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Forensic Science International. Genetics May 2021The application of transcriptome analyses in forensic genetics has experienced tremendous growth and development in the past decade. The earliest studies and main... (Review)
Review
The application of transcriptome analyses in forensic genetics has experienced tremendous growth and development in the past decade. The earliest studies and main applications were body fluid and tissue identification, using targeted RNA transcripts and a reverse transcription endpoint PCR method. A number of markers have been identified for the forensically most relevant body fluids and tissues and the method has been successfully used in casework. The introduction of Massively Parallel Sequencing (MPS) opened up new perspectives and opportunities to advance the field. Contrary to genomic DNA where two copies of an autosomal DNA segment are present in a cell, abundant RNA species are expressed in high copy numbers. Even whole transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq) of forensically relevant body fluids and of postmortem material was shown to be possible. This review gives an overview on forensic transcriptome analyses and applications. The methods cover whole transcriptome as well as targeted MPS approaches. High resolution forensic transcriptome analyses using MPS are being applied to body fluid/ tissue identification, determination of the age of stains and the age of the donor, the estimation of the post-mortem interval and to post mortem death investigations.
Topics: Aging; Bodily Secretions; Body Fluids; Death, Sudden, Cardiac; Forensic Genetics; Gene Expression Profiling; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; Humans; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Postmortem Changes; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Time Factors; Exome Sequencing
PubMed: 33657509
DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2021.102486 -
Science Signaling Aug 2020The oral bacterium is often found in colorectal cancer (CRC). In the 21 July 2020 issue of , Casasanta show that CRC cell-resident promotes cytokine secretion that... (Review)
Review
The oral bacterium is often found in colorectal cancer (CRC). In the 21 July 2020 issue of , Casasanta show that CRC cell-resident promotes cytokine secretion that may potentiate tumor growth and metastatic progression in patients.
Topics: Bodily Secretions; Cell Movement; Chemokine CXCL1; Colorectal Neoplasms; Fusobacterium nucleatum; Humans; Interleukin-8
PubMed: 32788340
DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.abc4218 -
Nutrients Mar 2021The gastrointestinal tract can assess the nutrient composition of ingested food. The nutrient-sensing mechanisms in specialised epithelial cells lining the... (Review)
Review
The gastrointestinal tract can assess the nutrient composition of ingested food. The nutrient-sensing mechanisms in specialised epithelial cells lining the gastrointestinal tract, the enteroendocrine cells, trigger the release of gut hormones that provide important local and central feedback signals to regulate nutrient utilisation and feeding behaviour. The evidence for nutrient-stimulated secretion of two of the most studied gut hormones, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), along with the known cellular mechanisms in enteroendocrine cells recruited by nutrients, will be the focus of this review. The mechanisms involved range from electrogenic transporters, ion channel modulation and nutrient-activated G-protein coupled receptors that converge on the release machinery controlling hormone secretion. Elucidation of these mechanisms will provide much needed insight into postprandial physiology and identify tractable dietary approaches to potentially manage nutrition and satiety by altering the secreted gut hormone profile.
Topics: Bodily Secretions; Enteroendocrine Cells; Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide; Gastrointestinal Hormones; Gastrointestinal Tract; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; Humans; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Postprandial Period
PubMed: 33803183
DOI: 10.3390/nu13030883 -
Translational Vision Science &... Dec 2022To screen and compare the differential proteins in meibomian gland secretions between patients with blepharokeratoconjunctivitis (BKC) and healthy individuals and to...
PURPOSE
To screen and compare the differential proteins in meibomian gland secretions between patients with blepharokeratoconjunctivitis (BKC) and healthy individuals and to identify target proteins that may participate in the occurrence and development of BKC.
METHODS
Thirteen patients diagnosed with BKC in Shenzhen Eye Hospital and five healthy volunteers were included in this study. Meibomian gland secretions and clinical traits were collected before and after 1 month of standard BKC treatment. Label-free mass spectrometry was used for proteomic detection of meibomian gland secretions. Weighted protein coexpression network analysis (WPCNA) and several different protein analyses were performed to identify hub proteins associated with BKC and its clinical characteristics.
RESULTS
Patients with BKC had significantly lower cleanliness of the eyelid margin, higher palpebral margin scores, more serious clinical manifestations of secretions, and more damaged meibomian gland morphology compared with the healthy controls. One hundred fifteen differential proteins were associated with the clinical traits, which included diagnosis, sex, age, severity, corneal neovascularization, disease course, eyelid margin cleanliness, palpebral margin score, secretion characteristics, and meibomian gland morphology. Four hub proteins related to inflammation and the immune response (namely, S100A8, S100A9, ANXA3, and LCN2) were increased in BKC and remained increased after 1 month of treatment. The cleanliness, blepharon eyelid score, and secretion characteristics were improved after BKC treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
S100A8, S100A9, ANXA3, and LCN2 are BKC-associated proteins probably involved in the chronic inflammation of BKC.
TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE
Hub proteins probably involved in chronic inflammation of BKC were identified by proteomic methods.
Topics: Humans; Meibomian Glands; Proteomics; Bodily Secretions; Calgranulin A; Calgranulin B; Inflammation
PubMed: 36458945
DOI: 10.1167/tvst.11.12.4 -
Frontiers in Medicine 2022Earwax (cerumen), a normal bodily secretion, can become a problem when it obstructs the ear canal. Earwax removal is a difficult task for specialists because of the... (Review)
Review
Earwax (cerumen), a normal bodily secretion, can become a problem when it obstructs the ear canal. Earwax removal is a difficult task for specialists because of the ear's unique location and the ear canal's intricate structure. Using ear scoops or cotton swabs to dig out ear wax in daily life is like "a blind man walking on a cliff." Improper operation may damage the ear canal or the eardrum. Thus, we need a pair of visible "eyes," otoscopes, to help us see earwax intuitively. As opposed to traditional otoscopes, which only serve as a visual aid, the endoscopic ear pick allows us to not only view the ear canal but also remove wax or other obstructions from the ear. In this review, we discussed endoscope ear pick pros and cons and discussed their future role.
PubMed: 36457570
DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.977554 -
Journal of Nanobiotechnology Apr 2021Biochemical analysis of human body fluids is a frequent and fruitful strategy for disease diagnosis. Point-of-care (POC) diagnostics offers the tantalizing possibility... (Review)
Review
Biochemical analysis of human body fluids is a frequent and fruitful strategy for disease diagnosis. Point-of-care (POC) diagnostics offers the tantalizing possibility of providing rapid diagnostic results in non-laboratory settings. Successful diagnostic testing using body fluids has been reported on in the literature; however, small-volume detection devices, which offer remarkable advantages such as portability, inexpensiveness, capacity for mass production, and tiny sample volume requirements have not been thoroughly discussed. Here, we review progress in this research field, with a focus on developments since 2015. In this review article, we provide a summary of articles that have detailed the development of small-volume detection strategies using clinical samples over the course of the last 5 years. Topics covered include small-volume detection strategies in ophthalmology, dermatology or plastic surgery, otolaryngology, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis. In ophthalmology, advances in technology could be applied to examine tear or anterior chamber (AC) fluid for glucose, lactoferrin, interferon, or VEGF. These approaches could impact detection and care for diseases including diabetic mellitus, dry-eye disease, and age-related maculopathy. Early detection and easy monitoring are critical approaches for improving overall care and outcome. In dermatology or plastic surgery, small-volume detection strategies have been applied for passive or interactive wound dressing, wound healing monitoring, and blister fluid analysis for autoimmune disease diagnosis. In otolaryngology, the analysis of nasal secretions and mucosa could be used to differentiate between allergic responses and infectious diseases. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis could be applied in neurodegenerative diseases, central neural system infection and tumor diagnosis. Other small-volume fluids that have been analyzed for diagnostic and monitoring purposes include semen and cervico-vaginal fluids. We include more details regarding each of these fluids, associated collection and detection devices, and approaches in our review.
Topics: Biosensing Techniques; Bodily Secretions; Body Fluids; Cerebrospinal Fluid; Clinical Laboratory Techniques; Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures; Female; Humans; Male; Nasal Mucosa; Ophthalmology; Point-of-Care Systems; Point-of-Care Testing; Vagina; Wound Healing
PubMed: 33882955
DOI: 10.1186/s12951-021-00852-1 -
Andrologia Dec 2018Exosomes are endosomal-derived membrane-confined nanovesicles secreted by many (if not all) cell types and isolated from every human bodily fluid examined up to now... (Review)
Review
Exosomes are endosomal-derived membrane-confined nanovesicles secreted by many (if not all) cell types and isolated from every human bodily fluid examined up to now including plasma, semen, vaginal secretions and breast milk. Exosomes are thought to represent a new player in cell-to-cell communication pathways and immune regulation, and be involved in many physiological and pathological processes. Susceptibility to HIV-1 infection can be impacted by exosomes, while HIV-1 pathogenesis can alter exosomal function and composition. Exosomes isolated from semen and vaginal fluid of healthy individuals can inhibit HIV-1 infection and/or potently block viral transfer in vitro. However, the role of exosomes in HIV-1 transmission and progression is not fully understood yet and some studies show conflicting results, mainly for exosomes isolated from plasma and breast milk. Determining the composition of exosomes from infected donors and studying their interaction with HIV-1 in vitro compared to exosomes isolated from uninfected donors will provide insights into the role exosomes play in HIV-1 transmission during sexual intercourse and breastfeeding.
Topics: Breast Feeding; Coitus; Disease Susceptibility; Exosomes; Female; HIV Infections; HIV-1; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Humans; Male; Milk, Human; Semen
PubMed: 30569645
DOI: 10.1111/and.13220 -
Current Opinion in Insect Science Feb 2021Ecdysteroids are a class of steroid hormones that controls molting and metamorphic transitions in Ecdysozoan species including insects, in which ecdysteroid biosynthesis... (Review)
Review
Ecdysteroids are a class of steroid hormones that controls molting and metamorphic transitions in Ecdysozoan species including insects, in which ecdysteroid biosynthesis and its regulation have been extensively studied. Insect ecdysteroids are produced from dietary sterols by a series of reduction-oxidation reactions in the prothoracic gland and in Drosophila they are released into the hemolymph via vesicle-mediated secretion at the time of metamorphosis. To initiate precisely controlled ecdysteroid pulses, the prothoracic gland functions as a central node integrating both intrinsic and extrinsic signals to control ecdysteroid biosynthesis and secretion. In this review, we outline recent progress in the characterization of ecdysone biosynthesis and steroid trafficking pathways and the discoveries of novel factors regulating prothoracic gland function.
Topics: Animals; Bodily Secretions; Ecdysteroids; Insecta; Metamorphosis, Biological
PubMed: 32950745
DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2020.09.004 -
Brain : a Journal of Neurology Jun 2020Transportation of key proteins via extracellular vesicles has been recently implicated in various neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson's disease, as a new...
Transportation of key proteins via extracellular vesicles has been recently implicated in various neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson's disease, as a new mechanism of disease spreading and a new source of biomarkers. Extracellular vesicles likely to be derived from the brain can be isolated from peripheral blood and have been reported to contain higher levels of α-synuclein (α-syn) in Parkinson's disease patients. However, very little is known about extracellular vesicles in multiple system atrophy, a disease that, like Parkinson's disease, involves pathological α-syn aggregation, though the process is centred around oligodendrocytes in multiple system atrophy. In this study, a novel immunocapture technology was developed to isolate blood CNPase-positive, oligodendrocyte-derived enriched microvesicles (OEMVs), followed by fluorescent nanoparticle tracking analysis and assessment of α-syn levels contained within the OEMVs. The results demonstrated that the concentrations of OEMVs were significantly lower in multiple system atrophy patients, compared to Parkinson's disease patients and healthy control subjects. It is also noted that the population of OEMVs involved was mainly in the size range closer to that of exosomes, and that the average α-syn concentrations (per vesicle) contained in these OEMVs were not significantly different among the three groups. The phenomenon of reduced OEMVs was again observed in a transgenic mouse model of multiple system atrophy and in primary oligodendrocyte cultures, and the mechanism involved was likely related, at least in part, to an α-syn-mediated interference in the interaction between syntaxin 4 and VAMP2, leading to the dysfunction of the SNARE complex. These results suggest that reduced OEMVs could be an important mechanism related to pathological α-syn aggregation in oligodendrocytes, and the OEMVs found in peripheral blood could be further explored for their potential as multiple system atrophy biomarkers.
Topics: Aged; Animals; Bodily Secretions; Brain; Cell-Derived Microparticles; Disease Models, Animal; Exosomes; Female; Humans; Male; Mice; Mice, Transgenic; Middle Aged; Multiple System Atrophy; Neurons; Oligodendroglia; Parkinson Disease; SNARE Proteins; alpha-Synuclein
PubMed: 32428221
DOI: 10.1093/brain/awaa110 -
Journal of Separation Science Oct 2021Human whole saliva is a bodily fluid that can be obtained easily by noninvasive techniques. Specimens can be collected by the patient also at home in order to monitor... (Review)
Review
Human whole saliva is a bodily fluid that can be obtained easily by noninvasive techniques. Specimens can be collected by the patient also at home in order to monitor health status and variations of several analytes of clinical interest. The contributions to whole saliva include secretions from salivary glands and, among others, from the gingival crevicular fluid that derives from the epithelial mucosa. Therefore, saliva is currently a relevant diagnostic fluid for many substances, including steroids, nonpeptide hormones, therapeutic drugs, and drugs of abuse. This review at first briefly describes the different contributions to whole saliva. A section illustrates the procedures for the collection, handling, and storage of salivary specimens. Another section describes the present use of whole saliva for diagnostic purposes and its specific utilization for the diagnosis of several local and systemic diseases. The final sections illustrate the future opportunities offered by various not conventional techniques with a focus on the most recent -omic investigations. It describes the various issues that have to be taken into account to avoid false positives and negatives, such as the strength of the experimental plan, the adequacy of the number of samples under study, and the proper choice of controls.
Topics: Biomarkers; Humans; Proteome; Proteomics; Saliva
PubMed: 34350708
DOI: 10.1002/jssc.202100384