1.Effects of electrical acupuncture to the stellate ganglion on carotid blood flow, deep tissue temperature, blood pressure and pulse rate in the humans.
Masaaki SHINOHARA ; Norihiro YAMAUCHI ; Kazuyo ARAKI ; Koichi KAMIMURA ; Toru SATO
Journal of the Japan Society of Acupuncture and Moxibustion 1985;34(3-4):225-230
Previously we reported effects of acupuncture to the stellate ganglion on measurements of skin electroconductivity by a Neurometer.
By using 8 healthy adults and 23 patients, we measured effects of electrical acupuncture to the stellate ganglion on carotid blood flow, deep tissue temperature, blood pressure and pulse rate in order to clarify the influence on functions of the autonomic nervous system.
After electrical acupuncture to the right stellate ganglion (SGA), the right and left carotid blood flow decreased with 4-9% and 7-12%, respectively. Deep tissue temperature of the right anterior forearm after SGA showed a little increase (with no significance), while the temperature increased with 0.4-0.7°C after the right stellate ganglion block (SGB). Deep tissue temperature of the left anterior forearm showed no significant change after SGA, while it increased with 0.1-0.3°C significantly after SGB. Systolic blood pressure increased with 2-4mmHg after SGA and this also increased with 9-11mmHg after SGB. Those increases were significant. While the pulse rate decreased (2bpm) significantly after SGA, it increased (4-6bpm) significantly after SGB.
Except the decreased pulse rate after SGA, the other data did not support a common hypothesis that electrical acupuncture to the stellate ganglion suppresses the sympathetic system as SGB.
2.Status of Study Abroad Program Use at Chiba University School of Medicine
Ryohei Ono ; Kazuyo Yamauchi ; Daniel Salcedo ; Hiroshi Shirasawa ; Mayumi Asahina
Medical Education 2016;47(1):11-16
As globalization also influences medical education, Chiba University has provided extensive study abroad programs. This paper reports a medical student's methods to prepare for using such programs and improve his English level, and outlines his actual experience of studying abroad during a 6-year period. It also discusses the significance of medical study abroad, focusing on the following 3 points: meeting medical leaders in other countries; establishing friendships with international medical students of similar age groups, while comparing Japanese students' abilities with international standards; and taking full advantage of being a student, as one is allowed to flexibly develop global perspectives only in his/her school days before starting a long career as a medical professional, to provide guidance for medical students toward such experience and career development based on it.
3.The Time Course Changes in Bone Metabolic Markers after Administering the Anti-Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-Kappa B Ligand Antibody and Drug Compliance among Patients with Osteoporosis.
Kazuhide INAGE ; Sumihisa ORITA ; Kazuyo YAMAUCHI ; Yoshihiro SAKUMA ; Go KUBOTA ; Yasuhiro OIKAWA ; Takeshi SAINOH ; Jun SATO ; Kazuki FUJIMOTO ; Yasuhiro SHIGA ; Kazuhisa TAKAHASHI ; Seiji OHTORI
Asian Spine Journal 2015;9(3):338-343
STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. PURPOSE: We conducted a study to investigate the time course changes in bone metabolic markers after the administration of the anti-receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) antibody and to assess drug compliance among osteoporotic patients. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: The anti-RANKL antibody is expected to provide an improvement in those with a bone metabolism disorder. However there are only a few clinical reports available on the effect of treatment. METHODS: We included 40 post-menopausal osteoporotic patients who received the anti-RANKL antibody. To determine the time course changes in the bone metabolic markers, we measured the serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP 5b; a bone resorption marker) and the serum N-terminal propeptide of type 1 collagen (P1NP; a bone formation marker) levels prior to and 1 month after administrating the anti-RANKL antibody. To evaluable drug compliance, we assessed the dropout rate during treatment and at 6 months after treatment. RESULTS: The average TRACP 5b level significantly decreased from 574.8 mU/dL before treatment to 153.2 mU/dL 1 month after treatment (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the average P1NP level, which was 56.9 microG/L and 35.1 microG/L before and 1 month after treatment, respectively (p>0.05). As for drug compliance, we did not have any dropouts during the treatment or after 6 months (dropout rate: 0%). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that anti-RANKL antibody treatment suppresses bone resorption and maintains bone formation.
Acid Phosphatase
;
Bone Resorption
;
Collagen Type I
;
Compliance*
;
Humans
;
Metabolism
;
Osteogenesis
;
Osteoporosis*
;
Patient Dropouts
;
RANK Ligand
;
Retrospective Studies
4.Erratum: Correction of Figures. The Time Course Changes in Bone Metabolic Markers after Administering the Anti-Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-Kappa B Ligand Antibody and Drug Compliance among Patients with Osteoporosis.
Kazuhide INAGE ; Sumihisa ORITA ; Kazuyo YAMAUCHI ; Yoshihiro SAKUMA ; Go KUBOTA ; Yasuhiro OIKAWA ; Takeshi SAINOH ; Jun SATO ; Kazuki FUJIMOTO ; Yasuhiro SHIGA ; Kazuhisa TAKAHASHI ; Seiji OHTORI
Asian Spine Journal 2015;9(6):999-1000
There were some mistakes in the numerical values of the graphs.
5.Elevated Levels of Serum Pentosidine Are Associated with Dropped Head Syndrome in Older Women
Yawara EGUCHI ; Toru TOYOGUCHI ; Kazuhide INAGE ; Sumihisa ORITA ; Kazuyo YAMAUCHI ; Miyako SUZUKI ; Hirohito KANAMOTO ; Koki ABE ; Masaki NORIMOTO ; Tomotaka UMIMURA ; Masao KODA ; Takeo FURUYA ; Yasuchika AOKI ; Kazuhisa TAKAHASHI ; Seiji OHTORI
Asian Spine Journal 2019;13(1):155-162
STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective observational study was performed. PURPOSE: We investigated the prevalence of sarcopenia in dropped head syndrome (DHS), and the relationship between biochemical markers, including major advanced glycation end products (AGEs), pentosidine, and DHS in older women. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: AGEs have been implicated in the pathogenesis of sarcopenia. METHODS: We studied 13 elderly women with idiopathic DHS (mean age, 77.2 years) and 20 healthy volunteers (mean age, 74.8 years). We used a bioelectrical impedance analyzer to analyze body composition, including appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (SMI; appendicular lean mass [kg]/[height (m)]2). Cervical sagittal plane alignment, including C2–C7 sagittal vertical axis (C2–C7SVA), C2–C7 angle, and C2 slope (C2S), was measured. Biochemical markers, such as serum and urinary pentosidine, serum homocysteine, 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D, were measured. The level of each variable was compared between DHS and controls. The relationship between biochemical markers and DHS was examined. RESULTS: Sarcopenia (SMI < 5.75) was observed at a high prevalence in participants with DHS (77% compared to 22% of healthy controls). Height, weight, femoral bone mineral density, appendicular lean mass, total lean mass, and SMI all had significantly lower values in the DHS group. Serum and urinary pentosidine, and serum homocysteine were significantly higher in the DHS group compared to controls. Analysis of cervical alignment revealed a significant positive correlation of serum pentosidine with C2–C7SVA and C2S. CONCLUSIONS: Sarcopenia was involved in DHS, and high serum pentosidine levels are associated with severity of DHS in older women.
Aged
;
Biomarkers
;
Body Composition
;
Bone Density
;
Electric Impedance
;
Female
;
Glycosylation End Products, Advanced
;
Head
;
Healthy Volunteers
;
Homocysteine
;
Humans
;
Muscle, Skeletal
;
Neck Muscles
;
Observational Study
;
Prevalence
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Sarcopenia
6.Freeze-Dried Human Platelet-Rich Plasma Retains Activation and Growth Factor Expression after an Eight-Week Preservation Period.
Yasuhiro SHIGA ; Go KUBOTA ; Sumihisa ORITA ; Kazuhide INAGE ; Hiroto KAMODA ; Masaomi YAMASHITA ; Toru ISEKI ; Michihiro ITO ; Kazuyo YAMAUCHI ; Yawara EGUCHI ; Takeshi SAINOH ; Jun SATO ; Kazuki FUJIMOTO ; Koki ABE ; Hirohito KANAMOTO ; Masahiro INOUE ; Hideyuki KINOSHITA ; Takeo FURUYA ; Masao KODA ; Yasuchika AOKI ; Tomoaki TOYONE ; Kazuhisa TAKAHASHI ; Seiji OHTORI
Asian Spine Journal 2017;11(3):329-336
STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) stored at room temperature (RT), frozen, or after freeze-drying. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: PRP enriches tissue repair and regeneration, and is a novel treatment option for musculoskeletal pathologies. However, whether biological activity is preserved during PRP storage remains uncertain. METHODS: PRP was prepared from blood of 12 healthy human volunteers (200 mL/person) and stored using three methods: PRP was stored at RT with shaking, PRP was frozen and stored at −80℃, or PRP was freeze-dried and stored at RT. Platelet counts and growth factor content were examined immediately after preparation, as well as 2, 4, and 8 weeks after storage. Platelet activation rate was quantified by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Platelet counts were impossible to determine in many RT samples after 2 weeks, but they remained at constant levels in frozen and freeze-dried samples, even after 8 weeks of storage. Flow cytometry showed approximately 80% activation of the platelets regardless of storage conditions. Almost no growth factors were detected in the RT samples after 8 weeks, while low but significant expression was detected in the frozen and freeze-dried PRP. Over time, the mean relative concentrations of various growth factors decreased significantly or disappeared in the RT group. In the frozen group, levels were maintained for 4 weeks, but decreased significantly by 8 weeks (p <0.05). The freeze-dried group maintained baseline levels of growth factors for the entire 8-week duration. CONCLUSIONS: Freeze-drying enables PRP storage while maintaining bioactivity and efficacy for extended periods.
Blood Preservation
;
Flow Cytometry
;
Freeze Drying
;
Healthy Volunteers
;
Humans*
;
Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
;
Pathology
;
Platelet Activation
;
Platelet Count
;
Platelet-Rich Plasma*
;
Regeneration
7.Assessment of Clinical Symptoms in Lumbar Foraminal Stenosis Using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire.
Yawara EGUCHI ; Munetaka SUZUKI ; Hajime YAMANAKA ; Hiroshi TAMAI ; Tatsuya KOBAYASHI ; Sumihisa ORITA ; Kazuyo YAMAUCHI ; Miyako SUZUKI ; Kazuhide INAGE ; Hirohito KANAMOTO ; Koki ABE ; Yasuchika AOKI ; Masao KODA ; Takeo FURUYA ; Kazuhisa TAKAHASHI ; Seiji OHTORI
Korean Journal of Spine 2017;14(1):1-6
OBJECTIVE: It is important to develop an easy means of diagnosing lumbar foraminal stenosis (LFS) in a general practice setting. We investigated the use of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ) to diagnose LFS in symptomatic patients. METHODS: Subjects included 13 cases (mean age, 72 years) with LFS, and 30 cases (mean age, 73 years) with lumbar spinal canal stenosis (LSCS) involving one intervertebral disc. The visual analogue scale score for low back pain and leg pain, the JOABPEQ were evaluated. RESULTS: Those with LFS had a significantly lower JOA score (p<0.001), while JOABPEQ scores (p<0.05) for lumbar dysfunction and social functioning impairment (p<0.01) were both significantly lower than the scores in LSCS. The following JOABPEQ questionnaire items (LFS vs. LSCS, p-value) for difficulties in: sleeping (53.8% vs. 16.6%, p<0.05), getting up from a chair (53.8% vs. 6.6%, p<0.001), turning over (76.9% vs. 40%, p<0.05), and putting on socks (76.9% vs. 26.6%, p<0.01) such as pain during rest, and signs of intermittent claudication more than 15 minutes (61.5% vs. 26.6%, p<0.05) were all significantly more common with LFS than LSCS. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that of the items in the JOABPEQ, if pain during rest or intermittent claudication is noted, LFS should be kept in mind as a cause during subsequent diagnosis and treatment. LFS may be easily diagnosed from LSCS using this established patient-based assessment method.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group*
;
Back Pain*
;
Constriction, Pathologic*
;
Diagnosis
;
General Practice
;
Humans
;
Intermittent Claudication
;
Intervertebral Disc
;
Leg
;
Low Back Pain
;
Methods
;
Spinal Canal
8.Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1-Immunoreactive Innervation Increases in Fractured Rat Femur.
Yuya KAWARAI ; Miyako SUZUKI ; Kensuke YOSHINO ; Gen INOUE ; Sumihisa ORITA ; Kazuyo YAMAUCHI ; Yasuchika AOKI ; Tetsuhiro ISHIKAWA ; Masayuki MIYAGI ; Hiroto KAMODA ; Go KUBOTA ; Yoshihiro SAKUMA ; Yasuhiro OIKAWA ; Kazuhide INAGE ; Takeshi SAINOH ; Jun SATO ; Junichi NAKAMURA ; Masashi TAKASO ; Tomoaki TOYONE ; Kazuhisa TAKAHASHI ; Seiji OHTORI
Yonsei Medical Journal 2014;55(1):185-190
PURPOSE: Pain from vertebral or femoral neck fractures is a particularly important problem in clinical orthopaedics. Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) is a ligand-gated nonselective cation channel, and there are recent reports on an association between bone pain and TRPV1. However, an increase in TRPV1 activity has not been reported following femoral fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We applied a neurotracer [Fluoro-gold (FG)] onto femur to detect dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) innervating the cortex of the femur in 30 Sprague Dawley rats. Seven days after application, a closed mid-diaphyseal fracture of the femur was performed. FG labeled TRPV1-immunoreactive (ir) DRGs innervating the femur were examined in nonfractured controls, and 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks after fracture. We evaluated bone healing of the femur and compared the ratio of TRPV1-ir DRG neurons innervating the femur at the time points. RESULTS: Four weeks after fracture, complete bone union was observed. There was no significant difference in the ratio of FG labeled DRG neurons to total DRG neurons at each time point. The percentages of TRPV1-ir neurons in DRGs innervating the femur at 3 days and 1 week after fracture were significantly higher than those in control, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks after fracture (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Fracture induced an increase of TRPV1-ir neurons in DRGs innervating the fractured femur within 3 days, and decreased during bone healing over 4 weeks. These findings show that TRPV1 may play a role in sensory sensation of bone fracture pain.
Animals
;
Female
;
Femur/*innervation/*metabolism
;
Immunohistochemistry
;
Rats
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
TRPV Cation Channels/*metabolism
9.Low-Dose Tramadol and Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Combination Therapy Prevents the Transition to Chronic Low Back Pain.
Kazuhide INAGE ; Sumihisa ORITA ; Kazuyo YAMAUCHI ; Takane SUZUKI ; Miyako SUZUKI ; Yoshihiro SAKUMA ; Go KUBOTA ; Yasuhiro OIKAWA ; Takeshi SAINOH ; Jun SATO ; Kazuki FUJIMOTO ; Yasuhiro SHIGA ; Koki ABE ; Hirohito KANAMOTO ; Masahiro INOUE ; Hideyuki KINOSHITA ; Kazuhisa TAKAHASHI ; Seiji OHTORI
Asian Spine Journal 2016;10(4):685-689
STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. PURPOSE: To determine whether low-dose tramadol plus non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug combination therapy could prevent the transition of acute low back pain to chronic low back pain. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Inadequately treated early low back pain transitions to chronic low back pain occur in approximately 30% of affected individuals. The administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is effective for treatment of low back pain in the early stages. However, the treatment of low back pain that is resistant to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is challenging. METHODS: Patients who presented with acute low back pain at our hospital were considered for inclusion in this study. After the diagnosis of acute low back pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug administration was started. Forty patients with a visual analog scale score of >5 for low back pain 1 month after treatment were finally enrolled. The first 20 patients were included in a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug group, and they continued non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy for 1 month. The next 20 patients were included in a combination group, and they received low-dose tramadol plus non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug combination therapy for 1 month. The incidence of adverse events and the improvement in the visual analog scale score at 2 months after the start of treatment were analyzed. RESULTS: No adverse events were observed in the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug group. In the combination group, administration was discontinued in 2 patients (10%) due to adverse events immediately following the start of tramadol administration. At 2 months, the improvement in the visual analog scale score was greater in the combination group than in the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug group (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose tramadol plus non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug combination therapy might decrease the incidence of adverse events and prevent the transition of acute low back pain to chronic low back pain.
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
;
Diagnosis
;
Drug Therapy
;
Humans
;
Incidence
;
Low Back Pain*
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Spine
;
Tramadol*
;
Visual Analog Scale
10.Dose Optimization for Single Intradiscal Administration of the Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Inhibitor, Etanercept, in Rat Disc Injury Models.
Kazuhide INAGE ; Sumihisa ORITA ; Kazuyo YAMAUCHI ; Takane SUZUKI ; Miyako SUZUKI ; Yoshihiro SAKUMA ; Go KUBOTA ; Yasuhiro OIKAWA ; Takeshi SAINOH ; Jun SATO ; Kazuki FUJIMOTO ; Yasuhiro SHIGA ; Koki ABE ; Hirohito KANAMOTO ; Masahiro INOUE ; Hideyuki KINOSHITA ; Kazuhisa TAKAHASHI ; Seiji OHTORI
Asian Spine Journal 2016;10(4):619-623
STUDY DESIGN: Experimental animal study. PURPOSE: We aimed to determine the optimal dose of a single direct injection of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α inhibitor, etanercept, by using the rat model of degenerative intervertebral disc from injury. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: The pain-related peptide expression was suppressed in the etanercept (100 µg and 1,000 µg)-administered groups in a dose-dependent manner. METHODS: The neurotracer FluoroGold (FG) was applied to the surfaces of L4/5 discs to label their innervating dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons (n=50). Ten rats were included in the nonpunctured disc sham surgery control group, whereas the other 40 were included in the experimental group in which intervertebral discs were punctured with a 23-gauge needle. Saline or etanercept (10 µg, 100 µg, or 1,000 µg) was injected into the punctured discs (n=10 for each treatment). After 14 days of surgery, DRGs from L1 to L6 were harvested, sectioned, and immunostained for calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). The proportion of FG-labeled CGRP-immunoreactive DRG neurons was evaluated in all the groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the puncture+saline group and the puncture+10-µg etanercept group (p >0.05). However, a significant decrease in the percentage of FG and CGRP double-positive cells in FG-positive cells was observed in the etanercept (100 µg and 1,000 µg)-administered groups in a dose-dependent manner (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: When a low dose of the TNF-α inhibitor (10 µg of etanercept) was directly administered to the rat intervertebral disc in the rat model of degenerative intervertebral disc from injury, no suppressive effect on the pain-related peptide expression was observed. However, when a higher dose of etanercept (100 µg and 1,000 µg) was administered, the pain-related peptide expression was suppressed in a dose-dependent manner.
Animals
;
Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide
;
Diagnosis-Related Groups
;
Etanercept*
;
Ganglia, Spinal
;
Intervertebral Disc
;
Intervertebral Disc Degeneration
;
Models, Animal
;
Necrosis*
;
Needles
;
Neurons
;
Rats*
;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha