The ReAct (Recovery, Activity) project is an ENFSI (European Network of Forensic Science Institutes) supported initiative comprising a large consortium of laboratories. Here, the results from more than 23 laboratories are presented. The primary purpose was to design experiments simulating typical casework circumstances; collect data and to implement Bayesian networks to assess the value (i.e., likelihood ratio) of DNA results given activity level propositions. Two different experimental designs were used to simulate a robbery, where a screwdriver was used to force a door or window. Propositions and case information were chosen following laboratory feedback listing typical casework circumstances (included in the paper). In a direct transfer experiment, the defendant owned and used the screwdriver, but he did not force the door/window in question. An unknown person used the defendant's stolen screwdriver. In an indirect transfer experiment, the defendant neither owned, saw, nor used the screwdriver, nor did they force the door or window. For the second experiment, given the defence view, the defendant never held the screwdriver. We envisaged the situation where an object manipulated by the defendant (or the defendant himself/herself) would be touched by the unknown offender who would then force the window. It was found for the direct transfer experiment that unless a single contributor profile aligning with the known person's of interest profile was retrieved, the results did not allow to discriminate between propositions. On the other hand, for the indirect transfer experiment, both single and major contributor profiles that aligned with the person of interest (POI) supported the proposition that the person used the tool rather than an unknown person who had touched an object, when indeed the former was true. There was considerable variation in median recoveries of DNA between laboratories (between 200pg-5ng) for a given experiment if quantities are taken into account. These differences affect the likelihood ratios given activity level propositions. More than 2700 samples were analysed in the course of this study. Two different Bayesian Networks are made available via an open source application written in Shiny R: Shiny_React(). For comparison, all datasets were analysed using a qualitative method categorised into absent, single, major or other given contributors. The importance of standardising methods is emphasised, alongside the necessity of developing new approaches to assign the probability of laboratory-dependent DNA recovery. Freely accessible open databases play a crucial role in supporting these efforts.

• Klíčová slova
• Activity level, Bayesian networks, DNA direct and indirect transfer, Open access databases, ReAct project, Reproducibility,
• MeSH
• Bayesova věta * MeSH
• DNA fingerprinting * MeSH
• DNA * genetika   MeSH
• laboratoře * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mikrosatelitní repetice MeSH
• pravděpodobnostní funkce MeSH
• soudní genetika metody   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• DNA * MeSH

BACKGROUND: Persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.) belongs to the Ebenaceae family, which includes six genera and about 400 species. This study evaluated the genetic diversity of 100 persimmon accessions from Hatay province, Türkiye using 42 morphological and pomological traits, along with inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Statistical analysis revealed significant differences among the accessions (ANOVA, p < 0.05). The coefficient of variation ranged from 19.24% for leaf length to 133.89% for fruit calyx groove end, with 97.62% of traits showing more than 20% variation. This indicates high genetic variability. Fruit weight, length, and diameter varied greatly, with strong positive correlations between fruit weight and other traits. Principal component analysis explained 72.42% of the total variance, while cluster analysis showed varying levels of similarity among accessions. ISSR analysis identified 139 bands, 128 of which were polymorphic. The similarity index ranged from 0.41 to 0.96. Notably, accessions 'P78', 'P7', 'P48', 'P29', 'P44', 'P25', 'P5', 'P98', 'P80', 'P50', 'P37', 'P77', 'P57', 'P56', 'P41', 'P73', 'P39', 'P65', 'P72', and 'P61' were identified as promising candidates for further study. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates significant genetic diversity in persimmon accessions from Hatay. The high variability supports adaptability and resilience. Positive correlations among traits, especially fruit weight, are useful for breeding. ISSR markers highlighted valuable polymorphic bands, underlining the importance of local germplasm for developing resilient cultivars. Variations in growth vigor and ripening dates offer opportunities for customized cultivation practices, contributing to sustainable agriculture.

• Klíčová slova
• Diospyros kaki, Genetic diversity, Inter simple sequence repeats, Multivariate analysis, Türkiye,
• MeSH
• analýza hlavních komponent MeSH
• Diospyros * genetika   MeSH
• fylogeneze MeSH
• genetická variace * MeSH
• listy rostlin genetika   anatomie a histologie   růst a vývoj   MeSH
• mikrosatelitní repetice * genetika   MeSH
• ovoce genetika   anatomie a histologie   růst a vývoj   MeSH
• polymorfismus genetický MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Abies guatemalensis Rehder, an endangered conifer endemic to Central American highlands, is ecologically vital in upper montane forests. It faces threats from habitat fragmentation, unsustainable logging, and illegal Christmas tree harvesting. While previous genetic studies on mature trees from eighteen populations showed high within-population diversity and limited among-population differentiation, the genetic impact of recent anthropogenic pressures on younger generations has yet to be discovered. Understanding these effects is crucial for developing effective conservation strategies for this vulnerable species. We sampled 170 young trees (< 15 years old) from seven populations across Guatemala. Seven microsatellite markers were used to analyse genetic diversity, population structure, and recent demographic history. Moderate levels of genetic diversity were observed within populations (mean Shannon diversity index = 4.97, mean Simpson's index = 0.51, mean allelic richness = 11.59, mean observed heterozygosity = 0.59). Although genetic structure broadly aligned with mountain corridors, substantial admixture patterns suggest historical connectivity across all populations. Most populations showed evidence of recent bottlenecks (p < 0.05) and inbreeding. The results suggest a potential decline in genetic diversity and increased population structuring (ΦST = 0.274, p < 0.01) over the past decades compared to the previous study on old trees. The observed genetic patterns indicate ongoing impacts of habitat fragmentation and anthropogenic pressures on A. guatemalensis. Conservation efforts should prioritise expanding effective population sizes and facilitating gene flow, particularly for isolated populations. While restoration efforts may be logistically easier within mountain ranges, genetic evidence suggests that increasing overall population connectivity could benefit this species. Management strategies should implement systematic seed collection protocols to maintain genetic diversity in future populations. These findings highlight the urgent need for conservation measures to preserve remaining genetic diversity and promote connectivity among A. guatemalensis populations.

• Klíčová slova
• Conservation, Gene flow, Genetic bottleneck, Guatemalan fir, Inbreeding, Overexploitation,
• MeSH
• ekosystém * MeSH
• genetická variace * MeSH
• jedle * genetika   MeSH
• mikrosatelitní repetice * genetika   MeSH
• ohrožené druhy * MeSH
• populační genetika MeSH
• zachování přírodních zdrojů MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Guatemala MeSH

Zoraptera (also called "angel insects") is one of the most unexplored insect orders. However, it holds promise for understanding the evolution of insect karyotypes and genome organization given its status as an early branching group of Polyneoptera and Pterygota (winged insects) during the Paleozoic. Here, we provide karyotype descriptions of three Zorapteran species: Brazilozoros huxleyi (2n♂; ♀ = 42; 42), B. kukalovae (2n♂; ♀ = 43; 44) and Latinozoros cacaoensis (2n♂; ♀ = 36; 36). These species represent two of the four recently recognized Zorapteran subfamilies. Contrary to an earlier suggestion that Zoraptera has holocentric chromosomes, we found karyotypes that were always monocentric. Interestingly, we detected both X0 (B. kukalovae) and XY (B. huxleyi, L. cacaoensis) sex chromosome systems. In addition to conventional karyotype descriptions, we applied fluorescent in situ hybridization for the first time in Zoraptera to map karyotype distributions of 18S rDNA, histone H3 genes, telomeres and (CAG)n and (GATA)n microsatellites. This study provides a foundation for cytogenetic research in Zoraptera.

• Klíčová slova
• Karyotype, Microsatellites, Sex chromosomes, Telomere, rDNA,
• MeSH
• chromozomy hmyzu * genetika   MeSH
• cytogenetika metody   MeSH
• histony genetika   MeSH
• hmyz genetika   klasifikace   MeSH
• hybridizace in situ fluorescenční MeSH
• karyotyp * MeSH
• mikrosatelitní repetice genetika   MeSH
• molekulární evoluce MeSH
• pohlavní chromozomy genetika   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• srovnávací studie MeSH
• Názvy látek
• histony MeSH

BACKGROUND: Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is the most common repeat-mediated disease in humans. It exclusively affects corneal endothelial cells (CECs), with ≤81% of cases associated with an intronic TCF4 triplet repeat (CTG18.1). Here, we utilise optical genome mapping (OGM) to investigate CTG18.1 tissue-specific instability to gain mechanistic insights. METHODS: We applied OGM to a diverse range of genomic DNAs (gDNAs) from patients with FECD and controls (n = 43); CECs, leukocytes and fibroblasts. A bioinformatics pipeline was developed to robustly interrogate CTG18.1-spanning DNA molecules. All results were compared with conventional polymerase chain reaction-based fragment analysis. FINDINGS: Analysis of bio-samples revealed that expanded CTG18.1 alleles behave dynamically, regardless of cell-type origin. However, clusters of CTG18.1 molecules, encompassing ∼1800-11,900 repeats, were exclusively detected in diseased CECs from expansion-positive cases. Additionally, both progenitor allele size and age were found to influence the level of leukocyte-specific CTG18.1 instability. INTERPRETATION: OGM is a powerful tool for analysing somatic instability of repeat loci and reveals here the extreme levels of CTG18.1 instability occurring within diseased CECs underpinning FECD pathophysiology, opening up new therapeutic avenues for FECD. Furthermore, these findings highlight the broader translational utility of FECD as a model for developing therapeutic strategies for rarer diseases similarly attributed to somatically unstable repeats. FUNDING: UK Research and Innovation, Moorfields Eye Charity, Fight for Sight, Medical Research Council, NIHR BRC at Moorfields Eye Hospital and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, Grantová Agentura České Republiky, Univerzita Karlova v Praze, the National Brain Appeal's Innovation Fund and Rosetrees Trust.

• Klíčová slova
• Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy, Optical genome mapping, Somatic mosaicism, Tissue-specific repeat instability, Trinucleotide repeat expansion disease, Triplet repeat expansion-mediated disease,
• MeSH
• alely MeSH
• expanze trinukleotidových repetic MeSH
• Fuchsova endoteliální dystrofie * genetika   patologie   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mapování chromozomů MeSH
• nestabilita genomu MeSH
• orgánová specificita genetika   MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• transkripční faktor 4 * genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• trinukleotidové repetice genetika   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• TCF4 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• transkripční faktor 4 * MeSH

Social insects have developed a broad diversity of nesting and foraging strategies. One of these, inquilinism, occurs when one species (the inquiline) inhabits the nest built and occupied by another species (the host). Obligatory inquilines must overcome strong constraints upon colony foundation and development, due to limited availability of host colonies. To reveal how inquilinism shapes reproductive strategies in a termite host-inquiline dyad, we carried out a microsatellite marker study on Inquilinitermes inquilinus and its host Constrictotermes cavifrons. The proportion of simple, extended and mixed families was recorded in both species, as well as the presence of neotenics, parthenogenesis and multiple foundations. Most host colonies (95%) were simple families and all were monodomous. By contrast, the inquiline showed a higher proportion of extended (30%) and mixed (5%) families, and frequent neotenics (in 25% of the nests). This results from the simultaneous foundation in host nests of numerous incipient colonies, which, as they grow, may compete, fight, or merge. We also documented the use of parthenogenesis by female-female pairs. In conclusion, the classical monogamous colony pattern of the host species suggests uneventful development of simple foundations dispersed in the environment, in accordance with the wide distribution of their resources. By contrast, the multiple reproductive patterns displayed by the inquiline species reveal strong constraints on foundation sites: founders first concentrate into host nests, then must attempt to outcompete or absorb the neighbouring foundations to gain full control of the resources provided by the host nest.

• Klíčová slova
• Isoptera, Termitidae, breeding systems, inquilinism, microsatellite, reproductive strategies,
• MeSH
• hnízdění MeSH
• Isoptera * genetika   MeSH
• mikrosatelitní repetice * genetika   MeSH
• partenogeneze * genetika   MeSH
• rozmnožování genetika   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Echinococcus granulosus (Batsch, 1786), a cestode of the Teniidae family, causes human cystic echinococcosis (CE) also known as hydatid disease. Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato includes the G1, G3, G4, G5, G6/7 and G8/10 genotypes which are known to cause human CE. This study aimed to differentiate genotypes of E. granulosus s.l. complex by employing EmsB, a tandemly repeated multilocus microsatellite, using next-generation sequencing (MIC-NGS). Human and animal histopathology-confirmed hydatid cyst tissue samples and reference DNA samples of E. granulosus G1, G3, G4, G5, G6/7 and G10 underwent MIC-NGS assay with custom primers amplifying a 151 bp EmsB DNA fragment. NGS data were analysed using online Galaxy analysis pipeline, a phylogenetic tree was constructed by MEGA software, and haplotype networking was performed with PopArt 1.7. All sixty samples (49 from animals and 11 from humans) included were successfully identified and genotyped with a 100 % success rate. The study showed improved discrimination power to distinguish all study samples including closely related E. granulosus s.s. genotypes G1-G3. The maximum likelihood tree reaffirmed the monophyly of E. granulosus s.l. The median-joining haplotype networking revealed 12 distinct haplotypes. In conclusion, MIC-NGS assay was shown to be sensitive, specific and simple to apply to clinical samples offering a powerful discriminatory tool for the genotyping of E. granulosus s.l.

• Klíčová slova
• Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto, EmsB, echinococcosis, genotyping, microsatellite, next-generation sequencing,
• MeSH
• Echinococcus granulosus * genetika   MeSH
• echinokokóza * veterinární   parazitologie   MeSH
• fylogeneze MeSH
• genotyp * MeSH
• genotypizační techniky veterinární   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mikrosatelitní repetice * MeSH
• vysoce účinné nukleotidové sekvenování * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

The gut microbiota of vertebrates is acquired from the environment and other individuals, including parents and unrelated conspecifics. In the laboratory mouse, a key animal model, inter-individual interactions are severely limited and its gut microbiota is abnormal. Surprisingly, our understanding of how inter-individual transmission impacts house mouse gut microbiota is solely derived from laboratory experiments. We investigated the effects of inter-individual transmission on gut microbiota in two subspecies of house mice (Mus musculus musculus and M. m. domesticus) raised in a semi-natural environment without social or mating restrictions. We assessed the correlation between microbiota composition (16S rRNA profiles), social contact intensity (microtransponder-based social networks), and mouse relatedness (microsatellite-based pedigrees). Inter-individual transmission had a greater impact on the lower gut (colon and cecum) than on the small intestine (ileum). In the lower gut, relatedness and social contact independently influenced microbiota similarity. Despite female-biased parental care, both parents exerted a similar influence on their offspring's microbiota, diminishing with the offspring's age in adulthood. Inter-individual transmission was more pronounced in M. m. domesticus, a subspecies, with a social and reproductive network divided into more closed modules. This suggests that the transmission magnitude depends on the social and genetic structure of the studied population.

• Klíčová slova
• gastrointestinal tract, inter-individual transmission, microbiome, relatedness, social contact,
• MeSH
• Bacteria genetika   klasifikace   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• mikrosatelitní repetice MeSH
• myši MeSH
• RNA ribozomální 16S * genetika   MeSH
• střevní mikroflóra * genetika   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• myši MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• RNA ribozomální 16S * MeSH

Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is an age-related cause of vision loss, and the most common repeat expansion-mediated disease in humans characterised to date. Up to 80% of European FECD cases have been attributed to expansion of a non-coding CTG repeat element (termed CTG18.1) located within the ubiquitously expressed transcription factor encoding gene, TCF4. The non-coding nature of the repeat and the transcriptomic complexity of TCF4 have made it extremely challenging to experimentally decipher the molecular mechanisms underlying this disease. Here we comprehensively describe CTG18.1 expansion-driven molecular components of disease within primary patient-derived corneal endothelial cells (CECs), generated from a large cohort of individuals with CTG18.1-expanded (Exp+) and CTG 18.1-independent (Exp-) FECD. We employ long-read, short-read, and spatial transcriptomic techniques to interrogate expansion-specific transcriptomic biomarkers. Interrogation of long-read sequencing and alternative splicing analysis of short-read transcriptomic data together reveals the global extent of altered splicing occurring within Exp+ FECD, and unique transcripts associated with CTG18.1-expansions. Similarly, differential gene expression analysis highlights the total transcriptomic consequences of Exp+ FECD within CECs. Furthermore, differential exon usage, pathway enrichment and spatial transcriptomics reveal TCF4 isoform ratio skewing solely in Exp+ FECD with potential downstream functional consequences. Lastly, exome data from 134 Exp- FECD cases identified rare (minor allele frequency <0.005) and potentially deleterious (CADD>15) TCF4 variants in 7/134 FECD Exp- cases, suggesting that TCF4 variants independent of CTG18.1 may increase FECD risk. In summary, our study supports the hypothesis that at least two distinct pathogenic mechanisms, RNA toxicity and TCF4 isoform-specific dysregulation, both underpin the pathophysiology of FECD. We anticipate these data will inform and guide the development of translational interventions for this common triplet-repeat mediated disease.

• MeSH
• alternativní sestřih genetika   MeSH
• endoteliální buňky metabolismus   MeSH
• expanze trinukleotidových repetic * genetika   MeSH
• Fuchsova endoteliální dystrofie * genetika   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• rohovkový endotel metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• transkripční faktor 4 * genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• transkriptom genetika   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• TCF4 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• transkripční faktor 4 * MeSH

Introduction: Cannabis is a plant with high potential for use in several sectors of the industry; however, it is also a controversial crop due to its tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content. Moreover, the plant has a rather unclarified classification. Traditionally, two types of Cannabis have been distinguished, hemp as a source of fiber and low THC content, and marijuana with high THC levels, which is used as a drug. With the increasing use of CBD strains and wide range of commercially used THC strains, it is becoming paramount to be able to develop an easy and reliable method for Cannabis strain differentiation. The use of simple sequence repeat markers, or microsatellites, seems to be an applicable choice. Materials and Methods: In this study, 52 strains of Cannabis with variable cannabinoid content were collected from growers from different geographical regions and analyzed using 17 different microsatellite markers. For more precise differentiation, five strains were selected and a higher number of individuals of each were analyzed. Results: Fragment analysis and cluster analysis showed that when one to three individual plants per strain were analyzed, the method was able to classify these samples into distinguishable groups with similar gene structure. They also revealed that when a larger sample set was used (10 individual plants per strain), highly specific strain clusters could be fully discriminated. Conclusion: Our study involved the highest number of cannabinoid-rich strains up to now and showed that the microsatellite method can be used to reliably differentiate Cannabis strains and show their relationships.

• Klíčová slova
• Cannabis, cannabinoid rich, clustering, microsatellite method, strain identification,
• MeSH
• agonisté kanabinoidních receptorů MeSH
• Cannabis * chemie   MeSH
• halucinogeny * MeSH
• kanabinoidy * analýza   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mikrosatelitní repetice genetika   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• agonisté kanabinoidních receptorů MeSH
• halucinogeny * MeSH
• kanabinoidy * MeSH