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Over the past century, grassland and forest ecosystems globally have been heavily influenced by land-use changes driven by diverse socioeconomic activities. Ski resorts are a modern land-use type associated with biodiversity loss in mountain ecosystems worldwide. Below the treeline, by contrast, some ski slopes have been shown to provide suboptimal semi-natural habitats for native grassland plants and animals, depending on specific construction and management practices. We compared environmental factors and grassland vegetation between two types of ski slopes in central Japan with different land-use histories: slopes constructed on old pastures (pasture slopes) and slopes constructed by clearing secondary forests or larch plantations established on abandoned pastures during the 1940s-1990s (forest slopes). We examined the effects of land-use history and machine grading as well as other environmental factors on ski slope vegetation, including total species richness and the richness of native, endangered, and exotic plants, using a total of 108 plots of 2 m × 10 m. Compared to pasture slopes, forest slopes exhibited significantly lower richness of native grassland species, including endangered species. Forest slopes were more graded than pasture slopes, resulting in lower native and higher exotic grassland species richness. A significantly lower duration of direct sunlight on forest slopes than on pasture slopes likely decreased endangered species richness. The lower species richness on forest slopes may be also caused by seed dispersal limitations. Our findings demonstrate that ski slopes have good potential to support numerous native grassland plant species, including endangered species, but this potential is significantly and negatively affected by forest use history and concomitant environmental changes. The conservation of semi-natural conditions on pasture slopes as habitats for native grassland species can be promoted through the maintenance of annual mowing practices, avoidance of machine grading, and wider ski courses.
ABSTRACT
Past forest use often has a long-term negative impact on the recovery of the original plant composition of semi-natural grasslands, which is known as a legacy effect. This study investigates the impact of seed dispersal limitations on the restoration of grassland plant diversity on ski slopes with past forest use, highlighting the negative legacy effect on biodiversity recovery. Focusing on ski areas, our research contrasts the vegetation on ski slopes originally created on semi-natural grasslands such as pasture (pasture slopes) and constructed by clearing secondary forests or conifer plantations (forest slopes). We examined species richness and diversity, considering seed dispersal modes, grassland management history, and seed source proximity. We reveal that the proximity to species-rich grassland sources is pivotal for the restoration of native grassland vegetation. Particularly, wind-dispersed species show significant recovery on slopes with sustained management for more than 70 years and those with neighboring species-rich grasslands, suggesting that both the duration of management and the proximity to seed sources are critical for overcoming the legacy effects of past forest use. Meanwhile, gravity-dispersed species failed to recover their richness and diversity regardless of both the duration of management and the proximity to seed source grasslands, which their diversity recovered where seed sources neighbored. Our findings emphasize the importance of considering seed dispersal limitation and management history in the restoration and conservation of grasslands and their biodiversity, particularly in landscapes experiencing past human intervention.
ABSTRACT
Background: In Japan, in 2016, the School Health and Safety Act was revised and examination of extremities in addition to scoliosis became mandatory. Musculoskeletal examinations were subsequently started using a mark sheet-type questionnaire. In the present study, we aimed to analyze the relationship between physical findings and musculoskeletal problems and propose a preventive strategy for musculoskeletal injuries.Methods: In 2017, a total of 4,073 elementary and middle school students underwent direct musculoskeletal examination. In a direct examination, the following elements were included: torticollis; scoliosis; stiffness of the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, and ankle; flexion and extension in standing position; flat foot; hallux valgus; and alignment of the upper and lower extremities. Of the 4,073 students who underwent direct examination in early 2017, only 3,754 were able to complete the mark sheet-type questionnaires in early 2018. A prospective longitudinal analysis of the data gathered was performed.Results: A total of 396 (11%) students had injuries. The ankle sprain/non-ankle sprain group comprised 119 (3%)/3,635 (97%) students, while the fracture/non-fracture group comprised 105 (2.8%)/3,650 (97.2%) students, respectively. Comparing the sprain group with the non-sprain group, ankle stiffness significantly correlated with ankle sprain in the univariable and multivariable analyses. Injuries occurred more frequently among boys, older students, students with stiff bodies, and students who were involved in sports activities of longer duration.Conclusion: Ankle stiffness was assumed to be a risk factor for ankle sprain. Stretching of the ankle might be effective for preventing ankle sprain. However, further interventional studies are needed to confirm this finding.
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Objective: In 2016, Japan started conducting musculoskeletal examinations that included “limb status” of students as an essential item. Our institution implemented a unified musculoskeletal examination for all public elementary and junior high schools in T-city. In this study, we aimed to report the progress in the past 4 years.Patients and Methods: The Tsukuba Childhood Locomotive-Organ Screening Sheet (T-CLOSS), which is a questionnaire that includes some nationwide-recommended questions, was prepared and distributed to students. Results of the questionnaires were analyzed, and the orthopedic surgeon conducted examinations for the extracted items. From these questionnaires, the ratio of each item, rate of advisory for screening, and content of the advisory were investigated.Results: During 2016–2019, musculoskeletal examinations were conducted in every public schools, with nearly 20,000 students in T-city. The consultation advisory rate was 6.7% in 2019. Of the 524 students who received the third screening recommendation, the actual consultation rate was 248 (40.8%). After the third screening, the proportion of students requiring treatment and outpatient visits was 46.7% (n=248), which accounted for 1.2% of all elementary and junior high school students in the city.Conclusion: We reported the results of 4-year musculoskeletal examinations in a city. In our screening, we distributed a uniform questionnaire throughout the city, and orthopedic surgeons performed secondary examinations of identified students in all schools. This appears to be an advanced effort to prevent musculoskeletal impairment in students. We hope to conduct more sophisticated musculoskeletal examinations using our results, aiming at early detection, early treatment, and improvement of musculoskeletal function in elementary and junior high school students.
ABSTRACT
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between exercise time and musculoskeletal problems and to determine the appropriate amount of exercise for children in both lower- and higher-grade levels of elementary and junior high schools.Materials and Methods: Mark-sheet-type questionnaires were distributed to and collected from all elementary and junior high schools in two cities. We collected 22,494 questionnaires in total. The relationship between exercise time and musculoskeletal problems was analyzed. The χ2 test and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used for statistical analyses.Results: The mean exercise time in school, in addition to physical education time, was 3.1 hours per week. In 56% of the children, the exercise time was less than 2 hours per week, and in 13% of the children, the exercise time was more than 10 hours per week. Although the rate of sports injury increased with an increase in exercise time, the duration of one-leg stand (a test of balance and muscle strength) also increased with an increase in exercise time. The cut-off values for sports injuries in boys/girls were 2.9/2.9 hours, 4.0/2.9 hours, and 7.5/4.2 hours in lower grade elementary school, higher grade elementary school, and junior high school, respectively.Conclusions: Although an appropriate amount of exercise improves one’s physical health and ability, excessive exercise leads to musculoskeletal problems. Approximately 7 hours/week of exercise is recommended for junior high school students. In elementary school, the exercise time should be carefully decided as the musculoskeletal system of the students is still immature.
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Background: The use of prophylactic contralateral pinning for slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) remains controversial. This study evaluated the outcome of SCFE treatment and examined the use of prophylactic pinning.Methods: The study included 44 patients (33 men, 11 women; 54 hips [right, 31; left, 23]), with mean age of 12.9 (7.3–29) years, who underwent treatment between 1986 and 2017, with follow-up for more than 6 months. Patients were divided into 3 groups: group 1 had bilateral SCFE at first presentation, group 2 developed contralateral side SCFE during follow-up, and group 3 had unilateral SCFE until final follow-up. Three patients who received prophylactic pinning were excluded. Univariate and multivariate logistic analyses were performed.Results: Overall, 93% (50/54) of hips underwent positional reduction and in situ fixation and 7.4% (4/54) underwent open reduction. Mean follow-up period was 4.8 (0.5–25) years. Groups 1, 2, and 3 had 7, 3, and 31 cases, respectively. Sex, age, and follow-up period showed no significant differences among the groups. The Rohrer index was significantly higher in group 1, the affected side posterior sloping angle (PSA) was significantly higher in group 3, and the contralateral side PSA and percentage with endocrinopathy were significantly higher in group 2. In multivariate logistic analysis, age, sex, Rohrer index, affected side PSA, and endocrinopathy were significantly correlated with bilateral SCFE.Conclusion: We recommend prophylactic contralateral side pinning in patients with risk factors of obesity, high PSA before slipping, and endocrinopathy. Careful observation until growth plate closure is required in patients without risk factors.
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<b>Objective:</b> The incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE) and leg deep vein thrombosis (DVT) has increased in recent years in association with aging and an increase in the number of bedridden individuals. We developed an active in-bed leg exercise apparatus labeled the Leg Exercise Apparatus (LEX) for DVT prevention. We compared the effect of leg exercises performed using the LEX to conventional active ankle exercises on increased blood flow.<br><b>Materials & Methods:</b> The subjects were eight healthy adult volunteers [five men and three women, aged 20–34 (mean 27.0) years]. Subjects performed two types of exercise; exercise 1 consisted of leg exercises using the LEX, while exercise 2 consisted of in-bed active plantar flexion/dorsiflexion exercises without the device. Measurements were taken 1, 5, 10, 20, and 30 minutes after exercise including common femoral vein blood flow, mean blood flow velocity, maximum blood flow velocity, and vessel diameter using Doppler ultrasound. Statistical procedures included timed measurement data analysis using a linear mixed model. A Bonferroni correction was used for multiple comparisons.<br><b>Results:</b> Compared to resting levels, blood flow reached a maximum value 1 minute after exercise for both exercise types, with a significantly greater increase after exercise 1 (1.76-fold increase) compared to exercise 2 (1.44-fold increase) (<i>p</i> = 0.005). There was a significant difference (<i>p</i> = 0.03) between the two exercises for all values from 1 minute to 30 minutes following exercise. There was no significant difference between exercises for peak or mean blood flow velocity. Compared to resting levels, blood vessel diameter reached a maximum value of 1.47-fold greater at 5 minutes post-exercise for exercise 1 and a maximum value of 1.21-fold greater at 1 minute post-exercise for exercise 2.<br><b>Conclusions:</b> Exercise using the LEX increased lower leg venous blood flow and vessel diameter. We propose that the LEX may serve as a new DVT prevention tool.
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<b>Objective: </b>Drug information literacy is necessary for pharmacists. This study investigated the effect of practical training on the drug information literacy of pharmacy students.<br><b>Methods: </b>We conducted practical training in the drug information room of hospital pharmacy. Then we asked the students two questions before and after the training. We scored the drug information responses of students using four-point rating scales based on objective criteria. We compared the scores obtained before and after training. In addition, we researched the realization of several secondary and tertiary sources using a visual analog scale (VAS). We then compared VAS findings before and after the training.<br><b>Results: </b>The score for drug information responses was significantly improved. For sources other than MEDLINE (Pub Med), the VAS score also improved. The students were aware of the information on package inserts before training. There was significant improvement in awareness of books about pregnancy and lactation (e.g. Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation) after training. However, there were significant individual differences in awareness of MEDLINE, Up To Date, and the Cochrane Library.<br><b>Conclusion: </b>This practical training experience improved the drug information literacy of pharmacy students. Before training, there were significant deficiencies in the process of literature search. Therefore, this training was effective for advancement in drug information literacy of pharmacy students.