Efficacy and Safety of the Genistein Nutraceutical Product Containing Vitamin E, Vitamin B3, and Ceramide on Skin Health in Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

Skin aging is one of the most concerning issues that occur after menopause. The Genistein Nutraceutical (GEN) product, containing genistein, vitamin E, vitamin B3, and ceramide, has been formulated as a topical anti-aging product for improving the health of postmenopausal women's facial skin. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of the GEN product on postmenopausal women's facial skin. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial randomly assigned 50 postmenopausal women to receive either the GEN product (n = 25) or the placebo (PLA) product (n = 25), topically applied twice daily for 6 weeks. The outcome assessments included multiple skin parameters related to skin wrinkling, color, hydration, and facial skin quality at baseline and week 6. The percentage mean changes or absolute mean changes, where appropriate, in skin parameters were compared between the two groups. The mean age of the participants was 55.8 ± 3.4 years. For skin wrinkling and skin color parameters, only skin redness was significantly higher in the GEN group when compared to the PLA group. Following the application of the GEN product, skin hydration increased while fine pores and their area decreased. Subgroup analysis of older women (age ≥ 56 years) with adequate compliance found significant differences between the two groups in the percentage mean changes of most skin wrinkle parameters. The GEN product has benefits for the facial skin of postmenopausal women, particularly those who are older. It can moisturize facial skin, lessen wrinkles, and enhance redness.

Development of E-ice-COLD-PCR assay combined with HRM analysis for Nucleophosmin1 gene mutation detection in acute myelogenous leukemia.

Mutations of the nucleophosmin1 (NPM1) gene represent the most frequent molecular alteration in acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), especially in patients with AML who have a normal karyotype. These alterations have been shown to carry favorable prognostic significance in patients with AML. Several methods have been developed for detection of NPM1 gene mutations. However, their ability to detect low levels of mutations in a wild-type background is limited. In this study, the Enhance improved and complete enrichment Co-amplification at Lower Denaturation temperature Polymerase Chain Reaction (E-ice-COLD-PCR) assay combined with High Resolution Melting (HRM) analysis was developed and validated for highly specific and sensitive screening for NPM1 gene mutations. A total of 83 blood samples from patients with AML were collected, and their DNA was extracted. For mutational analysis, the E-ice-COLD-PCR assay for the detection of NPM1 gene mutations was developed. PCR products were analyzed by HRM analysis. All positive samples were confirmed by direct sequencing. This assay enabled detection specificity and sensitivity of NPM1 mutations in 9/83 patients with AML. Direct sequencing results were 100% concordant with this method. In addition, the limit of detection was 12.5% mutant in the final concentration of 5 ng genomic DNA. The E-ice-COLD-PCR assay with HRM analysis is a highly specific and sensitive screening method for enrichment of detecting NPM1 gene mutations. This method has both a short turn around time and easier interpretation compared to those of other methods.