A simple method of DNA extraction and STR typing from urine samples using a commercially available DNA/RNA extraction kit

We devised a simple DNA extraction procedure suitable for STR typing of urine sample. Use of a commercially available DNA/RNA extraction kit equipped with a silica-gel-based membrane made it possible to omit the recovery of urinary nucleated cells by sedimentation before the extraction. Successful genotyping of the TH01, HumTPO and multiplex STRs was achieved using aliquots of urine as small as 100 microL. Furthermore, application of this DNA extraction procedure to frozen urine samples provided STR allele results comparable to results obtained from fresh samples. Therefore, this extraction procedure is considered to be effective for STR typing of urine samples in both the frozen and aqueous state. Furthermore, addition of sodium azide to fresh urine samples prolonged their storage duration even at room temperature.     

Determination of ABO blood grouping from human oral squamous epithelium by the highly sensitive immunohistochemical staining method EnVision+

Using the highly sensitive immunohistochemical staining method EnVision+, which employs a dextran polymer reagent for the secondary antibody, the detection of the ABH antigens was attempted in the oral squamous epithelium. This new technique uses monoclonal antibody as a primary antibody and it takes about three hours for staining. The time is much shorter than conventional absorption-elution testing or absorption-inhibition testing for the determination of ABO blood grouping. Secretor saliva samples were stained at strong intensity by the antibody, which corresponded to its blood group and anti-H. On the one hand, nonsecretor saliva samples were stained at strong intensity only by the antibody that corresponded to its blood group, and at weak intensity only by anti-H. Since human oral squamous epithelium antigens were stained specifically by this method, we can examine the ABO blood group of saliva samples and perform cytodiagnosis at the same time. Our research suggested that the EnVision+ Method is a useful technique for ABO blood grouping of saliva in forensic cases.     

States of distinction: gender,Japan and the international political economy

This article looks at the question of how to understand the link between the changing position of women and gender relations and the changes in the global political economy. Drawing on the work of Pierre Bourdieu, the authors argue that states compete for respectability and distinction on the world stage, and that they deploy particular material articulations of gender and class relations as forms of symbolic capital for the nation. The authors demonstrate this using Japan as an example, tracing changes in the condition and representation of women between 1856 and 1945, as Japan's position in the global hierarchy of nations moved from a subordinated through a resisting to a colonising country. The authors suggest that women and gender relations are central to understanding international relations, and they propose a conceptual framework for analysing the significance of women and gender in the global political economy     

A death due to perirenal hematoma complicating extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy

Perirenal hematoma is an occasional complication of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) which does not usually require treatment. A 79-year-old woman died 23 h after ESWL. Forensic autopsy was performed to determine whether medical treatment contributed to her death. The cause of death was hemorrhagic shock due to massive hematoma from a ruptured small vein in the perirenal adipose capsule. No injury to other organs was found and the patient had neither coagulation abnormality nor venous disease. Perirenal hematoma can easily be diagnosed with abdominal sonography, if pain or symptoms of anemia develop. Doctors must be aware of the possibilities of severe renal hematomas after ESWL.     

Jobs Off the Farm: Wealth,Human Capital,and Social Group in Rural Eastern India

This study examines the effects of wealth, human capital, and social group on the occupational choice and income of farm households, to gain an understanding of the mechanism underlying the recently increasing income diversification in rural eastern India. The results show that wealth and human capital have a positive impact on the choice of high-return jobs, and low caste workers are more likely to work in casual, low-paying jobs, partly due to their dependence on personal networks in finding jobs. Notably, no clear evidence of association between social group and income is found.     

Nudging public budget officers: A field-based survey experiment

Existing research has focused on budget officers' intertemporal decision-making but has not addressed the problem that budget officers tend to underestimate future outcomes in the budget process. This study experimentally investigates how messages containing behavioral economics “nudges,” addressing the underestimation, influence budget officers' assessments. We conducted a survey experiment with responses from 484 budget officers in local governments throughout Japan. Respondents assessed a hypothetical environmental policy program budget, after having been randomly assigned to one of four groups, each given a different set of information and messaging: (A) baseline information (including future outcome information), (B) additional information with a loss-framing nudge, (C) additional information with a social comparison nudge, and (D) no baseline information. The results show that budget officers in the two randomly assigned nudge-based intervention groups gave higher evaluations of future outcomes than those in the baseline group with no nudges, whereas the assessment of the baseline group is statistically not significantly different from the group without any information.     

Effects of long-term administrations of aconitine on electrocardiogram and tissue concentrations of aconitine and its metabolites in mice

Aconitum alkaloids are well known for their acute and high toxicity, for example, in the causation of severe arrhythmias leading to death. Aconitine, one of the major Aconitum alkaloids, is a highly toxic compound from the Aconitum species. However, there has been no studies reported on the influence of the chronic administration of aconitine. Thus, this study was conducted to investigate the influence of chronic administration of aconitine in experimental animal models. A dose of 1mg/kg per day was administered to the experimental animal models. We determined the concentration of aconitine and its metabolites (benzoylaconine and aconine) in organs and blood with gas chromatography/selected ion monitoring (GC/SIM). In addition, we concurrently recorded the electrocardiogram (ECG). Fifteen minutes after administration on day 0, the early aconitine administered group (acute group) revealed peak organ and blood concentration levels of aconitine with a gradual decrease, thereafter. The concentration of aconitine in organs and blood (from days 0 to 22; 90 min after the last administration of aconitine) gradually decreased according to repeated administration, whereas benzoylaconine and aconine increased. ECG revealed various types of arrhythmias. However, the frequency of arrhythmias remarkably decreased with time and repeated administration of aconitine. These results indicate two possibilities. First, the increase in the activity of aconitine metabolism. Secondly, the decrease of effectiveness to the heart due to long-term (chronic) administration of aconitine.     

Autopsy report on central pontine myelinolysis triggered by vomiting associated with digoxin intoxication

An 87-year-old male, prescribed digoxin and furosemide for congestive heart failure and Alzheimer disease, had dehydration and anemia due to poor food intake and hemorrhagic cystitis. Repeated vomiting due to an upper respiratory infection caused disturbance of consciousness and hypotension. The patient was admitted to hospital and diagnosed with digoxin intoxication and hypernatremia. The serum sodium (Na⁺) level was corrected, but the patient died 4 days after admission following uncontrollable seizure. A histologic examination after an autopsy revealed characteristic findings of central pontine myelinolysis (CPM). This is the first autopsy report on CPM triggered by vomiting in association with digoxin administration.