It is well known that a photocatalyst can decompose low molecular weight organic compounds effectively under ultraviolet radiation. Recently, a rutile type of photocatalyst has been invented which is effective under visible light. This is a photocatalyst with fine particles of semiconductive rutile titanium dioxide supporting ultra-fine particles of platinum. When a fluorescent lamp is coated with this photocatalyst, a rutilic photocatalyst fluorescent lamp is created. The evaporation of formaldehyde from cadavers can produce high levels of exposure to formaldehyde vapor among students and instructors during anatomical dissection courses. The Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has recommended that formaldehyde concentration in dissection laboratories be reduced. It is anticipated that the rutile type of photocatalyst will reduce the amount of gaseous formaldehyde in the air of laboratories. In order to assess the degree to which formaldehyde vapor concentration is reduced by the rutilic photocatalyst fluorescent lamp, we performed a reference examination using a conventional fluorescent lamp and the rutilic photocatalyst fluorescent lamp in a preparation room for an anatomical dissection. The volume of air in the room was 199m³ and the ventilation rate was 25 air exchanges per hour. When the photocatalyst fluorescent lamp was turned on, formaldehyde concentration in the air was lower than when the conventional fluorescent lamp was on. The reduction was statistically significant (p<0.05) when concentrations were measured at the time of dissection. It has been estimated that the rutilic photocatalyst fluorescent lamp is able to decompose about two grams of the gaseous formaldehyde generated during cadaver dissection per day. In addition, frequent air exchanges using the ventilation system would have been effective in helping to reduce formaldehyde concentration in the room.

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Hair has been used in the past as an index of environmental pollution and to study the effect of toxic substances, but not to evaluate nutritional conditions. We studied the mineral content of the hair of female college students and its relation to diet and to the results of physical examinations and clinical laboratory tests. The students tended to have poor nutrition, to be thin, and there were some with a tendency to anemia. Although the mineral content of hair was not correlated with that of the diet, there was a negative correlation between iron content of hair and arteriosclerosis index, and between sodium content and fat ratio; the reason for these remains to be clarified. Additionally, high calcium content in the hair is thought not to be a positive indicator of health; the reason for the high content in the hair of the women studied is not known. Further investigation is needed to clarify the basis of the correlations observed.

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In recent years, Japan's yield of Koshihikari, the rice variety most prized by consumers, has increased year by year. However, it has been suggested that other varieties of rice are being mixed in with rice labeled and circulated as Koshihikari. The Japanese Agricultural Standards has therefore been revised and labeling based on the so-called Standards for Quality Labelling of Unpolished and Polished Rice introduced. The General Food Policy Bureau has carried out on-the-spot inspections to endure fair labeling and has published the results. To ensure fair labeling, it is additionally necessary to identify scientifically the rice variety. In the present study, in order to distiguish Koshihikari, we examined suitable methods of DNA extraction from rice grains and identified the varieties available on the market by PCR using STS-primers. Sufficient rice-grain DNA was extracted using a modification of the Wizard DNA Clean-up System method. 0.5-5.2mg of DNA was extracted from each rice grain. In the case of rice consisting of Koshihikari only, the validity of the labeling could be judged by PCR using an STS-primer. With some rice varieties, it was also possible to judge the validity of the labeling by comparing the PCR electrophoresis pattern with that of pure breeds. DNA of a rice variety other than indicated on the lavel was detected in about 40% of samples. The rate of contamination is however unknown. During rice cleaning, it seems likely that bran from other rice varieties adheres to the rice surface.

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