Effects of Acute Exercise Bouts on Cardiovascular Biomarkers in Runners with Exercise-Induced Hypertension.

Exercise-induced hypertension (EIH) has increasingly been observed among middle-aged long-distance runners, raising concerns about cardiovascular risk. This study aimed to investigate acute changes in cardiovascular biomarkers associated with vascular inflammation, oxidative stress, antioxidant defense, endothelial function, and myocardial burden in runners with EIH. Thirty-seven middle-aged male runners (aged 40-65 years) were categorized into a normal blood pressure group (NBPG; systolic blood pressure <210 mmHg, = 23) and an EIH group (EIHG; ≥210 mmHg, = 14) based on maximal systolic blood pressure during a graded exercise test (GXT).

A Usefulness of Delta Neutrophil Index (DNI) for Prediction of 28 Day Mortality in Patients with Pneumonia-Induced Sepsis in the Intensive Care Unit.

: The delta neutrophil index (DNI) represents the immature granulocyte fraction and is determined by subtracting the fraction of mature polymorphonuclear leucocytes from the sum of myeloperoxidase-reactive cells. The DNI has been proposed as a useful prognostic marker for sepsis. This study evaluated the clinical utility of DNI as a predictive marker in patients with pneumonia-induced sepsis in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Combined Ultrasound and Fluoroscopy versus Ultrasound versus Fluoroscopy-Guided Caudal Epidural Steroid Injection for the Treatment of Unilateral Lower Lumbar Radicular Pain: A Retrospective Comparative Study.

: This study aimed to evaluate the mid-term effectiveness and safety of a combined ultrasound (US) and fluoroscopy (FL)-guided approach in comparison to US-guided and FL-guided caudal epidural steroid injections (CESI) for treating unilateral lower lumbar radicular pain. : A total of 154 patients who underwent CESI between 2018 and 2022 were included. Patients were categorized into three groups based on the guidance method: combined US and FL (n = 51), US-guided (n = 51), and FL-guided (n = 52).

Inhaled Corticosteroids Is Not Associated with the Risk of Pneumonia in Asthma.

The introduction of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) for the management of asthma has led to a decrease in acute exacerbation of asthma. However, there are concerns regarding the safety of long-term ICS use, particularly pneumonia. Growing evidence indicates that ICS use is associated with an increased risk of pneumonia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, whereas the risk in patients with asthma remains unclear.

Case report: Traumatic median neuropathy in the distal forearm after massage therapy.

Median nerve damage caused by trauma is rare, especially after the massage therapy. There have been no reports of median neuropathy in the distal forearm following massage therapy. A 61-year-old man developed paresthesia and numbness in the right hand after two sessions of massage therapy.

Serological Changes in Anti- IgG Antibody and Development of Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Patients Treated for Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) is an important infection to understand in survivors of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). However, limited data are available regarding CPA development and its predisposing factors following PTB. We investigated the development of, and the predisposing factors for, CPA following the completion of PTB treatment.

Usefulness of combined handheld ultrasound and fluoroscopy-guided injection in adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder: A prospective, randomized single blind-pilot study.

Background: Ultrasound is increasingly being utilized in the diagnosis and treatment of adhesive capsulitis.

Objective: To compare the therapeutic effects and advantages of combined handheld ultrasound and fluoroscopy-guided intra-articular corticosteroid injection with those of conventional ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection in adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder.

Methods: A total of 39 patients diagnosed with adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder were randomly assigned into two groups.

Fluoroscopy-Guided Transforaminal versus Caudal Epidural Steroid Injection for Chronic Pain After Spinal Surgery: A Retrospective Mid-Term Comparative Study.

Introduction: This study is to compare advantages, safety and mid-term effects of fluoroscopy (FL)-guided transforaminal (TF) to caudal (CA) epidural steroid injection (ESI) for chronic pain after spinal surgery (CPSS) by assessing pain relief and improvement of functionality.

Methods: Patients with radicular pain in CPSS who received FL-guided CA (n = 21) or TF (n = 28) ESI were included in this retrospective study. Complication frequencies, adverse events, treatment effects, and functional improvements for each procedure were compared at 1, 3, and 6 months following the last injection.

Tackling light trapping in organic light-emitting diodes by complete elimination of waveguide modes.

Conventional waveguide mode decoupling methods for organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) are typically not scalable and increase fabrication complexity/cost. Indium-tin-oxide-free transparent anode technologies showed efficiency improvement without affecting other device properties. However, previous works lack rigorous analysis to understand the efficiency improvement.

Risk factors for early readmission after acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background And Aims: Patients discharged after treatment for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are at high risk for readmission. We aimed to identify the prevalence and risk factors for readmission.

Methods: We included 16,105 patients who had claimed their medical expenses from 1 May 2014 to 1 May 2016 after discharge from any medical facility in Korea, following treatment for acute exacerbation of COPD.

Exercise-induced hypertension is associated with angiotensin II activity and total nitric oxide.

Angiotensin II mediates exercise-induced hypertension (EIH), which adversely impacts future cardiovascular health. There is paucity of data on the association between EIH and angiotensin II in well-trained middle-aged marathoners. Therefore, we investigated the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system and total nitric oxide activity in middle-aged marathoners with EIH.

Ultrasound-Guided Selective Nerve Root Block versus Fluoroscopy-Guided Interlaminar Epidural Block versus Fluoroscopy-Guided Transforaminal Epidural Block for the Treatment of Radicular Pain in the Lower Cervical Spine: A Retrospective Comparative Study.

Background: Recently, ultrasound- (US-) guided selective nerve root block (SNRB) has been reported to have similar effects compared to fluoroscopy- (FL-) guided cervical epidural steroid injection (CESI). There is no published study comparing the therapeutic efficacy and safety of interlaminar- (IL-) CESI and transforaminal- (TF-) CESI with US-guided SNRB. Our retrospective study aimed to compare the mid-term effects and advantages of the US-guided SNRB, FL-guided IL-CESI, and TF-CESI for radicular pain in the lower cervical spine through assessment of pain relief and functional improvement.

Exercise-induced hypertension can increase the prevalence of coronary artery plaque among middle-aged male marathon runners.

Marathon runners demonstrate a high incidence of coronary artery plaque; however, studies on runners with exercise-induced hypertension (EIH) are sparse. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of coronary artery plaque among marathon runners with EIH.Veteran male marathon runners (≥40 and <60 years) underwent an exercise stress test.

Thyroid transcription factor-1 as a prognostic indicator for stage IV lung adenocarcinoma with and without EGFR-sensitizing mutations.

Background: Thyroid transcription factor (TTF)-1 expression is a diagnostic marker and a good prognostic indicator for lung adenocarcinoma. However, its good prognostic ability might be due to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-sensitizing mutations as shown by the positive correlation between TTF-1 expression and EGFR mutations. We explored the prognostic impact of TTF-1 expression according to EGFR-sensitizing mutation status in lung adenocarcinoma patients.

Ultrasound-guided intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid and ketorolac for osteoarthritis of the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb: A retrospective comparative study.

Intra-articular hyaluronic acid (HA) is widely used to treat symptomatic osteoarthritis (OA) in the carpometacarpal joint (CMCJ) of the thumb. However, although apparently effective and relatively safe, intra-articular HA injections act relatively slowly. Therefore, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug could be added for more prompt pain relief.

Longitudinal change of FEV and inspiratory capacity: clinical implication and relevance to exacerbation risk in patients with COPD.

Background And Objective: FEV is the gold standard for assessment of COPD. We compared efficacy of FEV, inspiratory capacity (IC), and IC to total lung capacity (TLC) ratio in the evaluation of COPD and their association with exacerbation.

Methods: We analyzed the association of dyspnea severity, quality of life status, and lung function with lung function measurements and exacerbation risk in 982 patients enrolled in the Korea COPD Subgroup Registry and Subtype Research study.

Ultrasound-guided selective nerve root block versus fluoroscopy-guided interlaminar epidural block for the treatment of radicular pain in the lower cervical spine: a retrospective comparative study.

Purpose: Recent studies have compared the therapeutic efficacy and safety of the procedure using ultrasound and fluoroscopy. However, there are no published studies comparing the therapeutic efficacy and safety of fluoroscopy (FL)-guided cervical interlaminar epidural steroid injection (CIESI) with that of ultrasound (US)-guided selective nerve root block (SNRB). This study aimed to compare the mid-term effects and advantages of US-guided SNRB with FL-guided CIESI for radicular pain in the lower cervical spine through assessment of pain relief and functional improvement.

The effect of polydeoxyribonucleotide on the treatment of radiating leg pain due to cystic mass lesion in inner aspect of right sciatic foramen: A CARE compliant case report.

Rationale: Radiating leg pain usually originates from the lumbar spine and occasionally from peripheral lesions. Here we report a case involving a patient with radiating pain in the right leg who exhibited 2 suspicious lesions, including 1 spinal lesion and 1 extraspinal cystic mass lesion, on magnetic resonance imaging. Polydeoxyribonucleotide sodium (PDRN) was recently noted as such a substitute.

Effects of Long-Distance Running on Cardiac Markers and Biomarkers in Exercise-Induced Hypertension Runners: An Observational Study.

Objective: To investigate changes of cardiac and muscle damage markers in exercise-induced hypertension (EIH) runners before running (pre-race), immediately after completing a 100-km ultramarathon race, and during the recovery period (24, 72, and 120 hours post-race).

Methods: In this observational study, volunteers were divided into EIH group (n=11) whose maximum systolic blood pressure was ≥210 mmHg in graded exercise testing and normal exercise blood pressure response (NEBPR) group (n=11). Their blood samples were collected at pre-race, immediately after race, and at 24, 72, and 120 hours post-race.

High- versus low-energy extracorporeal shock-wave therapy for myofascial pain syndrome of upper trapezius: A prospective randomized single blinded pilot study.

Background: To compare the efficacy of high- and low-energy extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) for patients with myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) of the upper trapezius.

Methods: Thirty patients (3 men, 27 women) were randomly assigned to receive either high-energy ESWT (0.210 mJ/mm) or low-energy ESWT (0.

Changes in hormone levels of participants in a 622-km ultramarathon race based on distance and recovery period.

Background: Runners who participate in endurance sports such as marathons or ultramarathons have superior physical capabilities and health benefits compared to others. However, they may suffer long-term effects of the negative physiological changes during long-distance running. This study aimed to examine the effects of an ultramarathon on hormone levels, and the associated risks.

Plexiform Neurofibroma of the Posterior Tibial Nerve Misdiagnosed as Proximal Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome: A Case Report.

Plexiform neurofibromas of the foot are rare, benign tumors of the peripheral nerves. Diagnosis can be challenging if they present with symptoms mimicking other peripheral nerve pathologies. Tarsal tunnel syndrome is an entrapment syndrome of the entire tibial nerve behind the medial malleolus and under the flexor retinaculum.