XI.—Some Recent Advances in the Study of the Brain as the Implement of Mind

1944 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-95
Author(s):  
Richard J. A. Berry
Keyword(s):  
British Association ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
Recent Advances ◽  
Post Mortem Brain ◽  
Standard Mode ◽  
The Brain

Some years ago the British Association for the Advancement of Science standardised the methods for the determination of the measurements of length, breadth, and height of the living head or dead skull, but said nothing about the brain. But to-day we know that these same methods can also be used for the measurement of the post-mortem brain. The advantages of having one common series of measurements for the living head, dried skull, and post-mortem brain, and one standard mode of comparing the results are so obvious as to need no further justification.

Post-Mortem Diagnosis of Hypoxia by Means of Brain Lactic Acid Concentration

1958 ◽  
Vol 192 (3) ◽  
pp. 577-580 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald D. Van Fossan ◽  
Robert T. Clark
Keyword(s):  
Lactic Acid ◽  
Acid Concentration ◽  
Oxygen Deficiency ◽  
Postmortem Brain ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
Lactic Acid Concentration ◽  
Altitude Exposure ◽  
Post Mortem Brain ◽  
Exposure Levels ◽  
The Brain

Simulated altitude exposure elevates the postmortem brain lactic acid concentration up to 98 mg/100 gm above controls depending on species used, duration, and intensity of exposure. The sharp difference in post-mortem brain lactic acid concentration between altitude exposed animals and controls remains demonstrable for the longest postmortem intervals studied (20 hr. in the dog, 30 hr. in the rabbit, and 6 hr. in the rat). Upon recovery from altitude exposure the brain lactic acid and/or precursors return toward pre-exposure levels in accordance with first order reaction kinetics during the first few minutes. The velocity constant is .32 and the half-life is 2.2 minutes. Elevated post-mortem brain lactic acid concentration is a constant finding in animals which were hypoxic at the time of death and appears to be a suitable criterion for establishing ante-mortem altitude exposure or other physiologically similar oxygen deficiency situations.

scholarly journals Abundance of Nef and p-Tau217 in brains of individuals diagnosed with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders correlate with disease severance

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatiana Pushkarsky ◽  
Adam I Ward ◽  
Dmitri Sviridov ◽  
Michael Ilya Bukrinsky
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Lipid Rafts ◽  
Neurological Disorders ◽  
Cholesterol Metabolism ◽  
Reverse Correlation ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
Post Mortem Brain ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Hiv 1 ◽  
Hiv Associated Neurocognitive Disorders

HIV-associated neurological disorders (HAND) is a term used to describe a variety of neurological impairments observed in HIV-infected individuals. The pathogenic mechanisms of HAND and of its connection to HIV infection remain unknown. Previous studies suggested that HIV-1 Nef may contribute to HAND by impairing cholesterol metabolism, increasing abundance of lipid rafts and affecting their functionality. Our comparative analysis of post-mortem brain samples demonstrated a trend towards decreased abundance of cholesterol transporter ABCA1 in samples from HIV-infected ART-treated individuals relative to samples from uninfected controls, and a reverse correlation between ABCA1 and flotillin 1, a marker for lipid rafts, in all analyzed samples. The brain samples from HIV-infected individuals, both with and without HAND, were characterized by increased abundance of p-Tau217 peptide, which correlated with the abundance of flotillin 1. HIV-1 Nef was detected in some, but not all, samples from HAND-affected individuals. Samples positive for Nef had lower abundance of ABCA1, higher abundance of flotillin 1 and p-Tau217, and were obtained from individuals with higher severity of HAND relative to Nef-negative samples. These results highlight the contribution of Nef and Nef-dependent impairment of cholesterol metabolism to the pathogenesis of HAND and support a connection between pathogenesis of HAND and Alzheimer disease.

scholarly journals Analytical confirmation of lethal heroin overdose by the use of liquid chromatography methods

2007 ◽  
Vol 64 (11) ◽  
pp. 739-743 ◽  
Author(s):  
Snezana Djordjevic ◽  
Vesna Kilibarda
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Chromatography ◽  
Ammonium Acetate ◽  
Physical Dependence ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Mass Spectrometry Detection ◽  
Heroin Use ◽  
Liquid Liquid Extraction ◽  
The Brain

Background/Aim. Heroin is diacetylated morphine. Its ability to induce euphoria has led to its frequent abuse, giving rise to psychological and physical dependence. It has a short half-life, of approximately 2?6 min. In the brain, heroin undergoes deacetylation to 6-monoacetylmorphine (6?MAM) and morphine. Detection of 6-acetylmorphine in the urine is indicative of heroin use. The aim of this study was to compare sensitivity and reliability of two analytical methods, a multicolumn liquid chromatography system with UV scanning detector (HPLCUV) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry detection (LC-MS) in opiate determining in post mortem material. Methods. Post mortem samples (blood, urine and vitreous humor) were analyzed by liquid chromatography with UV and MS detection. The samples were prepared by liquid-liquid extraction with mixture chloroform-isopropanol (9:1). Separation was performed on C8 column with mobile phase composed of 55% acetonitrile-glacial acetic acid (99:1) and 45% 20 mM ammonium acetate. Results. The analysis of blood samples, urine, and eye liquid by the use of multicolumn HPLC-UV method confirmed the presence of morphine in the samples of blood and urine, codeine only in urine, and 6-MAM in the samples of urine and eye liquid. Using LC-MS method morphine was confirmed in all of the samples, while codeine was confirmed in urine and in the sample of eye liquid. In the samples of eye liquid and urine 6-MAM was confirmed. Conclusion. For determination of opiates in post mortem material LC-MS technique is more sensitive and reliable as compared to multicolumn liquid chromatography.

Determination of the Time of Death by Continuous Post-Mortem Temperature Measurements

1977 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 112-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jørn Simonsen ◽  
Jorgen Voigt ◽  
Niels Jeppesen
Keyword(s):  
Brain Temperature ◽  
The Other ◽  
Temperature Measurements ◽  
Reliable Estimate ◽  
Time Of Death ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Brain

In 20 cases with known times of death continuous post-mortem measurements of the temperature fall in brain, calf, liver, axilla and rectum of the bodies have been made, and, in addition, the environmental temperature has been recorded. The observations were not made under standardized conditions, and the clothing of the bodies was left untouched as far as possible. The measurements of the brain temperatures have given the greatest accuracy in determining the time of death; for temperatures above 25 °C the uncertainty was of the order of magnitude of ±2 1/2 hours, at lower temperatures greater. The other sites of measurement permitted less reliable estimates of the post-mortem time, but none of them were found to be appropriate beyond 20 hours after death. There is one factor which cannot be calculated. It is the temperature at the moment of death. All investigations show that it may vary enormously. In the present study the difference between the maximum and the minimum starting temperature ranges between 5 °C and 8 °C, dependent on the site of measurement. As the fall in temperature—irrespective of the site of measurement—during the first few hours post mortem is of the magnitude of 1 °C per hour, the above variation gives an inaccuracy which by far exceeds what can be achieved of greater accuracy by the aid of brain temperature measurements. For this reason the authors feel justified in concluding that the determination of the time of death will always be encumbered with great uncertainty, but that the most reliable estimate within the first 20 hours after death can be based upon the measurement of the brain temperature associated with an evaluation of the development of the signs of death. None of the other methods tested so far appears to have offered a greater reliability.

Cholinesterase Enzymatic Profiles and the Exposure of Fish to Organophosphorus and Carbamate Pesticides in Israel

1993 ◽  
Vol 27 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 465-472
Author(s):  
A. Yawetz ◽  
R. Manelis ◽  
A. Gasith
Keyword(s):  
Ache Activity ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
Biochemical Method ◽  
Threshold Levels ◽  
Residue Detection ◽  
Illegal Fishing ◽  
Brain Ache ◽  
Post Mortem Brain ◽  
Brain Ache Activity ◽  
The Brain

In the tilapia as well as in the carp, gill acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was more sensitive than brain AChE to organophosphorous (OP) and carbamate (CB) compounds, and the threshold levels for residue detection by the biochemical method were lower in the gills, compared to the brain. The sensitivity of tilapia gill AChE to paraoxon was extremely high, and enabled detection of paraoxon residues in the gills at the ppb level. The carp showed higher resistance than the tilapia for poisoning by both the OP compound parathion and the carbamate methomyl. The residual post-mortem brain and gill AChE activities from tilapia killed by either parathion or methomyl poisoning were low, and could easily be differentiated from brain AChE activity in the control ish, which remained normal until 18 hours after death, providing that fish were held at temperature up to 10°C. Detection of poisoning with OP and CB compounds, in fish that are being marketed, is of extreme importance, especially in Lake Kinneret, where illegal fishing with insecticides occurs occasionally.

scholarly journals TBK1 haploinsufficiency results in changes in the K63-ubiquitination profiles in brain and fibroblasts from affected and presymptomatic mutation carriers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Behzad Khoshnood ◽  
Abbe Ullgren ◽  
Jose Laffita-Mesa ◽  
Linn Öijerstedt ◽  
Kalicharan Patra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neurodegenerative Disease ◽  
Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration ◽  
Splice Mutation ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
Mutation Carriers ◽  
Swedish Family ◽  
Post Mortem Brain ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

Abstract Background Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a neurodegenerative disease, resulting in progressive problems in language and/or behaviour and is often diagnosed before 65 years of age. Ubiquitin positive protein aggregates in the brain are among the key pathologic hallmarks of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) postmortem. The TANK-binding kinase 1 gene (TBK1) is on the list of genes that can contribute to the development of FTD as well as the related neurodegenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Methods In this study, using an array of clinical and neuropathological data combined with biochemical and proteomics assays, we analyze the TBK1 splice-mutation (c.1340 + 1G > A) in a Swedish family with a history of FTD and ALS. We also explore the K63 ubiquitination landscape in post-mortem brain tissue and fibroblast cultures. Results The intronic (c.1340 + 1G > A) mutation in TBK1 results in haploinsufficiency and affects the activity of the protein in symptomatic and pre-symptomatic mutation carriers. Conclusion Our results suggest that the mutation leads to a significant reduction of TBK1 activity and induce alterations in K63 ubiquitination profile of the cell already in the presymptomatic stages.

Vorläufige Ergebnisse von 99mTc-HMPAO-SPECT-Untersuchungen bei endogenen Psychosen

1989 ◽  
Vol 28 (03) ◽  
pp. 88-91
Author(s):  
J. Schröder ◽  
H. Henningsen ◽  
H. Sauer ◽  
P. Georgi ◽  
K.-R. Wilhelm
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Cerebral Blood Flow ◽  
Regional Cerebral Blood Flow ◽  
Regions Of Interest ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
Regional Cerebral Blood ◽  
Hmpao Spect ◽  
Endogenous Psychoses ◽  
The Brain ◽  
99Mtc Hmpao

18 psychopharmacologically treated patients (7 schizophrenics, 5 schizoaffectives, 6 depressives) were studied using 99mTc-HMPAO-SPECT of the brain. The regional cerebral blood flow was measured in three transversal sections (infra-/supraventricular, ventricular) within 6 regions of interest (ROI) respectively (one frontal, one parietal and one occipital in each hemisphere). Corresponding ROIs of the same section in each hemisphere were compared. In the schizophrenics there was a significantly reduced perfusion in the left frontal region of the infraventricular and ventricular section (p < 0.02) compared with the data of the depressives. The schizoaffectives took an intermediate place. Since the patients were treated with psychopharmaca, the result must be interpreted cautiously. However, our findings seem to be in accordance with post-mortem-, CT- and PET-studies presented in the literature. Our results suggest that 99mTc-HMPAO-SPECT may be helpful in finding cerebral abnormalities in endogenous psychoses.

Determination of Plasminogen in Clots and Thrombi

1966 ◽  
Vol 16 (01/02) ◽  
pp. 038-050 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulla Hedner ◽  
Inga Marie Nilsson ◽  
B Robertson
Keyword(s):  
Mean Value ◽  
Main Mechanism ◽  
Clot Lysis ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
Digestion Time ◽  
Normal Volunteers ◽  
Casein Solution ◽  
The Mean

SummaryThe plasminogen content was determined by a casein method in plasma and serum from 20 normal volunteers. The mean plasminogen content was found to be 10.1 ACU (the arbitrary caseinolytic unit defined in such a way that using a 3% casein solution and a digestion time of 20 min. at 37°C, 10 ACU gave an extinction of 0.300). No difference between serum and plasma regarding the plasminogen content was found.Plasminogen was determined in drained and drained plus washed clots prepared from 2 ml plasma. The highest values found in the drained clots were 0.9 ACU/clot and 0.2 ACU/clot in the drained plus washed clots.Plasminogen was also determined in drained and drained plus washed clots prepared from plasma with added purified plasminogen. The plasminogen was recovered in the washing fluid. According to these tests, then, purified added plasminogen is washed out of the clots.The plasminogen content of 20 thrombi obtained post mortem was also determined. The mean value was found to be 0.7 ACU/cm thrombus. Judging from our results, the “intrinsic clot lysis theory” is not the main mechanism of clot dissolution.

Simultaneous Determination of Imatinib and N-Desmethyl Imatinib in Rat Plasma and Tissues Using LC-MS/MS

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-129
Author(s):  
Zhi Rao ◽  
Bo-xia Li ◽  
Yong-Wen Jin ◽  
Wen-Kou ◽  
Yan-rong Ma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Oral Administration ◽  
Parent Drug ◽  
Gradient Elution ◽  
Biological Tissues ◽  
Rat Plasma ◽  
Running Water ◽  
Liver And Kidney ◽  
The Brain

Background: Imatinib (IM) is a chemotherapy medication metabolized by CYP3A4 to Ndesmethyl imatinib (NDI), which shows similar pharmacologic activity to the parent drug. Although methods for determination of IM and/or NDI have been developed extensively, only few observations have been addressed to simultaneously determine IM and NDI in biological tissues such as liver, kidney, heart, brain and bone marrow. Methods: A validated LC-MS/MS method was developed for the quantitative determination of imatinib (IM) and N-desmethyl imatinib (NDI) from rat plasma, bone marrow, brain, heart, liver and kidney. The plasma samples were prepared by protein precipitation, and then the separation of the analytes was achieved using an Agilent Zorbax Eclipse Plus C18 column (4.6 × 100 mm, 3.5 µm) with gradient elution running water (A) and methanol (B). Mass spectrometric detection was achieved by a triplequadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray source interface in positive ionization mode. Results: This method was used to investigate the pharmacokinetics and the tissue distributions in rats following oral administration of 25 mg/kg of IM. The pharmacokinetic profiles suggested that IM and NDI are disappeared faster in rats than human, and the tissue distribution results showed that IM and NDI had good tissue penetration and distribution, except for the brain. This is the first report about the large penetrations of IM and NDI in rat bone marrow. Conclusion: The method demonstrated good sensitivity, accuracy, precision and recovery in assays of IM and NDI in rats. The described assay was successfully applied for the evaluation of pharmacokinetics and distribution in the brain, heart, liver, kidney and bone marrow of IM and NDI after a single oral administration of IM to rats.

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