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PubMedDate not supplied

Zn2Mg alkaline phosphatase in an early ptolemeic mummy.

Bone samples of a ptolemeic mummy have been employed to study the mode of conservation on the intactness of Zn2Mg alkaline phosphatase in both structure and catalytic activity. A protein of M(r) = 190 +/- 10 kDa being identical to the 200 kDa enzyme of fresh human bones was successfully isolated. Regardless of age 200 kDa protein bands and a distinct subunit at 60 kDa were seen in SDS-PAGE electrophoresis. The 200 kDa band was also monitored by activity staining. The specific activity was 120 mU/mg and 65% of the respective activity obtained in the identical preparation using fresh human tibia or rib. The enzymic activity was inhibited in the presence of 1,10-phenanthroline and L-homoarginine. Radiocarbon dating supported the assignment of the mummy to the early ptolemeic period. Among the many bactericidal and fungicidal components employed for mummification were aromatic alcohols, mono- and sesquiterpenes. Pistachio resin was the major balm resin used. The microbiological sterility of the bone surface was ascertained by independent bacterial and fungal examinations.

Alcohols↗
PubMed2003

Techniques of DNA-studies on prehispanic ectoparasites (Pulex sp., Pulicidae, Siphonaptera) from Animal mummies of the Chiribaya culture, southern Peru.

During a paleoparasitological survey of several animal mummies (Cavia aperea f. porcellus and Canis familiaris) from Chiribaya Baja, an archaeological site in Southern Peru, an unexpected find was made. In the well preserved fur, large numbers of mummified fleas (Pulex simulans/irritans) that parasitized the animals during life were encountered. Due to the relative recent event of the host mummification and the outstanding preservation of the fleas, an attempt for the retrieval of DNA was made. A DNA extraction and sequencing protocol for archaeological ectoparasitic remains has been established, taking additional studies for tissue and protein preservation into account. Tissue preservation was assessed with transmission electron microscopy and the protein preservation was tested through the racemisation ratios of aspartic acid. Regions of the 28S rDNA gene were successfully amplified and sequenced. Further research perspectives are outlined.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

First paleoparasitological study of an embalming rejects jar found in Saqqara, Egypt.

For the first time, a jar of embalming rejects was studied in search for helminth parasite eggs. This kind of jar was used to put discarded material by Egyptian embalmers during mummification process. Ascaris lumbricoides and Taenia saginata eggs were found in the linen and strip fragment contents of the jar, dated of 2,715-2,656 years ago.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Detection of Toxoplasma gondii DNA by polymerase chain reaction in experimentally desiccated tissues.

Despite toxoplasmosis being a common infection among human and other warm-blooded animals worldwide, there are no findings about Toxoplasma gondii evolutionary forms in ancient populations. The molecular techniques used for amplification of genetic material have allowed recovery of ancient DNA (aDNA) from parasites contained in mummified tissues. The application of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to paleoparasitological toxoplasmosis research becomes a promising option, since it might allow diagnosis, acquisition of paleoepidemiological data, access to toxoplasmosis information related origin, evolution, and distribution among the ancient populations. Furthermore, it makes possible the analysis of parasite aDNA aiming at phylogenetic studies. To standardize and evaluate PCR applicability to toxoplasmosis paleodiagnostic, an experimental mummification protocol was tested using desiccated tissues from mice infected with the ME49 strain cysts, the chronic infection group (CIG), or infected with tachyzoites (RH strain), the acute infection group (AIG). Tissues were subjected to DNA extraction followed by PCR amplification of T. gondii B1 gene. PCR recovered T. gondii DNA in thigh muscle, encephalon, heart, and lung samples. AIG presented PCR positivity in encephalon, lungs, hearts, and livers. Based on this results, we propose this molecular approach for toxoplasmosis research in past populations.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

[Palaeoparasitological study of atypical elements of the low and High Nile Valley].

Paleoparasitology in the Old World has mainly concerned the study of latrine sediments and coprolites collected from mummified bodies or archaeological strata, mostly preserved by natural conditions. For the first time, different unusual archaeological samples were studied to look for the eggs of helminths parasites (embalming reject jar, canopic package, shroud). Now, samples of organic matter have been successfully processed in order to extract helminths eggs, following the protocol of BOUCHET 2001 (4). Helminth eggs are frequently preserved in the late Quaternary archaeological contexts because of their hard-wearing chitin shell. Six types of eggs were revealed (Schistosoma mansoni, Schistosoma haematobium, Taenia, Enterobius vermicularis, Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura). This study allows to enlarge the Palaeoparasitological research with material never exploited. Moreover, if we take into account identified parasite and geography, it's possible to enlarge the debate to parasite spatio-temporal migration. Considering the particular context of samples preservation, it's interesting to observe an exceptional conservation of parasitological sign related to excellent taphonomic condition (aridity anaeroby, rapid interruption of thanatomorphosis, natural "mummification").

Animals↗
PubMed1978

A Histopathological Study On Human Cysticercosis.

A study was made on 258 cases of cysticercosis, that were examined and diagnosed at the Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University during a period of 9 years from 1968 to 1976 inclusive. There were a total of 35,363 surgical specimens examined during the same period, thus revealing the relative frequency ratio of cysticercosis among surgical accessions to be 0.73%. The common sites of involvement of cysticercosis were skeletal muscle, subcutaneous tissue, breast, brain and eye in decreasing order of frequency. Painless palpable nodules were the most common initial presentation clinically. Histopathological staging was attempted based on the host tissue reaction and worm morphology. It was arbitrarily classified into early, intermediate and late stages. In general the morphology of the parasite consisted of a well preserved and compact calcospherules with intact subcuticular muscle layer in the early stage, showing a progressive deterioration of parasitic structures, finally undergoing resorptive process or mummification. The host tissue reation in the early stage was characterized by a diffuse epithelioid cell proliferation with lymphocytic and eosinophilic infiltration without capsule formation. The intermediate stage consisted of a diffuse histiocytic proliferation with well formed outer collagen capsule. The latestage revealed mostly thinned out, well collagenized capsule with scanty lymphocytic infiltration. The parasite in the well formed cyst as usually distorted and often mummified. But the hooklets were relatively preserved up to the late stage. These finding suggest that the host tissue reacts to the cysticercus worm in fairly uniform fashion, and this fashion appears to have a sequence, i.e., violent lymphohistiocytic response in the initial phase of infection, and undergoing a gradual fibrotic (encapsulating) self-limiting course, finally being stabilized by a dense, acelluar collagen capsule or collapse and absorption.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1989

[Effect of praziquantel treatment on pulmonary lesions of rats infected with Paragonimus iloktsuenensis].

An experimental pathological study was performed to observe the effect of praziquantel treatment on the pulmonary lesions of the rat lung fluke, Paragonimus iloktsuenensis. The metacercariae were obtained from the freshwater crab, Sesarma dehaani, and 40 rats (wistar) were fed each with 10 metacercariae. On 20 rats praziquantel treatment (100mg/kg/day x 5 days) was done at 5 weeks after the infection while remaining 20 rats were kept untreated for use as controls. The drug-treated rats and the untreated ones were sacrificed 3, 7, 14, 21 or 28 days later for the observation of lung pathology. The rats infected with P. iloktsuenensis showed remarkable pulmonary changes; gross features of hemorrhagic and nodular worm capsules protruded on to the surface of the lung, and histologically local atelectasis, inflammatory cell infiltration, and egg granuloma around the worm capsules each containing one or two worms. Praziquantel treatment of the rats was shown to be highly effective in killing the worms and to lead them to degenerate, as early as in 3 days post-treatment. Almost all worms in the lung were dead and absorbed by the host cells in 21 days post-treatment, except a few living ones seen in a rat of 14-day post-treatment group. In most of the rats treated the pulmonary lesions showed the signs of resolution; regression of worm capsules with mummification of worms, decrease of inflammatory cell infiltration, improvement in the degree of atelectasis, and decreases in the frequency and size of the egg granuloma. From the results it is concluded that praziquantel is highly effective for the treatment of rat P. iloktsuenensis infection in the lung, not only by its direct killing effect of the worms but also due to the excellent resolution capacity of the pulmonary tissues.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Penile necrosis: a review of 18 cases at the Hospital de Especialidades Centro Médico nacional Siglo XXI].

OBJECTIVES: To report the experience in the management of penile necrosis at our hospital. METHODS: We performed a review of the medical records with the diagnosis of penile necrosis at the Department of the Urology of the Hospital de Especialidades Centro Médico nacional Siglo XXI from January 1995 to March 2005. RESULTS: 18 cases of penile necrosis were found, with ages from 28 to 78 years (mean age 58.1 yr.). Diabetes mellitus and end stage renal disease were the most frequent associated diseases, with 10 and 11 cases respectively. Reasons for consultation were penile scars in 5 cases, purulent exudation, inflammation of the glans penis and prepuce in 3, ischemic priapism in 2, Fournier's syndrome in 2, urethral bleeding in one, penile necrosis secondary to extrinsic compression in one, and periurethral abscess in another. Thirteen out of the 18 cases underwent partial or complete penectomy, and three of them died. Five patients were managed conservatively with antibiotics, one of them died. The pathology report showed ischemic necrosis in 3 cases, arterial and venous thrombosis, ischemic necrosis and dystrophic arterial and venous calcifications in 10 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Occlusive vascular changes are a conditioning factor in most patients with penile necrosis. This is more evident in patients with end stage renal disease, diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Clinical features of penile necrosis include scars, mummification, self-amputation, and superinfection, so that an early diagnosis and proper treatment are decisive for the evolution of this disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Fibrous cap formation or destruction--the critical importance of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, migration and matrix formation.

Endothelial activation and infiltration of monocyte macrophages are essential prerequisites for fibrous cap formation, which comprises proliferation and migration of smooth muscle cells and net matrix deposition. Macrophage foam cells and endothelium act as a source of growth factors and chemoattractants for smooth muscle cells. However, growth factors alone do not stimulate smooth muscle cell proliferation or migration. This requires, in addition, the remodelling of the extracellular matrix, at least partly mediated by metalloproteinases. In particular, loss of basement membrane components and contact with the interstitial matrix appears to be required to release a brake on proliferation and migration exerted by the basement membrane. Unless there is a change in the phenotype of macrophages in advanced lesions, it is not clear why fibrous cap destruction rather than formation should take place in macrophage-rich shoulder regions of plaques. Impaired cap formation caused by smooth muscle senescence, mummification and propensity to apoptosis may be as important as increased cap destruction in promoting plaque rupture.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Death caused by neglect?].

Over a period of several months a 23-year-old bedridden woman suffered from increasing cachexia with numerous decubital ulcera in the parental house. The parents induced the hospitalization not before the patient reached the agonal phase. The reported case was especially spectacular because the left arm had fallen off and lay beside the woman showing maggot infestation, mummification and skeletonization. Against the parents a preliminary investigation for manslaughter by negligence was instituted. This case report describes the unusual course of disease and the striking familiar situation.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Pathogenesis of in utero infection: experimental infection of five-week-old porcine fetuses with porcine parvovirus.

Injection of porcine parvovirus (PPV) into the allantoic fluid of 3 or 4 fetuses of each of 4 litters of PPV-immune gilts early in gestation (34 to 36 days) resulted in fetal maceration and mummification. A high concentration of virus demonstrated in many tissues of fetuses collected 1 week after initial intraallantoic exposure indicated extensive viral replication. Progressively lesser amounts of virus were isolated from tissues of macerated and mummified fetuses collected after longer intervals; however, direct examination of many of the same tissues by immunofluorescence microscopy revealed masses of viral antigen throughout. Abortion was not a sequela of infection of fetuses of immune gilts nor was either virus or viral antigen ever demonstrated in maternal tissues, including those contiguous with infected fetuses. Intrauterine transmission of PPV from fetuses exposed by intraallantoic injection of virus was only confirmed for 2 of the 18 littermate controls that were tested.

Allantois↗
PubMed2001

Pulp capping with a modified bioglass formula (#A68-modified).

PURPOSE: To evaluate a modified Bioglass (Formula #68 (MBF68) when used as a pulp capping agent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After exposure, the pulps were contaminated with saliva for 60s, rinsed, dried and treated with Consepsis, acting as a hemostatic and bactericidal agent. After drying the Consepsis, the MFB68, having been pre-mixed in sterile saline, was carefully deposited over the pulp exposure, covered with polycarboxylate cement and restored with the ProBond bonding resin system. A calcium hydroxide group was used as control. RESULTS: There was no evidence of mummification, the incidence of properly positioned dentin bridge formation was higher and the incidence of extruded dentin bridge formation was reduced.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Unilateral occurrence of blowfly maggots in the face of a decomposing body].

The corpse of a 41-year-old medical doctor was found in his bed. The body was partially dried out; parts of the hip region were skeletonized due to maggot activity. In the facial region of the corpse, blowfly maggots (Lucilia (Phaenicia) sericata [Meigen]) were found exclusively in one eye socket. This is an unusual occurrence since on that side, a bedlight (40 W light bulb) had been burning during the seven week post mortem interval. All other lights in the apartment were switched off, and no direct sunlight could enter the space where the body was found (only a TV set had been running all the time, ca. 2 m away from the head at the foot end of the bed). Obviously, the maggots who usually flee light had used up the one eye that was further away from the bedlight as a feeding source. Since the continuing mummification of the corpse led to a substantial restriction of feeding material, the maggots finally switched to the eye that the light was shining on.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

[A sketch of history of the European tanatopraxis].

Tanatopraxis is an intentional action aiming to stop all the processes, which lead to a complete decomposition of a body after death. The words embalmment or mummification makes us think about cultures of the ancient Egypt or pre-Columbian America and not about burials of Indo-European nomads or Chinese aristocrats. Meanwhile practices aiming to protect mortal remains against a destructive force of death were known in Europe very long ago. We can see it in paludal burials of the Iron Age and in some testimonies of the ancient epochs. Interventions, which could materially retard decomposition of a body, had been rather generally practiced from the Middle Ages. More practical than religious reasons justified it, but the latter cannot be overlooked. The religious background of such actions can be seen in the custom of embalming mortal remains of popes or kings of France. It was in Europe where the preservation of crops had started to be treated as a scientific problem, and we can see it for the first time in the Renaissance. Together with a development of medical knowledge and especially of anatomy and preparations, a great progress both in methods and substances used for embalming, took place. Ruysh and Holmes in the 17th century, the Hunter brothers in the 18th century and Gannal and Holmes in the 19th century are the milestones in the history of tanatopraxis in Europe. Foundation of the French Institute of Tanatopraxis (IFT) has crowned the many hundred years old experience in the field.

Death↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Experimental infection of pregnant gilts with Aujeszky's disease virus strain RC/79].

The RC/79 strain of the Aujeszky's disease virus was able to induce reproductive failure of pregnant gilts intranasally inoculated at different gestation periods. Four gilts 40-46 days pregnant (group A) and 6 gilts 70-73 days pregnant (group B) were instilled with 0.2 ml x 10(5) tissue culture infectious dose 50 (TCID50/0.2 ml) of the RC/79 strain into each nostril. Two gilts 70-73 days pregnant (group C) were used as non exposed controls. The three groups were kept in separated boxes and they were observed for clinical signs of infections and samples were collected for determination of viral shedding every day. Viral isolation was attempted in Vero cells (figure 1). From the 2nd to 7th day after inoculation, groups A and B showed fever anorexia, sneezing, coughing and depression; and viral isolation from nasal swabs was possible in 7 gilts at days 4 to 11, 9 gilts developed neutralizing antibodies. The virus caused fetal reabsorption in swine during the first period of pregnancy (group A), while infection during late pregnancy resulted in still birth or normal pigs and one mummification (group B). The entire a live litter was composed of no more than 8 suckling pigs in both groups. At necropsy virus from turbinates, ovary , placenta, spleen and lung could be isolated only from 3 gilts (group B, table 1). In 5 of 35 stillbirth and alive fetuses virus could be isolated from spleen (100%), lung (80%), liver (60%) and brain (40%) indicating that the virus has the ability to cross the placental barrier thus producing lesions in porcine fetuses and causing reproductive failure in sows (table 2). Tissue specimens from these 35 fetuses were fixed in 10% formalin, included in paraffin sectioned and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. In 13 fetuses microscopic lesions i.e. necrotic foci were found in lung (60%), liver (40%) and spleen (20%), these alterations were coincident with gross lesions in most of them. Inclusion bodies were absent. The gilts organs did not present gross lesions.

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed1992

Estimating the time of death in stillborn fetuses: III. External fetal examination; a study of 86 stillborns.

OBJECTIVE: To determine how accurately the time of fetal death can be predicted from the extent of external maceration in a stillborn fetus. METHODS: Autopsy photographs of 86 stillborns with well-timed deaths were studied retrospectively. Sixty randomly chosen fetuses (learning set) were assessed unblinded to develop proposed gross criteria for timing fetal death; 26 fetuses (test set) were then randomly and blindly assessed to test the accuracy of the proposed criteria. RESULTS: The two earliest changes in the learning cases were areas of desquamation measuring at least 1 cm in diameter and brown-red discoloration of the umbilical cord stump. Both changes occurred primarily in fetuses with death-to-delivery intervals of 6 or more hours. Other early changes included desquamation involving the face, abdomen, or back (12 or more hours); desquamation involving 5% or more of the body surface (18 or more hours); brown skin discoloration (24 or more hours); and a moderate or severe extent of desquamation (24 or more hours). The only late change that correlated with a specific duration of intrauterine retention was mummification (2 or more weeks). When the 26 test fetuses were randomly and blindly assessed using these gross criteria, 18 (69%) were classified correctly with respect to the approximate time of fetal death. CONCLUSION: External fetal examination is useful for estimating the time of death in many stillborns; this information may be helpful when a complete autopsy cannot be performed.

Autopsy↗
PubMed2003

[Embalmers/physicians in ancient Egypt].

On a daily basis, priest embalmers carefully carried out mummification of bodies to give them a certain immortality. Could they also have practised the profession of medicine?

Egypt, Ancient↗
PubMed2004

[Effect of ultrasonic in instrumentation on curved and obstructed root canal preparation].

PURPOSE: To investigate and evaluate the effect of ultrasonic instrumentation on curved and obstructed root canal preparation. METHODS: Ultrasonic preparation was used on 117 root canals of 92 teeth due to resinifying therapy, pulp mummification and aging which could not be reopened and treated with traditional methods. RESULTS: 108 canals were successfully reopened with a successful rate of 92.3%. Failure occurred in 9 cases. 2 of them were lateral perforation. 2 were obstructed on curving position. 2 of them were due to pulp calcification in older patients. 3 were failing after resinifying therapy. CONCLUSION: The ultrasonic treatment of root canal was an effective and safe method. It was still limited in a cases with pulp calcification and some fine root canals treated by resinifying therapy.

Adult↗