Feline mitochondrial DNA sampling for forensic analysis: When enough is enough!

Pet hair has a demonstrated value in resolving legal issues. Cat hair is chronically shed and it is difficult to leave a home with cats without some level of secondary transfer. The power of cat hair as an evidentiary resource may be underused because representative genetic databases are not available for exclusionary purposes. Mitochondrial control region databases are highly valuable for hair analyses and have been developed for the cat. In a representative worldwide data set, 83% of domestic cat mitotypes belong to one of twelve major types. Of the remaining 17%, 7.5% are unique within the published 1394 sample database. The current research evaluates the sample size necessary to establish a representative population for forensic comparison of the mitochondrial control region for the domestic cat. For most worldwide populations, randomly sampling 50 unrelated local individuals will achieve saturation at 95%. The 99% saturation is achieved by randomly sampling 60–170 cats, depending on the numbers of mitotypes available in the population at large. Likely due to the recent domestication of the cat and minimal localized population substructure, fewer cats are needed to meet mitochondria DNA control region database practical saturation than for humans or dogs. Coupled with the available worldwide feline control region database of nearly 1400 cats, minimal local sampling will be required to establish an appropriate comparative representative database and achieve significant exclusionary power.     

RNA/DNA co-analysis from human skin and contact traces – results of a sixth collaborative EDNAP exercise

The European DNA profiling group (EDNAP) organized a sixth collaborative exercise on RNA/DNA co-analysis for body fluid/tissue identification and STR profiling. The task was to identify skin samples/contact traces using specific RNA biomarkers and test three housekeeping genes for their suitability as reference genes. Eight stains, a skin RNA dilution series and, optionally, bona fide or mock casework samples of human or non-human origin were analyzed by 22 participating laboratories using RNA extraction or RNA/DNA co-extraction methods. Two sets of previously described skin-specific markers were used: skin1 pentaplex (LCE1C, LCE1D, LCE2D, IL1F7 and CCL27) and skin2 triplex (LOR, KRT9 and CDSN) in conjunction with a housekeeping gene, HKG, triplex (B2M, UBC and UCE). The laboratories used different chemistries and instrumentation. All laboratories were able to successfully isolate and detect mRNA in contact traces (e.g., human skin, palm-, hand- and fingerprints, clothing, car interiors, computer accessories and electronic devices). The simultaneous extraction of RNA and DNA provides an opportunity for positive identification of the tissue source of origin by mRNA profiling as well as a simultaneous identification of the body fluid donor by STR profiling. The skin markers LCE1C and LOR and the housekeeping gene marker B2M were detected in the majority of contact traces. Detection of the other markers was inconsistent, possibly due to the low amounts and/or poor quality of the genetic material present in shed skin cells. The results of this and the previous collaborative RNA exercises support RNA profiling as a reliable body fluid/tissue identification method that can easily be combined with current STR typing technology.     

Population and forensic data for three sets of forensic genetic markers in four ethnic groups from Iran: Persians,Lurs, Kurds and Azeris

A total of 255 individuals (Persians, Lurs, Kurds and Azeris) from Iran were typed for three sets of forensic genetic markers with the NGM SElect™, DIPplex^® and Argus X-12 kits. Statistically significant deviations (P ≤ 0.002) from Hardy–Weinberg expectations were observed for the insertion-deletion markers HLD97 and HLD93 after Holm–Šidák correction. Statistically significant (P < 0.05) levels of linkage disequilibrium were observed between markers within two of the four studied X-chromosomal linkage groups. AMOVA analyses of the three sets of markers did not show population structure when the individuals were grouped according to their ethnic group. The Iranian population grouped closely to populations living geographically near to Iran based on pairwise F_ST distances. The matching probabilities ranged from 1 in 3.2 × 10⁷ males by using haplotype frequencies of four X-chromosomal haplogroups to 1 in 3.4 × 10²¹ individuals for the 16 autosomal STRs.     

An optimized procedure for obtaining DNA from fired and unfired ammunition

Gun crimes are a significant problem facing law enforcement agencies. Traditional forensic examination of firearms involves comparisons of markings imparted to bullets and cartridge casings during the firing process. DNA testing of casings and cartridges may not be routinely done in crime laboratories due a variety of factors including the typically low amounts of DNA recovered. The San Diego Police Department (SDPD) Crime Laboratory conducted a study to optimize the collection and profiling of DNA from fired and unfired ammunition. The method was optimized to where interpretable DNA results were obtained for 26.1% of the total number of forensic casework evidence samples, and provided some insights into the level of secondary transfer that might be expected from this type of evidence. Briefly detailed are the results from the experimental study and the forensic casework analysis using the optimized process. Mixtures (samples having more DNA types than the loader’s known genotype detected or visible at any marker) were obtained in 39.8% of research samples and the likely source of DNA mixtures is discussed.     

Comparison of survival outcomes between Expanded Criteria Donor and Standard Criteria Donor kidney transplant recipients: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

In 2002, the United Network for Organ Sharing proposed increasing the pool of donor kidneys to include Expanded Criteria Donor (ECD). Outside the USA, the ECD definition remains the one used without questioning whether such a graft allocation criterion is valid worldwide. We performed a meta‐analysis to quantify the differences between ECD and Standard Criteria Donor (SCD) transplants. We paid particular attention to select studies in which the methodology was appropriate and we took into consideration the geographical area. Thirty‐two publications were included. Only five studies, all from the USA, reported confounder‐adjusted hazard ratios comparing the survival outcomes between ECD and SCD kidney transplant recipients. These five studies confirmed that ECD recipients seemed to have poorer prognosis. From 29 studies reporting appropriate survival curves, we estimated the 5‐year pooled nonadjusted survivals for ECD and SCD recipients. The relative differences between the two groups were lower in Europe than in North America, particularly for death‐censored graft failure. It is of primary importance to propose appropriate studies for external validation of the ECD criteria in non‐US kidney transplant recipients.     

广东省“互联网+护理服务”试点医疗机构护理服务调查

目的 了解广东省“互联网+护理服务”试点工作进展,为政策制定提供依据。 方法 选取177所“互联网+护理服务”试点医疗机构,使用广东省卫生健康委员会平台统一设计的统计表进行横断面调查,包括管理及服务制度、运行机制及流程、出诊护士培训体制等。 结果 实际开展“互联网+护理服务”工作的试点机构146个,其中三级医院占58.90%;共有13 154名护士参与服务,服务总人次为192 442,平均患者满意度96.63%,出诊护士对试点工作总体满意度为88.67%。实际开展“互联网+护理服务”项目数43项,其中服务量排序靠前的项目为母婴护理（44 074人次）、生命体征监测（23 313人次）、家庭巡视（21 636人次）;排序靠后为人工肛门便袋护理（16人次）和一般灌肠（16人次）。 结论 广东省的“互联网+护理服务”试点工作已经取得初步成效,初步形成符合本地特色的服务模式,但仍需扩大服务人群,补充服务项目,优化支付机制,加强监管系统。     

感染预防和控制护理缺失量表的汉化及信效度检验

目的 对英文版感染预防和控制护理缺失量表进行汉化,为评估护士在医院感染预防和控制活动上的缺失提供有效的测量工具。方法 按照Brislin原则对英文版量表进行翻译,通过专家咨询和预试验进行跨文化调适后,并采用便利抽样法选取450名护士进行问卷调查。通过经典测量理论和项目反应理论的Rasch模型对问卷进行信效度检验。结果 中文版感染预防和控制护理缺失量表由分量表B(31个条目,感控护理活动缺失的类型及频率)和分量表C(20个条目,感控护理缺失的原因)组成,分量表总的Cronbach′s α系数分别为0.973和0.902,重测信度分别为0.917和0.957,内容效度(S-CVI)分别为0.973和0.949。Rasch分析中残差主成分分析显示分量表B符合单维性,分量表C非单维性,其4个维度符合单维性;分量表B、C的项目信度分别为0.97和0.98,分离指数分别为5.27和7.20,样本信度分别为0.85和0.88,分离指数分别为2.42和2.73。结论 中文版感控护理缺失量表信效度较好,可作为评估护士的感控护理缺失现状及分析缺失原因的测量工具。     

基于潜在剖面分析的农村老年人自主性感知与自我养老能力的关系研究

目的 探究农村老年人自主性感知的差异性及其与自我养老能力的关系。方法 采用一般资料问卷、老年人自我养老能力量表、中文简版自主性感知量表对湖南省350名农村老年人进行问卷调查。运用潜在剖面分析识别自主性感知的潜在类别。结果 农村老年人的自主性感知被识别为3个潜在类别,分别定义为低自主-高依赖型(14.0%)、中等自主型(55.1%)、独立自主型(30.9%)。分层回归分析结果显示,控制人口学变量后,自主性感知可独立解释农村老年人21.9%的自我养老能力变异。结论 农村老年人的自主性感知呈现类别分布,即低自主-高依赖型、中等自主型、独立自主型;低自主-高依赖型者自我养老能力最低,需重点关注。     

跌倒恐惧对老年糖尿病患者生活空间移动的影响及阈值效应研究

目的 探讨跌倒恐惧对老年糖尿病患者生活空间移动性的影响及阈值效应。方法 对435例老年糖尿病患者采用一般资料问卷、修订版跌倒效能量表(测评跌倒恐惧)、生活空间评估表进行调查,行单因素分析、分层logistic回归分析、建立平滑拟合曲线分析阈值效应,探索影响因素与影响程度。结果 患者生活空间移动得分59.13±14.14,45.7%存在生活空间移动受限。跌倒效能得分7.55±1.44。分层logistic回归分析显示,跌倒恐惧、户外环境感知、糖尿病并发症是生活空间移动受限的主要影响因素(均P<0.05)。拟合曲线及阈值效应分析显示,跌倒效能得分≤6.50时生活空间移动水平不受影响(P>0.05),跌倒效能得分>6.50分时生活空间移动水平随跌倒效能得分的增加而增加(P<0.05)。结论 老年糖尿病患者生活空间移动受限比例较高,跌倒效能处于中等水平,跌倒效能得分>6.50可作为患者具有活动自信心的节点,制定安全活动干预措施还应综合考虑环境与糖尿病并发症的影响。