bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Immunostaining by Complement C9: A Tool for Early Diagnosis of Myocardial Infarction and Application in Forensic Medicine
Authors: Piercecchi-Marti M-D , Lepidi H , Leonetti G , Vire O , Cianfarani F , Pellissier J-F 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
Before the first 12 hours, diagnosis of early myocardial infarctions is always difficult for forensic pathologists. We tested complement C9 expression in 121 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded heart samples by an immunohistochemical procedure. The heart specimens were separated into four groups: 33 cases in group 1 with typical ischemic damages histologically located, 20 cases in group 2 with death related to myocardial infarction on the basis of ischemic presentation on electrocardiogram but no obvious histological ischemic damage, 35 cases in group 3 with severe coronary disease without cause of death found at the autopsy, and 33 cases in group 4 without sign of myocardial infarction and without coronary disease. In the first group, all 33 heart samples showed a well-defined C9 expression in the necrotic areas. The second group in 17 of 20 cases showed positive areas for C9 expression. In the other three heart specimens, only few stained cells were observed whereas the painful symptoms had begun less than 1 h before death. The third group showed C9 immunopositive areas in six of 35 cases, few stained cells in 8 cases, and no C9 deposition in the 21 other cases. The last group showed no staining area. To avoid nonspecific C9 staining due to tissue autolysis, we studied C9 expression during a controlled putrefactive process in four cases included in group 1; staining was found only in infarcted myocardial areas, and was observed up to ten days. Specificity of C9 expression was evaluated to be 100% [89.4 to 100%] and sensitivity to be 85% [62.11 to 96.79%]. In conclusion, evaluation of immunohistochemical expression of C9 appears to be a highly sensitive and specific marker of early myocardial infarction, useful in forensic medicine if survival is more than 1 h after the beginning of myocyte damage.
Comparison of the Rates of Hydrolysis of Lorazepam-Glucuronide, Oxazepam-Glucuronide and Temazepam-Glucuronide Catalyzed by E. Coli. β-D-Glucuronidase Using the On-line Benzodiazepine Screening Immunoassay on the Roche/Hitachi 917 Analyzer
Authors: Dou C , Bournique JS , Zinda MK , Gnezda M , McNally AJ , Salamone SJ 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
The catalytic rates of hydrolysis of lorazepam-glucuronide, oxazepam-glucuronide, and temazepam-glucuronide when catalyzed by E. Coli. β-glucuronidase both in phosphate buffer and buffered drug-free urine were compared as well as the pH dependence of enzyme activity. In 50 mM phosphate buffer pH 6.4, lorazepam-glucuronide has the highest turnover rate of 3.7 s−1 with an associated Km of about 100 µM. followed by oxazepam-glucuronide, which has a turnover rate of 2.4 s−1 with an associated Km of 60 µM. Temazepam-glucuronide has the lowest rate of 0.94 s−1 with an associated Km of 34 µM. In buffered drug-free urine, a similar trend was observed. In addition, an optimal pH for β-glucuronidase was determined to be between 6 and 7 when the enzyme hydrolyzes the benzodiazepine conjugates in buffered drug-free urine. Effects of temperature and incubation time were also examined. It can be concluded that the electron donating or withdrawing of the individual benzodiazepine structure may play an important role in the reactivity of the lorazepam-glucuronide, oxazepam-glucuronide and temazepam-glucuronide catalyzed by β-glucuronidase. This is consistent with other observations made for monosubstituted phenyl-β-glucuronides by Wang et al. (1).
Evaluation of Capillary Electrophoresis Performance Through Resolution Measurements
Authors: Buel E , LaFountain M , Schwartz M , Walkinshaw M 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
The application of resolution measurements to an electrophoretic system can give a quantitative analysis of the health of that system. Capillary electrophoresis has become a routine method for the analysis of DNA and resolution measurements can be used to assess the resulting electropherogram. A number of methods are available to evaluate resolution and three methods are detailed in the current work. Parameters such as polymer concentration and column length were also examined in terms of resolution, and changes therein, if these parameters were modified.
Identifying Sex Chromosome Abnormalities in Forensic DNA Testing Using Amelogenin and Sex Chromosome Short Tandem Repeats
Authors: Young DR , Tun Z , Honda K , Matoba R 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
Forensic DNA laboratories worldwide have begun using multiplexed STR systems to decrease analysis time and increase sample throughput. The loci used in these systems are basically “nonsense” regions of human DNA. However, due to the chromosome on which some of these loci are located, various genetic abnormalities can sometimes be detected. This paper will show one such abnormality—Klinefelter's Syndrome—and the process used to show the possibility of this defect in two undiagnosed males using peak height ratios at the Amelogenin locus, and X-Y STRs.
An Assessment of Four Solvents for the Recovery of 2-Chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile and Capsaicins from “CS” and “Pepper” Type Lachrymator Sprays, and an Examination of Their Persistence on Cotton Fabric
Authors: Lewis K , Lewis RJ 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
The rising incidence of assaults involving lachrymator sprays has led to an increase in items being submitted to this laboratory for the analysis of the associated chemical residues. The following work was undertaken to identify an efficient solvent with which to extract the compounds of interest from cotton fabric. The persistence and subsequent recovery of such compounds was also examined following protracted exposure to wind and rain.
Ethyl acetate was established as the most efficient solvent of those examined for the extraction of 2-chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile and a range of capsaicins from “CS Gas” and “Pepper” sprays respectively. Controlled experiments undertaken showed that capsaicins were recoverable after 72 h of exposure to the “elements” and 2-chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile was still recoverable after one week.
Stature Estimation from Radiographically Determined Long Bone Length in a Spanish Population Sample
Authors: Muñoz JI , Liñares-Iglesias M , Suárez-Peñaranda JM , Mayo M , Miguéns X , Rodríguez-Calvo MS , Concheiro L 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
The estimation of stature from of a variety of bones is an important aspect of forensic work. In order to obtain reliable results, it is important to have comparative data obtained from the same population group as the skeletal remains. However, lack of up to date information on the population groups of Southern Europe makes the estimation of stature from bones in this area subject to possible error. In this study, the stature of 104 healthy adults from Spain was measured, and an anteroposterior teleradiograph of the right lower and the right upper limb of every subject in the study was made in order to measure the lengths of the femur, tibia, fibula, humerus, cubitus and ulna.
Pearson's regression formulae were obtained for both limbs. In males, we found the femur to be the most accurate predictor of stature (R = 0.851), whereas in females best results were obtained with the tibia (R = 0.876).
Hyperostosis Cranii Ex Vacuo in Adults: A Consequence of Brain Atrophy from Diverse Causes
Authors: Wolf DA , Falsetti AB 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
Hyperostosis cranii ex vacuo is diffuse thickening of the bones of the cranium occurring after successful ventricular shunting in hydrocephalic children, presumably as a compensatory phenomenon. We present three adults with severe brain atrophy and correspondingly severe skull thickening. In each, the cause of cerebral atrophy was well defined, and none had undergone ventricular shunting. In two, brain atrophy resulted from different temporally discrete insults sustained in adult life, ischemic in one and traumatic in the other. In the third case, progressive brain atrophy resulted from a primary neurodegenerative disorder, Hallervordan Spatz disease. Our observations suggest that hyperostosis cranii ex vacuo is a more general phenomenon than has been previously recognized, and point to a relationship between dynamic changes in brain size and skull thickness. We suggest that such relationships should be taken into account in anthropometric evaluation of the skull.
The Application of Minisatellite Variant Repeat Mapping by PCR (MVR-PCR) in a Paternity Case Showing False Exclusion Due to STR Mutation
Authors: Yamamoto T , Tamaki K , Huang X-L , Yoshimoto T , Mizutani M , Uchihi R , Katsumata Y , Jeffreys AJ 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
A boy and a girl with their mother brought a paternity suit against an alleged but deceased father. We tested six conventional genetic markers, the AmpliType PM+DQA1 and twelve STR loci the children and mother together with the alleged paternal grandparents. We also DNA typed the bloodstain found later in the alleged father's medical record. Only the result at D3S1358 in a nineplex STR system excluded the alleged father from parentage of the boy, whereas all markers were inclusive for the girl. Accordingly, we performed sequence analysis at D3S1358 to confirm the presence of a paternal exclusion or mutation. The sequence analysis indicated that the boy's allele 17 could have originated from either of the alleged father's allele 16 or 18 by a single-step mutation associated with slippage mutation in STR loci. We carried out minisatellite variant repeat mapping by PCR (MVR-PCR) at loci D1S8 (MS32) and D7S21 (MS31A) and mapped allele haplotypes of all individuals except the deceased alleged father. The MVR-PCR analysis showed that the boy has no inconsistency with the relationship between the alleged grandparents, and was very effective at increasing the paternity index (PI) value. We conclude that there is biological relationship between not only the girl but also the boy and the alleged father.
A Shot Through the Window
Authors: Burnett BR 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
At issue in this case was whether an unusual window defect seen in two of the crime scene photographs was due to a bullet and if so, if that same bullet fatally wounded the victim. The window appeared to have been cracked prior to the apparent shot through it. A .22 bullet recovered from autopsy, when examined only by light microscopy, failed to show associated glass fragments.
A previously cracked test window was shot a number of times with .22 caliber bullets near the cracks in an effort to simulate the window defect seen in the crime scene photographs. Several of the defects produced by the test window shots appeared similar to the crime scene window defect.
The .22 bullet taken from the victim and several of the test bullets (collected by a cotton box) were examined by scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The test bullets showed glass particles on and embedded in their surfaces. Particles of similar size and composition were found embedded in the surface of the bullet from the victim. The bullet likely struck the window prior to hitting the victim.
It was apparent by the morphology of some of the mushroomed test .22 bullets that they hit the window crack. These bullets showed that the glass on one side of a crack often fails before the other side during the strike. Aggregations of powdered glass on many of the mushroomed surfaces of the .22 bullets suggest that as the bullet mushrooms during impact on the window surface, the glass in contact with the bullet powderizes and coats the mushroomed surface of the bullet with a layer of fine glass particles.
Suicidal Ligature Strangulation: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: McMaster AR , Ward EW , Dykeman A , Warman MD 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
An unusual case of suicidal ligature strangulation is described. The victim is a 42-year-old white male who devised a very elaborate ligature mechanism comprised of thin wire, a plastic tub filled with water, and a combination of other common objects to commit suicide while in custody. A brief review of the literature follows.
Fatal Cranial Injuries Caused by an Electric Angle Grinder
Authors: Telmon N , Allery J-P , Scolan V , Rougé D 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
A case of fatal cranial injuries caused by an angle grinder is reported. The scalp lesions were typical of those produced by a cutting disk in a side-slipping movement. On the cranial vault were two bony losses of substance, one of which was deep enough for intracranial penetration of the disk. Signs of deflection of the disk, identical to those found on the scalp, were observed on the external bony table. Because of the circumstances in which the victim was discovered, in particular the damage to the machine which had a broken handle, and the lack of any indication of homicide or suicide, an accident is the most likely hypothesis.
Sudden Death Due to Primary Diffuse Leptomeningeal Gliomatosis
Authors: Havlik DM , Becher MW , Nolte KB 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
Tumors of the central nervous system are an unusual cause of sudden death. This report describes the sudden death of a presumed healthy 28-year-old woman from primary diffuse leptomeningeal gliomatosis. She presented to an emergency room with headache and vomiting, subsequently became unresponsive and was pronounced dead 14 h later. Autopsy revealed a diffuse extensive infiltrate of well-differentiated astrocytoma in the leptomeninges of the brain and spinal cord without an underlying parenchymal tumor. Primary diffuse leptomeningeal gliomatosis is a rare tumor that arises within the leptomeninges from small neuroglial heterotopic rests that undergo neoplastic transformation. Grossly, this tumor can mimic leptomeningeal carcinomatosis, pachymeningitis, tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, and fungal infections. However, the histologic features of primary diffuse leptomeningeal gliomatosis should allow it to be readily distinguished from grossly similar conditions. The mechanism of death in this case is most likely tumor obstruction of cerebrospinal fluid outflow resulting in the usual complications seen with increased intracranial pressure. Although this tumor is aggressive and is associated with a rapidly progressive fatal course, it has not been previously associated with sudden death.
Post-Traumatic Left Ventricular False Aneurysm
Authors: Veinot JP , Acharya V 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
Most false aneurysms of the heart represent contained ventricular free wall ruptures after myocardial infarction. Post-traumatic aneurysms also may follow penetrating or non-penetrating trauma to the chest. Regardless of the origin of the false aneurysm there is a propensity for aneurysm rupture.
We report a patient who developed a false aneurysm of her left ventricle that developed post-motor vehicle accident. Her orthopedic problems were the clinical problems identified and after a hospital admission of 10 days she was discharged home. Four weeks later she died suddenly from anterior left ventricle false aneurysm rupture and tamponade. Patients with significant chest wall trauma should be assessed for cardiac pathology prior to discharge. Presentation may be delayed and be overshadowed by more evident pathology.
Trauma-related aneurysms may cause sudden death, and this may occur some later time after the trauma. Attributing the cause of death to the trauma, which may be remote, is important for the forensic investigator to remember.
Death Due to Microvascular Occlusion in Sickle-Cell Trait Following Physical Exertion
Authors: Wirthwein DP , Spotswood SD , Barnard JJ , Prahlow JA 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
The heterozygous condition characterized by the presence of hemoglobin AS (sickle-cell trait) occurs in approximately 8% of the American black population. Unlike the homozygous state (sickle-cell disease), sickle-cell trait is not widely recognized as a cause of life-threatening illness or death despite over 30 case reports describing fatal or serious complications of exercise in young black males with this condition. These reports identify heat stress, dehydration, viral illness, and poor physical conditioning as factors which may contribute to exertional rhabdomyolysis and sudden death, suggesting multifactorial etiology. However, since sickling is known to occur postmortem, it remains controversial as to whether the pathogenesis of these exercise related deaths involves microvascular obstruction by sickled erythrocytes. We describe three young black individuals with no significant past medical history who died following physical exertion. In all three cases, postmortem hemoglobin electrophoresis demonstrated hemoglobin AS. In none of the cases was the body temperature found to be elevated. These cases serve to remind the forensic community that, in the proper setting, sickle-cell trait must be viewed as a potentially fatal disorder.
Carnivore Voiding: A Taphonomic Process with the Potential for the Deposition of Forensic Evidence
Authors: Pickering TR 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
Carnivore defecation and regurgitation are taphonomic processes that create discrete concentrations of bone pieces and soft tissue fragments of animals that have been consumed. Experiments in which baboon carcasses were fed to leopards and spotted hyenas demonstrate that primate metapodials and phalanges are well represented as readily identifiable specimens in such scat concentrations. Most often phalanges are recovered from scat as whole, articulated digit units (composed of the proximal through distal phalanges) still covered with ligaments, intact skin and finger/toe nails. Considering the very basic similarities between baboon and human physiques, the potential applications of these findings to human forensic cases are significant. Fingers and toes possess features, including fingerprints and, sometimes, distinctive finger and toe rings, useful in the identification of human bodies.
Sudden Unexpected Death in a Patient with Splenic Sequestration and Sickle Cell-β+-thalassemia Syndrome
Authors: Hutchins KD , Ballas SK , Phatak D , Natarajan GA 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
Acute splenic sequestration crisis is a rare disorder that usually occurs in children, with sickle cell anemia, who are under the age of five years. A few cases have been described in adults with heterozygous sickle cell syndromes. Though this entity can be fatal there have been no reported cases associated with sudden death. We describe a case of sudden, unexpected death, associated with splenic sequestration, in a 29-year-old African-American man with undiagnosed sickle cell-β+-thalassemia syndrome.
Building Faces from Dry Skulls: Are They Recognized Above Chance Rates?
Authors: Stephan CN , Henneberg M 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
Methods of facial approximation have successfully aided the identification of deceased individuals. Successes may be due to either accurate facial approximation techniques or chance. This study aims to determine if any of 16 facial approximations, built using standard techniques, are sufficiently accurate to produce correct identifications of target individuals above chance. Four skulls were approximated using four commonly used methods of facial approximation. The resulting 16 facial approximations were judged by 37 assessors of varying ages. Assessors attempted to identify the target individual of each facial approximation from a face pool of ten photographed faces. Only one facial approximation resulted in true positive identification rates above chance at statistically significant levels. It is concluded that it is rare for facial approximations to be sufficiently accurate to allow identification of a target individual above chance. Since 403 incorrect identifications were made out of 592 identification scenarios, facial approximation should be considered to be a highly inaccurate and unreliable forensic technique. These results suggest that facial approximations are not very useful in excluding individuals to whom skeletal remains may not belong. Evidence from this experiment supports suggestions by others that facial approximation should be used in forensic science when all other methods of identification have failed and only to provide tentative identification.
Comparative Analysis of Lubricants Used for Weapons
Authors: Johansson PJ , Myhrinder KTR , Pernilla Gunnarson E , Borén H 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
A method for analysis and comparison of mineral oil-based greases thickened with a metal soap is presented. The greases are first analyzed with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). This analysis differentiates between greases with different main constitutents. When two samples can not be differentiated with IR, a more thorough analysis has to be performed. The base oil and the soap are separated. The soap is derivatized and the two components are each analyzed with gas chromatography. The metal ions of the soap are analyzed with scanning electron microscopy with an energy dispersive X-ray detector (SEM-EDX). By the method presented, grease from a weapon may be differentiated or proven to be identifical to grease collected from a suspect. As the results indicate that the grease does not change with respect to composition when the weapon is fired, the method may be used in many cases. The application of the method to an authentic case is reported.
A New Triplex STR System Without Irregular Alleles by Silver Staining and Its Potential Application to Forensic Analysis
Authors: Yoshimoto T , Yamamoto T , Uchihi R , Tamaki K , Huang X-L , Mizutani M , Tanaka M , Armour JAL , Katsumata Y 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
In order to increase the discriminating power of DNA analysis in forensic science, we devised a new triplex STR system using three novel STR loci we previously reported, D14S299 (wg1c5), D15S233 (wg1d1), and 9q2h2. We designated this system a CDH triplex system. The CDH triplex system showed a high discriminating power, especially in Caucasians. This system is composed of three STR loci showing only regular tetranucleotide repeat alleles. We easily enlarged the databases mainly of Japanese, using this system, and compared them with those of Caucasian and Chinese. This CDH triplex system therefore appears to be useful for forensic practice.
CODIS STR Loci Data from 41 Sample Populations
Authors: Budowle B , Shea B , Niezgoda S , Chakraborty R 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
Allele distributions for 12 or 13 CODIS core tetrameric short tandem repeat (STR) loci CSF1PO, D3S1358, D5S818, D7S820, D8S1179, D13S317, D16S539, D18S51, D21S11, FGA, TH01, TPOX, and vWA were determined in 41 population data sets. The major population groups comprise African Americans, U.S. Caucasians, Hispanics, Far East Asians, and Native Americans. There was little evidence for departures from Hardy-Weinberg expectations (HWE) in any of the populations. The FST estimates over all thirteen STR loci are 0.0006 for African Americans, −0.0005 for Caucasians, 0.0021 for Hispanics, 0.0039 for Asians, and 0.0282 for Native Americans.
Simultaneous Analysis of Cocaalkaloids and Sugars in Illicit Cocaine Using Capillary Electrophoresis
Authors: Ishii H , Morishita M , Yamad H , Iwasa S , Yajima T 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
Most illicit cocaine is adulterated with other substances such as sugars and polyhydric alcohols or local anesthestics. Various sugars have been detected in seized cocaine. Analysis of sugars, polyhydric alcohols, and cocaalkaloids yields helpful information that aids in identification of the sample seized as well as the possible route of sales. We analyzed illicit cocaine directly using capillary electrophoresis. As a result, we were able to separate and detect sugars and polyhydric alcohols and cocaalkaloids using a combination of Micelle electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) and indirect UV detection.