Skeletal Indicators of Stress: A Component of the Biocultural Profile of Undocumented Migrants in Southern Arizona,

The ability of forensic anthropologists in the United States to distinguish the remains of foreign nationals from those of American citizens may be crucial to the identification process. This study adds new criteria for identifying Hispanic foreign nationals in southern Arizona to those previously outlined by Birkby et al. (J Forensic Sci 53, 2008, 29) in the “cultural profile.” Skeletal indicators of nonspecific stress were evaluated in undocumented border crossers (UBCs) at the Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner and in documented American samples. Odds ratios show significant associations between UBC status and the presence of porotic hyperostosis and enamel hypoplasias, which are, respectively, 7.9 and 3 times more prevalent among UBCs. These findings are consistent with disparities in access to adequate nutrition and health care during childhood. In conjunction with context and other biocultural factors, the presence of these conditions should prompt practitioners to consider that unidentified remains may represent foreign nationals.     

The Correlation Between Skeletal Weathering and DNA Quality and Quantity*

Abstract: Mitochondrial DNA analysis of skeletal material is invaluable in forensic identification, although results can vary widely among remains. Previous studies have included bones of different ages, burial conditions, and even species. In the research presented, a collection of human remains that lacked major confounders such as burial age, interment style, and gross environmental conditions, while displaying a very broad range of skeletal degradation, were examined for both mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) quality and quantity. Overall skeletal weathering, individual bone weathering, and bone variety were considered. Neither skeletal nor bone weathering influenced DNA quality or quantity, indicating that factors that degrade bone do not have the same effect on DNA. In contrast, bone variety, regardless of weathering level, was a significant element in DNA amplification success. Taken together, the results indicate that neither skeletal nor individual bone appearance are reliable indicators of subsequent mtDNA typing outcomes, while the type of bone assayed is.     

中国5城市儿童青少年手腕骨发育差异对年龄推测影响

目的探讨中国5城市儿童青少年手腕骨发育差异对年龄推测的影响。方法收集2005年中国上海、广州、温州、大连、石家庄11635名（男5971,女5664）汉族正常儿童青少年手腕部骨X线片,按RUS—CHN法标准评价受试者手腕骨骨龄,比较各城市儿童青少年的骨龄差异。结果广州男在8岁以下以及温州男9～12岁骨发育分别延迟0．14～0．19岁和0．13～0．17岁（P〈0．05）,上海男在7～15岁之间骨发育提前0．14～0．32岁（P〈0．05）。大连女在12岁以下、石家庄女在8岁以下骨发育分别延迟0．15～0．31岁和0．18～0．31岁（P〈0．05）;广州女在5～8岁骨发育延迟0．11～0．22岁（P〈0．05）;而上海女在8～9岁骨发育提前0．12～0．13岁（P〈0．05）。结论中国5城市儿童青少年手腕骨发育在不同年龄段存在不同程度的差异。     

Time-dependent Appearances of Myofibroblasts during the Re-pair of Contused Skeletal Muscle in Rat and Its Application for Wound Age Determination

Objective To research the relation between the time-dependent appearances of myofibroblasts during the repair of contused skeletal muscle in rat and wound age determination. Methods A total of 35 SD male rats were divided into the control and six injured groups according to wound age as follows: 12 h, 1 d, 5 d, 7 d, 10 d and 14 d after injury. The appearances of myofibroblasts were detected by HE staining, immunohistochemistry and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Masson’s trichrome staining was utilized to examine collagen accumulation in the contused areas. Results Immunohistochemical staining showed that α-SMA+myofibroblasts were initially observed at 5 d post-injury. The average ratio of myofibroblasts was highest at 14 d post-injury, with all samples, ratios more than 50%. In the other five groups, the average of α-SMA positive ratios were less than 50%. The collagen stained areas in the contused zones, concomitant with myofibroblast appearance, were increasingly augmented along with advances of posttraumatic interval. Conclusion The immunohistochemical detection of myofibroblasts can be applied to wound age determination. The myofibroblasts might be involved in collagen deposition during the repair of contused skeletal muscle in rat.     

A Comparison of Histomorphometric Data Collection Methods*

Abstract: Although many variables that skeletal biologists examine have been standardized, the actual techniques used to collect these data from bone thin sections vary. This project compares different methods of obtaining data (relative cortical area values) for histomorphometric research. One visual and three digital methods of histomorphometric data collection are compared: (i) Merz microscopic eyepiece counting reticule, (ii) flatbed scanner, (iii) overlaying multiple images of a thin section, and (iv) digital SLR camera with macro settings. The discussion includes a comparison of usability factors such as cost, time, user‐experience, and ease‐of‐use, which vary for each method. Values from the different methods are compared using ANOVA tests to evaluate inter‐method, inter‐observer, and intra‐observer variability. Intra‐observer error was greater for the microscopic method, although the error values are concomitant with experience. We found no statistically significant differences between the four methods examined, but certain caveats must be addressed when these methods are used.     

大鼠骨骼肌损伤后PMN、MNC及FBC百分率与损伤时间关系

目的：研究大鼠骨骼肌机械性损伤后不同时间点多形核白细胞（polymorphonuclear leucocytes , PMN）、单个核细胞（mononuclear cells,MNC）及成纤维样细胞（fibroblastic cells,FBC）百分率的变化。方法建立大鼠骨骼肌机械性损伤动物模型,随机分为伤后6h、12h、1d、3d、7d、10d、14d及正常对照组。应用HE染色法和图像分析检测大鼠骨骼肌损伤后不同时间点PMN、MNC及FBC百分率。结果伤后6~12 h,损伤区内可见PMN和MNC浸润,PMN百分率达到峰值;伤后1 d,损伤区内主要以MNC浸润为主,MNC百分率达到峰值,而PMN百分率开始下降;伤后3~7 d,FBC百分率开始逐渐增加,PMN和MNC百分率则逐渐下降;伤后10~14 d,FBC百分率达到峰值。结论大鼠骨骼肌损伤区内PMN、MNC及FBC百分率呈时间规律性变化,有望成为骨骼肌损伤时间推断的参考指标。     

A Test of a Recently Devised Method of Estimating Skeletal Age at Death using Features of the Adult Acetabulum

Estimation of age at death from adult skeletal remains is highly problematic, due in great part to interpopulation variability in skeletal age changes. Thorough testing of aging methods is therefore of key importance. A method recently devised by Calce (Am J Phys Anthropol 148 (2012): 11–23) for placing adult skeletons into three broad age at death classes (17–39, 40–64, 65+ years) on the basis of acetabular morphology is tested on a collection of 18–19th century AD skeletons (N = 185) of documented age at death from London. Results showed that 45% were correctly assigned to age class using this method. This compares with 81% reported by Calce on 20th century North American material. This indicates significant interpopulation differences in the relationship between the Calce acetabular variables and age, even between populations of European ancestry. Until the sources of this variation are better understood, caution should be used before applying this method to estimate age in unknown skeletons.     

陈旧骨骼DNA提取及性别鉴定

用本室建立的方法对3～15年的陈旧骨骼进行DNA提取，并用X、Y同源引物扩增AInelogenin基因X、Y特异性片段，所有检材均得出正确结论，表明该方法快速、灵敏、可靠，适用于陈旧骨骼性别鉴定。     

Relative Expression of Indicators for Wound Age Estimation in Forensic Pathology

Objective In order to understand which kind of function genes play an important role for estimating wound age, the variation of difference genes' mRNA expression were compared after injury.Methods The mRNA expression levels of seven candidate genes(ICAM-1, NF-κB, MX2, MT1, MT2,s TnI, and Cox6c) were analyzed in contused rat skeletal muscle at different time points using real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR(RT-qP CR). The raw Ct values were normalized relative to that of RPL32 mRNA, and converted to standard Ct values. At each time point after injury, the standard deviations(SD) of the standard Ct values were calculated by SPSS. Results The expression trends of the seven genes were all found to be related to wound age, but there were lower variation coefficients and greater reliability of s TnI and Cox6c when compared with other genes. Conclusion The genes encoding structural proteins or proteins that perform basic functions can be suitable for wound age estimation.