Absorption test using latex particles as the indicator system for the species identification of bloodstains and muscles.

This paper reported the species identification of bloodstains and muscles by means of an absorption test in which antisera were absorbed by bloodstains or muscles and then the absorbed antibody capacity was titrated by using latex particles coated with corresponding serum proteins. This test method was proved to be simple, specific, and sensitive.     

Electronic data processing latex immunoassay for the identification of human seminal stains

Electronic data processing (EDP) latex immunoassay using anti-human seminal acid phosphatase (anti-HSAP) immune serum was applied for the species and organ identification of human seminal stains. This test proved to be highly sensitive and specific.     

Comparative study of D1S80 typing by capillary electrophoresis and sequencing

The D1S80 locus is very useful for personal identification in Japan. To obtain a correct allele over 45, we examined PCR amplification product of the allele over 45 both by direct sequencing and fragment analysis using capillary electrophoresis. Direct sequencing finally determined the allele as being 57. However, it was calculated to be an allele of 56 by comparison with size markers for capillary electrophoresis. The difference could be attributed to the electrophoretic size markers. This finding indicates that the direct sequencing may be useful to determine the allele over 45 in the D1S80 locus.     

Central monoamines and the death process time (antemortem time) during asphyxia. An experimental study in the mouse brain

The changes of the brain monoamines, norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA), and serotonin (5-HT), during acute asphyxia, caused by strangulation, anoxia, and drowning, were studied in the mouse. In several asphyxiated animal groups significant linear correlation was found between the level of monoamines, NE, DA, and 5-HT, and the death process times or antemortem times were r = 0.50, 0.98 (P less than 0.05), and 0.57, respectively. It is concluded that the level of brain NE and DA increased in the mouse that died of asphyxia, and the level of 5-HT showed only an apparent decrease in anoxia groups as compared with the control group and showed a twice as high increase in drowning groups. Especially, there was a tendency that the longer the death process times or antemortem times, the higher was the level of DA.     

Expanding Japan's role in the United Nations

In 1994, Japan made a bid for a permanent UNSC seat. This reflects Japan's growing influence in the United Nations as the second largest financial contributor to the regular UN budget and to the UNPKO budget. Moreover, Japan's contribution is no longer limited to the financial realm. Japan has actively participated in UNPKO since it enacted the International Peace Cooperation Law in 1992. It has sent military contingents to three UNPKO missions and a number of civilian missions. The changing international system necessitates fundamental reforms of the UNSC. The UN's fiftieth anniversary seems to be an opportune time for establishing realistic guidelines for the SC reforms to facilitate permanent membership for Japan and Germany comparable to their growing economic and political standings at the global level. In the meantime, Japan should overcome its reluctance to commit itself to UN peacemaking operations, as Germany did, and consolidate public opinion at home and abroad in support of its bid.     

Simultaneous detection of ABO and Secretor-nonsecretor blood groups from forensic biological samples by fragment analysis

This paper describes the simultaneous detection of ABO and Secretor-nonsecretor (SE) blood groups from forensic biological samples by fragment analysis using the ABI PRISM^® 3130 genetic analyzer. The method allows the assay of well-known base changes at three nucleotide positions 261, 796 and 803 on cDNA of the ABO gene, and at 385 and 428 on cDNA of SE gene and a SE pseudo gene, so that reliable group prediction is established by the presence of representative alleles. As a result, simultaneous detection of ABO and SE blood groupings from biological samples was correctly determined by our methods.     

Japanese Demographic Crisis in View of Marx’s Capitalist Law of Population

ABSTRACT

In more than four decades, Japanese society has rapidly intensified a tendency towards a very low fertility rate with a smaller number of children. It is generally confirmed that a society needs a total fertility rate of at least 2.1 in order to avoid a decline in its total population. The total fertility rate in Japan was still 2.14 in 1973, when the period of high economic growth in the post-World War II ended. It continued to decline to 1.26 in 2005. It then recovered somewhat in 2015, as the post-war “junior” baby-boom generation reacted to its last chance to have children. However, the recovery is temporary, and the Japanese total fertility rate is estimated to slide again in the 2020s. This article examines this transition through a re-examination of Marx’s capitalist law of population. This approach rejects the naturalist theory of population and directs attention to Japan’s demographic decline in the context of neo-liberal policies in contemporary capitalism.     

Analysis of human vaginal secretions by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

Proteins in 68 vaginal secretions from 50 women were analyzed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Although there were considerable numbers of intermediate types, the secretions could be classified into the following groups based on the densitometric patterns. A relatively low concentration of 67K protein (albumin) and a high concentration of 52K protein (IgG) were the patterns common to pre- and post-menstrual phases and pregnant stadium. A relatively high concentration of the 67K protein and a moderate concentration of the 52K protein characterized the midcycle. A considerably high concentration of 67K protein compared with the 79K (transferrin), 58K (IgA) and 52K bands was the pattern for menstrual phase and postpartum stage.     

Evaluation of ABO and Lewis genotypes using primer extension preamplification

There are some difficulties with blood typing from ABO variant bloodstains and Lewis negative samples using serologic methods. In these samples, DNA analysis should be employed simultaneously to avoid errors in typing. Primer extension preamplification (PEP) produces copies of template DNA. The minimum quantity to examine nucleotide substitutions of ABO and Lewis genotypes by PCR ranged from 1 to 3 ng DNA. The PCR products with or without PEP treatment showed identical ABO and Lewis genotyping results. Performing both serologic and PCR testing served to crosscheck the ABO and Lewis grouping of such specimens. Errors in ABO and Lewis typing can be avoided as discrepancies are investigated further. The application of the PEP method to limited amounts of DNA samples for ABO and Lewis blood groupings is useful.     

China’s Surging Energy Demand: Trigger for Conflict or Cooperation with Japan?

This article revisits a conventional interpretation of Sino-Japanese energy relations from geopolitical and zero-sum viewpoints. Contemporary Sino-Japanese disputes over the East China Sea and their scramble over a crude-oil pipeline from Russia have drawn global attention to the intensification of the rivalry between the two giant energy consumers. Beijing and Tokyo, however, have gradually found common interests resulting from business opportunities, environmental countermeasures, etc. Russia’s failure in driving a wedge between China and Japan, and the United States’ proactive engagement in Asia-Pacific energy issues, appear to provide new opportunities in which the East Asian powers’ energy rivalry can be reduced.