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

Chronological nutrition is based on biological clocks that include clock genes and telomeres. Clock genes predict the day/night cycle to regulate both physical and mental activity in best condition, and prevent lifestyle-related diseases. Telomeres, the repeated series of DNA sequences that cap the ends of chromosomes, become shorter during cell division, thus determine lifespan of the individuals and organs. Even when dietary intake and exercise are adequate, disturbance of diurnal rhythm results in hypertension and hyperglycemia. Human activity is driven by NADH and ATP produced from nutrients, and the resulting NAD and AMP prevent telomere shortening by activating enzymes called SIRT1 and AMPK, respectively. Both enzymes collaborate in activating the master regulator PGC-1α that prevents oxidative stress and obesity. Physical activity increases PGC-1α and releases a hormone irisin from muscle that also prevents obesity. The dietary habit conforming good chronological nutrition are as follows: take nutritionally balanced breakfast every morning, distribute energy intake in the ratio breakfast: lunch: dinner = 3:3:4, and avoid dinner later than 21 o’clock or take earlier light dinner. Slow feeding and the intake of vegetables before carbohydrate are recommended to prevent rapid blood sugar increase. Regular 7 hour sleep is essential for the removal of metabolic wastes by “brain glymph system” to prevent dementia. The homeostatic and hedonic feeding and daily activity are controlled by human brain. Thus, lifestyle-related diseases will be prevented by moderation following the principles of chronological nutrition, irrespective of risk gene polymorphism.

No abstract available.
Aneurysm ; Saphenous Vein

No abstract available.
Melanoma

No abstract available.
Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Discoid ; Mucins

This is a report of the 16th Annual Conference on Student Selection held on August 30, 1997 in Tokyo. The main topic of discussion was the subject whether bachelor's degree must be required to medical school applicants. Advantages, disadvantages and expected future problems concerning the proposal by the advisory committee of the Ministry of Education and Culture are widely discussed.

This is a report of the activities of the committee on medical student selection 1994-1996, particularly focused on the 15th Conference on Medical-Student Admission held 1996/8/31 with the subjects of social needs and influences upon high school education for the purpose of improving student selection system in Japan. We must consider how largely admission tests have being influenced high school students at the time of decision making, what medical schools they submit their applications to, and what ability the society or community requires physicians, for creating better system of evaluation for admission in Japan.

A self-reporting questionnaire was designed and sent to our Jichi Medical School graduates each year since 1980, in order to investigate clinical competence. The format was designed based on several major reports concerning postgraduate clinical training in primary medical care. We found that more than 70% of Jichi Medical School graduates trained in the multi-specialty rotation style in general hospitals that were certified by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Our results also suggested that these graduates obtained a relatively high level of clinical competence in performing physical examinations, basic laboratory testing, clinical procedures, and various treatments.

A self-reporting questionnaire was designed and sent to our Jichi Medical School graduates each year since 1980, in order to investigate clinical competences attained in certain technical items. The responses from graduates of classes 1984 through 1987 were analysed, and the questionnaire was found to be highly reliable and moderately valid. The coefficient variable was 0.942, and the relevant variable was 0.934 using the half-split method. The content was clear, because items in the questionnaire were selected from published official reports. In the construction validity, 4 meaningful groups of items were found by factor-analysis. Yearly analysis using such a questionnaire may clarify some of the problems experienced by trainees and training hospitals, and would encourage the trainees to undergo a process of selfevaluation.