Preliminary Analysis of the Environmental Effects on RNA Degradation: Modeling a Realistic Crime Scene

In forensic science, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) became an indispensable tool given the limited amount of biological samples usually encountered at crime scenes. DNA analysis is used to identify the source of biological samples typically obtained from a single hair, or droplet of blood. Determining the source of the biological evidence can provide a spatial link, thereby including or excluding a suspect at a crime scene or other locations related to a crime investigation. In spite of the great efficiency in human identification, DNA analysis cannot provide any information regarding time of deposition of the sample. The ability to establish a temporal connection reveals key information for crime scene reconstruction and evidence interpretation; this is especially true when determining if the DNA sample found at the crime scene was left at the moment of the crime or originated from an unrelated event. Estimating the age of the biological sample would be particularly important in cases where the victim and suspect are known to have a personal relationship. The development of quantitative reverse-transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction, has stimulated scientist to explore the potential use of RNA as a forensic tool. Multiple studies have reported the use of RNA analysis on body fluid identification, age determination of injuries and wounds and for post-mortem interval (PMI). Previously, our laboratory has shown that the estimation of age of a biological sample can be determined by measuring the degradation rates of two different RNA segments using real-time RT PCR method. In addition, it has also been demonstrated that, under controlled conditions, RNA decay proceeds in a predictable fashion. However, it is unrealistic to expect that in real crime scenes the biological sample will be exposed to an invariable environment. We investigated the environmental effects on beta-actin and 18S RNAs decay, more specifically; the effects of fluctuating temperatures and humidity by exposing bloodstain samples in two different rooms at WVU\u27s Crime House One during a 90 day period. Daily temperature and relative humidity were recorded in each room. We also investigated the potential use of outdoor temperature to predict indoor temperature. In addition, we investigated the incorporation of accumulated degree days (ADD) into RNA degradation analysis in order to take into account the temperature changes in a non-controlled environment. We believe this will allow for a more accurate and reliable method for estimating time of deposition of blood samples. Our results indicate that the environmental conditions had an effect on the degradation rate of both beta-actin and 18S RNAs. The basement environment presented high but generally constant temperature and RNA decay occurred in a linear, predictable fashion. However, the accuracy of our estimation method was extremely decreased in a highly variable environment (attic). This suggests that our assay would only be accurate if there is no extreme fluctuation in temperature. Finally, our results show the importance of knowing the environmental conditions for an accurate estimation of time of deposition and how the data interpretation could be affected, if this information is unknown. After the 90 day exposure period, the basement had an ADD value of 1,496.047 while the attic had an ADD of 508.967 and the airport ADD was 143.111. Thus, using the ADD from one of these environments to estimate time of deposition on the other could lead to estimating the age of the sample as older or younger then it\u27s true value

Conhecimentos sobre prevenção da SIDA entre profissionais e acadêmicos da área de saúde

Este estudo exploratório foi realizado pelas alunas e alunos da Disciplina de Enfermagem nas Doenças Transmissíveis. Foram analisadas as respostas de 52 questionários distribuídos entre acadêmicos de enfermagem, de medicina, médicos, dentistas, enfermeiros e auxiliares de enfermagem que assistem pacientes com SIDA e enfermeiros que não assistem pacientes com SIDA. Estes questionários versaram sobre medidas de prevenção da transmissão sexual, normal de biossegurança, testes diagnósticos, direitos do paciente e do trabalhador e alterações no atendimento aos portadores desta patologia.This work is a exploratory research based on the analysis of the answers to the questionaires of 52 students and health care professionals knowledge about AIDS sexual prevention, biossecurity, diagnosis tests, patients and workers rights and the modifications of nursing and medica/ care to this kind of diseaseTrata se de un estudio exploratório acerca del conocimiento de la prevención de la SIDA, normas de seguridad biológica, pruebas diagnósticas, derechos de /os enfermos y trabajadores con SIDA y de esa mfermedad. Fueron analizados las respuestas de 52 cuestionários de estudientes de enfermería, nédicos, odontólogos, enfermeras y ajudantes de enfermería

Educomunicação e suas áreas de intervenção: Novos paradigmas para o diálogo intercultural

oai:omp.abpeducom.org.br:publicationFormat/1O material aqui divulgado representa, em essência, a contribuição do VII Encontro Brasileiro de Educomunicação ao V Global MIL Week, da UNESCO, ocorrido na ECA/USP, entre 3 e 5 de novembro de 2016. Estamos diante de um conjunto de 104 papers executivos, com uma média de entre 7 e 10 páginas, cada um. Com este rico e abundante material, chegamos ao sétimo e-book publicado pela ABPEducom, em seus seis primeiros anos de existência. A especificidade desta obra é a de trazer as “Áreas de Intervenção” do campo da Educomunicação, colocando-as a serviço de uma meta essencial ao agir educomunicativo: o diálogo intercultural, trabalhado na linha do tema geral do evento internacional: Media and Information Literacy: New Paradigms for Intercultural Dialogue

Spatial distribution, prevalence and diversity of haemosporidians in the rufous-collared sparrow, Zonotrichia capensis

Abstract Background Parasite prevalence and diversity are determined by the distribution of hosts and vectors and by the interplay among a suite of environmental factors. Distributions of parasite lineages vary based on host susceptibility and geographical barriers. Hemoparasites of the genera Haemoproteus and Plasmodium have wide distributions, and high prevalence and genetic diversity within perching birds (Order Passeriformes). The rufous-collared sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis) is widely distributed in Central and South America across an immense diversity of environments from sea level to more than 4000 meters above sea level. It therefore provides an excellent model to investigate whether altitudinal and latitudinal gradients influence the distribution, prevalence and diversity of haemosporidian parasites, their population structure and the biogeographical boundaries of distinct parasite lineages. Results We assembled samples from 1317 rufous-collared sparrows spanning 75 locales from across Central and South America (between 9.5°N and 54°S; 10–4655 meters above sea level). We used DNA sequence data from a fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (cytb) of Haemoproteus and Plasmodium from 325 positive samples and found prevalences of 22 and 3%, respectively. Haemoproteus exhibited a higher prevalence than Plasmodium but with comparatively lower genetic diversity. We detected a relationship of Plasmodium and Haemoproteus prevalence with altitude and latitude; however, altitude and latitude did not influence parasite diversity. Conclusions Parasite lineages showed a phylogeographical boundary coincident with the Andes Mountains, although we also observed a north-south disjunction in Peru for Haemoproteus. Haemosporidian distribution was not homogeneous but differed based on latitude and altitude. This is most probably due to environmental factors that have influenced both vector distribution and abundance, as well as parasite development. Our study provides key insights on the distribution of haemoparasite lineages and parasite dynamics within hosts

Ecology, health and genetic characterization of the southernmost green turtle (Chelonia mydas) aggregation in the Eastern Pacific: implications for local conservation strategies

Bahía Salado, located in northern Chile (27°41’S, 70°59’W), is the southernmost foraging ground for the endangered green turtle (Chelonia mydas) in the Eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO). To date, almost no information exists on its current status, nor on its connectivity with nesting rookeries in the EPO. This study aims to inform on the genetic characterization, health and ecology of Bahía Salado’s green turtle aggregation in order to provide baseline information for local conservation strategies. We describe population structure and residency times using mark-recapture method. We also examine health parameters (body condition index, blood profile and blood copper-Cu and lead-Pb concentrations) and regional connectivity through genetic analyses. Our results indicate that this aggregation is composed exclusively of juveniles, with residency times varying between five to sixteen months. Turtles exhibited a very good body condition; however they showed the highest blood concentrations of Cu and Pb described for C. mydas and for almost all sea turtle species. Some biochemistry parameters (albumin, calcium, phosphorus, AST, triglycerides and creatinine) are also the highest ever reported for this species in the region. Analysis of the 770 bp (base pairs) control region of the mitochondrial DNA revealed four haplotypes, suggesting a strong genetic connectivity to the Galapagos rookery. Our study indicates that Bahía Salado’s aggregation represents a developmental foraging ground, where juvenile green turtles thrive. Although Bahía Salado’s ecosystem seems to be a very suitable habitat for the species, the high levels of Cu and Pb, together with elevated AST, demand further research on the negative impacts of heavy metals on this aggregation. Our results highlight the importance to protect this bay from anthropological activities, evaluate pollution sources and other local threats to this particular coastal ecosystem. We recommend year-round monitoring of the green turtle aggregation and other components of this ecosystem, incorporating participation of local seaweed collectors and the fishing community.UCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Básicas::Centro de Investigación en Biología Celular y Molecular (CIBCM

Handling social problems in the courts: repercussions for social assistants in the Judiciary Branch

Although the civilizing conquests of human rights are undeniable, their recognition and enactment have required, in addition to increasingly intense historic struggles, the involvement of the Judicial Branch. The judicial treatment of social issues overlaps the responsibilities of the Judiciary with other public institutions. Access to justice takes place, as a rule, individually and by a select group of subjects – those who know how to access this legal channel. But the effective enactment of rights depends on other factors that include not only its recognition, but the capacity to attend to and finance the demand presented. Given this situation, this paper discusses the process of the effective enactment of rights, which by increasingly emphasizing judicial channels, leads to a reduced commitment of the State as a whole, to face social issues and toward the depoliticization of the public sphere. This adverse situation challenges social assistants to take an ethical-political direction in their professional responses to the demands of judicialization of the social question that is presented daily to the Judicial Branch