Antimicrobial resistance profiles of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus species isolated from laboratory mice

Isolates of 24 enterococci, 5 Enterococcus casseliflavus and 19 Enterococcus gallinarum, possessing vanC genes and showing low-level resistance to vancomycin were obtained from mice from commercial mouse breeding companies. Since some of these isolates showed resistance to other antibiotics, the purpose of this study was to clarify the resistant profiles of these isolates. One E. casseliflavus isolate showed resistance to erythromycin with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 8 μg/mL and also showed apparent resistance to fluoroquinolones with an MIC of 32 μg/mL for ciprofloxacin. The MICs of 2 other fluoroquinolone-resistant E. casseliflavus and E. gallinarum isolates were 3 and 6 μg/mL, respectively. These 3 resistant isolates showed an absence of macrolide- and fluoroquinolone-resistant genes, including amino acid substitutions in the quinolone resistance determining regions of DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV. Resistance to tetracycline was detected in 2 E. gallinarum isolates that were highly resistant, exhibiting MICs of 48 and 64 μg/mL and possessing tet(O) genes. The results indicate that antibiotic-resistant enterococci are being maintained in some laboratory mouse strains that have never been treated with an antibiotic.

A case of progressive systemic sclerosis and acupuncture / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

Effects of acupuncture were studied using various measurements on a case of PSS (Progressive Systemic Sclerosis) in which symptoms had not been improved by chemo-therapy nor rehabilitation. Acupuncture was undertaken in a therapy room with constant temperature and humidity. The measurements were done before and after the weekly treatment. Although skin temperature and the contact area of the hand showed significant changes, no obvious improvement was seen in systemic symptoms such as bowel movements. Point selection and measurements employed here differ from those of Maeda et al., there remain many questions including duration and mechanism. Since no other methods have been clinically established as effective for treating this disease, acupuncture should be considered.

The Effect of Acupuncture and Mobilization on Lumbago / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

Joint mobilization (i. e. intracapsular passive exercise) is now attracting clinicians' attention as manipulative therapy for pain of intervertebral joint disorder.<br>In the present paper, introducing a part of a mobilization technique for the lumbar and sacroiliac joint and our mobilization evaluating method, we report a comparative study on the efficacy of acupuncture and mobilization therapy using our “lumbago evaluation chart”.<br>METHOD<br>Fifteen lumbago outpatients (6 males and 9 females with average age of 41.6±16.28 years) of our physiotherapy department, who showed no remarkable radiographic changes, were divided into three groups: Acupucnture alone, mobilization alone, and both acupuncture and mobilization were, performed for A, B, and C group respectively. Their responses were compared on the evaluation chart.<br>The patients were asked to rate the severity of pain and disability on a four grade basis. Five movements were chosen from A. D. L. and the results were rated as “easy”, “difficult” and “impossible”. The following were measured for lumbar flexibility: the distance between the finger-tip and the floor; the maximum backward bending of the upper body; S. L. R.; the distance between the S₁ and an upper point on the skin (10cm in an erect posture) at the maximal flexion the distance between the top of the iliac crest and an upper point (10cm in an erect posture) at the maximal lateral flexion.<br>Tenderness was measured with an algesiometer (maximum 10kg). CHILLS were rated on a three-grade basis. All the measured values were rated so that the maximum number of the total points in the evaluation chart was 100. Another chart (a mobilization test chart) was made, in which the severity of STIFFNESS and PAIN was rated on the following basis: None=0, Minimal=1, Severe=2, and the maximum total was 50.<br>RESULT<br>1) As for the score of “TENDERNESS and CHILLS”, C group was significantly different from both A and B group at 10% level by t-test. As for the total score, C group was significatly different from A and B group at the 0.5% level.<br>2) C group showed high rated improvement in the score of “PAIN”, “TENDERNESS”, and “STIFFNESS” after treatment.<br>3) Tenderness was often detected at VU₅₂ Zhishi and VU₄₀ Weizhong, and lumbar vertebrae stiffness was often seen in the lower part.<br>CONCLUSION<br>1) An evaluation chart for lumbago was developed to rate the symptoms.<br>2) Lumbago pationts without remarkable x-ray findings underwent acupuncture alone, mobilization alone, or both acupuncture and mobilization. The score of the evaluation chart has shown that combined use of acupuncture and mobilization is more effective than solitary use of each therapy in relieving pain.

Clinical Studies of Physiological Effects of Natril Sulfas Siccatus Spring with Herbal Extract / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

The effect of the granules composed of Natril siccatus and herbal extracts in hydrotherapy was studied by recording skin surface temperature, deep body temperature from the intact skin, pletysmography, impedance pletysmography, blood pressure and subjective evaluation. These were measured before taking the testee into the Hubbart tank containing 0.0085% of herb granules at 40°C for 10 minutes, soon after taking a bath and at proper period until 2 hours.<br>The control study was done in simple water-bath in the same method. 30 testee were used for the test.<br>Results were as follows:<br>1. Skin surface temperature of H. G. group showed significant higher at the distal area of the extremities compaired with the control group.<br>2. Deep body temperature of H. G. group showed significant higher at right heel (10mm depth from the skin), palm (5mm) and calf (30mm) against the control.<br>3. The wave height of pletysmography of the index and the first toe of H. G. group was higher than the control at 100 minutes later.<br>4. IPG of H. G. group showed significant difference in upper and lower extremities against the control.<br>5. The change of the blood pressure showed no difference between two groups.<br>6. The subjective evaluation was scored and the t-test showed significant difference against the control, especially the difference was the most marked in utility feeling, and the effect of keeping warmth was in significant difference.<br>We may conclude that the H. G. in hydrotherapy has a sweet smell, make fell at home, keep warmth and play a role to promote blood circulation.