Sudden Death Due to Coronary Arteritis

We report the case of a middle‐aged man, without medical history, who suddenly died at his workplace. The autopsy highlighted a pathological heart macroscopically, with multiple small white areas on the left myocardium. Coronary dissection revealed a pseudotumoural fibromyxoid aspect within the anterior interventricular artery (AIVA) and the left main coronary trunk, including reduction in their diameter with tight stenosis. Microscopic examination of these arteries showed fibroinflammatory wall destruction. In the left myocardium, there were multiple focal ischemic areas at different stages of recovery. Our case is an illustration of primary ischemic heart disease due to coronary arteritis, with a pseudotumoural presentation, which was revealed by sudden death. We discuss the cause of death and the etiological diagnosis preceding coronary arteritis.     

Suicide by self-removal of a pacemaker

A 70-year-old man extracted his own pacemaker and subclavian port used for delivery of chemotherapy, both implanted 2 weeks earlier. The patient died of septicemia within 6 days. This fatal outcome illustrates the risks of complications associated with severe psychiatric disorders after implantation of prosthetic devices.     

Tax-exempt bonds and sponsored research

"Sponsored research," wherein a business corporation or the government pays a portion of the cost of research activities carried out by a university or hospital, is increasingly important both for state institutions and for Section 510(c)(3) organizations. Sponsored research arrangements that are not properly structured can jeopardize the status of tax-exempt bonds issued to finance the facility at which the sponsored research occurs. While these rules have been difficult to apply in practice, properly structured agreements can provide funding for research without undue risk. This Article discusses the multiple pieces of guidance put forth by the Internal Revenue Service to clarify the many issues and tiers of analysis necessary to ensure a properly-structured sponsored research agreement.     

Technology transfer with an intellectual-properties focus

At universities, especially technological ones, technology transfer takes many forms and involves many groups and individuals-faculty, staff, students, research institutes, and others. A number of mechanisms are at work with several foci. This paper describes a case at Michigan Technological University in which the concept of intellectual property is the focus for technology transfer. This focus seems to better facilitate some desirable and beneficial results, particularly those of a long-term nature, including faculty, staff, and student development. Dr. Erbisch has served as the university's director of Research Services and holds a professorship in the department of Biological Sciences.     

Forensic Identification of Indian Snakeroot (Rauvolfia serpentina Benth. ex Kurz) Using DNA Barcoding

Indian snakeroot (Rauvolfia serpentina) is a valuable forest product, root extracts of which are used as an antihypertensive drug. Increasing demand led to overharvesting in the wild. Control of international trade is hampered by the inability to identify root samples to the species level. We therefore evaluated the potential of molecular identification by searching for species‐specific DNA polymorphisms. We found two species‐specific indels in the rps16 intron region for R. serpentina. Our DNA barcoding method was tested for its specificity, reproducibility, sensitivity and stability. We included samples of various tissues and ages, which had been treated differently for preservation. DNA extractions were tested in a range of amplification settings and dilutions. Species‐specific rps16 intron sequences were obtained from 79 herbarium accessions and one confiscated root, encompassing 39 different species. Our results demonstrate that molecular analysis provides new perspectives for forensic identification of Indian snakeroot.     

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy in a Jeweler Following a Hold‐up: Forensic Considerations

The authors present a case of takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) following physical assault. In France, public prosecutor orders a medicolegal assessment after an assault for all living victims. Medicolegal assessment aims to establish a causal relation between an aggression and the injury sustained. An 80‐year‐old jeweler was the victim of assault, restraint and confinement during the hold‐up of his jewelry store. After the event, he experienced constrictive chest pain with a sensation of oppression. Transthoracic echography showed apical and middle wall akinesis with apical ballooning pattern. In this case, the experts reasonably accepted that there was a direct, certain, and exclusive causal relation between the aggression and the cardiomyopathy. Forensic specialists should be aware of TTC because it is a frequent complication of stress situations and its incidence in forensic cases is probably underestimated.