RESUMEN
A 76-year-old woman was found unconscious in her home one morning in August. She was subsequently diagnosed and treated for heat stroke by her physician. However, 55 days later, she was transferred to our hospital presenting with symptoms of dementia, dysarthria, dysphagia, moderate bilateral upper extremity paralysis, severe lower extremity paraplegia, and loss of deep tendon reflexes. Cerebellar ataxia in her upper extremities and no sensory disturbance in her extremities were also noted. She required assistance when eating and upon excretion, as well as the use of a wheelchair. She was rehabilitated for one month and was subsequently able to urinate on her own. However, her physical function and ability to carry out daily activities did not improve. As a result, she was evaluated further using nerve conduction studies and needle electromyography, the results of which suggested spinal cord lesions (anterior horn cells or ventral roots). In 1985, Delgado et al. reported a case of central nervous system sequelae after heat stroke. In their case, flaccid quadriplegia, bladder-rectal disorder, and sweating dysfunction were observed, but no sensory disturbance was detected. They described pathological findings of lesions in the anterior horn, the medial lateral horn, and the ventral root of the spinal cord. Based on this, it is highly likely that spinal cord lesions were also caused by heat stroke in our case. Although there are few reports of spinal cord lesions as a sequela of heat stroke, this case highlights the need to carefully monitor patients of heat stroke for such pathological conditions.
RESUMEN
Mouthwash is used to support brushing because it is distributed throughout the oral cavity. In this study, we examined the efficacy of a mixture of three hot water extracts (from Hordeum vulgare L, Apocynum venetum L, and Brasenia schreberi J. F. Gmel) for the purpose of developing an effective mouthwash. The mixture suppressed enhanced tumor necrosis factor α and matrix metalloproteinase 3 gene expression by Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide stimulation in human gingival fibroblasts. Furthermore, human studies using a mouthwash containing the plant extracts (MW) improved gingival index and bleeding on probing in the gum, and reduced the concentration of methyl mercaptan, which causes bad breath, in the mouth. These findings suggest that continued use of MW has positive effects on gingival inflammation and halitosis, and is useful for maintaining oral health.
RESUMEN
The prevalence of joint diseases in Japan is increasing yearly and it causes the need of nursing care and reduces quality of life. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of approaches to prevent and treat the diseases. In the present study, we investigated the effective, healthy food material focusing on the metabolism of joint cartilage. Ampelopsis glandulosa (A. g. ) extract improved exacerbation of hyaluronic acid metabolism and NFκB nuclear translocation caused by inflammatory cytokines, and it suppressed the onset of collagen-induced arthritis in mice. Moreover, intake of the drink containing A. g. extract for three months improved discomfort, pain, and bending angle of knee joint in activities of daily living. These results suggest that A. g. extract improves hyaluronic acid metabolism of joint cartilage, and it is expected to prevent and improve joint disease by long-term intake of the drink containing A. g. extract.
RESUMEN
A 31-year-old healthy mother of twins developed Guillain-Barré syndrome in her fourth gestational week of pregnancy. Impaired motor coordination, sensation, and joint position sense were observed. Immunoglobulin therapy was not performed given the early stage of pregnancy. She received rehabilitation to accommodate changes in her body shape and movements necessary for pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare. The patient delivered a healthy baby by cesarean section. By 42 weeks postpartum, she was capable of almost all housework activities and childcare. Family support was important in this case. Patient-oriented intervention, which included periodic confirmation and establishment of goals in each phase and continuity of intervention, was also essential.