Forensic Study on Objective Evaluation of Visual Acuity of Ametropia with the Event-related Potential P3.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to assess the characteristics of the P3 component from an event-related potential (ERP) that was induced by visual acuity (VA) processing. Furthermore, we sought to provide electrophysiological evidence for the objective evaluation of VA. METHODS: We recruited 32 participants with myopia-related ametropia. They reported no other ocular diseases and had an uncorrected VA of 4.0 in both eyes. We used the block letter "E" at different visual angles and orientations as the graphic stimuli. The oddball paradigm, consisting of 4 modules, was used for ERP analysis. The standard stimuli of each module were identical, with a visual angle of 1°15'. The visual angles of the target stimuli were 1°15', 55', 24', and 15'. The VA test was performed on each eye separately for all participants, and all characteristics of the P3 component were analyzed. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the P3 peak letencies between the target stimulation angle 1°15' group and the 55' group, or between the target stimulation angle 24' group and the 15' group. There was a significant difference in the P3 peak letencies between the target stimulation angle 1°15' group and the 24' group as well as the 15' group. There was a significant difference in the P3 peak letencies between the target stimulation angle 55' group and the 24' group as well as the 15' group. No significant differences were observed in the P3 amplitude between modules. CONCLUSION: In the oddball paradigm, P3 elicitation indicated a cognitive response to the target stimuli. These data showed that the characteristics of P3 can be used as an objective evaluation of VA.

Haplotype and Genetic Analysis of 41 Y-STR Loci in the Wuwei Han Population from Gansu Province, China.

OBJECTIVE: Y-Chromosomal short tandem repeat polymorphism (Y-STR) analysis plays an indispensable role in the identification of male individuals, population genetics, and biogeographic research. While profiles of many populations based on Y-STR markers in human genomes are ample, haplotype data for the Wuwei Han are still scarce. METHODS: In this study, 2180 unrelated Wuwei Han male individuals residing in Gansu Province, China were collected and genotyped using the novel Microreader™ 40Y Plus ID system. Phylogenetic relationship reconstructions, multidimensional scaling (MDS), and heatmap analysis were performed based on the genetic distance (Rst) values between our studied population and other populations of the Ymax module in the Y-STR Haplotype Reference Database (YHRD). RESULTS: A total of 2129 unique haplotypes were obtained, and the haplotype diversity (HD) and discrimination capacity (DC) for the Wuwei Han were 0.9999 and 0.9931, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that the Wuwei Han population had intimate genetic relationships with East Asians, especially the geographically close Han populations. Overall, this Y-Chromosomal assay gives valuable information about paternal lineages in male individual tracking and genealogical database construction.

Evaluation of Visual Acuity of Ametropia with Visual Event-Related Potential Nogo-P3 Component.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the Nogo-P3 component of event-related potential (ERP) in the process of visual acuity processing, to provide electrophysiological evidence for objective evaluation of visual acuity. METHODS: Twenty-six subjects with no other ocular diseases except for ametropia were recruited, and all subjects had uncorrected visual acuity both eyes 1/10 (evaluated using Monoyer chart). Block letter E with different visual angles and directions were used as graphic stimuli. The Go/Nogo paradigm was used for ERP studies. The visual angle of Go stimulation angle was 1°15', Nogo stimuli were 1°15', 55', 24' and 15'. The visual acuity test was performed on each of the two naked eyes separately in all subjects, and the characteristics of the Nogo-P3 component were analyzed. RESULTS: The latency of Nogo-P3 showed no difference between the stimuli of 1°15' and 55', and between Nogo stimulation angle 24' and 15'. There was significant difference between Nogo stimulation angle 1°15' and 24', and between Nogo stimulation angle 1°15' and 15' (P<0.05). There was significant difference between Nogo stimulation angle 55' and 24', and between Nogo stimulation angle 55' and 15' (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed in the Nogo-P3 amplitude among Nogo stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: In the Go/Nogo paradigm, Nogo-P3 can reflect the cognitive response of subjects to Nogo stimulation, which can be used for objective evaluation of visual acuity.

Improving DNA Data Capacity: Forensic Parameters and Genetic Structure Analysis of Jinjiang Han Population with the Microreader™ Y Prime Plus ID System.

OBJECTIVE: Population genetic analysis based on genetic markers harbors valuable forensic applications. In this regard, it is informative and imperative to explore Han groups as they are the largest population of China. In particular, there is a largely underrepresented amount of information from recent decades regarding the southeast costal Han Chinese. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the available genetic characteristics of the Han population living in the Jinjiang, Fujian Province, Southeastern China. METHODS: We sampled 858 saliva samples and used the commercially available Microreader™ Y Prime Plus ID System to identify population data of Y-short tandem repeat (STR) loci of this region. RESULTS: A total of 822 different haplotypes were observed. The overall haplotype diversity, discriminatory power and haplotype match probability were 0.9999, 0.9999 and 0.0012, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that the Jinjiang Han population was closely genetically related to Han groups of China. Overall, we identified a set of 37 Y-STRs that are highly polymorphic, and that can provide meaningful information in forensic practice and human genetic research.

Genetic characterisation for Yan'an Han population in Northern Shaanxi Province, China, via 38Y-STRs using Yfiler™ Platinum.

BACKGROUND: Haplotype/allele frequency data of Y-chromosomal STR loci in ethnically diverse populations are essential for forensics, anthropology and genealogy. However, genetic structure and forensic characterisation of the Chinese Han population residing in Yan'an, in the Northern Shaanxi Province, remain unclear. AIM: To assess forensic efficiency for 38 Y-Chromosomal STR loci in Yan'an Han population and reveal the population genetic relationships between Yan'an Han and other populations at a nationwide and worldwide level. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 719 healthy unrelated males were genotyped using the Yfiler™ Platinum system. Haplotype/allele frequencies and forensic parameters were calculated. Multi-dimensional scaling plots (MDS) and neighbor-joining (N-J) tree were used to explore the population structure based on the pairwise gene distances (Rst). RESULTS: A total of 707 haplotypes were identified, among which 697 unique haplotypes were observed (98.59%). The overall haplotype diversity (HD) and discrimination capacity (DC) were 0.9999 and 0.9833, respectively. Comprehensive population comparisons showed Yan'an Han is genetically closer to linguistically similar populations in China, and more related to East Asian populations around the world. CONCLUSION: The present results give a unique insight into the Yan'an Han population via the set of 38 Y-STRs, which can be used for forensic practice and human genetics research.

Molecular genetic survey and forensic characterization of Chinese Mongolians via the 47 autosomal insertion/deletion marker.

The Mongolians are mainly distributed in the modern state of Mongolia, China, Russia, and other countries. While the historic and archaeological records of the rise and fall of the Mongol Empire are well documented, little has been known about the genetic legacy of modern Mongolian populations. Here, 611 Mongolian individuals from Hohhot, Hulunbuir, and Ordos of China were genotyped via the 47 Insertion/Deletion markers. Forensically statistical parameters indicated that this InDel system could be applied to forensic investigation in Mongolian populations. The comprehensive population comparisons indicated that targeted Mongolian populations are a homogeneous population, which kept close genetic proximity with geographically northern East Asians. The findings of the model-based clustering analysis revealed a southern East Asian-specific ancestral component, which was maximized in Hainan Li, and Mongolian populations harbored relatively less Hainan Li-related ancestry and more northern East Asian-related ancestry compared with reference Tai-Kadai, Austroasiatic and Sinitic people.

Haplotype diversity and phylogenetic characteristics for Guanzhong Han population from Northwest China via 38 Y-STRs using Yfiler™ Platinum Amplification System.

BACKGROUND: For better application in human forensic cases and population genetics research, it is imperative to investigate the genetic characteristics of Guanzhong Han population using enhanced Y-chromosomal short tandem repeats (Y-STR) detecting system with higher discriminating power than previous ones. METHODS: In this study, 38 Y-STRs were profiled in 430 unrelated Chinese Han male individuals from Guanzhong region of Shaanxi Province, Northwest China, using the Yfiler™ Platinum PCR Amplification Kit. Haplotype frequencies and forensic parameters were calculated. Comprehensive population comparisons with geographically/ethnically different populations in China and other worldwide countries were performed. RESULTS: A total of 422 different haplotypes were observed with the overall haplotype diversity (HD), discriminatory power (DC) and haplotype match probability (HMP) were 0.9999, 0.9814, and 0.0024, respectively. Guanzhong Han showed genetically affinity with Han ethnicity from Shanxi and Henan provinces, while far distant from Tibetan populations. CONCLUSION: This study offered a unique insight into Guanzhong Han population, the 38 Y-STRs included in the the Yfiler™ Platinum system are highly polymorphic and informative and can be used for forensic practice and human genetic research.

Population Genetic Analysis of Modern and Ancient DNA Variations Yields New Insights Into the Formation, Genetic Structure, and Phylogenetic Relationship of Northern Han Chinese.

Modern East Asians derived from the admixture of aborigines and incoming farmers expanding from Yellow and Yangtze River Basins. Distinct genetic differentiation and subsequent admixture between Northeast Asians and Southeast Asians subsequently evidenced by the mitochondrial DNA, Y-chromosomal variations, and autosomal SNPs. Recently, population geneticists have paid more attention to the genetic polymorphisms and background of southern-Han Chinese and southern native populations. The genetic legacy of northern-Han remains uncharacterized. Thus, we performed this comprehensive population genetic analyses of modern and ancient genetic variations aiming to yield new insight into the formation of modern Han, and the genetic ancestry and phylogenetic relationship of the northern-Han Chinese population. We first genotyped 25 forensic associated markers in 3,089 northern-Han Chinese individuals using the new-generation of the Huaxia Platinum System. And then we performed the first meta-analysis focused on the genetic affinity between Asian Neolithic∼Iron Age ancients and modern northern-Han Chinese by combining mitochondrial variations in 417 ancient individuals from 13 different archeological sites and 812 modern individuals, as well as Y-chromosomal variations in 114 ancient individuals from 12 Neolithic∼Iron Age sites and 2,810 modern subjects. We finally genotyped 643,897 genome-wide nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 20 Shanxi Han individuals and combined with 1,927 modern humans and 40 Eurasian ancient genomes to explore the genetic structure and admixture of northern-Han Chinese. We addressed genetic legacy, population structure and phylogenetic relationship of northern-Han Chinese via various analyses. Our population genetic results from five different reference datasets indicated that Shanxi Han shares a closer phylogenetic relationship with northern-neighbors and southern ethnically close groups than with Uyghur and Tibetan. Genome-wide variations revealed that modern northern-Han derived their ancestry from Yakut-related population (25.2%) and She-related population (74.8%). Summarily, the genetic mixing that led to the emergence of a Han Chinese ethnicity occurred at a very early period, probably in Neolithic times, and this mixing involved an ancient Tibeto-Burman population and a local pre-Sinitic population, which may have been linguistically Altaic.

Forensic characterization and genetic polymorphisms of 19 X-chromosomal STRs in 1344 Han Chinese individuals and comprehensive population relationship analyses among 20 Chinese groups.

X-chromosomal short tandem repeats (X-STRs) may assist resolution of complex forensic kinship cases and complement autosomal and Y-chromosomal STRs in routine forensic practice and population genetics. In the present study, we investigated the allele/haplotype diversity and forensic genetic characteristics of 19 X- STRs in 206 Guizhou Han and 1344 Meta-Han Chinese individuals using AGCU X19 PCR amplification system. Population relationships within five Han Chinese population groups (1344 individuals), between Guizhou Han and other 19 Chinese reference populations belonging to four language families (5074 individuals), as well as between Meta-Han Chinese and other 15 minorities (3730 individuals) were performed using Reynolds's, Nei's and Fst genetic distances, principal component analysis (PCA), multidimensional scaling (MDS), Structure and Neighbor-Joining tree. Mean paternity exclusion chance (MEC) in Duos > 0.99999999453588 and in trios > 0.99999999999781, as well as power of discrimination (PD) > 0.99999999999980 in Guizhou Han on the basis of allele frequencies. Consistent high MECs and PDs can be observed in Meta-Han Chinese population based on both allele diversities of 19 markers and haplotype diversities of seven linkage groups (LG). DXS10135 and LG1 are the most informative and polymorphic in Han Chinese group. The comprehensive population comparisons reveal that Han Chinese is a homogenous population and has the genetically closer relationship with Hmong-Mien-speaking groups than Tibetan-Burman-speaking and Turkic-speaking populations. In summary, AGCU X19 PCR amplification system is highly polymorphic and informative in Guizhou Han and Han Chinese populations. The comprehensive population data from 20 Chinese populations analyzed in this study may be used as a reference Chinese frequency database of X-STRs for forensic casework applications.

Performance and kinetic model of degradation on treating pharmaceutical solvent wastewater at psychrophilic condition by a pilot-scale anaerobic membrane bioreactor.

A pilot-scale anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) was operated for 435 days in this study, aiming to treat pharmaceutical solvent wastewater containing m-Cresol (MC), isopropanol (IPA) and N,N-Dimethylformamide (DMF) pollutants at different temperatures of 35 ±â€¯3 °C, 25 ±â€¯3 °C, 15 ±â€¯3 °C and 25 ±â€¯3 °C, respectively. The reactor reached average total removal efficiencies of about 96%, 97.2% and 98% of MC, IPA and DMF at psychrophilic condition (15 ±â€¯3 °C). Higher physical removal rate was obtained at 15 ±â€¯3 °C due to the important contribution of membrane filtration. At this stage, the biogas production, methane content and specific methanogenic activity and extracellular polymeric substances of suspended sludge were observed with the lowest level. Moreover, the kinetic models for solvent degradation were established at different temperatures, results showed the smaller maximum specific substrate degradation rate of MC and IPA, besides, the lowest degradation rate of three solvents were obtained at 15 ±â€¯3 °C.

Characteristics of Pattern Visual Evoked Potential in Two Eyes with Varying Visual Acuity in One Eye and Forensic Application.

In this study, we aimed to study the pattern visual evoked potentials (P-VEPs) in two eyes with varying visual acuity in one eye and to provide an objective estimation of visual acuity by comparing P-VEPs in one and two eyes. Thirty subjects were chosen, who had one eye with an acuity of 5.0, 4.85, 4.6, 4.0, or scieropia and obstructed vision and the other eye with an acuity of 5.0, respectively. P-VEPs were detected under the large grating stimuli at 3×4 spatial frequency, moderate grating stimuli (12×16 spatial frequency) and small grating stimuli (48×64 spatial frequency). Under large grating stimuli, there was no significant difference in P100 peak latency between the groups, nor was there a significant difference between the amplitude of two eyes and the amplitude of one normal-vision eye. Under moderate and small grating stimuli, there was a significant difference in P100 peak latency between the group with both eyes having an acuity of 5.0 and the group with visual acuity below 4.0 in one eye. There was a significant difference in P100 amplitude between the group with visual acuity of 5.0 in both eyes and the group with one normal-vision eye. There was no significant difference in the amplitude of two eyes and the amplitude of one normal-vision eye between any other two groups. In forensic identification, characteristics and variability of P-VEPs in one and two eyes can be used to identify malingering or decline in visual acuity.

Performance and methane fermentation characteristics of a pilot scale anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) for treating pharmaceutical wastewater containing m-cresol (MC) and iso-propyl alcohol (IPA).

In this study, a pilot scale anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) was operated for 80 days to treat pharmaceutical wastewater containing m-cresol (MC) and iso-propyl alcohol (IPA). The aim of the study is to investigate the performance and methane fermentation characteristics of AnMBR at different hydraulic retention time (HRT) (48, 36, 24, 18 and 12 h). The average total removal efficiencies of MC and IPA were 95%, 96% during the 80 days, which demonstrated that the AnMBR system performed well in the MC and IPA removal. The major volatile fatty acid (VFA) was found to be acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, besides, the VFA accumulated apparently when HRT decreased to 12 h. The decrease of HRT led to an increase of relative abundance of methanosarcina from 13 to 33% and a decrease in biogas yield from 0.19 to 0.05 L/gCODremoval. The biogas production was found to increase dramatically at HRT of 36 h. The trend of methane content kept stable at this stage with the average value of 78.5% which higher than other HRTs. The investigation of methanogen community showed that methanosarcinaceae was always dominant acetoclastic methanogens and methanomicrobiales was the dominant hydrogen utilizers throughout the operational period. When the HRT dropped to 12 h, the growth of the methanosarcinaceae and methanomicrobiales was observed, the amount of the methanosarcinaceae and methanomicrobiales sharply increased. After the overall research, HRT of 36 h was chosen as the most suitable operating condition due to the comprehensively preferable performance and more economical.

The performance and membrane fouling rate of a pilot-scale anaerobic membrane bioreactor for treating antibiotic solvent wastewater under different cross flow velocity.

The performance of a pilot-scale anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) for treating antibiotic solvent wastewater under different cross flow velocities (CFV) was investigated. Effects of mixed liquid suspended solids (MLSS), colloid total organic carbon (TOC) and CFV on membrane fouling rate (RMF) were also explored in this paper. Throughout 341 days of experiment, the average total removal rate of N, N-Dimethylformamide (DMF) was 98.5% which hardly affected by the variation of CFV, and the compliance rate of DMF was 92% according to the Chinese standard (<25 mg/L). However, the relevant high total removal rate of M-cresol (MC) was achieved as 97.5%, the content of effluent failed to meet the national level emission standard (<0.1 mg/L). The biogas yield and the methane content of the biogas increased gradually with the increase of CFV, and the average methane content were over 70%. There were four kinds of methanogens in AnMBR, Methanosaeta spp was the largest methanogenic community, with an area of 45-70% of the archae. There was a linear relationship between colloid TOC and RMF at different MLSS concentrations. Then a universal mathematical model for the changes of RMF with influence factors was established. The result showed that model well fitted the laboratory data. It is suggested that the model proposed could reflect and manage the membrane fouling of AnMBR treating antibiotic solvent wastewater.

Effect of organic loading rate on the removal of DMF, MC and IPA by a pilot-scale AnMBR for treating chemical synthesis-based antibiotic solvent wastewater.

This study focuses on the effects of organic loading rate (OLR) on the removal of N,N-Dimethylformamide(DMF), m-Cresol (MC) and isopropyl alcohol (IPA) by a pilot-scale anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) for treating chemical synthesis-based antibiotic solvent wastewater at period of improved influent COD concentration with decreased HRT. The whole process was divided into five stages in terms of the variation of OLR ranging from 3.9 to 12.7 kg COD/(m3·d). During 249 days of operating time, the average DMF, MC, IPA removal efficiency were 96.9%,98.2% and 96.4%, respectively. Cake layer was accumulated on the membrane surface acted as a dynamic secondary biofilm which lead to the increase of physical removal rate. In addition, mathematical statistical models was built on the linear regression techniques for exploring the inner relationship between EPS and the performance of the AnMBR.

Performance and extracellular polymers substance analysis of a pilot scale anaerobic membrane bioreactor for treating tetrahydrofuran pharmaceutical wastewater at different HRTs.

Tetrahydrofuran (THF) is one of the most representative characteristics of pollutant in pharmaceutical industry usually has high biological toxicity, making it difficult to treat. In this study, a pilot scale anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) was employed to treat THF pharmaceutical wastewater under different hydraulic retention time (HRT). During the 80-day operating time, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and THF removal efficiencies reached 95.3% and 98.5% when HRT was above 24h. Mixed liquid suspended solids (MLSS) and mixed liquor volatile suspended solids (MLVSS) in the attached sludge on membrane surface showed a trend of rising on first 28days (48h-36h) and then decreasing. Protein is the major component of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) independent of changes in HRT. The study concludes that THF pharmaceutical wastewater can be effectively remedied in the AnMBR system at low HRT.