Cardiovascular risk in Japanese-Brazilian subjects

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular disease in Japanese-Brazilian subjects. Subjects and methods: One hundred thirty-one residents of the Mombuca community were studied. Statistical analysis was based on the X-2 test, Fisher's Exact test, Student's t test, and ANOVA, at a 5% significance level. Results: The average age was 56.7 years-old; 76.3% had dyslipidemia, 24.4% pre-diabetes (PDM), 10.7% type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), 46.6% hypertension, 52.7% abdominal obesity, and 35.8% metabolic syndrome (MS). There were significant correlations between HOMA-IR and MS diagnosis and obesity, while HOMA-beta levels were decreased in T2DM and PDM. The ankle-brachial index was positive for peripheral artery disease in 22.3% of the individuals. Electrocardiograms did not show increased evidence of myocardial ischemia. Conclusion: Subjects of this community are exposed to major cardiovascular risk factors, namely high prevalence of MS diagnoses and increased HOMA-IR. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2012; 56(9): 608-13

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in elderly Japanese-Brazilians

Background: Prevalence of individuals with a high cardiovascular risk is elevated in elderly populations. Although metabolic syndrome (MS) increases cardiovascular risk, information is scarce on the prevalence of MS in the elderly. In this study we assessed MS prevalence in a population of elderly Japanese-Brazilians using different MS definitions according to waist circumference cutoff values. Material/Methods: We studied 339 elderly subjects, 44.8% males, aged between 60 to 88 years (70.1 +/- 6.8). MS was defined according to criteria proposed by the Joint Interim Statement in 2009. As waist circumference cutoff point values remain controversial for Asian and Japanese populations, we employed 3 different cutoffs that are commonly used in Japanese epidemiological studies: 1) >90 cm for men and >80 cm for women; 2) >85 cm for men and >90 cm for women; 3) >85 cm for men and >80 cm for women. Results: MS prevalence ranged from 59.9% to 65.8% according to the different definitions. We observed 90% concordance and no statistical difference (p>0.05) in MS prevalence between the 3 definitions. MS diagnosis according to all 3 cutoff values was found in 55.8% of our population, while in only 34.2% was MS discarded by all cutoffs. The prevalence of altered MS components was as follows: arterial blood pressure 82%, fasting glycemia 65.8%, triglyceride 43.4%, and HDL-C levels 36.9%. Conclusions: Elderly Japanese-Brazilians present high metabolic syndrome prevalence independent of waist circumference cutoff values. Concordance between the 3 definitions is high, suggesting that all 3 cutoff values yield similar metabolic syndrome prevalence values in this population.

Genetic variation of germination cold tolerance in Japanese rice germplasm

Low temperatures at the initial stages of rice development prevent fast germination and seedling establishment and may cause significant productivity losses. In order to develop rice cultivars exhibiting cold tolerance, it is necessary to investigate genetic resources, providing basic knowledge to allow the introduction of genes involved in low temperature germination ability from accessions into elite cultivars. Japanese rice accessions were evaluated at the germination under two conditions: 13 degrees C for 28 days (cold stress) and 28 degrees C for seven days (optimal temperature). The traits studied were coleoptile and radicle length under optimal temperature, coleoptile and radicle length under cold and percentage of the reduction in coleptile and radicle length due to low temperature. Among the accessions studied, genetic variation for traits related to germination under low temperatures was observed and accessions exhibiting adequate performance for all investigated traits were identified. The use of multivariate analysis allowed the identification of the genotypes displaying cold tolerance by smaller reductions in coleoptile and radicle lenght in the presence of cold and high vigour, by higher coleoptile and radicle growth under cold.

Comparison of venous plasma glycemia and capillary glycemia for the screening of type 2 diabetes mellitus in the Japanese-Brazilian community of Mombuca (Guatapará-SP)

Abstract Background To identify the most appropriate cut-off points of fasting glycemia for the screening of diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) with the comparison of the properties of capillary glycemia (CG) and venous blood plasma glycemia (PG) in a population of Japanese origin from the community of Mombuca, Guatapará - SP, Brazil. Methods This was a population-based descriptive cross-sectional study conducted on a sample of 131 individuals of both genders aged 20 years or more (66.8% of the target population). CG was measured with a glucometer in a blood sample obtained from the fingertip and PG was determined by an enzymatic method (hexokinase) in venous blood plasma, after a 10-14 hour fast in both cases. Data were analyzed by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve in order to identify the best cut-off point for fasting glycemia (CG and PG) for the diagnosis of DM, using the 2-hour plasma glycemia > 200 mg/dl as gold - standard. Results The ROC curve revealed that the best cut-off point for the screening of DM was 110 mg/dl for CG and 105 mg/dl for PG, values that would optimize the relation between individuals with positive and false-positive results. The area under the ROC curve was 0.814 for CG (p < 0.01) and 0.836 for PG (p < 0.01). Conclusions The cut-off points of 105 mg/dl(5.8 mmol/l) for PG and of 110 mg/dl(6.1 mmol/l) for CG appear to be the most appropriate for the screening of DM2 in the population under study, with emphasis on the fact that the value recommended for CG is 5 mg/dl higher than that for PG, in contrast to WHO recommendations.

Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome using two proposed definitions in a Japanese-Brazilians community

Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is associated with increased risk of morbi-mortality, thus the characterization of the population magnitude of this syndrome is critical for allocating health care. However, prevalence estimates of MetS in the same population could differ depending on the definition used. Therefore, we compared the prevalence of the MetS using definitions proposed by: National Cholesterol Education Panel Revised (NCEP) and International Diabetes Federation (IDF) 2009 in a Japanese-Brazilians community (131 individuals, age 57 ± 16 years, 1st and 2nd generation). All individuals went through a clinical and laboratorial evaluation for assessment of weigh, height, waist circumference, blood pressure, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol and fasting plasma glucose. The prevalence of MetS was 26.7% (n = 35) and 37.4% (n = 49) under the NCEP and IDF definitions, respectively. Despite higher blood pressure measurements, waist circumference and serum triglyceride levels and lower HDL cholesterol levels (p < 0.01), individuals identified with MetS did not show increased blood glucose levels. IDF definition classified 14 individuals (10.7%) with MetS that were not classified under the NCEP and 35 individuals were identified with MetS by both criteria. We observed, in this group, more severe lipid disorders, compared to individuals identified only under the IDF definition, and the BMI and waist circumference (p = 0.01; p = 0.006, respectively) were lower. In conclusion, the IDF revised criteria, probably because of the ethnic specific values of waist circumference, was able to identify a larger number of individuals with MetS. However, our data suggesting that additional studies are necessary to define best MetS diagnostic criteria in this population.

Cardiovascular risk in Japanese-Brazilian subjects

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular disease in Japanese-Brazilian subjects. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred thirty-one residents of the Mombuca community were studied. Statistical analysis was based on the X² test, Fisher's Exact test, Student's t test, and ANOVA, at a 5% significance level. RESULTS: The average age was 56.7 years-old; 76.3% had dyslipidemia, 24.4% pre-diabetes (PDM), 10.7% type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), 46.6% hypertension, 52.7% abdominal obesity, and 35.8% metabolic syndrome (MS). There were significant correlations between HOMA-IR and MS diagnosis and obesity, while HOMA-β levels were decreased in T2DM and PDM. The ankle-brachial index was positive for peripheral artery disease in 22.3% of the individuals. Electrocardiograms did not show increased evidence of myocardial ischemia. CONCLUSION: Subjects of this community are exposed to major cardiovascular risk factors, namely high prevalence of MS diagnoses and increased HOMA-IR. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2012;56(9):608-13

A behavioral intervention in a cohort of Japanese-Brazilians at high cardiometabolic risk

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of a health promotion program on cardiometabolic risk profile in Japanese-Brazilians. METHODS: A total of 466 subjects from a study on diabetes prevalence conducted in the city of Bauru, southeastern Brazil, in 2000 completed a 1-year intervention program (2005-2006) based on healthy diet counseling and physical activity. Changes in blood pressure and metabolic parameters in the 2005-2006 period were compared with annual changes in these same variables in the 2000-2005 period. RESULTS: During the intervention, there were greater annual reductions in mean (SD) waist circumference [-0.5(3.8) vs. 1.2(1.2) cm per year, p<0.001], systolic blood pressure [-4.6(17.9) vs. 1.8(4.3) mmHg per year, p<0.001], 2-hour plasma glucose [-1.2(2.1) vs. -0.2(0.6) mmol/L per year, p<0.001], LDL-cholesterol [-0.3(0.9) vs. -0.1(0.2) mmol/L per year, p<0.001] and Framingham coronary heart disease risk score [-0.25(3.03) vs. 0.11(0.66) per year, p=0.02] but not in triglycerides [0.2(1.6) vs. 0.1(0.42) mmol/L per year, p<0.001], and fasting insulin level [1.2(5.8) vs. -0.7(2.2) IU/mL per year, p<0.001] compared with the pre-intervention period. Significant reductions in the prevalence of impaired fasting glucose/impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes were seen during the intervention (from 58.4% to 35.4%, p<0.001; and from 30.1% to 21.7%, p= 0.004, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: A one-year community-based health promotion program brings cardiometabolic benefits in a high-risk population of Japanese-Brazilians.

Association between nonnutritive sucking habits and anterior open bite in the deciduous dentition of Japanese-Brazilians

OBJECTIVE: Assess the association between nonnutritive sucking habits and anterior open bite in the deciduous dentition of Japanese-Brazilian children. METHODS: 410 children of Japanese origin were assessed, 206 boys and 204 girls, between 2 and 6 years of age, in schools in São Paulo State, Brazil. Questionnaires concerning their nonnutritive sucking habits were sent to their legal guardians. Chi-square tests (p<0.05) were applied to assess the association between nonnutritive sucking habits and anterior open bite, and the logistic regression test to obtain the relative risk. RESULTS: The prevalence of sucking habits found in the sample was of 44.6% and for the anterior open bite, 4.4%. There was a statistically significant association between anterior open bite and sucking habits (O.R.=10.77), persistence of sucking habits from 2 to 4 years old (O.R.=22.06), and the persistence of sucking habits from 4 to 6 years old (O.R.=17.31). As for the interruption period of the habit, the group that had interrupted the habit for a period equal or inferior to six months showed an increased prevalence of open bite compared to the group without this habit or in which the habit was interrupted for more than six months. CONCLUSION: Japanese-Brazilian children that had sucking habits have greater chance of acquiring anterior open bite in the deciduous dentition.

Minka - The houses of Japanese imigrants in Ribeira valley, São Paulo,Brazil

O artigo analisa o processo de produção de moradia do imigrante japonês no Vale do Ribeira, na região sul do estado de São Paulo, ocorrido no início do século XX. Partindo do contexto histórico do início da colonização da região e as condicionantes que possibilitaram a criação da colônia, o trabalho busca verificar como foram construídas as casas que, baseados na autoconstrução e tendo a terra e madeira formaram o repertório de quase 500 casas. Põe foco em dois exemplares onde são analisadas a técnica do tsuchikabe e as sambladuras; verificando que mesmo diante das adversidades encontradas na natureza distinta de sua origem construíram casas de elevada qualidade. Os saberes trazidos do extremo oriente foram aplicados e se mesclaram às influências, cabocla, quilombola e europeia que hoje, após um século, representam uma categoria expressiva e variada sob os aspectos construtivo, tipológico e programático.