Biomedical subjects

B Brinkmann

Publications and source records attributed to B Brinkmann.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

PubMed1997

Pulmonary myelomonocyte subtypes in drowning and other causes of death.

Three immunohistochemically different myelomonocytic subtypes, i.e. MRP8, MRP14 and 27E10 were quantitatively evaluated in the intraalveolar, alveolar-interstitial and alveolar-intracapillary lung compartments. Lung sections from 5 major groups with defined causes of death, i.e. drowning and death during immersion (DI), cerebral/intracranial haemorrhages (CH), sudden cardiac deaths (SCD), hanging and throttling (HT) and immediate trauma deaths (ITD) were stained and the positive cells counted. The results show clear differences of the cell numbers on average. Among the different compartments the intracapillary cell count exhibits the highest numbers. If the cell counts are compared to the different causes of death, DI shows the highest values and ITD the lowest. The individual values, however, show considerable variations in all compartments and especially in the low cell count range. Within the DI group two subgroups can be differentiated, one having low and the other one having high cell numbers. This can be due to the type of agony, i.e. drowning versus immersion/hydrocution, or to resuscitation attempts or to a combination of both factors.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

The STR loci HumTPO and HumLPL: population genetic data in eight populations.

The two STR systems HumTPO and HumLPL were investigated in eight human populations (Moroccans, Ovambos, Papuans, Australian aborigines, Germans, Turks, Japanese and Chinese). After electrophoresis, seven and eight alleles were identified in the HumTPO and HumLPL systems, respectively. In each population, no deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were observed, but considerable differences in phenotype frequencies of each system were found between major ethnic groups.

Ethnicity↗

PubMed1997

Origin of hepatocellular carcinoma recurring after allotransplantation revealed by microsatellite analysis.

A hepatocellular carcinoma was resected from a liver allotransplant after the patient's original organ had been removed because of a liver carcinoma. DNA analysis was performed to explore the origin of the carcinoma cells. DNA extracted from the carcinoma tissue, from the carcinoma free liver tissue, and from other cells of the recipient underwent polymerase chain reaction amplification for seven microsatellite systems and the X-Y amelogenin system. The allelic pattern from the carcinoma tissue was identical with that from the patient and differed from the DNA profile of the liver tissue. The result confirmed the assumption that the carcinoma tissue had originated from the patient and not from the donor.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Detection and significance of adenoviruses in cases of sudden infant death.

Respiratory tract infections have been thought to act as a trigger mechanism in sudden infant death. In 118 autopsy cases of infant death, paraffin-embedded or frozen lung tissues were investigated by means of a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect adenovirus (AV) DNA. The primers used are general primers and allow the detection of most pathogenic adenoviruses with high specificity and sensitivity and independently of devitalization of viruses or degradation of viral DNA. For the investigation three groups were established: there were 13 cases of unnatural death, 78 cases of natural death without histological signs of interstitial pneumonia, and 27 cases with interstitial pneumonia. The first group was AV negative. In the group without interstitial pneumonia AV was detected in 10.2% of the cases. In the group with interstitial pneumonia the frequency of AV detection was almost 26%. The results obtained demonstrate an association between interstitial pneumonia and detection of AV DNA, indicating that AV may play an important part in pulmonary infection in infants. Histological evidence of interstitial pneumonia was not observed in all AV-positive cases, perhaps because nonspecific virus-related changes occurred only in early stages of viral infection. Comparison of the AV frequency in SIDS (25%) and non-SIDS cases (4%) indicates an association between pulmonary AV infections and sudden death. These results support the working hypothesis of respiratory infections acting as a trigger mechanism in sudden infant death.

Adenoviridae↗

PubMed1996

Ethnic differences in the expression of blood group antigens in the salivary gland secretory cells from German and Japanese non-secretor individuals.

Type 1 ABO blood group antigens (peripheral core structure: Gal beta 1-3GlcNAc beta 1-R) are expressed mainly in endodermally-derived tissues, but are not synthesized in mesodermally-derived tissues. In the former tissues, H type 1 antigen is generated largely by alpha-2-L-fucosyltransferase encoded by secretor (Se) gene and acting on the terminal galactose of the type 1 precursor chain. This theory has been generally accepted, and it seems that the expression of ABO blood group antigens is absent, or expressed at a low level, in these tissues from non-secretor individuals. In this immunohistochemical study on the secretory cells of salivary glands, we found ethnic difference between German and Japanese non-secretor individuals in the expression of blood group antigens: i.e. the expression of the type 1 blood group antigens is present in these cells from Japanese non-secretor individuals but absent from German. A possible explanation is that another alpha-2-L-fucosyltransferase, independent of the secretor gene, is present in Japanese non-secretor individuals.

ABO Blood-Group System↗

PubMed1996

Macrophage subtype patterns in protracted asphyxiation.

The question was examined whether protracted asphyxiation is associated with a distinct macrophage subtype pattern in lung tissue. Immunohistochemical preparations of lung specimens were tested with the antibodies MRP8, MRP14, 27E10 and 25F9 in cases of protracted asphyxiation (n = 8) and in "control" groups (hanging: n = 6; peracute deaths: n = 9). MRP8 and MRP14 interstitial cell counts showed a doubling in protracted asphyxiation. Furthermore, clear increases of 27E10 and 25F9 cells (intravascular and interstitial) were found in protracted asphyxiation, both in the intravascular and interstitial compartments. At present the results look promising as to an additional diagnostic criterion for the differential diagnosis between acute and protracted asphyxiation.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

Backspatter from experimental close-range shots to the head. I. Macrobackspatter.

Backspatter is the ejection of biological material from a gunshot entrance wound against the line of fire. This phenomenon was investigated experimentally in transverse gunshots to the heads of calves (n = 9) using two types of 9 mm Parabellum ammunition from shooting distances of 0-10 cm. The resulting bloodstains were documented on white paper placed horizontally 60 cm below the impact site. In this report the analysis was restricted to stains with a diameter > 0.5 mm. Backspatter was documented after every gunshot. The number of stains varied from 31-324 per gunshot and appeared to be independent of the shooting distance. The maximum distance droplets travelled varied from 72-119 cm. The majority of droplets accumulated between 0 and 50 cm. The number of droplets and the distances travelled should be higher in man for anatomical reasons. The direction a single droplet can take comprises every possible angle between the most tangential ones to the skin surface. This resulted in a semi-circle of 180 degrees covered with stains. Skin ruptures of the entrance wound were not observed. The succession of events was documented on high speed film and started with the recoil of the firearm, immediately followed by a blow-out effect of the skin. Large droplets exited approximately 0.7-4 ms after the bullet impacted the skin. The calculated minimum initial velocity of these droplets was 13-61 m/s. Backspatter from gunshots to the head likely is caused by the hot gases expanding subcutaneously and by cavitation-related intracranial overpressure and tail splashing. In three out of nine gunshots, secondary backspatter additionally occurred as a result of droplets produced by a stream of blood from the entrance wound impacting the paper surface.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

The distinction between lacerations and cuts in ligaments and tendons.

In contrast to skin wounds the characteristic forensic features of lesions of ligaments and tendons have rarely been investigated. However, in a suspected homicide the question became crucial whether an isolated discontinuity of the posterior atlanto-occipital membrane was caused by a rupture mechanism or by a cut. In order to reevaluate the associated criteria experimental lesions were made in ligaments and tendons and examined histologically. From these experiments the following criteria could be established: Lacerations exhibit complete destruction of the tissue texture with microruptures and splitting of fibres in the adjacent region. Such would edges have an irregular structure and fibres near the rupture site exhibit variable thicknesses due to traction. Incisions exhibit smooth wound edges with no disturbance of the tissue texture. The thickness of fibres near the rupture site is regular. These results were obtained by light microscopical examination and confirmed using electron microscopy. Under controlled experimental conditions the forces necessary to rupture tendons with a diameter of 1 mm varied between 50-70 Newton (N). In the suspected homicide, the lesion of the posterior atlanto-occipital membrane was examined visually and histologically and was compared with the experimentally established criteria. Based on these criteria the lesion could be identified as an incision which had probably been caused accidentally while severing the medulla during the first autopsy and was therefore not connected with the cause of death.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

A highly variable STR at the D12S391 locus.

A total of 103 fragments in the STR D12S391 locus were sequenced. 24 different alleles were found which can be grouped into 12 allelic classes based on the total number of repeats. The structure of this compound STR consists of blocks of (AGAT) and (AGAC) repeats with a consensus structure (AGAT)8-17 (AGAC)6-10 (AGAT)0-1. Whereas shorter alleles only have (AGAT) repeats, > 225 bp alleles are more complex, having two motifs (AGAT) and (AGAC). Population data showed that this to be a highly polymorphic STR with a heterozygosity of 0.9. This fact together with its simple structure make this STR very suitable for forensic and genetic purposes.

Alleles↗

PubMed1996

Population studies of three AMPFLPs systems in a north Polish population.

Allele and phenotype frequencies for D1S80, D17S5 and ApoB were determined in a population sample of more than 200 unrelated persons from North Poland using the PCR method. For D1S80, D17S5 and ApoB 19, 13 and 21 alleles respectively were observed. No deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were detected. All three systems have discrimination values above 92% and a cumulative discrimination index of 4.5 x 10(-4).

Alleles↗

PubMed1996

DNA typing of cellular material on perforating bullets.

DNA typing of cellular debris from perforating bullets was investigated following shooting experiments. A total of 14 perforating gunshots were fired into 9 calves. PCR typing of tissue fragments was done using bovine-specific primers flanking a 247 bp segment within the bovine lactoglobulin gene. Positive amplification results were obtained for all 9 hollow point (HP) and all 5 full metal jacket (FMJ) bullets. In contrast to HP bullets the smooth surfaces of the FMJ bullets did not have visible biological material, which resulted in weaker bands in the DNA analysis compared to HP bullets. Tissue seemed to accumulate at the base of the projectiles. Due to the lack of a suitable marker in bovines, only a species identification was carried out on the DNA from tissue on the bullets. The small amount of DNA extract (up to 5%) required for specification is promising for the successful application of a set of short tandem repeat (STR) systems for individualization in humans. By individualizing tissue on perforating bullets, the bullet and the victim it passed through can be linked. This can assist the investigation of gunshot deaths, especially when several persons are involved in a gun fight.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Firearm fatalities and injuries from hunting accidents in Germany.

Accidental hunting firearm injuries and fatalities (257 cases from 1961 to 1992) were evaluated in detail. Most persons responsible for the accident were more than 40 years old and experienced in hunting, and 26% of the gunshot wounds were fatal. In 77% of cases the victim was shot by another person and in 23% the wound was self-inflicted. The firearms/ammunition used were pellets from shotguns (63%), bullets from rifles (31%), shotgun slugs (3.5%) and bullets from handguns (2.5%). In 22% of all accidents from pellets severe eyeball injuries were involved, and 38% of the wounds were caused from a distance of 5 m or less, including all self-inflicted injuries. The most frequent factors responsible for the accident were: improper handling of the firearm (37%), failure to notice the victim (24.1%), covering the victim while swinging on the game (14.8%), ricocheting projectiles (13.6%), inadequate storage of the firearm (11.7%) and mistaking the victim for game (9.3%). In some cases more than one factor contributed to the accident. Defective firearm/ammunition, as the only non-human factor, was involved in only 1.6% of accidents. Some aspects of the prevention and the forensic investigation of hunting accidents are discussed.

Accidents↗

PubMed1996

[Pulmonary artery catheters: are deadly complications avoidable?].

UNLABELLED: Three cases are presented dealing with rare lethal complications during the insertion of pulmonary artery catheters (PAC). Complications resulting from catheter insertion have been reported on numerous occasions; we report further examples of inadequate insertion techniques. CASE REPORTS: Deviating from the recommended guidelines was presumably a significant factor in the development of fatal pulmonary bleeding. In the first case PAC-related perforation of the right ventricle resulting in cardiac tamponade was found at autopsy. Clinically, this perforation had not been noticed. A guidewire was allegedly employed during insertion. The diameter of the perforation (3 mm) suggests that either the balloon was deflated or the guidewire was used incautiously. In the second case during insertion the balloon was described as being inflated "after" reaching a wedge position. Considering this fact, catheter migration with perforation of a distal small artery was evident. Distal migration is more frequently associated with rupture of the pulmonary artery. In the third case we found a sequence of intimal lesions in the right main pulmonary artery and a segmental artery of the right lung. This high number of PAC-induced lesions is unusual and suggests inappropriate inflation technique. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our observations, we believe the low complication rate associated with PAC insertion has led to deviations from the normal guidelines by some physicians. Despite adequate precautions and insertion technique, iatrogenic lesions cannot be avoided in all cases because of pre-existing risk factors. For the evaluation of catheter-induced complications and the development of a risk profile, more autopsies as well as more detailed clinical documentation would be necessary.

Aged↗

PubMed1996

[DNA degradation in formalin fixed tissues].

The intensity of DNA degradation in fixed tissues is dependent on the fixation solution and the fixation time. The aim of this study was the investigation of DNA degradation over fixation times of up to 70 days in different tissues (muscle, brain, liver, bone) and with different formalin concentration (2%, 4%, 8%; unbuffered). An additional test was performed to see whether the fixed tissues could be individualized using PCR analysis. The smallest amounts of DNA were extracted from liver and brain and the largest from muscle and bone. The amount of DNA that could be extracted decreased with increasing formalin concentration, while at the same time DNA degradation increased. With the PCR-VNTR system HUMTH01, all fixed samples could be typed regardless of the fixation time and the formalin concentration.

Brain↗

PubMed1996

Complex mutational events at the HumD21S11 locus.

We have studied length and sequence variability at the HumD21S11 locus in five different populations to obtain more detailed information about the structure of this short tandem repeat system. In all populations studied so far two types of alleles have been described. The consensus alleles (type I) consist of three regions with variable numbers of TCTR units and one constant region comprising 43 bp. Alleles of type II (so-called interalleles) show the same basic sequence structure except for the occurrence of a TA insertion at a fixed position in variable region 3. Additional sequence variability exists in the Ovambo and Papuan populations with gross changes in two of the three variable regions and in the constant region. Due to these extreme variations the Ovambos and Papuans showed a better fit to the infinite allele model than to the stepwise mutation model. In the German, Japanese and Chinese populations no significant bias towards one of the two models could be observed. Population genetic studies showed no significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.

Alleles↗

PubMed1996

Population genetic comparisons among eight populations using allele frequency and sequence data from three microsatellite loci.

Eight different population samples (Moroccans, Ovambos, Papuans, Australian aborigines, Germans, Turks, Japanese and Chinese) were studied using the tetranucleotide short tandem repeat systems HumTHO1 (THO1), Hum VWFA31 (VWA) and HumACTBP2 (ACTBP2). Ten alleles were differentiated in THO1, 11 alleles in VWA and 28 alleles in ACTBP2. THO1 showed 1 bp deletions in the repeat region, VWA sequence and structure variations of the 4-bp repeat motif and ACTBP2 sequence, structure and length variations in the repeat array and deletions/insertions (1-6 bp) in the flanking regions. A phylogenetic tree was constructed (UPGMA method) leading to branches which grouped Germans and Turks, Japanese and Chinese, and Papuans and Australian aborigines.

Asian People↗

PubMed1995

Microsatellite polymorphisms reveal phylogenetic relationships in primates.

We amplified, via PCR, DNA segments from intron 1 of the tyrosine hydroxylase gene (TH01) and intron 40 of the von Willebrand factor gene (VWA) in ten nonhuman primate genera. In humans both introns contain polymorphic microsatellites with tetrameric repeats. Compared to the allelic ranges in human populations relatively short repeat arrays could be detected for the nonhuman primates typed, presumably reflecting an ancient precursor state at both microsatellite loci. Furthermore, our results provide evidence for an association of the average number of repeats present in different primate genera and their divergence time from man. DNA sequencing of VWA orthologues revealed a relatively high variability in the arrangement of repeats in the 5'-repeat arrays, the generation of which could probably be explained by polar mutational events.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Phenotype differences of STRs in 7 human populations.

A maximum of 6 STR systems (TH01, VWA, ACTBP2, FES, F13B, D21S11) was investigated in 7 human populations (Germans, Turks, Moroccans, Japanese, Chinese, Papuans, Ovambos). In each population no deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were observed. Out of each population the phenotypes of 50 individuals (comprising 3 to 6 STRs) were randomly selected. Based on the phenotype frequencies interpopulation comparisons were carried out using the frequencies of each other population. Within major ethnic groups only minor differences in phenotype frequencies were found. Between major ethnic groups differences of up to several orders of magnitude could be observed. The most discriminative STRs for interpopulation comparisons were TH01, FES and F13B.

China↗