1.The curative effects of acupuncture on hypertension.
Yukiko SUZUKI ; Hiroshi MORITA ; Shuzi GOTO ; Koji SAKAMOTO
Journal of the Japan Society of Acupuncture and Moxibustion 1984;33(3):260-265
The efficacy of acupuncture-moxibustion for hypertension is often experienced by many clinicians. Nevertheless the mechanism whereby the therapy improves the symptoms has been scarcely elucidated. Our present study was designed to examine some effects of acupuncture upon the organism, especially upon the renal function which is implicated in hypertension.
Experiment I
Acupuncture therapy was undertaken four times on a patient with essential hypertension who was given no hypotensive drugs. In each therapy, needles (No. 2, Seirin) were perpendicularly inserted to the depth of 1.5cm at V20 Fengchi, VU21 Weishu, and G36 Zusanli and left there for 15 minutes. The blood samples and urine were collected three times: before the insertion, 15min. and 60min. after withdrawing the needles. At the same time, blood pressure, pulse, and the amount of urine were measured. The amount of Na, K, Cl, kallikrein, catecholamines, etc. was measured in urine. The renin activity and the concentration of aldosterone, catecholamines, and BUN were determined in the blood. Result: a marked increase was seen in the excretion of urine, Na, and Cl. An upward tendency of kallikrein excretion which is correlated with urine volume, and a downward tendency of renin in the blood were found. Blood pressure and pulse showed a slight tendency to decline. However, neither catecholamines in the blood, nor K in urine changed significantly.
Experiment II
Subjects were two healthy adult men. Urine was collected once an hour for twenty-five times by means of a balloon inserted in the bladder. Immediately after the twenty-first collection, acupuncture stimulation was given to VU21 Weishu in the same manner as Exp. I. With the same measurements and determinations undertaken, a marked increase of urine, Na, and Cl excretion was observed 15min. after withdrawing the needle.
Experiment III
Subjects were three healthy adult men. Urine was collected for two days. The amount of urine and the electrolyte content were calculated on a per hour basis. Without having breakfast after rising, the subjects were given a transfusion of glucose-electrolyte solution, equivalent to the calculated urinary output, every hour for four hours. The VU21 Weishu was stimulated in the same manner two hours after the onset of the first transfusion. Result: a marked increase was seen in the excretion of urine, Na, and Cl.
Conclusion
It can be seen from the above that acupuncture stimulation to the VU21 Weishu facilitates the selective excretion of Na and Cl in the urinary tubule.
2.Biomechanical considerations for uprighting impacted mandibular molars
Yukiko MORITA ; Yoshiyuki KOGA ; Tuan Anh NGUYEN ; Noriaki YOSHIDA
The Korean Journal of Orthodontics 2020;50(4):268-277
This case report demonstrates two different uprighting mechanics separately applied to mesially tipped mandibular first and second molars. The biomechanical considerations for application of these mechanisms are also discussed. For repositioning of the first molar, which was severely tipped and deeply impacted, a novel cantilever mechanics was used. The molar tube was bonded in the buccolingual direction to facilitate insertion of a cantilever from the buccal side. By twisting the distal end of the cantilever, sufficient uprighting moment was generated. The mesial end of the cantilever was hooked over the miniscrew placed between the canine and first premolar, which could prevent exertion of an intrusive force to the anterior portion of the dentition as a side effect. For repositioning of the second molar, an uprighting mechanics using a compression force with two step bends incorporated into a nickel-titanium archwire was employed. This generated an uprighting moment as well as a distal force acting on the tipped second molar to regain the lost space for the first molar and bring it into its normal position. This epoch-making uprighting mechanics could also minimize the extrusion of the molar, thereby preventing occlusal interference by increasing interocclusal clearance between the inferiorly placed two step bends and the antagonist tooth. Consequently, the two step bends could help prevent occlusal interference. After 2 years and 11 months of active treatment, a desirable Class I occlusion was successfully achieved without permanent tooth extraction.
3.Data Intensive Study of Accessibility of Edible Species and Healthcare Across the Globe
Satoshi WATANABE ; Hoko KYO ; KANG LIU ; Ryohei EGUCHI ; Md. ALTAF-UL-AMIN ; Aki MORITA(HIRAI) ; Minako OHASHI ; Naoaki ONO ; Alex Ming HUANG ; Yanbo ZHU ; Qi WANG ; Zhaoyu DAI ; Yukiko NAKAMURA ; Klaus W. LANGE ; Kazuo UEBABA ; Shintaro HASHIMOTO ; Shigehiko KANAYA ; Nobutaka SUZUKI
Japanese Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2018;15(1):37-60
Variety of accessibility to edible species in different regions has climatic and historical roots. In the present study, we try to systematically analyze 28,064 records of relationships between 11,752 edible species and 228 geographic zones by hierarchical clustering. The 228 geographic regions were classified into 11 super groups named as A to K, which were further divided into 39 clusters (CLs). Of them, at least one member of each of 28 CLs is associated to 20 or more edible species according to present information of KNApSAcK DB (http://kanaya.naist.jp/KNApSAcK_World/top.jsp). We examined those 28 CLs and found that majority of the members of each of the 27 CLs (96%) have specific type of climate. Diversity of accessibility to edible species makes it possible to separate 8 geographic regions on continental landmasses namely Mediterraneum, Baltic Sea, Western Europe, Yucatan Peninsula, South America, Africa and Arabian Peninsula, Southeast Asia, and Arctic Ocean; and three archipelagos namely, Caribbean Islands, Southeast Asian Islands and Pacific Islands. In addition, we also examined clusters based on cultural exchanges by colonization and migration and mass movement of people and material by modern transportation and trades as well as biogeographic factors. The era of big data science or data intensive science make it possible to systematically understand the content in huge data and how to acquire suitable data for specific purposes. Human healthcare should be considered on the basis of culture, climate, accessibility of edible foods and preferences, and based on molecular level information of genome and digestive systems.