Immunology and Infectious Disease Commons^™

Mindfulness And Multiple Sclerosis, Mandakini Sadhir

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, debilitating autoimmune condition with unknown etiology. It can have significant impact on quality of life and overall sense of wellbeing. It can be associated with poor sleep, fatigue, mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression and affect interpersonal relationships. Impact of mindfulness based interventions in mental health conditions, chronic illness as well as multiple sclerosis in adults has been widely studied. Several studies have concluded that mindfulness based intervention can be beneficial in improving quality of life, mental health and physical symptoms such as fatigue in adult patients with multiple sclerosis. Current literature suggest that …

Nevada Desert Dust With Heavy Metals Suppresses Igm Antibody Production, Deborah E. Keil, Brenda J. Buck, Dirk Goossens, Brett Mclaurin, Lacey Murphy, Mallory Leetham-Spencer, Yuanxin Teng, James E. Pollard, Russell Gerads, Jamie C. Dewitt

Geoscience Faculty Research

Systemic health effects from exposure to a complex natural dust containing heavy metals from the Nellis Dunes Recreation Area (NDRA) near Las Vegas, NV, were evaluated. Several toxicological parameters were examined following lung exposure to emissive dust from three geologic sediment types heavily used for recreational off-road activities: yellow sand very rich in arsenic (termed CBN 5); a shallow cover of loose dune sand overlying a gravelly subsoil bordering dune fields (termed CBN 6); and brown claystone and siltstone (termed CBN 7). Adult female B6C3F1 mice were exposed by oropharyngeal administration to these three types of geogenic dusts at 0.01–100 …

Quantification Of Hiv-1 Rna Among Men Who Have Sex With Men Using An At-Home Self-Collected Dried Blood Spot Specimen: Feasibility Study, Sabina Hirshfield, Richard A. Teran, Martin J. Downing Jr., Mary Ann Chiasson, Hong-Van Tieu, Laura Dize, Charlotte A. Gaydos

Publications and Research

Background: Suboptimal antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence and disengagement in care present significant public health challenges because of the increased probability of HIV transmission. In the United States, men who have sex with men (MSM) continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV, highlighting a critical need to engage high-risk MSM living with HIV who are not engaged or retained in care.

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the feasibility of at-home blood self-collection and laboratory quantification of HIV-1 RNA viral load (VL) to report laboratory-based VL outcomes and compare self-reported and laboratory-reported VL

Methods: Between 2016 and 2017, …

Role Of Bovine Ileal Sub-Epithelial Myofibroblasts And Epithelial Cells In Innate Immunity, Tirth Uprety

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Gastro-intestinal (GI) tract harbors largest number of microbiota as well as the largest number of immune cells for a given tissue. The host needs to mount an effective immune response against invading pathogens and tolerance against commensals. Thus, regulatory mechanism and barrier function of the GI tract are of utmost importance for appropriate host microbe interaction and gut homeostasis. Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) act as the first line of defense against invading pathogens. IECs recognize pathogens and commensals and mount an effective innate immune response. Such recognition of pathogens is mediated through germ line encoded pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). Intestinal …

Factors Associated With Candida Albicans Dissemination Via The Intestinal Mucosa, Emily Rochac Argueta

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

A murine model that established GI colonization of Candida albicans and eventual dissemination was identified to be lacking by Koh and others. Koh’s model specifically employed a tailored combination of neutropenia, intestinal damage, and microbiome dysbiosis that would allow C. albicans to gain an opportunistic advantage. His model provided new opportunities to study the details of C. albicans pathogenesis with a focus on the innate immune mechanisms responsible for controlling C. albicans within the intestinal mucosa. The long-term goal of this research project was to specifically study the factors associated with Candida albicans dissemination via the intestinal mucosa. The model …

Complete Genome Sequence Of Moraxella Bovis Strain Epp-63 (300), An Etiologic Agent Of Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis, John Dustin Loy, Aaron M. Dickey, Michael L. Clawson

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

We report here the complete closed genome sequence of Moraxella bovis strain Epp-63 (300) (Epp63). This strain was isolated from an infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) case in 1963. Since then, Epp63 has been used extensively for IBK research. Consequently, the genome sequence of Epp63 should help elucidate IBK host-pathogen interactions.

Surveillance Of South Dakota Mosquito Abundance, Infection Rate, And Insecticide Susceptibility, Geoffrey P. Vincent

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this dissertation was to survey and evaluate the abundance, infection rate, and insecticide susceptibility of mosquito fauna present in South Dakota. Mosquito surveillance has been conducted across South Dakota to record and track potential West Nile virus (WNV) vectors from 2004 to 2017. The nuisance mosquito Aedes vexans was found to be the most abundant species overall in the state and most abundant in many of the regions. The WNV vector, Culex tarsalis, was found to be the second most abundant mosquito and the most abundant vector mosquito across the state. However, geospatial variation did exist between …

Indian Research Output In Immunology And Microbiology 2012-2016: A Scientometric Study, Jyoti Rana Ph.D. Scholar, Rakesh Kumar Bhatt Associate Professor

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Background: The study examines India’s research productivity in immunology and microbiology during 2012-2016, depending on various parameters, including India’s annual average research growth rate, institutional output profile of institutions and profiles of some of the most productive authors.

Aim: The focus of this study is to analyze performance of India’s research output in immunology and microbiology, the quality and productivity of major institutions participating in research in microbiology and immunology and the productivity and quality of leading authors in research in immunology and microbiology.

Methods: The study in the area of immunology and microbiology using 5 years publications data from …

The Response Of Unpolarized Macrophages (Raw 264.7)/Keratinocytes (Pam-212) Monolayer And Co-Culture System To Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (Hsv-1) Replication During The Infection., Fahad Mohammed Alradi

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Keratinocytes and neurons cells are the main target for Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1) invasion. Moreover, keratinocytes are the most abundant cell types in the epidermis layer in the skin. Therefore, they are the first cells to encounter HSV-1 in the primary infection. Next, the virus reaches the nerve endings and is transferred to neuronal cells as a result from the primary infection. In between these two events, innate immune cells including monocytes and macrophages response is activated and recruited to the infection site. In this study, keratinocytes (PAM-212) and murine macrophage (RAW 264.7) cell lines were utilized to …

Virus Production And Cell Viability Of Hsv-1-Infected Murine Keratinocytes (Hel-30) Co-Cultured With Murine Macrophages (Raw 264.7), Barry Graffagna

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Keratinocytes are the most abundant type of cell in the outer layer of skin, the epidermis, and provide barrier against pathogens from invading. However, Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1) targets these keratinocytes for infection, and later infects neurons to establish lifelong latency. The keratinocytes stimulate the innate immune system to engage and to destroy the virus. Among the cells of the innate immune system to respond to the viral invasion is the macrophage. In this study, RAW 264.7 macrophage and HEL-30 keratinocyte monolayers were challenged in vitro with HSV-1 at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 0.1 to investigate …

Effects Of Voluntary Physical Rehabilitation On Neurogenesis In Svz And Functional Recovery After Ischemic Stroke, Anuranjani Balakrishnan

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Stroke is the leading cause of long-term disability and 87% of all strokes are due to ischemic strokes. In this current study, we examined whether voluntary physical rehabilitation can influence neurogenesis (measured by Doublecortin) in the subventricular zone and show improved motor functional recovery in 10-12 month female rats after ischemia. We saw a significant increase in the neurogenesis (measured by doublecortin) of all three regions (anterior, middle and posterior) of SVZ in the rehab animals compared to control group when using a two-way variance ANOVA test, although we were unable to see significant differences in paired t-tests of similar …

The Mechanisms Shaping The Repertoire Of Cd4(+)Foxp3(+) Regulatory T Cells, Piotr Kraj, Leszek Ignatowicz

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Regulatory T (Treg) cells expressing Foxp3 transcription factor control homeostasis of the immune system, antigenic responses to commensal and pathogenic microbiota, and immune responses to self and tumour antigens. The Treg cells differentiate in the thymus, along with conventional CD4⁺ T cells, in processes of positive and negative selection. Another class of Treg cells is generated in peripheral tissues by inducing Foxp3 expression in conventional CD4⁺ T cells in response to antigenic stimulation. Both thymic and peripheral generation of Treg cells depends on recognition of peptide/MHC ligands by the T-cell receptors (TCR) expressed on thymic Treg precursors or …

Alternatively Activated Macrophages In Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Pneumonia: Modulation Of The Nf-Κb Signaling Pathway And The Immunomodulatory Role Of Arginase-1, Dalia Haydar

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacy

Background: Azithromycin polarizes macrophages into an alternative phenotype and promotes a regulated immunity. Arginase is an important effector of these macrophages believed to play an essential role in decreasing injury and promoting repair.

Hypothesis: Decreases in inflammation in response to Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) pneumonia achieved by polarizing macrophages to an alternative phenotype is dependent upon the production of arginase.

Methods: Requirement of arginase was examined by pharmacological inhibition using S-(2-boronoethyl)- l-cysteine (BEC) or l-norvaline and by infecting arginase-1 conditional knock-out mice (Arg1^flox/flox;Lyz2-cre (Arg1^Δm)) with PA intratracheally. Arg1^ΔM and control Arg1^flox/flox mice were then …

Effects Of Endophyte-Infected Tall Fescue Seed And Bromocriptine On Endocrine And Immune Function In Horses, Jessica Marie Hanneman

Theses and Dissertations--Veterinary Science

Consumption of endophyte-infected (E+) grasses has long been associated with health problems in animals. In cattle E+ tall fescue consumption leads to fescue toxicosis, and in horses it leads reproductive problems. The health-related issues associated with endophyte consumption have been attributed to the effects caused by the ergot alkaloids produced by the fungus. These ergot alkaloids are considered D2-like receptor agonists, and 5-HT2 serotonin and α-adrenergic receptor partial agonists. Many studies in humans, swine, cattle, and horses have identified that ergopeptines cause a decrease in prolactin production due to their dopaminergic activities. Additionally, these molecules have been found to cause …

Antibody Dependent Enhancement Of Visceral Leishmaniasis, Alan K. Mcnolty

All Master's Theses

Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease caused by protozoans of the genus Leishmania. This vector-born disease, transmitted by biting phlebotomine sandflies, typically manifests in one of three ways. The cutaneous form of the disease is characterized by localized lesions of the skin and is by far the most common manifestation. The visceral form of the disease is caused by parasitic infiltration of internal organs, particularly the spleen, liver, and bone marrow. The mucocutaneous form is caused by parasitic infection of the mucosa in the nose or mouth. While cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is often self-healing, visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is fatal if …

Multiple Acquisitions Of Pathogen-Derived Francisella Endosymbionts In Soft Ticks, Jonathan G. Gerhart, H. Auguste Dutcher, Amanda E. Brenner, Abraham S. Moses, Libor Grubhoffer, Rahul Raghavan

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Bacterial endosymbionts of ticks are of interest due to their close evolutionary relationships with tick-vectored pathogens. For instance, whereas many ticks contain Francisella-like endosymbionts (FLEs), others transmit the mammalian pathogen Francisella tularensis. We recently sequenced the genome of an FLE present in the hard tick Amblyomma maculatum (FLE-Am) and showed that it likely evolved from a pathogenic ancestor. In order to expand our understanding of FLEs, in the current study we sequenced the genome of an FLE in the soft tick Ornithodoros moubata and compared it to the genomes of FLE-Am, Francisella persica—an FLE in the soft tick Argus (Persicargas) …

The Role Of Neurokinin Receptors And Satellite Glial Cells In Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Latency, Andrew Jerome

Wayne State University Dissertations

The ability of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) to establish a lifelong infection in neurons of the trigeminal ganglion (TG) make it a constant public health threat. Viral reactivation from its latent state is currently the leading cause of viral induced blindness in the United State, as well as the leading cause of herpes simplex encephalitis. Unfortunately, how the virus is able to both establish and maintain its latent state in the TG is not well understood. The purpose of this work was to better understand how neuropeptide signaling through neurokinin receptors, as well as how satellite glial cells (SGCs) …

Inflammation In The Pathogenesis Of Diabetic Retinopathy, Haoshen Shi

Wayne State University Dissertations

The general purpose of these studies is to investigate inflammation in diabetic retinopathy in an effort to identify key intervention points to develop as treatments. Firstly, we showed that the neuropeptide VIP displayed protective immunoregulatory effects on retinal endothelial cells cultured under high glucose conditions. This effect was carried out, in part through the VPAC2 receptor.

Next, we studied the β-adrenergic receptor agonist, Compound 49b, and its effect on the pro-resolving RvD1 pathway. Compound 49b was previously shown to suppress both inflammatory and apoptotic responses in DR. We demonstrated that Compound 49b rescued the high glucose-induced decrese in RvD1 and …

Gene Knockout Of Prfa And The Arginine Deiminase Pathway In Listeria Monocytogenes, Kearstin Edmonds

Online Theses and Dissertations

Listeria monocytogenes is a Gram-positive facultative intracellular pathogen. This species is a common cause of food-borne illness outbreaks with high fatality rates. L. monocytogenes is known to produce a number of virulence factors, including enzymes and toxins, which are involved in the disease process. The arginine deiminase pathway has the ability to regulate acidic environments by converting arginine to ammonia, ornithine, and ATP. With the help of a membrane-bound antiporter, the ornithine is transported out of the cell while the ammonia is converted to ammonium. The ATP by-product can also be used with the F0F1-ATPase system to help maintain homeostasis. …

Hsv-1 Replication In Different Raw 264.7 And J774.1 Macrophage Phenotypes And Macrophage Viability Following Hsv-1 Infection, Yousef Nifaj Alanazi

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HSV-1 is a ubiquitous virus capable of causing lifelong latent infection. The virus contains a large double strand DNA genome covered by an icosahedral capsid. HSV-1 is a cytolytic virus which can cause a lethal infection. The virus possesses critical protein ICP0 which is capable of interfering with host cell signaling and eventually prevent cell apoptosis. Innate immunity plays a crucial role in defense against HSV-1 infection and macrophage plays a significant role in the innate immune system. Macrophage cells can alter their behavior depending upon certain stimuli and tissue environments. Naive macrophage (M0) cells can be polarized to a …

The Impact Of Cytokines And Hsv-1 On Rab5 Protein Expression, F-Actin Cytoskeleton Rearrangement, And Cell Viability Of Uninfected And Virus-Infected M0, M1, And M2 Raw264.7 Murine Macrophages, Muhannad Falah Alruwaili

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The endocytic pathway in all eukaryotic cells is necessary to maintain cellular functions, such as initiating transport of intracellular cargos and ingesting pathogens. The main regulator of this process is a member of small GTPase family, Rab5 protein. Rab5 protein plays a key role in the endocytic dynamic delivery of molecules, receptors, and pathogens from the cell membrane to cytoplasmic vesicles.as well as in the exocytic delivery of cellular products to the cell's exterior (Bonifacino & Glick, 2004). Many pathogens have exploited this protein to enter cells. Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1) enters most cells by fusion or utilizes …

Gene Expression Profiles Of The Small Intestinal Mucosa Of Dogs Repeatedly Infected With The Cestode Echinococcus Multilocularis, Hirokazu Kouguchi, Takao Irie, Jun Matsumoto, Hidefumi Furuoka, Kenji Ishiwata, Ryo Nakao, Kinpei Yagi

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Library Materials

The data set presented in this article is related to a previous research article entitled, The timing of worm exclusion in dogs repeatedly infected with the cestode Echinococcus multilocularis (Kouguchi et al., 2016). This article describes the genes >2 fold up- or down-regulated in the first- and repeated-infection groups compared to the healthy controls group. The gene expression profiles were generated using the Agilent-021193 Canine (V2) Gene Expression Microarray (GPL15379). The raw and normalized microarray data have been deposited with the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database under accession number GSE105098.

Probiotic Bifidobacterium Strains And Galactooligosaccharides Improve Intestinal Barrier Function In Obese Adults But Show No Synergism When Used Together As Synbiotics, Janina A. Krumbeck, Heather E. Rasmussen, Robert W. Hutkins, Jennifer L. Clarke, Krista Shawron, Ali Keshavarzian, Jens Walter

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

Background: One way to improve both the ecological performance and functionality of probiotic bacteria is by combining them with a prebiotic in the form of a synbiotic. However, the degree to which such synbiotic formulations improve probiotic strain functionality in humans has not been tested systematically. Our goal was to use a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-arm clinical trial in obese humans to compare the ecological and physiological impact of the prebiotic galactooligosaccharides (GOS) and the probiotic strains Bifidobacterium adolescentis IVS-1 (autochthonous and selected via in vivo selection) and Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12 (commercial probiotic allochthonous to the human gut) when used …

Development Of Septic Polysynovitis And Uveitis In Foals Experimentally Infected With Rhodococcus Equi, Laura Huber, Steeve Giguère, Londa J. Berghaus, Amanda Hanafi, Sarah Vitosh-Sillman, Sarah L. Czerwinski

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

Rhodococcus equi is one of the most important causes of disease in foals. Infection is typically characterized by pyogranulomatous pneumonia although extrapulmonary infections occur occasionally. Uveitis and polysynovitis have been reported in foals naturally infected with R. equi and are thought to be the result of an immune-mediated process. However, the pathogenesis of these conditions is poorly understood. The objectives of this study were to document the occurrence of uveitis and polysynovitis after experimental infection with R. equi and to determine if these disorders are the direct result of infection at these sites. Foals between 3 and 4 weeks of …

Circadian Behavioral Responses To Light And Optic Chiasm-Evoked Glutamatergic Epscs In The Suprachiasmatic Nucleus Of Iprgc Conditional Vglut2 Knock-Out Mice, Michael G. Moldavan, Patricia J. Sollars, Michael R. Lasarev, Charles N. Allen, Gary E. Pickard

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) innervate the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), a circadian oscillator that functions as a biological clock. ipRGCs use vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (vGlut2) to package glutamate into synaptic vesicles and light-evoked resetting of the SCN circadian clock is widely attributed to ipRGC glutamatergic neurotransmission. Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is also packaged into vesicles in ipRGCs and PACAP may be coreleased with glutamate in the SCN. vGlut2 has been conditionally deleted in ipRGCs in mice [conditional knock-outs (cKOs)] and their aberrant photoentrainment and residual attenuated light responses have been ascribed to ipRGC PACAP release. However, …

Neonchocotyle Violantei N. Sp. (Monogenea, Hexabothriidae) From Pseudobatos Lentiginosus (Rhinopristiformes, Rhinobatidae) Of Yucatán, Gulf Of Mexico = Neonchocotyle Violantei N. Sp. (Monogenea, Hexabothriidae) Do Pseudobatos Lentiginosus (Rhinopristiformes, Rhinobatidae) De Yucatán, Golfo Do México, Guadalupe Quiterio-Rendon, Scott Monks, Griselda Pulido-Flores

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Abstract

Neonchocotyle violantei n. sp. (Monogenea: Hexabothriidae) infects the gill of the Atlantic guitarfish, Pseudobatos lentiginosus (Rhinopristiformes, Rhinobatidae) from littoral waters of Celestún, Yucatán, Mexico. It is assigned to Neonchocotyle because it has, among other features, an asymmetrical haptor, a seminal receptacle, a smooth oötype, and an egg with two elongate filaments. It differs from Neonchocotyle pastinacae, the only congener, by having a small body (821 long by 315 wide, length to width = 2.6:1), two pairs of microhooks between the haptoral appendix suckers, extracaecal (submarginal) vaginal pores, and 5-9 testes. This is the first record of a species …

Diversity And Phylogenetic Relationships Of European Species Of Crepidostomum Braun, 1900 (Trematoda: Allocreadiidae) Based On Rdna, With Special Reference To Crepidostomum Oschmarini Zhokhov & Pugacheva, 1998, Romualda Petkevičiūtė, Virmantas Stunžėnas, Alexander E. Zhokhov, Larisa G. Poddubnaya, Gražina Stanevičiūtė

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Background

Within the genus Crepidostomum Braun, 1900, identification of species and taxonomic decisions made only on the basis of adult morphology have resulted in great problems associated with evaluating actual diversity and validity of species. Life cycle data, while equal in importance to adult characters, are scarce, controversial or incomplete for most Crepidostomum spp. In this study, rDNA sequences generated from adult and larval Crepidostomum spp. and some other allocreadiid species were analyzed to reveal the diversity and phylogenetic relationships of the species and their host range. Detailed morphological description based on light microscopy, SEM tegumental surface topography and genetic …

Paleoparasitology And Pathoecology In Russia: Investigations And Perspectives, Sergey Slepchenko, Karl Reinhard

Karl Reinhard Publications

Russia, both as the USSR and the Russian federation, provided a source of parasitological theory for decades. A key figure in Russian parasitology was Yevgeny Pavlovsky. He developed the nidus concept, the conceptual basis for the field of pathoecology. He also coined the term “paleoparasitology.” Pathoecology is a foundation concept in archaeological parasitology. Paleoparasitology, as defined by Pavlovsky, is an avenue for understanding of host parasite evolution over very long time periods. These contributions are not fully recognized internationally. Similarly, the long history of Russian paleontological and archaeological investigations are not fully known. Most recently, discoveries from archaeological sites show …

The Paleoepidemiology Of Enterobius Vermicularis (Nemata: Oxyuridae) Among The Loma San Gabriel At La Cueva De Los Muertos Chiquitos (600–800 Ce), Rio Zape Valley, Durango, Mexico, Johnica J. Morrow, Karl Reinhard

Karl Reinhard Publications

One hundred coprolites excavated from La Cueva de los Muertos Chiquitos (600–800 CE) in the Rio Zape Valley of present-day Durango, Mexico, were examined for the presence of helminth eggs utilizing standard archaeoparasitological techniques. Eggs of the human pinworm (Enterobius vermicularis) were recovered from 34 of the 100 coprolites examined. Eggs of parasites were photographed and measured before egg concentration values were calculated for each positive sample. Egg concentration values demonstrated an overdispersed pattern of distribution among the samples (66% uninfected, 25% less than 100 eggs/g, 8% between 100 and 500 eggs/g, and 1% more than 500 eggs/g). …

Autologous Bone Flap Resorption Years After Subtemporal Craniotomy, John Oladapo Obafunwa, Emily E. Hammerl, David Jaskierny, Livia A. Taylor, Lynette Russell, Karl Reinhard

Karl Reinhard Publications

In Spring of 2012, the partially undressed and skeletonized remains of a homeless adult Hispanic male was found in a fairly open wooded area in Nebraska. The remains showed evidence of extensive pathologies, which included healed traumas and surgeries. Examination of the decedent's medical records revealed that he had a history of kidney and liver problems, alcohol abuse, several traumas including a major head injury that necessitated a craniotomy, and radiological features of neurocysticercosis. The autologous bone flap, which was replaced after the craniotomy, had resorbed significantly away from the edges of the injury. Death was variously attributed to craniocerebral …