Effects of dopamine antagonists on methamphetamine-induced dopamine release in high and low alcohol preference rats.

The authors have previously shown that high alcohol preference rats (HAP) have a significantly higher sensitivity than low alcohol preference rats (LAP) for methamphetamine (MAP). In this study, changes in dopamine and serotonin release induced by MAP (1 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) after pre-treatment with D1 and D2 receptor antagonists were examined in the striatum of rats with different alcohol preferences to elucidate differences in receptor levels between the two rat strains. D1 receptor antagonist SCH23390 or D2 receptor antagonist haloperidol were administrated intracerebroventricularly 10 min before MAP stimulation. This study investigated the effect of methamphetamine-induced dopamine and serotonin release in striatum using microdialysis of freely moving rats coupled to ECD-HPLC. With haloperidol treatment both strains of rats showed a significantly greater maximum increase on MAP-induced dopamine release compared with respective control rats. However, after SCH23390 treatment only HAP rats showed a significantly greater increase in dopamine release compared with controls. SCH23390 blocks mainly D1 receptors only in the post-synaptic membrane, whereas haloperidol blocks D2 receptors in both the pre-synaptic and post-synaptic membranes. The MAP-induced increase in dopamine release following haloperidol pre-treatment was greater than SCH23390 pre-treatment in both strains. This result indicates that D2 receptors (autoreceptors) in the pre-synaptic membrane were blocked, leading to the elimination of the feedback function that regulates dopamine release. These data suggested that alcohol preference is associated with the action of MAP, and the dopaminergic mechanism, specifically the D1 system in the striatum, might have a different pathway dependent on alcohol preference.

Positive identification facilitated by implanted metallic plate and screws.

Personal identification is an essential subject in forensic practice. With skeletonized remains, an anthropological examination is performed for personal identification. Here we describe the positive identification of skeletonized human remains from the serial numbers of implanted metallic plate and screws.

Analysis of the tracheal contents using headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to screen for accelerant use.

We describe here the usefulness of analysis of tracheal contents in a case of death by fire, which revealed that the deceased had used the accelerants. The analysis of tracheal contents provides useful information for the determination of the circumstances of the scene.

An autopsy case of poisoning with ethanol and psychotropic drugs.

A case of fatal poisoning involving ethanol with psychotropic drugs is presented. Quantitative toxicological analysis showed that the concentrations of ethanol, amoxapine and phenobarbital in the femoral blood were 2.86 mg/ml, 0.41 microg/ml and 6.80 microg/ml, respectively. We concluded that the cause of death was due to the combination use of ethanol, amoxapine and phenobarbital.

An autopsy case of rupture of an aneurysm of the splenic artery.

We present here a case of sudden death resulting from the rupture of an aneurysm of the splenic artery. From the histopathological findings, we concluded that the formation of the splenic aneurysm was associated with the fibromuscular dysplasia.

Forensic toxicological implication of an autopsy case of mixed drug overdose involving clomipramine, chlorpromazine and flunitrazepam.

A case of fatal poisoning involving clomipramine, chlorpromazine and flunitrazepam is presented. Quantitative toxicological analysis showed that the concentrations of clomipramine, chlorpromazine and 7-aminoflunitrazepam (a metabolite of flunitrazepam) in the femoral blood were 3.24 microg/ml, 0.36 Kg/ml and 0.61 microg/ml, respectively, and large amounts of drugs were also detected from the stomach contents. We concluded that the cause of death was due to the combined use of clomipramine, chlorpromazine and flunitrazepam.

[Pulmonary asbestosis: an autopsy case].

The deceased was a 75-year-old male, found dead in his home. He had a history of occupational asbestos exposure for 13 years. At autopsy, there was diffuse fibrosis of the lung, with diffuse pleural thickening. Large amounts of asbestos bodies were detected in the lung tissue. The findings of transmission electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis (TEM-EDX) also showed asbestos fibers deposited in the lung tissue. From the macroscopic and histological findings of the lung, the number of asbestos bodies in the lung tissue and the TEM-EDX findings, we concluded that the cause of his death was chronic respiratory failure due to asbestosis. We recognize the importance of a detailed occupational history, which provides useful information for determining the cause of death.

A fatal case of saponated cresol ingestion.

We describe here a case of suicidal poisoning by saponated cresol ingestion. A 41 year-old male was found unconsciousness in a park in the early morning, and an empty bottle of saponated cresol was found beside him. His death was confirmed approximately 2 hours later, despite attempts at resuscitation and intensive care. The autopsy revealed severe morphological damage of the upper gastrointestinal tract and congestion of the lung. We also observed by histopathological examination severe lung edema and severe erosion of the esophagus and stomach. Toxicological analysis also identified a high concentration of cresol isomer in the blood and gastric contents. The cause of death was given as cresol poisoning, based on the results of the autopsy and toxicological examination.

Application of energy dispersive X-ray fluorescent spectrometry (EDXRF) in drug-related cases.

We applied here energy dispersive X-ray fluorescent spectrometry (EDXRF) to two medico-legal autopsy cases of bromvalerylurea ingestion. Rapid elemental analysis using EDXRF identified bromide in blood, urine and stomach contents of victims during autopsy. The present cases indicate that screening with EDXRF, an instrument suitable for non-destructive, rapid elemental analysis, provides useful information for identification of drugs.

An autopsy case of asthmatic death--usefulness of biochemical examination.

BACKGROUND: Asthma is the one of the major causes of sudden death in Japan. Postmortem diagnosis of asthma has been based on morphological findings in lungs, but it histological evidence, was also reported that the biochemical markers such as total and specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) are useful. CASE REPORT: We present here a case of fatal asthmatic death. A Japanese male in his thirties, complaining of dyspnea, collapsed suddenly. He was taken by ambulance to hospital, but cardiopulmonary resuscitation was ineffective. From autopsy findings, we concluded that the cause of death was asphyxia due to asthma attack. Biochemical findings indicated that the deceased had a severe asthmatic condition. CONCLUSION: In the presented case, the biochemical examination of the serum obtained at autopsy gave helpful information for the diagnosis that asthmatic attack was a cause of death.

A perspective in epidemiology of suicide in Japan.

BACKGROUND/AIM: According to the information about deaths from any causes, provided by the vital statistics based on the WHO Member Countries mortality and morbidity, suicide rate in Japan has been ranking high among the causes of death. The number of suicides goes on increasing every year in Japan. In fact, suicide rates per 100 000 population have already reached the sixth place among the leading causes of death. The aim of this study was to perform epidemiological surveys of suicide rates, obtained from the official vital statistics provided by the WHO on mortality and morbidity during several past decades in Japan. METHODS: Completed suicide data were collected via the vital statistics by the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry (MHLW), Japan and the attempted suicide data were extracted from the Annual Report of the Ambulance and Rescue Activities by the Fire Prevention and Control Office (FPCO) in Kobe City. The data were examined on the basis of social factors including economic trends, gender differences, modus operandi of suicide, age group, and physical and mental disorders in suicidal behavior and compared to international data. RESULTS: Male suicide rates have gradually increased with the four temporal steep risings during the 20th century, while those of females have generally reached the stabilisation with no fluctuations. Suicides are not always under the influence of economic trends in Japan. Suicide rate was the highest in the Akita and Iwate prefectures, known for the low population density. Suicide rate increases with aging, reaching a peak in the age of 80 and over. The trends of completed suicide rates are elevating by males about twice the suicide rate of females which keeps on stable. On the other hand, female attempted suicide rates greatly increase from two to five times more than those in males which are generally close to the constant. The majority of suicides are caused by their physical and/or mental disorders including typical depressive states. Suffocations/hangings are the most common methods used to commit suicide by both sexes. Utilities and interactions among these several components were considered, as well as a perspective of suicidal behavior. CONCLUSION: In order to prevent suicide and avoid the worst tragedy for a family, it is an essential requirement to collect and analyze any information concerning suicide victims.