BACKGROUND: IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common form of primary glomerulonephritis worldwide. Tonsillectomy plus steroid pulse therapy has been able to induce clinical remission in early-stage IgAN. However, its possible effect on systemic and local cytokines and tubular markers has not been fully investigated. METHODS: We obtained serum and urine samples from 38 patients just before renal biopsy and third steroid pulse therapy. Markers of tubular damage such as N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase, and kidney injury molecule-1 and inflammation such as interleukin (IL)-6, monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 were measured by immunoassay. RESULTS: Before renal biopsy, only urinary inflammatory markers, except MCP-1, were associated with glomerular (proteinuria) and/or tubular damage markers. Proteinuria, hematuria, and estimated glomerular filtration rate dramatically improved after therapy. In addition, levels of serum IL-6 and ICAM-1 and all urinary markers declined significantly; however, serum MCP-1 and VCAM-1 levels did not. None of the urinary markers correlated with the serum inflammatory markers. CONCLUSION: Tonsillectomy plus steroid pulse therapy for patients with IgAN might be useful for improving not only glomerular damage marker but also tubular damage markers through the improvement of local renal inflammation.
Biopsy ; Cytokines ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Glomerulonephritis ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA* ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Immunoassay ; Immunoglobulin A* ; Inflammation ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; Interleukin-6 ; Interleukins ; Kidney ; Monocytes ; Proteinuria ; Tonsillectomy* ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1

[Objective] The purpose of this study was to conduct a prospective survey of adverse events in athletes using press take needles (PTNs).[Methods] The survey subjects were 23 female junior-high-school basketball players, and the method was a prospective survey study. The PTNs (0.6 mm diameter; PYONEX manufactured by Seirin) were applied to a total of six sites on the anterior surfaces of the right and left thighs by the athletes themselves before practice and removed after practice. The survey of adverse events was repeated as many times as possible over a one-year period and comprised the following questions: (1) Did you experience any problems during practice today? (multiple answers); and (2) Did the PTNs negatively affect your physical performance? (single answer). The frequency of adverse events was calculated on the basis of the number of participants and the site of application.[Results] In total, 25 surveys were conducted over the one-year period, with 18 athletes participating (mean age: 13.5 years). On average, the athletes were surveyed 20.1 ± 4.1 times. The total number of participants for all 25 surveys was 362, and the total number of PTNs used was 2,172. In terms of the total number of participants, the frequency of adverse events was 20.99% (76 cases) and that of PTN-related adverse events that negatively affected physical performance was 5.80% (21 cases). In terms of the total number of PTNs used , the frequency of adverse events was 9.16% (199 cases) and that of PTN-related adverse events that negatively affected physical performance was 2.58% (56 cases). The most common adverse event was "prickling" (3.89%; 88 cases), followed by "PTN was coming off" (3.14% ; 71 cases), "bothering" (2.43%; 55 cases), and "uncomfortable feeling" (2.30%; 52 cases), whereas the number of other adverse events was very few. No adverse events requiring medical treatment occurred, and none of the　 athletes stopped practicing due to adverse events.[Discussion and Conclusion] The adverse events in athletes were mostly minor ones such as "prickling" and "uncomfortable feeling ". However, the frequency of adverse events was low, indicating that PTNs are safe for athletes.

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the awareness and perceptions of cosmetic acupuncture among ordinary women.[Method] A questionnaire method was adopted, with a target population of 1,000 ordinary women living in Shizuoka prefecture, which is considered a suitable location for test marketing in Japan.Questionnaires were distributed through the Chambers of Commerce in the prefecture by age group, according to the population ratio, and responses were obtained. The items included (1) basic information; (2) presence and type of facial cosmetic concerns; (3) experience of acupuncture, awareness of cosmetic acupuncture, the medium through which they learned of it, perception of effects, and experience of cosmetic acupuncture; (4) effects and types of cosmetic acupuncture, presence or absence of adverse effects, current treatment status, desired treatment outcomes and reasons for seeking treatment, wishes from treatment clinics, and wishes from practitioners; and (5) 1 month's investment in beauty.[Result] The response rate was 56.2%, and 91.8% of the participants perceived that they had facial cosmetic concerns; 28.8% had experience with acupuncture, whereas 42.0% had knowledge regarding cosmetic acupuncture. Television (45.3%) was the primary source of information regarding this. The most prevalent perception of the effects of cosmetic acupuncture was lifting (44.8%), and 43.2% of the 521 participants inexperienced with cosmetic acupuncture consented to treatment. Participants mostly reported being somewhat interested in the procedure as their reason for wanting to receive treatment (45.3%). The most common reason for opting out of treatment was due to pain (52.6%). Of those who experienced cosmetic acupuncture, 60.0% said they experienced positive effects, and lifting (62.5%) is the most frequently perceived outcome, which matched the commonly held perception. However, among the participants, 45.0% reported negative effects, while 47.5% received the treatment two or more times in the past but did not continue. Participants mainly wanted clean treatment centers and skilled practitioners. The most common monthly investment in beauty was between 3,000 yen and 5,000 yen (28.5%).[Discussion/Conclusion] The results suggest that many women have cosmetic concerns regarding their faces and expect lifting from cosmetic acupuncture. The low treatment rate among women and their reasons for not seeking re-treatment were elucidated in this study, despite their degree of awareness. Further, the problems associated with the development of cosmetic acupuncture were clarified.

[Objectives]The purpose of this study is to clarify the effect of acupuncture sensation on the body sway during a one-legged stance.[Methods] The study participants were 16 healthy adults (mean age 21.8±1.6 years). The study design was a crossover method, wherein the same individuals participated in the acupuncture stimulation condition and the control condition at intervals of more than one week. Evaluation was performed before and after each intervention by holding a one-legged stance for 40 seconds on a force plate. A total of six items of body sway were measured, including: circumferential area, rectangular area, effective value area, total trajectory length, unit trajectory length, and unit area trajectory length. In addition, Visual analog scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the ease with which the lower leg was subjected to force during measurement. In the acupuncture stimulation condition, single acupuncture was performed on the lower limb muscle group of the measuring leg, and the VAS of the acupuncture sensation was evaluated at the time of stimulation and at the end of measurement. Stainless steel disposable acupuncture needles (length: 50 mm, diameter: 0.20 mm.) were used for stimulation. The stimulation sites were the ST32, ST37, BL37, BL57, and GB37 of the test leg, and acupuncture needles were inserted to the desired depth and removed when sensation was felt. The control condition was the supine position for five minutes. Comparisons were made between the pre- and post-acupuncture stimulation conditions and the pre- and post-control conditions(body sway, lower leg VAS, acupuncture sensation VAS). [Results] There was no significant difference between the two conditions in terms of body sway. However, the VAS of lower limb effort was significantly lower, from 78.0±14.9 mm to 63.1±17.0 mm before and after the intervention (p<0.05). On the other hand, in the control condition, there was no significant difference from 79.5±12.3 mm to 75.2±12.7 mm before and after rest. The VAS of acupuncture sensation was 50.4±14.3 mm during stimulation and 9.8±9.0 mm at the end of measurement, which was significantly lower (p<0.05). [Conclusion] Acupuncture sensation did not affect the body sway before and after acupuncture stimulation. However, the subjective sensation of weakness appeared, suggesting that acupuncture stimulation may cause a transient sensation of weakness.