Discussion on Standardization of Forensic Assessment of Olfactory Dysfunction.

ABSTRACT: With the development of society, the improvement of living standards and the advancement of research methods, olfactory function has been paid more and more attention. Therefore, higher requirements for the forensic identification of olfactory function have also been put forward. Standardization construction of forensic medical examination and identification of olfactory dysfunction is urgently needed. Based on a comprehensive review of olfactory function and forensic assessment of olfactory dysfunction, this paper elaborates on problems related to the principles and timing of forensic assessment of olfactory dysfunction, the requirements of identification of traumatic olfactory dysfunction, the subjective and objective methods of examination of olfactory function. Strict control of the above issues is an important mean of standardization of forensic assessment of olfactory dysfunction.

Retrospective Analysis of 24 Cases of Forensic Medical Identification on Traumatic Tympanic Membrane Perforations.

OBJECTIVES: To study the case characteristics of forensic medical identification of traumatic tympanic membrane perforations, and to discuss the key points of forensic medical identification and evaluations methods for tympanic membrane perforations. METHODS: Twenty-four cases of traumatic tympanic membrane perforations accepted by the Academy of Forensic Science during 2017 were retrospectively analysed. The data of perforation size, form, predilection site, healing time and healing mode were evaluated. RESULTS: For the traumatic tympanic membrane perforations, the study showed that the small size of perforation （<1/2 quadrant） with irregular shape was common. The location of perforations was almost on the anterior and inferior quadrant, and centripetal migration healing was common. The healing rate within 6 weeks was up to 90%. CONCLUSIONS: In the identification cases of traumatic tympanic membrane perforations, the key is to determine whether it is traumatic and whether it will heal spontaneously within 6 weeks. It is suggested to check the tympanic membrane weekly by an otic endoscope combined with acoustic impedance measurement at the sixth week, which can improve the accuracy, objectivity and scientificity of the identification.

[Research Progress on Function Evaluation Standard and Method of Lower Extremity Impairment].

The lower extremity impairment can be caused by illness, accident, work-related injury, traffic accident and fighting, etc. The injuries of lower extremity joint, nerve, muscle and tendon may lead to lower extremity dysfunction. So far, there is no unified standard for international and domestic function evaluation of lower extremity impairment, the evaluation standards in the same field are also different, and function evaluation of lower extremity impairment has no complete research system. However, the degree of lower extremity impairment has great influence on personal damage compensation. Therefore, the function evaluation of lower extremity impairment often becomes a dispute issue in forensic medicine identification. This article summarizes the function evaluation standards, methods and status quo of lower extremity impairment, so as to provide a new insight into the research on standardization of lower extremity impairment.

[Research Progress of Olfactory Event-related Potential and Its Forensic Application].

Olfaction is one of the basic feelings, which plays an important role in appetite, warning of danger and emotion regulation, etc. More and more studies have shown that olfactory dysfunction may affect quality of human life. Thus, the attention of olfactory dysfunction is increasing. There are many subjective and objective methods for olfactory function detection, and olfactory event-related potential （OERP） is a more objective method. This article reviews the development, testing and analysing methods and clinical research of OERP, and explores its application prospects in forensic clinical medicine.

Association between C807T(C/T) polymorphism of platelet glycoprotein gene and sensitivity to ischemic stroke: a meta-analysis.

Ischemic stroke can lead to loss of neurologic functions. It occurs due to obstruction in blood supply to the brain. It has been proposed that C807T(C/T) polymorphism within the platelet glycoprotein gene may be associated with density and function of glycoprotein Ia/IIa receptors and contributes to the pathogenesis of thrombotic disease. We assessed the association between C807T(C/T) and risk of ischemic stroke. Databases such as PubMed, Medline, Springer, Elsevier Science Direct, Cochrane Library, Google scholar, Wanfang Data (Chinese), and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI, Chinese) were used to search for relevant studies. We found 16 eligible studies, which totaled to 4897 (case group 2340; control group 2557) participants. Overall, our results showed significant associations between C807T(C/T) polymorphism and risk of ischemic stroke based on T-allele comparisons (T vs C, pooled OR = 0.78, 95%CI = 0.68-0.90, P < 0.01), TT vs CC comparisons (pooled OR = 0.58, 95%CI = 0.42-0.81, P < 0.01), recessive models (TT vs TC + CC, pooled OR = 0.72, 95%CI = 0.59-0.87, P < 0.01) and dominant models (TT + TC vs CC, pooled OR = 0.70, 95%CI = 0.54-0.92, P < 0.05). There was no association in TC vs CC comparisons (pooled OR = 0.81, 95%CI = 0.63-1.04, P > 0.05). Subgroup analyses stratified according to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, sample size, and ethnicity also demonstrated significant associations between the two variables. Therefore, C807T(C/T) polymorphism in the platelet glycoprotein gene may be associated with susceptibility to ischemic stroke, and the T allele at this locus may decrease risk to ischemic stroke.

[Treatment strategies of complex lesions in patients with acute Stanford type A dissection of important branches involvement].

Acute Stanford type A aortic dissection with important branches involved is more complex, could lead to organ malperfusion syndrome even organ failure. The understanding of pathological anatomy, classification, staging, and the pathophysiological change has increasingly mature, but not complete. In addition, the treatment strategy for complex lesions is diversified, some questions may not reach consensus. Fully understanding of the anatomical and pathophysiology is very important for surgeons to choose reasonable treatment strategy. As the rapid development of the basic research, imaging techniques and the concept of surgery procedures, the manage technique of Stanfrod type A dissection and branch vessels at the same time is getting seriously, the related issues also need further discussions.

[Analysis of Relationship between Injury and Disease in 17 Cases of Cervical Trauma with Cervical Vertebra Degeneration].

OBJECTIVES: To study the characteristics of the relationship between injury and disease in forensic identification cases of cervical trauma with cervical vertebra degeneration, and to explore the problems about how to identify the participation rates of injury and disease using the clinical information, forensic examination and imaging examination. METHODS: Seventeen forensic identification cases of cervical trauma with cervical vertebra degeneration were collected. The age distributions, injury formations, injury severities and imaging findings of these cases were analyzed and the relationship between injury and disease was evaluated comprehensively. RESULTS: Middle-aged and elderly were common in 17 cases and every case was involved with intervertebral disc herniation. The main reasons of injuries were hyperextension. The degree of injury severity and vertebra degeneration were graded according to the imaging findings. The participation rates of injury and disease were also calculated comprehensively. CONCLUSIONS: The forensic identification cases of cervical trauma with cervical vertebra degeneration should be evaluated with clinical information, forensic examination and imaging finding.

Autogenous radiocephalic hemodialysis access in patients with small caliber cephalic veins after expansion with a Fogarty catheter.

Autogenous arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the first choice for hemodialysis access in renal failure with uremia. However, AVF cannot be performed in some patients due to small and narrow veins in the forearm. In this study, a Fogarty catheter was used to establish autogenous radiocephalic hemodialysis access in patients with small caliber cephalic veins, and the patency rate and complications of this method were observed. Sixty-seven patients with uremia were divided into a treatment group (40 cases, caliber of cephalic veins<2.5 mm) and a control group (27 cases, caliber of cephalic veins≥2.5 mm). According to ultrasound results, the treatment group received AVF after expansion with a Fogarty catheter, and the control group received traditional AVF. The fistula patency rate and complications were observed during follow-up. All patients were followed up for an average period of 18 months (range=3-36 months). AVF was successfully used in 58 patients for hemodialysis, with primary access failure in 9 cases (5 cases in the treatment group and 4 cases in the control group) due to early thrombosis. The primary and secondary patency rates 12 months after surgery in the treatment group were 64 and 72%, respectively, and those in the control group were 60 and 76%, respectively. Patients with small caliber cephalic veins can be treated with radiocephalic fistula after the caliber of cephalic veins is expanded to more than 2.5 mm with a Fogarty catheter. The long-term patency rate awaits observation in a longer follow-up period.

Comparison of tumor neovasculature-targeted paramagnetic nanoliposomes for MRI in mice xenograft models.

INTRODUCTION: Neovasculature imaging is a promising approach for tumor diagnosis. We constructed tumor neovasculature targeted paramagnetic nanoliposomes with RGD10, F56, and K237 peptides, which can bind to Integrin αvß3 and VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, respectively, and compared their potential value as MRI contrast agents for detecting small tumors in animal models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Peptide-Ahx-palmitic acid conjugate was synthesized using Fmoc solid-phase synthesis chemistry. Targeted paramagnetic nanoliposomes were prepared by the thin film dispersion-sonication method. The tumor signal enhancements of liposome particles were evaluated by MRI in a xenograft mice model. RESULTS: The apparent affinity constants of RGD10, K237, and F56 peptides binding to their cell receptors were 9.15 × 10(7), 6.01 × 10(7), and 3.85 × 10(7) mol/L, respectively. RGD10 and K237 targeted paramagnetic nanoliposomes have shown much greater tumor-specific MRI signal enhancement in xenograft of the nude mice compared to F56 targeted paramagnetic nanoliposome. Tumor signal enhancement rate (SER %) increased 2.21 ± 0.09 and 1.82 ± 0.05 fold, respectively, for RGD10 and K237 compared to non-targeted control in T1 weighted MR image. CONCLUSION: RGD10 and K237 targeted paramagnetic nanoliposomes can be developed as potential tumor-specific MRI contrast agents and are helpful for tumor detection.

MicroRNA-181b expression in prostate cancer tissues and its influence on the biological behavior of the prostate cancer cell line PC-3.

We examined microRNA-181b (miRNA) expression in prostate cancer tissues and its effect on the prostate cancer cell line PC-3. Tissues from 27 cases of prostate cancer and 30 samples of normal human prostate were collected by surgical removal. Total miRNA was extracted, and the relative expression of miR-181b was quantified using RT-PCR. miR-181b ASO was transfected into prostate cancer PC-3 cells. miR-181b expression in transfected and non-transfected cells was measured using RT-PCR. Changes in cell apoptosis were measured using flow cytometry. MTT and cell growth curve methods were used to assess the influence of miR-181b expression on cell proliferation. The changes in cell invasive ability in vitro were detected using the Transwell chamber method. miR-181b was up-regulated in the prostate cancer tissues compared with the normal prostate samples. It was down-regulated after miR-181b ASO transfection into the prostate cancer PC-3 cells. Down-regulation of miR-181b in the PC-3 cell induced apoptosis, inhibited proliferation, and depressed invasion of PC-3 cells in vitro. As miR-181b is over-expressed in prostate cancer, its down-regulation could have potential as gene therapy for prostate cancer by inducing apoptosis, inhibiting proliferation and depressing invasion by cancer cells.

Synthesis and receptor affinities of new 3-quinuclidinyl alpha-heteroaryl-alpha-aryl-alpha-hydroxyacetates.

Five analogues of 3-quinuclidinyl benzilate were prepared in which one phenyl ring was substituted by a heterocycle; a bromine was included on either the remaining phenyl or the heterocycle to provide information relating to the affinity of potential radiohalogenated derivatives. Their affinities for the muscarinic cholinergic receptor were determined. Replacing a phenyl ring with either the 2- or 3-furyl moiety or the 2- or 3-thienyl moiety did not significantly alter the affinity to the muscarinic receptor compared with 3-quinuclidinyl 4-bromobenzilate.

Synthesis and muscarinic cholinergic receptor affinities of 3-quinuclidinyl alpha-(alkoxyalkyl)-alpha-aryl-alpha-hydroxyacetates.

Seven analogues of 3-quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB) in which one phenyl ring was replaced by an alkoxyalkyl moiety were synthesized and their affinities for the muscarinic cholinergic receptor determined. An oxygen in the beta-position of the moiety was not well-tolerated. By contrast, an oxygen in the gamma-position did not change the affinity for the muscarinic receptor. However, when a bromine was placed on the remaining phenyl ring, the affinity was significantly reduced in striking contrast to results obtained on halogenation of QNB.

[Study on T-lymphocyte culture and function of T-lymphocyte subsets in patients with aplastic anemia].

T-lymphocytes form the peripheral blood of 12 patients with aplastic anemia (AA) and 4 patients with aplastic anaemia-paroxysmal hemoglobinuria syndrome (AA-PNH) were cultivated and their subsets were measured by monoclonal antibodies CD4, CD8, CD25 with indirect immunofluorescence technique. Change of the proportion of T-lymphocyte subsets was observed in 5 patients with AA after the mononuclear cells were activated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Its was shown that the number of CFU-T of the patients with AA was apparently decreased in comparison with that of normal controls (P less than 0.05). Disorder of T-lymphocyte subsets took place in patients with AA. The percentages of CD8 and CD25 lymphocytes were increased. The helper: suppressor T-lymphocytes (CD4:CD8) ratio was significantly increased (P less than 0.01). In the cases of AA-PNH, the number of CFU-T was significantly increased (P less than 0.01) and that of T-lymphocyte subsets did not change. The ratio of CD4/CD8 in 5 patients with AA was further decreased after activating mononuclear cells with PHA. These results showed that the increase of T-lymphocytes in patients with AA may account for the low level of CFU-T; the high level of CFU-T in patients with AA-PNH may be related to the multiplication of bone marrow cells. However, there may be a potential disorder of immune system on patients with AA at the same time.

Preparation and properties of (R)-(-)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl- (R)-(+)-alpha-hydroxy-alpha-(4-[125I]iodophenyl)-alpha-phenyl acetate and (R)-(-)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl-(S)-(-)-alpha-hydroxy-alpha- (4-[125I]iodophenyl)-alpha-phenyl acetate as potential radiopharmaceuticals.

rac-4-Nitrobenzilic acid was synthesized and resolved with quinidine and quinine to give the corresponding (R)- and (S)-salts. The resolved diastereomeric salts were converted to (R)- and (S)-4-nitrobenzilic acids and subsequent esterification gave their corresponding ethyl esters. Transesterification with (R)-(-)-3-quinuclidinol afforded (R)-(-)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl-(R)-(+)-alpha-hydroxy-alpha- (4-nitrophenyl)-alpha-phenyl acetate and (R)-(-)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl-(S)-(-)-alpha-hydroxy- alpha-(4-nitrophenyl)-alpha-phenyl acetate. After hydrogenation, the (R,R)- and (R,S)-amines were converted to the respective triazene derivatives. The triazene derivatives reacted with sodium [125I]iodide to give (R)-(-)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl-(R)-(+)- alpha-hydroxy-alpha-(4-[125I]iodophenyl)-alpha-phenyl acetate and (R)-(-)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl-(S)-(-)-alpha-hydroxy- alpha-(4-[125I]iodophenyl)-alpha-phenyl acetate. The evaluation of their affinities to muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (MAcChR) shows that (R)-(-)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl-(S)-(-)-alpha-hydroxy-alpha-(4- [125I]iodophenyl)-alpha-phenyl acetate exhibits an affinity for the MAcChR from corpus striatum that is approximately threefold lower than that of (R)-(-)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl-(R)-(+)-alpha-hydroxy-alpha-(4- [125I]iodophenyl)-alpha-phenyl acetate.