OBJECTIVE: To analyze the characteristics in the incarcerated inmate's death, investigate the main cause of death of the incarcerated inmate and provide some information for forensic investigation. METHODS: The cases from the forensic medical center of Shanxi Medical University from 2005 to 2013 were selected. The statistical analysis was performed by using the incarcerated inmate's gender, age, cause of death, manner of death, and disease as the markers. RESULTS: There were 100 men, 5 women in the 105 incarcerated inmates; the age range was from 16 to 65 years; Inmates were mostly died of natural diseases, mainly in the respiratory and cardiovascular diseases; the main unnatural death was suicide with a rate of 54.5%. CONCLUSION At present, most incarcerated inmate's death are due to natural diseases. The prison should improve incarcerated inmate's lives, work and health care conditions, and strengthen supervision of law enforcement.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Cardiovascular Diseases/mortality* ; Cause of Death ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prisoners/statistics & numerical data* ; Prisons ; Respiratory Tract Diseases/mortality* ; Suicide ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between pulmonary vascular remodeling and expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), endothelin-1 (ET-1) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in pulmonary vessels in neonatal rats with hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH).

METHODSA neonatal rat model of HPH was established as an HPH group, and normal neonatal rats were enrolled as a control group. The mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) was measured. The percentage of medial thickness to outer diameter of the small pulmonary arteries (MT%) and the percentage of medial cross-section area to total cross-section area of the pulmonary small arteries (MA%) were measured as the indicators for pulmonary vascular remodeling. The immunohistochemical reaction intensities for HIF-1α, ET-1 and iNOS and their mRNA expression in lung tissues of neonatal rats were measured. Correlation analysis was performed to determine the relationship between pulmonary vascular remodeling and mRNA expression of HIF-1α, ET-1 and iNOS.

RESULTSThe mPAP of the HPH group kept increasing on days 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, and 21 of hypoxia, with a significant difference compared with the control group (P<0.05). The HPH group had significantly higher MT% and MA% than the control group from day 7 of hypoxia (P<0.05). HIF-1α protein expression increased significantly on days 3, 5, 7 and 10 days of hypoxia, and HIF-1α mRNA expression increased significantly on days 3, 5 and 7 days of hypoxia in the HPH group compared with the control group (P<0.05). ET-1 protein expression increased significantly on days 3, 5 and 7 days of hypoxia and ET-1 mRNA expression increased significantly on day 3 of hypoxia in the HPH group compared with the control group (P<0.05). Both iNOS protein and mRNA expression were significantly higher on days 3, 5 and 7 days of hypoxia than the control group (P<0.05). Both MT% and MA% were positively correlated with HIF-1α mRNA expression (r=0.835 and 0.850 respectively; P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPulmonary vascular remodeling is developed on day 7 of hypoxia in neonatal rats. HIF-1α, ET-1 and iNOS are all involved in the occurrence and development of HPH in neonatal rats.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Endothelin-1 ; analysis ; physiology ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; etiology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Hypoxia ; complications ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; analysis ; physiology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; analysis ; physiology ; Pulmonary Artery ; chemistry ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo investigate the internal fixation methods in the two different surgical approach to the unstable distal radius fractures.

METHODSFrom August 2006 to October 2010,47 patients with distal radius fractures were treated with open reduction and plate internal fixation. Among the patients, 21 patients were male and 26 patients were female,ranging in age from 39 to 73 years old. All the patients were divided into two groups: 32 patients were treated with plate fixation at the palm side with palm side incision (group A),including locking plate used in 27 patients and ordinary T shape plate used in 5 patients; 15 patients were treated with dorsal plate fixation (group B), including locking plate used in 7 patients and ordinpry T shape plate used in 8 patients. The postoperative wrist function, X-ray score,complications were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSCompare to preoperative, postoperative volar tilt,ulnar deviation and radial styloid height of both groups improved; and comparison between 1 week after operation and 6 months after operation,volar tilt,ulnar deviation and radial styloid height of both groups had no obvious loss. In group A, 1 patient had tension injury of median nerve, 1 patient had incision infection, 2 patients had adhesion of tendon; and in group B,1 patient had incision swelling and infection, 1 patient had adhesion of tendon,3 patients had stimulation of extensor pollicis longus muscle tendon. The complication occurrence rate of group A is lower than that of group B. The wrist functional assessment: 17 patients got an excellent results, 11 good, 3 poor and 1 bad in group A; and 8 excellent, 4 good, 2 poor and 1 bad in group B. There was no statistically significant difference of wrist function between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONPlate fixation at the palm side for the treatment of unstable distal radius fractures can also achieve a good reduction,and has less complication such as tendon damage than that of dorsal plate fixation.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Plates ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; adverse effects ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; Radius Fractures ; surgery

OBJECTIVESWe identified the long QT syndrome (LQTS) patients, and detected the potential risk of LQTS in family members by using genetic testing and electrophysiological analysis, which helped provide clinical evaluation and appropriate treatment.

METHODSDetailed clinical characteristics and familiar history were obtained from the whole family members of an idiopathic pediatric LQTS patient. Two hundred healthy subjects with the same ethnic background were recruited as controls. The entire coding sequences of three candidate genes including KCNQ1, KCNH2 and SCN5A were screened for mutations in the proband. The function of the mutation was then explored by whole-cell patch clamp techniques, and the genetic testing and risk assessment of the family members were performed.

RESULTSThe proband was clinically preliminary diagnosed as LQTS by 12-lead electrocardiogram. On the third day of metoprolol intake (25 mg, bid), she died suddenly at lunch. One heterozygous missense mutation (SCN5A-V411M) was identified in this proband, but the mutation was absent in 200 healthy subjects. The electrophysiological analysis indicated that SCN5A-V411M significantly increased the peak current density ((230.8 ± 27.6)pA/pF vs. (101.2 ± 10.9)pA/pF, n=10, P<0.01) and the late sodium current ((156.6 ± 13.6)pA/pF vs. (95.9 ± 7.9)pA/pF, n=12, P<0.01) of sodium channel compared to wide type. The enhanced sodium channel activation with a negative shift in the peak I-V relationship was significantly higher by -50 mV than wide type (85.0%± 7.4% vs. 41.5% ± 2.6%, P<0.01), while the steady-state inactivation curves remained unchanged. Additionally, mother and grandmother of the proband were the silent mutation carriers with no symptoms, who needed the appropriate clinical assessment and follow-up. The proband's twin sister and aunt died of sudden infant death syndrome.

CONCLUSIONSWe firstly reported a heterozygote missense mutation (SCN5A-V411M) in this Chinese family. V411M induced "gain of function" of sodium channel and formed the basis of type-3 LQTS. Genetic testing could help to increase the diagnostic accuracy, and facilitate clinical assessment and appropriate therapy to prevent sudden cardiac death of individuals with SCN5A-V411M mutation.

Cardiac Conduction System Disease ; Death, Sudden, Cardiac ; Genetic Testing ; Humans ; Incidence ; Long QT Syndrome ; Mutation ; Patch-Clamp Techniques

AIM To investigate the dose-proportion relation of Tibetan medicine Siwei Jianghuang Prescription (SJP) for protective effects on diabetic nephropathy (DN),and the underlying mechanism.METHODS Diabetes mellitus rats induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) (60 mg/kg) were randomly divided into model group,metformin support group,and eight SJP groups with dose-proportion variation (with reference to the uniform design method) for corresponding drug administration once a day,for four weeks.Measurement of fasting blood glucose (FBG) by a blood glucose meter,the concentrations of blood urea nitrogen (BUN),uric acid (UA),serum creatinine (SCr) and total protein (TP) by chemical methods,serum transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by ELISA kits were conducted,the pathological morphology observation and glomerular basement membrane thickness detection by electron microscope were accomplished as well.Principal components analysis (PCA) and multivariate progressive regression analysis (MSRA) were employed to analyze the relationship between the dose-proportion to pharmacodynamics.RESULTS The resultant indexes revealed variant pharmacological improvement in each treatment group.MSRA results showed that the levels of BUN,renal index,FBG,glomerular basement membrane thickness,VEGF,Scr,and UA had correlative relations with a multiple linear or a multiple non-linear in all groups,which regression equation had a statistical significance (P ＜ 0.05);TGF-β1 level and total protein index with the dose-proportion had no linear or non-linear relation,which the regression equation statistical showed non-significance (P ＞ 0.05).In the global optimization comparison around the range of uniform design,the optimal dosage of the rats model was Curcumae Longae Rhizoma ∶ Berberidis dictyophyllae Cortex ∶ Phyllanthi Fructus ∶ Tribuli Fructus =1 ∶ 2 ∶ 1 ∶ 2.CONCLUSION Siwei Jianghuang Prescription shows better therapeutic effects on DN,which may be related to reducing the levels of BUN,renal index,FBG,glomerular basement membrane thickness,VEGF,Scr and UA.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the carrier ratio and the genotype of thalassemia in the rural people of reproductive age in Nanning, and to analyze the characteristics of hematologic parameter in thalassemia carriers.

METHODS2044 cases of productive age youths were detected with hemoglobin autoanalyse-Variant (HPLC) and Cell Dyn 1700 automatic hemocyte analysator. Among them,430 cases (75 couples randomly selected in thalassemia screening, 140 couples who were told that one or both of them were positive for thalassemia phenotype through hemocyte analysis) carried out thalassemia gene detection in synchronism.

RESULTS163 cases were detected beta-thalassemia and the thus beta-thalassemia carrier ratio was 7.97%. 13 cases were detected HbH disease, and 2 cases Hb Manitoba, 2 cases HbJ, and 1 case HbQ. As for genotypes,-alpha (3.7)/alpha,-alpha(CS)/alphaalpha and -alpha(WS)/alphaalpha were common ones with in alpha-thalassemia-2, --(SEA)/alphaalpha the most common one in alpha-thalassemia-1, and 41-42 were the most common ones in beta-thalassemia heterozygotes. The detection ratio of alpha,beta combination thalassemia was also relatively high. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) were low in all cases of HbH disease and beta-thalassemia, also low in 86 cases of alpha-thalassemia-1 with the exception of normal MCH in 1 case, yet normal in 17 cases out of 66 cases of alpha-thalassemia-2. HbF raised in 32 cases out of 69 cases of beta-thalassemia heterozygote, no case showed raised HbF without the raise of HbA2. Hematologic characteristic of alpha, beta combination thalassemia was mainly caused by beta-thalassemia.

CONCLUSIONCarrier ratio of thalassemia in rural productive age youths in Nanning was high while alpha-thalassemia-2 with the genotype -alpha(WS)/alphaalpha and -alpha(CS)/ alphaalpha were common. To those with low MCV and MCH in high-risk region, thalassemia should be suspected.

Adult ; Carrier State ; China ; epidemiology ; Genotype ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Rural Population ; alpha-Thalassemia ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; genetics ; beta-Thalassemia ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo analyze the correlations between increased spinal cord signal intensity on magnetic resonance images (MRI) and the clinical prognosis of compressive cervical myelopathy.

METHODSSixty-six patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy underwent surgeries through the anterior approach. In all the patients, the diagnoses were established on the basis of both neurological examination and MRI findings that showed spinal cord compression. The patients were divided into two groups according to preoperative MRI, namely isointense MRI T1/T2 signal group and iso/hyperintense MRI T1/T2 group. The JOA scores of the patients were evaluated before and at 6 and 12 months after the operation.

RESULTSThe patients were followed up for 12 to 38 months after the operation (mean 21 months), and no statistically significant difference were found in the pre- and postoperative JOA scores between the two groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe peoperative hyperintense signals on T2 weighted MRI does not correlate to the prognosis of patients with compressive cervical myelopathy, who may also have favorable clinical outcomes after the operation.

Adult ; Cervical Vertebrae ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Spinal Cord Compression ; diagnosis ; etiology ; surgery ; Spinal Osteophytosis ; complications ; diagnosis ; surgery

Objective: To explore the clinical and molecular genetic features of a Chinese patient with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT). Methods: Clinical data including resting electrocardiography, echocardiography and treadmill exercise testing of a patient with CPVT admitted to our department in March 2013 were analyzed, and the peripheral venous blood samples of the patient and his family members and 400 ethnicity-matched healthy controls were obtained. All exons and exon-intron boundaries of the six CPVT-related genes including RYR2, CASQ2, TRDN, CALM1, KCNJ2 and ANKB were sequenced to detect the variants related to CPVT. The relationship between the genotypes and phenotypes was analyzed to direct the target therapy. Results: Recurrent syncope induced either by exercise or extreme frightened fear was observed in this patient. There was no positive family history of syncope or sudden death. The resting electrocardiography and echocardiography of the patient were normal, while the exercise testing revealed bidirectional and polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. A cardiac ryanodine receptor gene mutation (R2401H) was identified in this patient, while this mutation was absent in his parents and sister and 400 controls. No variant was detected in the remaining five candidate genes. Treatment with high dose of metoprolol succinate (118.75 mg/d) was effective and patient was free of syncopal attack during the 2 years follow-up. Conclusion This is the first report on RyR2-R2401H mutation in Chinese patient with CPVT, and high dose of metoptolol is the effective therapy option for CPVT related to RyR2 mutation.

This paper described a rapid and sensitive HPLC method to analyze (E)-3,5,4'-trimethoxystilbene (BTM-0512) in rat plasma and tissues. The analysis used a BDS Hypersil C18 analytical column (250 mm x 4.6 mm ID, 5 microm) and acetonitrile/water as the mobile phase. The UV detection wavelength was 319 nm. Proteins were precipitated with acetonitrile and diethylstilbestrol as internal standard. The method was validated according to State Food and Drug Administration of China and ICH of Technical Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use Guidelines. The limit of detection (S/N: 3/1) for BTM-0512 was 0.005 microg x mL(-1) for plasma. The method performances were shown to be selective for BTM-0512 and the linearity of the assay method was up to 10.0 microg x mL(-1) and 40.0 microg x g(-1) for plasma and tissues, respectively. At 0.1, 1 and 5 microg x mL(-1) (n=5), intraday and interday precision values (% RSD) were in the range of 2.6% - 5.1% and 2.4% - 4.8%, respectively. Mean accuracy and absolute recoveries of BTM-0512 ranged from 95.3% - 100.1% and 95.9% - 100.9% for plasma and tissues, respectively. This method can be quite useful for BTM-0512 pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution studies, for purpose which multiple plasma and tissue samples can be analyzed quickly with high reproducibility.
Angiogenesis Inhibitors ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Animals ; Anti-Allergic Agents ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Antineoplastic Agents ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reproducibility of Results ; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet ; methods ; Stilbenes ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Tissue Distribution

OBJECTIVETo detect absorbed bioactive compounds of the water extract whose pharmacodynamic effect was craniocerebral protection for quality control assessment.

METHODSAnthraquinones in water extract of rhubarb (WER), in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and in ipsilateral cortex of TBI rats following oral WER were respectively explored by ultra performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detector (UPLC-PDA) method developed in the present study. The effects of anthraquinones absorbed into injured cortex on superoxidase dismutase (SOD) activity in TBI rats were detected. The antioxidative anthraquinones absorbed into target organ were evaluated for quality control of WER.

RESULTSAnthraquinones in WER were aloe-emodin, rhein, emodin, chrysophanol, and physcion. Only the last anthraquinone was found in CSF and in ipsilateral cortex under this chromatographic condition. Physcion increased SOD activity in TBI rats significantly.

CONCLUSIONSPhyscion was the main active compound of rhubarb against craniocerebral injury via antioxidant pathway. According to our strategy, the exploration of physcion suggested the possibility of a novel quality control of WER in treating TBI injury.

Absorption ; drug effects ; Animals ; Anthraquinones ; cerebrospinal fluid ; chemistry ; Biological Products ; analysis ; cerebrospinal fluid ; chemistry ; Brain Injuries ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Chromatography, Liquid ; instrumentation ; methods ; Emodin ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Limit of Detection ; Linear Models ; Male ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reference Standards ; Reproducibility of Results ; Rheum ; chemistry ; Water ; chemistry