[Development of a Risk Prediction Model and a Simple Assessment Sheet for Screening Undernutrition Using Factors Related to Food Environment Accessibility among Older Adults Living Alone in Semi-mountainous Areas].

Objectives: In addition to an aging population, the number of single-person households is increasing in semi-mountainous areas. The nutritional status of older adults living alone has also been studied as they are prone to undernutrition. In this study, we aimed to develop a risk prediction model and a simple assessment sheet for screening undernutrition using factors related to food environment accessibility among older adults living alone in semi-mountainous areas.

The Narrowing of Self as Perceived by People in the Early Stages of Dementia-The Second Report.

Aim: The purpose of this study is to shed light on the sense of self that occurs amongst those who have been diagnosed with the early stages of dementia, where the individual attempts narrowing their world.

Methods: The research was conducted using qualitative induction research methods, and data were collected using semi-structured interview methods. The interviews were conducted between 2017 and 2019.

Association of lower serum sclerostin levels with elevated risk for increased arterial stiffness: The JPOS Cohort Study.

Objectives: Studies on the relationship between serum sclerostin, a Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibitor, and atherosclerosis have yielded inconsistent results. We aim to longitudinally investigate the relationship between serum sclerostin levels and the risk of increased arterial stiffness in Japanese community-dwelling women.

Methods: Of 1044 women aged ≥50 years whose brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) value was available in a baseline survey in 2011-2012, we excluded 374 whose baPWVs were ≥1800 cm/s, set as the cutoff for increased arterial stiffness, and eight with missing data.

Brief Behavioral Activation Intervention for Inpatient Depression by Psychiatric Nurses: A Single-Group Study.

Introduction: Behavioral Activation (BA) is a short-term cognitive behavioral therapy modality that stimulates activities that increase patients' reinforcement experiences. Recent research verified the effect of brief BA. However, despite the short intervention time per session, BA is difficult to implement during hospitalization due to its long implementation period.

Association between Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome and Indicators of Reflecting Independent Living among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The purpose of this study was to examine whether motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR) is associated with various indicators of independent living among community-dwelling older adults in Japan. The study design was a cross-sectional study, and the participants were 107 community-dwelling older adults (mean age 79 ± 7 years) who were living independently. The participants were administered the Questionnaire for Medical Checkup of Old-Old (QMCOO) as an indicator of health status and the Japan Science and Technology Agency Index of Competence (JST-IC) as an indicator of higher levels of functioning capacity, among others.

Smartphones Helping Memory-Impaired Individuals Overcome Inconveniences During Daily Living.

The external compensatory means recommended for rehabilitation of memory disorder must consist of a means for storing information externally and a clue for accessing the externally stored information. Writing down the information on a paper pocketbook is usually used as an external compensatory means, but smartphones are overwhelmingly more useful in terms of the functions as compared to paper pocketbooks. The author, who has a memory disorder and works as an occupational therapist, has recently devised a method for utilizing a smartphone for overcoming the inconveniences during daily living and herein describes how to use it in daily life scenarios.

Factors related to evacuation intention when a Level 4 evacuation order was issued among people with mental health illnesses using group homes in Japan: A cross-sectional study.

This study aimed to identify factors related to the intention to evacuate in a disaster following a Level 4 evacuation order among people with mental health illnesses living in group homes in Japan. The participants were people with mental health conditions living in group homes in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. We created an original self-administered questionnaire and conducted a survey among this group.

Users' Perspective on Revised Simple Simulator for Calculating Nutritional Food Stocks in Preparation for Large-scale Disasters.

Objective: In 2020, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare developed an Excel workbook entitled "Simple Simulator for calculating nutritional food stocks in preparation for large-scale disasters." In September 2021, it was modified as the "Revised Simulator" to plan food stockpiles in normal times and post-disaster meals. This study aimed to further improve the Revised Simulator.

Association between Motor Skills, Occupational Performance, and Mental Health in Japanese Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Correlational Study.

Motor skills have been linked to executive functions (EFs) in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). However, the traits of other neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder, remain overlooked. Therefore, this study explored the association between motor skills, occupational performance, and mental health in older kindergarten children with DCD and other NDDs.

Effect of the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake on outpatient chemotherapy among cancer survivors in Japan: a retrospective study.

Background: The study aim was to elucidate the effect of the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake on outpatient chemotherapy treatment of cancer survivors at Kanazawa Medical University Hospital (KMUH), Japan.

Methods: Medical and nursing records for January 4-31, 2024, from KMUH were retrospectively collected, and data for 286 participants were analyzed.

Results: Of the 286 participants, 95.

Using Spatial Scan Statistics and Geographic Information Systems to Detect Monthly Human Mobility Clusters and Analyze Cluster Area Characteristics.

Introduction: This study evaluated the detection of monthly human mobility clusters and characteristics of cluster areas before the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak using spatial epidemiological methods, namely, spatial scan statistics and geographic information systems (GIS).

Methods: The research area covers approximately 10.3 km, with a population of about 350,000 people.

Factors associated with behavioral and weight changes across adult to elderly age groups during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background/objectives: There are concerns about the adverse health effects of behavioral changes linked to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We conducted a survey to investigate changes in lifestyle habits, including exercise and eating, during the COVID-19 pandemic and their association with changes in weight.

Subjects/methods: We conducted a survey of 5,000 people in Hakui City, Japan, to assess their lifestyles and diets during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Resveratrol and piceid enhance efferocytosis by increasing the secretion of MFG-E8 in human THP-1 macrophages.

The process of apoptotic cell clearance by phagocytes, known as efferocytosis, plays an essential role in maintaining homeostasis. Defects in efferocytosis can lead to inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis and autoimmune disorders. Therefore, the maintenance and promotion of efferocytosis are considered crucial for preventing these diseases.

Factors Related to the Willingness of People with Mental Health Illnesses Living in Group Homes to Disclose Their Illness to Supporters during Disaster Evacuation: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Severe heavy rains caused by linear precipitation systems are occurring more frequently in Japan owing to climate change, and residents are being asked to evacuate more often. The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with the willingness of people with mental health illness (PMHI) in group homes to disclose their illness when being evacuated. Participants were PMHI living in group homes in Japan.

Strengths within the Community Perceived by Older Adults Living Alone in a Semi-Mountainous Rural Region: A Qualitative Study.

It is recommended that health promotion activities in the community focus on residents' strengths. Hence, this study explored the community strengths perceived by older adults living alone in a semi-mountainous rural region of Japan. A qualitative, descriptive approach was used.

Enhancing healthcare access during disasters and emergencies: Recommendations from Nepali migrants in Japan.

Migrants in Japan often face difficulties accessing healthcare due to language barriers, lack of information, shortage of interpreters, amongst other barriers. With an increase in the number of foreigners in Japan, it is also expected that health and safety concerns for migrants will rise during times of crisis or disaster. The purpose of this article is to present recommendations from Nepali migrants themselves about various actions that stakeholders or policymakers could take to improve healthcare access during future disasters, emergencies, or crises in Japan.

Vegetable Extracts as Therapeutic Agents: A Comprehensive Exploration of Anti-Allergic Effects.

Food allergies are common worldwide and have become a major public health concern; more than 220 million people are estimated to suffer from food allergies worldwide. On the other hand, polyphenols, phenolic substances found in plants, have attracted attention for their health-promoting functions, including their anti-allergic effects. In this study, we examined the potential inhibitory effects of 80% ethanol extracts from 22 different vegetables on the degranulation process in RBL-2H3 cells.

Canna Starch Improves Intestinal Barrier Function, Inhibits Allergen Uptake, and Suppresses Anaphylactic Symptoms in Ovalbumin-Induced Food Allergy in Mice.

Edible canna rhizomes contain extremely high levels of resistant starch among cereals and potatoes. We previously showed that feeding canna rhizome starch to mice may increase intestinal barrier function and improve the intestinal environment. Here, we investigated the effects of canna starch intake in a murine food allergy model.

A Review of the Literature on the Regional Strengths Perceived by Older People Living in Local Japanese Communities.

As a super-aging society, health promotion activities in local Japanese communities are increasingly essential. Developing the health-promotion programs must include the perspective of older people residing in these communities and what they believe to be their regional strengths. This study aimed to clarify the elements of regional strengths perceived by older people living in local Japanese communities from the literature review.

Potential for Improvement of Gut Microbiota Deterioration Caused by a High-fat, High-sucrose Diet through Administration of Acylated Steryl-β-glycosides.

Consumption of a high-fat diet (HFD) is associated with an increased risk of metabolic diseases, cancer, and neurological disorders, which are major global health concerns. In the present study, mice were fed a HFD containing 40% fat and 0.5% or 1.

Development of disaster nursing in Nepal: Opportunities and challenges for advanced practice.

Aim: This article discusses the evolution of the field of disaster nursing in Nepal and its challenges and ways to protect the health and well-being of the community during disasters. It also discusses the alignment of field activities with the International Council of Nurses' (ICN) competencies in disaster nursing.

Background: Disaster nursing has become increasingly important due to the increasing frequency and impact of disasters on health.