Exploration and Practice of the "One Combination, Two Highlights, Three Combinations, Four in One" Innovative Talents Training Mode in Forensic Medicine / 法医学杂志

Talent is one of the basic and strategic supports for building a modern socialist country in all aspects. Since the 1980s, the establishment of forensic medicine major and the cultivation of innovative talents in forensic medicine have become hot topics in higher education in forensic medicine. Over the past 43 years, the forensic medicine team of Shanxi Medical University has adhered to the joint education of public security and colleges, and made collaborative innovation, forming a training mode of "One Combination, Two Highlights, Three Combinations, Four in One" for innovative talents in forensic medicine. It has carried out "5+3/X" integrated reform, and formed a relatively complete talent training innovation mode and management system in teaching, scientific research, identification, major, discipline, team, platform and cultural construction. It has made a historic contribution to China's higher forensic education, accumulated valuable experience for the construction of first-class major and first-class discipline of forensic medicine, and provided strong support for the construction of the national new forensic talent training system. The popularization of this training mode is conducive to the rapid and sustainable development of forensic science, and provides more excellent forensic talents for national building, regional social development and the discipline construction of forensic science.

Screening Biomarkers of Sudden Coronary Death Based on mRNA Expression Profile of Rat Myocardial Tissues / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To explore the differential expression of messenger RNA (mRNA) in myocardial tissues of rats with sudden coronary death (SCD), and to provide ideas for the forensic identification of SCD.@*METHODS@#The rat SCD model was established, and the transcriptome sequencing was performed by next-generation sequencing technology. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in myocardial tissues of SCD rats were screened by using the R package limma. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed by using the STRING database and Cytoscape 3.8.2 on DEG, and hub genes were screened based on cytoHubba plug-in. Finally, the R package clusterProfiler was used to analyze the biological function and signal pathway enrichment of the selected DEG.@*RESULTS@#A total of 177 DEGs were associated with SCD and were mainly involved in the renin-angiotensin system and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. The genes including angiotensinogen (AGT), complement component 4a (C4a), Fos proto-oncogene (FOS) and others played key roles in the development of SCD.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Genes such as AGT, C4a, FOS and other genes are expected to be potential biomarkers for forensic identification of SCD. The study based on mRNA expression profile can provide a reference for forensic identification of SCD.

Gene Expression Profiles at Different Time Points after Acute Myocardial Infarction in Mice / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To explore the mRNA differential expressions and the sequential change pattern in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) mice.@*METHODS@#The AMI mice relevant dataset GSE4648 was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). In the dataset, 6 left ventricular myocardial tissue samples were selected at 0.25, 1, 4, 12, 24 and 48 h after operation in AMI group and sham control group, and 6 left ventricular myocardial tissue samples were selected in blank control group, a total of 78 samples were analyzed. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed by R/Bioconductor package limma, functional pathway enrichment analysis was performed by clusterProfiler, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed by STRING database and Cytoscape software, the key genes were identified by Degree topological algorithm, cluster sequential changes on DEGs were analyzed by Mfuzz.@*RESULTS@#A total of 1 320 DEGs were associated with the development of AMI. Functional enrichment results included cellular catabolic process, regulation of inflammatory response, development of muscle system and vasculature system, cell adhesion and signaling pathways mainly enriched in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. The key genes of AMI included MYL7, TSC22D2, HSPA1A, BTG2, NR4A1, RYR2 were up-regulated or down-regulated at 0.25-48 h after the occurrence of AMI.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The functional signaling pathway of DEGs and the sequential expression of key genes in AMI may provide a reference for the forensic identification of AMI.

DNA Methylation Differences in Peripheral Blood of Patients with Anaphylaxis / 法医学杂志

Objective To study the DNA methylation of nucleated cells in peripheral blood of patients died from anaphylactic shock caused by cephalosporin drugs and to provide a new research direction and basis for the forensic diagnosis of shock caused by drug hypersensitiveness. Methods Methylation microarray was used to detect DNA methylation of nucleated cells in peripheral blood of patients died from anaphylactic shock caused by cephalosporin drugs and normal subjects. Sequencing data and chip data were analyzed for differences in DNA methylation using R language methylkit, ChAMP package. Random forest algorithm was used to evaluate the importance of the DNA methylation differential sites. Results Differential sites of DNA methylation highly associated with anaphylaxis caused by cephalosporin drugs were obtained at loci such as ETS1, PRR23B and GNAS. Conclusion Cephalosporin allergy is associated with DNA methylation, and DNA methylation may be a new strategy for forensic identification of anaphylactic shock and death.

Expressions of Mast Cell Tryptase and Brain Natriuretic Peptide in Myocardium of Sudden Death due to Hypersensitivity and Coronary Atherosclerotic Heart Disease / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To explore the value of mast cell tryptase and brain natriuretic peptide（BNP） in the differential diagnostic of sudden death due to hypersensitivity and coronary atherosclerotic heart disease.@*METHODS@#Totally 30 myocardial samples were collected from the autopsy cases in the Department of Forensic Pathology, Shanxi Medical University during 2010-2015. All samples were divided into three groups： death of craniocerebral injury group, sudden death of hypersensitivity group and sudden death of coronary atherosclerotic heart disease group, 10 cases in each group. Mast cell tryptase and BNP in myocardium were detected by immunofluorescence staining and Western Blotting.@*RESULTS@#Immunofluorescence staining showed that the positive staining mast cell tryptase appeared in myocardium of sudden death of hypersensitivity group and coronary atherosclerotic heart disease group. Among the three groups, the expression of mast cell tryptase showed significantly differences through pairwise comparison （P<0.05）; The expression level of BNP in sudden death of coronary atherosclerotic heart disease group were significantly higher than the sudden death of hypersensitivity group and death of craniocerebral injury group （P<0.05）. The difference of the expression level of BNP between the sudden death of hypersensitivity group and the death of craniocerebral injury group had no statistical significance （P>0.05）.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The combined detection of the mast cell tryptase and BNP in myocardium is expected to provide help for the forensic differential diagnosis of sudden death due to hypersensitivity and coronary atherosclerotic heart disease.

Analysis of 105 Incarcerated Inmate's Death / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the characteristics in the incarcerated inmate's death, investigate the main cause of death of the incarcerated inmate and provide some information for forensic investigation.@*METHODS@#The cases from the forensic medical center of Shanxi Medical University from 2005 to 2013 were selected. The statistical analysis was performed by using the incarcerated inmate's gender, age, cause of death, manner of death, and disease as the markers.@*RESULTS@#There were 100 men, 5 women in the 105 incarcerated inmates; the age range was from 16 to 65 years; Inmates were mostly died of natural diseases, mainly in the respiratory and cardiovascular diseases; the main unnatural death was suicide with a rate of 54.5%.@*CONCLUSION@#At present, most incarcerated inmate's death are due to natural diseases. The prison should improve incarcerated inmate's lives, work and health care conditions, and strengthen supervision of law enforcement.

Diagnostic Significance of BAT in Anaphylaxis to Non-ionic Contrast Media / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the diagnostic significance of basophil activation test (BAT) in anaphylaxis to non-ionic contrast media through testing the content of CD63, mast cell-carboxypeptidase A3 (MC-CPA3), and terminal complement complex SC5b-9 of the individuals by testing their levels in the normal immune group and the anaphylaxis groups to β-lactam drugs and non -ionic contrast media.@*METHODS@#The CD63 expression of basophilic granulocyte in blood was detected by flow cytometry. The levels of MC-CPA3 in blood serum and SC5b-9 in blood plasma were detected by ELISA.@*RESULTS@#The CD63 expression of basophilic granulocyte in blood, the levels of MC-CPA3 and SC5b-9 of anaphylaxis to non-ionic contrast media and β-lactam drugs were significantly higher than that in normal immune group (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#There is activation of basophilic granulocytes, mast cells and complement system in anaphylaxis to non-ionic contrast media. BAT can be used to diagnose the anaphylaxis to non-ionic contrast media.

Relative Expression of Indicators for Wound Age Estimation in Forensic Pathology / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#In order to understand which kind of function genes play an important role for estimating wound age, the variation of difference genes' mRNA expression were compared after injury.@*METHODS@#The mRNA expression levels of seven candidate genes (ICAM-1, NF-κB, MX2, MT1, MT2, sTnI, and Cox6c) were analyzed in contused rat skeletal muscle at different time points using real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). The raw Ct values were normalized relative to that of RPL32 mRNA, and converted to standard Ct values. At each time point after injury, the standard deviations (SD) of the standard Ct values were calculated by SPSS.@*RESULTS@#The expression trends of the seven genes were all found to be related to wound age, but there were lower variation coefficients and greater reliability of s TnI and Cox6c when compared with other genes.@*CONCLUSION@#The genes encoding structural proteins or proteins that perform basic functions can be suitable for wound age estimation.

Changes of prostaglandin D2,carboxypeptidase A3 and platelet activating factor in guinea pig in anaphylactic shock / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To detect the changes of leukotriene E4(LTE4), prostaglandin D2(PGD2), carboxypeptidase A3(CPA3) and platelet activating factor (PAF) in guinea pigs died from anaphylactic shock.@*METHODS@#Guinea pigs were used for establishing anaphylactic shock models. The levels of LTE4, PGD2 and CPA3, and PAF were detected in urine, plasma, and brain tissues with ELISA kit, respectively. The significant biomarkers were selected comparing with control group. The changes of PGD2, CPA3 and PAF in the guinea pigs at time zero, 12 and 24 hours after death were observed and compared respectively. The effect of platelet activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) to PAF in guinea pig brain was examined and compared.@*RESULTS@#There were no statistically differences of LTE4 levels in urine observed between experimental group and control group. The levels of CPA3, PGD2 and PAF in the experimental group were significantly higher than that in the control group at 0 h. The levels of PAF at 12 and 24 hours after anaphylactic shock were significantly higher than that in the control group. The levels of PAF decreased significantly after pretreatment with PAF-AH.@*CONCLUSION@#LTE4 in urine cannot be selected as a biomarker to determine the anaphylactic shock. PGD2 and CPA3 in plasma, and PAF in brain tissue may be used as biomarkers to determine the anaphylactic shock. PAF-AH may be potentially useful for clinical treatment of anaphylactic shock.

Basophil CD63 expression in the blood of the anaphylactic shock rat / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the value of flow cytometry in anaphylactic shock diagnosis by CD63 expression being detected using flow cytometry to conform the activation of basophils.@*METHODS@#Sixteen rats were randomly divided into two groups: control group and anaphylactic shock group. The model of anaphylactic shock rat with ovalbumin injection was established. CD63, CD45 and CD203c antibody combination, flow cytometry was employed to detected blood basophil CD63 expression. Immunofluorescence method was employed to observe the CD63 immunofluorescence staining in the rat lung tissue.@*RESULTS@#(1) Pure basophils were obtained by CD45 and CD203c gating. (2) The percentages of basophils CD63 were (17.34 +/- 2.04)% and (1.52 +/- 0.35)% in the experimental and control group, respectively. The differences between two groups were statistically significant (P < 0.01). (3) Compared with the control group, the expression of CD63 in basophils increased in anaphylactic shock lung tissue.@*CONCLUSION@#The detection of CD63 by flow cytometry could be the supplement of vivo allergic reactions and have good clinical value.

The expression of VCAM-1 in organs of rats died of anaphylactic shock / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect and expression of the vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in organs of rats died of anaphylactic shock.@*METHODS@#The models of anaphylactic shock in rats were made and the immunohistochemistry of SABC was used to detect as follows: (1) The expression of VCAM-1 in rat lung, heart, brain, kidney, liver, spleen, stomach and intestine. (2) VCAM-1 levels in lungs at 10 min, 30 min after the allergic shock, and the time of death. (3) VCAM-1 levels in lungs of rats after the intervention of anti-VCAM-1.@*RESULTS@#After the death, the expression VCAM-1 in lungs increased significantly relative to the control group and followed the extension of shock. In the rats which were injected with the anti-VCAM-1, the expression of VCAM-1 in lungs reduced.@*CONCLUSION@#(1) The expression of VCAM-1 shows difference in the various organs of rats after anaphylactic shock. The change of VCAM-1 is the most obvious in lungs and would increase followed the extension of anaphylactic shock. (2) After the anaphylactic shock, anti-VCAM-1 can inhibit the expression of VCAM-1 in rat lung.

Expression of tryptase and chymase in human lung tissue of anaphylactic shock / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the expression of tryptase and chymase in human lung tissue of anaphylactic shock and its value for forensic medicine.@*METHODS@#With ten carbon monoxide poisoning cases as control group, the levels of tryptase and chymase were observed by immunofluorescence and analyzed using the Image Analyze and the Image-pro plus 5.0.2. The positive mast cells were counted and the levels of the tryptase and chymase were calculated respectively.@*RESULTS@#There was a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) for the tryptase and chymase concentrations in the lung tissue between the anaphylactic shock group and the control group.@*CONCLUSION@#The levels of the tryptase and the chymase expression are greatly increased in human lung tissue of anaphylactic shock, which may provide the morphological evidence and reference for the diagnosis of anaphylactic shock in forensic practice.

Changes of ICAM-1 mRNA expression in rats' skeletal muscle after contusion / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the expression of intercellular adhesion molecular-1 (ICAM-1) mRNA in contused skeletal muscle of rats using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and its relationship with the contusion interval.@*METHODS@#To make the contusion models with rats skeletal muscle. The samples were taken to extract mRNA at 0.5 h, 1 h, 6 h, 12 h, 18 h, 24 h, 30 h and from the control group after contusion respectively. FISH was performed on frozen section samples and the sections were observed using LSCM.@*RESULTS@#The expression of ICAM-1 mRNA peaked at 6 h in skeletal muscle after contusion. Its level fell to 3.46 times the level of control group at 18 h and then increased again.@*CONCLUSION@#The time-order expression of ICAM-1 mRNA in 30 hours after contusion is potentially useful for estimation of early wound age.

Present study on the forensic medicine diagnosis of the sudden erethistic death / 法医学杂志

The death caused of anaphylactic shock is common in clinical medicine and medicolegal expertise, but it is a nodus to diagnose sudden death from allergy. In recent years, to provide objective and precise morphological evidence and index of diagnosis for sudden death from allergy, scholars of internal and overseas studied the content of IgE, HT, mast cell tryptase and SP in the serum of the death died of anaphylactic shock, and their immune express in lung and stomach intestine. In this text we reviewed the present study and existing problems of the forensic medicine diagnosis of the sudden erethistic death.

Expression of substance P in human laryngopharynx and gastrointestine in sudden erethistic death / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the expression of substance P (SP) in human sudden erethistic death, and to seek objective morphological supports to diagnose sudden erethistic death for forensic medicine.@*METHODS@#The expression of SP was detected with immunohistochemical technique on 15 human laryngopharynx and gastrointestine of sudden erethistic death, and 20 sudden death of heart attack as control. The images of SP were analyzed by image analyzer, and the positive indexes (PI) were calculated.@*RESULTS@#SP expression in the experimental groups was significantly stronger than that in the control one (P < 0.001).@*CONCLUSION@#SP expression can offer an objective morphological reference support for forensic diagnosing sudden erethistic death.

Lethal anaphylactic shock model induced by human mixed serum in guinea pigs / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To establish an anaphylactic shock model induced by human mixed serum in guinea pigs.@*METHODS@#Eighteen guinea pigs were divided into two groups: sensitized and control, The sensitized group were immunized intracutaneously with human mixed serum and then induced by endocardiac injection after 3 weeks.@*RESULTS@#Symptoms of anaphylactic shock appeared in the sensitized group. The level of serum IgE were increased in the sensitized group significantly.@*CONCLUSIONS@#An animal model of anaphylactic shock wer established successfully. It provide a tool for both forensic study and anaphylactic shock therapy.

The application of telomere DNA in age estimation of forensic medicine / 法医学杂志

Estimating tooth age and skeletal age are the two primary methods in age estimation of forensic medicine. But they are often impacted with geographical environment, nutrition, habitation and ethenologic differences, so the accuracy will be reduced, especially to the adult. With the study of telomere, it is certain that the length of the telomere DNA can reflect the cell division and represent the cell lifespan, and it has some pertinence to the age of the donor, so to measure the length of telomere DNA is a new and valuable method for age estimation in the forensic medicine.