The influence of fixing condition on myoglobin stainability of striated muscle as a tool for forensic diagnosis.

It is reported that immunostaining of Myoglobin (Mb) is useful for forensic diagnosis. In this study, we investigated the condition of fixation of striated muscle in 10 % neutral-buffered formalin to obtain appropriate stationarity of Mb in immunostaining. Firstly, criteria for staining intensity and definition of the stainability of examined were determined for sheep muscle tissue.

Unintentional Injury Deaths among Children: A Descriptive Study Using Medico-legal Documents in Okayama Prefecture, Japan (2001-2015).

According to the World Health Organization's World Report, approx. 950,000 children and young people < 18 years old die from an injury each year, and unintentional injury deaths account for a large portion of these cases. Here we used medico-legal documents to epidemiologically analyze the cases of unintentional injury deaths among children < 5 years old in Okayama Prefecture, Japan from 2001 to 2015.

Measurement of Postmortem 1,5-anhydroglucitol in Vitreous Humor for Forensic Diagnosis.

In forensic diagnosis, postmortem blood glucose is known to be susceptible to change after death. However, the 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG) concentrations in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) reflect the mean blood glucose level for a short period of time. In this study, we compared the postmortem 1,5-AG concentrations in vitreous humor and CSF in 47 subjects to evaluate the utility of this concentration in the vitreous humor for forensic diagnosis.

Child deaths with persistent neglected experiences from medico-legal documents in Japan.

Background: Few studies have examined the actual conditions of fatal neglect in Japan. The aims of this study were to investigate persistent neglect among child fatalities using medico-legal documents, and to describe the characteristics of the socio-familial background and biological data.

Methods: The current study analyzed the documents of all postmortem external examinations and autopsies in children <2 years old carried out in one prefecture in Japan from 2006 to 2011.

Symptom definitions for SBS (sick building syndrome) in residential dwellings.

The potential risk factors for sick building syndrome (SBS) in newly built dwellings were investigated. Two different definitions for SBS were used, a narrow definition (symptoms related to home environment and continuously occurring in the last 3 months were regarded as positive) and another relatively broad definition (symptoms related to home environment and either continuously or sporadically occurring in the last 3 months were regarded as positive). With both definitions indoor air chemicals, especially TVOC, and high stress during work were found to be significantly associated with SBS symptoms.

Unmetabolized VOCs in urine as biomarkers of low level exposure in indoor environments.

This study aimed to test the possible use of unmetabolized volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in urine as biomarkers of low-level indoor environmental exposure. Twenty-four subjects in 13 dwellings in a prefecture of Japan participated in this study. Air samples of the breathing zone were collected in the living room and bedroom, along with spot urine samples (before bedtime and first morning voids).

Practicality of Veterans Specific Activity Questionnaire in evaluation of exercise capacity of community-dwelling Japanese elderly.

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine whether a questionnaire-based method using the Veterans Specific Activity Questionnaire (VSAQ) is a practical tool for the development of a safe exercise program to prevent a reduction in physical performance.

Methods: One hundred and twenty-one senior residents of Yakage, Okayama, agreed to voluntarily participate in this study. They were asked to complete a questionnaire for information on age, sex, subjective health status, exercise habits and VSAQ.