Male Lineages Research Articles

Blastocyst development after fertilization with in vitro spermatids derived from nonhuman primate embryonic stem cells

Objective:To demonstrate that functional spermatids can be derived in vitro from nonhuman primate pluripotent stem cells.Design:Green fluorescent protein-labeled, rhesus macaque nonhuman primate embryonic stem cells (nhpESCs) were differentiated into advanced male germ cell lineages using a modified serum-free spermatogonial stem cell culture medium. In vitro-derived round spermatid-like cells (rSLCs) from differentiated nhpESCs were assessed for their ability to fertilize rhesus oocytes by intracytoplasmic sperm(atid) injection.Setting:Multiple academic laboratory settings.Patient(s):Not applicable.Intervention(s):Intracytoplasmic sperm(atid) injection of in vitro-derived spermatids from nhpESCs into rhesus macaque oocytes.Main Outcome Measure(s):Differentiation into spermatogenic cell lineages was measured through multiple assessments including ribonucleic acid sequencing and immunocytochemistry for various spermatogenic markers. In vitro spermatids were assessed for their ability to fertilize oocytes by intracytoplasmic sperm(atid) injection by assessing early fertilization events such as spermatid deoxyribonucleic acid decondensation and pronucleus formation/apposition. Preimplantation embryo development from the one-cell zygote stage to the blastocyst stage was also assessed.Result(s):Nonhuman primate embryonic stem cells can be differentiated into advanced germ cell lineages, including haploid rSLCs. These rSLCs undergo deoxyribonucleic acid decondensation and pronucleus formation/apposition when microinjected into rhesus macaque mature oocytes, which, after artificial activation and coinjection of ten-eleven translocation 3 protein, undergo embryonic divisions with approximately 12% developing successfully into expanded blastocysts.Conclusion(s):This work demonstrates that rSLCs, generated in vitro from primate pluripotent stem cells, mimic many of the capabilities of in vivo round spermatids and perform events essential for preimplantation development. To our knowledge, this work represents, for the first time, that functional spermatid-like cells can be derived in vitro from primate pluripotent stem cells.

Epigenomic analyses in sub-populations of spermatozoa from infertile men with short anogenital distance

The key developmental steps in the male germ cell lineage include the epigenetic reprogramming of the primordial germ cells, the large-scale replacement of histone by protamine in spermatids and some degree of apoptosis. In past experiments, we prenatally exposed mice to di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP, CAS number 117-81-7). At adulthood, the exposed mice were characterized by reduced anogenital distance (AGD), poor semen quality, and epigenomic abnormalities in their gametes’ DNA. However, the phenotype heavily depended on the genetic background of the mouse strain. We identified SNP-dependent binding motifs for sex hormones signaling pathways varying between the susceptible and the resistant mouse strains. These SNP-dependent motifs were located in the genes that were the most affected one by DEHP, at both DNA methylation and RNA transcription levels. We then tried to replicate these observations into human. We selected 6 infertile patients with short AGD and 5 fertile sperm donors. Testicular volume was significantly reduced in infertile men with shorter AGD. Sub-populations of spermatozoa were FACS-sorted using the chromomycin A3 dye (protamine vs. histone) and with the YO-PRO-1 dye (apoptotic vs. non-apoptotic). In the four sorted sperm populations, we analyzed the epigenomes through reduced-representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS). The results demonstrated both lower CpG methylation and higher DNA fragmentation in infertile patients. Interestingly, numerous de-methylated regions localized within families of Alu repeats containing estrogen response elements (ERE). We are now in the process of replicating the entire study with a new cohort of five infertile patients and five fertile controls. The aim is to understand if there is a relationship between these epigenomic alterations within Alu repeats containing ERE and fertility, and whether exposures to anti-androgenic endocrine disruptors may alter methylation marks within these Alu-ERE repeats.

Keeping it in the family: Female inheritance, inmarriage, and the status of women

While female property ownership is associated with positive outcomes for women, their right to inherit property in patrilineal societies may also result in more constraining marriage norms. I test the following hypothesis: Where a woman inherits property, her male relatives are more likely to arrange her marriage to a cousin in order to keep her share of property within the male lineage. The increase in unearned income due to female inheritance also reduces women’s economic participation, especially in blue-collar jobs where women’s work is subject to social stigmas. Using a difference-in-differences design that exploits exogenous variation induced by a reform of inheritance laws in India in 2005, the study finds that women exposed to the female inheritance law are more likely to marry their paternal cousins and less likely to work, especially in agriculture. The paper also discusses possible implications for the evolution of marriage and gender norms in Islamic societies, where female inheritance is mandated by Islamic law.

Profil Pranata Sosial Komunitas Suku Nuaulu

ABSTRACT
 Social institutions are rules that apply in regulating human behavior in acting based on considerations of norms and values ​​that live in the life of society. This study aims to determine the existence and benefits of socio-cultural institutions in the Nuaulu tribe community. Data collection techniques with observation and in-depth interviews. Research informants came from elements of the state government, traditional leaders, youth leaders, educators and community leaders.
 The results of the data analysis concluded that hereditary customs strongly influenced the life of the Nuaulu people with the loyalty of the people in carrying out the prevailing institutions. The economic system and the community's livelihood system are farming, processing sago, gathering and laboring. The socio-cultural institutional arrangements are in the form of an adult ceremony for boys (Brokeneri), an adult ceremony for girls (pinamou), a wedding ceremony, a pregnancy ceremony, a birth ceremony, a haircut ceremony (tihtikuau) and a funeral ceremony. The structure of the kinship system is a patrilineal (male lineage) and it is not required to have intermarriage. Religious institutions and beliefs are tribal religions. Educational institutions, knowledge, and technology are based on experience (local knowledge) from generation to generation, and children of school age have attended various levels of education to tertiary education.
 Keywords: Social Institutions, Nuaulu Tribe Community.

Profil Pranata Sosial Komunitas Suku Nuaulu

ABSTRACT
 Social institutions are rules that apply in regulating human behavior in acting based on considerations of norms and values ​​that live in the life of society. This study aims to determine the existence and benefits of socio-cultural institutions in the Nuaulu tribe community. Data collection techniques with observation and in-depth interviews. Research informants came from elements of the state government, traditional leaders, youth leaders, educators and community leaders.
 The results of the data analysis concluded that hereditary customs strongly influenced the life of the Nuaulu people with the loyalty of the people in carrying out the prevailing institutions. The economic system and the community's livelihood system are farming, processing sago, gathering and laboring. The socio-cultural institutional arrangements are in the form of an adult ceremony for boys (Brokeneri), an adult ceremony for girls (pinamou), a wedding ceremony, a pregnancy ceremony, a birth ceremony, a haircut ceremony (tihtikuau) and a funeral ceremony. The structure of the kinship system is a patrilineal (male lineage) and it is not required to have intermarriage. Religious institutions and beliefs are tribal religions. Educational institutions, knowledge, and technology are based on experience (local knowledge) from generation to generation, and children of school age have attended various levels of education to tertiary education.
 Keywords: Social Institutions, Nuaulu Tribe Community.

IDENTIFICATION OF CUSTOMARY RULES IN PRIVATE FOREST MANAGEMENT ON SIHUTINGCUSTOMARY LAND, ARITONANG VILLAGE,MUARA DISTRICT, NORTH TAPANULI REGENCY

Private forest of Aritonang village is on customary land which is the inheritance of the ancestors in the form of gift/wages by Raja Aritonang to Ompu Guru Sukkunon (a descendant of the Ompusunggu clan) and Ompu Guru Solupa (a descendant of the Rajagukguk clan) are managed based on customary rules. The purpose of this research was to identify the customary rules that apply and to find out the benefits of customary rules in the management of private forests in the customary land of the village of Aritonang. This research was conducted in Aritonang village, Muara Distric, North Tapanuli Regency in April - May 2019. This research used purposive sampling technique to selection of informants. Namely the male lineage and the female lineage of Guru Sukkunon and Guru Solupa who live in hamlet 1 of Aritonang village as much as 36 families, Non-descendant communities Ompu Guru Sukkunon and Ompu Guru Solupa (relatives) who are domiciled in hamlet 1 of Aritonang village as many as 6 families and Batu Binumbun village community who border directly with customary land of Sihuting in Aritonang village as much as 1 family. And this research used qualitative descriptive analysis to analyze the data. Customary rules that apply in the management of Aritonang’s Sihuting private forest cover the process of granting and inheriting management rights of the land land, the time span of use and omission of land, types of plants that are allowed to be planted and/or cared for, yields, establish houses, and determination of sanctions for violators of customary law. The benefits of customary rules in the management of Aritonang’s Sihuting customary forests are the maintenance of order and justice in the process of granting and managing the management rights of customary land.

Method of Identifying Male Lineages Based on Main Haplotype and Analysis of the Distribution of Y-STR Haplotype Mismatch Based on the Bayesian Theory

To establish a classification method to identify different male lineages in a large population, to study the distribution patterns of Y-STR loci mismatches among Han Chinese male lineage members and to explore the mismatch probability distribution among the members with different meiosis intervals in the family. Peripheral blood samples of 269 male individuals from 12 lineages in Han Chinese population and 45 unrelated male individuals were collected. Then, Yfiler Plus TM and ZGWZ FSY or Yfiler Platinum amplification kits were used, obtaining 314 Y-STR haplotypes. The Y-STR haplotype with 3 or more repetitions were selected as the main haplotype, in which the largest number was selected as the first data center. According to the standard of Y-STR genotype, those with mismatches within five loci and six steps were clustered and merged. Then, the main haplotype of the largest number in the remaining data was taken as the second data center, and cluster analysis is carried out in turn until there is no main haplotype remained. Pair comparison was conducted between lineage members and unrelated individuals, and the mismatch distribution among lineage members and unrelated individuals was calculated respectively. The average mismatch rate of each locus was subsequently calculated, as well as the mismatch probability distribution among members with different meiosis intervals within the lineage. 269 out of the 314 individuals were divided into 12 groups by cluster analysis method, accomplishing 100% accuracy between the cluster groups thus identified and the 12 known lineages. The remaining 45 unrelated individuals were scattered. The mismatch loci was within 0-7 loci and 0-7 steps among lineage members and the mismatch between unrelated individuals was at least 11 loci and 15 steps. The mismatch loci with the largest number of one-step and two-step mismatch were different in each lineage and had features that were specific to each lineage. The minimum mutation count and average mismatch rate of each locus were significantly correlated with the mutation rate. Two individuals with no mismatch had a 19.7% probability of 1 meiosis interval and a 71.2% probability of less than 6 meiosis interval. Two individuals with 3 loci mismatches had a 65.2% probability of more than 10 meiosis intervals. The cluster analysis method based on main haplotypes provided in this paper can quickly and effectively differentiate large male lineage samples. The clustering method and the mismatch probability distribution of different meiosis intervals obtained thus can provide new ideas for research and screening instruments, and important reference for lineage investigation, data analysis and practical application of Y-STR database in the future.

Failed Family Sagas

The aim of this article is to examine how failed family sagas have defined early Italian/American culture and female literary tradition through Julia Savarese’s The Weak and the Strong (1952) and Marion Benasutti’s No Steady Job for Papa (1966). The idea of failed (female) lineages is articulated in a thematic sense that is overtly expressed in the depiction of both families in the texts. These convey a doomed plot which matches the coarse realities of immigration and the depression, as well as reflects the boundaries represented by the intersecting limitations of embodying racial and gender difference. Particularly, the article focuses on how male lineage is paramount in the novels and define Italian/American culture. In this sense, the analysis also contends that, as the authors themselves also encountered similar limitations, the lost genealogy of these early precursors has equally endangered the Italian/American female literary tradition.

Gender Analysis of Marriage Guardians in the Compilation of Islamic Law

The concept of marriage guardians in Islamic Law Compilation still seems biased and patriarchal, because women do not have the right to marry themselves or others. Articles on guardian of marriage are still less responsive to women's interests. A gender imbalance regarding the concept of marriage guardians is further strengthened by the provisions of marriage guardians in the Islamic Law Compilation which are strictly aimed at men. This research used literature review method based on the Compilation of Islamic Law and gender theory. This study found that, the information about guardian of marriage which is a man’s right from the father's line is actually in line with the pagan Arab culture, including the contribution of Quraish hegemony in interpreting religious propositions. In this regard, Arab societies like Quraish had great respect for a person based on their lineage, so that everyone who was respected would wholeheartedly keep their honor. The lineage in Arabic culture is in the hands of the male lineage, and women are entered into second-class citizens in front of them.

Bio-Molecular Allele Frequencies Availability of 23Y-Str Markers Polymorphisms and Odontogenic Diseases in Iraqi Population Study

Orofacial diseases of multidiscipline nature from carious lesions to tumors are significant diseases attacka large number of individuals around the world. However, In the recent years, bioinformatics methodshave been reported to analyses several loci of simultaneously. Moreover, Analysis of molecular variance(AMOVA) (23) was performed to measure the geneticdistance between the Iraqi populationsample andreference data from populations. In this study, we analyzed the genetic polymorphisms of 23 Y-STR locifrom PowerPlex® Y23 system in 313 unrelated healthy male individuals from Iraqi populations, andobserved 283 different haplotypes including 269 unique haplotypes and 16 duplicate haplotypes. in which283 different haplotypes was identified classified into 264 (93, 23%) as a unique Haplotype and 19 (6,77%) as replicated haplotype among individuals. The highest haplotype were found in sample H45, H85,H135,H213 and H241 at frequency 0.010 ( haplotype replicated 3 times ), While 264 haplotype with 0.0033frequency and haplotype diversity was 0.996 with a discrimination capacity 0.93 respectively. The genediversity values ranged from 0.3942 at DYS438 to 0.9607 at DYS385a/b. Such results indicated that the 23Y-STR loci were highly polymorphic in Bagdad population and played crucial roles in forensic applicationas well as population genetics. For the first time, we reported the genetic diversity of male lineages inBagdad population at a high-resolution level of 23 Y-STR set and consequently contributed to familialsearching, Odontologic science application tracking, and anthropology analysis of Bagdad population.

Phylogenetic history of patrilineages rare in northern and eastern Europe from large-scale re-sequencing of human Y-chromosomes.

The most frequent Y-chromosomal (chrY) haplogroups in northern and eastern Europe (NEE) are well-known and thoroughly characterised. Yet a considerable number of men in every population carry rare paternal lineages with estimated frequencies around 5%. So far, limited sample-sizes and insufficient resolution of genotyping have obstructed a truly comprehensive look into the variety of rare paternal lineages segregating within populations and potential signals of population history that such lineages might convey. Here we harness the power of massive re-sequencing of human Y chromosomes to identify previously unknown population-specific clusters among rare paternal lineages in NEE. We construct dated phylogenies for haplogroups E2-M215, J2-M172, G-M201 and Q-M242 on the basis of 421 (of them 282 novel) high-coverage chrY sequences collected from large-scale databases focusing on populations of NEE. Within these otherwise rare haplogroups we disclose lineages that began to radiate ~1-3 thousand years ago in Estonia and Sweden and reveal male phylogenetic patterns testifying of comparatively recent local demographic expansions. Conversely, haplogroup Q lineages bear evidence of ancient Siberian influence lingering in the modern paternal gene pool of northern Europe. We assess the possible direction of influx of ancestral carriers for some of these male lineages. In addition, we demonstrate the congruency of paternal haplogroup composition of our dataset with two independent population-based cohorts from Estonia and Sweden.

Early-Life Exposure to Environmental Contaminants Perturbs the Sperm Epigenome and Induces Negative Pregnancy Outcomes for Three Generations via the Paternal Lineage.

Due to the grasshopper effect, the Arctic food chain in Canada is contaminated with persistent organic pollutants (POPs) of industrial origin, including polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides. Exposure to POPs may be a contributor to the greater incidence of poor fetal growth, placental abnormalities, stillbirths, congenital defects and shortened lifespan in the Inuit population compared to non-Aboriginal Canadians. Although maternal exposure to POPs is well established to harm pregnancy outcomes, paternal transmission of the effects of POPs is a possibility that has not been well investigated. We used a rat model to test the hypothesis that exposure to POPs during gestation and suckling leads to developmental defects that are transmitted to subsequent generations via the male lineage. Indeed, developmental exposure to an environmentally relevant Arctic POPs mixture impaired sperm quality and pregnancy outcomes across two subsequent, unexposed generations and altered sperm DNA methylation, some of which are also observed for two additional generations. Genes corresponding to the altered sperm methylome correspond to health problems encountered in the Inuit population. These findings demonstrate that the paternal methylome is sensitive to the environment and that some perturbations persist for at least two subsequent generations. In conclusion, although many factors influence health, paternal exposure to contaminants plays a heretofore-underappreciated role with sperm DNA methylation contributing to the molecular underpinnings involved.

Hak Waris Laki-Laki Perkawinan Nyeburin dalam Hukum Adat Bali di Desa Adat Sawan Kabupaten Gianyar

The kinship system that adheres to the Patrilineal system or better known to adhere to the male lineage system or in Balinese terms is commonly known as following the purus. Purusa will later become an heir and will inherit all the rights and obligations of his parents towards God. A Nyeburin marriage is the opposite if the wife has the status and position as purusa and the man has the status and position as pradana. This study aims to analyze the model of inheritance for boys who marry in Sawan Village, Gianyar Regency and explain the ownership rights to inheritance given by men in nyeburin marriages in Sawan Traditional Village, Gianyar Regency. The method used was empirical legal research, with a statutory and conceptual approach. Sources of data used were primary and secondary legal data. The results showed that the model of giving inheritance for boys who married in Sawan Village, Gianyar Regency was given a kind of gift in the form of dry land which was given to men who were willing to be son-in-law and to marry in order to give the property when the man -the man who agrees and agrees to do the marriage intercourse, then the land becomes the man's full right.

Origin and diffusion of human Y chromosome haplogroup J1-M267

Human Y chromosome haplogroup J1-M267 is a common male lineage in West Asia. One high-frequency region—encompassing the Arabian Peninsula, southern Mesopotamia, and the southern Levant—resides ~ 2000 km away from the other one found in the Caucasus. The region between them, although has a lower frequency, nevertheless demonstrates high genetic diversity. Studies associate this haplogroup with the spread of farming from the Fertile Crescent to Europe, the spread of mobile pastoralism in the desert regions of the Arabian Peninsula, the history of the Jews, and the spread of Islam. Here, we study past human male demography in West Asia with 172 high-coverage whole Y chromosome sequences and 889 genotyped samples of haplogroup J1-M267. We show that this haplogroup evolved ~ 20,000 years ago somewhere in northwestern Iran, the Caucasus, the Armenian Highland, and northern Mesopotamia. The major branch—J1a1a1-P58—evolved during the early Holocene ~ 9500 years ago somewhere in the Arabian Peninsula, the Levant, and southern Mesopotamia. Haplogroup J1-M267 expanded during the Chalcolithic, the Bronze Age, and the Iron Age. Most probably, the spread of Afro-Asiatic languages, the spread of mobile pastoralism in the arid zones, or both of these events together explain the distribution of haplogroup J1-M267 we see today in the southern regions of West Asia.

Low Persistence of Genetic Rescue Across Generations in the Arctic Fox (Vulpes lagopus).

Genetic rescue can facilitate the recovery of small and isolated populations suffering from inbreeding depression. Long-term effects are however complex, and examples spanning over multiple generations under natural conditions are scarce. The aim of this study was to test for long-term effects of natural genetic rescue in a small population of Scandinavian Arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus). By combining a genetically verified pedigree covering almost 20 years with a long-term dataset on individual fitness (n = 837 individuals), we found no evidence for elevated fitness in immigrant F2 and F3 compared to native inbred foxes. Population inbreeding levels showed a fluctuating increasing trend and emergence of inbreeding within immigrant lineages shortly after immigration. Between 0–5 and 6–9 years post immigration, the average number of breeding adults decreased by almost 22% and the average proportion of immigrant ancestry rose from 14% to 27%. Y chromosome analysis revealed that 2 out of 3 native male lineages were lost from the gene pool, but all founders represented at the time of immigration were still contributing to the population at the end of the study period through female descendants. The results highlight the complexity of genetic rescue and suggest that beneficial effects can be brief. Continuous gene flow may be needed for small and threatened populations to recover and persist in a longer time perspective.

About Seraph’s arrow and St. Michael’s shield. A poem by priest Dominik Zabłocki OP for Countess Teresa Barbara Radziwill Pac on the occasion of her name day

In the second half of the eighteenth century a lot of occasional poems were published in Vilnius. Their authors were often representatives of various orders: the Piarists, the Jesuits, the Basilians, the Dominicans. Name day poems enjoyed great popularity, which was influenced by the intensive development of various forms of social life. Name day poems were part of “home muse” or family poetry. The authors often addressed their works to representatives of the political and official elite of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, who played an important role in the public and political life of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The poems were more often devoted to the representatives of the male lineage due to their social status and functions, although it happened that women, especially representatives of influential families in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, were also the recipients of these poems. The article discusses an occasional work by a priest Dominik Zabłocki, Dominican friar, devoted to Countess Teresa Barbara Pacowa of the Dukes of Radziwills – a lady of the Austrian Order of the Starry Cross. The poem describes her personal merits, the merits of her husband and family, referring to the rich symbolism of the coat of arms of the Pac, the Radziwill and the Zawisza families from which Teresa Pacowa’s mother was descended. This piece of work undoubtedly belongs to the group of texts that were addressed to a wider audience and performed a political and propaganda function.

CAG repeat instability in embryonic stem cells and derivative spermatogenic cells of transgenic Huntington’s disease monkey

The expansion of CAG (glutamine; Q) trinucleotide repeats (TNRs) predominantly occurs through male lineage in Huntington's disease (HD). As a result, offspring will have larger CAG repeats compared to their fathers, which causes an earlier onset of the disease called genetic anticipation. This study aims to develop a novel in vitro model to replicate CAG repeat instability in early spermatogenesis and demonstrate the biological process of genetic anticipation by using the HD stem cell model for the first time. HD rhesus monkey embryonic stem cells (rESCs) were cultured in vitro for an extended period. Male rESCs were used to derive spermatogenic cells in vitro with a 10-day differentiation. The assessment of CAG repeat instability was performed by GeneScan and curve fit analysis. Spermatogenic cells derived from rESCs exhibit progressive expansion of CAG repeats with high daily expansion rates compared to the extended culture of rESCs. The expansion of CAG repeats is cell type-specific and size-dependent. Here, we report a novel stem cell model that replicates genome instability and CAG repeat expansion in in vitro derived HD monkey spermatogenic cells. The in vitro spermatogenic cell model opens a new opportunity for studying TNR instability and the underlying mechanism of genetic anticipation, not only in HD but also in other TNR diseases.

Linajes paternos autóctonos de Gran Chaco analizados con microsatélites

El Gran Chaco es uno de los biomas de las Tierras Bajas sudamericanas más recientemente poblados por los seres humanos, ha mantenido su diversidad etnolingüística y muestra evidencias de la existencia de contactos interétnicos. El objetivo de este trabajo es reconocer estructuración genética en la fracción nativa de los linajes paternos en las poblaciones chaqueñas, para lo cual se analizaron 116 individuos de poblaciones wichi, toba, chorote y mocoví de Argentina y lengua y ayoreo de Paraguay. Se identificaron los haplogrupos paternos a través de AFLP y posteriormente se determinaron los haplotipos basados en 17 microsatélites del cromosoma Y en los individuos poseedores de linajes nativos. Se agregaron 166 individuos del NOA para comparaciones regionales. Se estimaron frecuencias haplotípicas e índices de fijación. Se construyeron redes medianas y se evaluó la correlación entre las distancias geográficas y genéticas. Se realizaron Análisis de Coordenadas Principales, y se calcularon las posibles barreras genéticas (áreas geográficas donde la diferenciación genética entre poblaciones adyacentes es mayor). Se obtuvieron 167 haplotipos únicos y 43 haplotipos compartidos para las poblaciones de Gran Chaco y NOA. Las distancias FST y el análisis de autocorrelación espacial muestran estructura geográfica de aislamiento por distancia y 3 barreras que separan a tobas de Salta, lengua y ayoreo de Paraguay y mocovíes de Chaco, esperable ya que estas dos últimas son poblaciones que están geográficamente más distantes. Al agregar las muestras del NOA las barreras antes encontradas se mantienen, pero no se evidencian barreras entre las poblaciones de NOA y Gran Chaco, sugiriendo conexiones entre ambas regiones.

Germline development and seed set of metallophyte Biscutella laevigata L. (Brassicaceae)

The costs of Biscutella laevigata adaptation, a facultative metallophyte, to an environment polluted with heavy metals were established by analyzing the differences in embryological processes between plants from two populations in Southern Poland (a mountain, in the Tatra Mountains and calamine, in Bolesław). Disturbances in male and female lineage development occurred in plants from both populations. The higher frequency of degenerations in plants from the calamine population could be interpreted as a strategy to save resources limited by the environment. The distribution of high-esterified homogalacturonan detected by LM20 antibody in the cell walls of embryos from the calamine population could be part of a resistance/defense system. The results from both populations indicate that B. laevigata has already developed adaptation/tolerance, enabling maintenance of the calamine population over time. Tolerant species could be an important source for revitalization and/or phytoremediation of polluted environments.

Evaluation of the Ion AmpliSeq™ PhenoTrivium Panel: MPS-Based Assay for Ancestry and Phenotype Predictions Challenged by Casework Samples.

As the field of forensic DNA analysis has started to transition from genetics to genomics, new methods to aid in crime scene investigations have arisen. The development of informative single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers has led the forensic community to question if DNA can be a reliable “eye-witness” and whether the data it provides can shed light on unknown perpetrators. We have developed an assay called the Ion AmpliSeq™ PhenoTrivium Panel, which combines three groups of markers: 41 phenotype- and 163 ancestry-informative autosomal SNPs together with 120 lineage-specific Y-SNPs. Here, we report the results of testing the assay’s sensitivity and the predictions obtained for known reference samples. Moreover, we present the outcome of a blind study performed on real casework samples in order to understand the value and reliability of the information that would be provided to police investigators. Furthermore, we evaluated the accuracy of admixture prediction in Converge™ Software. The results show the panel to be a robust and sensitive assay which can be used to analyze casework samples. We conclude that the combination of the obtained predictions of phenotype, biogeographical ancestry, and male lineage can serve as a potential lead in challenging police investigations such as cold cases or cases with no suspect.