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Biomedical subjects

E Ambach

Publications and source records attributed to E Ambach.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Distinct distributions of D-erythro-neopterin in arteries and veins and its recovery by an enterohepatic circulation.

Large amounts of D-erythro-neopterin, a pteridine derivative, are formed from guanosine triphosphate (GTP) by human macrophages upon stimulation with interferon-gamma. In addition, in humans a basal neopterin level in all body fluids is evident also in absence of immunological stimuli. Extremely high concentrations of D-erythro-neopterin were detected in biliary fluid. We therefore investigated, if an enterohepatic circulation might exist for this substance. We quantified concentrations of pteridines in serum obtained from various vessels and in biliary fluid. Samples were collected during surgery of five patients with duodenal ulcer or adenocarcinoma of the stomach. Our data clearly demonstrate the existence of an enterohepatic circulation for the recovery of neopterin which seems to be specific for this substance. The relative distributions of neopterin concentrations in the gastrointestinal tract and vessels were seen invariably in all patients and were consistent with findings in five corpses examined post mortem. In addition, significantly higher neopterin concentrations, were found in arteries than in veins. The data indicate that neopterin derivatives are consumed in the peripheral capillary system and an enterohepatic circulation is established to maintain constant blood levels of neopterin derivatives. Furthermore, we suppose that the liver is the source of constitutive neopterin concentrations.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1992

[Contact neck gunshot wound without weapon--suicide or homicide?].

To support police in reenacting criminal acts is one of the most important functions of forensic investigation. This case report deals with the discovery of the corpse of a 42-year old man at the bank of the river Inn. First of all the man was supposed to be drowned, but the autopsy showed a gunshot wound of the neck and a shot-through of the brain-stem. Intensive search for the weapon by the police and by divers was unsuccessful and therefore suspicion of homicide arose. The reconstruction of the act at the site of discovery of the corpse led to the discovery of the weapon and the case became clear to be a suicide.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Epidemiology of fatalities in Alpine skiing--(1987-1990)].

At the Institute of Forensic Medicine, University Innsbruck, 78 cases of fatal accidents and of sudden death were examined which occurred during alpine skiing between 1987 und 1990. An increase of fatal accidents during skiing was observed in the past few years. This fact is related to the rising utilization of summer skiing areas. In about three quarters of the cases death as consequence of an accident was observed. One quarter died a sudden death. In this group myocardial infarction is dominant, which is an indication of an enhanced load of the cardiovascular system during skiing in higher altitudes. In the group with fatal accidents cranio-cerebral traumas including medulla injuries are dominant.

Accidents↗
PubMed1992

[Forensic medicine aspects of death caused by hypothermia in high altitude].

Macro- and micromorphological findings in cases of death from hypothermia are very questionable and unreliable diagnostical signs. We investigated 42 cases of death from hypothermia that occurred in mountain-ranges between 1974 and 1990. All cases showed erosions of the gastric mucosa ("Wischnewsky-spots"), in one case only we found bleedings in the ileopsoas muscles. In most cases hypothermia was based on natural disease or intoxication. Nine alcoholized persons showed a mean alcohol concentration in the blood of 1.07% and in accordance to a relatively long agonal period the alcohol concentration in urine was considerably higher.

Accidents↗
PubMed1992

[Discovery of human bones at the Prägratkees (Tyrol) 1953 and 1990].

At the Prägratkees (Granatspitz, Tyrol) human bones, pieces of equipment and garment were found at the same site in 1953 and 1990. According to the forensic investigations, the bones were attached to a 37 year-old mountain climber, who has been missed since 1936. Because of the fact that between both discoveries an interval of 37 years elapsed, it is doubtful whether the bones are from one person. The forensic conclusion, that the bones are attached to one person could be supported by the glaciological situation of this glacier.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Postmortem neopterin concentrations: comparison of diagnoses with and without cellular immunological background.

Increased neopterin levels in urine and serum of living humans indicate an activation of the cellular immune system. We investigated 119 urine and 48 serum samples from 129 corpses taken at necropsy; 29 cases with a background of cellular immune activation were compared to 100 corpses with no such indication. Our investigations show the feasibility of postmortem neopterin measurements. However, different kinetics of serum and urine concentrations after death were observed. In addition, the data show that urine and serum neopterin concentrations were significantly higher when cellular immunological abnormalities were present when compared to the control group and to living healthy controls. The findings suggest, that increased postmortem urine neopterin concentrations in necropsy indicate pathological processes linked with cellular immune activation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Unusual finding in a water-logged corpse--hyperchylomicronemia or pulmonary fat embolism?

During excavation work at the bank of the River Inn the corpse of a 32-year-old alcoholic male was recovered. Head injuries suggested a crime of violence. Postmortem examination demonstrated conspicuous milky turbidity of the blood, which was found by laboratory testing to be due to hyperchylomicronemia. The findings are interpreted and their relevance to the determination of postmortal head injuries is discussed. The inadequacy of double-edged knife specimens and frozen-section biopsies for the estimation of pulmonary fat embolism as a vital reaction is considered.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Unusual discovery of 2 cadavers in a glacier--forensic and glacier-related aspects].

Unusual discovery of two corpses embedded in glacier ice in relation to glacier movement is discussed. As a matter of fact in such cases the scene of accident and the place of discovery after a long postmortem time is not the same. Knowing the time after death and the place of discovery it may be possible to ascertain the scene of accident and to draw conclusions on the proceedings of accident.

Accidents↗
PubMed1991

[Postmortem changes after 50 years immersion (1939 reconstructed suicide)].

In September 1989 an old motor car was accidentally discovered in a lake, 50 meters below the water surface. The automobile contained the torso of an adult woman with extensive adipocere formation and the skeletonized body of a man. Forensic and criminalistic investigations lead to the identification of the deceased persons. In the year 1939 the persons together had committed suicide. The corpses were immersed for fifty years.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Postmortem evaluation of serum and urine neopterin concentrations.

Cellular immune response is accompanied by the release of neopterin. Increased neopterin levels in urine and serum are observed in patients during viral infections, autoimmune diseases, and allograft rejections and certain malignant diseases. We investigated postmortem neopterin concentrations in urine and serum samples taken from 32 corpses 3 to 69 h (mean 19.3 h) after death. Urine neopterin concentrations in corpses are similar to those of healthy live controls and are independent of the time after death. In contrast, serum neopterin concentrations are frequently greatly increased in corpses, and the levels are higher in sera collected more than 10 h after death in comparison with samples obtained earlier. Neopterin measurement in urine and serum samples of corpses is feasible. It appears likely that urine neopterin concentrations could aid the diagnosis of inflammatory diseases in corpses.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Fatal accidents on glaciers: forensic, criminological, and glaciological conclusions.

The rare event of a corpse immersed in glacier ice becoming exposed on a glacier surface is closely connected with the glaciological conditions at the scene and the site of the accident. Provided that the time since death is known, certain questions relative to the circumstances of a mountain accident can only be answered by considering glaciological aspects. How the scene of an accident can be reconstructed by inference from the site of discovery is discussed by means of three exemplary cases that occurred on Tyrolean glaciers (Austria) during the past 40 years: (1) Two corpses were discovered close above the equilibrium line in the accumulation area after 25 years. The two victims had fallen down a rock face after the breaking off of a cornice and had come to rest in the uppermost part of the accumulation area. (2) A victim was discovered in the lower ablation area 8 years after falling down a crevasse in the middle part of the ablation area. (3) A female alpinist was discovered at the very end of the glacier after 29 years; it was concluded that the accident must have happened in the accumulation area.

Abdominal Injuries↗
PubMed1990

[Sudden death of a young asthmatic patient--allergic granulomatous angiitis (Churg-Strauss syndrome)].

Churg-Strauss syndrome has three main criterions: 1) severe asthma with fever attacks, 2) extra- and intravascular granulomatous proliferations of epitheloid and giant cells, 3) inflammatory infiltrates rich in eosinophilic leukocytes. All these features were given in the case of a 19-year-old woman, who died suddenly. This paper deals with the morphological findings of the forensic autopsy.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Premature craniosynostosis--cause of sudden death in children and young adults].

Primary premature craniosynostosis ordinarily leads to characteristic skull abnormalities, if the ossification of the sutures happens in early childhood and involves all sutures, the elevation of intracranial pressure may not cause severe clinical features and the head morphology may be normal. A disproportion between skull capacity and brain volume will be the result. Three cases are reported, where these preconditions combined with exterior effects like minimal trauma, physical activity or consumption of alcohol or medicaments caused sudden death. Important autoptic findings are ossified cranial sutures with the absence of suture lines and increased scalloping of the internal table of the skull (impressiones digitatae).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[Post-traumatic hydrocephalus--result of repeated abuse of a young child].

Serious physical and psychic abuse of children is a much discussed theme in forensic, juridical and sociological literature. This paper deals with the pitiable case of a meanwhile four years old infant having been battered by his stepmother. At the age of two years the boy was unconscious admitted to the hospital. Computertomography of the brain did not show any pathological findings. Because of multiple effusions of blood of variable age located at the child's body the stepmother was noticed and accused of assault and battery, but the trial ended in acquittal. Two years later the boy suffered from serious neurological symptoms and computertomography showed high-pathological alterations such as hydrocephalus, parietooccipital hygroma and a damage of the brain.

Battered Child Syndrome↗
PubMed1990

[Attempted infanticide with a happy ending. Report of infanticide in Tirol and Vorarlberg].

The paper presents an analysis of infanticides which happened during the last 20 years, investigated by the Institute of Forensic Medicine at the University of Innsbruck. On the basis of some casuistries forensic and criminalistic aspects of infanticides will be discussed. Special attention is payed to two cases of "survived infanticides" with re-establishing of the relationship between mother and child.

Adolescent↗