Purpose: The albumin-to-globulin ratio (AGR) is a recognized chronic inflammation marker. No evidence regarding the relationship between AGR level and ulcerative colitis (UC) exists. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between AGR and clinical outcomes among Japanese subjects with UC. Methods: The study subjects consisted of 273 Japanese individuals with UC. AGR was divided into 4 categories (low, moderate, high, and very high). The definition of complete mucosal healing (MH) was based on the Mayo endoscopic subscore of 0. Clinical remission (CR) was defined as no rectal bleeding and no abnormally high stool frequency (<3 times per day). Results: The percentage of MH was 26.4%. High AGR and very high AGR were significantly positively correlated with CR (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 5.85; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.52–14.18 and adjusted OR, 4.97; 95% CI, 2.14–12.04) and complete MH (adjusted OR, 4.03; 95% CI, 1.56–11.51 and adjusted OR, 5.22; 95% CI, 1.97–14.89), respectively after adjustment for confounding factors (P for trend=0.001). Only in the low C-reactive protein (CRP) group (≤0.1 mg/dL), very high AGR was significantly positively correlated with complete MH but not CR (adjusted OR, 4.38; 95% CI, 1.06–21.77; P for trend=0.017). In the high CRP group, no correlation between AGR and complete MH was found. Conclusion Among Japanese patients with UC, AGR may be independently positively correlated with complete MH. In particular, among UC patients with low CRP, AGR might be a useful complementary marker for complete MH.

  Background: Aging affects thermoregulation and can potentially cause cardiovascular changes during bathing in the elderly, possibly leading to accidents and, in worst cases, drowning. However, adequate data on this subject are lacking. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of aging on thermoregulatory and cardiovascular changes during bathing in the older versus younger adults the relationship between body temperature and thermoregulatory and cardiovascular changes.   　Methods: Ten young (mean age: 20.4 years) and 10 elderly (mean age: 69.7 years) participants were asked to bathe for 15 min using water at 41°C. Tympanic temperature (Tty), skin blood flow (SkBF), sweating rate (SR), blood pressure, heart rate (HR), and double product (DP) were measured. In addition, we measured subjective psychological changes during bathing. Results: The results showed significant changes in SkBF, SR, and HR in the young participants rather than in the elderly participants. However, in the elderly participants, significant change was noted in systolic blood pressure (SBP).   　Conclusion: These results demonstrate changes in thermal adaptation and SBP owing to structural and functional progression due to aging.

  Background: Aging affects thermoregulation and can potentially cause cardiovascular changes during bathing in the elderly, possibly leading to accidents and, in worst cases, drowning. However, adequate data on this subject are lacking. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of aging on thermoregulatory and cardiovascular changes during bathing in the older versus younger adults the relationship between body temperature and thermoregulatory and cardiovascular changes.   Methods: Ten young (mean age: 20.4 years) and 10 elderly (mean age: 69.7 years) participants were asked to bathe for 15 min using water at 41°C. Tympanic temperature (Tty), skin blood flow (SkBF), sweating rate (SR), blood pressure, heart rate (HR), and double product (DP) were measured. In addition, we measured subjective psychological changes during bathing. Results: The results showed significant changes in SkBF, SR, and HR in the young participants rather than in the elderly participants. However, in the elderly participants, significant change was noted in systolic blood pressure (SBP).   Conclusion: These results demonstrate changes in thermal adaptation and SBP owing to structural and functional progression due to aging.

  Background: This study aimed to clarify the effects of bathing on cardiovascular and psychological responses during winter and summer, focusing on three different time points (immediately after entering the bathtub, during bathing, and immediately after leaving the bathtub).   Methods: Ten young (29.6 ± 1.5 years) individuals were asked to bathe for 20 min with 40℃ hot water in summer and with 42℃ hot water in winter. The room temperature and humidity in winter were 20.1℃ and 56.7%, while those in summer were 27.0℃ and 58.3%, respectively. Tympanic temperature (Tty) was measured using a thermistor thermometer; systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressures (DBP) and heart rate (HR) were measured using an auto-sphygmomanometer, and double product (DP) was calculated using the value of HR multiplied by SBP value. Subjective thermal and comfortable sensations were evaluated using a seven-point rating scale.   Results: Results showed a significant increases in SBP values in both seasons immediately after bathing. In winter, DP increased significantly after bathing. Meanwhile, no significant differences were observed in all parameters immediately after bathing between winter and summer. On the contraly, significant differences were observed in Tty, HR, and DP value between winter and summer during bathing. HR and DP values in winter were significantly lower than those in summer immediately after leaving the bathtub. A relationship between thermal sensation and comfortable sensation was observed in both seasons, but the strength of the relationship was more relevant in summer than in winter.   Conclusion: The effects of bathing in 42℃ hot water on the cardiovascular system in winter are greater than those in 40℃ hot water in summer. The high temperature of the bath water may not produce as much discomfort during winter than that during summer, therefore bathing time may be longer.