Objective:To understand the electrocardiogram and echocardiography examination results of population in key areas of unexplained sudden death in Yunnan Province (referred to as Yunnan sudden death).Methods:From 2014 to 2022, electrocardiogram examination was performed on population (including same incident cases, relatives of the cases, villagers of the affected villages, and control individuals) in key areas of Yunnan sudden death from May to October each year. Echocardiography examination was performed on relatives of the cases and villagers of the affected villages, and the types of electrocardiogram and echocardiography changes were sorted out and analyzed.Results:Electrocardiogram examination was conducted on 1 same incident case, 241 relatives of the cases, 464 villagers of the affected villages, and 99 control individuals, respectively. The types of electrocardiogram changes in the same incident case were Q-T interval prolongation and sinus tachycardia. A total of 17 types of electrocardiogram changes were detected in the relatives of the cases, mainly including sinus arrhythmia (12.45%, 30/241), sinus bradycardia (11.20%, 27/241), and left axis deviation (8.30%, 20/241). A total of 21 types of electrocardiogram changes were detected in the villagers of the affected villages, mainly including left axis deviation (9.48%, 44/464), sinus bradycardia (8.19%, 38/464), and T-wave abnormalities (7.76%, 36/464). A total of 10 types of electrocardiogram changes were detected in the control individuals, mainly including sinus arrhythmia (12.12%, 12/99), T-wave abnormalities (9.09%, 9/99), and sinus bradycardia (7.07%, 7/99). Echocardiography examination was conducted on 49 relatives of the cases and 365 villagers of the affected villages, respectively. A total of 12 types of echocardiography changes were detected in the relatives of the cases, mainly including tricuspid regurgitation (18.37%, 9/49), decreased right ventricular diastolic function (8.16%, 4/49), aortic regurgitation (6.12%, 3/49), and atrial septal defect (6.12%, 3/49). A total of 15 types of echocardiography changes were detected in the villagers of the affected villages, mainly including tricuspid regurgitation (8.77%, 32/365), aortic regurgitation (6.85%, 25/365), and decreased left ventricular diastolic function (6.58%, 24/365).Conclusion:There are many types of changes in electrocardiogram and echocardiography in the population of key areas of Yunnan sudden death.

The etiology of Yunnan unexplained sudden death (YUSD) is still unknown, and it has been a serious endemic public health problem in Yunnan Province for a long time. Currently, known studies have shown that this disease is caused by multiple etiological factors. Due to limited study methods in the past, there are still certain limitations in understanding this disease. This article systematically reviews the etiological theories of YUSD since its first report, elaborates on the correlation between this disease and enterovirus infection, and combines metagenomic next-generation sequencing technology to make a prospect, in order to provide reference for future etiological studies.

Objective:To study the expression and clinical significance of alpha-1 antitrypsin (A1AT) in the serum of patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS).Methods:The study recruited 131 patients with APS, 48 patients with other autoimmune diseases (8 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, 8 with osteoarthritis, and 32 with systemic erythematous sores), and 49 healthy people were recruited. The patients were admitted to Peking University People's Hospital during January 2019 to June 2022. A1AT expression in the serum of patients with APS and its clinical significance were investigated. Blood samples were collected and the concentration of A1AT in the samples was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The correlation between A1AT and clinical and laboratory parameters of APS patients was analyzed. Statistical analysis and graphing were performed using GraphPadPrism 10.1.2. The categorical variables were subjected to the χ2 test, and the continuous variables were subjected to the normal distribution test. If the sample were normally distributed, the independent sample t-test (with homogeneity of variance) or the Welch's t-test (with heterogeneity of variance) was used for comparison between the 2 groups, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for comparison among multiple groups; Otherwise, and the variables were described as M( Q1, Q3), the Mann Whitney U-test was used for comparison between 2 groups, and the Kruskal-Wallis U-test was used for comparison among multiple groups. The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for multiple comparisons. If the samples were normally distributed, Spearman correlation analysis was used to determine the correlation, otherwise, Pearson correlation analysis was used. Results:The serum A1AT concentrations were significantly higher in APS patients than in patients with other autoimmune diseases [2 048.0(670.6, 2 904.0) μg/ml vs. 1 099.0(0, 1 855.0) μg/ml, U=1 990, P<0.001] and healthy people [2 048.0(670.6, 2 904.0) μg/ml vs. 739.5 (0, 1 232.0) μg/ml, U=1 485, P<0.001]. No statistically significant difference was observed between patients with other autoimmune diseases and healthy people [1 099.0(0, 1 855.0) μg/ml vs. 739.5 (0, 1 232.0) μg/ml, U=924, P=0.060]. Mean serum A1AT concentrations were also higher in patients with both a history of adverse pregnancy and thrombosis than in those with morbid pregnancy only [(3 212 ±1 744)μg/ml vs. (1 965 ±1 500) μg/ml, t=2.27, P=0.026] and thrombosis only [(3 212 ±1 744)μg/ml vs. (1 963 ±1745)μg/ml, t=2.01, P=0.048]. Mean serum A1AT concentrations were higher in patients with both arterial and venous thrombosis than in those with only venous thrombosis [(3 390 ±2 286) μg/ml vs. (2 148 ±1 648) μg/ml, t=3.04, P=0.004]. The mean A1AT concentration was higher in patients with recurrent thrombosis than in patients with single thrombosis [(2 709 ±1 941) μg/ml vs. (1 805 ±1 627) μg/ml, t=2.10, P=0.040]. Using the 95% upper limit of A1AT concentration in healthy controls (1 066 μg/ml) as a cut-off value, the risk of recurrent thrombosis was higher in A1AT-positive than negative TAPS patients [51.0%(25/49) vs. 26.1%(6/23), χ2=3.97, P=0.046]. In terms of laboratory indicators, there was a significant positive correlation between serum A1AT concentration and ESR level ( r=0.28, P=0.045), a significant negative correlation with C4 level ( r=-0.24, P=0.025). There was a significant positive correlation with fibrinogen (FIB) concentration( r=0.25, P=0.027). A1AT was an effective diagnostic marker of APS [AUC(95% CI)=0.769(0.699, 0.847), P<0.001], with a sensitivity of 71.8%, a specificity of 73.7%, and Youden index of 0.452. Conclusion:A1AT was is significantly elevated in the serum of patients with APS and may be associated with the severity of thrombotic event.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of comprehensive intervention measures on Yunnan unexplained sudden death (YUSD) in Dali Prefecture, Yunnan Province, and to provide scientific basis for improving the prevention and control measures.Methods:Since 2010, Yunnan Province had implemented comprehensive intervention measures in ward areas according to the etiological pattern of YUSD. In July 2019, 47 families with YUSD were selected as case families and 23 families without YUSD were selected as control families in 31 natural villages of Heqing, Xiangyun, Yunlong, Eryuan, Jianchuan, Binchuan and Nanjian counties of Dali Prefecture. A unified questionnaire was used to investigate the basic information, economic status, dietary structure, and health literacy of the families during the two periods of "the first sudden death case" and "the present".Results:The annual household income of the case families at present (median, 20 492.6 yuan) was significantly higher than that of the first sudden death case (3 883.4 yuan), and the difference was statistically significant ( Z = - 5.27, P < 0.001). At present, rice (76.6%, 36/47) was the main diet of the case families; at the time of the first sudden death case, 23.4% (11/47) of the case families could not eat enough, and there was no such situation in the case families at present. Compared with the time of the first sudden death case, the dietary habits of the case families at present were as follows: the proportion of eating Trogia venenata decreased from 19.0% (39/205) to 0 (0/190), the proportion of eating wild fruit decreased from 17.1% (35/205) to 9.5% (18/190), and the proportion of drinking raw water decreased from 55.1% (113/205) to 42.1% (80/190), and the differences were statistically significant (χ 2 = 22.37, 4.90, 6.86, P < 0.05). Lifestyle and health awareness: the proportion of those who washed their hands before meals and after using the toilet increased from 9.8% (20/205) to 41.6% (79/190), those who did not overwork increased from 16.6% (34/205) to 34.2% (65/190), and those who took good protection when spraying pesticides increased from 7.3% (15/205) to 21.6% (41/190), and the differences were statistically significant (χ 2 = 53.17, 33.94, 16.48, P < 0.001). Toilet habits: the proportion of using outdoor toilet decreased from 75.6% (155/205) to 9.5% (18/190), the difference was statistically significant (χ 2 = 175.21, P < 0.001). When the first sudden death case occurred, the proportions of eating Trogia venenata and using outdoor toilet in the case families were higher than those in the control families (χ 2 = 22.37, 23.70, P < 0.001), the proportions of those who washed their hands before meals and after using the toilet and those who did not overwork in the case families were lower than those in the control families (χ 2 = 7.38, 4.93, P < 0.05). Conclusions:The economic conditions, production and living conditions of YUSD areas in Dali Prefecture have been significantly improved, and the health literacy and health prevention awareness of the population have been greatly improved. Economic conditions and living standard, dietary structure and health literacy may be related factors of YUSD.

Yunnan unexplained sudden death is mostly cardiac sudden death caused by malignant arrhythmia, which is a special endemic disease that seriously threatens the health of people in the disease area, and is one of the important public health problems in Yunnan Province. The epidemiological characteristics of Yunnan unexplained sudden death are characterized by a high incidence of young and middle-aged people, and a clear clustering of ethnic groups, families, and villages. The etiology of this disease is not yet fully understood, and the main etiological studies include Trogia venenata poisoning, enterovirus infection, and hereditary heart disease, and hypothesis of the etiology of Keshan disease. After the implementation of comprehensive intervention measures such as health education based on abstinence from Trogia venenata, improving of production and living conditions in the disease area, and strengthening of health monitoring of the population in the disease area, the incidence has shown a significant downward trend in recent years.

Objective:To observe and analyze the ocular clinical features and pathogenic genes of Alstr?m syndrome (ALMS).Methods:A retrospective clinical study. From October 2020 to July 2022, 3 patients and 5 normal family members from 2 families affected with ALMS who visited in the Ophthalmology Department of Henan Children's Hospital were enrolled in the study. These 2 families were without blood relationship. The medical history and family history were inquired. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fundus color photography, full-field electroretinogram (ERG), frequency domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) and systemic examination were performed. 3 ml peripheral venous blood of patients and their family members were collected, and the whole genomic DNA was extracted. The second generation sequencing analysis was performed on these members. The suspected pathogenic mutation sites were verified by Sanger, and the pathogenicity of the gene mutation sites were determined by bioinformatics analysis.Results:Three patients from two families all developed nystagmus and photophobia in infancy. In the family 1, the BCVA of both eyes of the proband was no light perception. The fundus examination revealed vascular attenuation and retinal pigment abnormality. OCT showed retinal thinning, loss of photoreceptor layer and atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium layer. ERG examination showed extinguished. The BCVA of the proband’s younger brother was 0.04 in the right eye and 0.02 in the left eye. The fundus examination revealed vascular attenuation but the pigment distribution was roughly normal. OCT showed blurred photoreceptor layers in both eyes. ERG examination showed extinguished. Two patients developed sensorineural deafness, obesity, acanthosis nigricans, insulin resistance/diabetes, and abnormal liver function. In addition, the proband also had left heart enlargement, hyperlipidemia and abnormal kidney function. The results of genetic testing showed that the proband and his younger brother had compound heterozygous mutations in exon 8 (c.1894C>T/p.Gln632*, M1) and exon 10 (c.9148_9149delCT/p.Leu 3050 Leufs*9, M2) of ALMS1, which were both known mutations. The father of the proband was a carrier of M1 and the mother of the proband was a carrier of M2. The proband of the family 2 had a normal fundus at 23 months old. The amplitude of ERG b wave under the stimulation of the dark adaptation 0.01 and a, b wave under the stimulation of dark adaptation 0.3 were all mild reduced. The amplitude of ERG a, b wave under the stimulation of the light adaptation 0.3 was severity decreased. At 4 years old, the BCVA was 0.01 in the right eye and 0.05 in the left eye. The fundus examination revealed vascular attenuation and bilateral blunted foveal reflex. In addition to severely diminished of a, b wave under the stimulation of dark adaptation 0.3, the rest showed extinguished. There were no systemic abnormalities. The results of genetic testing showed that the proband had compound heterozygous mutations in exon 11 (c.9627delT/p.Pro3210Glnfs*22, M3) and exon 5 (c.1089delT/p.Asp364Ilefs*13, M4) of ALMS1, which were both novel mutations. The father of the proband was a carrier of M3 and the mother of the proband was a carrier of M4. Conclusions:Nystagmus and photophobia are often the first clinical manifestations of ALMS. In the early stage, the fundus can be basically normal. As the disease progresses, the fundus examination reveals vascular attenuation and retinal pigment abnormality, and the reflection of the fovea is unclear. OCT shows the photoreceptor cell layers are blurred or even lost. The final ERG is extinguished. M1, M2, and M3, M4 compound heterozygous mutations may be the pathogeny for family 1 and family 2, respectively.

Objective:To explore the cause of death of 2 suspected Yunnan sudden unexplained death (YNSUD) cases in Dayao County, Yunnan Province.Methods:The field epidemiological investigation and autopsy of 2 cases of YNSUD in Dayao County from June 15 to 20, 2020 were conducted; and blood and tissue samples were collected for qualitative analysis of common poisons and drugs.Results:The areas where the two cases were located were all seriously ill villages with a history of YNSUD, and the time of death occurred in the onset season of YNSUD. There was no blood relationship between the 2 cases, no obvious abnormal symptoms before death, no special diet, no history of exposure to pesticides and other toxic chemicals, and the test results of common poisons were all negative. Autopsy pathological examination results showed that case 1 died of acute cardiac dysfunction caused by sudden acute myocardial infarction of coronary heart disease, and case 2 died of central respiratory and circulatory failure caused by spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage.Conclusions:The two cases are excluded from YNSUD through autopsy, and the cause of death is determined. It is suggested that emergency response should be taken as soon as possible for YNSUD cases, and autopsy should be actively carried out to clarify the cause of death from a pathological point of view.

Objective:To analyze common pathogenic gene mutations of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) in Yunnan unexplained sudden death (hereinafter referred to as Yunnan sudden death) cases, and explore the etiological relationship between Yunnan sudden death and ARVC.Methods:Four typical Yunnan sudden death affected counties (cities) were selected as investigation sites. Cryopreserved autopsy cardiac cavity blood samples were collected from Yunnan sudden death cases ( n = 3), and peripheral venous blood samples were harvested from their relatives (first, second, third and immediate degree of kinship, n = 67) and control population ( n = 49). The DNA of blood samples was extracted for amplification and sequencing of 97 exons of 5 common ARVC desmosomal protein [desmoplakin (DSP), desmocollin-2 (DSC2), desmoglein-2 (DSG2), plakophilin-2 (PKP2) and junction plakoglobin (JUP)] genes, and genetic lineage of Yunnan sudden death cases was investigated. Results:A total of 17 gene mutation sites were discovered in Yunnan sudden death cases and their relatives, with 6, 5, 4, 1 and 1 in the DSP, DSC2, DSG2, PKP2 and JUP genes, which were not found in the control population. Among them, 9 were newly discovered mutation sites and 8 were reported mutation sites. The DSP gene exon 24 c.8472 G>C, a pure contractual sense mutation, was common in the relatives of 4 cases in the same family surveyed; and one immediate relative carried a deletion mutation at c.2368 - 2370 of exon 15 of DSC2 gene.Conclusion:Yunnan sudden death cases and their relatives carry mutations in the ARVC desmosomal protein DSP, DSC2, DSG2, PKP2, and JUP genes, and the onset of some Yunnan sudden death may be associated with mutations in the ARVC desmosomal protein genes.

Objective:To investigate the mutation of desmosomal protein gene of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) in people from Yunnan unexplained sudden death (YUSD) area in Xiangyun County, Dali Prefecture, Yunnan Province, and to explore the etiological relationship between the mutation of ARVC desmosomal protein gene and YUSD.Methods:The autopsy cardiac blood sample of YUSD case ( n = 1) and the peripheral venous blood samples of the same time case ( n = 1) and relatives of YUSD case ( n = 16) were collected in Xiangyun County. Blood DNA was extracted for PCR amplification and sequencing of a total of 97 exons of the ARVC desmosomal protein genes [plakophilin 2 (PKP2), junction plakoglobin (JUP), desmoplakin (DSP), desmoglein 2 (DSG2) and desmocollin 2 (DSC2)] were conducted by Sanger method. At the same time, basic information and genetic family of YUSD case, the same time case and relatives of YUSD case were investigated, and gene mutations were comprehensively analyzed. Results:The YUSD case and the same time case carried JUP, DSP and DSG2 gene mutations. Among the relatives of YUSD case, 2, 14, 16, 15 and 4 cases had mutations in PKP2, JUP, DSP, DSG2 and DSC2 genes, respectively. The YUSD case, the same time case and the relatives of YUSD case carried 6 identical mutation sites: JUP gene exon 3 c.213 T>C synonymous mutation, exon 14 c.2089 A>T missense mutation; DSP gene exon 19 c.2631 G>A synonymous mutation, exon 24 c.8472 G>C synonymous mutation; DSG2 gene exon 8 c.861 C>T synonymous mutation, and exon 15 c.3321 T>C synonymous mutation.Conclusion:In Xiangyun County, six identical mutation sites (JUP gene c.213 T>C and c.2089 A>T, DSP gene c.2631 G>A and c.8472 G>C, DSG2 gene c.861 C>T and c.3321 T>C) carried by YUSD case, the same time case and the relatives of YUSD case may be related to the incidence of some YUSD cases.

Objective:To explore the relationship between arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) desmosomal protein gene mutations and Yunnan unexplained sudden death (hereinafter referred to as Yunnan sudden death) by detecting 5 common ARVC desmosomal protein gene mutations of Yunnan sudden death cases and their relatives in Heqing County, Yunnan Province.Methods:In January 2021, the autopsy heart cavity blood was collected from Yunnan sudden death cases in 8 villages in Heqing County, and peripheral venous blood samples of relatives of the cases were collected. Blood samples' DNA was extracted, after PCR amplification, 97 exons of 5 desmosomal protein genes [desmoplakin (DSP), desmoglein-2 (DSG2), plakophilin-2 (PKP2), junction plakoglobin (JUP) and desmocollin-2 (DSC2)] were sequenced by Sanger method to analyze gene mutations.Results:Three blood samples of Yunnan sudden death cases and 36 blood samples of relatives were collected. A total of 26 gene mutation sites were detected in 39 blood samples, with a total mutation rate of 26.80% (26/97). There were 13, 5, 3, 3 and 2 mutation sites in DSP, DSG2, PKP2, JUP and DSC2 genes, respectively. Among them, 19 were reported mutations and 7 were new mutations: DSP gene exon 3 c.372G>A, exon 15 c.2090A>G, exon 17 c.2371C>A, exon 24-I c.8458T>G; DSG2 gene exon 8 c.861C>T; PKP2 gene exon 3 c.892C>A, exon 8 c.1725G>T. Three Yunnan sudden death cases and 36 relatives were all carriers of compound gene mutation, and the same person carried 3 - 9 gene mutation sites at the same time.Conclusion:Mutations of ARVC desmosomal protein genes DSP, DSG2, PKP2, JUP and DSC2 exist in Yunnan sudden death cases and their relatives, which may be the genetic background factors of some Yunnan sudden death.