De-womanising Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) education as an inclusive ontology has been unprecedently given little attention despite its role in spurring a conducive environment for females during their “bloody days of the month” and general Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) improvements. Access to menstrual materials, clean water, washrooms, and disposal of menstrual waste requires an inclusive gender approach, especially in societies where access to resources and services is still male-dominated. This article seeks to pinpoint the exclusion of males from MHM-related issues. The work not only analysed the accepted males’ perception of menstruation as associated with dirtiness, impurity, and disgust but also the female’s perceptions of males as sexual predators presented as risk factors for a girl-child’s well-being and progression. The study established that the understanding of the gender space constructed by cultural norms, practices, and social dynamics helps in the educational policy considerations of sexuality and MHM complexities in a changing society. Interest in educational reforms to adopt new sources of knowledge on menstrual hygiene and pedagogical realignment were core observations of the research process. The article helps WASH practitioners to rethink the gender and cultural entanglements in MHM education and practices to unlock potentials for addressing menstrual poverty, stigma and cultural barriers, sustainable disposal of menstrual materials, and other WASH mechanisms at home, at school and in the communities. Interview surveys were conducted in low-income urban societies and primary school environment on the one hand; and low-income rural communities, primary and secondary school environments. One-on-one interviews and focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted. Observation as a key ethnographic methodological tool was employed.

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This paper addresses the ways in which heat loss effector functions change with maturation and aging, using data obtained in our laboratory. Prepubertal children have an underdeveloped sweat function compared with young adults; this is compensated by a greater surface area-to-mass ratio and relatively greater heat loss from cutaneous vasodilation on the head and trunk when the air temperature is lower than the skin temperature. As the heat dissipation depends greatly on the evaporation of sweat, the core temperature of prepubertal children is greater than that of young adults owing to the underdevelopment of sweating. In the elderly the heat loss effector function decreases with aging. The decrease may first involve cutaneous vasodilation, then sweat output per gland, and finally active sweat gland density; and it may proceed from the lower limbs to the back of the upper body, the front of the upper body, then the upper limbs and finally to the head.

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【Purpose】This study aimed to investigate the relationship between structural properties (length and cross-sectional area of the Achilles tendon) and the age of peak height velocity (PHV) and to examine if imbalance between the growth of bone and the muscle-tendon unit occurs around PHV.
【Methods】Eighty-seven Japanese children and adolescents aged 6.2 to 17.9 participated in this study. Based on their estimated age at PHV, the participants were separated into 3 groups (before adolescent growth spurt group: BA, initiation of adolescent growth spurt group: IA, and after PHV group: AP). The Achilles tendon length was defined as the distance between the distal myotendinous junction of the medial gastrocnemius and the Achilles tendon insertion at the calcaneus. Both the length and cross-sectional area of the Achilles tendon were measured by using an ultrasonography technique. Relative Achilles tendon length and relative Achilles tendon cross-sectional area were calculated as a ratio of lower-leg-length (the distance between the popliteal crease and the malleolus lateralis) to the Achilles tendon length and as a ratio of body mass to the Achilles tendon cross-sectional area, respectively.
【Results】The length and cross-sectional area in IA and AP were significantly greater than those of BA. However, no group differences were observed in the relative Achilles among the groups (BA: 51±5％, IA: 52±4％, AP: 49±4％), and the relative cross-sectional area was significantly greater in BA than that of the other groups (BA: 2.2±0.2 kg/mm², IA: 1.9±0.1 kg/mm², AP: 1.3±0.1 kg/mm²).
【Conclusion】These results indicate that the imbalance of growth between bone length and muscletendon unit is not observed, and the proportion of tendon length to bone length is constant from childhood to adolescence. In addition, the children and adolescents before the adolescent growth spurt may protect tendon injuries because of the relatively larger tendon cross-sectional area.

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We investigated age-related changes and sex differences in adaptability of anticipatory postural control in children. Subjects comprised 449 children (4–12 years old) and 109 young adults (18–29 years old). Subjects stood with eyes closed on a force-platform fixed to a floor oscillator. We conducted five trials of 1-minute oscillation (0.5 Hz frequency, 2.5 cm amplitude) in the anteroposterior direction. Postural steadiness was quantified as the mean speed of the center of pressure in the anteroposterior direction (CoPy). In young adults, CoPy speed decreased rapidly until the third trial for both sexes. Adaptability was evaluated by changes in steadiness. The adaptability of children was categorized as “good,” “moderate,” and “poor,” compared with a standard variation of the mean CoPy speed regression line between the first and fifth trials in young adults. Results were as follows: (1) anticipatory postural control adaptability starts to develop from age 6 in boys and 5 in girls, and greatly improves at age 7–8 in boys and 6 in girls; (2) the adaptability of children at age 11–12 (74% of boys and 63% of girls were categorized as “good”) has not yet reached the same level as for young adults; (3) the adaptability at age 11–12 for girls is temporarily disturbed due to early puberty.

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We report the case of a 48-year-old man with adult-onset adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) who developed dementia with subacute onset. He was abulic, indifferent to his surroundings, and without insight with regards to his own disease. An elevated plasma very long chain fatty acid level and a novel point mutation IVS3+2t>g in the ABCD1 gene confirmed the diagnosis of ALD. Diffusion-weighted MRI revealed a high intensity area in the white matter of the frontal lobes. Severe brain hypoperfusion in the frontal lobes was revealed. We believe that this is a rare case of adult-onset adrenoleukodystrophy with predominant frontal lobe dysfunction.

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　The purposes of this study were to investigate the kinetics of oxygen uptake (VO₂), carbon dioxide output (VOC₂) and ventilatry equivalent (VE • VO₂^-1, VE • VCO₂^-1) during a 20-meter shuttle running test (SRT) in comparison with a treadmill running test (TRT), and to determine the contribution of bicarbonate buffering capacity to SRT performance. Eleven healthy male participants (20.9±2.5 yrs, 172.4±3.0 cm, 65.7±3.9 kg) performed SRT and TRT utilizing the same running speed protocol. During both the SRT and the TRT, VO₂, VCO₂, VE • VO₂^-1 and VE • VO₂^-1 data were measured by portable expired gas-analysis system. CO₂excess as an index of bicarbonate buffering capacity was calculated by the sum of VCO₂ minus VO₂ when respiratory exchange ratio (RER) was more than 1.00. The results of the general linear mixed model showed that no significant differences were found between TRT and SRT for VO₂ kinetics (interaction: F₁₁, ₁₈₂.₁₄ = 1.12, P = .347). VCO₂ and VE • VO₂^-1 during SRT were significantly higher than those during TRT (VCO₂: F₁₁, ₁₈₁.19 = 40.35, P < .001; VE • VO₂^-1: F¹¹, ¹⁸¹.¹⁶ = 17.47, P < .001). Multiple regression analysis provided that the contribution (R₂ change) of CO₂excess to SRT performance was 13.9 % (standardized regression coefficients = .376, P = .013). Therefore, SRT reflects bicarbonate buffering capacity as well as aerobic capacity, and the energy demand of SRT is greater than that of straight-line running.

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低温暴露が小児の無酸素性パワーに与える影響について,ウインゲート無酸素性テスト(WAnT)を用いて検討した.被験者は9～13歳の健常男子12名であった.低温暴露には人工気象室を使用し,常温環境(23℃,相対湿度40%)と低温環境(5℃,相対湿度40%)で30分間の安静の後,それぞれWAnTを2分間の休憩をはさんで2回施行した.両温度環境の1回目のWAnTにおけるmean powerの比較では,有意差が認められなかった.各々の温度環境において2回目のWAnTのmean powerを1回目のWAnTのmean powerで除して算出した回復率の比較では,低温環境において回復率が有意に低下していた.以上より低温暴露は小児の無酸素性パワーに影響を与えないが,回復を遅延させると考えられた.

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The guideline were published to eliminate sex segregation in the USA of 1970's. The auther arranged those for checklist of 8 items in order to indicate the model of textbooks for homemaking at junior high level. In addition, mainly nonprinting media such as illustration, drawing and photo were made comparison between both countries. The results were as follows : 1. Clothing and child care were female-biased in two countries. were appeared more in Japan than USA. 2. Textbooks of Japan had the table on necessity nutriments in quantity by sex, but, those of USA had no. The auther insisted that textbooks of Japan must have the content of difference among individual of nutrition. 3. Nontraditional occupation tended to appear more in USA than Japan. 4. The handicapped and minority were often appeared in American textbooks, but, not or few in Japanese. We must have the information of them, so the aged will increase in the near future and pupil can understand non-Japanese. 5. The women's achievments were neglected by both countries. Ellen Key, Montessori and Fuju Toyoda were indicated as the example of those that will be cited in homemaking textbooks.

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[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to establish an optimal load setting method for a 9-second modified-Wingate Anaerobic Test (m-WAnT) and to examine the reliability and validity of the test. [Subjects] The subjects were 28 hemiplegic stroke patients and 18 of them were examined as to the test's validity. [Methods] The m-WAnT was performed twice on two different days to calculate the Mean Power (MP). In order to derive an optimal load setting expression, multiple regression analysis was performed using the optimal load (a value roughly 10% higher than the torque value achieved at the time-point of 6 seconds) as the dependent variable and 6 items as the independent variables. The Five-Repetition Sit-to-Stand Test (FRSST) and Maximum Walking Speed (MWS) were measured and their correlations with were examined the MP. [Results] The ICC (1,1) of the MP of the first and second values of MP was 0.982 (95% CI, 0.961-0.991). The result of multiple regression analysis showed that the unaffected side and affected side LEPT were significantly related and the coefficient of determination (R²) was 0.812. MP significantly correlated with FRSST and MWS of the 18 subjects. [Conclusion] This study confirmed the reliability and validity of m-WAnT and derived the optimal load setting equation as well.

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The present study was carried out for screening some biochemical changes due to occupational exposure to contraceptive drugs. It included 18 male workers and 22 female workers involved in the manufacture of contraceptive pills and 34 female workers manufacturing contraceptive ampoules. The levels of some sex hormones and gonadotropins were evaluated. Some parameters of blood picture, blood coagulation, liver and kidney functions, lipid profile and trace elements metabolism were assessed. Results were compared with those of a control group composed of 19 males and 27 females. Increased levels of estrogen among exposed workers was the main finding. It has been attributed to liver rather than pituitary dysfunction. A less atherogenic lipid profile has also been found. Referral to preventive measures has been recommended.

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Japan recently approved a quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for males, but the 9-valent vaccine has only been approved for females. Given the low female vaccination rate due to concerns about adverse events in Japan, quantifying the risks and benefits of the HPV vaccination for males may help in deciding whether to vaccinate adolescent boys in Japan. Using quality-adjusted life years, the risk–benefit ratio for an adolescent boy receiving the 9-valent HPV vaccination was calculated. The male HPV vaccination reduced the QALYs gained due to head and neck cancer, anal cancer, penile cancer, genital warts, and recurrent respiratory papillomatosis by 401.63, 20.38, 9.40, 28.79, and 69.13 per 100,000 vaccinated persons, respectively. The total risk of vaccination was 11.85. The risk–benefit ratio for a 12-year-old boy who received the HPV vaccination series was found to be 0.022 (benefit–risk ratio, 44.670). In the sensitivity analysis, the risk–benefit ratio ranged from 0.0001 to 0.11 for all scenarios. Hence, much larger benefits than risks linked with the male HPV vaccination were observed from an individual perspective. The results support the inclusion of sex-neutral HPV vaccinations into the national immunization program as well as strengthens the decision for adolescent boys to receive the vaccination.

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[Purpose] This study aimed to investigate the effects of repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation of the common fibular nerve on the modification of neural circuit function as measured through the soleus muscle Hoffmann reflex. [Participants and Methods] Twenty-four healthy adult males were randomly and equally divided into the magnetic stimulation (experimental) and control groups. The Hoffmann reflex of the soleus muscle was analyzed before and after 10 min of repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation for the experimental group and before and after 10 min of rest for the control group. The averages of the values for the maximum amplitude and latency of the Hoffman reflex across twenty repetitions were recorded and compared. [Results] The Hoffmann reflex amplitude decreased following stimulation in the experimental group, and significant variations were observed between the experimental and control groups. [Conclusion] The change in the Hoffmann reflex amplitude may have been caused by the magnetic stimulation to I-a sensory fibers on the common fibular nerve, suggesting that magnetic stimulation induces reciprocal inhibition of motor neurons through synapses in the spinal cord.

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[Purpose] Spine disorders affect various sections of the spine and have a variety of causes. Most pain occurs in the lumbo-sacral and cervical regions. Dance is associated with exercise. High levels of physical activity predispose to back pain occurrence. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 237 ballet learners; 80 children (primary school level), mean age 11.24±0.77, mean of years of training ballet 2.14±0.74; 93 students (junior high school level), mean age 14.01±0.84, mean of years of learning ballet 4.64±1.24; 64 students (high school) mean age 17.01±0.77, mean of years of learning ballet 7.47±1.54. Numeric rating scale was used to determine spine pain. [Results] Feelings of pain were analyzed on the basis of “now” and “before” between levels education by using point statistics and statistical tests to compare groups. “Now” exhibited weaker back pain feelings than “before” at all the education levels. There were statistically significant differences in pain feeling for “before” (at any time of learning) and “now” (the day of survey). [Conclusion] All patients reported pain “before” and “now” in cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine. At all levels of education there were statistically significant differences in feelings of pain between “before” and “now”.

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　The purposes of this study were to determine dynamic characteristics of muscle in preadolescent boys from relationship of isometric, concentric and eccentric torque, and effects of growth and development in dynamic characteristics of muscle. Thirteen healthy boys performed maximal efforts of elbow flexion to obtain maximal torque during isometric, concentric and eccentric action. Electromyographic activities of biceps brachii and brachioradialis were also recorded to measure motor unit activation (MUA) during maximal efforts. To determine the dynamic characteristics of muscle in preadolescent boys, maximal isometric (P0), concentric (PCON) and eccentric torque (PECC) were analyzed by Hill equation and repeated one-way ANOVA. As a result, relative eccentric torque (PECC /P0), which showed 1.19±0.23, was obviously lower than that of adults, and it appeared to stem from the fact that the boys showed less than 1.0 PECC/P0. To determine the individuality of PECC/P0, subjects were divided into two groups by PECC/P0 above 1.0 (high group) or under 1.0 (low group) and then MUA of both groups were compared by repeated two-way ANOVA (group × region of muscle). Consequently the activation level in both regions of muscles of the low group was significantly lower than the high group, and there was no significant interaction. Therefore, it is suggested that the dynamic characteristics of muscle in preadolescent boys are similar to those of adults during isometric and concentric action, and there are effects of growth and development on characteristics of muscle in boys during eccentric action.

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[Purpose] The objective of this study was to determine the validity of pulmonary oxygen uptake kinetics in assessment of the ability of skeletal muscles to utilize oxygen. [Subjects] We evaluated 12 young, healthy males. [Methods] The subjects completed a series of tests to determine their peak oxygen uptake, pulmonary oxygen uptake kinetics at the onset of moderate-intensity treadmill exercise, and the rate of decline in electromyographic (EMG) mean power frequency (MPF) (EMG MPF_rate) during one continuous, fatiguing, isometric muscle action of the plantar flexors until exhaustion at approximately 60% maximum voluntary contraction. We discussed the relationships between pulmonary oxygen uptake kinetics and EMG MPF_rate reflecting the ability of skeletal muscles to utilize oxygen and between pulmonary oxygen uptake kinetics and peak oxygen uptake reflecting the ability to deliver oxygen to skeletal muscles. We hypothesized that pulmonary oxygen uptake kinetics may be more highly correlated with EMG MPF_rate than peak oxygen uptake. [Results] Pulmonary oxygen uptake kinetics (33.9 ± 5.9 s) were more significantly correlated with peak oxygen uptake (50.6 ± 5.5 mL/kg/min) than EMG MPF_rate (−14.7 ± 8.7%/s). [Conclusion] Pulmonary oxygen uptake kinetics is a noninvasive index that is mainly usable for evaluation of the ability of cardiovascular system to deliver oxygen to skeletal muscles in healthy young adults with slower pulmonary oxygen uptake kinetics (>20 s).

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　The purposes of this study were to determine dynamic characteristics of muscle in preadolescent boys from relationship of isometric, concentric and eccentric torque, and effects of growth and development in dynamic characteristics of muscle. Thirteen healthy boys performed maximal efforts of elbow flexion to obtain maximal torque during isometric, concentric and eccentric action. Electromyographic activities of biceps brachii and brachioradialis were also recorded to measure motor unit activation (MUA) during maximal efforts. To determine the dynamic characteristics of muscle in preadolescent boys, maximal isometric (P₀), concentric (P_CON) and eccentric torque (P_ECC) were analyzed by Hill equation and repeated one-way ANOVA. As a result, relative eccentric torque (P_ECC /P₀), which showed 1.19±0.23, was obviously lower than that of adults, and it appeared to stem from the fact that the boys showed less than 1.0 P_ECC/P₀. To determine the individuality of P_ECC/P₀, subjects were divided into two groups by P_ECC/P₀ above 1.0 (high group) or under 1.0 (low group) and then MUA of both groups were compared by repeated two-way ANOVA (group × region of muscle). Consequently the activation level in both regions of muscles of the low group was significantly lower than the high group, and there was no significant interaction. Therefore, it is suggested that the dynamic characteristics of muscle in preadolescent boys are similar to those of adults during isometric and concentric action, and there are effects of growth and development on characteristics of muscle in boys during eccentric action.

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[Purpose] Fatigue may be an important contributing factor to non-contact anterior cruciate ligament injuries in sports. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of controlled lower limb fatigue, induced by a short-term, high-intensity exercise protocol, on the profile of the ground reaction force during landings from single-leg anterior drop-jumps. [Subjects and Methods] Twelve healthy males, 18 to 24 years old, performed single-leg anterior drop-jumps, from a 20 cm height, under two conditions, ‘fatigue’ and ‘non-fatigue’. Short-term fatigue was induced by high-intensity interval cycling on an ergometer. Effects of fatigue on peak vertical ground reaction force, time-to-peak of the vertical ground reaction force, and loading rate were evaluated by paired t-test. [Results] Fatigue shortened the time-to-peak duration of the vertical ground reaction force by 10% (non-fatigue, 44.0 ± 16.8 ms; fatigue, 39.6 ± 15.8 ms). Fatigue also yielded a 3.6% lowering in peak vertical ground reaction force and 9.4% increase in loading rate, although these effects were not significant. [Conclusion] The effects of fatigue in reducing time-to-peak of the vertical ground reaction force during single-leg anterior drop-jumps may increase the risk for non-contact anterior cruciate ligament injury in males.

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