miR-15a and miR-24-1 as putative prognostic microRNA signatures for pediatric pilocytic astrocytomas and ependymomas.

In the current setting, we attempted to verify and validate miRNA candidates relevant to pediatric primary brain tumor progression and outcome, in order to provide data regarding the identification of novel prognostic biomarkers. Overall, 26 resected brain tumors were studied from children diagnosed with pilocytic astrocytomas (PAs) (n = 19) and ependymomas (EPs) (n = 7). As controls, deceased children who underwent autopsy and were not present with any brain malignancy were used. The experimental approach included microarrays covering 1211 miRNAs. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to validate the expression profiles of miR-15a and miR-24-1. The multiparameter analyses were performed with MATLAB. Matching differentially expressed miRNAs were detected in both PAs and EPs, following distinct comparisons with the control cohort; however, in several cases, they exhibited tissue-specific expression profiles. On correlations between miRNA expression and EP progression or outcome, miR-15a and miR-24-1 were found upregulated in EP relapsed and EP deceased cases when compared to EP clinical remission cases and EP survivors, respectively. Taken together, following several distinct associations between miRNA expression and diverse clinical parameters, the current study repeatedly highlighted miR-15a and miR-24-1 as candidate oncogenic molecules associated with inferior prognosis in children diagnosed with ependymoma.

MicroRNA expression profiles in pediatric dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors.

Among noncoding RNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been most extensively studied, and their biology has repeatedly been proven critical for central nervous system pathological conditions. The diagnostic value of several miRNAs was appraised in pediatric dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors (DNETs) using miRNA microarrays and receiving operating characteristic curves analyses. Overall, five pediatric DNETs were studied. As controls, 17 samples were used: the FirstChoice Human Brain Reference RNA and 16 samples from deceased children who underwent autopsy and were not present with any brain malignancy. The miRNA extraction was carried out using the mirVANA miRNA Isolation Kit, while the experimental approach included miRNA microarrays covering 1211 miRNAs. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to validate the expression profiles of miR-1909* and miR-3138 in all samples initially screened with miRNA microarrays. Our findings indicated that miR-3138 might act as a tumor suppressor gene when down-regulated and miR-1909* as a putative oncogenic molecule when up-regulated in pediatric DNETs compared to the control cohort. Subsequently, both miRNA signatures might serve as putative diagnostic biomarkers for pediatric DNETs.

Self-injurious behavior among Greek male prisoners: prevalence and risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Self-harm among prisoners is a common phenomenon. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of self-injurious behavior (SIB) among Greek male prisoners, record their motives and determine independent risk factors. METHODS: A self-administered, anonymous questionnaire was administered to 173 male prisoners in the Chalkida prison, Greece. The questionnaire included items on self-harm/SIB, demographic parameters, childhood history, family history, physical and mental disease, lifestyle and smoking habits, alcohol dependence (CAGE questionnaire), illicit substance use, aggression (Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire [BPAQ] and Lifetime History of Aggression [LTHA]), impulsivity (Barrat Impulsivity Scale-11) and suicidal ideation (Spectrum of Suicidal Behavior Scale). Univariate nonparametric statistics and multivariate ordinal logistic regression were performed. RESULTS: Of all the participants, 49.4% (95% CI: 41.5-57.3%) disclosed self-harm (direct or indirect). The prevalence of SIB was equal to 34.8% (95% CI: 27.5-42.6%). Most frequently, SIB coexisted with indirect self-harm (80.7%). The most common underlying motives were to obtain emotional release (31.6%) and to release anger (21.1%). At the univariate analysis, SIB was positively associated with a host of closely related factors: low education, physical/sexual abuse in childhood, parental neglect, parental divorce, alcoholism in family, psychiatric condition in family, recidivism, age, sentence already served, impulsivity, aggression, alcohol dependence, self-reported diagnosed psychiatric condition and illicit substance use. Childhood variables were particularly associated with the presence of diagnosed psychiatric condition. At the multivariate analysis, however, only three parameters were proven independent risk factors: self-reported diagnosed psychiatric condition, illicit substance use and aggression (BPAQ scale). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of SIB is particularly high. Psychiatric condition, illicit substance use and aggression seem to be the most meaningful risk factors; childhood events seem only to act indirectly.

Forensic investigation of submersion deaths.

CONTEXT: The diagnosis of the cause and the establishment of the manner of death in submersion cases are routine challenge for forensic pathologists as it presents considerable diagnostic difficulties. OBJECTIVE: To concisely review the main questions during a submersion death investigation and to give the respective documented answers. DATA SOURCES: The search strategy included a literature search of PubMed, Medline and Google Scholar databases, as well as a review of the cited references by the identified studies and a hand search of relevant textbooks and reference works. CONCLUSIONS: A complete autopsy, histopathological examination and full toxicological screening are important to determine whether death indeed followed submersion in the water, or to see whether any natural disease or substance use have contributed or caused death. In ambiguous situations, the co-estimation of circumstantial evidence may be of invaluable importance toward the conclusion concerning the cause and the manner of death. The thorough forensic investigation of the submersion deaths not only serves the justice administration, but it also presents considerable benefits for the public health.

Health care provision in prisons: a review on European and international guidelines.

Health care provision in prisons is an area of increasing international concern. The spectrum of health problems which prisoners may bring to prison is wide and in many cases prevalence is greater than in the general population.The profound knowledge of delicate issues such as medical confidentiality and informed consent of the patient, with special refer to infectious disease, hunger strike and prison research is necessary in the prison working environment. In the following paragraphs the European and International conventions and guidelines on the matter are discussed.

Toxicological investigation of drug-facilitated sexual assaults.

Drug-facilitated sexual assaults have drawn a lot of attention during the last years. The role of the non-forensic doctors in the early recognition and management of such cases is crucial. Diagnosis assisted by samplings must be ascertained without delay, in victims initially brought to the emergency room for a sleepy state, a suspected abuse of drug or a pseudo-alcoholic clinical state. Further, where amnesia is present, it may be prudent to assume that sexual activity has occurred and offer pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease prophylaxis. Forensic doctors should entertain the possibility of poisoning in any presentation involving amnesia. Forensic toxicological laboratories should develop sensitive and specific methods to assure a low threshold of detection of the drugs. The awareness of a delinquent or criminal use of alcohol and/or drugs could permit a better medical recognition, so that proper and timely forensic examination is achieved, and adequate evidence is collected for the establishment of an effective investigation and prosecution.

The use of alcohol and other psychoactive substances by victims of traffic accidents in Greece.

Alcohol is one of the main causes of traffic accidents worldwide. Its use decreases significantly the driving ability of an individual as well as the reflexes of a pedestrian increasing in this way the possibilities of their involvement in motor-vehicle accidents. The above possibilities are increased when a psychoactive substance has been taken in combination with alcohol due to their synergistic effect. The Laboratory of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology of the University of Athens is authorized to perform the toxicological investigation of traffic accidents that happen in the major part of Greece. The findings of the toxicological analyses that were performed in our laboratory during the years 1995 to 1997 are classified according to the alcohol concentration and the kind of psychoactive substance detected as well as to the gender and the age of the victims, drivers or pedestrians. The results of the above classification are evaluated and the conclusions regarding alcohol, drugs and traffic accidents in Greece are discussed thoroughly.