Serum Soluble IL-2 Receptors Are Elevated in Febrile Illnesses and Useful for Differentiating Clinically Similar Malignant Lymphomas from Kikuchi Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The use of serum soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL-2R) for the diagnosis of febrile illnesses has not been examined. In this study, febrile patients were classified according to etiology and disease, and serum sIL-2R levels were evaluated. We determined whether serum sIL-2R is a useful marker for differentiating between malignant lymphoma (ML) and non-ML patients and between patients with ML and Kikuchi disease, which present similar clinical manifestations.

Associations between Work-Related Factors and Happiness among Working Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: As the global population ages, the number of older adults working after retirement is increasing. However, knowledge regarding working conditions for health and happiness among this population is insufficient. Therefore, we examined the association between work-related factors (e.

The Association between Family Caregiver Burden and Subjective Well-Being and the Moderating Effect of Social Participation among Japanese Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study.

We examined the association between family caregiver burden and subjective well-being with social participation's moderating effect among Japanese adults. Data were obtained from a cross-sectional survey by the Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort Study in the Okazaki area between 2013 and 2017. Study participants included 5321 adults who visited the Public Health Center for annual health check-ups and answered a questionnaire regarding health status and lifestyle.

Association Between Second-hand Smoke Exposure and Depressive Symptoms Among Japanese Adults: A Cross-sectional Study.

Background: Second-hand smoke exposure has been associated with poor mental health. However, among Japanese adults, little is known about the association between second-hand smoking and depressive symptoms. We examined this association in a cross-sectional study among a Japanese general adult population sample.

Genome-wide association meta-analysis and Mendelian randomization analysis confirm the influence of ALDH2 on sleep durationin the Japanese population.

Usual sleep duration has substantial heritability and is associated with various physical and psychiatric conditions as well as mortality. However, for its genetic locus, only PAX8 and VRK2 have been replicated in previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS). We conducted a GWAS meta-analysis of self-reported usual sleep duration using three population-based cohorts totaling 31 230 Japanese individuals.

Handling missing data in an FFQ: multiple imputation and nutrient intake estimates.

Objective: We aimed to examine missing data in FFQ and to assess the effects on estimating dietary intake by comparing between multiple imputation and zero imputation.

Design: We used data from the Okazaki Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort (J-MICC) study. A self-administered questionnaire including an FFQ was implemented at baseline (FFQ1) and 5-year follow-up (FFQ2).

Established Stem Cell Model of Spinal Muscular Atrophy Is Applicable in the Evaluation of the Efficacy of Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone Analog.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive neuromuscular disorder characterized by the degeneration of spinal motor neurons. This disease is mainly caused by mutation or deletion of the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene. Currently, no effective treatment is available, and only symptomatic treatment can be provided.

Association between tinnitus and sleep disorders in the general Japanese population.

Objectives: There are few studies about the association between tinnitus and sleep disorders in the general population worldwide. This study assessed this association in a Japanese community.

Methods: A total of 14,027 participants 45 to 79 years of age who were in the Takayama Study responded to a self-administered questionnaire about tinnitus and sleep disorders.

Branched-chain amino acid intake and the risk of diabetes in a Japanese community: the Takayama study.

Dietary supplementation with branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), including leucine, isoleucine, and valine, has shown potential benefits for the metabolic profile. However, higher blood BCAA levels have been associated with insulin resistance. To our knowledge, there has been no study on dietary BCAAs and the risk of diabetes.

Associations of endogenous melatonin and sleep-related factors with behavioral problems in preschool Japanese children.

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the associations of sleep disturbance and sleep time with behavioral problems and to assess whether endogenous melatonin was associated with sleep-related factors and behavioral problems.

Methods: Subjects were 234 boys and 203 girls, aged 3-6 years, in a cross-sectional study in Japan in 2006. Information related to children's sleep disturbance, sleep time, and behavioral problems was obtained from parent-administered questionnaires.

Diabetes mellitus and risk of cancer in Takayama: a population-based prospective cohort study in Japan.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been reported to be associated with an increased risk of site-specific cancers; however, few studies have assessed associations of DM with both total and site-specific cancers in Japan. We examined the association of a history of DM with cancer incidence in a population-based prospective cohort study in Japan. A total of 14 173 men and 16 547 women over 35 years old, who completed a self-administered baseline questionnaire in 1992, were followed up for cancer incidence from September 1992 to March 2008.

Soy isoflavone intake and breast cancer risk in Japan: from the Takayama study.

The effects of soy or isoflavone intake on breast cancer need to be examined further in epidemiologic studies. We assessed the associations of soy and isoflavone intake with breast cancer incidence in a population-based prospective cohort study in Japan. Participants were members from the Takayama study, aged 35 years or older in 1992.

Cadmium exposure and the risk of breast cancer in Japanese women.

Non-occupational exposure to cadmium has been suspected to be a risk factor for breast cancer. The present study examined the association between urinary cadmium level and the risk of breast cancer in a case-control study among Japanese women. Cases were 153 women newly diagnosed and histologically confirmed with breast cancer at a general hospital in Gifu, Japan.

Association of cigarette smoking with skin colour in Japanese women.

Objectives: Having a lighter skin tone is highly valued among many Asian women. If skin colour is affected by smoking, women may be motivated to avoid tobacco or quit smoking. The present study examined the association of tobacco smoking with skin colour in Japanese women.

Associations of urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin with demographics, body mass, sex steroids, and lifestyle factors in preschool Japanese children.

Purpose: We aimed to assess the associations of sex, age, body mass, sex steroid hormones, and lifestyle factors with the levels of melatonin in young children.

Methods: This study followed a cross-sectional design and was conducted two preschools in Japan. Subjects were 235 boys and 203 girls, aged 3-6 years.

Associations of intake of antioxidant vitamins and fatty acids with asthma in pre-school children.

Objective: Increasing childhood asthma rates may be due to changing dietary lifestyle. We investigated the association of dietary intake of antioxidant vitamins and fatty acids with asthma in Japanese pre-school children.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Total fat intake is associated with decreased mortality in Japanese men but not in women.

Dietary guidelines generally recommend avoiding a high-fat diet. However, the relationship between fat subtypes and mortality remains unclear especially in a population with a relatively low intake of fat. We aimed to prospectively examine the relationship between dietary fat intake and all-cause and cause-specific mortality in a Japanese community.

Associations of intakes of fat, dietary fiber, soy isoflavones, and alcohol with levels of sex hormones and prolactin in premenopausal Japanese women.

Objective: Endogenous sex hormones have been implicated in the etiology of breast cancer. Dietary factors such as fat, dietary fiber, soy isoflavones, and alcohol have been suggested to influence endogenous estrogen and other steroid hormone levels. We examined the relationship among these dietary factors and plasma sex hormone levels in premenopausal Japanese women.

Validity and reproducibility of food frequency questionnaire in Japanese children aged 6 years.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the validity and reproducibility of a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for use among young Japanese children. Forty-seven mothers of children aged 6 y completed two 3-d diet records and two FFQs over a 6-mo period. The FFQ asked the mothers how often, on average, their children consumed each of the 162 food items listed and what the usual serving size of each item was during the 6 mo prior to the study.

Seaweed intake and urinary sex hormone levels in preschool Japanese children.

Purpose: We investigated whether seaweed intake is associated with sex steroid levels in young Japanese children.

Methods: The design of the study was cross-sectional and it was conducted in October-November 2006. Subjects were substantially healthy preschoolers, 230 boys and 198 girls, aged 3-6 years.

Associations of birth weight and physical activity with sex steroids in preschool Japanese children.

Purpose: We aimed to assess the association of body size at birth or physical activity with sex steroid levels, independent of body mass among young children.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in 2006. Subjects were 230 boys and 198 girls, aged 3-6 years.

Associations of physical activity and diet with the onset of menopause in Japanese women.

Objective: Prospective studies on physical activity and diet and the onset of natural menopause are scarce. The aim of this study was to examine the association of physical activity and dietary factors potentially related to endogenous estrogen levels such as fats, dietary fiber, soy isoflavones, and alcohol with the onset of menopause in a cohort of premenopausal women.

Methods: Study participants were 3,115 premenopausal Japanese women aged 35 to 56 years derived from the participants in the Takayama Study.

Seaweed intake and blood pressure levels in healthy pre-school Japanese children.

Background: Few studies have examined whether dietary factors might affect blood pressure in children. We purposed to investigate whether seaweed intake is associated with blood pressure level among Japanese preschool children.

Methods: The design of the study was cross-sectional and it was conducted in autumn 2006.

Dietary intake of vitamin B12 and folic acid is associated with lower blood pressure in Japanese preschool children.

Background: An elevated plasma homocysteine level is an independent risk factor for high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, and its level is regulated by three vitamins; vitamin B6, B12, and folic acid. Until now, the association between the intake of these vitamins and blood pressure has been examined only in adult populations. We purposed to examine the association between dietary intake of these three vitamins and blood pressure of young children.

Cigarette smoking and other lifestyle factors in relation to the risk of pancreatic cancer death: a prospective cohort study in Japan.

Objective: To examine the association of smoking and lifestyle factors with pancreatic cancer death in the prospective design.

Methods: Mortality from pancreatic cancer in regard to smoking, body mass index, physical activity, and alcohol, coffee and green tea intake, was studied in a prospective cohort of 30,826 inhabitants in Takayama, Japan. In 1992, each subject completed a self-administered questionnaire on demographic information, smoking, drinking habits, diet, exercise and medical histories.