Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Barry Shaw, Sophie Foggin, Petter Hamilton-Stanley, Andy Barlow, Catriona Pickard, Linda Fibiger, Neil Oldham, Patrick Tighe, Lisette M. Kootker, Sarah Schrader, Rob Layfield
Summary: Determining the biological sex of skeletal remains is crucial for accurately reconstructing the past. Researchers have developed a minimally destructive mass spectrometry (MS) method for sex determination using AMELX and AMELY peptides from the enamel protein amelogenin. As an alternative, antibodies that distinguish human AMELX and AMELY have been generated and shown to have high selectivity and quantitative detection capabilities in detecting synthetic peptides. By using acid etches of enamel from historical skeletons, the antibody determinations have corrected osteological uncertainties and matched MS analyses, indicating the potential for routine and high-throughput sex determination methods even in field settings.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anna Poma, Patrizia Cesare, Antonella Bonfigli, Anna Rita Volpe, Sabrina Colafarina, Giulia Vecchiotti, Alfonso Forgione, Osvaldo Zarivi
Summary: Molecular biology techniques are increasingly used in identifying the sex of skeletal remains, especially when traditional anthropometric analyzes are not successful. In this study, a qPCR-duplex method was used to determine the sex of both ancient and modern DNA samples. The validity of the method was verified on modern DNA, showing 100% accuracy in gender identification. This molecular technique is sensitive and precise, even on degraded DNA.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Ana Maria Casas-Ferreira, Miguel del Nogal-Sanchez, Angel Esparza Arroyo, Javier Velasco Vazquez, Jose Luis Perez-Pavon
Summary: This article introduces two new fast methods for assigning biological sex to prehistoric human remains. Both methods are based on the analysis of sexually dimorphic amelogenin protein fragments in tooth enamel. The results show that these methods are effective and feasible, with the advantages of being fast, accurate, and cost-effective. They can significantly increase sample throughput and enable more laboratories to perform sex determination.
MICROCHEMICAL JOURNAL
(2022)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Joao Albernaz Neves, Nathalie Antunes-Ferreira, Vanessa Machado, Joao Botelho, Luis Proenca, Alexandre Quintas, Ana Sintra Delgado, Jose Joao Mendes
Summary: This umbrella review critically assesses the level of evidence of sex determination in forensic dentistry and provides an overall comprehensive view. The review identifies low-quality systematic reviews and emphasizes the need for well-designed clinical trials and high-standard reviews to corroborate the accuracy of different sex determination procedures in forensic dentistry.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Fahimeh Talebzadeh, Reza Raoofian, Masoud Ghadipasha, Seyed Hassan Moosa-Kazemi, Kamran Akbarzadeh, Mohammad Ali Oshaghi
Summary: PCR amplification of the AMEL gene is a useful technique to identify the sex of human hosts of insect disease vectors. Time since feeding has a significant negative effect on the success of PCR amplification, with the shortest DNA fragments being amplified for the longest time after blood feeding. The nested PCR protocol could detect small amounts of human DNA up to 36 hours after the blood meal.
EXPERIMENTAL PARASITOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yuying Lin, Judith E. Mank
Summary: A genome sequence study of the flatworm Schmidtea mediterranea reveals a potential sex chromosome, providing a unique opportunity to investigate the evolution of sex determination.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Alessandro Stasi, Tahir ul Gani Mir, Alfonso Pellegrino, Atif Khurshid Wani, Saurabh Shukla
Summary: The current study used Bibliometric analysis to investigate the research publication trends in the field of forensic genetics. A total of 2945 articles published between 1977 and 2022 were analyzed using VOSviewer, RStudio, MS Excel, and MS Access. The results showed an increasing trend in the yearly number of publications, with the highest number of articles published after 2006. The most productive countries were USA, China, Spain, Germany, and United Kingdom, and the most prolific author was Morling N. The findings also highlighted the collaborative research among countries, organizations, and authors in the field of forensic genetics.
FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL-GENETICS
(2023)
Review
Medicine, Legal
Sahil Thakral, Purvi Purohit, Richa Mishra, Vaibhav Gupta, Puneet Setia
Summary: The postmortem interval (PMI) is vital in legal medicine for criminal and civil cases, and RNA analysis is a promising approach for its determination. This systematic review focuses on RNA analysis methods for determining PMI, following PRISMA guidelines. Most studies are on non-human tissues, with only a few on humans. The results show conflicting findings regarding RNA degradation, with some studies showing stability and others showing degradation influenced by factors like temperature. The estimation of PMI using RNA degradation can be objective and efficient after considering various factors and challenges in forensic samples.
FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Caleb J. Krueger, Fredric J. Janzen
Summary: Species with temperature-dependent sex determination exhibit significant variation in the relationship between incubation temperatures and the sex ratios they produce. Ancestral state reconstructions suggest that producing females at cool incubation temperatures may be adaptive, but contradictory evidence challenges this interpretation. Genetic correlation across the sex-ratio reaction norm in turtles explains both intra- and interspecific variation in temperature-dependent sex determination without assigning adaptive value to cool-temperature female production. This correlated architecture may also constrain adaptive responses to climate change.
Review
Biology
Ceri Weber, Blanche Capel
Summary: Sex determination is a synthesis of many molecular events that drives a community of cells towards a coordinated tissue fate, even without inherited genetic determinants. Recent studies suggest that epigenetic regulation and temperature can play a significant role in initiating and stabilizing the sex determination pathway. Investigations should focus on cellular processes that can synthesize multiple inputs and drive a coordinated response, rather than a singular regulator of sex determination.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Petra Zenke, Orsolya Krisztina Zorkoczy, Pal Lehotzky, Laszlo ozsvari, Zsolt Padar
Summary: This research aims to develop reliable molecular detection methods to aid in the early resolution of illegal activities related to trophy animals and potentially disclose poaching disputes. Two PCR panels are used for gender and species determination, reliably analyzing trace amounts of DNA, with results easily visualized and interpreted either on agarose gel or capillary electrophoresis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jesse D. Bloom
Summary: The study reveals that a data set containing early Wuhan epidemic SARS-CoV-2 sequences deleted from the NIH's Sequence Read Archive has been recovered and analyzed, suggesting that the sequences from Huanan Seafood Market do not fully represent the early viruses in Wuhan. It is suggested that the progenitor of known SARS-CoV-2 sequences likely had three mutations making it more similar to bat coronavirus relatives than the market viruses.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biology
Leandro M. Velez, Cassandra Van, Timothy Moore, Zhenqi Zhou, Casey Johnson, Andrea L. Hevener, Marcus M. Seldin
Summary: In this study, the genetic correlations of gene expression were investigated to understand how skeletal muscle interacts with metabolic tissues. The study found that there were little relative differences in myokine gene regulation and muscle cell composition between males and females. However, significant cross-tissue enrichments were found to operate in a sex-specific or hormone-dependent fashion, particularly with estradiol. The study also identified several sex-dependent mechanisms of myokine signaling.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Dilek Cicek, Nick Warr, Gozde Yesil, Hatice Kocak Eker, Firdevs Bas, Sukran Poyrazoglu, Feyza Darendeliler, Gul Direk, Nihal Hatipoglu, Mehmet Eltan, Zehra Yavas Abali, Busra Gurpinar Tosun, Sare Betul Kaygusuz, Tuba Seven Menevse, Didem Helvacioglu, Serap Turan, Abdullah Bereket, Richard Reeves, Michelle Simon, Matthew Mackenzie, Lydia Teboul, Andy Greenfield, Tulay Guran
Summary: Homozygous and heterozygous variants in the PPP2R3C gene are associated with syndromic gonadal dysgenesis, while loss of function of Ppp2r3c is not compatible with viability in mice and results in embryonic death.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Yuxin Guo, Xingru Zhang, Haoqing Zhang, Yaoshun Liu, Jianfeng Shi, Haotian Meng, Xin Chen, Qiong Lan, Bofeng Zhu
Summary: This study visualized the co-occurrence analysis of forensic and microfluidic topics using bibliometric methods. The results provide a comprehensive understanding of the applications of microfluidic technology in forensic medicine, particularly in forensic genetics. The challenges and future trends in implementing microfluidic technology in forensic genetics are also discussed.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Pamela Tozzo, Arianna Delicati, Renato Zambello, Luciana Caenazzo
Summary: The paper provides a comparative overview of molecular biology techniques for studying chimerism after bone marrow transplantation, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of each method. While STR-PCR remains the gold standard option due to its high power of differentiation, other methods such as qPCR, dPCR, and NGS offer potential advantages in terms of sensitivity and earlier detection of chimerism.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Pamela Tozzo, Andrea Gabbin, Caterina Politi, Anna Chiara Frigo, Luciana Caenazzo
Summary: The study investigated the awareness and willingness of 1782 Italian female university students to download apps dedicated to preventing violence against women. Most of the sample was unaware of the existence of these apps, but a majority expressed willingness to download them in the future. The results also showed that in case of a violent incident, most respondents would turn to the police for help rather than healthcare facilities. Law female students were more likely to believe that legislative solutions are the most effective way to improve public safety and reduce the number of victims.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jessica Cremonese, Marianna Marcon, Laura Oppi, Giulia Paletti, Vincenzo Romolo, Pamela Tozzo, Luciana Caenazzo
Summary: This narrative review examines the use and possibilities of medically assisted reproductive technology in addressing fertility issues in Italy from socioeconomic, legal, and medical perspectives. The authors analyze data from the National Registry of Medically Assisted Reproduction and the Italian Statistical Institute, and suggest the establishment of a national biobank and specific regulations for gamete donation. The promotion of Planned Oocyte Cryopreservation is also encouraged to increase the availability of healthy, younger oocytes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Pamela Tozzo, Oriana Cuman, Eleonora Moratto, Luciana Caenazzo
Summary: Cyberbullying, a form of intentional harm to others through digital media, has recently been recognized as a public health issue. Current strategies to prevent and combat cyberbullying mainly focus on education, involving schools and families, as well as technology-based practices using digital instruments used by minors. A comprehensive approach that combines existing tools is also employed. Combating cyberbullying requires a wide range of methods involving mental health professionals, educators, and digital experts working together, with defined, implemented, tested and combined prevention and contrast instruments.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Pamela Tozzo, Irene Amico, Arianna Delicati, Federico Toselli, Luciana Caenazzo
Summary: This manuscript provides a review of new advances in PMI estimation through cadaveric microbiota identification using 16S rRNA sequencing. A systematic review was conducted on 25 studies selected from 800 identified through database searching. The results showed promising outcomes in both animal and human models. Standardized body sampling sites and methods should be identified to fully exploit the potential of the microbiome in PMI estimation.
Review
Biology
Pamela Tozzo, Arianna Delicati, Luciana Caenazzo
Summary: Sixty years after the first human was sent into space, studies on the physiological changes during dynamic flight phases and prolonged weightlessness have been conducted. Skin microbiota changes have been observed in astronauts, with some microbiota changes being temporary while others show an increase in certain species. Further studies are needed to better understand the dynamics of skin microbiota and prevent dermatologic conditions during space flight.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pamela Tozzo, Enrico Mazzobel, Beatrice Marcante, Arianna Delicati, Luciana Caenazzo
Summary: Collection and interpretation of touch DNA from crime scenes are crucial steps in criminal investigations. This study compares three different sampling procedures and finds that the single-swab method has a higher efficiency in DNA recovery, while the double-swab technique and other methods do not seem to improve recovery rates. However, these results also highlight certain limitations inherent to the sampling procedures.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
History & Philosophy Of Science
Pamela Tozzo, Alberto Zanatta, Gabriella D'Angiolella, Luciana Caenazzo, Fabio Zampieri
Summary: Leonardo Botallo is well-known for his contributions to human anatomy and physiology, particularly the foramen Botalli and ductus Botalli. However, he also made significant contributions to clinical and surgical practices, as well as medical ethics. His multidisciplinary approach is characteristic of Renaissance physicians and scientists, and played a fundamental role in the scientific revolution of the 17th century.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL BIOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Luciana Caenazzo, Pamela Tozzo
Summary: Microbial analysis shows great potential in forensic human identification, but further research is needed to explore its applicability and establish microbiome biobanks specifically for forensic purposes.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Pamela Tozzo, Arianna Delicati, Anna Chiara Frigo, Luciana Caenazzo
Summary: The study found that genomic instability of InDels is more pronounced than that of STRs in tumor samples, potentially compromising genotype attribution. Due to the higher susceptibility of InDels to mutation events, it is suggested that the use of STRs is more suitable for forensic genotyping analyses.
MEDICINA-LITHUANIA
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Wangping Zhang, Kaikai Dong, Jing Sun, Zhiwei Huang, Ping Shi
Summary: Postmortem interval (PMI) estimation is crucial in forensic pathology. This study reveals a negative correlation between total protein content and PMI in mouse liver and spleen, as well as a positive correlation between beta-actin degradation and PMI in the liver. Proteomic techniques were employed to identify protein expression changes related to PMI in the liver, leading to the discovery of four significantly decreased proteins and three unchanged proteins with the increase of PMI. These findings provide potential internal references for more accurate and reliable estimation of the time of death.
JOURNAL OF FORENSIC AND LEGAL MEDICINE
(2024)
Review
Medicine, Legal
Wojciech Oronowicz-Jaskowiak, Tomasz Kozlowski, Marta Polanska, Jerzy Wojciechowski, Piotr Wasilewski, Dominik Slezak, Miros law Kowaluk
Summary: Machine learning methods for identifying child sexual abuse materials have limitations, including the lack of annotated training sets by forensic experts, rare use of models trained on real pornographic content, and absence of detailed justification for classification decisions. This study trained convolution neural networks using expert-labelled CSAM images, achieving high accuracy in classifying CSAM. The study also highlighted the crucial areas for classifying pornographic content involving children and suggested the ResNet-s neural network as a reliable tool for clinical work and supporting expert witnesses in the field of anthropology.
JOURNAL OF FORENSIC AND LEGAL MEDICINE
(2024)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Nozomi Idota, Ryutaro Takazakura, Hiroshi Ikegaya
Summary: Negative pressure pulmonary edema (NPPE) can occur after airway obstruction by foreign bodies or laryngospasms, and even if the obstruction is removed. The CT features of NPPE include diffuse central ground-glass opacities and thickening of the bronchovascular bundles and bronchial walls. Forensic practitioners may not be aware of NPPE, but understanding its mechanisms and CT findings can be useful for them.
JOURNAL OF FORENSIC AND LEGAL MEDICINE
(2024)
