The Ibaraki Prefectural University of Health Sciences has introduced an integrated education management system to improve the quality of education. The management system was implemented by the Academic Affairs Committee and is run by the newly-created Kyouiku Suishin Shitsu (Educational Development Services). The management system evaluated past curricula and coordinated the introduction of new courses and integrated curricula designed to stimulate selflearning by students. The management system also integrated the student evaluation system and simultaneously coordinated faculty development workshops for all university staff to improve teaching skills. Several questionnaires showed that the new curricula met students' learning needs and provided a more objective evaluation system. The integrated education management system functions as a positive component in the improvement of the education system for students of allied health professions.

Objectives: This study was performed to determine the effects of decreasing ambient temperature on peripheral blood flow and body temperature of males and females in a thermal neutral zone for references to the thermal standard of office workers. Methods: Peripheral blood flows of the hand and feet, and body temperatures and so on of male and female subjects were measured in a climatic chamber. Air temperature was maintained at 28.5°C at the beginning. After this, air temperature was decreased linearly to 21.0°C over a period of 60 minutes. Finally, air temperature was maintained at 21.0°C. Results: Blood flows and skin temperatures of male and female subjects became similar or showed no significant difference at beginning and the end of the experiment. Skin blood flow of the hand and skin temperatures of the hand and fingers decreased, and these values in females were lower than in males, when air temperature was decreased linearly in a thermal neutral zone. However, there were no remarkable differences between males and females in sublingual and mean skin temperatures during the experiment. Conclusion: Minimum air temperature at the thermal standard for offices in Japan is 17°C, which may be too low to be comfortable or neutral. Even in a neutral thermal condition, it is better that office workers are provided some protection such as a blanket or clothing, to protect peripheral body parts from cooling in winter, as there are individual differences in physiological thermal reactions.
Temperature ; Carbon ion ; seconds ; Integumentary system ; Hand

OBJECTIVEThe aims of this study were to determine the effects of heavy metals such as manganese on nicotinamideN-methyltransferase (EC 2.1.1.1) (NNMT) activity and to consider the possibility of involvement of NNMT activation in the pathogenesis of heavy metal induced Parkinson's disease.

METHODSNNMT activity in supernatants separated from brain, liver and kidney homogenates of 5 elderly male Wistar rats by centrifugation were measured by high performance liquid chromatography system with fluorescence. NNMT activity under the conditon of 0.5 or 5.0 mM Mn(2+), Fe(2+), Cu(2+) or Cd(2+) was compared with control (no metal ion existence).

RESULTSNNMT activities in rat brain, liver and kidneys were significantly decreased by Cu(2+), and those in the liver and kidneys were significantly decreased by Cd(2+). Mn(2+) reduced NNMT activity only in the liver. Fe(2+) had no effect on NNMT activity.

CONCLUSIONSNo metal increased NNMT activity in this study, contrary to our hypothesis. Further study is needed to clarify the reason why the effects of Mn(2+) and Fe(2+) which have a high relevance to Parkinson's disease on NNMT activity differ from those of Cu(2+) and Cd(2+).

OBJECTIVESThis study was performed to determine the effects of decreasing ambient temperature on peripheral blood flow and body temperature of males and females in a thermal neutral zone for references to the thermal standard of office workers.

METHODSPeripheral blood flows of the hand and feet, and body temperatures and so on of male and female subjects were measured in a climatic chamber. Air temperature was maintained at 28.5°C at the beginning. After this, air temperature was decreased linearly to 21.0°C over a period of 60 minutes. Finally, air temperature was maintained at 21.0°C.

RESULTSBlood flows and skin temperatures of male and female subjects became similar or showed no significant difference at beginning and the end of the experiment. Skin blood flow of the hand and skin temperatures of the hand and fingers decreased, and these values in females were lower than in males, when air temperature was decreased linearly in a thermal neutral zone. However, there were no remarkable differences between males and females in sublingual and mean skin temperatures during the experiment.

CONCLUSIONMinimum air temperature at the thermal standard for offices in Japan is 17°C, which may be too low to be comfortable or neutral. Even in a neutral thermal condition, it is better that office workers are provided some protection such as a blanket or clothing, to protect peripheral body parts from cooling in winter, as there are individual differences in physiological thermal reactions.

  One of the characteristics of nursing in Southeast Asia is the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangements on Nursing Services, which strengthens professional capabilities through four objectives include facilitating mobility of nursing professionals within ASEAN.  The Japanese government supports human resources for health in the ASEAN region, as a member country of ASEAN+3. A meeting was held at the Annual Meeting of the Japan Association for International Health 2017. The meeting objectives were as follows: (1) to share three nursing research findings regarding nursing migration, regulatory framework, and in-service training that may affect quality of nursing and (2) to discuss Japan’s role in improving the quality of nursing in the ASEAN region. This report aims to summarize the presentations and points of that meeting.   The academic level of nursing education and nursing regulations have improved in ASEAN member countries. All member countries have university nursing education, and some have master’s and doctoral degree nursing programs. In lower middle income ASEAN countries, such as Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, the nursing education system is in the process of transition, from the technical to professional level of nursing. The next step for these countries is to strengthen the capabilities of nursing teachers who are responsible for professional nursing education at universities. The ASEAN University Network and universities in neighboring Thailand could also contribute to this end. In-service training is also needed because the guidance of more experienced nurses is crucial in nursing service as well as nursing practicums. Japan’s experience of developing an in-service training system could be useful for some ASEAN countries.   The objective of mobility among nursing professionals within the ASEAN has yet to be accomplished. However, there are pull and push factors of nurse migration due to economic conditions within the ASEAN. It is predicted that nurse migration will occur with mixed-skill caregivers to high income countries out of the ASEAN countries, because of the lack of caregivers for the aging population. In order to ensure quality nursing in the ASEAN region, it is not only necessary to share country-level experiences to improve nursing education and regulations but also crucial to develop systems that promote the circulation of nursing professionals through wide regional cooperation.