Kusatsu City Research Articles

Low-density lipoprotein particle profiles compared with standard lipids measurements in the association with asymptomatic intracranial artery stenosis

The Shiga Epidemiological Study of Subclinical Atherosclerosis was conducted in Kusatsu City, Shiga, Japan, from 2006 to 2008. Participants were measured for LDL-p through nuclear magnetic resonance technology. 740 men participated in follow-up and underwent 1.5 T brain magnetic resonance angiography from 2012 to 2015. Participants were categorized as no-ICAS, and ICAS consisted of mild-ICAS (1 to < 50%) and severe-ICAS (≥ 50%) in any of the arteries examined. After exclusion criteria, 711 men left for analysis, we used multiple logistic regression to examine the association between lipid profiles and ICAS prevalence. Among the study participants, 205 individuals (28.8%) had ICAS, while 144 individuals (20.3%) demonstrated discordance between LDL-c and LDL-p levels. The discordance “low LDL-c–high LDL-p” group had the highest ICAS risk with an adjusted OR (95% CI) of 2.78 (1.55–5.00) in the reference of the concordance “low LDL-c–low LDL-p” group. This was followed by the concordance “high LDL-c–high LDL-p” group of 2.56 (1.69–3.85) and the discordance “high LDL-c–low LDL-p” group of 2.40 (1.29–4.46). These findings suggest that evaluating LDL-p levels alongside LDL-c may aid in identifying adults at a higher risk for ICAS.

Quantification of microplastic by particle size down to 1.1 μm in surface road dust in an urban city, Japan

The impact of microplastics (MPs, plastic particles ≤5 mm) on ecosystems is of great concern. Road surfaces represent a significant source of MPs where plastic fragments are physically and chemically reduced to MPs. However, the literature lacks information on fragmentation tendencies below 11 μm. This study aimed to characterize the occurrence of MPs in road dust in different size fractions down to 1.1 μm. Road dust was collected at five sites near a major road in Kusatsu city, Japan, and partitioned by size into 13 fractions (1.1–850 μm). The coarser fractions accounted for a greater proportion of the dust. The percentage of organic matter, determined by loss on ignition, increased as the fractions became finer. Pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to quantify 12 types of polymers in each fraction. The dust was found to contain nine types of MP, namely, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinylchloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), styrene/butadiene rubber (SBR), acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene resin (ABS), polycarbonate (PC), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), and polyamide 66 (PA66). The total MP concentration in road dust particles by particle size fraction (concentrationf) began to increase from the 125–250 μm fraction and remained elevated in finer fractions down to 1.1 μm, indicating that MPs in the road dust micronized to at least 1.1 μm. However, for individual polymer types, the tendency for concentrationf to increase or decrease with particle size fraction varied: the concentrationf of some polymers, such as PE and PVC, remained elevated in fractions down to 1.1 μm; the concentrationf of SBR, a rubber-MP, showed a stable or decreasing trend in fractions of 7.0–11 μm and finer. Particles of PE, PVC, and some other plastics might become increasingly finer, even down to 1.1 μm. Further research is needed to understand the comminution limits of these polymers under pertinent environmental conditions.

Population‑based prostate‑specific antigen screening for prostate cancer may have an indirect effect on early detection through opportunistic testing in Kusatsu City, Shiga, Japan.

Prostate cancer is the most common genitourinary cancer in men. Population-based serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing is used to screen men for the early detection of asymptomatic prostate cancer. The present study compared the features of patients with prostate cancer in Kusatsu City, the only municipality in Shiga Prefecture of Japan to implement organized PSA screening, with those in other municipalities. The target population for organized PSA screening by mail invitation was men ≥50 years. Patients were pathologically diagnosed via prostate biopsy because of elevated serum PSA. This multicenter observational study was subsequently conducted in 14 hospitals. The following information was extracted from patient records: age, reason for PSA testing, initial PSA level, Gleason score, clinical stage, and place of residence. Risk classification was defined as low, intermediate, high, and advanced. Each patient was stratified according to their city/town. A total of 984 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer in Shiga in 2012 and 2017 were analyzed, of which 955 (97%) were opportunistically tested, with the remaining 29 (3%) assessed by organized screening. In Kusatsu, 93 patients were diagnosed, of whom 26 (28%) were detected by organized screening. By contrast, only three of 891 patients (0.3%) were detected by organized screening in other municipalities. Of patients in Kusatsu, cases identified by opportunistic testing had a higher initial PSA value (P=0.010) than those identified by organized screening. However, patients detected through opportunistic testing in Kusatsu City were younger (P=0.034), had a lower PSA value (P=0.001), and improved risk classification (P<0.001) than those in other municipalities. It was concluded that more patients were diagnosed with early-stage cancer by organized PSA screening. Furthermore, population-based PSA screening in Kusatsu City may have indirectly affected early detection, even by opportunistic testing.

Differential Association of Serum n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids with Various Cerebrovascular Lesions in Japanese Men

Background: An association between a high intake of marine-derived n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) with a lower risk of coronary heart disease was previously reported. However, the association between n-3 PUFAs and cerebrovascular lesions remains unclear. We evaluated this association in a general-population-based sample of Japanese men. Methods: Participants were community-dwelling men (40–79 years old) living in Kusatsu City, Shiga, Japan. Serum concentrations of n-3 PUFAs, defined as the sum of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, were measured via gas-liquid chromatography between 2006 and 2008. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to assess cerebrovascular lesions (including intracerebral large-artery stenosis, lacunar infarction, and microbleeds) and white matter lesions between 2012 and 2015. Logistic regression adjusting for conventional cardiovascular risk factors was used to estimate the odds ratio of prevalent cerebrovascular lesions per 1 standard deviation higher serum concentration of n-3 PUFAs. Results: Of a total of 739 men, the numbers (crude prevalence in %) of prevalent cerebral large-artery stenoses, lacunar infarctions, microbleeds, and white matter lesions were 222 (30.0), 162 (21.9), 103 (13.9), and 164 (22.2), respectively. A 1 standard deviation higher concentration of n-3 PUFAs (30.5 μmol/L) was independently associated with lower odds of cerebral large-artery stenosis (multivariable-adjusted odds ratio, 0.80; 95% confidential interval, 0.67–0.97). There were no significant associations of n-3 PUFAs with the other types of lesions. Conclusions: n-3 PUFAs may have protective effects against large-artery stenosis, but not small vessel lesions, in the brain.

Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and Plaque in Apparently Healthy Japanese Individuals with an Estimated 10-Year Absolute Risk of CAD Death According to the Japan Atherosclerosis Society (JAS) Guidelines 2012: The Shiga Epidemiological Study of Subclinical Atherosclerosis (SESSA).

Aim To examine whether subclinical atherosclerosis of the carotid arteries is concordant with the categories in the 2012 atherosclerosis prevention guidelines proposed by the Japan Atherosclerosis Society (JAS guidelines 2012), which adopted the estimated 10-year absolute risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) death in the NIPPON DATA80 Risk Assessment Chart. Methods Between 2006 and 2008, 868 Japanese men 40 to 74 years of age without a history of cardiovascular disease were randomly selected from Kusatsu City, Japan. The intima media thickness (IMT) and plaque number from the common to internal carotid arteries were investigated using ultrasonography. The absolute risk of CAD death was estimated based on the individual risk factor data, and the mean IMT and plaque number in Categories Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ of the guidelines were examined. Results The estimated 10-year absolute risk of CAD was directly related to the IMT (mean IMT (mean ± SD) (mm) for a 10-year absolute risk of ≥ 2.0% and ≥ 5.0%: 0.88 ± 0.18 and 0.95 ± 0.19, respectively) and the plaque number. These results are compatible with the categories described by the guidelines (mean IMT (mean ± SD) (mm) for Categories Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅲ: 0.70 ± 0.11, 0.81 ± 0.16 and 0.88 ± 0.18, respectively; mean plaque number: 0.9, 2.1 and 3, respectively). These findings were similar for Category Ⅲ participants with or without DM and CKD. Conclusions Subclinical atherosclerosis of the carotid arteries is concordant with the 10-year absolute risk of CAD and the categories in the JAS guidelines 2012.

Intracranial Artery Stenosis and Its Association With Conventional Risk Factors in a General Population of Japanese Men.

Background and Purpose- Few community-based studies have reported the prevalence of intracranial artery stenosis (ICAS) assessed with magnetic resonance angiography. The aim was to determine the prevalence of ICAS using magnetic resonance angiography in a general population of Japanese men and to investigate the associations between ICAS and conventional cardiovascular risk factors. Methods- The Shiga Epidemiological Study of Subclinical Atherosclerosis randomly recruited and examined participants from Kusatsu City, Shiga, Japan, in 2006 to 2008 (baseline); 740 men returned for follow-up and underwent 1.5 T brain magnetic resonance angiography in 2012 to 2015. Participants were categorized as having no-ICAS, mild-ICAS (1 to <50%), or severe-ICAS (≥50%) in any of the arteries examined. After excluding the men with a history of stroke, 709 men were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression to assess independent associations of conventional cardiovascular risk factors with reference to the no-ICAS group. Results- The participants' mean age was 68.0 years. The age-standardized prevalences of mild and severe-ICAS were 20.7% and 4.5%, respectively (with the population of the 2010 Japanese vital statistics as the reference). Age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia were associated with a higher prevalence of severe-ICAS after simultaneous adjustment for conventional cardiovascular risk factors. Conclusions- In a community-based sample of Japanese men, ICAS was estimated to be present in 25.2%, and related to metabolic risk factors, in addition to hypertension and age. These results support the importance of comprehensive management of conventional cardiovascular risk factors for stroke prevention.

Impact of average photon energy on spectral gain and loss of various-type PV technologies at different locations

Spectral grain and loss (spectral gain&loss) of several-type PV technologies (amorphous silicon (a-Si), perovskite (perov), CdTe, CuInSe2 (CIS), multi-crystalline silicon (mc-Si), single-crystalline silicon back-contact (BC), single-crystalline silicon (sc-Si), and heterostructure-with-intrinsic-thin-layer (HIT)) was investigated in different places (Kusatsu city, Tsukuba city, and Miyazaki city in Japan) in a year. Spectral gain&loss is defined as a ratio of short-circuit current (ISC) corrected by solar irradiance (Irr) for PV module at an average photon energy (APE) to its ISC under standard test condition. The blue-rich spectra with APE over 1.88 eV yield spectral gain (spectral gain&loss over 1) for CdTe, perov, and a-Si PV technologies owing to large band-gap energy (Eg) values of 1.47, 1.60, and 1.80 eV, respectively. On the other hand, red-rich spectra with APE below 1.88 eV lead to spectral gain for CIS, mc-Si, BC, sc-Si, and HIT PV technologies with smaller Eg values of 1.21, 1.13, 1.17, 1.16, and 1.09 eV, respectively. Moreover, since average APE values in Kusatsu city, Tsukuba city, and Miyazaki city are 1.931, 1.900, and 1.899 eV, respectively, a-Si, perov, and CdTe PV technologies are suitable in term of spectral response. The spectral gain&loss of PV modules compared with sc-Si PV module is moreover discussed.

Abstract P382: Association of Passive Smoking Status to Endothelial Vascular Function Among General Japanese Women

Objective: Passive smoking was reported to impair endothelial vascular function in an acute phase. However, studies regarding the vascular effect of passive smoking status among general population are still scarce. We investigated the association of passive smoking status to endothelial vascular function among general Japanese women. Methods: Study participants were 243 Japanese women who had never smoked, and aged 69 to 85 years randomly selected from Kusatsu City, Japan. Using self-administered questionnaire, passive smoking status and passive smoking hour per week at recent 1 year and those of 20 years ago were obtained. They were classified into 4 groups (never, past, current; &lt;2 hours/week, ≥2 hours/week). Endothelial vascular function was assessed with reactive hyperemia index (RHI) using Endo-PAT2000 (itamar-medical). RHI ≤1.67 were defined as low RHI. Age adjusted means of RHI according to passive smoking status was estimated. Simple liner regression analysis tested the association between RHI and traditional atherosclerotic risk factors such as age, body mass index (BMI), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, lipids, fasting blood glucose and hemoglobin A1c. Age and multivariable adjusted odd’s ratios and 95% confidence intervals (OR, 95%CI) of passive smoking status for low RHI were estimated using logistic regression. Variables which showed statistical significant association to RHI in simple liner regression were adjusted. Results: Distribution of passive smoking status was; never 42.4%, past 42.0%, current &lt;2 hours/week 6.5%, ≥2 hours/week 9.1%. Low RHI was confirmed in 41.2% of study participants. Age adjusted means of RHI did not differ significantly by smoking status (Age adjusted mean ± SD of RHI; never 1.94 ± 0.06, past 1.88 ± 0.06, current &lt;2 hours/week 1.85 ± 0.15, ≥2 hours/week 2.15 ± 0.13, p=0.270). In simple liner regression analysis, BMI, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate and fasting glucose showed statistical significant association to RHI, and these variables were adjusted in multivariable adjusted logistic regression model. In logistic regression analyses, significant association of passive smoking status to low RHI was not confirmed [Age adjusted OR (95%CI); never (reference), past 1.00 (0.57-1.75), current &lt;2 hours/week 1.45 (0.50-4.23), ≥2 hours/week 0.66 (0.25-1.76), multivariable adjusted OR (95%CI); never (reference), past 1.02 (0.57-1.82), current &lt;2 hours/week 1.72 (0.57-5.21), ≥2 hours/week 0.61 (0.22-1.73)]. Conclusion: Passive smoking status was not associated to endothelial vascular function assessed with RHI among general Japanese women. Further investigation is still required.

The Ratio of Liver to Spleen (L/S Ratio) for CT Attenuation Value Is Associated with the Onset of Diabetes Mellitus in a Community-Based Sample of Japanese Men—The Shiga Epidemiological Study of Subclinical Atherosclerosis (SESSA)

Background and Aim: Fatty liver is reported to be associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Most of the previous studies are cross-sectional and liver fat was evaluated using ultrasound echography or plasma levels of liver enzyme. We assessed liver fat content in a semi-quantitative method using computed tomographic (CT) images and verified the hypothesis that the L/S ratio for CT attenuation value was associated with the onset of diabetes in longitudinal observational cohort study of Japanese men. Methods: Participants were randomly selected men from Kusatsu City, Japan. We analyzed 622 participants (63.5±9.9 years) without diabetes at baseline. We calculated odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of the presence of fatty liver (defined by L/S ratio&amp;lt;1.0) and per 1 standard deviation (SD) decrease in L/S ratio for the development of diabetes, using logistic regression model. Adjustments were age, family history of diabetes, smoking pack year, alcohol consumption, step count and BMI. We added stratified analysis at BMI 25 kg/m². Diabetes was diagnosed as follows; HbA1c ≥6.5% or fasting plasma glucose ≥126 mg/dL or taking diabetes medication. Results: During 5.1±1.4 years of follow-up period, 36 participants (5.8%) developed diabetes. Although the presence of fatty liver was not significantly associated with the development of diabetes (OR 1.77, 95% CI 0.81-3.85), OR for those of per 1 SD (0.18) decrease in L/S ratio was 1.40 (95% CI 1.02-1.92). We still found the significant results that L/S ratio was associated with the development of diabetes in the stratified analysis. Conclusions: The ratio of liver to spleen for CT attenuation value was associated with the development of diabetes during 5 years regardless of BMI in Japanese community-based study. Disclosure K. Fuse: None. A. Kadota: None. K. Kondo: None. A. Fujiyoshi: None. T. Hisamatsu: None. S. Kadowaki: None. I. Miyazawa: None. K. Morino: Research Support; Self; Astellas Pharma US, Inc., AstraZeneca, Sunstar Inc., CMIC Pharmascience, Kowa Pharmaceutical. O. Sekine: None. S. Ugi: Research Support; Self; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., MSD K.K. H. Maegawa: Speaker's Bureau; Self; Astellas Pharma US, Inc.. Research Support; Self; Astellas Pharma US, Inc.. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation. Research Support; Self; Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Sanofi. Research Support; Self; Sanofi. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Nippon Boehringer Ingelheim Co. Ltd.. Research Support; Self; Nippon Boehringer Ingelheim Co. Ltd.. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited. Research Support; Self; Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, Novo Nordisk A/S, Eli Lilly and Company. K. Miura: None. H. Ueshima: None.

Communication-design for Disaster Risks through Shopping at a Large-scale Shopping Center:Transition from Disaster Prevention to Disaster Mitigation

This research is focused on the planning, implementation and evaluation of a disaster drill in cooperation with diverse entities in the community for building resilience. The research field was developed in Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture as a participatory action research through collaborative practice with a community development organization. We organized a workshop to buy necessaries for surviving 3 days after a mega earthquake and sharing those stories at a large-scale shopping center in public. These 3-day impressions were discussed at the follow-up seminar which was set six days after the workshop. In this research, we experimented with a textual analysis for 2,585 posts in SNS and a phenomenological discussion about the whole process of disaster drills from the viewpoint of social psychology to approach communities for reducing disaster risk.

Abstract TP165: The Association Between Coronary Artery Calcium And Cerebral Small Vessel Disease: A Population Based Cross Sectional Study

Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is an important cause of stroke and dementia. Recent evidence showed that coronary artery calcium (CAC), a robust measure of subclinical atherosclerosis, independently predicts future dementia. One potential explanation for this observed link between CAC and dementia is that CAC is related to CSVD. However, limited study directly examined such association. Aim: To provide mechanistic explanation for the already-observed positive association between atherosclerosis and dementia. Methods: A total of 702 community dwelling men randomly sampled from Kusatsu City, Japan were analyzed. CAC was scored by Agatston’s method. Using MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) we assessed the following components as the measures of CSVD: lacunar infarcts (LI), microbleeds (MB), deep and subcortical white matter hyperintensity (DSWMH) and periventricular hyperintensity (PVH). CAC were categorized as absent (Agatston score=0), mild (more than zero and &lt;100) and moderate to severe (≥100). The associations were assessed by binomial logistic regression analyses. Age (at the time of MRI examination), ever smoker, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia were used as risk factors covariates. P trends were performed treating CAC category as ordinal. Results: Mean age of the participants was 69.7± 8.8 years. Prevalence of CSVD components was significantly higher in groups with higher CAC. LI was significantly associated with mild and moderate-to-severe CAC groups in unadjusted, age and risk factors adjusted analyses. Moreover, DSWMH was significantly associated with moderate-to-severe CAC group in unadjusted analysis as well as in age and risk factors adjusted analyses. But, MB and PVH were significantly associated with mild and moderate-to-severe CAC groups only in unadjusted analysis. After age and risk factors adjusted analyses the associations were no longer significant. Trend for a dose-response relation of CAC with LI and DSWMH were significant in unadjusted, age and risk factors adjusted analyses, but for MB and PVH, trends were significant only in unadjusted analysis. In Conclusion, those with higher CAC were associated with higher odds of having LI and DSWMH. Presence and degree of CAC may be useful in predicting CSVD.

Self-reported Sleep Duration and Subclinical Atherosclerosis in a General Population of Japanese Men.

Aim: There are few data regarding associations between sleep duration and subclinical atherosclerosis in Japan. The aim of this study was to evaluate associations of self-reported sleep duration with calcification in the coronary arteries (CAC) and carotid intima media thickness (IMT) in Japanese men.Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey of 1093 randomly selected men from Kusatsu City, Japan. Average sleep duration on weekdays was estimated through questionnaire; CAC by computed tomography; and carotid IMT by ultrasonography.Results: The prevalence of CAC was 50.0% for participants with sleep duration < 5.5 h, 43.9% with 5.5–6.4 h, 50.0% with 6.5–7.4 h, 49.3% with 7.5–8.4 h, and 62.5% with ≥ 8.5 h. In univariate analysis, participants with sleep duration ≥ 8.5 h had significantly higher prevalence of CAC than those with 6.5–7.4 h (p = 0.043). After adjustment for age and other risk factors, however, the association was not significant (p = 0.776). The average IMT was 0.85 mm for participants with sleep duration < 5.5 h, 0.83 mm with 5.5–6.4 h, 0.85 mm with 6.5–7.4 h, 0.88 mm with 7.5–8.4 h, and 0.90 mm with ≥ 8.5 h. None of the differences in IMT observed in crude or multivariable-adjusted analyses was significant (all p > 0.1).Conclusion: Self-reported sleep duration was not associated with increased CAC or carotid IMT in a general population of Japanese men.

Abstract P257: Prevalence Of Intracranial Artery Stenosis and the Association With Conventional Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Diseases in a General Population of Japanese: SESSA Study

Introduction: Community-based studies that report prevalence of intracranial artery stenosis (ICAS) assessed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are scarce. Hypothesis: We aim to describe the prevalent ICAS using MRI in a general population of Japanese men, and tested the hypothesis that ICAS was associated with conventional cardiovascular risk factors. Methods: The Shiga Epidemiological Study of Subclinical Atherosclerosis (SESSA) randomly recruited and examined participants from Kusatsu City, Shiga, Japan in 2006-2008. Among 853 male participants in the follow-up exam (2012-2015), we performed 1.5-tesla MRI. All images were evaluated by two board-certified neurosurgeons (by the Japan Neurosurgical Society) who were blinded to participant clinical background. Each artery was graded as no stenosis, &lt;50% stenosis, &lt;99% stenosis and complete occlusion. We defined any-ICAS as ICAS of any grade and heavy-ICAS as ≥50% stenosis. We used multivariable logistic regression to assess independent association between ICAS and risk factors including hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), dyslipidemia, smoking, drinking, obesity (body mass index ≥30kg/m 2 ) and history of stroke. Results: We analyzed 740 men (47-85 years old, mean age 70.0 years) who completed MRI with no missing pertinent information. Thirty-one individuals (4.2%) had history of stroke. We observed at least one lesion of any-ICAS and heavy-ICAS in 30.5% and 6.5% of the participants, respectively. Any-ICAS was most commonly identified in internal carotid artery (21.6% of the entire participants) followed by middle cerebral artery (11.7%). Older age, hypertension, DM, dyslipidemia and prevalent stroke was associated with ICAS. Hypertension and DM were particularly strongly associated with heavy-ICAS (Table). Results were similar when excluding those with stroke history. Conclusions: This is the first study on prevalence of ICAS and its association with conventional cardiovascular risk factors in a general population of Japanese men. The prevalence of ICAS in Japanese men and the association with primary risk factors of cardiovascular diseases are revealed and they could be a target for prevention of stroke.

Abstract MP73: Relationship of Insulin Resistance to Prevalence and Progression of Coronary Artery Calcification Beyond Metabolic Syndrome in a General Population

Introduction: Association between insulin resistance (IR) and prevalence of coronary artery calcification (CAC) has been inconsistent after adjustment for metabolic syndrome (MetS). In addition, relation of IR to progression of CAC has remained unclear. Recent basic science studies have reported that IR could promote atherosclerosis not only through the mechanisms that involve systemic factors such as dyslipidemia and hypertension, but also through the effect of perturbed insulin signaling at the cell level. Therefore we assessed the hypothesis that IR is associated with CAC prevalence or progression independently of MetS components in a general population. Methods: We conducted a population-based study in a random sample of men aged 40-79 years living in Kusatsu City, Shiga, Japan, without prior coronary heart disease (Shiga Epidemiological Study of Subclinical Atherosclerosis; SESSA). IR was determined by homeostasis model assessment of IR index (HOMA-IR). We measured CAC at baseline and five years later with noncontrast computed tomography. CAC prevalence was defined as baseline CAC score &gt; 0, and CAC progression as a change &gt; 2.5 between the square root transformed values of baseline and follow-up CAC scores. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to calculate adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) in total participants and in those without diabetes. Results: Of 1022 total participants at baseline (mean age, 64 ± 10 years), CAC prevalence was found in 658 (64.4%), and of 804 participants at follow-up (mean follow-up duration, 4.9 ± 1.3 years), CAC progression in 371 (46.1%). Even after adjustment for MetS components in addition to other confounding factors, higher HOMA-IR was independently associated with CAC prevalence (OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.11-1.64; P = 0.003) and CAC progression (OR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.18-1.74; P &lt; 0.001). In participants without diabetes (N = 807 at baseline, N = 638 at follow-up), we observed similar positive associations of HOMA-IR with CAC prevalence (OR, 1.30; 95% CI 1.05-1.61; P = 0.016) and CAC progression (OR 1.31; 95% CI 1.03-1.67; P = 0.025). In contrast, fasting glucose and hemoglobin A1c were not related to CAC prevalence and progression. Conclusion: In conclusion, higher IR was associated with CAC prevalence and progression independently of MetS components in general men and also in those without diabetes. Adding measuring of IR as routine clinical examination may provide additional predictive value beyond traditional risk assessment especially among population without diabetes.

Abstract P184: Is Home Blood Pressure More Strongly Associated with Coronary Artery Calcification Than Clinic Blood Pressure Measured Under an Appropriate Condition?

Background / Objective: A number of studies have shown that home blood pressure (HBP) is more strongly associated with atherosclerotic diseases than clinic blood pressure (CBP). In previous studies, however, measurement of CBP under suboptimal conditions might have undermined the usefulness of CBP for prediction of atherosclerotic diseases. Therefore, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis to clarify whether HBP is more strongly associated with coronary artery calcification (CAC) than strictly measured CBP among a general population of Japanese men. Methods: From 2006 to 2008, we recruited 1094 male participants randomly selected from the residents in Kusatsu City, Shiga, Japan. CBP was measured twice consecutively by a trained physician using electrical device after 5 minutes of complete rest in a sitting position in a silent room. The participants were asked to measure HBP with an electrical device once in the morning during the consecutive 7 days. HBP was measured in seated position after 2 minutes of rest, within an hour after waking up, after urination and before breakfast. The mean of 2 measurements of CBP and the mean of 7 days of HBP were used in the analysis. CAC was assessed using computed tomography. Presence of CAC was defined as Agatston score &gt;10. After exclusion of 175 participants with missing data on HBP, CBP, or CAC, a total of 919 people were included into the present analysis. We calculated multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for presence of CAC per one standard deviation (SD) increase of CBP and HBP, then compared by adding interaction terms to the statistical model. ORs were adjusted for age, body mass index, history of cardiovascular diseases, smoking, ethanol consumption, blood sugar, serum total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, and use of medication (hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus). Results: The mean systolic CBP (SD) and HBP (SD) were 136.8 (19.0) mmHg and 137.2 (18.5) mmHg, respectively. CBP and HBP were highly correlated (r = 0.74 P &lt;0.001). The difference between CBP and HBP was not significant (P = 0.595). CAC was found in 454 (49.4%) participants. Multivariable-adjusted ORs (95% confidence interval) for presence of CAC were comparable between CBP (1.34 (1.14 - 1.58) per 1SD increase) and HBP (1.37 (1.16 - 1.62) per 1SD increase) (P heterogeneity = 0.819). When mean value of the first 2 days of HBP was used as a sensitivity analysis, we found almost the same results (P heterogeneity = 0.992). Similar results were also obtained for diastolic CBP and HBP (P heterogeneity = 0.968 for 7 days of HBP, 0.566 for 2 days of HBP). Conclusion: In conclusion, the association of CBP measured in an ideal condition with CAC was comparable with that of HBP.

Associations of serum LDL particle concentration with carotid intima-media thickness and coronary artery calcification

Low-density lipoprotein particle (LDL-P) has recently been found to be a stronger predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) than LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C). Whether LDL-P is associated with subclinical atherosclerosis, independent of LDL-C, as well as other lipid measures has not been fully examined. We aimed to analyze LDL-P associations with measures of subclinical atherosclerosis. We examined 870 Japanese men randomly selected from Kusatsu City, Shiga, Japan, aged 40-79years from 2006-2008, free of clinical CVD and not using lipid-lowering medication. Cross-sectional associations of lipid measures with carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and coronary artery calcification (CAC; >0 Agatston score) were examined. LDL-P was significantly positively associated with cIMT and maintained this association after adjustments for LDL-C and other lipid measures. Although these lipid measures were positively associated with cIMT, model adjustment for LDL-P removed any significant relationships. Higher LDL-P was associated with a significantly higher odds ratio of CAC and further adjustment for LDL-C did not affect this relationship. In contrast, the LDL-C association with CAC was no longer significant after adjustment for LDL-P. Other lipid measures attenuated associations of LDL-P with CAC. Likewise, associations of these measures with CAC were attenuated when model adjustments for LDL-P were made. In a community-based sample of Japanese men, free of clinical CVD, LDL-P was a robust marker for subclinical atherosclerosis, independent of LDL-C and other lipid measures. Associations of LDL-C and other lipid measures with either cIMT or CAC were generally not independent of LDL-P.

High-density lipoprotein particle concentration and subclinical atherosclerosis of the carotid arteries in Japanese men

ObjectiveThe association of high-density lipoprotein particle (HDL-P) with atherosclerosis may be stronger than that of HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) and independent of conventional cardiovascular risk factors. Whether associations persist in populations at low risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) remains unclear. This study examines the associations of HDL-P and HDL-C with carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and plaque counts among Japanese men, who characteristically have higher HDL-C levels and a lower CHD burden than those in men of Western populations. MethodsWe cross-sectionally examined a community-based sample of 870 Japanese men aged 40–79 years, free of known clinical cardiovascular disease (CVD) and not on lipid-lowering medication. Participants were randomly selected among Japanese living in Kusatsu City in Shiga, Japan. ResultsBoth HDL-P and HDL-C were inversely and independently associated with cIMT in models adjusted for conventional CHD risk factors, including low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and diabetes. HDL-P maintained an association with cIMT after further adjustment for HDL-C (P < 0.01), whereas the association of HDL-C with cIMT was noticeably absent after inclusion of HDL-P in the model. In plaque counts of the carotid arteries, HDL-P was significantly associated with a reduction in plaque count, whereas HDL-C was not. ConclusionHDL-P, in comparison to HDL-C, is more strongly associated with measures of carotid atherosclerosis in a cross-sectional study of Japanese men. Findings demonstrate that, HDL-P is a strong correlate of subclinical atherosclerosis even in a population at low risk for CHD.

Worldwide performance estimation of silicon-based photovoltaic modules using meteorological data

The worldwide yearly output performance of four types of silicon (Si)-based photovoltaic (PV) module was estimated on the basis of two types of data, i.e., world meteorological data at 24 locations and actual output performance data measured in Kusatsu City, Japan. To analyze these data, contour maps as a function of module temperature and solar spectral distribution were used. As a result, the output performance of multicrystalline Si (mc-Si) and amorphous Si (a-Si) PV modules depended on location. The mc-Si and a-Si PV modules showed high performance at high and low latitudes, respectively. This is because mc-Si and a-Si PV modules have strong temperature and solar spectral distribution dependences, respectively. On the other hand, tandem-type thin-film Si PV modules were relatively independent of the ambient environment.

Carotid intima-media thickness and plaque in apparently healthy Japanese individuals with an estimated 10-year absolute risk of CAD death according to the Japan Atherosclerosis Society (JAS) guidelines 2012: the Shiga Epidemiological Study of Subclinical Atherosclerosis (SESSA).

To examine whether subclinical atherosclerosis of the carotid arteries is concordant with the categories in the 2012 atherosclerosis prevention guidelines proposed by the Japan Atherosclerosis Society (JAS guidelines 2012), which adopted the estimated 10-year absolute risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) death in the NIPPON DATA80 Risk Assessment Chart. Between 2006 and 2008, 868 Japanese men 40 to 74 years of age without a history of cardiovascular disease were randomly selected from Kusatsu City, Japan. The intima media thickness (IMT) and plaque number from the common to internal carotid arteries were investigated using ultrasonography. The absolute risk of CAD death was estimated based on the individual risk factor data, and the mean IMT and plaque number in Categories Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ of the guidelines were examined. The estimated 10-year absolute risk of CAD was directly related to the IMT (mean IMT (mean ± SD) (mm) for a 10-year absolute risk of ≥ 2.0% and ≥ 5.0%: 0.88 ± 0.18 and 0.95 ± 0.19, respectively) and the plaque number. These results are compatible with the categories described by the guidelines (mean IMT (mean ± SD) (mm) for Categories Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅲ: 0.70 ± 0.11, 0.81 ± 0.16 and 0.88 ± 0.18, respectively; mean plaque number: 0.9, 2.1 and 3, respectively). These findings were similar for Category Ⅲ participants with or without DM and CKD. Subclinical atherosclerosis of the carotid arteries is concordant with the 10-year absolute risk of CAD and the categories in the JAS guidelines 2012.

Estimation of irradiance and outdoor performance of photovoltaic modules by meteorological data

Three environmental factors of irradiance, solar spectral distribution and module temperature greatly affect the performances of photovoltaic (PV) modules. If the environmental factors can be estimated by basic meteorological data (BMD) announced by an official organization in various areas, the performances of PV modules can be estimated easily. In this study, a relationship between the environmental factors and the BMD was analyzed. The performances of Si-based (crystalline Si and thin-film Si) PV modules were estimated by the relationship. As a result, errors between the estimation and actual performances in the crystalline Si and thin-film PV modules were within 1.88% and 0.58% in Kusatsu city, Japan (34°58′N, 135°57′E). This methodology can be useful for rating the performance of PV modules at various areas.