Effect of Antibiotics on Chemotaxis of Human Leukocytes

The effect of 20 different antibiotics on chemotaxis by human neutrophils was studied. Human leukocytes incubated with chloramphenicol, rifampin, sodium fusidate, and tetracyclines in vitro showed markedly depressed migration. The mechanisms by which these antibiotics affect leukotaxis are discussed.     

Hypothermia induced by Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol in rats with electrolytic lesions of preoptic region

The preoptic region (POR) is a primary central site for thermoregulation. Bilateral lesions of POR disrupt thermoregulation, and in rats, produce a characteristic syndrome including hyperthermia. Δ⁹-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ⁹-THC), a potent hypothermic agent, appears to mediate this effect via some central mechanism. The studies reported here suggest that Δ⁹-THC induces hypothermia at a site other than POR. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 2 groups, one with subsequently confirmed bilateral POR lesions and a sham operated group. The lesioned animals developed hyperthermia (+2.1° ± 0.1°C, p<0.01) within 2 hr after surgery when compared to the sham operated controls. Δ⁹-THC was administered intraperitoneally (5 and 10 mg/kg). Rectal temperature was recorded at 30 min intervals for 2.5 hr. Both lesioned and nonlesioned rats exhibited hypothermia within 30 min of Δ⁹-THC administration. The hypothermic response to 5 and 10 mg/kg Δ⁹-THC in the lesioned animals was significantly greater (p<0.05) and showed a trend toward longer duration than the hypothermia induced in the sham operated controls. These data demonstrate that Δ⁹-THC is able to induce a hypothermic response in rats whose body temperatures were elevated by POR ablation. Although Δ⁹-THC does not appear to act primarily at POR to induce hypothermia, it is evident that an intact POR plays a role in modifying the duration and magnitude of Δ⁹-THC induced hypothermia.     

Pyogene Sakroiliitis

Background. Pyogenic sacroiliitis is a rare infectious disease of the sacroiliac joint. Despite typical symptoms, the diagnosis is often delayed and thus, early and efficient therapy is delayed as well. Case report. We report about a 15 year old female patient with pyogenic sacroiliitis without prior trauma or injury. The patient displayed sudden acute febrile onset of joints and buttock pain. Four weeks later she presented in our clinic with severe pain in the right gluteal region and elevated ESR and CRP. The diagnosis was confirmed by scintigraphy and magnetic resonance imaging. Computed tomography guided needle biopsy revealed staphylococcus aureus as causative microorganism. After antibiotic treatment for 11 weeks the patient was free of any symptoms and laboratory activity parameters were normal. Discussion. In pyogenic arthritis full recovery can be achieved upon prompt and appropriate treatment. The knowledge of the typical symptoms enables early diagnosis and treatment.     

Prader-Labhart-Willi syndrome in infants

We report an infant with severe hypotonia, feeding problems and failure to thrive in the neonatal period, followed by developmental delay. In addition, pale skin, eyelid and pedal edema, cryptorchidism and micrognathia were present. The tentative diagnosis of Prader-Labhart-Willi syndrome was made and confirmed by specific molecular testing at the age of 5 months.The Prader-Labhart-Willi syndrome is usually diagnosed in older infants when the main clinical features such as obesity, short stature, hypogonadism and developmental delay become obvious, in most of the patients typical clinical features are present already in the neonatal period. In conclusion, in neonates and young infants presenting with hypotonia and feeding problems, the Prader-Labhart-Willi syndrome should be considered.     

Migration of a K-wire from the distal radius to the heart

K-wires and Steinmann pins are used to provide internal fixation for fractures or osteotomies. In some instances, removal of the implant is planned and the implant is left long to facilitate its removal. In other instances, implant removal is not planned and the implant is cut off at the level of the bone. Migration of these implants to solid organs or body cavities has been reported. Extravascular migration may occur along tissue planes assisted by muscle motion. Large vessel penetration can occur and has been reported with subsequent migration of the implant to the heart. This case report documents the loosening of a K-wire used in the distal radius to supplement the fixation of a complex intra-articular fracture, migration of the implant along tissue planes, penetration into a peripheral vein, and continued migration of the implant to the heart. There are multiple reports documenting wandering bullets, venous catheter tips, and invasive monitoring devices in the extremities. This is only the second case report that the authors are aware of that confirms migration of an implant from the distal extremity to the heart.     

Der Einfluss der Ethnie auf die bei strafrechtlichen Alterssch?tzungen untersuchten Merkmale

Die Frage nach dem Einfluss der Ethnie auf die bei strafrechtlichen Alterssch?tzungen bei Lebenden untersuchten Merkmale ist von gro?er praktischer Bedeutung. Beim Vorliegen gravierender interethnischer Differenzen würde die Anwendung der gebr?ulichen Referenzstudien auf andere ethnische Gruppen zu Fehlsch?tzungen führen. Es wurden mehr als 500 Publikationen zu Ossifikation, Dentition und sexueller Reifeentwicklung bei zahlreichen Populationen ausgewertet. Danach ergab sich, dass definierte Entwicklungsstadien von allen ethnischen Hauptgruppen in derselben Reihenfolge durchlaufen werden. W?hrend die Ossifikation und die Weisheitszahnmineralisation in der betreffenden Altersgruppe offenbar nicht relevant von der ethnischen Zugeh?rigkeit beeinflusst werden, besteht bezüglich einer m?glichen vergleichsweisen Akzeleration von Afrikanern bei der Weisheitszahneruption und der sexuellen Reifeentwicklung weiterer Forschungsbedarf.     

Applicability of the skeletal age determination method of Tanner and Whitehouse for forensic age diagnostics

The present paper analyses the applicability of the clinically prevalent skeletal age determination method of Tanner and Whitehouse for forensic age estimation in living individuals. For this purpose, the hand X-rays from 48 boys and 44 girls aged 12-16 years were evaluated retrospectively. The minima and maxima, the mean values with their standard deviations as well as the medians with upper and lower quartiles, are presented for the skeletal ages 12-16 years estimated by the TW2 and TW3 methods. In the legally relevant skeletal age group 14-16 years, the differences between the skeletal age and the mean value of the chronological age were between -0.1 and +1.4 years for the TW2 method. For the TW3 method, the differences between the skeletal age and the mean value of the chronological age were between -0.4 and +0.2 years in the relevant age group. Due to the risk of serious overestimations, the TW2 method seems to be unsuitable for forensic age diagnostics. The application of the TW3 method for forensic age estimations can be recommended.     

Bland-White-Garland-Syndrom

This is a report on the sudden death of a 4-week-old female infant without external signs of violence. At autopsy the anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary trunk (Bland-White-Garland syndrome) was identified as the possible cause of death. Immunohistochemical investigations revealed fresh cardiac necrosis indicating an acute fatal event. Toxicological analyses were negative.     

Cameriere’s approach modified for pelvic radiographs: a novel method to assess apophyseal iliac crest ossification for the purpose of forensic age diagnostics

According to a modified method originally developed by Cameriere et al. (Int J Legal Med 120:143–146, 2006; J Forensic Sci 52:1151–1155, 2007; Forensic Sci Int 174:59–62, 2008; Forensic Sci Int 174:178–181, 2008; Forensic Sci Int 193:128.e1–128.e6, 2009), the suitability of the iliac crest apophysis (ICA) for the purpose of forensic age estimation in living individuals was investigated by means of area measurements in 643 pelvic radiographs of patients aged between 10 and 30 years. The area of the ossification centre(s) of the iliac crest and the area of the iliac wing (IW) were determined by manual segmentation. In 116 cases, area measurements were possible. ICA/IW ratios were calculated and used for regression analyses, yielding different regression equations. Depending on sex, pelvic side and ratio considered, R ² ranged between 0.20 and 0.38 and the standard error of the estimate, between 1.91 and 2.00 years. No statistical significant differences were found between the right and the left pelvic sides. In conclusion, this method is potentially applicable for forensic age estimation in living individuals. However, further studies under more standardised conditions and with higher case numbers are needed in order to decide whether the iliac crest apophysis might become suitable for routine age diagnostics.