1
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Huang W, Zhao S, Liu H, Pan M, Dong H. The Role of Protein Degradation in Estimation Postmortem Interval and Confirmation of Cause of Death in Forensic Pathology: A Literature Review. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1659. [PMID: 38338938 PMCID: PMC10855206 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031659] [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: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
It is well known that proteins are important bio-macromolecules in human organisms, and numerous proteins are widely used in the clinical practice, whereas their application in forensic science is currently limited. This limitation is mainly attributed to the postmortem degradation of targeted proteins, which can significantly impact final conclusions. In the last decade, numerous methods have been established to detect the protein from a forensic perspective, and some of the postmortem proteins have been applied in forensic practice. To better understand the emerging issues and challenges in postmortem proteins, we have reviewed the current application of protein technologies at postmortem in forensic practice. Meanwhile, we discuss the application of proteins in identifying the cause of death, and postmortem interval (PMI). Finally, we highlight the interpretability and limitations of postmortem protein challenges. We believe that utilizing the multi-omics method can enhance the comprehensiveness of applying proteins in forensic practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weisheng Huang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Hankou, Wuhan 430030, China; (W.H.)
| | - Shuquan Zhao
- Faculty of Forensic Pathology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China;
| | - Huine Liu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Hankou, Wuhan 430030, China; (W.H.)
| | - Meichen Pan
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Hankou, Wuhan 430030, China; (W.H.)
| | - Hongmei Dong
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Hankou, Wuhan 430030, China; (W.H.)
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Juan SMA, Daglas M, Adlard PA. Altered amyloid precursor protein, tau-regulatory proteins, neuronal numbers and behaviour, but no tau pathology, synaptic and inflammatory changes or memory deficits, at 1 month following repetitive mild traumatic brain injury. Eur J Neurosci 2022; 56:5342-5367. [PMID: 35768153 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15752] [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: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Repetitive mild traumatic brain injury, commonly experienced following sports injuries, results in various secondary injury processes and is increasingly recognised as a risk factor for the development of neurodegenerative conditions such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which is characterised by tau pathology. We aimed to characterise the underlying pathological mechanisms that might contribute to the onset of neurodegeneration and behavioural changes in the less-explored subacute (1-month) period following single or repetitive controlled cortical impact injury (five impacts, 48 h apart) in 12-week-old male and female C57Bl6 mice. We conducted motor and cognitive testing, extensively characterised the status of tau and its regulatory proteins via western blot and quantified neuronal populations using stereology. We report that r-mTBI resulted in neurobehavioural deficits, gait impairments and anxiety-like behaviour at 1 month post-injury, effects not seen following a single injury. R-mTBI caused a significant increase in amyloid precursor protein, an increased trend towards tau phosphorylation and significant changes in kinase/phosphatase proteins that may promote a downstream increase in tau phosphorylation, but no changes in synaptic or neuroinflammatory markers. Lastly, we report neuronal loss in various brain regions following both single and repeat injuries. We demonstrate herein that repeated impacts are required to promote the initiation of a cascade of biochemical events that are consistent with the onset of neurodegeneration subacutely post-injury. Identifying the timeframe in which these changes occur and the pathological mechanisms involved will be crucial for the development of future therapeutics to prevent the onset or mitigate the progression of neurodegeneration following r-mTBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydney M A Juan
- Synaptic Neurobiology Laboratory, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The Melbourne Dementia Research Centre and The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Maria Daglas
- Synaptic Neurobiology Laboratory, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The Melbourne Dementia Research Centre and The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Paul A Adlard
- Synaptic Neurobiology Laboratory, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The Melbourne Dementia Research Centre and The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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3
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Maiese A, Manetti AC, Iacoponi N, Mezzetti E, Turillazzi E, Di Paolo M, La Russa R, Frati P, Fineschi V. State-of-the-Art on Wound Vitality Evaluation: A Systematic Review. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:6881. [PMID: 35805886 PMCID: PMC9266385 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23136881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The vitality demonstration refers to determining if an injury has been caused ante- or post-mortem, while wound age means to evaluate how long a subject has survived after the infliction of an injury. Histology alone is not enough to prove the vitality of a lesion. Recently, immunohistochemistry, biochemistry, and molecular biology have been introduced in the field of lesions vitality and age demonstration. The study was conducted according to the preferred reporting items for systematic review (PRISMA) protocol. The search terms were "wound", "lesion", "vitality", "evaluation", "immunohistochemistry", "proteins", "electrolytes", "mRNAs", and "miRNAs" in the title, abstract, and keywords. This evaluation left 137 scientific papers. This review aimed to collect all the knowledge on vital wound demonstration and provide a temporal distribution of the methods currently available, in order to determine the age of lesions, thus helping forensic pathologists in finding a way through the tangled jungle of wound vitality evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aniello Maiese
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (A.C.M.); (N.I.); (E.M.); (E.T.); (M.D.P.)
| | - Alice Chiara Manetti
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (A.C.M.); (N.I.); (E.M.); (E.T.); (M.D.P.)
| | - Naomi Iacoponi
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (A.C.M.); (N.I.); (E.M.); (E.T.); (M.D.P.)
| | - Eleonora Mezzetti
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (A.C.M.); (N.I.); (E.M.); (E.T.); (M.D.P.)
| | - Emanuela Turillazzi
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (A.C.M.); (N.I.); (E.M.); (E.T.); (M.D.P.)
| | - Marco Di Paolo
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (A.C.M.); (N.I.); (E.M.); (E.T.); (M.D.P.)
| | - Raffaele La Russa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy;
| | - Paola Frati
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Institute of Legal Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 336, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Vittorio Fineschi
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Institute of Legal Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 336, 00161 Rome, Italy;
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Huang CX, Li YH, Lu W, Huang SH, Li MJ, Xiao LZ, Liu J. Positron emission tomography imaging for the assessment of mild traumatic brain injury and chronic traumatic encephalopathy: recent advances in radiotracers. Neural Regen Res 2022; 17:74-81. [PMID: 34100430 PMCID: PMC8451552 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.314285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A chronic phase following repetitive mild traumatic brain injury can present as chronic traumatic encephalopathy in some cases, which requires a neuropathological examination to make a definitive diagnosis. Positron emission tomography (PET) is a molecular imaging modality that has high sensitivity for detecting even very small molecular changes, and can be used to quantitatively measure a range of molecular biological processes in the brain using different radioactive tracers. Functional changes have also been reported in patients with different forms of traumatic brain injury, especially mild traumatic brain injury and subsequent chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Thus, PET provides a novel approach for the further evaluation of mild traumatic brain injury at molecular levels. In this review, we discuss the recent advances in PET imaging with different radiotracers, including radioligands for PET imaging of glucose metabolism, tau, amyloid-beta, γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors, and neuroinflammation, in the identification of altered neurological function. These novel radiolabeled ligands are likely to have widespread clinical application, and may be helpful for the treatment of mild traumatic brain injury. Moreover, PET functional imaging with different ligands can be used in the future to perform large-scale and sequential studies exploring the time-dependent changes that occur in mild traumatic brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chu-Xin Huang
- Department of Radiology; Department of Neurology, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Yan-Hui Li
- Department of Radiology, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Wei Lu
- Department of Neurology, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Si-Hong Huang
- Department of Radiology, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Meng-Jun Li
- Department of Radiology, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Li-Zhi Xiao
- PET-CT Center, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Radiology, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
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Agoston DV, Vink R, Helmy A, Risling M, Nelson D, Prins M. How to Translate Time: The Temporal Aspects of Rodent and Human Pathobiological Processes in Traumatic Brain Injury. J Neurotrauma 2019; 36:1724-1737. [PMID: 30628544 PMCID: PMC7643768 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2018.6261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) triggers multiple pathobiological responses with differing onsets, magnitudes, and durations. Identifying the therapeutic window of individual pathologies is critical for successful pharmacological treatment. Dozens of experimental pharmacotherapies have been successfully tested in rodent models, yet all of them (to date) have failed in clinical trials. The differing time scales of rodent and human biological and pathological processes may have contributed to these failures. We compared rodent versus human time scales of TBI-induced changes in cerebral glucose metabolism, inflammatory processes, axonal integrity, and water homeostasis based on published data. We found that the trajectories of these pathologies run on different timescales in the two species, and it appears that there is no universal "conversion rate" between rodent and human pathophysiological processes. For example, the inflammatory process appears to have an abbreviated time scale in rodents versus humans relative to cerebral glucose metabolism or axonal pathologies. Limitations toward determining conversion rates for various pathobiological processes include the use of differing outcome measures in experimental and clinical TBI studies and the rarity of longitudinal studies. In order to better translate time and close the translational gap, we suggest 1) using clinically relevant outcome measures, primarily in vivo imaging and blood-based proteomics, in experimental TBI studies and 2) collecting data at multiple post-injury time points with a frequency exceeding the expected information content by two or three times. Combined with a big data approach, we believe these measures will facilitate the translation of promising experimental treatments into clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denes V. Agoston
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Robert Vink
- Division of Health Science, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Adel Helmy
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Mårten Risling
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - David Nelson
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Section of Perioperative Medicine and Intensive Care, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mayumi Prins
- Department of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
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6
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Haque ME, Kim IS, Jakaria M, Akther M, Choi DK. Importance of GPCR-Mediated Microglial Activation in Alzheimer's Disease. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12:258. [PMID: 30186116 PMCID: PMC6110855 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder associated with impairment of cognition, memory deficits and behavioral abnormalities. Accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) is a characteristic hallmark of AD. Microglia express several GPCRs, which, upon activation by modulators, mediate microglial activation and polarization phenotype. This GPCR-mediated microglial activation has both protective and detrimental effects. Microglial GPCRs are involved in amyloid precursor protein (APP) cleavage and Aβ generation. In addition, microglial GPCRs are featured in the regulation of Aβ degradation and clearance through microglial phagocytosis and chemotaxis. Moreover, in response to Aβ binding on microglial Aβ receptors, they can trigger multiple inflammatory pathways. However, there is still a lack of insight into the mechanistic link between GPCR-mediated microglial activation and its pathological consequences in AD. Currently, the available drugs for the treatment of AD are mostly symptomatic and dominated by acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AchEI). The selection of a specific microglial GPCR that is highly expressed in the AD brain and capable of modulating AD progression through Aβ generation, degradation and clearance will be a potential source of therapeutic intervention. Here, we have highlighted the expression and distribution of various GPCRs connected to microglial activation in the AD brain and their potential to serve as therapeutic targets of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Ezazul Haque
- Department of Applied Life Science, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Chungju, South Korea
| | - In-Su Kim
- Department of Integrated Bioscience and Biotechnology, College of Biomedical and Health Science, Research Institute of Inflammatory Disease, Konkuk University, Chungju, South Korea
| | - Md Jakaria
- Department of Applied Life Science, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Chungju, South Korea
| | - Mahbuba Akther
- Department of Applied Life Science, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Chungju, South Korea
| | - Dong-Kug Choi
- Department of Applied Life Science, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Chungju, South Korea.,Department of Integrated Bioscience and Biotechnology, College of Biomedical and Health Science, Research Institute of Inflammatory Disease, Konkuk University, Chungju, South Korea
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7
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Ali I, Silva JC, Liu S, Shultz SR, Kwan P, Jones NC, O'Brien TJ. Targeting neurodegeneration to prevent post-traumatic epilepsy. Neurobiol Dis 2018; 123:100-109. [PMID: 30099094 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Revised: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In the quest for developing new therapeutic targets for post-traumatic epilepsies (PTE), identifying mechanisms relevant to development and progression of disease is critical. A growing body of literature suggests involvement of neurodegenerative mechanisms in the pathophysiology of acquired epilepsies, including following traumatic brain injury (TBI). In this review, we discuss the potential of some of these mechanisms to be targets for the development of a therapy against PTE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Idrish Ali
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital), The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Juliana C Silva
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital), The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Shijie Liu
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital), The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sandy R Shultz
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital), The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Patrick Kwan
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital), The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Nigel C Jones
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital), The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Terence J O'Brien
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital), The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
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8
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Li N, Du Q, Bai R, Sun J. Vitality and wound-age estimation in forensic pathology: review and future prospects. Forensic Sci Res 2018; 5:15-24. [PMID: 32490306 PMCID: PMC7241561 DOI: 10.1080/20961790.2018.1445441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Determining the age of a wound is challenging in forensic pathology, but it can contribute to the reconstruction of crime scenes and lead to arrest of suspects. Forensic scholars have tended to focus on evaluating wound vitality and determining the time elapsed since the wound was sustained. Recent progress in forensic techniques, particularly high-throughput analyses, has enabled evaluation of materials at the cellular and molecular levels, as well as simultaneous assessment of multiple markers. This paper provides an update on wound-age estimation in forensic pathology, summarizes the recent literature, and considers useful additional information provided by each marker. Finally, the future prospects for estimating wound age in forensic practise are discussed with the hope of providing something useful for further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Li
- Department of Forensic Pathology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.,Key Laboratory of Forensic Science, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Qiuxiang Du
- Department of Forensic Pathology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.,Key Laboratory of Forensic Science, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Rufeng Bai
- Key Laboratory of Evidence Science, China University of Political Science and Law, Beijing, China.,Collaborative Innovation Centre of Judicial Civilization, Beijing, China
| | - Junhong Sun
- Department of Forensic Pathology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.,Key Laboratory of Forensic Science, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
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9
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Hefter D, Draguhn A. APP as a Protective Factor in Acute Neuronal Insults. Front Mol Neurosci 2017; 10:22. [PMID: 28210211 PMCID: PMC5288400 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2017.00022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2016] [Accepted: 01/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite its key role in the molecular pathology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the physiological function of amyloid precursor protein (APP) is unknown. Increasing evidence, however, points towards a neuroprotective role of this membrane protein in situations of metabolic stress. A key observation is the up-regulation of APP following acute (stroke, cardiac arrest) or chronic (cerebrovascular disease) hypoxic-ischemic conditions. While this mechanism may increase the risk or severity of AD, APP by itself or its soluble extracellular fragment APPsα can promote neuronal survival. Indeed, different animal models of acute hypoxia-ischemia, traumatic brain injury (TBI) and excitotoxicity have revealed protective effects of APP or APPsα. The underlying mechanisms involve APP-mediated regulation of calcium homeostasis via NMDA receptors (NMDAR), voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCC) or internal calcium stores. In addition, APP affects the expression of survival- or apoptosis-related genes as well as neurotrophic factors. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the neuroprotective role of APP and APPsα and possible implications for future research and new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitri Hefter
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Heidelberg UniversityHeidelberg, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg UniversityMannheim, Germany
| | - Andreas Draguhn
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Heidelberg University Heidelberg, Germany
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Cattaneo C, Maderna E, Rendinelli A, Gibelli D. Animal experimentation in forensic sciences: How far have we come? Forensic Sci Int 2015. [PMID: 26216717 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2015.06.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
In the third millennium where ethical, ethological and cultural evolution seem to be leading more and more towards an inter-species society, the issue of animal experimentation is a moral dilemma. Speaking from a self-interested human perspective, avoiding all animal testing where human disease and therapy are concerned may be very difficult or even impossible; such testing may not be so easily justifiable when suffering-or killing-of non human animals is inflicted for forensic research. In order to verify how forensic scientists are evolving in this ethical issue, we undertook a systematic review of the current literature. We investigated the frequency of animal experimentation in forensic studies in the past 15 years and trends in publication in the main forensic science journals. Types of species, lesions inflicted, manner of sedation or anesthesia and euthanasia were examined in a total of 404 articles reviewed, among which 279 (69.1%) concerned studies involving animals sacrificed exclusively for the sake of the experiment. Killing still frequently includes painful methods such as blunt trauma, electrocution, mechanical asphyxia, hypothermia, and even exsanguination; of all these animals, apparently only 60.8% were anesthetized. The most recent call for a severe reduction if not a total halt to the use of animals in forensic sciences was made by Bernard Knight in 1992. In fact the principle of reduction and replacement, frequently respected in clinical research, must be considered the basis for forensic science research needing animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Cattaneo
- LABANOF, Laboratorio di Antropologia e Odontologia Forense Sezione di Medicina Legale Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute Università degli Studi di Milano, V. Mangiagalli 37, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | - E Maderna
- LABANOF, Laboratorio di Antropologia e Odontologia Forense Sezione di Medicina Legale Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute Università degli Studi di Milano, V. Mangiagalli 37, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - A Rendinelli
- LABANOF, Laboratorio di Antropologia e Odontologia Forense Sezione di Medicina Legale Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute Università degli Studi di Milano, V. Mangiagalli 37, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - D Gibelli
- LABANOF, Laboratorio di Antropologia e Odontologia Forense Sezione di Medicina Legale Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute Università degli Studi di Milano, V. Mangiagalli 37, 20133 Milan, Italy
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11
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Shao J, Zhang J. Clinicopathological characteristics of pulmonary epithelioid hemangioendothelioma: A report of four cases and review of the literature. Oncol Lett 2014; 8:2517-2522. [PMID: 25364420 PMCID: PMC4214485 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2014.2566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2014] [Accepted: 06/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the clinicopathological characteristics, differential diagnosis and prognosis of pulmonary epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (PEH). PEH is a rare low-grade malignant vascular tumor. The cause of PEH remains unclear. Patient prognosis is unpredictable, with life expectancy ranging from 1 to 15 years due to the fact that estrogenic receptors behave inconsistently within the tumor and the occurence of the disease in male patients does not support the usual hormonal hypothesis. The clinical manifestations, imaging findings, histopathological characteristics and immunohistochemical phenotypes of four cases of epithelioid hemangioendothelioma occurring in the lung were retrospectively analyzed, and a review of the associated literature was conducted. The age of onset for the four PEH cases was 25-54 years, and the disease manifested as multiple nodules in the lungs or pleura. All of the patients underwent lobectomy or pulmonary wedge resection. The morphology of the tumor cells was epithelioid or spindle-shaped with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm in which lumina or vacuoles containing erythrocytes were observed. The cells were arranged in nests and cords with degenerated interstitial mucoid. The morphology of the majority of the tumor cells was moderate, including mild atypia and little mitosis or necrosis. Immunohistochemical staining showed positive results for CD31, CD34 and F8. PEH is a rare low- to moderate-level tumor occurring in the lungs with differentiation toward vascular endothelial cells. Clinically, it is difficult to distinguish from a variety of other benign and malignant lung diseases. For diagnosis, a distinction must be made from other diseases such as chronic granulomatous disease, amyloid nodules, hamartoma, primary and metastatic lung cancers, malignant mesothelioma and vascular sarcoma. In the present study, the clinicopathological features of four cases of PEH were investigated and the associated literature was reviewed. The results of this study may improve understanding with regards to the diagnosis and therapeutic options for patients with PEH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinchen Shao
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, P.R. China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, P.R. China
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