Biomedical subjects

R La Harpe

Publications and source records attributed to R La Harpe.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1997

Marked decrease of immunolabelled 68 kDa neurofilament (NF-L) proteins in brains of opiate addicts.

NEUROFILAMENT (NF) proteins, the major components of the neuronal cytoskeleton, have been shown to represent previously unknown targets for the chronic effects of morphine in rats. This study was designed to evaluate the abundance of immunoreactive NF-L (68 kDa) proteins in post-mortem brains of chronic opiate addicts who had died of a heroin or methadone overdose. Levels of NF-L proteins were assessed by immunoblotting techniques. Levels of immunoreactive NF-L proteins were markedly decreased (47%, n = 17) in the frontal cortex. The reduced abundance of brain NF-L proteins was not related to the post-mortem delay or to the plasma concentrations of opiates, suggesting that the observed changes represent a specific long-term effect of opiate drugs. Because of the functions associated with NF proteins (e.g. axonal transport), this finding suggests that opiate drugs may induce neuronal damage after chronic abuse in humans.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Regulation of immunolabelled mu-opioid receptors and protein kinase C-alpha and zeta isoforms in the frontal cortex of human opiate addicts.

To assess the status of opioid receptors in the human brain during the process of opiate addiction, the abundance of immunoreactive mu-opioid receptors was quantitated in postmortem brains of chronic opiate addicts who had died of a heroin or methadone overdose. The immunoreactive levels of the associated enzyme protein kinase C (PKC-alpha and zeta isoforms) and G proteins (G alpha(i1/2) subunits) were also assessed in the same brains. In the frontal cortex of opiate addicts, the abundance of mu-opioid receptors was not different from that obtained in matched controls. The level of Ca2+-dependent PKC-alpha was decreased (25%), whereas that of the atypical PKC-zeta remained unchanged. The density of G alpha(i1/2) proteins also was found to be increased (40%). The results indicate that opiate addiction in humans does not appear to be associated with a reduced density of brain mu-opioid receptors. The sustained down-regulation of PKC-alpha in the brain of opiate addicts would allow the up-regulation of G alpha(i1/2) proteins aimed at compensating the postulated desensitization of the mu-opioid receptor system.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

[Drunkenness in traffic in Geneva: distribution and detection].

All cases of inebriety (up to the Swiss Legal BAC: 0.8 gr/kg) in traffic (pedestrians and drivers) recorded by the police during one year are the object of the study. Their frequency and blood alcohol levels are related to individual variables (sex, age, nationality) and also to environmental variables (vehicle, month, day, time). Clinical appreciation of intoxication levels by physicians taking blood samples is also verified. Inherent difficulties of methodological bias coupled to the use of official data, are examined by systematically taking into account the way in which intoxication was detected (with or without accident). In all, 951 cases of alcohol intoxication were studied.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

[Drunkenness in traffic in Geneva: occasional abuse or alcoholism?].

The main aim of the study is to measure the importance of alcoholism amongst alcohol intoxication (up to the Swiss legal BAC: 0.8 gr/kg) in traffic. The method used describes the characteristics of all cases of inebriety (amongst pedestrians and drivers) recorded by the police during one year and relates this with complementary data such as the determination of a biological marker of alcohol consumption (Gamma Glutamyl Transferase), or DWI recidivism. Results of general interest are: 22% of recorded cases of alcohol intoxication are recidivists; about one third of the cases of alcohol intoxication registered are due to alcoholism rather than to social drinking. A preventive policy in road traffic safety must integrate the problems, caused by alcoholism, on Public Health.

Accidents, Traffic↗

PubMed1993

Methadone therapy.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Cause of Death↗

PubMed1992

[Sudden death during performance of sport: forensic medicine elucidation].

Our study deals with cases of sudden death (non-traumatic death) while playing sport which were examined at the Institute of Forensic Medicine at the University of Geneva, and covers the last ten years: 1980-1989. We discovered 19 cases, all men between the ages of 17 to 67. In the case of the younger sportsmen (under the age of 45-50) or when the causes of mortality were unclear, the police requested an autopsy, which totalled 8 cases. In the other 11 cases, we were asked to make an external examination of the bodies, in order to exclude any signs of violence. Seven sportsmen, aged 36-49, who used to play high-risk sports such as football, tennis, basketball and running were autopsied and presented a myocardial infarct. Its interesting that 2 of these cases had also an old scar of a myocardial infarct. The eighth case was a 17 year old boy who had an already known obstructive cardiomyopathy.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

[Scientific training of competition swimmers: contribution of lactic acid level].

This study tries to find a way of improving the effectiveness of the training schedule for swimmers. We regularly measured the level of blood lactate during training in order to estimate as precisely as possible the anaerobic threshold in swimming. As is already known sportsmen improve more rapidly their physical capacity (especially endurance) when they swim at a threshold speed corresponding to 4 Mmol of lactate. We used the following parameters: blood lactate concentration in relation to swimming time, and blood lactate accumulation in relation to covered distance for successive days of training at the same swimming speed. These two complementary procedures allowed us to follow the state of training of each athlete using simple graphs and to better advise him so that he may attain his threshold swimming speed. We have often noticed an improvement of the physical condition: either as an increase in swimming speed for the same accumulation of lactate, or as a decrease in the level of blood lactate for a same swimming speed. Measurements of blood lactate accumulation in relation to covered distance, on the condition that the speeds are more or less the same, allow a more precise estimate of the athletes' performances.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Defined contusion marks caused by the knife handle].

If in inflicting a stab wound the knife is vigorously pushed in up to the end of the blade, this does not only cause cutting of the tissue, but also a blunt traumatization. The resulting abrasions can correspond with the respective construction parts (handle, handguard, devices for fixing the open blade) as to position, shape and size, thus allowing conclusions as to the shape of the instrument used. Incomplete, one-sided marks of the handle suggest an oblique-angled stab. The presence of a contusion mark shows that the blade penetrated completely, which makes it easier to draw conclusions as to the length of the blade from the depth of penetration. The reconstruction possibilities are demonstrated on the basis of three autopsies (homicide cases with different types of knives).

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Fatalities associated with methadone administration in the Geneva canton (1987-1993)].

In Geneva 41 deaths associated with methadone have been observed between 1987 and 1993. In 11 cases death was caused by heroin overdose in combination with methadone. In 6 other cases (natural death, hanging, murder, road accident, drowning and burning) methadone, although in feeble doses, could have played a role in the circumstances leading to death. In 24 other cases, where methadone was the sole cause of death, 10 of these were in individuals participating in Methadone Maintenance Schemes, but none in the first two weeks of the scheme, 8 occurred in the year following release from prison (3 less than two weeks after release), 11 were associated with a parallel intake of benzodiazepines and 8 with an intake of alcohol.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Forensic medicine aspects of sudden death in sports].

Our study which deals with cases examined by the Institute of Forensic Medicine at the University of Geneva, of sudden nontraumatic death while engaged in sporting activities, covers the last fifteen years from 1980 to 1994. We discovered 31 cases, all males, aged between 17 and 68 years. There were 15 cases of young sportsmen (under the age of 45-50) where the cause of death was unclear, and where an autopsy was requested by the police and 16 cases, where we were asked to make an external examination of the bodies, in order to exclude any signs of violence. Of the 15 autopsies, 10 sportsmen presented signs of myocardial infarction and 2 showed evidence of hemorrhage in an atheromatous plaque. Five cases showed evidence of previous myocardial infarctions. The youngest victim was a 17-year-old boy with previously diagnosed obstructive cardiomyopathy.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Suicide in the Geneva canton (1971-1990). An analysis of the forensic medicine autopsy sample].

During the twenty-year period from 1971 to 1990, 1654 cases of suicide were examined at the Institute of Forensic Medicine of Geneva University. The suicide rate for the entire population averaged 22,75 per 100,000 population per annum. The male to female ratio was 1.5:1. The average age was 47. The highest suicide rate lay between ages 27 and 32 for men and between ages 45 and 50 for women. The most common means of suicide chosen by men were the use of firearms (28%) and hanging (21%) whilst women preferentially chose falling from a height (26%), poisoning (24%) or drowning (22%). Carbon monoxide poisoning, the major means of suicide before 1971 (20%), has greatly decreased whereas firearms, formerly representing only 13% of all suicides before 1971, have become the principal means (19%). May, January and September have, respectively, the highest rate of suicide.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Intentional homicides in the Genf canton (1971-1990)].

In the 20-year period from 1971 to 1990, 114 homicide victims have been autopsied by the Universitary Institute of Forensic Medicine in Geneva. The mean annual homicide rate was 1.5/100,000 population. The sex ratio was about 1.7 males for 1 female. The authors found 1.9 Swiss citizens for 1 foreigner. The victim's mean age was 38 years. The largest number of victims were found in the age group 20-39 years (42%). 58% of victims knew their offenders (familiars, friends and acquaintances), 11% did not know their offenders (strangers) while the relationship victim-offender remained unknown in 31% of the homicide cases of which only 16% have not been elucidated. Methods equally used were firearms and stabbing (71% of casts). Alcohol was present in the blood of 25% of the victims at rates varying between 0.7 and 3.61%. Homicides were more likely to occur in the evening and at night, during weekends and during the months of May, June, July, October and November. 50% of homicides took place at the victim's home, 8% at the offender's home and 42% outside lodgings.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[An unusual case of cadaver dismemberment].

The authors present a case of dismemberment that is exceptional because of the small size and impressive number of fragments (538 excluding the internal organs). The head was intact, allowing classical identification through comparison of the dentition with the dentist's record. The cause of death could not be ascertained, though it can be supposed that the victim had been killed by sharp force.

Adult↗