• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.55 no.5
• /
• pp.533-540
• /
• 2017

Schistosoma mansoni is highly endemic in Tanzania and affects all age groups at different degrees. However, its control approach does not include adult individuals who are equally at risk and infected. To justify the inclusion of adult individuals in MDA programs in Tanzania, the present study focused on determining the prevalence of S. mansoni infection and its related morbidities among adult individuals. This was a cross sectional study conducted among 412 adult individuals aged 18-89 years living in selected villages of Rorya and Butiama districts located along the shoreline of the Lake Victoria. A pretested questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic and socio-economic information of participants. Ultrasonographic examinations were conducted for all study participants using the Niamey protocol. A single stool sample was obtained from all study participants and examined for S. mansoni using the Kato-Katz technique. The study revealed a high prevalence of S. mansoni (56.3%), and the majority of infected individuals had a light intensity of infection. Ultrasonographic findings revealed that 22.4% of adult individuals had periportal fibrosis (PPF) (grade C-F), with 18.4% having grade C and D and 4% having grade E and F. Males had the highest prevalence of PPF (31.7% vs 10.8%, P<0.001). Organomegaly was common with 28.5% and 29.6% having splenomegaly and hepatomegaly, respectively. S. mansoni infection and its related morbidities included PPF, hepatomegaly, and splenomegaly were common among adult individuals. To reduce the level of transmission of S. mansoni infection, planned mass drug administration campaigns should include adult individuals living in these villages.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.74-80
• /
• 2013

Purpose: There are no detailed reports on the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in pelvic and acetabular fractures in the Asian population. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of VTE in pelvic and acetabular fractures in the Korean population. Methods: The cases of 67 Korean patients with pelvic and acetabular fractures treated at our hospital from January 2009 to February 2012 were analyzed retrospectively. Until May 2010, VTE screening was performed by contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) or ultrasonography (US) when the D-dimer value did not decline predictably, still exceeded $20{\mu}g/ml$ at 5 days after trauma and surgery, or increased to greater than $20{\mu}g/ml$ after a period of decline. After May 2010, contrast-enhanced CT and US were performed routinely irrespective of the D-dimer value. Physical prophylaxis was performed on all patients. The effects of the presence of a pelvic and/or acetabular fracture, and the effects of fracture type, accompanying injuries, and screening strategies on the incidences of VTE were investigated. Results: Overall, 26 patients(38.8%) were diagnosed with VTE and PTE in 14(20.9%). All were asymptomatic. Significantly higher incidences of VTE and PTE were observed in trauma patients with pelvic and acetabular fractures than in trauma patients without pelvic and acetabula fractures treated during the same period. No significant differences were observed in the incidences of VTE and PTE between patients with pelvic fractures, and patients with acetabular fractures or between patients with and without accompanying injuries. Compared with the previous screening strategy, the detection rates for VTE and PTE were higher for the newer screening strategy; however, the difference did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion: In the Korean population, we should be vigilant for a high incidence of VTE, especially PTE, in patients with pelvic and acetabular fractures.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.207-213
• /
• 2003

This objective of this experiment were to evaluate the effect of various estrus synchronization programs on estrus detection rate and pregnancy rate in Hanwoo. After Postpartum 60 Days, a total of 150 cows divided into 2 groups. Cows Group 1 were treated with one luteolytic dosage of PGF$_2$$\alpha$(25 mg, im; lutalyse. USA) on Day 0, and with a second dosage 14 d later; cows in Group 2 were treated with GnRH(l00 $\mu\textrm{g}$, im; Conceral. Korea) on Day 0, PGF$_2$$\alpha$ 7 d later, GnRH 2 d later, and then time-inseminated approximately 16 h after this second treatment with GnRH. Ovarian morphology was monitored cows by trans-rectal ultrasonography from 24 hr to 32 hrs after second GnRH injection. The result obtained summarized as follows: 1. Cows synchronization of estrus with GnRH+PGF$_2$$\alpha$+GnRH(Ov-synch) and PGF$_2$$\alpha$ were 91.3 and 40.0%, respectively. 2. Induced ovulation were 24 to 32hr after the second GnRH injection, but high induced ovulation was 28hr. 3. High conception rate were 24hr insemination after the second GnRH injection. 4. Conception rate with PGF$_2$$\alpha$, CIDR and GnRH treatment were 50.0, 36.0 and 76.9%, respectively.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.26 no.9
• /
• pp.1247-1254
• /
• 2013

The effects of Sheng Hua Tang (SHT) on uterine involution and ovarian activity were investigated in postpartum dairy cows. SHT (70 g) was given to dairy cows (n = 10) to evaluate its effects for five days from the first postpartum day. Postpartum cows fed with a basal diet without SHT were used as the control group (n = 10). Ultrasounds and blood tests were recorded for four weeks from postpartum day seven with a 3-d interval. The results showed that the areas and diameters of endometria were significantly (p<0.01) reduced in the group that received SHT compared to the control group on the seventh postpartum day. The group that received SHT had an intrauterine fluid volume mean of $1.2{\pm}0.6cm^3$, which was significantly lower than that of the control group, $2.3{\pm}0.8cm^3$ (p<0.01) on the 13th postpartum day. In addition, the uterine tension score was a mean of $1.0{\pm}0.0$ in the group that received SHT, which was also significantly lower than that of the control group, $1.5{\pm}0.5$ (p<0.01) on the 19th postpartum day. Taken together, the Chinese herbal medicine remedy, SHT, promoted uterine involution and ovarian activity in postpartum dairy cows.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.26-35
• /
• 2021

Objective: This study was conducted to assess the level of pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) in whole and skim milk samples, and its suitability for early pregnancy diagnosis in goats. Methods: A two-step sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) system for estimation of milk PAG was developed and validated, which employed caprine-PAG specific polyclonal antisera. Whole and skim milk samples (n = 210 each) from fifteen multiparous goats were collected on alternate days from d 10 to d 30, and thereafter weekly till d 51 post-mating. PAG levels in milk samples were estimated by ELISA and the pregnancies were confirmed at d40 post-mating by transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS). Results: The level of PAG in whole and skim milk samples of both pregnant and nonpregnant goats remained below the threshold values until d 24 after mating. Thereafter, PAG concentration in whole and skim milk increased steadily in pregnant goats, whereas it continued below the threshold in non-pregnant does. The PAG profiles in whole and skim milk of pregnant goats were almost similar and exhibited strong positive relationship (r = 0.891; p<0.001). Day 26 post-mating was identified as the first time-point for significantly (p<0.05) higher milk PAG concentration in pregnant goats than to non-pregnant goats. When compared to TRUS examination for pregnancy diagnosis, the accuracy and specificity of PAG ELISA using whole and skim milk samples were 94.5% and 95.4%; and 95.3% and 100%, respectively. The high values of area-under-curve (0.904 [whole milk] and 0.922 [skim milk]), demonstrate outstanding discrimination ability of the milk assays. Among the sampling dates chosen, d 37 post-mating was identified as the best suitable time point for collection of milk samples to detect pregnancy in goats. Conclusion: The PAG concentration in whole and skim milk of goats collected between days 26 and 51 post-breeding can be used for the accurate prediction of pregnancy and may be useful for assisting management decisions in goat flocks.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.13 no.9
• /
• pp.1205-1209
• /
• 2000

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of stimulation of follicular development with eCG on the peripheral levels of inhibin and FSH in Murrah buffaloes. Estrus was synchronized in five normally cycling females by insertion of Crestar (Intervet, Boxmeer, Holland) implants for nine days. Estradiol valerate was administered i.m. on the day of implant insertion. On the 10th day of the induced estrous cycle a single dose of 3000 IU eCG (Folligon, Intervet, Boxmeer, Holland) was given, followed by treatment with 25 mg of $PGF_2$ alpha (Lutalyse, Upjohn, Belgium) 48 h later. Blood samples were obtained during the induced estrus, on cycle day 10 (luteal phase), at the superovulatory estrus (43 h after PGF) and during the periovulatory period (64 h after PGF). Ultrasonography was done daily to monitor follicular development. Plasma concentrations of inhibin and FSH were determined by specific radioimmunoassays. Differences between $mean{\pm}SEM$ values of different phases of the cycle were compared by ANOVA. The mean number of small (2-5 mm), medium (6-9 mm) and large (>10 mm) follicles observed two days after eCG treatment and on the day of superovulatory estrus was $2.8{\pm}0.31$, $5.2{\pm}0.30$ and $1.4{\pm}0.09$ and $1.9{\pm}0.21$, $2.8{\pm}0.40$ and $5.0{\pm}0.83$, respectively. The mean number of ovulations was $3.6{\pm}0.37$ and the mean number of unovulated follicles was $6.1{\pm}0.47$. Most of the follicles >10 mm in diameter had ovulated (72%). The mean ${\pm}SEM $ of plasma inhibin concentration $(2584.15{\pm}17.92pg/ml)$ during the superovulatory estrus was significantly higher $(p{\leq}0.05)$ than during the induced estrus $(749.87{\pm}17.29pg/ml)$, the luteal phase $(1099.54{\pm}24.98pg/ml)$ and periovulatory period $(1682.71{\pm}29.88pg/ml)$, respectively. $Mean{\pm}SEM$ plasma FSH concentration during the induced estrus $(10.35{\pm}0.41ng/ml)$ was not different from that during the superovulatory estrus $(8.52{\pm}0.39ng/ml)$, but was significantly higher $(p{\leq}0.05)$ than during the luteal phase $(2.81{\pm}0.42ng/ml)$ and periovulatory period $(5.7{\pm}0.28ng/ml)$. These data indicate that treatment with eCG in buffaloes for inducing superovulation results in a significant elevation in plasma inhibin levels and a decrease in plasma FSH levels during the superovulatory estrus. Thus, we suggest that the elevated plasma inhibin coming from fully developed follicles continued for a long time which results in inhibition of FSH leading to poor ovulation in the remaining follicles, which may be the cause of suboptimal superovulatory response.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.5 no.3
• /
• pp.155-161
• /
• 2016

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the reliability and validity of a personal computer-based muscle viewer (PC-BMW) compared with that of a portable ultrasound (P-US) for measuring upper trapezius (UT) and transversus abdominis (TrA) muscle thickness at rest and during contraction. Design: Observational inter-rater reliability study. Methods: Fifty-five healthy participants (25 men, 30 women) participated in this study. PC-BMW and P-US were randomly measured at the UT and TrA muscles. Two examiners randomly obtained the images of all participants in 3 test sessions lasting 2 days. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs), standard error of measurement, contraction ratio, and correlation were used to estimate reliability and validity. Pearson's correlation coefficients were used to analyze the relationship between muscle thickness measures taken from PC-BMW and P-US. Results: The intra-rater reliability ICCs of UT and TrA muscle thickness for the PC-BMW were >0.995, indicating excellent reliability. Inter-rater reliability ICCs for the PC-BMW ranged from 0.963 to 0.987. The P-US also exhibited high reliability. A high correlation was found between the measurements of the two muscles in PC-BMW and P-US (p<0.01). Conclusions: PC-BMW provides clear and excellent images, is pocket-sized and less expensive than a conventional ultrasound imaging system. PC-BMW can be utilized variously and has the advantage of rehabilitative ultrasound imaging. More research is needed to evaluate the utility of PC-BMW for rehabilitation.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.37 no.4
• /
• pp.343-353
• /
• 2024

Background: This study aimed to compare the intercostal nerve block (ICNB) and thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) for acute herpes zoster-associated pain (ZAP) and possible prophylaxis for post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). Methods: This study enrolled 128 patients with ZAP. Their records were stratified into standard antiviral treatment (AVT) plus US-guided TPVB (the TPVB group), AVT plus US-guided ICNB (the ICNB group) or AVT alone (the control group). Herpes zoster (HZ)-related burden of illness (HZ-BOI) within the post-procedural 30 days was defined as the primary endpoint, determined by a composite of pain severity and follow-up duration. Procedure time, rescue analgesic requirement, PHN incidence, health-related quality of life and side effects were also recorded. Results: Significantly lower HZ-BOI-AUC₃₀ was reported in the TPVB and ICNB groups as compared to the control group, with a mean difference of 57.5 (P < 0.001) and 40.3 (P = 0.003), respectively. However, there was no difference between the TPVB and ICNB groups (P = 0.978). Both TPVB and ICNB reported significantly greater improvements in PHN incidence, EQ-5D-3L scores and rescue analgesic requirements during follow-up, as opposed to the control AVT. Shorter procedure time was observed in ICNB as compared to TPVB (16.47 ± 3.39 vs. 11.69 ± 2.58, P < 0.001). Conclusions: Both US-guided TPVBs and ICNBs were effective for ZAP, and accounted for possible prophylaxis for PHN, as compared to AVT alone. The ICNB approach could be recommended as an alternative to conventional TPVB with a better consumed procedure time and side effect profile.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.247-251
• /
• 2011

Botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) is used for treating bilateral masseter hypertrophy since 1994. Recently there have been more clinical studies in this area, with some authors reporting that BoNT-A can reduce the size of the masseter muscle, as documented by photography, ultrasonography, computed tomography, and 3D(three dimensional) laser scan. However, earlier studies were only for bilateral masseter hypertrophy cases, not for unilateral masseter hypertrophy cases. The aim of this study was to use 3D laser scanning to evaluate changes in the external facial contour induced by unilateral BoNT-A injection. BoNT-A was injected into hypertrophic masseter muscle unilaterally in 10 patients with asymmetric masseter hypertrophy. The clinical effects of unilaterally injected BoNT-A were evaluated before the injection and 4, 8, and 12weeks after the injection using 3D laser scan. And the mean values of both sides (injection and non-injection sides) were compared with. At injection side, mean values of the volume and the bulkiest height at each time point diminished significantly between pre-injection and 4, 8, and 12weeks post-injection. At non-injection side, in contrast, mean values of the volume and the bulkiest height diminished also but less than that of injected side, and there was no statistical significance. In this limited study, we concluded that the unilaterally BoNT-A injection side showed greater mean values of the reduction of muscle volume than non-injection side at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after the injection.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.130-133
• /
• 2012

The purpose of this study is to assess the relationship between glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and age by using dynamic computed tomography (CT) and Patlak plot analysis in dogs. Fifteen dogs were used in this study. CT-GFR study was performed under general anesthesia using propofol and isoflurane. 1 ml/kg dosage of 300 mgI/ml iohexol was administered at a rate of 3 ml/s during GFR measurement. CT-GFR was determined with a single-slice dynamic acquisition and Patlak plot analysis. The individual and global GFR values were calculated to plasma clearance per body weight (ml/min/kg). Bodyweight ($mean{\pm}SD$) ranged from 2.0 to 5.7 kg ($3.31{\pm}1.13$ kg). Age ranged from 3 years to 13 years old ($7.14{\pm}3.30$). $Mean{\pm}SD$ creatinine ($0.53{\pm}0.34 $mg/dl), phosphorus ($4.1{\pm}1.2$ mg/dL), and albumin ($3.3{\pm}0.3$ mg/dL) concentrations and urine protein-to-creatinine ratios (all ratios were < 0.5) were within reference ranges. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed small-sized renal calculi, mineralization, or renal cyst at eight dogs. The global CT-GFR ranges shown in this study was 2.57 to 6.60 ml/min/kg. In this study, there was no trend toward weight-adjusted CT-GFR with increasing age. We found no relationships between age-related kidney dysfunction in fifteen dogs. Small-sized renal calculi or cysts did not affect renal function in this study. However, it is thought that a large sample size may have been required to document an age effect.