A Molecular Key for the Identification of Blow Flies in Southeastern Nebraska*

Abstract: Immature blow flies (Calliphoridae) are typically the first colonizers of cadavers. Identification of the early instars using traditional, morphology‐based keys is difficult because of their small size, similarity, and simplicity in external morphology. Information derived from molecular genetic data would augment the accurate identification of immature flies. Nine species of blow flies commonly found in southeastern Nebraska were used to examine the utility of molecular‐based keys. Polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphisms (PCR–RFLP) were investigated with 10 common, inexpensive, restriction enzymes from an amplicon of approximately 1500 bp spanning the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene. A simple molecular taxonomic key, comprising RFLP from the restriction enzymes HinfI and DraI, enabled the differentiation of all species used. Further development of PCR–RFLP, including more extensive and intensive examination of blow flies, would benefit forensic laboratories in the accurate identification of evidence consisting of immature blow flies.     

易扶安置区风险链:易地扶贫搬迁安置区社会稳定风险的一个解释框架

易地扶贫搬迁初期,政府和移民对贫困认知存在分歧,搬迁便意味着风险环境酝酿。生活过渡期,由于政府扶持政策的脱节,移民的生计存在可持续困境,加之被激活的发展渴求,风险便被移民感知,谨慎抵抗抑或自助便成常态。而在社会放大机制下,这些不稳定要素便有了酿成社会稳定风险的可能,表现出“风险环境—风险感知—风险行为—社会放大—社会稳定风险”的风险传导链特征,呈现出双向传递性、集聚性和扩散性。如此,为实现安置区的稳定发展,应加快构建易扶安置区社会稳定风险预警指标体系,做好风险评估,并有针对性地探索形成基于安置区特征的有效治理路径。     

Simple and Sensitive Method for Identification of Human DNA by Allele-Specific Polymerase Chain Reaction of FOXP2

Abstract:  The forkhead box P2 ( FOXP2 ) gene is specifically involved in speech and language development in humans. The sequence is well conserved among many vertebrate species but has accumulated amino acid changes in the human lineage. The aim of this study was to develop a simple method to discriminate between human and nonhuman vertebrate DNA in forensic specimens by amplification of a human-specific genomic region. In the present study, we designed an allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers to amplify smaller than 70-bp regions of FOXP2 to identify DNA as being of human or nonhuman, including ape, origin. PCR amplification was also successfully performed using fluorescence-labeled primers, and this method allows a single PCR reaction with a genomic DNA sample as small as 0.01 ng. This system also identified the presence of human DNA in two blood stains stored for 20 and 38 years. The results suggested the potential usefulness of FOXP2 as an identifier of human DNA in forensic samples.     

Validation of the AMPFℓSTR® MiniFilerTM PCR Amplification Kit for Use in Forensic Casework*

Abstract: The AmpF?STR^® MiniFiler^TM PCR Amplification Kit is designed to genotype degraded and/or inhibited DNA samples when the AmpF?STR^® Identifiler^TM PCR Amplification Kit is incapable of generating a complete genetic profile. Validation experiments, following the SWGDAM guidelines, were designed to evaluate the performance of MiniFiler. Data obtained demonstrated that MiniFiler, when used in conjunction with Identifiler, provided an increased ability to obtain genetic profiles from challenged samples. The optimum template range was found to be between 0.2 and 0.6 ng, with 0.3 ng yielding the best results. Full concordance was achieved between the MiniFiler kit and Identifiler kit except in a single case of a null allele at locus D21S11. Numerous instances of severe heterozygous peak imbalance (<50%) were observed in single source samples amplified within the optimum range of input DNA suggesting that caution be taken when attempting to deduce component genotypes in a mixture.     

实时RT-PCR检测大鼠死后管家基因mRNA的时序性降解

目的研究实时荧光定量RT—PCR方法检测死亡大鼠管家基因mRNA时序性降解的可行性,为死亡时间（Dostmortem interval,PMI）推断寻找新的研究手段。方法应用SYBR Green Ⅰ实时荧光定量RT—PCR技术．检测死后不同时间大鼠脑和脾中管家基因GAPDHmRNA及β—actinmRNA的水平,结果用循环阈值（简称Ct值）表示,分析死后经过时间与Ct值的线性关系,并建立死亡时间推断回归方程。结果GAPDH mRNA和β—actinmRNA的Ct值均与PMI之间存在显著的相关性。结论SYBR GreenⅠ实时荧光定量RT—PCR在定量分析mRNA降解的研究中是一个较理想的技术手段。选用管家基因作为PMI推断的研究对象,可在法医检案中消除其他基因因为个体差异带来的误差,更具实用性。Ct值作为动态监测机体死后不同时间点的客观指标．与死后不同时间点的线性关系良好,推断死后经过时间尤其是晚期死亡时间较为理想。     

A real-time multiplex SNP melting assay to discriminate individuals

A method that quickly and inexpensively differentiates crime scene samples from multiple donors would expedite casework analysis by allowing the selection of probative items requiring comprehensive testing. This new method need not be perfectly definitive nor give a complete 13 locus short tandem repeat (STR) profile; it simply must be able to differentiate between most victim and suspect samples. We describe the development of multiplex, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays to fulfill this need. Dual probes, one fluorescently labeled and the other labeled with a quencher, are monitored during a melt analysis to reveal an increase in fluorescence, which allows the assessment of the two SNP alleles. Two alternate 6-plex assays (with and without gender determination) have been developed for the six-color RG6000 real-time instrument (Corbett Robotics, Inc.) and one seven SNP plus gender assay (performed as two 4-plex assays, one with gender the other without) have been developed for use in four/five color real-time instruments. This technique can discriminate between 95% and 99% of samples from different individuals. This assay is fast (approximately 2 h), much less expensive than STR analysis, and uses a real-time PCR instrument which is found in most forensic and molecular biology labs.     

大鼠急性心肌缺血后肌浆网RyR2 mRNA表达变化

目的 研究大鼠急性心肌缺血后心肌肌浆网兰尼碱受体蛋白2(ryanodine receptor 2,RyR2)mRNA表达的变化.方法 将SD大鼠分为正常对照组、心肌缺血组和缺血性猝死组.采用腹腔注射垂体后叶素的方法复制大鼠急性心肌缺血和猝死模型,对心肌进行半定量荧光RT-PCR检测,观察RyR2 mRNA表达水平的变化.结果 与正常对照组相比,不同时间和不同程度的急性心肌缺血后心肌肌浆网RyR2 mRNA表达均显著降低(P<0.05).结论 心肌缺血性损伤可诱导心肌钙调控蛋白RyR2 mRNA表达下调.     

鼠抗人转铁蛋白单链抗体基因的构建

目的为了得到可经载体连接表达、并只由抗体可变区构成的单链抗体基因而进行本实验.方法经扩增得到的鼠抗人转铁蛋白抗体轻、重链可变区基因经凝胶电泳分离、离心柱纯化及定量,同能柔性折叠的一段短连接肽基因一起进行扩增拼接反应,而后在含限切酶位点的引物指导下扩增引入限切酶SfiI和NotI的酶切位点识别序列,产物以电泳鉴定、纯化和定量,再分别用SfiI和NotI酶切消化,最后再柱纯化.结果得到了携带可与载体连接的粘性末端的鼠抗人转铁蛋白单链抗体基因.结论两个不同的基因通过两端含互补序列的第三个基因片断可只经过扩增而无需DNA连接酶的作用而连接起来.对于抗体基因可由此而产生新的轻重链基因的组合,有可能产生性能更优异的抗体.     

ABO基因分型及其在法医学中的应用

为建立一种ABO血型系统基因分型方法，采用PCR-RFLP技术，成功地将ABO系统区分为AA，AO，AB，OO，BB，BO六种基因型。对240名中国汉族无关个体血样的ABO（基因型频率调查结果表明，6种基因型的频率分布为0．0125～0．3834，符合Hardy－Weinbeng遗传平衡法则（P＞0．1），其DP值为0．8161。家系分析表明，亲代a、b、o基因传递遵守孟德尔遗传规律。对法医学中常见的血痕、混合斑、骨组织及毛发根部等生物样品进行检测，均能准确判定ABO基因型，并可在实际案件鉴定中应用。