The Position of Oriental Medicine in COVID-19 / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

The number of patients with novel coronavirus infections (COVID-19) continues to increase with Omicron now the predominant strain, even amidst the three-dense (close-in, dense, and close-out) avoidance and vaccination strategies. In collaboration with the local government, Tohoku University Hospital has provided a large-scale vaccination center, drive-through outpatient PCR testing clinic, outpatient assessment, support for management of residential care facilities for the mildly ill, support for elderly care facilities, and an antibody cocktail center, to minimize deaths due to COVID-19. In residential care facilities for the mildly ill and others in need of medical support, we established an information sharing and house call system. Furthermore, we developed DX in cooperation with a wide-area IT system and have so far continued to achieve zero fatalities in residential care facilities. In addition, the Japanese Society for Oriental Medicine has conducted clinical research using Kampo medicine for the prevention of disease onset, treatment in the acute stage, and treatment of prolonged symptoms, with results suggesting that Kampo medicine has some effect in reducing disease severity in the acute stage. The COVID-19 response is a long-term effort to update the knowledge and techniques in Western, traditional, and Future Medicine. The response and updating of combined knowledge and skills will continue over the longterm. It is also necessary to continue to disseminate and share information among various professions, and give back information in the field and make steady and continuous efforts among multiple professions.

Report of the 71st Annual Meeting of the Japan Society for Oriental Medicine Special Program1 — “Pre-and Post-Graduation Education of Kampo Medicine for the Next Generation”: Clinical Practice on Kampo Medicine / 日本東洋医学雑誌

At the 71st Annual Meeting of the Japan Society for Oriental Medicine held in August 2021, we conducted a special program focusing on Kampo medicine education, “Pre-graduation post-graduation Kampo medicine education for the next generation.” The following is a summary report on the practical training in Kampo medicine at each educational facility where the project was conducted. We recorded videos with explanations of topics in advance : “Four examinations,” “Decoction and crude drugs,” and “Acupuncture and moxibustion.” The report on the hands-on training in Kampo medicine was viewed 501 times by medical students, educators, and the society members across the country. This initiative was the first nationwide educational activity of the society.

Report and Proposals on Participation in International Congress on Complementary Medicine Research (ICCMR) 2019 as the Members of International Committee of Japanese Society for Oriental Medicine / 日本東洋医学雑誌

The Japan Society for Oriental Medicine has established various committees, which are working every day to disseminate Japanese traditional herbal medicine (Kampo) and support the activities of academic members. As the members of the International Committee and the medical doctors who conduct research and clinical practice of Kampo at the university hospital, the authors participated in the 14th International Congress on Complementary Medicine Research held in Australia in May 2019. To improve the international recognition and international dissemination of Japanese Kampo, we held the Japanese Kampo Symposium on gastrointestinal diseases successfully. While it was realized that there was an international big interest in Japanese Kampo, it seemed that Kampo researchers in Japan lack the ability to dispatch of information at international conferences compared to neighboring countries such as Korea and China.

Evaluation for effectiveness of oriental medicine-based infertility treatment and spontaneous pregnancy rate of infertile patients using systematic review

This study is to evaluate the effectiveness of oriental medicine-based infertility treatment and to examine the validity of the oriental medicine-based infertility treatment program through a systematic review. The literature search database included not only PubMed, DBpia, and RISS (Research Information Sharing Service) but also OASIS (Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System) and Korean Traditional Knowledge Portal. Among 575 articles that searched, only three papers were randomized controlled trials and could be included for the evaluation of the effects of oriental medicine-based infertility treatment. There was no study showing the effectiveness of oriental medicine-based infertility treatment alone. Among 5,165 articles that searched, only 15 studies could be included for the evaluation of the natural pregnancy rate of infertile patients. These studies reported the natural pregnancy rates from 20.3% to 41.9%. As pregnancy rates ranged from 23.8% to 27.6% after the oriental medicine-based infertility treatment supporting programs, we cannot conclude that pregnancy rates for infertile patients might increase by this project. Therefore, there is a need to reconsider whether the oriental medicine-based infertility treatment program should continue in the future.

Distribution of licensed acupuncturists and educational institutions in the United States in early 2015 / 中西医结合学报

In recent decades, acupuncture has been used more widely and extensively in the United States (U.S.). However, there have been no national surveys or analyses reported in academic journals on the number of practicing or licensed acupuncturists. This study was conducted to identify the approximate number of licensed acupuncturists active in 2015. The Board of Acupuncture or Board of Medicine in each state or U.S. territory was contacted to collect data. Online license information searching was also performed in order to get accurate numbers of licensed acupuncturists for those states in which a board was unable to be contacted. The study found that the number of licensed acupuncturists in 2015 in the U.S. was 34,481. Of this, more than 50% were licensed in three states alone: California (32.39%), New York (11.89%) and Florida (7.06%). The number of licensed acupuncturists increased 23.30% and 52.09%, compared to the year 2009 (n = 27,965) and 2004 (n = 22,671), respectively; increasing about 1,266 per year. There were 62 and 10 accredited acupuncture institutions providing master and doctoral degrees, respectively. The West Coast comprised 51.39% of degree granting programs, while the East Coast comprised 29.17%; together the coastal states housed more than 80% of all programs, with the remainder sprinkled across the southern (9.72%), northern (8.33%), and the middle/central states (1.39%). Forty-four states and the District of Columbia regulated acupuncture practice by law at the time of data collection. Acupuncture continues to be a quickly growing profession in the U.S.

In vitro fungistatic activity of 36 traditional oriental medicines and their synergistic effect against Trichophyton rubrume

Objective: To investigate the fungistatic activity and synergistic effects of natural products and their constituents, including traditional oriental medicines (TOMs). Methods: Fungistatic activities of TOMs prepared by hot-water (115 °C) or ethanol (70%; 40 °C) extraction were determined by their minimum inhibitory concentration. To assess possible synergistic effects, minimum inhibitory concentrations of various combinations were evaluated. Results: By evaluating antifungal susceptibility of Trichophyton rubrum, which is a major causative fungus for several types of dermatophytosis, we confirmed that ethanol extracts were more active than hot-water extracts in 25 of the 36 TOMs, suggesting that the constituents with high hydrophobicity tend to contribute significantly to fungistatic activity. We selected four TOMs with high fungistatic activity, including Aucklandiae radix, Gentianae macrophyllae radix, Scutellariae radix, and Galla rhois, and their synergistic effects were investigated through the combination studies between TOMs or TOM-conventional drug terbinafine. In combinations between four TOMs, partial synergistic effects were observed in Aucklandiae radix-Galla rhois and Gentianae macrophyllae radix-Galla rhois combinations, as supported by the lowest fractional inhibitory concentration index value of 0.66 for both combinations. Furthermore, Galla rhois showed the strongest synergistic effect on growth inhibition of Trichophyton rubrum with a fractional inhibitory concentration index value of 0.50 in combination with terbinafine. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that the combination of TOMs and TOM-terbinafine may be effective on treatment for chronic and recurrent dermatophytosis by improving fungistatic activity and led to decrease systemic toxicity in clinical practice.

In vitro fungistatic activity of 36 traditional oriental medicines and their synergistic effect against Trichophyton rubrume

Objective:To investigate the fungistatic activity and synergistic effects of natural products and their constituents, including traditional oriental medicines (TOMs).Methods:Fungistatic activities of TOMs prepared by hot-water (115 °C) or ethanol (70%; 40 °C) extraction were determined by their minimum inhibitory concentration. To assess possible synergistic effects, minimum inhibitory concentrations of various combinations were evaluated.Results:By evaluating antifungal susceptibility of Trichophyton rubrum, which is a major causative fungus for several types of dermatophytosis, we confirmed that ethanol extracts were more active than hot-water extracts in 25 of the 36 TOMs, suggesting that the constituents with high hydrophobicity tend to contribute significantly to fungistatic activity. We selected four TOMs with high fungistatic activity, including Aucklandiae radix, Gentianae macrophyllae radix, Scutellariae radix, and Galla rhois, and their synergistic effects were investigated through the combination studies between TOMs or TOM-conventional drug terbinafine. In combinations between four TOMs, partial synergistic effects were observed in Aucklandiae radix–Galla rhois and Gentianae macrophyllae radix–Galla rhois combinations, as supported by the lowest fractional inhibitory concentration index value of 0.66 for both combinations. Furthermore, Galla rhois showed the strongest synergistic effect on growth inhibition of Trichophyton rubrum with a fractional inhibitory concentration index value of 0.50 in combination with terbinafine.Conclusions:Our findings indicate that the combination of TOMs and TOM-terbinafine may be effective on treatment for chronic and recurrent dermatophytosis by improving fungistatic activity and led to decrease systemic toxicity in clinical practice.

<b>A Report on an Annual Kampo Medicine Conference Held by Medical Students in the Hokkaido and Tohoku A</b><b>reas</b> / 日本東洋医学雑誌

<p>Since students who would like to study Kampo medicine more have no opportunity to communicate each other in Northern Japanese Universities, we newly started joint study conferences held by medical students in 2013. The objectives of this paper are to report on these annually held student-based Kampo study conferences in the Hokkaido and Tohoku areas, and the ways each university studies Kampo medicine. In the conference, the students reported on their club activities. Then they studied the history of Kampo medicine and simulation of abdominal diagnosis, and performed group work on case reports together. The number of student participants in these conferences has tripled over 3 years from 18 to 58 (for a total of 111 participants). All members were satisfied with the content. And this reflects medical students' need for a wider perception of Kampo medicine, rather than a limited one gained in their university club activities. We hope this conference will play a major role in other nationwide student-based Kampo study conferences in the years to come.</p>

Recertification and continuing education of NCCAOM Diplomates of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine / 中国针灸

Diplomates certificated by National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) are needed to be recertified every four years. The certificate will be valid after 60 points of provided professional development activity (PDA). The different validity status of NCCAOM certificates, ways of participating continuing education and the requirements of PDA points including core competencies and professional enhancement (PE) are introduced in this paper.

Acupuncture with Point Location-a mandatory examination for American NCCAOM certification of acupuncture and oriental medicine / 中国针灸

is one of the mandatory examinations for the Diplomate of Oriental Medicine (Dipl.OM.) or Acupuncture (Dipl. Ac.) by American National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). In reference to, and, the authors introduced the examination pattern and examination-related contents including such aspects as safety and professional responsibilities, treatment plan, and point location and discussed additionally the enlightening effects on acupuncture practice and examination in universities and international associations of Chinese medicine in our country.

Anti-inflammatory effects of traditional mixed extract of medicinal herbs (MEMH) on monosodium urate crystal-induced gouty arthritis / 中国天然药物

Korean oriental medicine prescription is widely used for the treatment of gouty diseases. In the present study, we investigated anti-inflammatory effects of modified Korean herbal formulation, mixed extract of medicinal herbs (MEMH), and its modulatory effects on inflammatory mediators associated with gouty arthritis. Both in vitro and in vivo studies were carried out to assess the anti-inflammatory efficacy of MEMH on monosodium urate (MSU) crystals-induced gouty inflammation. MSU crystals stimulated human chondrosarcoma cell line, SW1353, and human primary chondrocytes were treated with MEMH in vitro. The expression levels of pro-inflammatory mediators and metalloproteases were analyzed. The effect of MEMH on NFκB signaling pathway in SW1353 cells was examined. Effect of MEMH on the mRNA expression level of pro-inflammatory mediators and chemotactic factor from human monocytic cell line, THP-1, was also analyzed. The probable role of MEMH in the differentiation process of osteoblast like cells, SaOS-2, after MSU treatment was also observed. To investigate the effects of MEMH in vivo, MSU crystals-induced ankle arthritic model was established. Histopathological changes in affected joints and plasma levels of pro-inflammatory mediators (IL-1β and TNFα) were recorded. MEMH inhibited NFκB signaling pathway and COX-2 protein expression in chondrocytes. MSU-induced mRNA expressions of pro-inflammatory mediators and chemotactic cytokines were suppressed by MEMH. In MSU crystals-induced ankle arthritic mouse model, administration of MEMH relieved inflammatory symptoms and decreased the plasma levels of IL-1β and TNFα. The results indicated that MEMH can effectively inhibit the expression of inflammatory mediators in gouty arthritis, demonstrating its potential for treating gouty arthritis.

Foundations of oriental medicine-A mandatory examination for American NCCAOM ;certification / 国际中医中药杂志

Foundations of Oriental Medicine (FOM) is one of the mandatory examinations for the Diplomate of Oriental Medicine (Dipl.OM.), Chinese Herbology (Dipl.CH.), or Acupuncture (Dipl. Ac.) by American National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). In the light of NCCAOM Certification Handbook, Foundations of Oriental Medicine Expanded Content Outline,and Foundations of Oriental Medicine Study Guide, the authors introduced the examination pattern and examination-related contents including: Clinical diagnostic methods; assessment, analysis, and pattern-differentiation based upon Oriental Medicine theory and treatment principle and strategy.

Relationship between the five viscera symptoms and "depression"or "anger" / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

[Introduction]Patients express various symptoms that reflect their physical, mental and psychological conditions. Thus, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) emphasizes the relationship between physical and mental states. In the clinical practice of acupuncture and moxibustion, however, many patients chiefly cite physical complaints, and are often treated without a full discussion of their mental and psychological conditions. In TCM, feelings are divided into five categories:anger, happiness, concern, sadness, and fear. The relationship between these feelings and symptoms of disease of the five viscera is not clearly defined, so we attempted to clarify the correlations. This report describes the results of a survey on the characteristics and nature of anger and depression in terms of the five viscera.<BR>[Methods]After obtaining informed consent, 102 students from a vocational school and our university (60 men and 42 women, average age 25 ± 8) were recruited for this study. Three survey sheets were used:Oriental Medicine Health Questionnaire 57 (OHQ57) for understanding the condition of the five viscera; 24 of the 34 items of the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI) for understanding the state of anger;and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) for assessing depression. The survey was conducted from June to July in 2012.<BR>[Results]The average scores in OHQ57 were 5.1 ± 3.1 for kan (liver), 4.6 ± 3.2 for shin (heart), 5.2 ± 3.1 for hi (spleen), 3.8 ± 3.3for hai (lung), and 3.9 ± 2.7 for jin (kidney). The average scores in STAXI were 23.0 ± 5.1 for State of Anger, 18.8 ±.1 for Anger-Expression, 20.8 ± 3.8 for Anger-Suppression, and 18.9 ± 3.5 for Anger Control. The average score in BDI was 12.4 ± 8.0. Significant correlations were found between State of Anger and kan:Anger-Expression and han/shin/hai in STAXI, and between depression and shin/hi in BDI.<BR>[Conclusion]The Suwen ("Basic Questions,"the oldest Chinese medical text) and other TCM literatures report that anger and depression are related to kan, and the results of this study confirmed the relationship between anger and kan. Based on factor analyses, scores of Anger State (intensity of anger) revealed that groups suspected of having diseases of kan tended to get angry easily and Anger-Expression (expression of anger) showed that these groups displayed both aggressive behavior and verbal assertion. On the other hand, latent factors of depression, possibly caused by diseases of kan, were not revealed in factor analyses, although depression was significantly correlated with shin and hi.

Long-term Treatment with Oriental Medicinal Herb Artemisia princeps Alters Neuroplasticity in a Rat Model of Ovarian Hormone Deficiency

Artemisia princeps (AP) is a flowering perennial used as a traditional medicine and dietary supplement across East Asia. No study has yet assessed its effects on synaptic plasticity in hippocampus and much less in a model of ovarian hormone deficiency. We examined the influence of chronic oral AP ethanol extract treatment in ovariectomized rats on the induction of long-term depression in a representative synapse (CA3-CA1) of the hippocampus. Ovariectomized rats demonstrated lower trabecular mean bone mineral densities than sham, validating the establishment of pathology. Against this background of pathology, AP-treated ovariectomized rats exhibited attenuated long-term depression (LTD) in CA1 relative to water-treated controls as measured by increased field excitatory post-synaptic potentials (fEPSP) activation averages over the post-stimulation period. While pathological significance of long-term depression (LTD) in ovariectomized rats is conflicting, that AP treatment significantly affected its induction offers justification for further study of its influences on plasticity and its related disorders.

The Indigenization of Licorice and Its Meaning During the Early Days of the Joseon Dynasty / 의사학

This article explores the indigenization of licorice(Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch.) which was the most important medicine of the Oriental Medicine. There are a lot of records on licorice even before the Joseon Dynasty. The licorice had been used mainly in stomach related diseases such as food poisoning or indigestion. But the licorice was an imported medicine until the early days of the Joseon Dynasty. As the Joseon Dynasty began, the licorice production became necessary with the investigation and obtaining the herbs. And a large amount of licorice was needed when the epidemics outbroke under the reign of King Sejong. In particular, the licorice had been essential in treating the diseases of the Cold Damage which was focused in the Joseon Dynasty. That was why King Sejong ordered to plant the licorice in the Chollado province and Hamgildo province in 1448. But the licorice cultivation was not easy for two reasons. First, it was difficult to find the proper soil for proper soil for planting. Second, the people didn't actively grow the licorice, because they had to devote the licorice as the tax when the indigenization of licorice was succeeded. King Sejo and King Seongjong encouraged the people to plant the licorice. The recognition that the licorice is essential in pediatric diseases such as smallpox got stronger then before. Finally the indigenization of licorice was completed under the reign of King Seongjong. According to the Dongguknyeojiseungnam, edited in 1481, and Shinjeungdongguknyeojiseungnam, edited in 1530, the licorice was planted in seven districts. With the success of the indigenization of licorice, the approach of the people to the Oriental Medicine treatment had became much easier.

The status of acupuncture and oriental medicine in the United States / 中国结合医学杂志

Since its first mention in U.S. media in the early 1970s, the practice of acupuncture and Oriental medicine (AOM) has grown in stature from a fringe, counter-culture movement to a valid, evidenced-based treatment option for patients. In the last 40 years, AOM schools and colleges have been accredited by the U.S. Department of Education, offering both masters and doctoral degree programs. To date, forty-seven states and the District of Columbia license or certify acupuncturists based on competency proven through state examination or professional certification by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). As acceptance of AOM in the U.S. has increased through both the assurance of psychometrically sound certification and the education of the American public on this topic, many challenges have emerged. Problems such as the underemployment of AOM clinicians, methodological hurdles for the investigation of mechanisms, and efficacy of acupuncture and other AOM treatment techniques have been observed. Investigative challenges also include gaps in research training as well as a dearth of the basic resources needed to conduct randomized controlled trials (RCTs). As AOM research has sought integration into the Western research model, problems have been identified in the design of AOMRCTs, and strategies for their resolution through methods such as translational research have been examined. Incorporating these strategies as well as efficacy, effectiveness, and qualitative measures will strengthen the evidence base and thus provide clinical decision makers with more tools that can be used to design patient treatment regimens.

Performance evaluation system of research institutions funded by the South Korean government / 国际中医中药杂志

Performance evaluation system of 13 research institutions funded by the South Korean government was introduced in terms of policy and management.The situation of Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine performance evaluation in 2012 was presented.A reference has been provided for further improving science and technology evaluation system of China.

Current condition of standardization in the field of acupuncture and moxibustion / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

Standardization in the field of acupuncture and moxibustion by an international organization first started in the 1980's, when the Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO) of the World Health Organization (WHO) developed standards for basic nomenclature in acupuncture medicine. After his 2002 inauguration as WPRO's regional officer in charge of traditional medicine, Choi Seung-hoon launched several projects including development of standard terminology and acupuncture point locations for standardization of traditional medicine. Those projects were planned and carried out for the purpose of increasing the exchange of more information in the field of traditional medicine <BR>In 2009, the Standardization Administration of China (SAC) applied to the International Standards Organization (ISO) for the establishment of a new technical committee for TCM, resulting in the creation of TC249 'TCM (Provisional)'in September of year. The scope of proposals in the application documents submitted to ISO included comprehensive standardization including licensing, education, terminology, manipulation and medical devices. <BR>In order to promote Japan`s own standpoint and cope with international trends for developing standards, four academic societies in Japan and two WHO collaboration centers for traditional medicine formed a liaison (the Japan Liaison for Oriental Medicine:JLOM). <BR>So far, TC249 plenary meetings have been held in 2010 and in 2011, and two working groups have been created to contend with medical devices used in traditional medicine (acupuncture and moxibustion). Such recent movements for standardization in ISO and WHO also brought to light the problems with Japan's domestic standards regarding clinical practice, education and research in acupuncture and moxibustion. We should understand that what we face as international problems are closely related to domestic ones, and we are required to be accountable for both.

THE STUDY OF TREATMENT AND COMPARISON OF BLOOD TEST RESULT WITH END B / Монголын эм зүй, эм судлал

Abstract : The sickness rates of lumbar herniated disc and symptoms of waist padding rupture, such as spinal cord compression, arterial vessel compression and spinal marrow compression are very high among population. However, it is not easy to diagnose. This study investigated the possibility to diagnose these sicknesses using an oriental cupping method. In this study we applied several methods such as cupping method, questionnaires, characterization method, and applied a comparative treatment study method of Japanese Orthopaedic Association (back pain evaluation questionnaire) JOA, and driven blood from patients by cupping method was compared with an end blood test results from patients. The comparative study of blood driven by cupping method and the end vessel blood showed that mobility of blood was high and leucocyte and lymphocyte cells were high compared to end vessel blood. The erythrocytes, thrombocytes, hemoglobin and hematocrit were lower in blood driven by cupping method. The treatment results showed that from all patients 62.5% were improved, 31.7% noticeably improved, 0.00% was healed and 6.8% were no result. BACKGROUND: The sickness rates of lumbar herniated disc and symptoms of waist padding rupture, such as spinal cord compression, arterial vessel compression and spinal marrow compression are very high among population. However, it is not easy to diagnose. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Current study was performed in the Department of Oriental Medicine at Central Clinic, Laboratory of Central Clinic. In this study we applied several methods such as cupping method, questionnaires, characterization method, and applied a comparative treatment study method of JOA in 53 patients those have and driven blood from patients by cupping method was compared with an end blood test results from patients. Blood driven from cupping method from 17 patients were compared with end blood test result. CONCLUSIONS: 1. The difference in blood sample which driven by cupping method from end blood was high in leucocytes, lymphocytes. The hemoglobin, hematocrit, trombocytes and red cell number were low in most samples. 2. We concluded that the illness have began due to the damage of vessel, microcirculation, and which resulted in aggravation of nerve vein, numbness in leg, become hot and gross in legs. The study showed that it is efficient to use cupping method which heal these symptomps in eary stage of illness withdrawing the blood. Keywords: Oriental medicine, lumbar herniated disc , cupping, bad blood, serum

Attitudes of Dental Students Toward Oriental Medicine before and after Lecture Course and Comparison to Medical Students / 日本東洋医学雑誌

In order to examine the attitudes of third-year dental students towards oriental medicine before and after lecture courses, and compare their attitudes with those of medical students, self-administered questionnaires were given to Aichi-Gakuin University School of Dentistry students (DS), and Kinki University School of Medicine students (MS). Pre-course,105 DS and 68 MS provided valid answers, while 104 DS provided valid answers post-course. Pre-course, 80.9% of DS thought oriental medicine would be important in the future, and 72.4% wanted to learn it. Also pre-course, 7.6% of DS had knowledge of oriental medicine, 55.2% were interested in oriental medicine, and 54.3% wanted to introduce oriental medicine into their clinical practice in the future. These last percentages increased after the lecture courses to 50.0%, 76.9% and 77.9%, respectively. With pre-course MS, on the other hand : 64.7% were interested in oriental medicine ; 58.8% thought it would be important in the future ; 51.5% wanted to introduce it in their clinical practice ; and 70.6% wanted to learn it.These results show that both dental and medical students had similar attitudes toward oriental medicine, and that dental students need an oriental medicine education equivalent to that of medical students.