ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To study inter- and intra-observer reliabilities of computerized measurements of the angular parameters of hallux valgus deformity, using two different kinds of software tools for angle measurement on the digital radiography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: On 35 digital radiographies of standing foot anteroposterior view of hallux valgus, two observers (A, B) independently measured hallux valgus angle (HVA) and 1-2 intermetatarsal angle (IMA1-2) twice, using two methods. In method I, an angle was determined from duplicated lines to longitudinal axes made for bisecting line on the target bones with software tool. In method II, an angle was calculated automatically and directly from bisecting lines (longitudinal axes) made on the target bones. We compared two methods using paired t-test to determine significance of differences. Inter- and intra-observer reliabilities were evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). RESULTS: There were no significant differences between measurements of method I and II for each observer (p>0.05) and intraobserver reliability were good. (ICC>0.9) Inter-observer reliability for method I and II was good of the HVA (ICCs, 0.912 and 0.905) and moderate of the IMA1-2 (ICCs, 0.505 and 0.537). There were interobserver differences in HVA of method I and II. CONCLUSION: No significant difference was found statistically between measurements of method I and II. Both methods I and II would be acceptable to measure angular parameters of hallux valgus deformity.
Subject(s)
Congenital Abnormalities , Foot , Hallux , Hallux Valgus , SoftwareABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To assess the clinical efficacy of once-yearly treatment with Zoledronic acid in patients with osteopenia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From June 2009 to November 2011, patients diagnosed with osteopenia were applied to fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX). Among them, 40 patients who showed high possibility of osteoporotic fracture were selected and treated with intravenous zoledronic acid once-yearly. At the baseline and after one year of injection of zoledronate, we measured the changes in the bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover markers In addition, we analyzed the side effects and thereby assessed the drug safety.
Subject(s)
Humans , Bone Density , Bone Diseases, Metabolic , Bone Resorption , Hip , Osteocalcin , Osteoporotic Fractures , Risk AssessmentABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To study computerized measurements of angular parameters on 100% and 150% resized digital radiography of hallux valgus deformity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 30 digital radiography of standing foot anteroposterior view of hallux valgus patients were included. Two observers(A, B) independently measured hallux valgus angle (HVA), 1-2 intermetatarsal angle (IMA), and distal metatarsal articular angle (DMAA) in two times on both 100%-size and 150% magnified images respectively, using computerized measurement software tools. The results were interpreted with the statistical software program, Statistical Analysis System, version 9.2. RESULTS: In repeated measurements of each observer, measurements on 150% magnified image showed no differences of all three parameters and with 100%-size image, there were differences of HVA (observer A) and 1-2 IMA (observer B) (p>0.05). When testing interobserver reliability, both observers showed differences in measurement of HVA and DMAA (p<0.05), but no differences in measurement of 1-2 IMA in both images. Within the 95% confidence interval, limits of error of measurements between two observers on HVA, IMA and DMAA were 2.7degrees 1.4degrees and 5.0degrees respectively in 100%-size images, and 2.6degrees, 1.6degrees and 4.7degrees respectively in 150% magnified images. CONCLUSION: In computerized measurements for angular parameters of hallux valgus with digital radiography, 150% magnified images showed intraobserver reliability. Both 100% and 150% magnified images failed to show interobserver reliability. Measurement of 1-2 IMA in both 100% and 150% images showed less interobserver error.
Subject(s)
Humans , Azasteroids , Dihydrotestosterone , Foot , Hallux , Hallux Valgus , Metatarsal Bones , Radiographic Image Enhancement , SoftwareABSTRACT
Mammalian cells contain two forms of thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), cytosolic TrxR1 and mitochondrial TrxR2. To investigate the biological roles of TrxR2, we generated stable HeLa cell lines expressing a dominant negative form of TrxR2 (TrxR2DN) under the control of the tetracycline-off system. We observed that TrxR2DN-induced cells, following stimulation with EGF, produced more hydrogen peroxide than uninduced cells. The extent of protein tyrosine phosphorylation of many proteins including ERK was higher in TrxR2DN-induced cells than in uninduced cells when stimulated with fetal bovine serum or EGF. Induction of TrxR2DN also resulted in the increased rate of progression of G1 to S phase in cell cycle and cell proliferation and affected the expression of many proteins involved in cell cycle. These results suggest that TrxR2 participates in the regulation of protein tyrosine phosphorylation and cell growth as a component of the mitochondria specific H2O2-eliminating system that includes peroxiredoxin III and thioredoxin 2.
