Isolation of intact plankton from drowning lung tissue by centrifugation in a colloidal silica gradient

Several species of intact phyto- and zooplankton from the homogenate of rat “drowning lung” were separated by centrifugation in a colloidal silica gradient. The plankton, except diatoms, were isolated from a small amount of human “drowning lung” by this procedure. This new method was found to be more useful in detecting plankton in tissues than chemical digestion with strong acid.     

Successful DNA typing of urine stains using a DNA purification kit following dialfiltration

To evaluate the utility of DNA polymorphism typing of urine stains in forensic investigations, the amplifiable amount of DNA was estimated in 20 urine specimens obtained from 10 male and 10 female volunteers using a DNA purification kit following dialfiltration. DNA obtained from both urine and urine stains was amplified with the AmpflSTR Profiler PCR Amplification Kit, and was analyzed by capillary electrophoresis using the Genetic Analyzer. The amount of male and female urine necessary for obtaining a complete DNA profile was 0.2 mL and 0.08 mL, respectively. When 0.2 mL of male urine were used to create urine stains, complete DNA profiles could be obtained from just some of the stains. However, when only 0.1 mL of female urine was used, complete profiles could be successfully obtained from all of the stains. DNA on bleached cotton remained amplifiable for 3-6 weeks. This method using a DNA purification kit following dialfiltration can be recommended for the genotyping of urine stains.