EEG Revealed That Fragrances Positively Affect Menopausal Symptoms in Mid-life Women

During mid-life, women experienced not only physical but also neurological transition. Because of this, many women suffer from physiological and/or psychological menopausal symptoms. Although hormone therapy (HT) was broadly used to alleviate menopausal symptoms, HT showed inconsistent effects in case of psychological symptoms. Moreover, mid-life women’s brains have distinct characteristics than in other periods of life, it is needed to study psychological symptoms in shifted brain network of mid-life women. As an alternative, inhalation of fragrances may alleviate psychological menopausal symptoms. To characterize the alleviation mechanism by fragrances, we tested the effect of fragrances on menopausal symptoms using electroencephalographic (EEG) methods. We hypothesized that fragrance could restore mid-life women’s brain response to stressful situations. We tested six fragrance conditions, including no-odor condition (solvent only) in twenty-eight mid-life women (49.75 years±3.49).Our results showed that fragrances increased alpha power and decreased β/α ratio depending on the severity of menopausal symptoms in a stressful situation. Our study would be helpful in psychological menopausal symptom alleviation as well as fragrance screening for well-being in mid-life.

Effects of Intra-abdominal Pressure with Visual Feedback on Muscle Activation of Upper Trapezius and Sternomastoid during Forced Inspiration in Individuals with Costal Respiration

Purpose@#This study analyzed the immediate effects of intra-abdominal pressure with visual feedback on the muscle activation of the upper trapezius and sternomastoid during natural inspiration and forced inspiration in individuals with costal respiration. @*Methods@#The eighteen individuals with upper costal breathing pattern participated in this study. Surface electromyography was used to analyze the muscle activity of the upper trapezius and sternomastoid during natural inspiration and forced inspiration before and after intra-abdominal pressure. @*Results@#A significant difference in muscle activation was observed with the muscle type, inspiration type, and test session (p0.05). A comparison of the difference between the pre-test and post-test during forced inspiration revealed the upper trapezius to be significantly larger than the sternomastoid (p0.05). @*Conclusion@#The intra-abdominal pressure has positive effects on correcting the breathing patterns in individuals with costal respiration.

Effects of Intra-abdominal Pressure with Visual Feedback on Muscle Activation of Upper Trapezius and Sternomastoid during Forced Inspiration in Individuals with Costal Respiration

Purpose@#This study analyzed the immediate effects of intra-abdominal pressure with visual feedback on the muscle activation of the upper trapezius and sternomastoid during natural inspiration and forced inspiration in individuals with costal respiration. @*Methods@#The eighteen individuals with upper costal breathing pattern participated in this study. Surface electromyography was used to analyze the muscle activity of the upper trapezius and sternomastoid during natural inspiration and forced inspiration before and after intra-abdominal pressure. @*Results@#A significant difference in muscle activation was observed with the muscle type, inspiration type, and test session (p0.05). A comparison of the difference between the pre-test and post-test during forced inspiration revealed the upper trapezius to be significantly larger than the sternomastoid (p0.05). @*Conclusion@#The intra-abdominal pressure has positive effects on correcting the breathing patterns in individuals with costal respiration.

Minimal Stitch Canalicular Repair of Canalicular Lacerations

PURPOSE: To examine the results of minimal stitch on the restoration of tissue after canalicular laceration. METHODS: We have operated using sutures of tissues around canalicular laceration by inserting bicanalicular silicone stents and minimal horizontal mattress sutures with 8-0 Vicryl in cases of canalicular laceration instead of the existing method for the past 6 years. The ages of patients ranged from 2 to 76 years (average age 39.8+/-17.4 years), with most patients in their thirties (12 patients, 40%), 30 cases underwent canalicular repair with minimal stitch and bicanalicular silicone stent insertion within 24 hours after trauma. The silicone stent was removed 3 months after the operation if the patient did not complain of epiphroa while the canalicular remained open. RESULTS: Twenty-five eyes (83.3%) showed symptom improvement and good passage in lacrimal syringing test in 4~12 months (average: 6.8+/-2.2 months) of follow-up study. Complications included one case each of fistula formation, stent prolapse, and wound infection, and two cases of canalicular stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend this method because of its satisfying success ratio.

A Case of Recurrent Transient Global Amnesia

Transient global amnesia(TGA) is a transient neurological syndrome, which occurs mostly once in life. Although the pathophysiology of TGA is not yet clear, there are well-known precipitating events such as emotional stress, physical exertion, sexual intercourse, painful experiences, and immersion in cold water. We report a 67-year-old man who developed recurrent amnestic episodes fulfilling the criteria for TGA. He had vascular risk factors and precipitating events. We suggest that the number of trigger events and vascular risk factors is associated with TGA recurrence.

Bilateral Facial Nerve Palsy after Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Infection: A Variant of Guillain-Barre Syndrome?

A 9-year-old girl presented with bilateral facial weakness since 10 days after upper respiratory infection. Blink reflex studies and nerve conduction studies suggested bilateral lesions of proximal facial nerves. Her serum was strongly positive for IgM antibodies to Mycoplasma pneumoniae and mildly for IgM to galactocerebroside and albuminocytologic dissociation was found in her cerebrospinal fluid. This case is of the bilateral facial neuropathy by Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection suggesting a variant of Guillain-Barre syndrome.

Vocal Cord Paralysis after the Coronary Artery Bypass Graft: A Case Report / 대한구급학회지

Surgical trauma has long been recognized as the most common cause of unilateral and bilateral vocal cord paralysis. We experienced a case of bilateral vocal cord paralysis after off-pump coronary artery bypass graft. The patient was repeated intubation and extubation after operation in surgical intensive care unit. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy revealed bilateral vocal cord paralysis in the patient. The patient recovered after permanent tracheotomy. We reported a case of vocal cord paralysis after coronary artery bypass graft.

Assessment for the Role of Serotonin Receptor Subtype 3 for the Analgesic Action of Morphine at the Spinal Level / 대한통증학회지

BACKGROUND: Serotonin 3 receptor is involved in the modulation of nociceptive transmission in the spinal cord. The serotonin 3 receptor antagonist has been used for the management of opioid-induced nausea and vomiting. The aim of this study was to examine whether the analgesic effect of morphine is antagonized by serotonin 3 receptor antagonists at the spinal level. METHODS: Rats were implanted with lumbar intrathecal catheters. For nociception, a formalin solution (5%, 50microliter) was injected into the hind paw of male Sprague-Dawley rats. To determine whether the effect of intrathecal morphine was mediated via serotonin 3 receptors, serotonin 3 receptor antagonists were intrathecally administered 10 min prior to the morphine delivery. Following the formalin injection, formalin-induced nociceptive behavior (flinching response) was observed for 60 min. RESULTS: Intrathecal morphine produced a dose-dependent suppression of the flinches in both phases during the formalin test. The analgesic action of morphine was not reversed by serotonin 3 receptor antagonists (LY-278, 584, ondansetron), which had little per se effect on the formalin-induced nociception. CONCLUSIONS: Spinal serotonin 3 receptors may not be involved in the analgesia of morphine on a nociceptive state evoked by a formalin stimulus.

Study for the Antinociceptive Effect and Toxicity of Chronic Intrathecal Infusion of Cannabinoids in Rats / 대한통증학회지

BACKGROUND: Cannabinoids have shown antinociceptive action. The aims of this study were to examine the effect of chronic infusion of a cannabinoids receptors agonist (WIN 55, 212-2) for thermal nociception at the spinal level, and to also observe the development of toxicity. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were implanted with lumbar intrathecal catheters with the nociceptive response (withdrawal response latency) determined by exposing the plantar surface of the hindpaw to radiant heat. Initially, the effect of intrathecal WIN 55, 212-2 was evaluated followed by the change in the effect at 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks after repeated infusion. Finally, the histopathological findings were assessed 1 and 4 weeks following the infusion of WIN 55, 212-2. RESULTS: Intrathecal WIN 55, 212-2 was found to produce a limited antinociception during the thermal test. %MPE of WIN 55, 212-2 at 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks after infusion was not different from each other. No abnormal pathological findings were observed following a chronic intrathecal infusion of WIN 55, 212-2. CONCLUSIONS: WIN 55, 212-2, a cannabinoids receptors agonist, may be useful in the management of thermal nociception, without changing the effectiveness or causing the toxicity following a chronic infusion at the spinal level.

Correlations between the Modified Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation Scale, Bispectral Index and Propofol Effect Site Concentrations in Sedated Elderly Patients under Regional Anesthesia / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: To maintain an adequate sedation level in elderly patients (over 65 years) under regional anesthesia, we evaluated the correlations between the modified observer's assessment of alertness/sedation (OAA/S) scale, bispectral index (BIS), propofol effect site concentrations. METHODS: In elderly patients (over 65 years) scheduled for transurethral resection of a bladder tumor or prostate, we measured BISs and started propofol infusion using the target controlled infusion (TCI) method to sedate patients after regional anesthesia. OAA/S composite scores, measured BISs propofol effect site concentrations and vital signs were determined. RESULTS: When the OAA/S composite score was 5, mean BIS was 97.2 +/- 1.1; when the OAA/S was 4, mean BIS was 84.3 +/- 4.6 and mean propofol effect site concentration was 0.8 +/- 0.3microgram/ml; when the OAA/S was 3, mean BIS was 78.4 +/- 4.3 and mean propofol effect site concentration was 1.2 +/- 0.3microgram/ml; and when the OAA/S was 2, mean BIS was 73.2 +/- 5.9 and mean propofol effect site concentration was 1.5 +/- 0.4microgram/ml. The OAA/S scale was found to be well correlated with BIS (Pearson's r = 0.973) and the propofol effect site concentration (Pearsons's r = -0.968). BIS was also well correlated with propofol effect site concentration (Pearson's r = -1.0). CONCLUSIONS: BIS was found to be a good tool for monitoring sedation level in elderly patients under regional anesthesia with propofol sedation.

A Case Of Sternocostoclavicular Hyperostosis: Differential Diagnosis of Sclerotic Metastasis / 대한류마티스학회지

Sternocostoclavicular hyperostosis is a chronic arthro-osteitis affecting mostly jux-tasternal structures. It is characterized clinically by painfull swelling of the upper anterior chest wall and occasionally is associated with pustulosis palmaris and plantaris. A 34-year-old female presented with upper anterior chest pain and low back pain. She was well until three months ago, then left shoulder pain and multiple pustule on both palms developed. She felt gradually exhausted in spite of symptomatic medication at drug store. Eight months before this admission she underwent an operation on the right sided breast due to a benign mass. On examination there was no evidence of conjunctivitis or aphthous oral ulcer, tenderness on left sternoclavicular joint was noted and flextion of the left hip joint was limited because of pain in the joint area. Multiple pustules were noted in the palms of both hands, but it wasn't associated with nail change. The mammographs was normal. Plain radiographs of the spine showed disc space narrowing of seventh thoracic spine and spondylolysis on fifth' lumbar vertebra. Radionuclide imaging with 99mTc-methylene diphosphonate of the bone showed multiple increased uptake on both sacroiliac joints, both first costochondra] joints, left sternoclavicular joint, and eighth thoracic vertebra. Magnetic Resonance Imaging reavealed low signal intensity in medial end of the left clavicle with joint effusion and Schmorl's node in seventh thoracic disc space. Laboratory tests were normal, except ESR 23mm/h. In this case we think that careful clinical differential diagnosis of sternocostoclavicular hyperostosis should include sclerotic metastasis.