Diagnostic value of the placenta in medico-legal practice

In three suspected cases of infanticide, histological examinations of the placentas were effective in clarifying the circumstances. We have estimated the 5th month of pregnancy from pieces of the placenta in one case and diagnosed the causes of perinatal abnormalities in two cases, those being acute chorioamnionitis and possible premature separation of normally implanted placenta.     

Dual-label time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay of psychopharmaceuticals and stimulants in serum

A new method to measure two different drugs simultaneously by time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay (TR-FIA) has been developed. In the TR-FIA reported here, psychopharmaceuticals [chlorpromazine (CPZ) and desipramine (DSP)] and methamphetamine (MA) contained in serum are assayed by a combined use of a new europium (Eu) chelate and a samarium (Sm) chelate, as labels. The drug concentrations were determined by the competition between a labeled antigen with Eu(3+) or biotin and a sample antigen. A microtiter plate coated with a mixture of rabbit IgGs (anti-MA and anti-CPZ or anti-MA and anti-DSP) was used. In the assay of MA and CPZ, Eu(3+) labeled MA-bovine serum albumin conjugate (MA-BSA) and biotinylated CPZ-BSA were added to the well with their non-labeled standard solutions or samples. MA was assayed by measuring the fluorescence intensity of Eu(3+) at 615 nm. After incubation of the Sm(3+) labeled streptavidin, CPZ was assayed by measuring the fluorescence of Sm(3+) at 643 nm. In the assay of MA and DSP, Eu(3+) labeled DSP-BSA and biotinylated MA-BSA were used. In our dual-assay, the minimum detection limits of these drugs were 1ng/ml for MA, 10 ng/ml for CZP and 10 ng/ml for DSP. Since the simultaneous detection of different drugs by TR-FIA is time and sample saving, the method can be employed in rapid and sensitive screening tests.     

Sudden Death Due to Recent Hemorrhage From an Intrathoracic Chronic Expanding Hematoma

Chronic expanding hematoma (CEH) is a rare disease that can develop in any region of the body, but it most frequently develops in the thorax. When intrathoracic CEH is left untreated, gradually expanding hematoma can be life‐threatening, leading to respiratory failure or hemoptysis. We encountered an 89‐year‐old man with cardiopulmonary arrest on arrival. He had been healthy, and it was unclear whether CEH had previously been detected. A very large mass was observed on chest computed tomography (CT), but the cause of death could not be determined. In the autopsy, this mass was identified as CEH and no malignant findings were noted. A fresh hemorrhage had occurred in the hematoma and perforated the bronchial lumen, which caused airway obstruction/asphyxia and resulted in sudden death. CEH should be suspected when a very large tumorous lesion occupying the entire hemithorax is observed on chest imaging, and it is important to recognize that sudden death can occur in the natural course of CEH.     

Dermal absorption of kerosene components in rats and the influence of its amount and area of exposure

The influences of amount and area of dermal exposure to kerosene upon the levels of kerosene components in biological samples were examined in vivo and in vitro. Thirty-two rats were randomly divided into four groups and exposed to kerosene through the abdominal skin for 2h. The amounts (soaked in cotton) and area of kerosene exposed were 1 ml/4 cm(2) in Group I, 4 ml/4 cm(2) in Group II, 4 ml/16 cm(2) in Group III and 16 ml/64 cm(2) in Group IV. Before, then 5, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 min after exposure, 0.5 ml of blood was collected. Solid tissue samples, including the exposed skin area, were harvested at 120 min. Kerosene components were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Trimethylbenzens (TMBs) that are easily absorbed kerosene components, appeared at 5-20 min. The time course changes in TMB levels in blood were significantly different between Groups I and II or Groups I and III, and almost identical between Groups II and III. Similar trends were observed in tissue samples at 120 min. High concentrations of aliphatic hydrocarbons (AHCs) were detected in the exposed skin and the AHC levels were dependent on the amount of kerosene exposed per unit area. These results suggest that (1) dermal absorption of kerosene occurs soon after dermal exposure started, (2) absorption of TMBs is influenced by the total amount of kerosene rather than area of exposure, and (3) AHCs remaining in the skin at significant levels are influenced by the amount of kerosene per unit area exposed.