Takanobu Osaki

Relationship between the three kinds of healthy habits and the metabolic syndrome

SUMMARY OBJECTIVES In 2005, the diagnostic criteria for Japan-specific metabolic syndrome were published. The representative health habits are Breslows seven healthy practices, Morimotos eight items and Ikedas six healthy habits. We investigated the prevalence of metabolic syndrome related with life-style strongly among these three sets of healthy habit. METHODS Cross-sectional study was conducted for the prevalence of metabolic syndrome by practicing these healthy habits. 20,776 Japanese individuals visited the Health Science Center at Jikei University Hospital in Japan for medical check-ups. Subjects were divided into 8 groups based on gender and age (females in their 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s, and males in their 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s). Participants completed a simple, self-administered lifestyle questionnaire based on the three sets of healthy habits. Subjects were divided into three groups (poor, moderate and favorable) according to each of the healthy habit criteria. RESULTS Significant differences were observed among 10 groups for Breslows seven healthy practices, 4 groups for Morimotos eight items, and 13 groups for Ikedas six healthy habits. Ikedas six healthy habits showed the most significant differences among the three sets of habits. CONCLUSIONS Among the three methods tested, to practice more Ikedas healthy habits were the most useful for metabolic syndrome.

Teleradiology system using a magneto-optical disk and N-ISDN

We have developed a new teleradiology system that provides a fast response and secure data transmission while using N- ISDN communication and an ISC magneto-optical disk that is specialized for medical use. The system consists of PC-based terminals connected to a N-ISDN line and the ISC disk. The system uses two types of data: the control data needed for various operational functions and the image data. For quick response, only the much smaller quantity of control data is sent through the N-ISDN during the actual conference. The bulk of the image data is sent to each site on duplicate ISC disks before the conference. The displaying and processing of images are executed using the local data on the ISC disk. We used this system for a trial teleconsultation between two hospitals. The response time needed to display a 2-Mbyte image was 4 seconds. The telepointer could be controlled with no noticeable delay by sending only the pointers coordinates. Also, since the patient images were exchanged via the ISC disks only, unauthorized access to the patient images through the N-ISDN was prevented. Thus, this trial provides a preliminary demonstration of the usefulness of this system for clinical use.