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Hu Y, Han L, Zhang H, Li W, Wu T, Ma J, Zhang D, Ma K, Xiao B, Yu Y, Xu H, Tian L, Liao X, Chen L. The down-regulation of STC2 mRNA may serve as a biomarker for death from mechanical asphyxia. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2024; 67:102382. [PMID: 38159418 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2023.102382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Death from mechanical asphyxia (DMA) is a common cause of death in forensic pathology. However, due to the lack of biomarkers, the authentication of DMA now relies on a series of non-specific signs, which may cause troubles in the judicial trials, especially when the criminal scene is not fully elucidated. To search for the potential biomarkers for DMA, brain samples of DMA and craniocerebral injury groups were screened by microarray. The obtained mRNAs were validated by animal and human samples. Primary cell culture was conducted to explore the biochemical changes under hypoxia. 415 differentially expressed mRNAs between two groups were discovered. Ten mRNAs were examined in both human and animal samples died of different causes of death. Stanniocalcin-2 (STC2) showed significant down-regulation in DMA samples compared to other groups, regardless of PMI, age, or temperature. Cellular experiments indicated that ROS level peaked after 15-min-hypoxic culture, when the expression level of STC2 was significant down-regulated simultaneously. The ER-stress-related proteins also showed potential connection with STC2. In general, it is indicated that the down-regulation of STC2 may serve as a biomarker for DMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yikai Hu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Liujun Han
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Heng Zhang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Pathology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Wencan Li
- Institute of Criminal Scientific Technology, Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau Pudong Branch, Shanghai 200125, China
| | - Tianpu Wu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jianlong Ma
- Institute of Criminal Science and Technology, Investigation Department of Shenzhen Municipal Public Security Bureau, Key Laboratory of Forensic Pathology, Ministry of Public Security, Shenzhen 518040, China
| | - Dongchuan Zhang
- Forensic Lab, Criminal Science and Technology Institute, Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau, Shanghai 200082, China
| | - Kaijun Ma
- Forensic Lab, Criminal Science and Technology Institute, Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau, Shanghai 200082, China
| | - Bi Xiao
- Forensic Lab, Criminal Science and Technology Institute, Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau, Shanghai 200082, China
| | - Yangeng Yu
- Institute of Forensic Science, Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department, Key Laboratory of Forensic Pathology, Ministry of Public Security, Guangzhou 510050, China
| | - Hongmei Xu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Lu Tian
- Institute of Criminal Scientific Technology, Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau Pudong Branch, Shanghai 200125, China.
| | - Xinbiao Liao
- Institute of Forensic Science, Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department, Key Laboratory of Forensic Pathology, Ministry of Public Security, Guangzhou 510050, China.
| | - Long Chen
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
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2
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Wang SJ, Liu BR, Zhang F, Su XR, Li YP, Yang CT, Zhang ZH, Cong B. The amino acid metabolomics signature of differentiating myocardial infarction from strangulation death in mice models. Sci Rep 2023; 13:14999. [PMID: 37696922 PMCID: PMC10495377 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41819-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
This study differentiates myocardial infarction (MI) and strangulation death (STR) from the perspective of amino acid metabolism. In this study, MI mice model via subcutaneous injection of isoproterenol and STR mice model by neck strangulation were constructed, and were randomly divided into control (CON), STR, mild MI (MMI), and severe MI (SMI) groups. The metabolomics profiles were obtained by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based untargeted metabolomics. Principal component analysis, partial least squares-discriminant analysis, volcano plots, and heatmap were used for discrepancy metabolomics analysis. Pathway enrichment analysis was performed and the expression of proteins related to metabolomics was detected using immunohistochemical and western blot methods. Differential metabolites and metabolite pathways were screened. In addition, we found the expression of PPM1K was significantly reduced in the MI group, but the expression of p-mTOR and p-S6K1 were significantly increased (all P < 0.05), especially in the SMI group (P < 0.01). The expression of Cyt-C was significantly increased in each group compared with the CON group, especially in the STR group (all P < 0.01), and the expression of AMPKα1 was significantly increased in the STR group (all P < 0.01). Our study for the first time revealed significant differences in amino acid metabolism between STR and MI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song-Jun Wang
- College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, No. 361 Zhongshan East Road, Chang'an District, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, China
| | - Bing-Rui Liu
- College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, No. 361 Zhongshan East Road, Chang'an District, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, China
| | - Fu Zhang
- Forensic Pathology Lab, Guangdong Public Security Department, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Rui Su
- College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, No. 361 Zhongshan East Road, Chang'an District, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, China
| | - Ya-Ping Li
- College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, No. 361 Zhongshan East Road, Chang'an District, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, China
| | - Chen-Teng Yang
- College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, No. 361 Zhongshan East Road, Chang'an District, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, China
| | - Zhi-Hua Zhang
- Department of Science and Education, Hebei Chest Hospital, No. 372 Shengli North Street, Chang'an District, Shijiazhuang, 050041, Hebei, China.
| | - Bin Cong
- College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, No. 361 Zhongshan East Road, Chang'an District, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, China.
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Panwar R, Shekhawat RS, Shukla KK, Rao M, Rathore M, Kanchan T. Quantitative estimation of TNF-α and IL-3 by using ELISA from human lung tissue in fatal asphyxial deaths. J Forensic Leg Med 2023; 98:102559. [PMID: 37453342 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2023.102559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Asphyxia-related deaths have always been a challenging task in the specialty of forensic pathology. Apart from helpful macroscopical signs (e.g., strangulation marks, cyanosis, petechial haemorrhage, and lung edema), recent literature indicates that prolonged asphyxia is sufficient to induce an increase in mast cells (MC). Inflammatory cells migrate from the bone marrow to the lungs, aiding in the diagnosis of fatal asphyxial death. The present study analyzed human lung tissue samples from 90 medico-legal autopsy cases, including 45 asphyxial deaths and 45 controls (non-asphyxial deaths). The cases ranged from 2 to 68 years, with a mean age of 33.23 years. In 90 cases, 74 cases were of males, and 16 were of females. Human lung tissue samples were analyzed by using the sandwich ELISA method. The results indicated a statistically significant increase in TNF-α and IL-3 concentration in fatal asphyxial deaths, including those caused by hanging, drowning, and smothering. Mean ± SD in asphyxial and non-asphyxial cases for the TNF-α and IL-3 concentration statistically analysed. In asphyxial cases, the average IL-3 concentration (Conc.) was 1558.50 ± 350.53 pg/ml, and the average TNF-α concentration (Conc.) was 499.75 ± 479.41 pg/ml. In contrast, in non-asphyxial cases, the average IL-3 concentration (Conc.) was found to be 849.73 ± 484.99 pg/ml, and the average TNF-α concentration (Conc.) was 208.08 ± 81.23 pg/ml. The mean change in IL-3 and TNF-α (Conc.) values are found to significant (<0.01) in asphyxial cases as compared to non-asphyxial cases. The ROC (Receiver operating characteristic curve) analysis revealed that TNF-α (AUC = 0.89) and IL-3 (AUC = 0.87) concentration (conc.) were stronger predictors of asphyxial deaths with an optimal cut-off value of 455.20 pg/ml for TNF-alpha and 1700.62 pg/ml for IL-3 respectively. Our findings imply that mast cells (MC) are critical in fatal hypoxia-related mortality and that TNF-α and IL-3 can be reliable markers for detecting mast cells in asphyxial deaths. It could be very beneficial to forensic pathologists tasked with differentiating fatal asphyxial fatalities from other causes of death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Panwar
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, 342005, India.
| | - Raghvendra Singh Shekhawat
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, 342005, India.
| | - Kamla Kant Shukla
- Department of Trauma and Emergency Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India.
| | - Meenakshi Rao
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India.
| | - Mohini Rathore
- Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India.
| | - Tanuj Kanchan
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, 342005, India.
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Acute or chronic pulmonary emphysema? Or both?-A contribution to the diagnosis of death due to violent asphyxiation in cases with pre-existing chronic emphysema. Int J Legal Med 2021; 136:133-147. [PMID: 34181078 PMCID: PMC8813827 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-021-02619-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The diagnosis of death due to violent asphyxiation may be challenging if external injuries are missing, and a typical acute emphysema (AE) "disappears" in pre-existing chronic emphysema (CE). Eighty-four autopsy cases were systematically investigated to identify a (histo-) morphological or immunohistochemical marker combination that enables the diagnosis of violent asphyxiation in cases with a pre-existing CE ("AE in CE"). The cases comprised four diagnostic groups, namely "AE", "CE", "acute and chronic emphysema (AE + CE)", and "no emphysema (NE)". Samples from all pulmonary lobes were investigated by conventional histological methods as well as with the immunohistochemical markers Aquaporin 5 (AQP-5) and Surfactant protein A1 (SP-A). Particular attention was paid to alveolar septum ends ("dead-ends") suspected as rupture spots, which were additionally analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. The findings in the four diagnostic groups were compared using multivariate analysis and 1-way ANOVA analysis. All morphological findings were found in all four groups. Based on histological and macroscopic findings, a multivariate analysis was able to predict the correct diagnosis "AE + CE" with a probability of 50%, and the diagnoses "AE" and "CE" with a probability of 86% each. Three types of "dead-ends" could be differentiated. One type ("fringed ends") was observed significantly more frequently in AE. The immunohistochemical markers AQP-5 and SP-A did not show significant differences among the examined groups. Though a reliable identification of AE in CE could not be achieved using the examined parameters, our findings suggest that considering many different findings from the macroscopical, histomorphological, and molecular level by multivariate analysis is an approach that should be followed.
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Zhang K, Yan H, Liu R, Xiang P, Deng K, Zhang J, Tuo Y, Wang Z, Huang P. Exploring metabolic alterations associated with death from asphyxia and the differentiation of asphyxia from sudden cardiac death by GC-HRMS-based untargeted metabolomics. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2021; 1171:122638. [PMID: 33744599 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2021.122638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The determination of cause of death is one of the most important tasks in forensic practice. However, asphyxia is a difficult cause of death to determine, especially when the deceased has an underlying disease that can lead to a sudden unexpected death, such as coronary atherosclerotic heart disease (CAHD, which is the leading cause of sudden cardiac death, SCD), because its determination is currently still based on an exclusion strategy. In this study, gas chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS)-based untargeted metabolomics was employed to obtain the pulmonary metabolic profiles of rats who died from asphyxia and SCD. First, fourteen metabolites were identified to investigate the mechanism of death from asphyxia, and we proposed some explanations that may account for these metabolic alterations, including the perturbation of amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, and energy metabolism (TCA cycle). Second, we discovered eight potential biomarkers to differentiate between asphyxia and SCD as the cause of death. The excellent classification performances of the eight individual biomarkers and their combination in fresh lung tissue were observed. Third, we also explored the relative change in the concentration of the eight metabolites and their classification performance in decomposed tissue (at 24 h postmortem). Lactic acid, pantothenic acid, and the combination of the eight biomarkers can be recognized as perfect classifiers to discriminate asphyxia from SCD even when decomposition has occurred. Our results showed that GC-HRMS-based untargeted metabolomics can be used as a promising tool to explore the metabolic alterations of the death process and to determine the cause of death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Zhang
- Department of Forensic Pathology, College of Forensic Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Academy of Forensic Science, Shanghai 200063, China
| | - Hui Yan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Academy of Forensic Science, Shanghai 200063, China
| | - Ruina Liu
- Department of Forensic Pathology, College of Forensic Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Ping Xiang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Academy of Forensic Science, Shanghai 200063, China
| | - Kaifei Deng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Academy of Forensic Science, Shanghai 200063, China
| | - Ji Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Academy of Forensic Science, Shanghai 200063, China
| | - Ya Tuo
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai 201318, China
| | - Zhenyuan Wang
- Department of Forensic Pathology, College of Forensic Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China.
| | - Ping Huang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Academy of Forensic Science, Shanghai 200063, China.
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6
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Zeng Y, Tao L, Ma J, Han L, Lv Y, Hui P, Zhang H, Ma K, Xiao B, Shi Q, Xu H, Chen L. DUSP1 and KCNJ2 mRNA upregulation can serve as a biomarker of mechanical asphyxia-induced death in cardiac tissue. Int J Legal Med 2017. [PMID: 28624985 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-017-1616-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The incidence of death by asphyxia is second to the incidence of death by mechanical injury; however, death by mechanical asphyxia may be difficult to prove in court, particularly in cases in which corpses do not exhibit obvious signs of asphyxia. To identify a credible biomarker of asphyxia, we first examined the expression levels of 47,000 mRNAs in human cardiac tissue specimens from individuals who died of mechanical asphyxia and compared the expression levels with the levels of the corresponding mRNAs in specimens from individuals who died of craniocerebral injury using microarray. We selected 119 differentially expressed mRNAs, examined the expression levels of these mRNAs in 44 human cardiac tissue specimens of individuals who died of mechanical asphyxia, craniocerebral injury, hemorrhagic shock, or other causes. That the expression of dual-specificity phosphatase 1 (DUSP1) and potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily J member 2 (KCNJ2) was upregulated in human cardiac tissues from the mechanical asphyxia group compared with control tissues, regardless of age, environmental temperature, and postmortem interval (PMI), indicating that DUSP1 and KCNJ2 may be associated with mechanical asphyxia-induced death and can thus serve as useful biomarkers of death by mechanical asphyxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zeng
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Schoolof Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, 131 Dongan Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Tao
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Schoolof Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, 131 Dongan Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianlong Ma
- Criminal Investigation Department of Shenzhen Public Security Bureau, Shenzhen Insitute of Criminal Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Liujun Han
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Schoolof Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, 131 Dongan Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Yehui Lv
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Schoolof Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, 131 Dongan Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.,Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, 279 ZhouzhuHwy, Shanghai, 201318, People's Republic of China
| | - Pan Hui
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Schoolof Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, 131 Dongan Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Heng Zhang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Schoolof Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, 131 Dongan Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.,Department of Physiology & Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, 131 Dongan Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Kaijun Ma
- Forensic laboratory, Criminal Science and Technology Institute, Shanghai Public Security Bureau, 803 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200082, People's Republic of China
| | - Bi Xiao
- Forensic laboratory, Criminal Science and Technology Institute, Shanghai Public Security Bureau, 803 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200082, People's Republic of China
| | - Qun Shi
- Forensic laboratory, Criminal Science and Technology Institute, Shanghai Public Security Bureau, 803 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200082, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongmei Xu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Schoolof Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, 131 Dongan Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.
| | - Long Chen
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Schoolof Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, 131 Dongan Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.
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Forensische Molekularpathologie. Rechtsmedizin (Berl) 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s00194-014-0975-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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8
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Maeda H, Ishikawa T, Michiue T. Forensic molecular pathology: its impacts on routine work, education and training. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2014; 16:61-9. [PMID: 24480586 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2014.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2013] [Accepted: 01/07/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The major role of forensic pathology is the investigation of human death in relevance to social risk management to determine the cause and process of death, especially in violent and unexpected sudden deaths, which involve social and medicolegal issues of ultimate, personal and public concerns. In addition to the identification of victims and biological materials, forensic molecular pathology contributes to general explanation of the human death process and assessment of individual death on the basis of biological molecular evidence, visualizing dynamic functional changes involved in the dying process that cannot be detected by morphology (pathophysiological or molecular biological vital reactions); the genetic background (genomics), dynamics of gene expression (up-/down-regulation: transcriptomics) and vital phenomena, involving activated biological mediators and degenerative products (proteomics) as well as metabolic deterioration (metabolomics), are detected by DNA analysis, relative quantification of mRNA transcripts using real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR), and immunohisto-/immunocytochemistry combined with biochemistry, respectively. Thus, forensic molecular pathology involves the application of omic medical sciences to investigate the genetic basis, and cause and process of death at the biological molecular level in the context of forensic pathology, that is, 'advanced molecular autopsy'. These procedures can be incorporated into routine death investigations as well as guidance, education and training programs in forensic pathology for 'dynamic assessment of the cause and process of death' on the basis of autopsy and laboratory data. Postmortem human data can also contribute to understanding patients' critical conditions in clinical management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hitoshi Maeda
- Department of Legal Medicine, Osaka City University Medical School, Asahi-machi 1-4-3, Abeno, 545-8585 Osaka, Japan; Forensic Autopsy Section, Medico-legal Consultation and Postmortem Investigation Support Center (MLCPI-SC), c/o Osaka City University Medical School, Asahi-machi 1-4-3, Abeno, 545-8585 Osaka, Japan.
| | - Takaki Ishikawa
- Department of Legal Medicine, Osaka City University Medical School, Asahi-machi 1-4-3, Abeno, 545-8585 Osaka, Japan; Forensic Autopsy Section, Medico-legal Consultation and Postmortem Investigation Support Center (MLCPI-SC), c/o Osaka City University Medical School, Asahi-machi 1-4-3, Abeno, 545-8585 Osaka, Japan; Division of Legal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, 86 Nishi-cho, Yonago, 683-8503 Tottori, Japan
| | - Tomomi Michiue
- Department of Legal Medicine, Osaka City University Medical School, Asahi-machi 1-4-3, Abeno, 545-8585 Osaka, Japan; Forensic Autopsy Section, Medico-legal Consultation and Postmortem Investigation Support Center (MLCPI-SC), c/o Osaka City University Medical School, Asahi-machi 1-4-3, Abeno, 545-8585 Osaka, Japan
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Shintani-Ishida K, Zhu BL, Maeda H. TaqMan™ fluorogenic detection system to analyze gene transcription in autopsy material. Methods Mol Biol 2014; 1105:117-124. [PMID: 24623223 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-62703-739-6_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Real-time polymerase chain reaction using a TaqMan fluorogenic detection system is a simple and sensitive assay for quantitative analysis of gene transcription. This method is of potential usefulness in quantifying mRNA of a target gene in autopsy material that has undergone only a small amount of postmortem degradation. The TaqMan fluorogenic detection system can monitor PCR in real time using a dual-labeled fluorogenic hybridization probe (TaqMan probe) and a polymerase with 5'-3' exonuclease activity. The procedures of the quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction are as follows: RNA is extracted from autopsy material and used to synthesize cDNA by an RT reaction, and the target of interest is amplified and detected by the real-time PCR. The absolute amount of target mRNA in the sample is then determined relative to a standard curve. This chapter describes the methodology of the TaqMan fluorogenic detection system in handling autopsy material in the gene transcription assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaori Shintani-Ishida
- Department of Legal Medicine, Osaka City University Medical School, Asahimachi 1-4-3, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan,
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10
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Wang Q, Ishikawa T, Michiue T, Zhu BL, Guan DW, Maeda H. Molecular pathology of pulmonary edema in forensic autopsy cases with special regard to fatal hyperthermia and hypothermia. Forensic Sci Int 2013; 228:137-41. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2013.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2012] [Revised: 08/07/2012] [Accepted: 03/04/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Chen JH, Michiue T, Ishikawa T, Maeda H. Pathophysiology of sudden cardiac death as demonstrated by molecular pathology of natriuretic peptides in the myocardium. Forensic Sci Int 2012; 223:342-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2012.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2012] [Revised: 07/13/2012] [Accepted: 10/08/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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12
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Wang Q, Ishikawa T, Michiue T, Zhu BL, Guan DW, Maeda H. Molecular pathology of pulmonary edema after injury in forensic autopsy cases. Int J Legal Med 2012; 126:875-82. [DOI: 10.1007/s00414-012-0758-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2012] [Accepted: 07/31/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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13
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Difference in molecular pathology of natriuretic peptides in the myocardium between acute asphyxial and cardiac deaths. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2012; 14:177-82. [DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2012.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2011] [Revised: 12/02/2011] [Accepted: 01/30/2012] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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14
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Intrapulmonary aquaporin-5 expression as a possible biomarker for discriminating smothering and choking from sudden cardiac death: A pilot study. Forensic Sci Int 2012; 220:154-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2012.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2011] [Revised: 02/01/2012] [Accepted: 02/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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15
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Molecular pathology of natriuretic peptides in the myocardium with special regard to fatal intoxication, hypothermia, and hyperthermia. Int J Legal Med 2012; 126:747-56. [DOI: 10.1007/s00414-012-0732-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2011] [Accepted: 06/12/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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16
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Miyazato T, Ishikawa T, Michiue T, Maeda H. Molecular pathology of pulmonary surfactants and cytokines in drowning compared with other asphyxiation and fatal hypothermia. Int J Legal Med 2012; 126:581-7. [PMID: 22552475 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-012-0698-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2011] [Accepted: 04/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Takako Miyazato
- Department of Legal Medicine, Osaka City University Medical School, Asahi-machi 1-4-3, Abeno, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
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Song HJ, Choi YL, Kang SY, Chae JM. The Effect of Elapsed Time on the Quantity of mRNA in Skin: A Study to Evaluate the Potential Forensic Use of mRNA to Determine the Postmortem Interval. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.7580/koreanjlegmed.2012.36.2.151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hye Jong Song
- Department of Pathology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yoon La Choi
- Department of Pathology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - So Young Kang
- Department of Pathology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jong Min Chae
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
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18
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Pulmonary Collectins in Diagnosis and Prevention of Lung Diseases. ANIMAL LECTINS: FORM, FUNCTION AND CLINICAL APPLICATIONS 2012. [PMCID: PMC7121960 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-7091-1065-2_43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Pulmonary surfactant is a complex mixture of lipids and proteins, and is synthesized and secreted by alveolar type II epithelial cells and bronchiolar Clara cells. It acts to keep alveoli from collapsing during the expiratory phase of the respiratory cycle. After its secretion, lung surfactant forms a lattice structure on the alveolar surface, known as tubular myelin. Surfactant proteins (SP)-A, B, C and D make up to 10% of the total surfactant. SP-B and SPC are relatively small hydrophobic proteins, and are involved in the reduction of surface-tension at the air-liquid interface. SP-A and SP-D, on the other hand, are large oligomeric, hydrophilic proteins that belong to the collagenous Ca2+-dependent C-type lectin family (known as “Collectins”), and play an important role in host defense and in the recycling and transport of lung surfactant (Awasthi 2010) (Fig. 43.1). In particular, there is increasing evidence that surfactant-associated proteins A and -D (SP-A and SP-D, respectively) contribute to the host defense against inhaled microorganisms (see 10.1007/978-3-7091-1065_24 and 10.1007/978-3-7091-1065_25). Based on their ability to recognize pathogens and to regulate the host defense, SP-A and SP-D have been recently categorized as “Secretory Pathogen Recognition Receptors”. While SP-A and SP-D were first identified in the lung; the expression of these proteins has also been observed at other mucosal surfaces, such as lacrimal glands, gastrointestinal mucosa, genitourinary epithelium and periodontal surfaces. SP-A is the most prominent among four proteins in the pulmonary surfactant-system. The expression of SP-A is complexly regulated on the transcriptional and the chromosomal level. SP-A is a major player in the pulmonary cytokine-network and moreover has been described to act in the pulmonary host defense. This chapter gives an overview on the understanding of role of SP-A and SP-D in for human pulmonary disorders and points out the importance for pathology-orientated research to further elucidate the role of these molecules in adult lung diseases. As an outlook, it will become an issue of pulmonary pathology which might provide promising perspectives for applications in research, diagnosis and therapy (Awasthi 2010).
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Maeda H, Ishikawa T, Michiue T. Forensic biochemistry for functional investigation of death: Concept and practical application. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2011; 13:55-67. [DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2010.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2010] [Accepted: 12/23/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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20
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Maeda H, Zhu BL, Ishikawa T, Michiue T. Forensic molecular pathology of violent deaths. Forensic Sci Int 2010; 203:83-92. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2010.07.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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21
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Takahashi H, Ikematsu K, Tsuda R, Nakasono I. Increase in Dual specificity phosphatase 1, TGF-beta stimulated gene 22, domain family protein 3 and Luc7 homolog (S. cerevisiae)-like messenger RNA after mechanical asphyxiation in the mouse lung. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2009; 11:181-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2009.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2008] [Revised: 03/11/2009] [Accepted: 03/12/2009] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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23
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Maeda H, Zhu BL, Ishikawa T, Quan L, Michiue T. Significance of postmortem biochemistry in determining the cause of death. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2009; 11 Suppl 1:S46-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2009.01.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2008] [Accepted: 01/08/2009] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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24
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Zhao D, Ishikawa T, Quan L, Michiue T, Yoshida C, Komatu A, Chen JH, Wang Q, Zhu BL, Maeda H. Postmortem mRNA quantification for investigation of infantile death: A comparison with adult cases. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2009; 11 Suppl 1:S286-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2009.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2008] [Revised: 01/17/2009] [Accepted: 02/04/2009] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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25
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Zhao D, Ishikawa T, Quan L, Michiue T, Zhu BL, Maeda H. Postmortem quantitative mRNA analyses of death investigation in forensic pathology: An overview and prospects. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2009; 11 Suppl 1:S43-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2009.01.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2008] [Accepted: 01/08/2009] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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26
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Differential diagnosis between freshwater drowning and saltwater drowning based on intrapulmonary aquaporin-5 expression. Int J Legal Med 2008; 123:7-13. [DOI: 10.1007/s00414-008-0235-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2008] [Accepted: 03/28/2008] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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27
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Tissue-specific differences in mRNA quantification of glucose transporter 1 and vascular endothelial growth factor with special regard to death investigations of fatal injuries. Forensic Sci Int 2008; 177:176-83. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2007.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2007] [Revised: 10/17/2007] [Accepted: 12/10/2007] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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28
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Zhao D, Zhu BL, Ishikawa T, Li DR, Michiue T, Maeda H. Quantitative RT-PCR assays of hypoxia-inducible factor‐1α, erythropoietin and vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA transcripts in the kidneys with regard to the cause of death in medicolegal autopsy. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2006; 8:258-63. [PMID: 16963303 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2006.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2005] [Revised: 04/06/2006] [Accepted: 05/11/2006] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Accumulating studies demonstrate that the expressions of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1), erythropoietin (EPO) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) depend on cellular oxygen tension, which is involved in the pathological process of tissue hypoxia and/or ischemia. The present study investigated hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha), EPO and VEGF mRNA expressions in the kidney with regard to the cause of death in medicolegal autopsy. Relative quantifications of HIF-1alpha, EPO and VEGF mRNAs, based on real-time TaqMan reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), were performed on tissue specimens obtained from consistent sites of the bilateral renal cortices. The cases (total, n=245, 6-48h postmortem) included fatal blunt/sharp instrument injuries (n=53/31), asphyxia (n=28: aspiration, n=8; strangulation/hanging, n=20), drowning (n=27), fire fatality (n=62), acute myocardial infarction/ischemia (AMI, n=39), and gastrointestinal hemorrhage (n=5). Both HIF-1alpha and EPO mRNA levels were significantly lower in drowning cases. More characteristic findings were found for VEGF mRNA: it showed higher expression levels for AMI, acute blunt/sharp instrument injury, and aspiration, whereas it was lower for neck compression (strangulation/hanging), drowning, fire fatality with higher blood carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels (>60%), peracute blunt injury, and gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Quantitative assays of renal HIF-1alpha, EPO and VEGF mRNA transcripts are potentially useful for investigating the pathophysiology of death, and VEGF mRNA may be especially useful as an indication of acute circulatory failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Zhao
- Department of Legal Medicine, Osaka City University Medical School, Asahi-machi 1-4-3, Abeno, Osaka 545-8585, Japan.
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Zhao D, Zhu BL, Ishikawa T, Quan L, Li DR, Maeda H. Real-time RT-PCR quantitative assays and postmortem degradation profiles of erythropoietin, vascular endothelial growth factor and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha mRNA transcripts in forensic autopsy materials. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2006; 8:132-6. [PMID: 16337823 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2005.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2005] [Revised: 09/12/2005] [Accepted: 09/28/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances in molecular biology have suggested the potential usefulness of mRNA analyses in postmortem investigations of fatal mechanisms. The aim of the present study was to establish quantitative assays of oxygen-regulated factors including erythropoietin (EPO), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF1A) mRNAs, and to investigate the postmortem stability of these mRNA transcripts in forensic autopsy materials. Relative quantification of EPO, VEGF and HIF1A mRNAs, based on the TaqMan reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), was performed on autopsy tissue specimens from the heart (n = 10), brain (n = 10), kidney (n = 16) and lung (n = 8) after preservation at room temperature for various storage times. VEGF and HIF1A mRNA gradually degraded in patterns similar to glyceraldehydes-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) mRNA used as an endogenous reference. Accordingly, the relative quantification of VEGF/GAPDH and HIF1A/GAPDH changed little up to 48h postmortem in tissue samples from the brain, kidney and lung except for a mild deviation of HIF1A in the myocardium. However, the status was different for EPO mRNA, with extraordinary stability for postmortem degradation and a marked postmortem time-dependent increase in the EPO/GAPDH ratio for all tissue samples. The present study suggested the potential for applying quantitative analyses of mRNA transcripts to autopsy materials and indicated the significance of investigating degradation profiles prior to carrying out relative quantification of target mRNAs in autopsy materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Zhao
- Department of Legal Medicine, Osaka City University Medical School, Asahi-machi 1-4-3, Abeno, Osaka 545-8585, Japan.
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30
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Inoue H, Ishida T, Tsuji A, Kudo K, Ikeda N. Electrolyte analysis in pleural effusion as an indicator of the drowning medium. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2005; 7:96-102. [PMID: 15708332 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2004.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2004] [Revised: 09/21/2004] [Accepted: 09/24/2004] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In medico-legal autopsies for drowned bodies, the location of drowning needs to be determined. To investigate the usefulness of electrolyte analysis in pleural effusion as an indicator of the location where the deceased has drowned, we determined the concentrations of electrolytes in the pleural effusion of rats drowned in four kinds of water. The concentrations of sodium and chloride ions in the pleural effusion of rats that drowned in seawater were significantly greater than those of rats that drowned in freshwater at both 1 day and 3 days after drowning. The concentration of potassium ions in pleural effusion 1 day after drowning showed no difference between each group, although it then increased from 1 to 3 days after seawater drowning, whereas it decreased from 1 to 3 days after freshwater drowning. The concentration of total protein in pleural effusion increased from 1 to 3 days after drowning, however, there was no significant difference in the concentration of total protein in pleural effusion between each group at either 1 day or 3 days after drowning. These results suggest that analysis of electrolytes in pleural effusion may be useful for determining whether drowning has occurred in seawater or in freshwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiromasa Inoue
- Department of Forensic Pathology and Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Maidashi 3-1-1, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
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Quan L, Zhu BL, Ishida K, Oritani S, Taniguchi M, Kamikodai Y, Tsuda K, Fujita MQ, Maeda H. Hemorrhages in the root of the tongue in fire fatalities: the incidence and diagnostic value. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2003; 5 Suppl 1:S332-4. [PMID: 12935625 DOI: 10.1016/s1344-6223(02)00164-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Hemorrhages in the root of the tongue have been considered to be a finding associated with asphyxiation. The aim of the present study was to examine the incidence and diagnostic value of the lingual hemorrhages in fire fatalities with reference to the related pathological and toxicological findings, in comparison with asphyxiation and drowning cases. In fire fatalities (n=90), small to marked hemorrhages were observed in 26 cases (28.9%). In the reference groups (asphyxiation and drowning), the hemorrhages were frequently observed in ligature strangulation (n=10/15), manual strangulation (n=5/7) and traumatic asphyxia (n=4/5). In fire fatalities, the hemorrhages were closely associated with a lower blood carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) level, suggesting an influence of fatal burns: n=16/32 (50.0%), n=8/26 (30.8%) and n=2/32 (6.2%), respectively, in cases of COHb<30%, 30-60% and >60%. These findings suggested possible acute hemodynamic disturbance in the head including brain (cranial congestion) in the dying process due to fires. A careful differentiation from neck compression may be necessary in such cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Quan
- Department of Legal Medicine, Osaka City University Medical School, Asahi-machi 1-4-3, Abeno, 545-8585 Osaka, Japan.
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Maeda H, Fujita MQ, Zhu BL, Ishida K, Quan L, Oritani S, Taniguchi M. Pulmonary surfactant-associated protein A as a marker of respiratory distress in forensic pathology: assessment of the immunohistochemical and biochemical findings. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2003; 5 Suppl 1:S318-21. [PMID: 12935621 DOI: 10.1016/s1344-6223(02)00160-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to review the immunohistochemical and biochemical findings with reference to the causes of death in routine casework (total, n=492). In the immunohistochemistry (n=283), an increase in intra-alveolar granular SP-A (SP-A score) was often observed in asphyxiation (n=21/34, 61.8%) and freshwater drowning (n=15/24, 62.5%), and also in fire and methamphetamine (MA) fatalities (n=22/76, 28.9% and n=5/16, 31.3%). Serum SP-A level (n=134) was elevated in acute respiratory distress syndrome and in some cases of drowning, fire and MA fatalities, hyperthermia and chest traumas. A quantitative analysis of SP-A subclass-gene expression (SP-A1/A2 mRNA) in the lung tissue specimens (n=126) revealed an increase in the SP-A1/A2 mRNA ratio in asphyxiation (n=17/21, 80.9%), freshwater drowning (n=7/9, 77.7%), fire and MA fatalities (n=20/35, 57.1% and n=8/10, 80.0%). These findings suggested the usefulness of SP-A as a marker of asphyxiation, respiratory distress and alveolar injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hitoshi Maeda
- Department of Legal Medicine, Osaka City University Medical School, Asahi-machi 1-4-3, Abeno, 545-8585 Osaka, Japan.
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