Use of stains to detect fingermarks

Abstract

Detection of fingermarks at a crime scene or on related items is of prime interest for forensic investigators, mainly for identification purposes. Most of the fingermarks are invisible to the naked eye, however. The application of detection techniques is required to establish visual contrast between the secretion residue and the underlying substrate. We give here a review of the field related to the concept of using stains to detect fingermarks. A distinction has been made between the physically driven classical detection techniques, the chemically driven ones, and those based on nanostructured materials, an emerging field in forensic science.     

Use of radioisotopes in quantitative studies of lung metabolism

Quantitatively accurate studies of macromolecule and lipid synthesis in lung and other tissues by using radioactive substrates require detailed knowledge of the specific radioactivity of the appropriate pool of precursor molecules serving the synthetic pathway. A brief summary is provided of how considerations of precursor availability, metabolism, and compartmentation, as well as product remodeling, may affect the accuracy with which rates of protein, DNA, RNA, and lipid synthesis can be measured. Where possible, the application of this material to studies of lung metabolism is discussed, along with approaches that may minimize experimental uncertainties.     

间接竞争ELISA法对柞蚕微孢子虫的检测

柞蚕微孢子虫病是柞蚕唯一的检疫性病害,其致病病原物为柞蚕微孢子虫(Nosema pernyi Ding,Su&Wen),因此,柞蚕微孢子虫的检测对于该病的防治具有重要意义。本文通过制备柞蚕微孢子虫多克隆抗体,建立柞蚕微孢子虫间接竞争ELISA检测法。结果表明,柞蚕微孢子虫多克隆抗体效价为1∶104、浓度为3 mg·mL-1,主要由2条大小约50 ku和25 ku蛋白条带组成,可作为后续试验多克隆抗体材料。间接竞争ELISA法最佳抗原工作浓度为2.0μg·mL-1微孢子虫孢壁蛋白溶液,最佳抗体工作浓度为兔抗血清按1∶102倍浓度稀释,酶标二抗最佳工作浓度为1∶5×104倍稀释,柞蚕微孢子虫间接竞争ELISA检测法的灵敏度为1.6×105spores·mL-1。间接竞争ELISA法在柞蚕微孢子虫的检测方面具有一定的应用价值。     

Use of streptavidin to detect biotin-containing proteins in plants

A procedure to detect biotinyl proteins after fractionation by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was developed. Proteins were immobilized on nitrocellulose and biotin-containing proteins were detected by probing with 125I-streptavidin. Using this procedure a small survey of biotinyl protein in plants was undertaken. In total four biotin-containing proteins were detected in higher plants of molecular weights 62,000, 50,000, 34,000, and 31,000. These biotinyl proteins were not ubiquitous in the plants surveyed. In the cyanobacterium Anabeana variabilis, a single biotin-containing protein of 21,000 Da was detected. In isolated spinach chloroplasts, the two biotinyl proteins detected were soluble. The results are discussed in relation to acetyl-CoA carboxylase.     

Calcium homeostasis and dichlorvos induced neurotoxicity in rat brain

The present study was designed to investigate the possible effects of chronic dichlorvos exposure on the various aspects of calcium homeostasis in rat brain. Chronic dichlorvos administration caused significant rise in the intrasynaptosomal calcium levels. The activity of major calcium expelling enzyme i.e. Ca²⁺ ATPase was found to be declined. Also, the depolarization induced calcium uptake via voltage operated calcium channels increased significantly. Concomitant to the increase in intrasynaptosomal calcium, calpain activity was found to be increased. The results presented herein, indicate that the toxic effects of dichlorvos could be mediated through modifications in the intracellular calcium homeostasis which may lead to impaired neuronal function.     

Use of enzyme-labeled antibodies to detect Salmonella in foods.

An indirect enzyme-labeled antibody technique (ELAT), in which Salmonella typhimurium was used as a model, was developed as a method to detect Salmonella in food samples. A cellulose-acetate membrane filter, the matrix for detection, was placed on a membrane-filter base and overlaid with a multiwelled lucite template. Mixed broth enrichment cultures were dispensed in the template wells, and cells were spotted onto the membrane via suction. After fixation, the membranes were immersed in rabbit anti-S. typhimurium flagella antibody, washed, immersed in goat anti-rabbit antibody conjugated to peroxidase, and washed. Exposure of membranes to the substrates 3,3'-diaminobenzidine or benzidine resulted in development of brown or blue macroscopic reaction products, respectively, on spots containing S. typhimurium. ELAT results agreed with those of enrichment serology and cultural procedures on three food products containing known levels of S. typhimurium. Because of the magnification effect of the enzyme-substrate reaction, fewer cells were needed for detection than with enrichment serology, thereby reducing the total analysis time. The ability to test 14 or more samples simultaneously on a 47-mm membrane filter would facilitate screening large number of samples. Pending the development of a pure H antisera pool for the common Salmonella serotypes free from O antibodies, the ELAT demonstrated potential as a Salmonella detection methodology.     

Use of enzyme-labeled antibodies to detect Salmonella in foods.

An indirect enzyme-labeled antibody technique (ELAT), in which Salmonella typhimurium was used as a model, was developed as a method to detect Salmonella in food samples. A cellulose-acetate membrane filter, the matrix for detection, was placed on a membrane-filter base and overlaid with a multiwelled lucite template. Mixed broth enrichment cultures were dispensed in the template wells, and cells were spotted onto the membrane via suction. After fixation, the membranes were immersed in rabbit anti-S. typhimurium flagella antibody, washed, immersed in goat anti-rabbit antibody conjugated to peroxidase, and washed. Exposure of membranes to the substrates 3,3'-diaminobenzidine or benzidine resulted in development of brown or blue macroscopic reaction products, respectively, on spots containing S. typhimurium. ELAT results agreed with those of enrichment serology and cultural procedures on three food products containing known levels of S. typhimurium. Because of the magnification effect of the enzyme-substrate reaction, fewer cells were needed for detection than with enrichment serology, thereby reducing the total analysis time. The ability to test 14 or more samples simultaneously on a 47-mm membrane filter would facilitate screening large number of samples. Pending the development of a pure H antisera pool for the common Salmonella serotypes free from O antibodies, the ELAT demonstrated potential as a Salmonella detection methodology.     

The microenvironment of naked mole‐rat burrows in East Africa

Naked mole‐rats (Heterocephalus glaber) can be extremely long‐lived and are resistant to cancer. Hence, they have been proposed as a model organism for delayed ageing. Adaptation to a constant hypoxic and hypercapnic environment has been suggested as reason for their apparent ability to tolerate oxidative stress. Nevertheless, little is known about the natural habitat to which the species evolved. Naked mole‐rat burrow environments were assessed in Ethiopia and Kenya. Despite reported thermolability of naked mole‐rats, skin temperature upon capture varied (23.7–35.4°C), mostly within the species’ thermoneutral zone, demonstrating their ability to maintain homoiothermy even under wide fluctuations of burrow temperature (24.6–48.8°C) and humidity (31.2%–92.8%), which are far greater than previously reported. Burrow temperature regularly alternates during the daytime and night‐time, driving convective currents that circulate air in the tunnels. Consequently, concentrations of CO₂ and O₂ in burrows only slightly deviated from surface atmosphere. This contradicts the assumption of constant hypoxia/hypercapnia in subterranean burrows. In addition to diffusion, animal movement and occasional wind‐driven ventilation, our data support the temperature‐driven convective model of circulation. The naked mole‐rat burrow is a relatively normoxic subterranean microenvironment with considerable fluctuations in temperature and humidity.     

Use of randomization testing to detect multiple epistatic QTLs

Here, we describe a randomization testing strategy for mapping interacting quantitative trait loci (QTLs). In a forward selection strategy, non-interacting QTLs and simultaneously mapped interacting QTL pairs are added to a total genetic model. Simultaneous mapping of epistatic QTLs increases the power of the mapping strategy by allowing detection of interacting QTL pairs where none of the QTL can be detected by their marginal additive and dominance effects. Randomization testing is used to derive empirical significance thresholds for every model selection step in the procedure. A simulation study was used to evaluate the statistical properties of the proposed randomization tests and for which types of epistasis simultaneous mapping of epistatic QTLs adds power. Least squares regression was used for QTL parameter estimation but any other QTL mapping method can be used. A genetic algorithm was used to search for interacting QTL pairs, which makes the proposed strategy feasible for single processor computers. We believe that this method will facilitate the evaluation of the importance at epistatic interaction among QTLs controlling multifactorial traits and disorders.     

Use of Polymerase Chain Reaction to detect Listeria monocytogenes in silages

Polymerase Chain Reaction, based on amplification of a fragment of Dth18 gene, was applied to detect and specifically to identify Listeria monocytogenes present in silages. About 15 CFU g^–1 of fresh or fermented vegetables have been routinely detected using this rapid technique.     

Use of an enzyme assay to detect glycolate in aquatic systems

An enzyme assay has been developed for measuring glycolate in natural waters. The assay failed to detect glycolate in seawater from a coral-reef microcosm where it had been found by using the Calkins technique. However, the analysis measured low levels of glycolate (<0.1 μM) in water associated with the growth of a marine macrophyte (Halimeda opuntia (Linnaeus) Lamouroux) and a freshwater phytoplankter (Chlorella ellipsoida Gerneck) that have previously been reported to release the compound.     

用DNA杂交技术检测临床分离株的四种耐四环素基因

采用DNA杂交技术对来自我国几个省的306株革兰氏阴性杆菌携带的耐四环素基因(Tet)的分布进行了研究。所有菌株均用15种生化反应数码分析法判定,绿脓杆菌用双歧法鉴定。用四种Tet探针检测结果如下：TetB占31．4％,TetD占25．2％TetA占1 2.5％,TetC占10．5％。与四种探针均不杂交者占36．6％。含1种基因的菌株占51．3％,含2种的占7．5％,含3种的占2．9％,含4种的占1．6％。不同地区的菌株的Tet种类不完全相同。还发现在严格控制的条件下杂交,TetA和Tetc有交叉反应。     

Distribution of burrows of the African giant rat (Cricetomys gambianus Waterhouse) in relation to soil characteristics

A study was made of soil characteristics in giant rat habitat in order to examine the possibility that the location of their burrows is related to soil texture and minerals. Physical and mineral analysis of soils from giant rat burrows have been carried out. Significant chemical differences were observed between soils from occupied or vacated burrows and from locations without burrows. Striking differences in correlation coefficients of different minerals (calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium and manganese) were observed in vacated and occupied burrows. The implication of these findings are discussed in relation to present knowledge of the animal's nutritional requirements.