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Shchegolev AI, Tumanova UN, Savva OV, Sukhikh GT. Morphometric Indicators of Liver Acini of Deceased Newborns Depending on the Time of Death. Bull Exp Biol Med 2024:10.1007/s10517-024-06141-9. [PMID: 38960958 DOI: 10.1007/s10517-024-06141-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
We studied morphometric changes in the liver acini of dead newborns depending on the duration of the postmortem period. Autopsy samples of the liver tissue from 49 dead newborns were divided into 7 groups depending on the time of death. Liver tissue samples were taken from the upper and lower areas of the liver in the supine position of newborns; paraffin sections were prepared and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The morphometric analysis of histological preparations revealed a progressive decrease in the mean size of the liver plates (trabeculae) and, conversely, an increase in the area of sinusoids with increasing the duration of the postmortem period; these changes were due to the postmortem redistribution of the blood and autolysis processes. More significant changes were noted in acinar zone 3 of the lower part of the liver. The revealed intra-acinar features of postmortem changes should be taken into account for their differential diagnosis with pathological processes that developed during life, in particular, the signs of congestion and peliosis of the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- A I Shchegolev
- National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology named after Academician V. I. Kulakov of Ministry of Health of Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia.
| | - U N Tumanova
- National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology named after Academician V. I. Kulakov of Ministry of Health of Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - O V Savva
- National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology named after Academician V. I. Kulakov of Ministry of Health of Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - G T Sukhikh
- National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology named after Academician V. I. Kulakov of Ministry of Health of Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
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Kojima M, Makino Y, Yamaguchi R, Motomura A, Yajima D, Inokuchi G, Saito N, Torimitsu S, Hoshioka Y, Urabe S, Yoshida M, Iwase H, Miyati T. Gray-white matter contrast reversal on T 1-weighted spin-echo in postmortem brain. Forensic Sci Int 2024; 360:112031. [PMID: 38723476 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The image contrast of postmortem magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may differ from that of antemortem MRI because of circulator arrest, changes in postmortem tissue, and low-body-temperature scanning conditions. In fact, we have found that the signal intensity of white matter (WM) on T1-weighted spin-echo (T1WSE) images of the postmortem brain was lower than that of gray matter (GM), which resulted in image contrast reversal between GM and WM relative to the living brain. However, the reason for this phenomenon is unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study is to clarify the reason why image contrast reversal occurs between GM and WM of the postmortem brain. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-three corpses were included in the study (mean age, 60.6 years; range: 19-60 years; mean rectal temperature at scan, 6.9℃; range: 4-11℃). On a 1.5 T MRI system, postmortem T1W-SE MRI of the brain was conducted in the 23 corpses prior to medico-legal autopsy. Next, T1 and T2 of the GM and WM at the level of the basal ganglia were determined in the same participants using inversion recovery and multiple SE sequences, respectively. The proton density (PD) was also calculated from the T1 and T2 images (in the same slice). RESULTS T1W-SE image contrast between the GM and WM of all postmortem brains was inverted relative to the living brain. T1 (579 ms in GM and 307 ms in WM) and PD (64 in GM and 44 in WM) of the postmortem brain decreased compared with the living brain. While T1 of WM/GM remained below 1 even postmortem, the PD of WM/GM decreased. T2 (110 ms in GM and 98 ms in WM) of the postmortem brain did not differ from the living brain. CONCLUSION The decrease in PD of WM/GM in the postmortem brain may be the major driver of contrast reversal between the GM and WM relative to the living brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masatoshi Kojima
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Division of Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan.
| | - Yohsuke Makino
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Rutsuko Yamaguchi
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan; Department of Legal Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, 30-1 Oyaguchikami-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | - Ayumi Motomura
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, 4-3, Kozunomori, Narita-city, Chiba 286-8686, Japan
| | - Daisuke Yajima
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, 4-3, Kozunomori, Narita-city, Chiba 286-8686, Japan
| | - Go Inokuchi
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Naoki Saito
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Suguru Torimitsu
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Yumi Hoshioka
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Shumari Urabe
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Tokyo Medical Examiner's Office, Tokyo Metropolitan Government, 4-21-18 Otusuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Maiko Yoshida
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Hirotaro Iwase
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Tosiaki Miyati
- Division of Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
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Weber K, Domènech A, Kegler K, Kreutzer R, Mayoral FJ, Okazaki Y, Ortega P, Polledo L, Razinger T, Richard OK, Sanchez R, Warfving N, Vallejo R, de Miguel R. Onset and progression of postmortem histological changes in the central nervous system of RccHan ™: WIST rats. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1378609. [PMID: 38835889 PMCID: PMC11149423 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1378609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Death initiates a cascade of physiological and biochemical alterations in organs and tissues, resulting in microscopic changes that challenge the histopathological evaluation. Moreover, the brain is particularly susceptible to artifacts owing to its unique composition and its location within the cranial vault. The aim of this study was to compile and illustrate the microscopic changes in the central nervous system (CNS) of rats subjected to delayed postmortem fixation. It also scrutinizes the influence of exsanguination and cooling methods on the initiation and progression of these alterations. Twenty-four Wistar Han outbred rats (RccHan™: WIST) were sacrificed and stored either at room temperature (18-22°C) or under refrigeration (2-4°C). Necropsies were conducted at different time points postmortem (i.e., 0.5 h, 1 h, 4 h, 8 h, 12 h, 24 h, 36 h, 48 h, 7 days and 14 days). Brain sections underwent simultaneous digital evaluation by 14 pathologists until a consensus was reached on terminology, key findings, and intensity levels. Microscopic observations varied among cell types. Glial cells were similarly affected throughout the CNS and showed pericellular halo, chromatin condensation and nuclear shrinkage. Neurons showed two types of postmortem changes as most of them showed progressive shrinkage, cytoplasmic dissolution and karyorrhexis whereas others acquired a dark-neuron-like appearance. Neuronal changes showed marked differences among neuroanatomical locations. Additional postmortem changes encompassed: granulation and microcavitation in neuropil and white matter; retraction spaces; detachment of ependyma, choroid plexus, and leptomeninges. Severity of findings after 48 h at room temperature was higher than after seven days under refrigeration and similar to or slightly lower than after 14 days under refrigeration. No clear differences were observed related to the sex or weight of the animals or their exsanguination status. This work elucidates the onset and progression of autolytic changes in the brains of Wistar Han rats, offering insights to accurately identify and enhance the histopathological evaluation.
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Naue J, Xavier C, Hörer S, Parson W, Lutz-Bonengel S. Assessment of mitochondrial DNA copy number variation relative to nuclear DNA quantity between different tissues. Mitochondrion 2024; 74:101823. [PMID: 38040171 DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2023.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondrial DNA is a widely tested genetic marker in various fields of research and diagnostics. Nonetheless, there is still little understanding on its abundance and quality within different tissues. Aiming to obtain deeper knowledge about the content and quality of mtDNA, we investigated nine tissues including blood, bone, brain, hair (root and shaft), cardiac muscle, liver, lung, skeletal muscle, and buccal mucosa of 32 deceased individuals using two real-time quantitative PCR-based assays with differently sized mtDNA and nDNA targets. The results revealed that the quantity of nDNA is a weak surrogate to estimate mtDNA quantities among tissues of an individual, as well as tissues across individuals. Especially hair showed extreme variation, depicting a range of multiple magnitudes of mtDNA molecules per hair fragment. Furthermore, degradation can lead to fewer fragments being available for PCR. The results call for parallel determination of the quantity and quality of mtDNA prior to downstream genotyping assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Naue
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 9, Freiburg 79104, Germany
| | - Catarina Xavier
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Muellerstrasse 44, Innsbruck 6020, Austria; i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Portugal
| | - Steffen Hörer
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 9, Freiburg 79104, Germany
| | - Walther Parson
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Muellerstrasse 44, Innsbruck 6020, Austria; Forensic Science Program, The Pennsylvania State University, USA.
| | - Sabine Lutz-Bonengel
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 9, Freiburg 79104, Germany
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Marrone A, La Russa D, Barberio L, Murfuni MS, Gaspari M, Pellegrino D. Forensic Proteomics for the Discovery of New post mortem Interval Biomarkers: A Preliminary Study. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14627. [PMID: 37834074 PMCID: PMC10572818 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Estimating the time since death (post mortem interval, PMI) represents one of the most important tasks in daily forensic casework. For decades, forensic scientists have investigated changes in post mortem body composition, focusing on different physical, chemical, or biological aspects, to discover a reliable method for estimating PMI; nevertheless, all of these attempts remain unsuccessful considering the currently available methodical spectrum characterized by great inaccuracies and limitations. However, recent promising approaches focus on the post mortem decomposition of biomolecules. In particular, significant advances have been made in research on the post mortem degradation of proteins. In the present study, we investigated early post mortem changes (during the first 24 h) in the proteome profile of the pig skeletal muscle looking for new PMI specific biomarkers. By mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics, we were able to identify a total of nine potential PMI biomarkers, whose quantity changed constantly and progressively over time, directly or inversely proportional to the advancement of post mortem hours. Our preliminary study underlines the importance of the proteomic approach in the search for a reliable method for PMI determination and highlights the need to characterize a large number of reliable marker proteins useful in forensic practice for PMI estimation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Marrone
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (A.M.); (D.L.R.); (L.B.)
| | - Daniele La Russa
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (A.M.); (D.L.R.); (L.B.)
| | - Laura Barberio
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (A.M.); (D.L.R.); (L.B.)
| | - Maria Stella Murfuni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (M.S.M.); (M.G.)
| | - Marco Gaspari
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (M.S.M.); (M.G.)
| | - Daniela Pellegrino
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (A.M.); (D.L.R.); (L.B.)
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6
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Shchegolev AI, Tumanova UN, Savva OV. [Characteristics of structural morphological changes of the liver depending on the prescription of death coming]. Sud Med Ekspert 2023; 66:50-54. [PMID: 36719314 DOI: 10.17116/sudmed20236601150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of the work is to analyze the literature data devoted to the study of postmortem morphological changes in liver tissue and their use to determine the prescription of death. Postmortem changes are based on the processes of postmortem redistribution of blood and autolysis, the speed and severity of development of which depends primarily on the lifetime pathology, as well as external temperature and humidity during storage of the corpse. The onset of biological death naturally entails the development of postmortem changes in the liver, manifested by a decrease in temperature, violations of the structure of organelles, cells and organ tissue as a whole. The determination and evaluation of developing postmortem morphological changes is necessary both for differential diagnosis with lifetime-developed pathological processes, and for determining the prescription of death coming. This necessitates research to study the features of the development of postmortem changes and to develop ways to assess them to determine the prescription of death coming.
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Affiliation(s)
- A I Shchegolev
- National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology named after academician V.I. Kulakov, Moscow, Russia
| | - U N Tumanova
- National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology named after academician V.I. Kulakov, Moscow, Russia
| | - O V Savva
- National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology named after academician V.I. Kulakov, Moscow, Russia.,D.I. Mastbaum Bureau of Forensic Medical Examination, Ryazan, Russia
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7
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Furnesvik L, Erkinharju T, Hansen M, Yousaf MN, Seternes T. Evaluation of histological post-mortem changes in farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) at different time intervals and storage temperatures. JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES 2022; 45:1571-1580. [PMID: 35766119 PMCID: PMC9544505 DOI: 10.1111/jfd.13681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate histologic post-mortem autolytic changes in farmed Atlantic salmon. The fish were either stored at room temperature (RT, 21°C), refrigerated (4°C) or frozen (-20°C), while fish necropsy was performed at 0, 1, 4, 24 and 48 h post-storage (hps). In addition, gills were sampled at 0, 5, 10, 15, 30 and 45 min post-storage (mps) at room temperature (RT). The haematoxylin and eosin-stained tissue slides were evaluated and scored by using a semi-quantitative scoring system. Our findings demonstrated gills and pyloric caeca/pancreas as the most severely autolysed organs while heart and skeletal musculature were least affected. Generally, moderate to severe autolysis appeared first at 4 hps, while severe changes were seen at 24 hps. Gills demonstrated autolytic changes as early as 10 mps and pyloric caeca/pancreas at 1 hps. Freezing did not prevent the autolysis and even contributed to freezing artefacts, which may lead to misdiagnosis. Keeping organs refrigerated slowed the autolytic progress within the first 4 hps marginally. This study recommends gills and pyloric caeca/pancreas should be sampled as early as possible, at least within 10 min post-necropsy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Tore Seternes
- Norwegian College of Fishery ScienceUiT – The arctic University of NorwayTromsøNorway
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Khalifa FN, Hosny SA, Moawad AM. Histobiochemical changes in early postmortem interval in liver, pancreas, skin and kidney of adult male albino rats. Rechtsmedizin (Berl) 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s00194-022-00565-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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9
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Saber TM, Omran BHF, El Deib MM, El-Sharkawy NI, Metwally MMM, Abd-Elhakim YM. Early postmortem biochemical, histological, and immunohistochemical alterations in skeletal muscles of rats exposed to boldenone undecylenate: Forensic implication. J Forensic Leg Med 2021; 83:102248. [PMID: 34478996 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2021.102248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated the biochemical and histopathological alterations along with the immunoexpression pattern of heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27) within 6 h postmortem (PM) in skeletal muscle of boldenone (BOL)-treated rats. Forty-eight male rats were divided into two groups; a control group received sesame oil (0.25 mL/kg bwt), and BOL group received 5 mg/kg bwt BOL. Both treatments were intramuscularly injected once a week for eight weeks. Rats were euthanized by cervical dislocation, and the skeletal muscle specimens were collected at zero-time, 2, 4, and 6 h PM for biochemical and histopathological evaluations. The results revealed that BOL treatment significantly increased pH, MDA, ATP, ADP, glycogen, and hydroxyproline values. Still, it decreased the GPX, GST, and lactic acid levels, and Hsp27 immunoexpression compared to the control group. With increasing postmortem interval (PMI), whether control or BOL-treated, a significant reduction in pH value, markers of muscular antioxidant status, ATP, ADP, glycogen, hydroxyproline levels, as well as Hsp27 immunoexpression but a significant increase in lipid peroxidation and lactic acid content were recorded. Of note, the interaction between BOL treatment and PMI had a significant effect on ATP, ADP, lactic acid, hydroxyproline, GST, MDA, and TAC levels. Conclusively, these findings signify BOL exposure's modifying effect on the energy content, oxidative status, and histological architecture of skeletal muscles in the early PMI that reflected in delaying the onset of rigor mortis. For forensic practitioners, these findings should be highly considered at estimating PMI in athletic, AAS-treated patients, and fattening animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taghred M Saber
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44511, Egypt.
| | - Bothina H F Omran
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44511, Egypt
| | - Maha M El Deib
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44511, Egypt
| | - Nabela I El-Sharkawy
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44511, Egypt
| | - Mohamed M M Metwally
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44511, Egypt
| | - Yasmina M Abd-Elhakim
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44511, Egypt.
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Garczyńska K, Tzschätzsch H, Assili S, Kühl AA, Häckel A, Schellenberger E, Berndt N, Holzhütter HG, Braun J, Sack I, Guo J. Effect of Post-mortem Interval and Perfusion on the Biophysical Properties of ex vivo Liver Tissue Investigated Longitudinally by MRE and DWI. Front Physiol 2021; 12:696304. [PMID: 34413787 PMCID: PMC8369239 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.696304] [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: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Structural changes of soft tissues on the cellular level can be characterized by histopathology, but not longitudinally in the same tissue. Alterations of cellular structures and tissue matrix are associated with changes in biophysical properties which can be monitored longitudinally by quantitative diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and magnetic resonance elastography (MRE). In this work, DWI and MRE examinations were performed in a 0.5-Tesla compact scanner to investigate longitudinal changes in water diffusivity, stiffness and viscosity of ex-vivo rat livers for up to 20 h post-mortem (pm). The effect of blood on biophysical parameters was examined in 13 non-perfused livers (containing blood, NPLs) and 14 perfused livers (blood washed out, PLs). Changes in cell shape, cell packing and cell wall integrity were characterized histologically. In all acquisitions, NPLs presented with higher shear-wave speed (c), higher shear-wave penetration rate (a) and smaller apparent-diffusion-coefficients (ADCs) than PL. Time-resolved analysis revealed three distinct phases: (i) an initial phase (up to 2 h pm) with markedly increased c and a and reduced ADCs; (ii) an extended phase with relatively stable values; and (iii) a degradation phase characterized by significant increases in a (10 h pm in NPLs and PLs) and ADCs (10 h pm in NPLs, 13 h pm in PLs). Histology revealed changes in cell shape and packing along with decreased cell wall integrity, indicating tissue degradation in NPLs and PLs 10 h pm. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the biophysical properties of fresh liver tissue rapidly change within 2 h pm, which seems to be an effect of both cytotoxic edema and vascular blood content. Several hours later, disruption of cell walls resulted in higher water diffusivity and wave penetration. These results reveal the individual contributions of vascular components and cellular integrity to liver elastography and provide a biophysical, imaging-based fingerprint of liver tissue degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Garczyńska
- Department of Radiology, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Heiko Tzschätzsch
- Department of Radiology, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sanam Assili
- Department of Radiology, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Biology, SUNY Albany, Albany, NY, United States
| | - Anja A. Kühl
- iPATH.Berlin - Core Unit of Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Akvile Häckel
- Department of Radiology, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Eyk Schellenberger
- Department of Radiology, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nikolaus Berndt
- Institute for Imaging Science and Computational Modelling in Cardiovascular Medicine, Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Computational Systems Biochemistry Group, Institute of Biochemistry, Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hermann-Georg Holzhütter
- Computational Systems Biochemistry Group, Institute of Biochemistry, Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jürgen Braun
- Institute of Medical Informatics, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ingolf Sack
- Department of Radiology, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jing Guo
- Department of Radiology, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Niedecker A, Huhn R, Ritz-Timme S, Mayer F. Complex challenges of estimating the age and vitality of muscle wounds: a study with matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors on animal and human tissue samples. Int J Legal Med 2021; 135:1843-1853. [PMID: 34041592 PMCID: PMC8354971 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-021-02563-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The estimation of wound age and wound vitality is a recurring task in forensic routine work and has been subject of forensic research for a long time. By now, an unrestrictedly reliable marker or set of markers has not been found. In a study on myocardial infarctions, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) 2 and 9 as well as tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP-1) were detected immunohistochemically in mechanically wounded myocardium (ECG electrodes, vessel ligations). Against this background, the potency of MMP-9, MMP-2, and TIMP-1 as markers for the estimation of wound age and wound vitality was tested in a broad approach with human tissue samples drawn during autopsies and with an animal model, the isolated perfused Langendorff heart. The study comprised samples of injured human skeletal muscle, injured human myocardium, rats’ hearts with vital wounds, and rats’ hearts with postmortem-inflicted wounds that were all stained immunohistochemically. The results showed great scattering, leading to the conclusion that MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 are not suitable for wound age estimation. Merely the results for TIMP-1 suggested that this marker might be able to differentiate between vital and postmortem-inflicted wounds. With a view to the promising results of the preceding study, the results underline the necessity to test possible markers of wound age/wound vitality on a large and diverse sample set.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Niedecker
- Institute for Legal Medicine at the University Hospital Essen, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - R Huhn
- Departement of Anesthesiology, the University Hospital Düsseldorf, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - St Ritz-Timme
- Institute for Legal Medicine at the University Hospital Düsseldorf, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - F Mayer
- Institute for Legal Medicine at the University Hospital Düsseldorf, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany.
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12
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Abd Elazeem EA, Ismail MME, Zaghloul HS, Selim AO, Gaballah MH, Oraby EEA, Gaballah IF. Estimation of postmortem interval in myocardial stab wounds and firearm injuries: An immunohistochemical comparative study using C5b-9 and cardiac Troponin C. Forensic Sci Int 2021; 324:110846. [PMID: 34062353 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2021.110846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Estimation of postmortem interval (PMI) is a critical component of forensic death investigations. C5b-9 and cardiac Troponin C (cTnC) have the potential as markers for myocardial damage and can be suitable markers for determination of PMI. The aim of current study was to estimate different postmortem intervals using C5b-9 and cTnC detected by immunohistochemical technique in stab wounds and firearm injuries of the heart. MATERIALS AND METHODS Cardiac tissue samples from 70 forensic autopsy cadavers were obtained from XXXXXXX morgue, processed, for histopathological examination as well as immunohistochemical detection of C5b-9 and cTnC expression. The surface area of the positive C5b-9 and troponin C immune reactive cardiac tissue was measured morphometrically then the data were used to construct multiple regression equations for the estimation of PMI. RESULTS Histopathological autolytic changes occurred in all groups and increased in intensity with the increase in the PMI in stab wound and firearm injury groups. These findings were supported by immunohistochemical morphometric analysis. Constructed equations to estimate PMI were highly accurate especially those combining both markers. CONCLUSION C5b-9 and cTnC can be considered reliable indicators of myocardial damage and can be used either separately or in combination for accurate estimation of PMI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enas Awad Abd Elazeem
- General Department of Forensic Science and Criminology, Dubai Police, United Arab Emirates; Forensic Medicine Authority, Ministry of Justice, Egypt
| | - Manal Mohy Eldin Ismail
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt
| | - Hala Said Zaghloul
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt
| | - Assmaa O Selim
- Medical Histology & Cell Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt
| | | | | | - Iman Fawzy Gaballah
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt
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13
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Martínez-Rivera V, Cárdenas-Monroy CA, Millan-Catalan O, González-Corona J, Huerta-Pacheco NS, Martínez-Gutiérrez A, Villavicencio-Queijeiro A, Pedraza-Lara C, Hidalgo-Miranda A, Bravo-Gómez ME, Pérez-Plasencia C, Guardado-Estrada M. Dysregulation of miR-381-3p and miR-23b-3p in skeletal muscle could be a possible estimator of early post-mortem interval in rats. PeerJ 2021; 9:e11102. [PMID: 33986977 PMCID: PMC8086579 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The post-mortem interval (PMI) is the time elapsed since the dead of an individual until the body is found, which is relevant for forensic purposes. The miRNAs regulate the expression of some genes; and due to their small size, they can better support degradation, which makes them suitable for forensic analysis. In the present work, we evaluated the gene expression of miR-381-3p, miR-23b-3p, and miR-144-3p in skeletal muscle in a murine model at the early PMI. Methods We designed a rat model to evaluate the early PMI under controlled conditions. This model consisted in 25 rats divided into five groups of rats, that correspond to the 0, 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours of PMI. The 0 h-PMI was considered as the control group. Muscle samples were taken from each rat to analyze the expression of miR-381-3p, miR-23b-3p, and miR-144-3p by quantitative RT-PCR. The gene expression of each miRNA was expressed as Fold Change (FC) and compared among groups. To find the targets of these miRNAs and the pathways where they participate, we performed an in-silico analysis. From the gene targets of miR-381-3p identified in the silico analysis, the EPC1 gene was selected for gene expression analysis by quantitative RT-PCR in these samples. Also, to evaluate if miR-381-3p could predict the early PMI, a mixed effects model was calculated using its gene expression. Results An upregulation of miR-381-3p was found at 24 h-PMI compared with the control group of 0 h-PMI and (FC = 1.02 vs. FC = 1.96; p = 0.0079). This was the opposite for miR-23b-3p, which had a down-regulation at 24 h-PMI compared to 0 h-PMI (FC = 1.22 vs. FC = 0.13; p = 0.0079). Moreover, the gene expression of miR-381-3p increased throughout the first 24 h of PMI, contrary to miR-23b-3p. The targets of these two miRNAs, participate in biological pathways related to hypoxia, apoptosis, and RNA metabolism. The gene expression of EPC1 was found downregulated at 3 and 12 h of PMI, whereas it remained unchanged at 6 h and 24 h of PMI. Using a multivariate analysis, it was possible to predict the FC of miR-381-3p of all but 6 h-PMI analyzed PMIs. Discussion The present results suggest that miR-23b-3p and miR-381-3p participate at the early PMI, probably regulating the expression of some genes related to the autolysis process as EPC1 gene. Although the miR-381-3p gene expression is a potential estimator of PMI, further studies will be required to obtain better estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Martínez-Rivera
- Laboratorio de Genética, Ciencia Forense, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Christian A Cárdenas-Monroy
- Laboratorio de Genética, Ciencia Forense, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Oliver Millan-Catalan
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica en Cáncer, Laboratorio de Genómica, Instituo Nacional de Cancerologia, Ciudad de México, México.,Unidad de Investigación Biomédica en Cáncer, Laboratorio de Genómica, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Jessica González-Corona
- Laboratorio de Genética, Ciencia Forense, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - N Sofia Huerta-Pacheco
- Cátedras CONACYT-Ciencia Forense, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Antonio Martínez-Gutiérrez
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica en Cáncer, Laboratorio de Genómica, Instituo Nacional de Cancerologia, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Alexa Villavicencio-Queijeiro
- Laboratorio de Genética, Ciencia Forense, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Carlos Pedraza-Lara
- Laboratorio de Entomología, Ciencia Forense, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Alfredo Hidalgo-Miranda
- Laboratorio de Genómica del Cáncer, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica (INMEGEN), Nacional de Medicina Genomica, Ciudad de México, México
| | - María Elena Bravo-Gómez
- Laboratorio de Toxicología, Ciencia Forense, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Carlos Pérez-Plasencia
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica en Cáncer, Laboratorio de Genómica, Instituo Nacional de Cancerologia, Ciudad de México, México.,Unidad de Investigación Biomédica en Cáncer, Laboratorio de Genómica, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Mariano Guardado-Estrada
- Laboratorio de Genética, Ciencia Forense, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
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14
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Mostafa HES, El-Shafei DA, Abouhashem NS, Alaa El-Din EA. Could skeletal muscle changes provide a reliable method for estimating the time since death: A histological, biochemical, and DNA study. AUST J FORENSIC SCI 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/00450618.2021.1921272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Heba El-Sayed Mostafa
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Dalia Abdallah El-Shafei
- Department of Community, Environmental & Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Nehal S. Abouhashem
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Eman Ahmed Alaa El-Din
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
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15
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Autolysis in Crustacean Tissues after Death: A Case Study Using the Procambarus clarkii Hepatopancreas. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:2345878. [PMID: 33521126 PMCID: PMC7817300 DOI: 10.1155/2021/2345878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Autolysis is an internal phenomenon following the death of an organism that leads to the degradation of tissues. In order to explore the initial stages of autolysis and attempt to establish reference standards for tissue changes after death, we studied the rapidly autolyzing tissue of the crayfish hepatopancreas. Samples from the hepatopancreas of crayfish were examined 0, 5, 10, 30, 60, and 120 minutes after death. Histological and ultrapathological examinations and evaluations and apoptotic cell counts were conducted to determine the initiation time and degree of autolysis. The results showed that autolysis in the hepatopancreas of crayfish began within 5 minutes. Initially, autolysis manifested in the swelling of hepatic tubular cells and the widening of mesenchyme. Cells undergoing autolysis showed severe organelle necrolysis. Based on these observations, tissue samples should be collected and preserved within five minutes to avoid interfering with histopathological diagnoses.
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16
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Wang J, Chen G, Qian H, Shang Q, Xiao J, Liang M, Gao B, Li T, Liu X. PP2A-C may be a promising candidate for postmortem interval estimation. Int J Legal Med 2021; 135:837-844. [PMID: 33409557 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-020-02466-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Determining the postmortem interval (PMI) is an important task in forensic pathology. However, a reliable means of determining the PMI between 24 h and approximately 7 days after death has not yet been established. A previous study demonstrated that subunit A of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A-A) is a promising candidate to estimate the PMI during the first 96 h. However, more detailed work is still needed to investigate PP2A's function in PMI estimation. PP2A is a serine/threonine phosphatase consisting of three subunits (PP2A-A, PP2A-B, and PP2A-C), and its activation is reflected by Tyr-307 phosphorylation of the catalytic subunit (P-PP2A-C). In this study, we speculated that the other two subunits of PP2A and the activation of PP2A may play different roles in estimating the PMI. For this purpose, mice were euthanized and stored at different temperatures (4, 15, and 25 °C). At each temperature, the musculus vastus lateralis was collected at different time points (0, 24, 48, and 96 h) to investigate the degradation of PP2A-B, PP2A-C, and P-PP2A-C (Tyr-307). Homocysteine (Hcy) was used to establish a hyperhomocysteinemia animal model to explore the effects of plasma Hcy on PMI estimation. The data showed not only that PP2A-C was more stable than PP2A-B, but also that it was not affected by homocysteine (Hcy). These characteristics make PP2A-C a promising candidate for short-term (24 h to 48 h) PMI estimation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wang
- College of Forensic Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Yanta Road W.76, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, People's Republic of China.,The Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Gang Chen
- College of Forensic Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Yanta Road W.76, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, People's Republic of China.,The Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongyan Qian
- College of Forensic Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Yanta Road W.76, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, People's Republic of China.,The Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing Shang
- College of Forensic Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Yanta Road W.76, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, People's Republic of China.,The Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Xiao
- College of Forensic Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Yanta Road W.76, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, People's Republic of China.,The Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Min Liang
- College of Forensic Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Yanta Road W.76, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, People's Republic of China.,The Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Baoyao Gao
- College of Forensic Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Yanta Road W.76, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, People's Republic of China.,The Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Li
- College of Forensic Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Yanta Road W.76, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, People's Republic of China. .,The Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xinshe Liu
- College of Forensic Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Yanta Road W.76, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, People's Republic of China. .,The Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China.
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17
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Zhao D, An Z, He H, Niu Q, Zhu H, Wang Y, Liu R, Hou W, Tang P, Yang T. Estimation of postmortem interval by postmortem myocardial computed tomography value. JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCE AND MEDICINE 2021. [DOI: 10.4103/jfsm.jfsm_40_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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18
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Indiaminov SI, Zhumanov ZE, Blinova SA. [Problems of establishing the prescription of death]. Sud Med Ekspert 2020; 63:45-50. [PMID: 33180414 DOI: 10.17116/sudmed20206306145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Based on the analysis of literature data, demonstrated the relevance of further research to establish the prescription of death, including in a hot arid zone. Taking into account the climate of the seasons of Uzbekistan was stressed the importance of a comprehensive assessment of the dynamics of the development of cadaveric changes and supravital reactions, together with the results of biochemical, morphological and morphometric studies of the brain, other organs and tissues at different times of the postmortem period in certain groups. It could be used to develop additional criteria for establishing the onset of death in a hot arid zone.
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Affiliation(s)
- S I Indiaminov
- Samarkand State Medical Institute, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
| | - Z E Zhumanov
- Samarkand State Medical Institute, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
| | - S A Blinova
- Samarkand State Medical Institute, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
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19
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Paltian JJ, da Fonseca CAR, Pinz MP, Luchese C, Antunes Wilhelm E. Post-mortem interval estimative through determination of catalase and Δ-aminolevulinate dehydratase activities in hepatic, renal, skeletal muscle and cerebral tissues of Swiss mice. Biomarkers 2019; 24:478-483. [PMID: 31094223 DOI: 10.1080/1354750x.2019.1619837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: Determining the post-mortem interval (PMI) is one of the challenging tasks in forensic science due to the lack of quick and inexpensive methods. Our objective is to develop innovative and alternative means for PMI evaluation. Methods: The relationship between PMI and enzymatic modifications in mice tissues was described. After being sacrificed, Swiss mice were randomly divided into groups according to the time elapsed since death. The activities of catalase (CAT) and δ-aminolevulinate dehydratase (δ-ALA-D) were determined in hepatic, renal, skeletal muscle and cerebral tissues. Results: CAT activity increased in kidney and brain 6 h after death and this increase remained for up to 24 h in the brain and 48 h in the kidney. δ-ALA-D had its activity decreased in the liver and kidneys in 6 h. In the skeletal muscle, δ-ALA-D activity was reduced only 48 h after death. Conversely, an increase on δ-ALA-D activity was observed in the brain at 6 h, followed by its decrease at 24 and 48 h. Conclusion: With the association of this set of results, it is possible to provide an estimate of PMI. Additionally, these results can be used as an auxiliary parameter associated with other methods to estimate PMI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaini J Paltian
- a Postgraduate Program in Biochemistry and Bioprospecting, Research Laboratory in Biochemical Pharmacology (LaFarBio), Research Group on Neurobiotechnology (GPN), Center for Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences, Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel) , Pelotas , Brazil.,b Bachelor's Degree in Forensic Chemistry , Center for Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences, Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel) , Pelotas , Brazil
| | - Caren A R da Fonseca
- a Postgraduate Program in Biochemistry and Bioprospecting, Research Laboratory in Biochemical Pharmacology (LaFarBio), Research Group on Neurobiotechnology (GPN), Center for Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences, Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel) , Pelotas , Brazil.,b Bachelor's Degree in Forensic Chemistry , Center for Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences, Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel) , Pelotas , Brazil
| | - Mikaela P Pinz
- a Postgraduate Program in Biochemistry and Bioprospecting, Research Laboratory in Biochemical Pharmacology (LaFarBio), Research Group on Neurobiotechnology (GPN), Center for Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences, Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel) , Pelotas , Brazil
| | - Cristiane Luchese
- a Postgraduate Program in Biochemistry and Bioprospecting, Research Laboratory in Biochemical Pharmacology (LaFarBio), Research Group on Neurobiotechnology (GPN), Center for Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences, Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel) , Pelotas , Brazil
| | - Ethel Antunes Wilhelm
- a Postgraduate Program in Biochemistry and Bioprospecting, Research Laboratory in Biochemical Pharmacology (LaFarBio), Research Group on Neurobiotechnology (GPN), Center for Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences, Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel) , Pelotas , Brazil.,b Bachelor's Degree in Forensic Chemistry , Center for Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences, Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel) , Pelotas , Brazil
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20
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Rajab TK, Tchantchaleishvili V. Can tissue engineering produce bioartificial organs for transplantation? Artif Organs 2019; 43:536-541. [PMID: 30891801 DOI: 10.1111/aor.13443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Taufiek Konrad Rajab
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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21
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The Antiseptic Octenidine Inhibits Langerhans Cell Activation and Modulates Cytokine Expression upon Superficial Wounding with Tape Stripping. J Immunol Res 2019; 2019:5143635. [PMID: 30944833 PMCID: PMC6421797 DOI: 10.1155/2019/5143635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Ideal agents for the topical treatment of skin wounds should have antimicrobial efficacy without negative influence on wound healing. Octenidine (OCT) has become a widely used antiseptic in professional wound care, but its influence on several components of the wound healing process remains unclear. In the present study, we have used a superficial wound model using tape stripping on human full-thickness skin ex vivo to investigate the influence of OCT on epidermal Langerhans cells (LCs) and cytokine secretion pattern of skin cells during wound healing in a model without disruption of the normal skin structure. Histological and immunofluorescence studies showed that OCT neither altered human skin architecture nor the viability of skin cells upon 48 hours of culture in unwounded or wounded skin. The epidermis of explants and LCs remained morphologically intact throughout the whole culture period upon OCT treatment. OCT inhibited the upregulation of the maturation marker CD83 on LCs and prevented their emigration in wounded skin. Furthermore, OCT reduced both pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators (IL-8, IL-33, and IL-10), while angiogenesis and growth factor mediators (VEGF and TGF-β1) remained unchanged in skin explant cultures. Our data provide novel insights into the host response to OCT in the biologically relevant environment of viable human (wounded) skin.
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22
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Medjerab M, Abdelali M, Khalkhal A, Semiane N, Hammadi S, Mallek A, Bellahrache Z, Agoun H, Dahmani Y. Adrenal cortex disorders in a new model of obesity, Gerbillus gerbillus, exposed to a high carbohydrate diet. C R Biol 2019; 342:35-44. [PMID: 30686566 DOI: 10.1016/j.crvi.2019.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2018] [Revised: 12/31/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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23
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Metabolic profiling of femoral muscle from rats at different periods of time after death. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0203920. [PMID: 30216363 PMCID: PMC6138414 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Clarification of postmortem metabolite changes can help characterize the process of biological degradation and facilitate investigations of forensic casework, especially in the estimation of postmortem interval (PMI). Metabolomics can provide information on the molecular profiles of tissues, which can aid in investigating postmortem metabolite changes. In this study, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometric (LC-MS) analysis was performed to identify the metabolic profiles of rat femoral muscle at ten periods of time after death within 168 h. The results obtained by reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC)- and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC)- electrospray ionization (ESI±) have revealed more than 16,000 features from all four datasets. Furthermore, 915 of these features were identified using an in-house database. Principal component analysis (PCA) demonstrated the time-specific features of molecular profiling at each period of time after death. Moreover, results from partial least squares projection to latent structures-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) disclosed a strong association of metabolic alterations of at least 59 metabolites with the time since death, especially within 48 h after death, which expounds these metabolites as potential indicators in PMI estimation. Altogether, our results illustrate the potentiality of metabolic profiling in the evaluation of PMI and provide candidate metabolite markers with strong correlation with time since death for forensic purpose.
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24
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Iwamoto C, Ohuchida K, Okumura M, Usumoto Y, Kishimoto J, Murata M, Ikeda N, Hashizume M. Postmortem interval estimation using the animal model of postmortem gas volume changes. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2018; 32:66-70. [DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2017.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2017] [Revised: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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25
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Small DM, Sanchez WY, Roy SF, Morais C, Brooks HL, Coombes JS, Johnson DW, Gobe GC. N-acetyl-cysteine increases cellular dysfunction in progressive chronic kidney damage after acute kidney injury by dampening endogenous antioxidant responses. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2018; 314:F956-F968. [PMID: 29357409 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00057.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction exacerbate acute kidney injury (AKI), but their role in any associated progress to chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains unclear. Antioxidant therapies often benefit AKI, but their benefits in CKD are controversial since clinical and preclinical investigations often conflict. Here we examined the influence of the antioxidant N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) on oxidative stress and mitochondrial function during AKI (20-min bilateral renal ischemia plus reperfusion/IR) and progression to chronic kidney pathologies in mice. NAC (5% in diet) was given to mice 7 days prior and up to 21 days post-IR (21d-IR). NAC treatment resulted in the following: prevented proximal tubular epithelial cell apoptosis at early IR (40-min postischemia), yet enhanced interstitial cell proliferation at 21d-IR; increased transforming growth factor-β1 expression independent of IR time; and significantly dampened nuclear factor-like 2-initiated cytoprotective signaling at early IR. In the long term, NAC enhanced cellular metabolic impairment demonstrated by increased peroxisome proliferator activator-γ serine-112 phosphorylation at 21d-IR. Intravital multiphoton microscopy revealed increased endogenous fluorescence of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) in cortical tubular epithelial cells during ischemia, and at 21d-IR that was not attenuated with NAC. Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy demonstrated persistent metabolic impairment by increased free/bound NADH in the cortex at 21d-IR that was enhanced by NAC. Increased mitochondrial dysfunction in remnant tubular cells was demonstrated at 21d-IR by tetramethylrhodamine methyl ester fluorimetry. In summary, NAC enhanced progression to CKD following AKI not only by dampening endogenous cellular antioxidant responses at time of injury but also by enhancing persistent kidney mitochondrial and metabolic dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Small
- Centre for Kidney Disease Research, Faculty of Medicine, Translational Research Institute, University of Queensland , Brisbane , Australia.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University , Ithaca, New York
| | - Washington Y Sanchez
- Therapeutics Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Translational Research Institute, University of Queensland , Brisbane , Australia
| | - Sandrine F Roy
- Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, University of Queensland , Brisbane , Australia
| | - Christudas Morais
- Centre for Kidney Disease Research, Faculty of Medicine, Translational Research Institute, University of Queensland , Brisbane , Australia
| | - Heddwen L Brooks
- Department of Physiology, University of Arizona , Tucson, Arizona
| | - Jeff S Coombes
- School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, University of Queensland , Brisbane , Australia
| | - David W Johnson
- Centre for Kidney Disease Research, Faculty of Medicine, Translational Research Institute, University of Queensland , Brisbane , Australia.,Department of Nephrology, Princess Alexandra Hospital , Brisbane , Australia
| | - Glenda C Gobe
- Centre for Kidney Disease Research, Faculty of Medicine, Translational Research Institute, University of Queensland , Brisbane , Australia
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Muthukrishnan S, Narasimhan M, Paranthaman SK, Hari T, Viswanathan P, Rajan ST. Estimation of time since death based on light microscopic, electron microscopic, and electrolyte analysis in the gingival tissue. J Forensic Dent Sci 2018; 10:34-39. [PMID: 30122867 PMCID: PMC6080157 DOI: 10.4103/jfo.jfds_36_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Estimation of time since death is an important parameter in forensic science. Although there are various methods available, precise estimation is still to be established. Aim: The present study aimed to evaluate the histological and ultrastructural changes in the gingival tissue along with the changes in electrolyte levels (sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium) among the three groups which included normal, 2, and 4 h since death. Materials and Methods: For light microscopic examination and electrolyte analysis, five normal gingival tissue samples were collected from patient following impaction procedure and five gingival tissue samples were obtained from postmortem specimen at 2 and 4 h since death. Each sample was divided into two parts. The first part was fixed in 10% formalin solution for the light microscopic analysis, and microscopic changes were observed between the groups. The second part was snap frozen at −80°C, until measurement of electrolyte using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer, and the values were compared among the groups using Kruskal–Wallis test. For electron microscopic examination 2 and 4 h postmortem, gingival tissue samples were collected from the same individual and immediately fixed in 2.5% buffered glutaraldehyde, and the ultrastructural changes were compared with the normal gingival tissue. Results: The light microscopic changes were observed as early as 2 h since death, but there was no significant difference observed between 2 and 4 h postmortem samples whereas ultrastructurally significant difference in morphology was observed between 2 and 4 h postmortem gingival tissue. Our results can confirm histomorphological changes within 2 and 4 h since death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sivagami Muthukrishnan
- Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Malathi Narasimhan
- Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sampath Kumar Paranthaman
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Sri Ramachandra Medical College, Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Thamizhchelvan Hari
- Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Sri Ramachandra Medical College, Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Pushpa Viswanathan
- Department of Electron Microscopy, Cancer Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sharada T Rajan
- Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Sri Ramachandra Medical College, Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
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Emmons AL, DeBruyn JM, Mundorff AZ, Cobaugh KL, Cabana GS. The persistence of human DNA in soil following surface decomposition. Sci Justice 2017; 57:341-348. [PMID: 28889863 DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2017.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2017] [Revised: 05/06/2017] [Accepted: 05/12/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Though recent decades have seen a marked increase in research concerning the impact of human decomposition on the grave soil environment, the fate of human DNA in grave soil has been relatively understudied. With the purpose of supplementing the growing body of literature in forensic soil taphonomy, this study assessed the relative persistence of human DNA in soil over the course of decomposition. Endpoint PCR was used to assess the presence or absence of human nuclear and mitochondrial DNA, while qPCR was used to evaluate the quantity of human DNA recovered from the soil beneath four cadavers at the University of Tennessee's Anthropology Research Facility (ARF). Human nuclear DNA from the soil was largely unrecoverable, while human mitochondrial DNA was detectable in the soil throughout all decomposition stages. Mitochondrial DNA copy abundances were not significantly different between decomposition stages and were not significantly correlated to soil edaphic parameters tested. There was, however, a significant positive correlation between mitochondrial DNA copy abundances and the human associated bacteria, Bacteroides, as estimated by 16S rRNA gene abundances. These results show that human mitochondrial DNA can persist in grave soil and be consistently detected throughout decomposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra L Emmons
- Dept. of Anthropology, University of Tennessee, 250 South Stadium Hall, Knoxville, TN 37996-0720, United States.
| | - Jennifer M DeBruyn
- Dept. of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science, University of Tennessee, 2506 E.J. Chapman Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996-4531, United States.
| | - Amy Z Mundorff
- Dept. of Anthropology, University of Tennessee, 250 South Stadium Hall, Knoxville, TN 37996-0720, United States.
| | - Kelly L Cobaugh
- Dept. of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science, University of Tennessee, 2506 E.J. Chapman Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996-4531, United States.
| | - Graciela S Cabana
- Dept. of Anthropology, University of Tennessee, 250 South Stadium Hall, Knoxville, TN 37996-0720, United States.
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Byval'tsev VA, Stepanov IA, Semenov AV, Perfil'ev DV, Belykh EG, Bardonova LA, Nikiforov SB, Sudakov NP, Bespyatykh IV, Antipina SL. [The possibilities for diagnostics of prescription of death coming based on the changes in the lumbar intervertebral disks (the comparison of the morphological, immunohistochemical and topographical findings)]. Sud Med Ekspert 2017; 60:4-8. [PMID: 28766519 DOI: 10.17116/sudmed20176044-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The objective of the present study was the comprehensive analysis of the postmortem changes in the lumbar intervertebral disks within different periods after death. A total of seven vertebromotor segments were distinguished in the lumbosacral region of the vertebral column based on the examination of 7 corpses. All these segments were divided into three groups in accordance with the prescription of death coming as follows: up to 12 hours (group 1), between 12 and 24 hours (group 2), and between 24 and 36 hours (group 3) after death. The models of the segments thus obtained were subjected to the study by means of diffusion weighted MRI. The removed intervertebral disks were used for morphological and immunohistochemical investigations. The comparison of the diffusion coefficients (DI) revealed the significant difference between the intervertebral disks assigned to groups 1 and 2 (p<0.01). The number of the cells in the pulpal core, the vertebral end plate, and the fibrous ring in all the above groups of the intervertebral disks was significantly reduced (p<0.01). The analysis of the correlation dependence between cell density and diffusion coefficients has demonstrated the well apparent relationship between these characteristics of the intervertebral disks comprising groups 1 and 2. It is concluded that diffusion weighted MRI in the combination with the calculation of diffusion coefficients for the intervertebral disks provides a tool for diagnostics of prescription of death coming as confirmed by the results of the morphometric studies and immunohistochemical analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- V A Byval'tsev
- Irkutsk State Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russia, Irkutsk, Russia 664003; Irkutsk Research Centre of Surgery and Orthopedics, Irkutsk, Russia 664003; Irkutsk Railway Clinical Hospital, Irkutsk, Russia 664005; Irkutsk Medical Academy of Post-Graduate Education, Irkutsk, Russia 664049
| | - I A Stepanov
- Irkutsk State Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russia, Irkutsk, Russia 664003
| | - A V Semenov
- Regional Bureau of Forensic Medical Expertise, Irkutsk, Russia, 664022
| | - D V Perfil'ev
- Regional Bureau of Forensic Medical Expertise, Irkutsk, Russia, 664022
| | - E G Belykh
- Irkutsk State Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russia, Irkutsk, Russia 664003
| | - L A Bardonova
- Irkutsk State Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russia, Irkutsk, Russia 664003
| | - S B Nikiforov
- Irkutsk Research Centre of Surgery and Orthopedics, Irkutsk, Russia 664003
| | - N P Sudakov
- Irkutsk Research Centre of Surgery and Orthopedics, Irkutsk, Russia 664003
| | - I V Bespyatykh
- Irkutsk Railway Clinical Hospital, Irkutsk, Russia 664005
| | - S L Antipina
- Irkutsk Railway Clinical Hospital, Irkutsk, Russia 664005
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Abo El-Noor MM, Elhosary NM, Khedr NF, El-Desouky KI. Estimation of Early Postmortem Interval Through Biochemical and Pathological Changes in Rat Heart and Kidney. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 2016; 37:40-6. [PMID: 26730800 DOI: 10.1097/paf.0000000000000214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Accurate estimation of time passed since death is a complicated task in forensic medicine especially in homicide or unwitnessed death investigations. Changes in oxidant/antioxidant parameters were investigated if it can be relied upon in estimating the early postmortem interval (EPI) in rat heart and kidney, and whether these changes were correlated with histopathological findings in these tissues. Heart and kidney tissues of 84 male albino rats were divided into 2 parts. One part used for estimation of levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), and total thiol as well as the activity of glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione S transferase, and catalase. The second part was examined histopathologically. It was found that MDA and NO were significantly increased earlier in the heart than kidney tissues. Meanwhile, total thiol, catalase, glutathione S transferase, and GR were commenced to be significantly decreased in the heart before kidney tissues. Linear regression analysis of independent variables of heart was found to be of a high predictive value of 97.2% (EPI = 8.607 - 0.240 GR + 0.002 MDA + 0.014 NO). Structural deterioration of heart started 3 to 4 hours compared with renal sections that began 5 to 6 hours after death. The relationship between oxidant and antioxidant parameters is crucial in determining the EPI. The kidney was found to be more resistible to oxidative damage. Further research on humans is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Mohamed Abo El-Noor
- From the *Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology Department, Faculty of Medicine, †Biochemisty Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, and ‡Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
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30
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CPMG relaxation rate dispersion in dipole fields around capillaries. Magn Reson Imaging 2016; 34:875-88. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mri.2016.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2015] [Revised: 03/23/2016] [Accepted: 03/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Obukhova LM, Edelev NS, Andriyanova NA, Edelev IS. [Determination of the blood myoglobin levels for the purpose of forensic medical expertise: the methodological peculiarities and the prospects for the further use]. Sud Med Ekspert 2016; 59:57-60. [PMID: 27500485 DOI: 10.17116/sudmed201659457-60] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The objective of the present work was to study the dependence of the blood myoglobin levels on the time of death, gender, and age of the subject, methods employed to analyze this protein, and the duration of storage of the biological materials after autopsy. Myoglobin levels were measured in cadaveric blood of the subjects who had died as a result of acute cardiovascular insufficiency and chronic coronary heart disease in the passive hemagglutination reaction with the use of the erythrocyte diagnosticum and in the immunoturbodimetric test combined with the fixed time method. It was shown that the blood myoglobin level depends on prescription of death coming, duration of storage of the biological materials, age and sex of the deceased subject. It is concluded that the immunoturbodimetric method is characterized by the higher accuracy and better reproducibility than the passive hemagglutination reaction with the use of the erythrocyte diagnosticum.
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Affiliation(s)
- L M Obukhova
- Nizhni Novgorod Regional Bureau of Forensic Medical Expertise, Nizhni Novgorod, Russia, 603104
| | - N S Edelev
- Nizhni Novgorod Regional Bureau of Forensic Medical Expertise, Nizhni Novgorod, Russia, 603104
| | - N A Andriyanova
- Nizhni Novgorod Regional Bureau of Forensic Medical Expertise, Nizhni Novgorod, Russia, 603104
| | - I S Edelev
- Nizhni Novgorod Regional Bureau of Forensic Medical Expertise, Nizhni Novgorod, Russia, 603104
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32
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George J, Van Wettere AJ, Michaels BB, Crain D, Lewbart GA. Histopathologic evaluation of postmortem autolytic changes in bluegill (Lepomis macrohirus) and crappie (Pomoxis anularis) at varied time intervals and storage temperatures. PeerJ 2016; 4:e1943. [PMID: 27114885 PMCID: PMC4841231 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.1943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2016] [Accepted: 03/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Information is lacking on preserving fish carcasses to minimize postmortem autolysis artifacts when a necropsy cannot be performed immediately. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively identify and score histologic postmortem changes in two species of freshwater fish (bluegill—Lepomis macrochirus; crappie—Pomoxis annularis), at varied time intervals and storage temperatures, to assess the histologic quality of collected samples. A pooled sample of 36 mix sex individuals of healthy bluegill and crappie were euthanized, stored either at room temperature, refrigerated at 4 °C, or frozen at −20 °C, and then necropsied at 0, 4, 24, and 48 h intervals. Histologic specimens were evaluated by light microscopy. Data showed that immediate harvesting of fresh samples provides the best quality and refrigeration would be the preferred method of storage if sample collection had to be delayed for up to 24 h. When sample collection must be delayed more than 24 h, the preferred method of storage to minimize autolysis artifacts is freezing if evaluation of the gastrointestinal tract is most important, or refrigeration if gill histology is most important. The gill arch, intestinal tract, followed by the liver and kidney were the most sensitive organs to autolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jami George
- Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine , Raleigh, NC , United States
| | - Arnaud J Van Wettere
- Department of Animal, Dairy & Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University , Logan, UT , United States
| | | | - Debbi Crain
- Live Exhibits, Bass Pro Shops , Springfield, MO , United States
| | - Gregory A Lewbart
- Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine , Raleigh, NC , United States
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Histological Changes in Skeletal Muscle During Death by Drowning: An Experimental Study. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 2016; 37:118-26. [PMID: 27043461 DOI: 10.1097/paf.0000000000000233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
A diagnosis of drowning is a challenge in legal medicine as there is generally a lack of pathognomonic findings indicative of drowning. This article investigates whether the skeletal muscle undergoes structural changes during death by drowning. Eighteen Wistar rats were divided into 3 equal groups according to the cause of death: drowning, exsanguination, and cervical dislocation. Immediately after death, samples of the masseter, sternohyoid, diaphragm, anterior tibial, soleus, and extensor digitorum longus muscles were obtained and examined by light and electron microscopy.In the drowning group, all muscles except the masseter displayed scattered evidence of fiber degeneration, and modified Gomori trichrome staining revealed structural changes in the form of abnormal clumps of red material and ragged red fibers. Under the electron microscope, there was myofibrillar disruption and large masses of abnormal mitochondria. In the exsanguination group, modified Gomori trichrome staining disclosed structural changes and mitochondrial abnormalities were apparent under light microscopy; however, there was no evidence of degeneration. No alterations were observed in the cervical dislocation group.As far as we know, this is the first time that these histological findings are described in death by drowning and are consistent with rhabdomyolysis and intense anoxia of skeletal muscle.
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Azevedo-Alanis LR, Tolentino EDS, de Assis GF, Cestari TM, Lara VS, Damante JH. Acinar autolysis and mucous extravasation in human sublingual glands: a microscopic postmortem study. J Appl Oral Sci 2016; 23:459-66. [PMID: 26537715 PMCID: PMC4621937 DOI: 10.1590/1678-775720150139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2015] [Accepted: 06/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Although some morphological investigations on aged human sublingual glands (HSG) found eventual phenomena identified as autolysis and mucous extravasation, the exact meaning of these findings has not been elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gerson Francisco de Assis
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru, Universidade de São Paulo, Bauru, SP, Brazil
| | - Tânia Mary Cestari
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru, Universidade de São Paulo, Bauru, SP, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Soares Lara
- Departamento de Estomatologia, Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru, Universidade de São Paulo, Bauru, SP, Brazil
| | - José Humberto Damante
- Departamento de Estomatologia, Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru, Universidade de São Paulo, Bauru, SP, Brazil
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Pittner S, Monticelli FC, Pfisterer A, Zissler A, Sänger AM, Stoiber W, Steinbacher P. Postmortem degradation of skeletal muscle proteins: a novel approach to determine the time since death. Int J Legal Med 2015; 130:421-31. [PMID: 26041514 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-015-1210-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2015] [Accepted: 05/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Estimating the time since death is a very important aspect in forensic sciences which is pursued by a variety of methods. The most precise method to determine the postmortem interval (PMI) is the temperature method which is based on the decrease of the body core temperature from 37 °C. However, this method is only useful in the early postmortem phase (~0-36 h). The aim of the present work is to develop an accurate method for PMI determination beyond this present limit. For this purpose, we used sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), Western blotting, and casein zymography to analyze the time course of degradation of selected proteins and calpain activity in porcine biceps femoris muscle until 240 h postmortem (hpm). Our results demonstrate that titin, nebulin, desmin, cardiac troponin T, and SERCA1 degraded in a regular and predictable fashion in all samples investigated. Similarly, both the native calpain 1 and calpain 2 bands disintegrate into two bands subsequently. This degradation behavior identifies muscular proteins and enzymes as promising substrates for future molecular-based PMI determination technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Pittner
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstr. 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Fabio C Monticelli
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Forensic Neuropsychiatry, University of Salzburg, Ignaz-Harrer-Straße 79, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Alexander Pfisterer
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstr. 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Angela Zissler
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstr. 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Alexandra M Sänger
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstr. 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Walter Stoiber
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstr. 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Peter Steinbacher
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstr. 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria.
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Ghorbani R, Jalili C, Salahshoor MR, Shiasi M. The effect of time and temperature on viability and performance of Langerhans islets separated from Balb/c mouse after death. Adv Biomed Res 2015; 4:93. [PMID: 26015919 PMCID: PMC4434490 DOI: 10.4103/2277-9175.156657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2014] [Accepted: 06/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Tissue transplantation plays a pivotal role in the treatment of diseases. Pancreatic beta cell transplantation is the best way to obtain normal blood glucose in patients with diabetes type 1. However, it is not clear how long endocrine pancreas cells can be used for transplantation after the donor's death. The present study was conducted to analyze the performance and viability of pancreatic islet cells after death. Materials and Methods: Pancreas was separated from Balb/c mice at different times (0, 1, 4, 6, 12, and 24 h after death) at temperatures of 4°C and 23°C, and was cultured in Roswell_Park_Memorial_Institute (RPMI) 1640. Insulin shock, MTT assay, aldehyde fuchsin staining, dithizone staining, and florescence microscopy methods were applied to analyze the performance of beta cells, cell viability, islets’ diagnosis, islet cells’ diagnosis, and viable and necrotic cells diagnosis, respectively. Results: Islets of Langerhans and beta cells were diagnosed. By increasing the temperature and time, the viability and performance of beta cells decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The best condition for keeping the islets of Langerhans in terms of viability and performance is 4 h after death at temperature of 4°C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rostam Ghorbani
- Fertility and Infertility Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Cyrus Jalili
- Fertility and Infertility Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Salahshoor
- Fertility and Infertility Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Maryam Shiasi
- Department of Anatomy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Spörndly-Nees E, Ekstedt E, Magnusson U, Fakhrzadeh A, Luengo Hendriks CL, Holm L. Effect of pre-fixation delay and freezing on mink testicular endpoints for environmental research. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0125139. [PMID: 25933113 PMCID: PMC4416813 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0125139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2014] [Accepted: 03/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
There is growing interest in using wild animals to monitor the real-life cocktail effect of environmental chemicals on male reproduction. However, practical difficulties, such as long distances to the laboratory, generally prolong the time between euthanisation and specimen handling. For instance, tissue fixation is often performed on frozen material or on material where deterioration has started, which may affect tissue morphology. This study examined the effect of pre-fixation delay and freezing on mink testicular endpoints in order to determine robust endpoints in suboptimally handled specimens. Sexually mature farmed mink (n=30) selected at culling were divided into six groups and subjected to different time intervals between euthanisation and fixation or freezing: 0 hours (fixed immediately post mortem), 6 hours, 18 hours, 30 hours, 42 hours, or frozen 6 hours post mortem and thawed overnight. Unaffected endpoints when pre-fixation storage was extended to 30 hours included: area and diameter of the seminiferous tubules, length and weight of the testes, and acrosomes marked with Gata-4. Epithelial height, Sertoli cells marked with Gata-4 and cell morphology were affected endpoints after 6 hours of storage. Freezing the tissue prior to fixation severely altered cell morphology and reduced testicular weight, tubular diameter and area. Morphological changes seen after 6 hours included shredded germ cells and excess cytoplasm in seminiferous tubular lumen, chromatin rearrangements and increased germ cell death. Extended delay before fixation and freezing affected many endpoints in the mink testicular tissue. Some of these endpoints may mimic chemically induced effects, which is important to consider when evaluating specimens from wild animals for environmental toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellinor Spörndly-Nees
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Science, Uppsala, Sweden
- * E-mail:
| | - Elisabeth Ekstedt
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Science, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ulf Magnusson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Science, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Azadeh Fakhrzadeh
- Department of Information Technology, Division of Visual Information and Interaction, Centre for Image Analysis, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Cris L. Luengo Hendriks
- Department of Information Technology, Division of Visual Information and Interaction, Centre for Image Analysis, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lena Holm
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Science, Uppsala, Sweden
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Courts C, Sauer E, Hofmann Y, Madea B, Schyma C. Assessment of STR Typing Success Rate in Soft Tissues from Putrefied Bodies Based on a Quantitative Grading System for Putrefaction. J Forensic Sci 2015; 60:1016-21. [DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.12746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2014] [Revised: 04/30/2014] [Accepted: 06/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Eva Sauer
- Institute of Legal Medicine; University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
| | - Yaiza Hofmann
- Institute of Legal Medicine; University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
| | - Burkhard Madea
- Institute of Legal Medicine; University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
| | - Christian Schyma
- Institute of Legal Medicine; University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
- Institute of Legal Medicine; University of Bern; Bern Switzerland
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Inai K, Noriki S, Kinoshita K, Nishijima A, Sakai T, Kimura H, Naiki H. Feasibility of liver weight estimation by postmortem computed tomography images: An autopsy study. Pathol Int 2014; 64:315-24. [DOI: 10.1111/pin.12174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2013] [Accepted: 05/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kunihiro Inai
- Division of Molecular Pathology School of Medical Sciences University of Fukui Fukui Japan
- Division of Autopsy Imaging Center School of Medical Sciences University of Fukui Fukui Japan
| | - Sakon Noriki
- Division of Tumor Pathology School of Medical Sciences University of Fukui Fukui Japan
- Division of Autopsy Imaging Center School of Medical Sciences University of Fukui Fukui Japan
| | - Kazuyuki Kinoshita
- Division of Radiology School of Medical Sciences University of Fukui Fukui Japan
- Division of Autopsy Imaging Center School of Medical Sciences University of Fukui Fukui Japan
| | - Akihiko Nishijima
- Division of Autopsy Imaging Center School of Medical Sciences University of Fukui Fukui Japan
| | - Toyohiko Sakai
- Division of Radiology School of Medical Sciences University of Fukui Fukui Japan
- Division of Autopsy Imaging Center School of Medical Sciences University of Fukui Fukui Japan
| | - Hirohiko Kimura
- Division of Radiology School of Medical Sciences University of Fukui Fukui Japan
- Division of Autopsy Imaging Center School of Medical Sciences University of Fukui Fukui Japan
| | - Hironobu Naiki
- Division of Molecular Pathology School of Medical Sciences University of Fukui Fukui Japan
- Division of Autopsy Imaging Center School of Medical Sciences University of Fukui Fukui Japan
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40
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Kobayashi T, Monma M, Baba T, Ishimori Y, Shiotani S, Saitou H, Kaga K, Miyamoto K, Hayakawa H, Homma K. Optimization of inversion time for postmortem short-tau inversion recovery (STIR) MR imaging. Magn Reson Med Sci 2014; 13:67-72. [PMID: 24769635 DOI: 10.2463/mrms.2013-0046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Signal intensity and image contrast differ between postmortem magnetic resonance (PMMR) images and images acquired from the living body. We sought to achieve sufficient fat suppression with short-tau inversion recovery (STIR) PMMR imaging by optimizing inversion time (TI). MATERIAL AND METHODS We subjected 37 deceased adult patients to PMMR imaging at 1.5 tesla 8 to 60 hours after confirmation of death and measured T1 values of areas of subcutaneous fat with relaxation time maps. Rectal temperature (RT) measured immediately after PMMR ranged from 6 to 31°C. We used Pearson's correlation coefficient to analyze the relationship between T1 and relaxation time (RT). We compared STIR images from 4 cadavers acquired with a TI commonly used in the living body and another TI calculated from the linear regression of T1 and RT. RESULTS T1 values of subcutaneous fat ranged from 89.4 to 182.2 ms. There was a strong, positive, and significant correlation between T1 and RT (r = 0.91, P < 0.0001). The regression expression for the relationship was T1 = 2.6*RT + 90 at a field strength of 1.5T. The subcutaneous fat signal was suppressed more effectively with the optimized TI. CONCLUSION The T1 value of subcutaneous fat in PMMR correlates linearly with body temperature. Using this correlation to determine TI, fat suppression with PMMR STIR imaging can be easily improved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoya Kobayashi
- Department of Radiological Technology, Tsukuba Medical Center Hospital
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41
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Ghandour NM, Refaiy AE, Omran GA. Cardiac histopathological and immunohistochemical changes due to electric injury in rats. J Forensic Leg Med 2014; 23:44-8. [PMID: 24661705 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2014.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2013] [Revised: 12/18/2013] [Accepted: 01/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
It has been a puzzling forensic task to determine the cause of death as a result of electric shock in the absence of recognizable skin marks or definite postmortem morphological findings. In forensic pathology, while classical macroscopic and microscopic morphology remain core procedures to investigate deaths, a variety of subsidiary measures has been developed and incorporated to detail that pathology. C-fos, one of a small group of genes called primary response genes and its protein product, fos, are crucial elements of complex signaling mechanisms believed to be responsible for cell response to stimulation. It has been found that c-fos plays a significant role in myocardial lesions, and has close relation to injury repair of the molecule. The aim of this study was to detect the histopathological findings in the myocardium after fatal and non-fatal electrical injury in rats and to investigate the potential role of c-fos expression using immunohistochemistry to distinguish antemortem from postmortem electrocution. Forty adult female rats were implemented and randomly divided into four groups (A, B, C and D). Group (A) rats were subjected to instantaneous antemortem electricity and their hearts were collected either immediately (A₁) or after an hour (A₂) before being subjected to cervical dislocation. Group (B) rats were electrically injured instantaneously postmortem, hearts were collected immediately (B₁) or an hour later (B₂) while Group (C) rats were electrified up to death, and their hearts were also gathered either immediately (C₁) or after an hour (C₂) from electrocution. Lastly, another group of rats served as a control group (Group D). Subgroup (D₁): rats were clamped but not electrified, before death and another group of rats were clamped but not electrified, after being killed by cervical dislocation. Sections from the hearts of all groups were fixed in formalin and routinely processed. The c-fos oncogene expression was evaluated in all groups by immunohistochemistry. Significant histopathological findings were detected in groups A and C. Few c-fos oncogene protein positive cardiomyocyte nuclei were seen in rats of groups (A₁) and (B₁). Additionally, increased expression in rats of groups C₁, C₂ and A₂ were observed. On the other hand, no c-fos protein expression was seen either in the control (groups D₁ and D₂) or in group B₂. Significant differences (p < 0.001) in c-fos expression were observed among rats of groups with antemortem electric injury (A₁, A₂) and those of postmortem injury (B₁ and B₂). Thus, in addition to classical histopathological methods, c-fos can be regarded as a target in identifying electrical injury, and can be used as an indicator to distinguish antemortem from postmortem electric shock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nagwa M Ghandour
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut City 71524, Egypt
| | - Abeer E Refaiy
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Egypt
| | - Ghada Ali Omran
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut City 71524, Egypt.
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42
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McCullumsmith RE, Hammond JH, Shan D, Meador-Woodruff JH. Postmortem brain: an underutilized substrate for studying severe mental illness. Neuropsychopharmacology 2014; 39:65-87. [PMID: 24091486 PMCID: PMC3857666 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2013.239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2013] [Revised: 07/30/2013] [Accepted: 08/02/2013] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
We propose that postmortem tissue is an underutilized substrate that may be used to translate genetic and/or preclinical studies, particularly for neuropsychiatric illnesses with complex etiologies. Postmortem brain tissues from subjects with schizophrenia have been extensively studied, and thus serve as a useful vehicle for illustrating the challenges associated with this biological substrate. Schizophrenia is likely caused by a combination of genetic risk and environmental factors that combine to create a disease phenotype that is typically not apparent until late adolescence. The complexity of this illness creates challenges for hypothesis testing aimed at understanding the pathophysiology of the illness, as postmortem brain tissues collected from individuals with schizophrenia reflect neuroplastic changes from a lifetime of severe mental illness, as well as treatment with antipsychotic medications. While there are significant challenges with studying postmortem brain, such as the postmortem interval, it confers a translational element that is difficult to recapitulate in animal models. On the other hand, data derived from animal models typically provide specific mechanistic and behavioral measures that cannot be generated using human subjects. Convergence of these two approaches has led to important insights for understanding molecular deficits and their causes in this illness. In this review, we discuss the problem of schizophrenia, review the common challenges related to postmortem studies, discuss the application of biochemical approaches to this substrate, and present examples of postmortem schizophrenia studies that illustrate the role of the postmortem approach for generating important new leads for understanding the pathophysiology of severe mental illness.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John H Hammond
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama-Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Dan Shan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama-Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - James H Meador-Woodruff
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama-Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
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43
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Fordyce SL, Kampmann ML, van Doorn NL, Gilbert MTP. Long-term RNA persistence in postmortem contexts. INVESTIGATIVE GENETICS 2013; 4:7. [PMID: 23618361 PMCID: PMC3662605 DOI: 10.1186/2041-2223-4-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2012] [Accepted: 04/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Ribonucleic acids (RNA) are generally considered fragile molecules that are readily degraded. However, there is growing documentation of long-term (from days to centuries) RNA persistence in a variety of contexts and tissue types, and as such a number of academic disciplines are beginning to exploit degraded RNA. While the reasons for its survival are not fully understood, there are several plausible mechanisms that would safeguard this molecule against degradation. However, after examining the literature available on the postmortem instability and decay mechanisms of RNA, it has become clear that limited experimental studies and no reviews offer an overview of these mechanisms. Hence in this review we outline molecular reasons for RNA surviving long-term postmortem, and provide specific examples of RNA survival in forensic, archival and archaeological contexts. A better understanding of the mechanisms of RNA decay will be crucial for developing expectations on its long-term survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L Fordyce
- Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, Øster Voldgade 5-7, 1350, Copenhagen K, Denmark.
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44
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Soto-Gutierrez A, Wertheim JA, Ott HC, Gilbert TW. Perspectives on whole-organ assembly: moving toward transplantation on demand. J Clin Invest 2012; 122:3817-23. [PMID: 23114604 DOI: 10.1172/jci61974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
There is an ever-growing demand for transplantable organs to replace acute and chronically damaged tissues. This demand cannot be met by the currently available donor organs. Efforts to provide an alternative source have led to the development of organ engineering, a discipline that combines cell biology, tissue engineering, and cell/organ transplantation. Over the last several years, engineered organs have been implanted into rodent recipients and have shown modest function. In this article, we summarize the most recent advances in this field and provide a perspective on the challenges of translating this promising new technology into a proven regenerative therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Soto-Gutierrez
- Department of Pathology, Transplantation Section of Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
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45
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Autolysis: a plausible finding suggestive of long ESD procedure time. Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech 2012; 22:e115-7. [PMID: 22487637 DOI: 10.1097/sle.0b013e318247c347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Autolysis is the enzymatic digestion of cells by the action of its own enzymes, and it mostly occurs in dying or dead cells. It has previously been suggested that prolonged procedure time could lead to autolytic changes from the periphery of the endoscopic submucosal dissection specimens. Recently, the authors have experienced a case of autolysis; due to the presence of ulcer, fibrosis, and frequent bleeding from the cut surface, it took 6 hours to complete the resection. More than halfway through the resection; bluish purple discoloration of the part of the dissected flap where the dissection was initiated was noticed. Histologic examination of this site showed diffuse distortion of epithelial lining and cellular architectures along with loss of cell components, compatible with autolysis. Because autolysis could theoretically pose a potential problem regarding the evaluation of resection margin, endoscopists and pathologists should communicate with each other for a reliable pathologic decision.
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Kurtulus A, Acar K, Sorkun H, Kelten C, Boz B. The relationship between adrenal gland morphometric changes and postmortem interval in rats: a stereological study. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2012; 14:214-8. [PMID: 22503244 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2012.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2011] [Revised: 02/23/2012] [Accepted: 03/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The importance of determining time of death is crucial to forensic cases. The ability to use adrenal gland volume changes and adrenal medulla chromaffin cell counts to obtain the postmortem interval was examined in this study. A total of 15 rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and divided into three groups. The left adrenal glands were quickly excised in the first group at 0 h, in the second group at 12 h and in the third group at 24 h. Subsequently, the samples were fixed in 10% formalin solution and embedded in paraffin according to standard procedures. Ten to fifteen sections were obtained from each left adrenal gland by taking 30 μm thick sections; then, the sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE). The adrenal cortex and medullar volumes were calculated by Cavalieri's principle, which is a stereological method. The adrenal medullary chromaffin cell count was evaluated by the optical fractionator method. The total volume of the adrenal gland was determined as 4.82±1 mm(3) at 0 h, 6.32±0.28 mm(3) at 12 h and 8.35±1.73 mm(3) at 24 h. Increases in the adrenal cortex, adrenal medulla and the total volume of the adrenal gland at 12 and 24 h postmortem compared with at 0 h were statistically significant (p<0.05). The difference between the groups in terms of the total number chromaffin cells was statistically significant (p<0.05). In this preliminary study, we evaluated the total volume of the adrenal gland and the number of chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla. We concluded that these parameters could be used reliably in determining the postmortem interval.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayse Kurtulus
- Pamukkale University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Forensic Medicine, Denizli, Turkey
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Abstract
DNA barcoding provides an operational framework for mammalian taxonomic identification and cryptic species discovery. Focused effort to build a reference library of genetic data has resulted in the assembly of over 35 K mammalian cytochrome c oxidase subunit I sequences and outlined the scope of mammal-related barcoding projects. Based on the above experience, this chapter recounts three typical methodological pathways involved in mammalian barcoding: routine methods aimed at assembling the reference sequence library from high quality samples, express approaches used to attain cheap and fast taxonomic identifications for applied purposes, and forensic techniques employed when dealing with degraded material. Most of the methods described are applicable to a range of vertebrate taxa outside Mammalia.
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Erman A, Veranič P. Time- and temperature-dependent autolysis of urinary bladder epithelium during ex vivo preservation. PROTOPLASMA 2011; 248:541-550. [PMID: 20803159 DOI: 10.1007/s00709-010-0201-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2010] [Accepted: 08/12/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Morphological and functional preservation of urinary bladder epithelium-urothelium after extirpation from an organism enables physiological studies of that tissue and provides the basis for successful organ transplantations. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal temperature for maintaining urothelium in ex vivo conditions. Mouse urinary bladders were kept at the three temperatures usually used for maintaining tissue during transportation: at the temperature of melting ice (1°C), at room temperature (22-24°C), and at the body temperature of most mammals (37°C). Autolytic structural changes were followed with electron microscopy, while destruction of cytoskeleton and intercellular junctions was observed by immunolabeling. The first ultrastructural changes, swelling of mitochondria and necrosis of individual cells, became evident 30 min after extirpation if the tissue was kept at 1°C. After 60 and 120 min in ex vivo conditions, the most severe changes with increasing plasma membrane ruptures were detected at 1°C, while at room temperature only mild changes were detected. At 37°C, the extent of ultrastructural changes was between those of the other two experimental temperatures. Autolytic destruction of cytoskeleton and intercellular junctions was not observed before 2 h after extirpation. After 4 h, severe degradation of cytokeratin 20 and microtubules were found at 1°C and 37°C, while being almost undisturbed at room temperature. On the other hand, the reduction of desmoplakin and ZO-1 labeling was more evident at 37°C than at 1°C and room temperature. These findings provide evidence that room temperature is most appropriate for short ex vivo preservation of urothelial tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreja Erman
- Institute of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Nery LR, Moreira CR, Cestari TM, Taga R, Damante JH. Postmortem acinar autolysis in rat sublingual gland: a morphometric study. J Appl Oral Sci 2011; 18:509-14. [PMID: 21085809 PMCID: PMC4246384 DOI: 10.1590/s1678-77572010000500014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2009] [Accepted: 09/05/2009] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To analyze and to quantify morphological acinar postmortem changes in rat
sublingual glands (SLG). Material and Methods Fifty rats were divided into two groups of 25 animals each. Group I was used for
morphological and morphometric evaluations and group II for the determination of
gland density and processed gland volume. Acinar autolytic changes were studied at
0 (control group), 3, 6, 12 and 24 h postmortem periods. The morphometric analysis
of the volume density (Vv) and total volume
(VT) of intact (ia) and autolyzed (aa) acini was
performed under light microscopy using a Zeiss II integration grid with 100
symmetrically distributed points. Results Morphologically, temporal progressive nuclear alterations and gradual loss of the
structural architecture of acinar cells were found. Regarding quantitative
results, both the Vvaa and the Vvia showed statistically significant differences
among all postmortem periods (p<0.05). Vvaa increased from
0.42% at 0 h to 75.84% at 24 h postmortem and Vvia decreased from 71.16% to 0%
over the same period. For VTaa and
VTia, no statistically significant differences
occurred between 12-24 h and 0-3 h (p>0.05), respectively. Vtaa increased from
0.18 mm3 at 0 h to 38.17 mm3 at 12 h, while Vtia showed a
decrease from 33.47 mm3 to 0 mm3 between 3-24 h postmortem.
Data concerning VTaa were adjusted by twovariable
linear regression, obtaining the equation: y=-3.54 + 3.38x (r2=0.90).
The VTaa growth rate calculated by this equation was
3.38 mm3/h between 0-12 h. Conclusion Acinar autolysis on rat SLG demonstrated the most significant signs during the
first 6 h postmortem and was widely spread through the gland at 12 h.
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50
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van Doorn NL, Wilson AS, Willerslev E, Gilbert MTP. Bone Marrow and Bone as a Source for Postmortem RNA*. J Forensic Sci 2011; 56:720-5. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2010.01684.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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