Evaluation of maxillary sinus dimensions in gender determination using helical CT scanning

Gender determination is an important step in identification in forensic medicine. CT measurements of maxillary sinuses may be useful to support gender identification. This study was undertaken to study the accuracy and reliability of maxillary sinus dimensions measurement in gender classification through the use of reconstructed helical CT images. Eighty-eight patients (43 men and 45 women) with age range from 20 to 49 years were selected in this study. The width, length, and height of the maxillary sinuses in addition to the total distance across both sinuses were measured. Data were subjected to discriminant analysis for gender using multiple regression analysis. Maxillary sinus height was the best discriminant parameter that could be used to study sexual dimorphism with an overall accuracy of 71.6%. Using multivariate analysis, 74.4% of male sinuses and 73.3% of female sinuses were sexed correctly. The overall percentage for sexing maxillary sinuses correctly was 73.9%. It can be concluded that reconstructed CT image can provide valuable measurements for maxillary sinuses and could be used for sexing when other methods of sexing are not conclusive.     

Personal Identification Using the Frontal Sinus*

Abstract: The frontal sinuses are known to be unique to each individual; however, no one has tested the independence of the frontal sinus traits to see if probability analysis through trait combination is a viable method of identifying an individual using the frontal sinuses. This research examines the feasibility of probability trait combination, based on criteria recommended in the literature, and examines two other methods of identification using the frontal sinuses: discrete trait combinations and superimposition pattern matching. This research finds that most sinus traits are dependent upon one another and thus cannot be used in probability combinations. When looking at traits that are independent, this research finds that metric methods are too fraught with potential errors to be useful. Discrete trait combinations do not have a high enough discriminating power to be useful. Only superimposition pattern matching is an effective method of identifying an individual using the frontal sinuses.     

The Reliability of Visually Comparing Small Frontal Sinuses*

Abstract: Several studies have investigated frontal sinus comparison for personal identification. One study addressed the statistical reliability of correct identification using automated digital methods and resulted in a 96% accuracy rate. Missed matches with the digital methods generally involved small, less featured sinuses. This study investigates the hypothesis that human examiners may be able to more accurately identify correct matches than digital methods, even when the comparisons involve small frontal sinuses. Participants were provided two sets of 28 radiographs and were instructed to identify matching radiographs and list the radiographs that did not have a corresponding match. Overall, error rates were low, with correct associations identified at a rate of 0.983. No incorrect associations (“false positives”) were made. Correct association rates were highest among participants “experienced” examining radiographs. Results support previous assertions that frontal sinus radiographs are a reliable means of personal identification even when the frontal sinuses are small.     

大鼠双侧阴茎背神经和／或海绵体神经离断后海绵体组织细胞凋亡

目的观察双侧阴茎背神经、海绵体神经损伤．以及联合神经损伤后阴茎海绵体组织细胞凋亡表达。方法（1）将78只SD大鼠随机分为术后1、2、4、8、16和32d组,每组分别分为海绵体神经离断组、阴茎背神经离断组、阴茎背神经和海绵体神经联合离断组、手术对照组和非手术对照组。通过DNA梯带法（DNAladder）进行定性、TUNEL法进行凋亡细胞检测;用actin-α标记平滑肌细胞。用CD31标记内皮细胞,进行凋亡细胞定位。结果双侧海绵体神经损伤及联合损伤组分别与阴茎背神经损伤组、手术对照组和非手术对照组之间的凋亡率均有显著差异（P〈0．0046）,但两组之间的差异无显著性（P〉0．0046）,双侧阴茎背神经损伤组与手术对照组之间细胞凋亡率差异无显著性（P〉0．0046）。海绵体平滑肌细胞凋亡平均数与内皮细胞的凋亡平均数差异具有显著性（P〈0．05）。结论海绵体神经损伤可引起阴茎海绵体平滑肌的凋亡;阴茎背神经损伤对阴茎组织细胞凋亡无明显影响;联合损伤对海绵体平滑肌细胞凋亡的影响同单纯海绵体神经损伤。     

Comamonas testosteroni meningitis in a homeless man

We report a case of meningitis caused by Comamonas testosteroni in a 54-year-old, alcoholic, homeless man. He, as a pedestrian, was struck by a car and suffered multiple fractures of the facial bones including the left frontal sinus. Over the course of 2-week hospitalization, he was clinically diagnosed with multiple cerebral and cerebellar infarcts resulting in altered mental status. He was pronounced dead 15 days after the injury. At the time of autopsy, diffuse purulent meningitis was found on gross examination. A swab culture of the brain surface was positive for C. Testosteroni, a saprophytic organism commonly found in soil and water. This is the first reported case of fatal meningitis caused by this micro-organism.     

窦房结中央动脉狭窄与心源性猝死

近年来国内外学者相继报道由单纯窦房结中央动脉狭窄引起的猝死。本文就窦房结中央动脉的解剖、组织学特点、病变特点进行综述,探讨窦房结动脉狭窄引起猝死的机制,以期为相关法医病理学死因鉴定提供理论基础。     

用于法医学同一认定的额窦CT编码

目的 使用头颅CT图像重建冠状位鼻骨切面研究额窦观测指标,以编制特异的识别编码.方法 通过距离数值量和形态学描述对额窦CT图像进行分析.额窦同一认定识别编码为:右侧额窦部分隔数,形态一额窦中间隔位置,形态一左侧额窦部分隔数,形态;右侧额窦上缘弓形弯曲数(右侧最高峰位置,最低峰位置)-左侧额窦上缘弓形弯曲数(左侧最高峰位...     

额窦数字X线影像分型与同一认定指标的筛选

目的 从法医学同一认定的视角探究柯氏位额窦计算机X线摄影(computer radiography,CR)的形态学分类,并结合识别指标的数字编码,构建X线影像同一认定体系.方法 收集 400例四川汉族成年人额窦标准柯氏位CR片.以两侧眼眶上缘均相切的直线与额窦的位置关系对额窦形态学特征进行分型研究,并对额窦识别指标进行数字编码.结果 提出额窦CR片影像学特征6类分型,筛选出额窦不对称性、最大额窦面积的侧别、同侧额窦面积与眼眶面积比、额窦上缘弓形弯曲数、额窦部分分隔位置、额窦中间隔位置等8项识别指标.结论 提出了先作分型鉴别,再用所选取的8项指标对额窦形态进行识别编码的柯氏位额窦CR片影像同一认定的新思路.     

Frontal sinus accuracy in identification as measured by false positives in kin groups

The aims of this study were to verify if frontal sinuses can uniquely identify individuals belonging to family groups using Cameriere methods and to test if kinship can affect the proportion of erroneous identifications. For this purpose, we compared the proportion of false-positive identifications in a sample of 99 individuals within 20 families with a control sample of 98 other individuals without kinship. The results show that the combined use of SOR and the Yoshino code number allows personal identification with a small probability of false positives (p < 10(-6)), even when kinship is taken into account. The present research confirms the importance of studying anthropological frameworks for identification, which leads to reliable methods and allows for both quick and economic procedures.     

Cardiac Inhibitory Reflex as a Cause/Mechanism of Death

The role of cardiac inhibitory reflex as a potential cause of death is still a matter of debate. This study reports two cases of death under unusual circumstances. Case 1 corresponds to a man found hanging where the role of ligature compression of the carotid sinus became relevant as a possible explanation of death. In Case 2, the participation of a vasovagal syncope was clearly triggered by the laryngoscopic procedure. It is proposed that cardiac inhibitory reflex should be taken into account in those cases of unexpected death, which fulfills the following three criteria: (i) The investigation of the circumstances of the death is consistent with a hypothesis of cardiac arrest. (ii) A typical triggering peripheral stimulus is present. (iii) The performance of a complete autopsy cannot rule out the participation of a cardiac inhibitory reflex in the cause of death.