Health Risk | University of Yamanashi Global COE Program

River Basin Epidemiology, Medical Engineering and Environmental Sensors Studies, and Medical Statistics

	Jun Arita The ovarian hormone estrogen is a double-edged sword that is not only involved in normal development of the reproductive organs and mammary gland but also stimulates the pathogenesis of endometrial and mammary cancers. The actions of estrogen is important for female reproduction functions and is essential for maintaining woman's health of nonreproductive organs such as the vasculature, bone, and brain. Subsequently, postmenopausal women who lack the secretion of estrogen may have serious troubles including atherosclerosis, osteoporosis, dementia. We are attempting to elucidate the mechanism for the actions of estrogen and have a great interest in studying the relationship between estrogen and environmental endocrine disruptors.

Jun Arita

The ovarian hormone estrogen is a double-edged sword that is not only involved in normal development of the reproductive organs and mammary gland but also stimulates the pathogenesis of endometrial and mammary cancers. The actions of estrogen is important for female reproduction functions and is essential for maintaining woman's health of nonreproductive organs such as the vasculature, bone, and brain. Subsequently, postmenopausal women who lack the secretion of estrogen may have serious troubles including atherosclerosis, osteoporosis, dementia. We are attempting to elucidate the mechanism for the actions of estrogen and have a great interest in studying the relationship between estrogen and environmental endocrine disruptors.

	Zentaro Yamagata Human health must be comprehensively considered according to the self and the other, and to their relationship. The self refers to genetic factors, to life customs, and health awareness at the individual level. The other includes the material environment, regional health measures, and social capital at the environmental level. Epidemiology and community hygiene are fields which comprehensively research human health. In addition to traditional epidemiological research which clarifies causal relationships of diseases, we discuss river basin health using new methods such as genomic epidemiology which aims to predict health using genome information, health related systems and social networks, and social epidemiology which considers social bonds of solidarity, etc.

Zentaro Yamagata

Human health must be comprehensively considered according to the self and the other, and to their relationship. The self refers to genetic factors, to life customs, and health awareness at the individual level. The other includes the material environment, regional health measures, and social capital at the environmental level. Epidemiology and community hygiene are fields which comprehensively research human health. In addition to traditional epidemiological research which clarifies causal relationships of diseases, we discuss river basin health using new methods such as genomic epidemiology which aims to predict health using genome information, health related systems and social networks, and social epidemiology which considers social bonds of solidarity, etc.

	Masanori Kitamura Dioxins and other toxic substances that activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor are injurious to human health even at very low concentrations. For the monitoring of these toxic substances, we have developed DRESSA bioassay (DRESSA cells and DRESSA mice) using genetic engineering techniques. Using this system, our research aims at; 1) investigating molecular mechanisms involved in toxicity of environmental toxicants to human health, 2) developing agents that attenuate toxicity of environmental toxicants, and 3) training specialists that can pursue monitoring of environmental pollution and risk assessment using techniques based on genetic engineering.

Masanori Kitamura

Dioxins and other toxic substances that activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor are injurious to human health even at very low concentrations. For the monitoring of these toxic substances, we have developed DRESSA bioassay (DRESSA cells and DRESSA mice) using genetic engineering techniques. Using this system, our research aims at; 1) investigating molecular mechanisms involved in toxicity of environmental toxicants to human health, 2) developing agents that attenuate toxicity of environmental toxicants, and 3) training specialists that can pursue monitoring of environmental pollution and risk assessment using techniques based on genetic engineering.

	Atsuhito Nakao Allergic diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and food allergy have been epidemic in the past several years in the industrialized countries. In particular, the number of patients with allergic diseases in young generation including infancy is increasing and causes a serious social problem. Under such situations, our research activity has been driven by a constant goal: to advance science for the prevention or treatment of allergic diseases and, as a result, to eradicate allergic diseases in future.

Atsuhito Nakao

Allergic diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and food allergy have been epidemic in the past several years in the industrialized countries. In particular, the number of patients with allergic diseases in young generation including infancy is increasing and causes a serious social problem.
Under such situations, our research activity has been driven by a constant goal: to advance science for the prevention or treatment of allergic diseases and, as a result, to eradicate allergic diseases in future.

	Hiroshi Yokomichi A New Method to Estimate the Nutritionally-at-risk Population Ratio To prevent lifestyle-related diseases or nutrient-deficiency, it is important to assess the proportion of high-risk individuals whose usual intake of certain nutrient exceeds (or is short of) a recommended reference value in a population. We propose a model that an age influences his/her usual intake, day-to-day variation and within-person variation. A simulation study shows that in some nutrients the proposed model more accurately estimates the proportion of high-risk individuals and hence is thought to be more useful as compared to the previous methods.

Hiroshi Yokomichi

A New Method to Estimate the Nutritionally-at-risk Population Ratio
To prevent lifestyle-related diseases or nutrient-deficiency, it is important to assess the proportion of high-risk individuals whose usual intake of certain nutrient exceeds (or is short of) a recommended reference value in a population. We propose a model that an age influences his/her usual intake, day-to-day variation and within-person variation. A simulation study shows that in some nutrients the proposed model more accurately estimates the proportion of high-risk individuals and hence is thought to be more useful as compared to the previous methods.

	Kyoko Oh-oka We aim to evaluate health risk in mothers and infants living in river basin in Asian regions by the analysis of the immunological substances in maternal milk. The quantity and quality of the immunological substances in maternal milk reflects mother's health condition very well and also influences infant health. Because there has been little Asian health study focusing on immunological aspects of maternal milk, this study will provide novel and useful information to improve health in people who are living in river basin in Asian regions.

Kyoko Oh-oka

We aim to evaluate health risk in mothers and infants living in river basin in Asian regions by the analysis of the immunological substances in maternal milk. The quantity and quality of the immunological substances in maternal milk reflects mother's health condition very well and also influences infant health. Because there has been little Asian health study focusing on immunological aspects of maternal milk, this study will provide novel and useful information to improve health in people who are living in river basin in Asian regions.

	Yoko Aihara GCOE researcher Being health is a basic human right. To be heath for all, it is essential that comprehensive approach must be given to all individuals through fully community participation, using of appropriate technology and community resources, corporation and integration of multi-sectors. Our research project aims to analyze the association of health needs with environmental and social factors, and to find the way of improving community health work together with researchers from engineering and economic fields, and community-living people.

Yoko Aihara
GCOE researcher

Being health is a basic human right. To be heath for all, it is essential that comprehensive approach must be given to all individuals through fully community participation, using of appropriate technology and community resources, corporation and integration of multi-sectors. Our research project aims to analyze the association of health needs with environmental and social factors, and to find the way of improving community health work together with researchers from engineering and economic fields, and community-living people.

	Hironori Kato GCOE researcher A number of water pollutants induce stress responses and cause a variety of pathological changes. Among disease stress responses, we especially focus on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, involved in a diverse range of pathological events. For example, heavy metals in water have the potential to induce ER stress. To prevent that various disorders caused by heavy metals, our research aims at developing agents that attenuate heavy metal-induced ER stress and consequent tissue injury, leading to establishment of novel strategies to support the health of residents on the river basin.

Hironori Kato
GCOE researcher

A number of water pollutants induce stress responses and cause a variety of pathological changes. Among disease stress responses, we especially focus on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, involved in a diverse range of pathological events. For example, heavy metals in water have the potential to induce ER stress. To prevent that various disorders caused by heavy metals, our research aims at developing agents that attenuate heavy metal-induced ER stress and consequent tissue injury, leading to establishment of novel strategies to support the health of residents on the river basin.

	Naoki Kondo While the economy creates health, health is the foundation of growth. Approximately 1 billion of the world's people live on less than one dollar per day, and almost all of these people live in Asia and Africa. What is the best method to effectively use the world's limited resources to improve the health of these, the world's neediest people? We focus on the material environment (water resources, natural conditions, and living environments), the social environment (economic conditions, educational systems, and social capital), and on people's individual choices and actions to answer this question based on joint epidemiological research by researchers in various fields including sanitary engineering, economics, sociology, epidemiology, and public health. moved in Mar. 2012

Naoki Kondo

While the economy creates health, health is the foundation of growth. Approximately 1 billion of the world's people live on less than one dollar per day, and almost all of these people live in Asia and Africa. What is the best method to effectively use the world's limited resources to improve the health of these, the world's neediest people? We focus on the material environment (water resources, natural conditions, and living environments), the social environment (economic conditions, educational systems, and social capital), and on people's individual choices and actions to answer this question based on joint epidemiological research by researchers in various fields including sanitary engineering, economics, sociology, epidemiology, and public health.
moved in Mar. 2012