MicroRNA在心血管疾病方面的研究现状及应用前景

MicroRNA(miRNA或mi R)是一类21~25nt大小的高度保守的内源性单链非编码RNA,在生物体内广泛存在。近年来,在临床研究中与心血管疾病相关的mi RNA不断得以证实,但其在法医学鉴定方面的研究尚未有报道。本文就mi RNA的研究进展及其在心血管疾病中的应用,以及在心源性猝死法医学鉴定中的应用前景进行综述。     

道路交通事故死亡案例驾驶员损伤特征分析

目的针对交通事故中驾驶员和乘客的损伤,辨别驾驶员损伤的特征性改变,从而为交通事故中准确认定驾驶员提供科学的证据支撑。方法对2006—2014年间,黑龙江省垦区内126例汽车交通事故死亡案例数据进行回顾性研究,分析汽车事故死亡案例驾驶员损伤特征,探讨驾乘人员损伤的法医学鉴定要点。结果驾驶员颈部、胸部、腹部的损伤多见,可检见汽车部件所致特征性损伤。乘员仅头面部及四肢与汽车接触部位有特征性损伤,其他部位未检见可明确汽车部件所致特征性损伤。结论损伤部位、类型与死亡人员的驾乘身份有关。     

缺氧相关microRNA在窒息死亡原因推断中的意义

在缺氧条件下microRNA(miRNA)能与转录因子等相互作用,调节细胞代谢,血管再生,血细胞生成,细胞增殖、分化及凋亡等生理过程,这些过程可能在窒息导致的死亡中发挥重要作用。本文拟对缺氧条件下miRNA的调节功能及缺氧对miRNA生物合成的影响进行综述,以期为miRNA在法医学窒息死亡原因推断中的研究提供新思路。     

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。     

云南省44例主动脉夹层破裂死亡法医学分析

目的对云南省44例主动脉夹层破裂死亡的案例进行回顾性分析,为此类案件的法医学鉴定提供一定参考。方法收集2002~2017年昆明医科大学司法鉴定中心受理的44例主动脉夹层破裂死亡案例,对其一般情况、临床分期、临床表现、危险因素、病理分型、内外膜破裂情况、直接死因等进行统计分析。结果主动脉夹层高发于在40~49岁,男性多于女性,大多数为急性主动脉夹层。冬季死亡数最高,春季死亡数最低;疼痛为最常见首发症状,动脉粥样硬化是重要危险因素;A型主动脉夹层占比高于B型主动脉夹层,破口主要发生在升主动脉,其形态多为横行;心脏压塞是主要死因。结论主动脉夹层破裂前多有明确首发症状,可合并多种高危因素,注重与损伤的鉴别以及医疗因素的因果关系判断,对法医学鉴定具有较大意义。     

致死性心脏压塞38例法医病理学分析

目的探讨致死性心脏压塞的法医病理学特点和鉴定要点。方法对成都中医药大学附属医院病理科2005~2015年完成的38例心脏压塞致死案例进行回顾分析。结果致死性心脏压塞好发于男性(71.1%),平均年龄44岁;直接死因血性积液34例,非血性4例;根本死因以疾病多见(73.7%),主要为夹层动脉瘤、冠心病、恶性肿瘤;发病12小时内死亡占75%;涉及医疗行为30例(78.9%),26例无医疗过错(86.7%);疾病致死案件涉及伤病关系15例(39.5%)。结论掌握致死性心脏压塞的法医病理学特点和鉴定路径是准确完成该类案件法医学鉴定的基本要求。     

Fatal Hemorrhage from an Arteriovenous Fistula

In this study, we present two cases of sudden deaths of people with end‐stage kidney with arteriovenous fistulas for long‐term hemodialysis treatment. This procedure is associated with a number of known complications. While stenosis, thrombosis, and infection are well known, lethal hemorrhage from arteriovenous fistula is much less commonly encountered. Inspection of the bodies at the scene of the death by a medical examiner suggested that the deaths were due to exsanguination. Autopsies revealed visible defects on the front wall of the arteriovenous fistulas. Microscopic examination showed wall necrosis with infiltration of various inflammatory cells. Deaths were due to exsanguination from the ulcerated arteriovenous fistulas in patients with chronic renal failure. Further investigation revealed that complications in the area around the arteriovenous fistulas were known and were being treated until a sudden rupture of the vessels and hemorrhage from the arteriovenous fistulas resulted in the deaths.     

The detection of metallic residues in skin stab wounds by means of SEM-EDS: A pilot study

The morphological analysis of stab wounds may often not be accurate enough to link it with the type of wounding weapon, but a further evaluation may be performed with the search for metallic residues left during the contact between the instrument and the skin. In this study, Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) was applied to the study of cadaveric stab wounds performed with kitchen knives composed of iron, chromium and nickel, in order to verify the presence of metallic residues on the wound's edge. Two groups of 10 corpses were selected: group A, including victims of stab wounds and a control group B (died of natural causes). Samplings were performed on the lesions and in intact areas of group A, whereas in group B sampling were performed in non-exposed intact skin. Samples were then analysed with optical microscopy and SEM-EDS. In group A, optical microscopic analysis showed the presence of vital haemorrhagic infiltration, while SEM-EDS showed evidence of microscopic metal traces, isolated or clustered, consisting of iron, chromium and nickel. Moreover, in two cases organic residues of calcium and phosphate were detected, as a probable sign of bone lesion. Control samples (group A in intact areas and group B), were negative for the search of exogenous material to optical microscopy and SEM-EDS. The results show the utility and possible application of the SEM-EDS in theidentification of metallic residues from sharp weapons on the skin.     

The Cane Sword

This report provides an overview of the injuries caused by a unique blade‐type weapon known as a cane sword. The cane sword usually consists of a blade that is stored in a cylindrical “cane” that can be released at the handle to reveal the hidden blade within. The victim of the case was found to have a stab wound in the left mid‐back that caused perforation of both the lower and upper lobes of the left lung, resulting in a left hemothorax. Upon autopsy, it was concluded that the patient died from injuries caused by the stab wound to the back. Given the shape of the wound and the fact that the weapon itself was found at the site of the homicide, the weapon that caused the injury was believed to be a cane sword. This case will inform forensic pathologists, law‐enforcement officers, emergency medical personnel, and physicians about rare weapon, the cane sword.     

Santeria and Palo Mayombe: Skulls, Mercury, and Artifacts

Abstract:  Santeria and Palo Mayombe are syncretic religions created in the New World based upon African religious beliefs combined with Christianity. The main worship of Palo Mayombe involves religious receptacles that may contain earth, sticks, varied artifacts, and animal and human remains. Due to the use of human and nonhuman remains, discovery of these items often leads to involvement by the police due to a concern of homicide. We review in detail the medical examiner records of two of these ritualistic cases including the autopsy, anthropology, police, and investigators' reports. For the human remains, careful consideration of the context in which the remains were recovered, their state of preservation, and the associated artifacts (e.g., beads and mercury) are important in determining the appropriate level of forensic significance. Anthropological examination with particular attention to taphonomic characteristics also may help determine the origin and forensic significance.