First Report of Dermestes frischii Kugelann (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) on a Human Corpse, South of Iran

The necrophagous species of beetles provide useful complementary data to estimate the post-mortem interval in forensic cases. We report, for the first time, Dermestes frischii Kugelann, 1792 larvae from a mummified human body covered with bushes and located in a canal in Sarvestan district, Fars province, south of Iran. The human corpse was a 63 year old male. The time of death was estimated to have been 23 days prior to the finding of the body based on the police investigations and confessions of a suspect. This beetle can be helpful to estimate the time of death in the future

Cyclin d1 as a useful marker for the differentiation of ewing�s sarcoma from rhabdomyosarcoma

Background: The main oncogenic action of CD99 and cyclin D1 biomarkers is referred to any mutation, amplification, and overexpression in cyclin D1 coding gene, altering cell cycle progression as the main mechanism observed in a variety of tumors. A few studies attempted to detect the overexpression of cyclin D1 and CD99 and in certain types of tumors such as Ewing's sarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of CD99 and cyclin D1 overexpression in these two types of tumors. We also described this overexpression according to the patients and tumor indicators. Methods: This cross-sectional survey was performed on 30 consecutive patients with Ewing's sarcoma and 22 patients with rhabdomyosarcoma and hospitalized in Shafa hospital in Tehran between 2009 and 2014. The assessment of CD99 and cyclin D1 markers was based on immunohistochemical assessment using the formalin fixed and paraffin embedded tissue samples of the two tumors. Results: Almost all Ewing's sarcomas had membranous patterns of CD99 while this marker was negative in most patients with rhabdomyosarcoma. Therefore, detecting membranous CD99 could specifically detect Ewing's sarcoma and distinguish it from rhabdomyosarcoma. Moreover, contrary to rhabdomyosarcoma which is accompanied with lower cyclin D1 intensity, all Ewing's sarcomas were characterized by moderate to severe cyclin D1 intensity. Similarly, almost all those with Ewing's sarcoma had diffuse cyclin D1 extension; whereas, the pattern of cyclin D1 extension in rhab-domyosarcoma was mostly negative or focal. Conclusion: The detection of CD99 and cyclin D1 overexpression and their intensity and extension patterns can specifically distinguish Ewing's sarcoma from rhabdomyosarcoma. © 2020, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Childhood maltreatment and adulthood victimization:An evidence-based model

There is ample evidence showing that childhood maltreatment increases two to three fold the risk of victimization in adulthood. Various risk factors, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, dissociation, self-blame, and alcohol abuse are related to revictimization. Although previous research examined associations between risk factors for revictimization, the evidence is limited and the proposed models mostly include a handful of risk factors. Therefore, it is critical to investigate a more comprehensive model explaining the link between childhood maltreatment and adulthood (re)victimization. Accordingly, this study tested a data-driven theoretical path model consisting of 33 variables (and their associations) that could potentially enhance understanding of factors explaining revictimization. Cross-sectional data derived from a multi-wave study were used for this investigation. Participants (N = 2156, age mean = 19.94, SD = 2.89) were first-year female psychology students in the Netherlands and New Zealand, who responded to a battery of questionnaires and performed two computer tasks. The path model created by structural equation modelling using modification indices showed that peritraumatic dissociation, PTSD symptoms, trauma load, loneliness, and drug use were important mediators. Attachment styles, maladaptive schemas, meaning in life, and sex motives connected childhood maltreatment to adulthood victimization via other factors (i.e., PTSD symptoms, risky sex behavior, loneliness, emotion dysregulation, and sex motives). The model indicated that childhood maltreatment was associated with cognitive patterns (e.g., anxious attachment style), which in turn were associated with emotional factors (e.g., emotion dysregulation), and then with behavioral factors (e.g., risky sex behavior) resulting in revictimization. The findings of the study should be interpreted in the light of the limitations. In particular, the cross-sectional design of the study hinders us from ascertaining that the mediators preceded the outcome variable.</p

Rockfall analysis in the area of Kakia Skala, Greece

Because rockfalls cause significant hazard on human activities and infrastructure, the rockfall analysis is considered to be very important along roads and on other geotechnical works. Especially, in Greece owing to the complexity of geological structure, the tectonic characteristics, the climate and the high seismicity, this analysis is of great importance. This paper presents the topographical, geological, tectonic and seismic features and determines the Rock Mass Rating and Rockfall Hazard Rating System values of the tectonically disturbed limestones in the area of “Kakia Skala”, which is part of the “Patra–Athens–Thessaloniki–Evzoni (P.A.TH.E.)” motorway—one of the most major highways in Greece. For this reason, after geological and geomorphological investigations, bibliographic references and the characteristics of the road construction (tunnels, embankments, trenches, etc.), the most dangerous positions were identified (eight). Finally, the two most dangerous sites were selected for separate rockfall analysis. The RocFall software is used for the estimation of the unstable blocks trajectories and their kinematic characteristics. The appropriate support measure, with the right dimensions, is selected according to the kinetic energy of the falling rocks, and it is placed at the appropriate location. © 2021, Saudi Society for Geosciences

First Report of Dermestes frischii Kugelann (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) on a Human Corpse, South of Iran

The necrophagous species of beetles provide useful complementary data to estimate the post-mortem interval in forensic cases. We report, for the first time, Dermestes frischii Kugelann, 1792 larvae from a mummified human body covered with bushes and located in a canal in Sarvestan district, Fars province, south of Iran. The human corpse was a 63 year old male. The time of death was estimated to have been 23 days prior to the finding of the body based on the police investigations and confessions of a suspect. This beetle can be helpful to estimate the time of death in the future

Preliminary Data on Life Cycle of Creophilus maxillosus Linnaeus (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) and New Report of this Species on a Human Corpse, South of Iran

Beetles (Coleoptera) have been recognized as significant entomological evidence in the forensic entomology field in estimating the postmortem interval (PMI). We report on the colonization of an adult human corpse by three beetle species in Sadra district, Fars province, south of Iran. The adults of Creophilus maxillosus, Dermestes frischii and Hister sp were all collected from the victim’s body which had been wrapped in a sack. For the life cycle study, Creophilus maxillosus (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) adult beetles were allowed to feed, mate and oviposit in rearing chamber (11 × 9 cm) at 23 ± 1°C. Development rates from the instance mates placed together to the emergence of adults was 41 days. Information from this study can be helpful in forensic entomology study