Radiation dose rates now and in the future for residents neighboring restricted areas of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.

Radiation dose rates were evaluated in three areas neighboring a restricted area within a 20- to 50-km radius of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in August-September 2012 and projected to 2022 and 2062. Study participants wore personal dosimeters measuring external dose equivalents, almost entirely from deposited radionuclides (groundshine). External dose rate equivalents owing to the accident averaged 1.03, 2.75, and 1.66 mSv/y in the village of Kawauchi, the Tamano area of Soma, and the Haramachi area of Minamisoma, respectively. Internal dose rates estimated from dietary intake of radiocesium averaged 0.0058, 0.019, and 0.0088 mSv/y in Kawauchi, Tamano, and Haramachi, respectively. Dose rates from inhalation of resuspended radiocesium were lower than 0.001 mSv/y. In 2012, the average annual doses from radiocesium were close to the average background radiation exposure (2 mSv/y) in Japan. Accounting only for the physical decay of radiocesium, mean annual dose rates in 2022 were estimated as 0.31, 0.87, and 0.53 mSv/y in Kawauchi, Tamano, and Haramachi, respectively. The simple and conservative estimates are comparable with variations in the background dose, and unlikely to exceed the ordinary permissible dose rate (1 mSv/y) for the majority of the Fukushima population. Health risk assessment indicates that post-2012 doses will increase lifetime solid cancer, leukemia, and breast cancer incidences by 1.06%, 0.03% and 0.28% respectively, in Tamano. This assessment was derived from short-term observation with uncertainties and did not evaluate the first-year dose and radioiodine exposure. Nevertheless, this estimate provides perspective on the long-term radiation exposure levels in the three regions.

Effect of weight-loss program using self-weighing twice a day and feedback in overweight and obese subject: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of self-weighing twice a day with a supportive program installed on a body composition monitor in overweight adults. SUBJECTS: Sixty adults with BMI > 24 kg/m(2) were randomly assigned to either a group that weighed themselves once per day (group 1, n = 30) or a group that weighed themselves twice per day (group 2, n = 30). INTERVENTION: Group 1 was instructed to self-weigh at the same time once per day and group 2 was instructed to self-weigh immediately after waking up in the morning and immediately before going to bed every day for twelve weeks. In addition, participants in group 2 was received the daily target setting during morning weighing and the difference between the measured weight and the target weight during bedtime weighing. RESULTS: Average weight reduction in group 1 was significantly lower than that in group 2 (1.0 ± 1.4 kg vs. 2.7 ± 2.1 kg, p < 0.05). The proportion of participants who lost ≥ 5% of their pre-program weight in group 2 was significantly higher than that in group 1 (28.6% vs. 3.6%, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: A self-weighing twice per day plus daily target setting and feedback is more effective in promoting weight loss than once-daily self-measurement.

[Factors and prosesses associated with weight loss in male workers in a specific health guidance program. A qualitative analysis of in-depth interviews].

OBJECTIVES: A qualitative analysis was conducted to identify factors important for weight loss through a specific health guidance program and to understand the processes that were crucial in achieving success. METHODS: Twenty-six male workers aged 41-59 years from five corporate health insurance societies in four prefectures who had lost > or = 4% weight by attending the six-month specific health guidance program were invited to participate in the in-depth interviews. Data were collected between October and December 2009. We audio taped the 30-minute interviews and performed qualitative analysis on the transcripts using a grounded theory. The discussion by the expert panel strengthened the validity of the analysis. RESULTS: The mean age was 49.9 +/- 5.6 years, and the average weight loss was 6.8 +/- 2.5%. All subjects were somewhat concerned about their health status and body shape before the first appointment, but two major prosesses, "critical feeling" and "sense of obligation," were identified after the first appointment. We also identified innovative efforts in all subjects during the process. Those who reported a "sense of obligation" at the beginning and those who had a negative perception during the program were found to have higher risks of weight rebound after the program was over. We considered personality, values, attitudes toward the program, and support from both family and workplace as the intervening conditions for behavior modification. CONCLUSION: Since everyone aged 40-74 years with a certain risk of metabolic syndromes is obligated by law to participate in the specific health guidance program, weight loss is challenging for those who are not motivated enough to change their behaviors. Therefore, the initial assessment of one's motivations, followed by interventions taken in consideration of one's lifestyle and social background, are crucial for the success of a weight loss program, as is the use of a client-centered approach.

Genetic polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin system and obesity-related metabolic changes in response to low-energy diets in obese women.

OBJECTIVE: Genetic polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin system have been implicated in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene and 3123C/A polymorphism of the angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT(2)R) gene affect blood pressure and other obesity-related metabolic changes in response to low-energy diets using meal replacement shakes for weight loss. METHODS: Clinical, metabolic, and biochemical profiles were measured before and after a 2-mo intervention in 32 obese women (age 49.9 ± 8.4 [SD] y; BMI 28.4 ± 3.3 kg/m²) restricted to 1200 kcal/d (5021 kJ/d). The polymorphisms were determined with an intercalater-mediated FRET probe assay system. RESULTS: Although weight loss and nutrient intake levels did not differ among the genotypes, the reduction in body fat after weight loss was significantly less in the ACE deletion/deletion (D/D) genotype than insertion/insertion (I/I) plus I/D genotype (-2.25 ± 1.40% versus -0.80 ± 1.57%, P < 0.05). The AT2R A/A group had significantly less improved levels of systolic blood pressure (-7.23 ± 8.50 versus 2.50 ± 12.6 mmHg, P < 0.05), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (-0.36 ± 0.29 versus -0.09 ± 0.25 mmol/L, P < 0.05), carbohydrate (-54.4 ± 27.2 versus -31.8 ± 16.3 mg/min, P < 0.05) and fat oxidation (8.31 ± 11.86 versus 0.05 ± 9.99 mg/min, P < 0.05) than the C/C plus C/A genotypes. CONCLUSION: The present findings suggest that the homozygous form of the ACE gene may hinder the improvement of body fat and that the homozygous form of the AT2R gene may make improving systolic blood pressure and some obesity-related metabolic parameters through a dietary intervention difficult among obese women.

The improvement of sweet taste sensitivity with decrease in serum leptin levels during weight loss in obese females.

Leptin may influence sweet taste sensitivity. However, there are no reports on an association between the sweet taste threshold and serum leptin levels during weight loss in humans. We investigated the changes in the sweet taste threshold and the serum leptin levels during a weight-loss program, in connection with a leptin receptor polymorphism (Lys109Arg) that may be related to insulin and glucose metabolism. The study included 20 obese, but otherwise healthy, females (mean age: 55 +/- 7 years, body mass index: 26.1 +/- 1.7 kg/m(2)). Participants completed a 12-week weight-loss program based on energy restriction through diet and exercise, which aimed at achieving their optimal weight. The sweet taste threshold was determined according to the whole-mouth gustatory method. Genetic analyses were performed using the allele-specific DNA assay. Serum leptin levels were decreased from 9.2 +/- 4.5 to 7.9 +/- 4.9 ng/ml (p = 0.014) after body weight loss. The sweet taste threshold also decreased significantly from 0.59 +/- 0.42 to 0.22 +/- 0.20% in a solution of sucrose (p = 0.004). In contrast, there were no differences in changes of the threshold between participants with and without the Lys109 allele. A multiple regression analysis revealed that the changes in serum leptin levels were significantly correlated with those in the sweet taste threshold, independent of the initial threshold levels and the Lys109 allele. In conclusion, the serum leptin levels are decreased significantly during a weight-loss program in obese females, which may be associated with the decrease in the sweet taste threshold.

Dietary salt reduction in rural patients with albuminurea using family and community support: the Mima study.

BACKGROUND: Residents of rural communities are often more socially connected compared to urban dwellers. Using family and community support to motivate health behavior change may be useful in rural settings. The objective of this study was to pilot a salt reduction (SR) intervention for rural albuminuria patients using support from family and neighborhood residents compared to a usual care condition. The primary outcome was change in urine albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR). METHODS: All consecutive outpatients with an ACR >= 30 mg/gCr were recruited from the Koyadaira Clinic. Patients self-selected their participation in the intervention group (IG) or the control group (CG) because the rural population expressed concern about not being treated at the same time. In the IG, patients and their families were educated in SR for 30 minutes in their home by experienced dieticians. In addition, patients, families and neighborhood residents were also educated in SR for 2 hours at a public town meeting hall, with educational content encouraging reduction in salt intake through interactive activity. The CG received conventional treatment, and ACR and blood pressure (BP) were measured after 3 months. RESULTS: Of the 37 subjects recruited (20 male, 16 female, mean age; 72.8 +/- 9.2 years), 36 completed the 3-month follow up and were analyzed. In the IG, ACR decreased significantly from baseline (706 +/- 1,081 to 440 +/- 656; t = 2.28, p = 0.04) and was reduced compared to the CG (213 +/- 323 to 164 +/- 162; F = 3.50, p = 0.07), a treatment effect approaching significance. Systolic BP in the IG (145 +/- 14 to 131 +/- 13 mmHg; t = 3.83, p = 0.002) also decreased significantly compared to the CG (135 +/- 13 to 131 +/- 14; F = 4.40, p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous education of patients, their families and neighborhood residents may be important in rural areas for treatments and interventions requiring health behavior change. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN000001972.

Low-calorie diet-induced reduction in serum HDL cholesterol is ameliorated in obese women with the -3826 G allele in the uncoupling protein-1 gene.

The uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) gene is of major importance for regulation of body weight and lipid/lipoprotein metabolism. Our cross-sectional study has shown that subjects with the G/G genotype of the -3826 A/G polymorphism in the UCP-1 gene have higher levels of serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) than those with other genotypes. Low circulating HDL-C level has been regarded as a major atherosclerotic risk factor. We therefore investigated whether the -3826 A/G polymorphism affects the obesity- and lipid-related parameters during a low-calorie diet (LCD) intervention. In 32 obese women (49.9 +/- 8.4 years of age), anthropometric, physiological and biochemical characteristics were measured before and after a 2-month LCD treatment, which restricted each subject to the same energy intakes, such as 5,120 kJ/day. The -3826 A/G polymorphism was detected using a PCR-restriction fragment-length polymorphism method. There were 6 subjects with the A/A genotype, 15 with the A/G genotype and 11 with the G/G genotype. The LCD intervention decreased weight (P < 0.001) and serum HDL-C levels (P < 0.05) in all subjects. There was no difference in the levels of change in weight, nutrient intake, physiological measurements in energy expenditure, and fat oxidation between subjects with and without the G allele. In contrast, the degree of the reduction in the HDL-C levels was significantly smaller in subjects with the G allele than those without the G allele. These results suggest that the G allele at -3826 in the UCP1 gene may ameliorate the reduction in serum HDL-C levels in obese women during LCD.

Changes on the physiological lactonase activity of serum paraoxonase 1 by a diet intervention for weight loss in healthy overweight and obese women.

Low caloric diet (LCD) is used for weight loss. Paraoxonase 1 (PON-1) is associated with the antioxidant functions of high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Among limited data on the relationships between obesity and PON-1, there has been no study on the effects of a stand-alone LCD on the physiological lactonase activity of PON-1. We investigated the prospective effects of LCD intervention (2 months) for weight loss on serum PON-1 activities (lactonase, arylesterase [mono-esterase] and tri-esterase) and HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), and their association with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in overweight and non-morbidly obese but otherwise healthy women (n = 30; mean age, 50.3 years; mean body mass index [BMI], 28.5 kg/m(2)). In addition to the data such as BMI, blood pressure, blood glucose and lipids, PON-1 activities were examined between pre- and post-intervention. The intervention reduced all metabolic outcomes, and PON-1 lactonase activity (determined with 5-[thiobutyl]butyrolactone) significantly decreased by 6.1%, paralleled by arylesterase (by 7.3%) and tri-esterase (by 7.8%). In multiple regression analysis, the percent change of PON-1 lactonase was significantly, positively and independently correlated to that of LDL-C (beta = 0.51), HDL-C (beta = 0.40), and BMI (beta = 0.37). Our results showed that the solo diet treatment on weight loss might reduce serum PON-1 lactonase activity with reduced HDL-C and LDL-C. The relationship between the lactonase and LDL-C may be adaptive, plausibly hypothesizing less need for PON-1 activity as an antioxidant property to protect lipoproteins. Further research is needed to confirm this prediction.

S447X polymorphism in the lipoprotein lipase gene and the adiponectin level in the general population: results from the Mima study.

AIM: Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) plays an important role in lipid metabolism. There is an association between the common S447X polymorphism in the LPL gene and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, and some association between circulating HDL-C and adiponectin levels has been suggested; however, it is not known whether there is any association between the S447X polymorphism and adiponectin levels. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the LPL S447X polymorphism was associated with adiponectin in the general population. METHODS: LPL S447X was analyzed in 277 community-dwelling subjects (123 men and 154 women, mean age; 65+/-13 years) in the Mima study. Whole samples were genotyped using a fluorescent allele-specific DNA primer assay system. The allele frequencies and any associations with serum lipid and adiponectin levels were investigated. RESULTS: The allele frequencies were S=0.875 and X=0.125 for the LPL S447X polymorphism. The carriers of the X allele had significantly higher levels of adiponectin and HDL-C than non-carriers. The presence of the X allele was significantly associated with higher adiponectin levels, independent of age, sex, body mass index, smoking and HDL-C in multiple regression analyses. CONCLUSION: The LPL S447X polymorphism might therefore be significantly associated with higher adiponectin levels, independent of HDL-C.

Short-term low calorie diet intervention reduces serum advanced glycation end products in healthy overweight or obese adults.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a metabolic and cardiovascular risk factor. A low calorie diet (LCD) is one of the treatment modalities for weight loss. Serum advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are linked to increased atherogenicity and inflammation in diseases such as diabetes and renal failure. Obesity has an inflammatory component, but interestingly there are no studies on serum AGE levels in obesity or on the effects of LCD as a therapeutic measure on these markers of glycation. AIM: We hypothesized that weight loss by caloric restriction has a beneficial effect on serum AGE levels. We investigated the prospective effects of a sole LCD intervention for weight loss on serum AGEs in a cohort of overweight and non-morbidly obese but otherwise healthy subjects. METHODS: A total of 37 Japanese subjects (30 females, 7 males, mean age 48.2 +/- 9.3 years) with a mean BMI of 28.3 +/- 3.2 participated in this study. During the intervention period of 2 months, they were placed on an LCD (Diet's; 5,023 kJ/day) with meal replacement every dinner. The following data were evaluated pre- and post-intervention: AGEs, BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, serum glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL- and LDL- cholesterol. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: After the intervention, BMI levels were clearly reduced by 6.3% (p < 0.001), waist circumference by 5.7% (p < 0.002) and triglycerides by 11.9 % (p < 0.002). At baseline, AGEs levels were 63 +/- 11 AU for obese subjects and 63 +/- 14 for control subjects (not significant). After intervention, AGEs were reduced by 7.21% (range 0-35%, p < 0.001). The percent change in AGEs was significantly and positively correlated with that of triglycerides (r = 0.42, p < 0.009), waist circumference (r = 0.40, p < 0.011), and BMI (r = 0.42, p < 0.007). We show for the first time that serum AGEs can be reduced by an LCD intervention on weight loss, a change that correlates with the reduction in triglycerides. This may plausibly be a reflection of a reduction in glycation/lipoxidation due to the caloric restriction and its metabolic consequences, or it may be due to the decreased intake of food containing glycotoxins, or a combination of both.

An association between angiotensin II type 2 receptor gene A/C3123 polymorphism and glycemic control marker in a general Japanese population.

Objective Angiotensin II (Ang II), through the Ang II type 2 receptor (AT2R), may play some roles in the pathogenesis of glucose metabolism and diabetes mellitus (DM). The Adenine/Cytosine 3123 (A/C3123) polymorphism in the AT2R gene has reportedly been associated with metabolic conditions such as blood pressure and body mass index (BMI). The present cross-sectional study was aimed at investigating the association between the AT2R gene A/C3123 polymorphism and glycemic control parameters. Methods Among 286 community-dwelling Japanese subjects (men: women = 126:160; mean age, 65.1 years), AT2R A/C3123 polymorphism, which was detected by polymerase chain reaction methods, and metabolic parameters such as blood pressure, BMI, lipoprotein/lipid, insulin, and glycemic control parameters (fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c) were examined. Results In the whole study population, the proportion of C-allele was 67.0% and A-allele was 33.0%. The A-allele carriers had significantly lower HbA1c levels than the C/C-genotyped subjects in the group of women (5.5 +/- 0.6 vs. 5.8 +/- 1.5%, P = 0.042). The effect on HbA1c persisted to be significant with adjustments to age and BMI. In men, the associations between the polymorphism and glycemic control parameters were non-significantly noted. There were no differences between genotype-based groups in the other metabolic parameters in both sexes. Conclusion These results suggest that the AT2R A/C3123 polymorphism could be a polymorphic marker related to glycemic control, as presented in HbA1c, among general Japanese women.

Oxidative stress, inflammation, and atherosclerotic changes in retinal arteries in the Japanese population; results from the Mima study.

Oxidative stress and inflammation are known to play roles in the pathogenesis of vascular events. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between oxidative stress, inflammation, and atherosclerosis in the general population. A population-based, cross-sectional study was made of 282 people (126 men and 156 women, mean age; 65 13, mean BMI; 25.4 2.7 kg/m (2) ) recruited from the Mima study in Tokushima Prefecture. Risk factors included age, sex, body mass index (BMI), cigarette smoking, systolic and diastolic pressure, fasting blood glucose, serum lipids, and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). Oxidative stress in blood samples was measured by the diacron reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs) test. The degree of sclerotic change was determined from fundus photographs according to Scheie's classification. After adjustment for age and sex, ROM levels positively correlated with hs-CRP levels, but not with ghrelin, leptin and adiponectin levels. Furthermore, ROM and hs-CRP levels positively and individually correlated with the grade of sclerotic change in the fundus oculi independent of age in a multiple regression analysis. These results suggest that oxidative stress and chronic inflammation promote atherosclerosis in the retinal arteries in the general population.

The Trp64Arg polymorphism of the beta3-adrenergic receptor gene is associated with increased small dense low-density lipoprotein in a rural Japanese population: the Mima study.

The presence of small dense low-density lipoprotein (sdLDL) is closely associated with an increased risk of developing coronary artery disease. The Trp64Arg polymorphism of the beta(3)-adrenergic receptor (beta(3)-AR) gene is a genetic marker for obesity-related traits. However, any possible association between this polymorphism and sdLDL profiles is unclear. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of the polymorphism of the beta(3)-AR gene on LDL particle size and sdLDL in a rural Japanese population. Among 277 subjects, body mass index, blood pressure, fasting serum insulin levels, and insulin resistance index (fasting glucose x fasting insulin/405) were determined. The polymorphism of the beta(3)-AR gene was assessed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism using buccal samples. Low-density lipoprotein particle size and sdLDL were measured with the electrophoretic separation of lipoproteins on the LipoPrint System (Quantimetrix, Redondo Beach, CA). The frequency of the beta(3)-AR allele was 0.19. In Arg carriers (Trp/Arg or Arg/Arg), the mean value of LDL particle size was smaller than that of non-Arg carriers (Trp/Trp) (P < .05). The area percentage of sdLDL was higher in Arg carriers (P < .05) than in non-Arg carriers. A multiple regression analysis showed that the area percentage of sdLDL was correlated with the polymorphism of the beta(3)-AR gene (P < .05), independently of age, sex, body mass index, smoking, and insulin resistance index. The present findings suggest that the beta(3)-AR gene polymorphism plays a role in the genetic predisposition to increased sdLDL, independently of insulin resistance.