A study on the vital reaction in wounded skin: simultaneous determination of histamine and polyamines in injured rat skin by high-performance liquid chromatography

This paper describes a modified method of simultaneous quantitative determination of histamine and polyamines (putrescine, cadaverine, spermidine and spermine) in incised skin wounds of rats using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a strong-cation exchange column, shim-pack ISC-05/S0504P, employing a linear gradient of 0.7-2.5 M sodium chloride. There was scarcely any change in the histamine content of the vital wounds throughout the one week experimental period, although content decreased slightly in 1-h-old wounds. On the other hand, concentrations of putrescine and spermidine increased suddenly 12 h after wounding, and spermine content increased slightly in 4-day-old wounds. There was no post-mortem change in the histamine, spermidine and spermine contents of vital wounds allowed to stand at 25 degrees C up to 24 h after death. Based on these results, this HPLC method may be useful for the determination of wound age during the period of healing.     

Suicide with an unusual shotgun

The authors describe a special case of suicide, committed by a self-constructed nailgun. The inshot-wound, localized in the mouth, primarily remained undiagnosed. The patient survived two weeks and died of pulmonary embolism.     

Referendums in the Third World

Since the early 1960s many Third World countries have been attracted to referendums, with the earliest being held in Uruguay in 1917, Iraq in 1921 and Chile in 1925. Butler and Ranney(1978) identified referendums in Third World nations up to 1978, yet analysis of the political process and patterns of these referendums is lacking in the political science literature. It is the purpose of this paper to identify some of the patterns and processes common to African, Asian, Latin American and Middle Eastern referendums. The paper will examine briefly the Western democratic referendums, excluding the experience of Switzerland and Australia where referendums are an integral part of the constitutional and political process. Secondly, the general and regional Third World patterns will be examined. Thirdly, referendums in nine countries will be described; lastly, the paper will conclude with the identification of the common patterns and processes of Third World referendums. In this paper we are concerned with post- independence national level referendums; although, many referendums have been conducted on a subnational level and prior to independence.     

Cardiac pathology in 470 consecutive forensic autopsies

Cardiovascular disease continues to be the single most common generic cause of sudden and unexpected deaths. Atherosclerotic coronary heart disease and acute myocardial infarction are the most prevalent forms of fatal cardiac disease observed at autopsy. Other cardiac lesions are frequently listed as causes of death, but the prevalence of such lesions as incidental findings in the general population is unknown. In this study, 470 consecutive forensic autopsies were evaluated for minor and major anomalies. The most frequently observed major congenital finding was floppy mitral valve (5%). Tunneled coronary arteries, considered minor congenital findings, were seen in 29%. Atherosclerotic coronary heart disease was the most common major acquired finding, observed in 16% of cases. Of the 470 hearts, only 8% were considered normal.     

Thymic hyperplasia. A clue to the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism

The association of simultaneous abnormalities of the thyroid and thymus is well documented, particularly in the case of Graves' disease. We present a case of a natural death following thyroid storm in which marked thymic hyperplasia was present. This finding can be helpful in determining the cause of death.     

Affirmed: A Study of Criminal Appeals and Decision-Making Norms in a California Court of Appeal

The work of state intermediate appellate courts is often described as “correcting legal errors” and “supervising” trial courts. But what do these labels mean in practice? This article explores the intermediate appellate process through a study of criminal appeals in a California Court of Appeal. Part I describes the characteristics and dispositions of criminal appeals. Contrary to popular impression, a conviction was reversed in only about 5 percent of these appeals. To explain the low reversal rate, part II draws upon interviews with justices of the Court of Appeal to examine the institutional norms and perspectives guiding the court's decisions. The basic decision norms described by the justices are norms of affirmance: for example, the harmless error rule and the substantial evidence rule incline the court to affirm despite certain legal errors or factual questions. Moreover, the particularistic approach the court typically takes in its decision making apparently sensitizes it to the substantive characteristics prevailing in criminal appeals: the crimes are serious and there is little doubt about factual guilt. The low reversal rate and the analysis of the court's norms suggest that intermediate appellate review of criminal convictions is narrower and more constrained than the “error correction” and “supervision” labels imply. Part III explores the implications of the case study for appellate policy.