Genetic polymorphism of human parotid salivary amylase detected by isoelectric focusing electrophoresis and silver staining

In 332 samples of human parotid saliva collected at random from a Japanese population, the genetic polymorphism of salivary alpha-amylase was detected by isoelectric focusing electrophoresis in a pH range of 5.2-7.2 polyacrylamide gel followed by silver staining. This polymorphism, that was tentatively designated Amy1 S, consisted of extra three isozymes of a normal pattern (Amy1 N) and isoelectric points of these three isozymes were 5.5, 5.8 and 6.1, respectively. The inheritance was controlled by a dominant allele at an autosomal locus. The frequency of the genes determining these phenotypes were studied as follows: Amy1 S = 0.014 +/- 0.004, Amy1 N = 0.986 +/- 0.004.     

Further evidence for phenotypes and gene frequencies of nine salivary polymorphisms in Japanese population

Nine salivary polymorphic systems (Pa, Pb, Pr, Db, PmF, PIF, Ph, Amy1 and s-AcP) were examined using parotid and whole saliva from random Japanese individuals. The gene frequencies obtained were: Pa+ = 0.221, Pb1 = 1.000 Pr1 = 0.741, Db+ = 0.033, PIF+ = 0.715, Ph+ = 0.029, Amyv1 = 0.013 and s-AcPA = 0.217, respectively.     

Frequencies of salivary genetic marker systems in the Japanese population and their application to forensic medicine

Seven salivary polymorphic systems were studied using whole and parotid saliva from random Japanese individuals. The gene frequencies obtained were: Pa⁺ = 0.212, Pb¹ = 1.000, Pb² = 0, Pr¹ = 0.763, Pr² = 0.237, Db⁺ = 0.051, Pm⁺ = 0.409, Ph⁺ = 0.026 and Amy₁^v = 0.013, respectively. Based on these gene frequencies, the chances for exclusion of falsely alleged fathers were calculated. The chance of exclusion on the basis of five salivary polymorphic systems was 0.305. The combined chance of exclusion utilizing only blood, serum and red-cell enzyme polymorphic systems among the Japanese population was 0.919; however, by applying salivary polymorphic systems to the calculation, the total exclusion rose to 0.944.     

Behavior of genetic markers in recipients after bone marrow transplantation and problems in forensic medicine

The authors report studies on four pairs of donors and recipients in bone marrow transplantation (BMT). A broad range of gene markers at 41 gene loci, including 11 red blood cell markers, 5 human lymphocyte antigen (HLA) types, 12 serum protein markers, 5 red cell enzyme markers, and 8 salivary markers were evaluated before and after BMT over 2 months. As a result, 9 out of 41 gene loci of genetic markers in recipients were transformed into the donor type. BMT between family members may lead to transformation of gene markers, but within a pattern compatible with family inheritance patterns, and no genetic paradox will be found in later surveys of familial genetic relationships. However, in a personal identification system in forensic medicine using genetic markers as an index, the appearance of a phenotype incompatible with a blood relationship is possible after BMT with a non-blood-relative donor. This result is similar to the inheritance pattern observed after artificial insemination by a donor's semen (AID), a more complete out-of-family cross.     

Egg freezing,stratified reproduction and the logic of not

This commentary examines social and political implications of social egg freezing in a market that is stratified, globalized, and part of a larger bioeconomy. John Robertson''s article and public discourse prompted by Facebook and Apple''s ‘corporate egg freezing’ benefits provide touchstones for interrogating social and industry practices that embrace making reproductive capacity marketable. Supply of the cells and bodies necessary for assisted reproductive technology use depends on market thinking and structural inequality. What the industry produces are carefully calibrated social-political distances between participants in egg freezing and banking, as well as ‘third party reproduction.’     

Immunological analysis of human placental lactogen in blood stains and its application to forensic science

Sex determination of blood stains from women who were in the late stages of pregnancy was possible by detecting human placental lactogen (HPL) in them. However, the agglutination time for positive reactions was prolonged as the stains aged.