STR analysis of degraded DNA using a miniplex

Analysis of short tandem repeat (STR) markers currently represents the most useful instrument in the field of forensic genetics. The problem with forensic material is the degradation of the sample material. In recent years, several papers have demonstrated that short amplicon STR (miniSTR) represents one of the most useful tools for analyzing degraded DNA samples.In the present study, we attempted to develop a short amplicon STR multiplex system (autosomal and y-chromosomal) for analyzing degraded DNA using some newly designed primer sets for a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) systems for typing.An assay of degraded DNA samples using the designed multiplex systems, including artificially degraded samples and degraded forensic casework samples, proved remarkably effective. Comparing the multiplex with commercial kits, first results show a well success rate.     

How Valid Is Negotiation Research Based on Student Sample Groups? New Insights into a Long‐Standing Controversy

Although a considerable amount of research has examined the impact of experience on negotiation behavior and performance, we still know very little about the usefulness of student samples in negotiation research because most studies have compared the performance of inexperienced students with those who had received some kind of extensive negotiation training or with experienced professional negotiators(s). Against this background, we investigate whether the results obtained from trained student samples are generally similar to those of professional negotiators. Generally, our data confirm our hypotheses that students with some negotiation training and experience perform better than untrained student negotiators and that they are not significantly outperformed by professional negotiators. From this, we conclude that many questions in the field of negotiation research can be effectively tested by using trained students as experimental subjects.     

Population data on the AmpFlSTR SGM plus PCR amplification kit in Germans and Austrians

Allele frequencies for the short tandem repeat loci D3S1358, VWA, D16S539, D2S1338, D8S1179, D21S11, D18S51, D19S433, THO1 and FGA were determined in 231 German and 100 Austrian unrelated Caucasoids using the AmpFlSTR SGM plus kit (Applied Biosystems). All loci met Hardy-Weinberg expectations. In 212 meioses per locus, one mutation event for D19S433 was observed.     

Applicability of succinylmonocholine as a marker for succinylcholine administration--comparative analysis of samples from a fatal succinylcholine-intoxication versus postmortem control specimens

Doubts concerning the applicability of succinylmonocholine (SMC) as a succinylcholine (SUX) marker have been issued. A comparative analysis of previously discussed tissues, i.e. brain, liver and kidney, was conducted to further elucidate this question by searching for diagnostically useful differences in analyte content in samples of SUX- versus non-SUX-associated fatalities. Furthermore, possible advantages of vitreous humor as a novel and promising target matrix for SUX analytics were assessed. Sample material of SUX-negative controls as well as the fatal SUX-intoxication was derived from frozen archive material and current autopsies. Samples were analyzed according to a modified protocol of a previously published and validated method employing ion-pairing solid-phase extraction and subsequent HPLC-MS/MS analysis. Standard addition was employed for quantification as well as an estimation of the analytical limits of the method. In all tested matrices, the method was proven to be sufficiently sensitive for the intended application. No indication of native SMC was found in controls of fresh tissues, nor in fresh or frozen vitreous humor. However, most of the samples were found to be positive for a previously reported interference with SMC's main ion transition, thereby falsely suggesting an SMC content of up to 139 ng/g, 126 ng/g, 165 ng/g and 93 ng/ml in brain, liver, kidney and vitreous humor, respectively. Contrasting the results for fresh sample material, SMC was detectable in some of the initially non-putrefied liver samples after long-term storage, as well as in massively decomposed SUX-negative control bodies. In this context, a microbial origin of the analyte may be assumed. All tissues as well as the vitreous humor of the fatal SUX-intoxication were negative for SUX and SMC. Just like serum, tissue and vitreous humor samples therefore do not allow a reliable diagnosis of a SUX-intoxication: in tissues this is due to the pronounced instability of both target analytes in these esterase-containing matrices, for vitreous humor an additional reason could be their insufficient incorporation into this medium.     

A novel platform for the modular integration of forensic assay setup and medium- to high-throughput purification of nucleic acids

With its extraction and assay setup modules, the QIAsymphony^® provides a highly flexible solution for processing forensic samples in a medium- to high-throughput scale. We tested the sensitivity of extraction, precision of sample processing, and accuracy of automated assay setup of this integrated system. Results attest to QIAsymphony's ability to isolate DNA from a spectrum of common forensic samples and process these samples without cross-contamination. Furthermore, accurate assay setup for downstream applications, like PCR, make this system highly suited for enhancing laboratory workflow.     

Y chromosome polymorphisms and haplotypes in South Saxony-Anhalt (Germany)

We have performed a population genetic study on a population from South Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. The allele distributions of the systems DYS19, DYS385, DYS389I/II DYS390, DYS391, DYS392 and DYS393 were investigated in a sample of 234 unrelated males. PCR products were detected using capillary electrophoresis on the ABI Prism 310 DNA sequencer. Two hundred and six different haplotypes were obtained. The haplotype diversity was 0.8915. Using AMOVA significant differences were observed to populations from Poland and Croatia.     

Säkularisierung als Konflikt?

With reference to the religious and ideological changes in the GDR and East Germany we opt for a specific approach towards the process of secularization: It should be historically grounded, embedded in a theory of conflict and starting from the laypersons in the religious-ideological field. With reference to the theories of Max Weber and Pierre Bourdieu, we conceptualize the secularization process in East Germany as the result of a struggle over similar goods within a given social field. On the basis of interviews with East German families we differentiate three levels of such conflict: the conflict about membership, the conflict about world interpretation, and the conflict about ethics. Our thesis is that by positioning oneself towards these issues, the lines of conflict on the macro level attain subjective plausibility for individual actors. In this way the conflict between state and church translates into a - potentially permanent - process of subjective secularization. The reversal of this process is difficult, because under new circumstances it is more or less restricted to the level of world interpretation. For this reason the changes remain unstable.