Shimane Prefecture Research Articles

Relation of the Glu298Asp polymorphism of the nitric oxide synthase gene to hypertension and serum cholesterol in Japanese workers

Objective To assess whether the Glu298Asp polymorphism of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene possibly mediates the relation of blood pressure and serum cholesterol. Method Regular health examination in 2003 of 1,694 Japanese workers from the Shimane Prefecture, Japan. Results The frequencies of the Glu/Glu, Glu/Asp, and Asp/Asp genotypes were 85.9%, 13.4%, and 0.7%, respectively. After adjustment for age, sex, BMI, and lifestyle (drinking, smoking, exercise and stress), the odds ratio (OR) of hypertension associated with high (≥ 220 mg/dl or under treatment) total cholesterol was 2.08 (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.02–4.24) among carriers of the eNOS 298Asp allele versus 1.18 (95% CI 0.89–1.55, p for interaction = 0.50) among non-carriers. Similarly, the ORs of hypertension associated with counseling-need (120–139 mg/dl) and high (≥ 140 mg/dl) levels of LDL cholesterol among carriers of the eNOS 298Asp allele were significantly higher than those among non-carriers, at 2.65 (95% CI 1.16–6.01) versus 1.03 (95% CI 0.77–1.39, p for interaction = 0.01), and 2.80 (95% CI 1.33–5.89) versus 0.95 (95% CI 0.71–1.26, p for interaction = 0.04), respectively. Conclusion These results indicate that the eNOS 298Asp allele, which is weakly associated with hypertension, may increase the risk of hypertension when associated with high serum lipid levels.

Spatial Distribution of Water Quality and Load Units in the Iinashi River Basin, Shimane Prefecture, Japan

The spatial distributions of water quality and load units were determined for each small sub basin of the Iinashi River basin as a first step in water environment management. In addition, a GIS database was established to comprehensively resolve the issue of water quality degradation. It was found the concentrations of water quality parameters in the Iinashi River basin were relatively low at almost all sampling points. The average concentrations of each parameter are 1.86 mg·L -1 of chemical oxygen demand, 0.73 mg·L -1 of dissolved organic carbon, 18.5 % of biodegradation ability, 6.58 mg·L -1 of silica, 519.8 μgN·L -1 of total nitrogen, and 27.4 μgP·L -1 of total phospho- rus. In addition, the load units discharged from the small watersheds were obtained. The load units varied greatly regardless of similar land use in the basin. Moreover, discharged loads from observation point 1-31 in the Yamasa River basin were higher than those from observation point 1-5 in the upstream of the Iinashi River basin regardless of high percentage of forest area (91.51%), low percentage of agricultural land (2.3%) and low population density (24 people·km -2 ). Finally, the discharged loads from observation point 1-3 were de- termined as 53.2 g·ha -1 ·day -1 of suspended solid, 45.4 g·ha -1 ·day -1 of chemical oxygen demand, 20.9 g·ha -1 ·day -1 of dissolved organic car- bon, 8.1 g·ha -1 ·day -1 of particulate organic carbon, 16.3 g·ha -1 ·day -1 of total nitrogen, 5.0 g·ha -1 ·day -1 of dissolved organic nitrogen, 1.3 g·ha -1 ·day -1 of particulate organic nitrogen, and 0.3 g·ha -1 ·day -1 of total phosphorus.

3 島根県におけるダニ媒介性病原体の浸淫状況(第62回日本衛生動物学会西日本支部大会講演要旨)

3 島根県におけるダニ媒介性病原体の浸淫状況(第62回日本衛生動物学会西日本支部大会講演要旨)

Initiation and transition of midwifery education in Shimane Prefecture

目 的 島根県における助産師教育の歴史を辿り，その変遷を明らかにしながら，産科医不在・不足問題の渦中にある助産師の取り組むべき課題を見出す。対象者と方法 島根県の助産師教育に関係した機関や関係者に聞き取り調査を行うと共に，資料や文献から経時的にまとめた。結 果 島根県の助産師教育は，明治24年「私立松江産婆養成所」として開校し，時代の流れのなかで何度も名称を変えながら昭和28年まで続いた。新制度により一時，中断したが，昭和57年，助産師らの要請を受け再び助産師教育が開始され，現在に至っているが，施設内外における助産師数の充足には至っていない。結 論 時代が大きく様変わりする中で，お産・助産師教育，そして助産師のおかれている状況も変化する。今，産科医不足の中で，妊産婦が安心して子どもを産み育てられるために，また需要に応えるためにも助産師は，力量の形成と共に数の確保は必須であり，そのための職能団体・国の支援は重要である。

The activities and attitudes of nonresident hunters in Shimane Prefecture

The activities and attitudes of nonresident hunters in Shimane Prefecture

Investigation on the indoor and outdoor climate of the traditional villages and the way of living in Yoshida, Shimane prefecture

Investigation on the indoor and outdoor climate of the traditional villages and the way of living in Yoshida, Shimane prefecture

Law for Protection of SMEs Receiving Public Work Order (LPSRPWO) and Growth Processes of Civil Engineering Companies in Non-metropolitan Areas : A Case Study of Shimane Prefecture

Law for Protection of SMEs Receiving Public Work Order (LPSRPWO) and Growth Processes of Civil Engineering Companies in Non-metropolitan Areas : A Case Study of Shimane Prefecture

Chemical compositions of the Paleogene granitoids of eastern Shimane Prefecture, Sanin District, Southwest Japan

Chemical compositions of the Paleogene granitoids of eastern Shimane Prefecture, Sanin District, Southwest Japan

Environmental change during the last 6400 years in the Masuda plain, western Shimane Prefecture, southwest Japan

Environmental change during the last 6400 years in the Masuda plain, western Shimane Prefecture, southwest Japan

The Problem in the Last Report of Shimane prefecture's Study Circle for Takeshima - Centering the Point of View for the Document of Dajokan Directive by Masao Shimojo -

The Problem in the Last Report of Shimane prefecture's Study Circle for Takeshima - Centering the Point of View for the Document of Dajokan Directive by Masao Shimojo -

Mobility of arsenic and trace element inventories in sediment cores from Masuda City, southwestern Japan

The vertical distribution of arsenic and other trace and major elements has been studied in four sediment cores from Masuda City, Nagashima and Okite in the Shimane Prefecture of southwestern Japan. The sediment cores were also subjected to leaching techniques and 14C dating. The stratigraphic sequences in the cores consist of silt and sandy silt at top, passing downward into gray to black clays. Elevated values of As, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr, and V are present in several horizons while abundances of these elements tend to be higher in the black and gray clays, probably due to adsorption onto clay sediments. Higher concentrations of Fe and total sulfur (TS) occur in black clays. The correlations of the trace metals with iron suggest their adsorption onto Fe (oxy)hydroxides, whereas correlations with sulfur in some cores indicate that they were precipitated as Fe-sulfides. Age determinations suggest that clay horizons at ∼5 m depth were deposited at around 5,000 and 6,000 years BP (14C ages) during the transgressive phase of sea level change. The results of the leaching techniques in the core samples show that higher amounts of As were extracted with deionized water. Even at neutral pH, As can be released from sediments to groundwater, and therefore groundwater pollution is a concern in Masuda City and the surrounding area.

An outbreak of psittacosis in a bird park in Japan

An outbreak of psittacosis related to a bird park occurred in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, Japan, during winter 2001. Seventeen cases of psittacosis (12 visitors, three staff, and two student interns) were confirmed. A cohort study was conducted among the park staff and students to determine the risk factors for the development of acute serologically confirmed psittacosis (SCP) infection. Being 'bird staff' had an increased risk of SCP infection (RR 3.96, 95% CI 1.48-10.58). Entering the staff building, where ill birds were maintained without proper isolation, was also associated with an increased risk of SCP infection (RR 3.61, 95% CI 1.03-12.6). Isolation of ill birds and quarantine measures were found to be insufficient. Dehumidifiers and a high-pressure water spray under a closed ventilation environment may have raised the concentration of Chlamydophila psittaci in the hothouses. Bird park staff and visitors should be educated about psittacosis.

Molecular Survey ofBabesia microti, EhrlichiaSpecies andCandidatusNeoehrlichia mikurensis in Wild Rodents from Shimane Prefecture, Japan

A significant number of patients are diagnosed with "fevers of unknown origin" (FUO) in Shimane Prefecture in Japan where tick-borne diseases are endemic. We conducted molecular surveys for Babesia microti, Ehrlichia species, and Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis in 62 FUO cases and 62 wild rodents from Shimane Prefecture, Japan. PCR using primers specific for the Babesia 18S small-subunit rRNA (rDNA) gene and Anaplasmataceae groESL amplified products from 45% (28/62) and 25.8% (16/62) of captured mice, respectively. Of the 28 18S rDNA PCR positives, 23 and five samples were positive for Hobetsu- and Kobe-type B. microti, respectively. In contrast, of the 16 groESL PCR positives, eight, one and seven samples were positive for Ehrlichia muris, Ehrlichia sp. HF565 and Candidatus N. mikurensis, respectively. Inoculation of selected blood samples into Golden Syrian hamsters indicated the presence of Hobetsu- and Kobe-type B. microti in four and one sample, respectively. Isolation of the latter strain was considered important as previous studies suggested that the distribution of this type was so far confined to Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture, where the first case of transfusion-associated human babesiosis originated. DNA samples from 62 FUO human cases tested negative for B. microti 18S rDNA gene, Anaplasmataceae groESL gene, Rickettsia japonica 17K genus-common antigen gene and Orientia tsutsugamushi 56K antigen gene by PCRs. We also conducted seroepidemiological surveys on 62 human sera collected in Shimane Prefecture from the FUO patients who were suspected of carrying tick-borne diseases. However, indirect immunofluorescent antibody tests using B. microti- and E. muris-infected cells detected IgG against E. muris in only a single positive sample. This study demonstrates the presence of several potentially important tick-borne pathogens in Shimane Prefecture and suggests the need for further study on the causative agents of FUOs.

訪問記 名水を訪ねて(76)島根県の名水

訪問記 名水を訪ねて(76)島根県の名水

Properties of Concrete with Waste Roof Tiles as Fine Aggregate

In order to investigate the application of waste roof tiles to fine aggregate for concrete, two kinds of waste roof tiles having different quality are selected. One is waste roof tile which is manufactured in Shimane prefecture and has been used long in Tottori city. The other is waste roof tile which is manufactured in Awaji Island and has been used long in this place. In this paper, the tests including drying shrinkage and freeze-thaw test for fresh concrete and hardened concrete are conducted and the properties are compared and examined with those of concrete with normal sand. The test results show that the dosage of a retardar type of air-entraining high-range water reducing agent required to attain the given slump when the waste roof tiles are used as fine aggregate for concrete. The fundamental properties of concrete with waste roof tiles such as slump and air loss with time, bleeding, setting time, compressive strength and drying shrinkage are almost the same as those of concrete with normal sand. However, the freeze-thaw resistance of concrete with waste roof tiles drop away compared to that of concrete with normal sand.

耐熱性溶血毒 (TDH) または耐熱性溶血毒類似毒素 (TRH) 産生腸炎ビブリオの島根県沿岸における分布状況および市販貝類の汚染状況

We studied distribution of thermostable direct hemolysin (TDH)- and TDH-related hemolysin (TRH)-producing Vibrio parahaemolyticus in coastal sea water, sediment, and shellfish and related retail shellfish contamination in Shimane Prefecture, Japan, between 2002 and 2004. V. parahaemolyticus was isolated from > 80% of sea water, sediment, and shellfish. The detection of TDH gene (tdh) and TRH gene (trh)-positive V parahaemolyticus in sea water was 11%, in sediment 16%, and in shellfish 26%. The number of genes and gene-related in seawater was 23 MPN/L, in sediment 29 MPN/100 g, and in shellfish 460 MPN/10 g. TDH- and TRH-producing V. parahaemolyticus detected in seawater was 5%, in sediment 11% and in shellfish 14%. The continuous distribution of TDH-producing O2:K28, O4:K88, O4:K37, and O4:KUT organisms on the western coast and TRH2-producing O5:k30, O5:K43, O10:K19, O10:KUT, O11:K40, O11:KUT, and OUT:KUT organisms on the Oki Island coast suggested the settlement of these organisms in these coastal environments. From 7 (12%) of 59 retail short-necked clam samples, we isolated TDH-producing O 1:KUT, O3:K6 (2 strains from 2 samples imported from Korea), O4:K12, OUT:K8, and TRH2-producing OUT:K40 and OUT:K51 organisms. These findings suggested that TDH- and TRH-producing V. parahaemolyticus are widely distributed along the coast of this prefecture and are transported by contaminated retail shellfish from other areas.

Effects of arbuscular mycorrhiza and phosphorus application on arsenic toxicity in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) and on the transformation of arsenic in the rhizosphere

Effects of arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) and phosphorus (P) application on arsenic (As) toxicity were studied in a rhizobox system with As-contaminated soil collected from Shimane Prefecture, Japan. The treatments consisted of a combination of two levels of AM (Glomus aggregatum) inoculation (−AM and +AM) and two levels of P application (−P and +P at 30 mg P kg−1). Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seedlings were cultured in rhizoboxes for 6 weeks. Rates of root AM infection in +AM treatments were about 40% regardless of P application. AM inoculation as well as P application reduced As toxicity symptoms, most clearly so in the +AM−P treatment. Plant growth was highest in the +AM + P treatment. Shoot As concentrations were slightly reduced by AM inoculation but enhanced by P application. Shoot P concentration in the +AM−P treatment was similar to that of +P treatments and was higher than in −AM−P. Analyses of rhizosphere soils at the end of the cultivation period indicated that P application increased water-soluble As (WS−As) in all compartments while AM inoculation increased WS−As in the central compartment only. Both the WS−arsenite [WS−As(III)] and the dominant form, arsenate [WS−As(V)], showed gradients toward the root surface. Dimethylarsine (DMAA) was detected in the +AM treatments only. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the occurrence of DMAA in the mycorrhizosphere. AM inoculation increased WS−P similarly as +P treatments did and promoted acid phosphatase activity in the soil. In conclusion, AM inoculation alleviated the effects of As toxicity by improving P nutrition without increasing As concentrations in the shoots. Moreover, AM appeared to be involved in the transformation of soil inorganic As into less toxic organic forms.

<i>Sanyuania cuneata</i> Zhao & Whatley, 1992 (Ostracoda, Cytheroidea, Cytherideidae) from Japan: morphology, distribution and environmental significance

Abstract. Sanyuania cuneata Zhao & Whatley, 1992 was reported initially from Late Pleistocene core samples from the northern part of the Yellow Sea and Recent sediments collected from supra tidal pools (17 practical salinity unit (psu)) in Xiangshangang Bay, East China Sea (Zhao & Whatley, 1992). Later, specimens were discovered, but not identified, in Lake Nakaumi, Shimane Prefecture, SW Japan (Fig. 1) (as Cytheridae gen. et. sp. indet. by Tanaka et al. (1998) and Sanyuania sp. by Seto et al. (1999)). Further examination of these Japanese specimens has clarified that they are conspecific with the Chinese specimens. This has provided an opportunity to review the distribution (Fig. 1) and potential environmental significance of Sanyuania cuneata and, for the first time, to describe its appendages (Fig. 2).Specimens figured herein were recovered from Lake Nakaumi (35°26′ 50″ N, 133°07′50″ E) at a depth of 0.3–6.0 m and salinity of 8–17 psu on 9 September 1998. The surface of the sediment was covered by the byssus of the mussel Musculista senhousia (Benson, 1842).Sanyuania cuneata is probably endemic to the East China Sea and the southwestern part of the Sea of Japan and is a potentially useful palaeoenvironmental indicator of brackish (steno-haline) environments in the area. By using the oxygen isotopic data from planktonic foraminifers and the estimated value of salinity flowing into the Japan Sea, Matsui et al. (1998) approximated that the salinity of the surface water of Japan Sea declined to about 20 psu during the Last Glacial Maximum . . .

An Outbreak of Group C Rotavirus Infection in an Elementary School in Shimane Prefecture, Japan, February 2006

An Outbreak of Group C Rotavirus Infection in an Elementary School in Shimane Prefecture, Japan, February 2006

Assessment of metal concentrations in lake sediments of southwest Japan based on sediment quality guidelines

Geochemical analysis of the bottom sediments of Lakes Banryoko, Onbe, Hamahara and Kijima in Shimane prefecture of southwest Japan was carried out to determine their metal concentrations, and to assess the potential for ecological harm by comparison with sediment quality guidelines. The work conducted includes water quality measurement, and analyses of trace and major elements and rare earth element (REE) of sediments. Results showed that water quality of the lakes contrasts slightly between their upper and lower parts. Average abundances of As, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, and Cr in Banryoko sediments were 27, 33, 90, 27, 25, and 46 ppm, respectively, compared to 31, 52, 175, 44, 44, and 75 ppm at Onbe, 11, 26, 96, 13, 13, and 35 ppm at Hamahara, and 24, 43, 193, 31, 12, and 30 ppm at Kijima. These concentrations exceeded the lowest effect level that has moderate impact on aquatic organisms as proposed by the New York State Department of Environmental conservation. Pb and Cu abundances are comparable to the Coastal Ocean Sediment Database threshold, while As and Zn exceed this value, indicating the concentrations of these metals are potentially toxic. Increases in the abundances of these metals in lake sediments are probably related to the reducing condition of the sediments, anthropogenic sources and surface soil erosion. The REE patterns of sediments in the study areas are broadly comparable to the average upper continental crust, but show some contrast between lakes due to differing source litho type. Significant positive correlations between Fe2O3 and As, Pb, Zn, and Cu were found in the sediments, suggesting these metals may be adsorbed on Fe oxides in the lake sediments.