This study evaluated the effectiveness of a computer-based stress management training (SMT) program in improving employees’ psychological well-being and work performance. A total of 12 work units (N=263) were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (8 work units, n=142) or to a wait-list control group (4 work units, n=121). All participants were requested to answer online questionnaires assessing psychological well-being as a primary outcome, and coping style, social support, and knowledge about stress management as secondary outcomes at baseline (T0), immediately after the intervention (T1), and 2 months after the intervention (T2). The group × time interaction was tested using a mixed-model repeated measures ANOVA. Results showed a group × time interaction for “knowledge about stress management” in the entire sample. Among participants who had more than 3 d of training, a significant group × time interaction was observed for “problem-solving” and “avoidance and suppression” as well as “knowledge about stress management.” Our computer-based stress management program was effective for improving knowledge about stress management. It was also effective for improving coping skills in instances where participants had enough time (at least 3 d) to complete all sessions.

Summary We investigated the effects of low-dose eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on the incidence and growth of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary carcinoma in rats fed a high-fat (HF) diet. We also examined the effects of these treatments on the fatty acid composition of tumour and serum. Tumour incidence was significantly decreased by the administration of low-dose EPA and DHA, whereas their inhibitory effects on tumour growth did not reach significance. Serum arachidonic acid (AA) level was decreased by the administration of low-dose EPA and tended to be decreased by the administration of low-dose DHA, whereas tumour AA levels were not changed. The administration of low-dose EPA and DHA may be useful for inhibiting the incidence of breast cancer.

We investigated the in vitro effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), with or without the addition of linoleic acid (LA), on cell growth and prostaglandin E (PGE) and leukotriene B (LTB) secretion by a human breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231). With or without the addition of LA, EPA and DHA suppressed cell growth and thymidine incorporation and reduced the secretion of PGE and LTB. In a univariate analysis, cell growth was significantly associated with both LTB and PGE concentrations when cells were treated with DHA or EPA, independent of the addition of LA. However, multivariate regression analysis showed that cell growth was more closely associated with the PGE concentration rather than the LTB concentration. These data suggest that both EPA and DHA suppress cell proliferation in the MDA-MB-231 cell line by inhibition of the cyclooxygenase rather than the lipoxygenase pathways. However, the exact mechanism underlying the antitumor activity of EPA and DHA remains unclear.

Eight cases of choledochal cyst associated with biliary malignancy (gallbladder carcinoma in three and bile duct carcinoma in five) were reviewed to evaluate the roles and limitations of computed tomography (CT) (n = 8), ultrasound (US) (n = 6), cholangiography (n = 8), and angiography (n = 6). In cases of gallbladder carcinoma, both CT and US revealed mass lesions in the gallbladder consistent with cancer. CT also depicted either a mass lesion or an irregular thickened wall in all cases of bile duct carcinoma; however, US failed to demonstrate a thickened wall in one of three cases in which CT findings were positive. Cholangiography universally revealed malunion of the pancreatico-biliary duct, and the findings were suggestive of malignancy in seven cases in which CT depicted abnormalities. Angiography showed tumor stain in three of six cases. Lymph node metastases were present in four cases but were detected preoperatively in only one. One case showing a thickened bile duct wall was erroneously diagnosed as malignancy among 27 cases of choledochal cyst unassociated with biliary malignancy.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the ADL ability characteristics of the elderly by comparing the characteristics to achieve basic activities between the independent and institutionalized dependent elderly from the viewpoints of gender and age differences. The subjects were 697 Japanese dependent elderly living at welfare institutions for the aged, and 482 independent elderly living at home. Seventy-four activities were selected from nine ADL domains. The survey for the independent elderly was conducted in health or culture education classes, and for the elderly without these classes, a general delivery survey was conducted. The independent elderly provided their own data. The survey for the dependent elderly was conducted in welfare institutions and the staff working at the subjects' institutions responded. In two-way ANOVA of rates of items, significant gender differences were found in some changing and holding posture activities in the independent elderly group, and in activities using upper extremities in the dependent elderly group. ADL ability in the independent elderly group significantly decreases with aging, but this trend is unclear in the dependent elderly group. In the independent elderly group, indications of a decrease appear in activities with lower limbs from the 70s, and appear in the most of basic activities from the 80s. Furthermore, differences in achievement levels of each activity with aging were found in both elderly groups. These findings may suggest that there are remarkable individual differences in ADL ability of the elderly with aging.