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Background: The purpose of this study was to establish a standardized structured workflow to compare findings from high-resolution, optimized reconstructions from post-mortem computed tomography (pmCT) with autopsy results in the detection of fractures of the laryngohyoid complex in strangulation victims., Method: Forty-two strangulation cases were selected, and pmCT scans of the laryngohyoid complex were obtained. Both pmCT scans and autopsy reports were analyzed using a structured template and compared using Cohen's kappa coefficient (κ) and the McNemar test. The study also compared the prevalence of ossa sesamoidea and non-fusion of the major and minor horns of the hyoid bone between both diagnostic methods., Results: The detection of fractures showed a very good correlation between autopsy and pmCT results (κ = 0.905), with the McNemar test showing no statistically significant difference between the two methods. PmCT identified 28 sesamoid bones, 45 non-fusions of the major horns, and 47 non-fusions of the minor horns of the hyoid bone, compared to four, six, and zero, respectively, identified by autopsy ( p < 0.0001)., Conclusions: Autopsy and pmCT findings correlate well and can be used in a complementary manner. PmCT is superior to autopsy in identifying dislocations and detecting anatomical variations in the laryngohyoid complex, which can lead to misinterpretations during autopsy. Therefore, we do not advocate replacing autopsy with pmCT but propose using a structured workflow, including our standardized reporting template, for evaluating lesions in the laryngohyoid complex.

( R )-Benzylsuccinate is the characteristic initial intermediate of anaerobic toluene metabolism, which is formed by a radical-type addition of toluene to fumarate. Its further degradation proceeds by activation to the coenzyme A (CoA)-thioester and β-oxidation involving a specific ( R )-2-benzylsuccinyl-CoA dehydrogenase (BbsG) affiliated with the family of acyl-CoA dehydrogenases. In this report, we present the biochemical properties of electron transfer flavoproteins (ETFs) from the strictly anaerobic toluene-degrading species Geobacter metallireducens and Desulfobacula toluolica and the facultatively anaerobic bacterium Aromatoleum aromaticum We determined the X-ray structure of the ETF paralogue involved in toluene metabolism of G. metallireducens , revealing strong overall similarities to previously characterized ETF variants but significantly different structural properties in the hinge regions mediating conformational changes. We also show that all strictly anaerobic toluene degraders utilize one of multiple genome-encoded related ETF paralogues, which constitute a distinct clade of similar sequences in the ETF family, for β-oxidation of benzylsuccinate. In contrast, facultatively anaerobic toluene degraders contain only one ETF species, which is utilized in all β-oxidation pathways. Our phylogenetic analysis of the known sequences of the ETF family suggests that at least 36 different clades can be differentiated, which are defined either by the taxonomic group of the respective host species (e.g., clade P for Proteobacteria ) or by functional specialization (e.g., clade T for anaerobic toluene degradation). IMPORTANCE This study documents the involvement of ETF in anaerobic toluene metabolism as the physiological electron acceptor for benzylsuccinyl-CoA dehydrogenase. While toluene-degrading denitrifying proteobacteria use a common ETF species, which is also used for other β-oxidation pathways, obligately anaerobic sulfate- or ferric-iron-reducing bacteria use specialized ETF paralogues for toluene degradation. Based on the structure and sequence conservation of these ETFs, they form a new clade that is only remotely related to the previously characterized members of the ETF family. An exhaustive analysis of the available sequences indicated that the protein family consists of several closely related clades of proven or potential electron-bifurcating ETF species and many deeply branching nonbifurcating clades, which either follow the host phylogeny or are affiliated according to functional criteria., (Copyright © 2019 American Society for Microbiology.)

Many genes have been identified that are required for the establishment of the dorsoventral (DV) and anteroposterior (AP) axes of the Drosophila wing. By contrast, little is known about the genes and mechanisms that pattern the proximodistal (PD) axis. Vestigial (Vg) is instrumental in patterning this axis, but the genes that mediate its effects and the mechanisms that operate during PD patterning are not known. We show that the gene defective proventriculus (dve) is required for a region of the PD axis encompassing the distal region of the proximal wing (PW) and a small part of the adjacent wing pouch. Loss-of-function of dve results in the deletion of this region and, consequently, shortening of the PD axis. dve expression is activated by Vg in a non-autonomous manner, and is repressed at the DV boundary through the combined activity of Nubbin and Wg. Besides its role in the establishment of the distal part of the PW, dve is also required for the formation of the wing veins 2 and 5, and the proliferation of wing pouch cells, especially in regions anterior to wing vein 3 and posterior to wing vein 4. The study of the regulation of dve expression provides information about the strategies employed to subdivide and pattern the PD axis, and reveals the importance of vg during this process.