Reverse engineering in forensic investigations: a new approach to bite mark analysis.

The study of bite marks provides crucial elements that contribute towards identifying the biter. In many cases, it assumes importance when bite marks are detected on the body of a victim of violence, but it could also be relevant when the bite marks are seen on food substances at the crime scene. In both circumstances, comparing the bite marks with a suspect's dentition can be decisive in confirming or excluding the culpability. In this case report, a bun (bread roll) with the sign of a bite was found at the crime scene. We report a pilot study using 3D reproduction of the bite mark on the bun and dental models of the alleged biter and the victim. A reverse engineering process was used to obtain digital 3D models of the bitten bun and the dental models by taking numerous photographs and stitching them together using a software called Metashape by Agisoft. The last step was to compare the bitemark to the two dental models, evaluating the spatial distance, the degree of overlap, and the degree of interpenetration. The results confirmed the usefulness of reverse engineering in forensic investigations showing the compatibility between the victim's teeth and the bite mark on the bun.

Characterization of virulence, cell surface characteristics and biofilm-forming ability of Aeromonas spp. isolates from fish and sea water.

Members of the genus Aeromonas are emerging human pathogens, causing a variety of extra-intestinal, systemic and gastrointestinal infections in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised persons. Aeromonas virulence is multifaceted and involves surface-associated molecules, motility, biologically active extracellular products and biofilm formation. Aeromonads, isolated from diverse freshwater fish species as well as sea water, were screened for biofilm formation, with varying physicochemical parameters including temperature, agitation and nutrient availability. Motility, cell surface characteristics (auto-aggregation, hydrophobicity and S layer), and extracellular virulence factor production (haemolysis, proteolysis, DNase production) were also assessed to identify potential associations with the biofilm phenotype. Biofilm formation was influenced by environmental conditions, with isolates preferentially forming biofilms in nutrient-rich media at 30 °C, although strong biofilm formation also occurred at 37 °C. Strong biofilm formation was observed for Aeromonas culicicola isolates following exposure to nutrient-rich conditions, while Aeromonas allosaccharophila isolates preferred nutrient-poor conditions for biofilm formation. Source-/species-specific correlations, ranging from weak to strong, were observed between biofilm formation and motility, cell surface characteristics and/or extracellular virulence factor production. Understanding the specific mechanisms by which Aeromonas species adhere to abiotic surfaces may aid in preventing and/or treating disease outbreaks in aquaculture systems and could lead to effective eradication of these fish pathogens.

[Diagnosis and treatment of psychogenic dizziness in patients with arterial hypertension].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prevalence, methods of diagnosis and treatment of psychogenic dizziness in patients with arterial hypertension and evaluate the efficacy of treatment with noophen and betahistin. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-eight patients were studied. Patients of the main group received noophen and patients of the comparison group were treated with betahistin. Treatment efficacy was assessed on days 1 and 60 by the scores on VAS, HARS, MFI-20 scales. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The prevalence of psychogenic dizziness in patients with arterial hypertension was 47%. Noophen in dose 500 mg/day significantly (p<0.001) reduced the severity of dizziness, anxiety, asthenia, and headache compared to baseline and to the efficacy of betahistin as well. The drug showed good tolerability.

[A role of treatment of autonomic syndrome in patients with tension-type headache].

UNLABELLED: The study aims to evaluate the effect of correction of psycho-vegetative violations anxiolitikami on the frequency and intensity of headache. MATERIAL AND METHODS: the study included 50 women (average age - 37,4 years) with confirmed diagnosis: frequent episodic headache and chronic headache no factor abuses. Patients of the main group received ibuprofen to 200-400 mg/day for headaches in combination with tizanidine (2-4 mg/day) and anvifen 750 mg a day for 8 weeks. Patients in the comparison group received ibuprofen and tizanidine in the same mode, but did not take anvifen. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Evaluated the severity of headaches by visual analogue scale, the level of anxiety on the Hamilton depression rating scale, vegetative disorders on questionnaire ( Wayne), the quality of sleep before treatment and 60 days. In addition, 60 day therapy was conducted subjective assessment of the General state on a scale GGI. The conclusion about expediency of inclusion of, anvifen in the complex treatment of the condition.

Possible role and application of fMRI in the screening of release-active drugs.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of the brain was applied for preclinical evaluation of the efficiency of Divaza preparation intended for the treatment of cerebrovascular disorders. Psychological testing (Stroop task) in the magnetic field of fMRI was performed before and after 12-week treatment course using a double blind placebo-controlled protocol. It was shown that standard psychological and neuropsychological protocols do not allow fully estimate the results of treatment, whereas fMRI targeted the pool of cerebral structures activated during task solution. In the treatment group (in contrast to placebo), active zones in these structures were found only during task solution. Thus, resolution capability of fMRI significantly extends the range of rational screening by identifying active zones and can radically change the procedure of selection and clinical trials.

[Efficiency of using the anxiolytic adaptol in the combination therapy of arterial hypertension in women].

AIM: To evaluate the effect of the anxiolytic adaptol on blood pressure (BP) level in its concurrent use with a fixed dose angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor/diuretic combination on quality of life and on the correction of psychoautonomic disorders. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The trial included women aged 40-60 years with the verified diagnosis of Stage 2B arterial hypertension (AH), risk 2, and a disease history of at least 5 years. A study group received a fixed dose ACE inhibitor/diuretic combination once daily and adaptol 500 mg twice daily for 2 months. A comparison group had only the fixed dose ACE inhibitor/diuretic combination once daily without adaptol. RESULTS: By the end of one-month therapy, a more pronounced statistically significant BP reduction was achieved in the study group receiving the ACE inhibitor/diuretic combination and adaptol than in the comparison group. The quality of life was improved in 6 of the 8 items in the study group and in 3 items in the comparison group. The total scores of psychoautonomic disorders decreased from 48.7 to 25.8 in the study group and from 47.8 to 38 in the comparison one. CONCLUSION: It is expedient to combine antihypertensive therapy and anxiolytics in female hypertensive patients with autonomic dystonic disorders.

[Possibilities of antioxidant therapy for asthenia and cognitive deficit in elderly patients with chronic brain ischemia].

AIM: To evaluate the effect of the antioxidant mexidol on the oxidant-antioxidant potential of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), asthenic and anxious symptoms, and cognitive function of neurodynamic type in elderly patients with chronic brain ischemia (CBI). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty women (mean age 66.7 years) with grade 1-2 dyscirculatory encephalopathy (DE) were examined. Trends for asthenic, anxious, and cognitive symptoms of neurodynamic type were estimated using the standard tests (MFI-20, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, Schulte Tables, Wechsler test) on days 1, 15, and 60 of mexidol treatment (for 60 days). LDLs were isolated from blood by heparin precipitation. The baseline level of lipid peroxidation products was determined and the concentrations of fat-soluble antioxidants (a-tocopherol, retinol, beta-carotene, and xanthins) were examined in the isolated LDLs on days 1 and 5 of the study. RESULTS: A 60-day mexidol therapy cycle statistically significantly caused a reduction in asthenic and anxious symptoms in elderly patients with CBI and induced positive changes in the symptoms of cognitive neurodynamics. Assessing the specific features of the pharmacodynamics of the antioxidant mexidol used in the elderly patients for 15 days revealed a statistically significant positive effect on the oxidative potential of LDLs as a decreased predisposition to their antioxidative processes in vivo. The drug's effect in elevating the levels of a-tocopherol and beta-carotene was altered insignificantly (without statistically significant changes), which reflects the pharmacodynamic features of the drug in the elderly patients. CONCLUSION: The 60-day cycle of therapy with the antioxidant mexidol has a positive impact on asthenic and neurotic symptoms in the elderly patients with CBI. Mexidol is well tolerated and safe when used long.

Cognitive effects of one season of head impacts in a cohort of collegiate contact sport athletes.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether exposure to repetitive head impacts over a single season negatively affects cognitive performance in collegiate contact sport athletes. METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study at 3 Division I National Collegiate Athletic Association athletic programs. Participants were 214 Division I college varsity football and ice hockey players who wore instrumented helmets that recorded the acceleration-time history of the head following impact, and 45 noncontact sport athletes. All athletes were assessed prior to and shortly after the season with a cognitive screening battery (ImPACT) and a subgroup of athletes also were assessed with 7 measures from a neuropsychological test battery. RESULTS: Few cognitive differences were found between the athlete groups at the preseason or postseason assessments. However, a higher percentage of the contact sport athletes performed more poorly than predicted postseason on a measure of new learning (California Verbal Learning Test) compared to the noncontact athletes (24% vs 3.6%; p < 0.006). On 2 postseason cognitive measures (ImPACT Reaction Time and Trails 4/B), poorer performance was significantly associated with higher scores on several head impact exposure metrics. CONCLUSION: Repetitive head impacts over the course of a single season may negatively impact learning in some collegiate athletes. Further work is needed to assess whether such effects are short term or persistent.

Reducing chest injuries in automobile collisions: rib fracture timing and implications for thoracic injury criteria.

The purpose of this study was to quantify the biomechanical response of the human thorax during dynamic shoulder belt loading representative of that seen in a severe automotive collision. Two post-mortem human surrogates (PMHSs) (one male and one female) were instrumented with 26 single-axis strain gages on the ribs, sternum, and clavicle. The thorax of each PMHS was placed on a custom spine support bracket designed to support the thorax on either side of the spinous process, thereby allowing free motion at the costovertebral joints. In addition, the support bracket raised the thorax above the flat base plate, which could otherwise constrain the deformation and motion of the posterior region of the rib cage. The thorax of each PMHS was then loaded using a custom table-top belt loading system that generated thoracic displacement rates representative of a severe automotive collision, 1.3 m/s for the male PMHS and 1.0 m/s for the female PMHS. The rib fracture timing data, determined by analyzing the strain gage time histories, showed that severe thoracic injury (AIS = 3) occurred at 16% chest compression for the male and 12% chest compression for the female. However, these values are well below the current thoracic injury criteria of 29% chest compression for the male and 23% chest compression for the female. This data illustrates that serious thoracic injury (AIS = 3) occurs at lower chest compressions than the current ATD thoracic injury criteria. Overall, this study provides critical data that can be used in the design and validation of advanced ATDs and finite element models, as well as the establishment of improved, more stringent thoracic injury criteria.

Rib fracture timing in dynamic belt tests with human cadavers.

The purpose of this article is to present data from dynamic belt loading tests on the thorax of human cadavers where the exact timing of all rib fractures is known. To quantify rib fracture timing, a total of 47 strain gages were placed throughout the thorax of two human cadavers (one male, one female). To simulate thoracic loading observed in a severe car crash, a custom table-top belt loading device was developed. The belt loading pulse was configured to result in approximately 40% chest compression during a 150 ms load and unload cycle. The time histories of each strain gage were analyzed to determine the time of each rib fracture which was then directly compared with the reaction loads and chest displacements at that exact time, thereby creating a noncensored data set. In both cadavers, all rib fractures occurred within the first 35% compression of the thorax. As a general trend, fractures on the left side of the thorax, where the passenger belt passed over the abdomen, occurred first followed by fractures to the upper ribs on the right side of the thorax. By utilizing this technique, the exact timing of each injury level can be characterized relative to the mechanical parameters. For example, using rib fractures as the parameter for Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) scores in the female test, it was shown that AIS 1 injury occurred at a chest compression of 21.1%, AIS 2 at 21.6%, AIS 3 at 22.0%, and AIS 4 at 33.3%.

Substantia nigra echomorphology and motor cortex excitability.

The aim of our study was to investigate the relation between substantia nigra (SN) echomorphology and indices of motor cortex excitability. Nigral hyperechogenicity in healthy individuals is thought to represent an SN abnormality or predisposition to Parkinson's disease (PD) and its prevalence is greater in the very old. Our study involved 20 old healthy subjects (aged 72-84 years) known to have normal (n=10) or abnormal (n=10) SN echomorphology. All were in good health with no overt neurological signs. SN morphology was assessed with transcranial sonography through the pre-auricular bone window. Motor cortical excitability and intracortical inhibition were assessed with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over the first dorsal interosseus motor area. Single stimuli were delivered during relaxation and voluntary contraction and paired stimuli were delivered during relaxation. Each cortical hemisphere was analysed separately. The response to single-pulse TMS (in motor cortex ipsilateral to the target SN) did not differ between groups. However, a significant difference between groups was observed in the paired pulse paradigm (conditioning stimulus intensity: 70% resting motor threshold; interstimulus interval: 2 ms). The conditioned motor evoked potential amplitude was significantly larger ipsilateral to the hyperechogenic SN than in controls (P=0.014). Thus, healthy subjects with SN hyperechogenicity exhibit significantly less intracortical inhibition within the motor cortex than subjects with normal echomorphology. Decreased intracortical inhibition is also observed in PD patients. This study provides further evidence that SN hyperechogenicity in healthy individuals is associated with changes characteristic of PD supporting a role for this feature as a vulnerability marker or state marker for subtle nigral dopaminergic dysfunction.

Tenoten in the therapy of patients with moderate cognitive impairment.

Tenoten is a new anxiolytic and antidepressant based on antibodies to brain-specific protein S-100B. Experimental studies demonstrated the effect of tenoten on mechanisms of neuronal plasticity and manifestations of higher nervous activity. Tenoten is clinically comparable with amitryptiline, sertraline, and phenazepam, but does not produce potent sedative relaxation effect typical of these drugs. The study demonstrated considerable improvement of the control over brain frontal compartment effector functions. Tenoten is recommended not only at the stage of moderate cognitive impairment, but also in manifest cerebrovascular pathologies characterized by pronounced impairment of the regulatory functions of the frontal compartments of the brain.

Managing ethical issues in sexual violence research using a pilot study.

Conducting research in the area of sexual violence has complex ethical and practical challenges for the researcher. Managing ethical issues in sexual violence is important and can be achieved through the use of pilot studies. The primary purpose of the pilot study was to identify and manage potential ethical and practical problems that could jeopardise the main study or violate the ethical and human rights of participants in the main study on women's journey of recovery from sexual assault. The secondary purpose was to collect preliminary data in order to determine the human, financial and time resources needed for a planned study. The methods and processes used in conducting the pilot study in the study on women's journey of recovery are discussed according to each of the objectives of the pilot study, methods used to achieve the objective, observations or findings made during the pilot study, and implications for the main study. This article aims to demonstrate how a pilot study was used to manage identified potential ethical and practical research issues during the recruitment of participants and data collection for the research that was conducted by the first author to investigate women's journey of recovery from sexual assault trauma within the first week following sexual assault.

Substantia nigra echomorphology in the healthy very old: Correlation with motor slowing.

Transcranial sonography reveals an increase in echogenicity in the substantia nigra of patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease. Marked hyperechogenicity has also been described in 9% of the healthy population and is associated with subtle clinical or functional neuroimaging findings suggestive of changes in nigrostriatal function. It has therefore been hypothesised that a hyperechogenic substantia nigra represents an early stage of nigral degeneration or a predisposition for Parkinson's disease. In the present study, we correlated sonographic findings with motor and cognitive deficits in a group of healthy, very elderly subjects. Marked and moderately increased substantia nigra echogenicity was present in 25% and 21% of our healthy, very elderly subjects, respectively, and correlated strongly with the presence of extrapyramidal symptoms in the absence of cognitive deficits. The high incidence of substantia nigra hyperechogenicity measured in our very elderly subjects compared with previous TCS studies suggests that the prevalence of this feature increases with age and is consistent with the higher prevalence of Parkinson's disease in advanced age, as well as the increased frequency of extrapyramidal symptoms. Our results indicate that this simple technique can be used to identify and quantify brain changes associated with subtle motor dysfunction in the very elderly.

Biomechanical risk estimates for mild traumatic brain injury.

The objective of this study was to characterize the risk of mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) in living humans based on a large set of head impact data taken from American football players at the collegiate level. Real-time head accelerations were recorded from helmet-mounted accelerometers designed to stay in contact with the player's head. Over 27,000 head impacts were recorded, including four impacts resulting in MTBI. Parametric risk curves were developed by normalizing MTBI incidence data by head impact exposure data. An important finding of this research is that living humans, at least in the setting of collegiate football, sustain much more significant head impacts without apparent injury than previously thought. The following preliminary nominal injury assessment reference values associated with a 10% risk of MTBI are proposed: a peak linear head acceleration of 165 g, a HIC of 400, and a peak angular head acceleration of 9000 rad/s2.

Women's journey of recovery from sexual assault trauma: a grounded theory--part 1.

Thousands of women and children experience sexual assault trauma annually in South Africa. The challenge posed by recovery from sexual assault trauma is a reality that confronts the survivors of sexual assault, their families and the larger community of service providers. Yet, little research has been conducted on recovery from sexual assault as a phenomenon. The purpose of the study was to explore and analyse the journey of recovery which is undertaken by women who have been sexually assaulted, with the aim of discovering and developing the grounded theory of recovery from sexual assault trauma within the first six months following the event of rape. The main research question was: What constitutes the journey of recovery undertaken by women within the first six months following sexual assault? A longitudinal qualitative study was conducted using the principles of grounded theory methodology as proposed by Strauss and Corbin (1990, 1998). A series of in-depth one-to-one interviews were conducted with a sample of ten women. The participants were selected through open, purposive and theoretical sampling procedures. The study was conducted over a period of six months following the event of sexual assault. The substantive theory was discovered and constructed through the inductive and deductive analysis of data, grounded on the ten women's descriptions of their journey of recovery from sexual assault. The theory of women's journey of recovery that was discovered and developed consisted of eight theoretical concepts or categories. These included the following concepts: 1. Sexual assault trauma 2. Awakening 3. Pragmatic acceptance 4. Turning point 5. Reclaiming what was lost 6. Defining own landmarks of healing 7. Readiness for closure 8. Returning to self. The grounded theory of the journey of recovery from sexual assault is a contribution to the knowledge about women's journey of recovery from sexual assault. It provides a process and language for understanding women's experiences within the larger social context of recovery from assault. The findings suggested that women's journey of recovery from sexual assault trauma is an individual experience that is influenced by many and varied causal and intervening conditions. These included personal biographies, relationships, supportive and non-supportive environments at individual, family, community and societal levels. Recommendations for future research and clinical management of sexual assault are made based on the researcher's interpretation of the findings.

Women's journey of recovery from sexual assault trauma: a grounded theory--part 2.

The purpose of the study was to explore and analyse the journey of recovery which is undertaken by women who have been sexually assaulted, with the aim of discovering the grounded theory of recovery from sexual assault within the first six months following the event of rape. The main research question was: 'What is the journey of recovery that is undertaken by women within the first six months following sexual assault?' Another question that developed during data collection and data analysis was 'What is the meaning that women attach to recovery?' The findings are discussed under the eight concepts or categories and the context and the intervening conditions that influence the journey of recovery from sexual assault trauma. Refer to part 1 article. These are complemented with abstracts of data from the participants' voices and the related discussions. The developed theory highlights the process and the interconnectedness of the different stages of what the women experience in their journey of recovery from sexual assault trauma.

Research integrity and misconduct: a clarification of the concepts.

The commercialization of research and the ever changing scientific environment has led scholars to shift the focus from promoting research integrity to regulating misconduct. As a result, most literature explains research integrity in terms of avoidance of misconduct. The purpose of the paper is to stimulate reflection and discussion on research integrity and research misconduct. This article explores the meaning of research integrity and research misconduct, and how research integrity can be promoted to ensure safer research and scholarship. We believe that the discussion can help clarify some hazy areas in the research and publication processes, and appreciate some crucial aspects that they may have seen taken for granted. The purpose of this article is to share with the readers some clarification or analysis of the two concepts namely: research integrity and misconduct. The objectives are: (1) To explore and analyse the concepts of research integrity and research misconduct from the educational or developmental perspective and not the legal perspective as others in literature have done. (2) To stimulate the reflection and discussion on strategies to promote research integrity and thus prevent research misconduct Literature review and concept analysis was undertaken to clarify the two concepts. We argue that the two concepts can be viewed along a continuum, i.e. where research integrity ends, research misconduct starts. We also argue that it is the responsibility of the research community at large to always ensure that the scientific ethics balance is maintained throughout the research process to ensure research integrity and avoid research misconduct. We also argue that research integrity is interlinked with morality while misconduct is interlinked with immorality.

Retrospective identification of subject anthropometry using computed tomography of the leg.

Lower extremity injuries from car crashes are associated with decreased quality of life. To better evaluate the forces seen by the lower extremity during car crashes accurate models of the lower extremities must be created. This effort is motivated by a need to identify CT scans of a 5th female and a 50th and 95th male leg for use in finite element model development. Our goal is to outline a method for obtaining retrospective data on skeletal anthropometry and relate this data to the population when subject anthropometry is unavailable. Landmark data was collected from axial slices of lower extremity CT scans without skeletal pathology and CT scout films. The two methods used to collect data were compared and published data was used to create normal distribution curves for the leg lengths of males and females across the adult population. Knowledge of how lower extremity geometry quantitatively relates to subject height was also used to find patient scans representing lower extremity lengths of the 5th female, and 50th and 95th percentile male standard models. From the data collected on the two methods we found that CT 3-D reconstructions are superior for assessing length compared to using CT scouts. This methodology is useful for mining the large database of clinical patient scans retrospectively to create models that can predict injury in humans of all shapes and sizes.

Twelve years and counting: California's experience with a statewide Healthy Cities and Community program.

California Healthy Cities and Communities is the longest running statewide program of its kind in the nation. After providing a brief history the authors give an overview of the supporting activities and resources the Program provides to Healthy Cities and Communities initiatives throughout California.