Objectives: The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the experiences of cancer survivors who used a palliative day care salon on a university campus. Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten cancer survivors; thereafter, we performed content analysis. Results: Ten categories were identified. The following were identified as motives to participate in the activities of the salon: (1) need for spiritual support, (2) desire to discover the meaning of life. The following experiences were described regarding the salon: (3) a place to express emotions openly, (4) a place to engage in activities as one pleases, (5) a place to communicate with others and express one’s true feelings, (6) a place that instills vigor as a result of expert advice. The following changes were identified after participation: (7) adopting an appropriate lifestyle, (8) improvement in image during the recurrence of cancer and towards the end of one’s life, (9) better family and social relationships, (10) a broader range of activities and uplifted sense for playing their roles. Discussion: Cancer survivors require support. In the salon, they could openly express their true feelings about their experiences of cancer and readily accepted one another. Further, their perceptions and attitudes toward life were being transformed through an enhanced sense of self-awareness. This transformation was facilitated by free activities on the university campus, an assurance of physical and psychological safety, and an indication of an outlet for such transformation.

The purpose of this study was to examine the association of muscle mass and muscle strength with mobility limitation and history of falls in community-dwelling older adults. This cross-sectional study included 420 older adults (207 men, 213 women, 73.7 ± 5.2 years). The participants were classified to following four groups according to their appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (AMI) which was evaluated by bioelectric impedance analysis for skeletal muscle mass in the arms and legs and appendicular skeletal muscle strength Z-score (ASZ) which was calculated from hand-grip strength for upper extremity and peak reaction force during sit-to-stand movement for lower extremity: 1) Low AMI and Low ASZ, 2) Low AMI alone, 3) Low ASZ alone, and 4) Normal. Mobility limitation and history of falls were assessed as a self-reported questionnaire. We used a poisson regression analysis with an adjustment for age, body mass index, knee pain, and back pain. The prevalence of mobility limitation was significantly higher at Low AMI and Low ASZ (relative risk, RR = 5.09, 95% confidence interval, CI 2.08–12.46) and Low ASZ alone (RR = 4.79, 95% CI 2.01–11.39) in men and Low AMI and Low ASZ (RR = 1.70, 95% CI 1.01–2.88) in women than Normal. History of falls was significantly associated with Low ASZ alone (RR = 2.00, 95% CI 1.02–3.91) just in men. These results suggest that low muscle strength per weight rather than low muscle mass per height is an important risk factor to increase mobility limitation in both genders and falls in men.

The excessive consumption test for the safety of black sesame extract (BSE） was conducted. Eleven healthy adults (male 6,female 5) were orally administered 5 tablets/day of BSE for 4 weeks. There were no abnormal changes in blood and urinary analysis. In addition, no serious adverse effects were observed. These results indicate that the excessive dose of BSE is safe for healthy adults.

Two different types of clinical safety test of Kurozu-containing food were done. Under the informed consent, following tests were conducted, Test 1; Ten healthy adults were orally administrated 10 capslues/day of Kurozu for 4 weeks, Test 2; Ten patients with hepatitis C and 10 patients with mild hepatic dysfunction were orally administrated 2 capslues/day of Krozu for 4 weeks. In both the Test1 and Test2, Vital sign including Blood pressure etc, blood cell count, blood chemical analysis, and urinalysis were performed. In both tests, there were no abnormal findings. Furthermore, no side effect was observed. In conclusion, safety of Kurozu-containing food was confirmed.

Background: The posterior transversus abdominis plane block (TAPB) and quadratus lumborum block (QLB) were developed for postoperative pain control after lower abdominal surgery. However, there is little data regarding their effects. Their analgesic effects and the distribution of the cutaneous sensory blockade were observed in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecologic surgery. Methods: After an induction of general anesthesia, patients alternately received bilateral ultrasound-guided QLB type 2 (QLB2) or posterior TAPB using 20 ml of 0.375% levobupivacaine on each side. The measurements included visual analogue pain scores (VAS), cutaneous sensory blockade in each dermatome, demands for postoperative analgesics, and complications for up to 48 h after the block. Our primary endpoint was VAS at 24 h after the block. Results: Forty patients completed the study. The VAS at rest was significantly lower after QLB2 than that after TAPB at 48 h, but not at 24 h. Neither group differed in VAS when coughing at any point in time. Postoperative demands for fentanyl and other analgesics also did not differ for either block. The majority of injections produced a cutaneous sensory blockade in the T11 and T12 dermatomes in both groups. The median number of dermatomes blocked was limited to three dermatomes after either block. No severe complication related to either block was observed. Conclusions The analgesic effects of QLB2 and posterior TAPB did not differ in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecologic surgery. The cutaneous sensory blockade produced was limited to three dermatomal levels in the majority of patients. However, these findings need to be confirmed through a larger comparative study.

Objective: The present study was done to examine the effect of dietary supplement containing Kurozu concentrate on human visceral fat accumulation. Material and Methods: Sixteen subjects(BMI≧25) were orally administrated Kurozu concentrate for 8 weeks(low dose group: 500 mg/day, high dose group 1000 mg/day). Before and at weeks 8, hematological analysis, urinalysis and CT-scan to estimate the visceral fat accumulation were conducted. Results: In high dose group, following results were obtained; visceral fat decreased significantly(p=0.033), HDL-cholesterol level elevated significantly (p=0.034) and systolic blood pressure decreased significantly(p=0.004). In addition, no serious symptoms or abnormal hematological values were observed in both group.Conclusions: The dietary supplement containing Kurozu concentrate may be useful to prevent a metabolic syndrome.