A genome-wide association study on confection consumption in a Japanese population: the Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort Study.

Differences in individual eating habits may be influenced by genetic factors, in addition to cultural, social or environmental factors. Previous studies suggested that genetic variants within sweet taste receptor genes family were associated with sweet taste perception and the intake of sweet foods. The aim of this study was to conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to find genetic variations that affect confection consumption in a Japanese population.

A genome-wide association study in Japanese identified one variant associated with a preference for a Japanese dietary pattern.

Background/objectives: Individual eating habits may be influenced by genetic factors, in addition to environmental factors. Previous studies suggested that adherence to Japanese food patterns was associated with a decreased risk of all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in a Japanese population to find genetic variations that affect adherence to a Japanese food pattern.

Alcohol drinking and brain morphometry in apparently healthy community-dwelling Japanese men.

The clinical implications of alcohol consumption have been extensively examined; however, its effects on brain structures in apparently healthy community-dwellers remain unclear. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between alcohol consumption and brain gray matter volume (GMV) in community-dwelling Japanese men using voxel-based morphometry (VBM). We recruited cognitively intact Japanese men, aged 40-79 years, from a population-based cohort in Shiga, Japan.

Long-Term Survival after Stroke in 1.4 Million Japanese Population: Shiga Stroke and Heart Attack Registry.

Background And Purpose: Although numerous measures for stroke exist, stroke remains one of the leading causes of death in Japan. In this study, we aimed to determine the long-term survival rate after first-ever stroke using data from a large-scale population-based stroke registry study in Japan.

Methods: Part of the Shiga Stroke and Heart Attack Registry, the Shiga Stroke Registry is an ongoing population-based registry study of stroke, which covers approximately 1.

Association between alcohol intake pattern and metabolic syndrome components and simulated change by alcohol intake reduction: A cross-sectional study from the Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort Study.

To investigate the association between alcohol intake pattern in amount and frequency and metabolic syndrome (Mets) components, we simulated the change in the prevalence of Mets components by intake reduction. In order to manage Mets, alcohol intake reduction with moderation of intake pattern is required. However, evidence investigating the comparative impact of alcohol intake reduction in amount and frequency for Mets components is limited.

Study Profile of the Japan Multi-institutional Collaborative Cohort (J-MICC) Study.

Background: The Japan Multi-institutional Collaborative Cohort (J-MICC) study was launched in 2005 to examine gene-environment interactions in lifestyle-related diseases, including cancers, among the Japanese. This report describes the study design and baseline profile of the study participants.

Methods: The participants of the J-MICC Study were individuals aged 35 to 69 years enrolled from respondents to study announcements in specified regions, inhabitants attending health checkup examinations provided by local governments, visitors at health checkup centers, and first-visit patients at a cancer hospital in Japan.

A genome-wide association study on fish consumption in a Japanese population-the Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort study.

Background/objective: Although benefits of fish consumption for health are well known, a significant percentage of individuals dislike eating fish. Fish consumption may be influenced by genetic factors in addition to environmental factors. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to find genetic variations that affect fish consumption in a Japanese population.

Association between self-reported hearing loss and low socioeconomic status in Japan: findings from the Toyama dementia survey.

Background: Age-related hearing loss reduces the quality of life in older adults. Low socioeconomic status (SES) has been reported as a risk factor for hearing loss, although this has not been verified in Japan. This study aimed to assess the association between low SES and hearing loss, excluding people with dementia, in Japan.

Isolated systolic hypertension and 29-year cardiovascular mortality risk in Japanese adults aged 30--49 years.

Objective: The prognostic implication of isolated systolic hypertension (ISH), defined as SBP at least 140 mmHg and DBP less than 90 mmHg, among young-to-middle-aged adults remains controversial. We examined the association of ISH with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in adults aged 30-49 years.

Methods: In a prospective cohort of representative Japanese general populations from the NIPPON DATA80 (1980-2009), we studied 4776 participants (mean age, 39.

Two-Year Recurrence After First-Ever Stroke in a General Population of 1.4 Million Japanese Patients - The Shiga Stroke and Heart Attack Registry Study.

Background: Despite many effective strategies for the prevention of recurrent stroke, individuals who survive an initial stroke have been shown to be at high risk of recurrent stroke. The aim of this study was to investigate the current status of stroke recurrence after first-ever stroke using a population-based stroke registry in Japan.

Methods and results: As part of the Shiga Stroke and Heart Attack Registry, the Shiga Stroke Registry is an ongoing population-based stroke registry study that covers approximately 1.

Differential Effect of Polymorphisms on Body Mass Index Across the Life Course of Japanese: The Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort Study.

Background: Obesity is a reported risk factor for various health problems. Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified numerous independent loci associated with body mass index (BMI). However, most of these have been focused on Europeans, and little evidence is available on the genetic effects across the life course of other ethnicities.

Waist Circumference and Domain-Specific Cognitive Function Among Non-Demented Japanese Older Adults Stratified by Sex: Results from the Takashima Cognition Study.

Background: While being obese in mid-life is associated with an increased risk of dementia and cognitive decline in late-life, being obese in late-life is shown to be associated with a lower risk of these outcomes in some studies. This phenomenon is known as the "obesity paradox", but the underlying reasons and potential sex difference have not been well understood.

Objective: To investigate the association between cognition and waist circumference (WC), an alternative measure of body fat which can be measured easier than body mass index (BMI), among older adults in each generation of late-life for men and women separately.

Discrepancy in the perception of symptoms of cognitive decline between older adults and their family members: results of the Toyama dementia survey.

Background: Early consultation is important to delay the onset of dementia. The present study aimed to explore the reasons for delaying a consultation of dementia while focusing on the differences in the perception of cognitive decline between older adults and their family members.

Methods: A group of 663 older adults aged ≥65 years and living with family members in Toyama Prefecture was surveyed.

Socioeconomic status and remaining teeth in Japan: results from the Toyama dementia survey.

Background: The prevalence of periodontal disease is increasing among elderly individuals in Japan. Reports on the risk factors for tooth loss have included socioeconomic status (SES); however, few studies have addressed the association between remaining teeth and SES by examining whether education and occupation have a synergistic effect on tooth loss. Accordingly, the present study evaluated the association of remaining teeth with the socioeconomic factors of educational and occupational histories in Japanese elderly individuals.

Association of Work Situation With Cardiovascular Disease Mortality Risk Among Working-Age Japanese Men - A 20-Year Follow-up of NIPPON DATA90.

Background: Several cohort studies have demonstrated an association between socioeconomic status (SES) and health outcomes in Japan. As long-term employment is common in Japan, the size of the company may be related to cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality risk. We examined the association of employment conditions with CVD mortality risk among working-age Japanese men (30-59 years, n=2,091).

Relationship between carbohydrate and dietary fibre intake and the risk of cardiovascular disease mortality in Japanese: 24-year follow-up of NIPPON DATA80.

Background/objectives: The association between carbohydrate intake and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk has been investigated, but whether the quality of carbohydrate is more important than its amount is not known. We examined the associations between intake of dietary fibre (DF), carbohydrate, available carbohydrate, and starch with long-term CVD mortality in a Japanese population.

Subjects/methods: We prospectively followed 8925 participants (3916 men and 5009 women) aged 30-79 years without CVD at baseline who participated in the National Nutrition Survey in Japan.

Regulatory Role of GRK2 in the TLR Signaling-Mediated iNOS Induction Pathway in Microglial Cells.

G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) is a ubiquitous member of the GRK family that restrains cellular activation by G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) phosphorylation leading to receptor desensitization and internalization, but has been identified to regulate a variety of signaling molecules, among which may be associated with inflammation. In this study, we attempted to establish the regulatory role of GRK2 in the Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathway for inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in microglial cells. When mouse MG6 cells were stimulated with the TLR4 ligands lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and paclitaxel, we found that interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF1) protein expression and activation was upregulated, transcription of interferon-β (IFN-β) was accelerated, induction/activation of STAT1 and activation of STAT3 were promoted, and subsequently iNOS expression was upregulated.

Association of exposure level to passive smoking with hypertension among lifetime nonsmokers in Japan: a cross-sectional study.

Brief exposure to passive smoking immediately elevates blood pressure. However, little is known about the association between exposure to passive smoking and chronic hypertension. We aimed to examine this association in a cross-sectional study, after controlling multiple potential confounders.

Two-Year Survival After First-Ever Stroke in a General Population of 1.4 Million Japanese - Shiga Stroke Registry.

Background: Stroke is one of the leading causes of disability and mortality in Japan. The aim of the present analysis was to determine the non-acute survival rate after first-ever stroke using data from a large-scale population-based stroke registry in Japan.

Methods and results: Shiga Stroke Registry is an ongoing population-based registry of stroke, which covers approximately 1.

The JAGUAR Score Predicts 1-Month Disability/Death in Ischemic Stroke Patient Ineligible for Recanalization Therapy.

Background And Purpose: Most available scoring system to predict outcome after acute ischemic stroke (AIS) were established in Western countries. We aimed to develop a simple prediction score of 1-month severe disability/death after onset in AIS patients ineligible for recanalization therapy based on readily and widely obtainable on-admission clinical, laboratory and radiological examinations in Asian developing countries.

Methods: Using the Shiga Stroke Registry, a large population-based registry in Japan, multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted in 1617 AIS patients ineligible for recanalization therapy to yield ß-coefficients of significant predictors of 1-month modified Rankin Scale score of 5-6, which were then multiplied by a specific constant and rounded to nearest integer to develop 0-10 points system.

Ankle-brachial index measured by oscillometry is predictive for cardiovascular disease and premature death in the Japanese population: An individual participant data meta-analysis.

Background And Aims: The ankle-brachial index (ABI) is a predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and premature death. However, few studies on this marker are available in the general Asian populations. This study aimed to investigate the association between ABI measured with oscillometry and the risk of these outcomes.

A pathway from low socioeconomic status to dementia in Japan: results from the Toyama dementia survey.

Background: The association between low socioeconomic status (SES) and dementia is reportedly mediated by lifestyle-related diseases (i.e., diabetes) in European countries and the United States; however, in Japan, the link between low SES and dementia has not been investigated.