Optimization of Ridge Parameters in Multivariate Generalized Ridge Regression by Plug-in Methods

Abstract Generalized ridge (GR) regression for a univariate linear model was proposed simultaneously with ridge regression b

Protective Effects of Japanese Soybean Paste (Miso) on Stroke in Stroke-Prone Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHRSP)

[BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS] Soybean isoflavones have been shown to reduce the risk of cerebral infarction in humans according to epidemiological studies. However, whether intake of miso can reduce the incidence of stroke in animal models remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of soybean paste (miso) in an animal model of stroke. [METHODS] Stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) were fed a miso diet (normal diet 90%, miso 10%; final NaCl content 2.8%), a high salt diet (normal diet and NaCl 2.5%; final NaCl content 2.8%), or a low salt diet (normal diet; final NaCl content 0.3%). [RESULTS] Kaplan–Meier survival curves revealed a significantly lower survival rate in the high salt group compared to the miso group (P = 0.002) and the low salt group (P ≤ 0.001). Large hemorrhagic macules were found in the cerebrum in the high salt group, whereas none were found in the other 2 groups. There were also fewer histological and immunohistochemical changes in the brain and kidneys in the miso group compared to the high salt group. [CONCLUSION] Our results suggest that miso may have protective effects against stroke despite its high salt content.This work was supported by a grant-in-aid from the Central Miso Institute, Tokyo, Japa

High Excess Risk of Heart Disease Mortality among Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Male Survivors Exposed Near the Hypocenter

Heart disease (HD) mortality is the second leading cause of death in Japan. The HD mortality risk among Atomic bomb survivors is slightly positive but shows a statistically significant dose-response relationship with initial radiation dose, as reported by the Radiation Effects Research Foundation. In that report, dosimetry was based on initial radiation only, with the effect of indirect radiation dose not taken into consideration. The atomic bomb radiation, however, consisted of both initial and residual radiation. We reevaluated the dose-response relationship for HD mortality using exposure distance (ground distance between the location where exposed and the hypocenter) as a surrogate indicator of radiation dose. At Hiroshima University, a cohort study has been conducted with Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Survivors (ABS) since 1970. We selected 29605 subjects from the ABS who were exposed at 3.5 km or less from the hypocenter and alive on January 1, 1970. These subjects, referred to as “Hiroshima hibakusha” in this paper, were followed until December 31, 2010. We stratified the cohort data with respect to sex and age at the time of bombing (ATB) into 10-year age groups. For each stratum, by applying an extended Cox regression model with time-dependent covariates, we analyzed the risk of HD mortality using either initial radiation dose or exposure distance as an explanatory variable. The results indicate a high excess risk in males and older age ATB females who were exposed near the hypocenter. This difference may be explained by the effect of female sex hormone on the circulatory system among young age ATB females. Some unknown risk factor related to exposure distance was also implicated in the elevated risk of HD among the Hiroshima hibakusha, especially in males. This necessitates further study.This research was supported in part by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A) 24249039 (2012–2014), and the Joint Usage/Research Center (RIRBM), Hiroshima University

High Initial-dose Dependency of Cerebrovascular Disease Mortality among Female Survivors of the Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Exposed in Teens : A Cohort Study, 1970-2010

Several studies have been conducted on cerebrovascular disease mortality in Atomic bomb survivors. Previous studies have investigated the relationship between mortality and initial radiation dose after adjusting for the effects of sex and age at the time of the bombing (ATB), and detected a weak (but statistically significant) dose-response relationship was detected. The objective of the present study was to examine whether the sex- and age ATB-specific cerebrovascular disease mortality among Hiroshima atomic bomb survivors can be explained by the initial radiation dose. At Hiroshima University, a cohort study has been conducted with Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Survivors (ABS) since 1970. We selected 30,378 subjects from the ABS who were exposed at 3.5 km or less from the hypocenter and still alive on January 1, 1970. These subjects were followed up until December 31, 2010. The cohort data were stratified with respect to sex and age ATB into 10-year age groups. For each stratum, using Cox regression, we performed survival analyses of the risk of cerebrovascular mortality using the initial radiation dose and the exposure distance (the ground distance between the exposure location and the hypocenter) as explanatory variables. The results indicated that the risks to females exposed at 10 to 19 years old were highly dependent on the initial radiation dose (hazard ratio: 1.51, p < 0.001), while the risks to males were not. There might exist some radiation exposure effects limited to women who were in their teens at the time of exposure. However, the background mechanisms remain unclear, necessitating further study.This study was supported in part by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A) 24249039, Young Scientists (B) 23790694, and 23700337 from the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology

Textual Variations and Readings among the Manuscripts and Editions of The Canterbury Tales: With Special Reference to The Knight’s Tale

This is a revised version of the paper presented at the 20th congress of the New Chaucer Society at Queen Mary University of London on 12 July 2016. This research was supported by Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C) (Grant Number 15K02304) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

Beneficial Effect of Food Substitute Containing L-Arginine, ω-3 Poly Unsaturated Fatty Acid, and Ribonucleic Acid in Preventing or Improving Metabolic Syndrome: A Study in 15 Overweight Patients and a Study of Fatty Acid Metabolism in Animals

This study was conducted to investigate whether or not a food substitute (Dr. BAANs®) containing three bioactive components L-arginine, ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, and ribonucleic acid, supplied orally to 15 overweight patients, may have efficacy to prevent or improve the metabolic syndrome of these patients. To provide supporting data for this clinical study, the in vivo fatty acid metabolism of obese mice was analyzed using 125I labeled 15-(p-iodophenyl)-9-methylpentadecanoic acid (9MPA) in the tissues’ lipid pool. After 3 months of intervention, the results showed that there were improvements observed in liver functions, lipid profiles and metabolic syndrome marker. Significant differences were also found in the values of blood pressure, body weight, percentage of body fat, and body mass index. In the animal study, the tissue uptake of 125I-9MPA at 10 min after injection was higher in obese mice than in the control mice and the treatment with Dr. BAANs® in obese mice decreased the uptake significantly. The final product metabolite of p-iodophenylacetic acid in obese mice was increased significantly by the treatment. In conclusion, this food substitute may have a beneficial effect for the prevention or improvement of metabolic syndrome