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The article presents an examination into the history of the practice of "nikujiki saitai," or the eating of meat and marrying, by Japanese Buddhist priests and nuns. Introductory details are given noting the uniqueness of such a semi-secularist practice in Japanese Buddhism. Questions are then raised regarding the historical, doctrinal and political precedents from the early Meiji period which allowed this practice to become publicly accepted.

Abstract: Environmental quality standards (EQSs) have been established as desirable levels to be maintained for protection of human health and the conservation of the living environment by Basic Environment Law. EQSs in ambient air had been set for 10 substances (sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), suspended particulate matter (SPM), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and photochemical oxidants (Ox), benzene, tetrachloroethylene, trichloroethylene, dioxins and dichloromethane) and guideline values for 7 (acrylonitorile, vinyl chloride monomer, mercury, nickel compounds, 1,3-butadiene, chloroform and 1,2-dichloromethane) in Japan by 2009. EQSs for the classical (or traditional) air pollutants, SO2, CO, SPM, NO2 and Ox, were set according to the minimal requirement to protect human health, based on evidence from epidemiological studies conducted before the 1970s. In 1996, the Central Environment Council designated substances which may be hazardous air pollutants and substances requiring priority action, and adopted the concept of risk assessment to set EQSs and guideline values. A life-long risk level (virtually safe dose) of 10−5 was used to set EQS for benzene, and guideline values for vinyl chloride monomer, nickel compounds, and 1,3-butadiene. EQSs for trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene and dichloromethane, and guideline values for acrylonitorile and mercury were set using uncertain factors and lowest observed adverse effect (LOAEL)/no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL). The results of animal experiments were utilized to set guideline values for chloroform and 1,2-dichloroethane. The benchmark approach and human equivalent concentration (HEC) were adopted for 1,2-dichloroethane. The history of setting EQSs and guideline values for hazardous air pollutants is one of adopting new concepts into risk assessment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aldh (aldehyde dehydrogenase) 2 knockout (KO) mice have been generated in our laboratory. We evaluated the effects of subacute ethanol treatment on the survival rate, expression of Aldh1, Aldh2, Cytochrome P450 (Cyp) 1A1, Cyp2e1 and Cyp4b1 in wild (Aldh2 +/+) mice (C57BL/6) and Aldh2 knock out (Aldh2 -/-) mice. Physiological saline (0.3 mL/day) was administered to 4 Aldh2 +/+ and 4 Aldh2 -/- mice for 8 days as a control. Forty percent ethanol (0.3 mL/day; ethanol 2 g/kg/day) was then administered to 5 Aldh2 +/+ and 9 Aldh2 -/- mice for 8 days. Three mice of the ethanol administered Aldh2 +/+ group and eight mice of the ethanol administered Aldh2 -/- group died during the 8 days. The weights of mice were decreased by ethanol exposure to 85% and 74% in Aldh2 +/+ and Aldh2 -/- group, respectively. The survival rates of the ethanol administered Aldh2 +/+ and Aldh2 -/- group were 40 and 11%. Liver and pancreas disorder was revealed in the ethanol administered Aldh2 +/+ and Aldh2 -/- group in the results of serum chemical examination, immunohistochemical staining and western blot analysis. Cyp2e1 is more inducible to ethanol toxicity in Aldh2 -/- mice compared with Aldh2 +/+ mice when ethanol is administered according to the results of quantitative PCR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some occupational and environmental chemicals cause allergic diseases. To prevent chemical allergies, it is essential to identify the chemical substances that cause sensitization and to eliminate such sensitizers from daily life. As an occupational countermeasure, information for evaluating sensitization of chemical substances is needed. The aims of this article are to compare the criteria for sensitizers among national organizations in various countries and international organizations, and to make out a list of these chemical substances. The definition of sensitizing chemicals and the designation of respective sensitizers according to the PRTR law, Japan Society for Occupational Health (JSHO), American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), European Union (EU), Deutsche Forschungsgemeinshaft (DFG) and Japanese Society of Occupational and Environmental Allergy were studied. There are 1,389 chemical substances which are designated as sensitizers by any of the laws and five organizations. We specify each chemical substance in the list.