Evaluation of two 13-loci STR multiplex system regarding identification and origin discrimination of Brazilian Cannabis sativa samples.

According to the Brazilian Federal Police (BFP), the Brazilian Cannabis sativa illicit market is mainly supplied by drugs originated from Paraguay and Northeastern Brazil (Marijuana Polygon region). These two known routes, the increasing indoor cultivations (supported by online market), and drugs from Uruguay are also in BFP's sight. Forensic tools to aid police intelligence were published in the past years. In genetics, microsatellites have gained attention due to their individualization capability. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of two STR multiplex systems previously proposed in 94 Cannabis sativa samples seized in Brazil. Principal coordinate analyses (PCoA), forensic parameters, and genetic structure analysis were executed. Both panels were effective in individualizing and origin discriminating all samples, and the system proposed in 2015 demonstrated better results. For this marker set, the probability of identity for a random individual is approximately one in 65 billion; also, the PCoA shows a clear genetic distinction among samples according to its origin. Bayesian inference populational structure analysis indicated a significant genetic diversity among seizure groups, matching with its origin. Overall, the STR multiplex systems were able to achieve its purpose in individualizing and differentiating, according to geographic region, Brazilian Cannabis sp. samples.

Evidence for Association Between OXTR Gene and ASD Clinical Phenotypes.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an early-onset neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in social behaviors and communication. Oxytocin and its signaling pathway are related to a range of human behaviors, from facial expression recognition to aggressive behaviors, and have been suggested as involved in the etiology of ASD. Our aim was to evaluate the influence of two polymorphisms (rs1042778, rs53576) at the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) on ASD diagnosis and on specific ASD-related clinical symptoms (seizures, panic, and aggressive behaviors). We also assessed if these SNPs could be related to changes in OXTR availability and functionality using a bioinformatic approach. The sample was composed by 209 probands with ASD and their biological parents. Family-based approach and logistic regression models were used to investigated the outcomes. We observed that panic and aggressive behaviors were nominally associated with presence of rs1042778 T allele (P = 0.019/Pcorr = 0.114; P = 0.046/Pcorr = 0.276 respectively). Also, in the family-based analysis, a trend towards association with ASD susceptibility was observed for rs1042778 (G allele) (P = 0.066). In a bioinformatic approach, we demonstrated that rs1042778 G allele is determinant for the binding of the transcription factor MAZ, suggesting that when the T allele is present, the absence of MAZ binding might be associated with lower transcription levels of the OXTR gene. The overall findings suggest that the OXTR gene may play a role in ASD diagnosis and some of its clinical phenotypes, supported by previous animal and clinical studies. Further investigations are necessary to replicate our findings and fully understand the effects of the oxytocin pathway on ASD.