Association between abdominal fat distribution and atherosclerotic changes in the carotid artery.

Aim: We aimed to evaluate the association between abdominal fat distribution (e.g., abdominal visceral fat area [VFA], subcutaneous fat area [SFA], and total fat area [TFA]), waist circumference (WC), or body mass index (BMI) and atherosclerotic changes in the carotid artery after adjusting for common risk factors.

Influence of smoking on HIV infection among HIV-infected Japanese men.

We performed a cross-sectional study that included 100 HIV-infected Japanese men without hemophilia to examine the influence of smoking on HIV infection. History of smoking was obtained using a questionnaire. The percentage of current smokers was 40 % and was the highest (50 %) among men in their forties.

A case of diaphragmatic paralysis complicated by herpes-zoster virus infection.

Diaphragmatic paralysis is commonly caused by surgical and traumatic injuries, malignant neoplasm, and neurodegenerative disorders. However, in rare instances, diaphragmatic paralysis due to herpes-zoster virus infection has been reported. Here, we describe an 85-year-old woman who developed left hemidiaphragmatic paralysis within 19 days of the appearance of a typical herpes-zoster rash involving the C4-5 dermatome on the left side.

Correlation between HIV disease and lipid metabolism in antiretroviral-naïve HIV-infected patients in Japan.

Antiretroviral therapy alters lipid metabolism in HIV-infected patients. However, interpreting the impact of HIV infection on lipid metabolism is difficult because of various associated factors, including antiretroviral drugs and demographic characteristics. A few studies have associated HIV infection with lipid metabolism in antiretroviral-naïve HIV-infected patients.