Previous studies demonstrated that heparin coated on the culture plate inhibited the adhesion and locomotion as well as the invasion, metastasis and network communication of cells of a metastatic carcinomatous line^1-3). Heterogeneity of colonies found in the size and distribution was much more evident than those in the presence of heparin. To investigate physiologic effect of the heparin on the heterogeneity, analyses of pictures of colonies grown on plastic dishes were carried out. The fractal dimension (D) and the power spectrum (power exponent M) were determined. Then the numerical factor, an exponent V of a new power function, f(x)=Lx^-V (L is constant) was introduced, which was able to demonstrate the change of the complexity of colonies during the development in culture. The comparison of cell colonies with artificial colonies such as random and gradient percolation made by computer programs was also performed. A model experiment using crushed cookie demonstrated that the size distribution of the fractures followed power law with a single V value similar to colonies of random and gradient percolation indicating that there was no particular interaction except friction. Both the colonies of control and heparin had power exponents V; control colonies of fractal dimensions had 1.000 and 1.330, while heparin colonies had 0.660 and 0.500 in the regions of lower and higher frequency, respectively. Power exponent of Fourier spectrum of both the control and heparin colonies had 0.25 with white noise in the regions of higher and lower frequency, respectively. Thus, the power exponent allowed us to evaluate the heterogeneity of the cell colonies, which is perhaps caused by the complex physiologic interaction. From the results, it suggests that the power exponent V causes heterogeneity of cell colonies, and heparin is able to suppress the cellular interaction allowing V values to be smaller than that of control.

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Background   Our study aimed to evaluate which parameters of physical activity correlates with visceral fat area (VFA) as well as arterial stiffness and bone quality. Sixteen healthy Japanese women (aged 22-67) underwent a health checkup and answered questionnaires, with subsequent measurements of bone quality [sound of speed (SOS)] by ultrasound, VFA by bioelectrical impedance, and arterial stiffness by acceleration plethysmography (APG). We also measured 4 parameters of physical activity, moderate physical activity time, number of steps walked, amount of exercise and physical activity-associated energy expenditure (PAEE), using a multi recorder accelerometer for 14 to 28 days.   Results   SOS tended to positively but not significantly correlate with the mean daily moderate physical activity time and the mean daily number of steps walked. APG did not significantly correlate with any parameter of physical activity. VFA positively correlated with the mean daily PAEE (r=0.534, P<0.05) and the mean daily amount of exercise (r=0.583, P<0.05) assessed using Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficient.   Significant positive correlations were noted among 4 physical parameters each other, none of which correlated with age.   Conclusions   SOS showed weak positive but insignificant correlation with 2 parameters of daily physical activity. However, VFA unexpectedly showed significant positive association with 2 parameters of daily physical activity, suggesting that the increased some parameters of physical activity might be the result of being cautious to prevent obesity in healthy Japanese women.

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Knowledge of anatomy and physiology is said to be necessary for nurses to perform intravenous injections safely. However, no surveys of nurses’ anatomical knowledge or methods of performing intravenous injections have ever been conducted. We therefore elucidated nurses’ anatomical knowledge and methods of performing intravenous injections and assessed tasks linked to the performance of safe intravenous injections.   The study method consisted of conducting an anonymous self-report questionnaire survey of nurses working in 10 general hospitals in 3 prefectures, and the data obtained from 482 nurses were the subject of the analysis.   The results of the survey in regard to the fact that the median nerve and brachial artery lie close to the basilic vein showed that a combined total of 42.7% replied “I’ve heard that, but I don’t know the specifics” or “I didn’t know anything about their positions.” The results showed that 53.5% replied that the cephalic vein at the wrist or back of the hand was their first choice for intravenous injections (“oneshot” below), and 57.7% replied that it was their first choice for intravenous drip injections. The basilic vein in the cubital fossa was the first choice of 11.8% for one-shot injections, and of 9.3% for intravenous drip injections. Moreover, there was a tendency for nurses who replied “I don’t have” any knowledge in regard to the proximity of the median nerve or brachial artery to the basilic vein to choose the basilic vein in the cubital fossa, where there is a high risk of damaging the nerve or puncturing the artery. Also, in regard to awareness of venous valves when making intravenous injections a combined total of 55.6% replied that they were “completely unaware” or “don’t know,” and they may have been causing injuries by being unaware of venous valves when performing cutdowns. The results for knowledge about the proximity of the median nerve or brachial artery to the basilic vein or awareness of venous valves and nerves and arteries coursing deep to the cutaneous veins when performing intravenous injections showed that the fewer their number of years of nursing experience, the more nurses tended not to know and to be less aware.   Based on the above findings, in order for nurses to perform safe intravenous injections they will need to acquire anatomical knowledge not only of the course of veins but of the course of nerves and arteries and venous valves as well. It will also be necessary to teach such knowledge in continuing education so that even nurses with few years of experience are able to perform intravenous injections safely.

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