Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Johann Zwirner, Sven Anders, Simone Bohnert, Ralph Burkhardt, Ugo Da Broi, Niels Hammer, Dirk Pohlers, Rexson Tse, Enjamin Ondruschka
Summary: The study suggests that using creatine kinase (CK) immunoassays in postmortem cerebrospinal fluid can serve as an adjunct quantitative test aid in diagnosing acute TBI-related fatalities. TBI cases showed a significant increase in CK and CK-MB, with moderate to high diagnostic accuracy.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Zhi-Bo Wang, Lan Tan, Hui-Fu Wang, Shi-Dong Chen, Yan Fu, Pei-Yang Gao, Ya-Hui Ma, Yu Guo, Jia-Hui Hou, Dan-Dan Zhang, Jin-Tai Yu
Summary: This study aimed to assess the accuracy of biomarkers related to amyloid, tau, and neurodegeneration in predicting Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuropathology at different clinical stages. The results showed that amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) amyloid beta (Aβ)42/phosphorylated tau (p-tau)181 performed well in differentiating AD and predicting neuropathological changes in early and late clinical stages. However, CSF Aβ42 performed better in early clinical stage, while CSF p-tau181, CSF t-tau, and plasma p-tau181 performed better in late clinical stage.
ALZHEIMERS & DEMENTIA
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Tyler Saunders, Ciaran Gunn, Kaj Blennow, Hlin Kvartsberg, Henrik Zetterberg, Susan D. Shenkin, Simon R. Cox, Ian J. Deary, Colin Smith, Declan King, Tara Spires-Jones
Summary: Neurogranin (Ng), a post-synaptic protein, has been investigated as a biomarker for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and aging in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Our study examined Ng abundance in post-mortem human brain tissue in AD, healthy aging (HA), and mid-life (ML) cohorts. Ng levels were quantified using immunohistochemistry in brain regions associated with cognitive change. The results showed significantly reduced Ng levels in AD compared to HA and ML cases, indicating loss of neurogranin in the brain. Our findings support the use of CSF Ng as a biomarker for AD and cognitive decline in healthy aging.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Joaquin Fernandez-Irigoyen, Paz Cartas-Cejudo, Marta Iruarrizaga-Lejarreta, Enrique Santamaria
Summary: The study identified a significant increase in various lipid species in the CSF of PD patients, indicating a dynamic lipid imbalance associated with different stages and durations of the disease. The results suggest that CSF lipidomics could serve as a promising tool for identifying potential lipid markers in PD and distinguishing between PD and other atypical parkinsonisms.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Naila Naz, Syeda F. Naqvi, Nadine Hohn, Kiara Whelan, Phoebe Littler, Federico Roncaroli, Andrew C. Robinson, Jaleel A. Miyan
Summary: We examined the cerebral folate system in AD and normal brains. Our findings demonstrate a significant reduction in FDH, FR alpha, and folate in the CSF of AD patients. Additionally, we observed a switch in the folate supply pathway in AD cortex, correlating with a metabolic direction towards neuronal hypermethylation. These findings provide insights into the cognitive decline in AD and suggest a potential treatment target.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Critical Care Medicine
Luke Milross, Joaquim Majo, Nigel Cooper, Paul M. Kaye, Omer Bayraktar, Andrew Filby, Andrew J. Fisher
Summary: Post-mortem lung tissue analysis reveals a high degree of heterogeneity in COVID-19 lung disease, with different phenotypes and pathophysiological processes. This understanding is crucial for patient management and the development of treatment strategies.
LANCET RESPIRATORY MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Susan C. Shelmerdine, J. Ciaran Hutchinson, Celine Lewis, Ian C. Simcock, Thivya Sekar, Neil J. Sebire, Owen J. Arthurs
Summary: Post-mortem imaging is increasingly accepted as a non-invasive method for investigating perinatal deaths. However, there is a lack of evidence-based guidance on how to approach such referrals in real-world practice. This review provides a summary of the latest research and offers an approach to aid decision-making for perinatal post-mortem imaging, emphasizing key factors for radiologists to consider when protocolling studies.
INSIGHTS INTO IMAGING
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Yuwen Zeng, Xiaoyong Zhang, Issei Yoshizumi, Zhang Zhang, Taihei Mizuno, Shota Sakamoto, Yusuke Kawasumi, Akihito Usui, Kei Ichiji, Ivo Bukovsky, Masato Funayama, Noriyasu Homma
Summary: In this study, a deep learning-based diagnosis system for fatal hypothermia was developed and its feasibility as an alternative diagnostic for forensic pathologists was explored. The system achieved an AUC value of 0.905, sensitivity of 0.948, and specificity of 0.741, comparable to human expert performance. The experimental results clearly demonstrated the usefulness and feasibility of the deep learning system for fatal hypothermia diagnosis.
TOHOKU JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Katarzyna Jermakow, Marta Rorat
Summary: Post-mortem microbiological tests are important for diagnosing the cause of infections in forensic pathology. The study found that Enterococcus spp. can be a cause of severe infections.
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Neerja Gupta, Amit Gupta, Atin Kumar, Madhulika Kabra, Raju Sharma, Arun Kumar Gupta, Manisha Jana
Summary: Post-mortem MRI (PMMRI) can accurately detect most major organ malformations in cases of stillbirth, but variable normal post-mortem changes can mimic pathology, making interpretation difficult. Close interaction with geneticists is necessary for final differentiation and detection of abnormalities, along with thorough evaluation of clinical examination and intranatal imaging records.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Otilia Tica, Ovidiu Tica, Karina Bunting, Joseph DeBono, Georgios Gkoutos, Mircea Popescu, Dipak Kotecha
Summary: The prevalence of combined heart failure and atrial fibrillation is increasing, which leads to high mortality rates. This study aimed to provide reliable data on factors associated with death in these patients, through post-mortem examination. The cause of death varied depending on the baseline factors, with higher NYHA class and lower left ventricular ejection fraction associated with HF-related death, hypertension and higher LVEF associated with vascular death, and clinical obesity and higher LVEF associated with non-cardiovascular death. There was no relationship between mortality and AF type, HF type, or LVEF. The study highlights the need for improved management beyond anticoagulation to address the poor prognosis in this patient population.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Lola Madrid, Addisu Alemu, Anna C. Seale, Joe Oundo, Tseyon Tesfaye, Dadi Marami, Hiwot Yigzaw, Alexander Ibrahim, Ketema Degefa, Tadesse Dufera, Zelalem Teklemariam, Tadesse Gure, Haleluya Leulseged, Stefanie Wittmann, Mahlet Abayneh, Surafel Fentaw, Fikremelekot Temesgen, Melisachew M. Yeshi, Mehret Dubale, Zerihun Girma, Caroline Ackley, Berhanu Damisse, Markus Breines, Stian M. S. Orlien, Dianna M. Blau, Robert F. Breiman, Ebba Abate, Yadeta Dessie, Nega Assefa, J. Anthony G. Scott, CHAMPS Ethiopia Study Grp
Summary: Child mortality is a significant issue in Ethiopia, but there is a lack of reliable data on the causes of death. This study aimed to collect data on the contributory causes of stillbirth and child deaths in eastern Ethiopia. The findings revealed that perinatal asphyxia or hypoxia, infections, and birth defects were the main causes of stillbirths and child deaths. The study emphasizes the importance of feasible interventions such as improved maternity services and vaccination coverage to prevent these deaths.
LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Stina Ahlstrom, Johan Ahlner, Anna K. Joensson, Henrik Green
Summary: This study evaluates the effects of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) analysis on different causes of death. The results indicate that BHB analysis is instrumental in detecting alcoholic ketoacidosis and acidosis, but does not change the diagnosis of diabetes ketoacidosis and hypothermia.
Review
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
H. Edwards, S. C. Shelmerdine, O. J. Arthurs
Summary: Post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) imaging is increasingly used in forensic autopsies, especially for detecting traumatic injuries in children. Recent research has provided new information on its usage, imaging guidance, and diagnostic accuracy for identifying pediatric pathologies. Advanced CT imaging techniques, such as PMCT angiography and ventilated PMCT, have been trialed, and post-mortem micro-CT is now used for assessing subtle fractures in bone specimens. Various image post-processing methods, including three-dimensional printing from PMCT imaging data, are used to illustrate injuries to a lay audience in the medicolegal setting, offering future avenues for forensic radiology research.
CLINICAL RADIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Mohammed A. H. Abdelhakiem, Hussein Awad Hussein
Summary: Diseases of the central nervous system can cause morbidity and mortality in equine. Collection and analysis of cerebrospinal fluid provide valuable information on degenerative and inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to assess clinical complications of CSF collection in healthy donkeys and establish reference values for cytological and biochemical parameters.
BMC VETERINARY RESEARCH
(2021)
Letter
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Augustin Toma, Claudia dos Santos, Beata Burzynska, Monika Gora, Marek Kiliszek, Natalie Stickle, Holger Kirsten, Leah B. Kosyakovsky, Bo Wang, Sean van Diepen, Slava Epelman, Yishay Szekely, John C. Marshall, Filio Billia, Patrick R. Lawler
CIRCULATION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kathrin Landgraf, Andreas Kuhnapfel, Maria Schlanstein, Ronald Biemann, Berend Isermann, Elena Kempf, Holger Kirsten, Markus Scholz, Antje Korner
Summary: This study found that childhood obesity is associated with dysfunction and early signs of metabolic disease in adipose tissue. By analyzing gene expression profiles in adipose tissue samples from obese children, the researchers identified genes that are associated with obesity and related parameters. They also discovered that EGFL6 gene may play a role in the pathogenesis of metabolic disease.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Andreas W. Schmidt, Andreas Kuehnapfel, Holger Kirsten, Harald Grallert, Claus Hellerbrand, Falk Kiefer, Karl Mann, Sebastian Mueller, Markus M. No, Annette Peters, Monika Ridinger, Josef Frank, Marcella Rietschel, Nicole Soranzo, Michael Soyka, Norbert Wodarz, Giovanni Malerba, Giovanni Gambaro, Christian Gieger, Markus Scholz, Sebastian Krug, Patrick Michl, Maren Ewers, Heiko Witt, Helmut Laumen, Jonas Rosendahl
Summary: This study conducted a GWAS in non-alcoholic chronic pancreatitis (NACP) patients and identified risk loci associated with the disease. Through colocalization analysis, candidate causal genes and shared causal variants were prioritized. The results suggest that a shared causal CTRC risk variant may affect the pathogenesis of both alcoholic chronic pancreatitis (ACP) and NACP by reducing CTRC expression, while a shared causal variant rs12688220 may modify the risk of both diseases by increasing CLDN2 expression.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Michael Rode, Kolja Nenoff, Kerstin Wirkner, Katrin Horn, Andrej Teren, Ralf Regenthal, Markus Loeffler, Joachim Thiery, Achim Aigner, Janne Pott, Holger Kirsten, Markus Scholz
Summary: By investigating the impact of drugs on blood transcriptome, researchers have developed a catalogue of 14 substances affecting differential gene expression in a total of 534 genes. In an observational study of stable coronary artery disease or myocardial infarction patients, they successfully replicated differential gene expression for three active substances affecting 80 genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
Article
Respiratory System
Motaharehsadat Heydarian, Prajakta Oak, Xin Zhang, Nona Kamgari, Alida Kindt, Markus Koschlig, Tina Pritzke, Erika Gonzalez-Rodriguez, Kai Foerster, Rory E. Morty, Friederike Haefner, Christoph Huebener, Andreas W. Flemmer, Ali Oender Yildirim, Deepti Sudheendra, Xuefei Tian, Agnese Petrera, Holger Kirsten, Peter Ahnert, Nick Morrell, Tushar J. Desai, Jennifer Sucre, Edda Spiekerkoetter, Anne Hilgendorff
Summary: We identified impaired BMP signaling as a hallmark of early vascular disease in the injured neonatal lung and outlined its promising potential as a future biomarker or therapeutic target.
Correction
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Markus Scholz, Katrin Horn, Janne Pott, Arnd Gross, Marcus E. Kleber, Graciela E. Delgado, Pashupati Prasad Mishra, Holger Kirsten, Christian Gieger, Martina Muller-Nurasyid, Anke Tonjes, Peter Kovacs, Terho Lehtimaki, Olli Raitakari, Mika Kahonen, Helena Gylling, Ronny Baber, Berend Isermann, Michael Stumvoll, Markus Loeffler, Winfried Marz, Thomas Meitinger, Annette Peters, Joachim Thiery, Daniel Teupser, Uta Ceglarek
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Virology
Yuri Kheifetz, Holger Kirsten, Markus Scholz
Summary: This study proposes a method based on a nonlinear dynamical system to predict the development of the pandemic, addressing the issues of parameter estimation bias caused by incomplete data and delayed reporting. The method can estimate and compare the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions and provide scenarios for the future course of the epidemic.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Manuel Florian Struck, Christian Kleber, Sebastian Ewens, Sebastian Ebel, Holger Kirsten, Sebastian Kraemer, Stefan Schob, Georg Osterhoff, Felix Girrbach, Peter Hilbert-Carius, Benjamin Ondruschka, Gunther Hempel
Summary: This study aims to investigate the rate of occult pneumothorax in trauma patients before initial computed tomography (CT) and analyze the role of chest CT in assessing thoracic pathology and injury severity. The results show that clinical decisions for chest tube placement (CTP) before CT are associated with significant false-negative and false-positive cases, indicating that a combination of clinical assessment and CT imaging is important for CTP decisions.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Respiratory System
Peter Pennitz, Holger Kirsten, Vincent D. Friedrich, Emanuel Wyler, Cengiz Goekeri, Benedikt Obermayer, Gitta A. Heinz, Mir-Farzin Mashreghi, Maren Buettner, Jakob Trimpert, Markus Landthaler, Norbert Suttorp, Andreas C. Hocke, Stefan Hippenstiel, Mario Toennies, Markus Scholz, Wolfgang M. Kuebler, Martin Witzenrath, Katja Hoenzke, Geraldine Nouailles
Summary: Single-cell RNA sequencing is important for studying biological processes, especially in lung research. We compared single-cell transcriptomes from six different species' lungs and identified marker genes using integrative approaches. This method helps identify transcriptomic signatures in different species' lung tissue and select appropriate models for future respiratory research.
EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY REVIEW
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Matthias Wuttke, Eva Koenig, Maria-Alexandra Katsara, Holger Kirsten, Saeed Khomeijani Farahani, Alexander Teumer, Yong Li, Martin Lang, Burulca Goecmen, Cristian Pattaro, Dorothee Guenzel, Anna Koettgen, Christian Fuchsberger
Summary: A genotype imputation approach was applied to whole exome sequencing data from the UK Biobank, resulting in the discovery of 158 rare variants and 105 genes significantly associated with kidney function traits. This approach boosts statistical power and provides a comprehensive resource for directing experimental and clinical studies of kidney disease.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Cengiz Goekeri, Peter Pennitz, Wibke Groenewald, Ulrike Behrendt, Holger M. Kirsten, Christian Zobel, Sarah A. Berger, Gitta Heinz, Mir-Farzin Mashreghi, Sandra-Maria Wienhold, Kristina Dietert, Anca D. Dorhoi, Achim Gruber, Markus Scholz, Gernot Rohde, Norbert Suttorp, Geraldine CAPNETZ Study Grp, Martin Witzenrath, Geraldine Nouailles
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the role of microRNA-223 in orchestrating pulmonary inflammation during pneumococcal pneumonia. It was found that low levels of serum microRNA-223 correlated with increased disease severity in patients. In murine experiments, the absence of microRNA-223 led to increased neutrophilic influx into the lungs, resulting in aggravated histopathology and acute lung injury.
Article
Immunology
Elisa Regenhardt, Holger Kirsten, Melanie Weiss, Christoph Luebbert, Sebastian N. Stehr, Yvonne Remane, Corinna Pietsch, Mario Hoenemann, Amrei von Braun
Summary: Understanding breakthrough infections of SARS-CoV-2 in vaccinated healthcare workers is crucial in controlling the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in healthcare facilities. A cohort study was conducted to investigate acute SARS-CoV-2 infections in vaccinated employees. The majority of breakthrough infections were symptomatic, with high viral loads and prolonged shedding. Neutralizing antibody titers were highest for the wildtype, intermediate for Delta, and lowest for Omicron variants. Lower levels of anti-RBD-IgG were associated with higher viral loads for both variants. Overall, the clinical course of infection was mild to moderate, but immune response waned over time.
Article
Pediatrics
Manuel Florian Struck, Franziska Rost, Thomas Schwarz, Peter Zimmermann, Manuela Siekmeyer, Daniel Graefe, Sebastian Ebel, Holger Kirsten, Christian Kleber, Martin Lacher, Bernd Donaubauer
Summary: This study analyzed the performance of different vascular access procedures in severely injured pediatric trauma patients from the scene to admission. The results showed that successful IV or IO access was achieved by emergency medical service physicians at the scene, but there were some issues upon ED admission. Mechanical complications were also observed in the OR and ICU. Therefore, special preparedness is necessary in prehospital, ED, ICU, and OR environments.
Article
Oncology
Manuel Florian Struck, Robert Werdehausen, Holger Kirsten, Holger Goessmann, Rhea Veelken, Florian van Boemmel, Sebastian Stehr, Timm Denecke, Sebastian Ebel
Summary: This retrospective analysis found that high perioperative infusion volumes and the omission of heparin reversal with protamine were associated with postoperative bleeding complications. High infusion volumes also contributed to a length of stay in the intensive care unit of more than one day. Our findings suggest a restrictive perioperative infusion regime and support the use of postoperative protamine for heparin reversal in chemosaturation procedures.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andreas Kuehnapfel, Peter Ahnert, Katrin Horn, Holger Kirsten, Markus Loeffler, Markus Scholz
Summary: Body height, body mass index, hip and waist circumference are important risk factors or outcome variables in clinical and epidemiological research. However, there is limited research on other traits with potentially higher functional specificity. This study used a three-dimensional body scanner to assess participants and identified genetic loci associated with various anthropometric traits. The findings suggest that 3D laser-based anthropometry is promising for discovering new loci and improving the understanding of established ones.
