A case of sudden cardiac death due to mitochondrial disease

A 25-year-old, emaciated man without medical treatment was found to have died suddenly at home by his mother. At autopsy, there were no injuries to his body, but significant circulatory insufficiency was observed. Electron microscopy revealed abnormal mitochondria in cells of the cardiac conduction system. The conduction system was filled with mitochondrial size abnormalities and mitochondrial cristae abnormalities. No notable abnormal findings were observed in other organs. Genetic examination of the blood revealed the mitochondrial pathogenetic variant m.3243A>G. Epileptic seizures, diabetic ketoacidosis, and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state were unlikely to be the cause of sudden death. The cause of death was diagnosed as arrhythmia possibly induced by the failure of the cardiac conduction system due to mitochondrial disease. This is a rare case of sudden death caused by an accumulation of abnormal mitochondria in the cardiac conduction system.     

Genetic variation of 17 autosomal STR loci in the Lahu population from Yunnan and phylogenetic structure exploration among 28 populations

This study evaluated the genetic variation of 17 autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) loci included in the PowerPlex® 18D Kit. Samples of 562 unrelated healthy Lahu individuals living in Yunnan Province in southwestern China were investigated. The data were analyzed to provide information on allele frequencies and other statistical parameters relevant to the forensic population. Of the 17 loci, 16 reached the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium after Bonferroni correction. A total of 176 alleles were identified in 17 STR loci, and allele frequencies ranged from 0.000 890 to 0.578 292. The combined discrimination power (CPD) and probability of excluding paternity (CPE) of the 17 STR loci were 0.999 999 999 999 999 999 489 and 0.999 998 301 753 122. The genetic relationships among 28 populations were also estimated.     

Free Water Loss–induced Heterogeneous Residual Strain and Reduced Fatigue Resistance in Root Dentin: A 3-dimensional Digital Image Correlation Analysis

IntroductionThis study evaluated free water loss–induced residual strain with and without axial compressive loading and assessed the mechanical effect of cyclic loading in fully hydrated and partially dehydrated root dentin.MethodsRoot dentin sections prepared from freshly extracted human premolars were used. Customized 3-dimensional digital image correlation was used to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze the residual strain induced by 2 hours of free water loss in different regions of root dentin. Residual strain in partially dehydrated root dentin during axial compressive loading was also analyzed using 3-dimensional digital image correlation. The effect of cyclic loading on load to fracture in fully hydrated and partially dehydrated dentin and their fractography were analyzed using micro–computed tomographic imaging.ResultsFree water loss resulted in a heterogeneous distribution of residual strain and an overall formation of residual compressive strain with areas of tensile strain localized to the root canal and outer dentin. More residual compressive strain was observed in the apical dentin compared with the cervical dentin (P < .05), and more residual shear strain was observed in outer dentin compared with inner dentin (P < .05). Axial loading resulted in an increase in the load-induced compressive strain in the direction perpendicular to dentinal tubules (P < .05). Fully hydrated roots displayed a higher mean (P < .05) and median (P < .05) number of cycles to fracture with microcracks characteristic of toughness.ConclusionsAfter free water loss, root dentin displayed an increased formation of heterogenous residual strain, which resulted in increased axial compressive load-induced strain and a decreased resistance to fatigue failure. The effect of free water loss in the loss of mechanical integrity of root-filled teeth needs further investigation.     

Evaluation of a gamma technique for the assay of radioactive waste drums using two measurements from opposing directions

A technique using two measurements from opposing directions for the assay of the activity of radioactive waste drums, mainly consisting of organic materials, has been studied. A model for the calculation of systematic errors is given by simulating the measurement system. The calculated values are in good agreement with the experimental values. This confirms the validity of the model and proofs the good performance of this technique in practice. These results may provide guidelines for setting up a measuring system for the assay the radwaste drums.     

10502例体检者血糖、血脂和尿酸的检测

目的:了解成人各年龄段空腹血糖、胆固醇、甘油三酯和尿酸水平。方法:用酶法检测体检者空腹血清总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、血尿酸(UA)水平,用电极法检测GLU水平。结果:各年龄组血糖结果、空腹血糖受损率和糖尿病阳性率差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。50岁以前,TC和TG结果随年龄增加有所增高(P<0.05),50岁以后,维持相对稳定水平(P>0.05),高胆固醇阳性率在50岁前随年龄增加(P<0.01),50岁后变化不大(P>0.05),高甘油三酯阳性率在40岁前随年龄增加(P<0.01),40岁后除60~岁组发病最高,与各年龄组差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)外,其它3个年龄组阳性率差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。尿酸浓度及高尿酸血症阳性率均是70岁以上组最高(为374.743±88.831μmol/L、28.3%),与其它各组差异有统计学意义(P<0.01),男性30~49岁年龄段的尿酸结果(376.208±68.818μmol/L)虽较≥70岁组(387.638±87.838μmol/L)低,但却明显高于其于各年龄组(P<0.05)。总体男、女之间各项结果、糖尿病阳性率、高胆固醇血症、高甘油三酯、高尿酸血症阳性率差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),而空腹血糖受损率的差异却无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:随年龄增长,空腹血糖受损、糖尿病、高脂血症发病率增加;30~49岁年龄段的男性尿酸结果呈现高水平状态;中、壮年的男性和绝经前后的女性是高脂血症和高尿酸血症的易发人群。     

Unmet health needs and associated factors among 1727 rural community-dwelling older adults: A cross-sectional study

AimTo investigate the needed, unneeded and unmet health care services among rural community-dwelling older adults in China and examine the influencing factors, aiming to facilitate the global development of the home care system for a healthier world.MethodsThis cross-sectional study investigated rural areas in three provinces in Western China. A total of 1727 rural community-dwelling older adults were enrolled. The needed, unneeded and unmet health care services were assessed by the Supply and Demand of Health Care Services (SD-HCS) questionnaire for older adults.ResultsRespect (73%, 1265/1727) was the most needed. The other top 9 needed mainly belonged to the divisions of health monitoring and information regarding chronic diseases. Re-employment or part-time jobs (71%, 1230/1727) was the most unneeded. All five protection and safety items were the most unmet but needed. Religion was the main influencing factor of those health care services that were less unmet but needed.ConclusionsRespect was basic for older adults, and chronic disease management was in great demand among rural community-dwelling older adults. Due to low willingness and the crisis workforce, a more flexible retirement policy is needed in rural China. It is urgent to improve the emergency care system in rural areas. Last but not least, more research is needed to explore the association between religion and health.