Notes: EZH2 is an epigenetic regulator of cell proliferation that is known to be overexpressed in certain cancers. These authors evaluated the effect of the curcumin analogue CDF on expression of EZH2 in pancreatic cancer cells. The identity of the human pancreatic cancer cell lines used in the study was verified using the PowerPlex® 16 System. (4223)

Notes: The authors determined the degree of polymorphism and population diversity of STR loci in 1,156 Russian individuals using the PowerPlex^® 16 System. They examined populations of six cities and 11 ethnic groups in the Russian Federation and reported the levels of intra- and interpopulation genetic differentiation and genetic relations between populations. There were significant differences between Russian populations and the U.S. reference database that was used in forensic medical examinations in Russia. The authors created a database of allele frequencies for 15 STR loci in Russian populations for DNA identification and forensic medical examination. (4150)

Notes: The authors examined the heritability of certain eye characteristics that may be associated with glaucoma using a classic twin study with both monozygotic and dizygotic twins. Zygosity of same-sex twins was determined by typing 15 STR loci using the PowerPlex^® 16 System. (4044)

Notes: Somatic cell nuclear transfer technique was used to generate human blastocyst-stage embryos using nuclei from adult male fibroblasts cell lines and enucleated oocytes. Genomic DNA was analyzed using the PowerPlex® 16 system to confirm the genetic identity of the blastocyst cells. (3952)

Notes: The authors examined the heritability of primary angle closure using a classic twin study with both monozygotic and dizygotic twins. Zygosity of same-sex twins was determined by typing 15 STR loci using the PowerPlex^® 16 System. (4042)

Notes: The authors examined the heritability of certain eye characteristics that may be associated with glaucoma using a classic twin study with both monozygotic and dizygotic twins. Zygosity of same-sex twins was determined by typing 15 STR loci using the PowerPlex^® 16 System. (4043)

Notes: The authors generated population data for 100 unrelated individuals from three main ethnic groups in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Autosomal STR analysis was performed for 100 male and female individuals, and Y-STR analysis was performed with 100 male individuals. DNA was collected as buccal swabs or blood samples, isolated and amplified, and amplification products were detected using an ABI PRISM^® 377 DNA Sequencer. (3877)

Notes: The authors used a microfabricated capillary electrophoresis instrument to rapidly assess the genetic relationship between same-sex twins and their parents and siblings. STR typing was performed to determine if the twins were monozyotic or dizygotic and to confirm familial relationships. The authors used the PowerPlex^® 16 System to examine 15 STR loci in this study. (4045)

Notes: The authors developed seven new human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines, five with normal karyotypes and two with abnormal karyotypes. They examined their biological characteristics, STR loci, HLA typing, differentiation capability, imprinted genes, DNA methylation and X chromosome inactivation status to determine if hESC lines with abnormal karyotypes are useful experimental tools. STR genotyping was performed using the PowerPlex® 16 System and the ABI PRISM® 3100 Genetic Analyzer. (4040)

Notes: The authors determined the allele frequencies for 21 autosomal STR loci in 936 individuals from the Royal Kingdom of Bhutan using the AmpFlSTR^® Identifiler^® kit, PowerPlex^® 16 System and the F13A01, FESFPS, F13B, LPL (FFFL) Multiplex. DNA was extracted from whole blood samples using the Autopure LS^® kit and amplified as directed by the manufacturers. Amplified products were detected using an ABI PRISM^® 3100 Genetic Analyzer. (3822)

Notes: Allele frequency data for 21 autosomal loci was studied in 953 unrelated individuals belonging to 12 major Nepalese groups. DNA was extracted from whole blood using the Autopure LS^® kit, then amplified using the PowerPlex^® 16 System, AmpFlSTR^® Identifiler^® kit or F13A01, FESFPS, F13B, LPL Multiplex (FFFL) Multiplex. Amplification products were analyzed using the ABI PRISM^® 3100 Genetic Analyzer. Several new alleles not reported in the NIST short tandem repeat database were detected in this population. (3811)

Notes: The authors generated population data from 200 unrelated individuals in the Sichuan area of China using the PowerPlex^® 16 System. DNA was isolated from blood by phenol:chloroform extraction and quantitated by UV spectrometry. One nanogram of DNA was amplified, and the amplification products were analyzed on an ABI PRISM^® 310 Genetic Analyzer. (3810)

Notes: During casework analysis using the PowerPlex^® 16 System, the authors identified an off-ladder allele at the Penta D locus as the microvariant allele 9.2. DNA from individuals with the 9.2 allele was amplified using a single primer pair specific for Penta D, and the amplification products were purified and sequenced to characterize the microvariant allele. PCR products were purified using the Wizard^® PCR Preps DNA Purification System. Sequence analysis revealed that the 9.2 allele has 10 STR repeats and a TAA deletion in the 3´ flanking region. (3771)

Notes: The authors analyzed 1,308 samples for concordance between the Identifiler^® kit, AmpFlSTR^® Minifiler™ kit and PowerPlex^® 16 System. DNA was isolated from liquid blood using the manual DNA IQ™ System protocol, and STR amplifications were performed as per the manufacturer's recommendations except that reaction volumes were decreased by half. Amplified products were analyzed using an Applied Biosystems 3130xl and POP™-4 or POP™-6 polymer. Twenty seven disconcordant phenotypes were identified between the Minifiler™ and Identifiler^® kits, 14 between Minifiler™ and PowerPlex^® 16 kits, and 4 between PowerPlex^® 16 and Identifiler^® kits. (3770)

Notes: The authors used the PowerPlex^® 16 System to perform DNA typing of 27 sets of World War II skeletal remains found in two mass graves in Slovenia. Each bone sample was sanded to remove potential contaminants from exterior surfaces, then washed and air-dried. The same procedure was used to process teeth, except that the teeth were not sanded. DNA was isolated from the bone powder using organic extraction, then quantified. DNA was amplified using the PowerPlex^® 16 System as per the manufacturer's recommendations; for samples with small amounts of DNA, the number of cycles was increased to 32 and the elongation time extended to 90 seconds. Fifteen sets of remains yielded full profiles, and 12 sets yielded partial profiles, with the least successful profile including 13 loci. DNA was also extracted and amplified from 69 reference buccal swab samples from potential relatives. (3817)

Notes: The authors compared two DNA extraction methods: the International Commission on Missing Persons silica method and the standard phenol:chloroform method to determine the preferred method for extraction of DNA from skeletal remains. The efficacy of DNA extraction was measured by real-time PCR to quantify DNA and to check for the presence of PCR inhibitors, and by amplification with the PowerPlex^® 16 System. DNA was extracted from processed bone powder, and 10µl of the final extract was amplified using the PowerPlex^® 16 System and GeneAmp^® PCR System 9700 according to the manufacturer's recommendations, except that the extension time was doubled from 30 seconds to 60 seconds for the first 10 cycles and from 45 seconds to 90 seconds for the next 22 cycles. Amplified products were detected using the ABI PRISM^® 3100 Genetic Analyzer. The authors concluded that the silica-based method gave better results in autosomal STR typing than the organic extraction method. (3818)

Notes: The authors analyzed duplicate buccal swabs and observed eight disconcordant phenotypes with SGM Plus™ (2 at TH01, 4 at vWA and 2 at D18S51) and one disconcordant phenotype (at D18S51) with PowerPlex^® 16 out of a total of 1,377 individuals. In each case, the discrepancy was due to allele dropout of the second allele in a heterozygous genotype. DNA sequencing using primers that encompass the locus-specific STR primers was performed to characterize the mutations responsible for allele dropout for each locus. (3769)

Notes: The authors of this paper describe the generation of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells from human dermal fibroblasts. STR analysis using the PowerPlex^® 16 System showed that patterns of 16 STRs in the clones matched the parent cell line. Luciferase assays to assess activity of the OCT3/4 and Rex1 promoters were performed using the Dual-Luciferase^® Assay System. (3951)

Notes: The authors describe two cases of paternity dispute, one with a maternally mismatched allele at the D18S51 locus and a second with a paternally mismatched D18S51 allele. Seventeen autosomal STR loci were analyzed using the PowerPlex^® 16 System and AmpFlSTR^® Identifiler^® kit. Amplifications were performed using a GeneAmp^® PCR System 9700, and amplification products were detected using an ABI PRISM^® 310 Genetic Analyzer. Y-STR loci and mitochondrial DNA hypervariable regions HV1 and HV2 were also examined. Sequence analysis of the D18S51 locus revealed an expansion of the maternal allele by one repeat unit in one case and an expansion of the paternal allele by two repeat units in the second case. (3809)

Notes: The authors generated population data for 15 autosomal STRs using the PowerPlex^® 16 System and DNA samples collected from 1,475 unrelated Greek Cypriot individuals. DNA was extracted from the blood samples using organic extraction, and 0.5ng was amplified per reaction using the GeneAmp^® PCR System 9700. Amplified products were analyzed using an ABI PRISM^® 3100 Genetic Analyzer. (3815)

Notes: The authors generated population data from 100 unrelated individuals from three main ethnical groups in Bosnia and Herzegovina using the PowerPlex^® 16 System. DNA was collected as blood spots or buccal swabs and extracted, and 2ng was amplified per PowerPlex^® 16 reaction. (3821)

Notes: The authors used the PowerPlex® 16 System and the F13A01, FESFPS, F13B and LPL (FFFL) Multiplex to determine allele frequency data at 19 STR loci in a Belgian Caucasian population. Amplifications were performed as directed by the manufacturer except that reaction volumes were reduced by half. Amplification products were analyzed using an ABI PRISM® 3100 Genetic Analyzer and POP™-6 polymer. (3773)

Notes: The authors generated population data for 21 autosomal STRs in Northern Portugal using the PowerPlex^® 16 System, AmpFlSTR^® Identifiler^® kit and an in-house multiplex system that includes CD4, F13A01, FES and MBPB. DNA was collected as blood samples or buccal swabs from routine paternity cases and isolated using Chelex^® resin. DNA was amplified as directed by the manufacturer, and amplified products were detected using the ABI PRISM^® 310 Genetic Analyzer. (3842)

Notes: The authors used the PowerPlex^® 16 System to gather population data from 429 unrelated individuals in northern and northeastern Argentina. Blood or buccal swabs were collected, and DNA was extracted organic extraction. Fifteen autosomal STR loci were amplified using the PowerPlex^® 16 System and a GeneAmp^® PCR System 9600 or 9700, and amplified products were detected using an ABI PRISM^® 310 or 3100-Avant Genetic Analyzer. (3820)

Notes: The authors generated population data from 913 individuals living in two patagonian provinces in Argentina using the PowerPlex^® 16 System. DNA was collected as a blood or buccal swab sample, isolated using by organic extraction and amplified using the GeneAmp^® PCR System 9600 or 9700. Amplification products were detected using an ABI PRISM^® 310 or 3100-Avant Genetic Analyzer. (3814)