Aplicación del análisis de isótopos de estroncio en la identificación humana en Colombia / Application of strontium isotope analysis for human identification in Colombia

El artículo presenta una revisión de las investigaciones realizadas a la fecha en Colombia relacionadas con la aplicación de los análisis de isótopos en la identificación humana. En especial, hace énfasis en la utilidad de las relaciones isotópicas de estroncio (87Sr/86Sr) para rastrear el lugar de origen de un cuerpo en condición no identificada (CNI). Dentro de la revisión se resalta la importancia de la variabilidad geológica colombiana, la cual puede incidir en la diversidad del estroncio biodisponible, en un espacio y un periodo determinados. Esta diversidad del estroncio biodisponible puede verse reflejada en la distribución espacial de la composición isotópica de estroncio en diferentes tejidos humanos (dientes, huesos, cabello y uñas) de los pobladores del territorio colombiano. Esto es debido a la transferencia de la señal isotópica del estroncio biodisponible a los tejidos humanos. Dentro de las conclusiones de la revisión bibliográfica realizada se menciona la importancia del uso del estroncio (Sr) en la identificación humana en el contexto colombiano, su aplicación forense y sus posibles limitantes respecto al uso de esta metodología en el país.

Calcium absorption from corn tortilla is relatively high and is dependent upon calcium content and liming in Mexican women.

Corn tortillas are the staple food of Mexico. During their preparation, calcium is added to the tortillas; therefore, tortillas are the main source of calcium for a large proportion of the population. The bioavailability of calcium from lime-treated tortillas in humans is not known. The objectives of the present study were to determine calcium absorption from corn tortilla, to determine the effect of lime treatment on calcium absorption from corn tortilla, and to compare calcium absorption from tortilla prepared with a commercial corn flour and tortillas prepared with the traditional lime treatment at home. Nonpregnant, nonlactating women (n = 9) were administered 3 different treatments: 1) 180 g of corn tortilla prepared from corn flour with no lime treatment (CF), 2) 180 g of corn tortilla prepared from lime-treated commercial corn flour (LTCCF), or 3) 180 g of corn tortillas prepared from lime-treated home-prepared corn flour (LTHCF). Calcium absorption was measured using an established dual-tracer stable isotope technique. Calcium absorption of CF, LTCCF, and LTHCF was (mean +/- SD): 44 +/- 3.2, 32 +/- 4.4, and 30 +/- 2.4%, respectively; the fractional calcium absorption from CF differed from that of either LTCCF or LTHCF (P < 0.01). The total amount of calcium absorbed per treatment was higher in LTHCF (98.10 mg +/- 21.7) than in LTCCF (59.9 mg +/- 23.7, P < 0.001) and CF (3.78 mg +/- 0.9, P < 0.0.001). In conclusion, calcium absorption from corn tortillas is high and dependent on calcium concentration. The addition of calcium during lime treatment increases calcium concentration and total calcium absorption.

IP3 dependent Ca2+ signals in muscle cells are involved in regulation of gene expression.

Potassium depolarization of cultured muscle cells was employed to study cellular responses linked to calcium signaling. Events occurring after depolarization include i) A transient increase of the IP3 mass (2-10s); ii) A slow calcium transient (5 to 25s) that propagates as a low concentration wave along the myotube showing a distinct calcium transient at the level of cell nuclei. Due to the presence of IP3 receptors both in the SR (A-band region) and in the nuclear envelope, these two events appear to be related; iii) Phosphorylation of mitogen activated kinases (ERK 1/2) and of the transcription factor CREB (30 s-10 min), as well as expression of the early genes c-fos, c-jun and egr-1 mRNA (5-15 min). Several independent pieces of evidence, including results obtained using inhibitors specific for individual steps, allowed us to connect these in a sequential manner. As the same type of signaling cascade can be triggered by oxidants, neurotransmitters and hormones, the ensemble of results allows us to propose a general model to describe signaling events that link membrane stimulation to regulation of gene transcription in skeletal muscle cells.

IP3 dependent Ca2+ signals in muscle cells are involved in regulation of gene expression

Potassium depolarization of cultured muscle cells was employed to study cellular responses linked to calcium signaling. Events occurring after depolarization include i) A transient increase of the IP3 mass (2-10s); ii) A slow calcium transient (5 to 25s) that propagates as a low concentration wave along the myotube showing a distinct calcium transient at the level of cell nuclei. Due to the presence of IP3 receptors both in the SR (A-band region) and in the nuclear envelope, these two events appear to be related; iii) Phosphorylation of mitogen activated kinases (ERK 1/2) and of the transcription factor CREB (30 s-10 min), as well as expression of the early genes c-fos, c-jun and egr-1 mRNA (5-15 min). Several independent pieces of evidence, including results obtained using inhibitors specific for individual steps, allowed us to connect these in a sequential manner. As the same type of signaling cascade can be triggered by oxidants, neurotransmitters and hormones, the ensemble of results allows us to propose a general model to describe signaling events that link membrane stimulation to regulation of gene transcription in skeletal muscle cells

Properties of phosphorylated glial fibrillary acidic protein in brain slices of guinea pig, mouse and rat.

1. Brain micro-slices from guinea pig, mouse and rat were incubated in Krebs-Ringer Na-HEPES buffered medium containing [32P]-phosphate and characterized by immunoblotting with polyclonal antibody to glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). 2. GFAP presented small differences in two-dimensional electrophoretic mobility. 3. The phosphorylation of GFAP was dependent on Ca2+ in the incubation medium in adult animals. 4. Both the immunocontent and level of phosphorylation of GFAP were higher in hippocampus than in cerebral cortex of all three species.

Properties of phosphorylated glial fibrillary acidic protein in brain slices of guinea pig, mouse and rat

1. Brain micro-slices from guinea pig, mouse and rat were incubated in Krebs-Ringer Na- HEPES buffered medium containing [32P]-phosphate and characterized by immunoblotting with polyclonal antibody to glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). 2. GFAP presented small differences in two-dimensional electrophoretic mobility. 3. The phosphorylation of GFAP was dependent on Ca2+ in the incubation medium in adult animals. 4. Both the immunocontent and level of phosphorylation of GFAP were higher in hippocampus than in cerebral cortex of all the three species

Measurement of true absorption, endogenous fecal excretion, urinary excretion, and retention of calcium in term infants by using a dual-tracer, stable-isotope method.

A dual-tracer, stable-isotope method was used to measure the percentage of true calcium absorption (alpha), true calcium absorption rate (Va), endogenous fecal calcium excretion rate (Vf), urinary calcium excretion rate (Vu), and calcium retention rate (Vr). Twenty-seven infants with a mean gestation of 30.6 +/- 1.7 weeks and a mean birth weight of 1.4 +/- 0.21 kg were studied at 2 or 3 weeks of age, or both, during feedings of human milk (HM), fortified human milk (HMF), and commercially available formula (20 or 24 calories per ounce) for premature infants (EPF-20/780 and EPF-24/940) (part 1 of our study). Of 13 additional infants with a mean (+/- SD) birth weight of 1.26 +/- 0.25 kg and gestation of 29.6 +/- 2.5 weeks, 11 completed a crossover-design study at 2 and 3 weeks of age, receiving two identical formulas containing calcium, 940 mg/L, and phosphorus, 470 mg/L (EPF-24/940 formula) or calcium 1340 mg/L, and phosphorus, 680 mg/L (EPF-24/1340 formula) (part 2 of our study). The alpha value was higher in infants receiving HM (76.4 +/- 15.1%) or HMF (68.0 +/- 7.8%) than in those receiving EPF-20/750 formula (54.1% +/- 5.6%) or in previously reported infants fed standard formula (47.1% +/- 11.5%); those given EPF-24/940 formula had intermediate values (63.9% +/- 13.9%, part 1; 56.1% +/- 16.5%, part 2). No significant differences existed among groups for either Vu or Vf per kilogram. In the crossover study (part 2), no significant differences were seen between formulas for alpha and for Va, Vf, or Vr per kilogram. However, Vu per kilogram was significantly decreased in infants receiving the higher mineral formula (EPF-24/940: 3.6 +/- 2.3; EPF-24/1340: 2.9 +/- 2.3 mg/kg per day; p = < 0.005). With all feedings, alpha, Vu per kilogram, and Vf per kilogram were not related to gestational age, age at study, calcium intake, or each other. However, Vf per kilogram was inversely related to birth weight. Thus, alpha, Vu, and Vf appear to be independent and may be differentially affected by factors altering calcium dynamics. We conclude that increasing formula mineral content does not ensure increased retention; careful monitoring of individual infants remains indicated.