[Background] Although we have demonstrated the clinical effect of acupuncture therapy with epidermal stimulation by needle penetration, its neurophysiological mechanisms are unclear. To investigate the clinical effects of epidermal stimulation by needle penetration on muscle tone, we tested the Hoffmann's reflex (Hreflex) of the soleus muscle during epidermal needle stimulation.
[Methods] Eighteen healthy participants were recruited. We tested the soleus H-reflex elicited by tibial nerve stimulation before and after epidermal stimulation by needle penetration. Epidermal stimulation was performed at several points on the Achilles tendon by needle penetration. We analyzed the amplitude ratio of H/M obtained from the waveforms of the soleus muscle before and after epidermal stimulation.
[Results] The amplitude ratio of H/M was significantly decreased during stimulation when compared with ratio during rest (p < 0.05). Each participant demonstrated a decrease in soleus muscle amplitude ratio of H/M during epidermal stimulation by needle penetration as compared with the ratio during rest.
[Discussion] Epidermal stimulation of the muscle by needle penetration activated the inhibitory interneurons of the dermatome at the stimulation site. Therefore, epidermal stimulation by needle penetration was considered as a possible method to induce muscle relaxation.
[Conclusion] It is suggested that epidermal stimulation by needle penetration for 2 minutes for the insertion of the Achilles tendon results in an inhibitory effect by stimulating the spinal cord neural mechanisms that correspond to the soleus muscle.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of acupuncture to SP 3 on the quadriceps femoris during knee extension in patients with musculoskeletal diseases by applying the meridian concept.
The subjects included 10 healthy individuals with a mean age of 23.1 years, and all of whom provided informed consent for participation. During knee extension, each subject underwent three different types of acupuncture stimuli : 1) stimulation to SP 3, 2) stimulation to SP 4, and 3) no stimulation. For each stimulation,the subjects performed isometric contraction with 40% of maximum voluntary contraction with knee flexion to 60°. Surface electromyography (EMG) of the vastus medialis obliquus, vastus medialis longus, rectus femoris,and the four sites within the vastus lateralis was performed during knee extension before acupuncture stimulation ; immediately after starting stimulation ; and 5, 10, and 15 min after starting stimulation. Relative-integrated EMG data was recorded during and after acupuncture stimulation and compared to data that were recorded before acupuncture as reference values.
The results showed that after 15 min of acupuncture stimulation to SP 3, the relative-integrated EMG data on the vastus medialis obliquus was significantly increased compared to the data obtained without stimulation (p < 0.05).
Therefore, in conclusion, after 15 min of acupuncture stimulation to SP 3, the relative-integrated EMG data on the vastus medialis obliquus exhibited suppressed muscle function.

To clarify the function of the vastus medialis obliquus (VMO) and longus (VML), we investigated the electromyographic properties of superficial quadriceps femoris during fatiguing knee extension task.Ten healthy male and 10 female volunteers participated in this study. The subjects performed fatiguing knee extension task at maximal effort (10 times×10 set at 60 deg/sec). Surface electromyography (EMG) was recorded from the VMO, VML, vastus lateralis(VL) and rectus femoris(RF) during isometric knee extension (knee bent at 60 deg and 30% of the maximal voluntary contraction level) with a 90-sec interval between each set. Knee extension peak torque, integrated EMG (IEMG) and median power frequency (MDF) of four muscles during each set were compared using Dunnett's test.Knee extension peak torque decreased gradually and peak torque decreased significantly starting from set 9 in male subjects, while there was no significant decrease in female subjects. IEMG from VMO and VL increased linearly. IEMG increased significantly from set 7 in VMO and set 6 in VL for both male and female subjects. Then, IEMG from both VML and RF increased significantly starting from set 9 in VML and set 8 in RF in male subjects, while there was no significant change in female subjects.MDF of VMO, VL and RF also increased significantly at timepoints similar to those showing increases in IEMG in male subjects. However, MDF of VML increased significantly from set 4 in male subjects. On the other hand, MDF did not change significantly in female subjects.As a result of this study, it was suggested that VMO and VL were facilitated to maintain target knee extension torque during fatigue. Therefore, it was considered that VML and RF facilitated the maintenance of target torque under fatiguing conditions.

【Objective】

To investigate the role of the back and foot muscles during lateral weight-shifting in the standing position by examining the corresponding muscle activity patterns associated with a postural change.

【Methods】

The subjects were 24 healthy men (age 24.3 ± 2.6 [mean ± SD] years). The following parameters were recorded : center of pressure (COP) ; surface electromyograms of the multifidus, iliocostalis, longissimus (bilateral), peroneus, and foot supinator (on the moving side) muscles ; and video imaging during lateral weight-shifting after 2 seconds in the standing position.

【Results】

Horizontal movement of the pelvis resulted in elevation of the non-moving side from the middle of the COP, with moving side displacement. In the lower limbs, lateral weight shifting resulted in an outward tilt due to foot pronation. Activity of the multifidus, iliocostalis, and longissimus muscles on the non-moving side, and the peroneus and foot supinator muscles on the moving side, tended to increase with displacement of the COP on the moving side.

【Conclusion】

The multifidus, iliocostalis, and longissimus muscles were involved in lateral flexion of the thoracolumbar area and elevation of the pelvis on the non-moving side. Simultaneously, the foot supinator and peroneus muscles were involved in pronation of the grounded foot.

A 22-year-old woman without any serious distincted symptoms was found to have hypertension on a health examination. On further examinations, involving echocardiography and chest enhanced CT, showed dilatation of the ascending aorta, aortic coarctation, well-developed intercostal arteries and other collateral arteries. She was only 137 cm tall and weighed 52 kg. Besides, she had not had menstruation for the past two years. Chromosomal studies revealed Turner syndrome. Left lateral thoracotomy was thought to have the risk of heavy bleeding from collateral arteries, therefore we chose ascending-to-descending aorta bypass grafting through median sternotomy. She had an uncomplicated postoperative course. Here we report about operation in a adult case of coarctation of the aorta and discuss the usefulness of extraanatomical bypass grafting.

We report a successfully treated case of infectious endocarditis with ventricular septal defect (VSD) and double-chambered right ventricle. A 41-year-old man complained of dyspnea. Echocardiography showed his tricuspid valve, aortic valve, and pulmonary valve had vegetation and severe regurgitation. He received treatment with antibiotics but it was not effective. He underwent TVR, AVR, pulmonary valve resection, VSD patch closure and RV abnormal muscle resection. Pathological findings of resected valves showed infectious endocarditis. He recovered uneventfully and resumed his original social activities.