Russula lakhanpalii, a new Japanese record collected in Aomori Prefecture

Background:There are substantial differences in the mortality rates of stomach cancer among the 47 prefectures in Japan, and Aomori prefecture is one of the most severely impacted. The aims of this study were to determine the incidence and mortality rates of stomach cancer in Aomori prefecture in comparison with Japan as a whole and cast light on reasons underlying variation.Methods:Data on stomach cancer cases were extracted from the Aomori Cancer Registry Database. Incidence rates for specific stages at the time of diagnosis were cited from Monitoring of Cancer Incidence in Japan, and mortality rates for stomach cancer in Aomori prefecture and the whole of Japan were obtained from Vital Statistics. Age-standardised incidence and mortality rates were calculated using the direct method.Results:The age-standardised incidence rate of stomach cancer in Aomori prefecture was higher than in the whole of Japan for males but lower for females. However, the age-standardised mortality rates were higher in Aomori prefecture in both sexes. The proportion of localised cancers was lower in Aomori prefecture than in the whole of Japan for most age groups.Conclusions:The lower rate for localised cancer suggests that higher age-standardised mortality rates are due to delays in diagnosis, despite an attendance rate for stomach cancer screening was higher in Aomori prefecture than in the whole of Japan. One plausible explanation for the failure of successful early detection might be poor quality control during screening implementation that impedes early detection.

The population and the area of Aomori prefecture are 1,380 thousands and 9,644 km2, respectively. Aomori prefecture geographically and economically forms an independent medical district. However, only 29 neurological specialists attended work in Aomori Prefecture. The numbers of neurological specialists per 100,000 people and per 100 km(2) were 2.1 and 0.3 in Aomori, respectively, whereas those of Tokyo metropolitan area were 5.9 and 34.9, and their nationwide averages were 3.6 and 1.2, respectively. Although Aomori prefecture is divided into six medical service areas, neurologists were eccentrically-located in three cities; Aomori, Hirosaki and Hachinohe. No neurologists give full-time service in three of the six areas. The percentage of people having medical care certificate for six specified neurological disorders (multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinocerebellar degeneration, Parkinson disease and related disorders, and multisystem atrophy) in Aomori was comparable to the nationwide average. However, the number of patients with the certificate of multiple sclerosis and myasthenia gravis in areas with neurologist's service were 11.4 and 12.0 per 100,000 people, respectively, whereas those of area without full-time neurologist's service were 9.9 and 9.2, (significant lower). The patients living in the area without neurologist's service received medical care by neurologists less frequently when compared to those living in area with neurologist's service. Forty-five percent of the patients living in the area without neurologist's service went out of their living areas to see neurologists regularly. Thus, neurologists in Aomori prefecture are under strain to provide medical services. People in Aomori prefecture do not receive sufficient neurological services, especially in the area where no neurologists attend work. In addition, patients living in area without neurologist's service bear greater burden to go to hospital.

To identify the incidence of Babesia gibsoni (B. gibsoni) in Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, dogs with acute B. gibsoni infection were investigated at the Animal Teaching Hospital, Kitasato University, between April 2002 and March 2003. Eighteen dogs with acute B. gibsoni infection were recognized; they were all male dogs of the fighting dog breed Tosa. Their platelet counts were below normal and their packed cell volumes (PCVs) were at various levels. We collected blood samples from 141 Tosa dogs from Aomori Prefecture and used polymerase chain reaction assay to investigate the incidence of subclinical B. gibsoni infection. We also looked into the serological abnormalities associated with thrombocytopenia or anemia in subclinical infection. Forty-one of 87 dogs (47.1%) with histories of dog fighting, and one dog of 54 without a history of dog fighting were positive for B. gibsoni; that is, 42 of 141 dogs (29.8%) showed a positive result. The mean platelet counts of dogs with subclinical infection were significantly lower and levels of anti-platelet IgG were significantly higher than levels for dogs without infection. Anti-erythrocyte membrane IgG levels were significantly higher in dogs with subclinical infections, although mean PCVs were not significantly different. Tosa dogs from Aomori Prefecture, Japan, were highly infected with B. gibsoni subclinically and this pathogen might be successfully transmitted during dog fighting. Dogs with subclinical infections were at risk of chronic thrombocytopenia, which may be due to autoimmune mechanisms.

From the trend of maximum growth age (MGA) of height (MGA-h) and sitting height (MGA-sh) in both Okinawa Prefecture and Aomori Prefecture, we projected the trend of national readings:1) The transition of MGA-h and MGA-sh first appears in younger ages in less populated areas such as in Okinawa and Aomori. Later the transition toward the younger age begins nationally.2) The national girls'MGA-h will emerge at the age of 9, because this trend has already appeared in both Okinawa and Aomori.3) The girls'MGA-sh will be hereafter shifted to 10 years of age nationally. Only one time has the national MGA-sh actually been seen at the age of 10. This occurred in 1983. However it has been seen a few times in Okinawa and Aomori prefectures.4) For boys, the current national MGA-h and MGA-sh is reached at 12 years of age. The boys'MGA-h and MGA-sh has not been seen to lower to the 11-year age group in Okinawa and Aomori prefectures. Hypothetically the national MGA-h and MGA-sh will stay constant at 12 years of age for a while.5) The growth acceleration of MGA has shown the following pattern: the current age group will stay constant over the course of a few years; then it alternately interchanges with the group one year younger for a period of time; the younger group will then maintain its position as the new age of MGA.

To assess internal annual dose in the general public in Aomori Prefecture, Japan, 80 duplicate cooked diet samples, equivalent to the food consumed over a 400-d period by one person, were collected from 100 volunteers in Aomori City and the village of Rokkasho during 2006–2010 and were analyzed for 11 radionuclides. To obtain average rates of ingestion of radionuclides, the volunteers were selected from among office, fisheries, agricultural, and livestock farm workers. Committed effective doses from ingestion of the diet over a 1-y period were calculated from the analytical results and from International Commission on Radiological Protection dose coefficients; for 40K, an internal effective dose rate from the literature was used. Fisheries workers had significantly higher combined internal annual dose than the other workers, possibly because of high rates of ingestion of marine products known to have high 210Po concentrations. The average internal dose rate, weighted by the numbers of households in each worker group in Aomori Prefecture, was estimated at 0.47 mSv y-1. Polonium-210 contributed 49% of this value. The sum of committed effective dose rates for 210Po, 210Pb, 228Ra, and 14C and the effective dose rate of 40K accounted for approximately 99% of the average internal dose rate.

The aquatic macrophyte flora of a small pond revealing high species richness in the Aomori Prefecture, Japan

This paper summarises the research works of the Institute for Environmental Sciences on the environmental behaviour of radionuclides related to the first commercial-spent nuclear fuel reprocessing plant at Rokkasho Village, Aomori Prefecture, Japan. The distribution and fluctuation in natural radiation in Aomori Prefecture were estimated as basic data. Radionuclides possibly released from the plant operation have been continuously measured using a variety of samples from different locations in Aomori Prefecture. During the test of cutting and chemical treatment of the spent fuel rods from 2006 to 2008, the concentration of 85Kr, 14C, 3H and 129I in the air increased, whereas that of 3H and 129I increased in several environmental samples. A numerical simulation model consisting of several sub-models was constructed for predicting the behaviour of released radionuclides in the environment and for evaluating the realistic radiation dose of residents around the facility.

In addition to the Biomass energy, wind power, fuel cells, and other renewable energy research and policy planning in Aomori Prefecture, Hachinohe city of Aomori conducts the world's first verification experiment of Mierogrid using 100% renewable energy. While Thermonuclear Experimental Reacbor (ITER) and related areas are still under researching, Aomori Prefecture takes the lead role in the field of a new hybrid-energy industry. This paper presents a summary of energy-related industrialpromotion strategy in Aomori Prefecture.

The first large-scale commercial nuclear fuel cycle facilities in Japan are now under construction in Rokkasho-mura, Aomori Prefecture. Prior to the implementation of operations, we conducted this study to collect sociological data in relation to the estimation of radiation dose by radionuclides released from the facilities. Food intake in Aomori Prefecture was surveyed by dividing the prefecture into four areas and having the residents answer a questionnaire. The results of the survey in the final area (Shimokita Peninsula area) are reported in this paper, together with the combined results for the whole prefecture. The 50 families surveyed in Shimokita Peninsula area were divided into three different groups based on primary occupation: fishery worker, farmer and other occupation. The average total daily food consumption of the whole survey group was 2, 238 grams/day/person (g/d/p), and showed no significant seasonal variation. The consumption rates for marine, agricultural and livestock products were 244, 1, 205 and 372g/d/p, respectively, and were relatively constant year-round. The consumption rate of other products was 417g/d/p, with a slightly higher value during the summer. The category of other products included confectioneries, drinks and seasonings. The foods with the highest consumption rates in the area were: (a) squid, salmon and wakame among marine products, (b) rice, radish, tofu (soybean curd), cucumber, apple and potato among agricultural products, and (c) milk, eggs and pork among livestock products. The average total daily food consumption rate in the whole prefecture was 2, 117g/d/p, which was weighted by proportion of types of occupations in Aomori Prefecture. Some slight but statistically significant differences were recognized in the consumption patterns of families as determined by occupation and area of residency in the prefecture. The consumption of marine products was the highest for fishery workers, and that of agricultural products was higher for farmers than fishery workers. The food consumption data were compared with the results of a nationwide nutrition survey carried out by the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare. The present intakes were re-calculated applying the method used in the national nutrition survey for comparison. The re-calculated results were approximately 10% higher than the national average. This indicates that specific data are important for evaluating food intake in local areas. Food intake rates were used to assess the safety of the reprocessing plant in Rokkasho. In comparing the present data with that used in the safety assessment, the present results were mostly lower than that applied in the assessment.

Familial dysalbuminemic hyperthyroxinemia (FDH) is a familial autosomal dominant disease caused by mutation in the albumin gene that produces a condition of euthyroid hyperthyroxinemia. In patients with FDH, serum-free thyroxine (FT4) and free triiodothyronine (FT3) concentrations as measured by several commercial methods are often falsely increased with normal thyrotropin (TSH). Therefore, several diagnostic steps are needed to differentiate TSH-secreting tumor or generalized resistance to thyroid hormone from FDH. We herein report a case of a Japanese man born in Aomori prefecture, with FDH caused by a mutant albumin gene (R218P). We found that a large number of FDH patients reported in Japan to date might have been born in Aomori prefecture and have shown the R218P mutation. In conclusion, FDH needs to be considered among the differential diagnoses in Japanese patients born in Aomori prefecture and showing normal TSH levels and elevated FT4 levels.

In this study, the impacts of new Shinkansen lines to be constructed in Aomori Prefecture and Donan District, the south part of Hokkaido, were estimated in terms of travel demand between the two districts. First, the travel demand between districts after the construction of new Shinkansen lines was estimated. Then, the number of passengers expected to use the six new Shinkansen stations was estimated. For the travel demand estimation, generalized costs of travel, population of a district and economic growth were explanatory variables. Since the generalized cost was expressed by travel fees and travel times on the Shinkansen and in the air, the travel demand between the two districts was estimated taking into account change in mobility brought by the new Shinkansen lines. The numbers of passenger using the new Shinkansen stations was lastly estimated by using the modal share of the Shinkansen. The results clarified that most of the new Shinkansen stations would have an increased number of passengers even with a decreased population in the future. However, the new Shichnohe Shinkansen station to be constructed in Aomori Prefecture would have a decreased number of passengers when compared with the present railway station, Noheji station, due to the inconvenient access to the Shinkansen station from the center of the district.

Since 2000, the Department of Quantum Science and Energy Engineering, Tohoku University, has academically supported the establishment of a nuclear science research facility in Aomori Prefecture. The facility contains multipurpose accelerators useful in various fields. After much effort, the Aomori Prefecture Quantum Science Centre was established in Rokkasho Village, Aomori Prefecture, in 2017. At this facility, positron emission tomography, basic research concerning Boron Neutron-Capture Therapy (BNCT), non-destructive neutron testing, and particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) analysis are conducted using a 20[Formula: see text]MeV cyclotron. The sensitivity of PIXE analysis is less than 1 ppm although the proton energy is 20[Formula: see text]MeV. We developed a method that stably supplies a beam of very weak intensity, rendering PIXE analysis possible. Currently, the facility is used by universities and research institutes in Aomori Prefecture, as well as agriculture departments, fisheries departments, and commercial companies. PIXE is used to analyze trace elements in various samples. When a metal serves as the target, characteristic X-rays are generated at high intensity and can serve as a monochromatic X-ray source. We obtained X-ray transmission images of the resin electrical board using the Ta K–X-rays as a point source, demonstrating very good contrast. We are thus currently promoting the use of monochromatic X-ray images.

The actual number and condition of Japanese patients in persistent vegetative states have not yet been fully understood. The aim of this study is to investigate the epidemiology of patients in persistent vegetative states in the Aomori prefecture. We sent questionnaires regarding gender, age, cause of persistent vegetative state, and residence of patient to all medical institutions in the Aomori prefecture (n=682). Two hundreds and seventeen institutions (31.8%) replied to the questionnaire, and eleven hundred ninety-eight patients(Male/Female=381/817) were included. Patients over 80 years-old were the most common (63.4%), and cerebrovascular stroke was the major cause (64.4%) of persistent vegetative state. Nursing homes (48.1%) and hospitals (34.6%) were the main care institutions. Population based analysis revealed that 869 persistent vegetative state patients per million were cared for in the Aomori prefecture. This result was twice as many as was previously reported in Miyagi prefecture. The number of patients in persistent vegetative states will increase in the future, due to an increasing elderly population and a high incidence of stroke in this demographic. We therefore predict that increased medical and administrative support will be required in the future.

The Nihonkai-chubu Earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.7, occurred on May 26, 1983 in northwest Japan and produced liquefaction sites in the coastal plain of Akita and Aomori Prefectures. About one month later, the maximum aftershock, with a magnitude of 7.1, again induced liquefaction at several sites in Aomori Prefecture. The authors surveyed the affected area and discovered almost ten reliquefaction sites. Initial liquefaction at these sites had not occurred solely because of the main shock of the Nihonkai-chubu Earthquake. Initial liquefaction at some sites was attributable to the Niigata Earthquake in 1964, the Tokachi-oki Earthquake in 1968, and other earlier earthquakes. Although it had earlier been thought that the occurrence of reliquefaction would be improbable, the authors’ investigation shows that reliquefaction occurs frequently, even when the acceleration caused by a later earthquake was less than that caused by a former earthquake. It can therefore be said that a site liquefied by an earthquake can be reliquefied by a subsequent earthquake.

Poliomyelitis viruses have been immunologically grouped into three types, Brunhilde, Leon and Lansing. Although much of effort has been devoted to isolate poliomyelitis virus in Japan, little is revealed concerning the immunological property of the strains isolated.After World War II, the existence of poliomyelitis virus “Lansing” strain in Japan was suspected from the results obtained by the neutralization test on sera of the healthy Japanese, and furthermore, poliomyelitis virus B34 strain that was of Lansing type was successfully isolated from the stool of one healthy member of a polio patient's family, by means of mouse passage of the specimen. At that time monkeys were not used to isolate the causative agent of the disease because they were not easily available.An epidemic of poliomyelitis has occurred in the northern part of Japan during 1949. A total of 501 (12.5/100, 000 population) cases was reported from Hokkaido, and also 194 (18.9/100, 000 population) cases from Aomori Prefecture. These figures represent only paralytic cases, since in Japan nonparalytic cases are hardly diagnosed except in the epidemic season of poliomyelitis and mostly are not recognized as poliomyelitis. During this epidemic spinal cords of two patients (each aged one year and two years old) of whom one is from Shibetsu, Hokkaido and the other is from Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture were obtained, and kept in dry ice box.Using monkeys as experimental animal two virus strains, named Hachinohe and Shibetsu strain were successfully isolated from these spinal cords in March 1950. However no virus was isolated by passages in mice. Both of the two strains newly isolated in monkeys were presumed not of “Lansing” type.In 1951 the Poliomyelitis Research Committee was set up by the request of the government, and we were nominated as one of the members participating in the activity. The study concerning the immunological classification of poliomyelitis viruses in Japan using monkeys was carried out.