BackgroundMost diseases are thought to arise from interactions between environmental factors and the host genotype. To detect gene–environment interactions in the development of lifestyle-related diseases, and especially cancer, the Japan Multi-institutional Collaborative Cohort (J-MICC) Study was launched in 2005.MethodsWe initiated a cross-sectional study to examine associations of genotypes with lifestyle and clinical factors, as assessed by questionnaires and medical examinations. The 4519 subjects were selected from among participants in the J-MICC Study in 10 areas throughout Japan. In total, 108 polymorphisms were chosen and genotyped using the Invader assay.ResultsThe study group comprised 2124 men and 2395 women with a mean age of 55.8 ± 8.9 years (range, 35–69 years) at baseline. Among the 108 polymorphisms examined, 4 were not polymorphic in our study population. Among the remaining 104 polymorphisms, most variations were common (minor allele frequency ≥0.05 for 96 polymorphisms). The allele frequencies in this population were comparable with those in the HapMap-JPT data set for 45 Japanese from Tokyo. Only 5 of 88 polymorphisms showed allele-frequency differences greater than 0.1. Of the 108 polymorphisms, 32 showed a highly significant difference in minor allele frequency among the study areas (P < 0.001).ConclusionsThis comprehensive data collection on lifestyle and clinical factors will be useful for elucidating gene–environment interactions. In addition, it is likely to be an informative reference tool, as free access to genotype data for a large Japanese population is not readily available.

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Background and PurposeSinus lift (SL) using cultured autogenous periosteal cells (CAPCs) combined with autogenous bone and platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) was performed to evaluate the effect of cell administration on bone regeneration, by using high‐resolution three‐dimensional computed tomography (CT).Materials and Methods SL with autogenous bone and PRP plus CAPC [CAPC(+)SL] was performed in 23 patients. A piece of periosteum taken from the mandible was cultured in M199 medium with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) for 6 weeks. As control, 16 patients received SL with autogenous bone and PRP [CAPC(−)SL]. Three‐dimensional CT imaging was performed before and 4 months and 1 year after SL, and stratification was performed based on CT numbers (HUs) corresponding to soft tissue and cancellous or cortical bone.ResultsThe augmented bone in CAPC(+)SL revealed an increase in HUs corresponding to cancellous bone as well as a decrease in HUs corresponding to grafted cortical bone. In addition, HUs corresponding to cancellous bone in the graft bed were increased in CAPC(+)SL but were decreased in CAPC(−)SL. Insertion torque during implant placement was significantly higher in CAPC(+)SL.ConclusionBy promoting bone anabolic activity both in augmented bone and graft bed, CAPCs are expected to aid primary fixation and osseointegration of implants in clinical applications.

In this study changes in plasma oxytocin levels were determined before and after ejaculation in patients with abnormal spermatogenesis. Plasma oxytocin levels rose significantly after ejaculation (P < 0.001, n = 17). There was no obvious correlation between plasma oxytocin levels and sperm count, sperm motility or the number of abnormal forms. Oxytocin may play a role in the precipitation of ejaculation in males.

Aim:To investigate the prevalence and geographical variation of high arterial stiffness in groups from the Amami islands (Amami) and Kagoshima mainland (mainland), Japan, using the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) as a surrogate marker of arterial stiffness. Methods: We recruited 4,523 health checkup examinees from Amami and 440 examinees from the mainland, with an age range of 40-69 years. The frequency of high arterial stiffness (CAVI ≥ 9.0) was geographically compared between the regions, and both mean CAVI values were compared with those of the healthy Japanese population with less risk factors for coronary artery disease. Clinical, lifestyle, and regional factors for increased CAVI values were estimated by the multiple linear regression model. Results: The frequency of high arterial stiffness on Amami was significantly lower than on the mainland. Mean CAVI values on Amami were similar in males and lower in females than in the healthy Japanese population, but those on the mainland were higher for both sexes. Age, systolic blood pressure, triglycerides, fasting blood glucose, and a history of hypertension and diabetes mellitus were positively related to increased CAVI values on Amami. The regional factor of Amami, compared with the mainland, was negatively related to increased CAVI values in both sexes after adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Conclusion: CAVI values in Amami residents were significantly lower than in mainland residents, suggesting that environmental or genetic factors might have improved arterial stiffness in the Amami population.