Publications by authors named "Naoki Oikawa"

Flavanones, a class of flavonoids, are abundant in fruits, vegetables, and herbs. They are known to have several biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities, but their effects on obesity remain unclear. Obesity is closely associated with adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation in adipose tissue.

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Article Synopsis
  • Core exercises on unstable surfaces, like balance balls, boost trunk muscle activity, benefiting rehabilitation for chronic low back pain (NSCLBP).
  • In a study with participants having and not having NSCLBP, greater erector spinae activity was noted for the NSCLBP group when using a balance ball compared to floor exercises.
  • However, no significant changes were observed for the BOSU condition, and the local abdominal muscle activity did not improve in the NSCLBP group on the balance ball.
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Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the time-course changes in the active stiffness of the supraspinatus muscle after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

Methods: Eight male patients (mean age 61.5 ± 9.

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As obesity is a global health concern the demand for anti-obesity drugs is high. In this study, we investigated the anti-obesity effect of the dried branches and leaves of murta (Myrceugenia euosma Legrand, Myrtaceae). A methanol extract of the dried branches and leaves of murta inhibited adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells.

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The aim of this study was to explore the reliability, validity, and factor structure of a newly developed Cognitive Behavioral Rating Scale (CBRS), designed to assess cognitive function through observation. The study included 180 stroke patients and 58 orthopedic patients. The CBRS and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) were administered.

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Three new monoterpene glucosides, ziziphoroside A (1), B (2), and C (3), together with fifteen known compounds were isolated from the whole herb of Z. clinopodioides. The structures of new compounds were determined primarily from 1D-, 2D-NMR and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopic analyses.

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