Chemotherapy alters subjective senses of taste and smell but not dietary patterns in Japanese lung cancer patients.

PURPOSE: To investigate how outpatient-based chemotherapy would alter the senses of taste and smell and affect daily dietary intake in patients with lung cancer. METHODS: The self-reported taste and smell alteration (TSA) in 35 Japanese patients with lung cancer as well as their patterns of dietary intake at home were tested using a questionnaire. RESULTS: The patients experienced considerable TSA, and smoking was shown to contribute to this alteration. Specifically, current or past smokers were more likely to experience subjective taste change during chemotherapy than never smokers were. Chemotherapy made steamed rice or sushi the most unfavorable food in the patients; on the other hand, Japanese-style noodles were the most preferred during chemotherapy. Nevertheless, the patients maintained their habit of consuming steamed rice at home at least once a day, suggesting the robustness of dietary habits despite the TSA caused by chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Nutritional assessment as well as appropriate advice and intervention by dietitians is expected to improve the general conditions and quality of daily living in patients with cancer.

Comparison of rescue and relief activities within 72 hours of the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

PURPOSE: To clarify the factors and reasons for the differences in the outcomes of rescue and relief efforts in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, mainly focusing on the numbers of rescue/relief staffs and casualties in the period within 72 hours of the atomic bombings in August 1945. METHODS: By retrieving the data and information from the records and reports concerning the disasters in the two cities, together with other publications as to the damages by the atomic bombings and subsequent rescue-relief activities, and restoration activities. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: It seems that there was less damage in Nagasaki, where a stronger atomic bomb was used than in Hiroshima. There were crucial geographic factors that led to the different effects in terms of the numbers of victims; however, systematic organization and mobilization of rescue and relief staffs, maintenance of functional transportation, and advanced medical knowledge and public warning with regard to disaster all may have contributed to a lower death toll and increase in survivors in Nagasaki.