Cerebral massive hemorrhage in congophilic angiopathy and its medicolegal significance

The principles of a special type of senile cerebromeningeal angiopathy, these days usually named “congophilic angiopathy”, are demonstrated on the basis of eight cases, complicated by spontaneous massive intracranial hemorrhages in seven and late traumatic hemorrhage in one of them. The occurrence of massive hemorrhages associated with congophilic angiopathy has until now only rarely been reported. The medicolegal significance of this vascular disease is emphasized by the eighth, traumatic, case, which became forensically relevant; the late massive hemorrhage had to be regarded as significantly favoured by amyloid angionecrosis, which is the main feature of congophilic angiopathy.     

Trends in suicide by carbon monoxide inhalation in King County, Washington: 1996-2009

Carbon monoxide (CO) inhalation is one of the leading methods of suicide in the United States. A sharp increase in suicide by inhaling the CO produced from burning charcoal has been reported in parts of Asia; however, the incidence of this method has not been determined in a U.S. population. Thus, we determined trends of CO suicide in the ethnically diverse population of King County, Washington, U.S.A. During the period 1996-2009, we identified 158 cases of suicide by CO poisoning, with 125 because of automotive exhaust, 26 because of charcoal burning, and seven from other CO sources. While historical U.S. data indicate >99% of CO suicides in the United States occurring by automobile exhaust inhalation, in the most recent years analyzed, c. 40% of CO-related suicides in King County, Washington, were because of charcoal burning, indicating a possible shift in suicide trends that warrants further scrutiny in additional populations.     

The potential and limitations of mortgage innovation in fostering homeownership in the United States

Abstract

This article presents an empirical analysis of mortgage innovation as a vehicle to enable renters, especially those from traditionally underserved populations, to realize home‐ownership. It examines the financial and underwriting criteria of a typology of mortgage products, from those adhering to historical standards to some of today's most liberal loans, and develops synthetic models to account for all direct purchase costs. These models are calibrated using 1995 data on renter demographic and financial characteristics from the Survey of Income and Program Participation.

Compared with historical mortgages, today's more innovative loans increase the number of renters who could hypothetically qualify for homeownership by at least a million and expand potential home‐buying capacity by $300 billion. Certain policies could greatly expand the potential gains. Nevertheless, even the most aggressive innovations can play only a limited role in efforts to deliver the material benefits of homeownership to underserved populations.     

Fulminant liver failure in a patient on carbamazepine and levetiracetam treatment associated with status epilepticus

A 22-year-old female with a history of developmental delay and seizures successfully treated with carbamazepine and levetiracetam developed fulminant hepatic failure and subsequently died. She had been admitted to the hospital following secondary generalized seizures of 35 min duration. A circulatory shock as well as intoxication was taken into consideration during the clinical course. Autopsy failed to reveal a macroscopically discernible cause of death. Significant findings on microscopic examination included acute tubular necrosis in the kidneys, pre-existing marked accumulation of neutral lipid within the hepatocytes as well as hyperacute liver damage with evidence of almost complete hepatocyte necrosis. Carbamazepine and levetiracetam were simultaneously determined from blood and tissues such as liver, lungs, muscle and kidneys by LC-MS/MS following addition of lamotrigine as an internal standard and liquid-liquid extraction. Validation data are given for levetiracetam. Both carbamazepine and levetiracetam were present in blood at concentrations within or below the therapeutic range, respectively. Moreover, tissue concentrations suggested long-term administration of anticonvulsant drugs, which is in accordance with the medical history. After excessive drug concentrations could be ruled out, the metabolic consequences of a prolonged carbamazepine therapy to cause severe hepatic injury in the present case are discussed. A mechanism of injury to the hepatocytes may be membrane damage by either an increased production of free radicals and/or a decreased free radical scavenging capacity. Following ischemia with reperfusion and during hyperthermia, large amounts of free radicals are formed. Induction of the mixed oxidase activity during longterm administration of carbamazepine may also increase production of free radicals, leaving the hepatic cell more vulnerable to oxidative injury.     

Detection of morphine and codeine in blood samples with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (NCI and PCI) for differentiating codeine use from use of heroin and morphine

Morphine and codeine were isolated from blood with C18 Bond Elut columns and derivatised with pentafluoropropionic anhydride (PFPA). The PFPA-derivatives were examined by means of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry using electron impact and chemical ionisation (positive and negative mode). The negative chemical ionisation, as most sensitive, was applied for the quantitation of both examined substances in forensic blood samples.     

Dispositional Sensitivity to Befallen Injustice

Dispositional Sensitivity to Befallen Injustice (SBI) is proposed as a new construct. A self-report questionnaire with four types of indicators (frequency, intensity of anger, intrusiveness of thoughts, punitivity) was developed for measuring SBI. Using structural equation modeling and the general rationale of multitrait-multimethod analysis, the convergent and discriminant validity of this questionnaire was investigated vis-à-vis measures for Trait Anger, Anger In, Anger Out, and Frustration Tolerance as related constructs. Additionally, a meaningful pattern of correlations was obtained between SBI and Life Satisfaction, Centrality of Justice, Interpersonal Trust, and Need for Control. Finally, self-reported sensitivity to befallen injustice was found to predict cognitive, emotional, and behavioral reactions to unjust treatment in laboratory and natural settings several weeks later.     

Online reference database of European Y-chromosomal short tandem repeat (STR) haplotypes

The reference database of highly informative Y-chromosomal short tandem repeat (STR) haplotypes (YHRD), available online at http://ystr.charite.de, represents the largest collection of male-specific genetic profiles currently available for European populations. By September 2000, YHRD contained 4688 9-locus (so-called "minimal") haplotypes, 40% of which have been extended further to include two additional loci. Establishment of YHRD has been facilitated by the joint efforts of 31 forensic and anthropological institutions. All contributing laboratories have agreed to standardize their Y-STR haplotyping protocols and to participate in a quality assurance exercise prior to the inclusion of any data. In view of its collaborative character, and in order to put YHRD to its intended use, viz. the support of forensic caseworkers in their routine decision-making process, the database has been made publicly available via the Internet in February 2000. Online searches for complete or partial Y-STR haplotypes from evidentiary or non-probative material can be performed on a non-commercial basis, and yield observed haplotype counts as well as extrapolated population frequency estimates. In addition, the YHRD website provides information about the quality control test, genotyping protocols, haplotype formats and informativity, population genetic analysis, literature references, and a list of contact addresses of the contributing laboratories.     

The European Elections Study 1994

European Journal of Political Research -     

Analysis of the co-amplified STR loci D1S1656, D12S391 and D18S51: population data and validation study for a highly discriminating triplex-PCR

A multiplex-PCR composed of the three highly variable STR loci D1S1656, D12S391 and D18S51 has been established. The non-overlapping fragment sizes allow allele detection using a monochrome automated laser fluorescent sequencer (A.L.F. express, Pharmacia Biotech). The typing results of the triplex-PCR showed no difference to those of singleplex-PCR. Allele frequencies were determined in a Western German population of 228 individuals from Cologne. The heterozygosities and exclusion chances (D1S1656, 0.982; D12S391, 0.979; D18S51, 0.97) are very high compared to other short tandem repeats used for forensic applications. No deviations from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were found. Successful typing of DNA amounts down to 50-100 pg is possible. Mixtures of up to 1:10 can be identified. In conclusion, the high combined exclusion chance due to the well-balanced allelic distribution and its high sensitivity make this triplex-PCR a valuable tool for forensic casework.