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.

OBJECTIVETo explore the influence of affectivity trait on relationships between occupational stress and subjective physical health and job satisfaction.

METHODSSelf-reports for psychosocial work conditions and health and well-being in a sample of 878 workers from a thermal power plant in China were conducted using the job demand-control model, the effort-reward imbalance model, job satisfaction, depression symptom, and physical health complaints questionnaires. Logistic regression analysis was used by controlling for age, sex, and educational level.

RESULTSNegative and positive affectivity were correlated with occupational stressors or strains (P<0.01). In the most equation of job dissatisfaction, psychosomatic complaints and depressive symptoms as dependent variables respectively, odds ratios decreased greatly when negative affectivity or positive affectivity was controlled; Odds ratios decreased greater when negative affectivity and positive affectivity were controlled simultaneously. Furthermore in some equation no variable entered.

CONCLUSIONAffectivity trait has effect on relationships between occupational stress and subjective physical health and job satisfaction. According to the outcome category of study, the possible confounding role of affectivity should be controlled in the study of the relationships between occupational stress and health self-reports.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Affect ; Burnout, Professional ; Female ; Health Status ; Humans ; Job Satisfaction ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Health ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

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

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

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

BACKGROUNDApoptosis is a major cause of ischemic heart dysfunction. Apelin, the endogenous ligand for the G-protein-coupled APJ receptor, has been reported to exert cardioprotective effects during myocardial injury. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of apelin on apoptosis of rat cardiomyocytes induced by glucose deprivation (GD) and study the related signaling pathway.

METHODSApelin and APJ mRNA expression were determined by RT-PCR in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes during different durations of GD. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was detected by annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide (PI) staining after GD for 12 hours with or without apelin-13 (10 and 100 nmol/L) pretreatment. Protein levels of Akt and the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) as well as cell apoptosis were detected in the presence or absence of LY294002 (a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3K) inhibitor) or rapamycin (a mTOR inhibitor).

RESULTSApelin mRNA expression was up-regulated when cardiomyocytes were exposed to GD for 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours compared with the base level (P > 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.01). However, when cardiomyocytes were exposed to GD for up to 36 hours, apelin mRNA expression was 17% lower than the base level (P < 0.05). APJ mRNA expression paralleled that of apelin. Apelin-13 pretreatment at 100 nmol/L significantly inhibited GD-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis (P < 0.05) and increased Akt and mTOR phosphorylation (P < 0.01, P < 0.01). At the same time apelin-13 (100 nmol/L) up-regulated Bcl-2 protein expression and down-regulated Bax and cleaved caspase-3 expression (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, P < 0.05). The anti-apoptotic effect of apelin-13 was blocked by LY294002 (P < 0.01) but not by rapamycin.

CONCLUSIONSThe endogenous apelin-APJ system is compensatorily up-regulated and ultimately down-regulated following sustained myocardial ischemia. Apelin protects against ischemic cardiomyocyte apoptosis via activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway.

Animals ; Apelin ; Apelin Receptors ; Apoptosis ; Carrier Proteins ; genetics ; physiology ; Caspase 3 ; analysis ; Cell Survival ; Cells, Cultured ; Glucose ; deficiency ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; physiology ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; physiology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; physiology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; analysis ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled ; physiology ; Signal Transduction ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; analysis

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