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Background/Objectives Individual eating habits may be influenced by genetic factors, in addition to environmental factors. Previous studies suggested that adherence to Japanese food patterns was associated with a decreased risk of all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in a Japanese population to find genetic variations that affect adherence to a Japanese food pattern. Subjects/Methods We analyzed GWAS data using 14,079 participants from the Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort study. We made a Japanese food score based on six food groups. Association of the imputed variants with the Japanese food score was performed by linear regression analysis with adjustments for age, sex, total energy intake, alcohol intake (g/day), and principal components 1-10 omitting variants in the major histocompatibility region. Results We found one SNP in the 14q11.2 locus that was significantly associated with the Japanese food score with P values Conclusion We found a new SNP that was associated with the Japanese food score in a Japanese population. This SNP is inversely associated with genes link to olfaction and obesity., Author(s): Harumitsu Suzuki [sup.1] [sup.2] , Yasuyuki Nakamura [sup.3] [sup.4] , Keitaro Matsuo [sup.5] [sup.6] , Nahomi Imaeda [sup.7] [sup.8] , Chiho Goto [sup.8] [sup.9] , Akira Narita [sup.10] , [...]

Background: The relationship between lifestyle and obesity is a major focus of research. Personalized nutrition, which utilizes evidence from nutrigenomics, such as gene–environment interactions, has been attracting attention in recent years. However, evidence for gene–environment interactions that can inform treatment strategies is lacking, despite some reported interactions involving dietary intake or physical activity. Utilizing gene–lifestyle interactions in practice could aid in optimizing interventions according to genetic risk. Methods: This study aimed to elucidate the effects of gene–lifestyle interactions on body mass index (BMI). Cross-sectional data from the Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort Study were used. Interactions between a multi-locus genetic risk score (GRS), calculated from 76 ancestry-specific single nucleotide polymorphisms, and nutritional intake or physical activity were assessed using a linear mixed-effect model. Results: The mean (standard deviation) BMI and GRS for all participants (n = 12,918) were 22.9 (3.0) kg/m2 and -0.07 (0.16), respectively. The correlation between GRS and BMI was r(12,916) = 0.13 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.11–0.15, P < 0.001). An interaction between GRS and saturated fatty acid intake was observed (β = -0.11, 95% CI -0.21 to -0.02). An interaction between GRS and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids was also observed in the females with normal-weight subgroup (β = -0.12, 95% CI -0.22 to -0.03). Conclusion: Our results provide evidence of an interaction effect between GRS and nutritional intake and physical activity. This gene–lifestyle interaction provides a basis for developing prevention or treatment interventions for obesity according to individual genetic predisposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the associations between breastfeeding and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in community-dwelling parous women and to clarify whether the associations depend on age. Methods: The present cross-sectional study included 11,118 women, aged 35–69 years. Participants' longest breastfeeding duration for one child and their number of breastfed children were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire, and their total breastfeeding duration was approximated as a product of the number of breastfed children and the longest breastfeeding duration. The longest and the total breastfeeding durations were categorized into none and tertiles above 0 months. Metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk factors (obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia) were defined as primary and secondary outcomes, respectively. Associations between breastfeeding history and metabolic syndrome or each cardiovascular risk factor were assessed using multivariable unconditional logistic regression analysis. Results: Among a total of 11,118 women, 10,432 (93.8%) had ever breastfed, and 1,236 (11.1%) had metabolic syndrome. In participants aged <55 years, an inverse dose–response relationship was found between the number of breastfed children and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome; multivariable-adjusted odds ratios for 1, 2, 3, and ≥4 breastfed children were 0.60 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.31 to 1.17), 0.50 (95% CI: 0.29 to 0.87), 0.44 (95% CI: 0.24 to 0.84), and 0.35 (95% CI: 0.14 to 0.89), respectively. The longest and total breastfeeding durations of longer than 0 months were also associated with lower odds of metabolic syndrome relative to no breastfeeding history in participants aged <55 years. In contrast, all measures of breastfeeding history were not significantly associated with metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk factors in participants aged ≥55 years old. Conclusions: Breastfeeding history may be related to lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome in middle-aged parous women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Differences in individual eating habits may be influenced by genetic factors, in addition to cultural, social or environmental factors. Previous studies suggested that genetic variants within sweet taste receptor genes family were associated with sweet taste perception and the intake of sweet foods. The aim of this study was to conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to find genetic variations that affect confection consumption in a Japanese population. We analysed GWAS data on confection consumption using 14 073 participants from the Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort study. We used a semi-quantitative FFQ to estimate food intake that was validated previously. Association of the imputed variants with confection consumption was performed by linear regression analysis with adjustments for age, sex, total energy intake and principal component analysis components 1–3. Furthermore, the analysis was repeated adjusting for alcohol intake (g/d) in addition to the above-described variables. We found 418 SNP located in 12q24 that were associated with confection consumption. SNP with the ten lowest P-values were located on nine genes including at the BRAP, ACAD10 and aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 regions on 12q24.12-13. After adjustment for alcohol intake, no variant was associated with confections intake with genome-wide significance. In conclusion, we found a significant number of SNP located on 12q24 genes that were associated with confections intake before adjustment for alcohol intake. However, all of them lost statistical significance after adjustment for alcohol intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Kampo medicine was introduced into the core curriculum model of medical education in Japan in 2007, and has been taught at all 80 medical universities across the country. However, as there are differences in terms of content and between universities, Kampo medicine education needs to be standardized. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effects of combining multiple strategies, including lectures, problem‐based learning (PBL), and simulator training for the development of a standardized educational curriculum for Kampo medicine. Methods: We offered a lectures‐only class (Kampo strategy‐lectures [Ks‐L]), a class with lectures and decoction (Ks‐LD), a class with lectures, decoction, and PBL (Ks‐LDP), and a class with lectures, decoction, PBL, and simulator training (Ks‐LDPS). We analyzed the data from a 12‐item questionnaire conducted by the Faculty Development Committee of Kagoshima University Faculty of Medicine to evaluate the curriculum. Results: Ks‐LDPS was rated significantly higher than the other modules in active learning, and overall satisfaction. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that combining multiple strategies rather than offering classes with lectures promoted a positive attitude to Kampo medicine and deep self‐learning among students, thereby improving the educational effects of Kampo medicine education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Shandong Province, China, programmes were initiated in 1991 for mass immunization against poliomyelitis and for the immediate reporting of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP). The incidence of non-poliomyelitis AFP was found to be 0.46-0.61 cases per 100 000 children per annum. It appeared that illness resembling the Guillain-Barre syndrome was underreported. The incidence of such illness peaked among children aged 2-3 years. Although laboratory investigations have improved, in 1992 they were still inadequate in nearly a third of confirmed poliomyelitis cases. As the prevalence of wild poliovirus declines in China, reliable laboratory support needs to be established and adequately sensitive and specific AFP surveillance be developed if poliomyelitis is to be eradicated., Introduction In China, poliomyelitis was well controlled until the mid-1980s by the development of immunization services supported by the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI).(a,b) However, in 1988, outbreaks occurred in [...]

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to explore the associations between common potential functional promoter polymorphisms in pro-/anti-inflammatory cytokine genes and kidney function/chronic kidney disease (CKD) prevalence in a large Japanese population. Methods A total of 3,323 subjects aged 35-69 were genotyped for all 10 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter regions of candidate genes with minor allele frequencies of > 0.100 in Japanese populations. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and CKD prevalence (eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2) of the subjects were compared among the genotypes. Results A higher eGFR and lower prevalence of CKD were observed for the homozygous variants of IL4 -33CC (high IL-4 [anti-inflammatory cytokine]-producing genotype) and IL6 -572GG (low IL-6 [pro-inflammatory cytokine]-producing genotype). Subjects with IL4 CC + IL6 GG showed the highest mean eGFR (79.1 ml/min/1.73 m2) and lowest CKD prevalence (0.0%), while subjects carrying IL4 TT + IL6 CC showed the lowest mean eGFR (73.4 ml/min/1.73 m2) and highest CKD prevalence (17.9%). Conclusions The functional promoter polymorphisms IL4 T-33C (rs2070874) and IL6 C-572G (rs1800796), which are the only SNPs that affect the IL-4 and IL-6 levels in Japanese subjects, were associated with kidney function and CKD prevalence in a large Japanese population.

Background/objective: Although benefits of fish consumption for health are well known, a significant percentage of individuals dislike eating fish. Fish consumption may be influenced by genetic factors in addition to environmental factors. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to find genetic variations that affect fish consumption in a Japanese population.Methods: We performed a two-stage GWAS on fish consumption using 13,739 discovery samples from the Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort study, and 2845 replication samples from the other population. We used a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire to estimate food intake. Association of the imputed variants with fish consumption was analyzed by separate linear regression models per variant, with adjustments for age, sex, energy intake, principal component analysis components 1-10, and alcohol intake (g/day). We also performed conditional analysis.Results: We found 27 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in 12q24 and 14q32.12 that were associated with fish consumption. The 19 SNPs were located at 11 genes including six lead SNPs at the BRAP, ACAD10, ALDH2, NAA25, and HECTD4 regions on 12q24.12-13, and CCDC197 region on 14q32.12. In replication samples, all five SNPs located on chromosome 12 were replicated successfully, but the one on chromosome 14 was not. Conditional analyses revealed that the five lead variants in chromosome 12 were in fact the same signal.Conclusion: We found that new SNPs in the 12q24 locus were related to fish intake in two Japanese populations. The associations between SNPs on chromosome 12 and fish intake were strongly confounded by drinking status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study which investigated the contribution of genetic variations in the X chromosome to serum urate (SU) levels. Topics covered include the gender differences in the homeostasis of urate, the circulating form of uric acid, 12 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) at the Xq28 locus that influence SU identified by the study, and the functional annotation of the newly identified locus in the context of SU.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a public health problem worldwide including Japan. Recent genome‐wide association studies have discovered CKD susceptibility variants. We developed a genetic risk score (GRS) based on CKD‐associated variants and assessed a possibility that the GRS can improve the discrimination capability for the prevalence of CKD in a Japanese population. The present study consists of 11 283 participants randomly selected from 12 Japan Multi‐Institutional Collaborative Cohort Study sites. Individual GRS was constructed combining 18 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms identified in a Japanese population. Participants with eGFR <60 mL/min per 1.73 m2 was defined as case (stage 3 CKD or higher) in this study. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between the GRS and CKD risk with adjustment for sex, age, hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The frequency of individuals with CKD was 8.3%, which was relatively low compared with those previously reported in a Japanese population. The odds ratio of having CKD was 1.120 (95% confidence interval: 1.042–1.203) per 10 GRS increment in the fully adjusted model (P = 0.002). The C‐statistic was significantly increased in the model with the GRS, comparing with the model without the GRS (0.720 vs 0.719, Pdifference = 0.008). Increment of the GRS was associated with increased risk of CKD. Additionally, the GRS significantly improved the discriminatory ability of CKD prevalence in a Japanese population; however, the improvement of discriminatory ability brought about by the GRS seemed to be small compared with that of non‐genetic CKD risk factors. Summary at a Glance: This study describes a Genetic Risk Score for chronic kidney disease (CKD) from a Japanese cohort in which CKD‐associated variants were analyzed. The population frequency of CKD was 8.3% amongst 11,283 participants in the study, with increments in the proposed Genetic Risk Score being associated with increased risk of CKD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objective: Gene-gene interactions in the reverse cholesterol transport system for high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) are poorly understood. The present study observed gene-gene combination effect and interactions between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ABCA1, APOA1, SR-B1, and CETP in serum HDL-C from a cross-sectional study in the Japanese population. Methods: The study population comprised 1,535 men and 1,515 women aged 35–69 years who were enrolled in the Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort (J-MICC) Study. We selected 13 SNPs in the ABCA1, APOA1, CETP, and SR-B1 genes in the reverse cholesterol transport system. The effects of genetic and environmental factors were assessed using general linear and logistic regression models after adjusting for age, sex, and region. Principal Findings: Alcohol consumption and daily activity were positively associated with HDL-C levels, whereas smoking had a negative relationship. The T allele of CETP, rs3764261, was correlated with higher HDL-C levels and had the highest coefficient (2.93 mg/dL/allele) among the 13 SNPs, which was statistically significant after applying the Bonferroni correction (p<0.001). Gene-gene combination analysis revealed that CETP rs3764261 was associated with high HDL-C levels with any combination of SNPs from ABCA1, APOA1, and SR-B1, although no gene-gene interaction was apparent. An increasing trend for serum HDL-C was also observed with an increasing number of alleles (p<0.001). Conclusions: The present study identified a multiplier effect from a polymorphism in CETP with ABCA1, APOA1, and SR-B1, as well as a dose-dependence according to the number of alleles present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between smoking, alcohol drinking and genetic polymorphism of the growth hormone 1 gene (GH1) T1663A with reference to colorectal cancer. We conducted a case–control study with 315 cases of colorectal cancer and 438 population-based controls in the Jiangsu Province, China. GH1 T1663A genotypes were identified using PCR–RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) methods. Information on smoking and drinking was collected using a questionnaire. Odds ratios (ORs) were estimated with an unconditional logistic model. The distribution of T/T and A/A genotypes was significantly different between controls and cases (χ2MH=3.877, P=0.049). Compared with the GH1 T/T genotype, the A/A genotype was at a decreased risk of developing colorectal cancer (sex-, age-, body mass index-, smoking- and alcohol drinking-adjusted OR=0.56, 95% confidence interval: 0.34–0.90). Smoking was not associated with the risk of colorectal cancer, whereas alcohol drinking was associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Among nonsmokers or nondrinkers, individuals who had the GH1 A/A genotype were at a decreased risk of developing colorectal cancer compared with individuals who had the GH1 T allele. These results show that the GH1 T1663A A/A genotype can decrease the risk for colorectal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers a study which examines whether the selected tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (tagSNP) in the genes coding ADH1B, ALDH2, and CYP2E1 in Chinese Han population in China are associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. It mentions that a novel locus CYP2E1 rs1329149 and a locus ALDH2 rs671 were found to be related to a moderate increase in the risk of developing CRC. It notes that further study is needed to confirm the association.