Large-scale psychological differences within China explained by rice versus wheat agriculture.

Cross-cultural psychologists have mostly contrasted East Asia with the West. However, this study shows that there are major psychological differences within China. We propose that a history of farming rice makes cultures more interdependent, whereas farming wheat makes cultures more independent, and these agricultural legacies continue to affect people in the modern world. We tested 1162 Han Chinese participants in six sites and found that rice-growing southern China is more interdependent and holistic-thinking than the wheat-growing north. To control for confounds like climate, we tested people from neighboring counties along the rice-wheat border and found differences that were just as large. We also find that modernization and pathogen prevalence theories do not fit the data.

PP077. Effect of maternal antioxidant concentrations on expressions of angiogenesis-related genes in the villous trophoblasts from early pregnancy.

INTRODUCTION: The pathogenesis of preeclampsia is associated with oxidative stress of villous trophoblasts in early pregnancy. We have reported that antioxidant supplementations from 12weeks of gestation could prevent mild preeclampsia in pregnant women with oxidative stress. OBJECTIVES: To prove the effect of maternal antioxidant concentrations on expressions of angiogenesis-related genes in the villous trophoblasts from early pregnancy. METHODS: Villous tissue and blood samples were obtained from pregnant women who had artificial abortions between 6 and 11weeks of gestation. RNA was extracted from villous tissue, and gene expression levels of fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (FLT-1), endoglin (ENG), and placental growth factor (PGF) in villous tissue were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Serum vitamin C and E concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Showa University Hospital. RESULTS: Negative correlations between maternal serum vitamin C levels and gene expressions of ENG (r=-0.856, p=0.007) and FLT-1 (r=-0.898, p=0.002) in the villous trophoblasts were observed. There was no correlation of maternal serum vitamin E concentration with any other gene expression in the villous trophoblasts. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that maternal oxidative stress may increase the gene expressions of anti-angiogenic factors in villous trophoblasts of early gestation, which may lead to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.

Effects of ingestion of cadmium-polluted rice or low-dose cadmium-supplemented diet on the endogenous metal balance in female rats.

The concentrations of endogenous metal ions in liver, kidney, and bone tissues of female rats were measured after ingestion of cadmium-polluted rice (1.24 ppm as Cd) or cadmium-supplemented rice (1.24 and 4.96 ppm) for 2 or 4 mo. The metal accumulated mainly in the kidneys and in the liver. The concentration of cadmium (Cd) in the kidneys of rats fed a 1.24-ppm Cd-supplemented diet was significantly higher than in the Cd-polluted rice group. After 2 mo, the levels of iron and sodium in the liver were elevated in the Cd-polluted rice group, but not in the 1.24-ppm Cd-supplemented group, as compared to controls. The zinc concentration in the Cd-polluted rice group was decreased. The concentration of copper in the kidneys was increased for all Cd-containing diet groups. After 4 mo, the effects of Cd on essential metals in the Cd-polluted and 1.24-ppm Cd-supplemented groups had almost disappeared, although several metal ions in selected organs in the 4.96-ppm Cd-supplemented group showed more prominent changes than in the group exposed for 2 mo. These results suggest that the effects of short-term exposure to Cd on essential metal balance are stronger for rice-bound Cd than for inorganic Cd, although the absorption rate of Cd in Cd-polluted rice may be lower than that of cadmium chloride added to rice.

Effects of butylparaben on the male reproductive system in rats.

Parabens are a group of compounds widely used as preservatives in foodstuffs, cosmetics, toiletries and pharmaceuticals. These compounds are known to exert a weak estrogenic activity, with butylparaben showing the most potent activity among methyl-, ethyl- and propyl esters in in vitro recombinant yeast assay and in in vivo uterotrophic assay. To account for potential reproductive effects in male animals, butylparaben was administered to 3-week-old Wistar rats divided in groups of eight subjects, at doses of 0.00%, 0.01%, 0.10% and 1.00% with the animal's diet. After 8 weeks, the rats were killed by decapitation and the weights of the testes, epididymides, prostates, seminal vesicles and preputial glands were recorded. The absolute and relative weights of epididymides were decreased in a dose-dependent manner and the decrease was statistically significant at 0.10% and above. The cauda epididymal sperm reserve of all treated groups was significantly decreased. The sperm count of the group receiving the highest dose was 58.2% of control values. The daily sperm production (DSP) in the testis was also significantly lower in all treated groups when compared to controls. Serum testosterone concentration was lowered dose-dependently and was significant at 0.1% or more. The daily intake of butylparaben that caused these disruptions is similar to the lower level of acceptable daily intake (ADI) for parabens in the European Community (EC) and in Japan. The results of the present experiments show for the first time that exposure of a postweaning mammal to butylparaben had an adverse effect on the secretion of testosterone and in the functions of the male reproductive system.

Identification of cytochrome P450 isozymes involved in metabolism of the alpha1-adrenoceptor blocker tamsulosin in human liver microsomes.

1. The in vitro human liver metabolism of the alpha1-adrenoceptor blocker tamsulosin was investigated. When 14C-tamsulosin was incubated with human liver microsomes, it was converted to five known urinary metabolites and at least three unknown metabolites. Of the former group, the predominant metabolite was the O-deethylated metabolite (M-1), followed by the o-ethoxyphenoxy acetic acid (AM-1) and the m-hydroxylated metabolite (M-3). 2. There was a good linear relationship between AM-1 formation and testosterone 6beta-hydroxylase activity in microsomes from each of 10 individual donors. The rate of M-1 formation also correlated with the same activity, albeit the correlation curve did not pass through the origin. By contrast, the rates of M-3 and the O-demethylated metabolite (M-4) formation correlated with dextromethorphan O-demethylase activity. 3. Ketoconazole strongly inhibited AM-1 formation and reduced that of M-1 by c. 60%. Immunoinhibition studies using anti-rat antibodies supported these results. The formation of M-3 and M-4 was inhibited by quinidine and sparteine. 4. It is concluded that formation of tamsulosin metabolites, AM-1 and M-1, is catalysed by CYP3A4 whereas that of M-3 and M-4 is catalysed by CYP2D6. However, minor contributions from other CYPs cannot be excluded.

Pennyroyal toxicity: measurement of toxic metabolite levels in two cases and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Pennyroyal is a widely available herb that has long been used as an abortifacient despite its potentially lethal hepatotoxic effects. However, quantitative data for pennyroyal constituents and their metabolites in humans have not been previously reported. OBJECTIVES: To quantify pennyroyal metabolites in human overdose, to correlate these findings with clinical variables, and to place these findings in the context of previously reported cases of pennyroyal toxicity. DESIGN: Clinical case series of pennyroyal ingestions; quantification of pennyroyal metabolites by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry; qualitative detection of protein-bound adducts of the metabolites of pennyroyal constituents in human liver by Western blot assay; and review of the literature based on a search of MEDLINE, Index Medicus, and the reference citations of all available publications. RESULTS: We report four cases of pennyroyal ingestion. One patient died, one received N-acetylcysteine, and two ingested minimally toxic amounts of pennyroyal and were not treated with N-acetylcysteine. In the fatal case, postmortem examination of a serum sample, which had been obtained 72 hours after the acute ingestion, identified 18 ng of pulegone per mL and 1 ng of menthofuran per mL. In a serum sample from the patient treated with N-acetylcysteine, which had been obtained 10 hours after ingestion, the menthofuran level was 40 ng/mL. Review of 18 previous case reports of pennyroyal ingestion documented moderate to severe toxicity in patients who had been exposed to at least 10 mL of pennyroyal oil. CONCLUSION: Pennyroyal continues to be an herbal toxin of public health importance. Data on human metabolites may provide new insights into the toxic mechanisms and treatment of pennyroyal poisoning, including the potential role of N-acetylcysteine. Better understanding of the toxicity of pennyroyal may also lead to stricter control of and more restricted access to the herb.

Enhancing effects of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone on testicular damage induced by di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate in rats.

The administration of 1.5 g/kg of di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), 50 or 10 micrograms/kg of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LRH) to male Crj:Wistar rats for 1 week did not affect their testicular and prostatic gland weights. Co-administration of DEHP and LRH, however, induced testicular atrophy coincident with decreases in zinc and sulfhydryl concentration in the testis and reduction of the activity of testicular specific lactate dehydrogenase isozyme. These changes were similar to the results of high-dose administration of DEHP alone. Liver enlargement and hypolipidemia (reduction of serum cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids) occurred sometimes after co-administration of DEHP and LRH.

Effects of co-administration of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate and testosterone on several parameters in the testis and pharmacokinetics of its mono-de-esterified metabolite.

The administration of 1 g/kg di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) or 5 mg/kg testosterone for 1 week did not affect the testicular and prostatic gland weights in rats. However, co-administration of DEHP and testosterone induced severe testicular atrophy accompanied by a decrease of zinc concentration in the testis and reduction of the activity of testicular specific lactate dehydrogenase isozyme. These changes were similar to the results of high dose administration of DEHP alone. Values of biological half-life and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of mono(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, the main metabolite of DEHP, in testes after a single co-administration of DEHP (p.o.) and testosterone (i.p.) were higher than those after DEHP administration alone. Results suggest that the co-administration of DEHP and testosterone enhanced the adverse effects of DEHP on testes as the result of changes in pharmacokinetic values of MEHP.

Effects of environmental factors on toxicity of a cyanobacterium (Microcystis aeruginosa) under culture conditions.

Effects of light intensity, temperature, and nutrients on the toxicity of Microcystis aeruginosa were investigated, using a toxic strain which kills mice. A marked change in toxicity was observed in the light intensity experiment, and slight changes were observed to be caused by temperature and phosphorus deficiency.

Testicular atrophy induced by di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate: effect of zinc supplement.

The administration of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) to young male rats was found to cause testicular atrophy and loss of testicular zinc. In an attempt to test the hypothesis that a cause and effect relationship exists between DEHP-induced loss of testicular zinc and testicular injury, zinc was coadministered (by ip injection or by dietary supplementation) with DEHP (po) for 10 days and organ weights and zinc concentrations were then measured. This testicular atrophy was not prevented by coadministration of zinc. The zinc concentration in the testis was not increased by zinc supplement despite increases in zinc concentrations in liver and serum. The results suggest that the toxic effect of DEHP on the testis may not result from an interference with gastrointestinal absorption of zinc.