【思いがけない血圧異常】 上下左右の思いがけない高血圧

雑誌掲載版血圧の左右差、上下差を有する疾患として大動脈炎症候群、大動脈縮窄症、閉塞性動脈硬化症などの代表的な疾患に加えて高血圧、糖尿病、慢性腎臓病などがあげられる。一方、近年の前向きコホート研究のメタ解析などから血圧の左右差や上下差と、末梢血管疾患、脳血管病変の合併、心血管死亡、全死亡などとのあいだに有意な相関関係がみられることが報告されている。すなわち、血圧の左右差や上下差を検出することは、血管炎や先天性疾患などのスクリーニングに役立つばかりではなく全身的な動脈硬化病変の早期発見につながることが示されている。高血圧診療において両腕の血圧測定をすることを日常化し、心血管病ハイリスクの患者においては足関節・上腕血圧比ankle-brachial index(ABI)を適宜測定することが循環器疾患の早期スクリーニング、重症度評価につながると考えられる

Protective Role of HLA-DRB1*13:02 against Microscopic Polyangiitis and MPO-ANCA-Positive Vasculitides in a Japanese Population: A Case-Control Study

Among antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides (AAV), granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and proteinase 3-ANCA-positive AAV (PR3-AAV) are prevalent in European populations, while microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and myeloperoxidase-ANCA-positive AAV (MPO-AAV) are predominant in the Japanese. We previously demonstrated association of DRB1*09:01-DQB1*03:03 haplotype, a haplotype common in East Asians but rare in the European populations, with MPA/MPO-AAV, suggesting that a population difference in HLA-class II plays a role in the epidemiology of this disease. To gain further insights, we increased the sample size and performed an extended association study of DRB1 and DPB1 with AAV subsets in 468 Japanese patients with AAV classified according to the European Medicines Agency algorithm (MPA: 285, GPA: 92, eosinophilic GPA [EGPA]: 56, unclassifiable: 35) and 596 healthy controls. Among these patients, 377 were positive for MPO-ANCA and 62 for PR3-ANCA. The significance level was set at α = 3.3x10-4 by applying Bonferroni correction. The association of DRB1*09:01 with MPO-AAV was confirmed (allele model, P = 2.1x10-4, odds ratio [OR] = 1.57). Protective association of DRB1*13:02 was detected against MPO-AAV (allele model, P = 2.3x10-5, OR = 0.42) and MPA (dominant model, P = 2.7x10-4, OR = 0.43). A trend toward increased frequency of DPB1*04:01, the risk allele for GPA in European populations, was observed among Japanese patients with PR3-AAV when conditioned on DRB1*13:02 (Padjusted = 0.0021, ORadjusted = 3.48). In contrast, the frequency of DPB1*04:01 was decreased among Japanese patients with MPO-AAV, and this effect lost significance when conditioned on DRB1*13:02 (Padjusted = 0.16), suggesting that DRB1*13:02 or other allele(s) in linkage disequilibrium may be responsible for the protection. The differential association of DPB1*04:01 with PR3-AAV and MPO-AAV and difference in DPB1*04:01 allele frequencies between populations supported the hypothesis that the HLA-class II population difference may account in part for these epidemiologic characteristics. Furthermore, taken together with our previous observations, the haplotype carrying DRB1*13:02 was suggested to be a shared protective factor against multiple autoimmune diseases

First Results of High Performance Ge Gamma-Ray Spectrometer Onboard Lunar Orbiter SELENE (KAGUYA)

The high precision gamma-ray spectrometer (GRS) is carried on the first Japan\u27s large-scaled lunar explorer, SELENE (KAGUYA), successfully launched by the H-IIA rocket on Sep. 14, 2007. The GRS consists of a large Ge crystal as a main detector and massive bismuth germanate crystals and a plastic scintillator as anticoincidence detectors. After a series of initial health check of the GRS, it started a regular observation on December 21, 2007. Energy spectra including many clear peaks of major elements and trace elements on the lunar surface have been measured by the GRS. Global measurement of thorium counting rate on the lunar surface is presented. The region showing the highest count rate of thorium extends from Kepler to Fra Mauro region in the Procellarum. And Apennine Bench and Aristillus region and the northwestern region of Mare Imbrium are high in thorium count rate. Second high count rate region is located in the South Pole-Aitken basin of the farside. Arago and Compton/Belkovich craters are also enriched in thorium. The initial results observed by GRS during the period from Dec. 21, 2007 to Feb. 17, 2008 is reviewed

Large scaled observation program of ultra heavy nuclei in galactic cosmic rays

30th International Cosmic Ray Conferenc

Radiation dose on/around the Moon and its protection

2020年代以降、月軌道プラットフォームゲートウェイの建設を契機として月・火星深宇宙の有人探査が予定されいる。これらの探査のため、乗組員はこれまでの国際宇宙ステーション（ISS）と比較して長期間宇宙空間に滞在することになる。一方、月近傍は大気や地球磁場による遮蔽がなく、地球上やISS内と比較して放射線環境は過酷である。そのような放射線環境での健康被害へのリスク管理として、放射線量の見積もりと遮蔽の検討は必要不可欠である。本研究では銀河宇宙線による被ばく量を数値シミュレーションによって見積もるとともに、遮蔽材と月面の地形を利用した遮蔽効果の検討を行った。The 24th WRIMISS Workshop on Radiation Monitoring on InternationalSpace Station(WRMISS24

Combination of Antihypertensive Therapy in The Elderly, Multicenter Investigation (CAMUI) Trial

雑誌掲載版 J-STAGE掲載版使用 https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/browse/-char/jaAngiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) with calcium channel blockers (CCBs) or diuretics are a widely used combination therapy for hypertensive patients. The present study aimed to determine which combination was better for elderly hypertension patients aged ≧ 65 years. We designed a multicentre, randomized, open-label, parallel comparison study. Hypertensive outpatients aged ≧ 65 years who did not achieve the target blood pressure (BP < 140/90 mmHg) with usual dosages of ARBs were randomly assigned to switch treatment to losartan 50 mg/hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg or amlodipine 5 mg in addition to ARBs. The primary endpoint was a change in the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) after the 3-month treatment period, while secondary endpoints were changes in the BP, albuminuria, laboratory values, and cognitive function with the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) at baseline and after one year. The results from the CAMUI trial should provide new evidence for selecting optimal combination therapies for elderly hypertensive patients

Development of high resolution solid-state track detector for ultra heavy cosmic ray observation

30th International Cosmic Ray Conferenc

High performance measurement system of large area solid-state track detector array for ultra heavy cosmic rays

30th International Cosmic Ray Conferenc