Kochi Prefecture Research Articles

Prospective Multicenter Screening With High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin T for Wild-Type Transthyretin Cardiac Amyloidosis in Outpatient and Community-Based Settings.

High-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) was proposed as a simple and useful diagnostic tool for cardiac amyloidosis (CA). We performed exploratory systemic screening using hs-cTnT to detect wild-type transthyretin CA (ATTRwt-CA) in outpatient and community-based settings. This study was a prospective multicenter study including 8 internal medicine clinics in Kochi Prefecture, Japan. Consecutive individuals aged ≥70 years who visited those clinics as outpatients were enrolled. Patients with a prior diagnosis of CA or a history of heart failure hospitalization were excluded. We measured hs-cTnT levels in the enrolled individuals at each clinic, and those with elevated hs-cTnT levels (≥0.03ng/mL) received further detailed examination, including remeasurement of hs-cTnT. The diagnosis of ATTRwt-CA was confirmed by biopsy-proven transthyretin. Of 1,141 individuals enrolled in the study, 55 (4.8%) had elevated hs-cTnT levels. Of the 33 patients who underwent further examination, 22 had elevated hs-cTnT levels at remeasurement. Finally, 2 men were diagnosed with ATTRwt-CA. The prevalence of ATTRwt-CA was 9.1% (2/22) among patients with elevated hs-cTnT levels at two examinations, and at least 0.18% (2/1,141) in the whole study population. Measurement of hs-cTnT will help to screen for patients with undiagnosed ATTRwt-CA in primary care practice.

Molecular detection of Babesia and Hepatozoon species and morphological characteristics of Babesia species in Japanese wild boars

We investigated intraerythrocytic Babesia parasites in 21 Japanese wild boars, Sus scrofa leucomystax, captured in Wakayama Prefecture on the mainland from 2008 to 2009 and in 31 Japanese wild boars from 2011 to 2013 in Kochi Prefecture on Shikoku Island, Japan. We detected small subunit ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) gene (SSUrDNA) fragments of a Babesia species in 17 boars from Wakayama and 18 boars from Kochi. The nearly full SSUrDNA sequence (1669 bps) of this species was determined. A FASTA search revealed that the SSUrDNA sequence of the Babesia sp. in Japanese wild boars was the most homologous to those of several Babesia isolates reported as Babesia gibsoni. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the Babesia sp. found in Japanese wild boars was the closest relative to B. gibsoni but made a different clade from B. gibsoni. The Babesia sp. in Japanese wild boars was completely different from Babesia sp. Suis found in a European domestic pig, Sus scrofa domesticus. By microscopic examination, ring-shaped, oval and pear-shaped small sized intraerythrocytic parasites were observed on blood smears of 12 of 18 Japanese wild boars whose blood smears could be examined in Wakayama. We also detected SSUrDNA fragments of a Hepatozoon species in 6 of the 21 wild boars from Wakayama. The nearly full SSUrDNA sequence (1774 bps) of the Hepatozoon sp. was shown to be identical to that of Hepatozoon apri.

Redescription of Taeniacanthus aulacocephali (Copepoda: Cyclopoida: Taeniacanthidae) parasitic on Uranoscopus japonicus Houttuyn (Uranoscopidae) from Pacific coast, Japan, with adaptation of the non-destructive DNA technique.

Taeniacanthus aulacocephali Izawa, 2021 (Copepoda: Cyclopoida: Taeniacanthidae) was redescribed from the branchial cavity and gill filaments of Uranoscopus japonicus Houttuyn (Perciformes: Uranoscopidae) collected from the Pacific coast of the Kochi and Wakayama prefectures, Japan. This is the second record of the copepod, and the finding from U. japonicus represents the new host record. The species is characterized by several distinguishing features: 1) a decrease in the width of the habitus between the second and fourth pedigerous segments; 2) the ratio of prosome/body length; 3) the presence of eight setae on the exopodal terminal segment of leg 2; 4) an un-bifurcated maxilliped claw surrounded by 14-28 transverse ridges; and 5) the presence of an inner coxal seta on legs 2 and 3. The newly collected specimens were subjected to a modified non-destructive DNA extraction method and morphological description based on the same copepod individual, while preserving a morphologically describable specimen. Sequences of 18S rDNA, 28S rDNA and the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 mitochondrial gene (cox1) were obtained.

Chronobioethics: Symphony of biological clocks observed by 7-day/24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and cardiovascular health

BackgroundThe high prevalence of desynchronized biological rhythms is becoming a primary public health concern. We assess complex and diverse inter-modulations among multi-frequency rhythms present in blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR). Subjectsand Methods: We performed 7-day/24-hour Ambulatory BP Monitoring in 220 (133 women) residents (23 to 74 years) of a rural Japanese town in Kochi Prefecture under everyday life conditions. ResultsA symphony of biological clocks contributes to the preservation of a synchronized circadian system. (1) Citizens with an average 12.02-h period had fewer vascular variability disorders than those with shorter (11.37-h) or longer (12.88-h) periods (P<0.05), suggesting that the circasemidian rhythm is potentially important for human health. (2) An appropriate BP-HR coupling promoted healthier circadian profiles than a phase-advanced BP: lower 7-day nighttime SBP (106.8 vs. 112.9 mmHg, P=0.0469), deeper nocturnal SBP dip (20.5% vs. 16.8%, P=0.0101), and less frequent incidence of masked non-dipping (0.53 vs. 0.86, P=0.0378), identifying the night as an important time window. ConclusionAdaptation to irregular schedules in everyday life occurs unconsciously at night, probably initiated from the brain default mode network, in coordination with the biological clock system, including a reinforced about 12-hour clock, as “a biological clock-guided core integration system”.

전라남도와 고치현의 26년간의 행정 기록 - 한일 지방 정부 간의 선린 교류 사례 연구 -

전라남도와 고치현의 26년간의 행정 기록 - 한일 지방 정부 간의 선린 교류 사례 연구 -

Evaluation of Environmental Factor Effects on the Polyphenol and Flavonoid Content in the Leaves of Chrysanthemum indicum L. and Its Habitat Suitability Prediction Mapping.

The leaves of Chrysanthemum indicum L. are known to have various bioactive compounds; however, industrial use is extremely limited. To overcome this situation by producing high-quality leaves with high bioactive content, this study examined the environmental factors affecting the phytochemical content and antioxidant activity using C. indicum leaves collected from 22 sites in Kochi Prefecture, Japan. Total phenolic and flavonoid content in the dry leaves ranged between 15.0 and 64.1 (mg gallic acid g-1) and 2.3 and 11.4 (mg quercetin g-1), while the antioxidant activity (EC50) of the 50% ethanol extracts ranged between 28.0 and 123.2 (µg mL-1) in 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay. Among the identified compounds, chlorogenic acid and 1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid were the main constituents in C. indicum leaves. The antioxidant activity demonstrated a positive correlation with 1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (R2 = 0.62) and 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (R2 = 0.77). The content of chlorogenic acid and dicaffeoylquinic acid isomers varied significantly according to the effects of exchangeable magnesium, cation exchange capacity, annual temperature, and precipitation, based on analysis of variance. The habitat suitability map using the geographical information system and the MaxEnt model predicted very high and high regions, comprising 3.2% and 10.1% of the total area, respectively. These findings could be used in future cultivation to produce high-quality leaves of C. indicum.

Emergency transportation for acute alcohol intoxication four years after the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: a retrospective observational study.

In a study conducted in Kochi Prefecture, Shikoku, Japan, during the early stages of the pandemic in spring 2020, we found that emergency transportations due to acute alcohol intoxication decreased. We aimed to determine how the decline in the number of emergency transportations due to acute alcohol intoxication changed during the four years following the COVID-19 pandemic's onset. This study used data of 107,013 emergency transportations from the Kochi-Iryo-Net database, Kochi Prefecture's emergency medical and wide-area disaster information system. We categorized emergency transportation cases according to the diagnoses entered into the system by the attending physician, which were then divided into alcohol- and non-alcohol-related intoxication cases based on the diagnostic codes in the International Classification of Diseases Manual, 10th edition, Clinical Modification. We performed chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression to examine the association between emergency transportations and acute alcohol intoxication. The number of emergency transportations due to acute alcohol intoxication was 412 (1.8%) in 2019, and it declined to 268 (1.4%), 248 (1.2%), 270 (1.2%), and 283 (1.3%) in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, respectively. After adjusting for confounding factors such as fire department and age, a significant decrease was observed in the subsequent years compared with 2019 (2020: adjusted odds ratio, 0.79; 95% confidence interval, 0.68-0.93; 2021: adjusted odds ratio, 0.74; 95% confidence interval, 0.63-0.87; 2022: adjusted odds ratio, 0.73; 95% confidence interval, 0.62-0.85; 2023: adjusted odds ratio, 0.76; 95% confidence interval, 0.65-0.89). This study examined changes in emergency transportation due to acute alcohol intoxication during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, especially when social events and other activities returned to "normal." Compared with 2021, which was when emergency transportations due to acute alcohol intoxication were at their lowest, a slight increase was observed in the number of transportations in subsequent years.

PMEL p.L18del associates with beef quality of Kumamoto sub-breed of Japanese Brown cattle.

Japanese Brown cattle is the second most popular breed among Wagyu breeds and raised mainly in Kumamoto and Kochi Prefectures. Typical coat color of the Kumamoto sub-breed is solid brown, but individuals with diluted coat color are sometimes born. We previously detected four SNPs in PMEL gene and identified p.L18del as the causative polymorphism of this diluted phenotype. The current study examined the association between the SNPs in PMEL gene and carcass traits of the Kumamoto sub-breed. Our association analysis revealed that p.L18del had significant effects on BMS (p = 0.0263), meat brightness (p = 0.0179), meat firmness (p = 0.0102), and meat texture (p = 0.0252) and that del allele of this SNP might be useful to improve these carcass traits.

The Efforts and Trends of Breast Awareness in Kochi Prefecture and Yamakawa Breast Clinic and The Role of Japan Association of Breast Cancer Screening and Local Community Towards Promotion and Enlightenment

The Efforts and Trends of Breast Awareness in Kochi Prefecture and Yamakawa Breast Clinic and The Role of Japan Association of Breast Cancer Screening and Local Community Towards Promotion and Enlightenment

Integrated tsunami risk framework considering agent-based evacuation modelling: The case of Saga, Kochi Prefecture, Japan

This study develops an integrated tsunami risk framework combining stochastic tsunami hazard and agent-based evacuation modelling. The framework is applied to the case of Saga, Kochi, Japan, with a population of ∼ 2,200 anticipated to experience significant tsunami events (∼ M9.0). First, stochastic earthquake source models are generated for two values of magnitudes (M8.8 and M9.0) and used to carry out stochastic tsunami inundation simulations. Agent-based tsunami evacuation modelling using MATSim is then performed by considering four mode scenarios: single mode (pedestrian and car) and two multimodal scenarios (mix of car and pedestrian). The stochastic tsunami simulations and agent-based evacuation modelling results are integrated to estimate the risk. The effect of existing tsunami evacuation points and tsunami evacuation towers on risk reduction is also assessed. Such an integration framework is finally used to recommend tsunami mitigation strategies in the tsunami-prone regions. Results show that a significant tsunami hazard (i.e., tsunami depth up to 15 m) is expected in the Saga district, with an arrival time between 5 and 30 min. In addition, the evacuation points on higher grounds effectively save local residents' lives, as shown by the small number of affected people, specifically for the pedestrian and multimodal models (i.e. 10-100 people, excluding the car model). However, up to ∼ 1,000 people may get affected if car is the sole mode of evacuation. Therefore, the coastal community is recommended to evacuate on foot. Finally, identifying and securing sufficient higher grounds and vertical evacuation points are essential for risk reduction.

Molecular phylogeny and taxonomy of Hosta (Asparagaceae) on Shikoku Island, Japan, including five new species, one new subspecies, and two new status assignments.

Japan has 16 native species of the genus Hosta Tratt. (Asparagaceae). A recent study on Hosta based on field surveys and molecular phylogenetic analyses resulted in the discovery of six unknown taxa in Kochi Prefecture, Shikoku Island, southwestern Japan. We aimed to identify these unknown taxa. Therefore, we constructed a finely resolved phylogeny for 320 Hosta samples collected from the Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu Islands using multiplex inter-simple sequence repeat genotyping by sequencing (MIG-seq). Based on this phylogenetic analysis and related morphological observations, we describe five new species, H.longipedicellatasp. nov., H.minazukiflorasp. nov., H.polyneuronoidessp. nov., H.samukazemontanasp. nov., and H.takiminazukiflorasp. nov. and one new subspecies, H.takiminazukiflorasubsp.grandissubsp. nov. In addition, we propose two new status assignments, H.tardivasubsp.densinerviacomb. and stat. nov. and H.scabrinerviastat. nov. We also propose classifying H.kikutiivar.tosana as a species, H.tosana. Further studies that combine MIG-seq with careful morphological observations are needed for Hosta plants on all Japanese islands, which may result in the discovery of even more undescribed species.

The &lt;i&gt;Miharaishi&lt;/i&gt; slate in Kochi Prefecture, Japan: Geological features of the source rock for Tosa-suzuri inkstone of Gendani

The &lt;i&gt;Miharaishi&lt;/i&gt; slate in Kochi Prefecture, Japan: Geological features of the source rock for Tosa-suzuri inkstone of Gendani

Real-time tsunami forecasting system with nonlinear effects using Green’s functions: application to near-shore tsunami behavior in complex bay topography

ABSTRACT In this study, a real-time tsunami estimation method was developed using the linear superposition of Green’s functions, which account for nonlinear tsunami effects around coastal areas. To this end, first, the nonlinear effects associated with the inundation and bottom friction and advection terms in a nonlinear long-wave model were investigated, focusing on large tsunamis around Urado Bay in Kochi Prefecture, Japan, which is at risk of future damage from tsunamis produced by the Nankai Trough earthquake. The results indicate that the effects of advection play a more significant role than those of the inundation and bottom friction in terms of accurately estimating near-shore tsunami propagation. Then, based on these results, Green’s functions were modified to account for the linearly approximated effects of the advection terms. By applying the developed method to tsunamis around Urado Bay, it was demonstrated that accurate estimations of the water surface level and flow velocity changes could be quickly obtained at any location around the bay. The developed method can be applied to real-time tsunami inundation forecasting and off-shore evacuation simulations of vessels to support optimal evacuation decisions.

The role of social initiatives in developing front-line employees’ capabilities in the service industry: the case of a delivery company.

The response of businesses to address social issues has gone beyond the scope of traditional corporate social responsibility activities. They now include a more strategic focus on initiatives that incorporate the core business operations of the firms into solving social issues. This is perhaps coupled with heeding to Porter and Kramer's 2011 call for firms to focus on "creating a shared value." Subsequently, this new approach has attracted researchers to investigate what impacts this approach has on companies and their employees. Empirical studies have linked a firm’s social initiative involvement to employee-level impacts such as motivation, retention, and identity, but its relation to employee capabilities, including skills and knowledge, has not been sufficiently investigated. Ultimately, employees’ overall performance depends largely on their capabilities. Through the lens of knowledge creation theory, this study investigates the relationship between a firm's concerted involvement in social initiatives and its employee capabilities at a Japanese package delivery company by examining the case of Yamato Transport Company's delivery drivers in rural Japan. The case study was conducted at Otoyo Town in Kochi Prefecture, where a social initiative project to provide shopping support and watch-over service for elderly people has been ongoing since 2012. Data was collected primarily through project site visits, and interviews with project stakeholders, who included Yamato branch managers, delivery drivers, and local authorities involved in the initiative. Information available in the company’s newsletters, annual reports, and other publicly available sources was also analyzed. Results found that social initiatives can serve as a knowledge-creation context for frontline employees as they create the opportunity for employees to socialize with customers and project partners in a collaborative manner. This rare opportunity helps employees improve on-the-job skills and other tacit capabilities such as empathy, reliability, and communication. Finally, frameworks showing the relationship, impact, and performance of social initiative involvement for a firm and its employees are presented.&#x0D; &#x0D;

HIV-1 Integrase Inhibitor, Dihydroobionin B, and the Investigation of Its Extraordinary Specific Rotation.

Dihydroobionin B (1), a chiral congener of known obionin B, was isolated from Pseudocoleophoma sp. KT4119, a freshwater fungus collected from a submerged wood block in Kochi Prefecture, Japan, in 2020. The planar structure of 1 was characterized by mass and NMR spectral analysis and confirmed by density functional theory (DFT)-based chemical shift calculations. Its absolute structure was determined by electronic circular dichroism spectral analysis. Notably, 1 exhibited an extraordinarily large specific rotation [[α]20D +1080 (c 0.056, CHCl3)], which was verified by DFT-based specific rotation calculations. However, these calculations indicated that the sign of the specific rotation based on static analysis was insufficient to determine the absolute configuration in this case. Furthermore, Pseudocoleophoma KT4119 produced coleophomapyrones A (2) and B (3) and coleophomaldehyde A (4). While this is the first report of 2 isolated from a natural source, it has also been prepared previously using a synthetic approach. Compound 1 potently inhibited HIV type 1 integrase (IC50 = 0.44 μM) without significant cytotoxicity. Finally, docking experiments were conducted to propose a plausible mechanism for the behavior of 1.

Impact of areal socioeconomic status on prehospital delay of acute ischaemic stroke: retrospective cohort study from a prefecture-wide survey in Japan

ObjectivesTo examine whether the Areal Deprivation Index (ADI), an indicator of the socioeconomic status of the community the patient resides in, is associated with delayed arrival at the hospital and...

Evaluation of Everyday Living Areas for Deinstitutionalized Community-Living People with Mental Illness

Deinstitutionalization of psychiatric care has been associated with increased homelessness, crime, and suicide, partly owing to insufficient, adequate, and accessible community resources. Therefore, appropriate resource placement is a key deinstitutionalization issue. The study’s aim was to identify residential group homes for people with mental illness in Kochi Prefecture, Japan, and the social resources necessary for social reintegration using a geographic information system (GIS). Everyday living areas (ELAs), as defined by the Japanese Community-Based Integrated Care System for People with Mental Illness (CICSM), were assessed using ELA location simulations. We used GIS to determine the spatial distribution of group homes, visiting nursing stations, psychiatric hospitals, daycare centers, and employment support offices. Following the CICSM definition of ELAs, we identified areas that people with mental illness could reach within 30 min on foot/by bicycle and counted the number of social resources in them. The ELA location simulation results suggest that policymakers should avoid uniform distribution of ELAs according to the CICSM definition. Establishing ELAs in suburban areas requires careful consideration of the available community resources, number of people with mental illness, existing support systems, and feasibility of the location.

中山間地域における地域防災レジリエンス向上のための落石対策工に関する研究

For Japan, one of the world's leading “disaster-prone countries,” measures are required to reduce or prevent damage caused by disasters as much as possible to ensure the people's safe and secure lives. As a measure of that, developing a solid transportation infrastructure and a lifeline is indispensable. Against this background, this paper considers road-slanting surface countermeasures that assess the soundness of lifelines often constructed along roads, using the mountainous areas of Kochi Prefecture as a model. On that basis, we proposed a new "rock-fall countermeasure construction method" (from now on referred to as "ORN method") that is effective and highly versatile in preventing road slope collapse and rock-fall events. Specifically, we planned to increase the space between props so that it could be applied to valley-shaped slopes and to strengthen the potential absorbed energy by adding reinforcing ropes. In addition, the outline and design calculation results of this ORN construction method were presented, structural rationality was explained through the consequences of full-scale model experiments, and the effect of improving regional disaster prevention resilience by adopting the construction method was also mentioned

京都府の街路樹モミジバフウにおけるアカオビアザミウマの発生

The red-banded thrips Selenothrips rubrocinctus (Giard) was originally distributed throughout northern South America. This thrips attacks tropical fruits such as mango, cocoa, and guava in North America, Asia, and Central and South Africa. In Japan, it has been observed on mango and guava in Okinawa Prefecture, Amami-Oshima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture, the Ogasawara Islands in Tokyo Metropolis, and Kochi Prefecture; on Actinidia rufa in Miyazaki Prefecture; and on maple trees in Kyoto Prefecture. In late September 2022, damage caused by S. rubrocinctus was observed in sweet gum in Kyoto Prefecture, with gray or dark brown leaves. This is the first record of S. rubrocinctus occurring on sweet gum in Japan. The degree of damage to the leaves and the occurrence of adults and larvae of the thrips were investigated in sweet gum lining streets and road facilities in Kyoto Prefecture. Damage caused by the thrips to sweet gum was observed in areas south of Kameoka, and adults and larvae were detected in areas south of Nantan, Kyoto Prefecture.

Number of computed tomography scanners and regional disparities based on population and medical resources in Japan.

This study aimed to discover the associations between the number of computed tomography (CT) scanners and the population, as well as number of medical resources to identify regional disparities in Japan. The number of CT scanners was tabulated for each detector row of CT scanners for hospitals and clinics in each prefecture. The number of CT scanners, patients, medical doctors, radiological technologists, facilities, and beds per 100,000 population was compared. Additionally, the number of hospitals with ≥ 200 beds and multidetector-row CT scanners with ≥ 64 rows were tabulated, and their ratios were calculated. Medical institutions in Japan have installed 14,595 scanners. CT scanners per 100,000 population were the highest in Kochi Prefecture, although the number of CT scanners in hospitals was the highest in Tokyo Prefecture. Multivariate analysis revealed the number of radiological technologists (β coefficient: 0.49; P = 0.03), facilities (β coefficient: 0.12; P < 0.01) and beds (β coefficient: 0.46; P < 0.01) as independent factors for the number of CT scanners. Prefectures with a high proportion of hospitals with ≥ 200 beds also had a relatively high proportion of CT scanners with ≥ 64 rows (P < 0.01). Our survey revealed an association between regional disparities in the number of CT scanners in Japan, the population, and number of medical resources. A positive correlation was found between hospital size and number of CT scanners with ≥ 64 rows.