We have investigated the likelihood of aluminium (Al) being excreted in based on its binding capacity with dietary fiber (DF). The results of our previous study revealed that DF extracted from highly viscous food items such as aloe, okra, moroheiya, and wakame has strong metal binding capacity. Therefore, in the present study, the effects of pH, the presence of iron (Fe[II, III]) and metal (Al and Fe) concentrations on the binding capacity of Al to DF were examined. In both insoluble and soluble fractions extracted from these food items, the amount of Fe binding was higher than that of Al, except for the IDF fraction from hijiki. Furthermore, it was confirmed that, in the presence of both Al and Fe, Fe had higher affinity to alginic acid in gel filtration. For a decrease in pH from 3.5 to 2.0, the levels of both Al and Fe binding to alginic acid were reduced, with a greater degree of reduction observed for Al. For incremental increases in the concentrations of Al and Fe together, the level of Al binding to alginic acid was slightly increased only at pH 2.7±0.3.

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Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) hydrolyzes a variety of monophosphate esters into inorganic phosphoric acid and alcohol, but little is known about the physiological function of intestinal ALP. We investigated the influence of a high-phosphorus or high-salt dietary intake on intestinal alkaline phosphatase activity in rats. A total of 33 female Sprague-Dawley rats (6-weeks-old) were divided into four groups: control, 1.0% phosphorus (P 1.0%) group, 1.5% phosphorus (P 1.5%) group, and 1.0% sodium chloride (High Salt) groups. At 56 days after the beginning of the experiment, intestinal segments from the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were obtained and used for enzyme assays. There was no significant difference in the levels of intestinal ALP activity between the high-phosphorus groups (P 1.0% and P 1.5% groups) and the control group. Interestingly, the levels of intestinal ALP activity in the duodenum and jejunum from the High Salt group were significantly lower than those from the control group (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). These findings suggest that a high-salt dietary intake is one of the factors that decrease intestinal ALP activity. Further studies on the mechanism of the regulation of intestinal ALP activity would provide useful data on the physiological function of intestinal ALP.

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To take various needs of consumers into account in the process of designing brassieres, it is important to classify the characteristics of subjects who evaluate the final products. One hundred ninety-three young Japanese women participated in a sensory test performed on 5 types of brassieres. Factor analysis was carried out with 22 evaluation items for each brassiere type. Extracted common factors of evaluation among the 5 types were shift, swinging, pressure, shape and supportive sensations in the back and side of brassieres. Shift and swinging sensations had high contribution rates and were closely related to overall comfort sensation. Cluster analysis was performed on factor scores. Subjects were classified into 4 clusters. It was shown that subjects in each cluster pattern had a specific evaluation tendency. Namely, subjects in Cluster 1 evaluated shape sensation and pressure sensation positively, subjects in Cluster 2 evaluated pressure sensation negatively, subjects in Cluster 3 evaluated all factors negatively, and those in Cluster 4 evaluated the factors separately. Consciousness of the breast seemed to contribute to the evaluation of brassieres.

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The object of this study is to clarify the construction and historical trends of living space, concentrating on Naisho or inner space found in Goto City, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. The investigation was made principally by field study of 158 homes in 7 districts in Goto City. Analysis was made of the floor plan and age of respective homes as well as the names given to rooms by the occupants. How the rooms were used daily as well as on special occasions was also analyzed. Attension was paid particularly to the peculiarities of Goto City with regard to the meaning of the names given to Naisho by the occupants, the relationship to other rooms, and what was found in Naisho. Results: 1. Of the four-room types, which included Naisho, the oldest home was built in 1925 and the latest in 1968, both located in Sakiyama. 2. Naisho in the homes built between 1924 and 1968 were arranged inside Adanoma or outer room. Naisho was arranged as a corridor or passage to Nando or storage space. In other words, Naisho was separated from Zasiki or normal room. It is to be noted that there were the dining and living rooms adjacent to Naisho. 3. It became clear that the homes with Naisho are a feature peculiar to Goto City as they are found in all the seven districts under study. 4. Nai of Naisho means inner or inside as against Ada or Adanoma meaning outer or outside. Naisho also means entrance to the inner space. 5. Prior to 1924 Naisho in Goto City was used as cooking space, and after 1924 it began to be used as dining and living space as well.

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This study aims to investigate the living conditions in remote suburban residential areas in the Kansai region, and chose Haibara-cho in Nara Prefecture. The focus of the study were the family structure as well as the residential location patterns between generations. It was found that approximately 10% of lots in the residential areas of Haibara-cho were not utilized while 5% of the houses built were left vacant. The residents had seldom moved in or out, resulting in stagnation of the residential areas. It is to be noted that the rate of home repair was low. As to the pattern of the generational living conditions, the pronounced feature is the fact that married children had their homes a long distance away from their parents. As the areas under study are remote from urban centers, there is a strong tendency for children to leave the areas, and a predictable trend of the future family structure in these areas will be an increase of households of aged couples or elderly singles. While the natural environment is rich, the areas have abundant slopes and the homes are generally distant from railway stations, presenting the residents strong anxiety over spending their later years there. Moreover, there is a shortage of local facilities providing food supply, medical treatment and welfare support. Furthermore, in remote areas such as these, it would be quite difficult for females to hold continuous employment. Such being the case, it will be necessary to provide the infrastructure for improved living conditions or sustainable residential areas. In other words, the areas should be remodeled to provide ease for the elderlies such as, for example, introduction of omnibus taxis and making grocery stores available within walking distance as well as providing local facilities where the increasing number of elderies can join in various activities.

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