The LAMP group was divided into two subgroups: (1) LAMP(+) (n = 16) comprising patients who had ACS at 2 years after surgery, and (2) LAMP(-) (n = 31) comprising patients without ACS.

Recovery rate differed significantly between the LAMP(+) and LAMP(-) groups despite there being no difference between the LAMP(-) and ADF groups.

Conclusion. The recovery rate of the JOA score in the ADF group was better than that in the LAMP group. The clinical outcomes after LAMP could be influenced by ACS.”
“Purpose: To compare the stiffness of the plantar fascia by using sonoelastography in healthy subjects of different ages, as well as patients with plantar fasciitis.

Materials and Methods: The study protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the hospital, and all of the subjects gave their informed consent. Bilateral feet of 40 healthy subjects and 13 subjects with plantar fasciitis (fasciitis group) were examined by using color-coded sonoelastography. Healthy subjects were divided into younger (18-50 years) and older (> 50 years) groups. The color scheme was red (hard), green (medium stiffness), and blue (soft). The color histogram was subsequently analyzed.

Each pixel of the image was separated into red, green, and blue components (color intensity range, 0-255). The color histogram then computed the mean intensity of each color component of the pixels within a standardized area. Mixed model for repeated measurements was used for comparison of the plantar fascia thickness and the intensity of the color components on sonoelastogram.

Results: Quantitative analysis of the color histogram revealed a significantly greater intensity of blue in older healthy subjects than in younger (94.5 +/- 5.6 [+/- standard deviation] vs 90.0 +/- 4.6, P = .002) subjects. The intensity of red and green

was the same between younger and older healthy subjects (P = .68 and 0.12). The intensity of red was significantly greater in older healthy subjects than in the fasciitis group (147.8 +/- 10.3 vs 133.7 +/- 13.4, P < .001). The intensity of green and blue was the same between older healthy subjects and those in the fasciitis group (P = .33 and .71).

Conclusion: Sonoelastography revealed that the plantar fascia softens with age and in subjects with plantar fasciitis. (C) RSNA, 2011″
“Novel bioactive and optically active poly(N-acryloyl-L-phenylalanine) (PAPA) was synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization. PAPA-silver (Ag) nanocomposites have been successfully prepared via in situ reducing Ag+ ions anchored in the polymer chain using hydrazine hydrate as reducing agent in an aqueous medium. By controlling of the amount of Ag+ ions introduced, we have produced an organic/inorganic nanocomposite containing Ag nanoparticles with well controlled size. Nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UVVis spectrophotometry, transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared.