Gender differences in pulmonary function, physical activity, and quality of life of patients with COPD based on data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015 to 2019 from the Perspective of Pulmonary Rehabilitation.

The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is increasing worldwide, with the fourth highest mortality rate. This study aims to analyze pulmonary function, physical activity, and quality of life (QoL) between genders from the perspective of pulmonary rehabilitation in Korean patients with COPD. This study investigated raw data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2015 to 2019 and included 151 COPD patients (men: 66.55 ±â€…10.07 years, women: 65.21 ±â€…11.73) out of 39,759 participants. Pulmonary function, such as forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and frequency of physical activities (e.g., physical activity for work and leisure, strengthening exercise, and sitting time a day) and QoL by using EQ-5D-3L, were compared between genders in patients with COPD. Smoking status differed in health-related characteristics between genders (P < .001). In pulmonary function, the FVC (men: 3.48 ±â€…0.98ℓ, women: 2.53 ±â€…0.56ℓ, P < .05), FEV1 (men: 2.13 ±â€…0.93 ℓ, women: 1.88 ±â€…0.53 ℓ, P < .001), FEV6 (men: 3.16 ±â€…1.00ℓ, women: 2.46 ±â€…1.56ℓ, P < .001) and peak expiratory flow (men: 5.61 ±â€…2.44ℓ/s, women: 4.68 ±â€…1.53ℓ/s, P < .05) was higher in men, however, predicted FEV1 (men: 66.03% ±â€…23.13%, women: 79.95% ±â€…18.45%, P < .05) and predicted FEV1/FVC ratio (men: 59.67% ±â€…15.02%, women: 74.10% ±â€…10.49%, P < .001) in women. The frequency of strengthening exercise was higher in men (P < .05). QoL of patients with COPD was not significantly different between genders. To provide correct interventions and pulmonary rehabilitation to patients with COPD, gender differences, including physiological and psychological differences, must be considered.

Effects of Upper-Body Flexibility Exercise on Golf Performance of Amateur Female Golfer: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND We investigated the effects of the upper-body flexibility exercises on the golf performance of a female amateur golfer. CASE REPORT The participant was a 43-year-old woman who performed a general golf swing exercise (30 min) and an upper-body flexibility exercise (20 min) 3 times a week, for a total of 6 times in 2 weeks. The maximum rotation angle of the upper body was measured using a goniometer. To measure the X-factor, the numerical value was measured after subtracting the rotation angle of the lower-body from the rotation angle of the upper body when the participant stopped making a back-swing top motion. A camera measuring instrument was used to measure the clubhead speed and carry distance of the golf ball when she hit the ball with a no. 7 iron club. After the exercises, the maximum rotation angle of the participant's upper body increased from 40° to 69°, and the X-factor increased from 10° to 24°. The clubhead speed increased from 29.4 m/s to 34.4 m/s, and the carry distance increased from 84 m to 106 m. CONCLUSIONS The participant responded positively to the upper-body flexibility exercises, and there was improved upper-body mobility, X-factor, clubhead speed, and carry distance. Our results showed that upper-body flexibility exercises with a general golf swing exercise for female amateur golfers may improve golf performance.

Can distinction between the renal cortex and outer medulla on ultrasonography predict estimated glomerular filtration rate in canine chronic kidney diseases?

BACKGROUND: Quantitative evaluation of renal cortical echogenicity (RCE) has been tried and developed in human and veterinary medicine. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to propose a method for evaluating RCE quantitatively and intuitively, and to determine associations between ultrasonographic renal structural distinction and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in canine chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHODS: Data were collected on 63 dogs, including 27 with normal kidney function and 36 CKD patients. Symmetric dimethylarginine and creatinine concentrations were measured for calculating eGFR. RCE was evaluated as 3 grades on ultrasonography images according to the distinction between the renal cortex and outer medulla. The RCE grade of each kidney was measured. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in eGFR between the group normal and CKD (p < 0.001). As mean of RCE grades (the mean values of each right and left kidney's RCE grade) increases, the proportion of group CKD among the patients in each grade increases (p < 0.001). Also, severity of RCE (classified as "high" if any right or left kidney evaluated as RCE grade 3, "low" otherwise) and eGFR is good indicator for predicting group CKD (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The degree of distinction between the renal cortex and the outer medulla is closely related to renal function including eGFR and the RCE grade defined in this study can be used as a method of objectively evaluating RCE.

Usefulness of a saline chaser to reduce contrast material dose in abdominal CT of normal dogs.

Use of a saline chaser has been reported to allow reduction of contrast dose and artifacts during computed tomography (CT) examination in humans. This study assesses the extent of contrast dose by using a saline chaser in abdominal CT scans of normal dogs. Five beagles underwent abdominal CT scans. Three protocols were applied: 600 mg I/kg iohexol without saline chaser (protocol 1), 30% lower dose of iohexol (420 mg I/kg) followed by a 10 mL saline chaser (protocol 2), and 40% lower dose of iohexol (360 mg I/kg) followed by a 10 mL saline chaser (protocol 3). Attenuation values were obtained from aorta, portal vein, and liver parenchyma. The maximum enhancement values (MEVs) in protocol 2 were significantly higher than those in protocols 1 and 3 in the aorta; no difference was seen in the portal vein in all protocols. The liver parenchymal MEVs in protocols 1 and 2 were significantly higher than those obtained in protocol 3. In this study, the use of a saline chaser and a reduced dose of contrast material did not affect vessel enhancement. In conclusion, use of a saline chaser for abdominal CT of dogs is recommended because it allows a 30% reduction of contrast dose without decreasing vascular and hepatic parenchymal enhancement.

Esophageal insufflation computed tomography in clinically normal dogs.

OBJECTIVE To assess the feasibility of esophageal insufflation CT (EICT) for evaluation of the esophagus in dogs. ANIMALS 7 clinically normal adult Beagles. PROCEDURES Each dog was anesthetized twice with 1 week between anesthesia sessions. Dogs were positioned in sternal recumbency during all CT scans. During the first anesthesia session, a CT scan was performed before the esophagus was insufflated (insufflation pressure, 0 mm Hg) and unenhanced and contrast-enhanced EICT scans were performed after CO2 was insufflated into the esophageal lumen to achieve a pressure of 5 mm Hg. For the contrast-enhanced scan, each dog received iohexol (600 mg/kg, IV), and the scan was performed 30 seconds later. During the second anesthesia session, unenhanced and contrast-enhanced EICT scans were performed in the same manner except the insufflation pressure achieved was 10 mm Hg. The esophageal luminal cross-sectional area and wall thickness were measured at each of 5 segments, and mean values were compared among the 3 insufflation pressures and between unenhanced and contrast-enhanced images. RESULTS Mean esophageal luminal cross-sectional area increased and esophageal wall thickness decreased as insufflation pressure increased. Measurements did not differ significantly between unenhanced and contrast-enhanced images. The stomach became distended with CO2 at an insufflation pressure of 10 mm Hg but not at 5 mm Hg. No adverse effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested EICT was feasible for esophageal evaluation in dogs. Further research is necessary to determine the optimal insufflation pressure for the procedure and its diagnostic efficacy in diseased patients.

Intra-abdominal necrotic lipoma diagnosed by computed tomography as a paraprostatic cyst.

A dog with a history of diarrhea and dyschezia exhibited an oval-shaped, soft-tissue opacity mass in the abdomen on radiographs. CT examination revealed a large fluid-filled structure displacing the urinary bladder, prostate, and colon. The mass had continuity with the prostate; therefore, it was tentatively diagnosed as a paraprostatic cyst. Cytologic examination was performed and the mass was considered a non-inflammatory cyst. However, after surgery, histopathologic examination revealed a necrotic, inflamed cystic lipoma. This case shows that unusual intra-abdominal lipomas may have a cystic appearance.