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Fat-free mass (FFM) is a heterogeneous compartment comprising body cell mass (BCM), intracellular water (ICW), extracellular solids, and extracellular water (ECW). The BCM/FFM and ECW/ICW ratios vary among individuals and decrease with age. This study aimed to determine whether BCM/FFM and ECW/ICW ratios are predictors of maximal oxygen uptake (V̇̇O2peak) independently of age, sex, and objectively measured physical activity (PA). A total of 115 Japanese males and females, aged 55.3 ± 8.0 years (mean ± standard deviation), were included in the study. Anthropometry, explosive leg muscle power, and V̇̇O2peak were measured, and BCM, FFM, ICW, and ECW were estimated. Step count and PA were objectively measured using a triaxial accelerometer. Blood flow volume was assessed using ultrasonography. BCM and ICW were negatively correlated with age, whereas FFM and ECW were not significantly correlated with age. FFM, ICW/ECW, BCM/FFM, step counts, moderate and vigorous PA, and leg muscle power were positively correlated with V̇̇O2peak, even after adjusting for age and sex (p <.05). Multiple regression analysis indicated that either BCM/FFM or ECW/ICW, leg power, and objectively measured PA were associated with V̇̇O2peak independent of age, sex, and FFM. Blood flow volume was significantly correlated with ECW (p <.05), but not with BCM. The BCM/FFM and ECW/ICW ratios were significant predictors of V̇̇O2peak, independent of age, sex, FFM, leg power, and objectively measured PA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to make it possible to measure the clo value in various postures, we are studying the measurement method using the human body. Our previous researches showed that clo value measured with the human body is less than that measured with a “constant temperature control”-type thermal manikin. In our previous experiments, human body changes its skin temperature in response to the amount of clothing or changes in the temperature to maintain heat loss, while a “constant temperature control”-type thermal manikin changes its heat loss in response to the temperature or amount of clothing. Human body reaction is similar to “constant heat dissipation” -type thermal manikin. In order to improve the clo value measurement method using the human body, clo value of same clothing by thermal manikin which changed control method to “constant temperature” and “constant heat dissipation” were measured. Relational expressions of thermal insulation of clothes measured by different control methods were shown.

The purpose of this paper is to clarify the relationship between the physiological and psychological responses of the human body and the outdoor environment evaluation index ETFe (enhanced conductioncorrected modified effective temperature). The experiments were carried out in summer. For the measurements, observation points were selected with consideration for the condition of the ground surface such as bare ground where the surface is gravel or soil; paved ground such as concrete, asphalt or blocks; green areas covered in plants and water surfaces and with consideration for the condition of the sky factor due to buildings or trees. 19 observation points were chosen. Subjects were 38 healthy young. ETFe that was considered to report neither hot nor cold, thermally neutral sensation, was 30.6°C. ETFe that was considered to report neither comfortable nor uncomfortable comfort was 35.5°C. It was considered that the threshold for the human body with regards to thermal environment stimuli in an outdoor space is higher than the thermal environment stimuli in a summer indoor space.

Background: Assessing whole-body skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and fat-free mass (FFM) is essential for the adequate nutritional management and training evaluation of athletes and trained individuals. This study aimed to determine the relationship between SMM assessed using the creatine (methyl-d3) dilution (D3-creatine) method and SMM estimated by whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in healthy young men undergoing exercise training. Additionally, we examined the association between FFM measured using the four-component (4C) method (FFM4C) and the total body protein value estimated using 4C (TBpro4C).Methods and Results: We analyzed the data of 29 males (mean age, 19.9 ± 1.8 years) who exercised regularly. SMM measurements were obtained using the D3-creatine method (SMMD3-creatine) and MRI (SMMMRI). The SMMD3-creatine adjusted to 4.3 g/SMM kg was significantly higher than SMMMRI (p < 0.01). The fit of the creatine pool size compared with SMMMRI was 5.0 g/SMMMRI kg. SMMMRI was significantly correlated with both SMMD3-creatine adjusted to 4.3 g/kg and 5.1 g/kg. TBpro4C was significantly lower than SMMMRI (p < 0.01). Contrastingly, FFM4C was significantly higher than SMMMRI (p < 0.01).Conclusions: SMMD3-creatine adjusted to 4.3 g/SMM kg-a previously reported value-may differ for athletes and active young males. We believe that a value of 5.0-5.1 g/SMM kg better estimates the total muscle mass in this population. Traditional FFM estimation highly correlates with SMMMRI in well-trained young males, and the relationships appear strong enough for total body protein or SMM to be estimated through the FFM value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate whether vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI), and vascularization flow index (VFI) correlate with the pathological structure of the placenta and whether there were any differences in VI, FI, VFI, and placental pathological structure between the normal and preeclampsia (PE) groups. Methods: Fifty‐five pregnant women (normal group, n = 27; PE group, n = 28) underwent VI, FI, and VFI at four locations in the placenta during the second and third trimesters. Two hematoxylin and eosin (HE)‐stained specimens of the postpartum placenta were prepared. We randomly selected two of these locations and used ImageJ, an open‐source image package, to quantify intervillous blood vessels (IBV), intervillous spaces (IS), and intervillous blood vessels + intervillous spaces (IBV + IS) per unit placenta and analyzed their correlation with VI, FI, and VFI. Results: There was no positive correlation between VI, FI, VFI, IBV, IS, and IBV + IS. There were no significant differences in VI, FI, and VFI between the normal and PE groups; however, there were significant differences in IBV, IS, and IBV + IS in the PE group compared to those in the normal group. Conclusions: Placental hemodynamics measured by VI, FI, and VFI were not positively correlated with placental morphology in the third trimester. There were no differences in the VI, FI, and VFI in the third trimester between the normal and PE groups, suggesting that these may reflect placental circulatory insufficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]