Post-mortem MR angiography: quantitative investigation and intravascular retention of perfusates in ex situ porcine hearts.

As the implementation of minimally invasive imaging techniques in both forensic and pathological practice increases, research in this area focuses on addressing recognised diagnostic weaknesses of current approaches. Assessment of sudden cardiac death (SCD) can be considered one such area in which post-mortem imaging still shows diagnostic weaknesses. We hypothesise that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with an angiographic adjunct may improve the visualisation and interpretation of cardiac pathologies in a post-mortem setting.

Detection and volume estimation of artificial hematomas in the subcutaneous fatty tissue: comparison of different MR sequences at 3.0 T.

In legal medicine, reliable localization and analysis of hematomas in subcutaneous fatty tissue is required for forensic reconstruction. Due to the absence of ionizing radiation, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is particularly suited to examining living persons with forensically relevant injuries. However, there is limited experience regarding MRI signal properties of hemorrhage in soft tissue.

Temperature dependence of viscosity, relaxation times (T, T) and simulated contrast for potential perfusates in post-mortem MR angiography (PMMRA).

Developments in post-mortem imaging increasingly focus on addressing recognised diagnostic weaknesses, especially with regard to suspected natural deaths. Post-mortem MR angiography (PMMRA) may offer additional diagnostic information to help address such weaknesses, specifically in the context of sudden cardiac death. Complete filling of the coronary arteries and acceptable contrast with surrounding tissue are essential for a successful approach to PMMRA.

Quantitative MR imaging in fracture dating--Initial results.

For exact age determinations of bone fractures in a forensic context (e.g. in cases of child abuse) improved knowledge of the time course of the healing process and use of non-invasive modern imaging technology is of high importance.

Design of anticoagulant surfaces based on cellulose nanocrystals.

The anticoagulant activity of surfaces decorated with cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) prepared via sulfuric acid hydrolysis, is explored. Such surfaces bear a high amount of negatively charged sulfate groups, which mimic the naturally occurring anticoagulant heparin in terms of charge density. It is demonstrated that CNC decorated surfaces significantly enhance the coagulation times of blood plasma and whole blood as proven by QCM-D and simple clotting tests.

2D crystalline protein layers as immobilization matrices for the development of DNA microarrays.

There is a growing demand for functional layers for the immobilization of (bio)molecules on different kinds of substrates in the field of biosensors, microarrays, and lab-on-a-chip development. These functional coatings should have the ability to specifically bind (bio)molecules with a high binding efficiency, while showing low unspecific binding during the following assay. In this paper we present rSbpA surface layer proteins (S-layer proteins) as a versatile immobilization layer for the development of DNA microarrays.

A genomic island defines subspecies-specific virulence features of the host-adapted pathogen Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis.

The pathogen Campylobacter fetus comprises two subspecies, C. fetus subsp. fetus and C.

Optical oxygen sensors based on Pt(II) porphyrin dye immobilized on S-layer protein matrices.

This paper describes the development of planar and fiber optic oxygen sensors utilizing surface layer (S-layer) proteins as immobilization matrix for oxygen sensitive dyes. S-layer proteins have the intrinsic capability to reassemble into two-dimensional arrays in suspension and at interfaces. Due to their crystalline character the distribution of functional groups, such as carboxylic groups, is repeated with the periodicity of the lattice and thus allows the reproducible and geometrically distinct binding of functional molecules.

Development of experimental genetic tools for Campylobacter fetus.

Molecular analysis of the virulence mechanisms of the emerging pathogen Campylobacter fetus has been hampered by the lack of genetic tools. We report the development and functional analysis of Escherichia coli-Campylobacter shuttle vectors that are appropriate for C. fetus.