Search

Japan is surrounded by the sea and is also a mountainous country with many rivers. Japan has the second- highest rate of deaths caused by drowning in the world. Pleural effusion (PE) is one of the major findings at autopsy. It is found in approximately 80% of drowning mortalities and is observable for a relatively long postmortem interval (PMI). We focused on the amount of pleural fluid in drowning cases, discussed the relationship of PE with the drowning environment, water temperature, and postmortem interval, and established more simple and practical criteria for the diagnosis of drowning. We measured the weight of the lungs, PE, and their sum as the intrathoracic (IT) weight (total weight of lungs + pleural effusion), and calculated the PE ratio [(PE weight/IT weight) × 100]. A total of 130 drowning deaths diagnosed through forensic autopsies were investigated in this study. The cases were classified by drowning environment (freshwater, brackish water, and seawater), water temperature (under 20 °C, more than 20 °C), and postmortem interval (less than 1 day, 1-3 days, more than 3 days). The present study demonstrated that the PE ratio may be more effective for the diagnosis of drowning. Moreover, the accumulation of PE is affected by drowning environment, water temperature, and PMI. Collectively, it is important to assess the PE ratio and consider these factors in autopsy cases of victims found in water., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

We report the quantification of immunohistochemical findings for a diagnosis of dementia in autopsy cases among older decedents. Autopsy cases were selected with the following requirements: >65yo; no head injuries, thermal injuries, or heat stroke; no intracranial lesions; and within 48h of death. Among cases that met all requirements, 10 had a clinical diagnosis of dementia were included in dementia group. Non-dementia group consisted of 38 cases without any record of dementia. To compare these groups, immunohistochemically, beta-amyloid, tau protein, gephyrin, and IL-33 were examined in five regions. Quantitative analysis was performed by collecting with image data analyzed using analysis software. Image data on tau-immunopositive neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) and beta-amyloid-positive senile plaques (SP) were photographed. Criteria for dementia were made by counting and measuring NFT and SP from image data using software. Differences in SP and NFT were effective for discriminating between the two groups. These criteria may reveal the presence and progression of dementia. Total of tau-positive NFT in Ammon's horn (AH) may be useful for diagnosing dementia. When the total is more than 41 in approximately 6mm(2) of AH, the possibility of dementia is considered. Total of beta-amyloid-positive SP in the parahippocampal gyrus (PHG) may be useful for diagnosing dementia. When the total in approximately 5mm(2) of PHG is more than 47, the possibility of dementia is considered. Immunohistochemical staining may be more useful for obtaining image data for quantification than conventional staining techniques, such as Bielschowsky-Hirano's silver staining., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Abstract: An 87-year-old female who had been hospitalized due to pneumonia was administered nourishment through a nasogastric tube. She collapsed as a result of dyspnea after the insertion of a new tube and administration of nourishment. Chest X-rays revealed that the tube was inserted into the left pleural cavity passing the trachea and left bronchi and that the nourishment pooled. In spite of immediate treatment including removal of the tube and insertion of a drain, she died 12 days later. Autopsy findings: Both the left pulmonary and parietal pleurae were thickened and covered with a dirty gray-yellowish moss-like paste. The left lower lobe was softened, and this region was suspected as the ruptured site of the pleura. Histological findings: A part of the thick pleura with inflammatory cells, including multinucleated giant cells, was positive-stained for anti α-lactalbumin antibody immunohistochemically. These giant cells are often observed in granulomatous inflammation against a foreign material. It was considered that those in the pleura had been induced by the nourishment, and that those in the pulmonary parenchyma had been affected by the insertion of the tube. The multinucleated giant cells clarified the cause of fatal pleuritis and pneumonia and the misinsertion of the tube. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Green tea catechins interfere with urine identification tests, potentially aiding in drug test evasion. • Catechins, polyphenols present in green tea, bind to DAC at the C8 position, forming a blue compound with the highest absorption at 640 nm. • The blue color in the DAC test indicates a high likelihood of camouflage by suspects trying to evade detection. We encountered a urine sample suspected of being mixed with tea, submitted by a suspect attempting to camouflage illegal drugs. Although urine should turn reddish-pink during a urea test with p -Dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde (DAC), this suspect's sample exhibited a blue coloration when tested with DAC. Our aim was to examine the influence and mechanism of green tea on various urine identification tests. Our examination revealed that DAC forms a compound with the urea in urine, resulting in a reddish pink coloration with a molecular weight of 217. However, it has been reported that DAC binds to polyphenols such as catechin. In the case of catechin, DAC binds to the C8 position, forming a compound that exhibits the highest absorption at 640 nm and appears blue. we investigated the effect of urine from volunteers who had consumed a large amount of catechin on the urea test with DAC. Additionally, we carried out quantitative analysis of catechin in urine by LC-MS/MS after enzymatic treatment with β-glucuronidase. The concentration of urinary excreted catechin reached its peak approximately 3 to 4 h after ingestion. During the DAC test, urine samples collected 3 to 4 h after catechin ingestion displayed a bluish pink color, but not the blue color observed in the original suspect sample. This study investigated the impact of catechin on urine tests, revealing that a blue color in the DAC test indicates a high likelihood of camouflage by the suspect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We investigated urinary EG isomers as a drinking marker of alcoholic beverages. • EG concentrations could estimate the presence or absence of drinking. • EG concentration could estimate the elapsed time after drinking. • EG concentration could estimate the specific alcoholic beverage consumed. • It is considered that urinary EG can be a marker of alcoholic beverage consumption. • EG concentrations could provide useful for estimating the presence or absence of drinking. Incidents and accidents often involve the drinking of alcoholic beverages. We investigated compounds that indicate the consumption of alcoholic beverages even after ethanol (EtOH) becomes undetectable in blood and urine. Ethyl glucoside (EG) has been isolated as a possible drinking marker, and a GC–MS/MS method for EG isomers has been developed. EG isomers in several alcoholic beverages were analyzed. In sake , only αEG was observed in high concentrations. In wine and beer, both α and βEG were detected. Whisky, however, did not contain EG. EtOH and EG concentrations were analyzed in urine up to 48 h after ingestion. Maximum EtOH concentrations were reached in 1–2 h and was mostly eliminated in 6 h. Maximum EG concentrations were reached in 3–6 h, gradually decreased, and remained low after 24 h. After drinking sake , the αEG concentrations were much higher than that of other alcoholic beverages. After drinking wine or beer, βEG was detected, but lower than αEG. Also, αEG was detected in urine after drinking whisky that contained no EG. This suggested that αEG may be synthesized in vivo. Disaccharide-degrading enzymes such as α-glucosidase are present in the human small intestine. It was considered that αEG was synthesized when alcohol was consumed with certain foods, such as carbohydrates. In actual forensic autopsy cases, EtOH and EG isomer analysis provided useful information regarding drinking history. In conclusion, it is considered that urinary EG isomers can be used as drinking markers that complement EtOH analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A method for quantitative analysis of acetylene in blood and urine samples was investigated. Using cryogenic gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), acetylene was measured with isobutane as the internal standard in the headspace method, which revealed a linear response over the entire composite range with an excellent correlation coefficient, both in blood (R =0.9968, range=5.39–43.1μg/ml) and urine (R =0.9972, range=2.16–10.8μg/ml). The coefficients of variation (CV) for blood ranged from 2.62 to 11.6% for intra-day and 4.55 to 10.4% for inter-day. The CV for urine ranged from 2.38 to 3.10% for intra-day and 4.83 to 11.0% for inter-day. The recovery rate as an index of accuracy ranged from 83 to 111%. The present method showed good reliability, and is also simple and rapid. In actual samples from a charred cadaver due to acetylene explosion, the measured concentrations of acetylene by this method were 21.5μg/ml for femoral vein blood, 17.9μg/ml for right atrial blood, 25.5μg/ml for left atrial blood and 7.49μg/ml for urine. Quantification of acetylene provides important information, because the acetylene concentration is a vital reaction or sign. For example, when acetylene is filled in a closed space and then explodes, in antemortem explosion, the blood acetylene concentration of the cadaver might be significant. On the other hand, in postmortem explosion, acetylene is not detected in blood. Furthermore, when several victims are involved in one explosion, comparison of the sample concentrations can also provide useful information to establish the conditions at the accident scene; therefore, the present method is useful in forensics. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We report an autopsy case of a man in his forties who died 2days after taking an overdose of vegetamin. The autopsy findings were as follows: externally, the upper epidermis of some parts of the body had become loosened. The epidermis was easily detached from the dermis using the fingers. Viscous fluid adhered around the nose and mouth. The brain was edematous and weighed 1520g. Skeletal muscle was discolored. The urine was a slightly red-tinged yellow. The organs showed congestion. Urine tests: urea nitrogen: 1.95g/day; creatinine: 0.66g/day; urine myoglobin: 1100ng/mL. Blood level of drugs: phenobarbital: 38.2μg/ml; promethazine: 2.22μg/ml; chlorpromazine: 0.96μg/ml. Immunohistochemistry identified myoglobin in the kidney. From these findings, his cause of death was considered to be vegetamin-induced neuroleptic malignant syndrome and rhabdomyolysis. Mutation of the ryanodine receptor 1 gene is associated with malignant hyperthermia. However, there was no mutation which causes amino acid substitution in the three hot-spot regions of the ryanodine receptor 1 gene. Partial deficiency of carnitine palmitoyltransferase II is the commonest cause of recurrent rhabdomyolysis in adults. The subject was found to be heterozygous for an amino acid exchange in exon 4, 1203G→A causing a 368Val→Ile amino acid substitution. It is necessary to examine other candidate gene mutations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]