A simple method for postmortem detection of acute myocardial infarction

The analysis of K/Na ion ratio of myocardium was used for the postmortal determination of the early myocardial infarction. The ion content of heart tissue was measured with flame spectrometer after the decomposition of myocardium by Lumatom tissue solubizer. The ion contents and their ratios correlate well with the electrocardiogram, the clinical data, the autopsy and histological findings. In some cases the change of the K/Na ion ratio was the only alteration that suggested an early stage of myocardial infarction. The Lumatom tissue solubizer can be very useful in determination of trace elements from any organic samples.     

Investigation of the short-time autolysis of rat hearts by means of SDS. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and electron microscopy.

The short-time autolysis of hearts was regarded as a model of ischaemic heart failure. Therefore, isolated rat hearts were subjected to 30--120 min autolysis in a Locke solution at 37 degrees C. Electron microscopic examinations and myofibrillar preparations were made from the autolysed heart ventricles. The myofibrillar proteins were resolved by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. After 30 min autolysis the amount of a protein of 192,000 daltons greatly increased. At the same time on the electron micrographs the focal destruction of filament destruction on the A filament area and the mitochondrial structure altered too. After 60 min autolysis another protein of 36,400 daltons appeared. On the electron micrographs the focal desintegration of Z membranes and the focal destruction of I filaments can be observed. After 120 min autolysis further proteolytic products could not be detected by gel electrophoresis but on the electron micrographs the destruction of Z membranes and I filaments became more pronounced.     

Legal Scholarship at the Threshold of a New Millennium

Scholarship has already warned us to soundness in relation to modernisationist legal reforms. For it consistently (1) emphasised the framework-creating nature of the otherwise prevailing social normativity, and its primordial role in determining social processes, (2) put the possibility and demand of organicity with every step in the limelight, (3) did not consider the effectiveness of initiating elitist actions to influence overall social movements plannable for the long run and with lasting effects. Therefore, it regarded any regulatory legal intervention as the primarily symbolic confirmation with sanctioning of the direction otherwise ongoing movements were taking, (4) warned to the damages caused by any adventurer policy in as much as they not only fail, but discredit even the thought of change itself. Therefore, it (5) gave voice to the advantage of a systematically planned, consistent, convincing, pragmatic, and all-comprehensive social programme, as opposed to the occasional temptations of worldcuring intentions, exposed to the alternate danger of sudden forwarding and quick tiring, supported solely by intellectual arguments.     

How Political Opportunities Strengthen the Far Right: Understanding the Rise in Far-Right Militancy in Russia

This article provides an overview of recent activities of the far right in Russia (2004–2006) and shows how formal organisations of the far right interact with skinhead subcultures and local communities. It argues that government actions have facilitated an increase in recent far-right militancy (2004–2006) in Russia: the authorities have provided the far-right with political opportunities that their organisations use to coordinate further actions, recruit new members and gain visibility.     

A suicide with neuromuscular blocker

We experienced an autopsy case in which a 29-year-old woman committed suicide by parenteral application of a neuromuscular blocker combined with thiobarbital. These medicines were easily accessible to the victim who was an anesthesiologist in a hospital. Paralyzing the respiratory muscles the usual dose of neuromuscular blockers can cause death unless a breathing apparatus is used. Unusual medicines given in small doses are difficult to detect in the autopsy materials. In our case in the course of forensic investigation we successfully identified the traces of a neuromuscular blocker by mass spectrometry.     

Drug identification problems in two suicides with neuromuscular blocking agents

Cases of suicide committed with neuromuscular blocking agents have been investigated. Both cases involved anesthesiologists who took the muscle relaxants suxamethonium chloride (Sukolin) or pipecuronium bromide (Arduan) and a rapid-acting barbiturate, 5-sec-butyl-5-ethyl-2-thiobarbituric acid (Inactin). The examinations were performed by using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The quantitative data obtained showed that doses useful in general anesthesiological practice were applied. Metabolites were found despite their fast metabolizing character.     

Vena occlusive disease simulated by a metastasis of gastric cancer during pregnancy

A 20-year-old woman was treated because of her complaint and symptoms which were thought to be the results or complication of her pregnancy. Based on the cardinal symptom inferior cavography was carried out, and the diagnosis of occlusion of inferior vena cava was established. The woman was treated accordingly but died after a short period. The patient's family supposed neglection and therapeutic misadventure and raised an objection to the medical treatment. Forensic autopsy was carried out to clear up the case. Autopsy showed her basic disease to be gastric cancer with several metastases in the liver. One of them was in the lobus caudatus Spigeli and compressed the inferior vena cava. The compression caused a turbulence in the given contrast material so that thrombosis was suggested. The diagnosis was based on this misleading sign. Negligence was not verified.