後藤 健介

This study investigated the impact of emergency food temperature variation andthe presence of privacyon stress with the aim of potentially reducing the stress of living in an evacuation center during large-scale disasters. Salivary amylase activity of the subjects was measured. Results showed no statistically significant impact on stress due to variations in the temperature of emergency food or privacy. However, the survey noted points for improvement, including experiment settings and relationships between subjects, which highlighted the need for future research and surveys. This study is expected to aid with initiatives that reduce stress in evacuation centershowever, more detailed condition settings are required in order to eliminate individual stress level differences.

1．はじめに 中学校公民的分野における防災教育は社会参画力の育成を企図した教材の開発研究や授業実践が多くみられ，例えば井上(2020)では，防災福祉コミュニティー活性化の方法について考えさせて災害に強いまちづくりを担える市民育成を目指した授業実践を行い1)，國原(2017)では地方議会の防災や震災地支援等に関する会議録を利用して社会的合意形成を学ばせるとともに，地域防災の課題について理解を深められる授業実践を行った2)。ここで，中学校地理学的分野での防災に関する既習事項と社会参画力育成を企図する公民的分野での学習を意識的にスムーズに接続しようとする授業実践は存外少なく，分野横断的な学びや，発達段階や地域の特徴に合わせた防災教育の必要性が重要視される昨今において，その実践例の蓄積が求められていると考えられる。 そこで本研究では，佐賀大学教育学部付属中学校で実施した，地理的分野での既習事項を活用した公民的分野での防災教育の実践を報告する。特に本研究では，高い防災意識をもつ市民育成を目指し，地理学的知識や技術を活用しながら，妥当性のある新規避難所の開設の検討やその要望を実際に自治体に要望を行った活動を中心に報告を行う。 2．単元の概要 2-1．地理的分野：地理的分野の実施単元は別稿にて報告済みで3)，中学校学習指導要領の「地域調査の手法」に該当し，避難マップを作成させた。主な既習事項は，佐賀市周辺の氾濫原地形，新旧地形図の対比や氾濫原の微地形と伝統的な土地利用の関係，ハザードマップの見方などである。 2-2．公民的分野：公民的分野の実施単元は学習指導要領の「民主政治と政治参加」に該当し，主に地方自治を取り扱った。昨年度の地理的分野の学びから見出した防災における地域の課題を，対立と合意，効率と公正，個人の尊重と法の支配，民主主義などに着目して捉える内容としており，パフォーマンス課題「防災について，自らが住む地域の行政に意見しよう」を設定した。本研究で報告するのは，全9時間の学習活動のうちの後半部分で(表1)，LP (ラーニングパートナー)として，著者の一人である黒田と佐賀市役所危機防災課の職員を設定した。前者は６時間目に生徒が作成した解決案や政策案に対しアドバイスを行い，後者は８時間目に生徒が主張・要望する新規避難所に対する意見聴取を行い，後日開設の実現性の回答を行った。 3．結果 一例として，佐賀市南部に位置する佐賀県農業大学校を新たな避難所として開設できるよう求めたグループを紹介する。このグループは地域の課題として，佐賀市南部の水害地形である氾濫原に建つ堅牢な建物を防災対策として活用していない現状に疑問を抱き，費用対効果の見方から政策の実現可能性を吟味し，6時間目にLPへその建物の避難所としての利活用の提案・要望を行った。しかし，その後LPからの回答より，地域と施設との間で避難所として使用する取り決めがあることが明らかとなり，新規に避難所指定することでその地域住民が十分に活用できない状況になるのではないかと，政策の提案を取りやめた。ただし，その地域の住民であるこのグループの一員であった生徒自身が避難所として活用できることを知らなかったことから，一部の地域住民しか知らない状況を打破するための在り方について議論する様子が見られた。 4．まとめ 地理的分野での既習事項を活用した公民的分野での防災教育の実践を報告した。その結果以下のことが分かった。 1) 地理的分野で既習済みの地域の地形の特徴や災害リスクをもとに，避難所として妥当な建築物を選び取ることができた。 これにより，公民的分野における地方自治の学習に対して，現実味のある市民参画を体験できる活動を行うことができた。2) 新規避難所開設の要望活動を通じて，地域の諸事情を勘案しながら防災に関する議論を行うことができた。 参考文献 1)井上昌善(2020)：シティズンシップ育成を目指す防災学習の論理-中学校社会科公民的分野単元「災害に強いまちのあり方を考えよう！」 の開発を中心に-．防災教育学研究，1 - 1，p. 81-92． 2)國原幸一朗(2017)：地方議会における争点をふまえた公民の授業 : 東海豪雨と東日本大震災を事例として．名古屋学院大学論集 人文・自然科学篇 ，53 - 2，p. 93-106．3) 黒田圭介・山岡貴秀・後藤健介(2023)：中学校地理における微地形判読を通した水害ハザードマップの評価活動事例．中学校地理における微地形判読を通した水害ハザードマップの評価活動事例．日本地理学会発表要旨集，104，p.144．

The earthquakes in Kumamoto (2016) and Osaka (2018) in Japan revealed grave repercussions of collapsed block walls, causing fatalities and severe damage. These incidents underscored the need for understanding and mitigating the risk posed by these structures. In response, this study focused on assessing block walls collapse risk. Surveys across Nagasaki, Tokyo, and Chiba scrutinized various factors like rebar presence, wall appearance, and maintenance status using a Japan Concrete Block Association chart. Results revealed alarming statistics: 38% of block walls in Nagasaki posed a danger, with factors like lack of rebar and wall age significantly impacting collapse risk. Comparing regions, earthquake-experienced Kanto had 19% risky block walls versus 38% in less-experienced Kyushu, emphasizing the influence of earthquake awareness on residents perception of block wall risks. Lack of rebar emerged as a primary risk factor across all areas. Considering block walls have a lifespan of 20-30 years, deteriorating rebar due to corrosion poses imminent risks. Urgent surveys and awareness campaigns, especially along school routes, are crucial to prevent tragedies like the young girls death in Osaka. The study emphasizes scholars responsibility to disseminate accurate information about block wall risks during earthquakes. However, challenges persist, such as unclear property ownership, hindering countermeasures even after identifying high-risk walls. Looking ahead, national diagnostic surveys are essential to address the looming danger, especially considering potential seismic events like the Nankai Trough Earthquake. Disaster education must prioritize teaching children about the risks of block walls during earthquakes to ensure their safety.

Female sand fleas (Tunga penetrans Linnaeus, 1758, Siphonaptera: Tungidae) cause a severe parasitic skin disease known as tungiasis. T. penetrans is a small flea, measuring less than 1 mm in length. The females of this species burrow into the skin of human and animal hosts and mostly affect the feet. This has led to the anecdotal assumption that T. penetrans, unlike its relatives in the Siphonaptera family, would have a limited jumping ability potentially not reaching higher body parts. However, there is no data supporting this. This study evaluated the jumping capabilities of T. penetrans for height and distance using sticky tapes. The vertical jump of the female T. penetrans ranged from 4.5 to 100 mm with a mean of 40 mm whereas the vertical jump of the male T. penetrans ranged from 1.2 to 138 mm with a mean of 46 mm. The horizontal jump of the female T. penetrans ranged from 18 to 138 mm with a mean of 64 mm and that of the male ranged from 9 to 251 mm with a mean of 80 mm. Based on the literature, fleas of various species have been described as jumping vertically 50-100 times their size and horizontally 5-100 times their size. In this respect, sand fleas appear to have equal expert jumping abilities to their relatives. Their aggregation on people's feet is not likely a result of their poor jumping ability but might be an adaptation to the host's behavior which would require further investigations.

1．はじめに 小・中学校や高等学校においては，現在さかんに防災教育がなされており，その教育実践研究が数多く報告されている。例えば国土交通省が提供する「防災教育ポータル」を閲覧してみると，防災に主眼を置いた指導案や，行政が作成した防災教育の手引き等を多数参照することができる。ここで，防災教育の一環としてハザードマップの作成が挙げられるが，その有効利用にせよ作成にせよ，地形に関する知識が不可欠であることはたびたび指摘されている(例えば村越ほか，2020)。 本件では，特に水害に対する防災教育の実践として，新旧地形図の比較による微地形判読を，佐大教育学部附属中学校2年生の社会科地理分野に導入した事例を報告する。具体的には，氾濫原における土地利用と微地形の関係をデジタルマップで読み取り，その情報をもとに生徒の自宅周辺のハザードマップを確認し，有事の際に避難するのに適した避難所の評価を行わせた。なお，生徒の評価活動に際して，地形学や自然災害を専門とする有識者がラーニング・パートナー(以下LP)として授業中に直接アドバイスを行った。このように本件では，生徒が各分野の有識者とともにハザードマップの評価を行うことによって，自然災害対応への確固たる自信へとつなげられるよう配慮した。 2．単元の概要 本件の実施単元は，中学校学習指導要領（社会編）における地理的分野の「地域調査の手法」に該当する。地域の課題として挙げられる防災を中核とした考察方法を基にして，人間と自然環境との相互依存作用や地域などに着目する。パフォーマンス課題「自分のいのちを守る最適な行動がとれる避難マップを作成しよう」を追究したり解決したりする活動を通して，自分の命をどのようにして守るのかということについて，各地方の事例を踏まえて多面的・多角的に考察することを目的とした。 当事者意識をもった学びへとつなげるために，佐賀県に住む自分を主体として，通学路における避難マップを具体的に立てさせた。時系列地形図閲覧webサービスの今昔マップによる微地形判読や，自治体発行のハザードマップによる避難所の評価などを通じて，自身のいのちを守るに最適な避難所を評価させ，マッピングを行った。単元の５時間目には，有識者がLPとしてテレビ会議システムで授業に参加し，共に学び合い，自らの防災マップの正統性を高める活動を行った。 3．結果 一例として，ある生徒による今昔マップを用いた微地形の判読結果(図1)と，避難所の評価(図2)を示す。図1を見てみると，自宅が過去水田であったことを読み取っており，そこが，地盤がゆるい(おそらく後背湿地と推測できる)と表現していることから，土地利用と微地形の関係より，水害に対するリスクを判読できていると考えられる。図2を見てみると，この生徒は致遠館高校を避難所として高く評価しているが，これは単に自宅からの近接性にとどまらず，避難所の設備や高さをも包括した評価となっている。また，他の生徒の評価では，致遠館高校はもともと水田であり，浸水の危険性があるとの言及があった。これらはあくまで一例ではあるが，多くの生徒は，地形情報や避難所そのものの状況まで含めて，能動的に自身や家族のいのちを守ることができる避難所を選び取っている様子がうかがえた。 4．まとめ 本件は中学校社会科地理における，微地形の判読を通じたハザードマップに示される避難所の評価を行った。その結果以下のことが分かった。 1)今昔マップを利用すれば，中学2年生でも過去の土地利用から自宅周辺の微地形を判読でき，水害のリスクを把握することができる。 2)地形情報を把握していると，施設そのものの情報まで含めて最も逃げるに適した避難所を選び取ることができ，その評価は有識者が確認しても妥当なものが多かった。 参考文献 村越ほか(2020)：自然災害リスクはハザードマップから適切に読み取れているか？地図リテラシーの視点からの検討．地図，58-4，1-16．

INTRODUCTION: Snakebites are a major cause of permanent injury and death among poor, rural populations in developing countries, including those in East Africa. This research characterizes snakebite incidence, risk factors, and subsequent health-seeking behaviors in two regions of Kenya using a mixed methods approach. METHODS: As a part of regular activities of a health demographic surveillance system, household-level survey on snakebite incidence was conducted in two areas of Kenya: Kwale along the Kenyan Coast and Mbita on Lake Victoria. If someone in the home was reported to have been bitten in the 5 years previous to the visit, a survey instrument was administered. The survey gathered contextual information on the bite, treatment-seeking behavior and clinical manifestations. To obtain deeper, contextual information, respondents were also asked to narrate the bite incident, subsequent behavior and outcomes. RESULTS: 8775 and 9206 households were surveyed in Kwale and Mbita, respectively. Out of these, 453 (5.17%) and 92 (1.00%) households reported that at least one person had been bitten by a snake in the past 5 years. Deaths from snakebites were rare (4.04%), but patterns of treatment seeking varied. Treatment at formal care facilities were sought for 50.8% and at traditional healers for 53.3%. 18.4% sought treatment from both sources. Victims who delayed receiving treatment from a formal facility were more likely to have consulted a traditional healer (OR 8.8995% CI [3.83, 20.64]). Delays in treatment seeking were associated with significantly increased odds of having a severe outcome, including death, paralysis or loss of consciousness (OR 3.47 95% CI [1.56; 7.70]). CONCLUSION: Snakebite incidence and outcomes vary by region in Kenya, and treatment-seeking behaviors are complex. Work needs to be done to better characterize the spatial distribution of snakebite incidence in Kenya and efforts need to be made to ensure that victims have sufficient access to effective treatments to prevent death and serious injury.

Tungiasis is a cutaneous parasitosis caused by an embedded female sand flea. The distribution of cases can be spatially heterogeneous even in areas with similar risk profiles. This study assesses household and remotely sensed environmental factors that contribute to the geographic distribution of tungiasis cases in a rural area along the Southern Kenyan Coast. Data on household tungiasis case status, demographic and socioeconomic information, and geographic locations were recorded during regular survey activities of the Health and Demographic Surveillance System, mainly during 2011. Data were joined with other spatial data sources using latitude/longitude coordinates. Generalized additive models were used to predict and visualize spatial risks for tungiasis. The household-level prevalence of tungiasis was 3.4% (272/7925). There was a 1.1% (461/41,135) prevalence of infection among all participants. A significant spatial variability was observed in the unadjusted model (p-value < 0.001). The number of children per household, earthen floor, organic roof, elevation, aluminum content in the soil, and distance to the nearest animal reserve attenuated the odds ratios and partially explained the spatial variation of tungiasis. Spatial heterogeneity in tungiasis risk remained even after a factor adjustment. This suggests that there are possible unmeasured factors associated with the complex ecology of sand fleas that may contribute to the disease's uneven distribution.

INTRODUCTION: Tungiasis is a ectopic skin disease caused by some species of fleas in the Tunga genus, most notably T. penetrans. The disease afflicts poor and marginalized communities in developing countries. Transmission of tungiasis comprises a complex web of factors including domesticated animals and wildlife. This research explores animal and environmental risk factors for tungiasis in an area adjacent to a wildlife reserve in Kwale, Kenya. METHODS: A two-stage complex sampling strategy was used. Households were selected from three areas in and around Kwale Town, Kenya, an area close to the Kenyan Coast. Households were listed as positive if at least one member had tungiasis. Each household was administered a questionnaire regarding tungiasis behaviors, domesticated animal assets, and wild animal species that frequent the peridomiciliary area. Associations of household tungiasis were tests with household and environmental variables using regression methods. RESULTS: The study included 319 households. Of these, 41 (12.85%) were found to have at least one person who had signs of tungiasis. There were 295 (92.48%) households that possessed at least one species of domesticated animal. It was reported that wildlife regularly come into the vicinity of the home 90.59% of households. Presence of dogs around the home (OR 3.85; 95% CI 1.84; 8.11) and proximity to the park were associated with increased risk for tungiasis infestation in humans in a multivariate regression model. CONCLUSIONS: Human tungiasis is a complex disease associated with domesticated and wild animals. Canines in particular appear to be important determinants of household level risk.

平成 28 年 4 月 14 日の前震、および同年 4 月 16 日の本震が熊本県地方を襲った平成 28年熊本地震は、2 度の震度 7 の大地震が観測されたことに加え、度重なる余震によって、死者 211 名、全壊建物 8,682 棟を出すなど甚大な被害となった。本論では、人的被害、建物被害、ライフライン被害、交通インフラ被害など、多方面において深刻な影響を与えたこの地震について、現地調査や種々の資料収集を実施した結果を整理し、今回の地震災害の特徴を被害状況とともに把握するとともに、今回の地震被害を教訓とする今後の減災への課題について検討した。The large earthquake occurred twice in Kumamoto, Japan in April 14th and 16th, 2016, with record seismic intensity. By this large earthquake, we had serious damages, 211 peoples died, and 8,682 households were destroyed completely. We have conducted some field surveys, and have grasped from various angles some characteristics of the damage situation of this large earthquake, related to loss of lives, building damage, lifeline damage, transportation infrastructure damage, and so on. To summarize, we have investigated about the issues of natural disaster reduction from characteristics of damage situation in 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake.

HIV is still a major health problem in developing countries. Even though high HIV-risk-taking behaviors have been reported in African fishing villages, local distribution patterns of HIV infection in the communities surrounding these villages have not been thoroughly analyzed. The objective of this study was to investigate the geographical distribution patterns of HIV infection in communities surrounding African fishing villages. In 2011, we applied age-and sex-stratified random sampling to collect 1,957 blood samples from 42,617 individuals registered in the Health and Demographic Surveillance System in Mbita, which is located on the shore of Lake Victoria in western Kenya. We used these samples to evaluate existing antibody detection assays for several infectious diseases, including HIV antibody titers. Based on the results of the assays, we evaluated the prevalence of HIV infection according to sex, age, and altitude of participating households. We also used Kulldorff's spatial scan statistic to test for HIV clustering in the study area. The prevalence of HIV at our study site was 25.3%. Compared with the younger age group (15-19 years), adults aged 30-34 years were 6.71 times more likely to be HIV-positive, and the estimated HIV-positive population among women was 1.43 times larger than among men. Kulldorff's spatial scan statistic detected one marginally significant (P = 0.055) HIV-positive and one significant HIV-negative cluster (P = 0.047) in the study area. These results suggest a homogeneous HIV distribution in the communities surrounding fishing villages. In addition to individual behavior, more complex and diverse factors related to the social and cultural environment can contribute to a homogeneous distribution pattern of HIV infection outside of African fishing villages. To reduce rates of transmission in HIV-endemic areas, HIV prevention and control programs optimized for the local environment need to be developed.

In recent times, tsunamis and typhoons have threatened Japan's coastal lands with increased flooding and salinity. Using satellite data, we monitored the effect of increased salinity on vegetation health in the coastal area of southern Japan, which was affected by flooding following Typhoon 9918 in 1999. An index of plant activity called the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was evaluated before and after the typhoon, and the change in NDVI was computed as a comparison measure. The results were then correlated with electric conductivity, which is a measure of soil salinity. A strong negative correlation was found between NDVI ratio and salt concentration (r = - 0.7731, n = 50, p &lt; 0.0001), indicating that the reduced NDVI values were attributable to increased salinity from the flooding. These results not only provide useful insight into a rapid method of assessing large-scale flood impacts using satellite data, but also validate the monitoring of NDVI as an indicator of salinity damage to vegetation. To summarise, by understanding the changes in vegetation health following natural disasters such as flooding (as revealed by NDVI), we can potentially develop improved management strategies.

The Mbita Health and Demographic Surveillance System (Mbita HDSS), located on the shores of Lake Victoria in Kenya, was established in 2006. The main objective of the HDSS is to provide a platform for population-based research on relationships between diseases and socio-economic and environmental factors, and for the evaluation of disease control interventions. The Mbita HDSS had a population of approximately 54 014 inhabitants from 11 576 households in June 2013. Regular data are collected using personal digital assistants (PDAs) every 3 months, which includes births, pregnancies, migration events and deaths. Coordinates are taken using geographical positioning system (GPS) units to map all dwelling units during data collection. Cause of death is inferred from verbal autopsy questionnaires. In addition, other health-related data such as vaccination status, socio-economic status, water sources, acute illness and bed net distribution are collected. The HDSS has also provided a platform for conducting various other research activities such as entomology studies, research on neglected tropical diseases, and environmental health projects which have benefited the organization as well as the HDSS community residents. Data collected are shared with the community members, health officials, local administration and other relevant organizations. Opportunities for collaboration and data sharing with the wider research community are available and those interested should contact. shimadam@nagasaki-u.ac.jp or mhmdkarama@yahoo.com. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the International Epidemiological Association © The Author 2013 all rights reserved.

In tropical and subtropical regions of eastern and South-eastern Asia, dengue fever (DF) and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) outbreaks occur frequently. Previous studies indicate an association between meteorological variables and dengue incidence using time series analyses. The impacts of meteorological changes can affect dengue outbreak. However, difficulties in collecting detailed time series data in developing countries have led to common use of monthly data in most previous studies. In addition, time series analyses are often limited to one area because of the difficulty in collecting meteorological and dengue incidence data in multiple areas. To gain better understanding, we examined the effects of meteorological factors on dengue incidence in three geographically distinct areas (Ratnapura, Colombo, and Anuradhapura) of Sri Lanka by time series analysis of weekly data. The weekly average maximum temperature and total rainfall and the total number of dengue cases from 2005 to 2011 (7 years) were used as time series data in this study. Subsequently, time series analyses were performed on the basis of ordinary least squares regression analysis followed by the vector autoregressive model (VAR). In conclusion, weekly average maximum temperatures and the weekly total rainfall did not significantly affect dengue incidence in three geographically different areas of Sri Lanka. However, the weekly total rainfall slightly influenced dengue incidence in the cities of Colombo and Anuradhapura. © 2013 Goto et al.

Background: Identification of malaria vector breeding sites can enhance control activities. Although associations between malaria vector breeding sites and topography are well recognized, practical models that predict breeding sites from topographic information are lacking. We used topographic variables derived from remotely sensed Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) to model the breeding sites of malaria vectors. We further compared the predictive strength of two different DEMs and evaluated the predictability of various habitat types inhabited by Anopheles larvae. Methods. Using GIS techniques, topographic variables were extracted from two DEMs: 1) Shuttle Radar Topography Mission 3 (SRTM3, 90-m resolution) and 2) the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission Reflection Radiometer Global DEM (ASTER, 30-m resolution). We used data on breeding sites from an extensive field survey conducted on an island in western Kenya in 2006. Topographic variables were extracted for 826 breeding sites and for 4520 negative points that were randomly assigned. Logistic regression modelling was applied to characterize topographic features of the malaria vector breeding sites and predict their locations. Model accuracy was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC). Results: All topographic variables derived from both DEMs were significantly correlated with breeding habitats except for the aspect of SRTM. The magnitude and direction of correlation for each variable were similar in the two DEMs. Multivariate models for SRTM and ASTER showed similar levels of fit indicated by Akaike information criterion (3959.3 and 3972.7, respectively), though the former was slightly better than the latter. The accuracy of prediction indicated by AUC was also similar in SRTM (0.758) and ASTER (0.755) in the training site. In the testing site, both SRTM and ASTER models showed higher AUC in the testing sites than in the training site (0.829 and 0.799, respectively). The predictability of habitat types varied. Drains, foot-prints, puddles and swamp habitat types were most predictable. Conclusions: Both SRTM and ASTER models had similar predictive potentials, which were sufficiently accurate to predict vector habitats. The free availability of these DEMs suggests that topographic predictive models could be widely used by vector control managers in Africa to complement malaria control strategies. © 2013 Nmor et al licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

MINEMATSU, K., M. NOGUCHI, S. MURAKI, R. FUKUDA, K. GOTO, K. TAGAMI, M. YUASA, E. MARUI, and N. TSUNAWAKE. Effect of Exercise on Bone Status and Body Composition in Japanese Students. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 44, No. 7, pp. 1382-1387, 2012. Purpose: We evaluated the effect of exercise on stiffness and fat-free mass (FFM), which consists of bone and muscle, in Japanese students. It is uncertain whether exercise or sports activities will help to accumulate overall peak bone mass in Japanese adolescents. Methods: A total of 710 Japanese students (age = 15-20 yr) were enrolled. Students who regularly engage in physical exercise were assigned to an exercise group; other students were assigned to a nonexercise group. Body composition, including height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, body mass index, and waist-to-hip ratio, were measured and calculated. Lung volume, body volume, and body fat percentage were evaluated by air displacement plethysmography. Fat mass and FFM were derived from body fat percentage and body weight. Bone status, such as speed of sounds, broadband ultrasound attenuation, and stiffness, which is defined as bone density, was assessed by quantitative ultrasound. Results: In both sexes, height, weight, body mass index, circumferences, waist-to-hip ratio, lung volume, and body volume between the exercise and nonexercise groups did not show any significant differences. FFM, speed of sounds, broadband ultrasound attenuation, and stiffness in the exercise group were statistically higher than those in the nonexercise group (P &lt; 0.05). Although stiffness positively correlated with age with the exception of the nonexercise group in females (P &lt; 0.01), stiffness correlated with FFM in the exercise and nonexercise groups in both sexes (P &lt; 0.01). Conclusions: Ours is the first analysis of a trend in peak bone mass, including the effect of exercise in Japanese students. For Japanese pubertal females who did not have a history of regular exercise, stiffness slowly decreased with age. Exercise habits in early childhood are important in the relationship between stiffness and FFM.

Background: The Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) is a longitudinal data collection process that systematically and continuously monitors population dynamics for a specified population in a geographically defined area that lacks an effective system for registering demographic information and vital events. Methods: HDSS programs have been run in 2 regions in Kenya: in Mbita district in Nyanza province and Kwale district in Coast Province. The 2 areas have different disease burdens and cultures. Vital events were obtained by using personal digital assistants and global positioning system devices. Additional health-related surveys have been conducted bimonthly using various PDA-assisted survey software. Results: The Mbita HDSS covers 55 929 individuals, and the Kwale HDSS covers 42 585 individuals. In the Mbita HDSS, the life expectancy was 61.0 years for females and 57.5 years for males. Under-5 mortality was 91.5 per 1000 live births, and infant mortality was 47.0 per 1000 live births. The total fertility rate was 3.7 per woman. Data from the Kwale HDSS were not available because it has been running for less than I year at the time of this report. Conclusions: Our HDSS programs are based on a computer-assisted survey system that provides a rapid and flexible data collection platform in areas that lack an effective basic resident registration system. Although the HDSS areas are not representative of the entire country, they provide a base for several epidemiologic and social study programs, and for practical community support programs that seek to improve the health of the people in these areas.

During a comparison of the infectivity of mNDK, a CD4-independent human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) strain, to various cell lines, we found that HeLa cells were much less susceptible than 293T and TE671 cells. Hybridoma cells between HeLa and 293T cells were as susceptible as 293T cells, suggesting that cellular factors enhance the mNDK infection in 293T cells. By screening a cDNA expression library in HeLa cells, cystatin C was isolated as an enhancer of the mNDK infection. Because cathepsin B protease, a natural ligand of cystatin C, was upregulated in HeLa cells, we speculated that the high levels of cathepsin B activities were inhibitory to the CD4-independent infection and that cystatin C enhanced the infection by impairing the excessive cathepsin B activity. Consistent with this idea, pretreatment of HeLa cells with 125 mu M of CA-074Me, a cathepsin B inhibitor, resulted in an 8-fold enhancement of the mNDK infectivity. Because cathepsin B is activated by low pH in acidic endosomes, we further examined the potential roles of endosomes in the CD4-independent infection. Suppression of endosome acidification or endocytosis by inhibitors or by an Eps15 dominant negative mutant reduced the infectivity of mNDK in which CD4-dependent infections were not significantly impaired. Taken together, these results suggest that endocytosis, endosomal acidification, and cathepsin B activity are involved in the CD4-independent entry of HIV-1.

The present study was designed to develop a simple predictive equation for the percent body fat (%BF) in Japanese adults based on variables collected during health examinations. We hypothesized that a benchmark for defining metabolic syndrome and obesity could be based on %BF, which was measured by underwater weighing (UW) as a gold standard for body composition assessment. Thus, we developed a predictive equation for %BF derived from UW that may contribute to the assessment of obesity status, characterized by an excess accumulation of visceral or subcutaneous fat. The subjects were 810 Japanese participants (283 men, 527 women, ages 18-59 years). Anthropometric variables, including height, weight, 7 circumferences, and 8 skinfold thicknesses, were measured. The developed predictive equation was as follows: %BF = 10.558 x sex (1 for men; 2 for women) + 0.069 x age + 0.667 x body mass index + 0.314 x abdominal circumference - 35.881. The coefficient of determination (r(2)) was 0.69. The predicted %BF derived from this equation was highly correlated with LW-measured values and did not show underestimation or overestimation in either sex. These data suggested that this predictive equation for %BF can be used for all Japanese adults and does not require the use of medical equipment and special measurement techniques. By combining the equation for %BF developed in this study with a %BF cutoff value of metabolic syndrome and obesity (&gt; 25.0% in men and &gt; 30.0% in women), all Japanese adults can easily and conveniently assess obesity status. (C) 2011 Elsevier inc. All rights reserved.

Background: Measles remains a serious vaccine preventable cause of mortality in developing nations. Vietnam is aiming to achieve the level of immunity required to eliminate measles by maintaining a high coverage of routine first vaccinations in infants, routine second vaccinations at school entry and supplementary local campaigns in high-risk areas. Regular outbreaks of measles are reported, during 2005-2009. Methods: National measles case-based surveillance data collected during 2005-June 2009 was analyzed to assess the epidemiological trend and risk factors associated with measles outbreak in Vietnam. Results: Of the 36,282 measles suspected cases reported nationwide, only 7,086 cases were confirmed through laboratory examination. Although cyclical outbreaks occurred between 2005 and 2009, there was no definite trend in measles outbreaks during these periods. Overall, 2438 of measles confirmed cases were among children &lt;= 5 years and 3068 cases were among people &gt;= 16 years. The distribution with respect to gender skewed towards male (3667 cases) significant difference was not observed (P= 0.1693). Unsurprisingly, 4493 of the confirmed cases had no history of vaccination (X(2) &lt; 0.01). The northern and highland regions were identified as the main endemic foci and the spatial distribution changed with time. The occurrence of cases, in a considerable proportion of vaccinated population, is not only a reflection of the high vaccination coverage in Vietnam but also portrays a possibility of less than 100% vaccine efficacy. More so, in order to prevent measles in adults, high-risk groups must be identified and catch-up for selected groups selected. Conclusions: This study therefore reinforces the need for continued improvement of surveillance system and to probe into the possible role of changes in age-distribution of cases if the effective control of measles is to be achieved.

The amount of yellow dust that reaches Japan has recently increased. This increase could worsen asthma attacks. However, it is difficult to conduct quantitative research because yellow dust is widely dispersed. Therefore, very few epidemiological studies regarding yellow dust and asthma have been conducted. Given that, we applied a monitoring method that can investigate the amount of incoming yellow dust by using satellite data to this epidemiological study. This study attempts to shed light on such an important public health issue in Asia where cross boundary air pollution problems are increasing in recent years, by using remotely sensed satellite data and to examine the influx of yellow dust and its association with bronchial asthma mortality in Western Japan. We evaluated the relationship between the annual average amount of incoming yellow dust obtained from satellite data and the annual average mortality rate from asthma. Spearman's rank correlation result revealed no significant correlation (r = 0.268, n = 8, P > 0.05). However, we were able to conduct a quantitative analysis on the influx of yellow dust conditions using satellite data collected over a period of 10 years. This confirms the applicability of use of satellite data in assessing future epidemiological research regarding yellow dust and air polluted related diseases.

Objective: The incidence of obesity has been increasing in the Asia-Pacific region, but many areas do not have access to expensive medical devices for evaluating body composition. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) can precisely and easily estimate percentage body fat (%BF), regardless of social environment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate differences in body composition among ethnic groups living in rural areas in the Asia-Pacific region, and to analyze associations between body mass index (BMI) and %BF as measured by BIA. Methods: A total of 869 middle-elderly adults (Japanese: 131 men, 435 women; Palauan: 42 men, 49 women; Thai: 106 men, 106 women; mean age. 58 years; range. 40-69 years) were recruited from rural areas in Thailand, Koror Island in Palau, and Goto Island in Japan. Weight and %BF were estimated using BIA. Height was measured and BMI was calculated. Results: Weight. BMI, and %BF clearly differed among ethnic groups and by gender (p&lt;0.000l). In each ethnic group, %BF was significantly correlated with BMI for each sex (men: Japanese, r=0.691, p&lt;0.000l; Palauan, r=0.892, p&lt;0.000l; Thai, r=0.842, p&lt;0.000l; women: Japanese, r=0.892, p&lt;0.000l; Palauan, r=0.892, p&lt;0.000l; Thai, r=0.779, p&lt;0.000l). Conclusions: BIA offers a reliable option for measuring %BF and a strong association exists between %BF and BMI for individuals in rural areas of the Asia-Pacific region, regardless of ethnicity.

Recently it has been reported that a cathepsin B inhibitor, CA-074Me, attenuates ecotropic murine leukemia virus (Eco-MLV) infection in NIH3T3 cells, suggesting that cathepsin B is required for the Eco-MLV infection. However, cathepsin B activity was negative or extremely low in NIH3T3 cells. How did CA-074Me attenuate the Eco-MLV infection? The CA-074Me treatment of NIH3T3 cells inhibited cathepsin L activity, and a cathepsin L specific inhibitor, CLIK148, attenuated the Eco-MLV vector infection. These results indicate that the suppression of cathepsin L activity by CA-074Me induces the inhibition of Eco-MLV infection, suggesting that cathepsin L is required for the Eco-MLV infection in NIH3T3 cells. The CA-074Me treatment inhibited the Eco-MLV infection in human cells expressing the exogenous mouse ecotropic receptor and endogenous cathepsins B and L, but the CLIK148 treatment did not, showing that only the cathepsin L suppression by CLIK148 is not enough to prevent the Eco-MLV infection in cells expressing both of cathepsins B and L, and CA-074Me inhibits the Eco-MLV infection by suppressing both of cathepsins B and L. These results suggest that either cathepsin B or L is sufficient for the Eco-MLV infection. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.