Research Progress and Forensic Identification of Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy / 法医学杂志

With the rapid development of the social economy in China, the incidence of diseases caused by excessive drinking is gradually increasing as well. Alcoholic cardiomyopathy refers to long-term high intake of ethanol, and has typical dilated cardiomyopathy characteristics, such as, hemodynamic changes, symptoms, signs, and morphological features. It is a kind of cardiomyopathy that excludes other causes of dilated cardiomyopathy. Due to the lack of specific pathological changes, the forensic pathological identification of alcoholic cardiomyopathy can only be based on the patient's medical history and by ruling out other causes of cardiomyopathy. This paper reviews the pathogenesis and forensic identification of alcoholic cardiomyopathy in order to provide reference for forensic pathologists and clinicians.

Forensic Pathological Identification and Antidiastole of Commotio Cordis / 法医学杂志

Commotio cordis （CC） is the acute death caused by the cardiac rhythm disorder after a sudden blunt external force to the precordium of a healthy person without previous heart disease. As one type of violent heart damage, CC is rare with relatively small external force and sudden death, therefore causing disputes. This paper reviews the epidemiology, mechanisms and the key points in forensic identification of CC, discusses the identification and antidiastole of CC, myocardial contusion, sudden cardiac death and death from inhibition, and provides assistance to forensic pathologists to identify such causes of death.

Changes of Serum IgE and Tryptase in Anaphylactic Shock Rats / 法医学杂志

OJECTIVE@#To explore the changes of serum IgE and tryptase caused by anaphylactic shock rats and discuss the relation to PMI and preservative environment of corpse and specimen.@*METHODS@#Rats were used for establishing anaphylactic shock models and randomly divided into room temperature group, refrigeration group, frozen group, manual hemolysis group, specimen preservation group. And the control group was also established. The blood samples were collected after rats were sacrificed. The degree of hemolysis was graded according to the color of the upper layer of the serum. The mass concentration of IgE and tryptase in each group was detected by ELISA.@*RESULTS@#The levels of serum IgE and tryptase in anaphylactic shock dead rats were higher than that of the control group. Room temperature and frozen made obviously differences on the levels of serum IgE and tryptase with various PMI. The levels of serum IgE and tryptase in refrigeration group showed relatively stable. The levels of serum tryptase and IgE were elevated with differently increasing hemolysis. The levels of serum IgE and tryptase showed no obvious changes during the specimen kept under different temperature conditions for 25 days.@*CONCLUSION@#Serum IgE and tryptase obviously increased in anaphylactic shock rats. However, the levels were influenced by PMI and environmental temperature, especially under the conditions of room temperature and frozen.

Effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on periodontal pathogens and its clinical efficacy as adjuvant treatment / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGB) on major periodontal pathogens in subgingival plaque.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty patients with moderate to severe periodontitis were selected and randomly assigned to 3 groups: EGB group, a positive (periocline) and a negative control groups. Subgingival plaque samples were collected before treatment and 1 week, 2 months and 4 months after treatment. The detection rates of 4 major periodontal pathogens-Treponema denticola (Td), Tannerella forsythus (Tf), Prevotella intermedia (Pi), and Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg)-were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Clinical indicators were examined before treatment, 3 and 6 months after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>EGB significantly decreased the detection rate of all the 4 pathogens 1 week after treatment, and then gradually increased at 2 and 4 months. EGB's inhibition effect was better than or comparable to periocline, except for Pg in short-term. The difference of plaque index (PLI) and bleeding index (BI) was not statistically significant among the groups, while for probing depth (PD) and attachment loss (AL), the difference was statistically significant between the EGB group and negative control group at 3 and 6 months after treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>EGB significantly inhibited major periodontal pathogens and can be used as an adjuvant for periodontitis treatment.</p>

Biochemical indicators of anaphylactic shock and the application in forensic medicine / 法医学杂志

Fatal anaphylactic shock is common in forensic practice. However, it is difficult to diagnose for lacking specific pathological and morphologic changes in forensic autopsy. The application of some biochemical indicators is of great significance. This paper reviews the biological characteristics of some biochemical indicators and detection methods. The forensic application, problems and prospects of these indicators are also introduced in details. The stable biochemical indicators, IgE, tryptase and chymase, show great potential and advantages in the identification of fatal anaphylactic shock in forensic medicine.

Gene-gene interaction of GJB2, SOD2, and CAT on occupational noise-induced hearing loss in Chinese Han population / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

The effects of genetic factors on the noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) are still unclear. In the present study, eight single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) included rs1227049 and rs3802711 (CDH23), rs1695 (GSTP1), rs137852540 (GJB2), rs2289274 (PMCA2), rs4880 (SOD2), rs7943316, and rs769214 within CAT that might associated with NIHL were further validated in Chinese workers. The results showed that the carriers of the T allele (AT+TT) of rs7943316 and A allele (GA+AA) of rs769214, were significantly associated with an increased risk of NIHL compared to those with AA genotype (P<0.05) and GG genotype (P<0.05). Moreover, a significant three-locus model (P=0.0107) involving rs2016520, rs9794, and rs1805192 were observed that might associated with NIHL, with 53.95% of testing accuracy. Thus, our present study provided the evidence that GJB2, SOD2, and CAT genes might account for the NIHL development in independently and/or in an interactive manner.

Expression of BNP in rat myocardial tissue after acute cardiac dysfunction / 法医学杂志

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.

Repeatability of three-dimensional measurements based on cone-beam CT images / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the repeatability of three-dimensional (3-D) cephalometric measurements for the clinical application of 3-D cephalometry.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-nine measurements that widely used in traditional cephalometric analyses were defined in 3-D cone-beam CT (CBCT) images. Three examiners identified landmarks on CBCT images of 17 subjects with normal occlusion, respectively, and 3-D measurements were exported automatically by software SimPlant. Inter-examiner reliability correlation coefficients (ICC) were obtained for all measurements.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Repeatability of 36 measurements was high (ICC value greater than 0.9), including SNA, SNB. Repeatability of 11 measurements was moderate (ICC value between 0.8 and 0.9), including CoL-GoL, CoL-MSP. Repeatability of 2 measurements was low (ICC value lower than 0.8), including Gn-MSP and MPR-MSP.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Most 3-D cephalometric measurements based on CBCT had high repeatability. However, some 3-D cephalometric measurements had limited repeatability.</p>

Early expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha after acute myocardial ischemia in rats / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the changes of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1alpha), the expression in the early stage (within 6 h) of acute myocardial ischemia and to explore the potential forensic application.@*METHODS@#SD rats were randomly divided into one control group, one sham operation group and five myocardial ischemia groups which received ligation of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery. The five experiment groups divided into 15min, 30min, 1 h, 3 h and 6h after LAD ligation. The expression of HIF-1alpha was detected by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and Western blotting, respectively.@*RESULTS@#Both the control group and sham operation group showed no expression of HIF-1alpha, whereas the expression of HIF-1alpha could be weakly detected beneath the endocardium at 15 min after LAD ligation. With the increase of myocardial ischemia process, the positive staining gradually extended from endocardium to epicardium, reached the peak at 3 h, and began to decrease gradually at 6h after LAD ligation but still maintained at a relatively high level. In addition, the expression of HIF-1alpha without a time-dependent way was also detected in full thickness of the right ventricle in occurrence of ventricular arrhythmia after LAD ligation.@*CONCLUSION@#HIF-1alpha may be regarded as a sensitive marker for sudden cardiac death induced by early acute myocardial ischemia, and may also be helpful for the diagnosis of fatal arrhythmia.

Time-dependent expression of vascular endothelial growth factor after acute myocardial ischemia in rats / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the immunohistochemical distributions and expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the model of rat myocardial ischemia.@*METHODS@#The model of myocardial ischemia was established by ligating the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery of rats. The changes of VEGF expression were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot at time points after myocardial ischemia. The electrocardiographic changes were evaluated uninterruptedly.@*RESULTS@#The expression of VEGF was not be found in control group. Fifteen minutes after LAD ligation, weak positive expression of VEGF were found in the ischemic myocardium. The expression of VEGF reached the peak at 3 hours after ligation. The VEGF distribution was mainly localized in the ischemic and peri-ischemic regions. Six hours after LAD ligation, the expression of VEGF decreased comparing with 3 hours and showed a relatively higher level. Fatal arrhythmia was found in nine rats by the electrocardiograph.@*CONCLUSION@#The immunohistochemical staining of VEGF could be helpful for investigating the location and severity of acute myocardial ischemia. Fatal arrhythmia may be secondary to myocardial ischemia.

Mechanism of methamphetamine intoxication and its medical identification / 法医学杂志

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.

Effect of orthodontic force on periodontal healing after autotransplantation: an experimental study / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of the continuous light force to the donor teeth on the periodontal healing after transplantation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-two maxillary and mandibular incisors in four 10-month-old male Beagle dogs were autotransplanted. The pulps were removed in all teeth. The teeth were divided into four groups, one control and three experimental groups. In control group (group 1), the teeth were unloaded. In the other three experimental groups, continuous force (0.49 N) was applied in the 1st (group 2), 2nd (group 3) and 4th (group 4) week, respectively. The dogs were sacrificed in the 8th week. The tissue blocks were demineralized and sectioned perpendicular to the long axis of the teeth. The histological analysis was made.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Histomophometric analysis revealed a significantly lower occurrence of replacement root resorption in the group 3 (2.1%) than in the control group (12.5%, P < 0.05). The significant lower incidence of replacement root resorption, and a higher surface and inflammatory root resorption were found in group 2 (6.3% and 68.8%) than in the control group (12.5% and 41.7%, P < 0.05). No significant difference was found between group 4 and control group (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The orthodontic force promoted the regeneration of the periodontal ligament and prevented dentoalveolar ankylosis, whereas excessive initial force might cause root and bone resorption.</p>

Three-dimensional analysis of craniofacial growth in adolescents with normal occlusion in Beijing / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze craniofacial growth three-dimensionally for adolescents with normal occlusion in Beijing.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and twenty-six adolescents with normal occlusion were selected according to the criteria. The sample was divided into four age groups (53 within 4 years, 30 within 7 years, 27 within 10 years and 16 within 13 years). Information of growth was collected. Three-dimensional cephalometric system based on cone-bean CT was established.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>From 4 to 13 years Co-A increased (14.55 ± 1.15) mm on average on the left and (13.66 ± 1.14) mm on the right, and Co-Gn increased (22.89 ± 1.40) mm on the left and (22.82 ± 1.38) mm on the right; and U1-NA increased (2.20 ± 0.44) mm on the left and (1.60 ± 0.46) mm on the right; and CoL-CoR and GoL-GoR increased (13.31 ± 1.21) mm and (18.59 ± 1.40) mm, and N-Me increased (18.03 ± 1.32) mm.SN-PP and SN-MPL basically remained unchanged.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Adolescents with normal occlusion in Beijing grew obviously in three-dimensions and developed harmoniously.</p>

Application of brain natriuretic peptide in evaluation of cardiac function in forensic medicine / 法医学杂志

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a major marker for evaluating cardiac function and has been widely used in clinical practice. Recent researches show that BNP is also useful for identification of sudden cardiac death in forensic pathology. This article reviews the molecular structure and biological characteristics of the BNP and its application as a functional indicate in forensic medicine. It shows that the expression of BNP in cardiac muscles, together with the expression of BNP in blood and pericardium liquid can be used to evaluate the pathological physiology changes and dysfunction degrees of the heart during the cardiac sudden death.

Twenty autopsy cases of anaphylactic shock induced by cephalosporins / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the characteristics of autopsy cases of anaphylactic shock induced by cephalosporins and provide the evidences in forensic medicine.@*METHODS@#Twenty cases of anaphylactic shock induced by cephalosporins were collected from April 2005 to August 2009 in judicial expertise center of China Medical University, and the characteristics of the cases were analyzed retrospectively.@*RESULTS@#The age of decedents ranged from 40 to 60 years. Ninety percent of cases were from local medical centers and private clinics. The symptoms of the shock appeared 30 s-150 min after the administration of the drug, and death occurred 10 min-210 min after the appearance of the shock symptoms. In all cases, various degrees of eosinophil infiltration were observed in trachea and the lungs. Serum IgE detected by ELISA method was normal value in 14 cases.@*CONCLUSION@#In fatal anaphylactic cases, little specific findings are detected during postmortem and microscope examination. For this reason, the determination of cause of death in these cases requires comprehensive analysis combined with clinic information and excludes other diseases leading to the sudden death.

Maximum resistance strength of the bone-bonding screw orthodontic anchorage / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the maximum resistance strength of a new orthodontic anchorage system named bone-bonding screw.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-six self-designed two-section bone-bonding screws were bonded to the surface of tibia in 12 rabbits with N-2-butyl cyanoacrylate. The maximum resistance strength of the screws was tested immediately, 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 8 weeks after bonding, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The average maximum resistance strengths of the bone-bonding screws immediately, 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 8 weeks after bonding were 11.55 (8.96, 12.73), 6.04 (1.88, 10.57), 2.30 (0, 3.24), and 49.85 (20.70, 66.01) N, respectively. The difference between each group was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The failure rate of the bone-bonding screws was 17% (6/36).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The maximum resistance strength of the bone-bonding screw could suffice for orthodontics.</p>

Fluid shear stress increases the Ca2+ concentration in bone-marrow derived osteoclast-like cells / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the change of Ca2+ density in cultured osteoclast-like cells in response to fluid shear stress.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Laser scanning confocal microscope and fluorescent probe were used to detect the free Ca2+ in osteoclast-like cells before and after undergoing fluid shear stress. The images were analyzed and compared with image software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>At 37 degrees C the free Ca2+ in osteoclast-like cells could be labelled effectively with 10 micromol/L Fluo-3/AM. Compared with contol group, the average intensity of Ca2+ fluorescent signal in osteoclast-like cells undergoing fluid shear stress increased significantly.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The Cal2+ concentration in bone-marrow derived osteoclast-like cells is sensitive to fluid shear stress, which suggests osteoclast-like cells modulate their function in response to fluid shear stress through the change of free Ca2+ concentration.</p>