Cachexia is one of the most common, related factors of malnutrition in cancer patients. Cancer cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome characterized by persistent loss of skeletal muscle mass and fat mass, resulting in irreversible and progressive functional impairment. The skeletal muscle loss cannot be reversed by conventional nutritional support, and a combination of anti-inflammatory agents and other nutrients is recommended. In this review, we reviewed the effects of nutrients that are expected to combat muscle loss caused by cancer cachexia (eicosapentaenoic acid, β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate, creatine, and carnitine) to propose nutritional approaches that can be taken at present. Current evidence is based on the intake of nutrients as supplements; however, the long-term and continuous intake of nutrients as food has the potential to be useful for the body. Therefore, in addition to conventional nutritional support, we believe that it is important for the dietitian to work with the clinical team to first fully assess the patient’s condition and then to safely incorporate nutrients that are expected to have specific functions for cancer cachexia from foods and supplements.

China and Japan share numerous similarities other than their geographical proximity. Facing the great challenges of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), China and Japan have developed different preventive strategies and systems. While Japan has made great progress in primary prevention of NCDs through strong legislation, the ‘Specific Health Check and Guidance System’ and a unique licensed health professional system, China is attempting to catch up by changing its strategies in NCDs control. In this manuscript, we compared disease burden of NCDs, health care systems and preventive strategies against NCDs between China and Japan. In this light, we summarized the points that the two countries can learn from each other, and proposed recommendations for the two countries in NCDs control.

Aim To identify groups of nurses engaging in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) care who are most in need of organizational support. Background Overwhelming stress and susceptibility to burnout have been reported in nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Nurses working at five hospitals that accepted COVID-19 patients answered the questionnaire. The Tokyo Metropolitan Distress Scale for Pandemic, Self-Diagnosis Check List for Assessment of Workers' Accumulated Fatigue and Japanese Burnout Scale were evaluated. Multiple regression analysis was performed to examine the relationship between engaging in COVID-19 care and psychosocial/physical burden. Results In total, 895 questionnaires were analysed. With experience in caring for COVID-19 patients as the independent variable, nurses caring for suspected cases had significantly higher standardized Tokyo Metropolitan Distress Scale for Pandemic scores for 'concerns for infection' (standardized partial regression coefficient beta = .921, P = .004), Assessment of Workers' Accumulated Fatigue (beta = .445, P = .022) and Japanese Burnout Scale 'emotional exhaustion' (beta = .136, P = .021) than those caring for confirmed cases. Conclusions Nurses caring for suspected COVID-19 patients have the highest psychological/physical burden and propensity for burnout. Implications for Nursing Management Extensive support systems are required for nurses caring for confirmed and suspected COVID-19 cases.

Interventions for residents and medical/financial resources available to screening providers can improve cancer screening rates. Yet the mechanisms by which the interactions of these factors affect the screening rates remain unknown. This study employed structural equation modeling to analyze the mechanisms underlying these factors. Data for Japanese municipalities’ medical/financial status, their implementation of screening interventions, and the number of municipality-based cancer screening appointments from April 2016 to March 2017 were obtained from an open database. Five cancer screenings were included: gastric, lung, colorectal, breast, and cervical cancer screening; all are nationally recommended for population screening in Japan. We defined two latent variables, namely, intervention for residents and medical/financial resources, and then analyzed the relationships between these variables and screening rates using structural equation modeling. Models were constructed for gastric, lung, and breast cancer screening, and similar relationships were observed. With these cancer types, medical/financial resources affected the intervention for residents, directly affecting screening rates. One limitation of this study is that it only included screening by municipalities, which may cause selection bias. In conclusion, financial pressures and lack of medical resources may cause a reduction in screening intervention programs, leading to stagnant screening rates. Ensuring consistent implementation of interventions for residents may improve local and regional cancer screening rates.