Intra‐ and Inter‐Element Variability in Mitochondrial and Nuclear DNA from Fresh and Environmentally Exposed Skeletal Remains,

Successful identification of skeletonized remains often relies upon DNA analyses, frequently focusing on the mid‐diaphysis of weight‐bearing long bones. This study explored intra‐bone DNA variability using bovine and porcine femora, along with calcanei and tali. DNA from fresh and short‐term environmentally exposed bone was extracted utilizing demineralization and standard lysis buffer protocols, and DNA quantity and quality were measured. Overall, femoral epiphyses, metaphyses, and the tarsals had more nuclear and mitochondrial DNA than did the femoral diaphyses. DNA loss was much more rapid in buried bones than in surface exposed bones, while DNA quality differed based on environment, but not bone region/element. The demineralization protocol generated more DNA in some bone regions, while the standard lysis was more effective in others, and neither significantly affected DNA quality. Taken together, these findings reinforce the importance of considering inter‐ and intra‐bone heterogeneity when sampling skeletal material for forensic DNA‐based identifications.     

Bone Mineral Density Adult Age Estimation in Forensic Anthropology: A Test of the DXAGE Application

Estimating age‐at‐death of individuals represented only by skeletonized human remains is a fundamental aspect of forensic anthropological casework. Recently, several researchers have proposed that bone mineral density (BMD) is a useful predictor of age‐at‐death in forensic contexts. Navega et al. (JFS 63(2):497–503) developed an online application called DXAGE for calculating age‐at‐death from BMD parameters. This study tests the utility of DXAGE by utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). BMD data from a female subsample (n = 470) of the NHANES 2007–2008 dataset were analyzed, and the relationship between predicted age and real age was examined. Inaccuracy was 14.25 years, and bias was ?7.20 years. Results show that there is a weak correlation between predicted and actual age (r = 0.47) using the DXAGE application. While BMD data are potentially useful for predicting age age‐at‐death, the DXAGE application should be used cautiously in forensic anthropological contexts.     

The Difficult Task of Diagnosing Prostate Cancer Metastases on Dry Bone

The interpretation of pathology on skeletal remains is mandatory for implementing the biological profile and for disease recognition. Prostate cancer is one of the most common tumors, with a high preference for the skeleton as a primary site of metastasis. Its diagnosis on bone is however still ambiguous, due to its “osteoblastic” and resorptive manifestation. This study investigates distribution and appearance of prostate cancer metastases on dry bone on six known cases (selected from the Milano Cemetery Skeletal Collection) and one healthy individual. A macroscopic inspection was performed highlighting the abnormalities observed, describing location, shape, dimension, and aspect. A great amount of proliferative and mixed lesions was noticed, but also cases of pure lytic lesions were displayed. The multiple appearances of the manifestations observed display the difficulty in correctly identifying such a pathology, but also the potential and advantages provided by investigating a study sample with known antemortem history.     

Survival of Atherosclerotic Calcifications in Skeletonized Material: Forensic and Pathological Implications

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease creating calcifying plaques in the arterial walls. Because its paleopathological diagnosis remains little studied on skeletal remains, its impact on forensic and archeological data is completely underestimated. Here, 24 skeletal remains from the Milano Cemetery Skeletal Collection have been studied to evaluate the chance of atherosclerotic calcification survival, retrieval, and identification. Through direct comparison with a known autopsy collection and literature, the identification and categorization of several types of calcifications were performed. Clothing elements such as tights or socks played a definitive role in the preservation of the calcifications; hence they are more likely to be found in forensic cases than in archeological ones. Therefore, vascular calcifications are possible to collect and identify in skeletal remains if sufficient care is given to their recovery. Consequently and as markers of the disease, such identification can provide valuable pathological information for forensic and archeological cases.     

运用价值工程理论探索骨灰处理多样化与殡葬园区园林景观生态建设相结合的路子

针对我国现有殡葬园区资源利用现状,根据价值工程理论,提出了充分利用现有殡葬服务设施实行骨灰处理多样化,并与殡葬园区园林景观生态建设相结合,节约殡葬资源、提高殡葬服务设施综合效益的科学方法。用环境科学理论对骨灰处理方式进行利弊分析,提出符合我国国情和环保要求的骨灰处理方式。     

Macroscopic Analysis of Axe and Hatchet Trauma in Fleshed and Defleshed Mammalian Long Bones*

Abstract: Recently, the authors have noted that many studies involving the characterization of chopping weapon wounds have used either semi‐fleshed or defleshed bones (e.g., J Forensic Sci 2001; 46: 228). As these types of specimens do not reflect the full range of actual cases of postmortem dismemberment or perimortem trauma, 11 fresh pig (Sus scrofa) articulated hind limbs, with contiguous surrounding flesh, were inflicted with wounds using two axes and two hatchets. Defleshed humeri and femora were subjected to the same treatment. While there were no great differences found between the fleshed and defleshed specimens, characteristics observed including entrance site width and the presence of chattering were inconsistent with some aspects of Humphrey and Hutchinson’s study (J Forensic Sci 2001; 46: 228). Further, it was found that curve transverse and spiral fractures were prevalent in femora, while longitudinal fractures were prevalent in fibulae. Hence, fracture types may play a role in characterizing some wounds caused by chopping weapons.     

中药富硒酵母对闽中麻鸡肝和小肠细微结构的影响

选择1日龄闽中麻鸡396只,随机分为4组,A组饲喂玉米-豆粕型基础日粮,B组、C组、D组在基础日粮中分别添加2、3、4 g/kg的中药富硒酵母,试验为期49 d,研究了日粮中添加中药富硒酵母对闽中麻鸡肝和小肠发育的影响.于第7、21、35、49 d每组随机抽取6只鸡,采取肝和小肠各段,Bouin液固定,制作石蜡切片,光镜观察;第49 d取A组和D组的肝和空肠,25 mL/L戊二醛固定,制作超薄切片,电镜观察.结果显示,与对照组相比,试验组肝的平均质量和器官指数大多高于对照组;肝细胞线粒体增多增大,枯否氏细胞内溶酶体增多;小肠绒毛和肠腺长于A组;空肠柱状细胞的微绒毛增长.证实,基础日粮中添加中药富硒酵母能促进鸡肝和小肠的发育,改善肝细胞和小肠黏膜的细微结构.     

益肾蠲痛口服液治疗绝经后骨质疏松症临床观察

目的 观察益肾蠲痛口服液治疗肾阳虚型绝经后骨质疏松症（postmenopausal osteoporosis,PMOP）的临床疗效。方法 将120例肾阳虚型PMOP患者随机分为治疗组和对照组,每组60例。两组患者均口服钙尔奇,治疗组患者加服益肾蠲痛口服液,对照组患者加服骨康口服液,疗程均为12个月,随访24个月。治疗前后及随访时,分别采用视觉模拟评分法（visual analogue scale,VAS）评价腰背疼痛,采用双能X线检测骨密度（bone mineral density,BMD）;并观察两组中医证候疗效及脆性骨折发生情况。结果 治疗后,两组VAS评分均较治疗前显著降低（P<0.01）;腰椎、股骨颈、Ward三角BMD均较治疗前显著上升（P<0.01）;随访时,治疗组VAS下降值及腰椎（L2—4）、股骨颈、Ward三角BMD升高值均显著大于对照组（P<0.01）。两组中医证候疗效及脆性骨折复发率比较,差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论 益肾蠲痛口服液可减轻PMOP患者腰背疼痛,提高BMD,改善中医症状,防止脆性骨折复发,在减轻腰背疼痛和提高BMD方面较对照药具有明显优势。     

刺骨术治疗膝骨关节炎临床观察

目的 观察刺骨术治疗膝骨关节炎（knee osteoarthritis,KOA）的临床疗效和安全性。方法 共纳入30例KOA患者,应用刺骨术治疗。于治疗前、治疗后1周及治疗后4周,分别采用WOMAC量表对患者膝关节的疼痛、僵硬及关节功能进行评定。结果 治疗后1周,患膝的疼痛、僵硬及关节功能评分均较治疗前明显降低（P＜0.01）;与治疗后1周比较,治疗后4周,3项评分均又明显降低（P＜0.01）。整个研究期间30例患者均未出现任何并发症。结论 刺骨术可改善KOA患者膝关节的疼痛症状和关节功能,是一种安全有效的治疗方法。     

丛状骨和骨单位带的种属特征及法医学应用价值

目的 探讨丛状骨和骨单位带的种属特征及其法医学应用价值。方法 人及猪、牛、羊、狗长骨中段横切磨片35张，在光学显微镜下观察骨组织中丛状骨和骨单位带的形态学特征。结果 丛状骨和骨单位带在猪、牛、羊、狗的密质骨中广泛存在，人骨组织中几乎不见；同种动物不同个体之间骨组织学结构也存在差异。结论 观察丛状骨和骨单位带是根据人骨鉴别种属的重要排除指标。