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In Japan, bathwaters are a potential source of legionellosis; therefore, the bathwater in public facilities must be regularly tested for Legionella spp. Currently, Legionella spp. is detected using the culture method, which is time-consuming and has limited accuracy. Moreover, the reproductive environment of Legionella spp. in bathwater remains unclear. Here, we investigated the environment in which Legionella spp. reproduce by analyzing the bathwater microbiota and its relationship with Legionella spp. We identified the microbiota of 112 bathwater samples collected from bathing facilities by sequencing 16S and 18S rRNA genes. Differences in the microbiota were observed between samples that tested positive and negative for Legionella spp., according to 16S rRNA sequencing and culture methods. Methyloversatilis, Cupriavidus, Phenylobacterium, Vermamoeba, and Aspidisca were highly correlated with Legionella spp. Our results support the development of strategies against legionellosis and elucidate the relationships between Legionella spp. and the coexisting microbiota in various environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Members of the Fusarium graminearum species complex (Fg complex) are the primary pathogens that cause Fusarium head blight in wheat and barley. Fg complex members grow poorly on Fusarium oxysporum-selective media, such as Komada and Fo-G2, that have also been used for the isolation of other Fusarium species. Therefore, Komada medium was modified as FG medium for the isolation of Fg complex members. However, the production of pentachloronitrobenzene that is the most effective component of FG medium is discontinued and new media is required for the selective isolation of Fg complex members. In addition, the rapid diagnosis of isolated fungi is useful for the disease control. Novel tools have been developed for isolating and characterizing Fg complex members. FG21, a semi-selective medium for isolating Fg complex members, was developed using potato dextrose agar. Furthermore, a dipstick DNA chromatography assay was developed both to identify Fusarium graminearum sensu stricto and Fusarium asiaticum in the Fg complex and their trichothecene mycotoxin types. The easier isolation and characterization of Fg complex members in Japan was attained by the combined use of FG21 medium and the dipstick DNA chromatography assay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-persistence rate (defined as not remaining on treatment) in patients taking a renin angiotensin system inhibitor plus calcium channel blocker was studied in three integrated 12-weeks surveys by matching separate drug combination therapy (CT) and fixed-dose combination (FDC). We also investigated medication adherence measured by proportion of days covered by using a claims database. The non-persistence rate was significantly lower in FDC than CT (p = 0.0074). In the database study, the medication adherence was higher in FDC than CT for 3, 6, and 12 months (allp < 0.001). In conclusion, use of single-tablet FDC antihypertensive therapy was associated with better medication-taking behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People who stutter (PWS) presumably pay excessive attention to monitoring their speech, possibly exacerbating speech fluency. Using a reading comprehension task, we investigated whether or not PWS devote excessive attention to their speech. Methods: Eleven PWS and 11 people who do not stutter (PNS) read passages in silent and oral reading conditions with and without noise masking, then answered comprehension questions. For PWS, auditory noise masking and silent reading would presumably divert their attention away from their speech. Results: The comprehension performance of PWS was lower in the oral-no-masking condition than the oral-masking and silent-no-masking conditions. In contrast, there were no significant differences in the comprehension performance of PNS between the four conditions. Conclusions: PWS had poor comprehension when listening to their speech, suggesting excessive attention to speech and limited attention to concurrent cognitive tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker (CCB), is one of the most common antihypertensive medicines in Japan. We evaluated whether the calcium channel blocker confers cardiac protection through the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in male stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR-SP). Methods Fifteen week-old rats were divided into 2 groups: amlodipine group (3 mg/kg/day, n = 5) and control group ( n = 5). Key findings The CCB lowered systolic blood pressure significantly ( P < 0.05). Plasma aldosterone concentration in the amlodipine group was remarkably lower than in the control group ( P < 0.05), but plasma renin activity and plasma angiotensin II concentration were not different between the two groups. The CCB also suppressed the mRNA expression of brain natriuretic peptide, transforminggrowth factor- β1, and fibronectin extracted from the left ventricle. Conclusions These results suggest that amlodipine attenuates cardiac damage by lowering plasma aldosterone concentration in hypertensive rats with developing arteriosclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fumonisins are mycotoxins mainly produced by Fusarium verticillioides, which is a major contaminant of corn. However, there are sporadic reports of fumonisin contamination in wheat worldwide. The rice adherent fungus Gibberella fujikuroi is taxonomically closely related to F. verticillioides. Therefore, the potential risk of fumonisin contamination in rice and wheat is significant. Previously, a sensitive detection method utilizing liquid chromatography with tandem electrospray mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS-MS) was developed for the determination of fumonisins in brown rice. In the present study, the incidence of fumonisins in brown rice and wheat harvested in Japan was investigated using LC-ESI-MS-MS. Forty-eight rice samples and 47 wheat samples were screened and analyzed for the major B-type fumonisins: fumonisin B1 (FB1 and fumonisin B2 (FB2). About 1 kg of rice or wheat seed was divided into three subsamples, and 10 g from each subsample was used for the analysis. The limits of detection were 0.012 and 0.011 mg/kg for FB1 and FB2, respectively, in rice samples and 0.010 and 0.008 mg/kg for FB1 and FB2, respectively, in wheat samples. The mean (standard deviation) recoveries of FB1 spiked at 0.50 mg/kg into toxin-free rice and wheat samples were 77.6 (4.2)% and 84.5 (3.1)%, respectively. One of the wheat samples was positive for FB1 with a value greater than the limit of detection, but no fumonisin was found in any of the rice samples. This is the first report of fumonisins detected in Japanese wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the agreement rate between achievement of blood pressure (BP) target according to the 2002 Japanese Guidelines for Treatment of Hypertension in the Elderly (EG 2002) and the Japanese Society of Hypertension Guidelines 2004 (JSH 2004) versus a physicians' assessment of BP-lowering efficacy of olmesartan medoxomil in elderly patients. The physicians' assessment more closely agreed with the achievement rate of the BP target according to the EG 2002 than that according to the JSH 2004. This study was started in July 2004, shortly after JSH 2004 was published. Our data suggest that guidelines at the time strongly influence the physicians' assessment and their treatment strategy for individual patients in daily clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combination therapy with multiple anti-hypertensives is required to achieve target blood pressure (BP) control and is recommended as the first-line therapy in hypertension. Although angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) may be combined with other anti-hypertensives, it is unclear how the effects of ARBs are influenced by co-administered anti-hypertensives. We investigated the effect of olmesartan medoxomil (OLM) when it is given alone (monotherapy) or concomitantly with other anti-hypertensives in 6507 OLM-naive Japanese in “real world” clinical practice. After a 12-week treatment, BP was significantly reduced from baseline in both the monotherapy group and the combination therapy group (P < 0.0001). The BP-lowering efficacy after treatment and achievement rates of target BP were similar in both groups. In the combination therapy group, no significant difference of achieved BP level was detected between patients taking Calcium channel blockers and any other class of anti-hypertensive drugs. This study suggests that ARBs such as OLM-elicits BP-lowering efficacy as either a first- or second-line agent and its effects are minimally influenced by co-administered anti-hypertensives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A prospective cohort study with a 20-year follow-up was conducted to examine the association of the ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL) and other risk factors with the risk of subsequent all-cause mortality in an elderly Japanese population. Methods: Cohort members were 705 men and 964 women aged 65 years and older at the time of the baseline examination in 1976–1977. Results: Disability in the performance of ADL and other risk factors (i.e. bad self-rated health, low dementia score, decreased pleasure, low morale, and being prone to tears) were significantly associated with an increased risk of subsequent 20-year all-cause mortality. The summary population attributable risks of the level of disability in performance of ADL and other risk factors (25.8%, 17.4%, and 6.2% for the follow-up periods of 0–5, 0–10, and 0–20 years, respectively) were almost of the same magnitude as those of the selected traditional risk factors of mean blood pressure, triceps skinfold thickness and current smoking (24.0%, 18.5%, and 8.6%, respectively). Conclusion: The association of both disability in performing ADL and other risk factors with mortality was as great as those of selected traditional risk factors when assessed in terms of both relative risk and population attributable risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To examine the associations of activities of daily living (ADL) and indices of mental status with the risk of subsequent mortality in an elderly Japanese population. Design: Prospective cohort study. Participants: 725 men and 984 women aged 65 years or older at time of baseline examination in 1976–1977. Measurements: Demographic data, levels of disability in ADL, and indices of mental status including self-rated health (SRH), dementia, and depression. Main outcome measures: The subsequent 20-year all-cause mortality. Results: (1) Disability in ADL and several indices of mental status (i.e. bad SRH, high dementia score, decreased pleasure, low morale, and prone to tears) were significantly associated with an increased risk of subsequent 20-year all-cause mortality. (2) The risk of all-cause mortality among people who had no disability in ADL with either of bad SRH, decreased pleasure, high dementia score, or low morale was similar to that among people who had some disability in ADL with either good SRH, increased pleasure, low dementia score, or high morale, respectively. Conclusion: There were strong associations among the levels of disability in ADL and several indices of mental status with subsequent mortality. It was concluded that good mental status may improve longevity even when elderly people have some disability in ADL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Few studies have evaluated out-of-office blood pressure (BP) measurements as predictors of coronary artery disease (CAD) events.Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine morning home blood pressure (HBP) as a predictor of CAD events.Methods: Using data from the HONEST (Home blood pressure measurement with Olmesartan Naive patients to Establish Standard Target blood pressure) study, we investigated the relationship between morning HBP and incidence of stroke and CAD events.Results: In 21,591 treated hypertensive patients (mean age 64.9 years; mean follow-up 2.02 years), 127 stroke events (2.92 per 1,000 patient-years), and 121 CAD events (2.78 per 1,000 patient-years) occurred. The incidence of stroke events was significantly higher in patients with morning home systolic blood pressure (HSBP) ≥145 mm Hg compared with <125 mm Hg, and in patients with clinic systolic blood pressure (CSBP) ≥150 mm Hg compared with <130 mm Hg. Hazard ratios (HRs) were 6.01 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.85 to 12.68) between patients with morning HSBP ≥155 mm Hg and those with morning HSBP <125 mm Hg and 5.82 (95% CI: 3.17 to 10.67) between patients with CSBP ≥160 mm Hg and those with CSBP <130 mm Hg; morning HSBP predicted stroke events similarly to CSBP. Incidence of CAD events was significantly higher in patients with morning HSBP ≥145 mm Hg compared with <125 mm Hg and in patients with CSBP ≥160 mm Hg compared with <130 mm Hg. The HR for morning HSBP ≥155 mm Hg was 6.24 (95% CI: 2.82 to 13.84) and for CSBP ≥160 mm Hg was 3.51 (95% CI: 1.71 to 7.20); therefore, compared with morning HSBP, CSBP may underestimate CAD risk. Goodness-of-fit analysis showed that morning HSBP predicted CAD events more strongly than CSBP.Conclusions: Morning HBP is a strong predictor of future CAD and stroke events, and may be superior to clinic BP in this regard. There does not appear to be a J-curve in the relationship between morning HBP and stroke or CAD events. (Home blood pressure measurement with Olmesartan Naive patients to Establish Standard Target blood pressure Study [HONEST]; UMIN000002567). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: PCR–RFLP based on the translation elongation factor 1α (TEF) gene was developed to identify Fusarium fujikuroi in the Fusarium (Gibberella) fujikuroi species complex. Ninety-three strains, most of which were obtained from various sources in Japan, were identified as F. fujikuroi and their capability to produce fumonisin was investigated using an in vitro assay. Fumonisin production was detected in 50 strains isolated from maize, strawberry, wheat, and rice, whereas it was undetectable in 43 strains derived from rice seeds and rice seedlings carrying the bakanae disease, and from unknown sources. A single nucleotide polymorphism in the TEF gene (T618G) correlated with the ability to synthesize fumonisin. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Most definitions of frailty utilize US populations in their development. The concept of frailty has not been well studied in Japan, which has the largest percentage of older patients (per capita) in the world. We created a 5-year prospective cohort study of community-dwelling older Japanese adults. Participants were not frail at baseline, based on our definition adapted from the Canadian Study for Health and Aging Clinical Frailty Scale. Participants underwent a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) at baseline, and final assessments were either in person or via mailed survey. We enrolled 407 individuals (184 men, mean age 78±4years; 223 women, mean age 77±4years). Sixty-five participants met criteria for frailty by the end of the study. In univariate analyses, eighteen separate parameters were associated with frailty, some of which included: age, gender, handgrip, timed walk, systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, cognitive status, living alone, and hearing deficits. In multivariate analyses, the following elements remained associated with frailty: timed walk, pulse pressure, cognition deficits and hearing deficits. We established cut-off points for timed walk (5m/3s) and pulse pressure (60mmHg). We then created a simple additive score for these four factors (present = 1; absent = 0). A score of 0 had a 93% negative predictive value for frailty while a score of 4 had a 70% positive predictive value. While further study is needed, this work creates an easy-to-administer tool that may be generalizable to other populations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with no history of CVD. Evidence for the effect of statins on CVD in the diabetic population in low-risk populations (e.g., Japanese) is limited. We evaluated the effect of pravastatin on risk reduction of CVD related to baseline glucose status in a primary prevention setting. The Management of Elevated Cholesterol in the Primary Prevention Group of Adult Japanese (MEGA) Study, in patients with mild-to-moderate hypercholesterolemia (220–270mg/dL), showed that low-dose pravastatin significantly reduced the risk for CVD by 26%. This exploratory subanalyses examined the efficacy of diet plus pravastatin on CVD in 2210 patients with abnormal fasting glucose (AFG, including 1746 patients with DM and 464 patients with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) at 5 years in the MEGA Study. CVD was threefold higher in AFG patients (threefold higher in DM, and twofold higher in IFG) compared with normal fasting glucose (NFG) patients in the diet group. Diet plus pravastatin treatment significantly reduced the risk of CVD by 32% (hazard ratio 0.68, 95% CI 0.48–0.96, number needed to treat, 42) in the AFG group compared with the diet alone group, and no significant interaction between AFG and NFG (interaction P =0.85) was found. Safety problems were not observed during long-term treatment with pravastatin. In conclusion, pravastatin reduces the risk of CVD in subjects with hypercholesterolemia and abnormal fasting glucose in the primary prevention setting in Japan. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Fractures are medical conditions that compromise the athletic potential of horses and/or the safety of jockeys. Therefore, the reduction of fracture risk is an important horse and human welfare issue. The present study used molecular genetic approaches to determine the effect of genetic risk for fracture at four candidate SNPs spanning the myostatin (MSTN) gene on horse chromosome 18. Among the 3706 Japanese Thoroughbred racehorses, 1089 (29.4%) had experienced fractures in their athletic life, indicating the common occurrence of this injury in Thoroughbreds. In the case/control association study, fractures of the carpus (carpal bones and distal radius) were statistically associated with g.65809482T/C (P = 1.17 x 10 -8 ), g.65868604G/T (P = 2.66 x 10 -9 ), and g.66493737C/T (P = 6.41 x 10 -8 ). In the retrospective cohort study using 1710 racehorses born in 2000, the relative risk (RR) was highest for male horses at g.65868604G/T, based on the dominant allele risk model (RR = 2.251, 95% confidence interval 1.407-3.604, P = 0.00041), and for female horses at g.65868604G/T, based on the recessive allele risk model (RR = 2.313, 95% confidence interval 1.380-3.877, P = 0.00163). Considering the association of these SNPs with racing performance traits such as speed, these genotypes may affect the occurrence of carpus fractures in Japanese Thoroughbred racehorses as a consequence of the non-genetic influence of the genotype on the distance and/or intensity of racing and training. The genetic information presented here may contribute to the development of strategic training programs and racing plans for racehorses that improve their health and welfare., (© 2019 Stichting International Foundation for Animal Genetics.)

The composition of the human gut microbiota is related to host health, and it is thought that dietary habits may play a role in shaping this composition. Here, we examined the population size and prevalence of six predominant bacterial genera and the species compositions of genus Bifidobacterium (g-Bifid) and Bacteroides fragilis group (g-Bfra) in 42 healthy Belgian adults by quantitative PCR (qPCR) over a period of one month. The population sizes and prevalence of these bacteria were basically stable throughout the study period. The predominant g-Bifid species were Bifidobacterium adolescentis and Bifidobacterium longum ss. longum, and the predominant g-Bfra species were Bacteroides vulgatus, Bacteroides uniformis, and Bacteroides ovatus. The Belgian gut microbiota data were then compared with gut microbiota data from 46 Japanese subjects collected according to the same protocol (Matsuki et al., Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 70, 167-173, 2004). The population size and prevalence of Bifidobacterium catenulatum group were significantly lower in the Belgian gut microbiota than in the Japanese gut microbiota (P < 0.001); however, the population size and prevalence of g-Bifid did not differ. This species-level qPCR analysis will be helpful for investigating the diversity of gut microbiota among ethnic groups., (Copyright © 2013 The Society for Biotechnology, Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)