Effect of laundering on visible damage to apparel fabric caused by sharp force impact.

Sharp force violence is a common way of committing assault in numerous countries and regions around the world. When a stabbing occurs, the clothing worn by the victim may provide vital evidence: for example the weapon used to stab the victim may be identified from severance in the clothing. However, whether laundering the clothing after an attack affects the severance morphology of the fabric and fibres, and whether identification of the weapon is possible from the severance in the clothing after laundering is not known. This study focussed on the effect of laundering 100% cotton twill weave (drill) and single jersey (knit) fabrics. Specimens had been pre-treated and stabbed with either a kitchen knife or a Phillips screwdriver. These specimens were photographed and were again laundered for one wash cycle before being photographed again. Ten expert judges compared the photographs taken before and after laundering. A difference in the appearance of the fabrics before and after laundering was evident. The morphology of the fabric and fibres thus would be expected to differ after laundering the clothing, making identification of a weapon used to stab through clothing more difficult.

Novel 4-piperidinopyridine inhibitors of oxidosqualene cyclase-lanosterol synthase derived by consideration of inhibitor pK(a).

Potent inhibition of rat microsomal oxidosqualene cyclase-lanosterol synthase (OSC) was maintained after structural modification of the 4-piperidinopyridine OSC inhibitor series. These novel analogues with a much lower pK(a) range (5.8-6.7) gave potent oral inhibition of rat cholesterol biosynthesis (8 ED(80) 0.7 mg/kg), and diminished effects on rat feeding after a 100 mg/kg oral dose.

Changes in alcohol consumption patterns following the introduction of credit cards in Ontario liquor stores.

OBJECTIVE: In 1994, regulatory changes were introduced in Ontario, Canada, permitting the purchase of alcoholic beverages with credit cards at government-operated liquor stores. Two objectives of this study were: (1) to compare the characteristics of credit card shoppers with non credit card shoppers at liquor stores, and (2) to assess whether changes occurred in alcohol consumption patterns among shoppers following the introduction of credit cards. METHOD: Random digit dialing was used to interview 2,039 telephone participants prior to the introduction of credit cards (Time 1); 1,401 of these subjects were contacted 1 year later (Time 2). Independent sample t tests were used to compare credit card shoppers with shoppers not using credit cards, and paired t tests were performed to assess whether drinking behaviors changed from Time 1 to Time 2. RESULTS: The credit card shoppers were more likely than the non credit card shoppers to be highly educated (p < .001) and to have high incomes (p < .05). Credit card shoppers drank an average of 6.3 drinks over the previous week compared with 4.0 drinks among non credit card shoppers (p < .01). Although the overall amount of alcohol consumed among credit card shoppers dropped from 6.7 drinks at Time 1 to 6.3 at Time 2 (NS), credit card shoppers reported drinking significantly more often after credit cards were introduced (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that credit cards may not present public health problems since significant increases in alcohol consumption among credit card shoppers were not found.

Latrodectus mactans (black widow spider) envenomation: an unusual cause for abdominal pain in pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: The differential diagnosis of abdominal pain in pregnancy is extensive. An important consideration in endemic areas is a bite by a black widow spider. CASE: A 30-year-old woman at 30 weeks' gestation presented with acute abdominal pain following an insect bite. We based the diagnosis on classic symptomatology in an area endemic for Latrodectus mactans. Treatment consisted of supportive therapy and observation. Symptoms resolved over 48 hours and did not recur. The patient delivered a healthy child at 40 weeks' gestation. CONCLUSION: In endemic areas, black widow spider envenomation should be part of the differential diagnosis of abdominal pain in pregnancy.