Evaluation of the usage of the cervical 7th vertebra in sex estimation with measurements on computerized tomography images.

Sex estimation is the primary step in biological profiling via identification using skeletal elements. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the usefulness of the seventh cervical vertebra for sex estimation. The cervical computed tomography scans of 200 female and 200 male patients aged ≥ 20 years were analyzed. Eight different measurements of the seventh cervical vertebra were performed, including the transverse and anteroposterior diameters of the foramen vertebra, transverse and anteroposterior diameters of the corpus vertebra inferior surface, height of the corpus vertebra, corpus vertebrae-spinous process angle, and height and length of the spinous process. Independent two-sample t-test was performed; significant differences were observed between the sexes in all measurements except corpus vertebrae-spinous process angle. Further, univariate logistic regression analyses revealed that the length of spinous process showed the highest dimorphism. Among the univariate models created, the model obtained using only the length of the spinous process reached an accuracy rate of 80 %. Multivariate logistic regression analysis (via Forward LR Wald) was used for sex estimation with an accuracy of up to 90.8 % (89 % for men and 92.5 % for women). In conclusion, the seventh cervical vertebra is dimorphic in the Turkish population and allows sex estimation with high accuracy rates.

Determination of the effects of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) 1B and ADH1C polymorphisms on alcohol dependence in Turkey.

Alcoholism is a complex genetically influenced disorder which refers to alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence. There are controversial results on the role of gene polymorphisms in alcohol dependence in the literature. Differences in population groups and selective inclusion criteria for alcohol dependence may affect results. In this study, we investigated the role of ADH1B Arg48His (rs1229984) and, ADH1C Ile350Val (rs698) gene polymorphisms in Turkish population. 100 healthy volunteers and 75 patients who were admitted to Ege University Alcohol Dependence Unit enrolled in the study. We found significant increase both in ADH1B (Arg48His) polymorphism Arg allele and Arg/Arg genotype frequency in patients. No profound connection between alcohol dependence and ADH1C Ile350Val gene polymorphism was detected. Alcohol dependence is an important health problem that depends on many genetic and environmental factors but we think that it is possible to interpret genetic risk for developing early diagnostic methods and treatment strategies by comprehensive linkage and association studies.

Incidental Findings on Computerized Tomography Images of Trauma Cases.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of incidental findings (IFs) on computed tomography (CT) scans of trauma admissions, examine associations between IFs and gender and age-groups, and discuss the management strategies. METHODS: The CT reports were retrospectively reviewed to evaluate IFs. Cases were divided into five age-groups (0-19, 20- 39, 40-59, 60-79,≥80). IFs were classified as "Group 1": congenital anomalies that do not require further investigation, non-degenerative/minor degenerative findings; "Group 2": findings that do not require immediate intervention, require outpatient follow-up/in case of symptoms; and "Group 3": findings that require immediate intervention/further investigation. RESULTS: There were 2385 CT scans and 1802 incidental findings (IFs) in 783 trauma cases. CT scans with IFs constituted 50.2%. The percentage of IFs was 75.6% in males and 24.4% in females, and they occurred in 4.8%, 27.6%, 44.3%, 20.9%, and 2.4% of age groups 1 to 5, respectively. Group 1 had 34.6%, group 2 had 54.6%, and group 3 had 10.8% IFs. There was not any significant association between the classification and gender or age-groups. In terms of organs, IFs of the thyroid and gall bladder & bile ducts were significantly higher among females (P=0.044 and P<0.001, respectively), while IFs in the head & neck region were significantly higher in males (P<0.001). Incidental findings in the kidney, liver, adrenal gland, and vascular structures differed significantly across age-groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: There were no significant relationships between the classification of IFs and gender or age-groups. However, the distribution of IFs was significantly associated with gender and age-groups in terms of organs. Healthcare professionals should consider this relationship when following up and treating patients.

Nuclear morphometry in epidermal changes due to electrical current and thermal energy: trial for usage of image analysis in histological sections.

Distinguishing between injuries resulted from electrical current versus thermal energy is not only a difficult, but also a controversial issue in forensic medicine practice.In this study, an electrical current and a cautery were applied to dorsal skins of 10 rats and biopsies were taken from the injured sites as well as normal skin. In the histologic sections; some planimetric variables such as the perimeter, area, diameter equivalent circle, minimum feret, maximum feret, and the circular form factor of the nuclei located in normal and injured epidermis were measured with the aid of the computer-assisted image analysis.When compared with normal skin, all of the variables -nuclear area, perimeter, diameter equivalent circle, minimum feret, maximum feret, and circular form factor seemed to be decreased both in the electrical current- and cautery-applied skin samples.The differences between the variables measured in normal skin and in electrical- or cautery-applied skin samples were statistically significant (P < 0.05). However none of the variables showed any meaningful differences between the electrical- and cautery-applied areas.It was concluded that the nuclear changes due to electrical current and thermal injury are identical and morphometric analysis seems not to make any further contributions in the differentiating from each other. Therefore, conventional and more established methods for detection of metallization would be more effective.

The analysis of hormones and enzymes extracted from endocrine glands of the neck region in deaths due to hanging.

Our study was designed to determine whether the hormone and enzyme levels that we have mentioned in serum specimens can be used in postmortem examinations of the cases of hanging or not. Our research includes the postmortem results of the thyroid tissue pathologic examinations, serum levels of triiodothyronine (fT3), thyroxine (fT4), thyrotropin (TSH), thyroglobulin, parathormone (PTH), calcitonin, and amylase in cases of death due to hanging. The mean of fT3 and thyroglobulin levels were higher in hanging cases than those of sudden death cases. This difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). In our study, we obtained data demonstrating that high postmortem levels of free T3 and thyroglobulin may be indicators of vital reaction in hanging cases. In such cases of death, it seems that applying pressure on the neck region where the thyroid gland is located causes the leakage of thyroglobulin as well as fT3, the active form of the thyroid hormone.

TPH1 A218 allele is associated with suicidal behavior in Turkish population.

BACKGROUND: Serotonergic dysfunction is implicated in depression, psychiatric disorders and suicidal behaviors. The first and rate-limiting step in the synthesis of serotonin is catalyzed by tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) which is encoded by TPH1 and THP2 genes. Genetic association studies have revealed contradictory results about the effect of the TPH1 A218C (rs1800532) polymorphism on suicidal behavior in different populations. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In this study, we investigated A218C polymorphism in 109 suicide attempters and 98 healthy controls. Socio-demographic characteristics of participants were obtained through questionnaire. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood and genotyping was performed by Real Time PCR. Fisher's exact test was used to evaluate the significance of the difference among the independent variables. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was tested using Pearson's goodness-of-fit chi-squared test. RESULTS: The frequency of A allele was significantly higher in suicide attempters than controls (46.33% vs. 35.71%, p=0.0357). However, there were no differences in genotype frequencies of this locus between participants having attempted suicide and controls (p>0.05). Among males, frequencies of CC genotype and C allele were found to be significantly higher in controls (p=0.0125, p=0.0298). With regard to the female subjects and female controls, no significant association was detected between suicidal behavior and genotype/allele frequencies (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results provide evidence that A allele of TPH1 A218C polymorphism may be associated with suicidal behavior in Turkish population.

Watch out for nuts in your travels: an unusual case of drug-facilitated robbery.

Among many methods to facilitate robbery is spiking unsuspected victims' food or beverage with drugs. In this short report, we would like to present a highly unusual and a very creative case of drug-facilitated robbery to highlight the possibility of this type of case in the field of travel safety.

The diagonal ear-lobe crease. As sign of some diseases.

OBJECTIVE: The present study dealt with the question of possible association between the diagonal ear lobe crease (ELC) and diabetes mellitus, hypertension, myocardial infarction, coronary artery diseases. METHODS: The present study was carried out as a field study with the contributions of 6 Primary Health Care Centers in Golbasi, Education and Research Area, Ankara, Turkey in May 2003 June 2003 and includes 3722 individuals (1250 males and 2472 females) of different age groups. From each individual, ELC was graded and a thorough medical history was taken. RESULTS: Ear lobe creases were found more in males and there was a statistically significant positive association between ELC and these diseases in both sexes. CONCLUSION: It was thus thought that ELC could well be included as a valuable sign in diagnosing and screening such diseases.