The purpose of this study is to elucidate the postural controlling mechanism in terms of the postural reflex.
The subjects standing upright on the “shift board” apparatus were subjected to an unexpected postural disturbance. The latent time of the neuromuscular activities was analyzed by the method of the EMG and the changes of the joint angles were analyzed by the electrogoniometer.
The following results were obtained,
1. The change of an ankle joint appeared just at the same time with the onset of the “shift board” movement, and the EMG activity of the tibialis anterior muscle appeared in the process of the extension of the ankle joint and “shift board” movement.
2. The change of the knee joint appeared after about 40 msec following the ankle joint. The change of the hip joint and the neck joint appeared thereafter but, the neuro-muscular activities of f he various parts of the body were activated by the “shift board” stimulus at the range of about 70-90 msec latency.
3. The postural controlling mechanism was discussed in relation to the theory of “simultanious combination”.
4. The trigger of the simultanious discharge of the EMGs was discussed.

A balance test was given to middle-aged and elderly persons who are practicing Tai Chi Chuan for evaluating its effect on postural stability. The subjects were 34 (female : 34) healthy persons aged from 50 to 70 (mean : 63.2 ± 7.8years) .
The Equitest System (Neuro Com Co. Ltd.) was used for the balance test. The Equitest System has several devices for evaluating postural balance both in a static and dynamic condition. The two tests used in this study-the Sensory Organization Test (SOT) and the Movement Coordination Test (MCT) -were performed to evaluate postural stability. The SOT consists of 3 static and 3 dynamic testing conditions, while the MCT evaluates postural response time against a shift board.
The subjects were separated into 2 groups-beginner and skilled-for comparison between the two. The results of SOT showed that there were statistically significant differences of postural control in the dynamic condition between the two groups. But, there was no such difference seen in the static condition. For MCT, statistically significant differences were also observed between the two groups in the dynamic postural condition. The results of SOT and MCT suggest that skilled persons in Tai Chi Chuan acquire both highly developed dynamic balance and quick response in the disturbed condition.
The results of the Cybex muscle strength test also suggests that the leg extensor develops muscle strength through long-term Tai Chi Chuan training.

We prescribed ninjinto for 3 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or interstitial pneumonia.Markers for assessing the efficacy of this formulation included dull sensations in the stomach and diarrhea.These markers rapidly improved following the administration of ninjinto. The 3 patients experienced 2 com mon features, including an obstructive and a cold feeling in the pit of the stomach. Moreover, a cessation or significant decrease in cough and sputum was observed following ninjinto administration. Ninjinto is usually used to treat digestive disorders. However, these findings suggest that ninjinto may also be used for the treat ment of respiratory disorders.

The purpose of this study was to clarify the characteristics of the gait function for the elderly with a special reference to the angle of the ankle joint and that of the metatarsophalangeal (MP) joint at heel contact and toe off. Five healthy young men (aged 22 to 23 yrs) and five healthy elderly men (aged 65 to 71 yrs) participated as the subjects in this study. The angle variation of the right ankle joint and that of the MP joint detected in goniometers were analyzed synchronously with the data of the force plate and the image data of bare foot movements during free, slow, and fast gait. The following results were obtained:
1. The walking speed, step length, and cadence for the elderly during free gait were significantly small. Furthermore, the step length of the elderly was shorter than that of the younger subject even with the same height. Moreover, it was found that the fluctuation in both the step length and cadence resulted in an fluctuation in walking speed.
2. One reason for the decrease in step length and cadence, and the increase in duration of the double supporting time for the elderly is the lowering of walking speed.
3. The angle of the ankle at heel contact, the angle of the ankle at toe off, and the angular displacement of the MP joint were significantly smaller for the elderly during free gait and during walking within a range of speeds. Also, the angle of the ankle at heel contact, and the angle of the ankle at toe off for young and elderly subjects were separated into two groups during walking within a range of speeds. It may be showed that the reason for the smallness of the angle of the ankle at heel contact and the angle of the ankle at toe off for the elderly irrespective of walking speed is due to an elderly behavior that unconsciously makes the angle smaller to prevent the danger of falling.
In conclusion, the difference in variables between young and elderly subjects during free gait and walking within a range of speeds exemplifies the characteristics of gait function for the elderly.

Idiopathic mesenteric phlebosclerosis (IMP) is a rare chronic ischemic intestinal disease, mainly in the right hemicolon, characterized by dark purple mucosa on colonoscopy and calcifications of the intestinal wall and mesenteric veins on abdominal radiography and computed tomography. In recent years, many patients who developed IMP over the long-term administration of Kampo medicines have been reported. However, the present status of IMP in patients under long-term treatment with Kampo medicines in departments specializing in Kampo therapy is unclear. We surveyed whether there were any IMP outpatients followed for 5 years or more at the Department of Oriental Traditional Medical Center, Suwa Central Hospital. We detected 2 of 257 (0.8%) patients having IMP. Both patients had undergone long-term treatment with Gardenia fruit. One of them underwent surgery due to acute abdomen, but the other was asymptomatic. The etiology and pathogenesis of IMP are still unclear. However, in patients undergoing long-term treatment with Kampo medicines, particularly containing Gardenia fruit, the possible presence of IMP should be taken into consideration, and active screening using imaging examinations is necessary even in asymptomatic patients.

Aim To study the effects of resveratrol(Res)on the release of soluble adhesion molecules from human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs)induced by N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylal-anine(fMLP)and the adhesion between neutrophils and HUVECs.Methods The effects of Res on neutrophils adhesion to human umbilical endothelial cell(HUVECs)triggered by fMLP were examined.The soluble intercellular cell adhesive molecule-1(ICAM-1),the soluble vascular cell adhesive molecule-1(VCAM-1)and E-selectin release from fMLP(10 ?mol?L-1)stimulated HUVECs were determined by ELISA kits.The neutrophils isolated from human vein blood were loaded with Fluo-3,a fluorescent indicator,to detect intracellular free calcium concentration([Ca2+]i),and CLA was used as a chemiluminescent indicator to determine superoxide production in neutrophils.Results Res(1~50 ?mol?L-1)significantly inhibited neutrophil adhesion to fMLP-stimulated HUVECs and also obviously downregulated the levels of ICAM-1,VCAM-1 and E-selectin in supernatant of HUVECs culture stimulated by fMLP in the dose-dependent pattern.Res also suppressed fMLP-activated superoxide generation and[Ca2+]i increase in neutrophils.Conclusions Res involved in neutrophil adhesion to HUVECs intermediated by cell adhesive molecules expression trigged by[Ca2+]i and superoxide production in neutrophils,which means a lot to prevent inflammatory diseases.

Chinese herbal medicine has historically been used for the treatment of renal disease. There are some medi cines such as rhubarb and Ompito that delay the need for dialysis. However, they only attenuate the 1/Cr-time slope but cannot reduce the Cr level. In this study, four chronic renal failure (CRF) patients who had not responded to any Western medicine were treated effectively with Astragali Radix, a traditional herbal medi cine. Serum creatinine (Cr) was clearly improved, and necessity for dialysis was delayed. In two patients, Cr was controlled stably over four years. There were no adverse effects, and no noteworthy changes in the lev els of serum phosphorus, potassium and uric acid between before and after treatment were observed. This study suggests that Astragali Radix is a useful agent in the treatment of CRF.

We describe a 52 year old woman who had an aneurysm involving the common hepatic artery directly originating from the aorta. It was successfully treated by aneurysmectomy without needing the arterial reconstruction. An aneurysm of the common hepatic artery that has an anomalous origin from the aorta is very rare and only 4 cases including the present case were reported in Japanese literature on our survey. The features and management of hepatic aneurysm are discussed.

Although identification of water contact patterns is one of the most important factors for the prevention of Schistosoma japonicum infection, it is still insufficient for clarifying specific high-risk behaviors and their implications. Parasitological studies and behavioral observations were carried out in a rural village, the Dongting Lake region, China. A time-allocation study conducted by a time-saving spot-check method was implemented to quantify the behavioral risks. Of the 122 participants, 18 (14.8%; 95% confidence interval: 8.5, 21.0) were positive for S. japonicum. Among those diagnosed, the median (25−75% quartile) eggs per gram was 8 (8−16). A significant positive correlation with worm intensity was found among people who repair ships on the marshland (p&It;0.001), and this potential risk was consistent with previous suggestions. Although the parasitological techniques and study design require further improvements, our observational methods may be of use to explicitly identify behaviors at the local level that could be relevant to prevention.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this survey was to explore physicians' opinions to identify an adequate time range for clinical information to be provided with a referral that would help minimize wasteful retesting. METHODS: In 2011, we conducted a questionnaire survey of 193 physicians. Examining the degree of utilization of provided medical information, we determined the range of clinical information of referral documents. RESULTS: Less than three months of prescription history and blood sample test results in patient referral was most frequent. Less than one year of image information was most frequent. Most doctors answered there is no need to repeat the same type of blood test in their institute when they had information less than half a month old. Less than half to one month of image information was most frequent. Also, it appeared many doctors think “fundamentally they do not change their mind from their own medical department standpoint.” At the actual site, those who would even review referral clinical notes accounted for about 30% of all participants. CONCLUSIONS: Medical referral eventually takes place after the establishment of mutual communication and should consider the workflow and system environment of the receiver of the information.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; Hematologic Tests ; Hospital Information Systems ; Humans ; Prescriptions ; Referral and Consultation* ; Surveys and Questionnaires