Internal Validation of Human Mitochondrial DNA Quantification Using Real‐Time PCR

The quantity of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) template added for amplification and subsequent dye terminator reactions is critical for obtaining quality sequence data. Validation of a human mtDNA real‐time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay demonstrated its high degree of reproducibility and precision as well as an extremely sensitive threshold of detection (0.0001 pg/μL or approximately six human mtDNA copies/μL). A study of 35 nonprobative bone and teeth evidence samples revealed that 20 pg of mtDNA template is recommended for successful HV1 and HV2 sequence analysis; however, as little as 0.013 pg can generate a full mtDNA profile when using enhanced amplification reactions. The assay can also detect PCR inhibition and is useful for identifying samples that may benefit from re‐purification. Overall, the assay is an excellent method to quantify mtDNA and is useful for determining the best analytical approach for successful sequencing.     

Optimization of Human mtDNA Control Region Sequencing for Forensic Applications

Sequencing mitochondrial DNA hypervariable regions I and II (HVI and HVII) is useful in forensic missing person and unidentified remains cases. Improvements in ease and sensitivity of testing will yield results from more samples in a timely fashion. Routinely, amplification of HVI and HVII is followed by Sanger sequencing using the BigDye^® Terminator v3.1 Cycle Sequencing kit (Applied Biosystems) using 4 μL of ready reaction mix (RRM). Each sequencing reaction is then purified through column filtration before capillary electrophoresis. Using lower amounts of RRM (2 μL or 1 μL) and purification using BigDye^® XTerminator^? (Applied Biosystems) instead of columns showed no loss of sequence length and increased the quality and the sensitivity of testing, allowing HVI and HVII typing from mitochondrial genome equivalent to 125 fg of nuclear DNA, or 100 pg of HVI/HVII amplicons. Using this methodology, testing can be completed in 1 day, and the cost of testing is reduced.     

利用RASSF1A位点检测母体血浆中胎儿SNP分型

目的探讨利用母体血浆中高甲基化RASSF1A位点进行胎儿SNP分型的应用价值。方法随机收集10个未孕健康妇女和45例不同孕期（早期5例、中期20例、晚期20例）孕妇的血样本及相应胎儿组织（绒毛组织、羊水、胎盘组织）;利用甲基化敏感限制性内切酶BstUI酶切后进行PCR,产物进行血细胞、血浆和胎儿组织（绒毛或胎盘）DNA RASSF1A序列的甲基化模式检测,并采用直接测序法对SNP rs4688725位点进行分型。结果经BstUI酶消化,RASSF1A序列在母体血细胞中均未检出,而在绒毛或胎盘组织中均能检出;在45名孕妇血浆中,RASSF1A序列均能被检出,且序列内的SNP分型与相应胎儿组织一致;在10名非孕妇女血浆中均未检出RASSF1A序列。结论母体和胎儿DNA中RASSF1A基因启动子区域的甲基化模式存在差异,可用于对母体血浆中的游离胎儿DNA进行SNP分型。     

96孔过滤板在接触性DNA自动化检验中的应用

目的将96孔过滤板用于自动化工作站,对接触性DNA进行检验。方法收集553份现场提取的附着在烟蒂、饮料瓶、门窗把手、电源网线头、作案工具、手套上的微量接触性生物检材,在96孔过滤板上进行裂解后整体离心,分离载体与裂解液;应用自动化核酸提取纯化仪结合M48磁珠纯化试剂盒提取纯化DNA,采用IdentifilerPlus试剂盒进行扩增,3500XL测序仪电泳分型,ID-X专家系统分析结果。结果在553份检材中,成功获得STR分型的有271份,检验成功率在31.6%~97.3%之间,烟蒂、饮料瓶检材的成功率均在90%以上,提取纯化过程约90min。结论将96孔过滤板用于自动化工作站,可在实现批量接触性DNA的快速、自动化提取的同时,有效提高接触性DNA检出率。     

武汉地区汉族人群线粒体DNA Region V区9bp片段缺失多态性

目的 研究武汉地区汉族群体线粒体DNA RegionV区9bp片段缺失多态性.方法 PCR扩增后采用银染技术分离片段,检测武汉地区汉族群体线粒体DNA RegionV区9bp片段缺失的频率.结果 在武汉地区汉族239个无关个体中发现标准型、缺失型两种多态类型,9bp片段缺失频率为17.15％.结论 武汉地区汉族群体在DNA RegionV区9bp片段存在缺失多态性.     

Maxwell 16裂解纯化法提取陈旧精子DNA的应用

目的利用Maxwell 16裂解纯化法从保存8年以上陈旧精斑检材中获取精子DNA。方法 8份陈旧精斑检材采用Maxwell 16裂解纯化法提取精子DNA,并采用Powerplex○R21试剂盒进行复合扩增,产物用AB3130型遗传分析仪检测,结果与常规方法进行对比。结果成功获得8份陈旧精斑检材精子STR分型。结论差异裂解配合Maxwell 16裂解在陈旧精斑检材精子DNA检验中效果明显。     

磁珠法对混合斑中精子DNA批量自动提取的应用研究

目的 建立混合斑中精子DNA批量自动提取的方法.方法 对56例混合斑经第一步消化后的精子沉淀用DNA IQ试剂盒和Biomek（R）2000全自动核酸工作站自动提取纯化,3130xl型遗传分析仪分析结果.结果 56例混合斑检材均得到较好的STR分型结果.结论 DNA IQ试剂盒和Biomek（R）2000全自动核酸工作站批量自动提取纯化混合斑的方法快速简便,可应用于法庭科学实践.     

UNPACKING THE BLACK BOX OF PEER SIMILARITY IN DEVIANCE: UNDERSTANDING THE MECHANISMS LINKING PERSONAL BEHAVIOR,PEER BEHAVIOR,AND PERCEPTIONS

The strong correlation between measures of personal and peer deviance occurs with near “law‐like” regularity. Yet, as with other manifestations of peer similarity (often referred to as homophily), the mechanisms generating this relationship are widely debated. Specific to the deviance literature, most studies have failed to examine, simultaneously, the degree to which similarity is the consequence of multiple causes. The current study addresses this gap by using longitudinal network data for 1,151 individuals from the Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement (NSCR) School Project. Structural equation modeling is used to address these issues by adapting Jussim and Osgood's ( 1989 ) model of deviant attitudes in dyadic pairs to the current data. Across two separate behavioral domains (substance use and property offending), the results provide strong support for the prediction that individuals project their own deviant tendencies inaccurately onto their peers. Conversely, the results provide little or no support for the predictions that respondents accurately perceive their peers’ deviance or that their perceptions of peer deviance influence their own behavior. Implications for understanding the role of peer behavior in the etiology of adolescent deviance are discussed.     

A 21‐Locus Autosomal SNP Multiplex and its Application in Forensic Science

To develop a cost‐effective technique for single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping and improve the efficiency to analyze degraded DNA, we have established a novel multiplex system including 21‐locus autosomal SNPs and amelogenin locus, which was based on allele‐specific amplification (ASA) and universal reporter primers (URP). The target amplicons for each of the 21 SNPs arranged from 63 base pair (bp) to 192 bp. The system was tested in 539 samples from three ethnic groups (Han, Mongolian, and Zhuang population) in China, and the total power of discrimination (TPD) and cumulative probability of exclusion (CPE) were more than 0.99999999 and 0.98, respectively. The system was further validated with forensic samples and full profiles could be achieved from degraded DNA and 63 case‐type samples. In summary, the multiplex system offers an effective technique for individual identification of forensic samples and is much more efficient in the analysis of degraded DNA compared with standard STR typing.     

The Successful Recovery of Low Copy Number and Degraded DNA from Bones Exposed to Seawater Suitable for Generating a DNA STR Profile

A universal method allowing for DNA profiling from bones exposed to seawater has not been reported yet. This study refers on the identification of a body immersed in seawater for 8 months. The biological material for identification was the mandibular body, usually characterized by low success rates of DNA analysis. Initially, two extraction protocols were performed with negative results: one used for bones immersed in fresh water and a silica‐column procedure. A third protocol was performed, which combined the extraction of a higher amount of bone powder, the use of multi‐silica‐based extraction columns followed by a concentration step. This protocol allowed to obtain low copy number DNA and to generate a 12‐loci STR profile by combining conventional STR typing and mini‐STR technologies. This protocol could be suitable when human bones have been exposed to severe environmental conditions, and the available nuclear DNA is highly degraded and in low copy number.