[Early expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha after acute myocardial ischemia in rats].

Objective: To observe the changes of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1alpha), the expression in the early stage (within 6 h) of acute myocardial ischemia and to explore the potential forensic application.

Methods: SD rats were randomly divided into one control group, one sham operation group and five myocardial ischemia groups which received ligation of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery. The five experiment groups divided into 15min, 30min, 1 h, 3 h and 6h after LAD ligation.

[Time-dependent expression of vascular endothelial growth factor after acute myocardial ischemia in rats].

Objective: To investigate the immunohistochemical distributions and expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the model of rat myocardial ischemia.

Methods: The model of myocardial ischemia was established by ligating the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery of rats. The changes of VEGF expression were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot at time points after myocardial ischemia.

[Application of brain natriuretic peptide in evaluation of cardiac function in forensic medicine].

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a major marker for evaluating cardiac function and has been widely used in clinical practice. Recent researches show that BNP is also useful for identification of sudden cardiac death in forensic pathology. This article reviews the molecular structure and biological characteristics of the BNP and its application as a functional indicate in forensic medicine.

[Twenty autopsy cases of anaphylactic shock induced by cephalosporins].

Objective: To explore the characteristics of autopsy cases of anaphylactic shock induced by cephalosporins and provide the evidences in forensic medicine.

Methods: Twenty cases of anaphylactic shock induced by cephalosporins were collected from April 2005 to August 2009 in judicial expertise center of China Medical University, and the characteristics of the cases were analyzed retrospectively.

Results: The age of decedents ranged from 40 to 60 years.

[The analysis of pericardial fluid in forensic practice].

Pericardial fluid is a kind of serous fluid in pericardial cavity. Because blood undergoes postmortem changes such as autolysis and putrefaction, vitreous humor is limited,cerebrospinal fluid is easily mixed with blood, pericardial fluid, on the other hand, exists in a closed cavity and can be hardly contaminated by postmortem changes, and also is easily obtained. Pericardial fluid not only plays an important role in clinic practice, but also is widely applicable in forensic practice.

[The application of biochemical indexes detecting in sudden cardiac death in forensic autopsy].

Sudden cardiac death(SCD) from early myocardial ischemia is often lack of typically morphological findings and clinical manifestation, thus cases of SCD may be suspected as criminal cases. It is necessary to clarify the cause of death, which is significance for medico-legal investigation. This article reviewed the latest advancement in the studies on the application of inorganic ions, CK-MB, cTn, ANP and BNP for certification of death from SCD in order to provide a practical way for diagnosis of SCD in forensic pathology.