Forensic characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of 23 Y-STR loci in the Miao population from Guizhou province,southwest China

Background: Investigation of haplotype/allele frequency data of Y-STR loci in ethnically diverse populations is essential for forensic reference database construction and genetic application. However, the population genetic characteristics of the Chinese Miao minority from Guizhou Province remain uncharacterised.

Aim: To assess forensic characteristics for 23 Y-Chromosomal STR loci in Guizhou Miao and explore population genetic relationships with geographically neighbouring populations.

Subjects and methods: Twenty-three Y-Chromosomal STRs were genotyped using the Powerplex^® Y23 system in 103 unrelated Chinese Miao males from Guizhou Province, southwest China. Haplotypes and forensic parameters were obtained. Population relationships of Guizhou Miao with others were revealed using AMOVA and an MDS plot.

Results: A total of 96 haplotypes were identified with overall haplotype diversity (HD) and discrimination capacity (DC) of 0.9985 and 0.9320, respectively. Genetic differentiation was observed with most of the comparison populations, prominently for Guizhou Shui.

Conclusion: The 23 Y-STR loci were highly polymorphic and discriminating in the Guizhou Miao population and could be used for forensic practice and population genetic studies. Population relationship analysis revealed Guizhou Miao had a close genetic relationship with geographically close Guizhou Gelao, as well as Han majorities derived from different regions.     

Clinical Impact of Subclinical Interstitial Fibrosis or Tubular Atrophy in 1-Hour Allograft Biopsy for Remnant Renal Function in Living Kidney Donors: A Prospective Observational Study

BackgroundPreservation of remnant renal function (RRF) is one of the major concerns among living kidney donors (LKDs). A comprehensive assessment is needed to predict the RRF. In this prospective study, we investigated the roles of histologic findings from a 1-hour allograft biopsy in predicting the RRF.MethodsOur prospective study included 116 LKDs who underwent donor nephrectomy (DN) at our institute. Clinical and radiographic data were obtained from their medical charts. Renal volume parameters were calculated using the preoperative computed tomographic images in the volume analyzer SYNAPSE VINCENT image analysis system. Tissues obtained from allograft biopsy were examined. RRF was defined as the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 12 months after DN.ResultsOf 116 LKDs, 95 were finally evaluated. The median age of the LKDs at DN and the preoperative eGFR were 57 years and 80.0 mL/min/1.73 m², respectively. In the histologic analysis, 68 allografts (71.6%) had nonspecific findings involving the glomerulus, vessel, and tubulointerstitium. Interstitial fibrosis or tubular atrophy (IF/TA) was the only significant predictive factor for RRF (P = .039). No significant association was found between renal volume parameters and IF/TA, whereas remnant renal volume adjusted by body weight (RRV/BW) tended to be relatively correlated with IF/TA (P = .072). Furthermore, LKDs with subclinical IF/TA tended to have decreased RRV/BW compared with those without subclinical IF/TA (P = .088).ConclusionsOur findings suggested that the presence of IF/TA could be a predictive factor for RRF after DN. Further research establishing the predictive model for RRF is warranted to improve the outcomes of LKDs.     

基于限制性立方样条探索儿童青少年的骨密度与骨龄发育的关系

目的 通过回顾性分析重庆地区3 776例儿童、青少年骨密度与骨龄发育的关系,为重庆地区的儿童、青少年生长发育评估提供理论依据。方法 回顾性分析3 776例2015年至2019年间在重庆高康健康管理咨询有限公司进行咨询的儿童、青少年的左腕骨X线骨龄片、骨密度、身高、体重。应用Logistic向前逐步回归模型和限制性立方样条分层分析儿童、青少年骨密度与骨龄发育的关系。 结果 本研究中的儿童、青少年在各年龄段均出现骨龄发育提前,其中四个年龄段的男性和女性的骨龄年龄差差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。Logistic回归分析发现性别、骨密度同龄比、生活年龄为骨龄发育的独立影响因素。在性别、年龄和BMI分层的各亚组中,骨龄发育提前的概率在骨密度较低段有少量上升然后下降,在骨密度较高段呈上升趋势,在体格消瘦和正常组中最明显;各年龄段的骨龄发育提前趋势相当;随着BMI的增加,超龄发育概率逐渐向0.8~1.0区间靠近。结论 重庆地区儿童、青少年普遍存在骨龄发育提前的现象,这种现象可能与性别、骨密度、肥胖等因素有关。     

Incentives for voluntary health insurance in a national health system: Evidence from Italy

ObjectivesThe paper evaluates the extent to which the government's policy to encourage the purchase of voluntary health insurance (VHI) may have led to income-related horizontal inequity in access to health care in a universal health care system (NHS).MethodsAd hoc tax return data for the universe of Italian taxpayers for years 2009-2016 are used to estimate the tax benefits granted to taxpayers who hold VHI, the redistributive impact, and the public budget effect. The income elasticity of tax benefits is estimated using tax return data and considering some taxpayers’ characteristics (income class, gender, age, and geographic area). Standard inequality indices are computed to assess income-related horizontal inequity in access to health care.ResultsTax incentives, especially those granted to employer-paid health insurance, have a sizeable impact on tax revenue and introduce into the Italian NHS significant income-related horizontal and vertical inequity in access to health care. The results suggest a distributional profile of tax incentives that is highly concentrated in favor of wealthier taxpayers.ConclusionOur analysis adds novel evidence that may contribute to the current debate on whether and to what extent countries in which all citizens have access to free healthcare and equal standards of healthcare services should subsidize VHI, especially when the coverage doubles the healthcare services provided by universal public insurance. We show that VHI reduces tax revenues and introduces disparities among citizens in terms of access to healthcare services.     

Glutathione conjugation and DNA-binding of ({+/-})-trans-7,8-dihydroxy-7,8-dihydrobenzo[a]pyrene and ({+/-})-7{beta},8{alpha}-dihydroxy-9{alpha},10{alpha}-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene in isolated rat hepatocytes

Isolated rat liver hepatocytes, previously depleted of glutathione(GSH) by treatment with diethylmaleate, were allowed to incorporate[³H]glycine into their GSH. Incubation of ³H-labelled cellswith ¹⁴C-labelled (±)-trans-7,8-dihydroxy-7,8-dihydrobenzo[a]pyrene((±)-BP-7,8-dihydrodiol) or (±)7ß,8-dihydroxy-9,10-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]-pyrene(()-BPDE) revealed the formation of double labelled products.This together with evidence from amino acid analysis indicatesformation of GSH-conjugates of the highly carcinogenic BP-derivatives.Incubation of hepatocytes isolated from 3-methylcholanthrene(MC) treated rats with ³H-labelled (±)-BP-7,8-dihydrodiolor (±)-BPDE resulted in binding of radioactivity to DNA.Reduction of the intracellular level of GSH to 40% of the normallevel resulted in an approximate 2-fold increase in the DNA-bindingof either substrate. In addition there was a concurrent decreasein the amount of GSH-conjugates formed. These data clearly demonstratethat GSH participates in conjugation reactions with carcinogenic(±)-BP-7,8-dihydrodiol and (±)-BPDE and that theintracelluilar level of GSH is important in preventing reactiveintermediates from reacting with the DNA in intact cells.     

A detailed study of developmental immunotoxicity of imidacloprid in Wistar rats

Human exposure to imidacloprid is likely to occur during its use as an acaricide or an ectoparasiticide. Accordingly, the developmental immunotoxic potential of imidacloprid was investigated. Oral exposure was initiated in timed pregnant female Wistar rats on gestation day 6 (GD 6) till GD 21. On GD 20, half of the gravid dams were sacrificed, and in utero fetal development was assessed. In the other half of the dams, administration was continued till weaning on postnatal day 21 (PND 21) and maternal toxicity was investigated. A subgroup of weaned pups was sacrificed to assess immunotoxicity parameters. The other half of the pups were exposed to imidacloprid till PND 42, and immunotoxicity was assessed. The findings revealed post-implantation loss in the highest dose group, indicating the risk of abortion. Soft tissue abnormalities and skeletal alterations were observed in the highest dose group. Humoral immunity was assessed by estimating hemagglutination titer and immunoglobulin production. Cell mediated immunity was assessed by Delayed Type Hypersensitivity, whereas, non-specific immunity was assessed by phagocytic index, and other phenotypic parameters. These data revealed that imidacloprid caused age-dependent adverse effects on the developing immunity which was aggravated when exposure continued throughout development, leading to a compromised immune system.     

新型毒品卡西酮类策划药“浴盐”

"浴盐"是近期在国际范围内出现的一类新型毒品,主要成分包括4-甲基甲卡西酮(Mephedrone)和/或者亚甲基二氧吡咯戊酮(Methylenedioxypyrovalerone,简称MDPV)。本文对该毒品的理化性质、毒副作用、检验方法及管制情况等进行了介绍,希望能帮助法庭科学人员对该毒品有进一步的了解。