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The phase angle (PhA), calculated by bioelectrical impedance analysis, is used as a nutritional risk indicator. A low preoperative PhA has been reported as a marker of postoperative complications in patients with cancer; however, the relationship between the PhA and postoperative complications in patients with lung cancer remains unknown. We conducted this study to assess the predictive ability of the preoperative PhA for postoperative complications in patients undergoing surgery for primary lung cancer.We reviewed the data on 240 patients who underwent surgery for primary lung cancer at our institution between August, 2019 and August, 2021.The PhA value in this study was 4.7 ± 0.7°. According to the Clavien-Dindo classification, grade ≥ II postoperative complications occurred in 53 patients (22.0%). Based on the multivariate logistic analysis, only the PhA (odds ratio, 0.51, 95% confidence interval, 0.29-0.90, p = 0.018) was an independent predictor of Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ II postoperative complications.The PhA may be a valuable marker for predicting the risk of postoperative complications following lung cancer surgery.

Undernutrition among young women at “Cinderella weight” is socially important in Japan. To determine the nutritional status of Cinderella-weight women, we conducted an exploratory cross-sectional study on the health examination results of employees aged 20 to 39 (n = 1457 and 643 for women and men, respectively). The percentage of underweight women was found to be much higher than that of men (16.8% vs. 4.5%, respectively). In underweight women (n = 245), handgrip strength (22.82 ± 5.55 vs. 25.73 ± 5.81 kg, p < 0.001), cholesterol level (177.8 ± 25.2 vs. 194.7 ± 31.2 mg/dL, p < 0.05), and lymphocyte count (1883 ± 503 vs. 2148 ± 765/μL, p < 0.001) were significantly lower than in overweight women (n = 116). Then, the BMI < 17.5 group (n = 44) was referred to the outpatient nutrition evaluation clinic. Lower prealbumin, cholesterol, and lymphocyte levels were also observed in 34%, 59%, and 32% of the patients, respectively. Regarding dietary characteristics, 32% of the underweight women in this study skipped breakfast, and 50% had low dietary diversity scores. Lower total energy intake, carbohydrate and fiber intake, and Ca and Fe intake were also observed in 90% of the patients. Deficiencies in vitamin B1, B12, D, and folate were diagnosed in 4.6%, 25%, 14%, and 98% of the patients, respectively. Thus, young underweight women may be prone to malnutrition.

As friction reduction of an engine sometimes causes an increase in lubricating oil consumption, the requirement of reducing oil consumption has become crucial recently. The oil used for lubrication around a piston travels into the combustion chamber via piston ring’ gap, side and back, and sliding surface. This study focused on the oil flow via the side of the lower rail of the three-piece type oil control ring (OCR). Oil film thickness was measured by the laser induced fluorescence method. Oil film thickness between the lower rail and the lower flank of the ring groove at the outer and the inner side was successfully measured. The waveform of the oil film thickness was compared to the wave forms of friction force, inertial force, pressure under the OCR and pressure at the third land. The waveform of oil film thickness was well explained by those forces. Furthermore, it was also found that the shape of the lower rail remarkably affected the oil film thickness.

Downsizing and lowering engine speed is effective for fuel economy. However, such measures lead to severe lubrication condition and increase the risk of seizure because of higher load for the sliding surface. The bearing of the small end of a connecting rod is one of the sliding parts used under the severest lubrication conditions. Therefore, clarifying the mechanism of its seizure is an important subject. In the previous study, it is shown that higher the cylinder pressure thicker the oil film between the piston pin and bearing of the small end of the connecting rod. It derived a hypothesis that cylinder pressure causes a deformation of the pin and thicker oil film at around the center of the bearing and heavy contact at the bearing end. This study aimed clarifying the mechanism of the seizure occurring at around the piston pin. The calculated results showed that oil film could be generated by deformation of the piston pin. Further, oil film thickness was measured by laser induced fluorescence method for investigating the effect of pin stiffness. Measured result showed lower the stiffness of the piston pin thicker the oil film. It was found that the deformation of piston pin caused thick oil films. The fact that seizure occurred often the engine operation with the low stiffness piston pin also proved the hypothesis adequate.

Wakamatsu T., Iwasaki Y., Yamamoto S., et al. Type I Angiotensin II Receptor Blockade Reduces Uremia-Induced Deterioration of Bone Material Properties. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, 36, 1, 67. https://doi.org/10.1002/jbmr.4159., Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with a high incidence of fractures. However, the pathophysiology of this disease is not fully understood, and limited therapeutic interventions are available. This study aimed to determine the impact of type 1 angiotensin II receptor blockade (AT-1RB) on preventing CKD-related fragility fractures and elucidate its pharmacological mechanisms. AT-1RB use was associated with a lower risk of hospitalization due to fractures in 3276 patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. In nephrectomized rats, administration of olmesartan suppressed osteocyte apoptosis, skeletal pentosidine accumulation, and apatite disorientation, and partially inhibited the progression of the bone elastic mechanical properties, while the bone mass was unchanged. Olmesartan suppressed angiotensin II-dependent oxidation stress and apoptosis in primary cultured osteocytes in vitro. In conclusion, angiotensin II-dependent intraskeletal oxidation stress deteriorated the bone elastic mechanical properties by promoting osteocyte apoptosis and pentosidine accumulation. Thus, AT-1RB contributes to the underlying pathogenesis of abnormal bone quality in the setting of CKD, possibly by oxidative stress. © 2020 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).

The number of the patients with chronic kidney disease is now increasing in the world. The pathophysiology of renal hyperparathyroidism is closely associated with Klotho-FGF-endocrine axes, which must be solved definitively as early as possible. It was revealed that the expression of fgf23 is activated by calciprotein particles, which induces vascular ossification. And it is well known that phosphorus overload directly increases parathyroid hormone and hyperparathyroid bone disease develops in those subjects. On the other hand, low turnover bone disease is often recently. Both the patients with chronic kidney disease suffering from hyperparathyroid bone disease or low turnover bone disease are associated with increased fracture risk. Micropetrosis may be one of the causes of increased fracture risk in the subjects with low turnover bone disease. In this chapter, we now describe the diagnosis, pathophysiology and treatments of renal hyperparathyroidism.

Bisphosphonates have been the first drug of choice for osteoporosis in the recent years because of their known ability to suppress osteoclast activity. The adverse effect of long-term bisphosphonate administration in the fracture-healing process is controversial. The aim of our study was to observe not only morphology but also morphometry of the fracture site of atypical femoral fracture with and without long-term bisphosphonate administration, in a case study of two difficult-to-obtain human samples. The patients with insufficient healing of atypical femoral fracture were treated with valgus wedge osteotomy. Histomorphometrical analysis was performed in bone samples of fracture sites harvested during osteotomy. The thickness of the femoral cortex was measured in the fracture site and the adjacent, non-fracture site. A comparative analysis of the content of hypertrophic osteoclasts in fracture sites, shape and size of osteons, mass, and ratio of the woven bone to the total bone mass was performed, comparing bisphosphonate-treated and untreated samples. In bisphosphonate-treated samples, we observed femoral cortex thickening at the fracture site; the appearance of hypertrophic osteoclasts; decreased bone resorption surface, decreased osteoclast numbers on the bone resorption surface, and increased ratio of multinuclear osteoclasts; osteons were misshapen and thin; and the mass and ratio of the woven bone to the total bone mass were higher. This study demonstrated that long-term bisphosphonate administration can alter the morphological features of the fracture site compared to its physiological state.

Sanitary control of cutting boards in the kitchen is important to prevent food poisoning. To preventing secondary and tertiary contamination of food poisoning bacteria, it is necessary to know the hygiene status of cooking utensils. Therefore, in this study, we compared the values after cooking, washing, and spraying 70% alcohol on cutting boards for vegetables using the ATP test and microbiological test. As a result, the ATP value after spraying with alcohol was 100 or less, which was better than that after washing. Microbial test results showed that microorganisms were present on the vegetable cutting board even after spraying with 70% alcohol. Since microorganisms are present even after spraying with alcohol, it is possible that the growth of microorganisms will occur again if the vegetable cutting board left in a moist state at room temperature. When using a vegetable cutting board left unattended, it is necessary to wash repeatedly and spray it with alcohol.

Sanitary control of cutting boards in the kitchen is important to prevent food poisoning. Using ATP and microbiological tests, we investigated the cleaning and 70% alcohol spraying effects of cutting boards for meat and fish. As a result, the ATP value and the number of microbial bacteria decreased after washing the cutting board but decreased more after spraying with 70% alcohol. The ATP value was 100 or less after spraying with 70% alcohol. The number of microbial bacteria decreased after spraying with 70% alcohol. However, not all bacterial eliminated even after spraying with 70% alcohol. If the cutting board left in a moist state at room temperature, microorganisms could grow again.

It is valid to show the cooks a visual hygiene test result to prevent food poisoning. Therefore, in this study, for hygiene control of the handle and blade of frequently used kitchen knives, we report inspections using the ATP wiping test and microbial stamp test. The results of the ATP wiping test showed that the ATP value decreased statistically significantly after washing compared to after cooking, and after70% alcohol spraying compared to after washing. A microbial stamp test (general bacteria, Escherichia coli, staphylococcous aureus, Salmonella, Vibrio parahaemolyticus) was also performed at the same time as the ATP test. As a result, the number of bacteria did not change much or decreased even after washing or spraying with 70%alcohol. In particular, Escherichia coli, staphylococcou aureus were found to be difficult to decrease even after 70%alcohol sprayings. In the future, it will be necessary to consider increasing the number of alcohol sprays of hygiene management using sodium hypochlorite.

To prevent food poisoning, we focused on kitchen vegetable knives, which are likely to cause secondary contamination, and conducted hygiene inspections to obtain results. The values after cooking and after washing, and after washing and after 70%spraying alcohol compared using the ATP wiping test and the microbial stamp test (selective medium: general bacteria, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, Vibrio parahaemolyticus). As a result, the ATP test value decreased statistically significantly and became 100 or less after 70%alcohol sprayings. However, not all of the bacterial counts in the selective medium were statistically significantly different even after 70%alcohol sprayings. The reason the data was not clear due to 70% alcohol spray conditions. It may be advisable to perform a microbiological stamp test after applying 70%alcohol spray multiple times instead of once to a fully moistened knife handle and blade. In the future, we would like to consider the handling of more hygienic cooking utensils by further changing the 70%alcohol spraying conditions and conducting, Microbiological tests using a selective medium.

Although sugar intake did not directly lead to diabetes, the results will vary depending on age, sex, individual differences, and the nature of sugar ingested.However, the change in blood glucose level and the accumulation of fat in the body cannot neglected about the sugar intake. Also, if the sweetness recognition threshold increases, the intake of sugar may increase. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to conduct a sweetness cognitive threshold test to understand the sensitivity of the general public to sweetness. The acceptable range (sugar concentration of 2.5% or less) was 25 out of 38 participants who recognized sweetness, 65.8% of the total. Two of the 14 male participants were unrecognizable even at the sweetest concentration of 80.0%. Females had better sweetness perception threshold results than males. In the future, we think it would be good to use a questionnaire to investigate the usual eating habits and compare it with the wetness cognitive threshold test results.

Hypertension is one of the causes of many lifestyle-related diseases. In Japan, too, we are raising awareness about dietary salt reduction for hypertensive patients. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to understand the results of the salty cognitive threshold test in a wide range of age. This result can be useful data for future salt reduction instruction. Thirty-five people participated in the saltiness cognition threshold test at the university festival. The participants this time had a wide range of ages from the teens to the eighties. Participants answered that they eat out 2-3 times a week. Also, they said that the seasoning they like to eat is a little salty. Most participants (88.6%) perceived saltiness below 1.25%. Four participants (one male and three females) recognized saltiness in 5.0%. There was no participant didn’t recognize the saltiness of all. In the future, it will be better to conduct a questionnaire survey on dietary habits and compare it with the saltiness cognitive threshold test results.

In Japan, many food poisoning cases occur every year form the rainy season to summer. After all, restaurants account for about 50% of all food poisoning cases. Still they also occur at school meals (6.4%) and hospitals (0.6%), where hygiene management should strictly controlled in the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare announced (2019). Therefore, from the viewpoint of food poisoning prevention, this study focused on the stove knob and water faucet, which are often touched by the cook’s fingers in the kitchen and may cause secondary contamination. The effect of hygiene education investigated by measuring invisible microbial load as visible ATP value using ATP wiping test. The 12 stove knob and 11 water faucet inspected before and after hygiene education by using the ATP wiping test. Before hygiene education, the average value of the ATP values measured after washing before and after washing. To the surprise, after washing, the ATP value did not drop below 1000 for Stove knob and Water faucet. Almost the same ATP value as before cleaning.

Since bacteria grow in high temperature and high humidity, bacterial food poisoning frequently occurs from the rainy season to summer. In Japan, the number of food poisoning cases is high from June to October. Maintaining a hygienic environment in the kitchen is very important for preventing food poisoning. In particular, cutting boards on which various foods are places may cause secondary pollution. Therefore, to avoid food poisoning, this study compared the ATP value of the cutting board before and after the hygiene education using the ATP wiping test and investigated the educational effect. Before hygiene education, the inspector conducted an ATP wiping test on the cutting boards for vegetables and meat that washed before and after cooking and notified the cooks of the values. The inspector conducted hygiene education while showing the cook how to clean the cutting board. The cutting board washed with detergent and sponge, rinsed with running water for 30 seconds or more, then this process was repeated twice.

In Japan, the number of food poisoning cases and the number of patients have been gradually decreasing in the last ten years. However, from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the number of bacterial food poisoning cases has been approximately 41% of the total number in the past five years, which is still high. Therefore, in this study, to prevent food poisoning, we conducted hygiene education using the ATP test and confirmed the educational effect by comparing before and after education. ATP luminescence kit (Lumitester PD-10, LuciPac Pen) manufactured by Kikkoman Corporation used for the microbiological test. Before the hygiene education, the ATP of the knife handle, and the ATP of the knife blade measured before and after cooking. Twelve knives for vegetables and 12 knives for meat targeted. Before the hygiene education, the handle and the blade of the meat knife measured of ATP, that before cooking and washed after cooking. Further, the handle and blade of the kitchen knife for vegetables were also measured for ATP in the same manner as the knife for meat.

To prevent hypertension, which is closely related to lifestyle, especially eating habits, it is necessary to reduce salt intake. Therefore, in this study, we performed a saltiness cognition threshold test for participants at the university festival and obtained the saltiness cognition threshold results for the general public. 94 % of participants could perceive salty taste when the salty taste concentration was 1.0 % or less. On the other hand, two participants could not perceive saltiness even at a salty concentration of 1.6%, a 67-year-old female, and an 82-year-old female. We would like to continue the saltiness cognition threshold test and collect the data of participants to clarify the saltiness cognition threshold for general people.

In Japan, salt reduction is encouraged to prevent high blood pressure. However, it is difficult to reduce salt, and good salt intake per day did not fail to the target value. In this study, we report a saltiness cognitive threshold test using female university students. The participant is 67 female university students. Participants were subjected to a salty cognitive threshold test using SALSAVE (manufactured by Advantech). The saltiness test started from a light taste and tried a strong taste in order. The salt concentration is 0.6%, 0.8%, 1.0%, 1.2%, 1.4%, 1.6%. We also conducted a questionnaire survey on eating habits. As a result, 62 out of 67 female university students who felt salty at a concentration of 0.6% were 92% of all participants. However, two female university students did not feel taste even with a salt concentration of 1.6%.They are 3% of all participants. As a result of the questionnaire survey, female university students answered that they had a good taste and secreted saliva well, and they usually had a rather light diet. In the future, we would like to increase the number of participants and compare more detailed dietary habits with SALSAVE results.

Mobile food records are currently used to determine the nutrition of healthy subjects. To determine the accuracy of such records, we evaluated the nutritional composition of a test meal (noodles and fruit juice) and a hospital meal (Japanese set meal) using two types of mobile food records. Eighteen healthy subjects (2 males and 16 females) were enrolled. Using these diets and validated nutrient-composition information, we evaluated the accuracy of the dietary assessments made by two dietary-record applications, Asken® and Calomeal®, over 5 days. For the test meal, the values provided by the two applications were close to the actual values. In contrast, for the hospital meal, the values provided by the two applications were approximately 1.5 times higher than the actual values. A linear-mixed-model analysis showed that the total energy, carbohydrate, and salt contents were significantly overestimated in the hospital meal. Protein also tended to be overestimated, while the fat content was not significantly overestimated. Furthermore, the total energy and fat contents increased significantly over time. No association with age was observed. A comparison of the coefficients of variation (CVs) for each nutrient in the hospital meal indicated that the fat levels were significantly higher than those in the test meal. In conclusion, the accuracy of mobile food records depends on the type of meal. Our data will provide lessons for the use of meal-recording applications in special cases, such as hospital food.

Osteocytic perilacunar/canalicular turnover in hemodialysis patients has not yet been reported. Osteocyte lacunae in lamellar bone and woven bone were classified as eroded surface-, osteoid surface-, and quiescent surface-predominant osteocyte lacunae (ES-Lc, OS-Lc, QS-Lc, respectively) in 55 hemodialysis patients with either high- (n = 45) or low- (n = 10) parathyroid hormone levels, and 19 control subjects without chronic kidney disease. We calculated the area and number of ES-Lc, OS-Lc, and QS-Lc. The mineralized surface on the osteocyte lacunar walls was measured in each group, and compared among the three groups. The shapes of the osteocyte lacunar walls were validated by backscattered electron microscopy. While the number of ES-Lc per bone area (N.ES-Lc/B.Ar) was higher than the number of OS-Lc per bone area (N.OS-Lc/B.Ar) in all groups, N.ES-Lc/B.Ar and N.OS-Lc/B.Ar were greater in high-parathyroid hormone group than in low-parathyroid hormone and control groups. The total volume of ES-Lc per bone area (ES-Lc.Ar/B.Ar) was greater than the total volume of OS-Lc per bone area (OS-Lc.Ar/B.Ar) in both parathyroid hormone groups. However, both lacunar erosion and lacunar formation increased proportionally, suggesting that global coupling between them was maintained. N.ES-Lc/B.Ar was higher in woven bone than in lamellar bone. The rate of OS-Lc stained by tetracycline hydrochloride, the mineralized lacunar surface and the mean area of OS-Lc with Tc obtained from both parathyroid hormone groups were greater than those in the control group. We conclude that osteocytic perilacunar/canalicular turnover is increased in hemodialysis patients with high parathyroid hormone levels. Osteocytic perilacunar/canalicular turnover depends, at least in part, on serum parathyroid hormone level. However, the ideal PTH level for osteocytic perilacunar/canalicular turnover could not be determined but osteocytic osteolysis was predominant in both the high- and low-PTH groups in this study. Thus, attention should be paid to bone loss from the viewpoint of osteocytic perilacunar/canalicular turnover in hemodialysis patients.

Objectives The purposes of this study were to clarify 1) the prevalence of foot and ankle pain and 2) the factors associated with foot and ankle pain among nurses. Methods Nurses working at a university hospital in Japan were recruited to participate in this cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study. The occurrence of foot and ankle pain in the previous month was assessed by using the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire and the Manchester Foot Pain and Disability Index. Subjects also answered questions on footwear-related factors, including using the visual analog scale for shoe comfort. In addition, information on personal factors and psychosocial factors was collected using the Job Content Questionnaire. The relationships between the presence of foot and ankle pain and the associated factors were examined using multiple logistic regression analysis. Results Responses of 636 nurses (response rate, 67%) were included for analysis. The prevalence of foot and ankle pain was 23% and 51% when using the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire and the Manchester Foot Pain and Disability Index, respectively. The prevalence of pain that prevented the nurses from performing activities of daily living and work was 4% and 17%, respectively. A low level of shoe comfort, personal factors (age and body mass index), and psychosocial factors (low job control and high job strain) was independently associated with the presence of foot and ankle pain. Conclusions Foot and ankle pain occurred frequently in nurses. Shoe comfort, personal factors, and psychosocial factors were associated with foot and ankle pain.

Hypomineralized matrix is a factor determining bone mineral density. Increased perilacunar hypomineralized bone area is caused by reduced mineralization by osteocytes. The importance of vitamin D in the mineralization by osteocytes was investigated in hemodialysis patients who underwent total parathyroidectomy (PTX) with immediate autotransplantation of diffuse hyperplastic parathyroid tissue. No previous reports on this subject exist. The study was conducted in 19 patients with renal hyperparathyroidism treated with PTX. In 15 patients, the serum calcium levels were maintained by subsequent administration of alfacalcidol (2.0 μg/day), i.v. calcium gluconate, and oral calcium carbonate for 4 weeks after PTX (group I). This was followed in a subset of 4 patients in group I by a reduced dose of 0.5 μg/day until 1 year following PTX; this was defined as group II. In the remaining 4 patients, who were not in group I, the serum calcium (Ca) levels were maintained without subsequent administration of alfacalcidol (group III). Transiliac bone biopsy specimens were obtained in all groups before and 3 or 4 weeks after PTX to evaluate the change of the hypomineralized bone area. In addition, patients from group II underwent a third bone biopsy 1 year following PTX. A significant decrease of perilacunar hypomineralized bone area was observed 3 or 4 weeks after PTX in all group I and II patients. The area was increased again in the group II patients 1 year following PTX. In group III patients, an increase of the hypomineralized bone area was observed 4 weeks after PTX. The maintenance of a proper dose of vitamin D is necessary for mineralization by osteocytes, which is important to increase bone mineral density after PTX for renal hyperparathyroidism. © 2019 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Oil consumption of an engine causes particulate matter, poisoning catalysts and sometimes abnormal combustion like pre-ignition. One of the factors of oil consumption is oil transport via a piston ring-gap. Coincident of ring-gaps at a same position may cause an increase in oil consumption. In this research, the effect of coincident the ring gaps on oil consumption was measured using with/without the a stopper pin for the ring rotation by sulfur tracer method. A lot of spikes was found in the wave form of sulfur concentrate for the rings without the stopper pin, and higher value of oil consumption was simultaneously measured. Then the force which caused ring rotation (hereafter ‘rotational force’) was measured by a newly developed method. A cantilever was installed in the ring gap, and the strain gauges were pasted on the cantilever. Therefore, the rotational force was measured as the bending stress of the cantilever. It was found that the rotational force showed a periodic wave form against the crank angle. Furthermore, it was also found that the amplitude of the rotational force was strong affected by the engine operating conditions. The rotational force was also affected by the gap position. It was assumed that not only the piston lateral motion but also the cylinder bore shape affected the rotational force. The mechanism of generating the rotational force is the future subject.

Oil traveling upward through the sliding surface of a piston ring causes oil consumption of an engine. Piston rings are designed considering conformability to deformed cylinder bore. However, cylinder deformation sometimes affects strongly oil consumption. It suggests that a piston ring cannot conform dynamically to the cylinder bore. In this study, distribution of oil film thickness of an oil ring was measured for investigating the dynamic conformability. An optical fiber has embedded in the sliding surface of the lower rail of the oil ring, and oil film thickness was measured by laser induced fluorescence method. The measuring point was rotated in the circumferential direction, so the distribution in both the circumferential and the axial direction could be measured. Thick oil films partially were found and it was found that the oil ring did not conformed to the deformed cylinder bore dynamically. Furthermore, such oil film showed thicker value than those expected theoretically. It was showed that dynamic conformability must be considered for piston ring design for reducing oil consumption.

Objectives Traditional Japanese food appears to be healthy but contains a small amount of milk products. Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients commonly reduce their energy intake to control their blood glucose levels. However, nutritional guidance for diabetes does not emphasize calcium (Ca) consumption. The aim of this study is to estimate the nutritional status of Ca and other nutrients, which affect bone and Ca metabolism, in T2DM patients. Methods This observational study was conducted with Japanese T2DM patients (n = 96; M/F = 50/46; age: 61.6 ± 10.1 years). We estimated nutrient intake using a simple food frequency questionnaire. Results Median total energy intake was 1750 kcal/day (1440–1970). Their median daily intake of Ca, vitamin D, and vitamin K was 451 mg (336–560), 10.2 μg (8.5–12), and 206 μg (84–261), respectively. Only 17.7% of the study subjects were found to take more than 600 mg/day of Ca. Protein and salt intake was 78 (64–90) and 10.6 (9.3–12.2) g/day, respectively. Male subjects had more salt, less Ca and vitamin K than female. Daily Ca intake was positively associated with total energy, protein, and lipid intake but not with carbohydrates. Vitamin D intake correlated only with protein intake. Conclusions The daily Ca intake of Japanese T2DM patients appears to be insufficient and could depend on protein and lipid intake. Additionally, these patients should have specific recommendations to ensure sufficient intake of Ca with protein and lipid during energy restriction.

Mammographic density (MD), the proportion of radiological dense breast, has been reported to be a strong risk factor for breast cancer in many studies. Epidemiological evidence indicates that alcohol consumption increases the risk of breast cancer. In Western countries, a positive association between alcohol consumption and MD has been reported. To investigate the effect of alcohol consumption on MD, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis of healthy women enrolled in a breast cancer screening program at the Ebina Health Service Center, Japan, in 2012, comprising 477 premenopausal women and 308 postmenopausal women. Alcohol consumption was assessed using a self-report questionnaire. Unconditional logistic regression was applied to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) while adjusting for confounders. The study included 497 women with high breast density (HD group) and 288 women with low breast density (LD group). In all women, multivariate analysis revealed that the OR for HD was significantly increased among women with the highest alcohol intake (≥ 140 g/week of ethanol) compared with abstainers (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.2–3.9 p = 0.01). The linear trend with increasing alcohol consumption was statistically significant (p = 0.009). MD was positively associated with alcohol consumption in Japanese women.

[Purpose] Interventions using music, physical exercise, and reminiscence therapy are widely used both for rehabilitation and care of the elderly. This study aimed to investigate the effect of structured interventions comprising music, physical exercise, and reminiscence therapy on cognitive function and quality of life of the community-dwelling elderly. [Subjects and Methods] The study included 15 community-dwelling elderly people who used a day-care center. Participants underwent sessions comprising the following three factors: 1) singing songs familiar to the elderly; 2) physical exercise to music; and 3) observation of historical pictures. Sessions were conducted once or twice per week, 30 to 40 min per day, for 10 weeks. Pre and post interventions of the Mini Mental State Examination, the Behavioral Rating Scale for the Elderly, and the SF-8 were compared. [Results] No significant difference was observed between pre- and post-intervention scores on the Mini Mental State Examination and the Behavioral Rating Scale for the Elderly. However, the post intervention physical component summary of SF-8 was significantly higher than the pre intervention summary. [Conclusion] This study suggests that interventions comprising music, physical exercise, and reminiscence therapy may contribute toward the improvement of elderly individuals' health-related quality of life, especially physical health.

Aims The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of a low-carbohydrate staple food (i.e., low-carbohydrate bread) on glucose and lipid metabolism and pancreatic and enteroendocrine hormone secretion in comparison with meals containing normal-carbohydrate bread, without consideration of the carbohydrate content of the side dishes. Methods T2DM patients (n = 41) were provided meals containing low-carbohydrate bread (LB) together with side dishes or normal-carbohydrate bread (NB) together with side dishes every other day as a breakfast. Blood glucose levels were evaluated by using a continuous glucose monitoring system; blood samples were collected before and 1 and 2 h after the breakfast. Results Postprandial blood glucose levels, plasma insulin, plasma glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and plasma triglyceride were significantly lower and plasma glucagon levels were significantly higher in LB compared with those in NB. Plasma glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) levels did not differ in the LB and NB groups. Conclusions These results indicate that changing only the carbohydrate content of the staple food has benefits on glucose and lipid metabolism in T2DM patients concomitant with the decrease of insulin and GIP secretion, which ameliorate body weight gain and insulin resistance.

O quiabeiro cultivado em espacamentos maiores caracteriza-se pela emissao de ramificacoes laterais, o que e menos frequente quando se aumenta a densidade de plantas. Pelo exposto o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influencia de diferentes espacamentos entre linhas e entre plantas sobre o desenvolvimento vegetativo e producao das cultivares de quiabeiro ‘Santa Cruz 47’ e ‘Colhe Bem IAC’. Empregou-se delineamento em blocos casualizados em esquema fatorial 2x2x4, compreendendo duas cultivares (‘Santa Cruz 47’ e ‘Colhe Bem IAC’), dois espacamentos entre linhas (1,00 e 1,20 m) e quatro espacamentos entre plantas (0,10; 0,20; 0,30; 0,40 m), constituindo 16 tratamentos com tres repeticoes. O espacamento entre plantas afetou o desenvolvimento vegetativo das plantas e tambem a producao de frutos. A maior densidade de plantas reduziu o numero de hastes produtivas e consequentemente resultou em menor massa e numero de frutos por planta, no entanto, proporcionou as maiores produtividades.

Submitted by Vitor Silverio Rodrigues (vitorsrodrigues@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2014-05-27T11:30:42Z No. of bitstreams: 0Bitstream added on 2014-05-27T14:38:00Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 2-s2.0-84883763992.pdf: 84559 bytes, checksum: e6b61dfa9850e4e806f4b79380df589f (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-27T11:30:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2013-09-17 Due to the few studies about grafting in net melon, in order to obtain better control of soil pathogens, the aim of the present study was to evaluate 16 genotypes of Cucurbitaceae: Benincasa hispida, Luffa cylindrica, pumpkin 'Jacarezinho', pumpkin 'Menina Brasileira', squash 'Exposição', squash 'Coroa', pumpkin 'Canhão Seca', pumpkin 'Squash', pumpkin 'Enrrugado Verde', pumpkin 'Mini Paulista', pumpkin 'Goianinha', watermelon 'Charleston Gray', melon 'Rendondo Gaucho', melon 'Redondo Amarelo', cucumber 'Caipira HS' and cucumber 'Caipira Rubi', regarding to compatibility of grafting in net melon and resistance to Meloidogyne incognita, based on the reproduction factor (RF), according to Oostenbrink (1966). To assess resistance, the seedlings were transplanted to ceramic pots and inoculated with 300/mL eggs and/or second stage juveniles of M. incognita. At 50 days after transplanting, the plants were removed from the pots and the resistance was evaluated. The compatibility between resistant rootstock and grafts of net melon was determined by performing simple cleft grafting, in a commercial net melon hybrid of great market acceptance and susceptible to M. incognita (Bonus no. 2). The genotypes Luffa cylindrica, pumpkin 'Goianinha', pumpkin 'Mini-Paulista', melon 'Redondo Amarelo', watermelon 'Charleston Gray' are resistant to the nematode M. incognita. The better compatibilities occurred with the rootstocks melon 'Amarelo', which presented 100% of success, followed by pumpkin 'Mini-Paulista' with 94%. On the other hand, Sponge gourd, watermelon 'Charleston Gray' and pumpkin 'Goianinha' showed low graft take percentages of 66%, 62% and 50%, respectively. Departamento de Produção Vegetal Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Via de Acesso Professor Paulo Donato Castellane, s/n, 14884-900, Jaboticabal, São Paulo Instituto Federal de Educação Ciência e Tecnologia do Triângulo Mineiro Rua João Batista Ribeiro, 4000, 38964-790, Uberaba, Minas Gerais Departamento de Produção Vegetal Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Via de Acesso Professor Paulo Donato Castellane, s/n, 14884-900, Jaboticabal, São Paulo