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Useful human brain image utilizing 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron exhaust tomography/computerized tomography inside 138 patients with Kleine-Levin malady: an earlier sign?
Background The use of transcutaneous electrical stimulation for neuromodulation is an important treatment strategy for functional nerve diseases. It can not only reduce patient pain and prevent the development of drug-resistant disease, but is also more effective than alternative treatment methods. Objective Ag/AgCl electrodes are commonly used for transcutaneous stimulation. However, the silver ions can dissolve in tissue during electrical stimulation, which can lead to heavy metal poisoning and other issues. This study analyzed the amount of residual silver ions found in tissue after electrical stimulation. Methods Saline solution and animal skin were chosen as experimental analogs for human tissue and the amount of residual silver ions were analyzed via ultraviolet spectrophotometer. Results After a volume-to-quantity conversion, we found that after using a pair of electrodes for three hours, the concentrations of silver ions dissolved in the saline solution and the skin were less than 0.1 ppb and 0.5 ppb, respectively, due to its low solubility. Conclusions By analyzing the ion dissolution concentration, we found that the residual silver ion concentration in vivo was less than 0.1 ppb, which is within the safe range for humans. Therefore, we believe it is safe to use Ag/AgCl electrodes for transcutaneous electrical stimulation.Background Leg length discrepancy (LLD) can cause abnormal posture, muscle and/or joint pains, which leads to walking difficulties. The common treatment is to use a shoe lift on the shorter leg side, but this has unsatisfying results. Objective Through research and development, we created 3D printing orthotic insoles for LLD patients and aimed to improve their symptoms. Methods 1. Research and development of 3D printing orthotic insole (1) foot scan and data acquisition; (2) insole software modeling; (3) 3D printing insole using TPU materials, and (4) post-processing. 2. Clinical observation we customized insoles for LLD patients and required them to wear them while walking. We conducted general inquiries and a functional evaluation before and after 12 weeks of wearing insoles. Results There are seven complete cases. The joint and lower back pains were alleviated. The stride frequency, stride and pace were improved in all seven cases. Patients' overall health condition improved significantly. Rapamycin Conclusions The 3D printing orthotic insoles are made with clear procedures and practical operability. By wearing insoles, patients' muscle and/or joint pains were relieved and their gaits were improved.Background To date only scanty data exist regarding the effect of failed debridement, antibiotics, irrigation and retention of the prostheses (DAIR) and negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) on the outcome of a subsequent exchange arthroplasty. Objective The objective of this study was to determine the success rate of a two- or multi-stage procedure after initial failed DAIR/NPWT in patients with an acute periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) and to evaluate the influence of possible risk factors for treatment failure. Methods Nineteen consecutive patients with a persisting PJI and ongoing NPWT after treatment of an acute PJI with DAIR of the hip or knee joint from October 2010 to June 2017 were included. All patients were treated according to a structured treatment algorithm after referral to our hospital. The endpoint was a successful reimplantation with absence of signs of infection two years after replantation ("replantation group") or treatment failure ("treatment failure group") in terms of a permanent of risk factors is crucial. We found that the number of revisions until wound consolidation, a polymicrobial PJI and detection of a difficult-to-treat organisms were risk factors for treatment failure. Furthermore, after failed DAIR/NPWT we could detect a significant higher number of different bacterial strains, with a possible adverse effect on a consecutive exchange.Background Virtual reality is becoming popular in the rehabilitation field thanks to the several advantages it can offer to patients and physicians. Indeed, serious games can motivate and engage the patient; offer different levels of challenge and difficulty based on the patient baseline, and integrate objective measures of the patient's performance during each rehabilitation session. Objective We designed and implemented a serious game for shoulder rehabilitation based on real-time hand tracking. The aim was to maintain the medical benefits of traditional rehabilitation, while reducing human resources and costs and facilitating active patient participation. Methods Our software application provides the user with a shoulder horizontal adduction exercise. This exercise takes place in a 2D interactive game environment, controlled by hand movements on a desk pad. The hardware includes a standard desktop computer and screen, and the Leap Motion Controller a hand tracking system. Changing the desk pad material allows the physiotherapist to vary the friction between the user hand and the supporting surface. Results Fourteen healthy volunteers and six rehabilitation experts tested our serious game. The results showed that the application is attractive, ergonomic and clinically useful. Conclusion Despite promising results, clinical validation is necessary to demonstrate the efficacy of the serious game.Background Few quantitative analyses have been performed on muscle activation and gait function according to cane dependence. Objective The purpose of this study was to measure changes in the lower limb muscle activation and gait function according to reduced cane dependence using a weight-bearing feedback cane (WBFC) that had been designed to quantitatively measure cane dependence in stroke patients during walking. Methods Twenty-four subjects were recruited from a local rehabilitation hospital. The WBFC measured the average weight support (AWS, kg) loaded on the cane during walking through a Bluetooth connection to laptop software. All subjects walked 20 m using a WBFC set in the three levels of weight support (WSR, 100%, 60%, and 20%) based on the measured AWS. Paretic lower limb muscle activation and gait function (velocity, cadence, paretic side stride length, and symmetry index) were measured using wireless surface EMG and a 3-axis accelerometer during walking. Results The paretic side lower limb muscle activation of the 20% WSR on the cane was significantly higher than that of the 100% WSR on the cane (p less then 0.
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