Effect of sodium hypochlorite decontamination on the DNA recovery from human teeth.

Genetic identification of skeletal human remains is often realized by short tandem repeat (STR) genotyping of nuclear DNA. Dental DNA is preferred to DNA from bone for the better protection of the endogenous DNA. Especially if whole tooth grinding is intended to access the DNA, contaminations with exogenous DNA have to be avoided.

Influence of the chemical structure on the odor qualities and odor thresholds of guaiacol-derived odorants, Part 1: Alkylated, alkenylated and methoxylated derivatives.

Guaiacol and its derivatives are commonly found in nature and are known for their characteristic smoky, clove-like and vanilla-like smells. However, there is no systematic investigation of the smell properties of structurally related guaiacol derivatives. In order to establish a comprehensive database on this olfactorily interesting substance class, odor thresholds in air and odor qualities of guaiacol and its alkylated, alkenylated, and methoxylated derivatives were determined by means of gas chromatography-olfactometry.

Detection of Volatile Metabolites of Garlic in Human Breast Milk.

The odor of human breast milk after ingestion of raw garlic at food-relevant concentrations by breastfeeding mothers was investigated for the first time chemo-analytically using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry/olfactometry (GC-MS/O), as well as sensorially using a trained human sensory panel. Sensory evaluation revealed a clear garlic/cabbage-like odor that appeared in breast milk about 2.5 h after consumption of garlic.

Genome-wide expression profiling reveals new insights into pathogenesis and progression of testicular germ cell tumors.

Testicular germ cell tumors (GCT) are the most frequent malignancy in young adults and arise from intratubular germ cell neoplasia undetermined (IGCNU, also referred to as carcinoma in situ, CIS). To determine the transcriptional programs involved in the transition from normal germ cells to GCT, and to further elucidate genetic differences between seminomas and non-seminomatous GCT the global expression profile of 12 neoplastic and 3 normal testicular tissues were investigated by whole genome cDNA microarrays. Transcriptional differences between seminomas and embryonal carcinomas were determined and gene signatures characterizing histological subtypes of GCT were identified.