JOURNAL OF THE KYORIN MEDICAL SOCIETY
Online ISSN : 1349-886X
Print ISSN : 0368-5829
ISSN-L : 0368-5829
Volume 46, Issue 2
Displaying 1-11 of 11 articles from this issue
Case report
  • Kenji YAMADA, Takehiko TARUI, Taketo MATSUDA, Takeaki MATSUDA, Yosihir ...
    2015 Volume 46 Issue 2 Pages 145-148
    Published: 2015
    Released on J-STAGE: July 03, 2015
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
      Two uncommon cases of sepsis-associated Purpura fulminans (PF) caused by urinary tract infection are herein reported. The first case involved an 81-year-old man, and the second an 80-year-old woman; both developed septicemia and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). After admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), progressive purpuric skin necrosis became evident on the fingers and toes. Blood and urine cultures were positive for both Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis in the first case and for Escherichia coli in the second. The patients were discharged from the ICU on day 17 and 36, respectively. All areas of necrosis subsequently separated from the underlying tissue. Because the mortality rate associated with PF is very high, priority must be given to general and symptomatic supportive therapy in patients with sepsis-associated PF.
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Original Article
  • Hiroteru OKAMOTO, Takenobu HOSODA, Koji TERUYA, Takako WADA
    2015 Volume 46 Issue 2 Pages 149-158
    Published: 2015
    Released on J-STAGE: July 03, 2015
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Objectives This study aimed to evaluate job stress and changes in salivary amylase (sAMY) activity as an indicator of stress reactions among Japanese emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and to examine the effect of job stress on sAMY while EMTs perform their duties.
    Methods Seventy-four male Japanese EMTs of the X City Fire Bureau were divided into three groups according to job class: team leaders, team members, and drivers. We employed the Japanese version of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Generic Job Stress Questionnaire and measured pre- and post-shift levels of sAMY using a hand-held monitor.
    Results The three groups reported different levels of job stress. Leaders had lower sAMY levels post-shift than pre-shift. In drivers only, there was a significant positive correlation between sAMY levels and the cognitive demand stressor category (r=0.612, P<0.01); however, there was a significant negative correlation between sAMY and social support from supervisors (r=-0.466, P<0.05) and social support from coworkers (r=-0.494, P<0.05).
    Conclusions The task of driving an ambulance car constituted a cognitive demand for drivers, perhaps because it required their full concentration. This job stressor was associated with a corresponding post-shift increase in sAMY; moreover, social support in the workplace was important for reducing stress-induced elevated sAMY in drivers. In team leaders, who experienced heavy psychological strain and job responsibilities, the lower post-shift sAMY levels may be associated with suppression of the sympathetic nervous system when they are freed from the psychological strain and sense of responsibility.
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