Temporal trends in handgrip strength for older Japanese adults between 1998 and 2017

Abstract Objective to estimate temporal trends in handgrip strength (HGS) for older Japanese adults between 1998 and 2017. Design and methods adults aged 60–79 years were included. Annual nationally representative HGS data (n = 176,449) for the 19-year study period were obtained from the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Temporal trends in mean HGS were estimated by sample-weighted regression models relating the year of testing to mean HGS. National trends in absolute, percent and standardised HGS were estimated by a post-stratified population-weighting procedure. Temporal trends in variability were estimated as the ratio of coefficients of variation (CVs). Results collectively, there was a small improvement in mean HGS of 1.4 kg (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.3–1.5), 4.5% (95%CI: 4.3–4.7) or 0.27 standard deviations (95%CI: 0.26–0.28) between 1998 and 2017. The rate of improvement progressively increased over time, with more recent values (post-2008) 1.5-fold larger than earlier values. Gender- and age-related temporal differences were negligible. Variability in HGS declined substantially over time (ratio of CVs [95%CI]: 0.88 [0.86–0.90]), with declines 1.9-fold larger in women compared to men and 1.7-fold larger in 70- to 79-year-olds compared to 60- to 69-year-olds. Conclusions there has been a small, progressive improvement in mean HGS for older Japanese adults since 1998, which is suggestive of a corresponding improvement in strength capacity. The substantial decline in variability indicates that the improvement in mean HGS was not uniform across the population.

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Handgrip Strength Asymmetry and Weakness Are Differentially Associated with Functional Limitations in Older Americans

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17093231 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (9) ◽

pp. 3231 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kyle Collins ◽

Nathaniel Johnson ◽

Lukus Klawitter ◽

Roman Waldera ◽

Sherri Stastny ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Functional Disability ◽

Handgrip Strength ◽

Functional Limitations ◽

Health Conditions ◽

Older Americans ◽

Health And Nutrition ◽

Age Related ◽

Strength Capacity ◽

Strength Asymmetry ◽

Nationally Representative

Background: Handgrip strength (HGS) is a convent measure of strength capacity and associated with several age-related health conditions such as functional disability. Asymmetric strength between limbs has been linked to diminished function. Therefore, both HGS asymmetry and weakness could be associated with functional disability. We examined the associations of HGS asymmetry and weakness on functional limitations in a nationally representative sample of older Americans. Methods: Data were analyzed from 2689 adults ≥ 60 years who participated in the 2011–2012 and 2013–2014 waves of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Weakness was defined as HGS < 26 kg for men and < 16 kg for women. Asymmetry was determined from the ratio of the dominant and non-dominant HGS. Those with HGS ratio 0.9–1.1 were considered as having HGS symmetry, and those outside this range had asymmetry. Results: Compared to those with symmetric HGS and were not weak, those with weakness alone, and both weakness and HGS asymmetry had 2.47 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.14–5.35) and 3.93 (CI: 1.18–13.07) greater odds for functional limitations, respectively. However, HGS asymmetry alone was not associated with functional limitations (odds ratio: 0.80; CI: 0.62–1.03). Conclusion: The use of HGS asymmetry in protocols could improve the prognostic value of handgrip dynamometers.

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Age-Specific Rates of Onset of Cannabis Use in Mexico

10.1101/2020.11.30.20241463 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Mauricio López-Méndez ◽

Angélica Ospina-Escobar ◽

Rowan Iskandar ◽

Fernando Alarid-Escudero

Keyword(s):

Birth Cohort ◽

Temporal Trends ◽

Tobacco Consumption ◽

Cannabis Use ◽

Parametric Models ◽

Birth Cohorts ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cannabis Consumption ◽

Nationally Representative ◽

Over Time

AbstractBackgroundOver the previous two decades, the prevalence of cannabis use has risen among the population in Mexico.AimsTo estimate the sex- and age-specific rates of onset of cannabis use over time.DesignTime-to-event flexible parametric models with spline specifications of the hazard function. Stratified analysis by sex, and control for temporal trends by year of data collection or decennial birth-cohort.SettingMexico.ParticipantsPooled sample of 141,342 respondents aged between 12 and 65 years from five nationally representative cross-sectional surveys, the Mexican National Surveys of Addictions (1998, 2002, 2008, 2012) and the Mexican National Survey on Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco Consumption (2016).MeasurementsWe estimated age-specific rates of onset of cannabis as the conditional rate of consuming cannabis for the first time at a specific age.FindingsAge-specific rates of onset of cannabis use per 1,000 individuals increased over time for both females and males. Peak rates per 1,000 ranged from 0.935 (95%CI= [0.754,1.140]) in 1998, to 5.390 (95%CI= [4.910,5.960]) in 2016 for females; and from 7.510 (95%CI= [5.516, 10.355]) in 1998, to 26.100 (95%CI= [23.162,30.169]) in 2016 for males. Across decennial birth-cohorts, peak rates of onset of cannabis use per 1,000 individuals for females ranged from 0.342 (95%CI= [0.127,0.898]) for those born in the 1930s, to 14.600 (95%CI= [13.200,16.100]) for those born in the 1990s; and for males, from 4.900 (95%CI= [0.768, 7.947]) for those born in the 1930s, to 38.700 (95%CI= [32.553,66.341]) for those born in the 1990s.ConclusionRates of onset of cannabis use for males are higher than for females; however, the change across recent cohorts of the rates of onset has increased at a faster rate among females. Our findings can inform and improve the implementation of policies around cannabis use by identifying subpopulations by age, sex, and birth-cohort that are at the highest risk of initiating cannabis consumption.

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Use of intravenous magnesium sulfate among patients with acute myocardial infarction in China from 2001 to 2015: China PEACE—Retrospective AMI Study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033269 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. e033269

Author(s):

Xianqiang Wang ◽

Xue Du ◽

Hao Yang ◽

Emily Bucholz ◽

Nicholas Downing ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Myocardial Infarction ◽

Acute Myocardial Infarction ◽

Magnesium Sulfate ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Temporal Trends ◽

Sampling Strategy ◽

Reperfusion Therapy ◽

Intravenous Magnesium ◽

Nationally Representative ◽

Over Time

ObjectiveIn 2001, Chinese guidelines for the care of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) included a new recommendation against the routine use of magnesium. We studied temporal trends and institutional variation in the use of intravenous magnesium sulfate in nationally representative samples of individuals hospitalised with AMI in China between 2001 and 2015.MethodsIn an observational study (China PEACE—Retrospective Study) of AMI care, we used a two-stage, random sampling strategy to create a nationally representative sample of 28 208 patients with AMI at 162 Chinese hospitals in 2001, 2006, 2011 and 2015. The main outcome is use of intravenous magnesium sulfate over time.ResultsWe identified 24 418 patients admitted for AMI, without hypokalaemia, in the four study years. Over time, there was a significant initial decrease in intravenous magnesium sulfate use, from 32.1% in 2001 to 17.1% in 2015 (p<0.001 for trend). The decline was greater in the Eastern (from 33.3% to 16.5%) and Western (from 34.8% to 17.2%) regions, as compared with the Central region (from 25.9% to 18.1%), with little difference between rural and urban areas. The proportion of hospitals using intravenous magnesium sulfate did not change over time (from 81.3% to 77.9%). The median ORs, representing hospital-level variation, were 6.03 in 2001, 3.86 in 2006, 4.26 in 2011 and 4.72 in 2015. Intravenous magnesium sulfate use was associated with cardiac arrest at admission and receipt of reperfusion therapy, but no hospital-specific characteristics.ConclusionsDespite recommendations against its use, intravenous magnesium sulfate is used in about one in six patients with AMI in China. Our findings highlight the need for more efficient mechanisms to stop using ineffective therapies to improve patients’ outcomes and reduce medical waste.Trial registration numberClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01624883)

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Findings from recent studies by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency examining musculoskeletal atrophy in space and on Earth

npj Microgravity ◽

10.1038/s41526-021-00145-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Satoshi Furukawa ◽

Masahiro Chatani ◽

Atsushi Higashitani ◽

Akira Higashibata ◽

Fuminori Kawano ◽

...

Keyword(s):

The Elderly ◽

The Body ◽

Model Organisms ◽

Ministry Of Education ◽

Sports Science ◽

Age Related ◽

Bone Atrophy ◽

Spaceflight Experiments ◽

Education Culture ◽

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

AbstractThe musculoskeletal system provides the body with correct posture, support, stability, and mobility. It is composed of the bones, muscles, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, joints, and other connective tissues. Without effective countermeasures, prolonged spaceflight under microgravity results in marked muscle and bone atrophy. The molecular and physiological mechanisms of this atrophy under unloaded conditions are gradually being revealed through spaceflight experiments conducted by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency using a variety of model organisms, including both aquatic and terrestrial animals, and terrestrial experiments conducted under the Living in Space project of the Japan Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology. Increasing our knowledge in this field will lead not only to an understanding of how to prevent muscle and bone atrophy in humans undergoing long-term space voyages but also to an understanding of countermeasures against age-related locomotive syndrome in the elderly.

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Personality change and environmental concerns

10.31234/osf.io/jk94r ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Christopher James Hopwood ◽

Ted Schwaba ◽

Wiebke Bleidorn

Keyword(s):

Personality Traits ◽

Personality Change ◽

Environmental Concerns ◽

Big Five Personality ◽

German Population ◽

Individual Level ◽

Sustainable Behavior ◽

Nationally Representative ◽

The Individual ◽

Over Time

Personal concerns about climate change and the environment are a powerful motivator of sustainable behavior. People’s level of concern varies as a function of a variety of social and individual factors. Using data from 58,748 participants from a nationally representative German sample, we tested preregistered hypotheses about factors that impact concerns about the environment over time. We found that environmental concerns increased modestly from 2009-2017 in the German population. However, individuals in middle adulthood tended to be more concerned and showed more consistent increases in concern over time than younger or older people. Consistent with previous research, Big Five personality traits were correlated with environmental concerns. We present novel evidence that increases in concern were related to increases in the personality traits neuroticism and openness to experience. Indeed, changes in openness explained roughly 50% of the variance in changes in environmental concerns. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the individual level factors associated with changes in environmental concerns over time, towards the promotion of more sustainable behavior at the individual level.

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Perspectives: Guilt, Missed Opportunities, and False Role Models: A Look at Perceptions and Use of the First Language in English Teaching in Japan

JALT Journal - JALT Journal 24.1 ◽

10.37546/jaltjj37.1-2 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 37 (1) ◽

pp. 29 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Samantha Hawkins

Keyword(s):

Language Learning ◽

Role Models ◽

Target Language ◽

Ministry Of Education ◽

Missed Opportunities ◽

Resource Teachers ◽

Sports Science ◽

English Classes ◽

Creative Pedagogy ◽

Necessary Evil

At the start of the 2013 academic year, Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) implemented the guideline set forth in their latest Courses of Study, dictating that English classes “should be conducted principally in English in high school” (MEXT, 2009, p. 8). The new Courses of Study, although not imposing a strict target-language-only rule, are still reflective of the past dogma that takes what Macaro (2001) calls a maximal position wherein the L1 is a necessary evil rather than a pedagogical resource. Teachers and institutions espousing such a view undermine language learning progress by engendering undue guilt for responsive and responsible teaching decisions, inhibiting creative pedagogy, and discouraging teachers from acting as positive and realistic bi/multilingual role models. 日本の文部科学省は、現行版学習要領に記載された「高等学校の英語教育授業を原則として英語で教えること」（文部科学省, 2009, p. 8）という方針を2013学年度に施行した。対象言語のみの使用を徹底するという厳格な規則にはなっていないものの、新学習要領は、Macaro（2001）がmaximal positionと呼ぶ「母語（L1）の使用は教育上の必要悪である」とする考えを反映している。このような見解を広める教師及び教育機関は、柔軟かつ責任ある教育的決断に対して過剰な罪悪感を生み、独創的な教授法を抑制し、教師が積極的で現実的に対応できるバイリンガル・多言語が使いこなせる模範者として活躍することを阻害し、それによって外国語教育の進歩を妨害する。

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The Role of Vascular Aging in Atherosclerotic Plaque Development and Vulnerability

Current Pharmaceutical Design ◽

10.2174/1381612825666190830175424 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 25 (29) ◽

pp. 3098-3111 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Luca Liberale ◽

Giovanni G. Camici

Keyword(s):

Atherosclerotic Plaque ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Driving Forces ◽

Plaque Burden ◽

Vascular Aging ◽

Age Related ◽

Plaque Development ◽

Increased Risk ◽

The Impact ◽

Over Time

Background: The ongoing demographical shift is leading to an unprecedented aging of the population. As a consequence, the prevalence of age-related diseases, such as atherosclerosis and its thrombotic complications is set to increase in the near future. Endothelial dysfunction and vascular stiffening characterize arterial aging and set the stage for the development of cardiovascular diseases. Atherosclerotic plaques evolve over time, the extent to which these changes might affect their stability and predispose to sudden complications remains to be determined. Recent advances in imaging technology will allow for longitudinal prospective studies following the progression of plaque burden aimed at better characterizing changes over time associated with plaque stability or rupture. Oxidative stress and inflammation, firmly established driving forces of age-related CV dysfunction, also play an important role in atherosclerotic plaque destabilization and rupture. Several genes involved in lifespan determination are known regulator of redox cellular balance and pre-clinical evidence underlines their pathophysiological roles in age-related cardiovascular dysfunction and atherosclerosis. Objective: The aim of this narrative review is to examine the impact of aging on arterial function and atherosclerotic plaque development. Furthermore, we report how molecular mechanisms of vascular aging might regulate age-related plaque modifications and how this may help to identify novel therapeutic targets to attenuate the increased risk of CV disease in elderly people.

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Establishing a model to demonstrate physical and mathematical properties of chromatin fibres in fission yeast cells - Research in the Molecular Biophysics Lab at Hiroshima University

Impact ◽

10.21820/23987073.2018.3.89 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 (3) ◽

pp. 89-91

Author(s):

Shin-ichi Tate

Keyword(s):

Molecular Biology ◽

Yeast Cells ◽

Molecular Architecture ◽

Ministry Of Education ◽

Cellular Functions ◽

Sports Science ◽

Cellular Events ◽

And Function ◽

Education Culture ◽

Open The Doors

The field of molecular biology has provided great insights into the structure and function of key molecules. Thanks to this area of research, we can now grasp the biological details of DNA and have characterised an enormous number of molecules in massive data bases. These 'biological periodic tables' have allowed scientists to connect molecules to particular cellular events, furthering scientific understanding of biological processes. However, molecular biology has yet to answer questions regarding 'higher-order' molecular architecture, such as that of chromatin. Chromatin is the molecular material that serves as the building block for chromosomes, the structures that carry an organism's genetic information inside of the cell's nucleus. Understanding the physical properties of chromatin is crucial in developing a more thorough picture of how chromatin's structure relate to its key cellular functions. Moreover, by establishing a physical model of chromatin, scientists will be able to open the doors into the true inner workings of the cell nucleus. Professor Shin-ichi Tate and his team of researchers at Hiroshima University's Research Center for the Mathematics on Chromatin Live Dynamics (RcMcD), are attempting to do just that. Through a five-year grant funded by the Platform for Dynamic Approaches to Living Systems from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Tate is aiming to gain a clearer understanding of the structure and dynamics of chromatin.

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A246 THE GLOBAL INCIDENCE OF ACUTE PANCREATITIS IS INCREASING OVER TIME: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS

Journal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology ◽

10.1093/jcag/gwab002.244 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 304-306

Author(s):

J Iannuzzi ◽

J H Leong ◽

J Quan ◽

J A King ◽

J W Windsor ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Acute Pancreatitis ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Temporal Trends ◽

Western World ◽

Common Disease ◽

Biliary Disease ◽

Comprehensive Overview ◽

Annual Percent Change ◽

Over Time

Abstract Background Acute pancreatitis is a common disease with significant associated morbidity and mortality. Historically, acute pancreatitis has been considered a disease with multiple etiologies and risk factors but is driven by alcohol and biliary disease. Multiple studies have shown that the incidence of acute pancreatitis is increasing globally among both adults and children. Aims The purpose of this study was to assess temporal trends in incidence of acute pancreatitis globally. Methods We performed a systematic literature search to identify population-based studies reporting the annual incidence of acute pancreatitis. Abstracts were independently assessed in duplicate to identify applicable papers for full-text review and data extraction. Joinpoint temporal trend analyses were performed to calculate the average annual percent change (AAPC) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). The AAPCs were pooled in a meta-analysis to capture the overall and regional trends in acute pancreatitis incidence over time. Temporal data were summarized in a static map and an interactive, web-based map to illustrate global differences. Results Forty-five studies reported the temporal incidence of acute pancreatitis (static map provided, online interactive map: https://kaplan-acute-pancreatitis-ucalgary.hub.arcgis.com/). The incidence of acute pancreatitis has increased from 1961 to 2016 (AAPC = 2.89%; 95% CI: 2.26, 3.52; n=41). Increasing incidence was observed in North America (AAPC = 2.71%; 95% CI: 1.93, 3.50; n=10) and Europe (AAPC = 2.79%; 95% CI: 1.95, 3.63; n=24). The incidence of acute pancreatitis was stable in Asia (AAPC = −0.28%; 95% CI: −5.03, 4.47; n=2). Conclusions This meta-analysis provides a comprehensive overview of the global incidence of acute pancreatitis over the last five decades and demonstrates a steadily rising incidence over time in most countries of the Western world. More studies are needed to better define the changing incidence of acute pancreatitis in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Funding Agencies None

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Ten-year trends in epidemiology and outcomes of pediatric kidney replacement therapy in Europe: data from the ESPN/ERA-EDTA Registry

Pediatric Nephrology ◽

10.1007/s00467-021-04928-w ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Marjolein Bonthuis ◽

Enrico Vidal ◽

Anna Bjerre ◽

Özlem Aydoğ ◽

Sergey Baiko ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Replacement Therapy ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Patient Survival ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Resource Planning ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Age Related ◽

Kidney Replacement Therapy ◽

Over Time ◽

Related Population

Abstract Background For 10 consecutive years, the ESPN/ERA-EDTA Registry has included data on children with stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD 5) receiving kidney replacement therapy (KRT) in Europe. We examined trends in incidence and prevalence of KRT and patient survival. Methods We included all children aged <15 years starting KRT 2007–2016 in 22 European countries participating in the ESPN/ERA-EDTA Registry since 2007. General population statistics were derived from Eurostat. Incidence and prevalence were expressed per million age-related population (pmarp) and time trends studied with JoinPoint regression. We analyzed survival trends using Cox regression. Results Incidence of children commencing KRT <15 years remained stable over the study period, varying between 5.5 and 6.6 pmarp. Incidence by treatment modality was unchanged over time: 2.0 for hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) and 1.0 for transplantation. Prevalence increased in all age categories and overall rose 2% annually from 26.4 pmarp in 2007 to 32.1 pmarp in 2016. Kidney transplantation prevalence increased 5.1% annually 2007–2009, followed by 1.5% increase/year until 2016. Prevalence of PD steadily increased 1.4% per year over the entire period, and HD prevalence started increasing 6.1% per year from 2011 onwards. Five-year unadjusted patient survival on KRT was around 94% and similar for those initiating KRT 2007–2009 or 2010–2012 (adjusted HR: 0.98, 95% CI:0.71–1.35). Conclusions We found a stable incidence and increasing prevalence of European children on KRT 2007–2016. Five-year patient survival was good and was unchanged over time. These data can inform patients and healthcare providers and aid health policy makers on future resource planning of pediatric KRT in Europe.

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