Detection of microRNAs in DNA Extractions for Forensic Biological Source Identification

Molecular‐based approaches for biological source identification are of great interest in the forensic community because of a lack of sensitivity and specificity in current methods. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been considered due to their robust nature and tissue specificity; however, analysis requires a separate RNA extraction, requiring an additional step in the forensic analysis workflow. The purpose of this study was to evaluate miRNA detection in blood, semen, and saliva using DNA extraction methods commonly utilized for forensic casework. RT‐qPCR analysis revealed that the tested miRNAs were consistently detectable across most tested DNA extraction methods, but detection was significantly reduced compared to RNA extracts in some biological fluids. DNase treatment was not necessary to achieve miRNA‐specific results. A previously developed miRNA panel for forensic body fluid identification was evaluated using DNA extracts, and largely demonstrated concordance with results from samples deriving from RNA extracts of semen, blood, and saliva.     

广西断奶仔猪猪圆环病毒2型的检测

对广西 16个养猪场的 2 2份断奶仔猪病料用PCR技术检测猪圆环病毒 2型 (PCV 2 ) ,对阳性病料进一步检测猪瘟病毒、猪生殖和呼吸系统综合征病毒、伪狂犬病病毒及细菌性病原。结果 ,从南宁市郊某猪场表现衰弱症状的病猪病料中检测出PCV 2 ,而这些病料没有检出猪瘟病毒、猪生殖和呼吸系统综合征病毒、伪狂犬病病毒及可疑细菌 ,证实广西存在PCV 2引起的断奶仔猪多系统衰弱综合征 (PMWS)。     

Social Responsibility in the Concept of the Social Enterprise as a Cognitive System

Abstract

The new concept of social responsibility is strongly linked to the idea of the social enterprise as a living system, that is, a system capable of regenerating itself by producing “knowledge” and “trust” resources. Nevertheless, these resources can only spring from a tight relationship with the reference environment in which the enterprise operates. This paper aims at making some first considerations on the relationship between social responsibility and the environment, and upon how the environment may develop in symbiosis with the “living company.”     

Mucosal Cell Isolation and Analysis from Cellular Mixtures of Three Contributors

In forensic genetic analyses, mixtures of various biological materials are common samples. Micromanipulation, which is performed based on differences in cellular morphology, is an effective method for the isolation of cells from mixtures. In this study, mucosal cell was isolated from somatic cellular mixtures (blood and saliva) based on micromanipulation and a low volume‐PCR (LV‐PCR) platform. One hundred and twenty‐six parallel LV‐PCR processes were performed using an Identifiler^® kit, with 107 reactions yielding single‐source DNA profiles. Among them, 54 full profiles (50%) and 37 partial profiles (13–15 loci) were obtained. Based on the above method, we obtained a single‐source DNA profile from a cigarette butt contaminated by two victims’ blood in a murder case. The generated genotype was used to query a DNA database, and a perfect match was found.     

Estimating Time Since Death from Postmortem Human Gut Microbial Communities

Postmortem succession of human‐associated microbial communities (“human microbiome”) has been suggested as a possible method for estimating postmortem interval (PMI) for forensic analyses. Here we evaluate human gut bacterial populations to determine quantifiable, time‐dependent changes postmortem. Gut microflora were repeatedly sampled from the proximal large intestine of 12 deceased human individuals as they decayed under environmental conditions. Three intestinal bacterial genera were quantified by quantitative PCR (qPCR) using group‐specific primers targeting 16S rRNA genes. Bacteroides and Lactobacillus relative abundances declined exponentially with increasing PMI at rates of N_t = 0.977e^?0.0144t (r² = 0.537, p < 0.001) and N_t = 0.019e^?0.0087t (r² = 0.396, p < 0.001), respectively, where N_t is relative abundance at time (t) in cumulative degree hours. Bifidobacterium relative abundances did not change significantly: N_t = 0.003e^?0.002t (r² = 0.033, p = 0.284). Therefore, Bacteroides and Lactobacillus abundances could be used as quantitative indicators of PMI.     

Evaluation of Direct PCR Amplification Using Various Swabs and Washing Reagents

DNA profiles were generated via direct amplification from blood and saliva samples deposited on various types of swab substrates. Each of the six non-FTA substrates used in this research was punched with a Harris 1.2 mm puncher. After 0.1 μL of blood or 0.5 μL saliva, samples were deposited on each of these punches, samples were pretreated with one of four buffers and washing reagents. Amplification was performed using direct and nondirect autosomal and Y-STR kits. Autosomal and Y-STR profiles were successfully generated from most of these substrates when pretreated with buffer or washing reagents. Concordant profiles were obtained within and between the six substrates, the six amplification kits, and all four reagents. The direct amplification of substrates which do not contain lysing agent would be beneficial to the forensic community as the procedure can be used on evidence samples commonly found at crime scenes.     

复方"连黄"对金黄色葡萄球菌耐药基因femA的影响

采用聚合酶链式反应(PCR)扩增金黄色葡萄球菌耐药基因femA;通过耐药基因失活试验,研究了中药复方"连黄"对金黄色葡萄球菌耐药基因femA的影响,探讨了中药"连黄"降低金黄色葡萄球菌对β-内酰胺类药物耐药性的作用机理。结果显示,中药"连黄"作用前后金黄色葡萄球菌的耐药基因femA在23~72碱基区发生较大改变,对应的氨基酸序列也发生改变,从而导致femA基因失活。