An evaluation of overnight fixation to facilitate neuropathological examination in Coroner's autopsies: our experience of over 200 cases

2012 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Stuart Scott ◽  
Alastair Wray MacDonald
Keyword(s):  
Median Time ◽  
Histological Examination ◽  
Detailed Examination ◽  
Turnaround Time ◽  
The Body ◽  
Retrospective Audit ◽  
General Pathology ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Neuropathological Examination

AimsFollowing recent changes in Coroner's Rules, there has been a desire to examine brains at the time of autopsy, rather than after a prolonged period of immersion fixation. Examination of the fresh brain at postmortem can yield unsatisfactory results where detailed histological examination is required. We aim to provide a compromise, where detailed examination of the brain is possible, without the requirement for prolonged fixation, interference with funeral arrangements and delay in the Coronial process.MethodsA retrospective audit of over 200 neuropathology cases requested by HM Coroner for the East Riding of Yorkshire between 2007 and 2010 was performed. The cases consisted of full neuropathology autopsies (n=212) and brains referred by general pathology colleagues (n=26).ResultsOf the 238 brains examined, approximately half (n=109) of the brains were sectioned fresh in the mortuary. The remaining brains (n=129) were immersion fixed overnight in 20% formalin prior to cutting and sampling for histology (n=127). The median time for reporting was 31 days (range 1–167; n=101) for brains requiring histology. This equates to a median turnaround time of 1 month for a neuropathological autopsy requiring detailed histology. In all cases, the report was prepared and available to HM Coroner in advance of the Inquest.ConclusionsThis method provides reliable histological diagnoses in neuropathological autopsies and does not interfere with funeral arrangements for bereaved families following deaths falling under Coronial jurisdiction. In all cases, the body could be released to relatives, at Coroner's discretion, within two working days of the autopsy.

scholarly journals The diacylglycerol lipases: structure, regulation and roles in and beyond endocannabinoid signalling

2012 ◽  
Vol 367 (1607) ◽  
pp. 3264-3275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melina Reisenberg ◽  
Praveen K. Singh ◽  
Gareth Williams ◽  
Patrick Doherty
Keyword(s):  
Dopaminergic Neurons ◽  
Cannabinoid Receptors ◽  
Homology Modelling ◽  
Detailed Examination ◽  
The Body ◽  
Adult Brain ◽  
And Migration ◽  
Regulatory Loop ◽  
Translational Mechanisms ◽  
The Brain

The diacylglycerol lipases (DAGLs) hydrolyse diacylglycerol to generate 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), the most abundant ligand for the CB 1 and CB 2 cannabinoid receptors in the body. DAGL-dependent endocannabinoid signalling regulates axonal growth and guidance during development, and is required for the generation and migration of new neurons in the adult brain. At developed synapses, 2-AG released from postsynaptic terminals acts back on presynaptic CB 1 receptors to inhibit the secretion of both excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, with this DAGL-dependent synaptic plasticity operating throughout the nervous system. Importantly, the DAGLs have functions that do not involve cannabinoid receptors. For example, 2-AG is the precursor of arachidonic acid in a pathway that maintains the level of this essential lipid in the brain and other organs. This pathway also drives the cyclooxygenase-dependent generation of inflammatory prostaglandins in the brain, which has recently been implicated in the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease. Remarkably, we still know very little about the mechanisms that regulate DAGL activity—however, key insights can be gleaned by homology modelling against other α/β hydrolases and from a detailed examination of published proteomic studies and other databases. These identify a regulatory loop with a highly conserved signature motif, as well as phosphorylation and palmitoylation as post-translational mechanisms likely to regulate function.

scholarly journals Bayesian population receptive field modeling in human somatosensory cortex

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander M. Puckett ◽  
Saskia Bollmann ◽  
Keerat Junday ◽  
Markus Barth ◽  
Ross Cunnington
Keyword(s):  
Receptive Field ◽  
Somatosensory Cortex ◽  
Spatial Organization ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Detailed Examination ◽  
The Body ◽  
Primary Somatosensory Cortex ◽  
Vibrotactile Stimulation ◽  
Modeling Framework ◽  
The Brain

AbstractSomatosensation is fundamental to our ability to sense our body and interact with the world. Our body is continuously sampling the environment using a variety of receptors tuned to different features, and this information is routed up to primary somatosensory cortex. Strikingly, the spatial organization of the peripheral receptors in the body are well maintained, with the resulting representation of the body in the brain being referred to as the somatosensory homunculus. Recent years have seen considerable advancements in the field of high-resolution fMRI, which have enabled an increasingly detailed examination of the organization and properties of this homunculus. Here we combined advanced imaging techniques at ultra-high field (7T) with a recently developed Bayesian population receptive field (pRF) modeling framework to examine pRF properties in primary somatosensory cortex. In each subject, vibrotactile stimulation of the fingertips (i.e., the peripheral mechanoreceptors) modulated the fMRI response along the post-central gyrus and these signals were used to estimate pRFs. We found the pRF center location estimates to be in accord with previous work as well as evidence of other properties in line with the underlying neurobiology. Specifically, as expected from the known properties of cortical magnification, we find a larger representation of the index finger compared to the other stimulated digits (middle, index, little). We also show evidence that the little finger is marked by the largest pRF sizes. The ability to estimate somatosensory pRFs in humans provides an unprecedented opportunity to examine the neural mechanisms underlying somatosensation and is critical for studying how the brain, body, and environment interact to inform perception and action.

HISTOLOGICAL CHANGES IN THE INTESTINES OF POULTRY DURING FODDER INTOXICATION

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
E.P. Dolgov ◽  
◽  
A.A. Abramov ◽  
E.V. Kuzminova ◽  
E.V. Rogaleva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Histological Examination ◽  
Aflatoxin B1 ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Feed Additives ◽  
The Body ◽  
Histological Changes ◽  
Beet Pulp

The article presents the data on the study of the influence of mycotoxins combination (T-2 toxin at the concentration of 0.095 mg/kg and aflatoxin B1 in the concentration of 0.019 mg/kg) on the body of quails and the results of pharmacocorrection of toxicosis with a complex consisting of beet pulp and lecithin. Structural changes in the intestines of quais at fodder mycotoxicosis are described. The use of antitoxic feed additives in poultry led to a weakening of the action of xenobiotics, which was confirmed by an increase in the safety of poultry and increase in body weight of quails, a decrease in the clinical manifestations of intoxication, as well as in positive changes in the structure of the intestine of the poultry during histological examination.

EXPERIMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF THE NANOPARTICLES TOXICITY OF NICKEL OXIDE IN TWO SIZES IN THE SUBCHRONIC EXPERIMENT

2018 ◽  
pp. 30-35
Author(s):  
M.P. Sutunkova ◽  
B.A. Katsnelson ◽  
L.I. Privalova ◽  
S.N. Solovjeva ◽  
V.B. Gurvich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nickel Oxide ◽  
Nervous Activity ◽  
Equal Mass ◽  
The Body ◽  
Subchronic Toxicity ◽  
Physiological Mechanisms ◽  
Nickel Oxide Nanoparticles ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Nanoparticles Toxicity

We conducted a comparative assessment of the nickel oxide nanoparticles toxicity (NiO) of two sizes (11 and 25 nm) according to a number of indicators of the body state after repeated intraperitoneal injections of these particles suspensions. At equal mass doses, NiO nanoparticles have been found to cause various manifestations of systemic subchronic toxicity with a particularly pronounced effect on liver, kidney function, the body’s antioxidant system, lipid metabolism, white and red blood, redox metabolism, spleen damage, and some disorders of nervous activity allegedly related to the possibility of nickel penetration into the brain from the blood. The relationship between the diameter and toxicity of particles is ambiguous, which may be due to differences in toxicokinetics, which is controlled by both physiological mechanisms and direct penetration of nanoparticles through biological barriers and, finally, unequal solubility.

The musculature and nervous system of the plerocercoid larva of Dibothriorhynchus grossum (Rud.)

Parasitology ◽  
1941 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 373-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gwendolen Rees
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Muscle Mass ◽  
Nerve Cells ◽  
The Body ◽  
Lateral Nerve ◽  
Posterior Median ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Ventral Muscle ◽  
Nerve Cords ◽  
Extrinsic Muscles

1. The structure of the proboscides of the larva of Dibothriorhynchus grossum (Rud.) is described. Each proboscis is provided with four sets of extrinsic muscles, and there is an anterior dorso-ventral muscle mass connected to all four proboscides.2. The musculature of the body and scolex is described.3. The nervous system consists of a brain, two lateral nerve cords, two outer and inner anterior nerves on each side, twenty-five pairs of bothridial nerves to each bothridium, four longitudinal bothridial nerves connecting these latter before their entry into the bothridia, four proboscis nerves arising from the brain, and a series of lateral nerves supplying the lateral regions of the body.4. The so-called ganglia contain no nerve cells, these are present only in the posterior median commissure which is therefore the nerve centre.

scholarly journals The brain dynamics of architectural affordances during transition

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zakaria Djebbara ◽  
Lars Brorson Fich ◽  
Klaus Gramann
Keyword(s):  
Occipital Cortex ◽  
The Body ◽  
Brain Dynamics ◽  
Alpha Band ◽  
Time Frequency ◽  
Posterior Cingulate ◽  
Sensory Signals ◽  
Event Related Desynchronization ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Attentional Mechanisms

AbstractAction is a medium of collecting sensory information about the environment, which in turn is shaped by architectural affordances. Affordances characterize the fit between the physical structure of the body and capacities for movement and interaction with the environment, thus relying on sensorimotor processes associated with exploring the surroundings. Central to sensorimotor brain dynamics, the attentional mechanisms directing the gating function of sensory signals share neuronal resources with motor-related processes necessary to inferring the external causes of sensory signals. Such a predictive coding approach suggests that sensorimotor dynamics are sensitive to architectural affordances that support or suppress specific kinds of actions for an individual. However, how architectural affordances relate to the attentional mechanisms underlying the gating function for sensory signals remains unknown. Here we demonstrate that event-related desynchronization of alpha-band oscillations in parieto-occipital and medio-temporal regions covary with the architectural affordances. Source-level time–frequency analysis of data recorded in a motor-priming Mobile Brain/Body Imaging experiment revealed strong event-related desynchronization of the alpha band to originate from the posterior cingulate complex, the parahippocampal region as well as the occipital cortex. Our results firstly contribute to the understanding of how the brain resolves architectural affordances relevant to behaviour. Second, our results indicate that the alpha-band originating from the occipital cortex and parahippocampal region covaries with the architectural affordances before participants interact with the environment, whereas during the interaction, the posterior cingulate cortex and motor areas dynamically reflect the affordable behaviour. We conclude that the sensorimotor dynamics reflect behaviour-relevant features in the designed environment.

scholarly journals Heterotopic ossification in lymph node metastasis after rectal cancer resection: a case report and literature review

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hideki Nagano ◽  
Tamotsu Togawa ◽  
Takeshi Watanabe ◽  
Kenji Ohnishi ◽  
Toshihisa Kimura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rectal Cancer ◽  
Case Report ◽  
Lymph Node ◽  
Heterotopic Ossification ◽  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Digestive Tract ◽  
Histological Examination ◽  
Metastatic Lesion ◽  
Axillary Lymph ◽  
The Brain

Abstract Background Heterotopic ossification (HO) is the formation of osseous tissue outside the skeleton. HO in malignant tumors of the digestive tract is extremely rare, as is ossification in metastatic lesions from HO-negative digestive tract tumors. Regarding the pathogenesis of HO, two theories have been proposed. The first is that the osteoblastic metaplasia of tumor cells (driven by the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, EMT) results in HO, and the second is that factors secreted by cancer cells lead to the metaplasia of stromal pluripotent cells into osteoblasts. However, the osteogenic mechanisms remain unclear. Case presentation An 83-year-old Japanese woman underwent low anterior rectal resection for rectal cancer before presentation at our institution, in June 2018. The final diagnosis was stage IIB rectal adenocarcinoma (T4aN0M0). Histological examination did not reveal HO in the primary tumor. Thirteen months after the operation, a solitary metastatic lesion in the brain 20 mm in size and a solitary metastatic lesion in a right axillary lymph node 20 mm in size were diagnosed. The patient was treated with gamma-knife therapy for the brain metastasis. One month later, she was referred to our institution. She underwent lymph node resection. Histological examination revealed that most portions of the affected lymph node were occupied by metastatic tumor cells and that central necrosis and four small ossified lesions without an osteoblast-like cell rim were present in the peripheral region. Immunohistochemical analysis showed tumor cells positive for BMP-2, osteonectin, osteocalcin, AE1/AE3, TGF-β1, Gli2, Smad2/3, and CDX2 and negative for nestin, CD56, and CK7. Conclusion This is the first English case report of HO in a metachronous metastatic lymph node after the curative resection of HO-negative rectal cancer. Unlike HO lesions in past reports, the HO lesion did not show peripheral osteoblast-like cells, and the immunohistochemical findings indicated that the present case resulted from the EMT.

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2: is there neuroinvasion?

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Conor McQuaid ◽  
Molly Brady ◽  
Rashid Deane
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Distress ◽  
Vascular Dysfunction ◽  
Multiorgan Failure ◽  
Neurological Complications ◽  
Wide Distribution ◽  
The Body ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Main Body ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
The Brain

Abstract Background SARS-CoV-2, a coronavirus (CoV), is known to cause acute respiratory distress syndrome, and a number of non-respiratory complications, particularly in older male patients with prior health conditions, such as obesity, diabetes and hypertension. These prior health conditions are associated with vascular dysfunction, and the CoV disease 2019 (COVID-19) complications include multiorgan failure and neurological problems. While the main route of entry into the body is inhalation, this virus has been found in many tissues, including the choroid plexus and meningeal vessels, and in neurons and CSF. Main body We reviewed SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19, ACE2 distribution and beneficial effects, the CNS vascular barriers, possible mechanisms by which the virus enters the brain, outlined prior health conditions (obesity, hypertension and diabetes), neurological COVID-19 manifestation and the aging cerebrovascualture. The overall aim is to provide the general reader with a breadth of information on this type of virus and the wide distribution of its main receptor so as to better understand the significance of neurological complications, uniqueness of the brain, and the pre-existing medical conditions that affect brain. The main issue is that there is no sound evidence for large flux of SARS-CoV-2 into brain, at present, compared to its invasion of the inhalation pathways. Conclusions While SARS-CoV-2 is detected in brains from severely infected patients, it is unclear on how it gets there. There is no sound evidence of SARS-CoV-2 flux into brain to significantly contribute to the overall outcomes once the respiratory system is invaded by the virus. The consensus, based on the normal route of infection and presence of SARS-CoV-2 in severely infected patients, is that the olfactory mucosa is a possible route into brain. Studies are needed to demonstrate flux of SARS-CoV-2 into brain, and its replication in the parenchyma to demonstrate neuroinvasion. It is possible that the neurological manifestations of COVID-19 are a consequence of mainly cardio-respiratory distress and multiorgan failure. Understanding potential SARS-CoV-2 neuroinvasion pathways could help to better define the non-respiratory neurological manifestation of COVID-19.

scholarly journals Millimeter (MM) wave and microwave frequency radiation produce deeply penetrating effects: the biology and the physics

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin L. Pall
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Electric Fields ◽  
Cardiac Activity ◽  
Maximum Level ◽  
Voltage Sensor ◽  
The Body ◽  
Time Varying ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Mm Waves

Abstract Millimeter wave (MM-wave) electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are predicted to not produce penetrating effects in the body. The electric but not magnetic part of MM-EMFs are almost completely absorbed within the outer 1 mm of the body. Rodents are reported to have penetrating MM-wave impacts on the brain, the myocardium, liver, kidney and bone marrow. MM-waves produce electromagnetic sensitivity-like changes in rodent, frog and skate tissues. In humans, MM-waves have penetrating effects including impacts on the brain, producing EEG changes and other neurological/neuropsychiatric changes, increases in apparent electromagnetic hypersensitivity and produce changes on ulcers and cardiac activity. This review focuses on several issues required to understand penetrating effects of MM-waves and microwaves: 1. Electronically generated EMFs are coherent, producing much higher electrical and magnetic forces then do natural incoherent EMFs. 2. The fixed relationship between electrical and magnetic fields found in EMFs in a vacuum or highly permeable medium such as air, predicted by Maxwell’s equations, breaks down in other materials. Specifically, MM-wave electrical fields are almost completely absorbed in the outer 1 mm of the body due to the high dielectric constant of biological aqueous phases. However, the magnetic fields are very highly penetrating. 3. Time-varying magnetic fields have central roles in producing highly penetrating effects. The primary mechanism of EMF action is voltage-gated calcium channel (VGCC) activation with the EMFs acting via their forces on the voltage sensor, rather than by depolarization of the plasma membrane. Two distinct mechanisms, an indirect and a direct mechanism, are consistent with and predicted by the physics, to explain penetrating MM-wave VGCC activation via the voltage sensor. Time-varying coherent magnetic fields, as predicted by the Maxwell–Faraday version of Faraday’s law of induction, can put forces on ions dissolved in aqueous phases deep within the body, regenerating coherent electric fields which activate the VGCC voltage sensor. In addition, time-varying magnetic fields can directly put forces on the 20 charges in the VGCC voltage sensor. There are three very important findings here which are rarely recognized in the EMF scientific literature: coherence of electronically generated EMFs; the key role of time-varying magnetic fields in generating highly penetrating effects; the key role of both modulating and pure EMF pulses in greatly increasing very short term high level time-variation of magnetic and electric fields. It is probable that genuine safety guidelines must keep nanosecond timescale-variation of coherent electric and magnetic fields below some maximum level in order to produce genuine safety. These findings have important implications with regard to 5G radiation.

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