ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of home-based cardiac rehabilitation (HBCR) and center-based cardiac rehabilitation (CBCR) in cardiovascular risk factor management. METHODS: We performed retrospective review of the electronic medical records of 72 patients who were hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome and participated in a cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program for the first time. The participants were stratified into the HBCR group, receiving educational programs and performing self-exercise at home, and the CBCR group, participating in electrocardiogram monitoring monitoring exercise training in hospital settings. The results of the Lifestyle Questionnaire survey were investigated at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. RESULTS: Both groups showed significant improvements in serum low-density lipoprotein levels, frequency of alcohol consumption, eating habits and psychological status. Moderate-intensity exercise duration and the maximal metabolic equivalents values improved significantly in both groups but slightly more in the CBCR group. However, the number of current smokers increased in both groups, and no significant changes were found in body mass index, serum glycated hemoglobin levels, serum high-density lipoprotein levels, or high-intensity exercise duration. CONCLUSION: Regardless of the CR program type, a patient's lifestyle can be modified. Therefore, patients should continue participating in any type of CR program.
ABSTRACT
To reconstruct an ideal full-thickness skin model, basal keratinocytes must be distributed as a confluent monolayer on the dermis. However, the currently available extrusion bioprinting method for the skin is limited when producing an air-exposed cellular monolayer because the cells are encapsulated within a bioink. This is the first study to use sacrificial gelatin-assisted extrusion bioprinting to reproduce a uniform and stratified epidermal layer. Experimental analyses of the rheological properties, printability, cell viability, and initial keratinocyte adhesion shows that the optimal gelatin bioink concentration is 4 wt.%. The appropriate thickness of the bioprinted gelatin structure for achieving a confluent keratinocyte layer is determined to be 400 µm. The suggested strategy generates a uniform keratinocyte monolayer with tight junctions throughout the central and peripheral regions, whereas manual seeding generates non-uniform cellular aggregates and vacancies. These results influence gene expression, exhibiting a propensity for epidermal differentiation. Finally, the gelatin-assisted keratinocytes are bioprinted onto a dermis composed of gelatin methacryloyl and dermis-derived decellularized extracellular matrix to establish a full-thickness skin model. Thus, this strategy leads to significant improvements in epidermal differentiation/stratification. The findings demonstrate that the gelatin-assisted approach is advantageous for recreating reliable full-thickness skin models with significant consistency for mass production.
Subject(s)
Bioprinting , Bioprinting/methods , Gelatin/chemistry , Skin , Epidermis , Hydrogels/chemistry , Tissue Engineering/methods , Printing, Three-Dimensional , Tissue Scaffolds/chemistryABSTRACT
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. Electrophysiologic studies, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging were used to localize and confirm the median nerve lesion in the distal forearm. Ultrasound-guided perineural steroid injection and oral pregabalin were administered. At the 1-month follow-up, more than 80% of the sensory symptoms had resolved, and the results of the sensory nerve conduction study and ultrasound showed improvement. Although massage-induced mononeuropathy is uncommon, massage therapy should be performed carefully to avoid complications.
