Sonographic diagnosis of neuritis ossificans of the median nerve

We report the sonographic appearance of a rare case of neuritis ossificans of the median nerve at the wrist, which appeared as a hyperechoic lesion around the nerve. Diagnosis was confirmed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).     

Best Core Stabilization for Anticipatory Postural Adjustment and Falls in Hemiparetic Stroke

Objectives

To compare the effects of conventional core stabilization and dynamic neuromuscular stabilization (DNS) on anticipatory postural adjustment (APA) time, balance performance, and fear of falls in chronic hemiparetic stroke.

Virtual Reality Rehabilitation With Functional Electrical Stimulation Improves Upper Extremity Function in Patients With Chronic Stroke: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Study

Objective

To compare virtual reality (VR) combined with functional electrical stimulation (FES) with cyclic FES for improving upper extremity function and health-related quality of life in patients with chronic stroke.

Reliability and criterion validity of measurements using a smart phone-based measurement tool for the transverse rotation angle of the pelvis during single-leg lifting

Objective: The purposes of this study were to determine the intra-rater test–retest reliability of a smart phone-based measurement tool (SBMT) and a three-dimensional (3D) motion analysis system for measuring the transverse rotation angle of the pelvis during single-leg lifting (SLL) and the criterion validity of the transverse rotation angle of the pelvis measurement using SBMT compared with a 3D motion analysis system (3DMAS). Method: Seventeen healthy volunteers performed SLL with their dominant leg without bending the knee until they reached a target placed 20 cm above the table. This study used a 3DMAS, considered the gold standard, to measure the transverse rotation angle of the pelvis to assess the criterion validity of the SBMT measurement. Intra-rater test–retest reliability was determined using the SBMT and 3DMAS using intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) [3,1] values. The criterion validity of the SBMT was assessed with ICC [3,1] values. Result: Both the 3DMAS (ICC = 0.77) and SBMT (ICC = 0.83) showed excellent intra-rater test–retest reliability in the measurement of the transverse rotation angle of the pelvis during SLL in a supine position. Moreover, the SBMT showed an excellent correlation with the 3DMAS (ICC = 0.99). Conclusion: Measurement of the transverse rotation angle of the pelvis using the SBMT showed excellent reliability and criterion validity compared with the 3DMAS.     

Hepatoprotective Effect of Herb Formula KIOM2012H against Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a hepatic ailment with a rapidly increasing incidence due to dietary hypernutrition and subsequent obesity. Fatty liver disease can lead to steatohepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and even cancer, which is associated with various complications. Discovering effective natural materials and herbs can provide alternative and complementary medical treatments to current chemical pharmaceuticals. To develop an effective natural agent for NAFLD, we formulated a combination of four herb mixtures (KIOM2012H) and observed lipid-lowering efficacy. The inhibitory effects of KIOM2012H on free fatty acid-induced lipid accumulation, triglyceride contents, and gene expressions were analyzed in HepG2 cells. Using high fat diet-fed mice, body weight changes, gross liver appearances, hepatic triglyceride contents, and gene expressions were evaluated. KIOM2012H dose-dependently inhibited lipid accumulation and gene expressions involved in lipogenesis and related regulators. Experimental animals also showed a decrease in body weight changes and lipid-associated physiological parameters. This study shows that KIOM2012H has an alleviating effect on fatty acid and lipid accumulation, and therefore can be applied for development of new therapeutic pharmaceuticals for treatment of NAFLD using natural products and herbs.     

Clinical features of recently diagnosed pulmonary paragonimiasis in Korea

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Paragonimiasis is a typical food-borne parasitic disease that is common in Southeast Asia, the Far East, Latin American, and Africa. Recently, however, this disease has been seen in many parts of the world, largely due to increases in the numbers of immigrants and overseas travelers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiologic features of recently diagnosed pulmonary paragonimiasis. PATIENTS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical and radiologic characteristics of 36 patients (21 men and 15 women; median age 48 years; range, 19 to 75) with pulmonary paragonimiasis whose conditions were diagnosed between October 1994 and September 2004. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients (94%) presented with respiratory symptoms, including hemoptysis (n = 20, 56%) and cough (n = 17, 47%). However, chest pain (n = 5, 14%) and fever (n = 5, 14%) were less frequently reported. Chest radiography revealed intrapulmonary parenchymal lesions (n = 26, 72%), such as nodules (n = 14, 39%), linear opacity (n = 6, 17%), and airspace consolidations (n = 4, 11%), which occurred more commonly than did pleural lesions (n = 10, 28%). Most cases were initially suspected to be lung cancer or tuberculosis. In 13 patients with intrapulmonary parenchymal lesions who underwent bronchoscopy, bronchial luminal narrowing, coupled with congested or edematous mucosal changes, was seen in 7 patients (54%). Bronchial mucosal biopsy specimens exhibited chronic inflammation with eosinophilic infiltrations in three of these seven patients (43%). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that patients with pulmonary paragonimiasis presented with a variety of clinical and radiologic findings that were different from the classic presentations reported earlier, frequently mimicking those of lung cancer or tuberculosis.     

Insulin resistance and C-reactive protein as independent risk factors for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in non-obese Asian men

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Although insulin resistance is often considered the link between obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the role of insulin resistance, independent of obesity, as a NAFLD risk factor in non-obese men has been less well established. Systemic inflammation may be accompanied by insulin resistance in healthy subjects. The goal of the present study was to examine if insulin resistance and systemic inflammatory markers are independent predictors of NAFLD in non-obese men. METHODS: The authors conducted a cross-sectional survey of 120 patients with NAFLD and 240 controls matched by age and body mass index. Controls had no evidence of alcohol abuse, hepatitis B or C, obesity, or previous history of diabetes, fasting hyperglycemia or hypertension. Diagnosis of NAFLD was based on an elevated alanine aminotransferase level and sonographic evidence of a fatty liver. Insulin resistance was determined using a homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR). RESULTS: The age-adjusted risk of developing NAFLD was strongly associated with the elevated levels in measurements of uric acid, fasting blood sugar, triglycerides, apolipoprotein B, C-reactive protein (CRP) and HOMA-IR, and decreased levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I. Multivariate analysis based on univariate analysis indicated that an increase in CRP (odds ratio [OR] = 1.37; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06-1.77) per 1 SD (1.48 mg/L) and HOMA-IR (OR = 2.28; 95% CI: 1.67-3.11) per 1 SD (0.63) were independent risk factors for NAFLD. CONCLUSION: Insulin resistance and systemic inflammatory response are of key importance for inducing NAFLD, particularly in apparently healthy non-obese men.     

A case of primary hepatic leiomyosarcoma presenting with multiple subcutaneous scalp mass]

Leiomyosarcoma is an uncommon tumor which arises from various sites including uterus, stomach, retroperitoneum, superficial soft tissues, bladder, kidney, and lung. Primary hepatic leiomyosarcoma is a very rare tumor and fewer than 70 cases of primary hepatic leiomyosarcoma have been reported since the first publication in Japan. And there was only one case report of cutaneous metastasis from hepatic leiomyosarcoma. We recently experienced a case of primary hepatic leiomyosarcoma presenting as subcutaneous palpable mass. Herein we report this case with a review of literatures.