Jarosław Berent

X-chromosomal polymorphism data for the ethnic minority of Polish Tatars and the religious minority of Old Believers residing in northeastern Poland

Population samples of 420 unrelated individuals of the ethnic minority of Polish Tatars and the religious minority of Old Believers residing in northeastern Poland were tested for four X-chromosomal STR frequencies by multiplex PCR and subsequent automated fluorescent detection (ABI 310) using a commercially available kit Mentype Argus X-UL. Kinship tests revealed a typical X-linked inheritance with no mutation. Significant differences in allele frequency distributions confirm previous findings regarding genetic variation among ethnic groups residing in northeastern Poland.

Genetic diversity and forensic evaluation of 10 STR loci in Lodz region of Poland

Allele frequency data and forensic efficiency parameters for 10 STR loci: D3S1358, vWA, D16S539, D2S1338, D8S1179, D21S11, D18S51, D19S433, TH01 and FGA, were estimated from a sample of 207 unrelated individuals in Lodz region of Poland.

Genetic investigation of biological materials from patients after stem cell transplantation based on autosomal as well as Y-chromosomal markers

The authors presented the results of DNA polymorphism investigation of blood, buccal swabs and hair follicles originating from patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The real-time and multiplex assays based on polymerase chain reaction within the range of autosomal as well as Y-chromosomal markers were applied to assess the possible dangers arising from investigation of these materials in forensic genetics. The results revealed that not only post-transplant blood and buccal swab, but also recipient hair, up to now regarded as devoid of any donor’s cells, do not constitute entirely safe material for forensic purposes. Their analysis can lead to the false identification of gender or male haplotype. The investigation of sex-determining region Y and Y-chromosome short tandem repeats performed in female recipients with male donors resulted in the designation of donor’s DNA in hair cells as well as in blood and buccal swabs. Therefore, biological stains gathered from crime scenes should not be analysed exclusively based on the investigation of male-specific markers.

Population genetics of 15 autosomal STR loci in the population of Pomorze Zachodnie (NW Poland)

Allele frequency data and forensic efficiency parameters for 15 STR loci: D8S1179, D21S11, D7S820, CSF1PO, D3S1358, TH01, D13S317, D16S539, D2S1338, D19S433, vWA, TPOX, D18S51, D5S818, FGA were estimated from a sample of 600 unrelated individuals from the Pomorze Zachodnie (NW Poland). The combined MP and PE for all 15 loci are 3.9x10(-18) and 0.9999988, respectively. Pairwise comparisons between Northwestern Poland and other Polish populations were performed.

Population database on 15 autosomal STR loci in 1000 unrelated individuals from the Lodz region of Poland

Allele frequency data and forensic efficiency parameters for 15 STR loci: D8S1179, D21S11, D7S820, CSF1PO, D3S1358, TH01, D13S317, D16S539, D2S1338, D19S433, vWA, TPOX, D18S51, D5S818, and FGA, were estimated from the sample of 1000 unrelated individuals from the Lodz region of Poland. The combined MP and PE for all 15 loci are 4.8 x 10(-18) and 0.9999989, respectively. The comparison of our data with other Polish populations revealed statistically significant differences in 6 out of 15 loci between Lodz and the Podlasie region of Poland.

The STR systems FES/FPS and F13B in a Polish population

Abstract Allele frequencies for the STR systems FES/FPS and F13B were determined from 203 unrelated individuals from north-eastern Poland. After denaturing PAGE, 7 and 6 alleles were detected for FES/FPS and F13B, respectively. No deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were observed.

Left atrio-esophageal fistula of a possibly iatrogenic aetiology

The study presents an exceptionally rare case of an esophago-left atrial fistula, which was diagnosed during a forensic post-mortem examination. Due to complex nature of the disease and many attempts to cure the patient, the authors did not manage to identify the aetiology of the fistula. It was only implied that the fistula might have been a distant complication of intraoperative endocardial ablation or it might have appeared as a consequence of perforation of the esophageal wall or left atrial wall of the enlarged heart with the end of an intubation tube or nasogastric tube.

Assessment of Bone Age Based on Morphometric Study of the Upper End of the Humerus

Abstract:  Assessment of changes in the spongy bone structure of the upper end of the humerus is one of the common methods of age estimation. This method was devised many years ago (1894) and has never been verified in an objective numerical testing. We projected an objective morphometric method assessment of the upper end of the humerus. The study was carried out on humeri from cadavers of 88 men and 84 women. The surface area of atrophy of the spongy structure (medullary cavity) was calculated on the longitudinal section of the humerus. A new morphometric method was applied, which allowed numerical presentation of results. The results of the study show a lack of statistical correlation between atrophy of the spongy structure within the upper end of the humerus and the chronological age. Therefore, it can be concluded that the assessment of humerus structure should be omitted in the forensic medical age estimation.

Erroneous administration of vinblastine

This case describes a series of errors which resulted in an avoidable death of the patient. Upon being presented with the 83-year-old patient and her complaints, the physician in charge attempted to prescribe Vasolastine® (a complex preparation used, for example, in treatment of angiopathy, which is administered intramuscularly once a day). Unfortunately he misspelled the name of the medicine as Vinplastyna—a non-existent preparation. When the patient’s daughter went to collect the prescription from the pharmacist she was dispensed Vinblastin (vinblastine—a cytostatic medicine used, for example, in treating Hodgkin’s disease, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, chronic lymphatic leukemia and testicular cancer). The visiting community nurses administered a dose of this medicine on seven consecutive days. Upon being given the seventh dose, the patient displayed symptoms of myelophthisis, and was admitted to an Intensive Care Ward, where despite the treatment, she died.

Experimental Effect of Shots Caused by Projectiles Fired from Air Guns with Kinetic Energy Below 17 J

Pursuant to the Polish Weapons and Ammunitions Law (Legal Gazette No 53/1999 item 549 with subsequent amendments), air guns with kinetic energy of the fired projectiles below 17 J are not regarded as weapons. The aim of the study was to assess the potential effect of shots caused by projectiles of various mass and structure fired from air guns with kinetic energy below 17 J on human soft tissues. As a model of soft tissue, we used 20% gelatin blocks. After shooting, we measured the depth of gelatin block penetration by pellets fired from various distances and compared these results with autopsy findings. The results demonstrated that examined pneumatic guns may cause serious injuries, including damage to the pleura, pericardium, liver, spleen, kidneys, femoral artery, and thoracic and abdominal aorta. Experiment shown that gelatin blocks do not reflect fully the properties of the human body.