STR profiling of epithelial cells identified by X/Y-FISH labelling and laser microdissection using standard and elevated PCR conditions.

During the investigation of allegations of sexual assault, samples are frequently encountered that contain DNA from a female and a male donor. These may represent contributions of DNA from the complainant and potentially, the offender. Many semen stained samples successfully undergo DNA analysis and interpretation using a differential extraction method that separates sperm from the epithelial cells present in the stain.

The use of photographs to record variation in bruising response in humans.

There is considerable value in developing tools capable of accurately and reliably determining when bruises were inflicted in humans. Previous work has focused on the visual changes observed in a bruise as the injury develops and heals. However, due to variables such as how and where on the body the bruise was inflicted, differing tissue compositions at the injured skin site between individuals and inter- and intra-observer variation; a technique sufficiently robust for use in a clinical or medicolegal setting has not yet been identified.

A modified method using the SonoPrep ultrasonic skin permeation system for sampling human interstitial fluid is compatible with proteomic techniques.

Background: The use of biomarkers in skin is a novel diagnostic tool. Interstitial fluid (ISF) from skin provides a snapshot of proteins secreted at the time of sampling giving insights into the patient's health status.

Methods: A minimally invasive technique for the transdermal collection of human ISF proteins.

Efficacy of several candidate protein biomarkers in the differentiation of vaginal from buccal epithelial cells.

Currently, there is no accurate method to differentiate vaginal epithelial cells from buccal epithelial cells in biological samples typically encountered in forensic casework. This study tested the expression of a selection of candidate proteins in buccal and vaginal epithelial cells. We investigated six candidate biomarkers, such as loricrin, vimentin, stratifin, cytokeratin 4, cytokeratin 13, small proline-rich protein 2, and involucrin, using Western blot analysis on whole protein extracts and immunohistochemistry (IHC) on intact cells in an attempt to identify cell-specific markers that would differentiate these cells by microscopy.

Effects of histological staining on the analysis of human DNA from archived slides.

Archived slides of cell smears treated with histological stains for sperm detection are often the only source of DNA available when cold cases are reopened. There have been conflicting reports as to the negative effects of particular histological stains on DNA recovery and quality from human cells, making stain selection an important consideration for forensic laboratories. This study investigates the effect of several staining systems on DNA recovery from histological slide samples stored from 0 to 10 weeks.

The Expression of Petunia Strigolactone Pathway Genes is Altered as Part of the Endogenous Developmental Program.

Analysis of mutants with increased branching has revealed the strigolactone synthesis/perception pathway which regulates branching in plants. However, whether variation in this well conserved developmental signaling system contributes to the unique plant architectures of different species is yet to be determined. We examined petunia orthologs of the ArabidopsisMAX1 and MAX2 genes to characterize their role in petunia architecture.

Petunia hybrida CAROTENOID CLEAVAGE DIOXYGENASE7 is involved in the production of negative and positive branching signals in petunia.

One of the key factors that defines plant form is the regulation of when and where branches develop. The diversity of form observed in nature results, in part, from variation in the regulation of branching between species. Two CAROTENOID CLEAVAGE DIOXYGENASE (CCD) genes, CCD7 and CCD8, are required for the production of a branch-suppressing plant hormone.

Analysis of the DECREASED APICAL DOMINANCE genes of petunia in the control of axillary branching.

Control of branch development is a major determinant of architecture in plants. Branching in petunia (Petunia hybrida) is controlled by the DECREASED APICAL DOMINANCE (DAD) genes. Gene functions were investigated by plant grafting, morphology studies, double-mutant characterization, and gene expression analysis.

Heat-induced oxidative activity protects suspension-cultured plant cells from low temperature damage.

A short heat pre-treatment (1 h at 38°C) was found to protect both suspension-cultured apple fruit cells and tobacco cells from cold-induced cell death. Tobacco cells were more sensitive to low temperatures than apple cells, with significant cell death after 48 h at 0 or -2°C. Real-time measurements of HO levels during the heat pre-treatment revealed a substantial burst of this reactive oxygen species in both cell types.

The Decreased apical dominance1/Petunia hybrida CAROTENOID CLEAVAGE DIOXYGENASE8 gene affects branch production and plays a role in leaf senescence, root growth, and flower development.

Carotenoids and carotenoid cleavage products play an important and integral role in plant development. The Decreased apical dominance1 (Dad1)/PhCCD8 gene of petunia (Petunia hybrida) encodes a hypothetical carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase (CCD) and ortholog of the MORE AXILLARY GROWTH4 (MAX4)/AtCCD8 gene. The dad1-1 mutant allele was inactivated by insertion of an unusual transposon (Dad-one transposon), and the dad1-3 allele is a revertant allele of dad1-1.