Driving under the influence in Greece: a 7-year survey (1998-2004)

Alcohol is one of the main causes of traffic accidents worldwide. Its use decreases significantly the driving ability of an individual increasing in this way the possibilities of their involvement in motor-vehicle accidents. The above possibilities are increased when a psychoactive substance has been taken in combination with alcohol due to their synergistic effect. The Laboratory of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology of the University of Athens is authorized to perform the toxicological investigation of traffic accidents that happen in the southern part of Greece. The objective of the present study was to identify the prevalence of alcohol and other psychoactive substances among drivers involved in road traffic accidents in Greece during the period 1998-2004. Alcohol was detected in the blood of about 37% of the drivers involved in traffic accident during the years 1998-2000. The detection of alcohol was lower (29%) in the years 2001-2004. Cannabis, benzodiazepines, opiates, and cocaine were found in 4%, 4%, 4% and 1% of the total number of cases, respectively. The above values were compared with those of a previous study concerning the period 1995-1997 and the reasons for the reduction of the number of alcohol-related traffic accidents during the last years are discussed.     

Death by Ram Attack: A Case Report from Greece and a Brief Review of the Literature

A case of a ram attack that caused injuries to a 73‐year‐old man is presented. The deceased survived the attack and had the opportunity to speak with a friend over the phone before being transferred to the hospital. After a 21‐day hospitalization, the patient passed away. A postmortem examination was performed to ascertain the cause of death. The autopsy findings are presented along with a brief review of the literature. Attacks by agricultural animals (or livestock) around the world are reported in the scientific literature. Fatalities from ram attacks are extremely rare. The need to implement specific codes in the ICD system, relevant to each animal attack, appears to be of great importance, in order to allow tracking of animal‐related deaths.     

16个线粒体DNASNP复合检测体系的建立

目的建立一种复合检测线粒体DNA（mtDNA）单核苷酸多态性（SNP）分型的方法。方法通过设计等位基因特异性引物并结合毛细管电泳分型技术平台,建立包含16个mtDNASNP位点的复合扩增检测体系。对50名汉族无关个体血样进行mtDNASNP检测,并通过直接测序法对其分型结果进行验证。结果50个样本经本检测体系复合扩增后,均得到清晰的SNP分型结果,当模板量在0．5～10pg时能得到较理想的分型图谱。样本的复合检测结果与直接测序法结果完全一致。结论建立的复合检测体系检测mtDNASNP方法灵敏度高、操作简便、分型准确,为针对mtDNA进行简便、有效的中高通量多态性分型提供了一种新方法。     

经济全球化及其理论合理性质疑

随着人类科学技术的发展,世界各地人们之间的距离在不断缩短。人类社会的许多问题都成为全球性的问题,经济生活也不例外。本文深入地对现存的全球性经济进行分析,对其理论成因进行探讨。指出现存的经济全球化理论形式并不是基于现实社会的形式,因此不会长久。     

急性心功能障碍大鼠心肌中BNP的表达

目的研究大鼠急性心功能障碍时心肌组织中脑钠肽(brain natriuretic peptide,BNP)的表达变化,探讨BNP在急性心功能障碍的法医学诊断中的应用价值。方法建立大鼠急性心功能障碍模型,运用免疫组织化学、Western印迹法、实时RT-PCR等技术检测心功能障碍过程中心肌组织BNP蛋白和BNP mRNA的表达变化。结果随心功能障碍持续时间增加,免疫阳性着色不断增强。1～2h主要表现为弱阳性,4～6h心肌细胞主要表现为阳性,10～12h大鼠心肌细胞表现为强阳性。Western印迹法和实时RT-PCR结果均显示,随心功能障碍持续时间增加,BNP明显升高,而且心功能障碍1h即能观察到BNP mRNA显著升高。结论检测心肌组织中BNP蛋白及BNP mRNA的表达能为法医病理学工作者客观评价心功能状态提供一种新的途径。     

Combined chemical and optical methods for monitoring the early decay stages of surrogate human models

As the body decays shortly after death, a variety of gases and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) constantly emanate. Ethical and practical reasons limit the use of human corpses in controlled, time-dependent, intervening experiments for monitoring the chemistry of body decay. Therefore the utilization of pig carcasses serves as a potential surrogate to human models. The aim of this work was to study buried body decay in conditions of entrapment in collapsed buildings. Six domestic pigs were used to study carcass decay. They were enclosed in plastic body bags after being partially buried with rubbles, resembling entrapment in collapsed buildings. Three experimental cycles were performed, employing two pig carcasses in each cycle; VOCs and inorganic gases were measured daily, along with daily visible and thermal images. VOCs were collected in standard sorbent tubes and subsequently analyzed using a Thermal Desorption/Gas Chromatograph/high sensitivity bench-top Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer (TD/GC/TOF-MS). A comprehensive, stage by stage, detailed information on the decay process is being presented based on the experimental macroscopic observations, justifying thus the use of pig carcasses as surrogate material. A variety of VOCs were identified including almost all chemical classes: sulfur, nitrogen, oxygen compounds (aldehydes, alcohols, ketones, acids and esters), hydrocarbons, fluorides and chlorides. Carcasses obtained from a pig farm resulted in more sulfur and nitrogen cadaveric volatiles. Carbon dioxide was by far the most abundant inorganic gas identified along with carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide. Visual monitoring was based on video captured images allowing for macroscopic observations, while thermal camera monitoring which is mostly temperature dependent, resulted in highlighting the local micro-changes on the carcasses, as a result of the intense microbial activity. The combination of chemical and optical methods proved very useful and informative, uncovering hidden aspects of the early stages of decay and also guiding in the development of combined chemical and imaging methods for the detection of dead bodies.     

鹅细小病毒和鸭瘟病毒复合PCR检测方法的建立

根据GenBank中的鹅细小病毒(GPV)和鸭瘟病毒(DPV)基因序列,分别设计合成了针对GPVVP3和DPV UL6基因片段的2对引物,以GPV-GZ1株鹅胚尿囊液和DPV-SD株鸭胚尿囊液的核酸提取物混合液作为模板,经优化反应条件,成功建立了检测GPV和DPV 2种病毒的复合PCR方法.特异性试验结果显示,该方法对GPV-GZ2株与DPV-SC株病毒核酸的扩增均获得550 bp和376 bp的2条特异性目的片段,而对鹅副黏病毒、鸭肝炎病毒、鸭源沙门菌、鸭源巴氏杆菌和鸭疫里默氏杆菌的核酸扩增结果均为阴性;敏感性试验结果显示,该方法对GPV核酸的最小检出量为1.66 Pg,对DPV核酸为0.166 Pg;对人工感染雏鹅的肝组织进行PCR扩增,结果可检测到相应的特异性病毒核酸片段.表明,建立的复合PCR方法具有特异性强、敏感性高、快速简便等特点,可用于GPV或/和DPV临床感染病例的联合检测与鉴别诊断.     

First systematic evaluation of the potency of Cannabis sativa plants grown in Albania

Cannabis products (marijuana, hashish, cannabis oil) are the most frequently abused illegal substances worldwide. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the main psychoactive component of Cannabis sativa plant, whereas cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinol (CBN) are other major but no psychoactive constituents. Many studies have already been carried out on these compounds and chemical research was encouraged due to the legal implications concerning the misuse of marijuana. The aim of this study was to determine THC, CBD and CBN in a significant number of cannabis samples of Albanian origin, where cannabis is the most frequently used drug of abuse, in order to evaluate and classify them according to their cannabinoid composition. A GC-MS method was used, in order to assay cannabinoid content of hemp samples harvested at different maturation degree levels during the summer months and grown in different areas of Albania. This method can also be used for the determination of plant phenotype, the evaluation of psychoactive potency and the control of material quality. The highest cannabinoid concentrations were found in the flowers of cannabis. The THC concentrations in different locations of Albania ranged from 1.07 to 12.13%. The influence of environmental conditions on cannabinoid content is discussed. The cannabinoid content of cannabis plants were used for their profiling, and it was used for their classification, according to their geographical origin. The determined concentrations justify the fact that Albania is an area where cannabis is extensively cultivated for illegal purposes.     

1 003例中医体质类型流行病学调查分析

目的:初步了解安徽省自然人群的中医体质类型分布状况。方法:采用标准化的9种中医体质量表对1 003例自然人群实施横断面现状调查。结果:平和质561例,单纯偏颇体质247例,兼夹偏颇体质195例。8种偏颇体质总的分布状况是,气虚质最多(235例,单纯气虚质与兼夹体质中气虚质例数之和,下同),其次为湿热质(128例)、气郁质(122例)、痰湿质(80例);阳虚质(71例)、阴虚质(52例)和瘀血质(42例)最少,阴虚质与瘀血质主要出现在兼夹体质中。结论:9种体质在人群中的分布存在一定的差异性,兼夹体质在人群中占有一定的比例。     

A study of volatile organic compounds evolved from the decaying human body

Two men were found dead near the island of Samos, Greece, in the Mediterranean sea. The estimated time of death for both victims was 3-4 weeks. Autopsy revealed no remarkable external injuries or acute poisoning. The exact cause of death remained unclear because the bodies had advanced decomposition. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) evolved from these two corpses were determined by thermal desorption/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis (TD/GC/MS). Over 80 substances have been identified and quantified. The most prominent among them were dimethyl disulfide (13.39 nmol/L), toluene (10.11 nmol/L), hexane (5.58 nmol/L), benzene 1,2,4-trimethyl (4.04 nmol/L), 2-propanone (3.84 nmol/L), 3-pentanone (3.59 nmol/L). Qualitative and quantitative differences among the evolved VOCs and CO2 mean concentration values might indicate different rates of decomposition between the two bodies. The study of the evolved VOCs appears to be a promising adjunct to the forensic pathologist as they may offer important information which can be used in his final evaluation.