Research Progress of Exosomes and Their Forensic Significance.

Exosomes are membranous tiny vesicles secreted by cells, which are widely found in the extracellular matrix and various body fluids and carry a variety of biologically functional molecules such as proteins, lipids, messenger RNA (mRNA) and microRNA (miRNA). Exosomes not only play important biological roles in the field of immunology and oncology, but also have potential application value in the field of forensic medicine. This article reviews the discovery, production and degeneration mechanism, biological functions, isolation and identification methods of exosomes, summarizes the research on exosomes and their significance in the field of forensic science, and discusses their applications in body fluid identification, individual identification, postmortem interval estimation to provide ideas for the application of exosomes in forensic work.

Case Report: Identification of the First Synonymous Variant of Myosin Binding Protein C3 (c.24A>C, p.P8P) Altering RNA Splicing in a Cardiomyopathy and Sudden Cardiac Death Case.

Background: Sudden cardiac death (SCD), based on sudden cardiac ejection cessation, is an unexpected death. Primary cardiomyopathies, including dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), are one of main causes of SCD. The DCM is characterized by a cardiac dilatation and a reduced systolic function with a prevalence of 1/250 in adults.

Mesenchymal stem cells desensitize castration-resistant prostate cancer to docetaxel chemotherapy via inducing TGF-β1-mediated cell autophagy.

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been proved to drive castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). In this study, we aim to investigate the contribution of MSCs to the development of docetaxel resistance in CRPC cells and its potential mechanisms.

Methods: The effect of MSCs on CRPC cells resistance to docetaxel was determined using in vivo and in vitro approaches.

Discovering biomarkers in bladder cancer by metabolomics.

It has become increasingly clear that the development of cancer, a multifactorial disease, cannot be explained by a single molecule or gene mutation. As a new discipline, metabolomics focuses on the body's metabolite changes, and attempts to find differences to explain the development of cancer; it has proven to be effective and credible. Metabolic studies of bladder cancer (BCa) lag behind those of other tumors.

Diagnostic value of STAF score in combination with D-dimer in cardioembolism.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of the Score for the Targeting of Atrial Fibrillation (STAF) in combination with the serum D-dimer (DD) levels in cardioembolism(CE).This study was a retrospective case-onlystudy, consecutively including patients with acute ischemic stroke. All patients were evaluated following the STAF scoring criteria and were classified according to the Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) etiology classification criteria.

Three new benzolactones from Lavandula angustifolia and their bioactivities.

Three new benzolactones (1-3), together with four known ones (4-7), were isolated from the whole herb of Lavandula angustifolia. Their structures were established on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analysis (1D- and 2D-NMR, HRESIMS, UV, and IR) and comparison with data reported in the literature. New compounds were evaluated for their anti-tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) activities and cytotoxic activities.

Bacterial Succession on Rat Carcasses and Applications for PMI Estimation.

Unlabelled: Abstract:

Objective: To investigate the bacterial succession on rat carcasses and to evaluate the use of bacterial succession for postmortem interval (PMI) estimation.

Methods: Adult female SD rat remains were placed in carton boxes. The bacterial colonization of circumocular skin, mouth and vagina was collected to be identified using culture-dependent biochemical methods.

Genetic polymorphism of nine non-CODIS STR loci in Hunan Province-based Chinese Han population.

Objective: To determine the allelic frequency distribution and genetic parameters of nine non-CODIS DNA index systems of the short tandem repeat (STR) loci (D2S1772, D6S1043, D7S3048, D8S1132, D11S2368, D12S391, D13S325, D18S1364, and GATA198B05).

Methods: A total of 353 blood samples were collected, extracted, amplified, and analyzed from unrelated healthy individuals of Han nationality in Hunan Province, China.

Results: One hundred and fourteen alleles were observed in the population with corresponding allelic frequencies ranged from 0.

Sesquiterpenoids from Tussilago farfara and their inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production.

Tussilagone (TSL) and its allied sesquiterpenoids were considered as the main active principles of the flower buds of Tussilago farfara, which has been widely used in China as an antitussive herbal medicine. Six new bisabolane-type sesquiterpenoids, tussfararins A-F (1-6), along with 12 known sesquiterpenoids, were isolated from the flower buds of T. farfara.

[Reflection of estimating postmortem interval in forensic entomology and the Daubert standard].

Estimating postmortem interval (PMI) is always the emphasis and difficulty in forensic practice. Forensic entomology plays a significant indispensable role. Recently, the theories and technologies of forensic entomology are increasingly rich.

[Determination of chlorogenic acid, rutin, scopoletin and total polyphenol in tobacco by Fourier transform near infrared spectroscopy].

The objective of the present study was to investigate the feasibility of predicting chlorogenic acid, rutin, scopoletin and total polyphenol in tobacco by Fourier transform near-infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy. The partial least squares(PLS) regression method, second derivative and Norris derivative filter were applied in the NIR spectroscopy prediction of chlorogenic acid, rutin, scopoletin and total polyphenol in the range of 7 500 to 4 000 cm(-1). For chlorogenic acid, rutin, scopoletin and total polyphenol, the determination coefficients were 0.

[Identification of sarcosaphagous Calliphorid flies by analyzing the sequence of 16S rDNA].

Objective: To explore the application of a 289bp fragment of the 16S rDNA gene to identify various species of sarcosaphagous Calliphorid flies.

Methods: Twenty-six Calliphorid flies were collected from 14 Chinese provinces. All specimens were properly assigned into three genera and six species.

An investigation and pathological analysis of two fatal cases of cadmium poisoning.

Pollution associated with population growth, and with industrial and urban development has led to a serious decline in the water quality of Chinese rivers. Cadmium (Cd) is recognized as one of the most toxic metals and is strongly accumulated by organisms. Humans are exposed to cadmium originating from the environment and from industrial pollution.

[Comparison of mtDNA extracting methods for common sarcosaphagous insects].

Objective: To compare effects of three different methods for mtDNA extraction from common sarcosaphagous insects including cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) method, sodium dodecyl sulfate-potassium acetate (SDS-KAc) method and sodium dodecyl sulfate-proteinase K (SDS-PK) method.

Methods: Seventy-two insects from four species [Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius, 1784), Eusilpha bicolor (Fairmaire, 1896), Paraeutrichopus pecoudi (Mateu, 1954), Vespa velutina (Lepeletier, 1836)] were collected from the corpses of the rabbits in Changsha district. The total DNA of above samples was extracted by CTAB, SDS-Kac and SDS-PK methods.

[Comparison of mtDNA extraction from different parts of sarcosaphagous insects].

Objective: To explore mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) extraction effects of different parts from sarcosaphagous insects using improved cetyltriethylammnonium bromide (CTAB) method.

Methods: Thirteen Lucilia sericata (Meigen) and 13 Nicrophorus fossor (Erichson) were collected from the corpses of rabbits placed on the outdoor lawn in Huhehot district. Four parts (head, chest muscle, legs and wings) of insect were collected, and the mtDNA of all samples were extracted using CTAB method.

[Forensic analysis of 74 tumor related medical malpractice cases].

Objective: To analyze the causes of medical malpractice in patients with tumor, to determine the medical responsibility, and to recommend the related preventions.

Methods: Seventy four medical malpractice cases, which were involved in tumor and collected from 2000 to 2009 in medicolegal expertise center of west China, were analyzed retrospectively.

Results: The medical malpractice cases in the patients with tumor showed an increasing tendency in recent years.

[The statin dosage for achieving goal of cholesterol-lowering based on risk stratification in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular diseases].

Objective: To explore statin dosages for targeting goal of LDL-C lowering on the basis of stroke risk stratification and the dosage-effective relation of statin and LDL-C lowering in Chinese patients with ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA).

Methods: This is a prospective and open clinical trial patients with ischemic stroke/TIA within 6 months were enrolled and the dosages of atorvastatin were calculated based on risk stratification according to "Chinese Consensus for Prevention of Ischemic Stroke/TIA with Statin" (Chinese Consensus). A dose of 10 mg of atorvastatin daily to target LDL-C goal was taken as the standard dosage targeting goal (SDTG).

[Study on the distribution and location of neuroglobin in human tissues and cells].

Objective: To explore the distribution and location of neuroglobin (NGB) and its function in human tissues and cells.

Methods: The distribution and localization of NGB in human tissues and cells were examined by immunohistochemical method.

Results: NGB-positive cells were mainly distributed in neurons of central nervous system and peripheral nervous system, and some in endocrine tissues and genital system.

[Determination of caffeine in teas by supercritical fluid chromatography].

A rapid supercritical fluid chromatographic method for the determination of caffeine in tea is described. It is shown that a mobile phase of carbon dioxide, modified with 5% methanol achieved excellent results. The method is simple in the sample preparation.