Factors affecting the intensity of chronic musculoskeletal pain in patients with cardiovascular disease and evaluation of the efficacy of magnesium emulsion cream for muscle cramps.

Chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study aimed to determine the factors associated with the intensity of CMP in patients with underlying CVD and to evaluate the efficacy of Ice Power Magnesium In Strong Cream in patients with muscle cramps. We investigated 396 patients with or without CMP who visited an outpatient cardiology clinic and analyzed the features of CMP and factors associated with pain intensity and specific types of CVD in study 1. We also analyzed 73 patients who had muscle cramps in the lower extremities in study 2 to evaluate the efficacy of Ice Power Magnesium In Strong Cream in reducing pain intensity. In study 1, multivariable linear regression analysis showed that older age (regression coefficient [B] = 0.66, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.07-1.24), female sex (B = 1.18, 95% CI, 0.59-1.76), presence of hypertension (B = 0.69, 95% CI, 0.05-1.33), and use of calcium supplements (B = 1.27, 95% CI, 0.31-2.24) were significantly associated with a higher intensity of CMP. In study 2, the mean pain scores at baseline, week 2 and week 4 after treatment were 5.99 ± 2.12, 2.92 ± 2.63, and 1.90 ± 2.41, respectively, and the reductions were significant at both week 2 and week 4 after treatment (P < .05). Older age, female sex, hypertension, and use of calcium supplements were associated with an increased intensity of CMP. Ice Power Magnesium In Strong Cream was effective in reducing the pain intensity of muscle cramps in the lower extremities.

Gut Microbiota and Bile Acids Mediate the Clinical Benefits of YH1 in Male Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Pilot Observational Study.

Our previous clinical trial showed that a novel concentrated herbal extract formula, YH1 (Rhizoma coptidis and Shen-Ling-Bai-Zhu-San), improved blood glucose and lipid control. This pilot observational study investigated whether YH1 affects microbiota, plasma, and fecal bile acid (BA) compositions in ten untreated male patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), hyperlipidemia, and a body mass index ≥ 23 kg/m2. Stool and plasma samples were collected for microbiome, BA, and biochemical analyses before and after 4 weeks of YH1 therapy. As previous studies found, the glycated albumin, 2-h postprandial glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly improved after YH1 treatment. Gut microbiota revealed an increased abundance of the short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria Anaerostipes and Escherichia/Shigella. Furthermore, YH1 inhibited specific phylotypes of bile salt hydrolase-expressing bacteria, including Parabacteroides, Bifidobacterium, and Bacteroides caccae. Stool tauro-conjugated BA levels increased after YH1 treatment. Plasma total BAs and 7α-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one (C4), a BA synthesis indicator, were elevated. The reduced deconjugation of BAs and increased plasma conjugated BAs, especially tauro-conjugated BAs, led to a decreased glyco- to tauro-conjugated BA ratio and reduced unconjugated secondary BAs. These results suggest that YH1 ameliorates T2D and hyperlipidemia by modulating microbiota constituents that alter fecal and plasma BA compositions and promote liver cholesterol-to-BA conversion and glucose homeostasis.

Neisseria elongata endocarditis complicated by brain embolism and abscess.

We report a case of Neisseria elongata endocarditis with thalamic septic embolization and subsequent brain abscess formation, which to the best of our knowledge has never been reported in the literature. The brain abscess completely resolved after a surgical repair of the infected mitral valve and an additional 4 weeks of antimicrobial therapy. Based on a review of all previous reports of N. elongata endocarditis, including ours, this will remind physicians that invasive N. elongata infections should be managed and followed up cautiously, as surgical intervention is often required.