Psycho-Electrophysiological Benefits of Forest Therapies Focused on Qigong and Walking with Elderly Individuals.

We developed two distinct forest therapy programs (FTPs) and compared their effects on dementia prevention and related health problems for older adults. One was focused on Qigong practice in the forest (QP) and the other involved active walking in the forest (WP). Both FTPs consisted of twelve 2-h sessions over six weeks and were conducted in an urban forest. We obtained data from 25, 18, and 26 participants aged 65 years or above for the QP, WP, and control groups, respectively. Neuropsychological scores via cognition (MoCA), geriatric depression (GDS) and quality of life (EQ-5D), and electrophysiological variables (electroencephalography, bioimpedance, and heart rate variability) were measured. We analyzed the intervention effects with a generalized linear model. Compared to the control group, the WP group showed benefits in terms of neurocognition (increases in the MoCA score, and alpha and beta band power values in the electroencephalogram), sympathetic nervous activity, and bioimpedance in the lower body. On the other hand, the QP group showed alleviated depression and an increased bioimpedance phase angle in the upper body. In conclusion, both active walking and Qigong in the forest were shown to have distinctive neuropsychological and electrophysiological benefits, and both had beneficial effects in terms of preventing dementia and relieving related health problems for elderly individuals.

Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings of metastatic rectal linitis plastica from prostate cancer: A case report and review of literature.

Linitis plastica is a rare condition showing circumferentially infiltrating intramural anaplastic carcinoma in a hollow viscus, resulting in a tissue thickening of the involved organ as constricted, inelastic, and rigid. While most secondary rectal linitis plastica (RLP) is caused by metastasis from stomach, breast, gallbladder, or bladder cancer, we report an extremely rare and unique case of secondary RLP due to prostate cancer with computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, including diffusion weighted imaging (DWI). A 78-year-old man presented with approximately a 2-mo history of constipation and without cancer history. On sigmoidoscopy, there was a luminal narrowing and thickening of rectum with mucosa being grossly normal in its appearance. On contrast-enhanced CT, marked contrast enhancement with wall thickening of rectum was noted. On pelvic MRI, rectal wall thickening showed a target sign on both T2-weighted imaging and DWI. A diffuse infiltrative lesion was suspected in the prostate gland based on low signal intensity on T2-weighted imaging and restricted diffusion. A transanal full-thickness excisional biopsy revealed metastasis from a prostate adenocarcinoma invading the submucosa to the muscularis propria consistent with metastatic RLP. We would like to emphasize the CT and MRI findings of metastatic RLP due to prostate cancer.

Fracture of ankle: MRI using opposed-phase imaging obtained from turbo spin echo modified Dixon image shows improved sensitivity.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if opposed-phase (OP) imaging obtained from the turbo spin echo (TSE) modified Dixon (mDixon) technique can increase the sensitivity of MRI for diagnosing ankle fractures. METHODS: This study included 95 CT-confirmed ankle fractures with additional MRI of the ankle using a TSE modified Dixon (mDixon) technique. Two groups of images were analyzed independently: Group 1-imaging group without OP imaging; Group 2-imaging group with OP imaging. Readers assessed the images using a 4-point confidence score to detect fractures. During the first review session, the fracture site was blinded. For the second review session, the fracture site was provided. Sensitivity and positive-predictive value were calculated. RESULTS: In both sessions, the sensitivity for Group 2 was significantly greater than that for Group 1 (Session 1: 76.3% vs 62.6%, p < 0.0001; Session 2: 80.5% vs 65.3%, p < 0.0001). The positive-predictive value of Group 2 was significantly lower in both sessions 1 and 2 (Session 1: 85.8% vs 97.5%, p < 0.0001; Session 2: 90.5% vs 96.9%, p = 0.0068). Among the 28 false-negative fractures missed in Group 1 (Session 1), 12 (9 minimal displaced and 4 small diameter fractures) were identified in Group 2 (Session 1). While 8.9% showed lower movement, 33.6% showed upper movement in Group 2 compared with Group 1. Possible causes of false-positive lesions were subcutaneous fat, bone marrow edema, and intraosseous vessel mimic fractures. CONCLUSION: OP imaging obtained using the modified Dixon technique provided better sensitivity and improved descriptions of fractures, especially for minimal displaced fractures and small diameter fractures. However, caution is required when diagnosing fractures with OP imaging because pseudofractures can appear as a result of adjacent bone marrow edema, vascular structures, or subcutaneous fat lobules. Advances in knowledge: In MRI, minimal displaced or small chip bone fracture maybe missed, OP imaging obtained using the mDixon technique provided better sensitivity and improved descriptions of fractures using the black boundary artifact.