看護系大学の編入学制度等に関する調査結果の報告

看護系大学編入学制度の現状と課題をあきらかにすることを目的に,国公立看護系大学84校を対象にアンケート調査を行った.有効回答58校(69.0%),3年次編入学を実施している大学は52校(89.7%),編入定数の平均は10.4(SD=5.7)人であり,定員数10名が39校(67.2%)と一番多かった.編入学生における3年制看護系短期大学卒業者の割合は,2003年61.3%から2007年34.1%と年々低下しており,志願者の平均倍率は2003年5.6倍,2007年4.6倍と減少傾向にあった.編入学制度の検討・見直しを行っている大学は24校(41.1%)で,開設当初から未実施3校に加え,見直し後3校の廃止が明らかになった.約6割の大学は修士課程,約3割は博士課程を設置,約4割は設置予定或いは検討中,CNSについても約6割が設置もしくは検討中であり,看護教育の高度化・専門化の方向が示唆された.今後,(1)編入学生の学習ニーズへの対応:大学教育と資格取得(保健師,助産師)の要素を充たすべく教育内容を整えているが限界がある,(2)編入学生の履修科目が複数年次にまたがり,時期的に過密で煩雑な履修状況になることを考慮した時間割編成が求められ,大学全体の教育運営に影響を及ぼしていることなどが課題と考えられた

Analysis of Plasma Protein Concentrations and Enzyme Activities in Cattle within the ExEvacuation Zone of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant Accident

The effect of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FNPP) accident on humans and the environment is a global concern. We performed biochemical analyses of plasma from 49 Japanese Black cattle that were euthanized in the ex-evacuation zone set within a 20-km radius of FNPP. Among radionuclides attributable to the FNPP accident, germanium gamma-ray spectrometry detected photopeaks only from 134Cs and 137Cs (radiocesium) commonly in the organs and in soil examined. Radioactivity concentration of radiocesium was the highest in skeletal muscles. Assuming that the animal body was composed of only skeletal muscles, the median of internal dose rate from radiocesium was 12.5 μGy/day (ranging from 1.6 to 33.9 μGy/day). The median of external dose rate calculating from the place the cattle were caught was 18.8 μGy/day (6.0 - 133.4 μGy/day). The median of internal and external (total) dose rate of the individual cattle was 26.9 μGy/day (9.1 - 155.1 μGy/day). Plasma levels of malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase activity were positively and glutathione peroxidase activity was negatively correlated with internal dose rate. Plasma alanine transaminase activity and percent activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)-2, LDH-3 and LDH-4 were positively and LDH-1 was negatively correlated with both internal and total dose rate. These suggest that chronic exposure to low-dose rate of ionizing radiation induces slight stress resulting in modified plasma protein and enzyme levels

Development and Practical Test of Quality Indicators for Palliative Care in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure

Background: Palliative care is highly relevant for patients with heart failure (HF), and there is a need for quantitative information on quality of care. Accordingly, this study aimed to develop a set of quality indicators (QIs) for palliative care of HF patients, and to conduct a practical pilot measurement of the proposed QIs in clinical practice. Methods and Results: We used a modified Delphi technique, a consensus method that involves a comprehensive literature review, face-to-face multidisciplinary panel meeting, and anonymous rating in 2 rounds. A 15-member multidisciplinary expert panel individually rated each potential indicator on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 9 (highest) for appropriateness. All indicators receiving a median score >= 7 without significant disagreement were included in the final set of QIs. Through the consensus-building process, 35 QIs were proposed for palliative care in HF patients. Practical measurement in HF patients (n=131) from 3 teaching hospitals revealed that all of the proposed QIs could be obtained retrospectively from medical records, and the following QIs had low performance (<10%): "Intervention by multidisciplinary team", "Opioid therapy for patients with refractory dyspnea", and "Screening for psychological symptoms". Conclusions: The first set of QIs for palliative care of HF patients was developed and could clarify quantitative information and might improve the quality of care

Analysis of Plasma Protein Concentrations and Enzyme Activities in Cattle within the Ex-Evacuation Zone of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant Accident

<div><p>The effect of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FNPP) accident on humans and the environment is a global concern. We performed biochemical analyses of plasma from 49 Japanese Black cattle that were euthanized in the ex-evacuation zone set within a 20-km radius of FNPP. Among radionuclides attributable to the FNPP accident, germanium gamma-ray spectrometry detected photopeaks only from ¹³⁴Cs and ¹³⁷Cs (radiocesium) commonly in the organs and in soil examined. Radioactivity concentration of radiocesium was the highest in skeletal muscles. Assuming that the animal body was composed of only skeletal muscles, the median of internal dose rate from radiocesium was 12.5 μGy/day (ranging from 1.6 to 33.9 μGy/day). The median of external dose rate calculating from the place the cattle were caught was 18.8 μGy/day (6.0–133.4 μGy/day). The median of internal and external (total) dose rate of the individual cattle was 26.9 μGy/day (9.1–155.1 μGy/day). Plasma levels of malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase activity were positively and glutathione peroxidase activity was negatively correlated with internal dose rate. Plasma alanine transaminase activity and percent activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)-2, LDH-3 and LDH-4 were positively and LDH-1 was negatively correlated with both internal and total dose rate. These suggest that chronic exposure to low-dose rate of ionizing radiation induces slight stress resulting in modified plasma protein and enzyme levels.</p></div