Incidence In Japan Research Articles

Investigating the Effect of UV Irradiation and TiO2 Addition on Heavy Metal Adsorption by Inverse Vulcanized Sulfur Polymers.

Organomercury contamination in wastewater is a longstanding global concern, prompting the establishment of the Mi-namata Convention in 2013, following the tragic Minamata Bay incident in Japan. Despite numerous proposed solutions, the development of an affordable and convenient adsorbent remains a challenge. Sulfur, being one of the most abundant elements globally, has shown promise in mercury adsorption in previous research. This study delves into the influence of light exposure on the process of mercury adsorption. Our findings reveal that exposure to UV-A wavelengths (315 nm - 400 nm), in combination with the addition of titanium dioxide (TiO2), enhances the adsorption capacity of a sulfur-rich polymer. The maximum observed adsorption capacity reached 47 mg/g under these conditions. Notably, the presence of TiO2 and UV exposure did not significantly impact the adsorption of inorganic mercury and gold.

Research on International Marine Pollution Control Issues: Based on the Fukushima Pollution Incident in Japan

The international marine environment has increasingly become a critical focus of global environmental concerns, with marine pollution worsening significantly. The Fukushima sewage incident in Japan has notably heightened awareness of marine environmental pollution, impacting the marine environment, economic development, food safety, and human health in surrounding countries, making marine pollution control an urgent priority. This paper analyzes the Fukushima pollution incident in Japan, reviewing the current status of international marine pollution control legal treaties and international cooperation efforts. It proposes new governance ideas grounded in climate change advisory opinions, emphasizing the need for innovative approaches to tackle emerging pollution challenges. Furthermore, the paper examines both theoretical and practical problems within the existing framework of international marine pollution control, identifying gaps and inconsistencies that hinder effective management. Based on this analysis, the paper offers comprehensive countermeasures and suggestions aimed at enhancing the efficacy of international treaties, improving coordination among nations, and strengthening the overall governance structure to better address marine pollution. This holistic approach is essential for ensuring the sustainable development of marine ecosystems and the long-term health and prosperity of human societies.

Niraparib as maintenance therapy in Japan: a retrospective observational study using a Japanese claims database.

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the leading cause of female mortality in gynecologic malignancies, with a rising incidence in Japan. This study aimed to validate the treatment patterns and safety of niraparib as maintenance therapy for EOC following initial chemotherapy in clinical practice in Japan. Leveraging claims data between April 2008 and December 2022, this descriptive study comprised EOC-diagnosed patients receiving initial platinum-based chemotherapy, debulking surgery, and niraparib as maintenance therapy. Patient characteristics, prescription status, transfusion details, and laboratory data were assessed and reported as summary statistics and frequencies. Among 291 patients, the median age was 64.0 years and 94.5% received a 200-mg daily dose of niraparib. At week 12, 78.7% (229/291) continued niraparib treatment, 21.3% (62/291) discontinued, and 52.2% (152/291) required treatment interruptions. Of the 62 patients who discontinued treatment, 27 patients initiated subsequent EOC treatment within 12 weeks following niraparib discontinuation. Blood transfusions were needed in 10.3% (30/291), and of 55 patients with available laboratory data, 61.8% (34/55) had decreased platelet count <100,000/µL, 25.5% (14/55) had decreased hemoglobin level <8 g/dL, and 22.7% (5/22) had decreased neutrophil count <1,000/µL, meeting the criteria for treatment interruption. Among those with thrombocytopenia, 88.2% (30/34) were able to either resume or continue treatment. Niraparib demonstrated favorable tolerability in Japanese patients with advanced EOC, with effective management of thrombocytopenia through dose adjustments and supportive care, supporting its viability as post-chemotherapy maintenance therapy.

Performance as Apology: Deconstructing the Legacy of the Japanese Empire in Shin’ya Eiko’s Shinsetaryon

ABSTRACT This article explores the historical narrative of Zainichi Koreans in the Japanese actress Shin’ya Eiko’s solo performance of Shinsetaryon in an attempt to reflect on the decolonisation process between Japanese and Koreans in postwar Japan. In Shinsetaryon, the Zainichi Korean protagonist, Sin Yŏng-suk, narrates her life story interwoven with historical incidents in Japan and Korea during and after Japanese colonial rule. I argue that Shin’ya treated her performance as an apology for her ignorance of the plight of Zainichi Koreans, who have struggled politically and socially in both imperial and post-imperial Japan. She continually revised the script to include her growing understanding about unseen others in the narrative, positing herself as an aggressor who did not completely understand the formerly colonised Koreans. Through these revisions Shin’ya clarified her sense of distance from the Zainichi Korean protagonist, which was essential if her performance was to constitute an apology. She also challenged the idea of the linguistic hierarchy between the Japanese and Korean languages, which is a legacy of Japan’s assimilation policy during the colonial period. In doing so, Shinsetaryon suggested the possibility of remembering the Japanese empire in multiple ways without assimilation between the former coloniser and the colonised.

Association of ambient temperature with tuberculosis incidence in Japan: An ecological study

ObjectivesAlthough several studies have investigated the effects of temperature on the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in a single city or region, few studies have investigated the variations in this association using nationwide data. This study aimed to quantify the association between temporal variations in TB incidence and temperature across Japan. MethodsThe data on the weekly number of newly confirmed TB cases and meteorological variables in 47 Japanese prefectures from 2007 to 2019 were collected. The exposure-response relationships between TB incidence and temperature were quantified using a distributed lag nonlinear model for each prefecture, and estimates from all prefectures were then pooled using a meta-regression model to derive nationwide average associations. ResultsThis study included 335,060 patients with TB. Compared to those with minimum risk temperature on TB incidence (10th percentile at 4.45°C), people who were exposed to the highest temperature concentrations had a 52.0% (relative risk 1.52, 95% confidence interval 1.04-2.23) higher risk for TB incidence at the 99th percentile (30.1°C). Our results also emphasized the heterogeneity of these associations in different prefectures. Conclusions: Strengthening monitoring and public health strategies aimed at controlling temperature-related TB may be more effective when tailored to region-specific meteorological conditions.

Analisis Regulasi Manajemen Sistem Keselamatan Instalasi Nuklir dalam Mewujudkan Ketahanan Energi Indonesia

The rising energy demand in Indonesia has led to the planning of Nuclear Power Plants (NPP) as a sustainable solution, with implementation targeted around 2030. The government has emphasized the need for strict regulations, especially in safety management, reinforced by lessons from the Fukushima incident in Japan. This study underscores the critical role of regulatory analysis in the safety management of nuclear installations, which is essential for achieving energy security in Indonesia. By evaluating regulatory design and management system implementation, the research aims to identify key steps to support a safety culture in nuclear installations. Adopting a qualitative approach focused on policy analysis, this study evaluates aspects of Safety Management System Regulations in Nuclear Installations for Indonesia's Energy Security. The findings highlight the importance of structured management systems to enhance nuclear safety, providing a solid foundation for energy security. Strengthening regulations and implementing a systematic approach will ensure that Indonesia’s nuclear installations meet high safety standards, contributing positively to the country’s energy security.

Incidence of coronary heart disease among remote workers: a nationwide web-based cohort study

Coronary heart disease (CHD) risk is influenced by socioeconomic status-related parameters, particularly occupation. We investigated occupational gaps in CHD risk and how the introduction of remote work moderated the observed occupational differences in CHD risk during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in Japan. Data from a web-based, nationwide cohort study, comprising 17,640 workers (aged 20–65 years) with baseline data from December 2020, were analyzed. Participants were grouped by occupation as upper-level nonmanual workers (managers/professionals) and others (reference group). The primary outcome was CHD (angina pectoris/myocardial infarction) onset retrospectively confirmed at the 1-year follow-up survey. Upper-level nonmanual workers exhibited a higher CHD incidence than others (2.3% vs. 1.7%). This association was pronounced in the younger (20–49 years) population, with a significant CHD risk (adjusted risk ratio = 1.88). Upper-level nonmanual workers exhibited nearly 15% higher remote work prevalence, with a significant remote work-related CHD risk (adjusted risk ratio = 1.92). The mediating effects of remote work explained an overall disparity of 32% among the younger population. Occupational gaps in CHD incidence in Japan differ from those in Western countries, where upper-level nonmanual workers have lower cardiovascular risk. In Japan, remote work can mediate CHD risk in the younger population of upper-level nonmanual workers.

Dietary melatonin and liver cancer incidence in Japan: From the Takayama study.

There is some biological plausibility that exogenous melatonin plays a role in preventing liver carcinogenesis. There has been little research on the association between melatonin intake in a normal diet and health outcomes. We evaluated the association between dietary melatonin intake and the incidence of liver cancer in a population-based prospective study in Japan. This study included 30,824 residents of Takayama city who were 35 years of age or older in 1992 and had participated in the Takayama study, Japan. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire at the baseline. Melatonin content in foods was measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Cancer incidence was confirmed through regional population-based cancer registries in Gifu. Liver cancer was defined as code C22 according to the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision. Hazard ratios for liver cancer were estimated for the tertile groups of melatonin intake using a Cox proportional hazards model. During the mean follow-up period of 13.6 years, 189 individuals developed liver cancer. Compared with subjects in the lowest tertile of melatonin intake, those in the middle and highest tertiles had decreased risks of liver cancer, with a significant linear trend after multivariate adjustments (hazard ratios: 0.64 and 0.65, respectively, trend p = 0.023). There was no significant interaction by sex (interaction p = 0.54). This initial finding, which needs to be confirmed by further studies, suggests that consuming melatonin-containing foods might play a role in the prevention of liver cancer.

Takayasu arteritis masquerading as recurrent abdominal pain

Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a rare granulomatous inflammation of large arteries, specifically the aorta and its branches. It is more prevalent in young Asian women with the highest incidence in Japan. There is a delay in diagnosis due to nonspecific early symptoms and unfamiliarity with this disease. We present a case of a young female who presented with recurrent abdominal pain suggestive of mesenteric angina and constitutional symptoms over one-year. Her radial pulses were absent, and she had multiple bruits on examination over the right subclavian and carotid arteries and the epigastrium, along with high inflammatory markers. Her CT angiography of large vessels confirmed the diagnosis of TA and she was treated with high-dose steroids with good clinical remission confirmed by a reduction in inflammatory markers and improvement in symptoms.

The Impact of Japan's Discharge of Radioactive Water

Taking the global impact of Japan's nuclear sewage discharge as the starting point, this paper studies the harm caused by Japan's nuclear sewage flowing into the Pacific Ocean, the harm to the world's organisms, the impact on seaside workers, and investigates the harmful phenomenon of nuclear sewage to human beings. This paper is divided into four parts: the first part briefly introduces the harm of nuclear wastewater and how much nuclear wastewater needs to be discharged; the second part describes the source of nuclear wastewater in Japan; the third part summarizes the introduction literature of nuclear wastewater and the existing problems of nuclear wastewater in Japan; and the fourth part gives rise to the selfish thinking that Japan only concerns about its internal affairs. The research content of this paper mainly includes the nuclear sewage discharge incident in Japan, which caused immeasurable and serious consequences. Japan must also face consequences for its actions.

The Relationship Between Annual Airborne Pollen Levels and the Occurrence of Uterine Cancer, Cervical Cancer, Corpus Uteri Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Bladder Cancer, Stomach Cancer, Cancer of the Gallbladder and Bile Ducts, Malignant Lymphoma, and Cancer of Oral and Pharyngeal, and Laryngeal Cancer: A Retrospective Study Based on The National Registry Database of Cancer Incidence In Japan, 1975–2015

Background: In Japan, pollen counts increased between 1977 and 1987, including three peaks (1978- 1980, 1982, 1984-1986) coinciding with triphasic Kawasaki disease (KD) outbreaks. Epidemiological findings have been extensively accumulated that KD since 2003 and, from 2018 related specific intractable diseases such as systemic vasculitis, collagen diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and further from 2019 various cancers such as lung, breast, pancreatic, skin and kidney cancers may be correlated to pollen exposure (PE). Methods and results: To elucidate the effects of PE on occurrence of other cancers, we evaluated the annual occurrence of disorders in relation to pollen counts using data from a national database. Specifically, we evaluated the occurrence of uterine cancer, cervical cancer, corpus uteri cancer, prostate cancer, bladder cancer, stomach cancer, cancer of gallbladder and bile ducts (GBB), malignant lymphoma (ML), oral and pharyngeal cancer (o-phar. cancers), laryngeal cancer. During 1975–2015, the 1978-80 and 1984-1986 peaks of pollen scatter was the earliest big peaks with which simultaneous increase in occurrence of uterine, cervical, bladder, stomach, GBB, o-phar. cancers and laryngeal cancers. Furthermore, simultaneous outbreaks of each cancer coincided with subsequent ten peaks of pollen scatter till 2015. Our results showed statistically significant correlations for o-phar cancers, laryngeal, prostate and stomach cancers between the annual number of newly registered patients (nRPs) in the patient-registry year and annual pollen levels in the same patient-registry year. Significant correlations were also shown between the number of nRPs in the patient-registry year and annual pollen levels measured 1 year (GBB), 2 years (prostate), 3 years (corpus uteri, stomach, ML), 5 years (uterine), 6 years (uterine, corpus uteri, prostate, bladder, GBB), 7 years (o-phar, laryngeal) and, 9 and 16 years (cervical) before the patient-registry year. Conclusion: We assume that cumulative effects of PE in many cases within about 6 years and more before the diagnosis of cancers might possibly trigger onset of cancers when cumulative effects of PE as environmental stress overwhelmed immunoreactive threshold. The authors would like to discuss the triggering effect of PE (the action of PE to induce a carcinogenic state in humans) on humans as a compromised host, in the preliminary stages of cancer development, in which human papillomavirus is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis.

Depicting reflections of power on illocutionary acts of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe’s speeches on Covid-19

Speeches are often construed to exert one’s power while projecting a political intent towards the audience. This research examines how power is reflected in speeches by Shinzō Abe, a former Prime Minister of Japan, through the categorisation of speech acts. The speeches were delivered in many of his press conferences during the Covid-19 pandemic. The research employed a quantitative approach, and the analysis largely drew on Searle's classification of speech acts to identify and categorise Mr Abe’s expressions of power. Data for this study focused on various formal press briefings, interviews, or other communicative exchanges he conducted in his role as a prime minister. Eight texts were selected for the analysis, and they were collected from the website of the Japanese Prime Minister's Secretariat office from February to May 2020. Findings from the analysis indicated that the prime minister mostly utilised performative verb utterance directions, such as informing (66%), asking (78%), promising (90%), thanking (54%), and deciding (76%), in a form of polite and respectful language, Keigo, to demonstrate reverence towards diplomatic entities. In addition, he frequently highlighted statistical data regarding the circumstances and the prevailing factors of the pandemic that led to a regime of truth and knowledge about Covid-19 in Japan. The findings provided better understanding of Shinzō Abe’s exercise of authority in managing the variability of Covid-19 incidences in Japan, as reflected in the movement of relations with the society and with those diplomatic entities. This suggests that Shinzo Abe’s speeches during the pandemic have a potential pathway that world leaders, linguists or students can traverse and inquire into to ensure community resilience to counteract the fragility caused by a pandemic.

Tumor immune microenvironment and clinical outcomes in stage IV urothelial cancer: YODO study

BackgroundBladder cancer is the 10th most common cancer globally, with a growing incidence in Japan. Evaluation of molecular, genetic, and cellular biomarkers that predict treatment response and prognosis in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) may help optimize sequential treatment strategies with chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).MethodsThis multicenter, retrospective cohort study, evaluated programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression, tumor mutational burden (TMB), and cancer-immune phenotype as predictive prognostic biomarkers following first-/second-line treatment in Japanese adult patients with mUC. The primary endpoint was prevalence of PD-L1 expression. Secondary endpoints were TMB, overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS) from initiation of first-line treatment, and exploratory endpoints were cancer-immune phenotype, OS, PFS, and treatment response according to potential biomarker status.ResultsOf the 143 patients included (mean age 71.7 years), PD-L1 expression was high in 29.4% of patients. Non-synonymous TMB was high in 33.6% and low in 66.4%. Cancer-immune phenotype was immune-desert in 62.9%, immune-excluded in 30.8%, and inflamed in 6.3%. Median OS and PFS following first-line treatment were 18.2 and 7.4 months, respectively. Overall response to second-line treatment was slightly better with high versus low/negative PD-L1 expression. PD-L1 expression and TMB were non-significant predictors of OS or PFS, whereas immune-excluded phenotype was associated with better OS in comparison with immune-desert phenotype.ConclusionPD-L1 expression and TMB were non-significant predictors of prognosis after first-line treatment in Japanese patients with mUC, but cancer-immune phenotype may be an important prognostic factor in chemotherapy-ICI sequential treatment strategies.Clinical trial registration number UMIN000037727.

Impact of cancer and other causes of death on mortality of cancer patients: A study based on Japanese population-based registry data.

Cancer registry data provide a very important source of information for improving our understanding of the epidemiology of various cancers. In this work, we estimated the 5-year crude probabilities of death from cancer and from other causes for five common cancers, namely stomach, lung, colon-rectum, prostate and breast, in Japan, using population-based registry data. Based on data on 344 676 patients diagnosed with one of these cancers between 2006 and 2008 in 21 prefectures participating in the Monitoring of Cancer Incidence in Japan (MCIJ) and followed-up for at least 5 years, we used a flexible excess hazard model to compute the crude probabilities of death for different combinations of sex, age and stage at diagnosis. For tumours diagnosed at the distant stage, as well as for regional lung tumours, the vast majority of deaths at 5 years in cancer patients were attributable to the disease itself (although this proportion was only around 60% in older prostate cancer patients). For localised and most regional tumours, the impact of other causes of death on the total mortality increased with age at diagnosis, especially for localised breast, colorectal and gastric cancer. By allowing the partition of the mortality experience of cancer patients into a cancer- and an other-cause-specific component, crude probability of death estimates provide insight into how the impact of cancer on mortality might differ among populations with different background mortality risks. This might be useful for informing discussions between clinicians and patients about treatment options.

An Economic Evaluation Estimating the Clinical and Economic Burden of Increased Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecium Infection Incidence in Japan.

While incidence rates of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium have remained comparatively low in Japan, there have been increasing reports of more vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) outbreaks, requiring costly measures to contain. Increased incidence of VRE in Japan may lead to more frequent and harder to contain outbreaks with current control measures, causing a significant burden to the healthcare system in Japan. This study aimed to demonstrate the clinical and economic burden of vancomycin-resistant E. faecium infections to the Japanese healthcare system and the impact of increasing rates of vancomycin resistance. A de novo deterministic analytic model was developed to assess the health economic outcomes of treating hospital-acquired VRE infections; patients are treated according to a two-line treatment strategy, dependent on their resistance status. The model considers hospitalisation costs and the additional cost of infection control. Scenarios investigated the current burden of VRE infections and the additional burden of increased incidence of VRE. Outcomes were assessed over a 1-year and 10-year time horizon from a healthcare payer's perspective in a Japanese setting. Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were valued with a willingness-to-pay threshold of ¥5,000,000 ($38,023), and costs and benefits were discounted at a rate of 2%. Current VRE incidence levels in enterococcal infections in Japan equates to ¥130,209,933,636 ($996,204,669) in associated costs and a loss of 185,361 life years (LYs) and 165,934 QALYs over 10 years. A three-fold increase (1.83%) is associated with an additional ¥4,745,059,504 ($36,084,651) in total costs on top of the current cost burden as well as an additional loss of 683 LYs over a lifetime, corresponding to 616 QALYs lost. Despite low incidence rates, VRE infections already represent a substantial economic burden to the Japanese healthcare system. The substantial increase in costs associated with a higher incidence of VRE infections could result in a significant economic challenge for Japan.

Epidemiology of skin cancer based on Japan's National Cancer Registry 2016-2017.

Skin cancer is most frequently diagnosed in the White population. However, its subtypes and epidemiology in Japan are understudied. We aimed to elucidate skin cancer incidence in Japan based on the National Cancer Registry, a new nationwide integrated population-based registry. Data from patients diagnosed with skin cancer in 2016 and 2017 were extracted and classified by cancer subtypes. Data were analyzed using the World Health Organization and General Rules tumor classifications. Tumor incidence was calculated as the number of new cases divided by the corresponding total person-years. Overall, 67,867 patients with skin cancer were included. The percentage of each subtype was as follows: basal cell carcinoma, 37.2%; squamous cell carcinoma, 43.9% (18.3% of which, in situ); malignant melanoma, 7.2% (22.1% of which, in situ); extramammary Paget's disease, 3.1% (24.9% of which, in situ); adnexal carcinoma, 2.9%; dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, 0.9%; Merkel cell carcinoma, 0.6%; angiosarcoma, 0.5%; and hematologic malignancies, 3.8%. The overall age-adjusted incidence of skin cancer was 27.89 for the Japanese population model and 9.28 for the World Health Organization (WHO) model. The incidences of basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma were the highest (3.63 and 3.40 per 100,000 persons, respectively, in the WHO model) among skin cancers, whereas the incidences of angiosarcoma and Merkel cell carcinoma were the lowest (0.026 and 0.038 per 100,000 persons, respectively, in the WHO model). This is the first report to provide comprehensive information on the epidemiological status of skin cancers in Japan using population-based NCR data.

Association between frequency of breakfast intake before and during pregnancy and infant birth weight: the Tohoku Medical Megabank Project Birth and Three-Generation Cohort Study

BackgroundLow birth weight is associated with an increased risk of developing chronic diseases in adulthood, with a particularly high incidence in Japan among developed countries. Maternal undernutrition is a risk factor for low birth weight, but the association between the timing of food intake and infant birth weight has not been investigated. This study aimed to examine the association between breakfast intake frequency among Japanese pregnant women and infant birth weight.MethodsOf all pregnant women who participated in the Tohoku Medical Megabank Project Three Generation Cohort Study, 16,820 who answered the required questions were included in the analysis. The frequency of breakfast intake from pre- to early pregnancy and from early to mid-pregnancy was classified into four groups: every day and 5–6, 3–4, and 0–2 times/week. Multivariate linear regression models were constructed to examine the association between breakfast intake frequency among pregnant women and infant birth weight.ResultsThe percentage of pregnant women who consumed breakfast daily was 74% in the pre- to early pregnancy period and 79% in the early to mid-pregnancy period. The average infant birth weight was 3,071 g. Compared to women who had breakfast daily from pre- to early pregnancy, those who had breakfast 0–2 times/week had lower infant birth weight (β = -38.2, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -56.5, -20.0). Similarly, compared to women who had breakfast daily from early to mid-pregnancy, those who had breakfast 0–2 times/week had lower infant birth weight (β = -41.5, 95% CI: -63.3, -19.6).ConclusionsLess frequent breakfast intake before and mid-pregnancy was associated with lower infant birth weight.

Long-term trends of pediatric type 1 diabetes incidence in Japan before and after the COVID-19 pandemic

Type 1 diabetes incidence has increased worldwide, although the long-term trends on pediatric type 1 diabetes in Japan remain elusive. To investigate the incidence and secular trend of pediatric type 1 diabetes from 1999 to 2021, including the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic years, in Oita Prefecture, Japan. We investigated the number of newly diagnosed patients with type 1 diabetes aged < 15 years from 1999 to 2021. We surveyed hospital databases in Oita Prefecture in Japan. The type 1 diabetes incidence in children aged < 15 years increased annually by 5.3% among all children, especially in boys aged 10–14 years by 8.1%, over the past 23 years. The average incidence rate of 3.9/100,000/year was nearly consistent with the previous reports on Asian countries. No significant change was found in the increasing incidence trend of type 1 diabetes before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The incidence of pediatric type 1 diabetes has significantly increased over the past 23 years in Oita Prefecture, Japan, which is consistent with the worldwide trend.

Abstract 4244: Black soybean seed coat extract suppress intestinal tumorigenesis in APCmin mice

Abstract Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of cancer-related deaths in Japan and worldwide. Since CRC has been reported to have close relationship with diet, it seems significant to identify dietary constituents that might suppress occurrence of CRC. Recently, an epidemiological investigation for cancer incidence in Japan revealed that consumptions of black soybeans seem to reduce incidence of several cancers, especially colorectal cancer. Black soybeans coat extract (BE) is known to contain rich procyanidins which have many beneficial physiological activities such as anticancer effects. Therefore, we hypothesized that BE may have inhibitory effects to intestinal tumorigenesis and investigated using APCmin/+ mice models. Materials and Methods: APCmin/+ male mice in the C57BL/6 genetic background were obtained from Jackson Laboratories. APCmin/+ genotypes of each mouse were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction analysis (PCR) using DNA extracted from the tip of mouse tails. Mice were weighed weekly once and monitored regularly for any signs of weight loss. APC min/+ mice at 4 weeks of age were randomly divided into three groups with 5 mice, and fed by either AIN-76A diet, AIN-76A diet containing 0.05% or 0.05% BE for 8 weeks. At 12 weeks of age, intestines were removed from each mouse and then sliced longitudinally. The small intestine was cut into three equally parts: proximal, middle, and distal. Numbers and sizes of intestinal polyps in each portion were evaluated under Video-Zoom-microscope XV-440. Intestinal polyps were categorized by size into 1-2 mm, 2-3 mm and &amp;gt;3 mm. Other parts of the intestines were placed in 10% phosphate-buffered formalin for histopathology and immunohistochemical (PCNA, β-catenin, and MUC2) analyses. Results: Numbers of polyps in mice fed with containing 0.05% or 0.5% BE diet were significantly smaller than in mice fed without BE (P &amp;lt; 0.05). As for size of polyps, the number of polyps of 1 to 3 mm in size was decreased in mice with BE, however, there were no significant difference for numbers of polyps more than 3 mm in size regarding diets with or without BE. With 0.05% BE diet, reduction rates for occurrence of polyps were 81% for proximal, 48% for middle, and 47% for distal positions, while in with 0.5% BE diet, those reduction rates were 71% for proximal, 59% for middle, and 58% for distal positions, respectively. From these results, the BE, either 0.05% or 0.05% concentration, showed inhibitory effects for tumorigeneses in the small intestine of APC min/+ mice. In histological analyses, the BE was induced higher expression of MUC2-positive cells in normal intestinal lesions and lower expression of β-catenin in tumor sites Conclusions: The BE showed inhibitory effects in occurrence and growth of intestinal polyps in APCmin/+ mice models. With further evaluation of mechanisms, the BE could be a promising nutrition for prevention of CRC in human. Citation Format: Yasuyuki Shimizu, Shunta Hirano, Yoko Yamashita, Tsuyoshi Fukumoto, Naritoshi Mukumoto, Ai Nakaoka, Namiko Hoshi, Takeaki Ishihara, Daisuke Miyawaki, Ashida Hitoshi, Ryohei Sasaki. Black soybean seed coat extract suppress intestinal tumorigenesis in APCmin mice. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 4244.

Assessment of Abuses of Children with Disabilities in Japanese Nursery Schools by Municipality

Introduction: Many children with disabilities and latent characteristics are cared for in nursery schools (daycare centres). Paediatricians commissioned by nursery schools in our previous survey proved the occurrence of disabled children abused in schools. As the parents of the alleged victims were likely to contact the municipality, a survey of the municipalities managing childcare was requested.&#x0D; Methods: The target group was local authorities' childcare service management departments (public authorities). Questionnaires were sent twice to 1,742 municipalities from late 2012 to the fiscal year (FY) 2014. Incidents were collected by inquiring about implementing preventive measures and reasonable accommodations.&#x0D; Results: The number of municipalities that responded was 490 and 595, respectively, and 38 and 7 municipalities received complaints from parents that instructors had abused their children with disabilities. Based on the number of reports, the incidence of abuse in nursery schools in 2014 was estimated to be 0.0077% (95% CI: 0.0059–0.0094) and 0.0208% (0.0073–0.0344) for children with disabilities. In the 2014-2015 research periods, more teachers and staff were made aware of the consultation service as a preventive measure, and more emphasis was placed on the informed consent of parents as a reasonable accommodation. Regional characteristics, classified by the percentage of children, influenced the implementation of some measures.&#x0D; Conclusion: The incidence in Japan was estimated to be lower than in other countries.