Development of a heptaplex PCR system to analyse X-chromosome STR loci from five Italian population samples. A collaborative study

Many X-chromosome short tandem repeats (X-STRs) have been validated for forensic use even if further studies are needed on allele frequencies and mutation rates to evaluate the extent of polymorphism in different populations and to establish reference databases useful for forensic applications and for anthropological studies. A single multiplex reaction of seven X-STRs, which includes the DXS6789, HUMARA, DXS10011, DXS7423, HPRTB, DXS6807, DXS101 loci, is presented and their allele frequency distribution in a large population sample including 556 subjects (268 females and 288 males) analysed by five forensic laboratories of Central and Northern Italy is shown. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of a single amplification/detection reaction involving seven markers of the X chromosome, which can be fruitfully used in complex kinship analysis.     

Digital Knowledge Exploitation: ICT, Memory Institutions and Innovation from Cultural Assets

There has been considerable recognition of the regional embeddedness of the knowledge-based economy and its uneven geographical incidence, with mainly urban or metropolitan areas being the crucibles of knowledge-intensive activities. Drawing from recent research conducted analysing cultural industries, the paper explores how the knowledge-based economy can be built upon, focussing on the value afforded by regional cultural diversity which offers a means of economic development and growth to peripheral regions.     

The psychological impact of burglary

Abstract

The GHQ-12 and POMS-BI questionnaires were administered to 20 victims of residential burglary and 20 matched control participants at two points in time. When assessed between one and two weeks after the crime, victims were more anxious, hostile, depressed, tired and confused, and experienced more psychological distress, in comparison with controls. When assessed for a second time one month later there was a general improvement in victims' psychological well-being but their scores still differed significantly from those of controls on almost all sub-seales of the questionnaires. The data suggest that the psychological impact of burglary is considerable and may last for an extended period of time.     

Characterization of the variant allele 9.2 of Penta D locus

DNA profiles of forensic cases of Córdoba Province, Argentina, typed by PowerPlex 16 kit (Promega), have shown in the Penta D locus few samples with a variant allele migrating as an off ladder between alleles 9 and 10. In order to determine the molecular basis of the new variant allele, three samples were subject to polymerase chain reaction amplification of the Penta D locus by monoplex, and were further purified and sequenced. The sequence analysis revealed that the off ladder allele has ten repeats motifs AAAGA as allele 10, with three nucleotides (TAA) deletion in the 3' flanking region, 128 nucleotides after the last repeat. Therefore, the variant allele could be explained by a deletion of allele 10, and was designated 9.2. Mse I digestion assay allows to corroborate allele 9.2 without sequencing. A population study in Córdoba Province indicates that allele 9.2 of Penta D locus has a frequency of 0.0063.