Identification of two new species and a new host record of Distoseptispora (Distoseptisporaceae, Distoseptisporales, Sordariomycetes) from terrestrial and freshwater habitats in Southern China.

During our investigation of saprophytic fungi in Guizhou and Hainan provinces, China, three hyphomycetes were collected from terrestrial and freshwater habitats. Based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses of combined ITS, LSU, tef1-α, and rpb2 sequence data, two new species are introduced: Distoseptisporahainanensis and D.lanceolatispora. Additionally, one known species, D.tectonae, previously unreported from Edgeworthiachrysantha, is newly reported. Detailed descriptions, illustrations, and a phylogenetic tree to show the two new species and the new host record of Distoseptispora are provided. In addition, a checklist of Distoseptispora species with their locations, lifestyles, habitats, and hosts is provided.

Morphological and multi-gene phylogenetic analyses reveal five new hyphomycetes from freshwater habitats.

During the survey on freshwater hyphomycetes in Guangxi, Guizhou and Hainan Provinces, China, five fresh collections were encountered. Based on their morphology, these five isolates were identified as belonging to Hermatomyces, Kirschsteiniothelia, Paramonodictys, Pleopunctum and Sparticola. Multi-gene phylogenetic analyses were performed for each genus, which resulted in the identification of five new species, namely Hermatomyces hainanensis, Kirschsteiniothelia ramus, Paramonodictys globosa, Pleopunctum guizhouense, and Sparticola irregularis. Detailed descriptions and illustrations of the morphological characteristics of these new taxa were provided. This research enriches the biodiversity of freshwater dematiaceous hyphomycetes.

Molecular mechanisms of 1,2-dichloroethane-induced neurotoxicity.

The production of industrial solvents and adhesives often utilizes 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCE), a highly toxic halogenated hydrocarbon compound. Occupational 1,2-DCE poisoning occurs frequently and is a public health concern. Exposure to 1,2-DCE can damage the brain, liver, and kidneys. The main and most severe damage caused by exposure to 1,2-DCE is to the nervous system, especially the central nervous system. Current research on 1,2-DCE mainly focuses on the mechanism of brain edema. Several possible mechanisms of 1,2-DCE neurotoxicity have been proposed, including oxidative stress, calcium overload, blood-brain barrier damage, and neurotransmitter changes. This article reviews the research progress on 1,2-DCE neurotoxicity and the mechanism behind it to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and treatment of 1,2-DCE poisoning.

Morphological and phylogenetic analyses reveal three new species and one new record of Tubeufia (Tubeufiales, Tubeufiaceae) from southern China.

During an investigation of helicosporous fungi in China, a total of seven helicosporous hyphomycetes were obtained from decaying wood in the southern region of the country. Based on phylogenetic analyses using a combined LSU, ITS, tef1α, and rpb2 sequence matrix, in conjunction with morphological comparisons, these taxa were classified within Tubeufia (Tubeufiaceae, Tubeufiales) and were recognized as three new species, viz. Tubeufiaguttulata, T.hainanensis, and T.muriformis, as well as one new distribution record, viz. T.cocois. Evidence for these new taxa and the new record, descriptions, illustrations, notes, and phylogenetic evidence are provided for the newly collected helicosporous species.

Morphological and Multi-Gene Phylogenetic Analyses Reveal Pseudotubeufia gen. nov. and Two New Species in Tubeufiaceae from China.

Three helicosporous hyphomycete collections representing two species were obtained from rotting wood found in freshwater and terrestrial habitats in the Guizhou and Guangxi Provinces, China. A new genus Pseudotubeufia (Tubeufiaceae, Tubeufiales), comprising Ps. hyalospora sp. nov. and Ps. laxispora sp. nov., was introduced with morphological characteristic and molecular data. In addition, the molecular evidence showed that Helicomyces sp. (G.M. 2020-09-19.1), H. roseus (CBS: 102.76), and the new genus Pseudotubeufia clustered together with high support based on a multi-gene (LSU, ITS, tef1α, and rpb2) phylogenetic analysis. Detailed descriptions, illustrations, and notes of the three new collections are provided.

Additions to the Genus Helicosporium (Tubeufiaceae, Tubeufiales) from China with an Identification Key for Helicosporium Taxa.

Helicosporous hyphomycetes is a group of filamentous fungi that shows promising application prospects in metabolizing bioactive natural compounds. During a study of helicosporous fungi in China, six new helicosporous taxa were collected and isolated from decaying wood in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. Morphological comparisons with multi-gene phylogenetic analyses revealed that these six taxa belong to Helicosporium (Tubeufiaceae, Tubeufiales), and they were recognized as three novel species and were named Helicosporium liuzhouense, H. multidentatum, and H. nanningense. Detailed descriptions and illustrations of the newly discovered taxa and comparisons with similar fungi are provided. In addition, a list and a key to accepted Helicosporium species are provided.

A study to characterize the mechanical properties and material constitution of adult descending thoracic aorta based on uniaxial tensile test and digital image correlation.

The mechanical properties and material constitution of the aorta are important in forensic science and clinical medicine. Existing studies on the material constitution of the aorta do not satisfy the practical requirements of forensic and clinical medicine, as the reported failure stress and failure strain values for human aortic materials have a high dispersion. In this study, descending thoracic aortas were obtained from 50 cadavers (dead within 24 h) free of thoracic aortic disease, aged from 27 to 86 years old, which were divided into six age groups. The descending thoracic aorta was divided into proximal and distal segments. A customized 4-mm cutter was used to punch a circumferential and an axial dog-bone-shaped specimen from each segment; the aortic ostia and calcification were avoided. Instron 8,874 and digital image correlation were used to perform a uniaxial tensile test on each sample. Four samples from each descending thoracic aorta produced ideal stress-strain curves. All parameter-fitting regressions from the selected mathematical model converged, and the best-fit parameters of each sample were obtained. The elastic modulus of collagen fiber, failure stress, and the strain showed a decreasing trend with age, while the elastic modulus of elastic fiber showed an increasing trend with age. The elastic modulus of collagen fiber, failure stress, and strain of circumferential tensile were all greater than those for axial tensile. There was no statistical difference in model parameters and physiological moduli between the proximal and distal segments. The failure stress and strain in the proximal circumferential, distal circumferential, and distal axial tensile were all greater for the male group than for the female group. Finally, the Fung-type hyperelastic constitutive equations were fitted for the different segments in different age groups.

Taxonomy and Phylogeny of Hyphomycetous Muriform Conidial Taxa from the Tibetan Plateau, China.

During the investigation of lignicolous freshwater fungi in the Tibetan Plateau habitat, fifteen collections were isolated from submerged decaying wood. Fungal characteristics are commonly found as punctiform or powdery colonies with dark pigmented and muriform conidia. Multigene phylogenetic analyses of combined ITS, LSU, SSU and TEF DNA sequences showed that they belong to three families in Pleosporales. Among them, Paramonodictys dispersa, Pleopunctum megalosporum, Pl. multicellularum and Pl. rotundatum are established as new species. Paradictyoarthrinium hydei, Pleopunctum ellipsoideum and Pl. pseudoellipsoideum are reported as new records on the freshwater habitats in Tibetan Plateau, China. The morphological descriptions and illustrations of the new collections are provided.

Comparison of CT Values between Thrombus and Postmortem Clot Based on Cadaveric Pulmonary Angiography.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the difference in CT values between pulmonary thromboembolism and postmortem clot in postmortem CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) to further improve the application value of virtual autopsy. METHODS: Postmortem CTPA data with the definite cause of death from 2016 to 2019 were collected and divided into pulmonary thromboembolism group (n=4), postmortem clot group (n=5), and control group (n=5). CT values of pulmonary trunk and left and right pulmonary artery contents in each group were measured and analyzed statistically. RESULTS: The average CT value in the pulmonary thromboembolism group and postmortem clot group were (168.4±53.8) Hu and (282.7±78.0) Hu, respectively, which were lower than those of the control group (1 193.0±82.9) Hu (P<0.05). The average CT value of the postmortem clot group was higher than that of the pulmonary thromboembolism group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: CT value is reliable and feasible as a relatively objective quantitative index to distinguish pulmonary thromboembolism and postmortem clot in postmortem CTPA. At the same time, it can provide a scientific basis to a certain extent for ruling out pulmonary thromboembolism deaths.

Detection of multiple biomarkers associated with satellite cell fate in the contused skeletal muscle of rats for wound age estimation.

From the perspective of forensic wound age estimation, experiments related to skeletal muscle regeneration after injury have rarely been reported. Here, we examined the time-dependent expression patterns of multiple biomarkers associated with satellite cell fate, including the transcription factor paired box 7 (Pax7), myoblast determination protein (MyoD), myogenin, and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), using immunohistochemistry, western blotting, and quantitative real-time PCR in contused skeletal muscle. An animal model of skeletal muscle contusion was established in 30 Sprague-Dawley male rats, and another five rats were employed as non-contused controls. Morphometrically, the data obtained from the numbers of Pax7 + , MyoD + , and myogenin + cells were highly correlated with the wound age. Pax7, MyoD, myogenin, and IGF-1 expression patterns were upregulated after injury at both the mRNA and protein levels. Pax7, MyoD, and myogenin protein expression levels confirmed the results of the morphometrical analysis. Additionally, the relative quantity of IGF-1 protein > 0.92 suggested a wound age of 3 to 7 days. The relative quantity of Pax7 mRNA > 2.44 also suggested a wound age of 3 to 7 days. Relative quantities of Myod1, Myog, and Igf1 mRNA expression > 2.78, > 7.80, or > 3.13, respectively, indicated a wound age of approximately 3 days. In conclusion, the expression levels of Pax7, MyoD, myogenin, and IGF-1 were upregulated in a time-dependent manner during skeletal muscle wound healing, suggesting the potential for using them as candidate biomarkers for wound age estimation in skeletal muscle.

The value of PMCTA in the diagnosis of coronary atherosclerosis in isolated human hearts.

Postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) has a limited value in investigating coronary artery disease, despite several obvious advantages over the conventional autopsy. To address this issue, postmortem computed tomography angiography (PMCTA) has been introduced into various studies, where it has been used to investigate natural and unnatural deaths involving vascular damage, occlusion, or other pathologies of the vascular system. To investigate the application value of PMCTA in the diagnosis of coronary artery stenosis in ex situ hearts, the water-based contrast media were injected into isolated hearts, scaned, and finally compared with gold standards (autopsy and histology findings of the coronary artery). This study involved 16 subjects from the Academy of Forensic Science who were suspected to have died of sudden death without traumatic injuries. Unenhanced PMCT was performed first, followed by PMCTA using a water-based contrast agent, injected into the coronary arteries of isolated hearts using a self-designed angiography device. The image data were reconstructed into three-dimensional (3D) angiography images using software in the angiography facility. The 3D images were recorded and evaluated by two radiologists and then statistically analysed. The results of PMCTA were consistent with the gold standards for the diagnosis of coronary artery stenosis (P > 0.05). However, water-based contrast media can only be used to examine the pathological changes of blood vessels, which may have limitations in the diagnosis of causes of death such as myocardial oedema. PMCTA can be used as a new method to evaluate the degree of coronary atherosclerosis in addition to traditional autopsy. The 3D reconstruction technique reveals the coronary artery lesions more objectively and vividly and provides the opportunity to re-read the data at any time. Key points: The methods and parameters for coronary angiography in isolated human hearts were standardized based on the previous researcher.PMCTA in isolated human hearts is including the 3D reconstruction technique that reveals the coronary artery lesions more objectively and vividly, and provides the opportunity to re-read the data at anytime.PMCTA could only be used to examine the pathological changes of blood vessels, which might have limitations for the diagnosis of causes of death.PMCTA in isolated human hearts can be viewed as an auxiliary method for establishing the cause of death, which can provide an assessment of degree and extent of arterial stenosis and accurately help determine the abnormal location.

Multiobjective optimization algorithm for accurate MADYMO reconstruction of vehicle-pedestrian accidents.

In vehicle-pedestrian accidents, the preimpact conditions of pedestrians and vehicles are frequently uncertain. The incident data for a crash, such as vehicle deformation, injury of the victim, distance of initial position and rest position of accident participants, are useful for verification in MAthematical DYnamic MOdels (MADYMO) simulations. The purpose of this study is to explore the use of an improved optimization algorithm combined with MADYMO multibody simulations and crash data to conduct accurate reconstructions of vehicle-pedestrian accidents. The objective function of the optimization problem was defined as the Euclidean distance between the known vehicle, human and ground contact points, and multiobjective optimization algorithms were employed to obtain the local minima of the objective function. Three common multiobjective optimization algorithms-nondominated sorting genetic algorithm-II (NSGA-II), neighbourhood cultivation genetic algorithm (NCGA), and multiobjective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO)-were compared. The effect of the number of objective functions, the choice of different objective functions and the optimal number of iterations were also considered. The final reconstructed results were compared with the process of a real accident. Based on the results of the reconstruction of a real-world accident, the present study indicated that NSGA-II had better convergence and generated more noninferior solutions and better final solutions than NCGA and MOPSO. In addition, when all vehicle-pedestrian-ground contacts were considered, the results showed a better match in terms of kinematic response. NSGA-II converged within 100 generations. This study indicated that multibody simulations coupled with optimization algorithms can be used to accurately reconstruct vehicle-pedestrian collisions.

Morpho-Phylogenetic Evidence Reveals New Species of Fuscosporellaceae and Savoryellaceae from Freshwater Habitats in Guizhou Province, China.

During a survey of freshwater fungi in Guizhou Province, China, six hyphomycetous collections were founded on decaying wood from freshwater habitats. These taxa were characterized and identified based on morphology, phylogeny, and culture characteristics. Phylogenetic analysis of combined LSU, SSU, ITS, RPB2 and TEF1α sequence data indicated that our six isolates formed three distinct lineages and were distributed within Fuscosporellaceae and Savoryellaceae. They can be organized as three new species: Fuscosporella guizhouensis, Mucisporaaquatica and Neoascotaiwaniaguizhouensis. Fuscosporella guizhouensis and Neoascotaiwania guizhouensis have sporodochial conidiomata, micronematous conidiophores and dark brown conidia. The former possesses irregularly ellipsoidal conidia with apical appendages, while the latter has fusiform to obovoid conidia. Mucispora aquatica is characterized by macronematous conidiophores, elongating percurrently and dark brown, narrowly obovoid conidia. The detailed, illustrated descriptions and notes for each new taxon are provided, and the species of Fuscosporella is reported for the first time in China.

Strategies for Collection and Analysis of Samples in Simple Asphyxiant Gas Acute Poisoning Death Cases.

At present, the death cases of simple asphyxiant gas acute poisoning are increasing sharply. Common asphyxiant gases in death cases include nitrogen, helium, carbon dioxide, methane, propane, laughing gas, etc. Simple asphyxiant gas has no affinity for biological matrices and escapes quickly, which puts forward new requirements for autopsy procedures, selection and collection of samples, laboratory analysis and identification. This paper reviews the research and development process of death cases caused by simple asphyxiant gas acute poisoning and put forwards the collection and analysis strategy of the samples in such cases. The most valuable biological samples in such cases should be lung tissues associated with the airways, followed by brain tissue and cardiac blood. Gaseous samples from the esophageal cavity, tracheal cavity, pulmonary bronchi, gastric and cardiac areas are also recommended as valuable samples. In the case of postmortem examination, the gas should be injected into gas sample bag directly. Biological materials such as tissue and blood should be directly sealed in head-space vials and analyzed by using the headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Research on the Identification Model of Medical Damage.

OBJECTIVES: To understand the perceptions of doctors, patients and forensic examiners on the current situation of medical disputes and medical damage identification in China, and to explore the medical damage identification model that is more conducive for the resolution of medical disputes. METHODS: A questionnaire was designed, and in-service clinicians, forensic examiners and inpatients in Sichuan Province and Chongqing City were randomly selected from April to November 2019. SPSS 22.0 software was used to analyze the data of various survey results. RESULTS: Compared with patients (24.92%), doctors (61.72%) believed that the current doctor-patient relationship was more tense than before; both doctors and patients were more inclined to choose voluntary consultation and people's mediation to resolve medical disputes; forensic examiners have the highest level of cognition of medical and health-related laws and regulations, followed by doctors and patients; 66.72% of doctors and 78.41% of patients believed that medical damage identification was necessary, and they were more inclined to entrust forensic identification institutions; different groups all believed that forensic examiners and doctors should participate in the identification together, 80.94% of doctors believed that the appraisal institutions should be responsible for the forensic opinion, not the appraiser. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that the Medical Association identification and forensic identification should learn from each other and formulate basic unified rules for the identification of medical damage. It is suggested to standardize the behavior of medical damage forensic identification institutions and appraisers, to improve their own appraisal level, actively invite clinical medical experts for consultation in identification, and promote the standardized, scientization of forensic identification.

Logistic Regression Analysis of the Mechanism of Blunt Brain Injury Inference Based on CT Images.

OBJECTIVES: To study the correlation between CT imaging features of acceleration and deceleration brain injury and injury degree. METHODS: A total of 299 cases with acceleration and deceleration brain injury were collected and divided into acceleration brain injury group and deceleration brain injury group according to the injury mechanism. Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and Glasgow coma scale (GCS), combined with skull fracture, epidural hematoma (EDH), subdural hematoma (SDH) and brain contusion on the same and opposite sides of the stress point were selected as the screening indexes. χ2 test was used for primary screening, and binary logistic regression analysis was used for secondary screening. The indexes with the strongest correlation in acceleration and deceleration injury mechanism were selected. RESULTS: χ2 test showed that skull fracture and EDH on the same side of the stress point; EDH, SDH and brain contusion on the opposite of the stress point; SAH, GCS were correlated with acceleration and deceleration injury (P<0.05). According to binary logistic regression analysis, the odds ratio (OR) of EDH on the same side of the stress point was 2.697, the OR of brain contusion on the opposite of the stress point was 0.043 and the OR of GCS was 0.238, suggesting there was statistically significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: EDH on the same side of the stress point, brain contusion on the opposite of the stress point and GCS can be used as key indicators to distinguish acceleration and deceleration injury mechanism. In addition, skull fracture on the same side of the stress point, EDH and SDH on the opposite of the stress point and SAH were relatively weak indicators in distinguishing acceleration and deceleration injury mechanism.

Automatic Identification of Brain Injury Mechanism Based on Deep Learning.

OBJECTIVES: To apply the convolutional neural network (CNN) Inception_v3 model in automatic identification of acceleration and deceleration injury based on CT images of brain, and to explore the application prospect of deep learning technology in forensic brain injury mechanism inference. METHODS: CT images from 190 cases with acceleration and deceleration brain injury were selected as the experimental group, and CT images from 130 normal brain cases were used as the control group. The above-mentioned 320 imaging data were divided into training validation dataset and testing dataset according to random sampling method. The model classification performance was evaluated by the accuracy rate, precision rate, recall rate, F1-value and AUC value. RESULTS: In the training process and validation process, the accuracy rate of the model to classify acceleration injury, deceleration injury and normal brain was 99.00% and 87.21%, which met the requirements. The optimized model was used to test the data of the testing dataset, the result showed that the accuracy rate of the model in the test set was 87.18%, and the precision rate, recall rate, F1-score and AUC of the model to recognize acceleration injury were 84.38%, 90.00%, 87.10% and 0.98, respectively, to recognize deceleration injury were 86.67%, 72.22%, 78.79% and 0.92, respectively, to recognize normal brain were 88.57%, 89.86%, 89.21% and 0.93, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Inception_v3 model has potential application value in distinguishing acceleration and deceleration injury based on brain CT images, and is expected to become an auxiliary tool to infer the mechanism of head injury.

Virtual Autopsy Morphological Features of Drowning.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the application value of virtual autopsy to obtain key evidence information on drowned corpses and its application value of virtual autopsy in the diagnosis of drowning. METHODS: In this study, 7 corpses were selected as the research objects. The image data of corpses were collected by computed tomography (CT) before conventional autopsy. The characteristics of corpses were observed through image reading, combined with virtual measurement indexes, and compared with 15 non-drowned corpses. RESULTS: The postmortem CT of drowning showed the more fluid in respiratory tract than the non-drowning, and ground-glass opacities in the lung. The statistical volume of fluid in the sinus (maxillary sinus and sphenoid sinus) was (10.24±4.70) mL in drowning cases and (2.02±2.45) mL in non-drowning cases. The average CT value of fluid in the sinus, left atrial blood and gastric contents in drowning cases were (15.91±17.20), (52.57±9.24) and (10.33±12.81) HU, respectively, which were lower than those in non-drowning cases (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The comprehensive consideration of multiple characteristic image manifestations and the virtual measurement indexes are helpful to the forensic pathological diagnosis of drowning. Virtual autopsy can be used as an auxiliary method in the forensic diagnosis of drowning.

Pleocatenatachiangraiensis gen. et. sp. nov. (Pleosporales, Dothideomycetes) from medicinal plants in northern Thailand.

Pleocatenata, a new genus, is introduced with its type species, Pleocatenatachiangraiensis, which was isolated from withered twigs of two medicinal plants, Clerodendrumquadriloculare (Blanco) Merr (Verbenaceae) and Tarennastellulata (Hook.f.) Ridl (Rubiaceae) in northern Thailand. The genus is characterized by mononematous, septate, brown or dark brown conidiophores, monotretic conidiogenous cells and catenate, obclavate, olivaceous to blackish brown conidia. Phylogenetic analysis of combined LSU, SSU, tef1-α, rpb2 and ITS sequence data showed Pleocatenata forms a distinct phylogenetic lineage in Pleosporales, Dothideomycetes. Therefore, we treat Pleocatenata as Pleosporales genera incertae sedis based on morphology and phylogenetic analyses. Descriptions and illustrations of the new taxa are provided, and it is compared with morphologically similar genera.

Detection of traumatic internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysm by postmortem imaging: A case report.

RATIONALE: Postmortem imaging (PMI), including computed tomography (PMCT), postmortem computed tomography angiography (PMCTA), and postmortem magnetic resonance imaging (PMMRI), is rapidly becoming effective and a practical method in forensic medicine. This study aimed to present a specific forensic case in which the PMI approach and its applications were used. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 40-year-old male patient had moderate unilateral nose bleeding constantly 10 times after suffering from a head injury induced by a car accident. After a bilateral massive nose bleeding for the last time, he died from hemorrhagic shock. Traumatic internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysm (TICAP) was suspected in this patient. DIAGNOSIS, INTERVENTIONS, AND OUTCOMES: A whole-body scanning was performed using PMCT and PMMRI. Then, PMCTA using left ventricular cardiac puncture was also implemented. A water-soluble contrast agent was injected into the left ventricle and pumped toward the intracranial, followed by a repeated whole-body PMCT scan. The PMCT/PMMRI detected a high-density/signal mass inside the left sphenoid sinus. The PMCTA detected a distinct leakage of the contrast agent into the left sphenoid sinus from an adjacent aneurysm of the C3 section of the left internal carotid artery. Autopsy and histology confirmed a TICAP inside the sphenoid sinus. LESSONS: This case showed that the PMI was of great value for identifying the cause of death in special cases. When vascular lesions are suspected in the body, PMI and especially the PMCTA approach may be an effective detection method.