Quantitative Evaluation Of Function Research Articles

Quantitative tissue velocity imaging evaluation of ventricular function in obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome in children.

This study aimed to evaluate the changes in left and right ventricular functions of children with obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS) and to determine the efficacy of surgical treatment for OSAHS in children. The subjects included 20 normal controls and 55 children of OSAHS with adenoid and/or tonsil hypertrophy diagnosed by polysomnography (PSG). We divided the children with OSAHS into the mild group, moderate group and severe group of OSAHS according to the condition of apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) and the lowest of oxygen saturation (LSaO₂). In mitral annulus,the Va values were increased in moderate and severe OSAHS (P > 0.05), and the Ve/Va values were decreased in the severe group (P > 0.05), while the Vs values were not changed (P > 0.05). In tricuspid annulus, the Vs values were decreased in moderate and severe OSAHS (P < 0.05), while the Ve, Va and Ve/Va values were not changed (P > 0.05). Six months after adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy, mitral Va values were decreased and tricuspid Vs values were increased significantly (P < 0.05), and AHI was decreased and LSaO₂ was significantly increased (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, no difference was found in the above parameters (P > 0.05). The left ventricular diastolic function and the right ventricular systolic function of children with moderate to severe OSAHS are decreased to varying degrees at an early stage. Mitral annular and tricuspid annular velocity detected by quantitative tissue velocity imaging (QTVI) could sensitively reflect the early changes of left and right ventricular function. Adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy were effective methods to treat childhood OSAHS, which could reverse myocardial dysfunction.

Novel echocardiographic techniques for the evaluation of athletes' heart: A focus on speckle-tracking echocardiography.

The development and rapid dissemination of two-dimensional echocardiography led to important further advances in our understanding of athletes' heart that has been the subject of several echocardiographic studies involving many thousands of athletes. The description of ventricular chamber enlargement, myocardial hypertrophy and atrial dilatation has led to a more comprehensive understanding of cardiac adaptation to exercise conditioning. Most recently, advanced echocardiographic techniques have begun to clarify significant functional adaptations of the myocardium that accompany previously reported morphological features of athletes' heart. In particular, speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) has recently provided further insights into the characterisation of myocardial properties. STE is a relatively new, largely angle-independent, non-invasive imaging technique that allows for an objective and quantitative evaluation of global and regional myocardial function. STE has enhanced our understanding of athletes' heart through a comprehensive characterisation of biventricular and biatrial function, providing novel insights into the investigation of physiological adaptation of the heart to exercise conditioning. These peculiarities can provide further useful data to distinguish between athletes' heart and cardiomyopathies. Furthermore, STE represents a promising tool to address new concerns on right ventricular function and to increase understanding of the complexity of the non-systemic circulation, especially in the athletic population. This review article analyses new data on cardiac function in athletes by novel echocardiographic techniques with a particular attention to the application of STE to characterise biventricular and biatrial function in athletes.

Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction Assessment with Dual-Source CT.

PurposeTo assess the impact of left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction on left atrial (LA) phasic volume and function using dual-source CT (DSCT) and to find a viable alternative prognostic parameter of CT for LV diastolic dysfunction through quantitative evaluation of LA phasic volume and function in patients with LV diastolic dysfunction.Materials and MethodsSeventy-seven patients were examined using DSCT and Doppler echocardiography on the same day. Reservoir, conduit, and contractile function of LA were evaluated by measuring LA volume (LAV) during different cardiac phases and all parameters were normalized to body surface area (BSA). Patients were divided into four groups (normal, impaired relaxation, pseudonormal, and restrictive LV diastolic filling) according to echocardiographic findings. The LA phasic volume and function in different stages of LV diastolic function was compared using one-way ANOVA analysis. The correlations between indexed volume of LA (LAVi) and diastolic function in different stages of LV were evaluated using Spearman correlation analysis.ResultsLA ejection fraction (LAEF), LA contraction, reservoir, and conduit function in patients in impaired relaxation group were not different from those in the normal group, but they were lower in patients in the pseudonormal and restrictive LV diastolic dysfunction groups (P < 0.05). For LA conduit function, there were no significant differences between the patients in the pseudonormal group and restrictive filling group (P = 0.195). There was a strong correlation between the indexed maximal left atrial volume (LAVmax, r = 0.85, P < 0.001), minimal left atrial volume (LAVmin, r = 0.91, P < 0.001), left atrial volume at the onset of P wave (LAVp, r = 0.84, P < 0.001), and different stages of LV diastolic function. The LAVi increased as the severity of LV diastolic dysfunction increased.ConclusionsLA remodeling takes place in patients with LV diastolic dysfunction. At the same time, LA phasic volume and function parameters evaluated by DSCT indicated the severity of the LV diastolic dysfunction. Quantitative analysis of LA phasic volume and function parameters using DSCT could be a viable alternative prognostic parameter of LV diastolic function.

Left Ventricular Dyssynchrony by Three-Dimensional Echocardiography: Current Understanding and Potential Future Clinical Applications.

Left ventricular mechanical dyssynchrony is an important prognostic factor for patients with symptomatic systolic heart failure and has emerged as a therapeutic target for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). However, approximately one-third of patients fail to improve after CRT based on current guideline recommendations and electrocardiographic criteria. Two-dimensional echocardiography and tissue Doppler-based techniques have shown variable results in assessment of left ventricular (LV) dyssynchrony and have limited value in clinical practice. Three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) is an appealing novel imaging modality that has been recently used in quantitative evaluation of global and regional LV function. There is accumulating evidence that 3DE measurement of LV systolic dyssynchrony index may potentially play a role in predicting the short- and long-term response to CRT and further improve patient selection for CRT. New developments in 3DE speckle tracking technique and strain analysis may further improve the accuracy of LV mechanical dyssynchrony assessment in this population. In addition, recent studies suggest that mechanical dyssynchrony is present in patients with LV hypertrophy and diastolic heart failure. Three-dimensional echocardiographic assessment of dyssynchrony may aid in diagnosis and in predicting long-term outcome in these patients. We will summarize current understanding of 3DE techniques and parameters in assessment of LV mechanical dyssynchrony in the population of patients with systolic heart failure, LV hypertrophy, and diastolic heart failure. A number of the novel 3DE techniques described in this review are early in their stage of development, and they will continue to evolve and need further testing in large multicenter studies.

Clinical and genetic spectrum in limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2E.

To determine the clinical spectrum of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy 2E (LGMD2E) and to investigate whether genetic or biochemical features can predict the phenotype of the disease. All LGMD2E patients followed in participating centers were included. A specific clinical protocol was created, including quantitative evaluation of motor, respiratory, and cardiac function. Phenotype was defined as severe or mild if the age at loss of ambulation occurred before or after 18 years. Molecular analysis of SGCB gene and biochemical features of muscle biopsies were reviewed. Thirty-two patients were included (16 male, 16 female; age 7-67 years; 15 severe, 12 mild, and 5 unknown). Neurologic examination showed proximal muscle weakness in all patients, but distal involvement was also observed in patients with severe disease early in the disease course. Cardiac involvement was observed in 20 patients (63%) even before overt muscle involvement. Six patients had restrictive respiratory insufficiency requiring assisted ventilation (19%). Seventeen different mutations were identified, and 3 were recurrent. The c.377_384dup (13 alleles) was associated with the severe form, the c.-22_10dup (10) with the milder form, and the c.341C>T (9) with both. The entire sarcoglycan complex was undetectable by muscle immunohistochemistry or Western blot in 9/10 severe cases and reduced in 7/7 mild cases. The residual amount of sarcoglycan in muscle resulted a predictor of age at loss of ambulation. This study expands the spectrum of phenotype in β-sarcoglycanopathy and provides strong evidence that severity of clinical involvement may be predicted by SGCB gene mutation and sarcoglycan protein expression.

Quantitative Evaluation of mMate1 Function Based on Minimally Invasive Measurement of Tissue Concentration Using PET with [(11)C]Metformin in Mouse.

To evaluate the function of multidrug and toxin extrusion proteins (MATEs) using (11)C-labeled metformin ([(11)C]metformin) by positron emission tomography (PET). PET was performed by intravenous bolus injection of [(11)C]metformin. Pyrimethamine at 0.5 and 5mg/kg was intravenously administered to mice 30min prior to the scan. Integration plot analysis was conducted for calculating liver (CLuptake,liver), kidney (CLuptake,kidney) tissue uptake, intrinsic biliary (CLint,bile) and urinary (CLint,urine) excretion clearances of [(11)C]metformin. Visualization by PET showed that pyrimethamine increased concentrations of [(11)C]metformin in the liver and kidneys, and decreased the concentrations in the urinary bladder without changing the blood profiles. Pyrimethamine had no effect on the CLuptake,liver and CLuptake,kidney, which were similar to the blood-flow rate. CLint,bile with regard to the liver concentration was unable to be determined, but administration of 0.5 and 5mg/kg of pyrimethamine increased the liver-to-blood ratio to 1.6 and 2.3-fold, respectively, indicating that pyrimethamine inhibited the efflux of [(11)C]metformin from the liver. CLint,urine with regard to the corticomedullary region concentrations was decreased 37 and 68% of the control by administration of 0.5 and 5mg/kg of pyrimethamine, respectively (P < 0.05). Tissue concentration based investigations using [(11)C]metformin by PET enables the functional analysis of MATEs in the liver and kidneys.

Videofluoroscopic Examination of Swallowing Using the AsR Score for Postoperative Swallowing Function in Oral Cancer Patients

To evaluate the postoperative swallowing function in head and neck cancer patients, videofluoroscopic examination of swallowing (VF) proved useful as a qualitative evaluation, but was complex as a quantitative evaluation. We made use of the AsR score which consisted of a 10-point scale as a quantitative evaluation of VF. To identify the usefulness of the AsR score, 146 patients who had undergone extensive resection and reconstruction with free flaps or pedicle grafts were reviewed. The AsR score of VF for the first time after surgery was defined as "first score", and at the last time in the hospital was defined as "last score". The correlations between the first score and continuity of direct therapy, and between the last score and way of nutrition at the time of discharge were examined. Using the ROC (receiver operator characteristic) analysis and the AUC (area under the curve) the cut-off values of the AsR score were estimated. One hundred and thirty one patients could continue direct therapy after the first time of VF. The first score detected continuity of direct therapy with high accuracy (AUC = 0.946), furthermore using a cut-off of 5, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were about 96.2%, 86.6%, 98.4%, and 72.2%, respectively. At the time of discharge, 138 patients had no limitation of oral intake and 8 patients had a limitation e.g. PEG (n = 7) and a total laryngectomy for preventing aspiration (n = 1). The last score detected oral intake ability with no limitation with high accuracy (AUC = 0.925). Using a cut-off of 6, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV were about 82.6%, 87.5%, 99.1% and 22.6%, respectively. The AsR score is useful as a quantitative evaluation of postoperative swallowing function in oral cancer patients.

Measuring gait pattern in elderly individuals by using a plantar pressure measurement device.

Hip fracture in the elderly is a serious problem, and solutions to prevent falls are needed. This study focused on elucidating data critical to fall prevention by evaluating ambulatory function, and we achieved this by developing a plantar pressure measurement device to determine gait function. Our device enables measurement of gait function in the unrestrained state by transmitting wireless data. In this study, we applied the device to field experiments involving 98 subjects (39 healthy individuals, 44 elderly non-fallers, and 15 elderly fallers). Gait features were determined by measuring the pressure values and foot contact patterns used as gait function parameters in previous studies. In particular, decreased peak pressure values were noted at heel strike and toe off during walking in elderly fallers compared with elderly non-fallers. In addition, compared with healthy subjects, elderly fallers also showed extension of the double support phase, and differences in individual gait pattern features were observed between the groups. Experiments confirmed that our device can be used to obtain the gait features of a diverse group of elderly individuals. Moreover, our device enables objective and quantitative evaluation of gait function and thus may be useful for evaluating gait function in the elderly.

神农架林区河流生态系统服务功能经济价值评估

对河流生态系统服务功能的价值评估，可以为河流的合理利用和管理提供参考和比较依据。文章根据河流的自然条件和数据的可获得性对神农架林区区域河流生态系统服务功能进行分类，研究结果表明，2013年神农架林区河流生态系统服务功能总价值408366.05万元，各项服务功能价值由大到小排序为水电开发 > 蓄集水分 > 调蓄洪水 > 提供生境 > 休闲娱乐 > 供水 > 水产品生产 > 净化环境。Quantitative evaluation of the river ecosystem services function can provide a reference for river management and the rational use of water resources and comparison basis. Based on the natural conditions and the available data of the rivers in Shennongjia Forest Region, the paper makes a classification of the river ecosystem services function. The results showed that the total value of the river ecosystem services function was 4,083,660,500 Yuan in 2013. The values of various services functions from high to low were in such order as hydro-power, water storage, flood regulation, providing wildlife habitat, leisure entertainment, water supply, aquatic production, environment purification.

Quantitative Evaluation of Shoulder Joint Function to Reproduce Results of Clinical Tests by Therapist

The final aim of this research is to develop a quantitative evaluation system of shoulder joint function using a three-dimensional force display robot. In this paper, we proposed quantitative evaluation methods by which the results equivalent to the results of tests by a therapist can be obtained. The quantitative evaluation methods can be installed in the robot. We focus on two shoulder joint functions. One is stability and the other is cooperativeness. Two experiments were carried out to develop quantitative evaluation methods of shoulder joint function. In the experiments, subject’s forces were measured during the tests by the therapist. On the basis of the experimental results, we proposed a stability evaluation method using a regression equation of glenohumeral joint instability from the ratios between the right and the left subject’s force in the initial position during abduction, external rotation and horizontal abduction motion. Moreover, we proposed a cooperativeness evaluation method by detecting two thresholds related to sustainability of subject’s force.

Quantitative evaluation of laryngeal function in glottal insufficiency animal model for tissue engineering approach

Injection laryngoplasty is widely used for treatment of vocal fold palsy. To test the efficacy and safety of newly developed injection materials for vocal fold augmentation, we need reliable animal model for objective evaluation of glottal insufficiency. In this study, we aimed to develop an animal model to quantitatively evaluate the histological and functional changes of the paralyzed vocal fold. Left side recurrent laryngeal nerves were identified at tracheoesophageal groove of the New Zealand white rabbits and they were resected. Endoscopic examination was performed immediately after operation and 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 week after the operation to identify left vocal fold immobility. Total laryngectomy was performed 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 weeks after the operation. We have developed the method to quantify the changes of the intralaryngeal muscles. Histologic exam revealed significant decrease in thyroarytenoid muscle volume in the paralyzed side 12 weeks after the operation. We have also developed the method to quantify the laryngeal functions by analyzing vocal fold vibration. High speed recording of induced phonation showed irregular and asymmetric movement of vocal fold in the glottal insufficiency model. Videokymographic analysis showed increased open quotient and asymmetric index compared with the normal vocal fold. This model could be used to provide fundamental changes related with vocal fold paralysis. Even more, this animal model could be utilized to test efficacy and safety of various injection materials to augment the vocal fold.

Quantitative evaluation of liver function with T1 relaxation time index on Gd‐EOB‐DTPA‐enhanced MRI: Comparison with signal intensity‐based indices

To evaluate whether the reduction rate of T1 relaxation time of the liver (T1 relaxation time index) before and 20 minutes after gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) injection has the potential to serve as an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based liver function test in comparison with signal intensity-based indices. Ninety-nine patients with suspected liver lesions underwent Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI. T1 maps using 3D T1-weighted gradient-echo volumetric interpolated examination with two different flip angles were also performed before and 20 minutes after Gd-EOB-DTPA administration. T1 relaxation time index was compared with four signal intensity-based indices in terms of the ability to discriminate Child-Pugh A (CPA) and Child-Pugh B (CPB) from normal liver function (NLF), and in terms of its correlation with indocyanine green (ICG) clearance. Twenty-four patients were classified as NLF, 64 patients were classified as CPA, and 11 were classified as CPB group. The T1 relaxation time index was significantly lower for CPA (0.62 ± 0.08 vs. 0.68 ± 0.07, P = 0.021) and CPB (0.55 ± 0.15 vs. 0.68 ± 0.07, P < 0.001) than for NLF. All signal intensity-based indices showed significant differences only when comparing NLF and CPB. The correlation coefficient with ICG clearance was the highest for T1 relaxation time index (r = -0.605, P < 0.001). The T1 relaxation time index has the potential to serve as an MRI-based liver function test, and is most strongly correlated with ICG clearance among the Gd-EOB-DTPA MRI-based indices investigated.

Quantitative Evaluation of 3D Mouse Behaviors and Motor Function in the Open-Field after Spinal Cord Injury Using Markerless Motion Tracking

Thousands of scientists strive to identify cellular mechanisms that could lead to breakthroughs in developing ameliorative treatments for debilitating neural and muscular conditions such as spinal cord injury (SCI). Most studies use rodent models to test hypotheses, and these are all limited by the methods available to evaluate animal motor function. This study’s goal was to develop a behavioral and locomotor assessment system in a murine model of SCI that enables quantitative kinematic measurements to be made automatically in the open-field by applying markerless motion tracking approaches. Three-dimensional movements of eight naïve, five mild, five moderate, and four severe SCI mice were recorded using 10 cameras (100 Hz). Background subtraction was used in each video frame to identify the animal’s silhouette, and the 3D shape at each time was reconstructed using shape-from-silhouette. The reconstructed volume was divided into front and back halves using k-means clustering. The animal’s front Center of Volume (CoV) height and whole-body CoV speed were calculated and used to automatically classify animal behaviors including directed locomotion, exploratory locomotion, meandering, standing, and rearing. More detailed analyses of CoV height, speed, and lateral deviation during directed locomotion revealed behavioral differences and functional impairments in animals with mild, moderate, and severe SCI when compared with naïve animals. Naïve animals displayed the widest variety of behaviors including rearing and crossing the center of the open-field, the fastest speeds, and tallest rear CoV heights. SCI reduced the range of behaviors, and decreased speed (r = .70 p<.005) and rear CoV height (r = .65 p<.01) were significantly correlated with greater lesion size. This markerless tracking approach is a first step toward fundamentally changing how rodent movement studies are conducted. By providing scientists with sensitive, quantitative measurement methods, subjectivity and human error is reduced, potentially providing insights leading to breakthroughs in treating human disease.

Comparison of 4D-MicroSPECT and MicroCT for Murine Cardiac Function

The objective of this study was to compare a new generation of four-dimensional micro-single photon emission computed tomography (microSPECT) with microCT for the quantitative in vivo assessment of murine cardiac function. Four-dimensional isotropic cardiac images were acquired from anesthetized normal C57BL/6 mice with either microSPECT (n = 6) or microCT (n = 6). One additional mouse with myocardial infarction (MI) was scanned with both modalities. Prior to imaging, mice were injected with either technetium tetrofosmin for microSPECT or a liposomal blood pool contrast agent for microCT. Segmentation of the left ventricle (LV) was performed using Vitrea (Vital Images) software, to derive global and regional function. Measures of global LV function between microSPECT and microCT groups were comparable (e.g., ejection fraction = 71 ± 6 % microSPECT and 68 ± 4 % microCT). Regional functional indices (wall motion, wall thickening, regional ejection fraction) were also similar for the two modalities. In the mouse with MI, microSPECT identified a large perfusion defect that was not evident with microCT. Despite lower spatial resolution, microSPECT was comparable to microCT in the quantitative evaluation of cardiac function. MicroSPECT offers an advantage over microCT in the ability to evaluate simultaneously myocardial radiotracer distribution and function, simultaneously. MicroSPECT should be considered as an alternative to microCT and magnetic resonance for preclinical cardiac imaging in the mouse.

Assessment of Left Atrial Function by Full Volume Real-time Three-dimensional Echocardiography and Left Atrial Tracking in Essential Hypertension Patients with Different Patterns of Left Ventricular Geometric Models

To evaluate left atrial function in essential hypertension patients with different patterns of left ventricular geometric models by real time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT-3DE) and left atrial tracking (LAT). One hundred and thirty-three patients with essential hypertension were divided into four groups according to criteria proposed by Ganau et al: 36 patients in normal pattern group (I), 34 patients in concentric remodelling pattern group (II), 33 patients in concentric hypertrophy pattern group (III), and 30 patients in eccentric hypertrophy pattern group (IV). Thirty-two healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. RT-3DE and LAT were used to obtain the volume-time and emptying fraction curves, and then the maximal volume, minimal volume, stroke volume, presystolic volume, ejection fraction, systolic filling rate, early diastolic emptying rate and late diastolic emptying rate of the left atrium were measured. Conduit volume and passive emptying volume of the left atrium were calculated. Left atrial indexes, conduit volume, passive emptying volume, and early diastolic emptying rate decreased, while the other indices increased in the group I compared with the control group (all P<0.05). Compared with the control group, I and II groups, the left atrial volume parameters manifested change in the group III and group IV (all P<0.01). Left atrial ejection fraction measured by RT-3DE or LAT, and late diastolic emptying rate were lower in the group IV compared with the group III (all P<0.05). There was no difference in left atrial conduit volume, passive emptying volume, and early diastolic left atrial emptying rate between the group II and group I (all P>0.05). There was a positive correlation between RT-3DE and LAT in evaluating left atrial function. Left atrial booster pump function decreases in the eccentric hypertrophy pattern. Left atrial conduit function is unchanged in the normal pattern and the concentric remodelling pattern groups. RT-3DE and LAT technology can be used for quantitative evaluation of left atrial volume and function.

Functional characterization of hepatic transporters using intravital microscopy

A better understanding of the role of hepatic transporters in drug elimination is of crucial importance for drug development and therapy. This study examined the usefulness of intravital microscopy to quantitatively evaluate the function of hepatic transporters in the exposed liver of anesthetized rats. In one experiment the function of the organic anion transporting polypeptide (Oatp) in sinusoidal uptake was investigated by administering an Oatp inhibitor, rifampicin, prior to the probe substrate Na-fluorescein. In another experiment, rhodamine 123 was used to quantify the biliary canalicular transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp, Abcb1a/b) with cyclosporin A as an inhibitor of P-gp activity. Calibrated fluorescence intensity time curves measured in sinusoids and hepatocytes together with cumulative biliary excretion data from control and inhibitor treated animals were analyzed with a three-compartment model. A robust parameter estimation was achieved using nonlinear mixed effects modeling. Rifampicin reduced the hepatic uptake clearance of Na-fluorescein to 25% of the control (p<0.05) without affecting other parameters. In the presence of cyclosporin A, biliary excretion of rhodamine 123 decreased to 7% of the control (p<0.01). The novelty of this approach is that it allows a quantitative evaluation of transporter function in the in vivo rat liver.

Quantitative evaluation of oral function in acute and recovery phase of idiopathic facial palsy; a preliminary controlled study

Patients with peripheral facial palsy frequently complain of fluid leakage and food retention during meals. We investigated oral function during eating in adults with peripheral facial palsy. A prospective two-phase controlled observational study. Data were collected at the ENT clinic in Nihon University Itabashi Hospital (patients) and Nihon University Dental Hospital (controls) between September 2009 and August 2011 and analysed at the Department of Oral Diagnostic Sciences in Nihon University School of Dentistry. Fourteen patients with acute idiopathic facial palsy and 14 controls completed Study 1. Sixteen patients with acute idiopathic facial palsy and 16 controls completed Study 2. In Study 1, oral vestibular cleansing capability was assessed by measuring the amount of rice remaining in the oral vestibule after mastication. In Study 2, masticatory efficiency was evaluated by measuring glucose eluted from gummy jelly during chewing. These oral functions were observed at the first visit and final visit (after patients with facial palsy had recovered). Oral vestibular cleansing capability at the first visit was significantly decreased by facial palsy (P < 0.001 versus healthy volunteers and P < 0.001 versus contralateral side) but recovered as facial muscular function improved (P = 0.034). There was a significant correlation between improvement in paralysis and decreased food retention (r = -0.528, P = 0.010). At the first visit, masticatory efficiency on the affected side was significantly lower than that of controls (P = 0.002) but had mostly recovered after resolution of facial palsy (P = 0.033). Oral functions were decreased by peripheral facial palsy. Oral vestibular cleansing capability was more significantly associated than masticatory efficiency with facial muscle function. Our data suggest that peripheral facial palsy impairs eating and worsens oral hygiene, which may result in oral disease.

研究 僧帽弁および肺静脈血流の同時測定による左房容積変化-時間曲線の推定.

研究 僧帽弁および肺静脈血流の同時測定による左房容積変化-時間曲線の推定.

From meniscus to bone: A quantitative evaluation of structure and function of the human meniscal attachments

Meniscus efficacy at promoting joint congruity and preventing osteoarthritis hinges on enthesis integrity. Gross-scale tensile testing, histomorphometry and magnetic resonance imaging reveal significant differences between the four attachments, implying that each must endure a unique mechanical environment, which dictates their structure. However, little data exists to elucidate how these interfaces have adapted to their complex loading environment, particularly on a relevant scale, as the enthesis transitions through several unique zones in less than a millimeter. In our study we leveraged nanoindentation to determine viscoelastic material properties through the transition zones. Additionally, we employed histological techniques to evaluate the enthesis structure, including collagen organization and interdigitation morphometry. Mechanical evaluation revealed the medial posterior insertion site to be significantly more compliant than others. Collagen fiber orientation and dispersion as well as interdigitation morphometry were significantly different between attachments sites. These findings are clinically relevant as a disproportionate amount of enthesis failure occurs in the medial posterior attachment. Also, meniscal enthesis structure and function will need to be considered in future reparative and replacement strategies in order to recreate native meniscus mechanics and prevent osteoarthritis propagation.

Quantitative Evaluation of Median Nerve Motor Function in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Using Load Cell : Correlation with Clinical, Electrodiagnostic, and Ultrasonographic Findings

ObjectiveMajor complaints of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) are sensory components. However, motor deficit also impedes functional status of hand. Contrary to evaluation of sensory function, the objective, quantitative evaluation of median nerve motor function is not easy. The motor function of median was evaluated quantitatively using load cell and its correlation with findings of electrodiagnostic study (EDS) was evaluated.MethodsObjective motor function of median nerve was evaluated by load cell and personal computer-based measurement system. All of the measurement was done in patients diagnosed as having idiopathic CTS by clinical features and EDS findings. The strength of thumb abduction and index finger flexion was measured in each hand three times, and the average value was used to calculate thumb index ratio (TIR). The correlation of TIR with clinical, EDS, and ultrasonographic findings were evaluated.ResultsThe TIR was evaluated in 67 patients (119 hands). There were 14 males and 53 females, mean age were 57.6 years (range 28 to 81). The higher preoperative nerve conductive studies grade of the patients, the lower TIR was observed [p<0.001, analysis of variance (ANOVA)]. TIR of cases with thenar atrophy were significantly lower than those without (p<0.001, t-test). TIR were significantly lower in patients with severe median nerve swelling in ultrasonography (p=0.042, ANOVA).ConclusionMeasurements of median nerve motor function using load cell is a valuable evaluation tool in CTS. It might be helpful in detecting subclinical motor dysfunction before muscle atrophy develops.