An application of D- and L-aspartic acid mixtures as standard specimens for the chronological age estimation

Instead of using the control teeth, we tried to prepare standard specimens to derive the equations for calculation of the age (analytical curves) with respect to each kind of tooth of various ages. To prepare standard specimens, we determined the racemization ratio of the teeth of known age that had actually been used for the appraisal of chronological age (total control teeth). Then we mixed commercially available L-Asp and D-Asp in the same D/L ratio as the measured one in the total control teeth. As a result, we were able to obtain the racemization rate equations from the age-specific standard specimens of central and lateral incisors. These equations were closely similar to those derived from actual teeth of known age. Since the racemization rate equations obtained from the standard specimens were satisfactorily reproducible, we assumed that these equations could be used in place of those obtained from the control teeth. Actually, in the age estimation of unidentified corpses from teeth, the use of standard specimens enabled us to estimate the age almost as precisely as estimated using the control teeth. Thus, the present study has demonstrated that in the estimation of chronological age the control teeth can be substituted by the standard specimens. This shows the possibility of using the standard specimens also in other laboratories where the racemization ratio can be measured with sufficient reproducibility.     

Polymorphism of seminal gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase

Electrophoretic analysis of seminal gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) activity of 147 unrelated Japanese males revealed three types of band patterns. An anodal single band, a cathodal single band and heterozygous double bands termed 1, 2 and 2-1, respectively, were commonly identified in the samples. The frequencies of the three types were 1 = 0.22, 2 = 0.33 and 2-1 = 0.44. Seminal stains kept for more than 6 months revealed distinguishable band patterns as well as fresh samples.     

Rebuilding the Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Regime in the Post-US–India Deal World

The US–India deal on civil nuclear cooperation, in spite of the Indian non-proliferation commitment, has potential adverse impacts on global non-proliferation undermining the basic bargain behind the NPT. In order to overcome such adverse impacts the author proposes to move towards a “universal nuclear disarmament” under which every nuclear weapon holder will be asked to make contributions towards nuclear disarmament. The US, for example, will be asked to ratify CTBT, negotiate a successor to the START I Treaty and engage in strategic dialogues with Russia and China.

The author proposes to apply a proportionate reduction of nuclear warheads weighted according to the size of each arsenal. This way, while the US and Russia will be asked to drastically reduce their arsenals, the other holders will also be asked to start reducing their warheads even in a symbolic manner of by just a few bombs each.     

Water Pollution Control In Democratic Societies: A Cross-National Analysis Of Sources Of Public Beliefs In In Japan And The United States

Postindustrial society seems to bring with it an inevitable heightening of official and public concern with environmental pollution. In light of this fact it becomes important to understand the dynamics by which public opinion is formulated in this area of public policy. What factors are associated with citizens placing concern for environmental pollution above other public policy concerns? What individual characteristics are associ- ated with the development of the view that government ought to take direct action to prevent or deal with environmental pollution? Are such factors common to postindustrial democratic societies generally? The study reported here identifies the similarities and differences in the patterns and correlates of pollution relevant beliefs and behavior in Japan (in the cities of Llishima, Fuji and Numazu in Shizuoka Prefecture] and the United States (Spokane City and County, Washington State). A comparative study of pollution policy can be especially instructive inasmuch as unique cultural, economic, historical and social patterns may generate distinctive citizen conceptions of desired policy outcomes and means to achieve them.     

Paraquat myopathy: report on two suicide cases.

We describe two suicide cases in which old paraquat was ingested. In conjunction with lung involvement a pronounced degeneration was observed in skeletal muscle of one who died on the 14th day after the ingestion. The following sarcoplasmic or endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA) monoclonal antibodies were used for skeletal muscle fiber typing by an immunohistochemical method: NCL-SERCA1, reactive with type 2 fiber (fast-twitch), and NCL-SERCA2, reactive with type 1 fiber (slow-twitch). The examination revealed that the remarkably degenerated fibers belonged to type 1 muscle fibers. This case showed an abrupt increase of plasma CK levels (1796 mU/ml) on the fifth day after the ingestion. The authors presume that the damage to the skeletal muscle had occurred in this period. The degeneration of the muscle seemed to be attributable to the long retention of paraquat in the tissue because these findings were not observed in the other case who died on the fifth day. Paraquat-induced myopathy may develop in prolonged paraquat poisoning. The examination of CK levels in plasma will be useful for diagnosis of damage of skeletal muscle.     

Genetic polymorphism of human C1R subcomponent of the first complement component in the Japanese population

Genetic polymorphism of the C1R subcomponent of human complement component C1 has been investigated in neuraminidase treated EDTA plasma samples of 440 healthy Japanese individuals living in Tokyo by means of thin-layer polyacrylamide gel isoelectric focusing (PAGIEF) at pH 3.5-9.5 in the presence of 8.0 M urea followed by an electroblotting with enzyme immunoassay. Three common and three rare alleles were detected in the Japanese population. Of these, two common alleles were identical to C1R*1 and C1R*2 and other new alleles were tentatively designated C1R*3, C1R*4, C1R*5 and C1R*6, respectively. The results of the family studies suggested that the genetic model for C1R polymorphism assumed autosomal codominant Mendelian inheritance. The allele frequencies were estimated as C1R*1 = 0.4216, C1R*2 = 0.3602, C1R*3 = 0.2068, C1R*4 = 0.0091 and C1R*R(C1R*5 and C1R*6) = 0.0023, respectively. The distribution of allotypes fitted the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The C1R system provides a useful genetic marker for human genetics, anthropologic studies and forensic science.     

Embolism of massive hepatic tissue in inferior vena cava and right atrium after closed liver injury

Embolism from liver tissue in a major vessel in coincidence with a severe injury to the liver is a rare phenomenon. We report a case of a 4-year-old boy who was involved in a traffic accident and died shortly after the accident. An autopsy revealed that an intrahepatic inferior vena caval injury was accompanied by a severe closed injury to the liver; the crushed liver fragment was driven through the lacerated wall into the inferior vena cava and almost completely occluded its lumen. The crushed liver flap further extended over into the right atrial cavity. Careful microscopic examination of the lungs showed no emboli of hepatic tissue.     

Invoking affect in Kawakami Mieko's Chihi to ran (Breasts and Eggs, 2008): Higuchi Ichiyô, playful words and ludic gestures

A slim and yet powerful novella, Chichi to ran (Breasts and Eggs, 2008) helped the author, Kawakami Mieko, launch her career in the Japanese literary establishment by winning her the Akutagawa prize. The novella revolves around a middle-aged single-mother, struggling to eke out a living for herself and her teenage daughter as a bar hostess in Osaka. The bond between them is severely tested under the pressure of the precarious living conditions in the post-bubble, neo-liberalist Japan of the 2000s. This essay explores the absorbing and affective aspect of the novella by drawing on Rita Felski's ‘positive aesthetics’ and Bruno Latour's concept of ‘nonhuman actors’. With a focus on the movement of affect/feelings, the analysis traces how ‘non-human actors’ of all kinds and shapes in the novella, from the female characters, chatty style of speech in Osaka dialect, the kanji used in them, the protagonist's obsession with breasts, images of Higuchi Ichiyô, to a carton of eggs, interact and connect in a way that make a difference, facilitating innovative life-adjustments as the narrative unfolds – the reading which should, in turn, enhance our understanding and appreciation of the text.