OBJECTIVE: To discuss the method of reducing error in estimating postmortem interval (PMI). METHODS: Two hundred and fifty-six solved murder cases from 2003 January to 2013 January in Changzhou and Nanjing City were collected, The PMI of all cases was estimated by traditional method and then compared with the real PMI obtained after the cases were solved. The cases were grouped according to the PMI, the accuracy was calculated, and the reasons of suboptimal PMI were analyzed. RESULTS: The accuracies of early PMI (less than 12h and 13-24 h) were 90% and 89%, respectively; while the accuracies of late PMI (1-7 d, 1-2 weeks, 3-4 weeks, 1-6 months, 7-12 months and 1-5 years) decreased over time, being 79%, 76%, 83%, 79%, 60% and 50%, respectively. The common reasons of estimating error included improper inference methods, water submerged body, extreme temperature, lack of objective evidence, intentionally abandoned body, and changed or destroyed scene, etc. CONCLUSION The multiple index data can reduce the error in estimating PMI.
Autopsy ; Cause of Death ; Forensic Pathology/methods* ; Homicide ; Humans ; Postmortem Changes ; Retrospective Studies ; Seasons ; Temperature ; Time Factors

Cells, Cultured ; Humans ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; immunology ; Pericytes ; metabolism ; physiology

Objective To detect the expression of miRNA -34a in normal cervical,low grade cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia and high grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia,to explore its clinical significance.Methods The expression levels of miRNA -34a in 82 cases of low grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CINⅠ,CIN L group),87 cases of high grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CINⅡ -Ⅲ,CIN H group) and 60 cases of normal cervical tissues (control group) in tissue specimens and serum were examined by real -time PCR(RT -PCR). Results The relative expression levels of miRNA -34a in tissues and serum of CIN H group were (0.584 ± 0.288),(0.528 ±0.299),which of CIN L group were (0.903 ±0.252),(0.847 ±0.279),which of the control group were (0.960 ±0.212),(0.908 ±0.223).The miRNA -34a level of CIN H group in tissues and serum were lower than CIN L group and control group,there was significant difference( Ptissues =0.001,Pserum =0.003).The miRNA -34a level in tissue and serum had no significant difference between the CINL group and control group(P >0.05).The expression level of serum miRNA -34a was positively related with the level of the tissues(r =0.907,P <0.01).Conclusion The expression level of miRNA -34a in high grade CIN was significantly decreased,which indi-cated that miRNA -34a play an important role in the prognosis of CIN and the transformation of cervical cancer,and it has certain clinical value for the diagnosis and treatment of CIN.

Objective To explore the cognitive function of the theory of mind(TOM) in early-onset schizophrenia from faux pas recognition and belief understanding dimensions.Methods 41 early-onset schizophrenias (EOS) and 40 normal adolescents were interviewed by the Chinese version of faux pas recognition task and theory of mind picture-sequencing task(ToM-PST),then early-onset schizophrenias cognitive features were analyzed.Results ①In faux pas recognition task,compared with healthy subjects,EOS showed significantly less total scores (16.11±6.34 vs 20.86±7.79,P＜0.05)and subscores of understanding faux pas questions (9.88±4.11 vs 13.27± 6.07,P＜0.05).In faux pas recognition scores(6.72±2.60vs 7.58±2.20) and control questions(9.83±0.44vs 9.97± 0.16) had no statistically significant difference (P＞0.05).②In ToM-PST task,early-onset schizophrenic patients also had significantly less total score(17.29±3.38 vs 21.48± 1.73,P＜0.01),subscores of understanding first order belief,first order error belief,second order belief,second order error belief,third order error belief,sense of reality,reciprocity,fraud,detecting fraud compared to normal controls had significant difference (all P＜ 0.05 or 0.01).③ The correlation between clinical course time and PANSS score and its subscores of the theory of mind picture-sequencing and faux pas task was non-significant(P＞0.05)except the subscores of understanding the first order belief (P＜0.01).Conclusion The theory of mind is apparent damage in early onset schizophrenia and non-significant correlation is found with psychiatric symptoms.

Objective To investigate the imaging findings of the lacerating injury of the lung. Methods Ten patients of lung lacerating injury were examined by X-ray and CT within 1—5 h after injury. X-ray(2—5 times)and CT(3—5 times)examinations were repeated for 7 patients.Results The lung lacerating injury involved 10 sides and 14 lung lobes(21 lesions in total)in the 10 cases,among which 1 case involved the right upper lobe with 1 lesion,2 cases in the right lower lobe with 2 lesions,1 case in the right upper and lower lobes with 2 lesions for each lobe,3 cases in the left lower lobe with 9 lesions,and 3 cases in both the left upper and the lower lobes with 7 lesions.The X-ray findings were cavity-like shadows with smooth margin in 9 lesions(9/21),and patchy shadows of fogging margin in 12 lesions(12/21).The CT imaging findings included 6 pulmonary hematomas(6/21),and 15 cavitary lesions with air-fluid levels (15/21).In the 15 cavitary lesions,CT revealed 14 single cavities and 2 small cavities within a big cavity. On dynamic follow-up observation,the cavity was the biggest in 1—5 h after injury,but the hematoma was the biggest in 2—3 days after injury.Hematomas tended to absorb slower than the cavities.After 16— 32 days,all lesions revolved into small patchy or stripe-like shadows with slightly increased density. Conclusion Cavitary lesion with air-fluid level is the characteristic imaging finding of lung lacerating injury.CT surpasses X-ray plain film in revealing the details of lung lacerating injury.

Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect of carbon-coated iron nanoparticles carrying cisplatin on the growth of NCI-H446 lung cancer cells and expressions of Caspase 3 and Survivin mRNA.Methods NCI-H446 lung cancer cells were treated with iron-carbon nanoparticles and/or cisplatin.The cell viability was detected by MTT method,and the mRNA expressions of Caspase 3 and Survivin were measured with RT-PCR.Results Cisplatin could inhibit the growth of NCI-H446 lung cancer cells,and the inhibitory effect was stronger when it was combined with the iron-carbon nanoparticles.The cells had apoptosis.The mRNA expression of Caspase 3 of NCI-H446 lung cancer cells was remarkably enhanced after treatment with iron-carbon nanoparticles combined with cisplatin,while the mRNA expression of Survivin was notably weakened (P＜0.05).Conclusion Carbon-coated iron nanoparticles carrying cisplatin could significantly increase the chemotherapy sensitivity of cisplatin on NCI-H446 lung cancer cells and enhance the therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapy drugs.

Objective To investigate the role of muhiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification(MLPA) in identifying fetal aneuploidy of chromosomes 13,18,21,X,and Y. Methods From June 2007 to December 2008,263 samples(prenatal diagnosis group),including amniotic or umbilical cord blood from pregnant women who required prenatal diagnosis,were processed in parallel by MLPA and conventional karyotype to detect fetal aneuploidy.Another 26 samples(fetal death group).ineluding retained abortion and fetal death,were also processed bv MLPA. Results Five cases of 21-trisomy,4 eases of 18-trisomy,1 case of 13-trisomy and 3 cases of 45,X were identified among the prenatal diagnosis group by MLPA,and the results were consistent with karyotype.Two cases of 45,X and 1 case of 18-trisomy were identified among the retained abortion and fetal death group. Conclusions MLPA is a rapid,efficient,simple,reliable and economical technique in detecting most common chromosomal aneuploidies and have important clinical value.

Objective To explore the suitable range of PT-INR for Chinese people with acute deep venous thrombosis (DVT) treated by warfarin anticoagulation therapy. Methods Eighty seven DVT patients with indications to warfarin anticoagulation therapy were enrolled into the study and divide into two groups randomly. Patients from group A (n=47) took warfarin to adjust the PT-INR to range 1.7-2. 5,and patients from group B (n =40) took warfarin to adjust the PT-INR to range 2. 0-3. 0. The therapeutic effectiveness and the incidence of bleeding complications were compared between two groups. Results Forty-six patients (46/47,98%) had limb swelling symptoms relief in group A with one exception,which was diagnosed as pelvic tumor by ultrasonography,CT and tumor markers examination later. No patient underwent bleeding in group A Thirty eight patients (38/40,93%) had limb swelling symptoms relief in group group B with two exceptions,of which one case had Cockett syndrome and the other one had unknown aetiology. The total effective rate of group B was 95% . As to the complications of this group,3 patients had slight gum and nasal mucous membrane bleeding, 1 patient developed gastrointestinal bleeding. No patients had pulmonary embolism in both groups. Conclusion For Chinese people,anticoagulation therapy of acute deep venous thrombosis to adjust the range of PT-INR to 1.7-2. 5, shows good effectiveness and significantly reduced bleeding complications.

Drug metabolism studies, including in vivo and in vitro metabolism studies, are significant in the design of candidate compounds and screening of lead compounds at drug discovery/development stages. Compared with in vivo metabolism studies, in vitro metabolism studies have the advantages of rapidity, simplicity, without consumption of large amounts of samples and animals. Moreover, it is convenient for researchers to observe the selective interaction between compound and target. Therefore, in vitro metabolism studies are appropriate for high throughput screening of compounds which are lack of metabolism information and have been widely used during drug discovery stages. This article briefly introduced the application of in vitro drug metabolism studies based on the metabolic stability, reaction phenotyping and metabolic drug-drug interactions, aiming to raise valuable evaluation strategies for innovative drug discovery in China.

Atomic absorption spectrometry was employed to determine the levels of 7 essential trace elements in the whole blood of 150 mainteinance hemodialysis (MHD) patients.And comparisons were made with the normal group of 200 participants in routine medical examination at the same time at our hospital.And among 7 indices,as compared with the control group,the blood levels of zinc,chromium,cobalt and manganese were significantly lower (P ＜ 0.05) while those of selenium and copper higher (P ＜ 0.05).MHD patients lacked essential trace elements to a varying extent.A clinician should pay attention to complementing essential trace elements to improve the patient's quality of life.