Objective To compare the effect of silica-extraction method and Silico membrane based method in DNA purification from bones and teeth.Methods DNA samples were purified respectively with the silica-extraction method and MinElute PCR Purification kit from 6 bones and 8 teeth,then tested STR types by GlobalFiler? kits. And evaluated the two methods with the success rate and the peak height. Results Both of the two purification methods can successfully obtain the STR markers of the 14 samples. And there was no statistical difference between the two methods in the average peak height from bones and teeth. Conclusion The Silico membrane based method which have more advantages in operation is an efficient method to purify DNA from bones and teeth, and there is no significant difference compared with the silica-extraction method. But the cost is higher. It can be selectively used in forensic practice.

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate mutations of 41 STR loci. Methods 4546 bloodstain samples were typed from 1932 father–mother–child trios by using AGCU_21+1, AGCU_EX22 and GlobalFiler_ExpressTM amplification Kit. Calculate the mutation rates of STR loci. Results 154 mutations were identified at 32 of the 41 loci. The average mutation rate was 1.0×10-3per locus(95%CI: 0.8~1.1×10-3), and the mutations of SE33 was highest. 152(98.7%) mutation events were one-step mutation, 2(1.3%) events were two-steps. The mutation events occurred in 150 father–mother–child triplets. The mutations in 146(97.3%) triplets occurred at single locus, 8 mutations were observed at two loci in 4(2.7%) triplets simultaneously. 104 paternal and 22 maternal mutations could be determined under 79212 paternal and maternal allelictransfers. The ratio of paternal versus maternal mutations was 4.7:1, and 28 unassigned mutations were observed. Conclusion STR mutation are common in paternity testing, and we should pay more attention to it.

Objective To provide the basic data for forensic application by analyzing the genotypes absence at DYS448 locus. Method 5487 bloodstain samples from unrelated male individuals of Chinese Han population were obtained. 4479 samples was co-amplified using Y-filerTM and AGCU Y-24 kits. 1008 samples was co-amplified using Yfiler PlusTM and AGCU Y-24 kits .Probability of genotype absence was calculated. Results 35 samples of 35 haplotypes among 5487 non-related individuals were found to have DYS448 genotypes absence ,while 2 individuals displayed additional alleles at else locus. Conclusion The probability of DYS448 genotype absence was 0.637%, forensic scientists should pay more attention in practical cases and YSTR database.

Objective To investigate the effect of exosomal miR-146a-5p expression on gray matter volume in patients with major depressive disorder(MDD).Methods A total of 113 MDD patients(MDD group)and 107 healthy controls(HC)(HC group)were selected.Peripheral blood was collected and exosomes were isolated to quantify miR-146a-5p expression.Brain high-resolution T1 WI images of MDD and HC were obtained via MR,and gray matter volume was computed via SPM12 software.The interaction effect of"Depression×miR-146a-5p expression"on gray matter volume was analyzed using SPM's Flexible factorial design,and the between-group difference was assessed by extracting the mean value,thus to analyze whether MDD-related gray matter volume abnormalities were dependent on miR-146a-5p expression.Results Exosomal miR-146a-5p expression was significantly elevated in MDD group compared to HC group.Voxel-based factorial analysis revealed a relationship between high miR-146a-5p expression in MDD group and reduced gray matter volume in the anterior and posterior cingulate cortices(independent voxel threshold P＜0.001,AlphaSim corrected),and a significantly reduced gray matter volume as compared with HC group was detected in the two regions.Conclusion The exosomal miR-146a-5p is overexpressed in patients with MDD and may be associated with specific cortical atrophy in patients with MDD.

Objective To deveplope construct and validate a novel multiplex PCR system comprised of 30 Y-STR markers only with low and moderate mutation rates. Methods 30 Y-STRs characterized by low/moderate mutation rate and middle/high polymorphic was amplified simultaneously in a multiplex PCR system using the six color labeling fluorescence. PCR product was analyzed in a ABI 3500XL Genetic Analyzer. The accuracy, specifity, sensitivity and stability of the system and its validation on the mixtures were evaluated. Results The validation studies demonstrated that the system is a stable, accurate, and sensitive multiplex PCR system. The sensitivity was 0.0625ng DNA. Y-STR could be detection in a male/female DNA mixture ratio of 1:4. Conclusion The primary study demonstrates that this multiplex PCR system is effective and reliable for forensic routine DNA analysis. It will be very helpful for constructing Chinese forensic Y-STR database and population genetic research.