Search

Background: Living alone has been positively associated with the prevalence of depressive symptoms. We examined how a combination of living alone and pet ownership relates to depressive symptoms. Methods: As part of the Japan Epidemiology Collaboration on Occupational Health Study, we conducted a survey on health-related lifestyles, including living arrangements and pet ownership, among 12,763 employees of five companies in 2018–2021. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 11-item Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (cutoff score ≥ 9). A Poisson regression model with a robust variance estimator was used to calculate prevalence ratio and 95% confidence interval (CI) while adjusting for covariates. Results: Among the participants, 30.9% were depressed, 17.7% had pets, and 29.1% lived alone. Compared to individuals living with others but not with a pet, those living alone and not with a pet had a 1.17 times higher prevalence ratio of depressive symptoms (95% CI: 1.08-1.26). The corresponding figures were 1.03 (95% CI: 0.95-1.11) for those living with others and pet(s) and 1.42 (95% CI: 1.18-1.69) for those living alone but with pet(s). Conclusion: Living alone was significantly associated with a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms. The association was rather stronger among individuals with vs. without pets. Pet ownership may not be associated with decreased depressive symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stratigraphic records of minor sea-level highstands in Marine Oxygen Isotope Stage (MIS) 5c and 5a are valuable archives of late Pleistocene sea levels and paleoenvironments, but have been identified less commonly in siliciclastic coastal systems than the highstand of MIS 5e. In the Kanto Plain, central Japan, the Iioka terrace comprises the seaward margin of the uplifted Last Interglacial (MIS 5) marine terrace. Sedimentological characterization, post-infrared infrared stimulated luminescence (pIRIR) dating, and tephra and paleontological analyses of the Iioka terrace allow identification of a wave-dominated coastal sedimentary system that prograded onto the Pliocene-Pleistocene basement during MIS 5c and 5a. The pIRIR ages of the coastal deposits range from ca. 80 to 112 ka and define a seaward younging trend, which is corroborated by the seaward lowering of the terrace surfaces. In an outcrop in the seaward part, two pIRIR ages were obtained above and below the tephra layer On-Pm1 (95.7 ka), supporting the general validity of the pIRIR chronology. The elevation of beach facies in the landward part (ca. 53 m above the present sea level) abruptly lowers (to ca. 37 m) and is further truncated by fluvial incision in the seaward part. The pIRIR ages include uncertainties that prevent distinction between MIS 5c and 5a. However, the abrupt and large gap in the beach levels between the central and seaward parts suggests the presence of a minor unconformity between MIS 5c and 5a; contemporary uplift may account for the gap. The Iioka terrace is thus interpreted as representing the successive downdip accretion of depositional sequences controlled by relative sea-level changes in the later Last Interglacial period. The refined characterization of the Iioka terrace allows reevaluation of the tectonic uplift rate of this area as ca. 0.7 mm/yr, twice the rate assuming correlation of the deposits with MIS 5e. Such refinement is likely elsewhere if marginal marine terraces are characterized in detail, as carried out here. • The marine terraces in MIS 5c and 5a are identified by sediment, luminescence dating, tephra and paleontological analyses. • The identification relies on an integrated approach of sedimentology, luminescence dating, and tephra and paleontological analyses. • Reconstructed relative sea-level changes refines the local uplift rate. • Detailed sedimentological observation provides insights into the siliciclastic coastal system related to a sea-level fall in the later phase of the Last Interglacial period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To examine the association of smoking status, smoking intensity, and smoking cessation with the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) using a large database. Methods: The present study included 53,930 Japanese employees, aged 15 to 83 years, who received health check-up and did not have diabetes at baseline. Diabetes was defined as fasting plasma glucose ≥126 mg/dl, random plasma glucose ≥200 mg/dl, HbA1c ≥6.5% (≥48 mmol/mol), or receiving medication for diabetes. Cox proportional-hazards regression models were used to investigate the association between smoking and the risk of diabetes. Results: During 3.9 years of median follow-up, 2,441 (4.5%) individuals developed T2D. The multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (95% CI) for diabetes were 1 (reference), 1.16 (1.04 to 1.30) and 1.34 (1.22 to 1.48) for never smokers, former smokers, and current smokers, respectively. Diabetes risk increased with increasing numbers of cigarette consumption among current smokers (P for trend <0.001). Although the relative risk of diabetes was greater among subjects with lower BMIs (< 23 kg/m2), attributable risk was greater in subjects with higher BMIs (≥ 23 kg/m2). Compared with individuals who had never smoked, former smokers who quit less than 5 years, 5 to 9 years, and 10 years or more exhibited hazards ratios for diabetes of 1.36 (1.14 to 1.62), 1.23 (1.01 to 1.51), and 1.02 (0.85 to 1.23), respectively. Conclusions: Results suggest that cigarette smoking is associated with an increased risk of T2D, which may decrease to the level of a never smoker after 10 years of smoking cessation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted a ground-penetrating radar (GPR) survey of gravelly braid bars in the Abe River, central Japan, to clarify the three-dimensional (3D) variations in their depositional facies under various geomorphologic conditions. In September 2011, a ten-year return-period flood in the study area reworked and deposited braid bars. After the flood, we surveyed three bars with different geomorphologies using a GPR system with a 250-MHz antenna and identified seven fundamental radar depositional facies: Inclined reflections (facies Ia and Ib), horizontal to subhorizontal reflections (facies IIa and IIb), discontinuous reflections (facies IIIa and IIIb), and facies assemblage with a large-scale channel-shaped lower boundary (facies IV). Combinations of these facies in\dicate bar formation processes: channel filling, lateral aggradation, and lateral and downstream accretion. In the Abe River, aerial photographs and airborne laser scanning data were obtained before and after the flood. The observed changes of the surface topography are consistent with the subsurface results seen in the GPR sections. This study demonstrated that the erosional and depositional architecture observed among bars with different channel styles was related to river width and represented depositional processes for high-sediment discharge. The quantitative characterizations of the sedimentary architecture will be useful for interpreting gravelly fluvial deposits in the rock record. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: We aimed to assess the cross-sectional association of heated tobacco product (HTP) use with prediabetes and diabetes. Methods: The present analysis included 8950 workers from 5 companies (Study I) and 31,341 workers from another large company (Study II), who participated in the Japan Epidemiology Collaboration on Occupational Health Study. The participants were divided into five groups: never smokers, past smokers, exclusive HTP users, dual users of cigarettes and HTPs, and exclusive cigarette smokers. Diabetes and prediabetes were defined according to the fasting blood glucose and HbA1c levels and self-reported diabetes treatment, using the American Diabetes Association criteria. We analyzed the data of Study I and II separately, and then pooled these estimates using the fixed-effect models, with adjustment for a wide range of covariates. Results: In this study that included 40,291 participants (mean age, 46.6 years; men, 84.3%), about half of the current tobacco-related product users reported using HTPs. Exclusive HTP users had higher odds of prediabetes (pooled odds ratio 1.36; 95% CI 1.25–1.47) and diabetes (1.68; 95% CI 1.45–1.94) than never smokers. Similarly, dual users also had increased odds of prediabetes (pooled odds ratio, 1.26; 95% CI 1.13–1.39) and diabetes (1.93; 95% CI 1.63–2.29). The strength of these associations was comparable to that of cigarette smokers. We observed significantly higher HbA1c and fasting blood glucose levels among both exclusive HTP users and dual users compared to never smokers. Conclusion: HTP use was associated with an increased likelihood of prediabetes and diabetes. Prospective studies are warranted to confirm the cross-sectional association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ground penetrating radar (GPR) offers a fast and efficient method for visualizing three-dimensional (3D) images of shallow subsurface structures. We investigated the application of GPR to nondestructive imaging of deposits formed in a small experimental flume using a high-frequency GPR antenna. The GPR measurements, made with a 1.6GHz antenna, were conducted on flume models of sandy fluvial systems. We conducted two experiments, one to reveal the penetration depth and resolution of the GPR antenna and to reconstruct the 3D architecture of fluvial deposits created in a flume, and the other to examine the characteristics of reflection boundaries. The experimental materials were mainly loamy soil. The first experiment showed that a 1.6GHz antenna was suited to laboratory use, offering a depth resolution of 2–3cm in full penetration of a bed 15–24cm thick. GPR scanning yielded an accurate reconstruction of the 3D architecture of a fluvial channel using magnetite marker beds. The second experiment also successfully imaged a 3D architecture using quartz sand instead of magnetite, and loamy soil, which have different relative permittivities. This research shows that GPR is a feasible technique for 3D analysis of experimental flume deposits. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A series of deposits recording the early Holocene drastic changes in coastal environment was investigated in terms of sedimentology and paleontology at the Okinoshima archeological site on the southwest coast of Boso Peninsula, central Japan. The deposits, ca. 3m thick exposed in trenches, consist of structureless mud and overlying stratified sand, divided into three units, I, II, and III in ascending order. Unit I is poorly sorted sandy mud with abundant opal phytoliths. Unit II, gradually overlying unit I, is poorly sorted sandy mud containing more organic material and pieces of wood, and archeological remains. Unit III overlies unit II with a sharp erosional contact and is composed of well-sorted medium-grained sand intercalated by mud layers with abundant plant fossils. Unit I suggests a dry surface on a coastal plain near uplands. Unit II was transported from the upland onto the coastal plain by a debris flow. Unit III deposits resulted from high-energy river and storm surge flows onto the coastal plain. The succession records that the sedimentary environments of the study site changed successively from a slope near the uplands, to a fluvial plain, to a coastal plain in response to a sea-level rise in the early Holocene. AMS ages of the units are approximately 10,000calBP, and deposition occurred within 1000 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates sediment transport in the Tecolutla and Nautla deltas in Veracruz, Mexico. Grain size distribution; Overbank deposition; Sediment entrapment.

Bedforms related to supercritical flows and hydraulic jumps have been increasingly recognized in various depositional environments. However, few ancient examples have been investigated in terms of the variations and transitions of supercritical-flow deposits. We present a detailed analysis of the sedimentary facies and stacking patterns of cyclic step, chute-and-pool, and antidune deposits of a coarse-grained Gilbert-type delta in the middle Pleistocene Kamiizumi Formation, Shimosa Group, central Japan. The Kamiizumi Formation was deposited during marine isotope stages 8–7.5 in the paleo-Tokyo Bay basin. We describe the following four facies and two facies successions in the foreset beds exposed at the study site. Planar-parallel stratification represents antidune to subcritical deposits from high-density flows. Deep scours infilled by steeply dipping backsets are interpreted as chute-and-pool deposits. Shallow, lenticular troughs infilled with backsets and foresets are interpreted as chute-and-pool and unstable antidune deposits. Lenticular units of fine sand with low-angle backsets of considerably greater wavelength than the other three facies are indicative of cyclic step deposits. One facies succession is characterized by chute-and-pool deposits alternating antidune to subcritical deposits formed during progradation of foresets. The lateral cyclicity of coarser-grained chute-and-pool deposits and finer grained antidune to subcritical deposits is characteristic of autogenic flow changes on progradational steep delta slopes. The other facies succession represents an aggradational delta succession from cyclic step deposits, to chute-and-pool deposits, to antidune to subcritical deposits. The vertical changes indicate decreasing flow velocity and may be the result of autogenic flow transitions during rapid aggradation. These facies changes resulted from the intrinsic instability of supercritical flows on steep foreset slopes at high depositional rates. • Steep slopes of a Gilbert-type delta include supercritical flow deposits. • Depositional facies and stacking patterns record supercritical flow transitions. • Three-dimensional outcrops display intrinsic instability of supercritical flows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with cancer risk; however, little is known regarding its relationship with the risk of cancer-related premature death and long-term sick leave (LTSL), which can lead to a substantial loss in working years. The present study aimed to quantify the all-site and site-specific associations between MetS and the risk of severe cancer events (a composite outcome of LTSL and mortality due to cancer) in a large working population in Japan. Methods: We recruited 70,875 workers (59,950 men and 10,925 women), aged 20–59 years, who attended health check-ups in 2011 (10 companies) and 2014 (2 companies). All workers underwent follow up for severe cancer events until March 31, 2020. MetS was defined in accordance with the Joint Interim Statement. Cox regression models were used to quantify the association between baseline MetS and severe cancer events. Results: During 427,379 person-years of follow-up, 523 participants experienced the outcome consisting of 493 LTSLs of which 124 eventually resulted in death, and 30 deaths without taking LTSL. The adjusted hazard ratios (HR) (95% confidence intervals [CI]) for composite severe events due to all-site, obesity-related, and non-obesity-related cancer among those with vs. without MetS were 1.26 (1.03, 1.55), 1.37 (1.04, 1.82), and 1.15 (0.84, 1.56), respectively. In cancer site-specific analyses, MetS was associated with an increased risk of severe events due to pancreatic cancer (HR, 2.06; 95% CI, 0.99–4.26). When mortality was treated solely as the endpoint, the association was significant for all-site (HR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.10–2.26), and obesity-related (HR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.00–2.54) cancer. Additionally, a greater number of MetS components was associated with a greater risk of both severe cancer events and cancer-related mortality (P trend < 0.05). Conclusion: Among Japanese workers, MetS was associated with an increased risk of severe cancer events, especially those due to obesity-linked cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to assess the association between heated tobacco product (HTP) use and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration. Our study included 12,268 workers from five companies (Study I) and 36,503 workers from another large company (Study II). Participants were categorized into five groups: never smokers, past smokers, exclusive HTP users, dual users of cigarettes and HTPs, and exclusive cigarette smokers. We analyzed the data of Studies I and II separately and then pooled these estimates using a fixed-effect model. Of the 48,771 participants, 9.3% were exclusive HTP users, and 6.0% were dual users. Exclusive HTP users had modestly but significantly lower concentrations of HDL-C than never smokers, with the pooled mean difference being − 1.1 (95% CI − 1.5 to − 0.6) mg/dL. Dual users showed a further reduction (mean difference − 3.7 (− 4.2 to − 3.2) mg/dL), which was comparable to that of exclusive cigarette smokers versus never smokers (mean difference − 4.3 (− 4.7 to − 3.9) mg/dL). The pooled odds ratios (95% CIs) of having low HDL-C (< 40 mg/dL for men and 50 mg/dL for women) were 1, 0.99 (0.90–1.11), 1.25 (1.09–1.43), 2.02 (1.76–2.32), and 2.09 (1.88–2.32) for never smokers, past smokers, exclusive HTP users, dual users, and exclusive cigarette smokers, respectively. In conclusion, exclusive HTP users had lower HDL-C concentrations than never smokers, although higher than exclusive cigarette smokers. Moreover, dual users had HDL-C concentrations similar to those in exclusive cigarette smokers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Data are limited regarding how shift work is linked to the development of type 2 diabetes, especially among workers at high risk of diabetes. We examined the risk of diabetes according to shift-work conditions over several years among Japanese adults. Methods: This prospective study enrolled 17,515 workers (age 40–78 years). Shift work was self-reported at annual health examinations over time from 2004 to 2017 and categorized as shift workers or non-shift workers. Diabetes was defined as fasting plasma glucose, random glucose, HbA1c, and self-reported use of antidiabetic medications. The association of shift work and diabetes was quantified using Cox regression. Results: During a follow-up of 8.1 years in median, 2071 incident cases of diabetes were documented. Compared with non-shift work, shift work showed a significantly elevated hazard ratios of developing diabetes. Shift work showed a 19% (95% confidence intervals: 3–37%) higher hazard ratios for diabetes, after adjustment for demographic-, cardiometabolic-, and work-related factors. Further adjustment for lifestyle factors and body mass index did not materially change this association (a 16% increase; 95% confidence intervals, 1–34%). This relationship was replicated among workers with prediabetes. Conclusions: Engaging in shift work may increase the risk of developing diabetes independently of lifestyle factors and body mass index, even among prediabetic workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method for the analysis of fatigue parameters has been rarely researched in VDT operation. Up to now, fatigue was evaluated by changing of biological information. If signals regarding fatigue are detected, fatigue can be measured. The purpose of this study was an experiment and analysis method to extract parameters related to fatigue from the biological information during VDT operation using Independent Component Analysis (ICA). The experiment had 11 subjects, and examined light-load and heavy-load VDT operation. Measurement items were amount of work, number of mistakes, subjective symptoms, surface skin temperature (forehead and apex nasi), heart rate, skin blood flow of forearm, and respiratory rate. In the heavy-load operation group, number of mistakes and subjective symptom score were increased. Two-factor ANOVA was used for analysis. The result of number of mistakes was confirmed for the heavy load. After the moving averages of waveform were calculated, we extracted independent components by using ICA. The results of ICA suggest that the independent components increase according to accumulation of fatigue. Thus, the independent components would be a possible parameter of fatigue. However, further experiments should continue in order to obtain conclusive findings of our research. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 93(9): 47–57, 2010; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/ecj.10033 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Prediabetes has been suggested to increase risk for death; however, the definitions of prediabetes that can predict death remain elusive. We prospectively investigated the association of multiple definitions of prediabetes with the risk of death from all causes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cancer in Japanese workers.Research Design and Methods: The study included 62,785 workers who underwent a health checkup in 2010 or 2011 and were followed up for death from 2012 to March 2019. Prediabetes was defined according to fasting plasma glucose (FPG) or glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values or a combination of both using the American Diabetes Association (ADA) or World Health Organization (WHO)/International Expert Committee (IEC) criteria. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to investigate the associations.Results: Over a 7-year follow-up, 229 deaths were documented. Compared with normoglycemia, prediabetes defined according to ADA criteria was associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.53; 95% CI 1.12-2.09) and death due to cancer (HR 2.37; 95% CI 1.45-3.89) but not with death due to CVD. The results were materially unchanged when prediabetes was defined according to ADA FPG, ADA HbA1c, WHO FPG, or combined WHO/IEC criteria. Diabetes was associated with the risk of all-cause, CVD, and cancer deaths.Conclusions: In a cohort of Japanese workers, FPG- and HbA1c-defined prediabetes, according to ADA or WHO/IEC, were associated with a significantly increased risk of death from all causes and cancer but not CVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Few studies have investigated the association between tobacco smoking and sick leave (SL) in Japan.Methods: We followed 70 896 workers aged 20-59 years (60 133 males, 10 763 females) between April 2012 and March 2017. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to investigate the associations between smoking (smoking status and intensity) and long-term SL (ie, SL lasting ≥30 consecutive days). Cause-specific analyses were also conducted.Results: A total of 1777 people took long-term SL during a follow-up of 307 749 person years. Compared with never-smokers, current smokers were at a higher risk of long-term SL (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.32; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.19 to 1.48). Cause-specific analyses revealed that current smoking was associated with a higher risk of SL due to all physical disorders (HR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.22 to 1.69), cancer (HR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.10 to 2.01), cardiovascular disease (CVD; HR = 2.16, 95% CI = 1.31 to 3.55), and injuries/external causes (HR = 1.83, 95% CI = 1.31 to 2.58). Former smokers were at a higher risk of SL due to cancer at a borderline significance level (HR = 1.38, 95% CI = 0.99 to 1.92). Low-intensity smoking (ie, 1-10 cigarettes smoked per day) was associated with all-cause SL, SL due to CVD, and SL due to injuries/external causes compared with never-smokers.Conclusion: In a large cohort of working-age Japanese, smoking was associated with a greater risk of long-term SL. Greater effort is needed to mitigate disease burden associated with smoking at workplace in Japan.Implications: Our study contributes to the literature on the association between smoking and SL in several ways. First, the study was conducted among a Japanese working population. While the association has been extensively studied in Western setting, few attempts have been made elsewhere. Second, cause-specific analyses were undertaken in our study. Third, we paid attention to the effect of low-intensity smoking on SL given that there is growing evidence of an elevated health risk associated with low-intensity smoking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The effect of weight gain following smoking cessation on cardiovascular risks is unclear. We aimed to prospectively investigate the association of weight gain following smoking cessation with the trajectory of estimated risks of coronary heart disease (CHD).Methods: In a cohort of 18 562 Japanese male employees aged 30-64 years and initially free of cardiovascular diseases, participants were exclusively grouped into sustained smokers, quitters with weight gain (body weight increase ≥5%), quitters without weight gain (body weight increase <5% or weight loss), and never smokers. Global 10-year CHD risk was annually estimated by using a well-validated prediction model for the Japanese population. Linear mixed models and piecewise linear mixed models were used to compare changes in the estimated 10-year CHD risk by smoking status and weight change following smoking cessation.Results: During a maximum of 8-year follow-up, both quitters with and without weight gain had a substantially decreased level of estimated 10-year CHD risk after quitting smoking, compared with sustained smokers (all ps for mean differences < .001). The estimated 10-year CHD risk within the first year after cessation decreased more rapidly in quitters without weight gain than in quitters with weight gain (change rate [95% confidence interval, CI] -0.90 [-1.04 to -0.75] vs. -0.40 [-0.60 to -0.19] % per year, p < .0001). Thereafter, the estimated 10-year CHD risk in both groups increased at similar rates (change rate [95% CI] -0.07 [-0.21 to 0.07] vs. 0.11 [-0.09 to 0.30] % per year, p = .16, from year 1 to year 2; and 0.10 [0.05 to 0.15] vs. 0.11 [0.04 to 0.18] % per year, p = .80, from year 2 to year 8).Conclusions: In this population of middle-aged, Japanese male workers, smoking cessation greatly reduces the estimated 10-year risk of CHD. However, weight gain weakens the beneficial effect of quitting smoking in a temporary and limited fashion.Implications: To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to examine the effect of weight gain following smoking cessation on the trajectory of the absolute risk of CHD. Our data imply that the benefits of cessation for reducing the absolute risk of CHD outweigh the potential risk increase due to weight gain, and suggest that in order to maximize the beneficial effects of quitting smoking, interventions to control post-cessation weight gain might be warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims/Introduction: We examined the association between hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and anemia, which was categorized into three groups according to mean corpuscular volume (MCV), as well as the association between hemoglobin in the non‐anemic range and HbA1c. Materials and Methods: We used the 2016 health checkup data from 36,422 workers without diabetes. Anemic people were divided into three groups based on MCV: <80, 80–90 and >90 fL. Non‐anemic people were divided into four groups based on their hemoglobin levels. We carried out multiple linear regression models to estimate the means and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of HbA1c. Results: For men, 0.2% had anemia with MCV <80 fL, 0.5% had anemia with MCV 80–90 fL, 0.9% had anemia with MCV >90 fL and 98.4% had no anemia. For women, the corresponding values were 6.1, 6.4, 2.8 and 84.7%, respectively. The adjusted mean HbA1c (%) values for men with anemia with MCV <80, 80–90 and >90 fL were 5.67 (95% CI 5.60–5.74), 5.58 (95% CI 5.54–5.62) and 5.41 (95% CI 5.37–5.44), respectively. Among men without anemia, HbA1c (%) increased from 5.36 (95% CI 5.34–5.39) in those with hemoglobin ≥17.5 mg/dL to 5.45 (95% CI 5.45–5.46) in those with hemoglobin 13.0 to <14.5 mg/dL (P for trend <0.001). The HbA1c values were higher in men with anemia with MCV <80 fL or MCV 80–90 fL, but lower in men with MCV >90 fL, compared with non‐anemic men with hemoglobin 13.0 to <14.5 mg/dL (All P < 0.001). Similar findings were observed in women. Conclusions: We observed elevated HbA1c among anemic people with MCV <80 fL or MCV 80–90 fL, and decreased HbA1c among anemic people with MCV >90 fL, suggesting that different types of anemia might influence HbA1c differently. In addition, non‐anemic people with lower hemoglobin levels had higher HbA1c levels, suggesting that hemoglobin levels are in need of consideration when interpreting HbA1c values among non‐anemic people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the association between suicide death and serum cholesterol levels as measured at times close to suicide death. Methods: We conducted a nested case-control study of 41 cases of suicide deaths and 205 matched controls with serum total cholesterol (TC) levels till 3 years before suicide death in a large cohort of Japanese workers. Results: Individuals in the lowest versus highest tertile/predefined category of TC in a Japanese working population had a three- to four-fold greater risk of suicide death. Each 10 mg/dl decrement of average TC was associated with an 18% increased chance of suicide death (95% confidence interval, 2–35%). Similar results were found for TC levels at each year. Conclusion: These results suggest that a low serum TC level in recent past is associated with an increased risk of suicide death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims/Introduction: We examined a prospective association between serum creatinine levels and diabetes. Materials and Methods: The present study included 31,343 male workers without diabetes, and aged between 20 and 64 years at baseline. We calculated the cumulative average of their serum creatinine over the study period. We defined diabetes as either glycated hemoglobin levels ≥6.5%, random glucose levels ≥200 mg/dL, fasting glucose levels ≥126 mg/dL or receiving antidiabetic treatment. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was carried out to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: With a median observation of 7.7 years, 2,509 participants developed diabetes. After adjusting for age, smoking, body mass index, hypertension and dyslipidemia, lower cumulative average serum creatinine levels were related to a greater diabetes risk: HRs were 1.56 (95% CI 1.35–1.82), 1.22 (1.09–1.35) and 1.06 (0.96–1.17) for the participants with serum creatinine <0.70, 0.70–0.79 and 0.80–0.89 mg/dL, respectively, compared with those with 0.90–1.20 mg/dL (P for trend <0.001). The serum creatinine‐diabetes association was more pronounced among older adults (serum creatinine <0.70 vs 0.90–1.20 mg/dL, HR 1.66, 95% CI 1.37–2.00) than younger adults (HR 1.32, 95% CI 1.02–1.71; P for interaction by age group = 0.001). Conclusions: Low serum creatinine is associated with an increased risk of diabetes. Screening serum creatinine levels can be used to identify those who are at high risk of diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: We aimed to determine the prospective association of smoking status, smoking intensity, and smoking cessation with the risk of hearing loss in a large Japanese cohort.Methods: The cohort study included 50195 employees, who were aged 20-64 years and free of hearing loss at baseline. Participants were followed up for a maximum of 8 years. Pure-tone audiometric testing was performed annually to identify hearing loss at 1 and 4 kHz. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to investigate the association between smoking and hearing loss.Results: During follow-up, 3532 individuals developed high-frequency hearing loss, and 1575 developed low-frequency hearing loss. The hazard ratio (HR) associated with current smokers was 1.6 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.5 to 1.7) and 1.2 (95% CI = 1.1 to 1.4) for high- and low-frequency hearing loss, respectively, as compared with never smokers. The risk of high- and low-frequency hearing loss increased with the number of cigarettes smoked per day (both p for trend <.001). The HR associated with former smokers was 1.2 (95% CI = 1.1 to 1.3) and 0.9 (95% CI = 0.8 to 1.1) for high- and low-frequency hearing loss, respectively. The analysis by quitting years showed a decline in risk of hearing loss after quitting smoking, even among those who quitted less than 5 years before baseline.Conclusions: Smoking is associated with increased risk of hearing loss, especially at the high frequency, in a dose-response manner. The excess risk of hearing loss associated with smoking disappears in a relatively short period after quitting.Implications: The prospective association between smoking and hearing loss has not been well studied. To the best of our knowledge, our study is the largest to date investigating the association between smoking and incident hearing loss. Our results indicate that smoking is associated with increased risk of hearing loss in a dose-response manner. Quitting smoking virtually eliminates the excess risk of hearing loss, even among quitters with short duration of cessation. These results suggest that smoking may be a causal factor for hearing loss, although further research would be required to confirm this. If so, this would emphasize the need for tobacco control to prevent or delay the development of hearing loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background and aims We aimed to examine the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) with persistent prediabetes during the last four years prior to a CVD event in a large occupational cohort in Japan. Methods We performed a nested case-control study using data from the Japan Epidemiology Collaboration on Occupational Health Study. A total of 197 registered cases of CVD were identified and matched individually with 985 controls according to age, sex, and worksite. Prediabetes was defined as fasting plasma glucose 100-125 mg/dL and/or HbA1c 5.7–6.4%. Persistent prediabetes was defined as having prediabetes at years one and four prior to the onset/index date; persistent normoglycemia was similarly defined. Associations between prediabetes and CVD risk were assessed using conditional logistic regression models. Results Compared with people with persistent normoglycemia over the four years prior to the onset/index date, the unadjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for CVD was 2.88 (1.56, 5.32) for people with persistent prediabetes. After adjusting for BMI, smoking, hypertension, and dyslipidemia assessed four years before the onset/index date, the association was slightly attenuated to an OR (95% confidence interval) of 2.62 (1.31, 5.25). Prediabetes assessed at single time points was also associated with an elevated risk of CVD, with multivariable-adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 1.72 (1.12, 2.64) and 2.13 (1.32, 3.43) for prediabetes at one and four years prior to the onset/index date, respectively. Conclusions Prediabetes is associated with an increased risk of CVD. Identification and management of prediabetes are important for the prevention of CVD. Highlights • Prediabetes assessed at single time points was associated with an elevated risk of CVD. • Much higher risk of CVD was observed among people with persistent prediabetes compared with persistent normoglycemia. • Prediabetes is associated with a higher risk of CVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aims/Introduction: We previously developed a 3‐year diabetes risk score in the working population. The objective of the present study was to develop and validate flexible risk models that can predict the risk of diabetes for any arbitrary time‐point during 7 years. Materials and Methods: The participants were 46,198 Japanese employees aged 30–59 years, without diabetes at baseline and with a maximum follow‐up period of 8 years. Incident diabetes was defined according to the American Diabetes Association criteria. With routine health checkup data (age, sex, abdominal obesity, body mass index, smoking status, hypertension status, dyslipidemia, glycated hemoglobin and fasting plasma glucose), we developed non‐invasive and invasive risk models based on the Cox proportional hazards regression model among a random two‐thirds of the participants, and used another one‐third for validation. Results: The range of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve increased from 0.73 (95% confidence interval 0.72–0.74) for the non‐invasive prediction model to 0.89 (95% confidence interval 0.89–0.90) for the invasive prediction model containing dyslipidemia, glycated hemoglobin and fasting plasma glucose. The invasive models showed improved integrated discrimination and reclassification performance, as compared with the non‐invasive model. Calibration appeared good between the predicted and observed risks. These models performed well in the validation cohort. Conclusions: The present non‐invasive and invasive models for the prediction of diabetes risk up to 7 years showed fair and excellent performance, respectively. The invasive models can be used to identify high‐risk individuals, who would benefit greatly from lifestyle modification for the prevention or delay of diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We prospectively examined diabetes risk in association with a summary measure of degree and duration of weight change. The study participants were 51,777 employees from multiple companies in Japan, who were aged 30-59years, free of diabetes at baseline, and followed up for 7years (2008-2015). Exposure was cumulative body mass index (BMI)-years, which was defined as the area of BMI units above or below baseline BMI during follow-up, and was treated as a time-dependent variable in the Cox proportional hazards regression models. During the 263,539 person-years of follow-up, 3465 participants developed diabetes. The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of diabetes for a 1-unit increase in cumulative BMI-years was 1.11 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.09, 1.12). The association was more pronounced among overweight (HR=1.11; 95% CI: 1.08, 1.14) and obese (HR=1.12; 95% CI: 1.08, 1.15) adults compared with normal- and under-weight (HR=1.07; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.11) adults (P for interaction of cumulative BMI-years X baseline BMI-group=0.002). The association of higher cumulative BMI-years with incident diabetes did not substantially differ by metabolic phenotype. The present results emphasize the importance of avoiding additional weight gain over an extended period of time for the prevention of type 2 diabetes, especially among overweight and obese adults, irrespective of metabolic health status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The control of blood glucose levels, blood pressure (BP), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels reduces the risk of diabetes complications; however, data are scarce on control status of these factors among workers with diabetes. The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of participants with diabetes who meet glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), BP, and LDL-C recommendations, and to investigate correlates of poor glycemic control in a large working population in Japan. Methods: The Japan Epidemiology Collaboration on Occupational Health (J-ECOH) Study is an ongoing cohort investigation, consisting mainly of employees in large manufacturing companies. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 3,070 employees with diabetes (2,854 men and 216 women) aged 20–69 years who attended periodic health examinations. BP was measured and recorded using different company protocols. Risk factor targets were defined using both American Diabetes Association (ADA) guidelines (HbA1c < 7.0%, BP < 140/90 mmHg, and LDL-C < 100 mg/dL) and Japan Diabetes Society (JDS) guidelines (HbA1c < 7.0%, BP < 130/80 mmHg, and LDL-C < 120 mg/dL). Logistic regression models were used to explore correlates of poor glycemic control (defined as HbA1c ≥ 8.0%). Results: The percentages of participants who met ADA (and JDS) targets were 44.9% (44.9%) for HbA1c, 76.6% (36.3%) for BP, 27.1% (56.2%) for LDL-C, and 11.2% (10.8%) for simultaneous control of all three risk factors. Younger age, obesity, smoking, and uncontrolled dyslipidemia were associated with poor glycemic control. The adjusted odds ratio of poor glycemic control was 0.58 (95% confidence interval, 0.46–0.73) for participants with treated but uncontrolled hypertension, and 0.47 (0.33–0.66) for participants with treated and controlled hypertension, as compared with participants without hypertension. There was no significant difference in HbA1c levels between participants with treated but uncontrolled hypertension and those with treated and controlled hypertension. Conclusion: Data from a large working population, predominantly composed of men, suggest that achievement of HbA1c, BP, and LDL-C targets was less than optimal, especially in younger participants. Uncontrolled dyslipidemia was associated with poor glycemic control. Participants not receiving antihypertensive treatment had higher HbA1c levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Risk models and scores have been developed to predict incidence of type 2 diabetes in Western populations, but their performance may differ when applied to non-Western populations. We developed and validated a risk score for predicting 3-year incidence of type 2 diabetes in a Japanese population. Methods: Participants were 37,416 men and women, aged 30 or older, who received periodic health checkup in 2008–2009 in eight companies. Diabetes was defined as fasting plasma glucose (FPG) ≥126 mg/dl, random plasma glucose ≥200 mg/dl, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥6.5%, or receiving medical treatment for diabetes. Risk scores on non-invasive and invasive models including FPG and HbA1c were developed using logistic regression in a derivation cohort and validated in the remaining cohort. Results: The area under the curve (AUC) for the non-invasive model including age, sex, body mass index, waist circumference, hypertension, and smoking status was 0.717 (95% CI, 0.703–0.731). In the invasive model in which both FPG and HbA1c were added to the non-invasive model, AUC was increased to 0.893 (95% CI, 0.883–0.902). When the risk scores were applied to the validation cohort, AUCs (95% CI) for the non-invasive and invasive model were 0.734 (0.715–0.753) and 0.882 (0.868–0.895), respectively. Participants with a non-invasive score of ≥15 and invasive score of ≥19 were projected to have >20% and >50% risk, respectively, of developing type 2 diabetes within 3 years. Conclusions: The simple risk score of the non-invasive model might be useful for predicting incident type 2 diabetes, and its predictive performance may be markedly improved by incorporating FPG and HbA1c. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the association of diabetes and prediabetes with long-term sickness absence (LTSA) due to mental disorders or specific mental disorders.Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted using data from the Japan Epidemiology Collaboration on Occupational Health Study. A total of 62,065 workers who received health check-ups in 2011 (nine companies) or 2014 (two companies) and were followed up to March 31, 2020 were included in this study. Diabetes status was defined based on the American Diabetes Association criteria, and diabetes was differentiated into diabetes with/without anti-diabetic treatment for additional analysis. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to investigate these associations.Results: During maximum 8-year follow-up period, 1024 participants underwent LTSA due to mental disorders. The adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) of LTSA due to all mental disorders were 1.10 (0.88-1.38) and 1.45 (1.07-1.98) for prediabetes and diabetes, respectively. Diabetic individuals with/without treatment were both at a high risk of LTSA due to mental disorders. For specific mental disorders, diabetes was associated with a higher risk of LTSA due to reaction to severe stress and adjustment disorders (aHR = 3.02, 95% CI = 2.01-4.52) while it was marginally associated with LTSA due to depressive episode (aHR = 1.25, 95% CI = 0.98-1.60). Prediabetes was also associated with LTSA due to reaction to severe stress and adjustment disorders (aHR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.08-1.84).Conclusions: The present study suggests the importance of screening diabetes status and providing psychological support for decreasing the risk of LTSA due to mental disorders within working populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 250-m Choshi core (CHOSHI-1), drilled from hemipelagic muds of the Inubo Group, has been physically, geochemically and tephrochronologically analyzed back to 1 Ma. We provide pollen results for the 19-169 m section of the core (400-780 ka) bracketed by the marker tephra Ty1 (equivalent to J4) and the Brunhes-Matuyama paleomagnetic boundary. The results show good agreement with the corresponding oxygen isotope (δ18O) profile, with high δ18O intervals dominated by boreal conifers Picea, Abies, Pinus (subgen. Haploxylon) and Tsuga ( diversifolia), whereas low δ18O intervals are dominated by temperate conifers Cryptomeria, Taxaceae-Cephalotaxaceae-Cupressaceae and Sciadopitys. In order to confirm pollen-climate relations for the relevant taxa, a modern surface pollen dataset for the Japanese archipelago was consulted. In this analysis, the ratios of Cryptomeria/ Picea and temperate/boreal conifers serve as proxies for the 100-kyr glacial/interglacial cycle during the Middle Pleistocene. Distinct signals for marine isotope stages (MIS) 11, 12, 13-15, 16, 17 and 18-19 are recognized in accordance with the tephrochronology and δ18O of the same core. Application of the criteria to an independent pollen record from Lake Biwa provides an integrated pollen stratigraphy for mid-latitude Japan during the past 800 ky. Some degree of uncertainty remains in the chronology of the MIS13-15 interval, relating to the uncertainty in the eruption age of widespread tephra Ks11. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine the association of diabetes and prediabetes with suicide deaths in a Japanese working population.Methods: A nested case-control study was conducted using data from the Japan Epidemiology Collaboration on Occupational Health Study. During 8 years of follow-up, we identified 56 registered cases of suicide death that had information on fasting plasma glucose or glycated hemoglobin A1c at any health check-up during the past 3 years prior to suicide. For each case, we randomly selected five controls matched for age, sex, and worksite. We used the latest health check-up data for analysis. We defined diabetes status based on the American Diabetes Association criteria and used a conditional logistic regression model to investigate the association.Results: Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for suicide death were 0.67 (0.32-1.41) and 3.53 (1.05-11.91) for prediabetes and diabetes, respectively, compared to normoglycemia. Similar results were obtained when diabetes status was exclusively defined by the fasting plasma glucose or glycated hemoglobin A1c level.Conclusion: Diabetes, but not prediabetes, was associated with a higher risk of suicide death, compared with normoglycemia, among a Japanese working population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]