Costal cartilage ensures low degradation of DNA needed for genetic identification of human remains retrieved at different decomposition stages and different postmortem intervals

Introduction The study aimed to evaluate if costal cartilage is a good source of DNA for genetic individual identification tests performed in forensic autopsies. Materials and Methods The study included samples of costal cartilage collected from 80 cadavers retrieved from different environments: indoors (flat/hospital), outdoors (primarily in the forest), a coal mine, a fire site, uninhabited buildings, a basement, bodies of fresh water, exhumation sites, and unknown locations. After isolation of DNA chondrocytes, T. Large autosomal chromosome (214 bp), T. Small autosomal chromosome (80 bp), and the Y chromosome (75 bp; for male cadavers), sequences were amplified using real-time PCR. Additionally, 23 autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) loci and 16 Y chromosome STR loci were amplified using multiplex PCR. Forensic DNA typing was done using capillary electrophoresis and all results were analyzed. Results There was no statistically significant difference in DNA concentration after T. Large, T. Small autosomal chromosome and the Y chromosome amplification between samples collected from cadavers retrieved from different environments. The DNA degradation index was the same regardless of the postmortem interval. The results show that it is possible to generate a full genetic profile from costal cartilage samples collected from cadavers retrieved from different environments and at different times elapsed after death. Conclusions The results suggest that costal cartilage can be routinely collected during forensic autopsies, especially from cadavers at the advanced decomposition stage.

Monosomal Karyotype In Myelodysplastic Syndromes, with or without Monosomy 7 or 5, Is Prognostically Worse Than An Otherwise Complex Karyotype

Abstract 2918 Background: Monosomal karyotype (MK) is defined as the presence of two or more distinct autosomal chromosome monosomies or a single autosomal monosomy associated with at least one structural abnormality (Breems DA et al. J Clin Oncol 2008; 26: 4791). In acute myeloid leukemia (AML), MK has been associated with a worse prognosis than otherwise complex karyotype, regardless of the specific type of autosomal chromosome involved (Breems DA et al. J Clin Oncol 2008; 26: 4791). Whether or not these observations also hold true for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) is currently unknown. Objective: To determine if MDS with complex karyotype can be prognostically sub-stratified further based on the presence or absence of MK and if prognosis in MDS with MK is in addition affected by the presence or absence of monosomy 7 or monosomy 5. Methods: The Mayo Clinic database for MDS was used to identify consecutive patients with complex karyotype, defined as the presence of three or more numerical or structural cytogenetic abnormalities. World Health Organization (WHO) criteria were used for MDS diagnosis and leukemic transformation (Vardiman JW et al. Blood 2009; 114: 937). Overall and leukemia-free survivals were calculated from the time of initial cytogenetic studies documenting complex karyotype. Results: A total of 127 MDS patients (median age 70 years; 79 males) with complex karyotype were identified. Amongst them, 106 (83%) met the above-stipulated criteria for MK and 21 (17%) had complex karyotype without monosomies. The MK in the 106 patients included monosomy 7 and/or monosomy 5 in 73 cases. The three complex karyotype subsets (i.e. complex without monosomies vs. MK that included monosomy 7 and/or 5 vs. MK excluding monosomy 7 or 5) were not significantly different in terms of age and sex distribution, hemoglobin level, leukocyte or platelet count, bone marrow blast percentage or International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) risk score. However, survival was significantly inferior in patients with MK compared to those with complex karyotype without monosomies (p=0.01; HR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1–3.3). Multivariable analysis identified MK (p=0.002), advanced age (p=0.0004), increased bone marrow blast percentage (0.04), but not IPSS risk category (p=0.34), as independent risk factors for survival. Interestingly, there was no difference in survival among MK patients further sub-stratified by the presence or absence of monosomy 7 and/or monosomy 5 (Figure 1). Although not statistically significant, leukemia-free survival was also worse in patients with MK compared to those with complex karyotype (p=0.11; HR 2.7, 95% CI 0.8–9.0); none of the aforementioned variables significantly affected leukemia-free survival. Conclusions: Monosomal karyotype in MDS identifies a prognostically worse subgroup of patients with complex karyotype. Furthermore, in the context of MK, autosomal monosomies other than monosomy 7 or monosomy 5 are prognostically as detrimental. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.