As times go by, the objects and subjects of researches have changed. Forensic medicine and science can not be escaped. To overview the international changes and trend of forensic medicine and science, we gathered abstracts of 3,354 articles from 5 outstanding international journals, those are (1) Forensic Science International, (2) Journal of Forensic Science, (3) American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology, (4) Medicine, Science and the Law, (5) International Journal of Legal Medicine. There were 1,226 articles (36.6%) on forensic pathology, followed by forensic genetics (902 articles, 26.9%), toxicology (549 articles, 16.4%), forensic sciences (445 articles, 13.3%) and medical law & criminal psychology (232 articles, 6.9%). Corresponding authors from 4 countries (USA, Great Britain, Germany and Japan) took more than half of total corresponding authors. And there were 27 articles (0.8%) from Korea. This article will introduce us an overview of international trend of forensic researches.
Criminal Psychology ; Forensic Genetics ; Forensic Medicine ; Forensic Pathology ; Forensic Sciences ; Germany ; Great Britain ; Jurisprudence ; Korea ; Pathology ; Toxicology ; United Nations

No abstract available.
Acoustic Stimulation* ; Acoustics* ; Female ; Fetal Heart* ; Fetus* ; Heart Rate, Fetal* ; Pregnancy

No abstract available.
Eosinophilic Granuloma* ; Eosinophils* ; Meningitis, Bacterial*

BACKGROUND: Microcirculatory derangement in sepsis plays a crucial role in the impairment of tissue oxygenation that can lead to multi-organ failure and death. The change of RBC rheology in sepsis has been known to be important factors in microcirculatory derangement. Several studies have demonstrated that RBCs have decreased deformability in sepsis. We investigated the relationship between multi-organ failure and spherical index of RBC estimated by flow cytometer in critically ill patients with or without sepsis compared with the relationship in healthy volunteers. METHODS: Fourteen non-septic critically ill patients, 18 septic patients and 10 healthy volunteers were evaluated. We obtained peripheral venous blood from each patient and analyzed the change of RBC shape using flow cytometer (Becton Dickinson FACSCalibur) within 90 minute. The change of RBC shape was accessed with spherical index (M2/M1). A decrease in M2/M1 was correlated with the sphericity of the RBC and considered to have a lower capacity to alter their shape when placed in microcirculation. Multi-organ failure was accessed with sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score. RESULTS: The M2/M1 ratio of healthy volunteers, non-septic patients and septic patients were 2.25+/-0.08, 2.16+/-0.39 and 2.05+/-0.53, respectively. But, there was no significant difference between each group (p>0.05). And, there was no significant correlation between M2/M1 ratio of septic and non- septic patients and SOFA score (p>0.05, r2= -0.13). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, the spherical index of RBC was not associated with multi-organ failure in sepsis. But, further studies may be needed to evaluate the role of RBC rheology in sepsis.
Critical Illness ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Microcirculation ; Oxygen ; Rheology ; Sepsis*

OBJECTIVE: To assess the pre-pregnancy and pregnancy factors influencing pregnancy outcome in renal transplanted women Materials and METHODS: This retrospective study included all pregnancies in renal transplanted women in Asan Medical Center between June 1996 and February 1998. We collected data from the medical records of allograft recipients. Pre-pregnant status and pregnancy outcome were described. RESULTS: Seventeen pregnancies in 13 allograft recipients resulted in 7 term deliveries, 4 preterm births, 2 spontaneous abortions, and 4 therapeutic abortions. All but one patient received immunosuppressive therapy with cyclosporin A, azathioprine, and prednisolone during pregnancy. The mean interval from the time of transplantation to conception was 28.8+/-14.3 months(range 6-60 months). In live birth group, the mean gestational age at delivery was 37.7+/-1.2 weeks and the mean birth weight of their offspring was 2.85+/-0.37 kilogram. Apgar scores at 5 minutes were 8 or more in all of them. The obstetric complications were distributed as follows: pregnancy induced hypertension in 6 cases(55%), pregnancy aggravated hypertension in 2 cases(18%), fetal growth restriction in 1 case(9%), prematurity in 4 cases(36%). Cesarean sections were done in 4 cases(36%) because of previous Cesarean section(3 cases) and uncontrolled hypertension(1 case). Neonatal complication, transient tachypnea of the newborn, was found in one case. Graft rejection after transplantation occurred in 4 cases: 3 cases in preterm births and 1 case in therapeutic abortions. Maternal renal functions were normal during pregnancy and postpartum period whose pre-pregnant renal functions had been normal. No patient experienced any rejection episode or graft loss during pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Successful pregnancy can be expected in women with a renal transplant, although there was high incidence of pregnancy-related complications, especially hypertensive disorders. Pregnancy can be encouraged to these allograft recipients if they have good renal function.
Abortion, Spontaneous ; Abortion, Therapeutic ; Allografts* ; Azathioprine ; Birth Weight ; Cesarean Section ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Cyclosporine ; Female ; Fertilization ; Fetal Development ; Gestational Age ; Graft Rejection ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced ; Incidence ; Kidney Transplantation ; Live Birth ; Medical Records ; Postpartum Period ; Prednisolone ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome* ; Pregnancy* ; Premature Birth ; Retrospective Studies ; Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn ; Transplants

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary Kaposi's sarcoma (PKS) directly affects the life expectancy of those infected and yet the clinical and radiographic features of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) with pulmonary involvement are nonspecific, which makes diagnosis difficult. In Uganda, pulmonary tuberculosis, which has clinical features that closely resemble those of PKS, also occurs commonly and thus confusion is bound to arise. Bronchoscopy is a recognized diagnostic investigatory modality for PKS. The aim of present study was to identify unique or useful points for the differential diagnosis of PKS and other opportunistic infections. METHODS: The clinical, radiologic, and bronchoscopic findings in thirty-five Ugandan patients (age 20-50, median 32) with PKS were analyzed. RESULTS: Cough and weight loss were most common and occurred in 97.1%, whereas fever occurred in 62.9%, and breathlessness in 57.1%. Thirty-four patients (97.1%) showed mucocutaneous KS, and palatal KS was most frequent and was observed in 74.3%. In addition, 25 patients (71.4%) showed the characteristic endobronchial plaques of KS. The most frequently observed radiographic abnormality was bilateral reticulonodular density. Histological examinations of bronchoscopic biopsies revealed KS in 7 (36.6%) cases. Five PFS patients (25%) also had co-existent tuberculosis. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients with PKS showed no specific findings on physical examination, apart from mucocutaneous KS. Our findings indicate that palatal KS may be a strong predictor of PKS. In Uganda, pulmonary tuberculosis may be the most common concomitant pulmonary infection in PKS patients.
Uganda ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/diagnosis ; Sarcoma, Kaposi/*diagnosis ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Lung Neoplasms/*diagnosis ; Humans ; Female ; Diagnosis, Differential ; *Bronchoscopy ; Adult

It is well known that immunologic factors like rejection episode and HLA missmatch influence allograft loss and prognosis. However, non-immu- nologic factors such as glomerular hyperfiltration may also have an effect on the survival of the allograft. We measured relative kidney function(dkRF) by DMSA scan, GFR(dGFR) using EDTA and CCr dCCr) by 24-hour urine collection in donors of 70 adult living-related renal allografts engrafted at a single center between December 1992 and January 1994 as a donor work-up before transplantation, and calculated donated kidney GFR(dkGFR=dGFRxdkRF) and CCr(dkCCr=dkCCrxdkRF). We observed graft function for 5 years and analyzed the prognostic factors for the graft. Graft dysfunction was defined as the increase of serum creatinine 5 years after transplantation more than 1.5 times of stabilized serum creatinine at 3 months after transplantation. 1) Sixty patients were followed up for 5 years. Graft dysfunction was observed in 22 patients(37%) and maintenance renal replacement therapy was required in 9(15%) of them. 2) Of the non-immunologic factors, donor age was older in patients with graft dysfunction(51 +/- 12 years) than those without it(34 +/- 11 years, p<0.01), but dkGFR(54.1 +/- 12.2ml/min vs. 58.5 +/- 11.9mVmin), dkCCr(44.8 +/- 14.3mVmin vs. 50.74 13.4ml/min) and the ratio of body surface area(recipient/donor, 0.964 0.14 vs. 0.990.12) were not different in the two groups. Age of recipients and occurrence of graft glomerulopathy also were not different in the two groups. The episode of acute rejection was more frequent in patients with graft dysfunction(32%, 7/ 22) than those without it(3%, 1/38, p<0.01), but the degree of HLA missmatch was not different. In multivariate analysis, donor age(p<0.01) and the episode of acute rejection(p<0.05) were independent factors affecting graft dysfunction. 3) Donor age was older(52 +/- 12 vs. 3814 years, p<0.01) and the episode of acute rejection was more frequent(56%, 5/9 vs. 696, 3/51, p<0.01) in 9 patients with graft loss than those without it. However, dkGFR, dkCCr, body surface area ratio, recipient age, occurrence of glomerulopathy and HLA missmatch were not different. In multivariate analysis, donor age(p<0.05) and the experience of acute rejection(p<0.01) were independent factors affecting graft loss. We therefore conclude that donor age is more important as non-immunologic prognostic factors in graft dysfunction than GFR of the donated kidney and the difference in body mass between recipient and donor.
Adult ; Allografts* ; Body Surface Area ; Creatinine ; Edetic Acid ; Humans ; Immunologic Factors ; Kidney ; Kidney Transplantation ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prognosis ; Renal Replacement Therapy ; Succimer ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants ; Urine Specimen Collection

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study are to evaluate the lip morphology and change of lip commissure after mandibular setback surgery (MSS) for class III patients and analyze association between the amount of mandibular setback and change of lip morphology. METHODS: The samples consisted of 14 class III patients treated with MSS using bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy. Lateral cephalogram and cone-beam CT were taken before and about 6 months after MSS. Changes in landmarks and variables were measured with 3D software program Ondemand™. Paired and independent t tests were performed for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Landmarks in the mouth corner (cheilion, Ch) moved backward and downward (p < .005, p < .01). However, cheilion width was not statistically significantly changed. Landmark in labrale superius (Ls) was not altered significantly. Upper lip prominence angle (ChRt-Ls-ChLt °) became acute. Landmarks in stomion (Stm), labrale inferius (Li) moved backward (p < .005, p < .001). Lower lip prominence angle (ChRt-Li-ChLt °) became obtuse (p < .001). Height of the upper and lower lips was not altered significantly. Length of the upper lip vermilion was increased (p =< 0.01), and length of the lower lip vermilion was decreased (p < .05). Lip area on frontal view was not statistically significantly changed, but the upper lip area on lateral view was increased and change of the lower lip area decreased (p > .05, p < .005). On lateral view, upper lip prominent point (UP) moved downward and stomion moved backward and upward and the angle of Ls-UP-Stm (°) was decreased. Lower lip prominent point (LP) moved backward and downward, and the angle of Stm-LP-Li (°) was increased. Li moved backward. Finally, landmarks in the lower incisor tip (L1) moved backward and upward, but stomion moved downward. After surgery, lower incisor tip (L1) was positioned more superiorly than stomion (p < .05). There were significant associations between horizontal soft tissue and corresponding hard tissue. The posterior movement of L1 was related to statistically significantly about backward and downward movement of cheilion. CONCLUSIONS: The lip morphology of patients with dento-skeletal class III malocclusion shows a significant improvement after orthognathic surgery. Three-dimensional lip morphology changes in class III patients after MSS exhibited that cheilion moved backward and downward, upper lip projection angle became acute, lower lip projection angle became obtuse, change of upper lip area on lateral view was increased, change of lower lip area decreased, and morphology of lower lip was protruding. L1 was concerned with the lip tissue change in statistically significant way.
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography* ; Humans ; Incisor ; Lip* ; Malocclusion ; Mouth ; Orthognathic Surgery ; Osteotomy, Sagittal Split Ramus

BACKGROUND: Frailty is considered to be a clinical syndrome characterized by decreased physiological reserves associated with a greater risk of health-related problems, hospitalization, and death. The current study examined hospitalization, falls, cognitive decline and disability between robust, prefrail and frail elderly in one year. METHODS: 110 participants aged 65 or more who visited two senior welfare centers in Seoul from February 2008 to June 2008 were surveyed again from March 2009 to June 2009 with demographic characteristics, number of chronic diseases and medication, study of osteoporotic fractures (SOF) frailty index, instrumental activity of daily living (IADL), depression, mini-mental state examination-Korean version (MMSE-K), falling history and admission history within one year. These results were compared with participants' previous survey done one year ago. RESULTS: Among total 110 subjects, 48 (44%) robust, 30 (27%) prefrail, and 32 (29%) frail subjects changed to 26 (24%), 54 (49%), and 30 (27%) respectively over the year. There were statistical significances in age, number of chronic disease, depressive mood, MMSE, falls, hospitalization, IADL disability contributing to frailty (P < 0.05). Frailty defined by SOF frailty index was associated with greater risk of adverse outcomes. Frail subjects had a higher age-adjusted risk of cognitive function decline (odds ratio [OR], 3.57), disability (OR, 9.64), fall (OR, 5.42), and hospitalization (OR, 4.45; P < 0.005). CONCLUSION: The frailty index like SOF frailty index might predict risk of falls, disability, hospitalization, and cognitive decline in the elderly, emphasizing special attention to the individuals showing frailty in outpatient examination.
Aged ; Chronic Disease ; Depression ; Frail Elderly ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Osteoporotic Fractures ; Outpatients ; Retrospective Studies

Stasis dermatitis is characterized by hyperpigmented lesions occuring as a result of venous stasis of the lower half of the legs. It is often associated with venous thrombosis, varicose vein, obesity, congestive heart failure. Histopathologic findings include fibrosis, new blood vessel formation, and hemosiderin deposition in dermis layer. We here report a case of stasis dermatitis due to excessive weight gain in a patient with peritoneal dialysis. A 50-year-old man on peritoneal dialysis was admitted with edema and hyperpigmentated lesion on both lower legs. He gained weight of 8 kg for 3 months because of excessive oral intake without ultrafiltration failure. Skin biopsy of the hyperpigmented lesion revealed vascular proliferation, infiltration of inflammatory cells, fibrosis, and hemosiderin deposition in dermis. We started hemodialysis in order to correct weight gain and leg edema. After 3 months later, the skin lesions much improved.
Biopsy ; Blood Vessels ; Dermatitis* ; Dermis ; Edema ; Fibrosis ; Heart Failure ; Hemosiderin ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Leg ; Middle Aged ; Obesity ; Peritoneal Dialysis* ; Renal Dialysis ; Skin ; Ultrafiltration ; Varicose Veins ; Venous Thrombosis ; Weight Gain*