Investigating the correlation between genotypes and hepatic protein expression of CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP3A5 using postmortem tissue from a Danish population.

The cytochrome (CYP) P450 family of enzymes plays a central role in the metabolism of many drugs. CYP genes are highly polymorphic, which is known to affect protein levels, but for some low frequent CYP genotypes the correlation between genotype and CYP protein expression is less established. In this study, we determined the CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP3A5 genotypes of 250 Danish individuals included in a postmortem study. For 116 of the individuals, the hepatic CYP protein levels were investigated by a proteomics approach. Overall, we found the postmortem genetic and proteomic data to be in agreement with those of other studies performed on fresh hepatic tissue, showing the usability of postmortem hepatic tissue for this type of investigation. For less investigated genotypes we could corroborate previously found results: 1) statistically significantly lower levels of hepatic CYP2C9 protein in individuals carrying the CYP2C9*3 variant compared to individuals with two wild type (wt) alleles, 2) comparable levels of CYP2C19 in CYP2C19*2/*17 and CYP2C19*1/*2 individuals, 3) reduced CYP2D6 protein levels in heterozygous individuals with the CYP2D6*3, CYP2D6*4, and CYP2D6*5 gene deletion variants, and 4) significantly lower levels of CYP3A5 protein in CYP3A5*3 homozygous individuals compared to individuals that were heterozygous for the CYP3A5*3 allele or homozygous individuals for the wt alleles. In conclusion, the use of postmortem tissue significantly increases the access to human specimens for research purposes, and postmortem proteomics can be used to investigate the link between CYP genotypes and hepatic protein expression. Significance Statement In tissue from a large postmortem cohort (n=250) we determined the CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP3A5 genotypes. Hepatic CYP protein levels were investigated in 116 individuals using a proteomics approach. For common genotypes, we found results similar to previous knowledge, pointing towards the usability of postmortem tissue. For the less investigated genotypes, we were able to corroborate genotype / protein expression correlations. It is a novel approach to use a large postmortem cohort to investigate genetic / protein expression correlations.

Proarrhythmic drugs, drug levels, and polypharmacy in victims of sudden arrhythmic death syndrome: An autopsy-based study from Denmark.

BACKGROUND: Sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS), characterized by an unknown or inconclusive cause of death at autopsy together with a negative or nonlethal toxicology screening result, is the most common cause of sudden cardiac death in victims younger than 35 years. The complete causality of SADS remains unclear, with drugs being a potential risk factor. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe the toxicologic profiles of SADS victims, focusing on proarrhythmic drugs, drug levels, and polypharmacy. METHODS: All deaths in Denmark of those aged 1-35 years in 2000-2019 and 36-49 years in 2007-2019 were examined through death certificates, national registries, and autopsy reports with toxicology screenings. We investigated all sudden unexpected death victims with an autopsy performed, including negative or nonlethal drug findings, where cause of death was unknown or inconclusive (SADS). RESULTS: We identified 477 SADS victims; 313 (66%) had a positive toxicology screening result (adjudicated nonlethal), with an average of 2.8 drugs per case. More than half of the SADS victims with a positive toxicology screening result had QT-prolonging or brugadogenic drugs present. Polypharmacy was present in 66%, psychotropic polypharmacy in 37%, and QT-prolonging polypharmacy in 22%, with the most frequent overall and QT-prolonging drug combination being an antipsychotic and a psychoanaleptic drug. QT-prolonging drugs were more often present at suprapharmacologic levels than non-QT-prolonging drugs. CONCLUSION: The majority of the SADS population had a positive toxicology screening result, with a notably large proportion having proarrhythmic drugs and polypharmacy. This highlights the need for future focus on drugs as a risk factor for SADS.

Proteomics couples electrical remodelling to inflammation in a murine model of heart failure with sinus node dysfunction.

AIMS: In patients with heart failure (HF), concomitant sinus node dysfunction (SND) is an important predictor of mortality, yet its molecular underpinnings are poorly understood. Using proteomics, this study aimed to dissect the protein and phosphorylation remodelling within the sinus node in an animal model of HF with concurrent SND. METHODS AND RESULTS: We acquired deep sinus node proteomes and phosphoproteomes in mice with heart failure and SND and report extensive remodelling. Intersecting the measured (phospho)proteome changes with human genomics pharmacovigilance data, highlighted downregulated proteins involved in electrical activity such as the pacemaker ion channel, Hcn4. We confirmed the importance of ion channel downregulation for sinus node physiology using computer modelling. Guided by the proteomics data, we hypothesized that an inflammatory response may drive the electrophysiological remodeling underlying SND in heart failure. In support of this, experimentally induced inflammation downregulated Hcn4 and slowed pacemaking in the isolated sinus node. From the proteomics data we identified proinflammatory cytokine-like protein galectin-3 as a potential target to mitigate the effect. Indeed, in vivo suppression of galectin-3 in the animal model of heart failure prevented SND. CONCLUSION: Collectively, we outline the protein and phosphorylation remodeling of SND in heart failure, we highlight a role for inflammation in electrophysiological remodelling of the sinus node, and we present galectin-3 signalling as a target to ameliorate SND in heart failure.

Factors associated with medico-legal autopsy of decedents with psychiatric disorders.

INTRODUCTION: Autopsy rates are declining worldwide, resulting in increasing selectivity in referral for forensic autopsy and increased uncertainty about the validity of assigned causes of death. Persons with psychiatric disorders have high rates of premature death but not all are referred for forensic autopsies. Knowledge is needed on which decedents with psychiatric disorders are chosen for forensic autopsy to determine whether causes of death are at risk of being misclassified among certain subgroups of decedents. METHODS: We conducted a nationwide register-based case-control study including all decedents with psychiatric disorders in Denmark in the period 1998-2015. Using multivariate logistic regression, we examined associations between demographic and socioeconomic factors, comorbidities, healthcare utilization, and referral for forensic autopsy, overall and stratified by age at death (<45, 45-64, ≥65 years). RESULTS: Of the 152,799 decedents in the study population, 7043 (4.61 %) had a forensic autopsy. Decedents referred for forensic autopsy were more likely to be young, have a history of substance use, and have schizophrenia or an affective disorder (factors listed in diminishing order of strength of association). Increasing severity of comorbidities as measured by the Charlson comorbidity index was associated with decreasing likelihood of being autopsied. Patterns of association with sex, alcohol use, habitation and education did not vary by age at death. Schizophrenia and drug use were most strongly associated with forensic autopsy in decedents < 45 years of age, whereas death early in the study period was more strongly associated with autopsy in the oldest age groups. DISCUSSION: The decision to refer a decedent for forensic autopsy was predominantly based on the decedent's age, history of drug use, and the absence of non-psychiatric comorbidities. Causes of death in decedents with comorbidities or recent contact with the healthcare system and decedents > 65 years may be more likely to be inaccurate, particularly in drug users.

Toxicology Screening in Sports-Related Sudden Cardiac Death: A Multinational Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of toxicological findings among sports-related sudden cardiac death (SrSCD) is scarce. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to describe postmortem toxicology findings in a multinational cohort of young SrSCD. METHODS: Patients with sudden cardiac death (SCD) aged 12 to 49 years with a complete post mortem were included from Denmark, Spain, and Australia. Postmortem findings were compared between SrSCD and non-SrSCD, and toxicology findings in SrSCD were assessed. RESULTS: We included 3,189 SCD, of which 219 (7%) were sports-related. SrSCD patients were younger (36 years vs 41 years; P < 0.001) and of male predominance (96% vs 75%; P < 0.001), and their death was more often caused by structural cardiac disease (68% vs 61%; P = 0.038). Positive toxicology screenings were significantly less likely among SrSCD than non-SrSCD (12% vs 43%; P < 0.001), corresponding to 82% lower odds of a positive toxicology screening in SrSCD. Patient characteristics were similar between SrSCDs with positive and negative toxicology screenings, but deaths were more often unexplained (59% vs 34%). Nonopioid analgesics were the most common finding (3%), and SCD-associated drugs were detected in 6% of SrSCD. SUD was more prevalent among the SrSCD with positive toxicology (59% vs 34%). CONCLUSIONS: Sports-related SCD mainly occurred in younger men with structural heart disease. They had a significantly lower prevalence of a positive toxicology screening compared with non-SrSCD, and detection of SCD-associated drugs was rare.

Primary myocardial fibrosis - a distinct entity characterized by heterogeneous histology.

Primary myocardial fibrosis (PMF), defined as myocardial fibrosis in the absence of identifiable causes, may represent a common alternative phenotype in various cardiomyopathies and contribute to sudden cardiac death (SCD). No previous definitions of histopathological characteristics exist for PMF. We aimed to evaluate whether common features of fibrosis could be identified. PMF cases (n = 28) were selected from the FinGesture cohort consisting of 5,869 SCD victims that underwent a medicolegal autopsy. Twelve trauma controls and 10 ischemic heart disease cases were selected as reference groups. Further 3 PMF cases and 5 ischemic heart disease cases from autopsies performed in the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, were selected for a validation substudy. Relative area of fibrosis, amount of diffuse and perivascular fibrosis, and location of fibrosis were assessed from left ventricle myocardial samples stained with Masson trichrome. Further evaluations were performed with alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), vimentin, and CD68 stainings. Mean relative area of fibrosis was 5.8 ± 10.7%, 1.0 ± 0.7%, and 7.0 ± 7.4% in PMF, trauma controls, and ischemic cases, respectively. Fibrosis in the PMF group was mostly located in other sites than the endocardium. Most cases with fibrosis had vimentin-positive but α-SMA-negative stromal cells within fibrotic areas. Histopathologically, PMF represents a heterogeneous entity with variable fibrotic lesions affecting the whole myocardium and a suggested significant role of fibroblasts. These findings may bring validation to PMF being a common manifestation of cardiomyopathies. Evidently, PMF stands out as a particular entity demanding special attention as a cause of SCD.

Differences among young unwitnessed sudden cardiac death, according to time from last seen alive: Insights from a 15-year nationwide study.

BACKGROUND: More than half of all sudden cardiac deaths (SCDs) are unwitnessed, but the composition of the unwitnessed SCD population is poorly described. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare clinical and autopsy characteristics of young unwitnessed SCD subjects, based on the time from last contact to being found dead. METHODS: All unwitnessed SCD subjects aged 1-35 years in Denmark from 2000-2014 identified through a multisource approach were included. Time from last seen alive to being found dead was dichotomized to <1 hour or 1-24 hours. Clinical characteristics and autopsy results were compared, and predictors of autopsy were assessed by logistic regression. RESULTS: Of 440 unwitnessed SCD subjects, 366 (83%) had not been seen alive within 1 hour of being found dead. Comorbidities differed between the groups, with more epilepsy (17% vs 5%) and psychiatric diseases (13% vs 7%) in the 24-hour group. Patients in the 24-hour group died more frequently during sleep (64% vs 23%), the autopsy rate was higher (75% vs 61%), and deaths were more often unexplained after autopsy (69% vs 53%). Having been seen within 1 hour of death independently decreased the chance of being autopsied (odds ratio 0.51; 95% confidence interval 0.27-1.00; P = .0497). CONCLUSION: The majority of unwitnessed SCD subjects had not been seen alive within 1 hour of being found dead. Clinical- and autopsy-related characteristics differed between the 2 groups. Differences were mainly attributable to death-related circumstances and comorbidities. Excluding SCD cases not seen alive within 1 hour of being found dead would severely underestimate the burden of SCD.

The influence of comorbid disease on premature death due to natural and unnatural causes in persons with schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: Comorbid disease may increase mortality in persons with schizophrenia, but how specific diseases are associated with natural and unnatural death in different age groups is unclear. AIMS: To investigate the association between eight major comorbid diseases and death from natural and unnatural causes in different age groups in persons with schizophrenia. METHOD: Retrospective register-based cohort study in 77,794 persons with schizophrenia in Denmark, 1977-2015. Using Cox regression in matched cohorts, we estimated hazard ratios for natural and unnatural death in three age groups (<55 years, 55-64 years, ≥65 years). RESULTS: Hypertensive disease, atrial fibrillation, coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, heart failure, type 2 diabetes, liver disease and chronic kidney disease were all strongly associated with natural death, with the strongest associations observed in persons <55 years (hazard ratio [HR] range 1.98-7.19). The strongest associations were observed for heart failure (HR 7.19, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 5.57-9.28; HR 4.56, CI 3.85-5.40; HR 2.83, CI 2.53-3.17), liver disease (HR 4.66, CI 3.59-6.05; HR 4.70, CI 3.55-6.22; HR 2.57, CI 1.98-3.34) and chronic kidney disease (HR 6.59, CI 1.66-26.1; HR 7.37, CI 3.03-17.9; HR 2.86, CI 1.84-4.46) for persons <55 years, 55-64 years and ≥65 years, respectively. Liver disease was strongly associated with unnatural death in persons <55 years (HR 5.42, CI 3.01-9.75); associations with the remaining comorbidities were weaker. CONCLUSIONS: Comorbid disease was strongly associated with natural death, with the strength of the associations decreasing with age. Comorbid disease was also modestly associated with unnatural death, regardless of age.

Sex- and Lifestyle-Related Factors are Associated with Altered Hepatic CYP Protein Levels in People Diagnosed with Mental Disorders.

In this study, we used human postmortem tissue to investigate hepatic protein expression levels of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, and CYP3A4 by LC-MS/MS in a population of people suffering from mental disorders (n = 171). We report hepatic protein levels of these six CYP isoforms in 171 individuals in total, and define a focused population dataset of 116 individuals after excluding 55 samples due to low microsomal protein per gram of liver (MPPGL) yield. Postmortem decay was most likely the reason for the low MPPGL yield in the 55 samples. In the focused population, we found women to have significantly higher protein levels of CYP3A4 than men in addition to decreased CYP3A4 protein levels among obese individuals. Furthermore, MPPGL was negatively correlated with body mass index (BMI). An increase in CYP1A2 protein levels was observed among smokers, and increased CYP2E1 protein levels were observed among individuals with a history of alcohol abuse. Finally, individuals who received phenobarbital (CYP3A4 inducer) had significantly higher CYP3A4 levels. In conclusion, lifestyle-related factors prevalent among people suffering from mental disorders are associated with altered CYP protein levels, which may alter drug metabolism and affect the efficacy of commonly prescribed drugs. Furthermore, this investigation demonstrates that postmortem hepatic tissue can be used to study how lifestyle and effectors affect hepatic CYP-levels in a large cohort of patients. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Using a large number of postmortem hepatic tissue specimens (n=116) originating from the autopsy of individuals diagnosed with mental disorders, we were able to show that hepatic CYP-levels were affected by alcohol, smoking, BMI, and sex and that MPPGL was affected by BMI. These lifestyle-related changes may alter drug metabolism and affect the efficacy of commonly prescribed drugs. It is a novel approach to use a large postmortem cohort to investigate how lifestyle and effectors affect hepatic CYP-levels.

Detection of scopolamine in urine and hair in a drug-facilitated sexual assault.

The use of the drug scopolamine in drug-facilitated crimes is known. Nevertheless, given the high potency of the drug and its rapid metabolism, analysis in blood and urine may not be sufficient for drug detection in late crime declaration, especially following a single-dose administration in drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) cases. Hair may constitute an essential supplemental matrix extending the drug detection window in such cases. This case report presents quantitative data on scopolamine findings in urine and hair in a DFSA case. A young female had consumed several alcoholic drinks at a party venue when her behaviour became noticeably peculiar. Later, she woke up next to an unknown man and had no recollection of the night's events. Blood and urine samples were collected 18 h after the incident. The initial toxicological target screening using UHPLC-TOF-MS detected scopolamine in the hydrolysed urine sample, and quantification yielded 41 µg/L scopolamine in urine, while blood was negative. Segmental hair analysis using multitarget UHPLC-MS/MS was performed on three washed 2-cm segments of hair collected five weeks after the incident, yielding 0.37 pg/mg scopolamine only in the relevant hair segment. This case report provides novel insight into the concentration in hair following a single exposure of scopolamine and the feasibility of detecting scopolamine in hair by comparison to published toxicological findings.

The impact of modifiable risk factors in the association between socioeconomic status and sudden cardiac death in a prospective cohort study: equal access to healthcare, unequal outcome.

AIMS: Low socioeconomic status is associated with all-cause mortality and cardiac risk factors. Furthermore, sudden cardiac death (SCD) is among the leading causes of death in the general population, and an identification of high-risk subgroups is needed. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between income and education level and incidence of SCD and to calculate the impact of modifiable mediating risk factors. METHODS AND RESULTS: Participants in the Copenhagen City Heart Study were followed up from 1993 to 2016. Sudden cardiac death was identified using high-quality death certificates, autopsy reports, discharge summaries, and national registry data. Hazard ratios were calculated using Cox proportional hazards regression, and adjusted cumulative incidences were predicted using cause-specific Cox models. Mediation analyses were performed using a marginal structural model approach. During 24 years of follow-up, 10 006 people participated, whereof 5514 died during the study period with 822 SCDs. Compared with long education, persons with elementary school level education had an SCD incidence rate ratio (IRR) of 2.48 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.86-3.31], and low income was likewise associated with an SCD IRR of 2.34 (95% CI 1.85-2.96) compared with high income. In the association between education and SCD, the combined mediating effect of smoking, physical activity, and body mass index accounted for ∼20% of the risk differences. CONCLUSION: We observed an inverse association between both income and education and the risk of SCD, which was only in part explained by common cardiac risk factors, implying that further research into the competing causes of SCD is needed and stressing the importance of targeted preventive measures.

Low socioeconomic status (e.g. education and income) has previously been found associated with an increased risk of death and with different heart diseases. Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is among the leading causes of death in the general population, and predicting who is at high risk is difficult. Finding people or groups at high risk is important to improve prevention. That is why we decided to investigate whether socioeconomic status is also associated with the risk of SCD and to calculate the impact of modifiable lifestyle factors on this risk. We followed ∼10 000 people from a general population cohort for 24 years and observed 822 sudden cardiac deaths. The lowest income and education groups had more than twice the risk of SCD compared with the high groups. Differences in smoking, physical activity, and body mass index explained ∼20% of this increase.

Genetically determined cardiomyopathies at autopsy: the pivotal role of the pathologist in establishing the diagnosis and guiding family screening.

Cardiomyopathies (CMP) comprise a heterogenous group of diseases affecting primarily the myocardium, either genetic and/or acquired in origin. While many classification systems have been proposed in the clinical setting, there is no internationally agreed pathological consensus concerning the diagnostic approach to inherited CMP at autopsy. A document on autopsy diagnosis of CMP is needed because the complexity of the pathologic backgrounds requires proper insight and expertise. In cases presenting with cardiac hypertrophy and/or dilatation/scarring with normal coronary arteries, a suspicion of inherited CMP must be considered, and a histological examination is essential. Establishing the actual cause of the disease may require a number of tissue-based and/or fluid-based investigations, be it histological, ultrastructural, or molecular. A history of illicit drug use must be looked for. Sudden death is frequently the first manifestation of disease in case of CMP, especially in the young. Also, during routine clinical or forensic autopsies, a suspicion of CMP may arise based on clinical data or pathological findings at autopsy. It is thus a challenge to make a diagnosis of a CMP at autopsy. The pathology report should provide the relevant data and a cardiac diagnosis which can help the family in furthering investigations, including genetic testing in case of genetic forms of CMP. With the explosion in molecular testing and the concept of the molecular autopsy, the pathologist should use strict criteria in the diagnosis of CMP, and helpful for clinical geneticists and cardiologists who advise the family as to the possibility of a genetic disease.

DNA quality evaluation of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded heart tissue for DNA methylation array analysis.

Archived formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) heart tissue from autopsied individuals represents an important resource for investigating the DNA methylation of heart tissue of deceased individuals. The DNA quality of FFPE tissue from autopsies may be decreased, affecting the DNA methylation measurements. Therefore, inexpensive screening methods for estimating DNA quality are valuable. We investigated the correlation between the DNA quality of archived FFPE heart tissue examined with the Illumina Infinium HD FFPE QC assay (Infinium QC) and Thermo Fisher's Quantifiler Trio DNA Quantification kit (QuantifilerTrio), respectively, and the amount of usable DNA methylation data as measured by the probe detection rate (probe DR) obtained with the Illumina Infinium MethylationEPIC array. We observed a high correlation (r2 = 0.75; p < 10-11) between the QuantifilerTrio degradation index, DI, and the amount of usable DNA methylation data analysed with SeSAMe, whereas a much weaker correlation was observed between the Infinium QC and SeSAMe probe DR (r2 = 0.17; p < 0.05). Based on the results, QuantifilerTrio DI seems to predict the proportion of usable DNA methylation data analysed with the Illumina Infinium MethylationEPIC array and SeSAMe by a linear model: SeSAMe probe DR = 0.80-log10(DI) × 0.25.

Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Among Siblings of Children Who Died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in Denmark.

Importance: Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) remains a leading cause of death during the first year of life. The etiology of SIDS is complex and remains largely unknown. Objective: To evaluate whether siblings of children who died of SIDS have a higher risk of SIDS compared with the general pediatric population. Design, Setting, and Participants: This register-based cohort study used Danish nationwide registers. Participants were all infants (<1 year) in Denmark between January 1, 1978, and December 31, 2016, including siblings of children who died of SIDS. Siblings were followed up from the index cases' date of SIDS, date of birth, or immigration, whichever came first, and until age 1 year, emigration, developing SIDS, death, or study end. The median (IQR) follow-up was 1 (1-1) year. Data analysis was conducted from January 2017 to October 2022. Main Outcomes and Measures: Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) of SIDS were calculated with Poisson regression models relative to the general population. Results: In a population of 2 666 834 consecutive births (1 395 199 [52%] male), 1540 infants died of SIDS (median [IQR] age at SIDS, 3 [2-4] months) during a 39-year study period. A total of 2384 younger siblings (cases) to index cases (first sibling with SIDS) were identified. A higher rate of SIDS was observed among siblings compared with the general population, with SIRs of 4.27 (95% CI, 2.13-8.53) after adjustment for sex, age, and calendar year and of 3.50 (95% CI, 1.75-7.01) after further adjustment for mother's age (<29 years vs ≥29 years) and education (high school vs after high school). Conclusions and Relevance: In this nationwide study, having a sibling who died of SIDS was associated with a 4-fold higher risk of SIDS compared with the general population. Shared genetic and/or environmental factors may contribute to the observed clustering of SIDS. The family history of SIDS should be considered when assessing SIDS risk in clinical settings. A multidisciplinary genetic evaluation of families with SIDS could provide additional evidence.

Application of postmortem imaging modalities in cases of sudden death due to cardiovascular diseases-current achievements and limitations from a pathology perspective : Endorsed by the Association for European Cardiovascular Pathology and by the International Society of Forensic Radiology and Imaging.

Postmortem imaging (PMI) is increasingly used in postmortem practice and is considered a potential alternative to a conventional autopsy, particularly in case of sudden cardiac deaths (SCD). In 2017, the Association for European Cardiovascular Pathology (AECVP) published guidelines on how to perform an autopsy in such cases, which is still considered the gold standard, but the diagnostic value of PMI herein was not analyzed in detail. At present, significant progress has been made in the PMI diagnosis of acute ischemic heart disease, the most important cause of SCD, while the introduction of postmortem CT angiography (PMCTA) has improved the visualization of several parameters of coronary artery pathology that can support a diagnosis of SCD. Postmortem magnetic resonance (PMMR) allows the detection of acute myocardial injury-related edema. However, PMI has limitations when compared to clinical imaging, which severely impacts the postmortem diagnosis of myocardial injuries (ischemic versus non-ischemic), the age-dating of coronary occlusion (acute versus old), other potentially SCD-related cardiac lesions (e.g., the distinctive morphologies of cardiomyopathies), aortic diseases underlying dissection or rupture, or pulmonary embolism. In these instances, PMI cannot replace a histopathological examination for a final diagnosis. Emerging minimally invasive techniques at PMI such as image-guided biopsies of the myocardium or the aorta, provide promising results that warrant further investigations. The rapid developments in the field of postmortem imaging imply that the diagnosis of sudden death due to cardiovascular diseases will soon require detailed knowledge of both postmortem radiology and of pathology.

Neurological Complications in COVID-19 Patients: Can Analysis of Specific Antibodies and Viral RNA in Paired Cerebrospinal Fluid and Serum be Used for Accurate Diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 Neuroinflammatory Disease? A Case Series.

Background: Neurological complications during and after SARS-CoV-2 infection have been frequently described. The detection of either SARS-CoV-2 RNA or specific antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in cerebrospinal fluid in the context of concomitant neurological manifestations indicates neuroinfection. Methods and Results: This is a retrospective descriptive analysis of cerebrospinal fluids and serum samples from 2 hospitalized patients and autopsy findings from 2 patients who died at home. Samples were analysed by 3 independent enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Specific antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 were detected in cerebrospinal fluids and paired serum in all 4 cases. Levels of antibodies in cerebrospinal fluids were highest in samples from a deceased man with critical progression of COVID-19 and detectable SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA in cerebrospinal fluid, serum, 4 brain biopsies and 15 additional tissue samples, though immunohistochemical staining for SARS-CoV-2 in brain tissue did not detect the virus. Conclusion: Detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in paired serum and cerebrospinal fluid may support the presence of SARS-CoV-2 neuroinflammatory disease in patients with COVID-19 and neurological manifestations.

Stereological Estimation of Myocardial Fat and Its Associations with Obesity, Epicardial, and Visceral Adipose Tissue.

The normal human heart contains epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and myocardial fat. The associations between obesity, myocardial fat, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and cardiovascular disease are not fully understood. The objective of this study was to estimate myocardial fat using stereological methods and investigate its relations with obesity, EAT, and VAT. To establish the EAT volume, 115 deceased individuals were included, and postmortem computed tomography was conducted on their eviscerated hearts. Six samples from the left and right ventricles (LV and RV) of the heart were stereologically examined to calculate the percentage of myocardial fat. Kidney and omental fat were weighed at autopsy, and the waist-hip ratio was calculated. Females had a slightly non-significantly (p = 0.054) larger proportion of RV fat (13.2% ± 4.4) compared to that in men (11.5% ± 2.7). We found a significant positive correlation between body mass index (BMI) and LV myocardial fat (p = 0.033). In the RV, this correlation was only at the borderline of significance (p = 0.052). The EAT volume was positively correlated with both RV and LV myocardial fat. We found no association with the waist-hip ratio (WHR) or the omental or kidney fat as measures of VAT. The myocardial fat was normal, most prominent in the RV, and correlated with the EAT and, partly, BMI. We found no association with VAT.

Concentrations of citalopram and escitalopram in postmortem hair segments.

Hair analysis can provide information regarding previous drug intake and use patterns, as the drugs consumed are incorporated into the hair. Therefore, reference values for drugs in hair are valuable in forensic investigations, especially when evaluating drug intake and assessing drug tolerance. The aim of the study was to determine concentrations of citalopram, escitalopram, and their primary metabolites in hair segments from deceased individuals with mental illness. Concentrations in up to six months prior to death were evaluated and compared with the estimated daily doses. Hair samples collected from 47 deceased individuals, were segmented in one to six 1 cm segments, and extracted overnight in medium. The concentrations in hair were quantified via ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Following this quantification, the extracts were reanalyzed qualitatively using a chiral method to distinguish between citalopram and escitalopram intake. We found hair concentrations (10-90 percentile (perc.)) of citalopram from 0.12 to 67 ng/mg with a median of 8.2 ng/mg (N = 40 individuals, n = 182 segments) and of escitalopram from 0.027 to 7.0 ng/mg with a median of 3.9 ng/mg (N = 4, n = 23). The metabolite-to-drug ratios in hair (10-90 perc.) of citalopram were 0.091-0.57 with a median of 0.30 (N = 39) and of escitalopram were 0.053-0.63 with a median of 0.41 (N = 3). No correlations were found between concentrations in the hair and the estimated daily dose. However, our results indicate higher concentrations in dark hair compared to light hair, given the estimated doses, and thus an influence of hair color on the results. A significant positive correlation was found between the concentration of citalopram in the proximal segment and the blood concentrations. The median R/S-ratio of citalopram in hair was 1.5 and was similar to previously reported ratios in blood. In the present study, we report concentrations of citalopram and escitalopram in postmortem hair and their relation to an estimated daily dose and thus contribute valuable information in forensic investigations.

Impact of the Covid-19 lockdown on sexual assault cases in Eastern Denmark - a retrospective clinical forensic study.

To explore if the shutdown of Danish nightlife during the Covid-19 pandemic caused a decrease in the number of clinical forensic examinations of victims of sexual assault in Eastern Denmark. Secondarily, to investigate, if there was a change in criminological characteristics, e.g. scene and time of crime, relation to the perpetrator and the proportion of possible drug-facilitated sexual assaults. 130 case files from clinical forensic examinations of individuals of alleged sexual assault in the period 1st of April to 30th of June in both 2019 and 2020 were included. 67 and 63 examinations were performed in 2019 and 2020, respectively. 125 cases were female and five were male. Approximately 70% were 15-25 years of age. Pre- and post-lockdown victim profiles were similar regarding assailant relation, location of crime and time of assault. Voluntary intake of alcohol prior to the assault was registered with 46.3% in 2019 and 62% in 2020. The ratio of possible drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) was approximately 50% each year. The lockdown did not seem to change the overall number of examinations or the demographic and criminological characteristics of the sexual assault victims. No decrease in cases of possible DFSA was found despite the lockdown of nightlife venues.