Insect larvae and adult insects found on human corpses can provide important forensic evidence however it is useful to be able to prove evidence of association. Without this, it could be claimed that the insect evidence was a contaminant or had been planted on the body. This paper describes how mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and STR analysis of the crop contents of larvae of the blowfly Aldrichina grahami collected from separated body parts was used to provide evidence of association.

INTRODUCTIONMultiple myeloma (MM), a malignancy of plasma cells, accounts for 10% of all haematological malignancies and is currently incurable. Although it can be treated, the disease tends to relapse after several years and becomes increasingly resistant to conventional therapy. Investigations into using humoral therapy for MM are now underway with a view that novel therapeutic agents may provide a more targeted therapy for MM.

MATERIALS AND METHODSHere, phage display, a faster and more efficient method compared to classical hybridoma fusion technology, was used as a proof-of-concept to isolate several single-chain Fragment variables (scFv) against Ku86.

RESULTSAnti-Ku86 polyclonal scFvs biopanning was successful where third round scFvs (A(450)~1.1) showed a 1/3 increase in binding as compared to the fi rst round scFvs (A(450)~0.4) with 100 microg/mL of antigen (purified human Ku86). Subsequent selection and verification of monoclonal antibodies using third round biopanning revealed 4 good affinity binding clones ranging from A(450)~0.1 to A450~0.15 on 12.5 microg/mL of antigen as compared to low binders (A(450)~0.07) and these antibodies bind to Ku86 in a specific and dose-dependent manner. Comparative studies were also performed with commercially available murine antibodies and results suggest that 2 of the clones may bind close to the following epitopes aa506-541 and aa1-374.

CONCLUSIONSThese studies using phage display provide an alternative and viable method to screen for antibodies quickly and results show that good affinity antibodies against Ku86 have been successfully isolated and they can be used for further studies on MM and form the basis for further development as anti-cancer therapeutic agents.

Antibodies, Monoclonal ; isolation & purification ; Antibody Affinity ; Cell Line ; DNA Helicases ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin Idiotypes ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Immunoglobulin Variable Region ; isolation & purification ; Ku Autoantigen ; Multiple Myeloma ; immunology ; Peptide Library ; Recombinant Proteins

Objective: To investigate the association between maternal pre-pregnant body mass index and gestational weight gain, as well as their interaction on neonatal birthweight. Methods: We built a cohort in Anqing Municipal Hospital from January 2014 to March 2015, enrolling pregnant women who decided to give birth in this hospital. All women were asked to fill a questionnaire for basic information collection. Medical information of both pregnant women and their newborns were obtained through electronic medical record. Chi-square analysis, multinomial logistic regression, multiplicative and additive interaction methods were used to analyze the association between pre-pregnant body mass index and gestational weight gain as well as their interactions on birth weight of the neonates. Results: A total of 2 881 pregnant women were included in this study. Of the 2 881 newborns, 359 (12.46%) were small for gestational age (SGA) and 273 (9.48%) were large for gestational age (LGA). After adjusting the possible confounding factors, results from the multinomial logistic regression showed that pre-pregnancy underweight women were more possible to deliver SGA (aRR=1.33, 95%CI: 1.02-1.73). If the gestational weight gain was below the recommended criteria, the risk of SGA (aRR=1.64, 95%CI: 1.23-2.19) might increase. Pre-pregnancy overweight/obese could increase the risk of being LGA (aRR=1.86, 95%CI: 1.33-2.60). Maternal gestational weight gain above the recommendation level was associated with higher rates of LGA (aRR=2.03, 95%CI: 1.49-2.78). Results from the interaction analysis showed that there appeared no significant interaction between pre-pregnancy BMI and gestational weight on birthweight. Conclusion: Pre-pregnancy body mass index and gestational weight gain were independently associated with neonatal birthweight while pre-pregnancy BMI and gestational weight gain did not present interaction on birthweight.
Birth Weight ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; China/epidemiology* ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Gestational Weight Gain ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Small for Gestational Age ; Logistic Models ; Obesity/epidemiology* ; Overweight/epidemiology* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications ; Pregnant Women ; Risk Factors ; Thinness/epidemiology* ; Weight Gain

Objective: To study the modification effect of age on the association between body mass index and the risk of hypertension. Methods: People age ≥18 years old were selected by clusters, from a rural area of Henan province. In total, 20 194 people were recruited at baseline during 2007 and 2008, and the follow-up study was completed from 2013 to 2014. Logistic regression model was used to assess the risk of incident hypertension by baseline BMI and age-specific BMI. Results: During the 6-year follow-up period, 1 950 hypertensive persons were detected, including 784 men and 1 166 women, with cumulative incidence rates as 19.96%, 20.51%, and 19.61%, respectively. Compared with those whose BMI<22 kg/m(2), the RRs of hypertension were 1.09 (0.93-1.27), 1.17 (1.01-1.37), 1.34 (1.14-1.58) and 1.31 (1.09-1.56) for participants with BMI as 22-, 24-, 26- and ≥28 kg/m(2), respectively. In young and middle-aged populations, the risk of hypertension gradually increased with the rise of BMI (trend P<0.05). However, in the elderly, the increasing trend on the risk of hypertension risk was not as significantly obvious (trend P>0.05). Conclusion: The effect of BMI on the incidence of hypertension seemed to depend on age. Our findings suggested that a weight reduction program would be more effective on young or middle-aged populations, to prevent the development of hypertension.
Adolescent ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Asian People/statistics & numerical data* ; Body Mass Index ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypertension/ethnology* ; Incidence ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Rural Population

This article presents a severe cerebral malaria patient in shock with a close contact of COVID-19 that was successfully cured in a negative pressure ward during the global pandemic of COVID-19. The patient experienced a sudden onset of high fever and coma in a designated isolation hotel after returning from Africa, and was transferred to a designated hospital. Following antimalarial therapy, blood pressure elevation, increase of blood volume, bedside hemodialysis, mechanical ventilation, plasma and platelet transfusions, the case gradual recovered.
Humans ; COVID-19 ; Malaria/drug therapy* ; Antimalarials/therapeutic use* ; Africa ; Travel

Shanghai Diet and Health Survey (SDHS) was designed to prospectively access local residents' food consumption, energy and nutrient intake, related chemical contaminant exposure, and the seasonal change trend to explore the relationship of diet with health. Data from SDHS can be used as fundamental information and scientific evidences for the development of local nutrition and food safety policies.
China ; Diet ; Energy Intake ; Health Surveys ; Nutrition Policy ; Nutrition Surveys