Development and Validation of a Novel Five-Dye Short Tandem Repeat Panel for Forensic Identification of 11 Species

Species identification of unknown biological samples is of fundamental importance for forensic applications, especially in crime detection, poaching, and illegal trade of endangered animals as well as meat fraud. In this study, a novel panel was developed to simultaneously identify 10 different animal species (Gallus domesticus, Anas platyrhynchos domesticus, Ovis aries, Sus scrofa domesticus, Bos taurus, Equus caballus, Columba livia domestica, Rattus norvegicus, Mus musculus, and Canis lupus familiaris) and human beings by amplifying 22 short tandem repeat (STR) loci in a multiplex PCR using a set of five fluorescently labeled dyes. This novel 22-STR panel was validated by optimization of PCR conditions as well as species specificity, sensitivity, reproducibility, precision, DNA mixture, and tissue/organ consistency. The results of developmental validation showed that the 22-STR loci achieved high species specificity among 10 animal species and human beings, and the sensitivity of this panel was 0.09 ng. This 22-STR panel identified different meats in mixed samples, and the minimum detected mixture ratio in the current test was 10% (0.1 ng/1 ng). This sensitive, accurate, and specific 22-STR panel can be used for forensic species identification and the detection of meat fraud and adulteration.

The Genetic Structure of Chinese Hui Ethnic Group Revealed by Complete Mitochondrial Genome Analyses Using Massively Parallel Sequencing

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), coupled with maternal inheritance and relatively high mutation rates, provides a pivotal way for us to investigate the formation histories of populations. The Hui minority with Islamic faith is one of the most widely distributed ethnic groups in China. However, the exploration of Hui's genetic architecture from the complete mitochondrial genome perspective has not been detected yet. Therefore, in this study, we employed the complete mitochondrial genomes of 98 healthy and unrelated individuals from Northwest China, as well as 99 previously published populations containing 7274 individuals from all over the world as reference data, to comprehensively dissect the matrilineal landscape of Hui group. Our results demonstrated that Hui group exhibited closer genetic relationships with Chinese Han populations from different regions, which was largely attributable to the widespread of haplogroups D4, D5, M7, B4, and F1 in these populations. The demographic expansion of Hui group might occur during the Late Pleistocene. Finally, we also found that Hui group might have gene exchanges with Uygur, Tibetan, and Tajik groups in different degrees and retained minor genetic imprint of European-specific lineages, therefore, hinting the existence of multi-ethnic integration events in shaping the genetic landscape of Chinese Hui group.

Social status and long-term events among acute myocardial infarction patients

Background

Mood disorders, depression, and loneliness are known risk factors for thrombotic occlusions. Social relationships in general, and marital status in particular may play a role in predicting cardiovascular outcomes and survival after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), but the evidence is inconclusive, especially in Asians. We sought to analyze clinical outcomes following AMI according to insurance type and living type.

Methods

From July 2016 to Sept 2018, the Korean Registry of Regional Cardiocerebrovascular Center for Acute Myocardial Infarction database collected patients over 18 years old who suffered AMI. 3 months and 1-year all-cause death, CVA and re-MI (composite endpoint) were collected by telephone interview.

Results

Overall, the total of 463 all-cause death and 113 re-MI occurred. At 3-months, each group did not any differences in all-cause death and re-MI. At 1-year, however, the single & medical aid patients exhibited significantly higher all-cause death (6.8% vs 18.3%; p=0.000) and composite endpoint (12.5% vs 20.6%; p=0.000) compared to the live together & health insurance.

Conclusion

Social and economic status may be linked to 1-year all-cause death in Korean patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

All-cause death and Composite outcomes

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

A Highly Polymorphic Panel Consisting of Microhaplotypes and Compound Markers with the NGS and Its Forensic Efficiency Evaluations in Chinese Two Groups

Novel genetic markers like microhaplotypes and compound markers show promising potential in forensic research. Based on previously reported single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and insertion/deletion (InDel) polymorphism loci, 29 genetic markers including 22 microhaplotypes and seven compound markers were identified. Genetic distributions of the 29 loci in five continental populations, Kazak and Mongolian groups in China were investigated. We found that the expected heterozygosity values of these 29 loci were >0.4 in these populations, indicating these loci were relatively high polymorphisms. Population genetic analyses of five continental populations showed that five loci displayed relatively high genetic variations among these continental populations and could be useful markers for ancestry analysis. In summary, the 29 loci displayed relatively high genetic diversities in continental populations and Chinese two groups and could be informative loci for forensic research.

Factors Influencing the Development Ability of Intelligent Manufacturing of New Energy Vehicles Based on a Structural Equation Model

Threatened by the energy crisis and environmental pollution, most countries in the world are vigorously developing new energy vehicles to promote low-carbon environmental protection and boost a green transportation system. Based on the intelligent manufacturing standard system, this study constructed a new energy vehicle intelligent manufacturing development-influencing factor model. Taking the intelligent manufacturing development ability as the dependent variable, taking external environment factors, commonalities among the new energy vehicle enterprises, and industry progress as independent variables, five hypotheses are proposed. This study used a structural equation model to test the hypotheses and reveal the mechanism of how factors influence the new energy vehicle intelligent manufacturing. The results show that external environment factors and industry progress directly and positively affect the development capability of intelligent manufacturing of new energy vehicles, while the commonalities among the NEV enterprises have an indirect effect through industry progress on intelligent manufacturing of new energy vehicles. Based on the analysis, this study puts forward some suggestions for better development of new energy vehicle intelligent manufacturing.

Gene mapping and functional annotation of GWAS of oral ulcers using FUMA software

Oral ulcers not only influence the physical health of patients, but they also interfere with their quality of life. However, the exact etiology of oral ulcers is not clear. To explore the roles of genetic factors in oral ulcers, a genome-wide association study of the condition in European individuals was re-evaluated by the FUMA v1.3.5e online tool. A total of 380 independent significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 89 lead SNPs were identified in 34 genomic risk loci. Out of these identified genomic risk loci, 280 possible causal genes were pinpointed by positional mapping and expression quantitative trait locus mapping. Among these genes, 216 novel genes were identified. Furthermore, some genomic loci were mapped to a single gene. Functional annotation of these prioritized genes revealed that the immune response pathway was implicated in the onset of oral ulcers. Overall, our findings revealed novel possible causal genes and demonstrated that the immune response has a crucial role in the occurrence of oral ulcers.

Forensic applicability of autosomal insertion/deletion loci in Chinese Daur ethnic group and genetic affinity evaluations between Daur group and reference populations

In present study, we evaluated the genetic diversities of 30 insertion/deletion (InDel) loci and analyzed the genetic relationships between Daur and other comparison populations. In the studied Daur group, any two InDel loci showed no linkage disequilibrium, and all loci showed no deviations from exact tests of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Insertion allele frequencies at 30 InDel loci ranged from 0.1459 (HLD39) to 0.8774 (HLD118). The observed heterozygosity and expected heterozygosity values were ranged from 0.1984 (HLD118) to 0.5564 (HLD6) and 0.2155 (HLD118) to 0.5000 (HLD92 and HLD6), respectively. The combined power of discrimination and power of exclusion values were 0.999999999993428 and 0.9878, respectively, which indicated that this panel of 30 InDels could be used for individual identifications in Daur group. Population genetic analyses including pairwise fixation index, STRUCTURE analysis, principal component analysis, genetic distance, multidimensional scaling analysis and phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the Daur group had the closer genetic relationships with the groups from western China in comparison with other continental populations.

Immunosensor-based rapid quantitative detection of Newcastle disease virus antibodies using innovative gold immunochromatographic assay

AIMS

A novel quantitative method for rapid Newcastle disease virus (NDV) antibody detection was developed based on an innovative gold immunochromatographic assay with a quantitative immunosensor.

METHODS AND RESULTS

NDV antibody-detecting test strips containing a two-reaction system and double-test lines (T1, T2) were prepared. The test results were judged according to the signal ratio between the test and control lines as measured by the quantitative immunosensor. The minimum detection limit of the test strips for NDV antibodies was 2² titres. In addition, the assay was highly specific because only NDV antibodies produced visible test lines on the strip. The clinical application of the strips was tested by detecting NDV antibodies in 506 serum samples collected from chickens. The results showed a coincidence of 92·49% with those of the haemagglutination inhibition assay.

CONCLUSIONS

The strips were successfully prepared and showed high specificity towards NDV, sensitivity and stability.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study describes a new method for detection of NDV antibody and provides a reference basis for rapid and quantitative monitoring of NDV antibodies. This new method overcomes the limitation of the existing colloidal gold immunochromatography, which only produces qualitative or semi-quantitative results.

Forensic characteristic and population structure dissection of Shaanxi Han population in the light of diallelic deletion/insertion polymorphism data

The genetic polymorphisms of diallelic deletion/insertion polymorphic (DIP) loci in the Shaanxi Han population are still not clearly characterized. Herein, allele frequencies and forensic application efficiencies for 30 diallelic DIP loci were investigated in 506 unrelated healthy Han individuals from Chinese Shaanxi province. Based on population data of the same 30 diallelic DIP loci, the genetic differentiations, hierarchical clustering relationships and population architectures among Shaanxi Han and other 50 populations were further dissected through genetic and bioinformatics analyses. Results indicated that most of the 30 diallelic DIP loci were relatively high polymorphisms in the Shaanxi Han population; and there were the genetically intimate relationships between Shaanxi Han and the East Asian populations. In summary, this study provided significant insights into genetic background of Shaanxi Han population, and the multiplex amplification of these 30 diallelic DIP loci was appropriate for forensic individual identification and population genetic research in Shaanxi Han population.

Function of IL-33 in Wound Age Estimation of Skin Wounds in Mice

Abstract

Objective To explore the application value of interleukin-33 （IL-33） in wound age estimation in forensic practice by observing the sequential changes of IL-33 after skin wound. Methods Skin wound models were generated on the back of mice with a round file of 5 mm in diameter. Skin samples of the same size were taken from the same parts of mice in control group and injury group 1 h, 3 h, 6 h, 12 h, 1 d, 3 d, 5 d, 7 d and 10 d after skin wound. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining method was applied to observe the morphological changes in the recovering process after skin wound. Western blotting, immunohistochemistry staining and double immunofluorescence staining methods were applied to detect the expression changes of IL-33 in the skin wound samples. Results The results of Western blotting showed that the expression of IL-33 protein decreased slightly at 3 h after skin wound, increased gradually at 6 h after skin wound, and reached the peak value at 3 d, then decreased gradually. Immunohistochemistry staining results showed that faint positive expression of IL-33 was observed in epidermis, hair follicles, sebaceous glands and dermal resident cells of the control group skin. The positive cell rate of IL-33 increased at 3 h after skin wound and reached the peak value at 3 d, then decreased gradually. The results of double immunofluorescence staining showed that the majority of IL-33 positive cells from 1 d to 3 d after wound were macrophages, while the majority of IL-33 positive cells from 5 d to 7 d after wound were myofibroblasts. In addition, the results of HE staining showed that the wound healing process of the skin wound model was consistent with the pathological development law of inflammation. Conclusion IL-33 could become a reference index for wound age estimation of skin wound in forensic practice.

[Short-term efficacy of robotic-assisted total mesorectal excision with and without lateral lymph node dissection for mid-low advanced rectal cancer: a propensity score matching analysis]

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of robotic-assisted lateral lymph node dissection for mid-low advanced rectal cancer. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed. Inclusion criteria: (1) age between 18 and 80 years old; (2) rectal adenocarcinoma diagnosed by pathology; (3) without distant metastasis by preoperative CT or MRI; (4) patients underwent robotic-assisted total mesorectal resection (TME). Exclusion criteria: (1) conversion to open surgery; (2) multiple primary tumors; (3) patients underwent combined multiple organ resection. According to the above criteria, 137 patients undergoing robotic-assisted mid-low rectal cancer resection in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from December 2016 to April 2019 were enrolled. Ninety-seven cases underwent robotic-assisted total mesorectal excision (TME group) and 40 underwent robotic-assisted total mesorectal resection with lateral lymph node dissection (LLND) (TME+LLND group, pelvic LLND was performed with neurovascular guidance to retain pelvic autonomic nerves in the order of the left side the first and then the right side). The propensity score matching of 1:1 was performed with R software, based on age, sex, BMI, ASA classification, distance from tumor to the anal verge, preoperative chemoradiotherapy history, preoperative abdominal surgery history, the size of tumors and TNM stage. The operative indicators, postoperative recovery, pathology and postoperative complications within 30 days were compared between the two groups. Results: A total of 72 cases were successfully matched (36 in each group), and there were no statistically significant differences in baseline data between the two groups (all P>0.05). The operation time of TME+LLND group was significantly longer than that of TME group [275.0 (180-405) minutes vs. 220.0 (140-320) minutes, Z=-3.680, P<0.001], while there were no statistically significant differences in blood loss during operation, time to postoperative first flatus, postoperative hospital stay, total hospital cost, tumor differentiation, and distal resection length of margin (all P>0.05). Circumferential resection margin was all negative in both groups. The number of harvested lymph modes in the TME+LLND groups was higher than that in the TME group [26 (18-37) vs. 14 (9-36), Z=-6.407, P<0.001]. In addition, there were no statistically significant differences in postoperative morbidity and Clavien-Dindo classification of complication within 30 days between the two groups (both P>0.05). Conclusions: Although robotic lateral lymph node dissection requires longer operation time, it is a feasible, safe and effective procedure.

Comprehensive analyses for genetic diversities of 19 autosomal STRs in Chinese Kazak group and its phylogenetic relationships with other continental populations

Short tandem repeats (STRs) play an essential role in forensic genetics due to their high degree of polymorphisms, wide distributions and easy detection method. In this study, allelic frequencies and forensic statistical parameters of the 19 autosomal STR loci in a Kazak ethnic group were calculated, and its genetic relationships with reference populations were assessed in order to understand population structure better and enrich population genetic data for forensic practice in Chinese Kazak ethnic group. There were 226 identified alleles with the corresponding allelic frequencies ranging from 0.0008 to 0.5295 in the 628 unrelated healthy Kazak individuals in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. All autosomal STRs were conformed to the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium after Bonferroni’s correction. The cumulative power of discrimination and the combined probability of exclusion of all the 19 autosomal STRs were 0.999 999 999 999 999 999 999 997 162 and 0.999 999 994 484, respectively. Furthermore, the D_A distances and Fixation index values of pairwise populations, principal component analysis, multidimensional scaling analysis, phylogenetic tree analysis and structure analysis were conducted to probe the genetic relationships between the Kazak group and other reference populations. The population genetic results showed that these 19 autosomal STR loci were characterised by high genetic diversities in the Kazak group. Furthermore, the studied Kazak group had close genetic relationships with the Uyghur group and the Uzbek group. The present results may facilitate understanding the genetic background of the Chinese Xinjiang Kazak group.

A motor neuron protective role of miR-969 mediated by the transcription factor kay

Maintenance of motor neuron structure and function is crucial in development and motor behaviour. However, the genetic regulatory mechanism of motor neuron function remains less well understood. In the present study, we identify a novel neuroprotective role of the microRNA miR-969 in Drosophila motor neurons. miR-969 is highly expressed in motor neurons. Loss of miR-969 results in early-onset and age-progressive locomotion impairment. Flies lacking miR-969 also exhibit shortened lifespan. Moreover, miR-969 is required in motor neurons. We further identify kay as a functionally important target of miR-969. Together, our results indicate that miR-969 can protect motor neuron function by limiting kay activity in Drosophila.

Insights into the genetic characteristics and population structures of Chinese two Tibetan groups using 35 insertion/deletion polymorphic loci

Studying the genetic structure of each ethnic group is helpful to clarify the genetic background and trace back to the ethnic origin. Tibetan people have lived in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (mean elevation over 4500 m) for generations, and have well adapted to the high-altitude environment. Due to the relatively closed geographical environment, Tibetans have preserved their representative physical characteristics and genetic information, thereby become an important research group in human genetics. In this study, genetic characteristics and population structures of two Tibetan groups (Qinghai Tibetans and Tibet Tibetans) were revealed by 35 insertion/deletion polymorphism (DIP) loci, aiming to provide valuable genetic information for population genetic differentiation analyses and forensic identifications. The combined discrimination power, cumulative exclusion probability and combined match probability of the 35 DIP loci in Qinghai Tibetan and Tibet Tibetan groups were 0.9999999999999945, 0.9988, 5.56623 × 10^-15; and 0.9999999999999904, 0.9990, 9.69071 × 10^-15, respectively, indicating that the panel possessed a strong capability for Tibetan personal identifications. Population differentiations and genetic relationship analyses among the two studied Tibetan groups and other 27 comparison populations were carried out using the Nei's D_A genetic distances, population pairwise genetic distances F-statistics (F_ST), analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), phylogenetic tree reconstruction, principal component analysis and STRUCTURE methods. Results demonstrated that the most intimate genetic relationships existed in these two Tibetan groups; and genetic similarities between two Tibetan groups and the populations from East Asia were much stronger than that between the Tibetan groups and other geographical populations. Furthermore, forensic ancestral informativeness assessments suggested that several loci could be regarded as ancestry informative markers inferring individual biogeographic origins as well as contributing to forensic anthropology and population genetic researches.

A novel mutation within intron 17 of the CUL7 gene results in appearance of premature termination codon

A couple with five adverse pregnancy history required prenatal diagnosis. The fetus of this study was their fifth pregnancy. The fetus was found NT thickening at 12 weeks and 4 days gestation and the average long bone of limbs retardation 4SD at 27 weeks and 4 days gestation. Karyotype was normal. The next-generation sequencing (NGS) and Sanger sequencing were conducted of this fetus. The compound heterozygous mutations c.3722_3749dup[p.V1252fs*23] and c.3355 + 5 G > A at CUL7 gene were detected. The mutation c.3355 + 5 G > A was a novel mutation within intron 17 of the CUL7 gene. Minigene array was used to verify whether the novel mutation c.3355 + 5 G > A really affected the splicing of CUL7gene. The results showed that the mutation could result in the appearance of premature termination codon. The fetus could be diagnosed as 3 M syndrome. We suggested that close attention needed to be paid to fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction only by ultrasonic and avoid misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis of 3 M syndrome. In addition, our study enriched gene mutations of 3 M syndrome.

Application of Virtual Anatomy Technology in Postmortem Examination of Medical Dispute Cases

Abstract

Objective To discuss the application value of CT scanning technology in cause of death determination of medical dispute cases. Methods From July 2017 to December 2018, postmortem CT imaging data of 12 medical dispute cases were collected. CT imaging diagnosis results and anatomy findings as well as differences between antemortem and postmortem CT diagnosis were compared. The advantages and disadvantages of CT routine tests of the cadavers in terms of the diagnosis of disease and damage were analyzed. Results The comparison between CT imaging diagnosis and anatomical findings showed that CT scans had advantages in the diagnosis of disease and damage with large differences in density changes, such as atelectasis, pneumonia, calcification, fracture and hemorrhage, etc. The comparison of CT diagnosis in antemortem and postmortem examination showed that the cadavers of medical dispute cases were well preserved and that postmortem CT scan was meaningful for the diagnosis of antemortem diseases. Conclusion Virtual anatomy technology has a relatively high application value in postmortem examination of medical dispute cases. It can provide effective information for the appraisers before the autopsy and can also provide a reference for cause of death analysis when the anatomy cannot be performed.

Association of daytime napping with incident stroke in middle-aged and older adults: a large community-based study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There are conflicting reports on the association between daytime napping and incident stroke. This study was designed to investigate the relationship between daytime napping and stroke within a community-based cohort.

METHODS

The present prospective study was based on the Sleep Heart Health Study. Napping habits were assessed with a self-reported Sleep Habits Questionnaire. Participants with napping habits of different durations and frequencies were followed up until the first stroke occurred or the final censoring date. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the relationship between napping habits and stroke.

RESULTS

A total of 4757 participants (2219 men, mean age 63.6 ± 11.1 years) were enrolled in this study. Compared with those taking no naps, multivariate proportional hazards models analysis indicated that individuals taking naps with a duration of >60 min [hazard ratio (HR), 2.460; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.538-3.934] had a higher risk of stroke. There was also an increased risk of stroke among participants taking naps daily (HR, 1.563; 95% CI, 1.059-2.307) or five to six times/week (HR, 1.548; 95% CI, 1.026-2.335). After combining napping durations and frequencies, regular long naps (HR, 1.903; 95% CI, 1.182-3.065) and regular short naps (HR, 1.451; 95% CI, 1.010-2.084) were independent risk factors for incident stroke.

CONCLUSION

Daytime napping with a long duration (>30 min) or a high frequency (≥5 times/week) may increase the risk of stroke.