Frequency of soup intake is inversely associated with body mass index, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio, but not with other metabolic risk factors in Japanese men.

Several previous studies have shown that the intake of soup negatively correlates with the body mass index (BMI), serum cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels, and blood pressure, suggesting that soup intake reduces metabolic risk. However, the correlation between soup intake and various metabolic risk factors has not been well-established. Especially, it has not been investigated in Asian countries.

Frequency of soup intake and amount of dietary fiber intake are inversely associated with plasma leptin concentrations in Japanese adults.

Previous studies have shown that the intake of soup negatively correlates with the body mass index (BMI), suggesting that soup intake reduces the risk of obesity. In this study, to clarify the association of the intake of soup and various nutrients with plasma leptin concentration, a cross-sectional study on 504 Japanese adults aged 20-76 years (103 men and 401 women) was performed. The intake of soup and various nutrients was investigated by food frequency questionnaires.

[Study of U.S. regulations on determination of work-relatedness of mental health disturbance and cerebrovascular and cardiac diseases].

Recently, work-relatedness of mental health disturbance, cerebrovascular and ischemic heart diseases has been generously recognized in the determination of workers' compensation, in administrative or civil suits in Japan. Companies that operate overseas enterprises need to investigate legislature and court opinions in countries and regions in which they operate. In this study, we studied legislative materials concerning mental health, and cerebrovascular and cardiac diseases by reviewing official documents published on homepages provided by governmental and academic bodies in the United States.

Hindlimb unloading decreases thioredoxin-related antioxidant proteins and increases thioredoxin-binding protein-2 in rat skeletal muscle.

To investigate role(s) of thioredoxin-related antioxidant proteins in disuse muscle atrophy, we examined the levels of thioredoxin-1 (Trx-1), peroxiredoxin-3/SP-22 (Prx-3) and thioredoxin-binding protein-2 (TBP-2) in rat soleus muscle subjected to hindlimb unloading (HU) for 2, 4, 7 or 14 days. The muscle weight loss was initially observed on day 4. The increases in aclorein- and malondialdehyde-modified proteins, and the decreases in the levels of Trx-1, Prx-3 and Mn-SOD were observed in the late phase of muscle atrophy, whereas, the increase in mRNA expression of TBP-2, a negative regulator of thioredoxin, preceded muscle atrophy.

The effect of lifestyle modification on physical fitness and work ability in different workstyles.

It is generally considered that physical fitness is affected by daily life activities including leisure time activity and working time activity. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of different levels of physical activity at work on physical fitness, analyze the effects of 12-week lifestyle modification outside of working hours on physical fitness, work satisfaction and subjective symptoms, and to consider the role of lifestyle modification in occupational health. Lifestyle modification, consisting of aerobic exercise and diet counseling, was conducted for 12 weeks.