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Zapico SC, Stadler C, Roca G. Assessment of body fluid identification and DNA profiling after exposure to tropical weather conditions. J Forensic Sci 2024; 69:631-639. [PMID: 38146797 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.15453] [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: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
Despite current advances in body fluid identification, there are few studies evaluating the effect of environmental conditions. The present work assessed the detection of body fluids, blood, semen, and saliva, through lateral flow immunochromatographic (LFI) tests, exposed to tropical weather conditions over time, also evaluating the possibility of obtaining STR (short tandem repeat) profiles and identifying mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) polymorphisms. Blood, semen, saliva samples, and mixtures of these fluids were deposited on polyester clothes and exposed to open-air tropical weather conditions for 1 month. The test versions from LFI (SERATEC®, Germany) Lab and crime scene (CS) used for the detection - one per each body fluid type - demonstrated that it is possible to identify body fluids and their mixtures up to 14 days after deposition. At 30 days, blood and semen were detected but not saliva. Full STR profiles were obtained from 14-day-old blood samples, and partial profiles were obtained from the remaining samples. It was possible to sequence mtDNA in the samples previously analyzed for STR profiling, and haplogroups could be assigned. In conclusion, this study demonstrated for the first time the possibility of body fluid identification and DNA profiling after exposure to tropical weather conditions for 1 month and also demonstrated the value of mtDNA analysis for compromised biological evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara C Zapico
- Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey, USA
- Anthropology Department, Laboratories of Analytical Biology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | | | - Gabriela Roca
- SERATEC®, Gesellschaft für Biotechnologie mbH, Göttingen, Germany
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C Zapico S, Matos S, Conte J. Assessment of the efficiency of DNA isolation and profiling applying a temperature-driven method in human remains. Electrophoresis 2024. [PMID: 38247192 DOI: 10.1002/elps.202300273] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
The identification of human remains is of utmost importance in a variety of scenarios. One of the primary identification methods is DNA. DNA extraction from human remains could be difficult, particularly in situations where the remains have been exposed to environmental conditions and other insults. Several studies tried to improve extraction by applying different approaches. ForensicGEM Universal (MicroGem) is a single-tube approach to DNA extraction and a temperature-driven method that could have some advantages with respect to previous techniques, among them, reducing the risk of contamination, not requiring specialized equipment, or several steps to perform. The aim of this study was to assess, for the first time, the efficiency of DNA extraction and quality of STR profiles applying the MicroGem protocol and modifications of this protocol from tooth samples in comparison with automatic extraction (AE). Our results indicated that AE and MicroGem performed similar, though with variability depending on the MicroGem modifications, increasing the DNA yield and STR profile quality when DNA is concentrated with Microcon. These findings demonstrated the efficiency of this methodology for DNA extraction from human remains while also providing a simple and quick technique suitable to apply in a variety of forensic scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara C Zapico
- Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey, USA
- National Museum of Natural History, Anthropology Department and Laboratories of Analytical Biology, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Shayla Matos
- Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Jillian Conte
- Conte Forensic Consulting, LLC, Peckville, Pennsylvania, USA
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Zapico SC, Roca G. Making the Most of Lateral Flow Immunochromatographic Tests: An Efficient Protocol to Recover DNA. Methods Protoc 2024; 7:8. [PMID: 38251201 PMCID: PMC10801598 DOI: 10.3390/mps7010008] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Lateral flow immunochromatographic (LFI) tests are widely used in both biomedical and forensic sciences for different applications. In forensic sciences, their main use is to detect body fluids at crime scenes. However, there are situations in which the amount of potential biological evidence is so low that DNA extraction is favored with respect to the identification of body fluids. Here, an efficient and quick protocol is presented to integrate the detection of body fluids through LFI with DNA extraction from a sample swab and buffer, providing a complete characterization of the biological evidence. This protocol is a modification of a general DNA extraction silica-based kit, whose main application is for blood and tissues. Thus, it could be carried out in different settings (forensic labs, hospitals, other testing labs) without the necessity of buying a specific kit for swabs. The validation of this protocol is supported by the results presented here and previous publications from our group, obtaining DNA in good quantity and with good quality. This proves the potential application of the protocol in both forensic scenarios, to fully characterize biological evidence, and biomedical settings, to molecularly confirm the results of LFI tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara C. Zapico
- Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102, USA
- Anthropology Department and Laboratories of Analytical Biology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20560, USA
| | - Gabriela Roca
- SERATEC Gesellschaft für Biotechnologie mbH, 37079 Göttingen, Germany;
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C Zapico S, Roca G. A spit in time: identification of saliva stains and assessment of total DNA recovery up to 180 days after deposition. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2023:10.1007/s12024-023-00691-6. [PMID: 37581750 DOI: 10.1007/s12024-023-00691-6] [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] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
The main aim of this work was to validate the detection of saliva samples from denim, cotton, and polyester fabrics aged up to six months, applying rapid immunochromatographic tests resulting in the analysis of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA recovered. A comparison was also carried out between two saliva detection tests, Laboratory and Crime Scene. 50 μl saliva samples (three per time and test) were deposited on denim, cotton, and polyester fabrics. After 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, 30, 60, 90, 150, and 180 days of storage at room temperature, the samples were recovered by swabbing and detected by SERATEC® Amylase (Laboratory) test and SERATEC® SALIVA CS (Crime Scene) test (SERATEC®, Göttingen, Germany). DNA was isolated from the swab extraction buffer applying a silica-based methodology, and quantified based on fluorescent and human-specific quantifications. Then, it was submitted to STR profiling and mtDNA sequencing. According to our results, saliva stains up to six months after deposition remain valid specimens. The intensity of the bands varied among fabric type and time. Total DNA was successfully recovered from all tested samples, though with the limitations of obtaining partial nuclear DNA profiles from the oldest samples. In contrast, complete characterization of mtDNA was achieved from all samples. Lab and CS tests performed similar on the detection of saliva, as well as, DNA yield and profiling. Future research will be able to expand these results, analyzing the stability of other body fluids and the sensitivity of rapid immunochromatographic tests to detect them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara C Zapico
- Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology, 161 Warren Street, Tiernan Hall, 365, Newark, New Jersey, 07102, USA.
- Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Anthropology Department, 10th and Constitution Ave, PO 37012, NW, 20560, Washington DC, USA.
| | - Gabriela Roca
- SERATEC®, Gesellschaft für Biotechnologie mbH. Ernst-Ruhstrat-Strasse 5, Göttingen, 37079, Germany
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Rubio L, Suárez J, Martin-de-las-Heras S, C. Zapico S. Partners in Postmortem Interval Estimation: X-ray Diffraction and Fourier Transform Spectroscopy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076793. [PMID: 37047764 PMCID: PMC10094861 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The postmortem interval (PMI) is difficult to estimate in later stages of decomposition. There is therefore a need to develop reliable methodologies to estimate late PMI. This study aims to assess whether there is a correlation between changes in the mineral composition of human teeth and the estimation of PMI. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy techniques were performed to address this challenge. Forty healthy human teeth obtained from odontological clinics were stored at different times (0, 10, 25, 50 years; N = 10/group). XRD and ATR-FTIR parameters related to the structure and composition of teeth were studied. Our results showed that the crystallinity index, crystal size index, mineral-to-organic matrix ratio (M/M) and carbonate/phosphate ratio (C/P) had the strongest association with PMI. For larger PMIs, there was a significant increase in crystallinity, crystal size and M/M ratio, while the C/P ratio showed a specific decrease with increasing PMI. According to our results, the parameters of crystallinity, crystal size, M/M ratio and C/P ratio can be considered highly accurate in determining a PMI of 10 years of data; crystallinity and mineral maturity can be considered useful in determining a PMI of 25 years; and crystallinity and mineral maturity can be considered highly accurate in determining a PMI of 50 years. A particular XRD index was identified as the most suitable parameter to estimate PMI: crystallinity. The joint use of XRD and ATR-FTIR analyses could be a promising alternative for dating human teeth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leticia Rubio
- Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program, Department of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Tiernan Hall 365, Newark, NJ 07102, USA
- Departamento de Anatomía Humana, Medicina Legal e Historia de la Ciencia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga-IBIMA, 29590 Málaga, Spain
- Department of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Tiernan Hall 365, Newark, NJ 07102, USA
| | - Juan Suárez
- Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program, Department of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Tiernan Hall 365, Newark, NJ 07102, USA
- Departamento de Anatomía Humana, Medicina Legal e Historia de la Ciencia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga-IBIMA, 29590 Málaga, Spain
- Department of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Tiernan Hall 365, Newark, NJ 07102, USA
| | - Stella Martin-de-las-Heras
- Departamento de Anatomía Humana, Medicina Legal e Historia de la Ciencia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga-IBIMA, 29590 Málaga, Spain
| | - Sara C. Zapico
- Department of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Tiernan Hall 365, Newark, NJ 07102, USA
- Department of Anthropology, NMNH-MRC 112, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20560, USA
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C. Zapico S, Dytso A, Rubio L, Roca G. The Perfect Match: Assessment of Sample Collection Efficiency for Immunological and Molecular Findings in Different Types of Fabrics. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810686. [PMID: 36142599 PMCID: PMC9502974 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Body fluid identification at crime scenes can be crucial in retrieving the appropriate evidence that leads to the perpetrator and, in some cases, the victim. For this purpose, immunochromatographic tests are simple, fast and suitable for crime scenes. The potential sample is retrieved with a swab, normally a cotton swab, moistened in a specific buffer. Nonetheless, there are other swab types available, which have been proven to be efficient for DNA isolation and analysis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficiency of different swab types for body fluid identification as well as DNA isolation and characterization. Fifty microliters of human saliva were deposited in three different types of fabric (denim, cotton, and polyester). After 24 h at room temperature, samples were recovered by applying three different swab types, and the tests were performed. Subsequently, total DNA was recovered from the sample buffer. Cotton swabs performed worse in denim and cotton fabrics in both immunochromatography tests and DNA yield. No differences were observed for polyester. In contrast, and except for two replicates, it was possible to obtain a full DNA profile per fabric and swab type, and to identify the mtDNA haplogroup. In this paper, the impact of swab types on body fluid identification through the application of immunochromatographic tests is analyzed for the first time. This work corroborates previous research related to the influence of swab types in nuclear DNA isolation and characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara C. Zapico
- New Jersey Institute of Technology, Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science, 161 Warren Street, Tiernan Hall, 365, Newark, NJ 07102, USA
- Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Anthropology Department, 10th and Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20560, USA
- Correspondence: or
| | - Alex Dytso
- New Jersey Institute of Technology, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University Heights, Newark, NJ 07102, USA
| | - Leticia Rubio
- Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program, Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science, 161 Warren Street, Tiernan Hall, 365, Newark, NJ 07102, USA or
- Department of Human Anatomy and Legal Medicine, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain
| | - Gabriela Roca
- SERATEC®, Gesellschaft für Biotechnologie mbH, Ernst-Ruhstrat-Strasse 5, 37079 Göttingen, Germany
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C. Zapico S, Ubelaker DH. Application of Aspartic Acid Racemization for Age Estimation in a Spanish Sample. Biology 2022; 11:biology11060856. [PMID: 35741377 PMCID: PMC9220174 DOI: 10.3390/biology11060856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary For the correct identification of human skeletal remains, age is one of the key parameters. However, in adult individuals, this estimation is more difficult as it is not based on growing markers but on degeneration of the skeleton and the teeth. Thus, it can be very variable and less precise than age estimation in children and adolescents. The application of biochemical techniques, with their roots in aging research, could help to improve this estimation. This article presents the application of one of these approaches, aspartic acid racemization, to test its accuracy in a Spanish sample. This is based on the conversion of L-aspartic acid, the regular form of the amino acid in our proteins, into D-aspartic acid, its mirror image. The proportions of D-aspartic acid/L-aspartic acid increase with aging, enabling the determination of age in a more precise way than by applying forensic anthropology methodologies. This paper demonstrates that it was possible to apply this technique in a Spanish sample, obtaining accuracies of ±5 years of actual age. Additional studies should be developed to improve these estimates and to combine this technique with forensic anthropology methods. Abstract Correct age-at-death estimation in adult individuals is one of the challenges of forensic investigation. Forensic anthropology macroscopic techniques are non-invasive methods for this purpose. However, several methods need to be applied to accurately estimate age, and the difference between chronological and predictive age may still be around ±10 years. New research trends are focused on the inherent process of aging, which produces changes in tissues and organs at different biochemical levels. One of the oldest and most studied approaches in this field is aspartic acid racemization. The accuracy of this technique in age estimation has been widely demonstrated. However, only a few studies have assessed its accuracy in different populations. The aim of this research was to assess the accuracy of aspartic acid racemization in a Spanish sample and its applicability to forensic cases. Dentin from fifteen third molars from two Spanish populations (ages 19–70 years old) was isolated and D and L forms of aspartic acid were detected through GC/MS, according to a previous published protocol. D/L ratios were calculated and after the application of a regression analysis, a formula for age estimation was developed. The results were similar to previous studies, obtaining an R = 0.91 between racemization ratios and age and a mean absolute error (MAE) between chronological and predictive age of 5 years. These results were ratified by leave-one-out cross-validation, as well as the application of the formula to five teeth of a known age. Despite these promising results, this technique is not exempt from drawbacks; thus, further studies are required to apply this methodology to forensic cases and to combine it with forensic anthropology findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara C. Zapico
- Department of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Tiernan Hall 365, Newark, NJ 07102, USA
- Department of Anthropology, NMNH-MRC 112, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20560, USA;
- Correspondence:
| | - Douglas H. Ubelaker
- Department of Anthropology, NMNH-MRC 112, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20560, USA;
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Zapico SC, Adserias-Garriga J. Estimation of sex based on postcranial elements in European American and Latin American populations. J Forensic Leg Med 2020; 77:102098. [PMID: 33338798 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2020.102098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This study assesses the use of postcranial elements for sex estimation taking population variability into account. European American and Latin American populations are independently analyzed. Nine measurements from postcranial elements were collected from 72 European American individuals, and 59 Latin American individuals. Statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 15. Statistical analyses were conducted to corroborate that there were no intra- or interobserver errors. In both populations, significant differences were found on all measured traits between males and females, except Scapular Breadth in Latin Americans. According to Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA) in the European American population the Ulna Minimum Breadth of the Olecranon (UMBO) correctly classified 91.3% of individuals. When this parameter was combined with the Diameter of Humeral Head (HHD), the two correctly classified 98% of individuals. In Latin Americans, the UMBO correctly classified 82.4% of the individuals. When combined with HHD, the measurements correctly classified 79.4% individuals. UMBO is the most useful trait to correctly assign the sex of the remains in both populations. Including the HHD improved accuracy rates in the European American sample. These results are in agreement with previous studies, which named the humerus as one of the potentially useful bones to consider for sex estimation based on its accuracy. Thus, these two anatomical regions could be used alone or in combination with other methodologies for sex estimation, which is particularly important in situations of fragmentary remains and incomplete skeletons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara C Zapico
- International Forensic Research Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States; Department of Anthropology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, United States.
| | - Joe Adserias-Garriga
- Department of Applied Forensic Sciences, Mercyhurst University, Erie, PA, United States
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De Alcaraz-Fossoul J, Zapico SC, Dean ER, Mueller KE, Johnson C, Roberts KA. Evaluation of latent fingermark color contrast as aging parameter under different environmental conditions: A preliminary study. J Forensic Sci 2020; 66:719-736. [PMID: 33270933 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14635] [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: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
This research expands previous studies in which color contrast between ridges and furrows of powder-enhanced latent fingermarks was explored as a possible aging parameter. The main goal is to test the sensitivity of the technique across a predetermined set of factors. In this case, experiment factors have included two donors who deposited sebaceous- and eccrine-rich fingermarks onto ceramic tile and polystyrene plastic. These were developed with either black carbon or titanium dioxide powder (TiO2 ) over eight time periods (0-72 days) and aged under three light conditions (direct light, shade, and darkness). The mean intensity (MI) and intensity amplitude (IA) metrics of color were collected from each image for statistical analyses. Results show that color contrast is affected significantly by substrate, secretion, and powder types, with an interaction effect between the substrate and powder type on both MI and IA metrics. The degree of light exposure did not have a noticeable impact on distinguishing aging patterns of fingermarks by neither powder methods. Different aging patterns were detected between sebaceous-rich and their eccrine-rich counterparts for all light conditions using regression analysis. All eccrine-rich fingermarks exhibited little (or minimal) change in IA over time, whereas sebaceous-rich samples showed varied patterns, from significant decreases to slight increases. These findings confirm and expand previous observations on the potential use of MI and IA as metrics to study latent fingermark degradation patterns that could eventually be used to estimate the age of a fingermark.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josep De Alcaraz-Fossoul
- Forensic Science Department, Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Sara C Zapico
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, International Forensic Research Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Emily R Dean
- Forensic Science Department, Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Katherine E Mueller
- Forensic Science Department, Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Cathy Johnson
- School of Criminal Justice and Criminalistics, California Forensic Science Institute, Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center, California State University, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Katherine A Roberts
- School of Criminal Justice and Criminalistics, California Forensic Science Institute, Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center, California State University, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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C. Zapico S, Crucet K, Antevska A, Fernandez‐Paradas R, Burns C, DeGaglia C, Ubelaker DH. From your eyes only: Efficiency of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA isolation from contact lenses at crime scenes. Electrophoresis 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/elps.202000140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sara C. Zapico
- International Forensic Research Institute (IFRI) Florida International University Miami FL USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Florida International University Miami FL USA
- National Museum of Natural History Smithsonian Institution Washington DC USA
| | - Krizia Crucet
- International Forensic Research Institute (IFRI) Florida International University Miami FL USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Florida International University Miami FL USA
| | | | - Rosalina Fernandez‐Paradas
- International Forensic Research Institute (IFRI) Florida International University Miami FL USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Florida International University Miami FL USA
| | - Christina Burns
- International Forensic Research Institute (IFRI) Florida International University Miami FL USA
| | - Cassandra DeGaglia
- National Museum of Natural History Smithsonian Institution Washington DC USA
| | - Douglas H. Ubelaker
- National Museum of Natural History Smithsonian Institution Washington DC USA
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De Alcaraz‐Fossoul J, Tully‐Doyle R, Weber AR, Barrot Feixat C, Zapico SC, Rivera Cardenas N, Sirard MJ, Graber RP. A Small Population Study on Friction Skin Ridges: Differences in Ridge Widths Between Latent and Inked Fingerprints. J Forensic Sci 2019; 65:620-626. [DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Revised: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Josep De Alcaraz‐Fossoul
- Forensic Science Department Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences University of New Haven 300 Boston Post Road West Haven CT 06516
| | - Ryan Tully‐Doyle
- Department of Mathematics and Physics College of Arts and Sciences University of New Haven 300 Boston Post Road West Haven CT 06516
| | - Alexis R. Weber
- Forensic Science Department Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences University of New Haven 300 Boston Post Road West Haven CT 06516
| | - Carme Barrot Feixat
- Faculty of Medicine Forensic Genetics Laboratory University of Barcelona C/Casanova 143 Barcelona 08036Spain
| | - Sara C. Zapico
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and International Forensic Research Institute Florida International University Modesto A. Maidique CampusOE 116AMiami FL 33199
| | - Natalie Rivera Cardenas
- School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences Arizona State University‐West Campus 4701 W. Thunderbird Rd. Glendale AZ85306
| | - Melissa J. Sirard
- School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences Arizona State University‐West Campus 4701 W. Thunderbird Rd. Glendale AZ85306
| | - Ryan P. Graber
- School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences Arizona State University‐West Campus 4701 W. Thunderbird Rd. Glendale AZ85306
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Martínez PN, Menéndez ST, Villaronga MDLÁ, Ubelaker DH, García-Pedrero JM, C Zapico S. "The big sleep: Elucidating the sequence of events in the first hours of death to determine the postmortem interval". Sci Justice 2019; 59:418-424. [PMID: 31256813 DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2019.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Revised: 02/24/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Recent developments on postmortem interval estimation (PMI) take an advantage of the autolysis process, pointing out to the analysis of the expression of apoptosis and autophagy genes towards this purpose. Oxidative stress plays a role in this signaling as a regulatory mechanism and/or as a consequence of cell death. Additionally, melatonin has been implicated on apoptosis and autophagy signaling, making melatonin a suitable target for PMI determination. The aim of this study was to investigate the early PMI through the analysis of the expression of autophagy genes as well as oxidative stress and melatonin receptor. Our results demonstrated a rapidly increased on the expression of autophagy genes according to the expected sequence of events, then a marked decrease in this expression, matched with the switch to the apoptosis signaling. These results revealed potential candidates to analyze the PMI in the first hours of death, helping to estimate the time-since-death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Núñez Martínez
- Departamento de Biología Funcional (Área de Fisiología), Facultad de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Oviedo, Spain
| | - Sofía T Menéndez
- Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias, Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain; CIBER de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - María de Los Ángeles Villaronga
- Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias, Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain; CIBER de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Douglas H Ubelaker
- Anthropology Department, NMNH, Smithsonian Institution, MRC 112, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Juana M García-Pedrero
- Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias, Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain; CIBER de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Sara C Zapico
- Anthropology Department, NMNH, Smithsonian Institution, MRC 112, Washington, DC, USA; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, International Forensic Research Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.
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Gómez-Gómez ME, Zapico SC. Frailty, Cognitive Decline, Neurodegenerative Diseases and Nutrition Interventions. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20112842. [PMID: 31212645 PMCID: PMC6600148 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20112842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [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: 05/12/2019] [Revised: 06/01/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently the human population is aging faster. This leads to higher dependency rates and the transformation of health and social care to adapt to this aged population. Among the changes developed by this population is frailty. It is defined as a clinically detectable syndrome, related to the aging of multiple physiological systems, which prompts a situation of vulnerability. The etiology of frailty seems to be multifactorial and its pathophysiology is influenced by the interaction of numerous factors. Morley et al. propose four main mechanisms triggering the frailty: atherosclerosis, sarcopenia, cognitive deterioration and malnutrition, with their respective metabolic alterations. Malnutrition is associated with cognitive impairment or functional loss, but it is also known that an inadequate nutritional status predisposes to cognitive frailty. Additionally, nutritional factors that may influence vascular risk factors will potentially have an effect on dementia decline among patients with cognitive frailty. This review aims to describe the nutritional factors that have been researched so far which may lead to the development of frailty, and especially cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sara C Zapico
- International Forensic Research Institute and Chemistry Department, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8 St., CP323, Miami, FL 33199, USA.
- Anthropology Department, Smithsonian Institution, NMNH, MRC 112, 10th and Constitution Ave, NW, PO Box 37012, Washington, DC 20560, USA.
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14
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De Alcaraz-Fossoul J, Barrot Feixat C, C Zapico S, McGarr L, Carreras-Marin C, Tasker J, Gené Badia M. Latent Fingermark Aging Patterns (Part IV): Ridge Width as One Indicator of Degradation. J Forensic Sci 2019; 64:1057-1066. [PMID: 30735581 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [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: 10/23/2018] [Revised: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
This fourth article of the series is taking an in-depth analysis at the visible aging of latent fingermarks regarding changes in ridge widths over time. The objective is to quantify and statistically describe significant ridge size variations under controlled indoor conditions. The effect of three environmental variables are examined: type of secretion (sebaceous- and eccrine-rich) and type of substrate (glass and polystyrene) when aged in three light conditions (direct natural light, shade, and dark). Prior to width measurements, fresh and aged fingermarks were powdered with titanium dioxide (TiO2 ) and sequentially photographed at predetermined times over 6 months. Three independent observers measured the ridges from thirty predetermined locations using strategically placed intersecting lines on the print. Results indicate that fingermarks deposited on glass are more resilient to degradation compared with those deposited on plastic. The presence of direct natural light plays a negligible role on degradation compared to secretion and substrate types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josep De Alcaraz-Fossoul
- Forensic Science Department, Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences, University of New Haven, 300 Boston Post Road, West Haven, CT, 06516
| | - Carme Barrot Feixat
- Faculty of Medicine, Forensic Genetics Laboratory, University of Barcelona, C/Casanova 143, 08036, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Sara C Zapico
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, International Forensic Research Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199
| | - Luke McGarr
- Forensic Focus Ltd., The Corner House Business Centre, 2, Albert Road, Ripley, Derbyshire, DE53FZ, UK
| | - Clara Carreras-Marin
- Faculty of Medicine, Forensic Genetics Laboratory, University of Barcelona, C/Casanova 143, 08036, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Jack Tasker
- Faculty of Medicine, Forensic Genetics Laboratory, University of Barcelona, C/Casanova 143, 08036, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Manel Gené Badia
- Faculty of Medicine, Forensic Genetics Laboratory, University of Barcelona, C/Casanova 143, 08036, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
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15
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McCord BR, Gauthier Q, Cho S, Roig MN, Gibson-Daw GC, Young B, Taglia F, Zapico SC, Mariot RF, Lee SB, Duncan G. Forensic DNA Analysis. Anal Chem 2019; 91:673-688. [PMID: 30485738 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.8b05318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bruce R McCord
- Department of Chemistry , Florida International University , Miami , Florida 33199 , United States
| | - Quentin Gauthier
- Department of Chemistry , Florida International University , Miami , Florida 33199 , United States
| | - Sohee Cho
- Department of Forensic Medicine , Seoul National University , Seoul , 08826 , South Korea
| | - Meghan N Roig
- Department of Chemistry , Florida International University , Miami , Florida 33199 , United States
| | - Georgiana C Gibson-Daw
- Department of Chemistry , Florida International University , Miami , Florida 33199 , United States
| | - Brian Young
- Niche Vision, Inc. , Akron , Ohio 44311 , United States
| | - Fabiana Taglia
- Department of Chemistry , Florida International University , Miami , Florida 33199 , United States
| | - Sara C Zapico
- Department of Chemistry , Florida International University , Miami , Florida 33199 , United States
| | - Roberta Fogliatto Mariot
- Department of Chemistry , Florida International University , Miami , Florida 33199 , United States
| | - Steven B Lee
- Forensic Science Program, Justice Studies Department , San Jose State University , San Jose , California 95192 , United States
| | - George Duncan
- Department of Chemistry , Florida International University , Miami , Florida 33199 , United States
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16
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De Alcaraz-Fossoul J, Barrot-Feixat C, Zapico SC, Mancenido M, Broatch J, Roberts KA, Carreras-Marin C, Tasker J. Ridge Width Correlations between Inked Prints and Powdered Latent Fingerprints. J Forensic Sci 2017; 63:1085-1091. [DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.13656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Revised: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Josep De Alcaraz-Fossoul
- School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences; New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences; Arizona State University; Glendale AZ 85306
| | - Carme Barrot-Feixat
- Faculty of Medicine - Legal Medicine Unit; Universitat de Barcelona; Barcelona Catalonia Spain
| | - Sara C. Zapico
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and International Forensic Research Institute; Florida International University; Miami FL 33199
| | - Michelle Mancenido
- School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences; New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences; Arizona State University; Glendale AZ 85306
| | - Jennifer Broatch
- School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences; New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences; Arizona State University; Glendale AZ 85306
| | - Katherine A. Roberts
- School of Criminal Justice and Criminalistics; California State University; Los Angeles CA 90032
| | - Clara Carreras-Marin
- Faculty of Medicine - Legal Medicine Unit; Universitat de Barcelona; Barcelona Catalonia Spain
| | - Jack Tasker
- Faculty of Medicine - Legal Medicine Unit; Universitat de Barcelona; Barcelona Catalonia Spain
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17
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De Alcaraz-Fossoul J, Barrot Feixat C, Carreras-Marin C, Tasker J, Zapico SC, Gené Badia M. Latent Fingermark Aging Patterns (Part III): Discontinuity Index as One Indicator of Degradation. J Forensic Sci 2017; 62:1180-1187. [DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.13438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2016] [Revised: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 12/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Josep De Alcaraz-Fossoul
- New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences; School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences; Arizona State University; 4701 West Thunderbird Road Glendale AZ 85306
| | - Carme Barrot Feixat
- Legal Medicine Unit; Faculty of Medicine; University of Barcelona; C/Casanova 143 08036 Barcelona Catalonia Spain
| | - Clara Carreras-Marin
- Legal Medicine Unit; Faculty of Medicine; University of Barcelona; C/Casanova 143 08036 Barcelona Catalonia Spain
| | - Jack Tasker
- Legal Medicine Unit; Faculty of Medicine; University of Barcelona; C/Casanova 143 08036 Barcelona Catalonia Spain
| | - Sara C. Zapico
- Department of Applied Forensic Sciences; Mercyhurst University; 501 East 38th Street Erie PA 16546
| | - Manel Gené Badia
- Legal Medicine Unit; Faculty of Medicine; University of Barcelona; C/Casanova 143 08036 Barcelona Catalonia Spain
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18
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Garriga JA, Ubelaker DH, C. Zapico S. Evaluation of macroscopic changes and the efficiency of DNA profiling from burnt teeth. Sci Justice 2016; 56:437-442. [DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2016.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2016] [Revised: 06/11/2016] [Accepted: 06/15/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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C Zapico S, Menéndez ST. Human mitochondrial DNA and nuclear DNA isolation from food bite marks. Arch Oral Biol 2016; 70:67-72. [PMID: 27341457 DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2016.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 11/01/2015] [Revised: 05/20/2016] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Bite mark analysis is used for comparison between bite marks on a bitten object and the suspects' teeth. However, if it is not possible to obtain a correct match, it is important to recover salivary DNA. Previous studies have tried to isolate human nuclear DNA from bitten foods but were not completely successful. In the present work, we studied the efficiency of human nuclear and mitochondrial DNA isolation from bite marks in cheese, a donut and an apple. DESIGN Using a double swab technique and silica-based DNA extraction kit, nuclear and mitochondrial DNA were isolated. Human housekeeping genes were amplified to analyse the efficiency of nuclear DNA profiling. mtDNA was sequencing and haplogroup assign. RESULTS Although cheese and apple samples showed the highest concentration of DNA, the purity of DNA on the apple was low. Moreover, apple samples failed to amplify the two human housekeeping genes, GAPDH and RPL22. In contrast, cheese samples have high purity and amplification efficiency. Donut samples showed an intermediate value and low amplification efficiency. In spite of these results, isolation and characterization/sequencing of human mitochondrial DNA was completely successful in the three samples, which pointed out the possibility of identification through this type of DNA. CONCLUSIONS This research indicated that it is possible to recover and isolate human nuclear and mitochondrial DNA from bitten foods, although the quantity and purity of nuclear DNA depends on the type of food. That is of significance important in forensic sciences for the correct identification of a suspect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara C Zapico
- Department of Anthropology, NMNH-MRC 112, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, 20013-7020, USA.
| | - Sofía T Menéndez
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA) and University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Asturias, 33006, Spain.
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20
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Zapico SC, Ubelaker DH. Relationship Between Mitochondrial DNA Mutations and Aging. Estimation of Age-at-death. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2015; 71:445-50. [PMID: 26286606 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glv115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [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: 12/12/2014] [Accepted: 06/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Some studies have pointed to the relationship between mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations and age in different tissues, which are potentially interesting in aging research and in forensic identification because they could help to improve the estimation of age-at-death. The present study aims to evaluate the mutations in mtDNA from dentin and pulp and their relation with age. Healthy erupted third molars were extracted from individuals from two Spanish populations, aged 20-70. When analyzing the amplification of hypervariable region 2 of the mtDNA by real-time polymerase chain reaction, a negative strong linear correlation was found between the mtDNA amplification and age in dentin from both populations. In contrast, a significant correlation between mtDNA amplification and age in pulp was not discovered, probably due to the majority of the mitochondria are placed in dentin. A difference in mtDNA damage between these two populations was also detected, indicating the role of ancestry as a component. The findings from this research enrich the current studies related to aging and mitochondrial damage and provide a new quantitative tool for estimating the age-at-death that, in combination with traditional age markers, could improve identification accuracy in forensic cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara C Zapico
- Department of Anthropology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC.
| | - Douglas H Ubelaker
- Department of Anthropology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC
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Bekaert B, Kamalandua A, Zapico SC, Van de Voorde W, Decorte R. Improved age determination of blood and teeth samples using a selected set of DNA methylation markers. Epigenetics 2015; 10:922-30. [PMID: 26280308 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2015.1080413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Age estimation from DNA methylation markers has seen an exponential growth of interest, not in the least from forensic scientists. The current published assays, however, can still be improved by lowering the number of markers in the assay and by providing more accurate models to predict chronological age. From the published literature we selected 4 age-associated genes (ASPA, PDE4C, ELOVL2, and EDARADD) and determined CpG methylation levels from 206 blood samples of both deceased and living individuals (age range: 0-91 years). This data was subsequently used to compare prediction accuracy with both linear and non-linear regression models. A quadratic regression model in which the methylation levels of ELOVL2 were squared showed the highest accuracy with a Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD) between chronological age and predicted age of 3.75 years and an adjusted R(2) of 0.95. No difference in accuracy was observed for samples obtained either from living and deceased individuals or between the 2 genders. In addition, 29 teeth from different individuals (age range: 19-70 years) were analyzed using the same set of markers resulting in a MAD of 4.86 years and an adjusted R(2) of 0.74. Cross validation of the results obtained from blood samples demonstrated the robustness and reproducibility of the assay. In conclusion, the set of 4 CpG DNA methylation markers is capable of producing highly accurate age predictions for blood samples from deceased and living individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bram Bekaert
- a KU Leuven - University of Leuven ; Department of Imaging & Pathology ; Leuven , Belgium.,b KU-Leuven - University of Leuven; University Hospitals Leuven; Department of Forensic Medicine; Laboratory of Forensic Genetics and Molecular Archeology ; Leuven , Belgium
| | - Aubeline Kamalandua
- a KU Leuven - University of Leuven ; Department of Imaging & Pathology ; Leuven , Belgium
| | - Sara C Zapico
- c Smithsonian Institution; NMNH; MRC112 ; Anthropology Department ; Washington, DC USA
| | - Wim Van de Voorde
- a KU Leuven - University of Leuven ; Department of Imaging & Pathology ; Leuven , Belgium.,b KU-Leuven - University of Leuven; University Hospitals Leuven; Department of Forensic Medicine; Laboratory of Forensic Genetics and Molecular Archeology ; Leuven , Belgium
| | - Ronny Decorte
- a KU Leuven - University of Leuven ; Department of Imaging & Pathology ; Leuven , Belgium.,b KU-Leuven - University of Leuven; University Hospitals Leuven; Department of Forensic Medicine; Laboratory of Forensic Genetics and Molecular Archeology ; Leuven , Belgium
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C. Zapico S, Menéndez ST, Núñez P. Cell death proteins as markers of early postmortem interval. Cell Mol Life Sci 2013; 71:2957-62. [DOI: 10.1007/s00018-013-1531-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2013] [Revised: 11/01/2013] [Accepted: 11/21/2013] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Zapico SC, Ubelaker DH. mtDNA Mutations and Their Role in Aging, Diseases and Forensic Sciences. Aging Dis 2013; 4:364-80. [PMID: 24307969 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2013.0400364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [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: 08/02/2013] [Revised: 10/02/2013] [Accepted: 10/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are independent organelles with their own DNA. As a primary function, mitochondria produce the energy for the cell through Oxidative Phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in the Electron Transport Chain (ETC). One of the toxic products of this process is Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), which can induce oxidative damage in macromolecules like lipids, proteins and DNA. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is less protected and has fewer reparation mechanisms than nuclear DNA (nDNA), and as such is more exposed to oxidative, mutation-inducing damage. This review analyzes the causes and consequences of mtDNA mutations and their relationship with the aging process. Neurodegenerative diseases, related with the aging, are consequences of mtDNA mutations resulting in a decrease in mitochondrial function. Also described are "mitochondrial diseases", pathologies produced by mtDNA mutations and whose symptoms are related with mitochondrial dysfunction. Finally, mtDNA haplogroups are defined in this review; these groups are important for determination of geographical origin of an individual. Additionally, different haplogroups exhibit variably longevity and risk of certain diseases. mtDNA mutations in aging and haplogroups are of special interest to forensic science research. Therefore this review will help to clarify the key role of mtDNA mutations in these processes and support further research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara C Zapico
- Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Anthropology, Washington, DC 20560, USA
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C Zapico S, Ubelaker DH. Applications of physiological bases of ageing to forensic sciences. Estimation of age-at-death. Ageing Res Rev 2013; 12:605-17. [PMID: 23454111 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2013.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2012] [Revised: 02/13/2013] [Accepted: 02/19/2013] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Age-at-death estimation is one of the main challenges in forensic sciences since it contributes to the identification of individuals. There are many anthropological techniques to estimate the age at death in children and adults. However, in adults this methodology is less accurate and requires population specific references. For that reason, new methodologies have been developed. Biochemical methods are based on the natural process of ageing, which induces different biochemical changes that lead to alterations in cells and tissues. In this review, we describe different attempts to estimate the age in adults based on these changes. Chemical approaches imply modifications in molecules or accumulation of some products. Molecular biology approaches analyze the modifications in DNA and chromosomes. Although the most accurate technique appears to be aspartic acid racemization, it is important to take into account the other techniques because the forensic context and the human remains available will determine the possibility to apply one or another methodology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara C Zapico
- Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, MRC 112, Department of Anthropology, 10th and Constitution Ave, NW, P.O. Box 37012, Washington, DC 20013-7012, United States.
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