Virtual autopsy is a new technique for investigating the morphological changes of cadaveric tissues and organs by medical imaging technology. It has been widely used in the identification of causes of death. Multislice spiral computed tomography （MSCT） has become a routine inspection method in some identification institutions, although it cannot completely replace traditional autopsy, it plays a key auxiliary or substitute role in the identification of certain abnormal causes of death. Plain MSCT scan cannot visualize cadaveric vessels, but can perform cadaveric angiography to determine vascular injury or disease. This technology has entered a rapid development period in recent years, and has made a considerable progress in contrast agent, perfusion methods and imaging methods. This article summarizes several common cadaveric MSCT angiography methods, such as systemic angiography, angiography through cardiopulmonary resuscitation, targeted angiography, and angiography by cardiac puncture, and analyzes and compares the application prospects.
Angiography ; Autopsy ; Coronary Angiography ; Heart ; Humans ; Tomography, Spiral Computed

Inflammatory orofacial pain, in which substance P (SP) plays an important role, is closely related to the cross-talk between trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons and satellite glial cells (SGCs). SGC activation is emerging as the key mechanism underlying inflammatory pain through different signalling mechanisms, including glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) activation, phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathways, and cytokine upregulation. However, in the TG, the mechanism underlying SP-mediated orofacial pain generated by SGCs is largely unknown. In this study, we investigated whether SP is involved in inflammatory orofacial pain by upregulating interleukin (IL)-1β and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α from SGCs, and we explored whether MAPK signalling pathways mediate the pain process. In the present study, complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) was injected into the whisker pad of rats to induce an inflammatory model in vivo. SP was administered to SGC cultures in vitro to confirm the effect of SP. Facial expression analysis showed that pre-injection of L703,606 (an NK-1 receptor antagonist), U0126 (an inhibitor of MAPK/extracellular signal-regulated kinase [ERK] kinase [MEK] 1/2), and SB203580 (an inhibitor of P38) into the TG to induce targeted prevention of the activation of the NK-1 receptor and the phosphorylation of MAPKs significantly suppressed CFA-induced inflammatory allodynia. In addition, SP promoted SGC activation, which was proven by increased GFAP, p-MAPKs, IL-1β and TNF-α in SGCs under inflammatory conditions. Moreover, the increase in IL-1β and TNF-α was suppressed by L703, 606, U0126 and SB203580 in vivo and in vitro. These present findings suggested that SP, released from TG neurons, activated SGCs through the ERK1/2 and P38 pathways and promoted the production of IL-1β and TNF-α from SGCs, contributing to inflammatory orofacial pain associated with peripheral sensitization.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-IMS) can analysis unknown compounds in sections and obtain molecule imaging by scanning biological tissue sections,which has become a powerful tool for the research of biomarker,lipid distribution and drug metabolism,etc.This article reviews the application of this technique in protein identification,clinical application,drug discovery,lipid research and brain injury.

OBJECTIVES: To establish the imaging mass spectrometry for analysis of differentially expressed proteins distribution in the rat brains with diffuse axonal injury （DAI） based on matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight imaging mass spectrometry （MALDI-TOF-IMS）. METHODS: MALDI-TOF-IMS scanning were conducted on the brains of DAI group and control group in the m/z range of 1 000 to 20 000 using AutoflexⅢ MALDI-TOF spectrometer. ClinProTool 2.2 software was used for statistical analysis on the data of two groups, and then the differentially expressed proteins were picked out to conduct imaging. The distribution of the proteins with different m/z in the rat brains was observed. RESULTS: Five proteins with different m/z, including 4 963, 5 634, 6 253, 6 714 and 7 532, differentially expressed in the rat brains with DAI. CONCLUSIONS MALDI-TOF-IMS can be used for studying the differentially expressed proteins in rat brains with DAI and the analysis method is established for exploring the distribution of differentially expressed proteins in the rat brains with DAI using imaging mass spectrometry.
Animals ; Brain/pathology* ; Diffuse Axonal Injury/pathology* ; Proteins/metabolism* ; Proteome/metabolism* ; Proteomics ; Rats ; Software ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization

OBJECTIVE: To establish a diagnostic model for diffuse axonal injury (DAI) by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). To screen the proteins or peptides associated with DAI for providing the biomarkers with theoretic foundation. METHODS: Fifteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into DAI group (n = 10) and control group (n = 5). The protein or peptide expression profiles of rat brain stem were detected by MALDI-TOF-MS. ClinProTools 2.2 software was used to find specific peaks, and a diagnostic model was established by the genetic algorithm. RESULTS: There were significant differences in 61 peaks of DAI group (P < 0.05), 9 peaks were down-regulated and 52 up-regulated. The diagnostic model was established based on 5 different peaks. The specificity and sensitivity of cross validation was 96.14% and 95.98%; while the specificity and sensitivity of blind validation showed was 73.33% and 70.00%, respectively. CONCLUSION A specific and sensitive diagnostic model of DAI can be established by MALDI-TOF-MS to provide a potential value for determining DAI in forensic practice.
Animals ; Biomarkers ; Brain Stem/metabolism* ; Diffuse Axonal Injury/diagnosis* ; Down-Regulation ; Male ; Peptides/blood* ; Proteomics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Software ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization/methods* ; Up-Regulation

A case of a stillbirth with lethal type II osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) was reported. The fetus had skull fractures and craniocerebral injuries during pregnancy. Postmortem multi-sliced computed tomography (MSCT) and 3D-reconstruction were performed, followed by a medico-legal autopsy. The autopsic findings showed the typical features of type II OI, including a soft calvarium, deformed extremities, flexed and abducted hips, and uncommon features, such as white sclera, coxa vara, absence of several bones and organs, a cleft lip, and asymmetric ears. The radiologic images revealed such anomalies and variations as a cleft palate, mandibular dysplasia, spina bifida, costa cervicalis, and fusion of the ribs and vertebrae, which were difficult to detect during conventional autopsy. The paper investigated the classification, causative mutation, cause of death, and the differentiation of OI from child abuse, coming to a conclusion that OI knowledge can be of great importance to forensic pathologists and that the merits of postmortem MSCT should be emphasized in forensic pathologic examinations.
Autopsy ; Child ; Death ; Fatal Outcome ; Female ; Fetus ; Forensic Pathology ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Multidetector Computed Tomography/methods* ; Osteogenesis Imperfecta/physiopathology* ; Pregnancy ; Ribs ; Skull/pathology*

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-IMS) has been a classical technique for studying proteomics in present and a tool for analyzing the distribution of proteins and small molecules within biological tissue sections. MALDI-TOF-IMS can analyze multiple unknown compounds in biological tissue sections simultaneously through a single measurement which can obtain molecule imaging of the tissue while maintaining the integrity of cellular and molecules in tissue. In recent years, imaging mass spectrometry technique develops relatively quickly in all biomedical domain. This paper based on the relevant data and reviews the present developing level of MALDI-TOF-IMS, the principle of imaging mass spectrometry, methology and the prospect in forensic pathology.
Diagnostic Imaging ; Forensic Sciences/methods* ; Humans ; Male ; Proteins ; Proteomics ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization

OBJECTIVE: To explore the application value of multi-slice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) in traffic accidents through observing and analyzing the injury features of the accidents. METHODS: Two fatal cases caused by traffic accidents were fully examined using MSCT, 3D imaging reconstruction and angiography through cardiac puncture. The features of traffic injury mechanism were analyzed through combination of MSCT and postmortem external examination. RESULTS: In case 1, right cardiac rupture was found by MSCT and angiography through cardiac puncture. The cause of death was cardiac tamponade and right ventricular rupture due to the crush injury of chest in the traffic accident. In case 2, splenic rupture and intra-abdominal hemorrhage was found and caused by injury of left trunk by MSCT. The cause of death was hemorrhage and traumatic shock. CONCLUSION MSCT could observe skeletal injury, soft tissue injury, and hematologic disorder well. The combination use of MSCT and angiography through cardiac puncture provided assistance to the diagnosis of cardiovascular system injury.
Accidents, Traffic/mortality* ; Autopsy ; Fatal Outcome ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional/methods* ; Multidetector Computed Tomography/methods* ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; Wounds and Injuries/pathology*

Postmortem chemistry is becoming more and more essential in routine forensic pathology and has made considerable progress over the past years. Biochemical analyses of vitreous humor, blood, urine and cerebrospinal fluid may provide important information in determining the cause of death or in elucidating forensic issues. Postmortem chemistry may be essential for the determination of cause of death when morphological methods (diabetes mellitus, alcoholic ketoacidosis and electrolytic disorders) cannot detect the pathophysiological changes involved in the death process. It can also provide many information in other forensic situations, including myocardial ischemia, sepsis, inflammation, infection, anaphylaxis and hormonal disturbances. The most recent relevant research advances on glucose metabolism, liver function, cardiac function, renal function, sepsis, inflammation, infection, anaphylaxis and hormonal aspect are hereby reviewed.
Anaphylaxis ; Autopsy/trends* ; Biomarkers/analysis* ; Body Fluids/chemistry* ; Death ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Forensic Pathology/methods* ; Humans ; Postmortem Changes ; Sepsis ; Vitreous Body

Karoshi remains one of the most troublesome issues in forensic identification. It is rather a social medicine than a clinical disease. Japanese scholars pioneered examining the relation between sud- den cardiac death (SCD) and chronic fatigue from long time and/or high-tension work. In the current case, a 55-year-old man, whose job was loading and carrying heavy cement bags, was found dead after 11 days of continuous hard work. His family members sued the cement factory for his death and claimed for compensation. The problem was the difficulty of identifying the causative relation without the precedent or the relevant regulations. However, the forensic problems were finally acknowledged after autopsy and calculation of labor intensity. The lawsuit was won as the first case pertaining to Karoshi in the Chinese court.
Autopsy ; Death, Sudden, Cardiac/etiology* ; Fatigue/mortality* ; Forensic Pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Workload/legislation & jurisprudence*