Short tandem repeat profiling: part of an overall strategy for reducing the frequency of cell misidentification

The role of cell authentication in biomedical science has received considerable attention, especially within the past decade. This quality control attribute is now beginning to be given the emphasis it deserves by granting agencies and by scientific journals. Short tandem repeat (STR) profiling, one of a few DNA profiling technologies now available, is being proposed for routine identification (authentication) of human cell lines, stem cells, and tissues. The advantage of this technique over methods such as isoenzyme analysis, karyotyping, human leukocyte antigen typing, etc., is that STR profiling can establish identity to the individual level, provided that the appropriate number and types of loci are evaluated. To best employ this technology, a standardized protocol and a data-driven, quality-controlled, and publically searchable database will be necessary. This public STR database (currently under development) will enable investigators to rapidly authenticate human-based cultures to the individual from whom the cells were sourced. Use of similar approaches for non-human animal cells will require developing other suitable loci sets. While implementing STR analysis on a more routine basis should significantly reduce the frequency of cell misidentification, additional technologies may be needed as part of an overall authentication paradigm. For instance, isoenzyme analysis, PCR-based DNA amplification, and sequence-based barcoding methods enable rapid confirmation of a cell line’s species of origin while screening against cross-contaminations, especially when the cells present are not recognized by the species-specific STR method. Karyotyping may also be needed as a supporting tool during establishment of an STR database. Finally, good cell culture practices must always remain a major component of any effort to reduce the frequency of cell misidentification

Autonomic Nervous System Changes In Individuals With Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review Of The Literature

PURPOSE: The aim of this review was to investigate the relationship between heart rate (HR) or blood pressure (BP) and chronic pain conditions. BACKGROUND: Treatment of chronic pain has placed enormous economic burden on the healthcare system. Autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysregulation is correlated to chronic pain. One measure of ANS dysregulation is heart rate variability (HRV), and decreased HRV can predict adverse future prognosis in a variety of conditions. While HRV validly measures ANS dysregulation, inexpensive and quicker measurements of HR and BP have been less investigated. METHODS: Searches in PubMed, Ovid, Google Scholar, and CINAHL were performed using combinations of the following search terms: “HR”, “BP”, “chronic pain”, “persistent pain”. Inclusion criteria was preregistered though PROSPERO. RESULTS: Review of 47 articles found differences in HR and BP measurements between individuals with and without chronic pain conditions. These differences varied in their significance and were found in various states including at rest, during physical activity, during psychological or physical stress tests, or before and after specific interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in HR and BP exist in individuals with chronic pain conditions compared to healthy, age-matched controls, which may be indicative of ANS dysregulation. Further research is needed to determine if HR and BP are valid measures of ANS dysregulation in individuals with chronic pain. HR and BP are quicker and more cost-effective measurements compared to HRV, and if they validly measure ANS dysregulation, may provide insight into the future prognosis of individuals with chronic pain conditions