46 research outputs found
Y Chromosome Short Tandem Repeats Typing
No full textThe application of the Y chromosome short tandem repeats (Y-STR) in forensic field and lineage studies has been dramatically growing in the last few decades. In forensic cases, when male–female mixtures cannot be resolved using autosomal STR multiplexes kits, the application of Y-STR profiling will add a beneficial value by producing the male Y-STR haplotype. In forensic application, Y-STR is mostly used in sexual assault cases, paternity testing, familial searching, and male disaster victim identification (DVI). Assigning a weight to a haplotype match between evidence and reference samples is essential to make it admissible in court to help achieving justice. Because of the nature of the inheritance pattern of Y chromosome through male lineages, all loci located on Y chromosome are considered as one locus. Consequently, to assign the weight, a relevant Y-STR haplotype database should be employed to estimate the rarity of a Y-STR haplotype. This chapter explains the concept and history of Y-STR typing and its application for forensic investigation purposes. It explains all commercially available Y-STR multiplex kits such as PowerPlex® Y23 and Yfiler® Plus. Also, an illustration of in-house-developed multiplex kits for rapidly mutating Y-STRs is also presented. The discrimination capacity between male individuals, both relatives and non-relatives, and also haplotype diversity of these kits are illustrated briefly in this chapter. The interpretation guidelines of different types of loci, single-allelic and multi-allelic, are explained as per the international standard guidelines recommended by SWGDAM and ISFG. In addition, the two main Y-STR databases, YHRD and US Y-STR, are discussed along with other databases which are used for genealogy studies. Moreover, the utilization of these databases to estimate the rarity of Y-STR haplotypes and its involved statistical uncertainties following different approaches has been discussed
Development, Validation and Applications of a Novel Multiplex Assay RM-Yplex Amplifying 13 Rapidly Mutating Y Chromosome Short Tandem Repeat Regions
No full textA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) multiplex assay capable of amplifying 13 rapidly mutating Y chromosome short tandem repeats (RM Y-STRs) simultaneously was developed and optimised. This multiplex assay which was termed RM-Yplex is the first to include all 13 RM Y-STRs including DYF387S1, DYF399S1, DYF403S1a/b, DYF404S1, DYS449, DYS518, DYS526a/b DYS547, DYS570, DYS576, DYS612, DYS626 and DYS627. A developmental validation was performed following the Scientific Working Group for DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM) revised guidelines. Robustness and limitations of the assay were demonstrated through a range of studies including reproducibility, sensitivity, specificity, stability and mixture studies. Appropriate controls were used during the studies that included a number of male and female commercial controls including, 2800M, 9948 and Taqman male controls and 9947A female control. An allelic ladder was developed for the assignment of the alleles. This was done by choosing samples with different alleles, amplifying them and then adjusting the volumes of amplified products in a mixture. The developed mixtures were used to balance the composite ladder. Multiple alleles of the various loci included in the ladder were sequenced. Reference haplotypes were developed for the 5 male samples included in the Y chromosome Standard Reference Material 2395 (SRM2395) using RM-Yplex. The International Society of Forensic Genetics (ISFG) recommendations were followed for adopting allele nomenclature. As part of developmental validation, the assay was included in an external proficiency trial which was concluded successfully. An internal validation of RM-Yplex was carried out at the Department of Forensic Sciences and Criminology Laboratory, Dubai where apart from other studies; application of the assay was demonstrated using non-probative forensic casework samples. The value of RM-Yplex was demonstrated for differentiating close male relatives in a case where a previously used Y-STR multiplex assay had shown identical haplotypes for those individuals. 1160 male individual samples were analysed in this study including UAE, other Arabian Peninsula populations as well as two South Asian populations residing in United Arab Emirates. RM-Yplex haplotypes have extremely high power of discrimination. The haplotype diversity for RM-Yplex haplotype is much more than the existing commercial Y-STR assays. Population studies have been carried out for the Arab, Indian and Pakistani populations. AMOVA was conducted for determining the apportionment of diversity and pairwise FST’s were estimated between populations. These have shown a marked homogeneity within the UAE Arab sub-populations. MDS plots of pairwise FST’s indicated that populations were not grouped significantly in accordance with the geographical locations. A network analysis showed the extent of distribution of haplotypes of various populations and their relationships. A highly sensitive and reliable RM-Yplex multiplex assay has been thus developed, which is expected to help genetic populations studies and forensic casework
Study of 27 Y-STR markers in United Arab Emirates population
No full textThe recently introduced 6-dyes Yfiler® Plus multiplex kit which includes 27 Y-STR loci has been used to study 436 UAE Arab male individuals. In addition to the 17 Y-STRs traditionally used in Yfiler® multiplex kit, Yfiler® Plus has ten additional Y-STRs. It includes seven rapidly mutating Y-STRs (RM Y-STRs) namely DYS560, DYS576, DYS627, DYS518, DYS449 and DYF387S1ab, and three moderately mutating Y-STRs namely DYS481, DYS533 and DYS460. The RM Y-STRs were already proven to be powerful for discriminating closely related and unrelated males’ individuals. As a result, a total number of 419 haplotypes were observed out of 436 samples analysed of UAE Arab males’ population, whereas 15 haplotypes were shared between two individuals and one haplotypes were shared between three individuals. The discrimination capacity (DC) for the 27 loci was found to be 0.9618 whereas haplotype diversity (HD) was found to be 0.99982. AMOVA results showed that UAE population clustered along with Saudi Arabia East [Arab] population which indicates that they have a closer genetic relation. While it was standing away compared to other relevant populations. In conclusion, Yfiler® Plus multiplex kit showed higher power of discrimination than all previous studies conducted on the same population. This study considered the first study conducted using 27 Y-STR loci in this population. Geographic distribution of the populations analysed in this study are well reflected in the genetic distance results
Mobile phones are covered in germs. Disinfecting them daily could help stop diseases spreading
No full text[Extract]There are billions of mobile phones in use around the globe. They are present on every single continent, in every single country and in every single city.We reviewed the research on how mobile phones carry infectious pathogens such as bacteria and viruses, and we believe they are likely to be “Trojan horses” that contribute to community transmission in epidemics and pandemics.This transfer of pathogens on mobile phones poses a serious health concern. The risk is that infectious pathogens may be spreading via phones within the community, in workplaces including medical and food-handling settings, and in public transport, cruise ships and aeroplanes.Currently mobile phones are largely neglected from a biosecurity perspective, but they are likely to assist the spread of viruses such as influenza and SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic
Ultraviolet radiation is a strong disinfectant. It may be what our schools, hospitals and airports need
No full text[Extract]You may remember when US President Donald Trump suggested exposing coronavirus patients to UV (ultraviolet) light – or “just very powerful light” – to help treat them.The use of UV light is not, in any way, a viable treatment for people infected with SARS-CoV-2. However, due to its powerful sterilisation abilities, this technology does have great potential for managing the COVID-19 pandemic in other ways.<br/
Get a proper chair, don’t eat at your desk, and no phones in the loo – how to keep your home workspace safe and hygienic
No full text[Extract]The onset of COVID-19 saw a dramatic shift, with many in the workforce suddenly finding themselves working from home. As hashtags sprung up on social media documenting makeshift work-from-home setups, it rapidly became evident that for many workers, their new improvised workspace fell well short of ideal.Far from having a separate home office, it emerged many employees didn’t even have a desk, as social media teemed with photos of kitchen tables, ironing boards, upturned laundry baskets and even the top of a fridge as an improvised standing desk
Tempted to buy a UV light disinfection gadget? Some can be dangerous – here’s what you need to know
No full textThe COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed many of our behaviours and attitudes towards infection control.Hand hygiene was one of the earliest and most adopted measures to counteract the spread of disease, but there have been more technology-based approaches, too
Whole mtGenome Analysis in United Arab Emirates Populations
No full textMitochondrial DNA analysis has earned its place in the field of genetics for providing a new window into understanding population ancestry. Its ability to produce results from minimal or decayed samples where nucleus DNA profiling proves are difficult is an additional benefit to forensic genetics. A total of 150 whole blood samples were collected on FTA paper, from Arabs population in United Arab Emirates, including inhabitants from rural regions. Both extraction of whole blood samples using PrepFiler® as well as direct amplification of mtDNA control region from purified 1.2 mm disc of FTA card stained with blood were attempted in this study. Quantity of the amplified control region was estimated using gel electrophoresis. Three sets of primers were used afterward to sequence purified products of amplified control region of mtDNA using Sanger sequencing method. 150 mtGenome sequences were obtained for UAE Arabs population, generated using MPS technology – Ion™ 5S. Concordance with control region sequences obtained using Sanger Sequencing approach was investigated. Resulted haplotypes were compared against worldwide mtDNA database (EMPOP) and estimated haplotypes frequency is shown in this study. As a forensic lab, non-probative challenging bone samples were tested to highlight the potentials value of using MPS technology – Ion™ 5S. This study shows the first mtGenome data generated for UAE Arabs population which helps extending the current available mtDNA control region database. As a result, this study shows great value of implementing MPS in the routine work in forensic genetics at Dubai Police
The inadequacy of consumer protection in the UAE: the need for reform
No full textThis thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.This thesis addresses the consumer protection regime in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) against damages posed by defective industrial products, unfair business practices and misleading advertising. Nowadays, unfair and deceptive practices such as the selling of defective or sub-standard goods, the charging of exorbitant prices, misrepresentation of the efficacy or usefulness of goods, and negligence as to safety standards have become rampant. Accordingly, it has become necessary to promote the development and refinement of statutory measures, even in developed countries, to make producers/traders more accountable to consumers. This thesis examines the legal grounds on which consumer protection stands within the newly enacted legal framework for consumer protection in the UAE. In addition, this thesis elaborates upon relevant regulations provided by UAE legislators as well as related laws in selected Arab countries. It further investigates the adequacy of administrative authorities’ measures in the UAE, and explains whether respective administrative rules are capable of compensating consumers for material and physical damages incurred. It also explores the inadequacies of the administration’s measures and rules, and highlights the importance of integration between administrative bodies in achieving a sufficient level of protection for consumers.
The findings of this thesis are based on a detailed review of specific issues in consumer protection models in the Shari’a law and the United Kingdom (UK) model. Thus, it will refer to solutions devised by Islamic Shari’a law and the UK legal system to provide more comprehensive protection to consumers and strengthen their position in relation to that of traders. The study suggests that there is a need to amend the consumer protection in the UAE. It indicates a need for the unified, effective and meaningful implementation of consumer protection legal and administrative procedures in the UAE, and emphasizes that the non-governmental consumer protection association must be given a wider and legal role in supporting the governmental bodies. These findings may help in improving the current consumer protection regime in the UAE as well as reducing infringements committed by traders. This thesis concludes by making recommendations for drafting a comprehensive set of rules in the UAE in the hopes that such recommendations will contribute effectively toward the development of a consumer protection regime in the UAE.Dubai Police Headquarter
Hand hygiene remains key in mobile phone cross-infection risk – Author response
No full textDear Editor,Thank you for the opportunity to respond to the Letter-to-Editor written by Ting, 2024 entitled ‘Hand Hygiene remains key in mobile phone cross-infection risk’., that comments on our recently published article in Infection, Disease & Health entitled Microbial Laden Mobile Phones from International Conference Attendees Pose Potential Risks to Public Health and Biosecurity
