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Clinical autopsies are performed to reveal the process of the disease that caused patient death and validate the diagnosis and treatment decisions. In pediatric clinical autopsy, the feedback provided to bereaved families has a considerable social impact; however, pediatric diseases are diverse, which makes it difficult to elucidate them. Therefore, it is necessary to employ molecular biology techniques in addition to conventional methods. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues are routinely prepared. However, clinical autopsy FFPE tissue processing is not standardized, and it is unclear whether DNA from such tissues can be used for comprehensive genomic analysis. In this study, we evaluated the DNA quality of FFPE tissues from 15 recent autopsy cases at a single-center children’s hospital using quantitative polymerase chain reaction [PCR (Q129/Q41)] and nanoelectrophoresis (DNA integrity number (DIN)). Good quality DNA was obtained from every organ type excluding bone marrow within 6 days of formalin fixation. Prolonged proteinase K digestion (48 h > 24 h > 1 h) and thicker tissue sections (10 µm > 1 µm) improved Q129/Q41; however, 24 h fixed FFPE tissues showed better DNA quality. We propose an optimal and feasible workflow for storing short-term fixed FFPE tissues as DNA-preserved FFPE tissues for future comprehensive genomic searches.

Clinical autopsies are performed to reveal the process of the disease that caused patient death and validate the diagnosis and treatment decisions. In pediatric clinical autopsy, the feedback provided to bereaved families has a considerable social impact; however, pediatric diseases are diverse, which makes it difficult to elucidate them. Therefore, it is necessary to employ molecular biology techniques in addition to conventional methods. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues are routinely prepared. However, clinical autopsy FFPE tissue processing is not standardized, and it is unclear whether DNA from such tissues can be used for comprehensive genomic analysis. In this study, we evaluated the DNA quality of FFPE tissues from 15 recent autopsy cases at a single-center children's hospital using quantitative polymerase chain reaction [PCR (Q129/Q41)] and nanoelectrophoresis (DNA integrity number (DIN)). Good quality DNA was obtained from every organ type excluding bone marrow within 6 days of formalin fixation. Prolonged proteinase K digestion (48 h > 24 h > 1 h) and thicker tissue sections (10 µm > 1 µm) improved Q129/Q41; however, 24 h fixed FFPE tissues showed better DNA quality. We propose an optimal and feasible workflow for storing short-term fixed FFPE tissues as DNA-preserved FFPE tissues for future comprehensive genomic searches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined 29 autopsy cases (investigated between October 2020 and February 2021) whose postmortem swabs tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Twenty-two of 29 cases died while hospitalized (H), while the remaining 7 cases were not hospitalized (NH). Since we included only cases in which the time since death was known (excluding unwitnessed NH deaths), the interval between death and postmortem swab(s) was registered, with a mean NH value of 5.50 days and a mean H value of 3.98 days. The mean age of NH was 65 years, while H were older (mean age: 73 years). Twenty-eight nasopharyngeal and 27 lungs postmortem swabs were obtained and real-time reverse transcriptase‒polymerase chain reaction assay for total and replicative SARS-CoV-2 RNA and mRNA detection was performed. Although the mean death-postmortem swabs interval was higher in NH than in H, the mean viral load of NH was higher than that of H (2.53 × 1011 copies/mL vs 9.31 × 108 copies/mL). In 13/29 cases (6 NH and 7 H), indicators of active replication were found. The relationship between the presence of replicative mRNA and death without hospitalization and that between the minimum cycle threshold value of SARS-CoV-2 RNA and the cycle threshold value of replicative SARS-CoV-2 mRNA were found to be statistically significant (with respective P values of 0.013 and 0.000). Therefore, especially in NH, full compliance with guidelines on biological safety in the autopsy room is essential, and no autopsy can be performed on infected cases in a structure that does not meet the established safety criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To this day, autopsies and dissections have been essential in medical education, but declining autopsy numbers have endangered this long‐standing tradition. Students' perceptions of these teaching methods should be constantly updated to help educators understand how to achieve their teaching goals. The purpose of this study was to explore the state of autopsy‐ and dissection‐based teaching in two Finnish universities based on the experiences of the students, survey their perceptions of such teaching, and to compare the Finnish situation with students' perceptions in other countries as it emerges from medical literature. A questionnaire went to 859 second‐, fourth‐, and sixth‐year medical students. The questions concerned dissection and autopsy classes these students had attended, the views of the students in regard to the number of classes, and the benefits of and attitudes towards autopsy teaching. An open question of how to improve autopsy teaching was included. The response rate was 19.4%. Most respondents requested more autopsy and dissection classes, especially practical education. They found autopsies most beneficial in learning anatomy and dealing with one's own emotions related to death. Their experiences proved least beneficial for interaction with the relatives of a deceased patient and for people skills. Integrational methods and focusing on the main learning outcomes were suggested as improvements. Overall, students found dissection and autopsy teaching important, but felt concerned about the diminishing autopsy numbers. Focusing on main learning objectives and better integration of autopsies in the teaching of different specialties could help to utilize autopsies to a greater extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autopsy has played an extremely important role in both the forensic and clinical fields for many years. In recent years, clinical autopsy has become less important, but today, thanks to the pandemic, this importance has been rediscovered. Conversely, forensic autopsy has never lost its importance, but it would need to be updated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autopsies have played a crucial role in human medicine, forming a key foundation of medical knowledge. These final medical-anatomical procedures remain irreplaceable, shedding light on diagnoses, optimizing treatments, preventing disease spread, educating healthcare professionals, and influencing state jurisdiction. Despite the decline in the number of autopsies performed in recent decades, their medical-social significance remains essentially unchanged. Even today, autopsies contribute indispensably to the advancement of medicine and the benefit of society as a whole.     Correspondence address: Veronika Rybárová, MD, PhD Department of Forensic Medicine and Medicolegal Expertise Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava University Hospital Kollárova 2, 036 01 Martin, Slovak Republic tel.: +421434132770 e-mail: veronika.rybarova@uniba.sk Delivered: July 17, 2024 Accepted: August 17, 2024 * Toto je miesto kde sa smrť raduje pomáhajúc životu….

Introduction: Autopsies are carried out to establish the identity, cause of death, time of death, and ante-mortem or post-mortem nature of death. These help in establishing the cause of death and ascertain the disease process which led to death. Aim: To study the prevalence and pattern of lung diseases in medicolegal autopsies, confirmed by histopathological examination. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was carried out in the Department of Pathology. Tissue bits from lungs, retrieved at the time of autopsy, were preserved in 10% formalin. These were processed and examined microscopically. A total of 86 cases were received during the period of study. Results: Among these 86 cases, in 4 cases (4.8%) the tissue was autolysed and in another 26 cases (30.1%) histopathology was unremarkable. Significant microscopic findings were found in 56 cases (65.1%). Wide spectrum of microscopic findings were seen, the commonest being oedema and congestion (28.5%) followed by changes in interstitium (11.9%). There were 9.5% cases of granulomatous inflammation and 5.9% cases each of acute pneumonia and emphysema. There were 1.2% cases each of Hyaline Membrane Disease (HMD), Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (MAS) and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) in the series. The series also had 1.2% cases of young adult having fungal colonies surrounded by necrosis and abscess formation. Possibility of mucormycosis was suggested in that case. Conclusion: This study highlights various lesions in lungs confirmed by histopathology, which were either incidental or direct cause of death. The short coming in present study was non receipt of whole organ or representative sample at the time of autopsy, which if overcome will set much higher standard of autopsy reporting and would be a more useful tool in understanding cause of death.

Introduction: Autopsies are carried out to establish the identity, cause of death, time of death, and ante-mortem or post-mortem nature of death. These help in establishing the cause of death and ascertain the disease process which led to death. Aim: To study the prevalence and pattern of lung diseases in medicolegal autopsies, confirmed by histopathological examination. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was carried out in the Department of Pathology. Tissue bits from lungs, retrieved at the time of autopsy, were preserved in 10% formalin. These were processed and examined microscopically. A total of 86 cases were received during the period of study. Results: Among these 86 cases, in 4 cases (4.8%) the tissue was autolysed and in another 26 cases (30.1%) histopathology was unremarkable. Significant microscopic findings were found in 56 cases (65.1%). Wide spectrum of microscopic findings were seen, the commonest being oedema and congestion (28.5%) followed by changes in interstitium (11.9%). There were 9.5% cases of granulomatous inflammation and 5.9% cases each of acute pneumonia and emphysema. There were 1.2% cases each of Hyaline Membrane Disease (HMD), Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (MAS) and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) in the series. The series also had 1.2% cases of young adult having fungal colonies surrounded by necrosis and abscess formation. Possibility of mucormycosis was suggested in that case. Conclusion: This study highlights various lesions in lungs confirmed by histopathology, which were either incidental or direct cause of death. The short coming in present study was non receipt of whole organ or representative sample at the time of autopsy, which if overcome will set much higher standard of autopsy reporting and would be a more useful tool in understanding cause of death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Several studies have documented a decrease in the autopsy rate. This study was taken up to analyse the cause of mortality, the discrepancies between the ante mortem and post mortem diagnosis and the discrepancies between diagnoses according to the type of the disease over a period of six decades. Materials and Methods: Autopsy reports and medical records were retrospectively analyzed over a 63 year period from 1947 to 2010. Results: In our study, there was a steady increase in the percentage of neoplastic cases from 1947 to 1994 after which there has been a significant drop. The cases dying due to infection has also shown a steady decline over the years until 1994. After 1994, there has been a significant increase in the deaths until 2010 (p < 0.05). Death due to cardiac causes has shown an increase until 1962 which has been followed by a steady decline. There has been a sudden rise in the number of cases dying due to renal causes between 1994 and 2000 (p < 0.05). There has been a statistically significant decrease in the discrepancies between the ante mortem and the post mortem diagnosis over the years. Discussion: This study shows that therapeutic and preventive measures correctly instituted have significantly reduce the mortality, particularly with reference to cardiac and infectious causes. The discrepancy between antemortem and post-mortem diagnosis in 2010 is still very high at 9.30 percent. The autopsy will continue to remain relevant especially in elucidating the molecular cause of disease.

Introduction and Objective: A new coronavirus produces a disease designated as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Vaccination against COVID-19 has resulted in decreased mortality. Postmortems of vaccinated patients play an important part in the forensic analysis of adverse effects after vaccination, which is essential for determining its efficacy and security. The main objective of this study was to describe the results of autopsies of patients vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2 carried out in two major centers in Colombia., Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study of 121 autopsies was performed following Colombian regulations in two main hospitals in Bogotá, Colombia, between March 1st and April 31st, 2021., Results: 118 of the 121 patients (97.52%) had been vaccinated with CoronaVac (Sinovac); only 3 had received other vaccines. Sudden cardiac death was the leading cause of death, with pulmonary embolism another critical finding. No relation between the cause of death and vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 was found., Conclusions: A clinical autopsy is a vital for an accurate post-mortem diagnosis. Any relation between the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine and the cause of death should be carefully studied in order to provide the general public with evidence-based information about the safety of the vaccination., (Copyright © 2022 Sociedad Española de Anatomía Patológica. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Wilson's disease is an autosomal recessive disease resulting in defective copper metabolism, which is usually seen in young adults, predominantly affecting liver and brain. Although it is not uncommon in India, variation in epidemiology, clinical presentation and course are reported. However, community-based incidence and prevalence rates are not available in India and incidences are limited to hospital based reports. Most often, the diagnosis is delayed. We present a clinical autopsy case in a 39 year-old female who had presented with clinical symptoms at 18 years of age. The duration of illness was 21 years. Patient's parent had consanguineous marriage and the younger sibling had died at 5 years of age with similar complaints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Post mortem examination of a dead body is carried out to gain insight into the disease process as well as for forensic application of medical knowledge. Although different specialists viz; pathologists and forensic medicine experts, carry out autopsy for these two purposes, on many occasions there may be overlap of these two fields of medicine. A comparative analysis of both these categories of autopsies, namely clinical autopsy and medico legal autopsy, is done in this article with the intention of equipping the specialists in these two fields of medicine with knowledge about the other. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Autopsy has played an extremely important role in both the forensic and clinical fields for many years. In recent years, clinical autopsy has become less important, but today, thanks to the pandemic, this importance has been rediscovered. Conversely, forensic autopsy has never lost its importance, but it would need to be updated.

Objective: The consequences of a low autopsy rate are not considered in determining the cause of death., Method: We have analyzed the Cause of Death Register of the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare since it started 1969 to and including 2016 to visualize the decline in the frequency of clinical autopsies over time and evaluated the effect on the quality of the cause of death diagnoses., Results: Over the five decades studied, the frequency of clinical autopsies declined from almost 40% to less than 5%. The rate of decline was not even. Political decisions and changes of healthcare organization in Sweden affected the slope of decline of autopsies superimposed on a linear decline over time reflecting changes in clinical routines. A request of clinical autopsies was highly dependent on the level of care at the time of death, with the lowest number of requests for persons who died in nursing homes. The age at the time of death was a major factor affecting the number of autopsies, resulting in an autopsy rate of less than 1% in the ages where most persons die. Although men were autopsied more often than women, a gender-specific difference was not seen after correction for the age of death. We also found a higher rate of unspecific and irrelevant diagnosis in the cases not autopsied and we know from earlier studies by us and other authors that the cause of death diagnoses were missed in between 30% and 50% of the cases not autopsied., Conclusion: The decline in the clinical autopsy rate reduced the value of the death certificate register. An increase in the number of autopsies performed will improve the understanding of disease and cause of death, as well as to better inform next of kin., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (© The Author(s) 2021.)