Applicability of the IrisPlex system for eye color prediction in an admixed population from Argentina.

Eye color prediction based on an individual's genetic information is of interest in the field of forensic genetics. In recent years, researchers have studied different genes and markers associated with this externally visible characteristic and have developed methods for its prediction. The IrisPlex represents a validated tool for homogeneous populations, though its applicability in populations of mixed ancestry is limited, mainly regarding the prediction of intermediate eye colors.

Comparative Study of 10 X-STR Markers in Populations of Northeast Argentina.

In northeast Argentina, different Amerindian communities share territory and history with settlers, mainly Europeans. Due to miscegenation, the current Argentinean population has a particular structure that can be described through X chromosome variation. The objectives of this study were to describe the variation of 10 X-chromosome short tandem repeats (X-STRs) in urban populations of the Argentinean regions known as Gran Chaco and Mesopotamia, report the forensic parameters of these STRs, and estimate the European and indigenous genetic components in these regions.

X-chromosome data for 12 STRs: Towards an Argentinian database of forensic haplotype frequencies.

The analysis of X-chromosome STRs is useful in certain kinship cases for which autosomal markers provide insufficient statistical power. Particularly, powerful results are achieved in paternity cases with a daughter, when the alleged father is not accessible for analysis, contrarily to his unquestioned mother or daughter. However, representative haplotype frequencies for this type of markers are not available for some populations, as is the case of Argentina, which prevents the quantification of the proof in routine forensic analyses.

Psychosocial Factors and Juvenile Homicide in Argentina.

Although knowledge on and prevention of juvenile homicide are crucial for social welfare and have been approached through different methodological instruments, this behavior is still quite difficult to be addressed. In this study, we have analyzed several psychological and social factors that could be theoretically related to juvenile homicidal behavior. Our case-control study included young ( = 16.

Genetic Variations of OPRM1, OPRK1, and COMT Genes and Their Possible Associations with Oral Pain in a Population from Argentina.

Aims: To analyze in a population from Argentina the variation of three genes involved in the control of pain pathways-two genes that code for opioid receptors (OPRM1 and OPRK1) and COMT, which codes for an important enzyme in the control of neurotransmission-and to evaluate the associations of these genes with oral pain and the need for analgesics in the population under study.

Methods: A total of 134 volunteer donors from the city of Resistencia and 27 donors from the Wichí community for comparison were analyzed for 13 single nucelotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 1 insertion/deletion (Indel) localized in the three genes using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism or standard PCR and electrophoresis. All 134 individuals from Resistencia provided biologic samples for DNA analysis, and a subset (n = 81) agreed to answer a questionnaire for an association analysis.