No abstract available.
Humans*

PURPOSE: Long-acting injectable testosterone undecanoate (TU, Nebido(R)), a new parenteral testosterone preparation, has recently been introduced to avoid frequent injections of the conventional injectable esters. We performed this study to assess the efficacy and safety of long-acting injectable TU in patients who suffer with testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective, non-controlled single arm trial, a total of 33 patients (a mean age of 55.8+/-6.4 yrs) with TDS, as defined by serum testosterone levels of less than 3.5 ng/mL, were injected with 1000 mg of TU (4mL/ampule) on day 1, followed by another injection 6 weeks later with follow-up injections 3 months thereafter for a total of 54 weeks. Before and 18 and 54 weeks after the TU injections, the changes of the Aging Males' Symptoms (AMS) scale, the serum total testosterone, the lipid profiles, the CBC, the PSA level, the prostate volume by TRUS and the body mass index (BMI) were compared by Students' paired t-tests. Any adverse effects were also evaluated. RESULTS: Compared to the pretreatment results, the serum total testosterone level was significantly increased at 18 and 54 weeks (P<0.01), but there was no difference for the serum total testosterone level between weeks 18 and 54, that is, they were stable. The BMI was not significantly decreased at 54 weeks compared to pretreatment. Injectable TU also significantly improved the AMS scores, and especially in the sexual domain (P<0.01). The other data, except the hematocrit, was not significantly changed (P<0.05). Injectable TU did not show a harmful effect on the prostate during the 54 weeks. No patient reported any adverse side effects or events. CONCLUSIONS: Injectable TU effectively elevated the serum total testosterone levels and it maintained stable concentrations during the treatment period. Injectable TU significantly improved the total AMS score, but there were no reported significant changes in the body habitus and lipid profiles. Further large, well-controlled, long-term studies should be done to assess the effect of injectable TU on TDS patients.
Aging ; Arm ; Body Mass Index ; Esters ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematocrit ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; Prospective Studies ; Prostate ; Sorbitol ; Testosterone ; Tyramine

Background: Atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan in August 1945 were estimated to have killed approximately 70,000 Koreans. In Japan, studies on the health status and mortality of atomic bomb survivors compared with the non-exposed population have been conducted. However, there have been no studies related to the mortality of Korean atomic bomb survivors. Therefore, we aimed to study the cause of death of atomic bomb survivors compared to that of the general population. Methods: Of 2,299 atomic bomb survivors registered with the Korean Red Cross, 2,176 were included in the study. In the general population, the number of deaths by age group was calculated from 1992 to 2019, and 6,377,781 individuals were assessed. Causes of death were categorized according to the Korean Standard Classification of Diseases. To compare the proportional mortality between the two groups, the P value for the ratio test was confirmed, and the Cochran-Armitage trend test and χ 2 test were performed to determine the cause of death according to the distance from the hypocenter. Results: Diseases of the circulatory system were the most common cause of death (25.4%), followed by neoplasms (25.1%) and diseases of the respiratory system (10.6%) in atomic bomb survivors who died between 1992 and 2019. The proportional mortality associated with respiratory diseases, nervous system diseases, and other diseases among atomic bomb survivors was higher than that of the general population. Of the dead people between 1992 and 2019, the age at death of survivors who were exposed at a close distance was younger than those who were exposed at a greater distance. Conclusion Overall, proportional mortality of respiratory diseases and nervous system diseases was high in atomic bomb survivors, compared with the general population. Further studies on the health status of Korean atomic bomb survivors are needed.

In 1945, atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Approximately 70 000 Koreans are estimated to have been exposed to radiation from atomic bombs at that time. After Korea’s Liberation Day, approximately 23 000 of these people returned to Korea. To investigate the long-term health and hereditary effects of atomic bomb exposure on the offspring, cohort studies have been conducted on atomic bomb survivors in Japan. This study is an ongoing cohort study to determine the health status of Korean atomic bomb survivors and investigate whether any health effects were inherited by their offspring. Atomic bomb survivors are defined by the Special Act On the Support for Korean Atomic Bomb Victims, and their offspring are identified by participating atomic bomb survivors. As of 2024, we plan to recruit 1500 atomic bomb survivors and their offspring, including 200 trios with more than 300 people. Questionnaires regarding socio-demographic factors, health behaviors, past medical history, laboratory tests, and pedigree information comprise the data collected to minimize survival bias. For the 200 trios, whole-genome analysis is planned to identify de novo mutations in atomic bomb survivors and to compare the prevalence of de novo mutations with trios in the general population. Active follow-up based on telephone surveys and passive follow-up with linkage to the Korean Red Cross, National Health Insurance Service, death registry, and Korea Central Cancer Registry data are ongoing. By combining pedigree information with the findings of trio-based whole-genome analysis, the results will elucidate the hereditary health effects of atomic bomb exposure.

The combination of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogs (LHRHa) with tamoxifen is used as a standard postoperative adjuvant therapy in patients with hormone receptor-positive/premenopausal breast cancer. Long-acting LHRHa formulations offer advantages in terms of patient convenience. However, data on the effectiveness of the 3-month (3M) acting formulation are still insufficient. This study was performed on patients who received the 3M LHRHa after surgery. The serum estradiol (E2) and follicle-stimulating hormone levels were measured before surgery, and periodically after surgery. In total, 318 patients were included in the study and analyzed. The mean E2 level before surgery was 63.7 pg/mL, while the mean E2 level during the administration of 3M LHRHa was 4.9 pg/mL.None of the patients were menstruating and had E2 values above 30.0 pg/mL. It is thought that the 3M LHRHa formulation can suppress the ovarian function effectively and be safely used to improve compliance.