Persistent trigeminal artery-superior cerebellar artery segmental fusion diagnosed using magnetic resonance angiography.

PURPOSE: To describe a case of persistent trigeminal artery (PTA)-superior cerebellar artery (SCA) segmental fusion incidentally diagnosed on magnetic resonance (MR) angiography. CASE REPORT: A 53-year-old woman with a history of facial pain underwent cranial MR imaging and MR angiography. MR angiography showed a left lateral-type PTA arising from the precavernous portion of the left internal carotid artery (ICA). PTA branched into the left distal SCA and showed segmental fusion with the proximal SCA at the distal part of the PTA. We also diagnosed an unruptured cerebral aneurysm at the junction between the left ICA and PTA. DISCUSSION: PTA is the most frequent type of carotid-vertebrobasilar anastomosis. The reported prevalence rate is 0.2% by angiography and 0.34% by MR angiography. There are two types of PTA-lateral (usual) and medial (intrasellar). SCA arising from the lateral-type PTA has rarely been reported. Further, a PTA from which the distal SCA branches and segmentally fuses with the proximal SCA at the distal part of the PTA has not been reported. CONCLUSION: Using MR angiography, we diagnosed a rare type of PTA that fused segmentally with SCA. No similar case has been reported in relevant English-language literature.

Low origin of the persistent hypoglossal artery associated with high carotid bifurcation: a case report.

PURPOSE: Persistent hypoglossal artery (PHA) is the second most common anastomosis between the carotid and vertebrobasilar systems and it demonstrates some variations. METHODS: Using magnetic resonance angiography, we diagnosed a case of low origin of the PHA associated with the high carotid bifurcation, and the resulting origin close to the carotid bifurcation. RESULTS: The PHA is typically clinically silent as in our case, but it could be a potential cause of glossopharyngeal neuralgia, hypoglossal palsy, and intracranial aneurysms or technical complications in interventional procedure such as carotid stenting. CONCLUSIONS: We have described a case of low origin of the PHA associated with high carotid bifurcation. To the best of our knowledge, no similar case has been reported in the English-language literature.

Spontaneous rupture of a uterine leiomyoma accompanied by a hematoma appearing as a cystic lesion on imaging: A case report.

The rupture of a uterine leiomyoma is a rare complication. We report a case of ruptured leiomyoma that formed a hematoma that was initially suggestive of an ovarian origin. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed intact ovaries and a cystic lesion adjacent to leiomyomas. During surgery, the cystic lesion was found to be a hematoma caused by a rupture of the leiomyoma.

Understanding factors related to healthcare avoidance for menstrual disorders and menopausal symptoms: A cross-sectional study among women in Japan.

This study explored the factors associated with healthcare avoidance behavior for menstrual disorders and menopausal symptoms among women in Japan. Using data from a nationally representative cross-sectional online survey conducted in September 2022, responses from 4,950 women aged 25-59 were analyzed. This study applied binomial logistic regression models specifically to participants who reported having ever felt the need to seek healthcare assistance due to health issues related to menstruation and menopause. We computed adjusted odds ratios for key sociodemographic traits, work environment factors, health literacy, menstrual and menopausal symptoms, and attitudes and understanding regarding women's health, associated with healthcare avoidance behavior in the past 12 months. As a sensitivity analysis, a regression was performed limited to those who are working. The results showed that 50.6% of respondents recognized the need for healthcare support for menstrual or menopausal health issues, but 22.8% exhibited healthcare avoidance in the past year. Younger and high-income individuals showed higher avoidance rates. Those with diagnosed gynecological conditions and those perceiving menstrual pain as something to endure also displayed increased avoidance tendencies. Women experiencing significant health effects beyond work and those lacking understanding of the purpose of health check-ups were more prone to healthcare avoidance. Our results underscore the importance of implementing strategically tailored health education initiatives, and re-examining societal attitudes concerning women's health, in order to cultivate enhanced healthcare-seeking behaviors among women.

Association of Women's Health Literacy and Work Productivity among Japanese Workers: A Web-based, Nationwide Survey.

INTRODUCTION: This study examined the relationship between health literacy (HL), women's health, and work productivity (i.e., absenteeism or presenteeism) among female workers in Japan. METHODS: In February 2018, a web-based, nationwide survey was conducted among registered survey company monitors. The questionnaire included women's HL, absenteeism, presenteeism, health behaviors for menstrual abnormalities and premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and demographic information. Overall, 2,596 monitors were randomly invited, and the survey included the first 2,000 respondents (average age = 35.8 years, SD = 8.1). An analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was conducted to compare adjusted work productivity between two groups: the low-HL group and the high-HL group. The results were adjusted for age, education, employment status, number of children, and the presence of underlying gynecological diseases. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine any differences in health behaviors for menstrual abnormalities or PMS between the two groups. The results were adjusted for age, education level, number of children, and employment status. RESULTS: The ANCOVA showed that the high-HL group had significantly less presenteeism and better performance when experiencing PMS (p < 0.001 and p < 0.013, respectively) compared to the low-HL group after adjusting for covariates. However, the results showed no significant differences in absenteeism between the two groups. Logistic regression showed that the high-HL group had a significantly higher odds ratio (OR) than the low-HL group in terms of health behaviors for menstrual abnormalities or PMS (OR 2.82 and 1.86, respectively) after adjusting for covariates. CONCLUSIONS: Women's HL may contribute to decreased presenteeism and better health behaviors regarding the use of medicine or medical services.

Direct evidence for cyanide-insensitive quinol oxidase (alternative oxidase) in apicomplexan parasite Cryptosporidium parvum: phylogenetic and therapeutic implications.

Cryptosporidium parvum is a parasitic protozoan that causes the diarrheal disease cryptosporidiosis, for which no satisfactory chemotherapy is currently available. Although the presence of mitochondria in this parasite has been suggested, its respiratory system is poorly understood due to difficulties in performing biochemical analyses. In order to better understand the respiratory chain of C. parvum, we surveyed its genomic DNA database in GenBank and identified a partial sequence encoding cyanide-insensitive alternative oxidase (AOX). Based on this sequence, we cloned C. parvum AOX (CpAOX) cDNA from the phylum apicomplexa for the first time. The deduced amino acid sequence (335 a.a.) of CpAOX contains diiron coordination motifs (-E-, -EXXH-) that are conserved among AOXs. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that CpAOX is a mitochondrial-type AOX, possibly derived from mitochondrial endosymbiont gene transfer. The recombinant enzyme expressed in Escherichia coli showed quinol oxidase activity. This activity was insensitive to cyanide and highly sensitive to ascofuranone, a specific inhibitor of trypanosome AOX.