[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.

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.

In Kampo therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Keishi-ka-ryojutsubu-to, Keishini-eppi-itto and Keishi-shakuyaku-chimo-to are considered to be the primary formulas. However, it is often difficult to control arthritis with the primary formula alone. In this study, we administered 7.5g/day of Ji-daboku-ippo to 12 patients with RA, who had not responded sufficiently to the primary formula alone. Administration of the primary formula and other anti-rheumatoid drugs was also continued.
After three months of this supplemental administration of Ji-daboku-ippo, the mean±SE of the Lansbury's index significantly decreased from 45.3±5.8% to 33.3±3.8% (p<0. 01). After treatment for one year, a decrement in the Lensbury's index (of more than 20%) was seen in the four patients. These results suggest that supplemental administration of Ji-daboku-ippo is effective for patients who fail to respond sufficiently to the primary Kampo formulas used for RA.

Four patients with fulminant myocarditis (two males and two females, age 21-67 years old) were examined during 1995-2001. Fulminant myocarditis was diagnosed based on clinical features, abnormal electrocardiographic and echocardiographic findings, and increased serum enzyme levels. In three of four cases, the diagnoses were confirmed histologically in autopsy. All four patients had flu-like symptoms and fever at the start. One patient died suddenly next day. Other three patients went into cardiogenic shock five and seven days after the onset of symptoms and hospitalized, and treated with temporary pacing, steroid pulse therapy, catecholamine (in all three patients) and percutaneous cardiopulmonary support : PCPS (in one patient), but they died within ten days. Electrocardigrams showed ventricular escape rhythm, ST elevation associated with Q wave, and low voltage of the QRS complex. Markedly increased serum enzyme levels, severe metabolic acidosis and disseminated intravascular coagulation were thought to be indicative of poor prognosis. Early recognition of cardiac involvement and using of PCPS without hesitation in an acute phase could improve the outcome of fulminant myocarditis.
Myocarditis ; Clinical ; Therapeutic brand of coal tar ; symptoms <1> ; Serum

Helicobacter pylori (HP) is associated with gastroduodenal disease. Although it has been reported that HP is highly sensitive to beta-lactams and macrolides, the efficacy of these monotherapies for eradicating HP is rather poor. Recent pharmacological studies have shown the effectiveness of combined therapy using PPI, antibiotics, and bismuth agents or metronidazole, but it has been known to lead to side effects and poor patient compliance. In Japan, mucosal protective agents are principally used for the treament of gastritis and gastric ulcers, and as previously reported, some mucosal protective agents, such as sofalcon and plaunotol, have anti-HP properties. Although they are not sufficiently effective to be used as monotherapy in the eradication of HP, in combination with antibiotics and PPI, eradication rates were elevated and side effects were uncommon.
Chinese medicinal formulas have been used for stomach disease in traditional Oriental medicine. The authors studied the effects of combined therapy with Omeprazole (OPZ), AMPC and Chinese medicine (Hangeshashin-to and Sanoshashin-to) instead of mucosal protective agents in the eradication of HP. The study was conducted on a total of 137 HP positive patients with endoscopic evidence of ulcers or gastritis. Dual therapy with OPZ and AMPC had a weak eradicating effect on HP (75%), but combined therapy using OPZ, AMPC and a Chinese medical formula was successful in eradicating HP in 20 out of 24 patients (85%).
The antibacterial effects of pharmaceutical preparations and crude drug extracts of Chinese medicine against HP were examined in an in vitro study. No antibacterial action against HP was demonstrated by these agents at concentrations of less than 2000μg/ml concentration. Chinese medicinal preparations should be used in combined therapy with antibiotics and PPI for optimum efficacy in eradicating HP.
This new eradication regimen including OPZ, AMPC and Hangeshashin-to is well tolerated; side effects are minimal and uncommon. This triple therapy may be useful in the treatment of HP infection, and is referred to as a “new Japanese regimen.”

A 48-year-old man was readmitted to the hospital because of severe intraventricular conduction defects (QRS duration was 0.30 sec). The patient had been given pilsicainide hydrochloride (150 mg/day) prior to the hospitalization. The blood tests revealed that the concentration of pilsicainide was 3.30 μg/ml, which was several times higher than the average value in patients given in a dosage of 150 mg per day. Five months before the second admission, impaired left ventricular (LV) myocardial function and paroxymal atrial fibrillation were observed in the patient. His illness was diagnosed as myotonic dystrophy as the patient presented with skeletal muscle atrophy, premature frontal baldness, hatchet face, cataract, and testicular atrophy. The trial of remedication with pilsicainide in the same dosage for seven days did not produce the toxic effects as seen previously. Both load-dependent LV dysfunction in myotonic muscular dystrophy and moderately impaired renal function in the patient probably underlay the state of intoxication.

We examined the clinical features, 12-leads ECG, Holter ECG, monitor ECG, and electrophysiologic study (EPS) in nine consecutive paroxysmal atrioventricular block (PAVB) patients treated in our hospital between 1995 and 2000. In some of them, parasympathetic nerve stimulating maneuvers, drug administration and head-up tilt test (HUT) were performed as provocative tests. EPS documented that the sites of AV block were within the His-Purkinje system (H-PSB) in five patients, proximal to the His bundle potential (AHB) in three patients. In the remaining one patient, the His bundle potential was not recorded. The main features of the patients with H-PSB were as follows: 1) often wide QRS complex with or without axis deviation; 2) variable degrees of AV conduction disturbance in a short period; 3) sinus tachycardia, and normal length and constant PQ intervals in a daytime being apt to precede PAVB; 4) rather long ventricular asystoles leading to abrupt syncope; 5) easy induction of the block by intravenousadministration of atropine. In the other hand, the features of the patients with AHB included: 1) narrow QRS; 2) progressively increasing or decreasing in PQ intervals preceding PAVB; 3) ventricular asystole lasting about 3 to 10 seconds; 4) the failure to induce PAVB by any probale provocative tests.
Although we treated all the patients with permanent pacemakers, there might have been other management method for AHB patients who had about 3-second ventricular asystole.

  In view of the situation where an increasing number of old women as well as old men have health problems associated with drinking, some measures should be taken in terms of setting sensible limits of alcoholic intake for these people to keep to, the Report of Kenko (Health) Nippon 21 for 2011 warned. It also suggested that further studies be made to amass necessary data in order to introduce effective measures and give a right assessment to the situation.
  The present study was carried out with the aim of providing fundamental pieces of information usable in primary prevention of alcohol-related health problems among the aged. For this purpose, we looked into the drinking habits as well as the numerical data of vital and liver functions tests of old people in a rural area in Yokote, Akita Prefecture. A total of 448 old people (206 men, 242 women) were involved in this study. Nineteen items out of 25 in the Kihon-Checklist, which was designed to reduce the need for nursing care, revealed notable decreases in vital functions in those men who took in over 21 grams of alcohol per day. Of those men specially categorized as individuals who are 65 and older and who are regarded as very likely to need nursing care in the near future, 88.9% took in 21 grams of alcohol. In women, there was no relation between drinking habits, BMI and liver functions. However, it was found that daily alcoholic consumption was greater in those specially categorized group of women at high risk for institutional care than in the other women.
  Our study made it clear that drinking habits, which were found to bear on liver and vital functions, could serve as a yardstick for judging whether the old people are at high risk for institutional care. We concluded that it is necessary to spread the knowledge about the adverse effects of alcohol among the elderly and advise them to act their age and drink in moderation even before they enter advanced age.

  During the period of two years from 2001 to 2003, we treated nine cases of takotsubo-type myocardiopathy. In this paper, the clinical characteristics and patients' conditions are described, and the mechanisms leading to dyskinesia of the muscular walls of the heart are discussed. All the cases were female. The mean age was 73 years. Physiological as well as psychological stress was implicated as a major cause of the disease, with onset occurring when some members of their family were suddenly taken ill or when they started quarreling with others. Echocardiograms revealed sigmoid septa in almost half of the nine patients. The prognosis was good. Only one patient had cardiac insufficiency as a sequela, but her condition improved. No one died.Eight patients got over dyskinesia of the left ventricular walls in two weeks. From our experience and studies of literature, we ruled out the possibility of the involvement of circulatory disorder and myocarditis in the onset of the disease. Women of advanced age are apt to have sigmoid septa and left ventricular walls thinning. When the old patient in this condition suffer psychosomatic stress, catecholamines will be released, causing the hypercontraction of the left ventricle, the pressure difference in the chamber, and the collapse of the apical of the heart. We concluded that these physiopathological states may be responsible for the abnormal movements of the muscular walls of the heart peculiar to the disease taken up in this study.