Application of the BioRobot EZ1 in a forensic laboratory

In a forensic laboratory, the routine application of an automated DNA extraction and purification robot has to fulfil several conditions, like producing reproducible DNA's of sufficient quantity and quality from all the different forensic biological stains relevant to various carrier materials. In this study, the suitability of the BioRobot EZ1 system from QIAGEN (Hilden, Germany), which offers fully automated extraction and purification of nucleic acids using magnetic bead technology, was tested. In summary, the DNA's obtained from the BioRobot EZ1 for different forensic relevant biological materials showed a quantity and quality comparable to those of the forensic standard protocols normally used in our laboratory. The system saves time, because there is no need of any further purification or concentration step after the automated DNA extraction. It can also be used as a replacement for time consuming organic extractions. A disadvantage of the system was the unsteady quality of the chemical regencies used by the robot. Nineteen different lots were tested with a self designed test system.     

Foreign body asphyxia: a preventable cause of death in the elderly

BACKGROUND: To assess the prevalence of food/foreign body asphyxia in the elderly Viennese population in order to reduce the incidence of these fatal events. METHODS: This is an autopsy-based, retrospective study in Vienna, Austria. Participants included all nonhospitalized (n =200) cases of choking in 1984 to 2001, from a total 42,745 consecutive autopsies performed at the Institute of Forensic Medicine. In addition, data from hospitalized adult cases of fatal choking (n =73) in 1984 to 2001, from the mortality registrar of Vienna, were included. RESULTS: The nonhospitalized choking victims were analyzed according to age (18 to 64 vs >/=65 years), sex, circumstances of death, and predisposing factors. Hospitalized cases were analyzed according to age, sex, and whether an autopsy was already performed by pathologists at the institution where they died. In the study period, 273 adults died of food/foreign body asphyxia, 73% of them out of the hospital and 27% in hospitals. Food/foreign body asphyxia in the elderly was characterized by a significantly higher asphyxiation of soft/slick foods (p <0.007) with agomphiasis (p <0.002), occurring most frequently during lunch (49%), and in 2.5% during feeding of neurologically impaired. In contrast, younger individuals choked significantly more often on large pieces of foreign material (p <0.002) and showed a significantly higher rate of blood alcohol concentration (p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that semisolid foods are the cause of a large number of asphyxiations, especially among the elderly. Knowledge of the fact that semisolid foods are a high-risk factor in elderly individuals should be distributed in public and private healthcare systems, and awareness could be a first step in reducing the incidence of food/foreign body asphyxia.     

Hypertension in a population sample of female Punjabi Indians in Southall.

A population-based survey of female Punjabi Indians aged 11 and over now living in Southall, a district in west London, showed a steady and significant increase in blood pressure with increasing age. The crude population prevalence of hypertension, defined according to the criteria of the World Health Organisation, was 16%; for women over the age of 40 it was 62%. About two-thirds of those in the hypertensive range did not know of their high blood pressure. Among those who did know, up to 75% were receiving medical treatment for the condition.     

Effect of surface modified liposomes on the aggregation of platelets and tumor cells

Metastasis is still the most serious reason for the high mortality of cancer patients. It is a complex process in which platelets play a crucial role. Several attempts have been performed to inhibit the metastatic process, some of these using modified liposomes. The aggregation behaviour of human platelets and HT29 colon carcinoma cells in the presence of liposomes with a modified surface has been investigated in the present study. Liposomes (PC/CH/DMPE) were unmodified, sterically stabilized by polyethylene glycol (PEG-DSPE), or equipped with the carbohydrate ligand sialyl Lewis(X) (conjugated to PEG-DMPE or DMPE as anchor) intended to specifically compete with ligands expressed by HT29 cells. We found in vitro that an addition of surface modified liposomes to human platelets in plasma caused an up to 2.9-fold increase in platelet aggregation. In addition, when HT29 tumor cells were mixed with platelets and surface modified liposomes, the number of tumor cells found in aggregates increased significantly from 8.3 % (only tumor cells) to 30.2 %. This result was supported by fluorescence micrographs demonstrating a strong association of platelets and liposomes around the tumor cells. In addition, a clear decrease in number and a change in the distribution of metastases after intravenous injection of HT29 cells in combination with liposomes was observed in vivo. While in control mice metastases in lung, liver and in intestine were prevailing, liposomal treatment resulted in a new localization of metastases in muscles. Taking together, the ability of surface modified liposomes to enhance aggregate formation of platelets and tumor cells has been demonstrated for the first time. The capability of these vesicles to interfere with the metastatic process might have implications for the use of such liposomes for therapeutic applications.     

Pyridostigmine bromide (PYR) alters immune function in B6C3F1 mice

Pyridostigmine bromide (PYR) is an anticholinesterase drug indicated for the treatment of myasthenia gravis and neuromuscular blockade reversal. It acts as a reversible cholinesterase inhibitor and was used as a pretreatment for soldiers during Operation Desert Storm to protect against possible nerve gas attacks. Since that time, PYR has been implicated as a possible causative agent contributing to Gulf War Illness. PYR's mechanism of action has been well-delineated with regards to its effects on the nervous system, yet little is known regarding potential effects on immunological function. To evaluate the effects of PYR on immunological function, adult female B6C3F1 mice were gavaged daily for 14 days with PYR (0, 1, 5, 10, or 20 mg/kg/day). Immune parameters assessed were lymphoproliferation, natural killer cell activity, the SRBC-specific antibody plaque-forming cell (PFC) response, thymus and spleen weight and cellularity, and thymic and splenic CD4/CD8 lymphocyte subpopulations. Exposure to PYR did not alter splenic and thymus weight or splenic cellularity. However, 20 mg PYR/kg/day decreased thymic cellularity with decreases in both CD4+/CD8+ (20 mg/kg/day) and CD4-/CD8- (10 and 20 mg/kg/day) cell types. Functional immune assays indicated that lymphocyte proliferative responses and natural killer cell activity were normal; whereas exposure to PYR significantly decreased primary IgM antibody responses to a T-cell dependent antigen at the 1, 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg treatment levels for 14 days. This is the first study to examine the immunotoxicological effects of PYR and demonstrate that this compound selectively suppresses humoral antibody responses.     

Coping and stress: a conceptual analysis

BACKGROUND: Much work has been done towards the classification of clinical concepts in nursing. However, there is a comparative lack of analysis of non-technical terms, which nevertheless bear closely on professional practice in nursing. Within nursing classifications, the term 'coping' functions as an element in more complex conceptual structures, the term itself being left relatively undefined. The case is similar for the term 'stress'- the set of circumstances with which the individual is attempting to cope. AIMS: The aim of this paper is to arrive at grounds for consensus over the use and meaning of the widely used terms 'stress' and 'coping'. METHODS: A conceptual analysis of the terms 'stress' and 'coping' was carried out, looking at etymology, ordinary usage and theoretical contingencies, in order to generate paradigmatic cases. A range of nursing and non-nursing literature was examined in order to illustrate further the range of the terms. CONCLUSIONS: 'Stress' and 'coping' are terms which are widely used in nursing; their significance has varied overtime and in the literature, and there continues to be lack of clarity over their precise meaning and use.