Evaluation of a Novel 32 X-STR Loci Multiplex System in the Forensic Application

The AGCU X Plus STR system is a newly developed multiplex PCR kit that detects 32 X-chromosomal STR loci simultaneously.These are DXS6807,DXS9895,linkage group 1(DXS10148,DXS10135,DXS8378),DXS9902,DXS6795,DXS6810,DXS10159,DXS10162,DXS10164,DXS7132,linkage group 2(DXS10079,DXS10074,DXS10075),DXS981,DXS6800,DXS6803,DXS6809,DXS6789,DXS7424,DXS101,DXS7133,GATA172D05,GATA165B12,linkage group 3(DXS10103,HPRTB,DXS10101),GATA31E08 and linkage group 4(DXS8377,DXS10134,DXS7423).A major advantage of this kit is that it takes into account linkage between loci,in addition to detecting more X-STR loci.In order to evaluate the forensic application of 32 X-STR fl uorescence amplifi cation system,PCR settings,sensitivity,species specifi city,stability,DNA mixtures,concordance,stutter,sizing precision,and population genetics investigation were evaluated according to the Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods(SWGDAM)developmental validation guidelines.The study showed that the genotyping results of each locus were signifi cantly accurate when the DNA template was at least 62.5 pg.Complete profi les were obtained for the 1∶1 and 1∶3 combinations.A total of 209 unrelated individuals from Southern Chinese Han community,consisting of 84 females and 125 males,were selected for population studies,and 285 allele profi les were detected from 32 X-STR loci.The polymorphism information content(PIC)ranged from 0.2721 in DXS6800,to 0.9105 in DXS10135,with an average of 0.6798.DXS10135(PIC=0.9105)was the most polymorphic locus,with discrimination power(DP)of 0.9164 and 0.9871 for the male and female.The cumulative PD_(F),PD_(M),MEC_(trio) and MEC_(duo) valu es were all greater than 0.999999999.There were 78 different DXS10103-HPRTB-DXS10101 haplotypes among the 125 males,and the haplotype diversity was 0.9810.There was no signifi cant difference in the cumulative PD_(F),PD_(M),MEC_(trio) and MEC_(duo) values whether considering linkage or not.In summary,the new X-STR multiplex typing system is effective and reliable,which can be useful in human genetic analysis and kinship testing as a potent complement to autosomal STR typing.

MY UNDERSTANDINGS ABOUT ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT OF LUMBAGO ACCORDING TO SYNDROME-DIFFERENTIATION

In the present paper, the author introduces his individual experience and understandings about acupuncture treatment of lumbago from ① pathogenic causes and pathogenesis, ② syndrome differentiation and analysis, ③ therapeutic methods, ④ treatment according to differentiation of syndromes, and ⑤ key points about treatment of lumbago. The author stresses that in the treatment of lumbago, never forget reinforcing the kidney and treat both the primary and secondary aspects of the disease at the same time.

事故案例

上海十三冶浦钢制氧站设备安装发生氩气窒息3人死亡2007年3月21日,上海市浦东新区中冶集团上海十三冶浦钢制氧站设备安装现场,3名工人在进行管道固定口氩气保护焊接作业时,在管道中先后窒息,经抢救无效死亡。

Sequence-length variation of mtDNA HVS-I C-stretch in Chinese ethnic groups

The purpose of this study was to investigate mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) hypervariable segment-I (HVS-I) C-stretch variations and explore the significance of these variations in forensic and population genetics studies. The C-stretch sequence variation was studied in 919 unrelated individuals from 8 Chinese ethnic groups using both direct and clone sequencing ap-proaches. Thirty eight C-stretch haplotypes were identified, and some novel and population specific haplotypes were also detected. The C-stretch genetic diversity (GD) values were relatively high, and probability (P) values were low. Additionally, C-stretch length heteroplasmy was observed in approximately 9% of individuals studied. There was a significant correlation (r=-0.961, P<0.01) between the expansion of the cytosine sequence length in the C-stretch of HVS-I and a reduction in the number of up-stream adenines. These results indicate that the C-stretch could be a useful genetic maker in forensic identification of Chinese populations. The results from the Fst and dA genetic distance matrix, neighbor-joining tree, and principal component map also suggest that C-stretch could be used as a reliable genetic marker in population genetics.

Morphologic studies of high fall injuries

[Abstract] Objective： By studying the mode and morphologic character of high fall injuries on the scene, and exploring the injury situation of different heights, different fall ways and postures, to provide a reference for the foren- sic identification of high fall injury. Methods： All the high fall cases were statistically analysed according to their gender, age, ground-touching posture, fall height, site and type of the injury. Results： Among 134 high fall cases, 98 were male and 36 were female with the age ranging from 2-71 years （37.6 ＋16.9 on average）, in which, 10-60 years old group con- sisted of 110 cases （82%）. Most cases fell from windows orroofs （73%） and the touching objects were cement ground or shaft bottom of elevators. Among these cases, head injury was generally serious, followed by chest and abdominal injuries. The morphologic changes depend upon the height, nature, as well as the posture at the point while the body touches the ground. Conclusion： Morphologic study of high fall injury assists medicolegal physicians to make correct identifica- tions of the cause and nature of high fall injuries.

Forensic medical study on morphology and formative mechanism of blunt head injury

Objective： To study the patterns and morphologic characteristics of blunt head injury and analyse its formative mechanism in attempt to provide references for medicolegal expertise. Methods： The statistical analysis was done in terms of gender, age, as well as the nature, pattern, location, and feature of the injuries. Results： Among the 202 cases of head injury-induced death, 124 were male and 78 female with the age ranging from 1-81 years. Death caused by homicide was dominant （106, 52.5%）, followed by suicide （49, 24.3%） and accident （44, 21.8%）. The majority of suicide-induced death were byfalling from height, and traffic crash was responsible for majority of unexpected death cases. The morphology and pathogenesis of the injuries varied according to differences on the mode, magnitude, and orientation of the outside force giving rise to blunt injury as well as the character of vulnerants. Conclusion： Studies on the morphology and its forma- tive rationale of blunt head injury will offer easy access to medicolegal expertise on the mode and character of the injury.

Death due to fracture of thin calvarial hones after a fall： A forensic approach

A 45-year-old male was autopsied. He had fallen backwards from a two-stairs height to the ground and passed away. A skull fracture was detected in the left occipital area, extending up to the left side of the skul! base. The patient＇s death occurred due to the very low thickness of the calvarial bones, which led to the aforementioned fracture, and in turn resulted in subarachnoid hemorrhage and death. The cortical thickness was measured and compared with average values at standardized points. Uniform bone thinning was confirmed rather than localized. Calvarial thinning may result from various conditions. In the present case study, however, the exact mechanism which led to the low thickness of the calvarial bones of the patient is undetermined. Death due to the susceptible structure and fracture of calvarial bones has rarely been reported throughout relevant literature.