With the goal of establishing efficient leukocytapheresis (LCAP) for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC), in order to mainly remove the leukocytes that are attributable to inflammation and minimize removal of leukocytes supplied in an anti-inflammatory manner, we performed 1.5L blood-processing-volume LCAP to treat 7 cases of moderate or severe UC and assessed its clinical efficacy and blood cell dynamics in peripheral blood. There was a clinical response in 5 (71.4%) of the 7 cases, and it was possible to reduce the dose of steroids or discontinue them in 4 (80%) of the 5 cases in which they were being used before LCAP. The changes in leukocyte count in peripheral blood showed a reduction from 7, 971 (3, 400-12, 800)/μL before LCAP to a minimum value of 3, 443 (1, 300-6, 300)/μL after 1.5L processing, and the maximum value 30 minutes after the completion of processing was 12, 900 (6, 200-17, 100)/μL. Similar trends were also observed in regard to granulocytes, monocytes, and lymphocytes. There were no adverse effects. By removing the minimum number of leukocytes necessary, 1.5L blood-processing-volume LCAP allows treatment in approximately half the time and with approximately half the processing volume in comparison with the LCAP that is usually performed. It is also a safe and effective treatment clinically, and it appears to be an efficient method for treating UC patients.

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We report two cases using calcium-phosphate bone cement (CPC) for reconstruction of the large defects created by enucleation of large maxillary cysts. In all cases, no serious adverse effects were encountered. CPC appears to offer a useful bone substitute for large defects of the jaw secondary to cyst removal. As the follow-up period for our cases is short, further long-term observation and clinical studies are needed.

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[in Japanese]

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[in Japanese]

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[in Japanese]

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An annual survey on job satisfaction and what affairs are viewed as being of significance to employees was conducted. The survey was divided into two parts: 1. Job satisfaction and 2. Significance of job affairs. The questionnaire content covered 21 items: motivation, aptitude, fairness of workload, psychological anxiety related to work, validity of work evaluation, presence of a person to consult in work, stress of operating a system or medical equipment, salary, personnel changes, vacation, atmosphere in terms of sexual harassment not being permitted, atmosphere in terms of people cooperating with each other, adequacy of information transmission, training support, staff communication, necessity of operational improvement, future morale, job type, official position, age and sex. Job satisfaction and Significance of job affairs were evaluated by using a 4-point and 3 point Likert scale, respectively. The questionnaire was completed by 78.9% of employees.
The survey results showed a fair level of satisfaction for motivation, aptitude, presence of someone to consult with, no stress in system operation, good atmosphere regarding sexual harassment, good cooperation, adequate information transmission and good communication. Correlation of coefficient yielded these 7 factors to be significantly correlated with job satisfaction and what is viewed as being significant. Moreover, the motivation, cooperation, adequate information transmission and training support were found to be significant factors for morale in the future.
The results for the items covering psychological anxiety, salary, vacation, and operational improvement showed there was dissatisfaction, and it was found that these are also important factors for job satisfaction and morale in future.
Motivation, training support, communications, valid evaluation, no psychological anxiety, cooperation, fairness, vacation, adequate information and adequate salary were statistically proved as important factors related to satisfaction of operational improvement. In addition, the concrete problems that have to be solved were found by this evaluation. Based on these results, a balanced score card will be introduced and the operation of each section will be reviewed for the rejuvenation of intangible assets of the hospital. Furthermore, to make ours a hospital preferred by patients a new organizational goal of “providing safe and high-quality medical treatment satisfying to patients and staff” will be established as a means to internally regenerate the hospital.

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[in Japanese]

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