Gender Differences in Coffee Consumption and Its Effects in Young People

This study aimed to examine gender differences in coffee consumption and awareness of its effects in young people. To examine the above problem, a survey was conducted in 1189 young people (567 males aged 19.3 ± 1.5 years;622 females aged 19.1 ± 1.2 years). The coffee consumption rate was significantly higher in males (50.8%) than in females (32.8%). In the coffee consumption group, no significant differences were found in the reasons for consumption, the components of coffee, and its effects on health. In the coffee nonconsumption group, significant gender differences were noted in the reasons for avoiding coffee;females (64.8%) disliked its taste more than males (39.4%). More young people of both genders in the consumption group were aware that coffee contains caffeine (79.9% - 86.5%) as compared with the nonconsumption group (67.0% - 74.2%). However, few people in both groups were aware about the components other than caffeine. In addition, more people in the nonconsumption group were unaware of the adverse effects of coffee on the body. The results of this study demonstrated that young males drink coffee more than young females. Among those who avoided coffee consumption, females disliked its taste more than males. Many people regardless of coffee consumption were aware about the components of coffee, but few knew about the other ingredients in this beverage. In addition, few people were aware of the negative effects of coffee on the health and body.

Age-related fall risk characteristics in Japanese community-dwelling elderly

This study aimed to determine age-related fall risk characteristics among 2324 Japanese community-dwelling elderly through comparisons between young-old and old-old populations. Fall risk characteristics associated with “physical function”, “disease and physical symptom”, “behavior and character”, and “environment” were evaluated, and whether each individual has a high-risk symptom for each risk factor was assessed. The frequencies of individuals for all 16 risk types, which were determined by a combination of the four risk factors, were calculated. The prevalence of each risk type and the incidence of falling in each risk type were calculated within the young-old and old-old groups, and significant differences between these percentages were examined using the chi-square test. The prevalence of the no high-risk symptom group was significantly lower in the old-old group (17.0%) than in the young-old group (45.2%). Although there was no significant difference in the prevalence of the single high-risk symptom group, the prevalence of the two or more high-risk symptom groups was significantly higher in the old-old group. The incidence of fall among the elderly with high-risk symptoms did not change with age, although the incidence of fall with no high-risk symptom increased in the old-old group. Furthermore, high prevalence was observed in risk types with high-risk symptoms for “physical function” and “behavior and character”, particularly in the symptoms of gait, going up and down stairs, and fear of falling. These age-related differences are interesting and meaningful.

Arterial pulsation on a human patient simulator improved students’ pulse assessment

Even with basic cardiovascular lectures, undergraduates do not usually experience the reality of palpation and, therefore, cannot integrate their physiological knowledge. We created a pulse training scenario of human patient simulators (HPS) to recognize and assess the normal and arrhythmic pulse of the radial artery. All 25 participants were recruited as volunteers to the study from the School of Allied Health Sciences, Kitasato University. Participants received training in radial palpation of arrhythmias on HPS. The test scenario included 10 arrhythmic pulses combined with normal pulses and weak pulses. The average examination scores significantly improved, from 23.8 ± 2.8 of the pretest to 72.9 ± 3.4 of the posttest (mean and SE, N = 25, p < 0.00001). A questionnaire and general written comments for the palpation training were positive. The palpation training improved the participants’ assessment of radial pulses.

COVID-19 mortality and gross domestic product loss:A wake-up call for government leaders

Government leaders have struggled to reduce the infection and deaths due to coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)as well as to keep the economy and businesses open.There is a large variation of mortality and damage to economy among countries.One possible cause leading to the large variation is the manner in which countries have delt with COVID-19.Some countries or regions such as China,New Zealand,and Taiwan,acted quickly and aggressively by implementing border closures,lockdown,school closures,mass testing,etc.On the other hand,many European countries,United States,and Brazil delayed their decisions to implement these restrictions and measures.No study has assessed the correlation between gross domestic product(GDP)and COVID-19 mortality.In the present study,there was a negative correlation between GDP and COVID-19 mortality suggesting that countries that failed to control the virus(larger COVID-19 mortality)would see a larger decline in GDP.Governmental leaders should act fast and aggressively when making decisions because data shows that countries who have run after two hares have caught neither.Furthermore,citizens of each country need to do their own part by following guidelines and practicing social distancing and mask wearing,which are considered the most effective,easiest,and cheapest measures that can be taken,so that repeated lockdowns can be avoided.