Identification of a novel type of polyunsaturated fatty acid synthase involved in arachidonic acid biosynthesis.

Arachidonic acid (ARA) is a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and an essential component of membrane lipids. However, the PUFA synthase required for ARA biosynthesis has not been identified in any organism. To identify the PUFA synthase producing ARA, we determined the draft genome sequence of the marine bacterium Aureispira marina, which produces a high level of ARA, and found a gene cluster encoding a putative PUFA synthase for ARA production.

Twelve-year cumulative incidence of airflow obstruction among Japanese males.

Background: To date, there is very limited longitudinal data on COPD and incidence estimates in Japan. The aim of this study was to investigate the 12-year cumulative incidence of airflow obstruction (COPD) in Japanese males.

Methods: This study included 913 male subjects, aged 30-76 years, who underwent lung function tests at a medical check-up in 1994 (baseline), 1999, and 2006.

Long-term follow-up study of health status in population living in methylmercury-polluted area.

At present, it is important to follow-up on the health condition of inhabitants living in a methylmercury-polluted area surrounding Minamata City, paying attention to subclinical disorders not only of the central nervous system, which have been concentrically studied for more than 40 years, but also to other health issues as well. We have performed annual follow-up multiple health examinations on about 1,500 persons of ages more than 40 years old in Tsunagi Town near Minamata City each summer from 1984 to 2004. Case-control studies were designed to estimate the role of risk factors for various health issues using geographical differences to compare the verified patients.

No difference in serum leptin concentrations between urban-dwelling Austronesians and Non-Austronesians in Papua New Guinea.

Pacific Islands populations can be broadly divided into Austronesians (AN) and Non-Austronesians (NAN); obesity and type 2 diabetes are prevalent in the former, although leptin levels in both groups have seldom been investigated. Thirty-seven (20 male and 17 female) adult pairs, matched by age and percent body fat, from AN-speaking Balopa and NAN-speaking Huli, all of whom migrated to settle in Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea, were selected for comparison of their serum leptin concentrations. The Balopa did not differ significantly from the Huli in age (30.

Skin manifestations of arsenicosis in two villages in Bangladesh.

Background: Arsenic contamination in groundwater affects 35 million people in Bangladesh, but the prevalence of arsenic contamination in local communities remains to be clarified. As skin manifestations are sensitive markers of arsenicosis, we examined the skin of adults and adolescents in two villages to elucidate the severity of arsenicosis.

Methods: Five hundred and sixty-one villagers were randomly selected for the evaluation of their skin.

Occupational dermatoses among fibreglass-reinforced plastics factory workers.

Fibreglass-reinforced plastics (FRP) factory workers are at high risk of developing occupational dermatoses because of their exposure to many chemicals used in the manufacture of plastics as well as to glass fibre or dust. Patch tests were carried out on 29 workers involved in FRP manufacturing processes where unsaturated polyester (UP) resin was used, to investigate the causes of their skin problems. Of the 22 workers who reported experiencing skin problems, 16 showed positive results to at least 1 chemical, including 6 cases of multiple sensitivity.

Skin problems among fiber-glass reinforced plastics factory workers in Japan.

Two surveys, one in winter the other in summer time, examined the skin problems of the entire manual workers (N=148) from 11 small-to-medium sized fiber-glass reinforced plastics (FRP) factories located in Kyushu, Japan. The workers were exposed to unsaturated polyester resin, including styrene and auxiliary agents such as cobalt naphthenate, hardeners such as methyl ethyl ketone peroxides, glass fiber and dust including shortened glass fiber and plastic particles. Eighty-seven workers (58.

Cardiovascular risk factors of migrants in Port Moresby from the highlands and island villages, Papua New Guinea.

This study examined cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, i.e., obesity, blood pressures, and serum lipoproteins and apoproteins, in relation to sociocultural characteristics in two rural-urban migrant populations (n = 173 adult males and females) in Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea.