Efficacy and Safety of Maca (Lepidium meyenii) in Patients with Symptoms of Late-Onset Hypogonadism: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: To evaluated the efficacy and safety of gelatinized Maca (Lepidium meyenii) for eugonadal patients with late onset hypogonadism symptoms (LOH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants were instructed to receive 1,000 mg of Maca or placebo, two pills at a time, three times per day for 12 weeks before food intake. To evaluate the efficacy of the drug, Aging Males' Symptoms scale (AMS), Androgen Deficiency in the Aging Males (ADAM), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaires, serologic tests (total testosterone and free testosterone, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride), body weight, and waist circumference were assessed at 4 and 12 weeks after treatment. RESULTS: A total of 80 participants were enrolled and randomly assigned to Maca treated group (n=41) or the placebo group (n=39). AMS, IIEF, and IPSS were significantly (p<0.05) improved in Maca treated group than in the placebo group. ADAM positive rate was also significantly (p<0.0001) decreased in Maca treated group. CONCLUSIONS: Maca may be considered an effective and safe treatment for eugonadal patients with late onset hypogonadism symptoms.

Reversal of Intestinal Failure-Associated Liver Disease by Increasing Fish Oil in a Multi-Oil Intravenous Lipid Emulsion in Adult Short Bowel-Syndrome Patients.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD) is a serious complication of parenteral nutrition (PN). We report 2 cases of IFALD, which occurred in adult patients while on a regimen of multi-oil intravenous lipid emulsion containing fish oil. METHODS: Patients initially received PN containing 1-g/kg/d SMOFlipid 20% (SMOFlipid). When IFALD developed, lipid composition in PN was altered to include higher proportions of fish oil. RESULTS: Case 1 was a 23-year-old man with short-bowel syndrome. He had been fully dependent on PN for approximately 11 months with a direct bilirubin level of 15.1 mg/dL. Doses of 0.15-g/kg/d pure fish oil and 0.3-0.6-g/kg/d SMOFlipid were administered for 56 days, and IFALD was resolved 59 days after adding fish oil. Case 2 was an 85-year-old man who received extensive small-bowel resection because of internal herniation and small-bowel necrosis. He had elevated direct bilirubin levels and was diagnosed with IFALD. Fish-oil treatment was initiated after 50 days of receiving PN. The average daily amount of fish oil given was 0.14 g/kg/d. IFALD was resolved 44 days after adding Omegaven (Fresenius Kabi Austria Gmbh, Austria). CONCLUSION: Two patients with advanced IFALD showed reversal of cholestasis by altering the lipid content of their PN to include more fish oil.

Nanoformulated Single-Stranded RNA-Based Adjuvant with a Coordinative Amphiphile as an Effective Stabilizer: Inducing Humoral Immune Response by Activation of Antigen-Presenting Cells.

As agonists of TLR7/8, single-stranded RNAs (ssRNAs) are safe and promising adjuvants that do not cause off-target effects or innate immune overactivation. However, low stability prevents them from mounting sufficient immune responses. This study evaluates the adjuvant effects of ssRNA derived from the cricket paralysis virus intergenic region internal ribosome entry site, formulated as nanoparticles with a coordinative amphiphile, containing a zinc/dipicolylamine complex moiety as a coordinative phosphate binder, as a stabilizer for RNA-based adjuvants. The nanoformulated ssRNA adjuvant was resistant to enzymatic degradation in vitro and in vivo, and that with a coordinative amphiphile bearing an oleyl group (CA-O) was approximately 100 nm, promoted effective recognition, and improved activation of antigen-presenting cells, leading to better induction of neutralizing antibodies following single immunization. Hence, CA-O may increase the efficacy of ssRNA-based adjuvants, proving useful to meet the urgent need for vaccines during pathogen outbreaks.

Relationship between Lower Dose and Injection Speed of Iodinated Contrast Material for CT and Acute Hypersensitivity Reactions: An Observational Study.

BackgroundThere are few data on the relationship between acute hypersensitivity reactions and the dose and injection rate of iodinated contrast material for CT.PurposeTo determine the relationship between lower dose and injection speed of iodinated contrast material for CT and the rate of acute hypersensitivity reactions.Materials and MethodsThis retrospective study included adults (age ≥18 years) undergoing nonionic iodinated contrast material-enhanced abdominal CT between August 2016 and January 2017 (control period) and between August 2017 and January 2018 (intervention period); all examinations were conducted in an outpatient setting. Compared with CT during the control period, CT during the intervention period involved a reduced dose of contrast material achieved by lowering the CT tube voltage. CT examinations in the control period were performed with 120 kVp, a contrast material dose of 2 mL/kg (maximum, 150 mL), and an injection speed of 3 or 4 mL/sec. CT examinations in the intervention period were performed with 100 kVp, a contrast material dose of 1.5 mL/kg (maximum, 130 mL), and an injection speed of 2.5 or 3 mL/sec. Per-examination rates of acute hypersensitivity reactions to iodinated contrast material were compared between the control and intervention periods with use of a multivariable Poisson regression model, the parameters of which were estimated by using generalized estimating equations with an independence correlation structure.ResultsA total of 21947 adults (mean age ± standard deviation, 59 years ± 12; 8797 women [40%]) underwent 25119 CT examinations during the control period; 23019 adults (mean age, 59 years ± 12; 9538 women [41%]) underwent 26491 CT examinations during the intervention period. The rate of acute hypersensitivity reactions was 1.42% (376 of 26491 examinations; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.28%, 1.57%) in the intervention period and 1.86% (468 of 25119 examinations; 95% CI: 1.70%, 2.04%) in the control period, with a multivariable-adjusted relative risk of 0.85 (95% CI: 0.74, 0.99; P = .03).ConclusionReduction in the dose and injection speed of iodinated contrast material for CT was associated with a lower rate of acute hypersensitivity reactions to iodinated contrast material.© RSNA, 2019Online supplemental material is available for this article.

The Effect of Seoritae Extract in Men with Mild to Moderate Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Suggestive of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

We evaluated the effects of Seoritae extract (SE) on mild to moderate lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Seventy-six subjects with mild to moderate LUTS suggestive of BPH were prospectively recruited from the urology outpatient clinic and assigned to either SE (4200 mg or 6 tablets 3 times a day) or matching placebo. The primary outcome variable, the International Prostatic Symptom Score (IPSS), was evaluated at baseline and at 4 and 12 weeks. Postvoid residual volume (PVR), maximum urine flow rate (Q max), and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels were evaluated. IPSSs decreased significantly from baseline to 12 weeks within the SE group. Significant improvements in IPSS voiding scores at 4 and 12 weeks were also observed in the SE group compared to the placebo group. IPSS storage and quality of life scores were also significantly decreased at 12 weeks in the SE group. There was no change in Q max or PVR in both groups after 12 weeks. Administration of SE for 12 weeks led to significant improvements in LUTS, and it can be concerned as a reasonable and safe alternative for men with mild to moderate LUTS.

The effect of Korean hand acupuncture on young, single Korean students with irritable bowel syndrome.

The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of Korean hand acupuncture (KHA) on bowel symptoms, stress, mental health, and heart rate variability in women with irritable bowel syndrome. From a total sample of 42 women with irritable bowel syndrome diagnosed with Rome III, 21 were randomly selected to be given KHA, whereas 21 were given sham KHA. The KHA group received KHA on 16 spots related to bowel symptoms, whereas the sham KHA group received treatment to areas unrelated to bowel symptoms. KHA needles were applied for 25 minutes, twice a week, for 4 weeks. After the treatment, bowel symptoms were measured using a Bowel Symptom Severity Scale, stress using a global assessment of recent health, mental health using the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised, and heart rate variability. SAS 9.1 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC) was used to analyze the data, and a chi-square test, t test, and paired t test were used for analysis. The KHA group had a decrease in symptoms such as loose stool, bloating, abdominal discomfort, and abdominal pain compared with the sham KHA group (p < .05). However, there were no significant effects on stress, mental health, and heart rate variability. KHA was effective for bowel symptoms such as loose stool, bloating, abdominal discomfort, and abdominal pain, and it could be applied to patients with irritable bowel syndrome. There is a need for further research on the effectiveness of KHA in women with irritable bowel syndrome using more diverse physiological indexes.

Fermenting red ginseng enhances its safety and efficacy as a novel skin care anti-aging ingredient: in vitro and animal study.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the anti-aging potential and skin safety of red ginseng (RG) and fermented red ginseng (FRG) using Lactobacillus brevis for use as cosmetic ingredients. Concentrations of uronic acid, polyphenols, and flavonoids, and antioxidant activities were greater in FRG compared to RG. The contents of total ginsenosides were not significantly different. However, the ginsenoside metabolite content was higher in FRG (14,914.3 µg/mL) compared to RG (5697.9 µg/mL). The tyrosinase inhibitory activity (IC(50)) of FRG was 27.63 µg/mL, and more potent compared with RG (34.14 µg/mL), (P<.05). The elastase inhibitory activity (IC(50)) of FRG was 117.07 µg/mL also higher compared with RG (157.90 µg/mL). In a primary skin irritation test, 10% RG and 10% FRG were classified as practically nonirritating materials. In a skin sensitization test, the RG group showed a sensitization rate of 100% and its mean evaluation score of irritation was 1.4, whereas the FRG group showed 20% and 0.2%, respectively. By fermentation of RG, FRG has increased contents of ginsenoside metabolites, such as Rg3, Rg5, Rk1, compound K, Rh1, F2, Rg2, and flavonoids content. Therefore, FRG offers increased anti-wrinkle efficacy, whitening efficacy, and reduced toxicological potency compared to RG.

The effect of hand acupuncture therapy and hand moxibustion therapy on premenstrual syndrome among Korean women.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms can reduce quality of life and impair daily functioning. This study examined the effects of Korean hand acupuncture therapy (HAT) and hand moxibustion therapy (HMT) on symptom severity in Korean women with PMS. This quasi-experimental pilot study based on the khi, yin, yang, and the five elements theory used a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. Experimental groups received 10 sessions of either HAT or HMT treatment. Outcome measures included menstrual symptom severity as measured with the Menstrual Symptom Severity List and skin temperature change measured with Digital Infrared Thermographic Imaging. Both experimental groups had significantly reduced overall PMS symptom severity scores following therapy as compared to women in the control group. The HMT but not the HAT group showed improved flow of khi and balanced skin temperature in symmetric body areas. HAT and HMT may be effective strategies for women to reduce PMS symptoms.