Forensic pathology--de profundis

This review of the literature discusses the evolution of the professional role of the forensic pathologist. This role is defined as that of an expert who mainly assists the legal process of investigating suspicious or unexpected deaths. The forensic pathologist is independent, bringing his expertise to various parts of the judicial process. His role in the development of forensic investigation and promotion of human rights is important.     

Suicide by alcohol overdose

Alcohol is the most often detected substance in the body of a person who has committed suicide. It may be used to reduce the last instinctive hestitations to taking one's own life. Suicide is common in cancer patients. People with cancer-related depression often use alcohol as a means of coping but they very rarely use it in order to kill themselves through acute intoxication. However, a case of a cancer patient who committed suicide consuming two bottles of spirit was recently investigated and the conclusions are presented. The post-mortem cardiac blood and vitreous humor alcohol level was found to be 9.0 and 6.2 mg/ml respectively.     

Effect on renin release of inhibiting renal nitric oxide synthesis in anaesthetized dogs

Nitric oxide plays an important role in the regulation of basal renal blood flow. This study was performed to examine whether selective inhibiti± of renal nitric oxide synthesis affects renin release in vivo. Accordingly, in six barbiturate-anaesthetized dogs renin release was examined before and after intrarenal infusion of the selective inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis, N^G-nitro-l -arginine (NOARG). NOARG was infused into the renal artery to yield a renal arterial blood concentration of 0.4 μmol ml^-1. NOARG did not change systemic arterial blood pressure and glomerular filtration rate, but reduced basal renal blood flow by 26 ± 2%. Urine flow, sodium and potassium excretion were reduced after inhibition of renal nitric oxide synthesis. Basal renin release (3 ± 2 μg AI min^-1) was not altered by NOARG infusion (1 ± 1 μg AI min^-1). To stimulate renin release the renal artery was constricted to a renal perfusion pressure of 50 mmHg. At this perfusion pressure infusion of NOARG reduced renin release significantly from 48 ± 11 μg AI min^-1to 14 ± 4 μg AI min^-1. In conclusion, inhibition of renal nitric oxide synthesis reduces basal renal blood flow and reduces renin release stimulated by renal arterial constriction. These findings indicate that renal nitric oxide modulates both renal blood flow and renin release in vivo.     

Breast cancer risk associated with being treated for infertility: results from the French E3N cohort study

BACKGROUND: The use of fertility drugs (FDs) is steadily increasing in Western countries and concern has been raised as to the possible impact of fertility treatments on breast cancer risk. METHODS: We analysed this association in the French E3N study. In this prospective cohort, data on treatment against infertility, duration and time of administration were collected at entry through self-administered questionnaires. Cox regression analysis was used to estimate adjusted relative risks (RRs). RESULTS: Among the 92 555 women from the study population, 6602 women were treated for infertility. During the 10 year follow-up period, 2571 cases of primary invasive breast cancer were diagnosed (183 in treated women). Our study showed no overall significant association between breast cancer risk and treatment for infertility (RR = 0.95, confidence interval 0.82-1.11), after surgery or FDs, and whatever the type, the duration of use and the age at first use of FDs. However, infertility treatment was associated with an increased risk, of borderline significance, of breast cancer among women with a family history of breast cancer. This last result had limited statistical power. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides evidence that treatment for infertility does not influence breast cancer risk overall. An interaction with a familial history of breast cancer is possible but should be investigated further.     

对注意缺陷多动障碍儿童智力特征的探讨

目的 探讨注意力缺陷多动障碍(attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,ADHD)儿童的智力特征。方法 使用韦氏儿童智力量表对根据美国精神障碍诊断与统计手册第4版(DSM-Ⅳ)诊断的154例6~14岁ADHD儿童进行智力测试,并与102名正常儿童比较。结果 ADHD儿童FIQ在70~129,其中智力超常0例(0.0%),高常6例(3.90%),平常112例(72.73%),边缘36例(23.37%);ADHD儿童的VIQ、PIQ和FIQ及Kaufman三个因子得分均较正常儿童低(P＜0.01);在各分测验上ADHD儿童除“知识”外余10个测验得分均低于正常儿童(P＜0.01);ADHD儿童和正常儿童FIQ和PIQ之间的差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.01);ADHD儿童｜VIQ-PIQ｜差值>15者比例与正常儿童无显著性差异(P＞0.01);ADHD儿童和正常儿童Kaufman3个因子得分之间的差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.01)。 结论 ADHD儿童的智力水平低于正常儿童,但不存在言语智商和操作智商分离以及智力结构不平衡。     

不同水化方案预防冠状动脉介入术后造影剂肾病的临床研究

目的 探讨不同水化方案对冠状动脉介入诊疗术后造影剂肾病(CIN)的预防作用.方法 选择2010年10月至2011年10月在北京安贞医院行冠状动脉造影或介入治疗的627例患者作为研究对象,完全随机分为生理盐水组(161例)、碳酸氢钠组(159例)、生理盐水加N-乙酰半胱氨酸(NAC)口服组(157例)和碳酸氢钠加NAC口服组(150例).所有患者均使用低渗非离子型造影剂.观察各组CIN的发生情况.结果 CIN总发生率为4.47％ (28/627),生理盐水组、碳酸氢钠组、生理盐水+NAC口服组、碳酸氢钠+NAC口服组的CIN发生率分别为2.48％(4/161)、4.40％ (7/159)、5.10％ (8/157)、6.00％ (9/150),差异无统计学意义(P =0.483);在糖尿病合并肾功能不全患者中,应用不同干预方式的4组CIN发生率间差异无统计学意义(分别为2/6、3/5、2/7、2/10,P =0.493).结论 生理盐水、碳酸氢钠及NAC对于降低CIN发生率无明显差异,但在糖尿病合并肾功能不全的高危患者中,碳酸氢钠联合NAC可能优于单独应用等渗晶体液水化,有降低CIN发生的趋势.     

青光眼患者小梁网细胞线粒体的电镜观察

目的:原发性开角型青光眼(POAG)是一种发病隐匿的不可逆性致盲性眼病,发病机制有待进一步探讨。本研究通过电镜检测方法从小梁细胞线粒体形态改变及细胞连接的异常认识小梁细胞退行性改变,探讨POAG的发病机理。方法:原代培养POAG小梁网(GTM)与正常人的小梁网(NTM)细胞,电镜下对比观察小梁细胞线粒体和细胞连接的形态结构。结果:透射电镜可见培养的NTM细胞胞质内线粒体数量较多,结构完整,嵴的数目和形态正常,细胞连接以缝隙连接为主,结构完整,并可见丰富的粗面内质网,偶可见高尔基体等细胞器;GTM细胞线粒体数目少,形状多为空泡状,嵴多不可见,难以找到完整的细胞连接结构,其它细胞器明显减少。结论:(1)POAG患者小梁细胞的线粒体发生了病理学形态的退行性改变;(2)POAG患者小梁细胞的细胞连接连接出现了病理学形态的异常。提出POAG患者小梁细胞线粒体的形态与功能异常以及小梁细胞的细胞连接异常可能导致小梁网功能异常,推测其与眼压升高及POAG发病密切相关。     

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and the urocortins differentially regulate catecholamine secretion in human and rat adrenals, in a CRF receptor type-specific manner

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) affects catecholamine production both centrally and peripherally. The aim of the present work was to examine the presence of CRF, its related peptides, and their receptors in the medulla of human and rat adrenals and their direct effect on catecholamine synthesis and secretion. CRF, urocortin I (UCN1), urocortin II (UCN2), and CRF receptor type 1 (CRF1) and 2 (CRF2) were present in human and rat adrenal medulla as well as the PC12 pheochromocytoma cells by immunocytochemistry, immunofluorescence, and RT-PCR. Exposure of dispersed human and rat adrenal chromaffin cells to CRF1 receptor agonists induced catecholamine secretion in a dose-dependent manner, an effect peaking at 30 min, whereas CRF2 receptor agonists suppressed catecholamine secretion. The respective effects were blocked by CRF1 and CRF2 antagonists. CRF peptides affected catecholamine secretion via changes of subplasmaliminal actin filament polymerization. CRF peptides also affected catecholamine synthesis. In rat chromaffin and PC12 cells, CRF1 and CRF2 agonists induced catecholamine synthesis via tyrosine hydroxylase. However, in human chromaffin cells, activation of CRF1 receptors induced tyrosine hydroxylase, whereas activation of CRF2 suppressed it. In conclusion, it appears that a complex intraadrenal CRF-UCN/CRF-receptor system exists in both human and rat adrenals controlling catecholamine secretion and synthesis.     

基于内容的图像与视频检索技术研究

本文介绍了图像和视频检索技术的目前状况及几个有特色的CBIR系统，探讨了CBIR系统的体系结构、底层视觉特征和高层语义特征的提取与表达方法，以及基于内容视频检索的镜头边界检测、视频镜头内容表示和视频高层语义表示等技术，提出了该领域存在的问题和未来发展方向。     

高血压病辨证分型与实验室检查——心电图、眼底和夜尿量关系及预后观察

目的 :探讨不同证型高血压与临床实验室检查及长期预后的关系。方法 :对 4 81例闽南地区高血压病患者辨证分型为肝火上炎、肝肾阴虚、心肾两虚、痰浊内蕴 4型 ,观察高血压病分期、心电图、眼底改变及夜尿次数 ,并随机选择性别、年龄、职业、地区相配对的非高血压健康人作对照 ,随访 15年 ,研究各证型高血压病患者的长期预后。结果 :本地区高血压病患者中心肾两虚型实验室检查提示靶器官损害较重。高血压病患者主要并发症和死亡原因是脑卒中 (其中心肾两虚型脑卒中发生率最高 ,再依次为肝肾阴虚、痰浊内蕴和肝火上炎型 )。结论 :高血压病患者中心肾两虚型病情重、预后差 ,应为重点防治对象