Source identification of human biological materials in crime scene plays an important role in reconstructing the crime process. Searching specific genetic markers to identify the source of different human biological materials is the emphasis and difficulty of the research work of legal medical experts in recent years. This paper reviews the genetic markers which are used for identifying the source of human biological materials and studied widely, such as DNA methylation, mRNA, microRNA, microflora and protein, etc. By comparing the principles and methods of source identification of human biological materials using different kinds of genetic markers, different source of human biological material owns suitable marker types and can be identified by detecting single genetic marker or combined multiple genetic markers. Though there is no uniform standard and method for identifying the source of human biological materials in forensic laboratories at present, the research and development of a series of mature and reliable methods for distinguishing different human biological materials play the role as forensic evi-dence which will be the future development direction.

Objective To establish whether Wnt-signaling pathway plays a role in mice β-cell function and/or survival in vitro. Methods Mice NIT-1 beta cells were cultured in media with glucose concentration of 33.3 mmol/L and the cytokines interleukin-1β, interferon-γand tumor necrosis factor-α with or without the addition of purified Wnt3a protein in vitro. Subsequently, β-cell apoptosis by Tunnel and flow cytometry, and β-cell proliferation by BrdU were analyzed. Total RNA was extracted to measure gene expressions by real-time PCR.Results Incubations of NIT-1 cells with high glucose and cytokines resulted in an increase in β-cell apoptosis and decrease in β-cell proliferation (P<0.01). In contrast, treatment with Wnt3a protein protected β-cell from glucose and cytokines-induced apoptosis through up-regulating the expressions of above Pitx2、 TCF7L2. Conclusions Wnt-signaling regulates the proliferation of pancreatic β-cell, and protectes β-cell from glucotoxicity and cytokine toxicity with respect to proliferation and apoptosis.

Objective To investigate the expression of circulating microRNA (miRNA) of rats with hypobaric hypoxia‐induced pulmonary hypertension (HPH) .Methods Commercial rat miRNA microarray was employed to detect and analyze the circulating miRNA profile in the serum samples of Sprague‐Dawley rats with hypobaric hypoxia‐induced HPH and controls .Furthermore ,differentially expressed candidate circulating miRNAs between HPH and control groups were validated by Real‐time quantitative PCR based on the case‐control study ,and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC ) analysis was used to test the performance of four differentially expressed circulating miRNAs in discriminating HPH and control groups .Results Compared with those in the control group ,13 upregulated miRNAs and 10 downregulated miRNAs were identified in hypobaric hypoxia‐induced HPH rats by using miRNA microarray . And differentially expressed miR‐451 , miR‐505 , let‐7d and miR‐214 were validated by using RT‐PCR .ROC analysis showed that the area under the curve of miR‐451 ,miR‐505 and let‐7d was 0 .979 ,0 .938 and 0 .993 in discriminating HPH and control groups ,respectively .Conclusion The aberrant expression of circulating miR‐451 ,miR‐505 and let‐7d in serum may be correlated with the pathogenesis of HPH .

BACKGROUND: These serial processes for forming male gametes are basically controlled by the programmed expression of a number of stage-specific genes. However, many aspects of the mechanisms of spermatogenesis have remained elusive because of a lack of suitable in vitro or in vivo models.OBJECTIVE: To screen genes involved in spermatogenesis, and to analyze its expression characteristics. METHODS: Testes cDNA samples from Balb/C mice of different postnatal days (4,9,18,35, 54 days and 6 months, respectively) were hybridized with mouse whole genome Affymetrix chip to screen the testis-ralated genes. The characteristics of the selected genes were analyzed by various bioinformatics tools. RT-PCR was used here to identify the expression of the selected genes in mice testis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The Affymetrix chip probe of mouse Tpap was graduated higher expression with developmental stages of mouse testis. The scaling hybridization signal intensities of the tested testis on days 4, 9,18, 35, 54, and 6 months of postnatal were 4.4 (Absent expression, A), 12.9 (A), 262.4 (Present expression, P), 1136.7 (P), 1617.5 (P) and 1128 (P),respectively. These results indicated that the expression of mouse Tpap wasn't detected on days 4 and 9, but was detected on days 18, 35, 54, and 6 months of mouse testis in our Affymetrix chip analysis. By combination with the RT-PCR analysis of mouse Tpap, we observed mouse Tpap began to express at the age of day 18 in mouse. Tpap is an age-dependent gene in mouse testis.The expression of Tpap corresponds to the appearance of spermatids of mice and indicates that Tpap may have an important role in male mammalian spermatogenesis.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Gonadotropins ; blood ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Sex Factors ; Time Factors

Objective To identify the histological features as well as factors influencing the course of HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B virus ( HBV)-infected patients with persistently normal alanine amino-transferase (ALT) levels (PNAL). Methods Ninety-eight HBeAg-negative chronic HBV-infected patients with PNAL who underwent percutaneous liver biopsy were recruited from October 2003 to March 2008. The ALT level, HBV markers, HBV DNA level and liver histological changes were detected. Comparison of means was done by t test and single factor analysis of variance. Nonparametric statistics was done by Marm-Whitey U test and Kruskal-Wallis test. Analysis of independent risk factor was done using Logistic model. The dianostic value of ALT level to significant liver histological changes was evaluated by receiver performance curve. Results Twenty-two point four percent and 17.3% of subjects had the histological activity index (HAI)≥4and fibrosis (F) score≥3 respectively. Subgroup analysis showed that subjects with ALT＞0.50 × upper limit of normal (ULN) had a significantly higher rate of HAI≥4 and F score≥3 than those with ALT≤0.50×ULN (HAI≥4:36.4% vs 11.1%, χ2 =8.881, P=0.003;F score≥3:27.3% vs 9.3%, χ2 =5.487, P= 0.019, respectively), and older subjects (more than 45 years old) had a higher proportion of HAI ≥4 than the younger (33.3% vs 13.4%, χ2 =4.923, P=0.027). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that a decade increase in age was the independent predictor of HAI≥4 (OR=2.410, P=0.023).Receive operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that 87.0% and 90.7% of subjects with ALT＜0.50× ULN had histological changes of HAI＜4 and F score＜3 respectively. The proportions of HAI≥4 and F score≥3 in subjects with HBV DNA＜1×104 copy/mL were 14.9% and 12.8%, respectively. Conclusions Significant histological changes may be present in part of the subjects with persistently normal ALT and different HBV DNA levels, so that liver biopsy is very important, especially in those with age ＞45 years.Half time the ULN may serve as an appropriate cutoff value of normal ALT level for managing Chinese HBeAg-negative chronic HBV-int'ected patients.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of Shibao Powder on the expression of b-FGF and TGF-beta 1 in granulation tissues of rabbit models with soft tissue injuries, so as to explore mechanism of external Chinese drugs for repairing of soft tissues in molecular levels.

METHODSThe rabbit models were established by classical method of full-thickness skin wounds. After 8% sodium sulfide was used and routine disinfection completed, intra-peritoneal anaesthesia was adopted. The skin was cut to expose gastrocnemius muscle, and imcomplete sharp dissection was made near the tendon insertion. The length of the incision was 0.8 cm and the width was 0.4 cm. The rabbits in the experimental group were treated with spread of Shibao Powder at the wound; the rabbits in clean group were treated with routine dressing changes and disinfection; and the rabbits in the control group were treated with dressing changes only. The granulation tissues in different stages were collected and observed with high power microscope. The expression of Transforming Growth Factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) protein and b-FGF protein in wound tissues were detected using StreptA-ridin-Biotin-Complex (SABC) method.

RESULTSThe results showed that the expression of b-FGF protein had significant differences among 3 groups at the 6th day after trauma (P<0.05). The TGF-beta 1 protein expression also had significant differences among 3 groups at the 10th and 14th days after trauma (P<0.05). At the same time, the growth states of granulation tissues had difference among 3 groups at the same trauma stage, and within the same group among different trauma stages.

CONCLUSIONThis experimental study shows that Shibao Powder is effective to promote the repair of soft tissues after trauma by stimulating production of endogenous growth factor from cells in wound.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Fibroblast Growth Factors ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Granulation Tissue ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Powders ; Rabbits ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism ; Wound Healing ; drug effects

OBJECTIVEThis study aimed to investigate the epidemiological characteristics and correlated factors of daily hassles among thermal power plant workers.

METHODSA mass screening of daily hassles and correlated factors was conducted on 498 workers from a thermal power plant in Zhengzhou in July, 2008. The questionnaires included Daily Hassles Questionnaires, Work Roles Questionnaires, Job Content Questionnaires (Chinese version), Effort-Reward Imbalance (Chinese version), Work Locus of Control Scale and Type A Behavior Scale, with content covering demographic characters and occupational stress correlated factors among subjects. The daily hassles was divided into lower level and higher level according to scores, and the epidemiological characteristics and correlated factors of daily hassles were analyzed.

RESULTSA total of 446 qualified questionnaires were obtained, effective response rate was 89.6% (446/498). For respondents, the age was (36.96 ± 6.49) years old, working length of the current job was (12.05 ± 7.54) years, the daily hassles scores was (9.01 ± 2.50), and the prevalence rate of the higher level of daily hassles was 34.1% (152/446). The multiple non-conditional logistic regression analysis showed 5-14 years' working length of current job (OR = 0.451, 95%CI: 0.225 - 0.904), average income > 3000 yuan(OR = 0.372, 95%CI: 0.202 - 0.684), reward (OR = 0.557, 95%CI: 0.325 - 0.954) and coping strategy (OR = 0.552, 95%CI: 0.330 - 0.925) were negatively correlated with daily hassles, and shift-work (OR = 1.887, 95%CI: 1.108 - 3.215), effort (OR = 2.053, 95%CI: 1.198 - 3.519), psychological demand (OR = 1.797, 95%CI: 1.049 - 3.078), negative affectivity (OR = 3.421, 95%CI: 2.065 - 5.668) were positively correlated with daily hassles.

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence rate of the higher level of daily hassles was considerable high for thermal power plant workers. Its negative correlated factors included 5 - 14 years' working length of the current job, average income > 3000 yuan, reward and coping strategy and its positive corelated factors included shift-work, effort, psychological demand and negative affectivity.

Adult ; Burnout, Professional ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Occupational Diseases ; epidemiology ; Power Plants ; Stress, Psychological ; epidemiology ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo investigate osthole effect on femoral tissue resorption activity of rat in vitro.

METHODSSix SD rats weighted (80 ± 5) g were used to isolate and culture femoral tissue (diaphyses and metaphysis) in vitro. The cultured tissue were devided into control group, estradiol group and osthole group. The femoral tissue was treated with final concentration of 1 x 10(-5) mol/L osthole and 1 x 10(-8) mol/L estradiol culture in vitro at 48 hours after cultured. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (StrACP) activity, glucose and Lactic acid content, StrACP, MCSF (Macrophage colony stimulating factor) and CTSK (Cathepsin K) mRNA was detected by Real-Time RT-PCR were detected.

RESULTSConcetration of Alkaline phosphatase activity were 2226 and 2498 in 1 x 10(-5) mol/L osthole and 1 x 10(-8) mol/L estradiol respectively. As compared with control group, the activity of StrACP of 1 x 10(-5) mol/L osthole and 1 x 10(-8) mol/L estradiol were inhibited at 6, 9, 12 days (P < 0.05); under treatment of in l x 10(-5) mol/L osthole, the content of Lactic acid were increased and the content of glucose were decreased at 3, 6, 9 days (P < 0.05); StrACP, MCSF and CTSK mRNA expression level were inhibited at 6, 9 days (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONOsthole can inhibit bone resorption and raise the level of nutrition metabolism of femurs tissue.

Acid Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Bone Resorption ; prevention & control ; Coumarins ; pharmacology ; Estradiol ; pharmacology ; Femur ; drug effects ; Glucose ; analysis ; Lactic Acid ; analysis ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21) is an important metabolism regulator, however, whether FGF-21 has effects on cardiovascular remains unclear. In this study, H2O2-induced injury in H9c2 cells was used as a cell model, the anti-apoptosis potential and mechanism of FGF-21 against oxidative injury were evaluated by MTT assay, flow cytometry assay and real-time PCR. The results showed that FGF-21 could increase the cell survival of H2O2-induced injury in H9c2 cells and prevent H9c2 cells from oxidative stress-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, FGF-21 can elevate SOD activity and regulate Bcl-2/Bax expression in H9c2 cells. The results suggest that FGF-21 have protective effect against the H2O2-induced apoptosis in H9c2 cells.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Fibroblast Growth Factors ; pharmacology ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; toxicity ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rats ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; genetics ; metabolism