Of “foods for specified health use (FOSHU)”, approximately 90 kinds are presently indicated as “appropriate for hypertension”. In this review we describe their safety and effectiveness.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to examine the effects of lactic fermenting beverage ANP71 on defecation, blood pressure, immune function, constitution of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and safety.Methods: An open Clinical study was conducted on 15 healthy adults (female 11, male 4). ANP71 150ml per day was administrated for 4 weeks. At week 0, 1 and 4, blood samples were collected. blood pressure, immune function and constitutionwere measured.Results:① Defecation amount and exhilarating feeling increased. Abdominal feeling of fullness decreased.② Decrease of blood pressure was observed. ③ The change of parameters of blood biochemistry was in normal range. ④ Humoral immunity was predominant(Th1/Th2 decreased). ⑤ In constitution of TCM, Gentleness type, Yang-deficiency type, Yin-deficiency type, Phlegm-wetness type, wet-heat type and Qi-depression type were improved. ⑥ No significant adverse events were observed.Conclusion: Lactic fermenting beverage ANP71 appears to have benefits in improving defecation and constitutional problems. Various other biological effects of ANP71 were also observed.

We studied the effect of Saiko-ka-ryukotsu-borei-to (crude extract powder for research purposes) on central monoamine-related substances in mice. The formulation was given in a dose of 50mg/kg or 400mg/kg and was administered once or repeatedly (twice a day for seven days). The brain was removed and segmented in the conventional method. The monoamine-related substances were measured by a method using HPLC-ECD. The main results were as follows. The single or repeated administration of 50mg/kg increased DOPAC and HVA contents in the cerebral cortex. In the hypothalamus, the single 50mg/kg treatment decreased NE, and the repeated 50mg/kg treatment decreased NE but increased DOPA. In the corpus striatum, the single 50mg/kg administration increased DA, DOPAC, HVA, and 5-HIAA while the repeated administration increased NE and MHPG as well. In this region, the single 400mg/kg treatment increased NE and 5-HIAA, and the repeated treatment increased NE. In the hyppocampus, the repeated 50mg/kg treatment increased MHPG, and the repeated 400mg/kg treatment decreased HVA. These results indicate that the effect of this formulation on murine brain monoamines is greater at 50mg/kg than at 400mg/kg and that the effect varies among the regions of the brain.

Purpose: Despite widespread adoption of open abdominal management (OAM), there is currently no threshold criterion for OAM duration for non-trauma patients. Moreover, there is a positive relationship between morbidity and the duration of OAM, but an uncertain relationship with patients’ age. Therefore, a novel clinical index for the duration of open abdominal management (IDOM) was developed based on the patient’s age and risk of severe complications following OAM to indicate the maximum tolerable number of days of OAM based on the individual’s age. The utility of this new index was evaluated. Methods: This retrospective study included 65 non-trauma patients managed with an open abdomen (OA) from August 2015 to August 2018. The IDOM was developed based on the patient’s age. The result indicated the maximum number of OA days. Patients’ demographic and operative variables were examined and patient data was assigned to one of two groups according to whether the actual number of OA days was above or below the calculated IDOM. Prevalence of complications between these groups was compared. Measures of validity were employed to assess the utility of the IDOM for patient complications. Results: Sixty-five patients were included. The above-the calculated IDOM group exhibited a significantly longer OA and higher rates of wound complications and postoperative respiratory complications compared with the below the calculated IDOM group. The IDOM predicted the incidence of OA-related complications with a sensitivity of 72.4%, and a specificity of 80.6%. Conclusion The IDOM is a potentially useful tool for appropriate duration at the outset of OA.

Ultraviolet (UV)-induced wrinkle and pigmentation are very common in clinical practice. In this report, we presented the case of a 58-year-old man who developed wrinkle and pigmentation around right hand, face and neck for ten years. Coix-seed Reactive Derivatives (CRD) was administrated orally 2.1g twice a day for 6 months. These lesions were improved in the third month, and a dramatic response was obtained at the end of 6 months of treatment. Further research is needed to define the optimal dose and duration of CRD intake.

Friction melanosis is a cutaneous entity characterized by a brownish pigmentation distributed on the skin over bony regions of various sites including a trunk or the limbs, after the use, for many years, of a nylon towel or scrub brush to clean the skin. Moreover, repeated trauma due to friction of clothes on the skin over bony prominences are another factors characterizing its pathogenesis. In this report, we presented the case of a 58-year-old man who developed severe friction melanosis around both knees and lower extremities for about 20 years. Coix-seed Reactive Derivatives (CRD) was administrated orally 2.1g twice a day for 6 months. The lesions of pigmentation diminished markedly within 3 months. Further research is needed to define the optimal dose and duration of CRD intake against friction melanosis.

In this report, we presented the case of a 52-year-old woman who developed intractable nummular eczema of fingers for over 5 years. Coix-seed Reactive Derivatives(CRD) was administrated orally 2.2 g twice a day for 6 months. The lesions cured markedly within one month. Although CRD intake seemed to be effective in this case, further studies are needed to define the optimal dose of this food.

In 1991, the committee on postgraduate clinical training proposed revised behavioral objectives for basic clinical training in the initial two years. We present here a model for a clinical training program that should enable most residents to attain these objectives within two years.
The program begins with orientation for 1-2 weeks, including a workshop on team care, and nursing practice.
Basic clinical skills for primary care and emergency managements should be learned by experience during rotations through various clinical specialities. All staff members, even senior residents, should participate in teaching beginning residents in hospitals.

Objective: Fucoidan is a sulfated polysaccharide in brown seaweeds. Previous studies show that fucoidan from Gagome kombu (GKF) exhibit immune-enhancing capabilities on healthy adults. In this study, we focused on the women with the history of gynecological cancer and evaluated the safety and immune-efficacy of GKF.Methods: Ten Japanese women subjects were chosen to ingest the test samples (1 drink / day containing 200 mg GKF) for 4 weeks. Before and after ingestion, blood chemistry analysis, hematological analysis, urinalysis and immune analysis were conducted. Result: Results showed no adverse clinical changes in blood and urinary analysis. In addition, no serious symptoms were observed. Moreover, decrease of serum levels of Eotaxin, IL-7, IL-17 and VEGF were observed.Conclusion: These results indicate that in the case of women with the history of gynecological cancer, GKF is a safe functional food ingredient.

To clarify the functions of Coix Reactive Derivatives(CRD), we observed 4 cases of refractory acne vulgaris (case 1. 20 years of age, male/ case 2. 46 years of age, female/ case 3. 20 years of age, male /case 4. 28 years of age, female) successfully cured by intake of CRD for several months. Although CRD intake seemed to be effective in all cases, further studies are needed to define the optimal dose and duration.