👤 Rita De Berardinis

The atherogenicity of a lipoprotein (a) particle [Lp(a)] appears to be at least 5 times higher than that of apolipoprotein B (apoB)-containing lipoproteins other than Lp(a) [non-Lp(a) apoB]. The non-Lp(a) apoB/Lp(a) ratio could be considered an indicator of the relative atherogenic contribution of each lipoprotein group. Our aim was to evaluate the non-Lp(a) apoB/Lp(a) ratio in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and the clinical features associated with this ratio. Observational study of hospitalised patients with ACS and obstructive coronary artery disease, in whom the molar concentration (nmol/l) of apoB and Lp(a) was determined. Non-Lp(a) apoB was calculated by subtracting Lp(a) from apoB, as well as the ratio of non-Lp(a) apoB/Lp(a), which, depending on whether it was >5 or ≤5, was considered suggestive of greater atherogenic liability of non-Lp(a) apoB or Lp(a), respectively. We included 420 patients (22.4 % female; 65.5 ± 12.0 years). Lp(a) was ≤125 nmol/L in 301 (71.7 %), in all of them the non-Lp(a) apoB/Lp(a) ratio was >5. On the other hand, Lp(a) was >125 nmol/L in 119 patients (28.3 %) and, in this group, the non-Lp(a) apoB/Lp(a) ratio was ≤5 in 47 (39.5 %). In contrast to Lp(a) levels >125 nmol/l, non-Lp(a) apoB/Lp(a) ratio ≤5 was independently associated with multivessel coronary artery disease (OR = 2.317; CI95 %, 1.051-5109; p = 0.037). In patients with ACS, even those with elevated Lp(a), a non-Lp(a) apoB/Lp(a) ratio >5 prevails, suggesting greater atherogenic contribution of non-Lp(a) apoB. The predominance of Lp(a) atherogenic responsibility is associated with multivessel coronary artery disease. Show less

(1) Background: The development of laryngeal cancer is a multistep process involving structural alterations of the epithelial mucosa, from dysplasia (LDy) to invasive carcinoma. In this study, we define new biomarkers, prognostic for malignant transformation, in patients affected by LDy. (2) Methods: We used targeted next-generation sequencing and immunohistochemical analysis to define the mutational and immunological landscape of 15 laryngeal dysplasia progressing to invasive cancer (progressing dysplasia), as well as 31 cases of laryngeal dysplasia that did not progress to carcinoma (non-progressing dysplasia). Two pathologists independently analyzed the presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in LDy pre-embedded paraffin-fixed specimens. The RNA-based next-generation sequencing panel OIRRA was used to evaluate the expression of 395 genes related to immune system activation. (3) Results: High TILs are significantly correlated with a higher risk of malignant transformation. The non-brisk pattern was significantly associated with an 86% reduced risk of malignant progression (OR = 0.16, 95% CI: 0.03-0.5, Show less