Archive

28 April 2012, Volume 28 Issue 2 Previous Issue    Next Issue

---

For Selected:

Download Citations EndNote Ris BibTeX

Toggle Thumbnails

Select

Evaluation on Stability of Internal Controls in Human Cardiac Muscle by Real-Time RT-PCR during Early Postmortem Interval ZHANG PING, MA KAI-JUN, ZHANG HENG, ET AL 2012, 28(2): 81-84.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2012.02.001 Abstract ( 1866 )   Objective To explore the stability of internal controls in human cardiac muscle by real-time RT-PCR during early postmortem interval（PMI） in order to find the most stable marker. Methods Ten individuals with similar environmental conditions （the average store temperature： 25 ℃） and different PMI ranging from 4.3 to 22.3 h were selected. Total RNA was extracted from each sample and six commonly internal controls were used including β-actin, GAPDH, B2M, U6, 18S rRNA and HSA-miR-1, and the expression was detected in cardiac muscle by real-time RT-PCR. The expression stability of internal controls was evaluated using genormPLUS software during early PMI. The internal control with the most stability was selected. The relationship between the most stable marker and its expression level affected by some other parameters such as age, gender and cause of death was also analyzed. Results The U6 showed the most stable expression during early PMI in cardiac muscle, and its expression level was not affected by those parameters including age, gender and cause of death（P>0.05）. Conclusion U6 may be a valuable internal control for the study of relationship between PMI determination and degradation of nucleic acid in human cardiac muscle by real-time RT-PCR. Related Articles | Metrics

Select

Distribution of Human Enterovirus 71 in Brainstem of Infants with Brain Stem Encephalitis and Infection Mechanism HAO BO, GAO DI, TANG DA-WEI, ET AL 2012, 28(2): 85-88，91.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2012.02.002 Abstract ( 1816 )   Objective To explore the mechanism that how human enterovirus 71（EV71） invades the brainstem and how intercellular adhesion molecules-1（ICAM-1） participates by analyzing the expression and distribution of human EV71, and ICAM-1 in brainstem of infants with brain stem encephalitis. Methods Twenty-two brainstem of infants with brain stem encephalitis were collected as the experimental group and 10 brainstems of fatal congenital heart disease were selected as the control group. The sections with perivascular cuffings were selected to observe EV71-VP1 expression by immunohistochemistry method and ICAM-1 expression was detected for the sections with EV71-VP1 positive expression. The staining image analysis and statistics analysis were performed. The experiment and control groups were compared. Results （1） EV71-VP1 positive cells in the experimental group were mainly astrocytes in brainstem with nigger-brown particles, and the control group was negative. （2） ICAM-1 positive cells showed nigger-brown. The expression in inflammatory cells （around blood vessels of brain stem and in glial nodules） and gliocytes increased. The results showed statistical difference comparing with control group（P<0.05）. Conclusion The brainstem encephalitis can be used to diagnose fatal EV71 infection in infants. EV71 can invade the brainstem via hematogenous route. ICAM-1 may play an important role in the pathogenic process. Related Articles | Metrics

Select

Estimation of Postmortem Interval by Detecting Thickness of Cornea Using Ultrasonic Method Lü GUO-LI, JIANG FU-XUE, XU XIN-SHU, ET AL 2012, 28(2): 89-91.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2012.02.003 Abstract ( 1636 )   Objective To explore the postmortem changes of cornea thickness measured by ultrasonic pachymetry. Methods Eleven rabbits were randomly divided into two groups： one group with intact corneal epithelium and another group without intact corneal epithelium. In the later group, the corneal epithelium of the rabbit was scraped using mechanical elimination method. The corneal thickness was monitored continuously by ultrasonic pachymetry at several postmortem interval points in rabbits of the two groups. The changes of corneal thickness and postmortem interval were explored by relative regression analysis. Results The thickness of the cornea showed a strong non-linear correlation with the postmortem interval in the group with intact corneal epithelium. The group with intact corneal epithelium showed the correlation coefficient 0.922 and the group without intact corneal epithelium showed the correlation coefficient 0.822, respectively. Conclusion The corneal thickness measured by ultrasonic pachymetry shows a potential value for estimating early postmortem interval. The intact corneal epithelium is a crucial factor for the measurement of cornea thickness by ultrasonic pachymetry. Related Articles | Metrics

Select

Establishment of Skin Scald Model in Mice REN PENG, GUAN DA-WEI, ZHAO RUI, ET AL 2012, 28(2): 92-94，99.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2012.02.004 Abstract ( 2713 )   Objective To establish the model of skin scald in mice for the study of skin thermal injuries. Methods After anaesthetization mice were scalded in a 1 cm-diameter circle area on the central dorsum by boiling water at contact times： 10 s or 25 s. The mice were sacrificed at 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 days after scald. The skin samples were collected and analyzed by gross and histopathological examinations. Results Deep Ⅱ degree thermal injury involving full-thickness skin was observed in the 10 s scald group. Ⅲ degree thermal injury involving full-thickness skin and the dorsal skeletal muscle was observed in the 25 s scald group. Conclusion A mouse skin scald model is established which is stable and can be used on the skin thermal injury in future research. Related Articles | Metrics

Select

Comparisons among Different Reference Values of Nerve Conduction Velocity in Forensic Appraisal GAO DONG, TIAN DONG, XIA QING, ET AL 2012, 28(2): 95-99.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2012.02.005 Abstract ( 1574 )   Objective To provide the evidences for the choice of normal reference value of nerve conduction velocity（NCV） in clinical forensic appraisal. Methods One hundred and fourteen cases with normal peripheral nerve and 155 cases with injured peripheral nerve were collected. The NCV of homonymous nerves in two limbs were detected. In the normal cases, the NCV of the left limbs were used as the normal reference values. The NCV of the right limbs were compared with that of left limbs, the commendatory normal reference values from Beijing Xiehe Hospital and Shanghai Huashan Hospital. In the injured cases, the results of NCV in injuried limbs were compared with the results of healthy limbs and the reference values from Beijing Xiehe Hospital and Shanghai Huashan Hospital. Results In the normal group, there was no statistical difference between the left and right limbs in NCV results of homonymous nerve（P>0.05）. The false positive rates（FPR） were 0, 11.4% and 5.2% for three choices normal reference respectively. The false negative rates（FNR） were 0, 9.7% and 12.3% for three choices normal reference in injuried group. The false negative cases were all slight nerve injury. Conclusion The reference value of self-control method could decrease the FPR of normal cases and FNR of injured cases. In clinical forensic appraisal of peripheral nerve, the nerve condition study results from healthy homonymous nerve should be regarded as the reference value at first, supplemented by reference values from clinical labs. Related Articles | Metrics

Select

Comparisons among Three Frequency-Specific Auditory Evoked Potentials in Normal Hearing Adults CHEN FANG, FAN LI-HUA, YANG XIAO-PING, ET AL 2012, 28(2): 100-103.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2012.02.006 Abstract ( 1945 )   Objective To provide supports for the application of auditory evoked potential（AEP） in the evaluation of behavioral threshold, by studying the difference and relevance between the pure tone audiometry（PTA） and three frequency-specific auditory evoked potentials, including 40 Hz auditory event related potentials （40 Hz AERP）, tone burst auditory brainstem response（Tb-ABR） and auditory steady-state response（ASSR）. Methods Three frequency-specific AEP and PTA thresholds were recorded at speech frequency（0.5, 1, 2, 4 kHz） from thirty-four adults with normal hearing （68 ears）. Then, the relationship between the AEP thresholds and PTA thresholds were analyzed respectively. Results There were good correlations between three frequency-specific AEP thresholds and PTA thresholds at speech frequency. However, the difference of thresholds between each frequency-specific AEP and PTA was not same. The difference of thresholds were the smallest and the relevance were the best between 40 Hz AERP and PTA at 0.5 kHz, and between ASSR and PTA at 2, 4 kHz. At 1 kHz, there were not statistical difference between ASSR, 40 Hz AERP and PTA, while the relevance of 40 Hz AERP was better than ASSR. Conclusion Different methods should be chosen to assess the objective behavioral thresholds at different frequency. Related Articles | Metrics

Select

Algorithms of Likelihood Ratio for Discriminating Full Sibling from Half Sibling ZHAO SHU-MIN, ZHANG LIN-NA, ZHANG SU-HUA, ET AL 2012, 28(2): 104-108.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2012.02.007 Abstract ( 2026 )   Objective To derive the formulae for likelihood ratio calculation in discriminating full sibling from half sibling with single-parent participation or without parent participation. Methods Null hypothesis and alternative hypothesis were established for discriminating full sibling from half sibling in two circumstances： two children with single-parent and without parent participation. Conditional probabilities of the genetic evidentiary under null and alternative hypotheses were calculated according to the Bayesian theory. The likelihood ratios were established with the conditional probability under alternative hypothesis division that under null hypothesis, followed with simplification. All the formulae were validated in a real case. Results While mother or fathers’ genetic information available in differentiating full sibling from half sibling, 14 different genotype combinations could be shared by the two detected children at a given locus and the likelihood ratio could be calculated with 5 different formulae respectively. While both parents’ genetic information unavailable, 11 different genotype combinations could be shared and the likelihood ratio could be calculated with 7 different formulae respectively. It was validated in a real case that the power of the likelihood ratio method developed for discriminating full sibling from half sibling with single-parent participation was higher than that of the ratio of full sibling index over half sibling index. Conclusion The formulae of likelihood ratio developed are useful for discriminating full sibling from half sibling with single-parent participation or without parent participation. Related Articles | Metrics

Select

Detection of Matrix Metalloproteinase-11 in Menstrual Blood by Enhanced Chemiluminescence Method ZHANG YA-QING, LU HUI-LING, YAO YA-NAN 2012, 28(2): 109-111.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2012.02.008 Abstract ( 1592 )   Objective To explore the forensic application value of detection of matrix metalloproteinase-11（MMP-11） in menstrual blood by enhanced chemiluminescence method. Methods Menstrual blood, vaginal swab, peripheral blood, saliva stain, urine stain and semen stain were collected to detect whether or not there were MMP-11 using enhanced chemiluminescence method. The specificity and reliability of the MMP-11 assay along with its sensitivity were evaluated. Results The positive detection rate of MMP-11 in menstrual blood was 89.47%, whereas no MMP-11 was found in vaginal swab, peripheral blood, saliva stain, urine stain and semen stain. When 25 μL sample was added, the mass concentration of protein was 1.329 μg/μL, then MMP-11 could be detected. A positive detection rate of 89.58% was observed in MMP-11 positive menstrual blood samples after stored at 4 ℃ for 20 months. Conclusion Enhanced chemiluminescence method is sensitive and specific for detecting MMP-11, and can be applied to distinguish menstrual blood from common stain such as peripheral blood, vaginal fluid. Related Articles | Metrics

Select

Distribution Specificity of Human Fucosyltransferase 5 and Its Expression and Localization in Spermatids LI FENG-RUI, ZHOU YI-SHU, ZHU LAN-HUI, ET AL 2012, 28(2): 112-114，119.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2012.02.009 Abstract ( 1587 )   Objective To investigate distribution specificity of human fucosyltransferase 5（FUT5） as well as its expression and localization in spermatids. Methods Human semen, vaginal swab, saliva and venous blood from healthy individuals were collected. The spermatids were isolated and the spermatid membrane protein was then extracted. Expression levels of FUT5 from human spermatid membrane, seminal plasma, vaginal fluid, saliva and serum were detected by immunoblotting technique. The expression and localization of FUT5 in spermatids were analyzed by immunofluorescent method. Results Immunoblotting technique showed that FUT5 was expressed on spermatid membranes and in serum, but not in seminal plasma, vaginal fluid and saliva. The expressed FUT5 on spermatids was mostly localized on head of spermatids by fluorescent microscopy, suggesting that there was certain amount of FUT5 on human spermatid membrane, and the spermatids might be isolated from mixed stains with vaginal fluid by antigen-antibody reaction. Conclusion Human FUT5 shows a characteristic distribution specificity, and this feature may be used for identification of mixed stain involved in criminal sexual offence in future forensic practice. Related Articles | Metrics

Select

Effects of Ketamine and Alcohol on Learning and Memory Impairment in Mice YANG MEI-YU, DING FEI, JIANG XIAO-GANG, ET AL 2012, 28(2): 115-119.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2012.02.010 Abstract ( 1671 )   Objective To study the effects of ketamine and alcohol on learning and memory in mice and its possible mechanism. Methods Forty mice were divided into 4 groups： normal control group, ketamine group, alcohol group, and alcohol plus ketamine group. Ketamine and alcohol were given by intraperitoneal injection and intragastric administration, respectively, 1 time per day, for 14 days. The ability of learning and memory in mice was tested by the method of step-down and Morris water maze. Acetylcholine（ACh） and 5-hydroxy tryptamine（5-HT） in mice brain tissue were analyzed for the possible mechanism. Results （1） Step-down： The treatment groups lessened the latency and added wrong times（P＜0.05）. The number of errors in the combined treatment group significantly increased comparing with the single drug treatment group（P＜0.05）. （2） Morris water-maze： The treatment groups prolonged the latency（P＜0.05）, reduced the target quadrant activity time significantly（P＜0.05）, and decreased the numbers of crossing the former platform significantly（P＜0.05）. （3） Biochemical index determination： The concentrations of ACh and 5-HT in treatment groups decreased significantly（P＜0.05）, showed a more decreasement comparing with the single drug treatment group. Conclusion Ketamine has a synergistic effect with alcohol on learning and memory impairment in mice, which may be related to the common inhibitive effect on the ACh and 5-HT. Related Articles | Metrics

Select

Forensic Investigation of 127 Unidentified Corpses in Shaoxing City CHENG GANG, WANG CHENG-YI 2012, 28(2): 120-122.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2012.02.011 Abstract ( 1676 )   Objective To explore the unidentified corpses in Shaoxing city in recent years to provide the experience for these types of corpse examination and forensic identification. Methods One hundred and twenty-seven unidentified corpses were collected and analyzed in the period from January 2009 to June 2011. The scene investigation, clothing examination and information of forensic investigation were collected and analyzed. Results Most of the unidentified corpses are the young male. Of them, there are 3 homicide cases. There are 92 cases（72.44%） of the corpses was found with all clothes and 72 cases（56.69%） with the belongings. There are 63 cases（49.61%） of the cases was died from downing and 15 cases（11.81%） was died from hypothermia and starvation. Cause of death in 25 cases（19.69%） was undetermined. Conclusion The most of unidentified corpses in Shaoxing are found in water and died from accidents. The degree of corpse putrefaction is the principal factor to analyze the cause of death. Related Articles | Metrics

Select

Low Volume Amplification in Single Cell Separation and Inspection HAN JUN-PING, LI CAI-XIA, YAN HONG, ET AL 2012, 28(2): 123-125.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2012.02.012 Abstract ( 1532 )   Objective To establish optimal amplification conditions with the application of 0.2 mL test tube in single cell separation and inspection. Methods Oral epithelium cell suspension was prepared. Five or ten cells were collected with 0.2 mL test tube. Then DNA were amplified with Identifiler?誖Plus kit in three different conditions in which the proteinase K addition, gold enzyme concentration in PCR reaction, and PCR reaction cycles were adjusted separately. Finally the detection rate, allelic dropout rate and artificial alleles were compared among the groups. Results In these 3 different conditions： addition of proteinase K, addition of 0.4 μL gold enzyme in PCR reaction, and use of 32 cycles, the detection rate was higher and allelic dropout rate was lower than the other conditions. Conclusion In single cell separation and inspection, the usage of 0.2 mL test tube could be an effective supplement to chip-low volume amplification. Related Articles | Metrics

Select

Mechanism of Methamphetamine Intoxication and Its Medical Identification GAO WEI-MIN, WAN YANG, MAO RUI-MING, ET AL 2012, 28(2): 126-129.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2012.02.013 Abstract ( 2154 )   Methamphetamine（MA） is a representative drug of amphetamine-type stimulants for central nervous system and has become one of the most dangerous drugs in the world recently. The present article reviews the pharmacological effects, distribution, metabolism, intoxication mechanism, the effects of MA on cardiovascular and central nervous systems of MA, and the current situation of forensic investigation on MA. Related Articles | Metrics