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Introduction:Nurses’ broad knowledge and treatment skills are instrumental to disaster management. Roles, responsibilities, and practice take on additional dimensions to their regular roles during these times. Despite this crucial position, the literature indicates a gap between their actual work in emergencies and the investment in training and establishing response plans.Aim:To explore trends in disaster nursing reflected in professional literature, link these trends to current disaster nursing competencies and standards, and reflect based on the literature how nursing can better contribute to disaster management.Methods:A systematic literature review, conducted using six electronic databases, and examination of peer-reviewed English journal articles. Selected publications were examined to explore the domains of disaster nursing: policy, education, practice, research. Additional considerations were the scope of the paper: local, national, regional, or international. The International Nursing Councils’ (ICN) Disaster-Nursing competencies are examined in this context.Results:The search yielded 171 articles that met the inclusion criteria. Articles were published between 2001 and 2018, showing an annual increase. Of the articles, 48% (n = 82) were research studies and 12% (n = 20) were defined as dealing with management issues. Classified by domain, 48% (n = 82) dealt with practical implications of disaster nursing and 35% (n = 60) discussed educational issues. Only 11% of the papers reviewed policy matters, and of these, two included research. Classified by scope, about 11% (n =18) had an international perspective.Discussion:Current standards attribute a greater role to disaster-nursing in leadership in disaster preparedness, particularly from a policy perspective. However, this study indicates that only about 11% of publications reviewed policy issues and management matters. A high percentage of educational publications discuss the importance of including disaster nursing issues in the curricula. In order to advance this area, there is a need to conduct dedicated studies.

Serum ceruloplasmin (CP), a marker relevant to copper metabolism, is one of famous inflammation markers with a reduction in Wilson’s disease, whereas serum ferritin is a marker relevant to iron metabolism. Recently, ferritin is pointed out to be related with oxidative stress. However, there is still no population research which showed the relation of CP and ferritin. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between CP and ferritin including oxidative stress biomarkers among healthy Japanese (n = 389). We measured serum CP, ferritin, Fe, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and urinary oxidative stress biomarkers [H2O2, 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), 8-isoprostane] and so on. Subjects showed that age; 41.7 ± 10.0 (year), CP; 31.9 ± 6.8 (mg/dl), ferritin; 123.5 ± 121.0 (ng/ml), hs-CRP; 0.89 ± 2.53 (mg/l), 8-OHdG; 10.2 ± 4.4 [ng/mg creatinine (Cre)] and H2O2; 6.5 ± 10.9 (µM/g Cre), (All data mentioned above were expressed as mean ± SD). CP was significantly and positively correlated with hs-CRP and inversely correlated with ferritin, Fe and 8-OHdG. By a multiple logistic regression analysis, odds ratio of CP according to quartiles of hs-CRP was 4.86, and according to quartiles of 8-OHdG was 0.39 after adjusting for age and other confounding factors. In conclusion, our findings suggest that CP was an antioxidative biomarker which controls oxidative stress, whereas ferritin was a marker which may participate in the generation of oxidative stress.

The replenishment of adiponectin—an adipocyte-derived hormone with salutary health effects—has recently been proposed as a new approach to treat hypertension, also ameliorate cardiovascular and metabolic risks. We conducted a prospective placebo-controlled, non-randomized and investigator-blinded dietary intervention study to evaluate the health effects of dietary intake of Sujiaonori (Ulva/Enteromorpha prolifera Müller) algal biomaterial (SBM), especially on adiponectin production, blood pressure (BP), and body mass index (BMI) in human subjects. Participants (N = 32) were divided into two equally sized groups (n = 16 for each group): SBM group (subjects supplemented with 3 g SBM powder twice a day during meal) and the control group (subjects who took 3 g of a supplement made of 70% corn starch powder and 30% spinach twice a day) for four weeks. Two health survey questionnaires (dietary and current health questionnaires) were completed anonymously, saliva sampling was done for adiponectin measurement by ELISA, and blood pressure (BP) and anthropometric parameters were measured at baseline and four weeks later. Student paired t-test was performed to compare baseline and post-intervention data on outcome variables between the two study groups. Results showed a 2.24-fold increase in adiponectin level in SBM group (2.81 and 6.26 ng/mL at baseline and at the end of study, respectively) (p < 0.01); whereas no significant change was observed in controls (3.58 and 3.51 ng/mL, respectively) (p > 0.05). In SBM subjects, an improvement of BP profile was noted with a significant decrease in systolic BP (p < 0.01). A positive correlation was found between SBM supplementation and adiponectin level, whereas an inverse correlation was noted between SBM supplementation and blood pressure, and also BMI. These findings suggest that SBM-increased adiponectin level and improved BP in a sample of Japanese young adults, and has the potential to improve blood pressure in humans.

Although cigarette smoking is known to be an important risk factor for renal disease, the mechanism by which smoking induces progressive renal disease in a healthy population has not been established. We hypothesized that oxidative stress (measured as 8-iso-prostaglandin F(2α), 8-iso-PGF2a), inflammation (highly sensitive C-reactive protein (CRP), hs-CRP) and nitric oxide may be associated with an alteration in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and proteinuria in otherwise healthy smokers. A total of 649 eligible subjects were classified according to their smoking status. Plasma NOx was measured using ozone-based chemiluminescence, urinary 8-iso-PGF2a was measured using enzyme immunoassay and serum hs-CRP was measured using a latex aggregation nephelometry method. The levels of 8-iso-PGF2a and hs-CRP increased in current smokers (P=0.001 and P=0.029, respectively), although there was not an increase in the NOx level. The prevalence of a high eGFR increased in light smokers (odds ratio (OR) 1.15 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.61-2.17)) and heavy smokers (OR 2.33 (95% CI, 1.06-5.10)) when compared with non- and past smokers (P for trend=0.024). The multivariable-adjusted mean values of the eGFR in current smokers, reported from the lowest to the highest quintiles of hs-CRP levels, were 82.1, 85.1, 86.4 and 88.5 ml per min per 1.73 m² (P for trend=0.027). The mean values of proteinuria were 28.6, 34.6, 37.2 and 39.5 mg g⁻¹ creatinine (P for trend=0.003). The correlation coefficient between hs-CRP and eGFR was increased significantly (P=0.03) across non- (r=0.03), past (r=-0.17), light (r=0.13) and heavy smokers (r=0.31). In conclusion, cigarette smoking is a risk factor for renal function alteration in healthy smokers and is characterized by a high eGFR and a high urinary protein associated with an increase in the hs-CRP. This finding suggests that hs-CRP may help mediate the alteration of renal function in smokers.

The urinary concentrations of 8-isoprostane and 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), which are biomarkers of oxidative stress, were measured in 677 Japanese people without any diseases, and their correlations with lifestyle facotrs, lifestyle-related blood biochemical parameters, and dietary intake of antioxidative vitamins were investigated. The mean urinary concentration of 8-isoprostane and 8-OHdG was 0.58 ng/mg creatinine and 8.43 ng/mg creatinine, respectively. Mean urinary 8-isoprostane was significantly different in terms of age, gender, smoking and alcohol consumption but not different in terms of body mass index (BMI) and exercise. By multiple regression analysis, urinary 8-isoprostane was significantly influenced by smoking and age. On the other hand, mean urinary 8-OHdG showed differences only by age group. Multiple regression analysis revealed that urinary 8-OHdG was significantly influenced by age, smoking, body weight, levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol in females, although it was significantly influenced by body weight in males. The present study shows that urinary 8-isoprostane is associated with lipid peroxidation related-lifestyles such as smoking, and urinary 8-OHdG is associated with arteriosclerosis related-factors such as Hs-CRP. Our findings suggest that 8-isoprostane and 8-OHdG appear to be prospective biomarkers for early prediction of lifestyle related-disease risk at the population level.

To examine the relation between lifestyle factors and oxidative stress biomarkers, this study analysed plasma 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT), urinary 8-isoprostane and 8-hydroxy-2'- deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) of 323 healthy Japanese without any disease. Plasma 3-NT was significantly increased by excessive exercise (p=0.010), but it was not significantly different in terms of sex, age (40,==40), BMI (18.5, 18.5-24.9,==25.0), smoking (non-smokers, smokers) and alcohol drinking per week (non-drinkers,10 units,==10 units). Urinary 8-isoprostane was significantly associated with alcohol drinking (p0.01) and sex (p0.01), although it had no significant relevance to age and exercise. Moreover, urinary 8-OHdG was positively associated with age (p0.05) and negatively associated with BMI (p0.05) and fasting insulin (p0.001). However, it was not related with sex, smoking, alcohol drinking and exercise. In conclusion, the present results suggest that 3-NT, 8-isoprostane and 8-OHdG seem to be useful biomarkers for early prediction of lifestyle-related disease risk at the population level.

Background Disaster and Health Information Systems have been designed and used separately. Disaster management systems provide information on hazards as well as relief management which are usually public information. Public health information systems provide information on individual patient profile as well as community health profiles. In disaster situations, however, aside from hazard information, human security information and health information of individuals and communities provide relevant information in disaster response, specifically in reducing mortality and morbidity. Objectives The objective of the study is to design, develop and test the feasibility of interface between three systems: eBayanihan (a nationwide participatory disaster management system for the Philippines), SHEREPO (shelter reporting human security system from Japan) and SHINE OS+ (an electronic medical and referral system). Methods We conduct training on use of systems with participants from two groups: first responders and health officers. A simulation of using systems in parallel is conducted to gather user behavior. Feedback is also done through focus group discussions. Result Findings show parallel dimensions or factors relevant in integrating health systems with disaster systems. Specifically, location, time, health status are significant factors in interfacing of systems. Conclusion There is a need to confidentiality and data privacy at the policy level for communities to adopt the technology.

The aim of this study is to determine whether a questionnaire-based method using the Veterans Specific Activity Questionnaire (VSAQ) is a practical tool for the development of a safe exercise program to prevent a reduction in physical performance. One hundred and twenty-one senior residents of Yakage, Okayama, agreed to voluntarily participate in this study. They were asked to complete a questionnaire for information on age, sex, subjective health status, exercise habits and VSAQ. We investigated the relationship between age and exercise capacity predicted by VSAQ (predicted metabolic equivalents (METs)). In addition, for 36 out of the 121 participants, we performed a 6-min walk distance test (6MD) and investigated whether its results correlate with the predicted METs. Furthermore, we prepared a modified VSAQ and examined its practicality in the evaluation of the exercise capacity of Japanese elderly (n=50). We found that the predicted METs correlate well with age. Habitual exercise and subjective health status did not affect the predicted METs. A significant correlation was observed between the predicted METs and the results of 6MD (r=0.56, p

To shed a light on problems and areas of needs in health care services for foreign residents, this research focuses on identifying these problem areas that affect health care provision to foreign residents. This study was conducted in cooperation with an organization that provided everyday life support consultation to foreign resides in multiple languages at a Center for International Exchange. An analysis on contents of multi-lingual consultations provided by a foreign resident support organization in a major urban area identified these issues which are chosen from records of health related consultation cases which were selected from all everyday life support consultation records dating from April 2004 to March 2010. There were, in total, fifty-one health related consultation cases. Thirty one consultations were carried out in Japanese, issues that were caused by language barriers and cultural differences: communication problems, lack of information on health services and welfare services, difficulty in applying for benefits which resulted in the inability to pay medical costs and stress from unfamiliar work and life environment. Two elements of health service improvement would be “revised ways of information provision for the foreign residents” and “awareness of the multicultural society”.

The usefulness of urinary hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) as an oxidative stress biomarker was evaluated in 766 healthy Japanese. The mean level of urinary concentrations of H(2)O(2) was 5.66 ± 8.27 μmol/g creatinine, and was significantly higher in females than in males. Significant correlations of H(2)O(2) were observed with age, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), insulin, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and exercise habit in females. In both sexes, H(2)O(2) showed a significant correlation with 8-OHdG. By a multiple logistic regression analysis, urinary H(2)O(2) was positively associated with urinary 8-OHdG and TC and was inversely associated with insulin. By stratification of sex and age, the association of urinary H(2)O(2) with TC was positive in both sexes under 50 years old and was inverse in males over 50 years old, and that with insulin was inverse in males over 50 years old and in females under 50 years old. Moreover, by stratification of sex and age, a positive association of H(2)O(2) with exercise and an inverse association of H(2)O(2) with alcohol consumption became clear in males under 50 years old, although there were no significant odds for H(2)O(2) after adjustment for covariates. In conclusion, the present results suggest that urinary H(2)O(2) is a useful biomarker for oxidative stress, showing an association with 8-OHdG, TC, and insulin independently.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the health-protecting effects of feeling useful to others on symptoms of depression and sleep disturbance in the workplace, as well as its buffering effects on associations between stressful work environments and symptoms of depression and sleep disturbance. Methods: The subjects of this cross-sectional survey were 773 Japanese workers (response rate: 64.8%) of five organizations. Feelings of being useful to others were assessed with one simple question used in a previous study. Psychosocial work environment, sleep disturbance, and depressive symptoms were assessed using the Japanese versions of the Effort-Reward Imbalance Questionnaire, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the 28-item General Health Questionnaire, respectively. We tested for linear and interactive effects with hierarchical regression analyses. Results: Feeling useful to others was significantly (p

Objectives: Recent prospective evidence drawn from the Whitehall II cohort reported by Kivimaki et al. implies that stressful situations are related to decreased body weight in thin men and increased body weight in obese men, whereas no corresponding interactive effects are observed in women. The mechanism underlying this phenomenon remains unknown, and the purpose of this study was to confirm our hypothesis that the relevant mechanism is behavioral (e.g., over-eating). Methods: The subjects of this survey were 607 Japanese workers (response rate: 60.5%) in four organizations. The questionnaire solicited demographic information and included the Bulimia scale of the Eating Disorder Inventory-EZ to measure tendencies toward over-eating as well as the Japanese version of the Effort-Reward Imbalance Questionnaire (ERIQ). Body mass index (BMI) was calculated on the basis of data obtained during medical check-ups. We tested for linear and interactive effects with hierarchical regression analyses. Results: BMI was significantly (p

We attempted to study whether social support promotes self-efficacy and reduces stress responses of patients with diabetes in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Diabetic outpatients at Dr. Sardjito Hospital voluntarily participated in a questionnaire survey. Data from 125 patients were subjected to analysis. The questionnaires included the scales and subscales of social support, self-efficacy, psychological stress response, and demographic measure. Data were analyzed by Spearman's rank correlation test to examine the relationships between parameters, Mann-Whitney U-test and Kruskal-Wallis test to compare the scales by characteristics, and structural equation modeling to explore the best-fit model. This study was performed in September 2003. It was found that augmentation of emotional support to patients significantly increased the 'active coping for the disease' and 'controllability of health', and that 'helplessness' was reduced significantly. Behavioral support affected only 'controllably of health'. Self-efficacy reduced stress response of the patients. It was also found that subjects who received support from their children significantly scored higher in perceived availability of social support than those without support from their children. To know their behavioral support better as well as emotional support may be one area to focus on in improving the health status of people with diabetes in Yogyakarta.