Immunohistochemical analysis on aquaporin-1 and aquaporin-3 in skin wounds from the aspects of wound age determination.

Immunohistochemical investigation of aquaporin (AQP)1 and AQP3 was performed in human skin wounds obtained from forensic autopsy cases. A total of 55 human skin wounds of different postinfliction intervals were collected as follows: group I, 0-3 days (n = 16); II, 4-7 days (n = 11); III, 9-14 days (n = 16); and IV, 17-21 days (n = 12). In uninjured skin samples, AQP1 and AQP3 could be slightly detected in dermal vessels and keratinocytes, respectively. The percentage of AQP1+ vessels and the number of AQP3+ keratinocytes were apparently elevated in accordance with wound ages. The number of AQP3+ keratinocytes was distinctly evident in groups II and III. Morphometrically, both AQP1+ vessel area and AQP3+ cell number were markedly increased in group II, compared with other three groups. With regard to forensic safety, AQP1+ vessel area of over 5% would imply wound ages of 4-12 days. Moreover, the positive area of > 15% would suggest wound age of 7-10 days. Especially, most samples of skin wounds aged 5-10 days except for only one sample (a 10-day-old wound) showed AQP3+ cell number of > 300, and the remaining other samples had that of < 300. Thus, the AQP3+ cell number of > 300 would indicate wound ages of 5-10 days. Collectively, immunohistochemical analyses of AQP1 and AQP3 in human skin wounds would support the objective accuracy of wound age determination.

Fatal acute intoxication of accidentally ingested nifedipine in an infant - A case report.

A fatal case of acute nifedipine intoxication in a two-year-old boy is presented. The boy accidentally orally ingested an unknown amount of his grandfather's nifedipine (40mg/tablet), mistaking it for a ramune confectionery. Despite intensive medical treatment, his death was confirmed at 31h after the accidental ingestion. The forensic autopsy revealed that there were neither pathological alterations or injuries in all of the organs. Toxicologically, nifedipine could be detected at the concentrations of 0.463, 0.669 and 13.0µg/g in cardiac blood, peripheral blood and stomach contents, respectively. These concentrations were evaluated as fatal levels, and the cause of death was diagnosed as acute nifedipine intoxication. Recently, the number of infants and children who accidentally ingest drugs in the home is increasing. This case report prompts forensic pathologists and toxicologists to emphasize that children are always exposed to the risk of accidental drug ingestion in daily life.