[Research Progress on Forensic Entomotoxicology].

Forensic entomotoxicology is a branch of forensic medicine, which applies entomology, toxicology and other related studies to solve the poisoning cases. It has an obvious advantage in the investigation on poisoning death. Based on the expounding definition and research of entomotoxicology, this paper reviews research progress and application value in some aspects of forensic medicine, such as the effects of drugs/toxins on the growth and development of sarcosaphagous insects and the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the drugs/toxins in the poisoned body tissue.

[One-step methylation variable position analysis technology in single-tube].

Objective: To develop the single-tube one-step methylation variable position (MVP) analysis technology-single-tube post-digestion PCR-melting curve analysis (PDP-MCA).

Methods: Based on differentially methylated region (DMR) reported previously as the model, a set of primers with different melting temperatures of products in the two sides of MVP were designed. By using the FastDigest methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme (MSRE), DNA digestion, multiplex amplification, MCA detection and MCA profiles were performed in a single reaction tube.

[Effect of ketamine on the development of Chrysomya megacephala (Diptera : Calliphoridae)].

Objective: To research the pattern of larvae and pupae development when exposed to ketamine.

Methods: The larvae of Chrysomya megacephala were reared in artificial diet containing ketamine with concentration of 0, 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg respectively at 32 degrees C, 28 degrees C and 24 degrees C in environmental chamber with a 12-h photoperiod and 75% humidity. 10 samples were collected from each group every 12 h from the 16th h after hatching to pupation.

[Advances in identification of semen stains].

Stain identification has long been a task in forensic biology. The identification of semen stain, one of the most common human stains, can provide crucial information for crime scene reconstruction and forensic investigation. Traditional detection of semen stain depends largely on the microscopic identification of spermatozoa, enzyme activity-based methods or antigen-antibody reactions.

[Applications of Alu family in forensic DNA analysis].

Alu family is the primate specific short interspersed repetitive elements (SINEs). Its abundance and diversity distribution in genome, high methylation level and polymorphic for insertion make them ideally suitable as tools in forensic applications. The application of A4 lu sequence in forensic genomics, include DNA quantitation, race determination, species and gender identification, personal identification, paternity testing and whole-genome amplification.

False homozygosities at CSF1PO loci revealed by discrepancies between two kits in Chinese population.

During the course of paternity test, three samples in two cases were apparently homozygous at the CSF1PO locus using AmpFlSTRs Identifiler PCR Amplification kits, but using the PowerPlexs 16 kit, the three individuals were found to be heterozygous. This puzzling problem was solved by using multiple analytical approaches, including the use of different primer pairs and the characterization of the mutation causing the ''null allele.'' Dropout was caused by a single mutation event in the presumptive binding site of the forward primer.

XRCC1 codon 280 and ERCC2 codon 751 polymorphisms and risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in a Chinese population.

Numerous candidate genes have been proposed as susceptibility factors for the development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). XRCC1 (X-ray cross-complementing group 1) codon 280 and ERCC2 (excision repair cross complementing group 2) codon 751 polymorphisms were studied in ESCC in a Chinese population. The aim of this study is to investigate the potential association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of XRCC1 codon 280 His and ERCC2 codon 751 Gln polymorphisms and ESCC.

No association between estrogen receptor beta polymorphisms and uterine leiomyoma.

Numerous candidate genes have been proposed as susceptibility factors for the development of uterine leiomyoma. Interaction of estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) and estrogen receptor beta (ESR2) plays a pivotal role in tunica muscularis uteri cell proliferation, differentiation, and tumorigenesis of myometrium. To our knowledge, no study has examined the relationship between the ESR2 and uterine leiomyoma.

[The relationship of injury timing with the change of neuronal apoptosis and the expression of caspase-3 after brain contusion].

Objective: To investigate and analyze the changes of neuronal-apoptosis and the expression of caspase-3 for finding out a new method of injury timing after brain contusion in human.

Methods: The tissue was stained by TUNEL for apoptosis and by immunohistochemistry for caspase-3. Image analysis technique was employed.

[Retrospective analysis of autopsy on 49 cases of medical tangles in perinatal period].

Medical tangles caused by the death of women and infants in perinatal period are very normal in the forensic appraisal. The author collected and analyzed 49 cases of these tangles from many aspects, such as sex and age of the dead, hospital,information of autopsy, fault of medical action and so on,and discovered the normal causes of death, medical action's effects and the causes of tangle. It would be useful to the forensic appraisal, settlement and prevention of these medical tangles.