Acta Medica Okayama 2013 Comparison of serum ferritin and oxidative stress biomarkers between Japanese workers with and without metabolic syndrome EN Suketaka Iwanaga Noriko Sakano Kazuhisa Taketa Noriko Takahashi Da-Hong Wang Hidekazu Takahashi Masayuki Kubo Nobuyuki Miyatake Keiki Ogino Objective Metabolic syndrome (MS) is closely associated to life-style and is characterized by central obesity causing severe diseases such as diabetes mellitus (DM) or atherosclerosis. This study investigates the role of oxidative stress and inflammation in MS. Subjects Total of 685 workers stratified by gender (293 men and 392 women) with a mean age of 41.2 ± 10.4 in different offices in a city in Japan. Methods Fasting blood and urine tests for MS, oxidative and/or inflammatory biomarker analysis and blood pressure (BP) measurement were performed. MS was defined on the basis of the Japanese criterion. Results Serum ferritin and urinary hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels were significantly higher in subjects with MS than those without. Ferritin was positively correlated with 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in all subjects and it was negatively correlated with 8-isoprostane and H2O2 in men. In addition, there was a significant positive correlation between ferritin and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-R) in men. By using multiple regression analysis, ferritin was closely correlated with HOMA-R, γ-GT, 8-OHdG, smoking value and amount of alcohol ingestion in men, and it was correlated with 8-OHdG, γ-GT, HOMA-R in women under 50 years old. Conclusions Ferritin is a useful marker of MS including insulin resistance, reflecting the importance of oxidative stress as a cause of MS, especially in men. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

The Editorial Secretariat of JCBN Acta Medica Okayama 0912-0009 52 2 2013 Relationship between ceruloplasmin and oxidative biomarkers including ferritin among healthy Japanese 160 166 EN Kiyomi Inoue Noriko Sakano Keiki Ogino Yoshie Sato Da-Hong Wang Masayuki Kubo Hidekazu Takahashi Sakiko Kanbara Nobuyuki Miyatake Serum ceruloplasmin (CP), a marker relevant to copper metabolism, is one of famous inflammation markers with a reduction in Wilson's disease, whereas serum ferritin is a marker relevant to iron metabolism. Recently, ferritin is pointed out to be related with oxidative stress. However, there is still no population research which showed the relation of CP and ferritin. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between CP and ferritin including oxidative stress biomarkers among healthy Japanese (n = 389). We measured serum CP, ferritin, Fe, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and urinary oxidative stress biomarkers [H2O2, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), 8-isoprostane] and so on. Subjects showed that age; 41.7 ± 10.0 (year), CP; 31.9 ± 6.8 (mg/dl), ferritin; 123.5 ± 121.0 (ng/ml), hs-CRP; 0.89 ± 2.53 (mg/l), 8-OHdG; 10.2 ± 4.4 [ng/mg creatinine (Cre)] and H2O2; 6.5 ± 10.9 (µM/g Cre), (All data mentioned above were expressed as mean ± SD). CP was significantly and positively correlated with hs-CRP and inversely correlated with ferritin, Fe and 8-OHdG. By a multiple logistic regression analysis, odds ratio of CP according to quartiles of hs-CRP was 4.86, and according to quartiles of 8-OHdG was 0.39 after adjusting for age and other confounding factors. In conclusion, our findings suggest that CP was an antioxidative biomarker which controls oxidative stress, whereas ferritin was a marker which may participate in the generation of oxidative stress. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

The Editorial Secretariat of JCBN Acta Medica Okayama 0912-0009 43 1 2008 No Different Sensitivity in Terms of Whole-Body Irradiation between Normal and Acatalasemic Mice 41 49 EN Shinya Nakagawa Takahiro Kataoka Yuko Mizuguchi Masaaki Yoshimoto Akihiro Sakoda Takaharu Nomura Da-Hong Wang Atsushi Kawabe Takehito Taguchi Kiyonori Yamaoka To elucidate the radiosensitivity of an acatalasemic mouse, we examined the time and dose-dependency in the survival rates, the lymphocytes and the intestinal epithelial cells, and the antioxidant function after 3.0 to 12.0 Gy whole body irradiation. Results showed that no significant differences between acatalasemic mice and normal mice were observed in the survival rates and the histological changes in spleens and small intestine after each irradiation. The catalase activities in livers and spleens of acatalasemic mice were significantly lower than those of normal mice and the glutathione peroxidase activity in livers of acatalasemic mice was significantly higher than that of normal mice. At 10 days after 6.0 Gy irradiation, the catalase activities in livers of acatalasemic and normal mice and that in spleens of normal mice significantly decreased compared with no-irradiation control, and there were no differences between those catalase activities. The total glutathione content in acatalasemic mice was significantly higher than that in normal mice at 10 days after 6.0 Gy irradiation. These findings suggested that the radiosensitivity of acatalasemic mice in terms of whole body irradiation doesn’t significantly differ from that of normal mice, probably due to compensated sufficient contents of glutathione peroxidase and total glutathione in acatalasemic mice. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Journal of Radiation Research Editorial Committee Acta Medica Okayama 0449-3060 45 1 2004 Inhibitory Effects of Prior Low-dose X-ray Irradiation on Carbon Tetrachloride-induced Hepatopathy in Acatalasemic Mice 89 95 EN Kiyonori Yamaoka Takahiro Kataoka Takaharu Nomura Takehito Taguchi Da-Hong Wang Shuji Mori Katsumi Hanamoto Shohei Kira The catalase activities in blood and organs of the acatalasemic (C3H/AnLCsbCsb) mouse of C3H strain are lower than those of the normal (C3H/AnLCsaCsa) mouse. We examined the effects of prior low-dose (0.5 Gy) X-ray irradiation, which reduced the oxidative damage under carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatopathy in the acatalasemic or normal mice. The acatalasemic mice showed a significantly lower catalase activity and a significantly higher glutathione peroxidase activity compared with those in the normal mice. Moreover, low-dose irradiation increased the catalase activity in the acatalasemic mouse liver to a level similar to that of the normal mouse liver. Pathological examinations and analyses of blood glutamic oxaloacetic and glutamic pyruvic transaminase activity and lipid peroxide levels showed that carbon tetrachloride induced hepatopathy was inhibited by low-dose irradiation. These findings may indicate that the free radical reaction induced by the lack of catalase and the administration of carbon tetrachloride is more properly neutralized by high glutathione peroxidase activity and low-dose irradiation in the acatalasemic mouse liver. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Okayama University Medical School Acta Medica Okayama 0386-300X 66 3 2012 Relation of Prenatal and Postnatal Status to Calcaneus Quantitative Ultrasound in Adolescents 221 229 EN Yoko Takahata Da-Hong Wang Takanobu Anai Keiki Ogino Original Article 10.18926/AMO/48561 This study aimed to elucidate the relationship of prenatal and/or postnatal factors, including acquired factors, with the calcaneus stiffness index as measured by quantitative ultrasound (QUS-SI) in adolescents. We recruited 1,143 adolescents with a mean age of 14.8±1.8 years (501 boys and 642 girls). The subjectsʼ calcaneus QUS-SI was measured using an ultrasound bone densitometer. We also measured the subjectsʼ height, weight, and grip strength. Data on prenatal and postnatal factors were obtained from maternal and child health handbooks. A self-reporting questionnaire was used to obtain information on subjectsʼ secondary sexual characteristics and lifestyle factors. We found that maternal weight gain during pregnancy was independently associated with calcaneus QUS-SI in girls, and that grip strength was also significantly associated with calcaneus QUS-SI in both sexes. The present findings suggest that excessive restriction of maternal weight gain would have a negative effect on the calcaneus QUS-SI of girls, and that exercise and strength-building activities are likely to result in a higher calcaneus QUS-SI in both sexes of adolescents. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Okayama University Medical School Acta Medica Okayama 0386-300X 65 1 2011 The Relationship between Joint Pain and Climate Conditions in Japan 41 48 EN Kimihiko Tokumori Da-Hong Wang Tomoko Takigawa Jiro Takaki Keiki Ogino Original Article 10.18926/AMO/43829 This study aimed to determine whether there was any association between the regional climate and the proportion of people with joint pain. Regional climate data between 1971 and 2000 were obtained from the Japan Meteorological Agency. The variables used in the cluster analysis included sunlight hours, amount of precipitation, number of days with precipitation, and temperature. The regional proportion of people with joint pain was obtained from the National Survey for Health in 2001. After performing a cluster analysis, one-way ANOVA and Welch's test were used to determine whether the climate characteristics of the clusters were significantly different. Within each cluster, stepwise multiple linear regression analyses were performed. We found that sunlight hours showed a direct, negative association with the proportion of people with joint pain (adjusted R2＝0.532, p＝0.016) in cluster 1, which was characterized as the region with the fewest total hours of sunlight, less precipitation, a modest number of rainy days, and low temperature. In the other clusters, the regional female population rate (cluster 2) and the senior population rate (cluster 3, 4) were the primary predictors. We concluded that the degree of exposure to sunlight may play a crucial role in prevention of joint pain. This finding should encourage people to set aside some time for staying outdoors in their daily lives. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Okayama University Medical School Acta Medica Okayama 0386-300X 61 1 2007 Biochemical characterization of reactive nitrogen species by eosinophil peroxidase in tyrosine nitration 17 30 EN Kei Takemoto Keiki Ogino Da-Hong Wang Tomoko Takigawa Carmen M. Kurosawa Yasuhiro Kambayashi Yuri Hibino Yoshiaki Hitomi Hiroshi Ichimura Article 10.18926/AMO/32911 It is well known that eosinophils are involved in tyrosine nitration. In this study, we evaluated tyrosine nitration by rat eosinophils isolated from peritoneal fl uid and constituent eosinophils in the stomach. Rat peritoneal eosinophils activated with 1 μM phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and 50 μM NO2 ﾝ showed immunostaining for nitrotyrosine only in smaller cells, despite the fact that eosinophils are capable of producing superoxide (O2·ﾝ). Free tyrosine nitrating capacity after incubation with PMA and NO2 ﾝ was 4-fold higher in eosinophils than in neutrophils. Catalase and ｸ- and ｺ -tocopherol inhibited free tyrosine nitration by reactive nitrogen species from eosinophils but not that by peroxynitrite. Superoxide dismutase augmented free tyrosine nitration by activated eosinophils and peroxynitrite. The concentration of nitric oxide released from eosinophils was relatively low (0.32 μM/106 cells/h) and did not contribute to the formation of nitrotyrosine. On the other hand, most constituent eosinophils constituent in the rat stomach stimulated by PMA and NO2 ﾝ showed tyrosine nitration capacity. These results suggest that intact cells other than apoptotic-like eosinophils eluted in the intraperitoneal cavity could not generate reactive species responsible for nitration by a peroxidase-dependent mechanism. In contrast, normal eosinophils in the stomach were capable of nitration, suggesting that the characteristics of eosinophils in gastric mucosa are diff erent from those eluted in the peritoneal cavity. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Okayama University Medical School Acta Medica Okayama 0386-300X 61 2 2007 The effects of caregiving resources on the incidence of depression over one year in family caregivers of disabled elderly 71 80 EN Yuki Yajima Takako Tsutsui Kazuo Nakajima Hui-Ying Li Tomoko Takigawa Da-Hong Wang Keiki Ogino Original Article 10.18926/AMO/32887 The purpose of the study was to investigate the over-time effects of physical, psychological and social resources on the incidence of depression in family caregivers of the disabled elderly. Data were collected twice at a one-year interval from 1,141 primary caregivers of a disabled older person in an urban area of Japan using a self-reported questionnaire survey. The questionnaire included physical health as an indicator of physical resources, caregiving satisfaction and intention to care as indicators of psychological resources, and instrumental and emotional support network and formal home care service utilization as indicators of social resources. The mental health outcome measure was the General Health Questionnaire 12-item version (GHQ-12). Complete data on 235 non-depressed female caregivers were separated into 3 groups according to the relationship type (wife, daughter and daughter-in-law) and analyzed separately. Multivariate logistic regression models controlling for duration of caregiving, care-recipient's gender, ADL dependency and behavioral problems demonstrated that significant predictors of depression were caregiving satisfaction and intention to care in wives, caregiving satisfaction in daughters, and physical health and emotional support network in daughters-in-law. Noteworthy, intention to care increased the risk of depression in wives, while decreasing the risk of depression in daughters-in-law. The findings indicate that the effects of caregivers' resources on mental health may differ by relationship type. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Okayama University Medical School Acta Medica Okayama 0386-300X 61 4 2007 Biomarkers of oxidative/nitrosative stress: an approach to disease prevention. 181 189 EN Keiki Ogino Da-Hong Wang Review 10.18926/AMO/32871 Oxidative/nitrosative stress is responsible for a variety of degenerative processes in some human diseases. Measurement of oxidatively/nitrosatively modified DNA, proteins, lipids, and sugars in biological samples has been expected to detect appropriate biomarkers for diseases in which reactive oxygen/nitrogen species are involved. Recently, the application of these biomarkers to epidemiological studies has resulted in a new discipline, molecular epidemiology, which provides the opportunity for better understanding of their causal relation with disease outcomes in a population level. In this brief review, we cover some specific biomarkers of oxidative/nitrosative stress with regard to the commonly used analytical methods for these biomarkers, their integration with epidemiology, and their application in antioxidant intervention trials, with an emphasis on those applicable to human studies and their potentialities for disease prevention. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Okayama University Medical School Acta Medica Okayama 0386-300X 57 4 2003 Differential responses of serum gamma-glutamyltransferase to alcohol intake in Japanese males. 171 178 EN Yoko Matsuka Da-Hong Wang Narufumi Suganuma Kaori Imai Satoru Ikeda Kazuhisa Taketa Shohei Kira Article 10.18926/AMO/32805 We studied the association of gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and other serum markers of liver injury with daily alcohol consumption in a healthy population of 1,043 Japanese males. A positive correlation between daily alcohol consumption and biochemical markers, such as log GGT (r = 0.432), log AST (r = 0.244) or log LAP (r = 0.246), was seen in all drinkers. However, there was a negative correlation, such as log GGT (r = -0.434), log AST (r = -0.424) or log LAP (r = -0.430), in heavy drinkers who consumed more than 70 g ethanol a day. On the other hand, a positive correlation, such as log GGT (r = 0.426), log AST (r = 0.247) or log LAP (r = 0.216) was found in moderate drinkers who consumed less than 70 g ethanol a day. Interestingly, there was a tendency toward negative association between alcohol consumption and the Tokyo University ALDH2 Phenotype Screening Test (TAST) score in the heavy drinkers, and there was a tendency toward positive association between GGT and TAST score in this group. Our results suggest that there are 2 groups of drinkers, those with elevated GGT (good responders) and those with normal GGT (poor responders) despite heavy drinking. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Okayama University Medical School Acta Medica Okayama 0386-300X 59 4 2005 The relation between visceral adipose tissue accumulation and biochemical tests in university students. 129 134 EN Nobuyuki Miyatake Michiko Kogashiwa Da-Hong Wang Shohei Kira Teruhiro Yamasato Masafumi Fujii Article 10.18926/AMO/31951 We evaluated the visceral adipose tissue accumulation in university students in Okayama prefecture, Japan. Fifty-eight Japanese university students (10 men and 48 women, age 18.4 +/- 0.6 years)were enrolled in this study. Fat distribution was evaluated by visceral fat (V) and subcutaneous fat (S) areas measured with computed tomography (CT) scanning at umbilical levels. Anthropometric parameters,i.e., height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, and body fat percentage; blood examination; and blood pressure (BP) were also measured. In 58 subjects, the V area was 23.4 +/- 21.0 cm(2) and the S area was 122.5 +/- 57.9 cm(2). V areas were significantly correlated with hepatic enzymes, uric acid, triglyceride, and BP in men, while they were weakly correlated with hepatic enzymes, triglyceride, and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in women. Correlation coefficients between V areas and clinical parameters were comparatively higher than those between other body composition parameters,i.e., S areas, weight, body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, and clinical parameters. The present study suggests that visceral adipose tissue accumulation is important for hepatic enzymes, uric acid, triglyceride, and BP in university students. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Okayama University Medical School Acta Medica Okayama 0386-300X 56 6 2002 The current state of workers' pneumoconiosis in relationship to dusty working environments in Okayama Prefecture, Japan. 303 308 EN Tomoko Takigawa Takumi Kishimoto Makoto Nabe Tadashi Nishide Da-Hong Wang Akihiko Seki Genkei Uchida Shohei Kira Article 10.18926/AMO/31694 This study involved the examination of 1,006 chest x-ray films of workers from the industries devoted to shipyard welding, stone grinding, and refractory crushing in southern Okayama prefecture. Of the reviewed films, analysis was focused on subjects with a profusion rate of 0/1 as well as pneumoconiotic subjects (exhibiting profusion rates of 1/0 or greater) in order to discover cases in the beginning stages. One-hundred-and-seventy-four films illustrated a profusion rate of 0/1 or greater, and the proportion of this profusion rate was revealed to be highest in shipyard welders. Even some workers under 40 years of age were found to have already developed pneumoconiosis. Of these 1,006 subjects, 30 volunteers permitted us to measure their personal dust exposure concentrations. The measured concentration of the shipyard welders' dust exposure (respirable dust; 3.3 86.3 mg/m3, total dust; 7.5-117.0 mg/m3) was higher than those of the other 2 industries. Statistical differences among the industries were observed in the respirable dust concentrations. A statistically significant positive correlation was demonstrated between the working duration in dusty environments and the rate of profusion. The present findings suggest the need for taking adequate measures in Okayama in order to prevent workers from developing, or to help retard the progression of, pneumoconiosis. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Okayama University Medical School Acta Medica Okayama 0386-300X 53 3 1999 Urinary excretion of type I collagen cross-linked N-telopeptides, bone mass and related lifestyle in middle-aged women. 133 140 EN Chie Masatomi Kaori Imai Da-Hong Wang Satoru Ikeda Kazuhisa Taketa Shinji Takata Shohei Kira Article 10.18926/AMO/31637 The relationship between past and present lifestyle and urinary excretion of type I collagen cross-linked N-telopeptides (NTx) was studied in 61 Japanese females aged 34-59, with a view toward using NTx excretion rates as a predictor of future osteoporosis. Bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine, the speed of sound (SOS) and broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) of the os calcis, urinary NTx, serum osteocalcin (BGP) and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) were measured. Stiffness index (stiffness) was calculated from SOS and BUA. The subjects were asked whether they took regular exercise in their childhood and teen years (in elementary, junior-high, senior-high school and college), the past (20-40 years of age) and present adulthood. Regular calcium intake, smoking habits, alcohol and other beverage consumption and milk consumption were also covered in the questionnaire. The mean NTx values of premenopausal and postmenopausal group were 22.2 and 56.0 nM bone collagen equivalents (BCE)/mM urinary creatinine (Cr), respectively. The group which did not exercise regularly between the ages of 20 and 40 had a higher mean NTx value (40.9 nMBCE/mMCr) than the group which did exercise regularly (22.7 nMBCE/mMCr). In multiple regression analyses, age, stiffness and exercise in past adulthood could explain 43.5% of the NTx variance. For prevention of bone metabolic increases around menopause, habitual exercise in early adulthood seems to be effective. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Okayama University Medical School Acta Medica Okayama 0386-300X 52 3 1998 Risk analysis of the exposure to GB virus C/hepatitis G virus among populations of intravenous drug users, commercial sex workers and male outpatients at STD clinic in Chiang Mai, Thailand: a cross-sectional case-control study. 161 167 EN Narufumi Suganuma Satoru Ikeda Kazuhisa Taketa Da-hong Wang Hideki Yamamoto Kannika Phornphukutkul Supatra Peerakome Kriegsak Sitvacharanum Jaroon Jittiwutlkarn Article 10.18926/AMO/31326 An exposure to GB virus C/hepatitis G virus (GBV-C/HGV) was studied among populations at risk for blood and sexual exposure to analyze risk factor of the transmission of the virus. Blood samples were drawn from 98 intravenous drug users (IVDU), 100 female high-class commercial sex workers (CSW) and 50 male outpatients (MOP) at a sexually transmitted diseases (STD) clinic in Chiang Mai, Thailand. These blood samples were analyzed for GBV-C/HGV RNA; antibodies against second envelope protein of GBV-C/HGV (anti-E2); anti-hepatitis C virus antibody (HCV-Ab); hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb); and antibodies against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-Ab). Prevalences of GBV-C/HGV RNA, anti-E2, HCV-Ab, HBcAb and HIV-Ab were 27.6%, 16.3%, 84.7%, 76.5% and 45.0% in IVDU; 0%, 21.5%, 2.0%, 72.0% and 11.0% in CSW; 6.0%, 13.6%, 0%, 64.0% and 14.0% in MOP. While the prevalence of GBV-C/HGV RNA was higher in IVDU than in CSW and MOP, comparable prevalences of anti-E2 among the three populations were found. Intravenous drug injection showed association with GBV-C/HGV RNA, while history of STD associated with anti-E2. In conclusion, intravenous drug injection and STD were found to be risk factors for the previous exposure to GBV-C/HGV, but STD did not increase the risk of the GBV-C/HGV viraemia. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Okayama University Medical School Acta Medica Okayama 0386-300X 62 5 2008 The Half-life of Ascaris lumbricoides Prevalence in Japanese School Children 303 312 EN Carmen Miwa Kurosawa Takehiko Ito Jiro Takaki Bing-Ling Wang Da-Hong Wang Tomoko Takigawa Keiki Ogino Original Article 10.18926/AMO/30970 In the present study, we examined the dynamic of school-health-based parasite control and the related socio-economic influences. This is an ecological study based on data from 46 prefectures in Japan. The exponential decay of Ascaris lumbricoides prevalence was calculated by iterative least-squares method. Pearsonʼs correlation and multiple linear regression model analysis were performed to assess the associations between the prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides in Japanese school children and socio-economic variables such as the prefecture income per capita, the percentage of primary industry, the population density per 1 km2, the diffusion rate of population under water supply, and the percentage of upper secondary school enrollment. The results indicated that the parasite carrier rate was higher in younger students. The half-life of Ascaris lumbricoides prevalence was approximately 3 years with significant variation among prefectures. Multiple regression analyses showed that the decrease of infection in elementary and lower secondary school children had a significant positive association with primary industry and a significant negative association with prefecture income per capita. The school-health-based parasite intervention differs by prefecture and has changed over time according to the respective prefectural stage of economic development. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Okayama University Medical School Acta Medica Okayama 0386-300X 62 2 2008 Effects of mask fitness and worker education on the prevention of occupational dust exposure 75 82 EN Yoko Takemura Takumi Kishimoto Tomoko Takigawa Shinji Kojima Bing-Ling Wanga Noriko Sakano Da-Hong Wang Jiro Takaki Tadashi Nishide Kou Ishikawa Keiki Ogino Original Article 10.18926/AMO/30957 To decrease the incidence of pneumoconiosis, we examined dust protective mask performance and its relation to pulmonary function as well as the effects of worker education on the proper wearing of masks. One hundred and seventy-eight workers from 15 factories subject to dust exposure participated in this study. All participants were interviewed to obtain relevant personal information and underwent both a mask leakage and a pulmonary function test. The mask leakage was expressed as a percentage, with under 10% leakage indicating that the dust protective mask worked efficiently. In addition, 23 workers from 2 factories were educated on how to wear masks properly. The average mask leakage was 24.3%, and 58% of workers wore ineffective masks. Though pulmonary function was almost normal, the percent vital capacity (%VC) tended to be lower depending on the mask leakage. Mask education, which was very easy and took only a short time, dramatically decreased average mask leakage from 32.1% to 10.5% (p0.001). Educating workers to wear masks properly might prevent the worsening of pulmonary function in response to dust exposure. Appropriate mask fitness by education could be useful in preventing the development of pneumoconiosis. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Okayama University Medical School Acta Medica Okayama 0386-300X 62 6 2008 Mammalian Acatalasemia: The Perspectives of Bioinformatics and Genetic Toxicology 345 361 EN Masana Ogata Da-Hong Wang Keiki Ogino Review 10.18926/AMO/30951 The molecular defects in the catalase gene, levels of m-RNA and properties of the residual catalase studied by scientists are reviewed in human (Japanese, Swiss and Hungarian) and non-human (mouse and beagle dog) acatalasemia with reference to the bioinformatics. Japanese acatalasemia-I, the G to A transition at the fifth position of intron 4 of the catalase gene, limited the correct splicing of the mRNA and synthesized trace catalase with normal properties. Hungarian acatalasemia type C showed a splicing mutation. In the Japanese acatalasemia II and the type A and B of Hungarian acatalasemia, the deletion or insertion of nucleotides was observed in the coding regions, and the frame shift altered downstream amino acid sequences and formed truncated proteins. In the Hungarian acatalasemia D, the substitution of a nucleotide in the exon was found. In mouse and beagle dog acatalasemia, the substitution of nucleotides in the coding regions was also observed. Studies of residual catalase in Swiss, mouse and beagle dog acatalasemia showed that aberrant catalase protein degrades more quickly than normal catalase in cells. The experimental research in genetic toxicology concerning the effect of oxidative stressors (nitrogen monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and so on) on Japanese acatalasemic blood and acatalasemic mice is described. The clinical features of Japanese and Hungarian acatalasemic subjects are also described. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Okayama University Medical School Acta Medica Okayama 0386-300X 60 2 2006 Assessment of total and segmental body composition in spinal cord-injured athletes in okayama prefecture of Japan. 99 106 EN Yoshihide Inukai Kayo Takahashi Da-Hong Wang Shohei Kira Article 10.18926/AMO/30736 This study assessed total and segmental distribution of fat mass (FM) in athletes with spinal cord injury (SCI) and examined the relationships between segmental distribution of fat mass and age, injury level, athletic history, and training load in order to provide useful information for improvements in their physical strength and training. Twenty-five male athletes with SCI participated in the study. The whole bone composition was measured by a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) method for the calculation of bone minerals, FM, and fat-free mass. The percent fat of the trunk, arms, and legs was also calculated. The percent fat in the legs was highest in comparison with that in the trunk and arms (p < 0.001), and the percent fat in the trunk was higher than that in the arms (p < 0.001). The body fat (p < 0.01), waist circumference (p < 0.01), and waist-to-hip ratio (p < 0.0001) were higher in the group aged 40 or older in comparison with that aged 39 or younger. Path analysis revealed that training load was a factor decreasing the percent fat on the arms and trunk (p < 0.01), and athletic history was a factor reducing the percent fat on the arms (p < 0.05). Our study suggests that exercise is effective in reducing the waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and percent body fat of SCI individuals, and that such effects can help to enhance athletic performance and likely to protect against development of metabolic syndromes resulting from a sedentary lifestyle. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山医学会 Acta Medica Okayama 00301558 119 2 2007 メタボリックシンドロームとストレスとの関連 ―岡山県南部健康づくりセンター利用者での検討― 165 171 EN Norifumi Kawakita Nobuyuki Miyatake Tomoko Takigawa Da-Hong Wang Keiki Ogino Takeyuki Numata We compared the status of stress with and without metabolic syndrome in Japanese. We used data for 774 men and 1,136 women who had received annual health checkups at Okayama Southern Institute of Health. Status of stress was evaluated using a stress check provided by the Department of Public Health, Nihon University. Metabolic syndrome is defined by new criteria in Japan. Physical stress was significantly higher in men with metabolic syndrome than in men without it. However, the ability of coping with stress in men with metabolic syndrome was significantly higher than that in men without it. Thus a linkage between metabolic syndrome and the status of stress was characteristic in Japanese men. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 1996 Enhanced liver injury in acatalasemic mice following exposure to carbon tetrachloride. EN No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.