Whole genome amplification of degraded and nondegraded DNA for forensic purposes

Degraded DNA is often analyzed in forensic genetics laboratories. Reliable analysis of degraded DNA is of great importance, since its results impact the quality and reliability of expert testimonies. Recently, a number of whole genome amplification (WGA) methods have been proposed as preamplification tools. They work on the premise of being able to generate microgram quantities of DNA from as little as the quantity of DNA from a single cell. We chose, investigated, and compared seven WGA methods to evaluate their ability to “recover” degraded and nondegraded DNA: degenerate oligonucleotide-primed PCR, primer extension preamplification PCR, GenomePlex™ WGA commercial kit (Sigma), multiple displacement amplification, GenomiPhi™ Amplification kit (Amersham Biosciences), restriction and circularization-aided rolling circle amplification, and blunt-end ligation-mediated WGA. The efficiency and reliability of those methods were analyzed and compared using SGMPlus, YFiler, mtDNA, and Y-chromosome SNP typing. The best results for nondegraded DNA were obtained with GenomiPhi and PEP methods. In the case of degraded DNA (200 bp), the best results were obtained with GenomePlex which successfully amplified also severely degraded DNA (100 bp), thus enabling correct typing of mtDNA and Y-SNP loci. WGA may be very useful in analysis of low copy number DNA or degraded DNA in forensic genetics, especially after introduction of some improvements (sample pooling and replicate DNA typing). ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00414-012-0764-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

INFANTIBUS HUMANIS LALLULUS

Translation of the lullaby by Joanna Kulmow

Teaching of Biology Supported by Mathematical Models

In the life sciences, the use of mathematical modelling and computer simulation methods has brought many benefits. This is the case, for example, in physics. Biology makes very little use of these methods. One of the reasons for this may be that the biology teaching process is conducted in such a way that it discourages young people with an interest in mathematics and computer science. We propose to support the process of teaching biology by introducing simple elements of mathematical modelling of ecological processes. In this work, we showed what benefits would be the application of the NetLogo program in teaching biology in secondary schools. NetLogo is a multi-agent programming language designed to simulate complex phenomena. It is intended for both research and education and is used in a wide variety of scientific disciplines. We used the NetLogo program to create a model of searching for food by ants. We have shown that teaching biology by building a computer model forces a deeper understanding of the problem we are working on and uses and develops the creative abilities of young people

Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn : a case report and review of literature

Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn is a rare, benign, self-limited hypodermatitis that affects full-term or postmature newborn with history of perinatal stress such as hypoxia, hypothermia or local pressure trauma. The main lesions appear as subucateneous nodules in adipose tissue. We present a case of a three-week old newborn born in spontaneous delivery in the 40Hbd in poor general condition (inborn pneumonia and perinatal hypoxia) which was admitted to the hospital due to subcutaneous tissue induration and skin discoloration above the lesion. The skin ultrasound examination showed foci of homogeneously hyperechogenic subcutaneous tissue thickened up to 6 mm. Further examinations did not reveal any abnormalities besides the slightly increased calcium concentration (1,69 mmol/l with normal range of 1,2 mmo/l). In order to diagnose the condition a tissue sample was collected. The histological examination revealed panniculitis with infiltration with mononuclear cells, e.g. macrophages as well as multinucleated giant cells with radial arrangement of needles-shaped clefts in cytoplasm. After treatment with corticosteroids resolution of all the lesions was noted

Waloryzacja przydatności turystycznej regionu na przykładzie odcinka Wielkiej Pętli Wielkopolski

River valleys and forest areas, are the most useful for the development of tourism and recreation. These areas are particularly important for the tourist potential of the region. This article evaluates the tourist potential of areas along the Great Waterway Loop of Wielkopolska. The study was carried out in accordance with the rules of point bonitation and covered communes located directly and indirectly along the valley of the Warta River, on the section from Konin to Rogalinek. Based on selected criteria, variables and using appropriate statistical methods, individual research units were evaluated and a ranking of tourist usefulness of the studied units was created. Recognizing the diversity in the level of tourist utility of municipalities will enable the correct use of natural resources,in this case the Great Waterway Loop of Wielkopolska and activation of tourism development in the region.Szczególne znaczenie dla potencjału turystycznego regionu mają doliny rzeczne oraz obszary leśne, które są terenami przydatnymi do rozwoju turystyki i rekreacji. W artykule dokonano waloryzacji przydatności turystycznej obszarów położonych wzdłuż Wielkiej Pętli Wielkopolski. Badanie przeprowadzono zgodnie z zasadami bonitacji punktowej i objęto nim gminy zlokalizowane bezpośrednio i pośrednio wzdłuż doliny rzeki Warty, na odcinku od Konina do Rogalinka. Na podstawie wybranych kryteriów, zmiennych i przy użyciu odpowiednich metod statystycznych dokonano oceny poszczególnych jednostek badawczych i utworzono ranking ich przydatności turystycznej. Rozpoznanie zróżnicowania poziomu przydatności turystycznej gmin umożliwi prawidłowe wykorzystanie zasobów przyrodniczych, w tym przypadku Wielkiej Pętli Wielkopolski, i aktywizację rozwoju turystyki w regionie

The most common spinal defects among children and adolescents

Correct posture is a harmonized system of individual parts of the body in relation to each other and in relation to the mechanical axis of the body, maintained at minimum tension of the muscular and nervous systems [1,2,3]. Any postural defect is commonly referred to as a bad posture. According to Wilczyński, these are changes in an upright, free position of the body, which differ significantly from the typical posture of a given gender, age, constitutional structure and race, which are the result of pathological changes and may occur at all body levels [4,5,6]. The most common postural defects associated with the spine include concave, round, round-concave, flat and scoliosis back. Problems that occur in relation to each disease are not only a part of bad posture and do not concern only the spine itself. This is a complex problem and it is necessary to approach the subject holistically and in many directions

Caloric Restriction Diet (CR diet) or Mediterranean Diet (MD) - Which is the Best Choice for Former Athletes?

Overweight or obesity which often develop in athletes who end their careers is one of the most important issues of the world of sport. During aging, an increase in the amount of intra-abdominal fat is observed; this fat increases the risk of such metabolic disease as diabetes or hypertension. The participants of the study were 94 males. The people were randomly assigned to one of 2 groups: group 1 – people using the diet based on calorie restriction CRON (n = 32), and group 2 – those who followed the recommendations of the Mediterranean diet (n = 34). The patients who at the check-up declared not following any diet were assigned to the control group (n = 28). A change in parameters was observed in each of the sub-groups after the intervention. The most significant changes were observed in the sub-group which lost >2.6 kg. Both the diet based on mild calorie restriction and the Mediterranean diet had positive effect on the change of the former athlete’s body parameters after the 6-week long dietary intervention. Both diets which were being tested changed the body composition of the athletes who ended their careers in a similar way

The effects of 1,4-dimethylpyridine in metastatic prostate cancer in mice

BACKGROUND: We previously showed that 1-methylnicotinamide (1-MNA) and its analog 1,4-dimethylpyridine (1,4-DMP) could inhibit the formation of lung metastases and enhance the efficacy of cyclophosphamide-based chemotherapy in the model of spontaneously metastasizing 4T1 mouse mammary gland tumors. In the present study, we aimed to investigate whether the previously observed activity of pyridine compounds pertains also to the prevention and the treatment of metastatic prostate tumors, in a combined chemotherapy with docetaxel. METHODS: Cancer-preventing activity of 1,4-DMP was studied in the model of prostate tumors spontaneously arising in C57BL/6-Tg (TRAMP)8247Ng/J (TRAMP) mice. The efficacy of the combined chemotherapy, comprising simultaneous use of 1,4-DMP and docetaxel, was evaluated in the orthotopic mouse model of human PC-3M-luc2 prostate cancer. The toxicity of the applied treatment was also determined. RESULTS: The development of prostate tumors in TRAMP mice remained unaffected after administration of 1,4-DMP. Similarly, no effect of 1,4-DMP was found on the growth of orthotopically transplanted PC-3M-luc2 tumors. However, when 1,4-DMP was administered along with docetaxel, it enhanced the anticancer activity of the chemotherapy. As a result, in PC-3M-luc2-bearing mice statistically significant inhibition of the tumor growth and lower metastases incidence were observed. The decreased metastatic yield is probably related to the diminished platelet activity observed in mice treated with combined therapeutic regimen. Finally, the combined treatment exhibited lowered side effects accompanying docetaxel administration. CONCLUSIONS: Results presented herein confirm previously published data on the anticancer activity of pyridine compounds and demonstrate that 1,4-DMP may be beneficially implemented into chemotherapy utilizing various cytotoxic agents, directed against multiple metastatic tumor types. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12885-017-3161-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Motor skills of preschooler

The human motoriness is the whole of behaviors, possibilities and needs movement differently manifested at every stage of life. The pre-school period is the so-called golden period of motoriness. At this stage of life, all movement skills that affect further development of the child are improved, both in the physical, mental, intelectual and social spheres. External interventions to improve and improve skills in small and large motor skills seem to be extremely important. We should hold on the occurrence of motor development disorders and the introduction of rehabilitation as soon as possible

Laser removal of tattoo - a case report

Tattoo is one of the most frequently used techniques of permanent body decoration, it is a graphic sign obtained on the skin as a result of the introduction of dye into the skin tissue. It happens that the tattoo begins to disturb, life circumstances change, the tattoo reminds you of something you would like to forget. The development of tattoo removal methods is the expression of a search for a method to completely remove it without damaging the tissue. The methods used so far include: lasers, surgery, peels, dermabrasion (chemical and mechanical), cryosurgery, electrosurgery, light coagulation in the infrared range, salabrasia (use of sodium chloride), camouflage, etc., however, no method guarantees complete removal of the tattoo