[Association of blood arsenic level with hyperuricemia among elderly aged 65 years and older in 9 longevity areas of China].

Objective: To investigate the association of blood arsenic level with hyperuricemia among elderly aged 65 years and older. Methods: Data was collected in 9 longevity areas from Heathy Aging and Biomarkers Cohort Study between 2017 and 2018. 2 438 participants aged 65 years and older with complete information on blood arsenic and uric acid were included in this study. Information including demographics characteristic, life style and health status was collected by questionnaire and physical examination. Meanwhile, venous blood was collected to detect the levels of blood arsenic and uric acid. Subjects were stratified into three groups (low, middle and high) by tertiles of blood arsenic level. Logistic regression models were used to analyze the association of blood arsenic level with hyperuricemia. Results: The age of participants was (84.57±11.41) years, of which 1 172 (48.07%) were male and 1 525 (62.55%) were over 80 years old. The detection rate of hyperuricemia was 17.23% (420), and the detection rates of hyperuricemia were 11.77%, 19.25% and 20.62% among participants with low, middle and high blood arsenic, respectively (P<0.001). After controlling confounding factors, compared with participants who had low blood arsenic, the ORs (95%CI) of hyperuricemia for the participants with middle and high blood arsenic were 1.57 (1.12-2.23) and 2.08 (1.46-2.99), respectively. Subgroups analysis showed that compared with female, the association between blood arsenic level and hyperuricemia was more obvious in males (Pinteraction<0.05). Conclusion: Blood arsenic level is associated with the risk for hyperuricemia among the elderly aged 65 years and older in 9 longevity areas in China.

[Association of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio with depressive symptoms among older adults aged 65 years and above in 9 longevity areas of China].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the risk of depression symptoms among older adults aged 65 and above in 9 longevity areas of China. Methods: Data was collected in 9 longevity areas of China from Healthy Aging and Biomarkers Cohort Study (HABCS) conducted between 2017 and 2018. Finally,2018 elderly aged 65 years and above with complete information on neutrophil count, lymphocyte count and depressive symptoms were included in this study. Information on demographic characteristics, lifestyle, and health status was collected through questionnaire and physical examination. Complete blood counts which included lymphocytes and neutrophils were obtained by testing venous blood samples. Participants were divided into four groups by the quartile of NLR level, i.e. Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4. Logistic regression model was applied to analyze the association of NLR with depression symptoms. Results: Among 2 018 older adults, the mean(±SD) age was 82.6(±10.73), 1 032(51.14%) were male, 390(19.33%) were detected with depressive symptoms. Compared with participants of NLR in the 1st quartile, the OR(95%CI) of risk for depressive symptoms was 1.47 (0.99, 2.19), 1.67 (1.13, 2.47) and 1.95 (1.32, 2.89), respectively. Conclusion: Increased NLR level is significantly related to depressive symptoms among elderly aged 65 years and above in 9 longevity areas in China.

[Association of blood uric acid and cognitive impairment in oldest-old aged 80 years and older in 9 longevity areas of China].

Objective: To examine the association of blood uric acid (UA) and cognitive impairment (CI) among oldest-old adults in China. Methods: Data was collected in 9 longevity areas of China from Healthy Aging and Biomarkers Cohort Study (HABCS) conducted during 2017-2018. Finally,1, 622 elderly aged 80 years and older with complete information on blood UA and cognitive function score were included in this study. Information on demographic characteristics, lifestyle, and health status were collected through questionnaire and physical examination. Venous blood samples of the participants were collected to test blood UA level. Cognitive impairment (CI) was assessed using the Chinese Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) according to personal educational level. Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) model for binary data was used to analyze the association of blood UA and CI, and further compared the associations among different age and body mass index (BMI) groups. Results: Of the 1 622 oldest-old, the mean age was (92.2±8.1) years, 656 (40.4%) were male, the mean level of blood UA was (343.3±86.2) µmol/L, and 482 (29.7%) oldest-old had CI. Compared with the lowest quartile of UA, the risks of CI in the second, third and highest quartiles were gradually reduced, the corresponding ORs and 95%CI were 0.99 (0.71-1.33), 0.87 (0.68-0.94) and 0.69 (0.48-0.85), respectively; and the linear trend test was statistically significant (P<0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that the effects of higher UA associated with lower risk of CI were stronger in younger oldest-old (aged 80-89 years) and thinner group (BMI<24) (Pinteraction<0.05). Conclusions: Blood UA was negatively associated with the risk of having CI in the oldest-old among the nine longevity areas of China.

Prospects of Application of Microbial Biofilm to Estimate PMI of Corpses in Water.

ABSTRACT: In forensic pathology, the estimation of postmortem interval （PMI） has always been a difficult issue, and there is still lack of effective methods to estimate PMI of corpses in water. Microbial biofilm refers to the microbial population attached to non-biological or biological surfaces by microorganisms during microbial growth, that has a three-dimensional structure, surrounded by extracellular polymers and matrix networks created by itself. A series of community succession phenomena of microorganisms occur during the occurrence and development of microbial population. The microbial community and its succession process of this kind of biofilm attached to the surface of a corpse in water may become a new basis for estimation of the PMI of corpses in water. This review elucidates on the concept, classification, research methods, and influencing factors of biofilm and analyzes its application prospects in PMI estimation of corpses in water, which would provide new ideas for the researches in this field.

Retrospective Analysis on 1 900 Cases of Medical Malpractices.

ABSTRACT: Objective To study the change trend, distribution characteristics and causes of medical malpractices in 18 years, through retrospective analysis of 1 900 cases of medical malpractices, in order to provide guidance for the precaution and the treatment of medical malpractices. Methods A thousand and nine hundred medical malpractice cases that were accepted by Hunan Xiangya Judical Identification Center from 2000 to 2017 were collected. Statistical analysis on the caseloads, the clients, the department distributions, the levels of the hospital and the causes of medical malpractices, etc were conducted. Results The number of cases commissioned by third-party accreditation agencies for medical fault identification was on the rise; The clients of medical malpractices changed significantly in 18 years. Most of the medical malpractice cases occurred in secondary and tertiary hospitals, significantly more in surgery, obstetrics and gynecology. The occurrence of medical malpractices was related to the doctor's insufficient prediction of the severity of the disease and the possible complications, and failure to fully inform the relevant duty of care, etc. Conclusion China's medical malpractice solutions and medical fault identification procedures are gradually improving. Strengthening the medical malpractice precaution awareness of medical workers in surgery, obstetrics and gynecology will be conducive to resolution of medical malpractices.

Research Progress of Aquatic Corpse Decomposition and Postmortem Submersion Interval Estimation.

ABSTRACT: Human corpses can be found in a variety of aquatic environments. The decomposition of corpses in aquatic environments is different from those on land. A large number of factors influence the decomposition process in water, therefore postmortem submersion interval （PMSI） is difficult to estimate. To date, while studies on aquatic corpses are obviously fewer than those on terrestrial corpses, there are many problems in practical work. This review summarizes the stages and influencing factors of aquatic corpse decomposition, and introduces the relevant research progress of PMSI estimation based on decomposition stages, postmortem phenomena, aquatic insects, biofilm, and physical and chemical methods, in order to provide reference for aquatic decomposition researches and practices.

[A perfect pair for the brilliant masterpiece, History of Chinese Medicine-in commemoration of the 130(th) and 140(th) anniversary of the birthday of distinguished modern medical historians, K. Chimin Wong and Wu Lien-teh respectively].

It happens that 2019 is the commemoration date for the 130(th) and 140(th) birthday of K. Chimin Wong and Wu Lien-teh respectively, both famous modern Chinese medical historians, the authors of the book History of Chinese Medicine. Originally, they were inhabitants separated thousand miles away, the former in Eastern China, and the other in Penang, Malaysia. Both were busying in their own business works, Wong was specialized in establishing Museum of Medical History, then the first of its kind in China and the world, with splendid results. Whereas, Wu was fighting at the frontier of the overwhelming pneumonic plague in Manchuria, having successfully terminated this virulent infectious disease in a short period of about a quarter, achieving a global reputation in medical world and thus presided the International Plague Conference held in Mukden, China, attended by invited experts from 11 countries. The latter was also active in the creation of hospitals and medical schools, plague prevention and quarantine services in China. Incidentally, when one of them read the book History of Medicine written by the famous American medical historian Fielding Hudson Garrison, to find that this 700+ -page work only includes the contents for Chinese medicine next to nothing and even with wrong descriptions, both were very frustrated and wrote a letter to its author for clarification. They were even more irritated to receive a reply, complaining that the mistakes were not his own, but simply due to shortage of sources, and even that bit of content was from western sources! To wipe up these wrong "foreign descriptions" , they made up their mind to write a similar book of its own in English language, so as to fill up the gaps in this field, hence, the completion of History of Chinese Medicine in a long course of almost 16 years, formally published in 1932, and an enlarged and revised 2nd edition in 1936. This work is divided into 2 books. Book One is devoted to traditional Chines medicine written by K. Chimin Wong; the other Book Two, written by Wu Lien-teh, is devoted to modern and contemporary Chinese medical history, dealing with western medicine to China from its introduction and after experiencing tortuous course and eventually constituting an integral system on biomedicine in China. At the end of the work, there are appendices, including chronological table, geographical names, person names and subject indices. Evaluation of History of Chinese Medicine after 1949 experienced a huge difference. During the first decades, people deemed it to contain lots of mistakes and to have been influenced by national nihilism and western missionary medicine. As a result, the whole work has been roughly translated into a Chinese version, marked by "for criticism" on its cover. After the country carries out a reform and opening to outside world policy, improper appraisal for this work has been changed and is crowned with "brilliant masterpiece" which virtually fills the gaps of the lack of Chinese medical history in western language. It is known that a Chinese version for this work is ongoing and will be officially published soon.

Meta-analysis of Early Versus Late Ureteric Stent Removal After Kidney Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Ureteral stents have been widely used in kidney transplantation to prevent postoperative ureter-related complications such as ureteral stricture, ureteral obstruction, and ureteral leakage; however, a longer indwelling ureteral stent time corresponds to a greater risk of complications such as urinary tract infections. Currently, transplantation centers have not yet reached an agreement on the time to remove ureteral stents. Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have evaluated the optimal removal time for ureteral stents. OBJECTIVE: This meta-analysis was designed to evaluate and discuss the optimal removal time for ureteral stents after kidney transplantation. METHOD: We used key words to search PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library and retrieve published articles. A total of 568 kidney transplantation patients from 5 RCTs were included in this meta-analysis. We collected information regarding postoperative complications related to indwelling stents, such as ureteral stricture, ureteral obstruction, ureteral leakage, and urinary tract infection, and evaluated whether early removal of ureteral stents (≤7 days) was superior to late removal (≥14 days). RESULTS: A significant difference was observed in the incidence of urinary tract infection between the early removal group and the late removal group (risk ratio [RR] = 0.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.32, 0.59], P < .01). No significant between-group difference was observed in the incidence of major urological complications (MUCs) (RR = 1.87, 95% CI [0.45, 7.70], P > .05). CONCLUSION: Early removal of ureteral stents of transplanted kidneys after kidney transplantation (≤7 days) did not significantly increase the incidence of postoperative MUCs (ureteral stricture, ureteral obstruction, and ureteral leakage) relative to late removal (≥14 days). Early removal may significantly reduce the incidence of postoperative urinary tract infection relative to late removal.

Application of High-throughput Sequencing in Researches of Cadaveric Microorganisms and Postmortem Interval Estimation.

Necrobiome is the main factor causing the cadaver decomposition. Studying the microbial succession during decomposition is one of the main tasks of forensic microbiology. The interactive relationships among cadaver, environment and microorganisms are complicated. The microbial succession study relies on macroscopic monitoring of community composition and the diversity change in each decomposition stage. With the maturity and development of high-throughput sequencing （HTS）, the structure and diversity of microbial communities in different environments have been successively revealed. A new breakthrough to explore the cadaveric microorganisms has been opened as well. It has become the research hotspots in forensic microbiology to reveal the microbial succession in the process of cadaver decomposition and to interpret the essence of various decomposition phenomena by using HTS, which can provide a new reference for postmortem interval （PMI） estimation. The present paper reviews studies on PMI estimation by using cadaveric microorganism. Problems and application prospects of forensic microbiology studies are discussed on the basis of the current application of HTS technology in the exploration of microbial succession.

[Changes in renal function after catheter ablation in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation].

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the changes and outcome of kidney function after catheter ablation in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (PAF). Methods: A total of 146 patients with PAF underwent primary atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation were enrolled from January 2013 to December 2014 and followed up. The subjects were divided into the AF recurrence and AF non recurrence groups. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated and serum creatinine levels were detected before ablation and during follow-up. Renal failure was defined as ≥ 25% decline in eGFR. Kaplan-Meier survival curves was applied for the incidence of renal failure. Cox proportional hazards models were conducted to assess the relationship between recurrence of AF and renal failure. Results: After (16.3±11.8) months of follow-up, the eGFR in patients with no recurrence of AF was higher than that in patients with recurrence. eGFR and ΔeGFR in patients with no AF recurrence differed significantly from those in patients with recurrence [(114.15±18.24) ml·min(-1)·1.73m(-2) vs. (98.64±24.09) ml·min(-1)·1.73m(-2), and (7.42±6.36) ml·min(-1)·1.73m(-2) vs. (-11.40±10.19) ml·min(-1)·1.73m(-2), all P<0.001]. The incidence of the renal failure was significantly lower (4.41% vs. 16.67%, P<0.05) and the survival prognosis was significantly better in patients with no recurrence than those in patients with recurrence (χ(2)=5.965, log-rank P=0.05). The multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that age, baseline eGFR, recurrences of AF and diabetes were independent predictors of the renal failure, with the HR 1.152, 1.086, 13.442 and 6.076, respectively. Conclusions: PAF patients with no recurrence after ablation had a better renal function than those with recurrence, and the recurrence of AF is associated with the deterioration of kidney function in patients with PAF.

[Research Progress of Vitreous Humor Detection Technique on Estimation of Postmortem Interval].

Estimation of postmortem interval （PMI） plays a crucial role in forensic study and identification work. Because of the unique anatomy location, vitreous humor is considered to be used for estima- ting PMI, which has aroused interest among scholars, and some researches have been carried out. The detection techniques of vitreous humor are constantly developed and improved which have been gradually applied in forensic science, meanwhile, the study of PMI estimation using vitreous humor is updated rapidly. This paper reviews various techniques and instruments applied to vitreous humor detection, such as ion selective electrode, capillary ion analysis, spectroscopy, chromatography, nano-sensing technology, automatic biochemical analyser, flow cytometer, etc., as well as the related research progress on PMI estimation in recent years. In order to provide a research direction for scholars and promote a more accurate and efficient application in PMI estimation by vitreous humor analysis, some inner problems are also analysed in this paper.

[Using creatinine reduction ratio as a predictor for delayed graft function of kindey transplant recipients from donor of cardiac death].

Objective: To explore the relationship between creatinine reduction ratio (CRR) and delayed graft function among kidney transplant recipients from donor of cardiac death (DCD). To define the value of CRR to predict delayed graft function (DGF) in early post-transplant period. Method: 86 patients were included, who received renal transplantation from DCD during Jan 1(st) 2011 to Jun 30(th) 2016. We performed a retrospective study and collected creatinine data within 3 days post-operation and marked them with Cr1, Cr2 , Cr3, and then calculated creatinine reduction ratio day-2 (CRR 2) =(Cr1-Cr2)/Cr1×100% and creatinine reduction ratio day-3 (CRR 3)=[(Cr1-Cr2)/Cr1+ (Cr2-Cr3)/Cr2]/2×100%. Patients were divided into two groups by DGF or not. We compared the CRR differenc between DGF group and no DGF group, and drew the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve) to find out the cut-off value to predict delayed graft function. Results: Among 86 patients, DGF appeared in 17 patients. The incidence of DGF was 19.8%. The CRR 2 of patients in no DGF group was (37.5±17.4)% while patients in DGF group was (2.0±24.8)% (P<0.001). The CRR 3 of patients in no DGF group was (32.5±13.1)%, while patients in DGF group was (6.8±17.1)% (P<0.001). Acorrding to ROC curve, when cut-off value of CRR 2 was defined as <20.7%, the predicted value of DGF was the best, sensitivity was 85.5%, specificity was 76.5%, and area under the curve was 0.876. In the same way, when CRR 3 was defined as <17.6%, sensitivity was 89.9%, specificity was 76.5%, area under the curve was 0.872. Conclusion: It is reliable to predict DGF by CRR during early post-operative period. CRR shows high sensitivity and specificity and it is simple. It could guide the adjustion of immunosuppressive regimen, prevent early rejection and improve prognosis.

[The value of serum free light chain in differential diagnosis of monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance].

Objective: To investigate the value of serum free light chain (FLC) in differential diagnosis of monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS). Methods: Forty-nine hospitalized patients who underwent renal biopsy in Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 2013 and December 2015 were included. Monoclonal gammopathy was detected by serum protein electrophoresis (SPE), serum immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE), urine IFE and serum FLC. All patients were classified as MGRS (n=32) and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) (n=17). Results: Renal lesions in MGRS subgroup included light chain amyloidosis (n=24, 75.0%), light chain deposition disease (n=7, 21.9%), and fibrillary glomerulopathy (n=1, 3.1%). Renal diseases in MGUS subgroup included membranous nephropathy (n=10), focal segmental glomerulosclerosi (FSGS) (n=3), diabetic glomerulopathy (n=1), Henoch-Schonlein purpura nephritis (n=1), anti-GBM disease concurrent with membranous nephropathy (n=1) and glomerulomegaly (n=1). Positive number of SPE, serum IFE, urine IFE and abnormal number of serum FLC ratio in MGRS subgroup were 12, 16, 23 and 30, respectively. Positive number of SPE, serum IFE, urine IFE and abnormal number of serum FLC ratio in MGUS subgroup were 11, 17, 6 and 3, respectively. MGRS and MGUS subgroups differed significantly in positive rate of serum IFE (P<0.001), as well as positive rate of urine IFE (P=0.02) and abnormal rate of serum FLC ratio (P<0.001). The sensitivity, specificity, total consistent rate of serum FLC ratio for diagnosis of MGRS were 93.8%, 82.4%, and 89.8% respectively. The sensitivity for diagnosing MGRS could be increased to 100% by combining serum FLC ratio and urine IFE. Conclusions: The significance of monoclonal gammopathy in patients with renal disease should be evaluated by renal pathology.On the premise of excluding lymphoplasmacytic malignancy, serum FLC ratio had promising diagnostic value for MGRS, which was helpful for differential diagnosis of patients who had contraindication to renal biopsy.

Survey of indoor sarcosaphagous insects.

Entomological evidence provides valuable information for estimating postmortem interval and location of death in criminal or legal investigations. The colonization of sarcosaphagous insects are commonly discovered in the decomposed corpses in most indoor cases. Therefore, by analyzing the growth patterns and behavioral rhythms of these insects, the application of indoor sarcosaphagous insects in actual cases can be investigated. This study classifies the common species of indoor sarcosaphagous insects and analyzes the characteristics of these insects (such as foraging, oviposition, and growth). It further discusses the effect of micro-environment on their behavior. In addition, the research status of the application of indoor sarcosaphagous insects in forensic investigations is summarized.

Survey of indoor sarcosaphagous insects

Entomological evidence provides valuable information for estimating postmortem interval and location of death in criminal or legal investigations. The colonization of sarcosaphagous insects are commonly discovered in the decomposed corpses in most indoor cases. Therefore, by analyzing the growth patterns and behavioral rhythms of these insects, the application of indoor sarcosaphagous insects in actual cases can be investigated. This study classifies the common species of indoor sarcosaphagous insects and analyzes the characteristics of these insects (such as foraging, oviposition, and growth). It further discusses the effect of micro-environment on their behavior. In addition, the research status of the application of indoor sarcosaphagous insects in forensic investigations is summarized.

[Impact of PM2.5 on daily outpatient numbers for respiratory diseases in Shenzhen, China].

Objective: To assess the association between the concentration of the air pollutant PM2.5 and daily outpatient visits for respiratory disease. Methods: All records of daily outpatient visits to three hospitals in Shenzhen from January 1 to December 31, 2013 were collected. Daily air pollution monitoring and meteorology data from the same period were also collected in Shenzhen. The data were analyzed using a semiparametric generalized additive model with Poisson distribution of time series analysis controlling for long-term and seasonal trends, flu, DOW, public holidays, and meteorological factors. The excess risk(ER)of respiratory disease and its 95% CI value were calculated, along with the incremental increase of 10 µg/m3 in PM2.5 concentration. Results: Number of outpatient visits for respiratory diseases totaled 1 428 672(daily range: 1 790-5 228). The annual average PM2.5 concentration was 40.2 µg/m3(daily range: 7.2-137.1 µg/m3). The lag1 factor had the most significant impact on the lag effect. We estimated that a 10 µ g/m3 increase in day-before PM2.5 concentration was associated with a 1.809%(95% CI: 1.709%-1.909%)ER of visits for respiratory disease. After controlling for other pollutants(NO2, CO, and O3), the effect remained stable. When NO2, CO, and O3 were introduced separately, for every 10 µg/m3 rise in PM2.5 concentration, the excess risk of daily outpatient visits for respiratory disease was 1.814%(95% CI: 1.706%-1.923%), 2.780%(95% CI: 2.668%-2.892%), and 1.513%(95% CI: 1.403%-1.624%), respectively. With simultaneous control of NO2 and O3, NO2 and CO, and CO and O3, for every 10 µg/m3 rise in PM2.5 concentration, the excess risk of respiratory disease was 1.369%(95% CI: 1.242%-1.497%), 2.709%(95% CI: 2.590%-2.828%), and 2.577%(95% CI: 2.452%-2.702%), respectively. With simultaneous control of NO2, CO, and O3, for every 10 µg/m3 rise in PM2.5 concentration, the excess risk of respiratory disease was 2.370%(95% CI: 2.231%-2.509%). Conclusions: PM2.5 can increase the risk of outpatient visits for respiratory disease in Shenzhen.

[Follow-up study on the effects of lipid ratios on all-cause mortality among elderly adults in longevity areas of China].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between lipid ratios and all-cause mortality among elderly adults aged 80 years and older living in longevity areas of China. METHODS: A total of 874 participants in the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey during June 2009 were included in our baseline survey. Lipid concentrations were measured and lipid ratios including LDL-C/HDL-C, TG/HDL-C, and atherosclerosis index (AI) were calculated at baseline, and the information on questionnaires, body measurement, and blood biochemical profiles was collected. Survival time and survival status were followed up in August 2012. Subjects were stratified into three groups (low, middle and high) by tertiles of lipid ratios. All-cause mortality was calculated. Cox regression models were used to assess the association of lipid ratios with mortality. RESULTS: During 38 months of follow-up, a total of 427 participants had died, 378 participants survived, and 69 participants were lost to follow-up; overall mortality was 50.5%. For these participants, P50 (P25-P75) values for LDL-C/HDL-C were 1.68 (1.22-2.05), 1.85 (1.34-2.16), and 1.78 (1.33-2.08), respectively (H=6.93, P=0.025); values for TG/HDL-C were 1.00 (0.79-1.34), 1.20 (0.97-1.53), and 1.23 (0.95-1.72), respectively (H=9.18, P=0.008). AIs were 2.12 (1.72-2.61), 2.27 (1.84-2.75), and 2.13 (1.80-2.58), respectively (H=6.37, P=0.041). Values for 38-month all-cause mortality were 53.1%, 50.0%, and 44.0% among participants with low, middle, and high LDL-C/HDL-C ratios (<1.39, 1.39-1.92, ≥1.92), respectively (χ(2)=7.54, P=0.024); these values were 54.8%, 46.4%, and 45.3% among participants with low, middle, and high AIs (<1.83, 1.83-2.39, ≥2.39), respectively (χ(2)=6.67, P=0.035). Each 1 unit increase of LDL-C/HDL-C, TG/HDL-C , and AI corresponded to a 17%, 15%, and 13% decrease in 38-month all-cause mortality, respectively; adjusted HRs were 0.83 (0.72-0.97), 0.85 (0.74-0.99), and 0.87 (0.76-0.99), respectively. Compared with participants who had low LDL-C/HDL-C ratios, high ratios were associated with lower risk of mortality (HR 0.88; (95% CI: 0.78-0.99)). Compared with low AIs, middle and high values were associated with lower risk of mortality HRs (95%CI) were 0.84 (0.72-0.98) and 0.87 (0.78-0.98);respectively. CONCLUSION: LDL-C/HDL-C, TG/HDL-C, and AI were negatively associated with all-cause mortality among elderly adults aged 80 years and older living in longevity areas of China.

Y-STR genetic screening by high-resolution melting analysis.

Currently, the widely used automated capillary electrophoresis-based short tandem repeat (STR) genotyping method for genetic screening in forensic practice is laborious, time-consuming, expensive, and technically challenging in some cases. Thus, new molecular-based strategies for conclusively identifying forensically relevant biological evidence are required. Here, we used high-resolution melting analysis (HRM) for Y-chromosome STR genotyping for forensic genetic screening. The reproducibility of the melting profile over dilution, sensitivity, discrimination power, and other factors was preliminarily studied in 10 Y-STR loci. The results showed that HRM-based approaches revealed more genotypes (compared to capillary electrophoresis), showed higher uniformity in replicate tests and diluted samples, and enabled successful detection of DNA at concentrations as low as 0.25 ng. For mixed samples, the melting curve profiles discriminated between mixed samples based on reference samples with high efficiency. The triplex Y-chromosome STR HRM assay was performed and provided a foundation for further studies such as a multiplex HRM assay. The HRM approach is a one-step application and the entire procedure can be completed within 2 h at a low cost. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that the HRM-based Y-STR assay is a useful screening tool that can be used in forensic practice.

The Origin and Development of Medical Jurisprudence in Xiangya.

The origin of medical jurisprudence in China can be traced back to as early as 1920s, and since then, the discipline has undergone a great development. This paper, based on the disciplinary development of medical jurisprudence at Xiangya School of Medicine, illustrates its evolution in three aspects covering the scientific and theoretic foundation, legal system and policy support. The current investigation reflected a glimpse of the modern forensic science in China, providing useful historical reference for the development of Chinese forensic science.

Genetic Polymorphisms of 21 STR Loci in Hunan Province-based Han Population.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the genetic polymorphisms of 21 short tandem repeat （STR） loci （D3S1358, D13S317, D7S820, D16S539, Penta E, D2S441, TPOX, TH01, D2S1338, CSF1PO, Penta D, D10S1248, D19S433, vWA, D21S11, D18S51, D6S1043, D8S1179, D5S818, D12S391 and FGA）. METHODS: A total of 560 blood samples were collected from unrelated healthy individuals of Han population in Hunan Province. Chelex-100 extraction method was applied to the extraction of genomic DNA, and an AGCU EX22 Kit and 9700 STR amplification was used in amplification reactions. The products were separated and analyzed on 310 Genetic Analyzer. RESULTS: A total of 248 alleles were observed, the allelic frequencies ranging from 0.001 to 0.518. Observation of genotype distributions for each locus showed no deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium except Penta E （P=0.023）. The combined power of discrimination, combined power of exclusion, and combined matching probability of the 21 STR loci were approximately 0.999 999 999 999 999 999 999 999 8, 0.999 999 998, and 1.36×10⁻²5, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The 21 STR loci show high polymorphisms in the Han population, which can provide valuable data and a theoretical basis for forensic individual identification and paternity testing.