Relationship between physical activity and locomotive syndrome among young and middle-aged Japanese workers.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the relationship between physical activity (PA) and locomotive syndrome (LS) among young and middle-aged Japanese workers. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 335 participants from a company in Kumamoto, Japan. LS was evaluated using the 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (GLFS-25); a GLFS-25 score ≥7 was defined as LS. Weekly PA was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Work-related PA (time spent sitting, standing, walking, and strenuous work per day) and sedentary breaks were measured using a Work-related Physical Activity Questionnaire. Screen usage (television [TV], smartphones, tablets, and personal computers) during leisure time was recorded. The association between PA and LS was examined using a multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, history of musculoskeletal disorders, cancer, stroke, occupation, employment type, work time, shift system, employment status, and body pain. RESULTS: A total of 149 participants had LS. Fewer sedentary breaks during work (>70-minute intervals, odds ratio [OR] = 2.96; prolonged sitting, OR = 4.12) and longer TV viewing time (≥180 minutes, OR = 3.02) were significantly associated with LS. In contrast, moderate PA (OR = 0.75) was significantly associated with a lower risk of LS. CONCLUSIONS: Fewer sedentary breaks during work and longer TV viewing time could increase the risk of LS in young and middle-aged Japanese workers.

Safety and adverse effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 vaccine among the general Japanese adult population.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to identify and explore the association between the characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine recipients and the types of vaccine-related adverse effects in the general Japanese adult population. METHODS: An anonymous self-report questionnaire was distributed to 4393 students and 1657 white and blue-collar workers (N = 6050). Data on vaccine-related adverse effects were collected twice, once after each vaccination. The data collection was performed daily from the day of injection (D0) until the sixth day after injection (D6). The list of adverse effects comprised local reactions at the injection site (pain, redness, and swelling) and systemic symptoms (fever, fatigue, headache, myalgia, joint pain, chills, and nausea or vomiting). The Student's t-test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to analyze parametric and non-parametric data, respectively. RESULTS: The incidence of adverse reactions to the COVID-19 vaccination was higher after the second dose (e.g., redness: 47.1%; swelling: 60.6%; fever: 80.6%) of vaccination than after the first dose (e.g., redness: 16.4%; swelling: 37.2%; fever: 11.9%). Women reported adverse reactions to the vaccination more frequently. Some adverse reactions included more symptoms in younger participants, and participants with a lower body mass index were more at risk for these symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Some adverse reactions to the COVID-19 vaccination are a greater risk of symptoms in the younger group, women, and participants with lower BMI. Care should be taken to monitor women, younger people, and individuals with a low body mass index for adverse effects after receiving the COVID-19 vaccination.

Impact of noise reduction on radiation dose reduction potential of virtual monochromatic spectral images: Comparison of phantom images with conventional 120 kVp images using deep learning image reconstruction and hybrid iterative reconstruction.

PURPOSE: To assess the effects of deep learning image reconstruction (DLIR) and hybrid iterative reconstruction (HIR) on the image quality of virtual monochromatic spectral (VMS) images and to investigate the dose reduction potential of the VMS and conventional 120 kVp images. METHODS: A cylindrical phantom simulating an adult abdomen was used. The contrast was set to 60 (medium) and 300 (high) Hounsfield units. CT acquisitions were performed at three dose levels: 12, 9, and 6 mGy. Images were reconstructed via filtered back projection (FBP), DLIR, and HIR. The noise power spectrum (NPS) and task transfer function (TTF) were measured, and the system performance (SP) function was calculated (TTF2/NPS). RESULTS: The noise magnitudes at low spatial frequencies with DLIR and HIR were lower than that with FBP by 45.6% and 24.4%, respectively. Compared to the FBP results, the TTF values at 50% with DLIR at medium and high contrast changed by -13.2% and +25.3% with the VMS images and -2.0% and +9.3% with the 120 kVp images, respectively. In the VMS and 120 kVp images, compared to the SP values of 12 mGy FBP images, SP values of 6 mGy DLIR images decreased at medium contrast and increased at high contrast. CONCLUSIONS: DLIR achieved better noise reduction than HIR. The spatial resolution of VMS-DLIR varied significantly depending on the contrast. The image quality of VMS-DLIR and 120 kVp-DLIR potentially decrease in medium contrast tasks and increase in high contrast tasks with 50% dose reduction.

Impact of dietary compositions and patterns on the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in Japanese men: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to examine the impact of dietary compositions and patterns on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) morbidity in Japanese men. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 281 individuals who underwent comprehensive medical examinations during health screening. Dietary intake was assessed using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, and factor analysis was performed to detect dietary patterns. NAFLD was diagnosed by the presence of fatty liver on abdominal ultrasonography in nondrinkers (< 30 g/day), and patients were categorized into control (n = 192) and NAFLD groups (n = 89). RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the NAFLD group consumed fewer mushrooms. Three dietary patterns were identified, namely, a healthy pattern, a western pattern, and a snack pattern. The score of healthy pattern was negatively correlated with the risk of NAFLD. Compared with the lowest tertile of the healthy pattern, the middle tertile was associated with a lower risk of NAFLD after adjusting for age, physical activity, and smoking (odds ratio: 0.47, 95% confidence interval: 0.25-0.91). After further adjustments for body mass index, the middle tertile was associated with a lower risk of NAFLD (odds ratio: 0.46, 95% confidence interval: 0.23-0.92). CONCLUSIONS: A healthy dietary pattern comprising frequent intake of seaweeds, vegetables, mushrooms, pulses, and potatoes and starches was associated with a lower risk of NAFLD in Japanese men. In our opinion, this healthy pattern closely resembles the Japanese Washoku diet, indicating that adherence to Washoku may help prevent NAFLD.

5,11-Diazadibenzo[hi,qr]tetracene: Synthesis, Properties, and Reactivity toward Nucleophilic Reagents.

5,11-Diazadibenzo[hi,qr]tetracene was synthesized as a new nitrogen-substituted polycyclic heteroaromatic compound by Pd-catalyzed cycloisomerization of an alkyne precursor followed by oxidative cyclization with bis(trifluoroacetoxy)iodobenzene. The substitution of imine-type nitrogen atoms significantly enhanced its electron-accepting character and facilitated the direct nucleophilic addition of arylamines under strongly basic conditions to afford the desired amino-substituted products. The introduction of amino groups induced a remarkable red-shift in their absorption spectra; the tetrasubstituted product exhibited intense near-infrared absorbing property. Furthermore, the π-electronic system, which includes a redox-active 1,4-diazabutadiene moiety, underwent reversible interconversion to its corresponding reduced form upon reduction with NaBH4 and aerobic oxidation.

Assessment of the image quality of virtual monochromatic spectral computed tomography images: a phantom study considering object contrast, radiation dose, and frequency characteristics.

Fast kilovoltage (kVp)-switching technology cannot obtain conventional 120 kVp images; thus, 70 keV virtual monochromatic spectral computed tomography (CT) images (VMSI) are generally used. The contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) is used to evaluate the image quality of VMSI; however, CNR does not include frequency characteristics. The present study aimed to investigate the evaluation methods of VMSI considering frequency characteristics by comparing the image quality of 70 keV VMSI with that of conventional 120 kVp images. The evaluated object contrasts were 70 and 300 Hounsfield units (HU). Scans used two radiation dose levels: low (LD) and standard (SD). The volume CT dose index of LD and SD was 4.8- and 12 mGy, respectively. Images were reconstructed by filtered back projection, evaluating CNR, noise power spectrum (NPS), task transfer function (TTF), and system performance (SP) function calculated as TTF2/ NPS. The total NPS values (spatial frequency range: 0.2 ~ 0.4 mm-1) of 70 keV VMSI were higher than those of 120 kVp images. The spatial frequency TTF values that reached 10% (f10%) of the 70 keV VMSI changed based on object contrast. For the low-contrast condition, a lower f10% was observed with 70 keV VMSI. The CNR of 70 keV VMSI was comparable to that of 120 kVp images in low- and high-contrast conditions. However, for 70 keV VMSI, SP of low-contrast was low, and SP of high-contrast was high, compared with those of 120 kVp images. This study suggested that only CNR was not sufficient to evaluate the image quality of VMSI; thus, evaluation methods considering frequency characteristics should be used.

Study of the Correlation Between Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and Personality Using the Quick Environmental Exposure Sensitivity Inventory Questionnaire and the Temperament and Character Inventory.

OBJECTIVE: We conducted an analysis using the Quick Environmental Exposure Sensitivity Inventory to examine the correlation between multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) and personality traits by using temperament and character inventory, and environmental exposures. METHODS: An anonymous questionnaire was distributed to 667 employees working at an IT manufacturing plant in Japan. Variables including chemically sensitive population (CSP), personality, and environmental chemical exposure were individually evaluated using U-test, chi-squared test, and correlation analyses. We also did covariance structure analysis to build a structural equation model. RESULTS: There was little direct impact of temperament on the CSP, while there was a significant impact of character on the CSP. Women were more likely to exhibit symptoms of CSP. CONCLUSION: MCS is correlated with personality, impacted more by character acquired later in life than innate temperament. There were sex differences in the incidence of MCS.

Perioperative complications of abdominal surgery in smokers.

PURPOSE: This study examined the association between smoking and perioperative complications of laparoscopic abdominal surgery and whether these complications were reduced with ≥ 4 weeks of preoperative smoking cessation. METHODS: A total of 555 patients who underwent gastric and colorectal cancer surgeries under general anesthesia were divided into the following groups retrospectively: 290 individuals without smoking history (NS group), 144 previous smokers (stopped smoking more than 8 weeks before surgery, PS group), and 121 current smokers (CS group) divided to two groups according to preoperative smoking cessation for < 4 (CS1, n = 76) and 4-8 weeks (CS2, n = 45). RESULTS: When compared with the NS group, postoperative hospitalization duration was significantly longer in the CS1 group (p < 0.01), whereas differences between the CS2 or PS groups and NS group were not significant. The total number of postoperative complications was higher in all groups of smoking than in NS group, independent on preoperative smoking cessation; however, suture failure was significantly more frequent only in CS1 group. Although pack-years did not significantly affect complication rates in smokers, duration of smoking cessation time in PS group was a negative predictor of postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: Providing more than 4 weeks of smoking cessation before gastrointestinal surgery can reduce the duration of hospitalization and rate of suture failure.

Spatial resolution compensation by adjusting the reconstruction kernels for iterative reconstruction images of computed tomography.

PURPOSE: Hybrid iterative reconstruction (IR) is useful to reduce noise in computed tomography (CT) images. However, it often decreases the spatial resolution. The ability of high spatial resolution kernels (harder kernels) to compensate for the decrease in the spatial resolution of hybrid IRs was investigated. METHODS: An elliptic cylindrical phantom simulating an adult abdomen was used. Two types of rod-shaped objects with ~330 and ~130 HU were inserted to simulate contrasts of arteries in CT angiography. Two multi-slice CT systems were used to scan the phantoms with 120 kVp and scan doses of 20 and 10 mGy. The task transfer functions (TTFs) were measured from the circular edges of the rod images. The noise power spectrum (NPS) was measured from the images of the water-only section. The CT images were reconstructed using a filtered back projection (FBP) with baseline kernels and two levels of hybrid IRs with harder kernels. The profiles of the clinical images across the aortic dissection flaps were measured to evaluate actual spatial resolutions. RESULTS: The TTF degradation of each hybrid IR was recovered by the harder kernels, whereas the noise reduction effect was retained, for both the 20 and 10 mGy. The profiles of the dissection flaps for the FBP were maintained by using the harder kernels. Even with the best combination of hybrid IR and harder kernel, the noise level at 10 mGy was not reduced to the level of FBP at 20 mGy, suggesting no capability of a 50% dose reduction while maintaining noise.

Triplet-Triplet Annihilation-Based Upconversion Sensitized by a Reverse Micellar Assembly of Amphiphilic Ruthenium Complexes.

We have developed a new photon upconversion (UC) system utilizing a new amphiphilic sensitizer 1a that comprises a hydrophilic ruthenium complex and a lipophilic bisanthracene appendage. At concentrations higher than 5 µM in toluene, the sensitizer 1a formed a reverse micellar assembly which facilitated the triplet sensitization of 9,10-diphenylanthracene (DPA) more efficiently than homogeneously dispersed solutions to enhance the UC efficiency up to 38.2%. The Stern-Volmer analyses revealed the stepwise triplet-triplet energy transfers (TTET): (1) intramicellar energy transfer from the ruthenium core to the bisanthracene surface and (2) diffusion-dependent energy transfer from the surface to DPA. On these bases, it can be assumed that the reverse micellar assemblies accelerate the former TTET process to enhance the UC efficiency.

Cationic Cobalt Porphyrin-Catalyzed Allylation of Aldehydes with Allyltrimethylsilanes.

Cationic cobalt porphyrin-catalyzed allylation of aldehydes with allyltrimethylsilanes is developed. The formation of the aldehyde-cobalt porphyrin complex, the key intermediate for the addition of allylsilanes, is confirmed by theoretical studies and synchrotron-based X-ray absorption fine-structure measurements. Facile dissociation of the product by allylation from the cobalt complex regenerates the active complex with the aldehyde. The readily obtainable [Co(TPP)]SbF6 complex serves as an efficient catalyst for this allylation.

[Evaluation of Low-contrast Detectability of Iterative Reconstruction Algorithm in High-speed CT Technology for Head].

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of high-speed CT technology for head without deterioration of low-contrast detectability using the brain LCD (Canon Medical Systems) of iterative reconstruction. METHODS: System performance (SP) function analysis, low-contrast object specific contrast-to-noise ratio (CNRLO) analysis, and visual evaluation using Scheffe's paired comparison were performed. Additionally, analysis of the correlation of CNRLO and visual scores was performed. SP was performed with the self-made phantom. CNRLO was calculated with the catphan 504 phantom (CTP 515). Visual evaluation was performed using the brain phantom which simulated such as cerebral infarction and investigated on a fivepoint scale. All images were acquired with pitch factor of 0.61 (low pitch) and 1.40 (high pitch). All images were reconstructed with filtered back projection (FBP), brain LCD standard (LCD STD) and strong (LCD STR). RESULTS: SP of brain LCD improved compared with FBP. CNRLO of FBP decreased in high pitch compared with low pitch. CNRLO of brain LCD images acquired by low- and high pitch were improved compared with FBP. Visual scores denoted similar trends to that of CNRLO and there was high correlation with CNRLO. CONCLUSION: It was suggested that using brain LCD can achieve the high speed CT technology for head without deterioration of low-contrast detectability.

Comorbidities according to airflow limitation severity: data from comprehensive health examination in Japan.

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between airflow limitation (AL) severity and comorbidities in comprehensive health examination. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 6661 men and 6044 women aged 40-89 who underwent a lung function test during medical checkups. AL was defined as forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity of < 0.7. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between AL severity and the presence of comorbidities. RESULTS: When compared with the normal lung function group, subjects with AL had a higher prevalence of lung cancer (odd ratio (OR) 9.88, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.88-25.14) in men, hypertension (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.26-2.10) in women, diabetes and hyperglycemia (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.02-1.49 in men, OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.18-2.20 in women) in men and women after adjusting for potential confounders. In men, lung cancer and MetS (the Joint Interim Statement: JIS) were significantly associated with moderate-to-very severe AL after adjustment. In women, hypertension, diabetes and hyperglycemia, MetS (JIS), and MetS (the Japanese Committee of the Criteria for MetS: JCCMS) were significantly associated with mild AL after adjustment. Hypertension was significantly associated with moderate-to-very severe AL after adjustment in women. CONCLUSIONS: Significant relationships were found between AL severity and the presence of comorbid lung cancer in men, hypertension in women, diabetes and hyperglycemia, and MetS in men and women. Knowledge of comorbidities associated with AL should be widely publicized to raise the awareness of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Association of excessive mobile phone use during pregnancy with birth weight: an adjunct study in Kumamoto of Japan Environment and Children's Study.

BACKGROUND: Low birth weight has been shown to be closely associated with neonatal mortality and morbidity, inhibited growth, poor cognitive development, and chronic diseases later in life. Some studies have also shown that excessive mobile phone use in the postnatal period may lead to behavioral complications in the children during their growing years; however, the relationship between mobile phone use during pregnancy and neonatal birth weight is not clear. The aim of the present study was to determine the associations of excessive mobile phone use with neonatal birth weight and infant health status. METHODS: A sample of 461 mother and child pairs participated in a survey on maternal characteristics, infant characteristics, and maternal mobile phone usage information during pregnancy. RESULTS: Our results showed that pregnant women tend to excessively use mobile phones in Japan. The mean infant birth weight was lower in the excessive use group than in the ordinary use group, and the frequency of infant emergency transport was significantly higher in the excessive use group than in the ordinary use group. CONCLUSIONS: Excessive mobile phone use during pregnancy may be a risk factor for lower birth weight and a high rate of infant emergency transport.