A blood cyanide distribution study in the rabbits intoxicated by oral route and by inhalation

Blood cyanide concentration was determined in rabbits intoxicated orally or by inhalation. Experiments were carried out under urethane anaesthesia. In the inhalation experiments, rabbits inhaled a combustion product containing HCN via the tracheal cannula and in the oral studies animals were administered NaCN solution into the stomach. In addition to the carotid artery and jugular vein blood samples, postmortem samples were obtained from both sides of the heart and the descending vena cava. The arterial cyanide concentration in the inhalation group showed a close relationship with ventilation. After an initial rise, blood levels decreased a little, in some cases with transient apnea. At the last stage it again increased with gasping, reaching its maximal value. After ultimate apnea, the blood cyanide concentration declined. The blood cyanide values were higher in the oral group than in the inhalation group. The difference between the two groups became larger in the inferior order, the left heart blood--the right heart blood--blood in the descending vena cava. The left heart/right heart ratio of the inhalation group was significantly higher than that of the oral group (1.28+/- 0.28 vs. 0.95+/- 0.09). The coefficient of variation (c.v.) of the inhalation group was larger than that of the other group. Within the inhalation group, the left heart blood showed the largest c.v. values and this was probably due to redistribution of the cyanide by bloodstream after attainment of the maximal concentration.     

Injuries due to deliberate violence in areas of Denmark. V. Violence against women and children. Copenhagen Study Group

As part of an European-South American study of deliberate violence cases of violence against women greater than or equal to 15 years of age and violence against and among children under the age of 15 years were registered at 3 Danish emergency wards and at the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Copenhagen. 352 cases of violence against women and 46 cases of violence against children were registered in the three emergency wards corresponding to rates of about 1.6/1000 per year for women, 0.6/1000 per year for boys and 0.7/1000 per year for girls in a provincial/rural district, the catchment region of Holbaek County Hospital, 3.4/1000 per year for women, 2.8/1000 per year for boys and 0.6/1000 per year for girls in a mainly middle income area of the metropolis Copenhagen, the catchment region of Frederiksberg Hospital, and 4.0/1000 per year for women, 4.0/1000 per year for boys and 0.9/1000 per year for girls in a mainly low income area of Copenhagen, the catchment region of the Rigshospital. Nineteen live adult female victims and 17 dead adult female victims of violence were registered in the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Copenhagen, where also one was registered as a victim of homicide. Nearly half of the adult live female victims of violence had been injured at home while this was the case for approximately three fourth of the dead victims. In 35% of the live cases the husband was the aggressor and in 12% a former cohabitant. In 71% of the homicide cases the husband was the aggressor. The live women appeared to have fewer but more serious lesions than men. The pattern of deliberate violence against women appears to be associated with socio-economic and cultural factors. In cases with a preceding quarrel there is statistically a link to alcohol intoxication. In half of the cases of violence against children the aggressor was known to the victim, in 15% the aggressor was one of the parents, while 42% of the cases were violence among children. The pattern of violence according to sex, and the distribution and severity of lesions for 10-14 years old children showed resemblance to the situation for adults. The lesions were more serious in young infant victims, especially boys, than in adult victims.     

Environmental Impact Analysis (EIA) : Origins, Evolution, and Future Directions

The technique of environmental impact analysis (EIA) was developed initially in the United States in response to a requirement of the National 15nvironmental Policy Act of 1969. Now adopted with variations in at least 3 0 countries antf by the European Community, EIA has proved to be a va1ua't)le component of a group of related techniques for discovering and projectirig the probable consequences of proposed action. In pursuit of iriprovenicnt in analytic technique, however, the policy rationale for EIA has too oftcii been obscured. EIA depends for full effectiveness upon in- tcgration into the policy-making process. Separated from commitment to environmental policy objectives, El.4 IS at risk of becoming redundant paperwork.     

A sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay used to differentiate type AB specimen from a mixture of type A and type B specimens

A sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of ABO blood substances in human body fluids was devised. The ELISA plates coated with purified human anti-A or anti-B serum effectively captured the blood substances, and these were then analysed by the combination of rabbit anti-A and goat anti-B. This capture ELISA could differentiate the type AB specimen from a mixture of the type A and the type B specimens, and the method was applied to rape cases to make the ABO typing of the criminal.     

Medical confidentiality

Confidentiality in the medical relationship is an important, but by no means absolute, concept. It is a means by which the law protects the patient's privacy. But there are sometimes more important ideals than the protection of privacy. In order to determine whether confidentiality is to be recognised, the patient's interest in his privacy must be balanced with other potentially conflicting interests. Each legal system must determine for itself the weight to be given to any particular interest.     

Age estimation from the structure of adult human teeth: review of the literature.

The literature on age estimation from the structure of adult human teeth is reviewed. Several anatomic changes of teeth have been shown to be valuable in age determination, but there is still controversy concerning the accuracy of cemental annulation. It is believed that improvements in age estimation can be made using direct measurement rather than scoring systems.     

Thymus of abused/neglected children.

Forty-six cases of child abuse/neglect autopsied during the period of 1967 to 1990 were investigated. The weight and histological findings of the thymus were compared with those of control children. In most abused and/or neglected children, the weight of the thymus decreased conspicuously. Involution correlated well to the degree and period of maltreatment. In cases without weight loss of the thymus, i.e. spasmodic abuse by a mentally deranged parent or foster parent, a short history of maltreatment was noted. On the other hand, marked involution was observed in cases of prolonged physical abuse and/or neglect. Microscopically, a decrease in the number and pyknosis of lymphocytes were observed in the involuted thymus. Atrophy of the thymus was more conspicuous in the cortex than in medulla. Immunohistochemically, CD-1a positive cells (immature thymocytes) decreased in cases with thymic involution. This involution appears to be an important index of the degree and duration of child abuse/neglect. Furthermore, thymic involution in the early stage of childhood may also be related to insufficiency of the immune system.