Development of pentaplex PCR and genetic analysis of X chromosomal STRs in Punjabi population of Pakistan

The X-STRs are important tools in forensic application, particularly in complex cases of kinship testing. In deficiency paternity testing when alleged father cannot be typed, investigation of X-STR markers yields the desired information. Blood samples were collected from unrelated individual (118 females and 94 males) and 84 trios families (father, mother and daughter). DNA extraction from whole blood was performed with Phenol chloroform method. Five X-linked STR markers DXS6800, DXS7133, DXS6797, DXS981 and GATA165B12 were selected. The amplicons were analyzed through ABI 3100 Genetic Analyzer. Pentaplex PCR system was developed for multilocus amplification at the same time. For each locus 4–9 alleles were noted. Altogether, 32 alleles were observed from five markers. Eighty-four trios families were analysed to check the mutation rate and no mutation was observed. Stutter peaks were observed maximum at locus DXS6797 (12.44%) while the minimum at locus DXS7133 (4.5%). For sensitivity study, amplification of X chromosomal short tandem repeats loci was successfully performed using 0.15 ng quantity of DNA as template. In conclusion; this pentaplex represents a convenient method to study X chromosome markers. It works with reasonable amounts of DNA and is suitable for paternity cases.     

Association between barium exposed,CYP19A1 and central obesity: A cross-sectional study in rural China

Backgroundobesity is a major risk factor for many metabolic diseases such as diabetes and cardiometabolic diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the association of plasma and urinary barium concentrations, CYP19A1 gene polymorphisms, and their interaction with central obesity in a rural Chinese population.Methodsrestricted cubic spline model was used to explore the dose-response relationship between barium and the risk of developing central obesity and waist circumference; logistic regression model was used to assess the association between barium, CYP19A1 gene polymorphisms and their interaction with central obesity.Resultsthe results of the restricted cubic spline model showed that plasma barium concentration was linearly associated with the risk of developing central obesity and non-linearly associated with waist circumference. Logistic regression analysis showed that participants with Q4 plasma barium concentration exhibited a higher risk of central obesity compared to participants with Q1 barium concentration; participants carrying the rs10046-AA gene exhibited a lower risk of central obesity than those carrying the rs10046-G(GG+GA) gene; participants carrying the rs10046-GA genotype showed 1.754 times higher risk of central obesity than those carrying rs10046-GG+AA genotype. There was a significant interaction between plasma barium and CYP19A1 gene polymorphism on central obesity.Conclusionthe development of central obesity was associated with plasma barium and CYP19A1.     

Neither Moderate Hypoxia nor Mild Hypoglycaemia Alone Causes Any Significant Increase in Cerebral [Ca2±i: Only a Combination of the Two Insults Has This Effect.: A 31P and 19F NMR Study

(1) The energy state and free intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca^2±_i) of super-fused cortical slices were measured in moderate hypoxia (～65 μM O₂), in mild hypoglycaemia (0.5 mM glucose), and in combinations of the two insults using ¹⁹F and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. (2) Neither hypoxia nor hypoglycaemia alone caused any significant change in [Ca^2±_i. Hypoxia caused a 40% fall in phosphocreatine (PCr) content but not in ATP level, and hypoglycaemia produced a slight fall in both (as expected from previous studies). These changes in the energy state recovered on return to control conditions. (3) A combined sequential insult (hypoxia, followed by hypoxia plus hypoglycaemia) produced a 100% increase in [Ca^2±, and a decrease in PCr level to ～25% of control. The reverse combined sequential insult (hypoglycaemia, followed by hypoglycaemia plus hypoxia) had the same effect. On return to control conditions there was some decrease in [Ca^2±_i and a small increase in PCr content, but neither recovered to control levels. (4) Exposure of the tissue to the combined simultaneous insult (hypoxia plus hypoglycaemia) immediately after the control spectra had been recorded resulted in a fivefold increase in [Ca^2±_i and a similar decrease in PCr level to 20–25% of control. There was little if any change of [Ca^2±_i or PCr level on return to control conditions. (5) These results are discussed in terms of metabolic adaptation of some but not all of the cortical cells to the single type of insult, which renders the tissues less vulnerable to the combined insult.     

干旱区绿洲土地利用/覆被及景观格局变化特征——以新疆精河县为例

从宏观上运用3S技术,利用1972年MSS、1990年Landsat TM、2001年Landsat ETM+和2005年CBERS 4个时期遥感影像数据,将GIS和景观生态学的数量分析方法相结合,运用ArcGIS以及Fragstats,分析了干旱区绿洲精河县1972～2005年间的土地利用/覆被和景观格局的变化.结果表明:(1)1972～2005年的33a中,精河县LUCC的总体变化趋势是绿洲面积有小幅度扩张,其中人工绿洲面积扩张尤为显著,天然绿洲面积减少.(2)研究区水域面积的变化受艾比湖湖面面积的变化影响较大,变化不显著,但总体上呈缓慢增长的趋势.(3)盐渍地面积的变化经历了先扩张后减小的一个过程.1990年达到最大值,但到2005年面积又有很大程度减少.沙地面积小幅度减小,其他地类的面积始终呈增加趋势.(4)景观在各个研究时段也发生显著变化.总的来说,整个研究区景观的密度持续增大,最大斑块指数先减小后增大,面积加权形状指数减小,形状趋于规则;斑块间的最邻近距离减小.表明1972年时景观中的优势斑块类型的连接性较2005年好,逐渐向具有多种要素的密集格局演变,景观更加破碎.同时不同斑块间的分离度增大,也说明景观破碎化程度加深.从香农多样性指数和香农均度指数的变化可以看出,景观的多样性增加,且均度增强.景观多样性及破碎化程度增加,也反映了土地利用越来越丰富.总之,要实现区域土地资源的可持续发展和景观生态功能的良性发挥,必须注重土地利用格局优化,维护景观生态过程与格局的连续性.