This study investigated the influence of folic acid restriction on body composition and bone mineral density in ovariectomized (OVX) rats fed a high-fat diet. Female Sprague-Dawley rats (13 weeks old) were OVX or sham-operated (Sham). The OVX rats were divided into four groups: a basic control diet (OVX-Cont.), a basic control diet with folic acid restriction (OVX-FR), a high-fat diet (OVX-F), and a high-fat diet with folic acid restriction (OVX-HFR). At 28 days after starting the experimental diet, ovariectomy significantly increased the weight of fat and significantly decreased the bone mineral density (BMD) of vertebrae and femora. On the basis of two-way ANOVA, the high-fat diet significantly increased the body fat in the OVX groups. A significant interaction between folic acid restriction and the high-fat diet was observed for the femoral cancellous BMD in the OVX groups, and the femoral cancellous BMD was significantly lower in the OVX-HFR group compared with the OVX-F group. In the present study, a high-fat diet with folic acid restriction decreased the femoral cancellous BMD in OVX rats. An adequate intake of folic acid is necessary in order to maintain bone health and prevent osteoporosis.

  The application of fine bubble water to rinsing in the laundry process was attempted to construct a favorable detergency system. Polyester spun and filament fabrics soiled with carbon black, red clay or stearic acid were washed together with original polyester fabrics in an aqueous sodium dodecyl sulfate solution with and without mechanical action. The fabrics were rinsed with pure water with and without fine bubbles after washing. The detergency, removal efficiency and soil redeposition were evaluated using the surface reflectance method. All artificially soiled fabrics had a higher detergency when rinsed by fine bubble water than they did when rinsed by pure water, especially after washing without mechanical action. Rinsing with fine bubble water was found to decrease the amount of sodium dodecyl sulfate remaining on the fabric.

  The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics of the putting on and taking off of clothes in 20 children three years of age. The investigation period was nine months. We analyzed the movement patterns of subjects and the support of kindergarten teachers.

  The results are as follows:

  (1) The movements of taking their arms out of sleeves, pulling clothes over their heads and draping clothes over their shoulders were aided by their kindergarten teachers. These movements are difficult for three-year-old children.

  (2) When the children took off a polo shirt and a knitted shirt, their first movement was to take their arms out of the sleeves. The children took off their clothes in several different ways until they learned the best one, after which time the movement pattern remained the same.

  (3) Before putting on clothes that needed to be draped over their shoulders, the children first examined the form of the garment. This suggested that moving clothes behind their back was difficult.

  (4) The posture of the children when putting on and taking off lower wear changed from sitting to standing and while unsupported or leaning on a table during the investigation period. It was confirmed that posture is related to the development of balance control in children.