This review presents the basic problems and currently available molecular techniques used for genetic profiling in disaster victim identification (DVI). The environmental conditions of a mass disaster often result in severe fragmentation, decomposition and intermixing of the remains of victims. In such cases, traditional identification based on the anthropological and physical characteristics of the victims is frequently inconclusive. This is the reason why DNA profiling became the gold standard for victim identification in mass-casualty incidents (MCIs) or any forensic cases where human remains are highly fragmented and/or degraded beyond recognition. The review provides general information about the sources of genetic material for DNA profiling, the genetic markers routinely used during genetic profiling (STR markers, mtDNA and single-nucleotide polymorphisms [SNP]) and the basic statistical approaches used in DNA-based disaster victim identification. Automated technological platforms that allow the simultaneous analysis of a multitude of genetic markers used in genetic identification (oligonucleotide microarray techniques and next-generation sequencing) are also presented. Forensic and population databases containing information on human variability, routinely used for statistical analyses, are discussed. The final part of this review is focused on recent developments, which offer particularly promising tools for forensic applications (mRNA analysis, transcriptome variation in individuals/populations and genetic profiling of specific cells separated from mixtures).

Growing evidence that rhodopsin (RD) and related G protein-coupled receptors form functional dimers/oligomers, followed by direct proof (using atomic force microscopy) that in the retina disc membrane RD associates into a paracrystalline network of rows of dimers, need models of the RD-transducin (Gt) complex that would envision an optimal RD dimer/oligomer able to satisfy all well-documented interactions with Gt. Of the models proposed so far, only a few refer to RD dimers and only one of them proposes a complex of Gt with an RD oligomer (Filipek S, Krzyśko KA, Fotiadis D, Liang Y, Saperstein DA, Engel, A, Palczewski K Photochem Photobiol Sci 3: 628-638, 2004). This paper puts forward a hypothesis on another arrangement of RD monomers into the reported network of rows of dimers. Arguments for the compatibility of this set-up with interactions and activation of RD in the complex with Gt, in particular, with the well-documented movement of transmembrane helix 6 and cytosolic loop 3, which is vital for RD activation, are provided and discussed.

Experimental methods of investigations of nanoparticle (NP)-protein interactions are limited, because they require a high amount of samples and the NPs tend to interfere with spectral results. Therefore, molecular modeling is a commonly accepted tool in such kind of investigations. Examining the molecule toxicity on the molecular level, we usually want to know, mainly, the location of the ligand on the protein surface and what is an influence of such a contact on the biological functions of the protein. In the presented work, we demonstrate that multiple-docking of the ligand from a random start and with large grid volume, to let the ligand search the whole protein surface, allows to find the best binding sites and gives reliable results considering ligand-protein interactions. In the present work, we have constructed six models of bronchoalveolar lavage fluids proteins: α1-antitripsin, albumin, ceruloplasmin, lactoferrin, lysozyme, and transferrin with fullerene, C 60 utilizing molecular docking methods. The most probable results were examined with steered molecular dynamics (SMD) to see, if the simple docking method is able to predict the fullerene binding affinity. Albumin and lysozyme were already widely investigated and literature data is available for their complexes with fullerene C 60 and/or its derivatives. Thus, we used these two models as a reference set to validate the used molecular modeling methods. With our best knowledge, interactions of the remaining four proteins with NPs have never been investigated in detail before. Our results indicate that fullerene C 60 readily interacts with all studied proteins and may have a large impact on their biological functions.

Breaking bad news is a common problem for clinical geneticists in their daily work. Just like doctors of other specialties, e.g., oncologists, they can use proven communication tools instead of relying only on professional sense. The latter is, of course, always the most important for experienced doctors, but the use of protocols such as SPIKES and EMPATHY facilitates both the delineation of difficult information and the process of its transmission. The article gives an overview of the best tools of this type available to medical professionals dealing with genetic counseling.

Nearly one third of the investigated group of firemen suffered from symptoms of PTSD, with the stress coping strategy most often observed in that subgroup being style focused on avoidance. Age proved to be a factor associated with the readiness to undertake behavioral measures to cope with stress tension; such behavior tends to be undertaken by older firemen.

Introduction and objective. Firefighters are considered a healthy and fit group of individuals, well-prepared for taking action in disaster situations. While working, they suffer from exposure to certain toxic agents, especially combustion products generated when a fire takes place. Among them, the most frequent and the most toxic are: carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, ammonia, and those resulting from PVC combustion -hydrochloride, phosgene and chloride. Additionally, fireextinguisher powder can be inhaled and lead to certain lesion in the airways. The aim of study was to ascertain the influence of toxic agents present at the scene of fire on the lung tissue of firefighters, and also to study this on an animal model. Materials and methods. The study group consisted of firefighters who had a minimum of 10 years service. After completing a questionnaire, their clinical status was ascertained based on a general examination, laboratory tests and lung function tests. Results. Questionnaire analysis showed a high percentage of pathological symptoms in the studied group. The incidence of the symptoms correlated with the duration of occupational exposure to toxic agents. Among other results, obstruction of flow in medium airways in about 30% of the studied individuals represented the most important finding. Experimental tests were next performed on male Wistar rats, aged 3 months. They were insufflated with the solution of powdered fire-extinguisher, after which morphology specimens of lung tissue were studied. Evidence for disseminated fibrosis was obtained, which supported the previous clinical findings in the firefighters. Conclusion. The above shows correlation between occupational exposure and respiratory system involvement in firefighters. This justifies covering the group of firefighters with special medical care focused on prophilaxis, early detection and therapy of pulmonary diseases.

Population biobanks offer new opportunities for public health, are rudimentary for the development of its new branch called Public Health Genomics, and are important for translational research. This article presents organizational models of population biobanks in selected European countries. Review of bibliography and websites of European population biobanks (UK, Spain, Estonia). Some countries establish national genomic biobanks (DNA banks) in order to conduct research on new methods of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the genetic and lifestyle diseases and on pharmacogenetic research. Individual countries have developed different organizational models of these institutions and specific legal regulations regarding various ways of obtaining genetic data from the inhabitants, donors’ rights, organizational and legal aspects. Population biobanks in European countries were funded in different manners. In light of these solutions, the authors discuss prospects of establishing a Polish national genomic biobank for research purpose. They propose the creation of such an institution based on the existing network of blood-donation centres and clinical biobanks in Poland.

We conclude that the access to AED is relatively fast in public places. In the majority of assessed locations, it meets the recommended time to early defibrillation of under 3 min from the onset of the cardiac arrest; however, there are several causes for possible delays. The AED signs indicating the location of the device should be larger. AEDs should also be displayed in unrestricted areas for easy access rather than being kept under staff care or in cabinets.