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Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) have recently received attention owing to their widespread contamination in the environment. One of major manufacturers, 3M Company voluntarily phased out PFOS production in 2002. We measured the PFOS and PFOA concentrations in serum samples from Japan (Sendai, Takayama and Osaka), Korea (Busan and Seoul) and Vietnam (Hanoi) to evaluate the possible effects of the phase-out on the serum levels. There were spatial differences in both the serum PFOS and PFOA concentrations. The serum PFOS concentrations (ngmL(-1)) evaluated as the geometric mean (geometric standard deviation) in 2007-2008 ranged from 4.86 (1.45) in Sendai, Japan, to 9.36 (1.42) in Busan, Korea. The serum PFOA concentrations ranged from 0.575 (2.32) in Hanoi, Vietnam, to 14.2 (1.73) in Osaka, Japan. Historically archived samples collected from Korea in 1994-2008 revealed that the serum PFOA concentrations increased by 1.24-fold in Busan from 2000 to 2008 and 1.41-fold in Seoul from 1994 to 2007. On the other hand, the serum PFOS concentrations did not change from 1994 to 2007/2008. The serum PFOS levels in Japan in 2008 were significantly decreased compared with previously reported values (22.3-66.7% of the values in 2003/2004). However, the serum PFOA levels showed a clear decline from 2003 to 2008 in a high-exposed area, Osaka, but not in low-exposed areas in Japan. The trends toward decreases were not uniformly observed in Asian countries, unlike the case for the United States, suggesting that local factors associated with the production and introduction histories in each country overwhelm the effects of the phase-out.

Summary We reviewed 57 pediatric patients admitted with acute liver failure to Kyoto University Hospital in Japan over a period of 15 years to compare the etiology and the long-term outcome of infants and children after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Patients were divided into two groups according to age at the time of liver transplantation, infants group (

Our recent studies indicate that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress causes INS-1 cell apoptosis by a Ca2+-independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2β)-mediated mechanism that promotes ceramide generation via sphingomyelin hydrolysis and subsequent activation of the intrinsic pathway. To elucidate the association between iPLA2β and ER stress, we compared β-cell lines generated from wild type (WT) and Akita mice. The Akita mouse is a spontaneous model of ER stress that develops hyperglycemia/diabetes due to ER stress-induced β-cell apoptosis. Consistent with a predisposition to developing ER stress, basal phosphorylated PERK and activated caspase-3 are higher in the Akita cells than WT cells. Interestingly, basal iPLA2β, mature SREBP-1 (mSREBP-1), phosphorylated Akt, and neutral sphingomyelinase (NSMase) are higher, relative abundances of sphingomyelins are lower, and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ) is compromised in Akita cells, in comparison with WT cells. Exposure to thapsigargin accelerates ΔΨ loss and apoptosis of Akita cells and is associated with increases in iPLA2β, mSREBP-1, and NSMase in both WT and Akita cells. Transfection of Akita cells with iPLA2β small interfering RNA, however, suppresses NSMase message, ΔΨ loss, and apoptosis. The iPLA2β gene contains a sterol-regulatory element, and transfection with a dominant negative SREBP-1 reduces basal mSREBP-1 and iPLA2β in the Akita cells and suppresses increases in mSREBP-1 and iPLA2β due to thapsigargin. These findings suggest that ER stress leads to generation of mSREBP-1, which can bind to the sterol-regulatory element in the iPLA2β gene to promote its transcription. Consistent with this, SREBP-1, iPLA2β, and NSMase messages in Akita mouse islets are higher than in WT islets.

To estimate the wind force that causes windthrow damage to a tree, the drag coefficients of actual-sized trees were evaluated by a field test method. In this method, the wind velocity and stem deflection were monitored simultaneously. The wind force acting on a tree crown was calculated from the stem deflection; the stem stiffness was evaluated by conducting tree-bending tests. The results of tests conducted on three poplar trees showed that the drag coefficients decreased with an increase in the wind velocity. Although the variation in the drag coefficients was large at low wind velocity because of the vibrating behavior of the stem subjected to variable wind force, the variation at wind velocities above 10 m/s was small. The average drag coefficient at a wind velocity of 30 m/s was estimated by the curve fitting of a power function to the wind velocity-drag coefficient relationship, and it was found to be 0.102, which was smaller than that of actual-sized conifers studied in previous wind tunnel experiments. The drag coefficients of these crown areas in the defoliation season were smaller than those measured in the leaved season.

Single shear tests were conducted on nailed timber joints with varying main member thickness, side member thickness and nail length projecting from the main member, and their effects on various shear performances of nailed joints were investigated. Initial stiffness and yield load of nailed joints were almost constant when the ratio of main member thickness to nail diameter (lm/d) was 7-14 and 10-14, respectively. Maximum load and energy capacity increased as main member thickness was greater and showed the highest values when lm/d was 13-17 and 13-15. respectively. Maximum load of nailed joints with lm/d of 9 was 36% lower than that of nailed joints with lm/d of 13-17. Energy capacity of nailed joints with lm/d of 9 was 58% lower than that of nailed joints with lm/d of 13-15. Regardless of nail length projecting from the main member (lnp), initial stiffness of nailed joints with lnp was close to that of nailed joints without lnp. When the ratio of the sum of lm and lnp to nail diameter ratio (lr/d) was 10-11, maximum load and energy capacity of nailed joints with lnp were close to those of nailed joints without lnp. When lr/d was 12-15, maximum load and energy capacity of nailed joints with lnp were lower than those of nailed joints without lnp. When nailed joints have a member thickness according to the standard for structural design of timber structures edited by Architectural Institute of Japan, initial stiffness and yield load are little affected by member thickness but maximum load and energy capacity are greatly affected by member thickness., 主材と側材の厚さや主材からの釘の突き出し長さが1面せん断釘接合部のせん断性能に及ぼす影響を調べた。剛性係数は主材中の釘長さと釘径の比（lm/d）が7～14のとき概ね一定の値を示し、その後lm/dが大きくなるにつれ減少する傾向を示した。降伏荷重はlm/dが大きくなるにつれ増加し、lm/dが10～14のときに一定、その後lm/dが大きくなるにつれ減少する傾向を示した。最大荷重と吸収エネルギーはlm/dが大きくなるにつれ増加し、lm/dが13～17のとき最大荷重が、lm/dが13～15のとき吸収エネルギーが最も大きな値を示した。主材からの釘の突き出し長さにかかわらず剛性係数は概ね一定の値を示した。釘の突き出し長さが長い接合部の最大荷重と吸収エネルギーは突き出していない接合部より低い値となった。日本建築学会の木質構造設計規準・同解説に準じ、主材中の釘長さが釘径の9倍以上、側材厚が釘径の6倍以上であるとき、釘接合部の剛性係数と降伏荷重には大きな変化は見られないが、最大荷重と吸収エネルギーは部材の厚さによって大きな差が生じた。

枠組壁工法の耐力壁-床組間では，壁下枠から床組に打たれた釘接合その他の機械的接合耐力と鉛直荷重による摩擦抵抗によってせん断力が伝達される。この研究では枠組耐力壁と床組の小型モデル試験体を用いた静的水平加力試験を実施し，耐力壁-床組間のせん断耐力に及ぼす摩擦抵抗の影響について検討を行った。モデル実験から得られた見かけの摩擦係数は，約0.2から0.35の範囲で大きく変動したが，下限摩擦係数は純粋な摩擦試験で得られる動摩擦係数に比較的近い値となった。この摩擦力は接合耐力に寄与するが，特に履歴減衰特性に大きく影響することがわかった。

Background The effects of coffee and green, black and oolong teas and caffeine intake on cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality have not been well defined in Asian countries. Methods To examine the relationship between the consumption of these beverages and risk of mortality from CVD, 76 979 individuals aged 40–79 years free of stroke, coronary heart disease (CHD) and cancer at entry were prospectively followed. The daily consumption of beverages was assessed by questionnaires. Results 1362 deaths were documented from strokes and 650 deaths from CHD after 1 010 787 person-years of follow-up. Compared with non-drinkers of coffee, the multivariable HR and 95% CI for those drinking 1–6 cups/week, 1–2 cups/day and ≥3 cups/day were 0.78 (0.50 to 1.20), 0.67 (0.47 to 0.96) and 0.45 (0.17 to 0.87) for strokes among men (p=0.009 for trend). Compared with non-drinkers of green tea, the multivariable HR for those drinking 1–6 cups/week, 1–2 cups/day, 3–5 cups/day and ≥6 cups/day were 0.34 (0.06–1.75), 0.28 (0.07–1.11), 0.39 (0.18–0.85) and 0.42 (0.17–0.88) for CHD among women (p=0.038 for trend). As for oolong tea, the multivariable HR of those drinking 1–6 cups/week and ≥1 cups/day were 1.00 (0.65–1.55) and 0.39 (0.17–0.88) for total CVD among men (p=0.049 for trend). Risk reduction for total CVD across categories of caffeine intake was most prominently observed in the second highest quintile, with a 38% lower risk among men and 22% among women. Conclusions Consumption of coffee, green tea and oolong tea and total caffeine intake was associated with a reduced risk of mortality from CVD.

In an earlier study, we identified a locus for Moyamoya disease (MMD) on 17q25.3.Linkage analysis and fine mapping were conducted for two new families in additional to the previously studied 15 families. Three genes, CARD14, Raptor, and AATK, were selected based on key words, namely, "inflammation", "apoptosis", "proliferation", and "vascular system", for further sequencing. A segregation analysis of 34 pedigrees was performed, followed by a case-control study in Japanese (90 cases vs. 384 controls), Korean (41 cases vs. 223 controls), Chinese (23 cases and 100 controls), and Caucasian (25 cases and 164 controls) populations.Linkage analysis increased the LOD score from 8.07 to 9.67 on 17q25.3. Fine mapping narrowed the linkage signal to a 2.1-Mb region. Sequencing revealed that only one newly identified polymorphism, ss161110142, which was located at position -1480 from the transcription site of the Raptor gene, was common to all four unrelated sequenced familial affected individuals. ss161110142 was then shown to segregate in the 34 pedigrees studied, resulting in a two-point LOD score of 14.2 (P = 3.89 × 10(-8)). Its penetrance was estimated to be 74.0%. Among the Asian populations tested (Japanese, Korean, and Chinese), the rare allele was much more frequent in cases (26, 33, and 4%, respectively) than in controls (1, 1, and 0%, respectively) and was associated with an increased odds ratio of 52.2 (95% confidence interval 27.2-100.2) (P = 2.5 × 10(-49)). This allele was, however, not detected in the Caucasian samples. Its population attributable risk was estimated to be 49% in the Japanese population, 66% in the Korean population, and 9% in the Chinese population.ss161110142 may confer susceptibility to MMD among East Asian populations.The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s12199-009-0116-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Environmental specimen banks are an essential part of the infrastructure of environmental sciences. They have various functions: (1) evaluation of governmental environmental policy-making and regulations; (2) a resource for animal health evaluation; (3) research tools to investigate time trends in ecosystems; (4) detection of newly emerging chemicals in the time trends; (5) validations of computer models for environmental phenomena; (6) source identification of contaminants; (7) a tool for food safety; (8) evaluation of genetic selection pressure due to environmental changes. In this review paper, we present a detailed description of the Kyoto University Human Specimen Bank (history, protocol and questionnaires) and provide brief outlines of other representative environmental specimen banks. We then review two illustrative cases in which environmental specimen banks have unveiled insidious contaminations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and perfluorooctanoic acids. Finally, we give a perspective of new functions for environmental specimen banks in the next 20 years.

To examine the association of plant-based food intakes with CVD and total mortality among Japanese. In the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study for Evaluation of Cancer Risk, 25 206 men and 34 279 women aged 40–79 years, whose fruit, vegetable and bean intakes were assessed by questionnaire at baseline in 1988–90, were followed for 13 years. Deaths from total stroke, stroke subtypes, CHD and total CVD, according to the International Classification for Diseases 10th Revision, were registered. During 756 054 person-years of follow-up, there were 559 deaths from total stroke, 258 from CHD, 1207 from total CVD and 4514 from total mortality for men, and for women, 494, 194, 1036 and 3092, respectively. Fruit intake was inversely associated with mortality from total stroke (the multivariable hazard ratio (HR (95 % CI)) in the highest v. lowest quartiles = 0·67 (0·55, 0·81)), total CVD (HR = 0·75 (0·66, 0·85)) and total mortality (HR = 0·86 (0·80, 0·92)). Vegetable intake was inversely associated with total CVD (HR = 0·88 (0·78, 0·99)). Bean intake was inversely associated with other CVD (HR = 0·79 (0·64, 0·98)), total CVD (HR = 0·84 (0·74, 0·95)) and total mortality (HR = 0·90 (0·84, 0·96)). Further adjustment for other plant-based foods did not alter the association of fruit intake with mortality from total stroke, total CVD and total mortality, but attenuated the associations of vegetables and beans with mortality risk. In conclusion, intakes of plant-based foods, particularly fruit intake, were associated with reduced mortality from CVD and all causes among Japanese men and women.

Although fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs) have been detected in various environmental matrices worldwide, no studies have been conducted to evaluate their concentrations in surface water or precipitation. Therefore, we developed a sensitive and reliable method to analyze various environmental aqueous samples for the presence of trace levels of 6:2 FTOH, 8:2 FTOH, 10:2 FTOH, 8:2 FTOAcr and 8:2 FTOMethacr FTOlefin using gas-chromatography/mass-spectrometry. The recoveries obtained using this method ranged from 57.8% to 78.2% and the detection limits were 0.5, 0.2, 0.2, 0.05 and 0.1 ng L(-1) for 6:2 FTOH, 8:2 FTOH, 10:2 FTOH, 8:2 FTOAcr and 8:2 FTOMethacr, respectively. Liquid and suspended phases of the examined samples were analyzed. The analysis revealed presence of telomer alcohols from the liquid phase only. Of the FTOHs evaluated, 6:2 FTOH and 8:2 FTOMethacr FTOlefin were not found in any of the environmental samples. The average concentrations of 8:2 FTOH, 10:2 FTOH and 8:2 FTOAcr of the precipitation samples were 1.97, 0.82 and 0.21 ng L(-1), respectively. In surface water samples, the highest concentrations of 8:2 FTOH, 10:2 FTOH and 8:2 FTOAcr were 3.38, 4.06 and 0.16 ng L(-1), which were observed in samples from the Daini-Neyagawa, Yamato and Kanzaki rivers, respectively. The total concentration of FTOHs in wastewater treatment plant effluents (23.2 ng L(-1)) was much higher than that of surface water (10.8 ng L(-1)). Taken together, the results of this study indicate that FTOHs released into the air contaminate rain and that those released from water disposal sites contaminate surface water.

Teeth can serve as records of environmental exposure to heavy metals during their formation. We applied a new technology - synchrotron radiation microbeams (SRXRF) - for analysis of heavy metals in human permanent teeth in modern and historical samples.Each tooth was cut in half. A longitudinal section 200 mum in thickness was subjected to the determination of the heavy metal content by SRXRF or conventional analytical methods (ICP-MS analysis or reduction-aeration atomic absorption spectrometry). The relative concentrations of Pb, Hg, Cu and Zn measured by SRXRF were translated in concentrations (in g of heavy metal/g of enamel) using calibration curves by the two analytical methods.Concentrations in teeth in the modern females (n = 5) were 1.2 +/- 0.5 mug/g (n = 5) for Pb; 1.7 +/- 0.2 ng/g for Hg; 0.9 +/- 1.1 mug/g for Cu; 150 +/- 24.6 mug/g for Zn. The levels of Pb were highest in the teeth samples obtained from the humans of the Edo era (1603-1868 AD: ) (0.5-4.0 mug/g, n = 4). No trend was observed in this study in the Hg content in teeth during 3,000 years. The concentrations of Cu were highest in teeth of two medieval craftsmen (57.0 and 220 mug/g). The levels of Zn were higher in modern subjects (P0.05) than those in the Jomon (~1000 BC: ) to Edo periods [113.2 +/- 27.4 (mug/g, n = 11)]. Reconstruction of developmental exposure history to lead in a famous court painter of the Edo period (18th century) revealed high levels of Pb (7.1-22.0 mug/g) in his childhood.SRXRF is useful a method for reconstructing human exposures in very long trends.

Background and Purpose— Previous studies have demonstrated the association between alcohol consumption and cardiovascular mortality. However, the sex-specific association between alcohol consumption and mortality from stroke and coronary heart disease remains unclear. Methods— Between 1988 and 1990, 34 776 men and 48 906 women aged 40 to 79 years completed a self-administered questionnaire including information about alcohol consumption. They were followed-up for a median duration of 14.2 years. Results— Of the 83 682 respondents, 1628 died from stroke and 736 died from coronary heart disease. For men, heavy drinking (≥46.0 g ethanol/day) was associated with increased mortality from total, hemorrhagic, and ischemic strokes, whereas light-to-moderate drinking was associated with reduced mortality from total cardiovascular disease, compared with not drinking. The respective multivariable hazard ratios (95% CI) were 1.48 (1.22 to 1.80) for total stoke, 1.67 (1.17 to 2.38) for hemorrhagic stroke, 1.35 (1.04 to 1.75) for ischemic stroke, and 0.88 (0.78 to 1.00) for total cardiovascular disease. Women who were heavy drinkers (≥46.0 g ethanol/day) showed increased mortality from coronary heart disease, and there was reduced mortality from total cardiovascular disease for drinkers of 0.1 to 22.9 g ethanol per day compared with mortality for nondrinkers. The respective multivariable hazard ratios (95% CI) for the 2 categories of drinkers were 4.10 (1.63 to 10.3) and 0.75 (0.62 to 0.91). Conclusions— Heavy alcohol consumption is associated with increased mortality from total stroke, particularly hemorrhagic stroke, and total cardiovascular disease for men, and from coronary heart disease for women, whereas light-to-moderate drinking may be associated with reduced mortality from cardiovascular disease for both sexes.

Nephronophthisis (NPHP) is a disease characterized by a genetic cause of chronic renal failure in children and adolescents, complicated with several extra-renal manifestations such as retinal defect and/or liver fibrosis. Although it is difficult to establish the correct diagnosis, mutations in six genes (NPHP 1-6) have recently been identified. Here we report the case of a 25-year-old male with NPHP with congenital hepatic fibrosis. He showed microscopic hematuria and moderate proteinuria at 20 years. Renal biopsy revealed severe interstitial fibrosis, diffuse tubular atrophy and microcysts at this time with chronic kidney disease stage III (Cr 2.43 mg/dl). C3c was positive in glomeruli in direct immunofluorescent study. Although his mother belongs to a family with polycystic kidney disease, he did not have a novel genetic background of Arg585Cys mutation in exon 8 of the PKD1 gene. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) showed typical portal hypertension with spleno-renal shunt caused by biopsy-proven liver fibrosis. Thus, we diagnosed him as having undetermined renal cystic or tubulo-interstitial disease complicated with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN). Renal transplantation was performed in January 2005 after 2 years of dialysis therapy. He was transported to our emergency room because of severe abdominal pain in December 2005. A computed tomographic scan showed massive ascites, which were caused by rupture of the splenic artery. Despite full intensive care including intraluminal coiling of the ruptured aneurysm and extensive blood transfusion, we failed to rescue him on the next day. The autopsy findings revealed severe atrophy of the bilateral kidney with multiple cysts along the cortico-medullary border. Obvious portal hypertension, resulting from congenital hepatic fibrosis, could account for the rupture of the splenic artery with aneurysm formation under pressure/volume overload. This is the first report of a NPHP patient with the complication of hepatic fibrosis emerging from an ADPKD family. As it remains elusive on the phenotype–genotype of the Japanese NPHP population, a registration system of cystic disease of the kidney is required.

引抜抵抗型の木ダボ接合を直交する部材の接合に用いた場合，繊維と直交する方向に木ダボを埋め込んだ部材に割裂が発生し，これが耐力の低下要因となることがある。本研究では割裂を抑制する方法として，対象部材のせいに対しダボを深く埋め込む方法と，割裂防止用の補強ダボを併用する方法を検討した。木ダボに直径12 mmのハードメープル材，被接合部材にSPF集成材を用いた接合部試験体のモーメント試験を行った結果，どちらの方法においても割裂抑制効果が確認され，最大モーメントはダボの引抜破壊を仮定した計算値に対する比で75％以上の高い適合性があった。このうち，補強ダボを併用した木ダボ接合を用いた軸組壁体の水平せん断試験を行った結果，木ダボ接合のモーメント耐力によって，910 mm幅の全面開口フレームであるにも関わらず，壁倍率換算で1.5程度のせん断耐力を期待できることを確認した。

Pull-down tests were conducted for apple trees grafted in an orchard and for support posts in order to discuss the failure mode in windthrow damage, the effect of rootstock types on the uprooting strength, and the reinforcing effect of support posts on young trees. The test samples were ten mature trees (20–23 years old) of three varieties grafted on two types of rootstocks, three young trees (7 years old) grafted on dwarf rootstocks, and nine support posts of larch logs and steel pipes. The failure modes were found to be uprooting for mature trees and rootstock breakage for young trees. The uprooting strength of apple trees was considerably smaller than the uprooting strength of forest trees reported in previous studies. However, the windthrow resistance of the apple trees with respect to the critical wind velocity was estimated to be sufficient despite their low uprooting strength because of their small height. Young trees should be supported with wooden posts for a few years after grafting so that they acquire sufficient windthrow resistance.

Friction between timber and timber or other structural materials plays an important role in actual mechanical behavior of timber constructions. To consider the effect of friction in structural design of timber constructions, frictional coefficients between the structural materials used should be evaluated as the first step. In this study, we conducted experimental measurements of frictional coefficients between structural timber and some structural sheet materials. We prepared planed softwood timber specimens and some typical structural sheet materials: softwood plywood, hardwood plywood, OSB and MDF. We also prepared 'volcanic silicates fiber reinforced multi-layer board' and SS400 steel. Static and dynamic frictional coefficients between timber and these materials were measured for every combination of grain or direction of greater strength. The obtained static fictional coefficients ranged from 0.2 to 0.4 among all combinations of materials and slip directions, and the relative order was MDFSoftwood plywoodHardwood plywoodvolcanic silicates fiber reinforced multi-layer boardsteelOSB. The ratios of dynamic frictional coefficients to static frictional coefficients ranged from 0.6 to 0.9, and the relative order of the average values was volcanic silicates fiber reinforced multi-layer boardsteelhardwood plywoodOSBSoftwood plywoodMDF. Test results showed negative correlations between specific gravity of timber and static/dynamic frictional coefficients among all combinations of test materials and slip directions. Frictional coefficients perpendicular to the grain of timber were found to be larger than those parallel to the grain. Although the surface grain of plywood showed a similar effect, we found only a little difference between both directions. The effect of strand orientation of OSB was almost negligible.

BACKGROUND: There have been few systematic investigations into risk and protective factors for pneumonia related mortality for community residents. This study investigated these factors utilizing a large cohort study on Japanese community residents.METHODS: Subjects, 110,792 individuals (aged 40-79 years) enrolled in 1988-1990, were followed until death, or when they moved away from the surveyed communities, or the end of 2003. Pneumonia death was defined following 480-486 (International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision) or J12-J18 (10th Revision). Age-adjusted and multivariate hazard ratios were calculated along with 95% confidence intervals using the Cox proportional hazards model.RESULTS: With 1,112,747 person-years of the study, a total of 1,246 persons died of pneumonia. We found history of blood transfusion (multivariate hazard ratio=2.0 [95% confidence interval: 1.7-2.4]) was a potent novel risk factor. Walking 0.5-1 hour/day (0.8 [0.6-1.0]), 1+ hour/day (0.7 [0.6-0.8]), and/or a history of pregnancy (0.6 [0.4-0.9]) were found to reduce pneumonia mortality. A large body mass index (BMI) (25+kg/m2) was a protective factor (0.7 [0.5-0.8]), while low BMI (

Background: Since smoking and exercise have opposite effects on coronary risk factors, the hypothesis was proposed that smoking might weaken the protective effect of exercise on prevention of coronary heart disease. Objective: To determine the effect of smoking on the relationship between sports participation and mortality from coronary heart disease. Design: Population-based prospective cohort study in Japan. Participants: A total of 76 832 Japanese men and women, aged 40–79 years with no history of stroke, coronary heart disease, or cancer, completed a self-administered questionnaire between 1988 and 1990. Main outcome measures: Systematic mortality surveillance was carried out through 2003, and 638 deaths from coronary heart disease (496 myocardial infarction) were identified. Results: People who reported the longest time in sports participation (⩾5 hours/week) had an approximately 50–80% lower age-adjusted risk of mortality from coronary heart disease compared with those in the second lowest category (1–2 hours/week) among never and ex-smokers, but no association was found among current smokers. Adjustment for known risk factors and exclusion of subjects who died within 2 years of the baseline inquiry did not substantially alter these associations. The multivariable hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) of coronary heart disease for the ⩾5 hours/week versus 1–2 hours/week of sports participation were 0.44 (0.23 to 0.86) among never smokers, 0.18 (0.05 to 0.60) among ex-smokers, and 0.82 (0.47 to 1.40) among current smokers. Similar associations were found for men and women. Conclusions: Smoking may reduce the beneficial effect of sports participation for reduction of fatal coronary heart disease.

O,O,S-Trimethylphosphorothioate (OOS-TMP), an impurity present in various organophosphorus insecticides, has previously been shown to induce hypophagia. The major goal of this study was to investigate its mechanism of action. Both intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) and intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection transiently induced hypophagia at a dose of 5mg/kg within 6h, without causing lung injury. Hypophagia was accompanied by up-regulation of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) (2.92+/-0.45 vs. 1.7+/-0.5, at 2h after i.c.v., 3.40+/-1.38 vs. 1.76+/-0.41 at 6h after i.p., P

Uprooting resistance against wind force for coniferous plantations in soils of volcanic origin was studied. The difference in uprooting resistance among Abies sachalinensis, Picea jezoensis, and Larix kaempferi was discussed. The sample site was set in Chitose plantations in Hokkaido Japan, where typhoon 0418 caused fatal uprooting damage in 2004. An uproot resistance index—the ratio of the geometrical moment of area for uprooted root-plate to the moment susceptibility to wind force—was defined to quantify relative uprooting resistance against wind force. It was calculated from the dimensional measurements for the tree forms and root-plates of 100 uprooted sample trees after the typhoon attack. As a result, the uprooting resistance for Picea jezoensis, which was less damaged among the sample species, was estimated to be greater than those for the other two species.

Background and Purpose— In previous studies of familial intracranial aneurysm (IA), parametric linkage analyses have been undertaken for five unrelated families, four providing maximum logarithm of odds (LOD) scores with dominant models and one with a recessive model. Each family was linked to a distinct locus, indicating locus heterogeneity. This study aimed to examine whether Japanese IA families consistent with autosomal-dominant mode of inheritance support linkage to these loci. Methods— We performed genomewide linkage analysis using the GENEHUNTER program. Affected-only parametric linkage analysis was used for 41 affected members in nine unrelated IA families with dominant models, which were selected from 29 families used for a nonparametric (model-free) linkage analysis in our previous study. Results— We failed to support the linkage to previously reported autosomal-dominant loci. Instead, we found linkage to chromosome 19q13.3 with a maximum multipoint LOD score of 4.10. The LOD-1 interval (regions with LOD scores of >1) was 8.0 cM between D19S198 and D19S902. Conclusions— A genomewide scan for IA families with dominant models in Japan confirmed the locus at chromosome 19q13.3, which has also been reported as a candidate locus in a Finnish population.

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) have recently received attention due to their widespread contamination in the environment, as well as in wildlife and humans. We measured the PFOS and PFOA concentrations in historically recorded human serum samples at an age range between 20 and 59 years collected in Kyoto, 20 persons per each time point ( n = 100), and also the PFOS and PFOA concentrations in human serum samples at an age range between 20 and 59 years from 10 locations throughout Japan ( n = 200). The historical samples collected from 1983 to 1999 demonstrated that the PFOA concentrations in males and females from Kyoto have increased 4.4-fold and 4.3-fold at a rate of increase of 0.49 ng/ml/year and 0.42 ng/ml/year, respectively. In contrast, serum concentrations of PFOS reached a plateau in the late 1980s. There are also regional differences in both the PFOS and PFOA serum concentrations. The concentrations in serum [geometric mean (geometric standard deviation)] (ng/ml) in 2003–2004 ranged from 7.6(1.6) in the town of Matsuoka in Fukui prefecture to 27.8(1.6) in Kyoto city, and ranged from 2.3(1.5) in Matsuoka to 14.5(1.3) in Osaka city for PFOS and PFOA, respectively.

Fatty acid synthase (FASN) is a cytosolic metabolic enzyme that catalyzes de novo fatty acid synthesis. A high-fat diet (HFD) is attributed to prostate cancer (PCa) progression, but the role FASN on HFD-mediated PCa progression remains unclear. We investigated the role of FASN on PCa progression in LNCaP xenograft mice fed with HFD or low-fat diet (LFD), in PCa cells, and in clinical PCa. The HFD promoted tumour growth and FASN expression in the LNCaP xenograft mice. HFD resulted in AKT and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation and 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) inactivation. Serum FASN levels were significantly lower in the HFD group (P=0.026) and correlated inversely with tumour volume (P=0.022). Extracellular FASN release was enhanced in the PCa cells with phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibition and AMPK signalling activation. FASN inhibition resulted in decrease of PCa cell proliferation through PI3K/MAPK downregulation and AMPK activation. Furthermore, AMPK activation was associated with FASN downregulation and PI3K/MAPK inactivation. Clinically, high FASN expression was significantly associated with high Gleason scores and advanced pathological T stage. Moreover, FASN expression was markedly decreased in the PCa response to androgen deprivation therapy and chemotherapy. HFD modulates FASN expression, which may be an important mechanism in HFD-associated PCa progression. Furthermore, a critical stimulatory loop exists between FASN and the PI3K/MAPK system, whereas AMPK signalling was associated with suppression. These may offer appropriate targets for chemoprevention and cancer therapy in HFD-induced PCa.

Background P.R4810K of RNF 213 (mysterin: rs112735431), which is an AAA + ATP ase, is the susceptibility polymorphism for moyamoya disease ( MMD ) in East Asians. However, the role of RNF 213 R4810K in the etiology of MMD is unknown. Methods and Results To clarify the role of RNF 213 in known angiogenic pathways, RNF 213 expression was analyzed in endothelial cells ( EC s) treated with several angiogenic and antiangiogenic factors, including interferons ( IFN s). RNF 213 was upregulated by IFN ‐β through signal transducer and activator of transcription x in the promoter and mediated antiangiogenic activity of IFN ‐β. RNF 213 wild‐type ( WT ) overexpression could not lower angiogenesis without IFN ‐β, but RNF 213 R4810K overexpression could. To correlate biochemical function as ATP ase and the role of RNF 213 oligomer formation with antiangiogenic activity, we investigated the effects of mutations in the AAA + module. A mutation of the Walker B motif ( WEQ ), which stabilizes oligomerization, inhibited angiogenesis, but AAA + module deletion, which cannot initiate oligomerization, did not. Intriguingly, R4810K, similar to WEQ , decreased ATP ase activity, suggesting its antiangiogenic activity through stabilizing oligomers. To confirm the antiangiogenic effect of RNF 213 upregulation in vivo, vascular EC ‐ or smooth muscle cell‐specific Rnf213 R4757K (R4810K ortholog) or WT transgenic (Tg) mice were exposed to hypoxia. Cerebral angiogenesis by hypoxia was suppressed in EC‐specific Rnf213 R4757K Tg mice, whereas it was not suppressed in other mice. Conclusions This study suggests the importance of inflammatory signals as environmental factors and R4810K carriers for susceptibility to cerebral hypoxia. A specific inhibitor of ATP binding to the first AAA + could be a promising therapeutic candidate for MMD .

Short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) are emerging persistent organic pollutants. It has been found that dietary intakes of SCCPs in China have recently increased and are now higher than in Japan and Korea. The contribution of cooking oil to dietary exposure to SCCPs in China was evaluated by analyzing SCCPs in cooking oil, raw seeds used to produce cooking oil, and fried confectionery products collected in China in 2010 and 2012. Detectable amounts of SCCP homologs were found in 48 out of the 49 cooking oil samples analyzed, and the SCCP concentrations varied widely, from

BACKGROUND: Early menopause is associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease in Caucasian women. However, this association has not been examined in Asian women.METHODS: We conducted a 10-year cohort study of 37,965 Japanese post-menopausal women aged 40-79 years in the Japan Collaborative Cohort (JACC) Study. Causes of death were determined based on the International Classification of Disease.RESULTS: There were 487 mortality of stroke and 178 mortality of coronary heart disease. Late menarche or early menopause, or shorter duration of reproductive period was not associated with risk of mortality from coronary heart disease. However, compared with women with age at menarche ≤13 years, those with age at menarche ≥17 years tended to have increased risk of mortality from stroke: the multivariable hazard ratio was 1.32 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.93-1.87, p = 0.10). Compared with women with age at menopause of ≥49 years, those with age at menopause of

Effective lateral resistance of multiple anchorbolt joints was estimated by considering sill thickness or length/diameter ratios of anchor bolts. Load-slip relationships of single anchor bolt joints were analyzed by the stepwise linear approximation based on the generalized theory of a beam on an elastic foundation and the criterion of “fracture bearing displacement” for several sill thicknesses or length/diameter ratios of anchor bolts. Monte Carlo simulations of the effective lateral resistance of multiple anchor-bolt joints were conducted using the analyzed load-slip curves of single anchor-bolt joints. Effective resistance ratios of multiple anchor-bolt joints were simulated for some combinations of length/diameter ratios of anchor bolts, lead-hole clearances, and number of anchor bolts. The simulated results are: (1) the influence of lead-hole clearance becomes more apparent as length/diameter ratios of single anchor-bolt joints decrease; (2) there is no obvious effect of number of anchor-bolts over the range of 5 to 15; (3) average effective resistance ratios can be adopted for allowable stress design; and (4) reduction of effective resistance ratios should be considered particularly for small length/diameter ratios of anchor-bolt joints.

Background Various studies have revealed that cervical cancer (CC) screening significantly reduces both CC incidence and mortality in developed countries. Although Japan introduced a nationwide government funded annual CC screening for the women aged 30+ in 1982, the effectiveness of CC screening on CC mortality has not yet been evaluated by any prospective cohort study. Therefore, the present study evaluated the association of CC mortality with self-reported CC screening and some other factors by a nationwide cohort study. Methods Baseline survey of the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study for the enrollment of subjects was completed during 1988-90 and followed until 2003. This study only analyzed 63,541 women, aged 30-79 years, who were free from any cancer history at enrollment. Results During the follow-up period, 38 CC deaths were identified. The mean age at mortality was 67.0 years, with a mortality rate of 4.2 per 100,000 person-years. Participation rate in CC screening was 46.9%. Age-adjusted Cox model indicated significantly lower CC mortality [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.30, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.12-0.74] due to CC screening. Protectiveness remained almost the same (HR = 0.30, 95% CI = 0.12-0.76) when adjusted for age, body mass index and number of deliveries. The results also revealed that CC screening could reduce at least 50% of CC deaths even after excluding the effect of possible self-selection bias. Conclusions CC screening in Japan may reduce CC mortality significantly for women aged 30-79 years. However, further studies with more CC deaths and increased statistical power are needed to validate the findings.

The effect of section modulus, as estimated for tree stems of irregular cross section with hollow trunks, on windthrow resistance is discussed. The sample trees were 12 aged poplar trees growing along the roadside in Sapporo. Binarized bitmap images of photographs of the crosscut surface of the sample tree stems were used to calculate numerical solutions for section moduli. The error for image resolution was simulated to less than 1% under the condition in which the image was divided into more than 400 pixels. The coefficient of variation in section modulus concerning six neutral axis directions in a horizontal plane was 11%–14%. The reduction in section modulus caused by decay or hollow trunk was 36%–56% of the full cross section. The effect of section modulus on critical wind velocity was found to be considerable. The critical wind velocity calculated for some of the sample trees was less than 40m/s, and these trees were considered to be in danger of bending failure of the stems.

This study prospectively examined the association between shift work and the risk of ischemic heart disease among Japanese male workers. A baseline survey, which involved 110,792 inhabitants (age range: 40-79 years) from 45 areas throughout Japan, was conducted between 1988 and 1990. The causes of death were identified from death certificates. The analysis was restricted to 17,649 men (age range: 40-59 years) who were employed at the time of the baseline survey. All subjects were asked to indicate the most regular shift work that they had undertaken previously: day work, rotating-shift work, or fixed-night work. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the risks of shift work for ischemic heart disease. During the 233,869 person-years of follow-up, a total of 1,363 deaths were recorded, 86 of which were due to ischemic heart disease. Compared with the day workers, the rotating-shift workers had a significantly higher risk of death due to ischemic heart disease (relative risk = 2.32, 95% confidence interval: 1.37, 3.95; p = 0.002), whereas fixed-night work was not associated with ischemic heart disease (relative risk = 1.23, 95% confidence interval: 0.49, 3.10; p = 0.658). In addition, subjects with coronary risk factors, such as hypertension, overweight, habitual alcohol consumption, and smoking, were highly susceptible to the effect of rotating-shift work on the risk of death due to ischemic heart disease.

Background and Purpose— Previous studies have shown positive evidence of linkage of the intracranial aneurysm (IA) at chromosome 7q11, 17cen, 19q13, and Xp22. These regions contain elastin ( ELN ), nitric oxide synthetase 2A ( NOS2A ), apolipoprotein E ( APOE ), and angiotensin-I converting enzyme 2 ( ACE2 ), which are considered to be promising candidate genes for IA. We aimed to examine the association of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with IA in these candidate genes. Methods— To identify polymorphisms in NOS2A and ACE2 , all exons and exon-intron boundaries were screened by direct sequencing in 30 randomly selected controls. The program tagSNPs was used to select an optimal set of haplotype-tagging SNPs. For ELN and APOE , SNPs were selected from previous reports. These selected SNPs were then genotyped in 362 cases with IA and 332 residential area matched controls. THESIAS software was used to investigate the association of alleles and haplotypes with IA by adjusting with covariates. Results— We genotyped 8 SNPs in ELN , 8 SNPs in NOS2A , 3 ε alleles in APOE and 1 SNP in ACE2 . No alleles or haplotypes of 4 candidate genes revealed any significant association with IA. Conclusions— Investigated polymorphisms in this study were not associated with IA.

Blood and/or breast milk have been used to assess human exposure to various environmental contaminants. Few studies have been available to compare the concentrations in one matrix with those in another. The goals of this study were to determine the current levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in Japanese women, with analysis of the effects of lifestyle and dietary habits on these levels, and to develop a quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) with which to predict the ratio of serum concentration to breast milk concentration. We measured PBDEs and PCBs in 89 paired samples of serum and breast milk collected in four regions of Japan in 2005. The geometric means of the total concentrations of PBDE (13 congeners) in milk and serum were 1.56 and 2.89 ng/g lipid, respectively, whereas those of total PCBs (15 congeners) were 63.9 and 37.5 ng/g lipid, respectively. The major determinant of total PBDE concentration in serum and milk was the geographic area within Japan, whereas nursing duration was the major determinant of PCB concentration. BDE-209 was the most predominant PBDE congener in serum but not in milk. The excretion of BDE 209 in milk was lower than that of BDE 47 and BDE 153. QSAR analysis revealed that two parameters, calculated octanol/water partition and number of hydrogen-bond acceptors, were significant descriptors. During the first weeks of lactation, the predicted partitioning of PBDE and PCB congeners from serum to milk agreed with the observed values. However, the prediction became weaker after 10 weeks of nursing.

Monte Carlo simulations were conducted to estimate the effective lateral resistance of multiple anchor-bolt joints with ordinary specifications of Japanese post and beam constructions. Basic lateral load-slip curves of single anchor-bolt joints required in the simulations were determined from the test results of our earlier report. The effective lateral resistance of multiple anchor-bolt joints was estimated for some combinations of loading direction, length/diameter ratio of anchor bolts, lead-hole clearance, and number of anchor bolts. The principal results of the simulations are: (1) anchor-bolt joints loaded perpendicular to lateral forces are not recommended to be counted as supplementary resisting elements because their supplementary shares are far less than those expected from their allowable lateral resistance; (2) multiple anchor-bolt joints with small length/diameter ratios have comparatively lower effective resistance ratios than multiple anchor-bolt joints with large length/diameter ratios; (3) the effective resistance of multiple anchor-bolt joints is affected not only by lead-hole clearance or number of bolts but also variance of load-slip characteristics of single anchor-bolt joints.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were measured in 2004 in 105 breast milk samples collected from 13 regions of Japan (Hokkaido, Akita, Miyagi, Tokyo, Gifu, Fukui, Kyoto, Hyogo, Wakayama, Shimane, Yamaguchi, Kochi and Okinawa). Six congeners (BDE-28, BDE-47, BDE-99, BDE-100, BDE-153 and BDE-154) were determined by gas chromatography /mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Total PBDE levels ranged from 0.01 to 23.0 ng/g lipid (geometric mean (GM), 1.34 ng/g lipid). BDE-47 (GM, 0.66 ng/g lipid, 59% of ∑PBDE) was the most abundant congener present in breast milk and was detected in 99% of the samples. Total PBDE levels were higher in northern Japan than in other regions. We analyzed the effects of occupation, age, smoking status, alcohol consumption and number of deliveries on total PBDE levels. None of these factors were significantly associated with the level of PBDEs. The present study revealed that the current level of exposure to PBDEs in Japan is lower than that in the USA or Sweden. GMs (ng/g lipid) (GSD, geometric standard deviation) and medians (ng/g lipid) of PBDE levels in each district are as follows: Hokkaido 2.70 (1.70), 2.74; Akita 4.49 (2.19), 5.44; Miyagi 1.77 (4.37), 1.11; Tokyo 1.39 (2.09), 1.63, Gifu 2.83 (4.79), 2.23; Fukui 1.05 (2.34), 1.18; Kyoto 1.31 (2.95), 1.33; Hyogo 1.02 (2.69), 0.88; Wakayama 1.33 (3.80), 1.70; Shimane 0.83 (2.51), 0.66; Yamaguchi 1.74 (2.82), 1.76; Kochi 0.50 (2.69), 0.74 and Okinawa 1.91 (2.75), 1.22. This is the first large-scale study of current PBDE levels in breast milk in Japan.

Human growth is a highly complicated process, but it is obviously influenced by a genetic factor. Recent genome-wide linkage analyses suggested some genetic regions underlying stature variations. However, any specific genes underlying stature variations have not been identified. Noonan syndrome (NS) is an autosomal dominant disorder clinically characterized by short stature, minor facial anomalies, and congenital heart defects. Recently, PTPN11 (protein-tyrosine phosphatase, nonreceptor-type 11) has been identified as a major responsible gene for NS, causing about half of the affected individuals. We herein report a large family demonstrating NS caused by one of the common PTPN11 mutations, c.188 A > G (Y63C). In this family, the patients were apparently healthy, but heterozygosity of the c.188 A > G (Y63C) mutation was related to growth impairment. This finding suggested that PTPN11 genetic variants contribute to adult height in the general population. However, c.188 A > G (Y63C) was not identified in 96 short individuals from the general population of 2,281 healthy adults. Thus, it is unlikely that PTPN11 is one of the genes underlying stature variations in the general population.

Board-shaped composites with medium density (MDF) were prepared from isolated lignins and waste newspaper, in addition to preparation of the composites with high density (HB). The board properties of both composites concerning bending strength and water resistance were improved by the addition of hardwood acetic acid lignin (HAL). The internal bond strength and water resistance of MDF, in particular the degree of thickness swelling (TS), were also improved by prolonged molding time. Adding inorganic salts contributed to the improvement of TS. The effect depended on the charge of the cation. Considering practical utilization of lignin-based MDF as a structural material, its performance was evaluated by combination of the single-shear test of nailed joints and the modulus of rigidity. As a result, this MDF had sufficient strength to be utilized as an internal shear wall material. Therefore, lignin can be considered as an alternative to conventional adhesives for the production of boards such as HB and MDF.

This study prospectively examined the association between employment status (employed or self-employed) and the risk of death from circulatory diseases among Japanese workers. A baseline survey was conducted between 1988 and 1990 among 110,792 inhabitants of 45 areas. Follow-up surveys were conducted annually and causes of death were identified from death certificates. Analysis was restricted to 25,945 individuals (15,434 male and 10,511 female) with ages ranging from 40 to 59 years. These subjects were employed or self-employed at the time of recruitment. The risks of self-employment for death due to circulatory system disease, ischemic heart disease and cerebrovascular disease were estimated using the Cox proportional hazards model. During the 10-year follow-up period (151,817 and 104,870 person-years for males and females, respectively), 720 male and 193 female deaths were recorded. No significant differences were detected between the employed and self-employed workers in the total death risk, or the risk of death from ischemic heart disease. However, self-employed men showed a significantly lower risk of death from cerebrovascular disease compared with employed men (relative risk=0.58; 95% confidence interval=0.35, 0.97). Our findings suggest that employed men are at increased risk of death from cerebrovascular disease compared with self-employed men.

Background and Purpose— Although overweight is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease in Western countries, the impact of overweight has not been well elucidated in Japan, where its prevalence is low. Methods— A total of 104 928 Japanese (43 889 men and 61 039 women) aged 40 to 79 years, free of stroke, coronary heart disease, and cancer at entry participated in the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study for Evaluation of Cancer Risk Sponsored by Monbusho (JACC Study) between 1988 and 1990. Systematic surveillance was completed until the end of 1999, with 1 042 835 person years of follow-up, and the underlying causes of death were determined based on the International Classification of Diseases. Results— There were 765 total strokes (191 intraparenchymal hemorrhages), 379 coronary heart diseases, and 1707 total cardiovascular diseases for men; and for women, there were 685 (145), 256, and 1432, respectively. Compared with persons with body mass index (BMI) 23.0 to 24.9, those with BMI ≥27.0 kg/m 2 had a higher risk of coronary heart disease; for men and women, the respective multivariate relative risk (95% CI) was 2.05 (1.35 to 3.13) and 1.58 (0.95 to 2.62). Persons with BMI 2 had higher risk of total stroke and intraparenchymal hemorrhage, for men and women, the respective multivariate relative risk was 1.29 (1.01 to 1.49) and 1.92 (1.49 to 2.47) for total stroke and 1.96 (1.16 to 3.31) and 2.32 (1.36 to 3.97) for intraparenchymal hemorrhage. These excess risks did not alter materially when deaths within 5 years were excluded or when smoking status was taken into account. Conclusions— For Japanese men and women, high BMI was associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease, whereas low BMI was associated with intraparenchymal hemorrhage.

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) are amphiphiles found ubiquitously in the environment, including wildlife and humans, and are known to have toxic effects on physiological functions of various tissues. We investigated the effects of PFOS and PFOA on action potentials and L-type Ca(2+) currents, I(CaL), in isolated guinea-pig ventricular myocytes using whole-cell patch-clamp recording. In current-clamp experiments, PFOS significantly decreased the rate of spike, action potential duration, and peak potential at doses over 10 microM. In voltage-clamp experiments, PFOS increased the voltage-activated peak amplitude of I(CaL), and shifted the half-activation and inactivation voltages of I(CaL) to hyperpolarization. PFOA had similar effects PFOS, but showed significantly lower potency. These findings are consistent with previous observations for anionic n-alkyl surfactants, suggesting that PFOS and PFOA may change membrane surface potential, thereby eliciting general effects on calcium channels. These findings provide further insights into the mechanisms of PFOA and PFOS toxicities.

Variations of certain anatomical and mechanical indices within tree stems of aged sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) trees planted in Akita prefecture were studied. The determination of the juvenile/mature wood boundary was also discussed, and the effects of wood structure on mechanical properties were investigated. On the basis of radial and vertical variation of the anatomical and mechanical indices, modulus of elasticity (MOE)/ shear modulus (G) was chosen as the index for determining the juvenile/mature wood boundary. The increase rates of MOE/G at the points of 1%, 2%, and 3% were discussed. It was found that for aged trees, all three points were thought to be effective for dividing juvenile and mature wood. However, for younger trees, the point of 2% was recommended, which was mostly consistent with the result obtained by the increase rate of 1% for tracheid length (TL). Among mechanical properties, the MOE showed more significant juvenile/mature wood differences than did modulus of rupture (MOR) and σ. By correlation analysis, it was suggested that microfibril angle largely contributed to the indices of MOE and G, and specific gravity largely contributed to the indices of MOR and σ.

To examine the effect of smoking cessation on cardiovascular disease mortality in Asians, the authors conducted a 10-year prospective cohort study of 94,683 Japanese (41,782 men and 52,901 women) aged 40-79 years who were part of the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study for Evaluation of Cancer Risk (JACC Study). During 941,043 person-years of follow-up between 1989-1990 and 1999, 698 deaths from stroke, 348 from coronary heart disease, and 1,555 from total cardiovascular disease occurred in men and 550, 199, and 1,155, respectively, in women. For men, the multivariate relative risks for current smokers compared with never smokers were 1.39 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13, 1.70) for stroke, 2.51 (95% CI: 1.79, 3.51) for coronary heart disease, and 1.60 (95% CI: 1.39, 1.84) for total cardiovascular disease. The respective relative risks for women were 1.65 (95% CI: 1.21, 2.25), 3.35 (95% CI: 2.23, 5.02), and 2.06 (95% CI: 1.69, 2.51), with larger excess risks for persons aged 40-64 years than for older persons. The risk decline after smoking cessation occurred for coronary heart disease and total cardiovascular disease within 2 years and for total stroke after 2-4 years. For each endpoint and in both age subgroups of 40-64 and 65-79 years, most of the benefit of cessation occurred after 10-14 years following cessation. Findings imply the importance of smoking cessation at any age to prevent cardiovascular disease in Japanese.

Uniparental disomy (UPD) is the inheritance of a chromosome pair from one parent and is increasingly recognized as a cause of abnormal phenotypes either due to imprinted genes or, in the case of isodisomy, to homozygosity of recessive alleles. Maternal uniparental disomy for chromosome 14 (matUPD[14]) may cause a characteristic phenotype including precocious puberty. Central precocious puberty (CPP) was diagnosed in a 6-year-old girl with some dysmorphic features, truncal obesity, small hands, and small feet. Cytogenetic analysis of her peripheral blood demonstrated chromosomal rearrangement: Robertsonian translocation 45, XX, der(13;14)(q10;q10). MatUPD(14) was demonstrated in the patient by haplotype analysis of chromosome 14, showing that the CPP is one of the features caused by matUPD(14). The CPP was successfully treated with higher dosage of long-acting gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue, Leuprolide, 90 microg/kg/month. This is the first report that describes GnRH analogue treatment for CPP associated with matUPD(14), suggesting that the GnRH analogue treatment is appropriate even for such a specific type of CPP.

Persistent organic pollutants have been linked to various adverse effects on human health. We conducted a retrospective exposure assessment for 11polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners and 4 polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners. We analyzed paired samples of blood and food duplicate portions collected in the 1980s (1980 survey, N=40N=40) and the mid-1990s (1995 survey, N=40N=40) from females (five participants from each of eight sites per survey) living throughout Japan, from Hokkaido to Okinawa. The study populations in the 1980 and 1995 surveys were different but had lived in the same community. We measured PCBs and PBDEs in serum and PCBs in diet. Total serum PCBs (ng/g lipid) [geometric mean (geometric standard deviation)] were similar in the 1980 [163.0 (1.7)] and the 1995 [142.6 (2.0)] surveys. In contrast, dietary intake (ng/day) between 1980 and 1995 decreased significantly, from 522.8 (2.5) to 165.9 (3.3), respectively, (P

Background— Genetic factors have an important role in the pathogenesis of intracranial aneurysm (IA). The results of previous studies have suggested several loci. Methods and Results— From 29 IA families with ≥3 individuals affected by IA, we used nonparametric (model-free) methods for linkage analyses, using GENEHUNTER and Merlin software. Genome-wide linkage analyses revealed 3 regions on chromosomes 17cen (maximum nonparametric logarithm of the odds score [MNS] = 3.00, nominal P =0.001), 19q13 (MNS=2.15, nominal P =0.020), and Xp22 (MNS=2.16, nominal P =0.019). We tested 4 candidate genes in these regions: the microfibril-associated protein 4 gene ( MFAP4 ) and the promoter polymorphism of the inducible nitric oxide synthase gene ( NOS2A ) on chromosome 17cen, the epsilon genotypes of the apolipoprotein E gene ( APOE ) on chromosome 19q13, and the angiotensin I converting enzyme 2 gene ( ACE2 ) on chromosome Xp22. Associations of their polymorphisms with IA were evaluated by a case-control study (100 cases: 29 probands from IA families and 71 unrelated subjects with IAs, 100 unrelated control subjects [unaffected members with IAs and absence of family history of IAs]). However, the case-control study showed that none of the polymorphisms of the examined genes had associations with IA. Conclusions— A genome-wide scan in 29 Japanese families with a high degree of familial clustering revealed 1 suggestive linkage region on chromosome 17cen and 2 potentially interesting regions on chromosomes 19q13 and Xp22. These regions were consistent with previous findings in various populations.

The pollution from heavy metals such as lead and mercury has been a matter of great concern for decades as they may cause adverse health to human. In this study, we analyzed major and trace elements in modern and prehistoric teeth by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis using synchrotron radiation micro-beams, in order to assess the changes of the environment through the civilization and the industrialization and their effects on human. Teeth from various periods of time including teeth from the human remains of the Jomon period were collected for the analysis as teeth are suggested to be indicators of the environmental changes. The main elements analyzed were Pb, Hg, Cu, and Zinc. Levels of Pb in modern teeth were higher than those in the Jomon teeth which indicate that the pollution from Pb is now greater than it was in the remote past. However, as there are small numbers of teeth collected in this study, there is a need to analyze more samples from various periods of time in order to assess the change of the environment in details.