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28 August 2014, Volume 30 Issue 4 Previous Issue    Next Issue

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Analysis of Biochemical Markers in Serum of Guinea Pigs after Death Caused by Hypothermia LI SHI-YING, DENG KAI-FEI, SHAO YU, ET AL. 2014, 30(4): 241-244.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2014.04.001 Abstract ( 1223 )   Objective To explore the changes and rules of biochemical markers in serum of guinea pigs after death caused by hypothermia and to provide references for fatal hypothermia diagnosis by serum biochemical markers. Methods Twenty guinea pigs were randomly divided into experimental group and control group. The guinea pigs in the experimental group were kept at -30 ℃ until death, while the ones in control group were decapitated after same survival intervals at 25 ℃. The serum was extracted from the whole blood of right ventricular immediately. Subsequently, a series of serum biochemical markers were analyzed by auto bio-chemical analyzer. Results The levels of glucose, uric acid, creatinine and urea nitrogen in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in control group, respectively （P<0.05）. Compared with the control group, the levels of total protein and albumin were significantly lower in the experimental group （P<0.05）. There were no significantly differences of the levels of other markers such as serum enzymes and ions observed between the two groups. Conclusion There are characteristic changes of some specific serum biochemical markers in fatal hypothermia, which may be potentially useful for auxiliary diagnosis of fatal hypothermia. Related Articles | Metrics

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Correlation between Five RNA Markers of Rat’s Skin and PMI at Different Temperatures PAN HUI, ZHANG HENG, 吕YE-HUI , ET AL. 2014, 30(4): 245-249.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2014.04.002 Abstract ( 1462 )   Objective To explore the correlation between postmortem interval （PMI） and five RNA markers of rat’s skin—β-actin, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase（GAPDH）, 18S ribosomal RNA（18S rRNA）, 5S ribosomal RNA （5S rRNA）, and microRNA-203 （miR-203）, at different temperatures. Methods Eighteen SD rats were randomly divided into three environmental temperature groups： 4 ℃, 15 ℃ and 35 ℃, respectively. Skin samples were taken at 11 time points from 0 h to 120 h postmortem. The total RNA was extracted from the skin samples and the five RNA levels were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR. Proper internal reference was selected by geNorm software. Regression analysis of the RNA markers was conducted by GraphPad software. Results 5S rRNA and miR-203 were most suitable internal references. A good linear relationship between PMI and RNA levels （β-actin and GAPDH） was observed in two groups （4 ℃ and 15 ℃）, whereas the S type curve relationship between the expression levels of the two markers （β-actin and GAPDH） and PMI was observed in the 35 ℃ group. The partial linear relationship between 18S rRNA and PMI was observed in the groups （15 ℃ and 35 ℃）. Conclusion Skin could be a suitable material for extracting RNA. The RNA expression levels of β-actin and GAPDH correlate well with PMI, and these RNA markers of skin tissue could be additional indice for the estimation of PMI. Related Articles | Metrics

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Nitric Oxide Mediated TNF-α, IL-1β Gene Expression in Liver Induced by Crush Injury of Rat’s Soft Tissues DONG GUO-KAI, ZHANG XIAO-TONG, MA LI-QIN, ET AL. 2014, 30(4): 250-252.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2014.04.003 Abstract ( 1302 )   Objective To explore the effect of nitric oxide （NO） on the gene expression of hepatic TNF-α and IL-1β by crush injury of rat’s soft tissues. Methods Rats were randomly divided into sham group, crush group, crush+aminoguanidine （AG） group, and crush+L-arginine （L-Arg） group. Activities of ALT and AST as well as NO level in serum were measured. Gene expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β were detected with RT-PCR. Results Obvious increase in TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA expression was detected in the crush group compared with the sham group （P<0.05）. After pretreated L-Arg, expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA were markedly increased （P<0.05）. After pretreated AG, those indices obviously decreased （P<0.05）. Activities of ALT and AST enhanced and NO level increased in the crush group compared with the sham group （P<0.05）. Pretreatment with L-Arg or AG led to substantial increased or reduced activities of ALT and AST as well as NO levels, respectively. Conclusion Endogenous NO mediated TNF-α, IL-1β mRNA up expression in liver induced by increased production of NO after crush injury of rat’s soft tissues. Related Articles | Metrics

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Cathepsin L Expression in Plasma after Acute Myocardial Ischemia and Ischemia-reperfusion in Rats ZHANG-GENG-QIAN, LIANG ZHENG, YAN PENG, ET AL. 2014, 30(4): 253-256.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2014.04.004 Abstract ( 1195 )   Objective To test cathepsin L as a biomarker of myocardial ischemia by examination of cathepsin L expression in plasma after myocardial ischemia and ischemia-reperfusion in rats. Methods The rat models were established and divided in acute myocardial ischemia model （myocardial ischemia 30 min, 1 h, 2 h groups）, ischemia-reperfusion model （ischemia-reperfusion group）, and isoflurane-pretreated ischemia-reperfusion model （isoflurane-pretreated group）, respectively. Normal control group and sham-operated group were established as contrast. The contents of cathepsin L in plasma were examined by ELISA and myocardial infarction areas were measured after TTC staining. Results No statistical significant changes were found among the experimental groups compared with the normal control group and sham-operated group （P>0.05）. The cathepsin L from the ischemia-reperfusion group increased to 2.37 times compared with the normal control group （P<0.05）. The cathepsin L and myocardium infarction size of isoflurane-pretreated group decreased compared with the ischemia-reperfusion group （P<0.05）. Conclusion The cathepsin L in plasma is not a promising biomarker of acute myocardial ischemia. Isoflurane preconditioning can reduce the cathepsin L in plasma caused by ischemia-reperfusion injury. Related Articles | Metrics

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Protective Effects of Intermedin Preconditioning on Hypoxic Injury in Rat’s Cardiac Myocytes DU QIU-XIANG, QIN YU-SHENG, LIU JIA, ET AL. 2014, 30(4): 257-260.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2014.04.005 Abstract ( 1186 )   Objective To observe the effects of intermedin preconditioning on hypoxic injury in rat’s cardiac myocytes and to provide the hypothetical mechanism of sudden cardiac death in the field of forensic pathology. Methods The H9c2 cultured rat cardiac myocytes were randomly divided into control group, hypoxia group and IMD group. The myocardial cell viability, cellular ultrastructure, intracellular calcium concentration and apoptosis rate were determined by MTT assay, transmission electron microscopy, laser scanning confocal microscope and flow cytometry, respectively. Results Compared with the control group, cell viability obviously decreased with inner ultrastructure injury in the hypoxia group （P<0.05）, while cell viability significantly increased in the IMD group by reducing the hypoxia injury of cardiac myocytes （P<0.05）. Compared with the control group, [Ca2+]i （fluorescence intensity） and apoptosis rate significantly increased in the hypoxia group, but decreased in the IMD group （P<0.05）. Conclusion IMD increases the cell survival rate and decreases the cell apoptosis inhibited by intracellular calcium overload from hypoxia. This finding may reveal the mechanism of protective effects of myocardial hypoxia, and provide a scientific basis for the identification sudden cardiac death. Related Articles | Metrics

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Comparison of Anterior Chamber Angle Examination by UBM, SL-OCT and Gonioscopy LIU RUI-JUE, WANG MENG, XIA WEN-TAO, ET AL. 2014, 30(4): 261-263.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2014.04.006 Abstract ( 1665 )   Objective To compare the agreement of anterior chamber angle examination by ultrasound biomicroscope （UBM）, slit lamp optical coherence tomography （SL-OCT）, and gonioscopy in angle recession and angle closure. Methods The anterior chamber angle was measured with UBM, SL-OCT and gonioscopy in turns for temporal, nasal, superior and inferior quadrant in the same dark room. The results were compared with the agreement of the three methods in angle recession and angle closure by χ2 test and Kappa test. Results There were no statistically significant differences of the three methods in testing angle closure and angle recession （P>0.05）. The consistency of UBM and gonioscopy was better （Kappa value of 0.882） than that of  SL-OCT and gonioscopy （Kappa value of 0.624）. Conclusion When testing angle recession, UBM is better than SL-OCT with gonioscopy as the standard. When testing angle closure, UBM, SL-OCT and gonioscopy have good agreement. Related Articles | Metrics

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Correlation between Visual Acuity and Fixation Characteristics WANG XU, LIU HUI, XIANG JIAN, ET AL. 2014, 30(4): 264-266.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2014.04.007 Abstract ( 1601 )   Objective To explore the feasibility of fixation characteristics to evaluate visual acuity. Methods The fixation characteristics were examined in 75 subjects by MP-1 microperimeter. These subjects were divided into 3 groups： central fixation group, uncertain group and eccentric fixation group, and the differences of visual acuity among them were analyzed. Pearson correlation and regression analysis were performed on visual acuity and average retinal light sensitivity. Results （1） The visual acuity was 4.80±0.16 for central fixation group; 4.20±0.45 for uncertain group; and 3.40±0.57 for eccentric fixation group, respectively. Based on the one-way ANOVA, the visual acuities in the three groups had statistically significant differences （P<0.05）. （2） There was linear relationship between visual acuity （y） and average retinal light sensitivity （x）. And the linear regression equations was y=-18.76+6.21 x. The Pearson correlation coefficient was 0.707 （P<0.05）. Conclusion There is significant positive correlation between visual acuity and fixation characteristics. Testing of fixation characteristics could be used to assess visual acuity objectively, which has a practical value in forensic clinical medicine. Related Articles | Metrics

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Death Caused by Anaphylactic Shock： A Forensic Pathological Analysis of 142 Cases HU DONG-YANG, HUANG CUI, LIU SHUANG-GAO, ET AL. 2014, 30(4): 267-269.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2014.04.008 Abstract ( 1378 )   Objective To explore the forensic pathological features of death caused by anaphylactic shock. Methods One hundred and forty-two death cases of anaphylactic shock were retrospectively analyzed. The IgE level in the serum of anaphylactic shock cases were statistically compared with that of 62 non-anaphylactic shock cases. Results Most cases （77.46%） of anaphylactic shock death occurred in the medical institutes, with intravenous drug administration accounting for 53.53% of anaphylactic shock death. β-lactam antibiotics, glucocorticoid and herbal medications were responsible for a significant proportion of such cases. Although characteristic histopathological changes were absent in vast majority of these anaphylactic shock cases, the differences of IgE levels in the serum between anaphylactic shock group and non-anaphylactic shock group were statistically significant （P<0.05）. Conclusion Combined information including clinical data, autopsy results, IgE level, and other specific test results should be evaluated together in the forensic pathological diagnosis of anaphylactic shock. Related Articles | Metrics

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Analysis of False-positive Hyoid Fractures： 12 Forensic Identification Cases YANG YU-LEI, MA KAI-JUN, YAN JIAN-JUN 2014, 30(4): 270-272.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2014.04.009 Abstract ( 1250 )   Objective To study the causes of false-positive hyoid fractures and forensic identification. Methods Twelve cases of false-positive hyoid fractures were collected and analyzed. Results Improper dissection technique （4 cases） and congenital separation （8 cases） were the main reasons for false-positive hyoid fractures. Conclusion True fractures can be differentiated from false-positive hyoid fractures. False-positive hyoid fracture caused by improper dissection technique can be identified through examination of peripheral muscle, soft tissue hemorrhage, and the characteristics of fracture end. Related Articles | Metrics

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Histopathological Analysis of Organs Submitted by Legal Medicine Experts in Baoji City： 358 Forensic Identification Cases DONG DU-XUAN, SHI PING-XIA, LI YUN-LI, ET AL. 2014, 30(4): 273-275.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2014.04.010 Abstract ( 1231 )   Objective To analyze pathological characteristics of organs recovered during forensic autopsy submitted by legal medicine experts. Methods From Baoji city, 358 cases of forensic autopsy specimens from a series of routine exams were collected. And histopathological diagnoses were reviewed. Results Majority of the 358 cases were young men. The major causes of death were trauma, sudden death and poisoning. The cause of death was determined with histology in 250 cases. No typical histological changes were noted in 101 cases. The tissue autolysis and decomposition were present in 7 cases. The major pathological diagnosis was cardiovascular disease, followed by diseases in respiratory, nervous, and digestive systems. Conclusion Forensic autopsy with its professional characteristics, is different from regular autopsy. When diagnosing cause of death by histopathological examination, pathologists should collaborate with legal medicine experts to know the details of the cases, circumstances surrounding the death, and specific forensic pathological characteristics. Related Articles | Metrics

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Touch DNA of Shed Skin Cells from the Deployed Airbag to Address Drunken Driving Crimes ZHANG ZHE, SUN HONG-BIN, LUO JI-HUAI, ET AL 2014, 30(4): 276-278.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2014.04.011 Abstract ( 1778 )   In the criminal cases of driving under the influence （DUI）, DNA evidence can be collected from the deployed airbag of the motor vehicle and submitted to the crime lab for touch DNA analysis. The evidence can be acquired when the skin cells are observed on the surface of the airbag in a traffic accident. However, the low quantity or quality of the evidence collected from a crime scene prevents further identification analysis in many cases. In the current study, we reported a case of identifying touch DNA extraction from the shed skin cells from the deployed airbag of a motor vehicle. We managed to collect DNA evidence from the shed skin cells in an airbag using a proper approach of collection and extraction. The 5.87 ng of extracted DNA was sufficient for genotyping and forensic identification, which helped to identify the driver of the car in collision with a pier in the street. In DUI cases and other traffic accidents, therefore, the amount of touch DNA extracted from the deployed airbag can be sufficient for DNA marker genotyping and further analysis. Related Articles | Metrics

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Development of CBCT Technique and Its Application on Dental Age Assessment GUO YU-CHENG, WEI LAI, ZHU FENG, ET AL. 2014, 30(4): 279-281.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2014.04.012 Abstract ( 1352 )   Teeth are the hardest organs in the human body. They are not easily affected by external physical and chemical factors to degrade or deform. Dental age assessment has been widely used in forensic practice. Dental image is one of the most common methods in the age estimation. The emergence of cone beam computed tomography （CBCT） technology provides a new way to obtain three-dimensional image of teeth. It has many advantages such as low-dose radiation, short-time scanning, high-precision image, and finical convenience. Recent development of CBCT technology and its application on age estimation are reviewed in this paper. Related Articles | Metrics

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Allele-specific PCR and Its Application in Forensic Science NIE YAN-CHAI, WANG BIN, ZHAO ZI-QIN, ET AL. 2014, 30(4): 282-287.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2014.04.013 Abstract ( 1825 )    Allele-specific polymerase chain reaction （AS-PCR） is a technique based on allele-specific primers, which can be used to analyze single nucleotide polymorphism （SNP） effectively including the transition, transversion and insertion/deletion polymorphism and has been exploited in the study of diseases research, molecular diagnosis, and forensic biological evidence. The article systematically reviews the principle, the detection methods, improvement of AS-PCR, and its research updates in the fields of autosome, Y chromosome and mitochondrial SNP, as well as its application in forensic science. Related Articles | Metrics

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Severe Hypokalemia due to Combination Use of Dexamethasone and Calcium Gluconate for Diabetics with Infection: A Case Report HAN SHUN-QI, QIN ZHI-QIANG, DENG KAI-FEI, ET AL. 2014, 30(4): 304-306.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5619.2014.04.020 Abstract ( 1441 )   The combination use of dexamethasone and calcium gluconate can be applied to hypersensitivity. Severe hypokalemia is a usual complication of dexamethasone and calcium gluconate therapy, which occurs frequently with therapeutic use. Fatal cases, accidental and intentional, occur frequently in forensic practice. The current case report presented a 43-year-old man with diabetes mellitus with infection, to whom dexamethasone and calcium gluconate were administered in the private clinic. With the development of such clinical symptoms of severe hypokalemia as quadriplegia, he was confirmed to have severe hypokalemia through a biochemical test before dying of arrhythmia. And also it presented pathophysiologic mechanism underlying severe hypokalemia as well as suggestions for clinical practice regarding combination use of dexamethasone and calcium gluconate. Related Articles | Metrics