Application of Chrysomya rufifacies （Diptera, Calliphoridae） to Postmortem Interval Estimation in Southwest China: A Case Report.

ABSTRACT: Insect samples found on human corpses can provide the information important to estimating the minimum postmortem interval （PMImin）. A female cadaver, found in a deserted factory in Chongqing of China, was confirmed as a homicide case after the forensic investigation and autopsy. Determining the time of death was difficult due to the inconsistent degree of decomposition in different parts of the decedent. The insect specimens found on the cadaver were identified to be Chrysomya rufifacies （C. rufifacies, Macquart） by morphology and mitochondrial DNA sequence analysis. The PMImin was estimated to be 452 h, based on the developmental rate of C. rufifacies. The PMImin was estimated successfully to be almost precise, which provided an important entomological evidence for case investigation and suspect prosecution. In so doing, this highlights the usefulness of entomological evidence of specific species in the geographic area for PMI accurate estimation, especially in the case of advanced decomposed corpses.

Pseudohypoparathyroidism 1b: exclusion of parathyroid hormone and its receptors as candidate disease genes.

Pseudohypoparathyroidism 1b (PHP 1b) is characterized by specific resistance of target tissues to PTH, but no mutations in the PTH/PTH-related peptide (PTHrP) receptor gene have been identified. To investigate the basis for defective PTH signaling, we used polymorphic markers in or near the genes encoding PTH and its receptors to perform linkage analysis between these loci and PHP 1b. Two multiplex PHP 1b families (families M and K) were informative for an intragenic polymorphism in exon 13 of the PTH/PTHrP receptor gene detected by PCR amplification and resolved by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. Linkage analysis revealed discordance of the PTH/PTHrP receptor with PHP1b. One PHP 1b kindred (family M) was informative for a intragenic polymorphism in exon 3 of the PTH gene detected by PCR amplification and resolved by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. The PTH gene polymorphism segregation was discordant with PHP 1b. Probands from each family had normal PTH genes by direct sequence analysis. In three PHP 1b kindreds, we analyzed simple sequence polymorphisms in three microsatellite markers flanking the PTH type 2 receptor locus located at 2q33. Linkage analysis demonstrated no linkage. In conclusion, neither the PTH gene nor the PTH receptor genes (type 1 and 2) are linked to PHP 1b.

Prognostic significance of alkaline and acid phosphatase and skeletal scintigraphy in carcinoma of the prostate.

The prognostic significance of skeletal scintigraphy has been reassessed in relation to other tests by extended follow-up of 220 patients. Skeletal metastases increased in prevalence with T stage and were associated with shorter survival irrespective of age. Early disease, a normal acid or alkaline phosphatase at presentation and well differentiated tumours were associated with longer survival. Alkaline phosphatase alone accounted for all of the differences in survival. Scintigraphic change preceded elevation of the prostatic acid phosphatase in 81% of the patients whose initial scintigraphy and prostatic acid phosphatase were normal but who developed evidence of distant metastases on follow-up. The mean interval between scintigraphic conversion and the development of overt symptoms was 5.8 months. Our findings discount the value of skeletal scintigraphy for determining prognosis but do indicate that it is more sensitive than the acid phosphatase in identifying patients before they become symptomatic. Scintigraphy is indicated as a routine staging procedure in all new patients with carcinoma of prostate. In patients with a normal alkaline phosphatase, a baseline and regular follow-up are needed to identify patients likely soon to develop symptoms. If the alkaline phosphatase is elevated at presentation, scintigraphy is necessary to distinguish benign from malignant causes and to determine the extent of skeletal involvement.