No abstract available.
Piriformis Muscle Syndrome*

No abstract available.
Anesthesia, General* ; Humans ; Infant, Low Birth Weight* ; Infant, Newborn ; Pulmonary Atelectasis*

BACKGROUND: Obesity is linked to a wide range of respiratory diseases. Several studies have shown that body weight at baseline and weight change were related to pulmonary function. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between change in body mass index (BMI) and pulmonary function in adults. METHODS: Of those aged 40-64 years at baseline who had initially visited the health promotion center at one university-level hospital from January 2000 to December 2002, 499 (men: 309, women: 190) patients revisited the center over a 5-year period up to December 2009 and were enrolled in the study. Subjects were classified into 4 groups- group 1: normal-normal, group 2: normal-obese, group 3: obese-normal, and group 4: obese-obese, based on their BMI at baseline and follow-up. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV1/FVC were measured by spirometry. RESULTS: Change in FEV1/FVC was significantly associated with change in BMI for men in all 4 groups. Change in FEV1/FVC was significantly different between group 1 and 3 and between group 1 and 4. Changes in FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC were significantly associated with change in BMI for women in all 4 groups. Change in FEV1 was significantly different between group 3 and 4, and change in FVC was significantly different between group 1 and 3. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that a change in BMI is negatively associated with change in pulmonary function. Obesity itself can be a risk factor for pulmonary dysfunction, and a decrease in BMI through weight reduction could reduce pulmonary dysfunction or improve pulmonary function in adults.
Adult ; Aged ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Male ; Obesity ; Risk Factors ; Vital Capacity ; Weight Loss

No abstract available.
Animals ; Ethanol* ; Killer Cells, Natural* ; Mice* ; Rats*

No abstract available.
Lung Neoplasms* ; Lung*

BACKGROUND: The external jugular vein (EJV) is a useful intravenous (IV) cannulation site for anesthesiologists, although it has a relatively high failure rate. Unlike other central veins, visualization of the EJV is important during IV cannulation, and the Valsalva maneuver distends the jugular venous system. However, the relationship between the maneuver and EJV visibility remains unknown. This study compared EJV visibility before and after the Valsalva maneuver. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study that included 200 participants. After the induction of anesthesia, EJV visibility grade, depth from the skin to the EJV superficial surface (EJV depth), and EJV cross-sectional area (CSA) before the Valsalva maneuver were measured. The same parameters were measured after the Valsalva maneuver was performed. The EJV visibility grade was defined as grade A: good appearance and good palpation, grade B: poor appearance and good palpation, and grade C: poor appearance and poor palpation. RESULTS: Patient body mass index and EJV depth affected the EJV visibility grade before the Valsalva maneuver (p < 0.05), although EJV CSA did not. The Valsalva maneuver distended EJV CSA and reduced EJV depth, although these changes were not correlated with EJV visibility grade. With regard to EJV visibility, 34.0% of grade B cases and 20.0% of grade C cases were improved by the Valsalva maneuver. CONCLUSIONS: Although the Valsalva maneuver improved EJV CSA and EJV depth, it did not greatly affect EJV visibility grade.
Anesthesia ; Body Mass Index ; Catheterization ; Humans ; Jugular Veins* ; Observational Study ; Palpation ; Prospective Studies ; Skin ; Ultrasonography ; Valsalva Maneuver* ; Veins

PURPOSE: To analyze clinical characteristics of refractive accommodative esotropia related with the occurrence of decompensation and cessation of spectacle use. METHODS: The records of 60 patients with refractive accommodative esotropia were reviewed. Patients were divided into a control or decompensation group. Twenty-nine patients in the control group who were followed up for long-term were divided into two groups based on spectacle use. RESULTS: In the decompensation group, the amounts of near and distant esodeviation without correction at the first visit and the frequency of failure to achieve central fusion were significantly greater than the control group (p < 0.05). Ages at the onset of esodeviation and first visit, the amount of hyperopia at the first visit, the amounts of controlled esodeviation, amblyopia, and anisometropia were not significantly different between the two groups (p > 0.05). In the group that no longer required glasses, the age at the first visit was greater and the amount of hyperopia and the near and distant esodeviations without correction at the first visit were significantly greater than the glasses-wearing group (p < 0.05). Age at the onset of esodeviation, the amount of controlled esodeviation, refractive change per year, stereopsis, amblyopia, and anisometropia were not significantly different between the two groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In refractive accommodative esotropia, a larger amount of esodeviation at the first visit and failure to achieve central fusion are risk factors for developing decompensation. The older age at diagnosis and smaller amounts of hyperopia and esodeviation at the first visit are predictive factors for the cessation of spectacle use.
Amblyopia ; Anisometropia ; Depth Perception ; Esotropia ; Eyeglasses ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glass ; Humans ; Hyperopia ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND: A combined administration of epidural opioid and local anesthetic using patient- controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) produces effective postoperative analgesia, but often causes profound motor and sensory blockade. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect the location of the catheter insertion site has on total dose requirements and troublesome side effects including motor and sensory blockade after surgery. METHODS: 140 patients who had undergone obstetric and gynecologic surgery were randomly assigned to receive either L2-3 (Group L2-3) or T12-L1 (Group T12-L1) epidural catheter. All patients received meperidine and bupivacaine by PCEA. Patients were assessed with respect to total dose requirements, visual analogue scores and side effects. RESULTS: Total dose requirements, motor and sensory blocks were significantly lower in group T12-L1 compared with group L2-3. There were no significant differences in VAS, pruritus, nausea/vomiting, or patient's satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: When the epidural placement level is closer to the dermatomes of the surgical incision in lower abdominal surgery, the total dose requirements can be reduced, and motor blocks that interfere with early ambulation and sensory block can also be reduced.
Analgesia ; Analgesia, Epidural* ; Bupivacaine* ; Catheters ; Early Ambulation ; Female ; Gynecologic Surgical Procedures* ; Humans ; Meperidine* ; Pruritus

No abstract available.
Acrodermatitis*

No abstract available.
Steatocystoma Multiplex*