Background:The present retrospective cohort study was performed to determine the efficacy of contact-mode 1064 nm neodymium-yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser laser for keloids and hypertrophic scars. The indication and limitations of this modality are discussed.Methods:The cohort consisted of 102 consecutive Japanese patients (23 males and 79 females) with keloids and hypertrophic scars for more than 1 year. They were treated every 3–4 weeks for 1 year with a long-pulsed 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser (Cutera, Brisbane, Calif.) in contact mode. Thirty-eight patients had hypertrophic scars and 64 had keloids. The scars were evaluated before the treatment commenced and 1 month after the last session by using the Japan Scar Workshop Scar Scale 2011. Recurrence was assessed at 6 months after the termination of treatment.Results:The average total Japan Scar Workshop score of the keloid and hypertrophic scar region groups dropped significantly after 1 year of treatment compared with before treatment (all P < 0.05). None of the hypertrophic scars or keloids deteriorated. However, 3 of the 34 anterior chest keloids (8.8%) did not respond. The following recurrence rates were observed 6 months after stopping laser treatment: 1 of the abdomen hypertrophic scars (4%), 18 of the anterior chest keloids (52.9%), 5 of the upper arm keloids (35.7%), and 4 of the scapula keloids (25%).Conclusions:Hypertrophic scars responded significantly better to 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser treatment than keloids. However, keloid recurrence occurred when there was remaining redness and induration, even if only a small part of the scar was affected.

Objectives: To investigate the efficacy of tadalafil for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia and especially with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome.Methods: Tadalafil 5 mg was given each morning for 12 weeks to patients diagnosed as having either moderate or severe lower urinary tract symptoms. Voiding symptoms were compared between patients with a high (>4; high group) and low (<4; low group) pain subscore of the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index before and after tadalafil administration. Correlation between changes in the Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index and the International Prostate Symptom Score during treatment was also investigated.Results: At the pretreatment baseline, the pain subscore of the Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index was high (>4) in 24 of 74 (32.4%) patients. The International Prostate Symptom Score in the group with high pain subscore was significantly higher than that in the group with low pain subscore. As an indicator of the efficacy of tadalafil, the International Prostate Symptom Score and National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index total score and pain subscore were significantly improved.The change in the Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index total score correlated positively with the change in the International Prostate Symptom Score. The decrease in the 4 International Prostate Symptom Score was significantly greater in the group with high versus low pain subscore. Conclusion:Tadalafil was sufficiently effective in the treatment of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia and severe chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

PurposeThe direct effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on sperm remain unclear. Herein, we examined the direct effect of Maca on in vitro fertilization.MethodsWe examined the fertilization rate in a mouse model and the rate of acrosome reaction in sperm from transgenic mice expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) in a Maca extract‐containing human tubal fluid (HTF) medium. Using human sperm, we assessed acrosome status via fluorescein isothiocyanate‐conjugated peanut agglutinin (FITC‐PNA) staining and performed detailed analysis using a sperm motility analysis system (SMAS).ResultsIn the mouse model, the fertilization rate in the Maca extract‐containing HTF was significantly higher than that in the control medium. The acrosome reaction rate in sperm from transgenic mice expressing EGFP was also significantly higher in the Maca extract‐containing HTF than that in the control medium. Similarly, a high acrosome reaction rate, identified via FITC‐PNA staining of human sperm samples, was found in the Maca extract‐containing HTF compared with that in the control medium. Human sperm motility in the Maca extract‐containing HTF was also increased compared with that in the control medium as measured using an SMAS.ConclusionsMaca improved in vitro fertilization rates by inducing an acrosome reaction and increasing sperm motility.

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