Combined maximum b-value and echo time: A practical method for determining the signal-to-noise ratio for magnetic resonance images.

Purpose: The aim of the present study is to develop a simple and practical method for measuring the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of magnetic resonance images called combined maximum b-value and echo time (COMBET) that could be suitable for pulse sequences to which a diffusion gradient can be applied.

Methods: In the COMBET method, we first obtain a signal image using the objective pulse sequence. Then, we obtain the noise image of this sequence using the diffusion gradient with the largest b-value and longest echo time.

The effect of comprehensive physiotherapy-based rehabilitation on stooped posture in Parkinson's disease.

[Purpose] The effect of physiotherapy on stooped posture in Parkinson's disease patients remains to be clarified. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether comprehensive physiotherapy-based rehabilitation can improve stooped posture in Parkinson's disease patients. [Participants and Methods] The participants were Parkinson's disease patients with stooped posture.

Ferritin 2 domain-containing protein found in lacquer tree (Toxicodendron vernicifluum) sap has negative effects on laccase and peroxidase reactions.

Lacquer tree sap, a raw material of traditional paints in East Asia, is hardened through laccase-catalyzed oxidation and the following polymerization of phenolic compound urushiol. In the sap's water-insoluble fraction, we found two plantacyanins and a ferritin 2 domain-containing protein (TvFe2D, a homolog of Arabidopsis AT1G47980 and AT3G62730). The recombinant TvFe2D protein suppressed the accumulation of laccase-catalyzed oxidation products of a model substrate syringaldazine without decreasing oxygen consumption, the second substrate of laccase.

Energy consumption during prosthetic walking and wheelchair locomotion by elderly hip disarticulation amputees.

Objective: To investigate the differences in energy consumption by patients with hip disarticulation between prosthetic walking and wheelchair locomotion.

Design: : The subjects consisted of seven amputees, all older than 60, with unilateral hip disarticulation. Energy consumption when walking with prosthesis and when propelling a wheelchair, each at the respective comfortable movement speed, was measured by means of a portable telemetric system.

Successful prosthetic fitting of elderly trans-femoral amputees with Intelligent Prosthesis (IP): a clinical pilot study.

The objective of the study was to compare the Physiological Cost Index (PCI) and walking speeds during walking in two elderly trans-femoral amputees when using knee joints which emphasized stance-phase control and Intelligent Prosthesis, and to provide some bibliographic observations on factors behind their success in improving walking ability despite their age. It was a within-subject comparison. The subjects comprised two patients, aged 75 and 81 years, with trans-femoral amputations.

Comparison of different microprocessor controlled knee joints on the energy consumption during walking in trans-femoral amputees: intelligent knee prosthesis (IP) versus C-leg.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristic differences between the IP and C-Leg by making a comparative study of energy consumption and walking speeds in trans-femoral amputees. The subjects consisted of four persons with traumatic trans-femoral amputations aged 17 - 33 years who had been using the IP and were active in society. Fourteen able-bodied persons served as controls.

Energy expenditure during walking in amputees after disarticulation of the hip. A microprocessor-controlled swing-phase control knee versus a mechanical-controlled stance-phase control knee.

We have compared the energy expenditure during walking in three patients, aged between 51 and 55 years, with unilateral disarticulation of the hip when using the mechanical-controlled stance-phase control knee (Otto Bock 3R15) and the microprocessor-controlled pneumatic swing-phase control knee (Intelligent Prosthesis, IP). All had an endoskeletal hip disarticulation prosthesis with an Otto Bock 7E7 hip and a single-axis foot. The energy expenditure was measured when walking at speeds of 30, 50, and 70 m/min.

Effect of an Intelligent Prosthesis (IP) on the walking ability of young transfemoral amputees: comparison of IP users with able-bodied people.

Objective: To make a comparative study of energy expenditure and walking speeds between able-bodied people and young Intelligent Prosthesis (IP) users and to demonstrate the effect of IP on the walking ability of young amputees.

Design: The test subjects were eight young traumatic transfemoral amputees. Fourteen able-bodied persons served as controls.

%VO2max as an indicator of prosthetic rehabilitation outcome after dysvascular amputation.

In this study, independent ambulation of at least 100 metres with/without a cane was regarded as successful prosthetic rehabilitation. The subjects were classified into two groups according to this criterion at the time of discharge. The successful group attained this performance, the other group failed to reach this level.

Physical fitness of lower limb amputees.

Objective: To investigate the cardiorespiratory endurance of the physical fitness of amputees and able-bodied subjects of the same ages and to demonstrate deterioration of the physical fitness of the amputees.

Design: The test subjects were 31 amputees. Eighteen able-bodied persons served as controls.

Effect of endurance training program based on anaerobic threshold (AT) for lower limb amputees.

We have already reported that the one-leg cycling test driven by the subject's sound leg as the exercise load test is effective in measuring the anaerobic threshold (AT) of unilateral lower limb amputees. The aim of this research is to investigate whether or not endurance training based on each subject's AT gained from the one-leg cycling test is useful in improving the physical fitness of lower limb amputees. The test subjects were all unilateral transfemoral amputees comprising a group of 14 undertaking endurance training and a control group of 10.

The efficacy of physiological cost index (PCI) measurement of a subject walking with an Intelligent Prosthesis.

The Intelligent Prosthesis may enable lower limb amputees to walk faster than with conventionally damped prostheses and as a result the physical burden involved in walking could be expected to be considerably higher. The aim of this study was to investigate whether or not physiological cost index (PCI) is applicable as an indicator for monitoring the amount of exercise load involved in walking with an Intelligent Prosthesis. The method used a treadmill and monitored gas exchange, ventilation and heart rate (HR) in 6 unilateral trans-femoral amputees, ages were between 17 and 34 with an average age of 23.

The efficacy of the one-leg cycling test for determining the anaerobic threshold (AT) of lower limb amputees.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether or not the one-leg cycling test driven by the subject's sound leg as the exercise load method is an applicable method for determining the anaerobic threshold (AT) of lower limb amputees. To evaluate physical fitness, a graded exercise test that monitored gas exchange, ventilation and heart rate (HR) was performed in 51 unilateral lower limb amputees. AT was successfully measured for 42 out of 51 subjects, an 82.

[Evaluation of urgent treatment for impacted bile duct stones].

One hundred and forty-four urgent treatments for acute obstructive suppurative cholangitis (AOSC), acute obstructive cholangitis (AOC), or/and acute pancreatitis caused by impacted bile duct stones were performed for eight years from 1984 to 1991. The breakdown of these treatments are as follows. [table: see text] It was not easy to diagnose every severe case of AOSC.

Nonbacterial transformation of bilirubin in bile.

Bilirubin present in gallstones is mainly in the unconjugated form despite the frequent absence of bacteria in bile. The aim of the present study was to determine if nonbacterial beta-glucuronidase activity and/or nonenzymatic hydrolysis is responsible. Inflammatory cells such as polymorphonuclear leukocytes and lymphocytes appearing with the presence of brown pigment gallstones and inflammation in biliary tract was shown to effect deconjugation of bilirubin conjugates in bile and contribute to their formation in addition to that of bacterial beta-glucuronidase.

[Clinical investigation of serum immunosuppressive acidic protein (IAP) in patients with gastric cancer].

Immunosuppressive acidic protein (IAP) is among the immunosuppressive factors so far detected in the blood of cancer patients. This study was undertaken to determine the blood level of IAP in patients with carcinoma of the gastrointestinal tract, particularly the stomach, and to define the clinical implications of IAP for the therapy. A close correlationship was established between the serum IAP level and the gross degree of malignancy of the tumor and clinical stage of disease, notably in patients with gastric cancer; the serum IAP level was increased with as the disease advanced, the increase being significant in the presence of metastasis or extensive spread of the lesion.

[Concentrations of cefotaxime in serum and myocardial tissue].

Serum and myocardial concentrations of cefotaxime (CTX) were measured in 20 adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery. To all of these patients 1.0 g of CTX was given intravenously (in the range of 13.