Introduction : With the increase in proportion of female physicians in Japan, breaks in their career associated with life events have become more apparent. We are making efforts to improve the program of work-life balance for female students at Jichi Medical University (JMU) who have a 9-year obligation to practice in a rural area following graduation. The purpose of this study is to research the needs for career development and work-life balance programs desired by female students at JMU.
Methods : A questionnaire was distributed to all 187 female students enrolled at JMU.
Results : The proportions of those wanting to marry and give birth during their 9-year obligation term were 71% and 68.6%, respectively. The proportions of those feeling anxious about childbirth and work-life balance after graduation were 80.0% and 78.1%, respectively. Over 80% of subjects answered that they wanted to attend lectures by female physicians and group meetings with such physicians, and to receive information regarding support systems and career development.
Conclusion : Female students at JMU tend to have greater concerns about life-events, but have an advantage in having opportunities for contact with female physicians who have contributed to rural practice. Clarifying role models for female medical students appears to be an expectation that our students have from our work-life balance programs.

Lambl's excrescences are the fibrous structures which are attached to the heart valve, and usually the presence of Lambl's excrescences alone is not an indication of operation. The operative indications of isolated Lambl's excrescence is still controversial, because some reports indicated cross relationship between Lambl's excrescences and cerebral embolism. Based on these facts, we discussed our 3 cases of Lambl's excrescences. Two of the cases had been complicated with severe mitral regurgitation and Lambl's excrescences were resected at the time of mitral valve plasty. In another case, Lambl's excrescence was found with echocardiography during chronic heart failure therapy. This patient had a past history of cerebral infarction, but no relationship of cerebral infarction was suggested. In this case, cardiac surgery was not required, so we followed isolated Lambl's excrescence without resection in this case. One operated case, which had infective endocarditis was suspected by echocardiography, had slighted inflammatory reaction but blood culture was negative. Diagnosis of Lambl's excrescence was made by histopathological examination. One report suggested that the cause of the cerebral infarction is not Lambl's excrescence itself but the thrombi around Lambl's excrescence. However, we hesitate to operate on isolated Lambl's excrescence. Based on some reports, it is useful to resect Lambl's excrescence when a concurrent cardiac operation is carried out to avoid cerebral embolic events.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the association of Japanese schoolchildren's involvement in at-home meal preparation with food intake and cooking skill. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We included 1,207 fifth-grade children aged 10-11 years and one parent of each child. A cross-sectional survey was used to collect data on involvement in at-home meal preparation. Correspondence analysis was used to classify involvement in at-home meal preparation into three groups: food-related activities (cooking only or with other activities such as shopping, table-setting, clean up, and dishwashing), non-food-related activities (table-setting and/or clean up), and no (helping) activities. Food intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Logistic regression models were used to examine involvement in at-home meal preparation associations. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 1,207 fifth-grade children. Vegetable intake was lower in the no (helping) activities group than the food-related activities group (95% CI; boys: 1.2, 5.1, girls: 2.0, 8.9). Fewer children in the non-food-related activities group reported they were able to make a portion of their meals compared with the food-related activities group (95% CI; boys: 1.6, 3.5; girls: 1.5, 3.2). CONCLUSIONS: Children in the food-related activities group showed more favorable food intake and cooking skills than children in the no (helping) activities or non-food-related activities group.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; Child ; Cooking* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Eating ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Meals* ; Parents ; Vegetables

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the association of Japanese schoolchildren's involvement in at-home meal preparation with food intake and cooking skill. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We included 1,207 fifth-grade children aged 10-11 years and one parent of each child. A cross-sectional survey was used to collect data on involvement in at-home meal preparation. Correspondence analysis was used to classify involvement in at-home meal preparation into three groups: food-related activities (cooking only or with other activities such as shopping, table-setting, clean up, and dishwashing), non-food-related activities (table-setting and/or clean up), and no (helping) activities. Food intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Logistic regression models were used to examine involvement in at-home meal preparation associations. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 1,207 fifth-grade children. Vegetable intake was lower in the no (helping) activities group than the food-related activities group (95% CI; boys: 1.2, 5.1, girls: 2.0, 8.9). Fewer children in the non-food-related activities group reported they were able to make a portion of their meals compared with the food-related activities group (95% CI; boys: 1.6, 3.5; girls: 1.5, 3.2). CONCLUSIONS: Children in the food-related activities group showed more favorable food intake and cooking skills than children in the no (helping) activities or non-food-related activities group.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; Child ; Cooking* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Eating ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Meals* ; Parents ; Vegetables