The therapeutic effect of artificial CO₂ pack on pressure sores of five patients with neurological diseases was confirmed using an infrared thermometer.
The artificial CO₂ pack was prepared by dissolving a 5-g KAO-BABU tablet in 250ml of water at 50°C.
It was proven that the pressure sore recovered faster after treatment with artificial CO₂ hot-pack than that with plain water hot-pack.
In addition, the skin temperature in the area around the pressure sore became lower than the temperature just before the treatment presumably because of the steal phenomenon of blood flow under the skin.

Objectives: A cancer salon was established at Jichi Medical University Hospital in April 2014 operated based on the plan-do-check-act (PDCA) cycle. This study aims to understand the actual situation of the cancer salon and outcomes of participants, and utilize the information for optimal administration. Methods: The cancer salon was open to the public and conducted in our hospital. The program consisted of mini-lectures, relaxation, and interaction with the participants. We conducted a questionnaire survey for the participants. Results: We held 11 sessions from April 2014 to March 2015. The total number of participants was 369, and the average number of participants per session was 34 (22-50). Participants mainly consisted of patients and families who received care in our hospital. A high percentage of participants were women in their 60’s, patients who were newly diagnosed cancer within 3 years, or patients with breast cancer. Participants’ satisfaction tended to be high in lectures and relaxation, and there was a tendency for anxiety to be alleviated in their psychological state. Discussion: We must challenge that we refine quantitative evaluation methods and develop the system of assessment of detailed needs and provide appropriate support. Furthermore, we would like to propagate this system to the area around our hospital, support the development of cancer salons at other medical institutions, collaborate with them, and contribute to the creation of an inclusive society.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of combined resistance training and aerobic training with protein intake after resistance training on body composition in obese middle-aged women. The subjects were 42 middle-aged women (age : 56.5±4.3 years, BMI : 26.6±2.3 kg/m²), who were classified into three supplementation groups: Protein group (PG), Isocalorie placebo group (IG), and Noncalorie placebo group (CG) by Double Blind Randomized Trial. The training program consisted of combined resistance training and aerobic training for 10 weeks, 5 times per week: twice a week in a university training room and 3 times per week at home. The subjects took the nutrient supplement immediately after each resistance training session. We measured body weight (Bw), body fat volume (Bf) by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and cross-sectional area (CSA) of muscle of the thigh extensor group (Te), flexor group (Tf), and psoas major (Pm) by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before and after the 10-week training period. Irrespective of group, Bw and Bf showed a significant decrease after the training period compared to before (p<0.001), and the CSA of Te muscle showed a significant increase after the training period (p<0.01). Moreover, the interaction of time×group was accepted in the CSA of Pm muscle (p<0.05), and the increase in muscle volume for PG was the highest increase among the three supplementation groups (p<0.05)(PG : 2.1±0.8 cm², IG : 1.3±1.0 cm², CG : 1.3±0.9 cm²). These results suggest that combined training in middle-aged obese women improves body composition, and resistance training with protein intake may increase the CSA of muscle of psoas major.

The results of pulmonary function tests (PFTs) given to those inhabitants in the western part of Kanagawa Prefecture who visited our hospital for medical examinations between April 1991 and March 1992 were studied comparatively, with their occupation, age, sex, environmental factors and smoking habits taken into account. For this purpose, the subjects totaling 1, 322 were classified into three groups-those who live in the hilly area, those who live in the suburban area and those who live in the coastal area. In the present study, the results of the four PFT items-FVC, FEV 1.0%, FVC and FEV 1.0%-were checked. Careful examination brought into relief the startling fact that many aged people, non-farmers and nonsmokers in the suburban subject group have impaired pulmonary function. It is said that because of the Tokyo-Nagoya expressway and many other motorways, the air in the suburban area is fouled up with exhaust gas to a greater extent than in the other two areas. Although our finding alone could not identify the cause of impaired pulmonary function definitely, air pollution was thought to be a culprit. Further investigation should be made into the living conditions of the examinees. Moreover, environmental monitoring and data analysis have to be carried out in the future.

No abstract available.
Acetylcysteine* ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Healthy Volunteers* ; Humans ; Skin* ; Water Loss, Insensible

Supporting patients’ decision making of whether to continue chemotherapy as the disease stage progresses poses a significant challenge in cancer nursing. This study aimed to investigate outpatient chemotherapy unit nurses’ perspectives on reconsidering treatment continuation, and their subsequent actions. In total, 14 nurses participated in focus group interviews, and the interview content was analyzed using content analysis methods. The nurses’ perspectives on determining when to reconsider treatment continuation were grouped into four categories, including “respecting the patient’s desired way of life,” and “maintaining the patient’s quality of life and ability to lead their daily life as desired.” Additionally, three categories of subsequent actions were identified, such as “engaging in discussions with patients to plan future treatment aligned with their desired way of life” and “facilitating cooperation among nurses to ensure timely intervention for treatment discontinuation.” The outpatient chemotherapy unit nurses provided daily nursing care from a clinical ethics perspective, focusing on respecting patients’ desired ways of life. They also valued collaborative efforts among medical staff to enable timely interventions.