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Cieśla J, Skrobisz J, Niciński B, Kloc M, Mazur K, Pałasz A, Javan GT, Tomsia M. The smell of death. State-of-the-art and future research directions. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1260869. [PMID: 37779703 PMCID: PMC10538644 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1260869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The decomposition of a body is inseparably associated with the release of several types of odors. This phenomenon has been used in the training of sniffer dogs for decades. The odor profile associated with decomposition consists of a range of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), chemical composition of which varies over time, temperature, environmental conditions, and the type of microorganisms, and insects colonizing the carcass. Mercaptans are responsible for the bad smell associated with corpses; however, there are no unified recommendations for conducting forensic analysis based on the detectable odor of revealed corpses and previous research on VOCs shows differing results. The aim of this review is to systematize the current knowledge on the type of volatile organic compounds related to the decomposition process, depending on a few variables. This knowledge will improve the methods of VOCs detection and analysis to be used in modern forensic diagnostics and improve the methods of training dogs for forensic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Cieśla
- Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Julia Skrobisz
- Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Bartosz Niciński
- Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Magdalena Kloc
- Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Mazur
- Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Artur Pałasz
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Gulnaz T. Javan
- Department of Physical and Forensic Science Programs, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, United States
| | - Marcin Tomsia
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Forensic Toxicology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
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2
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Kimura A, Ishida Y, Nosaka M, Ishigami A, Yamamoto H, Kuninaka Y, Hata S, Ozaki M, Kondo T. Application and limitation of a biological clock-based method for estimating time of death in forensic practices. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6093. [PMID: 37055510 PMCID: PMC10102023 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-33328-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Estimating time of death is one of the most important problems in forensics. Here, we evaluated the applicability, limitations and reliability of the developed biological clock-based method. We analyzed the expression of the clock genes, BMAL1 and NR1D1, in 318 dead hearts with defined time of death by real-time RT-PCR. For estimating the time of death, we chose two parameters, the NR1D1/BMAL1 ratio and BMAL1/NR1D1 ratio for morning and evening deaths, respectively. The NR1D1/BMAL1 ratio was significantly higher in morning deaths and the BMAL1/NR1D1 ratio was significantly higher in evening deaths. Sex, age, postmortem interval, and most causes of death had no significant effect on the two parameters, except for infants and the elderly, and severe brain injury. Although our method may not work in all cases, our method is useful for forensic practice in that it complements classical methods that are strongly influenced by the environment in which the corpse is placed. However, this method should be applied with caution in infants, the elderly, and patients with severe brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihiko Kimura
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, 811-1 Kimiidera, Wakayama, 641-8509, Japan
| | - Yuko Ishida
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, 811-1 Kimiidera, Wakayama, 641-8509, Japan
| | - Mizuho Nosaka
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, 811-1 Kimiidera, Wakayama, 641-8509, Japan
| | - Akiko Ishigami
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, 811-1 Kimiidera, Wakayama, 641-8509, Japan
| | - Hiroki Yamamoto
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, 811-1 Kimiidera, Wakayama, 641-8509, Japan
| | - Yumi Kuninaka
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, 811-1 Kimiidera, Wakayama, 641-8509, Japan
| | - Satoshi Hata
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kinan Hospital, Wakayama, Japan
| | - Mitsunori Ozaki
- Department of Neurological Surgery, National Hospital Organization Minami Wakayama Medical Center, Wakayama, Japan
| | - Toshikazu Kondo
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, 811-1 Kimiidera, Wakayama, 641-8509, Japan.
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3
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A novel method for determining postmortem interval based on the metabolomics of multiple organs combined with ensemble learning techniques. Int J Legal Med 2023; 137:237-249. [PMID: 35661238 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-022-02844-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Determining postmortem interval (PMI) is one of the most challenging and essential endeavors in forensic science. Developments in PMI estimation can take advantage of machine learning techniques. Currently, applying an algorithm to obtain information on multiple organs and conducting joint analysis to accurately estimate PMI are still in the early stages. This study aimed to establish a multi-organ stacking model that estimates PMI by analyzing differential compounds of four organs in rats. In a total of 140 rats, skeletal muscle, liver, lung, and kidney tissue samples were collected at each time point after death. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry was used to determine the compound profiles of the samples. The original data were preprocessed using multivariate statistical analysis to determine discriminant compounds. In addition, three interrelated and increasingly complex patterns (single organ optimal model, single organ stacking model, multi-organ stacking model) were established to estimate PMI. The accuracy and generalized area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the multi-organ stacking model were the highest at 93% and 0.96, respectively. Only 1 of the 14 external validation samples was misclassified by the multi-organ stacking model. The results demonstrate that the application of the multi-organ combination to the stacking algorithm is a potential forensic tool for the accurate estimation of PMI.
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Post mortem computed tomography meets radiomics: a case series on fractal analysis of post mortem changes in the brain. Int J Legal Med 2022; 136:719-727. [PMID: 35239030 PMCID: PMC9005394 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-022-02801-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Estimating the post-mortem interval is a fundamental, albeit challenging task in forensic sciences. To this aim, forensic practitioners need to assess post-mortem changes through a plethora of different methods, most of which are inherently qualitative, thus providing broad time intervals rather than precise determinations. This challenging problem is further complicated by the influence of environmental factors, which modify the temporal dynamics of post-mortem changes, sometimes in a rather unpredictable fashion. In this context, the search for quantitative and objective descriptors of post-mortem changes is highly demanded. In this study, we used computed tomography (CT) to assess the post-mortem anatomical modifications occurring in the time interval 0-4 days after death in the brain of four corpses. Our results show that fractal analysis of CT brain slices provides a set of quantitative descriptors able to map post-mortem changes over time throughout the whole brain. Although incapable of producing a direct estimation of the PMI, these descriptors could be used in combination with other more established methods to improve the accuracy and reliability of PMI determination.
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De-Giorgio F, Ciasca G, Fecondo G, Mazzini A, De Spirito M, Pascali VL. Estimation of the time of death by measuring the variation of lateral cerebral ventricle volume and cerebrospinal fluid radiodensity using postmortem computed tomography. Int J Legal Med 2021; 135:2615-2623. [PMID: 34562107 PMCID: PMC8523388 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-021-02698-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Using postmortem CT (PMCT), changes in the volume of the lateral cerebral ventricles (LCVs) and modifications of the radiodensity of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) have been examined to identify a possible relationship between these changes and the time of death. Subsequent periodical CT scans termed "sequential scans" for ten corpses at known time of death were obtained, and a 3D segmentation of the entire LCV was carried out to measure its volume and radiodensity over time from ~ 5.5- h up to 273-h postmortem. A linear decrease of the LCV volume for all the cases was observed in the investigated time range, together with an overall logarithmic increase of radiodensity. Although a larger sampling should be performed to improve the result reliability, our finding suggests that the postmortem variation of CSF radiodensity can be a potentially useful tool in determining postmortem interval, a finding that is worthy of further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio De-Giorgio
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
- Department of Healthcare Surveillance and Bioethics, Section of Legal Medicine, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
| | - Gabriele Ciasca
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Neuroscience Department, Section of Physics, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Gennaro Fecondo
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Department of Healthcare Surveillance and Bioethics, Section of Legal Medicine, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Mazzini
- Neuroscience Department, Section of Physics, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco De Spirito
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Neuroscience Department, Section of Physics, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo L Pascali
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Department of Healthcare Surveillance and Bioethics, Section of Legal Medicine, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
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6
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Ioelu L, Garland J, Palmiere C, Ondruschka B, Da Broi U, Glenn C, Kesha K, Stables S, Tse R, Morrow P. Use of vitreous humor electrolytes in estimating postmortem interval in infant population (<1 year). AUST J FORENSIC SCI 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/00450618.2021.1901989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Leilani Ioelu
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jack Garland
- Forensic and Analytical Science Service, NSW Health Pathology, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Cristian Palmiere
- CURML, University Center of Legal Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Benjamin Ondruschka
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ugo Da Broi
- Department of Medicine, Section of Forensic Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Charley Glenn
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Northern Forensic Pathology Service of New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Kilak Kesha
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Northern Forensic Pathology Service of New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Simon Stables
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Northern Forensic Pathology Service of New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Rexson Tse
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Northern Forensic Pathology Service of New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Paul Morrow
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Northern Forensic Pathology Service of New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand
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7
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De-Giorgio F, Grassi S, d'Aloja E, Pascali VL. Post-mortem ocular changes and time since death: Scoping review and future perspective. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2021; 50:101862. [PMID: 33610931 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2021.101862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The forensics literature on the relationship between ocular changes and the postmortem interval (PMI) has traditionally focused on time-related variations in concentrations of metabolites and elements within the eye. However, structural changes within the eye over time deserve the same attention because there is significant evidence of their importance in determining the time since death. Therefore, we reviewed publications that provided substantial evidence on this issue. In light of our inclusion and exclusion criteria, 26 papers were eligible for review. On the basis of the ocular parameters considered, we grouped the reviewed evidence into eight thematic areas: corneal opacities, corneal thickness, drug-induced pupil diameter variations, retinal changes, segmentation of retinal vessels, intraocular pressure reduction, globe temperature and crystalline alterations. The most important and common limitations of the reviewed studies were small study populations (many were monocentric studies), absence of robust statistical methodology, use of mathematical models valid only in ideal conditions and validation only for short PMIs. Although many phenomena cannot be used to reliably estimate PMI, there is rigorous evidence suggesting that promising factors, including corneal thickness, require methodological innovations for application to forensics practice but could be used in the near future to reliably estimate the time since death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio De-Giorgio
- Department of Health Care Surveillance and Bioethics, Section of Legal Medicine, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, Rome, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
| | - Simone Grassi
- Department of Health Care Surveillance and Bioethics, Section of Legal Medicine, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, Rome, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Ernesto d'Aloja
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Public Health, Forensic Medicine Unit, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Vincenzo L Pascali
- Department of Health Care Surveillance and Bioethics, Section of Legal Medicine, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, Rome, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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8
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Romanò S, Di Giacinto F, Primiano A, Mazzini A, Panzetta C, Papi M, Di Gaspare A, Ortolani M, Gervasoni J, De Spirito M, Nocca G, Ciasca G. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy as a useful tool for the automated classification of cancer cell-derived exosomes obtained under different culture conditions. Anal Chim Acta 2020; 1140:219-227. [PMID: 33218484 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2020.09.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Exosomes possess great potential as cancer biomarkers in personalized medicine due to their easy accessibility and capability of representing their parental cells. To boost the translational process of exosomes in diagnostics, the development of novel and effective strategies for their label-free and automated characterization is highly desirable. In this context, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) has great potential as it provides direct access to specific biomolecular bands that give compositional information on exosomes in terms of their protein, lipid and genetic content. Here, we used FTIR spectroscopy in the mid-Infrared (mid-IR) range to study exosomes released from human colorectal adenocarcinoma HT-29 cancer cells cultured in different media. To this purpose, cells were studied in well-fed condition of growth, with 10% of exosome-depleted FBS (EVd-FBS), and under serum starvation with 0.5% EVd-FBS. Our data show the presence of statistically significant differences in the shape of the Amide I and II bands in the two conditions. Based on these differences, we showed the possibility to automatically classify cancer cell-derived exosomes using Principal Component Analysis combined with Linear Discriminant Analysis (PCA-LDA); we tested the effectiveness of the classifier with a cross-validation approach, obtaining very high accuracy, precision, and recall. Aside from classification purposes, our FTIR data provide hints on the underlying cellular mechanisms responsible for the compositional differences in exosomes, suggesting a possible role of starvation-induced autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Romanò
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Flavio Di Giacinto
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Aniello Primiano
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - Alberto Mazzini
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - Claudia Panzetta
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Papi
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Alessandra Di Gaspare
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy; NEST, CNR - Istituto Nanoscienze and Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza San Silvestro 12, 56127, Pisa, Italy
| | - Michele Ortolani
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, I-00185, Rome, Italy; Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Life Nanoscience, Viale Regina Elena 291, I-00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Jacopo Gervasoni
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - Marco De Spirito
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy.
| | - Giuseppina Nocca
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - Gabriele Ciasca
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy.
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9
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Di Giacinto F, Tartaglione L, Nardini M, Mazzini A, Romanò S, Rizzo GE, Papi M, De Spirito M, Pitocco D, Ciasca G. Searching for the Mechanical Fingerprint of Pre-diabetes in T1DM: A Case Report Study. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:569978. [PMID: 33117782 PMCID: PMC7552738 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.569978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
We report the case of a 38 year-old Caucasian man enrolled in a study aimed at investigating the physical properties of red blood cells (RBCs) using advanced microscopy techniques, including Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). At the time of his first enrolment in the study, he had normal Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) values, a BMI of 24.1, and no other symptoms of diabetes, including fatigue, high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, and altered inflammatory and corpuscular RBC indices. The subject reported no family history of diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases. Despite his apparently healthy conditions, the biomechanics of his RBCs was altered, showing increased values of stiffness and viscosity. More than 1 year after the mechanical measurements, the subject was admitted to the Operational Unit of Diabetology of the Policlinico Gemelli Hospital with high blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels and diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1DM). Here, we show these data, and we discuss the hypothesis that RBC mechanical properties could be sensitive to changes occurring during the pre-diabetic phase of T1DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavio Di Giacinto
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Linda Tartaglione
- Diabetes Care Unit, Catholic University School of Medicine and Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Nardini
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Mazzini
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Sabrina Romanò
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Gaetano Emanuele Rizzo
- Diabetes Care Unit, Catholic University School of Medicine and Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Papi
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco De Spirito
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Dario Pitocco
- Diabetes Care Unit, Catholic University School of Medicine and Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriele Ciasca
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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10
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Leo M, DI Giacinto F, Nardini M, Mazzini A, Rossi C, Porceddu E, Papi M, Grieco A, DE Spirito M, Ciasca G. Erythrocyte viscoelastic recovery after liver transplantation in a cirrhotic patient affected by spur cell anaemia. J Microsc 2020; 280:287-296. [PMID: 32885445 DOI: 10.1111/jmi.12958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
In physiological conditions, red blood cells (RBCs) are capable of dramatic deformations when passing through the microvasculature. This extreme deformability is closely related to the RBC biconcave shape, to the fluidic nature of the haemoglobin and the cell membrane structure, primarily consisting of a phospholipid bilayer with an underlying two-dimensional spectrin network. In many pathological and inflammatory conditions, the shape and the extreme deformability of erythrocytes appear to be significantly altered. These findings have stimulated intense research towards the search and validation of novel erythrocyte-based mechanical biomarkers, useful for disease diagnosis and therapy monitoring. In this study, we investigated with Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) the mechanical properties of erythrocytes obtained from a 68 years old cirrhotic man diagnosed with spur cell anaemia and cold agglutinated disease, before and after liver transplantation. Mechanical changes are compared with ultrastructural alterations as studied by scanning electron microscopy and discussed according to confocal fluorescence microscopy results, showing possible alterations induced by the cirrhotic environment at the level of the RBCs cytoskeletal organisation and lipidic composition. Taken together, the results here presented show that liver transplantation not only contributes to restoring the proper RBC morphology, but it also induces recovery of the physiological viscous behaviour of cells, further stressing the relevance of viscous and dissipative forces in determining the RBC biomechanical response.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Leo
- Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario, Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - F DI Giacinto
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy.,Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - M Nardini
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy.,Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - A Mazzini
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy.,Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - C Rossi
- Area Diagnostica di Laboratorio UOC Chimica, Biochimica e Biologia Molecolare, Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - E Porceddu
- Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario, Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - M Papi
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy.,Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - A Grieco
- Liver Transplant Medicine Unit, Department of Gastroenterological, Endocrine and Metabolic Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - M DE Spirito
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy.,Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - G Ciasca
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy.,Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
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11
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De-Giorgio F, Ciasca G, D’Amico R, Trombatore P, D’Angelo A, Rinaldi P, Milano F, Locci E, De Spirito M, d’Aloja E, Colosimo C, Pascali VL. An evaluation of the objectivity and reproducibility of shear wave elastography in estimating the post-mortem interval: a tissue biomechanical perspective. Int J Legal Med 2020; 134:1939-1948. [DOI: 10.1007/s00414-020-02370-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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12
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Tang F, Chen D, Zhang S, Hu W, Chen J, Zhou H, Zeng Z, Wang X. Elastic hysteresis loop acts as cell deformability in erythrocyte aging. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2020; 1862:183309. [PMID: 32298678 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2020.183309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 03/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The decrease in cellular deformability shows strong correlation with erythrocyte aging. Cell deformation can be divided into passive deformation and active deformation; however, the active deformation has been ignored in previous studies. In this work, Young's moduli of age-related erythrocytes were tested by atomic force microscopy. Furthermore, the deformation and passive and active deformation values were calculated by respective areas. Our results showed that erythrocytes in the densest fraction had the highest values of the Young's modulus, deformation, and active deformation, but the lowest values of passive deformation. Moreover, values of the deformation and active deformation both increased gradually with erythrocyte aging. The present data indicate that the elastic hysteresis loop between the approach and the retract curve could be regarded as erythrocyte deformability, and cellular deformability could be characterized by energy states. In addition, active deformation might be a crucial mechanical factor for clearing aged erythrocytes. This could provide an important information on erythrocyte biomechanics in the removal of aged cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuzhou Tang
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Chongqing University, Ministry of Education, Chongqing, PR China; Immune Cells and Antibody Engineering Research Center of Guizhou Province, Guizhou Medica University, Guizhou, PR China; Key Laboratory of Biology and Medical Engineering, Guizhou Medical University, Guizhou, PR China
| | - Dong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Chongqing University, Ministry of Education, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Shichao Zhang
- Immune Cells and Antibody Engineering Research Center of Guizhou Province, Guizhou Medica University, Guizhou, PR China
| | - Wenhui Hu
- School of Basic Medical Science, Guizhou Medical University, Guizhou, PR China
| | - Jin Chen
- Immune Cells and Antibody Engineering Research Center of Guizhou Province, Guizhou Medica University, Guizhou, PR China
| | - Houming Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Medical Engineering, Guizhou Medical University, Guizhou, PR China
| | - Zhu Zeng
- School of Basic Medical Science, Guizhou Medical University, Guizhou, PR China.
| | - Xiang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Chongqing University, Ministry of Education, Chongqing, PR China.
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Mazzini A, Palermo F, Pagliei V, Romanò S, Papi M, Zimatore G, Falsini B, Rizzo S, De Spirito M, Ciasca G, Minnella AM. A time-dependent study of nano-mechanical and ultrastructural properties of internal limiting membrane under ocriplasmin treatment. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2020; 110:103853. [PMID: 32501223 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2020.103853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Vitreomacular traction (VMT) syndrome has only been surgically treated for a long time. Recently, enzymatic vitreolysis with ocriplasmin has emerged as a possible option to release VMT and, in some cases, close full thickness macular holes (FTMHs). Despite its clinical relevance, gathering information about the ocriplasmin-induced alterations of the Inner Limiting Membrane (ILM) of the retina in a clinical study is a complex task, mainly because of the inter-individual variability among patients. To obtain more insights into the mechanism underlying the drug action, we studied in-vitro the mechanical and morphological changes of the ILM using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). To this aim, we measured the ILM average Young's modulus (YM), hysteresis (H) and adhesion work (A) over time under ocriplasmin treatment. Our data unveil a time-dependent increase in the membrane YM of 19% of its initial value, along with changes in its adhesive and dissipative behavior. Such modifications well correlate with the morphological alterations detected in the AFM imaging mode. Taken all together, the results here presented provide more insights into the mechanism underlying the ocriplasmin action in-vivo, suggesting that it is only able to alter the top-most layer of the vitreal side of the membrane, not compromising the inner ILM structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Mazzini
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Francesca Palermo
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Nanotecnologia (NANOTEC), Roma, Italy; Dipartimento di Fisica, Università della Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende (CS), Italy
| | - Valeria Pagliei
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Science, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Sabrina Romanò
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Papi
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | | | - Benedetto Falsini
- Istituto di Oftalmologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - Stanislao Rizzo
- Istituto di Oftalmologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - Marco De Spirito
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy.
| | - Gabriele Ciasca
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy.
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14
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Ciasca G, Pagliei V, Minelli E, Palermo F, Nardini M, Pastore V, Papi M, Caporossi A, De Spirito M, Minnella AM. Nanomechanical mapping helps explain differences in outcomes of eye microsurgery: A comparative study of macular pathologies. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0220571. [PMID: 31390353 PMCID: PMC6685617 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0220571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Many ocular diseases are associated with an alteration of the mechanical and the material properties of the eye. These mechanically-related diseases include macular hole and pucker, two ocular conditions due to the presence of abnormal physical tractions acting on the retina. A complete relief of these tractions can be obtained through a challenging microsurgical procedure, which requires the mechanical peeling of the internal limiting membrane of the retina (ILM). In this paper, we provide the first comparative study of the nanoscale morphological and mechanical properties of the ILM in macular hole and macular pucker. Our nanoscale elastic measurements unveil a different bio-mechanical response of the ILM in the two pathologies, which correlates well to significant differences occurring during microsurgery. The results here presented pave the way to the development of novel dedicated microsurgical protocols based on the material ILM properties in macular hole or pucker. Moreover, they contribute to clarify why, despite a common aetiology, a patient might develop one disease or the other, an issue which is still debated in literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Ciasca
- Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italia
- Istituto di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
- * E-mail: (GC); (MDS)
| | - Valeria Pagliei
- Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italia
- Istituto di Oftalmologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
| | - Eleonora Minelli
- Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italia
- Istituto di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
| | - Francesca Palermo
- Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italia
- Istituto di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
| | - Matteo Nardini
- Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italia
- Istituto di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
| | - Valentina Pastore
- Department of Medical Science, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, Eye Clinic, University of Bari “A. Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Papi
- Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italia
- Istituto di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
| | - Aldo Caporossi
- Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italia
- Istituto di Oftalmologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
| | - Marco De Spirito
- Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italia
- Istituto di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
- * E-mail: (GC); (MDS)
| | - Angelo Maria Minnella
- Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italia
- Istituto di Oftalmologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
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15
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Garland J, Olds K, Rousseau G, Palmiere C, Ondruschka B, Kesha K, Glenn C, Morrow P, Stables S, Tse R. Using vitreous humour and cerebrospinal fluid electrolytes in estimating post-mortem interval - an exploratory study. AUST J FORENSIC SCI 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/00450618.2019.1642956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jack Garland
- Forensic and Analytical Science Service, NSW Health Pathology, Lidcombe, Australia
| | - Kelly Olds
- School of Medicine, University of Notre Dame, Fremantle, Australia
| | - Guillaume Rousseau
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, University Hospital of Angers, Angers, France
| | - Cristian Palmiere
- CURML, University Center of Legal Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - K. Kesha
- Department of Forensic Pathology, LabPLUS, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Charley Glenn
- Department of Forensic Pathology, LabPLUS, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - P. Morrow
- Department of Forensic Pathology, LabPLUS, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - S. Stables
- Department of Forensic Pathology, LabPLUS, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - R. Tse
- Department of Forensic Pathology, LabPLUS, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
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16
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Efficient Spatial Sampling for AFM-Based Cancer Diagnostics: A Comparison between Neural Networks and Conventional Data Analysis. CONDENSED MATTER 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/condmat4020058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) in spectroscopy mode receives a lot of attention because of its potential in distinguishing between healthy and cancer tissues. However, the AFM translational process in clinical practice is hindered by the fact that it is a time-consuming technique in terms of measurement and analysis time. In this paper, we attempt to address both issues. We propose the use of neural networks for pattern recognition to automatically classify AFM force–distance (FD) curves, with the aim of avoiding curve-fitting with the Sneddon model or more complicated ones. We investigated the applicability of this method to the classification of brain cancer tissues. The performance of the classifier was evaluated with receiving operating characteristic (ROC) curves for the approach and retract curves separately and in combination with each other. Although more complex and comprehensive models are required to demonstrate the general applicability of the proposed approach, preliminary evidence is given for the accuracy of the results, and arguments are presented to support the possible applicability of neural networks to the classification of brain cancer tissues. Moreover, we propose a possible strategy to shorten measurement times based on the estimation of the minimum number of FD curves needed to classify a tissue with a confidence level of 0.005. Taken together, these results have the potential to stimulate the design of more effective protocols to reduce AFM measurement times and to get rid of curve-fitting, which is a complex and time-consuming issue that requires experienced staff with a strong data-analysis background.
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