OBJECTIVE: To explore the temperature field distribution and variation rules during treatment with mild moxibustion and sparrow-pecking moxibustion of TCM. METHODS: Six healthy subjects were selected. Mild moxibustion and sparrow-pecking moxibustion were exerted at Zusanli (ST 36) respectively, for 25 min. Using infrared thermal imaging instrument, the temperature field distribution was measured during moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36). The simulated thermometer was adopted to measure the temperature field distribution during moxibustion at the imitated cortex. At 20 min of mild moxibustion and sparrow-pecking moxibustion, the temperature field distribution generated by moxibustion was observed at the imitated cortex and Zusanli (ST 36) separately. The temperature values were collected at the sites 0.7, 2.1 and 3.5 cm far from the center of the moxibustion-exerted places successively, and then the characteristics of temperature field distribution and variation rules were compared between different moxibustion methods at the imitated cortex and Zusanli (ST 36). RESULTS: At 20 min of mild moxibustion and sparrow-pecking moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36), the temperature field distribution focused on the center of moxibustion-exerted site and the temperature was reduced to all directions and illustrated as a curved surface graph, whereas, the temperature field distribution at the imitated cortex was consistent with that at Zusanli (ST 36). With mild moxibustion, the temperature field was distributed uniformly along the longitudinal temperature gradient; whereas, with sparrow-pecking moxibustion, the longitudinal temperature of the temperature field was greatly different, in which, the maximum temperature and the average temperature were higher than those with mild moxibustion respectively and the first time up to the peak value of sparrow-pecking moxibustion was shorter than that with mild moxibustion. The thermal transfer was presented at the non-moxibustion exerted areas during the moxibustion experiment at Zusanli (ST 36). CONCLUSION A distance feature is presented in the temperature field measured by simulated thermometer and generated under suspension moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36). The warm stimulation effect of sparrow-pecking moxibustion is much more obvious at the moxibustion-exerted center as compared with mild moxibustion and the area of warm stimulation generated by sparrow-pecking moxibustion is more concentrated as compared with mild moxibustion. The radiation energy produced by suspension moxibustion is scattered and attenuated in skin tissue, resulting in a certain temperature gradient in the temperature field. The warm stimulation generated at skin surface by moxibustion has a warming-dredging effect.
Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Humans ; Moxibustion ; Sparrows ; Temperature ; Torso

Androgen plays an important role in singing of songbirds. Recent studies have shown that androgen levels in vivo not only affect the external morphology of songbirds, but also affect their singing behavior. Androgens (including derivatives) affect singing behavior and singing system in many ways. Based mainly on the results from our research group in the zebra finch, this review summarizes the effects of androgen on singing behavior, excitability and synaptic transmission of projection neurons of singing system, and the interaction of androgen with other neurotransmitter receptors in the brain of songbirds.
Androgens ; physiology ; Animals ; Brain ; physiology ; Songbirds ; physiology ; Vocalization, Animal

BACKGROUND: Hyperchromatic crowed groups (HCGs) are defined as three-dimensional aggregates of crowded cells with hyperchromatic nuclei, and are frequently encountered in cervicovaginal liquid-based cytology (LBC). Here, we aimed to examine the prevalence of HCGs in cervicovaginal LBC and the cytomorphological characteristics of various epithelial cell clusters presenting as HCGs.METHODS: We first examined the prevalence of HCGs in a “routine cohort” of LBC cytology (n=331), consisting of all cervicovaginal LBCs accessioned over 3 days from outpatient clinics (n=179) and the screening population (n=152). Then we examined a second “high-grade epithelial cell abnormalities (H-ECA) cohort” (n=69) of LBCs diagnosed as high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), or adenocarcinoma during 1 year.RESULTS: HCGs was observed in 34.4% of the routine cohort and were significantly more frequent in the epithelial cell abnormality category compared to the non-neoplastic category (p=.003). The majority of HCGs represented atrophy (70%). Of the 69 histologically confirmed H-ECA cases, all contained HCGs. The majority of cases were HSIL (62%), followed by SCC (16%). Individually scattered neoplastic cells outside the HCGs were significantly more frequent in SCCs compared to glandular neoplasia (p=.002). Despite the obscuring thick nature of the HCGs, examining the edges and the different focal planes of the HCGs and the background were helpful in defining the nature of the HCGs.CONCLUSIONS: HCGs were frequently observed in cervicovaginal LBC and were mostly non-neoplastic; however, neoplastic HCGs were mostly high-grade lesions. Being aware of the cytomorphological features of different HCGs is important in order to avoid potential false-negative cytology interpretation.
Adenocarcinoma ; Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Atrophy ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cohort Studies ; Crows ; Epithelial Cells ; Mass Screening ; Prevalence ; Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions of the Cervix ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

Avian trematodes, Urogonimus turdi (Digenea: Leucochloridiidae), were collected from the intestine of wild birds, Zoothera aurea, 2013–2017 in the Daejeon Metropolitan City, Korea. The body was ellipsoidal, attenuated and/or round ends, 1,987–2,120 long and 819–831 μm wide. The oral sucker was subterminal, rounded anteriorly, and 308–425×351–432 μm in size; the prepharynx and esophagus were almost lacking; pharynx was well-developed, 142–179×78–170 μm in size; intestine narrow, bifurcating just after pharynx, ascending to the oral sucker before looping posteriorly and terminating near the posterior end; ventral sucker larger, in almost median, 536–673×447–605 μm and approximately 1.5 times larger than oral sucker. A phylogenetic tree constructed with 18S ribosomal RNA showed inter- and intraspecific relationships. Based on these morphological and molecular findings, we report here a U. turdi from White’s thrushes in Korea.
Birds ; Candidiasis, Oral ; Esophagus ; Intestines ; Korea ; Pharynx ; Republic of Korea ; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S ; Songbirds ; Trees

When it comes to treat patient with loss of vestibule, conventional denture impression have limitation which can cause problems of excessive border extension. Suction denture with closed mouth technique which was introduced to solve this problem, forms negative pressure being sealed denture flanges by mobile mucosa when the patient swallows and chews. Also, it can decrease patient's visiting time by taking impression and gothic arch tracing at once. In this case, considering patient's chief complain which is a loose fit of present lower denture, suction dentures with closed mouth technique was planned.
Bone Resorption ; Denture, Complete ; Dentures ; Humans ; Mouth ; Mucous Membrane ; Rehabilitation ; Suction ; Swallows

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the differences in hyolaryngeal kinematics at rest and during swallowing in the upright sitting (UP) and the lateral decubitus (LD) postures in healthy adults, and delineating any potential advantages of swallowing while in the LD posture. METHODS: Swallowing was videofluoroscopically evaluated in 20 healthy volunteers in UP and LD postures, based on the movements of hyoid bone, vocal folds, and the bolus head. Parameters included the Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS), horizontal and vertical displacement, horizontal and vertical initial position, horizontal and vertical peak position, time to peak position of the hyoid bone and vocal folds, and pharyngeal transit time (PTT). RESULTS: Nine participants were rated PAS 2 in the UP and 1 was rated PAS 2 in the LD (p=0.003) at least 1 out of 3 swallows each posture. The hyoid and vocal folds showed more anterior and superior peak and initial positions in the LD. In addition, swallowing resulted in greater vertical and smaller horizontal displacement of the hyoid in LD posture compared with UP. Time to peak position of the hyoid was shorter in LD. The maximal vertical and horizontal displacement of the vocal folds, and PTT were comparable between postures. CONCLUSION: The results showed that the peak and initial positions of the hyoid and larynx and the pattern of hyoid movement varied significantly depending on the body postures. This study suggests that the LD posture was one of the safe feeding postures without any increased risk compared with UP posture.
Adult ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Deglutition Disorders ; Deglutition* ; Head ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Hyoid Bone ; Larynx ; Posture* ; Swallows ; Vocal Cords

BACKGROUND: We investigated whether the calcar femorale, a cortical septum in the region of the lesser trochanter of the femur, correlates with results of femoral stem implantation in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip secondary to developmental dysplasia using computed tomography. METHODS: This retrospective study included 277 hips (41 males and 236 females; age, 37 to 92 years) of patients who had presented to Okayama Medical Center with hip pain. Of these, a total of 219 hips (31 males and 188 females) had previously undergone total hip arthroplasty. According to the Crowe classification, 147 hips were classified as Crowe grade I, 72 hips as Crowe grade II–IV, and 58 hips as normal. RESULTS: The calcar femorale was identified in 267 hips (96.4%). The calcar femorale was significantly shorter and more anteverted in Crowe grade II–IV hips than in Crowe grade I or normal hips. Significant differences in the shape of the calcar femorale were found according to the severity of hip deformity. Three stem designs were analyzed: single-wedge (59 hips), double-wedge metaphyseal filling (147 hips), and modular (13 hips). Single-wedge stems were inserted more parallel to the calcar femorale rather than femoral neck anteversion, while other types of stems scraped the calcar femorale. CONCLUSIONS: The angle of the calcar femorale differs according to the severity of hip deformity, and the calcar femorale might thus serve as a more useful reference for stem insertion than femoral neck anteversion in total hip arthroplasty using a single-wedge stem.
Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Classification ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Crows ; Female ; Femur ; Femur Neck ; Hip Dislocation ; Hip* ; Humans ; Male ; Osteoarthritis* ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: Total hip arthroplasty with subtrochanteric shortening osteotomy is widely performed for high hip dislocation. However, suboptimal leg length discrepancy correction and nonunion of the osteotomy site remain concerns. Although total hip arthroplasty using trochanteric osteotomy without subtrochanteric osteotomy was introduced, cemented implants have been more commonly used than contemporary cementless implants in this procedure. We evaluated the long-term results of cementless total hip arthroplasty with trochanteric osteotomy without subtrochanteric osteotomy for high hip dislocation. METHODS: From 1990 to 2002, 27 cementless total hip arthroplasties using trochanteric osteotomy without subtrochanteric osteotomy were performed in 26 patients with Crowe III or IV high hip dislocation and a mean age of 36.4 ± 12.9 years. Seven ceramic-on-ceramic, 8 ceramic-on-polyethylene, 10 metal-on-polyethylene, and 2 metal-on-metal bearings were inserted. Mean follow-up was 15.1 ± 3.7 years. We retrospectively reviewed medical records and radiographic data and evaluated the clinical and radiological results including the Harris hip score, implant survival, correction of leg length discrepancy, and occurrence of complications. RESULTS: The mean Harris hip score and leg length discrepancy improved significantly from 73.3 to 94.9 points and from 4.3 cm to 1.0 cm, respectively. With revision for loosening set as the end point, implant survival rates at 10 and 15 years postoperatively were 96.0% and 90.9% for stems and 74.1% and 52.3% for cups. In 8 of 10 hips with the metal-on-polyethylene bearing and 4 of 8 hips with the ceramic-on-polyethylene bearing, revision surgery was performed for aseptic loosening. However, no revision was performed in hips with the ceramic-on-ceramic bearing or the metal-on-metal bearing. Implant survival was significantly different by the type of bearing surface. Two permanent neurologic complications occurred in patients with a limb lengthening over 3.5 cm. CONCLUSIONS: With proper selection of the bearing surface coupled with adjustment of lengthening, cementless total hip arthroplasty using trochanteric osteotomy without subtrochanteric osteotomy might be a favorable treatment option for high hip dislocation.
Arthroplasty ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip* ; Crows ; Dislocations ; Extremities ; Femur* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hip Dislocation* ; Hip Dislocation, Congenital ; Hip* ; Humans ; Leg ; Leg Length Inequality ; Medical Records ; Osteotomy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characteristics of cognitive deficits in patients with post-stroke dysphagia, and to analyze the relationships between cognitive dysfunction and severity of dysphagia in supratentorial stroke. METHODS: A total of 55 patients with first-ever supratentorial lesion stroke were enrolled retrospectively, within 3 months of onset. We rated dysphagia from 0 (normal) to 4 (severe) using the dysphagia severity scale (DSS) through clinical examinations and videofluoroscopic swallowing studies (VFSS). The subjects were classified either as non-dysphagic (scale 0) or dysphagic (scale 1 to 4). We compared general characteristics, stroke severity and the functional scores of the two groups. We then performed comprehensive cognitive function tests and investigated the differences in cognitive performance between the two groups, and analyzed the correlation between cognitive test scores, DSS, and parameters of oral and pharyngeal phase. RESULTS: Fugl-Meyer motor assessment, the Berg Balance Scale, and the Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index showed significant differences between the two groups. Cognitive test scores for the dysphagia group were significantly lower than the non-dysphagia group. Significant correlations were shown between dysphagia severity and certain cognitive subtest scores: visual span backward (p=0.039), trail making tests A (p=0.042) and B (p=0.002), and Raven progressive matrices (p=0.002). The presence of dysphagia was also significantly correlated with cognitive subtests, in particular for visual attention and executive attention (odds ratio [OR]=1.009; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.002–1.016; p=0.017). Parameters of premature loss were also significantly correlated with the same subtests (OR=1.009; 95% CI, 1.002–1.016; p=0.017). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that cognitive function is associated with the presence and severity of post-stroke dysphagia. Above all, visual attention and executive functions may have meaningful influence on the oral phase of swallowing in stroke patients with supratentorial lesions.
Cognition Disorders ; Cognition* ; Crows ; Deglutition ; Deglutition Disorders* ; Executive Function ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Stroke* ; Trail Making Test

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Little research has been done to evaluate the effect of stress in exacerbating the symptoms associated with gastroesophageal reflux (GER). We aimed to investigate the effect of acute stress on esophageal motility and GER parameters in healthy volunteers. METHODS: A total of 10 (M:F = 8:2, median age 34 years-old) healthy volunteers without any recurrent gastrointestinal symptoms participated in this study. They underwent esophageal high-resolution manometry with 10 wet swallows (Experiment I) and esophageal impedance-pH monitoring (Experiment II) in the basal period and in the stress period. In the stress period, either real stress or sham stress was given in a randomized cross-over design. The stress scores, symptom severity, and pulse rates were measured. RESULTS: The stress scores and the severity of nausea were significantly greater under real stress, compared with sham stress. The percentages of weak, failed, rapid, premature, and hyper-contractile contractions were not significantly altered during real stress and during sham stress, compared with the basal period. The median resting pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter and distal contractile integral of esophageal contractions did not differ in the stress period, compared with the basal period. Contractile front velocity and distal latency of esophageal peristaltic contractions were significantly changed during real stress, which was not observed during sham stress. GER parameters were not significantly altered during real stress and during sham stress. CONCLUSION: Although acute auditory and visual stress seems to affect esophageal body motility, it does not induce significant motor abnormalities or increase GER in healthy humans.
Cross-Over Studies ; Esophageal Sphincter, Lower ; Gastroesophageal Reflux* ; Healthy Volunteers ; Heart Rate ; Humans* ; Manometry ; Nausea ; Swallows