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Linking genomics to immunotherapy by reverse immunology--'immunomics' in the new millennium.

The disclosure of the human genome sequence and rapid advances in genomic expression profiling have revolutionized our knowledge about molecular changes in malignant diseases. Rapidly growing gene expression databases and improvements in bioinformatics tools set the stage for new approaches using large-scale molecular information to develop specific therapeutics in cancer. On one hand, the ability to detect clusters of genes differentially expressed in normal and malignant tissue may lead to widely applicable targeting of defined molecular structures. On the other hand, analyzing the 'molecular fingerprint' of an individual tumor raises the possibility of developing customized therapeutics. One approach to use the emerging new datasets for the development of novel therapeutics is to identify genes that are specifically expressed in tumors as targets for immune intervention. This review will focus on the process from in silico analysis of expression databases and screening of potential candidate genes by bioinformatics to the in vitro and in vivo analysis to determine the immunogenicity of candidate tumor antigens. Basic biological principles of 'reverse immunology' as well as technical advantages and difficulties will be addressed.

Algorithms↗

Efficacy of S-1 Monotherapy for Salivary Duct Carcinoma With MYC Amplification.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) is a rare, highly aggressive subtype of salivary gland carcinoma, commonly characterized by overexpression of erb-b2 receptor tyrosine kinase 2 [ERBB2, commonly known as human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)] and androgen receptor positivity. Anti-HER2 therapy, platinum-based chemotherapy, and androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) are commonly provided as standard systemic treatments for advanced SDC; however, effective therapeutic options after failure of these treatments remain limited. The clinical efficacy of S-1 monotherapy in SDC and its predictive biomarkers are not well established. Herein, we present a case in which S-1 monotherapy showed efficacy in a case of SDC after resistance to anti-HER2 therapy, platinum-based chemotherapy, and ADT. CASE REPORT: The patient was a 70-year-old man diagnosed with HER2-positive and androgen receptor-positive SDC of the submandibular gland, who presented with multiple lung metastases. He initially received trastuzumab plus docetaxel as first-line therapy, followed by platinum-based chemotherapy and ADT, but experienced disease progression after each treatment. Comprehensive genomic profiling revealed amplifications of ERBB2 and MYC proto-oncogene bHLH transcription factor (MYC). S-1 monotherapy was started as a late-line therapy. Computed tomography scans 2 months later showed shrinkage of lung and liver metastases, with disease control maintained for more than 5 months. CONCLUSION: S-1 monotherapy may represent a treatment option for patients with advanced SDC refractory to anti-HER2 therapy, platinum-based chemotherapy, and ADT, particularly in cases harboring MYC amplification.

Humans↗

Clusters of travel associated legionnaires' disease in France, September 2001- August 2003.

Clusters of travel associated legionnaires' disease warrant urgent attention, and are detected by the French national surveillance system and the European network EWGLINET. Between September 2001 and August 2003, 37 clusters were identified in French tourist accommodation: 27 hotels and 10 campsites. The number of clinical cases per cluster was as follows: 30 clusters of 2 cases (81%), 6 clusters of 3 cases (16%) and one cluster of 4 cases (3%), a total of 82 cases. The local health authorities performed environmental investigations for 36 of the 37 clusters. Among the 36 clusters investigated, water samples were collected for 35. At 16 (46%) sites, Legionella pneumophila was found at a level of more than 103 cfu/litre. In all of the accommodation where risk assessment was found to be inadequate- control measures were implemented immediately. Six hotels were closed immediately following cluster alerts. Comparison of clinical and environmental isolates by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was possible in 3 clusters and identical genomic profiles of the isolates were found in all. During this two year period of surveillance, we found that on many sites there has been a risk of exposure to Legionella. This reinforces the importance of the European surveillance network and the timely notifications of all the cases to EWGLINET.

Disease Notification↗

Isolation and characterization of iridoviruses from the giant toad Bufo marinus in Venezuela.

In this communication we describe for the first time the isolation of 7 iridoviruses from the toad Bufo marinus and an unknown species of frog Leptodactylus in Venezuela, South America. The viruses are icosahedral with electron-dense cores, each of which is surrounded by an inner membrane, capsid and a cell-derived envelope. The virus(es) have an average vertex to vertex diameter of 160 nm and replicate in the cytoplasm of a range of cell lines. Within the cytoplasm of infected cells, rarefied areas could be observed; structures lacked cellular organelles and contained complete, empty and developing viruses. Results from antigen-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) with polyclonal antibody raised against epizootic haematopoietic necrosis virus (EHNV) indicated cross-reactivity between these isolates, Bohle iridovirus (BIV) and frog virus 3 (FV3). Comparison of polypeptide and genomic profiles indicated that the Venezuelan viruses shared many polypeptides of equivalent molecular weight with type species FV3. There were, however, differences between the group of Venezuelan viruses and FV3 and BIV. The viruses belongs to the family Iridoviridae and the genus Ranavirus.

Animals↗

Cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 inhibitors and the breast cancer immune ecosystem: immune remodeling, resistance, and therapeutic reprogramming.

Cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 inhibitors (CDK4/6 inhibitors) combined with endocrine therapy have become a therapeutic backbone for hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative breast cancer, yet durable disease control is frequently limited by intrinsic and acquired resistance. Canonical tumor-cell mechanisms, including retinoblastoma-pathway escape, cyclin E-cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) activation, endocrine adaptation, and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT-mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling, explain only part of this failure because they do not fully capture dynamic immune and stromal remodeling. Preclinical and translational studies indicate that early CDK4/6 inhibition can enhance antigen presentation, activate interferon-related programs, restrain regulatory T cells, and promote a T-cell-inflamed state. These effects are conditional and may not persist during prolonged treatment. Sustained therapy can instead drive heterogeneous resistant niches characterized by stromal remodeling, myeloid recruitment, checkpoint adaptation, and T-cell dysfunction. This immune-state dependence provides a rationale for immune checkpoint blockade, although clinical combinations have shown mixed efficacy and clinically relevant hepatic, pulmonary, and hematologic toxicities. Sequential or lead-in strategies therefore warrant prospective evaluation. Oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and redox adaptation may sustain selected resistant states and expose context-dependent ferroptotic vulnerabilities. Ferroptosis may connect tumor-cell killing with immune regulation, whereas nanomedicine may improve tumor-selective delivery. Both strategies remain largely preclinical and require further evaluation of pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, toxicity, manufacturability, and immune-cell safety. This Review distinguishes intrinsic from acquired resistance across interpatient, intratumoral, spatial, and temporal dimensions. It integrates tumor-cell escape with cytokine, immune, stromal, vascular, and metabolic remodeling and summarizes emerging therapeutic strategies. We further propose a candidate biomarker-informed framework that integrates genomic profiling, spatial immune architecture, circulating biomarkers, T-cell receptor (TCR) dynamics, transcriptomic and single-cell analyses, artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted multimodal integration, and longitudinal sampling. This framework is intended to support biomarker development and prospective trial design rather than current clinical decision-making, providing a translational basis for testing state-informed and sequence-aware therapeutic strategies.

Humans↗

Marked response to dabrafenib plus trametinib in a patient with BRAF V600E-mutant pancreatic hepatoid carcinoma: a case report and systematic analysis of 57 cases.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic hepatoid carcinoma (PHC) is an extremely rare pancreatic malignancy characterized pathologically by hepatocellular-like differentiation. Some patients may present with elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). Owing to the limited number of reported cases, the clinical features, molecular characteristics, and systemic treatment strategies for PHC remain poorly defined. BRAF V600E is an actionable alteration with established therapeutic value in several solid tumors; however, its clinical significance in PHC remains unclear. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 64-year-old man with advanced PHC who presented with painless jaundice, dark urine, and recent weight loss. Laboratory tests showed marked cholestatic liver injury and significantly elevated AFP. Imaging revealed a pancreatic head-neck mass with portal vein tumor thrombus and regional lymph node metastases, corresponding to cT4N1M1, stage IV disease. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage was first performed to relieve obstructive jaundice. Biopsy of the pancreatic lesion showed poorly differentiated carcinoma. Based on hepatoid morphology, immunophenotype, elevated serum AFP, imaging findings, and exclusion of primary hepatocellular carcinoma, the patient was diagnosed with PHC. Comprehensive genomic profiling identified a BRAF V600E mutation with a variant allele frequency of 31.89%, together with MDM2 and MYC amplification. The molecular profile was characterized by microsatellite stability, low tumor mutational burden, MGMT promoter methylation, and low PD-L1 expression. After two cycles of pembrolizumab-based first-line therapy combined with paclitaxel, S-1, and lenvatinib, AFP continued to increase and imaging showed rapid tumor enlargement, consistent with immune checkpoint inhibitor-related hyperprogressive disease. The treatment was then switched to dabrafenib plus trametinib. AFP declined rapidly and returned to the normal range within approximately two months. Imaging showed marked regression of the pancreatic primary lesion, disappearance of the portal vein tumor thrombus and metastatic lymph nodes, and conversion of peripheral blood minimal residual disease to negative. The best response was partial response. After approximately six months of targeted therapy, occult disease progression emerged. Subsequent addition of cetuximab, replacement of the MEK inhibitor, and dose escalation of targeted therapy did not restore sustained systemic disease control, although local disease remained manageable with subsequent treatment adjustments. Proton radiotherapy was then delivered to the residual pancreatic lesion, followed by CyberKnife radiotherapy for a newly detected 2.3-cm metastasis in the caudate lobe of the liver. As of April 2026, the patient's AFP level remained close to normal at 14 ng/mL, local lesions were well controlled, peripheral blood minimal residual disease had turned positive, and the patient remained in a stable tumor-bearing state. SYSTEMATIC ANALYSIS: We further summarized 57 previously reported cases of PHC. The median age was 54 years, and 66.7% of patients were male. Tumors occurred at different pancreatic sites, including the pancreatic head in 21 cases, body in 8 cases, tail in 13 cases, and multifocal lesions in 15 cases. More than half of the patients had metastatic disease at initial diagnosis. The immunophenotype of PHC was highly heterogeneous. Regarding treatment, 47 patients underwent surgery, 20 received chemotherapy, and 6 received targeted therapy. The 1-year and 3-year overall survival rates were 70.7% and 43.1%, respectively, indicating an overall poor prognosis. CONCLUSION: This case suggests that BRAF V600E may represent a clinically actionable driver alteration in PHC. Dabrafenib plus trametinib induced a rapid and deep response in this patient with advanced BRAF V600E-mutant PHC. Microsatellite stability, low tumor mutational burden, low PD-L1 expression, and MDM2 amplification may be associated with limited benefit from immunotherapy and a risk of hyperprogression. After resistance to targeted therapy, local radiotherapy may serve as an important strategy for controlling oligoresidual and oligometastatic lesions. Together with the literature review, this case supports early comprehensive molecular profiling and individualized multidisciplinary management for advanced PHC.

BRAF V600E↗

Real-World Treatment Patterns and Clinical Outcomes After First-Line Therapy in Patients with KRAS G12C-Mutant Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 13% of NSCLC cases have KRAS G12C mutations. As therapeutic strategies targeting KRAS G12C-mutant NSCLC evolve, it is important to understand clinical presentation and current outcomes for these patients. METHODS: This retrospective study used data from two US nationwide databases, an electronic health records (EHR) database and a clinico-genomic database (CGDB) of EHR data linked to data from comprehensive genomic profiling tests. Eligible patients had advanced NSCLC, initiated first-line therapy from August 2018 to December 2022, and had KRAS test results. Clinicopathologic characteristics, treatments, real-world progression-free survival (rwPFS), and overall survival (OS) were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 1227 patients with KRAS G12C-mutant NSCLC in the EHR database and 447 in the CGDB. First-line regimen was platinum-based chemotherapy plus pembrolizumab for 46% and pembrolizumab monotherapy for 20%. Less than 40% of patients received second-line therapy. Median (95% CI) OS for KRAS G12C-mutant NSCLC patients in the EHR was 17.0 (15.2-18.9) months. Variables significantly associated with shorter OS included PD-L1 <1%, brain metastases, STK11 co-mutation, and poor performance status. Patients treated with platinum-based chemotherapy plus pembrolizumab had median rwPFS of 5.3 (4.5-7.3) months and OS of 12.8 (11.1-17.3) months in the CGDB; median OS was 15.6 (12.5-18.6) months in the EHR. Patients with PD-L1 &#x2265; 50% treated with pembrolizumab monotherapy had median rwPFS of 4.6 (3.0-15.6) months and OS of 20.4 (10.3-38.5) months in the CGDB; median OS was 22.1 (18.7-30.7) in the EHR. CONCLUSIONS: These data provide a real-world benchmark of outcomes for patients with KRAS G12C-mutant NSCLC receiving the current standard of care and indicate an unmet need for more effective first-line therapies.

KRAS G12C↗

Cancer Immunotherapy: Therapeutic Limitations and Next-Generation Precision Strategies.

Cancer immunotherapy has reshaped oncology, largely through immune checkpoint inhibitors that release the brakes on tumor-reactive T cells. Yet the benefit remains uneven, and that unevenness traces back to a few basic biological limits. Checkpoint blockade amplifies immunity that is already present; it does not create tumor specificity de novo. Poor Ag quality, defective Ag presentation, a suppressive microenvironment, and epigenetically fixed T-cell exhaustion together set a ceiling on what checkpoint release can achieve. Next-generation strategies try to move past these limits by reorganizing immunotherapy around the functional layers of the immune response. Cancer vaccines define tumor-specific neoantigens and expand the responses against them. Ab-based approaches tune inhibitory signaling, draw immune cells toward the tumor, and trigger immunogenic cell death. Cellular therapies-chimeric Ag receptor T cell, TCR-engineered T cells, and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs)-boost effector potency, with TIL therapy notable for preserving tumor-reactive repertoires shaped in vivo. Rather than rivals, these modalities are best seen as complementary layers-Ag definition, immune priming, effector optimization, and microenvironmental conditioning-to be combined in a programmable way. As genomic profiling, immunopeptidomics, and high-dimensional immune monitoring mature, the field is shifting from checkpoint-centered release toward precision immunoengineering, in which tumor-specific immunity is deliberately designed, aligned, and sustained.

Cancer vaccines↗

Genomic variability in field populations of Schistosoma mansoni in Brazil as detected with a ribosomal gene probe.

A cloned fragment of the ribosomal gene of Schistosoma mansoni, pSM 389, which contains part of the small rRNA gene plus a portion of the nontranscribed intergenic spacer, was used in Southern hybridization analyses to investigate genomic variation in natural populations of S. mansoni in Brazil. Genomic DNAs were isolated from schistosomes from infected patients (some of whom did not respond to antischistosomal chemotherapy), and from snails from disparate geographic locations in Brazil. Restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) were evident in Southern blot hybridizations of these schistosome DNAs, and the RFLPs indicated that the genomic profiles of a number of Brazilian strains were more similar to each other than they were to parasites from two laboratory reference strains of Puerto Rican origin. In addition, the Brazilian isolates could generally be separated from each other based on these RFLPs. Isolates from the southeastern state of Minas Gerais were more similar to each other than they were to parasites isolated in the northeastern states of Alagoas and Pernambuco. Variation was evident among individual worms from some of the isolates, and these individual variations contributed to the complex RFLP patterns that were characteristic for particular isolates. The variation within a natural population isolated directly from snails at Ressaca, Belo Horizonte, may be more marked than that exhibited by more established strains maintained in the laboratory for numerous generations.

Animals↗

Association of Genetic Liability to Psychiatric Disorders with Peripheral Metabolic Dysregulation.

IMPORTANCE: Individuals with psychiatric disorders face elevated cardiometabolic risk which is linked to increased mortality. The extent to which this reflects shared pathogenesis or the downstream effects of illness and treatment remains poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the direct pleiotropic effects of psychiatric genetic liability on circulating metabolites and aggregate cardiometabolic risk, independent of psychiatric diagnosis and psychotropic medication use. DESIGN SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Cross-sectional analysis of Mass General Brigham Biobank participants with metabolomic profiling, genomic data, and linked electronic health records. EXPOSURES: Genetic liability to nine psychiatric disorders quantified using polygenic risk scores (PRS): attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anorexia nervosa (ANO), anxiety disorder (ANX), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), bipolar disorder (BD), major depressive disorder (MDD), PTSD, schizophrenia (SCZ), and substance use disorder (SUD). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: 249 circulating metabolites and four metabolomic risk scores (MRS) for type 2 diabetes, myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and vascular dementia. PRS-metabolite associations were estimated using nested models adjusting for lifetime psychiatric diagnosis and psychotropic medication use. RESULTS: Across 25,290 participants, we identified 604 significant PRS-metabolite associations (Bonferroni p< 1.36 x 10-4), of which 89% persisted after adjustment for lifetime diagnosis and medication use, suggesting that the direct genetic effects on metabolism are largely independent of illness or treatment. PRS for MDD, PTSD, and ADHD showed the most extensive dysregulation, with a transdiagnostic pattern of elevated lipids and systemic inflammation, specifically triglycerides (&#x3b2; = 0.04 to 0.05, all p< 4.4 x10-13) and glycoprotein acetyls (&#x3b2; = 0.05, all p< 2.2 x10-16). Notably, PRS for SCZ and BD showed minimal metabolite dysregulation despite having the strongest association with their target diagnoses. PRS for MDD, PTSD, ADHD, and SUD were associated with increased MRS across cardiometabolic conditions (&#x3b2; = 0.03 to 0.08, all p< 2.1 x10-4). Sensitivity analyses controlling for BMI or excluding participants without any psychiatric history (N: 21,305 and 11,150, respectively) showed a similar pattern. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Psychiatric genetic liability is associated with systemic metabolic dysregulation independent of illness onset or treatment, supporting a partially pleiotropic basis for psychiatric-cardiometabolic comorbidity.

Journal Article↗

Ovarian Carcinoma Presenting Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma-Like Features in Association With Seromucinous Borderline Tumor: A Real Seromucinous Carcinoma?

Ovarian seromucinous carcinoma is generally classified within the spectrum of endometrioid carcinoma. We report a rare ovarian carcinoma with mucoepidermoid carcinoma-like features arising in direct association with a seromucinous borderline tumor. A 56-year-old postmenopausal female presented with a 10-cm pelvic multilocular cystic tumor and markedly elevated carbohydrate antigen 19-9. Histopathological examination showed a seromucinous borderline tumor with transition to invasive carcinoma composed of mucinous epithelial cells and p40-positive intermediate-like cells. The tumor was diffusely positive for PAX8 and negative for cytokeratin 20, supporting Mullerian differentiation. The p40-positive cell population persisted in the borderline, invasive, and para-aortic lymph node metastatic components. Comprehensive genomic profiling identified KRAS p.G12D without CTNNB1, PTEN, or ARID1A mutations. The patient developed platinum-resistant recurrence and died 11 months after diagnosis. This case is compatible with a potential endometriosis-independent pathway from seromucinous borderline tumor to an aggressive mucoepidermoid-like carcinoma.

mucoepidermoid carcinoma↗

[Resistance to chloroquine and cycloguanil of Plasmodium falciparum in patients arriving in France after travel in Africa without chemoprophylaxis].

The in vitro susceptibility of chloroquine and the genomic profile of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) codon 108 was determined against african isolates of P. falciparum (Pf) from imported malaria cases without previous drug intake by an isotopic microtest or PCR + RFLP. Pf resistance to chloroquine or to the DHFR inhibitor was present in 49% and 46% of isolates, respectively. Pf drug resistance was more frequent in permanent than in seasonal malarial transmission areas and chloroquine plus DHFR resistance reached 28% in years 1995-97. Updating the guidelines for the prevention of malaria in travellers to Africa is necessary.

Africa↗

Genomic diversity of group A rotavirus RNA from children with acute diarrhoea in Chennai, south India.

Group A rotavirus was identified in 51 of 245 (20.8%) cases with acute diarrhoea in Chennai analysed between December 1997 and March 1999. Forty eight of the 51 specimens were subgrouped and serotyped. A total of 110 rotavirus positive specimens (inclusive of 62 rotavirus positive cases reported earlier) were analysed for their subgroup (SG) specificity and genomic profiles. SGI and SGII specificity were detected in 60 per cent and 20 per cent of the cases studied. Twenty two cases showed dual SG specificity (SGI + II). Nine electropherotypic patterns (7 'short' and 2 'long') were observed with a predominance of short pattern in 87 of the 110 (79.1%) positive cases studied. Long electropherotypes were found in 23 (20.9%). Serotyping of the 48 rotavirus positives revealed a higher proportion of serotype-2 (68.8%) followed by serotype-1 (14.6%) and serotype-3 in 1 case. Mixed infection of G1-G2 was observed among 7 cases analysed, which revealed G[2,1], P[4,8] genotype specificity. Dual infection of P[4]-P[8] genotypes was observed in 12 cases with G[2] specificity.

Acute Disease↗

[Outbreak of human rotavirus infection in an adult community].

INTRODUCTION: Group A rotaviruses are known as the major cause of severe dehydrating diarrhoea in infants. AIMS: In adults, the rotavirus infections are usually asymptomatic. In the present study the authors report a group A rotavirus outbreak in a psychiatric nursing home for adults. RESULTS: The outbreak lasted 3 weeks; the attack rate was 20%. The mean age of patients was 39 y (range 21 to 65; n = 25). The symptoms were mild, and most of the patients recovered within 2 or 3 days. The epidemiological data suggested that the virus was introduced by a patient, and it was transmitted by person-to-person route. Rotavirus positive specimens were characterised by serotyping and electropherotyping. The serotype-specific monoclonal antibody immunoassay demonstrated the circulation of a common strain with G1 specificity. These samples shared identical genome profile with strains circulated in the paediatric communities of the country. CONCLUSION: In Hungary, this is the first published gastroenteritis outbreak among adults caused by group A rotaviruses with G1 serotype specificity.

Adult↗

Thirteenth annual pezcoller symposium: focusing analytical tools on complexity in cancer.

The physiopathology of cancer cells is the result of very complex signaling networks that represent in many cases distortions of the orderly networks regulating the physiology of normal cells. These networks are the consequence of the expression of, or the lack of expression of, genes, mutated or not, which represent the genomic profile of different types of or of individual cancers. The complex signaling pathways, the cross-talks among them, and the redundancies existing for several of them mediate not only the transmission of signals from the cell environment to the nucleus but also that from the nucleus to the other cellular components whose function is involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis, or differentiation. Modern approaches to cancer therapy and also prevention are aimed at identifying new molecular targets, pivotal to the life of the cancer cell, which would provide for specific sites of intervention. In the face of the enormous complexity of the phenomena on which the life of cancer cells is based, it is both difficult to identify unique specific target for intervention and important to develop analytical tools and approaches capable to identify them for further exploitation. This was the main subject of the Symposium. Consideration was given to: (a) tumor genotypic analysis through expression array evaluation and definition of cancer transcriptomes in studies aimed at identifying determinants of specific characteristics of cancer cells; (b) approaches based on the knowledge gained in this analysis that would lead to the visualization of new targets exploitable for antitumor action; and (c) multifactorial analysis of the complex interactions regulating cancer cells and methods to comprehend the complexity of molecular models and validate their functional relevance.

Animals↗

Atypical rotavirus genomic patterns identified by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Two atypical "short" rotavirus genomic profiles were detected in stool specimens following the testing of 84 children with diarrhoea. Both rotaviruses were identified as Group A, and confirmation was performed by blocking assay using antiserum against simian rotavirus SA-11. This report underscores the importance of screening on the molecular level to detect atypical or unusual rotaviruses that would normally proceed unrecognised by testing with any of the commercial antigen detection kits.

Child, Preschool↗

Isolation and genotypic comparison of oral streptococci from experimental bitemarks.

The feasibility of recovering and genotypically comparing oral bacteria from bitemarks for forensic purposes was assessed experimentally. Volunteers firmly bit their own upper arms and bitemarks were sampled at intervals to recover viable Streptococcus isolates. The recoverability of bacteria decreased over time but an average of more than one thousand viable organisms was recovered 24 hrs after biting, provided the site remained relatively undisturbed. Physical exertion, manual rubbing and application of moisturizing lotion all decreased bacterial recoverability compared to controls. Streptococci could also be recovered from bites inflicted on various fabrics. Genomic profiles (DNA "fingerprints") of bacteria recovered from bitemarks could be identified exclusively with those from the teeth of the individual responsible. These findings suggest that a bacterial genotyping approach to bitemark analysis could have forensic application in situations where the perpetrator's DNA cannot be recovered from an oral contact site.

Bacterial Typing Techniques↗

Genomic and proteomic profiling for biomarkers and signature profiles of toxicity.

Toxicity profiling measures and compares all gene expression changes among biological samples after toxicant exposure. Toxicity profiling with DNA microarrays to measure all mRNA transcripts (transcriptomics), or by global separation and identification of proteins (proteomics), has led to the discovery of better descriptors of toxicity, toxicant classification and exposure monitoring than current indicators. A shared goal in transcript and proteomic profiling is the development of biomarkers and signatures of chemical toxicity. In this review, biomarkers and signature profiles are described for specific chemical toxicants that affect target organs such as liver, kidney, neural tissues, gastrointestinal tract and skeletal muscle, for specific disease models such as cancer and inflammation, and for unique chemical-protein adducts underlying cell injury. The recent introduction of toxicogenomics databases support researchers in sharing, analyzing, visualizing and mining expression data, assist the integration of transcriptomics, proteomics and toxicology datasets, and eventually will permit in silico biomarker and signature pattern discovery.

Animals↗