Effect of Antioxidant Supplementation on Macular Pigment Optical Density and Visual Functions: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Antioxidants are bioactive molecules that function to scavenge free radicals and balance oxidative stress. Although all antioxidants can act as reactive oxygen species scavengers, their efficacy on eye health may vary. Moreover, the comparative effectiveness and potential additive effect between groups of antioxidants, hitherto, have not been systematically studied. A systematic review and network meta-analysis were conducted to investigate the comparative or additive effect of dietary antioxidant supplements on eye health. Four databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane) were searched, and relevant randomized controlled trials were identified. Out of 60 articles selected for systematic review, 38 were included in the network meta-analysis, categorized into 8 distinct antioxidant-supplemented groups and placebo. All groups significantly increased macular pigment optical density and contrast sensitivity at low spatial frequency, whereas only the antioxidant mixture + lutein (L) + fatty acid combination exhibited significant improvements in visual acuity (hazard ratio = -0.15; 95% confidence interval: -0.28, -0.02) and L + zeaxanthin combination for photostress recovery time (hazard ratio = -5.75; 95% confidence interval: -8.80, -1.70). Especially, the L + zeaxanthin + fatty acid combination was ranked best for macular pigment optical density (surface under the cumulative ranking: 99.3%) and second best for contrast sensitivity at low spatial frequency (67.7%). However, these findings should be interpreted with caution due to low quality of evidence, primarily influenced by indirectness and potential publication bias. Overall, antioxidant supplementation was estimated to improve eye health parameters, whereas different combinations of antioxidants may also have varying effects on improving visual health from multiple perspectives. This study was registered at PROSPERO as CRD42022369250.

The impact of 5-hydroxytryptophan supplementation on sleep quality and gut microbiota composition in older adults: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Sleep quality is a pivotal part of health and there is growing evidence on the association between gut microbiota composition and sleep quality. 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is known as a precursor of the sleep regulating neurotransmitter and hormone. However, efficacy of 5-HTP supplementation for improving sleep quality in older adults is unclear. Hence, the aim of this study is to assess the impact of 5-HTP supplementation on sleep quality and gut microbiota composition in older adults. METHODS: This is a single-blinded, 12-week parallel randomized controlled trial. Thirty older adults (66 ± 3 years) in Singapore were randomly assigned to either consume or not consume 100 mg 5-HTP daily. Every 4 weeks, sleep quality was assessed via both subjective (Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index) and objective (actigraphy watch) measures. A global sleep score (GSS) was obtained from the PSQI, where a GSS>5 defines as poor sleeper while a GSS≤5 defines as good sleeper. Blood serotonin level, urine melatonin concentration, gut microbiota composition and stool short chain fatty acids (SCFA) content were assessed at week 0 and 12. This study was registered in clinicaltrials.gov as NCT04078724 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04078724). RESULTS: 5-HTP supplementation showed an overall favorable effect on certain sleep quality components and an increase in serum serotonin concentration. In particular, at week 12, not good sleepers but poor sleepers with 5-HTP supplementation were able to significantly improve subjective GSS (ΔSL5-HTP: -2.80 ± 1.10 min, p-value = 0.005). In addition, they showed an increase in microbiota diversity (Simpson5-HTP vs. SimpsonControl: 0.037 ± 0.032 a.u. vs. -0.007 ± 0.022 a.u.; pinteraction: 0.013) and relative abundance of SCFA producing bacteria in the gut. CONCLUSIONS: 5-HTP supplementation can improve certain sleep quality components in older adults and this benefit was more prominently observed in poor sleepers. 5-HTP was also able to improve the gut microbiota composition in poor sleepers.

Beneficial effect of Gyejibokryeong-hwan on climacteric syndrome with blood stasis pattern: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical pilot trial.

Background: Gyejibokryeong-hwan (GBH), a herbal mixture that is widely used for climacteric syndrome, is studied for its efficacy; however, no study evaluated the GBH indication, which is a blood-stasis pattern based on traditional Chinese medicine theory. Methods: This is a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical pilot trial. Fifty subjects with climacteric syndrome were recruited and randomly assigned to GBH group or placebo group. Subjects were administered GBH or placebo granules for 4 weeks followed by 4 weeks of observation period. For the primary outcome, the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) was evaluated. For the secondary outcomes, quality of life, degrees of abdominal resistance and tenderness, blood-stasis pattern questionnaire and degree of upward movement of Qi were evaluated. Results: After 4-week intervention, the mean change of total MRS score significantly decreased in the GBH group compared to the placebo group (p = 0.037). The quality of life related to physical health (p = 0.008) and blood-stasis pattern (p = 0.018) significantly improved in the GBH group but not in the placebo group. Conclusion: Our findings provide evidence of the feasibility of recruiting subjects with GBH indications and show that GBH may have clinical efficacy for the treatment of menopausal symptoms, especially urogenital symptoms, without any significant adverse events. Trial registration: Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS identifier: KCT0002170).

Effect of xanthophyll-rich food and supplement intake on visual outcomes in healthy adults and those with eye disease: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression of randomized controlled trials.

CONTEXT: Xanthophyll intake is known to improve eye health; however, its benefits on visual outcomes have not been systematically studied, particularly in a population with eye diseases. OBJECTIVE: A systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression were conducted to investigate the effect of xanthophyll intake on visual outcomes, and further subgroup analysis was performed on the basis of eye disease status. DATA SOURCES: The PubMed, Scopus, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases were searched, and relevant randomized controlled trials were identified. DATA EXTRACTION: For systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression, 43, 25, and 21 articles were selected, respectively. DATA ANALYSIS: Xanthophyll intake enhanced macular pigment optical density (MPOD) for both heterochromatic flicker photometry (weighted mean difference [WMD], 0.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.03-0.07) and autofluorescence imaging (WMD, 0.08; 95%CI, 0.05-0.11) measurements and decreased photostress recovery time (WMD, -2.35; 95%CI, -4.49 to -0.20). While enhancement in visual acuity logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution was observed in response to the xanthophyll-rich food and supplement intake only for patients with eye disease (WMD, -0.04; 95%CI, -0.07 to -0.01). Meta-regression showed a positive correlation between change in MPOD (heterochromatic flicker photometry) and the corresponding change in serum lutein levels (regression coefficient = 0.068; P = 0.00). CONCLUSION: Intake of xanthophyll-rich food or supplements can improve eye health. Additional improvement in visual acuity was observed in patients with eye disease. A positive association between MPOD and serum lutein level, while absent with dietary xanthophyll intake, suggests the importance of bioavailability when examining the effect of xanthophyll on eye health. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration no. CRD42021295337.

High-throughput organo-on-pillar (high-TOP) array system for three-dimensional ex vivo drug testing.

The development of organoid culture technologies has triggered industrial interest in ex vivo drug test-guided clinical response prediction for precision cancer therapy. The three-dimensional culture encapsulated with basement membrane (BM) components is extremely important in establishing ex vivo organoids and drug sensitivity tests because the BM components confer essential structures resembling tumor histopathology. Although numerous studies have demonstrated three-dimensional culture-based drug screening methods, establishing a large-scale drug-screening platform with matrix-encapsulated tumor cells is challenging because the arrangement of microspots of a matrix-cell droplet onto each well of a microwell plate is inconsistent and difficult to standardize. In addition, relatively low scales and lack of reproducibility discourage the application of three-dimensional organoid-based drug screening data for precision treatment or drug discovery. To overcome these limitations, we manufactured an automated organospotter-integrated high-throughput organo-on-pillar (high-TOP) drug-screening platform. Our system is compatible with various extracellular matrices, including BM extract, Matrigel, collagen, and hydrogel. In addition, it can be readily utilized for high-content analyses by simply exchanging the bottom plates without disrupting the domes. Our system demonstrated considerable robustness, consistency, reproducibility, and biological relevancy in three-dimensional drug sensitivity analyses using Matrigel-encapsulated ovarian cancer cell lines. We also demonstrated proof-of-concept cases representing the clinical feasibility of high-TOP-assisted ex vivo drug tests linked to clinical chemo-response in ovarian cancer patients. In conclusion, our platform provides an automated and standardized method for ex vivo drug-sensitivity-guided clinical response prediction, suggesting effective chemotherapy regimens for patients with cancer.

An Automated High-Throughput Screening (HTS) Spotter for 3D Tumor Spheroid Formation.

Three-dimensional (3D) culture platforms have been adopted in a high-throughput screening (HTS) system to mimic in vivo physiological microenvironments. The automated dispenser has been established commercially to enable spotting or distributing non-viscous or viscous biomaterials onto microplates. However, there are still challenges to the precise and accurate dispensation of cells embedded in hydrogels such as Alginate- and Matrigel-extracellular matrices. We developed and improved an automated contact-free dispensing machine, the ASFA SPOTTER (V5 and V6), which is compatible with 96- and 384-pillar/well plates and 330- and 532-micropillar/well chips for the support of 3D spheroid/organoid models using bioprinting techniques. This enables the distribution of non-viscous and viscous biosamples, including chemical drugs and cancer cells, for large-scale drug screening at high speed and small volumes (20 to 4000 nanoliters) with no damage to cells. The ASFA SPOTTER (V5 and V6) utilizes a contact-free method that minimizes cross-contamination for the dispensation of encapsulated tissue cells with highly viscous scaffolds (over 70%). In particular, the SPOTTER V6 does not require a washing process and offers the advantage of almost no dead volume (defined as additional required sample volume, including a pre-shot and flushing shot for dispensing). It can be successfully applied for the achievement of an organoid culture in automation, with rapid and easy operation, as well as miniaturization for high-throughput screening. In this study, we report the advantages of the ASFA SPOTTER, which distributes standard-sized cell spots with hydrogels onto a 384-pillar/well plate with a fast dispensing speed, small-scale volume, accuracy, and precision.

Impact of HIV-1 subtypes on gross deletion in the nef gene after Korean Red Ginseng treatment.

Background: The number of primary human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 non-B subtype infections (non-B) and that of reports regarding the differences in the pathogenesis of subtype B and non-B infections are increasing. However, to the best of our knowledge, there have been no reports on gross deletion in the nef gene (gΔnef) in non-B infections. Methods: To determine whether there is a difference in the change in CD4+ T cells after treatment with Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) between patients with subtype B and non-B infections, we retrospectively analyzed and compared the annual decrease in CD4+ T cells (AD) and the proportion of gΔnef in 77 patients who were followed for more than 10 years in the absence of combination antiretroviral therapy. Results: Overall, AD was significantly faster in patients with non-B infections than in those with subtype B infections. Survival analysis showed that the survival probability was significantly higher in subtype B than in non B-infected patients. These differences mainly resulted from significant differences in the amount of KRG and age. In the patients treated with KRG, there was a significant correlation between the amount of KRG and the AD in both subtypes. Interestingly, there was a significant correlation between the amount of KRG and the proportion of gΔnef in patients infected with subtype B, but not in those infected with non-B. The same phenomenon was observed when the KRG dose was adjusted. Conclusion: Our results suggest that non-B may be biologically more stable than subtype B.

Sleep-promoting activity of lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) rhizome water extract via GABAA receptors.

CONTEXT: The sleep-promoting activity of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. (Nymphaeaceae) alkaloids in leaves or seeds are well known. However, the sleep-promoting activity of the lotus rhizome (LE), which is used mainly as food, has not yet been evaluated. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the sleep-promoting activity of LE water extract. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice (n = 8) were subject to a pentobarbital-induced sleep test to assess changes in sleep latency and duration following the administration of LE (80-150 mg/kg). In addition, electroencephalography analysis was performed to determine the sleep quality after LE treatment as well as the sleep recovery effect of LE using a caffeine-induced insomnia SD rat model. Real-time PCR and western blot analysis were performed to investigate the expression of neurotransmitter receptors, and the GABAA receptor antagonists were used for receptor binding analysis. RESULTS: An oral administration of 150 mg/kg LE significantly increased sleep duration by 24% compared to the control. Furthermore, LE increased nonrapid eye movement (NREM) sleep by increasing theta and delta powers. In the insomnia model, LE increased sleep time by increasing NREM sleep. Moreover, treatment with picrotoxin and flumazenil decreased the sleep time by 33% and 23%, respectively, indicating an involvement of the GABAA receptor in the sleep-enhancing activity of LE. The expression of GABAA receptors and the concentration of GABA in the brain were increased by LE. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the sleep-promoting activity of LE was via the GABAA receptor. Collectively, these data show that LE may promote sleep.

Electroacupuncture for Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment: A Clinical Feasibility Study.

BACKGROUND: Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is a significant problem for cancer patients, as the number of cancer survivors experiencing cognitive impairments is increasing in the absence of standard treatment. There have been attempts to improve the cognitive function of patients with cancer using acupuncture; however, no studies have been conducted using electroacupuncture. Thus, we designed a preliminary study to investigate the feasibility of a clinical trial using electroacupuncture in CRCI patients. METHODS: We conducted a single-arm, pilot, clinical trial to investigate the feasibility of a study protocol for further large-scale clinical trials of electroacupuncture in CRCI patients. All participants were treated with electroacupuncture twice a week for 30 minutes at a time, for 8 weeks on acupoints GV20, GV24, EX-HN1, and GB20, HT7, PC6, and KI3. Both subjective and objective outcomes of cognitive function, quality of life (QoL), and psychological factors were measured in all participants at baseline, week 4, 8, and 12. For safety assessment, vital signs, laboratory examinations, and adverse events (AEs) were observed throughout the trial. RESULTS: A total of 12 participants were enrolled at Daejeon and Dunsan Korean Medicine Hospital of Daejeon University from 21 April 2017 to 31 January 2018. After 8 weeks of treatment, electroacupuncture significantly improved both subjective and objective cognitive outcomes, including the perceived cognitive impairments scale of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Cognitive Function, QoL scale of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Core Questionnaire-C30, Korean version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Boston Naming Test, Seoul Verbal Learning Test, and Rey Complex Figure Test. During the entire trial period, 19 AEs were observed, with no serious AEs. Additionally, it was found that all feasibility outcomes, including recruitment, completion, and adherence rates, achieved successful results as the ratio exceeded 0.8. CONCLUSION: Our study results revealed that electroacupuncture improved cognitive complaints in cancer patients, and we expect electroacupuncture to be a safe and effective management therapy for CRCI patients. These feasibility trial results will be used as preliminary data for future randomized controlled clinical trials. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Korean Clinical Trial Registry (KCT0002168).

The impact of tryptophan supplementation on sleep quality: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression.

CONTEXT: L-tryptophan (Trp) has been documented to aid sleep, but a systematic compilation of its effect on sleep quality is still limited. OBJECTIVE: We assessed the effect of Trp supplementation on sleep quality via meta-analysis and meta-regression. The effects of daily Trp dose (<1 g and ≥1 g) were also assessed. DATA SOURCES: A database search was done in PubMed, Medline (Ovid), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and Cochrane and a total of 18 articles were collected. DATA EXTRACTION: Extracted data from 4 articles were also analyzed using random-effect meta-analysis and meta-regression. Standardized mean difference (SMD) was used in meta-analysis. DATA ANALYSIS: Results from the study suggested that Trp supplementation can shorten wake after sleep onset (-81.03 min/g, P = 0.017; SMD, -1.08 min [95%CI, -1.89 to -0.28]). In addition, the group receiving ≥1 g Trp supplementation had a shorter wake after sleep onset than the group with Trp < 1g supplementation (Trp <1 g vs Trp ≥1 g: 56.55 vs 28.91 min; P = 0.001). However, Trp supplementation did not affect other sleep components. CONCLUSION: Trp supplementation, especially at ≥1 g can help improve sleep quality.

Effects of dietary fats on the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of carotenoids: a systematic review and meta-analysis of in vitro studies and randomized controlled trials.

CONTEXT: Dietary fats are one of the well-known stimulators of carotenoid absorption, but the effects of the quantity and the type of dietary fats on carotenoid absorption have not yet been studied systematically. OBJECTIVE: This review aimed to analyze data from both in vitro studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to examine the effects of dietary fats on the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of carotenoids. DATA SOURCES: A systematic search of 5 databases (Scopus, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL and the Cochrane Library) was conducted. STUDY SELECTION: In vitro studies and RCTs were selected according to the PICOS criteria and were reviewed independently by 2 investigators. DATE EXTRACTION: Key study characteristics from the eligible in vitro studies and RCTs were extracted independently by 2 investigators using a standardized table. RESULTS: A total of 27 in vitro studies and 12 RCTs were included. The meta-regression of in vitro studies showed that the bioaccessibility of carotenoids, except for lycopene, was positively associated with the concentration of dietary fats. The meta-analysis of RCTs showed that the bioavailability of carotenoids was enhanced when a higher quantity of dietary fats was co-consumed. Moreover, fats rich in unsaturated fatty acids resulted in greater improvement in carotenoid bioavailability (SMD 0.90; 95%CI, 0.69-1.11) as compared with fats rich in saturated fatty acids (SMD 0.27; 95%CI, 0.08-0.47). CONCLUSIONS: Co-consuming dietary fats, particularly those rich in unsaturated fatty acids, with carotenoid-rich foods can improve the absorption of carotenoids. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration number CRD42020188539.

Acupuncture for Psychosomatic Symptoms of Hwa-byung, an Anger Syndrome: A Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objectives: Emerging studies found the potential effects of acupuncture for treating chronic pain and mental disorders, namely, depressive and anxiety disorders. Acupuncture is widely used for treating culture-related anger syndrome, Hwa-byung. This pilot trial aimed to investigate the feasibility of a clinical trial testing acupuncture for the psychosomatic symptoms of Hwa-byung. Methods: A total of 26 patients with Hwa-byung planned to be randomly assigned to the acupuncture or sham acupuncture groups. About 10 treatment sessions were applied over 4 weeks. The 100-mm visual analog scale was used to measure the six major Hwa-byung symptoms: stuffiness in the chest, heat sensations, pushing-up in the chest, feeling a mass in the throat, feelings of unfairness, and hard feelings. The criteria for assessing the success of this pilot trial were defined as improvement in three or more of the six Hwa-byung symptoms after treatment, with an effect size >0.2. Results: A total of 15 patients were finally included and randomly assigned to the acupuncture group (n = 7) or the sham acupuncture group (n = 8). After 10 treatment sessions, the Cohen's d effect sizes for acupuncture compared to sham acupuncture were >0.2 for each one of the six major Hwa-byung symptoms, which met our a priori criteria for success. Also, the effect size for the somatic symptoms of "stuffiness in the chest" was 0.81 (95% CI -0.40, 2.20), referring to a large effect size. Conclusions: Our results suggest that acupuncture treatment would be regarded as an acceptable intervention for a full-scale study of psychosomatic symptoms in patients with Hwa-byung. Trial Registration: cris.nih.go.kr, identifier: KCT0001732.

Amino Acids Supplementation for the Milk and Milk Protein Production of Dairy Cows.

As the preference of consumers for casein products has increased, the protein content of milk from dairy cows is drawing more attention. Protein synthesis in the milk of dairy cows requires a proper supply of dietary protein. High protein supplementation may help to produce more milk protein, but residues in feces and urine cause environmental pollution and increase production costs. As such, previous studies have focused on protein supplements and amino acid (AA) supply. This review concerns AA nutrition for enhancing milk protein in dairy cows, and mainly focuses on three AAs: methionine, lysine, and histidine. AA supplementation for promoting protein synthesis is related to the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex and its downstream pathways. Each AA has different stimulating effects on the mTOR translation initiation pathway, and thus manifests different milk protein yields. This review will expand our understanding of AA nutrition and the involved pathways in relation to the synthesis of milk protein in dairy cows.

Matricaria chamomilla (Chamomile) Ameliorates Muscle Atrophy in Mice by Targeting Protein Catalytic Pathways, Myogenesis, and Mitochondrial Dysfunction.

Muscle atrophy, or loss of skeletal muscle, is caused by aging, malnutrition, immobility through injury, or diseases such as cancer. Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) contains various active components, including flavonoids, sesquiterpenes, polyacetylenes, and coumarins, and is used in various herbal medicines in the European Pharmacopoeia. In this study, we investigated the effects of ethanol extract of chamomile [Formula: see text](MC) on muscle wasting and its mechanism of action. Mice with dexamethasone (DEX)-induced muscle atrophy were orally administered MC (100, 200, and 300 mg/kg) for 4 weeks. Micro-computed tomography analysis showed that MC (200 and 300 mg/kg) significantly recovered DEX-induced loss of muscle volume, density, and weight and MC-treated DEX-induced mice also showed increased moving distance and grip strength. MC suppressed the mRNA level of muscle RING finger 1 (MuRF1) while increasing the expression of mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM), MyoD, and Myogenin-1. We found 25 peaks in MC samples through HPLC analysis and identified 6 peaks by comparison with a profile of standard compounds: chlorogenic acid (CGA), luteolin-7-O-glucoside (L7G), patulitrin, apigenin-7-O-glucoside (A7G), herniarin, and (E)-tonghaosu. Of these components, the gene expression of MyoD was significantly augmented by patulitrin, herniarin, CGA, and L7G in C2C12 cells, while Myogenin-1 gene expression was increased by A7G, patulitrin, herniarin, CGA, and L7G. Moreover, TFAM gene expression and phosphorylation of AKT were increased by all six ingredients. Based on our results, we suggest MC for use as a supplement or remedy for muscle wasting, including cachexia and sarcopenia.

Acupuncture combined with multidisciplinary care for recovery after traumatic multiple rib fractures: a prospective feasibility cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Acute pain significantly delays early physiological recovery and results in chronic functional disability in patients with traumatic multiple rib fractures (MRFs). This prospective cohort study aimed to investigate the feasibility of acupuncture combined with multidisciplinary care during recovery in patients with traumatic MRFs. METHODS: Twenty patients with traumatic MRFs who were admitted to a regional trauma centre in South Korea were enrolled. A combination of acupuncture and multidisciplinary inpatient ward management was provided at the trauma ward. Patients were permitted to continue acupuncture treatments at outpatient clinics for 3 months after the traumatic events. Clinical outcomes, including pain, acute physiological recovery, quality of life, patient satisfaction with the care provided, respiratory function and use of opioids, were evaluated up to 6 months after trauma. RESULTS: Seventeen (85%) participants completed the 6-month follow-up. One patient withdrew consent during admission due to discomfort after three sessions of acupuncture. The proportion of patients with above-moderate level of pain decreased from 95% at baseline to 41% at 6 months. Quality of life appeared to deteriorate consistently throughout the study period. Around 80% of respondents expressed satisfaction with the acupuncture treatments and stated that they found acupuncture to be acceptable. Over 94% of respondents reported slight or considerable improvement. CONCLUSION: The provision of acupuncture combined with multidisciplinary care for recovery in patients with traumatic MRFs was feasible in a regional trauma centre in South Korea. Randomised trials are needed to investigate the role of acupuncture combined with multidisciplinary care in the future. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: KCT0002911 (Clinical Research Information Service).

The frequency of defective genes in vif and vpr genes in 20 hemophiliacs is associated with Korean Red Ginseng and highly active antiretroviral therapy: the impact of lethal mutations in vif and vpr genes on HIV-1 evolution.

BACKGROUND: We have reported that internal deletions in the nef, gag, and pol genes in HIV-1-infected patients are induced in those treated with Korean Red Ginseng (KRG). KRG delays the development of resistance mutations to antiretroviral drugs. METHODS: The vif-vpr genes over 26 years in 20 hemophiliacs infected with HIV-1 from a single source were sequenced to investigate whether vif-vpr genes were affected by KRG and KRG plus highly active antiretroviral therapy (ART) (hereafter called GCT) and compared the results with our previous data. RESULTS: A significantly higher number of in-frame small deletions were found in the vif-vpr genes of KRG-treated patients than at the baseline, in control patients, and in ART-alone patients (p < 0.001). These were significantly reduced in GCT patients (p < 0.05). In contrast, sequences harboring a premature stop codon (SC) were more significant in GCT patients (10.1%) than in KRG-alone patients, control (p < 0.01), and ART-alone patients (p = 0.078 for peripheral blood mononuclear cells). The proportion of SC in Vpr was similar to that in Vif, whereas the proportion of sequences revealing SC in the env-nef genes was significantly lower than that in the pol-vif-vpr genes (p < 0.01). The genetic distance was 1.8 times higher in the sequences harboring SC than in the sequences without SC (p < 0.001). Q135P in the vif gene is significantly associated with rapid progression to AIDS (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Our data show that KRG might induce sΔ in the vif-vpr genes and that vif-vpr genes are similarly affected by lethal mutations.

Daily consumption of essence of chicken improves cognitive function: a systematically searched meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Essence of chicken (EC) is a dietary supplement with potential benefits on one's cognitive performance. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the effects of consuming EC on cognitive function, applying extensively represented domains. Six databases were systematically searched to yield 1760 articles. These articles were independently screened to obtain 8 eligible articles with a pooled population of 794 subjects which is more than twice the population size considered in the previous meta-analyses. Largely, favorable effects on cognitive function were observed following daily EC intake, specifically in the working memory domain (standardized mean difference: 0.31, 95% CI: 0.16, 0.46), one of the core components in executive function which showed statistically significant results. Furthermore, the observed results were also robust to sensitivity analyses and subgroup analyses. This suggests that when consumed daily, EC may improve the mental processing aspect of cognitive function amongst the healthy population.

Teaching Guided Imagery and Relaxation Techniques in Undergraduate Nursing Education.

Guided imagery and relaxation techniques have many documented benefits yet are not traditionally taught in undergraduate nursing education. These techniques can also be used by clinicians and students to manage their own stress. The impact of teaching guided imagery in an experiential skills lab on undergraduate nursing students was examined in this mixed-methods research study. Goals were to evaluate whether students learning these skills would be more likely to use them in clinical practice, to examine whether learning these skills would provide personal benefits, and to compare personal instruction with video instruction. Students completed questionnaires evaluating the experience in terms of satisfaction, personal benefit, and intent to use. Students provided comments and answered open-ended questions regarding personal and professional benefits and ability to apply knowledge and skills. Results were positive, with students reporting satisfaction with the format, personal benefit from the course, and increased likelihood that they will use the techniques with clients in the future. The lowest scores were on confidence in using the technique with clients. A statistically significant finding is that students preferred personal instruction in the areas of satisfaction with the content, satisfaction with the format, and the value of experience in advance of using these skills with patients (p < .05).

Water Extract of Lotus Leaf Alleviates Dexamethasone-Induced Muscle Atrophy via Regulating Protein Metabolism-Related Pathways in Mice.

Muscle atrophy is an abnormal condition characterized by loss of skeletal muscle mass and function and is primarily caused by injury, malnutrition, various diseases, and aging. Leaf of lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn), which has been used for medicinal purposes, contains various active ingredients, including polyphenols, and is reported to exert an antioxidant effect. In this study, we investigated the effect of water extract of lotus leaf (LL) on muscle atrophy and the underlying molecular mechanisms of action. Amounts of 100, 200, or 300 mg/kg/day LL were administered to dexamethasone (DEX)-induced muscle atrophy mice for 4 weeks. Micro-computed tomography (CT) analysis revealed that the intake of LL significantly increased calf muscle volume, surface area, and density in DEX-induced muscle atrophy mice. Administration of LL recovered moving distance, grip strength, ATP production, and body weight, which were decreased by DEX. In addition, muscle damage caused by DEX was also improved by LL. LL reduced the protein catabolic pathway by suppressing gene expression of muscle atrophy F-Box (MAFbx; atrogin-1), muscle RING finger 1 (MuRF1), and forkhead box O (FoxO)3a, as well as phosphorylation of AMP-activated kinase (AMPK). The AKT-mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) signal pathway, which is important for muscle protein synthesis, was increased in LL-administered groups. The HPLC analysis and pharmacological test revealed that quercetin 3-O-beta-glucuronide (Q3G) is a major active component in LL. Thus, Q3G decreased the gene expression of atrogin-1 and MuRF1 and phosphorylation of AMPK. This compound also increased phosphorylation levels of mTOR and its upstream enzyme AKT in DEX-treated C2C12 cells. We identified that LL improves muscle wasting through regulation of muscle protein metabolism in DEX-induced muscle atrophy mice. Q3G is predicted to be one of the major active phenolic components in LL. Therefore, we propose LL as a supplement or therapeutic agent to prevent or treat muscle wasting, such as sarcopenia.