Propolis is a resinous product by European honeybees, which they use as a supporting material for the nest structure. It has been used as a folk medicine in European and African countries, and nowadays the tradition became popular worldwide. Especially in Japan, bulk of propolis is used as a supplementary health food and drinks. This article outlined researches about propolis and its components, and reviewed the biological activities of propolis quoting 163 articles published worldwide. The investigations have shown the evidences concerning anti-microorganismal, anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-cancer, anti-hepatotoxic, and other activities. When it is used as an alternative medicine, however, cautions should be cared on the diversity among propolis samples mainly due to plant origins.

Many previous studies have reported that static stretching (SS) may decrease muscle stiffness and compromise muscles’ ability to produce maximal strength. However, the effects of SS at different repetition durations and numbers within a constant total time remain unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine whether SS for a constant total time (2 min) with different repetition durations and numbers (e.g., 60 s × 2 times, 30 s × 4 times, and 10 s × 12 times) produces different changes in muscle stiffness and strength. Fifteen healthy males (mean age: 23.3 ± 1.0 years) participated in this study. Muscle stiffness was measured during passive ankle dorsiflexion using dynamometer and ultrasonography. In addition, muscle strength of the plantar flexors was measured using a dynamometer at 0° of plantarflexion with the hip and knee joints fully extended. Muscle stiffness and strength were measured before and immediately after SS. Each experimental protocol was conducted in random order with at least a 1-week interval but no longer than a 2-week interval between testing sessions. The results showed that there were no significant interaction effects on muscle stiffness and strength. However, in all experimental protocols, muscle stiffness and strength immediately decreased after SS. In conclusion, SS for a constant total of 2 min decreases muscle stiffness and strength regardless of repetition durations and numbers of each individual SS.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of creatine loading on rowing performance in well-trained male competitive rowers (age 19.4±0.2 yr, height 182.2 ± 1.2 cm, weight 76.6±1.1 kg, mean±SE) . Twenty subjects were randomly separated into creatine (n=10) or placebo group (n=10) . Subjects performed simulated 2000 m rowing race and 20 sec maximal rowing on a rowing ergometer, before and after 6 days of creatine (20g of creatine monohydrate plus 4g of lactose per day) or placebo (24g of lactose per day) ingestion, The creatine and placebo were administered in a double-blind research design. Performance time for 2000 m rowing was improved significantly from 407.9±5.3sec to 404.7±5.4sec (p<0.01) in the creatine group, but no significant changes were observed in the placebo group. No significant changes were observed in power output during 20 sec maximal rowing in either groups. These results suggest that creatine loading can enhance performance in simulated 2000 m rowing race in well-trained competitive male rowers but has no beneficial effect on 20 sec maximal rowing.

This study aimed to explore the association between various levels of training-energy expenditure (TrEE) and nutritional response during the phases of periodization among male collegiate rugby players. Seventeen Japanese male collegiate rugby players were enrolled in the study. Their TrEE and dietary intake were assessed each day during three separate microcycle training phases in the preparatory phase of periodization (P1 and P2: general training phase consisting of two sessions per day over the term during which the school held classes and during a summer vacation, respectively; and P3: intensive training phase consisting of four sessions per day during a summer vacation) using the factorial method and dietary records, respectively. The TrEE for P3 (1644±273 kcal) was significantly higher than that for P1 (891±230 kcal). However, the total energy intake (EI) for P3 (3274±889 kcal) was significantly lower than that for P1 (3978±938 kcal). The daytime (after waking in the morning and before the evening training session) EI (242±159 kcal) and protein intake (19±12 g) from the ‘high-protein foods group’ during P3 was significantly reduced compared with that during P1 (465±252 kcal, 37±15 g), whereas, EI and carbohydrate intake from the ‘supplements group’ of P3 was significantly increased compared with P1. The increased TrEE during P3 was not compensated by EI; instead, there was a decreased nutrient intake from the high-protein foods group and increased intake from the supplements group. The time of day of multiple or intensive training sessions, i.e. different TrEE, might affect the food choices made by male rugby players.

In 2013, the fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD V) will be hosted by the Japanese government. TICAD, which has been held every five years, has played a catalytic role in African policy dialogue and a leading role in promoting the human security approach (HSA). We review the development of the HSA in the TICAD dialogue on health agendas and recommend TICAD’s role in the integration of the HSA beyond the 2015 agenda. While health was not the main agenda in TICAD I and II, the importance of primary health care, and the development of regional health systems was noted in TICAD III. In 2008, when Japan hosted both the G8 summit and TICAD IV, the Takemi Working Group developed strong momentum for health in Africa. Their policy dialogues on global health in Sub-Saharan Africa incubated several recommendations highlighting HSA and health system strengthening (HSS). HSA is relevant to HSS because it focuses on individuals and communities. It has two mutually reinforcing strategies, a top-down approach by central or local governments (protection) and a bottom-up approach by individuals and communities (empowerment). The “Yokohama Action Plan,” which promotes HSA was welcomed by the TICAD IV member countries. Universal health coverage (UHC) is a major candidate for the post-2015 agenda recommended by the World Health Organization. We expect UHC to provide a more balanced approach between specific disease focus and system-based solutions. Japan’s global health policy is coherent with HSA because human security can be the basis of UHC-compatible HSS.

Objective : Although dissection extending to the aortic root is a common finding, it is potentially fatal in patients with acute type A aortic dissection. The purpose of this study was to evaluate surgical results of acute type A aortic dissection with proximal involvement. The proximal extension of dissection, types of aortic root procedure and its feasibility were investigated. Methods : Between 1997 and 2011, 80 patients with acute type A aortic dissection underwent emergent operation. Results : Dissection reaching around the coronary artery orifice was observed in 28 patients. In 11 patients, both left and right coronary arteries were involved with aortic dissection. Aortic root replacement was performed in 4 patients. In 7 patients, the dissected aortic root was reinforced by GRF glue and proximal aorta was replaced with a graft. Among these patients, postoperative aortic root redissection with severe aortic regurgitation was observed in 5 patients during postoperative long-term periods. All of them required surgical re-intervention of the aortic root. In 17 patients, dissection was extended to the right coronary artery. Aortic root reconstruction was performed in 2 patients due to pre-existing annulo-aortic ectasia. The remaining 15 patients underwent proximal reinforcement with GRF glue. No patient showed dissection extending to the left coronary artery alone. Operative mortality was 11% and other types of complications concerning the aortic root was not observed. Conclusion : An acceptable outcome was demonstrated with our surgical strategy of proximal aortic dissection. For patients, in particular, with proximal involvement to both the left and right coronary arteries, redissection of the aortic root should be noticed as a late complication with considerable frequency. Special care should be taken for precise recognition of the proximal extension of dissection and appropriate surgical procedure including simultaneous aortic root replacement.

The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between frequency of bathing in a spa and at home and the characteristics of the body, blood, and lifestyle of white-collar and blue-collar male employees.
To recruit subjects, two baseline data for randomized controlled trials in two places in Shimane Prefecture and in Nagano Prefecture were used. In the two-month period between August and September 2006, 43 of 311 white-collar male employees aged between 30 and 57 years in the Unnan municipal office volunteered to participate in this study. Similarly, 44 blue-collar workers in Nagano Prefecture volunteered to be involved in this study as a result of an appeal for volunteers in local newspapers and public information journals published by large local enterprises from September through November 2006. A total of 87 men were subjects of this study. Items evaluated in this study with respect to physique included height, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, and percent of body fat. With respect to strength, they were grip strength, abdominal strength, back strength, and anteflexion. With respect to characteristics of the blood, they were serum glucose, hemoglobin A1c, fructosamine, lactic acid, total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, free fatty acid, GOT, GPT, γ-GTP, cholinesterase, natural killer cell activity, T cell, B cell, CD4+, CD8+, CD4/8 and uric acid. With respect to mood, Profile of Mood States was evaluated. With respect to lifestyle, the frequency of monthly bathing in a spa and at home was evaluated.
No significant correlation was revealed between frequency of monthly spa bathing and the health indices in the white and blue-collar male workers. The items that were significantly correlated (p<0.05) with frequency of monthly bathing at home were GOT (positive), CD8+ (positive), and mental stress (negative).
In this study, frequency of monthly spa bathing was found to have no significant correlation with the health indices.

This study aimed to explore the association of breakfast (BF) dietary patterns with physical activity (PA) and fitness in elementary school children. This study enrolled 242 school children of 5th and 6th grade. BF dietary patterns were evaluated by questionnaires on whether the child consumes the following food categories: staple, main dish, side dish, soup, milk or dairy products, and fruit. Individual PA levels were categorized into high and low PA groups using a PA scale for children. The measured 8 assessments of physical fitness scores were converted to Z-scores normalized for sex, age and height as previously reported. High PA group had significantly higher scores in running and muscle strength as well as in the total score of physical fitness. The frequency of eating BF (with or without BF omission) and the level of PA were not significantly related in both sexes. However, in girl children, BF, including staple, main dish, side dish, and soup, was significantly more prevalent in high PA group than low PA group (55.9% vs. 32.1%; χ2 = 5.638, p = 0.018). A similar tendency was observed in girls who had BF, including staple, main dish, and side dish (49.0% vs. 31.1%; χ2 = 3.720, p = 0.054). No associations between dietary patterns and PA were observed in boys. The results suggested that the frequency of eating BF was not associated with PA levels, which was significantly related to physical fitness in Japanese 5th and 6th grade elementary school children. In contrast, the results indicated that a high-quality BF dietary pattern, such as a meal including staple, main dish, side dish, and soup, might be associated with a physically active girl child.

We report a case of intractable diarrhea successfully treated with daikenchuto. The patient was a 60-year-old female. She had suffered from diarrhea in spite of being prescribed Shimbuto, Kanzoshashinto, Shigyakuto and so on. After daikenchuto was administered her intractable diarrhea improved. However, she had not symptoms such as abdominal pain, coldness in the abdomen and abdominal movement disorder that often appear in daikenchuto-syo. We consider daikenchuto may be effective not only for diarrhea but also constipation in yin-syndrome and hypofunction when intestinal juice and gas are stagnated.