Association between ancient bone preservation and dna yield: a multidisciplinary approach.

Ancient molecular typing depends on DNA survival in archaeological bones. Finding valuable tools to predict DNA presence in ancient samples, which can be measured prior to undertaking a genetic study, has become an important issue as a consequence of the peculiarities of archaeological samples. Since the survival of DNA is explained by complex interrelations of multiple variables, the aim of the present study was to analyze morphological, structural, chemical, and biological aspects of a set of medieval human bones, to provide an accurate reflection of the state of preservation of the bony components and to relate it with DNA presence. Archaeological bones that yielded amplifiable DNA presented high collagen content (generally more than 12%), low racemization values of aspartic acid (lesser than 0.08), leucine and glutamic acid, low infrared splitting factor, small size of crystallite, and more compact appearance of bone in the scanning electron micrographs. Whether these patterns are characteristic of ancient bones or specific of each burial site or specimen requires further investigation.

Association between immunohistochemical markers of myocardial damage and apoptosis.

Cardiac disease is the most common cause of sudden unexpected death. In forensic practice there is a need for more sensitive diagnostic methods for the post-mortem diagnosis of myocardial damage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of the markers routinely used for the diagnosis of acute cardiac necrosis (myosin, troponin I and myoglobin with) and the presence of apoptosis, in order to evaluate the utility of apoptosis for use as a diagnostic marker during the early stage of acute myocardial damage. A positive correlation was observed between neovascularization and signs of recent and past necrosis. Not relationship was observed between age at death, post-mortem interval and apoptosis. No statistical association was found between the expression of acute cardiac necrosis markers and the presence of apoptosis.

e-Learning strategies in occupational legal medicine based on problem solving through "CASUS" system.

The use of online teaching tools facilitate the incorporation of self-learning methods. With a view to encouraging convergence in teaching tools and methods in Occupational Legal Medicine, an initiative was set up within the classes of Legal and Forensic Medicine at Saragossa University, as part of the EU funded NetWoRM project, which has been led since 1999 by Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich (Germany). The interest of medical students in Occupational Legal Medicine has so far been low and in addition different aspects complicate the teaching of Occupational Legal Medicine at medical schools: One reason for the low interest is the limited availability of bedside teaching, one of the students' most favourite and effective way to learn. The reason for that is that most medical schools with occupational departments only have outpatient clinics. "Interesting" patients who be need for educational purposes are therefore only available for a limited part of the day. However, in order to recognize and prevent occupational disorders each medical student and physician needs profound clinical knowledge in Occupational Legal Medicine. This project has proven to be highly efficient in permitting the creation and validation of teaching tools which cover and improve the traditional training of the Occupational Legal Medicine programme imparted in the degree of Medicine.

A preliminary study on the incidence of heteroplasmy in mitochondrial DNA from vitreous humour.

Vitreous humour is routinely sampled in Forensic Medicine as several post-mortem analyses can be performed. However, it is not used for DNA analyses probably due to its scarce cellularity. In these samples, in which the study of nuclear DNA is difficult, the analysis of mtDNA is an alternative approach. The aim of this study was to investigate the utility of vitreous humour for forensic identification purposes. Samples were collected during vitrectomy from retinopathy patients, in collection bags with saline solution. Blood samples were also obtained in order to contrast results. Before DNA organic extraction, several centrifugation steps were needed to concentrate the vitreous humour samples. Unlike blood, direct amplification of 400-bp fragments of the hipervariable regions I and II (HVI and HVII) was not successful, possibly due to damage to the DNA strand caused by the surgery conditions (UV radiation, oxidative stress). Therefore, amplification of two overlapping fragments for each control region was performed in vitreous humour. In order to eliminate undesired products, all samples were purified by an enzymatic method. Thereafter, mtDNA fragments were sequenced using dye terminators in a MegaBACE 500 capillary sequencer. Sequences of HVI and HVII of approximately 400 bp were obtained from all samples. The sequences obtained from each patient matched almost perfectly those from blood. In summary, herein we describe for the first time a methodology suitable for the mtDNA analysis of vitreous humour samples.

Aggressions against healthcare workers: an approach to the situation in Spain and the victims psychological effects.

Aggression against healthcare workers is a problem of important consequences which is becoming a focus of research. However, its possible effects on psychological health have not been studied sufficiently in spite of the fact that they may be of importance even in the absence of physical aggression [Winstnaley S, Whittington R. Aggression towards health care staff in a UK general hospital: variation among professions. J Clin Nurs 2004;13:3-10,[1]].

PM and D1S80 loci gene frequencies in the Zaragoza population of northern Spain.

LDLR, GYPA, HBGG, D7S8, GC (PM loci) and D1S80 are widely used in forensic casework analyses and population data are required to estimate the frequency of a DNA profile. This paper presents the results of a survey aimed at investigating the allele and genotype frequency distribution of these loci in an important Spanish population (Zaragoza, North Spain). Statistical analysis to determine whether allele frequencies were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was carried out as well as to obtain some parameters of medicolegal interest. There was no evidence of association between the alleles of the loci. The Zaragoza sample does not differ substantially from other Caucasian populations.

Distribution of types for six PCR-based loci; LDLR, GYPA, HBGG, D7S8, GC and HLA-DQA1 in central Pyrenees and Teruel (Spain).

The PCR-based DNA loci LDLR, GYPA, HBGG, D7S8, GC and HLA DQA1 are widely used in forensic casework analyses. Population data on the distribution of allele frequencies are desired to estimate the rarity of a DNA profile. We studied the allele distributions at these forensically important DNA markers in two Spanish populations (Central Pyrenees and Teruel). Results were in agreement with Hardy-Weinberg expectations. Furthermore, there was little evidence for departures from expectation of independence between loci within the two sample populations. Tests for homogeneity were carried out between the two Spanish populations and a U.S. Caucasian population.

Frequencies of the five PCR-based genetic markers LDLR, GYPA, HBGG, D7S8 and GC in the population of Asturias (North Spain).

Allele and genotype frequencies of the loci LDLR, GYPA, HBGG, D7S8 and GC (PM loci) were investigated in a population sample of 215 unrelated individuals from Asturias (North Spain). Multiplex amplification and simultaneous typing of the five loci was carried out using the polymarker PCR amplification and typing kit. All loci met Hardy-Weinberg expectations. The Asturian sample does not differ significantly from other Caucasians, but significant differences were observed between this population and SW Hispanic, Afro-american and Korean populations.

Genetic markers in primary open-angle glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To investigate possible associations between genetic markers and Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG). METHODS: A number of genetic markers were typed in 84 unrelated patients with POAG and compared with a random sample of healthy individuals. The markers were Transferrin, Group Specific Component, G1m (1), G1m (2) and G3m (5) Allotypes, Adenylate Kinase, Adenosin Deaminase, Glyoxalase I and Acid Phosphatase and PCR-based markers HLA-DQA1 and D1S80. RESULTS: No significant differences were found except the strong association between the group of POAG patients and Acid Phosphatase ACP*C allele (chi 2 = 32.86; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Since Acid Phosphatase gene is localized to chromosome 2p23, this result could be a first comprehensive step in the localization of POAG genes.