Himeji City Research Articles

Japanese carnivorous plant groups and organisations

The 13th ICPS International Conference, held in Himeji City, Japan, in May 2023, was supported by a nation-wide network of carnivorous plant groups and organisations in Japan.

Evaluation of Zones in Himeji City for Foreign Tourists Using Support Vector Machines

Evaluation of Zones in Himeji City for Foreign Tourists Using Support Vector Machines

Screening of COVID‐19 polymerase chain reaction tests using saliva for pregnant women and their partners in Himeji city

A screening of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests using saliva for pregnant women and their partners was performed at all 12 maternity facilities located in Himeji city between May 29 and September 5, 2020. Pregnant women at 37 or more weeks of gestation or who experienced threatened labor and their partners who cared for an infant underwent a saliva PCR test with informed consent. As a result, all of 1475 pregnant women and 1343 partners tested negative for COVID-19 PCR. There were no cases of false positive or false negative PCR tests. This cohort study revealed for the first time that a screening of COVID-19 PCR tests using saliva may be useful to sustain perinatal medical care during the pandemic period in Japan.

Social Isolation and Its Related Factors in Participants of a Senior Citizens’ College in Japan

The aim of this study was to clarify the social isolation and its related factors of participants in senior citizen’s college in Japan. The participants were 104 persons (age 73.3+/-4.3) aged sixty-five years or over living in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. They were the students of a senior citizens’ college established by Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture in 1981. We conducted a cross- sectional study that included age, family structure, employment status, financial status, self-related health, presence of chronic disorders, instrumental activities of daily living, dietary variety score (1-10). The mental health well-being was assessed using the Japanese version of the World Health Organization Mental Health Well-being Index-five items (WHO-5). We defined social isolation as seeing friends or relatives less than two or three times a month. We carried out the survey in November in 2019. Selected variables were compared after dividing the participants into “socially isolated group” and “not socially isolated group”. A t-test, a chi-square test, and logistic regression analysis were conducted to examine the related factors of social isolation in this study. Of the 104 participants who were analyzed for social isolation, 21 (20.2%) were found to be socially isolated. From the results of multivariate logistic regression analysis, “lower mental health” (OR=4.013, 95%CI=1.745-10.435) and “lower self-related health” (OR=2.583, 95%CI=1.103-9.564) were independently associated with social isolation. These results suggest that, to prevent the social isolation of the participants in senior citizen’s college in Japan, it is necessary to develop and implement the approach which promote mental health and self-related health.

Effects of Rice Wine Lees on Cognitive Function in Community-Dwelling Physically Active Older Adults: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Rice wine lees (RWL), a Japanese traditional fermented product, is a rich source of one-carbon metabolism-related nutrients, which may have beneficial effects on cognitive function. We aimed to examine the effect of the RWL on cognitive function in community-dwelling physically active older adults. Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study (clinical trial number: UMIN 000027158). Community-based intervention including assessments conducted at the University of Hyogo and a public liberal arts school in Himeji City, Japan. A total of 35 community-dwelling older adults (68-80 years) who performed mild exercise before and during the trial were assigned to either the RWL (n=17) or the placebo group (n=18). Daily consumption of 50 g RWL powder, which contained one-carbon metabolism-related nutrients, or the placebo powder (made from soy protein and dextrin) for 12 weeks. Both supplements included equivalent amounts of energy and protein. Montreal Cognitive Assessment, computerized cognitive function test, and measurements of serum predictive biomarkers (transthyretin, apolipoprotein A1, and complement C3) were conducted at baseline and follow-up. Visual selective attention and serum transthyretin significantly improved in the RWL group, whereas there was no significant change in the placebo group. No significant group difference was observed in the remaining cognitive performance tests. RWL supplements seem to have a few effects on cognitive function in community-dwelling physically active older adults. However, the impact was limited; therefore, further studies with sufficient sample size are warranted to elucidate this issue.

Icare® rebound tonometers: review of their characteristics and ease of use.

The rebound tonometer has a unique mechanism for measuring intraocular pressure (IOP) and has become popular worldwide due to its ease of use. The most notable advantages are the lack of an air-puff and need for topical anesthesia, ease of operation and transport, and the ability to use it with children. Four rebound tonometers (Icare® TA01i, Icare PRO, Icare HOME, and Icare ic100) are currently available for clinical examination. It is important to understand the characteristics of each tonometer and select the most appropriate one because the IOP values and the purpose of measurement are different. In this review, with the goal of improving the understanding of a range of tonometers, the issues with each device are discussed.

教師のセルフ・エフィカシーを高める図画工作科研修のための基礎的研究 : 姫路市図画工作科自主研修会を事例として

教師のセルフ・エフィカシーを高める図画工作科研修のための基礎的研究 : 姫路市図画工作科自主研修会を事例として

姫路市におけるスケートボード広場の形成過程 : 若者が体験した「都市の政治」

姫路市におけるスケートボード広場の形成過程 : 若者が体験した「都市の政治」

Chemical properties of significant Asian Dust particles observed at Himeji City from November 2009 to May 2012

In order to shed light on Asian Dust (AD) particles reaching the Japanese archipelago, we measured hourly PM[Formula: see text] and PM[Formula: see text] values by consecutive automatic monitoring during particulate matter (PM) surveillance conducted from 16 November 2009 to 14 May 2012 in Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, and investigated the characteristics of AD based on elemental and ionic analytical data from size-resolved PM with a one-week base sampling interval. We were able to detect three types of AD event based on the PM[Formula: see text] and PM[Formula: see text] values and the results of three-day backward trajectory analysis. The origin point of the AD events was the Gobi Desert for Event 1 and the Loess Plateau for Event 3. In the case of Event 2, AD originated in the northern Urals in Russia and reached the Japanese archipelago via the side of the Taklamakan and Gobi Deserts and through the Loess Plateau. As results of the research, it suggest that the chemical composition of AD event particles differs depending on the origin point and the course taken before reaching the Japanese archipelago.

The relative and absolute reliability of maximum phonation time in community-dwelling Japanese people.

The aim of the present study was to examine the approximate value of maximum phonation time in community-dwelling Japanese people and to set the range of error after ascertaining relative and absolute reliability. Participants in the present study were adults living in Kobe and Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. Participants were seated in the upright sitting position and were asked to produce an /a/ sound at their normal speaking volume for as long as they possibly could. The examiner measured the time until the sound became inaudible. Two trials were performed. The subjects in the final analysis comprised 380 adults (246 women, 134 men; age, 72.7±5.9years). The values of trial 1 and trial 2 were analyzed with intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC(1,1)), and Bland-Altman plot. Average values of the women, men, and both sexes combined were 16.1, 18.7, and 17.0s, respectively. Average values of age groups 60-69, 70-79, and 80-89years were 17.9, 16.8, and 15.9s, respectively. The ICC(1,1) was 0.87 (P<0.001). Both fixed bias and proportional bias existed. Limits of agreement (LOA) were -5.0 to 7.7 and % change ranged from -27.1 to 41.8%. These normative data indicated that sufficiently reliable values could be measured in two trials. LOA showed that the second value tended to be higher. In determining the effect of treatment, one must consider that the value will be slightly higher at re-test.

Age-related decline in chest wall mobility: a cross-sectional study among community-dwelling elderly women.

Chest wall mobility is strongly related to respiratory function; however, the effect of aging on chest wall mobility-and the level at which this mobility is most affected-remains unclear. To investigate age-related differences in chest wall mobility and respiratory function among elderly women in different age groups. This cross-sectional observational study was performed in Himeji City in Hyogo Prefecture and Ayabe City in Kyoto Prefecture in Japan. Inclusion criteria were female sex, age 65 years or older, community resident, and ability to ambulate independently, with or without an assistive device. Thoracic excursion at the axillary and xiphoid levels and at the level of the tenth rib was measured with measuring tape. Respiratory function, including forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), was assessed by spirometry, and FVC percent predicted (%FVC), FEV1 percent predicted (%FEV1), and FEV1/FVC were calculated. Chest wall mobility and respiratory function were compared among 4 age groups. Of 251 potential participants, 132 met the inclusion criteria. Participants were divided into 4 age groups: group 1, 65 to 69 years; group 2, 70 to 74 years; group 3, 75 to 79 years; and group 4, 80 years or older. Statistically significant differences were found in thoracic excursion at the axillary level between groups 1 and 4 and between groups 2 and 4 when adjusted for height and weight (F4.52, P=.01). In addition, statistically significant differences were found in the FVC and FEV1 values between groups 1 and 3 and between groups 2 and 3 (FVC: F4.97, P=.01; FEV1: F6.17, P=.01). Chest wall mobility at the axillary level and respiratory function decreased with age in community-dwelling women aged 65 years or older. Further longitudinal studies are required to clarify the effects of aging on chest wall mobility and respiratory function.

Exposure to air pollution and meteorological factors associated with children’s primary care visits at night due to asthma attack: case-crossover design for 3-year pooled patients

ObjectiveWe examined the association of outdoor air pollution and meteorological parameters with primary care visits (PCVs) at night due to asthma attack.SettingA case-crossover study was conducted in a primary care...

Physicochemical characterization and size-resolved source apportionment of airborne particles in Himeji City, Japan

As a part of epidemiological study on the effects of the chemical composition of airborne particulate matter (PM) and ozone on asthma attacks, we carried out size-resolved sampling of PM in Himeji City, Japan and elemental and ionic composition analyses of the PM samples. Size-resolved PM was collected using a 3-stage NLAS impactor (Tokyo Dylec Co., Ltd.; particle cut size at sampling stages was 10, 2.5 and 1.0 [Formula: see text]m for a flow rate of 3 L/min) with a 1-week sampling interval from November 2009 to May 2012. Concentrations of several elemental and ionic species in the PM samples were determined by PIXE and ion chromatography analysis, respectively. In addition, source apportionment analysis of the PM was performed by positive matrix factorization (PMF) model using the analytical data of size-resolved particles. The research results are important for the physicochemical characterization of PM in the atmosphere, enabling evaluation of various PM emission sources and atmospheric processes. Of particular note is that the PM10 consisted mainly of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], and PM2.5 consisted only of [Formula: see text]. This is believed to suggest the different formation processes of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. Based on the results from the PMF model analysis, the particles larger then PM2.5 were estimated to have been from soil and sea salt particles. On the other hand, the particles smaller than PM2.5 were estimated to have been from soot, smoke and secondary particles. In particular, the majority of particle smaller than PM1.0 were estimated to be secondary sulfate particles.

Position and Distribution of Maxillary Displaced Canine in a Japanese Population: a Retrospective Study of 287 CBCT Scans

Objective: To assess the position, location, and distribution of maxillary displaced canines in a sample of Japanese population and to develop a classification for the maxillary displaced canine depending on the position in order to facilitate proper diagnosis of this frequently encountered clinical problem. Methods: Cone beam computed tomographic scans of 287 Japanese orthodontic patients (mean age 11.2 ± 1.8 years) with maxillary displaced canines were collected from private dental clinics in Himeji city, Japan. The maxillary displaced canines were evaluated and classified into ten different groups (Types A-J) according to their position and location. Results: Type B in which the canine is in a vertical position behind the lateral incisor causing root resorption in the apical one third of the lateral incisor was the most common (47%) followed by Types A and C in which the canine is either impacted in a mesioangular position behind the central incisor root causing root resorption in the apical one third of the central incisor or impacted in a vertical position between the lateral incisor and the first premolar without causing root resorption (17.1% and 16%) respectively. Types I and J were the rarest (0.4%). Conclusion: Maxillary displaced canines were classified into ten different groups according to their positions and locations because of the high variations. The development and standardization of a defined classification is essential for proper diagnostic and therapeutic considerations.

Association between PM2.5 and primary care visits due to asthma attack in Japan: relation to Beijing’s air pollution episode in January 2013

In January 2013, extremely high concentrations of fine particles (PM2.5) were observed around Beijing, China. In Japan, the health effects of transboundary air pollution have been a matter of concern. We examined the association between the levels of outdoor PM2.5 and other air pollutants with primary care visits (PCVs) at night due to asthma attack in Himeji City, western Japan. A case-crossover study was conducted in a primary care clinic in Himeji City, Japan, involving 112 subjects aged 0-80years who visited the clinic due to an asthma attack between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. during the period January-March, 2013. Daily concentrations of particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and some meteorological elements were measured, and a conditional logistic regression model was used to estimate the odds ratios (OR) of PCVs per unit increment in air pollutants or meteorological elements. Of the 112 subjects, 76 (68%) were aged <15years. We did not note any association between daily PM2.5 levels and PCVs due to asthma attack at night. A positive relation between ozone and PCVs due to asthma attack was detected. The OR per 10ppb increment in daily mean ozone the day before the visit was 2.31 (95% confidence interval 1.16-4.61). These findings do not support an association between daily mean concentration of PM2.5 and PCVs at night. However, we did find evidence suggesting that ozone is associated with PCVs.

Association of ambient air pollution and meteorological factors with primary care visits at night due to asthma attack

The association of outdoor air pollution and meteorological elements with primary care visits at night due to asthma attack was studied. A case-crossover study was conducted in a primary care clinic in Himeji City, Japan. The subjects were 956 children aged 0-14 years who visited the clinic with an asthma attack between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. Daily concentrations of particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and a number of meteorological elements were measured, and a conditional logistic regression model was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) of primary care visits per unit increment of air pollutants or meteorological elements. The analyses took into consideration the effects of seasonality. Of the 956 children, 73 (7.6 %) were aged <2 years and 417 (43.6 %) were aged 2-5 years. No association between daily ozone levels and primary care visits due to asthma attack at night in the spring or summer was found. An inverse relation between suspended particulate matter and primary care visits due to asthma attack was detected in the winter. ORs in the summer per degree increment in daily mean temperature was 1.31 [95 % confidential interval (CI) 1.09-1.56], and ORs in the autumn per hourly increment in daily hours of sunshine was 0.94 (95 % CI 0.90-0.99). The findings of our study fail to support any association between daily mean concentration of air pollutant and primary care visits at night. However, we did find evidence indicating that certain meteorological elements may be associated with primary care visits.

Comparison of anterior chamber depth measurements by 3-dimensional optical coherence tomography, partial coherence interferometry biometry, Scheimpflug rotating camera imaging, and ultrasound biomicroscopy

To evaluate the congruity of anterior chamber depth (ACD) measurements using 4devices. Saneikai Tsukazaki Hospital, Himeji City, Japan. Comparative case series. In 1 eye of 42 healthy participants, the ACD was measured by 3-dimensional corneal and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (CAS-OCT), partial coherence interferometry (PCI), Scheimpflug imaging, and ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM). The differences between the measurements were evaluated by 2-way analysis of variance and post hoc analysis. Agreement between the measurements was evaluated using Bland-Altman analysis. To evaluate the true ACD using PCI, the automatically calculated ACD minus the central corneal thickness measured by CAS-OCT was defined as PCI true. Two ACD measurements were also taken with CAS-OCT. The mean ACD was 3.72 mm ± 0.23 (SD) (PCI), 3.18 ± 0.23 mm (PCI true), 3.24 ± 0.25 mm (Scheimpflug), 3.03 ± 0.25 mm (UBM), 3.14 ± 0.24 mm (CAS-OCT auto), and 3.12 ± 0.24 mm (CAS-OCT manual). A significant difference was observed between PCI biometry, Scheimpflug imaging, and UBM measurements and the other methods. Post hoc analysis showed no significant differences between PCI true and CAS-OCT auto or between CAS-OCT auto and CAS-OCT manual. Strong correlations were observed between all measurements; however, Bland-Altman analysis showed good agreement only between PCI true and Scheimpflug imaging and between CAS-OCT auto and CAS OCT manual. The ACD measurements obtained from PCI biometry, Scheimpflug imaging, CAS-OCT, and UBM were significantly different and not interchangeable except for PCI true and CAS-OCT auto and CAS-OCT auto and CAS-OCT manual. No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

YEAR-ROUND BEHAVIOR FOR INORGANIC COMPOSITION OF SIZE-RESOLVED AIRBORNE PARTICLES IN HIMEJI CITY, JAPAN

As a part that, an epidemiological study on the effects of physicochemical characterization of airborne particulate matter (PM) and ozone on asthma attacks, we carried out size-resolved sampling of PM in Himeji City, and elemental and ionic composition analyses of the PM sample. Size-resolved PM was collected using a 3-stage NLAS impactor (Tokyo Dylec Co., Ltd.; particle cut size at sampling stages was 10, 2.5 and 1.0 μm for a flow rate of 3 L/min) with a one-week base sampling interval, and the PM sampling was begun in November, 2009. Concentrations of several elemental and ionic species in the PM sample were determined by PIXE and ion chromatography analysis, respectively. The research results are important for the physicochemical characterization of PM in atmosphere, enabling detailed analysis of the year-round behavior. Of particular note, is that the PM10 was mainly NO3- and SO42- and PM2.5 was only SO42-. This is believed to suggest the different formation processes of NO3- and SO42-.

Risk Factors for Wheezing, Eczema and Rhinoconjunctivitis in the Previous 12 Months among Six-Year-Old Children in Himeji City, Japan: Food Allergy, Older Siblings, Day-Care Attendance and Parental Allergy History

The aim of this study was to clarify whether some environmental and genetic factors (food allergy, older siblings, early day-care attendance and parents' allergy history) are related to the development of allergic symptoms (wheezing in the previous 12 months [WP], eczema symptoms in the previous 12 months [EP], and rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms in the previous 12 months [RP]) in Japanese children. Using the modified version of the International Study on Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISSAC) questionnaire, we studied the prevalence of WP, EP and RP among six-year-old children attending 72 primary schools throughout Himeji City, Japan, during the two years from 2005 to 2006. Food allergy and parents' history of allergy showed a significant relationship with the prevalence of WP, EP and RP. Day-care attendance in the first two years of life and presence of older siblings showed a significant inverse relationship with the prevalence of RP. However, neither day-care attendance nor presence of older siblings was related to the development of W and ER. Among Japanese children, food allergy and parents' history of allergy are risk factors for WP, ES or RS. However, early day-care attendance and presence of older siblings might be protective factors against RS. Infections in early life may affect the prevalence of rhinoconjunctivitis in six-year-old children.

Experimental study of turbulence and vertical temperature profile in the urban boundary layer

We observed the turbulence and vertical profile of temperature in and above the roughness sublayer (RS) using a tower, a tethered balloon and a Doppler sodar in Himeji City. A 3-D ultrasonic anemometer-thermometer was sited at a height of 54 m on the tower. The present results showed that in the RS, the ratio of friction velocity to wind speed, u*/u, observed under unstable conditions of − 4.2 < z′/L < −0.5 were close to those under neutral conditions, where z´ = z – d; the displacement height d = 2 m; L is the Monin-Obkhov stability length. In addition, σw/u* were lower than the universal function presented by Panofsky et al. (1977). The cross correlation coefficients for u′w′ and T′w′ under neutral and unstable conditions were also studied.