Quantitative Effects of the Loop Region on Topology, Thermodynamics, and Cation Binding of DNA G-quadruplexes.

The thermal stability of G-quadruplexes is important for their biological roles. G-quadruplexes are stable in the presence of cations such as K and Na because these cations coordinate in the G-quartet of four guanine bases. It is well known that the number of G-quartets and the configuration of the guanine bases affect the binding affinity of the cation.

Intramolecular G-quadruplex-hairpin loop structure competition of a GC-rich exon region in the gene.

We identified cytosine-rich regions adjacent to guanine-rich regions in protease genes. A typical GC-rich sequence derived from the gene showed structural competition between a G-quadruplex and a hairpin loop, and this competition significantly affected transcription efficiency. These results suggest an impact of neighboring sequences on the gene expression of guanine-rich sequences.

Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Korea and Japan: A Comparative Description.

Objectives: Work related Musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) is one of the most important problem in occupational health system of Korea and Japan, where the OHS system developed in similar socio-cultural environment. This study compared WMSD in Korea and Japan to review similarities and differences in their historical background, and development of prevention policies.

Methods: Scientific articles, government reports, and related official and non-official statistics on WMSD since the 1960s in Japan and Korea were reviewed.

Cigarette smoking, proteinuria, and renal function in middle-aged Japanese men from an occupational population.

Objectives: To clarify the renal effects of cigarette smoking in a middle-aged occupational population because the effects have previously been demonstrated mainly in community populations that included many elderly people who are thought to be vulnerable to such effects.

Methods: In 990 middle-aged men recruited from a chemical plant, proteinuria was measured by a dipstick method and the glomerular filtration rate was estimated (eGFR) using a formula proposed by the Japanese Society of Nephrology.

Results: Proteinuria was found in 4.

Cardiovascular and muscle activity during chewing in whiplash-associated disorders (WAD).

Objective: The present study aimed to elucidate possible physiological mechanisms behind impaired endurance during chewing as previously reported in WAD. We tested the hypothesis of a stronger autonomic reaction in WAD than in healthy subjects in response to dynamic loading of the jaw-neck motor system.

Design: Cardiovascular reactivity, muscle fatigue indicies of EMG, and perceptions of fatigue, exhaustion and pain were assessed during standardised chewing.

Evaluation of cognitive behavioural training and physical activity for patients with stress-related illnesses: a randomized controlled study.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of a cognitive behavioural training programme and a physical activity programme for patients with stress-related illnesses.

Design: In a randomized controlled study, patients were allocated randomly to 1 of 3 groups, where group 1 participated in a cognitive behavioural training programme, group 2 participated in a physical activity programme, and group 3, the control group, was offered usual care for the course of the study.

Subjects: A total of 75 patients participated in the study.

Solving tangled cases of work-related musculoskeletal disorders by international scientific cooperation.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) have become a serious worldwide problem. At the same time a number of workers experience a problem in getting their WRMSDs acknowledged. As an attempt to solve these problems, Japanese school lunch cooks' working conditions were discussed at international scientific meetings and a detailed inspection was done at a Japanese school kitchen by Swedish researchers.

Autonomic activity, pain, and perceived health in patients on sick leave due to stress-related illnesses.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to compare autonomic activity, pressure-pain thresholds, and subjective assessments of health and behavior between patients with stress-related illnesses and healthy control subjects.

Methods: Twenty sick-listed patients with stress-related illnesses and 20 age- and gender-matched healthy subjects performed tests of autonomic regulation and algometric tests, and completed questionnaires about physical and mental health and behavioral patterns.

Results: Patients exhibited higher autonomic reactivity to cognitive and physical laboratory tasks (p < 0.

Occupational stress among Japanese emergency medical technicians: Hyogo Prefecture.

Introduction: As prehospital care became emphasized in emergency medical services in Japan, qualification as a "paramedic" was established in 1991 as a requirement for national qualification as a emergency medical technician (EMT). With recent increases in emergency transportation, the responsibilities of paramedics have become more complex and demand a higher level of competency; however, no method of evaluating occupational stress among Japanese EMTs currently exists.

Methods: A questionnaire survey of the working conditions and health of 2,017 EMTs in Hyogo Prefecture was conducted.

[Trends in research and prevention policies for work-related musculoskeletal disorders at the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA)].

The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) has been working on matters related to occupational health problems in 15 European Union (EU) member states. EU-OSHA established 10 topic centers on work and health research in 1998. One of the topic centers is assigned for research and information on work-related musculoskeletal disorders.