Fermented grain products, production, properties and benefits to health

Fermented foods such as Japanese traditional food “miso (fermented soy bean paste)” have been shown to be rich source of micronutrients with the potential to prevent various human diseases. We have introduced effects of a new dietary supplement of fermented grain foods mixture containing extracts from wheat germ, soybeans, rice bran, tear grass, sesame, wheat, citrus lemon, green tea, green leaf extract and malted rice under the trade name of antioxidant biofactor (AOB). Chemical analysis of AOB shows the presence of various phenolic compounds (catechins, rutin, genistin, daidzin, etc.). AOB has strong antioxidant properties and additional biological effects, which might be of importance in context with the prevention of degenerative diseases. This paper focuses on the effect of supplementing AOB in various animal models and humans.     

The effect of exhaustive exercise on the antioxidant enzyme system in skeletal muscle from calcium-deficient rats

 The aim of the current study was to elucidate the synergism of dietary calcium restriction and exhaustive exercise in the antioxidant enzyme system of rat soleus muscle, and to investigate the involvement of neutrophils in exercise-induced muscle damage. Forty-eight male Wistar rats were assigned to the following groups: control (C) or calcium-restricted [1 month (1 M) or 3 months (3 M)]. Each group was subdivided into acutely exercised or non-exercised groups. Soleus muscle from each rat was analysed to determine the levels of antioxidant enzymes [Mn-superoxide dismutase (SOD), Cu,Zn-SOD, glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and catalase (CAT)]. Dietary calcium restriction resulted in calcium deficiency and upregulated the antioxidant enzymes examined except GPX. Conversely, exhaustive exercise significantly decreased GPX and CAT, but not SODs activities in the calcium-restricted (1 M and/or 3 M) rats. Contents of immunoreactive Mn-SOD and Cu,Zn-SOD were only increased in the 3 M rats. During calcium restriction, the mRNA expression of both forms of SOD showed initial upregulation, followed by downregulation. Exhaustive exercise significantly increased the mRNA expressions only in the 3 M rats. Moreover, exhaustive exercise markedly increased myeloperoxidase activity in soleus muscles from the 1 M and 3 M rats compared with the C rats, and significantly enhanced the ability of neutrophils to generate superoxide in the 3 M rats. The results demonstrate that dietary calcium restriction upregulates certain antioxidant enzyme activities in rat soleus muscle, indicating an enhanced resistance to potential increases in intracellular reactive oxygen species. The results also suggest that exhaustive exercise may cause oxidative damage in soleus muscle of calcium-deficient rats through the activation of neutrophils. Received: 4 August 1997 / Received after revision: 29 September 1997 / Accepted: 26 November 1997     

陕西、青海、新疆三省(区)部分人群庚型肝炎病毒血清学调查

目的：调查陕西、青海、新疆三省（区）部分人群庚型肝炎病毒（HGV／GBV）血清学特征。方法：采用ELISA方法，共调查三省（区）1469份血清中GBV－IgG抗体。结果：少数民族血清GBV－IgG抗体的阳性率（藏族4．11％，蒙古族5．36％，维吾尔族4．55％，回族4．00％）略高于汉族（1．36％－1．73％），但差异无显著性（P＞0．05）；吸毒人群GBV－IgG阳性率（11．30％，34／301）明显高于正常人群（2．44％，18／736），（P＜0．01）；献血员GBV－IgG阳性率为1．02％－7．68％。结论：三省区民族间GBV－IgG抗体阳性差异无显著性，血源性传播是其重要途径，应加强对献血员及吸毒人员的监管。     

Frequency and spectrum of p53 mutations in gastric cancer — a molecular genetic and immunohistochemical study

The p53 tumour-suppressor gene plays an important role in gastric carcinogenesis. In an analysis of the spectrum of mutations of the p53 gene seen in 56 primary gastric carcinomas of various types and grades of differentiation, the entire coding sequence (exons 2–11) of the p53 gene was screened by single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis and direct genomic sequencing of polymerase chain reaction products. Intragenic restriction site polymorphisms and the probe YNZ22 were used for the detection of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of the p53 gene locus on chromosome 17p. p53 overexpression was studied with the anti-p53 antibody CM-1. A total of 21 somatic alterations of the p53 gene were found. Twenty were base-pair substitutions, and one was an eight base-pair deletion. Six tumours with p53 mutations revealed LOH. Abnormalities in p53 expression were found in 17 tumour samples, of which 16 had gene mutations. The spectrum of mutations observed was consistent with the predicted spectrum for dietary mutagens associated with the metabolism of nitrogenous compounds, resulting in deamination of nucleic acids. Our findings suggest that p53 could be a primary target for mutations associated with dietary carcinogens in gastric carcinogenesis.     

安徽省有焦虑症状大学生的社会人口特征及社会心理分析

目的:了解安徽省大学生焦虑症状流行状况及其社会人口和社会心理影响因素。方法:对所有省属高校按专业分层,以校为整群抽样(每专业1校),抽取该校在校生的15%。采用无记名问卷调查,共获得有效问卷4178份。调查工具包括焦虑自评问卷(SAS)和青少年负性生活事件量表(ASLEC)。结果:6.94%的大学生存在焦虑,其中男生7.22%,女生为6.35%。理工学生焦虑检出率最高(10.08%),西医学生最低(3.59%)。卡方检验显示焦虑症状与社会人口特征中的出生地、年级、学习成绩、专业及父亲学历有关;与社会心理因素中的生活事件与生活经历,家庭环境中的大部分特征都有统计意义的相关性。多元逐步回归模型进一步发现焦虑症状受社会人口特征中理工类专业(OR=1.77,95%CI:1.30～2.41)和成绩差(OR=1.45,95%CI:1.09～1.93)的显著影响,同时也受社会心理因素中的负性生活事件(OR=4.76,95%CI:3.36～6.77)、消极社会经历(OR=3.35,95%CI:2.43～4.62)以及家庭环境特征中的亲密度(OR=0.65,95%CI:0.49～0.85)和情感表达(OR=0.71,95%CI:0.54～0.94)的显著影响。结论:大学生焦虑症状受社会人口特征及社会心理各方面的综合影响,大学生焦虑症状的预防需家庭、学校和社会的共同参与和促进。     

Survey of recognition and utilization of guidelines for the diagnosis and management of bronchial asthma in Japan

BACKGROUND: In Japan in 1993, the Japanese Society of Allergology (JSA) developed guidelines for diagnosis and management of asthma (JGL), which were based on the concept that asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airway. METHODS: This survey study was intended to investigate the recognition and utilization of JGL among physicians who had treated asthma. The survey comprised two methods: a quantitative mail survey and a qualitative door-to-door survey conducted by trained interviewers. RESULTS: In the mail survey, a total of 1028 physicians responded; 552 members of the JSA and 476 nonmembers. Ninety-four percent of JSA members were aware of adult asthma management guidelines, while 53% of nonmembers were aware of them. Although approximately half of the physicians, both members and nonmembers, found differences between the asthma management policies in JGL and their previous policies, most of them utilized JGL once they read it. In the qualitative door-to-door survey, 80-90% of physicians evaluated JGL as good after they read it. CONCLUSIONS: JGL was recognized and utilized by most JSA members, but only half of nonmember physicians were aware of JGL, although they utilized JGL after they read it. Further action to implement JGL among nonspecialist physicians is needed to improve management of asthma.     

糖尿病患者心理健康状况的多因素Logistic回归分析

目的探讨糖尿病患者心理健康状况的影响因素。方法对山西省4个地区8个调查点的2132名城乡居民，其中包括139名糖尿病患者，进行问卷调查，了解其一般情况以及情绪状况、社会支持等社会心理因素。结果单因素分析发现，糖尿病患者的焦虑情绪高于非糖尿病者，对社会支持中的家庭资源的利用也不及非糖尿病者；多因素发现，影响糖尿病患者心理健康状况的因素有地区、性别、年龄、经济收入、焦虑以及抑郁等；结论糖尿病患者心理健康状况的影响因素既涉及地区、性别、年龄、经济收入等一般状况，也与患者的情绪障碍的社会支持有密切关系。临床应根据不同的影响因素进行有效牙心理干预。     

湖南某镇农村居民自杀意念影响因素

目的:探讨农村居民自杀意念的影响因素,为自杀干预提供依据。方法:对湖南浏阳市永安镇常住农村居民,采用分层随机整群抽样法确定样本人群,使用自行设计的调查表,采取入户、单独面谈的方式进行调查。结果:共851名调查对象接受了面谈并完成调查问卷。终生自杀意念发生率为23．6％,经多因素logistic嘲归分析,自评心理健康状况、自评经济水平、性别、自评躯体健康状况为自杀意念的影响因素(OR值分别为2．107、1．910、1．630、1．596)。结论:农村常住居民自杀意念发生率处于较高水平。自评心理健康状况差、自评经济水平低、女性、自评躯体健康状况差是产生自杀意念的危险因素。应针对危险因素予以积极的干预。     

Macrophage phagocytosis and membrane fluidity in mice: the effect of age and dietary protein

Male C57BL/6NNia mice were used to investigate the effects of age and dietary protein intake on Fc and C3b receptor-mediated phagocytosis and on membrane fluidity. Six-month-old (adult) and 24-month-old (aged) mice were fed a 6% or 25% protein diet for 3, 5, or 6 weeks at which time thioglycollate elicited peritoneal macrophages were isolated. Both binding of IgG-coated sheep red blood cells to the macrophages and ingestion via the Fc-receptor were identical in all 4 groups after 3 and 6 weeks of feeding but were decreased at 5 weeks in the aged animals fed 6% protein. Phagocytosis via the C3b receptor was not depressed in either age group fed the low protein diet; it was, however, augmented significantly in the aged animals fed the 25% protein diet for 5 and 6 weeks. Membrane fluidity of the plasma membrane outer hemileaflet was monitored with an impermeant fluorescent probe. No changes were observed between adult and aged mice maintained up to 6 weeks on the diets.     

Total energy expenditure of elite synchronized swimmers measured by the doubly labeled water method

To determine the daily energy requirement of elite synchronized swimmers during moderate-intensity training, the average daily energy expenditure measured by the doubly labeled water method, was calculated for nine female Japanese national team synchronized swimmers [four senior; mean (SD) 22.5 (1.0) years old, 52.2 (3.6) kg, and five junior; 17.6 (1.1) years old, 52.8 (2.3) kg]. Their total energy expenditure (TEE) was 11.5 (2.8) MJ · day⁻¹ [2738 (672) kcal · day⁻¹]. When compared with estimated energy requirements derived from “Recommended Dietary Allowances for the Japanese”, 12.1 (0.6) MJ · day⁻¹ [2897 (139) kcal · day⁻¹], there was no difference between mean actual and estimated energy requirements. However, there were considerable differences observed on an individual basis. Their energy intake, estimated from 7- day self-reported dietary records, was 8.9 (1.7) MJ · day⁻¹ [2128 (395) kcal · day⁻¹], which was significantly lower than their TEE (P < 0.05). Resting energy expenditure (REE), as determined by indirect calorimetry, was 5.2 (0.3) MJ · day⁻¹ [1247 (75) kcal · day⁻¹]. Their physical activity level (TEE/REE) was 2.18 (0.43). These results demonstrate that the TEE values of elite female synchronized swimmers are not dissimilar to those reported for athletes participating in other sports, especially competitive swimmers during moderate-intensity training. Accepted: 26 May 2000