1,721,016 research outputs found
The role of self-immolation in complex suicides: A neglected topic in current literature
No full textWhole-Body Vibration for Tractor Drivers
No full textAmong the main health risks for operators in the agricultural sector, exposure to mechanical vibrations is certainly one of the most difficult factors to quantify, in relation to the continuous and heterogeneous use of agricultural machinery during the agricultural year. According to data provided by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA), 24% of workers in the European Union are exposed to mechanical vibration. Italian workers result to be exposed to the risk of this physical agents with frequencies around 21%. In reason of this data and in order to avoid the consequences of exposure to vibrations on workers’ health, it is therefore necessary to carry out a risk analysis in the workplace and, where necessary, to take appropriate preventive measures. The aim of our research was, therefore, to measure vibration exposure and disturbances that can be transmitted while driving agricultural tractors. In particular, the vibrations transmitted, through the seat, at the lumbar spine, lumbosacral spine and cervical-dorsal junction were assessed. The results showed that the vibrations were evenly distributed over the entire spinal column without statistically significant differences depending on the areas sampled. In some cases, higher accelerations were observed in the cervical-dorsal area, probably due to the vibrations transmitted by the steering wheel. The analysis of whole-body vibration transmission in relation to the different fat mass (BMI) of the operators involved in the tests showed no significant differences moment
Medicolegal investigations in cases of double suicidal gunshots to the head using 2 different handguns: A report of an unusual case
No full textA burned body with a gunshot wound in the mouth and a suicide note: A complex or complicated suicide?
No full textThe body of a 53-year-old man was found in a burning car. The ignition key was in start position and the accelerator pedal was held down by his right foot. Autopsy revealed a gunshot entrance wound in the hard palate, a bullet track through the anterior cranial fossa and a projectile lodged in the left frontal lobe. The brain stem was free of lesions and any signs of secondary brain injury, such as brain oedema and intracranial haemorrhage, were not significant. Soot deposits and thermal injury to the mucosa were observed in the airways below the glottis and carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb) saturation was 40%. A single bullet case and a handgun were recovered next to the driver's seat. Fire investigators identified the motor as the beginning of the burning: therefore, the conclusion was that the car had caught fire due to overheating of the engine. Differential diagnosis between complex and complicated suicide was essential. The cause of death was identified as carbon monoxide intoxication, and the injuries to the brain were not felt to be immediately fatal. The case has been classified as a complicated suicide. There are no other published cases of a complicated suicide involving exposure to fire or the use of firearms
Analysis of Mechanical Vibrations Generated by Tractors: A First Approach to the Absorption of the Human Body
No full textThe aim of this work was to evaluate the level of vibrations produced by different types of tractors - also used with different operating machines connected – and the magnitude of vibrations impacting the whole human body. Experimental tests concerning vibrations were carried out on several tractors of different age and size, with different connected operating machines. All the parameters of the tractors and operating machines tested were recorded (speed, tires, type of soil, type of operation, etc.). Measures were also carried out measuring to the weight and height of the driver. Vibrations were measured and analyzed with an instrument aimed at measuring acceleration on the three axles every second. Noise was also measured. Results show that the amount of vibrations increases with increasing speed and vibrations during work in vineyard rise in hill vineyard due to uneven ground caused by runoff. The test made with an old tractor with an undamped seat and only the safety frame with a healthy weight range person show that the vibrations on the z axis are very high given the high speed for the type of terrain, uncultivated field and dirt road. In other test with a tractor equipped with a cushioned cab and a mechanical seat with parallelogram suspension, we note the reduction of the component on the vertical z axis, while the y and x components increase due to rolling, pitch and serpentine movements. Also in this case, the component on the x axis increases due to the contribution of the arms on the steering wheel. However, our study suggested that further and exhaustive studies, both from the point of view of new tractors equipped with shock absorbers and from the point of view of the effect on drivers, should be encouraged
The effect of laparoscopic cholecystectomy on cardiovascular function and pulmonary gas exchange
No full textManner of death determination in a case of gastric mucosal tears
No full textGastric tears are rarely described in the forensic pathological literature, although they can lead to a fatal acute exsanguination. Such lesions can arise from several conditions leading to an increased intragastric pressure, such as Mallory Weiss syndrome, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, acute barotrauma and operative procedures, showing peculiar morphological features. We present a case of a 32-year-old drug addicted white woman found dead in a pool of blood in the house of her drug dealer, after taking a dose of intravenous heroin. At autopsy, abundant bloody gastric content and multiple and long gastric tears, extending from the cardias and fundus regions to the gastric corpus were observed; one of them involved the subserous region, resulting in a gastric wall rupture. The victim had no history of recent vomiting and of gastro-intestinal pathologies. Drugs and ethanol levels detected in the specimens of the victim were not consistent with lethal concentrations, thus the death was attributed to acute exsanguination. After reviewing the literature, it turned out that morphological aspects of the gastric tears, such as number, size and topographical distribution, observed at autopsy were atypical compared to those of typical gastric lacerations
Medico legal investigations into sudden sniffing deaths linked with trichloroethylene
No full textSudden deaths attributed to sniffing trichloroethylene are caused by the abuse of this solvent which produces pleasant inebriating effects with rapid dissipation. In the event of repeated cycles of inhalation, a dangerous and uncontrolled systemic accumulation of trichloroethylene may occur, followed by central nervous system depression, coma and lethal cardiorespiratory arrest. Sometimes death occurs outside the hospital environment, without medical intervention or witnesses and without specific necroscopic signs. Medico legal investigations into sudden sniffing deaths associated with trichloroethylene demand careful analysis of the death scene and related circumstances, a detailed understanding of the deceased's medical history and background of substance abuse and an accurate evaluation of all autopsy and laboratory data, with close cooperation between the judiciary, coroners and toxicologists
DECESSO PER OMICIDIO O INTOSSICAZIONE DA ETANOLO ?
Full text linkIl meccanismo di morte dovuto all’intossicazione da etanolo è generalmente ascritto alla soppressione del centro cerebrale del respiro con un seguente abbassamento della saturazione dell’ossigeno arterioso. Evidenze scientifiche dalla Medicina Forense e studi di avvelenamenti acuti da etanolo, suggeriscono che le concentrazioni letali di Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) relative ad etanolo siano > 400 mg per 100 mL. Il valore di BAC è solitamente ottenuto analizzando il sangue dell’arteria femorale mediante gas cromatografo a spazio di testa. Un altro parametro utile è il rapporto della concentrazione nell’umor vitreo (VAC) su BAC. Quando VAC: BAC è 1 la fase di eliminazione era raggiunta prima della morte. Questo parametro potrà essere utile per stabilire il tempo intercorso tra l’assunzione dell’alcool ed il decesso. La stima del BAC e/o VAC può però essere complicata da variabilità individuale, dalle matrici biologiche utilizzate e molti altri fattori. L’etnia può contenere differenti livelli di alcool deidrogenasi. Per es. nativi Americani non producono sufficienti ADH e quindi avranno una Cl ridotta con accumulo dell’alcool e maggiori effetti tossici. In circostanze come suicidio e omicidio la intossicazione da alcool può giocare una ruolo indiretto come causa di morte. In una recente revisione, il consumo eccessivo di alcool (es. binge drinking, heavy drinking e uso di alcool da individui sotto i 21 aa) è associato con un aumentato rischio di morte violenta. Gli effetti farmacologici del consumo di alcool possono contribuire all’associazione tra alcool e aggressione (subita o eseguita). In questo case report, portiamo l’esempio di un individuo di 28 aa, sesso maschile, peso 75 Kg, altezza 175 cm, razza afro-americana, che è stato trovato deceduto in un sottoscala con n°5 ferite da arma da taglio, di cui tre in regione addomino-pelvica, una alla regione del collo e una in sede toracica. All’apparenza, in sede di sopraluogo giudiziario, la causa del decesso poteva essere messa in relazione con le ferite, ma in sede autoptica tali ferite non avevano lesionato organi vitali e neppure avevano prodotto eccessiva emorragia. All’esame della BAC e/o VAC aveva una concentrazione di 473 e 278 mg/dL, rispettivamente. Poiché queste concentrazioni ematiche sono state frequentemente correlate come causa di decesso e le ferite non avevano leso organi vitali, la causa del decesso è stata ascritta ad intossicazione da alcool. In conclusione, questo caso solleva l’importanza di eseguire, nella vittima e/o nell’aggressore, correttamente le analisi di alcool ematico, urinario e dell’umor vitreo anche se, in una prima analisi, esistono prove per ferite da armi da taglio, da fuoco, incidenti, ecc. In secondo luogo l’importanza di prevenire il binge drinking che porta a maggiore rischio di morte violenta come vittima o aggressore
The Eluana Englaro Case: cause of death after the withdrawal of artificial nutrition and hydration in a subject in a permanent vegetative state and with quadriplegia.
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