Effect of calcium plus Vitamin-D combined with calcitriol in the treatment of patients with Type-2 diabetes and osteoporosis: A retrospective observational analysis.

Objective: To explore the clinical effect of calcium plus Vitamin-D combined with calcitriol in the treatment of patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients and osteoporosis. Methods: In this retrospective observational study clinical records of 90 patients with T2DM combined with osteoporosis, treated in The Quzhou Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from October 2019 to April 2022 were incuded. All patients received basic hypoglycemic treatment. Of 90 patients, 43 received calcium plus Vitamin-D adjuvant therapy (Control-group), and 47 patients received calcium plus Vitamin-D combined with calcitriol adjuvant therapy (Observation-group). Clinical efficacy, adverse reactions, bone metabolism levels, and changes in bone density levels were compared between the two groups. Results: The clinical efficacy of the treatment was significantly higher in the Observation-group (93.6%) compared to the Control-group (83.7%; p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (p>0.05). After treatment, bone metabolism and bone density indicators in both groups improved, and were significantly better in the Observation-group compared to the Control-group (p<0.05). Conclusions: Combination of calcium plus Vitamin-D and calcitriol adjuvant therapy in patients with T2DM and osteoporosis is safe and associated with better treatment efficacy, improved bone metabolism and bone density parameters than calcium plus Vitamin-D treatment alone.

Legionella septentrionalis sp. nov., isolated from aquatic environments in the northern PR China.

Four strains (km711T, km714, km542 and km524), representing a novel Legionella species, were isolated from aquatic environments in northern PR China. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, microaerobic, motile and growth depended on l-cysteine. They grew at 25‒42 °C (optimum, 35‒37 °C) and could tolerate up to 1.5 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0.5 %). The major fatty acids (>5 %) of the type strain km711T were C17 : 0 anteiso, C15 : 0 anteiso, iso-C16 : 0 and C16 : 1 ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2OH. The pairwise comparison values were <96.1 % for 16S rRNA gene sequences, 23.3‒28.7 % interspecies variation for mip gene sequences, <93.6 % average nucleotide identity and <72.8 % average amino acid identity between these four strains and related type strains within the genus Legionella. The phylogenetic tree based on the four concatenated genes (16S rRNA, mip, rpoB and rnpB) and protein-concatamer tree based on concatenation of 21 protein markers both revealed that these four strains formed a separate phylogenetic branch cluster within the genus Legionella. The results of phenotypic and genotypic features suggest that these four strains represent a novel species of the genus Legionella, for which the name Legionella septentrionalis sp. nov. is proposed (type strain km711T=KCTC 15655T=NBRC 113219T).

Comparative analysis of transcriptomic profiling to identify genes involved in the bulged surface of pear fruit (Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd. cv. Yuluxiangli).

Pear (Pyrus spp.) belongs to the genus Pyrus, in the family Rosaceae. Some varieties of pear fruit exhibit bulged surface, which seriously affects the quality and commodity value of the pear fruit. In this study, we performed anatomical, physiological, and transcriptomic analysis to explore the mechanism of paclobutrazol (PBZ) on the bulged surface of pear fruit. The vascular bundles of flesh were more evenly distributed, and the fruit cells were more compactly arranged and smaller in size treated with PBZ. However, the auxin (IAA) content of flesh was decreased in the treated group. Furthermore, the GO and KEGG analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) showed that auxin, phenylpropanoid metabolic pathways, and transcriptional factor genes were significantly enriched on the relieved bulged surface of pear fruit. And it was analyzed that some genes contained auxin responded cis-elements from the selected DEGs in the promoter region. We conclude that PBZ plays a negative role in cell division, cell elongation, and vascular bundle development on the bulged surface of pear fruit through the involvement of auxin-related genes. This study will provide a theoretical basis for the regulation of the bulged surface of pear fruit by a growth retardant agent. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version of this article (10.1007/s12298-021-00929-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Systematic analysis of the OFP genes in six Rosaceae genomes and their roles in stress response in Chinese pear (Pyrus bretschneideri).

OVATE family proteins (OFPs) are the plant-specific transcription factors, and have significant functions in regulating plant growth, development and resistance. The OFP genes have been investigated in several plants, but they still lack a systematic analysis of OFP genes in Chinese pear and some other five Rosaceae genomes. Here, 28 PbrOFPs were identified within Chinese pear and compared them with those of other five Rosaceae genomes. Evolutionary tree revealed that all OFP genes from six Rosaceae genomes were divided into eight groups. Seventeen conserved microsynteny regions were detected in Chinese pear genome, suggested that these PbrOFP genes might be considered to have originated from the large-scale duplication events., indicating these PbrOFP genes might contain specialized regulatory mechanisms in these tissues, such as flower, ovary and fruit. Remarkably, two PbrOFP genes (Pbr010426.1 and Pbr010427.1) were up-regulated under Venturia nashicola treatment, and five PbrOFP genes were up-regulated under PEG treatment, suggesting that these genes might play crucial roles in defence to environmental stresses. Our data presented a systematic analysis and might aid in the selection of appropriate PbrOFPs for further functional studies in Chinese pear, especially in response to the mechanism of biotic and abiotic stresses.

Legionella qingyii sp. nov., isolated from water samples in China.

Three Legionella-like strains, designed km488T, km489 and km521, were isolated from freshwater samples in China. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped and non-spore-forming. Growth was observed on BCYEα agar, but not on BCYEα agar without l-cysteine, chocolate agar with PolyViteX or Columbia blood agar. The major fatty acids (>5 %) of strains km488T, km489 and km521 were C16 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0. The mip gene sequences (574 nt) showed the isolates were almost identical with more than 99.7 % sequence similarities, and closely matched to L. gormanii ATCC 33297T with 95.4-95.6 % sequence similarities. Phylogenetic analyses based on concatenated gene (16S rRNA, mip, rpoB and rnpB) sequences indicated that the isolates formed a distinct cluster along with L. gormanii within the genus Legionella. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight analyses also demonstrated a clear separation between the isolates and other closely and distantly related Legionella species. DNA-DNA hybridization studies demonstrated that the isolates were closely related (92.0 -95.0 % DNA-DNA relatedness) but differentiated from their phylogenetic neighbours (<70 % DNA-DNA relatedness). The whole genome of km488T was sequenced, and showed a G+C content of 37.8 mol%. Based on the findings from this polyphasic taxonomic study, the isolates are considered to represent a single novel species, for which the name Legionella qingyii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is km488T (KCTC 15636T=CCTCC AB 2018025T=NRBC 113223T).

Targeting single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the 16S rRNA gene to detect and differentiate Legionella pneumophila and non-Legionella pneumophila species.

A PCR-based method targeting single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the 16S rRNA gene was developed for differential identification of Legionella pneumophila and non-Legionella pneumophila. Based on the bioinformatics analysis for 176 Legionella 16S rRNA gene fragments of 56 different Legionella species, a set of SNPs, A(628)C(629) was found to be highly specific to L. pneumophila strains. A multiplex assay was designed that was able to distinguish sites with limited sequence heterogeneity between L. pneumophila and non-L. pneumophila in the targeted 16S rRNA gene. The assay amplified a 261-bp amplicon for Legionella spp. and a set of 203- and 97-bp amplicons only specific to L. pneumophila species. Among 49 ATCC strains and 284 Legionella isolates from environmental water and clinical samples, 100 % of L. pneumophila and non-L. pneumophila strains were correctly identified and differentiated by this assay. The assay presents a more rapid, sensitive and alternative method to the currently available PCR-sequencing detection and differentiation method.

Different distribution patterns of ten virulence genes in Legionella reference strains and strains isolated from environmental water and patients.

Virulence genes are distinct regions of DNA which are present in the genome of pathogenic bacteria and absent in nonpathogenic strains of the same or related species. Virulence genes are frequently associated with bacterial pathogenicity in genus Legionella. In the present study, an assay was performed to detect ten virulence genes, including iraA, iraB, lvrA, lvrB, lvhD, cpxR, cpxA, dotA, icmC and icmD in different pathogenicity islands of 47 Legionella reference strains, 235 environmental strains isolated from water, and 4 clinical strains isolated from the lung tissue of pneumonia patients. The distribution frequencies of these genes in reference or/and environmental L. pneumophila strains were much higher than those in reference non-L. pneumophila or/and environmental non-L. pneumophila strains, respectively. L. pneumophila clinical strains also maintained higher frequencies of these genes compared to four other types of Legionella strains. Distribution frequencies of these genes in reference L. pneumophila strains were similar to those in environmental L. pneumophila strains. In contrast, environmental non-L. pneumophila maintained higher frequencies of these genes compared to those found in reference non-L. pneumophila strains. This study illustrates the association of virulence genes with Legionella pathogenicity and reveals the possible virulence evolution of non-L. pneumophia strains isolated from environmental water.

Should quality goals be defined for multicenter laboratory testing? Lessons learned from a pilot survey on a national surveillance program for diabetes.

QUALITY PROBLEM: Robust laboratory protocols and stringent quality control (QC) procedures are essential for meaningful collection of data from multiple sites in large-scale population-based studies. Failure to design and implement an effective QC program not only adversely affects the scientific outcome, but also affects public confidence in the acceptability of the data. INITIAL ASSESSMENT: A pilot survey was conducted to assess the analytical performance of multicenter plasma glucose measurements in a national surveillance program for diabetes in China. CHOICE OF SOLUTION: Quality goals of the imprecision in terms of coefficient of variation (CV) and total analytical error (TEa) were defined based on the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) criteria for acceptable performance of proficiency testing (PT) for plasma glucose using commercial QC preparations. IMPLEMENTATION: A web-based internal QC (IQC) program was established to monitor the analytical performance of the 302 centers participating in the survey. EVALUATION: The participation rate was 96% (289/302). Statistical analysis showed that the percentage of centers meeting the acceptable specifications of CV ≤5.0% and TEa ≤10% using the CLIA PT criteria was 91.7% while 76.4% of laboratories achieved the goals for desirable performance of CV ≤2.9% and TEa ≤6.9%, as proposed by the Laboratory Medicine Practice Guidelines for the management of diabetes mellitus based on biological criteria. LESSONS LEARNED: Communications and training are important in ensuring the data integrity of multicenter population-based studies. Performance verification and IQC programs should be implemented to help identify centers that can fulfill the eligibility criteria to perform laboratory analyses.

Increased cardiac remodeling in cardiac-specific Flt-1 receptor knockout mice with pressure overload.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibition has previously been shown to have damaging effects on the heart. Because the role of Flt-1 (a phosphotyrosine kinase receptor for VEGF) in cardiac function and hypertrophy is unclear, we generated mice lacking Flt-1 only in their cardiomyocytes (Flt-1 KO). The hearts from 8- to 10-week-old mice were measured by using echocardiography and histology. No significant differences were seen in fraction shortening, cross-sectional area of cardiomyocytes, and interstitial collagen fraction between littermate controls and KO mice at baseline. To test the hypothesis that Flt-1 is involved in cardiac remodeling, we performed transverse aorta constriction (TAC) by ligating the transverse ascending aorta. Four weeks after TAC, echocardiography of the mice was performed, and the hearts were excised for pathological analysis and Western blotting. No difference in mortality was found between Flt-1 KO mice and controls; however, KO mice showed a greater cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area and interstitial collagen fraction than controls. Western blotting indicated that AKT was activated less in Flt-1 KO hearts after TAC compared with that in control hearts. Thus, Flt-1 deletion in cardiomyocytes increased hypertrophy, fibrosis, and regression of AKT phosphorylation. Our study suggests that Flt-1 plays a critical role in cardiac hypertrophy induced by pressure overload via the activation of AKT, which seems to be cardioprotective.

The possible role of EZH2 and DNMT1 polymorphisms in sporadic triple-negative breast carcinoma in southern Chinese females.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has a more invasive and metastatic potential than the other types of breast cancer and hence is associated with poor prognosis. Zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) and DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) could lead to tumorigenesis by separately methylating histone H3K27 and CpG islands in tumor suppressor genes. In order to investigate the association between oncogenesis and the distribution of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of EZH2, DNMT1, a case-control study on SNPs in TNBC cases from south China was conducted. A total of 13 SNPs were genotyped from 234 cases of TNBC tissues, and 300 normal blood samples from age-matched control group were analyzed using Snapshot technology. The expressions of EZH2 and DNMT1 were examined in the 234 cases of TNBC tissues by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The T allele of rs2288349 and the C allele of rs16999593 increase the risk of TNBC, with relative risk coefficients of 1.76 and 1.69, respectively (p < 0.001). The TC genotypes of rs2288349 and rs16999593 were higher in TNBC compared with the control group; the cancer risk increased to 5.27 and 4.13, respectively (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences between the frequencies of the other 10 SNPs and the risk of TNBC (p > 0.05). Five common haplotypes (>8 % frequency) were identified with a cumulative frequency of 96 % in the controls, while the haplotypes of AAGTAG, GGGTGA, and GACCAG were significantly increased in the control group compared to that in patients (p < 0.05). The G allele of rs10274701 significantly increased the EZH2 expression level in TNBC (p = 0.01). This is the first study to demonstrate a significant association between TNBC risk and the polymorphisms of EZH2 and DNMT1, and our researches indicate that the SNPs of EZH2 and DNMT1 are risk predictors for TNBC.

A novel synthetic nucleic acid mixture for quantification of microbes by mNGS.

Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) provides considerable advantages in identifying emerging and re-emerging, difficult-to-detect and co-infected pathogens; however, the clinical application of mNGS remains limited primarily due to the lack of quantitative capabilities. This study introduces a novel approach, KingCreate-Quantification (KCQ) system, for quantitative analysis of microbes in clinical specimens by mNGS, which co-sequence the target DNA extracted from the specimens along with a set of synthetic dsDNA molecules used as Internal-Standard (IS). The assay facilitates the conversion of microbial reads into their copy numbers based on IS reads utilizing a mathematical model proposed in this study. The performance of KCQ was systemically evaluated using commercial mock microbes with varying IS input amounts, different proportions of human genomic DNA, and at varying amounts of sequence analysis data. Subsequently, KCQ was applied in microbial quantitation in 36 clinical specimens including blood, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, cerebrospinal fluid and oropharyngeal swabs. A total of 477 microbe genetic fragments were screened using the bioinformatic system. Of these 83 fragments were quantitatively compared with digital droplet PCR (ddPCR), revealing a correlation coefficient of 0.97 between the quantitative results of KCQ and ddPCR. Our study demonstrated that KCQ presents a practical approach for the quantitative analysis of microbes by mNGS in clinical samples.

Etiological diagnostic performance of probe capture-based targeted next-generation sequencing in bloodstream infection.

Background: A rapid and precise etiological diagnosis is crucial for the effective treatment of bloodstream infection (BSI). In this study, the performance of probe capture-based targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS) was compared to that of blood culture and metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in detecting potential pathogens in patients with BSI. Methods: A total of 80 patients with suspected BSI were prospectively enrolled from 24 November 2023 to 30 December 2023 at Zhongshan Hospital, Shanghai, China. All 80 participants underwent simultaneous blood culture, blood mNGS, and blood tNGS after admission when febrile, and the results were compared. Results: Among the 80 participants, 11 were clinically diagnosed with noninfectious fever, and 69 were diagnosed with BSI. Blood tNGS had a higher sensitivity for the diagnosis of BSI than blood culture (91.3% vs. 23.2%, P<0.001) and blood mNGS (91.3% vs. 69.6%, P=0.001). There was no significant difference in specificity between blood mNGS and tNGS (81.8% vs. 100.0%, P=0.13). Blood tNGS demonstrated a faster turnaround time than blood culture and blood mNGS. In 22 (31.9%) patients with BSI, targeted adjustment of the anti-infectious therapy according to the blood tNGS results resulted in clinical improvement. Conclusions: Blood tNGS may be a promising tool for detecting potential pathogens in patients with BSI. The application of blood tNGS for BSI could guide anti-infectious treatment strategies and might improve clinical outcomes.

Detection of α-globin gene deletion and duplication using quantitative multiplex PCR of short fluorescent fragments.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to establish a sensitive method that can detect the presence of not only the common but also the unusual or unknown α-globin gene deletions for screening of α-thalassemia. We used quantitative multiplex PCR of short fluorescent fragments (QMPSF) for the α-globin genes (HBA) to screen α-thalassemia deletions. METHODS: We set up and validated HBA-QMPSF using 50 negative and 100 positive controls of deletional α-thalassemia. To evaluate its ability to detect the presence of the common and unusual or unknown α-globin gene deletions, 579 unrelated samples were simultaneously analyzed using this assay and multiplex Gap polymerase chain reaction (Gap-PCR). The inconsistent results were further confirmed by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA). RESULTS: HBA-QMPSF was capable of detecting α-globin gene deletions with an acceptable variability as shown by mean values (SD) of allele dosage for the heterozygous deleted control obtained from intra- and inter-experimental replicates [0.63 (0.01) and 0.61 (0.03)]. In 572 out of the 579 unrelated subjects, HBA-QMPSF and multiplex Gap-PCR gave consistent results. In seven cases which were finally proved to be composed of one rare deletion--Thai/-α3.7, one novel deletion--SEA/-α2.8, four αααanti3.7/αα and one αααanti4.2/αα triplications, HBA-QMPSF showed deletion or duplication in the α-globin gene while multiplex Gap-PCR failed to give the correct diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: HBA-QMPSF is able to detect the presence of the common and unusual or unknown α-thalassemia deletions and duplications. It can be used as an initial screening test for α-thalassemia caused by HBA gene copy number alteration.

Different Circulation Pattern of Multiple Respiratory Viruses in Southern China During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

China implemented stringent non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) in spring 2020, which has effectively suppressed SARS-CoV-2. In this study, we utilized data from routine respiratory virus testing requests from physicians and examined circulation of 11 other respiratory viruses in Southern China, from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2020. A total of 58,169 throat swabs from patients with acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) were collected and tested. We found that while the overall activity of respiratory viruses was lower during the period with stringent NPIs, virus activity rebounded shortly after the NPIs were relaxed and social activities resumed. Only influenza was effectively suppressed with very low circulation which extended to the end of 2020. Circulation of other respiratory viruses in the community was maintained even during the period of stringent interventions, especially for rhinovirus. Our study shows that NPIs against COVID-19 have different impacts on respiratory viruses.

Two-step scheme for rapid identification and differentiation of Legionella pneumophila and non-Legionella pneumophila species.

A rapid two-step scheme based on PCR amplification and enzymatic digestion analysis of a 226-bp fragment of the 16S rRNA gene was developed to identify the Legionella genus by PCR amplification and to differentiate the Legionella pneumophila and non-Legionella pneumophila species by enzymatic digestion analysis. Among 42 ATCC strains (16 strains of L. pneumophila and 26 strains of non-L. pneumophila) and 200 Legionella isolates from environmental water samples, including pools, rivers, lakes, and cooling towers in Guangdong province, 99.59% of L. pneumophila and non-L. pneumophila strains were correctly identified and differentiated by this scheme. The procedure of this two-step identification and differentiation scheme is simple and takes only about 4 h. These results suggest that this two-step scheme provides a simple and convenient method for the rapid identification and differentiation of L. pneumophila and non-L. pneumophila species.

[Identification of Legionella isolates from environmental water by using PCR combined with enzymatic digestion analysis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate polymerase chain reaction (PCR) combined with enzymatic digestion for identification of Legionella, and investigate status of Legionella in environmental water systems in Guangzhou. METHODS: Forty-four water samples collected in Guangzhou were cultivated for Legionella, and Legionella isolates were identified by PCR-enzymatic digestion, 16S rDNA and mip gene sequencing analysis. RESULTS: Sixty-six strains of Legionella pneumophila and 46 Non-L. pneumophila were identified by PCR-enzymatic digestion and sequencing analysis. Forty-six strains of Non-L. pneumophila included 20 strains of L. feeilei, 17 L. gormanii, 7 L. oakridgensis and 2 L. longbeachae. CONCLUSION: PCR combined with enzymatic digestion is a simple, rapid, and specific method for the identification of Legionella. L. pneumophila was distributed widely, followed by L. feeilei, L. gormanii, L. oakridgensis and L. longbeachae, in environmental water in Guangzhou area.

[Association study on the mitochondrial genome region np16181-16193 variation with type 2 diabetes mellitus].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of the mitochondrial DNA region np16181-16193 variations with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: Blood samples of 199 unrelated T2DM patients and 205 normal controls were collected to detect the mitochondrial DNA region np16181-16193 variations by PCR and sequencing, and to analyze the association of the variations with the major clinical symptoms. RESULTS: The mitochondrial DNA np16181-16193 region is a hypervariable area, with several polymorphisms. Four types of np16181-16193 region variations were found only in T2DM. The 1-hour postprandial blood glucose (P1BG) in the T2DM individuals with np16181-16193 region variations was significantly higher than those without variations (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in other biochemical parameters (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The mitochondrial DNA np16181-16193 variations could not be regarded as a risk factor for T2DM.

[Detection of fungi in liquor workers with tinea corporis and tinea cruris using arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the method of rapid detection of skin fungi and the significance of conventional diagnosis liquor worker tinea corporis and tinea cruris using arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction AP-PCR. METHODS: Among liquor workers who were 50 tinea corporis patients, 58 tinea cruris patients and 50 health persons, we amplified the DNAs of the dermatophytes were amplified using AP-PCR and random primers OPD18 5'-GAGAGCCAAC-3' and OPAA11 5'-ACCCGACCTG-3', at the same time, the dermatophytes with microscope were detected and cultured. RESULTS: AP-PCR analysis detected fungal DNA in 45 patients(90.00%) among 50 liquor worker patients with tinea corporis, 31 patients(62.00%) had the positive results of microscope detection, and 41 patients(82.00%) had the positive results of standard culture. Among these workers who suffered from tinea corporis, T.rubrum, T.mentagrophyte, M. canis and E.floccosum were detected by AP-PCR. T.rubrum, T.mentagrophyte and M.canis were detected by standard culture. AP-PCR analysis detected fungal DNA in 53 patients(91.38%) among 58 liquor worker patients with tinea cruris, 37 patients(63.79%) had the positive results of microscope detection, and 48(82.76%) had the positive results of standard culture. Among the 58 workers who had tinea cruris, T.rubrum, E.floccosum and T.mentagrophyte were detected by AP-PCR and standard culture. Among 50 health persons, AP-PCR analysis detected fungal DNA in 3 persons(6.00%). The detection result with AP-PCR indicated that the kinds of fungi were T.rubrum and T.mentagrophyte. No one health person had the positive result in detection of fungi using microscope detection. Only one(2.00%) health person was detected to be infected by fungus with cultural way. The kind of fungus was T.rubrum. CONCLUSION: AP-PCR is a rapid, sensitive and specific detection method for occupational dermatophyte patients. It can be used to detect and diagnose professional dermatophytosis.

Study of autosomal STR loci with IBS method in full sibling identification.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the application of 51 autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) loci with the identity by state (IBS) method and a discriminant function algorithm in full-sib identification. METHODS: A total of 342 pairs of full sibs (FSs) and 3900 pairs of unrelated individuals (UIs) were genotyped for 51 STR loci. Groups were formed in accordance with discrimination power (DP) values and the number of loci, and IBS scores of FSs and UIs were analyzed and compared. The discriminant functions of FS-UI were determined by using the Fisher discriminant with SPSS software. RESULTS: All IBS in FSs and UIs groups showed normal distributions and there were significant differences between FS-UI. Receiver operating characteristic curves revealed that the detection efficiency of full-sib identification was affected by both the locus polymorphism and the number of loci detected. Comparing the rate of false positive and false negative of discriminant function between groups, a higher average DP value and larger number of loci detected were associated with a lower rate of miscarriage of justice and were more helpful for full-sib identification. CONCLUSION: STRs with higher DP values should be selected when additional autosomal markers are required for FS identification. Discriminant analysis with the IBS method is highly applicable for the FS-UI test.