Novel Method for Detecting the Stage of Arthrosis and Femoroacetabular Impingement Using a Gyroscopic Sensor and Neural Networks.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Femoroacetabular impingement syndrome is a complex, often post-traumatically developing impairment of the hip joint, characterized by ambiguous symptomatology, which makes early diagnosis diffi cult, especially in the early stages. Experimental retrospective study was carried out to evaluate the usability of a triaxial gyroscopic sensor in routine practice as an additional indication criterion for operative versus conservative treatment procedures. MATERIAL AND METHODS 92 patients were included in the retrospective study, and 62 completed the investigation. All patients signed informed consent. A gyroscopic sensor was placed on the right side of the pelvis above the hip joint, and the patients walked approximately 15 steps. Furthermore, an evaluation of the data during stair climbing and a complete clinical examination of the dynamics and physiological movements in the joint was carried out. Data measured with a gyroscopic sensor were processed using differential geometry methods and then evaluated using spectral analysis and neural networks. The proposed technique of diagnosing FAI using gyroscope measurement is a fast, easy-to-perform method. RESULTS Our approach in processing gyroscopic signals used to detect the stage of arthrosis and post-traumatically developing FAI could lead to more accurate early detection and capture in the early stages. CONCLUSIONS The obtained data are easily evaluated, interpretable and benefi cial in diagnosing the early stages of FAI. The results of the conducted research showed this approach to more accurate early detection of arthrosis and post-traumatically developing FAI. Key words: wearable sensors; osteoarthritis; mathematical biophysics; telemedicine.

NMDA- but not kainate-mediated events reduce efficacy of some antiepileptic drugs against generalized tonic-clonic seizures in mice.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of conventional antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) against the generalized tonic-clonic seizures in mice subjected to the subconvulsive doses of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) or kainate. METHODS: Mice were given NMDA and kainate in the doses of 50.0 and 9.0 mg/kg i.p., respectively [i.e., equal to 75% of their CD16 values (convulsive dose in 16% of the animals studied)]. Subsequently the anticonvulsive potential of conventional AEDs against the maximal electroshock-induced seizures was estimated. Where necessary, the plasma levels of AEDs were assessed. RESULTS: NMDA or kainate application did not affect the electroconvulsive threshold. NMDA, but not kainate, diminished the antiepileptic activity of diazepam (DZP) and carbamazepine (CBZ), increasing their 50% effective doses (ED50s) from 14.1 and 8.6 to 19.0 and 12.1 mg/kg i.p., respectively. Neither NMDA nor kainate affected the ED50 for valproate (VPA), phenobarbital (PB), or diphenylhydantoin (DPH) against electroconvulsions. NMDA-evoked effects were reversed with the use of the NMDA antagonist, D-(E)-2-amino-4-methyl-5-phosphono-3-pentenoic acid (CGP 40116) and were not accompanied by the alterations in the free plasma levels of AEDs. CONCLUSIONS: The NMDA-mediated events, but not kainate-related ones, seem to be involved in the protective action of DZP and CBZ against maximal electroshock-induced seizures. Moreover, it might be concluded that when subthreshold activation of NMDA receptors adds to other epileptogenic factors, DZP and CBZ are less efficacious. Presented data indicate that in such situations, adding the NMDA receptor antagonist (at very low doses) to the AED may yield beneficial therapeutic effects.