Numerical density of delta-opioid receptor expressing neurons in the frontal cortex of drug-related fatalities

In animal experiment and in cell culture, chronic morphine treatment has been followed by a reduction as well as an increase of the delta-opioid receptor (OR) number. The present postmortem morphometric study of morphine-related fatalities of drug addicts (n=12, 22-35 years old, with blood unconjugated morphine levels from 27.1 to 407 ng/ml, m.v. 176.9 ng/ml) versus a non-addicted control group (n=13, 10-44 years old) is intended to examine whether chronic opiate exposure also affects the numerical density of deltaOR expressing neurons in the human neocortex (area 10 according to Brodmann (Vergleichende Lokalisationslehre der Grosshirnrinde (1909) Johann Ambrosius Barth, Leipzig)). For the immunohistochemical procedure, vibratome sections (100 microm) were incubated with a monoclonal antibody against the deltaOR diluted 1:100, and immunoreactive sites were visualized using an immunoperoxidase protocol. The numerical densities of OR expressing and Nissl-stained neurons were assessed morphometrically (camera lucida drawings). In both collectives, the anti deltaOR immunoreactivity was predominantly localized in pyramidal neurons of layers (L) II/III and V as well as in round and ovoid neurons of L VI. In the drug-related fatalities, the density of neurons expressing deltaOR protein amounted for 2515+/-240/mm(3), in the control group for 2616+/-204/mm(3), thus displaying no statistically significant difference. These findings go along with the binding behavior of opioid ligands in postmortem brains of heroin addicts revealing similar receptor densities and affinities in the control subjects and addicts.     

Application of mtDNA sequence analysis in forensic casework for the identification of human remains

In four forensic cases of unidentified skeletal remains investigated in the last year, we were able to attach three to missing persons. In one case we could show that the discovered bone sample did not fit to a missing child. The method for mitochondrial DNA analysis for the routine identification of skeletal remains was established in our institute by typing bone samples of defined age obtained from Frankfurt's cemetery. Reproducible results were obtained for bones up to 75 years old. For analysis the bone samples were pulverised to fine powder, decalcified and DNA was extracted. From the DNA we amplified a 404-bp fragment from HV-1 and a 379-bp fragment from HV-2 of the mtDNA control region. After sequencing of the PCR products, the results were compared to the Anderson reference sequence and to putative maternal relatives.     

Anticipatory refusals and the action of 'wrongful living'

After years of debate, opinion among bioethicists and medical lawyers seems to have accepted that anticipatory refusals of medical treatment can, and furthermore should, be accorded the same legal status as contemporaneous refusals. But what would be the legal repercussions for a medic who treated an incompetent patient in contravention of such a directive? What remedies would be available to the claimant whose life had been extended contrary to his express wishes? This issue has never been explicitly addressed by the UK courts, but this paper looks at some of the conclusions and inferences we can perhaps draw from other, possible analogous areas of law. It also considers several North American cases that have addressed this issue, and asks what lessons we can learn therefrom.     

Collecting Africana

"To add a library to a house, is to give that house a soul."