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Nanofibrous silica with a high surface area was produced from chrysotile by the acid-leaching method. Natural mineral chrysotile asbestos from Stragari, Korlace in Serbia was used as the starting material. The fibers were modified by chemical treatment with 1 M HCl and the mineral dissolution was monitored by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, inductively coupled plasma spectrometry and low-temperature nitrogen adsorption techniques to highlight the effects of the leaching process. The results showed that the applied concentration of acid solution and processing time of 4 h were sufficient to effectively remove the magnesium hydroxide layer and transform the crystal structure of the hazardous starting chrysotile to porous SiO2 nanofibers. With prolonged acid leaching, the specific surface area, SBET, calculated by BET equation, was increased from 147 up to 435 m2 g− 1, with micropores representing a significant part of the specific surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intravenous (iv) formulation of levetiracetam has been available in clinical practice worldwide for several years, but not in Japan. Two open-label studies were conducted: Study A evaluated the bioequivalence of iv and oral tablet formulations in healthy Japanese volunteers; and Study B subsequently compared the pharmacokinetics of iv levetiracetam in healthy Japanese and Caucasian volunteers. Study A had a randomised, two-way crossover design; a single 1,500 mg levetiracetam dose was administered as a 15-min iv infusion and as 3 × 500 mg oral tablets to Japanese volunteers. In Study B, 1,500 mg levetiracetam was administered as single and repeated 15-min iv infusions to Japanese and Caucasian volunteers. Overall, 26/27 volunteers completed Study A and 32/32 (16 Japanese; 16 Caucasian) completed Study B. In Study A, the point estimate and 90 % confidence interval (CI) for the geometric least squares mean (LSM) ratio (iv vs oral) were fully included within the acceptance range for bioequivalence (0.85-1.25) for the area under plasma concentration-time curve from 0 to last quantifiable observation (AUC 0.97 [0.95, 0.99]), but not for the maximum plasma concentration ( C 1.64 [1.47, 1.83]). In Study B, after a single iv infusion, the point estimates (90 % CI) for the geometric LSM ratio (Japanese vs Caucasian) for body weight-normalised C and AUC were 1.21 (1.07, 1.36) and 0.97 (0.90, 1.04), respectively. Corresponding values after repeated iv infusions were C 1.01 (0.91, 1.12) and AUC 0.89 (0.83, 0.96). Levetiracetam was well tolerated in both studies. Study A did not demonstrate the bioequivalence of single doses of levetiracetam 1,500 mg administered as an iv infusion and as oral tablets in healthy Japanese adults. Study B, however, showed that pharmacokinetic profiles were generally similar between Japanese and Caucasian adults after single and repeated iv infusions of levetiracetam 1,500 mg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the Japanese three-layer approach for creating globalized Common Technical Documents (CTDs) proposed by Komiyam and colleagues. Topics discussed include the layers of the approach which is used in evaluating multiregional trial data, the benefits of applying the said approach in CTD preparation, and the efficacy of every layer of the approach.

SiC nanowires (SiCNWs) are suitable candidates used as additives to improve the thermal conductivity of alumina, since they exhibit superior properties such as high chemical and thermal stability. In this study, alumina matrix composites reinforced with very small amount of β-SiC/SiO core-shell nanowires were fabricated by hot-pressing. They were first characterized and compared with alumina matrix specimens containing SiC nanopowder. It was found out that with 0.2 wt% SiC additives, the grain sizes of the alumina specimens were reduced by 20 % of that of the monolithic one, regardless of the shape of the SiC additives. Vickers hardness of specimen containing both SiCNWs and SiC nanopowders slightly increased, while fracture toughness decreased more than that of the monolithic alumina. Thermal conductivity of the specimens increased with increased amount of SiCNWs and was better than those of the specimens containing SiC nanopowders. The alumina composite containing 0.2 wt% SiCNWs had higher thermal conductivity than that of the monolithic alumina by as much as 45 %. From these results, it is clear that only small amount of nanosized SiC as an additive material, particularly SiCNWs, has a significant effect on the properties of alumina matrix composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare current awareness of the 'On a Code of Conduct for Scientists' (OCCS) among members of the Japanese Society for Hygiene (JSH). Method: An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was mailed to JSH members, including 439 councilors and 376 junior members (who were under 50 years of age with a membership of 3 years or longer, excluding councilors). Councilors were surveyed from November to December 2007, while junior members were surveyed from November to December 2008. Results: The overall response rate was 40.6% ( n = 331/815), with responses from 46.7% of the councilors ( n = 205/439) and 33.5% of the junior members ( n = 126/376). Among the respondents, 36.0% of councilors ( n = 68) and 59.8% of junior members ( n = 73) did not know the contents of 'On the Code of Conduct for Scientists' ( P < 0.01), while 76.3% of councilors ( n = 145) and 61.4% of junior members ( n = 75) had not heard of it ( P < 0.05). However, a majority of the respondents reported interest in the Code [70.0% of councilors ( n = 133), 68.6% of junior members ( n = 83)] ( P < 0.05) and a favorable attitude towards research ethics education [69.3% of councilors ( n = 133), 68.9% of junior members ( n = 84)] ( P < 0.54). In addition, 24.3% of the responding councilors ( n = 46) and 15.7% of the responding junior members ( n = 19) believe it necessary for JSH to formulate its own code of conduct for scientists ( P < 0.01). Conclusion: We clarified the current state of awareness of the OCCS among JSH members as well as the opinion of members for the JSH to have its own Code of Conduct for Scientists. This result provides important information that should be considered during the formulation of an individual code of conduct for scientists in the JSH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a questionnaire survey on low back pain (LBP), which deprives the adult population of their quality life in Japan. It aims to estimate the degree of LBP that has deprived the Japanese adult population of their quality of life in terms of quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). The survey was conducted among participants of health examinations at five healthcare facilities in the country. It concludes that the estimated loss of QALYs deprives the QOL of the Japanese population.

The article presents a research monitoring the nosocomial infection in intensive care units of Japanese hospitals and evaluating the impact of nosocomial infections on mortality and length of stay. Using the Japanese Nosocomial Infection Surveillance data, it determines the incidence of nosocomial infections. It concludes that current surveillance systems provide an inadequate feedback of nosocomial infection surveillance data.

Depending on the etiology and pathophysiology of hematuria, urinary bleeding is classified as glomerular hematuria or nonglomerular hematuria. Nephritis is usually detected by the presence of proteinuria, especially elevated albumin excretion. In this study, we report on the use of the urinary albumin-to-total-protein ratio to accurately differentiate glomerular and nonglomerular bleeding. A total of 143 fresh, random urine specimens demonstrating microscopic hematuria (5 or more red blood cells per high-power field) from patients with the source of the hematuria confirmed by histopathology and/or clinical criteria were included in the study. Of the 143 specimens, 104 were from patients diagnosed with glomerular disease and 39 were from patients with nonglomerular disease. Corrected for urine concentration, the mean total-protein-to-creatinine (Cr) and albumin-to-Cr ratios in the glomerular disease group were 1.67 ± 2.71 g/g Cr and 1.15 ± 1.77 g/g Cr, respectively ( P < 0.001). In the nonglomerular group, the mean total protein-to-Cr and albumin-to-Cr ratios were 0.19 ± 0.23 g/g Cr and 0.05 ± 0.06 g/g Cr, respectively ( P < 0.001). However, considerable overlap in the ratios among glomerular and nonglomerular disease groups was observed. In contrast, the mean albumin-to-total protein ratios for glomerular and nonglomerular diseases were 0.72 ± 0.10 and 0.35 ± 0.17, respectively ( P < 0.001). At a cutoff of 0.59, the albumin-to-total-protein ratio demonstrated a sensitivity of 97.1% (101 of 104 cases) in detecting glomerular disease. The urinary albumin-to-total-protein ratio is potentially a useful index for the differentiation of glomerular and nonglomerular disease in the presence of microscopic hematuria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the incidence of sepsis in Japanese intensive care units (ICUs) and to evaluate the impact of sepsis on mortality and length of stay (LOS). Using the JANIS database for the period between June 2002 and June 2004, 21,895 eligible patients aged ≥16 years, hospitalized in 28 participating ICUs for ≥24 hours, were monitored until ICU discharge. Adjusted hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for the incidence of sepsis was calculated using Cox’s proportional hazard model. Standardized mortality ratio (SMR) was calculated on the basis of the crude mortality in patients without nosocomial infection (NI) for respective APACHE II categories. Mean LOS for survivors was assessed by two-way analysis of variance with adjustment for APACHE II. Sepsis was diagnosed in 450 patients (2.1%), with 228 meeting the definition on ICU admission and 222 during the ICU stay. The overall incidence of sepsis was 1.02/100 admissions or 2.00/1000 patient-days. A significantly higher HR for the incidence of sepsis was found in men (1.54, 95% CI: 1.14–2.07), APACHE II ≥21 (2.92, 95% CI: 1.92–4.44), ventilator use (3.30, 95% CI: 1.98–5.49), and central venous catheter use (3.45, 95% CI: 1.90–6.28). SMR was determined to be 1.18 (95% CI: 0.82–1.21) in NI patients without sepsis and 2.43 (95% CI: 1.88–3.09) in NI patients with sepsis. Mean LOS for survivors was calculated to be 11.8 days (95% CI: 11.3–12.4) in NI patients without sepsis and 15.0 days (95% CI: 13.3–17.0) in NI patients with sepsis compared with 3.8 days (95% CI: 3.8–3.9) in patients without NI. Sepsis is not very common in Japanese ICUs, but its development leads to further increases in mortality and LOS in patients with NI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine the relationships between body image, body satisfaction and dieting behavior in the context of pubertal changes in Japanese preadolescents. A cross-sectional study of dieting behavior among 5,244 preadolescents (2,452 boys and 2,792 girls aged 12–13) born in Toyama prefecture. The percentages of those who perceived themselves fat, wanted to be thinner, and had tried dieting, which increased with body mass index (BMI), were significantly higher in girls than in boys (34.2% vs. 20.0%, 58.0% vs. 26.0%, and 17.3% vs. 5.7%, respectively). Independent of sex and BMI, those who wanted to be thinner and those who had tried dieting were more frequently observed in those who perceived themselves fat, and those who had tried dieting were more frequently observed in those who wanted to be thinner. Pubertal changes were significantly associated with dieting behavior, but their relationships to body image and body satisfaction differed between sexes; for boys, those who perceived themselves fat were more frequently observed in those without pubertal changes; whereas for girls, those who wanted to be thinner were more frequently observed in those with pubertal changes. Dieting behavior of Japanese preadolescents was associated with whether they perceived themselves fat and wanted to be thinner, sometimes independent of whether they were actually overweight. Pubertal changes might induce a positive perspective of growing fat among boys and a desire to be thinner among girls, with the consequence that dieting behavior would be reinforced in those with pubertal changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To analyze the path to dieting behavior in Japanese preadolescents. A cross-sectional study of dieting behavior among 5,244 preadolescents (2,452 boys and 2,792 girls aged 12–13) born in Toyama prefecture. While increasing with body mass index (BMI), the percentage of those who had tried dieting was higher in those who perceived themselves fat than in those who perceived themselves thin or average. Of those who wanted to be thinner, 16.1% of boys and 26.8% of girls had tried dieting. Path analysis in nonobese subjects (2,116 boys and 2,334 girls) showed that (1) body image was primarily based on BMI, (2) body image led to body dissatisfaction, and (3) body dissatisfaction led to dieting behavior. Pubertal changes had a significant effect on body image (path coefficient <0)for boys and body satisfaction (path coefficient >0) for girls, in addition to that on BMI. Maternal BMI had a significant effect on BMI but not on body image, body satisfaction, or dieting behavior. Body image and body satisfaction play important roles in the path to dieting behavior in Japanese preadolescents. Pubertal changes may reinforce dieting behavior, but the mechanism may differ by sex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many different learning algorithms for neural networks have been developed, with advantages offered in terms of network structure, initial values of some parameters, learning speed, and learning accuracy. If we train the networks only on good examples, without noise and shortage, the neural network can be trained to classify, with reasonable accuracy, target patterns or random patterns, but not both. To solve this problem, we propose a learning method of immune multi-agent neural networks (IMANNs), which have agents of macrophages, B-cells and T-cells. Each agent employs a different type of neural network. Because the agents work cooperatively and competitively, IMANNs can automatically classify the training dataset into some subclasses. In this paper, two types of IMANNs are described and their classification capabilities are compared. In order to verify the effectiveness of our proposed method, we used two datasets: the dataset of the MONK’s problem (as a traditional classification problem) and a dataset from a medical diagnosis problem (hepatobiliary disorders). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine whether nosocomial infection risk increases with APACHE II score, which is an index of severity-of-illness, in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Using the Japanese Nosocomial Infection Surveillance database, 8,587 patients admitted to 34 participating ICUs between July 2000 and May 2002, aged 16 years or older, who had stayed in the ICU for 2 days or longer, had not transferred to another ICU, and had not been infected within 2 days after ICU admission, were followed until ICU discharge, Day 14 after ICU admission, or the development of nosocomial infection. Adjusted odds ratios with their 95% confidence intervals for nosocomial infections were calculated using logistic regression models, which incorporated sex, age, operation, ventilator; central venous catheter, and APACHE II score (0–5, 6–10, 11–15, 16–20, 21–25, 26–30, and 31+). There were 683 patients with nosocomial infections. Adjusted odds ratios for nosocomial infections gradually increased with APACHE II score. Women and elective operation showed significantly low odds ratios, while urgent operation, ventilator, and central venous catheter showed significantly high odds ratios. Age had no significant effect on the development of nosocomial infection. Nosocomial infection risk increases with APACHE II score. APACHE II score may be a good predictor of nosocomial infections in ICU patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To elucidate factors associated with hospital mortality in intensive care unit (ICU) patients and to evaluate the impact of ICU-acquired infection on hospital mortality in the context of the drug resistance of pathogens. By using the Japanese Nosocomial Infection Surveillance (JANIS) database, 7,374 patients who were admitted to the 34 participating ICUs between July 2000 and May 2002, were aged 16 years or older, and who stayed in the ICU for 48 to 1,000 hours, did not transfer to another ICU, and did not become infected within 2 days after ICU admission, were followed up until hospital discharge or to Day 180 after ICU discharge. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) with the 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for hospital mortality were calculated using Cox’s proportional hazard model. After adjusting for sex, age, and severity-of-illness (APACHE II score), a significantly higher HR for hospital mortality was found in ventilator use, central venous catheter use, and ICU-acquired drug-resistant infection, with a significantly lower HR in elective or urgent operations and urinary catheter use. The impact of ICU-acquired infection on hospital mortality was different between drug-susceptible pathogens (HR 1.11,95% CI:0.94–1.31) and drug-resistant pathogens (HR 1.42,95% CI: 1.15–1.77). The use of a ventilator or a central venous catheter, and ICU-acquired drug-resistant infection were associated with a high risk of hospital mortality in ICU patients. The potential impact on hospital mortality emphasizes the importance of preventive measures against ICU-acquired infections, especially those caused by drug-resistant pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the impacts of health examinations (HE) and smoking on disease mortality risk in Japan. By using the large cohort database of a Japanese life insurance company, 720,611 subjects aged 20 to 80 years, who had contracted for life insurance between April 1, 1995 and March 31, 1998, were followed up until September 30, 1999. Cox’s proportional hazard model was used to estimate age-adjusted relative risk (RR) for disease death. After adjusting for age, disease mortality in smokers was significantly higher than that in non-smokers (men, RR 1.51, 95% CI: 1.25–1.81; women, RR 1.54, 95% CI: 1.12–2.11). Meanwhile, disease mortality in HEees (those who had got HE within the past 2 years) was significantly lower than that in non-HEees (men, RR 0.70, 95% CI: 0.56–0.88; women, RR 0.71, 95% CI: 0.54–0.92). The magnitude of the impact of HE on disease mortality risk varied according to smoking status. Non-smokers showed a significantly lower risk associated with HE, whereas smokers did not. HE may allow an appreciable reduction in disease mortality, however, the reduction effect may be limited to non-smokers. Smoking cessation may be essential to improve the preventive effects of HE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to identify characteristic lifestyles in children with obese parents. 8,030 children (4,072 males and 3,958 females) aged 6 to 7 years were investigated. A questionnaire relating to the lifestyles of children was distributed through elementary schools for completion by parents. The heights and weights of parents were self-reported. A parent with a body mass index (weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters) greater than the 90th percentile for gender (26.7 kg/m2 for fathers and 24.3 kg/m2 for mothers) was defined as an obese parent. A chi-square test for each trend was applied to evaluate an increasing trend in the frequency or level of each lifestyle in children with obese parents. Children with obese parents were significantly associated with increasing trends in the proportions categorized by irregular intake of breakfast, faster eating, longer TV watching, and shorter sleeping hours. These lifestyles are considered to be possible risk factors for the development of obesity. These characteristic lifestyles observed in children with obese parents could strengthen the relationship between child and parental body compositions, in addition to the genetic predisposition to obesity in children with obese parents. These findings indicate that education with lifestyle modification for obese parents will be required to prevent further weight gain in children with obese parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the optimal strategy for prostate cancer screening, the cost-effectiveness of screening was analyzed using a medical decision model. One hundred thousand asymptomatic males between the ages of 40 and 69 were modeled with and without screening. The subjects were divided into three 10-year age groups. We used a 5-year survival rate as an effectiveness point and assumed after 5 year survival free from prostate cancer. We considered three potential programs: 1) screening with digital rectal examination (DRE), 2) screening with prostate specific antigen (PSA), and 3) screening with a combination of DRE and PSA. The study was analyzed from the payer’s perspective, and only direct medical costs were included. For each of the three age groups, PSA screening was more cost-effective than either DRE screening or a combination of DRE and PSA screening. The cost-effectiveness ratio for the combination of DRE and PSA screening was 1.1–2.3 times more expensive dian that of PSA screening. If the compliance rate for work-up exams is 80%, the cost-effectiveness of prostate cancer screening is approximate to that of gastric cancer screening. In conclusion, PSA screening is the most cost-effective strategy for prostate cancer screening when compared with both DRE and the combination of DRE and PSA screening. But prostate cancer screening should be carefully conducted, taking the cost-effectiveness of the different strategies and target groups into consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The metabolic pathway of inhaled NO in rats was investigated with NO. After NO exposure, the content of the N (atom % excess) in blood, red cells, serum, each organ tissue (perfused with saline solution) and urine were estimated. The contents of N in the samples of blood, serum, red cells, and urine were relatively high and those of lung, trachea, liver, kidney, and muscle were low. The rat blood samples 1 h after NO combined blood injection were analyzed. Greater parts of the N in the serum were in a fraction of the ultrafiltrate and the amounts of NOin the serum were remarkably elevated compared with those of the control rats. At 24 h and 48 h after NO combined blood injection, the urine samples were collected. Most of the N in the urine was found within 24 h. Red cells from the NO exposed rats were washed (mixed and incubated) with the saline solution or the serum from untreated rats. The N in the cells was easily extracted into the solution or serum, but the N in the serum from the exposed animals was scarcely transferred to the red cells. Throughout the experiments, it was supposed that inhaled NO primarily reacted with hemoglobin and was changed to NOand NO. Then the metabolites were transferred to serum, part of these reacted with tissues and the others were excreted in urine in the form of NO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measurement of premature mortality is necessary to plan medical programs and to conduct effective medical activities. The purpose of this study was to compare the years of potential life lost (YPLL) with other mortality indices and to understand the usefulness and limitations of quantitative measurement for premature mortality. Data concerning death during employment were surveyed from 1979 to 1984. One thousand seven hundred twenty-five deaths were observed in 1,504,462 person-years in the study population. Proportionate mortality ratios indicated medical problems concerning malignant neoplasms and heart disease, but they could not identify the problems of suicide and traffic accidents occurring in the relatively younger group. YPLL by a constant end point at 60 years of age could rank these causes next below the major leading causes of death. Thus, YPLL might be a useful indicator of the problems concerning premature mortality in occupational medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity in children seems to be a risk factor for chronic diseases in adulthood. From the viewpoint of preventive medicine, factors influencing the development of obese children should be removed early in life. The purpose of this study was to the elucidate relationship between obesity in 3-year-old children and both behavioral and environmental factors by conducting a case-control study. Subjects were selected from the Toyama study. Matched-pair comparisons were performed between obese children whose Kaup’s index was 18 or more (N=117) and control children (N=234) . Multivariate stepwised logistic regression analysis also applied to assess influence of confounding factors. The results indicated that the following 6 factors significantly influenced the development of obese 3-year-old children in exact Fisher’s method analysis (p<0.05): person other than the mother responsible for taking care of the child, short sleep duration (9 hours or less), physical inactivity, eating snacks irregularly, overweight father (BMI≥24), and overweight mother (BMI≥24). For both sexes, after adjusting for confounders by multivariate stepwise logistic analysis, overweight mother (OR 2.54, 95 % CI 1.64-3.95), birth overweight (birth weight≥3,500g; OR 1.76, 95 % CI 1.15-2.69), the mother not responsible for taking care of the child (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.10-2.48), overweight father (OR 1.62, 95%CI 1.09-2.40), eating snacks irregularly (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.04-2.33), and gender (female;OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.34-0.77) had significant relationships with obesity in childhood. For boys, overweight mother (OR 2.53, 95 % CI 1.47-4.35), birth overweight (OR 2.03, 95%CI 1.22-3.39), eating snacks irregularly (OR 1.94, 95 %CI 1.19-3.18), and birth month (36-41 months; OR 0.47, 95 % CI 0.23-0.96) had significant relationships. For girls, overweight mother (OR 2.62, 1.28-5.35), and short sleep duration (OR 2.24, 1.11-4.52) had significant relationships. In neither Fisher’s exact method nor multivariate logistic models, time to wake up, bedtime, duration of playing outdoors, regularity of meals, care about salty food, or frequency of eating snacks had significant relations with obesity in 3-year-old children (p<0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed with a follow up of 16 years to provide the epidemiological model evaluating the risk of developing diabetes mellitus in Japan. A cohort of 2573 subjects (1851 males and 722 females) from a MHTS in Tokyo, who were nondiabetic (fasting blood glucose (FBS) less than 110 mg/dl) in the initial year, were selected. This cohort was followed every year to identify the occurrence of diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Mellitus was defined as fasting blood glucose over 110 mg/dl, or the initiation of diabetic therapy. We compared two prognosis groups (a normal group and a diabetic group) in terms of age, examination findings, and prevalence of health risks (lifestyle, stress, and working form). We also assessed family history of diabetes and past histories including hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and hyperuricemia. After assessing each variable by univariate analysis(t- test, χ2 test), we employed Cox's proportional hazards model analysis. We used stepwise model adopting risk factors. The diabetic group had significant differences compared to the normal group in age, BMI (body mass index), FBS, smoking, drinking, not eating breakfast, dairy intake, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hyperuricemia, and family history by univariate analysis. According to proportional hazards model analysis, FBS, age, family history, hypertension, smoking, and BMI were incorporated into significant risk factors for diabetes in males, and not eating breakfast, FBS, age, drinking, and hypertension were incorporated in females. Diabetes seemed to be related to fixed factors (age), or genetic factors (family history and FBS) in males. For females, lifestyle (not eating breakfast and drinking habit) seemed to play an important role. It will be worthwhile to assess the risks of developing diabetes mellitus by this epidemiological model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine parental influence on the development of obesity in 9-year-old Japanese children. A 6-year follow-up study of obesity among 6,102 children born in Toyama prefecture. After adjusting for obesity at age 3, either paternal obesity or maternal obesity at the age 3 survey more than double the risk of obesity at age 9 in both genders. Increases in parental body mass indexes (BMIs) from the age 3 survey through the age 9 survey were significantly associated with obesity at age 9 in girls. Not only parental obesity but also increases in parental BMIs were likely to be associated with development of obesity in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine the effective preventive strategy for hypertension in a Japanese male population, based on attributable risk measures. A 7-year follow-up study of hypertension among 6,306 middle-aged male office workers in a Japanese telecommunication company. In terms of population attributable risk percentage (PAR%), regular alcohol intake and physical inactivity showed great contributions to the development of hypertension in the population no less than obesity. The PAR% of each risk factor varied by age group, and the total PAR% of the three modifiable risk factors was considerably higher in the 30–39 year old group (71%) than in the older groups. Reduced alcohol intake and increased physical activity, as well as weight control, may have a larger impact on prevention of hypertension in younger groups than in older groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the Japanese EuroQol instrument was developed in 1998 by a Japanese translation team, the reliability of health state valuations of the fuller questionnaire has not yet been investigated in Japan. We carried out a pilot study to investigate the reliability of health state valuations of the Japanese EuroQol instrument. The survey was conducted twice with the fuller questionnaire of the Japanese EuroQol instrument in a class of preventive medicine. We analyzed test-retest reliability based on the health state valuations and calculated Cronbach's coefficient alpha of both tests. The mean valuations of 14 hypothetical health states and ‘death’ between test and retest were not significantly different by paired t-test. The reliability by calculated correlation between test and retest was 0.996 (p<0.0001). In addition, Cronbach's coefficient alpha of the first test was 0.827, and that of the second test was 0.865. Although good reliability was shown in the present study, our conclusion was limited to applications of population-based surveys because of the small number and limited subjects of the present study. Further investigations are required in the form of a population-based survey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]