Usefulness and safety of the “God’s Hand” pneumatic compression device for hemostasis in femoral catheterization

PURPOSE :We aimed to assess the usefulness and safety of the God’s Hand pneumatic compression device for hemostasis in patients undergoing percutaneous endovascular procedures via femoral artery.METHODS:Two hundred thirty-seven patients in whom hemostasis of femoral catheterization was achieved using a God’s Hand pneumatic compression device were enrolled. The patients were divided into group A, those in whom the device was applied for four hours, and group B, those in whom the device was applied for two hours, with an additional two hours of bed rest in both groups. Groups A and B were regrouped to groups A’ and B’ using the propensity score matching method (n=65, for both). Chi-squared test and logistic regression models were used to analyze the relationship between the complication rate and patient characteristics and procedure-related factors.RESULTS:Clinical success was achieved in 216 of 237 patients (91.1%): 63 in group A (84%) and 153 in group B (94.4%); in propensity score matched groups, clinical success was seen in 47 patients in group A’ (81.5%) and 62 patients in group B’ (95.4%). Group B’ showed a higher clinical success rate than group A’ (P = 0.028). There were no major complications. In logistic regression models, a negative association was noted between the complication rate and the duration of God’s Hand application; however, this association was not statistically significant.CONCLUSION:The God’s Hand pneumatic compression device is effective and safe for the hemostasis of femoral catheterization, and four hours of bed rest is sufficient for hemostasis in selected patients

Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome: characteristic CT findings differentiating it from other diffuse cystic lung diseases

Birt-Hogg-Dubé (BHD) syndrome is an uncommon, autosomal dominant, multiorgan systemic disorder manifesting as cutaneous fibrofolliculomas, lung cysts with or without spontaneous pneumothorax, and renal tumors. Spontaneous pneumothorax and lung cysts on chest computed tomography (CT) should lead to the inclusion of BHD syndrome in the differential diagnosis, because these findings may develop earlier than other clinical manifestations. Here, we review and describe the characteristic findings of BHD syndrome. The number, shape, size, and distribution of the lung cysts can help to differentiate BHD syndrome from other diffuse cystic lung diseases. Knowledge of the chest CT findings of BHD syndrome may lead to a correct diagnosis and the initiation of an appropriate work-up in order to prevent pneumothorax and for the early detection of renal tumors

Multidetector Computed Tomography Findings of a Papillary Fibroelastoma of the Aortic Valve: A Case Report

Papillary fibroelastoma is a rare benign cardiac tumor that represents 10% of all primary cardiac tumors. Diagnosis is accomplished incidentally by echocardiography that is usually performed for another purpose. Most papillary fibroelastomas are asymptomatic, but the lesions are recognized as a cause of embolisms. To the best of our knowledge, there has been no case report of computed tomography findings of a papillary fibroelastoma. We report a case of a papillary fibroelastoma in a 78-yr-old woman who had dyspnea and chest tightness. Echocardiography revealed a small lobulated mobile echogenic mass attached to the aortic valve, and CT demonstrated a lobulated soft tissue density mass with a thin stalk at the sinotubular junction of the aortic valve

Elm bark extract improves immunomodulation and ameliorates oxidative stress in irradiated mice

Background: Radiation therapy can result in side effects such as cellular and tissue inflammation and organ damage. Previously, elm bark (EB) extract has been reported to exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we investigated whether EB administration could improve immunocompetence and ameliorate radiation-induced intestinal damage in irradiated mice. Methods: After exposure to radiation of 15 Gy, mice were orally administered with EB extract (0 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg, and 500 mg/kg body weight) every other day for 2 weeks, and there was a 2-week washout period. The proliferation of splenocytes and cytokine production of macrophage were measured as indices of immune activity, and histological grade and antioxidant levels in radiation-induced intestinal injury were measured. Results: Radiation exposure reduced the T-cell proliferation in splenocytes and the levels of interleukin-1β and interleukin-6 from macrophage at Week 2. The supplement of EB extract at low concentration (50 mg/kg body weight; EB-50) tended to enhance T-and B-cell proliferation in irradiated mice. The histological grades of the small intestine were induced by radiation exposure, whereas histological grade of the EB-50 group was lower than that of the irradiated control at Week 4. The EB-50 treatment reduced the level of glutathione at Day 5 and Week 2 and reduced myeloperoxidase activity at Week 4, suggesting that EB-50 may counteract the intestinal inflammation caused by radiation exposure. Conclusion: Our results indicate that EB extract (50 mg/kg body weight) protects against radiation damage, at least in part, by improving immunomodulation and ameliorating oxidative stress in irradiated mice

Subjective Health and Factors of Health-related Quality of Life in Elderly Haenyo

PURPOSE: To investigate the subjective health and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Haenyo. METHODS: Subjects were 100 elderly Haenyo in Jeju island who belonged to a fishing-village society. Main variables were activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental ADL (IADL), the HRQoL, subjective health, and depression. Subjective health and differences of HRQoL by variables were analyzed by t-test or ANOVA using IBM SPSS Statistics 23. Hierarchical multiple regression was executed to examine the effects of the major factors on the quality of life. RESULTS: The mean age was 69.9 years, the mean period for diving career was 51.5 years, and work hours per month were 37.8. Comorbidity of diseases was 2.74, and the common health problems were osteoporosis and headache/dizziness. HRQoL was significantly different by age (F=4.52, p=.013), education (F=6.10, p=.003), muljil work years (F=3.93, p=.050), depression (t=-3.04, p=.030), subjective health state (F=30.62, p < .01), and degenerative arthritis (F=-2.38, p=.019). In the final model by hierarchical multiple regression, ADL/IADL (β=.41, p < .001), depression (β=-.29, p < .001), and subjective health (β=.43~.51, p < .001) were significant and explained 63.5% of the total variance of HRQoL. CONCLUSION: Haenyo have specific health problems different from those of elderly women in general. ADL/IADL, depression and subjective health affected their HRQoL. It is clear that Haenyos' health problems need further study to improve their health

The Influences of Visceral Fat Area on the Sites of Esophageal Mucosal Breaks in Subjects with Gastroesophageal Reflux Diseases

Background. Central obesity is suggested as a risk factor for gastroesophageal reflux diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influences of a visceral fat area on the site of mucosal breaks in the esophagogastric junction (EGJ). Methods. Subjects who underwent abdomen-computerized tomography and esophagogastroduodenoscopy for screening on the same day were evaluated between 2007 and 2016. We enrolled 178 subjects who had erosive esophagitis (LA classifications A-D). Abdominal obesity was evaluated by measuring visceral adipose tissue (VAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), VAT-to-SAT ratio, total adipose tissue (TAT), body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference (WC). Results. The lesser curvature (LC) of EGJ was the most frequent site of mucosal breaks (104 cases, 58.4%). BMI, WC, VAT, the VAT-to-SAT ratio, and TAT were higher in the LC group. In multivariate analysis, higher VAT (odds ratio (OR) 2.90, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.18 to 7.13, 3rd vs. 1st quartile, P=0.021; OR 3.63, 95% CI 1.44 to 9.10, 4th vs. 1st quartile, P=0.006) and the VAT/SAT ratio (OR 2.91, 95% CI 1.11 to 7.61, 3rd vs. 1st quartile, P=0.03; OR 3.02, 95% CI 1.17 to 7.83, 4th vs. 1st quartile, P=0.023) were significantly associated with mucosal breaks in the LC group. However, BMI, WC, and TAT were not significant in the multivariate analysis. Conclusion. The VAT and the VAT/SAT ratio were significantly associated with the mucosal breaks in the LC of EGJ. Visceral obesity could influence the location of the mucosal breaks on EGJ

Changes in Sleep Satisfaction of Korean Adolescents in the Pre- and Post-COVID-19 Eras and Its Effects on Health Behaviors

Adolescence is a crucial period for cognitive and psychological development and physical maturation. During this period, hormonally influenced circadian rhythms lead to reduced hours of sleep, and it is important to determine whether sleep quality is sufficient for fatigue relief. Non-face-to-face classes during coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) potentially affected adolescents’ sleep quality, psychological state, amount of physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, and internet (smartphone) use. We investigated the effects of the COVID-19 situation on adolescents’ sleep satisfaction and its relation to the aforementioned factors. Data of 109,281 adolescents collected via an online survey, conducted from 3 June 2019 to 12 July 2019 and from 3 August 2020 to 13 November 2020, were analyzed. Health status comparison between the satisfactory and unsatisfactory sleep groups yielded significant results (odds ratio [OR] = 1.10, confidence interval [CI] = 1.04–1.17) for 2020. In both groups, perceived health was worse in 2019 than in 2020 (OR = 2.72, CI = 2.53–2.92). During COVID-19, non-face-to-face classes increased adolescents’ sleep satisfaction. Their psychological state improved, while amount of physical activity (muscle-strengthening exercises), average weight, and internet (smartphone) use increased. Smoking and alcohol consumption decreased