A Case of Apoplexy Attack-Like Neuropathy due to Hereditary Neuropathy with Liability to Pressure Palsies in a Patient Diagnosed with Chronic Cerebral Infarction

Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies is an inherited disease associated with the loss of a copy of the PMP22 gene. The condition leads to mononeuropathy due to compression and easy strangulation during daily life activities, resulting in sudden muscle weakness and sensory disturbance, and displaying symptoms similar to cerebrovascular diseases. We report the case of an 80-year-old man with left paralysis due to chronic cerebral infarction. His medical history indicated remarkable recovery from about 4 months after the onset of left hemiplegia with predominant involvement of the fingers. Despite subsequent recurrent monoplegia of the upper or lower limbs, brain magnetic resonance imaging consistently revealed only previous cerebral infarction in the right corona radiata without new lesions. Medical examination showed reduced deep tendon reflexes in his extremities on both the healthy and hemiplegic sides. Nerve conduction studies showed delayed conduction at the bilateral carpal and cubital tunnels and near the right caput fibulae. Genetic analysis revealed loss of a copy of the PMP22 gene. Thus, he was diagnosed with a cerebral infarction complicated by hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies. Stroke patients develop sudden muscle weakness and sensory disturbance. However, if such patients have no hyperactive deep tendon reflexes and show atypical recovery of paralysis that does not correspond to findings of imaging modalities, nerve conduction studies and genetic analysis may be necessary, considering the complication of hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies

Development of Practical Wrist Rehabilitation Robot by Mirror Effect

The authors have developed wrist rehabilitation robot for hemiplegic patients. The robot is much effective for repetitive rehabilitation, and useful for patients. Mirror effect control system is developed based on the experience that a patient can easily move a limb while moving a limb on the other side. The effectiveness is successfully confirmed by the practical test in the hospital.3rd International Conference on Advanced Materials Design and Mechanics, ICAMDM 2014; ; 23 May 2014 through 24 May 201

Development of a rehabilitative training robot for both wrists

The authors developed a rehabilitative training robot which detects and analyzes the intention when a person tries to move a wrist with a biological signal, such as muscle action potential, and makes a wrist movement as one\u27s intention. It consists of a grip for wrists, an actuator, a biological signal primary means, biological signal processing part, and a training controller. Due to its small, compact size, training can be performed in a small space at a hospital or home. The new system which can conduct both wrists training is successfully developed for practical uses.2013 7th ICME International Conference on Complex Medical Engineering, CME 2013; Beijing; China; 25 May 2013 through 28 May 201

Survey of Food and Airborne Allergen-specific IgE Levels in a General Population of 3-year-old Japanese Children

Background: Background data on the allergic constitutions of a general population of Japanese children may provide important information regarding environmental factors that contribute to the increased incidence of allergic diseases and suggest clues for their prevention. Methods: Serum samples were obtained from a general population of 3-year-old children (612 samples) in the Kanto area and Asahikawa city. The serum levels of total and specific IgE antibodies against food allergens (egg white, milk, soybean, wheat), indoor airborne allergens (house dust, mite, cat dandruff), and outdoor airborne allergens (Japanese cedar or white birch pollen allergens) were determined and analyzed, along with the results of a questionnaire regarding medical history, and allergy-related subjective symptoms. Results: The mean total IgE level of all subjects was 34.7 IU/ml, while that for the Kanto and Asahikawa areas was 44.7 and 22.5 IU/ml, respectively. Twenty six percent of the 612 children were judged positive for indoor airborne allergen-specific IgE, and 6.7% were positive for food allergen-specific IgE. Cedar allergen-specific IgE was detected in 15.6% of the children living in the Kanto area. The total IgE level was strongly correlated with the number of allergens to which the child was sensitized. Conclusions: A relatively large number (28.4%) of 3-year-old children possessed allergen-specific IgE antibodies. The basic data obtained in the general population in these two areas of Japan will be valuable for further evaluations of environmental influences on allergic disease

Number of “general foodstuffs” reported by each prefecture in Japan.

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Number of the “milk and infant foodstuffs” reported by each prefecture in Japan.

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