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Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and/or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and its relation to lifestyle in female college students., Subjects and Methods: A total of 375 female college students (19.2 ± 1.3 years) among 439 students were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Using a self-reported questionnaire, we measured the prevalence of ADHD using the ADHD Self-Report Scale-v1.1 (ASRS) and the prevalence of ASD using the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ). In addition, lifestyle choices such as medications, physical activity, cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking and sleeping habits were also evaluated., Results: The suspected prevalence of ADHD was 102 students (27.2 %) and the suspected prevalence of ASD was 4 students (1.1 %). Only one student (0.3 %) was thought to have both ADHD and ASD. Subjects with suspected ADHD had higher AQ scores compared with those without suspected ADHD. There were no unhealthy lifestyle choices in subjects with suspected ADHD and/or ASD., Conclusion: The prevalence of suspected ADHD and/or ASD may be relatively high even among female college students in Japan., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interests in this study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare psychological distress between patients on chronic hemodialysis with and without chronic low back pain (CLBP)., Subjects and Methods: A total of 72 patients on chronic hemodialysis, aged 72.9 ± 10.8 years, were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Psychological distress using the K6, questionnaire for CLBP, and physical activity using the tri-accelerometer were evaluated., Results: Twenty-nine patients (40.3 %) were having CLBP. The K6 scores were 4.0 ± 4.6 and physical activity (n = 55) was 1.0 ± 1.0 METs h/day. K6 scores in patients on chronic hemodialysis with CLBP were significantly higher than those in patients on chronic hemodialysis without CLBP even after adjusting for sex, age, duration of hemodialysis and physical activity., Conclusion: These results suggest that higher psychological distress was a fundamental feature in patients on chronic hemodialysis with CLBP., Competing Interests: There is no conflict of interest.

Objective: The purpose of the present pilot study was to investigate the link between diet and mental health in female university students enrolled in a training course for registered dietitians., Subjects and Methods: A total of 62 female university students, with a mean age of 18.79 ± 0.45 years, participated in this cross-sectional study. Diet surveys were performed using the brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire (BDHQ). Mental health was also evaluated using the general health questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12), which was the shortest form and clinically available. Lifestyles such as physical activity levels were also evaluated., Results: The mean energy intake was 1379 ± 575 kcal and the mean GHQ score was 3.11 ± 2.41. Among nutrients, vegetable fat and sucrose showed a weak positive correlation with the GHQ scores. Among food groups, potatoes, fats and oils, and confectioneries also showed a weak positive correlation with the GHQ scores. A multiple regression analysis showed that the confectioneries were the determining factor for the GHQ scores., Conclusion: Proper education concerning their diets and reducing confectioneries in their daily lives might be beneficial for the mental health of female university students., Competing Interests: All authors declare that there are no conflicts of interests.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare health-related quality of life (HRQOL) between type 2 diabetic patients with and without locomotive syndrome, which is a risk for becoming bedridden because of deteriorating locomotive organs., Subjects and Methods: A total of 135 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (69.2 ± 10.2 years) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. HRQOL was evaluated by the Euro-QOL-5 (EQ-5D), and locomotive syndrome was evaluated by "loco-check," established the Japanese Orthopedic Association. Clinical data, such as anthropometric parameters, blood and urine examination results, blood pressure (BP), drug usage, and psychological distress, were analyzed., Results: Average HbA1c in all patients was 7.2 ± 1.0 %, and 74 patients (54.8 %) were identified as having the locomotive syndrome. EQ-5D scores were significantly lower in type 2 diabetic patients with locomotive syndrome than in those without locomotive syndrome, even after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and HbA1c. By the multiple regression analysis, locomotive syndrome and age were identified as determinant factors of HRQOL in type 2 diabetic patients., Conclusion: In type 2 diabetic patients, lower HRQOL was a characteristic feature of subjects with locomotive syndrome, even after adjusting for confounding factors. Prevention or management of locomotive syndrome may be beneficial for improving HRQOL in type 2 diabetic patients., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there were no conflicts of interest in this study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the relations between toe pinch force and other muscle strength parameters in male patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus., Methods: A total of 40 men with type 2 diabetes (age: 53.4 ± 13.1 years, duration of diabetes: 8.5 ± 8.1 years) who needed exercise training were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. We evaluated the clinical parameters and 4 muscle strength parameters, which were toe pinch force, handgrip strength, isometric knee extension force, and isometric ankle dorsiflexion force., Results: The HbA1c, toe pinch force, handgrip strength, isometric knee extension force, and isometric ankle dorsiflexion force were 10.1 ± 2.4 %, 3.2 ± 1.2 kg, 37.3 ± 7.0 kg, 39.6 ± 11.4 kgf, and 17.0 ± 6.3 kgf, respectively. Toe pinch force was significantly correlated with handgrip strength (r = 0.365, p = 0.0206), isometric knee extension force (r = 0.668, p < 0.0001), and isometric ankle dorsiflexion force (r = 0.514, p = 0.0007). All muscle strength parameters were significantly lower in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy than in those without polyneuropathy., Conclusion: Although toe pinch force was significantly correlated with the other muscle strength parameters, the correlation was not so strong. However, evaluation of toe pinch force might be recommended for assessment of distal limb muscle strength in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Objective: To investigate the link between cigarette smoking and one leg with eyes closed balance in Japanese men., Subjects and Methods: We used data from 4224 Japanese men, aged 43.3 ± 13.9 years, in this cross-sectional study. Balance, such as one leg with eyes closed balance was measured. In addition, cigarette smoking habits were obtained by well-trained medical staff. The effect of cigarette smoking on one leg with eye closed balance was evaluated., Results: A total of 1613 men (38.2 %) had smoking habit and 1471 men (34.8 %) regularly exercised. Age-related changes in one leg with eyes closed balance were noted. One leg with eyes closed balance in subjects with cigarette smoking (30.9 ± 31.8 s) was significantly lower than those in subjects without cigarette smoking (32.4 ± 33.5 s) even after adjusting for confounding factors i.e. age, body weight and exercise habits., Conclusion: Cigarette smoking might be associated with one leg with eyes closed balance in Japanese men.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate psychological distress in patients on chronic hemodialysis., Subjects and Methods: A total of 72 patients on chronic hemodialysis were enrolled in this study. We evaluated psychological distress by using the K6 questionnaire, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) by using the EQ-5D questionnaire, and clinical parameters. Among the 72 patients, we also evaluated changes in K6 scores in 58 patients at 1-year follow-up., Results: The mean K6 score was 3.7 ± 3.7 and 2 subjects (2.8%) were defined as having psychological distress. K6 scores were significantly correlated with body fat percentage, albumin level, and EQ-5D scores in total subjects. K6 scores were also significantly and negatively correlated with EQ-5D scores in men and women. In the 1-year follow-up group, changes in K6 scores were weakly and negatively correlated with changes in EQ-5D scores., Conclusion: Psychological distress was closely associated with HRQOL in patients on chronic hemodialysis. Coping strategies for psychological distress might be useful in improving HRQOL in patients on hemodialysis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the linkage among climate parameters, total ambulance transports and the number of deaths in Asahikawa City in northern Japan., Methods: Monthly data on total ambulance transports and the number of deaths from January 2004 to December 2011 were obtained from Asahikawa City Fire Department and the Asahikawa City official website. Climate parameters for the required period were also obtained from the Japan Meteorological Agency, Japan. To adjust for the population, we also used monthly population data on Asahikawa City. The linkage among climate parameters, total ambulance transports and the number of deaths was evaluated by ecological analysis., Results: The mean air temperature in the Asahikawa area was 7.3 ± 10.1 °C. Total ambulance transports (/a hundred thousand people/day) and the number of deaths (/a hundred thousand people/day) were 10.0 ± 0.6 and 2.6 ± 0.3, respectively. Using quadratic curves, total ambulance transports and the number of deaths were weakly correlated with some climate parameters. The number of deaths was weakly and positively correlated with total ambulance transports., Conclusion: A weak linkage among climate parameters, total ambulance transports and the number of deaths was noted in Asahikawa City, Japan. However, these associations were not as high as expected.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the link between circulating leptin levels and physical activity and/or physical fitness in apparently healthy Japanese., Methods: A total of 85 men and 111 women who were not taking any medication were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Circulating leptin levels, physical activity measured by tri-axial accelerometers and peak oxygen uptake were evaluated. We also assessed anthropometric data, blood pressure, blood examinations and energy intake., Results: Circulating leptin levels were 3.2 ± 2.3 ng/mL in men and 5.9 ± 3.8 ng/mL in women. Circulating leptin levels were significantly and positively correlated with body weight, body mass index, abdominal circumference, insulin and the homeostasis model assessment index, and significantly and negatively correlated with peak oxygen uptake in both sexes. Stepwise multiple regression showed that peak oxygen uptake in men and physical activity evaluated by Σ[metabolic equivalents h per week(METs h/w)]. in women were determinant factors for circulating leptin levels after adjusting for confounding factors.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the link between circulating adiponectin levels and peak oxygen uptake and/or physical activity in Japanese., Methods: A total of 528 subjects (188 men and 340 women) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Circulating adiponectin levels, physical activity measured by tri-axial accelerometers, peak oxygen uptake and metabolic risk parameters were evaluated. We also assessed anthropometric factors, blood pressure, blood examinations and energy intake., Results: Circulating adiponectin levels were 6.7 ± 3.0 μg/mL in men and 11.0 ± 4.9 μg/mL in women. Circulating adiponectin levels were positively correlated with physical fitness after adjusting for age, physical activity evaluated by Σ [metabolic equivalents × h per week (METs h/w)], cigarette smoking habit and energy intake in both sexes. However, these associations were attenuated further after adjusting for body mass index including other confounding factors, especially in men. However, circulating adiponectin levels were not associated with physical activity in either sex., Conclusion: Circulating adiponectin levels were associated with peak oxygen uptake rather than physical activity.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the linkage among ambulance transports, the number of death and air temperature in Takamatsu area, Japan., Methods: Monthly data of ambulance transports (total and acute disease) and the number of death from 2004 to 2012 were obtained from Fire Department Service in Takamatsu and Takamatsu city official website, Japan. Climate parameters for required period were also obtained from Japan Meteorological Agency. Population data in Takamatsu area were also used to adjust ambulance transports and the number of death. The linkage among ambulance transports, the number of death and climate parameters was evaluated by ecological analysis., Results: Total ambulance transports (/a hundred thousand people/day) and ambulance transports due to acute disease (/a hundred thousand people/day) were 12.3 ± 0.9 and 6.8 ± 0.7, respectively. The number of death (/a hundred thousand people/day) was 2.5 ± 0.4. By quadratic curve, ambulance transports due to acute disease and the number of death were significantly correlated with the parameters of air temperature. However, the number of death was the highest in January and the lowest in August., Conclusion: Although higher air temperature was only associated with higher ambulance transports, lower air temperature was associated with both higher ambulance transports and the number death in Takamatsu area, Japan.

Aim: To investigate the link between serum vaspin levels and physical activity and/or physical fitness in Japanese., Methods: A total of 156 subjects (81 men and 75 women) was enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Serum vaspin levels, physical activity by uniaxial accelerometers, peak oxygen uptake, and metabolic risk parameters were evaluated. We also assessed anthropometric and body composition parameters., Results: Serum vaspin levels were over the level of 10 ng/mL in 15 subjects (9.6 %: Vaspin High group). In Vaspin Low group (<5 ng/mL: 74 men and 67 women), serum vaspin levels were 0.12 ± 0.18 ng/mL in men and 0.39 ± 0.70 ng/mL in women. Peak oxygen uptake was significantly and positively correlated with serum vaspin levels even after adjusting for age, physical activity evaluated by Σ[metabolic equivalents × h per week (METs[Symbol: see text]h/w)], BMI, and other confounding factors in men. In turn, physical activity was significantly and positively correlated with serum vaspin levels even after adjusting for confounding factors in women., Conclusion: Serum vaspin levels were closely associated with physical fitness in men and physical activity in women independent of body composition in this Japanese cohort.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between physical activity and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients on chronic hemodialysis., Methods: A total of 31 men (69.0 ± 11.1 years) and 17 women (66.9 ± 10.0 years) among 61 male and 30 female patients on chronic hemodialysis at Innoshima General Hospital, Onomichi, Japan, were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Physical activity was evaluated using tri-axial accelerometers. HRQOL and psychological distress were also evaluated using the EuroQol questionnaire (EQ-5D) and the K6 questionnaire, respectively., Results: Physical activity evaluated by Σ[metabolic equivalents × h per week (METs·h/w)] was 8.1 ± 6.0 METs·h/w, and EQ-5D score was 0.754 ± 0.177. Among all patients, EQ-5D scores were significantly correlated with physical activity over 4 METs on non-hemodialysis treatment days (r = 0.426, p = 0.003). In women, EQ-5D scores were also correlated with physical activity over 4 METs on hemodialysis treatment days and non-hemodialysis treatment days. By stepwise multiple regression analysis, physical activity over 4 METs on non-hemodialysis treatment days was a determinant factor of EQ-5D even after adjusting for age and K6 scores., Conclusion: Physical activity over 4 METs on non-hemodialysis treatment days might be associated with EQ-5D in patients on chronic hemodialysis, especially in women.

Objective: Our aim was to investigate the link between ambulance transports stratified by heat stroke and air temperature in August 2009 in Japan., Methods: Monthly observations for ambulance transports stratified by heat stroke in August 2009, in all 47 prefectures of Japan were obtained from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. Daily air temperature data from the Japan Meteorological Agency in August 2009 for all 47 prefectures in Japan were also used. The effect of high air temperatures on ambulance transports stratified by heat stroke was analyzed in an ecological study., Results: Various air temperature parameters , i.e., the mean of the mean air temperature, mean of the highest air temperature, mean of the lowest air temperature, the highest air temperature, and the lowest air temperature in August 2009 were significantly and positively correlated with ambulance transports stratified by heat stroke (per total number of ambulance transports and per 10,000 persons) in the 47 prefectures of Japan. The correlation coefficient between the mean of the highest air temperature in August 2009 and ambulance transports stratified by heat stroke (per 10 000 persons) was the highest among the examined parameters (r = 0.799, p < 0.0001)., Conclusion: Higher air temperatures were closely associated with higher numbers of ambulance transports stratified by heat stroke in August 2009 in Japan.

Objectives: We evaluated anthropometric parameters and physical fitness in elderly Japanese., Methods: A total of 2,106 elderly Japanese (749 men and 1,357 women), aged 60-79 years, were enrolled in a cross-sectional investigation study. Anthropometric parameters and physical fitness, i.e., muscle strength and flexibility, were measured. Of the 2,106 subjects, 569 subjects (302 men and 267 women) were further evaluated for aerobic exercise level, using the ventilatory threshold (VT)., Results: Muscle strength in subjects in their 70s was significantly lower than that in subjects in their 60s in both sexes. Two hundred and twenty-nine men (30.6%) and 540 women (39.8%) were taking no medications. In men, anthropometric parameters were significantly lower and muscle strength, flexibility, and work rate at VT were significantly higher in subjects without medications than these values in subjects with medications. In women, body weight, body mass index (BMI), and abdominal circumference were significantly lower, and muscle strength was significantly higher in subjects without medications than these values in subjects with medications., Conclusion: This mean value may provide a useful database for evaluating anthropometric parameters and physical fitness in elderly Japanese subjects.

Objective: We investigated the link between renal function as evaluated by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and proteinuria in Okayama Prefecture, Japan., Subjects and Methods: A total of 11030 Japanese subjects, aged between 20 and 79 years, were recruited in a cross-sectional clinical investigation study. eGFR was calculated using serum creatinine, age, and sex. Proteinuria was measured by using urine strip devices., Results: Age-related variations in eGFR were noted. Two hundred sixteen men (6.2%) and 316 women (4.2%) were diagnosed with trace positive (±) and 140 men (4.0%) and 130 women (1.7%) were diagnosed with positive (+≤) proteinuria. eGFR in subjects with +≤ proteinuria was significantly lower than that in subjects without proteinuria, in both sexes., Conclusion: The present study indicates that proteinuria might be an important marker in the etiology of lower eGFR in Okayama Prefecture, Japan.

The link between cigarette smoking and ventilatory threshold (VT) was investigated. We used data for 407 men and 418 women not taking medication. Habits of cigarette smoking were obtained through interviews by well-trained staff. The influence of cigarette smoking on oxygen uptake, work rate, and heart rate at VT was evaluated. Oxygen uptake at VT in women and work rate at VT in men with cigarette smoking were significantly lower than in subjects without cigarette smoking after adjusting for age. The differences of parameters at VT did not reach significant levels after adjusting for age and exercise habits in both sexes. However, in women without exercise habits, there was significant difference of oxygen uptake at VT between women with and without cigarette smoking after adjusting for age [cigarette smoking (+): 11.5 ± 1.8 ml/kg/min, cigarette smoking (-): 12.4 ± 2.1 ml/kg/min, p = 0.0006]. The number of cigarettes smoked per day and the Brinkman Index were not clearly correlated with oxygen uptake at VT. A combination of promoting exercise habits and prohibiting cigarette smoking might be recommended for improving the aerobic exercise level, especially in women.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate aerobic exercise levels, expressed in terms of ventilatory threshold (VT), in a Japanese population and explore the relationship between VT and exercise habits in this population., Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which data collected from 547 men and 524 women aged 20-69 years and not on medications, were used to assess exercise habits and parameters at VT, namely, oxygen uptake, work rate, and heart rate., Results: Age-related changes in parameters at VT were noted. Of the participants, 205 men (37.5%) and 142 women (27.1%) had exercise habits. Oxygen uptake and work rate at VT in subjects with exercise habits were significantly higher than those without exercise habits after age had been adjusted for in both sexes. Anthropometric parameters were significantly correlated with oxygen uptake at VT, and the highest correlation coefficient rate was found between oxygen uptake at VT and body fat percentage (men r = -0.589, women r = -0.631)., Conclusion: The mean values determined here may provide a useful database for evaluating VT in Japanese adult subjects.

Objectives: We investigated the correlation between changes in body weight and body composition parameters., Methods: We used the data of 2635 Japanese (40.2±12.2 years) at baseline and at 1-year follow-up from a database of 13522 subjects, which is available at the Okayama Southern Institute of Health in Okayama prefecture, Japan. Body weight, waist circumference at the umbilical level, hip circumference, and body fat percentage were used in the analyses., Results: Body composition parameters were significantly reduced after 1 year. Changes in body weight significantly correlated with changes in waist circumference, changes in hip circumference, and changes in body fat percentage. A decrease in body weight of 3 kg corresponded to a 3.45 cm decrease in waist circumference in men and a 2.83 cm decrease in that in women., Conclusion: A decrease in body weight of 3 kg corresponded to an almost 3 cm decrease in waist circumference at the umbilical level in Japanese men and women.