We conducted an investigation of the wedge-shaped defect and questionnaire survey in 2005. We choose the questions depending on which seemed to be the risk factors for wedge-shaped defect from the previous results of research. The index of wedge-shaped defect and relevant risk factors were analyzed. High prevalence of wedge-shaped defect was shown in females of less than 40 years old and in males of 40 years or more. In regression line analysis of age and wedge- shaped defect index, a positive correlation was shown in males and not significant in females. We hypothesize that abfraction due to articulation is the principal risk factor of wedge-shaped defect and that dental erosion by acid, tooth-brushing force, hardness of tooth brush and sports that induce tooth clenching are the other risk factors of wedge-shaped defect.

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Nutrition assessment is important for nutrition therapy in nutritional support team (NST) work. The route of nutrition should also be chosen when considering whether or not to use the intestine. However, there have been no reports that have studied nutritional states for each route of nutrition. That is why the present study focuses on the route of nutrition, comparing treatment day and nutritional state, and then, by studying 70 cases, considers the practicality of adding the route of nutrition to the parameters of nutrition assessment at intervention by NST. The treatment day showed no significant differences regarding the route of nutrition, but showed the feature that cancer cases who received only parenteral nutrition were malnourished. Focusing on the route of nutrition can also be done simply and quickly, so it is considered to be a good indicator of the parameters of nutrition assessment at intervention by NST. As indicated above, to focus on the route of nutrition is useful to indicate the parameters of nutrition assessment at intervention by NST.

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This research studied the eating habits, of women aged 30-69 who reside in Nakama City , with regard to eating home-cooked food, eating pre-made food, and eating out. Based on their eating habits, the women were divided into a homecooking group, a pre-made food group, an eat-out group, and a mixed group. The pre-made food group was then subdivided by cluster analysis into 3 subgroups - subgroup A, subgroup B, and subgroup C - which were compared in terms of 8 health practices, BMI, and subjective state of health. Significant differences were observed between the subgroups with regard to the 8 health practices, BMI, and subjective state of health. The subgroup whose state of health was deemed best was subgroup C. The members of this subgroup, approximately 80% of whom were employed, often ate 1 main item and a side dish purchased at a bento store for weekday lunches, and 2 main items and a side dish purchased at a bento store for weekday dinners. The subgroup whose state of health was deemed worst was subgroup B. The members of this subgroup, more than 80% of whom were employed, often ate 1 main item and a staple food purchased at a convenience store for weekday lunches, and 1 main item and a staple food purchased at a supermarket for weekday dinners. This suggests the strong possibility that certain eating habits, repeated daily over a long period, will produce physical irregularities.

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While gum chewing increases blood stream of brain and cognitive function, little is known about the effects of gum chewing on work efficiency. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of gum chewing on work efficiency and fatigue in healthy volunteers. We assigned fourteen volunteers to an intervention group (n=9) and a control group (n=5) randomly. Participants in the intervention group were requested to chew the chewing gum during Uchida-Kraepelin Test. Physical and Mental Fatigue were examined pre- and post- Uchida-Kraepelin Test. The main outcomes were the questionnaire in relation to lifestyle, Uchida-Kraepelin Test to estimate work efficiency, and physical and mental fatigue by Visual Analog Scale. As a result, a negative correlation between post mental fatigue and the scores of Uchida-Kraepelin Test was observed (p<0.05). The scores of Uchida- Kraepelin Test were not different by groups. Physical fatigue of the control group significantly increased after Uchida-Kraepelin Test (p<0.05). Mental fatigue of the intervention group decreased. In conclusion, gum chewing improved physical and mental fatigue after the Uchida-Kraepelin Test.

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