Three Autopsy Cases of Non-Meningococcal Waterhouse-Friderichsen Syndrome with Hypoplastic Spleen or Post-Splenectomy Status.

We report three cases of Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome (WFS) that were confirmed during forensic autopsies. Case 1 involved a man in his 50s post-splenectomy. Bacteriological examination revealed Streptococcus pneumoniae (S.

Highly sensitive sex determination method using the exon 1 region of the amelogenin gene.

Sex determination is a crucial factor in the identification of unidentified human remains. Sex determination by DNA analysis is particularly useful because it can be applied to samples for which morphological characteristics are unavailable. Because samples handled in forensic DNA typing are easily degraded by environmental factors and microorganisms, there is a need for a method that can accurately determine sex even in highly decayed samples.

Detection of 4-FMC, 4-MeO-α-PVP, 4-F-α-PVP, and PV8 in blood in a forensic case using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization linear ion trap mass spectrometry.

We present a case of fatal poisoning by 4-F-methcathinone (4-FMC; also called flephedrone), 4-methoxy-α-pyrrolidinopentiophenone (4-MeO-α-PVP), 4-fluoro-α-pyrrolidinopentiophenone (4-F-α-PVP), and α-pyrrolidinohepatanophenone (PV8). In this study, we compared the mass spectra of 4-FMC, 4-MeO-α-PVP, 4-F-α-PVP, PV8, and α-pyrrolidinohexanophenone between LC-ESI-LIT-MS and GC-EI-MS analyses. Subsequently, we applied LC-ESI-LIT-MS for detection and quantification analyses of 4-FMC, 4-MeO-α-PVP, 4-F-α-PVP, and PV8 in human authentic whole blood samples.

Postmortem distribution of mepirapim and acetyl fentanyl in biological fluid and solid tissue specimens measured by the standard addition method.

Purpose: Mepirapim is a new synthetic cannabinoid. We previously reported that the concentrations of unchanged mepirapim in whole blood and urine were much higher than those of other synthetic cannabinoids. To determine the postmortem distribution of mepirapim and acetyl fentanyl in the deceased individual, we established a standard addition method for detailed analysis by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) for quantification of these drugs.

Identification and quantification of mepirapim and acetyl fentanyl in authentic human whole blood and urine samples by GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS.

Purpose: We encountered a curious case in which two male subjects self-administered mepirapim plus acetyl fentanyl by different routes, i.e., intravenously and by inhalation.

Genetic and Histological Alterations Reveal Key Role of Prostaglandin Synthase and Cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 in Traumatic Brain Injury-Induced Neuroinflammation in the Cerebral Cortex of Rats Exposed to Moderate Fluid Percussion Injury.

After the initial insult in traumatic brain injury (TBI), secondary neurodegeneration occurs that is intimately associated with neuroinflammation. Prostaglandin (PG) synthases and cyclooxygenase (COX) 1 and 2 may contribute to inflammation in the brain. Temporal and spatial expression features of PG and COX1 and 2 following trauma may guide the development of antineuroinflammation strategies.

Sex Determination from Fragmented and Degenerated DNA by Amplified Product-Length Polymorphism Bidirectional SNP Analysis of Amelogenin and SRY Genes.

Sex determination is important in archeology and anthropology for the study of past societies, cultures, and human activities. Sex determination is also one of the most important components of individual identification in criminal investigations. We developed a new method of sex determination by detecting a single-nucleotide polymorphism in the amelogenin gene using amplified product-length polymorphisms in combination with sex-determining region Y analysis.

Multiplex APLP System for High-Resolution Haplogrouping of Extremely Degraded East-Asian Mitochondrial DNAs.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) serves as a powerful tool for exploring matrilineal phylogeographic ancestry, as well as for analyzing highly degraded samples, because of its polymorphic nature and high copy numbers per cell. The recent advent of complete mitochondrial genome sequencing has led to improved techniques for phylogenetic analyses based on mtDNA, and many multiplex genotyping methods have been developed for the hierarchical analysis of phylogenetically important mutations. However, few high-resolution multiplex genotyping systems for analyzing East-Asian mtDNA can be applied to extremely degraded samples.

A Unique Primer with an Inosine Chain at the 5'-Terminus Improves the Reliability of SNP Analysis Using the PCR-Amplified Product Length Polymorphism Method.

Polymerase chain reaction-amplified product length polymorphism (PCR-APLP) is one of the most convenient and reliable methods for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis. This method is based on PCR, but uses allele-specific primers containing SNP sites at the 3'-terminus of each primer. To use this method at least two allele-specific primers and one "counter-primer", which serves as a common forward or reverse primer of the allele-specific primers, are required.

A novel method for sex determination by detecting the number of X chromosomes.

A novel method for sex determination, based on the detection of the number of X chromosomes, was established. Current methods, based on the detection of the Y chromosome, can directly identify an unknown sample as male, but female gender is determined indirectly, by not detecting the Y chromosome. Thus, a direct determination of female gender is important because the quality (e.

Oxygen-glucose-deprived rat primary neural cells exhibit DJ-1 translocation into healthy mitochondria: a potent stroke therapeutic target.

Aims: DJ-1 is a key redox-reactive neuroprotective protein implicated in regulation of oxidative stress after stroke. However, the molecular mechanism, especially the role of mitochondrial function, by which DJ-1 protects neural cells in stroke remains to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to reveal whether DJ-1 translocates into the mitochondria in exerting neuroprotection against oxidative stress.

Forensic strategy to ensure the quality of sequencing data of mitochondrial DNA in highly degraded samples.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is widely used for DNA analysis of highly degraded samples because of its polymorphic nature and high number of copies in a cell. However, as endogenous mtDNA in deteriorated samples is scarce and highly fragmented, it is not easy to obtain reliable data. In the current study, we report the risks of direct sequencing mtDNA in highly degraded material, and suggest a strategy to ensure the quality of sequencing data.

Epidemiological survey-based formulae to approximate incidence and prevalence of neurological disorders in the United States: a meta-analysis.

Background: This study aims to create a convenient reference for both clinicians and researchers so that vis-à-vis comparisons between brain disorders can be made quickly and accurately. We report here the incidence and prevalence of the major adult-onset brain disorders in the United States using a meta-analysis approach.

Material And Methods: Epidemiological figures were collected from the most recent, reliable data available in the research literature.

DJ-1 ameliorates ischemic cell death in vitro possibly via mitochondrial pathway.

DJ-1 is an important redox-reactive neuroprotective protein implicated in regulation of oxidative stress after ischemia. However the molecular mechanism, especially the mitochondrial function, by which DJ-1 protects neuronal cells in stroke remains to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to reveal whether DJ-1 translocates into the mitochondria in exerting neuroprotection against an in vitro model of stroke.

Identification of feces by detection of Bacteroides genes.

In forensic science, the identification of feces is very important in a variety of crime investigations. However, no sensitive and simple fecal identification method using molecular biological techniques has been reported. Here, we focused on the fecal bacteria, Bacteroides uniformis, Bacteroides vulgatus and Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, and developed a novel fecal identification method by detection of the gene sequences specific to these bacteria in various body (feces, blood, saliva, semen, urine, vaginal fluids and skin surfaces) and forensic (anal adhesions) specimens.

A simple identification method of saliva by detecting Streptococcus salivarius using loop-mediated isothermal amplification.

We previously reported that detection of Streptococcus salivarius is feasible for proving the presence of saliva in a forensic sample. Here, a simple and rapid method for the detection of S. salivarius in forensic samples was developed that uses loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP).

Acute Treatment With Herbal Extracts Provides Neuroprotective Benefits in In Vitro and In Vivo Stroke Models, Characterized by Reduced Ischemic Cell Death and Maintenance of Motor and Neurological Functions.

The present study explored the prophylactic and restorative benefits of cacao and red sage using both in vitro and in vivo models of stroke. For the in vitro study, we initially exposed primary rat cells to the established oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) stroke model followed by reperfusion under normoxic conditions, then added different cacao and sage concentrations to the cell culture media. Trypan blue cell viability results revealed specific cacao and sage dosages exerted significant therapeutic effects against OGD-induced cell death compared to cultured cells treated with extract vehicle.

Brain germinoma in a young adult man with suspicion of fatal neglect.

We report a forensic autopsy case of brain germinoma in a 26-year-old man who was severely wasted and initially suspected of fatal neglect. He had a history of nocturnal wandering and was confined by his parents. Neuropathological examination showed germinoma in the hypothalamus and neurohypophysis.

Hyperthermia combined with ethanol administration induces c-fos expression in the central amygdaloid nucleus of the mouse brain. A possible mechanism of heatstroke under the influence of ethanol intake.

Heatstroke is defined as a core body temperature that rises above 40.6 degrees C and is accompanied by mental status abnormalities such as delirium, convulsions, or coma resulting from exposure to environmental heat. There is fairly wide agreement that ethanol intake is a predisposing factor in heatstroke.

Dementing diseases among elderly persons who suffered fatal accidents: a forensic autopsy study.

The demographics and forensic autopsy findings of 125 elderly persons were analyzed to identify the risk factors of fatal accidents among elderly and to develop preventive measures to minimize such events. Cliniconeuropathologic dementing diseases were diagnosed in 13 of the 69 accidental death but only 1 of the 56 nonaccidental death cases, indicating that dementing diseases are associated with accidental deaths of elderly in forensic autopsy populations and suggesting that interventions for preventing fatal accidents should focus on elderly persons with dementia. Blood alcohol was only detected in persons without dementia, indicating that dementing diseases and drunkenness are not coexisting factors for fatal accidents among elderly.

Unexpected death due to intestinal obstruction by a duplication cyst in an infant.

An 11-month-old female infant died at home after being diagnosed as having gastroenteritis. Autopsy examination revealed a distended distal ileum filled with a large amount of watery contents, and a 3 cm x 3 cm x 4 cm cyst at the ileocecal part of the cecum that was histologically consistent with a duplication cyst. The cause of death was determined to be acute dehydration due to intestinal obstruction caused by a duplication cyst.

Changes in localization of synaptophysin following fluid percussion injury in the rat brain.

Traumatic brain injuries damage neurons and cause progressing dysfunctions of the brain. Synaptophysin (SYP), a major integral transmembrane protein of synaptic vesicles, provides a molecular marker for the synapse and serves as a functional marker of the brain. This study examined magnitude-dependent changes of SYP in the rat brain 2 days following low, moderate or high fluid percussion injuries and investigated time-dependent changes of SYP in the rat brain with moderate fluid percussion injury 2, 15 and 30 days after trauma using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting.

Dural hemorrhage of the tentorium on postmortem cranial computed tomographic scans in children.

We analyzed four children with increased density of the tentorium on postmortem computed tomographic (CT) scans that suggested traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage; but in which followup autopsy demonstrated an absence of subarachnoid hemorrhage. All cases had neither head injuries nor distinct intracranial abnormalities. Histological examinations showed extensive hemorrhage within the tentorium.

Milk aspiration in an infant during supine bottle feeding: a case report.

A two-month-old infant died during bottle feeding in the supine position in the caregiver's absence. Scene investigations and autopsy examinations, including alpha-lactalbumin immunohistochemistry of the lungs, revealed the cause of death to be asphyxia due to aspiration of milk pooled in the naso-oral cavity, as a result of unsupervised supine feeding. This case emphasizes the need for an investigation into feeding positions and immunohistochemical examinations for the diagnosis of asphyxia due to milk aspiration.

Heat-induced immunoreactivity of tau protein in neocortical neurons of fire fatalities.

Tau protein is the main component of neurofibrillary tangles of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Immunohistochemistry of tau protein is useful in the diagnosis of AD but produces diffuse staining of neocortical neurons in fire fatalities. To learn the cause of this phenomenon, we examined the temporal neocortex of 13 fire fatalities and 9 fatalities unrelated to fire.