Nondestructive Differentiation of Polyester Single White Fibers Using Synchrotron Radiation Microbeam X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry with Vertical Focusing

In this study, the nondestructive differentiation of individual white polyester clothing fibers was accomplished via synchrotron radiation microbeam X-ray fluorescence (SR-μ-XRF) analysis. SR-μ-XRF with vertical focusing is a useful nondestructive method for the analysis of a single polyester clothing fiber. Kirkpatrick–Baez (KB) mirror was used to vertically focus 20 keV X-rays for the analysis of 22 individual white polyester fibers taken from clothing commonly sold in Japan. SR-μ-XRF with a vertical focused 2 μm (V) × 300 μm (H) beam was approximately 12.8 times more sensitive than SR-XRF with an unfocused 300 μm (V) × 300 μm (H) beam for the detection of elements in single fibers. The minimum detection limits (MDLs) of the SR-μ-XRF method were 8.15 ppm for Cl and 0.06 ppm for Br. In addition to Ti in TiO₂ delustering agents, Zr and Nb impurities in the delustering agents were detected in individual fibers. Sb from a polymerization catalyst and Co from a transesterification catalyst were also detected in individual fibers. Comparing the Ti K_β/Sb L_α,β and Zr K_α/Nb K_α X-ray intensity ratios was a useful way to distinguish individual clothing fibers, and 98% of the fibers were differentiated when additional trace elements were used as discrimination indicators.     

The expression of excitatory amino acid transporter 2 in traumatic brain injury

It is well recognized that glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter, which is removed from the synaptic cleft by excitatory amino acid transporter 2 (EAAT2) located on the perisynaptic astrocytes and that neuronal death has been associated with an increased extracellular glutamate concentration. In this study, we have immunohistochemically demonstrated the expression of EAAT2 protein in the human brain after traumatic brain injury (TBI). The EAAT2 expression patterns can be divided into three types: continuous and highly extensive staining (E); continuous but sporadic staining (M); and sporadic pattern staining (S). In six of the nine short survival cases studied (1 h to 1 day), continuous and highly extensive staining for EAAT2 (E type) was observed in the ipsilateral cerebral cortex. On the other hand, we were able to demonstrate weak staining (S and M types) in 5 of the 7 long survival cases (> or =1 day) and in 12 of the 14 very short survival cases (<1 h) studied. Similar findings were obtained in the contralateral cerebral cortex and also in the ipsilateral hippocampus. In addition, positive staining for glial fibrillary acidic protein was detected around the cerebral contusion, but the EAAT2-positive expression was not observed in the same region for all of the six short and long survival cases (> or =1 h) after TBI. These findings clearly showed the differences in EAAT2 expression in the cerebral cortex according to the survival time and severity of cerebral contusion after TBI. Therefore, we emphasized that EAAT2 might play an important role in contributing to extracellular glutamate concentrations and secondary brain injury after TBI.     

Forensic discrimination of match heads by elemental analysis with inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry

In arson and bombing cases, matches are often used as the ignition method. We have investigated the use of elemental analysis by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry to discriminate match heads used in arson cases. Six elements, magnesium, aluminum, calcium, iron, zinc, and barium, in match heads were detected after the match heads were dissolved in HNO3, and these elements were quantified in 8 wood stick matches and 5 paper stick matches by means of calibration curves prepared from standard sample solutions. Using this method, we were able to distinguish all the matches from one another both before and after combustion. The method has the potential to be very useful for resolving arson cases.     

5-(4-Nitrophenyl)-2,4-pentadien-1-al (NPPD) used as a tracer by nonscientists at a simulated crime scene

5-(4-Nitrophenyl)-2,4-pentadien-1-al (NPPD) was used as a tracer by nonscientists at a simulated crime scene. A card with both a plastic-coated smooth surface and a porous cellulose matrix paper surface was coated with a methanol solution containing 0.5mg/mL of NPPD. The card was touched with bare fingers and fingers covered by a cotton glove. A color-change protocol was then used to detect the presence of NPPD. The bare fingers or the fingers of gloves were swabbed with a cotton swab, or the parts of the glove that had touched the card were cut out. The swabs or the cloth pieces were dipped in methanol, a 0.1% methanol solution of naphthoresorcinol was added, and then concentrated hydrochloric acid was added. The observation of a red color at this point indicated a positive test. NPPD was easily observed in the experiments involving bare fingers, but no color change was observed from the swabbing of the cotton glove. However, when the cloth pieces cut from the fingers of the glove were subjected to the test, the red color was observed. In an attempt to enhance the sensitivity of the test, the volumes of the reagent solutions were reduced, but no improvement in sensitivity was obtained.     

A fatal case of hypothermia associated with hemorrhages of the pectoralis minor, intercostal, and iliopsoas muscles

In a morning in January, a male in his early sixties was found dead in an outdoor parking area. The minimum temperature during the night before he was found dead was estimated to be 4.0 degrees C. Autopsy revealed the pinkness of hypostasis, slight abrasions and bruises on the face and the extremities, collapse of the lungs, and slight gastric submucosal hemorrhage. Histologic examination revealed compact arrangement of cardiac muscle fibers and cytoplasmic vacuolation in the adenohypophysis. Toxicologic examination demonstrated hyperacetonemia (51.2 microg/mL). Ubiquitin, one of the stress proteins that are induced by several stimuli, including severe cold, was detected in several organs. We concluded that the cause of his death was lethal hypothermia. In addition, hemorrhages were observed in the subfascial and/or intramuscular parts of the pectoralis minor, first intercostal, and iliopsoas muscles. Although it has been reported that iliopsoas muscle hemorrhage can result from hypothermia, there have been few reports concerning hypothermia-associated hemorrhages of the pectoralis minor and/or intercostal muscles. We presumed that intense shivering and/or effort ventilation during the course of lethal hypothermia might cause these muscle hemorrhages.     

Population data on the AmpF/STR Identifiler loci in Africans and Europeans from South Africa

Allele frequencies of 15 short tandem repeat (STR) loci, D8S1179, D21S11, D7S820, CSF1PO, D3S1358, TH01, D13S317, D16S539, D2S1338, D19S433, vWA, TPOX, D18S51, D5S818 and FGA, were determined for 98 unrelated Africans from South Africa and 98 unrelated Europeans from South Africa using the AmpFlSTR Identifiler PCR amplification kit. The genotype frequency distributions of the 15 STR loci were in the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for both populations.     

A novel method for the identification of saliva by detecting oral streptococci using PCR

We have used DNA amplification methods to detect common oral bacterial strains to test for the presence of saliva in forensic samples. Streptococcus salivarius and Streptococcus mutans were detected in various forms of saliva samples, whereas these streptococci were not detected in semen, urine, vaginal fluid, or on skin surfaces. Therefore, we demonstrated that these streptococci are promising new marker for the forensic identification of saliva. Our data indicated that S. salivarius is more reliable than S. mutans as an indicator of saliva presence, because the detection rates for S. salivarius and S. mutans by this method were 100% and 90%, respectively. Furthermore, S. salivarius was detected in all saliva stain samples, whereas S. mutans was only identified in 60% of the stains. Finally, using this method we were able to successfully detect S. salivarius and S. mutans in mock forensic samples. We therefore suggested that this method is useful for the identification of saliva in forensic science.     

Immunohistochemical detection of CCR2 and CX3CR1 in sepsis-induced lung injury

Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory disease with high mortality. In the present study, we immunohistochemically examined CCR2 and CX3CR1 expression in sepsis-induced lung injury, and discussed its availability for the postmortem diagnosis of sepsis. Lung samples were obtained from different lung lobes of nine sepsis and eight control cases with postmortem intervals between 12 and 48 h. Immunohistochemically, mononuclear cells recruited into the lungs expressed CCR2 and CX3CR1 in both sepsis and non-septic groups. In double-color immunofluorescence analysis, CCR2- or CX3CR1-positive cells could be identified as CD68-positive macrophages. Moreover, most of CD68-positive macrophages expressed both CCR2 and CX3CR1. Morphometrically, the average of CCR2- and CX3CR1-positive macrophages was significantly increased in sepsis group, compared with control group (sepsis vs. control: 41.6 ± 1.3% vs. 8.0 ± 0.4% in CCR2; 36.2 ± 1.3% vs. 9.2 ± 0.4% in CX3CR1). These observations implied that CCR2- or CX3CR1-positive macrophages were recruited into the lungs under several pathological conditions. In particular, their recruitment might be more evident in sepsis. Moreover, from the forensic aspects, immunohistochemical detection of CCR2 and CX3CR1 expression in the lungs can be considered as valuable diagnostic tools for the postmortem diagnosis of sepsis.