Short tandem repeat typing of cells transferred via micromanipulation with whole-genome amplification.

This study attempted to determine the minimum number of cells required to conduct DNA analyses effectively. Oral mucosal cells obtained from eight persons were suspended and individually collected by using micromanipulation technique. DNA was extracted and amplified by whole-genome amplification (WGA).

DNA analysis of root canal-filled teeth.

Teeth are markedly useful as samples for DNA analysis; however, intact teeth are not always available. This study examined the possibility of identifying autosomal and Y-chromosome short tandem repeat (STR) types in samples from 34 teeth (15 intact and 19 root canal filled) that had been preserved for 10-33years after dental extraction. The aim was to explore the feasibility of individual identification by DNA analysis of samples obtained from highly decomposed and skeletonized corpses.

Real-time PCR assay for the detection of picoplankton DNA distribution in the tissues of drowned rabbits.

The detection of plankton DNA is one of the important methods for the diagnosis of drowning from postmortem tissues. This study investigated the quantities of picoplankton (Cyanobacteria) DNA in the lung, liver, kidney tissues and blood of drowned and non-drowned rabbits, and the sensitivity of detection of picoplankton DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detect for the diagnosis of death from drowning. For this purpose, the DNA of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene of picoplankton was quantitatively assayed from the tissues of drowned and non-drowned rabbits immersed in water after death.

Prevalence and distribution of anomalies of permanent dentition in 9584 Japanese high school students.

This study investigated the prevalence and distribution of anomalies of permanent dentition in the current Japanese population by examining an unbiased sample. We conducted a survey of dental anomalies by mass dental screening at eight high schools in 2012. Participants were all students with permanent dentition.

Analysis of human mitochondrial DNA polymorphisms in the Japanese population.

The highly polymorphic nature and high amplification efficiency of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is valuable for the analysis of biological evidence in forensic casework, such as the identification of individuals and assignment of race/ethnicity. To be useful, a mtDNA polymorphism database for the Japanese population requires an understanding of the range of haplotype variation and phylogenies of mtDNA sequences. To extend current knowledge on the haplotypes in the Japanese population, this study defines new lineages and provides more detail about some of those previously described.

ABO blood group genotyping by quenching probe method.

We developed a multiplex ABO genotyping method with quenching probes (Q-probe). In this method, it is possible to discriminate the mutations, not only frequently used positions 261 and 796 but also position 703 in a single PCR. Each probe was designed to have cytosine residue at 5' or 3' end and labeled with three different fluorescence dyes, enabling the triplex detections of these polymorphisms.

A case of personal identification due to detection of rare DNA types from seminal stain.

Following a rape incident in an apartment in Japan, we were requested to perform a DNA analysis on a body fluid stain left on a bath towel to determine whether it could be attributed to the suspect. The acid phosphatase and prostatic-specific antigen tests confirmed it to be a seminal stain. Based on the DNA analysis by autosomal and Y-chromosome short tandem repeat (STR) systems, no inconsistency was found with the profile of the suspect with African ancestry.

The suppression of proinflammatory cytokines improves heart function from non-heart-beating donors following transplantation in a canine model.

We evaluated the effectiveness of a suppressant of the production of proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha on a canine heart transplantation model with non-heart-beating donors (NHBDs).Adult mongrel dogs were divided into 3 groups of 5: a control group; FR-1 in which donors were given FR167653, a potent suppressant of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha production; and FR-2 in which both donors and recipients were given FR167653. After measuring the baseline hemodynamic parameters, including cardiac output (CO), left ventricular pressure (LVP), and maximum and minimum rates of increase in LVP (+/- LVdp/dt), FR167653 was administered continuously for 30 minutes before ischemia in the FR-1 and FR-2 groups.

Genetic studies of eight X-STRs in a Japanese population.

We studied eight X-STRs (DXS7132, DXS7423, DXS8378, DXS10074, DXS10101, DXS10134, DXS10135, HPRTB) polymorphism in 494 unrelated Japanese individuals (313 males, 181 females) using Mentype Argus X-8 PCR Amplification Kit. PD of the eight X-STRs ranged from 0.558 (male) to 0.

Rapid and simple sex determination method from dental pulp by loop-mediated isothermal amplification.

Sex determination from dental pulp DNA was examined by loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method. Amelogenin locus was analyzed for sex determination. A set of four specially designed primers was prepared based on database from Gene Bank, and loop primers were designed to shorten the analysis time.

Polymorphism of the vWA locus located in the center of the three vWA STRs in the Japanese population.

The structural polymorphism of the vWA locus (vWA-T) located between the two polymorphic vWA loci (vWA-K and -P) was analyzed in 100 Japanese individuals using DNA samples isolated from dental pulp. The polymorphism of this locus was based on the difference in the number of tcta repeat. New interallele 11.

Combined liver and inferior vena cava resection for adrenocortical carcinoma.

Purpose: Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignancy, usually diagnosed at an advanced stage when it has invaded or adhered to adjacent organs. We report our experience of performing combined liver and inferior vena cava (IVC) resection for ACC.

Methods: Six patients with clinical stage III (n = 4) or IV (n = 2) ACC underwent combined resection of the liver and IVC.

[A recurrent endocrine cell cancer of the stomach showing almost complete remission after chemotherapy for 1 year].

We report a recurrent case of gastric endocrine cell cancer that showed a remarkable response to systemic chemotherapy. A 70-year-old male who underwent gastroscopy at our hospital showed a 0-IIa-like lesion, but no abnormal CT findings. He was diagnosed with gastric cancer, and underwent a proximal gastrectomy.

Hypervariable region structure and polymorphism of mtDNA from dental pulp and a family analysis.

Nucleotide sequences of the hypervariable region in the D-loop of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) were analyzed using DNA extracted from 140 old dental pulp samples. These sequences were compared with the sequence reported by Anderson et al. Nucleotide substitution in the HV1 region was identified at 77 positions.

Inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 improves cardiac function following long-term preservation.

Background: Cyclooxygenase (COX) is an intracellular enzyme that converts arachidonic acid to prostaglandin endoperoxide (PGG(2)). There are two isoforms of COX, namely constitutive COX-1 and inducible COX-2. It has been reported that COX-2 plays an important role in ischemia-reperfusion injury and that COX-2 mRNA and protein expression were up-regulated during cardiac allograft rejection.

Effects of a free radical scavenger, MCI-186, on ischemia-reperfusion injury during extended liver resection in dogs.

Background/aims: In liver surgery, total clamping of the portal triad (Pringle's procedure) is commonly used, and this sometimes causes liver failure. This study evaluated the effects of a free radical scavenger, MCI-186, on ischemia-reperfusion injury during liver resection in dogs.

Methodology: The experimental animals were divided into two groups.

Long-term preservation using a new apparatus combined with suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines improves donor heart function after transplantation in a canine model.

Objective: We developed a new apparatus for long-term heart preservation that combines simple immersion with coronary perfusion. In a previous study, we reported that suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), improved results after transplantation. In this study, we evaluated whether long-term preservation using our apparatus for continuous coronary perfusion, combined with suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, improves donor heart function after transplantation in a canine model.

The effects of a bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist in extended liver resection with ischemia in dogs.

Background/aims: In liver surgery, total clamping of the portal triad (Pringle's procedure) is commonly used, and sometimes causes liver failure. This study evaluated the effects of a bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist, FR173657 (FR), on ischemia-reperfusion injury during liver resection in dogs.

Methodology: Experimental animals were divided into two groups.

Effects of a bradykinin B(2) receptor antagonist on ischemia-reperfusion injury in a canine lung transplantation model.

Background: This study investigated the effects of a bradykinin B(2) receptor antagonist, FR173657 (FR), on ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in a canine lung transplantation model.

Methods: Eighteen pairs of weight-matched dogs were randomly divided into 3 groups. Six pairs were assigned to the FR(D+R) group, in which FR (100 nmol/kg/h) was administered to the transplant donor continuously beginning 30 minutes before ischemia until the onset of ischemia, and FR was administered to the transplant recipient beginning 30 minutes before reperfusion and continuing for 2 hours after reperfusion.

The effects of a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor on small bowel ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Background/aims: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a selective COX-2 inhibitor, FK3311, on warm ischemia-reperfusion injury of the canine small intestine.

Methodology: Ten adult mongrel dogs were used. FK (1 mg/kg) was administered intravenously 15 minutes prior to ischemia and 15 minutes prior to reperfusion in the FK group (n = 5), and only an inert vehicle was injected in the control group (n = 5).

The effect of short-term coronary perfusion using a perfusion apparatus on canine heart transplantation from non-heart-beating donors.

Background: We investigated the effects of briefly perfusing hearts from non-heart-beating donors (NHBDs) with a Celsior solution before cardiac transplantation.

Methods: Donor hearts were left in situ for 20 minutes after cardiac arrest was induced by rapid exsanguination. Twelve donor-recipient pairs of mongrel dogs were divided into 2 groups, the simple immersion (SI, n = 6) group and the coronary perfusion (CP, n = 6) group.

The effect of FR167653 in a canine total hepatic vascular exclusion model.

Background/aims: Though liver grafts from non-heart-beating donors are now attracting much attention, these grafts inevitably suffer from severe warm ischemia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of TNF-alpha and IL-1 suppression on warm ischemia-reperfusion injury in a canine total hepatic vascular exclusion model.

Methodology: Warm ischemia was induced by 1-h total hepatic vascular exclusion with active splenofemuro-juglar bypass.

Effects of a bradykinin B(2) receptor antagonist, FR173657, on pulmonary ischemia-reperfusion injury in dogs.

Background: This study investigated the effects of a bradykinin B(2) receptor antagonist, FR173657 (FR), on pulmonary ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury.

Methods: Twenty-four mongrel dogs were divided into four groups (n = 6 each). In Groups I, II and III, FR doses of 33, 100 and 300 nmol/kg per hour, respectively, were administered continuously beginning 30 minutes before ischemia and continuing for 2 hours after reperfusion.

Effects of a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor as an additive to Euro-Collins solution on reperfusion injury in canine lung transplantation1.

Background: The activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) plays an important role in the development of ischemia/reperfusion injury. FR167653 is a novel p38 MAPK inhibitor. This study evaluated the effects of p38 MAPK inhibition during cold ischemia on subsequent reperfusion injury using FR167653 as an additive to Euro-Collins solution in canine lung transplantation.