Benefit in physical function and quality of life to nonsurgical treatment of varicose veins: Pilot study

BACKGROUND Studies on varicose veins have focused its effects on physical function;however,whether nonsurgical treatments alter muscle oxygenation or physical function remains unclear.Moreover,the differences in such functions between individuals with varicose veins and healthy individuals remain unclear.AIM To investigate changes in physical function and the quality of life(QOL)following nonsurgical treatment of patients with varicose veins and determine the changes in their muscle oxygenation during activity.METHODS We enrolled 37 participants(those with varicose veins,n=17;healthy individuals,n=20).We performed the following measurements pre-and post-nonsurgical treatment in the varicose vein patients and healthy individuals:Calf muscle oxygenation during the two-minute step test,open eyes one-leg stance,30 s sit-to-stand test,visual analog scale(VAS)for pain,Pittsburgh sleep quality index,physical activity assessment,and QOL assessment.RESULTS Varicose veins patients and healthy individuals differ in most variables(physical function,sleep quality,and QOL).Varicose veins patients showed significant differences between pre-and post-nonsurgical treatment—results in the 30 sit-to-stand test[14.41(2.45)to 16.35(4.11),P=0.018],two-minute step test[162.29(25.98)to 170.65(23.80),P=0.037],VAS for pain[5.35(1.90)to 3.88(1.73),P=0.004],and QOL[39.34(19.98)to 26.69(17.02),P=0.005];however,no significant difference was observed for muscle oxygenation.CONCLUSION Nonsurgical treatment improved lower extremity function and QOL in varicose veins patients,bringing their condition close to that of healthy individuals.Future studies should include patients with severe varicose veins requiring surgery to confirm our findings.

Venous adventitial cystic disease is a very rare disease that can cause deep vein thrombosis:A case report

BACKGROUND Venous adventitial cystic disease(VACD)is a rare disease characterized by cysts,filled with a gelatinous mucous substance similar to joint fluid,in the adventitia of blood vessels adjacent to the joints.It is often misdiagnosed as deep vein thrombosis(DVT),femoral varices,venous tumors,or lymphadenopathy.CASE SUMMARY A 69-year-old woman visited our hospital with a complaint of swelling in the right lower extremity.The patient was diagnosed with DVT and prescribed apixaban at an outpatient clinic.After 3 wk,the patient was hospitalized again because of sudden swelling in the right lower extremity.We diagnosed VACD and performed surgery for cyst removal as well as patch angioplasty and thrombectomy of the right common femoral vein.The patient received anticoagulants for 6 mo and has been doing well without recurrence for 1 year postoperatively.CONCLUSION Recurrent VACD requires complete removal of the connections to the joint cavity to prevent recurrence.

Acute limb ischemia after minimally invasive cardiac surgery using the ProGlide:A case series

BACKGROUND We report two cases of acute femoral artery occlusion following the use of ProGlide in minimally invasive cardiac surgery and insertion of large-bore catheters through the common femoral artery.This will add to the existing body of literature by highlighting the possible complications associated with the use of ProGlide and reiterate that the use of the sono-guided ProGlide skill will reduce the incidence of these complications.CASE SUMMARY A 78-year-old man underwent minimally invasive cardiac surgery for severe aortic valve stenosis.After the operation,the puncture site of the common femoral artery was closed using ProGlide.The next morning,after regaining consciousness,he complained of pain,motor weakness(grade 2),and coldness in the right lower extremity.A 65-year-old man underwent minimally invasive cardiac surgery for a large secundum atrial septal defect(5 cm×5 cm).After the operation,the puncture site of the common femoral artery was closed using ProGlide.After extubation,the patient complained of paresthesia of the right thigh.Both the patients underwent emergency surgery for acute occlusion of the common femoral artery.CONCLUSION If the sono-guided ProGlide skill is used,complications can be prevented,and ProGlide can be safely used.

Rationally designed graphene channels for real-time sodium ion detection for electronic tongue

Monitoring taste-inducing ions and molecules continuously in liquids or solutions is of great considerable matter for the realization of the electronic tongue(E-tongue).Particularly from the five major tastes,the highly selective,sensitive detection of Na^(+)in real-time is prioritized.Prioritization is due to the saltiness of food is the key ingredient in most meals.Nevertheless,existing Na^(+)detecting devices have relatively low performances of selectivity,sensitivity,and lack of on–off functions.Additionally,conventional devices significantly deteriorate in capac-ity due to repetitive usage or lifetime shortage by degradation of the sensing mate-rial.Herein,a graphene-based channel was rationally designed by the facile decoration of Calix[4]arene and Nafion to address this issue.They act as a receptor and a molecular sieve,respectively,to enhance selectivity and sensitivity and elon-gate the life expectancy of the device.This device was merged with a microfluidic channel to control the injection and withdrawal of solutions to fulfill dynamic on–off functions.The fabricated device has highly selective,sensitive Na^(+)detection properties compared to other 10 molecule/ionic species.Dynamic on–off functions of the device were available,also possesses a long lifespan of at least 220 days.Additionally,it can precisely discriminate real beverages containing Na^(+),which can be observed by principal component analysis plot.These features offer the possibility of ascending to a platform for E-tongues in near future.