• Journal of Korean Medical Science
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• 제33권52호
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• pp.337.1-337.14
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• 2018

Background: Mitochondrial heteroplasmy, the co-existence of different mitochondrial polymorphisms within an individual, has various forensic and clinical implications. But there is still no guideline on the application of massively parallel sequencing (MPS) in heteroplasmy detection. We present here some critical issues that should be considered in heteroplasmy studies using MPS. Methods: Among five samples with known innate heteroplasmies, two pairs of mixture were generated for artificial heteroplasmies with target minor allele frequencies (MAFs) ranging from 50% to 1%. Each sample was amplified by two-amplicon method and sequenced by Ion Torrent system. The outcomes of two different analysis tools, Torrent Suite Variant Caller (TVC) and mtDNA-Server (mDS), were compared. Results: All the innate heteroplasmies were detected correctly by both analysis tools. Average MAFs of artificial heteroplasmies correlated well to the target values. The detection rates were almost 90% for high-level heteroplasmies, but decreased for low-level heteroplasmies. TVC generally showed lower detection rates than mDS, which seems to be due to their own computation algorithms which drop out some reference-dominant heteroplasmies. Meanwhile, mDS reported several unintended low-level heteroplasmies which were suggested as nuclear mitochondrial DNA sequences. The average coverage depth of each sample placed on the same chip showed considerable variation. The increase of coverage depth had no effect on the detection rates. Conclusion: In addition to the general accuracy of the MPS application on detecting heteroplasmy, our study indicates that the understanding of the nature of mitochondrial DNA and analysis algorithm would be crucial for appropriate interpretation of MPS results.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.395-402
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• 2000

The D165539 locus was investigated to collect population genetic data in the Korean population. The selected subject was unrelated 293 Korean people. DNA was extracted from the samples and PCR was performed with fluorescent primer. The amplified fragment was analysed by automated DNA sequencer and it's application software. Among the Korean population, 7 allele and 18 geneotype were observed and allele No. 9 is mostly frequent(0.2679) and then allele No. 11(0.2679), allele No. 9(0.2645). The observed heterozygosity and the expected heterozygosity is 0.7466, 0.7829 each. The polymorphism information content(PIC) is 0.7466. The power of discrimination(PD) and the mean exclusion chance(MEC) are calculated to be 0.9190 and 0.5775.

• The Korean Journal of Legal Medicine
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• 제42권4호
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• pp.146-152
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• 2018

We investigated the neural correlates of accurate eyewitness memory retrieval using functional near-infrared spectroscopy. We analyzed oxygenated hemoglobin ($HbO_2$) concentration in the prefrontal cortex during eyewitness memory retrieval task and examined regional $HbO_2$ differences between observed objects (target) and unobserved objects (lure). We found that target objects elicited increased activation in the bilateral ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, which is known for monitoring retrieval processing via bottom-up attentional processing. Our results suggest bottom-up attentional mechanisms could be different during accurate eyewitness memory retrieval. These findings indicate that investigating retrieval mechanisms using functional near-infrared spectroscopy might be useful for establishing an accurate eyewitness recognition model.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• 제55권2호
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• pp.170-178
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• 2022

Stature estimation is an important process of biological profile analysis for the identification of skeletal remains. In forensic practice, non-long bones might be needed for estimating stature, in case long bones were not recovered or well preserved. This study developed the stature estimation model from dry sterna in a Thai population. The combined length of manubrium and mesosternum (CMM) was the best single stature estimation indicator for males and combined sex samples, whereas the sternal area (SA) was the best stature estimation indicator for females in our study. The best multiple regression analysis models of our study were stature equal 122.685+0.182 (CMM)+0.592 (intercostal length between the third and fourth ribs [ICL₃₄]) with a standard error of estimation (SEE) of 6.134 cm for males, stature equal 130.676+0.005 (SA) with SEE of 5.370 cm for females, and stature equal 79.412+0.342 (CMM)+0.506 (corpus sterni width at first sternebra [CSW_S1])+0.794 (ICL₃₄) with SEE of 6.222 cm for unknown sex samples. The results indicated that a sternum can be used for estimating the stature of skeletal remains in a Thai population. However, these models might not be suitable for other populations, especially, in case the suspected stature is over the stature range in our study.

• 중환자간호학회지
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.34-50
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• 2018

Purpose : This study aimed to clarify attributes, antecedents, and consequences of forensic nursing competency. Method : Rodgers' evolutionary concept analysis was used to analyze twenty nine articles on forensic nursing based on a systematic review of theology, medicine, psychology, and nursing literature. Results : Forensic nursing competency consists of the following seven attributes: awareness of the medico-legal problem, multidisciplinary integrated knowledge, education and training in forensic science, professional career development, evidence based practice in forensic nursing, collaborative forensic nursing with community partner, safety and security effective communication, and supportive relationships. Finally, we could explain the consequences of forensic nursing competency on knowledge construction in nursing, enhancing professional nursing, and establishing a human rights and social justice based approach. The antecedents of forensic nursing competency were forensic science interest, forensic science experience, and nurses' view of person in forensic-works. Conclusion : Based on these results, we recommend the development of a Korean version of a scale to assess forensic nursing competency.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.241-247
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• 2014

Sudden cardiac death (SCD), which is primarily caused by lethal heart disorders resulting in structural and arrhythmogenic abnormalities, is one of the prevalent modes of death in most developed countries. Myocardial ischemia, mainly due to coronary artery disease, is the most common type of heart disease leading to SCD. However, postmortem diagnosis of SCD is frequently complicated by obscure histological evidence. Here, we show that certain mRNA species, namely those encoding hemoglobin A1/2 and B (Hba1/2 and Hbb, respectively) as well as pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (Pdk4), exhibit distinct postmortem expression patterns in the left ventricular free wall of SCD subjects when compared with their expression patterns in the corresponding tissues from control subjects with non-cardiac causes of death. Hba1/2 and Hbb mRNA expression levels were higher in ischemic SCD cases with acute myocardial infarction or ischemic heart disease without recent infarction, and even in cardiac death subjects without apparent pathological signs of heart injuries, than control subjects. By contrast, Pdk4 mRNA was expressed at lower levels in SCD subjects. In conclusion, we found that altered myocardial Hba1/2, Hbb, and Pdk4 mRNA expression patterns can be employed as molecular signatures of fatal cardiac dysfunction to forensically implicate SCD as the primary cause of death.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제55권1호
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• pp.71-76
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• 2017

This is the first study to report Chrysomya pinguis (Walker) and Lucilia porphyrina (Walker) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) as forensically important blow fly species from human cadavers in Thailand, in addition to Chrysomya villeneuvi (Patton) already known in Thailand. In 2016, a fully decomposed body of an unknown adult male was discovered in a high mountainous forest during winter in Chiang Mai province. The remains were infested heavily with thousands of blow fly larvae feeding simultaneously on them. Morphological identification of adults reared from the larvae, and molecular analysis based on sequencing of 1,247 bp partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (CO1) of the larvae and puparia, confirmed the above mentioned 3 species. The approving forensic fly evidence by molecular approach was described for the first time in Thailand. Moreover, neighbor-joining phylogenetic analysis of the CO1 was performed to compare the relatedness of the species, thereby affirming the accuracy of identification. As species of entomofauna varies among cases in different geographic and climatic circumstances, C. pinguis and L. porphyrina were added to the list of Thai forensic entomology caseworks, including colonizers of human remains in open, high mountainous areas during winter. Further research should focus on these 3 species, for which no developmental data are currently available.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권18호
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• pp.7617-7623
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• 2014

Objective: The mechanism of action of fatty acid synthase (FASN) in drug tolerance of breast cancer cells with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) features was investigated. Methods: The breast cancer cell line MCF-7-MEK5 with stably occurring EMT and tumour necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) tolerance was used as the experimental model, whereas MCF-7 acted as the control. Tumour cells were implanted into nude mice for in vivo analysis, and cerulenin was used as a FASN inhibitor. RT-PCR, real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot were employed to detect the expression of FASN, TNFR-1, TNFR-2, Wnt-1, ${\beta}$-catenin and cytC at the RNA and protein levels. Results: Compared with MCF-7, TNFR-1 expression in MCF-7-MEK5 was slightly changed, TNFR-2 was decreased, and FASN, Wnt-1, ${\beta}$-catenin and cytC were increased. The expression of Wnt-1 and ${\beta}$-catenin in MCF-7-MEK5 decreased after cerulenin treatment, whereas cytC expression increased. Conclusions: The important function of FASN in the drug tolerance of breast cancer may be due to the following mechanisms: FASN downregulated TNFR-2 expression through lipid rafts to make the cells less sensitive to TNF-${\alpha}$, and simultaneously activated the Wnt-$1/{\beta}$-catenin signalling pathway. Thus, cytC expression increased, which provided cells with anti-apoptotic capacity and induced drug tolerance.

• The Korean Journal of Legal Medicine
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• 제40권2호
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• pp.61-64
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• 2016

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV (EDS IV) is a hereditary disorder of the connective tissue, characterized by easy bruising, thin skin with visible veins, and spontaneous rupture of the large arteries, uterus, or bowel. EDS IV is caused by mutations of the gene for type III procollagen (COL3A1), resulting in insufficient collagen production or a defect in the structure of collagen. EDS IV can have fatal complications such as the rupture of great vessels or organs, which can cause hemorrhaging and sudden unexpected death. Here, we report a case of a 43-year-old female who collapsed after a struggle with a neighbor. In this patient, the bifurcation of the bilateral common iliac artery ruptured, with no evidence of trauma, inflammation, or atherosclerosis. Genetic analysis of COL3A1 showed the presence of a c.2771G>A (p.Gly924Arg) mutation, which may be associated with EDS IV. The forensic pathologist should consider the possibility that the spontaneous visceral or arterial rupture was caused by EDS IV. Genetic analysis is not currently a routine procedure during autopsy. However, in this case, we suggest that the patient possibly had an underlying EDS IV condition, and we recommended family members of the deceased to seek genetic analysis and counseling.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.87-93
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• 2001

SOX9과 SRY 유전자는 척추동물에서 남성고환의 형성을 유도하는 요소로 알려졌다. SOX9 유전자는 SRY related HMG box gene중 하나로 유전질환의 XY성전환 및 성을 결정하는 데에 관여하며 성결정시기에 그 양에 따른 성전환 발생등 연구가 진행되고 있다. 그러나 이 유전자가 성별판정에 유용할 지는 확실치 않다. 반면 SRY 유전자는 포유동물에서의 배형성시기 고환형성을 결정하는 Y염색체 유전자로 남성에만 존재하고 여성에는 존재 않는다. 현재까지 이을 이용하여 법의학적 검체에서 남성판별에 유용하게 사용되고 있다. 본 실험에서는 X, Y와 같은 성염색체가 아닌 상동염색체상에 있으면서 SRY 유전자와 더불어 남성고환을 결정하는 또다른 요소로서의 기능을 가진 SOX9 유전자를 치아에서 검출하여 법의학적 성별판정에 유용할 수 있는지 알아보고자 본 연구를 수행하였다. 남녀각각 5개의 치아에서 치수와 상아질을 분리한 후 DNA를 추출하여 SOX9과 SRY 유전자의 특이적인 시발체를 제작하고 중합효소연쇄반응을 시행하여 증폭하고 전기영동을 시행하였다. 그 결과 SOX9 유전자는 남녀모두에서 유전자가 검출되었고, SOX9 유전자산물과 SRY 유전자를 혼합하여 사용시 남자에서만 유전자가 검출되었다. 이는 법의치과학적 성별판정에 있어 SOX9 유전자는 사람의 치아에서는 남녀 모두 존재하며 남녀 구별을 위한 성별판정에는 이용할 수 없으며 SRY 유전자와 함께 적용시 남성 특이적 SRY 유전자 검사중 발생할 수 있는 가성 음성 반응여부를 확인하는 데 유용할 것으로 사료된다.