title: Estimation of the human postmortem interval using an established rat mathematical model and multi-RNA markers.
abstract: In our previous study, a R code-based mathematical model using RNA degradation patterns was developed for PMI determination in rat brain specimens. However, the postmortem changes of RNA are much more complicated in real cases, and there is still a huge challenge in efficiently applying information in animal data to real cases. In the present study, different RNA markers in both rat and human tissues were collected to screen valid biomarkers and the corresponding mathematical models were established and validated. With the same methodology, multi-RNA markers of myocardium and liver tissues were detected by qPCR and the Ct values of ten biomarkers generally increased with prolonged PMIs. 5S, miR-1 and miR-133a were shown to be optimum reference biomarkers that were not affected by a PMI of up to 5 or more days; however, liver-specific miR-122 began to degrade under higher temperatures and only 5S was selected as an endogenous control in the liver. Among the tested target RNAs, similar to our previous study in brain tissue, β-actin (ΔCt) was found to exhibit the best correlation coefficient with PMI and was employed to build mathematical models using R software. Following validation, the relatively low estimated error demonstrated that PMIs can be accurately predicted in human cases through comprehensive consideration of various factors and using effective biomarkers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, 131 Dongan Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.|Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, 21 Meilong Road, Shanghai, 200030, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Ye-Hui
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Lv
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, 131 Dongan Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Jian-Long
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, 131 Dongan Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, 131 Dongan Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, 131 Dongan Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tao
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, 131 Dongan Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Heng
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Shanghai Public Security Bureau, Pudong Branch, 655 Dingxiang Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Wen-Can
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Forensic Lab, Criminal Science and Technology Institute, Shanghai Public Security Bureau, 803 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200082, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Kai-Jun
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, 131 Dongan Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China. chenlong@shmu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Long
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D004586:Electrophoresis; D005260:Female; D024581:Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (Phosphorylating) / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism*; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D020871:RNA Stability; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / Q000378:metabolism; D012341:RNA, Ribosomal, 5S / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012269:Ribosomal Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; C544547:MIRN1 microRNA, human; C548234:MIRN133 microRNA, human; D035683:MicroRNAs; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S; D012341:RNA, Ribosomal, 5S; D012269:Ribosomal Proteins; D024581:Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (Phosphorylating)
keywords: Forensic science; Mathematical model; Postmortem interval (PMI); RNA degradation; Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR)