Spatial and temporal indoor temperature differences at home and perceived coldness in winter: A cross-sectional analysis of the nationwide Smart Wellness Housing survey in Japan

Residents themselves are responsible for controlling their living environment, and their perception of coldness is important to protect their health. Although previous studies examined the association between perceived coldness and indoor temperature, they did not consider the spatial-temporal differences in indoor temperatures. This study, conducted in Japan, measured indoor temperatures in 1,553 houses across several rooms (living room, changing room, and bedroom) and heights (at 1 m above the floor and near the floor) over two weeks and obtained the perceived coldness from 2,793 participants during winter. Results showed substantial temperature differences between rooms (horizontal differences): 3.8 °C between living and changing rooms, and 4.1 °C between living rooms and bedrooms. The average vertical and diel (evening-morning) temperature differences in the living room were 3.1 °C and 3.0 °C, respectively. Regional analysis revealed that the Tohoku region experienced larger horizontal and diel indoor temperature differences, primarily due to its practice of intermittent and partial heating in living rooms only, in contrast to Hokkaido's approach of heating the entire house continuously. Despite Hokkaido's comprehensive heating system, it exhibited the largest vertical temperature difference of 5.1 °C in living rooms, highlighting the insufficiency of heating alone and the necessity for enhanced thermal insulation. The multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that average temperatures and vertical temperature differences were associated with perceived coldness, while horizontal and diel differences did not show a significant association, further emphasizing the importance of improved thermal insulation. Moreover, factors like individual attributes (age and gender), and lifestyle choices (meal quantity, exercise habits, alcohol consumption, and clothing amount) were significantly associated with coldness perception. Notably, older adults were less likely to perceive coldness but more vulnerable to the health impacts of low temperatures, underscoring the necessity of not solely relying on human perception for indoor temperature management to protect cold-related health problems.

Role of housing in blood pressure control: a review of evidence from the Smart Wellness Housing survey in Japan

Current countermeasures for preventing hypertension emphasize only improvements to lifestyle. Recently, improving life environment has attracted attention, in parallel with publication of the WHO Housing and health guidelines. We quantitatively evaluated the relationship between housing thermal environment and blood pressure (BP) in a real-world setting. We conducted a nationwide, prospective intervention study-the Smart Wellness Housing survey-in Japan, as a non-randomized controlled trial. The intervention was the retrofitting of thermal insulation in houses. Participant recruitment was done by construction companies in all 47 prefectures of Japan. Measurements of home BP and indoor temperature at 1.0 m above the floor in the living room, changing room, and bedroom were taken for 2 weeks before and after the intervention each winter (November-March) of FY 2014-2019. As of July 2022, over 2500 households and 5000 participants were registered in the database. We found that (1) about 90% of Japanese lived in cold homes (minimum indoor temperature <18 °C), (2) indoor temperature was non-linearly associated with home BP, (3) morning systolic BP (SBP) was more sensitive than evening SBP to changes in indoor temperature, (4) SBP was influenced by indoor temperature change particularly in older participants and women, (5) unstable indoor temperature was associated with large BP variability, and (6) insulation retrofitting intervention significantly reduced home BP, especially in hypertensive patients. We proposed that the BP reduction effect of the life-environment is comparable to that achievable by lifestyle.

Association between Indoor Temperature in Winter and Serum Cholesterol: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Smart Wellness Housing Survey in Japan

AIM

Issuance of the WHO Housing and health guidelines has paralleled growing interest in the housing environment. Despite accumulating evidence of an association between outdoor temperature and serum cholesterol, indoor temperature has not been well investigated. This study examined the association between indoor temperature and serum cholesterol.

METHODS

We collected valid health checkup data of 2004 participants (1333 households), measured the indoor temperature for 2 weeks in winter, and divided participants according to whether they lived in a warm (average bedroom temperature ≥ 18℃), slightly cold (12-18℃) or cold house (＜12˚C). The relationship between bedroom temperature and serum cholesterol was analyzed using multivariate logistic regression models, adjusting for demographics, lifestyle habits and the season in which the health checkup was conducted, with a random effect of climate areas in Japan.

RESULTS

The sample sizes for warm, slightly cold, and cold houses were 206, 940, and 858, respectively. Compared to those in warm houses, the odds ratio of total cholesterol exceeding 220 mg/dL was 1.83 (95%CI: 1.23-2.71, p=0.003) for participants in slightly cold houses and 1.87 (95%CI: 1.25-2.80, p=0.002) in cold houses. Similarly, the odds ratio of LDL/non-HDL cholesterol exceeding the standard range was 1.49 (p=0.056)/1.67 (p=0.035) for those in slightly cold houses and 1.64 (p=0.020)/1.77 (p=0.021) in cold houses. HDL cholesterol and triglycerides were not significantly associated with bedroom temperature.

CONCLUSION

Besides lifestyle modification, improving indoor thermal environment through strategies such as installing high thermal insulation and appropriate use of heating devices may contribute to better serum cholesterol condition.

[Descriptive epidemiology of winter indoor and outdoor temperatures and their relationships based on SWH survey]

Objectives　The purpose of this study was to make clear the descriptive epidemiology and the relationship between the room temperature of living room, bedroom, dressing room, and outdoor during winter, based on the climate areas in Japan.Methods　This study targeted 3,781 people, survey for 5 years from 2014, based on the Smart Wellness Housing (SWH) project, which was carried out nationwide with the support of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. During winter, we recorded the outdoor temperature and living room, bedroom, and dressing room temperatures at 1 m above the floor and near the floor for two weeks. Covariance structure analyses were used to clarify the relationship between room temperature and outdoor temperature based on six climate areas in Japan. The analyses were performed using SPSS22.0 and AMOS22.0 for Windows.Results　The temperature near the floor inside the house was lower than the room temperature at 1 m above the floor, and both the room and near the floor temperature in the morning tended to be the lowest. The temperature disparity between the dressing room and living room was the largest. Based on climate areas, the room temperature in the Area 2 was the highest, while the room temperature in the Area 4 was the lowest. The outdoor temperature was more closely associated with the room temperature near the floor than the room temperature at 1 m above the floor, especially in the southern Areas, except Area 7.Conclusion　The temperature near the floor inside the house was lower than room temperature at 1 m above the floor. The temperature disparity between dressing room and living room was the largest. The room temperature and near the floor temperature were lowest in the energy-saving Area 4. The outdoor temperature was more closely associated with the room temperature near the floor than the room temperature at 1 m above the floor, especially in the southern Areas, except Area 7.

Electrocardiogram abnormalities in residents in cold homes: a cross-sectional analysis of the nationwide Smart Wellness Housing survey in Japan

Background

Excess winter mortality caused by cardiovascular disease is particularly profound in cold houses. Consistent with this, accumulating evidence indicates that low indoor temperatures at home increase blood pressure. However, it remains unclear whether low indoor temperatures affect other cardiovascular biomarkers. In its latest list of priority medical devices for management of cardiovascular diseases, the World Health Organization (WHO) included electrocardiography systems as capital medical devices. We therefore examined the association between indoor temperature and electrocardiogram findings.

Methods

We collected electrocardiogram data from 1480 participants during health checkups. We also measured the indoor temperature in the living room and bedroom for 2 weeks in winter, and divided participants into those living in warm houses (average exposure temperature ≥ 18 °C), slightly cold houses (12–18 °C), and cold houses (< 12 °C) in accordance with guidelines issued by the WHO and United Kingdom. The association between indoor temperature (warm vs. slightly cold vs. cold houses) and electrocardiogram findings was analyzed using multivariate logistic regression models, with adjustment for confounders such as demographics (e.g., age, sex, body mass index, household income), lifestyle (e.g., eating habit, exercise, smoking, alcohol drinking), and region.

Results

The average temperature at home was 14.7 °C, and 238, 924, and 318 participants lived in warm, slightly cold, and cold houses, respectively. Electrocardiogram abnormalities were observed in 17.6%, 25.4%, and 30.2% of participants living in warm, slightly cold, and cold houses, respectively (p = 0.003, chi-squared test). Compared to participants living in warm houses, the odds ratio of having electrocardiogram abnormalities was 1.79 (95% confidence interval: 1.14–2.81, p = 0.011) for those living in slightly cold houses and 2.18 (95% confidence interval: 1.27–3.75, p = 0.005) for those living in cold houses.

Conclusions

In addition to blood pressure, living in cold houses may have adverse effects on electrocardiogram. Conversely, keeping the indoor thermal environment within an appropriate range through a combination of living in highly thermal insulated houses and appropriate use of heating devices may contribute to good cardiovascular health.

Trial registration

The trial was retrospectively registered on 27 Dec 2017 to the University hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR, https://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/, registration identifier number UMIN000030601).

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12199-021-01024-1.

Decline in independence after three years and its association with dietary patterns and IADL-related factors in community-dwelling older people: an analysis by age stage and sex

Background

Few studies have shown age stage and sex differences in the association among dietary patterns and various health factors related to disability in older people. This study aimed to reveal the differences of characteristics, including several dietary patterns, associated with a decline in independence over 3 years in community-dwelling independent older people. Specifically, we examined data by age stage, for people between 65 and 75 years (earlier-stage) and people aged 75 years or above (later-stage), and sex.

Methods

We conducted a nationwide longitudinal study of 25 Japanese prefectures from 2013 to 2016; 2250 participants’ complete data (1294 men and 956 women) were analyzed. Independence was evaluated based on instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) scores (maximum = 12). Dietary patterns were derived from a principal component analysis of the seven food groups. Baseline IADL-related factors linked to independence 3 years later were selected. Multiple logistic regression analysis for having low independence—without a full score of IADL 3 years after baseline—was conducted, adjusted for baseline IADL scores. Finally, to compare differences among age stage and sex groups, we used Multiple-Group Path Analysis.

Results

Participants with a full IADL score 3 years later were classified as high independence (69.6%), and those without the full score were classified as low independence (30.4%). Only the later-stage older peoples’ proportion of low independence 3 years later was significantly higher than those at baseline. A high meat frequency pattern was associated with a significantly higher risk of decline in independence 3 years later in later-stage older women. The earlier-stage older people showed that 18.5 ≤ BMI < 25 was associated with a lower risk, referring to BMI < 18.5. In the later-stage, exercising three or more times a week with enjoyment and fulfillment was associated with a significantly lower risk.

Conclusions

The IADL disability in older people aged 75 and over showed a rapid change. The different characteristics associated with the risk of decline in independence among age stage and sex were revealed. Targeting age stage and sex separately for community-based comprehensive supportive strategies would be necessary for a long life globally.

Impact of indoor temperature instability on diurnal and day-by-day variability of home blood pressure in winter: a nationwide Smart Wellness Housing survey in Japan

Home blood pressure (HBP) variability is an important factor for cardiovascular events. While several studies have examined the effects of individual attributes and lifestyle factors on reducing HBP variability, the effects of living environment remain unknown. We hypothesized that a stable home thermal environment contributes to reducing HBP variability. We conducted an epidemiological survey on HBP and indoor temperature in 3785 participants (2162 households) planning to have their houses retrofitted with insulation. HBP was measured twice in the morning and evening for 2 weeks in winter. Indoor temperature was recorded with each HBP observation. We calculated the morning-evening (ME) difference as an index of diurnal variability and the standard deviation (SD), coefficient of variation (CV), average real variability (ARV) and variability independent of the mean (VIM) as indices of day-by-day variability. The association between BP variability and temperature instability was analyzed using multiple linear regression models. The mean ME difference in indoor/outdoor temperature (a decrease in temperature overnight) was 3.2/1.5 °C, and the mean SD of indoor/outdoor temperature was 1.6/2.5 °C. Linear regression analyses showed that the ME difference in indoor temperature was closely correlated with the ME difference in systolic BP (0.85 mmHg/°C, p < 0.001). The SD of indoor temperature was also associated with the SD of systolic BP (0.61 mmHg/°C, p < 0.001). The CV, ARV, and VIM showed similar trends as the SD of BP. In contrast, outdoor temperature instability was not associated with either diurnal or day-by-day HBP variability. Therefore, residents should keep the indoor temperature stable to reduce BP variability.

Disparities of indoor temperature in winter: A cross-sectional analysis of the Nationwide Smart Wellness Housing Survey in Japan

The WHO Housing and health guidelines recommend a minimum indoor temperature of 18°C to prevent cold-related diseases. In Japan, indoor temperatures appear lower than in Euro-American countries because of low insulation standards and use of partial intermittent heating. This study investigated the actual status of indoor temperatures in Japan and the common characteristics of residents who live in cold homes. We conducted a nationwide real-world survey on indoor temperature for 2 weeks in winter. Cross-sectional analyses involving 2190 houses showed that average living room, changing room, and bedroom temperatures were 16.8°C, 13.0°C, and 12.8°C, respectively. Comparison of average living room temperature between prefectures revealed a maximum difference of 6.7°C (Hokkaido: 19.8°C, Kagawa: 13.1°C). Compared to the high-income group, the odds ratio for living room temperature falling below 18°C was 1.38 (95% CI: 1.04-1.84) and 2.07 (95% CI: 1.28-3.33) for the middle- and low-income groups. The odds ratio was 1.96 (95% CI: 1.19-3.22) for single-person households, compared to households living with housemates. Furthermore, lower room temperature was correlated with local heating device use and a larger amount of clothes. These results will be useful in the development of prevention strategies for residents who live in cold homes.

Impact of coronary plaque characteristics on periprocedural myocardial injury after elective percutaneous coronary intervention -MDCT and CMR analysis-

Background

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is often complicated by periprocedural myocardial injury (PMI) manifested by elevated cardiac biomarkers. The occurrence of PMI has been shown to be associated with worse clinical outcome over short- and long-term.

Purpose

We performed multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) to evaluate the relationship between culprit plaque characteristics and PMI.

Methods

A total of 90 patients who underwent elective PCI were underwent CMR and multidetector coronary tomography before PCI. The high intensity plaque (HIP) on CMR was defined as a coronary plaque to myocardium signal intensity ratio (PMR) of &gt;1.4. The plaque characteristics and the presence of napkin-ring sign (NRS) were analyzed on MDCT. PMI was defined as an increase in cardiac Troponin T levels to more than 5 times the upper limit of normal at 24 h after PCI. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the presence (Group I, n=26) or absence (Group II, n=64) of PMI.

Results

Spotty calcification, positive remodeling, low attenuation plaque and NRS on MDCT were significantly more observed in Group I than in Group II. HIP on CMR was significantly more observed in Group I than in Group II. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, the presence of NRS and HIP were significantly independent predictors of PMI (odds ratio (OR) 4.82, 95% confidence interval 1.13–20.60, P=0.034 and OR 3.66, 95% CI 1.09–12.30, P=0.036, respectively). Moreover, for prediction of PMI, NRS and HIP showed a high positive predictive value of 81%, and their absence showed a high negative predictive value of 91%.

Conclusions

MDCT and CMR may play an important role in detecting which lesions are high risks for myocardial necrosis after PCI in elective coronary stenting.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Association of coronary high-intensity plaque on T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and circulating malondialdehyde-modified low-density lipoprotein levels with cardiac events

Background

Although elevated oxidized low-density lipoprotein could play critical roles in vulnerable plaque, there are no studies that compared coronary high-intensity plaque (HIP) on non-contrast T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (T1WI_MRI) and circulating malondialdehyde-modified low-density lipoprotein (MDA-LDL) levels for the prediction of cardiac events.

Methods and results

A total of 139 patients with coronary artery stenosis (&gt;70%) were examined with non-contrast T1WI using a 1.5-T MRI (HIP: n=63, non-HIP: n=76). Scheduled percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for culprit lesions was performed within 48 h after MRI. HIP was defined as a signal intensity of coronary plaque to cardiac muscle ratio (PMR) of ≥1.4. At admission, circulating levels of MDA-LDL and other lipid-related markers were measured. We evaluated the subsequent cardiac events, which were defined as major adverse cardiac events (MACE; cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and/or ischemia-driven PCI) during follow-up periods (5.6±1.3 years). Circulating MDA-LDL levels were significantly higher in patients with HIP than in those without HIP (p&lt;0.0001). MDA-LDL levels were significantly correlated with PMR (r=0.490, p&lt;0.0001). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, MDA-LDL levels were independently associated with the presence of HIP (OR 1.05; 95% CI, 1.02–1.08, p&lt;0.0001). The incidence of MACE was significantly higher in patients with HIP (27%) than in those without HIP (5%; p=0.011 by the log-rank test). In the multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis, the MDA-LDL levels (HR 1.03; 95% CI:1.01–1.05, p=0.007) and PMR (HR 2.39; 95% CI:1.19–4.65, p=0.016) were significantly associated with MACE. For MACE prediction, the C-statistic values for MDA-LDL, PMR, and PMR+MDA-LDL were 0.724, 0.791, and 0.800, respectively. Compared with MDA-LDL alone, the addition of PMR to MDA-LDL increased the net reclassification improvement by 0.78 (p=0.012).

Conclusions

MDA-LDL levels might be associated with the presence of HIP in patients with coronary artery disease. Furthermore, adding PMR to MDA-LDL levels markedly improved MACE prediction.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

P3098Association with coronary high-intensity plaque on T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and circulating levels of malondialdehyde-modified low-density lipoprotein

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the association with coronary high-intensity plaque (HIP) on non-contrast T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (T1WI) and circulating levels of malondialdehyde-modified low-density lipoprotein (MDA-LDL).

Methods

A total of 139 patients with coronary artery stenosis (>70%) were imaged with non-contrast T1WI by using a 1.5-T magnetic resonance system (HIP: n=60, non-HIP: n=79). HIP was defined as a signal intensity of coronary plaque to cardiac muscle ratio (PMR) of ≥1.4. At admission, circulating levels of MDA-LDL and other lipid-related markers (triglyceride, HDL, LDL, Lp(a), RLP-C, and EPA/AA) were measured.

Results

Circulating levels of MDA-LDL (p=0.001) and LDL (p=0.041) were significantly higher in patients with HIP than those without, whereas the other lipid-related markers were not significantly different between both groups. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, MDA-LDL levels were independently associated with the presence of HIP (OR 1.03; 95% CI, 1.00–1.06, p=0.015) after adjusting for cofounding factors (age, sex, triglyceride, LDL, Lp(a), RLP-C, and EPA/AA). The optimal MDA-LDL threshold for predicting coronary HIP was 90.4 U/L, identified by the receiver operating characteristic curve.

Conclusion

MDA-LDL levels might be associated with the presence of HIP in patients with coronary artery disease.

[Association between feelings of happiness among community-dwelling, independent, elderly individuals in an Okinawan farm village and survival three years later]

Objectives　As an indicator of subjective wellbeing, feelings of happiness assessed based on simple items have not been fully elucidated in terms of its relation to survival during old age. The purpose of this study was to examine whether the predictive validity of feelings of happiness assessed using a 4-item measure is high as an indicator of assessing survival three years later, using a variety of factors as adjustment variables among independent, elderly individuals living in a farm village in Okinawa, wherein a spirit of mutual help is prevalent among the residents.Methods　From a longitudinal study conducted in 2012, a total of 1,471 respondents (638 men, 833 women), excluding participants who needed long-term care and non-respondents of their feelings of happiness, completed a detailed questionnaire. A 4-item measure of feelings of happiness and other indicators of subjective wellbeing, including a 5-item measure of cooked food consumption, were considered as ordinal scales. From the results of the principal component (PC) analysis, we named the first PC "diet variety," of which cooked food was less consumed. The Cox proportional hazard model was used for 734 subjects' data, excluding missing values, to examine comprehensive associations among feelings of happiness, survival times, and health indicators in a multivariate model that adjusted for age, sex, and body mass index, among others. A correlation analysis between survival after three years was performed to select indicators used simultaneously in the analysis. Kaplan-Meier analysis was also conducted to examine the cumulative survival rate over three years.Results　A total of 1,387 participants (94.3%) survived during the three-year follow-up. The survival rate was significantly higher in those who indicated "very happy" items (95.9%) than in those who indicated "unhappy" items (86.4%). Meanwhile, the mortality rate was significantly higher in those who indicated "unhappy" items (13.6%) than in those who indicated "very happy" items (4.1%). Within the multivariate model, the hazard ratio (HR) for mortality three years later was significantly reduced in those with feelings of happiness (HR=0.56, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.32-0.99), in those who did not experiences falls and fractures (HR=0.26, 95% CI:0.11-0.62), and in those who were non-smokers (HR=0.44, 95% CI:0.25-0.77). The cumulative survival rate in those who experienced good feelings of happiness was significantly higher than in the others.Conclusion　The predictive validity of feelings of happiness assessed by a 4-item measure might be high as an indicator to assess survival three years later among independent, elderly individuals living in a farm village in Okinawa.

Mr Imaging of Chronic Alcoholism

We evaluated the brain lesions of patients with chronic alcoholism (n = 34) in comparison with age- and sex-matched controls (n = 40) by MR imaging. T1-weighted sagittal and axial images and T2-weighted axial images were obtained with a 0.5 T superconducting MR unit. Various brain measurements were then performed, and the presence of regions of abnormal signal intensity was also compared between the two groups. The brain measurements revealed significant cerebral atrophy (characterized by lateral and 3rd ventricular dilatation, and widening of the interhemispheric fissure) as well as significant cerebellar atrophy (represented by 4th ventricular dilatation) in the alcoholic group. These changes were more prominent in patients in their fifties and sixties than in those aged in the thirties and forties. Focal hypointense lesions were observed in 20.6% of the alcoholics and in 5% of the controls (p < 0.01), while focal hyperintense lesions were observed in 61.8% of the alcoholics and in 20% of the controls (p < 0.001). The severity of these MR findings correlated well with the age of the patients. These observations suggest that alcohol is an important promotor of brain aging.

Modulation of BK Channels by Small Endogenous Molecules and Pharmaceutical Channel Openers

Voltage- and Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels of big conductance (BK channels) are abundantly found in various organs and their relevance for smooth muscle tone and neuronal signaling is well documented. Dysfunction of BK channels is implicated in an array of human diseases involving many organs including the nervous, pulmonary, cardiovascular, renal, and urinary systems. In humans a single gene (KCNMA1) encodes the pore-forming α subunit (Slo1) of BK channels, but the channel properties are variable because of alternative splicing, tissue- and subcellular-specific auxiliary subunits (β, γ), posttranslational modifications, and a multitude of endogenous signaling molecules directly affecting the channel function. Initiatives to develop drugs capable of activating BK channels (channel openers) therefore need to consider the tissue-specific variability of BK channel structure and the potential interference with endogenously produced regulatory factors. The atomic structural basis of BK channel function is only beginning to be revealed. However, building on detailed knowledge of BK channel function, including its single-channel characteristics, voltage- and Ca(2+) dependence of channel gating, and modulation by diffusible messengers, a multi-tier allosteric model of BK channel gating (Horrigan and Aldrich (HA) model) has become a valuable tool in studying modulation of the channel. Using the conceptual framework of the HA model, we here review the functional impact of endogenous modulatory factors and select small synthetic compounds that regulate BK channel activity. Furthermore, we devise experimental approaches for studying BK channel-drug interactions with the aim to classify BK-modulating substances according to their molecular mode of action.

Population dynamics of Armigeres subalbatus (Diptera: Culicidae) across a temperate altitudinal gradient

Understanding the impacts of weather fluctuations, and environmental gradients, on the abundance of vectors is fundamental to grasp the dynamic nature of the entomological risk for disease transmission. The mosquito Armigeres subalbatus (Coquillet) is a common vector of filariasis. Nevertheless, its population dynamics have been relatively poorly studied. Here, we present results from a season long study where we studied spatio-temporal abundance patterns of Ar. subalbatus across the altitudinal gradient of Mt. Konpira in Nagasaki, Japan. Spatially, we found that abundance of adult Ar. subalbatus decreased with altitude and increased in areas where the ground was rich in leaf litter. Similarly, adult activity was observed only when relative humidity was over 65%. Temporally, we found that peaks in abundance followed large rainfall events. Nevertheless, this mosquito was under significant density dependence regulation. Our results suggest that Ar. subalbatus population peaks following large rainfall events could reflect the recruitment of individuals that were dormant as dry eggs. We did not find a clear signal of temperature on abundance changes of this mosquito, but only on its phenology. Since ground cover seemed more critical than temperature to its spatial distribution, we propose that this mosquito might have some degree of autonomy to changes in temperature.

UltraPulse--simulating a human arterial pulse with focussed airborne ultrasound

Medical simulators provide a risk-free environment for trainee doctors to practice and improve their skills. UltraPulse is a new tactile system designed to utilise focussed airborne ultrasound to mimic a pulsation effect such as that of a human arterial pulse. In this paper, we focus on the construction of the haptics component, which can later be integrated into a variety of medical procedure training simulators.

Dietary quality and its structural relationships among equivalent income, emotional well-being, and a five-year subjective health in Japanese middle-aged urban dwellers

Background

Although dietary quality in middle-age and the prime age of a person’s work career might be determined by positive emotional well-being based on socioeconomic status (SES), causation among determinants of dietary quality still remains unclear. Our purpose was to elucidate the structural relationships among five-year prior dietary quality, equivalent income, emotional well-being, and a five-year subjective health by sex and age group separately.

Methods

In 2003, 10,000 middle-aged urban dwellers aged 40-64 years, who lived in ward A in the Tokyo metropolitan area, were randomly selected and a questionnaire survey was conducted by mail. In 2008, we made a follow-up survey for dwellers, and were able to gather their survival status. A total of 2507, middle-aged men (n = 1112) and women (n = 1395), were examined at baseline. We created three latent variables for a structural equation modeling (SEM), five-year subjective health reported in 2003 and in 2008, dietary quality of principle food groups diversity and eating behavior in 2003, and emotional well-being constructed by enjoyment & ikigai (meaning of life) and by close people in 2003. Equivalent income in 2003 was calculated as SES indicator.

Results

In the SEM analysis of both men and women, there was an indirect effect of the equivalent income on dietary quality and on five-year subjective health, via emotional well-being explained by ikigai and having comforting people close to the individuals, significantly. There tended to be a larger direct effect of emotional well-being on the dietary quality in men than in women, and also a larger effect accompanying with aging. In women, there was a large direct effect of equivalent income on dietary quality than in men. When examined comprehensively, there appeared to be a larger effect of five-year prior equivalent income on subjective health during five-year in men than in women.

Conclusion

This study suggests that it is necessary to support the improvement of dietary quality in middle age by considering the characteristics of sex and age group and also by providing supportive environment to enhance emotional well-being based on equivalent income, cooperating different field professionals to provide such as employment or community support program.

Specificity of sodium-dependent electrogenic sugar transport in amphibian kidney proximal tubule

Microelectrode studies were performed to examine the specificity of the electrogenic sugar transport by Triturus proximal tubule. Two types of carriers could be distinguished, one having an affinity for D-mannose but not for D-xylose (M type), and the other having the reverse characteristics (X type). D-Glucose and alpha-methyl-D-glucoside had a relatively high affinity for both types of carriers, but D-galactose, D-fructose, 3-O-methyl-D-glucose, D-mannitol and L-glucose had no affinity for them. The observed structural requirements of renal sugar transport were different from and stricter than those of intestinal sugar transport observed in the same animal.

Socioeconomic status, comorbidity, activity limitation, and healthy life expectancy in older men and women: a 6-year follow-up study in Japan

This study aimed to explore the structural contributions of socioeconomic status (SES), comorbidity, and activity limitation to the healthy life expectancy (HALE) of Japanese suburban elderly. A questionnaire survey was distributed to all residents aged 65 years and older in Tama City, Tokyo, in 2001; a follow-up study was conducted in 2004; and individual vital status data from the municipal residents' registry were tracked until 2007. In all, 7,905 respondents were included for analysis. Data analysis was performed by structural equation modeling (SEM). The data were well fit by the models, and HALE was found to be well explained by SES, comorbidity, and activity limitation (R (2) = .59 for men and R (2) = .71 for women). In conclusion, elderly people with higher SES were more likely to live longer with good self-rated health, via living with less chronic diseases and better performance in daily living activities, especially for elderly women.

Transduction of voltage and Ca2+ signals by Slo1 BK channels

Large-conductance Ca2+ -and voltage-gated K+ channels are activated by an increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration and/or depolarization. The channel activation mechanism is well described by an allosteric model encompassing the gate, voltage sensors, and Ca2+ sensors, and the model is an excellent framework to understand the influences of auxiliary β and γ subunits and regulatory factors such as Mg2+. Recent advances permit elucidation of structural correlates of the biophysical mechanism.

High Temperature Hardness of Bulk Single Crystal GaN

The hardness of single crystal GaN (gallium nitride) at elevated temperature is measured for the first time and compared with other materials. A Vickers indentation method was used to determine the hardness of crack-free GaN samples under an applied load of 0.5N in the temperature range 20 - 1200°C. The hardness is 10.8 GPa at room temperature, which is comparable to that of Si. At elevated temperatures GaN shows higher hardness than Si and GaAs. A high mechanical stability for GaN at high temperature is deduced.

[Risk factors for falls and survival after falling in elderly people in a community]

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to assess the risk factors associated with falls and to examine the effects of falls on survival of elderly people in a community.

METHODS

A questionnaire survey was conducted in 16,462 urban elderly dwellers aged 65 years or more in City A in September 2001. A follow-up survey was carried out in September 2004. We analyzed the data of 8,285 subjects who answered both questionnaires and had not relocated by August 2007. Baseline assessments of health and functioning were carried out in 2001. Falls experienced during the 1-year period before September 2004 were recorded, and the deaths were recorded until August 2007. Statistical analysis was performed using a logistic regression model and Cox's proportional hazards analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 6,420 subjects (3,127 men and 3,293 women) who had provided complete answers about their falls were included in the analyses. Of these, 27.8% of women and 16.4% of men had experienced falls, while 6.2% of women and 2.1% of men had experienced falls that caused fractures. We found that the likelihood of fall, with or without fracture development, was greater in women than in men (P < 0.001). The rate of falls tended to increase with age in both women and men. Risk factors associated with falls, in addition to age and gender, were pain (odds ratio [OR], 1.75), lack of instrumental activities of daily living (IADL; OR, 1.45), poor self-rated health status (OR, 1.42), and presence of disease (OR, 1.35). Risk factors associated with falls that caused fracture were pain (OR, 1.85) and lack of IADL (OR, 1.61). Cox's proportional hazards analysis showed a significant increase in mortality in both men and women who had experienced falls than in those who had not (hazard ratio [HR], 1.94, 1.43).

CONCLUSION

Aging, pain and disease, lack of IADL, and poor self-rated health status were all significant risk factors for falls in elderly people, and a fall was related to subsequent mortality.

An order-N electronic structure theory with generalized eigenvalue equations and its application to a ten-million-atom system

A linear algebraic theory called the 'multiple Arnoldi method' is presented and realizes large-scale (order-N) electronic structure calculations with generalized eigenvalue equations. A set of linear equations, in the form of (zS - H)x = b, are solved simultaneously with multiple Krylov subspaces. The method is implemented in a simulation package ELSES (www.elses.jp) with tight-binding-form Hamiltonians. A finite-temperature molecular dynamics simulation is carried out for metallic and insulating materials. A calculation with 10(7) atoms was realized by a workstation. The parallel efficiency is shown up to 1024 CPU cores.

[The relationship between students' well-being and their parents' knowledge and support in a metropolitan area]

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to clarify the causal relationship between students' well-being and their parents' knowledge and support in raising them in a prefecture by using covariance structural analysis.

METHODS

In November 2007, a questionnaire survey was conducted with 11,363 elementary school students (4th grade),junior high school students (1st grade) and high school students (1st grade) as well as their parents. The total number of responses analyzed were 9,651 pairs of matched data for parents and their children.

RESULTS

A concept model was proposed to use four latent variables determined by factor analysis. "Students' well-being" (" " means latent variable) classified as a latent variable, was not prescribed directly by "parents' knowledge and support", but rather developed indirectly through "physical activities" and "communication between the students and parents". The decision coefficients for the students' well-being determined with this model ranged from 27% to 40%. Depending on the participant's age and gender, they were divided into six groups.

CONCLUSION

This study indicated that positive support for children's health and well-being by the parents was important for students to have a happy and healthy lifestyle. It became structurally clear that it was necessary for both students and their parents to engage in physical activities and have good communication with each other in order to stimulate and develop children's health practice and well-being.

[Chronological evaluation of physical, psychological and social health of urban elderly dwellers over 6 years and assessment of causal inter-relationships]

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study is to make a chronological evaluation over 6 years of physical, psychological and social health of urban elderly dwellers.

METHODS

A questionnaire survey was conducted with all urban elderly dwellers of 65 years old or more in A City in September, 2001. Answers were obtained from 13,195 people (response rate of 80.2%) in the first survey. Then 3 year and 6 year follow-up surveys of 2,375 members were performed in September 2004 and 2007. Causal relationships were analyzed using a Structural Equation Model based on the Cross-Lagged Effects Variation Model.

RESULTS

According to this research, a chronological six year trend in ADL (Activities of Daily Living) was found for "physical factor" (" " means latent variable) as an observed variable, with a shifted from 91.0% to 82.9%. A trend for self-rated health with healthy as an observed variable of "psychological factor" was similarly apparent, shifting from 85.4% to 77.0%. "Social factor" conducted on the follow-up survey in 2007 was significantly affected by the "psychological factor" investigated in 2001 and "physical factor" in the follow-up survey in 2004, indirectly based on the Cross-Lagged Effects Variation Model. "Social factor" totals of 25% for men and 19% for women were explained by this model with high validity levels (NFI = 0.935, IFI = 0.950, RMSEA = 0.036).

CONCLUSION

It was suggested that social health was affected by psychological health directly and physical health indirectly during six years follow-up of urban elderly dwellers. Future research is needed to encompass other generations and also to improve the external validity of the results.

Noncontact Tactile Display Based on Radiation Pressure of Airborne Ultrasound

This paper describes a tactile display which provides unrestricted tactile feedback in air without any mechanical contact. It controls ultrasound and produces a stress field in a 3D space. The principle is based on a nonlinear phenomenon of ultrasound: Acoustic radiation pressure. The fabricated prototype consists of 324 airborne ultrasound transducers, and the phase and intensity of each transducer are controlled individually to generate a focal point. The DC output force at the focal point is 16 mN and the diameter of the focal point is 20 mm. The prototype produces vibrations up to 1 kHz. An interaction system including the prototype is also introduced, which enables users to see and touch virtual objects.

Serum inflammatory proteins and frontal lobe dysfunction in patients with cardiovascular risk factors

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have shown that the levels of circulating inflammatory markers are associated with cognitive decline and cerebral small-vessel disease. Frontal lobe dysfunction is believed to be a relatively characteristic neuropsychological symptom in vascular cognitive impairment caused by cerebral small-vessel disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the levels of serum inflammatory markers are associated with frontal lobe dysfunction, particularly executive dysfunction.

METHODS

Between January 2003 and September 2007, 388 patients who had one or more atherosclerotic risk factors and subsequently underwent brain MRI and neuropsychological testing including mini-mental state examination (MMSE), frontal assessment battery (FAB), and modified Stroop test were enrolled in this study. We evaluated the effect of serum levels of inflammatory markers and white matter lesions on frontal lobe function.

RESULTS

The FAB score was negatively correlated with serum inflammatory marker levels (hsCRP; r = -0.170, IL-6; r = -0.143, IL-18; r = -0.175) and white matter lesions. In the modified Stroop test, interference measure was positively correlated with the levels of hsCRP (r = -0.198), and IL-18 (r = -0.152), and white matter lesions. However, the MMSE score was not correlated with either inflammatory marker levels. The association between hsCRP and FAB score or interference measure remained significant when controlling for other confounding factors and MRI findings.

CONCLUSIONS

The circulating level of hsCRP is associated with frontal lobe dysfunction in patients with cardiovascular risk factors independent of white matter lesions in brain MRI.

Novel algorithm of large-scale simultaneous linear equations

We review our recently developed methods of solving large-scale simultaneous linear equations and applications to electronic structure calculations both in one-electron theory and many-electron theory. This is the shifted COCG (conjugate orthogonal conjugate gradient) method based on the Krylov subspace, and the most important issue for applications is the shift equation and the seed switching method, which greatly reduce the computational cost. The applications to nano-scale Si crystals and the double orbital extended Hubbard model are presented.

Declining hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence in pregnant women: impact of anti-HCV screening of donated blood

BACKGROUND

Screening blood donors for hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody has effectively mitigated transfusion transmission of HCV. We conducted a post hoc analysis to clarify the impact of donor screening on a general population of reproductive-age females and their offspring.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Anti-HCV screening in Japan started in late-1989. In a cohort studied between May 1990 and November 2004, a total of 22,664 consecutive serum samples from pregnant women were screened for anti-HCV. Reactive samples were further tested for HCV RNA. Linear structural regression was applied to identify causal relationships.

RESULTS

Anti-HCV-reactive rates declined significantly by two measures. First, among women known to have been transfused, rates fell from 14.8% to 3.1% with the implementation of anti-HCV screening (p < 0.01). Nevertheless, this is 10 times higher than the 0.3% reactive rate seen in a similar cohort of nontransfused women. Second, rates fell from 1.8% among women born in 1955 or before to 0.3% for women born in 1966 or later (p < 0.01). Among 103 anti-HCV-reactive women, 31 (30%) had been transfused and another 17 (17%) had other identifiable risk factors. The remaining 55 (53%) had no clear risk factor. Blood transfusion accounted for 19% of anti-HCV acquisition, by path analysis. Only one infant in this cohort was vertically infected with HCV.

CONCLUSION

Anti-HCV screening of donated blood and hygienic improvements have markedly decreased HCV infection of pregnant women with a transfusion history; however, 70% of anti-HCV-reactive women were deemed to be infected via routes other than transfusion.

Domain boundary formation in helical multishell gold nanowires

Helical multishell gold nanowires are studied theoretically for the formation mechanism of the helical domain boundary. Nanowires with a wire length of more than 10 nm are relaxed by quantum mechanical molecular dynamics simulation with a tight-binding form Hamiltonian. In the results, non-helical nanowires are transformed into helical ones with the formation of atom pair defects at the domain boundary, where the defective atom pair is moved from an inner shell. Analysis of local electronic structure shows a competitive feature of the energy gain of reconstruction on the wire surface and the energy loss of the defect formation. A simple energy scaling theory gives a general explanation of domain boundary formation.

[Comparison of factors correlating life satisfaction between full-time working women and housewives in an urban city using covariance structural analysis]

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to clarify and compare components of life satisfaction between full-time working women and housewives in an urban city using covariance structural analysis.

METHODS

A total of 165 community women were identified from the 2003 survey of life conditions in Kawasaki city. By using covariance structural analysis, the relationships between life satisfaction and three latent variables, [[gender role consciousness]] ([[ ]] indicates latent variable), [[self-efficacy]] and [[support from family or friends]] were analyzed within the context of working style.

RESULTS

The correlation between [life satisfaction] ([ ] indicates observed variable) and the three latent variables was shown to be valid with CFI = 0.878, RMSEA = 0.029. Thirty percent of [life satisfaction] for full-time working women and 62% for housewives was explained by the three latent variables; [[self-efficacy]], [[support from family or friends]] and [[gender role consciousness]]. This new analysis, including an indirect effect model, revealed that low [[gender role consciousness]] and high [[self-efficacy[[ directly led to high [life satisfaction] in full-time working women, and low [life satisfaction] in housewives with significance. On the other hand, it was shown that high [[support from family or friends]] indirectly led to high [life satisfaction] in full-time working women without significance.

CONCLUSION

We found that factors contributing to life satisfaction differ between full-time working women and housewives in an urban city based on working style. Our study suggests that the different support systems are important components of working style.

Development of the simulation package 'ELSES' for extra-large-scale electronic structure calculation

An early-stage version of the simulation package 'ELSES' (extra-large-scale electronic structure calculation) is developed for simulating the electronic structure and dynamics of large systems, particularly nanometer-scale and ten-nanometer-scale systems (see www.elses.jp). Input and output files are written in the extensible markup language (XML) style for general users. Related pre-/post-simulation tools are also available. A practical workflow and an example are described. A test calculation for the GaAs bulk system is shown, to demonstrate that the present code can handle systems with more than one atom species. Several future aspects are also discussed.