Frailty in older people is strongly associated with poor nutrition, which is particularly important in the present-day superaging society. This study initially investigated a number of cases of frailty where there was a speedy recovery after administration of a dual deficiency of qi and blood preparation, ninjin'yoeito (NYT), formulated for frail patients who suffer from kiketuryokyo status. Based on these observations, a more extensive investigation involving a greater number of cases was completed. The findings of the effects of NYT on frailty are reported here.

Patent omphalomesenteric duct (umbilical enteric fistula) was diagnosed in a 7‐day‐old infant. The duct closed spontaneously, but at the age of 4 months the infant was readmitted for a resection of the duct. A review of the literature disclosed that 65 cases of patent omphalomesenteric duct have been reported in Japan. The male/female ratio was 2.8: 1. Ten out of 36 infants (27.8%) were premature. Surgery was performed in as many patients as possible—55 out of 59 cases (93.2%). The ducts averaged 3.8 cm in length and 1.1 cm in diameter. Errant gastric mucosa was found in 3 out of 30 cases (10.0%). Prolapse of the ileum was present in 28 out of 53 patients (52.8%)—a relatively high incidence. Ten out of 55 patients died (18.2%); 8 of these had a prolapse of the ileum. In view of the high mortality rate of patients with a prolapse of the ileum and the strong possibility of intestinal obstruction, patent omphalomesenteric ducts should be resected surgically.

Aim We present the study protocol of a multicenter, retrospective observational study that aims to investigate the efficacy of the actual treatment (the efficacy of conventional and Kampo medicines) of patients with mild to moderate or suspected coronavirus disease (COVID‐19). Methods This study is designed as a multicenter, retrospective observational study. Outpatients and inpatients will be recruited from Japanese hospitals. The inclusion criteria are as follows: having or suspected to have COVID‐19, mild to moderate COVID‐19, symptomatic, ≥20 years of age, male or female, able to communicate in Japanese, and treated with conventional and Kampo medicine. The exclusion criteria are: unable to provide informed consent due to dementia, psychosis, or psychiatric symptoms, severe COVID‐19, or determined unsuitable for this study. The sample size is set at 1000, as this number of people can be treated at the collaborating medical institutions during the study period. Results The main outcome is the number of days without fever, with a body temperature of less than 37°C. The secondary outcome is set at common cold‐like symptoms other than fever (fatigue, cough, shortness of breath, sputum, diarrhea) and severity of illness and hospitalization up to 14 days after the visit. Trial registration The trial was registered in the University Hospital Medical Information Network (Reservation No. UMIN000041301) on August 4, 2020. Conclusion Our study will explore the contribution of conventional and Kampo medicine in the treatment of patients with mild and moderate COVID‐19.

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Hemodialysis patients suffer from constipation, which often refractory. And they often realize anxieties over defecation urge during dialysis, or control of their body weight. Here we administered junchoto in the treatment of chronic severe constipation, and consideration of its therapeutic efficacy for constipation and for anxiety (qi stagnation). We prescribed junchoto 5.0 g or 7.5 g/day for 14 dialysis patients with chronic severe constipation regarded as a "Deficiency," and evaluated response to constipation treatment with a constipation scoring system instrument, and Bristol Stool Chart. With a "qi stagnation score," we also assessed improvement in qi stagnation. Median constipation scores significantly decreased from 14 to 4 after medication. Average Bristol Stool Chart scores significantly improved from 1.4 to 4.3. Median qi stagnation scores were significantly improved from 38 to 6. We believe that the Junchoto may be effective for chronic severe constipation in hemodialysis patients, who feel the improvements in qi stagnation (anxiety) with constipation.