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We propose a frame-based multiple-description video coder. The analysis filter bank is the extension of an orthogonal filter bank which computes the spatial polyphase components of the original video frames. The output of the filter bank is a set of video sequences which can be compressed with a standard coder. The filter bank design is carried out by taking into account two important requirements for video coding, namely, the fact that the dual synthesis filter bank is FIR, and that loss recovery does not enhance the quantization error. We give explicit results about the required properties of the redundant channel filter and the reconstruction error bounds in case of packet errors. We show that the proposed scheme has good error robustness to losses and good performance, both in terms of objective and visual quality, when compared to single description and other multiple description video coders based on spatial subsampling. PSNR gains of 5 dB or more are typical for packet loss probability as low as 5%.

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2009.09.006 Byline: P. Charlier (a)(b), J. Poupon (c), A. Eb (d), P. De Mazancourt (e), T. Gilbert (f), I. Huynh-Charlier (g), Y. Loublier (h), A.M. Verhille (h), C. Moulheirat (i), M. Patou-Mathis (j), L. Robbiola (k), R. Montagut (l), F. Masson (m), A. Etcheberry (d), L. Brun (n), E. Willerslev (f), G. Lorin de la Grandmaison (a), M. Durigon (a) Keywords: Forensic anthropology; Paleopathology; Joan of Arc; Relic; DNA analysis; Elementary analysis; Cremation; Archaeology Abstract: Archaeological remains can provide concrete cases, making it possible to develop, refine or validate medico-legal techniques. In the case of the so-called 'Joan of Arc's relics' (a group of bone and archaeological remains known as the 'Bottle of Chinon'), 14 specialists analysed the samples such as a cadaver X of carbonised aspect: forensic anthropologist, medical examiners, pathologists, geneticists, radiologist, biochemists, palynologists, zoologist and archaeologist. Materials, methods and results of this study are presented here. This study aims to offer an exploitable methodology for the modern medico-legal cases of small quantities of human bones of carbonised aspect. Author Affiliation: (a) Department of Forensic Medicine and Pathology, University Hospital Raymond Poincare (AP-HP, UVSQ), 92380 Garches, France (b) HALMA-IPEL (UMR 8164, CNRS), Lille 3 University, Villeneuve d'Ascq, France (c) Laboratory of Biological Toxicology, Lariboisiere Hospital (AP-HP), rue Ambroise Pare, 75010 Paris, France (d) Lavoisier Institute, Versailles (UVSQ), France (e) Department of Forensic Genetic, University Hospital Raymond Poincare (AP-HP, UVSQ), 92380 Garches, France (f) Biological and Niels Bohr Institutes, University of Copenhagen, Denmark (g) Department of Radiology, La Pitie Salpetriere Hospital (AP-HP), Boulevard de l'HA[acute accent]pital, 75013 Paris, France (h) Laboratory of Palynology, National Museum of National History, Paris, France (i) Centre d'Etude et de Recherche sur les Textiles Anciens, Paris, France (j) Institute of Human Paleontology, 75013 Paris, France (k) Ecole Nationale Superieure de Chimie, Paris, France (l) Expert in Medicine and Pharmacy Fine Arts, France (m) Association des Amis du Vieux Chinon, Chinon, France (n) Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Parakou, Benin Article History: Received 14 March 2008; Revised 2 September 2009; Accepted 13 September 2009

To evaluate the effectiveness of Uncaria tomentosa in minimizing the side effects of chemotherapy and improving the antioxidant status of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, a randomized clinical trial was conducted. Patients (43) undergoing adjuvant/palliative chemotherapy with 5-Fluorouracil/leucovorin + oxaliplatin (FOLFOX4) were split into two groups: the UT group received chemotherapy plus 300 mg of Uncaria tomentosa daily and the C group received only FOLFOX4 and served as a control. Blood samples were collected before each of the 6 cycles of chemotherapy, and hemograms, oxidative stress, enzymes antioxidants, immunologic parameters, and adverse events were analyzed. The use of 300 mg of Uncaria tomentosa daily during 6 cycles of FOLFOX4 did not change the analyzed parameters, and no toxic effects were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study is to assess three protocols for removing a eugenol-based filling endodontic sealer from root dentin and the bond strength of fiberglass posts luted with resin cement., Materials and Methods: Sixty single-rooted bovine teeth were prepared and filled with the Endofill endodontic sealer and gutta-percha cones. After 7 days, 9 mm of the filling was removed and divided into five groups ( n = 12) according to the cleaning protocol: G1 (negative control), unfilled; G2 (positive control), saline solution; G3, 95% alcohol; G4, amyl acetate; and G5, Largo bur. The canals were hybridized and fiberglass posts were luted with resin cement. They were cross-sectioned in slices of 1 mm and subjected to the push-out test. The other samples were sectioned longitudinally and visualized in a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and the existing chemical elements were quantified by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The statistical analysis used variance analysis (ANOVA)-one way and Fisher's test, at a 5% significance level., Results: The 95% alcohol was more effective for cleaning the canal, resulting in a clean dentinal surface and bond strength statistically similar to the negative control. The Largo bur was also statistically similar to the negative control, with only a few debris impregnated on the wall. Amyl acetate showed more sealer residues on the canal walls, with a consequent lower bond strength value than the other groups, only higher than the positive control., Conclusion: The 95% alcohol and Largo burs may be used after removing the canal filling, so that the bond strength is improved when using the eugenol-based sealer.

A retrospective, comparative study was carried out on 118 sharp force fatalities, including 70 homicides and 48 suicides, and covering a 22-year period from 1986 to 2008. The objective was to identify relevant parameters that may be used to distinguish between these two manners of death. The following parameters were analysed: age, gender, number of wounds, type of wounds, anatomical sites of the wounds, presence of wounds affecting bones or cartilage, the longitudinal axis of stab wounds located at the anterior part of the trunk, Injury Severity Score (ISS) and associated traumatic injuries. Our statistical analyses revealed several relevant parameters that may help differentiate the two manners of death. Homicide victims were younger than those who had committed suicide. Homicide cases showed associated stab and cut wounds, whereas suicide cases predominantly showed isolated cut wounds. Wounds located at the head, limbs, hands, nape of the neck, or back were predictive of a homicide, whereas wounds located solely at the anterior parts of the trunk, neck, or forearms were predictive of a suicide. The presence of bone or cartilage wounds was predictive of a homicide and their absence was predictive of a suicide. A vertical longitudinal axis of stab wounds located at the anterior part of the trunk was predictive of a homicide whereas a horizontal axis was predictive of a suicide. ISS was found to be significantly higher in homicide cases than in suicide cases. The presence of defensive or violence-associated traumatic wounds was predictive of a homicide whereas the presence of hesitation-associated wounds or the absence of associated traumatic wounds was predictive of a suicide.

The macroscopic study of cranial sutures is one of the methods that may be used in forensic anthropology to estimate age at the time of death. The present study aims at assessing the value of a microscopic analysis of the fronto-sphenoidal suture (FSS) sampled at autopsy, to determine both the physiological mechanisms responsible for the FFS closing during ageing and its value in the estimation of age at the time of death. We assessed the vascular capital as well as the apoptosis of conjunctive cells intervening as parameters in the physiological mechanism involved in cell ageing, in a population of individuals, whose gender and age was known. The FSS analysis was performed after decalcification and standard histological study, respectively with immunohistochemistry (Factor Von Willebrand antibody) VWF and (TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labelling) TUNEL method and caspase-3 immunohistochemical expression. In this study we found a significant reversed correlation between the degree of vascular expression of VWF and age at the time of death. There was also a significant positive correlation between the degree of apoptosis in the conjunctive cells of the FSS and age at the time of death. According to these results, suture closing during ageing can be explained by these two combined mechanisms of conjunctival apoptosis and vascular involution. Thus, the findings justify the study of closing sutures to estimate age at the time of death. Besides, it also enabled us to establish linear regressions. The vascular expression of the VWF enables to estimate an individual's age at the time of his death more or less at about 1.55 years, offering an interesting perspective both in forensic pathology and anthropology.

A retrospective study was carried out on 132 fatalities due to gunshot wounds secondary to long firearms. One group of suicide (n=72) and one group of homicide (n=60) were statistically compared regarding age and sex of the victim, number of shots, range of fire, direction of the projectile(s), anatomical distribution of entrance sites, weapon and ammunition types and the nature of eventual associated traumatic lesions. The frequency of suicide was higher when the victim's age increased. Females constituted about 43% of the homicide victims and about 8% of the suicide victims. 51.5% of the homicide victims and about 10% of the suicide victims had sustained more than one gunshot wound. Close range was respectively found in 53.5% of the homicide cases and in all suicide cases. Most of the suicide cases (85% of the cases) showed typical entrance sites. Entrance sites in the limbs and lateral or posterior wall of the chest were only encountered in homicide cases. Associated traumatic lesions were found in about 23% of the homicide cases and in 18% of the suicide cases. In case of suicidal gunshots to the left chest, both upwards and downwards directions, and also both right-to-left and left-to-right directions can occur. From 22 suicide cases showing entrance wound in the mouth, a downwards direction was found in only one. This study underlines the importance but also the limits of the autopsy findings (including direction of the projectile(s) related to the entrance site) for giving an indication of the manner of death (homicide vs. suicide).

The aim of this study was to evaluate postmortem incorporation of opiates in bone and bone marrow after diacetylmorphine (heroin) administration to mice. Mice were given acute (lethal dose of 300 mg/kg) or chronic (10 and 20 mg/kg/24 h for 20 days) intraperitoneal administration of diacetylmorphine. The two metabolites of diacetylmorphine, 6-acetylmorphine (6-AM) and morphine, were extracted from whole blood, brain, spinal cord, bone marrow and bone (after hydrolysis) using a liquid/liquid method. Quantification was performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Results showed that after acute administration, opiates were present in all studied tissues. Morphine concentrations appeared to be higher than those of 6-AM in blood (52.4 microg/mL versus 27.7 microg/mL, n=12), bone marrow (87.8 ng/mg versus 8.9 ng/mg, n=6) and bone (0.85 ng/mg versus 0.43 ng/mg, n=6), but 6-AM concentrations were higher than those of morphine in brain (14.0 ng/mg versus 7.4 ng/mg, n=12) and spinal cord (27.8 ng/mg versus 20.8 ng/mg, n=12). No correlation was found for both compounds between blood concentrations and either brain, spinal cord, bone or bone marrow concentrations while a significant one was found between brain and spinal cord concentrations either for morphine (r=0.89, n=12, p<0.001) or 6-AM (r=0.93, n=12, p<0.001), the concentration being higher in spinal cord than in brain. When bones were stored for 2 months, only 6-AM remained in bone marrow but not in bone. After chronic administration, mice being sacrificed by cervical dislocation 24 h after the last injection, no opiate was detected in any studied tissues. Further studies are required, in particular in human bones, but these results seem to show that 6-AM could be detect in bone marrow several weeks after the death and could be an alternative tissue for forensic toxicologist to detect a fatal diacetylmorphine overdose, even if no correlation between blood and bone marrow was observed. On the other hand, neither bone tissue nor bone marrow will allow the confirmation of a chronic diacetylmorphine use.

The aim of our study was to test the diagnostic value of iron (Fe) in fresh water drowning by investigating the postmortem levels of hemodilution in drowning cases compared to control cases. Twenty-six typical fresh water drowning cases were selected from 128 immersion cases autopsied in our Department of Forensic Pathology between 1998 and 2004. The exclusion criteria were a long postmortem interval and other causes of death than drowning. For all selected cases, the diagnosis of drowning was based on the presence of autopsy findings and positive diatom test. A control population of 12 cases was also selected. For each drowning and control case, iron blood levels were measured in the left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV) of the heart. The mean difference of iron concentration (RVFe-LVFe) between the drowning group and the control group was statistically compared. Furthermore, iron measurements were performed in 19 drowning cases showing advanced putrefaction. The mean difference of iron concentration was significantly higher in the drowning cases compared with controls (P<0.001). All drowning cases showed hemodilution. No overlap was found in the RVFe-LVFe levels between the two groups. Resuscitation attempts seemed to have no effect on the results. In cases of drowning showing advanced putrefaction, the iron test was not reliable because biochemical iron measurement was often prevented by no sufficient blood in the heart or postmortem clots. In conclusion, according to our results, iron seems to be a good biochemical marker in fresh water drowning with a short postmortem interval.

A retrospective study was carried out on 58 fatalities due to stab or incised wounds. The frequency of bone or cartilage lesions was analysed according to the number of wounds, the circumstances of death and the anatomical site. Our findings showed that bone/cartilage lesions were present in about 53% of the cases. Cartilage lesions were more frequent than bone lesions. The mean number of wounds in the group with bone/cartilage lesions was statistically higher than the mean number of wounds in the group without lesions (P=0.0068). The main cause of death was thoracic injury in the groups with and without bone/cartilage lesions. In case of skeletal remains, only bone or cartilage lesions allow to diagnose stab or incised wounds. The discovery of these lesions, often of small size, justifies a complete and careful examination of skeletal remains with the help of stereomicroscopy.

The aim of the study was to describe victim, assailant, assault characteristics for sexual assault victims according to the time between the last sexual assault and the examination, and to provide descriptive data on medico-legal findings. The study was based on 418 examined victims of sexual assault during the year 1998. Victims were referred from investigating police authorities. All examinations were performed with the use of colposcopy by physicians with special training in forensic medicine. Two groups of victims were defined:a first group of victims examined in emergency within 72 h after the last sexual assault;a second group of victims examined after 72 h. About 86% of the cases were female victims. The mean age of the cases of the first group was 22.4 years. Conversely, 76% of the victims examined after 72 h were under the age of 15 years. Vulnerability was present in 31% of the cases examined in emergency, including disabled and pregnant victims. Sexual assault happened once in 87% of the cases of the first group and in 64% of the cases of the second group. The victim's home was the most frequent place of sexual assault (35% of the cases of the first group and 56% of the cases of the second group). The assailant was a stranger in 51% of the cases of the first group. In the second group of the victims, the assailant was a family member in 58% of the cases (the father in 30% of the cases). There was a single assailant in the majority of the cases for the two groups. Threats were used by the assailant in 66% of the victims examined in emergency and in 33% of the cases of the second group. The type of sexual assault was penetration in the majority of the cases for the two groups. Vaginal, oral and anal penetration was respectively involved in 55, 23 and 13% of the cases of the first group. General body trauma was found in 39.1% of the cases examined in emergency and in 6.3% of the cases of the second group. Genital trauma occurred in 35.7% of the cases of the first group and in 19.5% of the cases of the second group. Hymenal, vulvo-vaginal and anal lesions were respectively found in 11, 20 and 7% of the cases examined in emergency. Toxicological analysis was performed in 14.3% of the cases examined in emergency. In 47% of the tested cases, drug was detected. Cytology was performed in 61.5% of the cases examined in emergency. Detection of spermatozoa was found in 30.3% of these cases. Our study has shown that sexual assault victims had different characteristics according to the time between the sexual assault and the examination. Public health campaigns against sexual abuse and rape as well as medical management of the sexually assaulted victims should adapt to the needs and the characteristics of these two different populations of victims.

Formalin-induced DNA degradation was studied at different fixation times (3, 7, 16 and 32 days) each on 10 formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissues (FFPET) stored for 15 years at room temperature. The four different extraction protocols used in this study showed that Chelex100 extracts performed the best at 3 and 7 days of formalin fixation (DFF) (with regard to the quantity and the quality of the DNA). However, Qiamp extracts showed better results for long sized alleles, as well for single polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplifications after 16 and 32 DFF, as for multiplex PCR at shorter fixation times. DNA degradation is expressed by the size of the amplified alleles, only 100 bp templates surviving after 32 DFF (AMG locus). Single locus amplifications (CD4 and FES/FPS alleles) performed better than multiplex PCR (ProfilerPlus), with nearly 100% positive results at 7 DFF. In both types of amplifications, the success rate decreased proportionally with the time of formalin fixation and, consequently, with the size of the required DNA template.

The weights of normal organs were retrospectively culled for the years 1987-1991 from 684 forensic autopsy cases. All the subjects were Caucasoid adults who died of external causes and showed no pathological changes. The weights of the following organs were available: the heart, the right and the left lung, the liver, the spleen, the pancreas, the right and the left kidney and the thyroid gland. The external parameters used for statistical correlation were the age, the height, the body weight and the body mass index (BMI) of the deceased. The weight of all the organs was shown to correlate with at least one external parameter, with the exception of thyroids in females. Organ weights decreased with age except for the heart and the thyroid, and increased in relation to body height and/or BMI. Except for the heart, the organ weight showed a better statistical correlation with the body height than the BMI. These updated tables of organ weight were compared with the data collected in previous studies. Such tables have to be regularly updated by pathologists in order to keep organ weight as a good criterion to be used in post-mortem diagnosis.

This report demonstrates the extremely high yield of autopsies performed in the case of postoperative death with suspicion of malpractice. They frequently identified undetected complications. They could also suggest faulty or negligent practice that would otherwise go unrecognized. This report supports the widespread use of autopsies to investigate perioperative death.

A 1996 cytodensitometric study found increased cellular density in the pulmonary parenchyma of infants who died of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The present study clarifies these results in quantifying the density of immunohistochemical subtyped inflammatory cells. Histomorphometry was used to compare the density of macrophages, granulocytes and T and B lymphocytes in the lungs of two groups of infants. From the post-mortem records of infant deaths between 1983 and 1995, 29 (mean age = 5 months) were randomly selected including 16 cases of SIDS and 13 who died of other non-pulmonary causes. Densities of immunoreactive cells were measured under blind conditions in the parenchyma. The mean density of macrophages was significantly higher in cases of SIDS compared with the controls (P = 0.0318), but there were no differences for the lymphocytes and the granulocytes. These morphometrical results must be interpreted within the methodological limits of this study, especially the non-uniform level of lung inflation between selected subjects. However, the differences in level of inflation are not sufficient to explain the observed increase of macrophage density. Indeed, the mean values of alveolar surface area, which represent an indirect measure of lung inflation, are not significantly different between the two groups. Increase of pulmonary macrophage density in SIDS agrees with three non-exclusive hypotheses: (1) an abnormal inflammatory reaction by expression of Th1 helper cell phenotype activation; (2) consequence of passive smoking; and (3) post-agonal mechanisms. Bacterial superantigens produced by toxigenic bacteria in the respiratory tract could play a role as a trigger factor that initiates a fatal cascade with overproduction of cytokines leading to death. The significant increase of pulmonary macrophage density would be the morphological expression of this potential mechanism of death.

Experimental postmortem interval estimation was assayed by various biochemical components of hens pectoral muscle. Among them, only percentage of non-protein nitrogen on total soluble protein, asparatic amino transferase activity and creatinine concentration showed significant correlation with time after death. Asparatic amino transferase was negatively correlated and non-protein nitrogen percentage and creatinine were positively correlated to postmortem interval. The stronger correlation (0.925) was found for creatinine.