Hepatotoxicity of dichloromethane

We studied hepatotoxicity of dichloromethane using primary cultures of parenchymal cells (hepatocyte) from adult rat livers. The production of carbon monoxide from dichloromethane increased with time, the increased cell number, and the concentration of dichloromethane. However, the carbon monoxide production per hepatocyte decreased with increasing cell density. When dichloromethane was in a high concentration, the metabolism of dichloromethane to carbon monoxide was extensively depressed, total glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and mitochondrial GOT (m-GOT) levels in the cultured medium were extensively elevated, and the cultured hepatocytes were destroyed by dichloromethane. A case of accidental exposure to dichloromethane which occurred in Japan was also considered, and it is suspected that the inhalation of dichloromethane vapors in a high concentration for many hours may cause hepatotoxicity.     

Apport de l'immunoelectrophorese pour l'expertise des taches de sang en medecine legale

Conclusive evidence was obtained in this study that immunoelectrophoresis could be used in the identification of blood-stains in two particular cases: for diagnosis or approach to diagnosis of the age of a blood-stain, and for diagnosis of the human origin of a blood-stain that had been treated with petroleum products.Although many aspects should be investigated in more detail, it is certain that this method can be employed in combination with other methods.     

The typing of group-specific component (Gc protein) in human blood stains

It is known that the typing of group-specific component (Gc protein) in human blood stains is difficult since Gc protein of the extracts of blood stains migrates more anodally to the α₁-globulin region in agar-gel immunoelectrophoresis, while Gc protein in liquid blood normally migrates to the α₂-globulin region. We have reported that the Gc protein found in the α₁-region is the result of binding of actin to Gc protein (Shinomiya, K., Kimura, H., Yoshida, K., and Shinomiya, T., J. Biochem., 92 (1982) 1163–1171, which renders it difficult to determine the Gc-phenotypes in the blood stains. On the basis of the above findings, we developed the method of phenotyping the Gc protein of human blood stains by agar-gel immunoelectrophoresis. Since the binding activity of actin to Gc protein is lost after treatment with a high concentration of guanidine HCl, the extracts of blood stains were treated with 4 M guanidine HCl to dissociate Gc protein and actin and then dialyzed to remove guanidine HCl. By this method we are able to determine the phenotypes of Gc protein in blood stains. The method we have developed is a useful tool in the forensic laboratory.     

In- and out-flows of elements in bones embedded in reference soils

Possible exchanges of elements between bone and the surrounding soil after being embedded underground for 2 years were estimated. Bone pieces were samples from human vertebrae without any treatments after resection. Sixteen elements were determined by atomic emission mass spectrometry. These were divided into three types; Type I, an in-flow in which elements increased, as in Fe, Al and Ba; type II, a balanced decrease in which changes were found in S, Mg and Zn; and type III, an out-flow in which elements, such as Ca and P, entered into bones from embedded soils. These exchanges depended on the varying nature of soils and also on the time underground. The exchanges were progressed in duration of the time after burial. Data obtained are possible references to judge the time-lapse after burial of bones in relating to characters of soils embedded, and to identify proper bone elements from containment elements.     

Apport de l'immunoelectrophorese pour l'expertise des taches de sang en medecine legale

Conclusive evidence was obtained in this study that immunoelectrophoresis could be used in the identification of blood-stains in two particular cases: for diagnosis or approach to diagnosis of the age of a blood-stain, and for diagnosis of the human origin of a blood-stain that had been treated with petroleum products.Although many aspects should be investigated in more detail, it is certain that this method can be employed in combination with other methods.     

Gel electrophoresis of the alpha-2-Gc globulin group under various conditions

Our experiments confirm the transformation of the group-specific component Gc into alpha 1-globulin. This transformation was more marked in blood samples subjected to repeated freezing-thawing procedures, and was very weak in samples subjected to repeated freezing-thawing procedures after mixing serum and red blood cells. The active factor responsible for this transformation was inhibited by heating at 56 degrees C for one minute in a water-bath. The transformation of the group-specific component was accomplished immediately by mixing serum and extract of platelets. The extract of platelets induced an increase in the rate of migration of all Gc components on immunoelectrophoresis, and it induced a decrease in the isoelectric point of all Gc components on Ampholine PAG plates with a pH range of 4 to 6.5. It induced a decrease in the rate of migration of all Gc components on polyacrylamide gel (7.5%) electrophoresis. A similar transformation was induced by homogenized fluid of cardiac muscle of cow and chicken, and pectoral muscle of the chicken.