Objective : We examined the effects of acupuncture stimulation on hyper lipidemia induced by a cholesterol-free, high-fructose diet (HFD) in rats.
Methods : Acupoints on the rats' bodies were selected at the positions relative to the human acupoints, such as BL 18, LR 14, CV 12, ST 36 and T13-L1, which starts of the origin of splanchnic nerve and runs at intervals of 1 cm on both sides of the nerve between the spinous process of the thirteenth thoracic vertebra and the first lumber vertebra (T13-L1). Nonacupoints were selected on bi lateral buttocks for rats fed with a normal diet and HFD control. Acupuncture stimulations were administered by the subcutaneous insertion of acus. The stimulation was started with HFD feeding and continued for two weeks.
Results : Feeding with HFD for 2 weeks incresed the levels of total cholesterol (TC), especially in very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL), free cholesterol (FC), triglyceride (TG) and phospholipiid (PL) in serum. Acupuncture stimulations of BL18, LR14, CV12 and S36 inhibited the increase of TC, while the increase of VLDL·LDL-C was inhibited by the acupuncture stimulation of all acupoints. The stimulation of BL18, LR14 and ST36 inhibited the increase of FC. The stumulation of T13-L1 inhibited the increases of TG, TG in high density lipoprotein and PL. The increase of TG in liver by HFD feeding was inhibited by the stimulations on LR14, T13-L1 and CV 12. The reductions of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme activities in the liver of rats fed by HFD feeding were enhanced by the stimulation of T13-L1 and S36. The activity of β-oxdation in the liver was slightly increased by the stimulations on LR14 and ST36.
Conclusions : These results suggest that the acupuncture stimulation on BL18, LR14, CV12 and ST36 inhibited the increase of intrinsic cholesterol and enhanced the metabolism of VLDL·LDL-C. In addition, it appears that the mechanism of TG decrease by the stimulation on LR14, T13-L1 and ST36 was related to the inhibition of fatty acid synthesis and the enhancement of fatty acid metabolism in the liver.

This study sought to determine whether aerobic exercise training affects cognitive functioning among semi-independent (> 75 years) and independent elderly people. Seventy-six semi-independent and independent elderly subjects were divided into the following groups: semi-independent control (n = 16); semi-independent training (n = 13); independent control (n = 22); independent training (n = 25). During the 12-week intervention, subjects in both training groups performed a bench-stepping exercise at the intensity of the lactate threshold. Subjects were assessed at baseline and post-intervention using the Frontal Assessment Battery test (FAB), the Modified Mini-Mental State Exam (3MS), and a bench-stepping test of aerobic capacity. During the intervention, FAB scores improved only in the semi-independent training group (p = .002), while 3MS and MMSE scores improved in both the semi-independent training (p = .032 and p = .004) and independent training groups (p = .001 and p = .013). FAB and 3MS scores were higher in the semi-independent training (p = .001 and p = .002) compared with the semi-independent control group after the intervention. Finally, post-intervention scores for FAB, and 3MS in the semi-independent training group almost reached the baseline levels of the independent control and independent training groups. These results indicate that moderate intensity bench-stepping exercise training can improve cognitive and frontal lobe functioning in semi-independent elderly people, almost to the level exhibited by independent elderly people.

The purpose of this research was to develop a reflection program to support the practice of end-of-life care for nurses and to examine its effectiveness and feasibility. We developed and examined the effectiveness of a facilitator-based reflection program (FRP) and card-based reflection program (CRP). Average scores for both the FRP and CRP were measured using a Knowledge, Attitude and Difficulty Scale for palliative care and Self-education Ability Scale implemented before, immediately after, and 3 months after the program. The changes in scores were compared. This research was conducted with approval from the ethics review committee. Nine people participated in the FRP, and 15 in the CRP. FRP significantly reduced difficulty concerning palliative care compared to CRP. FRP significantly increased knowledge compared to CRP. Similar results were obtained within the FRP group. Both FRP and CRP were considered highly feasible because the program evaluation was high. In the future, it is necessary to clarify the effect of the reflection program by reviewing the research design.