Identification and characterization of the highly polymorphic locus D14S739 in the Han Chinese population

Aim To systemically select and evaluate short tandem repeats (STRs) on the chromosome 14 and obtain new STR loci as expanded genotyping markers for forensic application. Methods STRs on the chromosome 14 were filtered from Tandem Repeats Database and further selected based on their positions on the chromosome, repeat patterns of the core sequences, sequence homology of the flanking regions, and suitability of flanking regions in primer design. The STR locus with the highest heterozygosity and polymorphism information content (PIC) was selected for further analysis of genetic polymorphism, forensic parameters, and the core sequence. Results Among 26 STR loci selected as candidates, D14S739 had the highest heterozygosity (0.8691) and PIC (0.8432), and showed no deviation from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. 14 alleles were observed, ranging in size from 21 to 34 tetranucleotide units in the core region of (GATA)9-18 (GACA)7-12 GACG (GACA)2 GATA. Paternity testing showed no mutations. Conclusion D14S739 is a highly informative STR locus and could be a suitable genetic marker for forensic applications in the Han Chinese populatio

Eyes grow towards mild hyperopia rather than emmetropia in Chinese preschool children

Purpose: To document one-year changes in refraction and refractive components in preschool children. Methods: Children, 3–5 years old, in the Jiading District, Shanghai, were followed for one year. At each visit, axial length (AL), refraction under cycloplegia (1% cyclopentolate), spherical dioptres (DS), cylinder dioptres (DC), spherical equivalent refraction (SER) and corneal curvature radius (CR) were measured. Results: The study included 458 right eyes of 458 children. The mean changes in DS, DC and SER were 0.02 ± 0.35 D, −0.02 ± 0.33 D and 0.01 ± 0.37 D, while the mean changes in AL, CR and lens power (LP) were 0.27 ± 0.10 mm, 0.00 ± 0.04 mm and − 0.93 ± 0.49 D. The change in the SER was linearly correlated with the baseline SER (coefficient = −0.147, p < 0.001). When the baseline SER was at 1.05 D (95% CI = 0.21 to 2.16), the change in SER was 0 D. The baseline SER was also linearly associated with the change in LP (coefficient = 0.104, p = 0.013), but not with the change in AL (p = 0.957) or with the change in CR (p = 0.263). Conclusion: In eyes with a baseline SER less than +1.00 D, LP loss was higher compared to axial elongation, leading to hyperopic shifts in refraction, whereas for those with baseline SER over this range, loss of LP compared to axial elongation was reduced, leading to myopic shifts. This model indicated the homeostasis of human refraction and explained how refractive development leads to a preferred state of mild hyperopia.The study was funded by Chinese National NatureScience Foundation (No. 81670898), Chinese Nat-ural Science Foundation for Young Staff (No.81800881), The Shanghai Three Year Public HealthAction Program (No. GWIV-3.3), The ShanghaiHigh-level Oversea Training Team Program on EyePublic Health (No. GWTD2015S08), The ShanghaiOutstanding Academic Leader Program (No.16XD1402300), Shanghai Nature Science Founda-tion (NO. 15ZR1438400), Three-year Action Pro-gram of Shanghai Municipality for Strengtheningthe Construction of the Public Health System(NO.GWIV-13.2), Key Discipline of PublicHealth-Eye health in Shanghai (No.15GWZK0601), Municipal Human ResourcesDevelopment Program for Outstanding YoungTalents in Medical and Health Sciences in Shanghai(Grant No. 2017YQ019), Shanghai Sailing Program(No. 17YF1416100), Foundation of ShanghaiMunicipal Commission of Health and FamilyPlanning (No. 20184Y0217), National Key R&DProgramofChina(2016YFC0904800,2019YFC0840607), National Science and Technol-ogy Major Project of China (2017ZX09304010) andSongjiang Science Foundation (No. 19SJKJGG30)

Investigation of Surface Micro-Mechanical Properties of Various Asphalt Binders Using AFM

The microstructure of asphalt affects the micro-mechanical properties. In this study, atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to investigate the surface elastic modulus and nanohardness of asphalt binder. Relevant mechanical indexes were quantitatively evaluated by contact mechanical model. Five types of asphalts, including different grades, oil sources, and before and after modification, were selected as test objects, and the effects of asphalt binder type, aging, water, and anti-stripping agent on the asphalt micromechanics were explored. The results showed that the micromechanical properties of asphalt binder are affected by grade, oil source, and modification. The aging resistance of modified asphalt binder is better than that of unmodified asphalt binder. Water immersion reduces the surface micromechanical properties of the asphalt binder. The effect of the anti-stripping agent on the modified asphalt binder is greater than that of the unmodified asphalt binder

RETRACTED: Genetic polymorphism and phylogenetic analyses of 21 non‐CODIS STR loci in a Chinese Han population from Shanghai

Abstract Background Short tandem repeats (STRs) are essential genetic markers for forensic applications and population estimations; thus the population genetics of STR loci have been extensively studied and discussed. Methods In the present study, we detected 21 autosomal noncombined DNA index system (non‐CODIS) STR loci in a Chinese Han population from Shanghai, calculated their forensic parameters and analyzed their genetic relationships with reported reference populations in mainland China. Results A total of 173 alleles were observed, with corresponding allele frequencies from 0.0020 to 0.5512. The cumulative power of discrimination (CPD) and the cumulative probability of exclusion (CPE) values of the 21 STR loci were 0.999999999999999999997337058271 and 0.99999953732495, respectively. The results of interpopulation differentiation, phylogenetic, multidimensional scaling, and structure analyses indicated a closer genetic relationship of the studied population with Han populations from other regions of China than with other populations. Conclusions The 21 STR loci exhibited high genetic polymorphism in the studied Shanghai_Han population and could be used for forensic applications and population genetic studies

Effect of Hirsutella sinensis Fungus on the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis in Lewis Rats with Kidney-Yang Deficiency Syndrome

Kidney-yang deficiency syndrome (KYDS) is a classic syndrome in traditional Chinese medicine, which is mainly caused by damage to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Hirsutella sinensis fungus (HSF), an artificial substitute of Cordyceps sinensis, has been widely used in TCM. However, the effects and the possible mechanism of HSF on the HPA axis and corresponding KYDS have not yet been investigated. In this study, Lewis rats were used as a spontaneous KYDS model. HSF was intragastrically administered to the Lewis rats at two doses: low dose (1 g/kg) and high dose (2 g/kg). Body weight, temperature, and behavioral tests including grip strength, open field, and Morris water maze (MWM) tests were used to evaluate the KYDS symptoms. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the level of circulating adrenocortisol (ACTH), corticosterone (CORT), corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). In addition, mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin 10 (IL-10), CRH, glucocorticoid receptor (GR), and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR). The Lewis rats were indicated to have KYDS symptoms and HSF treatment ameliorated these symptoms via enhancement of the HPA axis function, which was evidenced by the increased levels of CRH, ACTH, and CORT in serum and 17-OHCS in urine. HSF also significantly improved the expression of TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-2, secreted by Th1 cells, which might accelerate the activation of the immune system related to the HPA axis function. Thus, we conclude that HSF can alleviate KYDS symptoms in Lewis rats by regulating the HPA axis through accelerated immune system activation

Eyes grow towards mild hyperopia rather than emmetropia in Chinese preschool children

Purpose: To document one-year changes in refraction and refractive components in preschool children. Methods: Children, 3–5 years old, in the Jiading District, Shanghai, were followed for one year. At each visit, axial length (AL), refraction under cycloplegia (1% cyclopentolate), spherical dioptres (DS), cylinder dioptres (DC), spherical equivalent refraction (SER) and corneal curvature radius (CR) were measured. Results: The study included 458 right eyes of 458 children. The mean changes in DS, DC and SER were 0.02 ± 0.35 D, −0.02 ± 0.33 D and 0.01 ± 0.37 D, while the mean changes in AL, CR and lens power (LP) were 0.27 ± 0.10 mm, 0.00 ± 0.04 mm and − 0.93 ± 0.49 D. The change in the SER was linearly correlated with the baseline SER (coefficient = −0.147, p < 0.001). When the baseline SER was at 1.05 D (95% CI = 0.21 to 2.16), the change in SER was 0 D. The baseline SER was also linearly associated with the change in LP (coefficient = 0.104, p = 0.013), but not with the change in AL (p = 0.957) or with the change in CR (p = 0.263). Conclusion: In eyes with a baseline SER less than +1.00 D, LP loss was higher compared to axial elongation, leading to hyperopic shifts in refraction, whereas for those with baseline SER over this range, loss of LP compared to axial elongation was reduced, leading to myopic shifts. This model indicated the homeostasis of human refraction and explained how refractive development leads to a preferred state of mild hyperopia.The study was funded by Chinese National NatureScience Foundation (No. 81670898), Chinese Nat-ural Science Foundation for Young Staff (No.81800881), The Shanghai Three Year Public HealthAction Program (No. GWIV-3.3), The ShanghaiHigh-level Oversea Training Team Program on EyePublic Health (No. GWTD2015S08), The ShanghaiOutstanding Academic Leader Program (No.16XD1402300), Shanghai Nature Science Founda-tion (NO. 15ZR1438400), Three-year Action Pro-gram of Shanghai Municipality for Strengtheningthe Construction of the Public Health System(NO.GWIV-13.2), Key Discipline of PublicHealth-Eye health in Shanghai (No.15GWZK0601), Municipal Human ResourcesDevelopment Program for Outstanding YoungTalents in Medical and Health Sciences in Shanghai(Grant No. 2017YQ019), Shanghai Sailing Program(No. 17YF1416100), Foundation of ShanghaiMunicipal Commission of Health and FamilyPlanning (No. 20184Y0217), National Key R&DProgramofChina(2016YFC0904800,2019YFC0840607), National Science and Technol-ogy Major Project of China (2017ZX09304010) andSongjiang Science Foundation (No. 19SJKJGG30)