Obesity is a major risk factor for lifestyle-related diseases and its prevention is essential in terms of public health. Body weight is influenced by a genetic predisposition as well as food intake, and exercise. In about 30% of the Japanese, a specific mutation [codon 64 TGG (Trp) →CGG (Arg)] of β3-adrenergic receptor gene is observed. The basal metabolic rate is about 200 kcal/day lower in the individuals with this type of mutation than in those without. We conducted a weight loss program which included analysis of β3-adrenergic receptor gene polymorphism, monitoring of eating behavior, and promotion for lifestyle modifications by public health nurses. The subjects for analyses were 39 Japanese men (mean age 37.8±8.6 years) and six Japanese women (46.8±6.4 years), with body mass index (BMI) over 24. They had not been receiving medical treatment for lifestyle-related diseases. The ratio of the normal group (no mutation at the specific site of β3-adrenergic receptor gene) to the mutation group were 73% to 27%. After we explained the results of the genetic testing to the participants, public health nurses encouraged them to change their lifestyle and provided dietary guidance. After 3 and 8 months intervention, reductions in BMI were observed 75% and 57% of the subjects in the normal group, and 92% and 67% of the subjects in the mutation group, respectively. At any time point, the changes were not statistically significant between the normal and mutation groups. Behavior modification was observed 49% of the subjects in the normal group and 75% in the mutation group. More than 80% of the participants were of the opinion that the genetic testing had been useful for them to reconsider their health status.

When secondary reconstruction is required in the head and neck region where a primary operation was performed before, it is important to select a flap which is not only suitable for the purpose, but also can be transferred more safely. In the present case, a female patient, 33 years old, complained of depression deformity around the left mandibular region. She had undergone segmental mandibulectomy coupled with radical neck dissection because of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the left submandibular gland 12 years ago. The deformity was thought to be mainly due to the deficiency of subdermal soft tissue. The insertion of a denuded and folded pedicled latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap into the submandibular space satisfactorily restored the depressed mandibular contour. The pedicled latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap can acquire a bulkiness by being folded, whose atrophy is tolerable for a long period, and is safe for secondary reconstruction.

Obesity is a major risk factor for lifestyle-related diseases and its prevention is essential in terms of public health. Body weight is influenced by a genetic predisposition as well as food intake, and exercise. In about 30% of the Japanese, a specific mutation [codon 64 TGG (Trp) →CGG (Arg)] of β3-adrenergic receptor gene is observed. The basal metabolic rate is about 200 kcal/day lower in the individuals with this type of mutation than in those without. We conducted a weight loss program which included analysis of β3-adrenergic receptor gene polymorphism, monitoring of eating behavior, and promotion for lifestyle modifications by public health nurses. The subjects for analyses were 39 Japanese men (mean age 37.8±8.6 years) and six Japanese women (46.8±6.4 years), with body mass index (BMI) over 24. They had not been receiving medical treatment for lifestyle-related diseases. The ratio of the normal group (no mutation at the specific site of β3-adrenergic receptor gene) to the mutation group were 73% to 27%. After we explained the results of the genetic testing to the participants, public health nurses encouraged them to change their lifestyle and provided dietary guidance. After 3 and 8 months intervention, reductions in BMI were observed 75% and 57% of the subjects in the normal group, and 92% and 67% of the subjects in the mutation group, respectively. At any time point, the changes were not statistically significant between the normal and mutation groups. Behavior modification was observed 49% of the subjects in the normal group and 75% in the mutation group. More than 80% of the participants were of the opinion that the genetic testing had been useful for them to reconsider their health status.
Mutation ; Receptors, Adrenergic ; Life Style ; Public health service ; gene polymorphism

Introduction: In Japan, the number of female physicians is increasing rapidly. Therefore, surveying female physicians about their current working status, especially about their continuing to work, is important.
Methods: In September 2009, we sent a questionnaire regarding working status to 1403 female physicians who had graduated from Okayama University Medical School or who were working at university-affiliated hospitals or facilities at the time of investigation.
Results: Of the 420 female physicians who responded （response rate, 29.9％）, 46.6％ （n＝191） had left their jobs at some time, and 92.4％ （n＝171） of them had done so within 10 years after medical school graduation. The most common reason for leaving their jobs was childbirth／childcare, and the second most common was their husband’s job transfer. Of those who had ever left their job, 82％ （n＝151） wished to return to work at the time of their leaving. Only 27.2％ （n＝74） took childcare leave.
Discussion: Female physicians have trouble continuing their clinical work and developing their careers while caring for children. A system should be developed to support physicians who wish to continue their clinical work during life events, such as childcare. In particular, career support during the first 10 years after graduation from medical school is extremely important.

This article describes the end of life of seven people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) under the care of a hospice. The reasons for admission to hospice were for the management of distressing symptoms and the support of families who were unable to continue care at home because of the increased burden of care and/or illness of families. The sufferings experienced by the patients with ALS included disability due to muscle weakness(100%), pain(100%), discomfort (100%), dyspnea (71%), difficulties in communication (71%), drooling (43%), insomnia (43%), loneliness (43%), swallowing difficulties (28%), clenching the mucosa inside the cheek (28%), anxiety (28%), the perception of being a burden to the family (28%), and concerns as to why they had developed ALS (28%). Opioid medication was effective in the management of dyspnea, pain and discomfort. The results showed that special attention should be paid to frequent changing of the patient's position during nursing care, including the passive movement of joints and massage. The use of communication aids was essential to allow people with ALS to communicate effectively and, together with support of joy of the patients and family, the quality of life could be improved. End of life care within a hospice is a useful alternative option for persons with ALS, extending hospice care in Japan from people with advanced cancer to other disease groups. Palliat Care Res 2010; 5(2): 137-143

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical significance of systematic retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy during interval debulking surgery (IDS) in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 124 advanced EOC patients and analyzed the details of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT), IDS, postoperative treatment, and prognoses. RESULTS: Following IDS, 98 patients had no gross residual disease (NGRD), 15 had residual disease sized <1 cm (optimal), and 11 had residual disease sized > or =1 cm (suboptimal). Two-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 88.8% and 39.8% in the NGRD group, 40.0% and 13.3% in the optimal group (p<0.001 vs. NGRD for both), and 36.3% and 0% in the suboptimal group, respectively. Five-year OS and 2-year PFS rates were 62% and 56.1% in the lymph node-negative (LN-) group and 26.2% and 24.5% in the lymph node-positive (LN+) group (p=0.0033 and p=0.0024 vs. LN-, respectively). Furthermore, survival in the LN+ group, despite surgical removal of positive nodes, was the same as that in the unknown LN status group, in which lymphadenectomy was not performed (p=0.616 and p=0.895, respectively). Multivariate analysis identified gross residual tumor during IDS (hazard ratio, 3.68; 95% confidence interval, 1.31 to 10.33 vs. NGRD) as the only independent predictor of poor OS. CONCLUSION: NGRD after IDS improved prognosis in advanced EOC patients treated with NACT-IDS. However, while systematic retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy during IDS may predict outcome, it does not confer therapeutic benefits.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cytoreduction Surgical Procedures/*methods/mortality ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision/*methods/mortality ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial/mortality/*surgery ; Ovarian Neoplasms/mortality/*surgery ; Retroperitoneal Space ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: As society is aging, the number of elderly patients with psychiatric disorder, such as dementia, is increasing. The hospitalization period of elderly patients in psychiatric wards tends to be prolonged. In this study, we have determined the factors that inhibit early discharge from the psychiatric emergency ward for elderly patients in Japan. METHODS: The information was collected from patients admitted to our hospital's emergency ward for elderly patients with psychiatric disorders between May 2015 and April 2016. We compared various factors between the early discharge group and the non-early discharge group. In addition, we used a multiple logistic regression model to clarify the risk factors for non-early discharge. RESULTS: Of the 208 elderly patients, body mass index (BMI) and serum albumin level were significantly lower in the non-early discharge group. In addition, we also showed that higher serum C-reactive protein (CRP) (> 0.5 mg/dL) and use of seclusion or physical restraint significantly inhibited the early discharge of patients. The results of multiple logistic analysis showed that the BMI ≤ 17.5 kg/m (OR, 2.41 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06-5.46]), serum albumin level ≤ 30 g/L (OR, 3.78 [95% CI 1.28-11.16]), and use of seclusion or physical restraint (OR 3.78 [95% CI 1.53-9.37]) are particularly important explanatory factors. CONCLUSIONS Hypoalbuminemia, low BMI, and the use of seclusion or physical restraint were identified as the factors that inhibit early discharge from the psychiatric emergency ward for elderly patients. These factors reflect malnutrition and extremely serious psychiatric symptoms.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Dementia ; diagnosis ; psychology ; therapy ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Hospitalization ; statistics & numerical data ; Hospitals, Psychiatric ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Japan ; Length of Stay ; statistics & numerical data ; Male ; Patient Discharge ; statistics & numerical data ; Risk Factors