Assessing the Fiscal Burden of Overweight and Obesity in Japan through Application of a Public Economic Framework.

Obesity continues to represent a significant public health concern, with a broad impact from both a health and economic perspective. This analysis assesses the fiscal consequences of overweight and obesity (OAO) in Japan by capturing obesity-attributable lost tax revenue and increased government transfers using a government perspective. The fiscal burden of OAO was estimated using an age-specific prevalence model, which tracked the Japanese population across different body mass index (BMI) categories.

Variation in responses to photoperiods and temperatures in Japanese medaka from different latitudes.

Seasonal changes are more robust and dynamic at higher latitudes than at lower latitudes, and animals sense seasonal changes in the environment and alter their physiology and behavior to better adapt to harsh winter conditions. However, the genetic basis for sensing seasonal changes, including the photoperiod and temperature, remains unclear. Medaka (Oryzias latipes species complex), widely distributed from subtropical to cool-temperate regions throughout the Japanese archipelago, provides an excellent model to tackle this subject.

Olfactory behavioural and neural responses of planktivorous lacustrine sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) to prey odours.

Fish use a variety of sensory systems when foraging. Salmonids are generally considered visual feeders. However, some species feed on zooplanktons under dark conditions, suggesting they also detect prey using nonvisual cues.

Ray-optics study of gentle non-conformal texture morphologies for perovskite/silicon tandems.

We investigate gentle front side textures for perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells. These textures enhance the absorption of sunlight, yet are sufficiently gentle to allow deposition of an efficient perovskite top cell. We present a tandem solar cell with such gentle texture, fabricated by Kaneka corporation, with an efficiency as high as 28.

Association between mild cognitive impairment and trajectory-based spatial parameters during timed up and go test using a laser range sensor.

Background: The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test may be a useful tool to detect not only mobility impairment but also possible cognitive impairment. In this cross-sectional study, we used the TUG test to investigate the associations between trajectory-based spatial parameters measured by laser range sensor (LRS) and cognitive impairment in community-dwelling older adults.

Methods: The participants were 63 community-dwelling older adults (mean age, 73.

The multi-faceted dynamics of HIV-1 transmission in Northern Alberta: A combined analysis of virus genetic and public health data.

Molecular epidemiology has become a key tool for tracking infectious disease epidemics. Here, the spread of the most prevalent HIV-1 subtypes in Northern Alberta, Canada, was characterized with a Bayesian phylogenetic approach using 1146 HIV-1 pol sequences collected between 2007 and 2013 for routine clinical management purposes. Available patient metadata were qualitatively interpreted and correlated with onwards transmission using Fisher exact tests and logistic regression.

Generating linear regression model to predict motor functions by use of laser range finder during TUG.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate which spatial and temporal parameters of the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test are associated with motor function in elderly individuals.

Methods: This study included 99 community-dwelling women aged 72.9 ± 6.

Association between comprehensive health literacy and frailty level in community-dwelling older adults: A cross-sectional study in Japan.

Aim: The present study explored the association between comprehensive health literacy and frailty level in community-dwelling older adults in Japan.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. We enrolled 517 community-dwelling older adults (mean age 73.

Children with flat feet have weaker toe grip strength than those having a normal arch.

[Purpose] This study investigated the relationship between toe grip strength and foot posture in children. [Subjects and Methods] A total of 619 children participated in this study. The foot posture of the participants was measured using a foot printer and toe grip strength was measured using a toe grip dynamometer.

Age-related decline in chest wall mobility: a cross-sectional study among community-dwelling elderly women.

Context: Chest wall mobility is strongly related to respiratory function; however, the effect of aging on chest wall mobility-and the level at which this mobility is most affected-remains unclear.

Objective: To investigate age-related differences in chest wall mobility and respiratory function among elderly women in different age groups.

Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was performed in Himeji City in Hyogo Prefecture and Ayabe City in Kyoto Prefecture in Japan.

The association between plantar heel pain and running surfaces in competitive long-distance male runners.

Background: Plantar heel pain (PHP) is a common complaint, and is most often caused by plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is reported to be associated with running surfaces, however the association between PHP and running surfaces has not previously been revealed in an epidemiological investigation. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to examine the association between PHP and running surfaces.

Functional Movement Screen for Predicting Running Injuries in 18- to 24-Year-Old Competitive Male Runners.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the functional movement screen (FMS) could predict running injuries in competitive runners. Eighty-four competitive male runners (average age = 20.0 ± 1.

Factors associating with shuttle walking test results in community-dwelling elderly people.

Background: The shuttle walking test (SWT) is a simple, widely used method for assessing endurance performance in the elderly. Despite widespread community use, its associated factors are unclear.

Aims: We aim to identify previously undefined SWT association factors in community-dwelling elderly people.

Arterial Stiffness Predicts Cognitive Decline in Japanese Community-dwelling Elderly Subjects: A One-year Follow-up Study.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine whether arterial stiffness can be used to predict one-year changes in the cognitive function in Japanese community-dwelling elderly subjects.

Methods: A total of 103 Japanese community-dwelling elderly patients joined this study. Information regarding the age, height, weight, gender and past medical history of each participant was obtained.

Differential association of frailty with cognitive decline and sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults.

Objectives: Frailty in older adults is a serious problem because of various adverse health outcomes in many countries with aging populations, such as Japan. The purpose of this study was to determine whether frailty and pre-frailty are associated with cognitive decline and sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults.

Design: This is a cross-sectional study.

Calibration of qualitative HBsAg assay results for quantitative HBsAg monitoring.

Evidence is accumulating that quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen monitoring may be useful in managing patients with chronic HBV infection on certain treatment regimens. Based on these results with the Abbott Architect qualitative and quantitative HBsAg assays, it seems feasible to convert qualitative to quantitative HBsAg values for this purpose.

Discrepant HIV results resolved by human DNA testing.

A high-risk patient was informed of a positive HIV antibody/antigen test. However, follow-up samples taken 2-3 months later for HIV RNA and anti-HIV antibodies were negative. Human DNA testing confirmed that all samples were from this patient, excluding a sample mix-up.

Midline craniofacial malformations with a lipomatous cephalocele are associated with insufficient closure of the neural tube in the tuft mouse.

Background: Genetic variations affecting neural tube closure along the head result in malformations to the face and brain, posing a significant impact on health care costs and the quality of life.

Methods: We have established a mouse line from a mutation that arose spontaneously in our wild-type colony that we called tuft. Tuft mice have heritable midline craniofacial defects featuring an anterior lipomatous cephalocele.

The physiological characteristics of community-dwelling elderly Japanese with airflow limitation: a cross-sectional study.

Background And Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the physiological characteristics of community-dwelling elderly subjects, aged ≥65 years, with airflow limitation in the Japanese community.

Methods: Subjects were recruited through local press advertisement, and 180 individuals were enrolled. Data on age, body mass index (BMI), gender, smoking history, and past medical history were obtained, as were pulmonary function parameters, skeletal muscle mass index, and physical activity.

The need for a sequencing-based assay to supplement the Abbott m2000 RealTime HCV Genotype II assay: a 1 year analysis.

Background: Hepatitis C (HCV) genotyping is important for treatment planning. The Abbott m2000 RealTime HCV Genotype II assay is a PCR-based assay targeting specific regions of the 5'NCR gene for genotypes 1-6, and the NS5b gene for subgenotypes 1a/1b. However, not all genotypes can be resolved, with results being reported as: 'indeterminate', 'mixed', 'genotype X reactivity with Y', or just the major genotype 1 alone.

Arterial stiffness determined according to the cardio-ankle vascular index(CAVI) is associated with mild cognitive decline in community-dwelling elderly subjects.

Aims: The purpose of this study was to determine the cross-sectional relationship between the cognitive function and cardio-ankle vascular index(CAVI) in Japanese community-dwelling elderly subjects.

Methods: A total of 179 Japanese community-dwelling elderly subjects were recruited for this study. The age, height, weight, gender and past medical history(cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia) of each participant was recorded.