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Determining the postmortem interval ( PMI) is important in criminal, civil, and forensic cases. We examined the feasibility of using the transcript abundances of m RNAs, 18 S r RNA, U6 sn RNA, and micro RNAs as a means to estimate the PMI. We removed spleen tissues from rats at different PMIs under 4°C or 25°C and examined gene transcript abundances in these samples by RT-q PCR. Using the algorithm geNorm, we found that micro RNAs to be appropriate control markers because they were less affected by PMI and temperature. We also characterized relationships between observed PMI and the transcript levels of the above-mentioned RNAs. GAPDH1 and ACTB1 fluctuated slightly like cubic curves, while GAPDH2 and ACTB2 decreased rapidly. 18 S r RNA transcript level exhibited a parabolic-like trend at 25°C and exponential growth at 4°C, while U6 transcript level exhibited exponential decay at 25°C and a parabolic-like trend at 4°C. Following validation, we conclude that GAPDH2, ACTB2, and 18 S r RNA are suitable makers in the accurate determination of PMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complete mitochondrial genome of theCecropis dauricawas determined by using a PCR-based method. The complete mitochondrial DNA of this swallow was 17,949 bp in length, including 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes and 2 control regions. All genes were encoded on the heavy strain except forND6and eight tRNA genes. The gene arrangement of theCecropis dauricawas similar to that found in other passerines. Base composition of the heavy strain was A (30.5%), T (23.0%), C (32.1%) and G (14.3%) with the A + T bias of 53.5%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As a critical member of the Coronin family, Coronin 1A (CORO1A) plays a crucial role in the progression of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, CORO1A is typically considered "undruggable" due to its smooth surface and complex protein-protein interactions (PPIs). Molecular glues have emerged as one of the most effective strategies to rapidly degrade such "undruggable" targets. Neddylation, an emerging approach, has shown promise in targeting pathogenic proteins for degradation through the NEDD8 pathway, making the degradation of CORO1A an attractive pharmacological strategy. Methods: A phenotypic drug screening strategy coupled with multi-omics approaches was utilized to rapidly identify a molecular glue degrader for CORO1A and to uncover the associated mechanisms. The Omics and Text-based Target Enrichment and Ranking (OTTER) tools, co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assay, mass spectrometry, and the separation of phases-based protein interaction reporter (SPPIER) method were employed to explore the interaction between Aurovertin B (AB) and CORO1A via TRIM4. The pharmacological effects of AB were assessed using TNBC patient-derived organoids (PDOs) and 3D bioprinting models. Results: We identified AB as a previously undisclosed molecular glue that significantly promotes the neddylation and proteasomal degradation of CORO1A via TRIM4, an atypical E3 ligase. Notably, the degradation of CORO1A markedly inhibited various cellular processes and exerted robust antitumor effects in TNBC PDOs and 3D bioprinting models. Conclusions: Our findings underscore the critical role of CORO1A in TNBC and lay a crucial foundation for the development of innovative drugs based on molecular glue technology., Competing Interests: Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interest exists., (© The author(s).)

Objectives: To explore the biomarkers and potential mechanisms of chronic restraint stress-induced myocardial injury in hyperlipidemia ApoE -/- mice., Methods: The hyperlipidemia combined with the chronic stress model was established by restraining the ApoE -/- mice. Proteomics and bioinformatics techniques were used to describe the characteristic molecular changes and related regulatory mechanisms of chronic stress-induced myocardial injury in hyperlipidemia mice and to explore potential diagnostic biomarkers., Results: Proteomic analysis showed that there were 43 significantly up-regulated and 58 significantly down-regulated differentially expressed proteins in hyperlipidemia combined with the restraint stress group compared with the hyperlipidemia group. Among them, GBP2, TAOK3, TFR1 and UCP1 were biomarkers with great diagnostic potential. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis indicated that ferroptosis was a significant pathway that accelerated the myocardial injury in hyperlipidemia combined with restraint stress-induced model. The mmu_circ_0001567 / miR-7a / Tfr-1 and mmu_circ_0001042 / miR-7a / Tfr-1 might be important circRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks related to ferroptosis in this model., Conclusions: Chronic restraint stress may aggravate myocardial injury in hyperlipidemia mice via ferroptosis. Four potential biomarkers are selected for myocardial injury diagnosis, providing a new direction for sudden cardiac death (SCD) caused by hyperlipidemia combined with the restraint stress.

Objective: To explore the change rules of peak area ratio of STR loci to Amelogenin (AMEL) locus (STR/AMEL), a sex-determining gene in DNA degradation, and to evaluate the application of STR/AMEL value in the estimation of DNA degradation degree., Methods: DNA was extracted from iliopsoas, and the variations of STR/AMEL value (Penta E/AMEL, Penta D/AMEL, FGA/AMEL) were analyzed after the artificial degradation was made by DNase I, and the changes of these three ratios of the iliopsoas naturally degraded in an outdoor environment were also analyzed. The regression curves were analyzed using the periods of DNA degradation and outside the body as the independent variable (x) and the STR/AMEL value as the dependent variable (y) and three curve equations under two conditions were established., Results: Both under the conditions of artificial and natural degradation, STR/AMEL value had a negative relationship with the degradation time. The relationship between STR/AMEL and degradation time can be well simulated by the cubic function. R2 was over 0.99 under controlled degradation condition and over 0.86 under natural degradation condition., Conclusion: The STR/AMEL value (Penta E/AMEL, Penta D/AMEL, FGA/AMEL) is negatively related with the DNA degradation degree, which follows mathematical regression models strictly, and it might be applied to evaluate the DNA degradation degree.

Objective: To analyze the cases of anaphylactic death cases and explore the standards of judicial expertise of anaphylactic death for providing evidence for judicial expertise., Methods: Fifty-nine cases death due to allergic reaction in Shanghai were collected. And details of medical history, clinical manifestation of anaphylactic reaction and postmortem examination findings were reviewed for all cases., Results: In the 59 cases, there were 58 cases died from drug allergy, including 77.6% of them were antibiotics. The rates of treating in standard hospital and illegal clinic were 37.3% and 61.0%, respectively. The allergic symptoms were dyspnea and facial cyanosis. The time from contacting allergens to death ranged from 1 min to 3 d. The concentration of total serum IgE ranged from 50 to 576.92 IU/mL. The results of clinical manifestation and pathological anatomy had obviously changes., Conclusion: Based on the exclusion of all other cause of death and synthetically analysis of details of cases, medical history, clinical manifestation and anatomy, the conclusion of anaphylactic death can reached. The details of cases including clinical history, exposure to allergens, and clinical manifestation play an important role in diagnosis of anaphylactic death.

Objective: To explore the relationship between the expression of EIIIA+ fibronectin in incised wound of rat's skin and injury time., Methods: The wounding model was established by cutting the dorsal skin of 48 adult SD rats. The rats were sacrificed at the pre-set injury time as immediately, 0.5 h, 1 h, 2 h, 3 h, 4 h, 6 h, and 8 h. The skin samples were taken at the margin of wound. The expression of the EIIIA? fibronectin was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting and the relationship be- tween its expression and injury time was observed. Results The expression of EIIIA+ fibronectin was not observed immediately. The basal cell of skin began to show positive expression 0.5 h after injury. With the extension of injury time, positive staining became stronger. The value of relative optical density was gradually increased with prolonged injury time by the Western blotting analysis., Conclusion: The expression of EIIIA+ fibronectin could be used for estimation of injury time in the early stage of skin injury.

Objective: To estimate the application of prognosis evaluation of ulnar nerve injury by 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS)., Methods: The metabolites of first dorsal interossei (FDI) of two hands from 12 healthy volunteers and 1 volunteer with complete ulnar nerve injury were detected by 1H-MRS and the data were statistically analyzed., Results: For the FDI of healthy adults, the female peaks area of extra-myocellular lipids (EMCL) was higher than the male (P < 0.05); There was no significant difference in Cho, Cr and intra-myocellular lipids (IMCL) between male and female (P > 0.05); There was no significant difference in all the peaks area between the left and right hand (P > 0.05). The EMCL peak of the injury side was higher than that of the healthy side, and the area of FDI was reduced in the volunteer with ulnar nerve injury., Conclusion: Noninvasive and quantitative detection of 1H-MRS may be valuable for prognosis evaluation of peripheral nerve injury.

Objective: To explore the efficacy and safety of megestrol acetate silicone vaginal ring., Methods: A total of 165 healthy child-bearing age women were recruited to examine the efficacy, safety and satisfaction rate of megestrol acetate silicone vaginal ring., Results: The cumulative pregnancy rate of megestrol acetate silicone vaginal ring was 3.93%. And its discontinuation rate was 2.54%, the incidence of adverse events 11.52% and the incidence of adverse effects 1.81% while the symptoms were all slight. The bleeding pattern was similar to that of normal menstruation. Compared with baseline, the elevated level of triglycerides and the reduced level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were significantly different while no significant difference existed in high-density lipoprotein (HDL), cholesterol and hemoglobin, etc. The satisfaction rate of megestrol acetate silicone vaginal ring was 94.6% and increased with time., Conclusion: Megestrol acetate silicone vaginal ring is an effective and safe option of contraceptives.

Objective: To discuss the myocardial expression of Spry1 and MAPK proteins of viral myocarditis (VMC), to reveal its mechanism of sudden death, and to provide guides for forensic identification of sudden cardiac death., Methods: Thirty Balb/c male mice were randomly divided into VMC group and control group, inoculated intraperitoneally with Coxsackievirus B3 and Eagel's solution, respectively. After the mice were sacrificed, the cardiac tissues of the mice were taken to proceed regular pathological examination. The changes of Spry1 protein, Spry1 mRNA and MAPK protein were detected by immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and real-time PCR., Results: Under light microscope, the pathologic changes included myocardial interstitial edema, inflammatory cells infiltration, myocardial necrosis, and focal and patchy necrosis of myocardial fiber in VMC group. The expression of Spry1 protein in VMC group was lower than that in control group (P < 0.05). There was slightly decreased expression of Spry1 of the mRNA level in VMC group (P > 0.05). But the MAPK protein expression in VMC group was higher than that in control group (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: The pathway of MAPK/ERK involving Spry1 protein accelerates the expression of collagen, which may contribute to arrhythmia, heart failure and even sudden cardiac death.

Jumonji Domain Containing 2A (JMJD2A) may be a cancer-associated gene involved in human breast cancer. With a view to investigating expression of JMJD2A in human breast cancer and benign lesion tissues as well as relationship between JMJD2A and tumor related proteins, histological and immunohistochemical analysis, Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR in infiltrating duct carcinoma and fibroadenoma for JMJD2A and immunohistochemical analysis and quantitative real-time PCR in infiltrating duct carcinoma for tumor related proteins (ARHI, p53, ER, PR and CerbB-2) were performed. Histological examination validated the clinical diagnosis. The JMJD2A positive rate of infiltrating duct carcinoma was significantly higher than fibroadenoma by immunohistochemical analysis. The mean optical density of JMJD2A in infiltrating duct carcinoma was higher than fibroadenoma by western blot. JMJD2A mRNA level in infiltrating duct carcinoma was higher than fibroadenoma by quantitative real-time PCR. Spearman correlation analysis revealed that the expression of JMJD2A was associated with ARHI, p53 and ER from immunohistochemical results respectively. Pearson correlation analysis revealed that the expression of JMJD2A was associated with ARHI, p53 and ER from quantitative real-time PCR results respectively. Expression of JMJD2A in infiltrating duct carcinoma was higher, and associated with ARHI, p53 and ER. The results may take JMJD2A as a potential diagnostic and therapeutic target in human breast cancer.

Objective: To explore the stability of internal controls in human cardiac muscle by real-time RT-PCR during early postmortem interval (PMI) in order to find the most stable marker., Methods: Ten individuals with similar environmental conditions (the average store temperature: 25 degrees C) and different PMI ranging from 4.3 to 22.3 h were selected. Total RNA was extracted from each sample and six commonly internal controls were used including beta-actin, GAPDH, B2M, U6, 18S rRNA and HSA-miR-1, and the expression was detected in cardiac muscle by real-time RT-PCR. The expression stability of internal controls was evaluated using genormPLUS software during early PMI. The internal control with the most stability was selected. The relationship between the most stable marker and its expression level affected by some other parameters such as age, gender and cause of death was also analyzed., Results: The U6 showed the most stable expression during early PMI in cardiac muscle, and its expression level was not affected by those parameters including age, gender and cause of death (P > 0.05)., Conclusion: U6 may be a valuable internal control for the study of relationship between PMI determination and degradation of nucleic acid in human cardiac muscle by real-time RT-PCR.

Objective: To evaluate the features of autopsy cases involved in electronic weapon (TASER) in the State of Maryland, and to discuss the appraisable points., Methods: Thirteen autopsy cases involving TASER were collected from 2004 to 2011 in the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, State of Maryland. All the cases include detailed scene investigations, complete autopsy, toxicological analysis and histopathological examination. Statistical analysis were conducted including general information of victim, type of TASER, type of contact, toxicological results, manner and cause of death., Results: Majority of victims were male with an acute onset of agitated and delusional behavior. Drugs were often involved. Deaths were attributed to multiple factors., Conclusion: Most of cases involved in TASER resulted from multiple fatal factors. Further researches are needed for the principal mechanism. Thorough scene investigation and complete autopsy examination play crucial role in evaluation of such cases.

Objective: To explore the relationship between beta-actin mRNA degradation in SD rat's brain, heart and kidney and early postmortem interval (PMI) in order to find new markers for estimating early PMI., Methods: Rats were sacrificed and kept in the place at a temperature of 20 degrees C. The total RNA were extracted from the brain, heart and kidney at different PMI points. Real time RT-PCR was applied to determine beta-actin mRNA levels in total RNA and the results were given in the form of Ct values. Linear relationships between PMI and Ct values were obtained and the functions of linear regression were established., Results: The great decrease of beta-actin mRNA level were observed in the three organs. The degradation rate was obviously higher in 24 hours after death in the heart and kidney. However, there were no significant changes in the brain. The changes of Ct values and PMI showed a good linear relationship., Conclusion: beta-actin mRNA in rat's brain, heart and kidney degrades obviously after death and can be used for estimating early PMI by its degradation rules.

Objective: To explore the relationship between the time-dependent level changes of microRNA and 18S rRNA and the different postmortem interval (PMI) in rat cardiac muscle., Methods: SD rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and placed at ambient temperature 25 degrees C with a humidity of 50%. Total RNA was extracted from the rat cardiac muscle at different time points after death. The levels of miR-1-2 and 18S rRNA were examined using real-time PCR in rat cardiac muscle. The results were expressed by cycle threshold (Ct) value to explore relationship between PMI and Ct value, and the regression functions were established to estimate PMI., Results: The miR-1-2 level in rat myocardial tissue showed no significant changes within 120 h after death, and then began to decline. The 18S rRNA level increased gradually within 96 h after death, and then declined slowly. The nonlinear relationships were established between Ct value (18S rRNA), deltaCt value (difference between 18S rRNA and miR-1-2) and PMI. The R2 of conics fitting were 0.9487 and 0.8072, respectively., Conclusion: Ct value of 18S rRNA and deltaCt value present a good correlation with PMI, and can be markers for estimating early PMI.

Objective: To study the effects of triptolide-medicated serum on secretory function of adrenocortical cells isolated from rats., Methods: Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into control group, prednisone group, and low-, medium- and high-dose triptolide groups. Rats were administered with normal saline, prednisone and low-, medium- and high-dose triptolide respectively by gastrogavage to prepare sera containing drugs. Primary adrenocortical cells were isolated from normal male rats and cultured with sera containing drug for 48 hours. Expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was observed by immunohistochemical method and number of PCNA-positive cells was counted. Ultrastructure of adrenocortical cells was observed under a transmission electron microscope. Content of corticosterone in supernatant of adrenocortical cell culture was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to investigate the expression of 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD) mRNA., Results: As compared with the control group, content of corticosterone in supernatant of adrenocortical cell culture and expression of 3beta-HSD mRNA were significantly increased in the triptolide-treated groups, and the numbers of PCNA-positive cells were increased in the medium- and high-dose triptolide groups, however, they were decreased in the prednisone group., Conclusion: Triptolide-medicated serum can increase the secretion of corticosterone in rat adrenocortical cells in vitro.

During the past two decades tremendous efforts have been made by the medical community, especially in the fields of forensic medicine and pediatrics, to better understand the etiology, epidemiology and pathophysiology of SIDS. There have been many SIDS reports from developed countries, but few from developing Asian countries. Despite a recent significant decrease in the incidence of SIDS in many developed countries, SIDS continues to be the most common cause of post-neonatal infant death in these countries. This article analyzes the SIDS data (1990-2006) from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the State of Maryland, USA, along with review of the literature with regard to the history, epidemiological and pathophysiological characteristics of SIDS, as well as the recent advances in SIDS research. The changing trends in the diagnosis of SIDS and current challenges to its forensic investigation are also discussed.

Objective: To summarize the characteristics and investigate the mechanisms of boat propeller injuries so as to explore the identification methods between boat propeller injuries and corpse dismemberment., Methods: More than 100 autopsy cases of boat propeller injuries were collected in a period between 1994 and 2005 in Huzhou district, Zhejiang province. The characteristics of injuries caused by propeller, including abrasion, wound, fracture and severed wound, and the characteristics of clothing, were retrospectively studied and summarized. The severed cross wound section of boat propeller injuries was compared with that caused by corpse dismemberment., Results: The boat propeller injuries were resulted from high-speed propellers with enormous splitting power and mechanical cutting, while corpse dismemberment were resulted from cutting and dismembering the body with sharp instruments. Due to the different mechanisms, the different strength of force and recoil force, the severed wound cross section had different characteristics., Conclusion: Wounds caused by boat propeller injuries have their unique characteristics, distinguished from wounds of dismembered corpse.

Objective: This study aimed to clarify the morphology of the Martin-Gruber anastomosis (MGA) in Chinese., Methods: One hundred and five Chinese upper limbs (36 males and 20 femalese) were dissected to find the connections between medial nerve and ulnar nerve. The MGA was classified as previously described by Lee., Results: MGA was found in 24 cases (22.9%), in 11 of the 36 male and 5 of the 20 female. There was no obvious difference in the frequency of MGA in both upper limbs. Most MGA ulnar position was located at the medial and distal segment of the forearm., Conclusion: MGA anatomy could play important role in forensic diagnosis of ulnar nerve injury in Chinese population.

Objective: [corrected] To study the expression of EDA-FN variant in injured human skin fibroblast and its relation to wound healing., Methods: Human skin fibroblast cells were separated from human skin and cultured and monoclonal antibody to fibronectin [IST-9] was applied to amplify target segments., Results: Trace amount of EDA-FN was detected in the culture cells. The expression was increased within 8 hours after the injury., Conclusions: The expression of EDA-FN would be an ideal marker for estimation of wound healing

Objective: To observe the degradation of myoglobin in skeletal and cardiac muscles after death and to explore its usefulness in estimation of postmortem interval., Methods: Human skeletal and cardiac muscles were collected at 0, 4, 8, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 hours after death and stored at 25 degrees C. The protein was extracted and examined and analyzed by Western blot and imaging technique., Results: Myoglobin showed a continuously postmortem degradation in both skeletal and cardiac muscles. There was no observed difference in degradation between the two tissues., Conclusion: Changes in myoglobin degradation could be a useful parameter for estimation of the postmortem interval.

Objective: To study the relationship between postmortem interval and the myofibril fragmentation index of skeletal muscle., Methods: Rabbit skeletal muscle were left in the room temperature for different postmortem intervals, and the protein concentration of each sample was detected by using biuret method. Furthermore, the myofibril fragmentation index of each sample was measured under the protein concentration level of 0.5 mg/mL., Results: The myofibril fragmentation index increased obviously according to the postmortem interval prolongation., Conclusion: The myofibril fragmentation index may be used on the estimation of early postmortem interval.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the DNA degradation in cells and postmortem interval., Methods: Tissue pieces of the heart, liver, spleen and kidney of one corpse (male, 54 years old, died of mechanical injury, PMI of 6h) were obtained in 6, 12, 24, 48 h after death, fixed in Carnoy fluid, and then paraffin sections were prepared, stained with Feulgen and analyzed by Image analysis technology (IAT). Meanwhile the single-cell suspension of tissues of the man was prepared and inspected by FCM after PI stained., Results: The amount of DNA of in heart, liver and kidney of human had a repid degraded in first 6 hours after death, that in the spleen showed a better relationship between DNA degradation and PMI. The results was verified by FCM and IAT., Conclusion: The degradation of DNA of and human tissues shows a well relationship with PMI, especially in spleen. It is useful in estimation of PMI.

Although there are many methods to estimate the early postmortal interval, more attention has been paid to the research on measuring the amount of DNA in cells. This paper introduce several different measuring ways, law of variation and application situation of DNA in cells. In addition, the result evaluation of measuring methods and application prospect is given.

Objective: In order to supply an effective reference of early injury time estimation and explore the time limit of detection of EDA\EDB mRNA in human skin samples, the expression of alternative splicing segment of fibronectin--EDA\EDB in incised wound of human skin were studied., Methods: Using in situ hybridization with DIG-labeled anti-sense RNA probe, the expression of FN EDA\EDB domain was detected in human skin incised wound at the early stage of injury (from 30 min to 3 h)., Results: The positive expression rates of FN-EDA\EDB immediately after injury and area far away from wound were same as the control group. The expression of FN-EDA\EDB in human skin incised wound showed a gradually increased tendency in early injury time (within 3 h). The positive expression cells were mainly distributed in basement cells of epidermis and the expression of EDA is much higher than EDB. It's difficult to detect EDA\EDB mRNA when the samples were deposited in air for 4 hour., Conclusion: FN-EDA\EDB may be used as a sensitive mark for the estimation of early injury time. The in-situ hybridization technique is not applicable in the application.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between tryptase in serum and anaphylaxis., Methods: The concentrations of tryptase in the sera of heart blood in three persons died from anaphylaxis shock were detected by ELISA. The first sample was obtained from a man, aged 38, died of injecting Amikacin. The second sample was obtained from a man, aged 42, died of injecting Cephradine. The third sample was from a woman, aged 39, died of injecting Lincomycin. All samples were stored in -20 degrees C., Results: The concentrations of tryptase in sera were 52 ng/ml, 121 ng/ml and 0.73 ng/ml. It was unknown why the concentration of tryptase in the third sample was normal., Conclusion: In fetal anaphylaxia reaction tryptase measurement is a useful indicator, but the diagnosis is not to be based on the test alone.