We retrospectively compared the treatment effects of electro-acupuncture against in situ acupuncture, in 15 Hunt's Syndrome patients who underwent acupuncture therapy in our institution between August 1996, and June 2004, and who had fulfilled 3 electroneurography (ENoG) criteria with a value of 0% within 90 days after onset, had a paralysis score of <20, and could be followed up for 6 months after onset. Electroacupuncture therapy was performed on the paralysis side of the faces of 8 patients (the electro-acupuncture group), while in situ acupuncture therapy was performed on the remaining 7 (the in situ acupuncture group). No significant differences were observed in the background factors between the two groups. Treatment results were evaluated using the 40-point paralysis score described by Yanagihara, as well as a sequela score, which was a modified method of the sequela assessment developed by Nishimoto and Murata et al. Changes in paralysis scores from first acupuncture therapy, out to 6 months post-onset were compared using repeated ANOVA measures, and Mann-Whitney U tests respectively. Recovery of paralysis scores did not significantly differ between the two groups (p=0.0507), although slightly better recovery was observed in the electroacupuncture group, as compared with the in situ acupuncture group. Additionally, sequelae scores did not significantly differ between the two groups (p=0.51). In recent years, many have been of the opinion that lowfrequency stimulation is contraindicated. In this study, however, the incidence of sequelae did not differ significantly between the electro-acupuncture therapy and the in situ acupuncture therapy groups, although slightly better paralysis recovery was observed in the former.

Rhubarb has been reported effective in patients with chronic renal failure, especially those patients with a high blood urea nitrogen (BUN) value. Rhubarb, however, is difficult to administer in large quantities because of its purging effect. Thus we prepared heated rhubarb, measured its sennoside A content using high performance liquid chromatography, and administered it to 2 patients.
Renal function of the first patient did not improve, following administration of extract derived from decocted rhubarb heated for 4 hours at 100°C.The extract's protective effect on renal function was considered lost by the boiling procedure. Dry-heated rhubarb was also prepared at 130°C for 4 minutes, and administered to the second patient. In this case, the extract's quantity could be increased up to 4.0g per day, and the patient's BUN value gradually decreased.
Onpito was later administered, because of increased BUN and creatinine values. Onpito was administered as a Ninjinto extract, Kakobushimatsu and rhubarb. And Onpito had a better protective effect on renal function in the second patient, than rhubarb alone.
In conclusion, we believe that dry-heated rhubarb can be effective for the improvement of nitric metabolism in patients with chronic renal failure, because of its low purging effect.

In order to maintain objective tongue diagnosis, we have researched a photographic standard and the repeatability of tongue photography, using a Compact Digital Camera (i. e. digital camera).
We photographed the tongues of subjects who held a small color chart on the end of a chopstick.
We were able to reduce the level of reflected camera flash when the camera was held vertically by its upper grip, in such a way that camera flash came from the subjects' upper left. We examined various focal distances, and white balance (W. B.) settings in the camera's Close-up Mode, and obtained well-adjusted photographs with minimal reflection when the focal distance was about 10cm, and the camera's W. B. was set to Flash Mode. Photographs taken under these conditions were highly consistent regardless of place, time, and who the subject or photographer were. We report this photographic standard as recommended for objective tongue photography.

The author has attempted to reveal the evolution behind the great Chinese classic “Shokanron”, through historical study. Results suggest that it originally evolved from human anatomical trials in the Xin Dynasty (AD 16). Subsequently, some person or persons engaged in these anatomical trials created a new standard, i. e. verification. This newly developed school created the methodology for describing clinical cases, according to a standard format. The followers of this school then accumulated clinical case studies over several generations, with Chochukei finally compiling “Shokanron” (AD 200). In this classic, Chochukei put forth the theory of six disease stages, and presented a manual for acute febrile disease treatment.

A report by the author entitled “Kampo formulas containing Coicis Semen that are Effective in the Treatment of Verrucae” was published in Volume 47 Number 1 of the Japanese Journal of Oriental Medicine. In this paper, the author notes the finding of a reference that supplements the above report. In ‘Yojuin Yamawaki Sensei Hokan, ’ written by Yamawaki Toyo the author found the following: “To control verrucae, boil 5 sen of Coicis Semen in 3 go of water. Drink or wash the affected area with 1 go of this use.” (This text was originally written in classical Chinese.) It is clear from this statement that Yamawaki Toyo used Coicis Semen for verrucae in a manner resembling folk medicine. Although the date of compilation of the text is not known, this treatment method had obviously been in use before the death of Yamawaki Toyo (1762).
The description of the use containing Coicis Semen appearing in the above text is more accurate than that found in ‘Yamato Honzo.’
The first description of a formula for Coicis Semen for the treatment of verrucae is found in ‘Meika Hosen, ’ which was edited by Yamada Genrin in his late teens after stealing formulas from various famous doctors. According to various medical texts, the name of Yamada Genrin was Ikyo. In ‘Meika Hosen, ’ which Yamada edited, his name was written using different Chinese characters, but also pronounced ‘Ikyo’, this was probably his original first name. The name ‘Ikyo’ with the characters used later is associated with the text ‘Baiso Yakugen.’

A report by the author entitled “Kampo formulas containing Coicis Semen that are Effective in the Treatment of Verrucae” was published in Volume 47 Number 1 of the Japanese Journal of Oriental Medicine. In this paper, the author notes the finding of a reference that supplements the above report. In ‘Yojuin Yamawaki Sensei Hokan, ’ written by Yamawaki Toyo the author found the following: “To control verrucae, boil 5 sen of Coicis Semen in 3 go of water. Drink or wash the affected area with 1 go of this use.” (This text was originally written in classical Chinese.) It is clear from this statement that Yamawaki Toyo used Coicis Semen for verrucae in a manner resembling folk medicine. Although the date of compilation of the text is not known, this treatment method had obviously been in use before the death of Yamawaki Toyo (1762).
The description of the use containing Coicis Semen appearing in the above text is more accurate than that found in ‘Yamato Honzo.’
The first description of a formula for Coicis Semen for the treatment of verrucae is found in ‘Meika Hosen, ’ which was edited by Yamada Genrin in his late teens after stealing formulas from various famous doctors. According to various medical texts, the name of Yamada Genrin was Ikyo. In ‘Meika Hosen, ’ which Yamada edited, his name was written using different Chinese characters, but also pronounced ‘Ikyo’, this was probably his original first name. The name ‘Ikyo’ with the characters used later is associated with the text ‘Baiso Yakugen.’

Influenza A virus infection causes acute respiratory syndrome and leads to sometimes lethal diseases includ ing pneumonia. Identifying host factors involved in pathogenesis is important for the prevention and treatment of influenza. Type I interferons (IFNs) are essential to activating antiviral responses against influenza A virus. We show that the viral polymerase complex inhibited IFNβ promoter activation. Moreover, PB 2 inhibited the transcription of endogenous IFNβ gene induced after influenza A virus infection. The viral polymerase is critical for regulating host anti-viral response through binding to IPS-1 and inhibition of IFNβ production.
We also demonstrated that Siva-1 is crucial for apoptosis induction by influenza A virus and is involved in its viral replication. Expression of Siva-1 enhanced apoptosis induction after influenza A virus infection and knockdown of Siva-1 expression strongly inhibited it. Furthermore, the replication of influenza A virus was significantly suppressed by Siva-1 knockdown.
Recently, we examined the inhibitory effects of some herbal medicines on influenza A virus replication. Ex tracts of gingyosan and maoto had inhibitory effects for the replication of influenza A viruses. We analyzed the effect of fractions of these extracts and analyzed the main ingredients with a HPLC system.

We report the case of an 84-year-old woman with advanced biliary tract cancer and accompanying colonic invasion and hepatic metastasis, who was successfully treated with single-agent gemcitabine chemotherapy in combination with juzentaihoto (a traditional Japanese herbal medicine). Response to this combination chemo therapy was extremely good, and the patient's tumors disappeared. There have been no reports like our case until today. These findings suggest that combined treatment with juzentaihoto and gemcitabine is effective not only for reducing tumor size, decreasing the side effects of chemotherapy, and maintaining general condition but also for mediating immune antitumor activity.

We report a patient who was successfully treated with a herbal formulation of goreisan (Wu-ling-san) for recurrent vomiting associated with pyloric stenosis, with significant simultaneous improvement of congestive heart failure.
A 78-year-old woman was in a bedridden state after cerebral infarction and was being fed through a nasal tube. She often experience repeated vomiting and aspiration pneumonia. Cicatricial stenosis was found in the pyloric region and we performed an expansion operation with balloon endoscopy. However, symptoms did not improve and her heart failure worsened. Therefore, we administered goreisan. Urinary output volume increased, edematous changes gradually disappeared, and pleural effusion decreased. The stenosis-related lesion did not change, but the vomiting ceased, even after nasal tube feeding was resumed.
Goreisan is an herbal formula used to promote diuresis that is considered to correct water absorption in digestive organs. In this case, goreisan was effective for the improvement of many symptoms.

[Objectives] To investigate the long-term effect of Kampo medicine on the ocular manifestations of Behçet's disease based on 30-years of experience.
[Patients] The number of patients who consulted Yamamoto Eye Clinic on Kampo medicine over a 30-year period was 24, and we investigated and reviewed these patients.
[Results] Although 11 patients discontinued treatment within a few months and 2 patients left our clinic after a short time, we were able to continue Kampo treatment in 11 patients for more than 10 years, with the longest period being 26 years. Consequently, 8 patients recovered their visual acuity.
[Discussion] Our retrospective study indicates that continuous treatment using Kampo medicine reduces the frequency of uveitis attacks and disease activity. In addition, it may be possible to discontinue Kampo medicine if patients achieve and maintain a better condition despite there being several factors that deteriorate their condition. Our study also indicates the importance of more than 10-years follow up to evaluate the efficacy of any intervention for this chronic disease.
[Conclusions] Kampo medicine is effective for preventing the recurrence of uveitis in patients with Behçet's disease.