Changes in the Physicochemical Properties, Antioxidant Activity and Metabolite Analysis of Black Elephant Garlic (Allium ampeloprasum L.) during Aging Period.

This study investigated the effects of the aging period on the black elephant garlic (Allium ampeloprasum L.) manufacturing process. Black elephant garlic is a processed elephant garlic product prepared by high-temperature and high-humidity treatment for 40 days. The proximate composition (moisture, crude lipid, crude protein, carbohydrate, and ash), minerals, color values, reducing sugars, pH, total polyphenol contents, total flavonoid contents and antioxidant activities of elephant garlic and black elephant garlic were evaluated. The browning intensity of elephant garlic increased with the aging period, but the browning reaction terminated after aging for 30 days, exhibiting the same browning level. Reducing sugars increased over the aging period until 20 days, and then decreased with the aging period, in contrast to the pH, which decreased from 6.47 to 3.68 over the aging period. Antioxidant components, including the total polyphenol and total flavonoid contents of black elephant garlic, increased significantly until day 30 of aging. From the metabolite profiles determined through GC/MS analysis, it was confirmed that primary metabolites related to antioxidant components, such as lactic acid and 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furoic acid, were generated during the aging process of elephant garlic.

A comparison between reduced-port robotic surgery and multiport robot-assisted laparoscopy for myomectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the surgical outcomes between reduced-port robotic surgery (RPRS) using the Octo-Port channel and multiport robot-assisted laparoscopy for myomectomy. STUDY DESIGN: This prospective study compared and analyzed data from 15 consecutive women who underwent RPRS for myomectomy and 15 consecutive women who underwent multiport robot-assisted laparoscopy to treat symptomatic uterine myoma from January 2016 to June 2016. The patients were treated by two surgeons at two institutions. RESULTS: The two study groups did not differ demographically. The differences in surgical outcomes, such as docking time, console time, hospital stay, estimated blood loss, Hb change, myoma count, and weight, also did not differ between the two groups. On the contrary, the number of port site was only 2 in RPRS compared with 4-5 in multiport robot-assisted laparoscopic myomectomy. CONCLUSION: RPRS for myomectomy seems technically feasible and safe, with short-term perioperative outcomes similar to those from multiport robot-assisted laparoscopic myomectomy.

Lidocaine gel versus plain lubricating gel for pain reduction during transrectal sonography (LIPS): A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of lidocaine gel and plain lubricating gel in relieving pain during transrectal sonography (TRS) in patients with gynecologic problems. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in 80 participants who were scheduled to undergo TRS. The participants were allocated into the lidocaine gel group and the aqueous gel group at a 1:1 ratio. The intensity of pain during TRS based on the visual analogue scale (0-10 points) and the adverse events were assessed and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The two groups had similar demographic characteristics. Between the lidocaine and aqueous gel groups, there was no significant difference in the pain score at probe manipulation (4.04±2.14 vs. 4.21±2.79; P=0.868), as well as at baseline, probe insertion, and 5min after probe removal. The degree of acceptability of the sonographer also did not differ between the two groups. No acute and delayed adverse events was occurred. CONCLUSION: Intrarectal lidocaine gel for TRS provides no analgesic benefit compared with aqueous gel.

Development and Validation of the Korean Version of Hand-Foot Skin Reaction and Quality of Life Questionnaire (HF-QoL-K).

Given the growing number of cancer patients and the resulting increase in the administration of chemotherapeutic agents, convenient and effective methods for measuring the symptoms and quality of life associated with the hand-foot syndrome (HFS) are needed. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop and validate the Korean version of the hand-foot skin reaction and quality of life questionnaire (HF-QoL-K), comprising a 20-item symptom domain and an 18-item daily activity domain. After we developed the HF-QoL-K, 209 Korean patients with gynecologic cancer who were undergoing chemotherapeutic agents relating the HFS were asked to fill in the questionnaire. The content validity, internal consistency reliability, and test-retest reliability were evaluated. The internal validity index, Cronbach's alpha coefficient, and intra-class correlation coefficient of the HF-QoL-K were 0.90, 0.958, and 0.825 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.774-0.865), respectively. The scatter plot (Pearson correlation coefficient, 0.826) and the Bland-Altman plot for test-retest reliability were also acceptable. The HF-QoL-K instrument is a valid and reliable questionnaire for the measurement of the symptoms and quality of life in Korean cancer patients suffering HFS.

Public perception of risk-reducing salpingectomy for preventing ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The fallopian tube is considered as the site of origin of serous ovarian cancer, and risk-reducing salpingectomy (RRS) has been proposed as a new and safe strategy for preventing ovarian cancer. However, little is known about the public perception of RRS. METHODS: We performed a questionnaire survey of 100 healthy female volunteers in November 2014. Questionnaire for this survey included questions on demographics, medical history, knowledge of and belief about RRS, and barrier to its application. RESULTS: Among 100 respondents, 71% did not realize the seriousness of ovarian cancer, 79% were unaware of the fact that salpinx was the origin of ovarian cancer, and 87% stated that they had never heard of RRS as a preventive method for ovarian cancer. Also, 98% of respondents replied that they had the right to be informed about RRS and the choice given. The respondents' fears about RRS included increased risk of surgical complications (68%), no benefit (8%), and increased surgical costs (3%). CONCLUSION: Most general women were unaware of RRS as a method for preventing ovarian cancer in women at average risk. Therefore, physicians should discuss RRS with patients and consider this procedure at the time of abdominal or pelvic surgery.