Assessing the performance of quantity and quality metrics using the QIAGEN Investigator® Quantiplex® pro RGQ kit.

The Quantiplex® Pro RGQ kit quantifies DNA in a sample, supports the detection of mixtures and assesses the extent of DNA degradation based on relative ratios of amplified autosomal and male markers. Data show no significant difference in the accuracy and sensitivity of quantification between this and the Promega PowerQuant® System, both detecting the lowest amount of DNA tested, 4 pg. Laboratory controlled mixed male:female DNA samples together with mock sexual assault samples were quantified across a range of mixture ratios.

Forensic Investigation of a Shawl Linked to the "Jack the Ripper" Murders.

A set of historic murders, known as the "Jack the Ripper murders," started in London in August 1888. The killer's identity has remained a mystery to date. Here, we describe the investigation of, to our knowledge, the only remaining physical evidence linked to these murders, recovered from one of the victims at the scene of the crime.

Spectroscopic analysis of hot-water- and dilute-acid-extracted hardwood and softwood chips.

Hot-water and dilute sulfuric acid pretreatments were performed prior to chemical pulping for silver/white birch (Betula pendula/B. pubescens) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) chips to determine if varying pretreatment conditions on the original wood material were detectable via attenuated total reflectance (ATR) infrared spectroscopy. Pretreatment conditions varied with respect to temperature (130°C and 150°C) and treatment time (from 30min to 120min).

SNP Arrays.

The papers published in this Special Issue "SNP arrays" (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Arrays) focus on several perspectives associated with arrays of this type. The range of papers vary from a case report to reviews, thereby targeting wider audiences working in this field. The research focus of SNP arrays is often human cancers but this Issue expands that focus to include areas such as rare conditions, animal breeding and bioinformatics tools.

Passive and post-exercise cold-water immersion augments PGC-1α and VEGF expression in human skeletal muscle.

Purpose: We tested the hypothesis that both post-exercise and passive cold water immersion (CWI) increases PGC-1α and VEGF mRNA expression in human skeletal muscle.

Method: Study 1 Nine males completed an intermittent running protocol (8 × 3-min bouts at 90 % [Formula: see text], interspersed with 3-min active recovery (1.5-min at 25 % and 1.

Acute simulated soccer-specific training increases PGC-1α mRNA expression in human skeletal muscle.

The aim of the current study was to quantify oxygen uptake, heart rate and molecular responses of human skeletal muscle associated with mitochondrial biogenesis following an acute bout of simulated soccer training. Muscle biopsies (vastus lateralis) were obtained from nine active men immediately pre-completion, post-completion and 3 h post-completion of a laboratory-based soccer-specific training simulation on a motorised treadmill. The soccer-specific simulation was a similar intensity (55 ± 6% [Formula: see text]) and duration (60 min) as that observed in professional soccer training (e.

Reduced carbohydrate availability enhances exercise-induced p53 signaling in human skeletal muscle: implications for mitochondrial biogenesis.

The mechanisms that regulate the enhanced skeletal muscle oxidative capacity observed when training with reduced carbohydrate (CHO) availability are currently unknown. The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that reduced CHO availability enhances p53 signaling and expression of genes associated with regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis and substrate utilization in human skeletal muscle. In a repeated-measures design, muscle biopsies (vastus lateralis) were obtained from eight active males before and after performing an acute bout of high-intensity interval running with either high (HIGH) or low CHO availability (LOW).

Protein ingestion does not impair exercise-induced AMPK signalling when in a glycogen-depleted state: implications for train-low compete-high.

The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that consuming protein does not attenuate AMPK signalling when exercise is commenced in a glycogen-depleted state. After performing a glycogen-depleting protocol the evening before, the subsequent morning ten active men performed 45 min steady-state cycling at 50 % of peak power output (PPO) followed by an exercise capacity test (1-min intervals at 80 % PPO interspersed with 1-min periods at 40 % PPO). In a repeated measures design, subjects consumed 20 g of a casein hydrolysate solution (PRO) 45 min before exercise, 10 g during and a further 20 g immediately post-exercise, or an equivalent volume of a non-calorie taste matched placebo (PLA).

PGC-1α transcriptional response and mitochondrial adaptation to acute exercise is maintained in skeletal muscle of sedentary elderly males.

The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of ageing and training status on (1) markers of skeletal muscle mitochondrial content and (2) the ability to activate the acute signalling pathways associated with regulating exercise-induced mitochondrial biogenesis. Muscle biopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis muscle of young untrained (24 ± 4 years, n = 6; YU), young trained (22 ± 3 years, n = 6; YT), old untrained (65 ± 6 years, n = 6; OU) and old trained (64 ± 3 years, n = 6; OT) healthy males before and after (3 h and 3 days post-exercise) completion of high-intensity interval cycling exercise. In resting muscle, lifelong training preserved mtDNA, PGC-1α and COXIV protein content such that muscles from OT individuals were comparable to muscles from both YU and YT individuals, whereas lifelong sedentary behaviour reduced such markers of mitochondrial content.

Matched work high-intensity interval and continuous running induce similar increases in PGC-1α mRNA, AMPK, p38, and p53 phosphorylation in human skeletal muscle.

The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that acute high-intensity interval (HIT) running induces greater activation of signaling pathways associated with mitochondrial biogenesis compared with moderate-intensity continuous (CONT) running matched for work done. In a repeated-measures design, 10 active men performed two running protocols consisting of HIT [6 × 3-min at 90% maximal oxygen consumption (Vo(2max)) interspersed with 3-min recovery periods at 50% Vo(2max) with a 7-min warm-up and cool-down period at 70% Vo(2max)] or CONT (50-min continuous running at 70% Vo(2max)). Both protocols were matched, therefore, for average intensity, duration, and distance run.

An RNA expression method for aging forensic hair samples.

A common limitation to most forensic trace evidence analysis is the ability to determine the time at which the evidence was deposited at the crime scene. This issue of timing is vitally important as it may not only reveal when the crime occurred, but could exclude potential suspects from the investigation. Using a reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assay, we monitored the relative expression ratio (RER) of two different RNA species (18S and β-actin) in hair samples that were aged naturally over a period of 3 months.

Mental symptoms among Finnish farm entrepreneurs.

The prevalence of mental symptoms among Finnish farm entrepreneurs in 2004 and 1994 was examined in two cross-sectional studies. The aim was also to examine associations between symptoms and background factors. Two random samples for computer-assisted telephone interviews comprised 1,182 full-time farmers in 2004 and 928 farmers in 1992.

Stress among Finnish farm entrepreneurs.

The aims were to examine the prevalence of stress among Finnish full-time farm entrepreneurs in 2004 (n = 1,182) and to compare the results with those for the general working population in 2003. The second aim was to analyze which factors were associated with the prevalence of stress. A stratified random sample of farm entrepreneurs gathered from the farm register was surveyed using computer-assisted telephone interviews.

DBC1 re-expression alters the expression of multiple components of the plasminogen pathway.

Deleted in bladder cancer 1 (DBC1) is a candidate gene for the bladder tumour suppressor locus at 9q33.1. The function of the gene is currently unknown but a cross-species sequence comparison suggests an important role, as it is highly evolutionarily conserved.

RNA expression profiling of normal and tumor cells following photodynamic therapy with 5-aminolevulinic acid-induced protoporphyrin IX in vitro.

Photodynamic therapy using 5-aminolevulinic acid-induced protoporphyrin IX synthesis as a photosensitizing reagent is an encouraging modality for cancer treatment. Understanding the mechanism of tumor phototoxicity is important to provide a basis for combinatory therapy regimens. A normal cell line (UROtsa, urothelial) and two tumor cell lines (RT4, urothelial; HT29, colonic) were treated with cell line-specific LD50 doses of light after exposure to 5-aminolevulinic acid (100 microg/mL), and harvested for RNA extraction 0, 10, and 30 minutes after irradiation.

High-resolution deletion mapping of 15q13.2-q21.1 in transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.

Deletions found in several types of human tumor, including carcinomas of the colorectum, breast, and lung, suggest the presence of a potential tumor suppressor gene(s) on chromosome 15. Common regions of deletion in these tumors are at 15q15 and 15q21. Here, we have analyzed loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on chromosome 15 to ascertain its potential involvement in the development and progression of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder.

Destabilization of chromosome 9 in transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder.

The most frequent genetic alteration in transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder (TCC) is loss of chromosome 9 which targets CDKN2A on 9p. The targets on 9q are not confirmed. Here, 81 advanced TCC specimens were investigated for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and homozygous deletions (HD) on chromosome 9q using multiplex analysis of microsatellite markers.

Loss of heterozygosity in tumour-adjacent normal tissue of breast and bladder cancer.

Normal tumour-adjacent breast tissue samples from 12 breast cancer patients forming six monozygotic twin pairs were analysed for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on chromosomes 1, 13 and 17. 7 patients showed LOH at one or more markers. Each of them had a different LOH pattern.

The prevalence of loss of heterozygosity in chromosome 3, including FHIT, in bladder cancer, using the fluorescent multiplex polymerase chain reaction.

Objective: To determine some of the genetic alterations involved in the pathogenesis and progression of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Materials and methods In a population-based study, freshly frozen tissue was collected from all patients newly diagnosed with urinary bladder cancer in the Stockholm region during 1995-1996. The prevalence of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) was assessed at seven sites on chromosome 3, analysed in 151 patients, using a fluorescent multiplex polymerase chain reaction based on DNA from the tumour and peripheral blood.

Multiple regions with allelic loss at chromosome 3 in superficial multifocal bladder tumors.

We have examined six patients with multiple low grade, low stage superficial multifocal bladder tumors with surrounding tissues for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and microsatellite instability at chromosome 3, totaling 76 samples. The majority (4/5) of the patients had LOH at or close to the fragile histidine triad (FHIT) gene (3p14.2; D3S1300), which is a candidate tumor suppressor gene for many cancer types.

Allelic losses demonstrate monoclonality of multifocal bladder tumors.

The clonality of multifocal bladder tumors has been studied over the years with some controversial results. We have examined 5 patients with 2-11 low-grade superficial multifocal bladder tumors for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at 87 loci on 9 chromosomes. When LOH was detected at a given marker, the tumors consistently showed deletion of a specific allele, suggesting the monoclonality of the patients' tumors.

Initiation-development modelling of allelic losses on chromosome 9 in multifocal bladder cancer.

Multiple low-grade, low-stage superficial tumours were analysed for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on chromosome 9 with 29 markers. Three consensus regions were found, one at 9p (9p21-22) and two at 9q (9q21-31 and 9q32-34). Phylogenetic trees were calculated for each patient using both designated chromosome 9 regions and, separately, using individual microsatellite data.

Bladder cancer: allelic deletions at and around the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor gene in relation to stage and grade.

Inhibition of the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor gene (RB) is probably important in the pathogenesis of urinary bladder cancer. Little information is available concerning allelic loss on 13q11 to 13q32 and its relation to grade and stage. In a population-based study, freshly frozen tissue was collected from all new cases of urinary bladder cancer in the Stockholm region during 1995-1996.