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Biomedical subjects

R Penning

Publications and source records attributed to R Penning.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

The time-dependent localization of Ki67 antigen-positive cells in human skin wounds.

A total of 77 human skin wounds with a post-infliction interval between 3 h and 7 months were investigated and the proliferation marker antigen Ki67 was visualized in paraffin sections using a specific monoclonal antibody (MIB). The re-built epidermal layer covering the former lesional area showed only a few basal cells positively staining for Ki67 antigen. No enhanced reactivity was found when compared to uninjured skin. In basal cells of the epidermis adjacent to the wound area, however, varying numbers of positive cells occurred, but no information useful for a reliable time estimation of skin wounds could be obtained due to the considerable variability in the number of Ki67 positive epidermal basal cells found in non-damaged skin. Fibroblastic cells in the wound area revealed an increased number of Ki67-positive sites which could first be detected in a 1.5-day-old skin lesion. Positive results could be obtained in every specimen investigated after a post-infliction interval of 6 days up to 1.5 months. Only the scar tissue of the oldest wound examined (wound age 7 months) revealed no increase in the number of positively staining fibroblasts. Therefore, positive results indicate a wound age of at least approximately 1.5 days and the lack of an increased number of positive fibroblastic cells in a sufficient number of specimens indicates at a wound age of less than 6 days, but cannot totally exclude longer post-infliction intervals.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Pulmonary giant cells and their significance for the diagnosis of asphyxiation.

This study was performed to prove whether the detection of polynuclear giant cells in lungs is useful for the diagnosis of asphyxiation due to throttling or strangulation. Therefore, lung specimens of 54 individuals with different natural and unnatural causes of death were investigated. In most lungs examined numerous alveolar macrophages with 1-2 nuclei were found. Polynuclear giant cells, which were arbitrarily defined as alveolar macrophages containing 3 or more nuclei, were observed in all groups investigated except in the cases of hypoxia due to covering the head with plastic bags. Apparent differences between the other groups in particular an increased number in cases of throttling or strangulation, could not be observed. Immunohistochemical investigations confirmed the hypothesis that the observed polynuclear giant cells were derived from alveolar macrophages. The immunohistochemical analysis of the proliferation marker antigen Ki 67 revealed no positive reaction in the nuclei of polynuclear giant cells indicating that these cells had not developed shortly before death by endomitosis as an adaptative change following reduction in oxygen supply. The results provide evidence that the detection of pulmonary polynuclear giant cells cannot be used as a practical indicator for death by asphyxiation due to throttling or strangulation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

The immunohistochemical localization of alpha 1-antichymotrypsin and fibronectin and its meaning for the determination of the vitality of human skin wounds.

A total of 39 vital human skin wounds (20 cases with short survival times ranging from a few seconds to approximately 30 min and 19 cases with wound ages between 50 min and 13 days) were investigated. Alpha 1-antichymotrypsin (A1-ACT) was visualized by immunohistochemistry. Additionally, fibronectin was localized in 13 of these wounds (8 cases with short and 5 cases with longer survival times). Furthermore, 13 postmortem lesions (stab wounds) were removed from corpses approximately 4 h after infliction and analyzed for A1-ACT and fibronectin. The "vital" reaction previously described for A1-ACT in form of a band-shaped staining pattern at the wound edges was observed in both vital wounds and in most postmortem lesions. A similar reaction was also obtained for fibronectin in wounds inflicted after death, but could be unambiguously distinguished from vital fibronectin staining by morphological criteria. Therefore, it seems questionable that the vitality of skin wounds can be determined by the immunohistochemical detection of A1-ACT and probably other proteinase inhibitors. The meaning of the localization of fibronectin for the determination of the vitality of human skin wounds with a survival time of at least a few minutes could be confirmed.

Fibronectins↗
PubMed1993

The time-dependent expression of keratins 5 and 13 during the reepithelialization of human skin wounds.

The time-dependent reepithelialization of 55 human surgical skin wounds with a wound age between 8 h and more than 2 months was investigated by the immunohistochemical localization of cytokeratins 5 and 13. A complete, rebuilt epidermal layer over the wound area was first detectable in a 5-day-old wound, while all wounds of more than 18 days duration contained a completely reepithelialized wound area. Between 5 and 18 days the basal layer of keratinocytes showed--in contrast to normal skin--only some cells positive for cytokeratin 5. In some, but not all lesions with a wound age of 13 days or more, a basal cell layer completely staining for cytokeratin 5 was demonstrable. This staining pattern was found in all skin wounds with a wound age of more than 23 days. The immunohistochemical detection of cytokeratin 13 which can be observed regularly in non-cornifying squamous epithelia provides no information for the time-estimation of human skin wounds, since no significant temporary expression of this polypeptide seems to occur during the healing of human skin wounds.

Humans↗
PubMed1993

Drug death autopsies at the Munich Institute of Forensic Medicine (1981-1992).

A total of 638 drug death autopsy cases in southern Bavaria from 1981 to 1992 were analysed, including epidemiological and toxicological investigations. The rate of HIV infections decreased during the last few years. Cocaine does not (yet) play a major role. Suicide rates are high. Heroin intoxications are the most frequent cause of death, mostly in combination with other drugs and alcohol. In 1992 we observed a sharp increase of the number of deaths associated with dihydrocodeine abuse. This seems to be a local phenomenon and has to be explained by uncritical and uncontrolled prescription of large amounts of this opiate by individual physicians.

Academies and Institutes↗
PubMed1993

Alveolar macrophages and the diagnosis of drowning.

In the present study, we examined the number of alveolar macrophages in lung tissue from 17 cases of fresh water drowning, 22 cases of acute death and 6 cases of lung emphysema. When counting only the number of alveolar macrophages per alveolus without consideration of the alveolar size we found no relevant differences between the groups investigated. To exclude any influence of the alveolar size on the results the surface density of the alveolar macrophages and interstitial tissue was estimated and compared in the different groups. In cases of drowning, the lungs showed significantly lower values in both categories. The ratio of 'alveolar macrophages/interstitial tissue' was also reduced in cases of drowning in comparison to the other groups, however, without significant differences. These morphometrical results characterizing the 'emphysema aquosum' with almost 'empty' and dilated alveoli could be explained by a wash-out effect of the drowning fluid leading to a partial removal of the macrophages from the alveoli. This hypothesis was confirmed by the detection of alveolar macrophages in the drowning froth by immunohistochemical analysis. Even though alveolar macrophages were unambiguously identified in advanced putrefied lungs in HE-stained sections as well as by immunohistochemical staining, an estimation of the number of these cells cannot provide further information for the diagnosis of drowning in putrefied corpses due to the autolytic destruction of the lung architecture providing no reliable values.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

The immunohistochemical analysis of fibronectin, collagen type III, laminin, and cytokeratin 5 in putrified skin.

Fibronectin, collagen type III, laminin, and cytokeratin 5 were visualized in normal skin and in skin showing early or advanced signs of autolytic decomposition to prove whether the immunohistochemical analysis of these antigens can provide useful information for an age-estimation of skin wounds obtained from putrified corpses. In cases with early signs of decomposition (visible course of veins, greenish discoloration) and without microscopic alterations like relaxation of the epidermal cell layers or destruction of the blood vessel structures, the staining pattern was identical to that found in normal, non-putrefied skin. In skin already showing microscopic alteration of the tissue structure, fibronectin and collagen type III could not be localized unambiguously. The distribution of laminin and cytokeratin 5, however, was well preserved. In advanced putrefied skin no reliable staining results could be obtained for fibronectin, collagen type III, and laminin. Even though cytokeratin 5 was still detectable in remnants of decomposition-resistant skin appendages, no information useful for an age-estimation of skin wounds can be obtained due to the autolytic detachment of the epidermal layers.

Collagen↗
PubMed1993

Homicide with a captive bolt pistol.

A homicide with a captive bolt pistol (slaughterer's gun) is reported. The construction and the function of this "humane killer" as well as the typical patterns of injury are described.

Craniocerebral Trauma↗
PubMed1992

Immunohistochemical localization of fibronectin as a tool for the age determination of human skin wounds.

We analyzed the distribution of fibronectin in routinely embedded tissue specimens from 53 skin wounds and 6 postmortem wounds. In postmortem wounds a faint but focal positive staining was exclusively found at the margin of the specimens which did not extend into the adjacent stroma. Vital wounds were classified into 3 groups. The first comprising lesions with wound ages ranging from a few seconds to 30 min, the second comprising those with wound ages up to 3 weeks, and the third group with lesions more than 3 weeks old. Ten out of 17 lesions with a wound age up to 30 min showed a clear positive reaction within the wound area. Three specimens in this group were completely negative, while in 4 additional cases the result was not significantly different from postmortem lesions. These 7 cases were characterized by acute death with extremely short survival times (only seconds). In wounds up to 3 weeks old fibronectin formed a distinct network containing an increasing number of inflammatory cells corresponding to the wound age. In 2 cases with a survival time of 17 days and in all wounds older than 3 weeks fibronectin was restricted to the surface of fibroblasts and to parallel arranged fibers in the granulation tissue without any network structures. We present evidence that fibronectin is a useful marker for vital wounds with a survival time of more than a few minutes. Fibronectin appears before neutrophilic granulocytes migrate into the wound area.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Comparison of the solophenyl-red polarization method and the immunohistochemical analysis for collagen type III.

In the present study, we have compared the staining pattern of the Solophenyl-Red 3 BL-method for the visualization of collagen type III with the immunohistochemical staining in serial sections from 7 skin wounds (wound age 3 days up to 4 weeks) to elucidate the specificity of the histochemical staining method. Large amounts of collagen type III were clearly detectable in the investigated wounds using the immunohistochemical technique. In the sections stained with Solophenyl-Red, however, only 3 out of 7 skin lesions showed a significant positive red staining at the wound margin or in the granulation tissue, while the adjacent normal connective tissue revealed a typical intensive staining. Using polarization microscopy no characteristic bright green fibrils, as reported for collagen type III, could be seen in the wound areas without positive Solophenyl-Red staining. Since the localization of collagen type III detected by immunohistochemistry and the presumed distribution of this collagen type by the Solophenyl-Red method was not identical, the histochemical polarization method has to be regarded as non-specific for visualization of this collagen type.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Time-dependent pericellular expression of collagen type IV, laminin, and heparan sulfate proteoglycan in myofibroblasts.

Human skin wounds (n = 62) with a wound age between 5 h and 6 weeks were investigated. The appearance of cell-associated pericellular basement membrane components collagen type IV, laminin and heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) in myofibroblasts was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Laminin and HSPG were first detectable around myofibroblasts approximately 1.5 days after wounding. Collagen type IV did not appear before the 4th day after wound infliction. In wounds more than 7 days old, 94% of the cases showed fibroblastic cells positively staining for laminin, 70% of the wounds contained fibroblastic cells positive for HSPG and in 63% a positive reaction for collagen type IV was obtained around these cells. The numbers of the cases as well as of the cells positively stained for laminin exceeded the corresponding values for HSPG and especially for collagen type IV. The pericellular appearance of laminin or HSPG around myofibroblasts, therefore, indicates a wound age of at least approximately 1.5 days. The pericellular localization of collagen type IV indicates a survival time of approximately 4 days or more. Since these proteins are still detectable in the pericellular region of myofibroblasts in skin wounds with advanced wound age (6 weeks) further information for the time-estimation of older human skin lesions cannot be obtained. A semiquantitative analysis revealed no significant correlation between the number of positively stained cells and the wound age, rendering this parameter unsuitable for a practicable time-estimation of human wounds.

Collagen↗
PubMed1992

The time-dependent rearrangement of the epithelial basement membrane in human skin wounds--immunohistochemical localization of collagen IV and VII.

In 62 human skin wounds (surgical wounds, stab wounds and lacerations after surgical treatment) we analyzed the immunohistochemical localization of collagen IV in the epithelial basement membrane. In 27 of these wounds the distribution of collagen VII, which represents a specific component of the basement membrane of stratified epithelia, was also analyzed. We were able to demonstrate a virtually identical co-distribution of both collagen IV and VII in the wound area with no significant time-dependent differences in the appearance of both collagen types. Fragments of the epithelial basement membrane could be detected in the wound area from as early as 4 days after wounding and after 8 days a complete restitution of the epithelial basement membrane was observed. In all cases with a wound age of more than 21 days the basement membrane was completely reformed over the former lesional area. The period between 8 and 21 days after wounding was characterized by a wide variability ranging from complete restitution to deposition of basement membrane fragments or total lack of the epidermal basement membrane.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Time-dependent appearance of myofibroblasts in granulation tissue of human skin wounds.

Human skin wounds (66) inflicted between 20 h and 7 months prior to biopsy were studied. In order to identify the type of cellular differentiation of the fibroblastic cells in the granulation tissue, alpha-smooth muscle actin and desmin were immunohistochemically localized. The value of any presumed time-dependent appearance and/or disappearance of positively stained cells was tested for the estimation of wound age. In skin specimens with a wound age less than 5 days (n = 15) no typical granulation tissue had developed and no alpha-actin-positive myofibroblasts could be detected. The first appearance of positively reacting myofibroblasts was noted in a 5-day-old wound. In 57% of the lesions with a wound age between 5 and 31 days (25 out of 44 cases) typical granulation tissue formation was present and myofibroblasts with positive reaction for alpha-smooth muscle actin could be identified. Numerous positively reacting cells could generally be found in wounds aged between 16 and 31 days, but also in wounds less than 16 days old. In 29% of the cases with a wound age of more than 31 days (2 out of 7 cases) alpha-sma-positive myofibroblasts also occurred. Fibroblastic cells positive for desmin could not be seen at all in our series. Our results demonstrate the appearance of alpha-sma-positive myofibroblasts with the initial formation of typical granulation tissue in human skin lesions as early as approximately 5 days after wounding. In contrast to recent experimental results these cells remained detectable in wounds aged more than 2 months in some cases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗
PubMed1992

HIV-1- prevalence among drug deaths in major cities of central and northern Europe.

Since 1985, a number of Institutes of Forensic Medicine in Germany have cooperated in a multicenter study, to provide a constant monitoring of HIV-1-prevalence among drug related deaths. In 1990/91, the Institutes in Copenhagen, Stockholm, Vienna and Zürich also participated in this study. HIV-1-prevalence is decreasing in the German cities, whereas the epidemiological development is not uniform in the other major cities. Regional differences are obvious. In 1991, the prevalence rates were as follows: Berlin 15% (n = 220), Hamburg 4% (n = 179), Frankfurt 17% (n = 167), Munich 9% (n = 136), Stockholm 10% (n = 79), Copenhagen 14% (n = 130), Vienna 20% (n = 56), and Zürich 23% (n = 84).

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1992

Determination of fetal age by immunohistochemical estimation of surfactant-producing alveolar type II cells.

We monitored the immunohistochemically determined amount of surfactant-producing alveolar type II cells in human fetal lung using polyclonal antibodies against apoprotein B and C of human pulmonary surfactant. Lungs of 30 dead-born fetuses without lung affection aged between 15 and 38 weeks of gestation were evaluated and the surface density of surfactant-producing alveolar type II cells was determined by morphometry. In lungs of fetuses with a gestational age less than 22 weeks no relevant number of positively reacting cells could be found. Between the 22nd and 29th week a progressive increase with considerable inter-individual variability was observed. From the 30th week on the number of the type II pneumocytes appeared rather constant without further significant increase. We provide evidence that the immunohistochemical detection of surfactant-producing alveolar type II cells is useful for the determination of the age of unknown and especially fragmented fetuses: The lack of surfactant-producing alveolar type II cells in fetal lungs before the 22nd week allows a rather safe distinction between fetal lungs of higher age from those of lesser age. Between the 22nd and 29th week an age-dependent increase in the number of these cells occurs with wide inter-individual variability allowing only an approximate age determination. In particular, this may be an important piece of information in fragmented fetal corpses. Furthermore, the number of surfactant-producing alveolar type II cells provides additional information on pulmonary maturation and may thus be helpful in the estimation of a theoretical survival chance.

Apoproteins↗
PubMed1992

[Physical examination of the victim of alleged rape].

The medical examination of presumed victims of sexual assault can be important evidence in criminal cases, hence, its documentation has to be conducted very carefully. A thorough physical examination must always include a search for the marks of brute force or strangulation. The correct preservation of body fluids and swabs is essential, especially since new DNA "finger-printing" techniques ("genetic fingerprinting") may accomplish identification of the offender.

DNA Fingerprinting↗
PubMed1991

[Incidence of sudden heart arrest in mitral valve prolapse syndrome].

Among 1500 consecutive forensic autopsy cases 4 cases of sudden cardiac death due to a mitral valve prolapse syndrome could be found. Postmortem diagnosis depends on severe macroskopic changes of the valve leaflets. According to literature there is no increased risk of sudden cardiac death in cases of "silent" mitral valve prolapse. Only in 2%-4% of all cases severe mitral regurgitation or leaflet thickening above 5 mm leads to an increased incidence of sudden cardiac death. The 4 presented cases belong to this subgroup.

Adult↗