Relationships between daily life behaviors and physical activity measured using a triaxial accelerometer in elderly community-dwelling Japanese individuals.

Objective: This study aimed to measure the physical activity (exercise and non-exercise) of community-dwelling elderly Japanese individuals and to investigate the relationships between physical activity and daily life behaviors. Methods: Community-dwelling elderly Japanese individuals who resided in town A, city B, Gunma Prefecture, Japan, and were not certified as requiring long-term care were included in this study. Physical activity in 1 week was measured using a triaxial accelerometer. A self-administered questionnaire was applied to assess daily life behaviors. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to examine the factors affecting physical activity. Results: A total of 107 elderly Japanese (46 men and 61 women) individuals were included. The mean amount of physical activity in men was 37.9 Metabolic equivalents (METs)*h/wk, whereas that in women was 33.8 METs*h/wk. The proportion of exercise to physical activity for men and women was 43.2% and 26.0%, respectively. Men and women took an average of 47,393.7 and 35,305.6 steps/wk, respectively. Step counts and the presence or absence of plant cultivation were the factors associated with the amount of physical activity. The exercise component of physical activity was associated with step count, whereas the non-exercise component was associated with step count, plant cultivation, and frequent outings. Conclusion: Among community-dwelling elderly Japanese individuals, physical activity levels appear to be affected by step count and the presence or absence of certain factors, such as plant cultivation and frequent outings.

Vegetable intake frequency is higher among the rural than among the urban or suburban residents, and is partially related to vegetable cultivation, receiving, and purchasing at farmers' markets: A cross-sectional study in a city within Gunma, Japan.

Objectives: This study aimed at identifying the differences in the vegetable intake frequency among rural, suburban, and urban residents. It also intended to estimate the effects of vegetable cultivation, receiving vegetables, and purchasing vegetables at farmers' markets on the differences in vegetable intake frequency. Based on the results, to promote vegetable intake, we discuss the value of supporting vegetable cultivation in the rural areas. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study targeting residents aged between 20 and 74, living in three parts of a city within the Gunma prefecture in Japan. The three locations were selected to represent the rural, suburban, and urban areas. We mailed two sets of anonymous self-administered questionnaires to all households in the three areas (a total of 2,260 households, comprising about 1,000 people aged between 20 and 74 in each area). The survey requested information on the vegetable intake frequency, vegetable cultivation, frequency of receiving vegetables, frequency of vegetable purchase at farmers' markets, the subjective difficulty in food-store access, economic circumstances, health attitudes, and demographic characteristics. We used the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to examine the data obtained. Results: We received 873 responses (from 586 households), of which 90 were irrelevant, thus leaving a sample of 783 residents (257 rural, 259 suburban, 267 urban) available for statistical analysis. The results revealed that the rural residents had significantly greater vegetable intake frequency than the urban and suburban residents did. These regional differences became smaller after the adjustment of the following variables: vegetable cultivation, receiving vegetables, and vegetable purchase at farmers' markets. No significant difference was observed in the vegetable intake frequency between the rural and urban respondents after this adjustment was made. Conclusions: Vegetable intake frequency was higher in the rural area than in the suburban and urban areas. Vegetable cultivation, receiving vegetables, and vegetable purchase at farmers' markets were strongly linked to these regional differences.

Negative association of vegetable cultivation with the proportion of severely insufficient vegetable intake both directly and indirectly: A cross-sectional study in a city in Gunma, Japan.

Objective: To clarify the relationship between the proportion of severely insufficient vegetable intake frequency and 1) vegetable cultivation, 2) frequency of receiving vegetable among non-cultivators. Materials and Methods: Residents aged 20 to 74 years in three areas of a city in Gunma Prefecture, Japan, were invited to participate. In September 2016, two sets of self-administered questionnaires were mailed to all 2,260 households in the three areas. The survey items covered the frequency of vegetable intake, vegetable cultivation (as a farmer, as a non-farmer, or no-cultivation), frequency of receiving vegetable, and basic characteristics. For vegetable cultivators, we asked the proportion of cultivated vegetables for home consumption and for giving to neighbors. Binomial logistic regression models were used to analyze the data collected. The respondents were classified into two groups according to their vegetable intake frequency: fewer than three times per day (severely insufficient), and at least three times per day. Results: We had 796 valid responses. Using the no-cultivation group as reference, both of the other groups -vegetable cultivation as a farmer, and as a non-farmer- had a significantly smaller proportion of severely insufficient vegetable intake frequency. Among the no-cultivation group, using those who had never received vegetable in the past month as reference, those who rarely, sometimes, or often received vegetables had a significantly smaller proportion of severely insufficient vegetable intake frequency. These associations were similar in cases where vegetable juice was or was not included. The proportion of those who cultivated vegetables for home consumption was 96% among farmers and 100% among non-farmers, respectively, and for giving to neighbors was 84% among farmers and 62% among non-farmers, respectively. Conclusion: A negative association of the proportion of severely insufficient vegetable intake with vegetable cultivation, and with receiving vegetable among non-cultivators, was suggested.

[Relationship between fruit and vegetable gardening and health-related factors: male community gardeners aged 50-74 years living in a suburban area of Japan].

Objectives　The aims of the study were as follows: 1) to investigate the relationship between community fruit and vegetable (FV) gardening and perceived changes in health-related factors by utilizing community gardens and 2) to determine the relationship of community FV gardening and other types of gardening on health-related factors among men aged 50-74 years living in a suburban area of Japan.Methods　In this cross-sectional study, we targeted men aged 50-74 years living in a city in Gunma Prefecture. A survey solicited demographic characteristics, FV gardening information, and health-related factors [BMI, self-rated health status, FV intake, physical activity (PA), and perceived neighborhood social cohesion (PNSC)]. The participants were divided into three groups: community gardeners, other types of gardeners, and non-gardeners. Items related to community gardening and perceived changes in health-related factors were presented only to community gardeners. The relationship between community gardening and perceived changes in health-related factors were analyzed by computing correlation coefficients. The relationships between FV gardening and specific health-related factors were analyzed by logistic regression modeling.Results　Significant positive correlations were observed between community FV gardening (the frequency of community gardening, the product of community gardening time and frequency of community gardening) and perceived changes in health-related factors (frequency of FV intake, amount of FV intake, and PA). The logistic regression models showed that 1) the number of participants with ≥23 METs h/week of PA was significantly greater among community gardeners than among non-gardeners; 2) the number of participants whose frequency of total vegetable intake, total vegetable intake (excluding juice), and total FV intake (excluding juice) was ≥5 times/day was significantly greater among other types of gardeners than non-gardeners; 3) participants with scores ≥ the median of PNSC were significantly greater among other types of gardeners than non-gardeners; and 4) participants who spent ≥4 hours/day sitting were significantly fewer among other types of gardeners than non-gardeners.Conclusion　Higher frequency of community gardening appears to induce greater perceived positive changes on FV intake and PA. It was indicated that FV gardening in community gardens contributes to increased PA, whereas other types of FV gardening contribute to increased FV intake frequency and decreased sitting time. In the future, higher-quality studies-for example, intervention studies using more rigorous measurements-will be necessary.

Benefits of off-campus education for students in the health sciences: a text-mining analysis.

BACKGROUND: In Japan, few community-based approaches have been adopted in health-care professional education, and the appropriate content for such approaches has not been clarified. In establishing community-based education for health-care professionals, clarification of its learning effects is required. A community-based educational program was started in 2009 in the health sciences course at Gunma University, and one of the main elements in this program is conducting classes outside school. The purpose of this study was to investigate using text-analysis methods how the off-campus program affects students. METHODS: In all, 116 self-assessment worksheets submitted by students after participating in the off-campus classes were decomposed into words. The extracted words were carefully selected from the perspective of contained meaning or content. With the selected terms, the relations to each word were analyzed by means of cluster analysis. RESULTS: Cluster analysis was used to select and divide 32 extracted words into four clusters: cluster 1-"actually/direct," "learn/watch/hear," "how," "experience/participation," "local residents," "atmosphere in community-based clinical care settings," "favorable," "communication/conversation," and "study"; cluster 2-"work of staff member" and "role"; cluster 3-"interaction/communication," "understanding," "feel," "significant/important/necessity," and "think"; and cluster 4-"community," "confusing," "enjoyable," "proactive," "knowledge," "academic knowledge," and "class." CONCLUSIONS: The students who participated in the program achieved different types of learning through the off-campus classes. They also had a positive impression of the community-based experience and interaction with the local residents, which is considered a favorable outcome. Off-campus programs could be a useful educational approach for students in health sciences.

Effect of cortical bone thickness and implant placement torque on stability of orthodontic mini-implants.

PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between cortical bone thickness, inter-root distance (horizontal space), distance from alveolar crest to the bottom of maxillary sinus (vertical space) at the prepared site, and implant placement torque and the success rate of mini-implants placed for orthodontic anchorage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After computerized tomography examination, mini-implants 1.6 mm wide and 8 mm long were placed in the posterior alveolar bone. The mini-implant was judged a success when orthodontic force could be applied for at least 6 months without pain or clinically detectable mobility. The unpaired t test was performed to examine differences between the success and failure groups. The chi-square analysis or Fisher exact probability test was used to compare the implant success according to placement torque, location, and patient gender. P values less than .05 were considered significant. RESULTS: The subjects included 4 males (11 implants) and 28 females (76 implants) who ranged in age from 14.6 to 42.8 years. The success rate of the 87 implants was 87.4%. Cortical bone thickness was significantly greater in the success group (1.42 +/- 0.59 mm vs 0.97 +/- 0.31 mm, P = .015). The success rate was significantly higher in the group with an implant placement torque of 8 to 10 Ncm (100%) as compared to implants with higher or lower placement torques. The odds ratio for failure of the mini-implant was 6.93 (P = .047) when the cortical bone thickness was less than 1.0 mm relative to 1.0 mm or more. CONCLUSION: A relationship between stability after implant placement and the width and height of the peri-implant bone was not demonstrated. The prepared site should have a cortical bone thickness of at least 1.0 mm, and the placement torque should be controlled up to 10 Ncm.

Structural and electrical ventricular remodeling in rat acute myocarditis and subsequent heart failure.

OBJECTIVE: We reported that experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) rats showed dramatic changes in ventricular action potential and enhanced arrhythmogenicity in the acute phase, but mechanisms for this are still unclear. To investigate the mechanisms of cardiac remodeling in acute myocarditis and subsequent heart failure, physiological and molecular changes were evaluated along the time course of EAM. METHODS: Six-week-old Lewis rats were immunized with porcine cardiac myosin. On days 14, 21, 35 and 60 after immunization, histology, hemodynamics and electrophysiological parameters (i.e., effective refractory period (ERP), monophasic action potential duration (MAPD) and PVC inducibility) were evaluated and compared with control rats. After these studies, the expression levels of Kv(+) and L-Ca(2+) channels, ion transporters and BNP expressions in the left ventricle were examined by quantitative real time RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. RESULTS: EAM rats showed acute myocarditis with massive infiltration of the mononuclear cells on days 14 and 21. Subsequently, a chronic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)-like structural change was observed on day 60. Hemodynamic parameters were worse in EAM than controls. ERP and MAPD were longer in EAM than controls, with a peak on day 21, which was parallel to PVC inducibility. mRNA levels of Kv4.2, Kv1.5, KChIP2, frequenin and SERCA2a, and the protein levels of Kv4.2 and Kv1.5, were reduced, especially in the acute phase. CONCLUSIONS: The initial reduction of Ito-related molecules, such as the expression levels of Kv4.2, 1.5, frequenin and KChIP2, and the prolongation of MAPD are considered to be a key mechanism of ventricular remodeling and cause the characteristic clinical findings in EAM in the acute inflammatory phase and chronic DCM phase.

Rotation culture with a newly developed holder enables long-term liver slice culture for study of liver fibrosis.

Background/aims: Conventional slice rotation culture has employed fibrin that is produced from fibrinogen by thrombin, to fix tissue slices on a slide glass. However, thrombin transmits various stimuli to cells through the thrombin receptor and affects experimental results. To exclude this disadvantage of thrombin, we developed a new holder and studied long-term liver rotation culture without using thrombin. Methods: Liver slices about [Formula: see text] were produced from the liver of 8-day-old Wister rats. The slice was fixed to a newly development holder on a slide glass and cultured in tube on rotary culture system. To evaluate whether slice survives and maintains functions, morphological structure, LDH leakage into the medium, ATP synthesis, glutathione-S-transferase activity and glycogen synthesis were examined. We also studied collagen synthesis after treatment with TGF-beta or thrombin. Results: Slice tissue survived and maintained its functions for over 10 days. After treatment with TGF-beta or thrombin, the tissue became shrunken and showed increased collagen synthesis. On the other hand, no stimulation of collagen synthesis was found in cultured tissue without treatment. Conclusions: Our data indicate that rotation culture with the new holder is suitable for long-term culture for study of liver fibrosis.