Biomedical subjects

M Oehmichen

Publications and source records attributed to M Oehmichen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1992

RNA kinetics at the wound margins.

The in vitro incorporation rate of 3H cytidine was determined by autoradiography in vital specimens taken from cut wounds in the outer ear of rats and evaluated by means of a Quantimet 920. Seven rats in each group were allowed to survive for the same periods of time between 0 and 60 hours. The following findings were observed: after 10 hours survival time the cytidine incorporation rate in the basal cells increased significantly, while remaining unchanged in all other skin layers. The relationship between the higher RNA synthesis rate and the increase in DNA synthesis--particularly in the basal cell layer--is discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

[Increased ethanol elimination after barium meal--human experimental study with parenteral alcohol administration].

The results of human experimental investigations of blood alcohol kinetics in intravenous alcohol administration published in recent years suggest that alterations both of the current ADH activity and of the rate of hepatic blood flow affect the excretion. The effects of a voluminous gastrointestinal load of 500 g of inert BaSO4 definitively free of calories on the elimination kinetics of ethanol are investigated in two groups each comprising five male subjects. The alcohol is administered exclusively parenterally. Peak blood alcohol values between 0.5 and 1.1 per thousand are attained. After a barium meal, the elimination is significantly raised (p less than 0.01; p less than 0.05) in both groups. The rate of increase up to 27 percent of the baseline value (beta 60 min. 0.108; beta 60 max. 0.15 g/kg) is attributed to the raised hepatic blood flow.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1991

Time-dependent RNA synthesis in different skin layers after wounding. Experimental investigations in vital and postmortem biopsies.

Incision wounds were made on the outer ear of rats and two biopsies were taken for examination after different survival times. In each case a biopsy was made of vital tissue and a second of postmortem tissue after refrigeration for 24 h. The biopsies were exposed to a solution containing the RNA precursor 3H-cytidine for 1 h, washed and fixed in formalin. Sections 5 microns thick were then autoradiographically prepared and automatically evaluated using Quantimet 920. The intravital specimens showed a significant increase in 3H-cytidine incorporation in the basal cell layer after survival times of 10-24 h. No increase was seen in the stratum corneum, corium or cartilage tissue. The investigated distance from the wound margin did not have any significant bearing on the results. The 3H-cytidine incorporation rate in postmortem tissue was practically identical with that of vital tissue, but no increase was observed in the rate of RNA synthesis in the basal cells as a function of the age of the wound. It may therefore be assumed that this method provides no additional information as to the age of wounds in postmortem examination.

Amanitins↗

PubMed1990

[Use of rectal temperature-time of death nomograms at the scene of death].

The application of the rectal temperature time of death nomogram at the scene of death by 11 authors from 6 lego-medical institutes resulted in a standard deviation of the differences between nomographic and real death time of +/- 1.3 h in 46 cases (group I) with met requirements and clearly defined points of contact, nevertheless, including 9 cases with a more progressive cooling (0.5 greater than Q greater than or equal to 0.2). In cases with a real death time of more than 4h (N = 26) the standard deviation was +/- 1.0 hours corresponding to permissible variation of 95% of +/- 2.0 hours. Consequently, the permissible variation of 95% was much smaller than that suggested by the nomogram. The nomographic death time interval did not agree with the real one in 5 cases out of additional 30 cases with recognizably unsure points of contact (group II).

Body Temperature Regulation↗

PubMed1990

Diagnostic significance of myofibrillar degeneration of cardiocytes in forensic pathology.

The incidence of myofibrillar degeneration (MFD) was studied in the following different forensic-pathological diagnostic groups of 25 cases each: acute morphine intoxication, acute carbon monoxide intoxication, hanging, strangulation by hand/ligature, drowning, acute hemorrhagic shock, lethal acute brain injury, explainable death of babies or infants and sudden infant death syndrome, together with 18 cases of intoxication with various drugs. The MFD was demonstrated by the Luxol-fast-blue reaction, with two types of phenomena being differentiated, namely cross-band lesions and diffuse staining. All diagnostic groups included cases of MFD of differing degrees. Cross-band lesions were observed in practically all cases of hanging, strangulation and acute hemorrhagic shock. Diffuse stain was noted particularly in cases of drowning and acute brain injury. The diagnostic significance is discussed.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1990

[Myofibril degeneration of heart muscle: histologic picture and pathophysiologic significance].

Mechanical trauma to the heart induces a rhythmical transverse banding of adjacent myocytes. This finding is due to hypercontraction (true contraction bands) and it is different from the cross band type myofibrillar degeneration (MFD) which is characterized by disseminated foci of irregular transverse banding. This latter type is mainly found after temporary myocardial ischemia, in cases of reanimation using catecholamines and defibrillation as well as in severe brain trauma. Both types of cross banding can be identified in hematoxylin and eosin or in azan stains; a much better visualization is obtained using the PTAH or the Luxol Fast Blue (LBF) method. Moreover, LFB, giving a selective blue staining of the damaged cells, allows the identification of the recently described diffuse type MFD. Well developed contraction bands may indicate the vitality of a heart trauma, yet a supravital occurrence seems to be possible. MFD, diffuse or cross band type, clearly correlates with high blood catecholamine levels at the time of death.

Cardiomyopathies↗

PubMed1990

[Myofibril degeneration of heart muscle: diagnostic value of selected forensic pathology case material].

Information on the incidence of myofibrillary degeneration (MFD) was obtained by investigating the hearts of seven groups of cases with different forensic diagnosis using luxol fast blue as a staining method. The following diagnostic groups were examined: acute morphine intoxication, acute carbon monoxide intoxication, hanging, strangling by hand and/or ligature, drowning, acute hemorrhagic shock and sudden infant death syndrome. MFD positive cases were found in all diagnostic groups, but the morphologic expression of MFD as well the number of cases per group differed: The phenomenon of cytoplasmatic banding could be observed in nearly all cases of hanging, strangling and acute hemorrhagic shock; the phenomenon of diffuse cytoplasmatic staining in most cases of drowning. The diagnostic importance is discussed.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

[Sexual dimorphism of the corpus callosum?].

Morphometric studies carried out during the past years have led to the assumption that the splenium of the corpus callosum in the female brain is significantly larger in size and more bulbous than in the case of men. This result, obtained by the examination of a relatively small number of samples, was to be checked by investigations with a larger number of samples. Our own planimetric studies were based on a total of 70 dissection cases and 55 nucleal magnetic tomograms (NMR), both evenly distributed among men and woman. When applying the identical measuring parameters as those used by the above cited authors, a sexual dimorphism could not be confirmed. This result did also not change when additional modified measuring parameters were taken into consideration.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

[Quantitative studies of mast cell proliferation at the wound edge --rate of DNA synthesis in intravital and postmortem biopsy].

The number of DNA synthesizing mast cells in experimental induced wounds was calculated using bromodeoxyuridine as a DNA marker and naphthol AS-D chloroacetate esterase as a mast cell marker. After different survival times, specimens of the wound edge were taken before death and 24 hs after death. At a survival time of 48 hs in vital biopsy the number of DNA synthesizing mast cells peaked, at 72 hs and fell after a period of 8 days. Even though an identical kinetic course was demonstrable in cases of postmortal biopsies the percentage at each survival period was significantly lower than in vital biopsies.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

[Density of immunoreactive cells in the spleen in drug fatalities].

66 autopsied drug-related death cases in the Institute of Legal Medicine of Cologne of the years 1979 to 1989 were morphologically examined to get information whether cytological investigations of the spleen reveal a damage of the immune system. The weights of the spleen were registered and immunoreactive cells, i.e. macrophages, B- and T-lymphocytes, were quantitative counted. Neither a significant alteration of the weights of the spleen nor an important change of the density of the immunoreactive cells could be registered.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

[An unusual finding in a case of hypothermia].

Suicide was initiated by several incisions in the skin; the resulting hypovolemia resulted in fatal hypothermia. The unusual autopsy findings in this case due to hypothermia were focal hemorrhages and necrosis of the pancreas and hemorrhagic infarction of the descendending colon. The pathophysiological relevance of the autopsy and histological findings are discussed.

Colon↗

PubMed1989

[Script crossing in scanning electron microscopy].

A case of mixed script in which ball point-pen ink was contaminated with typewriting prompted a survey of the literature and a systematic SEM study of mixed script with various writing instruments or inks. Mixed scripts produced with the following instruments or inks were investigated: pencil, ink/India ink, ball-pint pen, felt-tip pen, copied script and typewriter. This investigation showed SEM to be the method of choice for visualizing overlying scripts produced by different writing instruments or inks.

Crime↗

PubMed1989

[Release of proteinase inhibitors as a vital reaction in the early post-traumatic interval].

In a pilot study paraffin-embedded sections of open skin wounds (stab and slash wounds, lacerations) were investigated to determine the presence of a vital reaction. Granulocytes were detected by naphthol AS-D chloroacetate esterase, the enzyme "lysozyme", and eight proteinase inhibitors by the indirect immunoperoxidase method. The tissue specimens were taken from consecutive autopsy material. The survival time could be determined in 14 cases (10-165 min) and was unknown in 12 other cases of sudden death due to injury of the major vessels or heart. The controls were cases with injuries inflicted after and cases of sudden death due to massive blunt trauma served death. In vital injuries, accumulations of proteinase inhibitors, particularly alpha-2-macroglobulin and alpha-1-antichymotrypsin, were demonstrable in the corium parallel to the wound surface. In comparison, the reaction of proteinase inhibitors that neutralize only enzymes participating in blood coagulation or complement activation (C1-esterase inhibitor and protein C) was absent or weak. Protein accumulation was observed only sporadically in cases of sudden death and never in cases with wounds inflicted after death. No relationship could be established between semiquantitatively estimated staining and survival time. Granulocytes and lysozyme were first observed in the corium after a survival time of more than 60 min.

Granulocytes↗

PubMed1989

Cytological investigations on the cerebellar cortex of sudden infant death victims.

The study was based on the hypothesis that cerebellar hypoxia may play a role in sudden infant death syndrome resulting in morphological changes of the cerebellar cortex, especially with respect to Purkinje cell density. In the morphological evaluation of the Purkinje cell layer, special consideration was additionally given to secondary alterations (i.e., macrophage and/or astrocyte reaction). A total of 12 sudden infant death syndrome cases were compared with an age- and sex-matched control group. The Purkinje cell density was evaluated by determining the number of these cells per surface unit on parasagittal sections in both hemispheres. The myelomonocytic and glial reaction was demonstrated by immunohistochemical methods using lysozyme as leukocyte and macrophage markers and glial fibrillary acidic protein as an astrocyte marker. Qualitatively, no alterations resembling a macrophage or glial cell reaction were detected in sudden infant death syndrome. No differences between the right and left cerebellar hemisphere could be established in the victims of sudden infant death syndrome nor in the controls. The number of Purkinje cells per 0.352 mm2 cortex was higher in the younger victims of sudden infant death (younger than 45 weeks of gestation) than in all matched controls. A statistically significant difference in Purkinje cell density, however, could not be established, and, especially, no indications of hypoxia were observed in the cerebellar cortex.

Cerebellar Cortex↗

PubMed1989

[Erythrocytes in cervical lymph nodes of the human as a sequela of stasis and/or lymph drainage. Questionable diagnostic significance in strangulation and mechanical injuries of the head].

Information on the diagnostic significance of follicular hemorrhage and/or presence of red blood cells in the lymph node sinus was obtained by microscopic investigation of the superficial and deep human cervical lymph nodes. Fifty cases were selected on the basis of the following criteria: (1) cases without strangulation or mechanical head trauma; (2) cases in which death occurred by strangulation without additional mechanical head trauma; (3) cases without strangulation but with mechanical head trauma; (4) cases with strangulation and mechanical head trauma. The usual degree of stasis and hemorrhages and the dilation of the veins and/or capillaries are not sufficient to discriminate between cases with and cases without strangulation. Moreover, erythrocytes, erythrophages, and siderophages were encountered in the lymph node sinus of both cases with and cases without mechanical head trauma. Neither follicular hemorrhage nor the presence of red blood cells in the sinus is therefore diagnostically significant in forensic pathology.

Asphyxia↗

PubMed1989

Fast increase of proteinase inhibitors in necrotic collagenous tissue.

Using the PAP immunohistochemical technique, accumulation of two proteinase inhibitors, alpha-1-antichymotrypsin and alpha-2-macroglobulin, can be detected at the edges of collagenous fibers in the corium after slash wounds of the skin. This accumulation was observed within a survival time of 10-30 min. It, however, is not detectable in postmortally inflicted trauma.

Humans↗

PubMed1989

[DNA synthesis in cells of human cadavers].

Punch biopsies of human cadavers were incubated in vitro with radioactively labeled thymidine (3H-TdR, 14C-TdR) to get information on postmortal cytokinetics. The investigation established that 3H-TdR really was incorporated in DNA by cells of human cadavers. Basal cells of epidermis as well bone marrow cells of cadavers stored at 20 degrees C incorporated 3H-TdR during a storage time of at least 32 hours. Storing the cadavers at 4 degrees C DNA synthesis in epidermic cells was demonstrated for more than 77 hours. While spermatogonia incorporated 3H-TdR during the early postmortal period of 8 hours neither in bowel nor in splenic cells a postmortal DNA synthesis was seen. Systemic investigations were done using punch biopsies taken from the extensor side of the thigh of 45 human cadavers stored at 4 degrees C. The labeling index (mean: 2.53 +/- 0.79%) over a postmortal period of more than 70 hours and the synthesis time determined by the double labeling procedure over a period of at least 30 hours remained essentially unchanged and were comparable with live humans. The generation time decreased with increasing storage time--but not statistically relevant differences, however, were established at the 1% level. As well no statistically relevant differences were established by correlating the kinetic data according to sex, age and site.

Autoradiography↗

PubMed1989

[Immunohistochemical assessment of survival from open skin wounds using paraffin sections].

Investigation of vitality was done in paraffin-embedded tissue sections of open skin wounds by demonstration of a neutrophilic reaction marking the cells by naphthol AS-D chloroacetate esterase, by demonstration of enzyme activity by application of lysozyme antibodies and by demonstration of concentration of proteinase inhibitors by application of inhibitor antibodies using the indirect immunohistochemical peroxidase method. Survival time of the wounds could be determined in 10 cases (15-165 mins) and was unknown in 9 other cases of sudden death due to injury of the major vessels or heart. Postmortally inflicted injuries and cases of sudden death due to massive blunt trauma served as controls. In vital injuries, accumulation of proteinase inhibitors, particularly alpha-1-antichymotrypsin and alpha-2-macroglobulin, were demonstrable in the corium parallel to the wound surface. Protein accumulation was observed only sporadically in cases of sudden death and never in cases with postmortally inflicted wounds. Granulocytes and lysozyme were first observed in the corium after a survival time of more than 60 minutes.

Cell Survival↗