Postmortem stability of some markers of intra-vital wounds

We have studied the diagnostic value of several markers of the intra-vital nature of wounds - cathepsin D (EC 3.4.23.5) and ions (Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn and Fe) - after the influence of putrefaction. For this purpose, we have inflicted vital wounds to six pigs, which were killed 20 min later. Ten minutes after death, wounds were excised with 5-6 cm of skin around the incision and maintained at three different temperatures (4, 18 and 28.5 +/- 13.4 degrees C). After varying periods of postmortem interval from 0 to 48 h, aliquots of each wound were taken and analyzed with atomic absorption spectrophotometry for ions and with UV-spectrophotometry for cathepsin D. Our results demonstrate that ions conserve their diagnostic ability to differentiate vital from postmortem wounds after the influence of putrefaction. Nevertheless, cathepsin D does not show this ability in these experimental conditions.     

A fatal case of oral ingestion of methanol. Distribution in postmortem tissues and fluids including pericardial fluid and vitreous humor.

A 41-year-old man ingested orally a large quantity of methanol and was found dead at home. The presence of methanol in body fluids and tissues was determined by head-space gas chromatography. The blood ethanol and acetone were negative. Tissue distribution of methanol showed that the kidney presented the highest content of methanol (5.13 g/kg) followed by liver (4.18 g/kg), vitreous humor (3.96 g/l), heart (3.45 g/kg), urine (3.43 g/l), pericardial fluid (3.29 g/l), blood (2.84 g/l) and finally stomach content (2.21 g/l).     

Regional study of free fatty acids and free carnitine behavior in cardiac tissue in relation to different causes of death

The determination of free fatty acids (FFA) and free carnitine (FC) in seven different regions of the human heart has been done. The hearts used were classified into six groups according to the cause of death. The results show that these two parameters are useless in ascertaining the cause of death, although they can provide useful postmortem information about the duration of the agonal process.     

Aminopeptidase and cathepsin A activity in vitreous humor in relation to causes of death

Brain autolysis happens rapidly, especially when environmental temperatures are high, and poses serious limitations for evaluating damage using morphologic methods. In the present study we have measured total proteins, cathepsin A and aminopeptidase activity in the vitreous humor in relation to cause of death and survival time. We have studied vitreous humor samples from 106 cadavers autopsied in the I.A.F. of Granada. The samples were classified according to causes of death as follows: myocardial infarction; hanging; other mechanical asphyxias; multiple trauma; craniocerebral trauma; other violent death; pulmonary functions; and other natural deaths. Total protein was measured by Lowry's method, and cathepsin A and aminopeptidase activity by the Bowen and Davison (1973) and Greenberg (1962) methods, respectively. Results are expressed in IU/l and in mIU/mg of protein. We found higher values of aminopeptidase and cathepsin A activity in groups with severe brain damage (craniocerebral trauma, multiple trauma, etc.) and lower values in groups of natural deaths. We believe, therefore, that aminopeptidase activity in vitreous humor may be a useful parameter for evaluating brain damage.     

Comparison of different techniques for the postmortem diagnosis of myocardial infarction

A study was performed on 74 medicolegal autopsy cases for the purpose of comparing the reliability of four different techniques (haematoxylin-eosin stain, acridine orange method, formazan test and K/Na ratio) used for the postmortem diagnosis of myocardial infarction. Although the results showed that the formazan test and K/Na ratio give a good reliability to rule out a myocardial infarction, the most specific technique for the diagnosis of infarct is the formazan test.     

Study of 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) in pericardial fluid in different causes of death (II.). Experimental study of 5-HT levels in two types of shocks (hemorrhagic and septic) in dogs

In the present work we studied the levels of 5-HT in the pericardial fluid of 160 cadavers according to cause of death; such as myocardial infarction, violent asphyxia, pulmonary embolism, infections, bronchopulmonary diseases, traumatic and hemorrhagic diseases in the CNS, and multiple traumatism. We did not find significant differences in the various causes of death. A complementary study of 20 dead dogs having suffered induced shock, either hemorrhagic or septic, was made. In both series we studied the serum levels of 5-HT and the following parameters: systolic and diastolic arterial pressures, central venous pressure, hematocrit value, pH value, total proteins, albumin, PO2, and PCO2. We found the significant correlation (r = 0.828, P less than 0.01) only between 5-HT serum levels and the systolic arterial pressure in the hemorrhagic shock.     

The concept of democracy: moments,meanings and images in the “long term” (a proposed rethinking of conceptual history in the Ibero-American world)

ABSTRACT

In recent years there has been a notable increase in the practice of conceptual history in the Ibero-American world. There has been a particular focus on the use of fundamental concepts previous and subsequent to the Independences (1750–1850). This work is a proposal to broaden the temporal framework of analysis, until the Second World War at least. It also suggests the introduction of three central aspects: incorporation of images as a complement to texts in the analysis of concepts; identification of the historical moments at which there occurs a change in the dominant semantic of each concept; and consideration of the Ibero-American sphere, not in isolation but in interaction with the global world. To illustrate this new approach, we provide a case study related to a paradigmatic key concept of modernity: Democracy.     

Usefulness of different myocardial sampling zones for the postmortem diagnosis of myocardial infarction

The diagnosis of myocardial infarction requires the use of a group of tests that are very efficient, quick and inexpensive. Another important consideration is the choice of myocardial sampling zones, especially in cases of differential diagnosis between a cardiac injury secondary to a trauma or violent asphyxia and others, secondary to myocardial infarction. The aim of this work was to choose, through discriminant analysis, the most useful zones of cardiac tissue for the quantification of free fatty acids and free carnitine and for the performance of the K/Na quotient, as biochemical parameters for the postmortem diagnosis of myocardial infarction. According to the discriminant analysis performed, seven zones of cardiac tissue are necessary to achieve a differential diagnosis among "myocardial infarction," "other natural deaths," and "violent deaths" with a 71.9% efficacy. Greater diagnostic efficacy was found (78.1%) for differentiating between "natural deaths" and "violent deaths."