This study evaluated the exercise profile (heart rate, cycling speed and pedal cadence) during 25-30 km cycling and fitness and health level for adults (11 males: 69.6 ± 4.7 yrs; 6 females: 66.3 ± 4.9 yrs) with a recreational cycling habit (27.6 ± 14.8 km/week). Exercise intensity at a constant speed on a flat road during male and female cycling was 71.2 ± 11.5 and 66.8 ± 11.4% heart rate reserved (HRR), respectively. Exercise intensity over 60% HRR occupied 72% of cycling time. Peak intensity during male and female cycling was 89.2 ± 8.9 and 93.1 ± 6.1% HRR, respectively. VO2max and CS (chair stand)-30 test for male and female were 40.3 ± 4.3 and 37.7 ± 2.4 ml/kg/min, and 30.8 ± 3.1 and 30.1 ± 3.2 times, respectively. The muscle cross-sectional area of thigh extensor and flexor measured by MRI were 55.4 ± 6.5 and 58.3 ± 13.3 cm² for male, and 45.5 ± 6.4 and 50.2 ± 5.7 cm² for female, respectively. Blood profile for HDL-C (cholesterol), LDL-C and HbA1c (JDS) for male and female were 65.9 ± 8.2 and 67.9 ± 10.6 mg/dl, 112.3 ± 32.0 and 130.6 ± 12.3 mg/dl, and 4.8 ± 0.4 and 4.7 ± 0.1%, respectively. Fitness level and blood profile results were superior to those of the same aged adults. We concluded that the exercise intensity of cycling by middle and older adults with a recreational cycling habit is high and their fitness and health level are higher than average adults.

Introduction: Epidemiologic evidence on childhood vaccination is scarce in Japan. Our aim was to investigate the vaccination completion rate and risk factors of incomplete vaccination.
Methods:This study was a secondary analysis of the database developed for a childhood infection study of 2368 attendants of 18-month health checkups in one city in Japan. The data of vaccination history included bacillus Calmette-Guérin, diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus, measles-rubella, and polio. A total of 1622 children were included in analyses after 746 were excluded because a large portion of their data was missing, and because their birthweight was <2500 g or their gestational age, <37 weeks.
Results:The overall vaccine completion rate was 79.3%. The factors significantly associated with incomplete vaccination by multivariate logistic analysis were two or more children living together, child care attendance, parents’ smoking habits and absence of exclusive breastfeeding at 4-month health checkups. As the number of risk factors for hospital admission due to infections increased, the vaccine completion rate tended to decrease.
Conclusion:Families with children who attend child care facilities and with two or more other children should be provided with more information regarding vaccination and positive health behaviors in general.

Objective: The use of generic drugs is promoted for the purpose of reductions of medical costs and patient’s copayment.  In general, it is thought that clinical effects of the original brand and the generic drugs are equal if they are bioequivalent.  However, it is necessary to inspect their therapeutic equivalence to use the generic drugs securely.  We, therefore, assessed the therapeutic equivalence and pharmacoeconomics by substitution of an original drug (Amaryl®) with a generic drug (Glimepiride [Tanabe]).
Methods: Therapeutic Equivalence: The total variation was calculated by using the HbA1c levels before it switched from Amaryl® to Glimepiride [Tanabe].  The tolerance limits were set as 1/4 of the total variation.  Pharmacoeconomics: The difference of drug prices and the difference of patient’s copayment were calculated.
Results: As the variation of HbA1c levels was within tolerance limits before and after switching from Amaryl® to Glimepiride [Tanabe], we evaluated that their therapeutic effect was equivalent.  The difference of drug prices after switching from the original to the generic one was 4,582.6 yen/year on average (minimum: 949.0 yen, maximum: 12,045.0 yen); the difference of patient’s copayment was 872.5 yen/year on average (minimum: 0 yen, maximum: 3,613.5 yen).  These data show that the use of the generic drugs is effective to reduce medical costs.
Conclusion: For further promoting the use of the generic drugs, we consider it essential to compare the therapeutic equivalence and the safety of the original and the generic drugs in clinical practice.

The purpose of this study was to clarify the factor structure of the diversifying interpersonal work of pharmacists and its influential factors. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted for pharmacists registered with an internet research company. We collected data on respondents’ basic characteristics (gender and age), years of experience as a pharmacist, whether the respondents were certified as pharmacists, home-care experience, participation in study sessions and workshops, and experiences related to medication support. Factor analysis revealed three main factors from 26 items regarding pharmacists’ interpersonal work: Factor 1, “basic abilities of patient medication record management and medication counseling,” Factor 2, “clinical knowledge and assessment ability,” and Factor 3, “cooperation and support system.” Multiple regression analysis revealed a significant association between age and Factor 1 (β=−0.131, P<0.001). Home-care experience was associated with Factor 2 (β=0.076, P=0.013) and Factor 3 (β=0.115, P<0.001). Participation in study sessions and workshops were significantly associated with all the factors (Factor 1: β=0.103, P=0.001, Factor 2: β=0.247, P<0.001, Factor 3: β=0.238, P<0.001). This study clarified the factor structure of interpersonal work performed by community pharmacists. It is suggested that providing educational programs based on pharmacists’ ages and strengthening regional cooperation such as home medical care are necessary to standardize the quality of pharmacists’ interpersonal work.