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Background. Recent studies suggest that the daily intake of lemon (Citrus limon) has a good effect on health, but this has not been confirmed in humans. In our previous studies, it was observed that people who are conscious of their health performed more lemon intake and exercise. An analysis that took this into account was required. Methodology. For 101 middle-aged women in an island area in Hiroshima, Japan, a record of lemon ingestion efforts and the number of steps walked was carried out for five months. The change rates (Δ%) of the physical measurements, blood test, blood pressure, and pulse wave measured value during the observation period were calculated, and correlations with lemon intake and the number of steps walked were considered. As a result, it was suggested that daily lemon intake and walking are effective for high blood pressure because both showed significant negative correlation to systolic blood pressure Δ%. Conclusions. As a result of multiple linear regression analysis, it was possible that lemon ingestion is involved more greatly with the blood citric acid concentration Δ% and the number of steps with blood pressure Δ%, and it was surmised that the number of steps and lemon ingestion are related to blood pressure improvement by different action mechanisms.

Objective: The oral intake of alpha linolenic acid (ALA) has been reported to be effective in preventing vascular disease and improving blood fat status. However, the effects of ALA-rich perilla oil consumption on individuals physiological indicators have not been appropriately investigated. This study therefore investigates the effects of the oral intake of perilla oil on physiological indicators. Design: A clinical study. Materials and Methods: 38 participants were recruited from Fukutomi-cho, Higashi-hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The participants each took 5 ml of perilla oil daily for eight months. We calculated the mean values of the physiological index before and after the intake period and applied a paired-sample t-test. Results: There was no change in body weight, body fat, blood lipid, or blood pressure. However, in addition to changes in the indicators of arteriosclerosis and anemia associated with aging, we observed a significant decrease---approximately 20%---in two kinds of blood oxidation markers and hormones related to bone metabolism. Participants scores on the self-rating depression scale also decreased significantly. Conclusion: The study provides evidence that daily intake of perilla oil may be useful in alleviating the effects of aging and depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In the operation and rehabilitation room, we use the background music. Design: A clinical study. Materials and methods: The subjects were young healthy women and men. We studied the autonomic nerve functions with listening to "Joyful-provoking music (J music)" or "Anxiety-provoking music (A music)". Accelerated plethysmography (APG) was performed using a pulsimeter. Heart rate variability (HRV) was determined using the spectral analysis. Maximum entropy method low (M-LF) and high frequency (M-HF) component powers, LF/HF and the coefficient of variation of A-A intervals (CVa-a, %) were estimated. Results: Sympathetic nervous system activities were decreased with J music. Conclusions: Because most of the patients hold mental stress. When rehabilitation is done, J music, such as classical music, is expected additional effect on rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to clarify quantitative relations with the degree of an endomysium collagen fiber network change and the extension at the time of the rat soleus muscle extension. [Subjects] The subjects of this study were Wistar rats. [Method] Rats were divided into four experimental groups. The first group did not have the soleus muscle extended. In the second group, the soleus muscle was extended 10 mm. In the third group, the soleus muscle was extended 20 mm. In the fourth group, the soleus muscle was extended to the maximum. We examined the correlation between the extension distance and endomysium collagen fiber arrangement. [Result] The morphological changes of collagen fibers in the muscle membrane and the stretching muscle distance was significantly correlated. [Conclusion] It appears that collagen fibril arrangement in the endomysium move longitudinally toward the axis of the muscle fibers during muscle stretching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Purpose] We investigated the effect of a multi-layered approach to education on the practice of the physical therapy process. [Subjects] The subjects were 3rd and 4th year students attending Advanced Physical Therapy II lectures. [Method] In practice, the 4th year students assisted the 3rd year students. At the end of the course, a questionnaire survey was conducted regarding the efficacy of the lecture style. The questionnaire survey was conducted after explaining the results would be anonymous and participation would have no consequences for individuals. [Results] The survey response rate was 100%. The 3rd year students considered that identifying the problem points was the most difficult issue, and the majority responded that the presence of 4th year students in the practice was "very effective". [Conclusion] We consider that the multi-layered style of eduction in physical therapy eduction is effective at raising students' understanding as well as being an effective method for raising their motivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of different exercises on skeletal muscle after ischemic reperfusion. [Subjects] Fifteen eight-week-old Wistar female rats were randomly divided into four experimental groups: normal, ischemic, light-exercise, and heavy-exercise. [Method] Ischemia was induced in the right lower limbs of the experimental rats. Exercise was started the day after ischemic reperfusion occurred. The relative weight ratios of the soleus muscles and the soleus muscle fiber cross-section minor axes were used for the evaluation of muscle atrophy. [Results] Compared with the ischemic group, the means of the soleus muscle fiber cross section minor axes significantly decreased in the heavyexercise group. [Conclusion] Our results suggest that heavyexercise after ischemic reperfusion of the skeletal muscle may cause muscle atrophy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference between a normal muscular fiber tear and a muscle contracture fiber tear when the rat soleus muscle is overstretched. [Subjects] The subjects of this study were six Wistar rats. [Methods] The rats' right hind legs were fixed in full plantar flexion with a plaster cast. After 4 weeks, direct traction of the soleus muscle was done using an Autograph. After fixation of the leg in the Autograph, the tibia, fibula, and all lower leg muscles, except for the soleus, were cut, and the soleus was stretched to the tearing point. [Results] The distance from the head of the fibula of the soleus muscle to the break part point was not significantly different between the fixed and control limbs. The extension distance was significantly different between the normal and contracture limbs. [Conclusion] The skeletal muscle fixed in contracture showed shortening, and the results suggest that its break point occured closer to the center than that of the normal muscle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]