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Biomedical subjects

R C Chapman

Publications and source records attributed to R C Chapman.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Techniques in facial identification: computer-aided facial reconstruction using a laser scanner and video superimposition.

A facial image was reconstructed from the skull, part of a complete skeleton found in woodland, of a male person who hanged himself from a tree. In addition, video superimposition was carried out with antemortem photographs of a person suspected of being the victim, and a good match was obtained. In a further case, a cheaper video-transparency superimposition was carried out, with identity later being confirmed on the basis of dental records. The techniques and the problems encountered are discussed. According to our experience, 3D computer reconstruction and video superimposition have a useful role in the process of identification, particularly in the early stages of an investigation and when other more definitive methods may not be available.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Postmortem injuries by indoor pets.

Four cases of postmortem injuries caused by indoor pets (three by dogs and one by cats) are presented. A pattern which is associated with this phenomenon is described. The important common factors appear to be the presence of free-moving pets inside the house, social isolation of the deceased, and the victim having a predisposing condition causing sudden death.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Cerebral intraventricular haemorrhage in a young adult.

A case of a 26-year-old man who suffered a fatal intraventricular cerebral haemorrhage following an episode of trauma is described. The initial appearance at necropsy suggested a traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage and initial investigation was directed towards the anterior neck structures and the vertebral arteries with negative results. Dissection of the fixed brain showed a massive intraventricular bleed with secondary involvement of the subarachnoid space and dissection into the cerebral parenchyma. No bleeding points or natural disease of the cerebral vessels could be identified. The practical aspects of diagnosis and the cautious approach necessary in interpreting subarachnoid bleeding is emphasised. The significance of intraventricular haemorrhage following trauma has become more apparent with the advent of computed tomographic scanning. The implications for this and similar cases are considered.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Internal carotid artery thrombosis following manual strangulation.

Thrombosis of the internal carotid artery is an unusual complication of neck compression, and even more infrequently observed in manual strangulation. It is important in such cases to exclude spontaneous thrombosis which may result from atherosclerotic narrowing of the vessel.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Mycobacterium tuberculosis: a continuing cause of sudden and unexpected death in west London.

AIMS: To describe the pathological and background features of several cases of tuberculosis diagnosed at post mortem examinations and performed on behalf of HM Coroner over a three year period in west London. METHODS: Postmortem examinations were carried out by two pathologists working at hospital and public mortuaries in west London. Cases of tuberculosis were provisionally diagnosed on gross examination and the diagnosis confirmed on haematoxylin and eosin and Ziehl-Neelsen staining of retained tissues. The background information was obtained by scrutinising hospital records and by direct enquiry to general practitioners by coroners' officers. RESULTS: Thirteen cases of pulmonary tuberculosis were diagnosed during the period. No other cause of death was found. The incidence of fatal pulmonary tuberculosis was 0.28% of coroners' necropsies in the study region. Cases had been referred to the coroner because death had occurred unexpectedly, or because no recent medical attention had been sought. Most cases arose among the elderly Asian immigrant population or the homeless or the alcoholic, or both. In 10 cases the macroscopic findings strongly indicated pulmonary tuberculosis and in the other three the diagnosis was considered to be a differential diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: These findings have important health implications for those carrying out post mortem examinations from these groups as well as for those involved with the continuing care of immigrant or vagrant populations.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Comparison of early and late onset dysthymia.

The present investigation compares early and late onset community dysthymia groups on insidious onset patterns, cognitive, coping, and symptom measures testing the assumption implicit in DSM-III-R that the two groups are qualitatively dissimilar. The results suggest that, regardless of age of onset, the groups did not differ except on some features of coping style. Homogeneity, not heterogeneity, was the predominant finding. The results call into question the DSM-III-R procedure for classifying dysthymia by age of onset, but also point to the need for additional research.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Reduction of endoscopically assessed acute aspirin-induced gastric mucosal injury with cimetidine.

We studied the influence of cimetidine on the gastroscopically visible effects of a single 1296-mg dose of aspirin. An initial dose-response study in 48 subjects showed that 200- and 400-mg doses of cimetidine conferred a sufficient reduction in gastric mucosal injury to warrant further study. A second study showed that coadministration of a single 200- or 400-mg cimetidine tablet with the aspirin conferred the same degree of injury reduction as when cimetidine was given before the aspirin. Reduction in mucosal injury by a 200-mg cimetidine tablet, coadministered with four aspirin tablets, was then compared to placebo in a double-blind trial. A reduction of mucosal injury was observed in 14 of 20 (70%) subjects receiving cimetidine and 0 of 10 subjects receiving placebo (P less than 0.001). Two hundred milligrams of cimetidine is therefore a rational dose for further studies of the reduction of chronic aspirin-induced gastric mucosal injury.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1986

A possible mechanism for mixed apnea in obstructive sleep apnea.

Hypopneas or pauses in respiratory effort frequently precede episodes of obstructive sleep apnea resulting in mixed apneas. We studied five subjects after chronic tracheostomy for obstructive sleep apnea. During stable non-REM (NREM) sleep, subjects breathed entirely through the tracheostomy. Tracheostomy occlusion caused experimental obstructive apnea which lasted 13.9 +/- 4.7 sec and ended with transient arousal and pharyngeal opening. At the end of the apnea there was marked hyperventilation (inspired minute ventilation rose 21.6 +/- 3.5 L on the first breath) followed by hypocapnia, hypopnea, and pauses in inspiratory effort as the subjects resumed NREM sleep. Hypocapnia was greater before inspiratory pauses lasting at least 5 sec than before shorter pauses (PETco2, 4.2 +/- 1.8 mm Hg below baseline vs 1.2 +/- 2.5 mm Hg below baseline). In three patients, pauses in inspiratory effort following experimental obstructive apnea were prevented by administration of 4 percent CO2 and 40 percent O2 inspired gas. This study suggests that: hyperventilation with hypocapnia occurs at the termination of obstructive apneas, and hypocapnia may be responsible for the attenuation or cessation of respiratory effort initiating the subsequent cycle of obstruction.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Rabies: decimation of a wolf pack in artic Alaska.

In a pack of ten wolves, one wolf behaved atypically and fought with several packmates. This wolf was shot when it approached the author. Within 4 weeks at least six other members of the pack were dead. Rabies was confirmed in the wolf that was shot and in two others that had not decomposed. Most of the wolves infected with rabies had sought or remained at familiar areas in the core area of their territory, which implies that they were not contacting neighboring packs. This was confirmed with an aerial survey. Arctic foxes, experiencing a regionwide rabies epizootic, were suspected vectors.

Aggression↗