[Morphology of blood stains].
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to S Rand.
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We treated 31 patients with ragweed conjunctivitis in an eight-week, double-masked parallel-group study with cromolyn sodium 4% ophthalmic solution. Analysis of data showed preseason serum IgE antibody to ragweed level was a significant predictor of drug response. Of 16 patients with ragweed IgE values of less than 100 ng/ml, the nine treated with cromolyn had significantly fewer symptoms during the course of treatment than the seven in the placebo group. Of the 15 remaining patients, who had IgE levels of more than 100 ng/ml, the eight treated with cromolyn improved but the difference between their symptom scores and those of the seven patients treated with placebo was not statistically significant.
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The identification of seminal traces is exceptionally difficult, if the semen of the assailant is azoospermic. The evident value of prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) activity must be evaluated in such cases with caution. In a murder investigation of a 13 year old girl a positive PAP reaction was found in vaginal swabs and in her underpants. Spermatozoa could not be found. Using the gas-chromatographic method, described by Douse (1985) the presence of prostaglandin E could be demonstrated in the swabs as well as in the crotch of the underpants. The offender was found to be a man with azoospermia, who admitted intercourse but with the consent of the victim. The E prostaglandins are mainly synthesized in the vesiculae seminal and seen to be specific for semen. Swabs taken from mouth and rectum showed negative reactions for prostaglandins in this case. Prostaglandins could never be detected in vaginal swabs taken at least 7 days after intercourse. Conversely Douse could detect prostaglandins in swabs up to 58 hours after intercourse. Apparently the prostaglandin detection by Douse provides a suitable alternative besides to the quantitative and immunological PAP detection or the immunological detection of the protein p 30.
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The extended possibilities of forensic stain analyses during recent years have mainly resulted from the application of DNA technology. Among the VNTR polymorphisms, one can differentiate between five consecutive generations of systems, i.e. multi locus systems (MLS), single locus systems (SLS), so-called AMPFLP's (amplificable fragment length polymorphisms), short tandem repeats (STR's), micro satellite systems. The routine application in our laboratory lets us distinguish 3 phases: (I) RFLP phase (MLS+SLS); (II) combined application of RFLP-SLS and AMPFLP's; (III) PCR phase (combined application of AMPFLP's and STR's.--Investigations applying conventional blood group systems and RFLP analysis have been cancelled in phase III. Since 1989 328 cases have been investigated. The number of cases per year was doubled in phase III compared to phase I, but the proportion of DNA determination has been increased by app. 800%. Although in phase III the stain material was on average more degraded and quantitatively smaller the application of STR systems was successful in 90% of all cases and therefore much more effective than other systems. Compared to phase I, the probabilities of inclusion were smaller in phase III. Problematic stains were more often investigated. Also, a strategic change has occurred. New standards had to be elaborated, i.e. to the avoidance of contamination, to the critical evaluation of stain composition and to the validation of systems.
A 50-year-old woman allergic to penicillin with early latent syphilis was treated with two courses of doxycycline. Ten months after diagnosis, she had no evidence of serologic response. A lumbar puncture demonstrated asymptomatic neurosyphilis. Penicillin desensitization was performed and she was successfully treated. This case re-emphasizes the need for close serologic follow-up in patients with latent syphilis.