Genetic diversity analysis of forty-three insertion/deletion loci for forensic individual identification in Han Chinese from Beijing based on a novel panel / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Due to the virtues of no stutter peaks, low rates of mutation, and short amplicon sizes, insertion/deletion (InDel) polymorphism is an indispensable tool for analyzing degraded DNA samples from crime scenes for human identifications (Wang et al., 2021). Herein, a self-developed panel of 43 InDel loci constructed previously by our group was utilized to evaluate the genetic diversities and explore the genetic background of the Han Chinese from Beijing (HCB) including 301 random healthy individuals. The lengths of amplicons at 43 InDel loci in this panel ranged from 87 to 199 bp, which indicated that the panel could be used as an effective tool to utilize highly degraded DNA samples for human identity testing. The loci in this panel were validated and performed well for forensic degraded DNA samples (Jin et al., 2021). The combined discrimination power (PD) and combined probability of exclusion (PE) values in this panel indicated that the 43 InDel loci could be used as the candidate markers in personal identification and parentage testing of HCB. In addition, population genetic relationships between the HCB and 26 reference populations from five continents based on 19 overlapped InDel loci were displayed by constructing a phylogenetic tree, principal component analysis (PCA), and population genetic structure analysis. The results illustrated that the HCB had closer genetic relationships with the Han populations from Chinese different regions.

New Opportunities and Challenges for Forensic Medicine in the Era of Artificial Intelligence Technology / 法医学杂志

Traditional forensic identification relies on forensic experts to manually extract information and provide identification opinions based on medicine, biology and other fields of knowledge combined with personal work experience, which is not only time-consuming and require great effort, but also affected by subjective factors that are difficult to overcome. In the era of big data, the booming development of artificial intelligence brings new ideas to forensic medicine. In recent years, forensic researchers at home and abroad have conducted many studies based on artificial intelligence technology, such as face recognition, age and gender identification, DNA analysis, postmortem interval estimation, injury and cause of death identification, showing the feasibility and advantages of using artificial intelligence technology to solve forensic identification problems. As a new means of technology that has adapted to the development of the times, artificial intelligence has brought new vitality to forensic medicine, but at the same time also some new challenges. How to deal with these challenges scientifically and form a new mode of 'artificial intelligence plus forensic medicine' with artificial intelligence and forensic medicine developing collaboratively is a new direction for the development of forensic medicine in the era of big data.

Study on safe storage moisture content of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma using moisture absorbing math model / 中草药

Objective: The moisture absorption of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma (RRR) with different initial moisture content was studied under the conditions of relative humidity of 20%-85% and temperature of 5, 15, 25 and 35 ℃, respectively, so as to provide reference for the control of safe storage moisture and reasonable storage of RRR. Methods: RRR was stored at temperature of 5, 15, 25 and 35 ℃ and humidity of 45%, 60% and 75%, respectively. The samples were taken at different time points to determine its safe water activity with powder color and mildew as indicators. The isotherm adsorption data of RRR at 5, 15, 25 and 35 ℃ and water activity of 0.2-0.8 were obtained by static weighing method and six isotherm adsorption models, GAB, Oswin, Smith, Halsey, Henderso and Peleg, were used for fitting and evaluation. Results: The absolute safe water activity and relative safe water activity of RRR were 0.5 and 0.6, respectively. The adsorption isotherms of RRR at 5, 15, 25 and 35 ℃ were "S" type, which belonged to type II isotherm. Oswin model was the best fitting model and the model expression was: Meq=A[Aw/(1-Aw)B. According to the model, the absolute safe water content of RRR with different initial moisture content at 5 ℃ was 9.00%, 9.59%, 8.00%, 6.71% and relative safe water content was 10.17%, 10.89%, 9.20% and 8.07%, respectively; The absolute safe water content of RRR with different initial moisture content at 15 ℃ was 8.24%, 8.83%, 7.24%, 5.86% and relative safe water content was 9.57%, 10.17%, 8.59% and 7.20%, respectively; The absolute safe water content of that at 25 ℃ was 7.17%, 7.75%, 5.73%, 4.70% and the relative safe water content was 8.72%, 9.26%, 7.26% and 6.25%, respectively; The absolute safe water content of that at 35 ℃ was 8.00%, 8.45%, 6.53%, 5.21% and the relative safe water content was 9.74%, 9.85%, 8.40%, 7.27%, respectively. Conclusion: Oswin model can be used to predict the equilibrium moisture content of RRR in storage, which can provide reference for the control of safe moisture and scientific maintenance of RRR.

Detection of Ancestry Information of Urumqi Mongolians Based on the AIM-InDels Loci Multiplex System / 法医学杂志

Objective To explore the genetic background and structure of Urumqi Mongolians, the previously developed 39-AIM-InDels panel for ancestry inference was utilized in the present study. Methods The blood samples of 145 unrelated healthy Urumqi Mongolian individuals were collected and genotyped. The compositions of ancestry information of Urumqi Mongolians were studied with 17 different populations from three continents （East Asia, Europe and Africa） as reference populations. Then, multiple population genetics and bioinformatics analysis methods were applied, the Fst and DA values between matched populations were compared and analyzed, PCA analysis was performed and a phylogenetic tree was constructed. The proportions of ancestry information components of Urumqi Mongolians were analyzed with Structure software, etc. Results The ancestry information components of Urumqi Mongolian group in different intercontinental populations accounted for 89%, 7%, and 3% of East Asian, European, and African populations, respectively. Compared with other intercontinental populations, Urumqi Mongolian group and East Asian populations have lower Fst and DA values, and they were in the same cluster in PCA analysis as well. In a phylogenetic tree, the Urumqi Mongolian group was in the same branch as East Asian populations. Conclusion Urumqi Mongolian group had relatively close genetic relationships with East Asian populations, and the proportion of its East Asian ancestry was about 89%.

DNA Molecular Identification of Human Phenotypic Characteristics--New Progress Over the Past Five Years / 法医学杂志

Molecular identification of human externally visible characteristic （EVC）, which is also called forensic DNA phenotyping （FDP）, can serve as a "molecular witness" when the routine investigations can not determine the identity of a criminal and the DNA database find no match after comparison. FDP could assist in investigation of cases by inferring the externally visible phenotypic characteristics from DNA obtained from the biological materials left at crime scenes, or unknown corpses. In the last few years, studies on the selection of EVC related molecular markers have been reported frequently and some of the EVCs could already be inferred with a certain accuracy, such as hair color and iris color. Further fundamental research on molecular genetics of human external phenotypic characteristics, as well as the continuous innovation on molecular biological technology would promote the rapid development of DNA molecular identification of human phenotypic characteristics.

Genetic distribution and forensic evaluation of multiplex autosomal short tandem repeats in the Chinese Xinjiang Mongolian group / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

To further enrich the genetic data of the Chinese Xinjiang Mongolian group, the genetic distribution and forensic parameters of 19 autosomal short tandem repeats (STRs) were investigated. Altogether, 249 alleles were observed in these 19 STRs. The mean values of the polymorphism information content (PIC), match probability (MP), discrimination power (DP), and probability of exclusion (PE) for these 19 STRs were 0.7775, 0.0699, 0.9301, and 0.6085, respectively. Additionally, the cumulative DP and PE values obtained in the Mongolian group were 0.999 999 999 999 999 999 999 995 67 and 0.999 999 992 163, respectively. Furthermore, population genetic analysis of the Mongolian group and 20 published populations was conducted based on the population data of 15 overlapping STRs. Genetic distances indicated that the Mongolian group had closer genetic similarities with the Uyghur, Xibe, and other Chinese populations rather than the other continental populations. Multidimensional scaling analysis further revealed that the Mongolian group possessed similar genetic distributions as most Chinese populations. To sum it all up, these STRs could be used as an extremely efficient tool for forensic applications in the Xinjiang Mongolian group.

Simulated Accelerated Test to Study Correlation Between Color Change in Storage and Medicinal Ingredients of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective: To study the correlation between the content changes of main medicinal ingredients and the color values of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma during storage based on the principle of chromaticity analysis,and to provide reference for studying on the mechanism of discoloration and improving the quality evaluation of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma. Method: Simulated accelerated test was adopted in this study, where Rhei Radix et Rhizoma was stored under high temperature(40±5)℃,high humidity RH(92.5±5)%and strong light(4 000±500)Lx conditions to accelerate its discoloration. For the samples taken at different time points,the color value was determined by spectrophotometer and the total contents of anthraquinone and free anthraquinones,sennoside A,B,catechin and gallic acid were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The correlation between the effective components and the color value of rhubarb was analyzed by SPSS software. Result: During the storage process,it was observed by the eye that the color of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma was significantly darker and darker in the simulated acceleration test. According to the analysis of the chromaticity value results,the changes of chromaticity values L*and E*ab of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma were significantly negatively correlated with free strontium content(PPa* was significantly negatively correlated with gallic acid(PPConclusion: There is a certain correlation between the change of color value and the content of six medicinal ingredients during Rhei Radix et Rhizoma storage.

Transplantation of neural stem cells overexpressing glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor enhances Akt and Erk1/2 signaling and neurogenesis in rats after stroke / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Our previous studies have indicated that the beneficial effects of grafting neural stem cells (NSCs) overexpressing glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in rats after stroke. However, the underlying mechanisms are highly debatable. In this study, we investigated whether neurogenesis, Akt, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2) signaling were involved in this process.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Transient ischemic stroke were induced by occluding middle cerebral artery for 2 hours and reperfusion. At 3 days after reperfusion, GDNF/NSCs, NSCs, and vehicle were administered. Immunohistochemical staining was used to evaluate neurogenesis by nestin antibody; phosphorylation of Akt and Erk1/2 was investigated by Western blotting analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Transplantation of GDNF/NSCs and NSCs significantly increased nestin-positive cells compared to control group (vehicle) from 1 to 7 weeks after reperfusion, and GDNF/NSCs showed stronger effect than NSCs at 2 and 3 weeks after reperfusion. Meanwhile, enhanced phosphorylation level of Erk1/2 was observed in the GDNF/NSCs and NSCs groups compared with control group, and phosphorylation level of Erk1/2 in GDNF/NSCs group was remarkably higher than that of NSCs group at any given time. In contrast, expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1), known as inhibitor of Erk1/2 signaling, was significantly decreased in the GDNF/NSCs and NSCs groups compared with the control group. Moreover, much enhanced and prolonged phosphorylation level of Akt of GDNF/NSCs group was detected compared with control and NSCs group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Grafting GDNF/NSCs enhances neurogenesis and activates Akt and Erk1/2 signaling, that may provide the potential for GDNF/NSCs in stroke treatment.</p>

A review of clinical and histological parameters associated with contralateral neck metastases in oral squamous cell carcinoma / 国际口腔科学杂志·英文版

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has a high incidence of cervical micrometastases and sometimes metastasizes contralaterally because of the rich lymphatic intercommunications relative to submucosal plexus of oral cavity that freely communicate across the midline, and it can facilitate the spread of neoplastic cells to any area of the neck consequently. Clinical and histopathologic factors continue to provide predictive information to contralateral neck metastases (CLNM) in OSCC, which determine prophylactic and adjuvant treatments for an individual patient. This review describes the predictive value of clinical-histopathologic factors, which relate to primary tumor and cervical lymph nodes, and surgical dissection and adjuvant treatments. In addition, the indications for elective contralateral neck dissection and adjuvant radiotherapy (aRT) and strategies for follow-up are offered, which is strongly focused by clinicians to prevent later CLNM and poor prognosis subsequently.

Expression of CYR61 and VEGF in extranodal nasal-type NK/T cell lymphoma and their significances / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of CYR61 and VEGF in extranodal nasal-type NK/T cell lymphoma and its significance.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>CYR61 mRNA and VEGF mRNA were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR method in 20 cases of extranodal nasal-type NK/T cell lymphoma. Expressions of CYR61 and VEGF were studied by immunohistochemistry in 40 cases of the tumor.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Over-expression of CYR61 mRNA and VEGF mRNA was found in 19/20(95.0% ) and 15/20(75.0% ) cases, respectively. (2)Tumor cells expressing CYR61 protein and VEGF protein were detected in 38(95.0% ) and 25 (62. 5% ) of the 40 cases respectively, being no significant difference from the control. Co-expression of CYR61 and VEGF at both the mRNA and protein levels was 95.0% and 65.0% , respectively. Over-expression of CYR61 and VEGF at both mRNA and protein levels was found in 8 of the 40 cases. (3) The prognosis of the patients over-expressing CYR61 and VEGF was worse.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In extranodal nasal-type NK/T cell lymphoma, the expression level of CYR61 and VEGF was changed and it may be of prognostic implication of</p>

Increased atria expression of receptor activity-modifying proteins in heart failure patients / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Receptor activity-modifying proteins (RAMPs) determine the ligand specificity of the calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR); co-expression of RAMP1 and CRLR results in a calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) receptor, whereas the association of RAMP2 or RAMP3 with CRLR gives an adrenomedullin(ADM) receptor. As CGRP and ADM may play a beneficial role in heart failure, this study aimed at the question whether RAMPs mRNAs are changed in heart failure.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Semi-quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) was used to detect and quantify the mRNAs of RAMP1 and RAMP3 in the atria of heart failing patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>It was found that the expressions of RAMP1, RAMP2 and RAMP3 mRNAs increased with the worsening of heart function, but the expressions of RAMP1 and RAMP2 mRNA decreased at level IV of heart failure.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The above results demonstrated in the atria of heart failure patients an up-regulation of CGRP receptor by an increase of RAMP1 in association with CRLR and an up-regulation of ADM receptor by an increase of RAMP2 expression in association with CRLR, thus suggesting that CGRP and ADM receptors be playing a functional role in compensating the chronic heart failure in human.</p>

Study on the status of cell differentiation in nasal NK/T-cell lymphomas / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the status of cell differentiation in nasal NK/T cell lymphomas.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 88 cases of NK/T cell lymphomas were collected. Antibodies to the following antigens were used in the immunohistochemical study: T cell differentiation antigens (CD3epsilon, CD5 and CD1a); NK cell associated antigens (CD56, CD57) and antibodies of CD34 and CD38.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Clinicopathology: clinically, frequently involved sites were the nasal cavity and the pharynx. Ulceration and erosion of the mucosa were common signs. Pathologically, diffuse infiltration of the tumor cells was observed in 68 of 88 (70.45%) cases of nasal NK/T cell lymphomas. In 71 (80.68%) cases infiltrated cells were predominantly medium to large sized; (2) Differentiation status of tumor cells: the tumor cells expressed CD3epsilon in 78/88 (88.64%); CD5 in 56/88 (63.63%), CD56 in 25/88 (28.41%) and no positivity for CD1a, CD57, CD34 and CD38.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Status of tumor cell differentiation in nasal NK/T cell lymphoma may have passed the stage of progenitor cell differentiation but not yet to the stage of mature T or NK cells.</p>