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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Mummification and folie à deux.

Mummification is the preservation of the effects and/or corpse of a loved one. Psychiatric literature regarding this condition is reviewed and a case is presented in which a mother's paranoid psychosis is discovered following her apparent mummification of her son's corpse. In retrospect, it appears that a diagnosis of folie à deux pertained to this pair. The authors contend that mummification may represent the outcome of a shared delusional system and that failure to establish psychiatric diagnoses in those who practice mummification has been the result of inherent difficulties in diagnosing paranoid disorders.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Borate in mummification salts and bones from Pharaonic Egypt.

Mummification processes in Pharaonic Egypt were successful using sodium salts. Quite frequently sodium concentrations in mummified bones ranged from 300 to 4000 micromol/g. In the search for an effective inorganic conservation compound our choice fell on boric acid. The possible presence of borate in mummification salts used in Pharaonic Egypt was of special interest both historically and biochemically. In two salt samples, one from the embalming material of Tutankhamen (18th dynasty, 1336-1327 BC) and the second from Deir el-Bahari (25th dynasty, 700-600 BC) borate was found, amounting to 2.1+/-0.2 and 3.9+/-0.1 micromol/g, respectively. In five of the examined bone fragments from the Junker excavation at Giza (Old Kingdom) similar borate concentrations i.e., 1.2 micromol borate/g bone were seen. It must be emphasized that the usual borate content of contemporary autopsy is far below the detection limit. The elevated borate content in both mummification salt and ancient bone samples support the suggestion that borate-containing salt had been used. There is a striking correlation of both borate concentration and alkaline phosphatase activity. When both sodium salts and borate were essentially absent no activity at all was detectable. With increasing borate concentrations the enzyme activity rises significantly. Attributable to the distinct biochemistry of the tetrahydroxyborate anion it was of interest whether or not borate may stabilize alkaline phosphatase, an important and richly abundant bone enzyme. This enzyme was chosen, as it is known to survive more than 4000 years of mummification. In the presence of borate oligomeric species of this zinc-magnesium-glycoprotein at 400,000 Da became detectable. Attributable to this borate-dependent stabilization of the enzyme molecule a significant temperature resistant increase of the enzymic activity was measured in the presence of up to 2.5 mM borate.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMedDate not supplied

High-resolution spiral computed tomography with multiplanar reformatting, 3D surface- and volume rendering: a non-destructive method to visualize ancient Egyptian mummification techniques.

Ancient Egyptians used mummification techniques to prevent their deceased from decay. This study evaluates the potential of computed tomography (CT) in determining these techniques in a non-destructive way. Twenty-five mummies were studied by using high-resolution spiral CT, 1mm slice thickness for the head and 3mm slice thickness for the rest of the body. Images were reconstructed with 3D, multiplanar reformatting and volume rendering. In all cases the used mummification techniques could be reconstructed. The way the brain was removed, the presence of chemicals, like resin and natron, could be detected and the way the intestines were handled could be made visible. The use of CT is indispensable as a non-destructive method in the reconstruction of mummification techniques.

Anatomy, Cross-Sectional↗
PubMed1999

Hysterotomy by a colpotomy approach for treatment of foetal mummification in a cow.

A 7-year-old Brahman cow was diagnosed as suffering from chronic foetal mummification of unknown aetiology, concurrent cystic ovarian disease, prolapse of the 2nd cervical ring and chronic cervicitis. Repeated treatment with prostaglandin F2alpha and oestrogen failed to resolve the mummification. A hysterotomy was performed via an incision in the dorsolateral vaginal wall. Good exposure of the uterine horn was achieved and mild post-operative complications were observed. Colpotomy can be regarded as an alternative surgical approach to the moderately enlarged bovine uterus.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

ENT aspects of the mummification of the head in ancient Egypt: an imaging study.

This study of a mummified head from the British museum by high resolution computer tomography and 3D reconstruction illustrates, without mutilation of the specimen, some aspects of mummification of the head; namely the extraction of the brain through the nose and filling the cranium with linen like material, packing of the oral cavity and the presence of false eyes. These findings alone allow one to date the mummy to no sooner than the 20th dynasty, a time when this custom was at its peak. ENT aspects of the mummification of the head are discussed.

Egypt↗
PubMed1995

[Evaluation of the long-term curative effect of pulp mummification].

Fifty--three teeth with pulpitis treated by pulp mummification and followed--up for fifteen years were examined. Of them, excellent result was achieved in 11 teeth (20.75%), good in 8 teeth (15.10%) and failure in 34 teeth (64.15%). Radiologically, 8 good cases were characterized by badly delineated periodontal ligament, increased periodontal ligament space in width, indistinct lamina dura and/or local increase in the density of bone; 34 failure cases were characterized by the radiolucent area or small lesion around apex with clear radiopaque line on the circumference of the area or local increase in the density of bone. These radiographs showed that chronic inflammations existed in periapex. Although further investigations are needed to identify the reasons leading to chronic inflammations, the results should be considered seriously when pulp mummification is upon selection.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Analysis of bacterial DNA in skin and muscle of the Tyrolean iceman offers new insight into the mummification process.

About 80 sequences (16s ribosomal RNA gene) of bacterial DNA in samples of skin and muscle taken directly from the Tyrolean iceman (3350-3100 years B.C.) or recovered during the 1992 archaeological expedition at the Alpine site were analyzed to obtain clues to the natural mummification process that allowed the corpse of the Neolithic shepherd/hunter to be preserved for more than 5,000 years. The investigation was made more complex by the fact that the surface of the mummy had been swabbed with phenol soon after the discovery (September 19, 1991). Our results show that no trace of microbial DNA is left on the actual surface of the body, while the untreated skin still bears the remains of large numbers of bacteria belonging to the genera Sphingomonas, Afipia, Curtobacterium, Microbacterium, Agromyces, and others. Compared to the untreated skin, the iceman's muscle is also very rich in bacterial DNA. However, this DNA comes, with few exceptions, from the species Clostridium algidicarnis. The sharp difference in the bacterial DNA composition of skin and muscle suggests that the remains of the original cadaveric microflora of the latter have not disappeared during the iceman's taphonomic history. On the other hand, the massive presence of C. algidicarnis, a cold-adapted sporigenous, the DNA of which was previously (Ubaldi et al. [1998] Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 107:285-295) found in the soft tissue of a naturally desiccated Andean mummy, indicates that the hypothesis that the iceman's corpse underwent rapid dehydration by the effect of a warm wind (föhn) is no longer plausible. The results best fit with the hypothesis (Bereuter et al. [1997] Chem. Eur. J. 7:1032-1038) that the body was first covered by snow and ice, and then underwent thawing and, finally, desiccation.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Postpartum mummification of a co-twin fetus in a Cameroon dwarf goat doe.

An 18-month-old Cameroon dwarf goat doe had chronic, bilateral hindlimb paresis and difficulty in rising two months after the birth of a normal kid. The doe was weak, pyrexic and had a purulent vaginal discharge. A large, firm mass was palpated in the caudodorsal abdomen. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed an ill-defined impenetrable mass which cast acoustic shadows. Radiography identified the mass as a fetus. The doe had a low normal haematocrit and a marked leucocytosis. A caesarian section through the caudal left paralumbar fossa was attempted, but contraction of the uterus had trapped the fetus in the cranial entrance of the pelvic canal preventing the uterus from being exteriorised. Adhesions were found between the uterus and abdominal viscera. The doe's inability to rise was attributed to the chronic pressure exerted on the ischiadic nerve by the fetus. A diagnosis of fetal mummification secondary to obstructive dystocia and fetal death was made. Radiography was a better diagnostic tool than ultrasonography in this case.

Abortion, Missed↗
PubMed2000

Fecal estrone sulfate profile of a sow showing abnormal pregnancy with fetal mummification.

Fecal and plasma E1S of a sow with mummified fetuses, was compared with normal delivery cases. Fecal and plasma fluctuation patterns in E1S were similar. In the sow with fetal mummification both fecal and plasma E1S concentration rapidly decreased after day 80-90 compared to normal farrowing sows. This coincided with the estimated time of fetal death.

Abortion, Missed↗
PubMed2001

Mummification to plastination. Revisited.

A brief summary of the history of anatomy is presented with particular focus on important scientists who contributed significantly to the development of anatomical education and recognition of anatomy as a discipline of science. An attempt has been made to review the history of preservation of human cadavers from earliest mummification methodology used by ancient Egyptians to the most modern technique of embalming and plastination of human cadavers, developed by Von Hagens during the period from 1979 to 1987. The need for use of modern teaching aids for instruction of topographic anatomy is also highlighted.

Anatomy↗
PubMed1974

Relationship of unkeratinized skin to bovine fetal mummification: an hypothesis.

Evidence is reviewed in support of the hypothesis that immature unkeratinized fetal skin must be present if bovine fetal mummification is to occur. The reduction in fetal and amniotic fluid is considered to be the result of intrafetal (fetal death) or prefetal (caruncular damage) effects on the normal net fluid flow from the maternal circulation through the fetal circulation and then across the fetal skin into the amniotic cavity. As the skin is keratinized permeability is reduced drastically thus limiting fluid loss from the fetus.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1977

An experimental study of mummification pertinent to the antiquity of cancer.

The relatively recent description in scientific literature of many types of cancer suggests their infrequency until the relatively recent past, a view supported by the paucity of diagnoses of malignancies in ancient remains. While overall life span was short in antiquity, many individuals did live to the "cancer age," as there is ample evidence of a variety of degenerative disorders. It has been suggested that tumors are not well enough preserved for diagnosis, and tumors experimentally mummified and rehydrated were evaluated as to their preservation. It was found that cancers were actually better preserved than normal tissues. The absence of tumors in ancient tissues must be considered a reflection of a markedly lower incidence than in the modern population of the Lnited States, in which cancer accounts for approximately 17% of all deaths. It is suggested that this increase in cancer is due to factors in the modern industrialized environment.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

A unique case of naturally occurring mummification of human brain tissue.

When skulls and bones were exhumed from a mass grave in Bulgaria and subjected to medicolegal examination they were found to originate from 39 humans aged 36-60 years old who had been buried approximately 45-50 years ago. Solid structures which strongly resembled shrunken human brain tissue were found inside 2 intact skulls. Among other bones 5 similar structures were found one of which was an almost entirely preserved human brain, and the others were fragments from different regions of the human brain. Samples of these structures were immersed in 15% aqueous glycerol solution to soften and were examined by light and electron microscopy. Samples of this material and of fresh human brain were subjected to elementary atomic spectral analysis. These complex studies indicated the samples to be naturally mummified human brain tissue and that this process had occurred due to specific conditions within the cranial cavities after burial.

Adult↗