The effect of daily walking on body fat distribution was investigated using an electronic pedometer and ultrasonography. Subjects were 77 women, aged 31 to 72 years. They were divided into four groups according to the average number of steps they walked per day(I<7, 500, 7, 500≤II<10, 000, 10, 000≤III<12, 500, 12, 500≤IV). Subcutaneous fat in the trunk and limbs, and the minimum thickness of subcutaneous fat(Smin) and the maximum thickness of preperitoneal fat(Pmax) below the xiphoid process were measured by ultrasonography. Abdominal wall fat index (AFI) reflecting the intra−abdominal fat accumulation was obtained by dividing Pmax by Smin. Fat distribution was analyzed by ANCOVA, controlled for age, body mass index(BMI), percent body fat, and menopausal status. Energy and macronutrient intake were obtained through a nutritional survey. There were no significant differences in anthropometric variables, energy and macronutrient intake, and subcutaneous fat thickness in trunk and limbs. Pmax of Group I was significantly higher than Group IV. Furthermore. Group I showed significantly higher AFI than the other three Groups (II, III, IV). The results of this study suggested that women who walked less than 7, 500 steps per day tend to have significantly increased intra−abdominal fat accumulation.

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We conducted a 14−year follow−up study to analyze the hazard ratio(HR) of mortality regarding lifestyle−related factors in Saga Prefecture, Japan. The subjects included 2, 170 people, who were randomly selected from men and women aged from 40 to 69 years old, and who also completed the standardized questionnaire on lifestyle in 1983. Information about death and corresponding data were obtained either by mail and/or through the city offices in 1997. We found that a lower body weight, a lower physical fitness level, not consuming a balanced diet, and cigarette smoking to be significantly elevated risks for all−causes of death in males after adjustment by age and health status. In addition, these results did not change even after excluding subjects for early death. The HR of the female subjects who quit smoking was significantly high, although it changed to insignificant after excluding subjects for early death. These results suggested that being underweight might be an index of a positive risk of death, while maintaining a higher physical fitness level, being careful to consume a more balanced diet, and non smoking all appear to be indexes of a negative risk of death. In addition, these results might also be considered good evidence for improving poor health habits in health promotion activities.

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The aim of this study was to develop a new method for the determination of NO₂ levels encountered in clinical settings as well as in environmental studies, using a bi−component atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry(APIMS). Hydrogen (1%) diluted in pure argon was ionized by corona discharge in the first ionization component. Fifty ml of the analyte diluted in 250ml of composite air or carbon dioxide (CO₂) was introduced into the second ionization component and analyzed. When composite air was used as the sample carrier gas, NO in the analyte was oxygenated and there was an increase in the NO₂ content from that in the original analyte. However, when CO₂ was used as the sample carrier gas, the level of NO₂ in the analyte could be determined because CO₂ did not change the NO₂ content from that in the original analyte. A calibration curve with good linearity was obtained using the UG−410 APIMS system, with a regression equation of Y(%)=5.513^*10^-2 X(ppb) and a detection limit of 0.9ppb. Since APIMS detects NO₂ directly within its system, the concentration of NO does not need to be measured. This system may be of great help in the accurate detection and determination of the concentration of low levels of NO₂ during inhaled NO therapy

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It has been demonstrated that in utero ethanol(EtOH) exposure induces hyperactive behavior and learning disturbances in offspring. In order to investigate the effects of docosahexaenoic acid(DHA) on these neurobehavioral dysfunctions of rat pups induced by in utero EtOH exposure, pregnant Wistar rats were divided into four treatment groups depending on the type of oil added to the diet and drinking water as follows; (a)5% safflower oil with tap water(TW/n−6), (b)3% safflower oil and 2% DHA with tap water(TW/n−3), (c)5% safflower oil with 10%−EtOH(ET/n−6), (d)3% safflower oil and 2% DHA with 10%−EtOH(ET/n−3) at gestational day (GD)7. 10%−EtOH was administered to dams in ET/n−6 and ET/n−3 groups from GD 7 to the pups’ weaning(postnatal week 4), and all pups were fed with the same diet that was given to their dams during the entire examination period. The open−field test and the water E−maze test were conducted for all pups, and a spontaneous motor activity test and the Sidman electric shock avoidance test were performed for some of male pups. Amounts of monoamine metabolites in striatum were then determined, and fatty acid analyses of total brain lipids were performed. The male pups in the ET/n−6 group showed significantly more rearing and square−crossing movements in the open−field test, and significanrly higher spontaneous motor activity during the dark period in the daily cycle compared to the males in the TW/n−6 group. The male pups in the ET/n−3 group showed fewer of these behaviors in the open−field test compared to the ET/n−6 group males, and a normal pattern of spontaneous motor activity. Learning disturbance induced by in utero EtOH exposure was not observed in the E−shaped water maze, but was observed in the avoidance rates in the Sidman electric shock avoidance test. However, there was no significant modifying effect of DHA on the avoidance rates in EtOH exposed pups. The analysis of the fatty acid composition of total lipids in the brains of the pups revealed high levels of DHA in the diet reflected an increased level of brain DHA and caused a decreased level of the brain arachidonic acid. Retroconversion from DHA to eicosapentaenoic acid was also observed. However, there was no significant effect of DHA on the levels of monoamine metabolites. These results support the hypothesis that DHA can counteract the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

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To determine the optimal strategy for prostate cancer screening, the cost-effectiveness of screening was analyzed using a medical decision model. One hundred thousand asymptomatic males between the ages of 40 and 69 were modeled with and without screening. The subjects were divided into three 10−year age groups. We used a 5−year survival rate as an effectiveness point and assumed after 5 year survival free from prostate cancer. We considered three potential programs: 1)screening with digital rectal examination(DRE), 2)screening with prostate specific antigen(PSA), and 3)screening with a combination of DRE and PSA. The study was analyzed from the payer’s perspective, and only direct medical costs were included. For each of the three age groups, PSA screening was more cost−effective than either DRE screening or a combination of DRE and PSA screening. The cost−effectiveness ratio for the combination of DRE and PSA screening was 1.1−2.3 times more expensive than that of PSA screening. If the compliance rate for work−up exams is 80%, the cost−effectiveness of prostate cancer screening is approximate to that of gastric cancer screening. In conclusion, PSA screening is the most cost−effective strategy for prostate cancer screening when compared with both DRE and the combination of DRE and PSA screening. But prostate cancer screening should be carefully conducted, taking the cost−effectiveness of the different strategies and target groups into consideration.

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This study was conducted to determine whether the regional factors were related to the increase in the percentage of low birthweight(LBW: <2, 500g) infants in Kumamoto Pref., and to establish a tentative structure model for predicting low birthweight infants. Analyses for frequency of LBW infants between 1974 and 1997, and a multiple regression model and covariance structure model were conducted using data from the vital statistics between 1992 and 1997 and regional indicators concerned with LBW infants from official registered statistical data between 1992 and 1997. The 72 regional factors were clustered into four groups linked with agricultural areas such as Urban, Flat, Hilly and Mountainous areas. The recent increase in the incidence of LBW infants resulted from the increase in moderate−LBW(MLBW: 2, 000−2, 500g) infants of full term−LBW infants. There was a steady annual increase in the Urban agricultural area LBW infants since 1992. The two structure analyses revealed that the Urban area had a marked effect on the increase in LBW infants, whereas, farm villages in Hilly or Moutainous areas had less effect on the increase in LBW infants. These findings suggest that the regional factors relating to the mothers’ life−style or regional environments play a key role in the etiology and prevention of LBW, and will be a useful in the analyses using official registered material.

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