Tsukasa Tsuchimochi

Mitochondrial sequence haplotype in the Japanese population

Sequence polymorphysms of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region, hypervariable regions I and II, from 50 unrelated Japanese were determined by PCR amplification and cycle sequencing.

An autopsy case of poisoning by massive absorption of cresol a short time before death

A 65-year-old male patient who was hospitalized with schizophrenia died about 15 min later after ingestion of a large volume of saponated cresol solution in a mental hospital. Fatal levels of free p- and m-cresol in the heart blood were detected at 458.8 and 957.3 microg/ml, respectively, which far exceeded the fatal levels determined previously. The levels in the heart muscle, liver and spleen tissues were also extremely high, and there was 250 ml of cresol-odor-emitting fluid in the stomach. The levels of glucuronic-acid-conjugated p- and m-cresols in the heart blood were 38.2 and 85.6 microg/ml, respectively. Although the high levels of cresols in the heart blood may be due to diffusion from the stomach contents, it is surmised that the essential levels of free and conjugated forms in blood were at least 99 and 240 microg/ml, respectively, considering the results of postmortem examinations and some case reports. It was concluded that about 340 microg/ml of the total cresols was absorbed in a very short period following oral ingestion of saponated cresol solution in this case.

Y-STR haplotype data and allele frequency of the DXS10011 locus in a Japanese population sample

The distribution of allele frequency of X-chromosomal STR, DXS10011, from 99 unrelated Japanese, 72 male and 27 female, were determined by PCR amplification and PAGE. At the same time, haplotype frequencies of five Y-chromosomal STR loci, DYS19, DYS389I, DYS389II, DYS390 and DYS393 from male samples were determined.

Y-chromosomal STR haplotype in the Japanese population

Allele and haplotype frequencies of seven Y-chromosome STR loci from samples of 108 unrelated Japanese males living in Aichi Prefecture.

Y-chromosomal short tandem repeats haplotyping from vaginal swabs using a chelating resin-based DNA extraction method and a dual-round polymerase chain reaction.

Reported are 2 autopsy cases in which Y-chromosomal microsatellite short tandem repeats DYS19, DYS389I and II, DYS390, and DYS393 could be haplotyped with vaginal swabs by using a Chelex 100-based DNA extraction method and dual-round polymerase chain reaction. The extraction of DNA from vaginal swabs by using this method was as efficient or more efficient than using proteinase K and phenol-chloroform extraction or the alkaline lysis methods. Y-chromosomal microsatellite short tandem repeats haplotyping based on the dual-round polymerase chain reaction method provided genotypes from all the loci determined. Although amplification of Y-chromosomal microsatellite short tandem repeats loci is not directly involved in the existence of spermatozoa, it is considerably advantageous for male individualization from body fluid mixture stains in criminal cases.

Utility of Y-STR haplotype and mtDNA sequence in personal identification of human remains.

The utility of Y-STR haplotype and mtDNA sequence in personal identification from human remains is demonstrated. In five cases, severely damaged human remains were identified by Y-chromosomal short tandem repeat (STR) (Y-STR) haplotyping and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequencing. DNA was extracted from highly adipoceratous tissues using the phenol-chloroform method and polymerase chain reaction amplified for Y-STR haplotyping and sequencing of two hypervariable regions, HV1 and HV2, of the mtDNA. The authors also profiled the Y-STR haplotype and mtDNA sequence of a blood sample that was obtained from the presumptive brother of the decedent. Y-STR haplotyping and mtDNA sequencing results were compared with one another and with the Anderson sequence. It was concluded from these data that the lower part of the body (Case 1), the human head (Case 2), the upper part of the body (Case 3), and the right arm (Case 4) were from the same individual, whereas another lower part of a body (Case 5) was from a relative of the presumptive brother. A novel descriptive way of a statistical characteristic, gene or haplotype diversity, is shown.

The relationship between the severity of radiation-induced oral mucositis and the myeloperoxidase levels in rats.

OBJECTIVE Oral mucositis is a common adverse reaction to radiotherapy for head and neck cancer, and there are concerns regarding a decreased quality of life in patients receiving radiotherapy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the severity of radiation-induced oral mucositis and the myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels in irradiated tissues. STUDY DESIGN Ninety-six F344 rats were divided into the following 4 groups: 10-Gy, 18-Gy, and 30-Gy irradiation groups, and a nonirradiation group. Oral mucositis was induced by the administration of single doses of radiation via exposure. After irradiation, the rats were evaluated on the basis of weight measurements, macroscopic findings according to a grading scale (Oral Mucositis Index [OMI]), and the results of tissue MPO assays. RESULTS Weights decreased whereas the OMI scores and MPO levels increased, depending on the dose of exposure. The Spearman rank correlation test showed a significant correlation between the OMI scores and the MPO levels in the tissues with a correlation coefficient of 0.824 (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS In this study, the MPO levels in the irradiated tissue were increased in the cases involving severe radiation-induced oral mucositis evaluated in rats using a grading scale.

Platelet-rich fibrin has a healing effect on chemotherapy-induced mucositis in hamsters

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the healing effect of topically applied platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) on experimental oral mucositis induced by chemotherapy in hamsters. STUDY DESIGN Oral mucositis was induced in 93 Syrian golden hamsters by an intraperitoneal injection of 5-fluorouracil, which was followed by light scratching of the cheek pouch. The hamsters were randomly divided into a PRF group, a fibrin group, and an untreated control group. The recovery stage of oral mucositis was evaluated through daily weighing, measurements of the ulcer area, histopathologic analysis, and a myeloperoxidase activity assay. RESULTS The PRF group exhibited significant improvements in the size and histologic features of the ulcer and in the myeloperoxidase activity compared with the control group (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS The current findings suggest the consideration for future clinical trials in humans.

Development of forensic diagnosis of acute sarin poisoning.

On March 20, 1995, the Tokyo subway system was subjected to a horrifying terrorist attack with sarin gas (isopropyl methylphosphonofluoridate) that left 12 persons dead and over 5000 injured. In order to diagnose the definite cause of death of the victims, a new method was developed to detect sarin hydrolysis products in the erythrocytes and formalin-fixed cerebella from four victims of sarin poisoning. Sarin-bound acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was solubilized from the specimens of sarin victims and digested with trypsin. The sarin hydrolysis products bound to AChE were released by alkaline phosphatase digestion. The digested sarin hydrolysis products were subjected to trimethylsilyl derivatization and detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Sarin hydrolysis products were detected in all sarin poisoning victims.

Sinus Augmentation by Platelet-Rich Fibrin Alone: A Report of Two Cases with Histological Examinations

In sinus floor augmentation of an atrophic posterior maxilla, platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) has been used as a graft material. We herein report two cases with histological evaluations of PRF after the surgery. The first case was a 28-year-old female with an atrophic right posterior maxilla who was treated with sinus floor augmentation and simultaneous implant placement using PRF as the sole graft material in our hospital. Twenty-four months after surgery, the implant was unfortunately removed because of occlusal overloading by parafunctional habits. During implant replacement, a tissue sample was obtained from the site of augmentation with PRF and was evaluated histologically. The second case was a 58-year-old man with severe alveolar atrophy of the right maxilla who underwent lateral sinus augmentation using only PRF in a two-stage procedure in our hospital. Samples were obtained at the second-stage surgery and histological examinations were performed. As a result, new bone formation was confirmed histologically in both cases. Our findings show that the use of PRF as a graft material during sinus floor augmentation induces natural bone regeneration.