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Aims/Introduction: This cohort study assessed the risk for bodyweight gain and development of glucose intolerance based on the frequency of consumption of balanced meals including grain, fish or meat and vegetables. Materials and Methods: The participants (8,573 men, 3,327 women) were employees of a company in Japan. A self‐administered questionnaire was used to evaluate the frequency of balanced meal consumption. Bodyweight changes and the incidence of glucose intolerance (glycated hemoglobin >6.0%) during the 3‐year follow‐up period were determined through annual health examinations. Results: The mean bodyweight change over a period of 3 years was 0.78 kg for men and 0.84 kg for women. A lower frequency of balanced meals was associated with a higher bodyweight gain for men (P for trend = 0.004), but not for women. During the study, 464 men and 115 women developed glucose intolerance. Overall, the frequency of balanced meals was not associated with the risk of glucose intolerance in either sex. However, the interaction between the frequency of balanced meals and degree of obesity had a significant effect on the incidence of glucose intolerance in men (P = 0.005), with less frequent consumption of balanced meals being associated with a higher risk for glucose intolerance among men with a BMI ≥25.0 kg/m2 (P for trend = 0.007). Conclusions: A higher frequency of balanced meals, including grain, fish or meat and vegetable dishes – important components of healthy Japanese food – was associated with a lower risk of glucose intolerance in obese men, but not in non‐obese men and women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the biological half-life of urinary cadmium concentration (U-Cd) based on a 22-year follow-up study after cessation of environmental Cd pollution. Spot urine samples were obtained from the inhabitants (32 men and 36 women) in the target area in 1986, 1991, 1999, 2003 and 2008. These inhabitants were divided into higher or lower baseline U-Cd group by the cut-off of 5 μg l–1or 5 μg g–1creatinine. Biological half-life of U-Cd was estimated using a linear mixed model adjusted for the baseline age. In the higher baseline U-Cd groups, the estimated half-life and 95% confidence intervals were 12.4 years (9.3–18.8 years) and 11.4 years (9.3–14.6 years) for unadjusted U-Cd in men and women, respectively. For creatinine-adjusted U-Cd, they were 16.0 years (13.0–20.7 years) and 20.4 years (16.6–26.2 years) in men and women, respectively. In the lower baseline U-Cd groups, biological half-life for unadjusted U-Cd in men was solely significant (23.4 years) and longer than the corresponding half-life in the higher baseline U-Cd group. The biological half-lives of U-Cd obtained in this study were identical with the values for U-Cd or total body burden determined by a different method. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objectives: This study was undertaken to examine the association between sickness absence in Japanese employees and job demand/control and occupational class as psychosocial work characteristics. Methods: The study was cross-sectional in design with data collected from 20,464 male and 3,617 female employees, whose mean age was 40.9 years (SD ± 9.1 years) and 36.9 years (SD ± 10.8 years), respectively. The participants were asked to write the total number of sick leaves they had taken during the past year, and a comparison was made between the group with more than 6 days of sickness absence and the group with 0–6 days as a reference group. Job demands, job control, and worksite support from supervisors and colleagues were analyzed by the Job Content Questionnaire, and likewise by the Generic Job Stress Questionnaire of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Results: Both low job control and low support at the worksite were associated with a high frequency of sickness absence. But there was no clear relationship between job demands and sickness absence. The lowest sickness absence rate was found in male managers and the highest in male and female laborers. Conclusion: This is the first report of a large-scale survey of Japanese employees to show a high frequency of sickness absence associated with increased work stress and a socioeconomically low occupational class. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HVC) markers are frequently positive in alcoholic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the role of the relationship between HBV or HCV infection and alcohol drinking in the development of HCC has not been clearly documented. In the present study, the relative risk in 1200 cirrhotic patients with different etiologies who were admitted to five different hospitals in Japan was calculated using the multiple logistic-regression coefficient analysis. In the HCV+ alcohol group, HCC patients tended to be younger, and the odds ratio for the development of HCC was significantly higher compared with the HCV-alone group. Furthermore, the interaction coefficient of alcohol and HCV for the development of HCC was significant statistically. However, the interaction between HBV and alcohol was not significant. Because the proportion of male patients with HCC was significantly higher in the alcohol-alone and HBV-related groups than in the HCV-related group, the multiple logistic-regression analysis was also performed in male patients only. The results were nearly the same as those in male and female patients combined. These results suggest strongly that alcohol and HCV together accelerate the development of HCC. However, a similar relationship was not found between alcohol and HBV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies have shown that GFR estimated from serum creatinine (eGFRcr) is higher in smokers although the implications remain unclear. We aimed to clarify the associations of smoking with eGFRcys (GFR estimated from serum cystatin C) and eGFRcr, cys (the surmised most precise GFR estimate based on serum creatinine and cystatin C) in a working population. Methods: Cross-sectional observation in 1,587 male workers aged 25-64 years. For eGFRcr, JEQcr proposed by the Japanese Society of Nephrology (JSN) and jEPIcr by the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiological Collaboration (CKD-EPI) modified for Japanese, and for eGFRcys, JEQcys proposed by JSN and EPIcys by CKD-EPI were calculated together with eGFRcr,cys of JEQaver (the average of JEQcr and JEQcys) and jEPIcr,cys by CKD-EPI modified for Japanese. Results: Mean JEQcys was 95.1 mL/min/1.73 m in contrast to 80.9 in JEQcr, with this difference considerable. Serum cystatin C was higher in smokers and obese subjects while serum creatinine was lower in smokers and slender subjects. JEQcys and EPIcys were lower in smokers while JEQcr and jEPIcr were higher in smokers adjusting for body mass index (BMI). eGFRcr,cys (JEQaver and jEPIcr,cys) did not differ between the never smokers and current smokers. eGFRcr,cys predicted by the equations composed of eGFRcr, BMI, and smoking habits showed a good accordance with calculated eGFRcr,cys. Conclusions: Either eGFRcr, eGFRcys or both were not reliable indicators of renal function in workers who smoked. The possibly more precise estimate of eGFRcr,cys could be predicted by eGFRcr, BMI and smoking in such a generally healthy population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the cross-sectional association between organizational justice (i.e., procedural justice and interactional justice) and psychological distress or work engagement, as well as the mediating roles of other job stressors (i.e., job demands and job control, or their combination, effort–reward imbalance [ERI], and worksite support). A total of 243 workers (185 males and 58 females) from a manufacturing factory in Japan were surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire including the Organizational Justice Questionnaire, Job Content Questionnaire, Effort–Reward Imbalance Questionnaire, K6 scale, Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, and other covariates. Multiple mediation analyses with the bootstrap technique were conducted. In the bivariate analysis, procedural justice and interactional justice were significantly and negatively associated with psychological distress; they were significantly and positively associated with work engagement. In the mediation analysis, reward at work (or ERI) significantly mediated between procedural justice or interactional justice and psychological distress; worksite support significantly mediated between procedural justice or interactional justice and work engagement. The effects of organizational justice on psychological distress seem to be mediated by reward at work (or ERI) while those regarding work engagement may be mediated by worksite support to a large extent, at least in Japanese workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: Three job stress models/concepts (the job demands–control [DC] model, the effort–reward imbalance [ERI] model, and organizational justice) have been linked to coronary heart disease (CHD) at work. In recent years, oxidative DNA damage has been identified as a new risk factor for CHD. However, evidence for the association between these job stressors and oxidative DNA damage is limited. The present cross-sectional study investigated the association between these job stress models/concepts and oxidative DNA damage as a possible mediator of the adverse health effects of job stress. Methods: A total of 166 male and 51 female workers of a manufacturing factory in Japan were surveyed using a mailed questionnaire regarding job stressors and demographic, occupational, and lifestyle variables. Urinary concentrations of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), a biomarker of oxidative DNA damage, were also measured. Results: In male subjects, the urinary concentrations of 8-OHdG were significantly higher among the group with lower interactional justice, one of the two components of organizational justice; however, no association was observed with the DC model or the ERI model. In female subjects, high job demands/control ratio was significantly and positively associated with the urinary concentrations of 8-OHdG. Conclusion: Interactional justice among male workers and the DC model-based strain among female workers may be associated with increased urinary concentrations of 8-OHdG which possibly reflects oxidative DNA damage. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Deficiencies in mitochondrial low-Km aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) activity, and consequently high blood acetaldehyde levels, have been suggested to relate to various diseases in Japanese, including esophageal cancer. In the present study, 200 men aged 35–59 years randomly selected from an occupational population were analyzed for the association of ALDH2 genotypes and cytochrome P450-2E1 (CYP2E1) genotypes with the urinary excretion of acetaldehyde (which is bound to some chemicals in the urine) and with common alcohol-related health consequences. Urinary acetaldehyde excretion was increased, reflecting increased alcohol consumption even in this moderate alcohol-consuming population. Neither the ALDH2 nor the CYP2E1 genotypes showed significant influence on the elevation of urinary acetaldehyde excretion. Neither these genotypes nor urinary acetaldehyde concentration significantly affected blood pressure, serum aspartate aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyl transferase activities, or serum HDL-cholesterol and lipid peroxide concentrations. It was concluded that acetaldehyde accumulates in moderate alcohol consumers irrespective of ALDH2 and CYP2E1 genotype, and that the implications of these genotypes and acetaldehyde accumulation in terms of common alcohol-related health consequences were obscure. The results also suggest that the carcinogenicity of acetaldehyde on esophageal mucosa depends greatly upon repeated exposure to high blood acetaldehyde, even through transient rather than chronic exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We used ultrasound (US) transmission to evaluate the speed of sound (SOS) and broadband ultrasonic attenuation (BUA) in the calcaneus in 17 male and 18 female inhabitants of a Cd-polluted area and 23 men and 45 women living in a nonpolluted area. Significant decreases in SOS and stiffness (Stiff), which was an index empirically derived from SOS and BUA, were found in Cd-exposed women. To evaluate the usefulness of the US measurements for detecting bone abnormality in Cd-exposed people, we examined the associations with the bone measurements of metacarpus by the previously used microdensitometry (MD) method and the grade of renal tubular damage due to Cd exposure. Bone density estimated by MD, SigmaGS/D, was significantly correlated with BUA, SOS, and Stiff in the Cd-exposed men and with BUA and Stiff in the Cd-exposed women. Further, in the Cd-exposed women, the decreases in BUA and Stiff correlated significantly with the increases in urinary theta2-microglobulin, while SigmaGS/D by the MD method did not. These results suggest that the m easurem ent of the calcaneus using US is not only radiation free but also can be used as a tool for population surveys aim ing to evaluate bone damage in people, especially women, showing renal tubular damage due to environmental Cd exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of environmental cadmium (Cd) exposure indicated by urinary Cd (U-Cd) on cancer mortality in the general Japanese population. A 19-year cohort study was conducted in 1107 men and 1697 women who lived in three Cd non-polluted areas in Japan. Mortality risk ratio and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) for continuous U-Cd were estimated for all malignant neoplasms and specific cancers using a Fine and Gray competing risks regression model. The all-cause, including cancer and non-cancer mortality rates per 1000 person-years were 29.8 and 13.9 in men and women, respectively. By using Fine and Gray's method, continuous U-Cd adjusted for creatinine (+1 μg/g cre) was significantly related to mortalities for all malignant neoplasms (risk ratio = 1.06, 95%CI: 1.02-1.11) and pancreas (risk ratio = 1.13, 95%CI: 1.03-1.24) in women. In the present study, U-Cd was significantly associated with increased cancer mortality in the general Japanese population, indicating that environmental Cd exposure adversely affects the life prognosis in Cd non-polluted areas in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We recently reported that children and adolescents with a history of Kawasaki disease (KD) had slight but significant elastic arterial stiffness even when no coronary artery lesions (CALs) were present. Moreover, we hypothesized that KD-related arteriopathy may also cause peripheral artery dysfunction. The objective of this study was to assess the involvement of radial artery pulse waves, especially reflection waves from the peripheral arteries using the radial artery augmentation index (rAI) in patients without CALs after KD.Materials and Methods: We first collected the rAI data from 312 subjects (149 consecutive patients of KD and 163 control subjects). Next, 225 cases between 6 and 15 years old were selected. Finally, 41 pairs were included for analysis. The rAI values of these two groups were compared and analyzed. Acute-phase data were also collected to reveal the possible correlation with rAI in the convalescent period.Results: Multivariable analysis revealed the history of KD was positively correlated with rAI@75 value in children from 6 to 15 years old. After pairing the height and gender, the KD group also had significantly higher rAI and rAI@75 than the control group (rAI 60.63±13.77 vs 54.56±13.17, p=0.028; rAI@75 63.61±15.21 vs 55.68±14.86, p=0.003). With regard to acute-phase condition, nonresponse to initial treatment was also linked to elevated rAI during the convalescent period.Conclusions: During the convalescent period, the rAI increased in KD patients without acute CALs. Furthermore, nonresponse to initial treatment in acute phase conferred higher rAI to KD subjects than respondent cases. Elevated rAI means the reflection wave from the peripheral vascular is stronger or earlier. This small but significant change may indicate the existence of peripheral artery stiffness during the convalescent period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analyses of covariance were used to compare the mean AOS-A, AOS-B, BFB, and TMD values among the groups, after adjusting for age, sex, and area; Bonferroni multiple comparison tests were performed for the lowest tertile. Multivariate-adjusted mean of total AOS-A, AOS-B, Brain Function Battery, total mood disturbance, and odor identification scores by tertile of neighborly contact group 6 AOS-A, Action Observation Sheet - Activities of Daily Living; AOS-B, Action Observation Sheet - Daily Living Behavior; CI, confidence interval. [Extracted from the article]

Background Exposure to cadmium (Cd) via food is supposed to affect life prognosis of inhabitants of Cd-polluted area in Japan. However, there have been few reports demonstrating a significant relationship between the amount of Cd intake and mortality. We aimed to investigate the relationship between mortality and individual lifetime Cd intake (LCd) in inhabitants of the polluted Jinzu River basin, Toyama, Japan. Methods We conducted a 26-year follow-up survey in 2407 inhabitants (1208 men and 1199 women) who participated in health examinations for screening of renal dysfunction from 1979 to 1984. The calculation of LCd in each inhabitant was based on the formula of Nogawa (Nogawa et al., 1989): (mean Cd concentration in rice of the present hamlet × 333.5 g/day + 34 μg/day) × 365 days/year × number of years of residence in the present hamlet + 50 μg/day × 365 days/year × number of years living in Cd non-polluted regions. In this formula, 333.5 g/day is the 1970 average daily intake of rice in this area, 34 µg/day is the Cd intake from foods other than rice in this area, and 50 μg/day is the average intake of Cd in non-polluted areas in Japan. Mortality risk ratios of LCd for all and specific causes were estimated after adjustments for age at baseline, smoking status, and history of hypertension using a Cox hazard model or Fine and Gray competing risks regression model. Results The mortality risk ratios of LCd (+ 1 g) for all causes in women were significantly dose-dependently increased (risk ratio: 1.08). Relative risk of LCd for kidney and urinal tract disease, renal diseases, renal failure and toxic effects of cadmium were significantly higher in women. Conclusions The present study documents that individual LCd dose-dependently decreased life prognosis over long-term observation in women. LCd was significantly related to the increased mortality for renal disease and toxic effect of Cd in women. The result provides clear evidence that life prognosis was adversely affected by Cd-exposure, especially in women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims/Introduction The present cohort study assessed the risk among Japanese men for developing type 2 diabetes, based on the percentage of energy intake from carbohydrates and degree of obesity. Participants and Methods The participants were 2,006 male factory employees, and the macronutrient intake of each patient was measured using a self-administered diet history questionnaire. The incidence of diabetes was determined in annual blood examinations over a 10-year period. Results During the study, 232 participants developed diabetes. The crude incidence rates (/1,000 person-years) for different levels of carbohydrate intake as a percentage of calories consumed (<50.0, 50.0-57.4, 57.5-65.0, >65.0% of energy intake) were 16.5, 14.4, 12.7 and 17.6. Overall, carbohydrate intake was not associated with the risk of diabetes. However, there was significant interaction between carbohydrate intake and degree of obesity on the incidence of diabetes ( P for interaction = 0.024). Higher carbohydrate intake was associated with elevated risk for diabetes among participants with a body mass index ≥25.0 kg/m2 ( P for trend = 0.034). For obese participants, the multivariate-adjusted hazard ratio for those with carbohydrate intakes >65% energy was 2.01 (95% confidence interval 1.08-3.71), which was significantly higher than that of participants with carbohydrate intakes 50.0-57.4% energy. Conclusions Higher carbohydrate intake was associated with higher risk of diabetes in obese participants, but not in non-obese participants. Obese participants with carbohydrate intakes >65% energy should reduce their intakes to levels within the desirable carbohydrate energy proportion for Japanese (50-65% energy) to prevent development of type 2 diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the relation between overall sleep status based on the modified Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index ( PSQI) global score and subsequent changes in serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs CRP) in a population of Japanese factory workers, who were predominantly female. A total of 991 Japanese with inflammation classified as low cardiovascular risk (baseline hs CRP < 1.0 mg L−1) were grouped according to the presence or absence of unfavourable sleep, defined as a modified PSQI global score > 5.5 points. The subsequent changes in hs CRP after 3 years were then compared in the two groups. Analysis of covariance incorporating log-transformed baseline hs CRP, age, sex, lifestyle and physical and biochemical profiles was used to compare the geometric means of hs CRP at year 3 in each sleep status group. A logistic regression model incorporating the same variables was used to calculate the odds ratios for development of inflammation with a medium-to-high cardiovascular risk (hs CRP at year 3 ≥ 1.0 mg L−1) comparing the presence or absence of unfavourable sleep habits. The multivariate-adjusted geometric mean of hs CRP at year 3 was significantly higher in subjects with unfavourable sleep habits compared with those with a normal pattern (0.275 versus 0.242 mg L−1). The multivariate-adjusted odds ratio for developing increased and potentially pathogenic levels of inflammation due to unfavourable sleep was 2.08 (95% confidence interval = 1.29-3.35). There was a significant linear trend for the development of increased inflammation across the modified PSQI global scores ( P = 0.04). Unfavourable sleep is associated with activation of low-grade systemic inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To examine the relation of insulin resistant status determined by homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) with the risk of incident hyperuricemia. Methods The study participants included 2071 Japanese men without hyperuricemia and diabetes, aged 35–54 years. The participants had undergone annual heath examinations for 6 years to compare incident hyperuricemia (serum uric acid >416.4 μmol/L (7.0 mg/dL) and/or taking medication for hyperuricemia) in four groups based on quartiles of baseline HOMA-IR. Results During follow-up there were 331 incident cases of hyperuricemia. The hazard ratios for hyperuricemia, compared with HOMA-IR ≤0.66, were 1.42 (95% confidence interval 1.02–1.98) for HOMA-IR 0.67–0.98, 1.20 (0.86–1.68) for HOMA-IR 0.99–1.49 and 1.44 (1.04–1.98) for HOMA-IR ≥1.50 after adjustment for baseline serum uric acid, creatinine, hypercholesterolemia and hypertension status, age, alcohol intake, and smoking and exercise habits. The hazard ratio associated with an increase of one standard deviation in lnHOMA-IR (1.85 as one geometric standard deviation of HOMA-IR) was 1.14 (1.03–1.28) ( p for trend = 0.02). Conclusions Increased HOMA-IR independently predicted the subsequent development of hyperuricemia. Insulin resistance itself or compensatory hyperinsulinemia may contribute to the development of hyperuricemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies have shown that a diet with a high-glycemic index is associated with good sleep quality. Therefore, we investigated the association of sleep quality with the intake of 3 common starchy foods with different glycemic indexes–rice, bread, and noodles–as well as the dietary glycemic index in a Japanese population. Methods: The participants were 1,848 men and women between 20 and 60 years of age. Rice, bread, and noodle consumption was evaluated using a self-administered diet history questionnaire. Sleep quality was evaluated by using the Japanese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and a global score >5.5 was considered to indicate poor sleep. Results: Multivariate-adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for poor sleep across the quintiles of rice consumption were 1.00 (reference), 0.68 (0.49–0.93), 0.61 (0.43–0.85), 0.59 (0.42–0.85), and 0.54 (0.37–0.81) (p for trend = 0.015); those for the quintiles of noodle consumption were 1.00 (reference), 1.25 (0.90–1.74), 1.05 (0.75–1.47), 1.31 (0.94–1.82), and 1.82 (1.31–2.51) (p for trend = 0.002). Bread intake was not associated with sleep quality. A higher dietary glycemic index was significantly associated with a lower risk of poor sleep (p for trend = 0.020). Conclusion: A high dietary glycemic index and high rice consumption are significantly associated with good sleep in Japanese men and women, whereas bread intake is not associated with sleep quality and noodle consumption is associated with poor sleep. The different associations of these starchy foods with sleep quality might be attributable to the different glycemic index of each food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims/Introduction This cohort study of middle-aged Japanese participants investigated the relationship between family history of diabetes, the incident risk of type 2 diabetes and the interaction of these variables with other factors. Materials and Methods Study participants were 3,517 employees (2,037 men and 1,480 women) of a metal products factory in Japan. Baseline health examinations included questions about medical history, physical examination, anthropometric measurements, questions about lifestyle factors, such as smoking, alcohol consumption and habitual exercise, and a self-administered diet history questionnaire. Family history of diabetes was defined as having at least one-first-degree relative with diabetes. The incidence of diabetes was determined in annual medical examinations over a 7-year period. Hazard ratios ( HRs) for type 2 diabetes were estimated by Cox proportional hazards analysis. Results Of the 3,517 participants, 630 (18%) had a family history of diabetes mellitus. During the study, 228 participants developed diabetes. The age and sex-adjusted HR for type 2 diabetes in participants with a family history of diabetes was 1.82 (95% confidence interval 1.36-2.43) as compared with those without a family history of diabetes. HRs did not change after adjustment for body mass index and lifestyle factors. We found no interactions with body mass index, insulin resistance, pancreatic β-cell function or lifestyle factors. Conclusions Family history of diabetes was associated with the incident risk of diabetes, and these associations were independent of other risk factors, such as obesity, insulin resistance, and lifestyle factors in Japanese men and women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To investigate the effects of shift work on increased alcohol intake associated with poor sleep quality. Methods: This cross-sectional survey evaluated the correlation between work schedule, poor sleep quality and heavy drinking among 909 factory workers aged 35–54 years in Japan. Subjects included 530 day workers, 72 shift workers who did not work at night and 290 shift workers who engaged in night work. Heavy drinking was defined as a mean volume of alcohol consumption exceeding 60 g/day. Results: Compared with other workers, night-shift workers who suffered poor sleep quality exhibited the highest frequency of heavy drinking (17.6%). Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that compared with day workers with good sleep, night-shift workers who experienced poor sleep had more than twice the odds of heavy alcohol consumption (odds ratio 2.17 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.20–3.93]). Shift workers who did not work at night and day workers with poor sleep were not at increased odds of heavy drinking. Conclusion: Shift workers who engage in night work may try to modify their health behavior to cope with sleep problems. Such modification may be a risk factor for heavy drinking. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Given the lack of economic studies evaluating the outcomes of smoking cessation programs from the viewpoint of program sponsors, we conducted a case study to provide relevant information for worksites. The present study was carried out between 2006 and 2008 at a manufacturing factory in the Toyama Prefecture of Japan and included subjects who voluntarily entered a smoking cessation program. The program included face-to-face counselling followed by weekly contact to provide encouragement over six months using e-mail or inter-office mail. Nicotine patches were available if required. All 151 participants stopped smoking immediately. Over the 24-month study period, self-report showed 49.7% abstained continuously from smoking. The rate of 24-month consecutive abstinence was higher in participants with lower Fagerström Test scores for Nicotine Dependence at baseline than in those with higher scores (63.6% for 0-2 points vs. 46.5% for 3-6 points vs. 43.8% for 7-10 points; chi-square test p = 0.19). A logistic regression model showed a significant linear trend for the association between the score and abstinence status after adjustment for possible confounding factors (p = 0.03). The crude incremental cost for one individual to successfully quit smoking due to the support program was ¥46,379 (i.e., ¥100 = $1.28, £0.83, or €1.03 at foreign exchange rates). The corresponding costs for the three categories of the Fagerström Test score for Nicotine Dependence were ¥31,953, ¥47,450 and ¥64,956, respectively. When a sensitivity analysis was conducted based on the 95% confidence interval of the success rate, the variance in the corresponding costs was ¥25,514-45,034 for 0-2 points, ¥38,344-61,824 for 3-6 points, and ¥45,698-108,260 for 7-10 points. The degree of nicotine dependence may therefore be an important determinant of the cost-effectiveness of smoking cessation programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to examine the association between long work hours and sleep disturbance among white-collar workers. We evaluated 1510 male white-collar full-time employees, between the ages of 18 and 59 years, using a comprehensive sleep quality questionnaire, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). All subjects worked in a light metal products factory in Japan. The mean number of monthly overtime work hours was determined using data from the previous 6 months from timecard records. Subjects were divided into five groups based on quintiles of the mean number of monthly overtime work hours: <26 h month; ≥26 but <40; ≥40 but <50; ≥50 but <63; and >63. Leisure time physical activity, drinking habits just before sleep, presence of family/partner and health status were used as confounding factors in the multiple regression model. The prevalence of short sleep hours, impairment of sleep efficiency and daytime dysfunction among seven components of PSQI increased, in a dose-response relationship, with overtime work hours. The prevalence of high global score (>5.5 points) was highest in workers with overtime hours ≥50 h week. The odds ratios after adjustment for confounding factors for high global score using less than 26 h as a reference group were 1.67 for workers with ≥50 h and <63 h, and 1.87 for workers with 63 h and more. To conclude, the present results suggest that long work hours correlate with reduced sleep quality in a dose-response manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We examined the influence of the A1330V variant in the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 gene on blood pressure in a large cohort of Japanese workers. This study used analysis of covariance in a multivariate general linear model to adjust for other potential factors such as age, body mass index, blood chemistry and lifestyle. The target subjects were 1440 males and 1169 females selected from 3834 male and 2591 female workers in a single company. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure ≥140 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mm Hg or the use of antihypertensive medications. Genotype distributions for A1330V in hypertensive males (AA=139(54.5%), AV=101(39.6%), VV=15(5.9%)) and females (AA=48(63.2%), AV=24(31.6%), VV=4(5.3%)) were not significantly different from normotensive males (AA=594(50.1%), AV=488(41.2%), VV=103(8.7%)) and females (AA=568(52.0%), AV=441(40.3%), VV=84(7.7%)). Allele distributions were not significantly different in either sex. In males, analysis of covariance showed that the VV genotype was associated with a 2.5 mm Hg lower diastolic blood pressure and a 2.3 mm Hg lower mean blood pressure than the AA genotype. This study indicates that the 1330V allele is an independent factor for lower diastolic and mean blood pressure in Japanese males. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We examined the influence of the Q89R variant in low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐related protein 5 on hypertension in a large Japanese cohort. We used multivariate logistic regression analysis to adjust for the effects of other factors known to influence hypertension such as age, body mass index, blood chemistry and lifestyle. Our cohort consisted of 1444 males and 1161 females selected from 3834 male and 2591 female workers in a single company. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure &geqslant;140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure &geqslant;90 mmHg or the use of antihypertensive medication. Because the RR genotype was so rare (three normotensive males and three normotensive females), they were excluded from analyses. Genotype distributions for Q89R in hypertensive females (QR = 14, QQ = 60) were significantly different ( p = 0.033) from normotensive females (QR = 113, QQ = 971). In contrast, those in hypertensive males (QR = 26, QQ = 230) and in normotensive males (QR = 145, QQ = 1040) were similar. Allele distributions were not significantly different in either gender. In females, multivariate logistic regression showed that the QR genotype was associated with hypertension with odds ratio of 2.1 compared to the QQ genotype. This study indicates that the Q89R polymorphism is an independent factor for hypertension in Japanese females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the association between hypercholesterolemia or serum total cholesterol level and the C825T polymorphism in the G-protein ß3 subunit gene in Japanese workers using multivariate analysis to control possible confounding factors. The study subjects were 1,452 males and 1,169 females selected from 3,834 males and 2,591 females. Hypercholesterolemia was classified as either a total serum cholesterol $5.7 mmol/L (220 mg/dL) or taking lipid-lowering medication. The statistical power of the study was estimated as 99.9% based on total cholesterol levels of previous significant studies in Caucasians and Japanese. The genotype distributions in males with hypercholesterolemia (CC = 78, CT = 154, TT = 78) and females (CC = 60, CT = 137, TT = 52) were not significantly different from normal males (CC = 280, CT = 595, TT = 267) or females (CC = 234, CT = 501, TT = 185). Allele distributions also were not significantly different in either sex. Logistic regression analysis of hypercholesterolemia data and analysis of variance, t -test and multiple regression of serum total cholesterol data demonstrated no significant relationship with the C825T genotype. Despite sufficient statistical power, this study did not demonstrate a significant influence of C825T on hypercholesterolemia or serum total cholesterol level. The targeting of this polymorphism therefore is unlikely to be beneficial in preventing hypercholesterolemia in the general Japanese population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construct validity of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) has been a major point of focus for many studies. The validity of the MBI-General Survey (MBI-GS), a newly developed instrument intended for use outside the human services has not been sufficiently investigated. The aim of this present study is to investigate the validity of the MBI-GS. The Japanese language version of the MBI-GS was prepared for this research and it was administered to a sample of intermediate managers (n = 696) working for a manufacturing company in Japan. The total of 691 effective data were obtained. The exploratory factor analysis replicated the same three-factor structure (Exhaustion, Cynicism, and Professional Efficacy) as the original whereas inter-factor correlation between Exhaustion and Cynicism was moderate. Cronbach's alpha coefficients for all three subscales were above 0.80. The confirmatory factor analysis supported a three-factor model whereas Exhaustion and Cynicism were moderately related. To investigate the construct validity, three subscales of the MBI-GS were then related to selected work characteristics. Based on conservation of resources theory, differential patterns of effects were predicted among the correlates and the burnout subscales. A path analysis revealed that the expectations were largely supported, suggesting that the meaning of the three subscales is quite different with a path from Exhaustion to Cynicism. The study found support for the construct validity of the MBI-GS. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To compare the magnitude of socio-economic differences in sickness absence rates between a Japanese cohort and a British cohort. To assess the effects of self-rated health and behavioural risk factors on sickness absence in the two cohorts, and whether they explain socio-economic differences in sickness absence within and between cohorts. Methods: An 8 year follow up study of sickness absence in 2504 Japanese male employees in a factory in Japan and 6290 British male employees in civil service departments in London. The rates of first occurrences of long-term (>7 calendar days) sickness absence were determined and compared between these cohorts. Socio-economic status was measured with hierarchical employment grades. Results: The first time sickness absence rates were about two times higher among British men as compared with Japanese men. The rate ratio of lower to higher employment grade was 1.2, 1.3 and 2.1 among Japanese white-collar, Japanese blue-collar and British white-collar employees respectively. Baseline self-rated health and smoking habit predicted sickness absence in both cohorts. After adjusting for these factors a significant difference between the Japanese and British cohorts, and between employment grades remained. Conclusions: The rate of long-term sickness absence was higher in the British cohort than the Japanese cohort. We also demonstrated consistent socio-economic differences in long-term sickness absence in Japan, although these differences were smaller than in Britain. Behavioural risk factors and self-rated health at baseline were predictors of sickness absence within both cohorts. However, socio-economic differences in sickness absence were only partly explained by these factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to ascertain the role of social support and individual styles of coping on employee well-being. The subjects were intermediate managers working for a zipper and sash manufacturing company in Japan. Measurements were made of the following: depression using the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), job demand, job control, social support using Karasek's Job Content Questionnaire, and of three coping styles: emotion-oriented coping, task-oriented coping and avoidance-oriented coping using the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS). Data was analysed by structural equation modeling. Each coping style had a direct effect on depression. Emotion-oriented coping had a negative effect. On the other hand, task-oriented coping and avoidance-oriented coping had a positive effect. Moreover, there was an indirect effect that coping styles precede and determine the perception of social support as well as job demand and control. Social support showed a direct positive effect on depression. However, the overall impact on employee well-being was greater for individual coping styles as compared to social support from either supervisors or co-workers. The present study showed the effectiveness of coping strategies in the workplace. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nine hundred eight women aged 40–88 years living in a non-Cd-polluted area in Japan were analyzed for urinary cadmium (Cd), N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase (NAG) activity, β2-microglobulin (B2MG) concentration, and for the stiffness index (STIFF) of calcaneal bone using an ultrasound method. The urinary Cd in the subjects, with a mean and range of 2.87 and 0.25–11.4 μg/g creatinine, respectively, showed a significant correlation with NAG but not with B2MG. STIFF was significantly inversely correlated with urinary Cd, and the association remained significant after adjusting for age, body weight, and menstrual status, suggesting a significant effect of Cd on the bone loss in these subjects without signs of Cd-induced kidney damage. A two-fold increase in urinary Cd was accompanied by a decrease in STIFF corresponding to a 1.7-year rise in age. These results emphasize the need for reassessment of the significance of Cd exposure in the general Japanese population. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: To investigate the impact of obesity on musculoskeletal pain and disability, which impairs well-being, associations between body mass index (BMI), frequency of musculoskeletal pain and difficulty of daily movements were assessed in middle-aged women. Methods: Subjects were 709 Japanese women in a community, aged 40–69. Measured BMI, current smoking habits, frequency of pain (pain score)(rarely (0), occasionally (1) or frequently (2)) during the last 1 month at shoulders, neck, upper back, lower back and legs, difficulty of three daily movements: walking continually for more than a half hour, climbing stairs and sitting on the floor with one''s legs bent beneath one another, (score for each movement) (rarely (0), occasionally (1) or frequently (2)) by a questionnaire. The summed score was defined as the difficulty score of daily movements (DS) (0–6). Results: BMI increased significantly with age. Lower back pain (occasionally or frequently) was the most common symptom (40.3%) in the subjects. There was a peak in prevalence of frequent pain of shoulders at age 50. Pain score for legs and DS increased significantly with age. Higher BMI was related to increased prevalence of frequent leg pain and DS (≥3), but there were no significant associations between age or BMI, and scores of back pain. DS was correlated significantly with pain scores at shoulders, upper back, lower back and legs. After adjustment for age and smoking habit using a logistic regression analysis, odds ratios for frequent pain at legs and DS (≥3) were 4.02 (CI: 1.83–8.80) and 2.92 (CI: 1.56–5.47), respectively, in the obese women (BMI≥26.4, n=61), compared with 401 women with normal BMI (20–24). Conclusion: Obesity tended to impair well-being through musculoskeletal pain at legs and difficulty of daily movements in Japanese middle-aged women. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Focuses on the serum creatinine and arterial blood hydrogen-ion concentration in persons with cadmium induced renal dysfunction in Japan. Indicators of tubular dysfunction; Reduction of arterial standard bicarbonate; Development of renal dysfunction to renal failure.

Background Research on the association between job strain or other job stressors and depressive disorders is still limited. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the prospective association of job strain, role stressors and job insecurity with long-term sick leave due to depressive disorders. Methods A prospective study was conducted of a total of 15-256 men aged 18-67 years with no previous history of mental disorders employed in six manufacturing factories located in several regions of Japan. At baseline, they were surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire, including self-reported measures of job strain, as well as its components (job overload and job control), role stressors (role ambiguity and role conflict), social support at work, job insecurity and other demographic and psychological covariates. During the follow-up, a long-term sick leave of 30 days or more due to depressive disorders was recorded. Results During 5.14 years of follow-up on average, 47 incident cases of sick leave of 30 days or more due to depressive disorders were observed. High job control at baseline was associated with a lower risk of long-term sick leave due to depressive disorders, after adjusting for demographic variables, depressive symptoms and neuroticism at baseline (hazard ratio 0.28, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.71); high role ambiguity was associated with the higher risk (hazard ratio 3.49, 95% CI 1.43 to 8.49). Conclusion Job control and role ambiguity may be important predictors of long-term sick leave due to depressive disorders among male employees, independent of depressive symptoms and neuroticism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the effects of environmental cadmium on the health of people living at Kakehashi River basin in Ishiskawa, Japan. Mortality ratios of the urinary beta[sub 2]-microglobulin-positive (MG) subjects; Impact of the severity of renal dysfunction on mortality rate; Causes of the high mortality of beta[sub 2]-MG-positive groups.

Examines the significance of urinary cadmium concentration following cadmium exposure in Japan. Increase in urinary cadmium concentration; Effect of exposure duration on concentration; Correlation between cadmium intake increase and urinary cadmium concentration.

Examines the serum levels of bone gla-protein (BGP) in inhabitants exposed to environmental cadmium. Correlation of BGP with urinary beta-microglobulin; Biological significance of serum BGP on cadmium-induced osteopenia; Use of radioimmunoassay in determining serum BGP.

Examines the progress of renal dysfunction in inhabitants environmentally exposed to cadmium. Examination of subjects after the cessation of cadmium exposure; Increase in microglobulinuria, glucosuria and aminoaciduria excretions; Deterioration of microglobulinaria after exposure to cadmium.