Pushing the dead into the next reproductive frontier: post mortem gamete retrieval under the uniform anatomical gift act.

PubMed

Spielman, Bethany

2009-01-01

In re Matter of Daniel Thomas Christy authorized post mortem gamete retrieval under the most recent revision of the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act. This article recommends that the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws explicitly address the issue of post mortem gamete retrieval for reproductive purposes; that legislators specify whether their states will follow the Christy ruling; and that ethics committees and consultants prepare for the questions about human identity and self determination that post mortem gamete retrieval raises.

[Post-mortem microbiology analysis].

PubMed

Fernández-Rodríguez, Amparo; Alberola, Juan; Cohen, Marta Cecilia

2013-12-01

Post-mortem microbiology is useful in both clinical and forensic autopsies, and allows a suspected infection to be confirmed. Indeed, it is routinely applied to donor studies in the clinical setting, as well as in sudden and unexpected death in the forensic field. Implementation of specific sampling techniques in autopsy can minimize the possibility of contamination, making interpretation of the results easier. Specific interpretation criteria for post-mortem cultures, the use of molecular diagnosis, and its fusion with molecular biology and histopathology have led to post-mortem microbiology playing a major role in autopsy. Multidisciplinary work involving microbiologists, pathologists, and forensic physicians will help to improve the achievements of post-mortem microbiology, prevent infectious diseases, and contribute to a healthier population. Crown Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

42 CFR 35.16 - Autopsies and other post-mortem operations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Autopsies and other post-mortem operations. 35.16 Section 35.16 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES MEDICAL CARE AND EXAMINATIONS HOSPITAL AND STATION MANAGEMENT General § 35.16 Autopsies and other post-mortem...

42 CFR 35.16 - Autopsies and other post-mortem operations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Autopsies and other post-mortem operations. 35.16 Section 35.16 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES MEDICAL CARE AND EXAMINATIONS HOSPITAL AND STATION MANAGEMENT General § 35.16 Autopsies and other post-mortem...

42 CFR 35.16 - Autopsies and other post-mortem operations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Autopsies and other post-mortem operations. 35.16 Section 35.16 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES MEDICAL CARE AND EXAMINATIONS HOSPITAL AND STATION MANAGEMENT General § 35.16 Autopsies and other post-mortem...

42 CFR 35.16 - Autopsies and other post-mortem operations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Autopsies and other post-mortem operations. 35.16 Section 35.16 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES MEDICAL CARE AND EXAMINATIONS HOSPITAL AND STATION MANAGEMENT General § 35.16 Autopsies and other post-mortem...

42 CFR 35.16 - Autopsies and other post-mortem operations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 42 Public Health 1 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Autopsies and other post-mortem operations. 35.16 Section 35.16 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES MEDICAL CARE AND EXAMINATIONS HOSPITAL AND STATION MANAGEMENT General § 35.16 Autopsies and other post-mortem...

[External post-mortem examination].

PubMed

Hartwig, S

2016-09-01

The external post-mortem examination in Germany is a non-delegable medical duty for determination of death, identity of the deceased, cause of death, manner of death, time of death and notifiable infectious diseases. Within the framework of rescue service missions the physician is limited to ascertaining that death has occurred. The determination of death must be reliable and is automatically followed by a complete external post-mortem examination of the body, if necessary by another physician. The certain signs of death are livor mortis, rigor mortis and putrefaction. Reliable features for the occurrence of death are injuries which are not compatible with life and brain death. The external post-mortem examination is the basis for the decision on whether further criminal investigations are necessary. The external post-mortem examination and the accompanying death certification must always be meticulously carried out.

Qualification of serological infectious disease assays for the screening of samples from deceased tissue donors.

PubMed

Kitchen, A D; Newham, J A

2011-05-01

Whilst some of the assays used for serological screening of post-mortem blood samples from deceased tissue donors in some countries have been specifically validated by the manufacturer for this purpose, a significant number of those currently in use globally have not. Although specificity has previously been considered a problem in the screening of such samples, we believe that ensuring sensitivity is more important. The aim of this study was to validate a broader range of assays for the screening of post-mortem blood samples from deceased tissue donors. Six microplate immunoassays currently in use within National Health Service Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) for the screening of blood, tissue and stem cell donations were included. Representative samples from confirmed positive donors were titrated in screen negative post-mortem samples in parallel with normal pooled negative serum to determine if there was any inhibition with the post-mortem samples. There were no significant differences seen (P < 0.005) between the dilution curves obtained for the positive samples diluted in post-mortem samples and normal pooled sera. Although small numbers of samples were studied, it can be surmised that the post-mortem blood samples from deceased tissue donors, collected according to United Kingdom guidelines, are a suitable substrate for the assays evaluated. No diminution of reactivity was seen when dilution with sera from deceased donors was compared to dilution using pooled serum from live donors. In the absence of genuine low titre positive post-mortem samples, the use of samples spiked with various levels of target material provides a means of qualifying serological screening assays used by NHSBT for the screening of post-mortem blood samples from deceased tissue donors.

Rigor mortis at the myocardium investigated by post-mortem magnetic resonance imaging.

PubMed

Bonzon, Jérôme; Schön, Corinna A; Schwendener, Nicole; Zech, Wolf-Dieter; Kara, Levent; Persson, Anders; Jackowski, Christian

2015-12-01

Post-mortem cardiac MR exams present with different contraction appearances of the left ventricle in cardiac short axis images. It was hypothesized that the grade of post-mortem contraction may be related to the post-mortem interval (PMI) or cause of death and a phenomenon caused by internal rigor mortis that may give further insights in the circumstances of death. The cardiac contraction grade was investigated in 71 post-mortem cardiac MR exams (mean age at death 52 y, range 12-89 y; 48 males, 23 females). In cardiac short axis images the left ventricular lumen volume as well as the left ventricular myocardial volume were assessed by manual segmentation. The quotient of both (LVQ) represents the grade of myocardial contraction. LVQ was correlated to the PMI, sex, age, cardiac weight, body mass and height, cause of death and pericardial tamponade when present. In cardiac causes of death a separate correlation was investigated for acute myocardial infarction cases and arrhythmic deaths. LVQ values ranged from 1.99 (maximum dilatation) to 42.91 (maximum contraction) with a mean of 15.13. LVQ decreased slightly with increasing PMI, however without significant correlation. Pericardial tamponade positively correlated with higher LVQ values. Variables such as sex, age, body mass and height, cardiac weight and cause of death did not correlate with LVQ values. There was no difference in LVQ values for myocardial infarction without tamponade and arrhythmic deaths. Based on the observation in our investigated cases, the phenomenon of post-mortem myocardial contraction cannot be explained by the influence of the investigated variables, except for pericardial tamponade cases. Further research addressing post-mortem myocardial contraction has to focus on other, less obvious factors, which may influence the early post-mortem phase too. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Variation in bull beef quality due to ultimate muscle pH is correlated to endopeptidase and small heat shock protein levels.

PubMed

Pulford, D J; Dobbie, P; Fraga Vazquez, S; Fraser-Smith, E; Frost, D A; Morris, C A

2009-09-01

This study set out to determine if ultimate pH (pH(u)) affected the performance of intracellular small heat shock protein and endopeptidase dynamics in muscle during beef ageing. Longissimus dorsi muscles from 39 Angus or Limousin×Angus bulls were examined to see if pH(u) achieved at 22h post mortem (rigor) affected tenderness and water holding capacity of beef. Samples were segregated into three pH(u) groups termed high (pH>6.3), intermediate (5.73 days post mortem for intermediate pH(u) beef. High levels of alpha β-crystallin (aβC) at 22h post mortem coincided with delayed muscle protein degradation for low pH(u) beef. Our results support the hypothesis that aβC shields myofibrils and buffers against endopeptidase degradation of beef structure during ageing.

Late stillbirth post mortem examination in New Zealand: Maternal decision-making.

PubMed

Cronin, Robin S; Li, Minglan; Wise, Michelle; Bradford, Billie; Culling, Vicki; Zuccollo, Jane; Thompson, John M D; Mitchell, Edwin A; McCowan, Lesley M E

2018-03-05

For parents who experience stillbirth, knowing the cause of their baby's death is important. A post mortem examination is the gold standard investigation, but little is known about what may influence parents' decisions to accept or decline. We aimed to identify factors influencing maternal decision-making about post mortem examination after late stillbirth. In the New Zealand Multicentre Stillbirth Study, 169 women with singleton pregnancies, no known abnormality at recruitment, and late stillbirth (≥28weeks gestation), from seven health regions were interviewed within six weeks of birth. The purpose of this paper was to explore factors related to post mortem examination decision-making and the reasons for declining. We asked women if they would make the same decision again. Maternal decision to decline a post mortem (70/169, 41.4%) was more common among women of Māori (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 4.99 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.70-14.64) and Pacific (aOR 3.94 95% CI 1.47-10.54) ethnicity compared to European, and parity two or more (aOR 2.95 95% CI 1.14-7.62) compared to primiparous. The main reason for declining was that women 'did not want baby to be cut'. Ten percent (7/70) who declined said they would not make this decision again. No woman who consented regretted her decision. Ethnic differences observed in women's post mortem decision-making should be further explored in future studies. Providing information of the effect of post mortem on the baby's body and the possible emotional benefits of a post mortem may assist women faced with this decision in the future. © 2018 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

Differences in sampling techniques on total post-mortem tryptase.

PubMed

Tse, R; Garland, J; Kesha, K; Elstub, H; Cala, A D; Ahn, Y; Stables, S; Palmiere, C

2018-05-01

The measurement of mast cell tryptase is commonly used to support the diagnosis of anaphylaxis. In the post-mortem setting, the literature recommends sampling from peripheral blood sources (femoral blood) but does not specify the exact sampling technique. Sampling techniques vary between pathologists, and it is unclear whether different sampling techniques have any impact on post-mortem tryptase levels. The aim of this study is to compare the difference in femoral total post-mortem tryptase levels between two sampling techniques. A 6-month retrospective study comparing femoral total post-mortem tryptase levels between (1) aspirating femoral vessels with a needle and syringe prior to evisceration and (2) femoral vein cut down during evisceration. Twenty cases were identified, with three cases excluded from analysis. There was a statistically significant difference (paired t test, p < 0.05) between mean post-mortem tryptase by aspiration (10.87 ug/L) and by cut down (14.15 ug/L). The mean difference between the two methods was 3.28 ug/L (median, 1.4 ug/L; min, - 6.1 ug/L; max, 16.5 ug/L; 95% CI, 0.001-6.564 ug/L). Femoral total post-mortem tryptase is significantly different, albeit by a small amount, between the two sampling methods. The clinical significance of this finding and what factors may contribute to it are unclear. When requesting post-mortem tryptase, the pathologist should consider documenting the exact blood collection site and method used for collection. In addition, blood samples acquired by different techniques should not be mixed together and should be analyzed separately if possible.

Pulmonary function abnormalities and airway irritation symptoms of metal fumes exposure on automobile spot welders.

PubMed

Luo, Jiin-Chyuan John; Hsu, Kuang-Hung; Shen, Wu-Shiun

2006-06-01

Spot or resistance welding has been considered less hazardous than other types of welding. Automobile manufacturing is a major industry in Taiwan. Spot and arc welding are common processes in this industry. The respiratory effects on automobile spot welders exposed to metal fumes are investigated. The cohort consisted of 41 male auto-body spot welders, 76 male arc welders, 71 male office workers, and 59 assemblers without welding exposure. Inductivity Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrophotometer (ICP-MS) was applied to detect metals' (zinc, copper, nickel) levels in the post-shift urine samples. Demographic data, work history, smoking status, and respiratory tract irritation symptoms were gathered by a standard self-administered questionnaire. Pulmonary function tests were also performed. There were significantly higher values for average urine metals' (zinc, copper, nickel) levels in spot welders and arc welders than in the non-welding controls. There were 4 out of 23 (17.4%) abnormal forced vital capacity (FVC) among the high-exposed spot welders, 2 out of 18 (11.1%) among the low-exposed spot welders, and 6 out of 130 (4.6%) non-welding-exposed workers. There was a significant linear trend between spot welding exposure and the prevalence of restrictive airway abnormalities (P = 0.036) after adjusting for other factors. There were 9 out of 23 (39.1%) abnormal peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) among high-exposed spot welders, 5 out of 18 (27.8%) among the low-exposed spot welders, and 28 out of 130 (21.5%) non-welding-exposed workers. There was a borderline significant linear trend between spot welding exposure and the prevalence of obstructive lung function abnormalities (P = 0.084) after adjusting for other factors. There was also a significant dose-response relationship of airway irritation symptoms (cough, phlegm, chronic bronchitis) among the spot welders. Arc welders with high exposure status also had a significant risk of obstructive lung abnormalities (PEFR reduction). There was also a significant dose-response relationship of airway irritation symptoms (cough, phlegm, chest tightness, and chronic bronchitis) among the arc welders. These findings suggest that restrictive and obstructive lung abnormalities, and airway irritation symptoms are associated with spot and arc welding exposures.

[Analysis of methods for measurement and assessment of occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields in dielectric heating].

PubMed

Aniołczyk, Halina; Mamrot, Paweł; Mariańska, Magda

2012-01-01

High-frequency (HF) welders are the most common devices that make use of dielectric heating. They are a source of high-intensity electromagnetic fields (EMFs). Manual operation of those welders makes that the limbs are exposed to EMFs of extremely high intensity, far in excess of the currently admissible values. The aim of this study was to update knowledge of actual exposure of HF welder operators to EMF and to optimize the procedure of exposure assessment. Measurements of the EMF intensity in the vicinity of 10 dielectric welders at work posts of 12 operators were performed. EMF measurements were made using the reference method, extended by auxiliary measurement points to measure induced currents I(L) in the limbs. Induced current measurements were performed in 20 operators tending the same HF welder. the highest values of the electric (E) and magnetic (H) fields measured at work posts were for whole body: E, up to 350 V/m, and H, up to 1.00 A/m; and for limbs: E, up to 600 V/m and H, up to 3.30 A/m. The W exposure indicator in the primary vertical measurement points was almost as high as 60. I(L) values measured at the wrist exceeded 64 mA and were individual-operator-dependent. EMF exposure of 25% of HF welder operators exceeded the national admissible values and after taking into account the operators' hands, this figure rose to 50%. The measured value of I(L), representing a measure of internal exposure to EMF, should serve as the main criterion in deciding whether working conditions are admissible.

Quantification of ante-mortem hypoxic ischemic brain injury by post-mortem cerebral magnetic resonance imaging in neonatal encephalopathy.

PubMed

Montaldo, Paolo; Chaban, Badr; Lally, Peter J; Sebire, Neil J; Taylor, Andrew M; Thayyil, Sudhin

2015-11-01

Post-mortem (PM) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is increasingly used as an alternative to conventional autopsy in babies dying from neonatal encephalopathy. However, the confounding effect of post-mortem changes on the detection of ante-mortem ischemic injury is unclear. We examined whether quantitative MR measurements can accurately distinguish ante-mortem ischemic brain injury from artifacts using post-mortem MRI. We compared PM brain MRI (1.5 T Siemens, Avanto) in 7 infants who died with neonatal encephalopathy (NE) of presumed hypoxic-ischemic origin with 7 newborn infants who had sudden unexplained neonatal death (SUND controls) without evidence of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury at autopsy. We measured apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs), T1-weighted signal intensity ratios (SIRs) compared to vitreous humor and T2 relaxation times from 19 predefined brain areas typically involved in neonatal encephalopathy. There were no differences in mean ADC values, SIRs on T1-weighted images or T2 relaxation times in any of the 19 predefined brain areas between NE and SUND infants. All MRI images showed loss of cortical gray/white matter differentiation, loss of the normal high signal intensity (SI) in the posterior limb of the internal capsule on T1-weighted images, and high white matter SI on T2-weighted images. Normal post-mortem changes may be easily mistaken for ante-mortem ischemic injury, and current PM MRI quantitative assessment cannot reliably distinguish these. These findings may have important implications for appropriate interpretation of PM imaging findings, especially in medico-legal practice. Copyright © 2015 European Paediatric Neurology Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Characterisation of the metabolome of ocular tissues and post-mortem changes in the rat retina.

PubMed

Tan, Shi Z; Mullard, Graham; Hollywood, Katherine A; Dunn, Warwick B; Bishop, Paul N

2016-08-01

Time-dependent post-mortem biochemical changes have been demonstrated in donor cornea and vitreous, but there have been no published studies to date that objectively measure post-mortem changes in the retinal metabolome over time. The aim of the study was firstly, to investigate post-mortem, time-dependent changes in the rat retinal metabolome and secondly, to compare the metabolite composition of healthy rat ocular tissues. To study post-mortem changes in the rat retinal metabolome, globes were enucleated and stored at 4 °C and sampled at 0, 2, 4, 8, 24 and 48 h post-mortem. To study the metabolite composition of rat ocular tissues, eyes were dissected immediately after culling to isolate the cornea, lens, vitreous and retina, prior to storing at -80 °C. Tissue extracts were subjected to Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-MS). Generally, the metabolic composition of the retina was stable for 8 h post-mortem when eyes were stored at 4 °C, but showed increasing changes thereafter. However, some more rapid changes were observed such as increases in TCA cycle metabolites after 2 h post-mortem, whereas some metabolites such as fatty acids only showed decreases in concentration from 24 h. A total of 42 metabolites were identified across the ocular tissues by GC-MS (MSI level 1) and 2782 metabolites were annotated by UHPLC-MS (MSI level 2) according to MSI reporting standards. Many of the metabolites detected were common to all of the tissues but some metabolites showed partitioning between different ocular structures with 655, 297, 93 and 13 metabolites being uniquely detected in the retina, lens, cornea and vitreous respectively. Only a small percentage (1.6%) of metabolites found in the vitreous were only detected in the retina and not other tissues. In conclusion, mass spectrometry-based techniques have been used for the first time to compare the metabolic composition of different ocular tissues. The metabolite composition of the retina stored at 4 °C post-mortem is mostly stable for at least 8 h. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The distribution and redistribution of fentanyl & norfentanyl in post mortem samples.

PubMed

Chatterton, C N; Scott-Ham, M

2018-03-01

This article compares 249 post mortem case reports that were positive for fentanyl/norfentanyl. All the cases were submitted to, and analyzed by, the toxicology department of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. This study highlights the varied distribution of fentanyl in the body after death as a result of misadventure, i.e., these are accidental drug overdose cases as opposed to a study of analytical data resulting from fentanyl use/administration in a clinical environment and/or death as a result of suicide. Post mortem samples were collected from more than one anatomical site and analyzed for fentanyl and norfentanyl using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Ante-mortem samples were available in 4 of these cases and were also analyzed. Post mortem mean blood fentanyl concentrations were found to be 13.2ng/mL (femoral), 19.1ng/mL (iliac) and 42.0ng/mL (subclavian). For norfentanyl the mean concentrations were 4.6ng/mL (femoral), 4.6ng/mL (iliac) and 7.4ng/mL (subclavian). Mean vitreous fentanyl and norfentanyl concentrations were 10.8ng/mL and 3.5ng/mL respectively. Mean liver fentanyl and norfentanyl concentrations were found to be 185.5ng/g and 18.8ng/g respectively. This study demonstrates the importance of multi-site sample collection and subsequent analysis for a thorough post mortem toxicological investigation. The study also highlights the risks and limitations associated with the interpretation of post mortem analytical results concerning fentanyl. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The social life of the dead: The role of post-mortem examinations in medical student socialisation.

PubMed

Goodwin, Dawn; Machin, Laura; Taylor, Adam

2016-07-01

Dissection has held a privileged position in medical education although the professional values it inculcates have been subject to intense debate. Claims vary from it generating a dehumanising level of emotional detachment, to promotion of rational and dispassionate decision-making, even to being a positive vehicle for ethical education. Social scientists have positioned dissection as a critical experience in the emotional socialisation of medical students. However, curricular revision has provoked debate about the style and quantity of anatomy teaching thus threatening this 'rite of passage' of medical students. Consequently, some UK medical schools do not employ dissection at all. In its place, observation of post-mortem examinations - a long established, if underutilised, practice - has re-emerged in an attempt to recoup aspects of anatomical knowledge that are arguably lost when dissection is omitted. Bodies for post-mortem examinations and bodies for dissection, however, have striking differences, meaning that post-mortem examinations and dissection cannot be considered comparable opportunities to learn anatomy. In this article, we explore the distinctions between dissection and post-mortem examinations. In particular, we focus on the absence of a discourse of consent, concerns about bodily integrity, how the body's shifting ontology, between object and person, disrupts students' attempts to distance themselves, and how the observation of post-mortem examinations features in the emotional socialisation of medical students. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Investigation of Post-mortem Tissue Effects Using Long-time Decorrelation Ultrasound

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Csány, Gergely; Balogh, Lajos; Gyöngy, Miklós

Decorrelation ultrasound is being increasingly used to investigate long-term biological phenomena. In the current work, ultrasound image sequences of mice who did not survive anesthesia (in a separate investigation) were analyzed and post-mortem tissue effects were observed via decorrelation calculation. A method was developed to obtain a quantitative parameter characterizing the rate of decorrelation. The results show that ultrasound decorrelation imaging is an effective method of observing post-mortem tissue effects and point to further studies elucidating the mechanism behind these effects.

Effects of tea polyphenols on the post-mortem integrity of large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea) fillet proteins.

PubMed

Zhao, Jin; Lv, Weijin; Wang, Jinlin; Li, Jianrong; Liu, Xiaoxiang; Zhu, Junli

2013-12-01

Tea polyphenols (TP) are known to be important for the post-mortem deterioration of fish muscle and can enhance food quality. To shed light on the influence of TP on the status of large yellow croaker muscle proteins, control and treated fillets (0.1% TP, 0.2% TP and 0.3% TP, w/v) were analysed periodically for myofibrillar protein functional properties (Ca(2+)-ATPase activity, surface hydrophobicity, total sulfhydryl content, emulsion stability index and rheological behaviour). Degradation of the myofibrillar protein myosin could be clearly observed; several proteins were also observed to vary in abundance following post-mortem storage for 25 days. The present study offers new evidence that TP have an effective impact on muscle protein integrity post-mortem. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Establishing post mortem criteria for the metabolic syndrome: an autopsy based cross-sectional study.

PubMed

Christensen, Martin Roest; Bugge, Anne; Malik, Mariam Elmegaard; Thomsen, Jørgen Lange; Lynnerup, Niels; Rungby, Jørgen; Banner, Jytte

2018-01-01

Individuals who suffer from mental illness are more prone to obesity and related co-morbidities, including the metabolic syndrome. Autopsies provide an outstanding platform for the macroscopic, microscopic and molecular-biological investigation of diseases. Autopsy-based findings may assist in the investigation of the metabolic syndrome. To utilise the vast information that an autopsy encompasses to elucidate the pathophysiology behind the syndrome further, we aimed to both develop and evaluate a method for the post mortem definition of the metabolic syndrome. Based on the nationwide Danish SURVIVE study of deceased mentally ill, we established a set of post mortem criteria for each of the harmonized criteria of the metabolic syndrome. We based the post mortem (PM) evaluation on information from the police reports and the data collected at autopsy, such as anthropometric measurements and biochemical and toxicological analyses (PM information). We compared our PM evaluation with the data from the Danish health registries [ante mortem (AM) information, considered the gold standard] from each individual. The study included 443 deceased individuals (272 male and 171 female) with a mean age of 50.4 (± 15.5) years and a median (interquartile range) post mortem interval of 114 (84-156) hours. We found no significant difference when defining the metabolic syndrome from the PM information in comparison to the AM information ( P  = 0.175). The PM evaluation yielded a high specificity (0.93) and a moderate sensitivity (0.63) with a moderate level of agreement compared to the AM evaluation (Cohen's κ = 0.51). Neither age nor post mortem interval affected the final results. Our model of a PM definition of the metabolic syndrome proved reliable when compared to the AM information. We believe that an appropriate estimate of the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome can be established post mortem. However, while neither the PM nor the AM information is exhaustive in terms of defining an individual's health status, a superlative estimate may be obtained by combining the PM and the AM information. With this model, we open up the possibility of utilising autopsy data for future studies of the metabolic syndrome.

Post-mortem redistribution of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "ecstasy") in the rabbit. Part I: experimental approach after in vivo intravenous infusion.

PubMed

De Letter, Els A; Clauwaert, Karine M; Belpaire, Frans M; Lambert, Willy E; Van Bocxlaer, Jan F; Piette, Michel H A

2002-08-01

Post-mortem redistribution is known to influence blood and tissue levels of various drugs. An animal model was used in an attempt to elucidate this problem for the amphetamine analogue, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). Rabbits received 1 mg/kg MDMA intravenously (iv) and were killed 2 h later in order to simulate the state of complete distribution in the body. MDMA and 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) concentrations were determined in blood, urine, bile, vitreous humour, and various tissues (eye globe walls, brain, cardiac muscle, lungs, liver, kidneys, iliopsoas muscle and adipose tissue) using a high pressure liquid chromatographic (HPLC) procedure with fluorescence detection. In the first group (control group, sampling immediately post mortem) considerable MDMA concentrations were found in the brain and both lungs. In addition, our data indicate the elimination of MDMA by hepatic biotransformation and excretion via the bile. When the animals were preserved either 24 or 72 h post mortem (second group), an increase of MDMA and MDA levels in the liver and the eye globe walls was noticed. In the lungs, on the other hand, they tended to decline as a function of increasing post-mortem interval. MDMA levels in cardiac and iliopsoas muscle were fairly comparable and remained stable up to 72 h after death. In the third group, ligation of the large vessels around the heart took place immediately post mortem, but significant differences in blood and tissue MDMA concentrations between rabbits of group 2 and 3 could not be demonstrated. We therefore conclude that post-mortem redistribution of MDMA at the cellular level (viz. by pure diffusion gradient from higher to lower concentrations) is more important than its redistribution via the vascular pathway. Finally, MDA levels were relatively low in all samples, thus indicating that this is not a major metabolite in the rabbit, at least within the first 2 h after administration.

Venous air embolism: An under-recognised entity in blunt-force trauma and the importance of radiology.

PubMed

du Plessis, Marna; du Toit-Prinsloo, Lorraine

2017-04-01

Air embolism (AE) is considered a rare event and can be either iatrogenic or traumatic. Various post-mortem methods to detect AE exist, of which radiology is preferred. The presence of air in the heart can be demonstrated using special dissection techniques where the heart is opened under water or by needle puncture from a water-filled syringe. Three cases of blunt-force head injury are presented herein, with AE being diagnosed by conventional radiography using a Lodox Statscan® full-body digital X-ray machine in all cases. This case series demonstrates that AE due to blunt-force trauma to the head and sinuses might be under-recognised in the forensic post-mortem setting. It also highlights the importance of radiology in diagnosing AE post-mortem, especially where the results of post-mortem techniques might be unsatisfactory.

Dating human skeletal remains: investigating the viability of measuring the equilibrium between 210Po and 210Pb as a means of estimating the post-mortem interval.

PubMed

Swift, B

1998-11-30

Estimating the post-mortem interval in skeletal remains is a notoriously difficult task; forensic pathologists often rely heavily upon experience in recognising morphological appearances. Previous techniques have involved measuring physical or chemical changes within the hydroxyapatite matrix, radiocarbon dating and 90Sr dating, though no individual test has been advocated. Within this paper it is proposed that measuring the equilibrium between two naturally occurring radio-isotopes, 210Po and 210Pb, and comparison with post-mortem examination samples would produce a new method of dating human skeletal remains. Possible limitations exist, notably the effect of diagenesis, time limitations and relative cost, though this technique could provide a relatively accurate means of determining the post-mortem interval. It is therefore proposed that a large study be undertaken to provide a calibration scale against which bones uncovered can be dated.

Dead in the water--are we killing the hospital autopsy with poor consent practices?

PubMed

Henry, Jaimie; Nicholas, Nick

2012-07-01

It is now a recognized fact that the practice of conducting a consent (or hospital) post-mortem examination is in decline. There have been many reasons put forth to explain this demise, but the quality of the consenting process is frequently cited as having a high impact. This article focuses on consent practices for post-mortem examinations in England and Wales, and considers if our consent techniques are adversely affecting post-mortem examination uptake. We examine the regulatory compliance of trusts with their statutory obligations by analyzing the Human Tissue Authority's compliance and inspection reports. We further analyze 21 publicly available NHS Trust policies on post-mortem examination consent procedures, and consider whether these are fit for the purpose of meeting the dual needs of clinicians and the bereaved. Despite more Human Tissue Authority inspections, there is a disproportionate rise in enforcement actions, with up to 48% of sampled Trusts exhibiting shortcomings in their legal duties. Additionally, only 52.4% of sampled trusts follow the Human Tissue Authority best-practice model, with 23.8% having no documented procedures. Despite the well founded evidence base for best-practice models, consent practices for post-mortem examinations remains poor and is likely to have a gross adverse effect on the rate of post-mortem examinations. We recommend that NHS Trusts rigorously review their protocols and introduce a team-approach between clinicians and trained bereavement staff in core-consent teams, as the Human Tissue Authority suggests, whilst at the same time placing a strong emphasis on education for junior and senior colleagues alike.

Post-mortem diagnosis of chronic Chagas's disease comparative evaluation of three serological tests on pericardial fluid.

PubMed

Lopes, E R; Chapadeiro, E; Batista, S M; Cunha, J G; Rocha, A; Miziara, L; Ribeiro, J U; Patto, R J

1978-01-01

In an attempt to improve the post-mortem diagnosis of Chagas's disease the authors performed haemagglutination tests (HAT), fluorescent Trypanosoma cruzi antibody tests (FAT), and complement fixation tests (CFT) on the pericardial fluid obtained at autopsy of 50 individuals with Chagas's heart disease, and 93 patients in whom this disease was not thought to be present. The results demonstrate that all three tests are efficient for the post-mortem diagnosis of Chagas's disease but suggest that their combined use would detect more cases than would one isolated reaction only.

Changes of microbial spoilage, lipid-protein oxidation and physicochemical properties during post mortem refrigerated storage of goat meat.

PubMed

Sabow, Azad Behnan; Sazili, Awis Qurni; Aghwan, Zeiad Amjad; Zulkifli, Idrus; Goh, Yong Meng; Ab Kadir, Mohd Zainal Abidin; Nakyinsige, Khadijah; Kaka, Ubedullah; Adeyemi, Kazeem Dauda

2016-06-01

Examined was the effect of post mortem refrigerated storage on microbial spoilage, lipid-protein oxidation and physicochemical traits of goat meat. Seven Boer bucks were slaughtered, eviscerated and aged for 24 h. The Longissimus lumborum (LL) and Semitendinosus (ST) muscles were excised and subjected to 13 days post mortem refrigerated storage. The pH, lipid and protein oxidation, tenderness, color and drip loss were determined in LL while microbiological analysis was performed on ST. Bacterial counts generally increased with increasing aging time and the limit for fresh meat was reached at day 14 post mortem. Significant differences were observed in malondialdehyde (MDA) content at day 7 of storage. The thiol concentration significantly reduced as aging time increased. The band intensities of myosin heavy chain (MHC) and troponin-T significantly decreased as storage progressed, while actin remained relatively stable. After 14 days of aging, tenderness showed significant improvement while muscle pH and drip loss reduced with increase in storage time. Samples aged for 14 days had higher lightness (P < 0.05) and lower (P < 0.05) yellowness and redness. Post mortem refrigerated storage influenced oxidative and microbial stability and physico-chemical properties of goat meat. © 2016 Japanese Society of Animal Science.

External foam and the post-mortem period in freshwater drowning; results from a retrospective study in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

PubMed

Reijnen, G; Buster, M C; Vos, P J E; Reijnders, U J L

2017-11-01

Determining the time of death of bodies recovered from water can be difficult. A feature of drowning is the presence of external foam. This study describes the presence of external foam in relation to the post-mortem period. The study utilizes a database of death reports dated between January 2011 and July 2016. For bodies recovered from fresh water, the presence or absence of external foam was noted. In this study, 112 death reports are included. Of these reports, 18 mentioned external foam, which account for 16.1% of the entire study population. In the population with a post-mortem period of less than 24 h, external foam was detected in 27.7% of cases. All 18 incidents with external foam had an estimated post-mortem period of less than 24 h. In our study, external foam was only present in freshwater drowning cases with a post-mortem period of less than 24 h. Based on this finding, the presence of external foam may be useful as an additional indicator when estimating the time of death in freshwater drowning. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. All rights reserved.

Multi-phase post-mortem CT-angiography: a pathologic correlation study on cardiovascular sudden death

PubMed Central

Turillazzi, Emanuela; Frati, Paola; Pascale, Natascha; Pomara, Cristoforo; Grilli, Giampaolo; Viola, Rocco Valerio; Fineschi, Vittorio

2016-01-01

Multi-phase post-mortem CT-angiography (MPMCTA) has the great potential to increase the quality of the post-mortem investigation, especially in the area of sudden death; however, its role as routine complement to the pathology toolbox is still questioned as it needs to be further standardized. The aim of this study is to investigate the contribution of MPMCTA in cases of sudden unexplained death in adults and in particular in sudden cardiovascular death. Sixty-eight sudden unexpected deaths of adults were investigated at our institution between 2012 and 2013. Ten cases underwent MPMCTA and autopsy and were included in the study. Before the angiographic step by complete filling of the vascular system, prior to any manipulation of the body, a non-contrast CT-scan was carried out. Image reconstructions were performed on a CT workstation (Vitrea) and two radiologists experienced with post mortem imaging interpreted the MPMCTA findings. In all 10 cases, we could state a good correlation between combination of post-mortem CT and MPMCTA and autopsy procedures, confirming a high diagnostic sensitivity. With this case series we want to illustrate the advantages offered by performing MPMCTA when facing a sudden death, regardless of specific suspicion for acute coronary syndrome or other vascular or ischemic disease. PMID:27928228

[Determination of death and post-mortem examination on the high seas].

PubMed

Buschmann, Claas T; Tsokos, Michael

2009-01-01

Usually death has to be determined by a physician. Deaths on board of ocean-going vessels confront the crew with special challenges, as on the high seas--especially in the container and cargo ship business--often no physician will be available and death has to be determined by medical laymen such as the captain or the medical officer. To document the determination of death, a "Provisional Certificate of Death on the High Seas" is presented. Moreover, an algorithm "Provisional Post-Mortem Examination on the High Seas" is presented to document the results and the practical performance of the external post-mortem examination by medical laymen on a ship. With the help of concrete procedural instructions medical laymen on board of sea-going vessels are to be enabled to determine the death of a human being beyond doubt, to perform a preliminary external post-mortem examination and to store the corpse according to forensic requirements until the ship reaches a port and the body is delivered to the harbour physician.

The Design and Development of a Post-Mortem Room Complex

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Osborne, A. D.

1977-01-01

The design of a post-mortem room complex to serve the needs of three separate organizations on the campus of the University of Bristol's Veterinary Field Station is described. Comments are made on disadvantages that have become apparent during eight years of use. (Author/LBH)

Measurement of cerebral biomarkers proving traumatic brain injuries in post-mortem body fluids.

PubMed

Ondruschka, Benjamin; Sieber, Monique; Kirsten, Holger; Franke, Heike; Dressler, Jan

2018-05-05

Until now, it is impossible to identify a fatal traumatic brain injury (TBI) before post-mortem radiological investigations or an autopsy take place. It would be preferable to have an additional diagnostic tool like post-mortem biochemistry to get greater insight into the pathological pathways and survival times after sustaining TBI. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum samples of 84 autopsy cases were collected from forensic autopsies with post-mortem intervals (PMI) of up to 148 h. The cases were categorized into a fatal TBI case group (n=42) and non-TBI controls (n=42). The values of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) were analyzed by means of quantitative chemiluminescent multiplex immunoassays. The main results indicate that the usage of liquid samples with good macroscopic quality is more relevant for meaningful biomarker analyses than the length of the PMI. All three proteins were shown to differentiate TBI fatalities from the controls in CSF. In serum, only GFAP could be shown to be able to identify TBI cases. This study is the first approach to measure the three proteins together in CSF and serum in autopsy cases. Determined threshold values may differentiate between fatal TBI and control cases. The presented results emphasize the possible use of post-mortem biochemistry as a supplemental tool in everyday forensic routine.

Caspase inhibitors increase the rate of recovery of neural stem/progenitor cells from post-mortem rat brains stored at room temperature.

PubMed

Hasegawa, Atsuko; Yamada, Chikako; Tani, Miho; Hirano, Shun-ichiro; Tokumoto, Yasuhito; Miyake, Jun

2009-06-01

To match the demand of regenerative medicine for nerve system, collection of stem cells from the post-mortem body is one of the most practical ways. In this study, the storage condition of the post-mortem body was examined. We prepared neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) from post-mortem rat brains stored at different temperatures. When brains were stored at 4 degrees C, for one week, we were able to obtain neurospheres (a spheroid body containing NSPCs) by stimulation of cells with epidermal growth factor (EGF). Incremental increases in storage temperature decreased the rate of appearance of neurospheres. Within 48 h at 15 degrees C, 24 h at 25 degrees C, in both condition, we were able to recover NSPCs from post-mortem rat brains. At 15 degrees C, 90% of neurosphere-forming activity was lost within 24 h. However, even after 24 h at 25 degrees C, 2% neurosphere-forming activity remained. After 6 h of death, there was very little difference between the rates of NSPC recovery at 4 degrees C and 25 degrees C. Addition of caspase inhibitors to both the rat brain storage solution and the NSPC culture medium increased the rate of neurosphere-forming activity. In particular, an inhibitor of caspase-8 activity increased the NSPC recovery rate approximately three-fold, with no accompanying detrimental effects on neural differentiation in vitro.

Experimental evaluation of rigor mortis. VII. Effect of ante- and post-mortem electrocution on the evolution of rigor mortis.

PubMed

Krompecher, T; Bergerioux, C

1988-01-01

The influence of electrocution on the evolution of rigor mortis was studied on rats. Our experiments showed that: (1) Electrocution hastens the onset of rigor mortis. After an electrocution of 90 s, a complete rigor develops already 1 h post-mortem (p.m.) compared to 5 h p.m. for the controls. (2) Electrocution hastens the passing of rigor mortis. After an electrocution of 90 s, the first significant decrease occurs at 3 h p.m. (8 h p.m. in the controls). (3) These modifications in rigor mortis evolution are less pronounced in the limbs not directly touched by the electric current. (4) In case of post-mortem electrocution, the changes are slightly less pronounced, the resistance is higher and the absorbed energy is lower as compared with the ante-mortem electrocution cases. The results are completed by two practical observations on human electrocution cases.

Post-mortem chemical excitability of the iris should not be used for forensic death time diagnosis.

PubMed

Koehler, Katja; Sehner, Susanne; Riemer, Martin; Gehl, Axel; Raupach, Tobias; Anders, Sven

2018-04-18

Post-mortem chemical excitability of the iris is one of the non-temperature-based methods in forensic diagnosis of the time since death. Although several authors reported on their findings, using different measurement methods, currently used time limits are based on a single dissertation which has recently been doubted to be applicable for forensic purpose. We investigated changes in pupil-iris ratio after application of acetylcholine (n = 79) or tropicamide (n = 58) and in controls at upper and lower time limits that are suggested in the current literature, using a digital photography-based measurement method with excellent reliability. We observed "positive," "negative," and "paradox" reactions in both intervention and control conditions at all investigated post-mortem time points, suggesting spontaneous changes in pupil size to be causative for the finding. According to our observations, post-mortem chemical excitability of the iris should not be used in forensic death time estimation, as results may cause false conclusions regarding the correct time point of death and might therefore be strongly misleading.

Bacteriological evaluation of a down-draught necropsy table ventilation system.

PubMed

al-Wali, W; Kibbler, C C; McLaughlin, J E

1993-08-01

To evaluate the microbiological efficacy of a down-draught necropsy table ventilation system (which surrounds the cadaver with a "curtain" of air under continuous extraction) during post mortem procedures. Air sampling was carried out both in the presence and absence of staff and cadaver and during a full post mortem procedure, with functioning and non-functioning table air extraction. The penetration of the air "curtain" was also examined during the use of an oscillating bone saw by means of a tracer organism, Bacillus subtilis var niger, painted on to the skull. There was little difference between bacterial counts obtained in the presence of staff only, staff plus cadaver, or during a post mortem examination. With all counts obtained, however, there was a two to three-fold reduction when the ventilation was in operation compared with when the extract duct was occluded. Using the tracer organism, a two to three log reduction in counts was shown when the "curtain" was in operation during the use of the oscillating bone saw. These results suggest that the system provides potential protection for post mortem room staff against airborne infections.

Rigor mortis development at elevated temperatures induces pale exudative turkey meat characteristics.

PubMed

McKee, S R; Sams, A R

1998-01-01

Development of rigor mortis at elevated post-mortem temperatures may contribute to turkey meat characteristics that are similar to those found in pale, soft, exudative pork. To evaluate this effect, 36 Nicholas tom turkeys were processed at 19 wk of age and placed in water at 40, 20, and 0 C immediately after evisceration. Pectoralis muscle samples were taken at 15 min, 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, and 4 h post-mortem and analyzed for R-value (an indirect measure of adenosine triphosphate), glycogen, pH, color, and sarcomere length. At 4 h, the remaining intact Pectoralis muscle was harvested, and aged on ice 23 h, and analyzed for drip loss, cook loss, shear values, and sarcomere length. By 15 min post-mortem, the 40 C treatment had higher R-values, which persisted through 4 h. By 1 h, the 40 C treatment pH and glycogen levels were lower than the 0 C treatment; however, they did not differ from those of the 20 C treatment. Increased L* values indicated that color became more pale by 2 h post-mortem in the 40 C treatment when compared to the 20 and 0 C treatments. Drip loss, cook loss, and shear value were increased whereas sarcomere lengths were decreased as a result of the 40 C treatment. These findings suggested that elevated post-mortem temperatures during processing resulted in acceleration of rigor mortis and biochemical changes in the muscle that produced pale, exudative meat characteristics in turkey.

Can we infer post mortem interval on the basis of decomposition rate? A case from a Portuguese cemetery.

PubMed

Ferreira, M Teresa; Cunha, Eugénia

2013-03-10

Post mortem interval estimation is crucial in forensic sciences for both positive identification and reconstruction of perimortem events. However, reliable dating of skeletonized remains poses a scientific challenge since human remains decomposition involves a set of complex and highly variable processes. Many of the difficulties in determining post mortem interval and/or the permanence of a body in a specific environment relates with the lack of systematic observations and research in human body decomposition modalities in different environments. In March 2006, in order to solve a problem of misidentification, a team of the South Branch of Portuguese National Institute of Legal Medicine carried out the exhumation of 25 identified individuals buried for almost five years in the same cemetery plot. Even though all individuals shared similar post mortem intervals, they presented different stages of decomposition. In order to analyze the post mortem factors associated with the different stages of decomposition displayed by the 25 exhumed individuals, the stages of decomposition were scored. Information regarding age at death and sex of the individuals were gathered and recorded as well as data in the cause of death and grave and coffin characteristics. Although the observed distinct decay stages may be explained by the burial conditions, namely by the micro taphonomic environments, individual endogenous factors also play an important role on differential decomposition as witnessed by the present case. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of cooling rate upon processing characteristics of pork meat of different glycolysis type during post mortem ageing.

PubMed

Vada, M

1977-10-01

Rapid chilling was applied to porcine longissimus dorsi muscles at 1 h post mortem in order to observe its effect on the quality of canned products prepared from those of different pH(1) values. The muscle from one side of each animal was removed from the carcase 50 minutes post mortem and divided into two longitudinal strips. One was chilled immediately to 13-15°C (1 h post mortem): the other after a further hour (2 h post mortem) acted as control. After the centre temperature had reached 10°C the muscles were stored in a refrigerator at 3-5°C. Compared with the control samples (chilled at 2 h p.m.), rapid chilling from 1 h p.m. caused an improvement in the water-holding capacity and the texture of pork meat, which had higher pH(1) values and was processed at 2, 4 and 48 h p.m. There was minimum brine retention and texture score if samples-both rapidly chilled and control-were processed at 24 h p.m. Although brine retention of PSE pork meat could not be increased even by rapid chilling, the texture of heat treated PSE pork showed an improvement during storage, which was more pronounced after ageing for 48 h, if PSE samples were chilled at 1 h p.m. Copyright © 1977. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Understanding Early Post-Mortem Biochemical Processes Underlying Meat Color and pH Decline in the Longissimus thoracis Muscle of Young Blond d'Aquitaine Bulls Using Protein Biomarkers.

PubMed

Gagaoua, Mohammed; Terlouw, E M Claudia; Micol, Didier; Boudjellal, Abdelghani; Hocquette, Jean-François; Picard, Brigitte

2015-08-05

Many studies on color biochemistry and protein biomarkers were undertaken in post-mortem beef muscles after ≥24 hours. The present study was conducted on Longissimus thoracis muscles of 21 Blond d'Aquitaine young bulls to evaluate the relationships between protein biomarkers present during the early post-mortem and known to be related to tenderness and pH decline and color development. pH values at 45 min, 3 h, and 30 h post-mortem were correlated with three, seven, and six biomarkers, respectively. L*a*b* color coordinates 24 h post-mortem were correlated with nine, five, and eight protein biomarkers, respectively. Regression models included Hsp proteins and explained between 47 and 59% of the variability between individuals in pH and between 47 and 65% of the variability in L*a*b* color coordinates. Proteins correlated with pH and/or color coordinates were involved in apoptosis or had antioxidative or chaperone activities. The main results include the negative correlations between pH45 min, pH3 h, and pHu and Prdx6, which may be explained by the antioxidative and phospholipase activities of this biomarker. Similarly, inducible Hsp70-1A/B and μ-calpain were correlated with L*a*b* coordinates, due to the protective action of Hsp70-1A/B on the proteolytic activities of μ-calpain on structural proteins. Correlations existed further between MDH1, ENO3, and LDH-B and pH decline and color stability probably due to the involvement of these enzymes in the glycolytic pathway and, thus, the energy status of the cell. The present results show that research using protein indicators may increase the understanding of early post-mortem biological mechanisms involved in pH and beef color development.

The effect on toxicology, biochemistry and immunology investigations by the use of targeted post-mortem computed tomography angiography.

PubMed

Rutty, G N; Smith, P; Visser, T; Barber, J; Amorosa, J; Morgan, B

2013-02-10

It is recognised in autopsy practice that investigations such as toxicology can be affected by post-mortem change. Post-mortem computed tomography angiography (PMCT-A) involves the injection of contrast agents. This could cause dilution of a biological fluid sample or cause the circulation of blood after death by mechanical pumping, and thus has the potential to affect laboratory investigations. We undertook a small sample study to consider whether targeted PMCT-A had any significant effect on subsequent samples taken for biochemical, toxicological or immunological investigations. Although the results of our study do illustrate differences between the pre and post PMCT-A results, these differences are considered not to be of diagnostic significance and not due to the direct effect of targeted PMCT-A. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Exposure to hexavalent chromium in welders: Results of the WELDOX II field study.

PubMed

Pesch, Beate; Lehnert, Martin; Weiss, Tobias; Kendzia, Benjamin; Menne, Eleonore; Lotz, Anne; Heinze, Evelyn; Behrens, Thomas; Gabriel, Stefan; Schneider, Wolfgang; Brüning, Thomas

2018-03-12

Exposure to hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) has been primarily studied in chromate production. Here, we measured personal exposure to respirable Cr(VI) together with airborne and urinary Cr and Ni in welders to explore levels and associations between various measures of exposure. Shift concentrations of Cr(VI), Cr, and Ni were measured in respirable welding fumes in 50 men who used either gas metal arc welding (GMAW) (n = 24) or tungsten inert gas welding (TIG) (n = 19) as their major technique. Cr and Ni were determined in pre- and post-shift urine samples. Concentrations below the limit of quantification (LOQ) were multiply imputed. Spearman correlation coefficients (rs) were calculated with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to explore associations between the exposure variables, and regression models were applied to estimate the effect of the parent metal on the urinary concentration. Regarding the respirable Cr(VI), 62% of the measurements were below the LOQ, the 75th percentile was 0.50 µg m-3, and 8 out of 50 (16%) welders exceeded 1 µg m-3. The highest shift concentration that occurred as a result of shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) was 180 µg m-3. The Cr(VI) content in total Cr ranged from 4 to 82% (median 20%), although the concentration correlated with total Cr (rs 0.55, 95% CI 0.46; 0.64). The correlation between Cr(VI) and Ni was weaker (rs 0.42, 95% CI 0.34; 0.51) than that between total Cr and Ni in welding fumes (rs 0.83, 95% CI 0.74; 0.92). Both Cr(VI) and total Cr influenced the urinary Cr concentrations in post-shift samples (P = 0.0008 and P ≤ 0.0001, respectively). The airborne shift exposure was a weaker determinant than the Cr content in pre-shift urine samples, which strongly correlated with post-shift urinary Cr (rs 0.78, 95% CI 0.69; 0.87). The Cr(VI) content in total Cr varied considerably in welding fumes. The majority of welders using GMAW or TIG presented with shift concentrations of respirable Cr(VI) below 1 µg m-3. However, very high Cr(VI) concentrations may occur, for example in SMAW. The urinary concentration of total Cr, cannot be used to precisely determine the shift concentration of respirable Cr(VI) in welders.

Assessment of the stability of mephedrone in ante-mortem and post-mortem blood specimens.

PubMed

Busardò, Francesco Paolo; Kyriakou, Chrystalla; Tittarelli, Roberta; Mannocchi, Giulio; Pantano, Flaminia; Santurro, Alessandro; Zaami, Simona; Baglìo, Giovanni

2015-11-01

The aim of this work is to test the stability of mephedrone added to whole blood collected from alive and dead mephedrone free-users and stored at three different temperatures (-20, +4 and +20°C) with and without preservatives up to 6 months, trying to establish the best storage condition in order to reduce possible analyte loss/degradation during the storage period. Different sources of blood were obtained as follow: 10 samples of blood came from 10 alive mephedrone free-users (mean age 34±15.8 years old) (Group 1), whereas 10 post mortem blood samples were obtained from 10 cadavers, in which the post mortem interval was between 24 and 36h (Group 2). The cause of death in post mortem cases (mean age 45±14.2 years old) was not drug related. Pools of blood were spiked with mephedrone at the concentration of 1mg/L and 1mL aliquots were transferred in 2mL Eppendorf capped tubes with and without preservatives as follow: with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) 3%; with sodium fluoride/potassium oxalate (NaF/KOx) 1.67%/0.2%, respectively; without preservatives. All samples were stored at three different temperatures: -20°C, 4°C and 20°C and extracted and analyzed in duplicate by GC-MS according to a previously published method by Dickson et al., every other day during the first month and then weekly up to 6 months. our study allow us to affirm that -20°C is the best storage temperature for mephedrone stability in ante-mortem and post-mortem blood samples in comparison to the other two tested temperatures (+4 and +20°C), showing higher values in both groups in samples stored with and without preservatives (p<0.0001). The comparison of Group 1 (samples coming from alive subjects) and Group 2 (post-mortem samples) highlights a better stability of mephedrone in Group 1 (p<0.001) at all tested storage conditions. Finally, the analysis of blood specimens stored with and without preservatives in both groups suggests that specimens stored with NaF/KOx maintain mephedrone stability better than those stored with EDTA (p<0.001) and those stored without preservatives (p<0.0001), therefore, we strongly recommend in order to maintain the highest mephedrone stability in blood, to store specimens at -20°C adding NaF/KOx as preservative. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Sequencing CYP2D6 for the detection of poor-metabolizers in post-mortem blood samples with tramadol.

PubMed

Fonseca, Suzana; Amorim, António; Costa, Heloísa Afonso; Franco, João; Porto, Maria João; Santos, Jorge Costa; Dias, Mário

2016-08-01

Tramadol concentrations and analgesic effect are dependent on the CYP2D6 enzymatic activity. It is well known that some genetic polymorphisms are responsible for the variability in the expression of this enzyme and in the individual drug response. The detection of allelic variants described as non-functional can be useful to explain some circumstances of death in the study of post-mortem cases with tramadol. A Sanger sequencing methodology was developed for the detection of genetic variants that cause absent or reduced CYP2D6 activity, such as *3, *4, *6, *8, *10 and *12 alleles. This methodology, as well as the GC/MS method for the detection and quantification of tramadol and its main metabolites in blood samples was fully validated in accordance with international guidelines. Both methodologies were successfully applied to 100 post-mortem blood samples and the relation between toxicological and genetic results evaluated. Tramadol metabolism, expressed as its metabolites concentration ratio (N-desmethyltramadol/O-desmethyltramadol), has been shown to be correlated with the poor-metabolizer phenotype based on genetic characterization. It was also demonstrated the importance of enzyme inhibitors identification in toxicological analysis. According to our knowledge, this is the first study where a CYP2D6 sequencing methodology is validated and applied to post-mortem samples, in Portugal. The developed methodology allows the data collection of post-mortem cases, which is of primordial importance to enhance the application of these genetic tools to forensic toxicology and pathology. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

The role of post-mortem investigations in determining the cause of sudden unexpected death in infancy.

PubMed

Weber, M A; Ashworth, M T; Risdon, R A; Hartley, J C; Malone, M; Sebire, N J

2008-12-01

Several autopsy protocols have been suggested for investigating sudden unexpected deaths in infancy (SUDI). The aim of this study is to provide data on the utility of such post-mortem investigations from a large paediatric autopsy series to inform future policy. Retrospective analysis of >1500 consecutive post-mortem examinations carried out by specialist paediatric pathologists at a single centre during a 10-year period according to a common autopsy protocol that included the use of detailed ancillary investigations. SUDI was defined as the sudden unexpected death of an infant aged from 7 to 365 days. All data capture and cause of death classification were carried out according to defined criteria. Of 1516 paediatric post-mortem examinations, 546 presented as SUDI. In 202 infants (37%), death was explained by the autopsy findings. The other 344 cases (63%) remained unexplained. Of the explained deaths, over half (58%) were infective, most commonly due to pneumonia (22%). The component of the post-mortem examination that primarily determined the final cause of death was histological examination in 92 infants (46%), macroscopic examination in 61 (30%), microbiological investigations in 38 (19%) and clinical history in 10 (5%). This constitutes the largest single-institution autopsy study of SUDI. Ten years on from the Confidential Enquiry into Stillbirths and Deaths in Infancy (CESDI) SUDI studies, the ascertainment of a cause of death at autopsy has improved. However, with almost two thirds of SUDI remaining unexplained, alternative and/or additional diagnostic techniques are required to improve detection rates of identifiable causes of death at autopsy.

Bacteriological evaluation of a down-draught necropsy table ventilation system.

PubMed Central

al-Wali, W; Kibbler, C C; McLaughlin, J E

1993-01-01

AIMS--To evaluate the microbiological efficacy of a down-draught necropsy table ventilation system (which surrounds the cadaver with a "curtain" of air under continuous extraction) during post mortem procedures. METHODS--Air sampling was carried out both in the presence and absence of staff and cadaver and during a full post mortem procedure, with functioning and non-functioning table air extraction. The penetration of the air "curtain" was also examined during the use of an oscillating bone saw by means of a tracer organism, Bacillus subtilis var niger, painted on to the skull. RESULTS--There was little difference between bacterial counts obtained in the presence of staff only, staff plus cadaver, or during a post mortem examination. With all counts obtained, however, there was a two to three-fold reduction when the ventilation was in operation compared with when the extract duct was occluded. Using the tracer organism, a two to three log reduction in counts was shown when the "curtain" was in operation during the use of the oscillating bone saw. CONCLUSIONS--These results suggest that the system provides potential protection for post mortem room staff against airborne infections. PMID:8408701

Effect of ageing time on suckling lamb meat quality resulting from different carcass chilling regimes.

PubMed

Vieira, C; Fernández, A M

2014-02-01

The effect of ageing on suckling lamb carcasses subjected to three chilling treatments was studied: Conventional (2 °C for 24h), ultra-fast (-20 °C for 3.5h then 2 °C until 24h post mortem) and slow chilling (12 °C for 7h then 2 °C until 24h post mortem) treatments. Meat quality measurements were carried out in carcasses at 24h post mortem and also after 5 days of ageing. Carcass chilling losses were not affected by a chilling regime. Aged meat showed higher cooking losses than non-aged meat (p<0.05). Sarcomere length of ultra-fast t was shorter (p<0.05) than conventional and conventional was shorter than slow chilling treatment (p<0.05), at 24h and after 5 days of ageing. Conventional and ultra-fast chilling treatments resulted in higher shear force values at 24h post mortem (p<0.05) compared to slow treatment. All treatments improved sensory scores with ageing (p<0.05), but ultra-fast chilling treatment did not attain higher values as the other two treatments. © 2013.

Biological effect markers in exhaled breath condensate and biomonitoring in welders: impact of smoking and protection equipment.

PubMed

Gube, Monika; Ebel, Joachim; Brand, Peter; Göen, Thomas; Holzinger, Karl; Reisgen, Uwe; Kraus, Thomas

2010-10-01

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of welding as well as the impact of smoking and protection measures on biological effect markers in exhaled breath condensate. Additionally, biomonitoring of chromium, aluminium and nickel in urine was performed to quantify internal exposure. Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and urine samples of 45 male welders and 24 male non-exposed control subjects were collected on Friday pre-shift and after 8 h of work post-shift. In EBC, biological effect markers such as malondialdehyde, nitrite, nitrate, 3-nitrotyrosine, tyrosine, hydroxyproline, proline, H(2)O(2) and pH-value were measured while aluminium, nickel, and chromium were measured in the urine samples. Although internal exposure to aluminium, nickel and chromium in this study was low, welders showed significantly increased concentrations of all these parameters at baseline compared to non-exposed controls. Moreover, welders had higher nitrate concentrations in EBC at baseline and after shift. Nitrate concentration was considerably lower after shift if personal protection equipment was used. H(2)O(2) was increased only when subjects smoked during shift. It has been shown that welding-associated long-term and short-term health effects could be detected in a population of welders. The results also showed that using personal protection equipment is of high importance and H(2)O(2) may be an effect marker associated with smoking rather than with welding fumes, while nitrate in EBC seems to be sensitive to welding fume exposure.

Time to address the problem of post-mortem procurement of organs for transplantation occurring without proper pre-mortem consent.

PubMed

Garwood-Gowers, Austen

2013-09-01

Current cadaveric organ transplant systems allow individuals to be classified as donors after death where they registered wishes in favour of this prior to death. However, systems for registering wishes pertaining to donation fall woefully short of securing proper consent. Furthermore, even jurisdictions which technically require consent to be obtained in order to treat an individual as a donor, allow that consent to be given by next of kin after death in circumstances where there is no evidence of the individual having refused prior to death. This article explores these and related issues with current systems from the perspectives of health law norms, ethics and human rights. It concludes that proper pre-mortem consent ought to be a pre-requisite for post-mortem organ transplantation.

Post-mortem genetic testing in a family with long-QT syndrome and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

PubMed

Kane, David A; Triedman, John

2014-01-01

Pediatric sudden unexplained deaths are rare and tragic events that should be evaluated with all the tools available to the medical community. The current state of genetic testing is an excellent resource that improves our ability to diagnose cardiovascular disorders that can lead to sudden cardiac arrest. Post-mortem genetic testing is not typically a covered benefit of health insurance and may not be offered to families in the setting of a negative autopsy. This unusual case includes two separate cardiovascular disorders that highlight the use of genetic testing and its role in diagnosis, screening, and risk stratification. The insurance company's decision to cover post-mortem testing demonstrated both compassion as well as an understanding of the long-term cost effectiveness. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Pathogenesis of Mortalin in Manganese-induced Parkinsonism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cook, Travis J.

Manganese (Mn) is an essential dietary micronutrient for which excessive exposure has long been known to be neurotoxic. Historically, short-term, high-intensity exposure in occupational settings was recognized to cause acute-onset parkinsonism (PS) termed manganism. Although modern day exposures are typically several orders of magnitude lower than those necessary to cause manganism, chronic, low-level exposures are not uncommon among a number of occupations and communities. Recent epidemiologic studies have demonstrated an association between Mn exposure and risk of PS, and in this regard Mn remains a public health concern. The work described here was designed to provide insight toward questions which remain with respect to Mn exposure and its toxic effect on the brain, and includes studies utilizing Mn exposed human populations and in vitro model systems to address these objectives. Blood plasma samples obtained from a cohort of welders, whose work is recognized as generating appreciable amounts of airborne Mn, and post-mortem brain tissue of Mn mine workers were both found to have discernable alterations related to the mitochondrial chaperone protein mortalin. Furthermore, in vitro studies demonstrated that reduced astroglial expression of mortalin confers neuronal susceptibility to toxicity elicited by low levels of Mn, possibly via mechanisms of endoplasmic reticulum and oxidative stress mediated by alpha-synuclein. Taken together, the results of these studies indicate that Mn exposures experienced by modern day populations are sufficient to cause biological alterations in humans that are potentially neurotoxic.

9 CFR 310.1 - Extent and time of post-mortem inspection; post-mortem inspection staffing standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... inspector performs the viscera and upper carcass inspection. 1 1 The “Maximum Slaughter Rates” figures... accompanying rules. (i) Inspection Using the Viscera Truck. Steers and Heifers Maximum slaughter rates (head... 1 1 1 85 to 86 1 2 1 87 to 143 2 2 1 Cows and Bulls Maximum slaughter rates (head per hour) Number...

9 CFR 310.1 - Extent and time of post-mortem inspection; post-mortem inspection staffing standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... inspector performs the viscera and upper carcass inspection. 1 1 The “Maximum Slaughter Rates” figures... accompanying rules. (i) Inspection Using the Viscera Truck. Steers and Heifers Maximum slaughter rates (head... 1 1 1 85 to 86 1 2 1 87 to 143 2 2 1 Cows and Bulls Maximum slaughter rates (head per hour) Number...

9 CFR 310.1 - Extent and time of post-mortem inspection; post-mortem inspection staffing standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... inspector performs the viscera and upper carcass inspection. 1 1 The “Maximum Slaughter Rates” figures... accompanying rules. (i) Inspection Using the Viscera Truck. Steers and Heifers Maximum slaughter rates (head... 1 1 1 85 to 86 1 2 1 87 to 143 2 2 1 Cows and Bulls Maximum slaughter rates (head per hour) Number...

9 CFR 310.1 - Extent and time of post-mortem inspection; post-mortem inspection staffing standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... inspector performs the viscera and upper carcass inspection. 1 1 The “Maximum Slaughter Rates” figures... accompanying rules. (i) Inspection Using the Viscera Truck. Steers and Heifers Maximum slaughter rates (head... 1 1 1 85 to 86 1 2 1 87 to 143 2 2 1 Cows and Bulls Maximum slaughter rates (head per hour) Number...

9 CFR 310.1 - Extent and time of post-mortem inspection; post-mortem inspection staffing standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... inspector performs the viscera and upper carcass inspection. 1 1 The “Maximum Slaughter Rates” figures... accompanying rules. (i) Inspection Using the Viscera Truck. Steers and Heifers Maximum slaughter rates (head... 1 1 1 85 to 86 1 2 1 87 to 143 2 2 1 Cows and Bulls Maximum slaughter rates (head per hour) Number...

Influence of Post-Mortem Sperm Recovery Method and Extender on Unstored and Refrigerated Rooster Sperm Variables.

PubMed

Villaverde-Morcillo, S; Esteso, M C; Castaño, C; Santiago-Moreno, J

2016-02-01

Many post-mortem sperm collection techniques have been described for mammalian species, but their use in birds is scarce. This paper compares the efficacy of two post-mortem sperm retrieval techniques - the flushing and float-out methods - in the collection of rooster sperm, in conjunction with the use of two extenders, i.e., L&R-84 medium and Lake 7.1 medium. To determine whether the protective effects of these extenders against refrigeration are different for post-mortem and ejaculated sperm, pooled ejaculated samples (procured via the massage technique) were also diluted in the above extenders. Post-mortem and ejaculated sperm variables were assessed immediately at room temperature (0 h), and after refrigeration at 5°C for 24 and 48 h. The flushing method retrieved more sperm than the float-out method (596.5 ± 75.4 million sperm vs 341.0 ± 87.6 million sperm; p < 0.05); indeed, the number retrieved by the former method was similar to that obtained by massage-induced ejaculation (630.3 ± 78.2 million sperm). For sperm collected by all methods, the L&R-84 medium provided an advantage in terms of sperm motility variables at 0 h. In the refrigerated sperm samples, however, the Lake 7.1 medium was associated with higher percentages of viable sperm, and had a greater protective effect (p < 0.05) with respect to most motility variables. In conclusion, the flushing method is recommended for collecting sperm from dead birds. If this sperm needs to be refrigerated at 5°C until analysis, Lake 7.1 medium is recommended as an extender. © 2015 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

9 CFR 381.76 - Post-mortem inspection, when required; extent; traditional, Streamlined Inspection System (SIS...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

...″ —Bruises 1/4″ to 1″ that have changed from red to a black/blue or green color due to age. —Factor is two..., except at the time of post-mortem inspection, unless their identify with the rest of the carcass is maintained in a manner satisfactory to the inspector until such inspection is made. Each carcass to be...

Lung ultrasound accurately detects pneumothorax in a preterm newborn lamb model.

PubMed

Blank, Douglas A; Hooper, Stuart B; Binder-Heschl, Corinna; Kluckow, Martin; Gill, Andrew W; LaRosa, Domenic A; Inocencio, Ishmael M; Moxham, Alison; Rodgers, Karyn; Zahra, Valerie A; Davis, Peter G; Polglase, Graeme R

2016-06-01

Pneumothorax is a common emergency affecting extremely preterm. In adult studies, lung ultrasound has performed better than chest x-ray in the diagnosis of pneumothorax. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of lung ultrasound (LUS) examination to detect pneumothorax using a preterm animal model. This was a prospective, observational study using newborn Border-Leicester lambs at gestational age = 126 days (equivalent to gestational age = 26 weeks in humans) receiving mechanical ventilation from birth to 2 h of life. At the conclusion of the experiment, LUS was performed, the lambs were then euthanised and a post-mortem exam was immediately performed. We used previously published ultrasound techniques to identify pneumothorax. Test characteristics of LUS to detect pneumothorax were calculated, using the post-mortem exam as the 'gold standard' test. Nine lambs (18 lungs) were examined. Four lambs had a unilateral pneumothorax, all of which were identified by LUS with no false positives. This was the first study to use post-mortem findings to test the efficacy of LUS to detect pneumothorax in a newborn animal model. Lung ultrasound accurately detected pneumothorax, verified by post-mortem exam, in premature, newborn lambs. © 2016 Paediatrics and Child Health Division (The Royal Australasian College of Physicians).

A case of severe soft tissue infection due to Streptococcus tigurinus diagnosed by necropsy in which genomic analysis was useful for clarifying its pathogenicity.

PubMed

Yoshizawa, Hidenori; Motooka, Daisuke; Matsumoto, Yuki; Katada, Ryuichi; Nakamura, Shota; Morii, Eiichi; Iida, Tetsuya; Matsumoto, Hiroshi

2018-05-01

Post-mortem detection of pathogenetic microorganisms in severe infectious death is significantly important for diagnosing the cause of death as well as for public health. However, it is difficult to recognize whether a microorganism detected from post-mortem materials is truly pathogenic or not. We report a case of severe soft tissue infection due to Streptococcus oralis subsp. tigurinus (S. tigurinus), a recently reported species, in which whole-genome analysis was performed to clarify its pathogenicity. A 46-year-old woman had died with symptoms of a severe infectious disease. A post-mortem examination was performed by a medical examiner. The external findings suggested a soft tissue infection; subsequently, pathological specimens sampled by necropsy revealed findings compatible with necrotizing fasciitis. In the post-mortem bacterial test, S. tigurinus was detected from the localized autopsy sample. Whole-genome sequencing was performed to analyze its pathogenicity and detected a strain of S. tigurinus with genetic determinants that were specific and unique to its highly virulent strains as a result of gene annotation. Utilizing various technologies, such as whole-genome sequencing, may be a powerful tool for diagnosing the cause of infectious death accurately and safely. © 2018 Japanese Society of Pathology and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

The effect of post-mortem ageing and heating on water retention in bovine muscles.

PubMed

Kołczak, Tadeusz; Krzysztoforski, Krzysztof; Palka, Krystyna

2007-04-01

The muscles semitendinosus (ST) and psoas major (PM) were removed from chilled young bull carcasses 24h after slaughter and stored at 4°C. At the 1st, 6th and 12th day of post-mortem ageing the chemical composition (moisture, fat, protein, collagen) and contents of free, immobilized and unfreezable water in the muscles were estimated. The muscle steaks were boiled at 100°C, roasted at 170°C or fried at 160°C to an internal temperature of 75°C, and the amounts of total, free, immobilized, and unfreezable water in heated muscles were evaluated. The unfreezable water was estimated by DSC. In the raw muscles immobilized water constituted 74-75%, free water 16.6-17.6% and unfreezable water 7-8% of the total water. Independent of time of ageing, PM muscle contained significantly more free water than ST muscle. During post-mortem ageing, changes in free, immobilized and unfreezable water in muscles were not significant. The level of free water was highest in boiled and least in fried meat, however the amount of immobilized water was highest in fried and lowest in boiled meat. The amount of unfreezable water in muscles heated after 12 days of post-mortem ageing decreased.

Usefulness of post mortem computed tomography versus conventional forensic autopsy of road accident victims (drivers and passengers).

PubMed

Moskała, Artur; Woźniak, Krzysztof; Kluza, Piotr; Romaszko, Karol; Lopatin, Oleksiy

2017-01-01

Aim of the study: Deaths of in-vehicle victims (drivers and passengers) of road accidents represent a significant group of issues addressed by forensic medicine. Expressing opinions in this regard involves first of all the determination of the cause of death and the forensic pathologist's participation in the process of road accident reconstruction through defining the mechanism of bodily harm. The scope of the opinion as well as its accuracy and degree of detail largely depend on the scope of forensic autopsy. In this context, techniques that broaden the capabilities of standard autopsy are of particular importance. This paper compares the results of post mortem computed tomography (PMCT) of road accident victims (drivers and passengers) against the results of standard examination in order to determine the scope to which PMCT significantly enhances autopsy capabilities. Material and methods: The analysis covers 118 in-vehicle victims (drivers and passengers) examined from 2012 to 2014. In each case, post-mortem examination was preceded by PMCT examination using Somatom Emotion 16 (Siemens AG, Germany). Results: The results are presented in a tabular form. Conclusions: In most road accident victims (drivers and passengers), post mortem computed tomography significantly increases the results' degree of detail, particularly with regard to injuries of bones and gas collections.

A review of the changing culture and social context relating to forensic facial depiction of the dead.

PubMed

Wilkinson, Caroline

2014-12-01

The recognition of a decedent by a family member is commonplace in forensic investigation and is often employed as identity confirmation. However, it is recognised that misidentification from facial recognition is also common and faces of the dead may be extremely difficult to recognise due to decomposition or external damage, and even immediate post-mortem changes may be significant enough to confuse an observer. The depiction of faces of the dead can be a useful tool for promoting recognition leading to identification and post-mortem facial depiction is described as the interpretation of human remains in order to suggest the living appearance of an individual. This paper provides an historical context relating to the changing view of society to the presentation and publication of post-mortem facial depictions and discusses the current ethical, practical and academic challenges associated with these images. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Viability and infectivity of Ichthyophonus sp. in post-mortem Pacific herring, Clupea pallasii

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kocan, Richard M.; Hart, Lucas M.; Lewandowski, Naomi; Hershberger, Paul

2014-01-01

Ichthyophonus-infected Pacific herring, Clupea pallasii, were allowed to decompose in ambient seawater then serially sampled for 29 days to evaluate parasite viability and infectivity for Pacific staghorn sculpin, Leptocottus armatus. Ichthyophonus sp. was viable in decomposing herring tissues for at least 29 days post-mortem and could be transmitted via ingestion to sculpin for up to 5 days. The parasite underwent morphologic changes during the first 48 hr following death of the host that were similar to those previously reported, but as host tissue decomposition progressed, several previously un-described forms of the parasite were observed. The significance of long-term survival and continued morphologic transformation in the post-mortem host is unknown, but it could represent a saprozoic phase of the parasite life cycle that has survival value for Ichthyophonus sp.

Cytopathology in the post mortem room.

PubMed Central

Walker, E; Going, J J

1994-01-01

AIM--To demonstrate the role of cytopathology in examining tumours found at post mortem examination. METHODS--Tumour deposits were found in 25 hospital necropsies. Cytological diagnosis made at the time of necropsy was compared with subsequent paraffin wax embedded histological sections. RESULTS--In 19 out of 20 cases with no previous histological diagnosis, cytology at the time of necropsy provided rapid and accurate assessment of tumour type. Subsequent histological examination of formalin fixed material merely refined the diagnosis in some cases. In the remaining five cases in which tumour type was known, cytological examination of deposits found at necropsy provided extra information that was useful for compiling a provisional report. CONCLUSIONS--Rapid cytological examination of tumours found during post mortem examinations provides accurate relevant information which can be used to produce a more comprehensive provisional necropsy report. The technique has advantages over frozen section histology and can provide useful cytological experience for histopathology trainees. Images PMID:7962623

Governing the postmortem procurement of human body material for research.

PubMed

Van Assche, Kristof; Capitaine, Laura; Pennings, Guido; Sterckx, Sigrid

2015-03-01

Human body material removed post mortem is a particularly valuable resource for research. Considering the efforts that are currently being made to study the biochemical processes and possible genetic causes that underlie cancer and cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, it is likely that this type of research will continue to gain in importance. However, post mortem procurement of human body material for research raises specific ethical concerns, more in particular with regard to the consent of the research participant. In this paper, we attempt to determine which consent regime should govern the post mortem procurement of body material for research. In order to do so, we assess the various arguments that could be put forward in support of a duty to make body material available for research purposes after death. We argue that this duty does in practice not support conscription but is sufficiently strong to defend a policy of presumed rather than explicit consent.

Targeted post-mortem computed tomography cardiac angiography: proof of concept.

PubMed

Saunders, Sarah L; Morgan, Bruno; Raj, Vimal; Robinson, Claire E; Rutty, Guy N

2011-07-01

With the increasing use and availability of multi-detector computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in autopsy practice, there has been an international push towards the development of the so-called near virtual autopsy. However, currently, a significant obstacle to the consideration as to whether or not near virtual autopsies could one day replace the conventional invasive autopsy is the failure of post-mortem imaging to yield detailed information concerning the coronary arteries. To date, a cost-effective, practical solution to allow high throughput imaging has not been presented within the forensic literature. We present a proof of concept paper describing a simple, quick, cost-effective, manual, targeted in situ post-mortem cardiac angiography method using a minimally invasive approach, to be used with multi-detector computed tomography for high throughput cadaveric imaging which can be used in permanent or temporary mortuaries.

Volumetric analysis of the diagonal band of Broca in patients with schizophrenia and affective disorders: A post-mortem study.

PubMed

Brisch, Ralf; Bernstein, Hans-Gert; Dobrowolny, Henrik; Krzyżanowska, Marta; Jankowski, Zbigniew; Bogerts, Bernhard; Gos, Tomasz

2016-05-01

The human diagonal band of Broca is connected to other parts of the limbic system, such as the hippocampus, that are involved in the pathology of schizophrenia. This study aimed to characterize the volume and anterior-to-posterior distance of the human diagonal band of Broca (vertical limb) from post-mortem brains obtained from three groups: healthy control subjects (N = 17), patients with schizophrenia (N = 26), and patients with affective disorders (N = 12). There were no significant differences in the volume or anterior-to-posterior distance in the patients with schizophrenia or affective disorders compared with the healthy control subjects. To date, this is the first post-mortem investigation measuring the volume and the anterior-to-posterior distance of the diagonal band of Broca (vertical limb) in patients with schizophrenia or affective disorders compared with healthy control subjects. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Necrotizing fasciitis: case series and review of the literature on clinical and medico-legal diagnostic challenges.

PubMed

Fais, Paolo; Viero, Alessia; Viel, Guido; Giordano, Renzo; Raniero, Dario; Kusstatscher, Stefano; Giraudo, Chiara; Cecchetto, Giovanni; Montisci, Massimo

2018-04-07

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a life-threatening infection of soft tissues spreading along the fasciae to the surrounding musculature, subcutaneous fat and overlying skin areas that can rapidly lead to septic shock and death. Due to the pandemic increase of medical malpractice lawsuits, above all in Western countries, the forensic pathologist is frequently asked to investigate post-mortem cases of NF in order to determine the cause of death and to identify any related negligence and/or medical error. Herein, we review the medical literature dealing with cases of NF in a post-mortem setting, present a case series of seven NF fatalities and discuss the main ante-mortem and post-mortem diagnostic challenges of both clinical and forensic interests. In particular, we address the following issues: (1) origin of soft tissue infections, (2) micro-organisms involved, (3) time of progression of the infection to NF, (4) clinical and histological staging of NF and (5) pros and cons of clinical and laboratory scores, specific forensic issues related to the reconstruction of the ideal medical conduct and the evaluation of the causal value/link of any eventual medical error.

Differential methylation at the RELN gene promoter in temporal cortex from autistic and typically developing post-puberal subjects.

PubMed

Lintas, Carla; Sacco, Roberto; Persico, Antonio M

2016-01-01

Reelin plays a pivotal role in neurodevelopment and in post-natal synaptic plasticity and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The reelin (RELN) gene expression is significantly decreased in ASD, both in the brain and peripherally. Methylation at the RELN gene promoter is largely triggered at puberty, and hypermethylation has been found in post-mortem brains of schizophrenic and bipolar patients. In this study, we assessed RELN gene methylation status in post-mortem temporocortical tissue samples (BA41/42 or 22) of six pairs of post-puberal individuals with ASD and typically developing subjects, matched for sex (male:female, M:F = 5:1), age, and post-mortem interval. ASD patients display a significantly higher number of methylated CpG islands and heavier methylation in the 5' region of the RELN gene promoter, spanning from -458 to -223 bp, whereas controls have more methylated CpG positions and greater extent of methylation at the 3' promoter region, spanning from -222 to +1 bp. The most upstream promoter region (-458 to -364 bp) is methylated only in ASD brains, while the most downstream region (-131 to +1 bp) is methylated exclusively in control brains. Within this general framework, three different methylation patterns are discernible, each correlated with different extents of reduction in reelin gene expression among ASD individuals compared to controls. The methylation pattern is different in ASD and control post-mortem brains. ASD-specific CpG positions, located in the most upstream gene promoter region, may exert a functional role potentially conferring ASD risk by blunting RELN gene expression.

Family and community concerns about post-mortem needle biopsies in a Muslim society

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Post-mortem needle biopsies have been used in resource-poor settings to determine cause of death and there is interest in using them in Bangladesh. However, we did not know how families and communities would perceive this procedure or how they would decide whether or not to consent to a post-mortem needle biopsy. The goal of this study was to better understand family and community concerns and decision-making about post-mortem needle biopsies in this low-income, predominantly Muslim country in order to design an informed consent process. Methods We conducted 16 group discussions with family members of persons who died during an outbreak of Nipah virus illness during 2004-2008 and 11 key informant interviews with their community and religious leaders. Qualitative researchers first described the post-mortem needle biopsy procedure and asked participants whether they would have agreed to this procedure during the outbreak. Researchers probed participants about the circumstances under which the procedure would be acceptable, if any, their concerns about the procedure, and how they would decide whether or not to consent to the procedure. Results Overall, most participants agreed that post-mortem needle biopsies would be acceptable in some situations, particularly if they benefitted society. This procedure was deemed more acceptable than full autopsy because it would not require major delays in burial or remove organs, and did not require cutting or stitching of the body. It could be performed before the ritual bathing of the body in either the community or hospital setting. However, before consent would be granted for such a procedure, the research team must gain the trust of the family and community which could be difficult. Although consent may only be provided by the guardians of the body, decisions about consent for the procedure would involve extended family and community and religious leaders. Conclusions The possible acceptability of this procedure during outbreaks represents an important opportunity to better characterize cause of death in Bangladesh which could lead to improved public health interventions to prevent these deaths. Obstacles for research teams will include engaging all major stakeholders in decision-making and quickly building a trusting relationship with the family and community, which will be difficult given the short window of time prior to the ritual bathing of the body. PMID:21668979

Alignment Tool For Inertia Welding

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Snyder, Gary L.

1991-01-01

Compact, easy-to-use tool aligns drive bar of inertia welder over hole in stub. Ensures drive bar concentric to hole within 0.002 in. (0.051 mm.). Holds two batteries and light bulb. Electrical circuit completed, providing current to bulb when pin in contact with post. When pin centered in post hole, it does not touch post, and lamp turns off. Built for use in making repair welds on liquid-oxygen-injector posts in Space Shuttle main engine. Version having suitably modified dimensions used to facilitate alignment in other forests of post.

27. INTERIOR VIEW TO THE WEST OF ROOM 126 AT ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

27. INTERIOR VIEW TO THE WEST OF ROOM 126 AT THE NORTH END OF THE ENTRANCE HALLWAY TO THE POST-MORTEM CELLS. IN THE CEILING IS A HATCHWAY TO THE UPPER LEVEL OF ROOM 123, THE DISASSEMBLY BAY, BY WHICH PARTS OF THE NUCLEAR REACTOR WERE PASSED FOR FURTHER DISASSEMBLY IN THE VARIOUS POST-MORTEM CELLS. - Nevada Test Site, Reactor Maintenance Assembly & Dissassembly Facility, Area 25, Jackass Flats, Junction of Roads F & G, Mercury, Nye County, NV

Gene expression associated with suicide attempts in US veterans (Open Access)

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-09-05

schizophrenia who had died from suicide. This gene codes for a cytokine that is part of the tumor necrosis factor family. In addition, the PIK3C3...expression level of eIF2 (and mTOR and WNT) was downregulated in one published report examining post- mortem tissue in people who had a schizophrenia ...HK. Suicide candidate genes associated with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia : an exploratory gene expression profiling analysis of post-mortem

Towards muscle-specific meat color stability of Chinese Luxi yellow cattle: A proteomic insight into post-mortem storage.

PubMed

Wu, Wei; Yu, Qian-Qian; Fu, Yu; Tian, Xiao-Jing; Jia, Fei; Li, Xing-Min; Dai, Rui-Tong

2016-09-16

Searching for potential predictors of meat color is a challenging task for the meat industry. In this study, the relationship between meat color parameters and the sarcoplasmic proteome of M. longissimuss lumborum (LL) and M. psoas major (PM) from Chinese Luxi yellow cattle during post-mortem storage (0, 5, 10 and 15days) were explored with the aid of the integrated proteomics and bioinformatics approaches. Meat color attributes revealed that LL displayed better color stability than PM during storage. Furthermore, sarcoplasmic proteins of these two muscles were compared between days 5, 10, 15 and day 0. Several proteins were closely correlated with meat color attributes and they were muscle-specific and responsible for the meat color stability at different storage periods. Glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, fructose-bisphosphate aldolase A isoform, glycogen phosphorylase, peroxiredoxin-2, phosphoglucomutase-1, superoxide dismutase [Cu-Zn], heat shock cognate protein (71kDa) might serve as the candidate predictors of meat color stability during post-mortem storage. In addition, bioinformatics analyses indicated that more proteins were involved in glycolytic metabolism of LL, which contributed to better meat color stability of LL than PM. The present results could provide a proteomic insight into muscle-specific meat color stability of Chinese Luxi yellow cattle during post-mortem storage. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Small vessel disease, neurovascular regulation and cognitive impairment: post-mortem studies reveal a complex relationship, still poorly understood.

PubMed

Love, Seth; Miners, J Scott

2017-07-15

The contribution of vascular disease to cognitive impairment is under-recognized and the pathogenesis is poorly understood. This information gap has multiple causes, including a lack of post-mortem validation of clinical diagnoses of vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) or vascular dementia (VaD), the exclusion of cases with concomitant neurodegenerative disease when diagnosing VCI/VaD, and a lack of standardization of neuropathological assessment protocols for vascular disease. Other contributors include a focus on end-stage destructive lesions to the exclusion of more subtle types of diffuse brain injury, on structural abnormalities of arteries and arterioles to the exclusion of non-structural abnormalities and capillary damage, and the use of post-mortem sampling strategies that are biased towards the identification of neurodegenerative pathologies. Recent studies have demonstrated the value of detailed neuropathology in characterizing vascular contributions to cognitive impairment (e.g. in diabetes), and highlight the importance of diffuse white matter changes, capillary damage and vasoregulatory abnormalities in VCI/VaD. The use of standardized, evidence-based post-mortem assessment protocols and the inclusion of biochemical as well as morphological methods in neuropathological studies should improve the accuracy of determination of the contribution of vascular disease to cognitive impairment and clarify the relative contribution of different pathogenic processes to the tissue damage. © 2017 The Author(s). published by Portland Press Limited on behalf of the Biochemical Society.

[The role of endotracheal aspiration in the diagnosis of ventilator associated pneumonia].

PubMed

Gürgün, Alev; Korkmaz Ekren, Pervin; Bacakoğlu, Feza; Başoğlu, Ozen Kaçmaz; Dirican, Nigar; Aydemir, Şöhret; Nart, Deniz; Sayıner, Abdullah

2013-01-01

Ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) is one of the most important causes of mortality in patients treated with invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) in intensive care unit (ICU). Microbiological examinations are required as clinical and radiological findings are usually insufficient in the diagnosis. Twenty four patients who were receiving IMV because of respiratory failure, had a Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score (CPIS) of ≥ 6 in the follow-up and died with the suspicion of VAP were enrolled in our study. Six patients were excluded as post-mortem biopsy could not be performed. The patients who had pre-mortem CPIS ≥ 6, in whom a causative organism was identified from the culture of post-mortem lung biopsy and/or histopathological examination of lung biopsy was compatible with pneumonia were diagnosed as VAP. In the 18 patients in whom a post-mortem lung biopsy was performed, quantitative culture results of endotracheal aspirate performed 48 hours prior to death were compared with microbiological and histopathological results of post-mortem lung biopsy specimens, and the role of endotracheal aspirate in the diagnosis of VAP was evaluated retrospectively. Out of 18 patients (12 men, mean age 67.0 ± 13.0 years) included in the study, 11 (61.1%) were diagnosed as VAP. The quantitative culture of endotracheal aspirate was positive in 9 (81.8%) out of 11 patients diagnosed as VAP. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of endotracheal aspirate culture for identifying VAP were found to be 81.8%, 14.3%, 60.0% and 33.3%, respectively. Our study shown that quantitative culture of endotracheal aspirate is a practical and reliable method that can be used for the diagnosis of VAP in patients receiving IMV in ICU and having CPIS ≥ 6.

Occupational safety measures and morbidity among welders in Vellore, Southern India

PubMed Central

Alexander, Vijay; Zechariah, Pradeep; Nair, Suryanarayan Rajendran; Kattula, Deepthi

2016-01-01

Background Welders in the unorganized occupational sector in the economically developing world are exposed to respiratory, skin, eye, ear, and neurological problems exacerbated by non-usage of personal protective equipment (PPE). Objective To study the frequency of health problems and the usage of PPE among welders in unorganized welding units in Vellore, India. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 150 welders to determine the frequency of skin, ear, eye, and respiratory morbidity and the usage of PPE. A group of 150 non-welders were chosen for comparison. Results Significant differences in the frequency of skin burns, redness, hyper pigmentation, itching, eye injuries, and sensorineural deafness were observed among the welders and non-welders (P < 0.001). Hypertension was noted in 12.6% of the welders as compared to 0.7% among the non-welders. None of the welders used appropriate PPE. For welders, low educational attainment was associated with an increased risk of eye injury (P < 0.05, OR = 0.29). There was also a significant difference between sensorineural deafness and a welder having less than 10 years of welding work experience (P < 0.001, OR = 18.18) which could probably be accounted for by the healthy worker effect. Conclusion Welders in this sample experienced a significant skin, eye, and ear morbidity accentuated by the non-usage of PPE. All worked without formal training and were unaware of the safe working guidelines that exist, but are not implemented for the welders in India. PMID:27682579

DNA identification of human remains in Disaster Victim Identification (DVI): An efficient sampling method for muscle, bone, bone marrow and teeth.

PubMed

de Boer, Hans H; Maat, George J R; Kadarmo, D Aji; Widodo, Putut T; Kloosterman, Ate D; Kal, Arnoud J

2018-06-04

In disaster victim identification (DVI), DNA profiling is considered to be one of the most reliable and efficient means to identify bodies or separated body parts. This requires a post mortem DNA sample, and an ante mortem DNA sample of the presumed victim or their biological relative(s). Usually the collection of an adequate ante mortem sample is technically simple, but the acquisition of a good quality post mortem sample under unfavourable DVI circumstances is complicated due to the variable degree of preservation of the human remains and the high risk of DNA (cross) contamination. This paper provides the community with an efficient method to collect post-mortem DNA samples from muscle, bone, bone marrow and teeth, with a minimal risk of contamination. Our method has been applied in a recent, challenging DVI operation (i.e. the identification of the 298 victims of the MH17 airplane crash in 2014). 98,2% of the collected PM samples provided the DVI team with highly informative DNA genotyping results without the risk of contamination and consequent mistyping the victim's DNA. Moreover, the method is easy, cheap and quick. This paper provides the DVI community with a step-wise instructions with recommendations for the type of tissue to be sampled and the site of excision (preferably the upper leg). Although initially designed for DVI purposes, the method is also suited for the identification of individual victims. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

[The post-mortal right of privacy].

PubMed

Jansen, Christoph

2008-01-01

Regarding the post-mortal right of privacy a distinction must be made between post-mortal protection of the personality, the post-mortal duty of confidentiality and the problems associated with the necessity to consent to a clinical post-mortem. The post-mortal protection of the personality both grants the post-mortal right to respect for privacy, which can be asserted by rights holder, and entitles to claim damages resulting from breach of any proprietary elements of the right to post-mortal privacy. The post-mortal duty of confidentiality protects against the unauthorized disclosure of confidential information about the patient even after his death. The physician has to decide whether the consent of the deceased may be presumed; however, he/she has to state the reasons why, due to medical confidentiality, he/she feels unable to disclose such information. Basically, the consent for clinical post-mortem can be effectively declared by way of a refusal clause in the hospital admission contract.

Respiratory status of stainless steel and mild steel welders.

PubMed

Kalliomäki, P L; Kalliomäki, K; Korhonen, O; Nordman, H; Rahkonen, E; Vaaranen, V

1982-01-01

Eighty-three full-time stainless steel and 29 mild steel welders from one shipyard were examined clinically, and their lung function was measured. The stainless steel welders had used both tungsten inert-gas (low-fume concentration) and manual metal-arc (MMA) (high-fume concentration) welding methods. The individual exposure of the welders was estimated based on the time spent doing MMA welding, the amount of retained contaminants in the lungs (magnetopulmography), and urinary chromium excretion. The results suggest that there is a greater prevalence of small airway disease among shipyard mild steel MMA welders than among stainless steel welders. Among the stainless steel welders the impairment of lung function parameters was associated with the MMA welding method. The type of welding, then, is important when the health hazards of welders are studied, and welders cannot be regarded as a single, homogeneous group.

Screening of post-mortem tissue donors for Coxiella burnetii infection after large outbreaks of Q fever in The Netherlands

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background After the largest outbreaks of Q fever ever recorded in history occurred in the Netherlands, concern arose that Coxiella may be transmitted via donated tissues of latent or chronically infected donors. The Dutch Health Council recently advised to screen tissue donors, donating high risk tissues, for Coxiella infection. Methods After validation of an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) test for IgG antibodies against phase 2 of C. burnetii for use on post-mortem samples, serum samples of 1033 consecutive Dutch post-mortem tissue donors were tested for IgG antibodies against phase 2 of C. burnetii. Confirmation of reactive results was done by immunofluorescence assay (IFA). All available tissues (corneas, heart valves, skin and bone marrow) from donors with IgG reactivity were tested for presence of Coxiella DNA by PCR. Risk factors for IgG reactivity were investigated. Results After validation of the tests for use on post-mortem samples, 50/1033 donors (4.8%) screened positive for phase 2 anti-Coxiella IgG by EIA, and 31 were confirmed by IFA (3.0%). One donor showed a serological profile compatible with chronic infection. All tested tissues (25 corneas, 6 heart valves, 4 skin and 3 bone marrow) from donors with IgG reactivity tested negative for the presence of Coxiella DNA. Except for living in a postal code area with a high number of Q fever notifications, no risk factors for IgG reactivity were found. Conclusions The strong correlation between notifications and seroprevalence confirms that the used assays are sufficiently specific for use on post-mortem samples, although one has to be aware of differences between batches. Thus, this study provides a validated method for screening tissue donors for infection with Coxiella burnetii that can be used in future outbreaks. PMID:24393298

Differential Nuclear and Mitochondrial DNA Preservation in Post-Mortem Teeth with Implications for Forensic and Ancient DNA Studies

PubMed Central

Higgins, Denice; Rohrlach, Adam B.; Kaidonis, John; Townsend, Grant; Austin, Jeremy J.

2015-01-01

Major advances in genetic analysis of skeletal remains have been made over the last decade, primarily due to improvements in post-DNA-extraction techniques. Despite this, a key challenge for DNA analysis of skeletal remains is the limited yield of DNA recovered from these poorly preserved samples. Enhanced DNA recovery by improved sampling and extraction techniques would allow further advancements. However, little is known about the post-mortem kinetics of DNA degradation and whether the rate of degradation varies between nuclear and mitochondrial DNA or across different skeletal tissues. This knowledge, along with information regarding ante-mortem DNA distribution within skeletal elements, would inform sampling protocols facilitating development of improved extraction processes. Here we present a combined genetic and histological examination of DNA content and rates of DNA degradation in the different tooth tissues of 150 human molars over short-medium post-mortem intervals. DNA was extracted from coronal dentine, root dentine, cementum and pulp of 114 teeth via a silica column method and the remaining 36 teeth were examined histologically. Real time quantification assays based on two nuclear DNA fragments (67 bp and 156 bp) and one mitochondrial DNA fragment (77 bp) showed nuclear and mitochondrial DNA degraded exponentially, but at different rates, depending on post-mortem interval and soil temperature. In contrast to previous studies, we identified differential survival of nuclear and mtDNA in different tooth tissues. Futhermore histological examination showed pulp and dentine were rapidly affected by loss of structural integrity, and pulp was completely destroyed in a relatively short time period. Conversely, cementum showed little structural change over the same time period. Finally, we confirm that targeted sampling of cementum from teeth buried for up to 16 months can provide a reliable source of nuclear DNA for STR-based genotyping using standard extraction methods, without the need for specialised equipment or large-volume demineralisation steps. PMID:25992635

Long-term stability of morphine, codeine, and 6-acetylmorphine in real-life whole blood samples, stored at -20°C.

PubMed

Høiseth, Gudrun; Fjeld, Bente; Burns, Margrete Larsen; Strand, Dag Helge; Vindenes, Vigdis

2014-06-01

Stability of drugs during storage is important in forensic toxicology. For the analytes detected after intake of heroin (6-acetylmorphine (6-AM), morphine and codeine), long-time stability in real life whole blood samples are studied in only a small number of cases. Whole blood post mortem (n=37) and whole blood samples from living persons (n=22) containing morphine and codeine as well as 6-AM in blood or urine were selected. All cases represented intake of heroin. All samples contained fluoride and were initially analysed and stored in normal conditions (-20°C) for 4-9 years. All samples were then reanalysed using the same analytical methods and the results were compared. For samples from living persons, the median change in concentration was -3.7% for morphine and -5.3% for codeine. For post mortem samples, the median change in concentration was -12% for morphine and -11% for codeine. Both for samples from living persons and post mortem samples, the decrease in the concentrations from the original analysis to reanalysis were statistically significant for morphine and codeine. Regarding 6-AM, all living samples were negative at reanalysis. For post mortem samples, four cases still tested positive for 6-AM at reanalysis with a median change in the concentrations of -81%. There was no significant change in the morphine to codeine concentration ratios neither for living nor post mortem samples. This study showed that in real life whole blood samples, the concentrations of morphine and codeine are relatively stable during long-term storage at -20°C. 6-AM on the other hand, shows a considerable decrease in concentrations that is important to consider when interpreting results from reanalyses of forensic cases. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Alteration of fatty acid profile and nucleotide-related substances in post-mortem breast meat of α-lipoic acid-fed broiler chickens.

PubMed

Hamano, Y

2016-08-01

The present study was conducted to determine the effects of α-lipoic acid supplementation on post-mortem changes in the fatty acid profile and concentrations of nucleotide-related substances, especially those of a taste-active compound, inosine 5'-monophosphate, in chicken meat. Mixed-sex broiler chicks aged 14 d were divided into three groups of 16 birds each and were fed on diets supplemented with α-lipoic acid at levels of 0, 100 or 200 mg/kg for 4 weeks. Blood and breast muscle samples were taken at 42 d of age under the fed condition and then after fasting for 18 h. The breast muscle obtained from fasted chickens was subsequently refrigerated at 2°C for one and 3 d. α-Lipoic acid supplementation did not affect any plasma metabolite concentration independently of feeding condition, while a slight increase in plasma glucose concentration was shown with both administration levels of α-lipoic acid. In early post-mortem breast muscle under the fed condition, α-lipoic acid had no effect on concentrations of fatty acids or nucleotides of ATP, ADP, and AMP. In post-mortem breast tissues obtained from fasted chickens, total fatty acid concentrations were markedly increased by α-lipoic acid feeding at 200 mg/kg irrespective of length of refrigeration. This effect was dependent on stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid and linolenic acid. However, among fatty acids, the only predominantly increased unsaturated fatty acid was oleic acid. Dietary supplementation with α-lipoic acid at 200 mg/kg increased the inosine 5'-monophosphate concentration in breast meat and, in contrast, reduced the subsequent catabolites, inosine and xanthine, regardless of the length of refrigeration. Therefore, the present study suggests that α-lipoic acid administration altered the fatty acid profile and improved meat quality by increasing taste-active substances in the post-mortem meat obtained from fasted chickens.

Post-Mortem Stability of RNA in Skeletal Muscle and Adipose Tissue and the Tissue-Specific Expression of Myostatin, Perilipin and Associated Factors in the Horse

PubMed Central

Morrison, Philippa K.; Bing, Chen; Harris, Patricia A.; Maltin, Charlotte A.; Grove-White, Dai; Argo, Caroline McG.

2014-01-01

Obesity, a major concern for equine welfare, is highly prevalent in the leisure horse population. Skeletal-muscle and adipose tissues are important determinants of maintenance energy requirements. The myostatin and perilipin pathways play key roles in the regulation of muscle mass and lipolysis respectively and have both been associated with obesity predisposition in other mammalian species. High quality samples, suitable for molecular biology, are an essential prerequisite for detailed investigations of gene and protein expression. Hence, this study has evaluated a) the post-mortem stability of RNA extracted from skeletal-muscle and adipose-tissues collected under commercial conditions and b) the tissue-specific presence of myostatin, the moystatin receptor (activin receptor IIB, ActRIIB), follistatin and perilipin, genes and proteins across a range of equine tissues. Objectives were addressed using tissues from 7 Thoroughbred horses presented for slaughter at a commercial abattoir; a) samples were collected at 7 time-points from Masseter muscle and perirenal adipose from 5 minutes to 6 hours post-mortem. Extracted RN was appraised by Optical Density analysis and agarose-gel electrophoresis. b) Quantitative real time PCR and Western Blotting were used to evaluate gene and protein expression in anatomically-defined samples collected from 17 tissues (6 organs, 4 skeletal muscles and 7 discrete adipose depots). The results indicate that, under the present collection conditions, intact, good quality RNA could be extracted from skeletal-muscle for up to 2 hours post-mortem. However, RNA from adipose tissue may be more susceptible to degradation/contamination and samples should be collected no later than 30 minutes post-mortem. The data also show that myostatin and ActRIIB genes and proteins were almost exclusively expressed in skeletal muscle. The follistatin gene showed a more diverse gene expression profile, with expression evident in several organs, adipose tissue depots and skeletal muscles. Perilipin gene and protein were almost exclusively expressed by adipose tissue. PMID:24956155

Tissue and organ donation for research in forensic pathology: the MRC Sudden Death Brain and Tissue Bank.

PubMed

Millar, T; Walker, R; Arango, J-C; Ironside, J W; Harrison, D J; MacIntyre, D J; Blackwood, D; Smith, C; Bell, J E

2007-12-01

Novel methodological approaches to the investigation of brain and non-central nervous system disorders have led to increased demand for well-characterized, high quality human tissue samples, particularly from control cases. In the setting of the new Human Tissue legislation, we sought to determine whether relatives who have been suddenly bereaved are willing to grant authorization for research use of post mortem tissue samples and organs in sufficient numbers to support the establishment of a brain and tissue bank based in the forensic service. Research authorization was sought from families on the day prior to forensic post mortem examination followed up by written confirmation. We have to date selected individuals who have died suddenly (age range 1-89 years) and who were likely to have normal brains or who had displayed symptoms of a CNS disorder of interest to researchers, including psychiatric disorders. One hundred and eleven families have been approached during the first 2 years of this project. Research use of tissue samples was authorized by 96% of families and 17% agreed to whole brain donation. Audit of families' experience does not suggest that they are further distressed by being approached. Respondents expressed a clear view that the opportunity for research donation should be open to all bereaved families. Despite the sometimes long post mortem intervals, the quality of tissue samples is good, as assessed by a range of markers including Agilent BioAnalyzer quantification of RNA integrity (mean value 6.4). We conclude that the vast majority of families are willing to support research use of post mortem tissues even in the context of sudden bereavement and despite previous adverse publicity. The potential for acquisition of normal CNS and non-CNS tissues and of various hard-to-get CNS disorders suggests that efforts to access the forensic post mortem service for research material are eminently worthwhile. (c) 2007 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland

Effect of pulsed electric field on the proteolysis of cold boned beef M. Longissimus lumborum and M. Semimembranosus.

PubMed

Suwandy, Via; Carne, Alan; van de Ven, Remy; Bekhit, Alaa El-Din A; Hopkins, David L

2015-02-01

The effects of pulsed electric field (PEF) and ageing (3, 7, 14 and 21 days) on the shear force, protein profile, and post-mortem proteolysis of beef loins (M. Longissimus lumborum, LL) and topsides (M. Semimembranosus, SM) were investigated using a range of pulsed electric field treatments [voltages (5 and 10 kV) and frequencies (20, 50, and 90 Hz)]. PEF treatment decreased the shear force of beef LL and SM muscles by up to 19%. The reduction in the shear force in the LL was not affected by the treatment intensity whereas the reduction in the SM was dependent on PEF frequency. PEF treated beef loins showed increased proteolysis, both early post-mortem and during subsequent post-mortem storage reflected by increased degradation of troponin-T and desmin. The most prominent troponin-T degradation was found in samples treated with 5 kV-90 Hz, 10 kV-20 Hz at day 3 and day 7 post-treatment in addition to 10 kV-50 Hz in subsequent post-treatment times. The degradation of desmin in PEF treated beef loins increased with ageing time.

[Inheritance rights fo the child born from post-mortem fertilization].

PubMed

Iniesta Delgado, Juan José

2008-01-01

Spanish Law allows in the possibility of post mortem fertilization, recognizing the paternity of the deceased male. The most prominent legal effects of this fact have to do with the succession of his father. The way of fixing the child's portion in the forced succession and its protection, the question of determining his share in the inheritance and the necessity of defending his rights until the verification of the birth are some of the issues that are discussed in this article.

Estimating the Post-Mortem Interval of skeletonized remains: The use of Infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectro-microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Creagh, Dudley; Cameron, Alyce

2017-08-01

When skeletonized remains are found it becomes a police task to determine to identify the body and establish the cause of death. It assists investigators if the Post-Mortem Interval (PMI) can be established. Hitherto no reliable qualitative method of estimating the PMI has been found. A quantitative method has yet to be developed. This paper shows that IR spectroscopy and Raman microscopy have the potential to form the basis of a quantitative method.

Hepatic lipidosis in pregnant cows on a dairy farm.

PubMed

Wentink, G H; van Dijk, S; Goedegebuure, S A; Vos, J; Wensing, T

1992-12-01

A syndrome very similar to hepatic lipidosis is described in dairy cows during the dry period. After being sent to pasture the animals did not eat well for undetermined reasons. The disease phenomena were mainly observed in animals carrying twins. At post mortem examination severe falty infiltration was found in the 3 animals made available for post mortem examination. Increase of the energy supply to the dry cows by addition of maize silage to the ration prevented new cases.

Factors impacting the success of post-mortem sperm rescue in the rhinoceros.

PubMed

Roth, T L; Stoops, M A; Robeck, T R; O'Brien, J K

2016-04-01

The goal of this study was to identify factors that influenced the ability to successfully rescue sperm post-mortem from rhinoceroses maintained in North American zoos. Factors considered included procedural technicalities, individual rhinoceros characteristics and timing. Gross testicular pathology was noted in 17.4% of males (4/23) but did not impact sperm recovery except in one case of azoospermia (4.3%). Of the males in which sperm recovery was attempted (n=21), 62% yielded quality samples considered adequate for cryopreservation (≥ 30% motility with ≥ 2.0 forward progressive status). A high percentage of males (70.6%; 12/17) from which reproductive tissue was removed an d cooled ≤ 4 h after death yielded quality sperm samples, whereas only 25% (1/4) of males from which tissue was removed>4h after death yielded quality samples. Quality samples were recovered 1-51 h post-mortem from rhinoceroses 8 to 36 years old. Neither type of illness (prolonged or acute), or method of death (euthanasia or natural) affected the ability to harvest quality samples (P > 0.05). The Indian rhinoceros yielded significantly more sperm on average (40 × 10(9)) than the African black rhinoceros (3.6 × 10(9); P < 0.01) and the African white rhinoceros (3.2 × 10(9); P < 0.05). Across all species and samples assessed (n = 11), mean post-thaw sperm motility (41%), was only 15% less than pre-freeze motility (56%) and only decreased to 22% during the 6h post-thaw assessment period. Rhinoceros sperm rescue post-mortem is relatively successful across a wide range of variables, especially when tissues are removed and cooled promptly after death, and should be considered standard practice among zoos. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Pattern of eye diseases among welders in a Nigeria community.

PubMed

Ajayi Iyiade, A; Omotoye Olusola, J

2012-06-01

Welders have been identified as a high risk group for eye disorders due to their exposure to ultraviolet radiation. To determine the prevalence and types of eye diseases amongst welders in Ile-Ife, Osun state. This is a cross sectional descriptive study of 405 consenting welders. Information on socio-demographic characteristics was obtained using a pre-tested proforma and all subjects had visual actuity test, anterior and posterior segments examination, test of stereopsis and macular function. Two hundred and seventy five (67.9%) of the respondents were arc welders, 99(22.5%) were gas welders while 39(9.6%) utilized both welding techniques. The age of the respondents ranged from 16 years to 80 years with a mean of 38 ± 13 years. Conjunctival degenerative disorders like pingueculum (50.1%) and pterygium(17.5%) constituted the commonest eye disorders among the welders. There were 6 blind eyes of 5 welders with pigmentary maculopathy accounting for the single case of bilateral blindness. There is a greater odd in developing pingueculum and Pterygium (OR=1.015, 1.039 respectively) in arc welders than in gas welders. Pingueculum, Pterygium, corneal opacity, and pigmentary macular deposits were the common eye disorders among welders.

Personal exposure to metal fume, NO2, and O3 among production welders and non-welders.

PubMed

Schoonover, Todd; Conroy, Lorraine; Lacey, Steven; Plavka, Julie

2011-01-01

The objective of this study was to characterize personal exposures to welding-related metals and gases for production welders and non-welders in a large manufacturing facility. Welding fume metals and irritant gases nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)) and ozone (O(3)) were sampled for thirty-eight workers. Personal exposure air samples for welding fume metals were collected on 37 mm open face cassettes and nitrogen dioxide and ozone exposure samples were collected with diffusive passive samplers. Samples were analyzed for metals using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and welding fume metal exposure concentrations were defined as the sum of welding-related metals mass per volume of air sampled. Welding fume metal exposures were highly variable among similar types of welding while NO(2) and O(3) exposure were less variable. Welding fume metal exposures were significantly higher 474 μg/m(3) for welders than non-welders 60 μg/m(3) (p=0.001). Welders were exposed to higher concentrations of NO(2) and O(3) than non-welders but the differences were not statistically significant. Welding fume metal exposure concentrations for welders performing gas metal arc welding (GMAW) and shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) were higher than welders performing gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW). Non-welders experienced exposures similar to GTAW welders despite a curtain wall barrier separating welding and non-welding work areas.

Volatile substance abuse--post-mortem diagnosis.

PubMed

Wille, Sarah M R; Lambert, Willy E E

2004-06-10

A substantial number of children and adolescents world-wide abuse volatile substances with the intention to experience an euphoric state of consciousness. Although the ratio of deaths to nonfatal inhalation escapades is low, it is an important and preventable cause of death in young people. In the analytical investigation of volatile substances proper sample collection, storage and handling are important in view of the volatile nature of the compounds. Volatile organic compounds in post-mortem matrices such as blood, urine and tissues are generally determined by gas chromatography after extracting the compounds with methods such as static and dynamic headspace or even with pulse-heating and solvent extraction. In post-mortem cases, metabolites in urine seem less relevant, however, trichloroethanol and trichloroacetic acid were determined in several cases. When interpreting qualitative and quantitative results, researchers should be aware of false conclusions. The main reason why scepticism is necessary is the occurrence of losses of analytes during sampling, sample handling and storage, which results in false quantitation.

Improving meat quality of organic pork through post mortem handling of carcasses: an innovative approach.

PubMed

Therkildsen, Margrethe; Kristensen, Lars; Kyed, Sybille; Oksbjerg, Niels

2012-06-01

This study was conducted to examine the best combination of post mortem chilling, suspension and ageing in order to optimize tenderness of organic pork at slaughter, which may be tougher than conventionally produced pork, because of lower daily gain. Combinations of stepwise chilling with a holding period of 6h at 10°C or traditional blast tunnel chilling, suspension in the pelvic bone or Achilles Tendon and ageing 2 or 4 days post mortem were tested. Stepwise chilling and ageing improved tenderness of the loin, and the effects were additive, whereas pelvic suspension was less effective in texture improvements, and non-additive to stepwise chilling. Stepwise chilling improved tenderness to a similar degree as can be obtained within 2-4 days of extended ageing, however, the minimum temperature during the holding period seems to be crucial in order to obtain a positive effect of stepwise chilling, and it should be above 7.5°C. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The importance of ATP-related compounds for the freshness and flavor of post-mortem fish and shellfish muscle: A review.

PubMed

Hong, Hui; Regenstein, Joe M; Luo, Yongkang

2017-06-13

ATP degradation is one of the most important biochemical changes in the post-mortem muscle of fish and shellfish. This process has long been recognized as an accurate way to evaluate freshness of fish and shellfish product. This review updates and condenses the overall history and recent advances in understanding the role of ATP-related compounds in post-mortem fish and shellfish muscle including a discussion of key analytical methods, their use as a freshness indicator, their roles in flavor enhancement, the factors affecting their transitions, and the possible mechanisms responsible for their impact on flavor and freshness. Moreover, some challenges and future directions for research regarding ATP-related compounds in fish and shellfish flavor and freshness are presented. With increasing consumer demands for fresh products with extended shelf life, understanding the relationships between ATP-related compounds and their involvement in the freshness and umami taste is a prerequisite for assuring the high quality of fish and shellfish.

Brain stiffens post mortem.

PubMed

Weickenmeier, J; Kurt, M; Ozkaya, E; de Rooij, R; Ovaert, T C; Ehman, R L; Butts Pauly, K; Kuhl, E

2018-04-22

Alterations in brain rheology are increasingly recognized as a diagnostic marker for various neurological conditions. Magnetic resonance elastography now allows us to assess brain rheology repeatably, reproducibly, and non-invasively in vivo. Recent elastography studies suggest that brain stiffness decreases one percent per year during normal aging, and is significantly reduced in Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis. While existing studies successfully compare brain stiffnesses across different populations, they fail to provide insight into changes within the same brain. Here we characterize rheological alterations in one and the same brain under extreme metabolic changes: alive and dead. Strikingly, the storage and loss moduli of the cerebrum increased by 26% and 60% within only three minutes post mortem and continued to increase by 40% and 103% within 45 minutes. Immediate post mortem stiffening displayed pronounced regional variations; it was largest in the corpus callosum and smallest in the brainstem. We postulate that post mortem stiffening is a manifestation of alterations in polarization, oxidation, perfusion, and metabolism immediately after death. Our results suggest that the stiffness of our brain-unlike any other organ-is a dynamic property that is highly sensitive to the metabolic environment. Our findings emphasize the importance of characterizing brain tissue in vivo and question the relevance of ex vivo brain tissue testing as a whole. Knowing the true stiffness of the living brain has important consequences in diagnosing neurological conditions, planning neurosurgical procedures, and modeling the brain's response to high impact loading. Copyright © 2018 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Interobserver agreement for post mortem renal histopathology and diagnosis of acute tubular necrosis in critically ill patients.

PubMed

Glassford, Neil J; Skene, Alison; Guardiola, Maria B; Chan, Matthew J; Bagshaw, Sean M; Bellomo, Rinaldo; Solez, Kim

2017-12-01

The renal histopathology of critically ill patients dying with acute kidney injury (AKI) in intensive care units of high income countries remains uncertain. Retrospective observational assessment of interobserver agreement in the reporting of renal post mortem histopathology, and the ability of pathologists blinded to the clinical context to independently identify the presence of pre-mortem AKI from digital images of histological sections from 34 critically ill patients dying in teaching hospitals in Australia and Canada. We identified a heterogeneous cohort with a median age of 65 years (interquartile range [IQR], 56.5-77), APACHE II score of 27 (IQR, 19-33), and sepsis as the most common admission diagnosis (12/34; 35%). The most common proximate causes of death were cardiovascular (19/34; 56%) and respiratory (7/34; 21%) failure. AKI was common, with 23 patients (68%) developing RIFLE-F AKI, and 21 patients (62%) receiving renal replacement therapy. Structured reporting for tubular inflammation showed excellent agreement (kappa = 1), but no other subdomain demonstrated better than moderate agreement (kappa < 0.6). Only fair agreement (55.9% of cases; kappa = 0.23) was demonstrated on the diagnosis of moderate to severe acute tubular necrosis (ATN). Pathologist A predicted RIFLE-I or worse AKI with the diagnosis of ATN, with an overall accuracy of 61.8%; pathologist B predicted AKI with an accuracy of 35.3%. Post mortem assessment of the renal histopathology in critically ill patients is neither robust nor reproducible; independent pathologists agree poorly on the diagnosis of ATN, and their structural assessment appears dissociated from ante-mortem renal function.

The effect on cadaver blood DNA identification by the use of targeted and whole body post-mortem computed tomography angiography.

PubMed

Rutty, Guy N; Barber, Jade; Amoroso, Jasmin; Morgan, Bruno; Graham, Eleanor A M

2013-12-01

Post-mortem computed tomography angiography (PMCTA) involves the injection of contrast agents. This could have both a dilution effect on biological fluid samples and could affect subsequent post-contrast analytical laboratory processes. We undertook a small sample study of 10 targeted and 10 whole body PMCTA cases to consider whether or not these two methods of PMCTA could affect post-PMCTA cadaver blood based DNA identification. We used standard methodology to examine DNA from blood samples obtained before and after the PMCTA procedure. We illustrate that neither of these PMCTA methods had an effect on the alleles called following short tandem repeat based DNA profiling, and therefore the ability to undertake post-PMCTA blood based DNA identification.

Cancer Risk Assessment in Welder's Under Different Exposure Scenarios.

PubMed

Barkhordari, Abolfazl; Zare Sakhvidi, Mohammad Javad; Zare Sakhvidi, Fariba; Halvani, Gholamhossein; Firoozichahak, Ali; Shirali, GholamAbbas

2014-05-01

Welders exposure to nickel and hexavalent chromium in welding fumes is associated with increase of cancer risk in welders. In this study we calculated cancer risk due to exposure to these compounds in welders. The role of exposure parameters in welders on derived incremental lifetime cancer risk were determined by stochastic modeling of cancer risk. Input parameters were determined by field investigation in Iranian welders in 2013 and literature review. The 90% upper band cancer risk due to hexavalent chromium and nickel exposure was in the range of 6.03E-03 to 2.12E-02 and 7.18E-03 to 2.61E-02 respectively. Scenario analysis showed that asthmatic and project welders are significantly at higher cancer risk in comparison with other welders (P<0.05). Shift duration was responsible for 37% and 33% of variances for hexavalent chromium and nickel respectively. Welders are at high and unacceptable risk of cancer. Control measures according to scenario analysis findings are advisable.

49 CFR 195.222 - Welders: Qualification of welders.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... under that earlier edition. (b) No welder may weld with a welding process unless, within the preceding 6 calendar months, the welder has— (1) Engaged in welding with that process; and (2) Had one welded tested...

Perinatal and paediatric post-mortem magnetic resonance imaging (PMMR): sequences and technique

PubMed Central

Norman, Wendy; Jawad, Noorulhuda; Jones, Rod; Taylor, Andrew M

2016-01-01

As post-mortem MRI (PMMR) becomes more widely used for investigation following perinatal and paediatric deaths, the best possible images should be acquired. In this article, we review the most widely used published PMMR sequences, together with outlining our acquisition protocol and sequence parameters for foetal, perinatal and paediatric PMMR. We give examples of both normal and abnormal appearances, so that the reader can understand the logic behind each acquisition step before interpretation, as a useful day-to-day reference guide to performing PMMR. PMID:26916282

9 CFR 352.11 - Post-mortem inspection.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... AGENCY ORGANIZATION AND TERMINOLOGY; MANDATORY MEAT AND POULTRY PRODUCTS INSPECTION AND VOLUNTARY INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION EXOTIC ANIMALS AND HORSES; VOLUNTARY INSPECTION Exotic Animals § 352.11 Post...

A review of the use of clozapine levels to guide treatment and determine cause of death.

PubMed

Stark, Anne; Scott, James

2012-09-01

To review the literature to examine the use of clozapine levels to (i) guide therapy and prevent toxicity in clinical care and (ii) determine cause of death in post-mortem examination of patients who were treated with clozapine. MEDLINE was searched in December 2010 using the following keywords: 'clozapine levels', 'clozapine and toxicity', 'clozapine and death', 'clozapine and mortality' and 'post-mortem redistribution'. Data was also collected from the 2010 MIMS Annual. The literature reported significant variation in clozapine levels attained with any given dose, and considerable variability in the clinical response achieved at any given clozapine level. The lowest effective clozapine levels ranged from 250 to 550 µg/L, while the recommended upper limit to prevent toxicity varied from 600 to 2000 µg/L. There was minimal correlation between clozapine levels and side effects, with the exception of sedation, hypotension and seizure activity. The risk of seizures increased with plasma clozapine levels greater than 600 µg/L or rapid upward titration. In addition to prescribed dose, there are many factors that influence plasma clozapine levels. After death, the process of post-mortem drug redistribution resulted in 3.00 to 4.89 times increases in clozapine levels in central blood vessels and 1.5 fold increases in peripheral vessels compared to ante-mortem levels. The exact range of clozapine levels that corresponds to toxicity remains unclear. However, levels between 350 µg/L and 1000 µg/L achieved with gradual upward titration are more likely to be effective and less likely to cause toxicity. Ongoing clozapine level monitoring is indicated, especially when (i) prescribing higher doses (> 600 mg/day) of clozapine, (ii) there has been a change in a patient's concomitant pharmacotherapy or cigarette use and (iii) there has been a suboptimal response to treatment. The use of post-mortem clozapine levels to determine clozapine toxicity as a cause of death is unreliable.

Studies on time of death estimation in the early post mortem period -- application of a method based on eyeball temperature measurement to human bodies.

PubMed

Kaliszan, Michał

2013-09-01

This paper presents a verification of the thermodynamic model allowing an estimation of the time of death (TOD) by calculating the post mortem interval (PMI) based on a single eyeball temperature measurement at the death scene. The study was performed on 30 cases with known PMI, ranging from 1h 35min to 5h 15min, using pin probes connected to a high precision electronic thermometer (Dostmann-electronic). The measured eye temperatures ranged from 20.2 to 33.1°C. Rectal temperature was measured at the same time and ranged from 32.8 to 37.4°C. Ambient temperatures which ranged from -1 to 24°C, environmental conditions (still air to light wind) and the amount of hair on the head were also recorded every time. PMI was calculated using a formula based on Newton's law of cooling, previously derived and successfully tested in comprehensive studies on pigs and a few human cases. Thanks to both the significantly faster post mortem decrease of eye temperature and a residual or nonexistent plateau effect in the eye, as well as practically no influence of body mass, TOD in the human death cases could be estimated with good accuracy. The highest TOD estimation error during the post mortem intervals up to around 5h was 1h 16min, 1h 14min and 1h 03min, respectively in three cases among 30, while for the remaining 27 cases it was not more than 47min. The mean error for all 30 cases was ±31min. All that indicates that the proposed method is of quite good precision in the early post mortem period, with an accuracy of ±1h for a 95% confidence interval. On the basis of the presented method, TOD can be also calculated at the death scene with the use of a proposed portable electronic device (TOD-meter). Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Two fatal intoxication cases with imidacloprid: LC/MS analysis.

PubMed

Proença, Paula; Teixeira, Helena; Castanheira, Fernando; Pinheiro, João; Monsanto, Paula V; Marques, Estela P; Vieira, Duarte Nuno

2005-10-04

Imidacloprid [1-(6-chloro-3pyridylmethyl)-N-nitroimidazolidin-2-ylideneamine] is a new and potent nitromethylene insecticide with high insecticidal activity at very low application rates. It is the first highly effective insecticide that, like nicotine, acts on the nervous system, causing blockage of postsynaptic nicotinergic acetylcholine receptors. Two fatal cases with this insecticide in two male individuals, of 33 and 66 years old, are presented. An LC/MS with electrospray method for measuring imidacloprid and its metabolites in post-mortem samples is described. In the chromatographic separation, a reverse-phase column XTerra MS C18 (2.1mm i.d.x 150 mm, 5 microm) was used and the mobile phase composed with acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid (15:85), at a 0.25 mL/min flow rate. Samples were prepared with a liquid-liquid extraction procedure with dichloromethane. Calibration curves for imidacloprid in blood and urine samples were linear from 0.2 to 15 microg/mL. The mean recovery was 86% with a coefficient of variation of +/-5.9%. The detection limit was 0.002 microg/mL. Quantitative results were obtained for all post-mortem matrices available of the two fatal cases: blood, urine, stomach contents, lung, liver and kidney. The imidacloprid blood concentrations found in two-cases were 12.5 and 2.05 microg/mL. The authors validated a method to detect and quantify imidacloprid in post-mortem samples, and to our knowledge for the first time a post-mortem tissue distribution was performed on various samples for this insecticide.

Post-mortem detection of gasoline residues in lung tissue and heart blood of fire victims.

PubMed

Pahor, Kevin; Olson, Greg; Forbes, Shari L

2013-09-01

The purpose of this study was to determine whether gasoline residues could be detected post-mortem in lung tissue and heart blood of fire victims. The lungs and heart blood were investigated to determine whether they were suitable samples for collection and could be collected without contamination during an autopsy. Three sets of test subjects (pig carcasses) were investigated under two different fire scenarios. Test subjects 1 were anaesthetized following animal ethics approval, inhaled gasoline vapours for a short period and then euthanized. The carcasses were clothed and placed in a house where additional gasoline was poured onto the carcass post-mortem in one fire, but not in the other. Test subjects 2 did not inhale gasoline, were clothed and placed in the house and had gasoline poured onto them in both fires. Test subjects 3 were clothed but had no exposure to gasoline either ante- or post-mortem. Following controlled burns and suppression with water, the carcasses were collected, and their lungs and heart blood were excised at a necropsy. The headspace from the samples was analysed using thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. Gasoline was identified in the lungs and heart blood from the subjects that were exposed to gasoline vapours prior to death (test subjects 1). All other samples were negative for gasoline residues. These results suggest that it is useful to analyse for volatile ignitable liquids in lung tissue and blood as it may help to determine whether a victim was alive and inhaling gases at the time of a fire.

Poisoning: fact or fiction?

PubMed

Flanagan, Robert J

2012-01-01

Analytical toxicology is a complex discipline. Simply detecting a poison in a biological sample does not necessarily mean that the individual from whom the sample was obtained had been poisoned. An analysis can prove exposure and perhaps give an indication of the magnitude of exposure, but the results have to be placed in proper context. Even if sampling was ante-mortem an analysis does not necessarily prove the effects that the drug or poison had on the victim immediately before or at the time of sampling. Tolerance is one big issue, the mechanism of exposure (how the drug got into the body) is another, and of course with post-mortem work there are always additional considerations such as site of sample collection and the possibility of post-mortem change in analyte concentration. There are also questions of quality and reliability, and whether a particular analysis and the interpretation placed upon the result are appropriate in a particular case.

Effects of vacuum and modified atmosphere on textural parameters and structural proteins of cultured meagre (Argyrosomus regius) fillets.

PubMed

Sáez, María I; Martínez, Tomás F; Cárdenas, Salvador; Suárez, María D

2015-09-01

The influence of two preservation strategies (vacuum package and modified atmosphere package) on the post-mortem changes of textural parameters, pH, water holding capacity, sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar proteins, and collagen content of meagre (Argyrosomus regius) fillets was studied. Fillets were stored in a cold room in aerobic (control, C), vacuum (V) and modified atmosphere (MA) package. Samples were withdrawn at six sampling points throughout 15-day storage, and post-mortem changes were assessed. The textural parameters were significantly enhanced in V and MA compared to C. Both V and MA treatments reduced the intensity of a group of myofibrillar protein fractions (140-195 kDa) and increased insoluble collagen compared to C. Consequently, the post-mortem flesh softening in C was attributed to increased proteolysis in both intracellular and extracellular structural proteins. The preservation of the textural and biochemical characteristics of meagre fillets subjected to V and MA treatments makes these two treatments highly recommendable for the commercialization of meagre fillets. © The Author(s) 2014.

Sensory, physical and chemical characteristics of cooked ham manufactured from rapidly chilled and earlier deboned M. semimembranosus.

PubMed

Tomović, Vladimir M; Jokanović, Marija R; Petrović, Ljiljana S; Tomović, Mila S; Tasić, Tatjana A; Ikonić, Predrag M; Sumić, Zdravko M; Sojić, Branislav V; Skaljac, Snežana B; Sošo, Milena M

2013-01-01

Effects of rapid chilling of carcasses (at -31°C in the first 3h of chilling, and then at 2-4°C) and earlier deboning (8h post-mortem), compared to rapid (till 24h post-mortem) and conventional chilling (at 2-4°C, till 24h post-mortem), on quality characteristics of pork M. semimebranosus and cooked ham were investigated. Quality measurements included pH value, colour (CIEL a b values) and total aerobic count of M. semimebranosus, as well as sensory (colour, juiciness, texture, and flavour), physical (pH value, colour - CIEL a b values and texture - Warner-Bratzler shear and penetration forces) and chemical (protein, total fat, and moisture content) characteristics of cooked ham. The cooked ham was manufactured from pieces of M. semimebranosus with ultimate lightness (CIEL value) lower than 50. Rapid chilling and earlier deboning significantly increased quantity of M. semimebranosus desirable for cooked ham manufacturing. Earlier start of pork fabrication did not affect important quality characteristics of cooked ham. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of different stunning systems on meat quality of light lamb.

PubMed

Linares, M B; Bórnez, R; Vergara, H

2007-08-01

The present study was proposed to compare the effect that different types of stunning (TS) had on the quality of refrigerated meat from light lambs of the Spanish Manchega breed at 24h and 7 days post-mortem. Lambs were electrically stunned (ESL; n=10), using CO(2) (GSL; n=10) or slaughtered without previous stunning (USL; n=10). Measurements on meat quality were carried out by evaluating pH, colour coordinates (L(∗), a(∗), b(∗)), water holding capacity (WHC), cooking loss (CL), shear force (SF) and drip loss (DL). At 24h post-mortem, no significant differences were found in any of the variables studied. However, at 7 days post-mortem, meat quality was affected by the different TS: pH, CL and DL were lower (P<0.001) in the USL group and GSL obtained the lowest a(∗) (redness) and b(∗) (yellowness) values (P<0.01) than in the other groups. Ageing of meat affected SF in the ESL group (P<0.01), although there were no significant differences due to treatments at any of the ageing times.

Method for modeling post-mortem biometric 3D fingerprints

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rajeev, Srijith; Shreyas, Kamath K. M.; Agaian, Sos S.

2016-05-01

Despite the advancements of fingerprint recognition in 2-D and 3-D domain, authenticating deformed/post-mortem fingerprints continue to be an important challenge. Prior cleansing and reconditioning of the deceased finger is required before acquisition of the fingerprint. The victim's finger needs to be precisely and carefully operated by a medium to record the fingerprint impression. This process may damage the structure of the finger, which subsequently leads to higher false rejection rates. This paper proposes a non-invasive method to perform 3-D deformed/post-mortem finger modeling, which produces a 2-D rolled equivalent fingerprint for automated verification. The presented novel modeling method involves masking, filtering, and unrolling. Computer simulations were conducted on finger models with different depth variations obtained from Flashscan3D LLC. Results illustrate that the modeling scheme provides a viable 2-D fingerprint of deformed models for automated verification. The quality and adaptability of the obtained unrolled 2-D fingerprints were analyzed using NIST fingerprint software. Eventually, the presented method could be extended to other biometric traits such as palm, foot, tongue etc. for security and administrative applications.

Effect of chronic exposure to welding light on Calabar welders.

PubMed

Davies, K G; Asanga, U; Nku, C O; Osim, E E

2007-01-01

It was generally observed that welders in Calabar, Nigeria did not always wear their protective goggles during welding. Since chronic exposure to welding light can impair vision this study was done to assess the effect of exposure to welding light on ocular function of welders in Calabar, Nigeria. There were 195 subjects comprising 110 welders (test) and 85 control subjects. Both groups were all male and had similar age range. The tests employed were clinical examination for ocular disorders, assessment of visual acuity, and opthalmoscopy. Test questionnaire was also used to record information on length of service, precautionary measures at work place, age and past ocular illnesses. The study also compared incidence of ocular disorders between the two groups of welders (arc and carbide welders). The mean ages of the welders and their control were not significantly different (27.53 +/- 10.0 vs 27.78 +/- 8.5 yrs respectively). There was a significantly [P < 0.01] higher incidence of pingueculum, cataract, allergic conjunctivitis, corneal opacity, and keratoconjunctivitis (arc eye) in welders than in their control subjects. However, visual acuity, incidence of pterygium and glaucoma were similar. Between the two groups of welders, the incidence of pterygium, corneal opacity and keratoconjunctivitis was significantly [P < 0.01] higher in arc welders than carbide welders. The incidence of pingueculum and glaucoma were however, similar. In conclusion, chronic exposure to welding light without adequate precaution may cause ocular disorders. Arc welding is more dangerous to ocular function than carbide welding. Length of service and age are predisposing factors to ocular disorders in the welding business.

Assessment of welders exposure to carcinogen metals from manual metal arc welding in gas transmission pipelines, iran.

PubMed

Golbabaei, F; Seyedsomea, M; Ghahri, A; Shirkhanloo, H; Khadem, M; Hassani, H; Sadeghi, N; Dinari, B

2012-01-01

Welding can produce dangerous fumes containing various metals especially carcinogenic ones. Occupational exposure to welding fumes is associated with lung cancer. Therefore, welders in Gas Transmission Pipelines are known as a high-risk group. This study was designed to determinate the amounts of metals Cr, Ni, and Cd in breathing zone and urine of welders and to assess the possibility of introducing urinary metals as a biomarker due to occupational exposure. In this cross sectional study, 94 individuals from Gas Transmission Pipelines welders, Iran, Borujen in 2011 were selected and classified into 3 groups including Welders, Back Welders and Assistances. The sampling procedures were performed according to NIOSH 7300 for total chromium, nickel, and cadmium and NIOSH 7600 for Cr+6. For all participants urine samples were collected during the entire work shift and metals in urine were determined according to NIOSH 8310. Back Welders and Assistances groups had maximum and minimum exposure to total fume and its elements, respectively. In addition, results showed that there are significant differences (P<0.05) between Welders and Back Welders with Assistances group in exposure with total fume and elements except Ni. Urinary concentrations of three metals including Cr, Cd and Ni among all welders were about 4.5, 12 and 14-fold greater than those detected in controls, respectively. Weak correlations were found between airborne and urinary metals concentrations (R2: Cr=0.45, Cd=0.298, Ni=0.362). Urinary metals concentrations could not be considerate as a biomarker for welders' exposure assessment.

[Odontological contribution to the identification of concentration camp physician Josef Mengele].

PubMed

Endris, R

1985-01-01

The body which had been exhumed from a graveyard in Embú (Brazil) on June 6th was investigated by forensic experts. The comparison of the post-mortem dental findings and jaw bones with ante-mortem data of Josef Mengele, physician of the concentration camp of Auschwitz, makes evident, that there is positive identity by high probability.

Cigarette smoking and hyperglycemia increase renal response to low levels of cadmium in welders: cystatin C as a sensitive marker.

PubMed

Harisa, Gamaleldin I; Attia, Sabry M; Ashour, Abdelkader E; Abdallah, Gamil M; Omran, Gamal A; Touliabah, Hussein E

2014-06-01

The present study was undertaken to investigate the utility of cystatin C (CysC) as an early biomarker of cadmium (Cd)-induced renal injury. The study was carried out on 50 adult male individuals divided into five groups of 10 individuals as follows: control, welders, smoker welders, diabetic welders, and smoker diabetic welders. The results indicated that plasma levels of CysC, creatinine, urea, and uric acid were significantly higher in welders compared to control individuals. In addition, the levels of whole blood Cd, lipid peroxidation, and protein oxidation products as well as erythrocyte osmotic fragility were significantly higher in welders compared to control individuals. In contrast, the levels of plasma albumin and whole blood glutathione were significantly decreased in welders compared to control individuals. The alterations of the measured parameters were enhanced in the presence of smoking and hyperglycemia besides exposure to welding fumes. These results suggest that CysC can be used as a sensitive biomarker of the early stages of Cd-induced renal injury.

Incidence of lung cancer among shipyard welders investigated for siderosis.

PubMed

Danielsen, T E; Lang rd, S; Andersen, A

1998-01-01

The incidence of lung cancer among 428 shipyard welders exposed for more than ten years to welding fumes was investigated. The welders were examined for siderosis by the Directorate of Labor Inspection in 1975. The present study was a follow-up based on historical information from the Norwegian registry of dust-exposed workers. Twenty-three welders with siderosis, and 156 welders working at the same shipyards as the siderosis cases were studied as sub-cohorts. There was no loss on follow-up. The observation period was 1976 through 1992. There were 32 cases of cancer from all causes vs 41.3 expected. A nonsignificant excess of lung cancer was observed; 10 cases vs 6.5 expected. The incidence of lung cancer was highest for the welders with more than 30 years since first exposure (7 cases vs 4.1 expected). The sub-cohort of welders with siderosis had no case of lung cancer vs 0.5 expected. These welders were assumed to have experienced high exposure levels for welding fumes. The morbidity of cancer from all causes was low for this small group of blue-collar workers, but the incidence of lung cancer was slightly increased. The increase was not attributable to welders with siderosis. Smoking and asbestos exposure are potential confounders.

Dynamics of ultrasonic additive manufacturing.

PubMed

Hehr, Adam; Dapino, Marcelo J

2017-01-01

Ultrasonic additive manufacturing (UAM) is a solid-state technology for joining similar and dissimilar metal foils near room temperature by scrubbing them together with ultrasonic vibrations under pressure. Structural dynamics of the welding assembly and work piece influence how energy is transferred during the process and ultimately, part quality. To understand the effect of structural dynamics during UAM, a linear time-invariant model is proposed to relate the inputs of shear force and electric current to resultant welder velocity and voltage. Measured frequency response and operating performance of the welder under no load is used to identify model parameters. Using this model and in-situ measurements, shear force and welder efficiency are estimated to be near 2000N and 80% when welding Al 6061-H18 weld foil, respectively. Shear force and welder efficiency have never been estimated before in UAM. The influence of processing conditions, i.e., welder amplitude, normal force, and weld speed, on shear force and welder efficiency are investigated. Welder velocity was found to strongly influence the shear force magnitude and efficiency while normal force and weld speed showed little to no influence. The proposed model is used to describe high frequency harmonic content in the velocity response of the welder during welding operations and coupling of the UAM build with the welder. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Risk Communication as a Tool for Training Apprentice Welders: A Study about Risk Perception and Occupational Accidents

PubMed Central

Cezar-Vaz, Marta Regina; Bonow, Clarice Alves; Rocha, Laurelize Pereira; de Almeida, Marlise Capa Verde; Severo, Luana de Oliveira; Borges, Anelise Miritz; Vaz, Joana Cezar; Turik, Claudia

2012-01-01

The present study has aimed to identify the perceptions of apprentice welders about physical, chemical, biological, and physiological risk factors to which they are exposed; identify types of occupational accidents involving apprentice welders; and report the development of a socioenvironmental education intervention as a tool for risk communication for apprentice welders. A quantitative study was performed with 161 apprentice welders in Southern Brazil in 2011. Data collection was performed via structured interviews with the apprentice welders about risk perception, occupational accidents, and time experienced in welding. The data were analyzed using SPSS 19.0. The participants identified the following risk types: physical (96.9%), chemical (95%), physiological (86.3%), and biological (51.5%). In this sample, 39.7% of apprentice welders reported occupational accidents and 27.3% reported burning. The inferential analysis showed that the frequency of risk perception factors increases with the length of experience, and apprentice welders who have experienced accidents during welding activity perceive a higher amount of risk factors than those who have never experienced them. It is concluded that apprentice welders perceive risks and that they tend to relate risks with the occurrence of occupational accidents as an indicator of the dangerous nature of their activity. PMID:23326211

The toxicological significance of post-mortem drug concentrations in bile.

PubMed

Ferner, Robin E; Aronson, Jeffrey K

2018-01-01

Some authors have proposed that post-mortem drug concentrations in bile are useful in estimating concentrations in blood. Both The International Association of Forensic Toxicologists (TIAFT) and the US Federal Aviation Administration recommend that samples of bile should be obtained in some circumstances. Furthermore, standard toxicological texts compare blood and bile concentrations, implying that concentrations in bile are of forensic value. To review the evidence on simultaneous measurements of blood and bile drug concentrations reported in the medical literature. We made a systematic search of EMBASE 1980-2016 using the search terms ("bile/" OR "exp drug bile level/concentration/") AND "drug blood level/concentration/", PubMed 1975-2017 for ("bile[tw]" OR "biliary[tw]") AND ("concentration[tw]" OR "concentrations[tw]" OR "level[tw]" OR "levels[tw]") AND "post-mortem[tw]" and also MEDLINE 1990-2016 for information on drugs whose biliary concentrations were mentioned in standard textbooks. The search was limited to human studies without language restrictions. We also examined recent reviews, indexes of relevant journals and citations in Web of Science and Google Scholar. We calculated the bile:blood concentration ratio. The searches together yielded 1031 titles with abstracts. We scanned titles and abstracts for relevance and retrieved 230, of which 161 were considered further. We excluded 49 papers because: the paper reported only one case (30 references); the data referred only to a metabolite (1); the work was published before 1980 (3); the information concerned only samples taken during life (10); or the paper referred to a toxin or unusual recreational drug (5). The remaining 112 papers provided data for analysis, with at least two observations for each of 58 drugs. Bile:blood concentration ratios: Median bile:blood concentration ratios varied from 0.18 (range 0.058-0.32) for dextromoramide to 520 (range 0.62-43,000) for buprenorphine. Median bile concentrations exceeded blood concentrations by one order of magnitude for several drugs, including dihydrocodeine, quetiapine and sildenafil; and by two orders of magnitude of for buprenorphine, colchicine and 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA), among others. The minimum and maximum values for the ratio differed by a factor of three or more in three-quarters of the cases where data were available and by a factor of 10 or more for over half of the analytes. The data were difficult to find. Medline does not explicitly index the term "drug bile concentration". It may well be that other reports exist, although they would not alter our major conclusion. Many of the papers that contributed data failed to specify the source of the blood samples or the post-mortem interval, so that no judgment was possible regarding post-mortem redistribution in whole blood or bile. For most drugs, there are wide ranges of bile:blood concentration ratios, which means that bile and blood concentrations are generally poorly correlated. Bile concentration measurements cannot readily be used to establish post-mortem blood concentrations; nor can they be extrapolated to ante-mortem concentrations. However, because drug concentrations in bile often exceed those in blood, bile may allow qualitative identification of drugs present, even when the blood concentration is below the limit of detection.

Effect of Pre-rigor Salting Levels on Physicochemical and Textural Properties of Chicken Breast Muscles.

PubMed

Kim, Hyun-Wook; Hwang, Ko-Eun; Song, Dong-Heon; Kim, Yong-Jae; Ham, Youn-Kyung; Yeo, Eui-Joo; Jeong, Tae-Jun; Choi, Yun-Sang; Kim, Cheon-Jei

2015-01-01

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of pre-rigor salting level (0-4% NaCl concentration) on physicochemical and textural properties of pre-rigor chicken breast muscles. The pre-rigor chicken breast muscles were de-boned 10 min post-mortem and salted within 25 min post-mortem. An increase in pre-rigor salting level led to the formation of high ultimate pH of chicken breast muscles at post-mortem 24 h. The addition of minimum of 2% NaCl significantly improved water holding capacity, cooking loss, protein solubility, and hardness when compared to the non-salting chicken breast muscle (p<0.05). On the other hand, the increase in pre-rigor salting level caused the inhibition of myofibrillar protein degradation and the acceleration of lipid oxidation. However, the difference in NaCl concentration between 3% and 4% had no great differences in the results of physicochemical and textural properties due to pre-rigor salting effects (p>0.05). Therefore, our study certified the pre-rigor salting effect of chicken breast muscle salted with 2% NaCl when compared to post-rigor muscle salted with equal NaCl concentration, and suggests that the 2% NaCl concentration is minimally required to ensure the definite pre-rigor salting effect on chicken breast muscle.

Effect of Pre-rigor Salting Levels on Physicochemical and Textural Properties of Chicken Breast Muscles

PubMed Central

Choi, Yun-Sang

2015-01-01

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of pre-rigor salting level (0-4% NaCl concentration) on physicochemical and textural properties of pre-rigor chicken breast muscles. The pre-rigor chicken breast muscles were de-boned 10 min post-mortem and salted within 25 min post-mortem. An increase in pre-rigor salting level led to the formation of high ultimate pH of chicken breast muscles at post-mortem 24 h. The addition of minimum of 2% NaCl significantly improved water holding capacity, cooking loss, protein solubility, and hardness when compared to the non-salting chicken breast muscle (p<0.05). On the other hand, the increase in pre-rigor salting level caused the inhibition of myofibrillar protein degradation and the acceleration of lipid oxidation. However, the difference in NaCl concentration between 3% and 4% had no great differences in the results of physicochemical and textural properties due to pre-rigor salting effects (p>0.05). Therefore, our study certified the pre-rigor salting effect of chicken breast muscle salted with 2% NaCl when compared to post-rigor muscle salted with equal NaCl concentration, and suggests that the 2% NaCl concentration is minimally required to ensure the definite pre-rigor salting effect on chicken breast muscle. PMID:26761884

An evaluation of the DRI-ETG EIA method for the determination of ethyl glucuronide concentrations in clinical and post-mortem urine.

PubMed

Turfus, Sophie C; Vo, Tu; Niehaus, Nadia; Gerostamoulos, Dimitri; Beyer, Jochen

2013-06-01

A commercial enzyme immunoassay for the qualitative and semi-quantitative measurement of ethyl glucuronide (EtG) in urine was evaluated. Post-mortem (n=800), and clinical urine (n=200) samples were assayed using a Hitachi 902 analyzer. The determined concentrations were compared with those obtained using a previously published liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the quantification of EtG and ethyl sulfate. Using a cut-off of 0.5 µg/ml and LC-MS/MS limit of reporting of 0.1 µg/ml, there was a sensitivity of 60.8% and a specificity of 100% for clinical samples. For post-mortem samples, sensitivity and specificity were 82.4% and 97.1%, respectively. When reducing the cut-off to 0.1 µg/ml, the sensitivity and specificity were 83.3% and 100% for clinical samples whereas for post-mortem samples the sensitivity and specificity were 90.3 % and 88.3 %, respectively. The best trade-offs between sensitivity and specificity for LC-MS/MS limits of reporting of 0.5 and 0.1 µg/ml were achieved when using immunoassay cut-offs of 0.3 and 0.092 µg/ml, respectively. There was good correlation between quantitative results obtained by both methods but analysis of samples by LC-MS/MS gave higher concentrations than by enzyme immunoassay (EIA), with a statistically significant proportional bias (P<0.0001, Deming regression) for both sample types. The immunoassay is reliable for the qualitative and semi-quantitative presumptive detection of ethyl glucuronide in urine. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Estimation of the relative sensitivity of the comparative tuberculin skin test in tuberculous cattle herds subjected to depopulation.

PubMed

Karolemeas, Katerina; de la Rua-Domenech, Ricardo; Cooper, Roderick; Goodchild, Anthony V; Clifton-Hadley, Richard S; Conlan, Andrew J K; Mitchell, Andrew P; Hewinson, R Glyn; Donnelly, Christl A; Wood, James L N; McKinley, Trevelyan J

2012-01-01

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is one of the most serious economic animal health problems affecting the cattle industry in Great Britain (GB), with incidence in cattle herds increasing since the mid-1980s. The single intradermal comparative cervical tuberculin (SICCT) test is the primary screening test in the bTB surveillance and control programme in GB and Ireland. The sensitivity (ability to detect infected cattle) of this test is central to the efficacy of the current testing regime, but most previous studies that have estimated test sensitivity (relative to the number of slaughtered cattle with visible lesions [VL] and/or positive culture results) lacked post-mortem data for SICCT test-negative cattle. The slaughter of entire herds ("whole herd slaughters" or "depopulations") that are infected by bTB are occasionally conducted in GB as a last-resort control measure to resolve intractable bTB herd breakdowns. These provide additional post-mortem data for SICCT test-negative cattle, allowing a rare opportunity to calculate the animal-level sensitivity of the test relative to the total number of SICCT test-positive and negative VL animals identified post-mortem (rSe). In this study, data were analysed from 16 whole herd slaughters (748 SICCT test-positive and 1031 SICCT test-negative cattle) conducted in GB between 1988 and 2010, using a bayesian hierarchical model. The overall rSe estimate of the SICCT test at the severe interpretation was 85% (95% credible interval [CI]: 78-91%), and at standard interpretation was 81% (95% CI: 70-89%). These estimates are more robust than those previously reported in GB due to inclusion of post-mortem data from SICCT test-negative cattle.

Prevalence of Atherosclerotic Coronary Stenosis in Asymptomatic North Indian Population: A Post-mortem Coronary Angiography Study.

PubMed

Bansal, Yogender Singh; Mandal, Shatrugan Prasad; Kumar, Senthil; Setia, Puneet

2015-09-01

A preliminary study of coronaries using post-mortem angiography was undertaken to see the prevalence of atherosclerotic coronary stenosis in non-cardiac unnatural deaths. This study was conducted in a tertiary care centre located in Chandigarh. A total of 128 medico-legal cases were studied comprising 88 males and 40 females. Post-mortem examinations of these MLC cases were conducted in the Department of Forensic Medicine, PGIMER, Chandigarh. All hearts were visually screened by post-mortem coronary angiography first and then grossly examined using serial transverse incision technique in positive screening cases to find the degree of narrowing. Of the study group, 34% males and 20% females showed evidence of narrowing on angiography. Of the males showing coronary stenosis, 83% had single vessel disease and 13% had double vessel disease, while only one individual had triple vessel disease. In cases of female, all the cases of coronary stenosis were single vessel disease. Left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) was the most common vessel involved, followed by right coronary artery (RCA) & Left circumflex artery (LCX) and in cases of double vessel disease, LAD in combination with LCX was responsible for 75% of the cases. Remarkably 23.6% of study population in the age group of less than 40 years showed appreciable narrowing in at least one of the coronaries. In general, the prevalence of CAD is on the rise, particularly in younger population owing to the changes in their lifestyle and food habits. This preliminary study revealed evidence of narrowing of at least one coronary in 34% male and 20% female population and 23.6% subjects were less than 40 years old. Further detailed studies are needed especially in younger age group and to support the need for preventive cardiology in the early years of life.

Ultrasonographic findings in goats with contagious caprine pleuropneumonia caused by Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae.

PubMed

Tharwat, Mohamed; Al-Sobayil, Fahd

2017-08-22

In goats, contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) is a cause of major economic losses in Africa, Asia and in the Middle East. There is no information emphasising the importance of diagnostic ultrasound in goats with CCPP caused by Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae (Mccp). This study was designed to describe the ultrasonographic findings in goats with CCPP caused by Mccp and to correlate ultrasonographic with post-mortem findings. To this end, 55 goats with CCPP were examined. Twenty-five healthy adult goats were used as a control group. Major clinical findings included harried, painful respiration, dyspnoea and mouth breathing. On ultrasonography, a liver-like echotexture was imaged in 13 goats. Upon post-mortem examination, all 13 goats exhibited unilateral pulmonary consolidation. Seven goats had a unilateral hypoechoic pleural effusion. At necropsy, the related lung was consolidated and the pleural fluid appeared turbid and greenish. Pleural abscessiation detected in five goats was confirmed post-mortem. Twenty-eight goats had a bright, fibrinous matrix extending over the chest wall containing numerous anechoic fluid pockets with medial displacement and compression of lung tissue. Echogenic tags imaged floating in the fluid were found upon post-mortem examination to be fibrin. In two goats, a consolidated right parenchyma was imaged together with hypoechoic pericardial effusions with echogenic tags covering the epicardium. At necropsy, the right lung was consolidated in three goats and fibrin threads were found covering the epicardium and pericardium. In goats with CCPP, the extension and the severity of the pulmonary changes could not be verified with clinical certainty in most cases, whereas this was possible most of the time with sonography, thus making the prognosis easier. Ultrasonographic examination of the pleurae and the lungs helped in the detection of various lesions.

Low μ-Opioid Receptor Status in Alcohol Dependence Identified by Combined Positron Emission Tomography and Post-Mortem Brain Analysis

PubMed Central

Hermann, Derik; Hirth, Natalie; Reimold, Matthias; Batra, Anil; Smolka, Michael N; Hoffmann, Sabine; Kiefer, Falk; Noori, Hamid R; Sommer, Wolfgang H; Reischl, Gerald; la Fougère, Christian; Mann, Karl; Spanagel, Rainer; Hansson, Anita C

2017-01-01

Blockade of the μ-opioid receptor (MOR) by naltrexone reduces relapse risk in a subpopulation of alcohol-dependent patients. Previous positron-emission-tomography (PET) studies using the MOR ligand [11C]carfentanil have found increased MOR availability in abstinent alcoholics, which may reflect either increased MOR expression or lower endogenous ligand concentration. To differentiate between both effects, we investigated two cohorts of alcoholic subjects using either post-mortem or clinical PET analysis. Post-mortem brain tissue of alcohol-dependent subjects and controls (N=43/group) was quantitatively analyzed for MOR ([3H]DAMGO)-binding sites and OPRM1 mRNA in striatal regions. [11C]carfentanil PET was performed in detoxified, medication free alcohol-dependent patients (N=38), followed by a randomized controlled study of naltrexone versus placebo and follow-up for 1 year (clinical trial number: NCT00317031). Because the functional OPRM1 variant rs1799971:A>G affects the ligand binding, allele carrier status was considered in the analyses. MOR-binding sites were reduced by 23–51% in post-mortem striatal tissue of alcoholics. In the PET study, a significant interaction of OPRM1 genotype, binding potential (BPND) for [11C]carfentanil in the ventral striatum, and relapse risk was found. Particularly in G-allele carriers, lower striatal BPND was associated with a higher relapse risk. Interestingly, this effect was more pronounced in the naltrexone treatment group. Reduced MOR is interpreted as a neuroadaptation to an alcohol-induced release of endogenous ligands in patients with severe alcoholism. Low MOR availability may explain the ineffectiveness of naltrexone treatment in this subpopulation. Finally, low MOR-binding sites are proposed as a molecular marker for a negative disease course. PMID:27510425

Time of death of victims found in cold water environment.

PubMed

Karhunen, Pekka J; Goebeler, Sirkka; Winberg, Olli; Tuominen, Markku

2008-04-07

Limited data is available on the application of post-mortem temperature methods to non-standard conditions, especially in problematic real life cases in which the body of the victim is found in cold water environment. Here we present our experience on two cases with known post-mortem times. A 14-year-old girl (rectal temperature 15.5 degrees C) was found assaulted and drowned after a rainy cold night (+5 degrees C) in wet clothing (four layers) at the bottom of a shallow ditch, lying in non-flowing water. The post-mortem time turned out to be 15-16 h. Four days later, at the same time in the morning, after a cold (+/- 0 degrees C) night, a young man (rectal temperature 10.8 degrees C) was found drowned in a shallow cold drain (+4 degrees C) wearing similar clothing (four layers) and being exposed to almost similar environmental and weather conditions, except of flow (7.7 l/s or 0.3 m/s) in the drain. The post-mortem time was deduced to be 10-12 h. We tested the applicability of five practical methods to estimate time of death. Henssge's temperature-time of death nomogram method with correction factors was the most versatile and gave also most accurate results, although there is limited data on choosing of correction factors. In the first case, the right correction factor was close to 1.0 (recommended 1.1-1.2), suggesting that wet clothing acted like dry clothing in slowing down body cooling. In the second case, the right correction factor was between 0.3 and 0.5, similar to the recommended 0.35 for naked bodies in flowing water.

Optical clearing of the dura mater using glycerol: a reversible process to aid the post-mortem investigation of infant head injury.

PubMed

Cheshire, Emma C; Malcomson, Roger D G; Joseph, Shiju; Biggs, Mike J B; Adlam, David; Rutty, Guy N

2015-09-01

In cases of suspected abusive head trauma, a thorough and systematic study of the cranium and its contents is essential, preferably using the best available methods for observing the brain and its coverings. Building upon recent developments in skull bone removal techniques in infant autopsies, we have assessed the use of two optical clearing agents (OCAs), glycerol and mannitol, on pediatric dura mater in an attempt to increase the transparency of this tissue and thereby enhance the post-mortem assessment of infant head injuries, particularly subdural hematomas. Extracorporeal testing revealed glycerol to be the more effective OCA. Therefore, in situ investigations were commenced using glycerol during 33 pediatric post-mortem examinations. An increase in the transparency of the dura was observed in 32 of the 33 cases, within 1 min of application of the OCA. In a 2 year old with cerebral palsy, only partial optical clearance of the dura was seen, most likely due to a significantly atrophic brain, prominent gelatinous leptomeninges, and abnormally thickened dura. This technique allowed for detection of minimal amounts of subdural bleeding over the convexities, before dissection of the dura, avoiding post-mortem blood spillage from artifactually disrupted bridging veins. Optical clearing of the dura aided in the evaluation of patterns of subdural hemorrhage in three cases of non-accidental head injury, three cases of peri-natal head injury and one case of overlaying, apparently resulting in minor crush injury to the head. We have demonstrated that glycerol is an effective and easy-to-use OCA to effect the readily reversible optical clearing of human infant calvarial dura at autopsy.

Evaluation of the in vivo and ex vivo optical properties in a mouse ear model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salomatina, E.; Yaroslavsky, A. N.

2008-06-01

Determination of in vivo optical properties is a challenging problem. Absorption and scattering measured ex vivo are often used for in vivo applications. To investigate the validity of this approach, we have obtained and compared the optical properties of mouse ears in vivo and ex vivo in the spectral range from 370 to 1650 nm. Integrating sphere spectrophotometry in combination with the inverse Monte Carlo technique was employed to determine absorption coefficients, μa, scattering coefficients, μs, and anisotropy factors, g. Two groups of mice were used for the study. The first group was measured in vivo and ex vivo within 5-10 min post mortem. The second group was measured in vivo and ex vivo every 24 h for up to 72 h after sacrifice. Between the measurements the tissues were kept at 4 °C wrapped in a gauze moistened with saline solution. Then the specimens were frozen at -25 °C for 40 min, thawed and measured again. The results indicate that the absorption coefficients determined in vivo and ex vivo within 5-10 min post mortem differed considerably only in the spectral range dominated by hemoglobin. These changes can be attributed to rapid deoxygenation of tissue and blood post mortem. Absorption coefficients determined ex vivo up to 72 h post mortem decreased gradually with time in the spectral regions dominated by hemoglobin and water, which can be explained by the continuing loss of blood. Absorption properties of the frozen-thawed ex vivo tissues showed increase in oxygenation, which is likely caused by the release of hemoglobin from hemolyzed erythrocytes. Scattering of the ex vivo tissues decreased gradually with time in the entire spectral range due to the continuing loss of blood and partial cell damage. Anisotropy factors did not change considerably.

Estimation of the Relative Sensitivity of the Comparative Tuberculin Skin Test in Tuberculous Cattle Herds Subjected to Depopulation

PubMed Central

Karolemeas, Katerina; de la Rua-Domenech, Ricardo; Cooper, Roderick; Goodchild, Anthony V.; Clifton-Hadley, Richard S.; Conlan, Andrew J. K.; Mitchell, Andrew P.; Hewinson, R. Glyn; Donnelly, Christl A.; Wood, James L. N.; McKinley, Trevelyan J.

2012-01-01

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is one of the most serious economic animal health problems affecting the cattle industry in Great Britain (GB), with incidence in cattle herds increasing since the mid-1980s. The single intradermal comparative cervical tuberculin (SICCT) test is the primary screening test in the bTB surveillance and control programme in GB and Ireland. The sensitivity (ability to detect infected cattle) of this test is central to the efficacy of the current testing regime, but most previous studies that have estimated test sensitivity (relative to the number of slaughtered cattle with visible lesions [VL] and/or positive culture results) lacked post-mortem data for SICCT test-negative cattle. The slaughter of entire herds (“whole herd slaughters” or “depopulations”) that are infected by bTB are occasionally conducted in GB as a last-resort control measure to resolve intractable bTB herd breakdowns. These provide additional post-mortem data for SICCT test-negative cattle, allowing a rare opportunity to calculate the animal-level sensitivity of the test relative to the total number of SICCT test-positive and negative VL animals identified post-mortem (rSe). In this study, data were analysed from 16 whole herd slaughters (748 SICCT test-positive and 1031 SICCT test-negative cattle) conducted in GB between 1988 and 2010, using a Bayesian hierarchical model. The overall rSe estimate of the SICCT test at the severe interpretation was 85% (95% credible interval [CI]: 78–91%), and at standard interpretation was 81% (95% CI: 70–89%). These estimates are more robust than those previously reported in GB due to inclusion of post-mortem data from SICCT test-negative cattle. PMID:22927952

When a death apparently associated to sexual assault is instead a natural death due to idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome: The importance of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid analysis in vitreous humor.

PubMed

Busardò, Francesco Paolo; Portelli, Francesca; Montana, Angelo; Rotolo, Maria Concetta; Pichini, Simona; Maresi, Emiliano

2017-05-01

We here report a case involving a 21-year-old female, found dead in a central square of a city in the south of Italy. Initial evidences and circumstances were suggestive of a death associated with a sexual assault. Two peripheral blood and two vitreous humor samples were collected for the purpose of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) testing from the dead body at two different post-mortem intervals (PMIs): approximately 2 (t 0 ) and 36 (t 1 ) hours. The obtained results showed that, between t 0 and t 1, there was an increase of GHB concentrations in peripheral blood and vitreous humor of 66.3% and 8.1%, respectively. This case was the first evidence of GHB post mortem production in a dead body and not in vitro, showing that vitreous humor is less affected than peripheral blood in GHB post-mortem production. The value detected at t 1 in peripheral blood (53.4µg/mL) exceeded the proposed cut-off and if interpreted alone would have led to erroneous conclusions. This was not the case of vitreous humor GHB, whose post-mortem increase was minimal and it allowed to exclude a GHB exposure. Only after a broad forensic investigation including a complete autopsy, serological, histological, toxicological and haematology analyses, a diagnosis of idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome, a myeloproliferative disorder characterized by persistent eosinophilia associated with damage to multiple organs, was made and the cause of death was due to a pulmonary eosinophilic vasculitis responsible for an acute respiratory failure. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Culturable microbiota of ranched southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii Castelnau).

PubMed

Valdenegro-Vega, V; Naeem, S; Carson, J; Bowman, J P; Tejedor del Real, J L; Nowak, B

2013-10-01

The Australian tuna industry is based on the ranching of wild southern bluefin tuna (SBT, Thunnus maccoyii). Within this industry, only opportunistic pathogens have been reported infecting external wounds of fish. This study aimed to identify different culturable bacteria present in three cohorts of SBT and to determine normal bacteria and potential pathogens in isolates from harvest fish and moribund/dead fish. Post-mortem changes in the microbiota were also studied. Moribund/dead showed a greater proportion of members from the family Vibrionaceae than harvested fish; the latter presented mainly non-Vibrio species. In harvested fish spleens, Vibrio splendidus I complex was the most commonly identified group among Vibrio isolates, while most groups from the family Vibrionaceae were isolated from gills. For moribund/dead, Vibrio chagasii and Photobacterium damselae subsp. damselae were common in gill, spleen and kidney samples. Non-Vibrio isolates from gills were characterized using 16S rRNA sequencing as Flavobacteriaceae and classes Gammaproteobacteria and Alphaproteobacteria, mainly from the genera Winogradskyella and Tenacibaculum. Post-mortem changes showed dynamic shifts in bacterial dominance in gills, with Vibrionaceae and non-Vibrio spp. found in similar proportions initially and types related to Pseudoalteromonas ruthenica prevailing after 27 h. Spleen samples showed little bacterial growth until 5 h post-mortem, while various Vibrio-associated species were isolated 27 h post-mortem. Bacterial isolates found include a range of potentially pathogenic bacteria that should be monitored though most of them have yet to be associated with disease in tuna. This study forms a foundation for future research into the bacterial population dynamics under different culture conditions of SBT. An understanding of the bacterial compositions in SBT is necessary to evaluate the effects of some bacterial species on their health. © 2013 The Society for Applied Microbiology.

Evaluation of the in vivo and ex vivo optical properties in a mouse ear model.

PubMed

Salomatina, E; Yaroslavsky, A N

2008-06-07

Determination of in vivo optical properties is a challenging problem. Absorption and scattering measured ex vivo are often used for in vivo applications. To investigate the validity of this approach, we have obtained and compared the optical properties of mouse ears in vivo and ex vivo in the spectral range from 370 to 1650 nm. Integrating sphere spectrophotometry in combination with the inverse Monte Carlo technique was employed to determine absorption coefficients, mu(a), scattering coefficients, mu(s), and anisotropy factors, g. Two groups of mice were used for the study. The first group was measured in vivo and ex vivo within 5-10 min post mortem. The second group was measured in vivo and ex vivo every 24 h for up to 72 h after sacrifice. Between the measurements the tissues were kept at 4 degrees C wrapped in a gauze moistened with saline solution. Then the specimens were frozen at -25 degrees C for 40 min, thawed and measured again. The results indicate that the absorption coefficients determined in vivo and ex vivo within 5-10 min post mortem differed considerably only in the spectral range dominated by hemoglobin. These changes can be attributed to rapid deoxygenation of tissue and blood post mortem. Absorption coefficients determined ex vivo up to 72 h post mortem decreased gradually with time in the spectral regions dominated by hemoglobin and water, which can be explained by the continuing loss of blood. Absorption properties of the frozen-thawed ex vivo tissues showed increase in oxygenation, which is likely caused by the release of hemoglobin from hemolyzed erythrocytes. Scattering of the ex vivo tissues decreased gradually with time in the entire spectral range due to the continuing loss of blood and partial cell damage. Anisotropy factors did not change considerably.

Assessment of Welders Exposure to Carcinogen Metals from Manual Metal Arc Welding in Gas Transmission Pipelines, Iran

PubMed Central

Golbabaei, F; Seyedsomea, M; Ghahri, A; Shirkhanloo, H; Khadem, M; Hassani, H; Sadeghi, N; Dinari, B

2012-01-01

Background: Welding can produce dangerous fumes containing various metals especially carcinogenic ones. Occupational exposure to welding fumes is associated with lung cancer. Therefore, welders in Gas Transmission Pipelines are known as a high-risk group. This study was designed to determinate the amounts of metals Cr, Ni, and Cd in breathing zone and urine of welders and to assess the possibility of introducing urinary metals as a biomarker due to occupational exposure. Methods: In this cross sectional study, 94 individuals from Gas Transmission Pipelines welders, Iran, Borujen in 2011 were selected and classified into 3 groups including Welders, Back Welders and Assistances. The sampling procedures were performed according to NIOSH 7300 for total chromium, nickel, and cadmium and NIOSH 7600 for Cr+6. For all participants urine samples were collected during the entire work shift and metals in urine were determined according to NIOSH 8310. Results: Back Welders and Assistances groups had maximum and minimum exposure to total fume and its elements, respectively. In addition, results showed that there are significant differences (P<0.05) between Welders and Back Welders with Assistances group in exposure with total fume and elements except Ni. Urinary concentrations of three metals including Cr, Cd and Ni among all welders were about 4.5, 12 and 14-fold greater than those detected in controls, respectively. Weak correlations were found between airborne and urinary metals concentrations (R2: Cr=0.45, Cd=0.298, Ni=0.362). Conclusion: Urinary metals concentrations could not be considerate as a biomarker for welders’ exposure assessment. PMID:23113226

Neuromotor function in ship welders after cessation of manganese exposure.

PubMed

Wastensson, Gunilla; Sallsten, Gerd; Bast-Pettersen, Rita; Barregard, Lars

2012-08-01

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether previous long-term exposure to manganese (Mn) via inhalation of welding fumes can cause persistent impairment in neuromotor function even long after cessation of exposure. Quantitative tests of tremor, motor speed, manual dexterity, diadochokinesis, eye-hand coordination and postural stability were administered to 17 retired ship welders (mean age 69 years), with mean exposure time 28 years. The welders' exposure had ceased on average 18 years before the study. A cumulative exposure index (CEI) was calculated for each of the former welders. The welders were compared with 21 referents from the same shipyards (mean age was 66 years). Former welders performed less well than referents in the grooved pegboard test, and poorer performance was associated with CEI. The performance in most of the other neurobehavioral tests was similar between groups, but the welders tended to perform slightly better than the referents in tests demanding hand steadiness. The latter finding may be due to a training effect from their former working tasks or selection bias into or out of this occupation. In the present study of welders with previous welding fume exposure, former welders and referents performed similarly in most of the neurobehavioral tests. Previous adverse effects on the neuromotor system might have ceased, and decreased neuromotor function due to normal aging processes in both groups might have disguised any slight effect of previous Mn exposure. The poorer performance in the grooved pegboard test among welders may indicate an adverse effect on motor function of long-term exposure to Mn, but this finding has to be confirmed by other studies.

Assessment of the effect of welding fumes on welders' cognitive failure and health-related quality of life.

PubMed

Rahmani, Abdolrasoul; Golbabaei, Farideh; Dehghan, Somayeh Farhang; Mazlomi, Adel; Akbarzadeh, Arash

2016-09-01

This study examined whether cognitive symptoms and health-related quality of life can be affected by welding fume exposure. Participants consisted of welders (n = 40) and welder assistants (n = 25) from welding units as the exposed group, and office workers (n = 44) as the non-exposed group. All participants were studied using ambient air monitoring and two types of questionnaires: the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ) and the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Welders and welder assistants were exposed to higher concentrations of all airborne metals than office employees, except for aluminum and chromium (p < 0.05). Mean (95% confidence interval) CFQ score was higher in welders (26.42 (12.74)) compared with welder assistants (22.68 (14.37)) and the non-exposed group (21.38 (8.75)), although these differences were not statistically significant. Mean total score of the SF-36 significantly differed among the three groups (p < 0.05) and welders had the lowest score (M (SD) = 54.84 (17.88)). The relationships between total CFQ score and the measured concentration of nickel at peak work rate was significant for welders. Cognitive symptoms and health-related quality of life were not related to the measures of welding fume exposure and further research should be performed to find other influencing factors.

Incidence of cancer among Norwegian boiler welders.

PubMed Central

Danielsen, T E; Langård, S; Andersen, A

1996-01-01

OBJECTIVES: The cancer incidence among 2957 boiler welders was investigated. The subjects were registered electrical welders from 1942 to 1981. A subcohort of 606 stainless steel welders was studied separately. METHODS: The investigation was a historical prospective cohort study based on a national registry. The loss of follow up was 4.9%. RESULTS: There were 625 deaths (659 expected). There were 269 cancer cases (264 expected). An excess of lung cancer was found; 50 cases v 37.5 expected. There were three cases of pleural mesotheliomas v 1.1 expected. The subcohort of stainless steel welders had six cases of lung cancer v 5.8 expected, and one case of pleural mesothelioma v 0.2 expected. CONCLUSIONS: The welders in the study were assumed to represent a qualified work force. These welders had a small excess risk of lung cancer. The excess risk did not seem to be associated with stainless steel welding. Smoking and asbestos exposure were potential confounders. PMID:8664959

Hazard perception and occupational injuries in the welders and lathe machine operators of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

PubMed

Shaikh, M A

2001-02-01

To study the prevalence of occupational injuries in the welders and lathe machine operators and their hazard perception. This study was conducted in the welders and lathe machine operators working in the welding and metal working shops in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. A cross-sectional survey was conducted by two trained health interviewers using uniform questionnaire with both close and open-ended questions. Two hundred and eight welders and 104 lathe machine operators were interviewed. Thirty nine (18.7%) welders and 27 (26%) lathe machine operators reported an injury in the past three months, while 63 (30.3%) welders and 76 (73.8%) lathe machine operators reported sustaining an injury in the past twelve months. However, only half of the welders and 31 (29.8%) lathe machine operators believed that their occupation was hazardous for health. For effective public health policy there is a need preventive education and enforcement of safety regulations for the informal occupational sector in Pakistan.

Pulmonary adverse effects of welding fume in automobile assembly welders.

PubMed

Sharifian, Seyed Akbar; Loukzadeh, Ziba; Shojaoddiny-Ardekani, Ahmad; Aminian, Omid

2011-01-01

Welding is one of the key components of numerous manufacturing industries, which has potential physical and chemical health hazards. Many components of welding fumes can potentially affect the lung function. This study investigates the effects of welding fumes on lung function and respiratory symptoms among welders of an automobile manufacturing plant in Iran. This historical cohort study assesses 43 male welders and 129 office workers by a questionnaire to record demographic data, smoking habits, work history and respiratory symptoms as well as lung function status by spirometry. The average pulmonary function values of welders were lower relative to controls with dose-effect relationship between work duration and pulmonary function impairment. The prevalence of chronic bronchitis was higher in welders than controls. Our findings suggest that welders are at risk for pulmonary disease.

Post-mortem re-cloning of a transgenic red fluorescent protein dog.

PubMed

Hong, So Gun; Koo, Ok Jae; Oh, Hyun Ju; Park, Jung Eun; Kim, Minjung; Kim, Geon-A; Park, Eun Jung; Jang, Goo; Lee, Byeong-Chun

2011-12-01

Recently, the world's first transgenic dogs were produced by somatic cell nuclear transfer. However, cellular senescence is a major limiting factor for producing more advanced transgenic dogs. To overcome this obstacle, we rejuvenated transgenic cells using a re-cloning technique. Fibroblasts from post-mortem red fluorescent protein (RFP) dog were reconstructed with in vivo matured oocytes and transferred into 10 surrogate dogs. One puppy was produced and confirmed as a re-cloned dog. Although the puppy was lost during birth, we successfully established a rejuvenated fibroblast cell line from this animal. The cell line was found to stably express RFP and is ready for additional genetic modification.

Imaging axonal transport in the rat visual pathway.

PubMed

Abbott, Carla J; Choe, Tiffany E; Lusardi, Theresa A; Burgoyne, Claude F; Wang, Lin; Fortune, Brad

2013-02-01

A technique was developed for assaying axonal transport in retinal ganglion cells using 2 µl injections of 1% cholera toxin b-subunit conjugated to AlexaFluor488 (CTB). In vivo retinal and post-mortem brain imaging by confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and post-mortem microscopy were performed. The transport of CTB was sensitive to colchicine, which disrupts axonal microtubules. The bulk rates of transport were determined to be approximately 80-90 mm/day (anterograde) and 160 mm/day (retrograde). Results demonstrate that axonal transport of CTB can be monitored in vivo in the rodent anterior visual pathway, is dependent on intact microtubules, and occurs by active transport mechanisms.

Post mortem rigor development in the Egyptian goose (Alopochen aegyptiacus) breast muscle (pectoralis): factors which may affect the tenderness.

PubMed

Geldenhuys, Greta; Muller, Nina; Frylinck, Lorinda; Hoffman, Louwrens C

2016-01-15

Baseline research on the toughness of Egyptian goose meat is required. This study therefore investigates the post mortem pH and temperature decline (15 min-4 h 15 min post mortem) in the pectoralis muscle (breast portion) of this gamebird species. It also explores the enzyme activity of the Ca(2+)-dependent protease (calpain system) and the lysosomal cathepsins during the rigor mortis period. No differences were found for any of the variables between genders. The pH decline in the pectoralis muscle occurs quite rapidly (c = -0.806; ultimate pH ∼ 5.86) compared with other species and it is speculated that the high rigor temperature (>20 °C) may contribute to the increased toughness. No calpain I was found in Egyptian goose meat and the µ/m-calpain activity remained constant during the rigor period, while a decrease in calpastatin activity was observed. The cathepsin B, B & L and H activity increased over the rigor period. Further research into the connective tissue content and myofibrillar breakdown during aging is required in order to know if the proteolytic enzymes do in actual fact contribute to tenderisation. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of pre-rigor stretch and various constant temperatures on the rate of post-mortem pH fall, rigor mortis and some quality traits of excised porcine biceps femoris muscle strips.

PubMed

Vada-Kovács, M

1996-01-01

Porcine biceps femoris strips of 10 cm original length were stretched by 50% and fixed within 1 hr post mortem then subjected to temperatures of 4 °, 15 ° or 36 °C until they attained their ultimate pH. Unrestrained control muscle strips, which were left to shorten freely, were similarly treated. Post-mortem metabolism (pH, R-value) and shortening were recorded; thereafter ultimate meat quality traits (pH, lightness, extraction and swelling of myofibrils) were determined. The rate of pH fall at 36 °C, as well as ATP breakdown at 36 and 4 °C, were significantly reduced by pre-rigor stretch. The relationship between R-value and pH indicated cold shortening at 4 °C. Myofibrils isolated from pre-rigor stretched muscle strips kept at 36 °C showed the most severe reduction of hydration capacity, while paleness remained below extreme values. However, pre-rigor stretched myofibrils - when stored at 4 °C - proved to be superior to shortened ones in their extractability and swelling.

Longitudinal assessment of short-term memory deterioration in a logopenic variant primary progressive aphasia with post-mortem confirmed Alzheimer's Disease pathology.

PubMed

Tree, Jeremy; Kay, Janice

2015-09-01

In the field of dementia research, there are reports of neurodegenerative cases with a focal loss of language, termed primary progressive aphasia (PPA). Currently, this condition has been further sub-classified, with the most recent sub-type dubbed logopenic variant (PPA-LV). As yet, there remains somewhat limited evaluation of the characteristics of this condition, with no studies providing longitudinal assessment accompanied by post-mortem examination. Moreover, a key characteristic of the PPA-LV case is a deterioration of phonological short-term memory, but again little work has scrutinized the nature of this impairment over time. The current study seeks to redress these oversights and presents detailed longitudinal examination of language and memory function in a case of PPA-LV, with special focus on tests linked to components of phonological short-term memory function. Our findings are then considered with reference to a contemporary model of the neuropsychology of phonological short-term memory. Additionally, post-mortem examinations indicated Alzheimer's disease type pathology, providing further evidence that the PPA-LV presentation may reflect an atypical presentation of this condition. © 2014 The British Psychological Society.

Effects of Cannabis Use on Human Brain Structure in Psychosis: A Systematic Review Combining In Vivo Structural Neuroimaging and Post Mortem Studies

PubMed Central

Rapp, Charlotte; Bugra, Hilal; Riecher-Rössler, Anita; Tamagni, Corinne; Borgwardt, Stefan

2012-01-01

It is unclear yet whether cannabis use is a moderating or causal factor contributing to grey matter alterations in schizophrenia and the development of psychotic symptoms. We therefore systematically reviewed structural brain imaging and post mortem studies addressing the effects of cannabis use on brain structure in psychosis. Studies with schizophrenia (SCZ) and first episode psychosis (FEP) patients as well as individuals at genetic (GHR) or clinical high risk for psychosis (ARMS) were included. We identified 15 structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (12 cross sectional / 3 longitudinal) and 4 post mortem studies. The total number of subjects encompassed 601 schizophrenia or first episode psychosis patients, 255 individuals at clinical or genetic high risk for psychosis and 397 healthy controls. We found evidence for consistent brain structural abnormalities in cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptor enhanced brain areas as the cingulate and prefrontal cortices and the cerebellum. As these effects have not consistently been reported in studies examining non-psychotic and healthy samples, psychosis patients and subjects at risk for psychosis might be particularly vulnerable to brain volume loss due to cannabis exposure PMID:22716152

Fatal intoxication with tianeptine (Stablon).

PubMed

Proença, Paula; Teixeira, Helena; Pinheiro, João; Monsanto, Paula V; Vieira, Duarte Nuno

2007-08-06

Tianeptine (Stablon), although structurally similar to tricyclic antidepressants, acts by enhancing the reuptake of serotonin. A fatal case is presented involving a 26-year-old man, found lying in bed with a "mushroom of foam" around his mouth. Empty blister packs of Stablon and a suicide note were found next to the body. A liquid-liquid extraction procedure with n-hexane: ethyl acetate and n-hexane: 2-propanol, followed by LC-DAD-MS analysis, using positive mode electrospray ionization was performed. The detection limit was 0.001 microg/mL. The toxicological results revealed the following tianeptine concentrations in the post-mortem samples: blood 5.1 microg/mL; urine 2.0 microg/mL; liver 23 microg/g; stomach contents 22 mg. Femoral blood analyses also revealed an ethanol concentration of 0.53 g/L. The present method was also developed and validated for the other post-mortem specimens, since no previous published data had confirmed the post-mortem distribution of tianeptine. The absence of other suitable direct causes of death (macroscopic or histological) and the positive results achieved with the toxicological analysis led the pathologist to rule that death was due to an intoxication caused by the suicidal ingestion of tianeptine in combination with alcohol.

Epidemiological features of fasciolosis in working donkeys in Ethiopia.

PubMed

Getachew, M; Innocent, G T; Trawford, A F; Reid, S W J; Love, S

2010-05-11

A cross-sectional coprological survey in the tropical regions of Ada, Akaki, Bereh and Boset, and a retrospective post-mortem investigation were conducted to study the epidemiology of fasciolosis in working donkeys in Ethiopia. Faecal samples from 803 donkeys were collected, and the number of liver flukes recovered from 112 donkeys at post-mortem between 1995 and 2004 were analysed. There was a high prevalence of fasciolosis irrespective of the age of the donkeys. The overall prevalence of the infection was 44.4% in coprologically examined donkeys, and the prevalence in the donkeys examined post-mortem was 41.9%. The infection prevalence was significantly higher in Bereh and Ada regions than in Akaki and Boset regions. Bereh with 72.6% and Boset with 21.5% showed a significantly higher and lower infection prevalence, respectively, than the rest of the regions (P<0.001). There was no significant difference between different age groups of donkeys in the infection prevalence (P>0.05) but infection intensity was significantly higher in donkeys 8 years old and above (P<0.0001). Both Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica were identified. (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid endogenous production and post-mortem behaviour - the importance of different biological matrices, cut-off reference values, sample collection and storage conditions.

PubMed

Castro, André L; Dias, Mário; Reis, Flávio; Teixeira, Helena M

2014-10-01

Gamma-Hydroxybutyric Acid (GHB) is an endogenous compound with a story of clinical use, since the 1960's. However, due to its secondary effects, it has become a controlled substance, entering the illicit market for recreational and "dance club scene" use, muscle enhancement purposes and drug-facilitated sexual assaults. Its endogenous context can bring some difficulties when interpreting, in a forensic context, the analytical values achieved in biological samples. This manuscript reviewed several crucial aspects related to GHB forensic toxicology evaluation, such as its post-mortem behaviour in biological samples; endogenous production values, whether in in vivo and in post-mortem samples; sampling and storage conditions (including stability tests); and cut-off reference values evaluation for different biological samples, such as whole blood, plasma, serum, urine, saliva, bile, vitreous humour and hair. This revision highlights the need of specific sampling care, storage conditions, and cut-off reference values interpretation in different biological samples, essential for proper practical application in forensic toxicology. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. All rights reserved.

Post-mortem hemoparasite detection in free-living Brazilian brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira, Fischer 1814).

PubMed

Silveira, Júlia Angélica Gonçalves da; Rabelo, Elida Mara Leite; Lima, Paula Cristina Senra; Chaves, Bárbara Neves; Ribeiro, Múcio Flávio Barbosa

2014-01-01

Tick-borne infections can result in serious health problems for wild ruminants, and some of these infectious agents can be considered zoonosis. The aim of the present study was the post-mortem detection of hemoparasites in free-living Mazama gouazoubira from Minas Gerais state, Brazil. The deer samples consisted of free-living M. gouazoubira (n = 9) individuals that died after capture. Necropsy examinations of the carcasses were performed to search for macroscopic alterations. Organ samples were collected for subsequent imprint slides, and nested PCR assays were performed to detect hemoparasite species. Imprint slide assays from four deer showed erythrocytes infected with Piroplasmida small trophozoites, and A. marginale corpuscles were observed in erythrocytes from two animals. A. marginale and trophozoite co-infections occurred in two deer. A nested PCR analysis of the organs showed that six of the nine samples were positive for Theileria sp., five were positive for A. phagocytophilum and three were positive for A. marginale, with co-infection occurring in four deer. The results of the present study demonstrate that post-mortem diagnostics using imprint slides and molecular assays are an effective method for detecting hemoparasites in organs.

Rapid tenderisation of lamb M. longissimus with very fast chilling depends on rapidly achieving sub-zero temperatures.

PubMed

Jacob, Robin; Rosenvold, Katja; North, Michael; Kemp, Robert; Warner, Robyn; Geesink, Geert

2012-09-01

A study was undertaken to determine whether variations within the defined temperature-by-time profile for very fast chilling (VFC), might explain variations in tenderness found with VFC. Loins from 32 lambs were subjected to one of five cooling regimes; defined by the average temperature between the meat surface and centre reached at a specific time post mortem. These were: -0.3 °C at 22 h (Control), 2.6 °C at 1.5 h (Fast(supra-zero)), 0.7 °C at 5.5 h (Slow(supra-zero)), -1.6 °C at 1.5 h (Fast(sub-zero)) and -2.3 °C at 5.5 h (Slow(sub-zero)), respectively. Shear force values considered very tender by consumers (less than 50 N, MIRINZ tenderometer) were found 2 days post mortem in Fast(sub-zero) loins only. Both time and temperature at the end of the cooling period contributed to variations in shear force. To achieve low shear force, the loins needed to be cooled to less than 0 °C at 1.5 h post mortem. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The price of the precautionary principle: cost-effectiveness of BSE intervention strategies in The Netherlands.

PubMed

Benedictus, A; Hogeveen, H; Berends, B R

2009-06-01

Since 1996, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle has been linked to a new variant of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD), a fatal brain disease in man. This paper assessed the cost-effectiveness of BSE control strategies instituted by the European Commission. In a Monte Carlo simulation model, a non-intervention baseline scenario was compared to three intervention strategies: removal of specified risk materials from slaughter animals, post-mortem testing for BSE and the culling of feed and age cohorts of BSE cases. The food risk in the baseline scenario ranged from 16.98 lost life years in 2002 to 2.69 lost life years in 2005. Removing specified risk materials removal practices, post-mortem testing and post-mortem testing plus cohort culling reduced this risk with 93%, 82.7% and 83.1%. The estimated cost-effectiveness of all BSE measures in The Netherlands ranged from 4.3 million euros per life year saved in 2002 to 17.7 million euros in 2005. It was discussed that the cost-effectiveness of BSE control strategies will further deviate from regular health economics thresholds as BSE prevalence and incidence declines.

Tissues from equine cadaver ligaments up to 72 hours of post-mortem: a promising reservoir of stem cells.

PubMed

Shikh Alsook, Mohamad Khir; Gabriel, Annick; Piret, Joëlle; Waroux, Olivier; Tonus, Céline; Connan, Delphine; Baise, Etienne; Antoine, Nadine

2015-12-18

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) harvested from cadaveric tissues represent a promising approach for regenerative medicine. To date, no study has investigated whether viable MSCs could survive in cadaveric tissues from tendon or ligament up to 72 hours of post-mortem. The purpose of the present work was to find out if viable MSCs could survive in cadaveric tissues from adult equine ligaments up to 72 hours of post-mortem, and to assess their ability (i) to remain in an undifferentiated state and (ii) to divide and proliferate in the absence of any specific stimulus. MSCs were isolated from equine cadaver (EC) suspensory ligaments within 48-72 hours of post-mortem. They were evaluated for viability, proliferation, capacity for tri-lineage differentiation, expression of cell surface markers (CD90, CD105, CD73, CD45), pluripotent transcription factor (OCT-4), stage-specific embryonic antigen-1 (SSEA-1), neuron-specific class III beta-tubulin (TUJ-1), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). As well, they were characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM). EC-MSCs were successfully isolated and maintained for 20 passages with high cell viability and proliferation. Phase contrast microscopy revealed that cells with fibroblast-like appearance were predominant in the culture. Differentiation assays proved that EC-MSCs are able to differentiate towards mesodermal lineages (osteogenic, adipogenic, chondrogenic). Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated that EC-MSCs expressed CD90, CD105, and CD73, while being negative for the leukocyte common antigen CD45. Immunofluorescence analysis showed a high percentage of positive cells for OCT-4 and SSEA-1. Surprisingly, in absence of any stimuli, some adherent cells closely resembling neuronal and glial morphology were also observed. Interestingly, our results revealed that approximately 15 % of the cell populations were TUJ-1 positive, whereas GFAP expression was detected in only a few cells. Furthermore, TEM analysis confirmed the stemness of EC-MSCs and identified some cells with a typical neuronal morphology. Our findings raise the prospect that the tissues harvested from equine ligaments up to 72 hours of post-mortem represent an available reservoir of specific stem cells. EC-MSCs could be a promising alternative source for tissue engineering and stem cell therapy in equine medicine.

Determinants of occupational exposure to metals by gas metal arc welding and risk management measures: a biomonitoring study.

PubMed

Persoons, Renaud; Arnoux, Damien; Monssu, Théodora; Culié, Olivier; Roche, Gaëlle; Duffaud, Béatrice; Chalaye, Denis; Maitre, Anne

2014-12-01

Welding fumes contain various toxic metals including chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni) and manganese (Mn). An assessment of the risk to health of local and systemic exposure to welding fumes requires the assessment of both external and internal doses. The aims of this study were to test the relevance in small and medium sized enterprises of a biomonitoring strategy based on urine spot-samples, to characterize the factors influencing the internal doses of metals in gas metal arc welders and to recommend effective risk management measures. 137 welders were recruited and urinary levels of metals were measured by ICP-MS on post-shift samples collected at the end of the working week. Cr, Ni and Mn mean concentrations (respectively 0.43, 1.69 and 0.27 μg/g creatinine) were well below occupational health guidance values, but still higher than background levels observed in the general population, confirming the absorption of metals generated in welding fumes. Both welding parameters (nature of base metal, welding technique) and working conditions (confinement, welding and grinding durations, mechanical ventilation and welding experience) were predictive of occupational exposure. Our results confirm the interest of biomonitoring for assessing health risks and recommending risk management measures for welders. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

A mortality study among mild steel and stainless steel welders.

PubMed Central

Moulin, J J; Wild, P; Haguenoer, J M; Faucon, D; De Gaudemaris, R; Mur, J M; Mereau, M; Gary, Y; Toamain, J P; Birembaut, Y

1993-01-01

A mortality study was carried out in conjunction with the European mortality study among welders coordinated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The study was aimed at assessing risks for lung cancer in relation to exposure to asbestos, welding fumes containing chromium and nickel, and tobacco smoke. The study included a cohort of 2721 welders and an internal comparison group of 6683 manual workers employed in 13 factories in France. The mortality of the two cohorts was studied from 1975 to 1988 by the historical prospective method. Job histories of welders were traced including welding processes used, metals welded, and proportion of worktime spent in welding. Data on smoking habits were collected from medical records. The observed number of deaths were compared with those expected (standardised mortality ratio (SMR)) based on national rates with adjustments for age, sex, and calendar time. The smoking habits of 87% of the whole study population were known. The distribution of welders and controls according to smoking was not statistically different. The overall mortality was slightly higher for welders (SMR = 1.02, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.89-1.18) than for controls (SMR = 0.91, 95% CI 0.84-0.99). For lung cancer, the SMR was 1.24 (95% CI 0.75-1.94) for welders, whereas the corresponding value was lower for controls (SMR = 0.94, 95% CI 0.68-1.26). The SMR for lung cancer was 1.59 among non-shipyard mild steel welders (95% CI 0.73-3.02). This contrasted with the results for all stainless steel welders (SMR = 0.92, 95% CI 0.19-2.69), and for stainless steel welders predominantly exposed to chromium VI (SMR = 1.03, 95% CI 0.12-3.71). Moreover, SMRs for lung cancer for mild steel welders tended to increase with duration of exposure and time since first exposure, leading to significant excesses for duration > or = 20 years and latency > or = 20 years. Such a pattern was not found for stainless steel welders. PMID:8457490

Collection of post mortem data: DVI protocols and quality assurance.

PubMed

Kvaal, Sigrid I

2006-05-15

In many countries forensic odontologists are members of the Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) team. As part of their post mortem (PM) tasks work on the incident site may include securing and preserving the dental material and evidence before transport to the mortuary. In the autopsy room the main aim is to register the PM dental status. Photographs and radiographs are essential documentations in addition to a conventional registration of the dental status. Abbreviations in the registration may be used if agreed with the ante mortem (AM) team. Dental age estimation may be an aid in the sorting process and especially in victims without previous dental treatment. Interpol has a form set as part of their DVI manual. Forensic odontologists working in pairs and checking each other will act as quality assurance (QA) as suggested by International Organization for Forensic Odonto-Stomatology (IOFOS). Direct entry into the computer program as part of the registration in the autopsy room may save time and manpower.

Distribution of kerosene components in rats following dermal exposure.

PubMed

Tsujino, Y; Hieda, Y; Kimura, K; Eto, H; Yakabe, T; Takayama, K; Dekio, S

2002-08-01

The systemic distribution of kerosene components in blood and tissues was analysed in rats following dermal exposure. Four types of trimethylbenzenes (TMBs) and aliphatic hydrocarbons (AHCs) with carbon numbers 9-16 (C(9)-C(16)) were analysed as major kerosene components by capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The kerosene components were detected in blood and all tissues after a small piece of cotton soaked with kerosene was applied to the abdominal skin. The amounts of TMBs detected were higher than those of AHCs. Greater increases in TMB levels were found in adipose tissue in an exposure duration-dependent manner. The amounts of TMBs detected were only at trace levels following post-mortem dermal exposure to kerosene. These findings suggest that kerosene components were absorbed percutaneously and distributed to various organs via the blood circulation. Post-mortem or ante-mortem exposure to kerosene could be distinguished when the exposure duration was relatively long. Adipose tissue would seem to be the most useful for estimating the degree of kerosene exposure.

Awareness of occupational hazards and use of safety measures among welders: a cross-sectional study from eastern Nepal

PubMed Central

Budhathoki, Shyam Sundar; Singh, Suman Bahadur; Sagtani, Reshu Agrawal; Niraula, Surya Raj; Pokharel, Paras Kumar

2014-01-01

Objective The proper use of safety measures by welders is an important way of preventing and/or reducing a variety of health hazards that they are exposed to during welding. There is a lack of knowledge about hazards and personal protective equipments (PPEs) and the use of PPE among the welders in Nepal is limited. We designed a study to assess welders’ awareness of hazards and PPE, and the use of PPE among the welders of eastern Nepal and to find a possible correlation between awareness and use of PPE among them. Materials and methods A cross-sectional study of 300 welders selected by simple random sampling from three districts of eastern Nepal was conducted using a semistructured questionnaire. Data regarding age, education level, duration of employment, awareness of hazards, safety measures and the actual use of safety measures were recorded. Results Overall, 272 (90.7%) welders were aware of at least one hazard of welding and a similar proportion of welders were aware of at least one PPE. However, only 47.7% used one or more types of PPE. Education and duration of employment were significantly associated with the awareness of hazards and of PPE and its use. The welders who reported using PPE during welding were two times more likely to have been aware of hazards (OR=2.52, 95% CI 1.09 to 5.81) and five times more likely to have been aware of PPE compared with the welders who did not report the use of PPE (OR=5.13, 95% CI 2.34 to 11.26). Conclusions The welders using PPE were those who were aware of hazards and PPE. There is a gap between being aware of hazards and PPE (90%) and use of PPE (47%) at work. Further research is needed to identify the underlying factors leading to low utilisation of PPE despite the welders of eastern Nepal being knowledgeable of it. PMID:24889850

Are multitasking abilities impaired in welders exposed to manganese? Translating cognitive neuroscience to neurotoxicology.

PubMed

van Thriel, Christoph; Quetscher, Clara; Pesch, Beate; Lotz, Anne; Lehnert, Martin; Casjens, Swaantje; Weiss, Tobias; Van Gelder, Rainer; Plitzke, Katrin; Brüning, Thomas; Beste, Christian

2017-08-01

Manganese (Mn) is an essential trace element with well characterized neurotoxic effects in high concentrations. Neurochemically, the initial neurotoxic effect of Mn is the perturbation of striatal γ-aminobutyric acid levels. Specific tasks for the assessment of cognitive functions subserved by fronto-striatal loops are available as the stop-change task (SCT) assessing control of multi-component behavior and action cascading. In a cross-sectional study, fifty male welders and 28 age-matched controls completed the SCT during a whole day examination. Reaction times, responses accuracy, and event-related potentials (ERPs) from electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings were analyzed. The shift exposure of the welders to respirable Mn was stratified by 20 µg/m 3 in 23 low-exposed (median = 4.7 µg/m 3 ) and 27 high-exposed welders (median = 86.0 µg/m 3 ). Welders graduation was lower and was therefore included in the analyses. The task-related factor (stop-change delay, SCD) modified the responses as expected; however, the lack of an interaction "SCD × group" revealed no differences between welders and controls. EEG data showed that the "SCD" modulated the amplitude of the P3 ERP in controls stronger than in welders. There was no difference between the two groups of welders and no association between airborne or systemic Mn and the P3 ERP. Moreover, the P3 amplitude was smaller in subjects with lower education. These results showed that multitasking performance and cognitive flexibility are not impaired in welders. The electrophysiological results gave a weak hint that relevant neurobiological processes were different in welders as compared to controls but this may be related to lower education.

Health related quality of life and influencing factors among welders.

PubMed

Qin, Jingxiang; Liu, Wuzhong; Zhu, Jun; Weng, Wei; Xu, Jiaming; Ai, Zisheng

2014-01-01

Occupational exposure to welding fumes is a serious occupational health problem all over the world. Welders are exposed to many occupational hazards; these hazards might cause some occupational diseases. The aim of the study was to assess the health related quality of life (HRQL) of electric welders in Shanghai China and explore influencing factors to HRQL of welders. 301 male welders (without pneumoconiosis) and 305 non-dust male workers in Shanghai were enrolled in this study. Short Form-36 (SF-36) health survey questionnaires were applied in this cross-sectional study. Socio-demographic, working and health factors were also collected. Multiple stepwise regress analysis was used to identify significant factors related to the eight dimension scores. Six dimensions including role-physical (RP), bodily pain (BP), general health (GH), validity (VT), social function (SF), and mental health (MH) were significantly worse in welders compared to non-dust workers. Multiple stepwise regress analysis results show that native place, monthly income, quantity of children, drinking, sleep time, welding type, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), great events in life, and some symptoms including dizziness, discomfort of cervical vertebra, low back pain, cough and insomnia may be influencing factors for HRQL of welders. Among these factors, only sleep time and the use of PPE were salutary. Some dimensions of HRQL of these welders have been affected. Enterprises which employ welders should take measures to protect the health of these people and improve their HRQL.

Respiratory morbidity among welders in the shipbuilding industry, Goa.

PubMed

Bhumika, Nateshan; Prabhu, Ganapati Vasant; Ferreira, Agnelo Menino; Kulkarni, Manoj Kumar; Vaz, Frederick Satiro; Singh, Zile

2012-05-01

Welding is pivotal in shipbuilding. The fumes and gases involved in welding may cause respiratory morbidity. To study the prevalence of respiratory morbidity (RM) among welders vis à vis among nonwelders and its association with certain relevant factors. A cross-sectional study of 276 welders and 276 nonwelders was conducted in the shipbuilding industry. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was followed by spirometric examination. Odds ratio and its 95% CI and two-way ANOVA. Prevalence of RM was found to be significantly higher among welders compared to nonwelders (who were comparable in age, duration of employment (DOE) and smoking habits,) with odds ratio (OR) of 1.78 (95% confidence interval (CI):1.20-2.63). Obstructive type of RM was predominant in both welders (26% (n = 73)) and nonwelders (17% (n = 49)) with welders being at a significantly higher risk (OR = 1.66 (95%: 1.10-2.49)). RM was commoner after the 40 years of age or after 20 years of employment in both groups. Smoking was associated with RM among welders (OR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.24-1.75) as well as nonwelders (OR = 2.83, 95% CI: 2.26-3.54). Work-related respiratory symptoms (WRRS) was not found to be related to RM (OR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.00-2.84). Consistent use of personal protective equipment (PPE) was protective against RM in welders (OR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.28-0.37). Welders had a greater burden of RM and this was related to increasing age, DOE, smoking and inconsistent use of PPE. WRRS were not indicative of RM.

Post-mortem re-cloning of a transgenic red fluorescent protein dog

PubMed Central

Hong, So Gun; Koo, Ok Jae; Oh, Hyun Ju; Park, Jung Eun; Kim, Minjung; Kim, Geon-A; Park, Eun Jung; Jang, Goo

2011-01-01

Recently, the world's first transgenic dogs were produced by somatic cell nuclear transfer. However, cellular senescence is a major limiting factor for producing more advanced transgenic dogs. To overcome this obstacle, we rejuvenated transgenic cells using a re-cloning technique. Fibroblasts from post-mortem red fluorescent protein (RFP) dog were reconstructed with in vivo matured oocytes and transferred into 10 surrogate dogs. One puppy was produced and confirmed as a re-cloned dog. Although the puppy was lost during birth, we successfully established a rejuvenated fibroblast cell line from this animal. The cell line was found to stably express RFP and is ready for additional genetic modification. PMID:22122908

[Three good reasons to perform a postmortem examination in all cases of juvenile sudden death].

PubMed

d'Amati, Giulia; di Gioia, Cira R T; Silenzi, Paola F; Gallo, Pietro

2009-04-01

The aim of this review is to underline the reasons why a post-mortem examination has to be performed in all cases of juvenile sudden death. Sudden death in children and young adults can be caused by potentially heritable cardiovascular disorders and fatal outcome is often the first symptom in apparently healthy subjects. In these cases, a careful autopsy, performed according to a standardized protocol, becomes the sole diagnostic tool to guide clinical and molecular genetic family screening and to adopt the proper therapeutic and preventive strategies. Thus, a post-mortem examination is a fundamental part of a multidisciplinary approach to the issue of juvenile sudden death.

The Elusive Universal Post-Mortem Interval Formula

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vass, Arpad Alexander

The following manuscript details our initial attempt at developing universal post-mortem interval formulas describing human decomposition. These formulas are empirically derived from data collected over the last 20 years from the University of Tennessee's Anthropology Research Facility, in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA. Two formulas were developed (surface decomposition and burial decomposition) based on temperature, moisture, and the partial pressure of oxygen, as being three of the four primary drivers for human decomposition. It is hoped that worldwide application of these formulas to environments and situations not readily studied in Tennessee will result in interdisciplinary cooperation between scientists and law enforcement personnelmore » that will allow for future refinements of these models leading to increased accuracy.« less

Plastic welder

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Buckley, J. D.; Fox, R. L.; Swain, R. J.

1980-01-01

Low-cost, self-contained, portable welder joins plastic parts by induction heating. Welder is useable in any atmosphere or in vacuum and with most types of thermoplastic; plastic components can be joined in situ. Device is applicable to aerospace industry and in automobile, furniture, and construction industries. Power requirements are easily met by battery or solar energy. In welder, toroidal inductor transfers magnetic flux through thermoplastic to screen. Heated screen causes plastic surface on either side to melt and flow into it to form joint.

Ocular injuries among industrial welders in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

PubMed

Fiebai, B; Awoyesuku, Ea

2011-01-01

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of ocular injuries among industrial welders and rate the use of protective eyewear at work among industrial welders in Port Harcourt. Information from this study will provide a database for effective policy formation on prevention of occupational eye injuries in Port Harcourt Rivers State. A cross-sectional survey of ocular injuries and use of protective eyewear among industrial welders in the Port Harcourt local government area of Rivers State, Nigeria, was carried out over a three-month period. Five hundred welders were selected by simple random sampling. Information was obtained using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. All welders were examined in their workshops. Flying metal chips were the chief source of ocular injury, as reported by 199 (68.15%) of those who gave a history of work-related eye injury, while arc rays accounted for the remaining 93 (31.85%). There was a high level of awareness of the risk of sustaining an eye injury from welding (n = 490, 98%), but only 46 (15.3%) of the welders were using protective eyewear at the time of injury. To minimize ocular injury and promote eye health amongst industrial welders, safety intervention programs, such as awareness campaigns, setting up of targeted programs by the relevant government agencies, and encouragement of locally produced eye protectors is recommended. The involvement of occupational medical practitioners is also strongly recommended.

Chronic bronchitis, work related respiratory symptoms, and pulmonary function in welders in New Zealand.

PubMed

Bradshaw, L M; Fishwick, D; Slater, T; Pearce, N

1998-03-01

A cross sectional study of respiratory symptoms and lung function in welders was performed at eight New Zealand welding sites: 62 current welders and 75 non-welders participated. A questionnaire was administered to record demographic data, smoking habit, and current respiratory symptoms. Current and previous welding exposures were recorded to calculate a total lifetime welding fume exposure index. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and peak expiratory flow (PEF) were measured before the start of the shift. There were no significant differences in ethnicity, smoking habits, or years of work experience between welders and non-welders. Symptoms of chronic bronchitis were more common in current welders (11.3%) than in non-welders (5.0%). Of those workers with a cumulative exposure index to welding fume > or = 10 years, 16.7% reported symptoms of chronic bronchitis compared with 4.7% of those with a cumulative exposure index < 4 years (odds ratio (OR) 4.1, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.90 to 17.6). Workers with chronic bronchitis had significantly lower measures of baseline PEF (p = 0.008) and FEV/FVC ratio (p = 0.001) than workers without chronic bronchitis. Multivariate analysis showed that current smoking (OR 9.3, 1.0 to 86.9) and total exposure index to welding fumes > 10 years (OR 9.5, 1.3 to 71.9) were independent risk factors for chronic bronchitis. The report of any work related respiratory symptom was more prevalent in welders (30.7%) than non-welders (15.0%) and workers with these symptoms had significantly lower FEV, (p = 0.004) and FVC (p = 0.04) values. Multivariate analysis identified a high proportion of time spent welding in confined spaces as the main risk factor for reporting these symptoms (OR 2.8, 1.0 to 8.3). This study has documented a high prevalence of symptoms of chronic bronchitis and other work related respiratory symptoms in current welders. Also, workers with chronic bronchitis had reduced PEF and FEV/FVC compared with those without chronic bronchitis. These symptoms related both to cigarette smoking and a measure of lifetime exposure to welding fume.

Longitudinal study on potential neurotoxic effects of aluminium: II. Assessment of exposure and neurobehavioral performance of Al welders in the automobile industry over 4 years.

PubMed

Kiesswetter, Ernst; Schäper, M; Buchta, M; Schaller, K H; Rossbach, B; Kraus, T; Letzel, S

2009-11-01

This is the second of two parallel longitudinal studies investigating Al exposure and neurobehavioral health of Al welders over 4 years. While the first published study in the trail and truck construction industry examined the neurobehavioral development of Al welders from age 41-45 in the group mean (Kiesswetter et al. in Int Arch Occup Environ Health 81:41-67, 2007), the present study in the automobile industry followed the development from 35 to 39. Although no conspicuous neurobehavioral developments were detected in the first study, which furthermore exhibited the higher exposure, it cannot be excluded that exposure effects appear in earlier life and exposure stages. The longitudinal study is based on a repeated measurement design comprising 4 years with three measurements in 2 years intervals. 92 male Al welders in the automobile industry were compared with 50 non-exposed construction workers of the same industry and of similar age. The repeated measurements included total dust in air, and Al pre- and post-shift plasma and urine samples. Neurobehavioral methods comprised symptoms, verbal intelligence, logic thinking, psychomotor behavior, memory, and attention. The computer aided tests came from the Motor Performance Series and the European Neurobehavioral Evaluation System. The courses of neurobehavioral changes were analyzed with multivariate covariance-analytical methods considering the covariates age, indicators of 'a priori' intelligence differences (education or markers of 'premorbid' intelligence), and alcohol consumption (carbohydrate-deficient transferrin in plasma). Additionally, the interrelationship, reliability and validity of biomonitoring measures were examined. The mean environmental dust load during welding, 0.5-0.8 mg/m(3), and the mean internal load of the welders (pre-shift: 23-43 microg Al/g creatinine in urine; 5-9 microg Al/l plasma) were significantly lower than in the parallel study. Under low exposure, the stability of biomonitoring measures was reduced, but the Al load differed significantly between Al welders and referents. It could not be shown that the development of neurobehavioral performances over the 4-year period differed between both groups. Mainly, markers of premorbid intelligence and age were related to neurobehavioral performance differences but not Al exposure. The biomonitoring and neurobehavioral results are in line with the results of the first published study. The repeated measurement models of both studies showed no adverse neurobehavioral effects of Al welding. A modular lifetime-oriented research concept is outlined aiming at the investigation of sequential periods of exposure life with special focus on the biologically most sensitive phases like first exposure and old age.

Knowledge, competencies and attitudes regarding external post-mortem physical examination: A survey among German post-graduate trainees in general practice.

PubMed

Valentini, Jan; Goetz, Katja; Yen, Kathrin; Szecsenyi, Joachim; Dettling, Andrea; Joos, Stefanie; Steinhaeuser, Jost; Flum, Elisabeth

2018-12-01

The external post-mortem examination (EPME) is an important medical, legal and socio-economic task with far-reaching relevance; however, due to discrepancies between findings from EPMEs and actual cause of death, improvements in accuracy and quality are needed. To investigate knowledge, competencies and attitudes regarding EPME in general practitioner (GP) post-graduate trainees. Before four post-graduate training courses on the EPME for general practitioner trainees, organized in 2014 in the German federal state of Baden-Wuerttemberg, a questionnaire on the EPME was distributed by the lecturer, completed by the GP post-graduate trainees and returned to the lecturer. The questionnaire consisted of 19 items related to three main categories: knowledge, competencies and attitudes. Out of 380 GP post-graduate trainees, 128 completed and returned the questionnaire (response rate 33.7%). Less than 18% felt adequately confident in identifying a natural cause of death and less than 5% felt adequately confident in identifying an unnatural cause of death. Only 33% consistently fully uncover the corpse for the EPME. We found an important uncertainty in GP post-graduate trainees regarding their EPME knowledge and competencies.

Protrusion of the tongue in bodies burned after death: Two cases of arson to cover homicide.

PubMed

Nikolić, Slobodan; Živković, Vladimir

2015-10-01

In the forensic assessment of burned bodies, the question of whether the victim was exposed to fire before or after death is of crucial importance. Many authors consider tongue protrusion in cases of burned bodies to be a post-mortem phenomenon. Deep-heating effects of fire are sufficient to cook muscle. The muscle becomes shortened by dehydration and protein denaturation. Exposure to heat causes flexion of the extremities on the contraction of muscles and tendons - heat rigour. The flexors, being bulkier than the extensors, contract more and force the limbs into the position of general flexion. The genioglossus is the major muscle of the tongue and is responsible for protruding or sticking out the tongue: by means of its inferior fibres, it draws the root of the tongue forward and protrudes the apex from the mouth. Similar to the action of limb flexors exposed to heat and the appearance of post-mortem general flexion of a burned body due to heat rigour, perhaps the geniglossus could be shortened by heat, causing post-mortem tongue protrusion to appear as heat rigour of the tongue. In this paper, we present two such cases of protrusion of the tongue in bodies burned after death - cases of arson to cover homicide. © The Author(s) 2014.

The detection of African horse sickness virus antigens and antibodies in young Equidae.

PubMed Central

Hamblin, C.; Anderson, E. C.; Mellor, P. S.; Graham, S. D.; Mertens, P. P.; Burroughs, J. N.

1992-01-01

Four ponies were each inoculated with a different serotype of African horse sickness virus (AHSV) which had been passaged through cell culture in order to achieve attenuation. Three of the ponies died suddenly after showing mild clinical signs, the fourth pony remained clinically normal and was killed at day 38. Infectious AHSV was isolated from blood samples collected at intervals from all four ponies. Positive antigen ELISA reactions were only observed with blood samples from two of the ponies on the two days preceding death. Specific AHSV antibodies were detected by ELISA in serum samples from the other two ponies although one eventually died. African horse sickness viral antigens were detected by ELISA in post-mortem tissue samples collected from all four ponies. No infectious virus could be detected in tissue samples taken post-mortem from the pony which survived African horse sickness (AHS) infection. In the event of a suspected outbreak of AHS it is recommended that sera and heparinized blood should be tested for specific antibodies and AHSV antigen respectively. When available, post-mortem tissues, including spleen, heart, lung and liver, should also be tested for AHSV antigen. Although the ELISA used for the detection of AHSV antigen is highly sensitive and specific, negative ELISA results should be confirmed by virus isolation attempts. PMID:1547837

Studies with a reconstituted muscle glycolytic system. The rate and extent of glycolysis in simulated post-mortem conditions

PubMed Central

Scopes, Robert K.

1974-01-01

The reconstituted glycolytic system described previously (Scopes, 1973) was used to simulate post-mortem glycolytic metabolism in muscle. The effects of the following factors have been investigated: ATPase (adenosine triphosphatase) amount, AMP deaminase amount, percentage of the phosphorylase in the a form and the effect of diluting the glycolytic enzyme complex as a whole. It was confirmed that the rate of metabolism was solely dependent on the amount of ATPase present and that various concentrations of the glycolytic enzymes had no effect over a wide range encompassing the variation found in anatomically different muscles. The extent of metabolism, represented by the value of the `ultimate' pH, depended markedly on the amount of phosphorylase in the a form; as little as 1% of the a form resulted in a considerably lower pH than in its absence. To a lesser extent the amount of AMP deaminase also affected the ultimate pH, but this was probably only significant for comparisons of genetically distinct muscles with widely differing amounts of AMP deaminase. The reconstituted system behaved almost identically with regard to post-mortem glycolytic metabolism compared with intact muscle tissue. It is concluded that the controlling effectors found with the reconstituted system apply to intact muscle also. PMID:4280304

Teaching post-mortem external examination in undergraduate medical education--the formal and the informal curriculum.

PubMed

Anders, Sven; Fischer-Bruegge, Dorothee; Fabian, Merle; Raupach, Tobias; Petersen-Ewert, Corinna; Harendza, Sigrid

2011-07-15

In undergraduate medical education, the training of post-mortem external examination on dead bodies might evoke strong emotional reactions in medical students that could counteract the intended learning goals. We evaluated student perception of a forensic medicine course, their perceived learning outcome (via self-assessment) and possible tutor-dependent influences on the overall evaluation of the course by a questionnaire-based survey among 150 medical students in Hamburg, Germany. The majority of students identified post-mortem external examination as an important learning objective in undergraduate medical education and did not feel that the dignity of the deceased was offended by the course procedures. After the course, more than 70% of the students felt able to perform an external examination and to fill in a death certificate. Respectful behavior of course tutors towards the deceased entailed better overall course ratings by students (p<0.001). Our findings highlight the importance of factors such as clearly defined learning goals and course standardization (formal curriculum) as well as tutor behavior (informal curriculum) in undergraduate education in forensic medicine. Furthermore, we suggest embedding teaching in forensic medicine in longitudinal curricula on death and dying and on the health consequences of interpersonal violence. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Original implementation of Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) in symmetric cells: Evaluation of post-mortem protocols applied to characterize electrode materials for Li-ion batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gordon, Isabel Jiménez; Genies, Sylvie; Si Larbi, Gregory; Boulineau, Adrien; Daniel, Lise; Alias, Mélanie

2016-03-01

Understanding ageing mechanisms of Li-ion batteries is essential for further optimizations. To determine performance loss causes, post-mortem analyses are commonly applied. For each type of post-mortem test, different sample preparation protocols are adopted. However, reports on the reliability of these protocols are rare. Herein, Li-ion pouch cells with LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 - polyvinylidene fluoride positive electrode, graphite-carboxymethyl cellulose-styrene rubber negative electrode and LiPF6 - carbonate solvents mixture electrolyte, are opened and electrodes are recovered following a specified protocol. Negative and positive symmetric cells are assembled and their impedances are recorded. A signal analysis is applied to reconstruct the Li-ion pouch cell impedance from the symmetric cells, then comparison against the pouch cell true impedance allows the evaluation of the sample preparation protocols. The results are endorsed by Transmission Electronic Microscopy (TEM) and Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses. Carbonate solvents used to remove the salt impacts slightly the surface properties of both electrodes. Drying electrodes under vacuum at 25 °C produces an impedance increase, particularly very marked for the positive electrode. Drying at 50 °C under vacuum or/and exposition to the anhydrous room atmosphere is very detrimental.

Residence times of reef-island sediments constrained by post-mortem precipitates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mann, Thomas; Wizemann, André; Kench, Paul; Jompa, Jamaluddin; Westphal, Hildegard

2017-04-01

The precipitation of carbonate cements is a rapid process in tropical marine environments. Distinct from calcification, the onset of cementation coincides with the termination of 14C uptake within carbonate-sediment forming organisms. Here we show that this relationship presents new opportunities for examining the temporal lag between organism death and deposition in carbonate systems - the prerequisite for reliable depositional chronologies. We dated skeletal constituents collected from discretely stratified reef-island deposits in Indonesia. In each of the strata, internally least cemented segments of the calcifying green alga Halimeda yield the youngest ages. Complementary mesocosm experiments on cementation rates reveal that post-mortem cement growth initiates within months after transport commences. Continuous pore-filling cementation promptly stabilizes the initially fragile Halimeda skeleton. Furthermore, abrasion experiments show that such cementation significantly increases the durability of segments during transport. Implications of these findings are profound in two respects; first, evaluating residence times of skeletal carbonate constituents based on abrasion features is far from being adequate. Second, the absence of cements within sedimentary Halimeda segments signals that post-mortem transport through the intertidal zone occurred quasi-instantaneously. Radiometric ages from such specimens should minimize the temporal lag between organism death and deposition thus making them reliable indicators of sedimentation in supratidal environments.

Maintaining high autopsy rates in a Canadian blood and marrow transplant program: preserving a diagnostic and research tool.

PubMed

Allan, D S; Bélanger, R; Busque, L; Cohen, S; Fish, D; Roy, D C; Roy, J

2005-04-01

Autopsy series have revealed patterns of injury in graft-versus-host disease and provided insight into infectious and toxic complications following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Overall autopsy rates have declined significantly in recent decades including specialized services such as neonatal medicine and cardiac care. However, rates of post-mortem exams at HSCT centers have not been specifically documented. We reviewed hospital records between 1992 and 2002 to determine overall autopsy rates at our hospital and within the HSCT program. Although the overall autopsy rate declined steadily from 24% in 1992 to 9% in 2002, rates of post-mortem exams in the HSCT program remained relatively stable at 32% (24-46%). Autopsy rates were not significantly different for recipients of allogeneic vs autologous transplants and no clear difference was observed for the proportion of autopsies requested on weekdays compared with weekends. Autopsies confirmed major clinical diagnoses and/or suspected causes of death in 45 of 61 autopsies (74%) and yielded major or minor disagreements in clinical diagnosis in 10 cases (16%) and seven cases (11%), respectively. The preservation of high rates of autopsy within our HSCT program demonstrates that specialized programs are able to maintain elevated rates of post-mortem examinations despite overall declining rates.

Towards Ultra-High Resolution Fibre Tract Mapping of the Human Brain – Registration of Polarised Light Images and Reorientation of Fibre Vectors

PubMed Central

Palm, Christoph; Axer, Markus; Gräßel, David; Dammers, Jürgen; Lindemeyer, Johannes; Zilles, Karl; Pietrzyk, Uwe; Amunts, Katrin

2009-01-01

Polarised light imaging (PLI) utilises the birefringence of the myelin sheaths in order to visualise the orientation of nerve fibres in microtome sections of adult human post-mortem brains at ultra-high spatial resolution. The preparation of post-mortem brains for PLI involves fixation, freezing and cutting into 100-μm-thick sections. Hence, geometrical distortions of histological sections are inevitable and have to be removed for 3D reconstruction and subsequent fibre tracking. We here present a processing pipeline for 3D reconstruction of these sections using PLI derived multimodal images of post-mortem brains. Blockface images of the brains were obtained during cutting; they serve as reference data for alignment and elimination of distortion artefacts. In addition to the spatial image transformation, fibre orientation vectors were reoriented using the transformation fields, which consider both affine and subsequent non-linear registration. The application of this registration and reorientation approach results in a smooth fibre vector field, which reflects brain morphology. PLI combined with 3D reconstruction and fibre tracking is a powerful tool for human brain mapping. It can also serve as an independent method for evaluating in vivo fibre tractography. PMID:20461231

Supraorbital Postmortem Brain Sampling for Definitive Quantitative Confirmation of Cerebral Sequestration of Plasmodium falciparum Parasites

PubMed Central

Milner, Danny A.; Valim, Clarissa; Luo, Robert; Playforth, Krupa B.; Kamiza, Steve; Molyneux, Malcolm E.; Seydel, Karl B.; Taylor, Terrie E.

2012-01-01

Background The conventional clinical case definition of cerebral malaria (CM) is imprecise but specificity is improved by a definitive clinical feature such as retinopathy or confirming sequestration of parasites in a post-mortem examination of the brain. A full autopsy is often not possible, since it is costly and may encounter resistance of the deceased's family. Methods We have assessed the use of a cytological smear of brain tissue, obtained post-mortem by supraorbital sampling, for the purpose of quantifying cerebral sequestration in children with fatal malaria in Blantyre, Malawi. We have compared this method to histological quantification of parasites at autopsy. Results The number of parasites present on cytological smears correlated with the proportion of vessels parasitized as assessed by histology of fixed and stained brain tissue. Use of cytological results in addition to the standard clinical case definition increases the specificity of the clinical case definition alone from 48.3% to 100% with a minimal change in sensitivity. Conclusions Post-mortem supraorbital sampling of brain tissue improves the specificity of the diagnosis of fatal cerebral malaria and provides accurate quantitative estimates of cerebral sequestration. This tool can be of great value in clinical, pathogenetic, and epidemiological research studies on cerebral malaria. PMID:22291197

Impairment of short-term memory and Korsakoff syndrome are common in AIDS patients with cytomegalovirus encephalitis.

PubMed

Pirskanen-Matell, R; Grützmeier, S; Nennesmo, I; Sandström, E; Ehrnst, A

2009-01-01

The diagnosis of cytomegalovirus encephalitis (CMV-E) in AIDS patients is challenging as other illnesses may obscure the symptoms. Here, we characterize the clinical symptoms of CMV-E and link them to post-mortem findings. Patients and methods In 254 homosexual men with AIDS, followed from HIV diagnosis to death before the antiretroviral combination therapy era, CMV-E was suspected in 93 cases. All were CMV-positive in blood. Neurological examination, including cognitive testing was performed in 34 of them within 6 months before death. CMV-E was diagnosed by CMV-PCR in cerebrospinal fluid (n = 24) or by post-mortem (n = 24). The majority complained of forgetfulness (91%), balance difficulties (85%) and impotence (85%). Impaired short-term memory was present in 29 patients. It was extreme in 17, justifying the diagnosis of Korsakoff's syndrome. This was often associated with infectious CMV in blood (P = 0.01). Brainstem symptoms were found in 19 patients. Post-mortem examination often revealed ventriculoencephalitis. CMV was found primarily around the ventricles and in other structures, described in Korsakoff's syndrome. The location of CMV in the brain corresponded well to the clinical findings, demonstrating the close relationship between the neurological symptoms and the neuroanatomical lesions.

The importance of post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) in confrontation with conventional forensic autopsy of victims of motorcycle accidents.

PubMed

Moskała, Artur; Woźniak, Krzysztof; Kluza, Piotr; Romaszko, Karol; Lopatin, Oleksij

2016-01-01

Since traffic accidents are an important problem in forensic medicine, there is a constant search for new solutions to help with an investigation process in such cases. In recent years there was a rapid development of post-mortem imaging techniques, especially post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT). In our work we concentrated on a potential advantage of PMCT in cases of motorcycle accident fatalities. The results of forensic autopsy were compared with combined results of the autopsy and PMCT to check in which areas use of these two techniques gives statistically important increase in number of findings. The hypothesis was confirmed in case of pneumothorax and fractures of skull, spine, clavicle, scapula, lower leg bones. As for majority of other bone fractures locations and brain injures there were single cases with pathologies visible only in PMCT, but too few to reach expected level of p-value. In case of injuries of solid organs and soft tissues statistical analysis did not confirmed any advantage of unenhanced PMCT use. On the whole it has been shown that PMCT used as an adjunct to forensic autopsy can cause an increase in information about vitally important regions in case of motorcycle accident fatalities. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Respiratory morbidity among welders in the shipbuilding industry, Goa

PubMed Central

Bhumika, Nateshan; Prabhu, Ganapati Vasant; Ferreira, Agnelo Menino; Kulkarni, Manoj Kumar; Vaz, Frederick Satiro; Singh, Zile

2012-01-01

Context: Welding is pivotal in shipbuilding. The fumes and gases involved in welding may cause respiratory morbidity. Aim: To study the prevalence of respiratory morbidity (RM) among welders vis à vis among nonwelders and its association with certain relevant factors. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional study of 276 welders and 276 nonwelders was conducted in the shipbuilding industry. Materials and Methods: An interviewer-administered questionnaire was followed by spirometric examination. Statistical Analysis: Odds ratio and its 95% CI and two-way ANOVA. Results: Prevalence of RM was found to be significantly higher among welders compared to nonwelders (who were comparable in age, duration of employment (DOE) and smoking habits,) with odds ratio (OR) of 1.78 (95% confidence interval (CI):1.20-2.63). Obstructive type of RM was predominant in both welders (26% (n = 73)) and nonwelders (17% (n = 49)) with welders being at a significantly higher risk (OR = 1.66 (95%: 1.10-2.49)). RM was commoner after the 40 years of age or after 20 years of employment in both groups. Smoking was associated with RM among welders (OR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.24-1.75) as well as nonwelders (OR = 2.83, 95% CI: 2.26-3.54). Work-related respiratory symptoms (WRRS) was not found to be related to RM (OR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.00-2.84). Consistent use of personal protective equipment (PPE) was protective against RM in welders (OR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.28-0.37). Conclusion: Welders had a greater burden of RM and this was related to increasing age, DOE, smoking and inconsistent use of PPE. WRRS were not indicative of RM. PMID:23580835

Use of the Rigor Mortis Process as a Tool for Better Understanding of Skeletal Muscle Physiology: Effect of the Ante-Mortem Stress on the Progression of Rigor Mortis in Brook Charr (Salvelinus fontinalis).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Diouf, Boucar; Rioux, Pierre

1999-01-01

Presents the rigor mortis process in brook charr (Salvelinus fontinalis) as a tool for better understanding skeletal muscle metabolism. Describes an activity that demonstrates how rigor mortis is related to the post-mortem decrease of muscular glycogen and ATP, how glycogen degradation produces lactic acid that lowers muscle pH, and how…

Severe malaria - a case of fatal Plasmodium knowlesi infection with post-mortem findings: a case report

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background Zoonotic malaria caused by Plasmodium knowlesi is an important, but newly recognized, human pathogen. For the first time, post-mortem findings from a fatal case of knowlesi malaria are reported here. Case presentation A formerly healthy 40 year-old male became symptomatic 10 days after spending time in the jungle of North Borneo. Four days later, he presented to hospital in a state of collapse and died within two hours. He was hyponatraemic and had elevated blood urea, potassium, lactate dehydrogenase and amino transferase values; he was also thrombocytopenic and eosinophilic. Dengue haemorrhagic shock was suspected and a post-mortem examination performed. Investigations for dengue virus were negative. Blood for malaria parasites indicated hyperparasitaemia and single species P. knowlesi infection was confirmed by nested-PCR. Macroscopic pathology of the brain and endocardium showed multiple petechial haemorrhages, the liver and spleen were enlarged and lungs had features consistent with ARDS. Microscopic pathology showed sequestration of pigmented parasitized red blood cells in the vessels of the cerebrum, cerebellum, heart and kidney without evidence of chronic inflammatory reaction in the brain or any other organ examined. Brain sections were negative for intracellular adhesion molecule-1. The spleen and liver had abundant pigment containing macrophages and parasitized red blood cells. The kidney had evidence of acute tubular necrosis and endothelial cells in heart sections were prominent. Conclusions The overall picture in this case was one of systemic malaria infection that fit the WHO classification for severe malaria. Post-mortem findings in this case were unexpectedly similar to those that define fatal falciparum malaria, including cerebral pathology. There were important differences including the absence of coma despite petechial haemorrhages and parasite sequestration in the brain. These results suggest that further study of knowlesi malaria will aid the interpretation of, often conflicting, information on malaria pathophysiology in humans. PMID:20064229

Statistical evaluation of time-dependent metabolite concentrations: estimation of post-mortem intervals based on in situ 1H-MRS of the brain.

PubMed

Scheurer, Eva; Ith, Michael; Dietrich, Daniel; Kreis, Roland; Hüsler, Jürg; Dirnhofer, Richard; Boesch, Chris

2005-05-01

Knowledge of the time interval from death (post-mortem interval, PMI) has an enormous legal, criminological and psychological impact. Aiming to find an objective method for the determination of PMIs in forensic medicine, 1H-MR spectroscopy (1H-MRS) was used in a sheep head model to follow changes in brain metabolite concentrations after death. Following the characterization of newly observed metabolites (Ith et al., Magn. Reson. Med. 2002; 5: 915-920), the full set of acquired spectra was analyzed statistically to provide a quantitative estimation of PMIs with their respective confidence limits. In a first step, analytical mathematical functions are proposed to describe the time courses of 10 metabolites in the decomposing brain up to 3 weeks post-mortem. Subsequently, the inverted functions are used to predict PMIs based on the measured metabolite concentrations. Individual PMIs calculated from five different metabolites are then pooled, being weighted by their inverse variances. The predicted PMIs from all individual examinations in the sheep model are compared with known true times. In addition, four human cases with forensically estimated PMIs are compared with predictions based on single in situ MRS measurements. Interpretation of the individual sheep examinations gave a good correlation up to 250 h post-mortem, demonstrating that the predicted PMIs are consistent with the data used to generate the model. Comparison of the estimated PMIs with the forensically determined PMIs in the four human cases shows an adequate correlation. Current PMI estimations based on forensic methods typically suffer from uncertainties in the order of days to weeks without mathematically defined confidence information. In turn, a single 1H-MRS measurement of brain tissue in situ results in PMIs with defined and favorable confidence intervals in the range of hours, thus offering a quantitative and objective method for the determination of PMIs. Copyright 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Germ-line and somatic EPHA2 coding variants in lens aging and cataract.

PubMed

Bennett, Thomas M; M'Hamdi, Oussama; Hejtmancik, J Fielding; Shiels, Alan

2017-01-01

Rare germ-line mutations in the coding regions of the human EPHA2 gene (EPHA2) have been associated with inherited forms of pediatric cataract, whereas, frequent, non-coding, single nucleotide variants (SNVs) have been associated with age-related cataract. Here we sought to determine if germ-line EPHA2 coding SNVs were associated with age-related cataract in a case-control DNA panel (> 50 years) and if somatic EPHA2 coding SNVs were associated with lens aging and/or cataract in a post-mortem lens DNA panel (> 48 years). Micro-fluidic PCR amplification followed by targeted amplicon (exon) next-generation (deep) sequencing of EPHA2 (17-exons) afforded high read-depth coverage (1000x) for > 82% of reads in the cataract case-control panel (161 cases, 64 controls) and > 70% of reads in the post-mortem lens panel (35 clear lens pairs, 22 cataract lens pairs). Novel and reference (known) missense SNVs in EPHA2 that were predicted in silico to be functionally damaging were found in both cases and controls from the age-related cataract panel at variant allele frequencies (VAFs) consistent with germ-line transmission (VAF > 20%). Similarly, both novel and reference missense SNVs in EPHA2 were found in the post-mortem lens panel at VAFs consistent with a somatic origin (VAF > 3%). The majority of SNVs found in the cataract case-control panel and post-mortem lens panel were transitions and many occurred at di-pyrimidine sites that are susceptible to ultraviolet (UV) radiation induced mutation. These data suggest that novel germ-line (blood) and somatic (lens) coding SNVs in EPHA2 that are predicted to be functionally deleterious occur in adults over 50 years of age. However, both types of EPHA2 coding variants were present at comparable levels in individuals with or without age-related cataract making simple genotype-phenotype correlations inconclusive.

Germ-line and somatic EPHA2 coding variants in lens aging and cataract

PubMed Central

Bennett, Thomas M.; M’Hamdi, Oussama; Hejtmancik, J. Fielding

2017-01-01

Rare germ-line mutations in the coding regions of the human EPHA2 gene (EPHA2) have been associated with inherited forms of pediatric cataract, whereas, frequent, non-coding, single nucleotide variants (SNVs) have been associated with age-related cataract. Here we sought to determine if germ-line EPHA2 coding SNVs were associated with age-related cataract in a case-control DNA panel (> 50 years) and if somatic EPHA2 coding SNVs were associated with lens aging and/or cataract in a post-mortem lens DNA panel (> 48 years). Micro-fluidic PCR amplification followed by targeted amplicon (exon) next-generation (deep) sequencing of EPHA2 (17-exons) afforded high read-depth coverage (1000x) for > 82% of reads in the cataract case-control panel (161 cases, 64 controls) and > 70% of reads in the post-mortem lens panel (35 clear lens pairs, 22 cataract lens pairs). Novel and reference (known) missense SNVs in EPHA2 that were predicted in silico to be functionally damaging were found in both cases and controls from the age-related cataract panel at variant allele frequencies (VAFs) consistent with germ-line transmission (VAF > 20%). Similarly, both novel and reference missense SNVs in EPHA2 were found in the post-mortem lens panel at VAFs consistent with a somatic origin (VAF > 3%). The majority of SNVs found in the cataract case-control panel and post-mortem lens panel were transitions and many occurred at di-pyrimidine sites that are susceptible to ultraviolet (UV) radiation induced mutation. These data suggest that novel germ-line (blood) and somatic (lens) coding SNVs in EPHA2 that are predicted to be functionally deleterious occur in adults over 50 years of age. However, both types of EPHA2 coding variants were present at comparable levels in individuals with or without age-related cataract making simple genotype-phenotype correlations inconclusive. PMID:29267365

An assessment of advance relatives approach for brain death organ donation.

PubMed

Michaut, Carine; Baumann, Antoine; Gregoire, Hélène; Laviale, Corinne; Audibert, Gérard; Ducrocq, Xavier

2017-01-01

Advance announcement of forthcoming brain death has developed to enable intensivists and organ procurement organisation coordinators to more appropriately, and separately from each other, explain to relatives brain death and the subsequent post-mortem organ donation opportunity. Research aim: The aim was to assess how potentially involved healthcare professionals perceived ethical issues surrounding the strategy of advance approach. A multi-centre opinion survey using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire was conducted in the six-member hospitals of the publicly funded East of France regional organ and tissue procurement network called 'Prélor'. The study population comprised 460 physicians and nurses in the Neurosurgical, Surgical and Medical Intensive Care Units, the Stroke Units and the Emergency Departments. Ethical considerations: The project was approved by the board of the Lorraine University Diploma in Medical Ethics and the Prélor Network administrators. A slight majority of 53.5% of respondents had previously participated in an advance relatives approach: 83% of the physicians and 42% of the nurses. A majority of healthcare professionals (68%) think that the main justification for advance relatives approach is the comprehensive care of the dying patient and the research of his or her most likely opinion (74%). The misunderstanding of the related issues by relatives is an obstacle for 47% of healthcare professionals and 51% think that the answer given by the relatives regarding the most likely opinion of the person regarding post-mortem organ donation really corresponds to the person opinion in only 50% of the cases or less. Time given by advance approach should be employed to help and enable relatives to authentically bear the values and interests of the potential donor in the post-mortem organ donation discussion. Nurses' attendance of advance relatives approach seems necessary to enable them to optimally support the families facing death and post-mortem organ donation issues.

Sudden aortic death-proposal for a comprehensive diagnostic approach in forensic and in clinical pathology practice.

PubMed

de Boer, Hans H; Dedouit, Fabrice; Chappex, Nina; van der Wal, Allard C; Michaud, Katarzyna

2017-11-01

Aortic rupture or dissection as immediate cause of sudden death is encountered in forensic and clinical autopsy practice. Despite a common denominator of 'sudden aortic death' (SAD), we expect that in both settings the diagnostic workup, being either primarily legal or primarily disease related, differs substantially, which may affect the eventual diagnoses. We retrospectively reviewed case records of deceased persons who fitted a diagnosis of SAD in the continuous autopsy cohorts in a forensic (Suisse) and a clinical setting (The Netherlands). Clinical characteristics, data from post-mortem imaging, tissue blocks for histological analysis and results of ancillary studies were reviewed for its presence and outcome. SAD was found in 7.7% in the forensic versus 2.2% in the clinical autopsies. In the forensic setting, autopsy was always combined with post-mortem imaging, showing variable outcome on detection of aortic disruption and/or pericardial bleeding. Histology of aorta was performed in 12/35 cases, mostly in the natural deaths. In the clinical setting, histology of the aorta was available in all cases, but post-mortem imaging in none. In both settings, underlying aortic disease was mostly cystic medial degeneration, atherosclerosis or a combination of both, with occasional rare unexpected diagnosis. Also in both, a genetic cause of aortic dissection was revealed in a minority (three cases). Sudden aortic death (SAD) is more commonly encountered in a forensic than in a clinical setting. Major differences in the approach of SAD between these settings coincide with similarities in causes of death and underlying diseases. To ensure a correct diagnosis, we recommend that the investigation of SAD includes a study of the medical history, a full autopsy with histology of major organs including aorta, and storage of material for toxicological and genetic testing. Post-mortem radiological examination, useful for documentation and screening purposes, is feasible as non-invasive alternative when autopsy is not possible, but cannot substitute a full autopsy.

A combined post-mortem magnetic resonance imaging and quantitative histological study of multiple sclerosis pathology

PubMed Central

Kolasinski, James; Chance, Steven A.; DeLuca, Gabriele C.; Esiri, Margaret M.; Chang, Eun-Hyuk; Palace, Jacqueline A.; McNab, Jennifer A.; Jenkinson, Mark; Miller, Karla L.; Johansen-Berg, Heidi

2012-01-01

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory neurological condition characterized by focal and diffuse neurodegeneration and demyelination throughout the central nervous system. Factors influencing the progression of pathology are poorly understood. One hypothesis is that anatomical connectivity influences the spread of neurodegeneration. This predicts that measures of neurodegeneration will correlate most strongly between interconnected structures. However, such patterns have been difficult to quantify through post-mortem neuropathology or in vivo scanning alone. In this study, we used the complementary approaches of whole brain post-mortem magnetic resonance imaging and quantitative histology to assess patterns of multiple sclerosis pathology. Two thalamo-cortical projection systems were considered based on their distinct neuroanatomy and their documented involvement in multiple sclerosis: lateral geniculate nucleus to primary visual cortex and mediodorsal nucleus of the thalamus to prefrontal cortex. Within the anatomically distinct thalamo-cortical projection systems, magnetic resonance imaging derived cortical thickness was correlated significantly with both a measure of myelination in the connected tract and a measure of connected thalamic nucleus cell density. Such correlations did not exist between these markers of neurodegeneration across different thalamo-cortical systems. Magnetic resonance imaging lesion analysis depicted clearly demarcated subcortical lesions impinging on the white matter tracts of interest; however, quantitation of the extent of lesion-tract overlap failed to demonstrate any appreciable association with the severity of markers of diffuse pathology within each thalamo-cortical projection system. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging metrics in both white matter tracts were correlated significantly with a histologically derived measure of tract myelination. These data demonstrate for the first time the relevance of functional anatomical connectivity to the spread of multiple sclerosis pathology in a ‘tract-specific’ pattern. Furthermore, the persisting relationship between metrics from post-mortem diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and histological measures from fixed tissue further validates the potential of imaging for future neuropathological studies. PMID:23065787

Association between polychlorinated biphenyls and Parkinson's disease neuropathology.

PubMed

Hatcher-Martin, Jaime M; Gearing, Marla; Steenland, Kyle; Levey, Allan I; Miller, Gary W; Pennell, Kurt D

2012-10-01

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are synthetic chemicals primarily used as coolants and insulators in electrical equipment. Although banned for several decades, PCBs continue to exist in the environment because of their long half-life, continued presence in items produced before the ban, and poor disposal practices. Epidemiological and experimental studies have identified exposure to PCBs as a potential risk factor for Parkinson's disease, perhaps more so in females. The objective of this work was to examine the association between PCB levels in post-mortem human brain tissue and the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, as well as the degree of nigral depigmentation. We also sought to determine if this association was more significant when patients were stratified by sex. Post-mortem brain samples from control patients and those diagnosed with Parkinson's disease were obtained from the Emory University Brain Bank and from the Nun Study. Concentrations of eight prevalent PCB congeners were extracted from post-mortem brain tissue and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. PCB congeners 153 and 180 were significantly elevated in the brains of Parkinson's disease patients. When stratified by sex, the female Parkinson's disease group demonstrated significantly elevated concentrations of total PCBs and specifically congeners 138, 153, and 180 compared to controls, whereas PCB concentrations in males were not significantly different between control and Parkinson's disease groups. In a separate population of women (Nun Study) who had no clinical signs or symptoms of PD, elevated concentrations total PCB and congeners 138, 153 and 180 were also observed in post-mortem brain tissue exhibiting moderate nigral depigmentation compared to subjects with mild or no depigmentation. These quantitative data demonstrate an association between brain PCB levels and Parkinson's disease-related pathology. Furthermore, these data support epidemiological and laboratory studies reporting a link between PCB exposure and an increased risk for Parkinson's disease, including greater susceptibility of females. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Association between polychlorinated biphenyls and Parkinson’s disease neuropathology

PubMed Central

Hatcher-Martin, Jaime M.; Gearing, Marla; Steenland, Kyle; Levey, Allan I.; Miller, Gary W.; Pennell, Kurt D.

2012-01-01

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are synthetic chemicals primarily used as coolants and insulators in electrical equipment. Although banned for several decades, PCBs continue to exist in the environment because of their long half-life, continued presence in items produced before the ban, and poor disposal practices. Epidemiological and experimental studies have identified exposure to PCBs as a potential risk factor for Parkinson’s disease, perhaps more so in females. The objective of this work was to examine the association between PCB levels in post-mortem human brain tissue and the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, as well as the degree of nigral depigmentation. We also sought to determine if this association was more significant when patients were stratified by sex. Post-mortem brain samples from control patients and those diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease were obtained from the Emory University Brain Bank and from the Nun Study. Concentrations of eight prevalent PCB congeners were extracted from post-mortem brain tissue and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. PCB congeners 153 and 180 were significantly elevated in the brains of Parkinson’s disease patients. When stratified by sex, the female Parkinson’s disease group demonstrated significantly elevated concentrations of total PCBs and specifically congeners 138, 153, and 180 compared to controls, whereas PCB concentrations in males were not significantly different between control and Parkinson’s disease groups. In a separate population of women (Nun Study) who had no clinical signs or symptoms of PD, elevated concentrations total PCB and congeners 138, 153 and 180 were also observed in post-mortem brain tissue exhibiting moderate nigral depigmentation compared to subjects with mild or no depigmentation. These quantitative data demonstrate an association between brain PCB levels and Parkinson’s disease-related pathology. Furthermore, these data support epidemiological and laboratory studies reporting a link between PCB exposure and an increased risk for Parkinson’s disease, including greater susceptibility of females. PMID:22906799

Dravet syndrome as epileptic encephalopathy: evidence from long-term course and neuropathology

PubMed Central

Catarino, Claudia B.; Liu, Joan Y.W.; Liagkouras, Ioannis; Gibbons, Vaneesha S.; Labrum, Robyn W.; Ellis, Rachael; Woodward, Cathy; Davis, Mary B.; Smith, Shelagh J.; Cross, J. Helen; Appleton, Richard E.; Yendle, Simone C.; McMahon, Jacinta M.; Bellows, Susannah T.; Jacques, Thomas S.; Zuberi, Sameer M.; Koepp, Matthias J.; Martinian, Lillian; Scheffer, Ingrid E.; Thom, Maria

2011-01-01

Dravet syndrome is an epilepsy syndrome of infantile onset, frequently caused by SCN1A mutations or deletions. Its prevalence, long-term evolution in adults and neuropathology are not well known. We identified a series of 22 adult patients, including three adult post-mortem cases with Dravet syndrome. For all patients, we reviewed the clinical history, seizure types and frequency, antiepileptic drugs, cognitive, social and functional outcome and results of investigations. A systematic neuropathology study was performed, with post-mortem material from three adult cases with Dravet syndrome, in comparison with controls and a range of relevant paediatric tissue. Twenty-two adults with Dravet syndrome, 10 female, were included, median age 39 years (range 20–66). SCN1A structural variation was found in 60% of the adult Dravet patients tested, including one post-mortem case with DNA extracted from brain tissue. Novel mutations were described for 11 adult patients; one patient had three SCN1A mutations. Features of Dravet syndrome in adulthood include multiple seizure types despite polytherapy, and age-dependent evolution in seizure semiology and electroencephalographic pattern. Fever sensitivity persisted through adulthood in 11 cases. Neurological decline occurred in adulthood with cognitive and motor deterioration. Dysphagia may develop in or after the fourth decade of life, leading to significant morbidity, or death. The correct diagnosis at an older age made an impact at several levels. Treatment changes improved seizure control even after years of drug resistance in all three cases with sufficient follow-up after drug changes were instituted; better control led to significant improvement in cognitive performance and quality of life in adulthood in two cases. There was no histopathological hallmark feature of Dravet syndrome in this series. Strikingly, there was remarkable preservation of neurons and interneurons in the neocortex and hippocampi of Dravet adult post-mortem cases. Our study provides evidence that Dravet syndrome is at least in part an epileptic encephalopathy. PMID:21719429

Antipsychotic drugs attenuate aberrant DNA methylation of DTNBP1 (dysbindin) promoter in saliva and post-mortem brain of patients with schizophrenia and Psychotic bipolar disorder.

PubMed

Abdolmaleky, Hamid M; Pajouhanfar, Sara; Faghankhani, Masoomeh; Joghataei, Mohammad Taghi; Mostafavi, Ashraf; Thiagalingam, Sam

2015-12-01

Due to the lack of genetic association between individual genes and schizophrenia (SCZ) pathogenesis, the current consensus is to consider both genetic and epigenetic alterations. Here, we report the examination of DNA methylation status of DTNBP1 promoter region, one of the most credible candidate genes affected in SCZ, assayed in saliva and post-mortem brain samples. The Illumina DNA methylation profiling and bisulfite sequencing of representative samples were used to identify methylation status of the DTNBP1 promoter region. Quantitative methylation specific PCR (qMSP) was employed to assess methylation of DTNBP1 promoter CpGs flanking a SP1 binding site in the saliva of SCZ patients, their first-degree relatives and control subjects (30, 15, and 30/group, respectively) as well as in post-mortem brains of patients with SCZ and bipolar disorder (BD) versus controls (35/group). qRT-PCR was used to assess DTNBP1 expression. We found DNA hypermethylation of DTNBP1 promoter in the saliva of SCZ patients (∼12.5%, P = 0.036), particularly in drug-naïve patients (∼20%, P = 0.011), and a trend toward hypermethylation in their first-degree relatives (P = 0.085) versus controls. Analysis of post-mortem brain samples revealed an inverse correlation between DTNBP1 methylation and expression, and normalization of this epigenetic change by classic antipsychotic drugs. Additionally, BD patients with psychotic depression exhibited higher degree of methylation versus other BD patients (∼80%, P = 0.025). DTNBP1 promoter DNA methylation may become a key element in a panel of biomarkers for diagnosis, prevention, or therapy in SCZ and at risk individuals pending confirmatory studies with larger sample sizes to attain a higher degree of significance. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

High-sensitive cardiac troponin hs-TnT levels in sudden deaths related to atherosclerotic coronary artery disease.

PubMed

Beausire, Tim; Faouzi, Mohamed; Palmiere, Cristian; Fracasso, Tony; Michaud, Katarzyna

2018-06-04

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) related to atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the most prevalent causes of death in Europe. Postmortem evaluation of IHD remains a challenge because of possible non-specific autopsy finding in some autopsy cases, especially in early myocardial ischemia. High-sensitive cardiac troponin T (hs-TnT) is used today in clinical practice as the "gold standard" to diagnose the myocardial ischemia, and might also be applied as an ancillary tool for post-mortem evaluation. The goal of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic value of post-mortem serum hs-TnT assay in cases of sudden death related to IHD. We will also investigate the influence of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) attempts on post-mortem hs-TnT levels. The hs-TnT values in serum were retrospectively analysed in 85 autopsy data. 52 cases with clinical history and morphological results suggesting cardiac ischemia were included in the study group (mean age 53.5; age range 34-75) and 33 cases in the control group (mean age 40.4; age range 15-69). The group's statistical comparison was performed using logistic regression model. Our study showed a significant non-linear association between hs-TnT serum values and post-mortem diagnosis of sudden deaths related to IHD (p-value 0.005). The shape of the relationship is showing that the probability of death due to IHD increases quickly with a light level of hs-TnT (maximum around 90ng/L) then decreases slightly while remaining at high in values. No significant difference in the hs-TnT serum values was found between the CPR and the non-CPR cases (p-value 0.304). The measurement of hs-TnT serum values might be considered as an ancillary tool for the evaluation of death related to IHD, while taking necessary precautions in the interpretation of the results. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Maintenance of arytenoid abduction following carbon dioxide laser debridement of the articular cartilage and joint capsule of the cricoarytenoid joint combined with prosthetic laryngoplasty in horses: an in vivo and in vitro study.

PubMed

Hawkins, J F; Couetil, L; Miller, M A

2014-02-01

The objective was to evaluate CO2 laser debridement of the cricoarytenoid joint (CAJ) combined with prosthetic laryngoplasty to prevent post-operative loss of arytenoid abduction in seven horses. Horses were assigned to either laser debridement of the left CAJ and laryngoplasty (laser treated, n=5) or control laryngoplasty (sham, n=2), and were evaluated with endoscopic examinations and measurement of right to left angle quotients (RLQ) to assess maintenance of arytenoid abduction. The animals were euthanased at intervals after surgery and larynges were harvested for post-mortem testing, including determination of translaryngeal flow, pressure, impedance and RLQ. Measurements were obtained under increasing vacuum-generated negative pressure with laryngoplasty sutures intact and with the knot/crimp of the laryngoplasty sutures removed. Following post-mortem testing the cricoarytenoid joints were examined histologically. Post-operative endoscopic examinations revealed no significant differences between RLQ measurements calculated for day 1 following surgery to the termination date of the study for the seven horses. Post-mortem RLQ at airflows of 10 and 60 L/s was significantly higher in sham than in laser treated horses both before and after knot/crimp removal. Translaryngeal impedance at 10 and 60 L/s was not statistically different between groups. Histopathology revealed necrosis and loss of articular cartilage in the laser treated horses. The lymphoid cell infiltration subsided but joint capsule and periarticular fibrosis increased over the course of the study. Post-operative loss of arytenoid abduction after laryngoplasty can be minimized with CO2 laser debridement of the CAJ joint. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Fatal presumed tiger snake (Notechis scutatus) envenomation in a cat with measurement of venom and antivenom concentration.

PubMed

Padula, Andrew M; Winkel, Kenneth D

2016-04-01

A fatal outcome of a presumed tiger snake (Notechis scutatus) envenomation in a cat is described. Detectable venom components and antivenom concentrations in serum from clotted and centrifuged whole blood and urine were measured using a sensitive and specific ELISA. The cat presented in a paralysed state with a markedly elevated serum CK but with normal clotting times. The cat was treated with intravenous fluids and received two vials of equine whole IgG bivalent (tiger and brown snake) antivenom. Despite treatment the cat's condition did not improve and it died 36 h post-presentation. Serum concentration of detectable tiger snake venom components at initial presentation was 311 ng/mL and urine 832 ng/mL, this declined to non-detectable levels in serum 15-min after intravenous antivenom. Urine concentration of detectable tiger snake venom components declined to 22 ng/mL at post-mortem. Measurement of equine anti-tiger snake venom specific antibody demonstrated a concentration of 7.2 Units/mL in serum at post-mortem which had declined from an initial high of 13 Units/mL at 15-min post-antivenom. The ELISA data demonstrated the complete clearance of detectable venom components from serum with no recurrence in the post-mortem samples. Antivenom concentrations in serum at initial presentation were at least 100-fold higher than theoretically required to neutralise the circulating concentrations of venom. Despite the fatal outcome in this case it was concluded that this was unlikely that is was due to insufficient antivenom. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Vaccinating welders against pneumonia

PubMed Central

Palmer, Keith T; Cosgrove, Martin P

2013-01-01

Background In 2011 the Department of Health in England recommended that welders should each receive a single dose of the 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine (PPV23). This review assesses the evidence behind the advice and its practical implications. Method The review was informed by a systematic search in Medline, which related pneumonia to welding and/or exposure to metal fume, and was supplemented using the personal libraries of the authors. Findings There is consistent evidence that welders die more often of pneumonia, especially lobar pneumonia, are hospitalised more often with lobar and pneumococcal pneumonia, and more often develop invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). It is estimated that one case of IPD may be prevented over a 10-year period by vaccinating 588 welders against pneumococcal infection. Conclusions A good case exists that employers should offer PPV23 vaccination to welders and other employees exposed to metal fume. Additionally, reasonable measures must be taken to minimise exposure to welding fume and welders should be encouraged not to smoke. PMID:22764269

An audit of the contribution to post-mortem examination diagnosis of individual analyte results obtained from biochemical analysis of the vitreous.

PubMed

Mitchell, Rebecca; Charlwood, Cheryl; Thomas, Sunethra Devika; Bellis, Maria; Langlois, Neil E I

2013-12-01

Biochemical analysis of the vitreous humor from the eye is an accepted accessory test for post-mortem investigation of cause of death. Modern biochemical analyzers allow testing of a range of analytes from a sample. However, it is not clear which analytes should be requested in order to prevent unnecessary testing (and expense). The means and standard deviation of the values obtained from analysis of the vitreous humor for sodium, potassium, chloride, osmolality, glucose, ketones (β-hydroxybutyrate), creatinine, urea, calcium, lactate, and ammonia were calculated from which the contribution of each analyte was reviewed in the context of post-mortem findings and final cause of death. For sodium 32 cases were regarded as high (more than one standard deviation above the mean), from which 9 contributed to post-mortem diagnosis [drowning (4), heat related death (2), diabetic hyperglycemia (2), and dehydration (1)], but 25 low values (greater than one standard deviation below the mean) made no contribution. For chloride 29 high values contributed to 4 cases--3 drowning and 1 heat-related, but these were all previously identified by a high sodium level. There were 29 high and 35 low potassium values, none of which contributed to determining the final cause of death. Of 22 high values of creatinine, 12 contributed to a diagnosis of renal failure. From 32 high values of urea, 18 contributed to 16 cases of renal failure (2 associated with diabetic hyperglycemia), 1 heat-related death, and one case with dehydration. Osmolarity contributed to 12 cases (5 heat-related, 4 diabetes, 2 renal failure, and 1 dehydration) from 36 high values. There was no contribution from 32 high values and 19 low values of calcium and there was no contribution from 4 high and 2 low values of ammonia. There were 11 high values of glucose, which contributed to the diagnosis of 6 cases of diabetic hyperglycemia and 21 high ketone levels contributed to 8 cases: 4 diabetic ketosis, 3 hypothermia, 3 ketosis of unknown cause, and 2 alcohol related deaths. A high lactate was identified in 25 cases, which contributed to 1 case with a diagnosis of metformin toxicity (1), but none of the 22 low lactate values contributed. The results of this audit have been used to reduce vitreous biochemistry test requests for sodium, osmolality, glucose, ketones, urea, and creatinine in most cases. Critical appraisal of each part of the post-mortem process should be undertaken to provide evidence to justify any investigative methods used in an autopsy.

EQUIFAT: A novel scoring system for the semi-quantitative evaluation of regional adipose tissues in Equidae.

PubMed

Morrison, Philippa K; Harris, Patricia A; Maltin, Charlotte A; Grove-White, Dai; Argo, Caroline McG

2017-01-01

Anatomically distinct adipose tissues represent variable risks to metabolic health in man and some other mammals. Quantitative-imaging of internal adipose depots is problematic in large animals and associations between regional adiposity and health are poorly understood. This study aimed to develop and test a semi-quantitative system (EQUIFAT) which could be applied to regional adipose tissues. Anatomically-defined, photographic images of adipose depots (omental, mesenteric, epicardial, rump) were collected from 38 animals immediately post-mortem. Images were ranked and depot-specific descriptors were developed (1 = no fat visible; 5 = excessive fat present). Nuchal-crest and ventro-abdominal-retroperitoneal adipose depot depths (cm) were transformed to categorical 5 point scores. The repeatability and reliability of EQUIFAT was independently tested by 24 observers. When half scores were permitted, inter-observer agreement was substantial (average κw: mesenteric, 0.79; omental, 0.79; rump 0.61) or moderate (average κw; epicardial, 0.60). Intra-observer repeatability was tested by 8 observers on 2 occasions. Kappa analysis indicated perfect (omental and mesenteric) and substantial agreement (epicardial and rump) between attempts. A further 207 animals were evaluated ante-mortem (age, height, breed-type, gender, body condition score [BCS]) and again immediately post-mortem (EQUIFAT scores, carcass weight). Multivariable, random effect linear regression models were fitted (breed as random effect; BCS as outcome variable). Only height, carcass weight, omental and retroperitoneal EQUIFAT scores remained as explanatory variables in the final model. The EQUIFAT scores developed here demonstrate clear functional differences between regional adipose depots and future studies could be directed towards describing associations between adiposity and disease risk in surgical and post-mortem situations.

EQUIFAT: A novel scoring system for the semi-quantitative evaluation of regional adipose tissues in Equidae

PubMed Central

Morrison, Philippa K.; Harris, Patricia A.; Maltin, Charlotte A.; Grove-White, Dai; Argo, Caroline McG.

2017-01-01

Anatomically distinct adipose tissues represent variable risks to metabolic health in man and some other mammals. Quantitative-imaging of internal adipose depots is problematic in large animals and associations between regional adiposity and health are poorly understood. This study aimed to develop and test a semi-quantitative system (EQUIFAT) which could be applied to regional adipose tissues. Anatomically-defined, photographic images of adipose depots (omental, mesenteric, epicardial, rump) were collected from 38 animals immediately post-mortem. Images were ranked and depot-specific descriptors were developed (1 = no fat visible; 5 = excessive fat present). Nuchal-crest and ventro-abdominal-retroperitoneal adipose depot depths (cm) were transformed to categorical 5 point scores. The repeatability and reliability of EQUIFAT was independently tested by 24 observers. When half scores were permitted, inter-observer agreement was substantial (average κw: mesenteric, 0.79; omental, 0.79; rump 0.61) or moderate (average κw; epicardial, 0.60). Intra-observer repeatability was tested by 8 observers on 2 occasions. Kappa analysis indicated perfect (omental and mesenteric) and substantial agreement (epicardial and rump) between attempts. A further 207 animals were evaluated ante-mortem (age, height, breed-type, gender, body condition score [BCS]) and again immediately post-mortem (EQUIFAT scores, carcass weight). Multivariable, random effect linear regression models were fitted (breed as random effect; BCS as outcome variable). Only height, carcass weight, omental and retroperitoneal EQUIFAT scores remained as explanatory variables in the final model. The EQUIFAT scores developed here demonstrate clear functional differences between regional adipose depots and future studies could be directed towards describing associations between adiposity and disease risk in surgical and post-mortem situations. PMID:28296956

Application of European standards for health and quality control of game meat on game ranches in South Africa.

PubMed

Van der Merwe, M; Jooste, P J; Hoffman, L C

2011-09-01

The health and quality compliance of game carcasses (n = 295) intended for the South African export market and aspiring to comply with the strict hygiene requirements of the European Union were compared with game carcasses (n = 330) available for the local market and currently not subjected to meat safety legislation. Samples were collected in similar seasons and geographical areas in South Africa from 2006 to 2009. Aerobic plate counts (APC) of the heart blood verified that both groups possessed similar ante mortem bacterial status. For health compliance APC, tests for Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp. and Staphylococcus aureus were performed on the carcasses. Surfaces of the local carcasses were swabbed using the European Enviro-biotrace sponge technique at 3 and 72 h post mortem. Unskinned but eviscerated export carcasses in the abattoir were skinned and sampled by incision using a corkborer 72 h post mortem. Temperature and pH readings were recorded at 3 and 72 h post mortem from the longissimus dorsi muscle and the readings at 3 h differed (P = 0.035). Temperatures at 72 h were lower for export than local carcasses (P < 0.001) because of earlier introduction and maintenance of the cold chain. The pH readings also differed between groups at 3 and 72 h (P < 0.001). APC results for the local group exceeded the maximum permissible count (< 10(5)). S. aureus results showed differences (P < 0.001), with readings from the local group being higher. The same tendency was exhibited for E. coli (P = 0.008). Imposition of hygiene guidelines for game ranchers producing meat for the local market is therefore recommended.

Post-mortem findings in southern right whales Eubalaena australis at Península Valdés, Argentina, 2003-2012.

PubMed

McAloose, Denise; Rago, M Virginia; Di Martino, Matías; Chirife, Andrea; Olson, Sarah H; Beltramino, Lucas; Pozzi, Luciana M; Musmeci, Luciana; La Sala, Luciano; Mohamed, Nadia; Sala, Juan Emilio; Bandieri, Lucas; Andrejuk, Julian; Tomaszewicz, Ania; Seimon, Tracie; Sironi, Mariano; Samartino, Luis E; Rowntree, Victoria; Uhart, Marcela M

2016-04-12

Between 2003 and 2012, 605 southern right whales (SRW; Eubalaena australis) were found dead along the shores of Península Valdés (PV), Argentina. These deaths included alarmingly high annual losses between 2007 and 2012, a peak number of deaths (116) in 2012, and a significant number of deaths across years in calves-of-the-year (544 of 605 [89.9%]; average = 60.4 yr(-1)). Post-mortem examination and pathogen testing were performed on 212 whales; 208 (98.1%) were calves-of-the-year and 48.0% of these were newborns or neonates. A known or probable cause of death was established in only a small number (6.6%) of cases. These included ship strike in a juvenile and blunt trauma or lacerations (n = 5), pneumonia (n = 4), myocarditis (n = 2), meningitis (n = 1), or myocarditis and meningitis (n = 1) in calves. Ante-mortem gull parasitism was the most common gross finding. It was associated with systemic disease in a single 1-2 mo old calf. Immunohistochemical labeling for canine distemper virus, Toxoplasma gondii and Brucella spp., and PCR for cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV), influenza A, and apicomplexan protozoa were negative on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded lung and brain samples from a subset of whales; PCR for Brucella spp. was positive in a newborn/neonate with pneumonia. Skin samples from whales with gull parasitism were PCR negative for CeMV, poxvirus, and papillomavirus. This is the first long-term study to investigate and summarize notable post-mortem findings in the PV SRW population. Consistent, significant findings within or between years to explain the majority of deaths and those in high-mortality years remain to be identified.

Ocular injuries among industrial welders in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

PubMed Central

Fiebai, B; Awoyesuku, EA

2011-01-01

Background The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of ocular injuries among industrial welders and rate the use of protective eyewear at work among industrial welders in Port Harcourt. Information from this study will provide a database for effective policy formation on prevention of occupational eye injuries in Port Harcourt Rivers State. Methods A cross-sectional survey of ocular injuries and use of protective eyewear among industrial welders in the Port Harcourt local government area of Rivers State, Nigeria, was carried out over a three-month period. Five hundred welders were selected by simple random sampling. Information was obtained using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. All welders were examined in their workshops. Results Flying metal chips were the chief source of ocular injury, as reported by 199 (68.15%) of those who gave a history of work-related eye injury, while arc rays accounted for the remaining 93 (31.85%). There was a high level of awareness of the risk of sustaining an eye injury from welding (n = 490, 98%), but only 46 (15.3%) of the welders were using protective eyewear at the time of injury. Conclusion To minimize ocular injury and promote eye health amongst industrial welders, safety intervention programs, such as awareness campaigns, setting up of targeted programs by the relevant government agencies, and encouragement of locally produced eye protectors is recommended. The involvement of occupational medical practitioners is also strongly recommended. PMID:21966197

Skeletal idiopathic osteosclerosis helps to perform personal identification of unknown decedents: A novel contribution from anatomical variants through CT scan.

PubMed

De Angelis, D; Gibelli, D; Palazzo, E; Sconfienza, L; Obertova, Z; Cattaneo, C

2016-07-01

Personal identification consists of the comparison of ante-mortem information from a missing person with post-mortem data obtained from an unidentified corpse. Such procedure is based on the assessment of individualizing features which may help in providing a conclusive identification between ante-mortem and post-mortem material. Anatomical variants may provide important clues to correctly identify human remains. Areas of idiopathic osteosclerosis (IO), or dense bone islands (DBIs) characterized by radiopaque areas of dense, trabeculated, non-inflamed vital bone represent one of these, potentially individualizing, anatomical features. This study presents a case where the finding of DBI was crucial for a positive identification through CT-scan. A decomposed body was found in an apartment in June 2014 in advanced decomposition and no dental records were available to perform a comparison for positive identification. Genetic tests were not applicable because of the lack of relatives in a direct line. The analysis of the only ante-mortem documentation, a CT-scan to the deceased dating back to August 2009, showed the presence of three DBIs within the trabecular bone of the proximal portion of the right femur. The same bony district was removed from the corpse during the autopsy and analysed by CT-scan, which verified the presence of the same features. Forensic practitioners should therefore be aware of the great importance of anatomical bone variants, such as dense bone islands for identification purposes, and the importance of advanced radiological technique for addressing the individualizing potential of such variants. We propose that anatomical variants of the human skeleton should be considered as being "primary identification characteristics" similar to dental status, fingerprints and DNA. Copyright © 2016 The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Increase in oxidative stress levels following welding fume inhalation: a controlled human exposure study.

PubMed

Graczyk, Halshka; Lewinski, Nastassja; Zhao, Jiayuan; Sauvain, Jean-Jacques; Suarez, Guillaume; Wild, Pascal; Danuser, Brigitta; Riediker, Michael

2016-06-10

Tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding represents one of the most widely used metal joining processes in industry. It has been shown to generate a large majority of particles at the nanoscale and to have low mass emission rates when compared to other types of welding. Despite evidence that TIG fume particles may produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), limited data is available for the time course changes of particle-associated oxidative stress in exposed TIG welders. Twenty non-smoking male welding apprentices were exposed to TIG welding fumes for 60 min under controlled, well-ventilated settings. Exhaled breathe condensate (EBC), blood and urine were collected before exposure, immediately after exposure, 1 h and 3 h post exposure. Volunteers participated in a control day to account for oxidative stress fluctuations due to circadian rhythm. Biological liquids were assessed for total reducing capacity, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA), and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) concentrations at each time point. A linear mixed model was used to assess within day and between day differences. Significant increases in the measured biomarkers were found at 3 h post exposure. At 3 h post exposure, we found a 24 % increase in plasma-H2O2 concentrations ([95%CI: 4 % to 46 %], p = 0.01); a 91 % increase in urinary-H2O2 ([2 % to 258 %], p = 0.04); a 14 % increase in plasma-8-OHdG ([0 % to 31 %], p = 0.049); and a 45 % increase in urinary-8-OHdG ([3 % to 105 %], p = 0.03). Doubling particle number concentration (PNC) exposure was associated with a 22 % increase of plasma-8-OHdG at 3 h post exposure (p = 0.01). A 60-min exposure to TIG welding fume in a controlled, well-ventilated setting induced acute oxidative stress at 3 h post exposure in healthy, non-smoking apprentice welders not chronically exposed to welding fumes. As mass concentration of TIG welding fume particles is very low when compared to other types of welding, it is recommended that additional exposure metrics such as PNC are considered for occupational risk assessments. Our findings highlight the importance of increasing awareness of TIG welding fume toxicity, especially given the realities of welding workplaces that may lack ventilation; and beliefs among interviewed welders that TIG represents a cleaner and safer welding process.

Specification for Qualification and Certification for Entry Level Welders.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

American Welding Society, Miami, FL.

This document provides a standard that defines the requirements and program for the American Welding Society to certify entry-level welders. The certification of entry-level welders requires performance qualification and practical knowledge tests that require a minimum of reading, computation, and manual skills to complete. The Entry-Level Welder…

46 CFR 57.05-4 - Welder qualification by procedure tests.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 46 Shipping 2 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Welder qualification by procedure tests. 57.05-4 Section 57.05-4 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) MARINE ENGINEERING WELDING AND BRAZING Performance Qualifications § 57.05-4 Welder qualification by procedure tests...

46 CFR 57.05-4 - Welder qualification by procedure tests.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 46 Shipping 2 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Welder qualification by procedure tests. 57.05-4 Section 57.05-4 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) MARINE ENGINEERING WELDING AND BRAZING Performance Qualifications § 57.05-4 Welder qualification by procedure tests...

46 CFR 57.05-4 - Welder qualification by procedure tests.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 46 Shipping 2 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Welder qualification by procedure tests. 57.05-4 Section 57.05-4 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) MARINE ENGINEERING WELDING AND BRAZING Performance Qualifications § 57.05-4 Welder qualification by procedure tests...

46 CFR 57.05-4 - Welder qualification by procedure tests.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 46 Shipping 2 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Welder qualification by procedure tests. 57.05-4 Section 57.05-4 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) MARINE ENGINEERING WELDING AND BRAZING Performance Qualifications § 57.05-4 Welder qualification by procedure tests...

46 CFR 57.05-4 - Welder qualification by procedure tests.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 46 Shipping 2 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Welder qualification by procedure tests. 57.05-4 Section 57.05-4 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) MARINE ENGINEERING WELDING AND BRAZING Performance Qualifications § 57.05-4 Welder qualification by procedure tests...

Neuropsychological sequelae of exposure to welding fumes in a group of occupationally exposed men.

PubMed

Bowler, Rosemarie M; Gysens, Sabine; Diamond, Emily; Booty, Andrew; Hartney, Christopher; Roels, Harry A

2003-10-01

This study compares the neuropsychological function, emotional status, visual function, and illness prevalence of 76 former and current chemical industry welders primarily involved in steel welding, and exposed to welding fumes for an average of 24.9 years with that of 42 unexposed, non-welder controls. Health and occupational history questionnaires were administered, as were the neuropsychological tests included in the World Health Organization Neurobehavioral Core Test Battery, Luria Motor Test, and selected tests from the WAIS-III, and WMS-III. Emotional status tests included the BSI, POMS, BAI, and BDI, and vision tests included the Snellen near visual acuity, Lanthony d-15 color vision, Vistech Contrast Sensitivity, and Schirmer strips. While welders and controls performed similarly on tests of verbal skills, verbal retention, and auditory span, welders performed worse than controls on tests of verbal learning, working memory, cognitive flexibility, visuomotor processing speed, and motor efficiency. Welders had poorer color vision and emotional status, and increased prevalence of illnesses and psychiatric symptoms. The increased symptoms in welders were related to decreased scores on tasks measuring verbal learning, visuomotor abilities, visuospatial abilities, and information processing, and motor efficiency. Within the group of welders, the number of hours welding was negatively related to scores on verbal learning, auditory span, working memory, cognitive flexibility, and motor efficiency.

Exposure of welders and other metal workers to ELF magnetic fields.

PubMed

Skotte, J H; Hjøllund, H I

1997-01-01

This study assessed exposure to extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields of welders and other metal workers and compared exposure from different welding processes. Exposure to ELF magnetic fields was measured for 50 workers selected from a nationwide cohort of metal workers and 15 nonrandomly selected full-time welders in a shipyard. The measurements were carried out with personal exposure meters during 3 days of work for the metal workers and I day of work for the shipyard welders. To record a large dynamic range of ELF magnetic field values, the measurements were carried out with "high/low" pairs of personal exposure meters. Additional measurements of static magnetic fields at fixed positions close to welding installations were done with a Hall-effect fluxmeter. The total time of measurement was 1273 hours. The metal workers reported welding activity for 5.8% of the time, and the median of the work-period mean exposure to ELF magnetic fields was 0.18 microT. DC metal inert or active gas welding (MIG/MAG) was used 80% of the time for welding, and AC manual metal arc welding (MMA) was used 10% of the time. The shipyard welders reported welding activity for 56% of the time, and the median and maximum of the workday mean exposure to ELF magnetic fields was 4.70 and 27.5 microT, respectively. For full-shift welders the average workday mean was 21.2 microT for MMA welders and 2.3 microT for MIG/MAG welders. The average exposure during the effective time of welding was estimated to be 65 microT for the MMA welding process and 7 microT for the MIG/MAG welding process. The time of exposure above 1 microT was found to be a useful measure of the effective time of welding. Large differences in exposure to ELF magnetic fields were found between different groups of welders, depending on the welding process and effective time of welding. MMA (AC) welding caused roughly 10 times higher exposure to ELF magnetic fields compared with MIG/MAG (DC) welding. The measurements of static fields suggest that the combined exposure to static and ELF fields of MIG/MAG (DC) welders and the exposure to ELF fields of MMA (AC) welders are roughly of the same level.

[The vision of welders in France].

PubMed

Boissin, J P; Peyresblanques, J; Rollin, J P; Marini, F; Beaufils, D

2002-10-01

A study was conducted to measure the impact of welding on the vision of welders. This study was conducted in France by the occupational medicine staff of large companies on 1.131 people, namely 850 welders and 281 control subjects. This investigation included two examinations at the beginning and the end of a year. The investigative procedure examined the different welding processes, the percentage of working time spent on welding activity, the length of exposure in years, as well as the medical variables: the optical correction type and history of ocular traumatology. The Visiotest or the Ergovision were used for the visual examination, equipment in common use by occupational medicine departments. The welders were comparatively young (59.53% of them were less than 45 years old). Moreover, for 69.75% of the welders, more than 75% of their activity was devoted to welding. All currently used welding processes were represented, including the modern PLASMA-TIG welding process. No excessive blood alcohol levels were observed in all subjects, but welders did smoke slightly more than the control subjects (40% vs 33%). Self-medication was rather less frequent among the welders, except as regards the use of eye drops, where the proportions were clearly inverted. Optical correction for hyperopia was similar between the two groups; however, as regards myopia, the welders were corrected less often. Lastly, contact lens use was exceptional among the welders. Nearsightedness varied logically with age, but also, inexplicably, with the welding processes. Vision recovery time after exposure to glare was much longer among the welders, except for the PLASMA-TIG processes. No difference was observed in the other parameters of the study. No change in the visual functions studied was noted between the two examinations. The examination techniques used showed no impairment of the studied visual functions, probably because companies use protective and preventive eye care methods. Moreover this study is the first to examine the type of welding used by workers and particularly the modern PLASMA-TIG process. The vision recovery time after exposure to glare seems better for the PLASMA-TIG process may be the result of the lower luminous intensity of this process. This study was conducted for preventive purposes to contribute to better monitoring of safety and comfort for welding workers and has shown no alteration of the visual function among welders in general.

DNA analysis in Disaster Victim Identification.

PubMed

Montelius, Kerstin; Lindblom, Bertil

2012-06-01

DNA profiling and matching is one of the primary methods to identify missing persons in a disaster, as defined by the Interpol Disaster Victim Identification Guide. The process to identify a victim by DNA includes: the collection of the best possible ante-mortem (AM) samples, the choice of post-mortem (PM) samples, DNA-analysis, matching and statistical weighting of the genetic relationship or match. Each disaster has its own scenario, and each scenario defines its own methods for identification of the deceased.

Semen quality and sex hormones among mild steel and stainless steel welders: a cross sectional study.

PubMed Central

Bonde, J P

1990-01-01

Welding may be detrimental to the male reproductive system. To test this hypothesis, semen quality was examined in 35 stainless steel welders, 46 mild steel welders, and 54 non-welding metal workers and electricians. These figures represent a participation rate of 37.1% in welders and 36.7% in non-welding subjects. The mean exposure to welding fume particulates was 1.3 mg/m3 (SD 0.8) in stainless steel welders using tungsten inert gas, 3.2 mg/m3 (SD 1.0) in low exposed mild steel welders using manual metal arc or metal active gas (n = 31), and 4.7 mg/m3 (SD 2.1) in high exposed mild steel welders (n = 15). The semen quality of each participant was defined in terms of the mean values of the particular semen parameters in three semen samples delivered at monthly intervals in a period with occupational exposure in a steady state. The sperm concentration was not reduced in either mild steel or stainless steel welders. The sperm count per ejaculate, the proportion of normal sperm forms, the degree of sperm motility, and the linear penetration rate of the sperm were significantly decreased and the sperm concentration of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) was non-significantly increased in mild steel welders. A dose response relation between exposure to welding fumes and these semen parameters (sperm count excepted) was found. Semen quality decreased and FSH concentrations increased with increasing exposure. Significant deteriorations in some semen parameters were also observed in stainless steel welders. An analysis of information from questionnaires obtained from the whole population including subjects who declined to participate indicated an underestimation of effects due to selection bias. Potential confounding was treated by restriction and statistical analysis. The results support the hypothesis that mild steel welding and to a lesser extent stainless steel welding with tungsten inert gas is associated with reduced semen quality at exposure in the range of the Danish process specific threshold limit values of welding. PMID:2118383

Semen quality and sex hormones among mild steel and stainless steel welders: a cross sectional study.

PubMed

Bonde, J P

1990-08-01

Welding may be detrimental to the male reproductive system. To test this hypothesis, semen quality was examined in 35 stainless steel welders, 46 mild steel welders, and 54 non-welding metal workers and electricians. These figures represent a participation rate of 37.1% in welders and 36.7% in non-welding subjects. The mean exposure to welding fume particulates was 1.3 mg/m3 (SD 0.8) in stainless steel welders using tungsten inert gas, 3.2 mg/m3 (SD 1.0) in low exposed mild steel welders using manual metal arc or metal active gas (n = 31), and 4.7 mg/m3 (SD 2.1) in high exposed mild steel welders (n = 15). The semen quality of each participant was defined in terms of the mean values of the particular semen parameters in three semen samples delivered at monthly intervals in a period with occupational exposure in a steady state. The sperm concentration was not reduced in either mild steel or stainless steel welders. The sperm count per ejaculate, the proportion of normal sperm forms, the degree of sperm motility, and the linear penetration rate of the sperm were significantly decreased and the sperm concentration of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) was non-significantly increased in mild steel welders. A dose response relation between exposure to welding fumes and these semen parameters (sperm count excepted) was found. Semen quality decreased and FSH concentrations increased with increasing exposure. Significant deteriorations in some semen parameters were also observed in stainless steel welders. An analysis of information from questionnaires obtained from the whole population including subjects who declined to participate indicated an underestimation of effects due to selection bias. Potential confounding was treated by restriction and statistical analysis. The results support the hypothesis that mild steel welding and to a lesser extent stainless steel welding with tungsten inert gas is associated with reduced semen quality at exposure in the range of the Danish process specific threshold limit values of welding.

Was it poisoning?

PubMed

Flanagan, R J

The aim of post-mortem toxicology is to help establish the role that drugs or other poisons played in a death, or in events immediately before death. If self-poisoning is suspected then the diagnosis may be straightforward and all that may be required is confirmation of the agents involved. If the cause of death is not immediately obvious, however, then suspicion of possible poisoning is of course crucial. Blood sampling (needle aspiration, peripheral vein, e.g. femoral, ideally after proximal ligation) before opening the body, minimises the risk of sample contamination with, for example, gut contents or urine. The site of blood sampling should always be recorded. Other specimens (stomach contents, urine, liver, vitreous humor) may also be valuable and may be needed to corroborate unexpected or unusual findings in the absence of other evidence. The availability of ante-mortem specimens should not preclude post-mortem sampling. Appropriate sample preservation, transport, and storage are mandatory. Interpretation of post-mortem toxicology must take into account what is known of the clinical pharmacology, including pharmacokinetics, and toxicology of the agent(s) in question, the circumstances under which death occurred including the possible mechanism(s) of exposure, and other factors such as the sample(s) analysed and the analytical methods used. It was thought that concentrations of poisons measured in blood obtained at autopsy reflected the situation peri-mortem. However, we now know that changes may occur in the composition of body fluids, even peripheral blood, after death. Such changes are likely to be greater with centrally-acting drugs such as clozapine with large volumes of distribution, and may perhaps be minimised by prompt refrigeration of the body and performing the autopsy quickly. Better training in analytical toxicology is needed for pathologists and others who may be called upon to interpret toxicological data for the Courts. Undue reliance on quantitative results is likely to confuse sooner rather than later, especially in the case of centrally-acting drugs such as opioids and clozapine. Remember that the question is normally "was it poisoning?" or "was it an overdose?"--and not--"is it a fatal level"?

9 CFR 354.131 - Decomposition.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... CERTIFICATION VOLUNTARY INSPECTION OF RABBITS AND EDIBLE PRODUCTS THEREOF Disposition of Diseased Rabbit Carcasses and Parts § 354.131 Decomposition. Carcasses of rabbits deleteriously affected by post-mortem...

Assessment of Health Consequences of Steel Industry Welders' Occupational Exposure to Ultraviolet Radiation.

PubMed

Zamanian, Zahra; Mortazavi, Saied Mohammad Javad; Asmand, Ebrahim; Nikeghbal, Kiana

2015-01-01

Welding is among the most important frequently used processes in the industry with a wide range of applications from the food industry to aerospace and from precision tools to shipbuilding. The aim of this study was to assess the level of steel industry welders' exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and to investigate the health impacts of these exposures. In this case-control study, we measured the intensity of UV at the workers' wrist in Fars Steel Company through manufacture of different types of heavy metal structures, using UV-meter model 666230 made by Leybold Co., from Germany. The population under the study comprised 400 people including 200 welders as the exposed group and 200 nonwelders as the unexposed group. The results of the questionnaire were analyzed using SPSS software, version 19. The average, standard deviation, maximum and minimum of the UV at the welders' wrist were 0.362, 0.346, 1.27, and 0.01 μW/cm(2), respectively. There was a significantly (P < 0.01) higher incidence of cataracts, keratoconjunctivitis, dermatitis and erythema in welders than in their nonwelders. This study showed that the time period of UV exposure in welders is higher than the permissible contact threshold level. Therefore, considering the outbreak of the eye and skin disorders in the welders, decreasing exposure time, reducing UV radiation level, and using personal protective equipment seem indispensable. As exposure to UV radiation can be linked to different types of skin cancer, skin aging, and cataract, welders should be advised to decrease their occupational exposures.

Welder's Helper. Coordinator's Guide. Individualized Study Guide. General Metal Trades.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dean, James W.

This guide provides information to enable coordinators to direct learning activities for students using an individualized study guide on being a welder's helper. The study material is designed for students enrolled in cooperative part-time training and employed, or desiring to be employed, as welders' helpers. Contents include a sample progress…

49 CFR 192.227 - Qualification of welders.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... BY PIPELINE: MINIMUM FEDERAL SAFETY STANDARDS Welding of Steel in Pipelines § 192.227 Qualification... earlier edition. (b) A welder may qualify to perform welding on pipe to be operated at a pressure that... process to be used, under the test set forth in section I of Appendix C of this part. Each welder who is...

Alteration of serum concentrations of manganese, iron, ferritin, and transferrin receptor following exposure to welding fumes among career welders.

PubMed

Lu, Ling; Zhang, Long-Lian; Li, G Jane; Guo, Wenrui; Liang, Wannian; Zheng, Wei

2005-03-01

This study was performed to determine airborne manganese levels during welding practice and to establish the relationship between long-term, low-level exposure to manganese and altered serum concentrations of manganese, iron, and proteins associated with iron metabolism in career welders. Ninety-seven welders (average age of 36 years) who have engaged in electric arc weld in a vehicle manufacturer were recruited as the exposed group. Welders worked 7-8h per day with employment duration of 1-33 years. Control subjects consisted of 91 employees (average age of 35 years) in the same factory but not in the welding profession. Ambient manganese levels in welders' breathing zone were the highest inside the vehicle (1.5 +/- 0.7 mg/m3), and the lowest in the center of the workshop (0.2 +/- 0.05 mg/m3). Since the filter size was 0.8 microm, it is possible that these values may be likely an underestimation of the true manganese levels. Serum levels of manganese and iron in welders were about three-fold (p < 0.01) and 1.2-fold (p < 0.01), respectively, higher than those of controls. Serum concentrations of ferritin and transferrin were increased among welders, while serum transferrin receptor levels were significantly decreased in comparison to controls. Linear regression analyses revealed a lack of association between serum levels of manganese and iron. However, serum concentrations of iron and ferritin were positively associated with years of welder experience (p < 0.05). Moreover, serum transferrin receptor levels were inversely associated with serum manganese concentrations (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that exposure to welding fume among welders disturbs serum homeostasis of manganese, iron, and the proteins associated with iron metabolism. Serum manganese may serve as a reasonable biomarker for assessment of recent exposure to airborne manganese.

Factors influencing the virological testing of cornea donors.

PubMed

Röck, Tobias; Beck, Robert; Jürgens, Stefan; Bartz-Schmidt, Karl Ulrich; Bramkamp, Matthias; Thaler, Sebastian; Röck, Daniel

2017-11-01

To assess the influence of donor, environment, and logistical factors on the results of virological testing of blood samples from cornea donors.Data from 670 consecutive cornea donors were analyzed retrospectively. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the influence of different factors on the results of virological testing of blood samples from cornea donors.The mean annual rate of donors with serology-reactive or not evaluable result was 14.8% (99 of 670) (range 11.9%-16.9%). The cause of donor death by cancer increased the risk of serology-reactive or not evaluable result (P = .0300). Prolonged time between death and post mortem blood removal was associated with a higher rate of serology-reactive or not evaluable result (P < .0001). Mean monthly temperature including warmer months, differentiating between septic and aseptic donors, sex, and donor age had no significant impact on the results of virological testing of blood samples from cornea donors.The cause of donor death by cancer and a prolonged time between death and post mortem blood removal seem to be mainly responsible for serology-reactive or not evaluable result of blood samples from cornea donors. The percentage of discarded corneas caused by serology-reactive or not evaluable result may be reduced by shortening the period of time between death and post mortem blood removal. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

The dependency of expiratory airway collapse on pump system and flow rate in liquid ventilated rabbits.

PubMed

Meinhardt, J P; Ashton, B A; Annich, G M; Quintel, M; Hirschl, R B

2003-05-30

To evaluate the influence of pump system and flow pattern on expiratory airway collapse (EAC) in total perfluorocarbon ventilation. - Prospective, controlled, randomized animal trial for determination of (1) post-mortem changes by repeated expiration procedures (EP) with a constant flow piston pump (PP) before and after sacrifice (n = 8 rabbits), (2) differences between pump systems by subjecting animals to both PP and roller pump (RP) circuits for expiration (n = 16 rabbits). EP were performed using a servo-controlled shut-off at airway pressures < 25 cm H subset 2O randomly with either pump at different flows. - Expired volumes before and after sacrifice were not significantly different. PP and RP revealed identical mean flows, while significantly more liquid was drained using PP (p<0.05). Increasing differences towards higher flow rates indicated profound flow pulsatility in RP. - (1) post-mortem changes in expired volumes are not significant, (2) EAC is related to flow rate and pump system; (3) relationship between expiratory flow rate and drainable liquid volume is linear inverse; (4) PP provides higher drainage than RP. - Expiratory airway collapse is related to flow rate and pump system, post mortem changes in expirable volumes are not significant. Relationship between expiratory flow rate and drainable liquid volume is linear inverse, piston pump expiration provides higher drainage volumes than roller pump expiration.

Factors influencing the virological testing of cornea donors

PubMed Central

Röck, Tobias; Beck, Robert; Jürgens, Stefan; Bartz-Schmidt, Karl Ulrich; Bramkamp, Matthias; Thaler, Sebastian; Röck, Daniel

2017-01-01

Abstract To assess the influence of donor, environment, and logistical factors on the results of virological testing of blood samples from cornea donors. Data from 670 consecutive cornea donors were analyzed retrospectively. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the influence of different factors on the results of virological testing of blood samples from cornea donors. The mean annual rate of donors with serology-reactive or not evaluable result was 14.8% (99 of 670) (range 11.9%–16.9%). The cause of donor death by cancer increased the risk of serology-reactive or not evaluable result (P = .0300). Prolonged time between death and post mortem blood removal was associated with a higher rate of serology-reactive or not evaluable result (P < .0001). Mean monthly temperature including warmer months, differentiating between septic and aseptic donors, sex, and donor age had no significant impact on the results of virological testing of blood samples from cornea donors. The cause of donor death by cancer and a prolonged time between death and post mortem blood removal seem to be mainly responsible for serology-reactive or not evaluable result of blood samples from cornea donors. The percentage of discarded corneas caused by serology-reactive or not evaluable result may be reduced by shortening the period of time between death and post mortem blood removal. PMID:29381929

Surface structural damage study in cortical bone due to medical drilling.

PubMed

Tavera R, Cesar G; De la Torre-I, Manuel H; Flores-M, Jorge M; Hernandez M, Ma Del Socorro; Mendoza-Santoyo, Fernando; Briones-R, Manuel de J; Sanchez-P, Jorge

2017-05-01

A bone's fracture could be produced by an excessive, repetitive, or sudden load. A regular medical practice to heal it is to fix it in two possible ways: external immobilization, using a ferule, or an internal fixation, using a prosthetic device commonly attached to the bone by means of surgical screws. The bone's volume loss due to this drilling modifies its structure either in the presence or absence of a fracture. To observe the bone's surface behavior caused by the drilling effects, a digital holographic interferometer is used to analyze the displacement surface's variations in nonfractured post-mortem porcine femoral bones. Several nondrilled post-mortem bones are compressed and compared to a set of post-mortem bones with a different number of cortical drillings. During each compression test, a series of digital interferometric holograms were recorded using a high-speed CMOS camera. The results are presented as pseudo 3D mesh displacement maps for comparisons in the physiological range of load (30 and 50 lbs) and beyond (100, 200, and 400 lbs). The high resolution of the optical phase gives a better understanding about the bone's microstructural modifications. Finally, a relationship between compression load and bone volume loss due to the drilling was observed. The results prove that digital holographic interferometry is a viable technique to study the conditions that avoid the surgical screw from loosening in medical procedures of this kind.

Transmission Electron Microscope In Situ Straining Technique to Directly Observe Defects and Interfaces During Deformation in Magnesium

DOE PAGES

Morrow, Benjamin M.; Cerreta, E. K.; McCabe, R. J.; ...

2015-05-14

In-situ straining was used to study deformation behavior of hexagonal close-packed (hcp) metals.Twinning and dislocation motion, both essential to plasticity in hcp materials, were observed.Typically, these processes are characterized post-mortem by examining remnant microstructural features after straining has occurred. By imposing deformation during imaging, direct observation of active deformation mechanisms is possible. This work focuses on straining of structural metals in a transmission electron microscope (TEM), and a recently developed technique that utilizes familiar procedures and equipment to increase ease of experiments. In-situ straining in a TEM presents several advantages over conventional post-mortem characterization, most notably time-resolution of deformation andmore » streamlined identification of active deformation mechanisms. Drawbacks to the technique and applicability to other studies are also addressed. In-situ straining is used to study twin boundary motion in hcp magnesium. A {101¯2} twin was observed during tensile and compressive loading. Twin-dislocation interactions are directly observed. Notably, dislocations are observed to remain mobile, even after multiple interactions with twin boundaries, a result which suggests that Basinki’s dislocation transformation mechanism by twinning is not present in hcp metals. The coupling of in-situ straining with traditional post-mortem characterization yields more detailed information about material behavior during deformation than either technique alone.« less

Post-mortem CT: Hounsfield unit profiles obtained in the lungs with respect to the cause of death assessment.

PubMed

Schober, Daniel; Schwendener, Nicole; Zech, Wolf-Dieter; Jackowski, Christian

2017-01-01

Segmentation of the lungs using post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) data was so far not feasible due to post-mortem changes such as internal livores. Recently, an Osirix plug-in has been developed allowing automatically segmenting lungs also in PMCT data. The aim of this study was to investigate if the Hounsfield unit (HU) profiles obtained in PMCT data of the segmented lung tissue present with specific behaviour in relation to the cause of death. In 105 PMCT data sets of forensic cases, the entire lung volumes were segmented using the Mia Lite plug-in on Osirix. HU profiles of the lungs were generated and correlated to cause of death groups as assessed after forensic autopsy (cardiac death, fatal haemorrhage, craniocerebral injury, intoxication, drowning, hypothermia, hanging and suffocation). Especially cardiac death cases, intoxication cases, fatal haemorrhage cases and hypothermia cases showed very specific HU profiles. In drowning, the profiles showed two different behaviours representing wet and dry drowning. HU profiles rather varied in craniocerebral injury cases, hanging cases as well as in suffocation cases. HU profiles of the lungs segmented from PMCT data may support the cause of death diagnosis as they represent specific morphological changes in the lungs such as oedema, congestion or blood loss. Especially in cardiac death, intoxication, fatal haemorrhage, hypothermia and drowning cases, HU profiles may be very supportive for the forensic pathologist.

49 CFR Appendix C to Part 192 - Qualification of Welders for Low Stress Level Pipe

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 49 Transportation 3 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Qualification of Welders for Low Stress Level Pipe C Appendix C to Part 192 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued.... C Appendix C to Part 192—Qualification of Welders for Low Stress Level Pipe I. Basic test. The test...

49 CFR Appendix C to Part 192 - Qualification of Welders for Low Stress Level Pipe

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 49 Transportation 3 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Qualification of Welders for Low Stress Level Pipe C Appendix C to Part 192 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued.... C Appendix C to Part 192—Qualification of Welders for Low Stress Level Pipe I. Basic test. The test...

49 CFR Appendix C to Part 192 - Qualification of Welders for Low Stress Level Pipe

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 49 Transportation 3 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Qualification of Welders for Low Stress Level Pipe C Appendix C to Part 192 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued.... C Appendix C to Part 192—Qualification of Welders for Low Stress Level Pipe I. Basic test. The test...

49 CFR Appendix C to Part 192 - Qualification of Welders for Low Stress Level Pipe

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 49 Transportation 3 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Qualification of Welders for Low Stress Level Pipe C Appendix C to Part 192 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued.... C Appendix C to Part 192—Qualification of Welders for Low Stress Level Pipe I. Basic test. The test...

49 CFR Appendix C to Part 192 - Qualification of Welders for Low Stress Level Pipe

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 49 Transportation 3 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Qualification of Welders for Low Stress Level Pipe C Appendix C to Part 192 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued.... C Appendix C to Part 192—Qualification of Welders for Low Stress Level Pipe I. Basic test. The test...

75 FR 12485 - Revising the Notification Requirements in the Exposure Determination; Provisions of the...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-03-16

... of a Final OSHA Standard for Hexavalent Chromium, Chapter 2-Welding, Docket No. OSHA-H054a-2006- 0064... welding technique and posture used by different welders. Small differences in the welder's body position in relation to the welding task, the welder's body position in relation to the weld, and any LEV...

Chromosome damage in lymphocytes of stainless steel welders related to past and current exposure to manual metal arc welding fumes.

PubMed

Jelmert, O; Hansteen, I L; Langård, S

1994-02-01

Cytogenetic damage was studied in lymphocytes from 42 welders using the manual metal arc (MMA) method on stainless steel (SS). A detailed characterization of previous exposure by job interviews, and for current exposure with personal air sampling and biological monitoring of chromium (Cr) and nickel (Ni) in blood and urine, was done for 32 of these welders. A subgroup of 20 welders was studied before and after 1-4 months of MMA/SS welding. A matched reference group I, and a larger reference group II were established for comparison. A significant increase in chromatid breaks (1.4 vs. 0.9 and 0.8 for group I and II) and for cells with aberrations (2.2 vs. 1.6 in group II) was found in the welders. An even larger difference was found when comparing non-smoking welders with their non-smoking referents. No synergistic effect between smoking and MMA/SS welding fumes was observed for any type of aberrations. Current welding fume exposure during the week before sampling was not associated with increases in any type of cytogenetic damage. The results indicated that the increase in chromatid breaks was associated with cumulated welding fume exposure for more than a year, and with not using respirators. Exposure to MMA/SS welding fumes for up to 4 months gave a slight, but significant increase in chromatid breaks when using the welders as their own referents. However, when using matched referents in the study after exposure, no difference was found between these welders and their matched referents. No differences between the groups were observed in the DNA synthesis and repair-inhibited cultures or for SCE.

Electroacoustics modeling of piezoelectric welders for ultrasonic additive manufacturing processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hehr, Adam; Dapino, Marcelo J.

2016-04-01

Ultrasonic additive manufacturing (UAM) is a recent 3D metal printing technology which utilizes ultrasonic vibrations from high power piezoelectric transducers to additively weld similar and dissimilar metal foils. CNC machining is used intermittent of welding to create internal channels, embed temperature sensitive components, sensors, and materials, and for net shaping parts. Structural dynamics of the welder and work piece influence the performance of the welder and part quality. To understand the impact of structural dynamics on UAM, a linear time-invariant model is used to relate system shear force and electric current inputs to the system outputs of welder velocity and voltage. Frequency response measurements are combined with in-situ operating measurements of the welder to identify model parameters and to verify model assumptions. The proposed LTI model can enhance process consistency, performance, and guide the development of improved quality monitoring and control strategies.

Influence of hypo- and hyperthermia on death time estimation - A simulation study.

PubMed

Muggenthaler, H; Hubig, M; Schenkl, S; Mall, G

2017-09-01

Numerous physiological and pathological mechanisms can cause elevated or lowered body core temperatures. Deviations from the physiological level of about 37°C can influence temperature based death time estimations. However, it has not been investigated by means of thermodynamics, to which extent hypo- and hyperthermia bias death time estimates. Using numerical simulation, the present study investigates the errors inherent in temperature based death time estimation in case of elevated or lowered body core temperatures before death. The most considerable errors with regard to the normothermic model occur in the first few hours post-mortem. With decreasing body core temperature and increasing post-mortem time the error diminishes and stagnates at a nearly constant level. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A prospective study of decline in lung function in relation to welding emissions.

PubMed

Christensen, Sigve W; Bonde, Jens Peter; Omland, Oyvind

2008-02-26

Numerous cross-sectional studies have reported reduced lung function among welders but limitations of exposure assessment and design preclude causal inference. The aim of this study was to investigate if long-term exposure to welding fume particulates accelerates the age-related decline in lung function. Lung function was measured by spirometry in 1987 and 2004 among 68 steel welders and 32 non-welding production workers. The decline in forced expiratory volume (FEV1) was analysed in relation to cumulated exposure to fume particulates among welders during the follow-up period. Among smokers the decline in FEV1 through follow-up period was in average 150 ml larger among welders than non-welders while the difference was negligible among non-smokers. The results did not reach statistical significance and within welders the decline in lung function was not related to the cumulated welding particulate exposure during follow-up period Long-term exposure to welding emissions may accelerate the age-related decline of lung function but at exposure levels in the range of 1.5 to 6.5 mg/m3 the average annual excess loss of FEV1 is unlikely to exceed 25 ml in smokers and 10 ml in non-smokers.

Assessment of biological chromium among stainless steel and mild steel welders in relation to welding processes.

PubMed

Edmé, J L; Shirali, P; Mereau, M; Sobaszek, A; Boulenguez, C; Diebold, F; Haguenoer, J M

1997-01-01

Air and biological monitoring were used for assessing external and internal chromium exposure among 116 stainless steel welders (SS welders) using manual metal arc (MMA), metal inert gas (MIG) and tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding processes (MMA: n = 57; MIG: n = 37; TIG: n = 22) and 30 mild steel welders (MS welders) using MMA and MIG welding processes (MMA: n = 14; MIG: n = 16). The levels of atmospheric total chromium were evaluated after personal air monitoring. The mean values for the different groups of SS welders were 201 micrograms/m3 (MMA) and 185 micrograms/m3 (MIG), 52 micrograms/m3 (TIG) and for MS welders 8.1 micrograms/m3 (MMA) and 7.3 micrograms/m3 (MIG). The curve of cumulative frequency distribution from biological monitoring among SS welders showed chromium geometric mean concentrations in whole blood of 3.6 micrograms/l (95th percentile = 19.9), in plasma of 3.3 micrograms/l (95th percentile = 21.0) and in urine samples of 6.2 micrograms/l (95th percentile = 58.0). Among MS welders, mean values in whole blood and plasma were rather more scattered (1.8 micrograms/l, 95th percentile = 9.3 and 1.3 micrograms/l, 95th percentile = 8.4, respectively) and in urine the value was 2.4 micrograms/l (95th percentile = 13.3). The analysis of variance of chromium concentrations in plasma previously showed a metal effect (F = 29.7, P < 0.001), a process effect (F = 22.2, P < 0.0001) but no metal-process interaction (F = 1.3, P = 0.25). Concerning urinary chromium concentration, the analysis of variance also showed a metal effect (F = 30, P < 0.0001), a process effect (F = 72, P < 0.0001) as well as a metal-process interaction (F = 13.2, P = 0.0004). Throughout the study we noted any significant differences between smokers and non-smokers among welders. Taking in account the relationships between chromium concentrations in whole, plasma or urine and the different welding process. MMA-SS is definitely different from other processes because the biological values are clearly higher. These higher levels are due to the very significant concentrations of total soluble chromium, mainly hexavalent chromium, in welding fumes.

Post-mortem MRI versus conventional autopsy in fetuses and children: a prospective validation study.

PubMed

Thayyil, Sudhin; Sebire, Neil J; Chitty, Lyn S; Wade, Angie; Chong, Wk; Olsen, Oystein; Gunny, Roxana S; Offiah, Amaka C; Owens, Catherine M; Saunders, Dawn E; Scott, Rosemary J; Jones, Rod; Norman, Wendy; Addison, Shea; Bainbridge, Alan; Cady, Ernest B; Vita, Enrico De; Robertson, Nicola J; Taylor, Andrew M

2013-07-20

Post-mortem MRI is a potential diagnostic alternative to conventional autopsy, but few large prospective studies have compared its accuracy with that of conventional autopsy. We assessed the accuracy of whole-body, post-mortem MRI for detection of major pathological lesions associated with death in a prospective cohort of fetuses and children. In this prospective validation study, we did pre-autopsy, post-mortem, whole-body MRI at 1·5 T in an unselected population of fetuses (≤24 weeks' or >24 weeks' gestation) and children (aged <16 years) at two UK centres in London between March 1, 2007 and Sept 30, 2011. With conventional autopsy as the diagnostic gold standard, we assessed MRI findings alone, or in conjunction with other minimally invasive post-mortem investigations (minimally invasive autopsy), for accuracy in detection of cause of death or major pathological abnormalities. A radiologist and pathologist who were masked to the autopsy findings indicated whether the minimally invasive autopsy would have been adequate. The primary outcome was concordance rate between minimally invasive and conventional autopsy. We analysed 400 cases, of which 277 (69%) were fetuses and 123 (31%) were children. Cause of death or major pathological lesion detected by minimally invasive autopsy was concordant with conventional autopsy in 357 (89·3%, 95% CI 85·8-91·9) cases: 175 (94·6%, 90·3-97·0) of 185 fetuses at 24 weeks' gestation or less, 88 (95·7%, 89·3-98·3) of 92 fetuses at more than 24 weeks' gestation, 34 (81·0%, 66·7-90·0) [corrected] of 42 newborns aged 1 month or younger, 45 (84·9%, 72·9-92·1) of 53 infants aged older than 1 month to 1 year or younger, and 15 (53·6%, 35·8-70·5) of 28 children aged older than 1 year to 16 years or younger. The dedicated radiologist or pathologist review of the minimally invasive autopsy showed that in 165 (41%) cases a full autopsy might not have been needed; in these cases, concordance between autopsy and minimally invasive autopsy was 99·4% (96·6-99·9). Minimally invasive autopsy has accuracy similar to that of conventional autopsy for detection of cause of death or major pathological abnormality after death in fetuses, newborns, and infants, but was less accurate in older children. If undertaken jointly by pathologists and radiologists, minimally invasive autopsy could be an acceptable alternative to conventional autopsy in selected cases. Policy research Programme, Department of Health, UK. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A Cross-Sectional Study of the Cardiovascular Effects of Welding Fumes.

PubMed

Li, Huiqi; Hedmer, Maria; Kåredal, Monica; Björk, Jonas; Stockfelt, Leo; Tinnerberg, Håkan; Albin, Maria; Broberg, Karin

2015-01-01

Occupational exposure to particulate air pollution has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the risk to welders working today remains unclear. We aimed to elucidate the cardiovascular effects of exposure to welding fumes. In a cross-sectional study, structured interviews and biological sampling were conducted for 101 welders and 127 controls (all non-smoking males) from southern Sweden. Personal breathing zone sampling of respirable dust was performed. Blood pressure (BP) and endothelial function (using peripheral arterial tonometry) were measured. Plasma and serum samples were collected from peripheral blood for measurement of C-reactive protein, low-density lipoprotein, homocysteine, serum amyloid A, and cytokines. Welders were exposed to 10-fold higher levels of particles than controls. Welders had significantly higher BP compared to controls, an average of 5 mm Hg higher systolic and diastolic BP (P ≤ 0.001). IL-8 was 3.4 ng/L higher in welders (P=0.010). Years working as a welder were significantly associated with increased BP (β=0.35, 95%CI 0.13 - 0.58, P=0.0024 for systolic BP; β=0.32, 95%CI 0.16 - 0.48, P<0.001 for diastolic BP, adjusted for BMI) but exposure to respirable dust was not associated with BP. No clear associations occurred between welding and endothelial function, or other effect markers. A modest increase in BP was found among welders compared to controls suggesting that low-to-moderate exposure to welding fumes remains a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Prevalence of color vision deficiency among arc welders.

PubMed

Heydarian, Samira; Mahjoob, Monireh; Gholami, Ahmad; Veysi, Sajjad; Mohammadi, Morteza

This study was performed to investigate whether occupationally related color vision deficiency can occur from welding. A total of 50 male welders, who had been working as welders for at least 4 years, were randomly selected as case group, and 50 age matched non-welder men, who lived in the same area, were regarded as control group. Color vision was assessed using the Lanthony desatured panel D-15 test. The test was performed under the daylight fluorescent lamp with a spectral distribution of energy with a color temperature of 6500K and a color rendering index of 94 that provided 1000lx on the work plane. The test was carried out monocularly and no time limit was imposed. All data analysis were performed using SPSS, version 22. The prevalence of dyschromatopsia among welders was 15% which was statistically higher than that of nonwelder group (2%) (p=0.001). Among welders with dyschromatopsia, color vision deficiency in 72.7% of cases was monocular. There was positive relationship between the employment length and color vision loss (p=0.04). Similarly, a significant correlation was found between the prevalence of color vision deficiency and average working hours of welding a day (p=0.025). Chronic exposure to welding light may cause color vision deficiency. The damage depends on the exposure duration and the length of their employment as welders. Copyright © 2016 Spanish General Council of Optometry. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Post-mortem biochemistry of NSE and S100B: A supplemental tool for detecting a lethal traumatic brain injury?

PubMed

Sieber, Monique; Dreßler, Jan; Franke, Heike; Pohlers, Dirk; Ondruschka, Benjamin

2018-04-01

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a very common entity that leads to numerous fatalities all over the world. Therefore, forensic pathologists are in desperate need of supplemental methodological tools for the diagnosis of TBI in everyday practice besides the standard autopsy. The present study determined post-mortem neuron specific enolase (NSE) and S100 calcium-binding protein B (S100B) levels as biological markers of an underlying TBI in autopsy cases. Paired serum and CSF samples of 92 fatalities were collected throughout routine autopsies. Afterwards, the marker levels were assessed using commercially available immunoassays (ECLIA, Roche Diagnostics). For statistical analysis, we compared the TBI cases to three control groups (sudden natural death by acute myocardial infarction, traumatic death without impact on the head, cerebral hypoxia). Moreover, the TBI cases were subdivided according to their survival time of the trauma. Brain specimens have been collected and stained immunohistochemically against the aforementioned proteins to illustrate their typical cellular staining patterns with an underlying TBI compared to non-TBI fatalities. CSF NSE and S100B levels were elevated after TBI compared to all control groups (p < 0.001). Although this finding can already be investigated among the TBI cases dying immediately subsequent to the trauma, the marker levels in CSF increase with longer survival times until a peak level within the first three days after trauma. There is a strong correlation between both marker levels in CSF (r = 0.67). The presence or absence of cerebral tissue contusion following the initial trauma does not seem to affect the CSF levels of both proteins (p > 0.05). Post-mortem serum levels of both proteins were not elevated in TBI cases compared to controls (p > 0.05). Former elaborated cut-off values in CSF were confirmed and were only exceeded when a TBI survival time of at least 30 min was reached. The present results report that post-mortem NSE and S100B CSF levels are significantly elevated subsequent to a fatal TBI. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. All rights reserved.

Role of biogenic amines in the post-mortem migration of Anisakis pegreffii (Nematoda: Anisakidae Dujardin, 1845) larvae into fish fillets.

PubMed

Šimat, Vida; Miletić, Jelena; Bogdanović, Tanja; Poljak, Vedran; Mladineo, Ivona

2015-12-02

Infective third-stage larvae (L3) of nematode Anisakis spp. have been recognized as one of the major food-borne threats in lightly processed fish products in Europe, particularly in the Mediterranean region. Therefore, the effect of different storage temperatures of fish on larval post-mortem migration from visceral cavity into fillets is an important parameter to take into account when evaluating the risk for consumer safety. The European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) were caught during fishing season, a subsample of fillets was checked for the presence of Anisakis larvae at capture (mean abundance=0.07), and the rest was stored at four different temperatures (-18, 0, 4 and 22°C) in order to count migrating larvae and measure the production of biogenic amines over a period of time. Larvae were identified by morphological features and molecular tools. Post-mortem migration was observed in fillets stored at 0 and 4°C after three and five days, respectively, but not at 22 and -18°C. In case of storage at 22°C for two days, at the onset of putrefaction of the visceral organs, larvae migrated out of the visceral cavity towards the fish surface. Measured pH and biogenic amine profile during storage indicated that certain biochemical conditions trigger larval migration into fillets. Likewise, migration was observed at pH ~6.4 when sensory degradation of the fish was markedly visible. Although larval migration was delayed for approximately four days at a temperature of <4°C the correlation between pH and abundance of A. pegreffii larvae in the fillet was high and statistically significant at both 0 (r=0.998, p<0.01) and 4°C (r=0.946, p<0.05). Out of eight biogenic amines measured, cadaverine and putrescine levels correlated the most with the post-mortem migration at 4°C, while tyramine levels were significant at both temperatures. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Comparison of the post-mortem interval on the effect of vascular responses to the activation of ionotropic and metabotropic receptors.

PubMed

Bloch-Bogusławska, Elżbieta; Grześk, Elżbieta; Grześk, Grzegorz

2015-03-01

The contractibility of blood vessels depends on their normal structure and the availability of calcium ions; it changes under the influence of numerous contracting and relaxing factors, which control the activities of various pathways of intracellular and intercellular signaling. The main aim of the study was to investigate, by means of perfusion pressure in rat tail arteries, the role of Ca 2+ in vascular response to α-1 adrenoceptor activation by phenylephrine (PHE) and Bay K8644 agonist of the L-type calcium channel and caffeine before and after a post-mortem interval (PMI) of 2, 4, 6 and 8 h. A phasic increase of perfusion pressure in rat tail arteries, as induced by PHE or caffeine, in Ca 2+ -free solutions was used as an indicator of intracellular Ca 2+ release through the inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate and ryanodine receptor pathways, respectively. In Ca 2+ -free-ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid (EGTA)-poly(sodium styrenesulfonate) (PSS) and in Ca 2+ -EGTA-PSS, the PHE induced elevation of perfusion pressure significantly decreased. Vascular responses to caffeine (20 mmol/1) in Ca 2+ -free-EGTA-PSS, with an increase of PMI from 2-8 h, did not change significantly. A similar effect was observed with vascular responses to KCl 40 mmol/1 in Ca 2+ -EGTA-PSS. To confirm whether the inhibitory effect of 2, 4, 6 and 8 h PMI was mediated through the formation of NO, nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA), a potent NO synthase inhibitor, was used. Exposure to L-NNA (10 -5 M) blocked the inhibition induced by an increase of PMI. The blocked effects of L-NNA were reversed by L-arginine (10 -4 M). In conclusion, these patterns of change in artery responses provide insight into the post-mortem change in the receptor-mediated signaling components in epithelial and smooth muscle cells, and support the further study of post-mortem vascular responses triggered by G protein-coupled receptors (metabotropic) and channel-linked receptors (ionotropic) as potential markers for estimating short and long-term PMIs, respectively.

Unraveling proteome changes of Holstein beef M. semitendinosus and its relationship to meat discoloration during post-mortem storage analyzed by label-free mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Yu, Qianqian; Wu, Wei; Tian, Xiaojing; Hou, Man; Dai, Ruitong; Li, Xingmin

2017-02-10

Label-free proteomics was applied to characterize the effect of post-mortem storage time (0, 4, and 9days at 4°C±1°C) on the proteome changes of M. semitendinosus (SM) in Holstein cattle, and correlations between differentially abundant proteins and meat color traits were investigated. The redness (a*) value decreased significantly (P<0.05) during post-mortem storage, meanwhile, the relative proportion of metmyoglobin increased significantly (P<0.05) from 16.99% at day 0 to 40.26% at day 9. A total of 118 proteins with significant changes (fold change>1.5, P<0.05) was identified by comparisons of day 4 vs. day 0, day 9 vs. day 0, and day 9 vs. day 4. Principal component and hierarchical cluster analyses of these proteins were performed, and results exhibited clear distinctions among samples from different storage times. Eighteen differentially abundant proteins were correlated closely with the a* value of meat. Bioinformatics analyses revealed that most of these proteins were involved in glycolysis and energy metabolism, electron-transfer processes, and the antioxidation function, which implied an underlying connection between meat discoloration and these biological processes. It is always a challenge for scientists to improve the stability of meat color during post-mortem storage and retail display. However, the mechanism involved in meat discoloration has not been unraveled completely, and the application of label-free proteomics in studying meat discoloration has not been reported. Our work discovers some key proteins in SM muscle of Holstein cattle that were correlated with a* value of meat via label-free proteomics. Bioinformatics analyses revealed that some of these differentially abundant proteins were involved in glycolysis and energy metabolism, electron-transfer processes, and the antioxidation function, which implied an underlying connection between meat discoloration and these biological processes. These results provide the theoretic basis on understanding of complicated biochemical changes and underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for meat discoloration. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

[Tuberculosis in cattle - surprisingly re-emerging or continuously present?].

PubMed

Moser, I; Köhler, H; Menge, C

2014-01-01

Tuberculosis in cattle, caused by Mycobacterium (M.) bovis/M. caprae, is globally one of the most important zoonotic diseases in cattle. It was widespread in Germany until the second half of the 20th century. Due to the effective control and eradication campaigns in Germany, the epidemic was almost eradicated. Consequently, Germany was regarded as essentially tuberculosis free since the end of 1961 (West) and the end of 1978 (East). By declaring the unified Germany "officially free of tuberculosis" (OTF) in 1996, freedom from tuberculosis was officially ratified by the European Commission. The prerequisite was the detection of tuberculosis in less than 0.1% of the cattle holdings per year in Germany. This status has been steadily maintained hitherto, thus resulting in some loss of awareness of bovine tuberculosis by veterinarians, farmers and the public over many decades. After 1996, the number of notified outbreaks had been on average less than 10 per 200,000 cattle holdings per year for many years. It was the year 2008 when the numbers increased. Based in part on subsequently enhanced ante mortem testing efforts, 46 outbreaks were notified in 2013. Bavaria and Lower Saxony were the federal states with the highest number of cases. Consequently, the national tuberculosis regulation was revised in 2009, 2012 and 2013 to form the basis for a modification of tuberculosis surveillance. Regionally, an improvement of the control strategy was considered necessary. In addition to the traditionally applied examination and detection methods of the tuberculin skin test (ante mortem) and bacteriological culture (post mortem), the gamma-interferon-release assay (ante mortem) and the molecular detection of the causative pathogen (post mortem) were introduced into the official collection of recommended methods. Consequently, the diagnostic procedure of tuberculosis has been accelerated. However, in many cases the increase in the range of available test systems did not increase the ease in the interpretation of results.

The Root Cause of Post-traumatic and Developmental Stress Disorder, Phase 2

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-10-01

have tested and validated. Project 2 will investigate post -mortem anatomy in subjects with major depression and/or PTSD. Both molecular and...Award Number: W81XWH-11-2-0166 TITLE: The Root Cause of Post -traumatic and Developmental Stress Disorder, Phase II PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Keith...construed as an official Department of the Army position, policy or decision unless so designated by other documentation. REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE

9 CFR 312.8 - Official export inspection marks, devices, and certificates.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AGENCY ORGANIZATION AND TERMINOLOGY; MANDATORY MEAT AND POULTRY... post-mortem inspection and were found sound and healthy and that it has been inspected and passed as...

9 CFR 312.8 - Official export inspection marks, devices, and certificates.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AGENCY ORGANIZATION AND TERMINOLOGY; MANDATORY MEAT AND POULTRY... post-mortem inspection and were found sound and healthy and that it has been inspected and passed as...

Small airways function in aluminium and stainless steel welders.

PubMed

Nielsen, J; Dahlqvist, M; Welinder, H; Thomassen, Y; Alexandersson, R; Skerfving, S

1993-01-01

The effect of welding fumes on small airways was studied in 25 male subjects who welded in aluminium (Al) and to some extent also in stainless steel (SS). Despite a low exposure to welding fumes as compared to the permissible exposure limits, excretion of Al in urine was found to be increased in all subjects (median value: 0.29 mmol/mol creatinine on Friday afternoon, as compared to an upper reference level of 0.10 mmol/mol creatinine). In addition, the welders displayed increased prevalences of work-related eye and airways (pharyngitis and non-specific bronchial hyperreactivity) symptoms, as compared to 25 matched controls. Short-term welders (< or = 2.5 years) had more symptoms related to the upper airways than did long-term welders, which may indicate a selection. Spirometry, closing volume and volume of trapped gas (VTG) did not deviate. However, after methacholine inhalation, the long-term welders had a significantly steeper slope of the alveolar plateau on the single-breath nitrogen wash-out test, and a slight increase in VTG, as compared to the short-term welders and the controls. These findings may indicate a welding fume-induced increase in the reactivity of the small airways. Because Al welding was far more frequent than SS welding, an association with the former seems likely.

Back to the Future - Part 2. Post-mortem assessment and evolutionary role of the bio-medicolegal sciences.

PubMed

Ferrara, Santo Davide; Cecchetto, Giovanni; Cecchi, Rossana; Favretto, Donata; Grabherr, Silke; Ishikawa, Takaki; Kondo, Toshikazu; Montisci, Massimo; Pfeiffer, Heidi; Bonati, Maurizio Rippa; Shokry, Dina; Vennemann, Marielle; Bajanowski, Thomas

2017-07-01

Part 2 of the review "Back to the Future" is dedicated to the evolutionary role of the bio-medicolegal sciences, reporting the historical profiles, the state of the art, and prospects for future development of the main related techniques and methods of the ancillary disciplines that have risen to the role of "autonomous" sciences, namely, Genetics and Genomics, Toxicology, Radiology, and Imaging, involved in historic synergy in the "post-mortem assessment," together with the mother discipline Legal Medicine, by way of its primary fundament, universally denominated as Forensic Pathology. The evolution of the scientific research and the increased accuracy of the various disciplines will be oriented towards the elaboration of an "algorithm," able to weigh the value of "evidence" placed at the disposal of the "justice system" as real truth and proof.

Fatal air embolism during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): An 'impossible' diagnosis for the forensic pathologist.

PubMed

Marchesi, Matteo; Battistini, Alessio; Pellegrinelli, Moira; Gentile, Guendalina; Zoja, Riccardo

2016-01-01

Fatal air embolism related to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is a very rare phenomenon. The authors describe the case of a 51-year-old female patient who developed this mortal complication; a computed tomography (CT) examination was performed in articulo mortis by the physicians. Autopsy was unreliable because of bizarre post-mortem changes (reabsorption of intra-cardiac gas vs. conservation of intra-cranial gas) and a lack of strong diagnostic value of histological findings. The right diagnosis was possible thanks only to the CT examination that permitted the assumption of this possible cause of death before the autopsy and to prepare the necessary procedures to recognise and probe air embolism. This case exemplifies how early post-mortem imaging can be crucial to avoid a wrong diagnosis. © The Author(s) 2015.

Neoplasia in Three Aye-Ayes (Daubentonia madagascariensis).

PubMed

Rodriguez Barbon, A; Cowen, R; Knott, C; Hughes, K; Allinson, K; Williams, C V; Routh, A

2018-02-01

Tumours diagnosed in three aged captive aye-ayes (Daubentonia madagascariensis), held in two different institutions, are described. A cerebral glioblastoma was diagnosed based on histological and immunohistochemical findings in one of the animals following initial presentation with bilateral mydriasis, absent pupillary reflex, head tilt and ataxia. A second animal was humanely destroyed due to impaired locomotion associated with spondylosis and a post-mortem diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma was made based on histology with further confirmation with immunohistochemical labelling for cytokeratin 7. A third aye-aye suffering from dental disease was diagnosed with an oral squamous cell carcinoma following an excisional biopsy from a non-healing wound in the lip. Due to progression of the neoplasia the animal was humanely destroyed and post-mortem examination revealed the presence on an additional unilateral phaeochromocytoma. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Assessment of the bacterial impact on the post-mortem formation of zinc protoporphyrin IX in pork meat.

PubMed

Ghadiri Khozroughi, Amin; Kroh, Lothar W; Schlüter, Oliver; Rawel, Harshadrai

2018-08-01

The post-mortem accumulation of the heme biosynthesis metabolite zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP) in porcine muscle is associated with both a meat-inherent and a bacterial enzymatic reaction during meat storage. To estimate the bacterial impact on ZnPP formation, meat and meat-like media were investigated by HPLC-FLD (and MALDI-TOF-MS) after inoculation with a representative microorganism (P. fluorescens). Results indicate the principal ability of meat-inherent bacteria to form ZnPP in meat extracts and meat-like media, but not on the meat muscle. Thus it was concluded that the ZnPP formation in meat is due to a meat-inherent enzymatic reaction induced by porcine ferrochelatase (FECH), while the bacterial (FECH) induced reaction seems to be not significant. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Metabolomics and neuroanatomical evaluation of post-mortem changes in the hippocampus.

PubMed

Gonzalez-Riano, Carolina; Tapia-González, Silvia; García, Antonia; Muñoz, Alberto; DeFelipe, Javier; Barbas, Coral

2017-08-01

Understanding the human brain is the ultimate goal in neuroscience, but this is extremely challenging in part due to the fact that brain tissue obtained from autopsy is practically the only source of normal brain tissue and also since changes at different levels of biological organization (genetic, molecular, biochemical, anatomical) occur after death due to multiple mechanisms. Here we used metabolomic and anatomical techniques to study the possible relationship between post-mortem time (PT)-induced changes that may occur at both the metabolomics and anatomical levels in the same brains. Our experiments have mainly focused on the hippocampus of the mouse. We found significant metabolomic changes at 2 h PT, whereas the integrity of neurons and glia, at the anatomical/ neurochemical level, was not significantly altered during the first 5 h PT for the majority of histological markers.

Post-mortem immunodiagnosis of scrapie and bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

PubMed

Farquhar, C F; Somerville, R A; Ritchie, L A

1989-01-01

Two polyclonal antisera were raised in rabbits against the scrapie-associated fibril protein (PrP) prepared from sheep and mice which were terminally infected with experimental scrapie. The anti-mouse PrP serum identifies the proteins of scrapie-associated fibrils (SAF) from all the host species studied (mouse, hamster, sheep and goat) and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) fibrils from cow. The anti-sheep PrP serum displays species restricted immunoreactivity. While it identifies several PrP polypeptides from terminally affected sheep, goat and cow material, only the highest molecular weight band is recognised from hamster and there is no detection of mouse PrP. The use of these antisera in routine laboratory testing at post mortem provides a highly sensitive test for scrapie and BSE and may allow the identification of infected animals prior to the onset of clinical signs.

Isolating Viral and Host RNA Sequences from Archival Material and Production of cDNA Libraries for High-Throughput DNA Sequencing

PubMed Central

Xiao, Yongli; Sheng, Zong-Mei; Taubenberger, Jeffery K.

2015-01-01

The vast majority of surgical biopsy and post-mortem tissue samples are formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE), but this process leads to RNA degradation that limits gene expression analysis. As an example, the viral RNA genome of the 1918 pandemic influenza A virus was previously determined in a 9-year effort by overlapping RT-PCR from post-mortem samples. Using the protocols described here, the full genome of the 1918 virus at high coverage was determined in one high-throughput sequencing run of a cDNA library derived from total RNA of a 1918 FFPE sample after duplex-specific nuclease treatments. This basic methodological approach should assist in the analysis of FFPE tissue samples isolated over the past century from a variety of infectious diseases. PMID:26344216

The influence of low temperature, type of muscle and electrical stimulation on the course of rigor mortis, ageing and tenderness of beef muscles.

PubMed

Olsson, U; Hertzman, C; Tornberg, E

1994-01-01

The course of rigor mortis, ageing and tenderness have been evaluated for two beef muscles, M. semimembranosus (SM) and M. longissimus dorsi (LD), when entering rigor at constant temperatures in the cold-shortening region (1, 4, 7 and 10°C). The influence of electrical stimulation (ES) was also examined. Post-mortem changes were registered by shortening and isometric tension and by following the decline of pH, ATP and creatine phosphate. The effect of ageing on tenderness was recorded by measuring shear-force (2, 8 and 15 days post mortem) and the sensory properties were assessed 15 days post mortem. It was found that shortening increased with decreasing temperature, resulting in decreased tenderness. Tenderness for LD, but not for SM, was improved by ES at 1 and 4°C, whereas ES did not give rise to any decrease in the degree of shortening during rigor mortis development. This suggests that ES influences tenderization more than it prevents cold-shortening. The samples with a pre-rigor mortis temperature of 1°C could not be tenderized, when stored up to 15 days, whereas this was the case for the muscles entering rigor mortis at the other higher temperatures. The results show that under the conditions used in this study, the course of rigor mortis is more important for the ultimate tenderness than the course of ageing. Copyright © 1994. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Different Statistical Approaches to Investigate Porcine Muscle Metabolome Profiles to Highlight New Biomarkers for Pork Quality Assessment

PubMed Central

Welzenbach, Julia; Neuhoff, Christiane; Looft, Christian; Schellander, Karl; Tholen, Ernst; Große-Brinkhaus, Christine

2016-01-01

The aim of this study was to elucidate the underlying biochemical processes to identify potential key molecules of meat quality traits drip loss, pH of meat 1 h post-mortem (pH1), pH in meat 24 h post-mortem (pH24) and meat color. An untargeted metabolomics approach detected the profiles of 393 annotated and 1,600 unknown metabolites in 97 Duroc × Pietrain pigs. Despite obvious differences regarding the statistical approaches, the four applied methods, namely correlation analysis, principal component analysis, weighted network analysis (WNA) and random forest regression (RFR), revealed mainly concordant results. Our findings lead to the conclusion that meat quality traits pH1, pH24 and color are strongly influenced by processes of post-mortem energy metabolism like glycolysis and pentose phosphate pathway, whereas drip loss is significantly associated with metabolites of lipid metabolism. In case of drip loss, RFR was the most suitable method to identify reliable biomarkers and to predict the phenotype based on metabolites. On the other hand, WNA provides the best parameters to investigate the metabolite interactions and to clarify the complex molecular background of meat quality traits. In summary, it was possible to attain findings on the interaction of meat quality traits and their underlying biochemical processes. The detected key metabolites might be better indicators of meat quality especially of drip loss than the measured phenotype itself and potentially might be used as bio indicators. PMID:26919205

Survival and re-operation rates after neurosurgical procedures in Scotland: implications for targeted surveillance of sub-clinical variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

PubMed

Bird, Sheila M; Merrall, Elizabeth L C; Ward, Hester J T; Will, Robert G

2009-01-01

To assess the feasibility of post-mortem surveillance for subclinical variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) at least 5 years after neurosurgical procedures. Using Scottish record linkage, we estimated 5-year survival and re-operation rates after 4 neurosurgical procedures performed during 1993-2001 and identified as high or medium risk for transmitting vCJD: [B] drainage of extra- or subdural haematoma, [E] primary or revisional decompression operations and [H] creation of other ventricular shunts were classified as high risk; [C] operations on cerebral aneurysm (clipping) were classified as medium risk. Fatality rate at 1 year depended strongly on procedure, weakly or not at all on sex and era, and increased with age. Procedure rates differed by sex. The rate of subsequent neurosurgical operations was highest for procedure [H] (sole: 21%; multiple: 28%). Each year, the UK has a new cohort of some 5,000 5-year survivors after a high- or medium-risk neurosurgical procedure, whose subsequent annual mortality is at least 3%. Even if half the surviving 5-year survivors of neurosurgery since 1996 gave consent-in-life for vCJD-informative testing at post-mortem, there would be too few relevant post-mortems in 2008-2010 (around 1,600) for 'nil detections' to exclude a 1 in 1,000 subclinical vCJD rate. Autopsy surveillance beyond 2010, or among 5-year survivors of non-neurosurgical at-risk operations, would be needed. (c) 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Burned bodies: post-mortem computed tomography, an essential tool for modern forensic medicine.

PubMed

Coty, J-B; Nedelcu, C; Yahya, S; Dupont, V; Rougé-Maillart, C; Verschoore, M; Ridereau Zins, C; Aubé, C

2018-06-07

Currently, post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) has become an accessible and contemporary tool for forensic investigations. In the case of burn victims, it provides specific semiologies requiring a prudent understanding to differentiate between the normal post-mortem changes from heat-related changes. The aim of this pictorial essay is to provide to the radiologist the keys to establish complete and focused reports in cases of PMCT of burn victims. Thus, the radiologist must discern all the contextual divergences with the forensic history, and must be able to report all the relevant elements to answer to the forensic pathologist the following questions: Are there tomographic features that could help to identify the victim? Is there evidence of remains of biological fluids in liquid form available for toxicological analysis and DNA sampling? Is there another obvious cause of death than heat-related lesions, especially metallic foreign bodies of ballistic origin? Finally, what are the characteristic burn-related injuries seen on the corpse that should be sought during the autopsy? • CT is highly useful to find features permitting the identification of a severely burned body. • PMCT is a major asset in gunshot injuries to depict ballistic foreign bodies in the burned cadavers. • CT is able to recognise accessible blood for tests versus heat clot (air-crescent sign). • Heat-related fractures are easily differentiated from traumatic fractures. • Epidural collections with a subdural appearance are typical heat-related head lesions.

Ethical considerations in forensic genetics research on tissue samples collected post-mortem in Cape Town, South Africa.

PubMed

Heathfield, Laura J; Maistry, Sairita; Martin, Lorna J; Ramesar, Raj; de Vries, Jantina

2017-11-29

The use of tissue collected at a forensic post-mortem for forensic genetics research purposes remains of ethical concern as the process involves obtaining informed consent from grieving family members. Two forensic genetics research studies using tissue collected from a forensic post-mortem were recently initiated at our institution and were the first of their kind to be conducted in Cape Town, South Africa. This article discusses some of the ethical challenges that were encountered in these research projects. Among these challenges was the adaptation of research workflows to fit in with an exceptionally busy service delivery that is operating with limited resources. Whilst seeking guidance from the literature regarding research on deceased populations, it was noted that next of kin of decedents are not formally recognised as a vulnerable group in the existing ethical and legal frameworks in South Africa. The authors recommend that research in the forensic mortuary setting is approached using guidance for vulnerable groups, and the benefit to risk standard needs to be strongly justified. Lastly, when planning forensic genetics research, consideration must be given to the potential of uncovering incidental findings, funding to validate these findings and the feedback of results to family members; the latter of which is recommended to occur through a genetic counsellor. It is hoped that these experiences will contribute towards a formal framework for conducting forensic genetic research in medico-legal mortuaries in South Africa.

Essentials of forensic post-mortem MR imaging in adults.

PubMed

Ruder, T D; Thali, M J; Hatch, G M

2014-04-01

Post-mortem MR (PMMR) imaging is a powerful diagnostic tool with a wide scope in forensic radiology. In the past 20 years, PMMR has been used as both an adjunct and an alternative to autopsy. The role of PMMR in forensic death investigations largely depends on the rules and habits of local jurisdictions, availability of experts, financial resources, and individual case circumstances. PMMR images are affected by post-mortem changes, including position-dependent sedimentation, variable body temperature and decomposition. Investigators must be familiar with the appearance of normal findings on PMMR to distinguish them from disease or injury. Coronal whole-body images provide a comprehensive overview. Notably, short tau inversion-recovery (STIR) images enable investigators to screen for pathological fluid accumulation, to which we refer as "forensic sentinel sign". If scan time is short, subsequent PMMR imaging may be focussed on regions with a positive forensic sentinel sign. PMMR offers excellent anatomical detail and is especially useful to visualize pathologies of the brain, heart, subcutaneous fat tissue and abdominal organs. PMMR may also be used to document skeletal injury. Cardiovascular imaging is a core area of PMMR imaging and growing evidence indicates that PMMR is able to detect ischaemic injury at an earlier stage than traditional autopsy and routine histology. The aim of this review is to present an overview of normal findings on forensic PMMR, provide general advice on the application of PMMR and summarise the current literature on PMMR imaging of the head and neck, cardiovascular system, abdomen and musculoskeletal system.

A Cross-Sectional Study of the Cardiovascular Effects of Welding Fumes

PubMed Central

Li, Huiqi; Hedmer, Maria; Kåredal, Monica; Björk, Jonas; Stockfelt, Leo; Tinnerberg, Håkan; Albin, Maria; Broberg, Karin

2015-01-01

Objectives Occupational exposure to particulate air pollution has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the risk to welders working today remains unclear. We aimed to elucidate the cardiovascular effects of exposure to welding fumes. Methods In a cross-sectional study, structured interviews and biological sampling were conducted for 101 welders and 127 controls (all non-smoking males) from southern Sweden. Personal breathing zone sampling of respirable dust was performed. Blood pressure (BP) and endothelial function (using peripheral arterial tonometry) were measured. Plasma and serum samples were collected from peripheral blood for measurement of C-reactive protein, low-density lipoprotein, homocysteine, serum amyloid A, and cytokines. Results Welders were exposed to 10-fold higher levels of particles than controls. Welders had significantly higher BP compared to controls, an average of 5 mm Hg higher systolic and diastolic BP (P≤0.001). IL-8 was 3.4 ng/L higher in welders (P=0.010). Years working as a welder were significantly associated with increased BP (β=0.35, 95%CI 0.13 – 0.58, P=0.0024 for systolic BP; β=0.32, 95%CI 0.16 – 0.48, P<0.001 for diastolic BP, adjusted for BMI) but exposure to respirable dust was not associated with BP. No clear associations occurred between welding and endothelial function, or other effect markers. Conclusions A modest increase in BP was found among welders compared to controls suggesting that low-to-moderate exposure to welding fumes remains a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. PMID:26147298

The bioavailability of manganese in welders in relation to its solubility in welding fumes.

PubMed

Ellingsen, Dag G; Zibarev, Evgenij; Kusraeva, Zarina; Berlinger, Balazs; Chashchin, Maxim; Bast-Pettersen, Rita; Chashchin, Valery; Thomassen, Yngvar

2013-02-01

Blood and urine samples for determination of manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) concentrations were collected in a cross-sectional study of 137 currently exposed welders, 137 referents and 34 former welders. Aerosol samples for measurements of personal air exposure to Mn and Fe were also collected. The aerosol samples were assessed for their solubility using a simulated lung lining fluid (Hatch solution). On average 13.8% of the total Mn mass (range 1-49%; N = 237) was soluble (Hatch sol), while only 1.4% (<0.1-10.0%; N = 237) of the total Fe mass was Hatch sol. The welders had statistically significantly higher geometric mean concentrations of Mn in whole blood (B-Mn 12.8 vs. 8.0 μg L (-1)), serum (S-Mn 1.04 vs. 0.77 μg L(-1)) and urine (U-Mn 0.36 vs. 0.07 μg g (-1) cr.) than the referents. Statistically significant univariate correlations were observed between exposure to Hatch sol Mn in the welding aerosol and B-Mn, S-Mn and U-Mn respectively. Pearson's correlation coefficient between mean Hatch sol Mn of two days preceding the collection of biological samples and U-Mn was 0.46 (p < 0.001). The duration of employment as a welder in years was also associated with B-Mn and S-Mn, but not with U-Mn. Statistically significantly higher U-Mn and B-Mn were observed in welders currently exposed to even less than 12 and 6 μg m (-3) Hatchsol Mn, respectively. When using the 95(th) percentile concentration among the referents as a cut-point, 70.0 and 64.5% of the most highly exposed welders exceeded this level with respect to B-Mn and U-Mn. The concentrations of B-Mn, S-Mn and U-Mn were all highly correlated in the welders, but not in the referents.

Biomarker investigations related to pathophysiological pathways in schizophrenia and psychosis

PubMed Central

Chana, Gursharan; Bousman, Chad A.; Money, Tammie T.; Gibbons, Andrew; Gillett, Piers; Dean, Brian; Everall, Ian P.

2013-01-01

Post-mortem brain investigations of schizophrenia have generated swathes of data in the last few decades implicating candidate genes and protein. However, the relation of these findings to peripheral biomarker indicators and symptomatology remain to be elucidated. While biomarkers for disease do not have to be involved with underlying pathophysiology and may be largely indicative of diagnosis or prognosis, the ideal may be a biomarker that is involved in underlying disease processes and which is therefore more likely to change with progression of the illness as well as potentially being more responsive to treatment. One of the main difficulties in conducting biomarker investigations for major psychiatric disorders is the relative inconsistency in clinical diagnoses between disorders such as bipolar and schizophrenia. This has led some researchers to investigate biomarkers associated with core symptoms of these disorders, such as psychosis. The aim of this review is to evaluate the contribution of post-mortem brain investigations to elucidating the pathophysiology pathways involved in schizophrenia and psychosis, with an emphasis on major neurotransmitter systems that have been implicated. This data will then be compared to functional neuroimaging findings as well as findings from blood based gene expression investigations in schizophrenia in order to highlight the relative overlap in pathological processes between these different modalities used to elucidate pathogenesis of schizophrenia. In addition we will cover some recent and exciting findings demonstrating microRNA (miRNA) dysregulation in both the blood and the brain in patients with schizophrenia. These changes are pertinent to the topic due to their known role in post-transcriptional modification of gene expression with the potential to contribute or underlie gene expression changes observed in schizophrenia. Finally, we will discuss how post-mortem studies may aid future biomarker investigations. PMID:23805071

Forensic proteomics for the evaluation of the post-mortem decay in bones.

PubMed

Procopio, Noemi; Williams, Anna; Chamberlain, Andrew T; Buckley, Michael

2018-04-15

Current methods for evaluation the of post-mortem interval (PMI) of skeletal remains suffer from poor accuracy due to the great number of variables that affect the diagenetic process and to the lack of specific guidelines to address this issue. During decomposition, proteins can undergo cumulative decay over the time, resulting in a decrease in the range and abundance of proteins present (i.e., the proteome) in different tissues as well as in an increase of post-translational modifications occurring in these proteins. In this study, we investigate the applicability of bone proteomic analyses to simulated forensic contexts, looking for specific biomarkers that may help the estimation of PMI, as well as evaluate a previously discovered marker for the estimation of biological age. We noticed a reduction of particular plasma and muscle proteins with increasing PMIs, as well as an increased deamidation of biglycan, a protein with a role in modulating bone growth and mineralization. We also corroborated our previous results regarding the use of fetuin-A as a potential biomarker for the estimation of age-at-death, demonstrating the applicability and the great potential that proteomics may have towards forensic sciences. The estimation of the post-mortem interval has a key role in forensic investigations, however nowadays it still suffers from poor reliability, especially when body tissues are heavily decomposed. Here we propose for the first time the application of bone proteomics to the estimation of the time elapsed since death and found several new potential biomarkers to address this, demonstrating the applicability of proteomic analyses to forensic sciences. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Portable Welder

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1984-01-01

A low cost, low power, self-contained portable welding gun designed for joining thermoplastics which become soft when heated and harden when cooled was developed originally by NASA's Langley Research Center for repairing helicopter windshields. Welder has a broad range of applications for joining both thermoplastic materials in the aerospace, automotive, appliance, and construction industries. Welders portability and low power requirement allow its use on-site in any type of climate, with power supplied by a variety of portable sources.

[Problems of occupational rehabilitation in the shipbuilding industry. II. Rehabilitation in a group of ship welders].

PubMed

Sygit, M; Wecławik, Z

1987-01-01

The causes of rehabilitation of welders employed in the Maritime Shipyard in Szczecin have been analysed for the period 1979-1984. The main causes were found to be diseases of the musculo-osseous system (18.9%) and respiratory tract (14.8%). Temporary rehabilitation covered 67.3% of welders (2/3 for respiratory tract diseases), whereas permanent rehabilitation--23.5% (2/3 for musculo-osseous diseases).

[Respiratory function evaluation in welders taking into account tecnological evolution of individual protection dispositive and risk specific information].

PubMed

Boggia, B; Graziuso, G; Carbone, U

2011-01-01

Aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of specific information program on DPI use on the functional respiratory parameters in a group of 15 welders compared with 18 welders not included in the program and 18 workers of industrial sector. Spirometryc parameters were recorded and compared and the results pointed out a significant increase of FEV1 and FVC in the study group compared with welder out of the study while no difference were observed between study group and workers of industrial sector. Results shown that the correct use of DPI could reduce the effects of welding fumes on respiratory tract making these effects equal to the exposure to industrial dusts.

14. VIEW IN THE WEST OPERATING GALLERY OF POSTMORTEM CELL ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

14. VIEW IN THE WEST OPERATING GALLERY OF POST-MORTEM CELL WORK STATION AND MANIPULATOR ARMS. - Nevada Test Site, Engine Maintenance Assembly & Disassembly Facility, Area 25, Jackass Flats, Mercury, Nye County, NV

Spino-Cerebellar Degeneration, Hormonal Disorder, Hypogonadism, Deaf Mutism and Mental Deficiency

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sylvester, P. E.

1972-01-01

Post mortem examinations were done on two adult siblings (one female and one male) who had been clinically described as suffering from mental handicap, deaf mutism, ataxia, hypogonadism, and hormonal disorders. (DB)

Ante mortem identification of BSE from serum using infrared spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schmitt, Jürgen; Lasch, Peter; Beekes, Michael; Udelhoven, Thomas; Eiden, Michael; Fabian, Heinz; Petrich, Wolfgang H.; Naumann, Dieter

2004-07-01

In our former studies a diagnostic approach for the detection of transmissible spongiform encephalopaties (TSE) based on FT-IR spectroscopy in combination with artificial neural networks was described, based on a controlled animal study with terminally ill Syrian hamsters and control animals. As a consequence of the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) crisis in Europe, the development of a disgnostic ante mortem test for cattle has become a matter of great scientific importance and public interest. Since 1986 more than 180,000 clinical cases of BSE have been observed in the UK alone. Most of these cases were confirmed by post mortem examination of brain tissue. However, BSE-related risk assessment and risk-management would greatly benefit from ante mortem testing on living animals. For example, a serum-based test could allow for screening of the cattle population, thus, even a BSE eradication program would be conceivable. Here we report on a novel method for ante mortem BSE testing, which combines infrared spectroscopy of serum samples with multivariate pattern recognition analysis. A classification algorithm was trained using infrared spectra of sera from more than 800 animals from a field study (including BSE positive, healthy controls and animals suffering from viral or bacterial infections). In two validation studies sensitivities of 85% and 87% and specificities of 84% and 91% were achieved, respectively. The combination of classification algorithms increased sensitivity and specificity to 96% and 92%, respectively.

Food safety concerns regarding paratuberculosis.

PubMed

Collins, Michael T

2011-11-01

Both ante mortem and post mortem contamination of foods of animal origin commonly occurs. Food manufacturing practices fail to reliably kill Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) due to its innate resistance to heat and other physical factors. While medical science does not agree on the human health consequences of MAP exposure, this potentially zoonotic pathogen is found in a significant proportion of people with a disease bearing marked similarity to Johne’s disease (ie, Crohn’s disease). Control of MAP infections in farm animals to mitigate the risk of human exposure is one additional reason for on-farm measures to control Johne’s disease.

Interspecies Scaling in Blast Neurotrauma

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-08-27

shows increased force magnitude with similar relaxation form. ............................ 123 Figure 5-7: Relaxation test behavior for L1, Post L2...and Post L3 tests to assess progressive changes in material behavior for a) Mouse, b) Ferret, and c) Pig show changes in tissue behavior after higher...characterizations. Testing of brain tissue in vivo (in a living animal) or in situ (in a post -mortem intact skull) holds advantages of the common in vitro

Antipilferage Seal User’s Guide

DTIC Science & Technology

1997-10-01

seal is properly installed, ensure that there is no free play between the seal body and the wire. Verify and record the serial number. During post...and Record - Once the seal is properly installed, ensure that there is no free play between the seal body and the wire. During post-mortem...seal is properly installed, ensure that there is no free play between the seal body and the wire. Verify and record the serial number. During post

Decompression vs. Decomposition: Distribution, Amount, and Gas Composition of Bubbles in Stranded Marine Mammals

PubMed Central

de Quirós, Yara Bernaldo; González-Diaz, Oscar; Arbelo, Manuel; Sierra, Eva; Sacchini, Simona; Fernández, Antonio

2012-01-01

Gas embolic lesions linked to military sonar have been described in stranded cetaceans including beaked whales. These descriptions suggest that gas bubbles in marine mammal tissues may be more common than previously thought. In this study we have analyzed gas amount (by gas score) and gas composition within different decomposition codes using a standardized methodology. This broad study has allowed us to explore species-specific variability in bubble prevalence, amount, distribution, and composition, as well as masking of bubble content by putrefaction gases. Bubbles detected within the cardiovascular system and other tissues related to both pre- and port-mortem processes are a common finding on necropsy of stranded cetaceans. To minimize masking by putrefaction gases, necropsy, and gas sampling must be performed as soon as possible. Before 24 h post mortem is recommended but preferably within 12 h post mortem. At necropsy, amount of bubbles (gas score) in decomposition code 2 in stranded cetaceans was found to be more important than merely presence vs. absence of bubbles from a pathological point of view. Deep divers presented higher abundance of gas bubbles, mainly composed of 70% nitrogen and 30% CO2, suggesting a higher predisposition of these species to suffer from decompression-related gas embolism. PMID:22675306

Exposure to respirable dust and manganese and prevalence of airways symptoms, among Swedish mild steel welders in the manufacturing industry.

PubMed

Hedmer, Maria; Karlsson, Jan-Eric; Andersson, Ulla; Jacobsson, Helene; Nielsen, Jörn; Tinnerberg, Håkan

2014-08-01

Welding fume consists of metal fumes, e.g., manganese (Mn) and gases, e.g., ozone. Particles in the respirable dust (RD) size range dominate. Exposure to welding fume could cause short- and long-term respiratory effects. The prevalence of work-related symptoms among mild steel welders was studied, and the occupational exposure to welding fumes was quantified by repeated measurements of RD, respirable Mn, and ozone. Also the variance components were studied. A questionnaire concerning airway symptoms and occupational history was answered by 79% of a cohort of 484 welders. A group of welders (N = 108) were selected and surveyed by personal exposure measurements of RD and ozone three times during 1 year. The welders had a high frequency of work-related symptoms, e.g., stuffy nose (33%), ocular symptoms (28%), and dry cough (24%). The geometric mean exposure to RD and respirable Mn was 1.3 mg/m(3) (min-max 0.1-38.3 mg/m(3)) and 0.08 mg/m(3) (min-max <0.01-2.13 mg/m(3)), respectively. More than 50% of the Mn concentrations exceeded the Swedish occupational exposure limit (OEL). Mainly, low concentrations of ozone were measured, but 2% of the samples exceeded the OEL. Of the total variance for RD, 30 and 33% can be attributed to within-worker variability and between-company variability, respectively. Welders had a high prevalence of work-related symptom from the airways and eyes. The welders' exposure to Mn was unacceptably high. To reduce the exposure further, control measures in the welding workshops are needed. Correct use of general mechanical ventilation and local exhaust ventilation can, for example, efficiently reduce the exposure.

Assessment of occupational exposure to welding fumes by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy and by the alkaline Comet assay.

PubMed

Botta, Céline; Iarmarcovai, Gwenaëlle; Chaspoul, Florence; Sari-Minodier, Irène; Pompili, Jocelyne; Orsière, Thierry; Bergé-Lefranc, Jean-Louis; Botta, Alain; Gallice, Philippe; De Méo, Michel

2006-05-01

Welding fumes are classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. In the current study, blood and urine concentrations of aluminum (Al), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) were monitored by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in 30 welders and in 22 controls. In addition, DNA damage was examined in the lymphocytes of these subjects by the alkaline Comet assay. Two biological samples were taken from the welders at the beginning (BW) and at the end (EW) of a work week. In controls, collection of samples was limited to BW. Blood concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, and Pb were higher in the welders than in the control group while higher concentrations of Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, and Pb were detected in welder urines. There was no significant difference in the metal concentrations for the BW and EW welder samples. Increased levels of DNA damage were found in lymphocytes from welders as compared to the controls, and 20/30 welders had higher levels of DNA lesions in the EW than in the BW samples. Age had a significant effect on DNA damage in the control group. Spearman's rank correlation analysis indicated that there were positive correlations between blood concentrations of Al, Co, Ni, and Pb and the levels of DNA damage. A negative correlation was found between DNA damage and Mn in blood, while there was a positive correlation between urinary Mn concentration and DNA damage. These data indicate that occupational exposure to welding fumes increases DNA damage in lymphocytes. Copyright (c) 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Acute respiratory effects and biomarkers of inflammation due to welding-derived nanoparticle aggregates.

PubMed

Dierschke, Katrin; Isaxon, Christina; Andersson, Ulla B K; Assarsson, Eva; Axmon, Anna; Stockfelt, Leo; Gudmundsson, Anders; Jönsson, Bo A G; Kåredal, Monica; Löndahl, Jakob; Pagels, Joakim; Wierzbicka, Aneta; Bohgard, Mats; Nielsen, Jörn

2017-07-01

Welders are exposed to airborne particles from the welding environment and often develop symptoms work-related from the airways. A large fraction of the particles from welding are in the nano-size range. In this study we investigate if the welders' airways are affected by exposure to particles derived from gas metal arc welding in mild steel in levels corresponding to a normal welding day. In an exposure chamber, 11 welders with and 10 welders without work-related symptoms from the lower airways and 11 non-welders without symptoms, were exposed to welding fumes (1 mg/m 3 ) and to filtered air, respectively, in a double-blind manner. Symptoms from eyes and upper and lower airways and lung function were registered. Blood and nasal lavage (NL) were sampled before, immediately after and the morning after exposure for analysis of markers of oxidative stress. Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) for analysis of leukotriene B4 (LT-B4) was sampled before, during and immediately after exposure. No adverse effects of welding exposure were found regarding symptoms and lung function. However, EBC LT-B4 decreased significantly in all participants after welding exposure compared to filtered air. NL IL-6 increased immediately after exposure in the two non-symptomatic groups and blood neutrophils tended to increase in the symptomatic welder group. The morning after, neutrophils and serum IL-8 had decreased in all three groups after welding exposure. Remarkably, the symptomatic welder group had a tenfold higher level of EBC LT-B4 compared to the two groups without symptoms. Despite no clinical adverse effects at welding, changes in inflammatory markers may indicate subclinical effects even at exposure below the present Swedish threshold limit (8 h TWA respirable dust).

State-of-the-science review: Does manganese exposure during welding pose a neurological risk?

PubMed

Santamaria, Annette B; Cushing, Colleen A; Antonini, James M; Finley, Brent L; Mowat, Fionna S

2007-01-01

Recent studies report that exposure to manganese (Mn), an essential component of welding electrodes and some steels, results in neurotoxicity and/or Parkinson's disease (PD) in welders. This "state-of-the-science" review presents a critical analysis of the published studies that were conducted on a variety of Mn-exposed occupational cohorts during the last 100 yr, as well as the regulatory history of Mn and welding fumes. Welders often perform a variety of different tasks with varying degrees of duration and ventilation, and hence, to accurately assess Mn exposures that occurred in occupational settings, some specific information on the historical work patterns of welders is desirable. This review includes a discussion of the types of exposures that occur during the welding process--for which limited information relating airborne Mn levels with specific welding activities exists--and the human health studies evaluating neurological effects in welders and other Mn-exposed cohorts, including miners, millers, and battery workers. Findings and implications of studies specifically conducted to evaluate neurobehavioral effects and the prevalence of PD in welders are also discussed. Existing exposure data indicate that, in general, Mn exposures in welders are less than those associated with the reports of clinical neurotoxicity (e.g., "manganism") in miners and smelter workers. It was also found that although manganism was observed in highly exposed workers, the scant exposure-response data available for welders do not support a conclusion that welding is associated with clinical neurotoxicity. The available data might support the development of reasonable "worst-case" exposure estimates for most welding activities, and suggest that exposure simulation studies would significantly refine such estimates. Our review ends with a discussion of the data gaps and areas for future research.

Pulse magnetic welder

DOEpatents

Christiansen, D.W.; Brown, W.F.

1984-01-01

A welder is described for automated closure of fuel pins by a pulsed magnetic process in which the open end of a length of cladding is positioned within a complementary tube surrounded by a pulsed magnetic welder. Seals are provided at each end of the tube, which can be evacuated or can receive tag gas for direct introduction to the cladding interior. Loading of magnetic rings and end caps is accomplished automatically in conjunction with the welding steps carried out within the tube.

A clinical assessment of the anterior eye in arc welders.

PubMed

Doughty, Michael J; Oblak, Emil

2005-11-01

Corneal irradiation with high doses of ultraviolet-B (UVB) has been shown to damage the corneal endothelium in animals. Human occupational exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) in welding is considered a risk for endothelial damage but the evidence for such an effect is limited. External eye photographs and non-contact specular micrographs (Topcon SP2000-P) were obtained from 102 white males aged between 32 and 62 years, 51 being arc welders (with 24 +/- 7 years experience) and 51 office workers. Most welders reported repeated occupational exposure to UVR (that is, welder's 'flashes'). Welders reported a higher level of ocular symptoms and a higher prevalence of pingueculae (47 versus 12 per cent), but only one case with pterygium. The average endothelial cell areas were the same in welders and office workers (398 +/- 55 microm(2) versus 400 +/- 56 microm(2); p = 0.868) as were the endothelial cell density (ECD) values (2,555 +/- 342 cells/mm(2) versus 2,541 +/- 308 cells/mm(2); p = 0.825). ECD decreased with years of welding experience (p < 0.01) but not faster than the decrease in ECD due to age. Repeated occupational ultraviolet radiation exposure through welding is not associated with any obvious differences in the corneal endothelium. No differences were observed in either ECD or cell polymegethism. Despite the periodic welding flashes, the exposure levels are below those needed to cause damage to the corneal endothelium.

Impact of different welding techniques on biological effect markers in exhaled breath condensate of 58 mild steel welders.

PubMed

Hoffmeyer, Frank; Raulf-Heimsoth, Monika; Lehnert, Martin; Kendzia, Benjamin; Bernard, Sabine; Berresheim, Hans; Düser, Maria; Henry, Jana; Weiss, Tobias; Koch, Holger M; Pesch, Beate; Brüning, Thomas

2012-01-01

Total mass and composition of welding fumes are predominantly dependent on the welding technique and welding wire applied. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of welding techniques on biological effect markers in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) of 58 healthy welders. The welding techniques applied were gas metal arc welding with solid wire (GMAW) (n=29) or flux cored wire (FCAW) (n=29). Welding fume particles were collected with personal samplers in the breathing zone inside the helmets. Levels of leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)), prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), and 8-isoprostane (8-iso-PGF(2α)) were measured with immunoassay kits and the EBC pH was measured after deaeration. Significantly higher 8-iso-PGF(2α) concentrations and a less acid pH were detected in EBC of welders using the FCAW than in EBC of welders using the GMAW technique. The lowest LTB(4) concentrations were measured in nonsmoking welders applying a solid wire. No significant influences were found in EBC concentrations of PGE(2) based upon smoking status or type of welding technique. This study suggests an enhanced irritative effect in the lower airways of mild steel welders due to the application of FCAW compared to GMAW, most likely associated with a higher emission of welding fumes.

[Acceptance of post-mortem organ donation in Germany : Representative cross-sectional study].

PubMed

Tackmann, E; Dettmer, S

2018-02-01

The German post-mortem organ donation rate has dropped by one third since 2010. Furthermore, 958 patients died in 2015 in Germany while waiting for an organ. To decrease organ shortage, an amendment of the transplantation law was established in 2012. An information package including an organ donor card is sent to all German citizens via the postal service. A voluntary national transplantation register was introduced in 2016 to improve transparency in the organ donation process. The influence of several transplantation scandals starting in 2012 on organ donation rates is in question. Therefore, the objective of this article is to discuss approval and objections to post-mortem organ donation among the next of kin of potential donors and the general public in Germany. Binary logistic regression of data from the 2014 survey by the Federal Centre for Health Education on attitudes towards organ and tissue donation in Germany was conducted, aiming to identify influencing factors on the likelihood of organ donor card possession. Additionally, data of the German Organ Transplantation Foundation on post-mortem organ donations in Germany in 2014 were studied to highlight reasons for approval and objections by next of kin of potential and explanted post-mortem organ donors. Methods of documentation of the deceased's will according to data of the German Organ Transplantation Foundation were analyzed. Male gender and lack of knowledge about organ donation decrease the likelihood of having an organ donor card. Of the respondents in the survey of the Federal Centre for Health Education 71.0% would donate their own organs, whereas only one third possess an organ donor card. Health insurances and physicians are the most important providers of organ donor cards in Germany. An increase in the percentage of organ donor card possession following the amendment of the transplantation law could not be observed by 2016. Fear of organ trade and unjust organ allocation are the main reasons for rejecting organ donation among the general public. Previous transplantation scandals are a primary reason for a negative change in attitudes. Main reasons for objection among the next of kin of potential organ donors are known objections of the deceased and the lack of knowledge about the will of the deceased. In addition, only 58.1% of all explanted organ donors documented their will in written or verbal form. Education on organ donation can be a means to increase organ donation rates. The effects of the change in legislation and the establishment of the transplant register need to be evaluated. Further research regarding the influence of religion, especially among religious minorities, on organ donation rates in Germany needs to be conducted to identify possible obstacles. Moreover, the use of social networks to address potential organ donors has proven to increase registration numbers and could easily be implemented in Germany.

Estimation of the time since death--reconsidering the re-establishment of rigor mortis.

PubMed

Anders, Sven; Kunz, Michaela; Gehl, Axel; Sehner, Susanne; Raupach, Tobias; Beck-Bornholdt, Hans-Peter

2013-01-01

In forensic medicine, there is an undefined data background for the phenomenon of re-establishment of rigor mortis after mechanical loosening, a method used in establishing time since death in forensic casework that is thought to occur up to 8 h post-mortem. Nevertheless, the method is widely described in textbooks on forensic medicine. We examined 314 joints (elbow and knee) of 79 deceased at defined time points up to 21 h post-mortem (hpm). Data were analysed using a random intercept model. Here, we show that re-establishment occurred in 38.5% of joints at 7.5 to 19 hpm. Therefore, the maximum time span for the re-establishment of rigor mortis appears to be 2.5-fold longer than thought so far. These findings have major impact on the estimation of time since death in forensic casework.

PMICALC: an R code-based software for estimating post-mortem interval (PMI) compatible with Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems.

PubMed

Muñoz-Barús, José I; Rodríguez-Calvo, María Sol; Suárez-Peñaranda, José M; Vieira, Duarte N; Cadarso-Suárez, Carmen; Febrero-Bande, Manuel

2010-01-30

In legal medicine the correct determination of the time of death is of utmost importance. Recent advances in estimating post-mortem interval (PMI) have made use of vitreous humour chemistry in conjunction with Linear Regression, but the results are questionable. In this paper we present PMICALC, an R code-based freeware package which estimates PMI in cadavers of recent death by measuring the concentrations of potassium ([K+]), hypoxanthine ([Hx]) and urea ([U]) in the vitreous humor using two different regression models: Additive Models (AM) and Support Vector Machine (SVM), which offer more flexibility than the previously used Linear Regression. The results from both models are better than those published to date and can give numerical expression of PMI with confidence intervals and graphic support within 20 min. The program also takes into account the cause of death. 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

IODINE-131 IN POST-MORTEM HUMAN THYROIDS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Visalli, F.I.; Goldin, A.S.

1964-03-01

Fifty-seven thyroid samples were made available by three New England hospitals during the period May 14, 1962, through January 10, 1963. Up to the middle of September, /sup 131/I was detected in three out of 37 samples (range 47 to 51 pC/g). Positive values for /sup 131/I were found in 6 out of 15 post- mortem thyroids from September 15 through October 26 (range 41 to 58 pC/g). From November 4 through January 10, 1963, one positive value (29 pC/g) of /sup 131/I was noted among five samples collected. The highest individual thyroid burden noted represented about one-sixth of themore » RP0 of 1.5 rem/yr, and the average of 20 samples after September 15, 1962, represented about one-eighth of the RPG of 0.5 rem/yr. (auth)« less

Iron deposition in modern and archaeological teeth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Williams, A.-M. M.; Siegele, R.

2014-09-01

Iron surface concentrations and profile maps were measured on the enamel of archaeological and modern teeth to determine how iron is deposited in tooth enamel and if it was affected by the post-mortem environment. Teeth from Australian children who died in the second half of the 19th century were compared with contemporary teeth extracted for orthodontic purposes. Surface analysis of the teeth was performed using the 3 MV Van Der Graff Accelerator at The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Sydney, Australia. A small sample of teeth were then cut in the mid sagittal plane and analysed using ANSTO High Energy Heavy Ion Microprobe. Maps and linear profiles were produced showing the distribution of iron across the enamel. Results show that both the levels and distribution of iron in archaeological teeth is quite different to contemporary teeth, raising the suggestion that iron has been significantly altered by the post-mortem environment.

Post-mortem characterization of fs laser-generated micro-pillars in Li(Ni1/3Mn1/3Co1/3)O2 electrodes by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smyrek, P.; Zheng, Y.; Seifert, H. J.; Pfleging, W.

2016-03-01

NMC thick films were prepared by tape-casting and subsequent ultrafast laser-structuring. The lithium distribution in electrochemically cycled and unstructured or fs laser-structured NMC cathodes was investigated by using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS). The main goal is to develop an optimized three dimensional cell architecture with improved electrochemical properties based on studies of the homogeneity of the local State-of-Charge. LIBS experiments were carried out using a LIBS workstation equipped with a mode-locked diode pumped solid state Nd:YAG laser operating at a wavelength of 1063 nm. The element distribution was investigated using two different techniques: element mapping and element depth-profiling of the unstructured / fs laser-structured electrode surface. Results achieved from post-mortem studies using LIBS will be presented.

Integrative mouse and human mRNA studies using WGCNA nominates novel candidate genes involved in the pathogenesis of major depressive disorder.

PubMed

Malki, Karim; Tosto, Maria Grazia; Jumabhoy, Irfan; Lourdusamy, Anbarasu; Sluyter, Frans; Craig, Ian; Uher, Rudolf; McGuffin, Peter; Schalkwyk, Leonard C

2013-12-01

This study aims to identify novel genes associated with major depressive disorder and pharmacological treatment response using animal and human mRNA studies. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis was used to uncover genes associated with stress factors in mice and to inform mRNA probe set selection in a post-mortem study of depression. A total of 171 genes were found to be differentially regulated in response to both early and late stress protocols in a mouse study. Ten human genes, orthologous to mouse genes differentially expressed by stress, were also found to be dysregulated in depressed cases in a human post-mortem brain study from the Stanley Foundation Brain Collection. Several novel genes associated with depression were uncovered, including NOVA1 and USP9X. Moreover, we found further evidence in support of hippocampal neurogenesis and peripheral inflammation in major depressive disorder.

Purification and characterization of tripeptidylpeptidase-II from post-mortem human brain.

PubMed

Wilson, C; Gibson, A M; McDermott, J R

1993-07-01

A soluble tripeptidylaminopeptidase has been isolated from human post-mortem cerebral cortex by anion exchange, hydrophobic interaction and size-exclusion chromatography. From gel filtration studies the active enzyme can exist in both high molecular weight (M(r) > 10(6) and smaller forms. The enzyme hydrolyses Ala-Ala-Phe-7-amido-4-methylcoumarin with a pH optimum of around 7.5 and Km of 148 microM. It did not hydrolyse N-succinyl-Ala-Ala-Phe-7-amido-4-methylcoumarin, aminoacyl- or dipeptidyl-7-amido-methylcoumarins and was not inhibited by bestatin. The enzyme was inhibited by phenylmethylsulphonyl-fluoride, 3,4-dichloroisocoumarin, N-hydroxymercuriphenyl-sulphonic acid and N-ethylmaleimide showing that its activity is serine and cysteine dependent. The purified enzyme released tripeptides from several naturally occurring neuropeptides with quite broad specificity. Cholecystokinin octapeptide, angiotensin III and neurokinin A were the most rapidly hydrolysed. Peptides with Pro residues around the point of cleavage were not hydrolysed.

Understanding fast macroscale fracture from microcrack post mortem patterns

PubMed Central

Guerra, Claudia; Scheibert, Julien; Bonamy, Daniel; Dalmas, Davy

2012-01-01

Dynamic crack propagation drives catastrophic solid failures. In many amorphous brittle materials, sufficiently fast crack growth involves small-scale, high-frequency microcracking damage localized near the crack tip. The ultrafast dynamics of microcrack nucleation, growth, and coalescence is inaccessible experimentally and fast crack propagation was therefore studied only as a macroscale average. Here, we overcome this limitation in polymethylmethacrylate, the archetype of brittle amorphous materials: We reconstruct the complete spatiotemporal microcracking dynamics, with micrometer/nanosecond resolution, through post mortem analysis of the fracture surfaces. We find that all individual microcracks propagate at the same low, load-independent velocity. Collectively, the main effect of microcracks is not to slow down fracture by increasing the energy required for crack propagation, as commonly believed, but on the contrary to boost the macroscale velocity through an acceleration factor selected on geometric grounds. Our results emphasize the key role of damage-related internal variables in the selection of macroscale fracture dynamics. PMID:22203962

[Lack of donor organs as an argument for living donors?].

PubMed

Kirste, G

2010-09-01

In Germany more than 12,000 patients are presently waiting for an organ donation. Living donation makes sense for the long waiting time for a kidney, but it is not a permanent solution for the lack of organ donations. In the future topics which should be discussed are intensified public relations, a better family care and the allocation of rights and duties at the German coordinating agency. For all the prospects of success after a living donation the high standards of quality and security, which are targeted by the German donor organization in recipient protection, responsible evaluation of the expanded donor criteria and immunosuppressive therapy are all in favor of post-mortem organ donation. For all the phenomenal chance of success the priority of the post-mortem organ donation is regulated by law. The living donation remains an individual decision of the donor and the personal situation of life.

Stainless steel welding and semen quality.

PubMed

Jelnes, J E; Knudsen, L E

1988-01-01

Questionnaire studies of patients from fertility clinics suggest that welders may have an increased risk of reduced semen quality. In this study, welders and nonwelders from the same plants were asked to provide blood, urine, and semen samples. Urine was analyzed for chromium and nickel, and for mutagenic activity and metal concentration; blood for metal concentrations, immunoglobulin G, total protein, and measures of genotoxicity in lymphocytes; and semen was evaluated by standard semen analysis. Results of the semen evaluation, presented here, showed no difference in semen quality between welders and nonwelders. Because the metal dust exposure of nonwelders in the plant may be higher than that in the general population, welders were also compared to referents not working in the metal industry. Again, no decrease in semen quality associated with welding was demonstrated.

Influence of welding fume on systemic iron status.

PubMed

Casjens, Swaantje; Henry, Jana; Rihs, Hans-Peter; Lehnert, Martin; Raulf-Heimsoth, Monika; Welge, Peter; Lotz, Anne; Gelder, Rainer Van; Hahn, Jens-Uwe; Stiegler, Hugo; Eisele, Lewin; Weiss, Tobias; Hartwig, Andrea; Brüning, Thomas; Pesch, Beate

2014-11-01

Iron is the major metal found in welding fumes, and although it is an essential trace element, its overload causes toxicity due to Fenton reactions. To avoid oxidative damage, excess iron is bound to ferritin, and as a result, serum ferritin (SF) is a recognized biomarker for iron stores, with high concentrations linked to inflammation and potentially also cancer. However, little is known about iron overload in welders. Within this study, we assessed the iron status and quantitative associations between airborne iron, body iron stores, and iron homeostasis in 192 welders not wearing dust masks. Welders were equipped with personal samplers in order to determine the levels of respirable iron in the breathing zone during a working shift. SF, prohepcidin and other markers of iron status were determined in blood samples collected after shift. The impact of iron exposure and other factors on SF and prohepcidin were estimated using multiple regression models. Our results indicate that respirable iron is a significant predictor of SF and prohepcidin. Concentrations of SF varied according to the welding technique and respiratory protection used, with a median of 103 μg l(-1) in tungsten inert gas welders, 125 μg l(-1) in those wearing air-purifying respirators, and 161 μg l(-1) in other welders. Compared to welders with low iron stores (SF < 25 μg l(-1)), those with excess body iron (SF ≥ 400 μg l(-1)) worked under a higher median concentration of airborne iron (60 μg m(-3) versus 148 μg m(-3)). Even though air concentrations of respirable iron and manganese were highly correlated, and low iron stores have been reported to increase manganese uptake in the gastrointestinal tract, no correlation was seen between SF and manganese in blood. In conclusion, monitoring SF may be a reasonable method for health surveillance of welders. Respiratory protection with air-purifying respirators can decrease iron exposure and avoid chronically higher SF in welders working with high-emission technologies. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Occupational Hygiene Society.

Essentials of forensic post-mortem MR imaging in adults

PubMed Central

Ruder, T D; Thali, M J; Hatch, G M

2014-01-01

Post-mortem MR (PMMR) imaging is a powerful diagnostic tool with a wide scope in forensic radiology. In the past 20 years, PMMR has been used as both an adjunct and an alternative to autopsy. The role of PMMR in forensic death investigations largely depends on the rules and habits of local jurisdictions, availability of experts, financial resources, and individual case circumstances. PMMR images are affected by post-mortem changes, including position-dependent sedimentation, variable body temperature and decomposition. Investigators must be familiar with the appearance of normal findings on PMMR to distinguish them from disease or injury. Coronal whole-body images provide a comprehensive overview. Notably, short tau inversion–recovery (STIR) images enable investigators to screen for pathological fluid accumulation, to which we refer as “forensic sentinel sign”. If scan time is short, subsequent PMMR imaging may be focussed on regions with a positive forensic sentinel sign. PMMR offers excellent anatomical detail and is especially useful to visualize pathologies of the brain, heart, subcutaneous fat tissue and abdominal organs. PMMR may also be used to document skeletal injury. Cardiovascular imaging is a core area of PMMR imaging and growing evidence indicates that PMMR is able to detect ischaemic injury at an earlier stage than traditional autopsy and routine histology. The aim of this review is to present an overview of normal findings on forensic PMMR, provide general advice on the application of PMMR and summarise the current literature on PMMR imaging of the head and neck, cardiovascular system, abdomen and musculoskeletal system. PMID:24191122

Suprapubic track pressure and force--deformation measurements in a (live) human subject and in animal models post-mortem.

PubMed

Coveney, V A; Gepi-Attee, S; Gröver, D; Painter, D

2001-01-01

Tests have been performed on animal models shortly post-mortem and on a healthy human subject in order to obtain estimates of the forces which act on suprapubic urinary catheters and similar devices and to develop an abdominal wall simulator. Such data and test methods are required for the systematic design of suprapubic devices because of the dual need to maintain the functionality of devices and to avoid excessive pressure on soft body tissue which could lead to ischaemia and in turn necrosis. In the post-mortem animal models, electrical excitation was applied to the abdominal wall in order to stimulate muscle activity. Two types of transducers were used: a soft membrane transducer (SMT) for pressure measurement and novel instrumented 'tongs' to determine indentation stiffness characteristics in the suprapubic track or artificial pathway created for a device. The SMT has been extensively used in the urethras and bladders of human subjects while the tongs were built specifically for these tests. Only the well-established SMT was used with the human subject; a peak pressure of 22 kPa was obtained. In the animal models the pressure profile given by the SMT had a peak whose position corresponded well with the estimated location of the rectus muscle measured on the fixed tissue section. The peak value was 5.5 kPa, comparable with values likely to cause necrosis if maintained for more than 1 day. Remarkably consistent indentation stiffness values were obtained with the instrumented tongs; all values were close to 0.45 N/mm (33 kPa/mm).

Identification of different domains of calpain and calpastatin from chicken blood and their role in post-mortem aging of meat during holding at refrigeration temperatures.

PubMed

Biswas, A K; Tandon, S; Beura, C K

2016-06-01

The aim of this study was to develop a simple, specific and rapid analytical method for accurate identification of calpain and calpastatin from chicken blood and muscle samples. The method is based on liquid-liquid extraction technique followed by casein Zymography detection. The target compounds were extracted from blood and meat samples by tris buffer, and purified and separated on anion exchange chromatography. It has been observed that buffer (pH 6.7) containing 50 mM tris-base appears to be excellent extractant as activity of analytes was maximum for all samples. The concentrations of μ-, m-calpain and calpastatin detected in the extracts of blood, breast and thigh samples were 0.28-0.55, 1.91-2.05 and 1.38-1.52 Unit/g, respectively. For robustness, the analytical method was applied to determine the activity of calpains (μ and m) in eighty postmortem muscle samples. It has been observed that μ-calpain activity in breast and thigh muscles declined very rapidly at 48 h and 24 h, respectively while activity of m-calpain remained stable. Shear force values were also declined with the increase of post-mortem aging showing the presence of ample tenderness of breast and thigh muscles. Finally, it is concluded that the method standardized for the detection of calpain and calpastatin has the potential to be applied to identify post-mortem aging of chicken meat samples. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Taenia spp. infections in wildlife in the Bangweulu and Kafue flood plains ecosystems of Zambia.

PubMed

Muma, J B; Gabriël, S; Munyeme, M; Munang'andu, H M; Victor, B; Dorny, P; Nalubamba, K S; Siamudaala, V; Mwape, K E

2014-09-15

Taenia spp. have an indirect life cycle, cycling between a definitive and an intermediate host with zoonotic species causing public health problems in many developing countries. During the course of 2 separate surveys in Zambia (2004 and 2009), the presence of Taenia larval stages (cysticerci) was examined in Kafue lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis), Black lechwe (Kobus leche smithermani) and other wildlife species from the Kafue and Bangweulu flood plains. Examinations involved post-mortem inspection and serum specific antigen detection. The recovered cysts from seven carcasses were characterised using PCR and DNA sequence analysis. The overall proportion of infection in wildlife on post-mortem examination was 19.0% (95% CI: 9.1-29.0%). The proportion of infected wildlife based on post-mortem examinations in the Kafue flood plains was estimated at 28.6% (95% CI: 13.3-43.9%), while the seroprevalence was estimated at 25.0% (95% CI: 2.9-47.1%). The seroprevalence for cattle in the Kafue flood plains was estimated at 61.5% (95% CI: 42.0-81.0%) while that of Kafue lechwe in the same ecosystem was estimated at 66.6% (95% CI: 45.6-85.7%). Infection rates were higher in Kafue lechwe than in Black lechwe suggesting differences in the exposure patterns. The sequencing results indicated that none of the recovered cysts were either Taenia solium or Taenia saginata. We therefore conclude they most likely belong to a less studied (wildlife) Taenia species that requires further characterisation. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Iron deposits in post-mortem brains of patients with neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular diseases: a semi-quantitative 7.0 T magnetic resonance imaging study.

PubMed

De Reuck, J L; Deramecourt, V; Auger, F; Durieux, N; Cordonnier, C; Devos, D; Defebvre, L; Moreau, C; Caparros-Lefebvre, D; Leys, D; Maurage, C A; Pasquier, F; Bordet, R

2014-07-01

Accumulation of iron (Fe) is often detected in brains of people suffering from neurodegenerative diseases. However, no studies have compared the Fe load between these disease entities. The present study investigates by T2*-weighted gradient-echo 7.0 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) the Fe content in post-mortem brains with different neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular diseases. One hundred and fifty-two post-mortem brains, composed of 46 with Alzheimer's disease (AD), 37 with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), 11 with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, 13 with Lewy body disease, 14 with progressive supranuclear palsy, 16 with vascular dementia (VaD) and 15 controls without a brain disease, were examined. The Fe load was determined semi-quantitatively on T2*-weighted MRI serial brain sections in the claustrum, caudate nucleus, putamen, globus pallidus, thalamus, subthalamic nucleus, hippocampus, mamillary body, lateral geniculate body, red nucleus, substantia nigra and dentate nucleus. The disease diagnosis was made on subsequent neuropathological examination. The Fe load was significantly increased in the claustrum, caudate nucleus and putamen of FTLD brains and to a lesser degree in the globus pallidus, thalamus and subthalamic nucleus. In the other neurodegenerative diseases no Fe accumulation was observed, except for a mild increase in the caudate nucleus of AD brains. In VaD brains no Fe increase was detected. Only FTLD displays a significant Fe load, suggesting that impaired Fe homeostasis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of this heterogeneous disease entity. © 2014 The Author(s) European Journal of Neurology © 2014 EAN.

Effects of stunning with different carbon dioxide concentrations and exposure times on suckling lamb meat quality.

PubMed

Bórnez, R; Linares, M B; Vergara, H

2009-03-01

Forty-nine Manchega breed male suckling lambs were used to determine the effect of different stunning methods (using two different CO2 concentrations and exposure times) on lamb meat quality. The lambs were allocated to five stunning treatments including four CO2 treatments [80% CO2 for 90s (G1); 90% CO2 for 90s (G2); 90% CO2 for 60s (G3); 80% CO2 for 60s (G4)] and an electrically stunned control group (G5). The gas-stunning treatments did not cause neither haematomas nor blood splash in the carcasses. Meat quality was evaluated by testing pH, colour (L(∗), a(∗), b(∗), chroma, hue values), water holding capacity (WHC), cooking loss (CL), shear force (SF), drip loss (DL) and total aerobic bacteria. Statistical differences in pH at 24h post-mortem, colour, WHC and CL were not found among groups. After 7 days post-mortem, there were statistical differences among groups in pH (highest in G4 and G5) and in DL (highest in G1). There were differences in SF due to stunning method evident after 72h and 7 days ageing. The statistical differences (P<0.01) among groups on total aerobic bacteria at 24h (lower and higher values in G2 and G5, respectively) disappeared at 7 days post-mortem. As G2 as G3, could be recommended to stunning suckling lambs since a highest stability with ageing time on meat quality was found using 90% CO2.

Meat science: From proteomics to integrated omics towards system biology.

PubMed

D'Alessandro, Angelo; Zolla, Lello

2013-01-14

Since the main ultimate goal of farm animal raising is the production of proteins for human consumption, research tools to investigate proteins play a major role in farm animal and meat science. Indeed, proteomics has been applied to the field of farm animal science to monitor in vivo performances of livestock animals (growth performances, fertility, milk quality etc.), but also to further our understanding of the molecular processes at the basis of meat quality, which are largely dependent on the post mortem biochemistry of the muscle, often in a species-specific way. Post mortem alterations to the muscle proteome reflect the biological complexity of the process of "muscle to meat conversion," a process that, despite decades of advancements, is all but fully understood. This is mainly due to the enormous amounts of variables affecting meat tenderness per se, including biological factors, such as animal species, breed specific-characteristic, muscle under investigation. However, it is rapidly emerging that the tender meat phenotype is not only tied to genetics (livestock breeding selection), but also to extrinsic factors, such as the rearing environment, feeding conditions, physical activity, administration of hormonal growth promotants, pre-slaughter handling and stress, post mortem handling. From this intricate scenario, biochemical approaches and systems-wide integrated investigations (metabolomics, transcriptomics, interactomics, phosphoproteomics, mathematical modeling), which have emerged as complementary tools to proteomics, have helped establishing a few milestones in our understanding of the events leading from muscle to meat conversion. The growing integration of omics disciplines in the field of systems biology will soon contribute to take further steps forward. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

An audit of parents'/guardians' wishes recorded after coronial autopsies in cases of sudden unexpected death in infancy: issues raised and future directions.

PubMed

Cohen, M C; Blakey, S; Donn, T; McGovern, S; Parry, L

2009-07-01

In the U.K., cases of sudden unexpected death in infancy are under the jurisdiction of the Coroner and consent for a post-mortem is not required. Prior to the Human Tissue Act 2006 (HTA) there was also no requirement to request retention of tissue (blocks and slides). The HTA stipulates that parental/ guardian consent is mandatory to retain or dispose of all tissues after the Coroners' purposes have been fulfilled. In 2007, in order to avoid confusion with the consent needed for hospital post-mortems, a new form was introduced by Sheffield Children's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (SCH) called Record of parents'/guardians'wishes regarding samples taken at a Coroner's post mortem. This version specifically asks if blocks and slides may be retained as part of the medical record, or are to be disposed of, and for parental agreement (or not) for the frozen tissue, blocks and slides to be used for education, audit, quality control and medical research. One hundred and nineteen Coroners' postmortems covering the years 2006-2007 were reviewed. All parents/guardians (P/G) were contacted and the outcomes of P/G wishes recorded by SCH staff, Coroners' Officers (CO) and Police Family Liaison Officers (PFLO) were analysed and compared (44% from CO were outstanding at the time of audit). Any delay in recording P/G wishes by these three groups was also compared. In 2006, parental agreement to the use of blocks and slides for education, audit, quality control and medical research was 94%, 77% and 75% for SCH, CO and PFLO, respectively. In 2007 it was 84%, 37% and 100% for the same groups. Permission for the retention of frozen tissue given to SCH, CO and PFLO was 90%, 62% and 100% in 2006 and 90%, 44% and 100% in 2007, respectively. Cases where parents did not wish for the retention or use of tissue (including blocks and slides) were 3%, 15% and 0% in 2006 for SCH, CO and PFLO respectively, and 0% for all groups in 2007. Training of staff in all aspects of post-mortem and bereavement care is essential for ascertaining parental wishes. Families should be provided with the knowledge that allows them to make informed choices. The analysis of the results of the audit supports this view.

Histological transformations of the dental pulp as possible indicator of post mortem interval: a pilot study.

PubMed

Carrasco, Patricio A; Brizuela, Claudia I; Rodriguez, Ismael A; Muñoz, Samuel; Godoy, Marianela E; Inostroza, Carolina

2017-10-01

The correct estimation of the post mortem interval (PMI) can be crucial on the success of a forensic investigation. Diverse methods have been used to estimate PMI, considering physical changes that occur after death, such as mortis algor, livor mortis, among others. Degradation after death of dental pulp is a complex process that has not yet been studied thoroughly. It has been described that pulp RNA degradation could be an indicator of PMI, however this study is limited to 6 days. The tooth is the hardest organ of the human body, and within is confined dental pulp. The pulp morphology is defined as a lax conjunctive tissue with great sensory innervation, abundant microcirculation and great presence of groups of cell types. The aim of this study is to describe the potential use of pulp post mortem alterations to estimate PMI, using a new methodology that will allow obtainment of pulp tissue to be used for histomorphological analysis. The current study will identify potential histological indicators in dental pulp tissue to estimate PMI in time intervals of 24h, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months. This study used 26 teeth from individuals with known PMI of 24h, 1 month, 3 months or 6 months. All samples were manipulated with the new methodology (Carrasco, P. and Inostroza C. inventors; Universidad de los Andes, assignee. Forensic identification, post mortem interval estimation and cause of death determination by recovery of dental tissue. United State patent US 61/826,558 23.05.2013) to extract pulp tissue without the destruction of the tooth. The dental pulp tissues obtained were fixed in formalin for the subsequent generation of histological sections, stained with Hematoxylin Eosin and Masson's Trichrome. All sections were observed under an optical microscope using magnifications of 10× and 40×. The microscopic analysis of the samples showed a progressive transformation of the cellular components and fibers of dental pulp along PMI. These results allowed creating a chart of qualitative and quantitative parameters to be used on the estimation on PMI based on microscopic degradation of dental pulp. The histological transformations of dental pulp as a function of time can be used as PMI indicators. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Alcohol and premature death in Estonian men: a study of forensic autopsies using novel biomarkers and proxy informants

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Alcohol makes an important contribution to premature mortality in many countries in Eastern Europe, including Estonia. However, the full extent of its impact, and the mechanisms underlying it, are challenging issues to research. We describe the design and initial findings of a study aimed at investigating the association of alcohol with mortality in a large series of forensic autopsies of working-age men in Estonia. Methods 1299 male deaths aged 25-54 years were subject to forensic autopsy in 2008-2009. The routine autopsy protocol was augmented by a more systematic inspection of organs, drug testing, assay of liver enzymes and novel biomarkers of alcohol consumption (EtG, EtS and PEth), together with proxy interviews with next of kin for deaths among men who lived in or close to a major town. Results 595 augmented autopsies were performed. Of these, 66% were from external causes (26% suicide, 25% poisoning). 17% were attributed to circulatory system diseases and 7% to alcoholic liver disease. Blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) of ≥ 0.2 mg/g were found for 55% of deaths. Interviews were conducted with proxy informants for 61% of the subjects who had resided in towns. Of these, 28% were reported in the previous year to have been daily or almost daily drinkers and 10% had drunk non-beverage alcohols. Blood ethanol and the liver enzyme GGT were only associated with daily drinking. However, the novel biomarkers showed a more graded response with recent consumption. In contrast, the liver enzymes AST and ALT were largely uninformative because of post-mortem changes. The presence of extremely high PEth concentrations in some samples also suggested post-mortem formation. Conclusion We have shown the feasibility of deploying an extended research protocol within the setting of routine forensic autopsies that offer scope to deepen our understanding of the alcohol-related burden of premature mortality. The most unique feature of the study is the information on a wide range of informative alcohol biomarkers, several of which have not been used previously in this sort of post-mortem research study. We have demonstrated, for the first time, the epidemiological value and validity of these novel alcohol biomarkers in post-mortem samples. PMID:22369510

A review of ethylphenidate in deaths in east and west Scotland.

PubMed

Parks, Claire; McKeown, Denise; Torrance, Hazel J

2015-12-01

Ethylphenidate is a psychostimulant and analogue of methylphenidate. Interestingly it is also produced as a metabolite from the co-ingestion of methylphenidate and alcohol (ethanol). In the UK, between April and June 2015, ethylphenidate and 6 other methylphenidate based novel psychoactive substances (NPS) were subjected to a temporary class drug order under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Ethylphenidate is being abused by both novel and habitual drug users, more prominently in the East of Scotland. What is unknown in the literature is the contribution of ethylphenidate in deaths. A search was conducted for an 18 month period (July 2013 to December 2014) to identify cases where ethylphenidate was detected during post-mortem toxicological analysis. Nineteen cases were identified and these cases were examined with regards to case circumstances, pathology findings, toxicology results and adverse effects. The individuals ranged in age from 20 to 54 (median 37) and the majority were male (n=14) and from the East of Scotland (n=16), more specifically Edinburgh and surrounding area. Current or previous heroin abuse was a common theme in these cases (n=16) and injection was a common route of administration of "legal highs" or "burst". The concentration of ethylphenidate in the cases ranged from 0.008 mg/L to over 2 mg/L in post-mortem femoral blood (median 0.25 mg/L, average 0.39 mg/L). Other drugs commonly detected were benzodiazepines (n=15), followed by opiates (n=11, 4 of which were positive for 6-monoacetylmorphine) and then methadone (n=8). All 19 cases received a full post-mortem examination and there were 10 cases where drug toxicity was the sole or potentially contributory factor to the cause of death. Ethylphenidate was specifically mentioned in the cause of death for 5 cases, chronic intravenous (IV) drug use was named as part of the cause of death for 2 cases and in 6 cases there was evidence of complications and infections through IV drug use. As far as it is known to the authors, this is the first review of post-mortem cases involving the use of ethylphenidate in East and West Scotland. This study can be used as a guide for toxicologists and pathologists when interpreting cases which are positive for ethylphenidate. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Diagnostic performance characteristics of a rapid field test for anthrax in cattle.

PubMed

Muller, Janine; Gwozdz, Jacek; Hodgeman, Rachel; Ainsworth, Catherine; Kluver, Patrick; Czarnecki, Jill; Warner, Simone; Fegan, Mark

2015-07-01

Although diagnosis of anthrax can be made in the field with a peripheral blood smear, and in the laboratory with bacterial culture or molecular based tests, these tests require either considerable experience or specialised equipment. Here we report on the evaluation of the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of a simple and rapid in-field diagnostic test for anthrax, the anthrax immunochromatographic test (AICT). The AICT detects the protective antigen (PA) component of the anthrax toxin present within the blood of an animal that has died from anthrax. The test provides a result in 15min and offers the advantage of avoiding the necessity for on-site necropsy and subsequent occupational risks and environmental contamination. The specificity of the test was determined by testing samples taken from 622 animals, not infected with Bacillus anthracis. Diagnostic sensitivity was estimated on samples taken from 58 animals, naturally infected with B. anthracis collected over a 10-year period. All samples used to estimate the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the AICT were also tested using the gold standard of bacterial culture. The diagnostic specificity of the test was estimated to be 100% (99.4-100%; 95% CI) and the diagnostic sensitivity was estimated to be 93.1% (83.3-98.1%; 95% CI) (Clopper-Pearson method). Four samples produced false negative AICT results. These were among 9 samples, all of which tested positive for B. anthracis by culture, where there was a time delay between collection and testing of >48h and/or the samples were collected from animals that were >48h post-mortem. A statistically significant difference (P<0.001; Fishers exact test) was found between the ability of the AICT to detect PA in samples from culture positive animals <48h post-mortem, 49 of 49, Se=100% (92.8-100%; 95% CI) compared with samples tested >48h post-mortem 5 of 9 Se=56% (21-86.3%; 95% CI) (Clopper-Pearson method). Based upon these results a post hoc cut-off for use of the AICT of 48h post-mortem was applied, Se=100% (92.8-100%; 95% CI) and Sp=100% (99.4-100%; 95% CI). The high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity and the simplicity of the AICT enables it to be used for active surveillance in areas with a history of anthrax, or used as a preliminary tool in investigating sudden, unexplained death in cattle. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Derivation of an occupational exposure level for manganese in welding fumes.

PubMed

Bailey, Lisa A; Kerper, Laura E; Goodman, Julie E

2018-01-01

Exposure to high levels of manganese (Mn) in occupational settings is known to lead to adverse neurological effects. Since Mn is an essential nutrient, there are mechanisms that maintain its homeostatic control in the body, and there is some level of Mn in air that does not perturb Mn homeostasis. However, the Mn exposure concentrations at which no adverse effects are expected in occupational settings vary considerably across regulatory agencies. We set out to derive a Mn Occupational Exposure Level (OEL) for welders based on a review of studies that evaluated Mn exposure concentrations from welding fumes and: (1) neurological effects in welders; (2) levels of Mn in the brains of welders (via pallidal index [PI] estimated from magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]); (3) other biomarkers of Mn exposure in welders (i.e., blood and urine); and (4) Mn brain concentrations, PI, and corresponding neurological effects in non-human primates. Our analysis suggests uncertainty in quantifying dose-response associations for Mn from many of the occupational welding studies. The few welding studies that adequately estimate exposure suggest a possible OEL of 100-140μg/m 3 for respirable Mn. This range is consistent with other epidemiology studies, studies of biomarkers of Mn exposure in welders, and with studies in non-human primates, though future studies could provide a stronger basis for deriving a Mn occupational guideline for welders. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Survey report: control technology for autobody repair and painting shops at Church Brother's Collision Repair, Greenwood, Indiana, October 10-11, 1991

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Heitbrink, W.A.; Cooper, T.C.; Edmonds, M.A.

1992-03-01

A study was made to evaluate and document the effectiveness of a metal inert gas (MIG) welder with built in ventilation to control potentially hazardous conditions at Church Brother's Collision Repair (SIC-7531), Greenwood, Indiana. Air contaminant exposures were measured during a 1 hour repair job while using a ventilated MIG welder and while using a conventional MIG welder. The ventilation system of the MIG did reduce worker exposure to welding fumes. However, the sampling was done on a single repair job, thus limiting the conclusions which can be drawn from the study. Some welding fumes were not captured by themore » ventilated welder, suggesting that the MIG with ventilation provided incomplete control of the generated fumes. In some cases the metal on the other side of the welding area became sufficiently hot to generate its own fumes. The car body itself appears to block the capture of these fumes by the ventilated MIG welder. When welding inside the car without the ventilated welder, the fumes generated were more concentrated than those generated by welding outside of the car under similar conditions. There is a decreased dilution of the fumes inside the car due to a lack of air movement. The authors conclude that while the control technique appeared to lessen exposure to welding fumes, additional investigation is needed to verify the data.« less

Increased risk of parkinsonism associated with welding exposure.

PubMed

Racette, Brad A; Criswell, Susan R; Lundin, Jessica I; Hobson, Angela; Seixas, Noah; Kotzbauer, Paul T; Evanoff, Bradley A; Perlmutter, Joel S; Zhang, Jing; Sheppard, Lianne; Checkoway, Harvey

2012-10-01

Manganese (Mn), an established neurotoxicant, is a common component of welding fume. The neurological phenotype associated with welding exposures has not been well described. Prior epidemiologic evidence linking occupational welding to parkinsonism is mixed, and remains controversial. This was a cross-sectional and nested case-control study to investigate the prevalence and phenotype of parkinsonism among 811 shipyard and fabrication welders recruited from trade unions. Two reference groups included 59 non-welder trade workers and 118 newly diagnosed, untreated idiopathic PD patients. Study subjects were examined by a movement disorders specialist using the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale motor subsection 3 (UPDRS3). Parkinsonism cases were defined as welders with UPDRS3 score ≥15. Normal was defined as UPDRS3<6. Exposure was classified as intensity adjusted, cumulative years of welding. Adjusted prevalence ratios for parkinsonism were calculated in relation to quartiles of welding years. The overall prevalence estimate of parkinsonism was 15.6% in welding exposed workers compared to 0% in the reference group. Among welders, we observed a U-shaped dose-response relation between weighted welding exposure-years and parkinsonism. UPDRS3 scores for most domains were similar between welders and newly diagnosed idiopathic Parkinson disease (PD) patients, except for greater frequency of rest tremor and asymmetry in PD patients. This work-site based study among welders demonstrates a high prevalence of parkinsonism compared to nonwelding-exposed workers and a clinical phenotype that overlaps substantially with PD. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Increased risk of parkinsonism associated with welding exposure

PubMed Central

Racette, Brad A.; Criswell, Susan R.; Lundin, Jessica I.; Hobson, Angela; Seixas, Noah; Kotzbauer, Paul T.; Evanoff, Bradley A.; Perlmutter, Joel S.; Zhang, Jing; Sheppard, Lianne; Checkoway, Harvey

2013-01-01

Objective Manganese (Mn), an established neurotoxicant, is a common component of welding fume. The neurological phenotype associated with welding exposures has not been well described. Prior epidemiologic evidence linking occupational welding to parkinsonism is mixed, and remains controversial. Methods This was a cross-sectional and nested case–control study to investigate the prevalence and phenotype of parkinsonism among 811 shipyard and fabrication welders recruited from trade unions. Two reference groups included 59 non-welder trade workers and 118 newly diagnosed, untreated idiopathic PD patients. Study subjects were examined by a movement disorders specialist using the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale motor subsection 3 (UPDRS3). Parkinsonism cases were defined as welders with UPDRS3 score ≥15. Normal was defined as UPDRS3 < 6. Exposure was classified as intensity adjusted, cumulative years of welding. Adjusted prevalence ratios for parkinsonism were calculated in relation to quartiles of welding years. Results The overall prevalence estimate of parkinsonism was 15.6% in welding exposed workers compared to 0% in the reference group. Among welders, we observed a U-shaped dose–response relation between weighted welding exposure-years and parkinsonism. UPDRS3 scores for most domains were similar between welders and newly diagnosed idiopathic Parkinson disease (PD) patients, except for greater frequency of rest tremor and asymmetry in PD patients. Conclusion This work-site based study among welders demonstrates a high prevalence of parkinsonism compared to nonwelding-exposed workers and a clinical phenotype that overlaps substantially with PD. PMID:22975422

Fatal case of human rabies imported to Italy from India highlights the importance of adequate post-exposure prophylaxis, October 2011.

PubMed

De Benedictis, P; Perboni, G; Gentili, C; Gaetti, L; Zaffanella, F; Mutinelli, F; Capua, I; Cattoli, G

2012-05-10

In October 2011, an Indian man resident in Italy was admitted to a hospital in Mantua, Italy with symptoms of acute encephalitis. Due to a recent history of bite by a suspected rabid dog in India, where he had received incomplete post-exposure treatment, rabies was suspected. The patient died after 22 days of intensive care treatment and rabies was confirmed post mortem. This report stresses the need of appropriate post-exposure prophylaxis in rabies-endemic countries.

Topical ocular anesthetic abuse among Iranian welders: time for action.

PubMed

Sharifi, Ali; Sharifi, Hamid; Karamouzian, Mohammad; Mokhtari, Mahmoud; Esmaeili, Hamidreza Hosein; Nejad, Afshin Sarafi; Rahmatian, Mohammad

2013-01-01

The purpose of this study is to estimate the prevalence of topical ocular anesthetic abuse among welders in Iran and suggest public health solutions for this issue. In this cross-sectional study, 390 welders were randomly recruited and queried on the use of anesthetic drops. A questionnaire was administered through structured one-on-one interviews conducted by the first author. A total of 314 welders (80.5%) declared that they had used topical anesthetics at least once during their working lives. Almost 90% of them stated a preference for self-treatment over seeking help from a physician due to cultural and financial reasons. The most commonly used topical anesthetic was tetracaine. Most of the subjects (97.4%) had obtained the drugs from pharmacies without a prescription. The prevalence of topical ocular anesthetic abuse among welders in Iran is alarmingly high and may partially be due to cultural issues. Although most physicians are aware that topical anesthetics should only be used as a diagnostic tool, there is a crucial need to re-emphasize the ocular risks associated with chronic use of these medications. Educational programs for both physicians and the public are necessary to address the problem.

Topical Ocular Anesthetic Abuse Among Iranian Welders: Time for Action

PubMed Central

Sharifi, Ali; Sharifi, Hamid; Karamouzian, Mohammad; Mokhtari, Mahmoud; Esmaeili, Hamidreza Hosein; Nejad, Afshin Sarafi; Rahmatian, Mohammad

2013-01-01

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to estimate the prevalence of topical ocular anesthetic abuse among welders in Iran and suggest public health solutions for this issue. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 390 welders were randomly recruited and queried on the use of anesthetic drops. A questionnaire was administered through structured one-on-one interviews conducted by the first author. Results: A total of 314 welders (80.5%) declared that they had used topical anesthetics at least once during their working lives. Almost 90% of them stated a preference for self-treatment over seeking help from a physician due to cultural and financial reasons. The most commonly used topical anesthetic was tetracaine. Most of the subjects (97.4%) had obtained the drugs from pharmacies without a prescription. Conclusions: The prevalence of topical ocular anesthetic abuse among welders in Iran is alarmingly high and may partially be due to cultural issues. Although most physicians are aware that topical anesthetics should only be used as a diagnostic tool, there is a crucial need to re-emphasize the ocular risks associated with chronic use of these medications. Educational programs for both physicians and the public are necessary to address the problem. PMID:24339685

[Contemporary solutions for better air quality at electric welders workplace].

PubMed

Markova, O L; Ivanova, E V

2015-01-01

The article deals with hygienic evaluation of electric welder's workplace, concerning chemical factor, with technical solutions on organization of supply-and-exhaust ventilation and methods to improve air quality in various welding tasks.

29 CFR 1926.406 - Specific purpose equipment and installations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

...—disconnecting means—(1) Motor-generator, AC transformer, and DC rectifier arc welders. A disconnecting means shall be provided in the supply circuit for each motor-generator arc welder, and for each AC transformer...

29 CFR 1926.406 - Specific purpose equipment and installations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

...—disconnecting means—(1) Motor-generator, AC transformer, and DC rectifier arc welders. A disconnecting means shall be provided in the supply circuit for each motor-generator arc welder, and for each AC transformer...

26. INTERIOR VIEW TO THE SOUTH OF ROOM 148, A ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

26. INTERIOR VIEW TO THE SOUTH OF ROOM 148, A POST-MORTEM CELL IN THE HOT DISASSEMBLY AREA. - Nevada Test Site, Reactor Maintenance Assembly & Dissassembly Facility, Area 25, Jackass Flats, Junction of Roads F & G, Mercury, Nye County, NV

29. INTERIOR VIEW TO THE EAST OF ROOM 144, A ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

29. INTERIOR VIEW TO THE EAST OF ROOM 144, A POST-MORTEM CELL IN THE HOT DISASSEMBLY AREA. - Nevada Test Site, Reactor Maintenance Assembly & Dissassembly Facility, Area 25, Jackass Flats, Junction of Roads F & G, Mercury, Nye County, NV

Occurrence of Gnathostoma spinigerum in a leopard cat from Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala.

PubMed

Lenka, Dibya Ranjan; Johns, Joju; Gopi, Jyothimol; Chandy, George; Narayanan, Priya Manakkulamparambil; Kalarikkal, Deepa Chundayil; Ravindran, Reghu

2016-06-01

The post-mortem examination of a leopard cat from Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, died in a road accident, revealed presence of gastric tumours containing worms which were identified as Gnathostoma spinigerum based on morphological characteristics.

Current food chain information provides insufficient information for modern meat inspection of pigs.

PubMed

Felin, Elina; Jukola, Elias; Raulo, Saara; Heinonen, Jaakko; Fredriksson-Ahomaa, Maria

2016-05-01

Meat inspection now incorporates a more risk-based approach for protecting human health against meat-borne biological hazards. Official post-mortem meat inspection of pigs has shifted to visual meat inspection. The official veterinarian decides on additional post-mortem inspection procedures, such as incisions and palpations. The decision is based on declarations in the food chain information (FCI), ante-mortem inspection and post-mortem inspection. However, a smooth slaughter and inspection process is essential. Therefore, one should be able to assess prior to slaughter which pigs are suitable for visual meat inspection only, and which need more profound inspection procedures. This study evaluates the usability of the FCI provided by pig producers and considered the possibility for risk ranking of incoming slaughter batches according to the previous meat inspection data and the current FCI. Eighty-five slaughter batches comprising 8954 fattening pigs were randomly selected at a slaughterhouse that receives animals from across Finland. The mortality rate, the FCI and the meat inspection results for each batch were obtained. The current FCI alone provided insufficient and inaccurate information for risk ranking purposes for meat inspection. The partial condemnation rate for a batch was best predicted by the partial condemnation rate calculated for all the pigs sent for slaughter from the same holding in the previous year (p<0.001) and by prior information on cough declared in the current FCI (p=0.02) statement. Training and information to producers are needed to make the FCI reporting procedures more accurate. Historical meat inspection data on pigs slaughtered from the same holdings and well-chosen symptoms/signs for reporting, should be included in the FCI to facilitate the allocation of pigs for visual inspection. The introduced simple scoring system can be easily used for additional information for directing batches to appropriate meat inspection procedures. To control the main biological public health hazards related to pork, serological surveillance should be done and the information obtained from analyses should be used as part of the FCI. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The interaction between manganese exposure and alcohol on neurobehavioral outcomes in welders.

PubMed

Ellingsen, Dag G; Kusraeva, Zarina; Bast-Pettersen, Rita; Zibarev, Evgenij; Chashchin, Maxim; Thomassen, Yngvar; Chashchin, Valery

2014-01-01

Neurobehavioral functions were studied in 137 welders exposed to the geometric mean (GM) air concentration of 214 μg/m(3) (range 1-3230) of manganese (Mn) based on the individual mean from two days of air sampling. Only 22 μg/m(3) (GM) was soluble in the artificial lung fluid Hatch solution. The welders were compared to 137 referents (turner/fitters) recruited from the same plants. The GM concentrations of Mn in whole blood (B-Mn) and urine (U-Mn) were 12.8 μg/L and 0.36 μg/g creatinine versus 8.0 μg/L and 0.07 μg/g creatinine in the referents. Alcohol consumption was assessed by measuring carbohydrate deficient transferrin in serum (sCDT). The welders had poorer performance than the referents on the Grooved Pegboard, Finger Tapping, Simple Reaction Time (SRT) and possibly the Maximum Frequency tests. They also reported more subjective symptoms. Welders with sCDT above the upper reference limit had substantially poorer performances on the Grooved Pegboard test, Finger Tapping test and SRT than welders with sCDT below this level. No effect of high sCDT was observed in the referents, indicating an interaction between high sCDT and exposure to Mn for these tests. Self-reported alcohol consumption had no impact on these neurobehavioral test results. A statistically significant difference in the SRT and Grooved Pegboard test results remained after excluding all subjects with sCDT above the normal level, but the difference in test scores between the groups was smaller. These welders also reported more subjective symptoms than the referents. The results suggest that sCDT should be measured in neurobehavioral studies of occupationally Mn exposed populations for a more precise estimation of high alcohol consumption. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Monitoring of chromium and nickel in biological fluids of stainless steel welders using the flux-cored-wire (FCW) welding method.

PubMed

Stridsklev, Inger Cecilie; Schaller, Karl-Heinz; Langård, Sverre

2004-11-01

This study was undertaken to investigate the exposure to chromium (Cr) and nickel (Ni) in flux-cored wire (FCW) welders welding on stainless steel (SS). Seven FCW welders were monitored for 3 days to 1 workweek, measuring Cr and Ni in air, blood, and urine. The welders were questioned about exposure to Cr and Ni during their whole working careers, with emphasis on the week of monitoring, about the use of personal protective equipment and their smoking habits. The air concentrations were mean 200 microg/m(3) (range 2.4-2,744) for total Cr, 11.3 microg/m(3) (<0.2-151.3) for Cr(VI), and 50.4 microg/m(3) (<2.0-416.7) for Ni during the workdays for the five welders who were monitored with air measurements. The levels of Cr and Ni in biological fluids varied between different workplaces. For Cr in whole blood, plasma, and erythrocytes, the mean levels after work were 1.25 (<0.4-8.3) and 1.68 (<0.2-8.0) and 0.9 (<0.4-7.2) microg/l, respectively. For Ni most of the measurements in whole blood and plasma were below the detection limits, the mean levels after work being 0.84 (<0.8-3.3) and 0.57 microg/l (<0.4-1.7), respectively. Mean levels for Cr and Ni in the urine after work were 3.96 (0.34-40.7) and 2.50 (0.56-5.0) microg/g creatinine, respectively. Correlations between the Cr(VI) levels measured in air and the levels of total Cr in the measured biological fluids were found. The results seem to support the view that monitoring of Cr in the urine may be versatile for indirect monitoring of the Cr(VI) air level in FCW welders. The results seem to suggest that external and internal exposure to Cr and Ni in FCW welders welding SS is low in general.

Manganese Accumulation in the Olfactory Bulbs and Other Brain Regions of “Asymptomatic” Welders

PubMed Central

Sen, Suman; Flynn, Michael R.; Du, Guangwei; Tröster, Alexander I.; An, Hongyu; Huang, Xuemei

2011-01-01

Welding-generated metallic fumes contain a substantial amount of manganese (Mn), making welders susceptible to Mn toxicity. Although overt Mn toxicity manifests as a type of parkinsonism, the consequences of chronic, low-level Mn exposure are unknown. To explore region-specific Mn accumulation and its potential functional consequences at subclinical levels of Mn exposure, we studied seven welders without obvious neurological deficits and seven age- and gender-matched controls. Mn exposure for welders was estimated by an occupational questionnaire. High-resolution brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Grooved Pegboard performance of both hands, Trail making, and olfactory function tests were obtained from all subjects. Compared with controls, the welders had a significantly higher T1 relaxation rate (R1) in the olfactory bulb (OB, p = 0.02), mean T1-weighted intensity at frontal white matter (FWM; p = 0.01), bilateral globus pallidus (GP; p = 0.03), and putamen (p = 0.03). The welders scored worse than the controls on the Grooved Pegboard test for both dominant (p = 0.06) and nondominant hand (p = 0.03). The dominant hand Grooved Pegboard scores correlated best with mean MRI intensity of FWM (R2 = 0.51, p = 0.004), GP (R2 = 0.51, p = 0.004), putamen (R2 = 0.49, p= 0.006), and frontal gray matter (R2 = 0.42, p = 0.01), whereas the nondominant hand scores correlated best with intensity of FWM (R2 = 0.37, p = 0.02) and GP (R2 = 0.28, p = 0.05). No statistical differences were observed in either the Trail-making test or the olfactory test between the two groups. This study suggests that Mn accumulates in OB and multiple other brain regions in “asymptomatic” welders and that MRI abnormalities correlate with fine motor but not cognitive deficits. Further investigations of subclinical Mn exposure are warranted. PMID:21307282

Comparison of HIV-1 pol and env sequences of blood, CSF, brain and spleen isolates collected ante-mortem and post-mortem.

PubMed

Caragounis, E-C; Gisslén, M; Lindh, M; Nordborg, C; Westergren, S; Hagberg, L; Svennerholm, B

2008-02-01

HIV-1 infects the central nervous system (CNS) early in the course of infection. However, it is not known to what extent the virus evolves independently within the CNS and whether the HIV-RNA in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) reflects the viral population replicating within the brain parenchyma or the systemic infection. The aim of this study was to investigate HIV-1 evolution in the CNS and the origin of HIV-1 in CSF. Longitudinally derived paired blood and CSF samples and post-mortem samples from CSF, brain and spleen were collected over a period of up to 63 months from three HIV-1 infected men receiving antiretroviral treatment and presenting with symptoms of AIDS dementia complex (ADC). Phylogenetic analyses of HIV-1 V3, reverse transcriptase (RT) and protease sequences from patient isolates suggest compartmentalization with distinct viral strains in blood, CSF and brain. We found a different pattern of RT and accessory protease mutations in the systemic infection compared to the CNS. We conclude that HIV-1 may to some extent evolve independently in the CNS and the viral population in CSF mainly reflects the infection in the brain parenchyma in patients with ADC. This is of importance in understanding HIV pathogenesis and can have implications on treatment of HIV-1 patients.

Collection of biological samples in forensic toxicology.

PubMed

Dinis-Oliveira, R J; Carvalho, F; Duarte, J A; Remião, F; Marques, A; Santos, A; Magalhães, T

2010-09-01

Forensic toxicology is the study and practice of the application of toxicology to the purposes of the law. The relevance of any finding is determined, in the first instance, by the nature and integrity of the specimen(s) submitted for analysis. This means that there are several specific challenges to select and collect specimens for ante-mortem and post-mortem toxicology investigation. Post-mortem specimens may be numerous and can endow some special difficulties compared to clinical specimens, namely those resulting from autolytic and putrefactive changes. Storage stability is also an important issue to be considered during the pre-analytic phase, since its consideration should facilitate the assessment of sample quality and the analytical result obtained from that sample. The knowledge on degradation mechanisms and methods to increase storage stability may enable the forensic toxicologist to circumvent possible difficulties. Therefore, advantages and limitations of specimen preservation procedures are thoroughfully discussed in this review. Presently, harmonized protocols for sampling in suspected intoxications would have obvious utility. In the present article an overview is given on sampling procedures for routinely collected specimens as well as on alternative specimens that may provide additional information on the route and timing of exposure to a specific xenobiotic. Last, but not least, a discussion on possible bias that can influence the interpretation of toxicological results is provided. This comprehensive review article is intented as a significant help for forensic toxicologists to accomplish their frequently overwhelming mission.

[Work schedule of electric welders in heating microclimate].

PubMed

Sorokin, G A; Frolova, N M

2010-01-01

The authors present results of specified hygienically justified timing regulations for setting the variants of work and rest modes within electric welders shift, who work in various postures with variable visual strain while welding in heating microclimate.

49 CFR 195.222 - Welders: Qualification of welders.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... be qualified in accordance with section 6 of API 1104 (incorporated by reference, see § 195.3) or... and found acceptable under section 9 of API 1104 (incorporated by reference, see § 195.3). [Amdt. 195...

49 CFR 195.222 - Welders: Qualification of welders.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... be qualified in accordance with section 6 of API 1104 (incorporated by reference, see § 195.3) or... and found acceptable under section 9 of API 1104 (incorporated by reference, see § 195.3). [Amdt. 195...

49 CFR 195.222 - Welders: Qualification of welders.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... be qualified in accordance with section 6 of API 1104 (incorporated by reference, see § 195.3) or... and found acceptable under section 9 of API 1104 (incorporated by reference, see § 195.3). [Amdt. 195...

49 CFR 195.222 - Welders: Qualification of welders.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... be qualified in accordance with section 6 of API 1104 (incorporated by reference, see § 195.3) or... and found acceptable under section 9 of API 1104 (incorporated by reference, see § 195.3). [Amdt. 195...

Risk of lung cancer according to mild steel and stainless steel welding.

PubMed

Sørensen, Anita Rath; Thulstrup, Ane Marie; Hansen, Johnni; Ramlau-Hansen, Cecilia Høst; Meersohn, Andrea; Skytthe, Axel; Bonde, Jens Peter

2007-10-01

Whether the elevated risk of lung cancer observed among welders is caused by welding emissions or by confounding from smoking or asbestos exposure is still not resolved. This question was addressed in a cohort with a long follow-up and quantified estimates of individual exposure to welding fume particulates. Male metal workers employed at least 1 year at one or more Danish stainless or mild steel industrial companies from 1964 through 1984 were enrolled in a cohort. Data on occupational and smoking history were obtained by questionnaire in 1986. Welders in the cohort who started welding in 1960 or later (N=4539) were followed from April 1968 until December 2003, when information on cancer diagnosis was obtained from the Danish Cancer Registry. During the follow-up, 75 cases of primary lung cancer were identified. Lifetime accumulated exposure to welding fume particulates was estimated by combining questionnaire information and more than 1000 welding-process-specific measurements of fume particulates in the Danish welding industry. The standardized incidence ratio (SIR) for lung cancer was increased among the welders [SIR 1.35, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.06-1.70)]. Among the stainless steel welders, the risk increased significantly with increasing accumulative welding particulate exposure, while no exposure-response relation was found for mild steel welders, even after adjustment for tobacco smoking and asbestos exposure. The study corroborates earlier findings that welders have an increased risk of lung cancer. While exposure-response relations indicate carcinogenic effects related to stainless steel welding, it is still unresolved whether the mild steel welding process carries a carcinogenic risk.

A historical prospective study of European stainless steel, mild steel, and shipyard welders.

PubMed Central

Simonato, L; Fletcher, A C; Andersen, A; Anderson, K; Becker, N; Chang-Claude, J; Ferro, G; Gérin, M; Gray, C N; Hansen, K S

1991-01-01

A multicentre cohort of 11,092 male welders from 135 companies located in nine European countries has been assembled with the aim of investigating the relation of potential cancer risk, lung cancer in particular, with occupational exposure. The observation period and the criteria for inclusion of welders varied from country to country. Follow up was successful for 96.9% of the cohort and observed numbers of deaths (and for some countries incident cancer cases) were compared with expected numbers calculated from national reference rates. Mortality and cancer incidence ratios were analysed by cause category, time since first exposure, duration of employment, and estimated cumulative dose to total fumes, chromium (Cr), Cr VI, and nickel (Ni). Overall a statistically significant excess was reported for mortality from lung cancer (116 observed v 86.81 expected deaths, SMR = 134). When analysed by type of welding an increasing pattern with time since first exposure was present for both mild steel and stainless steel welders, which was more noticeable for the subcohort of predominantly stainless steel welders. No clear relation was apparent between mortality from lung cancer and duration of exposure to or estimated cumulative dose of Ni or Cr. Whereas the patterns of lung cancer mortality in these results suggest that the risk of lung cancer is higher for stainless steel than mild steel welders the different level of risk for these two categories of welding exposure cannot be quantified with precision. The report of five deaths from pleural mesothelioma unrelated to the type of welding draws attention to the risk of exposure to asbestos in welding activities. PMID:2015204

13. VIEW OF EAST OPERATING GALLERY ALONG THE POSTMORTEM CELLS. ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

13. VIEW OF EAST OPERATING GALLERY ALONG THE POST-MORTEM CELLS. A NUMBER OF MANIPULATOR ARMS COVERED WITH PLASTIC ARE ON THE LEFT WALL. - Nevada Test Site, Engine Maintenance Assembly & Disassembly Facility, Area 25, Jackass Flats, Mercury, Nye County, NV

28. INTERIOR VIEW TO THE SOUTHEAST OF ROOMS 133 AND ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

28. INTERIOR VIEW TO THE SOUTHEAST OF ROOMS 133 AND 134, POST-MORTEM CELLS IN THE HOT DISASSEMBLY AREA. - Nevada Test Site, Reactor Maintenance Assembly & Dissassembly Facility, Area 25, Jackass Flats, Junction of Roads F & G, Mercury, Nye County, NV

Directions in Near-Death Research.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lundahl, C.R.

1981-01-01

Explains that near-death research is moving in three directions: (1) the ongoing accumulation of knowledge on the near-death experience through scientifically derived studies; (2) the examination of post-mortem survival; and (3) the clinical application of the findings of near- death research. (Author/RC)

9 CFR 381.91 - Contamination.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 2 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Contamination. 381.91 Section 381.91 Animals and Animal Products FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AGENCY... CERTIFICATION POULTRY PRODUCTS INSPECTION REGULATIONS Post Mortem Inspection; Disposition of Carcasses and Parts...

9 CFR 381.89 - Bruises.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 2 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Bruises. 381.89 Section 381.89 Animals and Animal Products FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AGENCY ORGANIZATION... CERTIFICATION POULTRY PRODUCTS INSPECTION REGULATIONS Post Mortem Inspection; Disposition of Carcasses and Parts...

9 CFR 381.92 - Overscald.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 2 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Overscald. 381.92 Section 381.92 Animals and Animal Products FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AGENCY... CERTIFICATION POULTRY PRODUCTS INSPECTION REGULATIONS Post Mortem Inspection; Disposition of Carcasses and Parts...

9 CFR 381.93 - Decomposition.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 2 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Decomposition. 381.93 Section 381.93 Animals and Animal Products FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AGENCY... CERTIFICATION POULTRY PRODUCTS INSPECTION REGULATIONS Post Mortem Inspection; Disposition of Carcasses and Parts...

9 CFR 381.87 - Tumors.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 2 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Tumors. 381.87 Section 381.87 Animals and Animal Products FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AGENCY ORGANIZATION... CERTIFICATION POULTRY PRODUCTS INSPECTION REGULATIONS Post Mortem Inspection; Disposition of Carcasses and Parts...

9 CFR 381.88 - Parasites.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 2 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Parasites. 381.88 Section 381.88 Animals and Animal Products FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AGENCY... CERTIFICATION POULTRY PRODUCTS INSPECTION REGULATIONS Post Mortem Inspection; Disposition of Carcasses and Parts...

9 CFR 381.84 - Airsacculitis.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 2 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Airsacculitis. 381.84 Section 381.84 Animals and Animal Products FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AGENCY... CERTIFICATION POULTRY PRODUCTS INSPECTION REGULATIONS Post Mortem Inspection; Disposition of Carcasses and Parts...

9 CFR 381.90 - Cadavers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 2 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Cadavers. 381.90 Section 381.90 Animals and Animal Products FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AGENCY... CERTIFICATION POULTRY PRODUCTS INSPECTION REGULATIONS Post Mortem Inspection; Disposition of Carcasses and Parts...

A triple murder.

PubMed

Vidanapathirana, M; Ruwanpura, P R; Ariyaratne, D; Karunanayake, D S K

2015-12-01

Three partially burnt bodies were found in a burnt out bedroom. A candle and matches were found on a partially burnt bed, suggesting accidental deaths. Careful scene analysis and forensic post-mortems demonstrated that this was a multiple murder rather than an accident. © The Author(s) 2015.

Conversion of continuous-direct-current TIG welder to pulse-arc operation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lien, D. R.

1969-01-01

Electronics package converts a continuous-dc tungsten-inert gas welder for pulse-arc operation. Package allows presetting of the pulse rate, duty cycle, and current value, and enables welding of various alloys and thicknesses of materials.

Exposure to welding fumes is associated with hypomethylation of the F2RL3 gene: a cardiovascular disease marker

PubMed Central

Hossain, Mohammad B; Li, Huiqi; Hedmer, Maria; Tinnerberg, Håkan; Albin, Maria; Broberg, Karin

2015-01-01

Background Welders are at risk for cardiovascular disease. Recent studies linked tobacco smoke exposure to hypomethylation of the F2RL3 (coagulation factor II (thrombin) receptor-like 3) gene, a marker for cardiovascular disease prognosis and mortality. However, whether welding fumes cause hypomethylation of F2RL3 remains unknown. Methods We investigated 101 welders (median span of working as a welder: 7 years) and 127 unexposed controls (non-welders with no obvious exposure to respirable dust at work), age range 23–60 years, all currently non-smoking, in Sweden. The participants were interviewed about their work history, lifestyle factors and diseases. Personal sampling of respirable dust was performed for the welders. DNA methylation of F2RL3 in blood was assessed by pyrosequencing of four CpG sites, CpG_2 (corresponds to cg03636183) to CpG_5, in F2RL3. Multivariable linear regression analysis was used to assess the association between exposure to welding fumes and F2RL3 methylation. Results Welders had 2.6% lower methylation of CpG_5 than controls (p<0.001). Higher concentrations of measured respirable dust among the welders were associated with hypomethylation of CpG_2, CpG_4 and CpG_5 (β=−0.49 to −1.4, p<0.012); p<0.029 adjusted for age, previous smoking, passive smoking, education, current residence and respirator use. Increasing the number of years working as a welder was associated with hypomethylation of CpG_4 (linear regression analysis, β=−0.11, p=0.039, adjusted for previous smoking). Previous tobacco smokers had 1.5–4.7% (p<0.014) lower methylation of 3 of the 4 CpG sites in F2RL3 (CpG_2, CpG_4 and CpG_5) compared to never-smokers. A non-significant lower risk of cardiovascular disease with more methylation was observed for all CpG sites. Conclusions Welding fumes exposure and previous smoking were associated with F2RL3 hypomethylation. This finding links low-to-moderate exposure to welding fumes to adverse effects on the cardiovascular system, and suggests a potential mechanistic pathway for this link, via epigenetic effects on F2RL3 expression. PMID:26395445

Ethereal presences in holography and photography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Richardson, M.; Byrne, Kay

2007-02-01

This paper examines the concept of the 'Presence of Absence' in post-mortem photography and holography, drawing upon both historical and lesser-known images as reference. To create a photographic negative one needs the presence of light to expose the light sensitive surface, be it glass, a polished plate or plastic. A hologram may also be created when a coherent light source, for example from a Laser, travels through a light sensitive material and falls upon the subject to be recorded. A holograph however, retains the optical qualities of both phase and amplitude, the memory of light. Both mediums recall, as it were, 'now absent moments', and confronts us with what is 'not there' as much as 'what is'. This paper examines the exploration of absence and presence in post-mortem photography and holography and it's a richly visceral visual language. A photonic syntax can interpret death as an elegant yet horrific aesthetic, the photograph may be beautify screened and yet obscene in its content. In essence one can be a voyeur, experiencing a mere visual whisper of the true nature of the subject. Our Victorian forefathers explored postmortem photography as an object of mourning, and at the close of the nineteenth century when Jack the Ripper had the inhabitants of White Chapel in a grip of fear, photography made its mark as a documentation of violent crime. Today, within contemporary photography, death is now presented within the confines of the 'Art Gallery', as a sensual, and at times, sensationalised art form. In exploring post-mortem imagery, both in holography and conventional photography, absence presents an aspect of death as startling in its unanimated form and detailed in its finite examination of mortality.

Developing 3D microscopy with CLARITY on human brain tissue: Towards a tool for informing and validating MRI-based histology.

PubMed

Morawski, Markus; Kirilina, Evgeniya; Scherf, Nico; Jäger, Carsten; Reimann, Katja; Trampel, Robert; Gavriilidis, Filippos; Geyer, Stefan; Biedermann, Bernd; Arendt, Thomas; Weiskopf, Nikolaus

2017-11-28

Recent breakthroughs in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enabled quantitative relaxometry and diffusion-weighted imaging with sub-millimeter resolution. Combined with biophysical models of MR contrast the emerging methods promise in vivo mapping of cyto- and myelo-architectonics, i.e., in vivo histology using MRI (hMRI) in humans. The hMRI methods require histological reference data for model building and validation. This is currently provided by MRI on post mortem human brain tissue in combination with classical histology on sections. However, this well established approach is limited to qualitative 2D information, while a systematic validation of hMRI requires quantitative 3D information on macroscopic voxels. We present a promising histological method based on optical 3D imaging combined with a tissue clearing method, Clear Lipid-exchanged Acrylamide-hybridized Rigid Imaging compatible Tissue hYdrogel (CLARITY), adapted for hMRI validation. Adapting CLARITY to the needs of hMRI is challenging due to poor antibody penetration into large sample volumes and high opacity of aged post mortem human brain tissue. In a pilot experiment we achieved transparency of up to 8 mm-thick and immunohistochemical staining of up to 5 mm-thick post mortem brain tissue by a combination of active and passive clearing, prolonged clearing and staining times. We combined 3D optical imaging of the cleared samples with tailored image processing methods. We demonstrated the feasibility for quantification of neuron density, fiber orientation distribution and cell type classification within a volume with size similar to a typical MRI voxel. The presented combination of MRI, 3D optical microscopy and image processing is a promising tool for validation of MRI-based microstructure estimates. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

HIF1α protein and mRNA expression as a new marker for post mortem interval estimation in human gingival tissue.

PubMed

Fais, Paolo; Mazzotti, Maria Carla; Teti, Gabriella; Boscolo-Berto, Rafael; Pelotti, Susi; Falconi, Mirella

2018-06-01

Estimating the post mortem interval (PMI) is still a crucial step in Forensic Pathology. Although several methods are available for assessing the PMI, a precise estimation is still quite unreliable and can be inaccurate. The present study aimed to investigate the immunohistochemical distribution and mRNA expression of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF-1α) in post mortem gingival tissues to establish a correlation between the presence of HIF-1α and the time since death, with the final goal of achieving a more accurate PMI estimation. Samples of gingival tissues were obtained from 10 cadavers at different PMIs (1-3 days, 4-5 days and 8-9 days), and were processed for immunohistochemistry and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The results showed a time-dependent correlation of HIF-1α protein and its mRNA with different times since death, which suggests that HIF-1α is a potential marker for PMI estimation. The results showed a high HIF-1α protein signal that was mainly localized in the stratum basale of the oral mucosa in samples collected at a short PMI (1-3 days). It gradually decreased in samples collected at a medium PMI (4-5 days), but it was not detected in samples collected at a long PMI (8-9 days). These results are in agreement with the mRNA data. These data indicate an interesting potential utility of Forensic Anatomy-based techniques, such as immunohistochemistry, as important complementary tools to be used in forensic investigations. © 2018 The Authors. Journal of Anatomy published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Anatomical Society.

Studies on drug metabolism by fungi colonizing decomposing human cadavers. Part II: biotransformation of five model drugs by fungi isolated from post-mortem material.

PubMed

Martínez-Ramírez, Jorge A; Walther, Grit; Peters, Frank T

2015-04-01

The present study investigated the in vitro metabolic capacity of 28 fungal strains isolated from post-mortem material towards five model drugs: amitriptyline, metoprolol, mirtazapine, promethazine, and zolpidem. Each fungal strain was incubated at 25 °C for up to 120 h with each of the five models drugs. Cunninghamella elegans was used as positive control. Aliquots of the incubation mixture were centrifuged and 50 μL of the supernatants were diluted and directly analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with product ion scanning. The remaining mixture was analyzed by full scan gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) after liquid-liquid extraction and acetylation. The metabolic activity was evaluated through the total number of detected metabolites (NDM) produced in each model and fungal strains and the percentage of parent drug remaining (%RPD) after up to five days of incubation. All the tested fungal strains were capable of forming mammalian phase I metabolites. Fungi from the normal fungal flora of the human body such as Candida sp., Geotrichum candidum, and Trichosporon asahii) formed up to seven metabolites at %RPD values greater than 52% but no new fungal metabolites (NFM). In contrast, some airborne fungal strains like Bjerkandera adusta, Chaetomium sp, Coriolopsis sp., Fusarium solani and Mucor plumbeus showed NDM values exceeding those of the positive control, complete metabolism of the parent drug in some models and formation of NFM. NFM (numbers in brackets) were detected in four of the five model drugs: amitriptyline (18), metoprolol (4), mirtazapine (8), and zolpidem (2). The latter NFM are potential candidates for marker substances indicating post-mortem fungal metabolism. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Topographic distribution of brain iron deposition and small cerebrovascular lesions in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and in frontotemporal lobar degeneration: a post-mortem 7.0-tesla magnetic resonance imaging study with neuropathological correlates.

PubMed

De Reuck, Jacques; Devos, David; Moreau, Caroline; Auger, Florent; Durieux, Nicolas; Deramecourt, Vincent; Pasquier, Florence; Maurage, Claude-Alain; Cordonnier, Charlotte; Leys, Didier; Bordet, Regis

2017-12-01

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is associated with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) in 15% of the cases. A neuropathological continuity between ALS and FTLD-TDP is suspected. The present post-mortem 7.0-tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study compares the topographic distribution of iron (Fe) deposition and the incidence of small cerebrovascular lesions in ALS and in FTLD brains. Seventy-eight post-mortem brains underwent 7.0-tesla MRI. The patients consisted of 12 with ALS, 38 with FTLD, and 28 controls. Three ALS brains had minor FTLD features. Three coronal sections of a cerebral hemisphere were submitted to T2 and T2* MRI sequences. The amount of Fe deposition in the deep brain structures and the number of small cerebrovascular lesions was determined in ALS and the subtypes of FTLD compared to control brains, with neuropathological correlates. A significant increase of Fe deposition was observed in the claustrum, caudate nucleus, globus pallidus, thalamus, and subthalamic nucleus of the FTLD-FUS and FTLD-TDP groups, while in the ALS one, the Fe increase was only observed in the caudate and the subthalamic nuclei. White matter changes were only significantly more severe in the FTLD compared to those in ALS and in controls brains. Cortical micro-bleeds were increased in the frontal and temporal lobes of FTLD as well as of ALS brains compared to controls. Cortical micro-infarcts were, on the other hand, more frequent in the control compared to the ALS and FTLD groups. The present study supports the assumption of a neuropathological continuity between ALS and FTLD and illustrates the favourable vascular risk profile in these diseases.

Detection and differentiation of early acute and following age stages of myocardial infarction with quantitative post-mortem cardiac 1.5T MR.

PubMed

Schwendener, Nicole; Jackowski, Christian; Persson, Anders; Warntjes, Marcel J; Schuster, Frederick; Riva, Fabiano; Zech, Wolf-Dieter

2017-01-01

Recently, quantitative MR sequences have started being used in post-mortem imaging. The goal of the present study was to evaluate if early acute and following age stages of myocardial infarction can be detected and discerned by quantitative 1.5T post-mortem cardiac magnetic resonance (PMCMR) based on quantitative T1, T2 and PD values. In 80 deceased individuals (25 female, 55 male), a cardiac MR quantification sequence was performed prior to cardiac dissection at autopsy in a prospective study. Focal myocardial signal alterations detected in synthetically generated MR images were MR quantified for their T1, T2 and PD values. The locations of signal alteration measurements in PMCMR were targeted at autopsy heart dissection and cardiac tissue specimens were taken for histologic examinations. Quantified signal alterations in PMCMR were correlated to their according histologic age stage of myocardial infarction. In PMCMR seventy-three focal myocardial signal alterations were detected in 49 of 80 investigated hearts. These signal alterations were diagnosed histologically as early acute (n=39), acute (n=14), subacute (n=10) and chronic (n=10) age stages of myocardial infarction. Statistical analysis revealed that based on their quantitative T1, T2 and PD values, a significant difference between all defined age groups of myocardial infarction can be determined. It can be concluded that quantitative 1.5T PMCMR quantification based on quantitative T1, T2 and PD values is feasible for characterization and differentiation of early acute and following age stages of myocardial infarction. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Putative presynaptic dopamine dysregulation in schizophrenia is supported by molecular evidence from post-mortem human midbrain

PubMed Central

Purves-Tyson, T D; Owens, S J; Rothmond, D A; Halliday, G M; Double, K L; Stevens, J; McCrossin, T; Shannon Weickert, C

2017-01-01

The dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia posits that increased subcortical dopamine underpins psychosis. In vivo imaging studies indicate an increased presynaptic dopamine synthesis capacity in striatal terminals and cell bodies in the midbrain in schizophrenia; however, measures of the dopamine-synthesising enzyme, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), have not identified consistent changes. We hypothesise that dopamine dysregulation in schizophrenia could result from changes in expression of dopamine synthesis enzymes, receptors, transporters or catabolic enzymes. Gene expression of 12 dopamine-related molecules was examined in post-mortem midbrain (28 antipsychotic-treated schizophrenia cases/29 controls) using quantitative PCR. TH and the synaptic dopamine transporter (DAT) proteins were examined in post-mortem midbrain (26 antipsychotic-treated schizophrenia cases per 27 controls) using immunoblotting. TH and aromatic acid decarboxylase (AADC) mRNA and TH protein were unchanged in the midbrain in schizophrenia compared with controls. Dopamine receptor D2 short, vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT2) and DAT mRNAs were significantly decreased in schizophrenia, with no change in DRD3 mRNA, DRD3nf mRNA and DAT protein between diagnostic groups. However, DAT protein was significantly increased in putatively treatment-resistant cases of schizophrenia compared to putatively treatment-responsive cases. Midbrain monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) mRNA was increased, whereas MAOB and catechol-O-methyl transferase mRNAs were unchanged in schizophrenia. We conclude that, whereas some mRNA changes are consistent with increased dopamine action (decreased DAT mRNA), others suggest reduced dopamine action (increased MAOA mRNA) in the midbrain in schizophrenia. Here, we identify a molecular signature of dopamine dysregulation in the midbrain in schizophrenia that mainly includes gene expression changes of molecules involved in dopamine synthesis and in regulating the time course of dopamine action. PMID:28094812

[3H]MK-801 binding sites in post-mortem human frontal cortex.

PubMed

Kornhuber, J; Mack-Burkhardt, F; Kornhuber, M E; Riederer, P

1989-03-29

The binding of [3H]MK-801 ((+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5,10-imine maleate) was investigated in extensively washed homogenates of post-mortem human frontal cortex. The association of [3H]MK-801 proceeded slowly (t1/2 = 553 min) and reached equilibrium only after a prolonged incubation (greater than 24 h). The dissociation of [3H]MK-801 from the binding site was also slow (t1/2 = 244 min). Glutamate, glycine and magnesium markedly increased the rate of association (t1/2 = 14.8 min) and dissociation (t1/2 = 36.5 min). At equilibrium, the binding was not altered by these substances. Specific binding was linear with protein concentration, was saturable, reversible, stereoselective, heat-labile and was nearly absent in the white matter. Scatchard analysis of the saturation curves obtained at equilibrium indicated that there was a high-affinity (Kd1 1.39 +/- 0.21 nM, Bmax1 0.483 +/- 0.084 pmol/mg protein) and a low-affinity (Kd2 116.25 +/- 50.79 nM, Bmax2 3.251 +/- 0.991 pmol/mg protein) binding site. All competition curves obtained with (+)-MK-801, (-)-MK-801, phencyclidine and ketamine had Hill coefficients of less than unity and were best explained by a two-site model. Thus, our results demonstrate the presence of binding sites for MK-801 in post-mortem human brains and provide evidence for binding site heterogeneity. Furthermore, glutamate, glycine and magnesium accelerate the association and dissociation of [3H]MK-801 to and from its binding sites. The results add support to the hypothesis that MK-801, glutamate, glycine and magnesium all bind to different sites on the NMDA receptor-ion channel complex.

Post-mortem review of fentanyl-related overdose deaths among identified drug users in Southern Bavaria, Germany, 2005-2014.

PubMed

Sinicina, Inga; Sachs, Hans; Keil, Wolfgang

2017-11-01

Two decades ago, there were only single case reports on deaths in Europe following the consumption of illicitly manufactured fentanyl by problem drug users. Today, lethal fentanyl intoxication is now no longer a rarity. Since 2005, a rapid increase of lethal fentanyl-related intoxications in the drug scene has been observed at the Institute of Legal Medicine, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich. We hypothesized that this rise is the result of the launch of fentanyl matrix patches in Germany in 2004, their broad acceptance, their diversion from the regulated supply chain, and incautious prescription by medical care providers. Post-mortem toxicological reports were reviewed for lethal fentanyl-related intoxications between 2004 und 2014. Blood and tissue samples were tested by GC/MS or LC-MS/MS. The results of police investigations, autopsy reports, and the database of the Institute of Legal Medicine, LMU, were analysed to identify problem drug users and to detect the source of fentanyl as well as the routes of administration. Between 2005 and 2014, 242 overdose victims with post-mortem toxicological detection of fentanyl were found. In the majority of cases, fentanyl matrix patches were the source of fentanyl. The onset of fentanyl-related deaths coincided with the launch of transdermal fentanyl matrix patches in Germany in 2004. Several approaches, such as providing drug users with information on the possible risks of fentanyl consumption, education of medical caregivers, and also monitoring of the prescription of fentanyl patches, are required to reduce the number of fentanyl-related deaths in drug addicts. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Optimized magnetic resonance diffusion protocol for ex-vivo whole human brain imaging with a clinical scanner

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scherrer, Benoit; Afacan, Onur; Stamm, Aymeric; Singh, Jolene; Warfield, Simon K.

2015-03-01

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) provides a novel insight into the brain to facilitate our understanding of the brain connectivity and microstructure. While in-vivo DW-MRI enables imaging of living patients and longitudinal studies of brain changes, post-mortem ex-vivo DW-MRI has numerous advantages. Ex-vivo imaging benefits from greater resolution and sensitivity due to the lack of imaging time constraints; the use of tighter fitting coils; and the lack of movement artifacts. This allows characterization of normal and abnormal tissues with unprecedented resolution and sensitivity, facilitating our ability to investigate anatomical structures that are inaccessible in-vivo. This also offers the opportunity to develop today novel imaging biomarkers that will, with tomorrow's MR technology, enable improved in-vivo assessment of the risk of disease in an individual. Post-mortem studies, however, generally rely on the fixation of specimen to inhibit tissue decay which starts as soon as tissue is deprived from its blood supply. Unfortunately, fixation of tissues substantially alters tissue diffusivity profiles. In addition, ex-vivo DW-MRI requires particular care when packaging the specimen because the presence of microscopic air bubbles gives rise to geometric and intensity image distortion. In this work, we considered the specific requirements of post-mortem imaging and designed an optimized protocol for ex-vivo whole brain DW-MRI using a human clinical 3T scanner. Human clinical 3T scanners are available to a large number of researchers and, unlike most animal scanners, have a bore diameter large enough to image a whole human brain. Our optimized protocol will facilitate widespread ex-vivo investigations of large specimen.

Differentiation of dental restorative materials combining energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and post-mortem CT.

PubMed

Merriam, Tim; Kaufmann, Rolf; Ebert, Lars; Figi, Renato; Erni, Rolf; Pauer, Robin; Sieberth, Till

2018-06-01

Today, post-mortem computed tomography (CT) is routinely used for forensic identification. Mobile energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectroscopy of a dentition is a method of identification that has the potential to be easier and cheaper than CT, although it cannot be used with every dentition. In challenging cases, combining both techniques could facilitate the process of identification and prove to be advantageous over chemical analyses. Nine dental restorative material brands were analyzed using EDXRF spectroscopy. Their differentiability was assessed by comparing each material's x-ray fluorescence spectrum and then comparing the spectra to previous research investigating differentiability in CT. To verify EDXRF's precision and accuracy, select dental specimens underwent comparative electron beam excited x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) scans, while the impact of the restorative surface area was studied by scanning a row of dental specimens with varying restorative surface areas (n = 10). EDXRF was able to differentiate all 36 possible pairs of dental filling materials; however, dual-energy CT was only able to differentiate 33 out of 36. The EDS scans showed correlating x-ray fluorescence peaks on the x-ray spectra compared to our EDXRF. In addition, the surface area showed no influence on the differentiability of the dental filling materials. EDXRF has the potential to facilitate corpse identification by differentiating and comparing restorative materials, providing more information compared to post-mortem CT alone. Despite not being able to explicitly identify a brand without a control sample or database, its fast and mobile use could accelerate daily routines or mass victim identification processes. To achieve this goal, further development of EDXRF scanners for this application and further studies evaluating the method within a specific routine need to be performed.

Magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging for the pedunculopontine nucleus: proof of concept and histological correlation.

PubMed

Alho, A T D L; Hamani, C; Alho, E J L; da Silva, R E; Santos, G A B; Neves, R C; Carreira, L L; Araújo, C M M; Magalhães, G; Coelho, D B; Alegro, M C; Martin, M G M; Grinberg, L T; Pasqualucci, C A; Heinsen, H; Fonoff, E T; Amaro, E

2017-08-01

The pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) has been proposed as target for deep brain stimulation (DBS) in patients with postural instability and gait disorders due to its involvement in muscle tonus adjustments and control of locomotion. However, it is a deep-seated brainstem nucleus without clear imaging or electrophysiological markers. Some studies suggested that diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) may help guiding electrode placement in the PPN by showing the surrounding fiber bundles, but none have provided a direct histological correlation. We investigated DTI fractional anisotropy (FA) maps from in vivo and in situ post-mortem magnetic resonance images (MRI) compared to histological evaluations for improving PPN targeting in humans. A post-mortem brain was scanned in a clinical 3T MR system in situ. Thereafter, the brain was processed with a special method ideally suited for cytoarchitectonic analyses. Also, nine volunteers had in vivo brain scanning using the same MRI protocol. Images from volunteers were compared to those obtained in the post-mortem study. FA values of the volunteers were obtained from PPN, inferior colliculus, cerebellar crossing fibers and medial lemniscus using histological data and atlas information. FA values in the PPN were significantly lower than in the surrounding white matter region and higher than in areas with predominantly gray matter. In Nissl-stained histologic sections, the PPN extended for more than 10 mm in the rostro-caudal axis being closely attached to the lateral parabrachial nucleus. Our DTI analyses and the spatial correlation with histological findings proposed a location for PPN that matched the position assigned to this nucleus in the literature. Coregistration of neuroimaging and cytoarchitectonic features can add value to help establishing functional architectonics of the PPN and facilitate neurosurgical targeting of this extended nucleus.

Cancer incidence among welders: possible effects of exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic radiation (ELF) and to welding fumes.

PubMed Central

Stern, R M

1987-01-01

Epidemiological studies of cancer incidence among welders disclose a pooled total of 146 cases of leukemia observed versus 159.46 expected, a risk ratio of 0.92, and 40 cases of acute leukemia observed versus 43.39 expected, a risk ratio of 0.92. For respiratory tract cancer, the pooled total is 1789 cases observed versus 1290.7 expected, a risk ratio of 1.39. Most electric welders are exposed to extremely low frequency electromagnetic radiation (ELF) (magnetic flux densities of up to 100,000 microT), a suspected leukemogen, and to concentrated metallic aerosols (up to 200 mg/m3), which can contain the putative respiratory tract carcinogens Cr(VI) and Ni. The two exposures are usually coincident, since welding with an electric current produces welding fumes. The observation of an excess risk for respiratory tract cancer strongly suggests significant exposure both to fumes and to ELF. The absence of increased risk for all leukemia or for acute leukemia among ELF-exposed welders does not support the hypothesis that the observed excess risk for leukemia or acute leukemia among workers in the electrical trades is due to their ELF exposure, which on the average is lower than that of welders. PMID:3447902

25. INTERIOR VIEW TO THE NORTH OF ROOM 149, THE ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

25. INTERIOR VIEW TO THE NORTH OF ROOM 149, THE ENTRANCE HALLWAY TO THE POST-MORTEM CELLS IN THE HOT DISASSEMBLY AREA. - Nevada Test Site, Reactor Maintenance Assembly & Dissassembly Facility, Area 25, Jackass Flats, Junction of Roads F & G, Mercury, Nye County, NV

9 CFR 354.131 - Decomposition.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 2 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Decomposition. 354.131 Section 354.131 Animals and Animal Products FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AGENCY... Carcasses and Parts § 354.131 Decomposition. Carcasses of rabbits deleteriously affected by post-mortem...

9 CFR 354.131 - Decomposition.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 2 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Decomposition. 354.131 Section 354.131 Animals and Animal Products FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AGENCY... Carcasses and Parts § 354.131 Decomposition. Carcasses of rabbits deleteriously affected by post-mortem...

9 CFR 354.131 - Decomposition.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 2 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Decomposition. 354.131 Section 354.131 Animals and Animal Products FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AGENCY... Carcasses and Parts § 354.131 Decomposition. Carcasses of rabbits deleteriously affected by post-mortem...

9 CFR 381.93 - Decomposition.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 2 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Decomposition. 381.93 Section 381.93 Animals and Animal Products FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AGENCY... § 381.93 Decomposition. Carcasses of poultry deleteriously affected by post mortem changes shall be...

9 CFR 381.93 - Decomposition.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 2 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Decomposition. 381.93 Section 381.93 Animals and Animal Products FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AGENCY... § 381.93 Decomposition. Carcasses of poultry deleteriously affected by post mortem changes shall be...

9 CFR 381.93 - Decomposition.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 2 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Decomposition. 381.93 Section 381.93 Animals and Animal Products FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AGENCY... § 381.93 Decomposition. Carcasses of poultry deleteriously affected by post mortem changes shall be...

9 CFR 381.93 - Decomposition.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 2 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Decomposition. 381.93 Section 381.93 Animals and Animal Products FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AGENCY... § 381.93 Decomposition. Carcasses of poultry deleteriously affected by post mortem changes shall be...

9 CFR 354.131 - Decomposition.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 2 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Decomposition. 354.131 Section 354.131 Animals and Animal Products FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AGENCY... Carcasses and Parts § 354.131 Decomposition. Carcasses of rabbits deleteriously affected by post-mortem...

Isolation of Cardiomyocyte Nuclei from Post-mortem Tissue

PubMed Central

Bergmann, Olaf; Jovinge, Stefan

2012-01-01

Identification of cardiomyocyte nuclei has been challenging in tissue sections as most strategies rely only on cytoplasmic marker proteins1. Rare events in cardiac myocytes such as proliferation and apoptosis require an accurate identification of cardiac myocyte nuclei to analyze cellular renewal in homeostasis and in pathological conditions2. Here, we provide a method to isolate cardiomyocyte nuclei from post mortem tissue by density sedimentation and immunolabeling with antibodies against pericentriolar material 1 (PCM-1) and subsequent flow cytometry sorting. This strategy allows a high throughput analysis and isolation with the advantage of working equally well on fresh tissue and frozen archival material. This makes it possible to study material already collected in biobanks. This technique is applicable and tested in a wide range of species and suitable for multiple downstream applications such as carbon-14 dating3, cell-cycle analysis4, visualization of thymidine analogues (e.g. BrdU and IdU)4, transcriptome and epigenetic analysis. PMID:22805241

[Obligation to report occupational diseases. Importance of external post-mortem examinations before cremation].

PubMed

Verhoff, M A; Risse, M; Alles, J-U; Müller, K-M; Stachetzki, U

2004-05-01

The practical use of the legally required documentation of occupational diseases is demonstrated by a case of asbestos-related pleural mesothelioma. During the mandatory inquest before cremation, information of manifest pleural mesothelioma had been relayed to the widow of the patient, and an investigation for a possible occupational disease was performed. Reconstruction of the case showed that in the course of 3 months at least 13 physicians had been involved in in-hospital as well as ambulatory therapeutic measures. Until death, none of them informed the trade association about a suspected occupational disease in accordance with BK 4105 of the codex of occupational diseases, although the diagnosis of manifest pleural mesothelioma had been histologically confirmed already 10 weeks prior to the death of the patient. This case demonstrates obvious and evident deficiencies in applying the Code of Social Law VII, which requires physicians to report occupational diseases. In addition, it shows the importance of the post-mortem examination as a control function before cremation.

Cobboldia elephantis (Cobbold, 1866) larval infestation in an Indian elephant (Elephas maximus).

PubMed

Javare Gowda, Ananda K; Dharanesha, N K; Giridhar, P; Byre Gowda, S M

2017-06-01

In the present study, post-mortem was conducted on a female elephant aged about 37 years died at Rajeev Gandhi National Park, Hunsur, Mathigoodu Elephant Camp, Karnataka state. The animal suffered with diarrhoea, anorexia, dehydration and was unable to walk for about one week before death and was treated with antibiotics and fluid therapy for three days. The post-mortem examination revealed that, the gastric mucosa was severely congested, hyperaemic and numerous stomach bots attached to the mucosa. The bots were recovered from the gastric mucosa and processed for species identification. The posterior spiracles of the bots showed three longitudinal parallel slits in each spiracle, the abdominal segments had a row of belt like triangular shaped spines and the anterior end had two powerful oral hooks with cephalo-pharyngeal skeleton. Based on the above said morphological characters, the bots were identified as Cobboldia elephantis. This seems to be the first report of C. elephantis in free range wild elephant from Karnataka state.

Pregnant woman and road safety: experimental crash test with post mortem human subject.

PubMed

Delotte, Jerome; Behr, Michel; Thollon, Lionel; Arnoux, Pierre-Jean; Baque, Patrick; Bongain, Andre; Brunet, Christian

2008-05-01

Trauma affect between 3 and 7% of all pregnancies in industrialized countries, and the leading cause of these traumas is car crashes. The difficulty to appreciate physiologic and anatomic changes occurring during pregnancy explain that majority of studies were not based on anatomical data. We present a protocol to create a realistic anatomical model of pregnant woman using a post mortem human subject (PMHS). We inserted a physical model of the gravid uterus into the pelvis of a PMHS. 3D acceleration sensors were placed on the subject to measure the acceleration on different body segments. We simulated three frontal impact situations at 20 km/h between two average European cars. Two main kinematics events were identified as possible causes of injuries: lap belt loading and backrest impact. Cadaver experiments provide one interesting complementary approach to study injury mechanisms related to road accidents involving pregnant women. This anatomical accuracy makes it possible to progress in the field of safety devices.

Fetal Cardiac Impairment in Nitrofen-Induced Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia: Postmortem Microcomputed Tomography Imaging Study.

PubMed

Pelizzo, Gloria; Calcaterra, Valeria; Lombardi, Claudio; Bussani, Rossana; Zambelli, Vanessa; De Silvestri, Annalisa; Custrin, Ana; Belgrano, Manuel; Zennaro, Floriana

2017-08-01

We assessed the post-mortem micro-CT utility to evaluate fetal cardiac impairment in nitrofen-induced congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). At 9.5d postconception (dpc), pregnant rats were exposed to nitrofen. At +18 and +21dpc, fetuses were harvested by cesarean section. Postmortem micro-CT and autopsy were performed. Fetuses were assigned to three experimental groups: Control group (C), Nitrofen group (N, exposition to nitrofen without CDH), CDH group. Cardio-pulmonary indices were evaluated. An accurate morphological evaluation of the lung and heart was obtained. Early cardiac impairment was present in the N and CDH groups. At term pregnancy, an increased maximum diameter and decreased minimum diameter of the ventricles and increased interventricular septal thickness were noted in CDH. Histology showed a myocardial "disarray" and an high density of mitotic myocytes in CDH at midgestation. The potential utility of post-mortem fetal micro-CT examination in CDH was introduced. The results highlighted the presence of cardiac adaptation in affected fetuses.

Determining composition of micron-scale protein deposits in neurodegenerative disease by spatially targeted optical microproteomics.

PubMed

Hadley, Kevin C; Rakhit, Rishi; Guo, Hongbo; Sun, Yulong; Jonkman, James E N; McLaurin, Joanne; Hazrati, Lili-Naz; Emili, Andrew; Chakrabartty, Avijit

2015-09-29

Spatially targeted optical microproteomics (STOMP) is a novel proteomics technique for interrogating micron-scale regions of interest (ROIs) in mammalian tissue, with no requirement for genetic manipulation. Methanol or formalin-fixed specimens are stained with fluorescent dyes or antibodies to visualize ROIs, then soaked in solutions containing the photo-tag: 4-benzoylbenzyl-glycyl-hexahistidine. Confocal imaging along with two photon excitation are used to covalently couple photo-tags to all proteins within each ROI, to a resolution of 0.67 µm in the xy-plane and 1.48 µm axially. After tissue solubilization, photo-tagged proteins are isolated and identified by mass spectrometry. As a test case, we examined amyloid plaques in an Alzheimer's disease (AD) mouse model and a post-mortem AD case, confirming known plaque constituents and discovering new ones. STOMP can be applied to various biological samples including cell lines, primary cell cultures, ex vivo specimens, biopsy samples, and fixed post-mortem tissue.

The relationship between exsanguination blood lactate concentration and carcass quality in slaughter pigs.

PubMed

Edwards, L N; Engle, T E; Correa, J A; Paradis, M A; Grandin, T; Anderson, D B

2010-07-01

A group of 128 cross-bred barrows were used to determine the relationship between exsanguination blood lactate concentration ([LAC]) and carcass quality following commercial marketing conditions. After 10h of feed withdrawal, pigs were loaded on a truck with a hydraulically lifted second deck and transported approximately 1h to the slaughter facility. Pigs were rested for 8h and stunned with carbon dioxide. Blood lactate concentration was measured on exsanguination blood. Fourteen pork quality measurements were obtained following normal post-mortem processing. Pearson correlations were used to determine the relationships between [LAC] and the meat quality parameters. Exsanguination blood lactate concentration ranged from 4 to 19.7 mM. Higher lactate was associated with lower 60 min pH (P=0.0004) and higher drip loss (P=0.02). These results suggest that under low-stress loading and standard marketing conditions, exsanguination [LAC] is predictive of the rate of early post-mortem metabolism. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Industrial ammonia gassing

PubMed Central

Walton, M.

1973-01-01

Walton, M. (1972).British Journal of Industrial Medicine,30, 78-86. Industrial ammonia gassing. Seven cases of ammonia gassing are described with follow-up for five years of the six survivors and the post-mortem findings of the fatal case. All the survivors attributed continuing symptoms to the gassing. The study failed to demonstrate permanent ill effects in the one case of mild exposure. Of the more serious cases one has stopped smoking and taken up physical training teaching. He now has above average lung function. Two serious cases who continued to smoke have the lung function abnormalities expected from their smoking. In the other two seriously exposed cases, who also continued to smoke, there is a persistent reduction in ventilation and gas transfer which seems to be due to the ammonia gassing. The post-mortem findings in the fatal case showed acute congestion and oedema of the mucosa of the respiratory tract, the bronchial walls being stripped of their lining epithelium and the alveoli stuffed with red blood cells and oedema fluid. Images PMID:4685304

Evaluation of hypostasis using a colorimeter measuring system and its application to assessment of the post-mortem interval (time of death).

PubMed

Vanezis, P; Trujillo, O

1996-03-05

Hypostasis was measured in 93 cadavers using a tristimulus colorimeter in order to investigate its relationship with the time of death. The intensity (lightness) of the hypostasis in each case was measured over a period of 4 h and the rate of change in lightness derived. When examined against the time of death, it was found that there was a good correlation between the two. Namely, that the rate of change of lightness (and it can be inferred that this represents displaceability) decreases as the post-mortem period increases. The shift in hypostasis was particularly marked in the first 12 h and decreased thereafter. However, hypostasis could be useful for time of death estimation for up to 48 h. After this time, the degree of change was small or non-existent and by 72 h hypostasis had become fixed in the majority of cases, within our measuring period of 4 h.

Experimental assessment of thermal effects of high power density light stimulation for optogenetics control of deep brain structures (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Senova, Suhan; Scisniak, Ilona; Chiang, Chih Chieh; Doignon, Isabelle; Martin, Claire; Palfi, Stephane; Chaillet, Antoine; Pain, Frederic

2016-03-01

2D surface maps of light distribution and temperature increase were recorded in wild type anesthetized rats brains during 90s light stimulation at 478nm (blue) and 638nm (red) with continuous or pulsed optical stimulations with corresponding power ranging from 100 up to 1200 mW/mm² at the output of an optical fiber. Post mortem maps were recorded in the same animals to assess the cooling effect of blood flow. Post mortem histological analysis were carried out to assess whether high power light stimulations had phototoxic effects or could trigger non physiological functional activation. Temperature increase remains below physiological changes (0,5 -1°) for stimulations up to 400mW/mm² at 40Hz. . Histology did not show significant irreversible modifications or damage to the tissues. The spatial profile of light distribution and heat were correlated and demonstrate as expected a rapid attenuation with diatnce to the fiber.

Format preferences of district attorneys for post-mortem medical imaging reports: understandability, cost effectiveness, and suitability for the courtroom: a questionnaire based study.

PubMed

Ampanozi, Garyfalia; Zimmermann, David; Hatch, Gary M; Ruder, Thomas D; Ross, Steffen; Flach, Patricia M; Thali, Michael J; Ebert, Lars C

2012-05-01

The objective of this study was to explore the perception of the legal authorities regarding different report types and visualization techniques for post-mortem radiological findings. A standardized digital questionnaire was developed and the district attorneys in the catchment area of the affiliated Forensic Institute were requested to evaluate four different types of forensic imaging reports based on four cases examples. Each case was described in four different report types (short written report only, gray-scale CT image with figure caption, color-coded CT image with figure caption, 3D-reconstruction with figure caption). The survey participants were asked to evaluate those types of reports regarding understandability, cost effectiveness and overall appropriateness for the courtroom. 3D reconstructions and color-coded CT images accompanied by written report were preferred regarding understandability and cost/effectiveness. 3D reconstructions of the forensic findings reviewed as most adequate for court. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Post-mortem prediction of primal and selected retail cut weights of New Zealand lamb from carcass and animal characteristics.

PubMed

Ngo, L; Ho, H; Hunter, P; Quinn, K; Thomson, A; Pearson, G

2016-02-01

Post-mortem measurements (cold weight, grade and external carcass linear dimensions) as well as live animal data (age, breed, sex) were used to predict ovine primal and retail cut weights for 792 lamb carcases. Significant levels of variance could be explained using these predictors. The predictive power of those measurements on primal and retail cut weights was studied by using the results from principal component analysis and the absolute value of the t-statistics of the linear regression model. High prediction accuracy for primal cut weight was achieved (adjusted R(2) up to 0.95), as well as moderate accuracy for key retail cut weight: tenderloins (adj-R(2)=0.60), loin (adj-R(2)=0.62), French rack (adj-R(2)=0.76) and rump (adj-R(2)=0.75). The carcass cold weight had the best predictive power, with the accuracy increasing by around 10% after including the next three most significant variables. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Fatal ulcerative colitis in a western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla).

PubMed

Lankester, F; Mätz-Rensing, K; Kiyang, J; Jensen, S A; Weiss, S; Leendertz, F H

2008-12-01

A captive western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) presented with watery diarrhoea that progressed to become profuse and haemorrhagic. Faecal analyses revealed Balantidium (B.) coli trophozoites and salmonella-like bacteria. Despite treatment the gorilla died on the 5th day after onset of symptoms. Post-mortem examination revealed a severe erosive-ulcerative superficial and deep colitis. Histological examination of post-mortem samples of the colon showed plentiful B. coli invading into the mucosa and submucosa, whilst PCR screening of bacterial DNA could not confirm any bacteria species which could be connected to the clinical picture. As B. coli is usually a non-pathogenic gut commensal, and as this animal previously showed evidence of non-symptomatic infection of B. coli, it is possible that the switch in pathogenicity was triggered by an acute bacterial infection. Despite successful treatment of the bacterial infection the secondary deep invasion of B. coli was not reversed, possibly because of the failure of the treatment regimen, and led to the death of the gorilla.

Weld arc simulator

DOEpatents

Burr, Melvin J.

1990-01-30

An arc voltage simulator for an arc welder permits the welder response to a variation in arc voltage to be standardized. The simulator uses a linear potentiometer connected to the electrode to provide a simulated arc voltage at the electrode that changes as a function of electrode position.

Alternating-Polarity Arc Welding

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schwinghamer, R. J.

1987-01-01

Brief reversing polarity of welding current greatly improves quality of welds. NASA technical memorandum recounts progress in art of variable-polarity plasma-arc (VPPA) welding, with emphasis on welding of aluminum-alloy tanks. VPPA welders offer important advantages over conventional single-polarity gas/tungsten arc welders.

CHROMOSOMAL ABNORMALITIES AMONG WELDER TRAINEES

EPA Science Inventory

Serial cytogenetic observations were made on a group of 273 military recruits who were being trained as welders at Aberdeen, Maryland. The trainees were being exposed to presumably increased levels of ozone in the course of their welding school experience, and it was the purpose ...

Lung aeration on post-mortem magnetic resonance imaging is a useful marker of live birth versus stillbirth.

PubMed

Barber, Joy L; Sebire, Neil J; Chitty, Lyn S; Taylor, Andrew M; Arthurs, Owen J

2015-05-01

Aim of this study was to investigate whether lung assessment on post-mortem magnetic resonance imaging (PMMR) can reliably differentiate between live birth and stillbirth. We retrospectively assessed PMMR imaging features of a group of late foetal terminations following fetocide and stillbirths (without witnessed breathing) and early infant deaths (breathed spontaneously before death). PMMR images were reviewed for evidence of lung aeration and other features, blinded to the clinical and autopsy data. Nineteen infant deaths (mean age 3.0 ± 6.5 post-natal weeks) and 23 foetal terminations or stillbirths (mean age 32.6 ± 10.2-week gestation) were compared. Subjective appearances of lung aeration on PMMR were the best indicator of live birth, with a sensitivity of 89.5% (95% confidence interval 68.6, 97.1%) and specificity of 95.6% (79.0, 99.2%) and positive and negative predictive values of 94.4% and 91.7%, respectively. Lung aeration on PMMR appears to have high overall accuracy for confirmation of live birth versus intrauterine foetal death but now requires validating in a larger cohort of perinatal deaths.

Editor’s Highlight: Lower Fractional Anisotropy in the Globus Pallidus of Asymptomatic Welders, a Marker for Long-Term Welding Exposure

PubMed Central

Lee, Eun-Young; Flynn, Michael R.; Du, Guangwei; Lewis, Mechelle M.; Herring, Amy H.; Van Buren, Eric; Van Buren, Scott; Kong, Lan; Mailman, Richard B.; Huang, Xuemei

2016-01-01

Introduction: Welding fumes contain several metals including manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu) that at high exposure may co-influence welding-related neurotoxicity. The relationship between brain accumulation of these metals and neuropathology, especially in welders with subclinical exposure levels, is unclear. This study examined the microstructural integrity of basal ganglia (BG) regions in asymptomatic welders using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Methods: Subjects with (n = 43) and without (age- and gender-matched controls; n = 31) history of welding were studied. Occupational questionnaires estimated short-term (HrsW; welding hours and E90; cumulative exposure, past 90 days) and long-term (YrsW; total years welding and ELT; cumulative exposure, lifetime) exposure. Whole blood metal levels (Mn, Fe, and Cu) were obtained. Brain MRI pallidal index (PI), R1 (1/T1), and R2* (1/T2*) were measured to estimate Mn and Fe accumulation in BG [caudate, putamen, and globus pallidus (GP)]. DTI was used to assess BG microstructural differences, and related with exposure measurements. Results: When compared with controls, welders had significantly lower fractional anisotropy (FA) in the GP. In welders, GP FA values showed non-linear relationships to YrsW, blood Mn, and PI. GP FA decreased after a critical level of YrsW or Mn was reached, whereas it decreased with increasing PI values until plateauing at the highest PI values. GP FA, however, did not show any relationship with short-term exposure measurements (HrsW, E90), blood Cu and Fe, or R2* values. Conclusion: GP FA captured microstructural changes associated with chronic low-level Mn exposure, and may serve as a biomarker for neurotoxicity in asymptomatic welders. PMID:27466214

Levels and predictors of airborne and internal exposure to manganese and iron among welders.

PubMed

Pesch, Beate; Weiss, Tobias; Kendzia, Benjamin; Henry, Jana; Lehnert, Martin; Lotz, Anne; Heinze, Evelyn; Käfferlein, Heiko Udo; Van Gelder, Rainer; Berges, Markus; Hahn, Jens-Uwe; Mattenklott, Markus; Punkenburg, Ewald; Hartwig, Andrea; Brüning, Thomas

2012-01-01

We investigated airborne and internal exposure to manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) among welders. Personal sampling of welding fumes was carried out in 241 welders during a shift. Metals were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Mn in blood (MnB) was analyzed by graphite furnace atom absorption spectrometry. Determinants of exposure levels were estimated with multiple regression models. Respirable Mn was measured with a median of 62 (inter-quartile range (IQR) 8.4-320) μg/m(3) and correlated with Fe (r=0.92, 95% CI 0.90-0.94). Inhalable Mn was measured with similar concentrations (IQR 10-340 μg/m(3)). About 70% of the variance of Mn and Fe could be explained, mainly by the welding process. Ventilation decreased exposure to Fe and Mn significantly. Median concentrations of MnB and serum ferritin (SF) were 10.30 μg/l (IQR 8.33-13.15 μg/l) and 131 μg/l (IQR 76-240 μg/l), respectively. Few welders were presented with low iron stores, and MnB and SF were not correlated (r=0.07, 95% CI -0.05 to 0.20). Regression models revealed a significant association of the parent metal with MnB and SF, but a low fraction of variance was explained by exposure-related factors. Mn is mainly respirable in welding fumes. Airborne Mn and Fe influenced MnB and SF, respectively, in welders. This indicates an effect on the biological regulation of both metals. Mn and Fe were strongly correlated, whereas MnB and SF were not, likely due to higher iron stores among welders.

Erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation in the erythrocyte membrane of stainless-steel welders exposed to welding fumes and gases.

PubMed

Imamoglu, Nalan; Yerer, Mükerrem-Betül; Donmez-Altuntas, Hamiyet; Saraymen, Recep

2008-03-01

The erythrocyte antioxidant system (superoxide dismutase, SOD; catalase, CAT) and lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde, MDA) in the erythrocyte membrane were studied in workers continously exposed to welding fumes and gases, which are thought to be oxidant pollutants. Thirty-five welders using the manual metal arc method on stainless steel and 30 controls were studied. Plasma chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), and cupper (Cu) levels were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The erythrocyte antioxidant system activity and lipid peroxidation in the erythrocyte membrane were evaluated. Not only the possible effects of welding fumes but also the effects of smoking were considered. The plasma concentrations of Cr, Mn, and Cu for the exposed welders were significantly higher compared to the control subjects (p<0.001, p<0.01, p<0.001, respectively,). The erythrocyte CAT (p<0.05) and SOD (p<0.05) enzyme activities were significantly higher in the welders but there were not any significant changes in the MDA levels which reflect the lipid peroxidation in the erythrocyte membrane (p>0.05). Smoking has increased the SOD activity in both controls (p<0.05) and welders (p<0.01) and increased the CAT activity in control subjects (p<0.05). Moreover, regardless of smoking, there were some significant correlations between the duration of the exposure to welding fumes and antioxidant defence system (SOD: p<0.05; CAT: p<0.05). The synergistic effects of smoking and other risk factors (welding fumes and gases), which had been shown previously by some clinical data should also be taken into account. As a consequence, the welders should be warned and informed of the synergistic effects of smoking on the adverse effect of welding fumes and gases.

49 CFR 192.227 - Qualification of welders.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 49 Transportation 3 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Qualification of welders. 192.227 Section 192.227 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued) PIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (CONTINUED) PIPELINE SAFETY TRANSPORTATION OF NATURAL AND OTHER GAS BY PIPELINE: MINIMUM...

49 CFR 192.227 - Qualification of welders.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 49 Transportation 3 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Qualification of welders. 192.227 Section 192.227 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued) PIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (CONTINUED) PIPELINE SAFETY TRANSPORTATION OF NATURAL AND OTHER GAS BY PIPELINE: MINIMUM...

Gas tungsten arc welder

DOEpatents

Christiansen, D.W.; Brown, W.F.

A welder for automated closure of fuel pins by a gas tungsten arc process in which a rotating length of cladding is positioned adjacent a welding electrode in a sealed enclosure. An independently movable axial grinder is provided in the enclosure for refurbishing the used electrode between welds.

Productivity, or quality of work as the decisive factor in marketing ergonomics? Design considerations for a new ergonomic welding-table.

PubMed

van der Veen, F; Regensburg, R E

1990-04-01

Quality tools should be designed from the starting point of adjusting tasks and equipment to human possibilities and limitations. Companies should consider an investment in ergonomic equipment as a profitable addition to indispensable productive machinery. As an example to support this statement, the authors describe the health risks of welders and the possible solutions. As the result of investigations a list of requirements was drafted for a product that would have less of the disadvantages of the products mentioned. The designed product, the 'ergonomic welding-table', aims to be a quality tool for welders working at small and medium-sized tasks. The product consists of a cabin (2.35 m wide) with a built-in ventilator for very efficient welding-fume extraction (90%-95%). Welders can set their preferred working height at any time. Another advantage is the option of performing the welding task while standing or sitting. The results of user-evaluation among welders and purchasers indicates considerable satisfaction.

Heavy metals found in the breathing zone, toenails and lung function of welders working in an air-conditioned welding workplace.

PubMed

Hariri, Azian; Mohamad Noor, Noraishah; Paiman, Nuur Azreen; Ahmad Zaidi, Ahmad Mujahid; Zainal Bakri, Siti Farhana

2017-09-22

Welding operations are rarely conducted in an air-conditioned room. However, a company would set its welding operations in an air-conditioned room to maintain the humidity level needed to reduce hydrogen cracks in the specimen being welded. This study intended to assess the exposure to metal elements in the welders' breathing zone and toenail samples. Heavy metal concentration was analysed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The lung function test was also conducted and analysed using statistical approaches. Chromium and manganese concentrations in the breathing zone exceeded the permissible exposure limit stipulated by Malaysian regulations. A similar trend was obtained in the concentration of heavy metals in the breathing zone air sampling and in the welders' toenails. Although there was no statistically significant decrease in the lung function of welders, it is suggested that exposure control through engineering and administrative approaches should be considered for workplace safety and health improvement.

Automatic welding systems gain world-wide acceptance

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ives, G. Jr.

1979-04-01

Five automatic welding systems are currently available for commercial use, marketed by three US companies - CRC Automatic Welding Co., H.C. Price Co., and Diametrics Inc. - as well as by Belgium's S.A. Arcos Co. (the Orbimatic welding device) and France's Societe Serimer. The pioneer and leader of the field, CRC has served on 52 projects since 1969, including the 56-in. Orenburg line in the USSR. In comparison, the other systems have seen only limited activity. The Orbimatic welder has been used in the Netherlands and other Western European countries on projects with up to 42-in.-diameter pipe. The H.C. Pricemore » welder proved successful in North Sea construction and last year in Mexico's Troncal Sistema Nacional de Gas. The Diametrics welder relies on the electric flash-butt system used on large-diameter projects in the USSR. The most recent entry into the commerical market, France's Serimer completed field testing last year. Four other welders have recently been announced but are not yet commercially available.« less

POST-MORTEM FINDINGS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF ENGINEERED SRB FIELD-BIOREACTORS FOR ACID MINE DRAINAGE CONTROL

EPA Science Inventory

Sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB) have the ability to immobilize dissolved metals by precipitating them as sulphides, provided that a favourable biochemical environment is created. Such an environment includes the presence of sulphate, anaerobic conditions and the availability of...

Midbrain dopamine function in schizophrenia and depression: a post-mortem and positron emission tomographic imaging study.

PubMed

Howes, Oliver D; Williams, Matthew; Ibrahim, Kemal; Leung, Garret; Egerton, Alice; McGuire, Philip K; Turkheimer, Federico

2013-11-01

Elevated in vivo markers of presynaptic striatal dopamine activity have been a consistent finding in schizophrenia, and include a large effect size elevation in dopamine synthesis capacity. However, it is not known if the dopaminergic dysfunction is limited to the striatal terminals of dopamine neurons, or is also evident in the dopamine neuron cell bodies, which mostly originate in the substantia nigra. The aim of our studies was therefore to determine whether dopamine synthesis capacity is altered in the substantia nigra of people with schizophrenia, and how this relates to symptoms. In a post-mortem study, a semi-quantitative analysis of tyrosine hydroxylase staining was conducted in nigral dopaminergic cells from post-mortem tissue from patients with schizophrenia (n = 12), major depressive disorder (n = 13) and matched control subjects (n = 13). In an in vivo imaging study, nigral and striatal dopaminergic function was measured in patients with schizophrenia (n = 29) and matched healthy control subjects (n = 29) using (18)F-dihydroxyphenyl-L-alanine ((18)F-DOPA) positron emission tomography. In the post-mortem study we found that tyrosine hydroxylase staining was significantly increased in nigral dopaminergic neurons in schizophrenia compared with both control subjects (P < 0.001) and major depressive disorder (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in tyrosine hydroxylase staining between control subjects and patients with major depressive disorder, indicating that the elevation in schizophrenia is not a non-specific indicator of psychiatric illness. In the in vivo imaging study we found that (18)F-dihydroxyphenyl-L-alanine uptake was elevated in both the substantia nigra and in the striatum of patients with schizophrenia (effect sizes = 0.85, P = 0.003 and 1.14, P < 0.0001, respectively) and, in the voxel-based analysis, was elevated in the right nigra (P < 0.05 corrected for family wise-error). Furthermore, nigral (18)F-dihydroxyphenyl-L-alanine uptake was positively related with the severity of symptoms (r = 0.39, P = 0.035) in patients. However, whereas nigral and striatal (18)F-dihydroxyphenyl-L-alanine uptake were positively related in control subjects (r = 0.63, P < 0.001), this was not the case in patients (r = 0.30, P = 0.11). These findings indicate that elevated dopamine synthesis capacity is seen in the nigral origin of dopamine neurons as well as their striatal terminals in schizophrenia, and is linked to symptom severity in patients.

Mortality in East African shorthorn zebu cattle under one year: predictors of infectious-disease mortality.

PubMed

Thumbi, Samuel M; Bronsvoort, Mark B M de C; Kiara, Henry; Toye, P G; Poole, Jane; Ndila, Mary; Conradie, Ilana; Jennings, Amy; Handel, Ian G; Coetzer, J A W; Steyl, Johan; Hanotte, Olivier; Woolhouse, Mark E J

2013-09-08

Infectious livestock diseases remain a major threat to attaining food security and are a source of economic and livelihood losses for people dependent on livestock for their livelihood. Knowledge of the vital infectious diseases that account for the majority of deaths is crucial in determining disease control strategies and in the allocation of limited funds available for disease control. Here we have estimated the mortality rates in zebu cattle raised in a smallholder mixed farming system during their first year of life, identified the periods of increased risk of death and the risk factors for calf mortality, and through analysis of post-mortem data, determined the aetiologies of calf mortality in this population. A longitudinal cohort study of 548 zebu cattle was conducted between 2007 and 2010. Each calf was followed during its first year of life or until lost from the study. Calves were randomly selected from 20 sub-locations and recruited within a week of birth from different farms over a 45 km radius area centered on Busia in the Western part of Kenya. The data comprised of 481.1 calf years of observation. Clinical examinations, sample collection and analysis were carried out at 5 week intervals, from birth until one year old. Cox proportional hazard models with frailty terms were used for the statistical analysis of risk factors. A standardized post-mortem examination was conducted on all animals that died during the study and appropriate samples collected. The all-cause mortality rate was estimated at 16.1 (13.0-19.2; 95% CI) per 100 calf years at risk. The Cox models identified high infection intensity with Theileria spp., the most lethal of which causes East Coast Fever disease, infection with Trypanosome spp., and helminth infections as measured by Strongyle spp. eggs per gram of faeces as the three important infections statistically associated with infectious disease mortality in these calves. Analysis of post-mortem data identified East Coast Fever as the main cause of death accounting for 40% of all deaths, haemonchosis 12% and heartwater disease 7%. The findings demonstrate the impact of endemic parasitic diseases in indigenous animals expected to be well adapted against disease pressures. Additionally, agreement between results of Cox models using data from simple diagnostic procedures and results from post-mortem analysis underline the potential use such diagnostic data to reduce calf mortality. The control strategies for the identified infectious diseases have been discussed.

Manganese in plasma: a promising biomarker of exposure to Mn in welders. A pilot study.

PubMed

Hoet, Perrine; Vanmarcke, Els; Geens, Tom; Deumer, Gladys; Haufroid, Vincent; Roels, Harry A

2012-08-13

There is raising concern about the potential neurotoxic effects of manganese (Mn) inhalation exposure in welders. Because most of the airborne particles in welding fume are in the respirable fraction, their bioavailability is likely to be higher than for coarser dust exposure. No well-validated biomarker for Mn exposure is available. To investigate the interest of measuring Mn in plasma (Mn-P) and urine (Mn-U) as biomarkers of exposure in a group of 28 welders whose tasks were only welding-related. Ambient air exposure to Mn (Mn-air) was determined by personal full-shift measurements on Monday and Tuesday. On the same days, blood and urine samples were collected before and after the shift. Mn-air varied from 1.3 to 729 μg/m(3) (GM 27.7). For Mn-U 65% of the values in welders were below the LOQ (0.20 μg/L). Compared to controls, the welders' Mn-P averaged 33% higher (1.5 vs 2.0 μg/L). In welders, the after-shift Mn-P values correlated well with Mn-air above 10 μg/m(3). In spite of similar Mn-air exposure on Monday and Tuesday, the relationships between Mn-air and after-shift Mn-P strikingly differed on Tuesday in that the inflection in the relationship was less obvious and the slope of the regression line (Mn-P after-shift/logMn-air) for a doubling of logMn-air was 2.3 times lower than on Monday. On Monday (the first day of the workweek), a Mn-P value of 2 μg/L could distinguish Mn-air exposure above or below 20 μg/m(3) with a sensitivity of 69% and a specificity of 82%. This preliminary study indicates that Mn-P is a promising biomarker of current exposure to Mn in welders and lends biological plausibility to the intended change for the Mn TLV-TWA of 20 μg/m(3) proposed by ACGIH for respirable Mn particulate. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Methodology and preliminary results of a systematic literature review of ante-mortem and post-mortem diagnostic tests for bovine tuberculosis.

PubMed

Downs, Sara H; Parry, Jessica E; Upton, Paul A; Broughan, Jennifer M; Goodchild, Anthony V; Nuñez-Garcia, Javier; Greiner, Matthias; Abernethy, Darrell A; Cameron, Angus R; Cook, Alasdair J; de la Rua-Domenech, Ricardo; Gunn, Jane; Pritchard, Elizabeth; Rhodes, Shelley; Rolfe, Simon; Sharp, Michael; Vordermeier, H Martin; Watson, Eamon; Welsh, Michael; Whelan, Adam O; Woolliams, John A; More, Simon J; Clifton-Hadley, Richard S

2018-05-01

A systematic review was conducted to identify studies with data for statistical meta-analyses of sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) of ante-mortem and post-mortem diagnostic tests for bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in cattle. Members of a working group (WG) developed and tested search criteria and developed a standardised two-stage review process, to identify primary studies with numerator and denominator data for test performance and an agreed range of covariate data. No limits were applied to year, language, region or type of test in initial searches of electronic databases. In stage 1, titles and available abstracts were reviewed. References that complied with stage 1 selection criteria were reviewed in entirety and agreed data were extracted from references that complied with stage 2 selection criteria. At stage 1, 9782 references were reviewed and 261 (2.6%) passed through to stage 2 where 215 English language references were each randomly allocated to two of 18 WG reviewers and 46 references in other languages were allocated to native speakers. Agreement regarding eligibility between reviewers of the same reference at stage 2 was moderate (Kappa statistic = 0.51) and a resolution procedure was conducted. Only 119 references (published 1934-2009) were identified with eligible performance estimates for one or more of 14 different diagnostic test types; despite a comprehensive search strategy and the global impact of bTB. Searches of electronic databases for diagnostic test performance data were found to be nonspecific with regard to identifying references with diagnostic test Se or Sp data. Guidelines for the content of abstracts to research papers reporting diagnostic test performance are presented. The results of meta-analyses of the sensitivity and specificity of the tests, and of an evaluation of the methodological quality of the source references, are presented in accompanying papers (Nuñez-Garcia et al., 2017; Downs et al., 2017). Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

18F-AV-1451 tau PET imaging correlates strongly with tau neuropathology in MAPT mutation carriers

PubMed Central

Puschmann, Andreas; Schöll, Michael; Ohlsson, Tomas; van Swieten, John; Honer, Michael; Englund, Elisabet

2016-01-01

Abstract Tau positron emission tomography ligands provide the novel possibility to image tau pathology in vivo. However, little is known about how in vivo brain uptake of tau positron emission tomography ligands relates to tau aggregates observed post-mortem. We performed tau positron emission tomography imaging with 18F-AV-1451 in three patients harbouring a p.R406W mutation in the MAPT gene, encoding tau. This mutation results in 3- and 4-repeat tau aggregates similar to those in Alzheimer’s disease, and many of the mutation carriers initially suffer from memory impairment and temporal lobe atrophy. Two patients with short disease duration and isolated memory impairment exhibited 18F-AV-1451 uptake mainly in the hippocampus and adjacent temporal lobe regions, correlating with glucose hypometabolism in corresponding regions. One patient died after 26 years of disease duration with dementia and behavioural deficits. Pre-mortem, there was 18F-AV-1451 uptake in the temporal and frontal lobes, as well as in the basal ganglia, which strongly correlated with the regional extent and amount of tau pathology in post-mortem brain sections. Amyloid-β (18F-flutemetamol) positron emission tomography scans were negative in all cases, as were stainings of brain sections for amyloid. This provides strong evidence that 18F-AV-1451 positron emission tomography can be used to accurately quantify in vivo the regional distribution of hyperphosphorylated tau protein. PMID:27357347

Gas tungsten arc welder with electrode grinder

DOEpatents

Christiansen, David W.; Brown, William F.

1984-01-01

A welder for automated closure of fuel pins by a gas tungsten arc process in which a rotating length of cladding is positioned adjacent a welding electrode in a sealed enclosure. An independently movable axial grinder is provided in the enclosure for refurbishing the used electrode between welds.

Exposure to welding fumes is associated with hypomethylation of the F2RL3 gene: a cardiovascular disease marker.

PubMed

Hossain, Mohammad B; Li, Huiqi; Hedmer, Maria; Tinnerberg, Håkan; Albin, Maria; Broberg, Karin

2015-12-01

Welders are at risk for cardiovascular disease. Recent studies linked tobacco smoke exposure to hypomethylation of the F2RL3 (coagulation factor II (thrombin) receptor-like 3) gene, a marker for cardiovascular disease prognosis and mortality. However, whether welding fumes cause hypomethylation of F2RL3 remains unknown. We investigated 101 welders (median span of working as a welder: 7 years) and 127 unexposed controls (non-welders with no obvious exposure to respirable dust at work), age range 23-60 years, all currently non-smoking, in Sweden. The participants were interviewed about their work history, lifestyle factors and diseases. Personal sampling of respirable dust was performed for the welders. DNA methylation of F2RL3 in blood was assessed by pyrosequencing of four CpG sites, CpG_2 (corresponds to cg03636183) to CpG_5, in F2RL3. Multivariable linear regression analysis was used to assess the association between exposure to welding fumes and F2RL3 methylation. Welders had 2.6% lower methylation of CpG_5 than controls (p<0.001). Higher concentrations of measured respirable dust among the welders were associated with hypomethylation of CpG_2, CpG_4 and CpG_5 (β=-0.49 to -1.4, p<0.012); p<0.029 adjusted for age, previous smoking, passive smoking, education, current residence and respirator use. Increasing the number of years working as a welder was associated with hypomethylation of CpG_4 (linear regression analysis, β=-0.11, p=0.039, adjusted for previous smoking). Previous tobacco smokers had 1.5-4.7% (p<0.014) lower methylation of 3 of the 4 CpG sites in F2RL3 (CpG_2, CpG_4 and CpG_5) compared to never-smokers. A non-significant lower risk of cardiovascular disease with more methylation was observed for all CpG sites. Welding fumes exposure and previous smoking were associated with F2RL3 hypomethylation. This finding links low-to-moderate exposure to welding fumes to adverse effects on the cardiovascular system, and suggests a potential mechanistic pathway for this link, via epigenetic effects on F2RL3 expression. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

The risk of cataract in relation to metal arc welding.

PubMed

Slagor, Rebekka Michaelsen; La Cour, Morten; Bonde, Jens Peter

2016-09-01

There are indications that solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) increases the risk of cataract, but there is only circumstantial evidence that metal welding, an important occupational source of UVR exposure, is a risk factor. The objective of this study is to unravel if metal welding increases the risk of cataract. We compared the risk of being diagnosed with cataract from 1987-2012 in a historic cohort of 4288 male metal arc welders against a reference group comprised of Danish skilled and unskilled male workers with similar age distribution. For the welders' cohort, information on welding was collected from questionnaires and, for both cohorts, information about cataract diagnosis and operation was gathered from Danish national registers. Using Cox regression analysis, the hazard ratio (HR) for cataract diagnosis and/or operation was calculated in the follow-up period adjusted for baseline data regarding age, diabetes, and social group. There were 266 welders and 29 007 referents with a diagnosis and/or operation for cataract. The unadjusted HR for cataract comparing ever-welders with referents was 1.07 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.95-1.21] and the adjusted HR was 1.08 (95% CI 0.95-1.22). Age and diabetes were as expected strong risk factors. We found no increased risk of developing cataract among Danish metal welders who worked with arc welding from 1950-1985. This may be attributed to the effectiveness of personal safety equipment.

The Spectrum of Disease in Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McKee, Ann C.; Stein, Thor D.; Nowinski, Christopher J.; Stern, Robert A.; Daneshvar, Daniel H.; Alvarez, Victor E.; Lee, Hyo-Soon; Hall, Garth; Wojtowicz, Sydney M.; Baugh, Christine M.; Riley, David O.; Kubilus, Caroline A.; Cormier, Kerry A.; Jacobs, Matthew A.; Martin, Brett R.; Abraham, Carmela R.; Ikezu, Tsuneya; Reichard, Robert Ross; Wolozin, Benjamin L.; Budson, Andrew E.; Goldstein, Lee E.; Kowall, Neil W.; Cantu, Robert C.

2013-01-01

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy is a progressive tauopathy that occurs as a consequence of repetitive mild traumatic brain injury. We analysed post-mortem brains obtained from a cohort of 85 subjects with histories of repetitive mild traumatic brain injury and found evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy in 68 subjects: all males, ranging…

4. VIEW TO THE NORTHWEST OF THE COLD BAY ON ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

4. VIEW TO THE NORTHWEST OF THE COLD BAY ON THE NORTH (RIGHT) AND THE POST-MORTEM CELLS ON THE SOUTH (LEFT). ALSO ILLUSTRATED ARE THE DIFFERENT ROOF HEIGHTS OF THE BUILDING. - Nevada Test Site, Engine Maintenance Assembly & Disassembly Facility, Area 25, Jackass Flats, Mercury, Nye County, NV

9 CFR 71.21 - Tissue and blood testing at slaughter.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

..., taking into account whether APHIS will be conducting complete tests at the facility, or only collecting..., until after the post-mortem examination is completed; (4) Includes tables, benches, and other equipment on which sample collection and processing are to be performed, of such design, material, and...

9 CFR 310.18 - Contamination of carcasses, organs, or other parts.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 2 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Contamination of carcasses, organs, or other parts. 310.18 Section 310.18 Animals and Animal Products FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE... AND VOLUNTARY INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION POST-MORTEM INSPECTION § 310.18 Contamination of carcasses...

9 CFR 310.13 - Inflating carcasses or parts thereof; transferring caul or other fat.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AGENCY ORGANIZATION AND TERMINOLOGY; MANDATORY MEAT AND POULTRY PRODUCTS INSPECTION AND VOLUNTARY INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION POST-MORTEM INSPECTION § 310.13 Inflating... the Office of Management and Budget under control number 0583-0015) [54 FR 36756, Sept. 5, 1989, as...

9 CFR 310.13 - Inflating carcasses or parts thereof; transferring caul or other fat.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AGENCY ORGANIZATION AND TERMINOLOGY; MANDATORY MEAT AND POULTRY PRODUCTS INSPECTION AND VOLUNTARY INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION POST-MORTEM INSPECTION § 310.13 Inflating... the Office of Management and Budget under control number 0583-0015) [54 FR 36756, Sept. 5, 1989, as...

9 CFR 310.13 - Inflating carcasses or parts thereof; transferring caul or other fat.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AGENCY ORGANIZATION AND TERMINOLOGY; MANDATORY MEAT AND POULTRY PRODUCTS INSPECTION AND VOLUNTARY INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION POST-MORTEM INSPECTION § 310.13 Inflating... the Office of Management and Budget under control number 0583-0015) [54 FR 36756, Sept. 5, 1989, as...

9 CFR 310.25 - Contamination with microorganisms; process control verification criteria and testing; pathogen...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... CERTIFICATION POST-MORTEM INSPECTION § 310.25 Contamination with microorganisms; process control verification... testing. (1) Each official establishment that slaughters livestock must test for Escherichia coli Biotype... poultry, shall test the type of livestock or poultry slaughtered in the greatest number. The establishment...

9 CFR 310.25 - Contamination with microorganisms; process control verification criteria and testing; pathogen...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... CERTIFICATION POST-MORTEM INSPECTION § 310.25 Contamination with microorganisms; process control verification... testing. (1) Each official establishment that slaughters livestock must test for Escherichia coli Biotype... poultry, shall test the type of livestock or poultry slaughtered in the greatest number. The establishment...

9 CFR 310.25 - Contamination with microorganisms; process control verification criteria and testing; pathogen...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... CERTIFICATION POST-MORTEM INSPECTION § 310.25 Contamination with microorganisms; process control verification... testing. (1) Each official establishment that slaughters livestock must test for Escherichia coli Biotype... poultry, shall test the type of livestock or poultry slaughtered in the greatest number. The establishment...

9 CFR 310.25 - Contamination with microorganisms; process control verification criteria and testing; pathogen...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... CERTIFICATION POST-MORTEM INSPECTION § 310.25 Contamination with microorganisms; process control verification... testing. (1) Each official establishment that slaughters livestock must test for Escherichia coli Biotype... poultry, shall test the type of livestock or poultry slaughtered in the greatest number. The establishment...

9 CFR 310.25 - Contamination with microorganisms; process control verification criteria and testing; pathogen...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... CERTIFICATION POST-MORTEM INSPECTION § 310.25 Contamination with microorganisms; process control verification... testing. (1) Each official establishment that slaughters livestock must test for Escherichia coli Biotype... poultry, shall test the type of livestock or poultry slaughtered in the greatest number. The establishment...

9 CFR 310.23 - Identification of carcasses and parts of swine.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... of swine. 310.23 Section 310.23 Animals and Animal Products FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE... and parts of swine. (a) The identification of the carcasses and parts of swine identified in... throughout post-mortem inspection. (b) If the establishment fails to provide required swine identification...

9 CFR 310.23 - Identification of carcasses and parts of swine.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... of swine. 310.23 Section 310.23 Animals and Animal Products FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE... and parts of swine. (a) The identification of the carcasses and parts of swine identified in... throughout post-mortem inspection. (b) If the establishment fails to provide required swine identification...

9 CFR 310.23 - Identification of carcasses and parts of swine.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... of swine. 310.23 Section 310.23 Animals and Animal Products FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE... and parts of swine. (a) The identification of the carcasses and parts of swine identified in... throughout post-mortem inspection. (b) If the establishment fails to provide required swine identification...

9 CFR 310.23 - Identification of carcasses and parts of swine.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... of swine. 310.23 Section 310.23 Animals and Animal Products FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE... and parts of swine. (a) The identification of the carcasses and parts of swine identified in... throughout post-mortem inspection. (b) If the establishment fails to provide required swine identification...

9 CFR 310.11 - Cleaning of hog carcasses before incising.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 2 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Cleaning of hog carcasses before incising. 310.11 Section 310.11 Animals and Animal Products FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT... AND VOLUNTARY INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION POST-MORTEM INSPECTION § 310.11 Cleaning of hog carcasses...

9 CFR 310.23 - Identification of carcasses and parts of swine.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 2 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Identification of carcasses and parts of swine. 310.23 Section 310.23 Animals and Animal Products FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE... AND VOLUNTARY INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION POST-MORTEM INSPECTION § 310.23 Identification of carcasses...

Copper toxicity in ruminant animals

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Oehme, F.W.

This discussion includes clinical and post mortem features, metabolism of both normal and toxic quantities of copper, effect of copper upon the tissues, and control treatment and prevention of copper toxicity. These effects are discussed in regard to ruminants. Specific emphasis is placed on metabolism and biochemistry. 33 references, 3 figures.

Specification for Qualification and Certification for Level II - Advanced Welders.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

American Welding Society, Miami, FL.

This document defines the requirements and program for the American Welding Society (AWS) to certify advanced-level welders through an evaluation process entailing performance qualification and practical knowledge tests requiring the use of advanced reading, computational, and manual skills. The following items are included: statement of the…

Specification for Qualification and Certification for Level III - Expert Welders.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

American Welding Society, Miami, FL.

This document defines the requirements and program for the American Welding Society to certify expert welders through an evaluation process entailing performance qualification and practical knowledge tests requiring the use of advanced reading, computational, and manual skills. The following items are included: statement of the standard's scope;…

Precise correlation of histopathological and fluorescein angiographic morphology using retinal vascular casting.

PubMed

Bek, T; Prause, J U

1996-12-01

The histopathology of three eyes obtained post mortem from 2 patients with age-related macular degeneration was correlated with the pre mortem fluorescein angiographic morphology. A precise point-by-point correlation between histopathology and the corresponding angiographic appearance was ensured by using the cast retinal vascular system as a pattern of reference. The study showed that both the photoreceptors, the pigment epithelium, and substances accumulated between the retinal and the choroidal vascular systems, may have a blocking effect on choroidal background fluorescence as seen on fluorescein angiograms. Furthermore, it is confirmed that fluorescein angiographic hyperfluorescence may be due to a lack of blocking of the choroidal fluorescence because of a window defect in the retinal photoreceptor layer and/or the pigment epithelium.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bolme, David S; Tokola, Ryan A; Boehnen, Chris Bensing

Automatic recognition systems are a valuable tool for identifying unknown deceased individuals. Immediately af- ter death fingerprint and face biometric samples are easy to collect using standard sensors and cameras and can be easily matched to anti-mortem biometric samples. Even though post-mortem fingerprints and faces have been used for decades, there are no studies that track these biomet- rics through the later stages of decomposition to determine the length of time the biometrics remain viable. This paper discusses a multimodal dataset of fingerprints, faces, and irises from 14 human cadavers that decomposed outdoors under natural conditions. Results include predictive modelsmore » relating time and temperature, measured as Accumulated Degree Days (ADD), and season (winter, spring, summer) to the predicted probably of automatic verification using a commercial algorithm.« less

Welder: Apprenticeship Course Outline. Apprenticeship and Industry Training. 1207.1

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alberta Advanced Education and Technology, 2007

2007-01-01

The graduate of the Welder apprenticeship program is a certified journeyperson who will be able to: (1) be skillful in the fusing of metals using prescribed welding applications; (2) have a working knowledge of the welding equipment involved with the various welding procedures; (3) comprehend drawings and develop layout patterns for projects and…

Development and Implementation of Domain Referenced Testing in Vocational Welding. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sterrett, Dan

A project was undertaken to develop and implement domain-referenced tests (DRTs) for welders' helpers. After analyzing the results of a state survey of welding job titles and related tasks and after consulting with postsecondary educators and industry personnel, researchers developed DRTs to measure various tasks typically performed by welders.…

Guide for the Training and Qualification of Welding Personnel. Level III - Expert Welders.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

American Welding Society, Miami, FL.

This guide is designed to help education and training facilities develop and administer competency-based training programs to qualify and certify trainees in accordance with American Welding Society (AWS) requirements for level III (expert) welders. Presented first are the scope/objectives/requirements of the AWS qualification/certification…

Guide for the Training and Qualification of Welding Personnel. Level II - Advanced Welders.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

American Welding Society, Miami, FL.

This guide is designed to help education and training facilities develop and administer competency-based training programs to qualify and certify trainees in accordance with the American Welding Society (AWS) requirements for level II (advanced) welders. Presented first are the scope, objectives, and requirements of the AWS…

Dummy Cup Helps Robot-Welder Programmers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gordon, Stephen S.

1990-01-01

Dummy gas cup used on torch of robotic welder during programming and practice runs. Made of metal or plastic, dummy cup inexpensive and durable. Withstands bumps caused by programming errors, and is sized for special welding jobs within limited clearances. After robot satisfactorily programmed, replaced by ceramic cup of same dimensions for actual welding.

[Business and Education Standards Program - Development of Standards and Certification for Welders]. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

American Welding Society, Miami, FL.

The American Welding Society (AWS) Education Grant Committee was organized in 1993 to unite employers, trade unions, educators, technical specialists, welding equipment manufacturers, and AWS members in efforts to develop national skills standards for training and certifying entry-level, advanced, and expert welders. Data were collected through…

Upgrade of a GEP50 robot control system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alounai, Ali T.; Gharsalli, Imed

2000-03-01

Recently the ASL at Tennessee Technological University was donated a GEP50 welder. The welding is done via off line point-to-point teaching. A state of the art robot was needed for research but because money was not available to purchase such an expensive item. It was therefore decided to upgrade the GEP50 control system to make the welder a multitasking robot. The robot has five degrees of freedom can be sufficient to pursue some research in robotics control. The problem was that the control system of the welder is limited to point-to-point control, using off-line teaching. To make the GEP50 a multitasking robot that can be controlled using different control strategies, the existing control system of the welder had to be replaced. The upgrade turned to be a low cost operation. This robot is currently in sue to test different advanced control strategies in the ASL. This work discusses all the steps and tasks undertaken during the upgrade operation. The hardware and software required or the upgrade are provided in this paper. The newly developed control system has been implemented and tested successfully.

Respiratory symptoms and lung function change in welders: are they associated with workplace exposures?

PubMed

Fishwick, David; Bradshaw, Lisa; Slater, Tania; Curran, Andrew; Pearce, Neil

2004-05-07

This study investigates whether work-related respiratory symptoms and acute falls in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), previously observed in current welders, are related to measured workplace exposures to total fume and metals. At four work sites in New Zealand, changes in pulmonary function (and reported respiratory symptoms) were recorded in 49 welding workers (and 26 non-welders) exposed to welding fume. We also determined the personal breathing zone levels of total fume and various metals. Work-related respiratory symptoms were reported by 26.5% of welders and 11.5% of non-welders. These symptoms were related significantly to their personal breathing zone nickel exposure--with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval [CI] of the high exposure group (compared to a low exposure group of 7.0 [1.3-36.6]). There were non-significant associations with total fume exposure (OR = 2.6, 95% CI 0.6-12.2), and exposure index of greater than 10 years (OR=2.8, 95% CI 0.5-15.0). A fall in FEV1 of at least 5% after 15 minutes of work was significantly associated with aluminium exposure (OR=5.8, 95% CI 1.7-20.6). Nickel exposure from metal inert gas (MIG) and tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding is associated with work-related respiratory symptoms and aluminium exposure from welding is associated with a fall in FEV1 of at least 5 % after 15 minutes of work.

High signal intensity on magnetic resonance imaging is a better predictor of neurobehavioral performances than blood manganese in asymptomatic welders.

PubMed

Chang, Yongmin; Kim, Yangho; Woo, Seung-Tae; Song, Hui-Jin; Kim, Suk Hwan; Lee, Hun; Kwon, Young Joo; Ahn, Joon-Ho; Park, Sin-Jae; Chung, In-Sung; Jeong, Kyoung Sook

2009-07-01

The aim of the study was to evaluate subclinical neurological effects in welders, using an extensive list of neurobehavioral batteries and determine if there is a link between pallidal index (PI) and subclinical neurobehavioral effects in the spectrum of manganese (Mn) symptomatology. A total of 43 asymptomatic male welders and 29 age- and sex-matched healthy control individuals completed questionnaires, and underwent blood examinations, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and a wide range of neurobehavioral examinations. Digit symbol, auditory verbal learning test (delayed recall), complex figure test (copy and immediate recall), digit span, verbal fluency test, Stroop test, grooved pegboard, finger tapping, frequency dispersion and harmonic index of tremor, and maximum frequency of hand coordination showed differences between welders and control individuals. No differences were noted for simple reaction time, postural sway, smell test, and profile of mood states (POMS). Blood Mn levels were shown to be significantly associated with grooved pegboard (dominant hand) and complex figure test (copy) results. PI was significantly associated with digit symbol, digit span backward, Stroop Word and Stroop error index, and grooved pegboard (dominant hand) results. The present findings that there were significant correlations between several neurobehavioral deficits and PI as well as blood Mn suggest that they may be attributed to Mn exposure in welding fumes. The present study also shows that PI is a better predictor of neurobehavioral performance than blood Mn levels in asymptomatic welders.

Immunological evaluation of four arc welders exposed to fumes from ignited polyurethane (isocyanate) foam: antibodies and immune profiles

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Broughton, A.; Thrasher, J.D.; Gard, Z.

1988-01-01

Four arc welders having a flu-like illness with multiple health complaints following an exposure to high concentrations of isocyanate fumes from ignited polyurethane foam underwent immunological tests as follows: ELISA antibody assays, activated lymphocyte profiles, and lymphocyte blastogenesis. ELISA procedures revealed the presence of antibodies to hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) and formaldehyde (F) conjugated to human serum albumin (HDI-SA and F-SA). The results from the activated lymphocyte profiles showed deviations from the norm as follows: three welders had elevated helper/suppressor (H/S) ratios; all four had elevated percentages of Tal positive cells; two had decreases in B cells; and one had lowmore » total white cell and lymphocyte counts. In contrast, the percentage and absolute numbers of ILS receptor cells were normal in the four subjects. T cell blastogenesis to PHA, Con A and PWM resulted in the following: T-cells from one subject responded normally; in another, a high response (212% of controls) to PHA occurred with normal mitogenesis to Con A and PWM. In the remaining two welders, the T cells responded abnormally low (50 to 75% of controls) to the three mitogens. In conclusion, the existence of IgG antibodies to HDI-SA and F-SA, the altered activated immune profiles, the elevated Tal cells, and the abnormal blastogenesis are interpreted as being linked with the episode of HDI and F exposure and the subsequent flu-like illness of the four welders.« less

Body burden of aluminum in relation to central nervous system function among metal inert-gas welders.

PubMed

Riihimäki, V; Hänninen, H; Akila, R; Kovala, T; Kuosma, E; Paakkulainen, H; Valkonen, S; Engström, B

2000-04-01

The relationship between elevated internal aluminum loads and central nervous system function was studied among aluminum welders, and the threshold level for adverse effect was defined. For 65 aluminum welders and 25 current mild steel welders body burden was estimated, and the aluminum concentrations in serum (S-Al) and urine (U-Al) were analyzed with graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry with Zeeman background correction. Referents and low-exposure and high-exposure groups were defined according to an aggregated measure of aluminum body burden, the group median S-Al levels being 0.08, 0.14, and 0.46 micromol/l, respectively, and the corresponding values for U-Al being 0.4, 1.8, and 7.1 micromol/l. Central nervous system functions were assessed with a neuropsychological test battery, symptom and mood questionnaires, a visual and quantitative analysis of electroencephalography (EEG), and P3 event-related potentials with pitch and duration paradigms. Subjective symptoms showed exposure-related increases in fatigue, mild depression, and memory and concentration problems. Neuropsychological testing revealed a circumscribed effect of aluminum, mainly in tasks demanding complex attention and the processing of information in the working memory system and in the analysis and recall of abstract visual patterns. The visual EEG analysis revealed pathological findings only for aluminum welders. Mild, diffuse abnormalities were found in 17% of the low-exposure group and 27% of the high-exposure group, and mild to moderate epileptiform abnormalities at a frequency of 7% and 17%, respectively. Both objective neurophysiological and neuropsychological measures and subjective symptomatology indicated mild but unequivocal findings dose-dependently associated with increased aluminum body burden. The study indicates that the body burden threshold for adverse effect approximates an U-Al value of 4-6 micromol/l and an S-Al value of 0.25-0.35 micromol/l among aluminum welders.

Mitigation measures of electromagnetic field exposure in the vicinity of high frequency welders.

PubMed

Zubrzak, Bartłomiej; Bieńkowski, Paweł; Cała, Pawel

2017-10-17

Presented information about the welding process and equipment, focusing on the emission of electromagnetic field (EMF) with levels significant in terms of the labor safety regulations in force in Poland - the ordinances of the Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy that came into force on June 27, 2016 and June 29, 2016 - emerged due to harmonization with European Union directive 2013/35/EU of 26 June 2013 of the European Parliament and the Council. They presented methods of determination of the EMF distribution in the welding machine surroundings and analyzed the background knowledge from the available literature. The subject of the analysis included popular high frequency welders widely used in the industry. Electromagnetic field measurements were performed in the welder operating place (in situ) during machine normal operations, using measurement methods accordant with labor safety regulations in force in Poland and according to the same guidelines, the EMF distributions and parameters having been described. They presented various scenarios of particular, real examples of excessive exposure to EMF in the dielectric welder surroundings and showed solutions, ranging from simple and costless and ending on dedicated electromagnetic shielding systems, which allowed to reduce EMF exposure in some cases of more than 80% (protection zone ranges) or eliminate dangerous zone presence. It has shown that in the dielectric welders surrounding, significant EMF strength levels may be the result of errors or omissions which often occur during development, installation, operation or modification of welding machines. It has allowed to present the measures that may significantly reduce the exposure to EMF of workers in the welder surroundings. The role of accredited laboratories in helping in such cases was underlined. Med Pr 2017;68(6):693-703. This work is available in Open Access model and licensed under a CC BY-NC 3.0 PL license.

Editor's Highlight: Lower Fractional Anisotropy in the Globus Pallidus of Asymptomatic Welders, a Marker for Long-Term Welding Exposure.

PubMed

Lee, Eun-Young; Flynn, Michael R; Du, Guangwei; Lewis, Mechelle M; Herring, Amy H; Van Buren, Eric; Van Buren, Scott; Kong, Lan; Mailman, Richard B; Huang, Xuemei

2016-09-01

Welding fumes contain several metals including manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu) that at high exposure may co-influence welding-related neurotoxicity. The relationship between brain accumulation of these metals and neuropathology, especially in welders with subclinical exposure levels, is unclear. This study examined the microstructural integrity of basal ganglia (BG) regions in asymptomatic welders using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Subjects with (n = 43) and without (age- and gender-matched controls; n = 31) history of welding were studied. Occupational questionnaires estimated short-term (HrsW; welding hours and E90; cumulative exposure, past 90 days) and long-term (YrsW; total years welding and ELT; cumulative exposure, lifetime) exposure. Whole blood metal levels (Mn, Fe, and Cu) were obtained. Brain MRI pallidal index (PI), R1 (1/T1), and R2* (1/T2*) were measured to estimate Mn and Fe accumulation in BG [caudate, putamen, and globus pallidus (GP)]. DTI was used to assess BG microstructural differences, and related with exposure measurements. When compared with controls, welders had significantly lower fractional anisotropy (FA) in the GP. In welders, GP FA values showed non-linear relationships to YrsW, blood Mn, and PI. GP FA decreased after a critical level of YrsW or Mn was reached, whereas it decreased with increasing PI values until plateauing at the highest PI values. GP FA, however, did not show any relationship with short-term exposure measurements (HrsW, E90), blood Cu and Fe, or R(2)* values. GP FA captured microstructural changes associated with chronic low-level Mn exposure, and may serve as a biomarker for neurotoxicity in asymptomatic welders. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Toxicology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Role of metal oxide nanoparticles in histopathological changes observed in the lung of welders

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Although major concerns exist regarding the potential consequences of human exposure to nanoparticles (NP), no human toxicological data is currently available. To address this issue, we took welders, who present various adverse respiratory outcomes, as a model population of occupational exposure to NP. The aim of this study was to evaluate if welding fume-issued NP could be responsible, at least partially, in the lung alterations observed in welders. Methods A combination of imaging and material science techniques including ((scanning) transmission electron microscopy ((S)TEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and X-ray microfluorescence (μXRF)), was used to characterize NP content in lung tissue from 21 welders and 21 matched control patients. Representative NP were synthesized, and their effects on macrophage inflammatory secretome and migration were evaluated, together with the effect of this macrophage inflammatory secretome on human lung primary fibroblasts differentiation. Results Welding-related NP (Fe, Mn, Cr oxides essentially) were identified in lung tissue sections from welders, in macrophages present in the alveolar lumen and in fibrous regions. In vitro macrophage exposure to representative NP (Fe2O3, Fe3O4, MnFe2O4 and CrOOH) induced the production of a pro-inflammatory secretome (increased production of CXCL-8, IL-1ß, TNF-α, CCL-2, −3, −4, and to a lesser extent IL-6, CCL-7 and −22), and all but Fe3O4 NP induce an increased migration of macrophages (Boyden chamber). There was no effect of NP-exposed macrophage secretome on human primary lung fibroblasts differentiation. Conclusions Altogether, the data reported here strongly suggest that welding-related NP could be responsible, at least in part, for the pulmonary inflammation observed in welders. These results provide therefore the first evidence of a link between human exposure to NP and long-term pulmonary effects. PMID:24885771

Parkinson's disease and other basal ganglia or movement disorders in a large nationwide cohort of Swedish welders

PubMed Central

Fored, C M; Fryzek, J P; Brandt, L; Nise, G; Sjögren, B; McLaughlin, J K; Blot, W J; Ekbom, A

2006-01-01

Introduction Although it has been hypothesised that metal welding and flame cutting are associated with an increased risk for Parkinson's disease due to manganese released in the welding fume, few rigorous cohort studies have evaluated this risk. Methods The authors examined the relation between employment as a welder and all basal ganglia and movement disorders (ICD‐10, G20–26) in Sweden using nationwide and population based registers. All men recorded as welders or flame cutters (n = 49 488) in the 1960 or 1970 Swedish National Census were identified and their rates of specific basal ganglia and movement disorders between 1964 and 2003 were compared with those in an age and geographical area matched general population comparison cohort of gainfully employed men (n = 489 572). Results The overall rate for basal ganglia and movement disorders combined was similar for the welders and flame cutters compared with the general population (adjusted rate ratio (aRR) = 0.91 (95% CI 0.81 to 1.01). Similarly, the rate ratio for PD was 0.89 (95% CI 0.79 to 0.99). Adjusted rate ratios for other individual basal ganglia and movement disorders were also not significantly increased or decreased. Further analyses of Parkinson's disease by attained age, time period of follow up, geographical area of residency, and educational level revealed no significant differences between the welders and the general population. Rates for Parkinson's disease among welders in shipyards, where exposures to welding fumes are higher, were also similar to the general population (aRR = 0.95; 95% CI 0.70 to 1.28). Conclusion This nationwide record linkage study offers no support for a relation between welding and Parkinson's disease or any other specific basal ganglia and movement disorders. PMID:16421393

Rabies in an Arctic fox on the Svalbard archipelago, Norway, January 2011.

PubMed

Orpetveit, I; Ytrehus, B; Vikoren, T; Handeland, K; Mjos, A; Nissen, S; Blystad, H; Lund, A

2011-02-17

We report a case of rabies in an Arctic fox. In January 2011 a fox attacked dogs belonging to a meteorological station in the Svalbard archipelago, Norway. Rabies virus was detected in the fox's brain post-mortem. The dogs had been vaccinated against rabies and their antibody levels were protective. Post-exposure prophylaxis was administered to staff at the station. Rabies vaccination is recommended for inhabitants and visitors to the Arctic who may be in contact with wild animals.

Persistent foot-and-mouth disease virus infection in the nasopharynx of cattle: tissue-specific distribution and local cytokine expression

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Tissues obtained post-mortem from cattle persistently infected with foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) were analyzed to characterize the tissue-specific localization of FMDV and partial transcriptome profiles for selected immunoregulatory cytokines. Analysis of 28 distinct anatomic sites from 21 st...

31. INTERIOR VIEW TO THE EAST OF THE FIRST FLOOR ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

31. INTERIOR VIEW TO THE EAST OF THE FIRST FLOOR SOUTH CORRIDOR AND VIEWING GALLERY TO THE DISASSEMBLY BAY AND POST-MORTEM CELLS. VIEWING STATIONS ARE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CORRIDOR. - Nevada Test Site, Reactor Maintenance Assembly & Dissassembly Facility, Area 25, Jackass Flats, Junction of Roads F & G, Mercury, Nye County, NV

33. INTERIOR VIEW TO THE SOUTHWEST OF ROOM 135, A ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

33. INTERIOR VIEW TO THE SOUTHWEST OF ROOM 135, A FIRST FLOOR CORRIDOR AND VIEWING GALLERY NEXT TO THE POST-MORTEM CELLS. VIEWING AND WORK STATIONS ARE ON THE WEST WALL. - Nevada Test Site, Reactor Maintenance Assembly & Dissassembly Facility, Area 25, Jackass Flats, Junction of Roads F & G, Mercury, Nye County, NV

Diprosopus tetraophthalmus: CT as a complement to autopsy.

PubMed

Laor, T; Stanek, J; Leach, J L

2012-01-01

Diprosopus is the rarest form of conjoined twinning. This anomaly is characterised by craniofacial duplication to varying degrees and is associated with anomalies of the central nervous, cardiac, respiratory and musculoskeletal systems. We present an infant characterised as diprosopus tetraophthalmus who underwent post-mortem CT, which served as a highly useful complement to autopsy.

"Choose, Explore, Analyze": A Multi-Tiered Approach to Social Media in the Classroom

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rosatelli, Meghan

2015-01-01

In this essay, social media are presented as complex tools that require student involvement from potential classroom implementation to the post-mortem. The "choose, explore, analyze" approach narrows social media options for the classroom based on student feedback and allows students and teachers to work together to understand why and…

9 CFR 310.19 - Inspection of kidneys.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 2 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Inspection of kidneys. 310.19 Section... INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION POST-MORTEM INSPECTION § 310.19 Inspection of kidneys. An employee of the establishment shall open the kidney capsule and expose the kidneys of all livestock at the time of slaughter for...

9 CFR 310.19 - Inspection of kidneys.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 2 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Inspection of kidneys. 310.19 Section... INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION POST-MORTEM INSPECTION § 310.19 Inspection of kidneys. An employee of the establishment shall open the kidney capsule and expose the kidneys of all livestock at the time of slaughter for...

Acute Oral Toxicity (LD(50)) of CHF1 in Rats.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-04-01

had moderate hydronephrosis . Another animal in group 6 and one in group 4 had gray streaks in the cortical parenchyma which were probably incidental...considered to be a post mortem change. *Number of rats affected/number of rats in the group. 21 APPENDIX A-2 (cont.) Unilateral hydronephrosis was observed in

28 CFR 549.80 - Authority to conduct autopsies.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... this section, the Warden may order an autopsy or post-mortem operation, including removal of tissue for... person (e.g., coroner, or next-of-kin, or the decedent's consent in the case of tissue removed for...-of-kin that they may telegraph the institution collect with their response. Where permission is not...

28 CFR 549.80 - Authority to conduct autopsies.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... this section, the Warden may order an autopsy or post-mortem operation, including removal of tissue for... person (e.g., coroner, or next-of-kin, or the decedent's consent in the case of tissue removed for...-of-kin that they may telegraph the institution collect with their response. Where permission is not...

Detection and characterization of Histoplasma capsulatum in a German badger (Meles meles) by ITS sequencing and multilocus sequencing analysis

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

A wild badger (Meles meles) with a severe nodular dermatitis was presented for post mortem examination. Numerous cutaneous granulomas with superficial ulceration were present especially on head, dorsum, and forearms were found at necropsy. Histopathological examination of the skin revealed a severe ...

9 CFR 310.6 - Carcasses and parts passed for cooking; marking.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 2 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Carcasses and parts passed for cooking... INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION POST-MORTEM INSPECTION § 310.6 Carcasses and parts passed for cooking; marking. Carcasses and parts passed for cooking shall be marked conspicuously on the surface tissues thereof by a...

9 CFR 310.8 - Passing and marking of carcasses and parts.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 9 Animals and Animal Products 2 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Passing and marking of carcasses and parts. 310.8 Section 310.8 Animals and Animal Products FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF... INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION POST-MORTEM INSPECTION § 310.8 Passing and marking of carcasses and parts...

Microsoft's Book-Search Project Has a Surprise Ending

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Foster, Andrea L.

2008-01-01

It is hard to imagine a Microsoft venture falling under the weight of a competitor. That's the post-mortem offered by many academic librarians as they ponder the software giant's recent and sudden announcement that it is shutting down its book-digitization project. The librarians' conclusion: Google did it. Microsoft quietly revealed in May that…

Neocortical Maturation during Adolescence: Change in Neuronal Soma Dimension

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rabinowicz, Theodore; Petetot, Jean MacDonald-Comber; Khoury, Jane C.; de Courten-Myers, Gabrielle M.

2009-01-01

During adolescence, cognitive abilities increase robustly. To search for possible related structural alterations of the cerebral cortex, we measured neuronal soma dimension (NSD = width times height), cortical thickness and neuronal densities in different types of neocortex in post-mortem brains of five 12-16 and five 17-24 year-olds (each 2F,…

The Anatomy of Amnesia: Neurohistological Analysis of Three New Cases

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gold, Jeffrey J.; Squire, Larry R.

2006-01-01

The most useful information about the anatomy of human memory comes from cases where there has been extensive neuropsychological testing followed by detailed post-mortem neurohistological analysis. To our knowledge, only eight such cases have been reported (four with medial temporal lobe damage and four with diencephalic damage). Here we present…

Effect of ageing and μ-calpain markers on meat quality from Brangus steers finished on pasture.

PubMed

Mazzucco, Juliana Papaleo; Melucci, Lilia M; Villarreal, Edgardo L; Mezzadra, Carlos A; Soria, Liliana; Corva, Pablo; Motter, Mariana M; Schor, Alejandro; Miquel, María C

2010-11-01

Brangus steers (n=247) finished on pasture were used to evaluate the effects of post-mortem ageing and polymorphism CAPN1 316 and CAPN1 4751 markers on meat tenderness and objective colour measurements (CIEL*a*b*) of m. Longissimus dorsi. Ageing meat for 7 days decreased shear force (SF) by 13.7% and improved a* (8.4%) and b* (10%) compared to ageing for 1 day. No difference between 7 and 14 days of ageing was found for SF, a* and b*. However, L* increased markedly with ageing. Fitting both markers simultaneously, CAPN1 316 showed association with SF and L* and CAPN1 4751 with a* and b*. Fitting the markers individually, CAPN1 4751 affected all traits and CAPN1 316 showed association with SF and L*. Post-mortem ageing and the use of markers represent two independent and alternative tools that could be used for improving quality of meat from Brangus cattle. Copyright © 2010 The American Meat Science Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Toward Identification of the Sexual Killer: A Comparison of Sexual Killers Engaging in Post-Mortem Sexual Interference and Non-Homicide Sexual Aggressors.

PubMed

Higgs, Tamsin; Carter, Adam J; Stefanska, Ewa B; Glorney, Emily

2017-08-01

Establishing a model of sexual assault reflecting psychosocial and behavioral characteristics of perpetrators of sexual killing and rape is necessary for development in risk assessment and intervention. Methodological variations in defining sexual killing have amalgamated serial and non-serial offenders and perpetrators with direct and indirect associations between killing and sexual arousal. This study defined sexual killing specifying that killing should be directly linked to sexual arousal, and sampled 48 sexual killers, operationalized to include only those engaging in post-mortem sexual interference, with one or two known female victims (non-serial), from prison service national (England and Wales) databases. These sexual killers were compared with 48 non-homicide, life or indeterminately sentenced sexual aggressors on psychological and crime scene characteristics. Contrary to previous research, fatal outcomes were associated with neither stranger victims nor weapon presence; sexual killing was characterized by severity of violence less so than non-fatal assault. Sexual killers more often reported problems with emotional loneliness, empathic concern, and sexual entitlement than the sexual aggressors. Theoretical and applied implications are discussed.

Muscle structure, sarcomere length and influences on meat quality: A review.

PubMed

Ertbjerg, Per; Puolanne, Eero

2017-10-01

The basic contractile unit of muscle, the sarcomere, will contract as the muscle goes into rigor post-mortem. Depending on the conditions, such as the rate of pH decline, the cooling rate and the mechanical restraints on the muscles, this longitudinal shortening will result in various post-mortem sarcomere lengths as well as lateral differences in the distances between the myosin and actin filaments. This shortening is underlying the phenomena described as rigor contraction, thaw rigor, cold shortening and heat shortening. The shortening in combination with the molecular architecture of the sarcomere as defined by the myosin filaments and their S-1 and S-2 units, the interaction with the actin filaments, and the boundaries formed by the Z-disks will subsequently influence basic meat quality traits including tenderness and water-holding capacity. Biochemical reactions from proteolysis and glycogen metabolism interrelate with the sarcomere length in a complex manner. The sarcomere length is also influencing the eating quality of cooked meat and the water-holding in meat products. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of pre-rigor injection of beef with proteases on cooked meat volatile profile after 1 day and 21 days post-mortem storage.

PubMed

Ma, Q L; Hamid, N; Bekhit, A E D; Robertson, J; Law, T F

2012-12-01

This research was carried out to determine the effects of pre-rigor injection of beef semimembranosus muscle with nine proteases from plant and microbial sources, on the volatile profile of cooked beef after 1 day and 21 days post-mortem (PM) storage using Solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis. A total of 23 aldehydes, 5 ketones, 3 furans, 8 nitrogen and sulphur compounds, 4 alkanes, 7 alcohols and 6 terpenes were detected. Eleven volatile compounds characteristic of ginger flavour were detected in zingibain-treated meat. Benzaldehyde significantly increased (p<0.05) only in kiwifruit juice (KJ), fungal 31 protease and Asparagus protease (ASP) treated samples from 1 day to 21 days PM storage. A significant increase (p<0.05) in 3-methylbutanal was observed in KJ, bacterial and fungal protease treated samples at 21 days PM storage. Treatments with bromelain, papain, ASP, actinidin, and KJ (except KJ 21 days) proteases resulted in flavour profiles closer to that of the control beef sample. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Alternative pre-rigor foreshank positioning can improve beef shoulder muscle tenderness.

PubMed

Grayson, A L; Lawrence, T E

2013-09-01

Thirty beef carcasses were harvested and the foreshank of each side was independently positioned (cranial, natural, parallel, or caudal) 1h post-mortem to determine the effect of foreshank angle at rigor mortis on the sarcomere length and tenderness of six beef shoulder muscles. The infraspinatus (IS), pectoralis profundus (PP), serratus ventralis (SV), supraspinatus (SS), teres major (TM) and triceps brachii (TB) were excised 48 h post-mortem for Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) and sarcomere length evaluations. All muscles except the SS had altered (P<0.05) sarcomere lengths between positions; the cranial position resulted in the longest sarcomeres for the SV and TB muscles whilst the natural position had longer sarcomeres for the PP and TM muscles. The SV from the cranial position had lower (P<0.05) shear than the caudal position and TB from the natural position had lower (P<0.05) shear than the parallel or caudal positions. Sarcomere length was moderately correlated (r=-0.63; P<0.01) to shear force. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Re-establishment of rigor mortis: evidence for a considerably longer post-mortem time span.

PubMed

Crostack, Chiara; Sehner, Susanne; Raupach, Tobias; Anders, Sven

2017-07-01

Re-establishment of rigor mortis following mechanical loosening is used as part of the complex method for the forensic estimation of the time since death in human bodies and has formerly been reported to occur up to 8-12 h post-mortem (hpm). We recently described our observation of the phenomenon in up to 19 hpm in cases with in-hospital death. Due to the case selection (preceding illness, immobilisation), transfer of these results to forensic cases might be limited. We therefore examined 67 out-of-hospital cases of sudden death with known time points of death. Re-establishment of rigor mortis was positive in 52.2% of cases and was observed up to 20 hpm. In contrast to the current doctrine that a recurrence of rigor mortis is always of a lesser degree than its first manifestation in a given patient, muscular rigidity at re-establishment equalled or even exceeded the degree observed before dissolving in 21 joints. Furthermore, this is the first study to describe that the phenomenon appears to be independent of body or ambient temperature.

Identification of Arcanobacterium pyogenes isolated by post mortem examinations of a bearded dragon and a gecko by phenotypic and genotypic properties.

PubMed

Ulbegi-Mohyla, H; Hijazin, M; Alber, J; Lämmler, C; Hassan, A A; Abdulmawjood, A; Prenger-Berninghoff, E; Weiss, R; Zschöck, M

2010-09-01

The present study was designed to identify phenotypically and genotypically two Arcanobacterium (A.) pyogenes strains isolated by post mortem examinations of a bearded dragon and a gecko. The A. pyogenes strains showed the typical biochemical properties and displayed CAMP-like synergistic hemolytic activities with various indicator strains. The species identity could be confirmed genotypically by amplification and sequencing of the 16S rDNA gene and, as novel target gene, by sequencing of the beta subunit of RNA polymerase encoding gene rpoB, of both strains and of reference strains representing nine species of the genus Arcanobacterium. The species identity of the two A. pyogenes strains could additionally be confirmed by PCR mediated amplification of species specific parts of the 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer region, the pyolysin encoding gene plo and by amplification of the collagen-binding protein encoding gene cbpA. All these molecular targets might help to improve the future identification and further characterization of A. pyogenes which, as demonstrated in the present study, could also be isolated from reptile specimens.

Maggot development during morgue storage and its effect on estimating the post-mortem interval.

PubMed

Huntington, Timothy E; Higley, Leon G; Baxendale, Frederick P

2007-03-01

When insect evidence is obtained during autopsy, forensic entomologists make decisions regarding the effects of low-temperature (-1 degrees C to 4 degrees C) storage of the body and associated insects when estimating the post-mortem interval (PMI). To determine the effects of storage in a morgue cooler on the temperature of maggot masses, temperatures inside and outside of body bags containing a human cadaver and porcine cadavers (seven replicates) were measured during storage. Temperatures remained significantly higher (p<0.05) inside of the body bags relative to the cooler, and remained at levels sufficient for maggot feeding and development. If the assumption that no insect development takes place during preautopsy refrigeration is made, potential error rates in PMI estimation of 8.6-12.8% occur. The potential for blow fly larvae to undergo significant development while being stored in the morgue is a possibility that forensic entomologists should consider during an investigation involving samples collected from autopsy. Case and experimental evidence also demonstrate that substantial tissue loss can occur from maggot feeding during morgue storage.

A proof of concept study to assess the potential of PCR testing to detect natural Mycobacterium bovis infection in South American camelids.

PubMed

Crawshaw, Timothy R; Chanter, Jeremy I; McGoldrick, Adrian; Line, Kirsty

2014-02-07

Cases of Mycobacterium bovis infection South American camelids have been increasing in Great Britain. Current antemortem immunological tests have some limitations. Cases at post mortem examination frequently show extensive pathology. The feasibility of detecting Mycobacterium bovis DNA in clinical samples was investigated. A sensitive extraction methodology was developed and used on nasal swabs and faeces taken post-mortem to assess the potential for a PCR test to detect Mycobacterium bovis in clinical samples. The gross pathology of the studied South American camelids was scored and a significantly greater proportion of South American camelids with more severe pathology were positive in both the nasal swab and faecal PCR tests. A combination of the nasal swab and faecal PCR tests detected 63.9% of all the South American camelids with pathology that were tested. The results suggest that antemortem diagnosis of Mycobacterium bovis in South American camelids may be possible using a PCR test on clinical samples, however more work is required to determine sensitivity and specificity, and the practicalities of applying the test in the field.

Impact of cycling at low temperatures on the safety behavior of 18650-type lithium ion cells: Combined study of mechanical and thermal abuse testing accompanied by post-mortem analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Friesen, Alex; Horsthemke, Fabian; Mönnighoff, Xaver; Brunklaus, Gunther; Krafft, Roman; Börner, Markus; Risthaus, Tim; Winter, Martin; Schappacher, Falko M.

2016-12-01

The impact of cycling at low temperatures on the thermal and mechanical abuse behavior of commercial 18650-type lithium ion cells was compared to fresh cells. Post-mortem analyses revealed a deposition of high surface area lithium (HSAL) metal on the graphite surface accompanied by severe electrolyte decomposition. Heat wait search (HWS) tests in an accelerating rate calorimeter (ARC) were performed to investigate the thermal abuse behavior of aged and fresh cells under quasi-adiabatic conditions, showing a strong shift of the onset temperature for exothermic reactions. HSAL deposition promotes the reduction of the carbonate based electrolyte due to the high reactivity of lithium metal with high surface area, leading to a thermally induced decomposition of the electrolyte to produce volatile gaseous products. Nail penetration tests showed a change in the thermal runaway (TR) behavior affected by the decomposition reaction. This study indicates a greater thermal hazard for LIB cells at higher SOC and experiencing aging at low temperature.

[Criteria for the classification as a "domestic-setting corpse"--a literature search and review to define the term].

PubMed

Merz, Marius; Birngruber, Christoph G; Heidorn, Frank; Ramsthaler, Frank; Risse, Manfred; Kreutz, Kerstin; Krähahn, Jonathan; Verhoff, Marcel A

2011-01-01

In German medical and media circles (daily routine, specialist literature, press, novels), the term "domestic-setting corpse" is frequently used, but the term is only vaguely defined. The authors thus decided to perform an in-depth study of the literature, including historic textbooks and all German- and English-language medicolegal journals, going as far back as their first issues, in an attempt to more clearly define the term. Inclusion criteria used in the search were a post-mortem interval of at least 24 hours prior to discovery and discovery of the corpse in a domestic setting. In the literature, 37 cases that complied with the above-mentioned inclusion criteria were found. These cases frequently described "advanced decomposition", often "unclear cause of death" and "problems in identification". These characteristics can thus be considered as being additional pointers in the definition. However, we suggest that the two general defining characteristics of a "domestic-setting corpse" are a post-mortem interval of more than 24 hours before discovery and the discovery of the corpse in a domestic setting.

The potential of non-invasive pre- and post-mortem carcass measurements to predict the contribution of carcass components to slaughter yield of guinea pigs.

PubMed

Barba, Lida; Sánchez-Macías, Davinia; Barba, Iván; Rodríguez, Nibaldo

2018-06-01

Guinea pig meat consumption is increasing exponentially worldwide. The evaluation of the contribution of carcass components to carcass quality potentially can allow for the estimation of the value added to food animal origin and make research in guinea pigs more practicable. The aim of this study was to propose a methodology for modelling the contribution of different carcass components to the overall carcass quality of guinea pigs by using non-invasive pre- and post mortem carcass measurements. The selection of predictors was developed through correlation analysis and statistical significance; whereas the prediction models were based on Multiple Linear Regression. The prediction results showed higher accuracy in the prediction of carcass component contribution expressed in grams, compared to when expressed as a percentage of carcass quality components. The proposed prediction models can be useful for the guinea pig meat industry and research institutions by using non-invasive and time- and cost-efficient carcass component measuring techniques. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Monitoring of chromium and nickel in biological fluids of grinders grinding stainless steel.

PubMed

Stridsklev, Inger Cecilie; Schaller, Karl-Heinz; Langård, Sverre

2007-04-01

Stainless steel (SS) welders usually spend some of their working time grinding, to finish and smoothen the welding groove. The aim of this study was to investigate possible relations between the concentrations of nickel (Ni) and chromium (Cr) in the work atmosphere generated by grinders grinding SS, and to compare the air levels to the levels of Cr and Ni in their biological fluids. Hereby, it might be possible to identify the contribution of grinding to the levels of Cr and Ni in biological fluids in SS welders. Also the airborne levels of Cr and Ni in SS grinders were compared to corresponding levels in SS welders. The subjects examined in this study were selected among SS grinders not performing welding. Nine grinders were monitored for 1 workweek, measuring Cr and Ni in air, blood and urine. They were questioned about their exposure to Cr and Ni during their working careers. Air levels of total Cr up to 95 microg/m(3) and Ni levels up to 25 microg/m(3) were measured. Chromium(VI) (Cr(VI)) was detectable only in five air samples; the levels in the remaining samples were below the detection limit. The levels of Cr in blood and urine were also low. The levels of Ni in urine were close to those for MMA and MIG/MAG SS welders. In spite of high levels of total Cr and Ni observed in air, the levels found in biological fluids were low. The Cr levels in more than 50% of the whole blood and red cell samples and about 1/3 of the Cr-plasma levels were below the detection limits. The mean blood levels for Cr were 0.43, 0.60 and 0.35 microg/l, in whole blood, plasma and red cells, respectively. The mean levels for Cr in the urine was 1.6, 1.4 and 1.4 microg/g creatinine for the first void, just before and just after work. For Ni the mean blood levels were 0.87 microg/l in whole blood and 0.68 microg/l in plasma. The mean levels and ranges of Ni from the first void, just before and after work in urine were 3.79 microg/g creatinine, 3.39 and 4.56, respectively. The Cr concentrations found in whole blood, plasma and red cells were approximately the same as those found in the unexposed controls and among TIG SS welders, while the urinary levels were somewhat higher, but still lower than in the welders applying other welding techniques. The mean levels of Ni in the urine of grinders were higher than those of welders, except for SS welders welding the MIG/MAG-method. SS Grinding seems not to contribute significantly to the uptake of Cr, which may be explained by the fact that most of Cr in the air is present in the metallic (0-valent) or trivalent form, and hardly any as Cr(VI), and therefore hardly being taken up in the airways. The grinders' uptake of Ni seems to take place to the same extent as in SS welders.

Diagnostic accuracy and limitations of post-mortem MRI for neurological abnormalities in fetuses and children.

PubMed

Arthurs, O J; Thayyil, S; Pauliah, S S; Jacques, T S; Chong, W K; Gunny, R; Saunders, D; Addison, S; Lally, P; Cady, E; Jones, R; Norman, W; Scott, R; Robertson, N J; Wade, A; Chitty, L; Taylor, A M; Sebire, N J

2015-08-01

To compare the diagnostic accuracy of non-invasive cerebral post-mortem magnetic resonance imaging (PMMRI) specifically for cerebral and neurological abnormalities in a series of fetuses and children, compared to conventional autopsy. Institutional ethics approval and parental consent was obtained. Pre-autopsy cerebral PMMRI was performed in a sequential prospective cohort (n = 400) of fetuses (n = 277; 185 ≤ 24 weeks and 92 > 24 weeks gestation) and children <16 years (n = 123) of age. PMMRI and conventional autopsy findings were reported blinded and independently of each other. Cerebral PMMRI had sensitivities and specificities (95% confidence interval) of 88.4% (75.5 to 94.9), and 95.2% (92.1 to 97.1), respectively, for cerebral malformations; 100% (83.9 to 100), and 99.1% (97.2 to 99.7) for major intracranial bleeds; and 87.5% (80.1 to 92.4) and 74.1% (68 to 79.4) for overall brain pathology. Formal neuropathological examination was non-diagnostic due to maceration/autolysis in 43/277 (16%) fetuses; of these, cerebral PMMRI imaging provided clinically important information in 23 (53%). The sensitivity of PMMRI for detecting significant ante-mortem ischaemic injury was only 68% (48.4 to 82.8) overall. PMMRI is an accurate investigational technique for identifying significant neuropathology in fetuses and children, and may provide important information even in cases where autolysis prevents formal neuropathological examination; however, PMMRI is less sensitive at detecting hypoxic-ischaemic brain injury, and may not detect rarer disorders not encountered in this study. Copyright © 2015 The Royal College of Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Apparatus for the concurrent inspection of partially completed welds

DOEpatents

Smartt, Herschel B.; Johnson, John A.; Larsen, Eric D.; Bitsoi, Rodney J.; Perrenoud, Ben C.; Miller, Karen S.; Pace, David P.

2002-01-01

An apparatus for the concurrent inspection of partially completed welds is described in which is utilized in combination with a moveable welder for forming a partially completed weld, and an ultrasonic generator mounted on a moveable welder in which is reciprocally moveable along a path of travel which is laterally disposed relative to the partially completed weld.

Philosophy for Welders: Colleges Offer Innovative Humanities Curricula for Liberal Arts and Career Track Students Alike

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Finkel, Ed

2016-01-01

Does America needs more welders and fewer philosophers? Community college humanities professors and administrators say it benefits all students, whether liberal arts or career track, to take courses in philosophy, history, political science, language arts, and other liberal arts subjects. And they're developing innovative humanities curricula to…