Objective The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented disruptions to daily life worldwide, leading to significant changes in various aspects of lifestyle, including dietary habits, eating behaviors, physical activity, and sleep patterns. However, the specific impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on these aspects remain unclear.

 Methods Among those who underwent an annual health examination at the Health Evaluation and Protection Center of Tokai University Hachioji Hospital from June 2022 to January 2023, we mailed a questionnaire to individuals who had undergone at least one annual health evaluation at the same center before January 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic. We collected the questionnaires during their health examination visits. Ultimately, we analyzed the questionnaire responses from 396 men and 198 women.

 Results The pandemic has led to notable changes in physical activity levels, transportation methods, sleep patterns, and dietary habits among both genders. Specifically, changes in transportation methods were observed, with a shift towards more private modes of transportation and reduced use of public transport. While some participants reported decreased physical activity and increased sedentary behavior, these changes were not universally experienced. Sleep patterns were affected, with some participants going to bed later and experiencing irregular sleep schedules and changes in total sleeping hours. Dietary habits also varied, with some participants reporting meal timing and frequency changes.

 Conclusions This study provides detailed insights into how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected our lifestyle, dietary habits, physical activity, sleep, and transportation methods. Further research is necessary to investigate how these changes influence metabolic health.

 Objective: In recent years, the incidence of gastric anisakiasis has been increasing in Japan. Simultaneously, cases of asymptomatic gastric anisakiasis, which were incidentally diagnosed by esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) at health checkups, have been reported. We examined the characteristics of asymptomatic gastric anisakiasis diagnosed at health checkups at our institution.

 Subjects & Methods: We examined the clinical characteristics, including age, sex, subjective symptoms, endoscopic findings, of 17 cases incidentally diagnosed with gastric anisakiasis by EGD performed at health checkups at our institution from August 2012 to January 2019. We compared these cases with those of gastric anisakiasis diagnosed by emergency EGD at the outpatient clinic during the same period.

 Results: During the study period, 17 cases of gastric anisakiasis were diagnosed among 34,727 subjects who underwent EGD at health checkups (0.049%). The male-to-female ratio was 14:3, and median age was 63 years. Incidence of anisakiasis was highest in winter. Most of the subjects (70.6%) had eaten mackerel, squid, or other seafood within a few days prior to examination. Typically, only one larva was found per case, with the greater curvature from the gastric angle to the body being the most common site of penetration. Endoscopic findings included redness, edema, erosion, submucosal tumor-like protrusion, and blood clots. During the same period, 34 symptomatic cases were identified, presenting a younger age, more leukocytosis, and a higher number of larvae compared to asymptomatic cases.

 Conclusion: Asymptomatic gastric anisakiasis is not uncommon, and it is necessary to pay attention to medical interviews and precise endoscopic findings at the time of health checkups.

 Objective The study aims to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on managing lifestyle-related diseases during annual health examinations, particularly its influence on the ongoing care and diagnosis of conditions such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, coronary heart disease (CHD), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and stroke.

 Methods We analyzed responses from 396 men and 198 women who underwent health examinations at Tokai University Hachioji Hospital from June 2022 to January 2023 and had prior evaluations before January 2020.

 Results The study found increased treatment rates during the pandemic across several conditions. Hypertension treatment rates rose from 23.2% to 28.0% in men and 17.2% to 19.7% in women. Diabetes treatment rates increased from 3.8% to 5.1% in men and 2.5% to 4.5% in women, while dyslipidemia treatment rates grew from 16.2% to 21.0% in men and 14.1% to 22.2% in women. CHD treatment rates also increased, from 3.3% to 5.1% in men, and CKD treatment rose from 0.8% to 1.5% in men. Stroke treatment slightly increased from 3.8% to 4.5% in men. Additionally, key health parameters, such as blood pressure and plasma glucose levels, exhibited changes, underscoring the pandemic's impact on disease management.

 Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly influenced the management of lifestyle-related diseases, improving treatment rates and health monitoring for multiple conditions. Despite some challenges in healthcare access, the findings highlight the need for resilient health systems and adaptable care strategies to ensure adequate disease management during global health crises. The study's findings provide insights that can inform future healthcare policies and practices, particularly by enhancing the role of annual health examinations in chronic disease management.

 Objective: The creatinine/cystatin C (Cre/CysC) ratio is attracting attention as a potential readily available biomarker of the muscle mass. We evaluated the correlation between the Cre/CysC ratio and skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. We also aimed to investigate the associations of the Cre/CysC ratio with sarcopenia and locomotive syndrome (LS) components.

 Design, Setting and Participants: A total of 157 subjects (male, n=96; female, n=67) who underwent the Advanced course and Basic course anti-aging health checks at Tokai University Tokyo Hospital were enrolled in the study.

 Measurements: Cre/CysC levels were compared with or without components of sarcopenia (decreased SMI and/or muscle strength) or the LS risk test (two-step test stand-up test and the 25-question geriatric locomotive function scale).

 Results: Cre/CysC was significantly lower in male subjects with low SMI, low grip strength and sarcopenia. A lower Cre/CysC ratio was also observed in women with low grip strength. With respect to LS, Cre/CysC levels decreased as the results of the two-step test and stand-up test deteriorated. Cre/CysC values were significantly lower in LS stage 2 patients than in non-LS stage 2 patients in both men and women.

 Conclusion: The present study revealed that high Cre/CysC values were associated with sarcopenia in men and with LS in both sexes. The Cre/CysC ratio is expected to be a useful marker for sarcopenia and LS in the context of general health screening, where precise body composition measurements are not easily applied.

 The mortality rate from coronary artery disease ("CAD") in Japan is significantly lower compared to other developed countries, and this is due in part to the influence of Japan's diet. A number of epidemiological studies have demonstrated the efficacy of a diet that may be described as ‘traditional Japanese diet' ("Japan Diet"), which utilizes ingredients native to Japan, in the prevention of CAD. The Japan Diet primarily sources saturated fatty acids from meat (beef and poultry), monounsaturated fatty acids from meat, fish, and vegetable oils, n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids from vegetable oils and soy products, and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids from marine products and plants. The Japan Diet is characterized by a higher consumption of fish and soybeans/soybean products compared to meat and eggs. Additionally, the intake of fatty acids is balanced in a manner that is conducive to the prevention of arteriosclerosis.

 The Japan Atherosclerosis Society has been formulating guidelines for the prevention of arteriosclerosis since 2007. The 2012 revised edition was formulated with the goal of providing nutritional guidance to improve risk factors, with the goal of understanding the lifestyle of each patient, including their nutrient intake, before providing guidance. In the 2022 editions, 11 clinical questions were created for guidelines on dyslipidemia and related conditions in nutritional therapy, and recommendations were made primarily based on randomized controlled trials when making decisions about medical procedures in clinical settings, with important clinical issues being raised that are expected to improve patient outcomes.

 Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a clinical condition associated with a high mortality rate, necessitating prompt and accurate diagnosis and immediate treatment. We present a case in which ACS was accurately identified during a routine health checkup, leading to an urgent consultation with a cardiologist. In this case, the electrocardiogram (ECG) revealed new ST-T changes and abnormal Q waves, contrasting with the results of a routine ECG conducted during a health checkup one year prior. For an effective diagnosis of ACS, it is crucial to compare the current ECG with a previous ECG obtained during routine health checkups. In conclusion, during medical health checkups, ACS, a potentially life-threatening condition, should be considered in individuals with risk factors or symptoms, and any new ECG changes, particularly ST-T alterations, should prompt immediate referral to cardiologists.

 The Social Medical Corporation SANSHIKAI established the Yangon Japan Medical Centre in Myanmar in 2019. This medical clinic provides Japanese-style medical checkup and outpatient services using Japanese medical devices and barcode systems, while taking measures against power outages. It is a one-stop clinic with in-house pharmacy and laboratories, and the patients can start treatment from the checkup day.

 In Myanmar, where political instability has continued after the COVID-19 pandemic and the coup, the medical system is becoming vulnerable year by year, posing challenges to the provision of Japanese-style medical checkup services in the country.

 First is the electricity shortage and blackout. The generator runs 24 hours throughout the year due to electricity shortage. Second is the procurement of medical materials. The depreciation of the country's local currency and foreign exchange reserves seriously impact import materials, such as medicines and test reagents, in Myanmar. Third is the outflow of human resources, which is caused by political instability in the country. Other challenges include administration procedures and infection control.

 Conversely, Japanese-style medical checkup plays pivotal roles in developing countries, such as early detection and early intervention as well as contribution to healthy life expectancy, and human resource development. Particularly for tuberculosis (TB), it contributes to infection control not only in Myanmar but also in Japan. The number of technical trainees in Japan is dramatically increasing. In most of the countries that dispatch young people to Japan, latent TB infection remains prevalent.

 TB screening has not yet officially started in Myanmar. However, in light of the prevalence of latent TB bacteria among young people planning to work as elderly caregivers in Japan, early TB screening in Myanmar is crucial. This measure is beneficial not only for Myanmar but also for Japan.

 The history of comprehensive health check-ups in Taiwan dates back to 1956, when the National Taiwan University Hospital initiated a six-day in-hospital health check-up service. Initially, only the wealthy and influential could afford such services.

 With economic growth, improved national education, and the media's promotion of health awareness, more people began to invest in health check-ups. Consequently, more medical institutions established specialized health check-up departments.

 Advancements in medical technology and efficient management have significantly shortened the duration of comprehensive health check-ups from several days of hospitalization to a single day. Additionally, the range of available check-up items has expanded.

 Following the launch of national health insurance in 1996, hospital profit margins were considerably reduced. This shift prompted hospitals to explore business opportunities in the self-paid health check-up market, leading to the development of specialized services. Examples include luxurious hotel-style services, Japanese-style health check-up processes, painless endoscopy, positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT), low-dose computed tomography (LDCT), and whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations.

 In recent years, there has been a growing trend of incorporating artificial intelligence and precision medicine into health check-up processes and services. This speech will share the development and current status of comprehensive check-up services in Taiwan.

 Background: This report describes a 10-year initiative by Cochrane Malaysia to translate Cochrane Plain Language Summaries (PLS) into Bahasa Malaysia, addressing language barriers in access to health evidence. In a multilingual region with limited non-English health resources, this effort promotes health information equity by making evidence-based content more accessible and culturally relevant. The project offers insights for other LMICs seeking to localize global research and reduce linguistic exclusion in health communication.

 Objective: To present the processes, outputs, and impact of the Cochrane Bahasa Malaysia Translation Project from its inception in 2015 through 2024, and to share lessons relevant to improving evidence accessibility in similar contexts.

 Methods: Using a volunteer-driven model coordinated through institutional leadership, the project translated, reviewed, and published PLS into Bahasa Malaysia via www.cochrane.org/ms. Quality control, training, and terminology harmonization were integral to the model.

 Results: As of December 2024, 4,657 Bahasa Malaysia PLS had been published, reaching a cumulative 6.8 million page views. The project has sustained a steady output of 400-900 translations per year since 2019, with continuous volunteer engagement, editorial consistency, and active collaboration with Cochrane Multi-lingual Programme team.

 Conclusion: The project demonstrates a scalable model for translating high-quality health evidence into local languages. It also illustrates how volunteer networks, institutional backing, and structured coordination can drive meaningful access to knowledge and support health literacy in LMICs. Its success provides a replicable framework for other regions seeking to localize evidence-based health information.

 Aging is a pleiotropic and complex biological process. Although numerous hypotheses have been proposed over the years, its underlying mechanisms have remained elusive. However, recent advances in molecular genetic techniques have significantly enhanced our understanding of the molecular basis of aging. It is now evident that both genetic and environmental factors contribute to the aging process. Specifically, the accumulation of minor damage in cellular components induced by various harmful agents, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), leads to alterations in glucose, amino acid, lipid, and energy metabolism, as well as gene expression patterns, ultimately resulting in age-related physiological decline.

 In response to such damage, organisms have evolved a range of defense mechanisms, including antioxidant enzymes and autophagy. Current evidence suggests that lifespan is determined by the dynamic balance between cellular damage and these protective responses. Anti-aging strategies based on insights from fundamental aging research, have begun to shift from merely delaying the onset of aging to actively treating its manifestations through regenerative medicine.