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Biomedical subjects

Y Tochihara

Publications and source records attributed to Y Tochihara.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Body movements of the elderly during sleep and thermal conditions in bedrooms in summer.

The frequency of body movement in the elderly and young people during sleep was measured in order to investigate the effect of hot thermal environments on sleep in summer. Simultaneously, room temperature and humidity were also measured. In the morning after measuring body movements, the subjects completed a questionnaire about their night's sleep. The results obtained were as follows: 1) The time of going to bed and rising in the elderly was significantly earlier than the young. 2) The elderly had a tendency to judge their sleep as "good", however, there were no significant differences between the two groups. 3) The room temperature for the elderly during sleep ranged from 25 to 28 degrees C (mean 26.5 degrees C). On the other hand, it was between 20 and 30 degrees C (mean 27.1 degrees C) in the young, which was significantly higher than that of the elderly. 4) Body movement in the elderly during sleep was significantly greater than those in the young. 5) A significant relation between body movement and room temperature was found within each group. Under conditions of less than 28 degrees C of room temperature, there were significantly higher rates of body movement in the elderly.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

The effects of variation in body temperature on the preferred water temperature and flow rate during showering.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of body temperature variations on subjects' preferred water temperature and flow rate during showers. Nine healthy women students took a shower before and after physical exercise (running on a treadmill for 30 min) and water immersion (immersing in the water of 25 degrees C temperature for 30 min). During each shower, the subject was instructed to adjust both the water temperature and flow rate of a shower to suit their comfort. Rectal temperature and skin temperatures of the subjects, water temperature, and flow rate of the shower were measured during the experiments. The means of preferred water temperature during showers were 40.2 degrees C and 43.8 degrees C before and after water immersion respectively, which were significantly different. On the other hand, there was little difference in the preferred water temperature between before and after the treadmill exercise. There were no significant differences in the flow rates between before and after both water immersion and the treadmill exercise. A significant negative relationship was observed between the mean body temperature (Tb) and the preferred water temperature during showers (r = -0.439). On the other hand, no significant relationship was found between Tb and the preferred flow rate. Moreover, a significant negative relationship was observed between the preferred water temperature and the flow rate during showers (r = -0.528).

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Thermal responses affected by different underwear materials during light exercise and rest in cold.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of two types of underwear materials on thermophysiological responses during rest and light exercise. Two differently moisture-regaining underwear materials were tested: 100% cotton (COTTON) and 100% acrylic (ORLON). Nine female subjects participated in the experiments at an ambient temperature of -10 degrees C. The experiment comprised a 20-min of rest, a 40-min of walking exercise (6 km/h) and a 40-min of recovery. No significant differences could be found in the average values of core temperature, skin and clothing temperatures, amount of non-evaporated and evaporated sweat or subjective ratings of thermal sensations within the two different underwear ensembles. The amount of sweat accumulated into the underwear was very low (3 +/- 1g) and (5 +/- 3g) (mean +/- SE) in COTTON and ORLON, respectively. In both ensembles moisture was transferred towards outer layers of the clothing where the amount of moisture correlated significantly with the total sweat production. In a heavily sweating individual, however, the properties of COTTON underwear, such as wicking ability and high moisture regain, became apparent (accumulated sweat 71g) compared to ORLON (46g). It is concluded that the underwear materials have no significant influence on the thermophysiological responses or subjective sensations under the conditions studied, especially when the sweat rate is low. On the other hand, in individuals with a higher sweating rate the differences between materials may become evident even during light exercise.

Acrylic Resins↗
PubMed1993

Physiological strains in hot-humid conditions while wearing disposable protective clothing commonly used by the asbestos removal industry.

The purpose of this study is to investigate workers' responses to work in hot-humid conditions while wearing protective clothing commonly used by the asbestos removal industry, and to evaluate the effects of resting between work bouts in a cool environment on the physiological strain. Seven male students wearing impermeable protective clothing and air masks were exposed to the following conditions for 100 min on separate days: (1) hot conditions (35 degrees C/85%RH), (2) cool conditions (20 degrees C/85%RH), and (3) hot/cool conditions (working in hot conditions and resting in cool conditions). After 12 min rest, the subjects worked on an ergometer (70 Watts) for 18 min. This experimental schedule was repeated three times under each environmental condition. Rectal temperature (Tre), heart rate (HR), sweat rate (SR) and discomfort sensation were recorded. Two of the subjects were not able to complete the experiment in hot conditions. The increases in Tre and HR with time were not found in cool conditions. Although Tre increased in hot/cool conditions, it was almost half of that in hot conditions. Since HR did not return to the pre-work level during recovery in hot conditions, HR during work was accompanied by increases in HR at pre-work. HR during work in hot/cool conditions was higher than that in cool conditions, HR at pre-work, however, was almost the same as that in cool conditions because of rapid recovery. The means of SR in hot and hot/cool conditions were five and four times greater than that in cool conditions, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[A survey on physiological strains of asbestos abatement work wearing protective clothing in summer].

Since the health hazard of asbestos fibers has been widely recognized, the number of asbestos abatement projects in schools has increased rapidly. Most of these projects were planned during summer vacation from school. However, in Japan, it is hot and humid in summer. Moreover, the workers have to wear impermeable protective clothing because of the asbestos exposure risk. The purpose of this survey is to study the workload of asbestos abatement work by measuring physiological reactions. Physiological strains of 12 male workers and working conditions during asbestos abatements work in two schools were measured in August in 1988 and in 1989. Body weight loss by the work of all workers was measured, and heart rate, rectal temperature and skin temperatures at five sites of some of them were measured every minute. In both workplaces, the workers wore disposable coveralls with hoods and shoes covers and protective masks. Air temperature in the workplaces was between 24.6 degrees C and 28.8 degrees C, and air humidity was between 85% and 96%. The high humidity was result of covering the floor, ceiling and wall of the workplaces were covered with vinyl seats, and sprinkling the asbestos fibers with water to lower the amount of asbestos in the air. Working hours of asbestos abatement were between 46 minutes and 95 minutes. Sweat rates were between 217 g/h and 605 g/h. These values were greater compared to the estimate values when work was done wearing commonly used light clothing. Heart rates during asbestos abatement work did not exceed 150 beats/min in one school where the temperature was 25 degrees C-27 degrees C.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Intravital-microscopic observations on the intravascular behavior of blood cell components during dietary-induced hyperlipidemia in the male rabbit.

In normal male rabbits loaded dietary cholesterol, intravital-microscopy revealed a marked acceleration of intravascular adhesiveness of white blood cells and aggregability of red blood cells and a swarming of lipid-laden macrophages in connective tissue space concurrently with a systemic hyperlipidemia and anemia. Possible roles of the microcirculatory changes in the atherogenesis were discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

The effects of different vertical air temperatures on mental performance.

Mental performance (one-digit-addition test) under conditions of different vertical air temperatures (upper body vs. lower body) was studied in relation to psychological and physiological responses. Six healthy male subjects wearing light clothing were exposed to different vertical air temperatures for 105 min. The lower part of the body was exposed to an air temperature of 30 degrees C in all cases; the upper part of the body was exposed to temperatures of 15 degrees C, 20 degrees C, 30 degrees C and 35 degrees C. The performance in the one-digit-addition test decreased with increased upper air temperature, and upper air temperatures higher or lower than 25 degrees C resulted in increased discomfort. There was little difference between performance at the onset (5 min after exposure) and conclusion (90 min after exposure) at 15 degrees C and 20 degrees C upper air temperatures (UAT). The performance at 90 min, however, declined in comparison with the original value at 25 degrees C, 30 degrees C and 35 degrees C UAT. Mildly uncomfortable ambient conditions where upper air temperatures were cool and lower air temperatures were warm improved performance; however, at 35 degrees C, UAT performances worsened as the subjects felt uncomfortably hot.

Adult↗