Articles: function.
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Dysfunctions of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle, such as myofascial syndrome, torticollis, and cervical dystonia, have been treated using several invasive procedures. In such situations, it is possible to injure the adjacent nerves. This study aimed to demonstrate the course of these nerves in healthy volunteers using ultrasound. ⋯ The mean TCN proportion was 47% at the anterior border of the SCM. The precise location of the nerves and their relationship with the SCM muscle should be considered during invasive procedures. It is recommended that the procedure be performed in the lower half of the SCM muscle, which refers to 50 to 80% of the proportions in our study.
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Tohoku J. Exp. Med. · Feb 2023
Impact of Adrenalectomy on Diastolic Cardiac Dysfunction in Patients with Primary Aldosteronism.
Poor prognostic cardiac function is known among some patients with primary aldosteronism (PA). However, studies with echocardiograms on whether the normalization of aldosterone after laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LADX) improves myocardial hypertrophy and diastolic cardiac dysfunction have been inadequate. Between August 2009 and December 2021, 147 patients with unilateral PA who underwent pre- and post-LADX echocardiography at a single center were enrolled in this retrospective study. ⋯ Furthermore, laparoscopic adrenalectomy improved the low and high echocardiographic values of E/A and LVEF, respectively, in both groups. The risk factors for not reaching complete CS were male sex (OR 3.42), low preoperative E/A (OR 3.11), and postoperative supranormal LVEF (OR 3.17). Although low preoperative E/A and postoperative supranormal LVEF are associated with poor clinical outcomes, LADX can improve diastolic cardiac function in patients with PA.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Sodium bicarbonate for kidney transplant recipients with metabolic acidosis in Switzerland: a multicentre, randomised, single-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial.
Metabolic acidosis is common in kidney transplant recipients and is associated with declining graft function. Sodium bicarbonate treatment effectively corrects metabolic acidosis, but no prospective studies have examined its effect on graft function. Therefore, we aimed to test whether sodium bicarbonate treatment would preserve graft function and slow the progression of estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) decline in kidney transplant recipients. ⋯ Swiss National Science Foundation.
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To determine the predictors of functional outcomes and quality of life (QoL) of patients who were surgically treated for fragility hip fracture. This was a retrospective cohort study performed in the 3 tertiary rehabilitation facilities. A total of 165 patients who had undergone surgery for fragility hip fracture were followed up to 6 months postoperatively. ⋯ Patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus had a significantly negative outcome on EQ-5D and K-IADL respectively. Among initial assessments of function and QoL, initial 4-m walking speed test, Korean version of Mini-Mental State Examination, K-IADL, and Korean version of Modified Barthel Index were independent predictors of function and QoL at 6 months. This study confirmed that age, fracture site, operation type, comorbidities, and initial physical and cognitive function significantly influenced recovery of function and QoL at 6 months in patients with fragility hip fractures.
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Pneumonia is the fifth most common cause of death among the Japanese population, with 97% of the deaths occurring among older adults aged ≥65 years. The incidence ratio of aspiration pneumonia is high among the older adults. Therefore, its prophylaxis is important in geriatric medicine. In our previous studies, we reported that stimulation of acupoints at stomach meridian 36 and kidney meridian 3 of the lower limbs with a press needle improved the swallowing function of patients with dysphagia. Improvements in swallowing function may prevent aspiration pneumonia. This study aims to investigate the protective efficacy of press needle stimulation in the lower limbs for aspiration pneumonia. ⋯ This study will evaluate the effects of press needle on the prevention of aspiration pneumonia and the improvement of swallowing function in patients. The results of this study will help support the prophylaxis of aspiration pneumonia.