• PNF and Movement
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.215-223
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the contraction ratios of the abdominal muscles and the preferential activation ratios of the transversus abdominis muscle (TrA) during the abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) in the hook-lying, sitting, and standing positions. Methods: This study included 30 healthy participants. The thicknesses of the TrA, internal oblique muscle (IO), and external oblique muscle (EO) were measured at rest and during the ADIM in the hook-lying, sitting, and standing positions using B-mode ultrasound imaging. The contraction ratios of these muscles and the preferential activation ratios of the TrA were calculated for each position. Results: The contraction ratio of the TrA and preferential activation ratio of the TrA during the ADIM in the hook-lying position were significantly higher than those in the sitting and standing positions (p < 0.05). The contraction ratio of the TrA during the ADIM in the sitting position was significantly higher than that in the standing position (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The hook-lying position tended to facilitate TrA activity better than the sitting position. Furthermore, the sitting position tended to facilitate TrA activity better than the standing position. These findings suggest that the ADIM in the hook-lying position should be implemented before that in the sitting position and that the ADIM in the sitting position should be implemented before that in the standing position.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.415-424
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• 2020

Purpose: This study aimed to compare changes in abdominal muscle thickness in different standing postures with a handheld load between subjects with and without chronic low back pain (CLBP). Methods: Twenty subjects with CLBP and 20 controls participated in this study. Ultrasound imaging was used to assess the changes in the thickness of the transverse abdominis (TrA), internal oblique (IO), and external oblique (EO) muscles. Muscle thickness in three different standing postures (standing at rest, standing with loads, standing with lifting loads) was compared with the muscle thickness at rest in the supine position and was expressed as a percentage of change in the thickness of the muscle. Results: While standing with loads, the change in IO muscle thickness in the CLBP patients increased more significantly than in the pain-free controls (p < 0.05). The standing with lifting loads posture showed a significant increase in the change in thickness of the TrA compared with the standing with loads posture (p < 0.05). In addition, the standing with lifting loads posture showed a significant decrease in the change in the thickness of the EO when compared with the standing with loads posture (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The automatic activity of the IO muscle in subjects with CLBP increased more than that of the pain-free controls in the standing with loads posture. These findings suggest that IO muscle function may be altered in those with CLBP while standing with loads. Additionally, TrA the activation level was found to be associated with increased postural demand caused by an elevated center of mass.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.72-77
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• 2018

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effects of core exercise methods on muscle activation and muscle thickness in healthy young adults and to propose effective core exercise methods. Design: Three-group pretest-posttest design. Methods: A total of 30 healthy young adults (14 males, 16 females) voluntarily participated in the study. Subjects were randomized to the prone plank exercise (n=10), reverse plank exercise (n=10), or bridge exercise (n=10) groups. Muscle activity and thickness of the rectus abdominis (RA), multifidus (MF), external oblique (EO), and internal oblique (IO) muscles were measured using surface electromyography and ultrasound. Subjects from each group participated in the exercises five times a week, with five 20-second sets during week 1. The set time was increased by 10 seconds per week. Results: Muscle activity and thickness in the prone plank, reverse plank, and bridge exercise group were statistically significant different for RA, MF, EO, and IO changes over time, and interaction between time and groups were also significantly different (p<0.05). We analyzed statistically significant differences between groups using a one-way analysis of variance for each period. A significant difference was observed after 4 weeks of exercise (p<0.05). Conclusions: The results suggest that the prone plank exercise is a beneficial method for enhancing muscle activation and thickness of the RA, EO, and IO compared to the reverse plank and bridge exercises. On the other hand, the reverse plank and bridge exercises are effective methods for enhancing the MF compared to the prone plank exercise.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.16-22
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• 2022

A 12-year-old spayed female beagle dog was presented with pollakiuria and stranguria. Abdominal ultrasonography identified irregular a marginated, hyperechoic mass in the urethra and trigon area of the bladder. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a heterogeneous mass in the trigone area leading to a urethra. There was no evidence of regional or distant metastasis. Cytologic analysis suspected transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). The patient was treated with piroxicam, mitoxantrone, and once weekly fractionated radiation therapy (RT) with volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). A follow-up CT scan at 6 months after RT revealed a reduction in tumor size. At 17 months after the start of RT, the patient became severely anorectic and lethargic. Ultrasound examination revealed a hyperechoic mass in the apex area of bladder while the trigone area of the bladder and urethra appeared normal. Multiple hypoechoic nodules of various sizes were found in the liver and spleen. The patient was humanely euthanized at the request of the owner. A combination of piroxicam, mitoxantrone, and hypofractionated RT with VMAT protocol was well tolerated. This case described tumor response and survival time of a canine TCC treated with piroxicam, mitoxantrone, and once weekly palliative RT using computer-assisted planning and VMAT.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.275-278
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• 2017

An 8-year old female Korean Short Hair cat with a history of paralysis of both hind limbs less than 1 hour before admission was referred. On physical examination, the left hind limb was cold and there was no pulsation or mobility. On abdominal ultrasound examination, a thrombus 8 mm in length was found at the aortic bifurcation. The patient was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and cardiogenic pulmonary edema through radiologic evaluation and echocardiography. A tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) was applied intravenously using an accelerated dosing protocol (1 mg administered intravenously [IV] bolus, 2.5 mg IV over 30 min, 1.5 mg IV over 1 h) to treat the feline arterial thromboembolism. Within 12 h after administration of tPA, pulsation and mobility of both hind limbs were normal, without any noticeable complications. Clopidogrel was prescribed to prevent additional thrombus formation, and pimobendan, benazepril, and furosemide were prescribed for administration at home. The patient was discharged and survived 377 days.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.338-342
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• 2015

A 12-year-old castrated male miniature Schnauzer had anorexia, vomiting, lethargy, and fever for four days. The dog had leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia, hypoglycemia, hypoalbuminemia, hyperbilirubinemia, increased hepatic enzymes on hematologic and biochemical examinations. On abdominal ultrasonographs, there was an enlarged gallbladder with hyperechoic irregular wall thickening. Echocardiography showed vegetative change and regurgitation of aortic and mitral valves. E.coli was identified through ultrasound guided percutaneous cholecystocentesis and bile culture. Bacterial cholecystitis and concurrent endocarditis were diagnosed. The dog was recovered from sepsis with antibacterial and aggressive supportive therapy.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.295-302
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• 2008

Two dogs were referred to Veterinary Medical Center, Chungbuk National University with the clinical signs of vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, and jaundice. Both dogs were diagnosed as extrahepatic biliary tract obstruction(EHBO) with concurrent pancreatitis based on dilated common bile duct and hyperechoic or mixed-echoic pancreas in abdominal ultrasonographic examination and serum biochemical abnormalities, such as high serum bilirubin, cholesterol, and increased cholestatic enzyme activity. Percutaneous ultrasound-guided cholecytocentesis(PUCC) was performed to examine bile and decompress the gall bladder. After PUCC with medical therapy, both dogs were steadily improved clinical signs of jaundice and anorexia. Also, cholestatic enzyme activity and serum bilirubin concentration decreased. Any complications that have been described in previous studies, such as peritonitis resulting from bile leakage and hemorrhage, were not identified. It is assumed that percutaneous ultrasound guided cholecystocentesis may be an useful diagnostic and therapeutic tool in canine gallbladder disease and can be used easily and safely to gain bile for diagnosis of bacterial cholecytitis.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.298-302
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• 2014

An 8-year-old castrated male domestic shorthair cat (Case 1) and 3-year-old castrated male Siamese cat (Case 2) was presented with acute paresis of the hindlimbs, constant open-mouth breathing, and hemoptysis. Heart murmur (Case 1) and gallop sound (Case 2) was ausculated on the left heart base. Radiographs revealed alveolar infiltration of the caudodorsal lung lobes with aerophagea in Case 1 and prominent cardiomegaly in Case 2. Marked concentric hypertrophy of the ventricular septum and free wall, and left atrial enlargement was detected through echocardiography in both cats. Based on the examinations including echocardiography, those cats were diagnosed as hypertropic cardiomyopathy. Abdominal ultrasound revealed echogenic material in the aortic trifurcation region, aortic thromboembolism (ATE). Although prognosis of those animals was guarded, interventional therapeutic approach through direct endovascular thrombolytic therapy was attempted. ATE was visualized through angiography; however dissolving the embolus using interventional thrombolytic approach was not successful due to the extensive thrombus.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.1597-1602
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether whole-liver radiotherapy plus a tumor-boost dose with concurrent chemotherapy is beneficial for colorectal cancer patients with massive and multiple liver metastases. From January 2007 to December 2012, 19 patients who exhibited massive (with a longest diameter > 5 cm) and invasive liver metastases and multiple metastases were treated with radiotherapy and concurrent chemotherapy. The total radiation dose was 53.4 Gy (range 38.8 Gy-66.3 Gy). All of the patients received a continuous intravenous dose of 5 fluorouracil (5-FU) 225 mg/m2 concurrently with radiation. The median survival time was 19 months. The 1- and 2- year overall survival rates were 78.3% and 14.3%, respectively. Of all of the patients who presented with abdominal pain, 100% experienced a decrease in pain. Decreases in the rates of ascites and jaundice were confirmed by ultrasound and bilirubin levels. No cases of Grade 4 or 5 acute or late toxicity were recorded. There were only two cases of Grade 3 toxicity (elevated bilirubin). These data provide evidence that whole-liver radiotherapy plus a tumor-boost dose with concurrent chemotherapy is beneficial for colorectal cancer patients with massive and multiple liver metastases.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.268-272
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• 2009

An-11-year-old male Shih-tzu was admitted to emergency care unit of Haemaru Referral Animal Hospital with signs of dyspnea, anuria and depression. There were abnormalities on complete blood count and serum chemistry included leukocytosis with mild left shift, mild azotemia, and increased ALT activity. Fluid therapy(0.9% saline, 40 ml/hr) and antibiotics were immediately initiated. The patient began to vomit after 5 hours' rest and pale mucous membrane, bradycardia, and hypertension were noted. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed enlarged left adrenal gland and thrombus in caudal vena cava(CVC). Result of ACTH stimulation test was normal. Cytology of ultrasound-guided FNA smears showed numerous naked nuclei, which was suggestive of adrenal medullar tumor. Concentrations of 24 hour urine metanephrine and normetanephrine was moderately increased compared to those of a control dog. Adrenal mass was surgically removed, and biopsy of the CVC mass was obtained. After surgery the patient began to recover but the dog acutely developed cardiopulmonary arrest and died. On histopathology the adrenal mass and biopsy of the CVC mass were consistent with pheochromocytoma. On electron microscopic view norepinephrine specific granules were found in the cytoplasm of tumor cells.