The AERO prosthetic liner: socket pressure distribution, comfort and material composition.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the pressure distribution and comfort of transtibial prosthesis wearers using an affordable ethyl-vinyl acetate (EVA) roll-on (AERO) liner.

Method: Fifteen unilateral transtibial prosthesis users wore patella tendon bearing (PTB) sockets with a polyethylene foam (PE-lite) liner were enrolled this study. AERO liners were provided to all participants.

Evaluation of an interphalangeal-joint prosthetic hand in trans-radial prosthesis users.

Background: A body-powered functional and cosmetically appeasing hand with moving interphalangeal joints (IPJ-Hand) was created. Function and satisfaction with the IPJ-Hand, conventional hand (CH) and functional hook (FH) in trans-radial prosthesis users were evaluated.

Methods: Eight participants with trans-radial amputations were provided with three prosthetic hands and performed the Nine Hole Peg Test (NHPT), Brief Activity Measure of Upper Limb Amputees (BAM-ULA) and Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology QUEST).

High-Level Mobility of Trans-Tibial Prosthesis Users Wearing Commercial and sPace Energy-Storing Prosthetic Feet.

Unlabelled: Outcomes of users provided with a commercial ESR Vari-Flex foot (Össur, Reykjavik, Iceland) and a locally designed sPace foot were investigated. Step activity with users' own prosthetic foot compared to the sPace foot was explored.

Methods: Eleven individuals with unilateral trans-tibial amputation participated and were provided with an sPace and Vari-Flex foot.

Assessment of Socket Pressure during Walking in Rapid Fit Prosthetic Sockets.

(1) Background: A sustainable casting system that combines the use of a polystyrene bag, a prosthetic liner and a vacuum system was developed to reduce fabrication time while maintaining comfort for the trans-tibial prosthesis user. (2) Methods: Eight prosthetists (28.7 ± 8.

Sustainable, affordable and functional: reimagining prosthetic liners in resource limited environments.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate function and performance of unilateral trans-tibial prosthesis users wearing an affordable liner in three types of socket designs.

Methods: Five unilateral trans-tibial amputees participated, were provided an Affordable Ethyl-Vinyl-Acetate Roll-On liner (AERO) roll-on liner with patella tendon bearing (PTB) prosthesis, PE-Lite liner with PTB prosthesis, and an (AERO) liner with total-surface bearing (TSB) prosthesis. A battery of outcome measures; step-counts, socket comfort score (SCS), orthotics prosthetics user survey (OPUS) and socket pressure measurement during walking were administered.

Imaging Mass Microscopy of Kidneys from Azithromycin-Treated Rats with Phospholipidosis.

Drug-induced phospholipidosis is a lysosomal storage disorder characterized by the excess accumulation of tissue phospholipids. Although azithromycin can be used to induce phospholipidosis, no experimental studies evaluating the relationship between drug accumulation and phospholipid localization have been performed. In this study, azithromycin was orally administered to rats for 7 days, and the relationship between drug and phospholipid accumulation was performed using imaging mass microscopy.

The development and testing of a modified natural rubber CR solid ankle-cushion heel prosthetic foot for developing countries.

Background: Durable and locally fabricated prosthetic feet are important for developing countries. Modifications to the current CR solid ankle-cushion heel prosthetic foot could enhance current foot characteristics and reduce costs. The goal of this project was to modify the keel and rubber outer foot shell to enhance features and reduce costs of the current CR solid ankle-cushion heel offering.

The reversible adjustable coupling: A lightweight and low-cost alignment component for the lower limb prosthesis.

Background: The alignment of the lower limb prosthesis is an integral part of the prosthetic fitting. A properly aligned prosthesis contributes to optimal gait and overall function of the patient. The current offering of alignment componentry is expensive for low-income countries.

Plasma substance P levels in patients with persistent cough.

Background: Substance P (SP) is involved in the pathogenesis of cough in animal models. However, few studies in humans have been reported and the roles of SP in clinical cough remain obscure.

Objectives: To clarify the relevance of plasma levels of SP in patients with persistent cough.

Regulation of dopamine-induced Na+ current response by small G-protein RhoB or C and phospholipase D in Aplysia neurons.

A family of GTP-binding proteins, Rho, plays critical roles in cell migration, morphological change, cytokinesis, and smooth muscle contraction. Furthermore, evidence has recently been accumulating for an involvement in regulation of receptor-operated ionic channels. We previously reported that stimulation of D1-like receptor by dopamine (DA) induces a slow Na+ current response in the identified neurons of Aplysia under voltage-clamp.

Regulatory roles of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II and protein phosphatase 2A on the quisqualic acid-induced K+-current response in identified neurons of Aplysia.

In identified B6 neurons of Aplysia buccal ganglia under voltage-clamp, application of quisqualic acid (QA) induces a unique slow K(+)-current response independent of G-protein. The response was augmented by raising the temperature in a similar fashion to the Phe-Met-Arg-Phe-NH(2)-induced K(+)-current response mediated by Gi/o. The QA-induced K(+)-current response markedly increased during the perfusion with Ca(2+)-free solution or after the application of W-7, a calmodulin (CaM) inhibitor.

Development of automatic immediate fitting socket system for artificial leg socket modeling using fuzzy control.

Automatic immediate fitting socket (AIFS) system was developed to shorten the long length of time for making an artificial leg, by applying powder technology. AIFS is constructed of an outer shell, a particle containing bag, which the rigidity can be controlled by the application of negative air pressure and three airbags between the outer shell and the particle bag to adjust the shape by controlling the compression. A fuzzy controller was applied for the real-time automatic control of the shape based on the subjective evaluation of the amputee.

Electrophysiological and pharmacological characterization of the K(ATP) channel involved in the K+-current responses to FSH and adenosine in the follicular cells of Xenopus oocyte.

The follicular cells surrounding Xenopus oocyte under voltage clamp produce K(+)-current responses to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), adenosine (Ade), and intracellularly applied cAMP. We previously reported that these responses are suppressed by the stimulation of P2Y receptor through phosphorylation by PKC presumably of the ATP-sensitive K(+) (K(ATP)) channel. This channel comprises sulfonylurea receptors (SURs) and K(+) ionophores (Kirs) having differential sensitivities to K(+) channel openers (KCOs) depending on the SURs.

Augmenting effect of serotonin on the voltage-dependent Ca2+ current and subsequently activated K+ current in Aplysia neurons.

Receptor-induced activation of protein kinase C (PKC) plays an important role in modulation of various types of ionic channels in neurons. For example, PKC causes facilitation or long-lasting activation of certain ionic channels involved in spike firing after the receptor stimulation. We investigated the effect of serotonin (5-HT) on the voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels in RB and RC neurons of Aplysia ganglia under voltage clamp.

The role of rho and rho-dependent kinase in serotonin-induced contraction observed in bovine middle cerebral artery.

The current study was designed to characterize the role of Rho and Rho-dependent kinase (Rho-kinase) in isometric contractile responses induced by serotonin (5-HT) and a solution containing 40 mM K(+) (high K(+)) in ring preparations of the middle cerebral artery of bovine. Application of W-7, a Ca(2+)-calmodulin inhibitor, reversibly and equally attenuated the amplitudes of contractions produced by both 5-HT and high K(+). Similar effects were observed with ML-7, an inhibitor of myosin light chain kinase.

The small GTP-binding protein RhoA regulates serotonin-induced Na+-current response in the neurons of Aplysia.

Application of serotonin (5-HT) induces a slow inward current response in identified neurons of Aplysia ganglia under voltage clamp. The 5-HT-induced current response was depressed in Na+-free media, but augmented in Ca2+-free media, and unaffected by a change in external K+. The 5-HT-induced response was markedly blocked by intracellular injection of guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) (GDPbetaS).

In vitro inhibition of adrenal catecholamine secretion by steroidal metabolites of ginseng saponins.

We reported previously that the protopanaxatriol saponins in Panax ginseng greatly reduce the secretion of catecholamines from bovine adrenal chromaffin cells stimulated by acetylcholine (ACh). However, protopanaxadiol saponins showed only slight inhibitory effects. Recent studies have demonstrated that oligosaccharides connected to the hydroxyl groups of the aglycone in ginseng saponins (ginsenosides) are in turn hydrolyzed in the digestive tract and absorbed into the circulation following oral administration of ginseng.

Blockade of ionotropic receptor responses by progesterone in the ganglion cells of Aplysia.

To compare nongenomic effects of progesterone on various receptor responses of neurons, Aplysia ganglion cells were pretreated with 30 microM progesterone for 5 min and various receptor responses were tested using a conventional voltage-clamp method. Progesterone reduced nicotinic receptor-activated Na(+)-currents, nicotinic receptor-activated Cl(-)-currents, gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor-activated Cl(-)-currents, and dopamine receptor-activated Na(+)-currents. These depressant effects are similar at two different agonist concentrations.