35 samples of Korean fermented foodstuffs were tested to isolate and to identify for aflatoxins. Aflatoxin G1 was detected in samples of soybean and Kanjang (Soybean sauce), are aflatoxins G1 & G2 in Meju (fermented soybean mass) are Dwenjang (fermented soybean paste). In the culture media of Aspergillus flavus aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 were also isolate and identified. Aflatoxins were confirmed by the thin layer chromatography with methancl : chroroform (5:95v/v) developer and the ultra violet absorption spectrum.
Absorption ; Aflatoxins* ; Aspergillus flavus ; Chromatography, Thin Layer ; Culture Media ; Soybeans ; Viola

This study was carried out to investigate the morphologic findings and process of castration-induced apoptosis in the rat prostate. The experimental group was treated with bilateral orchiectomy followed by sequential sacrifices at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 days and 2, 3 weeks (6 rats, respectively). Ventral prostate was extirpated and examined by light microscopic and immunohistochemical, ultrastructural observation. Apoptotic index increased by 4 days after castration and decreased thereafter. ApopTag stain revealed brownish granular pattern in the nucleus of apoptotic cells. DNA fragmentation rate was 0.5% in the control group and began to increase by 1 day after castration and reached to 11.1% by 4 days and decreased thereafter. PCNA stain showed brownish granular pattern in the nucleus of some epithelial cells of the prostatic glands. PCNA labelling index was 2.4% in the control group and reached peak by 3 days after castration and decreased thereafter. Electron microscopically, there was chromatin condensation with margination toward the nuclear membrane by 1 day after castration. Also noted were condensation of cytoplasm, dilatation of RER and nuclear fragmentation. Apoptotic bodies were formed and phagocytosed by adjacent cells and some apoptotic bodies were found in the lumen of acini. Based on these results, it can be concluded that castration-induced prostatic involution is the result of apoptosis. Detection of DNA fragmentation with ApopTag is a more a accurate method to identify not only apoptotic body formation itself but also the previous step of apoptotic body formation. PCNA labelling index to identify the cellular proliferation seems to play an active role in the early step of apoptosis and be a good tool for investigation of apoptosis.
Animals ; Apoptosis* ; Castration ; Cell Proliferation ; Chromatin ; Cytoplasm ; Dilatation ; DNA Fragmentation ; Epithelial Cells ; Nuclear Envelope ; Orchiectomy ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; Prostate* ; Rats*

Stress induced by disaster is experienced to varying degrees by all respondents, and is known to evoke psychophysiological reactions. In this study, we investigated the relationships between earthquake-related life events and posttraumatic stress symptoms. A total of 380 adults were surveyed one year after the 1995 Hanshin-Awaji earthquake in Japan. The questionnaire included items concerning earthquake-related life events, emotional support and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. As a result, after controlling for demographic variables, earthquake-related life events were significantly related to the grade of posttraumatic stress and its three components: re-experience, avoidance and arousal, in both male and female subjects. Male subjects who currently had lower emotional support showed higher scores of posttraumatic stress and arousal. In conclusion, a higher experience of earthquake-related life events appears to be an important risk factor for development of poor mental health status following an earthquake disaster.
Earthquakes ; Life events ; seconds ; Stress bismuth subsalicylate ; Stress

Objective: For 1,361 victims of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, to evaluate the usefulness of seismic intensity information for mental health activities, we examined the quantitative relationship between experienced seismic intensity and earthquake-related life events or mental health. Methods: Questionnaires were administered concerning seismic intensity, life events and mental health to the victims. Results: The incidence of serious life events, such as death of a close family member and mental disorders were higher in areas of high seismic intensity than in low-intensity areas. Victims who experienced intensity 7 (Japan Meteorological Agency) scored 11 or more on the Modified Mercalli (MM) scale, perceived more depressive symptoms [odds ratio (OR) 2.11, 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.49−2.98)] and lower mental health status (OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.34−2.61) than those who suffered intensity 4 or less, who scored 7 or less on MM scale after controlling for various sociodemographic factors. Conclusions: Higher seismic intensity was associated with each severe life event and ill mental health among earthquake victims.
Mental Health ; Earthquakes ; Life events ; seconds ; Large

PURPOSE: The purpose of this research was to test the effects of ST35 & Sulan moxibustion on knee joint pain, range of motion, and discomfort during Activies of Daily Living (ADL) in elderly with knee joint pain. METHOD: A nonequivalent control group pre-post test research design was used. Thirty four elderly who had knee joint pain were studied. Of them, sixteen were in the experimental group and eighteen the control group. The instruments used for this study were NRS, goniometer, and a modified ADL questionnaire developed by Lee. RESULT: The pain scores of right & left knee joint after moxibustion were significantly different between the experimental group and the control group (Right: F=26.27, p=0.000, Left: F=20.77, p=0.000). Right and left knee ROM scores were significantly different between the experimental group and the control group after moxibustion (Right: F=10.74, p=0.003, Left: F=9.239, p=0.005). Discomfort during ADL scores were significantly different between the experimental group and the control group after moxibustion (F= 32.31, p=0.000). CONCLUSION: It is necessary that nurses provide the elderly with knee joint pain with moxibustion to reduce joint pain and to increase knee ROM as an alternative therapy.
*Range of Motion, Articular ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/*nursing ; *Moxibustion ; Middle Aged ; Male ; *Knee Joint/physiopathology ; Humans ; Female ; Arthralgia/etiology/*nursing ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aged ; *Activities of Daily Living

We report a case of weak subgroup A in a patient diagnosed as myelodysplastic syndrome. The patient's red cells was typed as O and his serum had anti-B. Red blood cell antibody screening test was negative. Am was confirmed by adsorption-elution test and saliva study.
Erythrocytes ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; Saliva

This study was attempted to know that the interactions of various fungi, and methionine and MgSO4 introduced as the substrate of culture media for fungi were affected to produce aflatoxins by Asp. flavus. 5 different fungi were isolated from the fermented soybean mash and were cultured in Chemically Defined medium (C.D. media) and soybean mash at 25 degrees for 10 days. (1) It was confirmed that Asp. flavus produced aflatoxins in the C.D. medium and soybean mash, but that Asp. niger, Asp. oryzae, Asp. awamori and Asp. terreus did not produced them respectively. (2) Asp. flavus cultured with Asp. niger did not produce aflatoxins in C.D. medium, but produced in soybean mash, in other hand, Asp. flavus with other fungi except Asp. niger produced aflatoxins in C.D. medium and soybean mash. (3) The growth of fungi were more prosperous in the separate culture than in the mixed culture. (4) In the C.D. medium added 20% of cultured medium of Asp. niger, Asp. flavus did not produce aflatoxins but other cultured medium did not prohibit the production of aflatoxins by Asp. flavus. (5) On the contrary, MgSO4 increasing the productivity of aflatoxins by Asp. flavus in the C.D. medium methionine known as one of precurser of aflatoxins did not affected the increasing productivity with significance.
Aflatoxins* ; Culture Media ; Efficiency* ; Fungi* ; Hand ; Methionine ; Niger ; Oryza ; Soybeans ; Viperidae*

Experimental studies suggest that captopril plays an important preventive role in radiation induced renal injury (RRI). To elucidate the pathogenesis of RRI and effect of captopril, one subgroup was irradiated with a single dose of 9 gray (Gy) total body irradiation and another subgroup with 17 Gy local irradiation in the right kidney. Twenty-four healthy looking Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 200~250 g, were divided into one control and three experimental group (EG)s for this study. The control group, composed of 2 rats, was maintained on stock diet and drinking tap water. EG was divided into three. EG 1 composed of two subgroups, the first subgroup, 3 rats each, was sacrificed within 12 hours after 9 Gy and 17 Gy single dose irradiation only and the second subgroup, 2 and 1 rats each, was sacrificed 8 weeks after the same doses irradiation. EG 2 composed of subgroups of 2 and 3 rats was given 500 mg/L of captopril in the drinking water after irradiating them with 9 Gy and 17 Gy and sacrificed in the 8th week. EG 3 was subdivided into four subgroups by captopril doses given, 62.5 mg/L, 125 mg/L and 250 mg/L and sacrificed 20 weeks after 9 Gy and 17 Gy irradiation. On light microscopy proximal convoluted tubules showed cytoplasmic vacuolization and focal necrosis in the subcapsular region in EG 1 sacrificed within 12 hours after 9 Gy and 17 Gy irradiation only (sham) and very mild fibrosis in juxtamedullary regions in rats sacrificed 8 weeks after irradiation. In EG 3 these changes were severely increased with additional increased fibrosis in the juxtamedullary region in the group given captopril 62.5 mg/L. On transmission electron microscopy, there were various degenerative changes of organelle. Among the captopril administered EG 2 and EG 3, rats given a high dosage revealed milder degree of damage compared to that of rats given a low dosage, and thickening of basement membrane was remarkable in rats given a low dosage. There was a reduction in tubular damage related to the captopril dosage. According to the above findings, administration of a high dose of captopril might preserve the ultrastructure in RRI and the possible mechanism of captopril was discussed.
Animals ; Basement Membrane ; Captopril ; Cytoplasm ; Diet ; Drinking ; Drinking Water ; Fibrosis ; Kidney ; Microscopy ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Necrosis ; Organelles ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Water ; Whole-Body Irradiation

In an attempt ultrastructural study of alcohol-induced gastric mucosal change, we selected sixty Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were administrated with 4 ml of 10% and 40% ethanol enterically and examined by light and electron microscopy. Light microscopically, the thickness of the mucus layer of both 10% and 40% ethanol groups was decreased. The antral mucosa revealed focal inflammatory infiltrates, disturbed glandular arrangements, and significant decrease of mucosal thichness and proper glands. On scanning electron microscopy, flattened or swollen mucosal epithelium and irregularly distributed gastric pits were seen in both experimental groups, and these changes were more severe in the groups of higher concentration and longer duration. On transmission electron microscopy, mitochondrial abnormalities with myelin-like materials and dilatation of endoplasmic reticulum and cytoplasmic blebs were observed. Also the mucus cells show significantly decreased mucus globules, increased fat vacuoles, and large autophagic vacuoles. These alterations were similar to those produced by ethanol in the liver and small intestine. This study indicates that, prolonged administration of ethanol induced chronic gastritis, especially chronic atrophic gastritis.
Rats ; Animals

This study was carried out to visualize lead by Timm sulphide silver method and to define lead-induced change of duodenal absorptive cells of rat after administration of 0.01% lead acetate with drinking water. Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 250g, were used, and they were orally administered with 0.01% sodium acetate and sacrificed at 0.5, 1, 1.5 hours and 2, 7, 15, 30, 45, 60 days after administration. A portion of duodenal tissue was observed under light microscope, scanning and transmission electron microscopes after development with Danscher method. The blood lead concentration in experimental group began to increase from the 2nd day after administration, and it increased gradually until the 45th day and decreased at the 60th day. On light microscope, many brown lead granules were observed at the villi tip at the 2nd day. There is mild blunting of villi tip at the 45th day. At the 60th day, most of the villi were mildly shortened and showed lymphangiectasia. On scanning electron microscope, the villi tip was mildly blunted and the extrusion zone became irregular at the 45th day. The depth of creases did not change. At the 60th day, the villi tip was moderately blunted and the extrusion zone was markedly irregular. The depth of creases increased. On transmission electron microscope, at 0.5 hour after oral administration, numerous lead granules were diffusely scattered and were not confined to any specific microorganelles. The lead granules decreased with time. At the 7th 15th day, the intercellular spaces were widened and several vacuoles appeared and the condensation of mitochondrial matrix. There was also ribosomal detachment from RER, and there was neither secondary lysosomes or post-lysosomes. At the 30th and 45th day, secondary lysosomes appeared and the condensation of mitochondrial matrix with early formation of myelin figures was noted. At the 60th day, the intercellular space widening extended to the upper most portion of the cells, and nonspeciqic degenerative changes became severe. In view of above mentioned findings, it can be concluded that passive diffusion as well as active transport was partly involved in the absorption of lead. Most of the changes of microorganelle are compatible with nonspecific degenerative changes which could occur due to impairment of oxidative phosphorylation.
Rats ; Animals