Recent Developments and the Incidences of Cancers in Japan: Focal Emphasis on Breast Cancer and the Use of Food Ingredients and Plant-Part Extracts for Prevention


FOONG; Anthony FW Recent Developments and the Incidences of Cancers in Japan: Focal Emphasis on Breast Cancer and the Use of Food Ingredients and Plant-Part Extracts for Prevention JAS4QoL 2023, 9(1) 5 online at: https://as4qol.org/zEfqQ

Categories: > Mini Reviews, > Volume 9, Journal Articles, Volumes
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FOONG; Anthony FW

R&D Department, Imex Japan Co. Ltd., Kyoto, 3F Imex Japan Bldg, 22 Simomidori-cho, Shichiku, Kita-Ku, Kyoto 603-8425, Japan

According to recent analysis in Japan (2020), the mortality rate of males is higher than that of females: i.e. 368 (males) vs 248 (females) per 100,000 population. With regards to the affected sites, the mortality trend traces a similar pattern of males > females in the following order (with approximately 2-fold higher rate in males): oral cavity, larynx, esophagus, stomach, liver, pharynx, lung, and bladder. However, mortalities attributable to thyroid cancer appear to be higher in females. Regarding the site-related mortalities, males tend to be more susceptible to succumbing to following cancers, in decreasing order: colon/rectum, lung, stomach, colon, pancreas, and liver; while susceptibility of females traced the following pattern, in decreasing order: colon, lungs, pancreas, breasts, and stomach.

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Enhancing Subjective Wellbeing for the Elderly via Shared Territorial Bonding-Type Resident Activity: Meaningful Creation of Intergeneration Exchange Activity Derived from 10,000 Elderly of More than Age Sixty-Five


MATSUMOTO; Kenya, SOYANO; Ayako, HIRAIDE; Atsushi  Enhancing Subjective Wellbeing for the Elderly via Shared Territorial Bonding-Type Resident Activity: Meaningful Creation of Intergeneration Exchange Activity Derived from 10,000 Elderly of More than Age Sixty-Five JAS4QoL 2023, 9(1) 4 online at: https://as4qol.org/c6oCO

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MATSUMOTO; Kenya1*, SOYANO; Ayako1, HIRAIDE; Atsushi

1*Faculty of Nursing School of Medicine, Nara Medical University (j-okuda@naramed-u.ac.jp)
2Faculty of Nursing, Mejiro University

This paper presents the results of a preliminary study clarifying the relationship-building process involving patients admitted to Medical Treatment and Supervision Act (MTSA) ward and nurses. We conducted semi-structured interviews with two nurses who had experience working in MTSA wards to gain insight as to how they perceived patients when building relationships with them and changes in feelings toward the patients as treatment progressed. The content was analyzed with reference to the modified grounded theory approach. Results show that the nurses sought to have an understanding of patients1. The core of their actions was the belief that negative impressions can be overcome to motivate oneself. By applying their personal beliefs, the nurses deepened their understanding of patients. In the process of understanding, the nurses conducted consistent engagement with the patient while feeling that the patient’s psychological and physical aspects were improving, which was conflicting with understanding the wavering of the patient’s mental state and involvement according to that mental state and involvement that allows the patient to take proactive actions (i.e., involvement with patients). Repetitions of this process are thought to foster relationship-building between patients and nurses. Given that the relationship buildinThis study endeavored to clarify the effects on subjective wellbeing of the elderly and resident activities in municipalities. We investigated the impact of resident activities in each municipality on the subjective wellbeing of the elderly and to examine intergenerational exchange activities (IGEAs) that connected the young and elderly. Participants (male: 5000; female: 5000) of age 65 years and over residing all over the nation were subjects of the study. The study was conducted through an anonymous self-administered web survey on the internet. With subjective wellbeing expressed as the dependent variable, and various independent variables, including statistical data from municipalities, basic demographic attributes (gender, age, cohabitation family structure, place of residence, etc.), and participation in resident activities. Multiple regression analysis and structural equation modeling were employed for analysis purposes. The results showed that individual attributes such as annual income and age had a negative impact. Higher age and higher annual income were associated with reduced subjective wellbeing. In addition, all resident activities appeared to have favorable effects, indicating that engaging in any IGEA enhanced subjective wellbeing. The financial status of the municipalities where participants resided did not have a significant impact on subjective wellbeing when population density was excluded from the analysis. Furthermore, a model based on family composition and gender was established. Based on results of the present investigation, young and elderly participants involving shared territorial bonding-type resident activities yielded a meaningful mix of the young and the elderly. Through the present study - where Japan now is undergoing depopulation and cascading into a gray society - not only thinking of the unilateral tendency of the young supporting the elderly, but the coupling of increased connections between the elderly and the young nurture an aspect of fusing the weak and the strong from both age groups in IGEAs over time, and brings along activated interactive participations, where each side stand to learn and earn things ‘new’. Our study highlights the positive effects of community involvement on the wellbeing of the elderly and underscores the potential benefits of promoting IGEAs that capitalize on the distinct features of individual communities.g between forensic psychiatry patients and nurses is reported to reduce recidivism, the results of this study could be used to prevent patients from recidivating and to promote social rehabilitation. However, this is a preliminary study, so there is a need to collect more data based on the results and clarify the process of relationship-building between patients and nurses.
Keywords: forensic psychiatry patient, patient-nurse relationship, relationship-building process, Medical Treatment and Supervision Act

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A Preliminary Study of the Process of Relationship-Building Between Patients Hospitalized in Medical Treatment and Supervision Act Wards and Nurses in Japan


OKUDA; Jun, KAZAMA; Mari A Preliminary Study of the Process of Relationship-Building Between Patients Hospitalized in Medical Treatment and Supervision Act Wards and Nurses in Japan JAS4QoL 2023, 9(1) 3 online at: https://as4qol.org/II8NK

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OKUDA; Jun1*, KAZAMA; Mari2

1*Faculty of Nursing School of Medicine, Nara Medical University (j-okuda@naramed-u.ac.jp)
2Faculty of Nursing, Mejiro University

This paper presents the results of a preliminary study clarifying the relationship-building process involving patients admitted to Medical Treatment and Supervision Act (MTSA) ward and nurses. We conducted semi-structured interviews with two nurses who had experience working in MTSA wards to gain insight as to how they perceived patients when building relationships with them and changes in feelings toward the patients as treatment progressed. The content was analyzed with reference to the modified grounded theory approach. Results show that the nurses sought to have an understanding of patients1. The core of their actions was the belief that negative impressions can be overcome to motivate oneself. By applying their personal beliefs, the nurses deepened their understanding of patients. In the process of understanding, the nurses conducted consistent engagement with the patient while feeling that the patient’s psychological and physical aspects were improving, which was conflicting with understanding the wavering of the patient’s mental state and involvement according to that mental state and involvement that allows the patient to take proactive actions (i.e., involvement with patients). Repetitions of this process are thought to foster relationship-building between patients and nurses. Given that the relationship building between forensic psychiatry patients and nurses is reported to reduce recidivism, the results of this study could be used to prevent patients from recidivating and to promote social rehabilitation. However, this is a preliminary study, so there is a need to collect more data based on the results and clarify the process of relationship-building between patients and nurses.
Keywords: forensic psychiatry patient, patient-nurse relationship, relationship-building process, Medical Treatment and Supervision Act

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A New Drug Design: Substances Excreted from The Body Serve as Deterrents Against Insect Bites


SATO, Erina; FOONG, Anthony FW A New Drug Design: Substances Excreted from The Body Serve as Deterrents Against Insect Bites JAS4QoL 2023, 9(1) 2 online at: https://as4qol.org/tlN6K

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SATO; Erina * , FOONG; Anthony FW

R&D for Product Development, Imex Japan Co. Ltd., 3F Imex Japan Building, 22 Shimomidori-cho, Shichihku, Kita-ku, Kyoto 603-8425, Japan 78imexfw@gmail.com

Many succumb to dengue, malaria, Zika, and yellow fever in tropical Asia and Africa. Dengue per se may cause hemorrhagic fever in 100-400 million people a year, although 80% of cases are mild or asymptomatic (according to World Health Organization). Of the carriers for these diseases, mosquitoes – Aedes aegypti (AA) species – is among the most rampant, common, and difficult to handle, because it is adapting, mutating, and evolving to become more resistant to the hitherto effective pyrethroid-based chemicals such as permethrin. As a result, many people have become infected with above-mentioned diseases, thereby severely lowering quality-of-life (QoL) of the affected. Recent surveys by a Japanese research team (KASAI Shinji et al.) in certain parts of Asia and Ghana have demonstrated growing region-dependent resistance to insecticides of some mosquito strains (recent 1000-fold vs previous 100-fold resistance): viz., insecticide levels that would normally kill 100% of mosquitoes in a sample will now kill ca. 7% of the insects. AA mosquitoes are the most troublesome species as these are the most common carriers for above-mentioned diseases.

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Hidden Curriculum in the Pharmacy Education: A Comparison of the Six-Year Curriculum With the Former Four-Year Curriculum


KOBAYASHI, Aya; KOBAYASHI, Yasuna Hidden Curriculum in the Pharmacy Education: A Comparison of the Six-Year Curriculum With the Former Four-Year Curriculum JAS4QoL 2023, 9(1) 1 online at: https://as4qol.org/Pprb9

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KOBAYASHI; Aya, KOBAYASHI; Yasuna

 

Department of Pharmacy Education, Showa University School of Pharmacy, 1-5-8 Hatanodai, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 142-8555, Japan (ayakoba408@pharm.showa-u.ac.jp)

This study investigated the “hidden curriculum” that exists side-by-side with the formal pharmacy education in the daily life of pharmacy students. Specifically, it focuses on whether pharmacy students acquire through extracurricular activities and during daily school life while attending the pharmacy schools constitute helpful learning that assists them in becoming pharmacists who make positive contributions to society and healthcare. We have also sought to determine which specific extracurricular activities and habits, etc., served to bolster their self-awareness as pharmacists. We conducted questionnaires and interviews and investigated the characteristic “hidden curriculum” these individuals experienced as students at pharmacy schools. Information gathered from a questionnaire revealed that the number of positive responses to the question: “In regard to extracurricular activities experienced in the time you were at a pharmacy school, did what you had learned help you as a pharmacist?” was 63.3% in the former four-year (4Yr) and 71.3% in the six-year (6Yr) cohorts. Based on information compiled from individual interviews, reasons why “extracurricular activities” were helpful as pharmacists were assigned to the categories of “identity,” “professionalism,” “peer effects,” “recognition of others.” It became clear that their extracurricular activities were of great importance to their work and attitudes as pharmacists, as they grew in self-responsibility and self-awareness as pharmacy professionals. The reason for this outcome is that the daily exposure to those experiences while in pharmacy school molded them into pharmacists without them being consciously aware of it. The study results make clear that extracurricular activities during student life were helpful as pharmacists. We conclude that the “hidden curriculum” played key role in the process of building self-awareness and a sense of responsibility required for pharmacists.

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Wonders from Nature in The Tropical Southeast Archipelago: Health from Jungles and Bushes


FOONG; Anthony FW Wonders from Nature in The Tropical Southeast Archipelago: Health from Jungles and Bushes JAS4QoL 2022, 8(1) 3 online at: https://as4qol.org/p6097

Categories: > Mini Reviews, > Volume 8, Journal Articles, Volumes
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FOONG; Anthony FW  

Imex Japan Co. Ltd. 3F, Imex Japan Bldg, 22 Shimomidori-cho, Shichiku, Kita-Ku, Kyoto 603-8425 JAPAN (78imexfw@gmail.com

There are thousands of plant species in the tropics: many, though, cannot survive in the temperatures and environments either too far north or south or on soils unfriendly to the typical tropical species. From these tropical plant species can be derived ingredients and extracts that provide holistic cures and heal many diseases that modern medicines often cannot treat.

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Churg-Strauss Syndrome or Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (EGPA): A Case Study of Using Steroid Combined with Functional Food for Treatment


NAKYAMA; Tomoharu, FOONG; Anthony FW Churg-Strauss Syndrome or Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (EGPA): A Case Study of Using Steroid Combined with Functional Food for Treatment JAS4QoL 2022, 8(1) 2 online at: https://as4qol.org/uDcpC

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NAKAYAMA; Tomoharu 1 , FOONG; Anthony FW 2 

Nakayama Clinic, 8-251-1, Kita-Itami, Itami City, Hyogo Prefecture 664-0831 JAPAN; (drnakayama888@nike.eonet.ne.jp

Imex Japan Co. Ltd. 3F, Imex Japan Bldg, 22 Shimomidori-cho, Shichiku, Kita-Ku, Kyoto 603-8425 JAPAN

A female patient, who complained of weight loss, suffered from pain with occasional numbness and tingling sensations in joints/muscles of her upper/lower extremities, and her abdominal regions, and suffered from general weakness with fatigue on a daily basis. Clinic visits revealed that she had Churg-Strauss syndrome1* or eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA)*. Early clinical data showed high C-reactive protein (CRP: 5.1mg/dL) levels and eosinophil counts (9.2%), which improved to within normal ranges (CRP: <0.2 mg/dL; eosinophil counts: 3-5%) with 5-yr steroid treatment (prednisolone: 35 mg daily). However, EGPA-related signs and symptoms, AMY (amylase), and other blood and metabolic indexes registered unfavorable readings despite persistent steroid treatment. Her physical and biochemical conditions improved in a time-dependent fashion after combining steroid administration with complementary intake of functional food 3eMulti, which contained natural ingredients (such as docosahexaenoic acid, pecah beling leaf, pandan leaf, mangosteen peel extracts, nattokinase, lycopene, and beehive propolis) with multivariant purposes such as potent antioxidation, favorable blood vascular and cell-function properties. After 9-months of daily intake of the aforementioned functional food in addition to continuous steroid treatment, she recovered completely from the physical and biochemical deficits. To date, she has been enjoying good quality of life (QoL), with above-mentioned combination treatment continuing without any adverse effects. When medications alone are insufficient to treat an idiopathological disease, a combination of medication and functional food intake (particularly with effect-complementary ingredients) may improve the patient’s condition so they may be able to accommodate or normalize the pathological condition. This may lead to a more wholesome, in terms of QoL, living conditions for patients suffering from intractable disease. 

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It is Not Easy to Find a Clean and Functional Public Toilet in Many Countries: Lessons to Learn from Japan


SATO, N.; ISHII, E. It is Not Easy to Find a Clean and Functional Public Toilet in Many Countries: Lessons to Learn from Japan JAS4QoL 2022, 8(1) 1 online at: https://as4qol.org/xAJT1

Categories: > Volume 8, > Wisdom Notes, Journal Articles, Volumes
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SATO; NorikoISHII; Erina  

Imex Japan Co. Ltd., 3F Imex Japan Building, 22 Shimomidori-cho, Shichiku, KitaKu, Kyoto 603-8425, JAPAN

Traveling in Europe, the United States, and most countries in Asia, it is always a painful and embarrassing moment when nature calls. For people living in Japan especially, the situation maybe unbearable when a language barrier arises as well. All these come back to the one and one only question:  Why are public toilets or washrooms not readily available outside Japan? The answer to this question goes back to the 19th century when a well-meaning reformer, Augustus Gardner spoke out in 1862: “Any man, and far more, any woman may walk from one end of this city to the other, in the most dire torture, without finding the relief to the necessities of the body, without such indecent exposure of the person as would render the individual liable to arrest and fine by the civic authorities.” 

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Be a Good and Reliable Co-Driver


SATO, N. Be a Good and Reliable Co-Driver JAS4QoL 2021, 7(1) 2 online at: https://as4qol.org/jwsWt

Categories: > Volume 7, > Wisdom Notes, Journal Articles, Volumes
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SATO; Noriko  

Chief Executive Officer, Imex Japan Co Ltd, 22-8 Shimomidori-cho, Shinchiku, Kita-ku, Kyoto 603-8425, Japan

For drivers to enjoy driving a vehicle, whether they are maneuvering forward or negotiating a curve, he/she should be free to steer, slow down, accelerate, and brake without the distraction of uneccessary noises or disturbances around them. At the same time, a person driving a car is often accompanied by companions, friends, or family members. In such situations, there is usually a so-called “co-driver” in the seat next to them.

All in all, co-drivers will greatly help facilitate the driver’s task by adhering to the following guidelines.

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A Case Study on Functional Food Intake in a Diabetic Patient: No Such Thing as a Magic Bullet Part-II


FW FOONG, A.; SATO, K. A Case Study on Functional Food Intake in a Diabetic Patient: No Such Thing as a Magic Bullet Part-II JAS4QoL 2021, 7(1) 2 online at: https://as4qol.org/QLRiK

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A Case Study on Functional Food Intake in a Diabetic Patient: No Such Thing as a Magic Bullet Part-II

FOONG; Anthony FW SATO; Erina2  

R&D Department, Imex Japan Co Ltd, 22-8 Shimomidori-cho, Shinchiku, Kita-ku, Kyoto 603-8425, Japan (78imexfw@gmail.com

BACKGROUND: Useful ingredients in functional foods A and B previously improved certain physical symptoms (PSs) deficits due to ageing; however, blood sugar levels (monitored as glycemated hemoglobin or HbA1C) of a type-2 diabetic were unsatisfactory. We investigated the probable factors by focusing on the supply source, types and concentrates of sugar-regulating substances in ingredient mulberry leaf extract (MLE) as the extract was previously not well-defined. The revised functional food C (replaced previously known B), where all ingredients remained the same in quantity and supply sources, except MLE where the useful ingredient 1.2% 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) was defined and obtained from a new supplier Z. METHODS: Volunteer patient P, who led a sedentary lifestyle, had continued intake of functional food A and complemented A with C after 2 control readings had been taken. Controls and blood analytical data were respectively monitored before and after combined A+C intake at 3-month (3-mo) intervals. Blood pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI), and other metabolic indexes were taken before (A alone) and after combined A+C intake. P led his usual normal life without dietary restrictions. PSs were also monitored before and after combined A+C intake. RESULTS: Blood pressure (BP) was normal, with slight improvement in BMI values. Total cholesterol (T-Cho), triglycerides (TG) levels varied in a similar pattern, which eventually registered normal after 9-mo combined A+C intake. HbA1c levels scored impressive improvements in a time-dependent manner: i.e. decreasing from 8.0 and 9 (controls) to 7.5, 6.9, and 6.8 at 3-, 6- and 9-mo combined A+C intakes, respectively. Improved PSs were well maintained. DISCUSSION: The BMI improved from overweight to normal status. Rebounds in T-Cho (3-, 6-mo) and TG (6-mo) levels were probably associated with high-calorie sweets taken in August. The most impressive finding in this study is the marked improvement in HbA1c findings. Replacement of MLE from a new source Z with defined 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) concentrate made all the difference: the alpha-glucosidases-inhibiting DNJ, fagomine, and other active sugar-regulating components in MLE may have lowered blood sugar levels, thus improving HbA1c values. Functional foods comprising effective ingredients would most likely elicit useful effects, if the active ingredient with a defined concentrate was used.

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