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.     

The usefulness of measuring n-butyric acid concentration as a new indicator of blood decomposition in forensic autopsy

In forensic medicine, although various alcohols have been reported as indicators of decomposition in collected blood, no studies have examined short-chain fatty acids as indicators. In this study, the blood n-butyric acid concentration was quantified, and the association between n-butyric acid and decomposition was investigated to determine whether the detection of n-butyric acid could be a new indicator of decomposition. Among the forensic autopsies performed from 2016 to 2018 in our laboratory, the cases were divided into decomposed (n = 20) and non-decomposed (n = 20) groups based on macroscopic findings. Blood samples collected at the time of autopsy were derivatized with 3-nitrophenylhydrazine hydrochloride after solid-phase extraction. The n-butyric acid concentration was measured using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. In addition, ethanol and n-propanol were measured using a gas chromatography-flame ionization detector. There was a significant difference (p < 0.01) in the concentrations of n-butyric acid between the decomposed and non-decomposed groups (0.343 ± 0.259 [0.030–0.973] and 0.003 ± 0.002 [0.001–0.007] mg/mL, respectively). In the decomposed group, n-butyric acid was detected at high concentrations, even in cases where n-propanol was low. These results suggest that n-butyric acid is more likely to be an indicator of blood decomposition than n-propanol.     

Immediate effects of rhythmic joint mobilization of the temporomandibular joint on pain,mouth opening and electromyographic activity in patients with temporomandibular disorders

BackgroundRhythmic joint mobilizations (RJM) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are employed to relieve pain and improve function in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). However, the evidence on the immediate effects of RJM in patients with TMD is scarce. The aim of this study was to assess the immediate clinical and functional effects of RJM in patients with TMD.Materials and methodsThis was a one-group quasi-experimental before and after study. Thirty-eight patients with TMD were assessed by means of pain intensity (visual analogue score, VAS), pressure pain threshold (PPT, measured through pressure algometry on the masseter and temporal muscles), mouth opening (MO, measured with a ruler), and surface electromyographic activity of the masseter and temporal muscles (asymmetry index, AI). Measurements were performed before and after a single, 1-min session of RJM of each TMJ. All statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS version 20.0 statistical package.ResultsA statistical significant difference was found in pain intensity, PPT and MO after the intervention (p < 0.05). No difference was found in the AI. A large effect size was observed for pain intensity, PPT of the left and right masseter muscles and MO (d = 0.85–1.13), whereas for the left and right temporal muscles the effect size was moderate (d = 0.62) and small, respectively (d = 0.49).ConclusionIn this sample of patients with TMD, a single session of RJM of the TMJ seemed to be effective in reducing pain intensity, increasing PPT and improving MO immediately after the intervention, without differences in the AI.     

Nurse students’ competences in interprofessional pharmaceutical care in Europe: Cross-sectional evaluation

BackgroundSafe pharmaceutical care requires competent nurses with specific knowledge, skills and attitudes. It is unclear whether nursing students are adequately prepared to perform pharmaceutical care in practice. Mapping their pharmaceutical care competences can lead to a better understanding of the extent to which curricula fit expectations of the labour market.ObjectivesTo assess pharmaceutical care competences of final-year nursing students of different educational levels.DesignA cross-sectional survey design.SettingsIn 14 European countries, nursing schools who offer curricula for level 4 to 7 students were approached.ParticipantsThrough convenience sampling 1741 final-year student nurses of level 4 to 7 were included. Sampling strategies were country-specific.MethodsA web-platform was developed with an assessment of the level in which students mastered pharmaceutical care competences. Knowledge questions, case studies (basic/advanced level), self-reported practical skills and attitudes were evaluated.ResultsMean scores for knowledge questions differed significantly (p < 0.001) between level 5 (56/100), level 6 (68/100) and level 7 students (72/100). For basic cases level 5 students reached lower scores (64/100) compared with level 6 (71/100) and level 7 (72/100) students (p = 0.002 and p = 0.005). For more advanced cases no difference between levels was observed (overall mean 61/100). Most students (63–90 %) considered themselves skilled to perform pharmaceutical care and had positive attitudes towards their participation in pharmaceutical care (65–97 %).ConclusionsRelatively low knowledge scores were calculated for final-year student nurses. In some domains, lower levels of students might be insufficiently prepared to take up responsibilities in pharmaceutical care. Our assessment can be used as a tool for educators to evaluate how prepared nursing students are for pharmaceutical care. Its further implementation for students of different educational levels will allow benchmarking between the levels, both within and between countries.     

Protective activities of ellagic acid and urolithins against kidney toxicity of environmental pollutants: A review

Oxidative stress and inflammation are two possible mechanisms related to nephrotoxicity caused by environmental pollutants. Ellagic acid, a powerful antioxidant phytochemical, may have great relevance in mitigating pollutant-induced nephrotoxicity and preventing the progression of kidney disease. This review discusses the latest findings on the protective effects of ellagic acid, its metabolic derivatives, the urolithins, against kidney toxicity caused by heavy metals, pesticides, mycotoxins, and organic air pollutants. We describe the chelating, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, antiautophagic, and antiapoptotic properties of ellagic acid to attenuate nephrotoxicity. Furthermore, we present the molecular targets and signaling pathways that are regulated by these antioxidants, and suggest some others that should be explored. Nevertheless, the number of reports is still limited to establish the efficacy of ellagic acid against kidney damage induced by environmental pollutants. Therefore, additional preclinical studies on this topic are required, as well as the development of well-designed clinical trials.     

Alteration of lumbar muscle morphology and composition in relation to low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND CONTEXTPrevious studies have proposed that there is a relationship between low back pain (LBP) and morphology and composition of paraspinal muscles. However, results have been conflicting, especially regarding fatty infiltration of muscles.PURPOSEThe primary goal of this study was to review and analyze results from imaging studies which investigated morphological and composition changes in the multifidus, erector spinae and psoas major muscles in people with LBP.STUDY DESIGN/SETTINGSystematic review with meta-analysis.PATIENT SAMPLEA patient sample was not requiredOUTCOME MEASURESThis review did not have outcome measures.METHODSPubMed, Scopus, Web of Sciences, EMBASE and ProQuest were searched for eligible studies up to 31st July 2020 (all languages). A systematic search of electronic databases was conducted to identify studies investigating the association between the morphology and fat content of lumbar muscles in people with LBP compared with a (no LBP) control group. 13,795 articles were identified. Based on the screening for inclusion/ exclusion, 25 were included. The quality of the studies was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. From the 25 articles, 20 were included in the meta-analysis.RESULTSResults showed that the total cross-sectional area of the multifidus was smaller in people with LBP (Standardized mean difference, SMD = -0.24, 95% CI = -0.5 to 0.03). Combined SMDs showed a medium effect of LBP on increasing multifidus muscle fat infiltration (SMD = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.30 to 0.91). There were no LBP related differences identified in the morphology or composition of the lumbar erector spine and psoas major muscles.CONCLUSIONSPeople with LBP were found to have somewhat smaller multifidus muscles with a significant amount of intramuscular fat infiltration. Varying sample size, age and BMI of participants, quality of studies and the procedures used to measure fat infiltration are possible reasons for inconsistencies in results of previous studies.