Knowledge mapping and global trends of drug hypersensitivity from 2013 to 2023: A bibliometric analysis.

BACKGROUND: Drug hypersensitivity is a major global public health issue with a significant increase in prevalence in populations. Here, we provide a deep insight into the frontier hotspot and future direction in the field of drug hypersensitivity. METHODS: A knowledge map is portrayed based on publications related to drug hypersensitivity from Web of Science Core Collection using CiteSpace. Co-occurrence relationships of countries, institutes, authors, journals, references, and keywords are constructed. According to the co-occurrence relationships, hotspots and future trends are overviewed. RESULTS: The United States ranked first in the world and China with the second highest publications was the only developing country. Torres, Mayorga, and Blanca were highly productive authors. Harvard University was the institution with the most research publications. Keywords co-occurrence analysis suggested applications in emerging causes, potential mechanisms, and clinical diagnosis as the research hotspots and development frontiers. CONCLUSION: Research on drug hypersensitivity is in a rapid development stage and an emerging trend in reports of anaphylaxis to polyethylene glycols is identified. Developing algorithms for understanding the standardization process of culprit drugs, clinical manifestations, and diagnostic methods will be the focus of future direction. In addition, a better understanding of the mechanisms to culprit drugs with immunological precise phenotypic definitions and high-throughput platforms is needed.

Visualization Analysis of Artificial Intelligence Literature in Forensic Research.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the literature on artificial intelligence in forensic research from 2012 to 2022 in the Web of Science Core Collection Database, to explore research hotspots and developmental trends. METHODS: A total of 736 articles on artificial intelligence in forensic medicine in the Web of Science Core Collection Database from 2012 to 2022 were visualized and analyzed through the literature measuring tool CiteSpace. The authors, institution, country (region), title, journal, keywords, cited references and other information of relevant literatures were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 736 articles published in 220 journals by 355 authors from 289 institutions in 69 countries (regions) were identified, with the number of articles published showing an increasing trend year by year. Among them, the United States had the highest number of publications and China ranked the second. Academy of Forensic Science had the highest number of publications among the institutions. Forensic Science International, Journal of Forensic Sciences, International Journal of Legal Medicine ranked high in publication and citation frequency. Through the analysis of keywords, it was found that the research hotspots of artificial intelligence in the forensic field mainly focused on the use of artificial intelligence technology for sex and age estimation, cause of death analysis, postmortem interval estimation, individual identification and so on. CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to pay attention to international and institutional cooperation and to strengthen the cross-disciplinary research. Exploring the combination of advanced artificial intelligence technologies with forensic research will be a hotspot and direction for future research.

A preliminary study characterizing temporal changes in soil bacterial communities after dismembered bones were buried.

Determining the burial time of skeletal remains is one of the most important issues of forensic medicine. We speculated that the microbiome of gravesoil may be a promising method to infer burial time by virtue of time-dependent. As we know, forensic scientists have established various models to predict the postmortem interval of a decedent based on the changes in body and soil microbiome communities. However, limited data are available on the burial time prediction for bones, especially dismembered bones. In this exploratory study, we initially conducted 16S rRNA amplicon high-throughput sequencing on the burial soil of 10 porcine femurs within a 120-day period and analyzed the changes in soil microbial communities. Compared with the control soil, a higher Shannon index in the microbial diversity of burial soil containing bones was observed. Correlation analysis identified 61 time-related bacterial families and the best subset selection method obtained best subset, containing Thermomonosporaceae, Clostridiaceae, 0319-A21, and Oxalobacteraceae, which were used to construct a simplified multiple linear regression model with a mean absolute error (MAE) of 56.69 accumulated degree day (ADD). An additional random forest model was established based on indicators for the minimum cross-validation error of Thermomonosporaceae, Clostridiaceae, 0319-A21, Oxalobacteraceae, and Syntrophobacteraceae, with an MAE of 55.65 ADD. The produced empirical data in this pilot study provided the evidence of feasibility that the microbial successional changes of burial soil will predict the burial time of dismembered bones and may also expand the current knowledge of the effects of bone burial on soil bacterial communities.

DNA methylation profiling reveals potential biomarkers of ß-lactams induced fatal anaphylactic shock.

Anaphylaxis is a serious reaction of systemic hypersensitivity with that rapid onset and sudden death. Drug hypersensitivity, particularly induced by ß-lactams, is one of the most frequent causes of anaphylaxis in adults. But identification of anaphylactic shock, in forensic sciences recently, is difficult, because it mainly depends on nonspecific characteristic morphological changes, as well as exclusion and circumstantial evidence. Here, we detected DNA methylation signatures of ß-lactams-induced fatal anaphylactic shock with the Illumina Infinium Human Methylation EPIC BeadChip, to screen potential forensic biomarkers and reveal the molecular mechanisms of drug-induced anaphylaxis with fatal shock and sudden death. Our results indicated that DNA methylation was associated with ß-lactams-induced fatal anaphylactic shock, in which the hypomethylation played a vital role. We found that 1459 differentially methylated positions (DMPs) were mainly involved in ß-lactams-induced fatal anaphylactic shock by regulating MAPK and other signaling pathways. 18 DNA methylation signatures that could separate ß-lactams-induced anaphylactic shock from healthy individuals were identified. The altered methylation of DMPs can affect the transcription of corresponding genes and promote ß-lactams-induced fatal anaphylactic shock. The results suggest that DNA methylation can detect forensic identification markers of drug-induced anaphylaxis with fatal shock and sudden death, and it is an effective method for the forensic diagnosis.

Characterization of global research trends and prospects on sudden coronary death: A literature visualization analysis.

Background: Sudden coronary death is a major global public health issue that has a significant impact on both individuals and society. Nowadays, scholars are active in sudden coronary death all over the world. However, no relevant bibliometric studies have been published. Here, we aim to gain a better understanding the current state of research and to explore potential new research directions through bibliometric analysis. Methods: Articles and reviews on sudden coronary death from 2012 to 2023 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC). The topic search was conducted using the following keywords: ((("sudden cardiac death" OR "sudden death") AND (coronary OR "myocardial infarction")) OR "sudden coronary death"). Knowledge maps of authors, countries, institutions, journals, keywords, and citations were conducted by CiteSpace. Publication dynamics, hotspots, and frontiers were analyzed independently by authors. Results: A total of 2914 articles were identified from January 1, 2012 to June 20, 2023. The USA (n = 972) contributed the greatest absolute productivity and UK (centrality = 0.13) built a robust global collaboration. Harvard University was the institution with the highest number of publications (n = 143). Huikuri HV and Junttila MJ were the most published authors who devoted to searching for biomarkers of sudden coronary death. American Journal of Cardiology was the journal with the most publications, and Circulation was the most cited journal. Left ventricular ejection fraction, society, inflammation, and fractional flow reserve became novel burst words that lasted until 2023. Research on etiology and pathology, role of early risk factors in risk stratification, potential predictive biomarkers and novel measurement methods for the prevention and management of sudden coronary death were identified as the research hotspots and frontiers. Conclusion: Our knowledge and understanding of sudden coronary death have significantly improved. Ongoing efforts should focus on the various etiologies and pathologies of sudden coronary death. Furthermore, a novel sudden coronary death risk model, large-scale population studies, and the rational use of multiple indicators to individualize the assessment of sudden coronary death and other risk factors are other emerging research trends.

Exploration and Practice of the "One Combination, Two Highlights, Three Combinations, Four in One" Innovative Talents Training Mode in Forensic Medicine.

Talent is one of the basic and strategic supports for building a modern socialist country in all aspects. Since the 1980s, the establishment of forensic medicine major and the cultivation of innovative talents in forensic medicine have become hot topics in higher education in forensic medicine. Over the past 43 years, the forensic medicine team of Shanxi Medical University has adhered to the joint education of public security and colleges, and made collaborative innovation, forming a training mode of "One Combination, Two Highlights, Three Combinations, Four in One" for innovative talents in forensic medicine. It has carried out "5+3/X" integrated reform, and formed a relatively complete talent training innovation mode and management system in teaching, scientific research, identification, major, discipline, team, platform and cultural construction. It has made a historic contribution to China's higher forensic education, accumulated valuable experience for the construction of first-class major and first-class discipline of forensic medicine, and provided strong support for the construction of the national new forensic talent training system. The popularization of this training mode is conducive to the rapid and sustainable development of forensic science, and provides more excellent forensic talents for national building, regional social development and the discipline construction of forensic science.

Screening Biomarkers of Sudden Coronary Death Based on mRNA Expression Profile of Rat Myocardial Tissues.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the differential expression of messenger RNA (mRNA) in myocardial tissues of rats with sudden coronary death (SCD), and to provide ideas for the forensic identification of SCD. METHODS: The rat SCD model was established, and the transcriptome sequencing was performed by next-generation sequencing technology. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in myocardial tissues of SCD rats were screened by using the R package limma. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed by using the STRING database and Cytoscape 3.8.2 on DEG, and hub genes were screened based on cytoHubba plug-in. Finally, the R package clusterProfiler was used to analyze the biological function and signal pathway enrichment of the selected DEG. RESULTS: A total of 177 DEGs were associated with SCD and were mainly involved in the renin-angiotensin system and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. The genes including angiotensinogen (AGT), complement component 4a (C4a), Fos proto-oncogene (FOS) and others played key roles in the development of SCD. CONCLUSIONS: Genes such as AGT, C4a, FOS and other genes are expected to be potential biomarkers for forensic identification of SCD. The study based on mRNA expression profile can provide a reference for forensic identification of SCD.

Gene Expression Profiles at Different Time Points after Acute Myocardial Infarction in Mice.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the mRNA differential expressions and the sequential change pattern in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) mice. METHODS: The AMI mice relevant dataset GSE4648 was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). In the dataset, 6 left ventricular myocardial tissue samples were selected at 0.25, 1, 4, 12, 24 and 48 h after operation in AMI group and sham control group, and 6 left ventricular myocardial tissue samples were selected in blank control group, a total of 78 samples were analyzed. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed by R/Bioconductor package limma, functional pathway enrichment analysis was performed by clusterProfiler, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed by STRING database and Cytoscape software, the key genes were identified by Degree topological algorithm, cluster sequential changes on DEGs were analyzed by Mfuzz. RESULTS: A total of 1 320 DEGs were associated with the development of AMI. Functional enrichment results included cellular catabolic process, regulation of inflammatory response, development of muscle system and vasculature system, cell adhesion and signaling pathways mainly enriched in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. The key genes of AMI included MYL7, TSC22D2, HSPA1A, BTG2, NR4A1, RYR2 were up-regulated or down-regulated at 0.25-48 h after the occurrence of AMI. CONCLUSIONS: The functional signaling pathway of DEGs and the sequential expression of key genes in AMI may provide a reference for the forensic identification of AMI.

Mapping the structure of depression biomarker research: A bibliometric analysis.

Background: Depression is a common mental disorder and the diagnosis is still based on the descriptions of symptoms. Biomarkers can reveal disease characteristics for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. In recent years, many biomarkers relevant to the mechanisms of depression have been identified. This study uses bibliometric methods and visualization tools to analyse the literature on depression biomarkers and its hot topics, and research frontiers to provide references for future research. Methods: Scientific publications related to depression biomarkers published between 2009 and 2022 were obtained from the Web of Science database. The BICOMB software was used to extract high-frequency keywords and to construct binary word-document and co-word matrices. gCLUTO was used for bicluster and visual analyses of high-frequency keywords. Further graphical visualizations were generated using R, CiteSpace and VOSviewer software. Results: A total of 14,403 articles related to depression biomarkers were identified. The United States (34.81%) and China (15.68%), which together account for more than half of all publications, can be considered the research base for the field. Among institutions, the University of California, University of London, and Harvard University are among the top in terms of publication number. Three authors (Maes M, Penninx B.W.J.H., and Berk M) emerged as eminent researchers in the field. Finally, eight research hotspots for depression biomarkers were identified using reference co-citation analysis. Conclusion: This study used bibliometric methods to characterize the body of literature and subject knowledge in the field of depression biomarker research. Among the core biomarkers of depression, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), cytokines, and oxidative stress are relatively well established; however, research on machine learning, metabolomics, and microRNAs holds potential for future development. We found "microRNAs" and "gut microbiota" to be the most recent burst terms in the study of depression biomarkers and the likely frontiers of future research.

The Vista of Application of Specific Anaphylaxis Accurate Diagnosis Based on DNA Single-Nucleotide Methylation Sites.

Anaphylaxis has rapidly spread around the world in the last several decades. Environmental factors seem to play a major role, and epigenetic marks, especially DNA methylation, get more attention. We discussed several GEO opening data classifications with TOP 100 specific methylation region values (normalized M-values on line) by machine learning, which are remarkable to classify specific anaphylaxis after monoallergen exposure. Then, we sequenced the whole-genome DNA methylation of six people (3 wormwood monoallergen atopic rhinitis patients and 3 normal-immune people) during the pollen season and analyzed the difference of the single nucleotide and DNA region. The results' divergences were obvious (the differential single nucleotides were mostly distributed in nongene regions but the differential DNA regions of GWAS, on the other hand), which may have caused most single nucleotides to be concealed in the regions' sequences. Therefore, we suggest that we should conduct more "pragmatic" and directly find special single-nucleotide changes after exposure to atopic allergens instead of complex correlativity. It is possible to try to use DNA methylation marks to accurately diagnose anaphylaxis and form a machine learning classification based on the single methylated CpGs.

Temporal changes in Egr-1 and c-fos expression in rat models of myocardial ischemia.

BACKGROUND: The pathological diagnosis of sudden cardiac death caused by myocardial ischemia is a difficult problem. Relevant evidence shows that the expression of Egr-1 and c-fos undergo changes in the early stage of myocardial ischemia, but the detailed temporal variation of them is not clear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to observe the temporal changes in mRNA and protein expression of Egr-1 and c-fos in ischemic myocardium in rats. METHODS: Sixty-six Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the control group, the early myocardial ischemia (EMI) group, the sham operated group and the allergy group. The EMI rats were further divided into eight subgroups according to the different time points (30 min and 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 h) after modeling. The mRNA and protein of Egr-1 and c-fos of each group were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry, respectively. RESULTS: In the EMI group, Egr-1 mRNA in ischemic myocardium rose 30 min after ischemia and peaked at 2 h; the plateau was maintained up to 8 h after ischemia, and then returned to the baseline level at 12 h. The c-fos mRNA in ischemic myocardium demonstrated a consistent changing curve with that of Egr-1. The mRNA of Egr-1 and c-fos showed no significant changes in the control group, the sham operated group and the allergy group. Immunohistochemistry showed that Egr-1 protein in the myocardial ischemic area was slightly positive 30 min after ischemia, and then strongly positive at 4 and 8 h, decreased at 12 h, and was negative at 24 h. The changing trends of c-fos protein were almost the same as that of Egr-1. Immunohistochemistry of Egr-1 and c-fos protein were all negative in the control group, the sham operated group and the allergy group. CONCLUSIONS: The mRNA and protein expression of Egr-1 and c-fos presented rapid and temporal changes after myocardial ischemia, and this may be helpful in distinguishing sudden death induced by myocardial ischemia from that of allergy.

A SNaPshot assay for detection of 45 mutations in the SCN5A gene in the Chinese Han Population.

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) occurs frequently in forensic practice and results in no visible pathological changes that can be detected in an autopsy. In recent years, the genetic background has been emphasized when examining SCD cases. The aim of this study is to establish a feasible system to detect SCD-related genes for forensic DNA laboratories. Forty-five reported SCD-associated SNPs from sodium voltage-gated channel alpha subunit 5 (SCN5A) were considered in our experiment. We established a SNaPshot assay for the typing of 45 SNPs using multiplex PCR and the minisequencing technique. Two multiplex PCRs were performed and optimized to cover 14 and 16 DNA fragments. The SCD victims came from the Chinese Han population residing in Shanxi and Chongqing provinces and were examined and compared with a non-SCD group and with normal healthy individuals. A missense mutation at rs1805124 (H558R) was detected in the Chinese Han population in this study. A SNaPshot assay can be performed in any forensic DNA laboratory and would be capable of meeting the increasing demand for SCD detection. This method would also be beneficial for screening at-risk in family members of SCD victims.

Non-ionic iodinated contrast media related immediate reactions: A mechanism study of 27 patients.

The underlying mechanism of non-ionic iodinated contrast media-related immediate reactions was evaluated in this study. Patients presenting at least grade II immediate reactions after non-ionic iodinated contrast media injection were enrolled. Basophil activation was evaluated by flow cytometry. The plasma concentration of human terminal complement complex SC5b-9, as well as concentrations of serum chymase, tryptase, human mast cell carboxypeptidase A3, human prostaglandin D2, and total IgE were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The basophil activation percentage was significantly higher in the study group than in the control group (17.94±21.06% vs 3.45±1.49%). The plasma concentration of human terminal complement complex SC5b-9 and concentrations of serum chymase, human mast cell carboxypeptidase A3, prostaglandin D2, tryptase, and total IgE were also significantly increased (236.99±318.21 vs 49.70±30.41ng/mL, 0.41±0.49 vs 0.09±0.06ng/mL, 1.17±0.67 vs 0.30±0.17ng/mL, 203.52±137.27 vs 102.28±48.72pg/mL, 3.81±0.22 vs 2.70±0.16ng/mL, 102.00±51.84 vs 19.97±2.75ng/mL, respectively). Both mast cells and basophils were activated in non-ionic iodinated contrast media to mediate immediate hypersensitivity, and mast cells may be involved. Different mechanisms, including IgE-dependent, complement-dependent, and direct membrane effects, contributed to mast cell and basophil activation. Individual patients may use a single or combined mechanism involving single or combined mast cells and basophils. Immediate reactions following non-ionic iodinated contrast media injection may be a mechanically heterogenous disease.

Mast Cell Tryptase Contributes to Pancreatic Cancer Growth through Promoting Angiogenesis via Activation of Angiopoietin-1.

Pancreatic cancer is a highly lethal malignancy and one of the leading causes of cancer-related death. During the development and progression of cancer, tumor angiogenesis plays a crucial role. A great deal of evidence has revealed that human mast cells (MCs) contributed to tumor angiogenesis through releasing several pro-angiogenetic factors, among which tryptase is one of the most active. However, the role of mast cell tryptase (MCT) in human pancreatic cancer angiogenesis is still not well documented. In this study, we examined the MCT levels in serum from pancreatic cancer patients and evaluated the correlationship of the MCT level and tumor angiogenesis. In addition, the effect of MCT on endothelial cell proliferation and tube formation was investigated both in vitro and in nude mice bearing pancreatic tumor. It was found that MCT contributes to endothelial cell growth and tube formation via up-regulation of angiopoietin-1 expression. Moreover, using the MCT inhibitor nafamostat, tryptase-induced angiogenesis was obviously suppressed both in vitro and in vivo. Our findings suggest that MCT plays an important role in pancreatic cancer angiogenesis and tumor growth via activating the angiopoietin-1 pathway, and tryptase inhibitors may be evaluated as an effective anti-angiogenetic approach in pancreatic cancer therapy.

Mast cell tryptase and carboxypeptidase A expression in body fluid and gastrointestinal tract associated with drug-related fatal anaphylaxis.

AIM: To investigate the expression of mast cell tryptase and carboxypeptidase A in drug-related fatal anaphylaxis. METHODS: The expression of mast cell tryptase and carboxypeptidase A in 15 autopsy cases of drug-related fatal anaphylaxis and 20 normal autopsy cases were detected. First, the expression of mast cell tryptase was determined in stomach, jejunum, lung, heart, and larynx by immunofluorescence. Different tissues were removed and fixed in paraformaldehyde solution, then paraffin sections were prepared for immunofluorescence. Using specific mast cell tryptase and carboxypeptidase A antibodies, the expression of tryptase and carboxypeptidase A in gastroenterology tract and other tissues were observed using fluorescent microscopy. The postmortem serum and pericardial fluid were collected from drug-related fatal anaphylaxis and normal autopsy cases. The level of mast cell tryptase and carboxypeptidase A in postmortem serum and pericardial fluid were measured using fluor enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (FEIA) and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assay. The expression of mast cell tryptase and carboxypeptidase A was analyzed in drug-related fatal anaphylaxis cases and compared to normal autopsy cases. RESULTS: The expression of carboxypeptidase A was less in the gastroenterology tract and other tissues from anaphylaxis-related death cadavers than normal controls. Immunofluorescence revealed that tryptase expression was significantly increased in multiple organs, especially the gastrointestinal tract, from anaphylaxis-related death cadavers compared to normal autopsy cases (46.67 ± 11.11 vs 4.88 ± 1.56 in stomach, 48.89 ± 11.02 vs 5.21 ± 1.34 in jejunum, 33.72 ± 5.76 vs 1.30 ± 1.02 in lung, 40.08 ± 7.56 vs 1.67 ± 1.03 in larynx, 7.11 ± 5.67 vs 1.10 ± 0.77 in heart, P < 0.05). Tryptase levels, as measured with FEIA, were significantly increased in both sera (43.50 ± 0.48 µg/L vs 5.40 ± 0.36 µg/L, P < 0.05) and pericardial fluid (28.64 ± 0.32 µg/L vs 4.60 ± 0.48 µg/L, P < 0.05) from the anaphylaxis group in comparison with the control group. As measured by ELISA, the concentration of carboxypeptidase A was also increased more than 2-fold in the anaphylaxis group compared to control (8.99 ± 3.91 ng/mL vs 3.25 ± 2.30 ng/mL in serum, 4.34 ± 2.41 ng/mL vs 1.43 ± 0.58 ng/mL in pericardial fluid, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Detection of both mast cell tryptase and carboxypeptidase A could improve the forensic identification of drug-related fatal anaphylaxis.

[Diagnostic Significance of BAT in Anaphylaxis to Non-ionic Contrast Media].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the diagnostic significance of basophil activation test (BAT) in anaphylaxis to non-ionic contrast media through testing the content of CD63, mast cell-carboxypeptidase A3 (MC-CPA3), and terminal complement complex SC5b-9 of the individuals by testing their levels in the normal immune group and the anaphylaxis groups to ß-lactam drugs and non -ionic contrast media. METHODS: The CD63 expression of basophilic granulocyte in blood was detected by flow cytometry. The levels of MC-CPA3 in blood serum and SC5b-9 in blood plasma were detected by ELISA. RESULTS: The CD63 expression of basophilic granulocyte in blood, the levels of MC-CPA3 and SC5b-9 of anaphylaxis to non-ionic contrast media and ß-lactam drugs were significantly higher than that in normal immune group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There is activation of basophilic granulocytes, mast cells and complement system in anaphylaxis to non-ionic contrast media. BAT can be used to diagnose the anaphylaxis to non-ionic contrast media.

Relative Expression of Indicators for Wound Age Estimation in Forensic Pathology.

OBJECTIVE: In order to understand which kind of function genes play an important role for estimating wound age, the variation of difference genes' mRNA expression were compared after injury. METHODS: The mRNA expression levels of seven candidate genes (ICAM-1, NF-κB, MX2, MT1, MT2, sTnI, and Cox6c) were analyzed in contused rat skeletal muscle at different time points using real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). The raw Ct values were normalized relative to that of RPL32 mRNA, and converted to standard Ct values. At each time point after injury, the standard deviations (SD) of the standard Ct values were calculated by SPSS. RESULTS: The expression trends of the seven genes were all found to be related to wound age, but there were lower variation coefficients and greater reliability of s TnI and Cox6c when compared with other genes. CONCLUSION: The genes encoding structural proteins or proteins that perform basic functions can be suitable for wound age estimation.

[Analysis of 105 Incarcerated Inmate's Death].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the characteristics in the incarcerated inmate's death, investigate the main cause of death of the incarcerated inmate and provide some information for forensic investigation. METHODS: The cases from the forensic medical center of Shanxi Medical University from 2005 to 2013 were selected. The statistical analysis was performed by using the incarcerated inmate's gender, age, cause of death, manner of death, and disease as the markers. RESULTS: There were 100 men, 5 women in the 105 incarcerated inmates; the age range was from 16 to 65 years; Inmates were mostly died of natural diseases, mainly in the respiratory and cardiovascular diseases; the main unnatural death was suicide with a rate of 54.5%. CONCLUSION: At present, most incarcerated inmate's death are due to natural diseases. The prison should improve incarcerated inmate's lives, work and health care conditions, and strengthen supervision of law enforcement.

Time-dependent expression of SNAT2 mRNA in the contused skeletal muscle of rats: a possible marker for wound age estimation.

To estimate the age of skeletal muscle contusion, the expression of SNAT2 mRNA in contused skeletal muscle of rats was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In total, 78 Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into control and contusion groups. At 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, and 48 h (n = 6) after contusion, the rats were sacrificed with a lethal dose of pentobarbital. Another 24 rats received contusion injuries at 6, 12, 18, and 24 h (n = 6) after death. Total RNA was isolated from muscle specimens using the TRIzol reagent and reverse-transcribed into first-strand cDNA. Sequence-specific primers and TaqMan fluorogenic probes for SNAT2 mRNA and RPL13 mRNA were designed using the AlleleID 6 software, and the expression levels of SNAT2 mRNA were determined by real-time PCR. At 4, 16, 20, and 24 h after contusion, expression levels of SNAT2 mRNA normalized to RPL13 mRNA increased by 2.07 (P < 0.05), 2.53 (P < 0.05), 2.68 (P < 0.05), and 2.06 fold (P < 0.05) respectively, versus that in the control group. However, there was no significant change in the expression level of SNAT2 mRNA from 24 to 48 h (P > 0.05) after contusion, when normalized to RPL13 mRNA. There was no change in the expression level of SNAT2 mRNA between the normal skeletal muscle from the left limb of the same injured rat and the control. Also, no degradation of SNAT2 mRNA was detected in the postmortem samples (P > 0.05). This result suggests that the determination of SNAT2 mRNA levels by real-time PCR may be useful for estimating wound age.

[Changes of prostaglandin D2,carboxypeptidase A3 and platelet activating factor in guinea pig in anaphylactic shock].

OBJECTIVE: To detect the changes of leukotriene E4(LTE4), prostaglandin D2(PGD2), carboxypeptidase A3(CPA3) and platelet activating factor (PAF) in guinea pigs died from anaphylactic shock. METHODS: Guinea pigs were used for establishing anaphylactic shock models. The levels of LTE4, PGD2 and CPA3, and PAF were detected in urine, plasma, and brain tissues with ELISA kit, respectively. The significant biomarkers were selected comparing with control group. The changes of PGD2, CPA3 and PAF in the guinea pigs at time zero, 12 and 24 hours after death were observed and compared respectively. The effect of platelet activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) to PAF in guinea pig brain was examined and compared. RESULTS: There were no statistically differences of LTE4 levels in urine observed between experimental group and control group. The levels of CPA3, PGD2 and PAF in the experimental group were significantly higher than that in the control group at 0 h. The levels of PAF at 12 and 24 hours after anaphylactic shock were significantly higher than that in the control group. The levels of PAF decreased significantly after pretreatment with PAF-AH. CONCLUSION: LTE4 in urine cannot be selected as a biomarker to determine the anaphylactic shock. PGD2 and CPA3 in plasma, and PAF in brain tissue may be used as biomarkers to determine the anaphylactic shock. PAF-AH may be potentially useful for clinical treatment of anaphylactic shock.