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Biomedical subjects

J A Perper

Publications and source records attributed to J A Perper.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Face imaging reconstructive morphography. A new method for physiognomic reconstruction.

A new method of facial identification--Face Imaging Reconstructive Morphography (FIRM)--is herein described. This method permits the construction of objective composites of facial features based on precise cephalometric measurements. The anthropometric measurements are derived from radiographic films taken by the Analytic Morphograph (KLS). FIRM is a rapid, objective, and reproducible method that is distinctly better than the current methods of forensic-anthropological identification.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Alcohol, firearms, and suicide among youth. Temporal trends in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, 1960 to 1983.

The death certificates and coroners' reports for all suicides, undetermined causes of death, and questionable accidents were obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of Vital Statistics for 10- to 19-year-old residents of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, from 1960 to 1983. During the 24-year study period, 159 cases of definite suicide and 38 cases of likely suicide were noted. The suicide rate increased markedly among youth during the study period, particularly among white males aged 15 to 19 years, and was not due to changes in classification procedures over time. The suicide rate by firearms increased much faster than the suicide rate by other methods (2.5 vs 1.7-fold). The proportion of suicide victims who had detectable blood alcohol levels rose 3.6-fold from 12.9% in 1968 to 1972 to 46.0% in 1978 to 1983. Suicide victims who used firearms were 4.9 times more likely to have been drinking than were those who used other methods of suicide. The availability of firearms and the increased use of alcohol among youth may have made a significant contribution to the increase in the suicide rate among the young.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Sudden, unexpected death due to fourth ventricular subependymoma.

A case of sudden, unexpected death due to fourth ventricular subependymoma (subependymal glomerate astrocytoma) in a 60-year-old man is presented. Sudden, unexpected death due to uncomplicated subependymoma has not been previously described.

Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms↗
PubMed1986

Tolerance at high blood alcohol concentrations: a study of 110 cases and review of the literature.

One hundred ten consecutive alcoholics who voluntarily entered a detoxification center were studied to determine their ability to perform certain designated functions (a) while under the influence of alcohol at admission and (b) four days later, after they had undergone detoxification. Their blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) within an hour of admission were determined by using the DuPont Automated Clinical Analyzer (ACA), following standard procedures. The results of the tests performed by these subjects were then studied to ascertain the level of psychomotor impairment in alcoholics at elevated BACs. The results were broken down by age, sex, race, and BAC. The findings indicate that alcoholics develop an increased tolerance to alcohol at BACs, which are extremely high, including levels generally considered to be potentially fatal.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed1986

Traumatic workplace deaths in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, 1983 and 1984.

All fatal workplace accidents occurring in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania in 1983 and 1984 were investigated for cause of accident, preventability, type of industry, number of employees, and the involvement of alcohol or drugs. Approximately 40% of these accidents were not within the jurisdiction of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and therefore were not reported to or investigated by OSHA. More than 60% of the fatal accidents investigated by OSHA resulted in one or more citations, and all but one accident was judged preventable. Drugs were not found at autopsy in any of the accident victims, and a significant alcohol level was found in only one victim. Nearly 80% of the fatal accidents investigated occurred at locations with fewer than 100 employees.

Accident Prevention↗
PubMed1985

Fatal strychnine poisoning--a case report and review of the literature.

A typical case of suicidal strychnine poisoning by a rodenticide is presented. The forceful muscular convulsions were accompanied by a clear sensorium. Pathological findings consisted of an early onset of postmortem rigidity and microscopic hemorrhages with minimal degenerative neuronal changes in the spinal cord. The highest tissue concentrations of strychnine were found in the bile and liver. The pathophysiology and epidemiology of strychnine poisoning is reviewed and discussed in context.

Humans↗
PubMed1981

Neurogenic pulmonary edema in unexpected, unexplained death of epileptic patients.

Eight cases of unexpected, unexplained death in young ambulatory epileptics were examined postmortem with special attention to the heart and lungs. Lung weights uniformly exceeded the expected value, with gross evidence of hemorrhagic pulmonary edema. Microscopic examination revealed moderate to severe pulmonary edema with protein-rich fluid as well as alveolar hemorrhage. There was no evidence of recent or old myocardial disease. Although death due to a seizure is usually thought to be almost instantaneous, the neurogenic pulmonary edema exemplified by these cases takes time to develop and may be remediable. The high frequency of absent or non-therapeutic anticonvulsant levels at the time of death in these patients may play a role in a possible centrally mediated adrenergic cause of neurogenic pulmonary edema and ventricular arrhythmia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Identification of fingernail markings in manual strangulation.

A clever solution to the problem of identifying fingernail markings was accomplished by means of forensic pathology and odontology. This approach was required to develop techniques for constructing the impression of the fingernail used in strangulation of a victim. The illustrations show how this rare type of evidence was processed so as to match the fingernails of the suspect to the marks on the skin of the victim's neck.

Asphyxia↗
PubMed1978

The relationship between alcohol, liver disease, and testicular pathology.

Impotence, infertility and feminization have been frequently reported among male cirrhotic patients. Previous studies have suggested that liver disease was the basis of these effects. Recent clinical and laboratory experimental studies have suggested that alcohol consumption may have a direct effect on both testosterone metabolism and spermatogenesis. The effect may be mediated through the central nervous system or directly on the testes. The present study compared the pathology in the liver and testes and the estimated alcohol consumption among men who had died suddenly from a variety of causes. Of 137 men studied, 20(14%) had moderate to severe decrease in spermatogenesis. Only 9 of 19 with decreased spermatogenesis also had severe or very severe fatty infiltration of the liver. However, 17 of 19 were classified as heavy alcohol drinkers and 14 were estimated to consume at least 417 gm of alcohol per week. Finally, the alcohol history was reviewed in relation to liver and testicular pathology. Only a weak association between the liver and testes pathology was noted.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

An epidemiologic study of homicides in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.

Extensive demographic data concerning homicide victims and perpetrators in Allegheny County, 1966-1974, were obtained retrospectively from the records of the County Coroner's Office and Police Department. Analysis revealed that the demographic characteristics describing perpetrators and victims were essentially identical. Rates of homicide peaked in the young adult years of life. The race ratio (B/W) among victims was 18.7 for males and 6.7 for females, while sex ratio (M/F) was 5.4 for blacks and 1.9 for whites. An inverse relationship between the rate of homicide and socioeconomic status was present among both black and white races. The majority of victims were killed by a spouse, relative, or friend (66%), usually in familiar locations, i.e., residence or place of work (60%), and usually during an alteration (68%). Shooting was the method used to perpetrate 61% of the killings, most of which were by means of a handgun. An increasing trend of homicide was noted, particularly for the type perpetrated by shooting.

Adolescent↗