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28 April 2013, Volume 29 Issue 2 Previous Issue    Next Issue

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Establishment of a 3D Finite Element Model of Human Thoracic Cage and Biomechanical Analysis SHAO YU, HUANG PING, LI ZHENG-DONG, ET AL. 2013, 29(2): 81-85.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2013.02.001 Abstract ( 1693 )   Objective To establish a 3D finite element model of the complete human thoracic cage, and to perform a biomechanical analysis. Methods The multislice computed tomography （MSCT） images of human thorax were obtained and used to develop a 3D reconstruction and a finite element model of the thoracic cage by finite element modeling software. The right hypochondrium area of the model was simulated to sustain the frontal impacts by a blunt impactor with velocities of 4, 6 and 8 m/s, and the distribution of stress and strain after the impact of the model was analyzed. Results A highly anatomically simulated finite element model of human thoracic cage was successfully developed with a fine element mean quality which was above 0.7. The biomechanical analysis showed that the thoracic cage revealed both local bending and overall deformation after the impact. Stress and strain arose from the initial impact area of the ribs, and then spread along the ribs to both sides, at last concentrated in the posterior side of the ribs and near the sternum. Impacts with velocities of 6 m/s and 8 m/s were predicted to cause rib fractures when the strain of the ribs were beyond the threshold values. Conclusion The finite element modeling software is capable of establishing a highly simulated 3D finite element model of human thoracic cage. And the established model could be applicable to analyze stress and strain distribution of the thoracic cage under forces and to provide a new method for the forensic identification of chest injury. Related Articles | Metrics

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Expression of BNP in Rat Myocardial Tissue after Acute Cardiac Dysfunction GAO WEI-MIN, CAO ZHI-PENG, MI LI, ET AL. 2013, 29(2): 86-90.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2013.02.002 Abstract ( 1555 )   Objective To investigate the expression of brain natriuretic peptide （BNP） in rat myocardial tissue after acute cardiac dysfunction and to explore the role of BNP in diagnosis of cardiac dysfunction in forensic practice. Methods Rat models of acute cardiac dysfunction were established. The expression of BNP protein and BNP mRNA in myocardial tissue after cardiac dysfunction were detected by immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and real-time RT-PCR. Results The extent of positive staining of BNP increased over the time course during cardiac dysfunction. The expression of BNP showed mild positive in cardiomyocytes from 1 h to 2 h. From 4 h to 6 h, the expression was moderate positive. From 10 h to 12 h, the BNP showed a strongest positive expression. The expression of BNP presented a significant raise with the increasing time of cardiac dysfunction by Western blotting and real-time RT-PCR. The expression of BNP mRNA increased significantly 1 h after cardiac dysfunction. Conclusion Investigating the expression of BNP protein and BNP mRNA in myocardial tissue may provide a new approach to evaluate the cardiac function for forensic pathologists. Related Articles | Metrics

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Relation between Expression of Cerebral β-APP in the Chronic Alcoholism Rats and Death Caused by TSAH WEI LAI, LEI HUAI-CHENG, YU XIAO-JUN, ET AL. 2013, 29(2): 91-95.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2013.02.003 Abstract ( 1538 )   Objective By observing the cerebral β-amyloid precursor protein （β-APP） expression in the chronic alcoholism rats with slight cerebral injury, to discuss the correlation of chronic alcoholism and death caused by traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage （TSAH）. Methods Sixty male SD rats were randomly divided into watering group, watering group with strike, alcoholism group and alcoholism group with strike. Among them, the alcohol was used for continuous 4 weeks in alcoholism groups and the concussion was made in groups with strike. In each group, HE staining and immunohistochemical staining of the cerebral tissues were done and the results were analyzed by the histopathologic image system. Results In watering group, there was no abnormal. In watering group with strike, mild neuronic congestion was found. In alcoholism group, vascular texture on cerebral surface was found. And the neurons arranged in disorder with dilated intercellular space. In alcoholism group with strike, diffuse congestion on cerebral surface was found. And there was TSAH with thick-layer patches around brainstem following irregular axonotmesis. The quantity of β-APP IOD in alcoholism group was significantly higher in the frontal lobe, hippocampus, cerebellum, brainstem than those in watering group with strike and alcoholism group with strike. Conclusion The cerebral tissues with chronic alcoholism, due to the decreasing tolerance, could cause fatal TSAH and pathological changes in cerebral tissues of rats under slight cerebral injury. Related Articles | Metrics

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Correlativity between Projected Visual Chart Vision and Contrast Vision LIU DONG-MEI, ZHOU SHU, XIA WEN-TAO, ET AL. 2013, 29(2): 96-98.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2013.02.004 Abstract ( 1647 )   Objective To study the correlativity between the projected visual chart vision （“projector vision” in this paper） and the measured values of contrast vision, and to explore the application of contrast vision in identifying visual impairment after eye injury in the clinical forensic medicine. Methods One hundred and twenty nine eyes of seventy-nine young volunteers were collected for examination both of projector vision and contrast vision. In the examination of contrast vision, the contrast of optotypes were set to 100%, 25% and 10%, respectively. The correlativity of both collected experimental data were statistically analyzed. Results Projector vision was consistent with 100% contrast vision. There was a close and positive correlation between the contrast of optotypes and measured vision values. Under the same contrast of optotypes, projector vision presented a linear correlation with the average value of contrast vision. Conclusion There is a close correlation between projector vision and contrast vision. The contrast vision can be applied to judicial identification in the clinical forensic medicine. Related Articles | Metrics

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Development of Competency to Stand Trial Rating Scale in Offenders with Mental Disorders CHEN XIAO-BING, CAI WEI-XIONG 2013, 29(2): 99-102.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2013.02.005 Abstract ( 1848 )   Objective According with Chinese legal system, to develop a competency to stand trial rating scale in offenders with mental disorders. Methods Proceeding from the juristical elements, 15 items were extracted and formulated a preliminary instrument named the competency to stand trial rating scale in offenders with mental disorders. The item analysis included six aspects, which were critical ratio, item-total correlation, corrected item-total correlation, α value if item deleted, communalities of items, and factor loading. The Logistic regression equation and cut-off score of ROC curve were used to explore the diagnostic efficiency. Results The data of critical ratio of extreme group were 18.390-46.763; item-total correlation, 0.639-0.952; corrected item-total correlation, 0.582-0.944; communalities of items, 0.377-0.916; and factor loadings, 0.614-0.957. Seven items were included in the regression equation and the accuracy of back substitution test was 96.0%. The score of 33 was ascertained as the cut-off score by ROC fitting curve, the overlapping ratio compared with the expertise was 95.8%. The sensibility and the specificity were 0.938 and 0.966, respectively, while the positive and negative likelihood ratios were 27.67 and 0.06, respectively. Conclusion With all items satisfied the requirement of homogeneity test, the rating scale has a reasonable construct and excellent diagnostic efficiency. Related Articles | Metrics

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Genotyping and Parental Related Methylation of SNRPN Gene rs220030 LI HUI, XU HONG-MEI, ZHAO YUN, ET AL. 2013, 29(2): 103-106,115.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2013.02.006 Abstract ( 1994 )   Objective To establish two methods by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis （DGGE） and pyrosequencing for genotyping rs220030 （a SNP in the promoter region of small nuclear ribonucleoprotein polypeptide N, SNRPN）. To establish an analytical technique for detecting CpG methylation status by pyrosequencing and to further investigate the feasibility of applying rs220030 to the determination of parental origin allele. Methods The rs220030 of 97 blood samples from individuals of Shanghai Han population were genotyped by DGGE, meanwhile the rs220030 of 25 blood samples of them were genotyped by pyrosequencing to compare the two methods in genotyping SNP. Pyrosequencing united bisulfite conversion method was applied to detect CpG methylation status of region upstream rs220030 of two random blood genealogical samples and investigate whether the methylation status was parental related. Results The rs220030 genotyping results of 97 blood samples detected by DGGE were 20 C homozygote, 29 T homozygote, and 48 C/T heterozygote. Twenty-five blood samples genotyped by pyrosequencing showed the same result with DGGE. The CpG methylation status of region upstream rs220030 of the child was similar to the mother. Conclusion Compared with DGGE, pyrosequencing is more accurate, convenient, and suitable for large samples and high throughput SNP genotyping. Pyrosequencing united bisulfite conversion can be used to detect CpG methylation status precisely. It is feasible to apply rs220030 to parental origin allele determination. Related Articles | Metrics

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Correlation between Genetic Polymorphisms of -855 G/C and -1140 G/A in GRIN1 Gene and Paranoid Schizophrenia LI ZHONG-JIE, DING MEI, PANG HAO, ET AL. 2013, 29(2): 107-109.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2013.02.007 Abstract ( 1579 )   Objective To investigate the single nucleotide polymorphisms （SNP） of -855 G/C and -1140 G/A in promoter regions of GRIN1 gene and find their genetic correlation to paranoid schizophrenia as well as their applicable values in forensic medicine. Methods The genetic polymorphisms of -855 G/C and -1140 G/A at the 5′ end of GRIN1 gene were detected by PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism and PAGE in 183 healthy unrelated individuals of northern Chinese Han population and 172 patients of paranoid schizophrenia, respectively. The ?字2 test was used to identify Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium of the genotype distribution. The differences of genotypes and allelic frequency distributions were compared between the two groups. Results Distributions of the genotypic frequencies satisfied Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in both groups. The difference of genotypes was statistically significant between female patient group and female control group in -855 G/C distribution （P<0.05）. The differences of genotypes and allelic frequencies were statistically significant not only between the patient group and the control group but also between female patient group and female control group in -1140 G/A distribution （P<0.05）. Conclusion The SNP of -1140 G/A in promoter regions of GRIN1 gene might positively correlate to paranoid schizophrenia. The genetic factor of schizophrenia is involved in gender tendency. And it could be useful in forensic identification of schizophrenia. Related Articles | Metrics

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Forensic Psychiatric Cases of 534 Mental Disorders Caused by Traumatic Brain Injury LI TING, LI GUO-RONG, JIANG HONG-XIA, ET AL. 2013, 29(2): 116-119.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2013.02.009 Abstract ( 1682 )   Objective To analyze the types of mental disorders caused by traumatic brain injury and the optimal time for forensic psychiatric appraisal. To explore the relationship between the degree of traumatic brain injury, the time of appraisal and the grade of intellectual deficiency. Methods Five hundred and thirty-four forensic psychiatric cases of mental disorders caused by traumatic brain injury were retrospectively analyzed. Results In the types of mental disorders caused by traumatic brain injury, the most cases were diagnosed as organic mood disorders （51.1%）, following organic neurosis-like syndrome （24.0%） and organic intellectual deficiency （18.0%）. For the disability grades, the most cases were the level Ⅷ and Ⅸ disability grades, 219 cases （41.0%） and 177 cases （33.1%）, respectively. The degree of brain injury and the degree of intelligence defection according to WAIS-RC were higher in intellectual deficiency group compared with non-intellectual deficiency group （P<0.05）. The grade of disability correlated with the degree of brain injury, the result of WAIS-RC, the result of cerebral CT scanning, and the grade of brain electrical activity mapping （BEAM） abnormality （P<0.05）. Nevertheless, the degree of intellectual deficiency did not correlate with appraisal time and the degree of brain injury （P>0.05）. Conclusion The factors influencing intellectual deficiency are complex. The findings of objective examination including cerebral CT scanning, BEAM, WAIS-RC and others should be considered as important indexes for disability evaluation. Related Articles | Metrics

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Reappraisals of Mental Disabilities Due to Traffic Accidents: a Retrospective Analysis of 51 Cases YU GUAN-MAO, CHEN ZHENG-PING, TIAN GUO-QIANG 2013, 29(2): 120-121,124.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2013.02.010 Abstract ( 1519 )   Objective To discuss the causes for changes of opinions in reappraisals of mental disabilities due to traffic accidents. Methods Fifty-one reappraisals of mental disorders due to traffic accidents from October 2009 to October 2011 in the Institute of Forensic Science, Shaoxing Seventh People’s Hospital, were retrospectively analyzed. Results In the reappraisals, the opinions about disability grade changed in 30 cases （58.82%）, including 8 cases increased and 22 cases decreased. According to the causes of changing the opinions, there were 8, 10 and 2 cases related to different understandings of appraisers in the severities of mental disorders, subjective judgements and certain psychiatric symptoms, respectively. Also, there were 10 cases related to different appraisal time. Conclusion Appraisals of mental disabilities should grasp the appraisal time, decrease the changes of opinions due to the differences of appraisers and correctly understand the orders of rules and clauses. Related Articles | Metrics

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A Retrospective Analysis of 97 Drunk Driving Cases CHENG XIANG-WEI, CHU YUN, ZONG XIONG-XIN, ET AL. 2013, 29(2): 122-124.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2013.02.011 Abstract ( 1797 )   Objective Based on a retrospective analysis of the drunk driving cases, to explore the drunk drivers’ personnel composition, occurrence time and psychology. Methods As a result of punishment of the drunk driving by criminal law for one year from May 1st, 2011 to April 30th, 2012, 97 drunk driving cases were statistically analyzed the easy-happening time of drunk driving, the drunk drivers’ age, gender, occupational characteristics, domicile and psychological factors. Results In 97 drunk driving cases, 26-40 years old, non-local domiciled and non-professional male drivers were prone to drunk driving at night from 22：00 to 5：00. Conclusion The behavior of drunk driving is relevant to time, age, gender and occupation. The psychological characteristics of most drivers are fluky, making-life-easy, competitive and peacockish. Related Articles | Metrics

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Influences of Cycle Index and Volume on Sensitivity of DNA Detection ZHANG LU, WANG BAO-JIE, DING MEI, ET AL. 2013, 29(2): 125-126.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2013.02.012 Abstract ( 1482 )   Objective To explore the feasibility of improving the sensitivity of DNA detection by increasing the PCR cycle index and decreasing the volume of amplifying system. Methods The DNA of semen were collected from 10 healthy irrelevant volunteers, and were quantified to 50, 40, 30, 25, 20, 15, 10 pg/μL, separately. All samples were then amplified in 10, 5, 3 μL volume and at 28, 30, 32, 34, 36 cycles, respectively. 3130 genetic analyzer was used to detect 15 autosomal STR loci. Results Under the situation of 28 cycles and 3 μL volume, samples which achieved >40 pg/μL could be correctly typed. Under the situation of 10, 5, 3 μL volume, samples which achieved >20 pg/μL could be correctly typed at 34 cycles. When increasing the index to 36 cycles, they could not be correctly typed because of the non-specific band. Conclusion DNA detecting sensitivity can be improved to a certain extent by increasing the cycle index and decreasing the volume of amplifying system. Related Articles | Metrics

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DNA Extraction from Bones and Teeth Using AutoMate ExpressTM Forensic DNA Extraction System GAO LIN-LIN, XU NIAN-LAI, XIE WEI, ET AL. 2013, 29(2): 127-129.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2013.02.013 Abstract ( 1707 )   Objective To explore a new method in order to extract DNA from bones and teeth automatically. Methods Samples of 33 bones and 15 teeth were acquired by freeze-mill method and manual method, respectively. DNA materials were extracted and quantified from the triturated samples by AutoMate ExpressTM forensic DNA extraction system. Results DNA extraction from bones and teeth were completed in 3 hours using the AutoMate ExpressTM forensic DNA extraction system. There was no statistical difference between the two methods in the DNA concentration of bones. Both bones and teeth got the good STR typing by freeze-mill method, and the DNA concentration of teeth was higher than those by manual method. Conclusion AutoMate ExpressTM forensic DNA extraction system is a new method to extract DNA from bones and teeth, which can be applied in forensic practice. Related Articles | Metrics

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Progress in Thin Layer CT Scan Technology in Estimating Skeletal Age of Sternal End of Clavicle WANG YA-HUI, WEI HUA, YING CHONG-LIANG, ET AL. 2013, 29(2): 130-133.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2013.02.014 Abstract ( 1641 )   It is practical value for determination the teenagers whether the age is full of the legal responsibility age of 18 years old or not by estimating skeletal age of sternal end of clavicle. The traditional methods mainly based on X-ray radiography. However, sternal end of clavicle and adjacent lung, bronchus, sternum, rib, transverse process of thoracic vertebra are overlapped each other. As a result of overlapping, there will be obtained false negative or positive film reading results when according to X-ray observation of epiphyseal growth of sternal end of clavicle, which directly affect the scientificalness and accuracy of estimating of skeletal age. In recent years, the scholars at home and abroad have started to use thin layer CT scan technology to estimate skeletal age of the sternal end of clavicle. With the 2D and 3D CT recombination technology, the accuracy of the film reading distinctly improves by making the shape, size and position of epiphysis displayed clearly. This article reviews the application and research progress of thin layer CT scanning technology in estimating skeletal age of sternal end of clavicle at home and abroad, analyzes the superiority and value of thin layer CT scan technology, which applied to skeletal age of sternal end of clavicle. Related Articles | Metrics

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Progress in InDel as a New Generation of Genetic Marker SUN KUAN, ZHANG SU-HUA, ZHU RU-XIN, ET AL. 2013, 29(2): 134-139,143.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2013.02.015 Abstract ( 2154 )   As forensic DNA typing experienced three generations of genetic marker researching stage, short tandem repeat （STR） has been widely used in forensic identification as a mature tool. Further exploration of the human genome led to the discovery of polymorphism markers of single nucleotide polymorphism （SNP） and Insertion/Deletion （InDel）. InDel, which combines the desirable characteristics of previous genetic markers as a new type of genetic marker, has got extensive concern in fields like medical molecular biology and forensic biology. This paper generally reviews the history of research and the corresponding results of InDel along the line of time axis as well as the different aims of these research focusing on the progress in the multiple amplification system with several InDel as the genetic marker （autosomal or X chromosome） in forensic biology and anthropology. Finally, the direction of research in this field and the problems to be solved have been put forward. Related Articles | Metrics

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Progress in Myofibroblast and Its Application in Forensic Medicine YU TIAN-SHUI, LING YUE, GUAN DA-WEI 2013, 29(2): 140-143.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2013.02.016 Abstract ( 1714 )   The myofibroblasts have dual characteristics of smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts. In repairing tissular wound, myofibroblasts are involved in fibrogenesis and remodeling the extracellular matrix of the fibrotic cascades reaction. The review describes the morphological characteristics and biological behaviors of myofibroblasts and the application of skin wound age determination, which may provide reference for research in forensic medicine. Related Articles | Metrics