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  1. Article ; Online: Application of Forensic DNA Phenotyping for Prediction of Eye, Hair and Skin Colour in Highly Decomposed Bodies

    Matteo Fabbri / Letizia Alfieri / Leila Mazdai / Paolo Frisoni / Rosa Maria Gaudio / Margherita Neri

    Healthcare, Vol 11, Iss 647, p

    2023  Volume 647

    Abstract: In the last few years, predicting externally visible characteristics (EVCs) by adopting informative DNA molecular markers has become a method in forensic genetics that has increased its value, giving rise to an interesting field called “Forensic DNA ... ...

    Abstract In the last few years, predicting externally visible characteristics (EVCs) by adopting informative DNA molecular markers has become a method in forensic genetics that has increased its value, giving rise to an interesting field called “Forensic DNA Phenotyping” (FDP). The most meaningful forensic applications of EVCs prediction are those in which, having only a DNA sample isolated from highly decomposed remains, it is essential to reconstruct the physical appearance of a person. Through this approach, we set out to evaluate 20 skeletal remains of Italian provenance in order to associate them with as many cases of missing persons as possible. To achieve the intended goal, in this work we applied the HIrisPlex-S multiplex system through the conventional short tandem repeats (STR) method to confirm the expected identity of subjects by evaluating phenotypic features. To investigate the reliability and accuracy of the DNA-based EVCs prediction, pictures of the cases were compared as they were available to researchers. Results showed an overall prediction accuracy greater than 90% for all three phenotypic features—iris, hair, and skin colour—at a probability threshold of 0.7. The experimental analysis showed inconclusive results in only two cases; this is probably due to the characteristics of subjects who had an intermediate eye and hair colour, for which the DNA-based system needs to improve the prediction accuracy.
    Keywords forensic DNA phenotyping ; predictive DNA analysis ; HIrisPlex-S ; eye colour ; skin colour ; hair colour ; Medicine ; R
    Subject code 612
    Language English
    Publishing date 2023-02-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher MDPI AG
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  2. Article ; Online: Age estimation using tooth cementum annulations

    Emanuela Gualdi-Russo / Ilaria Saguto / Paolo Frisoni / Margherita Neri / Jessica Mongillo / Natascia Rinaldo

    Frontiers in Bioscience-Landmark, Vol 27, Iss 5, p

    bias and sources of inaccuracy

    2022  Volume 141

    Abstract: Background: Counting the tooth cementum annulations (TCA) is a method for estimating the age at death of adults by sections of their tooth root. The objective of this study was to assess the precision of counting the cementum incremental lines and the ... ...

    Abstract Background: Counting the tooth cementum annulations (TCA) is a method for estimating the age at death of adults by sections of their tooth root. The objective of this study was to assess the precision of counting the cementum incremental lines and the congruence between known age and age estimates. Possible factors affecting the accuracy of the estimate were also analyzed. Methods: A sample of 67 permanent teeth extracted from individuals with known age (18–84 years) and sex was analyzed to calculate the dental age. Results: Results demonstrate an excellent inter- and intra-observer reliability of annuli counting, with dissimilarities within the limits of agreement. A moderate positive correlation was found between chronological age and TCA. Our results showed that age congruence rates differed across age groups (85% congruence in individuals ≤30 years; 75% in individuals aged 31–60 years; 60% in the over 60s). Considering the bias, this method showed a clear tendency to underestimate age in specimens from old people. After age 43, the TCA estimate is highly inaccurate exceeding the underestimation of 10 years, on average, in comparison to the chronological age. Both chronological age and dental arch seem to influence the accuracy of estimates, unlike sex and the tooth root number. Conclusions: TCA analysis is characterized by high precision and low accuracy, decreasing with age. Therefore, its applicability is limited in elderly subjects. The choice of methods for age estimation in adult skeletal remains should take into account the particular age range of individuals. We recommend using different age estimation methods to verify the reliability of the performed assessments.
    Keywords age estimation ; forensic anthropology ; cementochronology ; tooth cementum annulations ; Biochemistry ; QD415-436 ; Biology (General) ; QH301-705.5
    Subject code 930
    Language English
    Publishing date 2022-04-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher IMR Press
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  3. Article ; Online: Tooth Cementum Thickness as a Method of Age Estimation in the Forensic Context

    Emanuela Gualdi-Russo / Ilaria Saguto / Paolo Frisoni / Margherita Neri / Natascia Rinaldo

    Biology, Vol 11, Iss 784, p

    2022  Volume 784

    Abstract: Estimating age at death is a key element in the process of human identification of skeletal remains. The interest in dental cementum stems from its increase in thickness throughout life and, at the same time, from the fact it should not be affected by ... ...

    Abstract Estimating age at death is a key element in the process of human identification of skeletal remains. The interest in dental cementum stems from its increase in thickness throughout life and, at the same time, from the fact it should not be affected by remodeling processes. Since the age assessment is particularly difficult in adults when using traditional anthropological methods on the skeleton, we tested a dental method based on maximum cementum thickness and developed new regression equations. We microscopically analyzed the histological sections of dental roots from a sample of 108 permanent teeth with known age and sex. Age at the time of dental extraction was in the range of 18–84 years. Our findings show that there were no differences in thickness between sexes, dental arch, and mono- and pluriradicular teeth. Separate regression equations were developed for individuals in the whole age range and individuals under 45 years. The equations were then tested on a hold-out sample from the same Mediterranean population demonstrating higher reliability for the equation developed for those under 45. Conversely, due to the increased error in age estimation in individuals over 45, this method should be used with caution in the forensic context when skeletal remains presumably belong to elderly individuals.
    Keywords age estimation ; tooth root ; cementum thickness ; forensic anthropology ; Biology (General) ; QH301-705.5
    Subject code 310
    Language English
    Publishing date 2022-05-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher MDPI AG
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  4. Article ; Online: Old and Promising Markers Related to Autophagy in Traumatic Brain Injury

    Tommaso Livieri / Calogero Cuttaia / Raffaella Vetrini / Monica Concato / Michela Peruch / Margherita Neri / Davide Radaelli / Stefano D’Errico

    International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Vol 24, Iss 1, p

    2022  Volume 72

    Abstract: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the first causes of death and disability in the world. Because of the lack of macroscopical or histologic evidence of the damage, the forensic diagnosis of TBI could be particularly difficult. Considering that the ... ...

    Abstract Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the first causes of death and disability in the world. Because of the lack of macroscopical or histologic evidence of the damage, the forensic diagnosis of TBI could be particularly difficult. Considering that the activation of autophagy in the brain after a TBI is well documented in literature, the aim of this review is to find all autophagy immunohistological protein markers that are modified after TBI to propose a method to diagnose this eventuality in the brain of trauma victims. A systematic literature review on PubMed following PRISMA 2020 guidelines has enabled the identification of 241 articles. In all, 21 of these were enrolled to identify 24 markers that could be divided into two groups. The first consisted of well-known markers that could be considered for a first diagnosis of TBI. The second consisted of new markers recently proposed in the literature that could be used in combination with the markers of the first group to define the elapsed time between trauma and death. However, the use of these markers has to be validated in the future in human tissue by further studies, and the influence of other diseases affecting the victims before death should be explored.
    Keywords traumatic brain injury ; autophagy ; mitophagy ; autopsy ; immunohistochemistry ; Biology (General) ; QH301-705.5 ; Chemistry ; QD1-999
    Subject code 610
    Language English
    Publishing date 2022-12-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher MDPI AG
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  5. Article ; Online: Suicide and Neurotrophin Factors

    Stefania De Simone / Maria Antonella Bosco / Raffaele La Russa / Simona Vittorio / Nicola Di Fazio / Margherita Neri / Luigi Cipolloni / Benedetta Baldari

    Healthcare, Vol 11, Iss 1, p

    A Systematic Review of the Correlation between BDNF and GDNF and Self-Killing

    2022  Volume 78

    Abstract: According to WHO data, suicide is a public health priority. In particular, suicide is the fourth-leading cause of death in young people. Many risk factors of suicide are described, including individual-, relationship-, community-, and societal-linked ... ...

    Abstract According to WHO data, suicide is a public health priority. In particular, suicide is the fourth-leading cause of death in young people. Many risk factors of suicide are described, including individual-, relationship-, community-, and societal-linked ones. The leading factor is the diagnosis of mental illness. Nevertheless, not all people who attempt suicide are psychiatric patients; these characteristics help define high-risk populations. There are currently no useful biomarkers to indicate the risk of suicide. In recent years, neurotrophic factors have increasingly become of scientific interest. This review aims to summarize the current scientific knowledge on the correlation between BDNF and GDNF and suicide, to theorize whether neurotrophins could be a reliable marker for an early diagnosis of suicidal risk. The authors conducted a systematic review following PRISMA criteria. They found eight research papers in agreement with the inclusion criteria. According to the results of these studies, there may be a connection between BDNF brain levels and complete suicide, although there are discrepancies. A lack of interest in GDNF may suggest less involvement in the suicidal dynamic. Further studies may provide helpful information to researchers.
    Keywords BDNF ; GDNF ; suicide ; autopsy ; neurotrophin ; self-killing ; Medicine ; R
    Subject code 306
    Language English
    Publishing date 2022-12-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher MDPI AG
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  6. Article ; Online: The NADPH oxidase NOX2 mediates loss of parvalbumin interneurons in traumatic brain injury

    Stefania Schiavone / Margherita Neri / Luigia Trabace / Emanuela Turillazzi

    Scientific Reports, Vol 7, Iss 1, Pp 1-

    human autoptic immunohistochemical evidence

    2017  Volume 10

    Abstract: Abstract Pharmacological interventions for traumatic brain injury (TBI) are limited. Together with parvalbumin (PV) loss, increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by the NADPH oxidase NOX enzymes represents a key step in TBI. Here, we ... ...

    Abstract Abstract Pharmacological interventions for traumatic brain injury (TBI) are limited. Together with parvalbumin (PV) loss, increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by the NADPH oxidase NOX enzymes represents a key step in TBI. Here, we investigated the contribution of NOX2-derived oxidative stress to the loss of PV immunoreactivity associated to TBI, performing immunohistochemistry for NOX2, 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8OHdG) and PV on post mortem brain samples of subjects died following TBI, subjects died from spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH) and controls (CTRL). We detected an increased NOX2 expression and 8OHdG immunoreactivity in subjects died from TBI with respect to CTRL and SICH. NOX2 increase was mainly observed in GABAergic PV-positive interneurons, with a minor presence in microglia. No significant differences in other NADPH oxidase isoforms (NOX1 and NOX4) were detected among experimental groups. NOX2-derived oxidative stress elevation appeared a specific TBI-induced phenomenon, as no alterations in the nitrosative pathway were detected. Our results suggest that NOX2-derived oxidative stress might play a crucial role in the TBI-induced loss of PV-positive interneurons.
    Keywords Medicine ; R ; Science ; Q
    Language English
    Publishing date 2017-08-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Nature Portfolio
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  7. Article ; Online: Spine surgery and fat embolism syndrome. Defining the boundaries of medical accountability by hospital autopsy

    Davide Radaelli / Martina Zanon / Monica Concato / Paolo Fattorini / Letizia Alfieri / Raffaella Marino / Margherita Neri / Luigi Cipolloni / Stefano D’Errico

    Frontiers in Bioscience-Landmark, Vol 26, Iss 12, Pp 1760-

    2021  Volume 1768

    Abstract: Background: Fat Embolism Syndrome (FES) is a clinical condition characterized by neurological, respiratory, hematological and cutaneous manifestations. Fatal FES has been described as a rare complication during or after spinal elective surgery. The ... ...

    Abstract Background: Fat Embolism Syndrome (FES) is a clinical condition characterized by neurological, respiratory, hematological and cutaneous manifestations. Fatal FES has been described as a rare complication during or after spinal elective surgery. The investigation of the cause of death in fatalities related with spine surgery should be mandatory to exclude or confirm fat embolism; a detailed methodological approach to the body in these cases suggests to provide a cautious dissection of surgical site and collection of samples to detect embolized fat globules in vessels. Methods: Two fatal cases of fat embolism syndrome after posterior spinal fusion are presented. Conclusions: A complete post mortem examination by means of histochemical and immunohistochemical analysis explained the cause of death and prevented medical malpractice litigation.
    Keywords fat embolism syndrome ; spine surgery ; oil red ; immunohistochemistry ; autopsy ; liability ; claims ; accountability ; Biochemistry ; QD415-436 ; Biology (General) ; QH301-705.5
    Language English
    Publishing date 2021-12-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher IMR Press
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  8. Article ; Online: Forensic Application of Monoclonal Anti-Human Glycophorin A Antibody in Samples from Decomposed Bodies to Establish Vitality of the Injuries. A Preliminary Experimental Study

    Benedetta Baldari / Simona Vittorio / Francesco Sessa / Luigi Cipolloni / Giuseppe Bertozzi / Margherita Neri / Santina Cantatore / Vittorio Fineschi / Mariarosaria Aromatario

    Healthcare, Vol 9, Iss 514, p

    2021  Volume 514

    Abstract: Glycophorins are an important group of red blood cell (RBC) transmembrane proteins. Monoclonal antibodies against GPA are employed in immunohistochemical staining during post-mortem examination: Through this method, it is possible to point out the RBC ... ...

    Abstract Glycophorins are an important group of red blood cell (RBC) transmembrane proteins. Monoclonal antibodies against GPA are employed in immunohistochemical staining during post-mortem examination: Through this method, it is possible to point out the RBC presence in tissues. This experimental study aims to investigate anti-GPA immunohistochemical staining in order to evaluate the vitality of the lesion from corpses in different decomposition state. Six cases were selected, analyzing autopsies’ documentation performed by the Institute of Legal Medicine of Rome in 2010–2018: four samples of fractured bones and three samples of soft tissues. For the control case, the fracture region of the femur was sampled. The results of the present study confirm the preliminary results of other studies, remarking the importance of the GPA immunohistochemical staining to highlight signs of survival. Moreover, this study suggests that the use of this technique should be routinely applied in cases of corpses with advanced putrefaction phenomena, even when the radiological investigation is performed, the macroscopic investigation is inconclusive, the H&E staining is not reliable. This experimental application demonstrated that the use of monoclonal antibody anti-human GPA on bone fractures and soft tissues could be important to verify whether the lesion is vital or not.
    Keywords forensic pathology ; glycophorin A investigation ; vitality ; Medicine ; R
    Subject code 630
    Language English
    Publishing date 2021-04-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher MDPI AG
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  9. Article ; Online: Increased iNOS and Nitrosative Stress in Dopaminergic Neurons of MDMA-Exposed Rats

    Stefania Schiavone / Margherita Neri / Angela Bruna Maffione / Paolo Frisoni / Maria Grazia Morgese / Luigia Trabace / Emanuela Turillazzi

    International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Vol 20, Iss 5, p

    2019  Volume 1242

    Abstract: Several mechanisms underlying 3,4-Methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA) neurotoxicity have been proposed, including neurochemical alterations and excitotoxicity mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), and reactive nitrogen ... ...

    Abstract Several mechanisms underlying 3,4-Methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA) neurotoxicity have been proposed, including neurochemical alterations and excitotoxicity mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). However, ROS, NO, and RNS sources in the brain are not fully known. We aimed to investigate possible alterations in the expression of the ROS producer NOX enzymes (NOX2, NOX1, and NOX4), NO generators (iNOS, eNOS, and nNOS), markers of oxidative (8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine, 8OHdG), and nitrosative (3-nitrotyrosine, NT) stress, as well as the colocalization between cells positive for the dopamine transporter (DT1) and cells expressing the neuronal nuclei (NeuN) marker, in the frontal cortex of rats receiving saline or MDMA, sacrificed 6 h, 16 h, or 24 h after its administration. MDMA did not affect NOX2, NOX1, and NOX4 immunoreactivity, whereas iNOS expression was enhanced. The number of NT-positive cells was increased in MDMA-exposed animals, whereas no differences were detected in 8OHdG expression among experimental groups. MDMA and NT markers colocalized with DT1 positive cells. DT1 immunostaining was found in NeuN-positive stained cells. Virtually no colocalization was observed with microglia and astrocytes. Moreover, MDMA immunostaining was not found in NOX2-positive cells. Our results suggest that iNOS-derived nitrosative stress, but not NOX enzymes, may have a crucial role in the pathogenesis of MDMA-induced neurotoxicity, highlighting the specificity of different enzymatic systems in the development of neuropathological alterations induced by the abuse of this psychoactive compound.
    Keywords MDMA ; oxidative stress ; nitrosative stress ; iNOS ; NADPH oxidases ; Biology (General) ; QH301-705.5 ; Chemistry ; QD1-999
    Language English
    Publishing date 2019-03-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher MDPI AG
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  10. Article ; Online: Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

    Arcangelo Liso / Margherita Neri / Francesca Maglietta / Raffaele La Russa / Emanuela Turillazzi

    Stem Cells International, Vol

    A Bioethical Lens

    2017  Volume 2017

    Abstract: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is one of a range of therapeutic options available to patients suffering from various diseases. HSCT procedure involves important ethical and legal aspects that can occur at every phase of the procedure: the ...

    Abstract Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is one of a range of therapeutic options available to patients suffering from various diseases. HSCT procedure involves important ethical and legal aspects that can occur at every phase of the procedure: the clinical choice of whether to perform the procedure, pretransplantation preparation regimens, donor selection, stem cell harvest procedure, transplantation phase, and short-term and long-term follow-up care. In this discussion paper, we outline the ethical issue-facing physicians involved in HSCT. Currently, HSCT is a widely accepted treatment for many life-threatening diseases. It thus represents a real therapeutic hope for many patients. It does, however, carry a burden of possible morbidity and mortality. Consequently, there are substantial information and communication issues involved in the consent process for HSCT. In the final decision, the judgements of different parties, such as patients, family members, and healthcare professionals, intersect and overlap and this is particularly true when the patient is a minor. Finally, HSCT is a very expensive procedure. The social and economic concerns of HSCT are discussed within the actual contextual framework of the dramatic increase in healthcare costs and inequalities in healthcare in relation to socioeconomic status, educational status, and ethnicity.
    Keywords Internal medicine ; RC31-1245
    Subject code 170
    Language English
    Publishing date 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Hindawi Limited
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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