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.

Periannular abscess and mycotic aneurysm due to infective endocarditis are very difficult conditions to treat surgically. Beginning in 1983, we introduced a translocation technique on 9 such cases. In particular, 7 patients who underwent a new sutureless translocation technique all showed an uneventful course and were discharged. There was no hospital death, but four patients died in the late period (2 heart failure, 1 ventricular tachycardia and 1 thrombotic valve). The sutureless translocation method consists of insertion of a composite valve into the ascending aorta (a ring was detached from an intraluminal ringed graft and a prosthetic valve was sutured to it at that point) and coronary artery bypass grafting to the right and left coronary arteries. Our new technique was simple, required only a short aortic clamping time (mean 173.9min) and there was no significant bleeding. This new translocation technique provides a solution for the treatment of periannular abscess and mycotic aneurysm due to infective endocarditis.

Purpose: Pelvic exenteration (PE) is a highly invasive procedure with high morbidity and mortality rates. Promising options to reduce this invasiveness have included laparoscopic and transperineal approaches. The aim of this study was to identify the safety of combined transabdominal and transperineal endoscopic PE for colorectal malignancies. Methods: Fourteen patients who underwent combined transabdominal and transperineal PE (T group: 2-team approach, n = 7; O group: 1-team approach, n = 7) for colorectal malignancies between April 2016 and March 2020 in our institutions were included in this study. Clinicopathological features and perioperative outcomes were compared between groups. Results: All patients successfully underwent R0 resection. Operation time tended to be shorter in the T group (463 minutes) than in the O group (636 minutes, P = 0.080). Time to specimen removal was significantly shorter (258 minutes vs. 423 minutes, P = 0.006), blood loss was lower (343 mL vs. 867 mL, P = 0.042), and volume of blood transfusion was less (0 mL vs. 560 mL, P = 0.063) in the T group, respectively. Postoperative complications were similar between groups. Conclusion Combined transabdominal and transperineal PE under a synchronous 2-team approach was feasible and safe, with the potential to reduce operation time, blood loss, and surgeon stress.

Purpose: Pelvic exenteration (PE) is a highly invasive procedure with high morbidity and mortality rates. Promising options to reduce this invasiveness have included laparoscopic and transperineal approaches. The aim of this study was to identify the safety of combined transabdominal and transperineal endoscopic PE for colorectal malignancies. Methods: Fourteen patients who underwent combined transabdominal and transperineal PE (T group: 2-team approach, n = 7; O group: 1-team approach, n = 7) for colorectal malignancies between April 2016 and March 2020 in our institutions were included in this study. Clinicopathological features and perioperative outcomes were compared between groups. Results: All patients successfully underwent R0 resection. Operation time tended to be shorter in the T group (463 minutes) than in the O group (636 minutes, P = 0.080). Time to specimen removal was significantly shorter (258 minutes vs. 423 minutes, P = 0.006), blood loss was lower (343 mL vs. 867 mL, P = 0.042), and volume of blood transfusion was less (0 mL vs. 560 mL, P = 0.063) in the T group, respectively. Postoperative complications were similar between groups. Conclusion Combined transabdominal and transperineal PE under a synchronous 2-team approach was feasible and safe, with the potential to reduce operation time, blood loss, and surgeon stress.

We evaluated the effect of Coix-seed Reactive Derivatives (CRD) on cold sensitivity of female hands and feet. Ninety females were assigned randomly to 3 groups and CRD(2g/day, 4g/day or placebo) was administrated for 8weeks. Significant improvement of cold sensitivity was observed in both the 2g/day and 4g/day groups. It was speculated that a naringenin and a quercetin as active ingredients of adlay hull may play a critical role in ameliorating effect on blood flow.

To clarify the functions of Coix-seed Reactive Derivatives(CRD), we observed 2 cases of plantar keratosis (case 1. 34 years of age, female/ case 2. 29 years of age, female) successfully cured by intake of CRD for several months. Although CRD intake seemed to be effective in these cases, further studies are needed to define the optimal dose and duration.

To clarify the functions of Coix-seed Reactive Derivatives(CRD), we observed 3 cases of refractory atopic dermatitis(case 1. 25 years of age, male/ case 2. 40 years of age, female/ case 3. 5 years of age, male) successfully cured by intake of CRD. Although CRD intake seemed to be effective in all cases, further studies are needed to define the optimal dose and duration.

To clarify the functions of Coix-seed Reactive Derivatives(CRD), we observed 2 cases of plantar wart (case 1. 8 years of age, female/ case 2. 26 years of age, female) successfully cured by intake of CRD for several months. Although CRD intake seemed to be effective in these cases, further studies are needed to define the optimal dose and duration.

In this report, we presented the case of a 45-year-old man who developed intractable eczema on the thumb-index interdigital fold for over 3 years. Coix-seed Reactive Derivatives(CRD) was administrated at a dose of 2.2g/day per day. The lesion cured markedly within 7 months. Although CRD intake seemed to be effective in this case, further studies are needed to define the optimal dose of this food.