The study of sarcosaphagous insects is a subspecialty in forensic medicine based on the knowledge of entomology. It could help to determine the time of death, especially the postmortem interval in decomposed cases. This paper explores its history, species and erosion process of sarcosaphagous insects. It reviews the species identifying methods with molecular biology and entomological morphology. Details of its application in estimating postmortem interval in recent years and study of sarcosaphagous insects in the field of forensic medicine are summarized.
Animals ; Cadaver ; Death ; Diptera/physiology* ; Entomology/methods* ; Forensic Medicine/methods* ; Humans ; Larva/growth & development* ; Postmortem Changes ; Time Factors

Objective:To investigate the influence of Portulaca extracts on H1R,PAR-2 and TRPV1 in skins of rats and the regulation mechanism of H1R,PAR-2/TRPV1 itch signal pathway with atopic eczema.Methods:30 SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group,model group and Porulaca group,each group contained 10 rats.In addition to the normal group,2,4-dinitrochloro-benzene was used on the rest of group for making rat model with atopic eczema.After the success of the model manufacture,each group was given corresponding drugs.After the last administration,EASI was evaluated.The levels of H1R,PAR-2 and TRPV1 in rats skins were detected by immunohistochemical method.Ca2+concentration was analyzed by flow cytometry.Results: Compared with normal control group,EASI(P<0.01),the levels of H1R(P<0.05) and PAR-2(P<0.01),and Ca2+concentration(P<0.01) of rats in model group were significantly increased.The levels of TRPV1 were not increased obviously (P>0.05).Compared with model group,EASI (P<0.01),the levels of H1R(P<0.01) and PAR-2(P<0.01),and Ca2+concentration(P<0.05) of rats in Porulaca group were sig-nificantly reduced,and the levels of TRPV1 were not decreased obviously(P>0.05).Conclusion:Purslane could reduce the levels of H1R,PAR-2 and Ca2+concentration to treat the acute eczema.The mechanism may be to lose the activation of downstream molecule TRPV1 and reduce the inflow of Ca2+by reducing the levels of upstream molecules H1R and PAR-2,then to achieve the effect of anti itch.

OBJECTIVEDual detection of Salmonella and Shigella using modified molecular beacons and real-time PCR was developed. The established method was applied to rapid diagnosis of Salmonella and Shigella' food poisoning, and for routine monitoring programs.

METHODSTwo sets of primers were designed based on the core sequence of invA gene and ssaR gene published on GenBank to detect Salmonella, and ipaH gene were selected to detect Shigella. Three corresponding modified molecular beacons labeled with different fluorophors were designed. The molecular beacons and primer sets were tested against numerous strains from 55 different bacterial species. Then the two assays were combined to establish the dual real-time PCR assay, and were applied to the food poisoning diagnosis and surveillance.

RESULTSFor the modified molecular beacons-based dual real-time PCR assay, the sensitivity achieved was 69-93 fg/microl, 32-64 CFU/ml or 1-2 CFU/PCR reaction. There was no cross-reaction with other bacteria served as control. The dual real-time PCR assay was used to detect 134 Salmonella strains and 67 Shigella strains but no false signals were observed. 1100 food poisoning samples were tested with 569 Salmonella and 42 were Shigella identified by real time PCR. Among the positive samples, 551 were detected Salmonella and 41 were Shigella by traditional culture method. The overall test could be finished within 2 hours to one day starting from sample preparation.

CONCLUSIONThe modified molecular beacons-based dual real-time PCR assay was rapid, sensitive, and specific. It could be applied to the rapid diagnosis of Salmonella and Shigella' food poisoning.

DNA Primers ; Dysentery, Bacillary ; diagnosis ; Genes, Bacterial ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Salmonella ; genetics ; Salmonella Food Poisoning ; diagnosis ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Shigella ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the histopathologic features, differential diagnosis and pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy.

METHODSThe clinicopathologic features of 40 autopsy cases of diabetes mellitus were studied. The hearts from another 40 cases of non-diabetic elderly deceased were used for comparison.

RESULTSIn the 40 cases of diabetes studied, 36 cases (90.0%) showed microscopic myocardial cell death. Focal interstitial fibrosis was observed in 37 cases (92.5%). On the other hand, similar myocardial cell death and patchy interstitial fibrosis was seen in 8 cases (20.0%) and 9 cases (22.5%) of non-diabetic hearts, respectively. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.01). The mural thickness of intramyocardial blood vessels was significantly increased in diabetic group (20.6 microm +/- 4.2 microm) than in non-diabetic group (7.2 microm +/- 5.2 microm), P < 0.01.The myocardial changes in diabetic group however were similar to those in non-diabetic group with systemic hypertension.

CONCLUSIONSPathologic diagnosis of diabetic cardiomyopathy relies on detailed histologic examination of heart tissue and clinical correlation of a long history of diabetes mellitus. Exclusion of other possible etiologies is also essential. The myocardial cell death observed may be due to the ischemic effect induced by diabetic microangiopathy in cardiac muscle.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Autopsy ; Cardiomyopathies ; complications ; diagnosis ; Cell Death ; Coronary Vessels ; cytology ; pathology ; Diabetes Complications ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Fibrosis ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Myocardium ; cytology ; pathology

This study was designed to study the chemical constituents from bulbil of Dioscorea opposite Thunb.. Four compounds were isolated by silica gel column chromatography. On the basis of physic-chemical characters and spectroscopic data analysis, these compounds were identified as lyzalkaloid (3,4-dihydro-6-hydroxy-4-methyl-6H-pyrido[6,5-b]indol-5(1H)-one) (1), anoectochine (2), ginsenine (3), and 2-hydroxy-3-(1H-indol-3-yl) propanoic acid methyl ester (4). Compound 1 is a new indole alkaloid, named as lyzalkaloid. Compounds 2-4 were isolated from this plant for the first time. The cytotoxic activities were assessed by MTT assay. All compounds exhibited the cytotoxic activity against HepG2 and MDA-231 with IC₅₀ values of over 100 μmol·L^-1, respectively. All compounds show no significant cytotoxic activities against HepG2, MDA-231 cancer cell.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of Tripterygium wilfordii multiglycoside (TGW) in the treatment of psoriatic dermatitis from a cellular immunological perspective. METHODS: Mouse models of psoriatic dermatitis were established by imiquimod (IMQ). Twelve male BALB/c mice were assigned to IMQ or IMQ₊TGW groups according to a random number table. Histopathological changes in vivo were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Ratios of immune cells and cytokines in mice, as well as PAM212 cell proliferation in vitro were assessed by flow cytometry. Pro-inflammatory cytokine expression was determined using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: TGW significantly ameliorated the severity of IMQ-induced psoriasis-like mouse skin lesions and restrained the activation of CD45⁺ cells, neutrophils and T lymphocytes (all P<0.01). Moreover, TGW significantly attenuated keratinocytes (KCs) proliferation and downregulated the mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-17A, IL-23, tumor necrosis factor α, and chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Furthermore, it reduced the number of γ δ T17 cells in skin lesion of mice and draining lymph nodes (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS TGW improved psoriasis-like inflammation by inhibiting KCs proliferation, as well as the associated immune cells and cytokine expression. It inhibited IL-17 secretion from γ δ T cells, which improved the immune-inflammatory microenvironment of psoriasis.
Male ; Animals ; Mice ; Tripterygium ; Psoriasis/drug therapy* ; Keratinocytes ; Skin Diseases/metabolism* ; Cytokines/metabolism* ; Imiquimod/metabolism* ; Dermatitis/pathology* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Skin/metabolism*