Abstract-For this study, we compared the effectiveness of different design insoles for redistributing pressure during walking for diabetic patients and for normal control subjects. Comparisons of dynamic plantar foot pressure patterns were made with different support, including shoe-only, flat insole, and three contoured insoles. We custom-molded the three contoured insoles by casting the plantar surface of the foot under the conditions of non-weight-bearing, semi-weight-bearing, and fullweight-bearing. With the F-Scan in-shoe system, the interfacial pressure distribution during walking with different plantar supports was measured at 50 Hz for 10 s. The use of insoles could significantly reduce local peak pressure and pressure-time integral and increase the contact area. Contoured insoles were significantly better than flat insoles with regard to the insole functions in reducing local peak pressures. The insole with the semi-weight-bearing foot shape can offer the greatest peak pressure reduction compared to other insole designs, especially for patients with peak pressure located at the second to third metatarsal heads.

Aim:The aims of this study were to define the relationship between intravesical prostatic protrusion (IPP), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and prostate volume (PV) and to determine which one of them is the best predictor of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) due to benign prostatic enlargement. Methods: A prospective study of 114 male patients older than 50 years examined between November 2001 and 2002 was performed. They were evaluated with digital rectal examination, International Prostate Symptoms Score, PSA, uroflowmetry, postvoid residual urine measurement, IPP and PV using transabdominal ultrasound scan. Statistical analysis included scatter plot with Spearman's correlation coefficients and nominal logistic regression Results: Prostate volume, IPP and PSA showed parallel correlation. Although all three indices had good correlation with BOO index, IPP was the best. The Spearman rho correlation coefficients were 0.314, 0.408 and 0.507 for PV, PSA and IPP, respectively. Using receiver-operator characteristic curves, the areas under the curve for PV, PSA and IPP were 0.637, 0.703 and 0.772, respectively. The positive predictive values of PV, PSA and IPP were 65%, 68% and 72%, respectively. Using a nominal regression model, IPP remained the most significant independent index to determine BOO. Conclusions: All three non-invasive indices correlate with one another. The study showed that IPP is a better predictor for BOO than PSA or PV.

Although the sonographic appearances of plantar fibromatosis vary, the appearances are characteristic enough to allow a specific diagnosis to be made. No clear relationship was found among the sonographic appearances, duration of symptoms, or clinical outcome.

Elderly-onset UC patients are increasing in number. These patients have higher risk of opportunistic infections, hospitalisation, colorectal cancer, and mortality than non-elderly-onset patients. Management and therapeutic strategies in this special group need careful attention.

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In a population-based study, Chinese patients with CD are at an increased risk of anorectal cancers and hematological cancers compared with the general population. A higher risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer was also observed in CD and UC. Cancer surveillance should be considered.

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Bone-tendon junction healing in a bone trough was investigated in a goat partial patellectomy model. Histologic evaluation and biomechanical tests were done at 6, 12, and 24 weeks. Irregular fibrous tissue seen at the healing bone-tendon junction at 6 weeks gradually assumed longitudinal alignment and remodeled toward a direct bone-tendon junction. Type III collagen deposition was diffuse at 6 weeks, but became localized to the healing interface at 12 weeks. Thickness of newly formed bone increased progressively with time. Bridging collagen fibers were formed at the junction, with fibrochondrocytic cells and a basophilic tidemark detected at 24 weeks. The trabecular line remained discontinuous and there was no safranin O uptake. Most specimens failed at the junctions under tensile loads. The ultimate failure stress increased from 4.78 +/- 0.50 N/mm2 at 6 weeks to 7.99 +/- 0.33 N/mm2 at 24 weeks (mean +/- standard error of the mean), only reaching 15% of normal. Cartilage from the articular cut surface extended into the healing interface, later forming an area of fibrocartilage with densely packed collagen fibers aligned along the direction of force, containing proteoglycans. Cartilage may enhance restoration of a transition zone in bone-tendon junction healing. The sequence of events outlined formed a basis to guide clinical practice regarding bone-tendon junction reattachment.