Articles Related to DNA

In order to analyze denaturation, we take into account a mapping from the finite temperature phase transition onto a zero temperature quantum phase transition caused by a quench, where the control parameter is the torsion-associated magnetic field and the quench duration handles the temperature effect

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Psychoactive substances, also known as psychotropic substances are substances that alter the mental state of a person by affecting the way the nervous system and brain work [1]. Psychoactive substances can cause intoxication and this is generally the major reason why most individuals engage in their use. Individuals who take psychoactive substances experience changes in brain function which alter their mood, consciousness, and/or perceptions. Psychoactive substances are present in different medications, alcohol, plants, and animals [2], many, but not all of which are addictive [1]. The most common psychoactive drugs used by people to alter their mental state are caffeine and alcohol [3]. Although they are available legally, yet, they are harmful both psychologically and physically when used in excess. Usually, the decision of how and when to use these psychoactive drugs is left to the individuals [3], however, in certain situations, the drugs are used for exploitation of others by the alteration of their mental state. For example, Rohypnol has been used as a date-rape [4]. Some of the psychoactive drugs are very unpleasant making the users quit their use. This is the case in certain classic psychedelics (e.g., psilocybin), powerful dissociatives (e.g., Salvia divinorum), and deliriants (e.g., Jimson weed) [5]. Addiction and dependence resulting from the misuse of psychoactive drugs have led to moral debate and legal measures, while governmental controls on prescription, supply, and manufacture have been efforts made to minimize the additive use of these drugs. Also, ethical concerns exist about the marketing of these drugs by manufacturers and their clinical over-use. However, in some countries, there are ongoing popular campaigns geared towards legalizing and decriminalizing the use of some recreational drugs such as cannabis. Many individual, genetic and environmental factors have been reported to work individually or synergistically to decrease or increase the probability that an individual will use a psychoactive drug and to what extent [6]. This review aimed at updating information on the different uses of various psychoactive drugs by humans, the different effects on the biological system, and their reported DNA damaging potential in simulated and real-life scenarios.

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During early embryonic development in female mammals, one copy of the X chromosome is randomly inactivated in a process known as X chromosome inactivation. In X chromosome inactivation, approximately 70% of genes on the short arm and nearly all of the genes on the long arm of the designated chromosome are inactivated. RNA activation is known to RNAs activating gene expression; however its roles in X chromosome inactivation have not been determined.

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DNA is the basic building block for an individual’s whole genetic makeup. DNA is a tiny thread-like molecule which is existent in all forms of life, inception from humans to microscopic organism bacteria or virus. DNA fingerprinting which is currently most popularly known as DNA profiling, is a process of isolating and making images of DNA sequences.

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Crime statistics estimate that males are responsible for 80% of violent crimes and those males commit approximately 95% of sexual offenses. Sexual assault crimes account for a large percentage of biological evidence submitted to forensic casework laboratories. Identifying, segregating, and analyzing male DNA in sexual assault and other evidence containing mixtures of male and female DNA presents a complex challenge.

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In this study, mature sweet orange fruits (amber variety) were separately subjected to hot water treatments: 35 o C for 25 and 30 minutes; 45 o C for 15, 20 and 25 minutes; 48 o C for 10, 15 and 20 minutes; 50 o C for 10, 15 and 20 minutes; 53 o C for 10 minutes and 55 o C for 5 minutes and were thereafter assessed for their DNA quality while unheated fruits served as control. The DNA quality was done by rapid random polymorphic DNA-polymersae chain reaction (RAPD-PCR) on the extracted DNA from each set of treated fruits using the RAPD primer OPR 02 (5’ – CAC AGC TGC C-3’).

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Documents are commonly met in threats, kidnapping, and extortion at crime scenes. Perpetrators may handle papers, so that it may contain incriminating evidence

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The examination of saliva traces left on cigarette butts as evidences are complicated due to the availability of biological material in trace amounts and its rapid degradation due to extreme effects of environmental factors. This study is aimed to assess the DNA purity and quantify the amount of DNA preserved in saliva found on cigarette butts subjected to various temperatures and humidity. Isolation of cell material from biological traces on forensic evidence is often a serious challenge to solving forensic cases.

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Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by an extreme sensitivity to UV rays from sunlight, a high incidence of skin cancer and occasional neurological symptoms. XP, primarily defined as a DNA repair syndrome, has been found associated with defects in the Nucleotide Excision Repair (NER) pathway, and more recently by transcriptional deregulation. XP results from mutations in eight genes (XPA to XPG and XPV) coding for proteins involved in NER.

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Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) is a primary etiologic agent of generalized aggressive and chronic forms of periodontitis. It releases toxins called ‘gingipains’.Gingipains, (Arginine-and Lysine-specific cysteine proteinases) are proteases that are critical virulence factors in progression of periodontitis and degradation of cytokines expressed during inflammation. HRgpA and RgpB (products of two distinct but related genes) induce vascular permeability by activation of the kallikrein/kinin pathway and activating the blood coagulation system which in turn induces gingival crevicular fluid production and progression of inflammation leading to alveolar bone loss.

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Sexual assault is a social problem faced by every society irrespective of caste, creed or culture. In cases of sexual assault, as soon as the victim files the First Information Report (F.I.R.) she gets the medical examination at nearby government hospital by a gynecologist. But it is seen that due to hesitation, social problems or any kind of relation between the victim and the accused matter is not reported immediately to the police. This hesitation results in the delay of the medical examination and collection of samples like vaginal swabs, breast swabs, nails swab, and other bodily swabs. In such cases, it is noted that the detection of semen and profiling of DNA fails due to daily hygienic chores. In this delayed medical examination case, semen detection and D.N.A.

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In recent years, increasing evidence has pointed to the potential role of fibrinolysis in the pathogenesis of MS. Based on hypotheses describing the aggressive autoimmune responses observed in MS patients, a result of impaired between (t-PA and PA1-1) which are a key molecules in both fibrinolysis and extracellular proteolysis. The present study was done to investigate the therapeutic potential of polymerase enzyme in modulating the changes occurred between levels of Tissue- type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and its inhibitor (PAI-1) in patients with multiple sclerosis. A pilot study was carried out on a total of twenty-one patients (17 females, 4 males; aged 22-46 years) with demyelination suggestive of MS and clinically silent T2 brain lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

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It is still contentious whether amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)-Alzheimer’s disease (AD) cases comprise a combined disease or represent a coincidental association. We describe the case of a 78-year-old white male with a 12-month history of bulbar muscle weakness and mild cognitive impairment. Hallmarks of AD pathology were present and associated with diffuse congophilic angiopathy. The motor cortex did not show a loss of motoneurons. The anterior horns of the medulla oblongata and hypoglossal nuclei showed skein-like cytoplasmic inclusions and ubiquitin and TDP43 phosphate positive staining. No signs of FTLD were detected. The pathological results suggest that, in this case, ALS and AD pathology appeared to be independent.

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The present study was performed to determine the quality and the quantity of DNA extracted from buccal swab at two intervals to compare the DNA quality and quantity before and after brushing. Five (5) healthy males where used in the study, ten (10) Buccal swabs where collected at two intervals, five (5) before brushing and five (5) after brushing commonly available samples and to estimate the DNA yield and purity from the various times of collection. The purity and the concentration of the extracted DNA were determined spectrophotometric analysis, and the adequacy of DNA extracts for the PCR-based assay was assessed by amplifying a 1030-bp region of the mitochondrial D-loop.

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Haemoglobinopathies are inherited disorders of haemoglobin synthesis that are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality all over the world.

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Carbon nanotube (NT) based electronic vapor sensors were tested against synthetic sweat solutions, consisting of 13 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in saline, in order to probe the device ability to analyze and differentiate vapors derived from complex biological samples.

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