Alleles responsible for ABO phenotype-genotype discrepancy and alleles in individuals with a weak expression of A or B antigens

ABO types obtained from evidentiary samples have been used effectively to obtain the initial information leading to the apprehension of culprits in Japanese criminal investigations. A simple ABO genotyping method using multiplex sequence-specific PCR and capillary electrophoresis was developed as a supplement to serological ABO typing. Limitations in predicting a phenotype based on genotype were evaluated using 1134 randomly selected Japanese peripheral blood samples. A concordance rate of 99.82% (1132/1134 samples) was found between genotypes and phenotypes defined as Groups A, B, AB, and O. Sequencing analysis revealed that one discrepant sample contained an O allele having a previously unreported point mutation at the primer binding site in exon 6, and another discrepant sample contained an O allele lacking the guanine deletion at nt 261 (the O301 allele). Therefore, the existence of such alleles must be given some consideration when predicting phenotype based on genotype.     

An autopsy case of Klinefelter's syndrome suspected and its DNA analysis

We experienced an autopsy case, small testes and tall stature, which suggested Klinefelter's syndrome. DNA analysis was performed to confirm the genetic abnormality. Case History: A 28-year-old man who was single and lived with his parents. He suddenly lost his consciousness in a sitting room and died. Autopsy findings: He was 176 cm in height and 57 kg in weight. The post-mortem hypostasis was red-purple on his back, and rigor mortis was strong in each joint of the whole body. The heart weighted 340 g, in which dark red fluidal blood (300 ml) without coagulation was contained. The testes were smaller than normal adult male (left and right testes with epididymides weighted 8.1 g and 6.0 g, respectively). As a results of pathological examination, clumped Leydig cells, sclerotic and hyalined tubules were observed. Some germ cells with spermatozoid were also present. DNA Analysis: Generally, Klinefelter's syndrome is determined by karyotype analysis and/or the detection of sex chromatin. However, in this case, karyotype analysis and the detection of sex chromatin could not be demonstrated, because the blood which was collected in the autopsy became too old. Therefore, we tried sex determination and STR analysis (HPRT, HUMARA and DXS 1470) using DNA extracted from stored blood materials. Consequently, in the sex determination, no different situation was found in the X- and Y-specific bands from normal male's and as results of STR analyses, we could not corroborate the Klinefelter's syndrome.     

Differentiation between human and chimpanzee in bloodstains by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using antihuman serum

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for species identification of human bloodstains using two commercially available antisera against human serum is described. Human bloodstains were to be distinguished from those of chimpanzees and other animals using raw antisera, and the differentiation between human and chimpanzee became more evident when those antisera were absorbed with a small amount of chimpanzee plasma. Human bloodstains could clearly be identified by the present method even after 4 weeks of aging at room temperature.     

The fertile soil for policy learning

Early in the 20th century, both Japan and the United States adopted isolation as the primary policy for leprosy victims. Medical science had, by mid-century, arrived at a near consensus that isolation was inappropriate. This new information filtered into the policy making soil of both nations and slowly led to the abandonment of isolation. Conceptualizations from the literature offer the bases of a policy learning model centered on the characteristics of a fertile soil for policy learning. The model considers the nature of the problem, the nature of the information, and the nature of the debate as critical factors shaping the learning of new information. Each factor added to the understanding. The problem, complex and characterized by negatively constructed targets, was not amenable to policy learning, especially in Japan with more victims, more hospitals, more researchers, and more stigmatization. It took considerable time to wrap the information in scientific integrity. In Japan the process was slowed by the war which separated researchers from professional fora at a critical time. Head on, confrontational debates in both nations failed. Success came only when strategies that moderated debate were adopted.     

Three major twentieth century trends and Japan's future role

Three trends—nationalism, industrialization, and egalitarianism—have been predominant in the twentieth century, according to Seizaburo Sato, professor of political science at Saitama University and research director at IIPS. Each of these trends has created its own unique problems that demand new solutions, Sato explains. In this new global environment Japan must overcome the trauma of World War II, argues Sato, and play an active international role that contributes economically, culturally, and even militarily to the strengthening and expansion of the security community and the promotion of sustainable industrialization.     

Clarifying the right of collective self‐defense

Since the 1950s the Japanese government has irrationally claimed that the Constitution bars it from exercising the right of collective self‐defense, says Seizaburo Sato, IIPS research director. International law clearly gives Japan the right to exercise both individual and collective self‐defense, says Sato, but the Japanese government's official view does not conform with this law. Sato sees the right to exercise collective self‐defense as essential to Japan's security, and argues that Japan should immediately declare this right. Then, taking all necessary time and in accordance with post‐war Japan's founding ideals, Japan should amend the Constitution.     

Antigenic properties of human and animal bloodstains studied by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using various antisera against specific plasma proteins

Antigenic properties of bloodstains of human and non-human primates as well as other animal bloodstains were investigated by the inhibition ELISA using commercially available anti-human albumin (Alb), alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2-M), fibrinogen, transferrin, and immunoglobulin G. In general, chimpanzee bloodstains showed strong cross-reactions with these antisera, and the extent of the cross-reactions of other animal bloodstains decreased largely with the phylogenic order, i.e., agile gibbon (ape), Old World monkeys (Japanese monkey and hamadryas baboon), New World monkeys (night monkey and tufted capuchin monkey), prosimians (grand galago and ring-tailed lemur) and other animals (rat, cattle, swine, goat, dog, cat, and chicken). Among these antisera, anti-human alpha 2-M showed the weakest cross-reaction with chimpanzee bloodstains, and anti-human Alb showed next.     

A standard of AmpliType PM typing from aged evidentiary samples

In analyzing aged samples by the AmpliType PM PCR amplification and Typing kit, it was occasionally observed that color developed typing strips had dark allele dots on PM loci but no visible S dot. Since the S dot acts as a minimum dot intensity control to determine positive alleles on the PM loci, it is necessary to apply another control system. To achieve positive PM typing from a degraded DNA sample that is inferred to be derived from a single donor, a standard has been adopted wherein loci from which sufficient PCR products are observed on agarose gel can be typed. The objective determination of sufficient PCR was done by comparison between band peak height of each locus generated from a sample and that of the corresponding locus generated from two nanograms (recommended minimum quantity as template DNA) of the control DNA provided in the kit.