Superior mesenteric venous aneurysm (SMVA) is rare and no standard treatment protocol has yet been established. We report our experience in performing surgical treatment for SMVA. A 64-year-old man was found to have a SMVA by computed tomography which had been performed during follow-up for gastrectomy. The SMVA was observed to gradually increase in diameter, and surgical treatment was therefore indicated. We successfully resected the aneurysm and then closed the defect with a bovine pericardial patch. Considering the potential risk of rupture, venous aneurysms that present with a saccular shape and an expanding tendency should be immediately surgically treated.

Left atrial aneurysm (LAA) is extremely rare. We report a surgical case of LAA complicated with mitral regurgitation (MR) and severe heart failure. A 71-year-old man presented dyspnea and leg edema, followed by congestive heart failure. Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) showed moderate MR, deteriorated left ventricular function, and echo free space connecting to the posterior wall of the left atrium. Three-dimensional reconstruction of computed tomography (3D-CT) clearly showed the whole shape of the LAA and its location relating to surrounding structures. LAA was 5×6 cm, expanding to apex side, and originated from the posterior wall of left atrium between circumflex branch of the left coronary artery and coronary sinus. LAA wall extended to the mitral posterior annulus, causing annular deformity and MR. Mitral valve plasty and aneurysmorrhaphy were performed. Biventricular pacing leads were implanted for cardiac resynchronization therapy, because of severe heart failure. Postoperative 3D-CT showed reduction of the LAA with no deformity of coronary vessels. No MR was detected by postoperative TTE. The patient has recovered without any complication after our treatments.

Recently, the problem of the high incidence of throwing injuries in young people has been gaining attention. Identifying high-risk players before the onset of the throwing injury is important for prevention. One of the most widely used screening tests for sports-related injuries is the Functional Movement Screen (FMS), which assesses the quality of movement; however, its correlation with throwing injuries has not been established. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between the FMS score and throwing injuries. The FMS was used during the medical check for two hundred and thirty junior high school baseball players. We allotted those who had experienced throwing injuries multiple times to the injury group and those who had never experienced throwing injury to the control group. We then calculated the FMS cutoff value using the receiver operating characteristic curve. In addition, we investigated differences in the incidence of throwing injury between above and below the cutoff value using chi-square test. The FMS cutoff score was 17. Players who scored ≤17 had a significantly higher incidence of throwing injuries than those who scored ≥18. Conclusion: We believe that FMS score is correlated to throwing injuries. In addition, the results suggest that throwing injuries might be prevented in junior high school baseball players who scored ≤17 on the FMS if they undergo training in the correct movement patterns.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a six-month Square-Stepping Exercise (SSE) program on physical fitness and cognitive function in elderly and the effects of differences in cognitive function levels before the program on cognitive function. Twenty-four elderly (≧75 years old, mean age: 80.7±3.8 years) participated in the SSE program (once a week, 90 minutes/session, for six months). Grip strength, single leg balance with eyes open, chair stand, figure-8 walking test, and cognitive function (Five Cog) were measured before and after the program. Physical function did not improve during the SSE program. Significant memory and language improvements in Five Cog were observed. There was no significant interaction between the pre cognitive function level and the pre results. In conclusion, the six-month SSE program is an effective exercise for improving memory and language in cognitive function of elderly women and prevented physical function decline. However, there was no difference in the improvement due to the pre cognitive function level.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of participating in a voluntary community-based square-stepping exercise (SSE) salon and analyze the effects of different activity frequencies (weekly or biweekly) in the SSE salon on the physical functions of community-dwelling older women. Older women attending the SSE salon were enrolled in the study, and measurements of physical functions (grip strength, one-leg standing, 5 m walk, timed up and go [TUG], and chair-stand in 30 s) were performed at pre and post intervention for SSE salon development and at 1 year following voluntary activity initiation (1-year follow-up) (mean age: 77.1 ± 7.2 years). Participants were divided into two groups (a weekly group performing SSE once a week and a biweekly group performing SSE once every 2 weeks) and were analyzed accordingly. The results revealed interaction in the TUG test, with significant improvement observed in the weekly group at preintervention, postintervention, and 1-year follow-up. Conversely, the biweekly group significantly improved at the 1-year follow-up compared with the pre and postintervention groups. No significant difference was observed in other parameters. In conclusion, regular participation in the SSE salon, even if the frequency is biweekly, was suggested to be effective in maintaining and improving physical function.