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1.
Pathogens ; 11(12)2022 Dec 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36558848

ABSTRACT

To study the host range of Rose rosette virus (RRV), we employed crude sap inoculum extracted from RRV-infected roses and the RRV infectious clone. We inoculated plants from the families Solanaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Leguminosae, Malvaceae, Amaranthaceae, and Brassicaceae. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect RRV in the inoculated plants throughout their growth stages. Interestingly, RRV was detected in the newly developed leaves of tomato, pepper, tobacco, cucumber, squash, zucchini, pumpkin, pea, peanut, soybean, spinach, okra, and Chenopodium spp. The speed of upward advancement of RRV within infected plants was variable between plants as it took two to three weeks for some plant species and up to five weeks in other plant species to emerge in the newest leaves. No severe symptoms were detected on most of the inoculated plants. Chenopodium spp., spinach, cucumber and Nicotiana rustica exhibited either chlorotic or necrotic lesions with variable shapes and patterns on the systemically infected leaves. Double membrane-bound particles of 80-120 nm in diameter were detected by transmission electron microscopy in the infected tissues of cucumber, pepper, and N. benthamiana plants. This finding infers the validity of mechanical inoculation for RRV on a wide range of plants that would serve as potential natural reservoirs.

2.
J Forensic Sci ; 60(1): 107-11, 2015 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25389078

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to assess observer error in phase versus component-based scoring systems used to develop age estimation methods in forensic anthropology. A method preferred by forensic anthropologists in the AAFS was selected for this evaluation (the Suchey-Brooks method for the pubic symphysis). The Suchey-Brooks descriptions were used to develop a corresponding component-based scoring system for comparison. Several commonly used reliability statistics (kappa, weighted kappa, and the intraclass correlation coefficient) were calculated to assess observer agreement between two observers and to evaluate the efficacy of each of these statistics for this study. The linear weighted kappa was determined to be the most suitable measure of observer agreement. The results show that a component-based system offers the possibility for more objective scoring than a phase system as long as the coding possibilities for each trait do not exceed three states of expression, each with as little overlap as possible.


Subject(s)
Age Determination by Skeleton/methods , Data Interpretation, Statistical , Observer Variation , Pubic Symphysis/growth & development , Forensic Anthropology , Humans , Reproducibility of Results
3.
J Forensic Sci ; 59(3): 590-600, 2014 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24502609

ABSTRACT

This study utilizes an innovative 3D approach to discover metric variables that obtain the highest classification rates for sex estimation from the cranium. Models were constructed from 222 cranial CT scans of U.S. Whites from the Bass Donated Collection. These models were used to create a statistical bone atlas that captures the primary shape variation in the skull and facilitates rapid computer-automated analyses. The bone atlas showed that important size-related sex variables are bizygomatic breadth, maximum cranial length, cranial base length, and mastoid height. Shape-related variables capture sex differences in the projection of the glabellar region, inclination of the frontal, and cranial base flexion. In addition, vault thickness is highly dimorphic, with females having on average thicker vaults in the frontal region, and males having thicker vaults in the occipital region. Cross-validated linear discriminant analysis obtained >95% accuracy (97.5% with 11 variables and 95.5% with eight variables).


Subject(s)
Imaging, Three-Dimensional , Sex Determination by Skeleton/methods , Skull/anatomy & histology , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Discriminant Analysis , Female , Forensic Anthropology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Principal Component Analysis , Skull/diagnostic imaging , Tomography, X-Ray Computed
4.
Am J Phys Anthropol ; 149(4): 547-59, 2012 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23077031

ABSTRACT

This study presents a novel three-dimensional analysis using statistical atlases and automated measurements to assess diaphyseal morphology of the clavicle and its relationship to muscle asymmetry. A sample of 505 individuals (285 males, 220 females) from the William McCormick Clavicle Collection was CT scanned, segmented, and added to a statistical bone atlas that captures correspondence between homologous points on the bone surfaces. Muscle attachment sites were localized on the atlas and then propagated across the entire population. Cross-sectional contours were extracted at 5% increments along the entire bone, as well as at muscle attachment sites and the clavicle waist; maximum and minimum dimensions of each cross-sectional contour were calculated. In addition, the entire three-dimensional surface was examined for asymmetry by analyzing the magnitude and directional differences between homologous points across all bone surfaces in the dataset. The results confirm the existing studies on clavicle asymmetry, namely that the left clavicle is longer than the right, but the right is more robust than the left. However, the patterns of asymmetry are sexually dimorphic. Males are significantly asymmetric in all dimensions and at muscle and ligament attachment sites (P < 0.05), whereas female asymmetry is more variable. We hypothesize that this is related to absolute and relative differences in male muscle strength compared to females. However, an area with no muscle attachments on the posterior midshaft was significantly asymmetric in both sexes. We suggest that this is a curvature difference caused by opposing muscle actions at the medial and lateral ends of the bone.


Subject(s)
Clavicle/anatomy & histology , Imaging, Three-Dimensional/methods , Adult , Algorithms , Clavicle/diagnostic imaging , Clavicle/physiology , Female , Humans , Male , Models, Statistical , Muscle, Skeletal/physiology , Tomography, X-Ray Computed
5.
J Forensic Sci ; 56(3): 580-5, 2011 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21361933

ABSTRACT

This study examines spheno-occipital synchondrosis fusion in the modern American population and presents age ranges for forensic use. The sample includes 162 modern individuals aged 5-25 years. The basilar synchondrosis was scored as open, closing, or closed via direct inspection of the ectocranial site of the suture. Transition analysis was used to determine the average ages at which an individual transitions from unfused to fusing and from fusing to fused. The maximum likelihood estimates from the transition analysis indicate that females are most likely to transition from open to closing at 11.4 years and males at 16.5 years. Females transition from closing to closed at 13.7 years and males at 17.4 years. The probability distributions associated with these maximum likelihood estimates were used to derive age ranges for age estimation purposes. These results reflect sexual dimorphism in basilar synchondrosis fusion and agree approximately with average age at pubertal onset.


Subject(s)
Age Determination by Skeleton/methods , Occipital Bone/growth & development , Sphenoid Bone/growth & development , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Forensic Anthropology , Humans , Likelihood Functions , Male , Probability , Sex Determination by Skeleton/methods
6.
Clin Anat ; 24(3): 372-80, 2011 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21433084

ABSTRACT

The Anthropological Research Facility allows actualistic studies evaluating human decomposition to be conducted in a controlled, scientific setting. These studies have had significant ramifications for forensic investigations. Donated cadavers are used to study the precise nature and timing of decomposition events. More than 1,000 bodies have been donated, and more than 2,000 individuals are registered for donation on their death. Initial studies using cadavers focused on gross morphological changes of human decomposition, while more recent research has delved into biochemical analyses. This research has contributed to the accuracy of time since death estimations, which may be critical in criminal investigations. Furthermore, the donated cadavers contribute to the unprecedented diversity of the William M. Bass Donated Skeletal Collection, which allows for a wide range of skeletal-based research. The continuous supply of human cadavers is essential for these research endeavors, and the Forensic Anthropology Center strives to ensure that donor wishes are fulfilled and to assure donors that their invaluable gift will serve the scientific community for years to come.


Subject(s)
Cadaver , Forensic Anthropology/methods , Biomedical Research , Forensic Anthropology/organization & administration , Human Experimentation , Humans , Postmortem Changes , Tennessee
7.
J Forensic Sci ; 55(3): 571-83, 2010 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20384935

ABSTRACT

Clavicles from 1289 individuals from cohorts spanning the 20th century were scored with two scoring systems. Transition analysis and Bayesian statistics were used to obtain robust age ranges that are less sensitive to the effects of age mimicry and developmental outliers than age ranges obtained using a percentile approach. Observer error tests showed that a simple three-phase scoring system proved the least subjective, while retaining accuracy levels. Additionally, significant sexual dimorphism was detected in the onset of fusion, with women commencing fusion at least a year earlier than men (women transition to fusion at approximately 15 years of age and men at 16 years). Significant secular trends were apparent in the onset of skeletal maturation, with modern Americans transitioning to fusion approximately 4 years earlier than early 20th century Americans and 3.5 years earlier than Korean War era Americans. These results underscore the importance of using modern standards to estimate age in modern individuals.


Subject(s)
Age Determination by Skeleton/methods , Bayes Theorem , Clavicle/anatomy & histology , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Cohort Studies , Epiphyses/growth & development , Female , Forensic Anthropology/methods , Humans , Male , Observer Variation , Racial Groups , Sex Characteristics , United States
8.
Cancer Res ; 66(2): 1181-90, 2006 Jan 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16424057

ABSTRACT

A noninvasive screening test would significantly facilitate early detection of epithelial ovarian cancer. This study used a combination of high-throughput selection and array-based serologic detection of many antigens indicative of the presence of cancer, thereby using the immune system as a biosensor. This high-throughput selection involved biopanning of an ovarian cancer phage display library using serum immunoglobulins from an ovarian cancer patient as bait. Protein macroarrays containing 480 of these selected antigen clones revealed 65 clones that interacted with immunoglobulins in sera from 32 ovarian cancer patients but not with sera from 25 healthy women or 14 patients having other benign or malignant gynecologic diseases. Sequence analysis data of these 65 clones revealed 62 different antigens. Among the markers, we identified some known antigens, including RCAS1, signal recognition protein-19, AHNAK-related sequence, nuclear autoantogenic sperm protein, Nijmegen breakage syndrome 1 (Nibrin), ribosomal protein L4, Homo sapiens KIAA0419 gene product, eukaryotic initiation factor 5A, and casein kinase II, as well as many previously uncharacterized antigenic gene products. Using these 65 antigens on protein microarrays, we trained neural networks on two-color fluorescent detection of serum IgG binding and found an average sensitivity and specificity of 55% and 98%, respectively. In addition, the top 6 of the most specific clones resulted in an average sensitivity and specificity of 32% and 94%, respectively. This global approach to antigenic profiling, epitomics, has applications to cancer and autoimmune diseases for diagnostic and therapeutic studies. Further work with larger panels of antigens should provide a comprehensive set of markers with sufficient sensitivity and specificity suitable for clinical testing in high-risk populations.


Subject(s)
Antigens, Neoplasm/analysis , Biomarkers, Tumor/analysis , Ovarian Neoplasms/diagnosis , Ovarian Neoplasms/immunology , Peptide Library , Antigens, Neoplasm/genetics , Case-Control Studies , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Gene Expression Profiling , Genital Diseases, Female/diagnosis , Genital Diseases, Female/immunology , Humans , Mass Screening , Sensitivity and Specificity
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