Japanese Male Adults Research Articles

Dental caries experience, rather than toothbrushing, influences the incidence of dental caries in young Japanese adults.

To elucidate the association between the incidence of dental caries and toothbrushing frequency after adjusting for dental caries experience at baseline in a Japanese population. The 92 recruits of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force in Kure, Japan, in 2011 were followed up for 3 years. They underwent oral examination at the annual checkups and answered questions about toothbrushing frequency. The multiple logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the incidence of dental caries and to identify independent effects of toothbrushing frequency and dental caries experience at baseline. Furthermore, the relative importance of the incidence of dental caries was investigated among other independent variables using the partial adjusted R² score. Logistic regression analysis showed that toothbrushing frequency alone did not influence the increment in decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT). However, DMFT at baseline alone was associated with the increment in DMFT (crude odds ratio, OR, 1.20, 95% confidence interval, CI, 1.08,1.33). In the fully adjusted model, only DMFT at baseline was associated with the increment in DMFT (adjusted OR 1.23, 95%CI 1.09,1.38). After three years, the incidence of dental caries in young adult Japanese males was influenced by DMFT at baseline, rather than toothbrushing frequency.

SAR Variation Due to Exposure From a Smartphone Held at Various Positions Near the Torso

Along with the spread of novel types of mobile phones such as smartphones, there has been increasing public interest in the health hazards associated with exposure to electromagnetic waves from these devices. Therefore, we estimated the specific absorption rate (SAR) of electromagnetic radiation by numerical simulation using a realistic computational smartphone model with an antenna for a third generation communication (3G) system (operating frequencies: 900 MHz and 2 GHz) and computational human models with the anatomical structures of Japanese male and female adults. We also assessed the relative variability of SAR based on holding a smartphone at various positions for data communications. The 10-g-averaged SAR (SAR 10g ) when the smartphone was operating at 2 GHz was generally higher than that at 900 MHz independent of the placement of the smartphone. Moreover, we found that SAR 10g had a tendency to increase when the smartphone was placed vertically in relation to the torso. In addition, it is possible that SAR 10g variability depends mainly not on placement height but on tilt angle.

Maximum bite force at age 70 years predicts all-cause mortality during the following 13 years in Japanese men.

There is limited information on the impact of oral function on mortality among older adults. The aim of this prospective cohort study was to examine whether an objective measure of oral function, maximum bite force (MBF), is associated with mortality in older adults during a 13-year follow-up period. Five hundred and fifty-nine community-dwelling Japanese (282 men and 277 women) aged 70 years at baseline were included in the study. Medical and dental examinations and a questionnaire survey were conducted at baseline. Maximum bite force was measured using an electronic recording device (Occlusal Force-Meter GM10). Follow-up investigation to ascertain vital status was conducted 13 years after baseline examinations. Survival rates among MBF tertiles were compared using Cox proportional hazards regression models stratified by sex. There were a total of 111 deaths (82 events for men and 29 for women). Univariable analysis revealed that male participants in the lower MBF tertile had increased risk of all-cause mortality [hazard ratio (HR) = 1·94, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1·13-3·34] compared with those in the upper MBF tertile. This association remained significant after adjustment for confounders (adjusted HR = 1·84, 95% CI = 1·07-3·19). Conversely, no association between MBF and all-cause mortality was observed in female participants. Maximum bite force was independently associated with all-cause mortality in older Japanese male adults. These data provide additional evidence for the association between oral function and geriatric health.

Storage capacity of subcutaneous fat in Japanese adults.

On the basis of our previous study, which examined the nonlinear relationship between visceral fat area (VFA) and percent regional fat mass in the trunk, we hypothesise the presence of some storage capacity of subcutaneous fat. This study aimed to examine the storage capacity of subcutaneous fat on the basis of subcutaneous fat area (SFA) and VFA in 791 Japanese adult males and 563 females. Regression analyses by using SFA as a dependent variable and VFA as an independent variable were performed for each group classified by visceral fat obesity (VO): VO (VFA ⩾ 100 cm(2)) and the no-VO (NVO) groups. To statistically identify an optimal critical point for subcutaneous fat accumulation, we changed the cutoff point for the VO group from 50-150 cm(2) in 10-cm(2) increments and confirmed the significance of the correlation between SFA and VFA for each obesity group, the statistical difference in correlations between NVO and VO groups, and the goodness of fit for the two regression lines using the standard error of estimation values. These analyses were conducted for each sex and age (<65 and ⩾ 65 years) group. The critical point for subcutaneous fat accumulation appears at the following cutoff points of VFA: 130 cm(2) in <65-year-old males, 110 cm(2) in ⩾ 65-year-old males and 100 cm(2) in both female groups. These results suggest the presence of some storage capacity of subcutaneous fat. As a further application, these findings may serve to improve the risk assessment of obesity-related diseases.

Morphological differences of facial soft tissue contours from child to adult of Japanese males: A three-dimensional cross-sectional study

ObjectiveTo evaluate morphological differences of the facial soft tissue surface between male Japanese adults and children. Design20 adult Japanese males (average age 28 years) and 20 Japanese boys (average age 5.5 years) with normal occlusion were selected for this study. The images of the subjects’ facial surface were obtained with a 3-D laser scanner. To evaluate the three-dimensional morphological differences of the facial soft tissue, we transformed the coordinates of 16 facial landmarks to a new reference plane and compared the adults’ and children's facial form drawn to the same scale in the same coordinate system. ResultsThe morphological difference ratio of the lower facial area was higher than in the upper facial area, and the nose and lower face changed more forward than downward. The morphological difference ratio of the mid face width was smaller than other areas. ConclusionOur study suggests that the morphological facial soft tissue differences between Japanese adults and children are more forward and downward than laterally, manifesting in a facial form of adults that is deeper and narrow.

Relationship Between Urinary Concentrations of Nine Water-soluble Vitamins and their Vitamin Intakes in Japanese Adult Males.

Excess water-soluble vitamins are thought to be eliminated in the urine. We have reported a strong relationship between water-soluble vitamin intake and urinary excretion in females. The relationship, however, is not well understood in males. In the present experiment, 10 Japanese male subjects were given a standard Japanese diet for the first week. The subjects remained on the same diet, and a synthesized water-soluble vitamin mixture containing one time the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for Japanese was given for the second week, three times the DRIs for the third week, and six times the DRIs for the fourth week. Twenty-four-hour urine samples were collected each week. Urinary excretion levels for seven of the nine water-soluble vitamin levels, excluding vitamin B12 and folate, increased linearly and sharply in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that measuring urinary water-soluble vitamins can be good nutritional markers for assessing vitamin intakes in humans.

Identification and comparison of insulin pharmacokinetics injected with a new 4-mm needle vs 6- and 8-mm needles accounting for endogenous insulin and C-peptide secretion kinetics in non-diabetic adult males.

Many patients with diabetes now use 5-, 6- or 8-mm needles for insulin injection. However, it is unclear whether needle length, particularly for shorter needles, affects the pharmacokinetic properties of insulin. This was a three-way, randomized, cross-over, single-center study involving 12 healthy Japanese adult males (age 27.4±4.14years; weight 64.2±5.2kg; body fat percentage 18.2±1.5%). Participants received a subcutaneous (abdomen) dose of insulin lispro (1.5U for participants weighing 55 to <65.0kg; 2.0U for participants weighing 65.0 to <80.0kg) delivered using a 32-G×4mm (32G×4), 31-G×8mm (31G×8) or 32-G×6mm (32G×6) needle with a 3-7-day washout between doses. Pharmacokinetic parameters of exogenous insulin were identified using non-linear least squares, where the total insulin concentration was fit to the measured plasma insulin concentration using an overall combined model that accounted for C-peptide/insulin secretion in addition to the injected dose. Maximum concentration and area under the curve for 0 to infinity min for insulin were bioequivalent for the 32G×4 needle relative to the 32G×6 and the 31G×8 needles. The time to the maximum insulin concentration was bioequivalent for the 32G×4 needle relative to the 32G×6 needle, but not the 31G×8 needle. The use of 4-mm needles is unlikely to change the pharmacokinetic properties of insulin when injected subcutaneously in adults. This trial was registered with UMIN-CTR (no. UMIN000004469).

Beta-3-adrenergic receptor Trp64Arg polymorphism: does it modulate the relationship between exercise and percentage of body fat in young adult Japanese males?

The Trp64Arg polymorphism of the beta-3-adrenergic receptor gene has been studied as a potential genetic factor contributing to the development of obesity. Several studies have investigated whether or not this polymorphism affects weight reduction due to exercise, but the results of these studies have not been consistent. Moreover, information on a population characterized by a wide ranges of physical activities is scarce. Thus, to further understand the impact of this polymorphism, we examined whether the polymorphism modulates the relationship between physical activity due to exercise (PAE) and percentage of body fat (%BF). The study population was 70 Japanese male young adults with a high prevalence of habitual exercise. PAE was estimated by a questionnaire, and %BF was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Genotyping was done by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. The median PAE value of the subjects was 6.9 MET-h/day with an interquartile range of 1.5-10.3 MET-h/day. PAE correlated significantly with %BF in the entire population and within the two subpopulations, namely, carriers or non-carriers of the Arg allele. Multiple regression analysis of PAE, Trp64Arg polymorphism, and the interaction term revealed that while the PAE-derived independent variable was statistically significant, the interaction term was insignificant. When the two regression lines of subjects with and without the Arg allele were considered, the difference between the two slopes did not deviate from zero, nor did the vertical distance of the two regression lines. These findings suggest that the impact of this polymorphism is limited. In our study population of young adult Japanese males, the impact of the Trp64Arg polymorphism on the association between exercise and body composition was weak, if it existed at all.

Residual Dental Number is Associated with Helicobacter pylori Infection in Japanese Healthy Male Adults

Purpose: The association between H. pylori infection and residual dental number has been examined in some Western populations. Gastric acid reflux has also been associated with dental erosions. In Japan, prevalence of H. pylori infection is higher among developed countries and severe atrophic gastritis is often seen in Japanese patients with H. pylori infection. In such patients, gastric acid secretion is reduced and it would be associated with reduced acid reflux. We examined whether H. pylori infection is associated with residual dental number in healthy adult subjects. Methods: 959 healthy adults (362 males and 597 females, 20 - 82 years old) who attended mass survey Iwaki Health Promotion Project in 2005 were enrolled into the study. We counted residual dental number and measured both H. pylori stool antigen and serum anti-H. pylori IgG antibodies. H. pylori status was defined as positive or negative when the results of both tests were concordant. Subjects were excluded if the results of two tests were discordant. Subjects taking PPI were also excluded. We analyzed using logistic regression models, adjusting for confounding factors, such as age, BMI, smoking, alcohol, and educational background. Results:H. pylori infection was positive in 53.1% of the subjects. In male subjects, residual dental number was significantly associated with H. pylori infection adjusted by age (OR 2.46, 95% CI: 1.07-5.66, p<0.05). Significant association was also found between H. pylori infection and remaining more than 20 teeth even after adjusting age, BMI, smoking, alcohol, and educational background (OR 2.75, 95% CI: 1.07-7.08, p<0.05). In contrast, no significant association was observed in female subjects. Conclusion:H. pylori infection would be associated with the decrease in tooth loss in male adults in a Japanese population which has a high incidence of atrophic gastritis. Disclosure: Dr. Shimoyama - a Grant-in-Aid from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan (23659342). Dr. Nakaji - a Grantin-Aid from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan (18200044-00).

都市部救急隊員の疲労と唾液アミラーゼ活性値

This study examined job fatigue and stress reactions in 75 male Japanese ambulance team members of the X City Fire Bureau, using the job fatigue questionnaire of “Jikaku-sho shirabe”. Results showed that perceptions of both drowsiness and eyestrain were significantly higher at the end of 24-shift than at the start in members who were dispatched more than 7 times (both p<0.01), and that the longer the hours of both emergency dispatch duty and dispatch-related duty, the higher the significant scores of both drowsiness and eyestrain. Using salivary amylase activity (sAMY) as a stress reaction, results showed that the mean values of sAMY of ambulance team members were higher than those of Japanese male young adults, suggesting that Japanese ambulance team members had high levels of job stress.We predicted that sAMY values at the end of 24-shift would show an increase compared to those at the start, indicating the influence of workload. However, our results were contrary to this prediction. We also observed no correlation between variation in sAMY and work conditions, or between variation in sAMY and variation in levels of job fatigue.In order to assess the health of urban ambulance team members using sAMY, measurements must be made before the end of duty shifts, while members' workload and stress are still ongoing.

Repeated-Dose Pharmacokinetics of Inhaled Ciclesonide (CIC-HFA) in Japanese Children with Bronchial Asthma: A Phase I Study

Ciclesonide (CIC) is a highly safe, inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) that is converted into a pharmacologically active metabolite (des-isobutyryl-ciclesonide); this metabolite, in turn, exerts a local anti-inflammatory effect on lung tissue. The present study was undertaken to analyze the pharmacokinetics of des-isobutyryl-ciclesonide in the serum of Japanese children with bronchial asthma treated by repeated doses of CIC and to compare the data thus obtained with those obtained for Caucasian children with bronchial asthma. Eight Japanese children with bronchial asthma were treated for 7 days with CIC-hydrofluoroalkalane (CIC-HFA) 200 μg/day administered by a metered-dose inhaler. The study was designed to assess the pharmacokinetics after 7-day repeated administration by which the steady state can be achieved, based on the results of an earlier study involving healthy Japanese adult males who received 7-day repeated administration of CIC-HFA. Blood was sampled at multiple time points on Day 7 of treatment for measurement of the serum des-isobutyryl-ciclesonide level. The pharmacokinetic parameters (AUC from time zero to last observed concentration [AUC(t)], AUC over the dosage interval τ at steady state [AUC(ss)], maximum concentration [C(max)], and terminal elimination half-life [T(1/2)]) and the temporal changes in the serum levels of des-isobutyryl-ciclesonide after repeated administration of CIC-HFA (200 μg/day) in Japanese children with bronchial asthma differed only slightly from those in Caucasian children with bronchial asthma. No serious adverse events were noted during the study period. Additionally, no abnormalities were detected in the serum cortisol level, other laboratory parameters, or vital signs. Our results suggest that there is little difference in the pharmacokinetics of des-isobutyryl-ciclesonide up on repeated administration of CIC-HFA between Japanese and Caucasian children with bronchial asthma. And our study suggests that CIC-HFA (200 μg/day, once daily) can be administered safely for 7 days, without raising any safety concerns.

Three-Dimensional Analyses of Nasal Forms After Secondary Treatment of Bilateral Cleft Lip–Nose Deformity in Comparison to Those of Healthy Young Adults

To 3-dimensionally analyze outcomes after the secondary treatment of bilateral cleft lip-nose deformity at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kagoshima University Hospital, Kagoshima, Japan. Ten Japanese male young adults with bilateral cleft lip with or without palate (BCL±P) who had undergone definitive nose correction and were followed up for 1 to 4 years were enrolled in this study. Ten unaffected race- and gender-matched young adults were used as controls. All patients underwent secondary correction of the nose by open rhinoplasty through a bilateral reverse-U incision, columellar strut graft, and medial-upward advancement of the nasolabial components with vestibular expansion by use of a free mucosal graft. In 3 patients with an extremely short columella, an inferiorly based small pedicle flap from rim skin rotated into the columellar base was added for columella lengthening. Nasal forms were periodically measured by use of a 3-dimensional noncontact laser scanner. The angular and linear measurements and the curvature of the alar groove arch were compared between patients and control subjects. Comparison of the preoperative and postoperative nasal forms showed significant improvements in the nasal dorsum and tip angles, as well as nasal height. The size of the nasal alar grooves was also increased to the same size range as the control subjects. There were persistent differences between postoperative columellar angle and nasal width in patients and those in the control subjects. Our surgical procedures can provide an acceptably protruded nasal form for patients with BCL±P without damaging the upper lip tissue, but further improvement to prevent nasal tip overprojection may be useful.

Influence of awareness of the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top on eating behavior and obesity.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the influence of awareness of the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top on eating behavior and obesity in Japan. Participants were 1,558 Japanese male and female adults (40.2±12.2 years) who had been registered with a social research company. The cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted via the Internet in November 2007. Potential respondents were invited to complete the survey via e-mail, which contained a link to the survey Uniform Resource Locator (URL). The measures were awareness of the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top, eating knowledge scores, eating attitude scores, and eating behaviors scores, according to the recommendations of the Health Japan 21 and the Food Balance Guide Spinning Top. Obesity was assessed by self-reported body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference. The relationships between awareness of the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top, eating knowledge scores, eating attitude scores, eating behavior scores, and obesity were analyzed using path analysis. Path analysis revealed that awareness of the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top was associated with BMI and waist circumference via eating behavior scores. In addition, eating knowledge scores and eating attitude scores were mediators of the association between awareness of the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top and eating behavior scores. These results suggest that promotion of the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top would be a useful strategy to encourage healthy eating and prevent obesity in the Japanese population.

Aerobic and anaerobic threshold of Japanese male adults.

Aerobic threshold (AerT) and anaerobic threshold (AnT) were determined in 20 non-athletes (physical education majors) and 10 athletes (varsity athletes), aged 20.8-31.5 years, during incremental exercise on the cycle ergometer; workloads were increased by 0.25 Kp every 3 minutes at 50 rpm. AerT was determined using selected respiratory gas exchange parameters, i.e., non-linear increase in VE and VCO2, and peak VO2 . VE-1. AnT was estimated from break-away VE and the onset of decrease in FECO2. The reliability of the testing procedure was studied separately on 24 physical education majors. VO2 max was measured during another incremental exercise on the cycle ergometer. The mean values of VO2 max for non-athletes and athletes were 3.17 l/min (48.1 ml/kg . min) and 3.64 l/min (54.7 ml/kg . min), respectively. The test-retest correlation coefficients were 0.961 for VO2-AerT and 0.786 for VO2-AnT. The mean values of VO2-AerT and %AerT were 1.62 l/min and 51.0% for non-athletes, and 2.23 l/min and 61.9% for athletes. The mean values of VO2-AnT and %AnT were 2.09 l/min and 66.3% for non-athletes, 2.49 l/min and 69.2% for athletes.

Safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of 4-hour intravenous infusion of eritoran tetrasodium in healthy Japanese and Caucasian males

Activation of TLR4 signaling by endotoxin is believed to be a primary mediator of sepsis and septic shock, via excessive production of cytokines and proinflammatory mediators [1]. Eritoran tetrasodium (hereafter eritoran), a synthetic analog of the endotoxin constituent lipid A, binds to the TLR4/MD-2 complex and thereby blocks the interaction of endotoxin with TLR4 [2]. Eritoran is being investigated for the treatment of severe sepsis [3]. We report results of a study conducted to assess the single-dose safety and tolerability, as well as pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, of eritoran infusion in Japanese and Caucasian healthy adult males.

Effect of forest bathing on physiological and psychological responses in young Japanese male subjects

To provide scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of forest bathing as a natural therapy by investigating its physiological benefits using biological indicators in outdoor settings. Within-group comparisons were used to examine psychological and physiological responses to exposure to real forest and urban environments. Young Japanese male adults participated in a 3-day, 2-night field experiment. Physiological responses as well as self-reported psychological responses to forest and urban environmental stimuli were measured in real settings. The results of each indicator were compared against each environmental stimulus. Heart rate variability analysis indicated that the forest environment significantly increased parasympathetic nervous activity and significantly suppressed sympathetic activity of participants compared with the urban environment. Salivary cortisol level and pulse rate decreased markedly in the forest setting compared with the urban setting. In psychological tests, forest bathing significantly increased scores of positive feelings and significantly decreased scores of negative feelings after stimuli compared with the urban stimuli. Physiological data from this field experiment provide important scientific evidence on the health benefits of forest bathing. The results support the concept that forest bathing has positive effects on physical and mental health, indicating that it can be effective for health promotion. Despite the small sample size in this study, a very clear tendency towards positive physiological and psychological outcomes in forests was observed.

Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Eltrombopag in Healthy Japanese Males

The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of eltrombopag, a thrombopoietin receptor agonist developed for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, were investigated in healthy Japanese adult males after single and repeat doses of eltrombopag in two clinical studies. In the first study, subjects received a single oral dose of eltrombopag tablets at 30, 50, 75 and 100mg and placebo in the fasted state. In the second study, each subject received single and once daily for 10 days repeat doses of eltrombopag (25, 50 or 75mg) or placebo tablets. Plasma eltrombopag concentrations and platelet counts were measured in both studies. AUC and Cmax were proportional to dose within the range of 30-100mg. The AUC0-24 values after repeat doses of eltrombopag 25, 50 and 75mg were 56, 130 and 161μg·hr/mL, respectively, increasing nearly proportionally to the dose increase. The plasma concentration reached steady state in approximately 7 days after starting the repeat dose, and the change in pharmacokinetics caused by repeat dose was small. The AUC values obtained after single and repeat dose in Japanese subjects were nearly two-fold higher than those previously reported in non-Japanese subjects (predominantly white).No significant changes in platelet count were observed after single oral doses up to 100mg of eltrombopag. When 25, 50 and 75mg were administered once daily for 10 days, the maximum increase in platelet count from the baseline was 54%, 72% and 90%, respectively, showing a dose-dependent increase. These increases were higher as compared with the previously reported increases in platelet count observed after 30, 50 and 75mg were administered once daily for 10 days to non-Japanese healthy adults. The increase in platelet count from baseline became higher with increasing AUC in Japanese healthy adults. These results suggest that the difference in platelet count increase between Japanese and non-Japanese is probably associated with the observed inter-ethnic difference in AUC. Eltrombopag might be used at a lower dosage in Japanese than in non-Japanese to attain similar degrees of platelet count increase.

Effects of Occlusal Contact and Its Area on Gravity Fluctuation

To examine changes in gravity fluctuation caused by experimentally altering the area of occlusal contact. Subjects consisted of 15 adult Japanese males with normal stomatognathic function, no missing teeth except for the third molars, and equivalent occlusal contact in the anterior and bilateral posterior regions. Silicon biteplates fabricated for each subject to evaluate gravity fluctuation in relation to changes in occlusal contact area were as follows: RP(-)-OC(+) (entire occlusal surface covered in centric occlusion); RP(+)-OC(+) (entire occlusal surface covered with bite slightly raised); Ant or Pos/RP(+)-OC(+) (anterior or posterior region selectively covered); and RP(+)-OC(-) (only retromolar pads covered, no occlusal coverage). No significant differences in gravity fluctuation were noted between subjects wearing biteplates covering the entire occlusal surface. Subjects wearing biteplates with no occlusal contact showed greater gravity fluctuation than those with occlusal contact. In addition, gravity fluctuation for the Ant/RP(+)-OC(+) group (no occlusal contact in the posterior region) was greater than for RP(+)-OC(+) and Pos/RP(+)-OC(+). However, groups with unilateral occlusal contact in the posterior region exhibited large right and left sway amplitude. These results suggest that occlusal contact, especially posterior occlusal contact, affects gravity fluctuation, and that appropriate occlusion attained by maintaining even occlusal contact in the posterior region is crucial for gravity fluctuation.

Endocrine and safety assessment pre‐ and post‐ingestion of Natural S‐equol for 12 weeks in healthy Japanese adult males

S‐equol is an intestinal bacterial metabolite of daidzein. S‐equol is produced by 50% of Japanese but only 30% of North Americans and Western Europeans. SE5‐OH is an S‐equol containing ingredient made via fermentation of soy germ by Lactococcus garvieae 20–92. Serum hormone measures were conducted in equol and non‐equol producing adult Japanese men given a daily supplement of SE5‐OH containing Natural S‐equol. In this randomized, double blind placebo controlled parallel study 46 males ages 22–64 yr on a regular diet were divided into 3 groups and given either a placebo, S‐equol 10 mg/d or S‐equol 30 mg/d for 12 weeks followed by a 4 week period without the supplement. Measures of serum total and free testosterone, estradiol, TSH, free T3, free T4 and PSA were assessed at weeks 0, 4, 8, 12 and 16. All serum hormone measures and PSA were within normal limits, and the treated groups did not differ significantly from placebo or each other. In the 30 mg group, a non‐significant trend for an increase in serum total testosterone was noted: 6.2±1.6 ng/mL at week 12 versus 5.49 ng/mL at week 0. No adverse events were observed. The data showed that SE5‐OH with Natural S‐equol given at doses of 10 mg and 30 mg for 12 weeks would be safe for endocrine function in Japanese adult males. There is potential for assessment for use of SE5‐OH for benefits for prostate health. Support for this study was provided by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd.

Morphological Classification of the Ear Components and the Correlation between Morphological Characteristics in Each Component

Facial image identification has become important in forensic science because surveillance cameras are popularly used as silent witnesses at potential crime scenes. In general, three methods are used for facial image identification: morphological comparison of facial features, facial image anthropometry and face-to-face superimposition. The most commonly employed method in actual casework is morphological comparison based on the morphological classification of facial components such as facial types, eyebrows, eyes, nose, lips and ears. However, classification for ear morphology has not been developed, except for the ear lobe. The human ear has various anatomical parts, including the helix, antihelix, tragus, antitragus, scaphoid fossa, and ear lobe. The present study was designed to develop a new classification system for the ear. Ear images obtained from 164 Japanese adult males (n=94, age range: 24-60) and females (n=70, age range: 20-54) were used for establishing the morphological classification. In general, the features of the ear are very easily influenced by camera angle, which usually make it difficult to compare facial images taken with surveillance cameras to mug shots in actual casework. In our previous study, however, it was suggested that some components of the ear are little affected by camera angles if the scaphoid fossa could be found on the image even though the external acoustic meatus could not be found. Therefore, the morphological characteristics of some components such as the antihelix, tragus, antitragus, scaphoid fossa, and ear lobe were observed in the ear images from all persons, and morphological classification items for those components were established. All data classified according to these items were analyzed to obtain their frequency distribution in each component and to clarify the correlation between morphological characteristics. The results revealed that some morphological characteristics in each component were significantly correlated. The present classification system for ear morphology would be useful for facial image identification.