Estimation of the vitamin D (VD) status of pregnant Japanese women based on food intake and VD synthesis by solar UV-B radiation using a questionnaire and UV-B observations.

Although vitamin D (VD; serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D) deficiency (< 20 ng/mL) is widespread among Japanese women, the VD status among pregnant women is unknown. This study aimed to determine the VD status of pregnant Japanese women during different meteorological seasons and to determine the factors controlling VD status. A total of 309 pregnant Japanese women were recruited at 28 weeks of gestation at the gynecology department of a university hospital in Tokyo between August 2018 and October 2019. Blood samples were collected to measure serum 25(OH)D levels. Two questionnaires were completed: a brief self-administered dietary history questionnaire (BDHQ) and an outdoor exposure history questionnaire to determine skin sunlight exposure and the use of sunscreen. Among the recruited subjects, 268 were included in the statistical analysis. The average VD intake from food was 9.0 µg/day, the average VD synthesis from UV-B was 15.2 µg/day, and the average sum of VD intake and nominal VD synthesis was 24.1 µg/day; this exceeded the recommended 2011 Dietary Reference Intake for the USA and Canada (15.0 µg/day). However, the average serum 25(OH)D level (11.4 ng/mL) was very low, indicating widespread VD deficiency. Serum 25(OH)D and VD synthesis by solar UV-B were significantly correlated only during the high UV-B season. The 25(OH)D level was weakly correlated with the VD intake from food in all seasons. We obtained a statistically significant correlation between serum 25(OH)D level and VD intake from food using the BDHQ. We also obtained a statistically significant correlation between the serum 25(OH)D level and VD synthesis from solar UV-B exposure, especially during the high UV-B season. Our logistic regression analysis model predicted VD deficiency in 88.0% of subjects. Our method might be possible to be used to predict the VD status of pregnant Japanese women, although another validation cohort is needed to verify the ability of the estimation equation.

Effect of Extract of Black Sticky Rice with Giant Embryo on Alcohol Cravings of Korean Social Drinkers: A 12-Week Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

We investigated the effect of black sticky rice with giant embryo (BSRGE) extract known to contain high levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on alcohol cravings in social drinkers. A total of 41 subjects were divided into a BSRGE extract group (G group: n = 21) and a placebo group (P group: n = 20), and a randomized placebo-controlled experiment was performed for 12 weeks. The G group took the BSRGE extracts that contained 30 mg of GABA per day. (1) In the Pennsylvania Alcohol Craving Scale, there was a tendency for time and group interaction between the two groups (P = .087) on the total score. (2) In the Obsessive-Compulsive Drinking Scale (OCDS), there was a significance for time and group interaction between the G and P groups (P = .011) on the obsessive subscale. The total score of the OCDS showed significant time and group interactions between the G and P groups (P = .011). Our results showed that the extract of BSRGE containing a high level of GABA significantly reduced alcohol cravings in Korean social drinkers.

Frequent fractures and sclerotic thick bands on physes related to oral alendronate treatments.

Bisphosphonate treatment has known effects of improving bone mineral density and preventing fractures in children with steroid-induced osteoporosis. However, there have been reports that high-dosage pamidronate therapy induces osteopetrosis in the borders of bones. A 10-year-old boy undergoing long-term treatment with oral alendronate developed frequent fractures throughout adolescence while playing basketball. Radiographs showed osteosclerotic bands on the metaphyses of his long bones and vertebrae, and fractures were evident in the regions surrounding the osteosclerotic lesions: a stress fracture in the fourth metatarsal, anterior limbus vertebra (T12), spondylolysis (L3 and L5), and osteochondritis dissecans of the left lateral femoral condyle. Alendronate had been taken for a period of 6 years when the treatment was discontinued. Approximately 18 months after discontinuation, sclerotic bands remained evident; however, 4 years after discontinuation, sclerotic banding still surrounded the wing of the ilium but appeared diminished in the knees. In children and adolescents who engage in sports activities and are being treated with steroids and bisphosphonates, the possibility of pathological stress fractures should be considered.

Effects of Pre-Donated Autologous Blood Transfusion on Peri-Operative Hemoglobin Concentration and Mid-Term Health Outcomes in Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty.

The effects of auto-BT in primary TKA on the perioperative hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and mid-term health outcomes are unknown. This study was performed to analyze the detailed changes in the perioperative Hb concentration before and after the operation (days 0-14 postoperatively), cardiovascular events, and mortality rate within 1 and 5 years postoperatively. One hundred patients undergoing primary TKA with auto-BT using 800 mL of preoperatively collected blood at the authors' institution were included. The mean Hb concentration before and after autologous blood collection was 12.7 ± 1.1 and 11.7 ± 1.2 g/dL, respectively. After primary TKA with auto-BT, the mean Hb concentration on day 0, 1, 3, 7, and 14 was 10.2 ± 1.2, 9.9 ± 1.2, 10.4 ± 1.3, 10.5 ± 1.3, and 11.0 ± 1.3 g/dL, respectively. Only one (1%) patient required additional allogenic blood transfusion. No patients developed cardiovascular events, and the 1- and 5-year postoperative mortality rate was 1.0% and 2.0%, respectively. Primary TKA with auto-BT showed relatively small perioperative changes in the Hb concentration, a low incidence of cardiovascular events, and a low mortality rate within 1 and 5 years postoperatively. These findings suggest that auto-BT, in which blood is preoperatively collected, is beneficial for patient safety and health, even if its cost-effectiveness may be debatable.

Association between leg bowing and serum alkaline phosphatase level regardless of the presence of a radiographic growth plate abnormality in pediatric patients with genu varum.

When children around 2 years of age show leg bowing and diseases are ruled out based on radiographic findings without conducting blood tests, they are classified as "physiologic" genu varum. Since whether or not physiologic genu varum is associated with bone metabolism is unclear, this study was conducted to clarify the association between genu varum and bone metabolism in children. Thirty-five pediatric patients with genu varm who visited our out-patient clinic were enrolled. While two of the 35 children had nutritional rickets, showing abnormalities on both blood test (ALP, ≥1000 IU/L; iPTH, >65 pg/mL and 25(OH)D, ≤20 ng/mL) and radiographs (such as cupping, fraying or splaying), five of 35 children showed abnormalities on blood tests but not radiographs. While metaphyseal-diaphyseal angle (MDA) correlated with serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (r = -0.35, p = 0.04) and magnesium (r = -0.36, p = 0.04), MDA and femorotibial angle (FTA) correlated with alkaline phosphatase (r = 0.43, p = 0.01 and r = 0.51, p = 0.006, respectively). A ridge regression analysis adjusted for age and body mass index indicated that ALP was associated with MDA and FTA. A logistic regression analysis adjusted for age and BMI indicated that higher ALP influenced an MDA >11°, which indicates the risk for the progression of genu varum (odds ratio 1.002, 95% confidence interval 1.0003-1.003, p = 0.021). The higher ALP (+100 IU), the higher risk of an MDA >11° (odds ratio 1.22). In conclusion, genu varum is associated with the alkaline phosphatase level regardless of the presence of radiographic abnormalities in the growth plate in children.

Effect of Feeding High Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid-Containing Giant Embryo Black Sticky Rice (Oryza sativa L.) on Anxiety-Related Behavior of C57BL/6 Mice.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of feeding high gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-containing black sticky rice giant embryo (BSRGE, Oryza sativa L.) on anxiety-related behavior of C57BL/6 mice. Experimental feedstuff (BSRGE with high GABA+AIN-76A) and control (AIN-76A) were provided to C57BL/6 mouse for 10 days. Antianxiety effects of BSRGE with high GABA were measured using an elevated plus maze. On day 8, the number of open arm entries by GABA and control groups were 1.10 ± 1.60 (mean ± SD) and 0.00 ± 0.00 (P = .030). On day 10, the number of open arm entries by the GABA group was 2.00 ± 1.89, which was significantly (P = .025) higher than that in the control group (0.40 ± 0.84). On day 8, the time the mice spent in open arm in the GABA group and control group was 3.60 ± 7.06 and 0.00 ± 0.00 sec (P = .068), respectively. On day 10, the time the mice in the GABA and control groups spent in open arm was 6.20 ± 5.35 sec and 1.80 ± 3.82 sec (P = .042), respectively. In repeated analysis of variance for the number of entries into open arm and time spent in open arm, significant differences were found between the two groups. Therefore, BSRGE with high GABA content might have an antianxiety effect. This study can serve as a preliminary study so that further antianxiety effects of BSRGE can be determined in more extended animal or clinical research studies in the future.

Effect of GABA Extract of Black Sticky Rice with Giant Embryo on Alcohol-Related Indices After Acute Alcohol Intake in Social Drinkers.

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to evaluate the effect and safety of a high-gamma-aminobutyric acid-containing extract (GABA extract) of black sticky rice with giant embryo (BSRGE) on alcohol-related indices after acute alcohol intake in social drinkers. METHODS: Subjects were randomized to the GABA extract (G) group, GABA extract and alcohol drinking (GA) group, or placebo intake and alcohol drinking (PA) group in a double-blind design. All subjects were administered GABA extract (200 mg GABA) or placebo at 9 am on study days 2 and 3, respectively. Subjects in the GA and PA groups were administered an equivalent dose of alcohol that was diluted in a drinking beverage for a total amount of 240 ml at 11 am on day 3. Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and the Biphasic Alcohol Effects Scale were measured just before alcohol drinking, and 6 times after alcohol drinking. RESULTS: The peak and area under the curve (AUC) of the total stimulation scale score after alcohol intake in females were significantly higher in the GA than in the PA group, whereas no significant difference was found between the 2 groups in males. The peak and AUC of the total score on the sedation scale after alcohol intake in males were significantly lower in the GA than in the PA group, whereas both were significantly higher in the GA than in the PA group of females. The AUC for BAC in males was significantly lower in the GA than in the PA group, whereas no significant difference was found in females. No adverse events were reported in any of the groups including the G group. CONCLUSIONS: Coadministration of a GABA extract to social drinkers while drinking alcohol is supposed to affect alcohol-related indices in terms of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics and did not induce any adverse events.

Effect of Zhubin (KI9) acupuncture in reducing alcohol craving in patients with alcohol dependence: A randomized placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of acupuncture on Zhubin (KI9) in reducing alcohol craving in alcohol-dependent patients. METHODS: Twenty male alcohol-dependent patients were randomly assigned to two groups, a treatment group (10 cases, age 43.0±6.8 years) and a placebo group (10 cases, age 44.5±7.9 years). The treatment group was treated with real needle acupuncture on Zhubin (KI9) twice a week for 4 weeks, and the control group was treated with placebo needle acupuncture. Both groups were given acupuncture treatment using Park Sham Device (PSD). Alcohol craving was measured by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) before treatment to establish a baseline, and after 1, 2, and 4 weeks of treatment. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to determine the main and interaction effects of time and on the outcome measure (VAS). RESULTS: There was a significant effect of time on VAS score (df=3, F=13.3, P<0.01). Main effect of group on VAS score was significant (df=1, F=10.9, P<0.01) and the time×group interaction was also significant (df=3, F=4.7, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Real-needle acupuncture therapy on Zhubin (KI9) showed effectiveness in reducing alcohol craving. These results strongly suggest the usefulness of acupuncture therapy on Zhubin (KI9) in preventing a relapse in alcohol dependent patients.

Difference of the naltrexone's effects in social drinkers by spicy food preference.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in subjective acute effects of alcohol and naltrexone among those who prefer spicy food to varying degrees. Acute biphasic alcohol effects scale (BAES), visual analogue scale for craving (VAS-C), blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and food preference scale were measured in 26 men. Repeated measures ANOVA (2 preference groups×4 time blocks) on the stimulative subscale of BAES revealed a significant group by block interaction in naltrexone condition (N+) (P<0.001), but not in non-naltrexone condition (N-). Furthermore, repeated measures ANOVA (2 drug groups×4 time blocks) on the stimulative subscale of BAES revealed a significant group by block interaction in strong preference for spicy food (SP) (P<0.001), but not in lesser preference for spicy food (LP). The paired t-test revealed that significant suppression of the stimulative subscale of BAES was observed at 15 min (P<0.001) and 30 min (P<0.001) after drinking when N+ compared with N- in SP. For those who prefer spicy food, the stimulative effect of acute alcohol administration was suppressed by naltrexone. This result suggests that the effect of naltrexone may vary according to spicy food preference.

Combined preoperative autologous blood donation and intra-operative cell salvage for hip surgery.

PURPOSE: To review records of 161 consecutive hip surgery patients for whom preoperative autologous blood donation (PABD) was used in combination with intra-operative cell salvage (ICS). METHODS: 114 women and 14 men aged 41 to 86 (mean, 64) years underwent 135 primary total hip arthroplasties (THAs), whereas 19 women and 7 men aged 16 to 52 (mean, 35) years underwent 26 rotational acetabular osteotomies (RAOs). Two or 3 weeks before the operation, patients deposited one unit (400 ml) of blood weekly, so long as their haemoglobin levels exceeded 110 g/l (if they had osteoarthritis) or 100 g/l (if they had rheumatoid arthritis). Patients were given oral ferrous sulphate, lactated Ringer's solution, and recombinant human erythropoietin. 800 and 1200 ml of blood were deposited for patients undergoing THA and RAO, respectively. Intra-operatively, ICS was carried out using a continuous autotransfusion system. The blood from ICS was transfused first, and then the blood from PABD was transfused during the latter half of the operation. RESULTS: By combining PABD and ICS, homologous blood transfusion was avoided in all patients, even in those with unexpected massive bleeding during surgery. In 3 patients, one unit of deposited autologous blood was discarded, because they showed no sign of anaemia. The mean total blood loss was almost 1.5 times higher in RAO than in THA patients (1095 vs 1550 ml). In the THA and RAO patients respectively, the mean amount of ICS was 181 and 210 ml, whereas the mean total blood transfusion volume was 975 and 1394 ml. No complications (including infection) related to autologous blood transfusion were observed during PABD, the surgery or the postoperative period. CONCLUSION: Homologous blood transfusion was avoided with the use of PABD and ICS. Preoperative donation of 800 and 1200 ml of blood (combined with ICS) seemed optimal, as only 3 units of blood were discarded.