Dan Dermengiu

Y-chromosomal STR haplotypes in a Romanian population sample

A set of seven STR-loci mapping on the male-specific region of the human Y chromosome (DYS19, DYS385, DYS389 I/II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393) were typed by means of two multiplex PCR reactions and capillary electrophoresis in a Romanian population sample of 104 unrelated males. Among the 97 different haplotypes observed, 92 were unique, while 5 occurred more than once. The observed haplotype diversity was 0.989.

Can subclinical hypothyroidism explain some sudden deaths due to pulmonary embolism without evident risk factors

Thyroid pathology is rarely involved in the pathogenesis of sudden death in young people, and usually, when this is the case, is associated with acute changes of thyroid hormone blood levels. Three main thyroid causes of sudden death are known and used in tanathologic chains: thyrotoxicosis, myxedematous coma and, as of recently, lymphocytic thyroid infiltration. Coagulation disorders associated with thyroid disease are usually mild and not associated with sudden death. There are some studies showing an increased risk for unprovoked deep venous thrombosis in patients with hypothyroidism but there is none, to our knowledge, showing a correlation between hypothyroidism, deep venous thrombosis and sudden death. Our article suggests that subclinical hypothyroidism can lead to coagulation disorders and deep venous thrombosis which can explain some cases of sudden death associated with pulmonary embolism without other significant risk factors.

Sudden death due to dissection of the thoracic aorta associated with dissection and rupture of the pulmonary artery: Report of two cases

We present two cases of dissection of the thoracic aorta associated with dissection and rupture of the pulmonary artery. In both cases the initial dissection was hypothesized to occur in the thoracic aorta, with secondary dissection and rupture of the pulmonary artery.

Gestational Lung Adenocarcinoma: Case Report

Gestational cancer is a dramatic situation, with a deep impact on the patient and family, with an overall incidence of 1 per 100 pregnancies. Lung cancers are extremely rare during pregnancy but have become more frequent in past years, as the mean age of pregnancy has increased. The purpose of this case report is to present a gestational lung adenocarcinoma, with metastasis in the liver and ovaries, diagnosed in the third trimester, with a fatal outcome in days after birth through cesarean section.

Parentage testing following an infanticide case using fetal DNA from archival fixed tissues

Abstract Genetic investigation of an old infanticide case was conducted using DNA from archival fixed tissues in an attempt to provide independent evidence of the parents identity. The initial PCR assays using DNA extracted from paraffin embedded tissues failed because of possible inhibitors, requiring additional purifying steps. STR profiling was conducted on nine loci plus Amelogenin using PAGE gels. Comparison of the fetal DNA profile with the DNA profiles of the putative mother and her husband revealed the compatibility of the fetal DNA profile with the maternal profile and excluded the man from the paternity.

Morphological characteristics of the sinus node on postmortem tissue.

The sinus node is an intensively researched structure in terms of anatomical, histological, electrophysiological, molecular and genetic approach. For postmortem diagnosis it is still difficult to investigate due to a still reduced accessibility. In this study we tried and succeed to apply molecular biology techniques on postmortem tissues in order to widen the range of postmortem forensic investigation and provide information related to the diagnostic of cardiac arrhythmia. We described the stages of this investigation, with dissection, preservation and analysis that included classical histology, immunohistochemistry, confocal microscope, microdissection, RIN testing, mRNA expression obtaining a precise morphofunctional location of the sinus node.