Background: Advancements in genome editing technology and the globalization of life science research have highlighted the need for refined techniques in individualizing fertilized mouse eggs. Traditional embryo transfer surgery, which demands precise and objective success assessment, presents challenges for technical mastery and animal welfare. To address these issues, we developed a novel culture medium incorporating a dye library that enhances the visibility of ultrafine capillaries. Results: We screened 32 compounds based on their color properties and excluded those with clear cytotoxicity through colony formation inhibition tests. Five compounds demonstrated developmental outcomes comparable to those of the control group during embryo culture. Gene expression analysis revealed high correlation with control embryos, indicating no adverse developmental impact. No maternal toxicity was observed during and after embryo transfer using the dyed medium, which also produced normal offspring. A randomized survey confirmed improved visibility compared to conventional methods. Conclusion This study successfully identified nontoxic dyes that enhance the visibility of embryo transfer culture media, potentially improving precision and animal welfare in embryological research. Based on our findings, adding Brilliant Blue FCF or Fast Green FCF to the medium is recommended.

We administered daisaikoto to 13 patients with traumatic cervical syndrome and observed complete responses in the following 2 patients. Patient 1 was a 40-year male. He was in the xiaoyang stage, and showed high abdominal tension and marked chest oppression. These findings were indications for daisaikoto. Patient 2 was a female in her 50 s. She was in the xiaoyang stage, showed moderate abdominal tension and chest oppression, and was aware of chest tension and constipation. Evaluation using the VAS in the 13 patients showed a complete response in 3 patients, partial response in 6, minor response in 1 and no response in 3. To clarify indications for daisaikoto in this disease, findings of Japanese Oriental Medicine in the 13 patients were evaluated. Of 9 patients with high abdominal tension, 8 showed partial or complete responses. Of 4 patients with moderate abdominal tension, a complete response, partial response, and no response were observed in 1, 1, and 2, respectively. In addition, objective abdominal coldness was present in both patients with moderate abdominal tension who showed no response but not in the patient showing a complete response.We confirmed the importance of therapy based on oriental medical syndromes when daisaikoto is used for traumatic cervical syndrome. However, patients with moderate abdominal tension without abdominal coldness can be differentiated from others for this therapy.

Chronic fatigue is a common symptom in primary health care and caused by various organic and functional diseases. Although improvement is attained by controlling underlying organic disease, it is sometimes difficult to relieve fatigue in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome or dysthymia. We have encountered patients with idiopathic chronic fatigue (ICF) successfully treated with sansonintokagen. A 62-year-old female complained of chronic fatigue several years after menopause, and had normal status in routine blood and image analyses at a nearby hospital. Her condition was diagnosed as ICF with sleeplessness. Treatment with sansonintoaogibakumondo for 8 weeks improved her chronic fatigue and sleeplessness, and enabled her to continue housekeeping. This observation suggests that this kampo formula may be a useful agent for ICF.

Boiogito, which has been used for obesity, edema and arthritis by using flabby constitution as a clinical indication, is mentioned in Jin Kui Yao Lue (Synopsis of the Golden Chamber). We experienced five cases of wind-wetness syndrome or edema caused by the pathogen Wind successfully treated with boiogito. There were common findings in these cases, i.e., heavy sweating or perspiration while sleeping, chilly feelings and worsening of the evening subjective symptoms and pulse diagnoses, such as floating, string-like and congested pulse in objective findings. On the basis of these cases, we investigated the efficacy of boiogito extract in 10 patients having the all of common findings mentioned above. As a result, boiogito improved symptoms in 8 patients. This suggests that medical examination by interview and distinctive pulsation are important in deciding the Kampo diagnosis for boiogito.
findings ; Clinical ; symptoms <1> ; Indication of ; CONSIDERATION

We report a case of serous gonarthritis with nonproductive cough successfully treated with Eppikajutsuto. A 37-year-old Japanese man developed a right genicular arthrocele with nonproductive cough, in October X. Over 100 ml of serous synovial fluid was drained via an arthrocentesis puncture procedure. Although he was treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents by an orthopedist, under a diagnosis of serous gonarthritis, his symptoms did not improve. Laboratory findings suggested inflammatory conditions (serum CRP 3.4 mg/dl, ESR 76 mm/h). At the time of his first visit in January X+1, orthopedic examinations revealed that rheumatoid arthritis was unlikely, based on negative physical and laboratory findings. A contrast MRI knee joint scan did not demonstrate any tumor-like mass of synovium which would indicate pigmented villonodular synovitis. And orthopedists found it difficult to specify the cause of his serous gonarthritis. After a common cold in December X, cough stimulated by cold exposure was superimposed on serous gonarthritis.We utilized Eppikajutsuto under the interpretation that both his genicular arthrocele and nonproductive cough were due to a “sui” disturbance. This Eppikajutsuto therapy reduced his genicular arthrocele and nonproductive cough in1month. His symptoms and inflammatory reactions were completely improved in 3 months, regardless of gradual withdrawal of his medication.
Coughing ; Upper case ecks ; symptoms <1> ; Serous ; Treated with

We demonstrated two patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), successfully treated with Kampo medicine, and considered the resemblance between the clinical manifestation of FMS and SHO for Kanzo-bushi-to.The first case was a 52-year-old women who consulted a local hospital in 2001 due to althralgia and myalgia in the left hand, bilateral elbows, shoulders and foot. Her condition was diagnosed as FMS without abnormal findings in the thorough medical examination. Treatment with NSAIDs was not effective, so she consulted our department in 2004. She was treated with Keishi-ni-eppi-itto-ka-ryojutsu-ka-boi-ogi-kakkon. After two mouths, her symptoms had reduced to 50% by visual analog scale (VAS). By March 2006, her symptoms had significantly decreased to 20% by VAS and NSAIDs became unnecessary.The second case was a 58-year-old woman who had suffered from tolerable pain in her right elbow for 10 years. In 2004, she visited the Department of Orthology at her local hospital due to pain in the neck, bilateral arms and shoulders. There were no findings on cervical X-ray or neurological examination, and NSAIDs were administered. Her symptoms did not resolve, therefore, she consulted our department in 2005. She was diagnosed with FMS, based on fulfilling the diagnostic criteria for FMS of ACR (American college of rheumatology) in 1990. She was treated with Kanzo-bushi-to. After 3 months, her symptoms had reduced to 30% by VAS. By Mar. 2006, her pain had redused to 25% by VAS and she was physically fit enough for a daily life.
CSF1-R ; symptoms <1> ; Medicine, Kampo ; Pain ; Fibromyalgia

Hangekobokuto, on the basis of Jin-kui-yao-lue, has been used to treat acute and chronic gastric disease, psychiatric disorders, abnormal sensation in the throat, and edema which gives the feeling of a small food particle obstructing the throat. We experienced 2 cases involving a sense of incongruity in the interscapular region (pain and/or stiffness), which were successfully treated with hangekobokuto extract.On the basis of these first cases, we investigated the efficacy of hangekobokuto extract in 15 patients having both “ki-utsu” and “suitai”, and a sense of incongruity (pain and/or stiffness) in the interscapular region, without the throat-obstructive feeling of a small in-situ food particle.Improvements in complaints were observed in all patients, with a reduction or disappearance of their sense of incongruity in the interscapular region. Thus, it is possible that hangekobokuto could be widely applicable where symptoms of tenderness or a sense of incongruity in the interscapular region occur (especially the sides of the spinous process of thoracic vertebrae 4-7), in addition to the previously documented indications (heart burn, epigastric discomfort and abdominal fullness).
Pharynx ; particle ; seconds ; Investigations ; Indications

We report a case with an intractable jugular sense of discomfort, with dryness and nonproductive cough successfully treated with soshikokito. A 62-year-old Japanese man developed jugular sense of discomfort with dryness and nonproductive cough, after odontotherapy in October. Although he was treated with Western drugs by an otolaryngologist, under the diagnosis of xerostomia with no mechanical problems, his symptoms did not disappear. The symptoms followed a protracted course, and he further developed a loss of appetite. At the time of first visit in October, otorhinolaryngological studies showed no structural lesions or problems, with the exception of minimum salivation in the normal range on a gum test. There was no evidence of dry eyes. With the diagnosis of xerostomia, Bakumondoto-go-hangekobokuto was administered for a month but showed no sign of improvement. Making a shift to bukuryoin-go-hangekobokuto regained his appetite, but did not produce any improvement on dryness. We then utilized soshikokito under the interpretation that both dryness and nonproductive cough is ki-gyaku. The soshikokito therapy reduced his dryness in a month's time. Additionally, his nonproductive cough gradually decreased, and within 11 months after, he had no symptoms, regardless of a gradual medication withdrawal.
Coughing ; symptoms <1> ; seconds ; month ; Peripartum discomfort

We experienced 2 cases of allergic rhinitis successfully treated with Shimbuto. Shoseiryuto, Goreisan and Ryokankyomishingeninto did not have any favorable effect on these cases. They had similar subjective symptoms, that is, a mass of nasal mucus, became cold easily and developed taste for citrus fruits. There were common objective symptoms, such as, fullness of the upper abdomen, coldness of the epigastrium, epigastric throbbing pulsation and a fluid sound in the stomach upon palpation. These findings suggest that Shimbu-to might be practicable for the patients who did not received the blessing of the standard Kampo therapy.

Choyo-to, which has long been used for acute and chronic intestinal disease, dermatological disorders and pulmonary abscess, is attributed to the writings of 7th Century physician Sun Simiao, known as the “Qian-jinyao-fang”. We have also successfully treated nine different patients suffering from various diseases, using Choyo-to. In most of these cases, patients complained of constipation. Thus far, our modern experience suggests that Choyo-to may be indicated for not only right-side pain upon naval palpitation, pressure sensation at the ileocecum and excessive strain of abdominal muscles, but also for cases of dry skin, edematous skin and tendency of normal tongue color.