Diet and Japanese herbal medicine for recalcitrant atopic dermatitis: efficacy and safety

We have been utilizing Kampo, a Japanese herbal medicine, together with lifestyle advice, for recalcitrant atopic dermatitis. To estimate the safety and efficacy of the treatment, we administered Kampo formulas to patients in whom conventional treatment failed to improve symptoms, along with dietary advice recommending traditional Japanese food. The therapeutic effects of Kampo formulas were assessed in 95 patients with recalcitrant atopic dermatitis who consulted our clinic from January to June, 2000. The overall result was 'markedly effective" in 19 patients (20%), "moderately effective" in 33 (35%), "slightly effective" in 36 (38%) and "ineffective" in four (4%). Three patients dropped out of the study. No adverse reactions in laboratory data were noted in examined patients. The most commonly used formula was Hochu-ekki-to containing Astragalus root, liquorice, jujube, ginseng, white Atractylodes rhizome, fresh ginger and Chinese Angelica root. Diet and Japanese herbal medicine are thought to be useful as an alternative therapy of intractable atopic dermatitis.     

Maternal and cord blood hormones in relation to birth size

Birth size has been associated with adult life diseases, but the endocrine factors that are likely involved are not established. We evaluated the associations of maternal and cord blood hormones with birth size in normal pregnancies, and examined possible effect modification by maternal height, on the basis of prior suggestive evidence. In a prospective study of normal singleton pregnancies in Boston, USA and Shanghai, China, maternal hormone levels at the 27th gestational week were available for 225 pregnancies in Boston and 281 in Shanghai and cord blood measurements for 92 pregnancies in Boston and 110 in Shanghai. Pearson partial correlation coefficients of log-transformed hormone levels with birth weight and length were calculated. Overall, positive correlations with birth weight were found for maternal estriol (r = 0.19; p < 0.001) and progesterone (r = 0.15; p < 0.001) and these associations were more evident among taller mothers. There was an inverse association of cord blood progesterone (r = ?0.16; p < 0.03) with birth weight. In Boston, cord blood IGF-1 was positively associated with birth weight (r = 0.22; p < 0.04) and length (r = 0.25; p < 0.02), particularly among taller mothers (r = 0.43 and 0.38, respectively; p < 0.02), whereas among taller mothers in Shanghai the associations of IGF-2 with birth size appeared to be at least as strong as those of IGF-1. In conclusion, maternal estriol and progesterone, and cord blood IGF-1 were positively correlated with birth size. All correlations tended to be more pronounced among offspring of taller mothers. Among taller mothers in Shanghai, IGF-2 appeared to be at least as strongly associated with birth size as IGF-1.     

Associations of placental weight with maternal and cord blood hormones

PurposePlacental weight has been associated with mammographic pattern and coronary heart disease in the adult offspring, but the mechanisms are unknown. We evaluated the associations of maternal and cord blood hormones with placental weight in normal pregnancies.MethodsProspective study of 167 normal singleton pregnancies in Boston, USA and 256 in Shanghai, China. Maternal hormone levels at the 27th gestational week were available for all pregnancies. Cord blood measurements were available for 86 pregnancies in Boston and 104 in Shanghai. Pearson partial correlation coefficients of log-transformed hormone levels with placental weight were calculated.ResultsMaternal levels of estriol, testosterone, and progesterone (P < .05) were positively associated with placental weight. There was no such evidence for adiponectin, prolactin, and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I. Cord blood steroids tended to be inversely associated with placental weight, the results being statistically significant for testosterone (P < .05). There was a marginally significant positive association of cord blood IGF-I with placental weight. Reported results were adjusted for study center.ConclusionsPlacental weight appears to be positively correlated with maternal steroids. Its correlation with cord blood steroids, however, appears inverse, compatible with negative feedback mechanisms. There is also a suggestion for placental weight to be positively associated with cord blood IGF-I.     

Adrenal arterial embolization and radiotherapy of a case with metastatic adrenal tumor and its tumor thrombus in inferior vena cava from hepatocellular carcinoma

Right adrenal arterial embolization and radiotherapy were performed in a patient to treat the metastatic tumor and its tumor thrombus in inferior vena cava from hepatocellular carcinoma. This case developed no complication following the embolization and radiotherapy. This therapy necrosed the metastatic tumor and made inferior vena cava recanalization. Adrenal arterial embolization and radiotherapy were effective treatment for the metastatic adrenal tumor and its tumor thrombus.