[Objective]We performed a questionnaire for the purpose of investigating the present conditions of infection control education in Japanese acupuncture schools and to discuss the problems.
[Methods]We conducted a postal survey by sending out questionnaires to 153acupuncture schools in Japan from December 2008 to March 2009.
[Results]Replies were obtained from 69.9%of the schools (107 out of 153schools). In their responses, 65%of the schools taught hand-washing with soap and alcohol-based hand rub as methods of hand hygiene. Moreover 58%of the schools used only single use needles (SUNs), 40%used both reusable and single use needles, and 2%used only reusable needles. However, single use was observed only at 25%of the schools that introduced SUNs.
Furthermore, we inquired whether the students were taught to use sterilized gloves and finger cots. The results illustrated that a proportion of schools provided the instruction;the proportion of constant instruction was 17%, that of the instructor's option was 35%, that of no requisite was 48%.
[Conclusion]From the above-mentioned results, it became clear that the direction for use of SUNs was not instructed adequately. In addition, this aseptic technique for puncture is not yet standardized in the school's education. It is necessary to realize the measures based on evidence and to employ them in educational programs at acupuncture schools.

To assess the effects of Byakko-ka-ninjin-to on thirst and body weight gain in chronic hemodialysis patients with excessive interdialytic body weight gain, 8 patients (4 men and 4 women, ranging in age from 47 to 75) were prescribed Byakko-ka-ninjin-to extract tablets, 6-12 tablets per day, for 10 weeks. In 4 of the patients, thirst symptoms improved, resulting in significant reduction of interdialytic weight gain. This effect continued to be significant even after cessation of the agent. In the cases of 4 patients whose thirst symptoms did not improve, interdialytic weight gain was not reduced either during or after treatment. For all 8 patients, there were no significant changes in cardiothoracic index, and no adverse effects or events were observed either during or after treatment. Significant reduction in interdialytic weight gain was observed only in the patients with reduced thirst, which suggests that Byakko-ka-ninjin-to allows patients to limit their weight gain by drinking less. These results suggest that Byakko-ka-ninjin-to could be a useful and safe agent to reduce excessive interdialytic body weight gain, at least in a significant cohort of chronic hemodialysis patients.

Objective To investigate the relation of 11C-methionine (11C-MET) uptake with cell proliferation and angiogenesis in human brain gliomas .Methods For 30 cases of newly diagnosed glioma patients ,positron emission tomography (PET ) examina-tion with 11C-MET was performed ,and the maximal standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of 11C-MET was measured .Expression of Ki-67 and CD34 antigens was examined by immunohistochemistry method in the same glioma samples ,both Ki-67 labeling index (Ki-67 LI) and microvessel density (MVD) were measured .Results Both 11C-MET SUVmax and Ki-67 LI increased significantly with glioma pathological grade ascending (P=0 .000 ,P=0 .000) ,and which in malignant glioma tissues were significantly higher than those in benign glioma tissues as well (P=0 .000 ,P=0 .000);however ,there were not significant differences in MVD among different grades of gliomas (P=0 .831) as well as between high and low malignant gliomas (P=0 .370) .11 C-MET SUVmax was significantly positively correlated with Ki-67 LI (P= 0 .000) ,however ,there were not significant correlations between 11C-MET SUVmax and MVD (P=0 .154) as well as between Ki-67 LI and MVD (P=0 .842) .Conclusion 11C-MET uptake and cell prolif-eration activity can better reflect the pathological grades and malignant degrees of gliomas .

Investigation was made into the health care conditions in a rural district in Akita Prefecture. Topographically, the district is divided into two parts-one characterized by mountain and the other by flat terrain.
1. In remote, depopulated villages, per capita cost of public health is on the increase.
2. The number of health personell, particularly public health nurses, is not enough to carry on various health programs.
3. With the prospect of greater numbers of the aged in society, there is an urgent need for increased medical services along with the consolidation of primary health care. In order to meet the need, it is necessary to establish a regional community health system comprised of a hospital as a nucleus and neighborhood medical instituions such as clinics and health centers.

Investigations were made into the actual working and living conditions of adults, both men and women, in the families engaged in mixed farming.
The working conditions were analyzed according to the types of crops farmers are growing. The work study was necessary to probe into the causes of farmers' health disturbances.
A questionnaire revealed that farmers are short of sleep during the busiest season. Especially housewives are forced to cut down on their sleeping hours.
It also found that some farmers spray pesticides in quantity and expose themselves to the potentially health injurious chemicals with alarming frequency.
There was evidence to show that some ailments, notably low back pain, had been reduced due to imporovements on farmwork and working environment.
Health checkups showed that the incidences of hypercholesterolemia and obesity remain high. There was imbalance between carolic intake and consumption.

Methods: We examined 242 patients (age >60 years) who underwent surgery for thoracic to lumbar spine fractures from 2010 to 2020. Subsequently, the maxVB was classified into three groups: maxVB (0), maxVB (2–8), and maxVB (9–18), and parameters, including fracture morphology (new Association of Osteosynthesis classification), fracture level, and neurological deficits were compared. In a sub-analysis, 146 patients with thoracolumbar spine fractures were classified into the three aforementioned groups based on the maxVB and compared to determine the optimal operative technique and evaluate surgical outcomes. Results: Regarding the fracture morphology, the maxVB (0) group had more A3 and A4 fractures, whereas the maxVB (2–8) group had less A4 and more B1 and B2 fractures. The maxVB (9–18) group exhibited an increased frequency of B3 and C fractures. Regarding the fracture level, the maxVB (0) group tended to have more fractures in the thoracolumbar transition region. Furthermore, the maxVB (2–8) group had a higher fracture frequency in the lumbar spine area, whereas the maxVB (9–18) group had a higher fracture frequency in the thoracic spine area than the maxVB (0) group. The maxVB (9–18) group had fewer preoperative neurological deficits but a higher reoperation rate and postoperative mortality than the other groups. Conclusions The maxVB was identified as a factor influencing fracture level, fracture type, and preoperative neurological deficits. Thus, understanding the maxVB could help elucidate fracture mechanics and assist in perioperative patient management.