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To evaluate the accuracy of the swallowing kinematic analysis.
To evaluate the accuracy at various velocities of movement, we developed an instrumental model of linear and rotational movement, representing the physiologic movement of the hyoid and epiglottis, respectively. A still image of 8 objects was also used for measuring the length of the objects as a basic screening, and 18 movie files of the instrumental model, taken from videofluoroscopy with different velocities. The images and movie files were digitized and analyzed by an experienced examiner, who was blinded to the study.
The Pearson correlation coefficients between the measured and instrumental reference values were over 0.99 (p<0.001) for all of the analyses. Bland-Altman plots showed narrow ranges of the 95% confidence interval of agreement between the measured and reference values as follows: 0.14 to 0.94 mm for distances in a still image, -0.14 to 1.09 mm/s for linear velocities, and -1.02 to 3.81 degree/s for angular velocities.
Our findings demonstrate that the distance and velocity measurements obtained by swallowing kinematic analysis are highly valid in a wide range of movement velocity.
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To examine the effect of the posture of immobilization upon the tensile properties in injured Achilles tendon of rat for an initial period of immobilization.
Forty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were used in the present study. Eighteen rats received a total tenotomy of the right Achilles tendon to mimic total rupture and were divided into three groups comprising of 6 rats each. Ankles of group A were immobilized at 60° of plantarflexion. Ankles of group B were immobilized at neutral position. Whereas, those of group C were immobilized at 60° of dorsiflexion. Other 18 rats received hemitenotomy to mimic partial rupture and were divided into three groups. The remaining 6 rats were kept free as control. After 14 days, we dissected the tendons and analyzed maximum force, stiffness, and energy uptake during pulling of the tendons until they ruptured. The tendons of 6 rats in each group and control were reserved for histology. Picrosirius staining was done for the analysis of collagen organization.
In total tenotomy, tensile properties were significantly different between the control and the intervention groups (p<0.05). Group C showed relatively higher values than the groups A and B with respect to tensile properties (p>0.05). In partial tenotomy, tensile properties were significantly different between the control and the intervention groups (p<0.05). Group C showed significantly higher value than other intervention groups in terms of maximum force and energy uptake (p<0.05). The semiquantitative histologic grading scores were assigned for collagen organization. The scores for dorsiflexion posture were higher than the ones for plantarflexion.
Dorsiflexion posture in partial ruptured Achilles tendon showed better functional recovery than other immobilized postures. In total ruptured case, the tensile properties showed increasing tendency in dorsiflexion posture.
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