Anaphylactic deaths: A retrospective study of forensic autopsy cases from 2009 to 2019 in Shanghai, China.

Anaphylaxis is a rare but well-known cause of sudden unexpected death, although data from forensic autopsies in anaphylactic deaths are limited. Herein, a retrospective study of a series of allergic deaths from 2009 through 2019 in Shanghai, China, was conducted to investigate the demographic, medical, and forensic pathological characteristics of fatal anaphylaxis to improve medicolegal understanding on anaphylactic death. Sixty-two autopsy cases of anaphylactic death were registered in this study. Males dominated the cases (74.2%) against females (25.8%), with an average age of 38.8 years. Medications (98.4%), particularly antibiotics (72.6%), were the most frequent cause of anaphylaxis, and 44 cases (71.0%) occurred in clinics administered illegally by unlicensed clinicians. The anaphylactic symptoms began within a few minutes to less than 1 h in 53 cases, with dyspnea (56.5%) and sudden shock (46.8%) being the most common clinical signs. Thirty cases (48.4%) of anaphylaxis resulted in death within 1 h. Laryngeal edema and multiple tissue eosinophil infiltration (85.5%) were the most prevalent autopsy findings, followed by pulmonary edema and congestion (24.2%), which were considered to be non-specific but suggestive. The comorbidities were mainly cardiovascular disease (33.9%), pneumonia (8.1%) and asthma (8.1%). Serum IgE were measured in 11 of 62 cases, ranging from 43.3 to 591 IU/ml, severed as a helpful marker. Therefore, we suggested a thorough analysis of allergen exposure, clinical history and autopsy findings is required for the diagnosis of anaphylactic death currently.

Sex Estimation of Han Adults in Western China Based on Three-Dimensional Cranial CT Reconstruction.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the reliability and accuracy of Walker's model for estimating the sex of Han adults in western China by using cranium three-dimensional (3D) CT reconstruction, and to study the suitable cranial sex estimation model for Han people in western China. METHODS: A total of 576 cranial CT 3D reconstructed images from Hanzhong Hospital in Shaanxi Province from 2017 to 2021 were collected. These images were divided into the experimental group with 486 samples and the validation group with 90 samples. Walker's model was used by observer 1 to estimate the sex of experimental group samples. The logistic function applicable to Han people in western China was corrected by observer 1. The 90 samples in the validation group were scored and substituted into the modified logistic function to complete the back substitution test by observer 1, 2 and 3. RESULTS: The accuracy of sex estimation of Han adults in western China was 63.2%-77.2% by applying Walker's model. The accuracy of modified logistic function was 82.9%. The accuracy of sex estimation through back substitution test by 3 observers was 75.6%-91.1%, with a Kappa value of 0.689 (P<0.05) for inter-observer consistency and 0.874 (P<0.05) for intra-observer consistency. CONCLUSIONS: There are great differences in bone characteristics among people from different regions. The modified logistic function can achieve higher accuracy in Han adults in western China.

[Progress on Diatom Test in Drowning Cases].

In drowning cases, it is difficult to judge whether the deceased died from drowning or throwing into the water after killed or identificate the cause of death of the decomposed corps in forensic practices. The diatom test is still considered as the important assistant evidence in drowning cases. This paper reviews research progress on technologies in recent years of forensic diatom test, and the application value of the new developing approach in the field of forensic medicine.

Trinitromethyl/trinitroethyl substituted CL-20 derivatives: structurally interesting and remarkably high energy.

A series of trinitromethyl/trinitroethyl substituted derivatives of 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazatetracyclo[5,5,0, 0(3.11),0(5.9)] dodecane (CL-20) were designed and investigated by theoretical methods. Intramolecular interactions between the trinitromethyl/trinitroethyl and the cage were investigated. The effects of trinitromethyl/trinitroethyl groups on stability of the parent compound are discussed. The results reveal a mutual influence of bond length and dihedral angle between the trinitromethyl and the cage. Compared to CL-20, the sensitivity of derivatives is barely affected. Properties such as density, heat of formation and detonation performance of these novel compounds were also predicted. The introduction of the trinitromethyl group can significantly enhance the oxygen balance, density and detonation properties of the parent compound. The remarkable energy properties make these novel cage compounds competitive high energy density materials.

1,1'-Azobis-1,2,3-triazole: a high-nitrogen compound with stable N8 structure and photochromism.

Treatment of 1-amino-1,2,3-triazole with sodium dichloroisocyanurate led to isolation of 1,1'-azobis-1,2,3-triazole, which was well characterized. Its structure was determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis, and its thermal stability and photochromic properties were investigated.

[Legal-medical analysis of 147 homicidal cases].

147 homicidal cases were studied through case status, scene investigation, and postmortem examination. Its characters were then concluded for reference of detection in homicidal scene.