Genetic polymorphism of nine non-CODIS STR loci in Hunan Province-based Chinese Han population.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the allelic frequency distribution and genetic parameters of nine non-CODIS DNA index systems of the short tandem repeat (STR) loci (D2S1772, D6S1043, D7S3048, D8S1132, D11S2368, D12S391, D13S325, D18S1364, and GATA198B05). METHODS: A total of 353 blood samples were collected, extracted, amplified, and analyzed from unrelated healthy individuals of Han nationality in Hunan Province, China. RESULTS: One hundred and fourteen alleles were observed in the population with corresponding allelic frequencies ranged from 0.001 0 to 0.323 0. For all the nine non-CODIS STR loci, the observed genotypic data showed no significant deviations from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The Ho, He, PIC, DP, and PE of the studied non-CODIS STR loci ranged from 0.1080 to 0.1950, 0.8050 to 0.8920, 0.7700 to 0.8600, 0.9250 to 0.9660 and 0.6070 to 0.7800, respectively. CONCLUSION: Nine non-CODIS STR loci have high degrees of polymorphisms, which may be useful in individual forensic identification and parentage testing in forensic practice.

Research Progress on the Association between Schizophrenia and Toxoplasma gondii Infection.

Toxoplasma gondii( T. gondii or Tg), is an obligatory intracellular parasite with humans as its intermediate hosts. In recent years, significant correlations between T. gondii infection and schizophrenia have been reported, including the possible mediating mechanisms. Currently, mechanisms and hypotheses focus on central neurotransmitters, immunity, neuroinflammation, and epigenetics; however, the exact underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this article, we review the studies related to T. gondii infection and schizophrenia, particularly the latest research progress. Research on dopamine (DA) and other neurotransmitters, the blood-brain barrier, inflammatory factors, disease heterogeneity, and other confounders is also discussed. In addition, we also summarized the results of some new epidemiological investigations.

[Stature estimation for Sichuan Han nationality female based on X-ray technology with measurement of lumbar vertebrae].

OBJECTIVE: To establish the mathematical models of stature estimation for Sichuan Han female with measurement of lumbar vertebrae by X-ray to provide essential data for forensic anthropology research. METHODS: The samples, 206 Sichuan Han females, were divided into three groups including group A, B and C according to the ages. Group A (206 samples) consisted of all ages, group B (116 samples) were 20-45 years old and 90 samples over 45 years old were group C. All the samples were examined lumbar vertebrae through CR technology, including the parameters of five centrums (L1-L5) as anterior border, posterior border and central heights (x1-x15), total central height of lumbar spine (x16), and the real height of every sample. The linear regression analysis was produced using the parameters to establish the mathematical models of stature estimation. Sixty-two trained subjects were tested to verify the accuracy of the mathematical models. RESULTS: The established mathematical models by hypothesis test of linear regression equation model were statistically significant (P<0.05). The standard errors of the equation were 2.982-5.004 cm, while correlation coefficients were 0.370-0.779 and multiple correlation coefficients were 0.533-0.834. The return tests of the highest correlation coefficient and multiple correlation coefficient of each group showed that the highest accuracy of the multiple regression equation, y = 100.33 + 1.489 x3 - 0.548 x6 + 0.772 x9 + 0.058 x12 + 0.645 x15, in group A were 80.6% (+/- lSE) and 100% (+/- 2SE). CONCLUSION: The established mathematical models in this study could be applied for the stature estimation for Sichuan Han females.

Epitope vaccine design for Toxoplasma gondii based on a genome-wide database of membrane proteins.

BACKGROUND: There is presently no effective and safe vaccine for Toxoplasma gondii for humans. The study described here was designed to search for a novel group of optimal B cell and T cell epitopes from Toxoplasma membrane proteins using genome-wide comprehensive screening. METHODS: The amino acid sequences of membrane proteins of T. gondii were obtained from the UniProt database. The ABCPred and BepiPred servers were employed to predict the linear B cell epitopes. The Immune Epitope Database (IEDB) online service was utilized to forecast T cell epitopes within T. gondii membrane proteins that bind to human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I (HLA-I) or HLA-II molecules. RESULTS: From the 314 membrane proteins of T. gondii, a total of 14 linear B cell epitopes embedded in 12 membrane proteins were identified. Eight epitopes for major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I (MHC-I) molecules and 18 epitopes for MHC-II molecules were ultimately selected, for which world population coverage percentiles were 71.94% and 99.76%, respectively. The top rated combinations of linear B cell epitopes and T cell epitopes covering both BALB/c mice and a majority of the human population were identified for the development of a protective vaccine. CONCLUSIONS: The ultimate vaccine construct described here, which comprises B cells, MHC-I and MHC-II epitopes, might protect individuals against T. gondii infection by inducing humoral and cellular immune responses.

[Forensic analysis of 74 tumor related medical malpractice cases].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the causes of medical malpractice in patients with tumor, to determine the medical responsibility, and to recommend the related preventions. METHODS: Seventy four medical malpractice cases, which were involved in tumor and collected from 2000 to 2009 in medicolegal expertise center of west China, were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The medical malpractice cases in the patients with tumor showed an increasing tendency in recent years. The main causes are missed diagnosis, misdiagnosis, improper chemotherapy and neglect of complications. The causes of medical malpractice were different in the different levels of medical services. The occurrence of medical malpractice in surgery and OB-GYN showed more frequent than the others. CONCLUSION: Forensic pathology autopsy is important to resolve medical malpractice of tumor patients by finding out the cause of death and clarifying the medical responsibility. The occurrence of medical malpractice could be reduced by the clinical doctors through improving serve consciousness, obtaining the patients' trust, improving the medical treatment, following related laws and rules, fulfiling duty of medical careness.

[Comparison of mtDNA extraction from different parts of sarcosaphagous insects].

OBJECTIVE: To explore mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) extraction effects of different parts from sarcosaphagous insects using improved cetyltriethylammnonium bromide (CTAB) method. METHODS: Thirteen Lucilia sericata (Meigen) and 13 Nicrophorus fossor (Erichson) were collected from the corpses of rabbits placed on the outdoor lawn in Huhehot district. Four parts (head, chest muscle, legs and wings) of insect were collected, and the mtDNA of all samples were extracted using CTAB method. The purity and concentration were tested using protein and nucleic acid spectrophotometry. The integrity of the extracted mtDNA and PCR products were checked by agarose gel electrophoresis. The PCR products were sequenced and the obtained sequences were imputed into GenBank for comparison. RESULTS: mtDNA were successfully extracted from 10 head samples, 6 legs samples, 4 wing samples and 13 chest muscle samples of the Lucilia sericata (Meigen). Also, mtDNA were successfully extracted from 5 head samples, 8 legs samples, 3 wing samples and 13 chest muscle samples of the Nicrophorus fossor (Erichson). CONCLUSION: mtDNA can be obtained from chest muscle and other parts of sarcosaphagous insects using the improved CTAB method.

Bioinformatics analysis of epitope-based vaccine design against the novel SARS-CoV-2.

BACKGROUND: An outbreak of infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 recently has brought a great challenge to public health. Rapid identification of immune epitopes would be an efficient way to screen the candidates for vaccine development at the time of pandemic. This study aimed to predict the protective epitopes with bioinformatics methods and resources for vaccine development. METHODS: The genome sequence and protein sequences of SARS-CoV-2 were retrieved from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database. ABCpred and BepiPred servers were utilized for sequential B-cell epitope analysis. Discontinuous B-cell epitopes were predicted via DiscoTope 2.0 program. IEDB server was utilized for HLA-1 and HLA-2 binding peptides computation. Surface accessibility, antigenicity, and other important features of forecasted epitopes were characterized for immunogen potential evaluation. RESULTS: A total of 63 sequential B-cell epitopes on spike protein were predicted and 4 peptides (Spike315-324, Spike333-338, Spike648-663, Spike1064-1079) exhibited high antigenicity score and good surface accessibility. Ten residues within spike protein (Gly496, Glu498, Pro499, Thr500, Leu1141, Gln1142, Pro1143, Glu1144, Leu1145, Asp1146) are forecasted as components of discontinuous B-cell epitopes. The bioinformatics analysis of HLA binding peptides within nucleocapsid protein produced 81 and 64 peptides being able to bind MHC class I and MHC class II molecules respectively. The peptides (Nucleocapsid66-75, Nucleocapsid104-112) were predicted to bind a wide spectrum of both HLA-1 and HLA-2 molecules. CONCLUSIONS: B-cell epitopes on spike protein and T-cell epitopes within nucleocapsid protein were identified and recommended for developing a protective vaccine against SARS-CoV-2.

[Stature estimation from the cervical vertebrae of living male by measuring Xray films of computer radiography].

OBJECTIVE: To establish the regression equations and to evaluate the feasibility of measuring dimensions of cervical vertebrae with lateral films of computer radiography (CR). METHODS: Anterior heights and posterior heights of C3-C7 were measured in the lateral films of the cervical vertebrae in 150 adult males from Sichuan Han population in China The body height of each individual was recorded. Linear regression analysis between the height of the cervical vertebrae and body height was performed to establish the regression equations for stature estimation. In addition, the paired t-test between the predictive value and the actual body height, the residual analysis, the test of equal scedasticity and colinearity were performed in all equations. RESULTS: Thirty one statistically significant simple regression equations and 20 statistically significant multiple regressions equations were established. The coefficiencies of multiple correlations were from 0.656 to 0.259 and the standard errors of estimate were between 4.30 cm and 5.79 cm. Conclusion All equations established could be used to estimate the body height of the Han population of Sichuan adult males. It could be helpful to estimate statures from the CR films based on the dimensions of cervical vertebrae.

[Advances of the study of sarcosaphagous insects in forensic medicine].

The study of sarcosaphagous insects is a subspecialty in forensic medicine based on the knowledge of entomology. It could help to determine the time of death, especially the postmortem interval in decomposed cases. This paper explores its history, species and erosion process of sarcosaphagous insects. It reviews the species identifying methods with molecular biology and entomological morphology. Details of its application in estimating postmortem interval in recent years and study of sarcosaphagous insects in the field of forensic medicine are summarized.

[The development and application of lie detection in forensic science].

Lie detection technology has been applied increasingly to investigate and solve criminal cases. This article explores the evolvement of lie detection technology in the ancient times and the application of the psychological and physiological parameters which have become more accurate with the introduction of modern polygraph. The cognitive exploration and the application of Event Related Potentials (ERPs), functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), and Event-Related functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (E-R fMRI) have made detection technology focus on the brain activities, which produce more objective results by tracing the original state of lying. In summary, this article describes different types of lie detections, simple and complex, their working principles, the latest development, and the prospect of their application in forensic science.

[Stature estimation from upper extremity long bones by digital radiography].

OBJECTIVE: To obtain regression formula for estimation of stature in Han population in Sichuan Province from length of the upper extremity long bones by digital radiography. METHODS: The statures of 365 healthy adults and digital radiographs of their right upper extremity long bones were measured. All statistical dispositions were done in SPSS including description and regression analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-seven simple regression and 3 multiple regression formulae with statistic significance in estimation of the stature from the sum of the length of the upper extremity long bones were established. Regression coefficient was higher in ulna than in radius, in male than in female, and was more accurate in multiple regression formulae than in simple regression formulae. CONCLUSION: Digital radiograph measurement of the length of the upper extremity long bones seems to be a simple and practical method to estimate human stature in forensic practice.

[Relationship between CO II gene of mtDNA of Lucilia sericata and latitude interval].

OBJECTIVE: To deduce the region that the geographical species of Lucilia sericata come from and determine the scene of crime (SOC) based on the gene analysis of mtDNA CO II. METHODS: A 635 bp region for CO II of 4 Lucilia sericata (belong to 2 geographical species) were collected and sequenced, compared with the data of GenBank. A neighbour-joining tree with the Tamura and Nei model was constructed by MEGA2.1 package. The number of inherit intervals of inner-species were analyzes by Kimura's two-parameter model and used for construction the relationships between hereditary and latitude interval by SPSS10.5 soft. RESULTS: It showed that they had the relationships between inherit and latitude interval for the 8 geographical species of Lucilia sericata for CO II. CONCLUSION: This method can be the evidence deducing the region that the geographical species of Lucilia sericata come from and further to determine the scene of crime (SOC).

[Study on identification using frontal sinus computer radiographic films of Han population in Sichuan province].

OBJECTIVE: To study identical indexes of frontal sinus in different locative computer radiology. METHODS: Frontal sinus radiographs were analysed by combining indexes of kinds of distances and patterns, further using descriptive study to describe frontal sinus and to analyse data statistically. RESULTS: The 8-identical classification of frontal sinus was proposed, basing on the ratio of frontal sinus width and orbit width, the bilateral asymmetry, the superiority of side, the numbers of arches of upper borders (left and right), the partial septa (left and right) and the location of the central septa. There was no statistical significance of sinus between sexes (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Frontal sinus is tremendous inter-individual variation so it can be used for identification, but it can not be used for sex determination.

Epidemiology of assaultive injuries in areas of Sichuan province, China.

OBJECTIVE: To scrutinize the epidemiological characteristics of assaultive injuries in Sichuan province, China. METHODS: A survey of all cases of assaultive injuries reported by police was performed during 8 years in eight counties of Sichuan province, China. A total of 2862 victims and 2856 offenders were registered. RESULTS: The majority of victims and offenders were young men at the age of 20-39 and only received an education at secondary school or primary school. The largest fraction of these cases took place at farm or by-place during 10.00-11.00 o'clock, 16.00-17.00 o'clock and 20.00-21.00 o'clock. The tangles caused by trifles were the most common factors inducing assaultive injuries and accounted for 42.1 percent of the causes of assaults. Blunt injuries were mainly caused by punching (40%) and kicking (17.2%). About 37.3% of the lesions seriously happened in the regions of face and head. Open wounds accounted for 40.3% of these different injuries. CONCLUSIONS: It is valuable to take some specific measures to prevent and control assaultive injuries according to their territorial characteristics.

Estimation of stature from radiologic anthropometry of the lumbar vertebral dimensions in Chinese.

The recent study was to assess the relationship between the radiologic anthropometry of the lumbar vertebral dimensions and stature in Chinese and to develop regression formulae to estimate stature from these dimensions. A total of 412 normal, healthy volunteers, comprising 206 males and 206 females, were recruited. The linear regression analysis were performed to assess the correlation between the stature and lengths of various segments of the lumbar vertebral column. Among the regression equations created for single variable, the predictive value was greatest for the reconstruction of stature from the lumbar segment in both sexes and subgroup analysis. When individual vertebral body was used, the heights of posterior vertebral body of L3 gave the most accurate results for male group, the heights of central vertebral body of L1 provided the most accurate results for female group and female group with age above 45 years, the heights of central vertebral body of L3 gave the most accurate results for the groups with age from 20-45 years for both sexes and the male group with age above 45 years. The heights of anterior vertebral body of L5 gave the less accurate results except for the heights of anterior vertebral body of L4 provided the less accurate result for the male group with age above 45 years. As expected, multiple regression equations were more successful than equations derived from a single variable. The research observations suggest lumbar vertebral dimensions to be useful in stature estimation among Chinese population.

An investigation and pathological analysis of two fatal cases of cadmium poisoning.

Pollution associated with population growth, and with industrial and urban development has led to a serious decline in the water quality of Chinese rivers. Cadmium (Cd) is recognized as one of the most toxic metals and is strongly accumulated by organisms. Humans are exposed to cadmium originating from the environment and from industrial pollution. In spite of thousands of published studies on Cd, there is little information on its pathological features seen in human autopsy. The gross and pathological findings of forensic autopsies of two case of cadmium poisoning are presented and related to an epidemiological investigation. In both cases, multiple organ damage was observed, involving brain, lung, liver, kidney, red blood cells, and platelets, which is consistent with reports in the literature. In particular, in both cases, transmission electron microscopy revealed a large number of dense lysosomal and phagocytic particles in the cytoplasm near the nucleus, indicating the need for a genotoxic study of cadmium. Our observations provide new clues for the future recognition and prevention of Cd poisoning.