To investigate the effect of electro-acupuncture stimulation (EAS) on insulin sensitivity in rats, we performed several stimulations on Otsuka Long Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats, during euglycemic clamp. We divided OLETF rats into five groups according to the kind of the stimulation: EAS at vagal innervated region of the auricle (AVA), EAS at non-vagal innervated region of the auricle (ANVA), EAS on the back of the body (AB), pinching on the back of the body (PB), and no stimulation on the body (NS). These procedures were also applied on Long Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats as a control study.
Furthermore, we performed long-term stimulation (from six to 24 weeks of age) on OLETF rats to assess the preventive effect of those stimulations on the formation of the insulin resistance. EAS of pulse duration 300ms, 1.5V, 1Hz was applied for 10 or 15minutes. As a result, the glucose infusion rate (GIR) showed significantly higher levels during stimulation of PB group in LETO rats. On the other hand, the GIR of AVA group in LETO rats and PB group in OLETF rats were decreased by stimulation. The GIR in AVA group and AB group after long-term stimulation were significantly higher than those of NS group in OLETF rats. These results suggested that EAS at the auricle and the back is useful for the prevention of the formation of insulin resistance when it's applied before onset of the symptoms in OLETF rats.

The present study investigated the effect of moxibustion for 4 weeks on insulin resistance in Otsuka-Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats, a model of spontaneous noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Glucose infusion rate (GIR) in the moxibustion group was higher than that in the control group. This finding suggests that moxibustion may be effective for insulin resistance.

[Background]Functional abdominal pain syndrome (FAPS) represents a chronic pain disorder localized in the abdomen and the symptoms largely are unrelated to food intake and defecation, which differ from other painful functional gastrointestinal disorders.
We report a case of FAPS whose symptom was successfully improved by acupuncture.
[Case Report]A 75-year-old female had been hospitalized at Meiji University of Integrative Medicine Hospital because of left lower abdominal pain from which she had repeatedly suffered for more than 2 years. Despite strict medication, her symptom had not been improved. After admission to the hospital, according to recommendation by her physician, acupuncture treatment was started. The patient received TCM-based acupuncture treatments five times a week over 13weeks. Primary acupuncture points used for the patient were LV3(Taichong), SP6 (Sanyinjiao), ST36 (Zusanli) and PC6 (Neiguan). Evaluation of the left lower abdominal pain was carried out with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) was used to evaluate QOL related to the digestive symptoms. VAS for the left lower abdominal pain showed a remarkable decrease immediately after the initial acupuncture session. The symptom disappeared within 4 weeks after commencement of the treatment and never appeared during her hospitalization. GSRS was also improved and it was maintained during hospitalization.
[Conclusion]We suggested that acupuncture treatment might be one of the useful, non-pharmacological alternatives for symptoms of FAPS.

PURPOSE: The proposed the thoracolumbar injury classification system (TLICS) for thoracolumbar injury cites the integrity of the posterior ligamentous complex (PLC). However, no report has elucidated the severity of damage in thoracic and lumbar injury with classification schemes by presence of the PLC injury. The purpose of this study was to accurately assess the severity of damage in thoracic and lumbar burst fractures with the PLC injuries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred consecutive patients treated surgically for thoracic and lumbar burst fractures were enrolled in this study. There were 71 men and 29 women whose mean age was 36 years. Clinical and radiologic data were investigated, and the thoracolumbar injury classification schemes were also evaluated. All patients were divided into two groups (the P group with PLC injuries and the C group without PLC injuries) for comparative examination. RESULTS: Fourth-one of 100 cases showed PLC injuries in MRI study. The load sharing classification score was significantly higher in the P group [7.8+/-0.2 points for the P group and 6.9+/-1.1 points for the C group (p<0.001)]. The TLICS (excluded PLC score) score was also significantly higher in the P group [6.2+/-1.1 points for the P group and 4.0+/-1.4 points for the C group (p<0.001)]. CONCLUSION: The presence of PLC injury significantly influenced the severity of damage. In management of thoracic lumbar burst fractures, evaluation of PLC injury is important to accurately assess the severity of damage.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Ligaments, Articular/*injuries ; Lumbar Vertebrae/*injuries ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fractures/*classification/*physiopathology/surgery ; Thoracic Vertebrae/*injuries ; Young Adult

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort imaging study. PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate lumbar sagittal alignment and range of motion (ROM) using radiographs in a large asymptomatic cohort and identify sex-based differences and age-related changes in the subjects. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Several researchers have tried to establish normal alignment and kinematic behavior of the lumbar spine, using plain radiographs. Few studies have employed a large and sex-and age-balanced cohort. METHODS: Total 627 healthy volunteers (at least 50 males and 50 females in each age decade, from the 3rd to the 8th decade) underwent whole spine radiography in the standing position; lumbar spine radiography was performed for all subjects in the recumbent position. Lumbar lordosis (LL, T12–S1) and ROM during flexion and extension were measured using a computer digitizer. RESULTS: The mean LL was 36.8°±13.2° in the recumbent position and 49.8°±11.2° in the standing position. The LL was greater in the standing position than in the recumbent position; further, LL was higher in females as compared to that in males. Local lordosis at each disk level increased incrementally with distal progression through the lumbar spine in both the positions. Local lordosis at L4–S1 was 29.8°±8.0° in the recumbent position and 34.2°±8.3° in the standing position and occupied 85.1% and 70.8% of the total LL, respectively. However, local lordosis in the standing position decreased with age at L2–3, L3–4, and L4–5 levels. Total lumbar ROM (T12–S1) decreased with age. The ROM in females was higher than that in males. CONCLUSIONS: We established the standard value and age-related changes in the lumbar alignment and ROM in each age decade in asymptomatic subjects. These data will be useful and provide the normal values for comparison in clinical practice to identify sex-based differences and age-related changes.
Animals ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Lordosis ; Male ; Posture ; Prospective Studies ; Radiography ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Reference Values ; Spine

Background/Aims: There are few published registry studies from Asia on pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Registry network data enable comparisons among ethnic groups. This study examined the characteristics of IBD in Japanese children and compared them with those in European children. Methods: This was a cross-sectional multicenter registry study of newly diagnosed Japanese pediatric IBD patients. The Paris classification was used to categorize IBD features, and results were compared with published EUROKIDS data. Results: A total of 265 pediatric IBD patients were initially registered, with 22 later excluded for having incomplete demographic data. For the analysis, 91 Crohn’s disease (CD), 146 ulcerative colitis (UC), and 6 IBD-unclassified cases were eligible. For age at diagnosis, 20.9% of CD, 21.9% of UC, and 83.3% of IBD-unclassified cases were diagnosed before age 10 years. For CD location, 18.7%, 13.2%, 64.8%, 47.3%, and 20.9% were classified as involving L1 (ileocecum), L2 (colon), L3 (ileocolon), L4a (esophagus/stomach/duodenum), and L4b (jejunum/proximal ileum), respectively. For UC extent, 76% were classified as E4 (pancolitis). For CD behavior, B1 (non-stricturingon-penetrating), B2 (stricturing), B3 (penetrating), and B2B3 were seen in 83.5%, 11.0%, 3.3%, and 2.2%, respectively. A comparison between Japanese and European children showed less L2 involvement (13.2% vs. 27.3%, P< 0.01) but more L4a (47.3% vs. 29.6%, P< 0.01) and L3 (64.8% vs. 52.7%, P< 0.05) involvement in Japanese CD children. Pediatric perianal CD was more prevalent in Japanese children (34.1% vs. 9.7%, P< 0.01). Conclusions Upper gastrointestinal and perianal CD lesions are more common in Japanese children than in European children.

Objectives: Increasing activity levels in older people is important for maintaining quality of life and ameliorating the risks of morbidity related to falls, depression, and dementia. This study aimed to clarify the seasonal variation effects on total energy expenditure, number of steps, time spent in low- and moderate- or high-intensity physical activities, and daily activities performed.Patients and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 22 community-dwelling older individuals (3 men, 19 women; mean age, 75.1 ± 7.3 years) living in three districts of Gero, Gifu, who participated in the Gero Salon Project hosted by the Social Welfare Councils. Evaluations were conducted in each season from September 2016 to August 2017. We used a uniaxial accelerometer, the Lifecorder device, which measures physical activity, and the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly to evaluate activities of daily living. Data were analyzed using the multiple comparisons (Bonferroni correction) method.Results: Total energy expenditure and time spent in moderate- or high-intensity activities did not show seasonal variations. However, the lowest number of steps was taken during the winter, and the number of steps increased significantly from winter to spring. The time spent in low-intensity physical activities was significantly longer in the spring and summer than in the winter. There was no significant seasonal difference in total Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly score, leisure activities, domestic activities, or work-related activities. However, there was a significant difference between the summer and winter scores in “outdoor gardening,” with the lowest score observed during the winter.Conclusions: With climate changes in the winter months, “outdoor gardening” becomes difficult, thus decreasing the number of steps taken. Therefore, it is necessary to identify other ways for older people to maintain physical activity during the winter season.