Little is known about the relationship between Type A Acute Aortic Dissection (TAAAD) and pulse pressure (PP), defined as the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure. This study explores the association between PP and presentation, complications and outcomes of TAAAD patients. Methods: PP at hospital presentation was used to divide 1,960 non-iatrogenic TAAAD patients into quartiles: narrowed (≤39 mmHg; n=430), normal (40-56 mmHg; n=554), mildly elevated (57-75 mmHg; n=490) and markedly elevated (≥76 mmHg; n=486). Variables relating to index presentation and in-hospital outcomes were analyzed. Results: TAAAD patients (patients) in the narrowed PP quartiles were more frequently older and Caucasian while patients with markedly elevated PPs tended to be male and have a history of hypertension. Patients who demonstrated abdominal vessel involvement more commonly demonstrated elevated PPs whereas patients with narrowed PPs were more likely to have periaortic hematoma and/or pericardial effusion. Narrowed PPs were also correlated with higher incidences of hypotension, cardiac tamponade and mortality. TAAAD patients who were managed with endovascular and hybrid procedures and those with renal failure tended to have elevated PPs. No difference in aortic regurgitation at presentation was noted between groups. Conclusions: TAAAD patients in the middle two PP quartiles had better in-hospital outcomes than patients in the outer quartiles. Patients with narrowed PPs experienced more cardiac complications, particularly cardiac tamponade, while those with elevated PPs were more likely to have abdominal aortic involvement. Presenting PP offers a clue to different manifestations of AAD that may facilitate initial triage and care.

Background: The debate for the optimal treatment of complicated Type B Acute Aortic Dissection (TBAAD) is primarily focused upon open surgical intervention versus thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). The technique of fenestration with stenting has been proposed to resolve malperfusion. This study evaluated post-procedural outcomes of all three approaches for TBAAD. Methods: TBAAD patients enrolled in the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection were stratified by management type: TEVAR, fenestration and stenting, and surgery. Results: Of the 552 patients with TBAAD, 231 (41.8%) underwent TEVAR, 214 (38.8%) standard open surgery, and 107 (19.4%) fenestration and stenting. TEVAR or fenestration and stenting were more likely to be performed in classic double barrel aortic dissection when compared to open surgery (73.2%, 76.6%, 52.8% respectively; p<0.001). Patients treated with open repair were less likely to have distal extension into the abdominal aorta than those with TEVAR or fenestration and stenting (47.7%, 62.7%, 86.4%, respectively; p<0.001). In-hospital mortality was similar between groups (11.7% TEVAR, 14.0% fenestration and stenting, 15.9% surgery). At five years, Kaplan-Meier post-discharge all-cause survival estimates were highest for TEVAR, followed by endovascular fenestration and finally open surgical intervention (85.2%, 78.3%, 67.2%, respectively; p=0.039). Conclusion: Patients treated by endovascular approaches, whether with flap fenestration or thoracic endovascular aortic repair, had lower five year mortality when compared to patients who required open repair in the setting of TBAAD. Either endovascular approach may be helpful in the treatment of TBAAD. Further research is needed to determine how much of the observed difference represents patient selection versus differential effects of treatment.

Abstract Abstract 3949 Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common but serious sequela of multiple myeloma. Recently, the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) introduced a new renal response criteria with complete (CRenal), partial (PRenal) and minimal (MRenal) responses. This study compares the IMWG criteria with other models to determine their correlation with overall survival (OS). Patients with multiple myeloma and AKI were identified from centers around the world. OS was calculated from the day of AKI. Renal function was assessed by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) via MDRD method. Hematologic response was the best achieved as assessed by International Uniform Response Criteria for Multiple Myeloma. Only patients with peak serum creatinine (Scr) ≥ 2.0 mg/dl were included. Separate analyses were performed on the newly diagnosed (ND) versus previously treated (PT) patients. A total of 158 patients were collected from centers in United States, United Kingdom, France and Austria. Fourteen patients were excluded for having peak Scr < 2.0 mg/dl and one for repeated episodes of AKI. Median age of the 143 patients was 64 (34 – 87) years, 58.7% were male and 115 were newly diagnosed. Median Scr was 5.1 (2.0 to 18.6) mg/dl and median eGFR was 10.6 (2.8 – 36.5) ml/min/1.72 m2. Dialysis was required in 49.3%, and 72.9% were dialysis independent at the end of the study. By IMWG criteria, median OS ranged between 6.0 months (m) in PT patients with no renal response (NRenal) to 23.7m in patients with CRenal, p = 0.34 (Table 1). In ND patients, OS was 31.4m in NRenal vs 73.8m in CRenal (p = 0.08). However, OS was similar between PRenal and CRenal, p = 0.70 (Figure 1). If only patients with a hematologic PR or better were analyzed, the OS range was 6.0m in NRenal to 23.7m in CRenal in PT patients (p = 0.85) and 36.6m in NRenal to 73.8m in CRenal in ND patients, p = 0.73.Table 1.Previously TreatedNMedian SurvivalNMedian Survival (>PR) CRenal323.7 m323.7 m PRenal413.1 m312.8 m MRenal512.0 m119.2 m NRenal166.0 m56.0 m p-value0.340.85Newly Diagnosed CRenal2273.8 m2273.8 m PRenal27Not Reached23Not Reached MRenal2265.6 m1965.6 m NRenal4331.4 m2136.6 m p-value0.080.73Figure 1.Overall survival (OS) of 115 patients evaluated by the IMWG renal response criteria. OS was not significantly different by Log-Rank test between patients with CRenal and NRenal, p = 0.08.Figure 1. Overall survival (OS) of 115 patients evaluated by the IMWG renal response criteria. OS was not significantly different by Log-Rank test between patients with CRenal and NRenal, p = 0.08. The best model tested was one that defined renal response (RR) as regaining or maintaining dialysis independence and no response (NR) as dialysis dependence. RR was associated with a superior survival for both PT patients (13.5 m vs 6.0m (NR), p = 0.03) and ND patients (73.8m vs 20.1m (NR), p < 0.001). RR increased with the depth of hematologic response, p = 0.04. RR occurred in 75% of the PT patients with hematologic PR or better and 66.7% in those with less than PR, p = 0.64. In ND patients, RR occurred in 85.7% of those with PR or better and 54.6% of those with PR or less, p = 0.003. This may explain the differences in OS when hematologic response was considered. In PT patients with hematologic PR or better, renal response did not improve OS (21m vs 6m, p = 0.28) but it remained beneficial in the ND patients (73.8m vs 35.1m, p = 0.04, Figure 2). Renal response was not significantly associated with OS for any patient with hematologic response that was VGPR or better. In a multivariate analysis, RR (p = 0.001), ND (p <0.001) and PR or better hematologic response (p = 0.046) were associated with OS.Figure 2.In a separate model, 83 newly diagnosed patients with hematologic response of PR or better were evaluated. Patients who were dialysis independent achieved a renal response (RR) and those who remained on dialysis had no response (NR). Patients with RR had a superior overall survival than patients with NR. Renal response was independent of a hematologic response of PR or better.Figure 2. In a separate model, 83 newly diagnosed patients with hematologic response of PR or better were evaluated. Patients who were dialysis independent achieved a renal response (RR) and those who remained on dialysis had no response (NR). Patients with RR had a superior overall survival than patients with NR. Renal response was independent of a hematologic response of PR or better. The results of our study suggest renal response is important to OS but the depth of response was not as important. Renal response was most important when the hematologic response was less than a VGPR. This supports renal response as part of the overall response assessment in multiple myeloma patients. Based on our results, reducing the number of response categories and simplifying the current consensus criteria seems justified. Median survival of the 143 patients evaluated by the IMWG renal response criteria. Overall survival was calculated by Kaplan Meier method. Differences in survival were evaluated by Log-Rank test. Disclosures: Ludwig: Mundipharma, Janssen-Cilag: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Hutchison:The Binding Site: Honoraria.

Abstract Waiting impulsivity is a risk factor for many psychiatric disorders including alcohol use disorder (AUD). Highly impulsive individuals are vulnerable to alcohol abuse. However, it is not well understood whether chronic alcohol use increases the propensity for impulsive behavior. Here, we establish a novel experimental paradigm demonstrating that continuous binge‐like ethanol exposure progressively leads to maladaptive impulsive behavior. To test waiting impulsivity, we employed the 5‐choice serial reaction time task (5‐CSRTT) in C57BL/6J male mice. We assessed premature responses in the fixed and variable intertrial interval (ITI) 5‐CSRTT sessions. We further characterized our ethanol‐induced impulsive mice using Open Field, y‐maze, two‐bottle choice, and an action‐outcome task. Our results indicate that continuous binge‐like ethanol exposure significantly increased premature responses when mice were tested in variable ITI sessions even during a prolonged abstinent period. Ethanol‐induced impulsive mice exhibited anxiety‐like behavior during chronic exposures. This behavior was also observed in a separate cohort that was subjected to 20 days of abstinence. Ethanol‐treated mice were less motivated for a sucrose reward compared with air‐exposed control mice, while also demonstrating reduced responding during action‐outcome testing. Overall, ethanol‐treated mice demonstrated increased impulsive behavior, but a reduced motivation for a sucrose reward. Although waiting impulsivity has been hypothesized to be a trait or risk factor for AUD, our findings indicate that maladaptive impulse control can also be potentiated or induced by continuous chronic ethanol exposure in mice.

Constitutively active nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is integral to the survival of Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg cells (H/RS) in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). To investigate NF-κB pathway proteins in pediatric HL, we utilized a tissue microarray compiled from 102 children enrolled in the Children's Oncology Group intermediate-risk clinical trial AHOD0031 (56 male, 78 Caucasian, median age 15 years (range 1–20 years), 85 nodular sclerosing subtype, 23 Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) positive, and 24 refractory/relapsed disease). We examined the intensity, localization, and pathway correlations of NF-κB pathway proteins (Rel-A/p65, Rel-B, c-Rel, NF-κB1, NF-κB2, IκB-α, IKK-α, IKK-β, IKK-γ/NEMO, NIK, and A20), as well as their associations with EBV status and clinical outcome. NF-κB pathway proteins were overexpressed in pediatric HL patients compared to controls. Patients with EBV− tumors, or with rapid early therapy response, had tightly coordinated regulation of NF-κB pathway proteins, whereas patients with EBV+ tumors, or slow early therapy response, had little coordinated NF-κB pathway regulation. High NIK expression was associated with a slow response to therapy and decreased EFS. Elevated Rel-B, NIK, and the NF-κB inhibitor A20 were associated with decreased EFS in multivariate analysis. These studies suggest a pivotal role for the NF-κB pathway in therapy response and patient survival in Hodgkin lymphoma.

AbstractMultiple myeloma is the most frequent monoclonal gammopathy to involve the kidney; however, a growing number of kidney diseases associated with other monoclonal gammopathies are being recognized. Although many histopathologic patterns exist, they are all distinguished by the monoclonal immunoglobulin (or component) deposits. The hematologic disorder in these patients is more consistent with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) than with multiple myeloma. Unfortunately, due to the limitations of the current diagnostic schema, they are frequently diagnosed as MGUS. Because treatment is not recommended for MGUS, appropriate therapy is commonly withheld. In addition to end-stage renal disease, the persistence of the monoclonal gammopathy is associated with high rates of recurrence after kidney transplantation. Preservation and restoration of kidney function are possible with successful treatment targeting the responsible clone. Achievement of hematologic complete response has been shown to prevent recurrence after kidney transplantation. There is a need for a term that properly conveys the pathologic nature of these diseases. We think the term monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance is most helpful to indicate a causal relationship between the monoclonal gammopathy and the renal damage and because the significance of the monoclonal gammopathy is no longer undetermined.

Abstract Whereas two key steps in cervical carcinogenesis are integration of high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) and acquisition of an unstable host genome, the temporal association between these events is poorly understood. Chromosomal instability is induced when HR-HPV E7 oncoprotein is overexpressed from heterologous promoters in vitro. However, it is not known whether such events occur at the “physiologically” elevated levels of E7 produced by deregulation of the homologous HR-HPV promoter after integration. Indeed, an alternative possibility is that integration in vivo is favored in an already unstable host genome. We have addressed these issues using the unique human papillomavirus (HPV) 16-containing cervical keratinocyte cell line W12, which was derived from a low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion and thus acquired HPV16 by “natural” infection. Whereas W12 at low passage contains HPV16 episomes only, long-term culture results in the emergence of cells containing integrated HPV16 only. We show that integration of HPV16 in W12 is associated with 3′ deletion of the E2 transcriptional repressor, resulting in deregulation of the homologous promoter of the integrant and an increase in E7 protein levels. We further demonstrate that high-level chromosomal instability develops in W12 only after integration and that the forms of instability observed correlate with the physical state of HPV16 DNA and the level of E7 protein. Whereas intermediate E7 levels are associated with numerical chromosomal abnormalities, maximal levels are associated with both numerical and structural aberrations. HR-HPV integration is likely to be a critical event in cervical carcinogenesis, preceding the development of chromosomal abnormalities that drive malignant progression.

Background— Chronobiological rhythms have been shown to influence the occurrence of a variety of cardiovascular disorders. However, the effects of the time of the day, the day of the week, or monthly/seasonal changes on acute aortic dissection (AAD) have not been well studied. Methods and Results— Accordingly, we evaluated 957 patients enrolled in the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection (IRAD) between 1996 and 2000 (mean age 62±14 years, type A 61%). A χ 2 test for goodness of fit and partial Fourier analysis were used to evaluate nonuniformity and rhythmicity of AAD during circadian, weekly, and monthly periods. A significantly higher frequency of AAD occurred from 6:00 am to 12:00 noon compared with other time periods (12:00 noon to 6:00 pm , 6:00 pm to 12:00 midnight, and 12:00 midnight to 6:00 am ; P <0.001 by χ 2 test). Fourier analysis showed a highly significant circadian variation ( P <0.001) with a peak between 8:00 am and 9:00 am . Although no significant variation was found for the day of the week, the frequency of AAD was significantly higher during winter ( P =0.008 versus other seasons by χ 2 test). Fourier analysis confirmed this monthly variation with a peak in January ( P <0.001). Subgroup analysis identified a significant association for all subgroups with circadian rhythmicity. However, seasonal/monthly variations were observed only among patients aged <70 years, those with type B AAD, and those without hypertension or diabetes. Conclusions— Similar to other cardiovascular conditions, AAD exhibits significant circadian and seasonal/monthly variations. Our findings may have important implications for the prevention of AAD by tailoring treatment strategies to ensure maximal benefits during the vulnerable periods.