ABSTRACT
Background: The basis of genetic fingerprinting and DNA profiling in forensic laboratories is the use of Short Tandem Repeats [STRs] according to local and ethnical genetics characteristics
Methods: Forensic parameters and allele frequencies for 15 autosomal STRs in 100 unrelated individuals from Khuzestan province, south Iran were determined. PCR was carried out for amplification of STRs and Gene Mapper ID software was used for genotyping and allelic analyzing
Results: The Power of Exclusion [PE] varied between 0.332 [TPOX] and 0.768 [FGA]. With exception of the THO1 [0.020], TPOX [0.014] and D18S51 [0.003], other STRs showed no deviation from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium [p>0.05]
Conclusion: Out of 15 STRs, 12 repeats seemed to be more useful and more powerful tools in identity and paternity determination for our studied population. Variation in our data analysis revealed that effective use of these 15 STR loci in forensic cases needed to be localized by collection and analysis of population data from the general population
ABSTRACT
Introduction: student-generated questions can be a very helpful tool in medical education. The use of this activity can allow the students to feel more involved in the subjects covered and may improve their knowledge and learning. The aim of this study was to identify the effect of question-writing activity as a stimulus factor on learning in midwifery students and determine their perception about this activity
Methods: this quasi-experimental study with two groups of pre- and post-tests was conducted on two groups of midwifery students who had taken the immunology course. Two classes of midwifery students [N=62] participated and were randomly assigned to two different groups. One class was selected as the experimental group [n=32] and the other class was considered as the control group [n=30]. The experimental group's students were asked to write questions covering different topics of the syllabus components taught during 15 weeks from February 2016 to May 2016. They were asked to write, answer and explain their multiple-choice questions [MCQs]. The students' performance in immunology course was compared between the two groups at the end of the semester. After their final exam, we asked them to fill in a questionnaire on their views about this activity. The data were analyzed by independent t- test using SPSS software, version 18
Results: the differences between pre- and post-test mean scores of the experimental and control groups were 24.53 +/- 5.74 and 20.63 +/- 5.58, respectively. The results of independent t-test showed that these differences in the two groups were significant [p=0.009]. Nevertheless, most of the students stated that questionwriting activity as a learning tool is an unfamiliar exercise and unpopular learning strategy
Conclusion: results showed that question writing by students has been found to promote learning when it is implemented as a part of the teaching curriculum in immunology course; therefore, this activity could be effective in improving the students' learning
ABSTRACT
Background & objectives: Family history is an important risk factor for the development of asthma, contingent upon genetic and environment interaction. Since there is paucity of data on asthma inheritance in Indian population, the present study was undertaken to investigate the inheritance patterns of asthma and the effect of family history and consanguineous marriage on asthma inheritance. Methods: A total of 200 families, 100 index children and 100 index adults with clinically diagnosed asthma, along with 400 non-asthmatic children and adults as controls were selected for the present study. Information about the family history of each patients and controls was collected and analyzed pedigrees were also constructed. Results: A history of asthma in any member of the family was observed in 44.5 per cent of cases and 5.3 per cent of controls (P < 0.001). A differential risk of developing asthma was noted in family history of asthma in different first and second degree relatives of children and adult patients. Consanguineous marriage was also noted in parents in 24.5 per cent of cases and 12.3 per cent of controls (P< 0.001). The most common mode of asthma inheritance was recessive. Interpretation & conclusions: Our results showed that consanguineous marriage and family history of asthma are important determinants in the development of asthma in the offspring.