Mathematical topology and geometry-based classification of tauopathies.

Neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer's, are associated with the presence of neurofibrillary lesions formed by tau protein filaments in the cerebral cortex. While it is known that different morphologies of tau filaments characterize different neurodegenerative diseases, there are few metrics of global and local structure complexity that enable to quantify their structural diversity rigorously. In this manuscript, we employ for the first time mathematical topology and geometry to classify neurodegenerative diseases by using cryo-electron microscopy structures of tau filaments that are available in the Protein Data Bank. By employing mathematical topology metrics (Gauss linking integral, writhe and second Vassiliev measure) we achieve a consistent, but more refined classification of tauopathies, than what was previously observed through visual inspection. Our results reveal a hierarchy of classification from global to local topology and geometry characteristics. In particular, we find that tauopathies can be classified with respect to the handedness of their global conformations and the handedness of the relative orientations of their repeats. Progressive supranuclear palsy is identified as an outlier, with a more complex structure than the rest, reflected by a small, but observable knotoid structure (a diagrammatic structure representing non-trivial topology). This topological characteristic can be attributed to a pattern in the beginning of the R3 repeat that is present in all tauopathies but at different extent. Moreover, by comparing single filament to paired filament structures within tauopathies we find a consistent change in the side-chain orientations with respect to the alpha carbon atoms at the area of interaction.

Does habitual physical activity prevent insomnia? A cross-sectional and longitudinal study of elderly Japanese.

Few epidemiological studies have examined the potential protective effects of physical activity on insomnia. The authors thus evaluated the association between physical activity and insomnia in a large population-based study in Shizuoka, Japan. Individual data were obtained from participants in an ongoing cohort study. A total of 14,001 older residents who completed questionnaires were followed for 3 yr. Of these, 10,211 and 3,697 participants were eligible for the cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses, respectively. The authors obtained information about the frequency of physical activity and insomnia. Then, the adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals between physical activity and insomnia were estimated. Habitual physical activity was related to lower prevalence of insomnia. Frequent physical activity also reduced the incidence of insomnia, especially difficulty maintaining sleep. For elderly people with sufficient mobility and no preexisting disease, high-frequency physical activity (e.g., 5 or more days/wk) may help reduce insomnia.

Long-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution and mortality in Shizuoka, Japan.

OBJECTIVES: The number of studies investigating the health effects of long-term exposure to air pollution is increasing, however, most studies have been conducted in Western countries. The health status of Asian populations may be different to that of Western populations and may, therefore, respond differently to air pollution exposure. Therefore, we evaluated the health effects of long-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution in Shizuoka, Japan. METHODS: Individual data were extracted from participants of an ongoing cohort study. A total of 14,001 older residents, who were randomly chosen from all 74 municipalities of Shizuoka, completed questionnaires and were followed from December 1999 to March 2006. Individual nitrogen dioxide exposure data, as an index for traffic-related exposure, were modelled using a land use regression model. We assigned participants an estimated concentration of nitrogen dioxide exposure during 2000-2006. We then estimated the adjusted HR and their CI for a 10 microg/m(3) increase in exposure to nitrogen dioxide for all-cause or cause-specific mortality. RESULTS: The adjusted HR for all-cause mortality was 1.02 (95% CI 0.96 to 1.08). Regarding cause-specific mortality, the adjusted HR for cardiopulmonary mortality was 1.16 (95% CI 1.06 to 1.26); in particular the adjusted HR for ischaemic heart disease mortality was 1.27 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.58) and for pulmonary disease mortality it was 1.19 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.38). Furthermore, among non-smokers, a 10 microg/m(3) increase in nitrogen dioxide was associated with a higher risk for lung cancer mortality (HR 1.30, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.93). CONCLUSION: Long-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution, indexed by nitrogen dioxide concentration, increases the risk of cardiopulmonary mortality, even in a population with a relatively low body mass index and increases the risk of lung cancer mortality in non-smokers.

Sleep duration, sleep quality and cardiovascular disease mortality among the elderly: a population-based cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the associations between sleep duration and mortality in the elderly by controlling for sleep quality. METHOD: Data were collected from participants in a cohort study in Shizuoka, Japan. A total of 14,001 elderly residents (aged 65-85 years), randomly chosen from all 74 municipalities in the prefecture, completed questionnaires that evaluated sleep duration, sleep complaints, and the use of hypnotics. Participants were followed from 1999 to 2006. We analyzed 11,395 subjects to estimate the hazard ratios (HR) for mortality from all causes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). RESULTS: With 60,252 person-years, 1004 deaths were identified. While short sleep duration and mortality were not associated, longer sleep duration was associated with higher risk of mortality in both sexes. Compared with those who slept 7 h, the multivariate HR and 95% confidence interval of CVD mortality for those who slept > or =10 h was 1.95 (1.18-3.21) and, for those who slept < or =5 h, it was 1.10 (0.62-1.93). Although no clear association was found between sleep quality and mortality, long sleep duration was associated with higher risk of CVD mortality among those with poor sleep quality. CONCLUSION: Long sleep duration is associated with higher risk of CVD mortality among the elderly with poor sleep quality.

[How many days of pedometer monitoring predict weekly physical activity in Japanese adults?].

PURPOSE: The study purpose was to establish the number (and type) of days needed to estimate mean pedometer-determined steps/day among Japanese adults. METHODS: DuringJune and August of 2008, seven days of data were collected from 223 participants in S Center between 20 and 64 years old and living in Shizuoka Prefecture (63 males, age = 50.3 +/- 10.4 years, BMI=25.8+/-3.7kg/m2; 160 females, age=49.0+/-10.6 years, BMI=23.5+/-3.8kg/m2)). Mean steps/day were computed for all 7 days, each single day, and combinations of days. Analyses used in this study were repeated measures analysis of variance, intra-class correlations (ICC) and regression analyses. RESULTS: The study participants averaged 8,854+/-3,356 steps/day over the 7-day monitoring frame. There were no gender differences in steps/day for any days of the week or for the weekly average of steps/ day. There was a significant difference (F=3.91, df= 5.21, P<0.001) between days for the total sample, Tuesday and Friday showing significantly more steps than Saturday and Sunday (P< 0.001). ICC analyses found a minimum of 3 days is necessary to achieve a reliability of 0.80. The adjusted R2 of 35 models for 3 days were all 0.80 or more. CONCLUSION: This study suggests any 3 days at random can provide a sufficient estimate tor predict weekly physical activity among Japanese adults. Further studies on sample size and survey period are now required.

[Effects of a weight loss program with group participation supported by strengthened social support].

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of a weight loss program with group participation supported by strengthened social support (hereafter termed the Weight Loss Rally). METHODS: Thirty-eight groups (41 males, 73 females) with a BMI of more than 22 kg/m2 living or working in Shizuoka Prefecture participated in the Weight Loss Rally. In order to strengthen social support, group participation approaches were taken instead of an individual participation approach. In the Weight Loss Rally, the weight changes of each group were monitored for twelve weeks with a goal of reducing 5% of their initial weight. In addition, the average steps taken per day, the average achievement rate for exercise, and attainment of diet objectives were assessed at the same time. All evaluations with other characteristics, such as remuneration and communication systems, were made on a group rather than an individual basis. In order to confrim the benefit of the Weight Loss Rally, physical measurements of all participants were taken and questionnaires were administered before and after the program. RESULTS: Complete data were obtained for 32 groups (35 males, 61 females). An average of 3.7 kg weight loss was observed for a total of 96 men and women (92.7%) along with increase of physical activity and decreased dietary intake (P < 0.001). An average of 1.4 kg/m2 decrease in BMI, an average of 2.8% decrease in body fat percentage, and an average of 3.9 cm reduction in waist circumference were reported (P < 0.001). According to the results of the questionnaires, 91 participants (94.8%) answered that they felt comfortable with the group participation toward the Weight Loss Rally. Other grouping methods were also used to analyze the results. First, group of colleagues, friends and family members were compared. Second, males, females and mixed groups were also compared for analysis. For every group similar results such as decrease in weight, BMI, body fat percentage, and waist circumference were recognized (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Eighty-eight participants out of 96 reported effective loss of body weight. Social support apparently played an important role. For that reason, this new Weight Loss Rally with group participation and social support could be an effective method for attaining weight loss for many people.

Considering the effects purchase food balance guide utilizing cable television has on the user.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to empirically investigate the needfulness of the Purchased Foodstuffs Balance Guide as designed for its users and also consider its influence on better dietary habits. METHODS: The participants included 89 students who attended City A's Senior Citizens' College, and the reality of their ICT and dietary habits were surveyed. Next, 27 cable television subscribers were asked to be monitors for testing the Guide. The study took place during a period of September 2013 to March 2014. RESULTS: The results indicated that, for the senior citizens, ICT use was centred on communication with their families and that their awareness or desire was a low in terms of the functions of information transmission, entertainment and receipt of services. Next, after using the Purchased Foodstuffs Balance Guide, its needfulness and its influence on better food habits were examined. As a result, the most frequent response by the participants was that they 'understood [their own] purchasing tendencies' (36.0%), followed by the three items: 'The Guide is useful for managing my nutrition', 'The Guide enabled me to know what foodstuffs are required to supplement my diet' and 'I became more careful about purchasing foodstuffs in a balanced way.' CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that 70% of the participants felt that the Purchased Foodstuffs Balance Guide was useful and make decisions when purchasing food using the Guide. This indicates the possibility that the Guide exerts a positive influence on users' awareness of nutritional balance, foodstuff purchasing choices and dietary habits.

Physical activity and mortality risk in the Japanese elderly: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity recommendations for older adults with poor health needs to be understood. PURPOSE: This study aims to examine the association between the frequency of physical activity and mortality among a sample of elderly subjects, most of whom were under treatment for pre-existing disease. METHODS: Data on the frequency of leisure-time physical activity, walking for transportation, and non-exercise physical activity were obtained from a population-based cohort study in Shizuoka, Japan. Of the randomly selected 22,200 residents aged 65-84 years, 10,385 subjects were followed from 1999 to 2006 and analyzed. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs were obtained for all-cause; cardiovascular disease (CVD); and cancer mortality, after adjusting for covariates such as pre-existing disease(s). A subgroup analysis that was restricted to subjects under treatment for pre-existing disease(s) at baseline was further conducted. Data were collected between 1999 and 2006, and all analyses were conducted in 2008 and 2009. RESULTS: Every physical activity was associated with a reduced risk of all-cause and CVD mortality, among not only the total sample but even those under treatment. The HRs for CVD mortality among participants with 5 or more days of non-exercise physical activity per week for the total sample and those with pre-existing disease(s) were 0.38 (95% CI=0.22, 0.55) and 0.35 (95% CI=0.24, 0.52), respectively, compared with no non-exercise physical activity. The association between physical activity and cancer mortality was not clear. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests a protective effect of physical activity on all-cause and CVD mortality among Japanese elderly people with pre-existing disease.

Green tea consumption and mortality among Japanese elderly people: the prospective Shizuoka elderly cohort.

PURPOSE: To investigate the association between green tea consumption and mortality from all causes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) among elderly people. METHODS: In a population-based, prospective cohort study, a total of 14,001 elderly residents (aged 65-84 years), randomly chosen from all 74 municipalities in Shizuoka, Japan, completed questionnaires that included items about frequency of green tea consumption. They were followed for up to 6 years, from December 1999 to March 2006. Consequently, 12,251 subjects were analyzed to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause mortality, cancer, and CVD. RESULTS: Among 64,002 person-years, 1,224 deaths were identified (follow-up rate, 71.6%). The multivariate HRs and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for CVD mortality compared those who consumed seven or more cups per day with those who consumed less than one cup per day, were 0.24 (0.14-0.40), 0.30 (0.15-0.61), and 0.18 (0.08-0.40) for total participants, men, and women, respectively. Although green tea consumption was not inversely associated with cancer mortality, green tea consumption and colorectal cancer mortality were inversely associated with a moderate dose-response relationship. CONCLUSIONS: Green tea consumption is associated with reduced mortality from all causes and CVD. This study also suggests that green tea could have protective effects against colorectal cancer.