Ibaraki Prefectural Research Articles

Beginning of Open Use of a New Biological Neutron Diffractometer (iBIX) in J-PARC

Ibaraki Prefectural Government together with Ibaraki University and Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) has almost finished constructing a time-of-flight (TOF) neutron diffractometer for biological macromolecules for industrial use at J-PARC, IBARAKI Biological Crystal Diffractometer (iBIX). Since 2009, Ibaraki University has been asked to operate this machine in order for users to do experiments by Ibaraki Prefecture. The diffractometer is designed to cover sample crystals which have their cell edges up to around 150 A. It is expected to measure more than 100 samples per year if they have 2 mm(3) in crystal volume, and to measure even around 0.1 mm(3) in crystal volume of biological samples. The efficiency of iBIX is also expected about 100 times larger than those of the present high performance diffractometers at JRR-3 in JAEA when 1MW power realizes in J-PARC. Since December 2008, iBIX has been open to users and several proteins and organic compounds were tested under 20 kW proton power of J-PARC. It was found that one of their proteins was diffracted up to 1.4 A in d-spacing, which was nearly comparable resolution to that of BIX-3 in JRR-3 when used the same crystal as at iBIX for reasonable exposure time. In May 2009, 14 detector units were set up. By the end of fiscal year 2009, the basic part of data reduction software will be finished and an equipment blowing low temperature gas to the sample will be installed with the cooperation of JAEA.

Relationship Between Obesity and Incident Diabetes in Middle-Aged and Older Japanese Adults: The Ibaraki Prefectural Health Study

To investigate the age-specific relationship between body mass index (BMI) and risk of diabetes in a Japanese general population. A cohort of Japanese men (N=19,926) and women (N=41,489) (aged 40-79 years) who under went community-based health checkups in 1993 and were free of diabetes was followed up by annual examinations with measurement of blood glucose concentrations until the end of 2006. Incident diabetes mellitus was defined as a blood glucose concentration of 126 mg/dL or greater under fasting conditions, 200 mg/dL or greater under nonfasting conditions, or diabetic medication use at baseline. Hazard ratios (HRs) for diabetes according to BMI were estimated using a Cox proportional hazard model. The model was adjusted for possible confounding variables. A total of 4429 participants (7.2%) developed diabetes (2065 men and 2364 women) during a mean follow-up of 5.5 years. Compared with those with a BMI of less than 25.0, the multivariate HRs for diabetes among participants with a BMI of 30.0 or greater were 1.40 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.89-2.20) for men aged 40 to 59 years and 1.26 (95% CI, 0.81-1.96) for men aged 60 to 79 years (P=.002 for interaction). The HRs were 2.50 (95% CI, 2.01-3.11) for women aged 40 to 59 years and 1.80 (95% CI, 1.41-2.30) for women aged 60 to 79 years (P=.04 for interaction). The effect of obesity on the risk of diabetes is greater for middle-aged than for older adults.

Association between Non-High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Concentrations and Mortality from Coronary Heart Disease Among Japanese Men and Women: The Ibaraki Prefectural Health Study

The aim of this study was to examine whether non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-cholesterol) raises the risk of coronary heart disease in a dose-response fashion in a non-obese population with low total cholesterol levels and high HDL-cholesterol levels, such as Japanese. A total of 30,802 men and 60,417 women, aged 40 to 79 years with no history of stroke or coronary heart disease, completed a baseline risk factor survey in 1993 under the auspices of the Ibaraki Prefectural Health Study. Systematic mortality surveillance through 2003 identified 539 coronary heart disease deaths. The mean values for non-HDL-cholesterol were 140 mg/dL for men and 151 mg/dL for women. The corresponding mean values were 193 mg/dL and 208 mg/dL total cholesterol and 52 mg/dL and 57 mg/dL HDL-cholesterol, respectively. Men with non-HDL-cholesterol > or = 180 mg/dL had a two-fold higher age-adjusted risk of mortality from coronary heart disease than did those with non-HDL-cholesterol <100 mg/dL, whereas no such association was found for women. The multivariable hazard ratio for > or = 180 mg/dL versus <100 mg/dL of non-HDL-cholesterol was 2.22 (95% confidence interval: 1.37 to 3.62) for men and 0.71 (0.37 to 1.34) for women. Higher concentrations of non-HDL-cholesterol were associated with an increased risk of mortality from coronary heart disease for men, but not for women.

Response to Letter Regarding Article, “Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Concentrations and Death Due to Intraparenchymal Hemorrhage: The Ibaraki Prefectural Health Study”

We thank Dr Drinka for his interest in our study1 and the opportunity to clarify several issues. Dr Drinka presented one possible causal pathway that might link reduced low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol with the development of arteriolosclerosis and increased risk of intraparenchymal hemorrhage. This hypothesis asserts that distal lipohyalin degeneration (destruction: arteriolosclerosis) may be protected against by proximal atheromatous degeneration (plaque formation: atherosclerosis) through the flow restriction and consequent lower blood pressure in the distal penetrating artery. The lower risk of intraparenchymal hemorrhage associated with higher LDL cholesterol levels may be explained in part by his flow restriction hypothesis. Although we consider the proposed causal pathway to be plausible, we do not consider this explanation to be the major one involving low LDL cholesterol for the following reasons. First, if it were true that atheromatous degeneration prevents the development of arteriolosclerosis, increased risk of intraparenchymal hemorrhage should be observed at levels of LDL cholesterol at which the risk of coronary heart disease decreases. However, in our study the increased risk of death from intraparenchymal hemorrhage was observed at a level of LDL cholesterol 100 mg/dL, whereas death from coronary heart disease plateaued in this range. Second, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high triglycerides, which may lead to atheromatous degeneration, were not associated with reduced death from intraparenchymal hemorrhage. Our finding supports Konishi’s osmotic fragility hypothesis2 that very low levels of serum cholesterol in the intimal cell membranes of intracerebral arteries contribute to plasma insudation into the intima because of reduced osmotic resistance, which leads to the destruction of smooth muscle cells in the media and increased risk of intraparenchymal hemorrhage.3 This hypothesis was also supported by a community-based pathology study.4 An in vivo study suggested the hypothesis, showing that low sarcolemmal cholesterol content in neonatal cardiomyocytes enhanced sarcolemmal fluidity and anoxial-induced cell damage.5 Moreover, other in vivo studies showed that cellular cholesterol depletion may induce apoptosis. 6 Further studies are necessary to explore pathological mechanisms.

Letter by Drinka Regarding Article, “Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Concentrations and Death Due to Intraparenchymal Hemorrhage: The Ibaraki Prefectural Health Study”

To the Editor: Noda et al1 reported that reduced low-density lipoprotein levels were associated with an elevated risk of death due to intraparenchymal hemorrhage. Lesions of the penetrating branches of cerebral …

Letter by Noda and Iso Regarding Article, “Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Concentrations and Death Due to Intraparenchymal Hemorrhage: The Ibaraki Prefectural Health Study”

To the Editor: We reported an association between low low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and increased death due to intraparenchymal hemorrhage in the general Japanese population aged 40 to 79 years in the April 28, 2009, issue of Circulation .1 In his accompanying editorial, Dr Goldstein pointed out that the results were inconsistent between observational studies and randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and concluded, “This suggests no causal relationship between total cholesterol and LDL-C and bleeding risk,” based on the previous RCTs.2 However, the previous RCTs had several limitations and do not necessarily support a conclusion of no causal relationship between low-LDL cholesterol and risk of intraparenchymal hemorrhage. …

Response to Letter Regarding Article, “Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Concentrations and Death Due to Intraparenchymal Hemorrhage: The Ibaraki Prefectural Health Study”

In their comments, Drs Noda and Iso focus on the concluding sentence of my editorial1 without reference to the preceding discussion that stressed the complex relationship between cholesterol and brain hemorrhage. It is worthwhile to apply standardized criteria when assessing potential casual relationships. Although imperfect, the Bradford Hill considerations are frequently used for this purpose.2 These considerations evaluate several domains: (1) strength (stronger associations are more likely to be causal than weaker associations), (2) consistency (the observation is found in different settings), (3) specificity (the effect is specific to an outcome or group), (4) temporality (the exposure must occur before the outcome), (5) biological gradient (dose–response relationship between the factor and the outcome), (6) plausibility (there is a plausible biological mechanism to explain the effect), (7) coherence (the association should be consistent with existing knowledge), (8) experiment (causality is more likely if supported by data from a randomized experiment), and (9) analogy (causality for a specific factor is …

The Complex Relationship Between Cholesterol and Brain Hemorrhage

In this issue of Circulation , Noda et al1 report an association between low levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and an increase in the risk of fatal intraparenchymal intracerebral hemorrhage in a Japanese population-based cohort. The relationship between lipid levels and stroke is complex. The Prospective Studies Collaboration conducted a meta-analysis evaluating the association between blood cholesterol and vascular mortality based on data from 61 prospective cohort studies including nearly 900 000 persons free of vascular disease at baseline (11.6 million person-years at risk).2 Lower levels of usual total cholesterol were strongly associated with lower risk of fatal ischemic heart disease; every 1 mmol/L lower cholesterol was associated with a 56% reduction (hazard ratio [HR], 0.44; 95% CI, 0.42 to 0.48) in those 40 to 49 years of age, a 34% reduction (HR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.65 to 0.68) in those 50 to 69 years of age, and a 17% reduction (HR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.81 to 0.85) in those 70 to 89 years of age. In contrast to death resulting from ischemic heart disease, there was only a weak relationship between usual total cholesterol and death caused by stroke in those 40 to 59 years of age (HR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.84 to 0.97 for every 1 mmol/L lower cholesterol) and no relationship for older age groups after accounting for blood pressure. An analysis combing the data for the Prospective Studies Collaboration with data from the Multiple Risk Factors Intervention Trial (MRFIT) also found that lower usual total cholesterol was associated with a lower risk of fatal stroke in those 40 to 49 years of age (HR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.76 to 1.00 per 1 mmol/L lower total cholesterol), with similar reductions in those 50 to 59 (HR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.85 to 0.97) and 60 …

Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Concentrations and Death Due to Intraparenchymal Hemorrhage

Few studies have examined the association between low levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and risk of intraparenchymal hemorrhage. A total of 30 802 men and 60 417 women, 40 to 79 years of age with no history of stroke or coronary heart disease, completed a baseline risk factor survey in 1993 under the auspices of the Ibaraki Prefectural Health Study. Systematic mortality surveillance was performed through 2003, and 264 intraparenchymal hemorrhage deaths were identified. LDL cholesterol levels were calculated with the Friedewald formula. Persons with LDL cholesterol > or =140 mg/dL had half the sex- and age-adjusted risk of death due to intraparenchymal hemorrhage of those with LDL cholesterol <80 mg/dL. After adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors, the multivariable hazard ratio compared with persons with LDL cholesterol <80 mg/dL was 0.65 (95% CI 0.44 to 0.96) for those with LDL cholesterol 80 to 99 mg/dL, 0.48 (0.32 to 0.71) for 100 to 119 mg/dL, 0.50 (0.33 to 0.75) for 120 to 139 mg/dL, and 0.45 (0.30 to 0.69) for >/=140 mg/dL. These inverse associations were not altered substantially after the exclusion of persons with hypertriglyceridemia, after analysis with a Cox proportional hazard model with time-dependent covariates, or in sensitivity analysis for the potential effect of competing risks. Low LDL cholesterol levels are associated with elevated risk of death due to intraparenchymal hemorrhage.

Associations Between Metabolic Syndrome and Mortality From Cardiovascular Disease in Japanese General Population, Findings on Overweight and Non-Overweight Individuals Ibaraki Prefectural Health Study

The impact of being overweight, as a component of the metabolic syndrome (MetS), for cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality was investigated and compared with the predictive value of MetS by 2 different definitions. A 12-year prospective study of 30,774 Japanese men and 60,383 women aged 40-79 years was conducted. The multivariate hazard ratio (HR; 95% confidence interval) of total CVD mortality for overweight subjects with >or=2 additional risk factors with reference to subjects with 0 of 4 MetS components was 1.83 (1.41-2.38) for men and 1.90 (1.45-2.49) for women, and for non-overweight subjects with >or=2 additional risk factors 1.75 (1.38-2.24) and 1.97 (1.52-2.55), respectively. The proportion of excess CVD deaths in the latter group was 1.5-fold higher than that in the former group. Multivariate HRs of coronary heart disease and total CVD mortality for MetS by the modified criteria of the American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute were 1.62 (1.31-2.00) and 1.23 (1.09-1.39), respectively, for men and 1.32 (1.05-1.65) and 1.12 (1.00-1.25), respectively, for women. The respective HRs for MetS by the International Diabetic Federation definition did not reach statistical significance, except for coronary heart disease in men. Non-overweight individuals with metabolic risk factors, as well as overweight individuals with such factors, should be targeted to reduce the CVD burden in the general population.

Construction of Ibaraki prefectural neutron spectrometers

Ibaraki Prefectural Government established Science Frontier 21 Initiative (SF21) in 2001. In SF21 the active co-operations between Tsukuba, Tokai and Hitachi areas are accelerated and two Prefecture's neutron spectrometers have been constructed in order to establish the advanced industrial zone by setting the J-PARC as a key component. In addition, the industrial applications of neutron will be promoted. The objectives of SF21 are promotion of industrial applications of J-PARC, grow-up of neutron research scientists, and establishment of infrastructure supporting international collaboration. In this paper, outline of the two Ibaraki prefecture's spectrometers are described.

Overview of a new biological neutron diffractometer (iBIX) in J-PARC

Since 2004, Ibaraki Prefectural Government in Japan has started to construct a Time-of-Flight (TOF) neutron diffractometer for biological macromolecules for industrial use at J-PARC, near JRR-3 in JAEA. From 2008, Ibaraki University will operate this machine with the support of Ibaraki Prefecture in order for users to do experiments. The diffractometer is designed so that it can measure crystals the maximum cell dimension of which is up to around 160 Å. It is expected to measure more than 100 samples per year if they have 2 mm 3 in crystal volume. As a result, the efficiency will be more than 100 times higher than that of the present high performance diffractometer, BIX-4 in JRR-3 reactor in JAEA. To realize this performance, a coupled moderator (intense neutrons, but broad pulse in time resolution) was selected. In addition, two important and key items should be developed: a new detector with high spatial resolution (less than 1 mm) and a special program to de-convolute overlapped Bragg reflections on the raw data. The detector uses ZnS:Ag/ 6LiF scintillator with wavelength-shift-fiber (WLSF) system. The program has been designed using a complicated kind of profile-fitting method. The current status of these developments as well as the diffractometer constructions is reported.

Financial management of Kashima Rinkai specified sewage works

The Kashima Rinkai Specified Sewage Works (KRSSW) is located at the northern side of the Kashima Coastal Industrial Zone, facing the Sea of Kashimanada (Pacific Ocean). It straddles one city and two townships: the city of Kashima, which boasts Kashima Port, a transportation center that was constructed on Kashimanada Beach by digging into the virgin sands, and the towns of Kamisu and Hasaki. The industries located there include steel, petrochemicals, chemicals, foodstuffs, livestock feeds, electric power and machinery metals. Industrial wastewaters with public sewage, except steel industry, are treated by the Fukashiba Treatment Plant which is managed by the Ibaraki Prefectural Government. The financial management of KRSSW is analysed to show its stand-alone condition.

Creating an Ibaraki That Everyone Loves

Ibaraki prefecture is located in the northeast of the nation's capital, Tokyo, and the distance of the prefecture to Tokyo ranges from 30 km to 160 km. The population of the prefecture is approximately 3 million, ranked as the 11th out of 47 prefectures in Japan. Ibaraki is rich in nature. The agricultural product output is ranked as the 3rd, and the industrial product shipment value is the 9th. Ibaraki prefecture also has Tsukuba Science City, which is famous as a center for science and technology all over the world.Nowadays, preparation for an aging society is our first priority. In fact, the number of children is decreasing rapidly every year. This is a result of a drop in the total fertility rate (1.35, as of 2000), a rise in the rate of unmarried young women ranging from 25 to 29 (20.9% in 1975, 54.0% in 2000), as well as the fact that people come to marry later than before. We are concerned about the serious influence on the Japanese pension system and medical insurance system. Here is an example to show how serious the situation is; an examination of teenagers' attitudes toward marriage was made in the different 4 countries. The questionnarie asked, “Do you feel that you have to marry in the future?”. The rate of teenagers, who said yes, was as follows:The United States: 79%, Korea: 51%, France: 30%, Japan: 20%In one sense, these results show that Japanese teenagers don't care much about marriage, continuing of family lines, and the subsistence of human beings. Taking into consideration the freedom of individuals, we must seriously consider the way that young people can meet their partner naturally and initiate a policy to encourage them to marry.Although the Japanese National Government initiated nursing care insurance last year to cope with aging society, Ibaraki prefectural government has provided the original welfare service called the Regional Care System for elderly people who live alone, the challenged, and patients with obstinate diseases who are not covered by nursing care insurance. The Regional Care System aims at giving each person good care services in combination with doctors, nurses, and volunteers.Rehabilitation is the key to dealing with an aging society. The prefectural government established the Ibaraki Prefectural University of Health Sciences with departments of physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing, and so on. Moreover, we arestrongly promoting the rehabilitation support system especially in the Ibaraki Prefectural University of Health Sciences Hospital, which specializes in rehabilitation, to prevent people from being bedridden due to strokes or fracturesIn addition, the Prefectural University of Health Sciences Hospital and city health centers have already been connected by TV conference system, so even people who live far from hospitals can be rehabilitated and consult therapists. We also promote to make regional central hospitals for the people who live in the areas where there are few emergency hospitals with skill doctors and high-tech medical equipments. To reduce deaths caused by cancer, which is the worst cause of deaths in Japan, we are constructing 4 regional cancer centers in the prefecture so that peoeple can receive good medical services.We believe that health is the most important thing. Therefore, we are tackling the health promotion activity to live long healthfully and peacefully in cooperation with all citizens by setting clear goals. We will continue striving to improve health, welfare, and medical services in Ibaraki prefecture.

Ibaraki Prefectural Kashima Soccer Stadium provided by controlled root zone heating system and installed inside &amp; outside sprinkler system for turfgrass maintenance

Ibaraki Prefectural Kashima Soccer Stadium provided by controlled root zone heating system and installed inside &amp; outside sprinkler system for turfgrass maintenance

Outsourcing of Extended Library Hours : A Case in Ibaraki Prefectural University of Health Sciences Library(&lt;Feature Article&gt;Opening Hours and Library Service)

Outsourcing of Extended Library Hours : A Case in Ibaraki Prefectural University of Health Sciences Library(&lt;Feature Article&gt;Opening Hours and Library Service)

茨城県立医療大学附属図書館

茨城県立医療大学附属図書館

茨城県工業技術センター

茨城県工業技術センター