Automation and developmental validation of the ForenSeq™ DNA Signature Preparation kit for high-throughput analysis in forensic laboratories

Massively parallel sequencing (MPS) applications in forensic science highlight the advantages of this technique compared to capillary electrophoresis (CE). The multiplexing of a wide range of genetic markers and access to the full amplicon sequence, allowing the detection of isoalleles, make it a very promising tool which could be applied to the most challenging casework DNA samples. However, the complexity of the manual library preparation protocol, potential DNA contamination and sample tracking issues are the main reasons why forensic scientists still hesitate to implement MPS analytical workflows in their laboratory. Here, we present the automation of all library preparation steps for up to 96 samples using the Verogen’s ForenSeq^™ DNA Signature Preparation kit. This automated protocol, developed on a Hamilton ID STARlet robotic platform, is designed to allow the combined sequencing of rich and poor DNA samples thanks to a final step which adjusts normalized library pooling volume to guarantee a uniform depth of coverage across all samples. Our study includes tests of concordance, repeatability, reproducibility and sensitivity (1000 pg, 700 pg, 500 pg, 250 pg, 100 pg and 50 pg). Sequencing results obtained with the automated protocol were found to be concordant with previous validation studies using the manual protocol in terms of depth of coverage and allele coverage ratio. The results of this study will assist forensic laboratories seeking to acquire a plug and play solution to optimize the processing and analysis of casework samples with MPS.     

PubPeer有关中国学术论文的评论分析及思考

【目的】 分析PubPeer网站有关中国作者发表学术论文的评论,为探索出版后开放同行评议提供参考。【方法】 按信息分类法归类网站评论,统计并比较针对中国、美国及英国作者论文的各类评论构成及作者对评论的反应。【结果】 网站评论均主要由质疑类、通告类和感想类构成,其中质疑类评论在3个国家中均占主导。中国被质疑论文的占比为93.9%,显著高于英美(68.0%、42.5%)(P<0.05),其中被质疑存在图片问题和涉及论文工厂的论文构成比分别为69.9%、12.6%,也高于英美。我国有20.9%的作者就质疑类评论进行回复,其中64.8%认可评论质疑内容,与英美类似;我国有7.3%的回复者就质疑类和感想类评论与读者进行交流,该比例低于英美。【结论】 PubPeer网站评论分析提示,我国被质疑的论文占比高,图片及论文工厂质疑突出;针对质疑评论,超六成的回复者认可质疑内容。鉴于实施出版后监督、反馈和促进交流的需求,我国应探索出版后开放同行评议网站的实践。     

纽约大学图书馆可重复性研究支持服务的分析及启示

通过网络调查和内容分析，从服务对象、服务内容、人员配置和服务设施等方面对纽约大学图书馆可重复性研究支持服务进行调研分析，并在此基础上总结其服务特点，提出研究型图书馆应积极应对研究领域的“可重复性危机”，倡导开放科学和可重复性研究，加强基础设施建设和开发应用软件，开展嵌入科研过程的可重复性研究培训和咨询，以期为提升研究的可重复性做出贡献。     

牙颌组织及修复体三维几何学、有限元模型的设计

目的 建立口腔修复各类模型及模型库系统。方法 以正常颌骨及牙弓为样本，在CT技术及计算机软件（PRO／E，ANSYS等的）的帮助下，首先建立部分上颌骨及下颌骨的三维几何学模型和有限元模型，再建立牙颌组织和修复体的各类模型库，最后探讨模型和模型库的应用方法。结果 建立了部分上颌骨，下颌骨，牙列及修复体的三维模型及模型库。结论 模型具有较好的力学相似形和几何学相似形，模型库应用高效方便。     

可摘局部义齿三维几何学模型库的应用

目的 探讨可摘局部义齿修复体模型库的应用方法。方法 借助PRO／E,POWERSHAPE等软件,合理设计模型库的结构,并探讨快速高效的使用方法。结果 模型库可通过“调用－编辑”和“单元组”的方法应用。结论 该模型库有较合理的组成结构,应用高效,快速。     

网站研发与测试:在线学习痛经的自我管理

研发与测试一交互式名为"痛经健康促进信息网"网站.本交互式网站应用因特网结合文字、动态与静态影像、动画、图片、照片、相关网站连结,强调学习者与网站的交互式自我学习与自我管理.本网站建置在IBM WebSphere 5.O网络服务器上,以IBM DB2为数据库,美工与图片编辑与制作选用Ulead公司的PhotoImpact 6.0软件,动画档案则以Macromedia公司的Flash 5.0软件编辑而成.本网站参考国内外相关文献,经由专家指导修改编整后建置而成.38位高中女生参与网站在线学习的成效试验.研究结果显示,网站结合耳穴贴压后,试验者能有效的减低其痛经程度,痛经者的疼痛感觉、疼痛强度以及经期不适症状得到改善.大多数的试验者给予本网站很高的肯定评价,显示本网站有助于青少女自我学习以缓解痛经,并能提升青少女自我管理行为与健康促进能力.     

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy—a biopsychosocial approach

This paper highlights the key role that paediatric physiotherapists have in the treatment and management of neuromuscular disorders. However, in order to fully appreciate this role, an understanding of the psychosocial implications of progressive neuromuscular disorders, and the impact this has upon the family unit is necessary. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is the most common childhood neuromuscular disorder and many texts acknowledge the paradigm that the family is the patient. Management of this group should take into account the impact of the social, emotional and physical manifestation of the condition upon the family unit. This review discusses the literature to date in this field and offers an insight into the complex family dynamics of caring for a young man with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. By exploring the psychosocial aspect of this degenerative disorder, the physiotherapist will be better equipped to manage the changing needs of this client group whilst assisting the family to adapt to each new stage of the disease progression.     

Proteomic Analysis for Finding Serum Pathogenic Factors and Potential Biomarkers in Multiple Myeloma

Background:

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant tumor, which takes the second place in malignant blood disease. The clinical symptoms are complicated that make more difficult to diagnose and therapy. Lots of researches focus on the proteins about MM in order to solve those problems. We used proteomic methods to find potential biomarkers in MM patients.

Methods:

We applied the peptide ligand library beads (PLLBs) to deplete high abundance proteins in serum for finding potential pathogenic factors and biomarkers of MM. Using 1D-Gel-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), we identified 789 and 849 unique serum proteins in MM patients and in healthy controls, respectively.

Results:

Twenty-two proteins were found differentially expressed between the two groups including serum amyloid A protein, vitamin D-binding protein isoform-1 precursor, plasma kallikrein, and apolipoprotein A-I. Changes of integrin alpha-11 and isoform-1 of multimerin-1 were validated with Western blotting. The linkage of the differentially expressed proteins and the pathogenesis pathways of MM were discussed.

Conclusions:

PLLB combined with 1D-gel-LC-MS/MS analysis is an efficient method to identify differentially expressed proteins in serum from patients with MM.