Development of Lung Compression Degree Measurement Software of Pneumothorax and Its Application in Forensic Medicine / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To develop a measurement software of lung compression degree to calculate the lung compression ratio in pneumothorax patients accurately and quickly, and then provide an objective assessment of damage degree in forensic clinical identification.@*METHODS@#A volume calculation software was established according to the working principle of the CT instrument. CT data of 15 pneumothorax patients were selected as research objects. The lung compression ratio of pneumothorax patient was calculated by the lung compression volume calculation software of the CT instrument. Meanwhile, the lung compression ratio was also calculated by the developed volume calculation software. The lung compression ratio and operation time calculated by the two methods were analyzed statistically. Scatter plot graphs were draw based on related data, and the developed volume calculation software was verified.@*RESULTS@#The difference between the lung compression ratios calculated by the two methods was not statistically significant, but showed a linear correlation （P<0.05）. The operation time of the developed volume calculation software was obviously shorter.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The volume calculation software developed in this study can calculate the lung compression degree of pneumothorax more conveniently and rapidly with easy accessibility, which shows an application value in the forensic practice.

Coronary Angiography in Isolated Hearts and Its Forensic Application / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To check the isolated heart by coronary angiography to discover the location, nature and degree of the coronary artery lesions more accurately and increase the comprehensive evaluation ability of cardiovascular disease.@*METHODS@#Ten fresh isolated hearts with different causes of death were extracted and injected with barium sulphate as contrast substance by ring injector, then developed under Xper FD20 angiography equipment. The obtained pictures and image data were handled by three-dimensional angiography images with the software attached to the angiography equipment. The coronary artery tissues were HE stained and observed by microscope. The HE staining results were compared with the angiographic results.@*RESULTS@#The imaging data obtained from the 10 cases for examination showed 8 cases without coronary artery stenosis and 2 cases with Ⅲ, Ⅳ coronary artery stenosis, which were consistent with HE staining results of coronary artery organization and the both results were confirmed.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Isolated coronary angiography has an unique advantage for accurate grading of classification of coronary artery stenosis, examination of vascular malformation and tiny lesions, which can provide reference for the localization of small lesions and basis during the autopsy for identification conclusion.

Surgical repair of ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm to right atrium / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To summarize the experience of surgical repair of ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm to right atrium and to compare the difference between through right atrium repair and transaortic combined with right atrium approach.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Between January 2004 and December 2009, 53 patients with ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm to right atrium underwent surgical repair. There were 35 male and 18 female, aged from 15 to 63 with a mean of (33 ± 9) years. Repair through right atrium had undergone in 40 patients (group I), while transaortic combined with right atrium approach in 13 patients (group II). Surgical results between the two group and group were compared in cardiopulmonary bypass time, clamp aorta time, mechanical ventilation time, ICU time and postoperative stay time.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were no significant differences between two groups in cardiopulmonary bypass time [(86 ± 29) min vs. (96 ± 30) min], clamp aorta time [(59 ± 29) min vs. (71 ± 25) min], mechanical ventilation time [(9 ± 4) h vs. (16 ± 23) h], ICU time [(35 ± 23) h vs. (35 ± 23) h], postoperative stay time [(7.1 ± 0.9) d vs. (7.7 ± 2.8) d] (P > 0.05). Follow-up was performed from 1 to 64 months, with a mean of (32 ± 21) months. There was no death during follow up. One needed operation due to severe aortic valve regurgitation. One combined with coronary artery disease used medication. Heart function (NYHF) of the other patients were I and II degree during follow up.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Surgical repair of ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm to right atrium shows good result. There is no significant difference between through right atrium repair and transaortic combined with right atrium approach.</p>

Identification of a novel lethal fibrillin-1 gene mutation in a Chinese Marfan family and correlation of 3' fibrillin-1 gene mutations with phenotype / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Mutations in the fibrillin-1 gene have been identified in patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS). This study aimed to identify the molecular defects in the fibrillin-1 gene in a Chinese family with Marfan syndrome, accompanied by aortic aneurysms/dissection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two patients and one non-carrier in the family underwent complete physical, ophthalmic, and cardiovascular examinations. Genomic DNA was extracted from leukocytes of venous blood of these individuals in the family as well as 50 healthy normal controls. Polymerase chain reaction amplification and direct sequencing of all 65 coding exons of fibrillin-1 gene were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>We found a novel mutation (c.8547T > G, p.Tyr2849X) in exon 65 of fibrillin-1 gene in a Chinese proband with Marfan syndrome, accompanied by aortic aneurysms/dissection. Sudden death at a young age of affected members was seen due to aortic aneurysms/dissection. By evaluating genotype-phenotype correlations of patients with mutations in the 3' end of fibrillin-1 gene (exons 64 and 65), we also found that the presence of nonsense mutations occurring in exons 64 and 65 appeared to be an indicator of early-onset aortic risk and sudden death.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>These results expand the mutation spectrum of fibrillin-1 gene and help in the study of the molecular pathogenesis of Marfan syndrome, indicating that mutations occurring in the 3' end of fibrillin-1 gene may play an independent functional role in the pathogenesis of Marfan syndrome.</p>