Genetic polymorphism in collagen type 1 alpha 2 intron 33 can be used for the initial screening of East Asians quickly and easily by a heteroduplex analysis.

To save time and simplify the matching genetic information of bereaved family with the collected samples for identification of individuals in a mass-scale disaster and terrorism using molecular biological methods, we propose a method to initially screen samples according to different populations. We found a unique deletion (26822-3) in an allele that 62.0% of East Asian individuals had in intron 33 of type I collagen alpha 2 (COL1A2), while most Europeans and Africans did not have it. By making a heteroduplex complex, a visual discrimination was possible using 10% PAGE. A PCR and heteroduplex analysis could identify genetic polymorphism of COL1A2 intron 33 both clearly and accurately, even from decomposed samples or very small amounts of samples within a very short time period (approximately within 150min). As a result, genetic polymorphism of COL1A2 intron 33 is thus considered to be useful to quickly and easily screen East Asians from vast number of samples using a heteroduplex analysis. Consequently, we consider that an initial screening method for East Asians which use a heteroduplex analysis of genetic polymorphism of COL1A2 intron 33 can smoothly and effectively perform various identifications among East Asians when supplies are logistically poor after a mass-scale disaster or terrorism.

[Medico-legal autopsy case of an infant suffering anaphylactic shock during dental treatment. Potential hazards in the use of a rubber-dam-sheet for infants].

We report a medico-legal autopsy of a 4-year-old girl without any history of allergies, who died following anaphylactic shock due to local anesthesia with lidocaine during dental treatment. The shock symptoms were overlooked due to a rubber-dam-sheet covering her face. The autopsy revealed laryngeal edema, secretory fluid filling the trachea, severe pulmonary congestion and edema. An immunohistochemical investigation showed numerous mast cells releasing histamine in lungs, and the fluids in the pulmonary alveoli and veins also showed positive staining. In addition, the plasma concentration of histamine in the heart blood showed a high value. From these findings, the cause of death was determined to be respiratory failure due to anaphylactic shock induced by lidocaine. In this case, her death was considered to be due to medical malpractice; adequate life support had not been performed, because anaphylactic shock was overlooked until the rubber-dam-sheet removed. In addition, due to two previous autopsy case reports that described infantile fatalities involved with the misusage of a rubber-dam-sheet for the patients under local anesthesia, we therefore recommend immediate improvements in rubber-dam-sheets and/or better applications of them in pediatric dentistry.

The identification of a victim using the DGGE method for trace deposits collected on adhesive film.

The denaturant gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) method was used in order to simultaneously estimate the genotypes of different factors in a gel plate consisting of one sheet. A genotype analysis of the blood groups (MN, Duffy, Kidd type) and serotype (Gc system) was carried out. DNA samples were extracted from trace deposits which were transferred on adhesive film from a blood trace obtained from a car tire after a fatal car accident. The reference DNA was prepared from the victim's blood. The PCR amplification fragments were amplified from the gene which controlled each blood group. The primers were designed in order to analyze the genotypes with one to three base substitutions in the amplification product. The denaturant concentration limit of the gel for the DGGE method to detect each genotype of the blood groups (MN, Duffy, Kidd type and Gc system) and other conditions of electrophoresis were performed according to previously methods. The each genotype of the blood groups and the Gc system were all simultaneously distinguished in one plate.