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Casework evidence samples are likely to be placed under diverse and harsh environments as compared to quantified DNA samples including serial-diluted standard DNA samples. Internal validation of a novel STR kit using casework evidence sample, which is conducted according to various conditions such as DNA contamination and degradation, is crucial before being used as a forensic application. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the reliability of the Investigator® 24plex QS kit through DNA derived from casework evidence and to assess whether it is applicable to STR analysis together with PowerPlex® Fusion System and GlobalFiler™ PCR Amplification Kit. DNA was extracted from 189 casework evidence samples in a total of 77 cases. The mismatch of the allelic size of this kit through allelic sizing precision test, was suitable according to ENFSI guidelines. All heterozygous balance of the three kits were above 0.6 recommended value of ENFSI guideline. The number of allele drop-in was most frequent in the GlobalFiler™ PCR Amplification Kit. In addition, the number of allele drop-out was most frequent in the Investigator® 24plex QS kit. The cutoff concentration of DNA detected in three kits of one complete STR was approximately 45 pg/μL on average. Despite of several limitations, the Investigator® 24plex QS kit is considered to have the capability to be used for STR analysis of casework evidence samples.

A variety of Y-STR analysis kits have been developed and used in the forensic field. Prior to the forensic application of a new kit, laboratory validation and sensitivity tests are essential processes in selecting suitable alternatives and for assuring that standard operating procedures are followed. In this paper, we have performed a sensitivity study of a new commercial kit, the Yfiler ® PLUS PCR Amplification Kit (Yfiler plus kit, released in 2014) by comparing it with the AmpF/STR ® Yfiler TM PCR Amplification Kit (Yfiler kit, released in 2004). The Yfiler plus kit includes the 17 Y-STR loci of the Yfiler kit and has been supplemented with 10 new Y-STR loci. First, we analyzed the sensitivity difference between the two kits using commercial control DNA 2800M and 007. In addition, we compared the detection rate between the two kits from the 16 selected forensic casework samples of less than 0.5 ng concentrations. The results show that the sensitivity and detection rate of the Yfiler plus kit are higher than the corresponding rates of the Yfiler kit. In addition, we were able to obtain more Y-STR profiles with the use of the new kit. Thus, we suggest that Yfiler plus kit is a more effective forensic tool to detect Y-STR profiles from forensic casework samples of low concentrations. 요약 : 법과학 분야에서 다양한 Y-STR 분석 키트가 개발되어 사용되고 있고, 새로운 키트의 법과학적 적용에 앞서 DNA 감정에 적절한 분석 키트들의 선정과 표준작업절차서의 작성을 위해 실험실 내의 내 부적 유효성 검증 및 민감도 시험은 필수적인 과정이다. 본 논문에서는 새로운 상업용 키트인 Yfiler ®

In this study, simple electrospinning combined with pyrolysis were used to fabricate transition-metal-based-nanoparticle-incorporated carbon nanofiber (CNF) electrocatalysts for a high-efficiency hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and overall water splitting. Co-CeO2 nanoparticle-incorporated carbon nanofibers (Co-CeO2@CNF) exhibit an outstanding electrocatalytic HER performance with an overpotential and Tafel slope of 92 mV and 54 mV/dec, respectively. For the counterpart, electrolysis, we incorporate the widely used Ni2Fe catalyst with a high oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity into the carbon nanofiber (Ni2Fe@CNF). To evaluate their electrochemical properties for the overall water splitting, Co-CeO2@CNF and Ni2Fe@CNF were used as the HER and OER electrocatalysts in an alkaline electrolyzer. With the paired Co-CeO2@CNF and Ni2Fe@CNF electrodes, an overall water splitting current density of 10 mA/cm2 was achieved by applying 1.587 V across the electrodes with a remarkably lower overpotential of 257 mV compared to that of an electrolyzer comprised of Pt/C and IrO2 electrodes (400 mV). Owing to the conformal incorporation of nanoparticles into the CNF, the electrocatalysts exhibit significant long-term durability over 70 h of overall water splitting. This study provides rational designs of catalysts with high electrochemical catalytic activity and durability to achieve overall water splitting.

In this study, we compared two recently released commercial Y-chromosomal short tandem repeat (Y-STR) kits: the PowerPlex Y23 System (PPY23) and Yfiler® Plus PCR amplification kit (YPlus). We performed validation studies, including sensitivity, tolerance to PCR inhibitors, and mixture analysis, and a population genetics study using 306 unrelated South Korean males. PPY23 and YPlus showed similar sensitivity, but PPY23 showed higher tolerance to humic acid than YPlus. Furthermore, the detection rate of unique minor alleles called from male/male mixtures was higher for PPY23 than for YPlus. Comparing the newly added loci, the mean values of gene diversity for PPY23 and YPlus were 0.6715 and 0.8158, respectively. The discrimination capacity in the 306 unrelated South Korean males for PPY23 was 0.9837, and that for YPlus was 0.9935. These results will inform the selection of suitable Y-STR kits based on the purpose of forensic DNA analysis.

Monascus fermented soybeans (MFS) were prepared by solid state fermentation. MFS showed higher solubility than the unfermented control within the acidic pH region but showed the opposite trend at pH 7 and 9. Although the emulsifying activity index of MFS was lower than that of the control, MFS had significantly higher emulsion stability at pH 7 and 9. Significant protein hydrolysis took place during fermentation, and the proportion of peak area less than 1.35 kDa was greatly increased in MFS. Whole soymilk prepared from MFS contained monacolin K (475 μg/g), and was enriched in isoflavone aglycones. Neither homogenisation nor pasteurisation caused significant changes in the isoflavone and monacolin K contents of the Monascus fermented soymilk. Total phenol content and ABTS radical scavenging activity were significantly higher in the Monascus fermented soymilk than in the control soymilk.

LiNi1−yTiyO2 (y = 0.000, 0.012, 0.025, 0.050, 0.100 and 0.150) were synthesized by ball milling and the solid-state reaction method. The optimum conditions to synthesize a cathode material LiNi0.975Ti0.025O2 are milling for 28 h and then preheating at 600 °C for 16 h and finally calcining at 750 °C for 30 h in an O2 stream. LiNi1−yTiyO2 (0 ≤ y ≤ 0.150) synthesized under these optimum conditions have the α-NaFeO2 structure of the rhombohedral system (space group; R 3 ¯ m ). The samples with y = 0, 0.012 and 0.025 show splitting of 0 0 6 and 1 0 2 peaks of 1 0 8 and 1 1 0 peaks, indicating the decrease in cation mixing. The voltage versus discharge capacity curves for y = 0.012 and 0.025 exhibit three distinct plateaus corresponding to phase transitions. Among LiNi1−yTiyO2 (0 ≤ y ≤ 0.150), LiNi0.975Ti0.025O2 has the largest first discharge capacity, 155 mAh/g and the relatively good cycling performance (77% at n = 10).

This study examined the bioactivity of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae)-fermented aged black garlic (FBG) on obese mice supplied a high-fat diet (HFD) and its in vitro antioxidant activity. Aged black garlic (BG) exhibits potent antioxidative effects and has been subjected to extensive research. In addition, the bioactivity of some natural products is increased by fermentation. In a preliminary test, this study found that the antioxidant activity of FBG is stronger than that of BG. Therefore, it was hypothesized that the bioactivity of BG would be increased by yeast fermentation and would be a good candidate as a nutraceutical product for improving the oxidative defense systems in older patients or patients affected by various oxidative stresses, for example, diabetes and diabetic complications. To test this hypothesis, the bioactivities of FBG in diabetic and obese mice as well as the antioxidant activity in vitro were examined. After 91 days of continuous HFD supply, the mice showed marked obesity, hyperglycemia, hyperlipemia, and liver and kidney damages. Black garlic and all 3 different doses of FBG showed favorable hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, hypolipidemic, and antiobesity effects compared with the HFD control, but no hypoglycemic effects. In particular, more favorable bioactivity against all 4 HFD-induced diabetic complications was detected in the FBG-treated groups compared with the group given equivalent doses of BG. These findings suggest that the bioactivities of BG can be improved by yeast fermentation.

Current forensic DNA typing is conducted in approximately 8–9h. Whole steps included DNA extraction step, Quantification, PCR amplification step, electrophoresis process through capillary separation with fluorescence detection, data analysis and DNA profile interpretation. Among them, we have tested rapid PCR method of AmpF l STR Identifler PCR to reduce running time. We have altered several PCR conditions of ordinary AmpF l STR Identifler PCR method and used 9947A control DNA to cut the time for the PCR reaction. In the results of this study, the critical step of the PCR reaction was the annealing step and also we reduced PCR running times by 1/3 to 2/3 (approximately 60–90min) with complete concordance of STR allele calls using standard reference material 9947A.