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Postmortem
Kinds of Postmortem Terms modified by Postmortem Selected AbstractsINTEGRATED STUDIES ON THE FRESHNESS OF RAINBOW TROUT (ONCORHYNCHUS MYKISS WALBAUM) POSTMORTEM DURING CHILLED AND FROZEN STORAGEJOURNAL OF FOOD BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 3 2004CARMEL C. WILLS Rainbow trout were killed by two methods, asphyxiation and clubbing. The concentration of ATP in specimens of skeletal muscle taken immediately after death was significantly (P<0.01) higher in clubbed (4.41 ± 0.86 ,mol/g) than in asphyxiated (2.00 ± 0.69 ,mol/g) fish. The shear force (Warner-Bratzler) required to cut the muscle was higher (P<0.05) in clubbed (8.33 ± 0.61 N) than in asphyxiated (6.85 ± 0.98 N) fish. Changes in the concentration of adenine nucleotides and in shear force were measured at intervals during storage at 3C and - 30C. The K value was calculated and was found to be correlated inversely with changes in shear force, Torrymeter readings and sensory assessment. There were no significant differences in the concentrations of ATP and metabolites between muscle sites. There were no differences in shear force measurements between the locations sampled nor between muscle taken from the right and left sides of the fish. [source] Extension of the Pre-rigor Period in Ischemic White Muscle from Yellow-eye Mullet Aldrichetta forsteri) and New Zealand Snapper (Pagrus auratus) as Affected by Hyperbaric Oxygen TreatmentJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 4 2004S. E. Black ABSTRACT: Chemical anesthesia (AQUI-STM Plus) was used to harvest tank-rested yellow-eye mullet (Aldrichetta forsteri) and snapper (Pagrus auratus) in a "rested" state. Fillets were stored at half the acclimated temperature under hyperbaric, hyperoxic conditions and compared with fillets stored under normobaric, hyperoxic conditions. Postmortem (PM) changes in white muscle (WM) cut-surface pH and key metabolites (lactate, adenosine triphosphate [ATP], and inorganic phosphate [Pi]) were measured. Hyperbaric, hyperoxic storage extended the pre-rigor period in the rested WM by delaying PM changes. Prolongation of pre-rigor was greatest in rested snapper WM. This was attributed to an extended period of aerobic metabolism in PM rested WM. [source] Traumatic Death in Ankylosing SpondylitisJOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES, Issue 4 2010Asser H. Thomsen M.D. Abstract:, Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic rheumatic disease that causes spinal rigidity with an increased risk of spinal fractures. We present a case report where a middle-aged man, in apparent good health, died following a fall from his bike. Postmortem computed tomography (CT) showed several fractures in the cervical and thoracic spine, with displacement into the spinal canal as well as spinal changes consistent with AS. The cause of death was determined to be upper spinal cord injury caused by cervical spinal fractures that were facilitated by spinal rigidity from AS. Further investigation into the medical records revealed that the decedent had previously been treated for AS. This case report illustrates the importance of obtaining a detailed medical history when investigating deaths, including nonfatal conditions, such as AS. Furthermore, it shows the value of CT in the evaluation of the mechanism and manner of death. [source] Transcervical hysteroscopic sterilization using cyanoacrylate: A long-term experimental study on sheepJOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY RESEARCH (ELECTRONIC), Issue 6 2009Sergio Bigolin Abstract Aim:, We investigated the transcervical hysteroscopy application of n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate in the uterine tube lumen of a non-rodent animals (sheep) with fallopian tube dimensions similar those in humans. Methods:, Standard hysteroscopic procedures were performed on female Texel sheep (n = 26). The right and left ostia were identified. For each ewe, a urethral catheter (5Fr) was used for the delivery of 0.5 mL of saline or an equal volume of n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate into the uterine tube. Following the procedure, ewes were housed with males of proven fertility for 90 days (equivalent to 5.5 estrous cycles). Postmortem (dye and burst pressure) and in vivo (hysterosalpingogram) testing for tube patency were both performed 90 days and 180 days following the procedure. Results:, All animals receiving the saline treatment became pregnant. Gross inspection of uterine tubes following n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate treatment revealed no visceral adhesions or fibrosis. However, postmortem testing revealed total obstruction within the fallopian tubes. This was confirmed by hysterosalpingogram, in that iodine contrast did not escape into the abdominal cavity. Conclusion:, The cyanoacrylate promoted a reliable fallopian tube obstruction without fibrosis in an animal model exhibiting a similar tube diameter to that found in women. The technique can be evaluated for efficacy in vivo using hysterosalpingography. [source] Decreased physical function and increased pain sensitivity in mice deficient for type IX collagenARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 9 2009Kyle D. Allen Objective In mice with Col9a1 gene inactivation (Col9a1,/,), osteoarthritis (OA) and intervertebral disc degeneration develop prematurely. The aim of this study was to investigate Col9a1,/, mice for functional and symptomatic changes that may be associated with these pathologies. Methods Col9a1,/, and wild-type mice were investigated for reflexes, functional impairment (beam walking, pole climbing, wire hang, grip strength), sensorimotor skills (rotarod), mechanical sensitivity (von Frey hair), and thermal sensitivity (hot plate/tail flick). Gait was also analyzed to determine velocity, stride frequency, symmetry, percentage stance time, stride length, and step width. Postmortem, sera obtained from the mice were analyzed for hyaluronan, and their knees and spines were graded histologically for degeneration. Results Col9a1,/, mice had compensatory gait changes, increased mechanical sensitivity, and impaired physical ability. Col9a1,/, mice ambulated with gaits characterized by increased percentage stance times and shorter stride lengths. These mice also had heightened mechanical sensitivity and were deficient in contact righting, wire hang, rotarod, and pole climbing tasks. Male Col9a1,/, mice had the highest mean serum hyaluronan levels and strong histologic evidence of cartilage erosion. Intervertebral disc degeneration was also detected, with Col9a1,/, mice having an increased incidence of disc tears. Conclusion These data describe a Col9a1,/, behavioral phenotype characterized by altered gait, increased mechanical sensitivity, and impaired function. These gait and functional differences suggest that Col9a1,/, mice select locomotive behaviors that limit joint loads. The nature and magnitude of behavioral changes were largest in male mice, which also had the greatest evidence of knee degeneration. These findings suggest that Col9a1,/, mice present behavioral changes consistent with anatomic signs of OA and intervertebral disc degeneration. [source] Review of animal models for autism: implication of thyroid hormoneCONGENITAL ANOMALIES, Issue 1 2006Miyuki Sadamatsu ABSTRACT,, Autism is a behaviorally defined disorder associated with characteristic impairments in social interactions and communication, as well as restricted and repetitive behaviors and interest. Its prevalence was once thought to be 2/10 000, but recently several large autism prevalence reviews revealed that the rate of occurrence was roughly 30/10 000. While it has been considered a developmental disorder, little is certain about its etiology. Neuroanatomical studies at the histological level in the brains of autistic patients provide many arguments in the etiology of autism. Results from postmortem and imaging studies have implicated many major structures of the brain including the limbic system, cerebellum, corpus callosum, basal ganglia and brainstem. There is no single biological or clinical marker for autism. While several promising candidate genes have been presented, the critical loci are yet unknown. Environmental influences such as rubella virus, valproic acid, and thalidomide exposure during pregnancy are also considered important, as concordance in monozygotic twins is less than 100% and the phenotypic expression of the disorder varies widely. It is thus hypothesized that non-genetic mechanisms contribute to the onset of autistic syndrome. In light of these ambiguities, hope is held that an animal model of autism may help elucidate matters. In this article, we overview most of the currently available animal models for autism, and propose the rat with mild and transient neonatal hypothyroidism as a novel model for autism. [source] Neural precursor cells from a fatal human motoneuron disease differentiate despite aberrant gene expressionDEVELOPMENTAL NEUROBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2007Niklas Pakkasjärvi Abstract Precursor cells of the human central nervous system can be cultured in vitro to reveal pathogenesis of diseases or developmental disorders. Here, we have studied the biology of neural precursor cells (NPCs) from patients of lethal congenital contracture syndrome (LCCS), a severe motoneuron disease leading to prenatal death before the 32nd gestational week. LCCS fetuses are immobile because of a motoneuron defect, seen as degeneration of the anterior horn and descending tracts of the developing spinal cord. The genetic defect for the syndrome is unknown. We show that NPCs isolated postmortem from LCCS fetuses grow and are maintained in culture, but display increased cell cycle activity. Global transcript analysis of undifferentiated LCCS precursor cells present with changes in EGF-related signaling when compared with healthy age-matched human controls. Further, we show that LCCS-derived NPCs differentiate into cells of neuronal and glial lineage and that the initial differentiation is not accompanied by overt apoptosis. Cells expressing markers Islet-1 and Hb9 are also generated from the LCCS NPCs, suggesting that the pathogenic mechanism of LCCS does not directly affect the differentiation capacity or survival of the cells, but the absence of motoneurons in LCCS may be caused by a noncell autonomous mechanism. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2007 [source] Arsenic trioxide is effective in the treatment of multiple myeloma in SCID miceEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2004Philippe Rousselot Abstract: Objectives :,Pharmacological concentrations of arsenic trioxide (ATO) and organic arsenic melarsoprol induce apoptosis in malignant plasma cells. In an attempt to further document the interest of the arsenic in vivo, we treated severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice transplanted with human myeloma cells by ATO or melarsoprol. Methods :,Fifty-two SCID mice were irradiated before intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of plasma cells from five myeloma patients. Engraftment was assessed by serial measurement of the human monoclonal immunoglobulin G (HuMIgG) concentration in mouse serum. Treatment with ATO (10 ,g/g i.p. 5 d a week), melarsoprol (30 ,g/g i.p. 5 d a week) or phosphate buffer saline was started when a sustained growth of the tumor cells was demonstrated. Results :,Seventeen mice developed the human tumor. A significant decrease in HuMIgG amounts was observed in three of five mice of the ATO group, including two that achieved an apparent complete remission persisting up to 5 months after ATO discontinuation. In these mice, no human plasma cells were detected in tissue samples collected postmortem. Soluble human interleukin-6 receptor amount, measured in mice sera as a surrogate marker of the plasma cell proliferation, varied in parallel with HuMIgG concentration. A significant difference in survival was observed between control and ATO treated mice (113 and 158 d, respectively; P = 0.01) whereas no difference could be evidenced in control and melarsoprol groups. Conclusion :,Present study confirms in vivo the in vitro effects of ATO on myeloma cells. Delayed relapses were observed suggesting that prolonged or maintenance therapy has to be considered in future clinical trials. Whether or not this will translate into clinically relevant effect of the drug in myeloma patients deserves further consideration. [source] Localization of the A kinase anchoring protein AKAP79 in the human hippocampusEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 4 2000Attila Sík Abstract The phosphorylation state of the proteins, regulated by phosphatases and kinases, plays an important role in signal transduction and long-term changes in neuronal excitability. In neurons, cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), protein kinase C (PKC) and calcineurin (CN) are attached to a scaffold protein, A kinase anchoring protein (AKAP), thought to anchor these three enzymes to specific sites of action. However, the localization of AKAP, and the predicted sites of linked phosphatase and kinase activities, are still unknown at the fine structural level. In the present study, we investigated the distribution of AKAP79 in the hippocampus from postmortem human brains and lobectomy samples from patients with intractable epilepsy, using preembedding immunoperoxidase and immunogold histochemical methods. AKAP79 was found in the CA1, presubicular and subicular regions, mostly in pyramidal cell dendrites, whereas pyramidal cells in the CA3, CA2 regions and dentate granule cells were negative both in postmortem and in surgical samples. In some epileptic cases, the dentate molecular layer and hilar interneurons also became immunoreactive. At the subcellular level, AKAP79 immunoreactivity was present in postsynaptic profiles near, but not attached to, the postsynaptic density of asymmetrical (presumed excitatory) synapses. We conclude that the spatial selectivity for the action of certain kinases and phosphatases regulating various ligand- and voltage-gated channels may be ensured by the selective presence of their anchoring protein, AKAP79, at the majority of glutamatergic synapses in the CA1, but not in the CA2/CA3 regions, suggesting profound differences in signal transduction and long-term synaptic plasticity between these regions of the human hippocampus. [source] In vivo analysis of gut function and disease changes in a zebrafish larvae model of inflammatory bowel disease: A feasibility studyINFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES, Issue 7 2010Angeleen Fleming PhD Abstract Background: The aim of this study was to develop a model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in zebrafish larvae, together with a method for the rapid assessment of gut morphology and function in vivo thereby enabling medium-throughput compound screening. Methods: Assays were performed using larval zebrafish from 3,8 days postfertilization (d.p.f.) in 96-well plates. Gut morphology and peristalsis were observed in vivo using fluorescent imaging following ingestion of fluorescent dyes. IBD was induced by addition of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) to the medium within the well. Pathology was assessed in vivo using fluorescent imaging and postmortem by histology, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy. Therapeutic compounds were evaluated by coadministration with TNBS. Results: A novel method of investigating gut architecture and peristalsis was devised using fluorescent imaging of live zebrafish larvae. Archetypal changes in gut architecture consistent with colitis were observed throughout the gut. Significant changes in goblet cell number and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-,) antibody staining were used to quantify disease severity and rescue. Prednisolone and 5-amino salicylic acid treatment ameliorated the disease changes. Candidate therapeutic compounds (NOS inhibitors, thalidomide, and parthenolide) were assessed and a dissociation was observed between efficacy assessed using a single biochemical measure (TNF-, staining) versus an assessment of the entire disease state. Conclusions: Gut physiology and pathology relevant to human disease state can be rapidly modeled in zebrafish larvae. The model is suitable for medium-throughput chemical screens and is amenable to genetic manipulation, hence offers a powerful novel premammalian adjunct to the study of gastrointestinal disease. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2010) [source] Longterm quiescent cells in the aged human subventricular neurogenic system specifically express GFAP-,AGING CELL, Issue 3 2010Simone A. Van Den Berge Summary A main neurogenic niche in the adult human brain is the subventricular zone (SVZ). Recent data suggest that the progenitors that are born in the human SVZ migrate via the rostral migratory stream (RMS) towards the olfactory bulb (OB), similar to what has been observed in other mammals. A subpopulation of astrocytes in the SVZ specifically expresses an assembly-compromised isoform of the intermediate filament protein glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP-,). To further define the phenotype of these GFAP-, expressing cells and to determine whether these cells are present throughout the human subventricular neurogenic system, we analysed SVZ, RMS and OB sections of 14 aged brain donors (ages 74-93). GFAP-, was expressed in the SVZ along the ventricle, in the RMS and in the OB. The GFAP-, cells in the SVZ co-expressed the neural stem cell (NSC) marker nestin and the cell proliferation markers proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Mcm2. Furthermore, BrdU retention was found in GFAP-, positive cells in the SVZ. In the RMS, GFAP-, was expressed in the glial net surrounding the neuroblasts. In the OB, GFAP-, positive cells co-expressed PCNA. We also showed that GFAP-, cells are present in neurosphere cultures that were derived from SVZ precursors, isolated postmortem from four brain donors (ages 63-91). Taken together, our findings show that GFAP-, is expressed in an astrocytic subpopulation in the SVZ, the RMS and the OB. Importantly, we provide the first evidence that GFAP-, is specifically expressed in longterm quiescent cells in the human SVZ, which are reminiscent of NSCs. [source] EFFECTS OF MUSCLE PROTEASES, ENDOGENOUS PROTEASE INHIBITORS AND MYOFIBRIL FRAGMENTATION ON POSTMORTEM AGING OF GOAT MEATJOURNAL OF FOOD BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 3 2006N.S. NAGARAJ ABSTRACT The present study was conducted to evaluate the extent of postmortem proteolysis in longissimus dorsi, biceps femoris, semimembranosus and semitendinosus goat muscles on postmortem aging at an ambient (27C) temperature. The activities of calpains and calpastatin were determined after separation on a (diethylamino)ethyl,Sephacel column (Sigma, St. Louis, MO) and cathepsin (B, B + L and H) by carboxymethyl,Sepharose column (Sigma). The results showed that the decrease in calpain I and calpastatin activities was significantly higher than that of calpain II. Cathepsin B, B + L, H and cystatin were found to fall by 30,80% after 12 h, whereas cathepsin D decreased significantly in all the muscles. The disappearance of titin 1 and nebulin, and the appearance of a 30-kDa component were confirmed by Western blot analysis. The appearance of the 30-kDa component reported here explains the time-induced structural changes of myofibrils. The Z-line degradation had occurred by 6 h postmortem. Cathepsins are not stable compared to calpains during postmortem aging, and both enzymes may play a significant role in the proteolysis of myofibrillar proteins at ambient temperature. [source] Changes in Tenderness, Color, and Water Holding Capacity of Broiler Breast Meat during Postdeboning AgingJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 8 2009Y.S. Lee ABSTRACT:, The impact of postharvest aging on the tenderness, color, water holding capacity, and appearance of broiler breast fillets after deboning was investigated. A total of 360 broilers were processed and deboned at either 1.5-, 3-, or 6-h postmortem (PM) and aged at 4 ± 1 °C for up to 6 d. Tenderness was predicted by the Meullenet,Owens razor shear. Drip loss, cook loss, color, and muscle-shape profiles were also evaluated during the 6-d aging duration. Deboned fillets were in the tenderness range corresponding to "neither tough nor tender" for the first 2 d of aging and changed into "slightly tender" after 3 d of aging according to the instrument-tenderness perception equivalent scale. Tenderization due to postdeboning aging seemed to be more pronounced for fillets deboned in a prerigor state (that is, 1.5- and 3-h PM). Over the aging period, tenderness improved by 6.9 and 7.4 percentage points for the 1.5- and 3-h PM treatments, respectively, while those fillets deboned in a postrigor state (6-h PM) exhibited no significant difference in tenderness. Drip and cook loss of fillets consistently increased over the aging period. The color of fillets tended to become less red and more yellow during aging although there was no significant difference in,L*. Overall, the tenderizing effects of deboned broiler breast fillets during the storage of 6 d were minimal but seemed to be affected by fillet height and length as determined through analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and K-means clustering analysis. Thicker and tougher fillets were more susceptible to the tenderizing effects during postdeboning aging. [source] Relationship between Postmortem Changes and Browning of Boiled, Dried, and Seasoned Product Made from Japanese Common Squid (Tedarodes pacificus) Mantle MuscleJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 1 2007Yuji Omura ABSTRACT:, To clarify the process that possibly causes discoloration in boiled, dried, and seasoned squid products ("sakiika" or "ikakun" in Japanese), we investigated the relationship of squid freshness with the rate of browning using the boiled, freeze-dried, and ground squid product model. ATP and its related compounds in Japanese common squid (Tedarodes pacificus) decomposed gradually during storage, yielding hypoxanthine and ribose at 24 h postmortem. The browning rate of the model during preservation as revealed by the increase of the b* value showed a high coefficient in the linear regression against ribose content (R2= 0.767). Only the model made from the squid stored for 24 h postmortem turned brown. These results strongly suggest that ribose produced during storage plays a major role in the browning of dried and seasoned squid products. [source] Characteristics of sex-related homicides in AlaskaJOURNAL OF FORENSIC NURSING, Issue 2 2010FNP-C, SANE-A, SANE-P, Tara Henry MSN Abstract The identification and interpretation of anogenital findings postmortem is a critical component of a sex-related homicide investigation. The use of a colposcope to assist in identifying anogenital injuries in living sexual assault victims is well established. The use of a colposcope for postmortem anogenital examination has been briefly mentioned in a few publications, however, no studies were found regarding the types and sites of postmortem anogenital injuries identified with a colposcope in sex-related homicide cases. The purpose of this study was to describe the demographic, physical examination, and victim-suspect relationship characteristics of sex-related homicides in Alaska. Genital findings in living and deceased sexual assault victims in Alaska were compared. Implications: Given the results of this study, postmortem sexual assault examinations should be conducted in all suspected intimate partner homicides. Further implications for forensic nursing practice and recommendations for future research are discussed. [source] Can Renal Acute Tubular Necrosis Be Differentiated from Autolysis at Autopsy?,JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES, Issue 2 2009Linda Kocovski B.Sc. Abstract:, We investigate the morphological characteristics that may differentiate between ischemic acute tubular necrosis (ATN) and autolysis in postmortem samples. Renal tissue from 57 postmortem cases with an antemortem diagnosis of ATN and 57 age-/sex-matched control cases were examined for 10 morphological characteristics: epithelial proliferation (Ki-67 immunoperoxidase positivity), fibrin thrombi, tubular epithelial whorls, mitoses, casts, autolysis, tubulorrhexis, epithelial flattening, interstitial inflammation, and interstitial expansion. Tubular epithelial whorls were found in 16 ATN cases and were absent in controls. These findings suggest that specific morphological criteria may distinguish ischemic ATN from autolysis. Diagnoses of ATN may be confirmed using these combined criteria as contributing to cause of death and/or to ascertain previously undiagnosed cases of ATN postmortem. [source] Forensic Dental Training in the Dental School CurriculumJOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES, Issue 3 2007Daniel C. Stoeckel D.D.S. ABSTRACT: This article reviews the literature regarding forensic education in the dental school curriculum and describes an exercise in forensic identification of victims of a mass casualty. Radiographs were made of dentate human cadavers in the gross anatomy laboratory at the Southern Illinois School of Dental Medicine. The jaws were then removed to provide "wet specimens" for the exercise. Several restorations were performed on the cadaver teeth, after which radiographs of the dissected jaws were made. One author wrote up mock dental records for each of the victims. These records included the first set or "premortem" radiographs. Students participating in the exercise were provided with a plane crash scenario, the dental records of the passengers on the manifest, the dissected jaws, and the second set or "postmortem" radiographs. Students were expected to form three teams. The first two teams evaluated the ante-mortem and postmortem dental records. The third team compared the ante-mortem and postmortem records to arrive at identification. The purpose of the exercise was twofold. It introduced dental students to forensic dentistry and emphasized the need for complete and accurate record keeping in the dental office. Several factors lessened the realism of the exercise and made it difficult to reproduce in the future. These included the uniformity of the dental records and the destruction of cadaver material following the exercise. [source] ESI+ MS/MS confirmation of canine ivermectin toxicity,JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY (INCORP BIOLOGICAL MASS SPECTROMETRY), Issue 1 2009A. F. Lehner Abstract Ivermectin is a semisynthetic macrocyclic lactone anthelmintic of the avermectin family derived from Streptomyces fermentation products. Avermectins are used as antiparasitic agents in domestic animals; although considered relatively safe, one must consider animal species, breed, weight, and age in dosage determinations. In January 2006, two canines were presented to the UK Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center after dying from suspected ivermectin overdoses [30,50 mg/kg body weight]. To confirm this clinical diagnosis we developed a rapid, sensitive semiquantitative ElectroSpray Ionization,Mass Spectrometry (ESI/MS) method for ivermectin in canine tissue samples. Pharmaceutical ivermectin contains two ivermectins differing by a single methyl group, and each compound forms interpretation-confounding adducts with tissue Na+ and K+ ions. We now report that ivermectin administration was clearly confirmed by comparison with standard and dosage forms of ivermectin, and simple proportionalities based on mass spectral intensity of respective molecular ions allowed semiquantitative estimates of injection site tissue concentrations of 20 and 40 µg/g tissue (wet weight) in these animals, consistent with the history of ivermectin administration and the clinical signs observed. There is a distinct need for both rapid detection and confirmation of toxic exposures in veterinary diagnostics, whether for interpretation of clinical cases antemortem or for forensic reasons postmortem. It is vital that interpreters of analytical results have appropriate guidance in the scientific literature and elsewhere so as to enable clear-cut answers. The method presented here is suitable for routine diagnostic work in that it allows rapid extraction of ivermectin from tissue samples, avoids the need for high-performance liquid chromatography and allows ready interpretation of the multiple ivermectin species seen by ESI+ MS/MS in samples originating from veterinary dosage forms. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Cytomegalovirus infection in the brain of liver transplant recipients: Do pathologically occult infections matter clinically?LIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 3 2003Raymund R. Razonable MD Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection remains a highly prevalent systemic complication following orthotopic liver transplantation (LT), accounting for a significant increase in morbidity and affiliated costs. However, unlike other immunosuppressed groups of population, CMV infection of the central nervous system in LT is rarely diagnosed, either clinically or postmortem. Furthermore, in 20% of the LT patients who develop preterminal neurological complications, the etiology remains undetermined. With the hypothesis that at least some of these cases could be related to an occult CMV infection, we examined brain tissue from 83 unselected autopsies of LT patients by morphological, immunohistochemical (IHC), in situ hybridization (ISH), and nested polymerase chain reaction (nested PCR) techniques. Microglial nodules were observed in 17 brains of the LT group (20.4%) but in none of the 36 controls. Isolated positive cells by either IHC, ISH, or both techniques, were identified in 11 LT patients (13.2%) and in 2 controls (5.5%). CMV DNA amplification was obtained from paraffin embedded tissues in 41 of 81 LT cases (50.6%), and in 5 controls (13.8%) (P=0.00017). Viral inclusion bodies, inflammatory infiltrates, or necrotizing changes were not identified in any case. Our findings indicate an increased susceptibility of the brain of LT patients to occult infection by CMV and suggest that a latent or low-grade infection of the central nervous system could operate as a reservoir of the CMV and play a role in some of the unexplained neurological symptoms that appear in the postoperative period. [source] In vivo study of microcirculation in canine myocardium using the IVIM method,MAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE, Issue 3 2003Virginie Callot Abstract The intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) method was implemented in closed-chest dogs to obtain measurements on microcirculation in the left ventricular wall in vivo. Specifically, it enabled us to measure the mean microflow velocity (400 ± 40 ,m/s) and the vascular volume fraction (VVF) (11.1% ± 2.2%), and observe the directional preference of capillary orientation. The apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) of water along and perpendicular to myofibers were also measured. With vasodilatation by adenosine infusion, a 25% increase in the VVF and a 7% increase in the mean microflow velocity were observed, while no change in the ADC was detected. A 28.5% decrease of the ADC was observed postmortem. Magn Reson Med 50:531,540, 2003. Published 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Molecular identification of prey in predator dietsMOLECULAR ECOLOGY, Issue 4 2002W. O. C. Symondson Abstract In many situations prey choice by predators in the field cannot be established or quantified using direct observation. The remains of some prey may be visually identified in the guts and faeces of predators but not all predators ingest such hard remains and even those that do consume them may also ingest soft-bodies prey that leave no recognizable remnants. The result is, at best, a biased picture of prey choice. A range of molecular techniques and applications are reviewed that allow prey remains to be identified, often to the species and even stage level. These techniques, all of which are still in use, include enzyme electrophoresis, a range of immunological approaches using polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to detect protein epitopes, and recently developed polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods for detecting prey DNA. Analyses may be postmortem, on invertebrate and vertebrate predators collected from the field, or noninvasive assays of the remains in regurgitated bird pellets or vertebrate faeces. It was concluded that although monoclonal antibodies are currently the most effective method in use today, PCR-based techniques have proved to be highly effective and versatile in recent laboratory trials and are likely to rapidly displace all other approaches. [source] Apparent diffusion coefficient of the superior cerebellar peduncle differentiates progressive supranuclear palsy from Parkinson's disease,MOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 16 2008Giuseppe Nicoletti MD Abstract The early diagnosis of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) may be challenging, because of clinical overlapping features with Parkinson's disease (PD) and other parkinsonian syndromes such as the Parkinsonian variant of multiple system atrophy (MSA-P). Conventional MRI can help in differentiating parkinsonian disorders but its diagnostic accuracy is still unsatisfactory. On the basis of the pathological demonstration of superior cerebellar peduncle (SCP) atrophy in patients with PSP, we assessed the SCP apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in patients with PSP, PD, and MSA-P in order to evaluate its differential diagnostic value in vivo. Twenty-eight patients with PSP (14 with possible-PSP and 14 with probable-PSP), 15 PD, 15 MSA-P, and 16 healthy subjects were studied by using diffusion weighted imaging (DWI). ADC was calculated in regions of interest defined in the left and right SCP by two clinically blinded operators. Intrarater (r = 0.98, P < 0.001) and interrater reliability (r = 0.97; P < 0.001) for SCP measurements were high. Patients with PSP had higher SCP rADC values (median 0.98 × 10,3mm2/s) than patients with PD (median 0.79 × 10,3 mm2/s, P < 0.001), MSA-P (median 0.79 × 10,3 mm2/s, P < 0.001), and healthy controls (median 0.80 × 10,3 mm2/s, P < 0.001). DWI discriminated patients with PSP from PD and healthy subjects on the basis of SCP rADC individual values (100% sensitivity and specificity) and from patients with MSA-P (96.4% sensitivity and 93.3% specificity). The higher values of rADC in SCP of patients with PSP correspond with the in vivo microstructural feature of atrophy detected postmortem and provide an additional support for early discrimination between PSP and other neurodegenerative parkinsonisms. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society [source] Sonographic markers of exencephaly below 10 weeks' gestationPRENATAL DIAGNOSIS, Issue 1 2005R. A. Machado Abstract We report two cases of exencephaly diagnosed by transvaginal ultrasonography at 8 weeks 4 days and at 9 weeks 3 days of gestation. Both cases presented an irregular cephalic pole, and, in the case seen at 8 weeks 4 days, brain vesicles were also absent, whereas in the case seen at 9 weeks 3 days, the midline echo was indistinguishable with disorganized choroid plexuses. In both cases, anencephaly was evident at 11 and 12 weeks' gestation and the postmortem confirmed the diagnosis. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Rhinovirus is not detectable in peripheral lung tissue after asthma deathRESPIROLOGY, Issue 2 2003Mark W. WATSON Objective: Viral infections are associated with both mild and severe exacerbations of asthma and may therefore be associated with asthma death. As such we hypothesized that it might be possible to detect rhinovirus (RV), the virus most frequently implicated in acute asthma, in lung tissue from patients who died from asthma. Methodology: We studied archival, wax-embedded lung tissue obtained postmortem from: (i) patients who died from asthma (n = 12), (ii) asthma patients with non-asthma-related death (n = 3), and (iii) non-asthmatic individuals who died from unrelated causes (n = 3). A validated reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay was used to detect RV. To confirm RNA preservation, RT-PCR was used to detect expression of the constitutive gene adenine-phosphoribosyl-transferase (APRT). Sensitivity of the assay was assessed using wax-embedded RV-infected cells. Results: Sensitivity of RT-PCR for RV in wax-embedded sections was similar to previous studies (approximately 100 viral copies). Specimens used for study were predominantly of alveolar and small airway origin (< 2 mm). All tissues examined were negative for the presence of RV mRNA and positive for APRT mRNA. Conclusions: RV infection of the lower airway may be an uncommon cause of fatal asthma. Alternatively, RV may not extend to peripheral airways and more proximal tissue sampling or PCR assays for other viruses may be required to determine an association between viral respiratory tract infection and fatal asthma. [source] Evaluation of postmortem changes in tissue structure in the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)THE ANATOMICAL RECORD : ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY, Issue 8 2007Megan F. Mckenna Abstract Postmortem changes in geometry, density, and sound speed within organs and tissues (melon, bone, blubber, and mandibular fat) of the dolphin head were evaluated using computed tomography (CT) scans of live and postmortem bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Specimens were classified into three different treatment groups: live, recently dead, and frozen followed by thawing. Organs and tissues in similar anatomical regions of the head were compared in CT scans of the specimens to identify postmortem changes in morphology. In addition, comparisons of Hounsfield units in the CT scans were used to evaluate postmortem changes in the density of melon, bone, blubber, and mandibular fat. Sound speed measurements from melon, blubber, connective tissue, and muscle were collected from fresh and frozen samples in the same specimen to evaluate effects due to freezing and thawing process on sound speed measurements. Similar results in tissue and organ geometry, density, and sound speed measurements suggested that postmortem material is a reliable approximation for live melon, bone, blubber, muscle, connective tissue, and mandibular fat. These results have implications for examining viscoelastic properties and the accuracy of simulating sound transmission in postmortem material. Anat Rec, 290:1023,1032, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Relationships among calpastatin single nucleotide polymorphisms, calpastatin expression and tenderness in pork longissimus,ANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 5 2009A. K. Lindholm-Perry Summary Genome scans in the pig have identified a region on chromosome 2 (SSC2) associated with tenderness. Calpastatin is a likely positional candidate gene in this region because of its inhibitory role in the calpain system that is involved in postmortem tenderization. Novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in calpastatin were identified and used to genotype a population (n = 1042) of Duroc,Landrace,Yorkshire swine for association with longissimus lumborum slice shear force (SSF) measured at days 7 and 14 postmortem. Three genetic markers residing in the calpastatin gene were significantly associated with SSF (P < 0.0005). Haplotypes constructed from markers in the calpastatin gene were significantly associated with SSF (F -ratio = 3.93; P -value = 0.002). The levels of normalized mRNA expression of calpastatin in the longissimus lumborum of 162 animals also were evaluated by real-time RT-PCR and were associated with the genotype of the most significant marker for SSF (P < 0.02). This evidence suggests that the causative variation alters expression of calpastatin, thus affecting tenderness. In summary, these data provide evidence of several significant, publicly available SNP markers associated with SSF that may be useful to the swine industry for marker assisted selection of animals that have more tender meat. [source] Expression of the porcine adrenergic receptor beta 2 gene in longissimus dorsi muscle is affected by cis -regulatory DNA variationANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 1 2009E. Muráni Summary The beta-2 adrenergic receptor (AR) mediates metabolic actions of catecholamines, including glycogenolysis, lipolysis and proteolysis, in muscle and adipose tissue. Factors influencing the density of beta-2 ARs thus might affect carcass composition and meat quality. One such factor might represent cis -regulatory DNA variation affecting mRNA expression of the adrenergic receptor beta 2 (ADRB2) gene in relevant tissues. To identify potential cis -regulatory DNA variation of porcine ADRB2, we comparatively sequenced part of the 5, flanking region and identified 10 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The SNP at position g.673C>T (AF000134) resides in an evolutionarily conserved region (ECR) in an in silico predicted androgen response element. Quantification of total transcript levels and allelic expression imbalance (AEI) revealed significant variability in mRNA expression of ADRB2 in longissimus dorsi muscle of slaughter pigs, partly attributable to cis -regulatory DNA variation. However, the g.673C>T SNP has, in the given temporo-spatial context, no significant effect but is apparently in linkage disequilibrium with the causal cis -regulatory DNA variant. We used the g.673C>T SNP as a marker to study the association of ADRB2 variation with carcass and meat quality in four commercial lines. We found association with the pH of loin at 45 min and 24 h postmortem (p.m.) and with the pH of ham at 24 h p.m. Supporting evidence for ADRB2 as a candidate gene for pork quality is provided by our assignment of the gene to the telomeric end of the q arm of porcine chromosome 2, where several quantitative trait loci for meat quality were reported. [source] Effects of transportation during the hot season, breed and electrical stimulation on histochemical and meat quality characteristics of goat longissimus muscleANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 3 2010Isam T. KADIM ABSTRACT The effects of transportation and electrical stimulation (90 V) on physiological, histochemical and meat quality characteristics of two breeds of Omani goats were assessed. Twenty 1-year-old male goats from each breed (Batina and Dhofari) were divided into two groups: 3 h transported during the hot season (42°C day time temperature) and non-transported. Animals were blood-sampled before loading and prior to slaughter. Electrical stimulation was applied 20 min postmortem to 50% randomly selected carcasses of both breeds. Temperature and pH decline of the Longissimus was monitored. Ultimate pH, shear force, sarcomere length, myofibrillar fragmentation index, expressed juice, cooking loss and colour were measured from samples of Longissimus dorsi muscles. Electrical stimulation and transportation had a significant effect on most biochemical and meat quality characteristics of Longissimus dorsi. The transported goats had higher plasma cortisol (P < 0.01), adrenaline, nor-adrenaline and dopamine concentrations (P < 0.05) than non-transported goats. Electrical stimulation resulted in a significantly (P < 0.05) more rapid muscle pH fall during the first 12 h after slaughter. Muscles from electrically-stimulated carcasses had significantly (P < 0.05) longer sarcomeres, lower shear force value, a lighter colour (higher L* value), higher expressed juice and myofibrillar fragmentation index than those from non-stimulated ones. Meat from transported goats had significantly higher pH, expressed juice and shear force, but contained significantly lower sarcomere length and L* values than non-transported goats. The proportion of the myosin ATPase staining did not change as a function of stimulation, transportation or breed. These results indicated that subjecting goats to transportation for 3 h under high ambient temperatures can generate major physiological and muscle metabolism responses. Electrical stimulation improved quality characteristics of meat from both groups. This indicates that electrical stimulation may reduce detrimental effects of transportation on meat quality of Omani goats. [source] Changes in water-holding capacity and textural properties of chicken gizzard stored at 4°CANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 3 2010Yoshito TOMISAKA ABSTRACT The water-holding capacity (WHC), and toughness (shear force) of chicken gizzard were evaluated during postmortem storage for 4.5, 7, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h at 4°C. Degradation of the cytoskeletal proteins desmin, talin and vinculin were monitored by sodium dodecyl sulfate , polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blotting during the same designated storage period. The WHC of the gizzards decreased significantly from 12 h to 72 h of storage, but by 96 h the WHC was restored to the level measured after storage for 12 h. The shear force value of the gizzards increased rapidly until 12 h and then decreased until 24 h, with a further slight decrease by 48 h. Degradation products of desmin, talin and vinculin appeared at 96 h, 12 h and 48 h postmortem, respectively. The intensity of immunolabeling for desmin, talin and vinculin after storage for 96 h decreased to 51%, 25% and 52% of the initial value. The appearance of desmin degradation products was accompanied by an increase in WHC. This suggests that the postmortem degradation of desmin is involved in the increase of WHC in chicken gizzard during storage at 4°C, and talin and vinculin may be involved. [source] Effects of boning method and postmortem aging on meat quality characteristics of pork loinANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 5 2009Chunbao LI ABSTRACT This work investigated the effects of boning method and postmortem aging on pork loin color, shearing value and sensory attributes. Two experiments were assigned. In Experiment I, 30 Chinese native black pigs were slaughtered and their carcasses were divided into three groups: (i) hot-boning: carcasses were fabricated within 45 min postmortem just after dressing; (ii) cold boning at 24 h: carcasses were fabricated after chilling at 0°C for 24 h; (iii) cold boning at 36 h: carcasses were fabricated after chilling at 0°C for 36 h. In Experiment II, right sides of the second group in Experiment I were used and primal cuts were vacuum packed and aged for 1 day, 8 days and 16 days. Pork loins (Longissimus lumborum) were used for color measurement, shearing test, and sensory evaluation. Among three boning methods, cold-boning at 36 h postmortem had the advantages of giving muscles a better color, the lowest cooking loss and cooked shearing value, and the highest sensory tenderness, juiciness, flavor and overall liking. Postmortem aging could improve pork quality characteristics, but it is not the fact that the longer aging time is, the better pork quality would be. Eight days may be enough to obtain an acceptable sensory attribute. These results are meaningful for pork processing and pork consumption. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||