Jang S, et al. Ann Rehabil Med. 2017 Apr;41(2):225-230. https://doi.org/10.5535/arm.2017.41.2.225

Cho SJ, et al. Ann Rehabil Med. 2016 Oct;40(5):862-870. https://doi.org/10.5535/arm.2016.40.5.862

We are aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performances of quantitative indices obtained from dual-phase ¹⁸F-FP-CIT PET/CT for differential diagnosis of atypical parkinsonian syndromes (APS) from Parkinson’s disease (PD). We analyzed 172 subjects, including 105 non-Parkinsonism, 26 PD, 8 PSP, 1 CBD, 8 MSA-P, 9 MSA-C, and 15 DLB retrospectively. Two sequential PET/CT scans were acquired at 5 min and 3 h. We compared subregional binding potentials, putamen-to-caudate nucleus ratio of the binding potential, asymmetry index, and degree of washout. To differentiate APS, all BPs in both early and late phases (except late BPbrainstem) and all factors of the percent change except for putamen in APS significantly differed from PD. When a cut-off for early BPcerebellum was set as 0.79, the sensitivity, specificity (SP), positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy for differentiating APS 73.2%, 91.7%, 93.8%, 66.7%, and 80.0%. The early BPcerebellum showed significantly greater SP and PPV than the late quantitative indices. Combined criteria regarding both early and late indices exhibited only greater NPV. The quantitative indices showed high diagnostic performances in differentiating APS from PD. Our findings provide the dual-phase ¹⁸F-FP-CIT PET/CT would be useful for differentiating APS from PD.

A cDNA clone encoding GLORF-C4 was isolated from the WB strain, an assemblage A Giardia intestinalis. Interestingly, GLORF-G4 has been previously reported as an assemblage B-specific gene. Using two primers based on GLORF-C4 of the GS strain, a prototype assemblage B, GLORFG4 gene was amplified from all the groups of G. intestinalis, and applied to detect the presence of cysts of G. intestinalis from faecal samples of cyst-passers. RFLP analysis of this PCR product successfully classified G. intestinalis into two distinct groups, assemblages A and B. Un clone d'ADN complémentaire codant pour le gène GIORF-C4 qui était considéré comme spécifique des souches de l'assemblage B a été isolé de la souche WB (de l'assemblage A) de Giardia intestinali. Ce gène GLORF-C4 a été amplifié à partir de tous les groupes de G. intestinalis en utilisant des oligonucléotides spécifiques du gène GLORF-C4 de la souche GS, prototype des souches de l'assemblage B, et utilisé pour détecter la présence de cystes de G. intestinalis dans les matières fécales de sujet excrétant des cystes. L'analyse en RPLF de ces produits d'amplification a permis la classification des différents groupes de G. intestinalis en deux catégories distinctes : celle de l'assemblage A et celle de l'assemblage B.

To evaluate if there is a difference in gait pattern when applying two different shapes of energy storing prosthetic feet for trainstibial amputation we conducted a comparative study. Energy storing prosthetic feet for transtibial amputation are increasing in use, but there are few studies that evaluate the effects of the shape of energy storing feet on gait patterns. Ten unilateral transtibial amputees were recruited. Two different shapes of dynamic response feet were applied to each subject either 1C30 Trias or 1C60 Triton. The main differences between the two are a split forefoot and the presence of a heel wedge. Spatiotemporal, kinematic, and kinetic data was obtained through gait analysis. Differences between intact and prosthetic side and differences between the two prosthetics were assessed. On a side to side comparison, cadence asymmetry with 1C30 Trias was observed. Ankle plantarflexion at the end of stance and ankle supination at the onset of preswing was smaller with both prosthetic feet compared to the intact side. Other spatiotemporal, kinematic, and kinetic data showed no significant differences in a side to side comparison. In a comparison between the two prosthetics, stance and swing ratio and ankle dorsiflexion through mid-stance was closer to normal with 1C60 Triton than 1C30 Trias. Other spatiotemporal, kinematic, and kinetic data showed no statistically significant differences between prosthetics. Both energy storing feet implants showed symmetric gait in unilateral transtibial amputees who are functionally independent in daily living. And 1C60 Triton showed closer to normal gait patterns than 1C30 Trias in our study.