Conversion of Magnetic Energy to Plasma Kinetic Energy During Guide Field Magnetic Reconnection in the Laboratory.

We present laboratory measurements showing the two-dimensional (2D) structure of energy conversion during magnetic reconnection with a guide field over the electron and ion diffusion regions, resolving the separate energy deposition on electrons and ions. We find that the electrons are energized by the parallel electric field at two locations, at the X line and around the separatrices. On the other hand, the ions are energized ballistically by the perpendicular electric field in the vicinity of the high-density separatrices. An energy balance calculation by evaluating the terms of the Poynting theorem shows that 40% of the magnetic energy is converted to particle energy, 2/3 of which is transferred to ions and 1/3 to electrons. Further analysis suggests that the energy deposited on particles manifests mostly in the form of thermal kinetic energy in the diffusion regions.

Anomalous Resistivity and Electron Heating by Lower Hybrid Drift Waves during Magnetic Reconnection with a Guide Field.

The lower hybrid drift wave (LHDW) has been a candidate for anomalous resistivity and electron heating inside the electron diffusion region of magnetic reconnection. In a laboratory reconnection layer with a finite guide field, quasielectrostatic LHDW (ES-LHDW) propagating along the direction nearly perpendicular to the local magnetic field is excited in the electron diffusion region. ES-LHDW generates large density fluctuations (δn_{e}, about 25% of the mean density) that are correlated with fluctuations in the out-of-plane electric field (δE_{Y}, about twice larger than the mean reconnection electric field). With a small phase difference (∼30°) between two fluctuating quantities, the anomalous resistivity associated with the observed ES-LHDW is twice larger than the classical resistivity and accounts for 20% of the mean reconnection electric field. After we verify the linear relationship between δn_{e} and δE_{Y}, anomalous electron heating by LHDW is estimated by a quasilinear analysis. The estimated electron heating is about 2.6±0.3 MW/m^{3}, which exceeds the classical Ohmic heating of about 2.0±0.2 MW/m^{3}. This LHDW-driven heating is consistent with the observed trend of higher electron temperatures when the wave amplitude is larger. Presented results provide the first direct estimate of anomalous resistivity and electron heating power by LHDW, which demonstrates the importance of wave-particle interactions in magnetic reconnection.

Post-Formation of Fused Pentagonal Structure on Fjord Region of Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons under Hydrothermal Conditions.

This study explores the synthesis of cyclopenta-fused polyaromatic hydrocarbons (CP-PAHs) via Pt-catalyzed cyclization in water, focusing on the formation of fused pentagonal rings within heavily fused PAH frameworks. Utilizing platinum catalysts at lower temperatures (200-260 °C) in water, led to the successful synthesis of singly cyclized CP-PAHs. The reaction conditions facilitated the mono-cyclization of substrates such as dibenzo[g,p]chrysene and its isomers, yielding the desired products while suppressing the formation of bis-cyclized compounds. The use of Fe2O3 as an additive in conjunction with PtO2 was effective to suppress hydrogenation of the substrates and products. The products exhibited a redshift in UV-visible absorption and photoluminescence bands due to a decrease in the HOMO-LUMO energy gap. These findings highlight the potential of Pt-catalyzed cyclization for the controlled synthesis of CP-PAHs, with implications for various applications in materials science.

Association between excessive screen time and school-level proportion of no family rules among elementary school children in Japan: a multilevel analysis.

BACKGROUND: Excessive screen time (ST) in children is a global concern. We assessed the association between individual- and school-level factors and excessive ST in Japanese children using a multilevel analysis. METHODS: A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Toyama, Japan in 2018. From 110 elementary schools in Toyama Prefecture, 13,413 children in the 4th-6th grades (boys, 50.9%; mean, 10.5 years old) participated. We assessed lifestyle, recreational ST (not for study use), psychological status, and school and family environment including family rules. We defined ≥3 hours ST as excessive. We calculated the school-level proportions of no family rules and divided them into four categories (<20%, 20% to <30%, 30% to <40%, and ≥40%). A modified multilevel Poisson regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: In total, 12,611 children were included in the analysis (94.0%). The average school-level proportion of those with no family rules was 32.1% (SD = 9.6). The prevalence of excessive ST was 29.9% (34.9% in boys; 24.8% in girls). The regression analysis showed that excessive ST was significantly associated with both individual-level factors, such as boys (adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR); 1.39), older grades (aPR; 1.18 for 5th grades and 1.28 for 6th grades), late wakeup (aPR; 1.13), physical inactivity (aPR; 1.18 for not so much and 1.31 for rarely), late bedtime (aPR; 1.43 for 10 to 11 p.m. and 1.76 for ≥11 p.m.), frequent irritability (aPR; 1.24 for sometimes and 1.46 for often), feelings of school avoidance (aPR; 1.17 for sometimes and 1.22 for often), infrequent child-parental interaction (aPR; 1.16 for rare and 1.21 for none), no family rules (aPR; 1.56), smartphone ownership (aPR; 1.18), and the school-level proportion of no family rules (aPR; 1.20 for 20% to <30%, 1.29 for 30% to <40%, and 1.43 for ≥40%, setting <20% as reference). CONCLUSION: Besides individual factors, a higher school-level proportion of no family rules seemed influential on excessive ST. Increasing the number of households with family rules and addressing individual factors, could be deterrents against excessive ST in children.

Pathological Gaming and Its Association With Lifestyle, Irritability, and School and Family Environments Among Japanese Elementary School Children.

BACKGROUND: Pathological gaming (PG) has emerged as one of the major public health concerns worldwide. We aimed to assess PG and its associated factors among elementary school children in Japan. METHODS: We conducted a school-based observational study in Toyama, Japan in 2018. In total, 13,413 children in the 4th-6th grades (mean age, 10.5 years) participated in the study. We distributed questionnaires and inquired about their lifestyle, irritability, and school and family environments. Referring to criteria of gaming disorder in the International Statistical Classification of Disease (ICD-11), we asked about three core symptoms: impaired control over gaming, increasing priority given to gaming over other activities, and continuation of gaming despite the negative consequences. Children who had all three criteria in the questionnaire were defined as PG. RESULTS: The response rate was 97.6%, and 11,826 children were included in our analyses (88.2%). The prevalence of PG was 5.6% (7.8% in boys, 3.2% in girls). Besides sex, PG was significantly associated with lifestyles, including skipping breakfast (odds ratio [OR] 1.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-1.68), physical inactivity (OR 2.23; 95% CI, 1.63-3.05 for rare), late bed time (OR 2.52; 95% CI, 1.96-3.25 for ≥11 p.m.), frequent irritability (OR 1.89; 95% CI, 1.47-2.43), frequent feeling of school avoidance (OR 1.92; 95% CI, 1.49-2.46), fewer close friends (OR 1.30; 95% CI, 1.08-1.56 for some), low academic performance (OR 1.53; 95% CI, 1.13-2.08), no child-parent interaction (OR 1.34; 95% CI, 1.02-1.75), and no rules at home (OR 1.21; 95% CI, 1.02-1.43). CONCLUSION: Unhealthy lifestyles, irritability, and low functioning in school and family environments were associated with PG. Besides having a healthy lifestyle, parental involvement appears to be an indispensable countermeasure for PG in children.

Purification and characterization of 3-(5-oxo-2-thioxoimidazolidin-4-yl) propionic acid desulfhydrase involved in ergothioneine utilization in Burkholderia sp. HME13.

Recombinant 3-(5-oxo-2-thioxoimidazolidin-4-yl) propionic acid desulfhydrase (ErtC) derived from Burkholderia sp. HME13 was purified to homogeneity. Here, ErtC's kinetic parameters, optimum reaction temperature and pH, and stability at varying temperatures and pH and the effects of various additives on ErtC activity were determined. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme assays suggested that ergothioneine induced the expression of ertC.

Characterization of hydantoin-5-propionic acid amidohydrolase involved in ergothioneine utilization in Burkholderia sp. HME13.

In our previous study, ertABC genes encoding ergothionase, thiourocanate hydratase, and 3-(5-oxo-2-thioxoimidazolidin-4-yl) propionic acid desulfhydrase were identified, all of which may be involved in ergothioneine utilization of Burkholderia sp. HME13. In this study, we identify the ertD gene encoding metal-dependent hydantoin-5-propionic acid amidohydrolase in this strain. Mn2+-containing ErtD showed maximum activity at 45 °C and pH 8.5 and was stable at temperatures up to 45 °C. The Km and Vmax values of Mn2+-containing ErtD for hydantoin-5-propionic acid were 2.8 m m and 16 U/mg, respectively. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) revealed that ertD expression levels in Burkholderia sp. HME13 cells cultivated in ergothioneine medium were 3.3-fold higher than those in cells cultivated in Luria-Bertani (LB) medium. ErtD activity in the crude extract from Burkholderia sp. HME13 cells cultured in ergothioneine medium was 0.018 U/mg, whereas that in LB medium was not detected. Accordingly, we suggest that ErtD is involved in ergothioneine utilization in this strain.

Neighbourhood walkability and obesity among adults in rural Japan: results from a Japanese health database.

BACKGROUND: Walkable neighbourhoods promote physical activity and prevent obesity, but there is limited evidence to inform urban planning strategies for public health within the context of rural Japan. This study describes associations between neighbourhood walkability and obesity in Toyama, a regional municipality in Japan. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis of the Toyama Prefecture National Health Insurance data (n = 3454) in 2016 using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) and binary logistic regression. Walk Score® was used to estimate neighbourhood walkability. RESULTS: Residents from highly walkable neighbourhoods generally had lower mean body mass index (BMI), but significant associations between neighbourhood walkability and BMI and prevalence of obesity were only observed in women (adjusted OR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.26-0.80). Men below 65 years old had higher obesity prevalence (adjusted OR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.34-2.30). Daily alcohol consumption was associated with lower odds of being obese among men (adjusted OR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.55-0.95). Hypertension, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidaemia were associated with higher obesity prevalence among residents, regardless of gender. CONCLUSIONS: Walkable environment may improve health outcomes for rural communities in Japan. Further studies are required to create equitable and inclusive living spaces for men and women to access healthier lifestyle choices.

Short-term and long-term associations with sleep onset latency in school children in Japan.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to examine the relationships between sleep onset latency and multiple sleep-related factors of seventh and tenth graders during the transition from childhood to adolescence. METHODS: Regarding sleep onset latency, we examined the short-term associations in Phase IV (2002) and long-term associations in Phase V (2005) of the Toyama Birth Cohort Study. In total, 4,673 boys and 4,694 girls in Phase IV and 2,969 boys and 3,108 girls in Phase V answered the questionnaire items regarding sleep, physical and mental health, lifestyle, socioeconomic status, and family and school factors. Considering sleep onset latency as the outcome and 13 sleep-related factors as independent variables, we calculated the odds ratio using binary logistic regression. The longitudinal study was conducted with 1,703 boys and 1,919 girls whose sleep onset latency was within 30 min in Phase IV. RESULTS: The following factors were found to be related to longer sleep onset latency in the short term: sleep duration, physical activity, game time, and self-esteem in boys and sleep duration, bedroom environment, game time, abdominal pain, long-standing illness, onset of puberty, mental health difficulties, and school avoidance feelings in girls. Regarding its long-term effects, having a single parent and self-esteem in boys and breakfast, game time, long-standing illness, obesity, onset of puberty, and school avoidance feelings in girls were associated with longer sleep onset latency. CONCLUSIONS: Education of adolescent health and sleep hygiene at home and school should include both short-term and long-term associations between sleep and a healthy lifestyle by gender.

[Non-participation in social activities of rural older adults: Results from the Toyama dementia survey].

Objective　Social activities play an important role in the maintenance of health and well-being of the older adults. The aim of this study was to identify characteristics of the rural older adults who do not participate by type of social activities.Methods　This survey examined 1,537 older adults randomly selected at a sampling rate of 0.5% from among those living in Toyama prefecture of Japan, in 2014. Of the total, 947 ambulatory older adults living in their own homes were analyzed using Poisson regression. Results were presented as prevalence ratio (PR). The level of statistical significance was set at P<0.05 (two-sided test).Results　The participants included 426 men (mean age 73.9 ± 6.5 years) and 521 women (mean age 74.8 ± 7.0 years).　In terms of work, both men and women did not work at an older age (men PR 1.15 over 75 years old, women PR 1.11 over 70 years old). Men did not work during outpatient treatment (PR 1.09) and the Revised Hasegawa Dementia Scale (HDS-R) 21-25 points (PR 1.09) and 20 points or below. Women who did not drink alcohol did not work (PR 0.93).　Both men and women did not participate in residential activities at older ages (men PR 1.12 over 70 years old, women PR 1.11 over 80 years old). Men with 20 points or below on HDS-R (PR 1.16) and with work history of only physical labor (PR 1.12), and women living with family (PR 0.92) were less likely to participate in residential activities.　In the hobby group, both men and women with work history of only physical labor were less likely to participate (men PR 1.05, women PR 1.08). Men with education of 9 years or below (PR 1.05) and women living alone (PR 1.07) were less likely to participate. Hobby groups did not relate with age and cognitive decline.　In the senior citizens' club, men and women who did not drink alcohol were less likely to participate (men PR 0.91, women PR 0.89). Men who smoked (PR 1.06), men with psychological symptoms (PR 1.09), and women with 20 points or below on HDS-R (PR 1.13) were less likely to participate.Conclusion　Factors related to non-participation of older adults in rural cities depended on the type of social activities. In order to promote social activity among the older adults in rural cities, it is important to consider specific measures taking into account the type of social activities.

A dynamic magnetic tension force as the cause of failed solar eruptions.

Coronal mass ejections are solar eruptions driven by a sudden release of magnetic energy stored in the Sun's corona. In many cases, this magnetic energy is stored in long-lived, arched structures called magnetic flux ropes. When a flux rope destabilizes, it can either erupt and produce a coronal mass ejection or fail and collapse back towards the Sun. The prevailing belief is that the outcome of a given event is determined by a magnetohydrodynamic force imbalance called the torus instability. This belief is challenged, however, by observations indicating that torus-unstable flux ropes sometimes fail to erupt. This contradiction has not yet been resolved because of a lack of coronal magnetic field measurements and the limitations of idealized numerical modelling. Here we report the results of a laboratory experiment that reveal a previously unknown eruption criterion below which torus-unstable flux ropes fail to erupt. We find that such 'failed torus' events occur when the guide magnetic field (that is, the ambient field that runs toroidally along the flux rope) is strong enough to prevent the flux rope from kinking. Under these conditions, the guide field interacts with electric currents in the flux rope to produce a dynamic toroidal field tension force that halts the eruption. This magnetic tension force is missing from existing eruption models, which is why such models cannot explain or predict failed torus events.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Pathological Internet Use and Online Risky Behaviors Among Japanese Elementary School Children.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about pathological Internet use (PIU) and online risky behaviors among elementary school children. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with PIU and online risky behaviors. METHODS: A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Toyama, Japan in 2018. The study included 13,413 children in the 4th-6th grades (mean, 10.5 years old) from 110 elementary schools (61.1% of elementary schools in Toyama). We assessed PIU using Young's Diagnostic Questionnaire (YDQ) and risky behaviors. Poisson regression analysis was conducted. RESULTS: Totally, 13,092 children returned questionnaires (response rate 97.6%). The prevalence of PIU was 4.2% and that of each risky behavior was as follows: 21.6% for spending money online, 6.6% for uploading personal movies, 5.2% for interpersonal issues, and 2.4% for having met strangers. PIU was significantly associated with boys (prevalence ratio [PR] 1.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-1.52), skipping breakfast (PR 1.43; 95% CI, 1.14-1.79), Internet time (for 2∼3 h, PR 3.49; 95% CI, 2.63-4.65; for 3∼4 h, PR 4.45; 95% CI, 3.27-6.06; and for ≥4 h, PR 8.25; 95% CI, 6.45-10.55), physical inactivity (PR 2.63; 95% CI, 2.00-3.47), late bedtime (PR 1.86; 95% CI, 1.45-2.39 for ≥11 p.m.), no rules at home (PR 1.22; 95% CI, 1.01-1.46), no child-parent interaction (PR 1.37; 95% CI, 1.06-1.77), and no close friends in real life (PR 1.69; 95% CI, 1.30-2.19). CONCLUSIONS: PIU and risky behaviors were not rare among the elementary school children. Besides unhealthy lifestyles, social and family environments were associated with PIU. Having child-parent interaction and helping children develop close friendships in real life are effective deterrents to PIU.

Future projections of the prevalence of dementia in Japan: results from the Toyama Dementia Survey.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to make future projections of the nationwide prevalence of dementia in Japan using the prevalence of dementia from the Toyama Dementia Survey and population projections. METHODS: We performed linear regression analysis using the prevalence of dementia by sex and age in 1985, 1990, 1996, 2001, and 2014 from the Toyama Dementia Survey to calculate the estimated future prevalence by sex and age. The estimated prevalence was then multiplied by the estimated future population of people aged 65 years and older by sex and age in each of the 47 prefectures from 2020 to 2045 and added together to calculate the total number of people with dementia. The estimated future prevalence of dementia was calculated by dividing the calculated number of people with dementia by the estimated future population of people aged 65 years and older in each of the 47 prefectures. In addition, the estimated future prevalence of dementia in each of the 47 prefectures from 2020 to 2045 was presented on a map of Japan and grayscale-coded in four levels. RESULTS: In 2020, the estimated future prevalence of dementia did not exceed 20% in any prefecture, but in 2025, five prefectures, mainly rural prefectures, had projected rates exceeding 20%. In 2030, the prevalence rate is projected to exceed 20% nationwide, and by 2035, the rate will exceed 25% in 42 prefectures. In 2045, all prefectures excluding Tokyo are projected to have a dementia prevalence rate exceeding 25%, and the rate will exceed 30% in 12 of 47 prefectures. CONCLUSIONS: Over the next 25 years, the prevalence of dementia in people older than 65 years is projected to exceed 25% nationwide, including metropolitan areas.

Lifestyle, psychological stress, and incidence of adolescent constipation: results from the Toyama birth cohort study.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to clarify the predisposing factors for adolescent constipation in a longitudinal study, because while factors associated with childhood constipation have been reported, prospective studies on the incidence of constipation are lacking. METHODS: We enrolled 5540 adolescents aged 12 to 13 years from the Toyama Birth Cohort Study-a community-based prospective study examining children's health. The incidence of constipation, defined as bowel movement frequency of less than once every 2 days, was surveyed during the three-year period from baseline (grade 4) to follow-up (grade 7). Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to explore the association between the incidence of adolescent constipation and their lifestyle variables. RESULTS: A total of 261 adolescents (4.7%) developed constipation during the three-year period. Female sex (odds ratio [OR] = 2.62,) overweight (OR = 0.60), and infrequent intake of fruits (OR = 1.50) at baseline were associated with the incidence of constipation. Furthermore, factors related to lifestyle changes and psychological status such as skipping breakfast (OR = 1.73), becoming physically inactive (OR = 1.55), and being persistently irritated (OR = 1.80) were significantly associated with the incidence of constipation. CONCLUSION: Our prospective study demonstrated that female sex, insufficient fruit intake, and deteriorating lifestyles such as skipping breakfast and becoming inactive during the 3-year period were associated with the incidence of adolescent constipation. Beyond anecdotal, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is recommended to reduce the incidence of adolescent constipation.

Effect modification by workplace social capital on the association between depression and workplace and family stress: the Japanese civil servant study.

BACKGROUND: Mental health problems among workers have become an issue in Japan. The working environment for civil servants is becoming excessively stressful, and there is a need to prevent the onset of depression. In addition to stress at the workplace and at home, social capital has been reported as a factor associated with depression. This study examined whether workplace social capital reduces the association between depression and work-related stress or depression and home-related stress. METHODS: A total of 3015 Japanese civil servants (1867 men and 1148 women) from Toyama Prefecture were included in this study. Data on depression and workplace social capital, work status, work stress, work-life balance, and physical health were collected. RESULTS: The odds ratio for depression was higher for both men and women with low workplace social capital. For those with low workplace social capital, the adjusted odds ratio for depression was 2.93 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.16-3.98) for men and 2.46 (95% CI, 1.74-3.49) for women. After adjusting for workplace social capital, the associations between depression and low job position, low job support, and moderate family-to-work conflict declined in men and were no longer significant. For women, the strength of the association between depression and unmarried status along with moderate control at work decreased and also lost significance. When the ORs for depression were stratified by high and low workplace social capital and compared with the ORs before stratification, the ORs for depression of long working hours and work-to-family conflict increased for both men and women in the low workplace social capital group. CONCLUSIONS: Workplace social capital mitigated the effect of workplace and family stress leading to depression in both men and women.

Regional disparity of certified teaching hospitals on physicians' workload and wages, and popularity among medical students in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Regional disparities in the working conditions of medical doctors have not been fully assessed in Japan. We aimed to clarify these differences in hospital characteristics: doctors' workload, wages, and popularity among medical students by city population sizes. METHODS: We targeted 423 teaching hospitals certified by the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine and assessed the working conditions of physicians specializing in internal medicine. We calculated their workload (the annual number of discharged patients per physician) and retrieved data on junior residents' monthly wages from the Resinavi Book which is popular among medical students in Japan to know the teaching hospital's information and each hospital's website. Furthermore, we explored the interim matching rate of each hospital as its popularity among medical students. Next, we classified cities in which all hospitals were located into eight groups based on their population size and compared the characteristics of these hospitals using a one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: The average workload was 110.3, while the average workload in hospitals located in most populated cities (≥ 2,000,000) was 88.4 (p < 0.05). The average monthly wage was 351,199 Japanese yen, while that in most populated cities was 305,635.1 Japanese yen. The average popularity (matching rate) was 101.9%, and the rate in most populated areas was 142.7%, which was significantly higher than in other areas. CONCLUSIONS: Hospitals in most populated areas had significantly lower workloads and wages; however, they were more popular among medical students than those in other areas. This study was the first to quantify the regional disparities in physicians' working conditions in Japan, and such disparities need to be corrected.

Association between marital status and cognitive function in Japan: results from the Toyama Dementia Survey.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to clarify the association between marital status and dementia in Japan, adjusting for socioeconomic, lifestyle, and lifestyle-related disease factors. METHODS: Data from the Japanese Toyama Dementia Survey were used. Individuals aged ≥65 years living in Toyama Prefecture were randomly selected, and 1171 participants were analysed, with a sampling rate of 0.5%. The participants' marital status, socioeconomic status, lifestyle factors, and lifestyle-related diseases were assessed. The odds ratio (OR) of marital status for each lifestyle factor and medical histories were calculated by logistic regression analysis. The OR of marital status for dementia was also calculated by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of dementia was 7.4% for married, and 20.6% for non-married participants. Non-married participants showed a higher prevalence of a history of stroke than married participants. The age- and sex-adjusted OR of marital status for dementia was 1.99 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.24-3.18) for non-married compared with married participants. Following variable adjustments, the OR for dementia was higher for non-married participants (adjusted OR 1.71; 95% CI 1.03-2.85). CONCLUSIONS: Non-marital status was an independent risk factor for dementia in Japan even after adjusting for socioeconomic, lifestyle, and lifestyle-related disease factors. Non-married people were more likely to have dementia because of their history of stroke.

Factors correlated with drug use for constipation: perspectives from the 2016 open Japanese National Database.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of chronic constipation is increased in females and with age or environmental (low temperature), racial, socioeconomic, and habitual risk factors. The impact of low outside temperature on constipation drug use remains unclear. Here, we investigated risk factors for constipation drug use by evaluating data from the Japanese National Database. METHODS: This ecological study used the 2016 open Japanese National Database of health insurance claims (prescriptions) to acquire the number of health insurance prescription claims in all 47 prefectures for drugs to relieve constipation, antihypertensives, vasodilators, as well as medical check-ups and questionnaire responses. Internet survey on room temperatures in 2010 were also used. Pearson correlation coefficients (r) between the number of population-based prescriptions for each item were calculated and multiple linear regression analysis (MLR) was performed. RESULTS: Prescriptions for magnesium laxatives significantly correlated with aging (r = 0.58), vasodilators (r = 0.53), being female (r = 0.43), antihypertensives (r = 0.39), and inversely with eating ≤2 h before bedtime (r = - 0.37), total crime rate (r = - 0.33), insomnia (r = - 0.33), and population density (r = - 0.31). Stimulant laxatives (sennoside and picosulfate) were significantly correlated with antihypertensives (r = 0.79), aging (r = 0.69), vasodilators (r = 0.67), and being female (r = 0.56), and were inversely associated with average outside temperature (r = - 0.62), total crime rate (r = - 0.52), average income (r = - 0.51), and 30-min of vigorous exercise (r = - 0.44). Fecal interventions were significantly correlated with aging (r = 0.55) and female (r = 0.59), and inversely correlated with population density (r = - 0.41) and total crime rate (r = - 0.38). MLR analysis identified aging as the only significant risk factor for magnesium laxative use (partial slope [ß] = 1241.0). Female sex and antihypertensives were independent risk factors for stimulant laxative prescriptions (ß = 44,547.0 and 0.2) and average outside temperature and 30-min of vigorous exercise were independent preventive factors (ß = - 616.8 and - 219.1). CONCLUSION: We identified associations of magnesium laxatives with aging, stimulant laxatives with female sex, antihypertensives, low outside temperature and less 30 min of vigorous exercise.

Relationship Between Parental Lifestyle and Dietary Habits of Children: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Although parents seek the best for their children, nutrition education for parents has attracted little attention to improve their children's dietary habits. To address this gap, this study aimed to examine the relationship between parental lifestyle factors and children's dietary habits. METHODS: We used data from the questionnaire survey of the Super Shokuiku School Project conducted in January 2016. The participants consisted of 1,632 elementary school children who answered questions about their lifestyle, while their parents answered parental lifestyle questions, including Breslow's seven health practice score (BHPS). Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the strength of the relationship between parental lifestyle factors and parental dietary attitudes or children's dietary habits. RESULTS: Compared with good maternal BHPS (scores of 6-7), poor maternal BHPS (scores of 0-3) was significantly associated with less parental interest in Shokuiku, less parental consideration of nutrient balance, and an increased rate of children eating breakfast alone (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.82-4.78, aOR 3.86; 95% CI, 2.50-5.96, and aOR 2.42; 95% CI, 1.34-4.35, respectively). There was no significant difference between parental BHPS and the following children's dietary habits: frequency of eating breakfast, vegetable intake, and snacking. These habits of children were associated with their personal lifestyle factors. CONCLUSION: Two types of dietary habits among children were associated with lifestyle factors of both parents and children. Nutrition education might be especially important for parents to improve their dietary attitude and children's dietary habits. However, different nutrition education interventions would be needed to appropriately address each dietary habit.

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

BACKGROUND: Age-related hearing loss reduces the quality of life in older adults. Low socioeconomic status (SES) has been reported as a risk factor for hearing loss, although this has not been verified in Japan. This study aimed to assess the association between low SES and hearing loss, excluding people with dementia, in Japan. METHODS: Data from the Toyama Dementia Survey, Japan, were used. Overall, 126 patients with hearing loss and 913 unimpaired controls were identified. Participants' presentation of dementia, self-reported hearing loss, history of medically diagnosed disease (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, stroke, or angina pectoris/cardiovascular disease), lifestyle factors (alcohol consumption and smoking), and SES (educational attainment and occupation) were assessed. Any association between low SES and hearing loss was investigated using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The odds ratio (OR) for hearing loss was higher for participants with low educational attainment than for those with high educational attainment (age- and sex-adjusted OR 3.08; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 1.51-6.28). After adjusting the models for SES, lifestyle factors, and medical history, the OR increased from 2.90 (95% CI, 1.40-6.01) to 3.43 (95% CI, 1.62-7.27). The OR for hearing loss for participants with blue-collar jobs compared with that of participants with white-collar jobs was not significant (age- and sex-adjusted OR, 1.45; 95% CI, 0.93-2.25). Older age and a history of angina pectoris or cardiovascular disease were found to increase the risk of hearing loss. CONCLUSIONS: Low educational attainment was independently associated with hearing loss in older adults without dementia in Japan.