Publications by authors named "M J E Peck"
An investigation of downstream processing methods for challenging skeletal samples.
Forensic Sci Int Genet
December 2024
While skeletal remains are known for their resilience and often serve as the final source of information for unidentified human remains (UHRs), the traditional downstream processing of these samples is challenging due to their low template nature, DNA degradation, and the presence of PCR inhibitors, typically resulting in limited probative information. To address this issue, advanced genotyping methods can be explored to retrieve additional genetic information from these challenging samples to maximize investigative leads. Therefore, this study investigated the effectiveness of three advanced genotyping methods and assessed their suitability with compromised skeletal samples: 1) targeted next generation sequencing (NGS) of both STRs and SNPs using the ForenSeq® DNA Signature Prep chemistry, 2) targeted NGS of SNPs using the ForenSeq® Kintelligence kit, and 3) SNP genotyping using a microarray via the Infinium Global Screening Array.
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- Aging leads to a decline in thermoregulation, lowering core body temperature (Tc), which, while being a marker of healthy aging, negatively affects cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease models.
- The study tested whether increasing Tc through thermotherapy could enhance metabolism and cognitive performance in APP/PS1 mice by exposing them to higher temperatures (30°C) compared to standard conditions (23°C) from 6 to 12 months of age.
- Results showed improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in mice exposed to higher temperatures, with varying effects based on sex; while male mice benefited cognitively, female APP/PS1 mice experienced worsened spatial memory, highlighting the need for more research on thermotherapy's potential
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- Oral PrEP is highly effective in reducing HIV risk by 99% during sex and by at least 74% for people who inject drugs, and UNAIDS aims for 21.2 million individuals using PrEP by 2025.
- The CDC has played a significant role in global PrEP implementation since 2016, achieving over 2.2 million initiations from 2017 to 2023, mostly among women and young people in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Despite the progress, ongoing efforts are crucial to meet UNAIDS targets and ultimately eliminate HIV as a public health threat.
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- The study aimed to find predictors of long-term opioid use in patients who had not previously used opioids and underwent total joint replacement surgeries.
- Using data from Maine Health System and advanced statistical modeling, the research identified several factors linked to persistent opioid use, such as current smoking, use of antidepressants, PTSD, and high BMI.
- The predictive model created could help identify patients at risk for continued opioid use post-surgery, enabling targeted interventions to reduce opioid dependency for managing post-operative pain.