A global analysis of Y-chromosomal haplotype diversity for 23 STR loci

In a worldwide collaborative effort, 19,630 Y-chromosomes were sampled from 129 different populations in 51 countries. These chromosomes were typed for 23 short-tandem repeat (STR) loci (DYS19, DYS389I, DYS389II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS385ab, DYS437, DYS438, DYS439, DYS448, DYS456, DYS458, DYS635, GATAH4, DYS481, DYS533, DYS549, DYS570, DYS576, and DYS643) and using the PowerPlex Y23 System (PPY23, Promega Corporation, Madison, WI). Locus-specific allelic spectra of these markers were determined and a consistently high level of allelic diversity was observed. A considerable number of null, duplicate and off-ladder alleles were revealed. Standard single-locus and haplotype-based parameters were calculated and compared between subsets of Y-STR markers established for forensic casework. The PPY23 marker set provides substantially stronger discriminatory power than other available kits but at the same time reveals the same general patterns of population structure as other marker sets. A strong correlation was observed between the number of Y-STRs included in a marker set and some of the forensic parameters under study. Interestingly a weak but consistent trend toward smaller genetic distances resulting from larger numbers of markers became apparent.Peer reviewe

Alexithymia, oral behaviors, and temporomandibular disorders: a dark triad?

Abstract Background Alexithymia is a condition in which cognitive processing of emotions is impaired. Associations between alexithymia and temporomandibular disorders (TMD) have been described in multiple studies, yet the coexistence or influence of oral behaviors has never been addressed. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between alexithymia, oral behaviors, and temporomandibular pain disorders. Results A total of 264 participants were included in this study. The mean age was 25.70 ± 5.99 years, with a range from 18 to 65 years. Eighty-two (31.1%) were possibly alexithymic, and 93 (35.2%) were alexithymic. A total of 12.5% of the participants were at high risk for TMD. With respect to oral behavior risk, 62.5% were at low risk, and 35.2% were at high risk. Alexithymia appeared to be a positive predictor of TMD risk (p < 0.001). Participants with high-risk oral behaviors were found to have an increased likelihood of TMD risk (p < 0.001). Moreover, both high-risk oral behavior and alexithymia correlated with increased somatic symptom burden levels (p < 0.001). Pain disorders exert significant distress on individuals and lead to poorer quality of life. Conclusion Understanding the association of alexithymia, somatic symptom burden, and coping strategies with oral behaviors and temporomandibular pain disorders can help improve the management of this condition. By tailoring the chosen therapy to the dominant co-existing psychosocial comorbidities in TMD patients, the risk of treatment failure or relapse may be diminished

Study of Neuroprotection by a Combination of the Biological Antioxidant (<i>Eucalyptus</i> Extract) and the Antihypertensive Drug Candesartan against Chronic Cerebral Ischemia in Rats

Chronic cerebral ischemia with a notable long-term cessation of blood supply to the brain tissues leads to sensorimotor defects and short- and long-term memory problems. Neuroprotective agents are used in an attempt to save ischemic neurons from necrosis and apoptosis, such as the antioxidant agent Eucalyptus. Numerous studies have demonstrated the involvement of the renin-angiotensin system in the initiation and progression of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Candesartan is a drug that acts as an angiotensin II receptor 1 blocker. We established a rat model exhibiting sensorimotor and cognitive impairments due to chronic cerebral ischemia induced by the ligation of the right common carotid artery. Wistar male rats were randomly divided into five groups: Sham group, Untreated Ligated group, Ischemic group treated with Eucalyptus (500 mg/kg), Ischemic group treated with Candesartan (0.5 mg/kg), and Ischemic group treated with a combination of Eucalyptus and Candesartan. To evaluate the sensorimotor disorders, we performed the beam balance test, the beam walking test, and the modified sticky test. Moreover, the object recognition test and the Morris water maze test were performed to assess the memory disorders of the rats. The infarct rat brain regions were subsequently stained using the triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining technique. The rats in the Sham group had normal sensorimotor and cognitive functions without the appearance of microscopic ischemic brain lesions. In parallel, the untreated Ischemic group showed severe impaired neurological functions with the presence of considerable brain infarctions. The treatment of the Ischemic group with a combination of both Eucalyptus and Candesartan was more efficient in improving the sensorimotor and cognitive deficits (p Eucalyptus or Candesartan alone (p Eucalyptus and Candesartan could decrease ischemic brain injury and improve neurological outcomes