Effect of air temperature on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations: A single institutional large-scale study in Korea.

Vitamin D deficiency is a worldwide health issue especially in women. Serum vitamin D concentrations vary depending on the weather. However, the ideal vitamin D supplementation strategy related to weather remains uncertain. We aimed to investigate the relationship between climate factors and serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations. This study included 11,272 women aged 20-79 who visited a health promotion center for annual checkups between January 2013 and December 2015. We reviewed medical records and collected daily meteorological data. We analyzed the association between serum 25(OH)D concentration and climate factors using simple and multiple regression models and then predicted serum 25(OH)D concentration using multiple fractional polynomial models. The median age of the participants was 51 years (20-79 years), and the mean serum 25(OH)D level was 17.4 ± 8.6 ng/mL. The serum 25(OH)D concentration was lower in young women than in older women. The proportions of women with adequate 25(OH)D levels were 14.9% and 47.0% in the age groups 20-29 and 70-79, respectively. The maximum level of predicted log 25(OH)D was found in September, and the minimum was found in January. In multiple regression analysis, age and monthly mean temperature were associated with 25(OH)D concentrations. Serum 25(OH)D level was predicted using the following formula: log (25(OH)D) = 2.144 + 0.009 × age + 0.018 × ((temperature + 12.4)/10)2 (P < 0.001, adjusted R2 = 0.091). Serum 25(OH)D concentrations changed according to air temperature. An adequate strategy for vitamin D supplementation, based on air temperature, is necessary to maintain healthy serum 25(OH)D levels.

Efficacy and safety of skin-adhesive low-level light therapy for overactive bladder: a Phase III study.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common condition that remains challenging to treat. We hypothesized that skin-adhesive low-level light therapy (LLLT) would be an effective treatment for OAB caused by bladder muscle contraction. Accordingly, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of an LLLT device for the treatment of OAB. METHODS: This prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial included patients with a clinical diagnosis of OAB who were treated at either of two university hospitals. Patients were instructed to apply an LLLT device (Color DNA-WSF) or a sham device at home three times daily for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was the change in the mean daily number of urge urinary incontinence (UUI) episodes between baseline and 12 weeks. The secondary outcomes were the mean changes in incontinence, voiding, and nocturia episodes from baseline and the likelihood of achieving a > 50% reduction in UUI and incontinence episodes after 12 weeks. All patients completed the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS), Urogenital Distress Inventory-6 (UDI-6), and Impact Urinary Incontinence-7 (IIQ-7) questionnaires. Safety parameters included treatment-emergent adverse events. RESULTS: Compared with those in the sham group, the numbers of UUI and urinary incontinence episodes in the LLLT group were significantly decreased at week 12 (UUI, (-1.0 ± 1.7 vs. -0.4 ± 2.5, P = 0.003; urinary incontinence, -1.1 ± 1.9 vs. -0.5 ± 2.9, P=0.002). Furthermore, the OABSS, UDI-6, and IIQ-7 scores at week 12 tended to be better in the LLLT group than in the sham group. The incidence of device-related treatment-emergent adverse events was similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: LLLT may be clinically useful and safe for the treatment of OAB.

Role of limonin in anticancer effects of Evodia rutaecarpa on ovarian cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian cancer therapy generally involves systemic chemotherapy with anticancer drugs; however, chemotherapy with a platinum-based drug has often been shown to cause adverse reactions and drug resistance in ovarian cancer patients. Evodia rutaecarpa (ER) reportedly shows anticancer activity against various types of cancer cells. However, the effects of ER have not yet been fully uncovered in ovarian cancer. METHODS: In the present study, we investigated the anticancer effects of an ER extract and its components against the ovarian cancer cell lines SKOV-33, A2780, RMUG-S and a cisplatin-resistant SKOV-3 cell line (CisR SKOV-3). Cell viability and colony formation assays along with subcellular fractionation analysis, immunoblotting, and immunofluorescence staining were performed. RESULTS: ER treatment led to a significant reduction in the viability of SKOV-3 cells. Moreover, limonin, a compound found in ER, reduced the viability of both serous-type (SKOV-3 and A2780) and mucinous-type (RMUG-S) ovarian cancer cells by inducing apoptosis via activation of the p53 signaling pathway. Furthermore, limonin reversed the drug resistance through activation of apoptosis in CisR SKOV-3. CONCLUSION: Taken together, our findings suggest that limonin contributes to the anti-ovarian cancer effects of ER by inducing apoptosis via activation of the p53 signaling pathway.

Efficacy of the device combining high-frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and thermotherapy for relieving primary dysmenorrhea: a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of the combined therapy with high-frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (hf-TENS) and thermotherapy in relieving primary dysmenorrheal pain. STUDY DESIGN: In this randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled study, 115 women with moderate or severe primary dysmenorrhea were assigned to the study or control group at a ratio of 1:1. Subjects in the study group used an integrated hf-TENS/thermotherapy device, whereas control subjects used a sham device. A visual analog scale was used to measure pain intensity. Variables related to pain relief, including reduction rate of dysmenorrheal score, were compared between the groups. RESULTS: The dysmenorrheal score was significantly reduced in the study group compared to the control group following the use of the devices. The duration of pain relief was significantly increased in the study group compared to the control group. There were no differences between the groups in the brief pain inventory scores, numbers of ibuprofen tablets taken orally, and World Health Organization quality of life-BREF scores. No adverse events were observed related to the use of the study device. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of hf-TENS and thermotherapy was effective in relieving acute pain in women with moderate or severe primary dysmenorrhea.