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Biomedical subjects

H Kijewski

Publications and source records attributed to H Kijewski.

18 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

Acetonitrile serum concentrations and cyanide blood levels in a case of suicidal oral acetonitrile ingestion.

Acute acetonitrile toxicity is mainly dependent on the release of cyanide via hepatic metabolism. Although evaluated in animals, few data are available concerning the toxicokinetic parameters of acetonitrile and acetonitrile-liberated cyanide in human. This paper reports a case of suicidal oral acetonitrile ingestion of about 5 mL without severe symptoms of intoxication in a previously healthy adult male with a body weight of 60 kg. Acetonitrile serum concentrations as well as cyanide blood levels were determined over the whole hospitalization. The elimination half-lives calculated from these data were 32 h for acetonitrile and 15 h for cyanide. After sodium thiosulfate bolus application, the cyanide blood level rapidly decreased to 10% of the initial value, indicating that sodium thiosulfate sufficiently detoxifies acetonitrile-liberated cyanide. Since cyanide levels again increased to maximal values about 4.5 h after sodium thiosulfate application, continued thiosulfate therapy is required as predicted by the long elimination half-lives of acetonitrile and acetonitrile-liberated cyanide. Determination of cyanide and acetonitrile concentrations is recommended for the estimation of optimal individual sodium thiosulfate dosage.

Acetonitriles↗
PubMed1991

[FTIR-microspectrophotometry for high resolution and highly sensitive detection of the carboxyhemoglobin complex].

Our recently developed method for rapid quantitative evaluation of carboxyhemoglobin in liquid as well as in dried blood samples has been considerably improved by the incorporation of an infrared microscope. Besides the characteristic bands at V = 1953 (cm-1) in liquid and V = 1968 (cm-1) in dry blood we found, upon addition of D2O, a dislocation of the bands at V = 1949 (cm-1). This reversible dislocation still permits a reliable identification of the COHb complex at the extremes of the capacity range of the measuring unit. Thus identification of the COHb complex was successful even in isolated erythrocytes. By means of this improved technique reliable quantitative evaluation may be carried out in a concentration range of between 2% and 0.05% whereas semiquantitative evaluation was possible at concentration down to 0.01%, allowing for instance the evaluation of the effects of a single inhalation of cigarette smoke. The positive identification of endogenous COHb fractions as well as of exogenous agents (smoking, environmental factors) which this method permits is prerequisite for a dependable interpretation of forensic-toxicologically relevant COHb findings.

Carboxyhemoglobin↗
PubMed1991

[Falsification of breath alcohol concentration measurement. An experimental and case report].

As a rule, in our comparison of breath alcohol and blood alcohol concentration levels both readings were in agreement. Nevertheless, we repeatedly observed readings showing significant differences for which there was no apparent explanation. In two cases where discrepancies were extreme (breath alcohol concentration greater than 2.0%; blood alcohol concentration, 0.0%) we discovered that the cause was sniffing. The effects of various pharmaceutical drugs were tested. Experimentally the inhalation of liquid gas resulted in ostensible breath alcohol concentration levels of more than 2%. These experiments were reproducible. Consequences for the exployment of alcohol breath testing devices are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

[Atypical bullet entry injuries. A case report and experimental contribution].

In order to elucidate the contradictory findings in cases of suicide or homicide with firearms, firing tests were performed with various weapons shot at textile samples, block gelatine, animal and human skin, and pigs' heads. Ricochets were produced at different angles of incidence and bullets were shot through various materials introduced between the target and muzzle. The morphology and emission spectrum analyses of the entry holes were investigated, and the projectiles were collected and inspected. The morphological and chemical alterations observed at the entry holes were classified and discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

[Reproduction of atypical bullet exit wounds].

Contradictory findings from experiments designed for the reconstruction of the circumstances in crimes committed with firearms induced us to systematically investigate the conditions leading to the occurrence of non-typical bullet exit wounds. For this purpose, skin samples and pig heads were fired at with different types of small arms and, on the exit side, the skin was brought into contact with various materials. The bullet exits were investigated morphologically and by means of emission spectrum analysis. The results from these investigations are classified and discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

[Quantity of weapon oils at the target as a function of shooting sequence and firing distance].

Five widely used gun oils were tested to see if they could be identified by gas chromatography. All oils in the test produced characteristic gas chromatograms and the test was highly sensitive in tracing the oils. Seven different weapons and various types of ammunition were used to perform firing tests involving an oil sold under the brand name of "Gun pro." The weapons were oiled and wiped dry and subsequently discharged at a cotton cloth target. Series of shots were fired from a maximal distance of 3 m, and the weapon was not cleaned between shots. Grease marks and powder-burn traces were extracted separately and the extracts, after adding an internal standard, were investigated by means of gas chromatography (gas chromatography unit by Perkin and Elmer). The largest quantities of oil were transmitted by indoor ammunition fired from a small-bore rifle. At a firing range of 20 cm, a decrease in the oil quantity could be observed up to the fourth discharge. When the firing range was varied there was a decrease in the oil quantity up to a distance of 80 cm. The first and the second discharge could be distinguished up to a firing range of 60 cm. With increasing force of the projectile and a decrease in the interior length of the gun barrel, the quantity of oil conveyed to the target also decreased. Additionally, the identifiability of the oil was investigated after firing at several layers of cloth and after storage of the samples (no losses occurred after a 1-month storage period).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Firearms↗
PubMed1986

Chronic enteral poisoning caused by potassium permanganate: a case report.

To our knowledge, this is the first case report of a multiple, low dosage ingestion of manganese. A 66-year-old male patient is presented, who ingested 125 ml of a 8% solution of potassium permanganate (10 g) within 4 weeks. As early as 2 weeks after the beginning of poisoning, psychological alterations were noted. Neurological examination revealed disturbances of many subsystems of the CNS. Visually evoked potentials showed prolongation of the P2-latency, not reported in earlier publications. Levels for manganese were elevated in peripheral blood as well as in hair samples. Treatment with calcium trisodium pentetate decreased serum levels and increased urine excretion of manganese. Nine months after poisoning, the first signs of progressive Parkinson disease became evident. The time-course of neurological symptoms seems to depend on a critical dose of manganese.

Aged↗
PubMed1985

[A new method for the determination of carboxyhemoglobin in fluid and dried blood using Fourier transformation infrared spectrometry].

A new technique is presented for the fast quantitative determination of carboxy-hemoglobin (CoHb) in liquid blood with the aid of Fourier transformation infrared spectrometry. The bands at v = 1953 and 1969 (cm-1), which are characteristic for the CoHb complex, were measured without the blood being prepared. In liquid samples the band at 1953 cm-1 is prominent; in dry samples, however, it appears. In moist samples both bands--each to be coordinated with a different CoHb conformer--are observed at about the same intensity. Even with dried blood spots of less than 0.1 mg, quantitative determination of CoHb at v = 1969 (cm-1) is possible. Systematic investigations of the thermic stability of the CoHb complex were performed. The typical interference phenomena associated with UV spectrometry were not observed when the above-described method was employed nor are they to be expected. Even under extreme measuring conditions, as for example when measuring transmission through lab-coat material, different CoHb contents could be determined in traces of dried blood.

Blood Preservation↗
PubMed1977

[Interpretation of the trace element content of hairs in criminology, toxicology and environmental protection. Experimental migration of metal ions in keratine (author's transl)].

Metal ions of exogenous origin can penetrate into the hair and can be accumulated. Penetration and distribution of metal ions could be examined by means of electron microprobe-analysis. The dependence of the accumulation of different kations on the concentration of these in the surrounding solutions have been determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The dimension of accumulation depends on various factors: the chemical nature of the ion involved, its concentration in the solution and the solutions pH-value, the nature of the anions present as well as the nature and concentration of other kations. The distribution of the kations in the hair can be changed by washing with distilled water. The significance of the present physical-chemical experiments with hairs for criminology, toxicology and to environmental protection were discussed in detail. It was shown that the content of zinc in the hair is of predominantly endogenous origin; moreover, a strong accumulation in the hair root took place. The study of the accumulation mechanism should contribute to clarifying other possible accumulation mechanisms. Further information should be expected from extention of these experiments.

Electron Probe Microanalysis↗
PubMed1976

[Alteration of textilfibres by explosion gases expelled distant from the muzzle (author's transl)].

This paper presents the reconstruction of an unusual case of suicide. After raiding a branch-bank a robber fled shooting with his Sauer-Western revolver caliber .44 magnum at the pursuing policemen and succeeded in wrestling a pistol Walther caliber 7,65 mm from them. Under the fire of sub-machine guns he destroyed himself by a shot to the neck. Our investigations concerned a textile damage at the front of the sweater of the deceased surrounded by primer residue, showing characteristics of a close-up shot. The damage was identified as effect of explosion gases exhausting far-off the muzzle. The distance between this injury and the bullet hole corresponded with the length of the barrel of the Sauer-Western revolver and could be used for identification; it confirmed the diagnosis of a close-up shot at the neck, too. Collateral experiments with shots from distant ranges developed spadiceous melt figures of textile fibers around the bullet hole, the appearance of which is considered proof for a close-up shot commonly.

Autopsy↗
PubMed1976

[A micro copper analysis with dithiooxamide as the basis of a new method of the determination of gunshot firing distances (author's transl)].

The determination of gunshot firing distances up to 160 cm is possible by means of a simple micro copper analysis. From a comparison of accurately known standards with the results from spot analysis by dithiooxamide it is possible to make, without additional instrumentation, a semiquantitative estimation of the copper content. The copper powder from bullet reaching the target is a function of muzzle to target distance. The experiments where analysed by flying spot densitometrie with a TLD 100 and the scatter of the data was determined statistically. This enables the method to a applicable in a very accurate way. The limitations of the method and possible perturbations are discussed and the results from this work are compared with the data obtained by other authors and by different methods.

Copper↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Chloroquine as a poison in murder. Report of fatalities after criminal or suicidal chloroquine administration].

Presented is a case of murder by means of chloroquine, committed on a 36-year-old male. The wife of the deceased had confessed to have secretely administered chloroquine-containing tablets to her husband. She was lawfully sentenced to life-imprisonment. The toxicological findings of this case are compared to the results of two chloroquine suicide cases and discussed in the context of the referring literature. An additional case where chloroquine intoxication was doubtful is introduced because of the unusual circumstances under which it occurred.

Adult↗