Tongue position and its relation to the cause of death and sequential stages of body decomposition observed during 608 forensic post-mortems

The purpose of this study was to document tongue position and its relation to the cause of death and sequential stages of body decomposition, as observed during the routine forensic pathological examination of bodies. The sample of 608 included all bodies examined by the first and third authors during the period April 2016 to September 2016. Tongue position was recorded in all cases where position of the tongue could be visually determined. The condition of the body was recorded as follows: fresh flaccid, fresh with rigor mortis, early decomposition, and advanced decomposition. The cause of death was recorded where known. The results showed that 86% of all bodies examined did not show a protruded tongue and that 92.8% of the bodies were in a state of fresh rigor mortis. The study also showed that tongue protrusion was more prevalent in certain causes of death, namely, hanging, burning, and drowning, but was never absolute. The authors believe that due to the low numbers of bodies presenting with protruded tongues, this phenomenon has previously been overlooked, the significance thereof underestimated, and the pathophysiology and pathomorphology never fully investigated.

     

Antioxidant-related enzymes in myocardial zones and human pericardial fluid in relation to the cause of death

The aim of this work was to shed light on hypoxic and ischemic processes in the heart that may lead to irreversible or lethal myocardial injury. We determined malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in human cardiac tissues from 45 medico-legal autopsies of persons who died from different causes. Samples were taken from three different areas of myocardium: the anterior and posterior walls of the left ventricle, and the interventricular septum. We used light microscopy to examine the heart sections (hematoxylin-eosin and Masson’s trichromic stains), and studied the K⁺/Na⁺ ratio and pericardial fluid. A decrease in GSH-Px activity was found in cases with severe atherosclerosis of the coronary artery in comparison with the group with slight or moderate atherosclerosis. Postmortem activities of GSH-Px and SOD were significantly different in the three myocaridal zones studied. An increase in GSH-Px activity in the interventricular septum was noted in cases of cardiac deaths. Antioxidant-related enzymes such as GSH-Px and SOD can therefore be regarded as new biochemical markers indicative of myocardial hypoxia. The possible applications to the postmortem diagnosis of the cause of death are discussed. Received: 6 July 1995 / Received in revised form: 1 July 1996     

Reaction of the cardiovascular system to static load after changes in body position

Cardiovascular responses of healthy male subjects to static loading in the horizontal, orthostatic and antiorthostatic positions were investigated. The body position was found to affect significantly both the sign and magnitude of circulation parameters. It was also shown that static loading tolerance was lower in the orthostatic than in the antiorthostatic position. It was hypothesized that the complex mechanism of adaptation to static loading involves purely physical factors (obstruction of small arterial vessels and blood discharge from veins of the strained muscle), central, intermediate and local reflex mechanisms. Resistance vessels play a predominant role in limiting systemic arterial pressure in the orthostatic position. Of greated importance in the horizontal position is venous blood pooling limiting its return to the heart. Rearrangement in hemodynamics during static loading is accompanied by an increase in the effective coronary blood flow which is the greatest in the orthostatic position.     

早孕期间多层CT对孕体的辐射剂量:一种可用于不同母体体型及孕体位置的方法

目的建立一种评估多层CT对孕7周内患有腹部及盆腔疾病的孕妇所受辐射剂量的方法。材料与方法该研究获得学院伦理委员会批准并得到病人知情同意。基于117     

Activity profile of top-class female soccer refereeing in relation to the position of the ball

The aim of this study was to describe the activity profile of top-class female soccer referees during competition and to relate it to the position of the ball. Ten matches from the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) under-20 female World Championships held in Russia in 2006 were filmed and the kinematical parameters of the female referees (n = 10) and the ball were determined using a two-dimensional photogrammetric video system based on direct linear transformation (DLT) algorithms. Total distance covered during a match was 10 km, of which 1.3 km represented high-intensity activities (>13 km/h). The referees’ highest mobility was achieved in the initial 15 min of the match, covering greater distance and performing more intense exercise (P < 0.01) than in the final 15-min of the game. Mean distance from the referee to the ball was 19.5 ± 2.4 m, with no significant differences between 15 min match periods. The results of this study show that: (1) the physical demands placed on top-class female referees are much like those experienced during male moderate-standard refereeing and (2) the referees were able to maintain the distance from the ball throughout the match.     

Physiological profile in relation to playing position of elite college Gaelic footballers

Objective: To examine the physiological profile, and its relation to playing position, of elite college Gaelic footballers.

Method: The subjects were 28 elite Gaelic footballers (12 backs, 12 forwards, and four midfielders; mean (SD) age 21 (1.67) years), who won a major intervarsity tournament (Sigerson Cup) three times in succession.

Results: There was general similarity among the members of the team, probably the result of a typical, common training programme. The team means for stature (1.81 (0.05) m), body mass index (81.6 (6.5)) and percentage body fat (14.5 (3.1)%), power output by Wingate test (absolute power 912 (152) W or 10.72 (1.6) W/kg) and sit and reach test (22.3 (5.5) cm) displayed no significant differences when analysed according to playing position. However, midfielders did have significantly larger body mass than backs (p<0.05) and greater maximal oxygen consumption (p<0.01) and greater vertical jumping ability than backs and forwards (vertical jump power output, p<0.01; vertical jump, p<0.01). Midfielders also had greater absolute handgrip strength (p<0.01).

Conclusion: The differences exhibited by midfielders despite identical training suggests that they stem from physiological adaptation to competition rather than training.

     

Seasonal variations in the body composition of lightweight rowers.

OBJECTIVE: To monitor the seasonal body composition alterations in 18 lightweight rowers (six females, 12 males) across a rowing season incorporating preseason, early competition, competition, and postseason. METHODS: Subject age was 23.1 (SD 4.5) years, height 170.8 (5.6) cm (female, 23.5 (3.5) years, 180.5 (2.7) cm (male). Body weight, fat mass, and fat-free mass (FFM) were assessed using dual energy x ray absorptiometry (DXA-L Lunar) and skinfold techniques. Weight control techniques were documented before major regattas by a questionnaire. RESULTS: Female body weight was reduced from 61.3 (2.9) to 57.0 (1.1) kg (5.9%), while male body weight was reduced from 75.6 (3.1) to 69.8 (1.6) kg (7.8%) preseason to competition season respectively. These body weight reductions were mirrored by a significant reduction in fat mass as indicated by the sum of skinfolds [female seven sites: 80.9 (8.1) to 68.2 (11.8) mm; male eight sites: 54.2 (8.7) to 41.8 (4.8) mm], percentage body fat [female 22.1 (1.0) to 19.7 (2.4)%; male 10.0 (0.9) to 7.8 (0.8)%], and total fat [female 12.5 (5.2) to 10.9 (1.4) kg; male 7.3 (1.9) to 5.6 (1.8) kg] (DXA). In contrast, no changes were observed in FFM despite a season of intensive rowing training. Seasonal body weight control was achieved through reduced total energy and dietary fat intakes. Acute body weight reductions were achieved by exercise in 73.3% of participants, food restriction in 71.4%, and fluid restrictions in 62.9%. CONCLUSIONS: Seasonal body weight alterations in lightweight rowers are in response to a significant reduction in fat mass. However, the weight restrictions appear to be limiting an increase in FFM which could be beneficial to rowing performance.     

Imaging of a foreign body in the submandibular space

Foreign bodies in the oral cavity are infrequent in children. In spite of a negative clinical exploration, US and CT showed the suction cup of a rubber-tipped dart in the left submandibular space of a 3 year-old child. Surgery could be guided by these investigations.     

Use of bioelectrical impedance analysis to estimate body fluid compartments after acute variations of the body hydration level

Physiological measurements including body mass, plasma osmolality, natremia, plasma volume measured by Evans Blue dilution, and total body water (TBW) and extracellular water (ECW) volumes estimated by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) were recorded in eight healthy young Caucasian subjects before and after acute variations of their body hydration state on four separate occasions: 1) euhydration or control trial (C); 2) heat-induced dehydration of 2.8% body mass (D); 3) exercise-induced dehydration of 2.8% body mass (E); and 4) glycerol-hyperhydration (H). Heart rate, rectal and mean skin temperatures were also recorded throughout the experiment. The main result of the study is that BIA only half predicted the body water loss after exercise, although conditions were standardized (electrode placement, side of the body, limb position, posture, and ambient temperature). Differences in body temperatures cannot explain such an unexpected result, nor did the study of plasma osmolality and sodium concentration. If BIA appears to adequately predict changes in TBW after heat-induced dehydration and glycerol hyperhydration, further studies including measures of TBW and ECW by dilution tracer methods would be necessary to establish the validity of using the BIA method to measure such changes and to interpret ECW variations.     

The relation of weight of haematopoietic marrow to body weight

Adequate evaluation of the effects of external radiation fields on the haematopoietic system often requires knowledge of the number of grams of active marrow which received specific radiation doses rather than the average dose to the entire active marrow. There are several published reports of the amount of active marrow in different bones expressed as fractions of the total active marrow in the body, but none in which the actual number of grams can be computed for the individual patient. In the present study the number of grams of active marrow in the individual bones of the head and torso of adults has been computed and expressed as percent of body weight. Differences between males and females are not significant. For the major bones of caucasians the standard deviations are less than 25%. Very limited data indicate that there may be a similar range for Japanese adults. Similar computations for children have not been attempted here because of the uncertainties in the necessary data on body proportions.     

A study of sports-related mandibular angle fracture: relation to the position of the third molars

Mandibular angle fractures have been considered attributable to the presence of unerupted third molars. We examined the relationship between the incidence of sports-related mandibular angle fractures and the presence of a mandibular third molar with emphasis on the position of the third molar. The incidence of angle fracture was significantly higher in the sports-related injury group than in the group with fracture due to other causes ( P <0.05). The incidence of angle fracture in the athletes with higher impaction scores was significantly higher than that in the subjects with higher scores who did not have sports-related fractures ( P <0.05). The percentage of rugby athletes with third molars was significantly higher than that of those without third molars ( P <0.001), and a high proportion of young athletes (89.5%) was considered to belong to a potential high-risk group for angle fractures. Our findings suggest that mandibular angle fractures are influenced by the presence and characteristics of the third molar in sports-related injuries.     

Comparative characteristics of poly- and monomeric protein nutrition in relation to space flight]

The use of pure protein mono- and polymers for human nutrition was studied in a 45-day experiment in which 12 test subjects took part. The first group of 6 persons were given casein (14.8 g nitrogen per day) and the second group--an equivalent mixture made of crystalline L-amino acids. The first group showed no abnormalities in the physiological and biochemical functions. The second group exhibited marked changes in the body: weight losses, negative nitrogen balance, increase of the ammonia concentration in the urine and exhaled air. It appears that amino acid mixtures can be included into the human nutrition only after extensive studies.     

Angulation and prominence of the posterior slope of the eminence of the temporomandibular joint in relation to disc position.

A steep articular eminence has been proposed as an aetiological factor in internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint. Arthrograms of 20 joints each of three groups, superior disc position (SDP), anterior disc displacement with reduction (ADDWR) and anterior disc displacement without reduction (ADDWOR) were compared. No correlation was found between a steep articular eminence and anterior disc displacement. The posterior slope of the articular eminence of the joints with ADDWOR was significantly less prominent than in those with SDP and ADDWR.     

应用超声剪切波弹性成像技术定量评价兔深静脉血栓弹性研究

目的探讨应用超声剪切波弹性成像技术定量评价兔深静脉血栓(DVT)弹性的价值。方法建立DVT兔模型,应用超声剪切波弹性成像技术检测血栓形成后第1~14天及第21天血栓上、中、下三部分的杨氏模量值,取均值进行分析。结果前7 d连续检测的血栓杨氏模量值随时间而增大,增长趋势最明显,第1天、第4天、第7天之间差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);7 d后血栓杨氏模量值增长趋势减缓,第8、9天与第11天以后的杨氏模量值间差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);第10天以后杨氏模量值逐渐趋于稳定;第12、13、14天与第21天差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);两周后,杨氏模量值无明显变化。结论应用超声剪切波弹性成像技术定量评价兔DVT的杨氏模量值,可无创、客观地反映血栓弹性动态演变过程,可为评估DVT分期的定量检测提供依据。