Estimating trace deposition time with circadian biomarkers: a prospective and versatile tool for crime scene reconstruction

Linking biological samples found at a crime scene with the actual crime event represents the most important aspect of forensic investigation, together with the identification of the sample donor. While DNA profiling is well established for donor identification, no reliable methods exist for timing forensic samples. Here, we provide for the first time a biochemical approach for determining deposition time of human traces. Using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays we showed that the characteristic 24-h profiles of two circadian hormones, melatonin (concentration peak at late night) and cortisol (peak in the morning) can be reproduced from small samples of whole blood and saliva. We further demonstrated by analyzing small stains dried and stored up to 4 weeks the in vitro stability of melatonin, whereas for cortisol a statistically significant decay with storage time was observed, although the hormone was still reliably detectable in 4-week-old samples. Finally, we showed that the total protein concentration, also assessed using a commercial assay, can be used for normalization of hormone signals in blood, but less so in saliva. Our data thus demonstrate that estimating normalized concentrations of melatonin and cortisol represents a prospective approach for determining deposition time of biological trace samples, at least from blood, with promising expectations for forensic applications. In the broader context, our study opens up a new field of circadian biomarkers for deposition timing of forensic traces; future studies using other circadian biomarkers may reveal if the time range offered by the two hormones studied here can be specified more exactly

Indonesia seas management

From the 1980's, Indonesian shrimp production has continuously increased through a large expansion of cultured areas and an intensification of the production. As consequences of diseases and environmental degradations linked to this development, there are currently 250,000 ha of abandoned ponds in Indonesia. To implement effective procedure to undertake appropriate aquaculture ecosystem assessment and monitoring, an integrated indicator based on four criteria using very high spatial optical satellite images, has been developed to discriminate active from abandoned ponds. These criteria were: presence of water, aerator, feeding bridge and vegetation. This indicator has then been applied to the Perancak estuary, a production area in decline, to highlight the abandonment dynamic between 2001 and 2015. Two risk factors that could contribute to explain dynamics of abandonment were identified: climate conditions and pond locations within the estuary, suggesting that a spatial approach should be integrated in planning processes to operationalize pond rehabilitation

Association Between Mobile Phone Radiation Exposure and the Secretion of Melatonin and Cortisol, Two Markers of the Circadian System : A Review

The extremely important use of mobile phones in the world, at all ages of life, including children and adolescents, leads to significant exposure of these populations to electromagnetic waves of radiofrequency. The question, therefore, arises as to whether exposure to these radiofrequencies (RFs) could lead to deleterious effects on the body's biological systems and health. In the current article, we review the effects, in laboratory animals and humans, of exposure to RF on two hormones considered as endocrine markers: melatonin, a neurohormone produced by the pineal gland and cortisol, a glucocorticosteroid synthesized by the adrenal glands. These two hormones are also considered as markers of the circadian system. The literature search was performed using PubMed, Medline, Web of Sciences (ISI Web of Knowledge), Google Scholar, and EMF Portal. From this review on RF effects on cortisol and melatonin, it appears that scientific papers in the literature are conflicting, showing effects, no effects, or inconclusive data. This implies the need for additional research on higher numbers of subjects and with protocols perfectly controlled with follow‐up studies to better determine whether the chronic effect of RF on the biological functioning and health of users exists (or not). Bioelectromagnetics

Effects of 3G cell phone exposure on the structure and function of the human cytochrome P450 reductase.

International audienceCell phones increase exposure to radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMFs). Whether EMFs exert specific effects on biological systems remains debatable. This study investigated the effect of cell phone exposure on the structure and function of human NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR). CPR plays a key role in the electron transfer to cytochrome P450, which takes part in a wide range of oxidative metabolic reactions in various organisms from microbes to humans. Human CPR was exposed for 60 min to 1966-MHz RF inside a transverse electromagnetic cell (TEM-cell) placed in an incubator. The specific absorption rate (SAR) was 5 W·kg− 1. Conformation changes have been detected through fluorescent spectroscopy of flavin and tryptophan residues, and investigated through circular dichroism, dynamic light scattering and microelectrophoresis. These showed that CPR was narrowed. By using cytochrome C reductase activity to assess the electron flux through the CPR, the Michaelis Menten constant (Km) and the maximum initial velocity (Vmax) decreased by 22% as compared with controls. This change was due to small changes in the tertiary and secondary structures of the protein at 37 °C. The relevance of these findings to an actual RF exposure scenario demands further biochemical and in-vivo confirmation

Cartographie du régolithe par télédétection hyperspectrale aéroportée en Nouvelle-Calédonie. Tome Nickel et technologie (rapport scientifique 2012)

Le projet CARTHA proposé pour la cartographie du régolithe est une réponse pluri organismes. Il vise àestimer le potentiel de la technologie hyperspectrale aéroportée appliquée à l‘environnement minier sur lemilieu insulaire néo-calédonien très particulier de part sa formation géologique et ses aspects d’endémicitéde sa flore et de sa faune.La connaissance de la répartition spatiale et de l'évolution des composants naturels (géosphère,hydrosphère, biosphère) des massifs de péridotites est à la base de la compréhension et du suivi de cesmilieux très spécifiques, riches en ressources naturelles et en biodiversité, mais fragiles et sensibles.Il convient ainsi d’aborder prioritairement les spécificités du milieu néo-calédonien afin de cerner lescaractéristiques qui guideront les choix en termes scientifiques (méthodologies de traitement) et techniques(capteurs)

Etude sur la cartographie du régolithe par télédétection hyperspectrale aéroportée en Nouvelle-Calédonie

Le projet CARTHA proposé pour la cartographie du régolithe est une réponse pluri organismes. Il vise àestimer le potentiel de la technologie hyperspectrale aéroportée appliquée à l‘environnement minier sur lemilieu insulaire néo-calédonien très particulier de part sa formation géologique et ses aspects d’endémicitéde sa flore et de sa faune.La connaissance de la répartition spatiale et de l'évolution des composants naturels (géosphère,hydrosphère, biosphère) des massifs de péridotites est à la base de la compréhension et du suivi de cesmilieux très spécifiques, riches en ressources naturelles et en biodiversité, mais fragiles et sensibles.Il convient ainsi d’aborder prioritairement les spécificités du milieu néo-calédonien afin de cerner lescaractéristiques qui guideront les choix en termes scientifiques (méthodologies de traitement) et techniques(capteurs)