The DNA polymerase gene from chlorella viruses PBCV-1 and NY-2A contains an intron with nuclear splicing sequences.

The deduced amino acid sequences of two eukaryotic chlorella virus (PBCV-1 and NY-2A) DNA polymerases are 90% identical and contain amino acid motifs typical of alpha-like (Family B) DNA polymerases. The open reading frames of both PBCV-1 and NY-2A DNA polymerases are interrupted by an identically located, small (101 or 86 nucleotides, respectively) intron that resembles eukaryotic nuclear-spliced messenger RNA introns. This discovery suggests that chlorella virus replication has a nuclear phase.     

Variations in the anatomy of the vertebral artery cervical loop segment - a potential predisposing factor for traumatic basal subarachnoid hemorrhage?

Fatal traumatic basal subarachnoid hemorrhage (TBSAH) is a characteristic forensic pathological entity, the investigation of which requires special techniques. In Liverpool, post-mortem room angiography is undertaken, followed by complete removal of the vertebral arteries and histological examination. It has been observed that the arterial anatomy can be highly variable, particularly the length and course of the loop segments located between the C2 vertebra and the dura. In a number of cases of TBSAH the loop segments of torn vessels have appeared relatively short. Having observed this phenomenon subjectively in our case work, a radiological study was undertaken with the aim of quantifying vertebral artery loop anatomy variation in a ‘normal’ population. Multiphase post-mortem computed tomography angiography (MPMCTA) scans of 98 subjects were reviewed and the lengths of the different portions of the loop segments (foramen magnum to the upper border of C1, between C1 and C2, and the bony foramina themselves) of each vertebral artery were measured using semi-automated vessel analysis software. The measurements obtained provide objective evidence of marked anatomical variation, with some loop segments more than twice the length of others. These results are important because a short vertebral artery loop segment might be a significant factor in predisposing an individual to TBSAH following a blow to the head or neck.     

Age-related alterations in the protein expression profile of C57BL/6J mouse pituitaries

The aim of our study was to monitor the protein expression profile in pituitary glands of healthy C57BL/6J mice during aging. Pituitary glands of 4-week old (immature), 3-month old (mature), and >25-month old mice were analysed by proteomic tools such as two-dimensional electrophoresis and N-terminal micro-sequencing. A change was detected in the expression of growth hormone after sexual maturation. Our particular interest, however, was directed against up-regulated proteins in the old pituitary glands, which are proposed to be involved in the process of neuroendocrine aging.

Among these proteins, the expression of glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and apolipoprotein A-1 were increased in old pituitaries. Furthermore, ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase (UCH-L1) was significantly up-regulated in senescent C57BL/6J mouse pituitaries. Since only the rat homologue was known, we isolated and analysed the mouse UCH-L1 sequence. Since GST is involved in antioxidative defence and UCH-L1 is part of the ubiquitin/proteasome system, which is responsible for the removal of damaged proteins, these results suggest increased oxidative burden and an increased activity of the ubiquitin system.     

Postmortem coronary artery calcium score in cases of myocardial infarction

International Journal of Legal Medicine - Sudden cardiac death (SCD) related to atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (ACAD) resulting in myocardial infarction is the most prevalent cause of...     

Postmortem circulation: A new model for testing endovascular devices and training clinicians in their use

The development of new medical devices, such as aortic valves, requires numerous preliminary studies on animals and training of personnel on cadavers before the devices can be used in patients. Postmortem circulation, a technique used for postmortem angiography, allows the vascular system to be reperfused in a way similar to that in living persons. This technique is used for postmortem investigations to visualize the human vascular system and to make vascular diagnoses. Specific material for reperfusing a human body was developed recently. Our aim was to investigate whether postmortem circulation that imitates in vivo conditions allows for the testing of medical materials on cadavers. We did this by delivering an aortic valve using minimally invasive methods. Postmortem circulation was established in eight corpses to recreate an environment as close as possible to in vivo conditions. Mobile fluoroscopy and a percutaneous catheterization technique were used to deliver the material to the correct place. Once the valve was implanted, the heart and primary vessels were extracted to confirm its position. Postmortem circulation proved to be essential in several of the cadavers because it helped the clinicians to deliver the material and improve their implantation techniques. Due to the intravascular circulation, sites with substantial arteriosclerotic stenosis could be bypassed, which would have been impossible without perfusion. Although originally developed for postmortem investigations, this reperfusion technique could be useful for testing new medical devices intended for living patients. Clin. Anat. 556–562, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Improved display of synthetic IgG-binding domains on the baculovirus surface

Improved display of foreign protein moieties in combination with beneficial alteration of the viral surface properties should be of value for targeted and enhanced gene delivery. Here, we describe a vector based on Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) displaying synthetic IgG-binding domains (ZZ) of protein A fused to the transmembrane anchor of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) G protein. This display vector was equipped with a GFP/EGFP expression cassette enabling fluorescent detection in both insect and mammalian cells. The virus construct displayed the biologically active fusion protein efficiently and showed increased binding capacity to IgG. As the display is carried out using a membrane anchor of foreign origin, gp64 is left intact for virus entry, which may increase gene expression in the transduced mammalian cells. In addition, the viral vector can be targeted to any desired cell type via binding of ZZ domains when an appropriate IgG antibody is available.     

Life-threatening versus non-life-threatening manual strangulation: are there appropriate criteria for MR imaging of the neck?

The aim of the study was to determine objective radiological signs of danger to life in survivors of manual strangulation and to establish a radiological scoring system for the differentiation between life-threatening and non-life-threatening strangulation by dividing the cross section of the neck into three zones (superficial, middle and deep zone). Forensic pathologists classified 56 survivors of strangulation into life-threatening and non-life-threatening cases by history and clinical examination alone, and two blinded radiologists evaluated the MRIs of the neck. In 15 cases, strangulation was life-threatening (27%), compared with 41 cases in which strangulation was non-life-threatening (73%). The best radiological signs on MRI to differentiate between the two groups were intramuscular haemorrhage/oedema, swelling of platysma and intracutaneous bleeding (all p = 0.02) followed by subcutaneous bleeding (p = 0.034) and haemorrhagic lymph nodes (p = 0.04), all indicating life-threatening strangulation. The radiological scoring system showed a sensitivity and specificity of ≈70% for life-threatening strangulation, when at least two neck zones were affected. MRI is not only helpful in assessing the severity of strangulation, but is also an excellent documentation tool that is even admissible in court.