Purpose This study was conducted to clarify the efficacy of centralization of cancer treatment using population-based cancer registry data in Fukui prefecture, Japan.
Method Associations between hospital procedure volume and cancer survival were analyzed using the population-based cancer registry survival data for Fukui prefecture between 1994 and 1998. Firstly the cancer patients who received primary treatments for each target sites such as esophagus, stomach, colon, liver, gall bladder, pancreas, lung, breast, uterus, ovary, prostate, urinary bladder, and lymphoid tissue were totaled. Then, hospitals were divided into 4 categories according to the number of patients by each site; high, medium, low and very low volume. Stage-matched 5-year relative survival rates for each site were then calculated for each categorized hospital volume, and that most desirable for medical treatment for each target site was decided with reference to age-, sex-, and cancer stage-adjusted hazard ratios. Age-adjusted morality reduction was estimated by the expected survival rate after centralization when all cancer patients had received treatments.
Results The 5-year relative survival rates were higher in hospitals with large numbers of patients. With some target sites, such as the stomach, colon, and breast, the mortality was similar between high and low volume hospitals, whereas the other target sites showed higher mortality in line with decrease in number of patients treated. It was estimated that a 2.06% reduction in the mortality rate might be achieved if each case were treated at the most desirable category of hospital in Fukui prefecture.
Conclusion Cancer treatment at hospitals have appropriate procedure volumes is an effective way to increase cancer survival and lower the mortality rate.

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Purpose The purpose of this study was to identify the influence of our designed group training on pulse wave velocity in elderly women.
Method Eighty six elderly women were assigned to two groups randomly; an intervention group (69.8±7.2yrs) and a control group (68.9±7.3yrs). In the intervention group, subjects participated in 90-min group training twice a week for 12 weeks. Our designed training program included recreational activities, six to eight resistance exercises for circuit training using rubber tubes and light weight dumbbells, and chair-based aerobic exercise. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and the brachial-to-ankle pulse-wave velocity (baPWV) were obtained in the supine position. Functional fitness with regard to standing, walking, hand work, and self-care was also measured.
Results Changes in ratios of SBP, DBP and baPWV between before and after the intervention were −3.3±8.4%, −4.3±7.8%, and −8.9±5.0% for the intervention group, and 1.7±7.9%, 0.9±7.7%, and 0.2±5.4% for the control group. The differences between the two groups were significant (P<0.01). Change in ratios for standing and self-care also significantly differed (P<0.05).
Conclusion These results suggested that our designed group training for elderly women improves arterial function and functional fitness.

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Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate and classify major social activities in community elderly. We also clarified reliability, dependence on the age bracket, changes in activity frequency over the past year, and relation between social activities and QOL using a questionnaire.
Methods The subjects were 1,344 individuals aged 60 years or more, living in A area of metropolitan Tokyo. All were members of a Silver Human Resources Center or a Senior Citizen's Club.
Results At first, using explanatory factor analysis for social activities, 14 items were selected and 4 factors were constructed (“participating with community activities”, “visiting relatives or friends”, “participating with group activities”, “hobby activities”)., and the validity of logical factors and internal consistency were confirmed. The resulting questionnaire had high discrimination and a clear factor structure. Cronbach's α of sub-scales were 0.73~0.87.
 Then gender difference and age differences were compared. On comparison, there was significantly more frequent activity (“visiting relatives or friends”, “hobby activities”) in males than in females. With age, significantly lower activity (“visiting relatives or friends”) was noted in 70-74 year old females than in the other ages. At resurvey after one year, medium positive correlation coefficients were found among subs-cales and ages in both males and females. There were also significant correlations between sub-scales of social activities and a “positive mental attitude” with the QOL questionnaire in both sexes, and between sub-scales and “satisfaction with human support” in females.
Conclusion The results suggest that the major sources of social activities in community elderly revolve around 4 factors and 14 items, with distinct relations to QOL. In the future, multi-communitie should be examed for community gaps, and also to distinguish betweem psychic and physical wellness.

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Objective To examine the content of health food advertisements in Japanese newspapers using content analysis, a qualitative study method.
Methods Health food advertisements were selected from five major Japanese newspapers (Asahi, Sankei, Nihon Keizai, Mainichi, and Yomiuri) in October 2007. Fourteen items were checked, including the newspaper's name and the size of the advertisement, health food category [Food for a Specified Health Use (FSHU), Food with Nutrient Function Claims (FNFC), Japan Health Food Authorization (JHFA), and “others”], health claims, and functional ingredients.
Results In all, 541 advertisements were found: 12.4% for FSHU, 6.3% for FNFC, 4.3% for JHFA, and 77.1% for others. Ninety-five functional ingredients were identified, and most advertisements extolled the savings of the health foods (e.g., discount messages) and health claims (70.6% and 60.8%, respectively). The content of advertisements differed according to the health food category, and the ingredients shown in the FNFC advertisements differed according to permission by the Japanese regulatory body.
Conclusions In summary, most health food advertisements in Japanese newspapers were for “other” health foods, the content varied according to the health food category, and the ingredients shown in FNFC advertisements differed with permission of the Japanese regulatory body. Education in media literacy is recommended for consumers.

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[in Japanese]

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[in Japanese]

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