Heterogeneous adhesion of cells on polymer surfaces with underlying amorphous/crystalline phases.

Fibroblastic adhesion behaviour on films of a poly[(2-methoxyethyl vinyl ether) (PMOVE)-block-(l-lactic acid) (PLLA)], in which the surface was covered with PMOVE, was studied. Fibroblasts were sufficiently sensitive to identify crystalline/non-crystalline regions existing beneath the surface PMOVE layer.

Simultaneous detection of multiple transgenes for genetically-modified mouse strains.

Recent advances in the genetic manipulation of mice have enabled us to generate transgenic and knockout mice. However, it is not easy to maintain these genetically-modified mice with the high-quality necessary to meet both scientific and legal requirements. RIKEN BRC has collected various transgenic, knockout, and conditional knockout mice.

How families in Japan view the disclosure of terminal illness: a study of iatrogenic HIV infection.

Physicians in Japan typically do not disclose diagnoses of terminal illnesses to patients, in deference to the wishes of family members. Nonetheless, some evidence indicates that relatives of patients with iatrogenic HIV infection would prefer patient disclosure. We collected survey data from 314 family members in 225 households of hemophiliac patients who died from illnesses related to iatrogenic HIV infection in order to examine current attitudes toward patient disclosure in Japan.

Should we tell the truth? Why families in Japan chose to tell their loved ones they were victims of iatrogenic HIV infection.

Japanese families traditionally avoid disclosing diagnoses of terminal illnesses to patients, seeking to protect the patient from emotional pain and shock. Using awareness theory, in this study we aimed to investigate the attitudes toward disclosure among bereaved families of Japanese hemophiliacs with iatrogenic HIV/AIDS. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 34 bereaved family members.

Working condition factors associated with time pressure of nurses in Japanese hospitals.

In Japan, the most common reason for medical errors is a lack of cross-checking. To prevent errors, efforts to strengthen cross-checking behaviors are being adopted. However, time pressures also lead to errors, and increasing cross-checking activities leads to an increased workload and even greater time pressures.

Effects of working conditions on intravenous medication errors in a Japanese hospital.

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore quantitatively which working conditions influence the occurrence of medical near-miss errors related to intravenous medication at a hospital in Japan.

Background: Although working conditions such as stress, fatigue and inexperience have been reported to contribute to medical errors, countermeasures to these conditions have been delayed, and working conditions have deteriorated in many Japanese medical sites.

Methods: A self-reporting questionnaire analysing working conditions that can lead to near-miss errors relating to intravenous medication was sent to 90 nurses working in four wards of one Japanese hospital in 2001.

Physician-patient communication and patient satisfaction in Japanese cancer consultations.

Over the past few decades, physician-patient communication has been intensively studied in western countries, because of its importance for the physician-patient relationship and patient health outcomes. Although various concepts and models of this relationship have recently been introduced in Japan, there are few studies on Japanese physician-patient interaction. The purpose of this study is to describe characteristics of physician-patient communication in a Japanese cancer consultation, and to examine the relation of this interaction with patient satisfaction.

The interaction between physician and patient communication behaviors in Japanese cancer consultations and the influence of personal and consultation characteristics.

The communications of physician and patient vary with the characteristics of patient and consultation, as well as the communications of the counterpart. The purpose of this study is to explore the interaction between physician and patient communications in Japanese cancer consultation in view of the influence of patient and consultation characteristics. One hundred and forty cancer outpatients and 12 physicians were included in this study.