Histomorphometric characteristic of human brain in acute alcoholic intoxication

Different brain sections were studied in 20 subjects, who died of ethanol intoxication and in 14 subjects who died of injuries of the heart and main vessels, in order to detect histological changes in the brain and for the purpose of defining spatial and quantitative ratios between cerebral tissue structures in alcoholic intoxication. Different histological, stereometric and morphometric tools were made use of. It was demonstrated that, in alcoholic intoxication, there occur severe disorders of the circulation with affection of vessels in the brain; there are also dystrophic and necrotic changes in neurocytes, glial cells and white substance. The square of neurons shrinks due to death of some of them in the cortex of hemispheres, thalamus and cerebellum. As for the medulla, they are more resistant, there, to ethanol. The diameter of capillaries in the studied brain sections diminishes due to a reduced tonus of cerebral arteries; the quantity of such vessels increases within a standard area, which is conditioned by the compensatory opening of reserve capillaries. All this can be important in dealing with issues of thanatogenesis and of forensic medical diagnosis in death of alcoholic intoxication.     

Age-related changes in the nervous apparatus of the blood vessels in the brain and spinal cord

This work was designed to study changes in the nervous apparatus of the blood vessels in the brain and spinal cord with a view to developing methods for the determination of the biological age in man. Pial and intramedullary vascular systems of the brain and spinal cord were examined in different periods of postnatal ontogenesis (between the age of 1 and 90 years) using histological, fluorescent-histochemical, and immunohistochemical methods as well as by ink injections into the blood vessels, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The data obtained on the age-related rearrangement of the nervous apparatus of the arterial vessels in the brain and spinal cord have not only theoretical significance but can also be used for the solution of practical problems encountered in the practical work of forensic medical experts.     

Morphofunctional changes of external male genitalia in alcoholism and substance abuse

The external male genitals (EMG) of male corpses, who abused alcohol and narcotics at lifetime, were examined. The objects were stained according to the common histological and histochemical methods. The study results are indicative of a high frequency rate of pathologic changes of the EMG in persons, who abused alcohol and narcotics at lifetime. The inflammatory, fibrosing and atrophic changes of the EMG as well as a reduced vascular permeability can be a cause for erection malfunction.     

脑组织与法医学死亡时间推断

目前，通过脑组织推断死亡时间已经成为法医学领域研究的新热点，大量研究资料表明：死亡时间与脑组织细胞DNA、RNA、ATP含量及脑温度、脑组织血管内皮生长因子等变化有高度相关性。脑CT、MRI、磁共振波谱等检查手段对死亡时间的推断也有帮助。本文对国内外相关文献进行综述，以期为相关研究提供参考。     

Histomorphometric indices of the pancreas in intoxication with alcohol and narcotics

The results of histomorphometric examinations of the pancreas in drug- and alcohol-addiction as well as in acute intoxications are described. They show that, in chronic alcoholic intoxication as compared with opiomania, there are more pronounced interlobular sclerosis and lipomatosis, which is manifested by an enlarged middle lobe of the stroma (containing fat and connective tissue fibers), by a higher density of islands of Langerhans and by their higher sectional area. Autolysis and edema of the stroma are more severe in an acute intoxication with drugs than in other cases of fatal outcome. A possibility is demonstrated to differentiate between various types of the so-called long-term exogenous intoxication and to discriminate between different types of thanatogenesis typical of various cases of acute intoxications. Data are presented that demonstrate the advantage of the quantitative analysis of histological preparations over the qualitative one.     

Age-specific changes in bone tissue microstructure and potential for use for human identification

The possibility of using the data of quantitative microscopy of bone tissue for evaluation of age with the aim of personality identification is discussed. Computer histomorphological analysis of third rib, tibial lower epiphysis and diaphysis fragments from 564 male corpses of known age (0-90 years) was carried out. A complex of parameters most strongly correlating with age was detected: extension of active osteogenesis zone in the longitudinal section of a rib, thickness of layers of internal and external general diaphyseal laminae in the tibial bone, trabecular area in the tibial epiphyseal preparation, etc. Age-specific changes in bone tissue structures is characterized by a great variety and depends on the type and location of these structures. Bone tissue characteristics change irregularly and asynchronously, therefore their correlations with age are different in different age groups. A general biological interpretation of the results is offered.     

多发性软组织挫伤后对肺及其他脏器的影响

目的观察多发性软组织挫伤后短时间内死亡案例的脏器病理学改变。方法应用常规组织学及免疫组织化学染色技术进行光学显微镜检查。结果光镜检查见肺组织毛细血管扩张充血，白细胞集聚，肺组织散在片状出血、灶状坏死及透明膜形成；心脏间质血管扩张充血，点灶状纤维溶解；脑组织充血水肿，肝脾充血。免疫组化发现肺泡腔及部分血管内纤维蛋白染色阳性，部分脾脏血管内及肾髓质集合管中肌红蛋白染色阳性。结论本研究结果提示多发性软组织挫伤后短时间内死亡的死因为成人呼吸窘迫综合征（ARDS）合并多脏器功能衰竭。     

23例头面部拳掌伤致脑干损伤致死病理学分析

目的 观察头面部拳掌伤，及钝器打击伤致脑干损伤死的病理形态学特点，并探讨其成伤机理。方法 对23例拳击(A组)与30例钝器打击(B组)采用作者建立的脑干损伤取材方法，于脑干各颅神经根部作水平面切6块，HE染色光镜检查。结果 2组脑干损伤具有相同的病理形态学改变。A组水肿显著(71.6％)，B组以组织撕裂、挫碎为多(76.6％)；A组颅神经损伤多为单根(47.6％)，B组2根以上占53.7％，最多可达4根；A组单纯脑实质挫伤多(50％)，B组多伴发血肿或挫挤带。结论 拳、掌和钝器打击头面部致脑干损伤的病理形态学相同，但钝器打击比拳、掌致脑干损伤严重且广泛。提示脑干损伤致命与其受力部位、发病机理关系密切，而与受力强度关系不大。     

Histomorphology of healing of fractures, splits, and defects in the cranial bones

The histomorphology of healing of fractures in the calvarial bones were studied: 39 autopsies and 61 bioptic samples were investigated within the time span ranging from 1 to 5 years; as well as 32 experiments with dogs were made. A tight contact between fracture edges is the key condition for fracture healing (of the mentioned bones) through central callus. Should there be no such contact, the fracture edges were joined by fibrous tissue, which lacks any osseous structures. The periosteum of the internal bone lamella and the adjoining dura mater of brain are the main sources for bone regeneration in the calvarium.     

Histologic findings in the lung in sudden infant death

The lungs of 79 children who had died between the ages of 1 week and 2 years old were histologically examined. 59 of these children could be categorized as cases of Sudden Infant Death because of the history and postmortem findings. In the remaining 20 cases a definite cause of death could be established. This is the same collective on which the histological investigations of the lymphatic tissue has been carried out. Morphological changes which are typical for a virus pneumonia were found in a substantially higher frequency in the cases of Sudden Infant Death than in the control cases. The validity of these findings and their possible significance for the cause of death are discussed.     

Subdural Hemorrhage,a Retrospective Review with Emphasis on a Cohort of Alcoholics

Subdural hemorrhage (SDH) is a common cause of death. As external evidence of injury may be absent, an autopsy is frequently needed to detect it. We conducted a 3‐year review of SDH from the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner, with emphasis on a cohort of alcoholics. Our study population of 1942 included 1588 alcoholics. Of the alcoholics, c. 8% had SDH (26% of the total number of SDH). Of the alcoholics with SDH, 57% had associated brain injuries. As alcohol intoxication is frequently associated with aggressive and violent behavior, we are concerned that 6% of alcoholics in our review had no autopsy or imaging studies. It is possible that a portion of these may have had a SDH due to an unrecognized inflicted injury. We recommend that autopsies be performed on all alcoholics without a clear cause or mechanism of death.     

外伤性脑梗死的形态学观察

目的 观察外伤性脑梗死的形态学特点,并探讨其与脑挫伤的鉴别。方法 从81例重型颅脑损伤中选出15例符合继发性出血坏死标准的脑标本,另选15例脑挫伤标本作对照,两者均经福尔马林固定后分别作冠状、矢状及水平切面,用肉眼与光镜观察。结果 外伤性脑梗死常见于5个部位,即基底节(3例)、扣带回(2例)、对称性枕部楔叶回(2例)、枕颞外侧回(6例,5例合并有中脑桥脑出血)和枕回(2例);梗死均不在直接受力点或其对冲点,范围明确局限,呈楔形或类楔形,且与脑疲密切相关。镜下见梗死区高度淤血、出血及坏死;水肿,并有白细胞浸润和胶质细胞反应。大脑各叶的梗死,严重者累及全皮层与蛛网膜下腔,未见软脑膜破裂;神经细胞缺氧或缺血性病变明显。脑挫伤的案例,见受力点或对冲部位的皮质及皮质下髓质处出血,挫伤处脑回顶部的软脑膜多破裂,挫伤的脑组织可有挫烂。结论 外伤性脑梗死在法医学上习惯称为继发性出血坏死;它是由于脑疝和水肿压迫颅内血管而形成。外伤性脑梗死和脑挫伤,根据其与脑疝的关系、病变部位、软脑膜是否完整,以及其它组织学改变,二者不难鉴别。     

Early and late meningeal reaction to trauma after long-term brain death.

We examined histologically the meninges adherent to traumatic lesions of a patient with brain death sustained for 101 days and observed both early and late reactions of wound healing at the same site of the dura mater. Some parts of the dura mater were thick and histological examinations revealed formation of new vessels and fibrosis with strong positive reaction for iron and fat staining. We also observed fresh haemorrhage and some cell infiltration in the dura and fresh haemorrhage in a small piece of necrotic brain tissue adhered to the dura mater, while other areas of the brain tissue were completely necrotic, enabling the sites of head injury to be localised. These observations suggested that the blood flow in the dura mater fluctuates due to a change of microenvironment, which probably causes repeated secondary petechial haemorrhages in the dura and its adherent necrotic brain tissue, even 101 days after brain death.     

迟发性外伤性脑内血肿脑组织GFAP、S-100和NSE的免疫组织化学研究

应用免疫组织化学ABC法和S－P法，对6例伤后1．5天至2年发生的迟发性外伤性脑内血肿（DTICH）脑组织标本进行神经胶质细胞内胶质纤维酸性蛋白（GFAP）、S－100蛋白（S－100）和神经元细胞内特异性烯醇化酶（NSE）变化和应用价值的研究。尸检和组织学检查发现有脑挫伤等病变。6例DTICH脑组织挫伤及周围区均有明显的GFAP、S－100阳性的细胞变化，细胞数目增多，胞体肥大、增生，免疫组化反应产物增多、深染；神经元细胞NSE免疫组化染色均呈阴性改变。结果表明：6例DTICH脑组织中GFAP、S－100的NSE的免疫组织化学变化是有一定时间间隔的外伤性陈旧性改变，在DTICH的病理诊断上具有重要价值，可作为DTICH法医学鉴定的一个辅助手段。     

Healed fractures of the larynx and lingual bone in forensic autopsy]

Laryngohyoid fractures are a frequently investigated matter, especially in the forensic literature. On the other hand, there are only very few (old) forensic reports of such fractures in survived cases. However, healed fractures are not seldom found in forensic autopsies: In a personal series of 1160 forensic autopsies (adult persons) a careful dissection of the laryngohyoid complex was done by 1 investigator. Only a macroscopic examination of the cartilages was carried out; radiographs and histological slices were not regularly made. Therefore only a part of existing old fractures is detectable; for example, healed fissures are not visible with this simple method. Furthermore, asymmetries of the thyroid laminae cannot be declared as posttraumatic without additional examination, because this condition is described as possible anatomic anomaly. From that, the injury frequencies presented here only mark the lower threshold of the existence of such findings. Healed fractures of the upper thyroid horns and the major hyoid horns can be easily detected even in a routine examination, if healing resulted in a fixed dislocation or apposition of bone surrounding the former fracture site. In the present series, this was the predominant localization of old fractures: the upper thyroid horns (43 cases), followed by the hyoid cornua (12 cases), a combination of both sites (5) and cricoid fractures (5). Of the total 65 healed fractures (5.6%), 35 were found in the group of 290 chronic alcoholics (12.1%) and only 3.4% in non-alcoholics. In the subgroup of middle-aged alcoholics, the fracture rate increased up to 19%. However, this group did not present a higher rate of fresh laryngohyoid injuries (not related to strangulation) than the other cases. The old fractures probably resulted from minor "daily" injuries (like falls), which are common, especially in chronic alcoholics. The frequency of such findings should be in mind if an apparently fresh fracture, found in an actual autopsy, should be related to the cause of death: there is a real chance, that this fracture occurred prior, and without causal connection to the factors resulting in death. Therefore a histological examination of the age of this finding is necessary. Cricoid fractures are quite uncommon, except in serious external neck trauma. In 1 of our 5 cases, this fracture was caused by repeated cruelty, finally resulting in death.     

大鼠脑细胞DNA含量与死亡时间关系的图像分析

运用计算机图像分析技术 ,对大鼠死后脑细胞DNA的变化进行观测 ,以寻找一种客观、量化的推断早期死亡时间的标准。实验选择 1 5只大鼠。处死后 ,在 2 4h内每隔 1h分别取脑细胞进行细胞学涂片、福尔马林液固定、Feulgen染色、自动图象分析仪测量、统计学处理。结果显示 :大鼠的早期死亡时间与其脑细胞DNA降解速率呈线性关系 ,其中积分光密度 (IOD)、平均灰度 (AG)、异形指数 (ID)提示本法有可能作为精确推断死亡时间 (PMI)的辅助手段。     

脑震荡大鼠脑组织MDA、SOD、TNF-a及IL-1β表达变化

目的观察脑震荡大鼠脑组织中丙二醛（malondialdehvde,MDA）含量、超氧化物歧化酶（superoxidedismutase,SOD）活性及肿瘤坏死因子-ol（tumornecrosisfactor-a,TNF-a、白细胞介素-1β（interleukin-1β,IL-1β表达的变化,探讨脑震荡后继发性脑损伤机制。方法建立大鼠脑震荡模型,Weil氏染色观察大鼠脑组织病理改变：光化学分析方法检测脑组织内MDA含量、SOD活性;免疫组化法检测大脑皮质和海马区TNF-a、IL-1β表达。结果Weil氏染色显示神经髓鞘排列紊乱,弯曲肿胀,12h后更加明显;脑震荡后大鼠脑组织MDA含量较对照组明显升高．而SOD活性较对照纽明显降低;脑震荡后大鼠皮质及海马区细胞胞浆中TNF-a、IL-1β较对照组表达量明显上调。结论脑震荡大鼠脑组织存在氧化应激和炎性损伤,可能在脑震荡后继发性脑损伤中起重要作用。     

Finding of a skeleton in the Altaussee Lake—a forensic odyssey

Divers found several human bones in a lake in central Austria. As signs of blunt force trauma to the skull were detectable and one of the possible perpetrators still was alive, exact medico-legal examination was necessary. Age of the person and time since death were estimated. The residues of possible brain tissue underwent histological examination. Two of the three missing persons could be excluded, one of them using mitochondrial DNA analysis. Any pending legal proceedings could be avoided as a result of our examinations.     

人脑挫伤后S-100和GFAP的变化

应用免疫组织化学染色 ,观察人脑挫伤后 S- 10 0和 GFAP时间变化的规律 ,为脑挫伤形成时间的推断提供新的形态学依据。S- 10 0阳性细胞面积、灰度在伤后 48h显著增加 (P<0 .0 1) ;伤后 4d阳性细胞面积、灰度达到峰值 (P<0 .0 1) ;伤后 11d仍然保持较高水平 (P<0 .0 1)。GFAP阳性细胞面积、灰度伤后 2 4h显著增加 (P<0 .0 1) ;7d达高峰 (P<0 .0 1) ;以后有逐渐下降的趋势。伤后人脑组织 S- 10 0和 GFAP免疫组织化学染色阳性细胞面积、灰度改变有时间规律 ,两者可作为在 2～ 2 0 d内不同时间脑损伤的推断指标