Emerging Technologies for Telemedicine

This paper focuses on new technologies that are practically useful for telemedicine. Three representative systems are introduced: a Digital Video Transport System (DVTS), an H.323 compatible videoconferencing system, and Vidyo. Based on some of our experiences, we highlight the advantages and disadvantages of each technology, and point out technologies that are especially targeted at doctors and technicians, so that those interested in using similar technologies can make appropriate choices and achieve their own goals depending on their specific conditions.

EFFECT OF EXERCISE-INDUCED CHANGE IN PREFERENCE FOR SUCROSE SOLUTION ON POST-EXERCISE RECOVERY OF BODY FLUID AND GLYCOGEN IN RATS / 体力科学

We investigated whether preference for sucrose solution changes after exercise and whether the change influences post-exercise recovery of body fluid and glycogen. Rats were individually housed in cages equipped with 2 bottles containing water and either a 0.4%, 2%, 4 % or 8 % sucrose solution. The rats had free access to the water and sucrose solution for 6 h on both the day before (Pre) and the day of 2 h treadmill exercise (Ex). Fluid intake was measured. We also measured tissue weight, tissue water and tissue glycogen after 6 h recovery. Compared to Pre, voluntary fluid intake on Ex significantly decreased for 2 % and 4 % solutions, whereas it did not change for 0.4% and 8 %. After 6h of fluid ingestion, the content of tissue water and glycogen was highest for 8 % among the solutions. These results demonstrate that 8 % was effective in rehydration and tissue glycogen recovery after exercise, since its voluntary intake did not decrease after exercise.

Implications of the amino acid metabolism regarding changes in the mood profile following ultra-endurance exercise / 体力科学

To elucidate the phenomenon of central fatigue, we investigated the changes in the plasma amino acid level and false neurotransmitter (FNT) level during ultra-endurance exercise. Twenty-one male Japanese participants of the 1993 Ironman Japan Contest, held at Lake Biwa, were examined. Blood sampling and a questionnaire on the Profile of Mood States (POMS) test were collected two days before, immediately after and one-day following the race. The POMS questionnaire showed various changes especially due to fatigue. Indeed, the fatigue score significantly increased after the race. Although the confusion score significantly increased after the race, it quickly recovered to the pre race level the following day. The plasma concentration of the branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) decreased after the race, while the level of aromatic amino acids (AAA) increased, thus resulting in a significant decrease in the BCAA/AAA ratio. The plasma level of octopamine, one type of FNT, significantly increased after the race (p<0.01) . The blood ammonia level increased after the race, but recovered to the pre-race level one-day after the race. Although no change was observed in the total tryptophan (Trp) level, the level of free Trp significantly increased during the race. The significant increases in the plasma 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5HIAA), homovanillic acid (HVA) and HVA/dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) ratios thus suggest the serotonin (5 HT) and dopamine (DA) neuron systems activated after the race. In conclusion, ultra-endurance exercise caused a disorder of both the amino acid and monoamine metabolisms. Furthermore these changes were also related with mood changes, especially fatigue, i. e. central fatigue. These results suggest that the measurement of both the plasma BCAA/AAA ratio and FNT may therefore be useful in quantifying exercise induced central fatigue.