A Postmortem Study of Pedestrian Injuries to Find out Risk Factors And Preventive Measures.

Objectives: Present study is a little effort to understand factors responsible for pedestrians accidents, to determine risk factors, sources and causes of mortality involved in pedestrians accidents, to reach a conclusion regarding prevention of pedestrians accidents and reducing pedestrians mortality. Materials and Method: Present study is a retrospective study based on an analysis of 156 autopsies on cases of pedestrian accidents at Sheth V.S. General Hospital, Ahmadabad during two consecutive years from May 2008 to April 2010. Result: Following risk factors are identified from this study- old age, heavy motor vehicles, city life, morning hours of the day etc. Pedestrians are the most vulnerable to vehicular injuries and victims of road traffic accidents. There is less awareness in pedestrians as well as in drivers of vehicles regarding road traffic accidents and its consequences.

A Study of Pattern of Vehicular Injuries over Pedestrians: A Retrospective Study.

Objectives: Present study makes a little effort to understand patterns of injuries over pedestrians during road traffic accidents, to set on record a statistical statement of the severity and survival period in pedestrians accidents and to define, delineate and compare present study with other available studies. Materials and Methods: Present study is based on an analysis of 156 autopsies on victims of pedestrian accidents at Sheth V.S. General Hospital, Ahmedabad during two consecutive years from May 2008 to April 2010. Result: This study shows the males (80.8%) are outnumbered the females (19.2%). Evaluation of patterns of injuries shows head injury is overall most common in pedestrians. In primary impact injury head injury (41%) and lower limb injuries (36.5%) are most common followed by pelvic injuries (12.1%). Head injury (33.9%) is again most common in secondary impact injuries. Chest injuries (16.6%) and abdomen injury (12.8%) are most common secondary injuries to pedestrians followed by head (8.3%) and neck (5.1%). Road traffic accidents are the major contributors of unnatural deaths worldwide. Pedestrians are the most commonly involved victims in such cases.

Radiological age estimation from sternum.

Introduction: Verification or determination of the age is prerequisite for personal identification in living as well as dead and age estimation is one of the important tasks for a medico-legal practice. Skeletal examination is important for identification of an individual either living or dead especially for the estimation of age. Material and Method: In the present study, authors have tried to work out the criteria for determination of age of the deceased with the help of sternum. Authors have studied 109 sterna procured from the cadavers with known age brought for post-mortem examination at the civil hospital, ahmedabad. Fusion of manubrium and xiphoid process with the body of sternum was studied radiologically. The data thus collected, were analysed statistically and conclusion was drawn. Result: According to the present study, for males, the age of fusion between xiphisterum and body of the sternum is at 42 years, for females, the age of fusion between xiphisterum and body of the sternum is at 44 years. In males, the fusion at manubrio-sternal starts at the age of 50 years and it completes after the age of 59 years but the exact age for complete fusion at manubrio-sternal joint could not be defined. Amongst females, the cases showing first degree fusion are seen increasing from the age of 54 years and complete fusion after the age of 64 years. But here also the exact pattern could not be defined. Conclusion: Estimation of age by radiology will be of very much helpful to the medicolegal experts in determining the age of unknown deceased as well as skeletonised remains.

A retrospective study of 5 years: organ phosphorous poisoning in Ahmedabad.

Poisons are known to mankind since time immemorial. Of the various substances used for suicide in India, Organ phosphorous compounds form a significant group as observed by much workers. The study was aimed to generate a baseline data on the epidemiological factors contributing to the incidence and mortality due to O.P. Poisoning. So as to highlight the problem this requires planned and concentrated effort in dealing with it on a broader horizon. Since prevention is the only logical approach there is an urgent need to take appropriate steps to prevent loss of lives. The analysis of the data revealed that 65 cases of O.P. poisoning brought to the mortuary of Smt. NHL MMC, Ahmedabad for medico-legal autopsy, during 5 years period i.e. 1995 to 1999.The age group ranged between10 years to 40 years and above, with maximum incidence between 21–30 years and males outnumbering females. The main mode of poisoning was suicidal by ingestion.

Biodegradation of dimethylterephthalate by Comamonas acidovorans D-4.

Comamonas acidovorans D-4, capable of utilizing dimethylterephthalate (DMT) as the sole carbon source, was isolated from the activated sludge of petrochemical wastewater treatment plant. Almost complete utilization of as high as 0.5% (w/v) DMT was observed in 72 hr. Growth kinetics followed a parallel relation between the growth, DMT utilization and cell associated esterase activity. A cell free broth of DMT grown cells showed an extracellular esterase activity. During the DMT degradation an extracellular accumulation of terephthalic acid was found. Although, C. acidovorans grew on a number of phthalate esters and phthalic acids as the sole carbon source, growth was significantly high on phthalic acids. The potential of this organism in petrochemical pollution abatement is discussed.