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Fu Y, Wu Z, Wei Y, Wang X, Zou J, Xiao L, Fan W, Yang H, Liao L. Untargeted and targeted metabolomics analysis of CO poisoning and mechanical asphyxia postmortem interval biomarkers in rat and human plasma by GCMS. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2024; 251:116443. [PMID: 39217704 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2024.116443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 08/20/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Accurate and objective estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI) is crucial in forensic practice. This study aimed to infer PMI through equations based on the relationship between PMI and metabolomics biomarkers.Rats were subjected to models representing various temperatures and causes of death, with blood collected at different intervals. Untargeted gas chromatographymass spectrometry metabolomics detection methods were developed, and candidate biomarkers were chosen as co-differentially expressed metabolites in four models. A targeted method was then developed for quantitatively determining candidate biomarkers. Animal tests and human cadaver samples with clearly documented causes of death and time were used to verify the reliability of the regression equation.Results: Unique differential metabolites for CO poisoning deaths included 2,3-butanediol, hypoxanthine, and dehydrated hexanol, while those for mechanical asphyxia deaths comprised propylamine, 1,3-propylene glycol, phosphoric acid, and sorbitol. Pyruvate, glycerol and isoleucine were identified as candidate biomarkers. Human case results demonstrated the method's potential (error rate < 20 %). The findings of this study may offer reference points for estimating PMI and causes of death in forensic practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingqiang Fu
- Department of Analytical Toxicology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China.
| | - Zhigui Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, PR China.
| | - Ying Wei
- Department of Analytical Toxicology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China.
| | - Xueyan Wang
- West China hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China.
| | - Jing Zou
- Department of Analytical Toxicology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China.
| | - Li Xiao
- Department of Analytical Toxicology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China.
| | - Weihao Fan
- Department of Analytical Toxicology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China.
| | - Hong Yang
- Department of Analytical Toxicology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China.
| | - Linchuan Liao
- Department of Analytical Toxicology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China.
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Procopio N, Bonicelli A. From flesh to bones: Multi-omics approaches in forensic science. Proteomics 2024; 24:e2200335. [PMID: 38683823 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.202200335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Recent advancements in omics techniques have revolutionised the study of biological systems, enabling the generation of high-throughput biomolecular data. These innovations have found diverse applications, ranging from personalised medicine to forensic sciences. While the investigation of multiple aspects of cells, tissues or entire organisms through the integration of various omics approaches (such as genomics, epigenomics, metagenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics) has already been established in fields like biomedicine and cancer biology, its full potential in forensic sciences remains only partially explored. In this review, we have presented a comprehensive overview of state-of-the-art analytical platforms employed in omics research, with specific emphasis on their application in the forensic field for the identification of the cadaver and the cause of death. Moreover, we have conducted a critical analysis of the computational integration of omics approaches, and highlighted the latest advancements in employing multi-omics techniques for forensic investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noemi Procopio
- Research Centre for Field Archaeology and Experimental Taphonomy, School of Law and Policing, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK
| | - Andrea Bonicelli
- Research Centre for Field Archaeology and Experimental Taphonomy, School of Law and Policing, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK
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Bonicelli A, Mickleburgh HL, Chighine A, Locci E, Wescott DJ, Procopio N. The 'ForensOMICS' approach for postmortem interval estimation from human bone by integrating metabolomics, lipidomics, and proteomics. eLife 2022; 11:e83658. [PMID: 36583441 PMCID: PMC9803353 DOI: 10.7554/elife.83658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The combined use of multiple omics allows to study complex interrelated biological processes in their entirety. We applied a combination of metabolomics, lipidomics and proteomics to human bones to investigate their combined potential to estimate time elapsed since death (i.e., the postmortem interval [PMI]). This 'ForensOMICS' approach has the potential to improve accuracy and precision of PMI estimation of skeletonized human remains, thereby helping forensic investigators to establish the timeline of events surrounding death. Anterior midshaft tibial bone was collected from four female body donors before their placement at the Forensic Anthropology Research Facility owned by the Forensic Anthropological Center at Texas State (FACTS). Bone samples were again collected at selected PMIs (219-790-834-872days). Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was used to obtain untargeted metabolomic, lipidomic, and proteomic profiles from the pre- and post-placement bone samples. The three omics blocks were investigated independently by univariate and multivariate analyses, followed by Data Integration Analysis for Biomarker discovery using Latent variable approaches for Omics studies (DIABLO), to identify the reduced number of markers describing postmortem changes and discriminating the individuals based on their PMI. The resulting model showed that pre-placement metabolome, lipidome and proteome profiles were clearly distinguishable from post-placement ones. Metabolites in the pre-placement samples suggested an extinction of the energetic metabolism and a switch towards another source of fuelling (e.g., structural proteins). We were able to identify certain biomolecules with an excellent potential for PMI estimation, predominantly the biomolecules from the metabolomics block. Our findings suggest that, by targeting a combination of compounds with different postmortem stability, in the future we could be able to estimate both short PMIs, by using metabolites and lipids, and longer PMIs, by using proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Bonicelli
- The Forensic Science Unit, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria UniversityNewcastle upon TyneUnited Kingdom
| | - Hayley L Mickleburgh
- Amsterdam Centre for Ancient Studies and Archaeology (ACASA) – Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Humanities, University of AmsterdamAmsterdamNetherlands
- Forensic Anthropology Center, Texas State UniversitySan MarcosUnited States
| | - Alberto Chighine
- Department of Medical Science and Public Health, Section of Legal Medicine, University of CagliariMonserratoItaly
| | - Emanuela Locci
- Department of Medical Science and Public Health, Section of Legal Medicine, University of CagliariMonserratoItaly
| | - Daniel J Wescott
- Forensic Anthropology Center, Texas State UniversitySan MarcosUnited States
| | - Noemi Procopio
- The Forensic Science Unit, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria UniversityNewcastle upon TyneUnited Kingdom
- Forensic Anthropology Center, Texas State UniversitySan MarcosUnited States
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Heimer J, Gascho D, Thali MJ, Zoelch N. Fundamentals of in situ Postmortem Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of the Brain in the Forensic Framework - A Review and Outlook. FORENSIC IMAGING 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fri.2022.200499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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5
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Applications of Metabolomics in Forensic Toxicology and Forensic Medicine. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22063010. [PMID: 33809459 PMCID: PMC8002074 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22063010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Forensic toxicology and forensic medicine are unique among all other medical fields because of their essential legal impact, especially in civil and criminal cases. New high-throughput technologies, borrowed from chemistry and physics, have proven that metabolomics, the youngest of the “omics sciences”, could be one of the most powerful tools for monitoring changes in forensic disciplines. Metabolomics is a particular method that allows for the measurement of metabolic changes in a multicellular system using two different approaches: targeted and untargeted. Targeted studies are focused on a known number of defined metabolites. Untargeted metabolomics aims to capture all metabolites present in a sample. Different statistical approaches (e.g., uni- or multivariate statistics, machine learning) can be applied to extract useful and important information in both cases. This review aims to describe the role of metabolomics in forensic toxicology and in forensic medicine.
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Locci E, Bazzano G, Chighine A, Locco F, Ferraro E, Demontis R, d'Aloja E. Forensic NMR metabolomics: one more arrow in the quiver. Metabolomics 2020; 16:118. [PMID: 33159593 PMCID: PMC7648736 DOI: 10.1007/s11306-020-01743-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION NMR metabolomics is increasingly used in forensics, due to the possibility of investigating both endogenous metabolic profiles and exogenous molecules that may help to describe metabolic patterns and their modifications associated to specific conditions of forensic interest. OBJECTIVES The aim of this work was to review the recent literature and depict the information provided by NMR metabolomics. Attention has been devoted to the identification of peculiar metabolic signatures and specific ante-mortem and post-mortem profiles or biomarkers related to different conditions of forensic concern, such as the identification of biological traces, the estimation of the time since death, and the exposure to drugs of abuse. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION The results of the described studies highlight how forensics can benefit from NMR metabolomics by gaining additional information that may help to shed light in several forensic issues that still deserve to be further elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Locci
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Legal Medicine Section, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042, Monserrato, CA, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Bazzano
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Alberto Chighine
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Francesco Locco
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Ernesto Ferraro
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Roberto Demontis
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Ernesto d'Aloja
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
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Akçan R, Taştekin B, Yildirim MŞ, Aydogan HC, Sağlam N. Omics era in forensic medicine: towards a new age. Turk J Med Sci 2020; 50:1480-1490. [PMID: 32283897 PMCID: PMC7491271 DOI: 10.3906/sag-1912-197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background/aim Forensic medicine and sciences is a multidisciplinary branch of science, which frequently benefit from novel technologies. State of the art omics technologies have begun to be performed in forensic medicine and sciences, particularly in postmortem interval, intoxication, drugs of abuse, diagnosis of diseases and cause of death. This review aims to discuss the role and use of great omics (metabolomics, proteomics, genomics and transcriptomics) in forensic sciences, in detail. Materials and methods A detailed review of related literature was performed, and studies were subdivided as per the type of omics. Results and conclusion Omics seems as a revolutionary step in forensic science and sure carries it towards a new age. The number of forensic studies utilizing omics steadily increases in last years. Omics strategies should be used together in order to gather more accurate and certain data. Additional studies need to be performed to incorporate omics into routine forensic methodology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramazan Akçan
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Burak Taştekin
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Mahmut Şerif Yildirim
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey
| | - Halit Canberk Aydogan
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Necdet Sağlam
- Department of Nanotechnology and Nanomedicine, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
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Lendor S, Olkowicz M, Boyaci E, Yu M, Diwan M, Hamani C, Palmer M, Reyes-Garcés N, Gómez-Ríos GA, Pawliszyn J. Investigation of Early Death-Induced Changes in Rat Brain by Solid Phase Microextraction via Untargeted High Resolution Mass Spectrometry: In Vivo versus Postmortem Comparative Study. ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:1827-1840. [PMID: 32407623 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Analysis of brain samples obtained postmortem remains a standard approach in neuroscience, despite often being suboptimal for inferring roles of small molecules in the pathophysiology of brain diseases. Sample collection and preservation further hinders conclusive interpretation of biomarker analysis in autopsy samples. We investigate purely death-induced changes affecting rat hippocampus in the first hour of postmortem interval (PMI) by means of untargeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolomics. The unique possibility of sampling the same brain area of each animal both in vivo and postmortem was enabled by employing solid phase microextraction (SPME) probes. Four millimeter probes coated with mixed mode extraction phase were used to sample awake, freely roaming animals, with 2 more sampling events performed after death. Significant changes in brain neurochemistry were found to occur as soon as 30 min after death, further progressing with increasing PMI, evidenced by relative changes in levels of metabolites and lipids. These included species from several distinct groups, which can be classified as engaged in energy metabolism-related processes, signal transduction, neurotransmission, or inflammatory response. Additionally, we perform thorough analysis of interindividual variability in response to death, which provides insights into how this aspect can obscure conclusions drawn from an untargeted study at single metabolite and pathway level. The results suggest high demand for systematic studies examining the PMI time course with in vivo sampling as a starting point to eliminate artifacts in the form of neurochemical changes assumed to occur in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Lendor
- Department of Chemistry, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Mariola Olkowicz
- Department of Chemistry, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Ezel Boyaci
- Department of Chemistry, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Miao Yu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Mustansir Diwan
- Neuroimaging Research Section, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Clement Hamani
- Neuroimaging Research Section, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Michael Palmer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Nathaly Reyes-Garcés
- Department of Chemistry, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - German Augusto Gómez-Ríos
- Department of Chemistry, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Janusz Pawliszyn
- Department of Chemistry, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
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Locci E, Stocchero M, Noto A, Chighine A, Natali L, Napoli PE, Caria R, De-Giorgio F, Nioi M, d'Aloja E. A 1H NMR metabolomic approach for the estimation of the time since death using aqueous humour: an animal model. Metabolomics 2019; 15:76. [PMID: 31069551 DOI: 10.1007/s11306-019-1533-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The estimation of the time since death, or post-mortem interval (PMI), still remains a main conundrum in forensic science. Several approaches have been so far proposed from either a qualitative or a quantitative point of view, but they still lack reliability and robustness. Recently, metabolomics has shown to be a potential tool to investigate the time-related post-mortem metabolite modifications in animal models. OBJECTIVES Here we propose, for the first time, the use of a 1H NMR metabolomic approach for the estimation of PMI from aqueous humour (AH) in an ovine model. METHODS AH samples were collected at different times after death (from 118 to 1429 min). 1H NMR experiments were performed and spectral data analysed by multivariate statistical tools. RESULTS A multivariate calibration model was built to estimate PMI on the basis of the metabolite content of the samples. The model was validated with an independent test set, obtaining a prediction error of 59 min for PMI < 500 min, 104 min for PMI from 500 to 1000 min, and 118 min for PMI > 1000 min. Moreover, the metabolomic approach suggested a picture of the mechanisms underlying the post-mortem biological modifications, highlighting the role played by taurine, choline, and succinate. CONCLUSION The time-related modifications of the 1H NMR AH metabolomic profile seem to be encouraging in addressing the issue of a reproducible and robust model to be employed for the estimation of the time since death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Locci
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
| | - Matteo Stocchero
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Antonio Noto
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Alberto Chighine
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Luca Natali
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | | | - Roberto Caria
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Fabio De-Giorgio
- Institute of Public Health, Section of Legal Medicine, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Nioi
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Ernesto d'Aloja
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
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Dai X, Fan F, Ye Y, Lu X, Chen F, Wu Z, Liao L. An experimental study on investigating the postmortem interval in dichlorvos poisoned rats by GC/MS-based metabolomics. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2018; 36:28-36. [PMID: 30326392 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2018.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2018] [Revised: 09/22/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI) is always a key issue in forensic science. Although many attempts based on metabolomics approaches have been proven to be feasible and accurate for PMI estimation, there have been no reports regarding the determination of the PMI in acute dichlorvos (DDVP) poisoning. In this study, all rats were killed by acute DDVP poisoning at a dose three fold the oral LD50 (240 mg/kg). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was applied to investigate the metabolic profiling of blood samples at various times after death up to 72 h. A total of 39 metabolites were found to be associated with PMI, and the combinations of various numbers of metabolites were used to establish support vector regression (SVR) models to investigate the PMI. The SVR model constructed by 23 metabolites had a minimum mean squared error (MSE) of 5.49 h for the training set. Then, the SVR model was validated by prediction set with an MSE of 10.33 h, suggesting good predictive ability of the model for investigating the PMI. The findings demonstrated the great potential of GC/MS-based metabolomics combined with the SVR model in determining the PMI of DDVP poisoned rats and provided an experimental basis for the application of this approach in investigating the PMI of other toxicants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinhua Dai
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Fei Fan
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yi Ye
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiang Lu
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Fan Chen
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhigui Wu
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Linchuan Liao
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
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Santos A, Dutra L, Menezes L, Santos M, Barison A. Forensic NMR spectroscopy: Just a beginning of a promising partnership. Trends Analyt Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2018.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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12
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Metabolic profiling of femoral muscle from rats at different periods of time after death. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0203920. [PMID: 30216363 PMCID: PMC6138414 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Clarification of postmortem metabolite changes can help characterize the process of biological degradation and facilitate investigations of forensic casework, especially in the estimation of postmortem interval (PMI). Metabolomics can provide information on the molecular profiles of tissues, which can aid in investigating postmortem metabolite changes. In this study, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometric (LC-MS) analysis was performed to identify the metabolic profiles of rat femoral muscle at ten periods of time after death within 168 h. The results obtained by reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC)- and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC)- electrospray ionization (ESI±) have revealed more than 16,000 features from all four datasets. Furthermore, 915 of these features were identified using an in-house database. Principal component analysis (PCA) demonstrated the time-specific features of molecular profiling at each period of time after death. Moreover, results from partial least squares projection to latent structures-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) disclosed a strong association of metabolic alterations of at least 59 metabolites with the time since death, especially within 48 h after death, which expounds these metabolites as potential indicators in PMI estimation. Altogether, our results illustrate the potentiality of metabolic profiling in the evaluation of PMI and provide candidate metabolite markers with strong correlation with time since death for forensic purpose.
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Ju HK, Nam GM, Min JS, Pyo JS, Kang JS. Characterization of Carbon Monoxide Fatalities by Metabolomics. ANAL LETT 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/00032719.2015.1124110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Castillo-Peinado LS, Luque de Castro MD. Present and foreseeable future of metabolomics in forensic analysis. Anal Chim Acta 2016; 925:1-15. [PMID: 27188312 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2016.04.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2016] [Revised: 04/12/2016] [Accepted: 04/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The revulsive publications during the last years on the precariousness of forensic sciences worldwide have promoted the move of major steps towards improvement of this science. One of the steps (viz. a higher involvement of metabolomics in the new era of forensic analysis) deserves to be discussed under different angles. Thus, the characteristics of metabolomics that make it a useful tool in forensic analysis, the aspects in which this omics is so far implicit, but not mentioned in forensic analyses, and how typical forensic parameters such as the post-mortem interval or fingerprints take benefits from metabolomics are critically discussed in this review. The way in which the metabolomics-forensic binomial succeeds when either conventional or less frequent samples are used is highlighted here. Finally, the pillars that should support future developments involving metabolomics and forensic analysis, and the research required for a fruitful in-depth involvement of metabolomics in forensic analysis are critically discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- L S Castillo-Peinado
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Annex Marie Curie Building, Campus of Rabanales, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain; University of Córdoba, Agrifood Excellence Campus, ceiA3, Spain; Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), Reina Sofía University Hospital, University of Córdoba, E-14071, Córdoba, Spain
| | - M D Luque de Castro
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Annex Marie Curie Building, Campus of Rabanales, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain; University of Córdoba, Agrifood Excellence Campus, ceiA3, Spain; Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), Reina Sofía University Hospital, University of Córdoba, E-14071, Córdoba, Spain.
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Kaszynski RH, Nishiumi S, Azuma T, Yoshida M, Kondo T, Takahashi M, Asano M, Ueno Y. Postmortem interval estimation: a novel approach utilizing gas chromatography/mass spectrometry-based biochemical profiling. Anal Bioanal Chem 2016; 408:3103-12. [DOI: 10.1007/s00216-016-9355-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2015] [Revised: 01/12/2016] [Accepted: 01/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Sato T, Zaitsu K, Tsuboi K, Nomura M, Kusano M, Shima N, Abe S, Ishii A, Tsuchihashi H, Suzuki K. A preliminary study on postmortem interval estimation of suffocated rats by GC-MS/MS-based plasma metabolic profiling. Anal Bioanal Chem 2015; 407:3659-65. [PMID: 25749795 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-015-8584-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2014] [Revised: 02/19/2015] [Accepted: 02/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Estimation of postmortem interval (PMI) is an important goal in judicial autopsy. Although many approaches can estimate PMI through physical findings and biochemical tests, accurate PMI calculation by these conventional methods remains difficult because PMI is readily affected by surrounding conditions, such as ambient temperature and humidity. In this study, Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (10 weeks) were sacrificed by suffocation, and blood was collected by dissection at various time intervals (0, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h; n = 6) after death. A total of 70 endogenous metabolites were detected in plasma by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). Each time group was separated from each other on the principal component analysis (PCA) score plot, suggesting that the various endogenous metabolites changed with time after death. To prepare a prediction model of a PMI, a partial least squares (or projection to latent structure, PLS) regression model was constructed using the levels of significantly different metabolites determined by variable importance in the projection (VIP) score and the Kruskal-Wallis test (P < 0.05). Because the constructed PLS regression model could successfully predict each PMI, this model was validated with another validation set (n = 3). In conclusion, plasma metabolic profiling demonstrated its ability to successfully estimate PMI under a certain condition. This result can be considered to be the first step for using the metabolomics method in future forensic casework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takako Sato
- Department of Legal Medicine, Osaka Medical College, 2-7 Daigakumachi, Takatsuki, Osaka, 568-8686, Japan,
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Schmidt TM, Wang ZJ, Keller S, Heinemann A, Acar S, Graessner J, Schoennagel BP, Adam G, Fischer R, Yamamura J. Postmortem 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the skeletal muscle: α-ATP/Pi ratio as a forensic tool? Forensic Sci Int 2014; 242:172-176. [PMID: 25062532 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2014.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2013] [Revised: 05/07/2014] [Accepted: 06/13/2014] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Phosphor magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((31)P MRS) is an established method for metabolic examinations of resting and exercising skeletal muscle. So far, there are few MRS investigations of human corpses. The aim of this study was to investigate the temporal postmortem pattern of phosphor metabolites in the adductor magnus muscle and to check the value of MRS as a forensic tool, especially for the determination of the time of death. MATERIAL AND METHODS Eight corpses, died of natural cause, were examined (5 males, 3 females; age: 73±7 y, weight 65.8±15.9 kg). A control group of 3 subjects (2 males, 1 female, mean age: 51±24 y, range: 24-69 y, mean body weight: 84.0±16.5 kg) was examined at a single time point as well. (31)P MRS was performed on a 1.5 T MRI (TR 700 ms, TE 0.35 ms, averages 256, flip angle 90°). A standard (31)P/(1)H heart/liver coil was employed (receiver coil diameter 12 cm). The (31)P MRS scans were repeated in intervals of 1 h over a period from 4.5 to 24 h postmortem (p.m.). The core temperature was rectally measured throughout the MRI examination. RESULTS The mean core temperature decreased from 36.0°C to 25.7°C. In vivo and ex vivo spectra showed characteristic differences, especially the PCr metabolite was no longer detectable after 10 h p.m. The α-ATP/Pi ratio decreased with time from 0.445 to 0.032 over 24 h p.m. CONCLUSION There is a characteristic postmortem time pattern of the phosphor metabolites. Especially the acquired α-ATP/Pi ratio could be described by a significant exponential time course (r(2)=0.92, p<0.001). (31)P MRS might be added to the postmortem imaging methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony M Schmidt
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Zhiyue J Wang
- Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Sarah Keller
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Axel Heinemann
- Department of Legal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Suzan Acar
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Bjoern P Schoennagel
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gerhard Adam
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Roland Fischer
- Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland, Oakland, CA, USA; Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jin Yamamura
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Kaplan KA, Chiu VM, Lukus PA, Zhang X, Siems WF, Schenk JO, Hill HH. Neuronal metabolomics by ion mobility mass spectrometry: cocaine effects on glucose and selected biogenic amine metabolites in the frontal cortex, striatum, and thalamus of the rat. Anal Bioanal Chem 2013; 405:1959-68. [PMID: 23314481 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-012-6638-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2012] [Revised: 11/30/2012] [Accepted: 12/06/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
We report results of studies of global and targeted neuronal metabolomes by ambient pressure ion mobility mass spectrometry. The rat frontal cortex, striatum, and thalamus were sampled from control nontreated rats and those treated with acute cocaine or pargyline. Quantitative evaluations were made by standard additions or isotopic dilution. The mass detection limit was ~100 pmol varying with the analyte. Targeted metabolites of dopamine, serotonin, and glucose followed the rank order of distribution expected between the anatomical areas. Data was evaluated by principal component analysis on 764 common metabolites (identified by m/z and reduced mobility). Differences between anatomical areas and treatment groups were observed for 53 % of these metabolites using principal component analysis. Global and targeted metabolic differences were observed between the three anatomical areas with contralateral differences between some areas. Following drug treatments, global and targeted metabolomes were found to shift relative to controls and still maintained anatomical differences. Pargyline reduced 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid below detection limits, and 5-HIAA varied between anatomical regions. Notable findings were: (1) global metabolomes were different between anatomical areas and were altered by acute cocaine providing a broad but targeted window of discovery for metabolic changes produced by drugs of abuse; (2) quantitative analysis was demonstrated using isotope dilution and standard addition; (3) cocaine changed glucose and biogenic amine metabolism in the anatomical areas tested; and (4) the largest effect of cocaine was on the glycolysis metabolome in the thalamus confirming inferences from previous positron emission tomography studies using 2-deoxyglucose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly A Kaplan
- Department of Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA.
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