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Time-Dependent FTIR Spectral Changes in Rats of Massive Hemorrhage Death during the Later Postmortem Period LI SHI-YING, SHAO YU, LI ZHENG-DONG, ET AL. 2012, 28(4): 241-246.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2012.04.001 Abstract ( 1398 )   The aim of the current study was to investigate the spectra in the different organs of the rats which died of massive hemorrhage; to explore their spectral changes 15 days postmortem and the best mathematical model with different band absorption ratio changes to postmortem interval（PMI）; and to compare the spectral changes of different temperature. Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were sacrificed by cutting abdominal aorta, and the cadavers were divided equally and kept at 4 ℃, 20 ℃ and 30 ℃ in the control chamber. From the same rat, seven different organs were sampled at intervals of 1-15 days postmortem, and then measured by Fourier transfom infrared（FTIR） spectrometer. Six mathematical model functions were explored. The absorbance of bands and band absorbance ratios of absorption peak in each organ showed a time-dependent increase or decrease, most band absorbance ratios remaining stable for 7-15 days postmortem. Cubic model functions of the various bands absorbance ratios against PMI showed a stronger related coefficient. The absorbance bands with obvious changes at 20 ℃ showed stabilized tendencies at 4 ℃ and significant changes at 30 ℃ within 15 days postmortem. In addition, FTIR spectroscopy revealed a time-dependent metabolic process, with potential of being used to estimate PMI during 7 days postmortem, which merits further investigation Related Articles | Metrics

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Changes of Left Ventricular Myocardial Collagen Fibers and Osteopontin Expression in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy TANG DA-WEI, LIN GUO-SHENG, HUANG JING-LU, ET AL. 2012, 28(4): 247-251.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2012.04.002 Abstract ( 1794 )   Objective To investigate the changes of collagen fibers and the expression of osteopontin in the left ventricle in cases of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy（HCM）, along with the significance of their potential forensic application. Methods Fifteen cases of HCM, 15 cases of coronary heart disease with cardiac hypertrophy and 20 cases of traffic accidents were selected as HCM group, coronary heart disease group and control group, respectively. Collagen volume fraction and osteopontin expression were observed and compared by HE staining, Masson trichrome staining and immunohistochemistry methods. Imaging and statistical methods were used for quantitative analysis. Results Collagen volume fraction in left ventricle of HCM and coronary heart disease were significantly higher than that in the control group（P<0.05）, which was not significantly different between the HCM group and the coronary heart disease group. The integral light density value of osteopontin in left ventricular cardiomyocytes of the HCM group and the coronary heart disease group were significantly higher than that of the control group（P<0.05）, and the value of the HCM group was also significantly higher than that of coronary heart disease group（P<0.05）. Conclusion The increased contents of collagen fibers and the overexpression of osteopontin may play an important role in myocardial fibrosis, and they can be used as markers in aid of diagnosing sudden death due to HCM. Related Articles | Metrics

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Expression of Fas Protein of Myocardium in Dilated Cardiomyopathy WEI SHU-RONG, CHEN XIN-SHAN, CHEN HUANG-FENG, ET AL. 2012, 28(4): 252-255.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2012.04.003 Abstract ( 1805 )   Objective To investigate Fas protein expression of the myocardium in dilated cardiomyopathy （DCM） and its relationship with occurrence of sudden death caused by DCM. Methods Nine autopsy cases of sudden death caused by DCM along with the heart samples were chosen from the archives in the Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, HUST from 1997 to 2007. Other 11 cases which died of violence and other diseases were selected as the control group. Expressions of myocardial Fas protein in the samples were quantitatively detected by immunohistochemistry and computerized imaging analysis. Results Myocardial Fas protein expression increased significantly in the DCM group. Positive color showed brown-yellow granulated or striped distribution in the longitudinal section of myocardial within the cell membrane and cytoplasm, and showed circular brown granules in the cross section of the cell membrane, while these changes were not observed in the control group though there was focal weak staining noted. Statistical significance was observed between the experimental and control groups（P=0.002）, but no statistical significance was found for the average optical density value between these two groups（P=0.675）. Conclusion The expression of Fas protein increased obviously in the DCM group. Such alteration in expression quantity and distribution of myocardial Fas protein may be related to arrhythmia and heart failure in the patients with DCM. Related Articles | Metrics

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Magnetic Resonance Diffusion Tensor Imaging for Diagnosis of Pyramidal Tract Damage in Rats LI SHANG-XUN, SHAN DAI, DUAN YI-JIE, ET AL. 2012, 28(4): 256-260，268.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2012.04.004 Abstract ( 1820 )   Objective To explore the applicability of magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging（DTI） for diagnosis of pyramidal tract damage in rats. Methods Marmarou’s model was set up, followed by DTI scanning at 3, 12, 24 and 72 h post trauma to acquire the dispersion parameter of bilateral pyramidal tracts. Moreover, axonal varicosities per square millimeter and the percentage of positive area of axons demonstrated by β-amyloid precursor protein（β-APP） immunostaining were obtained, as well as the mean density and sum density of neurofilament（NF） 68 immunostaining. Results Axial diffusivity（AD）, fraction anisotropy（FA） and relative anisotropy（RA） in the pyramidal tract were significantly and continuously reduced and reached to the bottom at 72 h post trauma（P<0.05） in accord with the gradient of axonal damage verified by β-APP and NF68 immunostaining. Furthermore, the changes of AD, FA and RA showed a significant negative correlation with the β-APP immunohistochemical results. Conclusion DTI has important value for early diagnosis in pyramidal tract damage. Related Articles | Metrics

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Different Expression of TNF-α in Brain and Peripheral Organs after Cerebral Contusion of Rats YAN ZHI, SUN XIAO-LI, HU YU-LIAN, ET AL. 2012, 28(4): 261-264.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2012.04.005 Abstract ( 1599 )   Objective To compare the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α（TNF-α） between brain and peripheral organs after cerebral contusion in order to provide the scientific theoretical basis for forensic pathological diagnosis and wound age estimation. Methods Brain and peripheral organs including heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney tissues of 45 SD rats after the cerebral contusion were obtained and TNF-α of these tissues were analyzed with immunohistochemistry methods. Results TNF-α was detected at 1 h in brain, reaching maximum at 6 h and 3 d after the cerebral contusion, and then decreased but still kept at high expression level at 7 d. TNF-α was detected at 1 h after the cerebral contusion in heart, liver, spleen, lung and kidney tissues. The number of cells expressing TNF-α increased gradually, reaching maximum at 3 d after the contusion of brain, and then decreased but still kept at high expression level at 7 d. Conclusion Besides the change of cerebral contusion, this study considered both the brain and peripheral organs. It is helpful for forensic pathological diagnosis and wound age estimation after contusion of brain. Related Articles | Metrics

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Distribution of Diatoms in Central City of Beijing LI LI-PING, SUN TING-YI, LIU HONG-XIA, ET AL. 2012, 28(4): 265-268.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2012.04.006 Abstract ( 1734 )   Objective To explore the quantity and distribution of diatoms in main rivers and lakes in Xicheng, Dongcheng, Chaoyang, Haidian, Fengtai and Shijingshan Districts of the city of Beijing. Methods Water samples were examined through the method of disorganizing, which were collected from 16 rivers and lakes in the central city of Beijing in September and October 2011. Diatom species and proportions of water samples were analyzed using DotSlide microscope station. Results A total of 10 species of diatoms were detected. Cyclotella, Synedra and Melosira etc. were found to be the dominant species via quantitative analysis. Significant differences were observed for diatom species and proportions among the different rivers and lakes. Melosira was found to be the dominant species in the Chang River; Synedra, in the Zhuan River, the Kunyu River and the Taoranting Park; Cyclotella, in the East Moat River, the Ba River, the Liangshui River and the Yongding River; and Navicula, in the Liangma River; Nitzschia, in the diversion canal of the Yongding River. Conclusion The features of distribution of diatoms in the central city of Beijing are outlined. The morphological and relative constituent ratio database of diatoms are established in central city of Beijing. Related Articles | Metrics

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Long-Term Trend of Bone Development in the Contemporary Teenagers of Chinese Han Nationality WANG YA-HUI, YING CHONG-LIANG, WAN LEI, ET AL 2012, 28(4): 269-274.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2012.04.007 Abstract ( 1359 )   Objective To further improve the accuracy of bone age identification using the time of secondary ossification center appearance and epiphyseal fusion of 7 joints to estimate the age of living individuals. Methods DR films were taken from 7 parts including sternal end of clavical and the left side of shoulder, elbow, carpal, hip, knee and ankle joints of 1 709 individuals who came from eastern China, central China and southern China, whose ages were between 11.0 and 20.0 years. From those 7 joints 24 osteal loci were selected as bone age indexes, which could better reflect age growth of teenagers. The characteristics of secondary ossification center appearance and epiphyseal fusion were observed, and the mean and age range of secondary ossification center appearance and epiphyseal fusion were calculated. Results The fusion time of the 24 epiphyses were advanced at different degrees, the most obvious epiphyses the sternal end of clavicle, scapular acromial end, distal end of the radius, distal end of the ulna, iliac crest, ischial tuberosity, the upper and lower end of tibia and fibula. The appearance time of sternal end of clavicle, scapular acromial end, iliac crest and ischial tuberosity epiphyses were all found to be after the age of 12, and the female’s age, approximately 1 year ahead of schedule in comparison with the male’s. Conclusion The relevant forensic information and data for bone age identification should be updated every 10-15 years so as to provide accurate and objective evidence for court testimony, conviction and sentencing. Related Articles | Metrics

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Application of Needle Electromyography and Nerve Conduction Study in Forensic Appraisal XIA QING, GAO DONG, ZHU GUANG-YOU, ET AL. 2012, 28(4): 275-277.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2012.04.008 Abstract ( 1446 )   Objective To explore the application value of needle electromyography （EMG） and nerve conduction study（NCS） in the forensic appraisal; to provide scientific basis for establishing normative and unified assessment methods of the peripheral nerve study in forensic medicine. Methods One hundred and sixty-four samples with injured peripheral nerve（injury group） and 138 samples with normal peripheral nerve （control group） were collected and tested with methods of EMG and NCS respectively. The relevance rate of two methods were compared and statistical analysis was performed. Results In the injury group, there was no statistical difference on the relevance rate between the application of EMG and that of NCS（P>0.05）. In the control group, there was no statistical difference on the negative rate between the two methods（P>0.05）. The false negative rate of the injury group and the false positive rate of the control group were both 0% when using the two methods together. Conclusion When the injured peripheral nerve in forensic appraisal is in doubt, application of both EMG and NCS could disclose truth from falsehood. The accuracy and credibility of identification results could be enhanced. Related Articles | Metrics

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Analysis on Work Related Fatigue among Prison Police and Mental Medical Staffs XIE JIA-LING, PAN KUI-QIONG, LIU SHI-HUA 2012, 28(4): 278-280.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2012.04.009 Abstract ( 1620 )   Objective To investigate the work related fatigue among prison police and mental medical staffs; to compare the social support between two groups; to develop specific intervention strategies in the future. Methods The Chinese Maslach Burnout Inventory（CMBI） and the Social Support Rating Scale （SSRS） were applied to 100 prison police and 100 mental medical staffs respectively. Their status of work related fatigue and relevant social support were analyzed accordingly. Results 1） The level of fatigue among prison police was higher than mental medical staffs（P<0.05）; 2） The factor scores of “emotional burnout” and “depersonalization” among prison police were higher than that among mental medical staffs（P<0.05）. There was no significant difference between the two groups on the “decreased sense of achievement”（P>0.05）; 3） The level of social support in the prison police was higher than that in the mental medical staffs（P<0.05）. Conclusion Both prison police and mental medical staffs were vulnerable to suffering from fatigue. However, the details and relevant social support between these two groups were different. Active intervention should be taken for different occupation. Related Articles | Metrics

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Identification of Sarcosaphagous Calliphorid Flies by Analyzing the Sequence of 16S rDNA SHI JIAN, GUO YA-DONG, KUANG XU-YUAN, ET AL. 2012, 28(4): 281-286.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2012.04.010 Abstract ( 1454 )   Objective To explore the application of a 289 bp fragment of the 16S rDNA gene to identify various species of sarcosaphagous Calliphorid flies. Methods Twenty-six Calliphorid flies were collected from 14 Chinese provinces. All specimens were properly assigned into three genera and six species. The DNA of the pectoralis was extracted using CTAB method. Then PCR amplification was done for the 289 bp fragment of the 16S rDNA gene. The PCR products were then purified and sequenced, and the obtained sequences were uploaded to GenBank. The phylogenetic tree was built by the neighbor-joining method and intraspecific and interspecific divergences were calculated by sequence analysis. Results The above 26 sarcosaphagous flies could be well clustered according to different genera and species. The evolutional intraspecific values were all zero, the evolutional interspecific variations varied from 0.3% to 6.5%. Conclusion The 289 bp fragment of the 16S rDNA of sarcosaphagous flies can be effectively used to identify most of the flies at species level. This method appears to be fast and low dissipative, which might be used to estimate postmortem interval by sarcosaphagous flies. Related Articles | Metrics

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Latest Progress in Postmortem Interval Estimation LI ZENG-QIANG, ZUO WEI-DONG, ZHANG FU, ET AL. 2012, 28(4): 287-292.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2012.04.012 Abstract ( 2191 )   Accurate estimation of the postmortem interval（PMI） has been one of the most important and complicated issues in the forensic practice. In order to provide novel perspectives for the future research concerning PMI, the advantages and disadvantages of related traditional methods, postmortem degradation of nucleic acid and tissue, the componential change of vitreous humor and histological biochemistry since 2002 have been introduced and compared in this review. Related Articles | Metrics

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Progress in Standard Assessment on Competency to Stand Trial of Mentally Disordered Offenders CHEN XIAO-BING, CAI WEI-XIONG 2012, 28(4): 293-298.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2012.04.013 Abstract ( 1431 )   Competency to stand trial relates directly to legal rights of the appraised individual as well as whether criminal procedure can be carried out smoothly. Foreign scholars have conducted a large number of theoretical researches, and developed a series of standardized evaluation tools. However, the assessment on competency to stand trial has mainly focused on medical criteria in China for a long time, and most cases were judged by forensic psychiatrists’ experience. Recently, Chinese scholars have started the initial research on standardized evaluation. This paper reviews the notion of competency to stand trial, the evaluation criteria, and the assessment tools domestically and abroad. The main focus is on foreign assessment tools, which included three categories. First category includes checklist, self-report questionnaires and sentence-completion tasks. Second category is the interview-based instruments without criterion-based scoring. Last category is the interview-based instruments with criterion-based scoring. This literature may be helpful for further research and standardization on assessment tools of competency to stand trial of mentally disordered offenders. Related Articles | Metrics

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Association and Its Forensic Significance between COMT Gene and Schizophrenia DING CHUN-LI, ZHOU XUE, WANG BAO-JIE, ET AL. 2012, 28(4): 299-304.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2012.04.014 Abstract ( 1594 )   Catechol-O-methyltransferase（COMT） gene encodes catechol-O-methyltransferase, the variant of this gene may affect the expression and metabolic activity of COMT. As the result of the changes of the effective concentration of the catecholamine neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, central nervous system dysfunctions associated with schizophrenia. This review summarizes genetic polymorphism and diversity of COMT gene. It also elaborates the relation between SNP and haplotype of COMT gene and three aspects, which including schizophrenia, attacking and violent tendency, and the frontal cognitive function of the schizophreniac. The correlativity study between genetic variation of the COMT gene and schizophrenia in patients with attacking and violent tendency may be helpful for the assessment of forensic psychiatry. Related Articles | Metrics