Toward multidimensional information: A derivatization-free UHPLC-QqQ MS/MS method for amino acid components of fingerprint.

The analysis of fingerprint chemical composition is a meaningful way to excavate the multidimensional information of fingerprint, including the donor profiling information and the age of a fingerprint, which broadens the evidential values of fingerprint, especially for the partial and distorted fingerprint. But the research remains still in the pilot phases or is ongoing. Amino acids are the dominant organic substances in latent sweat fingerprint and influenced by many donor factors. Hence, their content reflects personal information of donors. Forensic science will be revolutionized if suspects can be individualized by their amino acid content. The diverse nature, distinct physicochemical properties, and ultra-micro levels of amino acids present in fingerprints make it hard to detect. A high sensitivity method for detecting and quantifying multiple amino acid components is required. UHPLC-QqQ MS/MS offers high sensitivity, high separation, simultaneous multicomponents detection, and no derivatization, making it an ideal method for detecting and analyzing amino acids in fingerprints. Therefore, in this study, we propose and validate an efficient UHPLC-QqQ MS/MS method for the extraction and analysis of 13 amino acids from fingerprint. We compared the results of amino acids of 10 different substrates and found that the inherent amino acids in most porous substrates would have been extracted along with the fingerprint amino acids, making them unsuitable for quantitative amino acid analysis. Instead, plastic sheets are ideal substrates for laboratory studies. Then, extensive experiments were conducted among 30 donors for multidimensional information analysis. The type of samples analyzed were eccrine-rich fingerprints. A Binary Logistic Regression (BLR) model was developed, and the female and male donors were successfully differentiated by amino acids in fingerprints. Two other mathematical models were also developed to verify the accuracy, and all three different mathematical models were able to identify donors of different genders with over 90% accuracy. This demonstrates that amino acids have the potential to provide more information for donors as metabolic markers. In the future, we will conduct a series of experiments to analyze more multidimensional information for individual identification by amino acid content in the fingerprint.

TOF-SIMS study of latent fingerprints on challenging substrates with the aid of transfer films.

Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) has been applied in forensic science for fingerprint detection. However, due to limitations of the instrument, it is not always possible to directly sample fingerprints on certain substrates. In this report, we indirectly sampled fingerprints using transfer films. First, we optimized the experimental conditions and identified transfer films with better results. We then explored the feasibility of revealing fingerprints after transfer and successfully transferred and revealed the detailed features of fingerprints on several common objects that could not be directly sampled. Fingerprints transferred from smooth surfaces yield clearer feature details in ion images. Additionally, we analyzed the substances in the transferred fingerprints and detected components of morphine and MDMA(3,4-methylenedioxy-n-methylamphetamine). By combining feature details with identified chemical components, the identity of a person can be determined, linking suspects to the crime scene. This work provides a new approach for sample introduction in instrumental analysis, enabling TOF-SIMS to be applied in more scenarios.

Visualization of latent fingermarks on fabric using multi-metal deposition (MMD)-A preliminary study.

Multi-metal deposition (MMD) is a versatile fingermarks detection technique adapted from the colloidal gold biolabeling. However, the tedious procedures of MMD makes it receive little attention compared with other methods. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of MMD technique on several common fabrics, which is considered notoriously challenging for latent fingermark detection. Four different MMD formulations were examined to process fingermarks deposited on nylon taffeta, polyester taffeta, polyester pongee and cotton sateen to determine the most suitable one and the influence of aging and water immersion were also determined through subsequent experiments. It was found that MMD I outperformed other three formulations and obtained excellent results on nylon taffeta, polyester taffeta and satin ribbon, with polyester taffeta and satin ribbon providing more than 30% of identifiable marks even for fingermarks aged over 28 days. Cotton sateen and oxford cloth failed to produce ridge details but evidence of "touch" were successfully visualized, which may contribute to further DNA extraction. Water immersion did have some observable influence on the quality of detected marks as part of the MMD reactant within fingermarks lost during immersion, but the result from nylon taffeta and satin ribbon is still satisfying with the percentage of marks scored 3 and 4 reached 30%. The result of this study confirmed the capability of MMD I in treated with fingermarks on several kinds of fabrics, and shows potential to promote this non-instrumentation dependent technique.

Expression and Significance of HPV16 E6/E7 mRNAs in the Bronchial Brush and TBNA Cells of Patients With Small Cell Lung Cancer.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is characterized by rapid growth, strong invasion, and early metastasis. However, the cause of its occurrence remains unclear. High-risk HPV infection is closely related to the occurrence of non-small cell lung cancer and cervical small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. METHODS: The expression levels of E6 mRNA and E7 mRNA in HPV16 were detected by qRT-PCR in the bronchial brushing and transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) of 310 patients with lung cancer and with benign lung diseases. To make the design of this experiment scientific and reasonable, the expression levels in lung squamous cell carcinoma were taken as positive controls, while those in benign cells were taken as negative controls. RESULTS: The expression levels of E6 mRNA and E7 mRNA in SCLC group were significantly higher than those in benign cell group and slight higher than those in squamous cell carcinoma group. The expression levels of E6 mRNA and E7 mRNA in the central type of SCLC were significantly higher than those in the peripheral type of SCLC. CONCLUSIONS: We speculate that the occurrence of some small cell carcinoma is the same as that of some squamous cell carcinoma, which is closely related to HPV16 infection. The overexpression of E6 mRNA and E7 mRNA is in some benign lesion cells, which may be related to HPV transient infection.

Effect of carrier solvent in 1,2-indanedione formulation on the development of fingermarks on porous substrates.

As an important technique for the detection of fingermarks on porous surfaces, 1,2-indanedione is widely used due to its excellent detection performance. In order to optimize the effectiveness of 1,2-indanedione, several institutions have modified the original formulation. In this study, four different 1,2-indanedione formulations were used to treat fingermarks deposited on different porous substrates to determine the most suitable formulation and whether Solstice-PF can be an alternative carrier solvent for the currently used HFE7100. It was found that the Solstice-PF-based formulation performed similarly to the HFE7100-based formulation on copy paper, but when treating fingermarks deposited on brown paper and newspaper, Solstice-PF was superior to HFE7100 by developing up to 10% more marks graded 3 and 4 regardless of the ageing period. The results confirm that Solstice-PF can be used as an alternative carrier solvent for 1,2-indanedione formulations with good detection rates and lower costs.

Distinct miRNA Gene Expression Profiles Among the Nodule Tissues of Lung Sarcoidosis, Tuberculous Lymphadenitis and Normal Healthy Control Individuals.

Background: Sarcoidosis and tuberculosis share similarities in clinical manifestations and histopathological features. We aimed to identify the microRNA (miRNA) profiles of the lymph nodes of individuals with sarcoidosis and of those with tuberculous lymphadenitis to investigate the value of miRNAs in the differential diagnosis of sarcoidosis and tuberculous lymphadenitis. Methods: The miRNA profiles of the lymph nodes of individuals with sarcoidosis, those with tuberculous lymphadenitis (TBLN) and controls were detected by miRNA microarray analysis in the age- and sex-matched development group of the controls (n = 3), patients with TBLN (n = 3) and patients with sarcoidosis (n = 3), and the results were validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in the validation group of the controls (n = 30), TBLN (n = 30) and patients with sarcoidosis (n = 31). The relationship between miRNA expression and the clinical parameters of sarcoidosis was analyzed. Results: miR-145, miR-185-5p, miR-301, miR-425-5P, miR-449b and miR-885-5P were differentially expressed between individuals with sarcoidosis and controls (P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001, P = 0.0008, P = 0.0002, P = 0.0018, and P < 0.0001, respectively), and the same six miRNAs were differentially expressed between individuals with tuberculous lymphadenitis and controls (P = 0.0002, P = 0.0004, P = 0.0238, P = 0.0006, P = 0.0149, and P = 0.0045, respectively). miR-185-5p was differentially expressed between individuals with tuberculous lymphadenitis and those with sarcoidosis (P = 0.0101). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve calculated for miR-185-5p was 0.6860, and the sensitivity and specificity of miR-185-5p for the differential diagnosis of sarcoidosis from TBLN were 61 and 80%, respectively. The levels of miR-145, miR-301, miR-425-5P, and miR-885-5P were positively correlated with CD4+/CD8+ T lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Conclusions: miRNAs in lymph nodes show similar expression patterns between individuals with sarcoidosis and those with tuberculous lymphadenitis, which were experimentally selected. miR-185-5p in the lymph nodes can be used as an auxiliary marker for the differential diagnosis of sarcoidosis and tuberculous lymphadenitis.

The Morphological Analysis of Cells in the Bronchoscopic Brushing and TBNA of Patients with Lung Adenocarcinoma.

Biopsy, brushing, and transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) are the most common methods for diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma and are taken during the same diagnostic bronchoscopic procedure. However, it is not clear what the morphological diagnostic criteria of cytology by brushing or TBNA are. A retrospective analysis was performed on 136 patients who underwent video bronchoscopy examination for diagnostic purposes. All the subjects were performed brushing or TBNA and confirmed as lung adenocarcinoma by biopsy or postoperative pathology. An additional 140 randomly selected patients with benign lung diseases were included in the study and used as a control group. The benign cells usually confused with adenocarcinoma cells were ciliated columnar cells, mucous columnar cells, ciliated cuboid cells, and reactive ciliated cells, respectively. The number of cases diagnosed as adenocarcinoma cells, carcinoma cells, suspicious cancer cells, and atypical proliferative cells by cytology was 101, 11, 20, and 4, respectively. The main basis for the interpretation of adenocarcinoma cells is the enlargement of individual nucleus, the arrangements of multistage papillary, and the general enlargement of nuclei, while the main clue for the interpretation of suspicious cancer cells and dysplasia cells comes from escape cells. The results suggested that the degree of nuclear enlargement, multiple papillary arrangement, and escape cells or escape trend cells are important clues for the interpretation of lung adenocarcinoma cells, while the atypical proliferative cells were similar to escape cells or escape trend cells, which were essentially benign cells beside the cancer.

Chemical Visualization of Sweat Pores in Fingerprints Using GO-Enhanced TOF-SIMS.

Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) has been used in imaging of small molecules (<500 Da) in fingerprints, such as gunshot residues and illicit drugs. However, identifying and mapping relatively high mass molecules are quite difficult owing to insufficient ion yield of their molecular ions. In this report, graphene oxide (GO)-enhanced TOF-SIMS was used to detect and image relatively high mass molecules such as poison, alkaloids (>600 Da) and controlled drugs, and antibiotics (>700 Da) in fingerprints. Detail features of fingerprints such as the number and distribution of sweat pores in a ridge and even the delicate morphology of one pore were clearly revealed in SIMS images of relatively high mass molecules. The detail features combining with identified chemical composition were sufficient to establish a human identity and link the suspect to a crime scene. The wide detectable mass range and high spatial resolution make GO-enhanced TOF-SIMS a promising tool in accurate and fast analysis of fingerprints, especially in fragmental fingerprint analysis.

Comparative Analysis for Diagnostic Yield of Small Cell Lung Cancer by Cytology and Histology During the Same Bronchoscopic Procedure.

BACKGROUND: Biopsy, brushing, and transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) are the most common methods used for the diagnosis of small cell lung cancer during the same diagnostic bronchoscopic procedure. However, it is not clear which method provides better results. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of 140 patients who had undergone video bronchoscopy for diagnostic purposes. Bronchial brushings were obtained from all subjects. Biopsy specimens were also obtained from all subjects, except for 6 cases that could not be sampled; the TBNA method was used for some special lesions. The results were analyzed separately by histology and cytology. RESULTS: The diagnostic yield of cytology was significantly greater than that of histology (P < .01) and that of conventional smear preparations in cytology was obviously greater than that of hematoxylin and eosin stains in histology (P < .01). The false-negative results were significantly lower with cytology than with histology (P < .01). Also, the cases of sampling site restriction with cytology were distinctly less than those with histology (P < .05). Stretch deformation of the tissue structure and cell morphology was the main reason for the false-negative results in the histologic diagnosis. The use of TBNA resolved all 4 cases of hilar adenopathy and 2 cases of lesions outside the bronchus. Multiple brushings of the tissue adjacent to cancer tissue and liquid-based preparations of cancerous necrotic tissue can significantly reduce the false-negative results from biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic yield of cytologic examination of brushings and TBNA for small cell lung cancer was superior to that of histologic examination of hematoxylin and eosin stains and immunohistochemistry.

Bloody pleural effusion--a rare manifestation of sarcoidosis.

Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic granulomatous disease of unknown etiology. Pleural effusion is rare in patients with sarcoidosis, occurring in 0.7% to 20% of cumulative series. Bloody pleural effusion is even more rare. We herein report two cases of sarcoidosis with bloody pleural effusion and discuss the clinical manifestations, diagnostic procedures and treatment of these cases. Sarcoidosis should be included in the differential diagnosis when bloody pleural effusions are detected. An increased level of lymphocytes and an increased ratio of CD4+/CD8+ lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) are helpful for making a diagnosis of sarcoidosis. Medical thoracoscopy is helpful for determining the definitive diagnosis. Corticosteroids are an effective treatment; however, the dose should be individualized according to the treatment response.

Evaluation of DFO/PVP and its application to latent fingermarks development on thermal paper.

A new method for improved development of latent fingermarks on thermal paper by 1,8-diazafluoren-9-one (DFO) treatment is described. Compared with conventional DFO solution, the mixed solution of DFO/PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone) described here reduces black background staining without removing the thermosensitive layer and develops fingermarks by the reaction of DFO with amino acid deposited on the thermal paper's surface. An advantage of this approach is that the developed fluorescent fingermarks have high contrast and can be observed and photographed when excited in the 515 nm region and observed through an orange-red barrier long-pass filter with no background coloration. In addition, the method reported here does not involve any pre- or post treatment of the substrate and exhibits high sensitivity with good stability. Experimental results showed that the method was able to develop very old fingermarks, up to 154 days old, demonstrating the feasibility of using the method to develop identifiable latent fingermarks operationally. Furthermore, we extended our experiments to various types of thermal papers. Notably, this method exhibits several very attractive features, namely time saving, simple procedures, inexpensive, convenient operation, and PVP is non-toxic and reasonably priced. Finally, in this study an attempt has been made to explain the reaction mechanism of the process and the effects of PVP.

Exploiting the divergent reactivity of aryl-palladium intermediates for the rapid assembly of fluorene and phenanthrene derivatives.

They all fall down: The value of domino processes can be greatly enhanced when the possibility exists for one to selectively diverge from a common intermediate. In preliminary studies the dual reactivity of aryl-palladium intermediates is exploited. A diverse array of fluorene and phenanthrene derivatives were synthesized in a rapid and efficient manner (see scheme).

[Avian influenza (H5N1) cured successfully in human: a case report].

OBJECTIVE: To improve understanding of avian influenza in humans by presenting a case of avian influenza (H(5)N(1)). METHODS: Clinical and laboratory data of this case of avian influenza (H(5)N(1)) in humans were described, and related literature was reviewed. RESULTS: The female patient was 31 years old. She lived in epidemic district of avian influenza and had a history of close contact with sick poultry. The patient initially presented fever and chills accompanied by myalgia, and then followed by cough, blood-tinged sputum, dyspnea and frequent diarrhea. Laboratory findings indicated leukopenia, dysfunction of cellular immunity, abnormal enzymes of liver, and hypoxia. Patchy infiltration involved two lungs progressed rapidly on chest radiograph. ECG showed that T waves of V(1 - 5) were reverted. The patient was diagnosed with avian influenza (H(5)N(1)) by hemagglutination inhibition and microneutralization assay combined with epidemiological and clinical data. Supportive therapy, corticosteroids, antibacterial, and antiviral agents were administered. Complications were treated accordingly during the course. She got better overtime and recovered. The laboratory abnormalities and chest radiograph returned to normal before discharge. The patient's relatives and doctors involved in the medical care were free from infection. CONCLUSIONS: Supportive treatment is important for patients with avian influenza. Complications should be prevented and treated in time.