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28 December 2010, Volume 26 Issue 6 Previous Issue    Next Issue

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Application of Multi-slice Computed Tomography in Biomechanical Analysis of Traffic Accidents LIU NING-GUO, YANG SONG-MIN, ZHAO HUI-LIN, ET AL 2010, 26(6): 401-405,412.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2010.06.001 Abstract ( 1628 )   Objective To study the application value of multi-slice computed tomography（MSCT） and 3D reconstruction in biomechanical analysis of traffic accidents in forensic medicine. Methods Based on a real case, the tomoscan images were obtained from a corpse by MSCT scanning. The 3D images were reconstructed. The biomechanic process of injury manners of impacting, rolling and crushing in traffic accidents was analyzed together with autopsy, vehicle inspection, etc. The MSCT results were compared with the autopsy results. Results Some characters in situ including the part of fracture on different site that suffered by force from different directions, trends of fracture line, and status of smash inner bones were obtained trough MSCT and 3D reconstruction. Some details like fracture were even better than those from autopsy. Conclusion MSCT and 3D reconstruction have some advantages such as in situ reconstruction, easily controlled image and fully conserved evidence. It may be a supplementary method and have a directive function for the biomechanical analysis of traffic accidents. Related Articles | Metrics

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The Finite Element Modeling of Human Pelvis and Its Application in Medicolegal Expertise LI ZHENG-DONG, ZOU DONG-HUA, LIU NING-GUO, ET AL 2010, 26(6): 406-412.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2010.06.002 Abstract ( 2424 )   Objective To develop a novel three dimensional finite element（FE） model of the human pelvis and investigate the biomechanics of the pelvic injury and explore the applications of FE approach in forensic medicine. Methods The FE model of pelvis including bilateral iliac bones, sacrum, bilateral femurs, joint cartilages and ligaments was developed with Mimics 13.1 based on the CT images. The CT value of material properties were assigned. A static pressure of 600 N was applied at the upper surface of the sacrum endplate downwards along the vertical axis of sacral bone to validate the model. To simulate the side impacts, the lateral forces of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 kN were applied to the trochanter surface of right femur, respectively. The von Mises stress contours, displacement contours and stress distribution curves were subsequently calculated. Results An integrated FE model of pelvis including the joint cartilages and ligaments was successfully established. The model geometry coincided well with the CT images. The stress distributions of pelvis in erect position mainly located near the sacroiliac joints and the greater sciatic notches. Stress concentration was found on the superior and inferior pubis ramus, hip and sacroiliac joints on both sides under side impacts. Conclusion The established FE model has accurate and reliable biomechanical features. The FE model can be used to simulate injury and provide intuitive and accurate evidence for medicolegal expertise. Related Articles | Metrics

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Estimation of Postmortem Interval Using microRNA and 18S rRNA Degradation in Rat Cardiac Muscle LI WEN-CAN, MA KAI-JUN, ZHANG PING, ET AL 2010, 26(6): 413-417.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2010.06.003 Abstract ( 1874 )   Objective To explore the relationship between the time-dependent level changes of microRNA and 18S rRNA and the different postmortem interval（PMI） in rat cardiac muscle. Methods SD rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and placed at ambient temperature 25 ℃ with a humidity of 50%. Total RNA was extracted from the rat cardiac muscle at different time points after death. The levels of miR-1-2 and 18S rRNA were examined using real-time PCR in rat cardiac muscle. The results were expressed by cycle threshold（Ct） value to explore relationship between PMI and Ct value, and the regression functions were established to estimate PMI. Results The miR-1-2 level in rat myocardial tissue showed no significant changes within 120 h after death, and then began to decline. The 18S rRNA level increased gradually within 96 h after death, and then declined slowly. The nonlinear relationships were established between Ct value （18S rRNA）, ΔCt value （difference between 18S rRNA and miR-1-2 ） and PMI. The R2 of conics fitting were 0.948 7 and 0.807 2, respectively. Conclusion Ct value of 18S rRNA and ΔCt value present a good correlation with PMI, and can be markers for estimating early PMI. Related Articles | Metrics

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Relationship between the Increase of Fibrous and Fatty in Atrioventricular Node and Narrowing of the Atrioventricular Node Artery CUI LI-JUAN, YI XU-FU, CHEN XIAO-GANG 2010, 26(6): 418-420.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2010.06.004 Abstract ( 1739 )   Objective To explore relationship between increase of fibrous and fatty in atrioventricular node（AVN） and narrowing of the AVN artery. To analyze the cause of pathological fibrosis and fatty infiltration in AVN. Methods One hundred and nineteen cases of sudden cardiac death determined by autopsy were selected and the histological sections were examined with Image-pro plus software to calculate the AVN area, AVN artery inside-diameter, AVN artery lumen area（LA） , AVN artery perimeter area（PA）, fibrous area and fatty area. All cases were divided into two groups： narrowing of artery group and normal control group. The changes of the PA/LA value and the fibrous and fatty contents were evaluated. Results The PA/LA value is the highest in 21-40 age group. The difference of the fatty contents and total interstitial tissue was statistical significance in the two groups under 40 years of age. Conclusion There is some relationship between the narrowing of the AVN artery and the increase of interstitial contents in AVN. Related Articles | Metrics

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Study on Electrical Current Mark With Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-ray Microanalyser LIU DAN, WANG HAO, LI SHANG-XUN, ET AL 2010, 26(6): 421-424.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2010.06.005 Abstract ( 1690 )   Objective To provide objective proof on diagnosis of electrical current mark in electrocution, the environmental scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray microanalyser（ESEM-EDX） were adopted to study the microscopic morphological characteristics and elemental composition of electrical current mark. Methods Morphological characteristics of electrical current marks, the elemental composition and morphology of metal particles were studied with ESEM-EDX. Results The electroporation and metal melted beads could be found in the electrical current marks and skin around them. The metal melted beads mainly composed of common metal such as iron, copper, aluminum and some uncommon metal including gold, titanium and barium. Conclusion ESEM-EDX can be applied in forensic diagnosis of electrocution. Related Articles | Metrics

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The Relationship between GAPDH mRNA Degradation in the Mouse Liver and Postmortem Interval WU HONG-YAN, WANG KE-JIE, ZHANG LIN, ET AL 2010, 26(6): 425-427.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2010.06.006 Abstract ( 1788 )   Objective To explore the relationship between degradation of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase（GAPDH） mRNA in the mouse liver and postmortem interval（PMI）. Methods Sixty NIH mice were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and suffocation, and then placed into 10 ℃ and 25 ℃ temperature-controlling systems. The changes of GAPDH mRNA in the liver were detected by two-step fluorimetric reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction（RT-PCR） technique and nucleic acids protein cryoscope from 0 to 48 h postmortem. Results In the mouse liver, the amplification products of GAPDH mRNA could be examined within 48 h postmortem in 10 ℃ temperature-controlling system and within 36 h postmortem in 25 ℃ temperature-controlling system. The amplification products showed a decreasing tendency. Conclusion Degradation of GAPDH mRNA in the mouse liver is negative correlation with PMI. GAPDH mRNA could be a new marker for estimation of PMI. Related Articles | Metrics

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Assessment of Dynamic Posture Equilibrium Function after Traumatic Brain Injury ZHOU XIAO-RONG, FAN LI-HUA, YANG XIAO-PING 2010, 26(6): 428-431.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2010.06.007 Abstract ( 1787 )   Objective To explore characteristics and causes of equilibrium function deficits after traumatic brain injury（TBI）. Methods Ninety-five patients after TBI in traffic accidents were tested using computerized dynamic posturography（CDP）. The CDP findings of patients were compared with normal value. The patients were grouped based on TBI and audition disorders degrees. The results were compared within the patients groups. Results The equilibrium scores of the TBI group were significantly lower than the normal value. The utilization rate decreased for vision and vestibular sensation information in the TBI group, especially for vestibular sensation. The primary TBI degree and audition decrease had no significant affect on posture stability. Conclusion The poor posture stability was observed in TBI patients without limbs disturbance. The response and adaptation abilities decrease in these patients. This could be explained by the damage to peripheral vestibular and central balance structures. Related Articles | Metrics

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Determination of TTX in Biological Samples by LC-MS/MS DA QING, LIU WEI, SHEN BAO-HUA, ET AL 2010, 26(6): 432-435.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2010.06.008 Abstract ( 1664 )   Objective To propose a method for determination of tetrodotoxin（TTX） in human blood, urine and liver by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry（LC-MS/MS）. Methods Solid phase extraction is used after the samples are precipitated, then the samples will be analyzed by LC-MS/MS. Results The limits of detection were 2 ng/mL in blood and urine and 4 ng/g in liver for TTX respectively, the linear correlation coefficients were not less than 0.997 3, both of the intra-day and inter-day precisions were less than 12.80%, the recoveries for all kinds of specimens were more than 47.2%. Conclusion This method is efficient, sensitive and accurate and was successfully validated for implementation in forensic toxicological analysis. Related Articles | Metrics

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Distribution of Tramadol in Acute Poisoned Rats LIANG MAN, CAI XIANG-YANG, JIN MING 2010, 26(6): 436-439.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2010.06.009 Abstract ( 2042 )   Objective To develop a rapid and accurate gas chromatography method and investigate the distribution of tramadol in acute poisoned rats for information of samples selection and results evaluation in forensic identification. Methods After an oral administration of tramadol at 1 140 mg/kg（5×LD50）, concentrations of tramadol in rats’ biological fluids and tissues were determined by gas chromatography. Results The limit of detection of tramadol in blood and urine was 0.1 μg/mL and the limit of detection in liver was 0.1 μg/g. The intra-day precision and inter-day precision were within 3.1％ and 5.5％ respectively, and the recovery of tramadol in blood was more than 98%. The average levels of tramadol displayed in descending order of heart blood, liver, peripheral blood, urine, vitreous humor, kidney, lung, spleen, heart, brain respectively. Conclusion The established method could meet the requirements for toxicological analysis, and the results of the study suggest that blood, urine, liver, lung and kidney are suitable samples for forensic toxicological analysis in tramadol poisoning cases. Related Articles | Metrics

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Judicial Appraisal of 24 Cases of Medical Tangles Involving Patient’s Death YANG SONG-MIN 2010, 26(6): 440-442.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2010.06.010 Abstract ( 1648 )   Objective To explore the cause of mistakes in medical tangles involving patient’s death, and to analyze its key points in judicial appraisal. Methods Total 24 cases involving patient’s death and multiple identifications were respectively analyzed and summarized based on common situations, distribution of departments, degree of responsibility and mistake analysis. Results It was showed that those medical tangles mostly originated from technical aspects, such as neglecting of latent symptoms, oversimplified management in clinical reception, poor cooperation between departments, and hesitation in confronting unexpected emergencies. In addition, some institutional mistakes, such as the performance of disclosure duty, opportunity of referral course, and deficiency of basal medical equipments, were the other aspects that caused these medical tangles. Conclusion The results mentioned above could provide some clues for the judicial appraisal of the similar medical tangles, and be helpful for avoiding their occurrence in future. Related Articles | Metrics

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Effect of Urinary Trypsin Inhibitor on DNA Genotyping in Urine Samples ZHANG SU-HUA, ZHAO SHU-MIN, LI CHENG-TAO 2010, 26(6): 443-445,448.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2010.06.011 Abstract ( 1618 )   Objective To study the effect of urinary trypsin inhibitor（UTI） on STR genotyping with urinary samples. Methods Midstream urine samples of 5 male and 5 female volunteers were collected respectively, subpackaged, added with different concentration of UTI and stored at -80 ℃. Genomic DNA was extracted from those urinary samples, of which STR profiles were genotyped with IdentifilerTM kit at 8 different time points. Results of genotyping in urinary samples were compared with those of the homogenous blood control samples and the successful rate of genotyping in different group of urinary samples treated with UTI was determined. Results Fifteen STR loci included in Identifiler system were all detected in control blood samples and urinary samples stored for 1 day. STR locus loss was observed and all 15 STR loci disappeared in female urinary samples untreated with UTI while those storage periods prolonged to 3 and 9 days, respectively. However, all 15 STR loci could be detected in female urinary samples treated with UTI and stored for as long as 9 days. No STR loci could be detected in male urinary samples preserved without UTI for 7 days while 9 STR loci detected preserved with UTI for 9 days. There was no significant difference among the average detection ratios of STR loci in female urinary samples treated with UTI at concentrations of 0.2, 0.4 or 0.6 μg/mL and stored for 30 days, mean of which was as high as 0.840 0±0.042 3, statistically higher than that in male urinary samples（0.160 0±0.042 3）. Conclusion Detection rate of STR loci in urinary samples preserved with UTI was increased significantly, which results in prolonging the storage periods of urinary samples for personal identification. Related Articles | Metrics

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SNP Typing of Formalin-fixed Tissue in Individual Identification LIN YUAN, LI LI, LIU YAN, ET AL 2010, 26(6): 446-448.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2010.06.012 Abstract ( 1602 )   Objective To explore the method for DNA typing in formalin-fixed tissue by detecting SNP markers on X chromosome. Methods Genomic DNA was prepared from formalin-fixed tissue. In the event that typing using SinofilerTM and MiniFilerTM kits had failed, 51 SNPs were amplified with multiplex PCR and typed with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry（MALDI-TOF MS）. Results Full profiles of X-SNP loci were obtained from the formalin-fixed tissue, while the STR and miniSTR genotyping failed. Conclusion SNP genotyping technique can be used to obtain more information for formalin fixed tissues. Related Articles | Metrics

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Application of Finite Element Method in Evaluation of Craniocerebral Trauma SHAO YU, ZOU DONG-HUA, LIU NING-GUO, ET AL 2010, 26(6): 449-453.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2010.06.013 Abstract ( 2250 )   FEM combined with modern computer technology is a mathematical method for stress analysis. It has gradually become a significant experimental tool to explore the functions of biomechanically simulated human body structure and mechanism of craniocerebral injuries. This paper reviewed the features and biomechanical materials of the FEM human head models, materials assignment and their applications in blunt injury, fall, traffic accident. It also explore their merits and values in forensic head injury cases. Related Articles | Metrics

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Progress on Relationship between ω-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Violent-Aggressive Behavior LIU CHAO, CAI WEI-XIONG 2010, 26(6): 454-459.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2010.06.014 Abstract ( 1636 )   The relationship between ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids（PUFAs） and violent-aggressive behavior has been payed attention since 1980s. Their correlation was explored by many epidemiological investigations, and the effect of PUFAs on prevention or reduction of violent-aggressive behavior in different groups were also affirmed by some intervention studies. This article summarized the previous studies and reviewed the history of epidemiological or intervention studies on PUFAs and its relationship with violent-aggressive behavior. It also presented the possible influencing factors in these studies and possible mechanisms. Related Articles | Metrics