BACKGROUND: Among the more than 300 mycotoxins that are known to have toxic effects on animals and humans, Fusarium toxins deoxynivalenol (DON), T-2 and HT-2 toxins (T2/HT2), and zearalenone (ZEN) are frequently detected in domestic agricultural products. This study aimed to assess DON, T2/HT2, and ZEN exposure in Japanese adults by measuring urinary mycotoxins, observing their distributions, and making comparisons with data from other countries. METHODS: A total of 201 individuals participated in the study. Twenty-four-hour urine samples were collected from young adults (34 men and 35 women) in the Tokai region (urban area) and spot urine samples were collected from middle-aged and elderly adults (64 men and 68 women) in the Donan area of Hokkaido Prefecture (rural area). Urinary DON, T2/HT2, and ZEN levels were measured using a validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method. RESULTS: For DON, T2/HT2, and ZEN, the detection frequencies above the limit of detection (LOD) level (0.15, 0.13, and 0.01 µg/L, respectively) in all the samples were 53%, 26%, and 71%, respectively. The median concentrations (95^th percentile) of urinary DON, HT2, and ZEN were 0.19 (3.93), CONCLUSIONS This study represents the first comprehensive exposure assessment for DON, T2/HT2, and ZEN in Japanese adults using human biomonitoring methods. These data provide valuable information for a better understanding of mycotoxin exposure in Japan.
Humans ; Zearalenone/urine* ; Japan ; Male ; Female ; Trichothecenes/urine* ; T-2 Toxin/urine* ; Biological Monitoring ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Young Adult ; Mycotoxins/urine* ; Environmental Exposure/analysis* ; East Asian People

Left ventricle to right atrial communication is a rare cardiac pathology, and it is either congenital or acquired. Recently, case reports of acquired left ventricle to right atrial communication have been increasing because of the increased numbers of cardiovascular procedures and improved cardiac diagnostic techniques. We report a case of acquired left ventricle to right atrial communication in a patient with native aortic valve infective endocarditis. A 52-year-old man with worsening dyspnea on exertion and lower leg edema was admitted to a hospital. Blood examination revealed elevated inflammatory marker levels, and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) showed an aortic valve vegetation. The patient was subsequently transferred to our hospital for infective endocarditis with congestive heart failure. Medical treatment with antibiotics and diuretics was initiated. Cardiac computed tomography (CT) demonstrated left ventricle to right atrial communication. An urgent operation was performed wherein the defect was closed with autologous pericardial patches from both the right atrium and left ventricle. Aortic valve replacement was performed with a mechanical valve. The postoperative course was uneventful, and TTE showed no residual shunt. In our case, cardiac CT was useful for accurately diagnosing left ventricle to right atrial communication.

A survey has been under way on the incidence of cerebral apoplexy among the inhabitants (pop. 105, 185, National Census, 1970) of the Saku district of Nagano Prefecture since April 1972.
This survey, which constitutes a WHO cooperative study, has been under way with cooperation rendered by the local Medical Association, Association of Public Health Nurses in Saku District and Saku Public Health Center with the Saku Central Hospital acting as the survey center.
In the period of two years till March 1974, 585 persons were registered as having been seized with cerebral apoplexy. The annual incidence rate stood at 265 per 100, 000 population. Classified by types of cerebral apoplexy, cerebral hemorrhage accounted for 26%, cerebral thrombosis for 57%, cerebral embolism for 3%, subarachnoid hemorrhage for 9%, and other types for 5%.
By sexes, the incidence rate among males was 1.3 times higher than among females. By ages, the incidence was highest in the seventies.
When the prognosis of cerebral apoplexy is viewed in terms of deaths in the early period of less than three weeks after the onset, the mortality rate stood at 45%.
The hospitalization rate of patients seized with cerebral apoplexy was 55%. There was a significant difference in the mortality rate between inpatients (with 28%) and outpatients (65%).
The ratio of concurrence of autopsy and clinical diagnosis stood at 83% with Okinaka's criteria and 79% with Ikeda's CVD index.
The incidence of hypertension before the onset of cerebral apoplexy was extremely high among the patients seized with cerebral hemorrhage and cerebral infarction.With respect to the treatment of hypertension, the discontinuance of treatment and the failure to undergo it are high in percentage among the patients seized with cerebral hemorrhage. With reference to cerebral infarction patients of 70 years and older in age, there is little defference between the group who discontinued or failed to undergo treatment and the group who underwent it.
The recurrence of cerebral apoplexy stood at 11% for cerebral hemorrhage, 19% for cerebral infarction, and 11% for subarachnoid hemorrhage.