Human life expectancy and season of birth in Taiwan: A retrospective cohort study.

Prior research has indicated a correlation between the birth season and life expectancy; however, many of these studies did not sufficiently account for comorbidities. In this comprehensive investigation, we aimed to meticulously explore the association between the birth month and life expectancy, giving due consideration to comorbidities. We used a robust dataset derived from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database (2000-2013), which allowed us to conduct a thorough examination. We divided our participants into four groups based on their season of birth: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Propensity score matching was used to ensure an equitable distribution of demographic and clinical characteristics across the groups. Propensity scores were computed using logistic regression. Our model incorporated a broad range of demographic factors and comorbidities, providing rigorous adjustment for potential confounders. Our findings revealed a significantly increased risk of all-cause mortality among individuals born in spring, even after stringent adjustment for demographic factors and comorbidities. People born in spring demonstrated a 1.05-fold increase in the risk of all-cause mortality, with a hazard ratio of 1.05 and a 95% confidence interval of 1.01-1.09. Our study provides compelling evidence that helps understand the potential long-term impacts of a person's birth season, which acts as a proxy for pregnancy / early-life environmental exposure, on life expectancy. These findings underscore the crucial need for additional research to illuminate the underlying biological and environmental mechanisms linking the birth season and lifespan of a person. The elucidation of these links could guide the development of innovative health promotion and disease prevention strategies that are tailored to an individual's birth season.

Phenotypic changes during 100-year rice breeding programs in Hokkaido.

Plant breeding programs in local regions may have genetic and phenotypic variations that are desirable and shape adaptability during the establishment of local populations. Despite the characterization of genetic population structures in various kinds of populations, the effects of variations in phenotype on agro-economical traits currently remain unclear. In the present study, we evaluated phenotypic changes in 26 agro-economical traits among the local population during rice breeding programs in Hokkaido. Wide variations were observed in all 26 agro-economical traits with continuous distributions. In order to elucidate improvements in these agro-economic traits during rice breeding programs in Hokkaido, values were compared between genetic population structures. Traits were classified into four patterns based on the timing of significant differences. Patterns A and B showed significant differences once and twice, respectively. Pattern C gradually showed significant differences. Pattern D showed no significant differences for the desired directions. Based on the changes in phenotype observed in the present study and the genetic population structure for the local population in Hokkaido, a model of the artificial selection for phenotypes in genetic diversity among the local population during plant breeding programs has been proposed.

Identification of quantitative trait loci for rice grain quality and yield-related traits in two closely related Oryza sativa L. subsp. japonica cultivars grown near the northernmost limit for rice paddy cultivation.

Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with eating quality, grain appearance quality and yield-related traits were mapped in recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from closely related rice (Oryza sativa L. subsp. japonica) cultivars, Yukihikari (good eating quality) and Joiku462 (superior eating quality and high grain appearance quality). Apparent amylose content (AAC), protein content (PC), brown grain length (BGL), brown grain width (BGWI), brown grain thickness (BGT), brown grain weight per plant (BGW) and nine yield-related traits were evaluated in 133 RILs grown in four different environments in Hokkaido, near the northernmost limit for rice paddy cultivation. Using 178 molecular markers, a total of 72 QTLs were detected, including three for AAC, eight for PC, two for BGL, four for BGWI, seven for BGT, and six for BGW, on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11 and 12. Fifteen intervals were found to harbor multiple QTLs affecting these different traits, with most of these QTL clusters located on chromosomes 4, 6, 8, 9 and 12. These QTL findings should facilitate gene isolation and breeding application for improvement of eating quality, grain appearance quality and yield of rice cultivars.

Stronger geomagnetic fields may be a risk factor of male suicides.

AIM: Some previous studies have shown a positive relation between geomagnetic disturbances and an increased incidence of suicide. If such a relation exists, stronger geomagnetic fields may affect the number of suicides, because stronger geomagnetic fields generally cause larger geomagnetic field disturbances. Therefore, we here investigated the relation between local geomagnetic field magnetic flux density and the standardized morbidity ratios (SMR) for suicide by each prefecture in Japan. METHODS: Monthly suicide data for each prefecture in the period January 1999 to December 2008 was obtained, and it was found that a total of 216 171 male individuals and 85 154 female individuals committed suicide during this period. A multiple linear regression analysis was carried out with a backward elimination procedure. The SMR for suicide by each prefecture was taken as the response variable and the explanatory variables were each prefecture's local geomagnetic field magnetic flux density (nT), north latitude (°), monthly mean unemployment rate (%), monthly mean air pressure (hPa), monthly mean air temperature (°C), monthly mean humidity (%), and monthly total day length (hours). Analyses were carried out separately for each sex. RESULTS: In the multiple linear regression analysis for male subjects, the local geomagnetic field magnetic flux density (nT), monthly mean unemployment rate (%), and monthly mean humidity (%) were associated with the incidence of suicide, but in the multiple linear regression analysis of female subjects, only north latitude was associated with that. CONCLUSION: In this study, we generated a hypothesis that stronger geomagnetic fields affect the number of cases of male suicide.

Speciation and determination of inorganic arsenic in rice using liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma/ mass spectrometry: collaborative study.

An analytical method to speciate two inorganic As forms [arsenite, As(lll) and arsenate, As(V)] in indica and japonica types of rice (both husked and polished) and determine the inorganic As concentration as the sum of these two was internationally validated. The method can additionally determine two organic As compounds, monomethylarsonic acid and dimethylarsinic acid, in rice as separate LC peaks. The method is based on LC separation and inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-MS detection. The method was evaluated through the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry/lnternational Organization for Standardization/AOAC harmonized protocol. Sixteen laboratories from four countries participated in the study, and 13 laboratories returned valid data. Twenty test portions of 10 blind duplicates of indica and japonica type rice samples (both husked and polished) were used in this study. Repeatability RSD (RSDr) and reproducibility RSD (RSDR) were calculated at five concentrations of total inorganic As between 0.03 and 0.68 mg/kg. The RSDr was in a range of 3.8 to 7.7% and the RSDR was in a range of 10 to 36%. These performance characteristics were found to be sufficient for determination of inorganic As at or higher than 0.03 mg/kg. Applicability of the method was estimated to be in a range of 0.02-2.0 mg/kg.

Association of geomagnetic disturbances and suicides in Japan, 1999-2010.

OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have shown a positive relationship between geomagnetic disturbances and an increased incidence of suicide. The Japanese suicide rate is the ninth highest in the world, but there have been no reports examining the relationship between geomagnetic disturbance and the number of suicides, and, therefore, this paper examines this relationship. METHODS: The number of Japanese suicides per month from January 1999 to December 2010 was obtained, and it was found that a total of 262,596 males and 102,539 females committed suicide during this period. To adjust the other factors which affect the number of suicides, a multiple linear regression analysis with backward elimination was carried out, with the monthly number of suicides as the response variable and the monthly mean K index value, monthly mean number of sunspots, monthly mean unemployment rate, proportion of elderly people (%), monthly mean air pressure (hPa), monthly mean air temperature (°C), monthly mean humidity (%), and monthly mean day length (h) as the explanatory variables. RESULTS: In the multiple linear regression analysis for males, the monthly mean K index value was associated with the monthly number of suicides, but in females, the monthly mean K index value was not associated with the monthly number of suicides. CONCLUSION: In this study, we generated a hypothesis that geomagnetic disturbances may trigger male suicides.

Distribution of photoperiod-insensitive allele Ppd-A1a and its effect on heading time in Japanese wheat cultivars.

The Ppd-A1 genotype of 240 Japanese wheat cultivars and 40 foreign cultivars was determined using a PCR-based method. Among Japanese cultivars, only 12 cultivars, all of which were Hokkaido winter wheat, carried the Ppd-A1a allele, while this allele was not found in Hokkaido spring wheat cultivars or Tohoku-Kyushu cultivars. Cultivars with a photoperiod-insensitive allele headed 6.9-9.8 days earlier in Kanto and 2.5 days earlier in Hokkaido than photoperiod-sensitive cultivars. The lower effect of photoperiod-insensitive alleles observed in Hokkaido could be due to the longer day-length at the spike formation stage compared with that in Kanto. Pedigree analysis showed that 'Purple Straw' and 'Tohoku 118' were donors of Ppd-A1a and Ppd-D1a in Hokkaido wheat cultivars, respectively. Wheat cultivars recently developed in Hokkaido carry photoperiod-insensitive alleles at a high frequency. For efficient utilization of Ppd-1 alleles in the Hokkaido wheat-breeding program, the effect of Ppd-1 on growth pattern and grain yield should be investigated. Ppd-A1a may be useful as a unique gene source for fine tuning the heading time in the Tohoku-Kyushu region since the effect of Ppd-A1a on photoperiod insensitivity appears to differ from the effect of Ppd-B1a and Ppd-D1a.

Identification of Monomethylmonothioarsonic Acid as the Major Thioarsenical Generated During Extraction Processes for Arsenic Species Analysis.

Acid extraction is commonly used to analyze arsenic species in rice. During the extraction process, spiked monomethylarsonic acid (MMA) is often transformed into different compounds. A similar phenomenon is observed in the arsenic speciation analysis of seafood. To identify these compounds, we analyzed a previously prepared extract using liquid chromatography-time-of-flight/mass spectrometry in differential analysis and liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma-MS. The compound was identified as monomethylmonothioarsonic acid (MMMTA), a thioarsenical, which is estimated to be more cytotoxic than MMA. As MMMTA was readily produced by bubbling hydrogen sulfide through MMA, this suggests that MMA reacts with sulfur in rice during the extraction process. Our data also suggested that dimethylarsinic acid could be transformed into another compound, although the generation rate was low. For reliable arsenic speciation analyses, the transformation of arsenic compounds during extraction must be avoided. This study demonstrates that arsenic compounds can be transformed by dilute acid extraction.

Titanium bridge modification for type 2 thyroplasty to improve device mechanical & safety performance.

OBJECTIVE: Titanium bridges are used to separate the thyroid ala during type 2 thyroplasty for adductor spasmodic dysphonia. Revision surgeries have adventitiously indicated that bridge wing failure occurs in the area of the medial hole in some cases. This study investigated the rate and cause of device malfunctions and developed an improved device. METHODS: We conducted a questionnaire survey to determine the number of surgeries performed in Japan up to the end of 2014, and to obtain information about revision cases. In addition, damage analyses were performed on the fracture surfaces of recovered titanium bridges through use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). RESULTS: Between 2002 and 2014, titanium bridges were used in 385 patients. Revision surgery was performed in 19 cases. Revision surgeries revealed that in 11 cases breakage occurred in the wings of the device in the region of the medial hole. However, such fractures were not associated with any signs of recurrence or any adverse events. SEM analyses of fracture surfaces confirmed that fatigue fractures were caused by repeated bending stress in the area of the medial hole. Based on these results, the shape of the hole was changed from round to oval and the wing thickness was increased to prevent breakage. CONCLUSIONS: The wings of titanium bridges may break without any associated signs, symptoms or tissue damage. Based on the malfunctions detected and analyses of the devices recovered following malfunction, changes to the specification were made for commercial development of the titanium bridge.

Surrogacy of tumor response and progression-free survival for overall survival in metastatic breast cancer resistant to both anthracyclines and taxanes.

BACKGROUND: In breast cancer, the validity of surrogate endpoints for overall survival (OS) is a matter of controversy. METHODS: In order to generate a hypothesis, we evaluated whether tumor response or progression-free survival (PFS) could be valid surrogates for OS in patients with metastatic breast cancer. Data from 30 patients were available from a phase II study of trastuzumab and capecitabine in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer resistant to both anthracyclines and taxanes. The proportional hazards (PH) model was applied to evaluate the relationship between OS and tumor response or PFS. In addition, to explore prognostic factors influencing OS or post-progression survival, the PH model with a stepwise regression procedure was applied. RESULTS: The relationship between tumor response and PFS was highly significant (P = 0.0036); however, there was no significant relationship between tumor response and OS or between PFS and OS. In the multivariate analysis, the sum of the longest diameter of target lesions (P = 0.0011), neutrophil count (P = 0.0033), and creatinine (P = 0.0085) were statistically significantly associated with OS. CONCLUSION: We generated a hypothesis that neither PFS nor tumor response were valid as surrogate endpoints for OS, at least in the phase II trial for metastatic breast cancer resistant to both anthracyclines and taxanes. We also found that the sum of the longest diameter of target lesions, neutrophil count, and creatinine were prognostic factors for OS.

Lizards respond to an extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field.

Animals from a wide range of taxa have been shown to possess magnetic sense and use magnetic compasses to orient; however, there is no information in the literature on whether lizards have either of these abilities. In this study, we investigated the behavioral responses of a diurnal agamid lizard (Pogona vitticeps) to a sinusoidal extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF; 6 and 8 Hz, peak magnetic field 2.6 microT, peak electric field 10 V m(-1)). Fourteen adult lizards were divided randomly into two groups (the EMF and control groups; each group had three males and four females). The EMF group received whole-body exposure to ELF-EMF and the control group did not. Lizards in the EMF group were exposed to ELF-EMF for 12 h per day (during the light period). The number of tail lifts was monitored beginning 3 days before exposure and ending after 5 days of exposure. For each individual, the average number of tail lifts per day was calculated. The average number of tail lifts per individual per day was greater in the EMF group than in the control group (20.7+/-6.3 and 9.1+/-4.5 tail lifts, respectively, N=7 each, P=0.02). We confirmed the reproducibility of this response by a cross-over trial. These results suggest that at least some lizards are able to perceive ELF-EMFs. Furthermore, when the parietal eye of the lizards was covered with a small round aluminum 'cap' which could block light, the tail-lifting response to ELF-EMF disappeared. Our experiments suggest that (1) lizards perceive EMFs and (2) the parietal eye may be involved in light-dependent magnetoreceptive responses.

The Parietal Eye of Lizards (Pogona vitticeps) Needs Light at a Wavelength Lower than 580 nm to Activate Light-Dependent Magnetoreception.

In a previous study, the agamid lizard Pogona vitticeps was discovered to respond to an electromagnetic field (EMF) of extremely low frequency (6 and 8 Hz; peak magnetic and electric fields of 2.6 µT and 10 V/m, respectively). Furthermore, when the third eye of a lizard was covered, using a small round aluminum cap, the reaction to the EMF disappeared. These results suggested that the parietal eye has a role in light-dependent magnetoreception. However, the wavelength of light needed to activate light-dependent magnetoreception has not been identified and was thus explored in the present study. Lizards were randomly divided into control and EMF groups. In both groups, a small round light-absorbing filter was positioned on the back of the head of each lizard and blocked light of wavelengths lower than 580 nm. The EMF group was subjected to EMF exposure for half of the day, whereas the control group was not. No significant intergroup differences were discovered in the average ratio of the number of tail lifts on test days to the baseline value or average increase in the number of test-day tail lifts minus the baseline value (p = 0.41 and p = 0.67, respectively). Lizards with light-absorption filters that cut out light with wavelengths lower than 380 nm were found to respond to the EMF. Therefore, the lizards appeared to respond to light of certain wavelengths rather than the filters themselves. The results of these experiments suggest that light of wavelengths lower than 580 nm is required to activate light-dependent magnetoreception in the parietal eye of P. vitticeps.

Association of Geomagnetic Disturbances and Suicide Attempts in Taiwan, 1997-2013: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: A previous study in Japan found that monthly mean K index values were related to the monthly number of male, but not female, suicides. Correlations between geomagnetic disturbances and suicide/depression have also been reported in countries such as Canada, South Africa, Finland, Australia, Russia, and Japan. We have previously shown that stronger geomagnetism is linked to a higher standardized mortality ratio for suicide. To date, however, no published studies have reported the correlation between geomagnetic disturbances and suicide attempts in Taiwan. METHODS: Data on the monthly number of suicide attempts in Taiwan from January 1997 to December 2013 were obtained. We performed a multivariable analysis, with the number of suicide attempts as the response variable and monthly Kp10 index, F10.7 index, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone, fine particulate matter (PM2.5), temperature, humidity, unemployment rate, and cosmic rays as the explanatory variables. RESULTS: The multivariable analysis showed that Kp10 index, temperature, humidity, unemployment rate, and cosmic rays were associated with the number of male suicide attempts and that Kp10 index, F10.7 index, carbon monoxide, temperature, humidity, and unemployment rate were associated with the number of female suicide attempts. CONCLUSION: This is the first article reporting statistically significant relationships between the monthly number of male and female suicide attempts and the monthly mean Kp10 value in Taiwan.

Correlation between the Lunar Phase and Tail-Lifting Behavior of Lizards (Pogona vitticeps) Exposed to an Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Field.

We previously showed that the agamid lizard Pogona vitticeps responded to an extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF; frequency: 6 and 8 Hz; peak magnetic field: 2.6 µT; peak electric field: 10 V/m) with tail-lifting behavior. In addition, the tail-lifting response to ELF-EMF disappeared when the parietal eyes of the lizards were covered by small round aluminum caps. This result suggests that the parietal eye contributes to light-dependent magnetoreception. In the present study, we set up an ELF-EMF group to evaluate the long-term effect of the ELF-EMF on lizards' behavior and examine our hypothesis that exposure to ELF-EMFs increases the magnetic field sensitivity in lizards. We therefore include the lunar phase (full moon/new moon) and K index as environmental factors related to the geomagnetic field in the analysis. The number of tail lifts per individual per day was the response variable while calendar month, daily mean temperature, daily mean humidity, daily mean atmospheric pressure, full moon, new moon, and K index were the explanatory variables. We analyzed an ELF-EMF group and a control group separately. In a multiple linear regression analysis, the independent determinants associated with the number of tail lifts were the full moon, the temperature, February, March, April, and May in the ELF-EMF group and March, April, May, and June in the control group. The P. vitticeps in the ELF-EMF group responded to the full moon whereas those in the control group did not. In addition, in the ELF-EMF group, the number of tail lifts was higher on days when the K index was higher (P = 0.07) in the first period whereas there was no such tendency in either period in the control group. There is the possibility that the exposure to ELF-EMFs may increase magnetic-field sensitivity in lizards.

The reversal of recurrence hazard rate between ER positive and negative breast cancer patients with axillary lymph node dissection (pathological stage I-III) 3 years after surgery.

BACKGROUND: Prognostic factors are defined as biological or clinical measurement associated with overall survival and/or disease-free survival. Previous studies have shown that patients with estrogen receptor (ER) positive cancers have a better prognosis than patients whose cancers do not have these receptors. METHODS: This study investigated the assessment of variables in defining prognosis of 742 breast cancer women with pathological stage (pTNM) I-III diagnosed between 1980 and 2005 at the Kyoto University Hospital in Japan, by age, clinical stage (cTNM), pTNM, the numbers of positive lymph nodes (pN), and ER status. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis demonstrated that pTNM and ER status were the independent prognostic factors for overall survival, and that pTNM and pN were the independent prognostic factors for disease-free survival. For the 0- to 2-year interval, the hazard of recurrence was higher for the ER-negative patients than the ER-positive patients, and beyond 3 years the hazard was higher for ER-positive patients. CONCLUSION: The present study confirmed the previous reports which showed favorable prognosis of the patients with lesser pTNM or positive ER status. A reversal of recurrence hazard rate between ER positive and negative breast cancer patients beyond 3 years after operation was detected. The fact may indicate the importance of long term adjuvant hormone therapy for ER positive cancer patients.

Clinical effect of qigong practice on essential hypertension: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to quantitatively assess the effectiveness of self-practiced qigong for treatment of essential hypertension. METHODS: Six major electronic databases were searched up to July 2006 to retrieve any potential randomized controlled trials designed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of self-practiced qigong for essential hypertension reported in any language, with main outcome measures as systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). The quality of included studies were assessed with the Jadad Scale and a customized standard quality assessment scale. RESULTS: Ninety-two (92) studies were identified. Nine (9) of these studies qualified for meta-analysis, comprising a total of 908 cases. Results were as follows: (1) The mean decrease of SBP in those practicing qigong was a 17.03 mm Hg reduction (95% confidence interval (CI) 11.53-22.52) compared with nonspecific intervention controls, but not superior to that in drug controls (1.19 mm Hg, 95% CI -5.40-7.79) and conventional exercise controls (-1.51 mm Hg, 95% CI -6.98-3.95). (2) Mean decrease of DBP in those practicing qigong was 9.98 mm Hg (95% CI 2.55-17.41) compared with nonspecific intervention controls, but not superior to that in drug controls (2.49 mm Hg, 95% CI -0.16-5.13) and conventional exercise controls (-1.59 mm Hg, 95% CI -4.91-1.74). (3) No obvious side effects were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Self-practiced qigong for less than 1 year is better in decreasing BP in patients with essential hypertension than in no-treatment controls, but is not superior to that in active controls. More methodologically strict studies are needed to prove real clinical benefits of qigong, and to explore its potential mechanism.

Evaluation of a nitric acid-based partial-digestion method for selective determination of inorganic arsenic in rice.

Arsenic (As) uptake in human occurs via the food chain mainly. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives has established the provisional tolerable weekly intake level for As as an inorganic As (iAs) value, because iAs in food is much more toxic than organic As. In this study, we studied an acid based partial-digestion method for the complete extraction of arsenicals from rice. HPLC/ICP-MS was used to determine the concentration of iAs selectively. The conditions adopted to extract arsenicals from a 0.5 g of finely ground rice sample were addition of 2 mL of 0.15 mol/L nitric acid and heating at 80 degrees C for 2 hr. The LOD and LOQ for iAs were 0.0024 and 0.0079 mg/kg dry weight, respectively. Recovery studies showed good accuracy. When the method was applied to ten short-grain brown rice samples, the iAs concentrations were 0.108-0.227 mg/kg dry weight and the total As concentrations were 0.118-0.260 mg/kg dry weight. Although dimethylarsinic acid was also detected in most samples, the percentage of iAs content in total As content was 62.2-96.3%. Thus, iAs was the principal As species in the short-grain brown rice samples tested.

Nitric acid-based partial-digestion method for selective determination of inorganic arsenic in hijiki and application to soaked hijiki.

Because there is a great difference between the toxicity of inorganic arsenic (As) and organic As in food, the JECFA has set a PTWI value for inorganic As (iAs) rather than for total As. The difference in As toxicity makes it necessary to extract iAs completely from food samples for toxicological analysis, but complete extraction of As from most foods including seaweed has not been achieved to date. We developed a partial-digestion method that uses nitric acid as a solvent in order to extract almost all arsenicals from the solid matrix of hijiki (Hizikia fusiforme, a brown alga) samples. In this method, organic As species were not converted into iAs. HPLC/ICP-MS was then used to determine the concentration of iAs. Total As was measured by hydride generation-atomic absorption spectrometry. The adopted conditions for 0.1 g of ground fine powder sample were: 2 mL of 0.3 mol/L nitric acid; heating, 80 degrees C for 1 hr. Intra-laboratory validation of the method showed good precision and accuracy. The repeatability and intermediate precision for iAs were 1.5% and 1.5%, respectively. The LOD and LOQ for iAs were 0.14 and 0.46 mg/kg dry weight, respectively. Recovery studies performed by spiking 0.5 mg/kg dry weight as the LOQ level and by spiking 3 mg/kg dry weight as the iAs concentration of an un-spiked hijiki sample showed good accuracy. The method was applied to hijiki samples after a water soaking process and a water soaking and simmering process. The results suggested that the As concentration in hijiki after both processes was lower than that before the treatments and that the water soaking and simmering process reduced the iAs concentration much more effectively than the water soaking process.

Prevalence and incidence of anemia in Japanese cancer patients receiving outpatient chemotherapy.

Anemia in cancer patients has been under-recognized and little studied in Japan. To gain some insight into cancer-related anemia in Japanese patients undergoing outpatient chemotherapy, we performed a single-center retrospective study of the prevalence and incidence of anemia in 148 patients with solid tumors treated at the Kyoto University Hospital Outpatient Oncology Unit. We classified the cases of anemia in accordance with the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (version 3.0). Of 148 patients, 65 (44%) were anemic at the start of chemotherapy, 19 (13%) of whom had anemia of grade 2 or higher. Chemotherapy further increased the number of anemic patients, with 125 (84%) being anemic at some point during chemotherapy, and 61 (41%) of these having anemia of grade 2 or higher. Among the 83 patients without anemia at the start of chemotherapy, 60 (72%) developed anemia during chemotherapy, 15 (18%) of whom had anemia of grade 2 or higher. This is the first report showing a high prevalence and incidence of anemia in Japanese patients undergoing outpatient chemotherapy. Better recognition and management of cancer-related anemia are required in Japan. To this end, randomized controlled trials evaluating the effects of erythropoietic agents on patients' survival and quality of life are necessary.

Microtesla extremely low frequency magnetic fields may ameliorate hypertension.

We studied the effects of a micro-Tesla extremely low frequency magnetic field (microT ELFMF) on blood pressure. A 1-muT magnetic field was generated by Helmholtz coils (L, 3.0 meters; H, 1.7 meters) with 8/6-Hz alternating current. This study was carried out between March 2004 and March 2005, and data from a total of 30 volunteers were analyzed. The subjects' blood pressure was measured before and after exposure, at baseline, and 1, 2 and 3 months after the first ELFMF session. The mean age of the subjects was 46.5 years (range, 28-72 years). The median number of ELFMF sessions was 31.5, and the median duration of each session was 10.0 min (range, 2.0-120.0 minutes). In the hypertensive and normotensive subgroups, the difference between the baseline and 3-month pre-exposure systolic blood pressure (SBP) measurements was statistically significant (p<0.001, p=0.013, respectively; paired t-test). The SBP of the hypertensive subgroup decreased more than that of the normotensive subgroup. These data suggest that the microT ELFMF may have a hypotensive effect on subjects, particularly hypertensive subjects.