Hyperthyroidism secondary to a hydatidiform mole.

The case presented in the article is that of a 47-year-old female patient with hyperthyroidism induced by a hydatidiform mole. Attention was drawn to the necessity of preparing the patient for a procedure with drugs that stabilize the hormonal activity of the thyroid. The removal of the hydatidiform mole resulted in gradual normalization of thyroid hormone levels. The trophoblast has a hormonal activity, secrete hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin).The hCG partial structural homology causes affinity to the TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) receptor. The higher the weight of the trophoblast, the higher the production and concentration of hCG in the blood. Therefore, gestational trophoblastic disease may be accompanied by hyperthyroidism. The problem is frequently described, however, due to the risk of developing thyroid storm, it cannot be overlooked [1].

Experimental effect of shots caused by projectiles fired from air guns with kinetic energy below 17 J.

Pursuant to the Polish Weapons and Ammunitions Law (Legal Gazette No 53/1999 item 549 with subsequent amendments), air guns with kinetic energy of the fired projectiles below 17 J are not regarded as weapons. The aim of the study was to assess the potential effect of shots caused by projectiles of various mass and structure fired from air guns with kinetic energy below 17 J on human soft tissues. As a model of soft tissue, we used 20% gelatin blocks. After shooting, we measured the depth of gelatin block penetration by pellets fired from various distances and compared these results with autopsy findings. The results demonstrated that examined pneumatic guns may cause serious injuries, including damage to the pleura, pericardium, liver, spleen, kidneys, femoral artery, and thoracic and abdominal aorta. Experiment shown that gelatin blocks do not reflect fully the properties of the human body.

[Penetration depth of missiles fired from a pneumatic weapon with kinetic energy below 17 J, in 20% gelatine blocks as correlated with injuries found during autopsy of a 9-year-old boy]. / Glebokosc penetracji pocisków, wystrzelonych z urzadzenia pneumatycznego o energii kinetycznej ponizej 17 J, w 20% blokach zelatynowych w korelacji ze stwierdzonymi sekcyjnie obrazeniami ciala 9-letniego chlopca.

In Poland, according to the Act About Weapons and Ammunition, an air weapon which has kinetic energy of the fired projectiles below 17 J does not require registration and can be bought even on the Internet. Sport and recreation shooting with this weapon basically have to be performed in shooting ranges, but can be also carried on outside of shooting ranges, providing "particular caution" is exercised. In this study, we presented a case of fatal shooting of a 9-year-old boy; the weapon was a Chinese pneumatic device weapon with kinetic energy of the fired projectiles below 17 J. The aim of this study was to compare autopsy findings with penetration depth of missiles fired from this pneumatic weapon in 20% gelatine blocks. During the experiment, we used a Chinese pneumatic weapon with kinetic energy below 17 J, five kinds of lead projectiles with different shape and mass and 20% gelatine blocks at the temperature of 10 degrees C, which were the model of human soft tissues.

[Experimental effect of a shot caused by 4.5 mm cartridges fired from a Norica Dragon air-rifle and a Walther PPK/S air-pistol]. / Doswiadczalny efekt postrzalu pociskami kalibru 4,5 mm wystrzeliwanymi z karabinka pneumatycznego Norica Dragon i pistoletu pneumatycznego Walther PPK/S.

In Poland, according to the Weapons and Ammunition Act" an air weapon which has kinetic energy of fired projectiles below 17 J does not require registration and can be bought even on the Internet. Sport and recreational shooting with this weapon does not have to be performed in a special shooting-range, but can be carried on in an open terrain providing "particular caution" is exercised. In this study we presented experimental effects of shooting pneumatic weapons (Norica Dragon air-rifle and Walther PPK/S air-pistol) which had kinetic energy of fired projectiles below 17 J. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of shooting the above weapons at human soft tissues and thin bones of the temple region to empirically evaluate the degree of danger to health and life, which such shots can produce. We used 20% gelatine blocks at 10 degrees C, which were the model of human soft tissues, and fresh calf scapulas, which served as the models of the temporal bone of the human cranium. Before the experiment, we had evaluated the weight of all the projectiles and their initial velocity using a chronograph. By these measures, we calculated the kinetic energy of the fired missiles. After shooting, we estimated if projectiles of different shapes shot from air weapons characterized by different kinetic energy and from different distances penetrated the gelatine blocks and if the said missiles perforated the bones. We also measured the depth of missiles penetration in the gelatine blocks.

[Fatal airgun shot]. / Smiertelny postrzal z broni pneumatycznej.

The authors present a case of an airgun shot. The airgun Magnum Sport 4.5 mm uses wasp-waist Diabolo style pellets. The initial velocity is 260-290 m/s. This type of guns does not need registration because the energy of the bullet is less than 17 J. In the presented case, the airgun shot could have been an accident occurring while playing with the airgun or else it could have been be feigned. The accused maintained that the victim himself had placed the gun in the subclavicular area and keeping the weapon almost vertically, released the trigger. The victim had not been aware the airgun was loaded (the pellet was left in the gun after the previous play). During autopsy, bluish-red, scanty liver mortis and a rounded wound with a fairly even margin situated in the neck was described. The track of the bullet was traced and found to penetrate the mediastinum. Having dissected the aortic arch and large arteries branching off the aortic arch, the examiner found a full-thickness V-shaped injury involving the left subclavian artery, with each arm of the V-shaped damage approximately 3 mm long. In the tunica adventitia of the vessel, profuse dark cherry-red, shiny sugillation was noted. The length of the pellet track from the skin to the subclavian artery was approximately 5-6 cm.