Noriko Yoshimura

We found that the three indices independently predicted immobility and that accumulation of indices increased the risk of immobility exponentially.

Two molecular species of calpain (Ca2+-dependent cysteine proteinases) were concurrently purified from rat kidney, both to homogeneity. Calpain I and calpain II having low and high Ca2+ requirements, respectively, were clearly separated on DEAE-cellulose chromatography at pH 7.5, and thereafter they were purified by separate but almost identical procedures which included (NH4)2SO4 fractionation and successive chromatographies on TSK-Gel G 3000 SWG, blue Sepharose CL-6B, and DEAE-Bio-Gel A. The p

We conclude that there are marked differences in pelvic morphometry between Britain and Japan. The acetabular dimensions of Japanese subjects are considerably shallower than those of their British counterparts of similar age and sex. Nevertheless, hip OA is more frequent in Britain than in Japan. Further studies are required on the risk factors for hip OA in Oriental populations, in order that the aetiology of this disorder can be better understood.

The accumulation of MS components is significantly related to presence of KOA. MS prevention may be useful to reduce cardiovascular disease and KOA risk.

Although locomotive organ disorders are major causes of disability and require support, little information is available regarding their epidemiology. Prevalence and co-existence of locomotive organ disorders including knee osteoarthritis (KOA), lumbar spondylosis (LS), hip osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis have been determined from baseline results of the Research on Osteoarthritis/Osteoporosis Against Disability (ROAD) study. KOA, LS, and hip osteoarthritis overlap in the population, while KOA a

Heavy weight in the past appears to represent a risk factor for knee OA among women in Japan, as reported in Britain. Constitutional factors may represent important determinants for knee OA, regardless of race. Previous injury to the knee and occupational factors are also associated with knee OA in both Britain and Japan, although characteristic activities for work vary.

Our findings support the hypothesis that occupational physical activity, particularly the lifting of very heavy loads in the workplace at regular intervals, predisposes to hip OA in both Britain and Japan. The lack of association between obesity or hand involvement and hip OA in Japan suggests that the contribution of constitutional and mechanical risk factors to this disorder might differ in different populations. However, attention to manual handling in the workplace would appear an important