Articles

Distinct responses of cones and melanopsin-expressing retinal ganglion cells in the human electroretinogram

The discovery of the novel photoreceptor, melanopsin-expressing retinal ganglion cells (mRGCs), has raised researchers’ interest in photoreceptive tasks performed by the mRGC, especially in non-image-forming v...

Authors: Yumi Fukuda, Shigekazu Higuchi, Akira Yasukouchi and Takeshi Morita

Diurnal cortisol rhythms among Latino immigrants in Oregon, USA

One of the most commonly used stress biomarkers is cortisol, a glucocorticoid hormone released by the adrenal glands that is central to the physiological stress response. Free cortisol can be measured in saliv...

Authors: Erica C Squires, Heather H McClure, Charles R Martinez Jr, J Mark Eddy, Roberto A Jiménez, Laura E Isiordia and J Josh Snodgrass

A pilot study of allostatic load among elderly Japanese living on Hizen-Oshima Island

Between July and September 2005, a preliminary sampling of the elderly population of Hizen-Oshima Island, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan was conducted by the local hospital’s nursing staff.

Authors: Douglas E Crews, Hajime Harada, Kiyoshi Aoyagi, Takahiro Maeda, Alexandria Alfarano, Yoshiaki Sone and Yosuke Kusano

Effect of preceding exercise on cerebral and splanchnic vascular responses to mental task

To investigate the effect of preceding acute exercise on the peripheral vascular response to a mental task, we measured splanchnic and cerebral blood flow responses to performing a mental task after exercise a...

Authors: Nami Someya, Tsukasa Ikemura and Naoyuki Hayashi

Physiological responses at short distances from a parametric speaker

In recent years, parametric speakers have been used in various circumstances. In our previous studies, we verified that the physiological burden of the sound of parametric speaker set at 2.6 m from the subject...

Authors: Soomin Lee, Yoshihiro Shimomura and Tetsuo Katsuura

Efficacy of light therapy for perinatal depression: a review

Perinatal depression is an important public health problem affecting 10% to 20% of childbearing women. Perinatal depression is associated with significant morbidity, and has enormous consequences for the wellb...

Authors: Shannon K Crowley and Shawn D Youngstedt

Effects of thermal environment on sleep and circadian rhythm

The thermal environment is one of the most important factors that can affect human sleep. The stereotypical effects of heat or cold exposure are increased wakefulness and decreased rapid eye movement sleep and...

Authors: Kazue Okamoto-Mizuno and Koh Mizuno

Which characteristic of Natto: appearance, odor, or taste most affects preference for Natto

In Japan, consumption of Natto, a fermented bean dish, is recommended because of its high quality protein, digestibility in the gut and its preventive effect on blood clot formation due to high vitamin K conte...

Authors: Yuki Tsumura, Aki Ohyane, Kuniko Yamashita and Yoshiaki Sone

Adaptation changes in dynamic postural control and contingent negative variation during backward disturbance by transient floor translation in the elderly

We investigated adaptation changes in dynamic postural control and contingent negative variation (CNV) in 13 young and 12 elderly adults. Subjects repeatedly underwent backward postural disturbance by a forwar...

Authors: Katsuo Fujiwara, Maki Maekawa, Naoe Kiyota and Chie Yaguchi

Can breakfast tryptophan and vitamin B6 intake and morning exposure to sunlight promote morning-typology in young children aged 2 to 6 years?

This study tried to examine, from epidemiological and physiologic anthropological (Japanese culture on breakfast) points of view, the integrated effects of the amount of tryptophan and vitamin B6 intake and th...

Authors: Miyo Nakade, Osami Akimitsu, Kai Wada, Milada Krejci, Teruki Noji, Nozomi Taniwaki, Hitomi Takeuchi and Tetsuo Harada

Comparison of seasonal variation in the fasting respiratory quotient of young Japanese, Polish and Thai women in relation to seasonal change in their percent body fat

From the viewpoint of human physiological adaptability, we previously investigated seasonal variation in the amount of unabsorbed dietary carbohydrates from the intestine after breakfast in Japanese, Polish an...

Authors: Tomoko Morinaka, Malgorzata Wozniewicz, Jan Jeszka, Joanna Bajerska, Porn-ngarm Limtrakul, Luksana Makonkawkeyoon, Naoko Hirota, Shoko Kumagai and Yoshiaki Sone

Normative references of heart rate variability and salivary alpha-amylase in a healthy young male population

This study aimed to present normative reference values of heart rate variability and salivary alpha-amylase in a healthy young male population with a particular focus on their distribution and reproducibility.

Authors: Hiromitsu Kobayashi, Bum-Jin Park and Yoshifumi Miyazaki

Sex and age-level differences of walking time in preschool children on an obstacle frame

Stepping over an obstacle is a kind of compound movement that makes walking more difficult, especially for preschool children. This study examines sex and age-level differences in walking time in preschool chi...

Authors: Kosho Kasuga, Shin-ichi Demura, Hiroki Aoki, Sohee Shin, Hiroki Sugiura and Yu Uchida

Pathophysiology and pathogenesis of circadian rhythm sleep disorders

Metabolic, physiological and behavioral processes exhibit 24-hour rhythms in most organisms, including humans. These rhythms are driven by a system of self-sustained clocks and are entrained by environmental c...

Authors: Akiko Hida, Shingo Kitamura and Kazuo Mishima

Prioritizing sleep for healthy work schedules

Good sleep is advantageous to the quality of life. Sleep-related benefits are particularly helpful for the working class, since poor or inadequate amounts of sleep degrade work productivity and overall health....

Authors: Masaya Takahashi

Daily rhythms of the sleep-wake cycle

The amount and timing of sleep and sleep architecture (sleep stages) are determined by several factors, important among which are the environment, circadian rhythms and time awake. Separating the roles played ...

Authors: Jim Waterhouse, Yumi Fukuda and Takeshi Morita

Herbs in exercise and sports

The use of herbs as ergogenic aids in exercise and sport is not novel. Ginseng, caffeine, ma huang (also called 'Chinese ephedra'), ephedrine and a combination of both caffeine and ephedrine are the most popul...

Authors: Chee Keong Chen, Ayu Suzailiana Muhamad and Foong Kiew Ooi

Oral administration of γ-aminobutyric acid affects heat production in a hot environment in resting humans

Central administration of γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) induces lower body temperature in animals in hot ambient air. However, it is still unknown whether oral GABA administration affects temperature regulation ...

Authors: Taiki Miyazawa, Takashi Kawabata, Kazunobu Okazaki, Takashi Suzuki, Daiki Imai, Takeshi Hamamoto, Shinya Matsumura and Toshiaki Miyagawa

Cognitive characteristics of older Japanese drivers

Some causes of accidents among older drivers are: not paying attention to traffic signals; missing stop lines; and having to deal with and misjudging emergency situations. These causes of accidents reveal prob...

Authors: Indri H Susilowati and Akira Yasukouchi

Journal of Physiological Anthropology aims to investigate, how the speed of technological advance, experienced during the 21^st century, is affecting mankind

Authors: Akira Yasukouchi