Detectability of group-specific component (Gc) in aged bloodstains

An improved method of group-specific component (Gc) typing was conducted electrophoretically on agarose gel. Individual bloodstains randomly collected from different individual donors over a five-year period at intervals of approximately one month were checked for Gc activity. Group-specific component was typed accurately in dried bloodstains stored at room temperature up to 43 months in age. From 100 different donors, bloodstains ranging in age from 38 to 43 months were tested by the methods described and 73% of the samples were interpretable for Gc.     

Immunoenzyme determination of ABO and secretor status in paraffin-embedded autopsy material

Using the indirect immunoperoxidase technique (PAP method), A, B, and H antigens were identified on formaldehyde-fixed, paraffin-embedded kidney tissue from 100 autopsies. Comparison with the serologic findings showed all our blood group determinations to be correct. The labeling of the collecting tubules was evaluated as characteristic of the secretor. The secretor status determined according to this parameter was unequivocally confirmed by the Lewis constellation in 78 of 82 cases; group Le(a-b-) could be differentiated with immunohistochemical methods in secretors and nonsecretors. Determination of ABO blood groups and secretion behavior with immunohistochemical methods was correct even in those cases where classic serology failed due to hemolysis and decomposition. Immunohistologic results obtained with monoclonal antibodies were better than those obtained with human sera.     

Tetracycline-like fluorescence in buried human skeleton parts

Some ubiquitous soil-living micro-organisms are producing tetracycline-like fluorescences in skeletal remains. For this reason, the possibility of using tetracycline fluorescences in dating or allocating displaced skeletal parts is severely limited.     

A rapid screening procedure for drugs and poisons in gastric contents by direct injection-HPLC analysis

A high performance liquid chromatographic method for toxicological drug screening of gastric content has been developed. The samples were diluted (1:3-1:30) in 0.01 N hydrochloric acid and injected into a reverse phase column for separation by gradient elution. Mobile phase consisted of solvent A (acetonitrile/water 90:10, 0.01 M sodium dodecylsulphate, 0.5% v/v glacial acetic acid) and solvent B (water/acetonitrile 90:10, 0.01 M sodium dodecylsulphate, 0.5% v/v glacial acetic acid); the gradient was programmed from 20 to 80% A in 30 min. The flow was kept constant at 1.5 ml/min. Two home-made internal standards, butyrylsalicylic acid and diacetyltubocurarine with retention times of 5.6 and 21.4 min, respectively, were used. Drugs are identified by matching their relative retention times and UV spectra (200-400 nm) with those contained in a home made library of more than 340 reference compounds (9 analgesics, 22 antidepressants, 30 antihistamines, 14 antihypertensives, 21 antirheumatics, 15 beta-blockers, 9 bronchodilators, 10 Ca antagonists, 14 diuretics, 26 neuroleptics, 25 tranquilizers, and other significant xenobiotic compounds). The fluorometric (FLD) emission spectrum (280-700 nm; excitation wavelength, 230 nm) was used as a further identification. At 50mg/l analyte concentrations, the injection of gastric content after dilution (1:3) produced S/N ratios in the range 8-140. The method is simple, rapid, rather inexpensive and proved to be a useful means of investigation if used in combination with GC-MS screening in blood. On the other hand, the system suffers from a relatively limited sensitivity for compounds with a low UV absorption and from interferences due to the presence in the matrix of some highly UV- and FL-responsive compounds (e.g. tryptophan).     

Estimation of stature from body parts

Anthropometric technique commonly used by anthropologists and adopted by medical scientists has been employed to estimate body size for over a hundred years. With the increasing frequency of mass disasters, the identification of an isolated lower extremity and the stature of the person it belonged to has created problems for the investigation of the identity of some of the victims. In spite of a need for such a study, there is a lack of systematic studies to identify fragmented and dismembered human remains. The purpose of the paper is to analyze anthropometric relationships between dimensions of the lower extremity and body height. Analysis is based on a sample of middle class male (N=203) and female (N=108) adult Turks residing in Istanbul. The participants are mostly students and staff members of a medical school, and military personnel. Measurements taken are stature, trochanteric height, thigh length, lower leg length, leg length, and foot height, breadth, and length. Of the five variables entered into the regression analysis, all but foot breadth participate in the analysis with leg length as the first and followed by thigh and foot lengths, and finally foot height in males (R(2)). There were also individually calculated formulae for some of these measurements which provided smaller R(2)-values. Student's t-test to assess if there was any intraobserver error in measurements take by individual anthropometrist did not show such any statistically significant difference. In conclusion, the study suggested that estimation of a living height can be made possible using various dimensions of the lower extremity. One must consider differences between populations in order to apply functions as such to others.     

Government's role in organ transplantation policy

This paper initially considers ways of thinking about organ transplantation: Should it be treated as a catastrophic disease or as an ordinary and accepted medical procedure? The analysis then shifts to the role the government has played in influencing organ transplantation policy. The federal government's involvement initially stemmed from its role as payer for end-stage renal disease services. In recent years, the rationale for intervention has changed, and the mechanism for implementing regulatory oversight has shifted to a private network run for the government by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). The government has delegated much policymaking authority to UNOS, although the author demonstrates that this is not required by the applicable legislation. The article raises questions about the relationship between UNOS and the federal government, about potential conflicts between UNOS guidelines and state laws under the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, and about the ideological stance undergirding much of current federal policy in the organ transplantation arena.     

福尔马林固定石蜡包埋组织3种DNA提取方法比较

目的探讨经福尔马林固定1d石蜡包埋组织(FFPET)提取DNA的简易有效方法。方法比较水浴加热、微波加热和二甲苯脱蜡的效果。组织脱蜡后分别采用Chelex-100+层析柱纯化法、DNA IQTM试剂盒磁珠提取法和Chelex-100+磁珠纯化法提取DNA;实时荧光定量PCR技术定量DNA;荧光标记毛细管电泳技术进行STR分型。结果二甲苯脱蜡的效果好于其他两种加热的脱蜡方法(P<0.05)。Chelex-100+层析柱纯化所获得的DNA量显著高于其他两种方法(P<0.05)。结论二甲苯脱蜡、Chelex-100+层析柱纯化法是一种简单、有效的FFPET处理方法。     

Frequency of neck organ fractures in hanging.

This study is a retrospective analysis of 307 accidental and suicidal hangings for the presence or absence of neck organ fractures. Approximately 9% of cases showed such fractures. This is in agreement with one prior study and in disagreement with others. The factor most likely to be predictive of fractures is advanced age. Gender, height of suspension, and ligature type do not seem to be of predictive value.     

The organization of organ procurement

The American organ procurement system has improved and matured in the last five years. At the same time, the basic challenges facing it have remained substantially the same because the moral and legal framework of the system has not changed. Success at organ procurement continues to depend on the voluntary cooperation of medical professionals and the families of potential organ donors. The generosity of the American public is so great that the primary challenge facing organ procurement agencies is obtaining cooperation from hospitals and medical professionals. This calls for a "marketing" orientation aimed at those hospitals and professionals who are most likely to treat potential donors. The last five years have seen a more general acceptance of this appreciation of the central task of organ procurement. As a result, the overall effectiveness of the system has improved, as measured by the number of organs procured on a per capita basis and by the number of multiorgan donors obtained. Much of this improvement can be attributed to the diffusion of organizational techniques and approaches, and this diffusion has been encouraged by the involvement of national organizations and public bodies in the organ procurement community. The system remains uneven in its effectiveness and further improvement is possible. It is also possible that the next general round of improvement will result from the application of businesslike information management and marketing techniques.     

Paternity-testing on paraffin-embedded abortion tissue: preparation of fetal cells may be indispensable

In a case of sexual abuse, a paternity test was performed on paraffin embedded abortion material. STR typing was successful only after isolating fetal tissue from the abortion-material and separately extracting DNA from the excised fetal cells. Examination with five STRs led to a paternity index of 332, confirming the abuse that had resulted in pregnancy.