Simultaneous determination of fenthion and its metabolites in a case of fenthion self-poisoning.

Fenthion (MPP) is a popular organophosphorus pesticide that acts via inhibition of the enzyme cholinesterase. It is well known that fenthion is metabolized by plants, animals and soil microorganisms to sulfone and sulfoxide by oxidation of thioether and is further metabolized by conversion of P = S to P = O (oxon). Although human fenthion poisonings sometimes occur, details of the distribution of fenthion and its metabolites within the bodies of victims are unclear.

Quantification of nine psychotropic drugs in postmortem dried blood spot samples by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for simple toxicological analysis.

Dried blood spot (DBS) sampling has evolved to become the method of choice for collecting samples for newborn screening and therapeutic drug monitoring worldwide. The major advantage of this approach is that it requires only a small amount of blood. In addition, the collection of DBSs on filter paper is simple, sample storage costs are small, and the process deactivates microorganisms and viruses.

Relationships between cause of death and concentrations of seven steroids obtained from the serum and cerebrospinal fluid of cadavers.

In this study, we assessed 80 autopsy samples to investigate the relationships between cause of death and the concentrations of multiple steroids in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). First, we developed and validated analytical methods to quantify seven steroids (cortisol, cortisone, corticosterone, 11-deoxycortisol, 11-deoxycortiocosterone, progesterone, and testosterone) by using liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry. Next, we statistically evaluated the levels of each steroid for six causes of death: hypothermia, traumatic injury, fire fatality, asphyxia, intoxication, and internal disease.

Quantification of cyanide metabolite 2-aminothiazoline-4-carboxylic acid in postmortem dried blood spot samples by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

2-Aminothiazoline-4-carboxylic acid (ATCA), which is produced by the reaction of cyanide with endogenous cystine, is a promising biomarker of cyanide exposure because of its physicochemical stability. Analysis of more stable metabolite than the toxic gas itself is sometimes useful for postmortem diagnosis of gas poisoning. Here, we developed and validated an approach that uses liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry for quantifying ATCA in dried blood spot (DBS) samples.

Assessment of blood 2-aminothiazoline-4-carboxylic acid concentrations: Age and sex differences, and correlation with carboxyhemoglobin in fire victims.

Recently, 2-aminothiazoline-4-carboxylic acid (ATCA), a cyanide (CN) metabolite, has been proposed as a stable diagnostic marker of CN poisoning. In this study, liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization - tandem mass spectrometry was used to quantify ATCA concentrations in human postmortem blood samples, and differences in ATCA concentrations according to age and sex were determined. Both age and sex had significant effects on blood ATCA concentrations.

ACE2 immunohistochemistry in salivary and tracheal glands related to age.

Objective: SARS-CoV-2 is the cause of COVID-19, the rapidly spreading pandemic. When SARS-CoV-2 enters the target cells in the respiratory system, the spike glycoprotein binds to a cellular receptor angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). The susceptibility to infection in individuals under 20 years of age is approximately half that of adults aged over 20 years.

Simultaneous quantification by LC/ESI-MS/MS of chlorinated tyrosine derivatives in the autopsy sample of a victim of chlorine exposure.

Direct detection and accurate quantification of chlorine in autopsy samples are difficult because of the volatility and rapid metabolism of chlorine. Here, we developed and validated a method for quantitative analysis of 3-chloro-l-tyrosine (Cl-Tyr) and 3,5-dichloro-l-tyrosine (DiCl-Tyr) as stable markers of chlorine exposure. Chemical derivatization followed by liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS) enabled us to simultaneously analyze both Cl-Tyr and DiCl-Tyr in an autopsy sample from the victim of chlorine exposure.

Development of an LC-MS/MS method for quantification of 3-chloro-L-tyrosine as a candidate marker of chlorine poisoning.

A simple and sensitive liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS) method for the determination of 3-chloro-L-tyrosine (Cl-Tyr) was developed and validated. For sample preparation, 50 μL of the body fluids or tissue extracts were processed by protein precipitation followed by the derivatization with dansyl chloride. The calibration curve was linear over the concentration range of 2.

A fatal poisoning case of acetone cyanohydrin and citalopram.

Acetone cyanohydrin (ACH) is a readily available source of cyanide and is widely used in basic and applied sciences. In toxicology, ACH is classified as extremely hazardous as it readily decomposes on contact with water, with the potential rapid release of highly toxic hydrogen cyanide (HCN). We report the case of a young woman found dead from the intentional ingestion of ACH and citalopram, an antidepressant of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor class.

Hyperketonemia as the diagnostic basis for hypothermia: An experimental study in diabetic and control mice.

Hypothermia is an important cause of death in forensic pathology. For the forensic diagnosis of hypothermia, some reports point out the possibility that hypothermia without diabetes may cause ketoacidosis. In this study, we evaluated the diagnostic value of ketoacidosis in a murine model of hypothermia, using the cold stress at 4 °C for 3 or 5 hrs in genetically diabetic (BKS.

Single-cell temperature mapping with fluorescent thermometer nanosheets.

Recent studies using intracellular thermometers have shown that the temperature inside cultured single cells varies heterogeneously on the order of 1°C. However, the reliability of intracellular thermometry has been challenged both experimentally and theoretically because it is, in principle, exceedingly difficult to exclude the effects of nonthermal factors on the thermometers. To accurately measure cellular temperatures from outside of cells, we developed novel thermometry with fluorescent thermometer nanosheets, allowing for noninvasive global temperature mapping of cultured single cells.

Immunohistochemistry of advanced glycation end product N-(carboxymethyl)lysine in coronary arteries in relation to cardiac fibrosis and serum N-terminal-pro basic natriuretic peptide in forensic autopsy cases.

Objective: Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are known to play important roles in the development of diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis.　N-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML) is the major AGE, and is found in the arterial walls in the heart. The CML involvement in myocardial ischemia has been reported.

Microscopic heat pulses activate cardiac thin filaments.

During the excitation-contraction coupling of the heart, sarcomeres are activated via thin filament structural changes (i.e., from the "off" state to the "on" state) in response to a release of Ca from the sarcoplasmic reticulum.

[Assessment of Long-Term Sexual Function after Radical Resection for Lower Rectal Cancer].

Unlabelled: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term sexual function and risk factors of dysfunction after the autonomic nerve preserving operation for lower rectal cancer.

Methods: We evaluated postoperative sexual function assessed by IIEF5 in 91 patients who responded to the questionnaire by mail.

Results: After a median follow-up of 5.

The geographical distribution of fly larvae on corpses in Saitama Prefecture in Japan during the summer season.

Identification of fly larvae species may offer valuable information as to the location, or the environment in which corpses were placed, but only if the geographical distribution of larva species is clarified. In this study, we investigated a total of 126 larvae on 42 corpses found in Saitama Prefecture in Japan between July and September. We identified the larva species by analyzing the sequences of mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase gene subunit I.

Triggering of high-speed neurite outgrowth using an optical microheater.

Optical microheating is a powerful non-invasive method for manipulating biological functions such as gene expression, muscle contraction, and cell excitation. Here, we demonstrate its potential usage for regulating neurite outgrowth. We found that optical microheating with a water-absorbable 1,455-nm laser beam triggers directional and explosive neurite outgrowth and branching in rat hippocampal neurons.

Directional bleb formation in spherical cells under temperature gradient.

Living cells sense absolute temperature and temporal changes in temperature using biological thermosensors such as ion channels. Here, we reveal, to our knowledge, a novel mechanism of sensing spatial temperature gradients within single cells. Spherical mitotic cells form directional membrane extensions (polar blebs) under sharp temperature gradients (≥∼0.

The mRNA expressions and immunohistochemistry of factors involved in angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in the early stage of rat skin incision wounds.

Wound healing evaluation is important in forensic pathology, in which angiogenesis plays an important role. We have already shown that vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF) is produced in the rat skin incision wounds by neutrophils, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts. In this study, we assessed the changes in the mRNA expressions of various factors possibly involved in angiogenesis including angiopoietin (ANGPT) 1 and 2, cadherin 5 (CDH5), granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (CSF2/GM-CSF), granulocyte colony stimulating factor (CSF3/G-CSF), chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 2 (CXCL2), chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand12 (CXCL12/SDF1), endothelin 1 (ET1), fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF 1), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF1a), leptin, matrix metallopepitidase 9 (MMP9), serpine/plasminogen activator inhibitor1 (PAI1), platelet-derived growth factor-A (PDGF-A), transforming growth factor alpha and beta 1 (TGFa and b1), tenomodulin (TNMD), and troponin I type 2 (TNNI2) in the early stage of the rat skin incision wounds by real time RT-PCR.

Improvement of the yields of recombinant actin and myosin V-HMM in the insect cell/baculovirus system by the addition of nutrients to the high-density cell culture.

Baculovirus infection of Sf9 cells at high densities, such as during mid- and late exponential phase, often results in a significant reduction of protein yield per cell, compared to the early exponential phase. Nutrient depletion has been considered as a major cause for the decreased protein yield. In this study, we report that the addition of nutrients (glucose, yeastolate ultrafiltrate, and lactalbumin hydrolysate) and small fraction of fresh medium at time of infection restores the expression level of actin and myosin V-HMM at late exponential phase (11.

A case of the large retroperitoneal solitary fibrous tumor.

A rare autopsy case of the extremely large retroperitoneal solitary fibrous tumor is reported. A 52-year-old female with a huge abdominal distention was found dead at home. She showed remarkable emaciation.

Vascular endothelial growth factor in the early stage of skin incision wounds in cyclophosphamide-induced leukocytopenic rats.

Wound healing evaluation is important in forensic pathology. We have already shown that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is produced in the rat skin incision wounds. In this study, we used cyclophosphamide hydrate (CPM) to induce leukocytopenia in rats, and measured VEGF in the skin incision wound area to assess the involvement of leukocytes in the early production of VEGF.