A new evaluation method for upper extremity dexterity of patients with hemiparesis after stroke: the 10-second tests

We developed a new, sensitive evaluation method for upper extremity dexterity in patients with hemiparesis after stroke. This evaluation method consists of three types of test: the Finger Individual Movement Test, Hand Pronation and Supination Test, and Finger Tapping Test. In each test, the number of movements that can be performed during a 10-s period is measured. Data obtained by these 10-s tests were compared with those obtained by the Nine-Hole Peg Test (NHPT), and the usefulness of this new method was evaluated. In patients with hemiparesis after stroke, three types of 10-s test and NHPT were performed for the upper extremities on both the affected and unaffected sides. Simple correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis of data obtained by the three types of test and NHPT were performed using the affected/unaffected ratios. Twenty patients participated (54-85 years; 0.23-43.83 months after stroke) with mild upper extremity hemiparesis. Significant correlations exist between Finger Individual Movement Test and NHPT data (r=-0.584, P=0.0068) and between Hand Pronation and Supination Test and NHPT data (r=-0.707, P=0.0005). The multiple regression analysis model using the three types of 10-s test as explanatory variables was significant (P=0.0025) and explained 52.4% of the NHPT results. A significant association was observed between NHPT and the 10-s tests. The 10-s tests require no special examination instruments and can be readily performed in a short period. This evaluation method consisting of the 10-s tests can be a new clinical parameter of dexterity in patients with hemiparesis after stroke.     

Effect of cortical bone thickness and implant placement torque on stability of orthodontic mini-implants

PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between cortical bone thickness, inter-root distance (horizontal space), distance from alveolar crest to the bottom of maxillary sinus (vertical space) at the prepared site, and implant placement torque and the success rate of mini-implants placed for orthodontic anchorage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After computerized tomography examination, mini-implants 1.6 mm wide and 8 mm long were placed in the posterior alveolar bone. The mini-implant was judged a success when orthodontic force could be applied for at least 6 months without pain or clinically detectable mobility. The unpaired t test was performed to examine differences between the success and failure groups. The chi-square analysis or Fisher exact probability test was used to compare the implant success according to placement torque, location, and patient gender. P values less than .05 were considered significant. RESULTS: The subjects included 4 males (11 implants) and 28 females (76 implants) who ranged in age from 14.6 to 42.8 years. The success rate of the 87 implants was 87.4%. Cortical bone thickness was significantly greater in the success group (1.42 +/- 0.59 mm vs 0.97 +/- 0.31 mm, P = .015). The success rate was significantly higher in the group with an implant placement torque of 8 to 10 Ncm (100%) as compared to implants with higher or lower placement torques. The odds ratio for failure of the mini-implant was 6.93 (P = .047) when the cortical bone thickness was less than 1.0 mm relative to 1.0 mm or more. CONCLUSION: A relationship between stability after implant placement and the width and height of the peri-implant bone was not demonstrated. The prepared site should have a cortical bone thickness of at least 1.0 mm, and the placement torque should be controlled up to 10 Ncm.     

Rapid detection of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans using a loop-mediated isothermal amplification method

INTRODUCTION: Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans has been implicated in the etiology of aggressive periodontitis. In this study, we applied a novel nucleic acid amplification method, called loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), which amplifies DNA with high specificity, efficiency and rapidity under isothermal conditions, allowing the rapid detection of A. actinomycetemcomitans. METHODS: We designed the primers for detecting A. actinomycetemcomitans and evaluated the specificity and sensitivity of the assay. RESULTS: The LAMP primers used in this study successfully amplified serotypes a-e of A. actinomycetemcomitans, while other oral bacteria were not amplified. By measuring the precipitation of magnesium pyrophosphate, we could quantify the chromosomal DNA of A. actinomycetemcomitans. The detection limits using the real-time turbidimetry analysis were 5.8 x 10(2)-5.8 x 10(7) copies of A. actinomycetemcomitans template DNA per reaction tube. In addition, the LAMP assay was used for the rapid detection of A. actinomycetemcomitans in clinical specimens from eight individuals. The results with the LAMP method were similar to those using conventional polymerase chain reaction. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the LAMP-based assay is very useful for the rapid detection of A. actinomycetemcomitans.     

Spatial and topologic distribution of verapamil-sensitive atrial tachycardia originating from the vicinity of the atrioventricular node

BACKGROUND: Little information exists regarding the precise distribution of verapamil-sensitive atrial tachycardia originating from the vicinity of the atrioventricular node (V-AT). METHODS: In 12 patients with V-AT, we examined the spatial and topologic distribution of tachycardia origin relative to the His bundle (HB) site. The V-AT origin was divided into six areas: anterior (A-HB), posterior (P-HB), superior (S-HB), inferior (I-HB), lateral (L-HB), and septal (SP-HB) portion of HB catheter. Three dimensional distance between the distal pair of the electrodes of HB catheter and that of V-AT origin (DIS) was obtained by calculating the distances on the right and left anterior fluoroscopic images. Topologic distribution was expressed as the interval between the onset of the atrial electrogram of V-AT origin and that of HB catheter (INT). RESULTS: The tachycardia origin was observed at the P-HB in four, S-HB in two, I-HB in two, SP-HB in three, and L-HB in one patient. The tachycardia cycle length, DIS, and INT were 369 +/- 67 ms, 12 +/- 3 mm, and -12 +/- 8 ms, respectively. After successful ablation of initial V-AT (1st V-AT), V-AT with a different origin (2nd V-AT) was induced in five patients. The tachycardia origin, tachycardia cycle length, DIS, and INT of the 2nd V-AT (P-HB in three, S-HB in one, and SP-HB in one patient; 333 +/- 66 ms, 8 +/- 3 mm, and -11 +/- 4 ms, respectively) were not different from those of 1st V-AT. CONCLUSIONS: V-AT often shows a shift in tachycardia origin to another site where the spatial and topologic distributions are similar to those of 1st V-AT.     

Immune Evasion of Hepatoma Cancer Stem-Like Cells from Natural Killer Cells

Annals of Surgical Oncology - Poor prognosis in liver cancer is due to its high frequency of intrahepatic metastasis. Cancer stem-like cells (CSLCs), which possess the properties of stemness, tumor...     

Cystic cavernous hemangioma of the liver

We report an unusual case of multilocular cystic cavernous hemangioma of the liver. The patient was a 61-year-old woman without liver disfunction but who had multicystic mass lesions in the liver. Although cavernous hemangiomas are usually accurately diagnosed by the various imaging modalities, our case showed atypical features.