Could NF-kappaB and caspase-3 be markers for estimation of post-interval of human traumatic brain injury?

BACKGROUND: Previous studies in a rat model showed expressions of caspase-3 (p20) and NF-kappaB (p65) in different time after TBI. We test the activation changes of caspase-3 and NF-kappaB of human specimen after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in this study to see whether they could be markers to estimate post-intervals of TBI for forensic practice. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Caspase-3 (p20) and NF-kappaB (p65) immunohistochemical staining were performed on 39 TBI specimens (dead from TBI) and eight controls (dead from none TBI reasons) grouped 0, 12, 24, 48, 72, 168, 264 and 480 h. Positive cells were counted and image analysis techniques were used to determine the morphological changes in each group. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical analysis showed a marked induction of caspase-3 (p20) in every injured group compared with normal controls; each positive group has it's morphological character with variant positive cell count. NF-kappaB (p65) did not showed markedly change compared with normal controls until 168 h after TBI and almost all nerve cells were stained by NF-kappaB (p65) in 264 and 480 h groups. CONCLUSION: NF-kappaB (p65) could contribute to estimate delayed death cases after TBI for forensic applications. Caspase-3 (p20) estimating post-TBI intervals are dubious but could suggest TBI exists.     

企业人力资源开发的政府缺位问题研究

论文从经济学和行政学相结合的角度分析了政企分开所引发的政府在企业人力资源开发中的“缺位”现象 ,并分析了由此而产生的几大问题 ,提出市场经济条件下政府科学引导人力资源开发的必然性。最后 ,论文提出了政府推动企业人力资源开发的基本思路。     

女性胸骨X线变化与年龄关系的研究

研究北京地区137例女性胸骨X线影像学变化，以其与年龄关系密切相关的影像学标志点作为变量，并依据各标志点在不同年龄阶段的变化，制定了各自的评分标准。用该标准观测全部样本，将所得数据与年龄一起输入电子计算机，建立了根据女性胸骨X线变化推算年龄的多元回归方程，即：Y=9．6641＋1．6999X（1）＋2．7486X（2）十1．8929X（3）＋1．5561X（4）＋0.4255X（5）。经方差分析F＞F0.01（5.131），回归高度显著。本研究所建立的预测年龄方程，在无名尸骨的法医学鉴定中具有实用价值。     

我国非法证据排除的若干重要问题

我国确立非法证据排除规则应当按照非法证据种类和多元利益衡量法的双重标准对非法证据进行排除;应当依照"谁主张、谁举证"的基本原理分配非法证据排除的举证责任,但是要降低证明标准并建立相关的辅助制度;在非法证据排除程序中应当发挥检察机关的法律监督职能,在审查批捕、审查起诉、庭前审查和法庭审理四个阶段中建立起检察机关、法院依职权主动排除非法证据和依申请排除非法证据的程序.     

Detection of methamphetamine in mouse femurs exposed to high temperature

Bone samples are valuable for examining the cause of death and circumstance leading up to death when body fluids are not available for forensic toxicological analysis. Examined were heat-induced changes in methamphetamine and amphetamine concentrations in femurs removed from methamphetamine-injected mice to determine if the burned bones could be used for toxicology testing. The femurs were heated at 100°C, 300°C, or 500°C for 10 or 30 min. The tissue structure of the heated femurs was preserved at 100°C for 30 min but was destructed at higher temperatures. Methamphetamine and amphetamine were detected in femurs heated at 100°C for 10 min, 100°C for 30 min, and 300°C for 10 min (with methamphetamine and amphetamine concentrations ranging from 0.36 to 35 μg/g and 0.54 to 47 μg/g, respectively). Methamphetamine and amphetamine were detectable when heated above their decomposition temperature as a result of limited heat transfer do to protection provide by the femoral muscle. Thus, the bone could be a useful analytical sample in cases of burn-related deaths, where it is difficult to collect body fluids.     

Fatal rupture of hepatic adenomatosis: Autopsy case and review of the literature

Hepatic adenomatosis is a rare disease consisting of multiple adenomas in otherwise-normal liver parenchyma. Though the discovery of this entity goes back several years, its diagnosis is still challenging in terms of its definition and pathophysiology. Clinically, patients may be completely asymptomatic and the diagnosis is only made incidentally through imaging tests. The discovery could be made when complications occur such as intraperitoneal hemorrhage with hypovolemic shock due to the rupture of an adenoma. We report a fatal case of a ruptured adenoma in a case of hepatic adenomatosis discovered at autopsy. In order to achieve a better view of this disease, we conducted a literature review on this subject describing the pathogenesis, manifestations, and autopsy contribution to addressing this entity.     

Homicidal electrocution disguised as an accidental death

Deaths due to electrocution are mostly accidental. Homicide by electrocution is rarely reported in the literature. However, the location and pattern of the electrocution wound can raise concern for a possible homicidal manner of death. We are reporting an unusual case wherein the dead body of a middle-aged man was found lying in a suspicious condition on the roadside of desolated area. There were circumferential, grooved electrocution lesions over the left and right second toes with oval electrocution lesions on the medial aspects of both the left and right third toes. There were split lacerations over the right high parietal region, right pinna, and forehead. There was avulsion of the nail of the left thumb. Pressure abrasion was consistent with a ligature mark on the lower part of the left leg. The locations and pattern of these injuries raised the possibility of torture infliction. Death was attributed to electrocution, which was confirmed by histopathology. Autopsy findings and possible inferences were furnished to the police. This case highlights the careful observation of different characterizations and locations of the wounds and deducing inferences about the possible manner of death. This information can be useful to investigating agencies.     

Modification of the Marmarou and Foda model of diffuse axonal injury (DAI) improves percentage survival of rats at 24 h and increases the amount of DAI identified

More than two decades ago, Marmarou published a valid model for producing diffuse axonal injury (DAI) in rats. Since then, both mild and severe injuries have been obtained by researchers using the original method and a weight of 450 g. However, the diffuse brain injuries produced in rats were only similar to those seen in humans when the rats sustained severe brain injuries. In these cases, rat mortality in the original article was around 50%, and the cause of death was prolonged apnea post-impact. Rat survival after impact is critical for studying the progression of DAI. In order to explain the cause of death in human victims with cranial trauma who do not show gross brain injury, testing for the presence of DAI is essential. Thus, in order to minimize local and cervical injuries to increase rat survival, attention should be paid to the following aspects: a wider head protector disc should be used, the head of the rat should be elevated at the time of impact, and the foam bed should be soft enough to allow the movement caused by acceleration. With our modified method, rat survival increased by 30% compared to the original model (80% versus 50%). Moreover, 85.7% of rats demonstrated DAI after 24 h of survival. With these modifications, injuries appear in the same locations as in humans; thus, the method is suitable for the study of traumatic DAI in humans.