Osteoporosis is a common bone disorder, particularly prevalent in postmenopausal women. While previous therapeutic ­targets for osteoporosis are increasing bone mass, it is crucial to develop effective therapies that improve both bone quantity and quality, normalize bone metabolism, and ultimately reduce the risk of fractures. Recently, various traditional Kampo medicine formulations have shown efficacy in maintaining bone health, although their underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we focused on a commonly used traditional Kampo medicine for treating menopausal symptoms, especially Unkeito (UKT). We investigated the effects of UKT on osteoclast differentiation induced by the receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL), a key factor in osteoclast formation, aiming to elucidate the mechanism of UKT. Among the various Kampo medicines screened, UKT exhibited the most potent inhibitory effect on osteoclastogenesis. UKT inhibited the essential transcription factor NFATc1 (the nuclear factor of activated T cells 1), which is crucial for the early differentiation of osteoclast. Additionally, it suppressed the nuclear translocation of NF-κB, an upstream signal of NFATc1, while activating the Blimp1-Bcl6 signaling pathway, which inhibits NFATc1. Ultimately, we revealed that UKT inhibits upstream of NFATc1 signal pathway, thereby suppressing the differentiation and maturation of osteoclast. Additionally, we demonstrated that UKT induces apoptosis in mononuclear osteoclasts through the activation of caspase-3. This study is the first to clarify that UKT suppresses RANKL-mediated osteoclastogenesis through the Blimp1–Bcl6 and NF-κB signaling pathways, while enhancing mononuclear osteoclast apoptosis. These findings suggest that UKT has the potential to be an effective therapeutic agent for postmenopausal osteoporosis. This article provides an overview of our research findings.

Many surgeons use surgical energy devices; high-frequency electrical currents and ultrasonic vibration devices during surgery. Surgical smoke, a gaseous byproduct of the thermal decomposition of tissue by these devices, can be potentially harmful to operating room staff. In fact, numerous studies have indicated that surgical smoke contains toxic substances such as carcinogens, bacteria, malignant cells, and viruses. Coronavirus infection 2019 (COVID-19) caused by coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is a pandemic, as viral RNA has been detected in respiratory, fecal, and serum samples from the patients, surgeons of all types may be exposed to this virus during surgery exposure to the virus. This virus can be transmitted via surgical smoke aerosol, however there is currently insufficient information to assess the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission via surgical smoke. Therefore, we demonstrated the presence and infectivity of human coronavirus RNA in surgical smoke in a model experiment and evaluate the possibility of reducing the risk of infection by filtration with surgical masks. In our model, 1/10⁶ to 1/10⁵ of the viral RNA in the incision target was detected in the surgical smoke collected. Viruses in the smoke were also unable to induce plaque formation in cultured cells, however the surgical smoke generated by the ultrasonic scalpel retained human coronavirus RNA in the culture supernatant, with some infectivity observed. Filtering surgical smoke with surgical masks effectively reduced the amount of viral RNA by more than 99.80%. This study demonstrated that surgical mask filtration should provide adequate additional protection against potential transmission of coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, facilitated by surgical smoke.

The gut microbiota resides in the human gastrointestinal tract while maintaining a certain homeostatic balance, and its metabolites affect human health. The imbalance of the gut microbiota (dysbiosis) is involved in the development of various diseases throughout life. There are many reports that the intestinal microbiota of allergic disease patients exhibit dysbiosis, but there is no consensus on the characteristics of dysbiosis and pathogenesis of allergic diseases. In this study, the authors reported that in children with egg allergy, butyrate-producing bacteria accounted for significantly fewer intestinal flora and fewer regulatory T cells (Treg) in the peripheral blood. Butyric acid is one of the short-chain fatty acids and is mainly used as an energy source for colonic epithelial cells, but it is also known to induce the differentiation of Tregs in the intestinal immune system. Therefore, dysbiosis, which is characterized by a decrease in butyrate-producing bacteria in children with egg allergy, may lead to a decrease in Tregs in the intestinal immune system and may be involved in the development of allergic diseases. These findings may lead to new preventive and therapeutic interventions for allergic diseases that target the intestinal flora in the future.

In recent years, the usefulness of skin grafting using negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has been reported.

On the other hand, the 3M^TMSnap^TM Negative Pressure Wound Therapy System is a lightweight disposable negative pressure wound therapy system that can be used on an outpatient basis.

In this study, we used the 3M^TMSnap^TM Negative Pressure Closure System for skin graft fixation of a contusion wound of the forearm with good results. 3M^TMSnap^TM Negative Pressure Closure System allowed us to fix the skin graft only as an outpatient without any leave or limitation of range of motion.