人体组织两种简易保存法DNA抽提效果的比较研究

比较研究人体不同组织在不同保存条件下DNA抽提效果。取冷冻保存和50％乙醇固定保存的各种组织，用有机溶剂抽提法提取DNA。用50％乙醇固定保存的人体不同组织在校长时期内仍可获得与新鲜冷冻组织相近的DNA抽提效果，经卡方检验二者无明显差异（X2≤0．21，P≥0．995）。乙醇保存法简便易行，DNA产量高，效果好，适用于各种特殊情况下的组织保存。     

A review of the current understanding of burned bone as a source of DNA for human identification

Identification of incinerated human remains may rely on genetic analysis of burned bone which can prove far more challenging than fresh tissues. Severe thermal insult results in the destruction or denaturation of DNA in soft tissues, however genetic material may be preserved in the skeletal tissues. Considerations for DNA retrieval from these samples include low levels of exogenous DNA, the dense, mineralised nature of bone, and the presence of contamination, and qPCR inhibitors. This review collates current knowledge in three areas relating to optimising DNA recovery from burned bone: 1) impact of burning on bone and subsequent effects on sample collection, 2) difficulties of preparing burned samples for DNA extraction, and 3) protocols for bone decalcification and DNA extraction. Bone decalcification and various DNA extraction protocols have been tested and optimised for ancient bone, suggesting that prolonged EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) demineralisation followed by solid-phased silica-based extraction techniques provide the greatest DNA yield. However, there is significantly less literature exploring the optimal protocol for incinerated bones. Although burned bone, like ancient and diagenetic bone, can be considered “low-copy”, the taphonomic processes occurring are likely different. As techniques developed for ancient samples are tailored to deal with bone that has been altered in a particular way, it is important to understand if burned bone undergoes similar or different changes. Currently the effects of burning on bone and the DNA within it is not fully understood. Future research should focus on increasing our understanding of the effects of heat on bone and on comparing the outcome of various DNA extraction protocols for these tissues.     

Quantitative analysis of amplifiable DNA in tissues exposed to various environments using competitive PCR assays

Competitive PCR assays were established for the mitochondrial DNA hypervariable region I and the human amelogenin locus. Using these assays, the copy numbers of DNA participating in PCR (amplifiable DNA) were quantified in tissues exposed to different environments. Human ribs, skin and nails were left in three exposure conditions (in the open air, in soil and in water). The amounts of amplifiable DNA in these tissues were quantified during a time period of up to two months. The amount of amplifiable DNA was well preserved in hard tissues (ribs and nails) regardless of the exposure conditions, whereas the soft tissues immersed in water showed a rapid decrease in amplifiable DNA. Strong PCR inhibition was observed in the DNA extracts obtained from buried bones. This phenomenon was clearly identified from an amplification failure of the internal standards in the competitive PCR. A preliminary examination to identify the PCR inhibitor suggested that the soil itself contributed to the inhibition. In addition, the amounts of amplifiable DNA in case samples were also investigated.     

顶空气质联用法测定腐败血、肝检材中CO

目的研究CO中毒腐败血、肝组织检材中CO的HS/GC/MS检测。方法用HS/GC/MS法分析碳氧血红蛋白(COHb)血的线性范围。配制10%、30%、50%、70%浓度COHb血样,分别在室温、冷藏、冷冻条件下保存,分别在当日、第4、14、45d进行测定,比较实验结果。腐败肝组织由雄性健康家兔通CO气体致死,当天解剖,家兔肝常温隔绝空气保存并放35d至腐败,期间进行不定期顶空测定分析。结果制备的COHb血在0-100%之间有良好的线性关系Y=2.4X+2.2(r=0.9995)。以此方法测定家兔CO中毒致死的COHb新鲜血的浓度和4℃下放置45dCOHb腐败血,结果表明温度对血样中COHb%的测定影响最大。采用HS/GC/MS法检测,每次只需0.25ml血样或1g肝脏,分析一次时间只需3min,均可检测出新鲜检材和常温放置45d的腐败肝组织检材CO的含量。结论HS/GC/MS法能检出CO中毒的腐败生物检材中CO。     

Simplified field preservation of tissues for subsequent DNA analyses

Successful DNA-based identification of mass disaster victims depends on acquiring tissues that are not highly degraded. In this study, multiple protocols for field preservation of tissues for later DNA analysis were tested. Skin and muscle samples were collected from decaying pig carcasses. Tissues were preserved using cold storage, desiccation, or room temperature storage in preservative solutions for up to 6 months. DNA quality was assessed through amplification of successively larger segments of nuclear DNA. Solution-based storage, including a DMSO/NaCl/EDTA mixture, alcohols, and RNAlater preserved DNA of the highest quality, refrigeration was intermediate, and desiccation was least effective. Tissue type and extent of decomposition significantly affected stored DNA quality. Overall, the results indicate that any tissue preservation attempt is far superior to delaying or forgoing preservation efforts, and that simple, inexpensive methods can be highly effective in preserving DNA, thus should be initiated as quickly as possible.     

The mystery of shrinking heads

Shrinking heads as trophies are well known all over the world. Several forms of mummified human trophy heads were produced by different tribes, in addition not true or not traditional shrunken heads were put out. A well preserved shrunken head of unknown origin was examined by our group. Besides anatomy histological and DNA analysis of the mummified material was performed. Furthermore larvae connected to the hair were examined microscopically. Histology of the skin from the neck region showed cellular structures with cytoplasm and nucleus. The larvae were identified as from Pediculus humanis capitis, the human hair lice. Finally DNA analysis of the mummified head revealed a human female STR profile.     

Fixed human tissues: a resource for the identification of individuals

Polymorphic genetic loci of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) present in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues were successfully analyzed by utilizing the polymerase chain reaction. Using this analysis, with three different polymorphic loci [human leucocyte antigen (HLA) DQ alpha, low-density lipoprotein receptor, and parathyroid hormone], fixed tissues representing 14 different individuals were genotyped and could be distinguished from each other. The techniques were further applied to the fixed autopsy tissues of a man in which a question of paternity arose postmortem. Since many individuals have surgical procedures or autopsy, these readily available fixed tissues represent an additional resource for the identification of individuals.     

血液样品中乙醇稳定性的实验研究

目的考察在不同存放条件下含乙醇的血液样品中乙醇浓度的变化情况。方法采用顶空-气相色谱法,以异丙醇为内标,对存放条件不同的血液样品中乙醇进行检测。结果冷冻(-10℃)条件存放1至30天,血液样品中乙醇含量无显著变化;冷藏(4℃)条件存放1至30天,血液样品中乙醇含量变化不显著;室温(28℃~33℃)条件存放1至30天,血液样品中乙醇含量显著改变。结论含有乙醇的血液样品,在冷冻、冷藏条件下可较稳定的存放30天;在室温条件下存放30天血液样品中乙醇浓度发生显著变化,不可在此条件下存放。     

不同保存时间和不同精子数量精斑样本DNA分型比较

目的比较不同保存时间和不同精子数量精斑样本DNA分型的效果。方法制备精斑样本,保存10d的样本采用激光显微捕获30、20、15、10、5、1个精子,用于不同数量精子分型比较;保存10d、214d、375d的样本分别捕获30、20、10个精子,用于不同保存时间分型比较。比较各组检出率、等位基因丢失率和非特异性扩增率,采用χ2检验进行差异比较。结果①不同精子数量分型：捕获10个精子即可得到完整的DNA分型,且随着精子数增多,检出率逐渐提高而等位基因丢失率逐渐降低,30个精子等位基因丢失率为0%,1个精子则可达58.89%;②不同保存时间分型：总趋势是保存时间越短,捕获精子越多检出率越高,10个精子与20、30个精子组比较,均有显著性差异（P〈0.05）;等位基因丢失率及非特异性扩增率则随保存时间的延长而增加,相同保存时间的不同精子数量组之间和相同的精子数量的不同保存时间组之间比较,差异均具有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论激光显微捕获精子数目和检材保存时间对DNA分型结果有直接影响。     

Microsatellite stability in human post-mortem tissues

Human identification and forensic criminal casework may involve DNA profiling of decomposed material. Somatic microsatellite (STR) instability may lead to false exclusions and theoretically to false inclusions, both in criminal cases and in human identification. Hence, the somatic and postmortal stability of the actual sequences is crucial to the reliability of such analyses. Somatic STR stability in human tissues has been documented in small series only and the effect of postmortal tissue decomposition on microsatellite stability remains to be elucidated. On this basis, we have systematically searched for somatic STR mutations in 26 deceased humans without signs of decomposition at autopsy and 25 autopsy cases with obvious signs of postmortal decomposition. A blood sample and six tissue samples were collected from each case.Seven STRs were chosen for study, the tetranucleotides HUMVWA31/A, HUMTH01, HUMF13A1, and HUMFES/FPS, and the hyperpolymorphic markers HUMAPOAI1, D11S554 and HUMACTBP2. Denaturing gel electrophoresis was performed on an ABD Prism 377 gene sequencer with Genescan 672 software (Applied Biosystems, Inc.).The bone DNA profile of each case was chosen as the standard DNA profile. All cases gave profiles from additional tissues. By intraindividual comparison of DNA profiles in the cases without signs of degradation we find that the short repetitive sequences under study are stable, that is without evidence of somatic mutations. The cases with varying degree of decomposition display postmortal microsatellite stability, we detect no somatic mutations or other possible postmortal changes that could lead to between-organ non-matches.In conclusion, PCR-based STR analyses are suitable in human identification and forensic casework dealing with different tissues, even when the substrate is heavily decomposed.     

Highly efficient and automated extraction of DNA from human remains using a modified EZ1 protocol

Bones and teeth often represent the only sources of DNA available for identifying human remains. DNA in bones and teeth is generally better preserved than that in soft tissues because of the presence of hard connective tissue with a high level of calcium. Because of the extensive mineralisation, the choice of an efficient DNA extraction procedure is important to minimise the sampling of a high level of minerals and to remove polymerase chain reaction (PCR) inhibitors. Some protocols are available for DNA extraction from bones and teeth as part of the Qiagen EZ1 DNA Investigator Kit using the EZ1 Advanced XL automated purification platform. To improve the efficiency of DNA extraction from skeletal remains, the present study focuses on a modification to these already available protocols. In this study, different bones and teeth collected between 1 and 50 years after death were subjected to DNA extraction using the standard EZ1 protocol, a supplementary protocol, and a modified protocol. The modified approach included a decalcification step, whereas the Qiagen protocols worked directly on non-decalcified powder. In all three procedures, 150 mg samples were used for DNA extraction. We evaluated the quantity of DNA recovered from samples, the presence of any PCR inhibitors co-extracted, the level of DNA degradation, the quality of short tandem repeat (STR) profiles, and the reproducibility of the modified procedure. When compared with the other protocols, the modified protocol resulted in the best recovery of DNA that was free of PCR inhibitors. Additionally, the STR profiles were reliable and of high quality. In our opinion, the decalcification step increases DNA recovery by softening tissues, which allows lysis solutions to act more effectively. Furthermore, the use of two lysis solutions and the variation added to the EZ1 purification step allow for DNA recovery with quality and quantity superior to those of the previously available Qiagen-based protocols. These findings may be helpful solutions to the problems commonly encountered when dealing with difficult samples, such as bones and teeth.

Key points

• Bones and teeth often represent the only sources of DNA for identifying human remains.
• The choice of an efficient DNA extraction procedure is important for maximizing DNA recovery and removing PCR inhibitors.
• This study focuses on modifications to the previously available Qiagen-based protocols.
• The modified protocol enabled the best recovery of DNA, and both quality and quantity were superior to those of the previously available Qiagen-based protocols.
• The STR profiles obtained from samples extracted using the modified protocol were reliable and of high quality.

     

Mitochondrial DNA and STR analyses of maggot crop contents: effect of specimen preservation technique

DNA analysis of maggot crop contents can be used to identify a missing body or aid entomologists with interpreting evidence used for PMI estimations. Entomological evidence is often collected and preserved to keep identifiable external features intact. The preservation methods currently in use may not be suitable for preserving DNA in the maggot crop for later analysis. In this study, carrion maggots raised on human tissue were preserved under the following 8 preservation conditions: no fluid at -70 degrees C, no fluid at 4 degrees C, no fluid at 24 degrees C, 70% ethanol at 4 degrees C, 70% ethanol at 24 degrees C, 95% ethanol at 24 degrees C, Kahle's solution at 24 degrees C and formaldehyde at 24 degrees C. Maggots were dissected following 2 weeks, 8 weeks and 6 months of preservation. The maggot crops were extracted, human DNA was quantitated, and an attempt was made at amplifying mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and short tandem repeat (STR) loci. Both mtDNA and STRs were successfully amplified from maggots stored in ethanol or without any preservation fluid. Formalin-containing preservation solutions reduced the recovery of DNA. The best results were observed from maggots stored without any preservation fluid at -70 degrees C.     

A new sensitive short pentaplex (ShoP) PCR for typing of degraded DNA

Analysis of short tandem repeat makers has become the most powerful tool for DNA typing in forensic casework analysis. Unfortunately, typing of DNA extracted from telogen shed hairs, bones buried in the soil or from paraffin-embedded, formalin-fixed tissue often reveals no results due to the degradation of DNA. The reduction in size of the target fragments by development of new primers and their combination in multiplex approaches open a new field of DNA analysis. Here we present a new sensitive short pentaplex PCR including the loci amelogenin, TH01, VWA, D3S1358 and D8S1179. Validation tests of our new method included sensitivity, mixtures, human specificity, artificial degradation of DNA by DNase I and case work analysis on a panel of different forensic samples. The detection limit was 12.5 pg of human DNA, and mixtures of 50 pg in a total of 1000 pg were clearly detectable and revealed complete profiles. Only DNA extracts of human primates displayed a few signals, whereas other animal, fungal or bacterial DNA showed no signals. Our method proved extremely valuable in the analysis of artificially degraded DNA and in forensic cases, where only poorly preserved DNA was available. This approach and other similar methods can aid in the analysis of samples where allelic drop out of larger fragments is observed. It is highly recommended to develop more of these multiplexes to improve poor quality DNA typing.     

3种甲醛固定组织DNA提取方法的比较

目的对不同方法提取甲醛固定组织中DNA的效果进行比较,寻找一种操作简便、经济实用、质量较高的DNA提取方法。方法取甲醛固定的心肌组织14份,分别以改良酚-氯仿法,改良Trizol法,试剂盒法提取DNA,进行紫外分光光度计测定OD260/OD280值后,经PCR扩增,琼脂糖凝胶电泳分析确定提取的DNA质量。结果改良酚-氯仿法,改良Trizol法,试剂盒法OD260/OD280比值分别为1.841 5±0.380 4、1.370 5±0.336 7、0.831 6±0.175 0。两两比较均有显著性差异(P<0.05)。3种不同方法提取DNA含量分别为0.943 8±0.530 1、0.707 5±0.423 6、0.342 8±0.182 5。PCR扩增后琼脂糖凝胶电泳显示以改良酚-氯仿法所提DNA的谱带清晰度好于其它两种方法。结论改良酚-氯仿法简便有效,所用试剂价格低廉,是一种经济实用的甲醛固定组织DNA提取方法。     

Genotyping of DNA samples under adverse conditions of Low Copy Number—LCN (formolisados tissue samples and embedded in paraffin)

This paper aims to describe and evaluate a protocol for extraction of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) in formalinized tissues and embedded in paraffin for forensics genetic analysis. In outline the method is the removal of paraffin with an organic solvent in 0.3–0.5 mg of the sample of the tissue under study, followed by removal of formaldehyde, rehydration and soon after the extraction of genomic DNA. The extraction is achieved through the stages of cellular lysis, enzymatic digestion of proteins and DNA precipitation in ethanol medium. With the research we can conclude that even when the DNA is present in small quantities in conditions of extreme difficulties in its extraction, as formalinized tissues and embedded in paraffin, the technique of optimizing the extraction of DNA used both to organic extraction as Chelex, for use in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and possible the investigation of different samples of human tissue, biological samples, or was obtained under the conditions tested, a DNA with good quality and concentration. The samples were amplified for the mini-STRs loci using the product marketed in multilocus, using a methodology recommended by the supplier and validated for analysis of forensic DNA. Commercial kit was used MiniFiler from Applied Biosystems. The DNA fragments amplified by PCR showed that the extracted DNA had good amplification.     

Validating TrueAllele® DNA mixture interpretation

Abstract: DNA mixtures with two or more contributors are a prevalent form of biological evidence. Mixture interpretation is complicated by the possibility of different genotype combinations that can explain the short tandem repeat (STR) data. Current human review simplifies this interpretation by applying thresholds to qualitatively treat STR data peaks as all‐or‐none events and assigning allele pairs equal likelihood. Computer review, however, can work instead with all the quantitative data to preserve more identification information. The present study examined the extent to which quantitative computer interpretation could elicit more identification information than human review from the same adjudicated two‐person mixture data. The base 10 logarithm of a DNA match statistic is a standard information measure that permits such a comparison. On eight mixtures having two unknown contributors, we found that quantitative computer interpretation gave an average information increase of 6.24 log units (min = 2.32, max = 10.49) over qualitative human review. On eight other mixtures with a known victim reference and one unknown contributor, quantitative interpretation averaged a 4.67 log factor increase (min = 1.00, max = 11.31) over qualitative review. This study provides a general treatment of DNA interpretation methods (including mixtures) that encompasses both quantitative and qualitative review. Validation methods are introduced that can assess the efficacy and reproducibility of any DNA interpretation method. An in‐depth case example highlights 10 reasons (at 10 different loci) why quantitative probability modeling preserves more identification information than qualitative threshold methods. The results validate TrueAllele^® DNA mixture interpretation and establish a significant information improvement over human review.     

改良醋酸铵盐析法提取福尔马林固定石蜡包埋组织DNA

目的采用改良醋酸铵盐析法提取福尔马林固定石蜡包埋组织DNA,并评价其应用价值。方法取死后24h内人体肾组织用10%中性福尔马林溶液固定7d,石蜡包埋。采用酚/氯仿法、Chelex-100法及改良醋酸铵盐析法提取DNA。经用紫外分光光度计法、AGE及PCR-PAGE检测比较不同方法提取DNA的质量。结果改良醋酸铵盐析法、酚/氯仿法、Chelex-100法OD260/OD280比值分别为1.962±0.195、2.110±0.470、1.018±0.124,两两比较均有显著性差异(P<0.05);3种方法提取DNA含量(μg)分别为0.515±0.447、0.328±0.345、5.346±1.994;AGE电泳图谱可印证上述结果;PCR-PAGE检测显示改良醋酸铵盐析法提取DNA的谱带清晰度好于其它两种方法。结论改良醋酸铵盐析法更适合微量福尔马林固定石蜡包埋组织样本DNA的提取。     

Optimal storage conditions for highly dilute DNA samples: a role for trehalose as a preserving agent

DNA extraction from trace samples or noninvasively collected samples often results in the recovery of low concentration solutions of DNA that are prone to DNA degradation or other loss. Because of the difficulty in obtaining such samples, and their potentially high value in wildlife and forensic studies, it is critical that optimal methods are employed for their long-term storage. We assessed the amplification yield of samples kept under different storage conditions with the addition of potential preserving agents. We stored dilutions of known concentration human placental DNA, and gorilla fecal DNA, under four conditions (+4 degrees C, -20 degrees C, -80 degrees C, dry at room temperature), and with three additives (Tris EDTA (TE) buffer, Hind III digested Lambda DNA, trehalose). The effectiveness of the treatment methods was tested at regular intervals using qPCR to assess the quantity of amplifiable DNA, and a PCR assay of a larger 757 bp fragment to evaluate the quality of that remaining DNA. The highest quantity of DNA remained in samples stored at -80 degrees C, regardless of storage additives, and those dried at room temperature in the presence of trehalose. Surprisingly, DNA quality was best preserved in the presence of trehalose, either dried or at -80 degrees C; significant quality loss occurred with -20 degrees C and +4 degrees C storage.     

Triton X-100快速提取甲醛固定、石蜡包埋组织内DNA的方法

目的建立一种快速提取甲醛固定、石蜡包埋组织内DNA的方法。方法利用TritonX-100一步提取甲醛固定、石蜡包埋组织内DNA,并具体研究了不同浓度TritonX-100对提取后DNA-STR分型效果的影响。结果成功地一步提取出甲醛固定、石蜡包埋组织内DNA,浓度为1%的TritonX-100提取效果较好。结论利用TritonX-100提取甲醛固定、石蜡包埋组织内的DNA,为快速提取DNA提供了有效的途径,是法科学领域中一种值得推荐的方法。