[Expression of fas protein of myocardium in dilated cardiomyopathy].

Objective: To investigate Fas protein expression of the myocardium in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and its relationship with occurrence of sudden death caused by DCM.

Methods: Nine autopsy cases of sudden death caused by DCM along with the heart samples were chosen from the archives in the Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, HUST from 1997 to 2007. Other 11 cases which died of violence and other diseases were selected as the control group.

Andrographolide induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes.

The pseudo-tumoral expansion of fibroblast-like synoviocytes is a hallmark of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and targeting rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes (RAFLSs) may have therapeutic potentials in this disease. Andrographolide, a diterpenoid compound isolated from the herb Andrographis paniculata, has been reported to have potent anti-inflammatory activity. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of andrographolide on human RAFLSs and the underlying molecular mechanism(s).

[Toll-like receptor 4 expression in the coronary atherosclerotic plaques of patients died from sudden cardiac death].

Objective: To investigate the Toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) expression in the coronary atherosclerotic plaques in patients died from sudden cardiac death (SCD) or non SCD.

Methods: Autopsied coronary artery samples from 75 patients died from SCD (n = 28), non-SCD (n = 28) or non-CHD (n = 19) were examined and the R value (positive cells' areas/scanning areas) and A value (average optical density) of TLR4 expression in the coronary arteries were detected qualitatively by the immunohistochemistry (SABC method) and image analysis technologies.

Results: SCD group: 13 (46.

[Recent advances in venous air embolism].

Air embolism, a life-threatening complication of medical procedure, is a frequently encountered challenge in the forensic practices. It can be easily missed due to ignorance by forensic examiner or it could be difficult to be identified due to prolonged storage of the cadaver. This article reviews the etiological factors, pathophysiological changes, clinical manifestation, diagnosis, and the medicolegal identification of air embolism.

[Pathomorphologic study of the fibrous cap and fatty core of coronary arthrosclerotic plaque in sudden coronary death].

Objective: The differences in the thickness of fibrous cap and the percentage of fatty core of the coronary atherosclerotic plaques between sudden coronary death (SCD) group and the control group were investigated.

Methods: Sixty-four autopsy cases were divided into SCD and control groups. Samples were taken from the most severely damaged portions of the coronary atherosclerotic plaques, sectioned, stained with HE, and the percentage of examined by light microscopy for morphologic changes and structural alternations.

[Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 expression in coronary atherosclerosis plaque of sudden coronary death patients].

Objective: To investigate the expression of monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) in coronary atherosclerosis plaque of sudden coronary death (SCD) patients and the relationship between MCP-1 expression and SCD.

Methods: Autopsy heart samples (n = 90) collected during 2001 - 2003 were divided to SCD group (n = 36) and 2 control groups: control group I, non-SCD CHD (n = 28), control group II, non-cardiac death (n = 26). The immuno-histochemistry SABC techniques (R, positive MCP-1 cell area/totl area) and computerized images analysis (A) were performed to detect the expression of MCP-1 in different groups.

[Determination of isoniazid in blood and urine samples by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography].

For the purpose of more accurate and rapid analysis of isoniazid in body fluid samples, a reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method was developed. Vanillin, being as a derivatizing reagent, was added to the plasma and urine samples when they were pretreated. Isoniazid and vanillin reacted to form isonicotinoyl hydrazone which was separated and detected.

[Gap junctions, connexins and sudden death caused by coronary heart disease].

Gap junctions construct hydrophilic trans-membrane channels which adjust the intercellular communication of chemistry and electricity. In the heart, individual cardiac myocytes are linked by gap junctions. These junctions form low resistance pathways along which the electrical impulse flows rapidly and repeatedly between all the myocardium, ensuring their synchronous contraction.

[Progression of the manner of cardiomyocyte death and its potential significance in forensic medicine].

The manner of cell death is a hotspot of medical researchers. Apoptosis and necrosis were considered as two manners of cell death in the past. But recently a new manner of cell death--oncosis is gradually accepted by the pathologists.

[The advance of protection for hazard factor during autopsy].

Recently, the special characteristics of work with SARS require particular attention to the facilities, equipment, policies and procedures involved. In fact, an autopsy also subject prosectors and others to a wide variety of hazards, including bloodborne, aerosolized pathogens and others (for example SARS). Forensic pathologists and other persons in close proximity to an autopsy need personal protective equipment, fourthemore, laboratory procedure and facility design principles of biosafety should be established for the protection of all personnal involved in the work.

Determination of free salicylic acid in chewing aspirin tablets by HPLC.

Objective: To establish a HPLC method for determining the content of free salicylic acid in chewing aspirin tablets.

Method: The determination was conducted on a HPLC column (C(18), 150 mm x 4.6 mm x 5 microm) with methanol-water-glacial acetic acid (8.