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

Because neuroblastoma is predominantly a tumor of childhood, patholgists and clinicians tend to exclude it from differential diagnosis when the patient is an adult. The diagnosis of neuroblastoma by light microscopy can be difficult because of similarities between neuroblasts and cells of other round cell neoplasms. The fine structural features of neuroblastoma is distinctive and is valuable in its diagnosis. We present 2 cases of neuroblastoma and a case of ganglioneuroblastoma arising in adults with their ultrastructural findings.
Child ; Adult ; Male ; Female ; Humans ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Neuroblastoma

Both fibronectin and vitronectin bind to Pneumocystis carinii (P. carinii) and mediate the attachment of the organisms to respiratory epithelial cells. Surfactant A and D play a role in the interaction between P. carinii and host cells. In this study we examined the expression of fibronectin, vitronectin, surfactant-A and D in the interaction between P. carinii and alveolar epithelial cells by immunohistochemistry and pre-embedding immunoelectron microscopy. The experimental rat model of P. carinii pneumonia was induced by administration of low protein diet (8%) and drinking water containing dexamethasone (2 mg/liter) for 6 to 8 weeks. The primary antibodies for light and electron microscopic immunohistochemistries were monoclonal antibodies including fibronectin (1:100) and vitronectin (1:100), and polyclonal antibodies including surfactant A (1:50) and D (1:50), respectively. Light microscopic immunohistochemistry for the fibronectin, vitronectin, surfactant-A and D showed strong expressions on the P. carinii and surface linings of type I alveolar epithelial cells. The electron microscopic immunohistochemistry of the fibronectin and vitronectin showed a strong immunoexpression along the surface pellicles and tubular extensions of P. carinii trophozoites, and surface membranes of the type I epithelial cells. The surfactant-A and D proteins showed a strong expression on the pellicles of P. carinii and surface membranes of the type I epithelial cells, but a weak expression on the free-floating surfactant materials. In conclusions, the trophozoites of P. carinii were mostly attached to type I epithelial cells. The fibronectin, vitronectin, surfactant-A and D were strongly expressed, and played an enhancing role in the binding between the P. carinii organisms and the type I alveolar epithelial cells.
Antibodies ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Dexamethasone ; Diet, Protein-Restricted ; Drinking Water ; Epithelial Cells* ; Fibronectins* ; Immunohistochemistry ; Membranes ; Microscopy, Immunoelectron ; Models, Animal ; Pneumocystis carinii* ; Pneumocystis* ; Pneumonia ; Pneumonia, Pneumocystis* ; Trophozoites ; Vitronectin*

Two cases of adenocarcinoma of the urinary bladder with clinical and pathological features, and brief review of the literatureare presented. Case 1: The patient, a 52 year-old man, was admitted to this hospital because of intermittent painless total gross hematuria for 15 years. Cystoscopy was done, and showing a cauliflower mass with broad based diffuse infiltrating lesion at the right anten or portion of bladder. TUR-B was performed. Microscopically, the lesion consisted of colonic metaplastic epithelium with atypical glands and cystic dilatation and adenocarcinoma. Case 2: The patient, a 52-year-old woman, was admitted to this hospital because of total painless gorss hematuria for 1 year. Cystoscopy was done showing a sessile diffuse mass with ulceration on the dome area. Total cystectomy was performed. Grossly, the tumor showed an ulcerative tumor mass with elevated nodular margin at the dome of the bladder. Microscopically, the lesion consisted of anaplastic glands with back to back arrangement and branching glands through the entire thickness of the bladder wall.
Female ; Humans ; Adenocarcinoma

PURPOSE: This study was carried out to investigate the relationships among suicidal risk, self-esteem, and spiritual well-being of high school students, and to provide basic data for developing suicide prevention programs. METHOD: The subjects of this study were 1.176 high school students from six academic high schools and two technical high schools in Daegu City. Data were collected from the 13th to the 25th of September 2004. The research tools were the Suicide Probability Scale developed by Go. Kim and Lee (2000), the Self-Esteem Inventory modified by Choi and Jeon (1993), and the tool of Spiritual Well-Being modified by Yoo (2002). Data were analyzed with SPSS Windows 11.0. RESULT: Variables that showed statistically significant difference in suicidal risk were school type, whether to have the best friends, the number of close friends, current relationship with close friends, experience of school violation, respect for the teacher, grades, financial condition, parents marital status, father's education level, mother's education level, home atmosphere, conversation with father, conversation with mother, smoking, drinking, experience of counseling for problems, whether to have physical illnesses, experience of thinking about suicide, experience of attempting suicide. Suicidal risk was in a significantly negative correlation with self-esteem and spiritual well-being. CONCLUSION: The researcher identified many different variables that affect the suicidal risk of high school students. Self-esteem and spiritual well-being were found to be in a significant correlation with suicidal risk. Therefore, the results of this study can be used as basic data and information for suicidal prevention programs.
Atmosphere ; Counseling ; Daegu ; Drinking ; Education ; Fathers ; Friends ; Humans ; Marital Status ; Mothers ; Parents ; Self Concept ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Spirituality ; Suicide ; Thinking

Thawing fresh frozen plasma(FFP) by waterbath(WB) requires about 30 minutes, which is too slow in emergency situations and carries the risk of bacterial contamination of FFP. To solve these problems, a new thawing method using a microwave oven(MWO) has been developed. Twenty units of equally divided plasma from 10 units of plasma were frozen, stored at -55 degrees C, and thawed in parallel using microwave oven or waterbath. Coagulation factors, plasma proteins and thawing time were measured. Except for antithrombin III(MWO: 85.2+/-6.94%, WB : 90.8+/-9.14%, p<0.05), no significant differences were observed in the 18 other coagulation parameters and the plasma proteins studied. Mean thawing time by MWO was 5.9 minutes per 1 unit, 10.4 minutes per 2 units and 12.5 minutes per 3 units; by WB, it was 19.0, 20.0 and 22.0 minutes, respectively. In conclusion, FFP can be thawed faster using a microwave oven than using 37 degrees C waterbath and the thawed plasma proteins were generally equivalent to those of FFP thawed by waterbath.
Blood Coagulation Factors ; Blood Proteins ; Emergencies ; Microwaves* ; Plasma*