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Freire-Aradas A, Tomsia M, Piniewska-Róg D, Ambroa-Conde A, Casares de Cal MA, Pisarek A, Gómez-Tato A, Álvarez-Dios J, Pośpiech E, Parson W, Kayser M, Phillips C, Branicki W. Development of an epigenetic age predictor for costal cartilage with a simultaneous somatic tissue differentiation system. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2023; 67:102936. [PMID: 37783021 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2023.102936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Age prediction from DNA has been a topic of interest in recent years due to the promising results obtained when using epigenetic markers. Since DNA methylation gradually changes across the individual's lifetime, prediction models have been developed accordingly for age estimation. The tissue-dependence for this biomarker usually necessitates the development of tissue-specific age prediction models, in this way, multiple models for age inference have been constructed for the most commonly encountered forensic tissues (blood, oral mucosa, semen). The analysis of skeletal remains has also been attempted and prediction models for bone have now been reported. Recently, the VISAGE Enhanced Tool was developed for the simultaneous DNA methylation analysis of 8 age-correlated loci using targeted high-throughput sequencing. It has been shown that this method is compatible with epigenetic age estimation models for blood, buccal cells, and bone. Since when dealing with decomposed cadavers or postmortem samples, cartilage samples are also an important biological source, an age prediction model for cartilage has been generated in the present study based on methylation data collected using the VISAGE Enhanced Tool. In this way, we have developed a forensic cartilage age prediction model using a training set composed of 109 samples (19-74 age range) based on DNA methylation levels from three CpGs in FHL2, TRIM59 and KLF14, using multivariate quantile regression which provides a mean absolute error (MAE) of ± 4.41 years. An independent testing set composed of 72 samples (19-75 age range) was also analyzed and provided an MAE of ± 4.26 years. In addition, we demonstrate that the 8 VISAGE markers, comprising EDARADD, TRIM59, ELOVL2, MIR29B2CHG, PDE4C, ASPA, FHL2 and KLF14, can be used as tissue prediction markers which provide reliable blood, buccal cells, bone, and cartilage differentiation using a developed multinomial logistic regression model. A training set composed of 392 samples (n = 87 blood, n = 86 buccal cells, n = 110 bone and n = 109 cartilage) was used for building the model (correct classifications: 98.72%, sensitivity: 0.988, specificity: 0.996) and validation was performed using a testing set composed of 192 samples (n = 38 blood, n = 36 buccal cells, n = 46 bone and n = 72 cartilage) showing similar predictive success to the training set (correct classifications: 97.4%, sensitivity: 0.968, specificity: 0.991). By developing both a new cartilage age model and a tissue differentiation model, our study significantly expands the use of the VISAGE Enhanced Tool while increasing the amount of DNA methylation-based information obtained from a single sample and a single forensic laboratory analysis. Both models have been placed in the open-access Snipper forensic classification website.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Freire-Aradas
- Forensic Genetics Unit, Institute of Forensic Sciences, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - M Tomsia
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Forensic Toxicology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - D Piniewska-Róg
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| | - A Ambroa-Conde
- Forensic Genetics Unit, Institute of Forensic Sciences, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - M A Casares de Cal
- CITMAga (Center for Mathematical Research and Technology of Galicia), University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - A Pisarek
- Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - A Gómez-Tato
- CITMAga (Center for Mathematical Research and Technology of Galicia), University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - J Álvarez-Dios
- Faculty of Mathematics, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - E Pośpiech
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland; Department of Forensic Genetics, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Poland
| | - W Parson
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria; Forensic Science Program, Pennsylvania State University, PA, USA
| | - M Kayser
- Department of Forensic Molecular Biology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - C Phillips
- Forensic Genetics Unit, Institute of Forensic Sciences, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - W Branicki
- Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland; Institute of Forensic Research, Kraków, Poland.
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da Silva Rodrigues G, Noma IHY, Noronha NY, Watanabe LM, da Silva Sobrinho AC, de Lima JGR, Sae-Lee C, Benjamim CJR, Nonino CB, Bueno CR. Eight Weeks of Physical Training Decreases 2 Years of DNA Methylation Age of Sedentary Women. Res Q Exerc Sport 2023:1-11. [PMID: 37466924 DOI: 10.1080/02701367.2023.2228388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Purpose: The acceleration of epigenetic age is a predictor of mortality and contributes to the increase in chronic diseases. Adherence to a healthy lifestyle is a strategy to reduce epigenetic age. The present study aimed to determine whether eight weeks of combined (aerobic and strength) training (CT) can influence the epigenetic age of women between 50 and 70 years old and the differences in sites and methylated regions. Methods: Eighteen women (AARLow: lower age acceleration residual, n = 10; AARHigh: higher age acceleration residual, n = 8) participated in a combined exercise training program (60 minutes, 3× a week) for eight weeks. DNA was extracted from whole blood using the salting out technique. DNA methylation was performed using the array technique (Illumina's Infinium Methylation BeadChip 850k). We used the DNA Methylation Age Calculator platform to calculate the biological epigenetic age. Two-way ANOVA followed by FISHER LSD posthoc was Applied, adopting p < .05. Results: After eight weeks of CT, there were no changes to the epigenetic age acceleration for the AARLow group (PRE: -2.3 ± 3.2 to POST: -2.3 ± 3.6). However, the AARHigh group significantly decreased the age acceleration (PRE: 3.6 ± 2.6 to POST: 2.2 ± 2.7) (group effect, p = .01; time effect, p = .31; group vs. time effect, p = .005). Conclusion: CT for eight weeks benefits the epigenetic clock of women with the most accelerated age.
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Kayser M, Branicki W, Parson W, Phillips C. Recent advances in Forensic DNA Phenotyping of appearance, ancestry and age. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2023; 65:102870. [PMID: 37084623 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2023.102870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023]
Abstract
Forensic DNA Phenotyping (FDP) comprises the prediction of a person's externally visible characteristics regarding appearance, biogeographic ancestry and age from DNA of crime scene samples, to provide investigative leads to help find unknown perpetrators that cannot be identified with forensic STR-profiling. In recent years, FDP has advanced considerably in all of its three components, which we summarize in this review article. Appearance prediction from DNA has broadened beyond eye, hair and skin color to additionally comprise other traits such as eyebrow color, freckles, hair structure, hair loss in men, and tall stature. Biogeographic ancestry inference from DNA has progressed from continental ancestry to sub-continental ancestry detection and the resolving of co-ancestry patterns in genetically admixed individuals. Age estimation from DNA has widened beyond blood to more somatic tissues such as saliva and bones as well as new markers and tools for semen. Technological progress has allowed forensically suitable DNA technology with largely increased multiplex capacity for the simultaneous analysis of hundreds of DNA predictors with targeted massively parallel sequencing (MPS). Forensically validated MPS-based FDP tools for predicting from crime scene DNA i) several appearance traits, ii) multi-regional ancestry, iii) several appearance traits together with multi-regional ancestry, and iv) age from different tissue types, are already available. Despite recent advances that will likely increase the impact of FDP in criminal casework in the near future, moving reliable appearance, ancestry and age prediction from crime scene DNA to the level of detail and accuracy police investigators may desire, requires further intensified scientific research together with technical developments and forensic validations as well as the necessary funding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manfred Kayser
- Department of Genetic Identification, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Wojciech Branicki
- Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland,; Institute of Forensic Research, Kraków, Poland
| | - Walther Parson
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria; Forensic Science Program, The Pennsylvania State University, PA, USA
| | - Christopher Phillips
- Forensic Genetics Unit, Institute of Forensic Sciences, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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König L, Becker J, Reckert A, Ritz-Timme S. Molecular age estimation based on posttranslational protein modifications in bone: why the type of bone matters. Int J Legal Med 2023; 137:437-43. [PMID: 36648544 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-023-02948-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Age-at-death estimation is of great relevance for the identification of unknown deceased individuals. In skeletonised corpses, teeth and bones are theoretically available for age estimation, but in many cases, only single bones or even only bone fragments are available for examination. In these cases, conventional morphological methods may not be applicable, and the application of molecular methods may be considered. Protein-based molecular methods based on the D-aspartic acid (D-Asp) or pentosidine (Pen) content have already been successfully applied to bone samples. However, the impact of the analysed type of bone has not yet been systematically investigated, and it is still unclear whether data from samples of one skeletal region (e.g. skull) can also be used for age estimation for samples of other regions (e.g. femur). To address this question, D-Asp and Pen were analysed in bone samples from three skeletal regions (skull, clavicle, and rib), each from the same individual. Differences between the bone types were tested by t-test, and correlation coefficients (ρ) were calculated according to Spearman. In all types of bone, an age-dependent accumulation of D-Asp and Pen was observed. However, both parameters (D-Asp and Pen) exhibited significant differences between bone samples from different anatomical regions. These differences can be explained by differences in structure and metabolism in the examined bone types and have to be addressed in age estimation based on D-Asp and Pen. In future studies, bone type-specific training and test data have to be collected, and bone type-specific models have to be established.
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Ghemrawi M, Tejero NF, Duncan G, McCord B. Pyrosequencing: Current forensic methodology and future applications-a review. Electrophoresis 2023; 44:298-312. [PMID: 36168852 DOI: 10.1002/elps.202200177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The recent development of small, single-amplicon-based benchtop systems for pyrosequencing has opened up a host of novel procedures for applications in forensic science. Pyrosequencing is a sequencing by synthesis technique, based on chemiluminescent inorganic pyrophosphate detection. This review explains the pyrosequencing workflow and illustrates the step-by-step chemistry, followed by a description of the assay design and factors to keep in mind for an exemplary assay. Existing and potential forensic applications are highlighted using this technology. Current applications include identifying species, identifying bodily fluids, and determining smoking status. We also review progress in potential applications for the future, including research on distinguishing monozygotic twins, detecting alcohol and drug abuse, and other phenotypic characteristics such as diet and body mass index. Overall, the versatility of the pyrosequencing technologies renders it a useful tool in forensic genomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirna Ghemrawi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Nicole Fernandez Tejero
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - George Duncan
- Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography, Nova Southeastern University, Dania Beach, Florida, USA
| | - Bruce McCord
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
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Maskey N, Hameedi S, Dawoud A, Jacksi K, Al-Sadoon OHR, Salahuddin ABE. DCPV: A Taxonomy for Deep Learning Model in Computer Aided System for Human Age Detection. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems 2023:64-79. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-35308-6_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
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Teglind R, Dawidson I, Balkefors J, Alkass K. Analysis of 14C, 13C and Aspartic Acid Racemization in Teeth and Bones to Facilitate Identification of Unknown Human Remains: Outcomes of Practical Casework. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11111655. [PMID: 34827653 PMCID: PMC8615977 DOI: 10.3390/biom11111655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The identification of unknown human remains represents an important task in forensic casework. If there are no clues as to the identity of the remains, then the age, sex, and origin are the most important factors to limit the search for a matching person. Here, we present the outcome of application of so-called bomb pulse radiocarbon (14C derived from above-ground nuclear bomb tests during 1955–1963) analysis to birthdate human remains. In nine identified cases, 14C analysis of tooth crowns provided an estimate of the true date of birth with an average absolute error of 1.2 ± 0.8 years. Analysis of 14C in tooth roots also showed a good precision with an average absolute error of 2.3 ± 2.5 years. Levels of 14C in bones can determine whether a subject has lived after 1955 or not, but more precise carbon turnover data for bones would be needed to calculate date of birth and date of death. Aspartic acid racemization analysis was performed on samples from four cases; in one of these, the year of birth could be predicted with good precision, whereas the other three cases are still unidentified. The stable isotope 13C was analyzed in tooth crowns to estimate provenance. Levels of 13C indicative of Scandinavian provenance were found in known Scandinavian subjects. Teeth from four Polish subjects all showed higher 13C levels than the average for Scandinavian subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecka Teglind
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institute, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden;
- Department of Forensic Medicine, The National Board of Forensic Medicine, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Irena Dawidson
- Department of Forensic Medicine, The National Board of Forensic Medicine, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Jonas Balkefors
- Tandem Laboratory, Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University, 751 20 Uppsala, Sweden;
| | - Kanar Alkass
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institute, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden;
- Department of Forensic Medicine, The National Board of Forensic Medicine, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden;
- Correspondence:
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Becker J, Naue J, Reckert A, Böhme P, Ritz-timme S. Nutzung von Altersinformationen aus posttranslationalen Proteinmodifikationen und DNA-Methylierung zur postmortalen Lebensaltersschätzung: Konzept und Ergebnisse einer Pilotstudie. Rechtsmedizin (Berl) 2021; 31:234-42. [DOI: 10.1007/s00194-021-00489-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
ZusammenfassungMit der Identifikation und Beschreibung „molekularer Uhren“ (posttranslationale Proteinmodifikationen, DNA-Methylierung) eröffnen sich neue Möglichkeiten zur Entwicklung von Verfahren zur postmortalen Lebensaltersschätzung. Bislang werden diese Ansätze aber nur unabhängig voneinander eingesetzt. Ihre Verknüpfung verspricht eine bessere Erfassung hochkomplexer Alterungsprozesse und damit die Möglichkeit zur Entwicklung optimierter Verfahren zur Altersschätzung für verschiedenste Szenarien der forensischen Praxis.In Vorbereitung umfangreicher Untersuchungen zur Überprüfung dieser Hypothese wurden verschiedene molekulare Uhren (Akkumulation von D‑Asparaginsäure, Akkumulation von Pentosidin und DNA-Methylierungsmarker [RPA2, ZYG11A, F5, HOXC4, NKIRAS2, TRIM59, ELOVL2, DDO, KLF14 und PDE4C]) in 4 fäulnisresistenten Geweben (Knochen, Sehne, Bandscheibe, Epiglottis) von 15 Individuen untersucht.In allen untersuchten Geweben fand sich eine starke Korrelation beider Proteinmarker sowie jeweils mehrerer DNA-Methylierungsmarker mit dem Lebensalter. Dabei zeigten die untersuchten Parameter gewebsspezifische Veränderungen mit dem Alter.Die Ergebnisse der Pilotstudie belegen das Potenzial der Verknüpfung molekularer Verfahren für die postmortale Altersschätzung. Weitere Untersuchungen werden zeigen, wie genau postmortale Altersschätzungen sein können, wenn Altersinformationen aus posttranslationalen Proteinmodifikationen und DNA-Methylierung aus verschiedenen Geweben in multivariaten Modellen verknüpft werden.
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Siahaan T, Reckert A, Becker J, Eickhoff SB, Koop B, Gündüz T, Böhme P, Mayer F, Küppers L, Wagner W, Ritz-Timme S. Molecular and morphological findings in a sample of oral surgery patients: What can we learn for multivariate concepts for age estimation? J Forensic Sci 2021; 66:1524-1532. [PMID: 33942892 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
It has already been proposed that a combined use of different molecular and morphological markers of aging in multivariate models may result in a greater accuracy of age estimation. However, such an approach can be complex and expensive, and not every combination may be useful. The significance and usefulness of combined analyses of D-aspartic acid in dentine, pentosidine in dentine, DNA methylation in buccal swabs at five genomic regions (PDE4C, RPA2, ELOVL2, DDO, and EDARADD), and third molar mineralization were tested by investigating a sample of 90 oral surgery patients. Machine learning models for age estimation were trained and evaluated, and the contribution of each parameter to multivariate models was tested by assessment of the predictor importance. For models based on D-aspartic acid, pentosidine, and the combination of both, mean absolute errors (MAEs) of 2.93, 3.41, and 2.68 years were calculated, respectively. The additional inclusion of the five DNAm markers did not improve the results. The sole DNAm-based model revealed a MAE of 4.14 years. In individuals under 28 years of age, the combination of the DNAm markers with the third molar mineralization stages reduced the MAE from 3.85 to 2.81 years. Our findings confirm that the combination of parameters in multivariate models may be very useful for age estimation. However, the inclusion of many parameters does not necessarily lead to better results. It is a task for future research to identify the best selection of parameters for the different requirements in forensic practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatjana Siahaan
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Alexandra Reckert
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Julia Becker
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Simon B Eickhoff
- Institute for Systems Neuroscience, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany.,Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Brain & Behaviour (INM-7), Research Centre Juelich, Juelich, Germany
| | - Barbara Koop
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Tanju Gündüz
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Petra Böhme
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Felix Mayer
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Lisa Küppers
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Wagner
- Helmholtz-Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Stem Cell Biology and Cellular Engineering, RWTH Aachen University Medical School, Aachen, Germany
| | - Stefanie Ritz-Timme
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
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Böhme P, Reckert A, Becker J, Ritz-timme S. Molecular methods for age estimation: The current state of the art in relation to specific demands of forensic practice. Rechtsmedizin (Berl) 2021; 31:177-82. [DOI: 10.1007/s00194-021-00490-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Mahlke NS, Renhart S, Talaa D, Reckert A, Ritz-Timme S. Molecular clocks in ancient proteins: Do they reflect the age at death even after millennia? Int J Legal Med 2021; 135:1225-1233. [PMID: 33595689 PMCID: PMC8205898 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-021-02522-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Age at death estimation in cases of human skeletal finds is an important task in forensic medicine as well as in anthropology. In forensic medicine, methods based on “molecular clocks” in dental tissues and bone play an increasing role. The question, whether these methods are applicable also in cases with post-depositional intervals far beyond the forensically relevant period, was investigated for two “protein clocks”, the accumulation of D-aspartic acid (D-Asp) and the accumulation of pentosidine (Pen) in dentine. Eight teeth of skeletons from different burial sites in Austria and with post-depositional intervals between c. 1216 and c. 8775 years were analysed. The results of age at death estimation based on D-Asp and Pen in dentine were compared to that derived from a classical morphological examination. Age at death estimation based on D-Asp resulted consistently in false high values. This finding can be explained by a post-mortem accumulation of D-Asp that may be enhanced by protein degradation. In contrast, the Pen-based age estimates fitted well with the morphological age diagnoses. The described effect of post-mortem protein degradation is negligible in forensically relevant time horizons, but not for post-depositional intervals of thousands of years. That means that the “D-Asp clock” loses its functionality with increasing post-depositional intervals, whereas Pen seems to be very stable. The “Pen-clock” may have the potential to become an interesting supplement to the existing repertoire of methods even in cases with extremely long post-depositional intervals. Further investigations have to test this hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Sophia Mahlke
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Silvia Renhart
- Department of Archaeology & Coin Cabinet, Joanneum Universal Museum, Graz, Austria
| | - Dorothea Talaa
- Regional Archaeology, Direction of the Museum "Das Dorf des Welan", Wöllersdorf-Steinabrückl, Austria
| | - Alexandra Reckert
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Stefanie Ritz-Timme
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
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Mohajer B, Abbasi N, Mohammadi E, Khazaie H, Osorio RS, Rosenzweig I, Eickhoff CR, Zarei M, Tahmasian M, Eickhoff SB. Gray matter volume and estimated brain age gap are not linked with sleep-disordered breathing. Hum Brain Mapp 2020; 41:3034-3044. [PMID: 32239749 PMCID: PMC7336142 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.24995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Revised: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) and sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) are prevalent conditions with a rising burden. It is suggested that SDB may contribute to cognitive decline and advanced aging. Here, we assessed the link between self-reported SDB and gray matter volume in patients with AD, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and healthy controls (HCs). We further investigated whether SDB was associated with advanced brain aging. We included a total of 330 participants, divided based on self-reported history of SDB, and matched across diagnoses for age, sex and presence of the Apolipoprotein E4 allele, from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). Gray-matter volume was measured using voxel-wise morphometry and group differences in terms of SDB, cognitive status, and their interaction were assessed. Further, using an age-prediction model fitted on gray-matter data of external datasets, we predicted study participants' age from their structural images. Cognitive decline and advanced age were associated with lower gray matter volume in various regions, particularly in the bilateral temporal lobes. Brains age was well predicted from the morphological data in HCs and, as expected, elevated in MCI and particularly in AD subjects. However, there was neither a significant difference between regional gray matter volume in any diagnostic group related to the SDB status, nor in SDB-by-cognitive status interaction. Moreover, we found no difference in estimated chronological age gap related to SDB, or by-cognitive status interaction. Contrary to our hypothesis, we were not able to find a general or a diagnostic-dependent association of SDB with either gray-matter volumetric or brain aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahram Mohajer
- Institute of Medical Science and Technology, Shahid Beheshti UniversityTehranIran
- Non‐Communicable Diseases Research CenterEndocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Nooshin Abbasi
- McConnell Brain Imaging CentreMontreal Neurological Institute, McGill UniversityMontrealQuebecCanada
| | - Esmaeil Mohammadi
- Institute of Medical Science and Technology, Shahid Beheshti UniversityTehranIran
- Non‐Communicable Diseases Research CenterEndocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Habibolah Khazaie
- Sleep Disorders Research CenterKermanshah University of Medical SciencesKermanshahIran
| | - Ricardo S. Osorio
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Brain Health, NYU Langone Medical CenterNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric ResearchNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Ivana Rosenzweig
- Sleep Disorders CentreGuy's and St Thomas' Hospital, GSTT NHSLondonUK
- Sleep and Brain Plasticity Centre, Department of NeuroimagingIOPPN, King's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Claudia R. Eickhoff
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM‐1; INM‐7), Research Center JülichJülichGermany
- Institute of Clinical Neuroscience and Medical Psychology, Heinrich Heine UniversityDüsseldorfGermany
| | - Mojtaba Zarei
- Institute of Medical Science and Technology, Shahid Beheshti UniversityTehranIran
| | - Masoud Tahmasian
- Institute of Medical Science and Technology, Shahid Beheshti UniversityTehranIran
| | - Simon B. Eickhoff
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM‐1; INM‐7), Research Center JülichJülichGermany
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, Medical Faculty, Heinrich‐Heine UniversityDüsseldorfGermany
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13
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Koop BE, Mayer F, Gündüz T, Blum J, Becker J, Schaffrath J, Wagner W, Han Y, Boehme P, Ritz-Timme S. Postmortem age estimation via DNA methylation analysis in buccal swabs from corpses in different stages of decomposition-a "proof of principle" study. Int J Legal Med 2020; 135:167-173. [PMID: 32632799 PMCID: PMC7782454 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-020-02360-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Age estimation based on the analysis of DNA methylation patterns has become a focus of forensic research within the past few years. However, there is little data available regarding postmortem DNA methylation analysis yet, and literature mainly encompasses analysis of blood from corpses without any signs of decomposition. It is not entirely clear yet which other types of specimen are suitable for postmortem epigenetic age estimation, and if advanced decomposition may affect methylation patterns of CpG sites. In living persons, buccal swabs are an easily accessible source of DNA for epigenetic age estimation. In this work, the applicability of this approach (buccal swabs as source of DNA) under different postmortem conditions was tested. Methylation levels of PDE4C were investigated in buccal swab samples collected from 73 corpses (0–90 years old; mean: 51.2) in different stages of decomposition. Moreover, buccal swab samples from 142 living individuals (0–89 years old; mean 41.2) were analysed. As expected, methylation levels exhibited a high correlation with age in living individuals (training set: r2 = 0.87, validation set: r2 = 0.85). This was also the case in postmortem samples (r2 = 0.90), independent of the state of decomposition. Only in advanced putrified cases with extremely low DNA amounts, epigenetic age estimation was not possible. In conclusion, buccal swabs are a suitable and easy to collect source for DNA methylation analysis as long as sufficient amounts of DNA are present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Elisabeth Koop
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Düsseldorf, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Felix Mayer
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Düsseldorf, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Tanju Gündüz
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Düsseldorf, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Jacqueline Blum
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Düsseldorf, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Julia Becker
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Düsseldorf, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Judith Schaffrath
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Düsseldorf, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Wagner
- Helmholtz-Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Stem Cell Biology and Cellular Engineering, RWTH Aachen Faculty of Medicine, Aachen, Germany
| | - Yang Han
- Helmholtz-Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Stem Cell Biology and Cellular Engineering, RWTH Aachen Faculty of Medicine, Aachen, Germany
| | - Petra Boehme
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Düsseldorf, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Stefanie Ritz-Timme
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Düsseldorf, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
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14
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Márquez-Ruiz AB, González-Herrera L, Luna JDD, Valenzuela A. DNA methylation levels and telomere length in human teeth: usefulness for age estimation. Int J Legal Med 2020; 134:451-459. [PMID: 31897670 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-019-02242-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
In the last decade, increasing knowledge of epigenetics has led to the development of DNA methylation-based models to predict age, which have shown high predictive accuracy. However, despite the value of teeth as forensic samples, few studies have focused on this source of DNA. This study used bisulfite pyrosequencing to measure the methylation levels of specific CpG sites located in the ELOVL2, ASPA, and PDE4C genes, with the aim of selecting the most age-informative genes and determining their associations with age, in 65 tooth samples from individuals 15 to 85 years old. As a second aim, methylation data and measurements of relative telomere length in the same set of samples were used to develop preliminary age prediction models to evaluate the accuracy of both biomarkers together and separately in estimating age from teeth for forensic purposes. In our sample, several CpG sites from ELOVL2 and PDE4C genes, as well as telomere length, were significantly associated with chronological age. We developed age prediction quantile regression models based on DNA methylation levels, with and without telomere length as an additional variable, and adjusted for type of tooth and sex. Our results suggest that telomere length may have limited usefulness as a supplementary marker for DNA methylation-based age estimation in tooth samples, given that it contributed little improvement in the prediction errors of the models. In addition, even at older ages, DNA methylation appeared to be more informative in predicting age than telomere length when both biomarkers were evaluated separately.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Belén Márquez-Ruiz
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, Avda. de la Investigación, 11, 18016, Granada, Spain.
| | - Lucas González-Herrera
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, Avda. de la Investigación, 11, 18016, Granada, Spain
| | - Juan de Dios Luna
- Department of Statistics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, Avda. de la Investigación, 11, 18016, Granada, Spain
| | - Aurora Valenzuela
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, Avda. de la Investigación, 11, 18016, Granada, Spain
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