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Copyright of Rechtsmedizin is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this study, the effect of sample purification on total signal intensities of samples amplified with genRES MPX-2 (nine-locus multiplex) prior to capillary electrophoretic analysis has been investigated. Sample purification with the Qiaquick PCR purification kit led to an increase of the relative fluorescent signal intensity by a factor of 3.8 ± 0.8. In contrast, the application of larger sample volumes led to a decrease of signal intensities from 20% to 80%, depending on whether the samples were purified or not. In addition, increase of injection time showed a linear increase of signal intensity between 3 s and 10 s. Increasing the number of PCR cycles from 30 to 33 also led to a significant increase of signal intensities. Nevertheless, this increase greatly depended on the fragment lengths and was sometimes accompanied by the appearance of non-specific signals. In combination, optimisation of sample preparation and increase of injection time may intensify signals up to 12-fold, thereby increasing the overall sensitivity of the assay. This may be of special interest for forensic analysis of microspecimens containing limited amounts of DNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a total of 104 individuals who had sustained traumatic brain injury (TBI), the course of glial immunoreactivity was investigated at the injured cortical area during the first 30 weeks after the trauma, in order to provide data for a forensic wound age estimation. Glial cells were stained with antibodies against the intermediate filament protein vimentin, the extracellular matrix protein tenascin and the serine protease inhibitor α1-antichymotrypsin (α1-ACT). Injury-induced glial staining reactions could be observed, at the earliest, after a post-infliction interval of 3.1 h for α1-ACT, 22 h for vimentin and 7 days for tenascin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 55-year-old male nurse was accused of having introduced his fingers by force into the anus of a 20-year-old female patient. Debris from the fingernails of the suspect recovered 2 days after the incident was analysed with the VNTR locus D1S80, the triplex PCR system AmpF lSTR Blue kit, the AmpF lSTR Profiler kit and the pentaplex system genRES MPX. The D1S80 singleplex reaction revealed indications of DNA from the victim in the fingernail debris of the left hand. Using the AmpF lSTR Blue kit and AmpF lSTR Profiler, DNA alleles of the victim were found at four additional loci, while allelic drop-out was observed at five other loci. Only the pentaplex kit genRES MPX revealed alleles at all loci which could be assigned to the victim. Calculation of likelihood ratios resulted in a value of 1.4 × 105 using the combination of the multiplex systems AmpFlSTR Blue kit and AmpF lSTR Profiler and 2.8 × 108 for the genRES MPX kit. This case demonstrates the high sensitivity of the new genRES MPX kit and that DNA profiling of fingernail debris is possible despite a time lapse of 2 days between the incident and recovery of the evidential material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1998 the Federal Criminal Police Office of Germany (BKA) established a central genetic database of offenders and suspects to facilitate comparisons with biological samples from future criminal offences. The five obligatory short tandem repeat (STR) loci in this database (TH01, SE33, vWA, FGA and D21S11) were co-amplified in a new PCR pentaplex analysing system together with the sex-specific locus amelogenin. Due to overlapping fragment sizes, amplification products were fluorescent dye-labelled with different colours, separated by electrophoresis and detected directly using the ABI PRISM 310 Genetic Analyzer. Reproducible and reliable results were obtained from as low as 125 pg template DNA, indicating high specificity and sensitivity of the assay. Environmental studies and enzymatic digest with DNase I revealed an excellent stability of the pentaplex system with typeable results even in cases of partially degraded DNA. Complete and reproducible DNA typing was possible in bloodstain mixtures with the minor component as low as 10%. Mean stutter peak intensities were analysed for all loci and ranged from 2.7 ± 0.8% (TH01) to 10.6 ± 1.6% (vWA) of the main signal intensity. Allele frequencies were determined in a North Bavarian population sample ( n = 121). The combination of five systems resulted in a mean exclusion chance of 99.86% and a power of discrimination of 99.999996%. No deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium could be found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a total of 104 individuals who had sustained traumatic brain injury (TBI), the time-dependent vascular response was investigated at the injured cortical area during the first 30 weeks after the trauma. The immunohistochemical staining of the cerebral blood vessels was performed with antibodies against laminin, type IV collagen, tenascin, thrombomodulin and factor VIII associated antigen. Compared to the immunoreactivity in unaltered control tissue, a significantly increased vascular expression could be detected in cortical contusions after a postinfliction interval of at least 3 h for factor VIII, after 1.6 days for tenascin or after 6.8 days for thrombomodulin, whereas the immunostaining for laminin and type IV collagen was regularly positive even in the vascular endothelium of uninjured brain tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The course of GFAP expression by astrocytes has been immunohistochemically investigated during the first 30 weeks after human brain injury. In order to provide reliable data for a forensic wound age estimation, a quantitative morphometric analysis was performed considering the different topographic regions of the cortex as well as of the white matter. Compared to the GFAP immunoreactivity in unaltered control tissue, significantly increased numbers of GFAP positive astroglial cells could be detected adjacent to the cortical contusion from 1 day up to 4 weeks after brain injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Rechtsmedizin is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Rechtsmedizin is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The time-dependent inflammatory cell reaction in human cortical contusions has been investigated during the first 30 weeks after blunt head injury. Immunohistochemical staining was carried out using CD 15 for granulocytes and LCA, CD 3 and UCHL-1 for mononuclear leucocytes. In order to provide reliable data for a forensic wound age estimation, the intensity of the cellular reaction was evaluated with a quantitative image analysis system. CD 15-labelled granulocytes were detectable earliest 10 min after brain injury, whereas significantly increased numbers of mononuclear leucocytes occurred in cortical contusions after a postinfliction interval of at least 1.1 days (LCA), 2 days (CD 3) or 3.7 days (UCHL-1), respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TheMg( α, p γ) reaction has been studied at α-particle energies of 13, 15, and 15.2 MeV. Using method II of Litherland and Ferguson spin assignments or restrictions thereof could be made to theAl levels at E=5500 keV ( I=11/2, 7/2), 6950 keV ( I=11/2, 7/2), 7226 keV ( I=9/2), 7286 keV ( I=9/2-13/2), 7399 keV ( I=11/2, 7/2) and 7443 keV ( I=13/2, 9/2). Using the Doppler-shift attenuation method a lifetime τ=20-50 fs was obtained for the E=7399 keV level and a limit τ<20 fs for the levels at E=7443, 7286, 7226, 6950, 6718, and 6287 keV, respectively. Further spin assignments inAl were obtained by a study of theMg( p, γ) reaction at the E=2174 keV resonance. From γ-ray angular distributions the resonance spin was determined as I=9/2 (previous assignment I=7/2) and the spin of the E=5959 keV level was determined as I=7/2. Tentative spin assignments were made to the levels at E=6537 keV ( I=7/2) and 6718 keV ( I=9/2). From the combined evidence of theMg( α, p) andMg( p, γ) reactions the spin of the 6287 keV level was found to be I=7/2. The results are compared with shell model calculations and the Nilsson model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spin assignments have been made to theMg levels in the E=5-6 MeV region from γ-ray angular distributions measured in theNe( α, n y) reaction at E=8.0 and 8.8 MeV and from p-γ angular correlations measured in theMg( d, p γ) reaction at E=6 MeV. Unique spin assignments of J=7/2, 5/2, 5/2, and 9/2 could be made to the levels at E=5005, 5511, 5851, and 5967 keV, respectively. Ambigious assignments have been made to the levels at E=5245, 5524, 5785, 6032 keV ( J=11/2, 7/2), 5455 keV J=13/2, 9/2), and 5738 keV ( J=3/2, 5/2). The present data confirm previous assignments of J=1/2 to the levels at E=5108 and 5466 keV, respectively. Lifetime estimates have been obtained, using the Doppler-shift attenuation method, for the levels at E=5245 keV ( τ=30-60 fs), 5785 keV ( τ=50-100 fs), 5967 keV ( τ=50-100 fs), and 5455 keV ( τ>1ps). All other levels in the E=5-6 MeV region have τ<60 fs. A breakdown of the K-selection rule has been observed in the γ-decay of some high spin states, indicating a deviation from the strong coupling model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In several angiographic trials, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors have shown a beneficial effect on the progression of coronary artery disease. Using 20 mg simvastatin day−1, a treatment period of up to 4 years was necessary to show a significant reduction in coronary artery disease progression. The question remains however, whether higher dosages of simvastatin would be more advantageous in respect to the magnitude of the effect and the required time interval to demonstrate treatment efficacy. Methods and results In the Coronary Intervention Study (CIS), a multicentre randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study, the effects of lipid-lowering therapy with simvastatin on progression of coronary artery disease in 254 men with documented coronary artery disease and hypercholesterolaemia were investigated. Following a period of lipid-lowering diet, treatment with 40 mg simvastatin or placebo was maintained for an average of 2·3 years. Two primary angiographic endpoints were chosen: the global change score (visual evaluation according to the method of Blankenhorn) and the per patient mean change of minimum lumen diameter (evaluated by the CAAS I system). Conclusion Treatment with 40 mg simvastatin day−1 reduces serum cholesterol and slows the progression of coronary artery disease significantly within a short period of treatment time. In the treatment group, retardation of progression is inversely correlated to the LDL-cholesterol levels achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The study was carried out to determine the relationship between ventilatory threshold and the onset of ischaemia, as shown on the ECG (horizontal and/or descending ST depression of 0.05 mV, on average). Twenty-seven male patients (aged 58 ± 7 years) with angiographically documented coronary artery disease (CAD) were assessed by cardiopul-monary exercise testing without medication. Oxygen uptake (VO), heart rate (HR), rate-pressure-product (RPP) and blood lactate were measured and/or calculated every 30 s during exercise. In addition, 10 patients, comparable with the above group, were examined to find out the acute effects of isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) at ventilatory threshold in relation to ischaemic threshold. The first cardiopulmonary exercise test was carried out without medication, the second 1 h later with 5 mg ISDN, taken sublingually 30 min before the test. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Both arterial hypertension and aortic stenosis lead to pressure overload of the left ventricle. As intramyocardial vasculature is confronted with pressure overload in hypertension but not in aortic stenosis, structural differences are to be expected in both forms of left ventricular hypertrophy. With the aid of morphometry, we investigated human myocardium from autopsied hearts from six patients with arterial hypertension and 10 controls, as well as myectomy specimens from cardiac surgery from 14 patients with aortic stenosis. Mean left ventricular myocytic diameter was significantly (P<0·05) increased compared with controls (12·4±1·5 µm) during hypertension (+27%) as well as aortic stenosis (+65%) (P<0·05). This was combined with a greater volume density of perimyocytic fibrosis (controls = 0·8±0·4 Vv%) during hypertension (+250%) and aortic stenosis (+587%) (P<0·05). Walls of intramyocardial arterioles (external diameter 20–40 and 40–80 µm) were thickened to 32% and 44% (P<0·05) during hypertension, but not during aortic stenosis. Compared with controls, perivascular fibrosis of these arterioles was increased by +215% and 61% (P<0·05), respectively, during hypertension, but not during aortic stenosis.Conclusions Myocytic hypertrophy and increased perimyocytic fibrosis accompany intraventricular pressure overload (hypertension and aortic stenosis) in human hearts. Myocardial structure as a result of arterial hypertension, but not aortic stenosis, is also characterized by intramyocardial arteriole wall-thickening and increased perivascular fibrosis. Thus, distinct structural reaction patterns are noted in the cardiac hypertrophy associated with hypertension and aortic stenosis. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Assessment of prognosis plays an important role in the management of patients with CAD. The objective of the study was to improve risk stratification in patients with known coronary angiographic findings. We analyzed the prognostic importance of 13 angiographic, exercise, and clinical variables in 1183 medically treated patients with documented CAD. Five-year actuarial survival rate (5-YSR) was 87%. Multivariate analysis with the proportional hazards regression model revealed four continuous and one discrete variable to be of independent prognostic importance (X value): cardiac output at the highest work load (CO) (X = 80.7); coronary score (X= 18.6); heart volume by X-ray (X= 14.7); maximal pulmonary wedge pressure during exercise (X=5.3), and history of myocardial infarction (X= 4.8). Inclusion of these variables in the survival function according to the regression model resulted in excellent prediction of 5-YSR, e.g. in the patients with three-vessel disease (N= 399): actuarial 5-YSR was 80%, calculated 81%. Patients with three-vessel disease and CO > 11.21 min (N= 188) had an actuarial 5-YSR of 88%, calculated 89%; if CO was < 11.21 min the actuarial 5-YSR was 71%, calculated 70%. Patients with three-vessel disease from an independent cohort of surgically treated patients (N = 507) had a calculated 5- YSR under an assumed medical regimen of 77%. The actuarial 5- YSR with bypass surgery, including operative mortality, was 92%, suggesting a 19% gain in 5-YSR. The subgroup with three-vessel disease and low ( < 10.61 min) CO before surgery (N = 273) had an estimated 40% gain in 5-YSR. Application of this survival function with continuous angiographic and exercise variables provides an improved and rational approach to the assessment of prognosis in patients with CAD. Comparability of patient cohorts can be assessed as well as the potential gain of survival by bypass surgery. As occurrence of angina is not an independent predictor of prognosis, this survival function might also be applicable to asymptomatic patients with documented CAD. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

To evaluate the influence of PTCA on symptomatic and asymptomatic ischaemic episodes in 94 patients, 24-h ambulatory, electrocardiographic Holter recordings were obtained before and after successful PTCA. Sixty-four per cent of patients had one-vessel disease, 28% two-vessel disease and 8% had three-vessel disease. Ischaemic episodes were present in 36% of patients before PTCA, of which 71% were silent; after PTCA, 23% of patients had ischaemic episodes, of which 98% were silent; thus silent ischaemic episodes were improved by PTCA to a lesser degree than symptomatic ischaemic episodes. Successful PTCA lead to a significant reduction in total number and duration of ischaemic episodes but not to a complete abolition. Patients with silent ischaemic episodes after PTCA had also a higher incidence of silent ischaemic episodes before PTCA. Functional and haemodynamic improvement was comparable in patients with and without silent ischaemic episodes. No specific cause for the persistent or newly appearing silent ischaemic episodes after PTCA could be identified; they are not indicative of an inadequate dilatation and cannot be considered as a risk factor for early restenosis. A possible explanation could be a traumatically induced, increased vascular tone in susceptible patients. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

ST segment monitoring by Holter ECG was conducted in 80 consecutive patients 2–4 weeks before aortocoronary bypass surgery and three weeks and six months after surgery. Preoperatively, all patients were under maximal medical therapy. In 31 out of 80 patients medical therapy could be stopped and thus 24-h ST monitoring could also be conducted without medication. Preoperative and early postoperative (three weeks) examinations were performed under hospital conditions. At 6 months after surgery the patients were monitored at home during their everyday activities.Twenty-eight per cent of patients waiting for aortocoronary bypass surgery under full medication showed transient ischaemic episodes in 24-h Holter ECG. Seventy-eight per cent of these episodes were asymptomatic. Without medication, 55% of patients had transient ischaemia. The exercise ECG data partly predicted the Holter ECG data. Patients with ST segment depression ≥ 0.1 mV during exercise ECG had on Holter monitoring more and longer lasting ischaemic episodes than those with ST segment depression ≤ 0.1 mV. In patients with asymptomatic ST segment depression during exercise ECG the relation of silent episodes to symptomatic episodes on Holter monitoring was 5.3:1 while in patients with symptomatic ST segment depression during exercise ECG this relation was 2.3:1. Three weeks after operation the informative value of the Holter ECG was very restricted due to changes in the resting ECG caused by the operation and because patients do not exert themselves much at this time. Six months after surgery, Holter ECG is more informative, especially when conducted at home. Bypass surgery reduced ischaemic episodes shown by Holter monitoring in 56% of all cases. A good correlation between the results of the exercise ECG and of the Holter ECG preoperatively as well as postoperaiively could be demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Exercise-induced ST-segment depression is a marker of impaired prognosis in patients with suspected or manifest CAD. Whether ST-segment depression remains of prognostic importance, after exercise tolerance and extent of CAD have been considered, is unknown.We analysed the prognostic importance of exercise-induced ST-segment depression (>0.15 mV) in 1250 medically treated patients with angiographically determined CAD (mean follow-up after angiography 4.5 years). Based on exercise tolerance (supine bicycle ergometry) patients were divided into two groups: group A patients (n=677) with lower exercise tolerance (≤75 W) and group B patients (n=573) with better exercise tolerance (>75 W).Group A patients had a lower 5-year survival rate than group B patients (81.5% versus 94%, P<0.00001). In group A, patients with ST-segment depression had a lower 5-year survival rate than patients without ST-segment depression (76% versus 85%, P=0.01).In group B, patients with and without ST-segment depression had similar 5-year survival rates (90% versus 96%, P=0.11). Subgroup analysis of groups A and B according to number of diseased vessels and presence or absence of ST-segment depression revealed that exercise-induced ST-segment depression (>1.5 mV) was of additional prognostic importance only in patients with triple vessel disease. 5-year survival rates in group A with triple vessel disease were 71% with and 80% (P=0.057) without ST-segment depression. In group B 5-year survival was 80% with and 98% without ST-segment depression, (P<0.04). ST-segment depression did not influence prognosis in patients with single and double vessel disease.After consideration of exercise tolerance and extent of CAD, exercise-induced ST-segment depression is of additional prognostic importance only in patients with triple vessel disease. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Nowadays, the majority of patients undergoing aortocoronary bypass surgery have a history of myocardial infarction. In our first series of 1000 patients operated between 1973 and 1979[1], about two thirds of the patients had suffered myocardial infarction; about 80% of them within the previous three months.The method most frequently used to select post-infarction patients for coronary angiography is a simple exercise test. The post-infarction period in the context of this symposium was defined as the first 12 weeks after infarction. As far as exercise tests are concerned, we may divide this period into three subperiods: the very early post-infarction period, especialy the first week after infarction. Exercise testing does not play a role in this very early period; the second period is the time of an early post-infarction exercise test or the predischarge exercise test (second and third week); from the fourth to the twelfth week in many European countries, rehabilitation measures will follow, usually in a special institution. This is the time of what we will call in short ‘the late post-infarction exercise test’. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Copyright of Rechtsmedizin is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Rechtsmedizin is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The case of sudden cardiac death of a 23-year-old body builder who used anabolic steroids combined with other performance enhancing drugs is reported. Postmortem investigations revealed cardiac hypertrophy, acute cellular necrosis and interstitial fibrosis of the myocardium. The side-effects and interactions of the substances used are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The time-dependent expression of p53 protein during wound healing has been investigated by immunochemistry in fibroblastic cells of skin wounds ranging between a few minutes and 11 weeks old. When compared to uninjured skin, an increased expression of p53 was found earliest in a wound with a postinfliction interval of 3 days. The ratio (r) of positively stained cells in relation to the total number of fibroblastic cells in the wound area of this specimen was about 0.2. A considerable increase in the expression of p53 ( r > 0.5) was first found in a wound aged 8 days and in wounds with postinfliction intervals ranging between 3 and 11 weeks, where the ratio of positive cells was between 0.40 and 0.64. Therefore, it can be calculated that r-values of at least 0.5 indicate a postinfliction interval of approximately 1 week or more. Since comparably low numbers of positively stained fibroblastic cells were found in specimens with an advanced wound duration, reliable information for a forensic wound age estimation can only be provided by positive results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The time-dependent appearance of signs of cell death was investigated in human skin wounds using in situ end labeling of DNA fragments (ISEL). In the dermal layer an average of not more than 0.3 positively stained fibroblastic cells/0.01 cm × 0.01 cm was found up to a postinfliction interval of approximately 6 h. Average numbers exceeding 1 positive cell/0.01 cm × 0.01 cm were first detectable in a skin wound after 24 h. Therefore, average numbers greater than 1 labeled cell/ 0.01 cm × 0.01 cm indicate a postinfliction interval of approximately 1 day. An increase in the average number of positively stained cells occurred with increasing wound age. Values exceeding 3 cells/0.01 cm × 0.01 cm were first detectable 19 days after wound infliction. Accordingly, values of more than 3 labeled cells indicate a postinfliction interval of approximately 3 weeks or more. Since low numbers of labeled fibroblastic cells or even negative results were found in wounds of advanced age, only positive results provide information which can be useful for a forensic age estimation of human skin wounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skin reddening with or without additional changes such as pinpoint intracutaneous hemorrhages and/or minute superficial scratches was observed in 165 out of 739 physical examinations (reddening with additional changes: n = 81; reddening only: n = 84). The most common site where reddening was observed was the neck region (reddening with additional changes: n = 30; reddening only: n = 34). In over 85% of the cases, the postinfliction interval (Pi) was ≤ 1 day, and there were 12 and 10 cases with 1 < Pi≤ 3 days, respectively. Among these 22 cases, there were 5 cases with 2 < Pi≤ 3 days, (reddening with additional changes: n = 4; reddening only: n = 1). The maximum Pis were almost 3 days, and 2 days and 13 h, respectively. These results demonstrate that reddening of the skin with and that without additional changes (in particular petechiae) were detectable up to approximately 3 and 2 days after the event, respectively. Furthermore, in 17 out of 64 cases with reddening in the neck, petechial hemorrhages were seen in the eyelids and/or conjunctivae (reddening with additional changes: n = 10; reddening only: n = 7). The maximum Pi in which petechial hemorrhages were detectable in the eyelids and/or the palpebral conjunctivae was 1 day and 21 h. The present study indicates that physical examinations within 2 or 3 days after the event seem to be more suitable to find skin reddening and/or petechiae in the eye lids and/or the conjunctivae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 59 penetrating contact shot wounds to the head caused by handguns was investigated and a comparison was made between the magnitude and the number of fracture lines at the entrance and exit site of the vault and at the base of the skull. It was noted that in approximately 50% of the cases the extent of fractures at the entrance site exceeded those at the exit wound while in the remaining individuals no relevant differences or even greater exit fractures were found. Furthermore, no close correlation between the fracture patterns of the vault and at the base of the skull occurred indicating that differences in the magnitude and the number of entrance or exit fracture lines cannot provide reliable information on direction of fire. Additionally, no further conclusions on the gun used can be drawn from differences in the entrance and exit fracture patterns. It can only be assumed that the absence of fractures in the cranial fossae points to the use of small calibre handguns (≤ 7.65 mm) while a fragmentation of the skull can as a rule be expected after shots from guns with larger calibres (> 7.65 mm). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The time-dependent appearance of hematomas of the eyelids was investigated in 484 cases of head injury. In individuals with apparent signs of direct violence to the orbit or the nose, black eyes could be observed even without relevant post-infliction intervals. Similarly, in victims with fractures at the anterior base of the skull hematomas of the eyelids were found even though death had occurred rapidly within less than 30 min after trauma. Black eyes that can be explained exclusively by a seepage of blood from frontal scalp wounds appeared approximately 4 h after wound infliction at the earliest, indicating a minimum post-infliction interval. Since hemorrhages of the eyelids can also be induced postmortem by direct violence to the orbit, particularly in cases with hypostasis of the face, the presence of black eyes seems not to be an unambiguous sign of vital trauma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of International Journal of Legal Medicine is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of International Journal of Legal Medicine is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of International Journal of Legal Medicine is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of International Journal of Legal Medicine is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of International Journal of Legal Medicine is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of International Journal of Legal Medicine is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of International Journal of Legal Medicine is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of International Journal of Legal Medicine is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of International Journal of Legal Medicine is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of International Journal of Legal Medicine is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of International Journal of Legal Medicine is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of International Journal of Legal Medicine is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of International Journal of Legal Medicine is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of International Journal of Legal Medicine is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of International Journal of Legal Medicine is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Langenbecks Archiv fuer Chirurgie is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Gamma-decay modes and spin(-parity) assignments of levels inMg have been systematically investigated up to 10 MeV excitation energy by particle- γ-ray angularcorrelation measurements with theMg( d, pγ) reaction at 6.5 MeV bombarding energy and with theNe(α, nγ) reaction at 11.8, 12.5, 14.4 and 15.5 MeV bombarding energy. A level scheme has been established which is comprehensive up to 8.3 MeV excitation energy for I≦9/2 and up to 10 MeV for 9/2

Quantification of heart failure is possible with hemodynamic parameters such as cardiac output and filling pressure at rest and during exercise. These parameters can easily but invasively be achieved by floating catheter measurements. In our experience, the risk of this method is low but existent. In > 20000 patients with chronic diseases no death occurred in connection with the procedure; 26 patients developed ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardias which made defibrillation necessary in 10 of these patients. In three patients asystolia demanded resuscitation. Hemoptysis did not occur. In the acute stage of a disease, e.g. in the acute myocardial infarction, the risk may be higher, especially if the catheter remains in the circulation for longer periods. The possibilities and limitations of the method will be discussed for the following patient groups:(1) Patients with acute myocardial infarction.(2) Postinfarction patients.(3) Patients with cardiomyopathies.(4) Patients with valvular heart disease. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]