BackgroundNoncommunicable disease (NCD) has become the leading cause of mortality and disease burden worldwide.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was carried out to investigate the prevalence of NCDs and risk factor control on dietary behaviors and dietary intake in China, Japan, and Korea.ResultsThere were significant differences among the three countries on the prevalence of hypertension (24.5% in China, 17.6% in Korea, and 15.2% in Japan), diabetes (8.9% in China, 5.7% in Korea, and 4.8% in Japan), hyperlipidemia (13.1% in China, 9.2% in Korea, and 6.9% in Japan), and angina pectoris (3.6% in China, 1.7% in Korea, and 1.5% in Japan). The prevalence rate of hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and angina pectoris was highest in China and lowest in Japan. However, 82.2%, 48.4%, and 64.4% of Chinese, Koreans, and Japanese presented good dietary behavior, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis found that sex, age, and marital status were predictors of good dietary behavior. In addition, in comparison with subjects without hypertension, diabetes, or hyperlipidemia, subjects with hypertension, diabetes, or hyperlipidemia significantly improved their dietary behaviors and controlled their intake of salt, sugar, and oil.ConclusionsThe prevalence of NCDs and trends in major modifiable risk factor control in China, Korea, and Japan remain troubling. Public efforts to introduce healthy lifestyle changes and systematic NCDs prevention programs are necessary to reduce the epidemic of NCDs in these three Asian countries.

Long-term repetitive movements, such as opening and closing scissors, increase strain on muscles and joints. Amplitude probability distribution function (APDF) analysis of surface electromyogram (sEMG) data was used to quantify the burden of muscle activity. We aimed to test the hypothesis that scissors with a power-support device assist repetitive thumb movements to reduce potential myoelectric activity. Twenty female university students who met the eligibility criteria performed a cutting experiment, with and without power-support device scissors. The primary outcome was a change in muscle load due to sEMG data that were analyzed using APDF, and the secondary outcomes investigated the occurrence of muscle fatigue and pain. The adductor pollicis muscle showed a significant decrease in muscle activity with power assistance. In addition, it was also found that fatigue and pain of the thumb and on the radial side of the forearm were significantly lower under the power-assisted conditions. The results of this study suggest that the assistive action of scissors with a power-support device compensate for muscle load on the thenar eminence. This may be used as a reference value to prevent the occurrence of hand disorders for hairdressers.

Introduction Body-powered split hook training that makes the user focus on somatic sensations may help to improve prosthetic hook operation capacity of individuals with amputation. We have devised the fundamental training for the body-powered split hook (FTBSH) tool, which uses somatic sensations and comprises activities across the domains of time (five items), accuracy (two items), and dexterity (two items), in training for tasks such as opening/closing of body-powered split hook and manipulating objects. We have also devised a tool for assessing the outcomes of this training (FTBSH test). Materials and Methods The subjects were 5 men who had undergone below-the-elbow amputations. These subjects underwent skills training for 6 weeks using FTBSH, and subsequently another round of training for 6 weeks using time- and dexterity-related training items. Results Verification of the reproducibility of the FTBSH test revealed significantly high consistency and low error for time- and dexterity-related items. However, accuracy-related items did not demonstrate significant consistency. We administered FTBSH for 6 weeks using time- and dexterity-related items. An examination of the sensitivity to clinical change revealed significant changes in time-related items. Conclusions These results suggest that time-related items in the FTBSH test are highly reproducible and sensitive to clinical change. Although further studies on the FTBSH are required, the FTBSH shows promise as an effective tool for clinical practice to bring about improvements in operational capacity for individuals with amputation with a prosthetic body-powered split hook.