Background : It is still controversial whether FDG uptake is correlated with cellular proliferation and prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSC). In this study, we performed PET study and immunohistochemical analysis to elucidate the relationship between FDG uptake and expression of cellular proliferative markers and pathological prognostic markers in patients with OSC. Methods : FDG PET and immunohistochemical staining have been carried out in sixteen patients with OSC. Tumor uptake of FDG was expressed with standardized uptake value (SUV). The expression of Ki-67, Topoisomerase IIα (Topo IIα), p53, and p63 in cancer cells was quantitatively assessed with positivity of the immunohistochemical staining. SUV was compared with the results of immunohistochemical analysis. Results : FDG PET study revealed that SUV ranged from 3.6 to 22.1 with average of 10.4. Average positive rate of Ki-67, Topo IIα, p53, and p63 was 68.9%, 58.9%, 72.0%, and 65.2%, respectively. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient analysis revealed that SUV was significantly correlated with Ki-67 (r=0.616, p=0.01), Topo IIα (r=0.677, p=0.004), p53 (r=0.613, p=0.01), and p63 (r=0.710, p=0.002), respectively. Conclusion : The present preliminary study indicated that FDG uptake was closely correlated with pathological cellular proliferative and prognostic markers in patients with OSC.

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Purpose : We studied the effect of the exercise on improving oral function in elderly day-care center users. This is a baseline study on oral status, hygiene, and function. Methods : Participants were 34 day-care center users (average age : 79.7 (±8.9) years old) able to brush their own teeth. We examined number of teeth, denture wearing, oral disease, oral hygiene, and oral function. Result : They averaged 10.9 (±9.8) teeth. Some 80% wore dentures. Some 45% were diagnosed as in need of dental treatment, including denture adjustment. Oral cleaning status was related to that of denture cleaning, frequency of daily oral cleaning, the number of candida spp in saliva, and lip-closure ability. Although tooth number was related to biting force, the elderly having 1 to 19 teeth were more in need of dental treatment than those without any teeth. The tooth number was also related to the ADL score. Conclusions : To maintain oral health among elderly day-care center users, they should be instructed in oral cleaning and exercises to improve oral function, and regular dental treatment should be arranged for them.

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Objectives : Nursing Research trends and topics were analyzed based on publications dealing with breast cancer patients who underwent breast-conserving surgery published between 1999 and 2008 in Japan. Methods : A search was carried out using "Japana Centra Revuo Medicina" with "breast cancer", "nursing", "breast-conserving surgery" and "breast-conserving therapy (BCT)" as key words, and the design, methods, and contents of research were analyzed. Results : There were 49 papers, and the quantitative research accounted for more than half (53.1%). The most frequent research design was the factor-exploring type (57.1%). Research topics were divisible into 5 categories : psychological changes and stress coping in breast cancer patients (18 codes : 36.7%), prevention and influence for life of functional disorder attended treatment (7 codes, 14.3%), factors affecting selection of treatment and QOL (8 codes, 16.3%), giving information related treatment and requirement for support (5 codes, 10.2%), and development of nursing intervention programs and evaluation of caring practice (11 codes, 22.4%). Discussion : These results indicate two trends in this research field, i.e., evaluation of the mental and physical influences of breast-conserving surgery and continued treatment from the viewpoint of QOL, and interventional research with nursing interventional programs targeted at management of psychological problems experienced by breast cancer patients.It is desirable that more numbers of interventional studies are carried out henceforth in order to develop valid interventional programs based on evaluation of the data collected through such studies.

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Objectives : To describe the experience of the sister who became a bone marrow donor at her childhood, and discuss the nursing care for the sibling donor. Subjects and Method : The author interviewed Ms. A who was in the first half of 20's of age, having donated her bone marrow at age of 8 to her 6-years old sister, and made a qualitative and descriptive analysis. Results : Despite her hesitation and the expectation from her parents about the bone marrow donation, Ms. A understood that the decision was made by her own intention. After the transfusion she felt oneness with her sister and took care of her. She felt now content even with a sense of pride for having become the donor. Conclusion : It was suggested that the sibling donor would reconsider the reason of having become the donor from her current situation, and that the QOL of the recipient might influence on her own sense of value. A direct, continuous assistance to prevent a distorted recognition on the self-existence during puberty and adolescence as well as an indirect assistance through the recipient may be required for the donor.

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Purpose : Issues arising in international nursing cooperation include differences in thinking about nursing and nursing skills between the destination country and Japan. To make nursing cooperation for developing countries more effective, Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers nurses working in Laos were interviewed, and their activity reports analyzed to clarify differences in nursing practices. Methods : Five nurses from Japan working in Laos and 14 reports prepared by nurses working in Laos were analyzed to clarify differences in nursing practices between Laos and Japan. Descriptions of differences in nursing were extracted from reports, and semistructured interviews. Data was classified referencing Achievement Targets for Nursing Skills / Midwifery Skills (Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare, 2003). Results : Many statements were related to nursing skills such as infection prevention, symptoms and biological function management, and medicine prescription, and patient care by patient's family. Many differences in midwifery skills during delivery and pregnancy were extracted. Conclusions : The study clarified nursing practices between Laos and Japan, and is expected to contribute greatly to future international cooperation in nursing.

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The effects of soybean extract (Glycine max) on NR2B expression, cognitive vitality and neurotoxicity have not been exclusively reported. Here, we examined the correlation between Glycine max concentration and the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor NR2B. We observed the brain weight, bodyweight and body movement in animals that recieved soybean extract in their food. Brain tissues from five groups of rats treated with five different concentrations of soybean extract (5-50% of total diet calories) were collected. Rats without treatment served as the control group. NR2B expression was determined using RT-PCR. Average values of escape latency (EL) on day four in the control, 5%, 10% and 20% groups were 34.5, 29.67, 27.2 and 33.83 seconds, respectively. The EL of the 10% group was significantly shorter than that of the control. The low (5-10%) and moderate (20%) extract concentrations were not found to induce any abnormality in body movements, whereas the high concentration (40-50%) groups were found to have some movement disorders after four weeks of administration. The cerebellum weight of the high concentration group (50%) was decreased 18% from the pre-treatment weight, and this decrease might be related to the movement abnormality, which was possibly due to a defect of the CNS in this group. Specifically, we speculated that this abnormality might be due to damage in the cerebellum. These events might be initiated by an increase of NR2B as an adaptive process in the low and high soybean extract groups (5-40%), followed by a sudden decrease in NR2B in the 50% group due to the possibility of brain injury. The low percentage Glycine max extract diet (<5%) is recommended, and 5-10% can be tolerated, but more than 20% is not recommended. High concentrations (40-50%) of soybean extract were found to have neurotoxicilogical effects.

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It is very important to observe the clinical course of patients and the experiences involved in daily medical activities on a routine basis, and to study them using a variety of tools, including the Internet. Doing this will help to promote serendipity, that is, a natural ability to make interesting or valuable discoveries, by accident, in your daily life.Serendipity could lead to a medical presentation or publication of a paper. One might say that writing a paper is simply an achievement and leave it at that. However, it is also a real joy to know the extent to which your idea or technique has been recognized in Japan, as well as in the wider world. Clinical practice and research do not necessarily conflict with one another ; rather, they are like "two wheels on one cart".

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