A computational strategy to investigate relevant similarities between virus and human proteins - Local high similarities between herpes and human proteins

Investigating primary sequence and structural features of viral proteins/genes has revealed molecular mimicry and evolutionary relationship linking viruses to eukaryotes. The continuous improvement in sequencing-techniques makes available almost daily the whole genome/proteome of several microorganisms, making now possible systematic analyses of evolutionary correlations and accurate phylogeny investigations. In the present study we set up a methodology to identify significant and relevant similarities between viral and human proteomes. To this aim, the following steps were applied: i) identification of local similarity corresponding to continuous identity over at least 8-residues long fragments; ii) filtering results for statistical significance of the identified similarities, according to BLAST parameters for short sequences; iii) additional filters applied to the BLAST outputs, to select specific viruses. The present study indicates a novel accurate methodology to find relevant similarities among virus and human proteomes, useful to further investigate pathogenic mechanisms underlying infectious and non-infectious diseases

Remifentanil Conscious Sedation During Regional Anaesthesia for Carotid Endarterectomy: Rationale and Safety

AbstractObjectives to prospectively evaluate the safety and efficacy of remifentanil during regional anaesthesia for carotid endarterectomy. Methods twenty-eight consecutive patients underwent carotid endarterectomy with combined superficial and deep cervical plexus block supplemented with continuous intravenous 0.04 μg·kg−1·min−1remifentanil infusion. Depth of sedation was monitored using the Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation Scale (OAA/S). The degree of pain, discomfort and anxiety was self-assessed by the patients using a horizontal visual analogue scale. Results all patients experienced adequate comfort and analgesia. No local anaesthetic supplementation was necessary. No patient had a OAA/S score lower than 4 (with 5=awake/alert to 1=asleep). Respiratory depression did not occur. Selective shunting was required in four cases. No patient was converted to general anaesthesia. There were no permanent neurological deficits, cardiopulmonary complications or deaths. Conclusion remifentanil as a supplement to regional aneasthesia for carotid endarterectomy, provides comfort and analgesia without hampering mental status evaluation

A computational strategy to investigate relevant similarities between virus and human proteins: Local high similarities between herpes and human proteins.

Investigating primary sequence and structural features of viral proteins/genes has revealed molecular mimicry and evolutionary relationship linking viruses to eukaryotes. The continuous improvement in sequencing-techniques makes available almost daily the whole genome/proteome of several microorganisms, making now possible systematic analyses of evolutionary correlations and accurate phylogeny investigations. In the present study we set up a methodology to identify significant and relevant similarities between viral and human proteomes. To this aim, the following steps were applied: i) identification of local similarity corresponding to continuous identity over at least 8-residues long fragments; ii) filtering results for statistical significance of the identified similarities, according to BLAST parameters for short sequences; iii) additional filters applied to the BLAST outputs, to select specific viruses. The present study indicates a novel accurate methodology to find relevant similarities among virus and human proteomes, useful to further investigate pathogenic mechanisms underlying infectious and non-infectious diseases

ACQUISIZIONE E PRODUZIONE DI MODELLI DIGITALI 3D IN AMBITO MEDICO LEGALE

IntroduzioneL\u2019utilizzo di Laser Scanner per l\u2019acquisizione tridimensionale delle superfici e di oggetti nell\u2019ambito delle scienze forensi \ue8 campo di studio in evoluzione. Con questo lavoro si presentano i primi risultati delle sperimentazioni condotte attraverso l\u2019utilizzo sinergico di Laser Scanner integrato a braccio (Cam2) e un software per il trattamento di dati tridimensionali al fine di riprodurre modelli 3D della lesivit\ue0 su cadavere e resti scheletrici.Materiali e MetodiPer effettuare le rilevazioni 3D si \ue8 scelta la tecnologia Laser Scanner Faro CAM 2. L\u2019elaborazione digitale successiva \ue8 stata realizzata attraverso JRC 3D Reconstructor. Con tale software si sono potute unire numerose scansioni ed ottenere modelli complessi, inoltre sono state applicate delle fotografie digitali sulle nuvole di punti ottenendo modelli tridimensionali colorati. Le fotografie sono state scattate in sede autoptica con una macchina fotografica digitale (Nikon D70s).Durante lo svolgimento di esami autoptici su cadaveri e su resti scheletrici si \ue8 operata l\u2019acquisizione di reperti anatomici e di lesioni di varia natura.Per ottenere la sovrapposizione modello-foto sono stati montati target riconoscibili sul soggetto della scansione.RisultatiAttraverso la combinazione di questo specifico laser scanner a braccio e il software JRC si sono ottenuti modelli digitali 3D.Tutti i modelli sono esplorabili nelle tre dimensioni e misurabili in ogni loro dettaglio. Dai modelli si possono estrarre ortofoto e video.L\u2019applicazione d\u2019immagini digitali per la colorazione delle Grid ha restituito modelli ben definiti e realistici anche sul piano del colore.ConclusioniTali modelli permettono di \u201ccongelare\u201d la zona oggetto indagine, migliorando la conservazione dei reperti, agevolando lo studio medico legale, ma anche la documentazione da portare in sede dibattimentaleAl momento, tuttavia, non esistono software specifici per l\u2019indagine medico legale, le potenzialit\ue0 ed i limiti di tale tecnologia sono pertanto un campo d\u2019indagine ancora da esplorare

Postmortem analysis of WWI human remains from Italian glaciers in rare environmental conditions

The authors report the results obtained by a multidisciplinary investigation of nine cases of human remains belonging to unknown Austrian WWI soldiers found in a glacial environment in the North-Eastern Alps. The aim of this research is to investigate the biological profile, pathology and cause of death, and taphonomic details of the soldiers\u2019 bodies preserved in the glacial environment of the Alps. The human remains were recovered by forensic archeological methods. The approach to the postmortem analysis was specifically chosen on a case by case basis according to the conditions of the different corpses, which varied from advanced decomposition to skeletonization. A multidisciplinary approach was applied to the human remains, including anthropological and taphonomical analysis and, in one case, botanic investigations on the intestinal contents. Soft tissues, where present, were mainly saponified, presenting pseudo-mummified areas and only in one case were partially mummified. Trauma analysis revealed several perimortem injuries. In addition peculiar weathering such as cracking, deformations, wear and abrasions were found on the bones of these individuals. This study, by means of a multidisciplinary approach, allowed the recovery and interpretation of much information on the life and death of these men who fought in incredible and merciless conditions, and increases and implements the data provided by documents during the BWhite War^ phase of WWI

Cortical Expression of the Polysialylated Isoform of the Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule on Brain Tissue to Recognize Drug-Related Death: An Exploratory Analysis

The polysialylated isoform of the neural cell adhesion molecule (PSA-NCAM) has been shown to be a key player in neuroplastic changes and is expressed in various disorders. We investigated the PSANCAM expression on brain cortical tissue in a cohort of drug-related deaths. Brains from 25 drug abusers and 10 control subjects were removed at autopsy, and 2 samples of the right parietal lobe of each case were obtained. The polysialylated isoform of NCAM was evaluated on formalinfixed and paraffin-embedded tissues. Eleven patients were polydrug abusers; 14 used a single substance. The mechanisms of death were acute respiratory failure (n = 19), cardiorespiratory failure (n = 4), acute heart failure (n = 1), and brain injury (n = 1). Toxicological analyses of blood were available for all cases, and urine and bile analyses for 19 of 25 cases. The polysialylated isoform of NCAM immunoexpression in the neuronal soma and dendritic spines was observed in 18 (72%) of 25 drug abusers and in 2 (20%) of 10 control subjects. Drug abusers were statistically more positive for PSA-NCAM than control subjects (P = 0.0082). The expression of PSA-NCAM in the parietal cortex could be an indicator of brain damage due to drug abuse, and its availability could allow the forensic pathologists to develop rapid and low-cost additional or alternative method to improve detection of drug-related death