Purpose:This study aims to clarify the current situation where palliative care is concurrently performed with cancer therapy, and its effectiveness. Methods:Medical charts of patients cared for at home between April 1, 2012 and March 31, 2013 were retrospectively investigated. Results:14 out of 192 home-care cancer patients were given chemotherapy. The palliative medication period was 192 days and chemotherapy lasted 89.8 days on average. From the beginning of home palliative care until death, patients received chemotherapy for almost half of this period. Consideration:By establishing trust between patients and caregivers, palliative care serves the patients needs well, even after cancer treatment is completed. Home palliative care is a significant part of the entire process.

Renal plasma flow (RPF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) are decreased in patients with heat stroke. Heat stroke after prolonged exercise under high temperatures is usually associated with hypotension and dehydration, leading to decreased RPF. However, whether renal blood flow (RBF), RPF, and GFR are increased or decreased during immersion in mild warm water remains unknown.
Para-aminohippurate clearance (C_PAH), sodium thiosulfate clearance (C_thio), and creatinine clearance (C_cr) were determined in 14 healthy men aged 19 to 27 years old (mean±SD, 22±2), 161 to 181cm (171.5±6.3) tall, and weighing 52 to 78kg (64.2±7.4) without immersion at about 25°C (room temperature) and during immersion in water at 41±0.5°C.
C_PAH, C_thio, and RBF significantly increased during immersion compared with those without immersion (P<0.0001, P<0.03, P<0.0001, respectively). C_cr did not change (P=0.108). The filtration fraction (FF) was significantly decreased (P<0.001). Levels of plasma atrial natriuretic peptide, aldosterone, anti-diuretic hormone and renin did not significantly differ between these two conditions.
This investigation suggests that daily immersion at 41°C is beneficial for renal function.

Introduction: We aimed to evaluate the impact of lifestyle modifications on the risk of eradication failure in patients undergoing first-line therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection.Methods: A survey was conducted in a community pharmacy to assess changes in alcohol consumption, smoking, and high-fat diet intake before, during, and after first-line therapy for H. pylori infection in enrolled patients.Results: A total of 100 patients (response rate: 3.4%) were included in the analysis. Before therapy, 20 patients (20%) smoked, 35 patients (35%) consumed alcohol, and 91 patients (91%) had a high-fat diet. During therapy, the proportion of patients who changed their habits was 15.0% (3/20) for smoking, 71.4% (25/35) for alcohol consumption, and 28.6% (26/91) for high-fat diet. However, the continuation of these changes post-therapy was minimal.Conclusion: Among patients undergoing first-line therapy for H. pylori infection, lifestyle habits that increase the risk of eradication failure were prevalent, with many patients maintaining their habits during therapy except for alcohol consumption. These findings provide fundamental data for lifestyle counselling during eradication therapy.

　　The purpose of the present study was to reduce absorbed dose rates in air by means of the X-ray tube protector in the X-ray fluoroscopy room. We measured absorbed dose rates in air using an ionization chamber type survey meter, made the scatter radiation maps and worked out the reduction rate of absorbed dose rates in air. Absorbed dose rate in air reduced 75-90% with use of the X-ray tube protector. Especially, absorbed dose rate in air reduced 85-90% at the height of crystalline lens and thyroid gland of the X-ray technician near the patient. It was suggested X-ray protector could reduce the risk of radiation exposure of radiologists effectively.

A questionnaire was administered to identify differences between the information that ward nurses think should be provided on a discharge summary and the information that outpatient nurses consider is necessary for providing continuing nursing care. Respondents were asked to select from multiple choice answers which information they believe is necessary to provide on a discharge summary and their perceptions about continuing nursing care, and they were also asked to record the reasons for their selections. Multiple choice responses were aggregated by simple tabulation and reasons were aggregated by similarity. The results showed that ward nurses and outpatient nurses had the same perceptions of what information is needed on a discharge summary. However, whereas the outpatient nurses wanted to see specific information about what care should be continued on the discharge summary, the ward nurses considered continuing nursing care to mean sharing summarized information about the patient's hospital course. This difference can be attributed to the unique characteristics of ward nurses and outpatient nurses. To provide continuing nursing care, ward nurses and outpatient nurses should each understand the other's thinking and learn what information the other considers necessary.

Introduction: This study aims at investigating what dental hygienists learned through training with a simulated patient and how they applied their learning in practice. Method: Open-ended questionnaire surveys on their perceptions and experiences of health communication were undertaken by 21 dental hygienists before and after communication trainings. Result: Before the training, they felt it difficult to cope with patients’ negative responses to their communication. However, after the training, they deeply considered how they should be as health professional through reflection on their own communication style. In their practice, they tried to communicate while considering the patient’s situation. Discussion: Participants’ critical reflection, which was encouraged in this training, resulted in application of their learning to clinical practice.