Short-Term Outcome of Rehabilitation Program with Hybrid Assistive Limb after Tendon Lengthening in Patients with Cerebral Palsy.

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the short-term outcomes of a rehabilitation program with the Hybrid Assistive Limb® after soft tissue lengthening in young patients with cerebral palsy. We assessed six patients with cerebral palsy who underwent soft tissue surgery followed by gait training using the Hybrid Assistive Limb®. Clinical assessments were conducted preoperatively, before, immediately after, and at 1, 2, and 3 months after gait training.

Evaluation of Anterior Coverage in Children With Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip Using Transverse Magnetic Resonance Imaging at 2 Years Is Predictive of Future Radiographic Coverage.

Background: Although normal anterior acetabular coverage provides stability to the hip, acetabular retroversion leads to femoroacetabular impingement related to hip osteoarthritis. Previous studies have focused on acetabular version and anteroposterior coverage in children with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH); however, the correlation between anteroposterior coverage and acetabular development is unclear. We measured anteroposterior acetabular coverage in DDH patients using transverse magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and subsequent bony acetabular growth, and evaluated the correlation of those findings.

The relationship between gluteus medius and minimus muscle volumes and hip development in developmental dysplasia of the hip.

Background: Several studies in adult hips have revealed the role of the gluteus medius (Gmed) and gluteus minimus (Gmin) muscles in maintaining the stability and centripetal force of the hip joint. Hip centripetality in developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) patients contributes to subsequent healthy hip development later in life. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between Gmed and Gmin volume and centripetality of the hip in infant DDH patients.

Cross-Sectional Survey of Childhood Acetabular Development in Japan.

Introduction: We aimed to clarify childhood acetabular development and to identify the incidence of children's hip dysplasia in Japan using radiographs of the contralateral hip.

Methods: We performed radiological cross-sectional evaluation of hip development in 211 patients (106 boys, 211 hips) in different age groups (age range: 3-9 years). We excluded patients who complained of bilateral coxalgia at the first visit or had received a diagnosis of acetabular dysplasia.

Effect of the Hybrid Assistive Limb on the Gait Pattern for Cerebral Palsy.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most frequent childhood motor disability. Achieving ambulation or standing in children with CP has been a major goal of physical therapy. Recently, robot-assisted gait training using the Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) has been effective in improving walking ability in patients with CP.

Four-year musculoskeletal examinations among elementary and junior high school students across a single city.

In 2016, Japan started conducting musculoskeletal examinations that included "limb status" of students as an essential item. Our institution implemented a unified musculoskeletal examination for all public elementary and junior high schools in T-city. In this study, we aimed to report the progress in the past 4 years.

Determining the relationship between physical status and musculoskeletal injuries in children: a cohort study.

In Japan, in 2016, the School Health and Safety Act was revised and examination of extremities in addition to scoliosis became mandatory. Musculoskeletal examinations were subsequently started using a mark sheet-type questionnaire. In the present study, we aimed to analyze the relationship between physical findings and musculoskeletal problems and propose a preventive strategy for musculoskeletal injuries.

Robot-assisted gait training using a very small-sized Hybrid Assistive Limb® for pediatric cerebral palsy: A case report.

Purpose: Gait parameters and gross motor function improve after 12 sessions of small-sized Hybrid Assistive Limb® (S-HAL) training in adult cerebral palsy (CP) patients. However, there are no reports on repetitive robot-assisted gait training using the newly developed very small-sized HAL (2S-HAL). This study aimed to examine the effect of using 2S-HAL on a pediatric CP patient.

A new tendon-lengthening technique using a tendon stripper for knee flexion contracture in a cerebral palsy patient.

Knee flexion contracture in a patient with cerebral palsy was treated by a new tendon-lengthening technique using a tendon stripper. The patient was a 10-year-old girl with mixed types of cerebral palsy related to a chromosomal anomaly. She was classified as level IV in the Gross Motor Functional Classification System with a bilateral 30° knee flexion contracture.

Prophylactic pinning should be considered in patients at risk for slipped capital femoral epiphysis.

The use of prophylactic contralateral pinning for slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) remains controversial. This study evaluated the outcome of SCFE treatment and examined the use of prophylactic pinning. The study included 44 patients (33 men, 11 women; 54 hips [right, 31; left, 23]), with mean age of 12.

Relationship between exercise time and musculoskeletal problems in children.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between exercise time and musculoskeletal problems and to determine the appropriate amount of exercise for children in both lower- and higher-grade levels of elementary and junior high schools. Mark-sheet-type questionnaires were distributed to and collected from all elementary and junior high schools in two cities. We collected 22,494 questionnaires in total.

Safety and immediate effects of Hybrid Assistive Limb in children with cerebral palsy: A pilot study.

Purpose: Early intervention is effective for developing motor ability and preventing contractures and deformities in patients with cerebral palsy (CP). Gait training using the newly developed Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) shows promise as an intervention to prevent deterioration in walking ability and deformities in pediatric CP patients. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the safety and immediate effects on walking ability after gait training using the HAL in pediatric CP patients.

Newly developed hybrid assistive limb for pediatric patients with cerebral palsy: a case report.

[Purpose] The effect of fitness training on improving walking ability in cerebral palsy is controversial. However, gait training with a wearable robot (hybrid assistive limb) has been reported to improve gait ability in patients with cerebral palsy. For pediatric patients, a smaller, lighter-weight hybrid assistive limb has been newly developed.

Improvement and sustainability of walking ability with hybrid assistive limb training in a patient with cerebral palsy after puberty: a case report.

[Purpose] Cerebral palsy is one of the most common causes of childhood physical disability affecting motor development. Gait training with a wearable-robot, such as the Hybrid Assistive Limb, has been reported to improve gait ability in patients with chronic motor disabilities; however, there are no reports concerning the sustained improvement of walking ability with its use in patients with cerebral palsy. We present our observations for the use of Hybrid Assistive Limb gait training in a postpubescent cerebral palsy patient.

Enhancement of Electrocatalytic Oxygen Reduction Activity and Durability of Pt-Ni Rhombic Dodecahedral Nanoframes by Anchoring to Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Support.

Pt-based nanostructured electrocatalysts supported on carbon black have been widely studied for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), which occurs at the cathode in polymer electrolyte fuel cells. Because sluggish ORR kinetics are known to govern the cell performance, there is a need to develop highly active and durable electrocatalysts. The ORR activity of Pt-based electrocatalysts can be improved by controlling their morphology and alloying Pt with transition metals such as Ni.

Long-term sustained effect of gait training using a hybrid assistive limb on gait stability via prevention of knee collapse in a patient with cerebral palsy: a case report.

[Purpose] The hybrid assistive limb was developed to improve the kinematics and muscle activity in patients with neurological and orthopedic conditions. The purpose of the present study was to examine the long-term sustained effect of gait training using a hybrid assistive limb on gait stability, kinematics, and muscle activity by preventing knee collapse in a patient with cerebral palsy. [Participant and Methods] A 17 year-old male with cerebral palsy performed gait training with a hybrid assistive limb 12 times in 4 weeks.

Screening for musculoskeletal problems in children using a questionnaire.

Background: On April 1, 2016, the Ministerial ordinance was enforced, and musculoskeletal examination of the extremities was made mandatory. From 2008, the University of us started musculoskeletal direct examination. To expand the examination, from 2016, we started to use the marksheet-type questionnaire.

Surface-Enhanced Infrared Absorption Spectroscopy of Bacterial Nitric Oxide Reductase under Electrochemical Control Using a Vibrational Probe of Carbon Monoxide.

Nitric oxide reductases (NORs) reduce nitric oxide to nitrous oxide in the denitrification pathway of the global nitrogen cycle. NORs contain four iron cofactors and the NO reduction occurs at the heme b/nonheme Fe binuclear active site. The determination of reduction potentials of the iron cofactors will help us elucidate the enzymatic reaction mechanism.

Three-dimensional MRI Analysis of Femoral Head Remodeling After Reduction in Patients With Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip.

Background: Previous reports on patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) showed that the prereduced femoral head was notably smaller and more nonspherical than the intact head, with growth failure observed at the proximal posteromedial area. We evaluated the shape of the femoral head cartilage in patients with DDH before and after reduction, with size and sphericity assessed using 3-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods: We studied 10 patients with unilateral DDH (all female) who underwent closed reduction.

Detection of Chlorine in a Non-aqueous Solution via Anodic Oxidation and a Photochemical Reaction.

In this study, we developed a new chlorine gas detection method using anodic oxidation and a photochemical reaction. Chlorine gas was temporarily solvated with an aprotic polar solvent having an extensive potential range in the positive direction, and the solvated chlorine molecule was detected by an anodic oxidation reaction. In addition, when combined with ultraviolet light irradiation, we could detect high sensitivity using the photochemical reaction.

Three-dimensional MRI analyses of prereduced femoral head sphericity in patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip after Pavlik harness failure.

We used three-dimensional (3D) MRI to assess the sphericity of the cartilaginous femoral head in developmental dysplasia of the hip. We assessed 21 children using 3D-MRI. The smallest sphere including the femoral head cartilage was drawn, the diameter was measured, and the center of the sphere was defined.

Occipitalized os odontoideum: A case report.

We report on a 36-year-old man presenting with a sudden onset of motor weakness and numbness in the upper extremities following a fall from a truck bed. Radiological findings demonstrated an os odontoideum and osseous continuity between the occiput and an ossicle, termed an "occipitalized os odontoideum." The occipitalized ossicle and atlas moved as a functional unit from the body of the axis.