A 4-[(3R,4R)-dihydroxypyrrolidino]pyrimidin-2-one nucleobase for a CG base pair in triplex DNA

In order to expand target sequences in triplex DNA formation, the development of a nucleobase that recognizes a CG base pair in dsDNA was attempted. A 4-[(3R,4R)-dihydroxypyrrolidino]pyrimidin-2-one nucleobase was found to recognize a CG base pair with high sequence-selectivity.

Synthesis and triplex-forming ability of oligonucleotides bearing 1-substituted 1H-1,2,3-triazole nucleobases

Using the copper(I)-catalyzed alkyne-azide 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition, a post-elongation modification of 1-ethynyl substituted nucleobases has been employed to construct 18 variations of oligonucleotides from a common oligonucleotide precursor. The triplex-forming ability of each oligonucleotide with dsDNA was evaluated by the UV melting experiment. It was found that triazole nucleobases generally tend to exhibit binding affinities in the following order: CG>TA>AT, GC base pairs. Among the triazole nucleobases examined, a 1-(4-ureidophenyl)triazole provided the best result with regard to affinity and selectivity for the CG base pair.

2',4'-BNA bearing a 2-pyridine nucleobase for CG base pair recognition in the parallel motif triplex DNA

We succeeded in the synthesis of triplex-forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) that contain a deoxyribonucleotide (Py) bearing a 2-pyridine nucleobase or the 2',4'-BNA congener (Py(B)). By UV melting experiments, it was found that 2-pyridine was a very promising nucleobase for the sequence-selective recognition of a CG base pair within double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) in a parallel motif triplex. Moreover, Py(B) in TFOs showed stronger affinity to a CG base pair than Py with further increase in the selectivity. Using TFO including multiple Py(B) units, triplex formation with dsDNA containing three CG base pairs was observed.

Validity and reproducibility of a self-administered food-frequency questionnaire to assess isoflavone intake in a japanese population in comparison with dietary records and blood and urine isoflavones

Valid food-frequency questionnaires (FFQ) need to be developed to assess isoflavone intake in investigations of its possible association with the lower incidence of breast and prostate cancer in Asian countries. We investigated the validity and reproducibility of isoflavone (daidzein and genistein) intakes from self-administered semiquantitative FFQ used in the JPHC Study (Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study on Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases). We also investigated the number of food items that would be sufficient to ensure validity and reproducibility. We collected FFQ, dietary records (DR), blood and urine samples from 215 subjects among JPHC Study participants, estimated isoflavone intakes from FFQ and DR, and measured serum isoflavone concentration and urine isoflavone excretion. For daidzein, mean intakes estimated from FFQ and DR, serum concentration and urine excretion were 18.3 mg/d, 14.5 mg/d, 119.9 nmol/L and 17.0 micromol/d and for genistein, 31.4 mg/d, 23.4 mg/d, 475.3 nmol/L and 14.2 micromol/d, respectively. Results were similar when analyzed by sex. Spearman correlation coefficients for daidzein of energy-adjusted intakes from FFQ with those from DR, serum concentration and creatinine-adjusted urinary excretion were 0.64, 0.31 and 0.43, respectively. Correlations between two FFQ estimates with a 1-y interval were 0.76. Results were similar for genistein. The shorter version of the FFQ with three items (natto, miso and tofu for miso soup) showed a similar correlation. The original FFQ and the shorter versions have sufficient validity and reproducibility to be used in epidemiologic studies.

Single measurement of serum phospholipid fatty acid as a biomarker of specific fatty acid intake in middle-aged Japanese men

OBJECTIVE

To assess the utility of serum phospholipid fatty acid (FA) levels as a biochemical indicator of habitual dietary fatty acid intake in Japanese, whose diet is characterized by low fat intake and high intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) of marine origin.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Eighty-seven male volunteers from four public health center districts that were part of the Japan Public Health Center based Prospective Study (JPHC Study) cohort I, were included in this study. Habitual intake of fatty acid was obtained by 7 day weighed dietary records four times (in one area only twice) in 1994--1995. Blood was collected twice, in February and August of the same year, and the composition of FA in serum phospholipid was analyzed by gas chromatography. The correlation coefficient between serum phospholipid FA levels and fatty acid intake was calculated.

RESULTS

High correlations were observed for eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are marine origin n-3 PUFA (r=0.75, 0.49, 0.50, respectively). No significant correlation was observed for saturated fatty acid (SFA), although the monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), palmitoleic acid and oleic acid intake were moderately correlated (r=0.22, 0.35, respectively). The correlations for EPA, DPA and DHA were similar in both samples collected in February and August.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that in populations with a high and stable over time intake of n-3 PUFA of marine origin, a single measurement of serum phospholipids reflects the ranking of habitual intake of marine origin n-3 PUFA.

Validity and reproducibility of a self-administered questionnaire to determine dietary supplement users among Japanese

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate reproducibility and validity of a self-administered food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to determine the dietary supplement use.

DESIGN

Questionnaire data were compared with dietary records (DR) in four 7 day periods for validity. FFQ1 and FFQ2 administered at an interval of approximately one year were compared for reproducibility.

SETTING AND SUBJECTS

A total of 361 samples were selected for a validation study of a questionnaire from the subgroup of the Japan Public Health Center-based prospective Study on cancer and cardiovascular disease (JPHC Study) cohort II. Categories of dietary supplements in the FFQ were 'multivitamins', 'beta-carotene', 'vitamin C', 'vitamin E', and 'other supplements'. For each category, inquiries were made as to the brand name, frequency and duration of use. A dietary supplement user was defined as a subject who used a dietary supplement one or more times a week for a year or longer.

RESULTS

Prevalence of overall supplement use was 10.9%. Percentage agreement between FFQ1 and FFQ2 was 91.7%. Sensitivity and specificity of supplement use by FFQ were 80.6% and 89.2%, respectively. Sensitivity was high for 'vitamin C'. When the self-reported categories were corrected, sensitivity for 'multivitamins' and 'vitamin E' improved.

CONCLUSIONS

The FFQ on dietary supplements used for the JPHC 5 y follow-up survey was valid to determine overall use and well-defined dietary supplement use such as vitamin C. Categories must be corrected when determining multivitamin and 'vitamin E'.

Food composition and empirical weight methods in predicting nutrient intakes from food frequency questionnaire

PURPOSE

Although the empirical weight (regression-based) method has theoretical advantages over the traditional food composition method in predicting nutrient levels from food frequency questionnaires (FFQs), the empirical assessments have been limited.

METHODS

We compared the validity of the two approaches for a 44-item questionnaire used in a population-based prospective study in Japan. Based on four 7-day diet records and questionnaire responses collected from a subsample of the prospective study (94 men and 107 women), we developed a food composition table and stepwise regression models to predict intakes of energy and 14 nutrients from the questionnaire.

RESULTS

When we applied the two methods to an independent population (207 men and 166 women) providing a 3-day diet record and responding to a 36-item dietary questionnaire, energy-adjusted and deattenuated correlation coefficients between the questionnaire and the diet records were not higher for the empirical weight method than for the food composition method; the median (range) was 0.22 (0.07-0.57) for men and 0.23 (-0.09-0.62) for women in the former method, and 0.26 (-0.04-0.58) for men and 0.38 (0.18-0.67) for women in the latter method.

CONCLUSIONS

We did not find the improved validity of FFQ by empirical weight method in predicting nutrient intakes.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade is involved in endothelin-1-induced rat puerperal uterine contraction

The regulation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase by endothelin-1 (ET-1) in cultured rat puerperal uterine myometrial cells was investigated. ET-1 caused the rapid stimulation of MAP kinase activity. ET-1-induced MAP kinase activation is neither extracellular Ca2+- nor intracellular Ca2+-dependent. ET-1 stimulation also led to an increase in phosphorylation of son-of-sevenless (SOS), and transfection of dominant negative SOS attenuated the ET-1-induced MAP kinase activity. Phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) also induced the MAP kinase activity, but pretreatment of the cultured cells with PMA, to down-regulate protein kinase C (PKC), did not abolish the activation of MAP kinase by ET-1. In addition, down-regulation of PKC had no effect on ET-1-induced SOS phosphorylation. Pertussis toxin, which inactivates Gi/Go proteins, blocked the ET-1-induced MAP kinase activation but not the PMA-induced MAP kinase activation. The results suggested that MAP kinase is acutely activated by ET-1 through a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein and SOS, not through the PMA-sensitive PKC. In addition, although reverse-transcriptase PCR assays detected messenger RNA for both ET- 1 receptor subtypes in cultured rat puerperal uterine myometrial cells, ET-1-induced MAP kinase activity and uterine contraction were blocked by treatment with BQ485, an antagonist selective for an ET type A receptor (but not by BQ788, an ET type B receptor antagonist). Ritodrine, which is known to relax uterine muscle contraction, attenuated ET-1-induced MAP kinase activity. We further examined the role of MAP kinase pathway in uterine contraction using an inhibitor of MEK activity, PD098059. This inhibitor completely inhibited the ET-1-induced MAP kinase activation and partially, but significantly, inhibited the ET-1-induced uterine contraction. These results indicate that ET-1-induced MAP kinase signaling cascade may play an important role in the ET-1-induced uterine contraction.

Four food-frequency categories of fruit intake as a predictor of plasma ascorbic acid level in middle-aged Japanese men

PURPOSE

Plasma levels of ascorbic acid are assumed to be determined not only by dietary amount of ingested vitamin C, but also by other dietary and nondietary factors. To assess the predictability of plasma ascorbic acid level in Japanese men, we examined its association with dietary sources of vitamin C and other lifestyle factors.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional study of 621 healthy men aged 40-49 years who were sampled randomly from five areas in Japan, the weekly intake frequency of foods rich in vitamin C (< 1, 1-2, 3-4, > or = 5 days/week), alcohol consumption per week, use of vitamin C supplements, and smoking were assessed by use of a food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) (all subjects) and a 3-day weighed dietary record (DR) from 203 volunteers.

RESULTS

In univariate analyses of FFQ data, the intake frequency of fruit (R2 = 0.12), pickled vegetables (R2 = 0.03), potatoes (R2 = 0.01), and alcohol consumption (R2 = 0.02) were significant determinants of plasma ascorbic acid in addition to supplement use and study area. In a multivariate analysis, four FFQ categories of fruit intake accounted for 19% of the variation in plasma ascorbic acid among nonsupplement users after adjustment for study area and alcohol intake. The association between plasma ascorbic acid level and quartile of dietary vitamin C intake (mg/day) measured by DR was weaker (R2 = 0.04) than the association between plasma ascorbic acid level and dietary intake of fresh fruit (g/day) (R2 = 0.09).

CONCLUSION

The predictability of plasma ascorbic acid by a four-category FFQ assessment of fruit intake was superior to calculated vitamin C or fruit intake assessed by detailed DR.

Relationship of food intake and dietary patterns with blood pressure levels among middle-aged Japanese men

To investigate the relationship of food intake habits and dietary patterns to blood pressure, a cross-sectional study was conducted for 473 middle-aged Japanese males. After adjustment for age, residence, occupation, body mass index and alcohol consumption, mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) were inversely associated with each intake frequency of dairy products, coffee, fruits, egg, beef, pork and chicken. The adjusted mean SBP and DBP of the individuals with 'all (= three)' of the following three dietary habits; 'once and over/wk of dairy products', 'once and over/wk of fruits', and 'three times and over/wk of beef, pork or chicken', were 7.4 mmHg and 6.9 mmHg lower (p < 0.001, for each) than those of 'zero or one' group. According to the analyses on 3-days weighed food records of 157 volunteers, the adjusted mean daily intake of total protein, animal protein and potassium were markedly higher in the 'two' or the 'three' group than in the 'zero or one' group (p < 0.05, for each). These results suggest that habitual intake of dairy products, fruits, and meat or chicken may be associated with the reduction of blood pressure possibly through the intake of protein and potassium.

Interpopulation and intrapopulation variability of nutrient intake in five regions of Japan

OBJECTIVES

To determine the extent to which interpopulation (between-population) variance, relative to intrapopulation (within-population) variance, contribute to the total variability in nutrient intakes.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Five Public Health Center districts in Japan.

SUBJECTS

Two hundred and seven men and 183 spouses.

INTERVENTIONS

A three-day weighed food record.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The total variance in the consumption of 17 nutrient variables was partitioned by analysis of variance into its inter- and intrapopulation components separately for men and women.

RESULTS

The percentage contribution of the interpopulation to total variance differed according to the nutrient; it was notable (8-17%) for total energy, carbohydrates, phosphorus, and sodium in both men and women, but was negligible (less than 4%) for micronutrients such as retinol, carotene, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and ascorbic acid. The ratio of intra- to interpopulation variance was estimated for 31 nutrients (17 in men and 14 in women). The point estimates of the ratio were larger than unity in all nutrients, and the lower limit of the 95% confidence intervals exceeded unity for all but 5 nutrients. Of the two sources of intrapopulation variation, intraindividual variance was larger than interindividual variance in most of the nutrient.

CONCLUSIONS

The relative magnitude of interpopulation variation in dietary data can be used to quantify the range of exposure in ecological studies and to examine the heterogeneity of populations pooled for individual-based analysis.

Within- and between-person variations in portion sizes of foods consumed by the Japanese population

There has been considerable controversy about the utility of asking separate questions on portion sizes in addition to items on consumption frequencies in food frequency questionnaires. One argument against this type of inquiry is that, for most foods, within-person variation of portion size is greater than between-person variation, making it difficult to characterize "usual" or long-term average serving sizes. The authors studied the relative effects of within- and between-person variances in portion sizes of 69 food items using three-day food record data collected from 335 Japanese men and women. Total variance in the portion size for each food was partitioned into within- and between-person components by analysis of variance. Although the ratios of within- to between-person variances in log(e)-transformed portion sizes were > 1.0 for the majority of foods (50 of 69 items, median = 1.7), they were smaller than or close to unity for subgroups of foods that were the major sources of nutrient variables of relevance to diet-cancer associations, such as total energy (rice, calcium (milk), sodium (pickled vegetables), and alcohol (beer, shochu, whiskey). These results indicate that the relative contributions of within- and between-person variations in portion size may vary among foods, and therefore investigators should consider the balance between the advantages and disadvantages of obtaining portion size data separately from intake frequencies when designing food frequency questionnaires.

Dietary differences with green tea intake among middle-aged Japanese men and women

BACKGROUND

Although several epidemiologic investigations have suggested a protective role of green tea against cardiovascular diseases and cancer, few studies examined how consumption of green tea was associated with intake of other dietary factors.

METHODS

In the winters of 1989-1991, 880 men ages 40-49 years were randomly sampled from the general populations of five Public Health Center districts of Japan. Response rate was 72% (n = 634). A convenience sample of 373 spouses also consented to participate. They were interviewed on the frequency of consumption of green tea and 37 food items. A 3-day weighed food record was collected from a subgroup of the subjects (207 men and 164 women) to calculate daily intake of 22 nutrient variables. Consumption of the foods and nutrients was compared with three levels of green tea intake (< 1, 1-4, and > 4 cups/days) after adjustment for potential confounders.

RESULTS

Among men, green tea was associated significantly with consumption of 10 foods (P < 0.05) and at borderline significance with 4 nutrients (P < 0.1). These foods and nutrients included fruits (apple, orange juice), vegetables (green, yellow, and pickled), total lipid, cholesterol, and carotene. Among women, green tea was associated with 6 foods and total energy.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that consumption of green tea is associated with diets that could modify the risks of cardiovascular diseases and cancer, especially among men. When the health effects of green tea are examined by observational epidemiologic studies, potential confounding and effect modification by other dietary factors should be controlled thoroughly.

Role of mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in prostaglandin F2alpha-induced rat puerperal uterine contraction

In this study, prostaglandin (PG) F2alpha was found to activate mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and MAP kinase kinase (MEK) in cultured rat puerperal uterine myometrial cells. PGF2alpha stimulation also led to an increase in phosphorylation of raf-1, son of sevenless (SOS), and Shc. Furthermore, we examined the mechanism by which PGF2alpha induced MAP kinase phosphorylation. Both pertussis toxin (10 ng/ml), which inactivates Gi/Go proteins, and expression of a peptide derived from the carboxyl terminus of the beta-adrenergic receptor kinase 1 (betaARK1), which specifically blocks signaling mediated by the betagamma subunits of G proteins, blocked the PGF2alpha-induced activation of MAP kinase. Ritodrine (1 microM), which is known to relax uterine muscle contraction, attenuated PGF2alpha-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of MAP kinase. Moreover, to examine the role of MAP kinase pathway in uterine contraction, an inhibitor of MEK activity, PD098059, was used. Although MEK inhibitor had no effect on PGF2alpha-induced calcium mobilization, this inhibitor partially inhibited PGF2alpha-induced uterine contraction. These results provide evidence that PGF2alpha stimulates the MAP kinase signaling pathway in cultured rat puerperal uterine myometrial cells through Gbetagamma protein, suggesting that this new pathway may play an important role in the biological action of PGF2alpha on these cells.

Nutrient consumption and gastric cancer mortality in five regions of Japan

To explore the causes of the threefold variation in mortality rate from gastric cancer in Japan, we studied the geographic correlations between nutrient consumption and the disease in five Public Health Center districts including the regions with the highest and lowest mortality rates in the country. In the winters of 1989-1991, a three-day weighed food record was collected from 207 men and the wives of 165 of the men sampled from the five districts. The average daily consumption of selected nutrients was computed and correlated with the age-adjusted mortality rates from gastric cancer. Partial rank correlation coefficients adjusted for sex and other nutrients were 0.45, -0.80, -0.20, and -0.07 for sodium, carotene, ascorbic acid, and retinol, respectively. The results suggest that variation in gastric cancer mortality in Japan may be partly accounted for by the regional differences in consumption of sodium, carotene, and possibly ascorbic acid.

A data-based approach for designing a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire for a population-based prospective study in Japan

A self-administered food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) has been used commonly in epidemiologic studies of diet and chronic diseases. The analysis of dietary data in the target population is useful for designing a new questionnaire. The authors studied the major food sources of nutrient intakes in the Japanese population in order to develop a FFQ for a population-based prospective study. Subjects were 180 men aged 40-49 years and their 155 spouses who were sampled from four Public Health Center districts. Weighed food records over three consecutive weekdays were collected during the winters of 1989-1991. All foods reported were grouped into 154 items, and the percent contribution of each food to the total population intake of 15 nutrients was computed. Based on these data, a FFQ with 138 items was developed. The food list covered well the population intake of most nutrients (median = 83%, range = 55-91%), except for lipid (70%) and sodium (55%). The questionnaire was applied to the prospective study conducted in the same areas where the dietary data were collected, and an investigation to assess its reproducibility and validity is currently underway.

Effects of human diets of two different Japanese populations on cancer incidence in rat hepatic drug-metabolizing and antioxidant enzyme systems

Hepatic enzyme systems of drug metabolism and antioxidation were investigated in rats fed the complete human diets consumed in the two Japanese prefectures, Akita and Okinawa, where the incidence of cancers was quite different: Okinawa had the lowest and Akita the highest age-adjusted mortality rate. In rats fed the human diet consumed in Okinawa, hepatic glutathione S-transferase activity was higher and lipid peroxide content was lower than in rats fed the diet consumed in Akita. These data might indicate that the number and/or quantity of the dietary components attributed to the detoxification of carcinogens and the scavenging reactive carcinogen species was much higher in the foods consumed in the population having lower cancer mortality rate.

[Suprasellar arachnoid cyst associated with precocious puberty: report of an operated case and review of the literature]

The pathogenesis remains unknown in the majority of patients with precocious puberty, and yet infrequently such causative cerebral lesions as hypothalamic hamartomas are associated with sexual precocity. We reported a rare case of suprasellar arachnoid cyst in an infant presenting with precocious puberty, which eventually disappeared after a cyst-peritoneal shunt. It was believed that the mass effect of the arachnoid cyst upon the hypothalamus was, at least in part, responsible for development of precocious puberty. The role of surgical decompression of the cyst was also discussed. A one-year-old girl was admitted to the hospital for evaluation of genital bleeding which had persisted on and off for two months. The height, 80cm, and the weight, 12.4kg, exceeded by far the two standard deviations from the mean level of the normal population. In addition she had the development of breast tissue as classified Tanner's Stage II, and both pubic and axillary hair. The bone age by skeletal survey of the hand was rated as 3 years. Endocrinological examination showed that serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol had increased for her age, to levels equivalent to those for females at puberty. An LH-RH test revealed an excessive LH reaction. There were no definite neurological deficits. CT and MRI demonstrated the presence of a large arachnoid cyst involving the suprasellar region as well as the right middle and posterior fossa. After the patient underwent a cyst-peritoneal shunt, the cyst decreased in size and such symptoms as genital bleeding and breast growth disappeared. Serum levels of her LH and FSH also significantly decreased.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Multiple aspergillus brain abscess complicated with systemic lupus erythematosus--case report]

A 15-year-old female was hospitalized for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus complicated with nephritis. She improved with administration of steroid hormones and an immunosuppressant, plasma exchange, and dialysis. However, a lung abscess developed 6 months after admission, and multiple brain abscesses appeared 2 months after the onset of the lung abscess. The lung abscess faded with oral administration of fluocytosine and intravenous administration of miconazole, but the brain abscesses enlarged. Intrathecal administration of miconazole was not effective. Therefore, the abscess in the right frontal lobe was surgically removed and an Ommaya's reservoir was placed in the anterior horn of the right lateral ventricle. Aspergillus was identified in the removed abscess. Subsequently, miconazole was administered intraventricularly through the Ommaya's reservoir 10 mg daily for 1 month. The abscesses in the left parietal lobe gradually diminished. One year later, she complained of right hypesthesia again. Computed tomography scan revealed enlargement of the abscess. Miconazole was administered intravenously and intraventricularly for 1 month. Second craniotomy was performed 16 months after the first surgery and the abscess was completely removed. She was discharged with mild hypesthesia of the right leg. It is concluded that intraventricular administration of miconazole through an Ommaya's reservoir is an effective therapy for central nervous system aspergillosis.

Fluorimetric determination of mexiletine in serum by high-performance liquid chromatography using pre-column derivatization with fluorescamine

A simple, specific and sensitive micro-scale method for the assay of the antiarrhythmic agent mexiletine in human serum is described. The method uses high-performance liquid chromatography, with pre-column fluorimetric derivatization by fluorescamine. Following extraction with diethyl ether, mexiletine and 4-methylmexiletine (an internal standard) were derivatized with fluorescamine under weakly alkaline condition (pH 9.0) and chromatographed on a reversed-phase column with aqueous methanol-2-propanol as the mobile phase. The two fluorescent derivatives of mexiletine and the internal standard were separated as clear single peaks, and no interfering peaks were observed on the chromatograms. The detection limit for mexiletine was 0.005 micrograms/ml from only 100 microliters of serum, and the calibration curves in the range 0.01-5 micrograms/ml were linear, with an overall coefficient of variation of less than 5%. The analytical recovery of a known amount of mexiletine added to serum was almost 100%. This method proved to be effective in the rapid monitoring of the serum concentrations in patients who received this potent antiarrhythmic drug.

Urinary salt excretion and stomach cancer mortality among four Japanese populations

A relationship between salt intake and the occurrence of stomach cancer has been suggested by both epidemiologic and experimental data. To test this hypothesis, urinary excretion of salt in 24 hours and dietary intake of salt were measured in four male populations with different levels of stomach cancer mortality. Age-adjusted mortality rate of stomach cancer showed a high correlation (r2 = 0.995) with the average amount of salt excretion in 24-hour urine. This strong correlation, however, was not shown (r2 = 0.265) with dietary salt intake calculated from the standard food-composition table. The results confirmed the important role of salt in the development of stomach cancer in Japan, and raised the problem of evaluating the level of salt intake by using the uniform composition table.