Search

The authors assessed the early antihypertensive efficacy of olmesartan medoxomil (OM) in a 12-week prospective observational study. Of 2221 patients with untreated hypertension who received OM (mainly 10 or 20 mg), 331 patients whose blood pressure (BP) was measured at 1 week after initiation of treatment were defined as the "early BP determination group,'' whereas the remaining 1890 patients were defined as the ;;standard BP determination group.'' Baseline characteristics, doses of OM, concomitant drugs used, and BP during treatment did not differ between the 2 groups. The achievement rate of BP target (<140/90 mm Hg) was 28.4% at 1 week in the early BP determination group and 28.3% at 2 weeks in the standard BP determination group (P=NS). Rates of adverse drug reactions in the 2 groups were similar. The present study suggests that OM is safe and effective in reducing BP at an early time point of treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficacy and safety of the angiotensin receptor blocker olmesartan medoxomil (OLM) was assessed in 550 elderly Japanese hypertensive patients who were followed for 24 weeks in daily clinical practice. Patients were given OLM alone or in combination with other antihypertensive drugs at the discretion of the investigators. After 24 weeks of treatment, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) significantly decreased from baseline (P<.0001). When patients were classified as either young-old (65-74 years) or older-old (75 years and older), with either isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) or systolic-diastolic hypertension (SDH), the reduction of diastolic BP in ISH patients was significantly smaller than that in SDH patients (5.0 vs 15.2 mm Hg; P<.0001), indicating that OLM did not cause excessive reduction of diastolic BP in ISH patients. Treatment was well tolerated in all groups. In conclusion, the medication was safe and effective in reducing BP levels in ISH patients aged 75 years and older, as well as in other elderly hypertensive patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a previous study of glucose tolerance, plasma insulin levels were greatly elevated in genetically obese Wistar fatty rats but not lean rats fed a diet containing polyunsaturated fatty acids. In the present study, triacylglycerol-regulation of levels of circulating insulin and glucagon-like peptide-1 (7-36) (GLP-1) has been investigated in these rats. In the glucose tolerance test, the two plasma insulin peaks appeared in obese and lean rats intubated with glucose + corn oil, at 15- 30 min and 4 h, whereas only the first peak appeared in rats intubated with glucose alone, although the glucose response did not differ. After intubation of corn oil only, the insulin peak at 15 min was not detected but the peak at 4h was large. The two plasma GLP-1 peaks appeared 15 min and 4 h after intubation of glucose + corn oil similarly to the insulin responses, although the first peak was small and the second peak was very large. A small peak at 15 min was not significant in rats intubated glucose alone and no peak was seen at 4 h. The GLP-1 concentrations were significantly higher in the following order: portal vein > inferior vena cava > tail vein. The plasma GLP-1 increment in response to oral triacylglycerols was significantly higher in obese rats than in lean rats as was the insulin increment. Thus, oral triacylglycerols (possibly polyunsaturated) appeared to act at the gut lumen to stimulate GLP-1 secretion, which may be responsible for the second (4 h) insulin peak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An examination was conducted of the time courses of incorporation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) into lipids of plasma, liver and its nuclei, and the time courses of hepatic lipogenic enzyme gene expression after oral administration of perilla oil by a stomach tube to rats fed a fat-free diet. Linolenic acid, 18:3(n-3), and eicosapentaenoic acid, 20:5(n-3), were considered indices of exogenous fatty acids. In total lipids of liver and its nuclei, linolenic acid was detected 1 h after the intubation, continued to increase during the first 4 h, then decreased and almost disappeared by 48 h. Eicosapentaenoic acid also increased within only 1 h of intubation, reached a maximum after 8 h and then gradually decreased. In contrast with the increase of exogenous PUFA, the mRNA concentrations of hepatic lipogenic enzymes began to decrease 2 h after the perilla oil intubation, were at a minimum at 8 h, and then increased. In another experiment to examine the effects of dietary perilla oil concentration on PUFA incorporation and gene expression, rats were given diets containing 0-10% perilla oil (supplemented with hydrogenated fat to 10% fat) for 3 d. Only 1% perilla oil elevated the exogenous PUFA concentrations in liver and its nuclei in comparison with concentrations in rats fed a hydrogenated fat diet. Perilla oil at 2% of the diet was sufficient to suppress lipogenic enzyme gene expressions, which were suppressed to the minimum level by 5% perilla oil in the diet. Thus, lipogenic enzyme gene expression was quickly suppressed by a small amount of exogenous PUFA, in contrast with the increase of PUFA incorporation into liver and its nuclei. Newly incorporated exogenous PUFA appear to be involved in suppression of lipogenic enzyme gene expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: American Football (AF) is a sport with intense physical contact, and there are many injuries. According to the surveys on injuries in collegiate AF in Japan, ligament injuries were the most frequent (37 - 39%). These studies were conducted in the Kanto or Kansai leagues, which have sufficient players. However, no surveys on injuries has been conducted in leagues with a small number of players, such as in the Chushikoku league. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the occurrence of injury in the Chushikoku Collegiate AF league. Methods: The survey period spanned 103 games played over 7 seasons. The survey subjects had described in the injury report of the Japan AF Association. The injury report was described when a "timeout for the injured" was called by the referee. The survey items included the player's position, injury type, injury location, the quarter (Q) during which the injury occurred, and the number of injuries per game. Results: The total number of injuries was 424. The number of injuries per games was 4.1 per game. The most frequent type of injury was bruising in 138 cases (32.5%). In addition, there were 114 cases (26.9%) of muscle cramps and 74 cases (17.5%) of ligament injuries. There were 189 cases among offensive players and 235 cases among defensive players. The timing of the injury was the 3Q in 127 cases and 4Q in 183 cases. Overall, 73.1% of injuries occurred late in the game. Conclusion: Previous studies reported the number of injuries for the Kanto Collegiate AF league to be 1.3 per game. In contrast, the number of injuries in Chushikoku league was 4.3 per game, and the prevalence of bruises and muscle cramps was overwhelmingly large. This high number could be due to several factors, such as few players per team (few opportunities for substitution), and the participation of students with lower skills. Clinical implications: The injury rates in the Chushikoku league tended to differ from those of other leagues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between sleep quality and perimenstrual symptoms among Japanese female students., Design: Observational, cross-sectional, online survey SETTING: We used an online questionnaire to collate responses from Japanese female students on sleep quality and perimenstrual symptoms., Participants: A total of 298 female students aged 18-25 years in Japan were included in this study., Primary and Secondary Outcome Measures: The Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ) was used to assess the severity of perimenstrual symptoms for three periods-premenstrual, menstrual and postmenstrual-and the Japanese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used to assess sleep quality. The MDQ scores were compared between two groups (normal-sleep quality and low-sleep quality) using Mann-Whitney U test. In addition, multiple logistic regression analysis was performed, and the MDQ subscales that showed significant differences between the groups were used as independent variables. The MDQ subscale that was strongly associated with sleep quality was calculated., Results: Of the female students, 160 were classified into the normal-sleep quality group and 138 into the low-sleep quality group. The total MDQ scores were significantly higher in the low-sleep quality group at all phases of the menstrual cycle (respectively p<0.05). Among the MDQ subscales, 'pain' during menstruation and 'concentration' in the premenstrual and postmenstrual stages were associated with sleep quality (respectively p<0.05)., Conclusions: Improving sleep quality was one possible strategy to reduce the severity of perimenstrual symptoms. These results may provide useful information for Japanese female students who suffer from perimenstrual symptoms., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2025. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ Group.)

Background: The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationships of the tibialis anterior tendon (TAT) and peroneus longus tendon (PLT) with articular cartilage degeneration on the medial cuneiform and first metatarsal., Methods: We examined 100 feet from 50 Japanese cadavers. The TAT was classified into 4 types based on attachment site area and number of fiber bundles: Type I, two fiber bundles with equal (within 20%) attachment site areas on the first metatarsal and medial cuneiform; Type II, with two fiber bundles and a larger (>20%) attachment site area on the medial cuneiform than on the first metatarsal; Type III, with two fiber bundles and a larger (>20%) attachment site area on the first metatarsal than on the medial cuneiform; and Type IV, with three fiber bundles. The PLT was classified into 2 types, following previous studies: Type I, insertion only to the base of the first metatarsal; Type II, insertion to the medial cuneiform and first metatarsal. The severity of articular cartilage degeneration was assessed in five stages using the International Cartilage Repair Society scale., Results: No significant difference in severity of articular cartilage degeneration was evident among types of TAT and PLT., Conclusion: Our results suggested that anatomical variations in the TAT and PLT might not affect joint stability, indicating that strengthening of these muscles could potentially enhance stability regardless of morphological variations in the insertions., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: This study was approved by the ethics committee of the Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan (approval no. 19129-230824) and was conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki. Informed consent for the storage and use of the bodies for research purposes was given by the donors prior to their deaths or by their next of kin. All methods were performed in accordance with the relevant guidelines and regulations. Consent for publication: Not applicable Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

Background: Difficulties in the accurate evaluation of tibiofibular clear space in plain radiographs are diagnostic problems in the clinical setting of syndesmosis injury. This study aimed to quantify the anterior tibiofibular gap (ATFG) with weight-bearing using ultrasonography., Methods: In total, 32 healthy adults (16 men and 16 women) with 64 feet participated in this cross-sectional study. The ATFG was measured along the anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament for a US assessment conducted in both sitting and standing postures. The ankle joint was set on the tilt table at four different angles as follows: plantar flexion, 20° (P20); neutral position (N); dorsiflexion, 20° (D20); and dorsiflexion, 20°+ external rotation, 30° (D20ER30). The ankle joint position, sex, and side-to-side values were compared with and without weight-bearing., Results: Under all ankle angle conditions, the ATFG was wider in the standing posture than in the sitting posture (p < 0.001). In both sitting and standing postures, the ATFG widened with increasing dorsiflexion angle, eventually reaching a maximum at D20ER30. The widening ratio (D20ER30/N) in the standing posture was higher in women than in men (p < 0.05). No statistical differences were identified side-to-side differences in the ATFG., Conclusions: Ultrasound measurements for identifying unphysiological increases in ATFG with weight bearing, especially given the side-to-side differences, may provide a means for quantitatively assessing syndesmosis injury in a clinical setting. Further research is warranted to clarify direct attribution as a clinical diagnostic utility of the ATFG measurements for syndesmosis injuries., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2024 The Japanese Orthopaedic Association. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The level of dynamic mechanical instability between the bony parts of the ankle joint provides important information on biomechanical function. However, the dynamics of the distance between the talus and lateral malleolus during gait remain unclear. This study aimed to compare the distance between the talus and lateral malleolus and the ankle joint angles during the stance phase of gait between individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) and healthy adults. The comparison was conducted using a synchronized ultrasound (US) imaging with a three-dimensional motion analysis (MA) system. This cross-sectional study included 12 participants (5 males, 7 females; age, 20.5 ± 1.8 years; height, 166.6 ± 9.4 cm; body weight, 60.2 ± 5.3 kg; body mass index, 21.7 ± 2.0 kg/m 2 ; 16 feet) with CAI and 10 healthy controls (4 males, 6 females; age, 21.2 ± 1.6 years; height, 164.6 ± 10.5 cm; body weight, 56.8 ± 11.3 kg; body mass index, 20.8 ± 2.6 kg/m 2 ; 20 feet). The distance between the talus and lateral malleolus during gait was significantly increased in the CAI group compared with that in the control group throughout the stance phase. The ankle dorsiflexion angle was smaller in the CAI group during the middle and terminal stance phases. Additionally, the ankle inversion angle was greater in the CAI group than in the control group. Our findings show the application of the synchronized US and MA system in the assessment of mechanical instability in CAI group, which may be used to determine treatment efficacy., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

[Purpose] The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and its associated restrictions have raised concerns regarding the lack of exercise among college students. Videos on digital platforms have addressed this issue, although their effects on student behavior are unclear. The present study investigated whether the simultaneous distribution of e-learning and exercise videos among college students during the lifting of behavioral restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic was effective in promoting health. [Participants and Methods] We conducted a randomized controlled trial in which 100 college students were recruited. The data of 61 students (e-learning and exercise video group=21, exercise video group=20, and control group=20) who completed baseline surveys were analyzed. The preliminary outcomes were physical activity, health habits, eHealth literacy, health-related quality of life, subjective well-being, and psychological stress. A mixed-model repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to compare these variables before and after the intervention. [Results] Health practice and eHealth literacy scales exhibited significant interactions in the e-learning and exercise video groups compared to the other groups. [Conclusion] The combined distribution of e-learning and exercise videos did not significantly enhance physical activity among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, health literacy and habits improved., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (2024©by the Society of Physical Therapy Science. Published by IPEC Inc.)

This study aimed to translate a web-based hamstring outcome score (HaOS) questionnaire to the Japanese context. First, the validity and reliability of the translated questionnaires were examined among Japanese athletes. Second, the association between the previous history of hamstring strain and HaOS was examined. The translation was performed according to internationally recognized methodologies. A total of 233 athletes were asked to complete the HaOS questionnaire, and four questions were added to examine the content validity of the questionnaire. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated to evaluate the test-retest reliability. Internal consistency was determined by calculating Cronbach's alpha values. The translated questionnaires had high acceptance and compliance rates, with a response rate of 84.4%. The ICC for each scale ranged from 0.80 to 0.93, and Cronbach's α from 0.72 to 0.96, confirming good reliability and high internal consistency. HaOS of the previous injury group (93.4 [78.9, 100]) was significantly lower than that of the healthy group (86.2 [68.1, 100]) (p < 0.05). The translated HaOS questionnaires were valid, reliable, and acceptable for monitoring hamstring conditions in Japanese athletes., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

[Purpose] This study aimed to investigate the differences in the acute effects of virtual and actual throwing training on throwing performance. [Participants and Methods] Twenty healthy men and six women with no boccia experience were randomly divided into the virtual and non-virtual groups. The task involved throwing boccia balls at target sets of 2 (short), 5 (middle), and 9 m (long). Both the groups were trained in three rows for each condition. The distance from the ball to the target was calculated as throwing accuracy for both pre- and post-training. Confidence in throwing was measured using a visual analog scale pre-and immediately post-training. A two-way analysis of variance with a post-hoc Bonferroni test or t-test was conducted for throwing accuracy and confidence. [Results] For throwing accuracy, the post hoc test results showed that both groups improved after training, but only in the middle-distance throw. Throwing confidence improved after training in both groups. [Conclusion] Boccia-throwing training using virtual reality may have an acute training effect comparable to that of actual training., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest to declare., (2024©by the Society of Physical Therapy Science. Published by IPEC Inc.)

The forced turnout has a perceived risk of development of hallux valgus (HV) in ballet dancers. We determined how the forced turnout affects the sagittal mobility of the first tarsometatarsal (TMT) joint, which is one of the pathogenic factors of HV development. Seventeen female ballet dancers (body mass index: 18.2 ± 1.8 kg/m 2 ) were included and performed demi-plié in control, functional turnout, and forced turnout conditions. Ultrasound imaging synchronized with a three-dimensional motion analysis system was used for measuring the vertical locations of the first metatarsal and medial cuneiform (MC) to evaluate the first TMT joint mobility. Plantar displacement of MC and the first TMT joint mobility in the forced turnout were the greatest among the 3 conditions. Multiple regression analysis indicated that the greater extent of the forcing angle might increase the displacement of MC and the first TMT joint mobility. Evaluating the sagittal mobility of the first TMT joint in the forced turnout can assist in understanding the association between inappropriate techniques including the forced turnout and HV development in ballet dancers. Since the excessive mobility of the first TMT joint is a factor in HV development, the acquirement of adequate active turnout may have the potential to prevent HV development in ballet dancers., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Objective: In Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, there were the rule and goal size changes at the blind football competition. This study aimed to compare the scoring and head impact characteristics during blind football competition between the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games using the official videos., Design: Video-based observational study., Participants: In total, 36 blind football (men's football 5-a-side) game videos were obtained from the official International Paralympic Committee., Primary and Secondary Outcome Measures: Head impact was defined as the sudden contact of any object with the head. Videos were analysed to assess the number of scores and head impacts along with their corresponding details (ie, round, playing phase, scoring situation, impact situation, occurrence area, impact object, head impact site, fall and foul)., Results: The total number of goals scored at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games was nearly double that at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. Regarding head impacts, a total of 2036 cases (Rio 2016, n=1105; Tokyo 2020, n=931) were evaluated. Significant differences were observed in head impact characteristics between the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games among seven outcomes (round, scoring situation, impact situation, occurrence area, impact object, site of head impact and fall)., Conclusions: Compared with the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games showed an increase in the number of points scored and different head impact characteristics., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

This study aimed to investigate the 8-week selective training effect of the peroneus longus (PL) and the peroneus brevis (PB) on muscle morphology, echogenicity, and ankle strength and to examine post-intervention detraining effects. Twenty healthy participants without orthopedic disease in the lower extremities were assigned to either the PL intervention group (training consisted of pushing the Thera-Band® out from the ball of the foot to emphasize ankle eversion) or the PB intervention group (training consisted of pulling the Thera-Band® from the base of the fifth metatarsal to enhance ankle valgus and external rotation). Each intervention was performed three times per week for 8 weeks. The cross-sectional area (CSA), thickness, echogenicity, and ankle strength of the PL and the PB were measured before week 1 and after each training session. Detraining effects were evaluated after the 8-week intervention. The results revealed a significant interaction between within-group (week) and between-group (type of intervention) variables on CSA and ankle strength of both the PL and the PB. Over the 8-week training period, the CSA and ankle strength of the PL significantly increased in the PL intervention group, as did the CSA and ankle strength of the PB in the PB intervention group (p < 0.05). The residual effect of muscle hypertrophy was observed during the detraining period. In conclusion, 8-week selective PL and PB training interventions can increase the CSA and ankle strength of these muscles over time. Long-term selective intervention is required to improve peroneus muscle morphology and function, with separate assessments of the CSA and ankle strength of the PL and the PB., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright: © Academy of Physical Education in Katowice.)

Background: In response to the serious lack of physical activity among young adults, recent attempts have been made to encourage young people to exercise through exercise video distribution. However, merely distributing videos does not lead to improved physical activity levels. Metaverse space, which enables web-based interaction through avatars, allows users to watch exercise videos in the same space as other avatars., Objective: This study explored whether exercise video distribution using metaverse space is effective in improving physical activity levels, along with mental health and locomotive function, among young people., Methods: In this parallel-group randomized controlled trial participants were recruited using printed poster displays. A total of 48 young adults aged between 18 and 30 years were assigned to 3 groups of 16 each: the metaverse, YouTube, and control group. To encourage exercise, the metaverse group was given an exercise video each week with a load of around 4-8 metabolic equivalents of tasks (METs) for 8 videos delivered in the metaverse space. The YouTube group was sent a URL on YouTube every week to view exercise videos with the same content as the metaverse group. The control group was given no special instructions. The intervention period was 8 weeks. Pre- and postintervention physical activity, well-being, locomotive syndrome risk tests, and social capital were measured. Although this study was not blinded to the participants, the measurers did not know to which group the participants belonged. Mixed model repeated-measures analyses and a post hoc Wilcoxon signed rank sum test were performed to detect the effects of the intervention in all groups., Results: The results of the mixed model repeated-measures analyses showed a significant interaction between groups and before and after the intervention for total physical activity (metaverse group: pre 737.1, SD 609.5 METs/week, post 1575.4, SD 1071.8 METs/week; YouTube group: pre 661.7, SD 710.7 METs/week, post 911.9, SD 1103.3 METs/week; and control group: pre 930.6, SD 665.1 METs/week, post 844.7, SD 701.8 METs/week; P=.04) but none for the indicators of well-being (P=.40), locomotive function scale (P=.17), and social capital (P=.23). A post hoc test showed a significant increase in physical activity in the metaverse group before and after the intervention (P=.006)., Conclusions: This study is the first to show that delivering exercise videos through metaverse space can increase physical activity in young adults by providing a gathering space for individuals similarly motivated for exercise practice. This way, the sense of isolation during exercise is reduced compared with merely distributing videos on YouTube. The use of metaverse space in health promotion is likely to spread, and this study provides a useful reference for its exploration., Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06019156; https://ichgcp.net/clinical-trials-registry/NCT06019156., (©Rami Mizuta, Noriaki Maeda, Tsubasa Tashiro, Yuta Suzuki, Sayo Kuroda, Ayano Ishida, Sakura Oda, Tomoya Watanabe, Yuki Tamura, Makoto Komiya, Yukio Urabe. Originally published in JMIR mHealth and uHealth (https://mhealth.jmir.org), 16.01.2024.)

Objective: This study examined the impact of sports participation on the health status of individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI), with emphasis on the role of health-related social capital (HRSC)., Methods: This study included 65 individuals with SCI (42 who participated in sports and 23 who did not). The following information was obtained from the participants through an online questionnaire: their basic information, information regarding activities of daily life independence, physical activity, mental health, lifestyle, insomnia, and social capital. We compared the outcomes between participants with and without sports participation and examined their correlations. Multiple regression analysis with forced entry was performed to determine the association between HRSC and health outcomes., Results: Physical activity, mental health, and HRSC were significantly higher in individuals with SCI who participated in sports (p <0.01 or p <0.05) than in individuals with SCI who did not participate in sports. The HRSC of individuals with SCI with sports participation showed a significant positive correlation with lifestyle and a significant negative correlation with insomnia score (p <0.05). Multiple regression analysis revealed that higher HRSC was associated with lifestyle in individuals with SCI who participated in sports (p <0.05) compared with individuals with SCI who did not participate in sports., Conclusion: The study findings underscore the potential benefits of sports participation in individuals with SCI, including increased physical activity and development of HRSC. However, it is essential to consider the implications of sports involvement on the psychological well-being of individuals with disabilities and provide appropriate support., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (©2024 Japanese Society of Physical Therapy.)

Occupational exposure to aromatic amines (AAs) is an important risk factor for urinary bladder cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the toxicity of AAs and analyze the carcinogenic mechanisms in rat bladder by comprehensive analysis of DNA adducts (DNA adductome). DNA was extracted from the bladder epithelia of rats treated with AAs, including acetoacet- o -toluidine (AAOT) and o -toluidine (OTD), and adductome analysis was performed. Principal component analysis-discriminant analysis revealed that OTD and AAOT observed in urinary bladder hyperplasia could be clearly separated from the controls and other AAs. After confirming the intensity of each adduct, four adducts were screened as having characteristics of the OTD/AAOT treatment. Comparing with the in-house DNA adduct database, three of four candidates were identified as oxidative DNA adducts, including 8-OH-dG, based on mass fragmentation together with high-resolution accurate mass (HRAM) spectrometry data. Therefore, findings suggested that oxidative stress may be involved in the toxicity of rat bladder epithelium exposed to AAs. Consequently, the administration of apocynin, an inhibitor of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase, in six-week-old rats fed with 0.6% OTD in their diet resulted in simple hyperplastic lesions in the bladder that were suppressed by apocynin. The labeling indices of Ki67, γ-H2AX, and 8-OHdG were significantly decreased in an apocynin concentration-dependent manner. These findings indicate that oxidative stress may have contributed to the development of urinary cancer induced by OTD.

Background: Competitive adolescent athletes should be aware of the early signs of chronic ankle instability (CAI) and the connection between the condition and performance., Purpose: To investigate whether CAI is related to foot alignment and morphology as well as dynamic postural stability after a jump landing among adolescent competitive athletes with and without a history of a lateral ankle sprain and CAI., Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3., Methods: Between July 2020 and August 2021, adolescent competitive athletes (N = 85; n = 49 boys; n = 36 girls) were classified into 3 groups using Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) scores: healthy athletes (n = 55), coper athletes (n = 19), and athletes with CAI (n = 11). Results of foot alignment assessments involving the leg-heel angle (LHA) and navicular height, intrinsic foot muscle morphology, dynamic postural stability index (DPSI), and other parameters were compared among the 3 groups. The relationship between the CAIT score and the LHA and dynamic postural stability and instability were examined using multiple linear regression., Results: Compared with the healthy group, the CAI group had a significantly greater LHA (8.73°± 3.22° vs 6.09°± 3.26°; P < .05), higher DPSI (0.336 ± 0.046 vs 0.298 ± 0.035), and higher vertical stability index (0.303 ± 0.048 vs 0.264 ± 0.037; P < .05 for all). Multiple regression analysis showed that the LHA (β = -0.228; P = .033) and DPSI (β = -0.240; P = .025) were significantly associated with the CAIT score ., Conclusion: Valgus rearfoot alignment and poorer dynamic postural control were associated with CAI among adolescent athletes., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that there are no conflicts of interest in the authorship and publication of this contribution. AOSSM checks author disclosures against the Open Payments Database (OPD). AOSSM has not conducted an independent investigation on the OPD and disclaims any liability or responsibility relating thereto., (© The Author(s) 2023.)

Single-channel electrophysiological recordings provide insights into transmembrane ion permeation and channel gating mechanisms. The first step in the analysis of the recorded currents involves an "idealization" process, in which noisy raw data are classified into two discrete levels corresponding to the open and closed states of channels. This provides valuable information on the gating kinetics of ion channels. However, the idealization step is often challenging in cases of currents with poor signal-to-noise ratios and baseline drifts, especially when the gating model of the target channel is not identified. We report herein on a highly robust model-free idealization method for achieving this goal. The algorithm, called adaptive integrated approach for idealization of ion-channel currents (AI2), is composed of Kalman filter and Gaussian mixture model clustering and functions without user input. AI2 automatically determines the noise reduction setting based on the degree of separation between the open and closed levels. We validated the method on pseudo-channel-current datasets that contain either computed or experimentally recorded noise. We also investigated the relationship between the noise reduction parameter of the Kalman filter and the cutoff frequency of the low-pass filter. The AI2 algorithm was then tested on actual experimental data for biological channels including gramicidin A, a voltage-gated sodium channel, and other unidentified channels. We compared the idealization results with those obtained by the conventional methods, including the 50%-threshold-crossing method., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2023 Biophysical Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The peroneus muscles are muscles that mainly act in ankle eversion and can be divided into PL and PB, which have different but important roles in foot and ankle functions. Therefore, PL and PB dysfunction can lead to foot and ankle issues, making. selective strength exercise necessary. This study aimed to identify the effect of two different exercise techniques on PL and PB morphologies. Two interventions were performed on separate days: the PL intervention, in which a Thera-Band ® was placed on the ball of the foot and pushed out from the contact point, and the PB intervention, in which the Thera-Band ® was pulled from the base of the fifth metatarsal. Cross-sectional area (CSA) and thickness of the peroneus muscles at 25% (showing the PL morphology) and 75% (showing the PB morphology) proximal to the line connecting the fibular head and lateral malleolus, as well as ankle strength was measured before and immediately after the interventions and at 10, 20, and 30 min later. A repeated-measures two-way analysis of variance was conducted to identify differences in the effects of the interventions on the PL and PB. Main and interaction effects on CSA, thickness, and ankle strength, with a significant increase in CSA and thickness in the proximal 25% in the PL intervention and the distal 75% in the PB intervention immediately after implementation, were observed (p < 0.05). The transient increase in muscle volume due to edema immediately after exercise indicates the acute effect of exercise. The CSA and thickness of the proximal 25% in the PL intervention and the distal 75% in the PB intervention increased immediately after the intervention, indicating that these interventions can be used to selectively exercise the PL and PB., (© Journal of Sports Science and Medicine.)

This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the relationship between foot shape and intrinsic foot muscles (IFMs) in adolescent swimmers compared with other athletes. Foot morphology of swimmers was compared with other athletes of comparable age and a competition level (n = 32 [64 feet]; a total of 64 feet; 128 feet in two groups). Foot morphology and variables of IFMs were measured using a three-dimensional foot scanner and an ultrasound imaging system, respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis with forced entry was performed to clarify the association of the thickness and the cross-sectional area (CSA) of IMFs with the navicular height in both sitting and standing positions. Navicular height in a standing position, the thickness of the abductor hallucis (AbH) and the flexor digitorum brevis (FDB), as well as the CSA were significantly lower in swimmers compared with other athletes (p < 0.05). A larger CSA for the flexor hallucis brevis (FHB) was observed in swimmers than in other athletes (p < 0.01). The navicular height of swimmers in sitting and standing positions was positively correlated with the thickness and the CSA of the FHB and the FDB (p < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis showed that navicular height was associated with the CSA of the FDB in both sitting and standing positions (β = 0.395; p < 0.002, β = 0.201; p < 0.018). This study showed that the navicular height of elite adolescent swimmers was lower than that of other athletes. Furthermore, the swimmers' high navicular height was associated with the CSA of the FDB, suggesting that the FDB might be more involved in the formation of the medial longitudinal arch than the AbH., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest associated with this manuscript., (Copyright: © Academy of Physical Education in Katowice.)

Background: Foot malalignment can augment the risk of lower-extremity injuries and lead to musculoskeletal disorders. This study aimed to clarify the contribution of rearfoot alignment to plantar pressure distribution and spatiotemporal parameters during gait in healthy adolescent athletes., Methods: This retrospective study included 39 adolescent athletes who were divided into the rearfoot eversion and control groups according to a leg heel angle of 7°. A total of 78 legs were analyzed (45 and 33 legs in the rearfoot eversion [women, 53.3%] and control groups [women, 48.5%], respectively). Gait was assessed using an in-shoe plantar pressure measuring system and a wearable inertial sensor., Results: The foot plantar pressure distribution in the hallux was higher in the rearfoot eversion group than that in the control group ( p = 0.034). Spatiotemporal parameters showed that the foot pitch angle at heel strike was significantly larger in the rearfoot eversion group than that in the control group (24.5° vs. 21.7°; p = 0.015). Total sagittal range of motion of the ankle during the stance phase of gait was significantly larger in the rearfoot eversion group than that in the control group (102.5 ± 7.1° vs. 95.6 ± 15.8°; p = 0.020). Logistic regression analysis revealed that plantar pressure at the hallux and medial heel and foot pitch angle at heel strike were significantly associated with rearfoot eversion., Conclusions: Our findings suggest that rearfoot eversion affects the gait patterns of adolescent athletes. Notably, leg heel angle assessment, which is a simple and quick procedure, should be considered as an alternative screening tool for estimating plantar pressure and spatiotemporal gait parameters to prevent sports-related and overuse injuries in adolescent athletes.

Dysmenorrhea is a monthly menstrual pain that can limit a woman's quality of life (QOL). The relationship between dysmenorrhea severity and QOL has been reported in several countries; however, the results cannot be generalized because lifestyle and cultural background affect menstrual pain. This study sought to uncover whether 1) different factors, such as emotions and ways of coping with symptoms, vary with the severity of dysmenorrhea and 2) the severity of dysmenorrhea ultimately affects QOL in Japan. A web-based cross-sectional survey was sent to 1000 Japanese females aged 16-30 years. The respondents were divided into two groups: those without dysmenorrhea (n = 24) and those with dysmenorrhea (n = 471). The severity of dysmenorrhea was classified using the Numerical Rating Scale as either mild (1-3), moderate (4-7), or severe (8-10). In total, 156 respondents reported mild dysmenorrhea, 249 reported moderate dysmenorrhea, and 66 reported severe dysmenorrhea. QOL was measured using the 26-item World Health Organization Quality of Life scale. One-way ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare QOL across different levels of dysmenorrhea severity, depending on normality. Ultimately, significant differences in QOL scores (p<0.001) were observed based on dysmenorrhea severity, with respondents with severe dysmenorrhea reporting the lowest QOL scores. Meanwhile, significant differences were observed in the physical, psychological, and environmental subscales (p<0.001, p<0.001, p = 0.019) across respondents with different levels of dysmenorrhea severity; notably, respondents with severe dysmenorrhea demonstrated a negative spiral of chronic pain, which may significantly impact QOL, and, relatedly, a relatively low psychological QOL. This study is the first to show the relationship between dysmenorrhea severity and QOL in Japanese females, who are more likely to experience negative feelings during menstruation., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2023 Mizuta et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Introduction: This study investigated how toe flexor muscles are related to postural stability in 11 ballet dancers and 12 non-dancers.
Methods: Toe flexor strength (TFS), cross-sectional areas (CSA) of the abductor hallucis, flexor hallucis brevis, flexor digitorum brevis, flexor hallucis longus (FHL), and flexor digitorum longus, and center of pressure (COP) displacement during single-leg demi-pointe were measured. Correlations between toe flexor strength and COP displacement and between CSA and COP displacement within each group were calculated using Pearson's correlation coefficient or Spearman's correlation coefficient.
Results: The dancers showed smaller COP displacement than the non-dancers (p < 0.05). Toe flexor strength in dancers was moderately negatively correlated with COP displacement in the anterior-pos- terior direction (r = -0.54, p < 0.01) and total COP displacement (r = -0.57, p < 0.01). Only the CSA of the FHL in dancers exhibited a significant negative correlation with COP displacement in the anterior-posterior direction (r = -0.42, p < 0.05) and total COP displacement (r = -0.52, p < 0.01).
Conclusion: The present study found a relationship between the toe flexor strength and COP displacement and CSA of toe flexor muscles and COP displacement during one-legged demi-pointe standing. These results suggest that the development of the toe flexor muscles may be involved in the balance control of dancers.

Wheelchair rugby is a contact sport in which falls are common and injury rates are high, yet the characteristics of the falls are still under-reported. We investigated the fall characteristics of men's wheelchair rugby players by functional classification, using all 36 official match videos from the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 summer Paralympic Games. The videos were analyzed to evaluate the number of falls, playing time when the fall occurred, playing phase (offense or defense), contact with other players, foul judgement, direction of the fall, and the body part first in contact with the floor. All 182 men's wheelchair rugby players (Rio 2016, 94; Tokyo 2020, 88) were classified as low-point players or high-point players depending on their functional classification. A total of 200 falls were detected, 27 (13.5%) for low-point players and 173 (86.5%) for high-point players. Significant differences were noted between low-point players and high-point players in the direction of the fall and body part first in contact with the floor. High-point players had more falls in the forward and left-right directions, whereas low-point players were characterized by a higher percentage of falls in the left-right and backward directions. Additionally, high-point players landed on the floor with their hands with high frequency, whereas low-point players landed with their elbows and shoulders more often. Our findings suggest the significance of devising measures to prevent falls during men's wheelchair rugby games according to their functional classification., (© 2022 Tsubasa Tashiro, Noriaki Maeda, Junpei Sasadai, Reia Shimizu, Akira Suzuki, Makoto Komiya, Kazuki Fukui, Shogo Tsutsumi, Satoshi Arima, Kazuki Kaneda, Mitsuhiro Yoshimi, Rami Mizuta, Takeru Abekura, Hinata Esaki, Tomoki Terada, Yukio Urabe, published by Sciendo.)

The bilayer lipid membrane (BLM) is the main structural component of cell membranes, in which various membrane proteins are embedded. Artificially formed BLMs have been used as a platform in studies of the functions of membrane proteins, including various ion channels. In this review, we summarize recent advances that have been made on artificial BLM systems for the analysis of ion channel functions. We focus on two BLM-based systems, cell-membrane mimicry and four-terminal BLM systems. As a cell-membrane-mimicking system, an efficient screening platform for the evaluation of drug side effects that act on a cell-free synthesized channel has been developed, and its prospects for use in personalized medicine will be discussed. In the four-terminal BLMs, we introduce "lateral voltage" to BLM systems as a novel input to regulate channel activities, in addition to the traditional transmembrane voltages. Such state-of-the-art technologies and new system setups are predicted to pave the way for a variety of applications, in both fundamental physiology and in drug discovery.

Objectives: To identify the fall characteristics of athletes in wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and descriptively compare these with those of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games., Design: Cross-sectional analysis., Primary and Secondary Outcome Measures: We obtained video footage from the International Paralympic Committee of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games that included 8 teams from each of the 18 wheelchair rugby and 10 wheelchair basketball games (men and women). The data were analysed to evaluate the number of falls, class difference (low or high pointer), time of play during the fall, phase of play, contact with other athletes, fall direction, fall location and the body part that first contacted the floor during the fall. These data from the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 games were compared., Results: Overall, 430 falls (rugby, 104; men's basketball, 230 and women's basketball, 96) occurred (average per game ±SD: 5.8±3.1, 23.0±5.4 and 9.6±5.0, respectively). Significant differences in class, direction, fall location and body part point of contact between the three sports were observed. In wheelchair rugby, falls occurred mainly in high pointers and tended to be more lateral due to contact. In wheelchair basketball, falls occurred more in female high-pointers and in male low pointers, with more forward falls due to forward contact. Unlike in the Rio 2016 games, no difference between the events based on the presence or absence of contact was observed in the Tokyo 2020 games., Conclusions: The number of falls increased in Tokyo 2020 compared with Rio 2016, with no significant difference in the characteristics of falls between the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 games. Only in men's wheelchair basketball, the number of falls in low pointers significantly increased in the Tokyo 2020 games when compared with that in the Rio 2016 games., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2022. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Background: Experiencing perimenstrual symptoms is a major health concern for young women. Women in the reproductive age experience menstruation about once a month, and many experience perimenstrual symptoms. Drug therapies such as painkillers (commonly used) and hormonal medications help to achieve symptomatic relief from perimenstrual symptoms. However, many women are concerned about tolerance and compliance of the drugs used to treat perimenstrual symptoms and lack awareness on how to cope with perimenstrual symptoms. If the association between exercise habits and the severity of symptoms is emphasized in young women, methods for coping with perimenstrual symptoms can be established, not relying only on pharmaceuticals. The objective of this study was to determine the differences in the severity of perimenstrual symptoms in young Japanese women with and without a regular exercise habit., Methods: A cross-sectional study using an online survey was sent among 500 Japanese women aged 18-25 years. The severity of perimenstrual symptoms was assessed using the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ). The differences in MDQ scores between those with and without exercise habits (exercise for more than 30 min for 2 days a week) were compared using the chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U test. The logistic regression analysis detected subscales of the premenstrual and menstrual symptoms affected by an exercise habit., Results: 282 (56.4%) young Japanese women were answered this survey. Respondents were divided into the exercise group (n = 157) and the non-exercise group (n = 125). The exercise group had significantly low premenstrual and menstrual MDQ scores. The results of the logistic regression analysis stated that the subscale related to negative emotion before menstruation was associated with an exercise habit. In the analysis performed during menstruation, a statistically significant association was detected between an exercise habit and a behavioral change such as avoiding interaction with others., Conclusions: This study suggested that exercise habits may reduce the severity of perimenstrual symptoms and could help to develop a non-pharmacological coping strategy. In addition, this study provides useful information for young women who want to prevent perimenstrual symptoms but do not have an exercise habit. Further, it may encourage young women to start exercising., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Background: Sedentary behavior, particularly prevalent during the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19), has been shown to lead to depression. In medical students, this could negatively affect the provision of healthcare. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the association between sedentary behavior and depression in Japanese medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic., Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted from July 30 to August 30, 2021, using anonymous questionnaire system to assess respondents' sociodemographic characteristics, physical activity, sedentary behavior among 1000 Japanese university students. Depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2). The data of 484 respondents (48.4%) were included in a stepwise analysis, where we set the difference between medical and non-medical students as Model 1 and that between medical students with and without depression as Model 2. For group comparisons of both models, the chi-square test was used for sociodemographic characteristics, and the Mann-Whitney U-test was used for physical activity and sedentary behavior. In Model 2, factors associated with depression among medical students were analyzed by logistic regression analysis., Results: In Model 1, medical students were less physically active (p < 0.001), had longer sedentary time (p < 0.001), and had higher PHQ-2 scores (p = 0.048) than non-medical students. In Model 2, medical students with depression had longer sedentary time (p = 0.004) and longer leisure screen time than those without depression (p = 0.007). Moreover, logistic regression analysis adjusted for potential confounders showed that sedentary time (OR = 1.001, p = 0.048) and leisure screen time (OR = 1.003, p = 0.003) were significantly associated with depression among medical students., Conclusions: Based on these results, it is evident that reducing Japanese medical students' sedentary time and leisure screen time can help combat depression during the COVID-19 pandemic; thus, these results can guide the development of appropriate interventions to prevent and treat depression., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Background: Ankle orthotics decreases the maximal vertical jump height. It is essential to maximize jump height and minimize ground contact time during athletic performance. However, the effect of ankle orthotics on athletic performance has not been reported. We aimed to investigate the effect of ankle orthotics on squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), and repetitive rebound jump (RJ) performance., Methods: Twenty healthy volunteers performed SJ, CMJ, repetitive RJ under no-orthosis and two orthotic conditions (orthosis 1 and orthosis 2). During SJ and CMJ, we measured the vertical ground reaction force and calculated the following parameters: jump height, peak vertical ground reaction force, rate of force development, net vertical impulse, and peak power. During repetitive RJ, the jump height, contact time, and RJ index were measured. A two-dimensional motion analysis was used to quantify the ankle range of motion in the sagittal plane during SJ, CMJ, and repetitive RJ., Results: Multivariate analysis of variance and the post hoc test showed orthosis 2 significantly decreased in the vertical jump height (p = 0.003), peak power (p = 0.007), and maximum plantarflexion and dorsiflexion angles (p < 0.001) during SJ Ankle orthoses 1 and 2 did not influence to the RJ performance compared to those using the no-orthosis condition. Additionally, orthosis 2 significantly decreased the jump height at the end of repetitive RJ (p = 0.046)., Conclusions: These results suggest that ankle orthosis do not affect average RJ performance but should be considered when performing repetitive jumps frequently., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

To prevent falls, it is important to devise a safe balance training program that can be easily performed. This study investigated whether tilting an image in virtual reality (VR) can generate a center-of-gravity sway. Five men and five women were asked to rest standing upright (control condition) and to rest standing upright with a head-mounted display showing a tilted virtual image (VR condition), and changes in their standing balance were observed. Standing balance was assessed by measuring the distance traveled by the center of pressure (COP) of each of the participants’ legs. In order to investigate the effects of different tilt speeds and angles on COP, four different images were displayed in VR: an image tilting to 10° moving at a rate of 1°/s; an image tilting to 20° moving 1°/s; an image tilting to 10° moving 10°/s; an image tilting to 20° moving 10°/s. Change in COP was significantly greater in the VR than in the control condition (p < 0.01), and a tilt of 10° moving 1°/s showed the greatest change in COP (p < 0.01). Tilting an image in VR while in a resting standing position can change an individual’s COP; thus, VR may be applied to balance training.

Background/aim: Among colorectal cancer-associated intestinal microbiota, colibactin-producing (clb + ) bacteria are attracting attention. We aimed to clarify the interaction between clb + Escherichia coli and normal colorectal epithelial cells in vivo and in vitro., Materials and Methods: Five-week-old female Balb/c mice were divided in an untreated group, a group treated with clb + E. coli isolated from a Japanese patient with colorectal cancer (E. coli-50), and a group treated with non colibactin-producing E. coli (E. coli-50/ΔclbP). Mice were sacrificed at 18 weeks of treatment., Results: Treatment with clb + E. coli increased positivity for H2A histone family member X phosphorylated at Ser-139 (γH2AX) in epithelial cells of the luminal surface of the mouse rectum but this did not occur in the E. coli-50/ΔclbP and untreated groups. In an in vitro setting, the ratio of apoptotic cells was increased and cell counts were reduced by treatment with clb + E. coli more than in untreated cells and normal rat colorectal epithelial cells., Conclusion: E. coli-50 induced DNA damage in the mouse rectum, possibly by direct interaction between clb + E. coli and normal colorectal epithelial cells. Our findings imply that regulation of clb + E. coli infection may be a useful strategy for colorectal cancer control., (Copyright © 2022, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.)

Vaccinations may be one of the solutions to end the COVID-19 pandemic. One's psychological state may be strongly related to one's willingness to be vaccinated. This study investigated the relationship between the psychological state of Japanese university students and their willingness to be vaccinated. A self-report questionnaire on COVID-19, its vaccines (vaccination status, and perceived efficacy and safety), and psychological state (anxiety and depressive mood) was administered online, and 560 valid responses were obtained. The unvaccinated group reported significantly lower perceived vaccine effectiveness and importance than the vaccinated group. However, there were no differences in anxiety and depressive mood symptoms between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed on the unvaccinated participants to identify the factors associated with their unwillingness to be vaccinated; there was a significant association between anxiety and unwillingness to receive the vaccine ( p < 0.05). However, there was no significant association between depressive mood and unwillingness to receive the vaccine. The results suggest that timely psychological support for Japanese university students experiencing high levels of anxiety is important in accelerating vaccination programs.