Expressions of IL -1α, IL -1β and IL -13 mRNA in Lung Tissue and Serum of Rats Drown in Fresh WaterCSCD

Objective: To detect the changes of (interleukin, IL)-1α, IL-1βand IL-13 mRNA in lung tissue and serum of drown rats, and to explore the potential value for the diagnosis of drowning in forensic practice. Methods: Eighteen SD rats were randomly divided into drowning group, blank control group and myocardial infarction group (as control group). The serum of right ventricular, the inferior lobe of right lung and the myocardium were taken from the rats in different groups. The expressions of IL- 1α, IL-1βand IL-13 mRNA in the lung tissue and the serum of right ventricular were detected by TaqMan probe method. Results: The expression differences of IL-1α, IL-1βand IL-13 mRNA in lung tissue between drowning group and blank control group, myocardial infarction group were not statistically significant (P>0.05). The expression of IL-1βand IL-13 mRNA in serum of right ventricular increased (P<0.05). The expression differences of IL-1α, IL-1βand IL-13 mRNA in serum between blank control group and myocardial infarction group were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusion: The changes of cytokines IL-1βand IL-13 mRNA in the serum of right ventricular of drown rats are statistical significance, which are highly correlated with drowning. © 2018 by the Editorial Department of Journal of Forensic Medicine.     

Controversial Suicide Case Using a Submachine Gun with a Sound Suppressor—The Need of Team Work of Forensic Chemistry and Firearm Examiners

Evidence materials in a presumed suicide case were studied by a firearm examiner and a forensic chemist. The victim's body with double gunshot wounding in his forehead, a machine gun in the sustained fire mode with a silencer, and four cartridge cases were found. Examinations of the evidence, the case file studies, and experiments dedicated to the case were carried out. Relationships between the placement of cartridge cases and the gun were established using a fast camera. The distributions of gunshot residues on the evidence materials and within the comparative gunshot patterns were studied by means of optical and electron microscopy, X‐ray microanalysis, and infrared spectroscopy. The shooting distance was assessed to be 30 cm or more, whereas the greatest distance that could have been achieved by the victim himself was about 11–13 cm. The obtained results supported the version of homicide rather than suicide.     

Opinion 1/15 of the Grand Chamber dated 26 July 2017 about the agreement on Passenger Name Record data between the EU and Canada

On 26 July 2017, the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Justice rendered its seminal Opinion 1/15 about the agreement on Passenger Name Record data between the EU and Canada. The Grand Chamber considered that the decision of the Council about the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the agreement between the EU and Canada about the transfer and processing of PNR data must be based jointly on Article 16(2) about the protection of personal data and Article 87(2)(a) about police co-operation among member states in criminal matters, but not on Article 82(1)(d) about judicial co-operation in criminal matters in the EU of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU. The Grand Chamber also considered that the agreement is incompatible with Article 7 on the right to respect for private life, Article 8 on the right to the protection of personal data, Article 21 on non-discrimination and Article 52(1) on the principle of proportionality of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU since it does not preclude the transfer, use and retention of sensitive data. In addition to the requirement to exclude such data, the Grand Chamber listed seven requirements that the agreement must include, specify, limit or guarantee to be compatible with the Charter.The opinion of the Grand Chamber has far-reaching implications for the agreement on PNR data between the EU and Canada. It has also far-reaching implications for international agreements on PNR data between the EU and other third states. Last, it has far-reaching implications for Directive 681 of 27 April 2016 on PNR data.     

Nuclear diplomacy as niche diplomacy: South Africa's post-apartheid relations with the International Atomic Energy Agency

Since the termination of its nuclear weapons programme, commenced in 1989 and verified by the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) in 1993, successive South African governments have consistently advocated the country's commitment to nuclear non-proliferation. South Africa has secured a niche role through norm construction and state identity for itself through its nuclear diplomacy with the IAEA. The article explores aspects of South Africa's nuclear diplomacy with the IAEA as an example of niche diplomacy. Therefore, it traces South Africa's diplomatic relations with the IAEA, starting with the IAEA's verification process and the implementation of a Safeguards Agreement (1989–1994) through the conversion of South Africa's research nuclear reactor (1991–2005); South Africa's position on greater representation for developing countries on the IAEA's Board of Governors; its ambition to be elected to the position of IAEA Director General (2008–2009); and its refusal to support the establishment of a nuclear fuel bank in Russia under the IAEA's auspices (2009–2010).     

偏执型精神分裂症患者GRIN1基因-855G/C与-1140G/A位点的遗传多态性

目的探讨GRIN1基因启动子区两个单核苷酸多态性位点-855 G/C、-1140 G/A遗传多态性与偏执型精神分裂症的相关性及法医学意义。方法采用PCR限制性片段长度多态性(restriction fragment length polymorphism,RFLP)结合PAGE法对中国北方汉族183例健康无关个体和172例偏执型精神分裂症患者GRIN1基因5′端的-855 G/C和-1140 G/A位点多态性进行检测,采用χ2检验人群中基因型分布是否符合Hardy-Weinberg平衡定律,并比较两组人群中基因型和等位基因频率分布的差异。结果两组群体基因型分布符合Hardy-Weinberg平衡定律。-855 G/C位点基因型分布在对照组女性和实验组女性间的差异具有统计学意义(P0.05),-1140 G/A位点基因型和等位基因频率分布在对照组和实验组间及两组女性间差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论 GRIN1基因启动子区-1140 G/A位点单核苷酸多态性可能与精神分裂症存在相关性;精神分裂症发生的遗传学因素可能存在性别倾向,可为精神分裂症的司法鉴定提供参考。     

Heroin addictions in Italians: Evaluation of OPRM1 genetic variants by case–control association study

The opportunities to analyse the genetic variations related to the risk of addiction are of interest to forensics, who beside their involvement in drugs-related fatalities may also be required to assess driving and working ability as well as permanent invalidity due to drugs-related conditions. Several genetic variants have been shown to be associated with heroin addiction. The most investigated gene is OPMR1 that encode the μ-opioid receptor. The purpose of this study was to examine the contribution of genetics variants in OPRM1 to the susceptibility to addiction.     

Developmental validation of 15 X chromosomal short tandem repeat markers

The use of X chromosomal short tandem repeat (STR) markers has been greatly increasing in the forensic setting. Using guidelines set forth previously for the validation of autosomal and Y STRs, aspects of the feasibility of routine X chromosomal STR use were evaluated. Two mini-X chromosomal STR multiplexes capable of amplifying 15 total markers were developed and utilized to determine allele nomenclature, allele/genotype frequencies, mutation rates, and linkage between markers. Additionally, a concordance study between these multiplexes and a commercially available kit was performed. Here, the authors present an overview of this extensive developmental validation study.     

“印太战略”:以美印日澳的战略逻辑、利益与策略选择为分析视角

"印太战略"是美国均势+有限遏制+规制+话语诋毁的混合型战略。它意在前沿、中间地带与后方的三层构建不对称的对华遏制性力量,突破中美双边、单区域战略竞争的狭窄战略空间;在多地域与多维度孤立中国,拉拢更多国家在产业价值链、数字经济等层面与中国切割;制订基础建设投资透明化的新标准,嵌入有利于美国利益的规制;通过国际法、舆论等软性手段抹黑中国的"一带一路"与海权发展。虽然共同逻辑都是制衡中国崛起,但日澳印在策略上强调非对抗性。其中避免成为中国优先反制是日本重要的策略目标;印度在拉达克边界冲突后尚没有形成一个完全倒向美国的战略,因为这必定使其背上沉重的战略包袱,成为美国的附庸;澳大利亚作为地缘政治影响有限的中等国家,在美国反华行动中冲在最前列已使其利益严重受损。而"印太战略"与东盟所推动的包容性、合作安全理念也有着本质的区别,东盟要在"印太地区"发挥中心领导作用,定位"印太"为对话与合作区域。所以由于东盟的抵制、印日澳的消极政策,这个战略形成的攻势将很难保持可持续性,其长期前景并不看好。     

大鼠弥漫性轴索损伤后Homer1蛋白表达的研究

目的:观察大鼠弥漫性轴索损伤(DAI)后Homer1蛋白的表达规律。方法:将45只SD大鼠随机分为对照组及DAI组,后者按DAI后处死大鼠的时间不同分为30min、1h、3h、6h、12h、24h、72h、7d组。建立大鼠DAI动物模型,运用免疫组织化学技术及图像分析方法观察脑组织Homer1蛋白的表达。结果:损伤后30min,Homer1蛋白染色阳性细胞数增多,染色增强(P<0.05),随着损伤时间的延长,阳性细胞数及阳性表达范围逐渐扩大,于伤后24h达到高峰(P<0.01),随后逐渐下降。对照组可见少量Homer1蛋白表达。结论:Homer1蛋白是大鼠DAI后的灵敏指标,在不同时间段表达具有时序性变化规律,对于早期诊断DAI及损伤时间的推断具有一定的参考价值。