Characterization of the polymorphic repeat sequence within the rDNA IGS of Cannabis sativa

The rDNA intergenic spacer (IGS) structure of Cannabis sativa contains six variable repeat motifs within a locus spanning 1387 base pairs. The degree of variation of the first three motifs was examined using 77 samples from cannabis samples. The samples originated from five seizures in Taiwan and seed stocks from six different countries. The results showed that there were four types of sequences producing PCR products at either 255, 260, 264 or 265 base pairs. The data obtained indicates that this region of rDNA IGS exhibits a degree of polymorphism that while insufficient by itself can be added to a multiplex with other cannabis STR loci.     

Extraction of human DNA for PCR from chewed residues of betel quid using a novel "PVP/CTAB" method

Residues of chewed betel quid (BQ) are often found on crime scenes in Taiwan and possibly some of the Southeast Asian countries. Although these residues are important biological evidences relating to the suspects, the forensic analysis of BQ evidence has been hindered by failures in extraction of human DNA for PCR analysis. Therefore, it is a prerequisite for relevant forensic casework to establish a reliable method for extracting DNA from chewed BQ residues. Three conventional methods (salt/chloroform, 5% Chelex-100 resin, and QIAamp) were first tested for extraction of human DNA from 33 mock BQ samples, which had been stored for less than two months, and 50 four-year-old forensic BQ samples. PCR amplifications from the HLA-DQA1&PM and the STR loci were then used to test the quality of the extracted DNA. For the mock samples, three observations were made. First, PCR amplification of DNA extracted by using these conventional methods had low success rate. Second, the addition of extra Taq DNA polymerase could compensate the lost enzyme activities due to putative inhibitors and, thus, increase the yield. Third, using the Centricon-100 column to remove putative inhibitors substantially improved the efficiency of PCR. However, for the four-year-old forensic BQ samples, none of the attempts for PCR were successful. In order to solve the problem in PCR analysis of DNA from old BQ samples, we developed a DNA extraction method based on the use of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), which bind to two common classes of PCR inhibitors in plants, polyphenols, and polysaccharides, respectively. The result showed that this "PVP/CTAB" method is completely successful for the mock BQ samples, and 92% (46 out of 50) successful for the four-year-old forensic BQ samples. To our best knowledge, this is the first report of a reliable method for the extraction of human DNA for PCR from chewed BQ residues. This method should provide a useful means for forensic identification in countries where betel chewing is common.     

Sequence analysis of STR polymorphisms at locus ACTBP2 in the Taiwanese population

A highly polymorphic sequence structure is reported in the human beta-actin related pseudogene 2 (ACTBP2) (SE33) locus in members of the Taiwanese Han population. A total of 100 unrelated members of the Taiwanese Han population were used in the study. Alleles that shared the same size but differ in their sequence are described to allow for inter laboratory sharing of data. PCR products amplified from this locus were separated by single-strand conformation polymorphism electrophoresis, the single-stranded DNA bands were excised from the gels, a second amplification performed, and then the PCR products were sequenced. All the alleles differed by either 2 or 4 bp. Sequence variations were observed as deletions or insertions in the repeat units AG (or AA) and AAAG. Additionally, transitions in the flanking regions were recorded. A total of 27 alleles with 71 associated genotypes were recorded if the alleles were defined by size, but 68 alleles with 88 associated genotypes were noted with the alleles were scored on the basis of sequence variation. The power of discrimination (Pd) of this single locus was 0.9874 making the human ACTBP2 a good alternative marker for individual identification and paternity testing.     

Dependency,the state and class in the neoliberal transition of Taiwan

The remarkable economic growth in Taiwan has served as a model of the developmental state as well as a source of scepticism about neoliberal policy for many less developed countries. However, since the mid-1980s Taiwan has gravitated from its previous statist model to the universally embraced 'market-orientated' restructuring. This study seeks to explain this neoliberal transition. A disaggregated approach is employed to break neoliberalism down into three distinct dimensions: market openness, fiscal austerity, and privatisation of public sector enterprises. The analysis results confirm that: (1) Taiwan's trade dependency on the USA constituted a decisive factor in the state opening its domestic market; (2) distributional politics was forged in a new but weak democracy to incorporate more interest groups in the fiscal expansion of the post-authoritarian era; and (3) the slow but increasingly steady progress of privatisation plans was influenced not by a 'back-to-the-market' idea but by the statist legacy with which bureaucrats attempted to manage public sector enterprises even after they became de jure private firms. The theoretical implications of this transition are discussed in the conclusion.