Guidelines for autopsy investigation of sudden cardiac death: 2017 update from the Association for European Cardiovascular Pathology.

Although sudden cardiac death (SCD) is one of the most important modes of death in Western countries, pathologists and public health physicians have not given this problem the attention it deserves. New methods of preventing potentially fatal arrhythmias have been developed and the accurate diagnosis of the causes of SCD is now of particular importance. Pathologists are responsible for determining the precise cause and mechanism of sudden death but there is still considerable variation in the way in which they approach this increasingly complex task. The Association for European Cardiovascular Pathology has developed these guidelines, which represent the minimum standard that is required in the routine autopsy practice for the adequate investigation of SCD. The present version is an update of our original article, published 10 years ago. This is necessary because of our increased understanding of the genetics of cardiovascular diseases, the availability of new diagnostic methods, and the experience we have gained from the routine use of the original guidelines. The updated guidelines include a detailed protocol for the examination of the heart and recommendations for the selection of histological blocks and appropriate material for toxicology, microbiology, biochemistry, and molecular investigation. Our recommendations apply to university medical centers, regionals hospitals, and all healthcare professionals practicing pathology and forensic medicine. We believe that their adoption throughout Europe will improve the standards of autopsy practice, allow meaningful comparisons between different communities and regions, and permit the identification of emerging patterns of diseases causing SCD. Finally, we recommend the development of regional multidisciplinary networks of cardiologists, geneticists, and pathologists. Their role will be to facilitate the identification of index cases with a genetic basis, to screen appropriate family members, and ensure that appropriate preventive strategies are implemented

Physiological implications of legume nodules associated with soil acidity

The mutualistic legume–rhizobia symbiosis that leads to nodule formation and ensuing nitrogen fixation is of great importance to soil health and agriculture sustainability. The processes of nodulation and nitrogen fixation can improve the nitrogenous content and overall structure of the rhizosphere; however, they are highly sensitive to environmental parameters, such as soil acidity. Indeed, low pH conditions can appreciably diminish the benefits associated with legumes and can decrease their biomass and yields. This is of considerable economic and agricultural importance as legume crop and pasture species are commonly grown on acidic soils. Acidic growing conditions can reduce the overall fitness of both the legume host and the rhizobia partner, in addition to directly hindering the establishment of nodule structures. This includes impairing the signal exchange between the two symbiotic partners and inhibiting their ability to express critical nodulation genes. The effect of soil acidity on legume and rhizobia growth is addressed here, with a focus on nodule development and function. Practices to help overcome limitations associated with growing legumes in low pH environments are addressed, with an emphasis on how current biotechnology and molecular genetic approaches could aid in overcoming the negative effects associated with low pH