Short tandem repeats (STRs) have been widely used in forensic sciences such as stain analysis and paternity testing. Although most of STR typing could give the reliable and clear results, some unusual typing have been observed in forensic practice. The anomalous typing could result from a lot of causes, including DNA genetic variation, poor quality or quantity of DNA template, different typing system or method, nonspecific reaction in PCR or anomalous electrophoresis migration. The unusual results may disturb the right interpretation of STR typing.
DNA Fingerprinting/methods* ; Forensic Medicine/methods* ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods* ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Tandem Repeat Sequences/genetics*

OBJECTIVETo establish a rat model of low calcium diet related hyperoxaluria and explore its features.

METHODSBy means of randomized blocks design, totally 24 SD male rats were divided into low calcium diet group, medium calcium diet group, and high calcium diet group. Each group was sequentially fed on different calcium diets for 3 days. The urinary volume within 24 hours was recorded, the consistency of urinary oxalate by high-efficiency liquid chromatography, and the consistency of urine creatinine by automatic biochemical analyzer. The consistency was corrected to the output of urinary oxalate of rats in 24 hours, and the results were evaluated by repeated measurement of variance analysis and multivariate analysis of variance.

RESULTSThe output of urinary oxalate of rats in 24 hours varied with time (F=7.893, P0.05). The output of urinary oxalate of rats in 24 hours varied with group division (F=3.565, P<0.05). The output of urinary oxalate in 24 hours in three groups on the third day was significantly higher than that on the first day (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONBy controlling the calcium intake, we successfully established the model of low calcium diet related hyperoxaluria in rat.

Animals ; Calcium Carbonate ; administration & dosage ; Diet ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hyperoxaluria ; etiology ; urine ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

BACKGROUNDAdjacent segment degeneration could seriously affect the long-term prognosis of lumbar fusion. Dynamic fixation such as the interspinous fixation, which is characterized by retaining the motion function of the spinal segment, has obtained satisfactory short-term effects in the clinical setting. But there are few reports about the biomechanical experiments on whether dynamic fixation could prevent adjacent segment degeneration.

METHODSThe surgical segments of all 23 patients were L4/5. Thirteen patients with disc herniation of L4/5 underwent Wallis implantation surgery, and 10 patients with spinal stenosis of L4/5 underwent posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF). L3-S1 segmental stiffness and displacement were measured by a spine stiffness gauge (SSG) device during surgery when the vertebral plate was exposed or during spinal decompression or internal fixation. Five fresh, frozen cadavers were used in the self control experiment, which was carried out in four steps: exposure of the vertebral plate, decompression of the spinal canal, implantation of a Wallis fixing device, and PLIF of L4/5 after removing the Wallis fixing device. Then, L3-S1 segment stiffness was measured by an SSG device.

RESULTSThe experiments showed that the average stiffness of the L4/5 segment was (37.1 ± 8.9) N/mm after exposure of the vertebral plate, while after spinal decompression, the average stiffness fell to (26.2 ± 7.1) N/mm, decreasing by 25.8% (P < 0.05). For the adjacent segments L3/4 and L5/S1, their stiffness showed no significant difference between the L4/5 segment decompression and the exposure of the vertebral plate (P > 0.05). After Wallis implantation of L4/5, the stiffness of the cephalic adjacent segment L3/4 was (45.8 ± 10.7) N/mm, which was 20.5% more than that after the exposure of the vertebral plate (P < 0.05); after L4/5 PLIF surgery, the stiffness of L3/4 was (35.3 ± 10.7) N/mm and was decreased by 12.4% more than that after the exposure of the vertebral plate (P < 0.05). The stiffness of the cephalic adjacent segment L3/4 after fixation in the Wallis group was significantly higher than that of the PLIF group (P < 0.05). Cadaver experiments showed that the stiffness of the cephalic adjacent segment in the Wallis group was significantly higher than that of the PLIF group after L4/5 segment fixation (P < 0.05); the stiffness of the L5/S1 segment showed no significant difference between PLIF surgery and Wallis implantation (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAfter interspinous (Wallis) fixation, the stiffness of the cephalic adjacent segment increased. After PLIF with pedicle screw fixation, the stiffness of the cephalic adjacent segment decreased. An interspinous fixation system (Wallis) has a protective effect for cephalic adjacent segments for the immediate post-operative state.

Adult ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Fusion ; instrumentation ; methods

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Ascites ; pathology ; Biopsy ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Child ; Cytodiagnosis ; methods ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell ; pathology ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; pathology ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; pathology ; Lymphoma, T-Cell ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pleural Effusion ; pathology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To understand the forensic practice of DNA profiling from minimal amount of DNA. METHODS: Serial dilutions of DNA were amplified with the PowerPlex 16 System Kit, then the genotyping of short tandem repeat(STR) was performed by ABI 377 DNA automated Sequencer. RESULTS: When the mount of DNA template was less than 250 pg, allelic drop-out apparently occurred at several loci. Other disturbed peaks, such as artefact bands and imbalanced heterozygote, also presented. CONCLUSION The anomalous results may result in incorrect genotyping. Careful and comprehensive considerations are needed to interpret the STR profile of minute DNA.
Alleles ; DNA/genetics* ; Forensic Medicine ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Minisatellite Repeats/genetics* ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Tandem Repeat Sequences/genetics*

This article review the advance in interpretation of mixed forensic stains using DNA profiling, including autosome STR profiling, sex profiling determined by PCR, Y-specific STR profiling, mitochondrial DNA profiling and single nucleotide polymorphism profiling. The statistics methods for mixed stain has also been reviewed.
Alleles ; Blood Stains ; Chromosomes, Human, Y/genetics* ; DNA/genetics* ; DNA Fingerprinting/methods* ; Female ; Forensic Medicine/methods* ; Humans ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tandem Repeat Sequences

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diversity of combined paternity index (CPI) of multiple STR loci when different population allele frequencies was used to calculate the paternity index. METHODS: CPI of 13 CODIS (combined DNA index system) loci for 108 trio cases and 108 duo cases selected randomly were calculated by using five Chinese Han population allele frequencies, respectively. RESULTS: The CPI range for trio cases and duo cases were 2077.63-50897711626.46 and 25.12-2998685141, respectively. When different population allele frequencies were applied to the same case, the ratio of maximum CPI and minimum CPI, which was more than 100, for trio cases and duo cases were 20 cases (19.52%) and 13 cases (12.04%), respectively. CONCLUSION The variation of CPI value of the CODIS loci was obvious with different allele frequencies. To prevent the error causing by uncertain allele frequencies, a conservative CPI value should be calculated in paternity testing.
Alleles ; China ; DNA Fingerprinting ; Forensic Medicine ; Gene Frequency ; Genetics, Population ; Humans ; Paternity ; Tandem Repeat Sequences/genetics*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the incidence and variation of tunnel enlargement after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

METHODSACL reconstructions using hamstring tendons were performed in 58 patients (58 knees) in the study. MRI scans were taken in a consistent manner at 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after surgery to measure tibial and femoral tunnel expansion.

RESULTSFemoral tunnel enlargement was observed in 9 knees (9/58, 15.5%); Tibial tunnel enlargement was found in 12 knees (12/58, 20.7%). Of those with enlarged bone tunnels, there was no significant difference of tunnel diameters between 1 and 3 months after surgery (P>0.05). Six, 12 and 24 months postoperatively, the average tunnel diameters were larger than those of 1 or 3 months after surgery (P<0.05), however, no significant difference was found in between the tunnel diameters 6, 12 and 24 months postoperatively either (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONTunnel expansion mainly occurs during 3 to 6 months after surgery, and it remains basically unchanged between 12 and 24 months postoperatively.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; surgery ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries ; Arthroscopy ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Femur ; pathology ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; epidemiology ; etiology ; pathology ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; adverse effects ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Tendons ; transplantation ; Tibia ; pathology ; Time Factors ; Transplantation, Autologous

OBJECTIVETo study the feasibility of regenerating a whole menisci using poly-(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) scaffolds loaded with meniscal cells in rabbits undergoing total meniscectomy, and to explore its protective effect on cartilage degeneration.

METHODSA solvent casting and particulate leaching technique was employed to fabricate biodegradable PHBV scaffolds into a meniscal shape. The proliferated meniscal cells were seeded onto the polymer scaffolds, transplanted into rabbit knee joints whose lateral menisci had been removed. Eight to 18 weeks after transplantation, the rege- nerated neomenisci were evaluated by gross and histological observations. Cartilage degeneration was assessed by Mankin score.

RESULTSEighteen weeks after transplantation, the implants formed neomenisci. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining of the neomenisci sections revealed regeneration of fibrocartilage. Type I collagen in the neomenisci was also proved similar to normal meniscal tissue by immunohistochemical analysis and Sirius scarlet trinitrophenol staining. Articular cartilage degeneration was observed 8 weeks after implantation. It was less severe as compared with that in total meniscectomy controls and no further degeneration was observed at 18 weeks. At that time, the regenerated neomenisci strongly resembled normal meniscal fibrocartilage in gross and histological appearance, and its mechanical property was also close to that of normal meniscus.

CONCLUSIONSThe present study demonstrates the feasibility of tissue-engineering a whole meniscal structure in total meniscectomy rabbit models using biodegradable PHBV scaffolds together with cultured allogeneic meniscal cells. Cartilage degeneration is decreased. But long-term in vivo investigations on the histological structure and cartilage degeneration of the neomenisci regenerated by this method are still necessary to determine the clinical potential of this tissue engineering avenue.

Animals ; Cartilage, Articular ; Cells, Cultured ; Knee Joint ; Menisci, Tibial ; Polymers ; Regeneration ; Tissue Engineering

OBJECTIVETo compare the application of HE and enzyme histochemical staining in assessing the viability of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells coagulated by microwave ablation at different temperatures.

METHODSTwo groups of mice (n=6) with transplanted homogenic HCC were treated by microwave ablation at 60 degrees C and 50 degrees C for 3 min, respectively. Before and after microwave ablation, paraffin sections and frozen sections of the tumors were prepared for routine HE staining and enzyme histochemical staining with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide diaphorase (NADH-diaphorase), respectively, and observed under microscope.

RESULTSShortly after microwave ablation, the morphology and arrangements of the nucleus of the ablated tumor cells in the two groups showed no obvious alteration in HE stained sections, but in sections with enzyme histochemical staining, the activity of NADH-diaphorase in ablated tumor tissue at 60 degrees C disappeared, suggesting the death of HCC cells; sporadic activity of the enzyme was detected in the coagulated tumor at 50 degrees C, indicating tumor cells surviving the ablation. The ablation effect was markedly different between the two groups (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONHE staining is not suitable for evaluation of HCC destruction immediately after microwave ablation, and detection of NADH-diaphorase activity with the enzyme histochemical method better suits this purpose.

Animals ; Catheter Ablation ; methods ; Dihydrolipoamide Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Female ; Histocytochemistry ; methods ; Liver Neoplasms ; enzymology ; pathology ; therapy ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; enzymology ; pathology ; therapy ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Microwaves ; therapeutic use ; Temperature