SPERM HY-LITER™ for the identification of spermatozoa from sexual assault evidence.

Accurate microscopic identification of human spermatozoa is important in sexual assault cases. We have compared the results of examinations with (1) a fluorescent microscopy method, SPERM HY-LITER™, and (2) Baecchi's method for identification of human spermatozoa. In 35 artificial, forensic type samples, spermatozoa were identified in 45.

Developmental validation of RSID™-Semen: a lateral flow immunochromatographic strip test for the forensic detection of human semen.

Tests for the identification of semen commonly involve the microscopic visualization of spermatozoa or assays for the presence of seminal markers such as acid phosphatase (AP) or prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Here, we describe the rapid stain identification kit for the identification of semen (RSID™-Semen), a lateral flow immunochromatographic strip test that uses two antihuman semenogelin monoclonal antibodies to detect the presence of semenogelin. The RSID™-Semen strip is specific for human semen, detecting <2.

Developmental validation of the SPERM HY-LITER™ kit for the identification of human spermatozoa in forensic samples.

With sexual assault evidence, the visualization of spermatozoa confirms that ejaculation has occurred. However, microscopic examination of spermatozoa is a laborious process and can sometimes result in sperm cells being overlooked. Here, we present the developmental validation of the SPERM HY-LITER™ kit, which contains a human sperm-specific mouse monoclonal antibody coupled to a fluorescent Alexa 488 dye.

Skp2 directs Myc-mediated suppression of p27Kip1 yet has modest effects on Myc-driven lymphomagenesis.

The universal cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27(Kip1) functions as a tumor suppressor, and reduced levels of p27(Kip1) connote poor prognosis in several human malignancies. p27(Kip1) levels are predominately regulated by ubiquitin-mediated turnover of the protein, which is marked for destruction by the E3 ubiquitin ligase SCF(Skp2) complex following its phosphorylation by the cyclin E-cyclin-dependent kinase 2 complex. Binding of phospho-p27(Kip1) is directed by the Skp2 F-box protein, and this is greatly augmented by its allosteric regulator Cks1.

Developmental validation of RSID-saliva: a lateral flow immunochromatographic strip test for the forensic detection of saliva.

Current methods for forensic identification of saliva generally assay for the enzymatic activity of alpha-amylase, an enzyme long associated with human saliva. Here, we describe the Rapid Stain IDentification (RSID-Saliva), a lateral flow immunochromatographic strip test that uses two antisalivary amylase monoclonal antibodies to detect the presence of salivary amylase, rather than the activity of the enzyme. We demonstrate that RSID-Saliva is accurate, reproducible, and highly sensitive for human saliva; RSID-Saliva detects less than 1 microL of saliva.

Developmental validation of a novel lateral flow strip test for rapid identification of human blood (Rapid Stain Identification--Blood).

Human blood is the body fluid most commonly encountered at crime scenes, and blood detection may aid investigators in reconstructing what occurred during a crime. In addition, blood detection can help determine which items of evidence should be processed for DNA-STR testing. Unfortunately, many common substances can cause red-brown stains that resemble blood.

Myc targets Cks1 to provoke the suppression of p27Kip1, proliferation and lymphomagenesis.

Reduced levels of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27(Kip1) connote poor prognosis in cancer. In human Burkitt lymphoma and in precancerous B cells and lymphomas arising in Emu-Myc transgenic mice, p27(Kip1) expression is markedly reduced. We show that the transcription of the Cks1 component of the SCF(Skp2) complex that is necessary for p27(Kip1) ubiquitylation and degradation is induced by Myc.

Nfkb 1 is dispensable for Myc-induced lymphomagenesis.

Rel/NF-kappaB transcription factors are critical arbiters of immune responses, cell survival, and transformation, and are frequently deregulated in cancer. The p50 NF-kappaB 1 component of Rel/NF-kappaB DNA-binding dimers regulates genes involved in both cell cycle traverse and apoptosis. Nfkb 1 loss accelerates B cell growth and leads to increased B cell turnover in vivo, phenotypes akin to those manifested in B cells of Emu-Myc transgenic mice, a model of human Burkitt lymphoma.

Targeting ornithine decarboxylase in Myc-induced lymphomagenesis prevents tumor formation.

Checkpoints that control Myc-mediated proliferation and apoptosis are bypassed during tumorigenesis. Genes encoding polyamine biosynthetic enzymes are overexpressed in B cells from E mu-Myc transgenic mice. Here, we report that disabling one of these Myc targets, Ornithine decarboxylase (Odc), abolishes Myc-induced suppression of the Cdk inhibitors p21(Cip1) and p27(Kip1), thereby impairing Myc's proliferative, but not apoptotic, response.