Dental Age Estimation: Pattern Recognition of Root Canal Widths of Mandibular Molars. A Novel Mandibular Maturity Marker at the 18‐Year Threshold

The final stage of third molar development is used to assign a subject to above the 18‐year threshold. Some subjects exhibiting this final stage are less than 18 years. Radiographs from 1000 females and 1000 males age 16.00–25.99 years were examined. Each half‐year age band comprised 50 females and 50 males. Three categories of root canal widths (RCW) of the LL6, LL7, and LL8 [FDI 36, 37, and 38] were defined. Reproducibility was achieved by re‐assessing the same subjects 12 months apart. For females, the minimum value for RCW‐A was 16.33 years, RCW‐B 17.23 years, and RCW‐C 18.45 years. For males, the minimum values were RCW‐A 17.16 years, RCW‐B 18.29 years, and RCW‐C 18.16 years. The presence of RCW‐C in a female, and the presence of RCW‐B or RCW‐C in a male is compelling evidence that the subject is above the 18‐year threshold.     

金属硫蛋白1A和2A的mRNA时序性表达(英文)

目的研究大鼠肌肉挫伤后金属硫蛋白(metallothionein,MT)1A m RNA、MT2A m RNA的时序性表达。方法 54只SD大鼠被分成挫伤组(挫伤后0.5、1、6、12、18、24、30和36 h组各6只)和对照组(6只)。所有总RNA均取自大鼠的骨骼肌。利用SYBR GreenⅠ法进行RT-q PCR检测大鼠挫伤骨骼肌中MT1A m RNA、MT2A m RNA的相对表达量。结果 MT1A m RNA、MT2A m RNA在损伤后的变化趋势与损伤时间具有一定的相关性。除了挫伤后0.5 h组外,其余各组MT1A m RNA、MT2A m RNA的表达量与对照组相比差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。损伤后1 h、6 h、12 h、18 h MT1A m RNA和MT2A m RNA的相对表达量呈现逐渐上升的趋势,在18 h时达到了峰值,分别为对照组的(239.41±15.20)倍和(717.42±50.76)倍;损伤后24 h时两者的表达量均明显减少;损伤后30 h再次上升,随后下降。结论 MT1A m RNA、MT2A m RNA可能对损伤时间推断有一定的意义。     

Under the skin of probation: A statewide analysis

This analysis examines the inter- and intra-racial/ethnicity effects of skin tone variations in a sample of probationers across three dependent variables: probation length, successful completion, and revocation due to technical violations. Darker tones were linked to shorter probation terms with the exception of African Americans, among whom no effect was found. Darker tones were also associated with a decreased likelihood of successful probation completion. Conversely, probation success likelihood was higher among light skinned Hispanics. Finally, lighter tones were also associated with increased risks of probation revocation. Importantly, across the analysis any significant effects for Whites dissipated once Hispanics were removed from the analysis. Explanations of the contrary findings are offered drawing from scholarship on normal crimes and racial threat.     

18岁年龄推断的法医影像学研究进展

18周岁年龄节点在司法审判、移民、竞技体育中均有重大意义,18岁年龄推断是法医实践工作的难点之一,也是法医基础研究应面对的问题。目前常用的指标包括锁骨胸骨端、髂嵴、第三磨牙、四肢骨近关节端。18岁年龄推断的常用影像方法多样,包括平片、CT、超声、MRI,薄层CT是目前主要研究手段,但逐渐向无辐射的MRI发展。统计方法多采用一般描述性分析,但其统计效能低,因此逐渐有作者提出应用ROC、数据挖掘技术等高功效的统计方法推断年龄。既往研究显示上述指标的完全发育成熟在18岁年龄推断中有一定意义,可用于18岁年龄推断,多指标的联合应用及高功效的统计方法将会提高18岁年龄推断的准确性。     

ERCC1和XPF基因在法医学年龄推断中的初步研究

目的探讨ERCC1和XPF基因mRNA及蛋白在不同年龄段健康汉族人群中的表达情况,分析其mRNA和蛋白表达量与年龄之间的相关性,以期为法医学年龄推断提供新的分子生物学指标。方法收集150例不同年龄段健康汉族人群外周血样,梯度离心法分离血浆,Trizol法提取外周血单个核细胞(PBMCs)总RNA;实时荧光定量PCR检测ERCC1和XPF基因mRNA在PBMCs的相对表达量;酶联免疫吸附试验检测ERCC1和XPF蛋白在血浆中的表达量。结果 ERCC1和XPF基因mRNA在不同性别PBMCs的相对表达量均无统计差异(P0.05)。ERCC1和XPF基因mRNA相对表达量在不同年龄段有统计学差异(P0.05),且不同年龄段组间比较亦均有统计学差异(P0.05)。回归分析显示ERCC1和XPF基因mRNA相对表达量与年龄呈负相关,其相关系数(r)分别为-0.578和-0.844;以年龄为自变量(x),以mRNA相对表达量为因变量(Y),其拟合曲线分别为Y=3.3E-5x~2-0.0261x+1.9175(R~2=0.3244,P0.01)、Y=0.0003x~2-0.0459x+2.0439(R~2=0.729,P0.01)。血浆中ERCC1和XPF蛋白表达量在不同年龄段及性别间均无统计差异(P0.05)。结论 ERCC1和XPF基因mRNA在PBMCs的相对表达量随年龄增加而下降,其血浆中蛋白表达与年龄无关,为建立ERCC1和XPF基因与年龄之间的数学模型提供理论学依据。     

The associations between abuse characteristics in child sexual abuse: a meta-analysis

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a general term describing a wide range of events that vary in characteristics such as the victim’s age of onset, relationship to the perpetrator, abuse quantity, degree of contact, and use of force. To investigate correlations and provide information on the clustering of these characteristics, the present meta-analysis included data from 14,494 sexually abused individuals from 62 empirical peer-reviewed studies and doctoral theses. The results showed that victims of intrafamilial abuse were younger than victims of extrafamilial abuse. More force was used in abuse including higher degrees of physical contact. Intrafamilial abuse and early onset of abuse showed no statistically significant associations with either use of force or closer physical contact. Abuse was more frequent and/or committed over a longer time period when it (a) featured more contact or force, (b) involved a relative as a perpetrator, or (c) commenced when the child was younger. The associations were weak to moderate in strength.     

用山地人足迹分析年龄的研究

山地地貌对人体结构形态的影响决定了其特定的足迹形态 ,用其分析年龄的方法不同于平地人足迹分析年龄方法 ,依据这一特性 ,本文研究并制订了利用山地人足迹分析年龄的理论和方法。     

Thyroid Cartilage Ossification and Multislice Computed Tomography Examination: A Useful Tool for Age Assessment?

Abstract: Many authors have studied the thyroid cartilage ossification process using radiographic features for age estimation of individuals. Their results were various: Sugiyama reported excellent correlation coefficients between ossification rates and civil age, unlike most other authors. We hypothesized that recent advances in imaging techniques would enable more precise evaluation of the ossification of the thyroid cartilage. We retrospectively analyzed the CT scans of 312 French patients using postprocessing software to examine the pattern of thyroid cartilage ossification, calculating the ossified volume of the cartilage on 3D reconstructions. Pearson’s correlation coefficients for volume were 0.73 for men and 0.75 for women (standard error 18.02 and 17.06), indicating considerable inter‐individual variability. Although a correlation between civil age and morphological changes was found, these methods based on thyroid cartilage ossification were not accurate enough for the assessment of individual age.     

Age Estimation by Racemization Method in Teeth: Application of Aspartic Acid,Glutamate, and Alanine

Abstract: Here, we report on an experimental approach of simultaneous determination of various amino acids racemization (AAR) rates in teeth. We evaluated the measurements of aspartic acid (Asp), glutamate (Glu), and alanine (Ala) isolated from dentin. Asx D/L rates from total amino acid fraction, generally used for age estimation, showed high correlation (r = 0.98) with age. As Glx and Ala showed very slow racemization kinetics in TA, we performed further analysis of the acid‐soluble protein (SP) fraction. The results supported improved correlation between age and D/L rates for Glu (r = 0.84) and Ala (r = 0.85), as well as for Asp (r = 0.98). By providing further elucidation on dentin protein racemization, the technique offers a considerable opportunity to involve other amino acids in age estimation studies. As the process does not require additional separation steps, the method can be easily adapted to existing protocols.     

Age Estimation by Amino Acid Racemization in Human Teeth

Abstract: When an unidentified body is found, it is essential to establish the personal identity of the body in addition to investigating the cause of death. Identification is one of the most important functions of forensic dentistry. Fingerprint, dental, and DNA analysis can be used to accurately identify a body. However, if no information is available for identification, age estimation can contribute to the resolution of a case. The authors have been using aspartic acid racemization rates in dentin (D‐aspartic acid/L ‐ aspartic acid : D/L Asp) as an index for age estimation and have obtained satisfactory results. We report five cases of age estimation using the racemization method. In all five cases, estimated ages were accurate within a range ±3 years. We conclude that the racemization method is a reliable and practical method for estimating age.