Effect of trunk posture on external and internal oblique muscles' activities during forced expiration.

Introduction: The activities of external oblique (EO) and internal oblique (IO) muscles during forced expiration in a trunk-neutral posture are insufficient for muscle strengthening. Furthermore, these activities during forced expiration may be affected by trunk postures, which can change respiratory muscle activity. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of trunk posture on the EO and IO muscles' activities during forced expiration.

Exercise May Increase Oxidative Stress in the Sciatic Nerve in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats.

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) affects approximately half of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), contributing to falls and fractures. Oxidative stress, which is linked to DM-induced hyperglycemia, has been implicated in the onset of DPN. Although exercise is recommended for patients with DM, its effect on DPN remains unclear.

Antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory effects of fractionated crude lectins from boiled kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris).

In this study, we investigated the biological profile of lectins isolated from raw and boiled Japanese red Kintoki beans (red kidney beans [RKB]; Phaseolus vulgaris). Lectins in beans showing agglutination activity were retained after heating. Raw and boiled RKB lectins were fractionated using carboxymethyl- and diethylaminoethyl-Sepharose, respectively.

Physical performance in relation to preserved ratio impaired spirometry: a cross-sectional study of community-dwelling older Japanese adults.

Preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm) is associated with an increased mortality rate; however, its characteristics have not been clearly identified in Japan. This cross-sectional study of community-dwelling older adults compared physical function between people with PRISm and those with no respiratory issues, from 2014 to 2019. We collected demographic data through interviews and measured respiratory and physical functions.

The Relationship between Subjective Cognitive Decline and Health Literacy in Healthy Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Few studies have examined the effects of health literacy on people at risk of developing dementia; its effects on the pathogenesis of subjective cognitive decline (SCD) are particularly unclear. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between health literacy and SCD in a population of healthy community-dwelling older adults. SCD status was assessed using the Cognitive Function domain of the Kihon Checklist (KCL-CF).

The Association between Health Literacy and Gait Speed in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

The association between gait speed, a vital health outcome in older adults, and health literacy, an important health promotion aspect, is unclear. This study examined the relationship of gait speed with health literacy, physical function, and cognitive function in community-dwelling older adults. The subjects were 240 older adults (52 men, mean age 73.

Subjective and Objective Mental and Physical Functions Affect Subjective Cognitive Decline in Community-Dwelling Elderly Japanese People.

Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is complex and not well understood, especially among Japanese people. In the present study, we aimed to elucidate the relationships of subjective and objective mental and physical function with SCD among older community-dwelling Japanese adults. SCD was evaluated using the Kihon Checklist: Cognitive Function.

Association of Low Bone Mass with Decreased Skeletal Muscle Mass: A Cross-Sectional Study of Community-Dwelling Older Women.

This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of skeletal muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance among community-dwelling older women. Data were collected from 306 older adults, and the data of 214 older women were included in the final analysis. Participants' calcaneus bone mass was measured using ultrasonography.

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D Inhibits Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Interleukin-6 Production by C2C12 Myotubes.

1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)D) inhibits proinflammatory cytokines in microglial cells and monocytes. However, it is unclear whether 1,25(OH)D inhibits proinflammatory cytokines in muscle cells. This study was conducted to investigate whether 1,25(OH)D inhibits the production of proinflammatory cytokines, resulting in inhibition of the protein expression of E3 ubiquitin ligases and muscle protein loss.

Increased Time Difference between Imagined and Physical Walking in Older Adults at a High Risk of Falling.

Walking motor imagery ability is thought to be associated with a fear of falling; however, no studies have compared fall risk and motor imagery ability. This study aimed to ascertain the time difference between imagined and physical walking in older adults at low and high risks of falling. Motor imagery ability was assessed using mental chronometry, which measures the imagined time required for movement.

Different patterns in age-related morphometric alteration of myelinated fibers and capillaries of the tibial nerve: a longitudinal study in normal rats.

Age-related regression of myelinated fibers in peripheral nerves of the lower limbs is strongly influenced by capillaries and results in balance dysfunction and falls. However, the temporal relationships between alteration patterns of myelinated fibers and capillaries have not yet been clarified. This study aimed to investigate age-related morphological and histological changes of both myelinated fibers and capillaries in peripheral nerves to clarify whether myelinated fibers or capillaries change earlier.

Physical Characteristics Vary According to Body Mass Index in Japanese Community-Dwelling Elderly Women.

Background: Body mass index (BMI) is related to health in the elderly. The purpose of this study was to investigate the physical characteristics in underweight, overweight, and obese Japanese community-dwelling elderly women compared to normal-weight elderly women.

Methods: The study participants included 212 community-dwelling elderly women.

Endurance exercise increases the protein levels of PGC-1α and respiratory chain complexes in mouse skeletal muscle during atorvastatin administration.

Statins and exercise reduce cardiovascular disease incidence. We investigated whether endurance exercise in mice induces mitochondrial adaptation in skeletal muscle and muscle injury during administration of atorvastatin, a member of the statin medication class. Male C57BL mice were assigned to one of three groups: control (Con), statin (Statin), or statin and exercise (Statin + Ex).

Lectin Isolated from Japanese Red Sword Beans (Canavalia gladiata) as a Potential Cancer Chemopreventive Agent.

Unlabelled: In this study, we investigated the chemical and biological profile of lectin isolated from Japanese red sword beans (Canavalia gladiata; RSBs). RSB lectin was purified using maltamyl-Sepharose 4B and subjected to amino acid composition and partial amino acid sequencing analyses, and evaluated for blood and carbohydrate specificity, mitogenic activity, splenic natural killer (NK) cell activity, and its effect on B16 melanoma cell proliferation, compared with Concanavalin A (Con A). The amino acid composition and sequences of RSB lectin were similar to those of Con A.

Effects of Hull Scratching, Soaking, and Boiling on Antinutrients in Japanese Red Sword Bean (Canavalia gladiata).

The effects of hull processing, soaking, and boiling on the content or activity of antinutrients in the red sword bean (RSB; Canavalia gladiata) were investigated. RSB seeds were compared with kidney bean (KB; Phaseolus vulgaris) seeds that are starch based and often used as processed products in Japan. RSB seeds had higher weight, thicker hull, and higher protein content, but lower moisture content compared with KB seeds.

Electrical stimulation ventilatory feedback facilitates maintenance of a prolonged expiration pattern during exercise: A proof-of-concept study in healthy adults.

This study aimed at verifying the safety and effects of electrical stimulation ventilatory feedback (ESVF) to provide feedback during expiration, which may assist with breathing control in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Because this is a new therapy, we examined the feasibility of the therapy in healthy adults. The 23 healthy adult participants were randomized into two groups: a stimulation group that received ESVF and a placebo group with the ESVF device attached, but not activated.

Surface electromyography activity of the rectus abdominis, internal oblique, and external oblique muscles during forced expiration in healthy adults.

We aimed to characterize rectus abdominis, internal oblique, and external oblique muscle activity in healthy adults under expiratory resistance using surface electromyography. We randomly assigned 42 healthy adult subjects to 3 groups: 30%, 20%, and 10% maximal expiratory intraoral pressure (PEmax). After measuring 100% PEmax and muscle activity during 100% PEmax, the activity and maximum voluntary contraction of each muscle during the assigned experimental condition were measured.

Electrically stimulated ventilation feedback improves the ventilation pattern in patients with COPD.

[Purpose] We aimed to determine the effects of ventilation feedback using electrical stimulation on ventilation pattern during exercise in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and develop new rehabilitation methods. [Subjects] This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial included 24 patients with COPD. [Methods] Phasic electrical stimulation during expiration (PESE) or a placebo was given to all the cases.

Changes in antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation in extensor digitorum longus muscles of streptozotocin-diabetic rats may contribute to muscle atrophy.

We investigated muscle atrophy, major antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation in the extensor digitorum longus (EDL, predominantly fast fibers) and soleus (predominantly slow fibers) muscle of streptozotocin-diabetic rats. Female Wistar rats were divided into a control (n = 5) and streptozotocin-induced diabetic group (n = 5). Eight weeks after diabetes induction the EDL and soleus muscles were removed and catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and superoxide dismutase activity (SOD), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels measured.

Carbon Dioxide Water Bathing Enhances Myogenin but Not MyoD Protein Expression after Skeletal Muscle Injury.

[Purpose] We reported that carbon dioxide (CO2) water bathing accelerates skeletal muscle regeneration; however, the underlying mechanism was unclear. MyoD and myogenin play roles in muscle regeneration, and the purpose of this study was to determine changes in MyoD and myogenin caused by CO2 water bathing after injury. [Subjects] Sixteen female Wistar rats (n = 4 per group) were used.

Human epithelial cell death caused by Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans infection.

The gingival sulcus is the shallow crevice around the tooth, and its epithelium is a gateway for initial bacterial infection in periodontal disease. Recent studies have shown that Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans invades an epithelial cell line, KB cells, in vitro. The aim of the present study was to clarify the changes in KB cells after A.